Coffs Coast representatives influential at Country Labor Conference

COFFS Harbour Labor Branch members recently joined hundreds of delegates at the Country Labor Conference in Orange.

The conference provides important guidance to the State Government on issues affecting regional NSW.

Coffs Harbour Branch President Councillor Tony Judge was joined by recent Cowper candidate Greg Vigors, Page candidate Wendy Backhous and well-known multicultural leader Htun Htun Oo.

“Labor Country Conference is always important for regional NSW, but this one was particularly important for us in Coffs,” Cr Judge said.

“The opportunity to get our regional messages across at a forum attended by government ministers, the Premier and the Prime Minister was too good to miss.”

Each member of the Coffs delegation spoke on key motions.

Mr Oo spoke about bed block in regional hospitals, which happens when a patient is fit to be discharged but appropriate post-hospital care cannot be found.

“If we can solve this problem, it will free up hundreds of hospital beds, reduce costs and speed up treatment for others,” Mr Oo said.

Mr Vigors spoke about the need to retain and grow public services in regional NSW.

“Having comprehensive local health support is absolutely crucial in our communities,” he said.

“Being able to access quality local treatment is about so much more than just convenience.”

Ms Backhous was also concerned with health issues, particularly the need for trained staff able to administer sexual assault forensic kits 24/7.

“Every victim who has to travel for hours to progress their allegation of assault has their trauma and health issues compounded,” she said.

“In some cases… victims abandon the prospect of charging their assailant. It is not only a health issue, it is about justice for the victims of sexual assault.”

Cr Judge moved one of only two contested motions at the conference, which was to cease the Jetty Foreshores project and use the funds for affordable housing.

It was narrowly lost, following ministerial intervention.

However, he successfully moved a motion to regulate, monitor and police labour hire companies in NSW, with broad agreement that more needs to be done to stop abuse and exploitation.

“I am incredibly proud that Coffs Labor punched well above our weight at the Country Conference,” Cr Judge said.

“We have given our community a genuine and effective voice to the State Government and we are looking forward to seeing the motions we moved… implemented as Labor policy.

“That’s how we get the change our region needs.”

By Andrew VIVIAN