A series of grassroots protests against both the state and federal governments will kick off in Lismore today with the Knitting Nannas Against Gas ‘cleaning up’ Lismore MP Thomas George’s office.
Another rally in Lismore on Friday against TAFE funding cuts will then be followed by a march in Ballina on Sunday called People in the Park.
In Lismore today, the Nannas will gather outside Mr George’s office at 2.30pm with buckets, sponges and rubber gloves.
Lismore KNAG co-ordinator, Judi Summers, said the Nannas would be calling on Mr George to stand up to his electorate’s demands to ban all unconventional gas activity in the northern rivers.
‘If he will not, it is time for Thomas to be swept out of office before the March 2015 election,’ Ms Summers said.
Mrs Summers also noted that Mr George’s absence at the Bentley Blockade showed how little he considered his electorate’s wishes.
‘The Knitting Nannas would like to know whether Mr George has declared a possible conflict of interest in dealing with the issue, given that his son Stuart George has been working for gas exploration and mining company Metgasco for several years now. If not, it should be looked into,’ she said.
Mr George has previously denied any conflict, and told Echonetdaily that he had been working behind the scenes on the issue.
Meanwhile, on Friday, another rally will take place outside Mr George’s office in opposition to to the state government’s plans to defund TAFE through privatisation of vocational training.
Greens MP John Kaye and Greens candidate for the seat of Lismore, Adam Guise, will attend.
‘We are calling on Greens members and TAFE supporters to join us in saving our TAFEs from the government’s privatisation agenda,’ they said in a statement.
‘Lismore TAFE college has already lost staff and courses in preparation for the January 2015 launch of the Smart and Skilled training market when it will be dumped into an unwinnable contest with low cost, low quality private providers. Local students are facing massive fee increases.
‘Heavily reduced face-to-face teaching hours threaten the safety and quality of the delivery of trades courses. Students with a disability will no longer receive extra suppor,’ they said.
Protests continue on Sunday with Byron and Ballina Shire residents invited to unite for People In The Park, a free family-friendly event exploring democracy in Australia, positive change and the importance of being active.
The event grew out of the wave of political activism sweeping across the country in the wake of March In March earlier in the year, says co-organiser Timothy Pembroke.
‘What we saw back in March was our community, young and old, side by side, passionately participating in democracy,’ says the 27-year-old Suffolk Park resident.
‘I can understand why media chose to focus on the “F*** YOU TONY” t-shirts, but they overlooked thousands of us who were there to protect Australia’s future,’ Mr Pembroke said.
He says since March there have been weekly public protests across the country about issues ranging from protection of asylum seekers, the Barrier Reef and most recently the broken election promises with budget cuts to Medicare, pensions, education and the ABC.
‘Surely we all want a government that keeps promises, looks after our most disadvantaged and strives to protect environments like the Reef?’
‘We hope People In The Park can become an event that fosters optimism for voters sitting on all sides of the fence.’
The program and the full lineup of entertainment and workshops can be seen on Facebook.
Speakers include S Sorrensen (MC) and acclaimed journalist/author Margo Kingston, there will be Q&A opportunities with 2015 Ballina state election hopefuls Cr Paul Spooner (Labor) and Tamara Smith (Greens), plus there will be an open public soapbox.
Mr Pembroke believes this type of event creates an opportunity to break through the ‘political apathy’ that has existed for a long time in Australia.
‘When it comes to being apathetic I happily admit I’ve been as guilty as anyone. What has become apparent to thousands of us is that politics is about so much more than elections and one man wearing a suit and blue tie,’ he said.
‘It’s about our health, our education, trust, compassion, the seas, the trees, the sky and our future beyond Tony Abbott.’
For more go to www.facebook.com/marchbyronballina or email [email protected].
People In The Park will commence at 2pm after the March In August, which departs at 1.15pm on the corner of River Street and Las Balsas Plaza in Ballina. From there, marchers will walk to Missingham Park, Ballina.
Would you live anywhere else, want a lesson in real democracy come to the northern rivers. Been doin’ it since the traps came down from Moreton Bay asking too many questions.