I would like to thank those of you who attended the recent Labor Community Caucus, which Members of the Legislative Council hosted at NSW Parliament. I found it to be extremely valuable to talk to so many enthusiastic Labor members and I was able to gain fantastic insight on a range of important issues. As parliamentary representatives it is important we understand what’s going on in the community so that we can campaign on issues that matter to the people we want to vote for us. Branch members are a crucial part of keeping us informed and to that end I intend to maintain an open dialogue with you so that you have direct input to the political process and keep me in touch with reality.

We recently had our first week back in Parliament. We are off to a great start in 2020 in the Upper House, taking the fight to the Berejiklian Government on a number of counts and winning a number of important votes.

On Tuesday 25th Feb I brought on a Motion for debate in the house which called for the Government to produce Asbestos Registers and the Health records of workers across the transport network including Sydney trains. Workers, the Electrical Trade Union and the Labor Party have been trying to get these documents for over 18 months. I led the debate in the Upper House and it was successful, we won the vote and the Government is now legally obliged to produce the documents. Workers deserve this vital information. Please see links to Hansard for both my call for papers and the debate.

The length of the recent power outages in NSW was unprecedented. The Liberal Government’s privatisation of Ausgrid has seen the destruction of thousands of jobs at the Electricity Supplier. Communities across our state suffered as there are not enough workers to adequately respond to the storms and power outages. On the 12th of February, The Premier lied to the NSW public about the number of jobs at Ausgrid. I moved a motion and led the subsequent debate condemning the Premier and calling for further job cuts to be halted at Ausgrid, which we won 19 votes to 11. Please see links to my Notice of Motion

On Thursday 5th February I raised a highly significant health and safety issue in Parliament; that our Firefighters have not been provided with adequate respiratory protection putting their health and lives at risk.  The P2 masks currently supplied to firefighters do not filter out potentially deadly toxins. Firefighters need protection against deadly toxins and carcinogens that cause cancer and they should not be given cheap, inadequate masks. I highlighted the work of the Firefighter C.A.N.C.E.R. Coalition and their fight to attain equipment which will help keep Firefighters alive. Please see a link to the Hansard of my speech

I also spoke in support of my Labor colleagues and their successful Motions to have the Berejiklian Government produce documents regarding TAFE courses and wage theft. This will ensure that the Government produces key documents and is an important measure in making certain the Government is responsible for issues that are impacting our communities. 

We are currently conducting Budget Estimates. Budget Estimates is a process where those of us in the Upper House attend hearings and are able to ask Ministers and senior bureaucrats questions and gain access to information. I am a Member of the Planning and Environment Committee, which covers Local Government, Energy, Environment and Planning issues. I will be continuing to place pressure on the Berejiklian Government and hold them to account. If any branch members have any questions relating to important issues they think might assist us place scrutiny on the government – please send them to us.

I will be updating you with political reports throughout the year. Social media is a convenient and accessible way to keep up with what’s going on so please follow my Facebook page and Instagram @mark.buttigiegmlc to see my latest updates.