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Voters in fine voice

Friday 18 April, 2008 9:00am

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd said he was impressed with the "eloquence" of comments at the Penrith Community Cabinet on Tuesday.

Indeed, those people the Press spoke to who had secured face-to-face interviews with ministers were raising a variety of worthwhile and interesting issues.

David Ellsworth, plant ecophysiology professor at the University of Western Sydney, spoke to Climate Change Minister Penny Wong about experiments at the University's Hawkesbury campus, looking at how trees soak up carbon and cope with drought.

Michael Kovacs, Londonderry Bush Fire Brigade captain, spoke to Treasurer Wayne Swan about tax breaks for volunteers.

"The volunteers often drive to meet the trucks at a fire in their own cars," Mr Kovacs said. "They buy their own safety gear.

"They should be able to claim these as tax breaks the same as a working person. It would encourage more people to volunteer."

Leon Wescombe is a PhD student at the University of Sydney's Medical Research Centre at Nepean Hospital.

He had an appointment with Science and Research Minister Kim Carr to discuss the allocation of research grants.

"Groups end up competing for the same grants," he said.

Penrith Baptist Church minister Neil Checkley and his family arranged to meet Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith to discuss Australia's level of overseas aid.

He also wanted to object to the slave trade in Australia.

"Just recently there was a raid on a Kings Cross brothel where they found girls from South-East Asia being kept as slaves," he said.

Laura and Amy Horsley, Xavier College students, were speaking to Environment Minister Peter Garrett about their concerns about plastic bags in the environment and water use.

Laurie Tucker, Penrith RSL Sub-branch president, spoke with Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon about the need for more support for serving defence personnel.

Daniel Angus met Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. "I want to congratulate him on signing the Kyoto treaty and other things," Mr Angus said.

"I also want to raise issues connected with where I work at the Richmond Fellowship in Emu Plains."

The Richmond Fellowship provides services for young people with a mental illness.

Fran Jones also spoke with the Prime Minister about the need for more funding, services and respite care for parents with an autistic child.

Ms Jones, of Leonay, has an autistic son Harrison, 3.

Geoff Brown, Western Sydney Conservation Alliance convenor, spoke with Environment Minister Garrett about the Federal Government's commitment to a $15 million Western Sydney conservation corridor.* SEE THE VIDEO: The PM talks about Penrith. Check it out at www.penrithpress.com.au

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