Lee's blogs

Lee Rhiannon writes regular blogs and opinion pieces on a diverse range of issues she comes across during visits in NSW campaigning for the Greens.

RAAF keeps mum on secret Port Stephens pollution reports — by pretaadmin — last modified Oct 12, 2009 03:07 PM

Port Stephens locals have been putting up with the noise of RAAF defence operations at the Salt Ash Air Weapons Range for decades. Yet the government has greeted their concerns with deafening silence.

Charities under fire, law change needed to protect fund raising — by pretaadmin — last modified Jul 08, 2010 04:27 PM

Commenting on this week’s Federal Court case that has resulted in Aid/Watch loosing its charity status, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on the federal government to define charity in law so community groups are not penalised for their political activities.

The Shooters Party: tough on guns? — by alisono — last modified Dec 10, 2009 04:30 PM

In the Sydney Morning Herald today Shooters Party MP Mr Roy Smith today said his party supports "the toughest gun laws that can be devised". This stands in sharp contrast with the legislative changes he and his colleague Mr Robert Brown have recently won in NSW parliament, with the support of the NSW Government and Opposition.

Solution to Rees' environment blunder — by pretaadmin — last modified Aug 24, 2009 01:22 PM

It seems that NSW's conservation puzzle has too many pieces for Premier Rees to handle ... Lee has a clue for the Premier.

Cycleway blocked – will it be a bridge too far for Minister Daley? — by pretaadmin — last modified Aug 24, 2009 12:22 PM

With facilities for cyclists under threat from the RTA again, this time near the Cumberland Highway, Roads Minister Michael Daley needs to take a more hands on approach to protect bicycle infrastructure.

Celebration for one-year anniversary of Liverpool Plains farmers’ blockade of BHP Billiton — by pretaadmin — last modified Jul 28, 2009 11:17 AM

Last week I was fortunate to be on the road for three days in the Liverpool Plains region. This area is now the front line in the showdown between mining and agriculture. Local farmers have taken on the likes of BHP Billiton, China Shenhua and Santos, using blockade tactics and a successful media blitz to publicise their campaign.

Reckless move paves way for China Shenhua's land grab for coal mining — by pretaadmin — last modified Nov 19, 2009 01:07 PM

Responding to today's decision of the Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan to allow China Shenhua to purchase rural properties in northwest NSW, Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said the sell-off would damage Australia's food security and our climate change obligations.

A mind stimulation from Minding Animals — by pretaadmin — last modified Jul 28, 2009 11:34 AM

The Minding Animals Conference was one of those events that underlined the enormous shift in community attitudes. The conference went far beyond animal welfare issues. Conference Co-convenors, Rod Bennison and Jill Bough, pulled off something quite special.

The battle rages over water in Orange — by pretaadmin — last modified Jul 28, 2009 11:59 AM

Last Wednesday I checked out the Cadia Gold Mine just outside Orange. It is massive - and there is a proposal on the table to increase the size of the mine to increase gold ore production up to 27 million tonnes per annum.

Crossborder Greens campaign to close woodchip mill — by pretaadmin — last modified Aug 24, 2009 12:46 PM

On Monday of this week I spent two hours at the Eden Chipmill, along with Greens MPs Sue Pennicuik, from Victoria, and Deb Foskey, from the ACT. We met with the mill managers and toured the site.