Moore Park South East Cricket Association Presentation Night

It was a great evening at the Moore Park South East Cricket Association Presentation Night at Souths Juniors. The Association is the home of senior cricket in the Moore Park, Eastern and South Sydney areas.I was delighted to help present trophies to the talented and successful cricketers. 

I also pay tribute to all those volunteers who do so much for the game in this area. Particularly the Association President Paul Brien who has dedicated himself as a cricket administrator for 43 years to whom I paid tribute in parliament last year at http://parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20130529024?open&refNavID=HA8_1

I also thank Harry Solomons from Kingsgrove Sport for his sponsorship and support of the Association.

Harry Solomons, Ron Hoenig MP, Paul Brien

Ron Hoenig MP with Doncaster Cricket Club players

Mike Baird a fraud on public funding of elections in NSW

"I have formed the view that donations are at a corrosive level in New South Wales and significant donation limits, combined with stronger public funding, can ensure that electors are properly informed and also confident in the integrity of the electoral process. I will be arguing for this reform over coming months." Mike Baird's Inaugural Speech to the NSW Parliament 29 May 2007.

This week Mike Baird, Premier of NSW had the opportunity to implement what he laid down to parliament when he was first elected. With support of the Labor Party for public funding of elections in NSW this was his moment to lead. This was his time to end the culture of allegedly corrupt donation culture that has so infected the Liberal Party. 

What did he do? He referred it off to a committee designed to ensure that complete public funding of electiions did not apply at the March 2015 elections.

He has just failed to end this culture. He is just another do nothing manipulative politician of which the public have had enough.

I had something to say in parliament this week in debate on the Election Funding, Expenditure and Disclosures Consequential Amendment Bill 2014. The video of that speech is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQYRU4Nv2Oo

Biggest Morning Tea Bangledeshi Style

It was a wonderful to sight to see families of the Bangladeshi community and representatives of the Eastern Sydney Islamic Welfare Services gathered at Mascot Public School this morning sharing a wonderful feast and and a cup of tea while raising funds for the Cancer Council NSW “Biggest Morning Tea” event. 

For an impressive 14 years this warm and generous community has supported the Cancer Council by their annual fundraising events. Last year they raised morning an incredible $5,200 was collected.

I was joined by Michael Daley MP, Member for Maroubra, Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Federal Member for Kingsford Smith, Botany Bay Mayor and Mayoress, Cr Ben and Kristina Keneally, and Randwick Council's Cr Brendan Roberts.

Congratulations to Azad Alam for co-ordinating such a worthwhile event and to the wider Bangladeshi community who gathered in Mascot today for their generous fundraising and keen sense of community spirit.

Mobile Offices in Beaconsfield and Rosebery

Henry Hill with Ron Hoenig MP & one of Ron's volunteers

Many thanks to all those residents from Rosebery and Beaconsfield that popped in at my Mobile Offices today. Mobile Offices are an important part of my work in order to be accessible to all those who live in the State Electorate of Heffron.

I try to pick locations close to where residents live, that way they can show me first hand the problems that they might be having. Many residents just pop down to say hello, some just stop when they see my posters at a particular location.

The most pleasing visit today was a visit from 94 year old Henry Hill at Turruwul Park, Rosebery this morning. Henry just popped down to say hello. He expressed concern he needed a walking frame as he had a sore hip. He was spritely, entertaining and quite thought provoking. This is really the best part of being an MP.

Mascot Public School visit

Cr Stan Kondilos, Ron Hoenig MP and Helen Empacer

I had a great meeting with the new Principal of Mascot Public School, Helen Empacher and P & C President, Botany Bay City Councillor Stan Kondilios today. I was very impressed with Ms Empacher. Children at Mascot Public School are in very good hands with this fine principal.

The school does have a problem in King Street, Mascot due to parents parking in the Council Car Park across the road from Mascot Public School and crossing of the road with children at that location is dangerous. It is now imperative that another pedestrian crossing be provided closer to the school gate and Council Car Park. I will ask for the Local Traffic Committee at the Council consider the matter as soon as possible.

Mobile Offices at Erskinville & Alexandria

Ron Hoenig MP talking to a resident at his Mobile Office at Erskinville

Thank you to those Erskinville and Alexandria residents for popping down to my mobile offices last Saturday. Many just popped down to say hello. Nearly everyone I spoke to was angry about the impact of the Abbott budget and its impact. I have not before seen so many people across all demographics so angry at the Liberals.

People are used to new governments blaming their predecessors for budget black holes and thinking people will forget by the time the election comes around. There is a message out their for Mike "the merchant banker" Baird and Tony Abbott. This community will not forgive or forget.

Redfern & Waterloo Public Housing tenants to frighten to leave their appartments

Redfern and Waterloo public housing tenants continue to live in fear and squalor, too frightened to leave their homes. In such a dense high rise public housing area why is there no proper security and support services?

This area needs security, health workers, drug and alcohol workers, social workers, and mental health workers. This is the 21st century where this is supposed to be a fair society that should treat its poor and elderly with respect.

The Liberals just don't care. The merchant bankers are running the NSW Liberal government now.

A recent TV interview is here.  http://youtu.be/4jcux_HfWV0

City of Botany Bay Seniors Garden Party - Great Day for our Seniors

Sir Joseph Banks Pleasure Gardens at Botany was setting for theCouncils’s Annual Senior Citizens Garden Party. Yesterday over 800 senior residents gathered under a magnificent marquee and enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment and refreshments. I was delighted to attend with my parliamentary colleagues; Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Federal Member for Kingsford Smith and Michael Daley MP, State Member for Maroubra.

It was wonderful to catch up with many friends and community groups as we came together to recognise and celebrate the valuable role our seniors play in our community. Congratulations to Mayor Ben Keneally, Councillors and staff of Botany Bay City Council for hosting this fabulous event.

Tempe, Sydenham & St. Peters Mobile Offices

The sun did not make much of an appearance at my mobile offices this week end at Tempe, Sydenham and St Peters this weekend. It was a very cold and blustery day buy you weren't deterred.

Many local residents who came to see me were really angry about the cuts to the 425 bus service to Marrickville and Dulwich Hill who are now left stranded without transport to vital health and other services during the day.

Thanks to all those residents who came to see me. Many just popped down to say hello. It was very much appreciated.

Health "USA Style"

Public Housing in Redfern and Waterloo a real indictment of the Liberals

People living in Public Housing in my electorate in the suburbs of Redfern and Waterloo continue to live in fear and squalor. Public policy failings include maintenance and a distinct lack of support services. 

Is it any wonder when $37 million was cut to the Public Housing Maintenance budget? Now after the failure of one Minister’s administration, her replacement is a Minister from Vaucluse. I’m not sure how many residents from Vaucluse would be able to relate to the dreadful conditions that my constituents live in, which would be unacceptable for a developing country, let alone inner city Australia.

A Current Affair recently filmed the violence, anti social behaviour, and drug dealing that is rife in that area. As I said in the interview; When merchant bankers run the government instead of people caring about the poor this is the product".

Have a look at the program for yourself at http://youtu.be/dMfx4GCv7q4