Port turned out to be an interesting place to hold the meeting.
Once both state and federal seats belonged to the National party, the warn out burnt out dieing party.
No less than our former deputy prime minister held the Federal one Mark AWB Vail.
Port may not vote Labor but it is a National free zone.
In 2011 who ever wins they will not need the dead rump of conservative Australia the Nationals to govern.

Belly says:

"Positive meeting ending with a huge task in front of the party but a view we are on track.
On getting out however the front page story, we intend to charge children for school travel.
I have a plan.
Its a good one.
Sack, remove banish, the idiot who found a new way to kill my party!"

Yeah, I heard that announcement too. Unless it was a measure that was part of a real and co-ordinated package of NSW government cost-cutting, I'd have to agree with you.

But it isn't. This morning we hear that it is (only?) the 'back to school allowance' of $50 per child (?) that is being targetted. I think it is being represented that that measure will save $20 million. A $20M saving was definitely mentioned, but whether the figures really stack up is something, given the dismal quality of mainstream media reporting, in which I have no confidence.

'Suck it and see what you can get away with' seems to be the method being employed. That's not leadership! Nor is it good government.

Here's some more dismal journalism containing no hard numbers: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/28/2403559.htm

Immediately REVERSING this decision would show leadership, and constitute good government.

If I'm not wrong, any pay increase for senior NSW public servants is also a pay increase for NSW Parliamentarians. At a time when many Australians have retirement funds invested in putting and keeping roofs over other Australians heads effectively frozen, it is no time for Parliamentarians or senior public servants to be getting a pay increase.

If he's fair dinkum, Rees should reverse it. I don't mean just cancel the increase. I mean impose an immediate 3.9% pay cut from the previous levels upon the NSW senior public servants and Parliamentarians, just to introduce some reality into the thinking of these people. If some leave, so much the better, but I don't think many will. They have all had it too good for too long!

Forrest good post, and you are quite right it stinks.
So?
While committed to my leader, in fact no hard task he is very good, it is so crimson silly it has to be a set up.
Within hours Nathan will spring before a camera shouting words not unlike mine and say its not going to happen.
Wont he? please say yes!
Hard times ahead no one said it would be easy cost cuts Even job losses, may I nominate 6.000 public servants? start at the higher salary block.

I hope people won't feel put out.

I just needed a forum to test out my browser profile on.

Like every thread about current events the thread has been left behind by changing events.
So do I still think Labor has a chance in NSW?
If they do its becomeing hard to see how, the latest sacking should have been a good sign, yes getting rid of some one instead of white wash should be good.
Given the ranting and gutter junalism of Sydney press, discounting the manufactured news, it still looks like supporters of the minister put him before my party.
The mini budget?
What ever they did would not be user friendly but back to school?
Why not just pay it to those who need it.
Rough country coming but we do, truly do have one last ace up our sleeve.
The opposition.
Red rattlers back on track rail controlled by the government not public servants just maybe the landslide can be halted but no sure bet.