What is interesting about this story (which you can read here) concerning the house alarm with intercom and Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun and his Liberal Party colleague on council Sabrina Mamone is the timing of the publication. Bits and pieces of the story have been swirling around for quite a while. The Liberal Party preselections for federal seats are coming up in the second half of the year and Mannoun hasn’t really ruled out a tilt at a Liberal held seat, possibly Macarthur, held by the former Campbelltown mayor Russell Matheson. Ironically, Matheson was rejected by Labor back in 2010 and then went on to win the seat, while Mannoun also flirted with Labor as a member before switching sides to seek election as a Liberal. If this is indeed all about internal Liberal Party machinations over preselections things could turn really nasty in the next few weeks.
♦ Member for Campbelltown, Greg Warren, says it’s time we got tough with hoons on public transport. Warren is right behind the idea of public transport bans for anyone who threatens the safety of passengers or staff. According to this suggestion from the opposition, those who commit serious offences, engage in anti-social behaviour or seriously damage publicly owned transport infrastructure would be banned from public transport for 48 hours or more, depending on the severity of the offence. Says Greg Warren: “The time has come to start banning people who want to harass, assault or harm other passengers on public transport. It’s time to say enough is enough. Every commuter has the right to feel safe when they get on a train, bus, tram or ferry.’’ He’s right about that but do you think the proposed punishments fit the crimes?
♦ Former councillor Alf Vella is working hard to bring together participating teams for this year’s annual Liverpool Police Football Charity Shield, which looks like being on in September, date yet to be determined. The day, held alongside Southern District SFA has over the years raised money for some good causes such as Liverpool Hospital’s Oncology Department, the Heart Foundation and Violet Foundation. In 2015 they will be raising money for another good cause, Crohn’s & Colitis Australia. Alf hopes to see teams fielded by the council, SES, the hospital and Liverpool Police Local Area Command, among others. We’ll keep you posted with developments.
♦ It’s not getting much credit for it, but this coming Sunday, July 26, Liverpool Council is hosting an interfaith lunch. Many community leaders have received an invitation, including, it must be said, the South West Voice. Unfortunately we are hosting our own semi religious gathering, a Christmas in July lunch and cannot attend council’s function.
♦ More functions: The following Wednesday, July 29, the Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Paul Lake is hosting a civic reception to welcome a student delegation from Japanese sister city Koshigaya. Once again the South West Voice received an invitation to attend, but again we had to decline: Liverpool Council is holding its meeting at the same time, unfortunately.
♦ The 60th annual Festival of Fisher’s Ghost will be celebrated this November, and council is calling out to former Miss Spirit and Miss Princess winners to slip on their sash and join this year’s Street Parade. The Miss Spirit/Miss Princess initiative, along with earlier incarnations that even included an Ugly Man Contest, have always been a popular feature of the annual festival, and organisers are keen to incorporate past winners in this historic 60th annual event.
♦ Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons is on the lookout for worthy nominees for this year’s YMCA Junior Parliament program for students in years 7 to 9. Based on the YMCA’s flagship and long-running Youth Parliament program, Junior Parliament is designed to empower young people to speak up on issues they are passionate about and create positive social change in their communities. This year organisers hope to bring together 110 young people from across the State for a 5-day residential program during the September school holidays. Deadline is July 31. Interested students should contact the Holsworthy electorate office on 9825 3653 or by email Holsworthy@parliament.nsw.gov.au. To read more about the YMCA’s Junior Parliament program visit this website.
