The NSW Greens will meet in Newcastle (Hamilton) this weekend (13/14 March).

This is the first time that the state body has met in Newcastle (or
the Hunter) since 2007.

Delegates from Greens groups from all over NSW, and NSW Greens state
parliamentarians, will be attending the two day meeting.

Discussions will include:

- the forthcoming Federal election
- next year’s state election
- a number of policy matters (including animal welfare, police and
justice, population policy)
- The Greens response to Labor’s proposed ETS

It is also expected that the meeting will issue public statements
about a number of major issues in the Hunter, including the future of
the Newcastle rail line.

For more information, please contact Carrie Jacobi (Convenor of
Newcastle Greens) on 0418 231 257.

–
michael-osborne.blogspot.com

Mr Cohen now faces financial ruin because he criticised a developer at a fundraising event for a fellow environmental activist who was facing legal action by the developer.

Newcastle Greens will be holding an event to support Mr Cohen this Friday night (see details below).

Mr Cohen said he has been receiving tremendous support from right across the community, but was still a long way from being able to meet his costs.

“Newcastle has always had a strong progressive and activist community, who I know are very concerned about how legal processes can be used to chill democratic participation,” Mr Cohen said.

Newcastle Greens councillor Michael Osborne, who will be attending the event, and who has recently been subjected to a council Code of Conduct complaint for his own “involvement in a protest” in December last year, said that these situations demonstrated the need for eternal vigilance and greater protection for basic democratic rights.

“It’s outrageous that our institutional systems can be abused in these ways to muzzle democratic free speech, and it demonstrates the urgent need for law reforms protecting rights of public participation and protest, and giving more legal substance to our right to freedom of political expression.

“In a number of Australian jurisdictions, Greens and public interest groups have proposed legislation to protect public interest advocates against SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). The ACT has already passed such legislation.

“Unfortunately, bringing such proposals into law usually relies on support from one of the big parties, who are often too indebted to the vested interests who want to keep things the way they are.”

The Newcastle Greens event will be at 7:30pm at the Gallipoli Club in Beaumont St, Hamilton on Friday 26 February. Entrance cost is $15 ($10 concession) with all proceeds going to the Ian Cohen Defamation Fund

Mr Cohen will be speaking about his case at the event, and will be supported with performances by popular Hunter rhythm & blues band, The Pop-up Toasters; Newcastle hip-hop band, Dhopec; and local comedienne (and Lake Macquarie Greens councillor), Hannah Gissane.

For further comment, please contact:

Ian Cohen (Greens NSW Member of the Legislative Council) on: 0409 989 466

Michael Osborne (Newcastle Greens councillor) on: 0439 442 984

THE NSW GREENS WILL MEET IN NEWCASTLE (Hamilton) THIS WEEKEND (13/14 March).

This is the first time that the state body has met in Newcastle (or
the Hunter) since 2007.

Delegates from Greens groups from all over NSW, and NSW Greens state
parliamentarians, will be attending the two day meeting.

Discussions will include:

- the forthcoming Federal election
- next year’s state election
- a number of policy matters (including animal welfare, police and
justice, population policy)
- The Greens response to Labor’s proposed ETS

It is also expected that the meeting will issue public statements
about a number of major issues in the Hunter, including the future of
the Newcastle rail line.

For more information, please contact Carrie Jacobi (Convenor of
Newcastle Greens) on 0418 231 257.

when: FRIDAY, 26th FEBRUARY, 7.30 pm
where: The Gallipoli Club, Beaumont Street, Hamilton (near Station) DOORS & BAR OPEN AT 7pm

All proceeds go to the Defamation Fund for NSW Greens MP, IAN COHEN, for a total legal bill of over $1 million arising from a court case won by a north coast developer.
* Hear Ian’s first-hand account of his comments at a function near Byron Bay in 2001 that led to defamation charges
* Groove to DHOPEC the popular Newcastle hip-hop band, SANDY the great Hunter Valley rhythmn & blues band & the
MYSTERIOUS COWBOYS

PLUS MORE …. Further details, including ticket costs, to be advised soon.
Organised by the Hunter Regional Greens.

Enquiries: James Ryan, 0414 922 591 or Bev Symons, 4962 2160.

Staff position in Greens Parliamentary Office of Lee Rhiannon

We are seeking a policy and legislation adviser for a maternity leave relief position of at least three months, with a possible extension, starting in late February 2010. The position is for two days a week.  The salary includes an overtime component.  The annual salary is $61,423 - $69,469 pro rata (including overtime, leave loading and other allowances).

For a copy of job description and further details see ‘What’s new?’ on Lee Rhiannon’s homepage: www.lee.greens.org.au

Applications close midday on 18 Friday 26 February 2010. Interviews will be conducted on Monday 1 March.
Inquiries lee.rhiannon@parliament.nsw.gov.au or 9230 3551.

********************
Office Manager – Greens NSW.  Fixed Term Appointment to April 2011

This key position at the NSW Party Office works with members,  volunteers and other staff to provide the best possible office environment in the coming crucial election period.

The position suits someone who can rise to any challenge and think laterally.  Applicants should possess excellent organisational skills, strong attention to detail, experience working with limited resources including time and a demonstrated commitment to the Greens.

A position description is available at  http://www.nsw.greens.org.au or contact James Diack at james@nsw.greens.org.au or on (02) 9519 0877.

Email applications addressing the selection criteria and details of three referees to secretary@nsw.greens.org.au by 10am Monday 8 March 2010.

*********************

Freelance Graphic Designers Wanted

The Greens NSW election campaign is seeking expressions of interest from professional  graphic designers with commercial experience to perform freelance work with us on a contract basis during the coming
election period.

The work is primarily print based, preparing original layout designs for materials such as  leaflets, placards and a newspaper.  There will also be some need to produce graphics for the web.  We will provide  design briefs, copy and photographs.  All work will be on short deadlines, with final work produced in Adobe InDesign.

For more information call James Diack on 9519 0877.

*************************
Chief Executive Officer – Nature Conservation Council of NSW
Full-time; Sydney based. Closing date: Sunday, 7 March, 2010.

This position is a unique opportunity for a motivated sustainability leader to guide the direction of NSW’s peak environmental group.

Confidential enquiries can be made to: Prof Don White, ph 9389 6728 or: whitedon@bigpond.net.au

For position criiteria see: www.nccnsw.org.au

****************************

Office Manager – Nature Conservation Council of NSW
Full-time; Sydney based. Salary range: $50,000 - $52.000 pa (plus super)

Closing date: Monday, 1 March, 2010

The Office Manager provides administrative, organisational and communications (including IT) support to NCC, ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the organisation. The NCC team currently comprises 11 permanent staff members and a small and dedicated team of volunteers. The organisation has a financial turnover of $1.3m per year.

The suitable applicant will need to be experienced in working in a very busy office and used to juggling competing demands. The Office Manager’s main areas of responsibility will be ensuring the smooth running of the NCC office, database, IT and equipment and accounts.

For further information: ph Cate Faehrmann on (02) 9279 2466

Applications to:
Executive Director, N.C.C. Of NSW
Level 2, 301 Kent St, Sydney, NSW, 2000
Email: cfaehrmann@nccnsw.org.au

The vote was 8 to 5. Councillors Buman, Claydon, Connell, Crakanthorp, King, Jackson, Nelmes and Osborne all supported rescinding the previous decision. The five councillors who voted against it were Boyd, Cook, Luke, Tate and Sharpe.

After rescinding the motion, the council decided to establish a consultative placemaking process to examine all reasonable options for the future of both the trees and the general Laman St precinct.

The result is that the Laman St trees now don’t have a death sentence hanging over them before the consultation process begins. From here, it will depend on people getting involved in the placemaking process, which will probably get going early next year.