City Hub 23 June 2016

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JUNE 23 , 2016

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city hub 23 JUNE 2016

WestConnex armchair activists arrested

BY WENDY BACON Early on Tuesday morning four women occupied a home in Ashfield, one of several properties in treelined Chandos Street slated for demolition to make way for the $16.8 billion WestConnex tollway.

They sat around a table on the lawn in front of the heritage listed house while Stop WestConnex campaigners chanted and held signs drawing attention to WestConnex tolls on nearby Parramatta Road.

Police arrived and gave the women an order to leave the property. They refused and were arrested and spent four hours in cells at Burwood police station before being charged with trespass and released on bail.

Women against WestConnex spokesperson Adrienne Shilling said she felt compelled to take direct action when she saw that solid homes that had “provided shelter to families for generations were being wantonly destroyed to make way for a filthy polluting highway that would not solve Sydney’s traffic congestion.”

Shilling and the other women said that they wanted to draw attention to the disproportionate burden placed on women by a lack of public transport. “$16.8 billion would go an incredibly long way towards public transport infrastructure in Sydney, and would service millions more than this toll road ever will,” Ms Shilling said shortly before the chair on which she was sitting was carted across to a waiting paddy wagon.

The occupation is one in a series of protests held in houses in the Haberfield/Ashfield area where houses are being destroyed to make way for giant construction sites. Four other residents will attend Burwood local court this coming Thursday to face trespass charges for a similar protest.

The women were supported by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, Greens candidate for Grayndler Jim Casey and Greens candidate for Sydney Sylvie Ellsmore.

Police carrying out one of the protestors. Photo: Poppy Danis

Greens NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon said, “Today Mike Baird will sell the state budget as an infrastructure triumph, but by committing $2.9 billion to WestConnex he is backing a dud project.

“In four years the project costs have blown out from $10 billion to $16.8 billion. No private company is willing to bear the burden of such an absurd project, and so the public are being forced to foot the scandalously high bill. “ “Labor’s hands are not tied – they simply lack the courage to call out failed transport planning, funding and construction when they see it. “

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“The truth is that $2.3 billion in federal money is due to be paid after the election, and the government of the day could suspend that payment.”

Last year Senator Rhiannon began pushing the Australian National Audit Office to audit WestConnex to investigate as to whether Federal grants and loans had been subject to proper scrutiny.

Labor joined the call earlier this year and an audit was announced which will be completed early in 2017.

The Greens have called for all grant and loan payments to be suspended until that audit is complete. But Labor has said that it still supports

WestConnex and although it will not supply further funding, it will not halt the payments.

Greens candidate for Grayndler Jim Casey said, “The community campaign against WestConnex is growing from strength to strength and Labor is getting left behind with the NSW Liberal Government.”

“With Labor continuing to support WestConnex, the Greens are the only parliamentary party who will fight this disastrous toll-road.”

“There is still $2.26 billion of federal money yet to given to the NSW Government for this disastrous project. If elected I will fight to make sure that money stays in Canberra.”

The women’s protest followed a packed meeting on Monday 20 June called by residents’ groups in Glebe concerned about further Stage 3 Westconnex developments that will cause destruction and traffic congestion in Rozelle, Lilyfield, Glebe and Camperdown, including at Royal Prince Hospital and the University of Sydney.

City of Sydney Mayor Clover Moore told the meeting said she had written to both the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten pointing out that WestConnex was a disastrous project for Sydney and the opposite to what should be happening in the 21st Century.

She called on Premier Baird to halt all work on the project until the audit was complete.

Ms Moore said that “in the future our children are going to say, how could you let it happen? We should do everything we can to stop it happening because it is not good for the western suburbs and it is disastrous for the city.”

Greens MP Jamie Parker, who chaired the meeting, urged residents to attend a preelection Westconnex protest picnic and rally to be held in Easton Park in Rozelle this Sunday, June 26.

Wendy Bacon is an investigative journalist and Greens supporter.

City needs schooling in delivering on childcare CHRISTOPHER HARRIS The City of Sydney is falling behind on plans to build six additional childcare centers by the end of this year, and one will not be built ever, according to Labor councillor Linda Scott.

Councillor Scott told City Hub that council papers released this week showed that the Sydney Park site for the proposed childcare center was contaminated and as consequentially would not proceed.

She said there were questions for the council as to why such an important element was not checked when a development application for the childcare centre was lodged.

A nearby children’s bike track in the path was rerouted to accommodate the planned childcare centre.

The City planned to fast track the building of six – including centers in Annandale, Alexandria, Sydney Park, Darlinghurst, Zetland and Green Square– by 2016.

The City spent $55 million to fast track The supermax style day care the funding. When it announced the extra fundingi n May 2013 “Potential sites are being tested to ensure they meet planning regulations, community needs, operational capacity and current and future childcare strategies.”

The one in Darlinghurst is near which is near completion has drawn the ire of locals because of its similarities to a supermax prison.

There are four sites that are still under construction.

Labor Councillor Linda Scott said that council documents released

this week had budget projections into 2017 for the six childcare centers supposed to be fast tracked.

She said the mayor had failed to deliver on her promise.

“Three out of the four sites have budget allocations into 2017-18 so one would question the advice that they’ll be completed by 2016,” she told City Hub. She said that the roll on effect would affect business and the local community.

“It is devastating for local families, who were relying to getting access to these childcare places, and devastating for local businesses that were relying on having employees back to work The City of Sydney Council provides affordable childcare in the City of Sydney that typically costs less than private providers .

Councillor Scott said it was important to deliver on childcare in a range of locations because it benefit working parents close to where they live and work.

She also said that the contamination centre in Darlinghurst of the site could raise questions for the viability of a children’s bike path.

“It apparently okay to have a children’s bike path. Now we have two children’s bike paths and no childcare centres. Why they didn’t know earlier that it was contaminated? Why wasn’t the site tested when the as part of the DA? The City of Sydney did not respond to City Hub’s requests in time for deadline. city hub 23 JUNE 2016

3

Opal increase undermines fairness

BY MICHAEL FORNO “We know that Mike Baird wants to Dozens of public transport users throw another three billion dollars of rallied on Tuesday against the Baird our money at WestConnex on top of the Government’s changes to the Opal system. nearly two billion he’s put into it already,” From September 5, Opal Card users are she said. due to face a number of changes in how “We could create a better city for their fares are charged. everybody if we stop WestConnex and The most controversial of these is the build a truly world class public transport removal of the weekly travel reward, system for Sydney instead, and keep Opal which gives commuters free travel after fares fair for everyone.” taking 8 paid journeys each week. The “While some of us make a choice to NSW Government has decided to replace use public transport, there are many of this free travel with a period of half-price us who don’t have any other option,’ she travel. said.

In May, the Independent Pricing Ahmed Suhaib is an international and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) student who depends on affordable public handed down its report More Efficient, transport.

More Integrated Opal Fares to the state “International students face rampant government in which it contends that fare exploitation in the workforce, poor living increases will save operating costs, thus conditions and an increasingly expensive removing the need to cover costs through rental market. They work to pay for tax revenue. their food and rent and live far away The removal of the weekly travel from university because the housing reward has concerned many, including options closer to campus are limited and From left to right: Ahmed Suhaib, Alex McKinnon, Mehreen Faruqi, NSW Upper House MP Pauline Lockie, and Mehreen Faruqi. expensive,” he said.

Photo: Michael Forno and Greens spokesperson for Transport.

“These students rely on public She addressed the rally on Tuesday outside State Parliament and transport to get to university and to work. For them, free travel after 8 demanded the government back down on the changes to Opal. trips means they can afford to travel to university and work,” he said.

“This government views public transport users as customers, not as Apart from facing increased living costs, Mr Suhaib believes students citizens. Transport must be affordable and accessible. This is an issue of are also being socially marginalised and forced out of the city. social justice, this is a right of every single citizen of New South Wales,” “If the lockout laws weren’t bad enough you’ve given students she said. another reason to not come to the city,” he said.

Dr Faruqi also opposes the construction of the WestConnex toll “University degrees are stressful and it’s essential for students to road and argues that public funds would be better spent on public take a break and enjoy life. They have been exploring the beautiful transport. city of Sydney on their weekends and doing it free of charge. With the “If they spent a fraction of what they are on WestConnex on public proposed changes, they’ll no longer be travelling,” he said. transport that would mean cheaper fares and extra services in peak Dr Faruqi’s final invocation to the rally was succinct. times,” she said.

“We have two and a half thousand signatures on our petition asking Pauline Lockie, head of the WestConnex Action Group, whose the Baird government to keep these free fares. We need you to get on home is being forcibly demolished to make way for WestConnex the phone and add your name to that petition. We need to save free construction, shared Dr Faruqi’s view.

Opal travel,” she said.

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5

Curtain call for City arts incubators

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS The announcement in May of what arts organisation made the cut has shocked many inner city theatres who may struggle to survive.

In the City of Sydney, at least four arts organisations will have their funding dramatically reduced, as part of the Federal Government’s cuts to the Australia Council last year.

The PACT theatre in Erskineville is one of the city’s arts institutions which will be hit hardest by the cuts. It will lose 40 per cent of its funding in July as part of the cuts announced in May. The organisation has existed for 52 years. Head of the organisation Katrina Douglas told City Hub that the idea of replacing 40 per cent of their operating budget in only a matter of months was impossible.

Australia Council multi year funding was 40 per cent of our annual income. We don’t have a fund raising and development team to step up and find that money. We are looking at diversifiying income, but that comes slowly, we can’t turn around and find 40 per cent of our income in a matter of months,” she told City Hub. She said that organisations and companies that were solely dedicated to supporting artists, in their first five years, had had their funding cut. She said that this would have a run on effect in five to ten years time.

“The impact will be artists coming out of training colleges, they won’t have the support they need. They will seek work elsewhere, or seek work overseas, we will see less diversity on our stages.”

She said that in terms of performance art, Australia was currently world renowned for producing their work around the world.

“Australian artists are world renowned. Recently Cat Jones, just won a major international award in LA. At the moment, we’re seen as producing great artists and very sought after artists, and that will become less and less.”

She said that no decisions had yet been made on what would inevitably cut, but said it would be a mix of increasing venue hire as well as reducing the number of artists they were able to engage. She said the roll on effect would be huge, and it would be the artists who suffered the most.

Arts funding strip backs have left Sydney theatre companies facing an uncertain future. Photo: Barry Goyette

The Australian Design Centre on William Street in Darlinghurst were also unsuccessful in the four year grant rounds.

The Centre’s Director Lisa Cahill said it was among the most innovative arts institutions in the country.

“With a 50-year reputation in design and creativity, it is a history that

Plibersek comes out fighting for Redfern ‘Mundine’ Gym Ms Plibersek at the gym last Friday. Source: supplied

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS It first opened in 1984 and has been a second home for the local Aboriginal community.

Almost 30 years later the Redfern Gym, also known as the Mundine Gym, will be forced to temporarily close while the Aboriginal Housing Company’s Pemulway redevelopment project gets underway.

MP for Sydney Tanya Plibersek stopped by the gym last Friday to announce that an elected Labor Government would provide the gym with $200,000 so it could keep operating while the redevelopment takes place.

Gym manager Alex Tui told City Hub that the gym was important to the local community, and that it had become increasingly popular over the years that it has been there.

“It has grown more and more popular over the years,” he said.

“More people are walking past and finding out about the gym, and popping in for a look.”

He estimated that the club’s membership was somewhere around 80 locals.

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He said old faces kept showing up.

If the gym doesn’t secure funding, it will have to shut down during the redevelopment, which could be between 12 and 24 months.

“If it did close down, and it didn’t have anywhere to go to I would use that time relax – it would be a good time to check out other gyms and see how things have been going and preparing,” he told City Hub. “When we do open the new gym, we know what to do with it we know how to survive and keeping running. The new gym will need to be a bit more professional.”

With the new gym we will be self-sustainable.

We look forward to that challenge.

He said however the redevelopment goes, boxing would remain at the center of the gym.

Ms Plibersek said that the gym was a Redfern Institution that offered support to the local community and was a place where people could come together.

“The Redfern Gym provides a positive and supportive environment that changes lives. It shouldn’t be forced to close its doors.”

gives the organisation substantial credibility as an authority in creative arts, craft and design. Along with this has come a reputation for innovative thinking and creative thought leadership,” she said in a statement following the cuts.

She said that the Design Centre had previously been the only organisation to receive an increase in funding in the previous round.

Board member of the Australian Design Centre Oliver Smith said that design was key to other Federal Government policies of innovation.

“At a time when the Federal Government is talking up innovation and the so-called ideas boom as the keys to Australia’s future prosperity, the championing of design and interdisciplinary collaboration is vital. The organisation prides itself on showcasing the leading thinkers in the field and the greatest makers whose skills, imagination and inventiveness influence the world”.

City of Sydney Labor Councillor Linda Scott said the cuts would hurt the jobs and livelihood of many in the inner city.

“These cuts are devastating for inner city Sydney, which has so many wonderful creative people, creative organisations. These cuts go to the heart of our creative economy, because they risk jobs, they risk gutting the arts,” she told City Hub. She said that the federal government cuts would ostensibly a cost shift which would put more pressure on councils such as the city.

“As a councillor, the great concern is the risk to our creative sector in COS , but also the budgetary pressure on arts grants will increase.

“Every time a cut is made in the arts, understandably that is more orgs that need to apply for COS grants, and conversation with their council about funding. This is a cost shift from the federal gov. if we want these organisations to survive.”

She said that the fact that there was now increased ministerial control over who got funding was a point of concern.

“The Liberal government’s cuts and decision to place arts funding under ministerial control threaten the creative potential.”

Councillors sacked, gagged and powerless

BY CHARLOTTE GRIEVE Last week rumours circulated about a proposed gag order on former councillors joining representative committees under the new Inner West Council.

A gag order, also known as a media ban, refers to the criminal offence enforceable by way of speaking to the press about restricted matters.

“It would be unprecedented. It must be mistaken language as they can’t really want to start censoring councillors”, Darcy Byrne told a local paper.

It seems Mr Byrne was right. During the Local Representation Advisory Committee meeting held on June 15, the Inner West Council Administrator, Richard Pearson accepted an amendment on the item to the effect that former Councillors are only prohibited from speaking on behalf of the Council.

However, the gag order debacle has brought into the spotlight the difficulties former councillors are facing in the decision-making process within the newly amalgamated Inner West Council.

“It was up to us to pick up the administrator on the question of gagging. What other comparable decisions will be made that we will be excluded from participating in?” said Mr Breen.

Former councillors feel disempowered by the lack of control and input they have over council matters.

“The relationship is entirely different. We’re not the decision makers at all any more. It’s like you get asked what you think, locked out of the room and the decision is made. This is a huge change,” said Mr Breen.

While the contention surrounding the gag order

The packed first meeting of the Inner West Council

“It’s unfortunate that the administrator included wording that didn’t reflect the intention of his orders” said Frank Breen, the former Councillor for Balmain.

“The only person who has ever been able to speak on behalf of the Council is the Mayor. Someone just wanted to write a scandalous press release,” said Michele McKenzie, former Councillor for Rozelle-Lilyfield.

was quickly resolved, other pertinent issues such as WestConnex remain at the forefront of political tension.

“This is an absolutely undemocratic and shameful process where the Mike Baird dictatorship is helping out his developer buddies”, said Daniel Kogoy, former Councillor for Annandale-Leichardt.

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Demonstrators rally against offshore detention

BY JORDAN FERMANIS In what Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon called a “historic day”, hundreds of people gathered at Sydney Town Hall on Sunday June 19 to protest for the closure of the Australian government’s offshore detention centres on Nauru and Manus Island.

The protest was originally scheduled to be a march, however inclement weather resulted in the City of Sydney opening their doors to protestors.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore showed her support for the plight of refugees and asylum seekers supporting a ‘chalk your support’ initiative coinciding with Refugee Week from June 19 to 25 June. The Lord Mayor wrote that the ‘City of Sydney welcomes refugees’ on a chalk board that was placed on stage at the demonstration.

The rally was organised by the Refugee Action Coalition, a spokesperson from the group told City Hub that this protest was significant with the election only two weeks away.

“Around the election it is important to have a strong showing. To show there is a movement, there is a campaign to try and reverse the government’s policies on refugees,” the spokesperson said.

The RAC is not politically affiliated and does not endorse the immigration policies of either of the two major parties.

“Whichever major party wins government, it’s not going to solve the crisis in terms of offshore detention or refugee policies. There’s going to have to be a continued campaign,” the spokesperson said.

Speaking at the rally, Senator Rhiannon said

Photo: Jordan Fermanis

that the Greens do not support any sort of offshore detention process.

“For the Greens, we continue to stand on a position that Manus and Nauru must close down, that temporary protection visas must be

Shiel Be Right

BY Charlotte Grieve Pat Sheil is a 59-year-old journalist, author, playwright and self-proclaimed “enthusiastic political maverick.”

Having recently left his position as column editor of The Sydney Morning Herald after twelve years, Mr Shiel is now running as the Australian Sex Party’s candidate for the NSW seat of Grayndler. This electorate is one of Australia’s smallest, located in inner western Sydney covering only 32 square kilometres.

The Australian Sex Party Pat Sheil claims to uphold the basic principles of freedom of expression and to protect the civil liberties of all Australian citizens.

“It’s about acceptance, it’s about Australians protecting the rights of Australians to live the lives they choose to live, so long as they do so without harming the rights of others” said Mr Shiel.

Among the party’s key policies include voluntary euthanasia, the removal of tax exempt status for religious institutions and dramatically cutting defence spending.

The Sex Party employs a “common sense approach” to government policy and budgeting.

“There is this idea that when it comes to working up a budget there is a sacred cow that can never be harmed and that’s called defence.

An Australian submarine has not fired a shot in over 100 years and we have just spent $50 billion on submarines. This is the sort of dumb stuff we’re dealing with,” he said.

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city hub 23 JUNE 2016

On a local level, Mr Shiel fails to see the value in the extension of the CBD lock out laws to Newtown, “it’s a blunt instrument.

To shut the life out of an area to stop a few drunks from punching people, you’ve got to think there’s a better way to do it. 99% of people behave themselves” he said.

However, the joy in politics for Mr Shiel is not winning the election, but rather the process of engaging with the community and providing new ideas.

He has unsuccessfully contested the past four Federal elections as an independent in the Federal division of Wentworth, now held by the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull.

“While it was never realistic that I would win Wentworth, it was satisfying to be able to introduce some new ideas, and some refreshing humour, into that rather staid and predictable contest,” he said.

Shiel is not holding his breath to secure a victory in the seat of Grayndler.

“The Sex party’s chances of winning the seat of Grayndler is 20 per cent the square root of bugger all. If you win 4% of the votes you get your deposit back and we’d be very happy with that” he said.

“The wider reason we ran in Grayndler is because it’s a great microcosm of what Australia can be and what can go wrong all at once” he said.

abolished,” Senator Rhiannon said.

Senator Rhiannon however urged the people in attendance to keep the pressure on the

Ms Pomeranz

government to reverse the policy of offshore detention which was readopted by the Liberal Party in 2012.

“We’re not going to change the Liberals, Labor and Nationals prior to the election but elections are a period to keep them under pressure. These rallies are being held around the country,” Sen. Rhiannon said.

Also speaking at the rally was former At the Movies co-host Margaret Pomeranz who was critical of the current refugee and asylum seeker policy and of past moves by the Greens to not negotiate a third party placement strategy.

“I minded the Greens terribly, nay saying Julia Gillard’s Malaysia Solution, that surely would have been a far better answer to what we have now. Now we have to live with the result, Nauru and Manus Island,” Ms Pomeranz said.

As the protests by refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru reach their 100th consecutive day on the 20th June, the rally held in Sydney was a sign of solidarity for those affected by the government’s immigration policies. Margaret Pomeranz reminded attendees that the immigration policies adopted by the government are on the Australian public’s behalf and that we should all think about what the policies say about us as a nation.

“The situation can’t go on. It’s a scourge on our consciousness,” Pomeranz said.

NSW Budget splashes on schools, but is it enough?

BY LUCAS BAIRD The NSW Treasurer has predicted that the state will experience a budget surplus of around $3.7 billion in the 2016-17 financial year following a massive one-off sale of public assets by the Baird government.

Gladys Berejiklian’s unveiled her second budget on Tuesday June 21, which claimed that NSW would continue the upward trend of NSW surpluses over the last three years.

However, that trend is set to stop in the 2017-18 financial year according to budget papers. With the surplus set to drop back down around $1 billion.

A major portion of the budget outlined that spending in schools would increase in the coming fiscal year by 7.5 per cent or $959 million.

This increase would put the Baird government’s total yearly spending in schools at $13.7 billion according to budget papers.

The budget contains commitments to building new schools, upgrading old ones and improving infrastructure over the next four years. This included a rebuilding project in Inner Sydney, and others in Parramatta and Ballina as well.

“Despite the surplus and increased spending on education, the budget did not include any new housing affordability measures.

NSW Parliament House. Photo: J Bar

The government will continue to support the Housing Acceleration Fund to the tune of $262 million, which will focus on developments in South West and Western Sydney,” Labor’s statement said.

Ms Berejiklian said that the government recognises that housing affordability is “one of the biggest challenges of our time”.

She stressed that over the last year annual housing approvals are up to 70,000 because of this recognition. This is up from around 67,000 in 2015 and 52,000 in 2014.

Opposition leader Luke Foley said the windfall from the state’s property boom should be invested into schools and hospitals.

“At a time when rivers of gold flowing into the state’s coffers from a property boom, pupils, parents

and patients should be the winners in today’s budget – but they’re not.

Greens Upper House MP Mehreen Faruqi criticized the government’s move to cut from the state’s environmental bodies.

On Tuesday she said that budget figures showed that $27.5 million has been cut from Regional Operations and Heritage and $4.4 million has been cut from the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

“It appears that the Government is cutting over $30 million dollars from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and from Regional Operations. Most of these cuts appear directed at frontline services like native vegetation management, biodiversity protection and fire hazard reduction.” Dr Faruqi said.

FEATURE

The True Cost of the Marriage Equality Debate

BY Andrew Hodgson Greens candidate for Wentworth Dejay Toborek didn’t mince words when he explained to City Hub his feeling surrounding the suggested plebiscite on marriage equality: “It’s unnecessary, all it takes is for the Parliament to decide they want to change the law and they change it.”

The cost of the plebiscite to end all plebiscites has been estimated by PricewaterhouseCoopers to exceed $500M – little wonder most quarters see it as an exorbitant delay tactic.

Challenging Malcolm Turnbull for his seat is something of a full circle moment for Toborek, who is openly gay and has been engaged to his partner for nine years.

“Back in 2010, I had the chance to speak to Malcolm Turnbull with my partner and he looked into our eyes and said ‘you can have civil unions now, but you’re going to have to wait for marriage equality’. Six years later we’re still waiting.”

During that six year period it appeared that there was a brief period of hope which was quickly dashed. According to Toborek: “There was a point at which Abbott was going to concede that he was going to lose the issue and was going to hand the bill over ensuring it was nonpartisan. Warren Entsch was going to put it to the Parliament with all of the parties signing on and it was just going to be voted on, then out of nowhere the plebiscite idea came along. The far right has forced Malcolm Turnbull to follow it.”

With all these factors in mind Toberek has decided this year is the time to take a stand because “there’s a genuine concern that we’re not going to get it no matter which party wins the election.”

Speaking of the cost of the plebiscite as opposed to an act of Parliament in a recent Facebook debate hosted by news.com.au, Malcolm Turnbull once again affirmed his support of marriage equality but could not confirm that of his compatriots.

“I’m in favour of it. I support same-sex marriage. If we are returned to government, there will be a plebiscite and all Australians will get a say on the issue. My party decided, prior to my becoming Prime Minister, to have a plebiscite. I have to say – not that we politicians ever look at

Dejay Toborek and Cameron Cox. Photo: Chris Peken

opinion polls – but every poll I’ve seen shows very strong support for the proposition that Australians should have a say, so it has been offered to them and promised to them and we will deliver a plebiscite.

I can assure you that I will support it, I’ll be voting yes and I’m confident it will be carried.”

The Labor Party has promised to enshrine marriage equality within the first 100 days of power, if elected to rule.

Many candidates have risen to power on the back of false promises, but Tanya Plibersek is convinced that her party will deliver.

“We know that Federal Parliament has the authority to legislate marriage equality, and the High Court has said so. We would allow a free vote in the Parliament on mass. We would hope that the coalition parties would allow a free vote for their party members as well.

Certainly Malcolm Turnbull has said in the past that he’s a supporter of allowing a free vote of Liberal MP’s. I’m confident that the numbers are already there if there is a free vote. It wouldn’t be very difficult to do at all. We just need to ensure that people have the ability to vote on it as soon as possible,” explained the Opposition Deputy Leader.

Putting the financial cost of the proposed plebiscite there is a genuine fear within the LGBTI community that a plebiscite will give a substantial platform for anti-gay campaigners in the horrifically tragic aftermath of the Orland Massacre, where Omar Mateen killed 49 people in a gay night club.

Free speech is one thing, but the mental toll it could take on the LGBTI community and the social costs associated with it could be too much for an already struggling economy to handle.

“You just don’t know what hate speech can turn into, even though we might have equal rights it does not necessarily translate to antidiscrimination or to being treated equally and fairly. I think that having a plebiscite absolutely does open the door, and sanctions negative commentary that I think is damaging for our most vulnerable, who I think are our young people,” explained Co-Chair of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fran Bowron. “[Young people] already have really high rates of homelessness and mental health issues, and this will just contribute to that enormously.”

The facts state that 72% of the country say yes, though ultimately the great sway has no bearing on the decision makers. Whether the nationwide poll is a step forward for the LGBTI community or one that encumbers the forbearing battle for equal rights remains ambiguous.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Opera in the Pub

A chronological timeline spanning three decades, covering 1968 to 1985,The Heidi Chronicles is set in middle class white America.This production by Newtown’s New Theatre is an opportunity for younger audiences to gain an understanding of politics and for the older audience to give it a nostalgic nod.

Written in 1988 by Wendy Wasserstein,The Heidi Chronicles was prompted by her own personal experiences.The play features a heroine for her times, modelled largely on Wasserstein herself, a woman who succeeds professionally but flounders in her personal life, who “wants it all – motherhood, sisterhood, love and boardroom respect”.

Mainly it’s about the changing role of women as they get older and the evolution of feminism.

In various scenes Heidi and her friends tell stories: of their idealism in the 60’s, joining women’s collectives and campaigning for gender

equality, the beginning of the gay movement, exploring marriage and fidelity, and finally the ticking of the biological clock – the whole gamut.

We witness the battles fought, the placard waving and “torching your lingerie” [bra burning] in a convincing woven narrative.

Against a backdrop of giant black and white stills, you’ll recognise some of the famous photos from the Vietnam War, Kennedy assassinations and moon landing, with eight actors on stage for 2 and a half hours (with a 20 minute interval) you’ll be flabbergasted by the content covered.

With The Heidi Chronicles, Wasserstein became the first woman to win the Tony Award for Best Play, also winning the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the Drama Desk Award, the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. (MS) Until Jul 9 (Thu–Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm).

New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown. $17-$32.Tickets & info: newtheatre.org.au

Gone are the days where you had to have a ball gown and tiny binoculars to enjoy the opera.

Thanks to the Opera Bites group, you just have to pop down to the pub on a Sunday evening to get your cultural fix – they are even throwing in a beer and Sunday roast to sweeten the deal.

Founder, lead singer, and classically trained soprano Rae Levien is bringing opera to the pub to break down some of the barriers to making the performance style more accessible.

“There’s a lot of misconception about what opera is, that people have to know a lot about it to go.We were looking for somewhere to make it easily accessible to anyone who just wanted to give it a try,” said Levien.

The intimacy of the venue means audiences can get up close to the characters and the story, instead of sitting in the nose-bleed seats of the theatre watching tiny specks move around on stage.

Review: Straight Lewis and Morgan are an in their early 30s.

They live in a one room apartment and seem to be quite content with life. That is until Waldorf, Lewis’ best friend from university, who he has not seen for six years, arrives unannounced.

Within the space of a day, Waldorf and Steph (a girl Waldorf just met at a local store) have Lewis questioning everything: has he wasted his life?

Has he been/is he truly living? Convinced that he needs to prove himself to Waldorf (or is that to himself?) Lewis rashly agrees to meet Waldorf’s challenge.

Despite a moment of seriousness between Lewis and Morgan, Straight is a comedic look into the pitfalls of male ego. Simon London (Lewis) and Sean Hawkins (Waldorf) convincingly convey the awkwardness that one could expect to confront their characters as

they prepare for the dare. Madeleine Jones (Morgan) and Danielle Cormack (Steph) complement London and Hawkins in their respective supporting roles.

The story line does not wane. While some of the actions and reactions of the characters are predictable, this is not a shortcoming for the show, rather it tends to play into the reality of the situation. Each scene is comprised of moments that are bound to keep people smiling, laughing and cringing. Straight is an approximately 100 minutes well spent. (RP) WWW1/2

Until Jul 2, various show times.

Kings Cross Theatre, Kings Cross Hotel, 244-248 William Street, Kings Cross. $25-$36.

Tickets & info: trybooking.com/LTZF

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Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Away is quintessentially an intelligent theatrical play for a ‘thinking audience’, a brilliantly written, multi-layered production written by Australian playwright Michael Gow which boasts an ensemble cast of thirteen.

This absorbing play, set in 1967 when social change was prevalent, deals with death, racism, class and family relationships and has fared well over the passage of time, still as endearing and relevant today as it was in the 60’s.

The story deals with three conflicted families holidaying on the coast over the Christmas season, hoping the demons they face will be resolved.

The first family is fronted by a headmaster and his wife whose marriage is falling apart as they grieve the son they lost in Vietnam; Roy is the focal character in the second family, a student who knows he’s dying of leukemia even though his parents are yet to tell him; and the third family have a young daughter named Meg who has a flourishing mutual affection for Roy. The passing of a storm brings all three families on the beach where their discord is explored and ultimately resolved.

Audiences will be captivated by the authenticity of this production, especially

Arts Editors: Jamie Apps - Alannah Maher For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au and don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter at @AltMediaSydney

Rae stresses that you don’t need to be well versed in Wagner and Mozart to enjoy the show.

“We get a combination of opera lovers who know their high Cs from their high Ds, as well as people who have never been before,” she said.

Don’t miss out on the chance to broaden your cultural horizons in the comfort of a very familiar setting. (CB) Jun 26, 4.30pm. Dove & Olive, 156 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills. $69.Tickets & info: worldofopera.eventbrite.com.au

Photo: Maryna Rothe

The Heidi ChronicleS

those who experienced life in the 60’s.

Memories will be rekindled of the dangerous addiction women had to ‘Bex’ powder, the birth of the permissive society, the White Australia policy, and the importance of materialism all mirrored in this play.

Audiences will be transported to this idyllic holiday coast, their imagination spawned by simplistic but affecting staging, clever lighting and wonderful performances.

The ongoing humour is a welcoming relief from the barrage of emotions that explode on stage and successfully maintains interest in what could otherwise have been a mundane and exhausting dramatic experience. (MMo) WWW1/2

Jun 22–25, various show times. Seymour Centre, Cnr City Rd & Cleveland St, Chippendale. $42. Tickets & info: seymourcentre.com or 9351 7940

Contributors: Carmen Cita, Craig Coventry, Greg Webster, Alicia Sim, Peter Urquhart, James Harkness, Leann Richards, Lisa Seltzer, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Rocio Belinda Mendez, Sarah Pritchard, Athina Mallis, Leigh Livingstone, Joseph Rana, Shon Ho, Jacqui Rothwell, Emily Shen, Andrew Hodgson, Irina Dunn, Cindy Aravena, Jacob Aguilar, Caitlin Burns, Zeiya Speede, Rita Bratovich, Chantal Walsh, Raffael Piccolo, Barbara Karpinski.

Australia Votes 2016

The Political Year in Review Escape the monotony and dreariness of this election by going to see Australia Votes 2016.

The show dissects the most unedifying moments of our current crop of politicians, examining their performances of the last three years. The show is topical and responsive to the most recent political happenings. It is also somewhat of a tribute show, featuring guest appearances from some of our favourite past politicians. Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott make guest appearances and once again take centre stage.

As Nathan Lentern (aka Kevin Rudd) explains, the show is a “tapestry of bizarre and eccentric characters” and provides an “affectionate look at the eccentrics and crazies that dominate Australian politics”.

Unlike the general election, Australia Votes 2016 has something to offer all pundits; not just the political junkies. The inspiration for the show’s characters is our political leaders, but that does not mean that you need to know the ins and outs of their rival education or defence policies. Rather, you only require an appreciation of the bizarre and eccentric.

With a limited showing of four performances, ensure you exercise your democratic right to see Australia Votes 2016.

Otherwise you might have to wait a whole election cycle, or leadership spill, for such entertainment from our politicians. (RP) Jun 24 & 26, Jul 1 & 8, 8.30pm. The Harold Park Hotel, 70A Ross Street, Glebe. $14-$18. Tickets & info: gottazip.com

Damien Strouthos.

Photo: Anna Gardiner

Jonas Holt as Tony Abbott

Inner Voices

Louis Nowra’s Inner Voices focuses on King Ivan VI of Russia as a child locked in a dungeon. He can only speak his name, nothing else. The play follows his imagined release by some desperate and power-hungry soldiers, who, along with an array of controlling voices, teach him and groom him to reign.

Actress Emily Goddard is playing two characters in this production, Princess Ali and Babyface. She has played multiple characters in one performance before, and believes playing characters that aren’t central to the play is more complex than one thinks.

“There’s a lot of pressure to establish the character quickly, to come on and affect the world, and be gone,” she explained.

Goddard is in awe of how extraordinary this play actually is.

She told City Hub: “It swings unapologetically between tragedy and farce and is wonderfully theatrical, vivid but also deeply confronting.”

“Much of it and its characters, like Ivan’s mind, defy logical reasoning. It will be a production for the senses, an intense and experiential journey.

With some pretty great death scenes.”

What Goddard loves about this performance is the fact the ideas and themes can be raised in current society.

“I’m loving working on one of Nowra’s earliest works, with such rich characters and wild ideas, that also raises questions which are utterly relevant to our Australia here and now,” she said.

“At a time of uncertainty and unrest, and lately sheer bewilderment at the extent of our greed, we are pressured to ask ‘how did we get here and, more disturbingly, how did our leaders?’” (AMal) Until Jul 9 (Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm).

Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo. $28-$38. Tickets & info: oldfitztheatre.com/inner-voices

The Michael Jackson HIStory Show As the seventh anniversary of Michael Jackson’s tragic passing approaches, the pop icon’s spirit will once again be felt in Sydney when The Michael Jackson HIStory Show arrives at the State Theatre this Friday. Moonwalking his way centre stage as the late King of Pop will be impersonator Dantanio, whose meticulous impression has seen him dubbed as one of the greatest Michael Jackson impersonators in the world.

With such an extensive and polarising global fan-base, stepping into MJ’s dancing shoes would seem a daunting experience for any performer – but none could be more prepared than Dantanio, who has been practicing Jackson’s routines since the age of nine.

“Michael Jackson to me, has really been a life influence,” Dantanio explained. “I saw [my older brother] on a Saturday morning dancing around, [impersonating] Michael and I was really

TREE OF LIFE Treehouse Theatre brings young refugees to the stage to share stories of wonder and strength.

While many of the stories are of trauma, many are quaint stories about life in another country, or about the funny things they’ve experienced since living in Australia.Through performing skits where these young people take on the roles of the adults involved in their personal experiences – from doctors to terrorists – Tree of Life depoliticises the refugee experience. (AM) Jun 23–24. Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, 1 Powerhouse Road, Casula. $20-$30.Tickets & info: treehousetheatre.org.au AWAY Michael Gow’s iconic play reminds us that for all the nostalgia that we hold for 1960s Australia, we cannot ignore the turbulence of the time. Away tells of Tom and Meg’s coming of age as each confronts the

sudden transformation that they must make from childhood to adult. In this, Away speaks to the timeless themes of family, community, awakening and forgiveness. The cast of strong performers boasts well for this 30th anniversary production of Away. (RP) Until Jun 25. York Theatre, Seymour Centre, Corner City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale. $35-$42.Tickets & info: sportforjove.com.au FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD Based on the much loved literary classic by Thomas Hardy, Far from the Madding Crowd (1874) is the story of beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene (Nicole Harwood), who attracts the attention of three very different prospective husbands.This production features original folk songs and lovely choreography for the country dances.The powerful lead role is played

moved by that and I became inquisitive to who that was… and I say by the age of ten, a year later, I could do the moonwalk. I was so into it, you know.”

Having toured the tribute show to rave reviews over the past two years, Dantanio believes both new and old Jackson fans will enjoy the show.

“Michael Jackson was very much sensitive about changing things too much,” said Dantanio. “Michael loved pushing the barrier, but he was very careful that all those things did not take away from the physical performance of who Michael Jackson is.

And with The Michael Jackson HIStory Show, we try to encompass all of this, yet stay true to the performer, as Michael did.” (CW) Jun 24, 8pm. State Theatre, 49 Market Street, Sydney. $79.

Tickets & info: statetheatre.com.au

admirably by Harwood, and it’s a sweet but predictable ending when she ultimately finds true love. (MS) Until Jun 25. Genesian Theatre 420 Kent St, Sydney. $25-$30.Tickets & info: genesiantheatre.com.au HEATHERS:THE MUSICAL Teen angst gets a body count in this musical take on Heathers, the cult 80s black comedy film about the brainy and beautiful Veronica, who hustles her way into her high school’s cruellest clique and starts taking down the popular kids with the help of her mysterious new boyfriend. The directorial debut of Australian cabaret darling Trevor Ashley, with hilarious songs and narrative tweaks, this tribute is thoroughly camp whilst maintaining the dark elements. (AM) Until Jun 26. Playhouse Theatre, Sydney Opera House. $59.90-$89.90.

Tickets & info: sydneyoperahouse. com or 9250 7777 A MAN WITH FIVE CHILDREN Nick Enright’s A Man With Five Children explores the impact of reality TV, documenting families’ lives through all the ups and downs. The play follows the lives of five individuals over the course of 28 years, filming them one day each year from the time they are seven.

Director Anthony Skuse describes this piece as visually and aurally arresting. (AMal) Until Jun 26. Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst. $30-$45.Tickets & info: darlinghursttheatre.com FLAME TREES This new Australian play is about one woman’s fight for redemption. Ten years ago Tess confessed to lighting a bushfire that

destroyed part of the town and killed her best friend. She’s been to jail, she’s out, and now she’s coming home to face the music. Flame Trees examines small town mentality. It’s about strength, family and determination – and about fire and the fear that it brings. (MS) Until Jul 2.The Depot Theatre, 142 Addison St, Marrickville. $22-$32.

Tickets & info: thedepottheatre.com TRIBES An emotionally gripping play about the human condition and an insight into how people who are hearing impaired connect with others, within and outside the deaf community.

Director Susanna Dowling has seamlessly adapted Nina Raine’s play for local audiences, interweaving Australian nuances and humour into the story of a seemingly normal family, who believe they are being more inclusive by not ever communicating in sign language the

only deaf family member, young Billy.

(ASim) Until Jul 2. Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli. $66-$73.Tickets & info: ensemble.com.au or 02 9929 0644 THE BIG DRY Inspired by the American Dust Bowl of the 1930’s, this play follows two boys waiting for their father to return, the world is getting increasingly more difficult for them when a young girl enters their life.A beautifully written and suspenseful drama with an evocative soundtrack.

This co-production with the Australian Theatre for Young People and Ensemble Theatre is a rare chance to see young actors in such a sophisticated piece of theatre. (MS) Until Jul 2. Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli. $66-$73.

Tickets & info: ensemble.com.au or 02 9929 0644 city hub 23 JUNE 2016

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THE NAKED CITY

THE MORE ‘MERCH’ THE MERRIER!

My Art Kills Monsters Matthew Gillett’s life began to unravel when he was king-hit trying to break up a hotel fight. A brain haemorrhage and a stint in hospital was just the beginning – soon he was travelling the dark recesses of depression.

“Not only had my masculinity essentially been challenged, but my brain wasn’t functioning correctly and my emotions were all out of whack,” said Gillett.

Having never experienced depression before meant that it was hard to recognise the signs, let alone deal with them. “It was just a year of not knowing why I felt the way I did,” explained Gillett. “It was a merry-goround of acting out of character, feeling like shit, apologising and then doing it all over again.”

His latest exhibition – My Art Kills Monsters – is at its core, the recipe he uses to kill, and to continue to kill, his monsters.

While the creative process has clearly been part of his healing, Gillett sees the conversation it opens as being even more

crucial in breaking down the walls associated with mental illness. “Art is a really good platform to start these conversations,” said Gillett. “If you’ve got the flu, you go to the doctor, if you’re feel sh*t then go and talk to someone.

That old way of just sucking it up and putting it down deep doesn’t work. It’s a lonely, dark place to be.”

Experimenting with time-lapse photography, Gillett spent a year travelling around Indonesia to paint in a variety of obscure locations – including an active Krakatoa. Each painting was accompanied by thousands of photographs which were then edited down into a three-minute film. When old friends Sticky Fingers stepped in to provide the soundtrack, the multi-media exhibition began to take shape. (GW) Jun 23–26,Thu-Sun 12-8pm. aMBUSH Project Space, Level 3, Central Park, 28 Broadway, Chippendale. Info: ambushgallery.com or matthewgillett.com

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‘merch’ website features Weng bobbleheads, t-shirts, fridge magnets, hand-made copies of an actual head cast of Weng Weng and hand painted busts. There’s even a set of selected prints featuring Weng Weng’s grills, as featured in his various feature films. Check out a most interesting site, with lots of info on Weng Weng’s amazing movie career as well at www.wengwengforever.com.

American elections have always produced mountains of campaign merchandising from oversized buttons, through to baseball caps and bumper

OPEN MARRICKVILLE It is one of Sydney’s most eclectic enclaves, where people from all over the world live and work side-by-side. Residents celebrate Marrickville’s diversity annually with the Open Marrickville festival. Over 10 days, locals and visitors alike can discover a mix of contemporary events, exhibitions and celebrations inspired by the area’s multicultural history. Head to the website to download the festival program and get ready to take your senses on a trip around the world. (CB) Until Jun 26.Various locations across the Marrickville Council area.

Info: marrickville.nsw.gov.au/ openmarrickville THE MNEMONIC MIRROR Generated as a response to the comprehensive downfall of linear memory among the minds of tomorrow,The Mnemonic Mirror is an artist led project.

The exhibition looks hypothetically at how certain types of thinking have been replaced by other methods and technologies.Very simply, this exhibition is about the way we use our minds and how that has changed over generations, for better or worse. (AH) Until Jul 1, Mon–Fri 12-6pm,

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stickers. The upcoming stoush between Clinton and Trump promises an avalanche of such stuff, but what about the dreary old contest now taking place in Australia. Where you might ask is the merchandising?

All the major parties are hellbent on raising thousands in political funding, but none it seems have really stooped so low as to offer a full US-style range of gaudy badges, t-shirts and coffee mugs.Trawl through the internet and you’ll find some amazing American election merch that could well be adapted for the Australian market, like the John McCain branded peppermints labelled “Proven Fresh Breath” and dedicated “attack” merchandising like the Donald Trump bubblehead style butt plug.

Some genuine Oz style merch would certainly put some zing into the current lacklustre campaign. How about a Malcolm Turnbull kangaroo paw back scratcher, emblazoned with the motto “You Scratch My Back And I’ll Scratch Yours”? Or a pair of Bill Shorten plastic man boobs would be a great selfdeprecating gag for the Labor Party, with any post election surplus stock easily sold off to the Fyshwick adult boutiques. Bob Katter could certainly use an abundant supply of the old bullet hole bumper stickers, whilst a Pauline Hanson campaign boomerang really needs no explanation – throw it away and she just keeps coming back!

Sat 12-4pm. UTS Gallery, 702 Harris Street, Ultimo. Info: art.uts.edu.au JO DAVENPORT – MAPPING HILL END What is a map anyway? Mapping Hill End explores cartography as an openended process. Completed over the course of a 2015 residency, each painting is a map of Hill End in the NSW countryside.

It was an encounter with indigenous cartography that sparked Jo Davenport’s interest in maps as documents that mediate space.Working with oil on linen canvas, Davenport melds topography with representations of the sensory or ambient character of Hill End. (ZS) Jun 16–Jul 9,Tues-Fri 9.30am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm. Arthouse gallery, 66 McLachlan Avenue, Rushcutters Bay. Free. Tickets & info: arthousegallery.com.au HOSSIEN VALAMANESH – CHAR SOO This video installation places the viewer at the centre of a four-way intersection in an Iranian Bazaar. Filmed with stationary cameras placed at eye level, the viewer stands at the centre of a crossroad, passively observing. Char Soo, translated as “four sides”, provides a nexus

for Valamanesh – literally, in terms of being the main intersection in the bazaar, but also to anchor Valamanesh’s thought as he explores themes of boundary and translocality.This work is presented at Carriageworks in collaboration with the Sydney Film Festival. (ZS) Until Jul 17, 10am–6pm. Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh. Free. Info: carriageworks.com.au/events/char-soo/ CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF ADRA The Australian Dispute Resolution Association celebrates 30 years this weekend with a day long program of talks at the Australian Museum followed by a sitdown dinner and live jazz band into the evening.The event also celebrates the contribution of Sir Laurence Street to Dispute Resolution in Australia. First established in 1985,ADRA has been at the forefront of Dispute Resolution in Australia ever since.The day’s program will cover the past, present and future of the organisation and Dispute Resolution at large. (AM) Jun 30, 8.30am-9pm.The Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney. $110-$220.Tickets & info: adra.net.au/ activity/events

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money raised goes to funding a wild life refuge for larger cats, like lions and tigers, as well as drawing attention to the plight of domestic cats in shelters.

Equally unusual is a recent ‘merch’ site established

by Australian filmmaker Andrew Leavold as part of his ongoing tribute to the remarkable, but now deceased, 83cm tall (or short) Filipino action film star Weng Weng. Director of the highly acclaimed doco The Search For Weng Weng, Andrew has recently introduced a unique range of Weng Weng memorabilia for his many fans around the world. The

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With Coffin Ed, Jay Katz and Miss Death In April of this year American basketballer Kobe Bryant flogged a record $1.2 million worth of merchandise at a game at the Staples Centre, eclipsing a previous $1 million record set by Led Zeppelin at a single concert in 2007. There’s no doubt that so called ‘merchandising’ strikes a strong psychological note with many of us – a reverential desire to own just a little bit of that musician, sportsperson, movie star or animal that we admire.

Speaking of non-humans, one of the most unusual merchandising successes of recent years is that built around feline superstar Lil Bub. The runt of a litter with permanently protruding tongue, ‘Bub’ became an immediate internet sensation after her photos were posted on Tumblr and Reddit. Since then she has spawned a remarkable merchandising career that includes her own dedicated ‘Bub’ shop selling t-shirts, toys, socks and books as well as full length doco, a TV show, and even a recording career that includes her ‘meow meow’ vocalisations.

The merchandising began almost as a joke on the part of her owner Mike Bridavsky and friends, but has since blossomed into a genuine cult following that includes personal appearances and celebrity encounters with Robert de Niro and Whoopi Goldberg. Much of the

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Sydney Live Music Guide LIVE WIRE

By Jamie Apps I Know Leopard: Sydney’s own I Know Leopard are kicking off a national tour tonight. Breaking out of their recent slumber spent writing, demoing and recording their debut album – after such a busy 2015 the dream pop group is bound to be reenergised for this show.

Thu, Jun 23, Enmore Theatre Halfway: After travelling halfway around the world to record their new album The Golden Halfway in Nashville, the band is ready to debut their new music to local fans.This new record has reclaimed the band’s love of rock while retaining the country feel of a group of troubadours ready to not just tell their story, but continue to tell the story of Australia.

Fri, Jun 24, Newtown Social Club Baro: At just 18-years-old Melbourne rapper Baro has been lighting up not only the local hip-hop scene but also turning heads internationally. Having just wrapped up the recording sessions for his upcoming EP, Just Problems You Need To Know, he is incredibly excited to hit the live stage and this is one show worth checking out.

Fri, Jun 24, Oxford Art Factory The Jungle Giants: This weekend will see The Jungle Giants taking to the stage for the final wave of shows off the back of their second LP, Speakerzoid.To help celebrate the year that was the band has hand selected supports for the run of shows with Gideon Benson (The Preatures), the Lulu Raes and Machine Age joining them.

Sat, Jun 25,The Metro

We The Lost Sea: Following an incredibly successful first tour run this esteemed cinematic instrumental sextet have excitedly announced an incredibly unique follow up show in Sydney which will see them performing their album ‘Departure Songs’ in full with the Sydney Philharmonia Choir.

Sat, Jun 25, Oxford Art Factory Lloyd Spiegel: For the first time in seven years this acoustic blues master is set to take to the stage in solo format, after experiencing such high success with his Double Live Set album last year. Every audience member will also have the chance to win Lloyd’s latest signature guitar valued at $3299.

Sat, Jun 25,The Camelot Lounge Magic Carpet Ride #6: Magic Carpet Ride is a BE-IN, a gathering of tribes on the last Saturday of every month at Newtown Neighbourhood Centre to make music and sing. Performers this weekend include; The Trippy Hippy Band, Jeremy Smith, Ionia and Catgut.

Sat, Jun 25, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre The Unity Hall Jazz Band: The world’s longest running jazz band have begun preparations for their 45th birthday, but until then you can see them performing live every Sunday in Balmain.

Sun, Jun 26, Upstairs, Unity Hall Hotel

By Jamie Apps For many musicians performing is a pursuit of passion that over time may become routine and taken for granted, but for Mat McHugh that mindset has been pushed aside because in 2015 he almost had his passion snatched away forever.

Shortly after kicking off a national tour celebrating the release of his album Waves, Mat suffered a serious spinal injury which he said was “pressing on my spinal cord and meant I lost the use of my right arm”.

However the bad news didn’t stop there, doctors told McHugh that in order to repair his neck he would have to undergo “pretty extensive and invasive surgery by a neurosurgeon” which came with it’s own inherent set of risk. Mat chose to avoid this path though and rely on alternative therapies and treatments instead.

“I started up a program which involved spinal decompression therapy, acupuncture, hyperbaric treatments, changing my diet and meditation. I really tried everything, it really was a 24 hour a

Amanda Easton – Disco Disconnected

Mat McHugh

day job for six months,” McHugh explained.

As one would expect after recovering from such a traumatic experience Mat’s outlook on life, and music, has entirely changed. Mat reflected on those changes saying “it makes you appreciate the things that maybe you

The dance floor is full, Amanda Easton’s voice dominates the inside of your head, and the beat bounces against your ears until no listener can resist moving themselves in time. Controlled by the music, there is no room to think and not too many lyrics to think about.

Disco Disconnected is extremely danceable, insistent and best played loud. It’s fun and very catchy, quickly leading listeners to the middle of the song and away from their consciousness. Words repeat, rhythms clash and melt into each other. Listeners will find themselves only after its over but that’s no reason to fear the music.

Mildly hypnotic to the point of no resistance, vibing from the speakers and outwards, catching people like flies in its musical net.

It is time to hit the dance floor. (SP) WW1/2

were taking for granted, for instance I’ve done countless shows but never thought this could be my last, and now I have that in the back of my mind always.”

Now back on the road doing what he loves, and having thought he may never do this again, Mat is using the platform he has to give other independent talents an opportunity. For the tour Mat has partnered with venues to find the best rising young artists from the local area to fill the support slots.

“There is a lot of great, interesting and inspiring music and art out there in the world that doesn’t have a corporate machine behind it, but that doesn’t make it any less valid in my eyes. I feel like everybody who recognises that should make it their mission to support those artists, because otherwise where is the next generation of classic Aussie music and the soundtrack for everybody’s lives going to come from?”

Jun 25. Newtown Social Club, 387 King St, Newtown. $30+b.f.Tickets & info: newtownsocialclub.com

Mikelangelo & The Black Sea Gentlemen – After the Flood

Finger clicking, accordion heavy fun.

After the Flood is a group of stories led by a saucy voice and enhanced by the talkative, understanding tone of the music. Dramatic and magical, we are weaved into it, chasing and being chased by the in-and-out of the accordions bellows. Now fast, now slow, the listener can barely keep up but if they can, there is marvel and there is wonder in these stories.

Call and response dynamics encourage participation and emotional involvement. The listener can’t help dancing to the upper tempo tunes, equally they can’t help swaying to the sadder melodies.

Folksy and flamboyant, fantastically controlled and in rhythm, making its own way, the listener will want to follow. A beautifully mystical hour in this music is also a cathartic one. Have a listen, they will not lead you astray. (SP) WWWW

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Me Before You

Me Before You is a romantic drama that paves a light-heartedness throughout a confronting, profound context. Luisa (Emilia Clarke) is breathtakingly charming as caretaker for a recently paralysed Will (Sam Claflin). While the story has its predictabilities, it also has surprises within them.

Notable nuances by Clarke and Claflin shift this film from tolerable to pleasurable.

The standout performance would go to Clarke, with her vulnerability palpable, due almost exclusively to her extensive, engaging facial expressions and mannerisms.

While some are calling this film controversial in regards to the underlaying topic of euthanasia, I simply see it is as an account, a version of a story, of a characters mindset, and their decision regarding their own life.

In a society so quick to take offence, while being so offensive – I conclude that it depends on your intent as a moviegoer.

If you’re open to characters making their own decisions in a film, I’m sure you’ll find that Me Before You, puts you first. (RM) WWW

Finding Dory Picking up a year after the original aquatic adventures of everybody’s favourite clown fish Nemo, audiences will be swept away on yet another trek across the oceans.

Originally a sidekick in Finding Nemo, this time around Dory takes centre stage as she begins to overcome “short term memory loss” with flashbacks to her youth and parents, which is the catalyst for our journey.

Early on this story feels familiar and verges on becoming repetitive, catching undersea currents with sea turtles and fending off much larger predators. Thankfully though we quickly reach

Kiki

Mustang

This powerful and controversial drama about the dissolution of sisterhood details the extreme expectations and beliefs of a culturally diverse society, in which their strict standards may be perceived as child abuse in the westernised world.

Set in a small village in Turkey, five orphaned sisters are wrongfully accused of inappropriate behaviour with boys and are transformed into house prisoners by their grandmother and watchful uncle.

Everything changes for these girls, who now live behind locked doors and are isolated from society. They have home schooling, are forced to wear plain clothing and their mobiles and computers are confiscated. They must also learn

THE CONJURING 2 This horror has real life paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorrain Warren (Vera Farmiga) return to the big screen with another of the “true stories” which brought them to prominence in the 1970’s. They head across the pond to investigate the Enfield Poltergeist, which saw single mother Peggy Hodgson (Frances O’Conner) and her four children tormented by something unseen. Overall this is a nice haunted house flick, although it does somewhat overstay it’s welcome at a lengthy 133 minutes. (JA) WWW ST PETERS AND THE PAPAL BASCILICAS OF ROME 3D This documentary takes audiences 14

city hub 23 JUNE 2016

to cook and sew in what can aptly be described as a “wife factory” as their marriages are arranged.

This daunting and thought-provoking film sheds light on a repressed society, where women are not permitted to laugh in public, must guard their chastity and laughably can attend “female only spectator” football events.

Effectively scripted with fine performances from a predominantly young cast, this film has high production values and resonates themes of growing dissension to these repressed traditions, as two of the sisters take desperate measures to live their own lives. (MMo) WWWW

on a mesmerising journey through time and space in the four Papal Basilicas in Rome. Narrated by an art historian, this insightful documentary delivers an abundance of information about the evolution of the Basilicas over the centuries and the lives and stories of the popes and artists including Michelangelo and Bernini.

Showcased are the astounding beauty of the sculptures, mosaics, wall paintings and magnificent floorings which adorn these buildings. (MMo) WWW1/2 LAND OF MINE In the aftermath of WWII, German soldiers are ordered to clear the Danish coast of two million land mines laid by their

countrymen. With little training, a group of young prisoners are placed under the command of a Danish sergeant (Roland Møller) and sent to locate and disarm some 42,000 mines on a remote beach. Director Martin Zandvliet delivers a powerful and suspenseful film that examines the brutality of vengefulness and the power of forgiveness. (CCov) WWWW MILES AHEAD In 1978 gifted jazz musician Miles Davis (Don Cheadle), lives as a recluse in his New York City town house, refusing to put out any new music. Hounded by Colombia Records to send in session tapes he has been working on, Davis will not have a bar of it.

Somehow after a party held at

our destination, the Monterey Marine Life Institute, and this is where the film really begins to accelerate.

Along the way we’re introduced to some great new characters, where once again a sidekick steals the show. Hank the Octopus, voiced by Ed O’Neill, appears to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, which comes into play in both comedic and heart warming moments.

Visually, Pixar raise the bar yet again, with this possibly being their most beautiful movie to date despite a familiar yet touching story. (JA) WWW1/2

Swedish documentary filmmaker Sara Jordenö is behind the camera with this doco on New York City’s ‘Kiki’ sub-culture, a LGBTQ community who gather to perform elaborate vogue dance routines.

Kiki is in many ways derivative of Paris is Burning, a film that sits in this writer’s all-time top ten list.

The 1990 indie doco directed by Jennie Livingston chronicles the ballroom dance culture and the Latino, African-American, trans and sex work sub-cultures and communities that were later commercialised in Madonna’s song ‘Vogue’.

Kiki shows the underbelly of this flamboyant subculture, how it offers the new queer youth a chance of love and stability, with many having been

Davis’ home the tapes disappear, causing him and desperate journalist Dave Brill (Ewan McGregor) to go on a wild goose chase to get them back. (AMal) WWWW NOW YOU SEE ME 2 The illusionist superhero team are back to pull off another great deceit, this time aimed at a technology organisation headed by Walter Mabry (Daniel Radcliffe). Despite an all-star cast including Mark Ruffalo as FBI agent Dylan Rhodes; overall the film lacks creativity, the plot is in two seemingly incongruous parts – a story from Rhodes’ past as an unconvincing double agent, and the illusionists’ attempt to convince the public of their benevolence through

bullied out of their homes of origin due to homophobia or transphobia. On a positive note, many of the parents and families of the participants are beautifully and movingly supportive of their prodigious progeny. The class differences between these marginalised players and white-Anglo gays are strongly presented.

Although Kiki is a smart and savvy film, it lacks some of the raw intensity of Livingstone’s original film. Many of the scenes paid homage to Paris is Burning, but this writer would have liked to see more about the film’s original inspirations – subjects who seem to have been forgotten within the diegesis of the film. (BK) WWWW

grandiose public acts. There’s not much to take away. (JF) WW GOD WILLING Audiences should be delighted by this smash-hit Italian comedy.When surgeon Tommaso (Marco Giallini) discovers his son plans on joining the priesthood, he goes undercover to learn more about Father Don Pietro (Alessandro Gassman), the ex-crim priest who he claims has “brainwashed” his son.A friendship develops and Tommaso ultimately becomes a better person, attempting to salvage every aspect in his life that he has tarnished.An enjoyable film which expresses the fundamental virtues of religion, but not in the classic sense. (MMo) WWW

IS THIS THE REAL WORLD A coming of age film which centres on a rebellious 17-yearold boy who, on the verge of manhood, has difficulties finding his place. Mark Blazey (Sean Keenan) throws away a scholarship at a private school and moves with his troubled family to a coastal town. He attends a new school and tries hard to fit in and keep out of trouble, but continues breaking the rules amidst first love. This low-budget and simplistic Australian film deals with real issues which confront today’s youth in a world full of high expectations.

(MMo) WWW

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Most of us who live in Sydney share common values about the type of city we want to live in and the communities we are a part of.

OUR VISION FOR SYDNEY

Inclusive, vibrant, sustainable and affordable—these are more than words, they are pillars on which the shared vision of our city is built.

Despite these common values, successive state and federal governments, backed by corporate donors and driven by party machines, have systemically undermined our potential to be the best city we can be.

Only by standing together can our many voices demand a better future.

Elections should be about a vision for the future. This is ours, we hope you share it.

The Rocks

PROTECT PUBLIC HOUSING Despite a 16 year wait-list for public housing, residents at Millers Point, Waterloo and Glebe are being forced from their homes.

Millers Point

Across the city, precious public land is being handed over to private developers for little or no public benefit, including the planned new casino at Barangaroo.

SUPPORT ACTIVE TRANSPORT

Wynyard

Parliament House

Sydney

Town Hall

Glebe

REVERSE THE ARTS CUTS!

Kings Cross

Darlinghurst Museum

St Vincent’s Hospital

VIBRANT, DIVERSE AND CARING COMMUNITIES

Ultimo

STAND UP FOR FREE EDUCATION

UTS

Chronic underfunding of education—childcare, private schools, TAFE and universities—means school shortages, over-crowding and fewer opportunities for all.

KEEP SYDNEY DIVERSE & VIBRANT

Central Station

Chippendale

Camperdown

QUICK, CHEAP AND EASY TO GET AROUND

Potts Point

Woolloomooloo

St James

Chinatown

Sydney Uni

Art Gallery of NSW

Martin Place

Pyrmont

SAVE THE POWERHOUSE!

RPA Hospital

The sacking of Inner West councils and granting of double voting for businesses in the City of Sydney is an attack on residents’ rights to control the future of their community, and have a real say about local development.

Circular Quay

A sustainable city means more cycling, walking and public transport—not private tollways and congestion.

Forest Lodge

SUPPORT LOCAL DEMOCRACY

MCA

Barangaroo

STOP THE PUBLIC LAND SELL-OFF

Opera House

Surry Hills

Darlington

INDIGENOUS JUSTICE TREATIES NOW! Newtown

AFFORDABLE & SUSTAINABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Redfern Redfern

OPPOSE PRIVATISATION & OVERDEVELOPMENT The sell-off of public housing in Waterloo and building of a privately owned metro line go against our valued principles of public housing and transport.

IMPROVE RENTERS RIGHTS

Many of us rent, but rentNewtown Erskineville increases have far outstripped wage rises. Too many people live under housing stress, in bad conditions, and without Erskineville security of tenure.

The NSW Liberal Government’s lockout laws, anti-protest laws and other punitive measures threaten the type of collaborative and open-minded communities we want to live in.

Waterloo

A HUB OF CULTURE, INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY

NO WATERLOO SELL-OFF! SAVE OUR TREES!

Alexandria WestCONnex

SAVE OUR SUBURBS: STOP WESTCONNEX!

Green Square

A GROWING POPULATION REQUIRES IMPROVED PUBLIC SERVICES Zetland

Whether it’s more public schools in the inner city, increased nurse-topatient ratios, mental health funding or better public transport, a growing city needs more direct investment in public infrastructure, not less.

The WestConnex tollroad is an infrastructure white elephant: unnecessary, unwanted, and being forced on the community against fierce opposition.

GREENSFORSYDNEY.ORG Authorised by Chris Kerle for the Greens NSW, 1/275 Broadway Glebe NSW 2037.

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city hub 23 JUNE 2016

SATURDAY 2 JULY Rosebery

VOTE 1

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