44 Comments

1. Andrew makes this comment

   Thursday, 26 March 2009

   Thanks for creating a site where we can come and talk positively about the future of our State - when we are surrounded by so much negativity!
   
   I can't wait to get involved in the discussion.

2. SUSAN COLVIN makes this comment

   Thursday, 26 March 2009

   COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO ME HOW RUDD IS BAILING OUT REES EVERY DAY AS I DIDNT KNOW THAT
   
   SUSIE COLVIN

3. Gary Russell makes this comment

   Thursday, 26 March 2009

   If the Liberal Party is elected to govern in New South Wales, will it ditch the Labour Party's policy of reducing the public road capacity to aid the funnelling of traffic onto private toll roads?
   
   I have nothing against toll road per se, what I object to is existing road capacity being reduced to try to force us to use the toll roads.
   
   I would also like to see alternative 'non-toll' route signs displayed on major roads where-ever a toll route sign is displayed (these should be paid for by the toll road company).

4. Adrian Alexander makes this comment

   Thursday, 26 March 2009

   Barry
   I was in at Parliament House wading through documents about Hurlstone under the Standing Order resolution, last week.
   
   I have never seen such lies, deceit and double-speak!
   
   Marcus Einfeld is in Gaol. How many cells are we reserving for his lying ALP mates? What he did was nothing compared to this Government.
   
   The Hurlstone issue is just a single issue but if we work hard enough should win us some seats in the Macarthur region. I for one am volunteering right now to dedicating a lot of time to bring down Andrew McDonald!
   
   Regards
   
   Adrian Alexander

5. Daniel makes this comment

   Thursday, 26 March 2009

   Living in Westleigh working in the city and frequently visiting Drummoyne i do a fair bit of driving on Sydneys roads. And one of the easist and cheapest ways to improve traffic flow in my oppinion is to create 24 hour clearways on all major roads, such as Victoria road, Beecroft Road and the Pacific Highway. I don't believe it is the governments role to provide free parking. And if people are concerned about the loss of jobs for the businesses along those roads then perhaps the owners and the government can put together funds to build a carpark behind these businesses.
   
   thanks for listening!

6. Nicolette makes this comment

   Thursday, 26 March 2009

   Great website - what a wonderful way to kick off the push for change! I hope everyone gets involved to make it a place of discussion and debate.
   
   Cheers

7. Smibes makes this comment

   Thursday, 26 March 2009

   Good work Barry - this is aan excellent step forward in providing a voice for NSW people. I look forward to taking part.

8. Julian Tol makes this comment

   Thursday, 26 March 2009

   Well done on the new site. Would love to see a countdown clock on the homepage showing days/hours/minutes left until the next state election.

9. Jane makes this comment

   Friday, 27 March 2009

   I look forward to a vigorous election campaign.

10. Gary Russell makes this comment

    Friday, 27 March 2009

    In response to Chris Hartcher's recent speech to parliament about demerit (penalty) points, I would like to raise one issue of inequality that makes a complete mockery of justice and fairness.
    
    The concept of double penalty points for certain times of the year seems to fly in the face of transparency and fairness. Would a thief be given double the penalty if they stole at Christmas time? or would an M.P. be given double penalty for being out of order at Prime Minister's question time? I don't think so, so why give driver's a double penalty at certain times of the year?

11. John makes this comment

    Friday, 27 March 2009

    We have had many 'plans' (perhaps pie in the sky would be a more accurate term) mooted by successive Labour governments. Have any actually come to mfruition without being truncated, overrunning on cost or being cancelled. I cannot think of one.
    In our area the feeder road/tunnel from the F3 to the M2 has been ten years in the planning discussion stage and not a sod has been turned although a few sods in Macquarie Street have come and gone! The Pennant Hills Road is frequently a car park (15 minutes to travel 3km recently!) and with the huge trucks on it with about 40 cm clearance either side before they intrude on the adjacent lane, it is also patently dangerous. The road was never designed or intended for multi trailer B doubles.
    Action is needed everywhere, hospitals, dental health, schools, roads - where does one start? One starts by kicking the incompetent Labour government out not to mention much of the deadwood in the NSW civil service.

12. Sam makes this comment

    Friday, 27 March 2009

    Lets have a proper discussion on disability services in this state. The fragmented nature of the service delivery needs to be fixed. We need specific "Whole of Government" and "whole of life" policies developed now and ready for implementation in 2010, not just promises that you will look at it when you get there.
    
    Lets start the discussions.

13. Graeme makes this comment

    Saturday, 28 March 2009

    Creating open discussion that consolidates positive comment improving our state can change current policy development and show where the potential for effective government is located. Thanks for the forum.

14. Daniel makes this comment

    Monday, 30 March 2009

    I would really like to compose a list of large scale infrastructure projects that everyone believes we need in this state, and maybe this website could dedicate a page to it. My passion is in transport and would therefore propose:
    1. The M2 F3 tunnel.
    2. The North west rail link.
    3. Creation of a new Spitt bridge that does not need to be raised to allow boats to travel.
    
    I would love everyone to throw around your ideas, whether they be in transport, health, education or anything else. Lets get some disccussion happening on these issues.

15. Phil Jones makes this comment

    Wednesday, 01 April 2009

    Will we see a fair dispersion of tax dollars to all parts of NSW?
    The Global city of Sydney cost all of us to run and maintain, if its in trouble with the taxes paid what hope of a better deal will the rest of NSW get under a Liberal Goverment.

16. Barry warznal makes this comment

    Wednesday, 01 April 2009

    I think with out doubt transport public/private is by far the issue that effects all of us for at least three hrs every day -every week .......can some one tell me why we are still pushing a mode of transport - Traditional Rail ( even light rail) that evolved 100 yrs ago ??? The costs that this system bears is incredibly and criminally wasteful - 300 + million per kilometer for a tunnel .A kilometer of Skyrail or high speed monorail including track ,train and station is 1/20 th of this and is 100 percent reliable ,it doesnt break down, its on time all the time , it moves 5 x the commuters at twice the speed , in excellent comfort and 100 % safety and is totally capable of being run on renawable energy , they have it in perth and consider it the the greatest transport known, take a look at any great Asian city ,they need to move ppl ,lots of them and it works perfectly. So are we heading downwards for another 14 yrs - Or are you going to take us into the 21st century .

17. Mike Baird MP makes this comment

    Thursday, 02 April 2009

    Thanks for your comment Phil Jones, as bridging the gap between the city and regional areas is a really important issue. In fact the Opposition is currently looking at how that can be done.
    
    We have been holding a number of forums around the state, talking to people about their ideas and is now putting that into its economic policy. If you want to know more have a look at the Planning for Prosperity document. Submissions closed this week - but I'm sure no one will mind if you add another one. The more ideas the better.
    
    http://www.startthechange.com.au/images/stories/economic/planning4prosperity.pdf
    
    Regards
    
    Mike Baird MP
    Shadow Treasurer

18. Jane makes this comment

    Thursday, 02 April 2009

    I understand from part of a snippet I caught on the radio this afternoon that the new laws regarding control of bikie gangs were rammed through Parliament today.
    
    Did the Opposition get any time to look at these laws?
    
    The only mention I saw of the proposed laws was an article in the paper and there were a few items that really bothered me.
    
    One that leapted out was the phrase "no proof required"
    
    Another was a plan to have "bikies" banned from certain occupations.
    
    The third was in definition of "bikies" or "criminal gangs", combined with guilt by association.
    
    There appeared to have been no time for discussion and, given this state government record I have doubts about the effectiveness of the legislation and it's possible ramifications for the citizenry. I believe it is open to abuse and am absolutely not sure about any legislation containing "no proof required"

19. Ralph makes this comment

    Tuesday, 07 April 2009

    G'day,
    
    I share Janes concerns on the new bikie laws, banning voluntary groups seems un Australian to me, and even if it starts off well, the law could easily be misused.

20. Jane makes this comment

    Friday, 10 April 2009

    There we were thinking, "Wow, they're getting their act together. A forum for spirited discussion and an enthusiasm for modern technology that will reach out to the masses and fire them with some political spirit"
    
    Get your act together boys and girls, we need enthusiasm and some idea that you are supporting us in getting rid of the corruption ridden, monolithic NSW ALP government.
    
    Come out and play!

21. Ralph Buttigieg makes this comment

    Monday, 20 April 2009

    G'day,
    
    Jane is right. Barry, it must have the Libs a fair bit to get the groovy new website. How about you, Jillian, Mikey etc making a contribution to the discussion.
    
    ta
    
    Ralph

22. Jane makes this comment

    Wednesday, 22 April 2009

    20 days and counting.
    
    Lethargy can be terminal.
    
    I'm about to give up. Have bought the house in NZ and am getting organized to move in 2011.
    
    The Liberal Party HAS to become more visible - or die.
    
    The internet is a good start and you are letting us down.
    
    No excuses.

23. David WIlson makes this comment

    Thursday, 23 April 2009

    If the Liberal Party is elected what is the possibility of introducing a Zero Tolerance on crime Policy? You only to research the drop in Crime in New York to see the result.

24. Web Administrator makes this comment

    Thursday, 23 April 2009

    Thanks for your comment Jane. We're always endeavouring to make our internet presence better every day and engage the online community in NSW. We're active every day on our Facebook Supporter pages (search for Liberal); so is our NSW Leader Barry O'Farrell. We're active on Twitter (@liberalnsw, @barryofarrell), sending people links to our large range of online media, videos etc. You're also on one of the first truly web 2.0 political party websites in Australia. www.startthechange.com.au is our vehicle to tell the people of NSW that we're listening to what they have to say.
    
    This is just the start of our online campaign to start the change for the better in NSW, but if you have a suggestion about our online presence, please don't hesitate to leave us more feedback right here. We're always happy to listen to what you have to say.

25. Jane makes this comment

    Thursday, 23 April 2009

    Suggestion 1.
    
    At least once a week acknowledge some of the concerns people raise.
    
    Suggestion 2
    
    Provide some structure. It is simply not good enough to open a page with the heading discussion and leave it floating. You need top rovide more direction and stimulation. the people visitng here, I would venture to guess are not "chat room" people. they have a more direct purpose than idle, superficial chit chat. Facebook is good but, for people of my age, Twitter simply suggests a flock of birds in a tree, lots of noise and mess on the footpath.
    
    Topics, suggestions and moderation. You can't simply say "Discuss" and sit back and wait for the customers to appear, not ignore them when they do.
    
    Thanks.

26. Daniel Evans makes this comment

    Thursday, 23 April 2009

    I am fully behind David Wilsons comment about zero tolerance on crime.
    
    You here all to often about people vandalizing, stealing and assaulting others in the paper and on the news, but it always seems that these people get let off with a good behaviour bond or some other minor penalty. If it goes to court the defence team often argues that he/she has had a tough childhood or that this is their first offence and then get let off.
    
    Will the Liberal party end this nanny state ideology?

27. Web Administrator makes this comment

    Friday, 24 April 2009

    Jane: Thanks for your suggestions. In the coming weeks we're looking at taking this discussion and developing a more forum-based system, where people can begin conversations on particular topics and have people respond to them. We do however want to generate a bit of a following on Start The Change first, so we don't have a giant empty forum.
    
    Daniel: Thanks for your comment. Check out some more of our material (and Mike's video) in the Law and Order section. We'd love your comments there as well.

28. The Hon Mike Gallacher MLC makes this comment

    Friday, 24 April 2009

    David - Zero tolerance to crime should not be a choice, it is the position the community expects of responsible Government. To tolerate small crimes is to openly encourage criminals to hone their skills, and eventually graduate to the commission of more serious, violent crimes.
    
    A NSW Liberal / Nationals Government is committed to zero tolerance for any crime, big or small; but with this comes a responsibility to adequately resource our police, and provide effective and meaningful deterrents to crime.
    
    I'm committed to working with Shadow Attorney General Greg Smith SC to make sure we not only get the law enforcement response to crime right, but to make sure our prisons are able to adequately reinforce the zero tolerance message, and rehabilitate offenders where possible.

29. John from Newcastle makes this comment

    Saturday, 25 April 2009

    The ability to sack incompetent judges and a absolute zero tolerance approach to crime must be the message sent to the community before the next election.
    The police force needs to be redesigned to function as it did before they were turned into social workers instead of law enforcement officers. That means that a height and weight requirement must apply and they must be able to do their job without the fear of too much scrutiny.

30. Jane makes this comment

    Monday, 27 April 2009

    I support this campaign and have sent an e-mail to my local member enlisting his support.
    
    Clipped from todays Daily Telegraph:
    
    "Police have been offered 4 per cent in the first year, four per cent in the second and 2.5 per cent in the third.
    
    That deal is in place as long as officers agree to a number of cutbacks including a reduction in shift penalties for many frontline troops; no plain clothes allowance for detectives; and changes to workers compensation rules. "
    
    A pay rise that will be paid for in wage cuts is no deal at all. If we want to continue to have people choose Policing as a career we should be prepared to support them. The stress and danger these people face every day for us deserves better treatment than this.

31. Jane makes this comment

    Monday, 27 April 2009

    John, With regard height and weight, size is less relevant than presence and even less so if people are trained thoroughly in self defense.
    In terms of less scrutiny I can't agree. It is in the Police Force best interest to be totally transparent or it just can't work, gain support and/trust.
    We need more community policing and engagement with the general public to not only make the Police presence and humanity more felt but to encourage a more active participation in maintaining the law from the citizenry.
    By all means make the judiciary more accountable, when we look at the sentencing sometimes it looks more like we have Social Workers sitting behind the bench than upholders of the law. Not good enough.

32. Earth Waratah makes this comment

    Friday, 01 May 2009

    One of the main reasons we left Sydney was due to the issue of racial/religious motivated crime. As a white Australian, I could not go into Sydney without experiencing advances by Lebenese youths who sought to intimidate.
    
    Once I got in a fight to defend myself and on another occasion, I was surrounded by 6 Lebenese who left me alone only because 6 young Chinese men came over challenging the Lebenese to a fight.
    
    Over the past two years, both my wife and I have met any ex-Sydney people who all cite their reason for leaving being the increased hate crimes against white Australians and a government that won't do anything but victimise the white people. Simply, they feel as if they are criminals in the eyes of NSW Government for being white.
    
    Will the Liberals allow police to do what they need or, will you continue the same stupid multicultural policies that has brought nothing but extreme violence?

33. CJ Skinner makes this comment

    Saturday, 02 May 2009

    Transport Discussion group interest me. I look forward to being invited to participate

34. Ralph Buttigieg makes this comment

    Saturday, 02 May 2009

    G'day,
    
    Crikey Earth, what part of Sydney did you go to? I wouldn't exactly say Sydney is all peace and love but I have never been attacked by 6 Lebanese or 1/2 dozen of any other race either.
    
    ta
    
    Ralph

35. Against Water Fluoridation makes this comment

    Sunday, 03 May 2009

    Clearly a blatant violation of basic ‘Human Rights’ is forcing mass medication without prior consent.
    
    There is ZERO jurisdictions within any Australian State or Federal government to force medication on its populace.
    
    This is absolutely entirely 100% ‘illegal’.
    
    We live in a ‘free’ country and thus we should to be able make our own health choices.
    
    There is not one single provision within our Australian constitution to allow such forced health measures.
    
    So let’s ‘Start the Change’ by freeing the people of NSW from ‘Forced Fluoridation’.
    
    God Bless Australia

36. John from Newcastle makes this comment

    Tuesday, 05 May 2009

    Ralph B, Are you sure you live in the same Sydney as everybody else. In Sydney NSW Australia I would never take my family out at night in the city and a huge amount of the outer suburbs.
    Not unless I wanted to be forced to protect them from harassment by overbearing Lebanese, Islanders and a myriad of other hostile tribe like groups

37. Vixen makes this comment

    Thursday, 07 May 2009

    How does tearing down homes and paying relocation costs for tenants in order to build new home increase Public Housing?
    
    I'm lost in the "logic" of this.

38. Ralph Buttigieg makes this comment

    Thursday, 07 May 2009

    G'day,
    
    John, I have lived in the western suburbs for 37 years. In winter I'm walking home in the dark and have never been attacked. I'm not saying that there aren't problems but taking reasonable precautions will get you around ok. At least in my part of town.
    
    Now there is crime around here. Leave a car parked on the street and sooner rather then latter it will be broken into. But I haven't had any problems with Lebanese or Islander hordes.
    
    ta
    
    Ralph

39. Paula makes this comment

    Tuesday, 02 June 2009

    How wonderful to read so many positve statements. We have lost focus in NSW and what has made our state so great. We need to get back to the basics and not cater to just minority groups. I look forward to reading more comments

40. Jane makes this comment

    Wednesday, 03 June 2009

    How many days till the election now?

41. Getting the hang of technology now makes this comment

    Friday, 05 June 2009

    How do we link to things like media releases in here.
    
    I'd like to discuss current topics but there doesn't seem to any place to do that.
    
    Debate is good and attention gathering.

42. Vixen makes this comment

    Sunday, 07 June 2009

    "Hannan’s news report described a new initiative called Unionstart run by Unions NSW where unionists will go into NSW schools to educate 14 to 18-year-olds about unions. Hannan reported that “schools give activists permission to visit and educate students about the role of unions”.
    
    Is this true? I can't believe they would so blatantly start recruitment and indoctrination of a political nature in schools. This has to be illegal.

43. John from Newcastle makes this comment

    Saturday, 24 October 2009

    It is now mid October and the last comment was published on the 7th June. What happened ? Did every body go to sleep or just lose interest.
    The state of NSW is being run by government that the mafia could learn lessons from in regards to bribery, corruption and jobs for the boys and people can not be bothered to make a few comments about how to fix up a once great state.
    Maybe the people really do get the governments they deserve.

44. Mark Benn makes this comment

    Thursday, 12 November 2009

    Got your sardines flyer at Nth Strathfield this morning and I have to tell you that although I'm no fan of the the current lot, I'm dissappointed with its comments. Firstly there might not be more morning peak services at Nth Strathfield but their are not less. Nth Strathfield is only 4 stops to Town Hall, so there's no need for an express service, and I always(currently) get a seat. However, and here are the bits that you should be focusing on: 1. There are no lifts at Nth Strathfield, the stairs are a killer for mums with prams. The walk ways are uncovered, and there is stuff all shelter in wet weather. Access is also poor from the northern end of the station. We've been promised a commuter car park but once again empty promises, with the local streets all parked out. Its a good station being let go!!! For what its worth city rail should take 2 car lanes off the harbor bridge, run trains from North Sydney to the city circle via Circular Quay and avoid building another harbour tunnel for amybe 20 years and finish the Northwest and Southwest heavy gauge lines......but I think I'm dreamin'