Campaigns
	Fairfield is the home to 41 clubs and hotels, one of the greatest concentration of pokies in Australia. At our council meeting on 22 April, I opposed the council recommendation to allow Clubs and Hotels to apply for exemption from the 6 hour compulsory pokies shutdown on weekends. The Gaming Machines Act 2001 legislation meant that from 1 May 2003 all clubs and hotels would have to shutdown between 4am - 10am, everyday. (more media) Update: Today (30 April) the Government announced it will close this loophole that allowed clubs and hotels to apply for exemptions to the shutdown!  It's a great victory for the community.
	Stop developers, Save Lansdowne Park! The Meriton Group, current owners of Lansdowne Park, Lansvale has made recent enquiries to Council regarding possible rezoning of the land for residential purposes. The site is currently zoned Private Recreation and contains approximately 300 caravans housing around 1,000 residents. The site is located adjacent to Prospect Creek and is subject to flooding. According to a Herald article in February last year, Meriton Apartments Pty Ltd was one of the largest donors to political parties, giving $150,000 to the Labor party and $100,000 to the Liberals.  My concerns are: displacement of potentially 1,000 residents developer getting rich at the expense of battling families who live in Lansdowne Park Impact of flooding on any new housing development I challenge the Labor party to say no to any rezoning of Lansdowne Park to build houses to give residents peace of mind. see media release see media release 2 See press article
Shaima Khalil, aged 8, recovers in hospital after reportedly being injured when her home in the Baghdad residential neighbourhood of al Aazamiya was bombed on March 24. Photo: AFP from www.smh.com.au.	Motion against War   On Tuesday, 25 March I moved a motion which was passed unanimously.  The key points of the motion were: Condemn the Federal Government for committing Australia to a War, without UN backing Condemn barbaric and undemocratic Iraq regime headed by Sadam Hussein AND express unequivocal support for our 2,000 service men and women currently deployed in the middle east and send our prayers and best wishes to our service men and women and their family "...I object vehemently to the concept that we must kill for peace, that the death of others will bring about security at home." - Transcript of my  council speech.
Photo: Daily Telegraph During NSW Parliamentary Question Time on Wednesday, 20 November 2002, Upper House MP, the Hon Rev Fred Nile called on the government to consider banning Muslim Women from wearing the Chador in public because they could be disguised terrorists carrying "weapons and explosives".	Ngo defends Muslim Australians I will be moving a motion on in Council on Tuesday, 26th November to condemn the Rev Nile for his bigoted and fundamentalist views. Full Motion: That Fairfield City Council condemns and rejects the bigoted and fundamentalist views expressed by the Hon Rev Nile in NSW Parliament when he called on the government to consider banning Muslim Women from wearing the Chador because it may be "a perfect disguise for terrorists as it conceals both weapons and explosives" Wednesday, 20th November, 2002. Further, that Fairfield City Council supports the right of all Australian women regardless of background to chose what they wear, including the right to wear a chador if that is their wish. See media release, Motion Condemning Fundamentalist Fred Nile, 23 November 2002. Outcome: I'm pleased to say that my motion was unanimously passed at Fairfield City's full council meeting on Tuesday 26th November. Fairfield Council became the first Council in Australia to pass a motion condemning Rev Nile's views. I'd like to thank the many message of support from Muslim and non-Muslim Australians; I've had messages from Melbourne, Adelaide and of course Sydney (read radio transcript).
Greater Public Accountability Please find below a motion I'm seeking to put to this year's Local Government Association Conference (2002). The objective is to close a loophole which can be exploited to encourage corrupt conduct amongst elected officials. If you support this motion, please email - your support will add weight to the motion!	Motion That the Local Government Association calls on the State and Federal governments to amend the relevant Legislation to improve transparency of donations to political parties and restore public confidence in local government by requiring all political parties disclose details about election or political fundraising functions. The details that must be disclosed to the State Electoral Office for state and local elections and the Australian Electoral Office for federal elections must include: Name and address of individuals or organisations which outlays $500 or greater in political donation, whether it be in cash or in-kind by; purchasing fundraising dinner tickets, purchasing auction items at fundraisers, providing in-kind catering support for fundraisers, providing items to be auctioned at fundraisers More...
How can we charge residents and visitors to park on the streets of Cabramatta?!	Say Ngo to Parking Meters A proposal that a "ticketed parking system be considered" is in the Cabramatta community safety audit endorsed by the Fairfield Council outcomes committee last week. But a furious Cr Thang Ngo refused to endorse the audit and told fellow councillors that meter parking would be endorsed "over my dead body". "It's insane to penalise shopkeepers, residents and visitors by imposing additional costs just for parking in Cabramatta," Cr Ngo said. "If council wants to act against the best interest of the community, I intend to fight and I will guarantee that the community and I will win," Cr Ngo said. "Council should demonstrate unambiguous support for local businesses. We should say 'no' to meter parking and 'no' to the idea that we should waste one second of council time or one cent of council resources to examine this issue."... see full article Extract from Fairfield Champion, 18/9/02 Outcome: I referred this issue to a full council meeting on 24 September, where all councillors passed a unanimous motion that Council will not investigate parking meters for the Fairfield area - another win for the community!
	Canley Vale Railway Overpass 23 March The guard rails are broken and severely damaged in other sections.  If cars are running into them we need to ensure it is fixed urgently to protect residents. This has been a problem for many months and I've asked Council's traffic committee to look at it urgently. Outcome: I'm glad to say that this damaged guard section has been repaired in April.
	Trees Damaged, St Johns Park 23 March I've noticed some 30 trees cut down in the reserve next to St Johns Bowling Club and have asked Council to report on this environmental issue. Outcome: I've been advised this is part of the transit way which is being built by the RTA, which has the power to cut down trees without the need to advise or obtain permission from Council.
	Crossing Park Road and Arthur St, Cabramatta 23 March There's no doubt we need a pedestrian crossing at this busy corner.  I referred this matter to council's Traffic Committee for immediate action during the last Outcomes committee meeting.
	Club Marconi applies for 24hr weekend trading from current 2am approved hours 23 March Outcome: on 23 April, Council voted to extend trading on weekends from 2am to 5am.  I voted against this motion but was unsuccessful. more.
More Pokies Fairfield already has one the the highest concentration of pokies in this State, but we have one of the lowest income in the State.  Pokies are addictive and I believe it is now a drug for residents in the west.  They lead to crime, family breakup, chronic debt and low self-esteem. We need to put an end to this cancerous drug before it's too late.  Council resolved on 16 January 2001 to challenge the granting of pokies licence to a gaming venue in Canley Heights. Daily Telegraph 18 Jan 01. I believe this sets a precedent for other councils to follow and delivers clear leadership in this issue, on which I've campaigned on for a long time. The NSW government's pokies policy just isn't working - there is meant to be a freeze on gaming machines, but new venues are opening up in front of our very eyes.  Fairfield Council will be writing to the Minister for gaming and racing to express our disappointment in the government's poor leadership on pokies. UPDATE: In February 2001, I challenged the NSW government to match initiatives announced by the Victorian government which compelled all pokies to also show the time and for natural lighting in pokies venues.  Fairfield Advance 6 Feb 01. On 7 February, the Premier announces he is likely to extend the freeze on pokies for clubs.   Cr Ngo successfully lobbies for Parliamentary Inquiry into Cabramatta Police Resources My intensive lobbying campaign was successful on Tuesday, 27 June when a NSW Parliament Upper House Inquiry into Cabramatta Police resources was announced. I decided to lobby because I had been advised by Mr Chris Evans, Regional Area Commander and Mr John Sweeney, Cabramatta's new Local Area Commander, that Cabramatta will not get any more police officers in the short to medium term. It's obvious to residents, local shopkeepers and myself that the hard-working frontline police are struggling to cope with their current workload. Read my official statement. During November, the community became concerned that they were not given a chance to appear before the committee.  By 8 November, the Police have had two sessions with the Inquiry, while local residents and businesses still had not been given a date to make formal presentations. Additionally, the community was alarmed that the Police briefing on 8 November would be behind closed doors. I raised these concerns publicly (Sunday Telegraph 5 Nov) on behalf of the community and was successful in opening up the secret Police session to the public.  In this session, the Deputy Police Commissioner revealed that Cabramatta and Fairfield police stations may be merged if trials in Sydney's East were successful.   The public outcry since has lead to the Police Commissioner, Police Minister and Premier announce that this will not happen in the near future. And Soon after my public comments, the Committee announced that it will hear formal submissions from the community on 12 December.  These were all significant victories for our community. Around the same time, the Sydney Morning Herald invited me to explain why the Inquiry is so important to Cabramatta in an opinion piece which ran on 15 November. Ross Treyvaud and I organised a meeting at the Cabramatta Inn on Saturday, 9 December, 10:30am to seek community views to present them to the Inquiry Committee. At 11am, Tuesday 12 December I gave my evidence to the Inquiry, read my submission.  Together with submissions from other residents we highlighted the problems of Cabramatta, I believe very clearly to the Inquiry. Read media reports Herald 14/12, aap 14/12. Summary of Inquiry     - Announced on 27 June     - Tours Cabramatta with Deputy Police Commissioner morning of 26 October     - Informal nformal lunch with selected community people afternoon of 26 October     - Hears formal submission by Deputy Police Commissioner 8 November at 10am     - Hears formal submissions by criminologists and academics 8 November at 2pm     - Hears formal submissions by Fairfield council, Cabramatta residents and businesses on 12 December     - Hears formal submissions by Police Officers and Police Association 18 December     - Hears from members of Vietnamese and Chinese community at Cabramatta on 6 February 2001 Hughes Street Park: Where Children Fear To Tread For at least six months residents have reported drug dealing and injecting activities at Hughes Street park, Cabramatta.  I personally reported drug dealing activities on behalf of residents to Cabramatta police on Sunday, 25 June this year. It was with some sadness that I report, the situation has not improved.  In fact recently I received a heart wrenching letter from local children saying: "It (the park) is not a safe place because of the number of syringes lying around the playground.  Also we have been approached by addicts and have seen them in the yards of your units.  Some of us have also seen addicts with knives and we are scared.   We have come across people lying on the ground with their lips turning purple and stuff coming out of their mouths" (extract of letter - click for full transcript). I immediately raised the issue again with Mr John Sweeney, Cabramatta's Local Area Commander (see letter) on Friday 21 July. At the same time, I've asked formally in Council for staff to assist where they could to make this park safer, for example, emptying of needle disposal bins more regularly. UPDATE: I have asked for an urgent meeting with Mr Ryan Police Commissioner (see letter). UPDATE2: I will be meeting with Assistant Commissioner and Greater Hume Regional Area Commander Mr Chris Evans today (Tue, 25/7) to discuss this issue. Cr Ngo Sparks Private Drug Detox Clinic Review Following the death of a 19yo detox patient at the Rapid Detox Clinic in Liverpool, I was asked by her parents to assist in getting a review of the private detox industry in NSW. The parents were concerned about the operations of this Clinic, which was largely unregulated by the government.  They asked me to take their case up with the government. I took their case up urgently with the office of the NSW Health Minister, Mr Craig Knowles on Wednesday, 12th July and the Minister announced a review on Sunday 16th July in the Sun Herald. I hope something positive comes of this so that addicts who take the positive step of detoxing will be adequately supported and protected by society. At the same time I've lobbied and gained the support of Paul Lynch, member for Liverpool and Dr Peter Wong UNITY MLC to support moves to regulate detox clinics in NSW. Damn the Lies and Statistics On Tuesday, 20 June, the Sydney Morning Herald revealed that Cabramatta Police Local Area Command ranked 51st out of 80 in the state.  Making us supposedly safer than leafy north-shore Commands such as Roseville ranked 38th. It's a fact, the Police have admitted these stats only count common crimes such as assault, break-and-enter, robbery, stealing, and motor vehicle theft. The obvious omission is DRUGS and MURDER. My first concern was for the safety of local residents, my fear is that these stats will be used to reduce police numbers and funding in Cabramatta, despite denials by the Police Commissioner. As your advocate, I raised the community's concern publicly that very same day on the Sydney Morning Herald, Channel 9 news and Today Tonight on Channel 7. GST Confusion As July 1 approaches, consumer and businesses are still confused and concerned about the GST. There is no doubt in my mind that battlers in Fairfield will be worse off with the GST.  Why?  Simply because those on the highest incomes will get the largest tax cuts. The rest of us, including those on fix income such as pensioners, Those on fixed income, long term caravan residents, ordinary battler families will have to cope with the regressive 10% GST. While businesses will have the administrative burden of collecting the taxes for the government.  There is much confusion amongst small business in Fairfield and I have taken up the case on their behalf, initiating a free Tax Office GST Seminar for small business with support from the Cabramatta Business Association and Cabramatta Chambers of Commerce on Tuesday, 19 June. I also took the opportunity to express the concerns of small businesses in Cabramatta (Sydney Morning Herald, 20/6 and Sydney Morning Herald, 6/7) Fairfield Represented on National GST Advisory Council In April, I became one of eight community representatives on the ACCC's GST National Advisory Council. Our role will be to assist the ACCC to ensure consumers are not ripped-off and exploited with the introduction of the GST. My term will continues until at least July 2001. Avonlea Street Fights Back After over 85 break-ins, suffering residents of Avonlea Street, Canley Heights turned to me as a last resort. After taking up their case with the Police (Sun Herald, 16/4), arrests were made and a 22yo man was charged with break-and-enter as well as receiving stolen goods and sentenced to 20 months gaol. This was a great success for community action and I wish the best for all the residents in Avonlea Street. Cabramatta Police Station Downgraded I was shocked to learn that late last year, Cabramatta Police Station was downgraded from a level 1 command to level 2.  This obviously means a reduction in funding and police numbers. We already know violent crime is on the increase in the first few months of this year.   Yet our Police officers are being asked to work harder and with less resources. The people who are suffering is local residents. I don't feel Reba Meagher our local MP, has been active enough on this issue. On Friday, 25 February, I had to take the initiative by writing to the Premier, the Police Minister and the Police Commissioner to ask them to urgently reverse this decision (read my letter). Penrith Panthers Buys Mekong Club The Mekong Club has been bought  by Panthers, NSW's largest licensed club.  Panthers annual turnover is around $100m a year.  It already has 1,100 pokies and interactive gaming machines.  The Mekong acquisition will add around 80 pokies to the Club. I have no doubt Panthers will introduce aggressive new promotions to entice residents to play the pokies.  It is in an ideal position on the main street of Cabramatta.  Fairfield already has three of the ten most profitable pubs in terms of pokie revenue in NSW.  Not to mention several "super" clubs. I will be moving to protect residents by asking Council Staff to examine ways to: (1) Cap the number of pokies in Fairfield (2) Ensure existing gambling premises implement adequate responsible gaming policies While we can't stop gambling venues from operating, we can work towards controlling the potential harm to the community. Christian Employment Agencies Discrimination These agencies have won over $100m in job search contracts from the Federal Government.  However, they insist on hiring only Christians and are exempt from relevant anti-discrimination legislation. Acting on concerns by the local unemployed residents, who also fear they will be discriminated against when using these Christian agencies, I raised these concerns in the Sydney Morning Herald 21 Feb , Sydney Morning Herald 12 Jan, TCN 9 Today program (13 Jan) and Fairfield Advance (11 Jan), Fairfield Champion 23/2). As a result, Employment Plus, run by the Salvation Army, publicly confirmed they will hire staff based on merit, not on religious belief. UPDATE: It was made public on Wednesday 2 Feb that Employment National offices in Cabramatta and Fairfield will be closing forcing residents to use private agencies, such as Wesley Employment. UPDATE 2: On 28 February, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) will investigate Mission Australia for possible breach of the International Labour Organisation and Convention Concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation (ILO 111).  The investigation was sparked by my complaint on behalf of concerned residents. UPDATE 3: During May, I reached agreement with Mission Australia which ensured they do not discriminate against non-Christians.