Branch News Update - March 2013

Community bookshop fundraiser a huge success

Yeerongpilly Labor spokesperson, Cam Crowther (pictured with Jackie Trad MP), has continued to build a strong profile with local community groups by recently hosting a highly successful fundraiser for the Annerley Community Bookshop.

The Wine and Cheese night was well attended and raised more than $1200 for the popular bookshop, which will help the organisation keep its doors open and enable it to continue to provide essential literacy services for the community.

The bookshop’s mission is to use the proceeds of the sale of second hand books to improve literacy in the local area, particularly among adult migrants and refugees, a cause strongly supported by many Party members.

 

Annerley Labor congratulates Cam for supporting such a great local  service, as well as building a positive and respected profile in the community.

Local Labor fights savage bus cuts

Anger is growing in the community in response to the LNP's proposed cuts to many local bus services. Cuts to vital local routes, like the 114 through Tarragindi/Ekibin and the 112 and 113 which runs through Annerley, will hit hardest those who can least adjust: the elderly, those without private transport, and those with mobility difficulties.

However, the LNP didn't just cut services, it has also reduced frequency on some of the busiest routes through the local area: routes like the 120 and the 110.

Cam Crowther, Yeerongpilly ALP Spokesperson, and Jackie Trad MP, Member for South Brisbane, recently raised these cuts in the City South News and have since launched a community campaign to fight the changes.

The campaign started with local media, and the distribution of more than 2500 fliers into affected areas. Efforts have already been so successful that Transport Minister, Scott Emerson, was forced to respond in Parliament. However, his outburst only succeeded in raising the profile of Labor's community campaign.

For more information about the campaign against the proposed bus service cuts, email Cam.Crowther@gmail.com

Members help out on Clean Up Australia Day

Members of the Annerley and Yeronga Branches (pictured) were out in force recently to volunteer for this years Clean Up Australia Day. Helping out at Moolabin Park in Moorooka, members of the both branches, as well as from the general public, helped collect almost 20 bags of general and recyclable waste on the day.

Also on hand to assist our volunteers were Graham Perrett MP, Member for Moreton and Yeerongpilly ALP spokesperson, Cam Crowther.

Despite the wet conditions, turnout from both Party members and the local public was a record for the annual Branch event.

Annerley Branch to fight privatisation push

The Annerley Branch has resolved unanimously at its March general meeting to support union and community campaigns against the LNP government's anticipated privatisation of core public services. Responding to the recently released summary of the so called 'independent' Queensland Commission of Audit, members expressed deep concern at the ideologically driven desire of the LNP to sell off, or outsource, many of the State's public assets and services.

With many unions and community organisations indicating their strong opposition to any mass privatisation in Queensland, it is expected that a prolonged campaign against the unpopular move will escalate as more details eventually become known.

Already, the secrecy surrounding the specific details of the report have called into question the nature of the entire review process, especially as long time Howard Government treasurer, Peter Costello was appointed to head the 'independent' audit.

The Annerley Branch will be liaising with relevant unions about its ongoing role in any future community campaigns against the possible privatisation. For more details email info@annerleylabor.org