The end of another sitting week

Well it’s the end of another sitting week and I am now back in the electorate to meet with constituents and am looking forward to heading to the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre tonight to see the Watoto children’s choir, which promises to be very inspirational.
I will be collecting the Youth Allowance petitions this week that have gone out all over the electorate as young people take a stand against the governments unfair proposed changes and I encourage everyone who shares their concerns to keep an eye out on my website over the coming weeks to view a speech I will present in parliament on this issue.
My office is busy preparing for a number of visits by Shadow Ministers in the coming weeks including the Shadow Minister for Defence Science & Personnel Bob Baldwin, The Shadow Minister for Immigration & Citizenship Dr Sharman Stone, Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull and in October - Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce.
If anyone would like more information on these visits or would like help with another matter please don’t hesitate to contact my office on 44 231 782

Autumn is here

It has been a busy start to the year and already the cooler weather is reminding us that autumn is now here. In Canberra this week the morning chill has set in but it hasn’t stopped me from attending early meetings - particularly those I am very passionate about like yesterdays Parliamentary Breakfast on preventing Multiple Sclerosis. The number of people affected by this is alarming as well as the fact that 3 out of every 4 sufferers are women and I will continue to support calls for more research funding to help prevent and cure this debilitating disease.
On a more positive note I have had the pleasure of being part of a number of exciting events in the Shoalhaven in the past week; in particular the opening of Mission Australia’s new Retail Store in Nowra last Friday. I look forward to seeing many young people benefit from the retail experience and training that is offered there and seeing many families have access to low priced, quality goods.
I would like to thank all of the ladies who joined me and some of my staff last week for our Menopause the Musical fundraiser. The turn out was wonderful and a great time was had by all. Keep an eye out on the website for photos from events like this updated regularly in the gallery.

It has been a while....

Well it is almost over... and what a joy and learning experience it has been, however more on that next week, my final week at the United Nations.

The last few weeks have been full of meetings, visits to different embasies, and speaking with various Ambassadors. Was very priviledged to speak to a young man who was for some years a "child soldier" who spoke of his torment and treatment..he was accompanied by two young women who were taken from their village to fight, but were not able to speak about it.

The past week has also been taken up with discussion on the death penalty, the debate was quite fierce between countries both for and against. Whilst names were not mentioned it was noted that some at the table had two sets of standards.

Saw a wonderful Australian rock band all members had a disabilty (5out of the6) "Rudely Interupted" from Melbourne who came especially to New York to play at the United Nations. Well they brought the house down.. it was noted that in all the years of the UN never had there been a rock band play.

The Australian Mission also put on a special screening of the film Australia with Nicole Kidman.. There was a long waiting list to get in. Many different countries were present, and were fascinated with the scenery.

Thanksgiving was celebrated and there is no doubt that the Americans do it well... Nearly always at home with friends and family. My extra treat is seeing the unbelievable display of Christmas lights, and shops decorated for Christmas, almost had the snow , just managed the sleet.

Wish we could do it at home, but then here in New York it is dark at 4.30pm. Whilst here I had to get rid of some blood( Ihave to much iron) and it is a whole different scenario here.. they actually pay you to give blood..No they didn,t me, as I had to have it taken not donated, but the point is that in America they actually use my blood , providing I passed all the tests, whereas in Australia they throw it away, and being just a little political, the Gov. of the day wants to charge Private hospitals for giving it to those who need it....

In closing just thought I would list some of the countries that make up the 295 member countries, will do some more in my next blog.

AFGHANISTAN...ALBANIA..ALGERIA..ANDORRA..ANGOLA.ANTIGUE-BARBUDA..ARGENTINA..ARMENIA...AUST.....AUSTRIA..AZERBAIJAN..BAHAMAS..BAHRAIN

BANGLADESH BARBADOS..BELARUS..BELGIUM..BELIZE..BENIN..BHUTAN..BOLIVIA..BOSNIA/HERZEG...BOTSWANA..

Rotary International mentioned at United Nations

Congratulations to Rotary International for their work with children of the 3rd world.."Life of a Child". Last week there was a day devoted to diabetes at the UN and the work of Rotary was applauded, and case studies were shown on film where they provided free insulin to children who often has to walk 4/6 hours to get their medicine,congrats. to you all members of Rotary.
We often hear the word KINDNESS mentioned... it is heard by the deaf and seen by the blind.

I am now at the half way mark of my tenure here at the UN, and I want to take the opportunity to let the Australian people know how well they are represented here at the Australian Mission for the UN. Whilst Aust. may be seen as a small player on the world stage .. we are a much respected and credible country, made so by the dedicated staff at the mission led by the Hon. Robert Hill.. a minister of the former gov.

The highlight of my past week has been the work done with children of the 3rd world especially "children soldiers in conflict"
It is difficult for us in Aust. to comprehend that in neighbouring countries there are children being abducted abused and forced to fight in the wars of that country. On the other hand there are children and families who actually join their children up as soldiers to escape the poverty they are living in.

To Illaroo Public SChool, you deserve special praise for the work you are doing with children 0f 3rd world countries, you quickly took up the challenge when I contacted your school, and now the UN will be sending you special material so you can continue to do even more.. we are very proud of you all.

Finally, to a city that never sleeps... even the energy crises has hit New York, finally they are starting to turn out the lights at night as notices have gone out to all who live here asking for co operation to do so. Makes sense as for a briefing I attended on the outcome of the G20,, where it was a full house, asking for all countries to include their local citizens.

Gilmore Youth Leadership Forum 2008

Just a quick word of thanks to everyone who particpated in this year's Gilmore Youth Leadership Forum.

It was a one event I did not want to miss but I have had some great feedback and the pictures are great.

I, particualrly, want to thank all the stduents who took part. It is an event that crosses the age barrier but at its heart are the young people of our community and without their support and keen participation it would not exist.

This year's event was again at the Waterslea Conference Centre, which really is one of the jewels in our region's crown. I encourage everyone who has not seen the facility at West Cambewarra to take some time and do so, it is a beautiful facility.

Thanks again to our speakers: Shanaka Fernando, Don Woodland, Tania Hayes, Paula Smith, Mark Ettridge and Anthony Bonnici and to all the leaders, all volunteers, all the sponsors and all the Waterslea staff who assisted.

Again, I thanks to Andrew Guile from the Nowra Anglican College for volunteering his time to run the program.

More from the UN

Things have certainly started to move at the UN, with a lot of committees now finalizing some of their work programmes.
I felt very priviledged to observe a full morning round table with high profile delegates from Russia, China,India Pakistan and the USA. Henry Kissinger was the guest speaker and MC. Must admit it is a bit scary when you hear them speak about the issue of consensus on eliminating WMD and disarmament. As always the Question is who goes first...

This week will see the vote take place at the UN for candidates for the 14 places on the International Committee for the Disabled for the UN.
There are 22 candidates and Austalia is one of them. With the lobbying done to date with the some 44 member countries I do believe that our Prof. McCallum has a good 50/50 chance. Listening to some of the speakers last week, I thought the phrase "Nothing about us.. Without us"
was very apt. Must say it was somewhat disapointing to see that with all the people with disabilities present on the day, that there was really only one room that could take them.

The news in the papers over here has certainly been the number of job losses not just in the financial sector but now also hitting the restaurant, catering and hospitality sections, in fact this news has somewhat overshadowed the coming election for President.

On personal note I took my first train ride last week... and my last, as one who does not like small confined spaces , it totally freaked me out, as people were literally being pushed into the train to make use of every bit of the standing space. Back to the buses and walking for me.

Have been invited to go to the Fireman,s bakeoff at Ground Zero this week ... so it is not only the Milton Ulladulla Show that has bakeoffs. Will try to compare them

Have just arrived home from another Sunday at the soup kitchen, was able to speak to some of the regulars there, as they are starting to know me now. Some of them have some very interesting and sad backgrounds.

United Nations presentation, October 17, 2008

Sixty-third General Assembly
First Committee
11th Meeting (PM)

FIGHTING BIOLOGICAL WARFARE TURNS CORNER AS BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION EDGES

CLOSER TO UNIVERSALIZATION, FIRST COMMITTEE HEARS IN THEMATIC DEBATE

Potential of Missiles to Deliver Payload of Mass Destruction Weapons Quickly,
Accurately Makes Them Major Political, Military Issue; Three Related Drafts Tabled


JOANNA GASH ( Australia ), chair of the Australia Group which works with 40 other countries and the European Commission in strengthening chemical and biological export control lists, said that the Chemical Weapons Convention had emerged as a cornerstone of the multilateral non-proliferation and disarmament architecture.

It was crucial to efforts to halt the proliferation of chemical weapons. Australia was encouraged by continuing progress in the destruction of chemical weapons, which had resulted in the verified elimination of more than one third of declared stockpiles. One former possessor State had completed elimination of all chemical weapons. She urged the other five possessor States to make every effort to meet their extended deadlines for destruction.

At the same time, she regretted that the Second Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention in May had experienced a difficult negotiating environment, which had prevented constructive discussion of many of the challenges facing the treaty and, thus, agreement by States parties on how to deal with them.

It was now vital that all of them look to the future to ensure that that Convention adapted to developments in science and technology. “We must continue to strive for the full and effective implementation of declaration and inspection requirements to activities not prohibited by the Convention”, she urged.

Asserting that the Biological Weapons Convention was strengthening global defences against biological weapons and bioterrorism, she noted the strides made by the Convention, with an increase from 155 to 162 State parties with an additional 13 signatories.

She congratulated the three States that had acceded to the Convention this year -- Zambia, Madagascar and the United Arab Emirates.

Despite those monumental steps, more needed to be done to counter weapons of mass destruction delivery systems, especially absent an international treaty covering ballistic missile proliferation.

Australia and the Republic of Korea would submit a resolution on the prevention of illicit brokering -- black market activity -- by which the perpetrators sought to avoid the restrictions set out in the Biological and Chemical Weapons Conventions and the export control regimes.

You never know what to expect at the UN

What I thought was to be a relelatively quiet week at the UN turned out to have some very interesting meetings, and one that allowed me to make another speech in regards to Weapons of Mass Destruction and the elimination of same.
The General Assembly also voted on fiveextra countries to represent the security council, Australia will be applying for a place in 2013.
Was priviledged to sit in on a youth meeting organised by Holland and Australia. We often hear about the negative stories about our young people, well I need to say how proud I was of all the delegates from about 20 different countries who took part. It is a pity that we pollies don,t get to hear of these types of discussions. The average age of the delegates were 17-22, so as I said I felt very honoured to have been asked to attend.

On the weekend I made another trip to ground zero to get a closer look at the new "Freedom Tower" being built to replace the Twin Towers. I still find it hard to comprehend the enormity of it all. There are still some buildings near it that have still not been re occupied. Whilst there I went to Wall Street, heart of the finance sector. People are still wandering around shaking their heads asking "How did this all happen"

My Labor collegue and I invited some of the interns at the Aust. mission over for dinner. Again these young adults have travelled far and wide, some as volunteers, all in order to advance and increase their job prospects and to gain knowledge from aound the world.

Today Sunday. I have just returned from volunteering at a "soup kitchen" in near the Harlem area, run by St.Johns Church of the Divine, don't think I have ever cut up as much fruit salad ... and my dishwashing skills are still there from my hospitality days. It certainly brought home to other side of New York.

I am still finding that walking is much quicker than the bus, and I really do enjoy seeing the people and trying to guess what and where they might work.

UN Statement October 14, 2008

October 14

SPACE TECHNOLOGIES INDISPENSABLE TO CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE, FOOD SECURITY,

HEALTH, FOURTH COMMITTEE HEARS DURING DEBATE ON PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE

Space Technology Like Double-Edged Sword -- It Could Serve World or Inflict
Devastating Harm, Delegates Also Told, With Many Opposing Militarization of Space


JOANNA GASH ( Australia) said that concerns over global food security had arisen out of a complex set of drivers that influenced both food supply and demand, including population growth, dietary changes associated with economic development, climate variability and the diversion of food commodities to biofuels. Space-based observations would play a critical role in all of those food supply issues through the use of remote sensing to characterise productivity constraints, raise resource efficiency, and improve agricultural yield.

Providing numerous examples of how space technologies were currently supporting a range of Australian research programmes, she said that Australia was seeking to maintain and grow the productivity and sustainability of its farming systems. While Australian agriculture faced significant challenges in terms of climate variability and change, Australian agricultural research and development was making active use of remote sensing to search for more efficient resource use and sustainable land management. Her country was also engaging in a range of international partnerships to apply remotely sensed information to the management of global resources and address the food security challenge.

She said her country was looking to improve its investment in agriculture research, in order to lift agricultural productivity. Precision images projected from satellites made it possible to predict changes in crop yields, measure sea surface temperatures and track bush fires. Global positioning systems allowed the further development of precision agriculture and could reduce costs, increase production and improve the sustainability of agricultural practices. Space technologies were becoming increasingly vital for the accurate and efficient management of national resources, and it was important that they were also made accessible to developing and least-developed countries to help them reach their development potential.

UN Statement October 13, 2008

October 13, 2008

ADDRESSING GENERAL ASSEMBLY, PRESIDENTS OF TRIBUNALS FOR RWANDA, FORMER YUGOSLAVIA

APPEAL FOR TIME TO WRAP UP PENDING CASES, COOPERATION ON OUTSTANDING FUGITIVES

Assembly also Wraps up Consideration of Second Annual
Reports of Peacebuilding Commission and Peacebuilding Fund

JOANNA GASH (Australia) said the Commission's success would depend "in no small part" on the active engagement of its Chairperson and the Chairs of the country-specific configurations. In the last year, the Commission had moved beyond its initial procedural difficulties to develop more effective working methods, and the agenda had expanded to include Guinea-Bissau and the Central African Republic. It had tackled important substantive issues, including the role of the private sector.

Through the Peacebuilding Fund, $86 million had been allocated to projects in countries on the agenda, and Australia supported use of the Fund as a catalytic tool to ensure the immediate release of resources. She was equally encouraged that bilateral and multilateral donors had supplemented those efforts with targeted assistance, and that the Commission continued to work in a flexible manner.

At the same time, the challenges ahead were significant and the Commission must continue to refine its approach, she said. The country specific configurations, in particular, must improve their tools, while the monitoring mechanisms must be refined to include specific indicators and benchmarks, and strategic frameworks should continue to adapt to local conditions. Further, the Commission must ensure that concrete experience with such issues as elections and land reform translated into a wider body of knowledge that informed future efforts. In closing, she noted that more than half of States emerging from conflict relapsed within 10 years. While it was too early to judge the Commission, there was reason for optimism with its progress to date.

Australian School visits the UN

Last week I had a visit from Riverview Boys High School from Sydney. They asked me to show them around the UN. Whilst the school is not in my electorate, the parents from one of the teachers lives at Culburra Beach. It was not until the 18 boys and 3 teachers saw the magnitude of the General Assembly that they really understood the enormity of so many countries coming together on the world stage.

This week started with a very powerful meeting of the first committee where the Australian Ambassador made a strong speech on our stance on Disarmament and international security.

Also met with Prof. Ronald McCallum AO who is our candidate for Australia for the UN committee on the Right of Persons with Disabilities. Prof.McCallum is an extraordinary and inspiring person who is blind and yet amongst many other interests is also a Professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Sydney. Lots of lobbying going on amongst other countries to see him elected.

Today Tuesday, I was at a meeting where the first lady of the United States, Laura Bush, was guest speaker. She is passionate about literacy and development. Mrs Bush was a former teacher and librarian. One of her comments that stuck in my mind was a quote from a young African man who had been taught how to read and said"now I don't have to go and find the world - the world can now come to me"

A day of catching up

New York seems (so they tell me) returned to normal, far less security and traffic around. The talk is still centred around Wall st. and the pending elections.

GRIDLOCK

It’s said that the population of the Shoalhaven swells to three times its usual size during the Christmas holidays. And while it’s been happening for many years, locals are still taken back by the sudden and dramatic increase in people traffic during December and January each year.

Well, apparently it’s a similar dynamic to "Noo Yorkers" when the United Nations is in session, but on a much grander scale. Talk about lock down – you can get to your destination faster on foot than by taxi, when it eventually moves.

I suppose it can be compared to Canberra when Parliament sits. The amount of people associated with a UN sitting is truly astronomical and all these are concentrated in this great city for three months.

The security effort has to be seen to be believed. To quote a New York Times columnist who wrote somewhat tongue in cheek; “It was SUVs with tinted windows. Cops on horseback. Cops in cars. Cops on foot. Cops on rooftops. Cops chatting up other cops in the crosswalk. Secret Service guys in dark suits. Dark glasses. Dark expressions. Dark cars. Buttons on their lapels. Talking nonstop into their cuffs. Boy, did they blend into the crowd”.

For a city with a population of just under half that of Australia, concentrated in a land mass about two thirds less than that of Gilmore, you can appreciate the impact on the nerves of New Yorkers.

That is why my world is increasingly becoming limited to the UN Building and the street that takes me to my apartment a few blocks away. There is so much to be done in what is turning out to be a very short space of time.

Thursday and Friday at the UN

These two days were very enlightning. Thursday had a meeting of my first committee on Nuclear Test Ban Treaty chaired by our Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith. Australia has already signed and ratified the agreement. UN Secretary Ban Ki Moon informed us that the latest number of countries to sign are 179, with 144 ratifying the agreement.

The actor Michael Douglas delivered the peace message at the meeting where he described his role as being "a citizen of this planet".

The most lasting impression for me was from the former US secretary of Defence, Mr William Perry. As the meeting was private it would inappropriate of me to expand further. However perhaps I could use a quote from former Leader of the Opposition, Kim Beazley, when he was quoted in an article in the "Australian 25/9/08; "Those moral and intellectual pygmies who yearn for US power to be radically diminished do not know anything of what they speak. They would find a world run jointly by Vladimir Putin, the Chinese Politburo and the leaders of Islamist chauvinism an infinitely uglier place than the merely imperfect world we inhabit today".

That night the Ambasador Robert Hill gave a function at his home for PM Kevin, his wife and the Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.

On Friday I attended a meeting to discuss the protection of journalists in armed conflicts. Also attended a meeting held on the achievements of China about the Millennium Development Goals and the lessons learnt. The Millenium Development Goals are really about health, wealth and equity opportunities for Developing Nations.

Said goodbye to Minister Smith today as he went back to Australia.

We had a meeting with all the parliamentarians at the 63rd session of the UN. Was good to meet and discuss how they operate their parliaments, but like back home .. everyone wants to talk and very few listen.

Today Sunday, as I write this blog, have just returned from a Sunday service at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine to commemorate the opening of the General Assembly. The Church itself was breathtaking as was the organ recitel and the singing.

Thurs.and Friday at the UN.

More and more security at the UN

Just arrived home from a very exciting meeting on climate change with about 250 delegates held at the Hyatt Hotel. They say it is a small world, how true, as I met one of the African women who was in Washington 18 months ago at the very large christian breakfast week when I was there. That was when I first met Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama.

The keynote address was given by the deputy PM of PNG. the issue all speakers (7) raised was their dismay at the bailout of Wall Street $700 b illion and comparing that with the worlds poverty level and climate change costs especially for the most poor countries. When you hear these sorts of speakers it does make you realize that there has to be a global perspective. If you ever wondered as I did how they can translate so many languages at the one time...... all it takes is a small earpiece and select the language you want, simply fantastic.

United Nations first of many meetings

Today Monday was a very full day.. left the apartment at 7.45am and the usual trip of 30min. became just over an hour by bus. All roads around ..the UN were blocked off..certainly made a nice change to be able to walk the streets without the traffic. All done in aid of the Heads of State here for all this week.

Something I noticed was that in most streets it is an offence to "honk your horn" with a penalty of $350 wonder if that could be introduced in Gilmore. On arriving at the UN I was given a very firm rebuke and refused entry as I needed(you guessed it) another double security pass..quick phone call and I was admitted. It was a high level meeting on Africa,s developement needs . This meeting was one of the committees I was chosen to represent on Human Rights... More on the committees as I find out when and where they meet. My next main meeting will b e on Wednesday at the Nuclear Disarmament and weapons of mass destruction meeting.

The 2nd meeting was to discuss the latest response into human rights issues in North Korea . A very frank and informative meeting one that the UN general assembly will have to deal with during this term. Again it makes you realize how far so many countries have to go to even reach a small % of what we take for granted.

Final meeting was with African women and the challenges they face ..7 speakers all of them women.. I could not help but cheer when one of them said "isn,t it high time that women stopped doing what is expected of them and start doing what they really want to do" Rawanda drew special applause as they now have more women in parliament then men. Long day today.... walked home it was a lot quicker.

United Nations

Well I have arrived. 22hours of flying, talk about security... people in Australia really have it so good. Shoes and belts all have to be checked, still better to be safe than sorry. Met with the Consulate General and the Ambassador of the United Nations based in New York on the first day. My collegue Senator Kerry O,Brien was already there accommpanied by his wife. Today Sunday I became familiar with the only way to travel here that being foot and by bus. The apartment is about 30 mins by foot and about the same by bus.. depending on the traffic.
Friday was spent in orienting myself at the UN building and the General Assembly. It was interesting to find out that all of the 147 nations represented are drawn from a hat to see where they will be seated and this year Australia is right at the back.


Security has almost brought the city to a standstill with all of the heads of State in attendance. George Bush will be the guest speaker.


Tomorrow Monday will see me being in attendance at a number of committee meetings, hopefully I won,t get too lost. Must say I feel very honoured to be here both as the member for Gilmore and a representative of the Australian Parliament.

One of my first stops today was to pay tribute at Ground Zero, something I have been wanting to do for a long time. There is still a lot of work to be done on building the "freedom" tower. Will send more details later.

United Nations

Today is day 2 in New York. Had a great trip with Qantas