Rocking good time

The Rotary Club of Gerringong is celebrating twenty years’ since being founded with a rock’n’roll themed dance and fundraiser.

Local four-piece band, Werri Music Collective, will provide the tunes on the night with all proceeds to international disaster relief.

Dress up in your dancing gear and enjoy a fun night out supporting a worthwhile cause.

Saturday 3 June, Gerringong Town Hall, 7-11pm. Seating at tables of eight. Tickets on sale at www.trybookings.com/CHODK

News team: Belle Wood, Managing Editor 0411 728 770 belinda@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Cathy Law 0412 415 101 news@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Tracey Henderson, 0420 841 544 tracey@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Brendon Foye 0413 091 543 brendon@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Cassandra Zaucer 0491 686 975 cassandra@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Advertising: Steve Law 0428 662 499 Veronica Bardsley 0491 679 128 advertising@thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Office 2, Edessa Arcade, 88-90 Terralong St, Kiama

Gareth Ward’s return to the floor of the NSW Parliament was a high profile affair when the Premier Chris Minns said he and ministers wouldn’t take questions on the floor from him until the Parliamentary Ethics and Privileges Committee makes a finding on Mr Ward’s status in this Parliament.

In response, Mr Ward has started the process to refer the Premier to the same Committee.

The referral made by the Premier to the Privileges Committee yesterday did not mention the name of the member or the electorate, so as not to prejudice any future trial. The Committee has been asked to consider whether any action should be taken given the circumstances of the previously suspended member being re-elected. It will report to Parliament by 8 June.

Outraged by the strategy of refusing his questions in the meantime, the Member for Kiama says, “I will be referring Mr Minns to the Privileges Committee through the Speaker for refusing to legitimate and reasonable answer questions. Parliamentary oversight is not an optimal extra, it’s fundamental to our democracy and the actions of the Premier in Parliament reflect entirely on him.”

As it is, Mr Ward’s questions will be taken on notice, where they are tabled in the Parliament but are not the subject of any Parliamentary debate in themselves and are answered in writing. Mr Ward has been lodging these throughout his suspension from the House.

Explaining his actions to the media afterwards, the Premier said, “There are serious charges that he is facing as a member of the

Kiama Cabs closing

After more than 30 years in operation, Kiama Cabs will end its services on 28 May after the company failed to find a buyer.

Owner Gavin McClure took to Facebook to announce the company’s closure, saying that no-one had taken up the opportunity to buy Kiama Cabs following its decision to sell the business due to ongoing health concerns.

“It’s been a very tough decision to make, but 30 plus years is a long time,” Mr McClure wrote on Facebook.

“Unfortunately, it’s not the type of business that we can close for 3 months while we attend to our health issues and then come back and recommence.”

Thankfully for local veterans and war widows, Kiama

Cabs will continue running its health-related transport service, and pre-booked group transport can still be arranged.

Kiama Cabs will continue looking for potential suitors to acquire the business, and interested parties can reach out to kiamataxis@gmail. com for further information.

“We are disappointed that no-one has taken up the opportunity to take over and continue to operate a local taxi service despite many months of advertising the business for sale and us personally reaching out to as many possible interested parties as we could think of,” said Mr McClure.

Kiama Cabs declined to comment.

by Brendon Foye

public, and they have to be weighed against his involvement in the Legislative Assembly.

“It’s up to the Privileges inquiry what the recommendation will be for his continued service in the Legislative Assembly.

“I’m going to take any questions that he asks of the government on notice until we get a determination from the Privileges Committee.”

Ward spent the last year of his previous term suspended from Parliament – meaning he was unable to speak or vote, or even enter the building – following him being charged with three counts of assault with act of indecency, and one count each of sexual intercourse without consent and common assault.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which will be heard in April 2024.