NSW Premier Nathan Rees was quite impressive at a community forum meeting at Dapto last week when his positive approach to meeting the people and listening to their problems earned him much deserved plaudits.

Even I was impressed with his down-to-earth approach and his obvious willingness to continue this type of grass roots approach to politics and the problems we face in NSW, and more particularly the Illawarra.

The fact that those who attended, and it was a strong roll up, were given an opportunity to ask questions and then take part in group discussions was in itself a breakthrough.

If Rees can successfully continue this approach maybe NSW politics will climb out of the gutter and at long last we might see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Union moves are also welcome 

Now don’t fall off your seat, but I’m also impressed with the way in which the union movement is approaching the future, in particular the steel industry in this city.

Their practical approach to the downturn in steel production and the call for positive and interventionist policies, plus the need for our steel to be used in all government building projects, is to be commended.

And it’s great to see them again talking with steel management and not, as they were once prone to do, march down our streets wielding placards and making a lot of noise about nothing.

The challenge now lies with BlueScope as to whether they’re up to this type of free talk about their future.

Now don’t faint  

Kind words about the Premier and the unions and now a pat on the back for the Member for Keira and other things David Campbell.

No, I haven’t left the Liberals, but what David had to say about no excessive high rise in such suburbs as Bulli and Woonona is spot on.

Went for a long overdue drive up that way recently and high rise would be a disaster right up the coast. It’s bad enough not being to see over the edge of the much trumpeted Ocean Drive without further despoiling our northern areas.

And his comments add further fire to a strong move throughout our city for a total review of the city council’s plan for our future and for them to forget about more parking meters in the city centre.

Don’t you feel for them   

So the Commonwealth Bank’s chief executive officer is taking a $300,000 cut in salary, which will mean the poor fellow will only earn $2.7 million in the next 12 months.

At least it was somewhat refreshing to learn this bloke’s cut and a reduction forced on other high earners will in part go to those employees who earn less than $100,000 a year which, I believe, is about 70 per cent of the bank’s
40,000 or so workforce.