The Teven Tintenbar community is reeling from a proposal to build a toxic asphalt plant in this fragile valley. They need support with letters and also with donations to their fighting fund if you can. 

The proposed site is in a rural zoning surrounded by agricultural lands – a totally inappropriate location for such intensive and dangerous industrial activity. Our green belts are vital for the future of nature-based tourism. They are vital for our food production. And they are vital for the health and sanity of all of us who live in this entire region. Let’s not destroy them any further.

Add your voice at No Bloody Way

And visit the residents' Facebook page here

There was a strong community turn out at the Northern Joint Regional Planning Panel public meeting in Mullumbimby, with a full hall and a vocal crowd who were overwhelmingly against the mega developments planned for West Byron.

If you would like to take further action, sign my Say NO to West Byron petition.

Here is my statement to the Panel:

Tweed, Byron and Ballina Community Transport has received funding in the NSW Budget announced today.

The NSW Government has given in to the Shooters and Fishers Party by permanently winding back protections at 10 ocean beaches and headlands in sanctuary zones across four marine parks in NSW, including in Cape Byron Marine Park.

Short term holiday letting needs more regulation in Byron, not less, says local MP Tamara Smith.

Sign the petition

With the passing of the Public Health Amendment (Safe Access to Reproductive Health Clinics) Bill 2018, women seeking reproductive medical advice and treatment have finally gained some protection from harassment and shaming. Some of the arguments against the bill were reminiscent of scenes from The Handmaid's Tale, and the suggestion that women seeking treatment at a medical centre don't know their own minds is truly disturbing. Despite what its critics said, this bill is not about gagging free speech, or denying people's right to protest. It is about a safe access zone for women looking after their health. The protection they receive from this bill is necessary and to be welcomed.

See my speech in support of the bill here.

The science tells us repeatedly that shark spotting with drone technology on patrolled surfing beaches reduces the risk of shark encounters. I recently met with Action for Dolphins advocacy director Jordan Sosnowski, and we resolved to continue working with Sea Shepherd and No Shark Cull to fund Shark Watch for the coming summer season - something the government has refused to do.

Say no to shark nets here.

This week I spoke out in Parliament against the Nationals and Liberals' appalling roll back of environmental protections for native forests in NSW and for giving the green light for massive clearing of native forest on private land under the Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill 2018.

Read here

I asked the Environment Minister in Question Time what is being done to protect the endangered ecological community of coastal cypress pines estimated to be up to 400 years old and located on  Crown land in the Terrace Caravan Park at Brunswick Heads.

Will she ensure that this precious stand of trees is protected into the future?

Read her answer here