URGENT UPDATES APRIL 2017
NSW STATE BY-ELECTIONS APRIL 2017
SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF BY-ELECTIONS HELD APRIL 8 2017
Dear all,
Please find attached a Brief Summary of the Results of the By-elections held on 8 April 2017.
There was a massive swing against the Liberal Party in the three By-elections of North Shore, Manly and Gosford. The first preference (primary vote) swings against the Liberal Party were 15.3% in North Shore, 24.2% in Manly and 12% in Gosford. After distribution of preferences, the swings against the Liberal Party were 16.5% in North Shore, 14% in Manly and 12.3% in Gosford.
Forced council amalgamations, the failure to hold plebiscites, a failure to listen to the community and a loss of trust in the Liberal Party were all significant factors in these massive swings.
Two Independents did very well – Carolyn Corrigan in North Shore and Kathryn Ridge in Manly. A low turnout of voters and preferences not flowing sufficiently affected their results. Labor that only contested Gosford got a very good result in what was the most marginal seat in NSW.
Kind regards,
Brian and Phil
Brian Halstead President and Phil Jenkyn OAM
Save Our Councils Coalition (SOCC) 16 April 2017
https://www.facebook.com/saveourcouncils
SOCC Brief Summary of Results of By-elections held 8 April 2017
BY-ELECTION POLLING DAY WRAP-UP – APRIL 9 2017
Dear all,
Thank you to those who helped in the By-elections – you have all contributed to the massive swing against the Government over its forced amalgamations agenda.
The result is too close to call in what was once the safe seat of North Shore, and will rely on preferences and how many of the votes exhaust and don’t flow on. Carolyn Corrigan will need to do well on preferences to win.
Attached are some of the latest articles and photos, and below is the classic photo and the TV News videos on the By-elections. The ‘Put Libs Last’ campaign is very effective as can be clearly seen from the articles and videos.
Kind regards,
Phil
Phil Jenkyn
On behalf of Save Hunters Hill Municipality Coalition (SHHMC) and Save Our Councils Coalition (SOCC)
https://www.facebook.com/savehuntershill
https://www.facebook.com/saveourcouncils
SOCC Media Release By-election Results 9 April 2017 – Co-alition wipe-out.
By-election swings rattle the NSW Liberal Party https://au.news.yahoo.com/video/watch/34968858/by-elections-swings-rattle-liberal-party-state-government/#page1
9 NEWS 9 April 2017 – Swing against the Liberal Party in by-elections – The New South Wales government has suffered a major blow, with a swing against the Liberal Party in the State by-elections. http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/04/09/20/08/labor-claims-gosford-seat-in-nsw-by-elections
ABC News 9 April 2017 – Liberal and Labor retain seats in NSW by-election – Labor easily retained the seat of Gosford, with former paralympian Liesl Tesch the new MP. As state political reporter Sara Gerathy explains, the swings were probably bigger than the government was expecting in the north shore. https://www.msn.com/en-au/video/news/liberal-and-labor-retain-seats-in-nsw-by-elections/vp-BBzAbbu
Sky News 9 April 2017 NSW – Liberals survive large swings: Gladys Berejiklian has narrowly survived her first test as NSW premier as voters walked away from the Liberal Party in droves in blue-ribbon heartland. http://www.skynews.com.au/news/politics/state/2017/04/09/nsw-liberals-survive-large-swings.html
North Sydney and Manly byelection: Liberals scrape home to retain heartland seats – SMH April 9 2017 ;
“Liberals chalked up the major denting of their vote in party heartland to scandals involving their candidates and anger at council amalgamation among the party’s most loyal voters, especially in Mosman, the suburb which was home to the first ever branch of the Liberal Party, set up by Robert Menzies. Locals in North Shore and in Manly have been vocal in their opposition to the state government’s plan to forcibly merge the council with its neighbours, which had resulted in legal action against the state government by Mosman, Lane Cove and North Sydney Councils.
Ms Berejiklian cancelled planned mergers of several rural councils that had brought action against the government soon after taking power and negotiating with a new leader of her Coalition partner the Nationals. But she declined to do the same for councils in urban areas, potentially inviting political backlash.
Volunteers from the Save Our Councils coalition flooded polling booths in North Shore and Manly from all around NSW”.
Voters walk away in droves – but Berejiklian survives SBS News and The Australian April 9 2017 http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/04/09/voters-walk-away-berejiklian-survives
Labor wins Gosford as REELING NSW Libs battle in blue ribbon seats – News daily April 8 2017
April 8 2017 – POLLING DAY
SOCC and SHHMC out in force at Saturdays by-electionsmessage with one message “Stop council mergers” – “Put Libs Last”
Busloads of people from Country electorates “Betrayed” by the National / Liberal Government of NSW over forced mergers, flock to Sydney By-Elections to urge people to “Put Libs Last”
Country activists on a mission to swing the North Shore by-election
Andrea McCullagh and Brad Norington, Mosman Daily April 7, 2017 1:58pm http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/mosman-daily/country-activists-on-a-mission-to-swing-the-north-shore-byelection/news-story/a36a89f54e7d9c7c7b64df470493ddeb
Ten News 7 April 2017; Some last-minute campaigning from Gladys Berejiklian, who’s facing her first test as Premier at the polls. Independent and anti-merger campaigner Carolyn Corrigan challenges for seat of North Sydney at By-election. https://tenplay.com.au/news/sydney/2017/4/7/north-poll
ABC News 7 April 2017: North Shore Liberal candidate Felicity Wilson refuses to talk to state political reporter Brigid Glanville about allegations she wrongly claimed to have lived in the electorate for 10 years, making a false statement on a Statutory Declaration. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-07/felicity-wilson-refuses-to-talk-to-abc-reporter/8424162
7News 7 April 2017: Just hours before polls open in her biggest electoral test since becoming Premier Gladys Berejiklian has defended the integrity of one of her by-election contenders. This is despite fresh revelations today about just how truthful North Shore candidate Felicity Wilson was about her connection to the area. https://au.news.yahoo.com/video/watch/34951726/polls-to-open-in-biggest-electoral-test-in-gladys-berejiklian-premiership/#page1
APRIL 6 2017 – SOCC MEDIA EVENT – “PUT LIBS LAST” AT SYDNEY BY-ELECTIONS
SOCC Media Alert 6 April 2017 re By-elections
The Liberal Government’s forced council amalgamations agenda, its failure to hold plebiscites, the lack of transparency – all key issues in the State By- elections for North Shore, Manly and Gosford on Saturday 8 April.
The successful use of the campaign slogan in Orange is repeated in the new placards “Put the Libs Last” colourful, hand painted signs – continuing the message that relates to preference voting by consigning the Liberal Party to last place.
Use of this slogan and display at pre polling booths has shown the cut through aspect of the slogan with many voters saying they either did not vote for the Liberals at all or filled out the preferences and put the Liberals last.
CONTACTS: Phil Jenkyn OAM – SOCC spokesman 0422 442 677 Will Tuck – SOCC Media 0403 673 421
SOCC SURVEY RESULTS ON FORCED COUNCIL AMALGAMATIONS – APRIL 3 2017
Please find attached the results of the Save Our Councils Coalition (SOCC) Survey of Candidates for the three By-elections on 8 April – in North Shore, Manly and Gosford. The Survey letter to candidates and the three flyers with the results are the four attachments.
The Liberal Party is pro forced council amalgamations and against the holding of plebiscites.
Three Independents in North Shore and two in Manly, the Labor Party, The Greens, The Shooters, Fishers & Farmers Party and The Christian Democrats are all against forced council amalgamations and in favour of plebiscites – see details below.
The NSW Liberal Party’s policy and actions are aimed at destroying local democracy and local councils and it is refusing to listen to communities who don’t want forced council amalgamations. There is no mandate for its actions.
SOCC is a non-party political organisation. It recommends that you Vote for a Party/Independent of your choice who has answered YES YES and YES.
The Liberals are saying NO NO and NO. SOCC recommends that you exercise your right to vote for your candidate and your preferences at the By-elections and that you put the Liberal Party last on the ballot paper.
Kind regards,
Phil
Phil Jenkyn OAM
On behalf of Save Our Councils Coalition (SOCC)
https://www.facebook.com/saveourcouncils
QUESTIONS
The questions to the Candidates and political parties are as follows:
1) Is your political party, or yourself if you are a genuine independent, against forced council amalgamations?
2) Does your political party, or yourself if you are a genuine independent,
a) commit to ensuring that where an amalgamation is proposed, the community of each local council area via a valid plebiscite must have each voted by majority in favour of the amalgamation, prior to that amalgamation proceeding?
b) commit to enabling the de-amalgamation of forcibly amalgamated councils through legislation involving a plebiscite in each former council area?
ANSWERS
NORTH SHORE BY-ELECTION
The Liberal Party (candidate Felicity Wilson) is pro forced council amalgamations and against the holding of plebiscites.
Independent candidates Carolyn Corrigan, Ian Mutton and Harry Fine, The Greens (Justin Alick), CDP (Silvana Nile), Voluntary Euthanasia Party (Brian Beaumont Owles), and Animal Justice Party (Ila Lessing) are all against forced council amalgamations and in favour of plebiscites.
See attached Survey flyer for response to each question.
MANLY BY-ELECTION
The Liberal Party (candidate James Griffin) and Independent candidate Haris Jackman are pro forced council amalgamations and against the holding of plebiscites. The Voluntary Euthanasia Party candidate (Kerry Bromson) has stated he was uncertain as to how to answer on this issue.
Independent candidates Kathryn Ridge and John Cook, The Greens (Clare Williams Roldan), CDP (Annie Wright), Animal Justice Party (Ellie Robertson), candidates Brian Clare and Victor Waterson, are all against forced council amalgamations and in favour of plebiscites.
Independent Ron Delezio affirmed questions 1 and 2(a) but not 2(b) above and W Bush was not contactable.
See attached Survey flyer for response to each question.
GOSFORD BY-ELECTION
The Liberal Party (candidate Jilly Pilon) and Animal Justice Party (Skyla Wagstaff) are pro forced council amalgamations and against the holding of plebiscites.
The Labor Party (candidate Liesl Tesch), The Greens (Abigail Boyd), SF&F (Larry Freeman) and CDP (Andrew Church), are all against forced council amalgamations and in favour of plebiscites.
See attached Survey flyer for response to each question.
SOCC Survey Letter to By-election Candidates for 8 April 2017
SOCC North Shore survey flyer for 8 April 2017 (4)
SOCC Manly survey flyer for 8 April 2017 (4)
SOCC Gosford survey flyer for 8 April 2017 (5)
URGENT UPDATES MARCH 2017
March 29 2017 – Liberal Candidate Felicity Wilson Booed and Heckled at Meet the Candidates Forum for North Sydney By-Election: http://www.news.com.au/video/id-pzeDFrYTE68lSJX56KsOc32RZjVPOVh4/North-Shore-byelection-forum
VICTORY FOR KURRINGGAI COUNCIL AS SUPREME COURT RULES THAT NSW GOVERNMENT FORCED MERGER PROCESS DENIED THE COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC PROCEDURAL FAIRNESS.
ABC News Sydney 27 March 2017 7pm – Great victory in the courts for local democracy!
Ten News 27 March 2017 COURT KNOCKS BACK AMALGAMATIONS “The people have won this battle. Now what the Government has to do is back off!
ABC NEWS: MARCH 27 2017 Sydney’s Kur-ring-gai Council wins reprieve against forced merger with Hornsby – The NSW Government’s council amalgamations have been dealt another blow, with Sydney’s Ku-ring-gai winning its court battle to stop a forced merger with Hornsby. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-27/kur-ring-gai-council-wins-court-of-appeal-case-against-merger/8389306
Mayor of Hunters Hill Richard Quinn says polls show a majority of people are against the mergers.
A VICTORY FOR LOCALISM IN AUSTRALIA: COURT BLOCKS FORCED AMALGAMATION – New Geography March 31 2017
A significant international article documenting the victory for Local Democracy evident in the NSW Supreme Court ruling blocking the NSW Governments attempted forced merger of Kuringgai and Hornsby Councils.
“In a rare victory for grassroots activists, The New South Wales Supreme Court has blocked the forced local government amalgamation of northern suburban councils Ku-ring-gai and the Shire of Hornsby in Greater Sydney. The Ku-ring-gai Council had challenged the parliamentary order and lost at a lower court level , but as The Daily Telegraph put it “Ku-ring-gai Council has won its appeal against a forced merger with Hornsby Council this morning in a judgment that was highly critical of the State Government delegate and its process.” The Council was also awarded costs…” http://www.newgeography.com/content/005574-a-victory-localism-australia-court-blocks-forced-amalgamation
Merger ruling a win for democracy SMH Letters 29 March 17 
STATE BY-ELECTIONS APRIL 8 2017- VOLUNTEERS FOR STATE BY-ELECTION FOR NORTH SHORE – SATURDAY 8 APRIL 2017
A big thank you to those who were able to help make up the ‘Put Libs Last’ signs at the Hunters Hill RSL Hall on 15 March, and to those who have already indicated they can help on election day.
However we do need more help on the day as it is a big task to man all the polling places.
SOCC supporters preparing Put Libs Last signs for North Shore By-election.
Save Hunters Hill Municipality Coalition (SHHMC) and Save Our Councils Coalition (SOCC) are seeking volunteers who are opposed to ‘forced council amalgamations’ to help on ELECTION DAY at a polling place – holding the ‘Put Libs Last’ signs.
Date: Saturday 8 April 2017
Time: Between 8am and 6pm
Venue: A nominated polling place within the North Shore Electorate
Action: Holding up the ‘Put Libs Last’ signs
Contact: Phil Jenkyn Email: jenkyn@internode.on.net Phone: 0422 442 677
The showing of signs (Put the Nats Last) at polling places proved very effective during the recent Orange By-election. The signs were clearly visible, used often by media and drew a positive response.
Information about the By-election including polling places can be found here http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/elections/north_shore_state_by-election .
Please email back to Phil or ring so that we may collate volunteers name, email, mobile and time of attendance. We will then make contact with you as to the nominated polling place and the other volunteers who will be at that polling place on the day.
Many thanks,
Phil
Phil Jenkyn
Co-convenor Save Hunters Hill Municipality Coalition (SHHMC)
https://www.facebook.com/savehuntershill
SOCC supporters outside the Liberal Party’s North Shore Electorate Office.
WE NEED INDEPENDENTS LIKE TED MACK – A MAGNIFICENT ARTICLE BY ELIZABETH FARRELLY SMH MARCH 17 2017
We need independents like Ted Mack SMH Elizabeth Farrelly 17 March 17
A ‘genuine independent’ referred to in the article may be defined as a quality independent candidate who has not been and is not a member of a major political party, is not now associated with a major political party, has a positive track record of involvement with and respect for local communities, and lives in the electorate and has for some time.
The one independent candidate who fits this definition in North Shore is Carolyn Corrigan. See website http://www.vote1carolyn.com/ and facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Vote1Carolyn
In relation to Manly one independent candidate satisfies the above definition and that is Kathryn Ridge. See website http://kathrynridge.com.au and facebook page https://www.facebook.com/KathrynRidgeManly/
Carolyn Corrigan for North Shore Kathryn Ridge for Manly
TWO GREAT INDEPENDENTS TO CHALLENGE THE LIBERAL PARTY FOR SEATS OF NORTH SHORE AND MANLY #PUT LIBS LAST
CAROLYN CORRIGAN (Past president SOCC) – To run for seat of North Shore
ABC News 5 March 2017. Independent Carolyn Corrigan has announced she is standing as a candidate for the seat of North Shore in the State by-election on 8 April. Carolyn is a councillor and former Deputy Mayor Mosman Council and until recently President of Save Our Councils Coalition. She is a strong opponent to the State Government’s forced council amalgamation policy.
PETER MACDONALD LAUNCHES KATHY RIDGES CAMPAIGN FOR MANLY
Photo – Dr Peter Macdonald OAM former Independent State member for Manly, Kathy Ridge Independent candidate for Manly and Phil Jenkyn OAM Save Our Councils Coalition at the Campaign Launch of Kathy Ridge on 10 March 2017 in the By-election for the seat of Manly.
Dr Peter Macdonald, Manly’s Independent member from 1991 to 1999, launched Kathryn’s campaign on Friday 10 March in her newly set up campaign office at 4-5 Sydney Road, Manly.
Dr Macdonald reminded Kathryn’s team that Manly has a long history of independence, describing the Liberal’s recent reign as a “10 year aberration”.
“Manly has a very strong, local candidate in Kathryn. If we can get the word out that we have a strong independent running, she has a very good chance,” he said.
Kathryn thanked Peter for his support, saying “I have a long history of innovative law reform, which is always tricky, because you’re taking people through big changes. That only comes about when you sit down and talk with all the stakeholders.
“That’s what I’d like to bring to Manly. I want to bring the debate into the local member’s office. Peter’s office was a buzz of energy – there would always be groups of people talking in there, and Peter was able to go in and out and go into the parliament and be confident of what local people wanted to see, because he had that engagement.
“That’s what I would really like to re-establish here in Manly.
Information about her campaign can be found on her website http://kathrynridge.com.au and for news and media at http://kathrynridge.com.au/news
URGENT UPDATES FEB 2017
PROTEST RALLY JOHN BRRILAROS OFFICE QUEANBEYAN FEB 10 2017 – As Reported in the Canberra Times:
Anti-council amalgamation protesters march on Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s electorate
Hundreds of protesters from across New South Wales converged on Queanbeyan on Friday to put pressure on the state’s coalition government to end the forced council amalgamations.
Busloads of angry residents from towns as far as Tumbarumba, Delegate, and Dubbo chanted their way up Monaro Street towards deputy premier John Barilaro’s electorate office.
Last month Mr Barilaro made a pledge to put a stop to future council amalgamations but said he would not support removing mergers that had already been created.
State opposition leaders, Greens representatives and the federal labor member for Monaro Dr Mike Kelly joined the protesters.
Local government spokesperson and Greens minister David Shoebridge, as well as the shadow minister for local government Peter Primrose said their parties would put forward legislation when parliament resumes next week to work with the government to end the controversial policy.
Both also said their legislation would include a plebiscite to give each community the power to decide on a merge.Mr Shoebridge said the councils that had already been merged, such as Queanbeyan-Palerang, were only amalgamated in theory alone.
“It hasn’t actually happened on the ground yet, there’s been a hell of a lot of money blown, but the core infrastructure is there and we can reinstate the councils.”
One of the more contentious aspects of the policy is the process of assigning power to an unelected administrator. And labor minister Mr Primrose said this was a common gripe he heard from residents. “The communities feel dis-empowered because they say they haven’t been able to elect their own councillors, they weren’t consulted about any of this and the ones that have merged are particularly worried by decisions being made by administrators,” Mr Primrose said.
“You’ve got decisions to close swimming pools, you’ve got staff being sacked, you have land being sold, and this is happening in every area,” he said. “Really complex, difficult, expensive decisions being made by people who are essentially dictators who only report to one person, and that is the premier.”
Mr Primrose said the opposition was willing to work with the coalition but is also willing to capitalise on the growing movement amongst regional NSW against the government.
“If they say they’re going to listen to local communities and they’re going to stop the mergers, we’ll back them,” he said.
“If they don’t then the campaign is going to continue.”
Save Our Council’s spokesperson Phil Jenkyn said the group vowed to wage an electoral war against the sitting government if their demands are not met. Particularly against ministers in marginal seats such as Mr Barilaro.
“If they don’t reflect the will of the people, which is to get rid of these hated forced amalgamations, then the communities around NSW will wage a campaign of put nationals and the liberals last in everything you do,” Mr Jenkyn said.
“Get your despised and hated forced amalgamations off the table, you’ve got no mandate for it and never went to an election on the policy.”
Dr Kelly said the federal labor party would fund the statewide plebiscite.
“Let’s take a deep breath, undo it, look at plebiscites as a way of moving forward and just get back on a track that reinforces democracy, reinforces rural and regional communities and not have this Sydney-centric approach,” he said.
Protestors gather in Queanbeyan Park near John Barilaro’s Office before the march to his office.
John Knight from Save Gundagai Shire addressing the large crowd
Immediate MEDIA RELEASE.
Save Gundagai Council 10.02.2017
SOLVE COUNCIL MERGERS OR LOSE NATIONALS SUPPORT
If the National Party can’t get Liberal Party support to cancel all contested NSW council amalgamations and de-merge all forced mergers then the party should split with the Liberals, according to a leading country activist.
John Knight representing the Save Gundagai Shire (SGS) told a major Network NSW regional rally in Queanbeyan today that the Liberal Party does not care about rural and regional communities.
In reference to Coogee MP Bruce Notley-Smith calling anti-merger supporters “turkeys” Knight said the Liberal Party “thinks we are turkeys. This is insulting.
“This is a member of the Liberal Party thumbing their nose at those that disagree with council mergers. The Nationals have to stand up to the Liberals right now.
“If you can’t get the Liberal Party to agree to drop all legally contested mergers and de-merge all contested forced amalgamations then the Nationals have no choice but to join with the Labor Party and pass their proposed anti-merger legislation as soon as possible,” Knight told the rally.
“Otherwise the Nationals need to leave the Coalition and bring this corrupt government down. We are not going to forget this betrayal but you can start to undo the damage. This is your last chance,” Knight added.
Knight is a small business owner with businesses in Gundagai and Tumut. He previously ran the Wagga Sales Yard the largest livestock market in Australia. He is an ex Paramedic, had six years with the RAAF. He‘s a former Nationals member and was five years on the Central Council.
The rally included representatives from Gundagai, Cabonne, Sydney, Tumbarumba, Bombala, Palerang, Queanbeyan, Tumut, Cootamundra, Harden, Young, Boorowa, and many other country towns affected by the State Government’s amalgamation policy.
Contact John Knight 0403 748 420
DELIVERING THE REAL TURKEY – POP-UP RALLY OUTSIDE LIB MP BRUCE NOTLEY SMITHS OFFICE Feb 8th 2017
Liberal Notley-Smith MP said about local communities and their elected councils opposing forced mergers – “Turkeys don’t vote for Christmas.” Really! “It is Liberal MPs hanging on to their despised forced mergers who are the real turkeys,” said Phil Jenkyn from SOCC. “They are the ones for the big chop.”
Members of the community outside Bruce Notley-Smith’s Electorate Office 8 Feb 2017
Meeting between Minister Gabrielle Upton and SOCC 6 Feb 2017
Please find attached the SOCC Meeting Notes handed to the Minister at the start of the meeting, together with a media release 5 February.
Present was the Minister, her chief-of-staff and a representative from the Department of Local Government. Carolyn Corrigan and Phil Jenkyn represented SOCC.
The Meeting was constructive and respectful. The Minister stated that no decision has yet been made. She stated that she had met with many interest groups over a number of days. She wanted to know our views on the Fit for the Future process which we provided.
She asked SOCC generally to put forward our views as to what had and should now happen.
Carolyn and I spoke strongly to the points in the attached notes. They are self-explanatory.
In summary we explained what SOCC was about; the necessity for all councils in court and those not merged to remain as local councils and for that decision to be made now; the advantages of working with the Upper House to demerge all forced councils by way of legislation; that if there are plebiscites they must be binding, done expeditiously and involve each merged council area. We stressed that if the matter is not quickly put to rest, there will be an ever increasing campaign against the government. People are angry and dismayed at what the Baird government has done to their local communities and their elected councils.
We had approximately 40 minutes and the Minister was in no doubt as to our position.
Kind regards,
Phil
Phil Jenkyn OAM Spokesman SOCC
Carolyn Corrigan President SOCC
SOCC-notes-for-meeting-with-upton-6-feb-17
SOCC-media-release-parties-come-together-to-end-all-forced-mergers-5-feb-2017-3
Dear all,
SOCC COMMUNITY RALLY TO END FORCED MERGERS 5 FEB 2017
The announcement by the Government as to what they are going to do about forced and threatened council mergers is imminent.
Save Our Councils called an urgent Rally for today to counter the push back from the Property Council of Australia NSW and the Sydney Business Chamber who frankly have little understanding of community and pursue blatant self-interest over the public interest.
SOCC is meeting with the new Minister for Local Government Gabrielle Upton at 4.30pm tomorrow. We will inform her in no uncertain terms exactly what is the view of local communities across this State.
The Rally today was filmed by TV and was on 7 News and 9 News and radio and social media, and was also captured by John Illingsworth for SOCC.
Aurelia Roman took video clips of the various speakers which she has placed on the Save Hunters Hill Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/savehuntershill. There are 14 clips one after the other – perhaps a record for Facebook.
Ten of these have been shared on the SOCC Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/saveourcouncils
For those short on time please look at the video of David Shoebridge re the significant offer made by the Upper House to the Government, and the video of Jeff Morris re the oncoming North Shore By-election.
Kind regards,
Phil
Phil Jenkyn OAM
On behalf of Save Our Councils Coalition (SOCC)
https://www.facebook.com/saveourcouncils
URGENT UPDATES JAN 2017 –
WE WANT OUR COUNCILS BACK – SOCC RALLY JAN 22 2017
On 19 January 2017 Mike Baird resigned as the NSW Liberal Premier and from his seat in Parliament. His National Party Deputy Premier Troy Grant had previously resigned on 14 November 2016.
Both resigned as a result of their disastrous and despised forced council amalgamations agenda. Baird had suffered the largest drop in popularity in the history of Newspoll and the Government had suffered in the Orange By-election the largest swing against any government in the history of by-elections in this State. The arrogance, the lies, the incompetence, the failure to respect and listen to local communities over forced council amalgamations has been simply breathtaking.
Now there is a new Premier Gladys Berejiklian. But is she any different? Will she really listen or will the mantra ‘I know what is right’ simply continue albeit with a different face.
Save Our Councils Coalition urgently called a meeting of representatives from community groups across NSW for Sunday 22 January 2017 outside Parliament House. This was the day before the one and only candidate was to be ‘elected’ Premier.
Below are two videos that were taken by John Illingsworth of that community event. Every TV station was present as well as the print media and radio. The main message to the Liberal/National Government and to the new Premier – WITHDRAW ALL FORCED COUNCIL AMALGAMATIONS NOW!
The first video is 2:41 minutes in length and contains the communities MESSAGES to the Government, and the second is 15:42 minutes and contains the SPEAKERS – politicians and representatives from councils fighting the Government in court, and from councils that have been destroyed but whose communities are fighting to restore.
We are determined to win this campaign.
WE WANT OUR COUNCILS BACK!
The NSW Government forcibly amalgamated many NSW councils against the will of the people in 2016. This has been disastrous for many local communities.
The people of NSW are calling upon the Liberal/National Government to reverse its creation of mega-councils.
The issue has seen off Premier Baird and Deputy Premier Grant. If not addressed it may well see off another Premier and the Government.
We want our councils back not just in the bush but in our cities as well.
Representatives from the Save Our Councils Coalition met outside Parliament House on Sunday 22 January 2017.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK: We want our Councils back!
PITTWATER AGAIN!
One of the many communities across NSW fighting to retain true local government.
As with many other rural, regional and urban councils across NSW, the residents of Pittwater call on the new Premier to respect the pleas of the communities, until now ignored by Baird with his forced amalgamations of their Councils.
Phil Jenkyn OAM
On behalf of Save Our Councils Coalition (SOCC)
https://www.facebook.com/saveourcouncils
25 January 2017
SOCC Media Release 19 Jan 2017. – Resignation of Baird and Grant over forced amalgamations. Time now for the Liberal/National Party to withdraw their hated and despised policy: SOCC press release Jan 19 2017 – Mike-Baird-resignation-1
MIKE BAIRD RESIGNS AS PREMIER OF NSW – JAN 19 2017
ABC News 19 Jan 17 – Mike Baird resigns
Baird’s resignation 7 News 19 Jan 17
Baird believes he is right 19 Jan 17
Quentin Dempster on Baird 19 Jan 17
Brigid Glanville on Baird 19 Jan 17
Baird failed to listen to the community 19 Jan 17
Highs and lows of a political career 19 Jan 17
Deputy Premier not told 19 Jan 17
Government needs to make changes 19 Jan 17
Gladys Berejiklian has real issues 19 Jan 17
Manly now in doubt
WOOLLAHRA COUNCIL LEGAL CHALLENGE TO GO TO THE HIGH COURT
Interview-with-phil-jenkyn-over-appeals-and-planning-11-jan-2017
Woollahra-appeal-last-resort-wentworth-courier-11-jan-17
Woollahras-latest-legal-challenge-daily-telegraph-10-jan-17
Woollahra-lodges-application-to-appeal-daily-telegraph-6-jan-17
Woollahra-heading-to-high-court-abc-news-6-jan-17
SAVE HUNTERS HILL MUNICIPALITY 