Notices of Motion

Notices of Motion

1 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that the Lennon Labor Government has not delivered the proper standards of accountability, transparency, responsibility and good governance that the Tasmanian public can rightly expect from their elected representatives.

(2) Calls on the Lennon Government to:—

(a) establish an independent anti-crime and corruption authority to investigate instances of public sector corruption in Tasmania to protect the public interest and prevent breaches of public trust; and

(b) refer to the Joint Select Committee on the Working Arrangements of Parliament the establishment of a Parliamentary Standards Commissioner with responsibilities including the monitoring of parliamentary standards and the receiving and investigating of complaints regarding parliamentary accountability, ministerial responsibility and adherence to the Ministerial Code of Conduct and other related matters. (4 March 2008)

2 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to move—That the House:—Orders the Joint Standing Committee on Community Development to inquire into the status of Tasmania’s volunteer force and, in particular, to consider:—

(a) the changing nature of the volunteer force, particularly in light of our ageing population;

(b) the increasing incidence of young persons not taking up volunteering;

(d) the support structures currently available for volunteers and volunteer organisations;

(e) measures available to enhance and build upon the volunteer base in Tasmania; and

(f) any other matters incidental thereto. (4 March 2008)

3 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the continuing exodus of young people from Tasmania is a major threat to the State’s economic, social and cultural future;

(b) that Tasmania’s population is ageing faster than any other Australian State or Territory; and

(c) that despite the State Government’s ongoing boasts of record population figures, net interstate migration is falling and in recent years Tasmania has experienced a net loss of people in the 15–29 year age group.

(2) Condemns the Lennon Government for its failure to properly deal with this demographic crisis.

(3) Calls on the Lennon Government to implement policies that reverse this alarming trend, and make Tasmania a magnet for young people. (4 March 2008)

4 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the Deed between Federal Hotels and the State Labor Government made on 18 March 2003, which was negotiated in a secret and uncontested manner, and which extended the exclusive arrangement for Federal Hotels to operate casinos, pokie machines and keno in licensed hotels and clubs in Tasmania for a fixed term of 15 years, after which the licence would convert to a rolling five year licence, renewable on an annual basis;

(b) that in return the State Government extracted a benefit to taxpayers of an additional $2 million a year in Government revenue, and an additional $1.5 million per annum from 2013, a cap on pokie machines, and commitments related to a new premium standard resort near Coles Bay; and

(c) that the Deed states the Coles Bay project is to be completed by early 2005, and that in subsequent evidence to a Parliamentary committee, references were made to a 150 room resort that would employ up to 180 people, but it has now been revealed that this resort will be a 22 room development.

(2) Refers to the Public Accounts Committee the question of whether or not the Deed has been breached; whether or not undertakings made to Parliament have been complied with; and if the Deed has been breached, what action the State Government has taken to enforce compliance, and whether it is now in a position to renegotiate the Deed in a contestable manner to try to achieve a better return for taxpayers. (4 March 2008)

5 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute’s extensive investigation and consultation regarding how the fundamental rights that Tasmanians hold as significant might be further enhanced and legally secured, and concurs that a Bill of Human Rights be enacted in Tasmania.

(2) Calls on the Government to now introduce legislation to protect the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of all persons in Tasmania that:—

(a) provides for effective pre-enactment scrutiny of all legislation to ensure compliance; and

(b) requires all Tasmanian laws to be interpreted as far as possible in a way that is compatible with human rights. (4 March 2008)

10 Mr Rockliff to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the results of the latest Sensis Business Index for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs);

(b) that just 11% of Tasmanian small businesses said that they were supportive of State Government policies—the lowest of any State and Territory—and 36% of businesses surveyed said State Government policies actually worked against them, the second worst result of all States and Territories;

(c) that, in Tasmania, there are approximately 35,000 small businesses employing approximately 40 per cent of the workforce, contributing significant employment opportunities, vital infrastructure and cash flow to the Tasmanian economy;

(d) that the State Opposition will continue to urge action on issues, such as:—

(i) a review of Tasmania’s tax arrangements with a view to structural reform that will generate greater business activity, investment and employment;

(ii) cutting red tape and bureaucratic inertia;

(iii) aggressively pursuing high-end industries such as information and communications technology, agribusiness, research and development and improving our skills base strategies to make Tasmania a magnet for innovative, productive and creative people; and

(iv) creating a Future Fund to meet the infrastructure challenges of the future. (4 March 2008)

11 Mr Rockliff to move—That the House:—

Notes:—

(a) the State Labor Government’s own 2006 report into Tasmania’s call centre industry highlighted the State was the most economic in Australia to have a call centre, highlighting among other things that:—

(i) staff turnover rate at Tasmanian call centres was below the national average;

(ii) the high quality of the Tasmanian workforce; and

(iii) operating costs in Tasmania are lower than in other states;

(b) the cruel and heartless backflip by the Rudd Labor Government and its Canberra based razor gang in not honouring the commitment of the former Coalition Government in providing 150 former Telstra employees new jobs at Centrelink;

(c) the ineffectiveness of the Premier and the new Minister for Economic Development, Hon Paula Wriedt, standing up for Tasmania and in saving these Tasmanian jobs. (4 March 2008)

12 Mr McKim to move—That the House gives in principle support to legislated emission reduction targets for greenhouse gases. (4 March 2008)

13 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) there has been at least seven potentially fatal Salmonella outbreaks in Tasmania since 2005;

(b) that one egg production facility has been linked to all seven outbreaks;

(c) the opinion of veterinary pathologist Dr David Obendorf (BVSc (Hons), BSc, PhD) that “The unsatisfactory animal welfare standards applying at the battery egg farm identified as the source of Salmonella contaminated eggs are, in my view, directly responsible for entry of contaminated eggs into foods destined for human consumption.”;

(d) that the Department of Health and Human Services Director of Population Health expressed during the 2007 Budget Estimates Committee hearings that “Clearly the quality assurance program and other measures that have been put in place by the Department of Primary Industries had not protected the public at that point”; and

(e) that the Department of Primary Industries and Water General Manager of Biosecurity and Product Integrity recently said, in relation to the egg production facility linked to the Salmonella outbreaks, that “.....recent audits of that particular premises show that the welfare standards are entirely appropriate. The husbandry of those birds is as good as, or better than most operations around Australia, and so we don’t believe that animal welfare is an issue”.

(2) Agrees that footage obtained on two separate occasions at the egg production facility linked to the Salmonella outbreaks clearly shows animal welfare standards which fail to meet community expectations.

(3) Condemns the:—

(a) government for failing to ensure that animal welfare standards in the egg production sector meet community expectations; and

(b) government for failing to adequately minimise the risks to human health caused by Salmonella.

(4) Calls on the Minister for Primary Industries and Water and the Minister for Health and Human Services to commission an independent, external review of the Government’s response to the animal welfare and human health problems in Tasmania’s egg production sector. (4 March 2008)

14 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the symbolic protest action on the lawns of Parliament House of the Disability Action Committee and Speak Out, both advocacy groups representing people with disabilities, support workers and family members.

(2) Condemns the State Labor Government for failing to provide adequate funding to address issues in the disability sector including the provision of suitable transport, addressing waiting lists for accommodation and day support and helping the sector deal with recruitment and retention of carers.

(3) Calls on the State Labor Government to accept the sector is at breaking point and it must properly fund initiatives to deal with the issues, as well as accept that the portfolio of health and human services is too big for one Minister to give appropriate attention to areas such as disability services.

(4) Further notes the extraordinary efforts of non-government service providers, family members and carers for their efforts in filling the breach left by the State Government when it comes to supporting people with disabilities in this state. (4 March 2008)

15 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Condemns the State Labor Government on the short-sighted and inappropriate decision to close the dedicated Gynaecology unit at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

(2) Notes the closure of this unit has seen the loss of key specialist staff in this State.

(3) Calls on the Government to:—

(a) publicise firm timeframes for the review by a working group established to address concerns over the closure; and

(b ) work quickly to restore a dedicated Gynaecology unit at the Royal Hobart Hospital. (4 March 2008)

17 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the former Commissioner for Children’s report last year which showed that 36% of children who were clients of Disability Services were known to Child Protection—including 25 children on care and protection orders or voluntary care agreements.

(2) Calls on the Government to provide assistance, support and services to families and carers of children with disabilities before families break down because of lack of such services.

(3) Calls for Government action in recruiting additional foster carers to provide more placement options for children in out of home care in this State, including appropriate training and support for those carers with children with disabilities.

(4) Urges the Government, in finalising its long-running Children’s Therapy Project, to look at alternative out of home settings for children with disabilities, including small group homes, in conjunction with families, carers and key stakeholder groups. (4 March 2008)

18 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the current review by the Commissioner for Children on children with disabilities who were inappropriately housed; and

(b) the review has been significantly downgraded to focus on a handful of children while a recent report by Anglicare shows that hundreds of children with disabilities and their families have been forgotten.

(2) Calls on the State Labor Government to:—

(a) utilise the information from the Anglicare report to provide greater assistance, support and services to families and carers of children with disabilities before families break down; and

(b) recruit and provide appropriate training and support for foster carers to assist with more placement options for children with disabilities.

(3) Urges the Government to finalise its response to the long-running Children’s Therapy Project. (4 March 2008)

19 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Condemns the Lennon Labor Government’s proposal to fund the water supply and sewerage outfall pipelines for Gunns’ proposed pulp mill at Longreach.

(2) Demands:—

(a) full disclosure from the Premier about any and all dealings, meetings and discussions held between any agent or agencies of Government with any agents, lobbyists or representatives of Gunns with regard to the pipeline proposal;

(b) a full and comprehensive catchment capacity audit to be completed before any water allocations are made; and

(c) a full environmental impact assessment on the effects that water diversion will have on the environmental state of Cataract Gorge and the Tamar River and the economic effects on the economy as a result of reduced water flows into the upper Tamar.

(3) Condemns the Lennon Government for its failure to prioritise spending of public money on other priorities such as:—

(a) health services and hospitals;

(b) disability services;

(d) education;

(e) public transport;

(f) parks and wildlife; and

(g) maintenance of existing public infrastructure.

(4) Further condemns Lennon Labor for attempting by devious methods to acquire private property for the benefit of Gunns.

(5) Rejects absolutely the proposal to use public funds by stealth to facilitate Gunns’ private polluting pulp mill project. (4 March 2008)

20 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Condemns the Lennon Labor Government’s secrecy regarding proposed amendments to the State Policy on the Protection of Agricultural Land 2000 (known as the PAL Policy) which has been underway without due process and without proper consultation with the community.

(2) Notes that:—

(a) the Government was rebuked by the Resource Planning and Development Commission for not providing the necessary documentation “in a timely fashion” over a previous review of this policy and that the Government was warned that the RPDC requires the co-operation of Government in order to meet its statutory obligations;

(b) the Resource Planning and Development Commission determined that the Lennon Government’s proposed amendments to the State Policy on the Protection of Agricultural Land 2000, constituted “a significant change to the State Policy”; and

(c) the Government’s draft proposed amendments to the PAL Policy were made available by the RPDC on their website, and to which the Greens have drawn public attention.

(3) Calls on the Government to:—

(a) publicly release all of the information relied upon by the Minister for Infrastructure, Resources, Planning and Workplace Relations in formulating the proposed amendments; and

(b) ensure that these proposed amendments to the PAL, which the RPDC has described as constituting a ‘significant change’, will be resubmitted to the RPDC to be treated as a Draft State Policy that will be available for the prescribed public consultation process.

(4) Condemns the Government for creating a climate of fear and dismay throughout rural and regional Tasmania as plantations are given greater rights than people. (4 March 2008)

21 Mr Gutwein to move—That the House:—

(1) Calls upon the Minister for Infrastructure, Resources, Planning and Workplace Relations to outline a comprehensive timetable of infrastructure projects in relation to the $303 million in funding announced by then Federal Opposition Transport spokesperson Martin Ferguson in the lead up to the recent federal election.

(2) Notes that a number of the projects announced by Mr Ferguson were integral to the supply of wood to the Pulp Mill.

(3) Further calls on the Minister to inform the House of expected timeframes for the development and upgrading of the rail network in both Northern and Southern Tasmania and the capital works programme for northern roads especially north east roads which will be the supply route for around 85% of the timber to the mill. (4 March 2008)

23 Mr Gutwein to move—That the House:—

(1) Calls upon Launceston based Lennon Government Ministers, Hon Jim Cox and Hon Michelle O’Byrne to:—

(a) finally stand up for the Launceston General Hospital and health services in the north of the state; and

(b) demand in Cabinet that all of the proceeds of the Rudd takeover of the Mersey Hospital be spent in the north of the state to bolster the reported $20 million operating deficit that the Launceston General Hospital faces.

(2) Notes that to do otherwise would demonstrate a clear split between these two state Ministers and their federal counterparts and a desertion of their responsibilities to the electorate they represent. (4 March 2008)

24 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Calls upon the Lennon Labor Government to:—

(a) acknowledge that in the latest Departmental Progress Chart released on 29 February 2008, the Public Housing Waiting List figures had increased by approximately 2%, in the 12 month period from December 2006 to 2007 and were not trending down as claimed in the document’s text;

(b) disclose to the Tasmanian community all efforts that have been made, and any results gained, in negotiating with the Rudd Commonwealth Government in extinguishing the $240 million housing debt; and

(c) take urgent action to alleviate the public housing shortage in Tasmania by allocating the previously announced $60 million to the construction of publicly owned and managed housing for people on the Housing Tasmania waiting list and ensuring that this housing is constructed in locations that are close to services and public transport.

(2) Calls on the Premier to rule out using any of this $60 million to construct any more housing in the existing broad-acre housing estates. (4 March 2008)

25 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Expresses its concern that:—

(a) the Premier has announced plans for so-called, drought proofing of Tasmania, by promising expanded irrigation infrastructure in several parts of Tasmania, without having first demonstrated the projects’ economic viability and environmental suitability;

(b) the Lennon Government is using language such as ‘drought proofing’ in an attempt to justify the public funding of projects to provide for water infrastructure and water to selected agricultural businesses;

(c) there is a serious risk that the salinity problem in many areas proposed to be irrigated has not been properly assessed; and

(d) the loss of water to environmental flows will reduce water quality and quantity for existing users.

(2) Calls on the Lennon Government to undertake, and publish in full, independent environmental and economic studies into each proposal; and also guarantee that there will be proper and transparent planning process outlined and adhered to for each project. (4 March 2008)

26 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that a number of other Australian states including Victoria and South Australia have strong Green School design policy in capital works projects for schools.

(2) Recognises the learning power for students and their surrounding communities to work and study in a model of environmental efficiency, which facilitates learning about environmental studies, reuse and recycling, energy efficiency systems, climate change, and design and living best practices.

(3) Calls on the State Government to ensure that from this day forward, every new capital works project in our schools and colleges adopts Green Schools best practice. (4 March 2008)

27 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Recognises the importance of ‘drought proofing’ Tasmania especially for agriculture and town water supplies.

(2) Notes that despite a promise 10 years ago by the state Labor Government to drought proof Tasmania, and successive glossy self promotional pamphlets, successive ministers have failed to deliver.

(3) Welcomes the Premier’s recognition of his Government’s failure to achieve this 10 year old promise, and his intervention.

(4) Calls on the Premier to advise the House what the priority list is for the major dam proposals to be built, and the proposed timeline for their commencement. (4 March 2008)

28 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the findings of the 2005 Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs’ Reading, Writing and Numeracy Benchmarks report released recently;

(b) that whilst it is pleasing to see that year 3 and 5 students do well in reading, exceeding the national average, the results for writing and numeracy for years 3, 5 and 7, Tasmanian students are below the national average; and

(c) that in terms of Year 7 literacy and numeracy results, not only are Tasmanian students still below the national average, the results for that cohort are going down.

(2) Calls on the State Government to:—

(a) reassess its year 7 funding target of five years and get the resources to the schools before more damage is done; and

(b ) do more about numeracy and writing where the results in Tasmanian schools are unacceptably low. (4 March 2008)

29 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) research conducted by the Cooperative Research Centre for Australian Weed Management, that reports the total estimated annual production loss to the Tasmanian dairy industry (self replacement and replacement herds) due to weeds is more than $19.3 million;

(b) the research also highlights the cost of weeds to the beef industry at $15.3 million and the sheep industry at $14.1 million;

(c) the main component of these figures is estimated production losses due to a reduction in the quality and quantity of pastures and crops resulting from the presence of weeds;

(d) that this conservative figure does not take into account labour costs; and

(e) the weeds highlighted as being most problematic include spear thistle, blackberry, capeweed, gorse, ragwort, slender thistle and wild radish.

(2) Calls on the Minister for Primary Industries and Water to develop and fund programs involving state-wide weed management networks and action programs that include state and local government, private enterprise, Landcare and community groups as well as individual landholders. (4 March 2008)

30 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the State Government’s Budget announcement of a program of reform in post year 10 education and training to be implemented in 2009.

(2) Welcomes the recognition by the State Government that education outcomes in Tasmanian schools need to be improved, that our level of certified training and vocational education outcomes must be improved, and that our retention rates are appalling.

(3) Calls on the State Government to:—

(a) fully consult with all stakeholders on how to make dramatic improvements in these areas, including providing strong leadership to our Colleges and TAFE Tasmania to work together to deliver these outcomes; and

(b) recognise that achieving these better outcomes will also require more intensive efforts in the areas of literacy and numeracy, engaging all students in our secondary schools and ensuring that Years 9 and 10 get more intensive opportunities in vocational education and technical training, including access to school based apprenticeships. (4 March 2008)

31 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Recognises the success of the New Parent Infant Network (NEWPIN) program which supports young parents who are experiencing significant difficulty in caring for their child or children under five years of age.

(2) Calls on the State Government to provide ongoing funding support for this service, which for three years has demonstrated that NEWPIN can make a very real contribution to positive parenting for otherwise at risk children. (4 March 2008)

32 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Condemns the Lennon Labor Government for:—

(a) its disgraceful failure to provide clean, honest and effective Government for the people of Tasmania;

(b) continuing stubborn and totally unreasonable refusal to immediately establish an Independent Anti-Corruption Commission to protect the people of Tasmania and to ensure that corrupt and dishonest Government can never again occur in this State; and

(c) continuing deliberate failure to uphold proper constitutional conventions and practices absolutely essential to the survival of the Westminster system of a Parliamentary democracy under the Rule of Law in the State of Tasmania.

(2) Further condemns the Lennon Labor Government for continually bringing the State of Tasmania into disrepute as the result of its disgraceful, below standard, and scandalous Governmental record over the past two years; its criminal failure to uphold and practice the basic recognised principles of responsible Government; and its absolute and total contempt for the Parliament itself and the disgraceful and shameful manner in which it continually treats the Parliament and all Members of the Parliament other than those who are members of its own privileged clique the Parliamentary Labor Party. (4 March 2008)

34 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—Notes with growing concern the increasingly arrogant contempt of the Tasmanian Parliament, repeatedly shown by the Premier and Ministers of the Lennon Labor Government since its re-election on 18 March 2006, and particularly to non-Government members of this honourable House in repeatedly failing to answer or alternatively, deliberately refusing to answer proper Questions properly put on the Notice Paper in accordance with the Westminster system of Parliamentary democracy under the Rule of Law. (4 March 2008)

35 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) continuing unjust and serious delays in hearings in the Magistrates Courts throughout Tasmania, and particularly in the northern parts of the State;

(b) the many public calls by Magistrates, by the Law Society of Tasmania, and, other organisations involved in the administration of justice for the appointment of additional Magistrates; and

(2) Calls on the Lennon Labor Government to immediately appoint two additional Magistrates for the State of Tasmania one of whom to be permanently based on the North West Coast and the said Magistrate to be also available for court duties in Launceston and throughout other parts of Northern Tasmania. (4 March 2008)

36 Mr Hidding to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes yet another Government back-flip over the centralisation of control of water and sewerage assets in this State, by announcing its intention to establish three regional boards.

(2) Calls on the Government to not proceed with its current plans to dominate each regional board by means of common directorships on each of the boards, in numbers which would see central control established, allowing all 3 boards to become a collective cash cow for stretched Labor budgets. (4 March 2008)

37 Mr Rockliff to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) that Anglicare’s research report, “Dropped from the moon: the settlement experiences of refugee communities in Tasmania”, unveils a startling picture of the challenges faced by refugee communities as they try to make new lives in Tasmania, particularly in relation to the adequacy and appropriateness of the current service system for the current refugee intake;

(b) that housing affordability for those refugees who live in Tasmania, and those who might want to move here, is a serious impediment to the settlement process and generates further feelings of alienation from the Tasmanian community; and

(c) the continued inaction of the State Labor Government to address the substantial problems outlined in the report preventing refugees from becoming socially and economically independent, settling well and contributing to the Tasmanian community.

(2) Calls on the State Labor Government, in particular the Premier as he is responsible for community development and social inclusion, to immediately accept responsibility and allocate appropriate funds to implement the recommendations contained in the report to ensure that Tasmania meets its humanitarian obligations in regard to the settlement of refugees including but not limited to:—

(a) increased settlement support and intensive case management services beyond the current period of 6 months to ensure the successful transition from settlement services to mainstream services;

(b) ongoing and additional funding to the Private Rental Tenancy Support Service;

(d) establishment of a coordinated and sustainable volunteer program to assist with refugee settlement and orientation. (5 March 2008)

38 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Draws to the attention of the Premier that the Greens have proposed alternatives to his dams led water development plans, in recognition of the need to address a drying climate and the future direction of agriculture in Tasmania, even if the Premier is unable to hear anything from the Greens that he does not agree with.

(2) Notes in particular that the Greens advocate a whole-of-catchment management approach; creation of off-stream impoundments in preference to damming rivers; support to farmers in modifying farming methods to adapt to drier conditions; full and independent environmental and economic studies into each irrigation proposal; and the conduct of proper, transparent planning processes for each project, and further notes the water plans the Greens have outlined in their alternative budgets.

(3) Further notes that the Greens must have some credence on policy in this vital area given that the Government has just adopted the water and sewerage reform model proposed by the Greens in a paper they published in 2007. (5 March 2008)

39 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the continuing crisis in our public hospitals with 39 beds closed at the Royal Hobart Hospital and 18 beds still closed at the Launceston General Hospital; and

(b) increasing elective surgery waiting lists at both these hospitals.

(2) Condemns the Government for its ongoing failure to acknowledge the budgetary pressures faced by these hospitals, its failure in allowing these beds to be closed for lengthy periods, and its failure to adequately staff our hospitals so that beds can be reopened.

(3) Calls on the State Labor Government to ensure public hospital budgets are put on a sound footing to ensure Tasmanians don’t face another horror year of cutbacks and turmoil. (5 March 2008)

40 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the ever-increasing waiting lists for access to services and support for people with disabilities in this State.

(2) Condemns the State Labor Government for failing to provide adequate funding to address both waiting lists and unmet need.

(3) Calls on the State Labor Government to acknowledge that reform of the sector is needed.

(4) Further notes that another six-month delay in receiving and acting on the current disability review will cause further hardship to people with disabilities who need services now. (5 March 2008)

41 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with concern the Premier’s confirmation yesterday that the Government is working to streamline Tasmania’s planning system.

(2) Expresses concern that given the Government’s recent history of fast tracking developments in Tasmania and denying the community the opportunity to have input into planning decisions, the Premier’s comments are a euphemism for further removing the community’s basic right to participate in decisions which impact on their day to day lives.

(3) Agrees that the primary aim of a modern planning system should be to arrive at good decisions, and that this aim should have priority over any imperative to arrive at quick decisions.

(4) Calls on the Minister for Infrastructure, Resources, Planning and Workplace Relations to ensure that the review of Tasmania’s planning system will include a comprehensive analysis of the current failure of the planning system to adequately deal with greenhouse gas emissions, including by addressing the current failure to require major development proposals to contain an assessment of their greenhouse gas emissions. (5 March 2008)

42 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the Greens’ long campaign for building reform including:—

(a) scrapping compulsory last resort Home Owners Warranty;

(b) introduction of rapid disputes and resolution with adjudication;

(d) accreditation based on skills rather than insurance eligibility.

(2) Calls on the Government again to immediately scrap compulsory last resort Home Owners Warranty.

(3) Further calls on the Government to extend the period of comment on the proposed Consumer Building Framework for at least another thirty days to give both consumers and builders sufficient time to consider and comment on these proposals. (5 March 2008)

43 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—Condemns the Lennon Labor Government for its arrogance and stubborn stupidity in refusing to agree to the appointment of a designated Victims of Crime representative to sit on the Parole Board of Tasmania and therefore calls upon the new Attorney-General to guarantee that the Lennon Labor Government will urgently prepare the necessary legislative amendments to ensure that a designated Victims of Crime representative will now be added to the Parole Board of Tasmania. (5 March 2008)

44 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Condemns the Lennon Labor Government for the outrageous fees still being charged by the Lennon Labor Government through The Public Trustee to be paid by pensioners and the most under privileged members of the Tasmanian community especially those who are on Disability Support Pensions and who have assets of less than $10,000 and who are being required to pay an annual Public Trustee Financial Administration service fee of $1270 per annum which is easily the highest fee in Australia and represents 9.5% of the Disability Support Pensioner’s income, compared to the Public Guardian in the Northern Territory and The Public Trustee in South Australia who charge no fee whatsoever; The Office of the Protective Commissioner (New South Wales) who charges less than 1% of the pensioner’s income; The Public Trustee in the Australian Capital Territory who charges 2% of the pensioner’s income; The Public Trustee Queensland who charges just 2% of the pensioner’s income per annum and the State Trustee of Victoria and The Public Trustee (Western Australia) who charge a maximum of 3% of the pensioner’s income per annum—with a top payment of only $439.00.

(2) Condemns the Lennon Labor Government for its cruel action in charging the highest fees in Australia to very poor people on Disability Support Pensions many of whom suffer a serious range of disabilities including intellectual, psychiatric and psycho-geriatric disorders and live in very poor financial circumstances and notes that the cost of abolishing this wickedly outrageous fee is a miserable $155,000 per annum which represents just 1.033% of the amount the Lennon Labor Government was able to find for its special deal with the Hawthorn Football Club. (5 March 2008)

45 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Calls upon the Government to take urgent action to prevent further contamination of Tasmanian rivers following the discovery by a Freedom of Information request that the contamination events are more frequent and extensive than disclosed to the public by the Department of Primary Industry and Water.

(2) Notes that the Greens’ Freedom of Information revealed, among other things, that the Macquarie River has been continuously contaminated with simazine since it was first detected on 11 July 2007 until at least mid January 2008, this contaminated Macquarie River runs into Lake Trevallyn and is the water supply for the West Tamar

(3) Calls upon the Lennon Government to:—

(a) ensure that the results of all water tests for herbicides and pesticides are published in full; and

(b) introduce legislation to make chemical trespass illegal. (5 March 2008)

46 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that in a leading article under the headline ‘A touch of honesty’ published in ‘The Mercury’ on 17 June 2006, (which dealt with the Tasmanian Compliance Corporation scandal) it was stated that if the Honourable Members for Braddon, Mr Green and Mr Kons were being absolutely honest in their statements to Parliament then “.....it was the Premier who misled Parliament on Wednesday when he claimed no binding deal had been signed off. And if that’s so, then the integrity of the entire Labor Government has been found lacking in the fundamental principle of honesty in politics, which should be so important to all who accept such positions of power and trust in our community today.”

(2) Further notes that ‘The Australian’ newspaper in another leading article headed ‘Rotten to the core’ condemned the Lennon Labor Government over what it had done to Tasmania’s once proud reputation for honesty and integrity.

(3) Further notes that as these matters have now become even much worse since 2006 the House now calls on the new Attorney-General and the Lennon Labor Government to immediately legislate for the establishment of an Independent Anti-Corruption Commission for Tasmania. ( 6 March 2008)

47 Mr Hidding to move—That the House:—

(1) Calls on the Lennon Labor Government to implement practical responses to the dangerous situation at the barway in Georges Bay at St Helens.

(2) Notes that in spite of the fact that a stakeholder forum identified serious proposals for action, and announcements that the Government had allocated monies to the task, nothing of use has taken place to ameliorate the dangerous situation that occurs in which vessels are barred from safely entering the only harbour on the eastern seaboard between Eden and Triabunna. (6 March 2008)

48 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with grave concern the failure of the Lennon Government to prevent the chemical spraying of Tasmania’s water catchments and thus the ongoing contamination of human drinking water supplies with dangerous pesticides.

(2) Condemns Gunns Pty Ltd for its blatant disregard of community fears with its state wide aerial bombardment of rural communities with Atrazine, Simazine, Alphacypermethrin and other potentially life threatening insecticides.

(3) Notes:—

(a) that on 15 February 2008, the unofficial opening of the Meander Dam was carried out at around 7 am by a fly-over of a spray helicopter contracted by Gunns drenching surrounding areas with a toxic cloud of insecticide which appears to have been in clear breach of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority regulations governing the spraying of chemicals especially around water bodies; and

(b) that the helicopter spraying operation then moved to the Western Creek area where Gunns systematically sprayed insecticide on and around properties where families rely on creeks and tanks for their drinking water supplies, and whom had notified Gunns of their fears and rejection of the proposal.

(4) Condemns Gunns for ignoring community objections notifying one family of their intentions the evening before which left them with little time to evacuate their children.

(5) Further notes the:—

(a) chemicals Gunns used that day were Dominex (alphacypermethrin) and Bond (a synthetic latex and alcohol mix), both of which have labels warning about needing to avoid spraying on water bodies, such as creeks and dams; and

(b) regulations for use of those, state that spraying of chemicals should not occur in areas where there is identified karst systems, and that one of the sites sprayed was identified as being situated on Category D karst, and that the chemical used on that day, Dominex Duo is particularly harmful to freshwater crustaceans such as yabbies.

(6) Calls on the Government to urgently investigate and prosecute where applicable the above incidents and to legislate to prevent any further chemical trespass of our rural communities and contamination of our drinking water with dangerous chemicals. (6 March 2008)

49 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Condemns the Tasmanian Government, the Forest Practices Authority and Forestry Tasmania for their wilful abuse of and flagrant disregard of the spirit and intent of the state’s Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 by allowing the commencement of logging operations in February of this year on coupe GC 148A thereby destroying part of optimal habitat of the endemic bornemisszai stag beetle which has the protected threatened species listing status of endangered.

(2) Notes:—

(a) Forestry Tasmania’s refusal to enact the precautionary principle to protect this endemic forest dwelling species from the known risks leading to extinction in the wild; and

(b) the following comments made by Dr Peter McQuillan, Senior Lecturer at University of Tasmania School of Geography and Environmental Studies in relation to Forestry Tasmania management of habitat for this species: “The fundamental challenge for advocates of harvesting this coupe is to scientifically demonstrate why the impacts of further habitat loss, modification and fragmentation will not further threaten this already precarious species. The compelling evidence from hundreds of scientific studies globally is that these impacts are the pre-eminent drivers of extinction of forest animals. There are sound ecological reasons for this. Yet we are being asked to believe that Tasmania is somehow a special case which delivers a utopian outcome which balances forestry and conservation. In fact, we are being asked to accept an exceptional claim for which the public should be demanding exceptional evidence.”

(3) Decries Forestry Tasmania’s refusal to wait until such time as the Commonwealth Scientific Advisory Committee’s specialists rigorously test any claim of sustainable management for the species, and calls on the Lennon Government to immediately implement a moratorium on logging all habitat of this species until such time as scientific certainty for the species survival is assured. (6 March 2008)

50 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Acknowledges that:—

(a) forelock tugging subservience of Parliament to wealthy property owners and business interests was meant to have gone by the board with the advent of universal franchise the century before last;

(b) it is not acceptable that an imperative to reach backroom agreement with influential corporations is promoted by the Premier as desirable in comparison with open, public examination of matters by the elected Parliament, which he has characterised as potentially injurious to the reputation of a major corporation and therefore somehow off limits.

(2) Reaffirms its right and responsibility to inquire without fear or favour into any and all matters pertinent to the governance of this State. (11 March 2008)

51 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Believes that the New Parent Infant Network (NEWPIN) program has proven successful in supporting young parents experiencing difficulties in caring for their young children and that this service is making a valuable contribution to early intervention and support in the priority area of children and families at risk.

(2) Calls on the State Government to provide ongoing funding support for NEWPIN as the service is currently facing an uncertain future, operating on bridging finance supplied for three months with no certainty of funding beyond that period. (11 March 2008)

52 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Applauds the efforts of Hobart boy Nic Bonnitcha otherwise known as Nature Nic, in trying to raise much needed research funds towards the devastating facial tumour disease affecting the iconic Tasmanian Devil.

(2) Calls on the State Government to lobby their Federal counterparts to assist Nature Nic in his attempts to take his concept of Black and White Day—where people dress in black and white for the day and donate money towards research into the disease—nationwide.

(3) Condemns the Premier Paul Lennon for not responding to several requests by Nature Nic for the Premier himself to publicly support Black and White Day.

(4) Notes that the State Liberals will be supporting Black and White Day on 16 May 2008. (11 March 20 08)

54 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—Recognises the announcement last week by the State Liberal Leader of some of the key elements of the Liberal Smarter Tasmania policy framework, including:—

(a) committing that within the first four years of a Liberal Government, every Tasmanian child will be able to read and write in line with the relevant national standards or benchmarks for their age to at the very least the national average;

(b) to create a socially diverse, creative and innovative Tasmania, with high-wage, high-skill economy, the State Liberals will, as a matter of economic survival, adopt strategies similar to those used in Finland that ensure that the gap between high and low-performing students is reduced, by investing heavily in education and training to develop a “culture of innovation”;

(c) in order to enable all children to aim high and close the gap of achievement, the State Liberals will provide one-to-one and small group special assistance for all children who are falling behind at any one time;

(d) the State Liberals are committed to ensuring that every teacher has the support that they need to offer high quality learning programs for all students. The State Liberals recognise that the most fundamental contributor to effective learning is quality teaching and that quality teaching can make the single biggest difference to students’ literacy and other learning outcomes. All teachers, including those teaching subjects such as mathematics and science, are teachers of literacy. It is integral to all areas of learning;

(e) the State Liberals will broaden the definition of special education to include those children who are demonstrating learning difficulties and learning disabilities, coupled with early diagnosis, specialist teaching and learning support, to enable proper intervention;

(f) the State Liberals will expand the Launching into Learning model to ensure that children who are identified as having learning difficulties and learning disabilities should be able to access full diagnosis support and early intervention strategies;

(g) the State Liberals will work in partnership with the University of Tasmania to ensure the best undergraduate programs for developing teaching are provided, and to establish a Centre for the Continuing Education of Teachers to help develop a program of ongoing professional development that will provide opportunities for teachers to extend their understanding of best practice, teaching and learning methodologies across all disciplines, particularly literacy, numeracy and science and areas within special education;

(h) to encourage teachers to work to achieve additional education qualifications and attain their Masters Degree and areas of specialist expertise, the State Liberals will implement a performance based professional pay model, which will support all educators’ commitment to an evidence based model of teaching and learning, and their investment in relevant extended learning particularly in areas of high need; and

(i) the State Liberals remain committed to a smaller class size framework, as well as adopting an intensive support model of one-to-one and small group support for those students who fall behind. (11 March 2008)

56 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that at the same time that the Lennon Labor Government has made its first tentative steps to respond to the challenge of climate change it has also issued an exploration permit for oil shale in the north of the state and another for coal in the midlands.

(2) Further notes that should this proceed to mining it will contribute to the unsustainable release of carbon into the atmosphere. (11 March 2008)

57 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the Lennon Labor Government’s latest attempt to impose a new tax on Tasmanians called an Ambulance levy.

(2) Calls upon the Government to abandon their proposal to foist upon local councils the responsibility for collection of the levy, against their wishes. (11 March 2008)

58 The Deputy Premier to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the 26th Australian Transport Council Meeting was held in Canberra on 29 February 2008.

(2) Commends the Rudd Government on its commitment to work co-operatively with the States to develop a national transport policy. (12 March 2008)

59 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the strong criticism by the Commonwealth Auditor-General of the administration of industry grants programs under the Community Forest Agreement.

(2) Further notes the involvement of the Tasmanian Government in funding decisions, and the role of the Premier specifically in signing off on approval of grants under 2 of the 3 programs comprising the majority of funds.

(3) Is concerned that:—

(a) several grants were made via Ministerial approval without going through the independent assessor—3 such grants went to Gunns Ltd to the total of $155,000;

(b) A.W. Harvesting went into liquidation days after receiving a grant of $126,000 despite the grants being contingent on a detailed business plan and investment analysis;

(c) the grant assessment spreadsheet included a column denoting the electorate in which the applicants were operating, making the pork barrelling aspect a blatant part of the assessment; and

(d) grant application forms do not require applicants to address whether they seek funding because of any impact of the Community Forest Agreement (CFA) despite this being the reason the grants programs were established, and there is no evidence that impacts of the CFA were sought during the assessment.

(4) Concludes that this poorly regulated largesse to the forest industry stinks of political favours and its administration must be tightened up to ensure that rorting cannot continue, that all funding decisions go to the independent assessor, that conflicts of interest are addressed, and that the grants are directed towards businesses actually materially affected by the Community Forest Agreement. (12 March 2008)

60 Mr McKim to move—That the House agrees that all Government agencies and business enterprises should not purchase eggs sourced from battery farms. (12 March 2008)

61 The Minister for Health and Human Services to move—That the House:—

(1) Congratulates the Lennon Labor Government on its sound economic management which has enabled the establishment of the $900 million Hospital Infrastructure Fund.

(2) Notes that this fund will assist in the building of the new Royal Hobart Hospital as well as provide funding for the capital needs of the Launceston General Hospital and North West Regional Hospital. (12 March 2008)

62 The Minister for Health and Human Services to move—That the House:—

(1) Supports the Lennon Labor Government’s social agenda as set out in the Premier’s Agenda 2008 Speech including:—

(a) the “Kids Come First Bueprint”;

(b) the investment in public housing; and

(2) Notes the $60 million investment in public housing infrastructure funding. (12 March 2008)

63 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with grave concern the total failure of the former Attorney-General to respond in writing to the very thoughtful written submission dated 10 September 2007 from a member of the Tasmanian Parliament, namely the Honourable Norma Jamieson MLC, in relation to the case of Mr Peter Wisniewski.

(2) Notwithstanding the joint public apology by the former Attorney-General and the new Attorney-General now calls on the new Attorney-General, in the performance of his duties as the Principal Law Officer of the State of Tasmania, to deal promptly and efficiently with all submissions made to him by members of the Tasmanian Parliament, whether in this Honourable House or in the Legislative Council. (12 March 2008)

65 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—Calls upon the State Government to request the Australian Government to remove the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from public transport and associated infrastructure, in order to encourage the use of public transport, to:—

(a) provide relief for many people on fixed incomes who are being negatively impacted by the rise in the cost of fuel, as this also impacts upon their ability to participate in society;

(b) reduce consumption of oil;

(d) reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. (12 March 2008)

66 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Agrees to the establishment of The Office of Parliamentary Standards Commissioner with 'own motion' powers to investigate any evidence reasonably suggesting any member of parliament may have breached accepted standards of behaviour in his or her official capacity, including complaints of public falsehood, and report to the Parliament, with a recommendation that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee if appropriate.

(2) Further agrees that the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner would:—

(a) oversee the maintenance and monitor the operation of the register of members interests;

(b) provide advice about provisions of any Code of Conduct adopted by either House;

(d) provide confidential advice to members, including Ministers, about the interpretation of such codes;

(e) prepare guidance and provide training for members on matters of conduct propriety and ethics;

(f) receive and investigate complaints about members allegedly in breach of any code and investigate evidence of possible breaches on the Commissioner's own motion; and

(g) report to the Parliament, and thereby the public, upon compliance with the principals and spirit of any codes, any failure to comply with the provisions of such codes, the extent and seriousness of any failure to comply, the responsibility of any person for such failure, and whether any matter should be referred to the Privileges Committee. (13 March 2008)

67 Mr McKim to move—That the House recognises World Kidney Day, 13 March 2008 and supports the national awareness campaign by Kidney Health Australia designed to combat escalating kidney disease by educating the Australian community and enabling early identification and treatment. (13 March 2008)

68 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the incapacity of the Premier to provide to the House any change in the Terms of Reference of the Garnaut Climate Change Review, or Terms of Reference of any new review or report to be undertaken by Professor Garnaut, which occurred as a result of anything done by the Premier.

(2) Condemns the Premier for allowing the misconception to exist in the community and some media outlets that he had asked Professor Garnaut to report on climate change and the Tasmanian forestry industry.

(3) Calls on the Premier to set the record straight by tabling in the House any correspondence between he and Professor Garnaut, and by making a statement to the House clarifying that there was no change to anything that Professor Garnaut is doing or will do which occurred as a result of anything said or done by the Premier. (13 March 2008)

69 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with concern that the forest industry is about to commence its so-called but seriously discredited practice of burning forest residues left behind after clear-felling that:—

(a) causes in excess of a million tonnes of particulate matter into the atmosphere, blanketing the state for weeks;

(b) causes significant negative health impacts for many Tasmanians;

(d) harms Tasmania's clean, green image in the eyes of the community and visitors and prospective visitors to Tasmania;

(e) is unnecessary;

(f) does not reflect natural processes, as claimed by the industry; and

(g) notes that the burning of these residues in wood fired power stations will not assist in reducing the level of greenhouse gases.

(2) Calls on the Government to demand that the forest industry cease to continue with this practice immediately. (13 March 2008

71 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that on 13 March 2008 a full page advertisement appeared in the Mercury Newspaper entitled: “What Mr Lennon and Mr Farrell have not told you about their pokies deal”.

(2) Expresses grave concern at the statements contained in the advertisement and calls on the Government to implement a full Parliamentary inquiry into all aspects of the poker machine contract as requested by the signatories. (13 March 2008)

74 Mr Gutwein to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the ongoing problem of a lack of parking at the Launceston General Hospital;

(b) that Launceston City Council Aldermen yesterday expressed concerns once again regarding the lack of parking; and

(c) the need for the State Government to ensure that issues surrounding the Launceston General Hospital receive as much consideration as is currently occurring in relation to the Royal Hobart Hospital relocation.

(2) Calls on the Government to:—

(a) outline whether or not it is intending for a multi storey car park to be built on the existing car park site; and

(b) investigate all options, including private sector development of a multi storey car park on the existing car park site. (1 April 2008)

75 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Supports the establishment of the position of state-wide Organ Transplant Co-ordinator in order to facilitate organ transplants.

(2) Notes that such a position would, in the event of a potential organ transplant, undertake or ensure that the following functions are undertaken:—

(a) contact the relatives to ask for their consent;

(b) co-ordinate the medical staff;

(d) determine who the various organs go to; and then

(e) arrange for their storage and/or distribution to the appropriate hospital.

(3) Calls on the Government to allocate funding in the next State Budget to create this position. (1 April 2008)

76 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Recognises the value of recreational fishing to the Tasmanian economy and to many Tasmanians lifestyle.

(2) Expresses its concern over ongoing reports during December 2007 and January 2008 of commercial fishing operating in the bays and close to the coastline of northern Tasmania, including reports of a trawler taking large numbers of flathead.

(3) Recognises the reports from northern recreational fishers of extremely low catches this year.

(4) Calls on the Minister for Primary Industries and Water to investigate these reports, with a view to ensuring that the northern recreational fishery has a future. (1 April 2008)

77 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Expresses concern over reports of continuing human rights violations in Tibet, including torture, killings, arbitrary arrest and detention, repression of religious freedom, ‘patriotic re-education’ including forcing Tibetans to denounce the Dalai Lama, arbitrary restrictions on free movement, rehabilitation through labour camps and coercive resettlement.

(2) Urges the Federal Government to initiate or support moves to have a fact-finding delegation from the United Nations visit Tibet as a matter of urgency.

(3) Supports self-determination for the Tibetan people. (1 April 2008)

78 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Condemns the Attorney-General, Hon David Llewellyn for his cruel refusal to apologise to the Burnie family of Paul Jackson who only learnt of the proposed release from prison on parole of their son’s convicted killer Gerard Anthony Hind as the result of a phone call from a reporter of “The Advocate” newspaper.

(2) Calls on the Attorney-General to explain to the Parliament and the people of Tasmania how it came about that the family of Paul Jackson had received no official advice whatsoever as to the proposed release of their son’s convicted killer.

(3) Calls on the Attorney-General and the Lennon Labor Government to immediately amend the legislation to provide for the appointment of a Victims of Crime Representative on the Parole Board. (1 April 2008)

79 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the growing international rejection and threats of boycotts by European countries of Australian wool due to the barbaric practice of mulesing.

(2) Further notes:—

(a) that on Friday 7 March 2008 the New South Wales Farmers’ Association announced that it was writing to the Sheep and Wool Industry Taskforce to suggest an immediate end to mulesing;

(b) Farmers’ Association President Jock Laurie has stated that up to 60 overseas retailers are considering a boycott of Australian wool and that when we are in a situation where we’ve got overseas companies banning purchasing wool from mulesed sheep or banning purchasing wool from people that are still mulesing, then we have got a major problem with the wool market and that we cannot afford that at the moment;

(c) animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has been campaigning for years in Australia to ban the practice;

(d) that Swedish retailer H&M has announced that its 1,500 stores in 28 countries would only sell wool that had been sourced from non-mulesed sheep; and

(e) that the Lennon Government defeated a Greens amendment to the recent Animal Welfare Amendment Act which would have seen a ban on mulesing in Tasmania within six months of the proclamation of the Act.

(3) Calls on the Minister for Primary Industries and Water to immediately use his powers to ban this practice within Tasmania in the interests of animal cruelty and to protect the Tasmanian wool industry from economic damage due to rejection of its clip because of the farming practices of a minority of producers. (1 April 2008)

80 Mr Hidding to move—That the House notes:—

(1) Notes the discrepancy between retail diesel prices in Tasmania and those in mainland states. Further notes that while many Tasmanians are buying cleaner and more economical diesel vehicles the advantages of those vehicles is being eroded by the high retail price of diesel.

(2) Calls on the State Government to reinstate the Government Prices Oversight Commissioners own “fuelwatch” process which publicised the average monthly wholesale and retail price of petrol and average retail price of diesel and LPG in Tasmania, a service which was suspended by Premier Lennon in 2004. (1 April 2008)

81 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with concern that Forestry Tasmania was responsible for the fire near Mt Wedge in an old growth forest area that was being clearfelled by allowing the practice of blasting large trees, and that this fire was very close to the Tasmanian World Heritage Area and could easily have caused significant damage if it had spread much further.

(2) Condemns such practice.

(3) Calls upon the Lennon Labor Government to ban the practice of bombing trees. (1 April 2008)

82 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with concern:—

(a) that the Tasmanian road toll is far higher than the community finds acceptable;

(b) that the number of drivers found to be driving whilst exceeding the permissible alcohol levels is still too high;

(d) the statistics that show that Tasmania has a significantly higher level of deaths at 9.5 per 100,000 population per annum, as opposed to a national average of 7.7.

(2) Calls upon the Government to:—

(a) give a public commitment to adopting all the measures outlined in the Swedish ‘Vision Zero’ program;

(b) introduces the ‘double demerit points’ system as is done in several mainland states; and

(c) overhauls as a matter of priority the current system of licence points demerit system so as to overcome the undermining of that system whereby drivers who would otherwise have their licence suspended are able to avoid this by ignoring demands for payment of fines, and loss of points, until sufficient time has passed that they have regained sufficient points back from previous offences, whose time has expired. (1 April 2008)

83 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the interesting tension between the Minister for Energy and Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Hon David Llewellyn who has obviously been busily praying for rain almost of biblical proportions, and even getting Hydro Tasmania to assist by reintroducing cloud seeding, as of today, to stave off having to turn the lights out, and the Minister for Forests, Hon Steve Kons who has been doing his level best, which may include praying, in order to stave off the rain so that the most highly profitable and enlightened of Government Business Enterprises, Forestry Tasmania can commence its annual pollution of the autumn sky.

(2) Will watch with interest to see who prevails, but awards last week to the superior rain-generating powers of Hon David Llewellyn, who prevailed in the week commencing 312 March 2008.

(3) Notes that this motion was given notice of on 1 April 2008. (1 April 2008)

85 Mr Gutwein to move—That the House:—

(1) Congratulates Launceston’s world champion boxer Daniel Geale in regard to his success in his chosen sport of boxing.

(2) Notes the significant international exposure that Tasmania could receive as a result of his first world title defence being held in Tasmania.

(3) Welcomes the fact that Mr Geale would like to hold his first world title defence in Tasmania, preferably in his home town of Launceston.

(4) Notes the concerns that have been raised in relation to the prohibitive cost to host the event at the State Government owned Silverdome venue in Launceston.

(5) Calls on the State Government and specifically Bass Minister Hon Michelle O’Byrne to get involved in this matter and take a proactive approach to working with Mr Geale’s management to look at what options may be available to enable the world title defence to be held in Launceston, Mr Geale’s home town. (2 April 2008)

86 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that around 160 students assembled outside Parliament House yesterday to protest Gunns’ proposed pulp mill at Longreach.

(2) Further notes:—

(a) the students marched to the ANZ bank where one student symbolically closed his bank account; and

(b) that this action heralded a month of protest action which includes a public protest outside Hobart Town Hall every Friday afternoon of April 2008.

(3) Congratulates ‘Students Against The Pulp Mill’ for their courageous stand and the leadership that they are showing in standing up for their future and democratic rights. (2 April 2008)

87 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Calls on the Lennon Government to lobby the Rudd Federal Government to abandon its plans to shut the CSIRO wool scour plant at its Geelong textiles and wool division.

(2) Notes that:—

(a) this facility is critical to the survival of small scale producers and boutique industries that require segregation chain of custody and innovation in their products in order to satisfy the needs of increasingly selective consumer markets;

(b) these producers are often the sunrise industries that lead the way in product development and market testing that leads to new rural industries and employment opportunities;

(c) the closure of the only small scale scour in Australia capable of the needs of this industry will deal a savage blow to future industry and those producers who are currently dependent on the facility and lead to business failure and the loss of jobs. (2 April 2008)

88 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that:—

(a) the consumer fraud of compulsory last resort Home Owners Warranty is still required by the Lennon Labor Government despite undertakings by previous Attorney General Hon Steve Kons that it would be scrapped; and

(b) the Australian Senate has voted to hold an enquiry into last resort Home Owners Warranty, its effect on the building industry and consumers and housing affordability, following Senator Christine Milne’s motion which called for a comprehensive enquiry and which received tri-partite support.

(2) Welcomes the Senate inquiry which will enable parliament to get to the bottom of a cancer that has eaten into housing affordability, ruined many builders and destroyed the lives of consumers.

(3) Congratulates Mr Phil Dwyer from the Builders Collective of Australia for his tireless lobbying, which has in large part brought the issue to national attention and resulted in broad tri-partite support for the Senate inquiry.

(4) Calls on the Lennon Government to show national leadership and scrap the worthless last resort insurance immediately as a first step in long overdue reform of the building industry. (2 April 2008)

89 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with concern that since the Rosebery Hospital was downgraded in 2007 by the Lennon Labor Government it does not provide some of the services that the community believes should reasonably be provided in order to ensure that the west coast is properly serviced.

(2) Calls upon the Government to accept that it is necessary to give consideration to the remoteness of the area, and that at times it is not possible to have emergency transport access or leave the area due to weather conditions. (2 April 2008)

90 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Recognises the:—

(a) significant social and economic benefits of a multilingual and multicultural society and the crucial role of quality school language programs in supporting such a society;

(b) educational benefits for children being bilingual in improved literacy skills, greater creativity and other intellectual functioning; and

(2) Notes:—

(a) the reported low incidences of Australian students studying a language;

(b) the announcement by Federal Minister Hon Julia Gillard that the National Curriculum Board is to revamp and reinvigorate languages education; and

(3) Calls on the State Minister for Education to accept the offer by the Commonwealth to develop a shared approach to significantly expanding the teaching and learning of languages in our Tasmanian schools. (2 April 2008)

91 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Condemns the:—

(a) irresponsible actions of Federal Minister for the Environment Hon Peter Garrett in granting permission for Gunns Ltd. to begin the clearance of vegetation and construction of major earthworks at the Pulp Mill Long Reach in the absence of accurate modelling to show just how much effluent might eventually pour from the mill into Bass Strait and where that toxic effluent ends up;

(b) Federal Minister for the Environment, Hon Peter Garrett for agreeing to the desecration of a site that is of major importance to the indigenous people of this island, who have called loudly for its protection; and

(c) Federal Minister for the Environment, Hon Peter Garrett for being party to an approvals process that allows a major polluting industrial complex to be built without any knowledge of the ultimate toxic impacts of that site on Commonwealth waters and the rich fishing industry that those waters sustain. (3 April 2008)

92 Mr McKim to move—That in accordance with Section 47 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1931 the Wildlife Amendment Regulations (No. 2) 2007 tabled in the House on 4 March 2008 be disallowed. (3 April 2008)

93 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Is concerned that when seriously ill patients from other parts of the state are admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital there is insufficient Government assistance to stay in appropriate, affordable accommodation whilst attending the hospital to visit, support, and, on occasions, bid farewell to their loved one.

(2) Appreciates the service formerly provided by Mrs Ruth Howie at the Argyle Guest House.

(3) Notes that the cessation of this accommodation option has precipitated a crisis of need.

(4) Calls on the Government to ensure that these accommodation problems are remedied as a matter of urgency. (8 April 2008)

94 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the gathering outside ANZ Bank, Launceston on Monday 7 April 2008 where around 220 persons demonstrated their opposition to Gunns’ proposed pulp mill at Longreach on the Tamar River and called on ANZ to refuse to finance or arrange finance for the project.

(2) Congratulates these citizens for their stand and calls on ANZ Bank to reject the project. (8 April 2008)

95 Mr Gutwein to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the concerns of residents of the East Tamar in relation to safety concerns with the proposed Dilston bypass; and

(b) reports that the Department of Infrastructure, Energy & Resources will be acquiring more land for the possible future installation of roundabouts in later years if warranted.

(2) Is concerned by this strategy as the installing of a roundabout as part of some future plan obviously will mean that traffic movements have increased to levels even more dangerous than they currently are now or unfortunately after a serious accident has occurred.

(3) Calls on the State Government to deal with this issue now and not after the residents fears in relation to accidents occurring becomes a reality. (8 April 2008)

96 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—Calls on the State Government to recognise the valuable role of administrative staff in our State Public Schools, and move to provide them with better professional pathways, recognition of the actual hours that they work, and a more appropriate remuneration package. (9 April 2008)

99 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to move—That the House:—

(1) Requests that His Excellency the Governor order that a Commission of Inquiry be established under the Commission of Inquiry Act 1995 with the following terms of reference—To investigate the events preceding and following the aborted appointment of Mr Simon Cooper as a Magistrate in 2007, including

(a) allegations of interference by the former Premier, Hon. Paul Lennon, and his former Departmental Secretary, Linda Hornsey into this judicial appointment;

(b) the destruction of documents related to this matter;

(c) the actions of Tasmania Police in investigating this matter after it was brought to their attention, the extent and outcomes of any investigations, and whether there were any communications between the Government and Tasmania Police on this issue prior to, or after, any investigation was commenced;

(d) the failure of the Government to comprehensively provide answers to numerous questions raised in relation to this issue;

(e) all other matters incidental hereto.

(2) Directs that the inquiry can investigate, and make recommendations, in relation to any other matter brought to light during its examination of the terms of reference.

(3) Directs that investigatory officers employed by the inquiry shall have access to all investigatory tools and powers available to Tasmania Police, and any extra powers as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Parliament. (27 May 2008)

101 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Acknowledges the need for an independent agency to promote ethics in Tasmania's public sector and Parliament, and to investigate allegations of corruption and malfeasance in Tasmania’s public sector and Parliament.

(2) Requests that the Joint Standing Committee on Community Development conduct an inquiry into an appropriate model for such an institution in Tasmania, including by taking public submissions and by holding public hearings. (27 May 2008)

103 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the failure of the Government to release the Ernst and Young report into the capital structure of the Hydro and Transend and the viability of an equity transfer.

(2) Calls on the Government to release the report forthwith as promised. (27 May 2008)

104 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Recognises that changes to the Regional Forest Agreement agreed between the Tasmanian and Australian Governments subsequent to the initial Federal Court ruling on logging at Wielangta, that recognised the unacceptable adverse impact of proposed logging on endangered species, such that the Regional Forest Agreement now provides for destruction of endangered species and their habitats by logging conducted under its auspices.

(2) Believes that the alteration of the agreement to make such destruction legal is unacceptable and must be revoked. (27 May 2008)

105 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the public forum held in Launceston last weekend to lament the shortage of rehabilitation services and numbers of allied health professionals in the North and North-West of the State.

(2) Supports the resolution of that forum unanimously agreed of lack of confidence in the Minister for Health and Human Services’ willingness to address these deficits in a timely manner.

(3) Calls on the State Government to immediately implement the unpublished Rehabilitation Report of 2007 and unpublished 2006 report into allied health shortages at the Launceston General Hospital. (27 May 2008)

106 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that:—

(a) all 25 documents relating to a Greens’ Freedom of Information request with regard to the Pulp Mill Steering Committee's involvement in the planning of the proposed water and effluent pipeline for Gunns’ proposed Pulp Mill were initially wholly refused;

(b) the Department of Economic Development and Tourism identified 131 pages of information involving the controversial issue and further notes that an interim release of excerpts of five worthless documents has done nothing to inspire confidence in the process;

(c) the original refusal letter revealed that ex-Deputy Premier Kons had intended to take the proposal to Cabinet; that Crown Law advice had been sought in relation to the pipeline; and that Gunns had an ‘explicit arrangement’ with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism to prevent the release of information to the public; and

(d) the now-Premier Bartlett was acting Economic Development Minister when this situation was originally revealed and he took no action to remedy the situation.

(2) Calls on Premier Bartlett to authorise the immediate release of all information pertaining to the proposed water and effluent pipeline project, being held by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, as a clear sign that he is committed to a cultural change to openness and transparency in Government. (27 May 2008)

107 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the ongoing financial ruin facing Janine Bransden and Chris Carlson as a result of :—

(a) bad advice from Consumer Affairs with regard to arbitration over defects in their home which was built by the then State President of the Master Builders Association; and

(b) the crippling and irretrievable costs of building dispute resolution that still exist to this day despite the involvement of late Premier Jim Bacon, ex Deputy Premier Bryan Green and ex Deputy Premier Steven Kons.

(2) Congratulates the responsible Minister Hon David Llewellyn for recently inspecting the defective property and calls on him to instruct his department to immediately accept responsibility and assist the Bransdens in whatever way they have to, to prevent the family losing their home, through no fault of their own. (27 May 2008)

109 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that:—

(a) fifteen months ago, the new Premier, Hon David Bartlett, in his capacity as Minister for Education, announced that it would be mandatory for all Grade 10 students to continue until the end of the year alongside all other grades; and

(b) despite the new Premier’s announcement, no additional resources have been provided, nor consultation or plans indicated as to how this is to be achieved without preventing schools from undertaking years 7, 8 and 9, special options and extension programs that are usually offered when Grade 10s had traditionally finished their school year, or the timetabling, program improvements, reports and end of year events which are usually done by staff when they are relieved from Year 10 teaching duties, nor whether students can take up summer jobs as legitimate work experience.

(2) Calls on the Premier to recognise that this is yet another example of the dangers inherent in his announce first, devil-in-the-detail later approach. (27 May 2008)

110 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with increasing concern that the triazine poisons Atrazine and Simazine continue to be used in Tasmania and that there is more recent evidence that:—

(a) they are now known to have an impact on human cells at lower concentrations than previously demonstrated; and

(b) they are believed to be more persistent in the cooler climate of Tasmania than previously acknowledged.

(2) Calls on the Government to ban the use of all chemicals in the triazine group in all water catchments, by all users, following the Director of Public Health's instruction that Gunns not use these chemicals in the Macquarie River catchment. (27 May 2008)

111 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Calls upon the Bartlett Government to immediately introduce specific legislation to ensure safety for mine workers in Tasmania, as strongly recommended by Senior Coroner, Mr Don Jones, and to immediately establish a well resourced, amply qualified regulatory authority invested with power to ensure that mines operate to a standard expected in work places, again as recommended by Senior Coroner Mr Don Jones in his 105 page findings in the inquests into the deaths of Mr Jarrod Keith Jones on 6 June 2001 at Renison Bell Tin Mine; Mr Matthew David Lister on 6 June 2001 at Renison Bell Tin mine; and Mr Sidney Thomas Pearce on 5 May 2003 at Renison Bell Tin Mine, handed down at Burnie on 22 May 2008 and in respect to which the Minister, now the Premier, gave a firm commitment to implement many of the Coroner's findings.

(2) Further calls on the Bartlett Government not to delay in honouring the commitments to implement many of the Coroner's findings, as the Bacon and Lennon Governments delayed in their firm commitment to review mine safety issues as part of a two-staged review which commenced back in 2001 but was totally abandoned after stage one. (27 May 2008)

112 Ms Singh to move—That the House:—

(1) Welcomes the Rudd Labor Government’s Inquiry by the Productivity Commission into paid maternity, paternity and parental leave.

(2) Recognises the importance of supporting parents to remain engaged in both their family and working lives.

(3) Is concerned that Australia is one of only two member countries of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development without some form of paid parental leave.

(4) Is cognisant that the international standard for paid parental leave, as established by the International Labour Organisation’s Maternity Leave Protection Convention in 2000, is 14 weeks.

(5) Acknowledges that such leave is especially important for women in lesser-paid jobs or casual employment who don't have any access to paid maternity leave.

(6) Encourages Tasmanian organisations and individuals with an interest in paid maternity, paternity and parental leave to make a submission to the Inquiry by 2 June 2008. (28 May 2008)

113 Mr Hidding to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that—

(a) following an 18 year Parliamentary career in the House of Assembly and long service as either Deputy Leader or Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Caucus; and

(b) since the announcement of and subsequent resignation from this House of Paul Anthony Lennon, neither the new Premier, Hon David Bartlett, nor any Labor front bench Member, nor any backbencher, has moved a motion, nor taken any opportunity to publicly reflect upon their former leader’s career and contribution to public life.

(2) Calls on Labor to stop dancing on their former Leader’s political grave and observe the basic decencies and traditions of this House. (29 May 2008)

114 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to move—That the House orders the Joint Standing Committee on Community Development to inquire into the implementation of unit pricing of grocery items in Tasmania, and in particular to consider:—

(a) the costs, benefits and regulatory impacts of unit pricing;

(b) alternative systems of unit pricing;

(d) the monitoring of compliance of unit pricing schemes; and

(e) any other matters incidental hereto. (11 June 2008)

116 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the Greens’ Alternative Budget Statement 2008-09 which urges early, decisive action on climate change, a revolution of compassion to put battling families at the heart, and a nurturing of the transition to a clean, green, clever economy, in order to set Tasmania up to handle the challenges of the 21st Century.

(2) Welcomes the Greens’ priorities for State Budget funding additional to Forward Estimates, including:—

(a) climate change: $28.675 million to get clever about energy efficiency, transport, and identifying the opportunities and impacts for Tasmania;

(b) health and housing: $78.25 million to tackle lifestyle diseases, bolster funding to children and families and to better support people with disabilities; and $28.36 million more to get serious on affordable and appropriate housing for all Tasmanians;

(c) employment and economic development strategies worth $20.035 million, including a big push for clean, green primary industry; and

(d) justice and anti-corruption measures costing just over $9 million, including a major funding injection to community based youth justice and money to set up and run an anti-corruption body. (11 June 2008)

117 Mr McKim to move—That the House welcomes the commitment of the Premier to merits-based appointments in the public sector, but is critical that in contradiction to this commitment he has appointed a new Secretary of his Department of Premier and Cabinet without any competitive or merit-based selection process whatsoever. (11 June 2008)

118 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Congratulates the ANZ Bank for refusing to finance Gunns polluting Longreach Pulp Mill proposal.

(2) Notes that given that the bank said it would apply the equator principles, the refusal to finance was apparently based on the bank’s determination of the proposal as being environmentally damaging and not meeting the environmental and sustainability standards acceptable to a modern and responsible corporate citizen.

(3) Calls on the Bartlett Government to lift its governance standards to at least that of the ANZ Bank. (11 June 2008)

119 Mr Rockliff to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the significant upheaval in both the Sprent and Devonport Primary School communities as a result of the mid year transfer of Sprent teacher Mr Garry Peircy to Devonport Primary School;

(b) the public meeting attended by over 100 concerned citizens held on Tuesday 3 June 2008 voted in favour of teachers Mr Garry Peircy from Sprent Primary School and Ms Larissa Best of Devonport Primary School remaining at their respective schools until the end of the school year; and

(c) that the flawed teacher transfer process including poor communication and consultation has caused unnecessary disruption to students, teachers and parents and friends of Sprent and Devonport Primary Schools.

(2) Calls on the State Labor Government to review immediately the teacher transfer policy and implement appropriate procedures in order to avoid unnecessary mid year disruptions to school communities. (12 June 2008)

120 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Recognises the packed public meeting held in Launceston on Tuesday 10 June 2008 where 500 people called on Premier Bartlett and his Government to cease all public funding for the proposed Gunns’ Pulp Mill; and in particular the funding of the proposed water pipeline to the mill and the effluent pipeline from it, which will pump 70 000 tonnes of toxic waste per day into Bass Strait.

(2) Notes the following motions passed unanimously at the public meeting, calling on the Tasmanian Government to:—

(a) withdraw its support for Gunn's proposed pulp mill, given that major negative impacts of the mill on Tasmania's communities, Aboriginal Heritage, fresh water, forests, airborne emissions, other industries and economy have not been assessed;

(b) remove any direct or indirect public subsidies for, or associated with, the pulp mill or its infrastructure, including the proposed pipeline, wharf and road interchange;

(c) rule out any compulsory acquisition of private property for the purposes of facilitating the provision of infrastructure for the proposed pulp mill;

(d) engage in dialogue with all groups concerned about the future of Tasmania’s natural assets, including our forests, air, water, land and wildlife;

(e) establish an independent anti-corruption watchdog with retrospective investigative powers with no exemptions; and

(f) repeal the Pulp Mill Assessment Act 2007. (12 June 2008)

122 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to move—That the House notes the Tasmanian Budget 2008-2009 and the State Government's hoarding of funds to accumulate a massive war chest to help buy its way back into Government at the 2010 election. (17 June 2008)

123 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to move—That the House notes:—

(a) that despite having a record $4 billion to spend in the 2008-09 State Budget, the State Government is not predicting improved outcomes in key areas such as hospital waiting lists, public housing waiting lists and dam approval delays;

(b) notes that there is nothing clever or kind about spending more money but not getting positive outcomes for Tasmania; and

124 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the importance of the tourism industry to the Tasmanian economy;

(b) that the tourism industry is currently facing a range of challenges, including the effects of high oil prices, a strong Australian dollar, high interest rates and concerns about the impact of long haul travel on climate change; and

(c) that it is now more important than ever for Tasmania to enhance its visibility as a tourism destination in the national and international marketplace.

(2) Condemns the cuts to tourism marketing in the 2008-09 State Budget.

(3) Further condemns the Government’s decision not to extend beyond this year additional marketing funding for the TT Line, that was provided in the wake of the Spirit III axing.

(4) Further notes that these decisions demonstrate a lack of appreciation by the State Labor Government of the importance of the tourism industry to Tasmania's economy and future. (17 June 2008)

125 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Congratulates singer songwriter Cameron Tapp on his trip to North Dakota to sing his song ‘The Guide’ at a wedding, and the recognition this has invoked for his talent and the spin-off promotion of Tasmania.

(2) Congratulates the Government for utilising this opportunity to further promote Tasmania through the gift of a honeymoon trip to the lucky couple. (17 June 2008)

126 Mr Rockliff to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) that the flow on effects of high fuel prices is biting hard on all Tasmanians - on businesses, farmers, fisherman, working families and pensioners;

(b) that the high global demand for oil is forecast to continue and it appears that high fuel prices will be sustained at least into the medium term;

(d) a Queensland Government report released in April 2007 titled Queensland's Vulnerability to Rising Oil Prices which recognises the demographic and regional implications of higher fuel prices and the need for the establishment of a high level whole of government committee to develop an oil vulnerability mitigation strategy and action plan; and

(e) that there was no allocation of funding in the State Budget to identify and address the consequences of the serious flow-on effects of high petrol prices in Tasmania, such as strategies to:-

(i) reduce the consumption of liquid fossil fuel;

(ii) encourage the development and use of alternative fuels; and

(iii) prepare for demographic and regional changes as many Tasmanians modify travel, work and living habits in response to rising fuel prices, such as improved access to public transport networks.

(2) Calls on the State Government to take similar action as the Queensland Government to identify and address the consequences of the serious flow-on effects of high petrol and diesel prices in the State, including the establishment of whole of government taskforce to develop an appropriate strategy and action plan. (17 June 2008)

127 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with serious concern that the Labor Government, despite having had
5 Infrastructure Ministers in 4 years, has failed to adequately respond to the ongoing crisis surrounding the Tasmanian Rail network and through its inattention and unacceptably slow action to remediate the railway that has allowed a situation to arise where Pacific National Tasmania is now only months from closing down its operations and notes specifically that the Government and Pacific National Tasmania signed the Rail Deed in January 2007.

(2) Further notes that:—

(a) the contracts for the supply of sleepers and rail were awarded in July 2007;

(b) the contract for the installing of the first 20,000 sleepers was awarded in April 2008;

(d) the tender for the remedial works on the Cam River bridge has closed but not yet been awarded;

(e) the contract to replace the Jordan River bridge, on a new alignment was awarded in February 2008 and concludes in July 2008; and

(f) the tender for the supply of ballast is currently open and closes in July 2008.

(3) Further notes that despite Asciano having notified the Stock Exchange in December 2007 that it would sell or close its Tasmanian Intermodal business neither the Lennon or Bartlett Governments appear to have taken any action to find another rail operator, nor develop a contingency plan to ensure that trains are kept running in Tasmania. (17 June 2008)

128 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the concerns of parents of Ravenswood Primary School over the loss of their Acting Principal;

(b) that the selection process is based on merit and that one local community member was part of the panel; and

(2) Calls on the State Government to increase the level of local school community input into the process of appointment of their school principal, as part of a review of the current model for appointing principals. (17 June 2008)

129 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Expresses its concern over a real terms cut to the Skills Development Budget in education for the year 2008-09 of 2.6%.

(2) Notes that the:—

(a) Forward Estimates show a real terms increase in 2009-10 of 1.34% but thereafter a real terms decrease of 1.3% and 1.5% respectively; and

(b) Budget indicates that the details are not known of the Post Year 10 reforms.

(3) Calls on the Premier and the State Government to get Skills Development back on its radar. (17 June 2008)

130 Mr McKim to move—That the House welcomes the release of the KPMG report into disability services and the Government's planned changes, which are long overdue, but remains concerned that no action has been taken to address the low rates of pay in the non-government sector to which service provision will be increasingly devolved. (18 June 2008)

131 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with concern that the Commissioner for Children and Anglicare have both opposed the determination by Government not to supply alternative options for children on remand to obviate their being sent to Ashley, despite this having been recommended in the Legislative Council Committee report on the matter.

(2) Calls on the Minister for Health and Human Services to urgently revise this position and make the interests of children paramount in the Government's approach to this important issue. (19 June 2008)

132 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) recent research on cannabis use, and its impact on our community; and

(b) the cost to the public health system arising from cannabis-related conditions.

(2) Calls on the Government to commence a comprehensive awareness and education program in schools and colleges, and in the media. (19 June 2008)

133 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the appalling failure of the Attorney-General in the House on 18 June 2008 to categorically rule out any Government amendment to Section 69 of the Criminal Code.

(2) Formally records that Chapter VII of the Criminal Code Act 1924 deals with crimes against the executive and legislative power, and that it categorically safeguards integrity and propriety in governance, and that specifically Section 69 deals with the serious crime of interference with the Governor or Ministers; that Section 70 deals with the serious crime of interference with Parliament; unlawfully influencing Members; that Section 71 deals with the serious crime of a Member of Parliament receiving bribes; and, that Section 72 deals with the serious crime of bribery of a Member of Parliament.

(3) Further records that these very serious crimes have stood the test of time since the Criminal Code was originally enacted back in 1924, and that there would need to be very substantial reasons why there should be any change now in 2008.

(4) Resolves that in the interests of ensuring absolute integrity and propriety in governance in the State of Tasmania and in the interests of ensuring that Ministers and Members of the Parliament behave with absolute propriety at all times, that there should be no contemplation whatsoever by the Bartlett Labor Government to change or water down Section 69 of the Criminal Code Act 1924 or to change or water down Sections 70, 71 and 72. (19 June 2008)

134 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to move—That the House notes the considerable contribution of Liberal Senator for Tasmania John Watson over a thirty year period, and extends its best wishes to Senator Watson, and his wife Jocelyn, following his recent retirement from the Parliament of Australia. (1 July 2008)

135 Mr Rockliff to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the report by the Cooperative Research Centre for Forestry, “Forestry, jobs and spending: forest industry employment and expenditure in Tasmania”;

(b) that the report confirms the immense value of the forestry industry to the Tasmanian economy;

(c) that one of the key findings from the report is that direct employment is estimated at 6300, or 5870 FTEs; and direct and indirect employment associated with the industry is more than 10,000 jobs; and

(d) that total expenditure by the forestry industry in one financial year, 2005-06 was up to $1.6 billion, and that the industry involved more than 500 businesses and was particularly important as an employer in regional areas such as the Derwent Valley, Dorset, Kentish, Central Highlands, Huon Valley, Glamorgan-Spring Bay and Circular Head.

(2) Calls on the Premier, Hon David Bartlett to be more committed, consistent and connected in his support for the forest industry in Tasmania. (1 July 2008)

136 Mr Rockliff to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the number of Australians with eating disorders has doubled in the past decade, with one in twenty people now showing signs of illness; and

(b) eating disorders create enormous physical and mental strain on individuals, families and ultimately the broader community which tragically can result in death.

(2) Congratulates Alice Hansen on the successful launch of her book, Food for Fuel not Feelings, a 64-page recovery guide for binge eating disorder and bulimia recovery, which provides a positive new resource for Tasmanians suffering an eating disorder.

(3) Further notes the State Opposition's Policy Discussion Brief aimed at stimulating informed debate and community feedback to assist in the development of a coordinated strategic policy direction to combat eating disorders in Tasmania.

(4) Calls on the State Government to urgently recognise the high level of unmet demand for services in the State by acting on the following State Opposition recommendations:—

(a) undertake a scoping study to map and evaluate those services currently available, together with a gap analysis to identify unmet demand for services including identification, early intervention and acute programs;

(b) develop and trial a comprehensive education and awareness program for families wishing to access information and resources on eating disorders;

(c) ensure greater continuity of care in Tasmania for those sufferers seeking help from interstate institutions, for example, the Bronte Foundation, through increasing the level of patient assistance available under the Patient Transport Assistance Scheme;

(d) employ specialist staff in Tasmania to assist local staff and services in regional areas to better identify and detect/treat eating disorders;

(e) ensure that responses to eating disorders are developed and delivered within a holistic and comprehensive policy framework on mental health; and

(f) develop an awareness campaign for teachers and parents relating to the dangers of websites that encourage young people to adopt eating disorder behaviours and have access to these websites blocked. (1 July 2008)

137 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Celebrates the High Court Decision of 25 years ago to prevent the Gordon below Franklin dam which saved the magnificent Franklin River.

(2) Acknowledges that deep divisions were caused within Tasmanian society, but recognises that the outcome played a crucial role in underpinning Tasmania's clean, green reputation and the wilderness imagery cemented the basis of our tourism expansion.

(3) Sincerely thanks the many people who gave so much to achieve this positive result for Tasmania and the generations who have followed them, and greatly appreciates the role of Norm Sanders and Senator Bob Brown as advocates of the Franklin River in this Parliament during those times. (1 July 2008)

138 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with profound sadness the tragic passing of the distinguished academic and priest Associate Professor the Reverend Dr Christopher Newell AM on 21 June 2008.

(2) Places on record its:—

(a) admiration and gratitude for his outstanding contribution to this State and to humanity as a great bio-ethicist whose superb academic work earned him recognition around the world;

(b) gratitude for his untiring work for social justice and as a great champion for life and for the disabled; and

(c) admiration for his inspiring vocation as a priest in the Anglican Church and his dedication to helping those who were disabled, disadvantaged and under-privileged.

(3) Extends its deepest sympathies to his father, Bishop Philip Newell, his mother Merle, his wife Jill and his three daughters Hannah, Hayley and Christine, and to all members of the Newell family. (1 July 2008)

139 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that:—

(a) the Australian Labor Party, subject to item W of the Labor-Green accord of 1989, granted its Parliamentary members a conscience vote on the issue of homosexual law reform; and

(b) in August 2003 the Parliamentary Liberal Party granted its Parliamentary members a conscience vote on the Relationships Bill 2003.

(2) Agrees that a precedent has been created, and that all members should be granted a conscience vote on the issue of same-sex marriage. (1 July 2008)

140 Mr Hidding to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that the following two motions were moved and carried unanimously at the 15 May 2008 meeting of the Brighton School Association.

"(1) That the Minister for Education direct the Department of Education to conduct further and more thorough investigation and intensive consultation into what the Brighton Primary School community and surrounding areas, present and future, want and need for our children, our community.

(2) That the Brighton Primary School community is fully represented on any taskforce that is appointed to further investigate the model."

(2) Further notes that the Brighton and Southern Midlands community were not properly represented on the Taskforce to look at options, following the Bridgewater
School fire, and now many express a lack of support for the Middle School option, a view that could see the Federation proposal fail to meet its objectives. (1 July 2008)

141 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the recent EMRS poll taken in Tasmania of 1000 voters which found 75 per cent of Tasmanians do not want any more taxpayer money spent on the proposed Gunns Long Reach pulp mill.

(2) Condemns the Bartlett Labor Government for putting Gunns' interests before the wishes of the Tasmanian people by blatantly granting Gunns access to a further fifteen million dollars of public money when an enlightened future government makes a more rational decision to value and use our native forests for other purposes such as carbon sequestration tourism environmental services or any of a myriad of higher and better uses.

(3) Further condemns Bartlett Labor for misleading the Tasmanian community by previously ruling out any more assistance to Gunns.

(4) Reminds Bartlett Labor that dishonesty is neither clever nor kind and urges the Premier to get connect. (1 July 2008)

143 Mr McKim to move—That the House agrees that the values which underpinned the campaign to save the Franklin River are the same values which underpin the campaigns to save Tasmania's high conservation value forests, to create more Marine Protected Areas, and to stop the proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill. (2 July 2008)

144 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with grave concern the closure of one former Auspine sawmill at Scottsdale and the economic and social disruption caused to the families and communities in the region.

(2) Condemns:—

(a) Gunns for failing to notify the workers instead allowing them to find out through media reports;

(b) successive Labor Governments for failing to ensure adequate softwood logs were retained for processing within Tasmania rather than allowing the export of massive volumes of round logs; and

(c) the former Lennon Labor Government for allowing its share of the joint venture log supply to be diverted to Bell Bay rather than remaining with the Scottsdale sawmilling community; and

(d) previous forest Minister, Hon Bryan Green for failing to stand up for Scottsdale workers.

(3) Expresses deep sympathy to those workers and their families who now find themselves unemployed through no fault of their own.

(4) Calls on the Government to assist the community in whatever way possible to ameliorate the damage caused by the loss of such a significant operation. (3 July 2008)

145 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Welcomes the release in Columbia of hostage Ingrid Betancourt, former Greens Party candidate for the Presidency, who has been held by the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia since 2002.

(2) Affirms our duty to uphold democracy, freedom of political thought, speech and action, and to courageously combat corruption as Ingrid Betancourt has done.

(3) Respectfully requests that the Speaker communicate the content and sentiments of this motion to Ms Betancourt. (3 July 2008).

147 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the statement of the Premier on 14 August 2008 in which he revealed that Police Commissioner Jack Johnston was interviewed under caution the previous evening, and that a crime may have been committed relating to the disclosure of official secrets;

(b) the subsequent decision of Mr Johnston to temporarily stand aside from the position of Police Commissioner; and

(2) Agrees that:—

(a) the above circumstance does not accord procedural fairness to Mr Johnston;

(b) the above circumstance does not accord procedural fairness to the officers conducting the investigation;

(c) the above circumstance fails to satisfy the expectations of the Tasmanian community that the investigation will be conducted with procedural fairness, and with the perception of procedural fairness and probity;

(d) it is highly inappropriate for Tasmania Police to be investigating itself;

(e) there is no standing independent investigative authority within Tasmania's current legislated framework; and

(f) given the above circumstance the Government should advise His Excellency the Governor to make an order that a Commission of Inquiry should be established under Section 4 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1995 to examine the matters to which the Premier referred in his statement of 14 August 2008, and any associated matters including but not limited to any allegations of bargaining for public office relating to the position of Solicitor General and matters associated with the granting of an exclusive monopoly deal for the accreditation of building practitioners to the Tasmanian Compliance Corporation by former Deputy Premier Bryan Green, and that the Commissioner and the Commissioner's investigators, be sourced from a jurisdiction other than Tasmania. (19 August 2008)

148 Mr McKim to move—That the House agrees that any package of reform proposals that will genuinely restore public confidence in governance in Tasmania must include the creation of a new independent investigative authority, electoral law reform including improved donations disclosure laws, restoring the numbers of Members of Parliament to pre-1998 levels, a Bill of Rights, a Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, an Integrity Commission, the introduction of Fixed Term Parliaments, public funding of political parties, improved access to Government information, better protection for whistleblowers, a legislated Lobbyists Register and a legislated post-ministerial probity framework. (19 August 2008)

152 Mr Rockliff to move—That the House:—

(1) Calls on both the State and Federal Labor Governments to address increasing cost of living pressures on older Australians.

(2) Notes that the State Opposition has written to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd advocating for a better deal for pensioners as a result of a recent Senate report into cost of living pressures on seniors, and to outline the increasing difficulties for Tasmanian pensioners and others on fixed incomes to afford basic needs.

(3) Notes that the Senate Inquiry into Cost of Living Pressures on older Australians that was tabled in March 2008 has now been referred to another inquiry that wont report until February 2009.

(4) Notes that recent research from the Council of the Ageing Tasmania suggested that the basic aged pension is $100 less than the Westpac Bank-defined rate for maintaining a basic standard of living.

(5) Notes that asking pensioners to skip meals or scrimp on heating to save power while the Federal Government dawdles through yet another review is cold-hearted and cruel, particularly at a time when the Government is sitting on a 2007-08 budget surplus of more than $18 billion.

(6) Notes that many concessions available to pensioners in Tasmania have not kept pace with inflation.

(7) Calls on the State Labor Government to put pressure on their Federal colleagues to gain a better deal for pensioners and older Australians and to assist pensioners by reviewing and acting upon concessions pertaining to massively increased power prices, and other fees and charges, along with the prospect of a new ambulance tax next year. (19 August 2008)

153 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with serious concern the findings from the long awaited social and economic impact study into gambling in Tasmania which included:—

(a) that electronic gaming machines, or pokies, in hotels and clubs were the highest contributor to total gambling expenditure;

(b) confirmation that pokies placed in disadvantaged areas earn higher per capita returns while revenue per machine decreases as the level of disadvantage declines; and

(c) that when examining the relationship between gaming expenditure and crime, a "positive and significant relationship was found between gaming expenditure and some crime rates".

(2) Further notes that no multiplier effect appears to have been calculated to ascertain the loss of income to the local economy from money being removed from circulation and lost on poker machines and:—

(a) calls on the Bartlett Labor Government to come clean with the Tasmanian community and quantify just how much pokies are costing the Tasmanian economy; and

(b) calls on the Bartlett Government to match words with actions and begin the staged withdrawal of pokies from pubs and clubs in Tasmania. (19 August 2008)

154 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the value of country hospitals in this State and the deep emotional attachment to them by their local communities.

(2) Acknowledges the role of country hospitals in a statewide health strategy, particularly in providing step-down beds and alleviating pressure from acute public hospitals in this state.

(3) Recognises the difficulties faced by many country hospitals with the recruitment and retention of staff.

(4) Condemns the State Labor Government for failing to effectively staff country hospitals and, more importantly, for closing country hospitals that play an integral role in the lifeblood of their communities. (19 August 2008)

155 Ms Singh to move—That the House:—

(1) Congratulates the Rudd Labor Government on its intention to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture as part of its commitment to restoring Australia's human rights reputation and international standing.

(2) Recognises that the Convention prohibits any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for the purposes of interrogation, punishment, intimidation, coercion or for any discriminatory reason by a public official.

(3) Affirms that the obligations enshrined in the Convention are derived from the essential dignity of any human person existing in any circumstance without exception.

(4) Emphasises that the methods and tools of law enforcement, including the use of tasers and stun-guns, are subject to the Convention and should be exercised with due regard to the necessity of actions that may threaten the dignity of the individual. (19 August 2008)

156 Mr Gutwein to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the belated response by both the State and Federal Governments to the loss of over 140 jobs in Scottsdale.

(2) Notes serious concerns regarding the Federal Government's decision to recycle funding rather than commit new money, and condemn the way that Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr and local MHR Jodie Campbell attempted to keep this matter from the public.

(3) Calls on the State Government to work with Dorset Council on immediate job creation projects to stem the migration of workers and their families from the North East.

(4) Acknowledges the work by the Dorset Council and its Mayor, Peter Partridge in ensuring that at least some recognition was given by both State and Federal Governments to the challenges faced by the North East. (19 August 2008)

157 Mr Gutwein to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the State Government's planned introduction of an ambulance levy is both bad policy and a broken promise.

(2) Notes that the State Government in planning for operational surpluses in excess of more than $100 million per annum, each year, over the forward estimates has sufficient financial capacity to fund and support the ambulance service without the need for a levy.

(3) Further notes that any ambulance levy introduced by this Government does not have the support of the State Opposition who believe that the ambulance service is an essential service especially as we are the most decentralised state or territory in Australia. (19 August 2008)

158 Ms O'Connor to move—That the House:—

(1) Acknowledges that the area known as the Bruny Bioregion is regarded by scientists, as well as the Resource Planning and Development Commission, as the most ecologically diverse of Tasmania's nine marine bioregions.

(2) Accepts that the establishment of a strong network of Marine Protected areas is essential to protect marine ecosystems and biodiversity. (19 August 2008).

(3) Condemns the Labor Government's attempts to undermine the work of the Resource Planning and Development Commission in its inquiry into the establishment of marine protected areas in the Bruny bioregion, as well as its pre-emptive pledge to the recreational and commercial fishing industry that no 'no-take' marine protected areas would be declared.

(4) Calls on the Bartlett Government to listen to the science, rather than buckle to a sectional interest and ignore the public interest in protecting Tasmania's marine environment. (19 August 2008)

159 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes Tasmania's per capita funding for the arts was the lowest of any state or territory in Australia in 2006-07.

(2) Acknowledges the centrality of the Government's role in fostering the arts.

(3) Calls on the Government to counter the preconception of the arts as an indulgence.

(4) Actively investigate an approach to arts and arts funding that moves toward developing Tasmania as a cultural and artistic hub. (19 August 2008)

160 Mrs Napier to move—That the House notes:—

(1) Recognises that there is a desperate need for crisis accommodation for men, women and families who are homeless in the north of the State.

(2) Recognises that the Levi House proposal is based on a multi-targeted homelessness intervention and prevention program that is successfully used in other places such as Hanover House in Victoria.

(3) Calls on the Premier and Minister for Health to urgently meet with the Board of Levi House to fully understand the huge potential of this homelessness project.

(4) Calls on the State Government to support the Levi House proposal and thus live up to its promises of tackling homelessness and begin to achieve its stated goal of social inclusion in Tasmania. (19 August 2008)

161 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House notes:—

(1) That Her Majesty's Attorney General for the State of Tasmania, the Hon. David Llewellyn MP, is Tasmania's chief law officer and alone has the solemn duty to ensure and uphold at all times integrity and absolute honesty in governance in the State of Tasmania.

(2) In view of the continuing number of scandals and of corruption in both the Lennon Labor Government and the Bartlett Labor Government coming to light, and in view of the overwhelming damage now being caused to Tasmania's once fine reputation, now calls on the Attorney-General to make a full Ministerial statement to the Parliament detailing the manner in which he is conducting full and proper inquiries into past scandals of his own Government and what reforms he intends to put in place to eliminate scandals being perpetrated by this corrupt Government between now and the next election when this Government will be removed from office. (19 August 2008)

162 Mr Morris to move—That the House notes:—

(a) that the Select Committee report on Housing Affordability in Tasmania was released on 15 April 2008 containing a number of significant findings and, at the time of its release, the Minister for Health and Human Services welcomed the report and said the Government would consider the report;

(b) that housing affordability remains a critical issue for an increasing number of Tasmanians and has not improved since this report was released four months ago;

(c) despite the urgency on this critical issue the Bartlett Labor Government has not made any public response to the report despite a large number of recommendations in the report pertaining to areas within the responsibility or policy areas of the State Government; and

(d) calls upon the Minister for Health and Human Services to promptly provide the Tasmanian community with the Government's considered response to that report, or at least provide a date by which the community can expect to receive that response. (19 August 2008)

163 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) Premier David Bartlett has admitted that the Government he has been a senior member of since the last election is a mess;

(b) the Premier has finally agreed to implementing a number of measures he says will restore people's shattered faith in his Government but a number of these will not be implemented for some time; and

(2) Further notes:—

(a) that because the Premier and his Government have repeatedly voted in this Parliament against measures such as an independent anti-corruption body, there are currently deficiencies in our system of government to deal with serious allegations that have not yet been resolved;

(b) that if the Premier is serious about cleaning up the mess and the stench surrounding his Government, then he has to start with the series of unresolved scandals that currently embroil his Government; and

(c) that if this Government does not support a Commission of Inquiry into these outstanding affairs, then the Premier's commitment to accountability and transparency is exposed as a sham. (20 August 2008)

164 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that the Bartlett Government has failed to commit to state based donations disclosure laws, and failed to commit to reform of electoral law to require full disclosure of the source of funds election advertising.

(2) Agrees that any package which will succeed in addressing the crisis of confidence in governance in Tasmania after ten years of Labor Government must include a commitment to state based donations disclosure laws and reform of electoral law to require disclosure of the source of funds election advertising. (20 August 2008)

165 Mr McKim to move—That the House agrees:—

(1) That Premier David Bartlett's current refusal to commit to meaningful negotiations with public sector unions demonstrates a fundamental lack of respect for members of public sector unions.

(2) That the Premier should re-engage with public sector unions by recommencing genuine engagement to break the current deadlock on pay negotiations.

(3) That if negotiations are not recommenced the Premier should accept the positive and proactive suggestion made by the Greens that he participate in a process whereby the Tasmanian Industrial Commission uses its conciliation powers under the Industrial Relations Act 1984 to resolve the standoff (20 August 2008)

166 Mr Gutwein to move—That the House:—

(1) Recognises that the board of AFL Tasmania is meeting in Launceston today.

(2) Notes that one of the key issues to be discussed will be the proposed Statewide League and the future of the Tasmanian Devils.

(3) Recognises that three Launceston clubs South Launceston, the Northern Bombers and the Launceston Football Club have decided to take part in the new Statewide league should it get off the ground.

(4) Accepts that one of the key concerns of northern clubs is that AFL Tasmania may spread itself too thinly should it continue to support the Tasmanian Devils whilst also supporting and promoting a new statewide football league.

(5) Finally on the condition that the new Statewide league goes ahead and is financially viable that AFL Tasmania consider the future of the Tasmanian Devils to ensure that Tasmania ends up with a Statewide football league that not only has the support of the majority of Tasmanians but is also financially viable and a genuine feeder league for young Tasmanians wanting to progress their careers to the highest level. (20 August 2008)

167 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Condemns the Lennon and Bartlett Governments for placing Tasmania's energy security at risk.

(2) Notes that the Government has:—

(a) failed to take account of climate change before committing the state to the bungled Basslink gamble;

(b) failed to re-assess the business case for Basslink after the cost nearly doubled, despite evidence at the time from Hydro Tasmania that the scheme only had a 50% chance of breaking even even if costs went up by 10%;

(d) failed to show leadership by the promotion and provision of incentives for renewable energy generation from business and households;

(e) failed to promote and provide incentives for solar hot water;

(f) failed to accept advice to retain and develop the Bell Bay Power Station as a profitable state owned generator;

(g) mislead the media with slippery media spin instead of telling the truth about the Government's intention to purchase Babcock and Brown's half finished lemon at Bell Bay;

(h) talked up the share price of Babcock and Brown and therefore the likely value of the power station; and

(i) finally admitted that the Government will be buying this station back at the cost of $340 million, despite ridiculing Greens' warnings that this was about to happen. (20 August 2008)

168 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the Minister for Health and Human Services very belated but welcome approval of Tasmania's first Positron emission tomography (PET) scanner .

(2) Urges the Minister for Health and Human Services, given the Minister's previous comments that the State only needs one Positron emission tomography (PET) scanner to allow public patients throughout Tasmania to access this vital and life-saving equipment instead of being forced to fly, unwell, interstate.

(3) Acknowledges that best practice health and hospital services combine public and private providers and allow for resource sharing, particularly high-cost technology. (20 August 2008)

169 Ms O'Connor to move—That the House:—

(1) Acknowledges that child protection services across Tasmania, and particularly in regional areas, are under enormous strain and that this point has been made, repeatedly, by people working in the field.

(2) Accepts that the Minister for Health and Human Services has initiated a review of child protection services on the North West coast in relation to a specific tragic case involving a three year old child.

(3) Calls on the Minister for Health and Human Services and the Bartlett Government to commit to providing more funding and resources to child protection to ensure better early support programs for families at risk, as well as more funding and human resources to provide the strongest possible child protection framework.

(4) Further, calls on the Minister for Health and Human Services to ensure any additional funding for staff must be accompanied by a recruitment strategy to fill those positions as a matter of urgency. (20 August 2008)

170 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Recognises that the Minister for Education was recently urged by the State School Parents and Friends Association and parents to delay plans to make year 10 students spend an extra three weeks at school in December, because of the problems it is creating in schools including:—

(a) interfering with current school policies in managing transitions for Grade 6s to high schools;

(b) cancellation of extension activities and camp programs for Grades 7-9 due to lack of staff availability;

(c) catering for year 10 students who are able to gain meaningful and valuable work experience in summer jobs, which they will miss out on if private school children are available some 4 weeks earlier; and

(d) college staffing shortages due to assessment responsibilities.

(2) Calls on the State Government to recognise that there are still a number of very real practical problems and systems that need to be changed before a new policy of encouraging Year 10 students to complete the full school year can be implemented. (20 August 2008)

171 Mr Morris to move—That the House notes:—

(1) That the proposal by Gunns Ltd to construct a rotary veneer peeling mill at Western Junction seems to be still proceeding despite the public comments from the company stating that they would not be proceeding with the proposal earlier in August 2008.

(2) That the summary of public comments on the Planning Application, including the Development Proposal and Environmental Management Plan document dated 13 August 2008 has been published on the Environment Division website.

(3) That as of 15 August 2008 Gunns Ltd had not responded to the request of the Northern Midlands Council on 1 August 2008 requesting a confirmation of their commitment to withdraw the proposal to construct the mill at Western Junction. (20 August 2008)

172 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Reaffirms that under the Westminster system of Parliamentary democracy it is the fundamental duty of the Opposition to hold the Government of the day to account for all it does; to keep the Government of the day honest in all its actions and dealings and to ensure that the Government of the day at all times acts with absolute propriety.

(2) Further that it is the fundamental duty of the Opposition to expose in the Parliament - as this Opposition is doing right now - all public scandals, illegalities, improprieties, and corruption of the Government of the day, and its predecessor Government, without fear or favour and not withstanding abuse and intimidation from the Government of the day.

(3) Finally recognise that unless an Opposition does all of the above, Parliamentary democracy will not be able to exist and Parliament will not survive. (20 August 2008)

173 Mr Hidding to move—That the House notes:—

(a) a recent public meeting at Ouse called by the Minister for Health and Human Services, Hon Lara Giddings, to hear the tragic news that the Minister's preferred option to close the hospital would prevail;

(b) that around 50 locals attended this meeting at the Ouse Town Hall, most of them mature age or seniors;

(c) the outrage of all those present when it became apparent that the Minister for Health and Human Services had her department ask the Commissioner of Police for extra police protection over and above the very capable local police officer; and

(d) that a bristling, most impressive, fully rigged 6-strong Public Order Response Team, fresh from a riot somewhere else, arrived ready, willing and able to take on the dangerous senior citizens of Ouse. (20 August 2008)

174 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the enormous value of grandparents caring for grandchildren in Tasmania.

(2) Notes that grandparents raising grandchildren outside the statutory system are in urgent need of accurate information and assistance regarding legal, financial and other support services such as counselling, peer support, mentoring, respite and training.

(3) That in many cases grandparents are not eligible for any sort of state-funded carers' support and may not easily access Commonwealth benefits.

(4) Notes the extraordinary effort of these grandparents providing care to those children and young adults with disabilities. (21 August 2008)

175 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House notes:—

(1) The massive and unacceptable growth in the number of Australians affected by some form of diabetes.

(2) Tasmania has the nation's second highest rate of Type 2 diabetes and over 3000 cases of Type 1 diabetes.

(3) The North West region has one of the highest rates of diabetes anywhere in Australia.

(4) Whilst there has been significant improvement over recent years in diabetes diagnosis, the gap between diagnosis and treatment has become greater.

(5) That services for diabetes care and education in Tasmania particularly in the North and North West of the state are noticeably limited and fragmented. (21 August 2008)

176 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Condemns Premier David Bartlett for his disgraceful actions on Tuesday in deliberately misleading the House by misusing very limited and specific legal opinions from the Solicitor General, Mr Leigh Sealy SC and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Tim Ellis SC.

(2) Informs Premier David Bartlett that the innocent have nothing whatsoever to fear from any number of Commissions of Inquiry - but that the guilty certainly do have a lot to fear - and that there can be no drawing of any line in the sand unless and until these scandals and allegations of corruption against the Lennon Labor Government and the David Bartlett Labor Government are fully and completely investigated by a formally constituted Commission of Inquiry set up pursuant to the provisions of Section 4 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1995 (No. 70 of 1995). (21 August 2008)

177 The Minister for Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that on 11 July 2008 the Tamar Estuary and Esk River Program (TEER) was launched, along with the State of the Tamar Report and Tamar Estuary Management Plan.

(2) Notes that on 7 August 2008 the Tamar Estuary and Esk River Program held its "Vision Setting" Workshop, in which a broad agenda for the future collaborative management of the Tamar catchment and estuary was developed.

(3) Recognises the vitally important role that the Tamar Estuary and Esk River Program will play in the ongoing coordinated management of the rivers and in helping to address the environmental problems facing the estuary.

(4) Notes the important work of the key partners in the Program, which are Natural Resource Management (NRM) North, the Launceston City Council, the West Tamar Council, George Town Council, Meander Valley Council and Hydro Tasmania.

(5) Recognises the flexibility and strength of this collaborative and voluntary approach to management of the Esk and Tamar Rivers. (21 August 2008)

178 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes media reports that the Premier has informed members of the public that he has a contact in Shadforths, he does not believe that the pulp mill will get finance any time soon and that public acquisition for the pipeline will not happen.

(2) Further notes with grave concern that investment in the Tamar Valley has stalled due to fears of the economic and environmental damage that the proposed pulp mill would cause were it to be built.

(3) Calls on the Premier to cease his Government's support for the project and withdraw the wood supply agreement and assure the Parliament and people of Tasmania that Bartlett Labor has drawn a line in the sand and that the pulp mill will no longer proceed. (21 August 2008)

180 Ms Singh to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the long history between Cadbury and southern Tasmania, and its role as a major employer and economic stimulator for the northern suburbs.

(2) Welcomes the decision by Cadbury to secure its long-term presence in Tasmania through its $60 million investment in a Centre of Excellence for producing moulded chocolate blocks at its Claremont factory.

(3) Further notes that modification to manufacturing at the Claremont factory will affect the employment of approximately 160 workers.

(4) Believes it is important that these workers will receive the necessary support, information and opportunities, including voluntary redundancy, to actively plan their futures through this transitional period. (26 August 2008)

181 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with grave concern that the Canadian Medical Association has stated that smog related deaths are set to rise to more than 700,000 people in Canada over the next two decades.

(2) Further notes:—

(a) that long and short term exposure to air pollution is estimated to kill at least 21,000 Canadians this year;

(b) estimated costs of health care and lost productivity from air pollution will top $8.67 billion in 2008 and climb to $271 billion by 2031;

(c) pollution related illnesses such as asthma and cardiovascular disease will prompt more than 30,000 emergency room visits and 620,000 doctors visits this year; and

(d) that at current pollution levels an estimated 64,000 people die from causes attributed to particle pollution each year in the United States according to the Natural Resources Defence Council.

(3) Reminds the Bartlett Government that air pollution from the proposed Gunns' pulp mill and its specific effect on the air quality in the Tamar Valley air shed has not been assessed under the fast track approval. (26 August 2008)

182 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with great pleasure that on Saturday, 23 August 2008 approximately 10,000 people rallied and marched against the proposed Gunns' pulp mill at Longreach.

(2) Further notes:—

(a) the pulp mill, were it to be built, would pose a serious risk to the health and safety of all residents in Tasmania, particularly those residing within the Tamar Valley air shed;

(b) the proposed pulp mill is dependent on the continued logging of high conservation value native forests which are of far greater value left as carbon sinks; and

(c) the approval was based on false information regarding time urgency provided to Parliament by Gunns Ltd and previous Premier Paul Lennon.

(3) Calls on the Bartlett Government to repeal the Pulp Mill Assessment Act of 2007 and revoke all permits.

(4) Warns the Government that democracy in Tasmania is under a cloud due to the corrupt pulp mill approval.

(5) Reminds Bartlett Labor that they now have an urgent and absolute responsibility to restore trust in the Parliament and governance in Tasmania.

(6) Congratulates the good citizens of Tasmania who have said no to the mill and marched in the streets to protect democracy.

(7) Urges all Tasmanians to continue their struggle until the Gunns' pulp mill is prohibited. (26 August 2008)

183 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that the State Labor Government has failed over a decade in office to:—

(a) provide Tasmanians with the health system they deserve;

(b) rein in spiralling elective surgery waiting lists;

(d) address the crisis of affordable housing in Tasmania.

(2) Calls on the Government to, after 10 years, finally honour its 1998 promises to Tasmanians to save rural hospitals, reduce waiting lists, become a world leader in reducing the incidence of child abuse and ensure every person lives in a decent home. (26 August 2008)

184 Ms O'Connor to move—That the House:—

(1) Acknowledges the fact that the Cadbury workforce in Hobart has been placed under extreme stress due to management's decision to inform staff that 160 jobs would go out of a total workforce of almost 700, but failing to detail exactly where those jobs would be cut.

(2) Acknowledges that Cadbury employees will have a specific skill set, that many will have been working at the factory all their adult lives, and some will find it difficult to gain alternative employment without an appropriately funded State and Federal transitional assistance package.

(3) Calls on the Bartlett Government to make sure these people are not left on the employment scrap heap, by providing practical and financial assistance, and further, by lobbying the Rudd Government to do all it can to ease the transition for Cadbury workers and ensure those who do want to find employment are in a position to do so. (26 August 2008)

185 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House notes that since the sitting of this House in Launceston last week all members have returned to their electorates and have met with many of their constituents over the past four days and have observed the absolute anger, outrage and disgust of electors with the disgraceful actions of Premier David Bartlett and the Bartlett Labor Government for not referring the scandals and allegations of corruption of the Lennon Labor Government and the Bartlett Labor Government to a properly constituted Commission of Inquiry pursuant to the provisions of Section 4 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1995. (26 August 2008)

186 Mr Hidding to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with concern the frustration of many Tasmanian farmers who are suffering extreme drought conditions over the limitations on access to the small amount of support funding that the Labor Government has made available.

(2) Further notes that:—

(a) many farmers who have destocked and have banked the meagre returns from that sale do not qualify for small State Government grants to retain the farm's crucial breeding stock due to them having some money in the bank;

(b) the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association was forced to hold its own high level forum on the management of the extended drought conditions in some areas of the state as a result of a complete lack of leadership by the Bartlett Labor Government. (26 August 2008)

187 Mr Hidding to move—That the House:—

(1) Supports the position of the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association in its opposition to the proposed removal of the prescribed status of exotic sheep in Tasmania, and its rejection of the findings of the departmental review into that prescription.

(2) Agrees that the danger of contamination by medullated fibres from exotic breeds is very real, having regard to the very substantial contribution that the wool sector makes to the state's export income and the constant pressure on woolgrowers to improve the quality of their clip.

(3) Calls on the Minister for Primary Industries and Water to extend the prescription on exotic sheep breeds in Tasmania by 5 years. (26 August 2008)

188 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that although the prevalence of acquired brain injury in Tasmania is estimated to be more than 20% higher than the national average, with between 10-15,000 Tasmanians currently living with acquired brain injury, our spending on acquired brain injury services is less per capita than any other State and results in only 2% of Tasmanians with acquired brain injury receiving any services through the Department of Health and Human Services Disability Services Program even though acquired brain injury sufferers may have complex or diverse needs for support and assistance, particularly in life areas related to independent living.

(2) Further notes:—

(a) the financial cost to the community of such injuries;

(b) reports which show that the cost of supporting an eighteen year old male with acquired brain injury as a result of a road crash will be $12 million in care, support and medical fees over his life time; and

(c) that with more than 40% of the people who sustain a brain injury each year being between 15 and 24 years of age, the significant impacts this will have on Tasmania's future economy are clear.

(3) Agrees that action is urgently required to substantially increase the level of Government support for people with acquired brain injury, their families and carers in order to assist them to access the support and resources they require to optimize their social and economic participation in the community and that a long term commitment to providing adequate funding and ongoing support for a wide range of initiatives and programs such as 'Custody for Life' run by the Brain Injury Association of Tasmania, is essential and needs to be more properly considered.

(4) Recognises the evidence that there are a large percentage of individuals within the Tasmanian juvenile and adult criminal systems that have an acquired brain injury and that the high prevalence of acquired brain injury among people in custody raises issues related not only to prisoner health, but also to the treatment of people with acquired brain injury-related disability by the criminal justice system especially in facilities such as the Ashley Detention Centre.

(5) Agrees that this year's National Brain Injury Week which runs from 15 to 21 September 2008, with the theme of Assault-Related Traumatic Brain Injury, provides an ideal opportunity for Government to publicly announce a renewed commitment to addressing the needs of acquired brain injury victims and the delivery of associated educational and preventative initiatives.

(6) Welcomes the new Motor Accident Insurance Board's latest purpose-built care facility, 'Lomandra' in Ulverstone - a state of the art complex offering a wide range of services ranging from 24 hour care to daily therapy for those catastrophically injured in motor vehicle accidents, which opened in August 2008 and warmly congratulates the Motor Accident Insurance Board on the opening of this much needed and most needed facility on the North West Coast. (27 August 2008)

189 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that:—

(a) over three-quarters of Australian Education Union members surveyed recently by the Australian Education Union at Secondary Colleges in Tasmania lack confidence in the Premier's implementation of Tasmania Tomorrow;

(b) at some colleges, such as Launceston and Claremont, there was not a single Australian Education Union member surveyed who expressed confidence in the Premier's implementation of Tasmania Tomorrow, and at Rosny College there were over 90% who lacked confidence;

(c) the cohort of students impacted by the Tasmania Tomorrow restructure at the same as were impacted by Labor's Essential Learnings debacle; and

(d) this survey result is a damning indictment on the Premier's management of this major reform, and a demonstration that he has lost the confidence of the secondary college teachers and staff who will be necessary for the successful implementation of any post year ten restructure.

(2) Agrees that the Premier should suspend the implementation of his Tasmania Tomorrow restructure pending a review to ensure that it has the confidence of key stakeholders and will result in positive educational outcomes. (27 August 2008)

190 Mr Best to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the findings of the Public Accounts Committee that the Leader of the Tasmanian Greens failed to declare a conflict of interest in relation to public spending on political advertising.

(2) Expresses grave concerns that this conflict of interest was not disclosed.

(3) Notes that:—

(a) this conduct is at odds with the Greens publicly stated position on ethical conduct and disclosure;

(b) this failure to declare a conflict of interest has the potential to undermine public confidence in the behaviour of Tasmania’s elected representatives; and

(c) the Honourable Member for Franklin, Mr McKim was quoted on ABC Radio 27 August, 2008 stating that he was not the Leader of the Tasmanian Greens who made the conflict of interest decision at the time, even though the Public Accounts Committee report clearly identifies Mr McKim as Acting Leader who made the advertising decision, thereby further misleading the public and displaying unethical conduct.

(4) Calls on Mr McKim to consider his position as a member of the Joint Select Committee on Ethical Conduct. (27 August 2008)

192 Ms O'Connor to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that Dr Michael Herzfeld is a highly respected scientist and Coastal Environmental Modeller at the CSIRO and a member of the Gunns' Pulp Mill Independent Expert Group (IEG) set up to advise the Minister for the Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts and her department on the Gunns' mill.

(2) Acknowledges that:—

(a) the Federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has confirmed the existence of a report on Gunn's pulp mill hydrodynamic modelling - known as "The Herzfeld Report" which is understood to confirm the work of no fewer than five experts who found that Gunn's hydrodynamic modelling of the impact of its daily 64 000 tonnes of marine effluent on Bass Strait is flawed, and that the effluent could travel up to five kilometres from the proposed pipeline outfall; and

(b) according to Gunns own documents, this effluent would contain more than 160 chemicals of concern, including polychlorinated aromatic compounds known as dioxins and furans, as well as phytotoxins, or plant killing compounds.

(3) Condemns the Premier for refusing to answer questions on the Herzfeld Report in Question Time on Thursday, 21 August 2008.

(4) Calls on the Bartlett Government to come clean about its knowledge of the Herzfeld Report and the likelihood that Gunns would breach both State and Commonwealth effluent guidelines on a regular basis, polluting Bass Strait and posing a significant potential threat to public health. (27 August 2008)

193 Mr Green to move—That the House:—

(1) Acknowledges the Bartlett Labor Government's commitment to the development of Tasmania's precious water resources and ongoing efforts to provide important irrigation infrastructure to foster continued growth of our primary industry sectors.

(2) Recognises the need for further water development to also relieve the impact of the current drought and in mitigating the impact of future droughts.

(3) Notes the constant opposition and unrelenting delaying tactics by the Tasmanian Greens to water development of the kind we are still seeing today with attempts to stall irrigation works for farmers from the Meander Dam and urges them to support the eleven priority projects currently on the table to provide valuable irrigation to the State's farmers.

(4) Further recognises that Tasmania now has the opportunity and the funds - $80 million from the State Government and $140 million from the Australian Government - to help accelerate water development with the aim of providing additional irrigation water equivalent to that from 10 more Meander dams. (27 August 2008)

194 Mr Green to move—That the House:—

(1) Acknowledges the contribution made to it by the former Leader of the Tasmanian Greens, Peg Putt.

(2) Condemns the failure of the Tasmanian Greens and their new leader, the Honourable Member for Franklin, Mr McKim to publicly recognise their former leader's contribution to Tasmanian politics by failing to move such a motion. (27 August 2008)

195 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move:—That the House condemns Premier David Bartlett for his intransigent determination to cover up scandals and allegations of corruption in the Lennon Labor Government and the Bartlett Labor Government and further his intransigent determination to prevent any Parliamentary inquiry by the House of Assembly into scandals and allegations of corruption of the Lennon Labor Government and the Bartlett Labor Government. (27 August 2008)

196 Mr Hidding to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the continual reduction of services in country hospitals in Tasmania with the closure of the accident and emergency facility at the Tasman Multi-Purpose Service hospital at Nubeena; and

(b) the decision of the Tasman Council to seek to end its management of the Multi-Purpose Service at Nubeena;

(2) Calls on the Minister for Health and Human Services to commit to ensuring the future of the Tasman Peninsula’s hospital and all country hospitals in Tasmania particularly the Ouse District Hospital. (27 August 2008)

197 The Minister for Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that:—

(a) between 27 and 29 August 2010 Launceston will host Regional Arts Australia's national biennial conference;

(b) this is the first time a Regional Arts Australia conference will be held in Tasmania;

(c) this national conference is held every two years and attracts hundreds of artists and art workers from all over Australia and overseas; and

(d) this event will have significant and lasting benefits for the Launceston and broader Tasmanian communities, and that these benefits will include:—

(i) economic benefits to the Northern region during the event;

(ii) a national focus on Launceston as a wonderful tourist destination and upon Tasmania as having a thriving arts and cultural sector;

(iii) opportunities to showcase the innovation, quality and diversity of Tasmanian art and artists;

(iv) a chance for Tasmanian artists to nourish and build contacts, relationships and ideas; and

(v) opportunities for new collaborations, commissions, works, business partnerships and audiences for Tasmanian art.

(2) Congratulates Tasmanian Regional Arts (the Tasmanian branch of Regional Arts Australia) for attracting the conference to Launceston and notes the ongoing mutually supportive relationship between Tasmanian Regional Arts and the Tasmanian Government. (28 August 2008)

198 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with extreme concern reports that a new born baby has been removed from its mother, who is an inmate at Risdon Prison, only hours after birth.

(2) Calls on the Minister for Justice, Hon David Llewellyn to urgently intervene to ensure that mother and baby are immediately reunited, and that adequate facilities are provided to ensure that the security classification of any inmate is not responsible for any similar abuse of human rights in the Tasmanian prison system in the future. (28 August 2008)

199 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the levels of acute depression in rural areas, largely as a result of the on-going challenges arising from the drought;

(b) the Premier's recent announcement in Oatlands to provide $145,000 for the Rural Alive and Well project; and

(2) Condemns the Premier, Hon David Bartlett for what can only be described as a cruel hoax and questions the Premier's understanding on what it means to be clever, kind and connected. (28 August 2008)

200 Mr Gutwein to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the preliminary outcomes report released recently indicates that the unfunded superannuation liability has blown out once again by a further $33 million to a total of over $3.7 billion;

(b) that the State Government's aim is to extinguish this growing liability by 2033 and that there is currently $1.25 billion in the superannuation provision account primarily invested in short term cash and interest bearing accounts; and

(c) the recent criticism of the Government's short term investment strategy for this long term need by leading economist Saul Eslake and well known senior Tasmanian financial adviser Tony Grey who is with Shadforths in Launceston.

(2) Further notes that Mr Eslake said "if the superannuation provision account was invested in the same way as a typical superannuation fund you would reach the target of fully funding the liability sooner or you wouldn't need to make as big a contribution each year" and that Shadforths Tony Grey was even more forthright when he said "I doubt you would find an asset consultant anywhere in Australia that would condone a 25 year portfolio of cash and fixed interest", and further he went on to say the cost to the state could be billions of dollars of foregone value over the next 25 years if the Government maintained its current strategy.

(3) Calls on the Premier to:—

(a) accept the advice of these impeccably qualified financial advisers and to accept that his own limited personal knowledge of these matters should not deny Tasmania the benefit of investing this money in a portfolio of assets that is more suited to long term growth; and

(b) instruct Treasury to call for expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced investment fund managers regarding the provision of a balanced long term fund to maximise the investment return of the Superannuation Provision Account. (28 August 2008)

201 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House calls on the Bartlett Labor Government, without any further equivocation, prevarication, or delay, to immediately institute a full judicial inquiry into the administration of Tasmania's Prisons and Corrective Services. (28 August 2008)

202 Ms O'Connor to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that a pair of breeding Tasmanian Wedge Tailed Eagles - an endangered species - has been killed at Roaring Forties Woolnorth Bluff Point wind farm in the past fortnight.

(2) Acknowledges that Roaring Forties has put in place measures to try to prevent wedge tail deaths on its wind turbines, and that management and workers will have been affected by the latest deaths, as any person would be by the death of such magnificent animals.

(3) Further notes the concern expressed by Birds Tasmania that "every death of an endangered species is one step closer to the extinction of that species".

(4) Calls on the Minister for the Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts to investigate the deaths and ensure the public are informed of the outcome of that investigation, including what is being done to reduce wedge tail eagle mortality at Woolnorth. (28 August 2008)

203 Mr Hidding to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the strong positive involvement in the northern community by the Door of Hope Church, one of Tasmania's largest contemporary churches, which has successful programs such as a night refuge for the homeless, skills training for youth, life skills development for families as well as overseas aid programs.

(2) Thanks the Door of Hope Church for its invitation to all members of the House to a briefing on all of its activities during the Launceston sitting at which they also thanked and expressed support for all members. (28 August 2008)

204 Mr Hidding to move—That the House:—

Notes:—

(a) the anger of the Hadspen community over the hard headed attitude of the Labor Government over the case for Hadpsen not to be declared an urban area resulting in parents being forced to pay for their children to attend their only available public primary school at Hagley Farm School; and

(b) the Labor Government using an Australian Bureau of Statistics methodology to define an urban centre is factually incorrect as the Australian Bureau of Statistics advises that unless an area is within 3 km of a larger urban area it cannot be defined as urban and therefore Government has no option but to reverse this position. (28 August 2008)

206 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to move—That the House:—

(1) Recognises that Tasmanians have a history of active participation in proposals for Parliamentary reform, as evidenced by, amongst others, the Beaumont Royal Commission of 1982, the Ogilvie Report of 1984 and the Morling Inquiry of 1994.

(2) Notes the current public debate on the effectiveness and accountability of the House of Assembly.

(3) Believes that Parliamentary reform must be driven not by self-interest but by the principle of democracy and better government for all Tasmanians.

(4) Believes that, given the obvious conflict of interest in this matter being examined by elected parliamentarians, the most appropriate approach is for the question of effectiveness and accountability of the House of Assembly to be removed from partisan politics completely and be independently examined by sufficiently qualified persons.

(5) Recommends that His Excellency the Governor establish, by Order-in-Council, a Board of Inquiry into the effectiveness and accountability of the House of Assembly since the election of 29 August 1998.

(6) That the Board of Inquiry review the Parliamentary Reform Act 1998 and provide options for improving the accountability of the House, including but not limited to the operation of Question Time and the number of Members of the House.

(7) That the Board of Inquiry conduct public hearings in any part of the State, request persons to appear before it, request public papers and records, and advise as to how its recommendations might be implemented.

(8) That the Board of Inquiry report to His Excellency the Governor no later than 30 June 2009. (23 September 2008)

207 Mr Hodgman (Franklin) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that—

(a) since the Labor Government was commissioned on 14 September 1998, there have been 3 Premiers; 6 Deputy Premiers; 6 Attorneys-General; 7 Infrastructure Ministers; 8 Economic Development Ministers; 5 Primary Industries Ministers; 6 Workplace Relations Ministers; 6 Tourism Ministers; and 5 Environment Ministers;

(b) there have been 8 reshuffles of Cabinet since the Government was commissioned after the 2006 election;

(c) this record of 4 reshuffles in one year matches only the 2005 record of instability of the Military Government junta of the Socialist Union of Burma; and

(d) several of these reshuffles have been required because of a failure in standards by Ministers of the Crown.

(2) Is of the view that Tasmanians demand and expect better standards and a more stable government from those charged with administration of important responsibilities and the expenditure of taxpayers' money. (23 September 2008)

209 Mr Best to move—That the House:—

(1) Recognises the heroic efforts of Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean and his crew mates upon the sinking of the HMAS Armidale on 1 December 1942 off the Timor coast.

(2) Implores the federal government go award a posthumous Victoria Cross of Australia to Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean to properly recognise his valour and sacrifice on 1 December 1942.

(3) Urges the federal government to establish a mechanism to address outstanding issues and anomalies in the military honours system such as recognising the courageous deeds of people such as Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean on 1 December 1942. (23 September 2008)

210 Mr Rockliff to move—That the House:—

Notes—

(a) the State Government's failure to provide for Tasmania's future through adequate rail

and road infrastructure;

(b) that a study completed by State and Federal Governments shows that, by 2030, heavy vehicle traffic on Tasmania's roads will increase by around 70 per cent, passenger vehicle traffic will grow by approximately 40 per cent and rail freight will increase by 120 per cent;

(c) that after 10 years of sustained State Labor Government under-investment in infrastructure, Tasmania needs a long-term, strategic and visionary plan to revitalise road and rail infrastructure; and

(d) that the State Liberals unveiled the first component of its vision for transport infrastructure by announcing a 20 year plan to upgrade the Midland Highway to dual carriageway between Launceston and Hobart. (23 September 2008)

211 Mr Rockliff to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that—

(a) the State Government's recent review of school bus fares will result in thousands of families being charged an extra $400 on average per child per year before they even get their children through the school gate;

(b) the review has hit the hip pocket of Tasmanian families at a time when household budgets are under extreme pressure;

(c) the State Opposition is committed to making school more accessible and less expensive for all parents whether they choose to send their children to a public school or a non-government one regardless of where they live; and

(d) under a Liberal Government, all Tasmanian primary, secondary and college school students - up to the age of 18 - will be able to catch a bus to and from school free of charge.

(2) Calls on the State Labor Government to adopt the above Liberal Party policy. (23 September 2008)

212 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Welcomes the recently tabled Joint House Committee Report on Gene Technology which amongst other things recommends the retention of Tasmania's zero allowable level of Genetically Engineered contamination of seed for sowing.

(2) Recognises the extraordinary economic opportunities for all Tasmanians as a result of our Genetically Engineered-free status in particular genuine Genetically Engineered-free seed and produce.

(3) Notes Roberts Limited announcement that they will no longer sell Genetically Engineered-free canola seed.

(4) Calls on the Bartlett Labor Government to ensure resourced strategies are put in place to immediately provide access to Genetically Engineered-free seed for Tasmanian producers either through government, private growers or as a joint venture to ensure that our primary producers can take advantage of the Genetically Engineered-free canola bounty that Genetically Engineered companies seek to deny the state. (23 September 2008)

213 The Minister for Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the extraordinary level of media exposure Tasmania has received as a result of Hawthorn Football Club's successful 2008 season and the Tasmanian Government's sponsorship of the club.

(2) Recognises the importance of continuing to innovatively market Tasmania to key interstate markets through initiatives such as the Tassie Hawks naming rights sponsorship.

(3) Notes that this marketing of Tasmania has seen continued growth in visitor numbers, visitor nights and expenditure according to the latest Tasmanian Visitor Survey.

(4) Congratulates Tasmanians Grant Birchall and Simon Taylor on a successful season and applauds their efforts which have seen Hawthorn reach their first Grand Final in 17 years. (23 September 2008)

214 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes Tasmania's grossly under-funded Patient Travel Assistance Scheme.

(2) Acknowledges the hardships faced by Tasmanians, particularly more than 4000 people from the North-West Coast, who are forced to travel to other regions of the State to receive specialist medical or hospital treatment.

(3) Recognises the need for major changes to rebates available under the scheme, especially for those undergoing regular or ongoing treatment. (23 September 2008)

215 Ms O'Connor to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes—

(a) that the national Sustainable Tourism Co-operative Research Centre has released a report titled, "Food and Wine Tourism in Australia" which reveals that food and wine tourism is part of a growing trend towards experience oriented holidays;

(b) this report has specific relevance to the Tamar Valley food and wine route in that it demonstrates just under half of all food and wine visitors rate scenery and natural beauty as their top priority; and

(c) the Sustainable Tourism Co-operative Research Centre report states that, "the tranquillity of the countryside needs to be preserved in order to allow visitors to feel that they have escaped from the stress of the city.".

(2) Condemns the fast-track Pulp Mill Assessment Act 2007 for the threat that it poses to the scenery and natural beauty of the Tamar Valley food and wine route, and thus to the viability of this growing industry sector.

(3) Calls on the Bartlett Labor Government finally to stand up for Tamar wine growers and fine food businesses and refuse to grant any more extensions to Gunns Ltd for either its pulp mill wood supply or sovereign risk agreements. (23 September 2008)

217 Mr Green to move—That the House:—

(1) Acknowledges the importance of the Burnie and Wesley Vale paper mills as very significant strategic sites for the future of paper making in Tasmania.

(2) Notes that moves by Australian Paper to divest itself of the operations may present new opportunities for investment in the infrastructure that exists at both sites.

(3) Recognises the culture of paper making in the North-West region and that a fresh approach to manufacturing investment in the mills could lead to more certainty for the Coastal community and the more than 600 workers currently employed at both mills.

(4) Reflects on the closure of Burnie's pulp mill when it was decided because of low international pulp prices to import pulp instead of continuing to manufacture it locally.

(5) Accept the absurdity with world pulp prices having since increased dramatically of Tasmania exporting woodchips overseas only to see them returned as imported pulp for our paper making industries.

(6) Finally notes that should a pulp mill be built in Tasmania that Members understand the potential for off-take agreements that may result from locally produced pulp being supplied directly to Burnie and Wesley Vale paper mills. (23 September 2008)

218 Mr Gutwein to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes—

(a) the Tasmania Together progress report;

(b) that after 10 years of Labor Government the following appalling outcomes have been recorded;

(c) more Tasmanians now identify as being overweight or obese;

(d) the proportion of children aged between 5 and 14 participating in organised sport has fallen;

(e) nearly twice as many Tasmanians identify as having type 2 diabetes a mainly preventable disease linked largely to poor diet and a lack of exercise;

(f) that further since the release of the progress report, it has been revealed that education outcomes in relation to students in the latter years of high school are largely below the National average in every category relating to literacy and numeracy; and

(g) the strong correlation between better education outcomes, health and the economy.

(2) Condemns the Labor Government for after a decade in power delivering a Tasmania where unfortunately fewer high school students are achieving basic benchmarks, more adults are identifying with a disease that is largely preventable, and where fewer children are engaged in organised sport and more adults are gaining weight. (23 September 2008)

219 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

Notes that—

(1) The Education Department has still not provided material requested under the Freedom Of Information Act 1991, in relation to the possible closure of the Levendale school, despite the request being lodged on 17 July 2008 and that section 16(b) of the Act requires a decision on requests to be made within 30 days.

(2) Premier Bartlett announced that number 1 of his 10 point plan to improve governance in Tasmania was to review the Freedom Of Information Act, presumably because it was not delivering open and accountable outcomes.

(3) The prime reason the current Freedom Of Information Act requests are not delivering satisfactory outcomes is because departments, including the above mentioned Education Department are openly flouting the requirement of the Act to make a decision on requests within 30 days.

(4) Calls on Premier Bartlett to instruct publicly all departments and agencies to comply with the current timeframes within the Freedom Of Information Act forthwith. (23 September 2008)

220 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that Tasmania's latest Attorney-General and First Law Officer of the Crown for the State of Tasmania - the Honourable Lara Giddings MP - has rightly given as her first priority a firm commitment to restore integrity in governance, and particularly propriety in judicial appointments and the appointments of senior statutory officers such as the Solicitor-General.

(2) Further notes that her comments are completely consistent with the strong position held by the Opposition, the State Liberals, criticising former Attorneys-General, the Hon Judy Jackson, the Hon Steve Kons MP, and the Hon David Llewellyn MP, for not behaving in the traditional and proper manner required of Attorneys-General in the Westminster system in always properly consulting with the Opposition, the alternate government, before judicial appointments and the appointments of senior statutory officers such as the Solicitor-General are made, and the House therefore strongly concurs with the criticism of former Attorneys-General Jackson, Kons and Llewellyn by the new Attorney-General, the Hon Lara Giddings MP. (23 September 2008)

221 Mr Rockliff to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes—

(a) that in July 2007, the then Denison backbencher and now Labor's seventh

Minister for Infrastructure, Hon Graeme Sturges MP, stated that the Midland Highway is a 'goat track' that urgently needs attention;

(b) the high fatality rate on the Midland Highway;

(c) that in June 2008 the Leader of the Opposition announced that the Tasmanian Liberals plan to progressively duplicate the 120 kilometres of Midland Highway that are not yet dual carriageway over a 20 year period;

(d) that on 9 September 2008 Labor's seventh Minister for Infrastructure, Mr Sturges, asserted that the Liberal plan to progressively cost, and I quote, "at least $2 billion";

(e) that independent and experienced road-builders have costed the Liberal plan at approximately $400 million; and

(f) that the Minister for Infrastructure has so far been unable to justify his costings.

(2) Calls on the Minister for Infrastructure, to table, for the information of honourable Members all documents detailing the formula he has used for his costing and all other related advice he has received on this costing from the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources or any other government department, agency or consultant before the House rises on 25 September 2008. (24 September 2008)

223 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the ongoing and critical need for endocrinology services on the North-West Coast.

(2) Recognises that over the last three years, the North-West which already has one of the highest rates of diabetes anywhere in Australia, also has the State's highest incidence of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes in children.

(3) Notes Tasmania has one of the highest rates of hospital stays associated with diabetes and it is projected this rate will double by 2020.

(4) Calls on the Government to ensure we have the number of specialist endocrinologists per capita stipulated by national guidelines and so reduce the alarming waiting lists for people needing appointments to such specialists. (24 September 2008)

224 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that—

(a) since the Labor Government was commissioned on 14 September 1998, there have been 19 Ministers of the Crown;

(b) only 2 of these in ten years have represented the electorate of Braddon;

(c) both of these Ministers have been forced to resign because of failures to reach the standards expected by the Tasmanian public;

(d) this is the first time since 1947 that people of Braddon have not had a voice at the Cabinet table in a Government of any political party; and

(e) this is a reflection of both the failure in standards of two current Labor members for Braddon, and the preselection processes in Braddon of the Australian Labor Party.

(2) Records its profound disappointment at the low level of representation at the Cabinet table of the North-West of Tasmania over Labor's last 10 years, and no representation at present. (24 September 2008)

226 The Attorney-General to move—That the House:—

Notes that Tasmanians have been subjected to over 59 Liberal Shadow Ministers from 1998 to present, namely consisting of—

(a) five Opposition leaders;

(b) six Treasury/Finance spokesmen;

(c) six Education spokespeople

(d) seven Economic Development spokespeople;

(e) seven Tourism spokespeople;

(f) eight Environment spokespeople;

(g) seven Racing spokespeople;

(h) six Health spokespeople; and

(i) seven Sport and Recreation spokespeople. (24 September2008)

227 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Expresses its disappointment that despite trumpeting a commitment to improved government openness and transparency, the Premier continues to abuse the Westminster system's prime accountability forum of Parliamentary Question Time by his refusal to answer questions, and his apparent condoning of the remainder of his Cabinet also failing to provide answers to questions.

(2) Calls on the Premier to commit to answering questions and to require Ministers, including Ministers representing other Ministers, to provide straight answers that provide all requested information in response to questions asked during Question Time. (24 September 2008)

228 Mr Green to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that the re-opening of the historic King Island Scheelite Mine has moved a step closer with the joint venture partners in the project now ready to proceed following approval by Chinese authorities last week for Hunan Nonferrous Metals to join King Island Scheelite Limited in the development.

(2) Acknowledges the huge boost to the King Island economy and the flow-on benefits to the community that will come from mining one of the world's richest scheelite resources.

(3) Further notes that the planned investment of more than $100 million in restarting the mine will see close to 200 jobs in the construction phase and an operational workforce of between 75 and 100.

(4) Commends the hard work and goodwill of the joint venture partners, the King Island Council and Government agencies, particularly Mineral Resources Tasmania, for their efforts in bringing this project to fruition. (24 September 2008)

230 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that—

(a) this week, following a three week break, the House of Assembly is sitting in Burnie for the first time in its history; and

(b) at 5 pm on the first day of the historic Burnie sitting, the State Government ran out of business for the Assembly to debate;

(2) Expresses outrage at the State Government's lack of agenda and inability to manage itself, which is a byproduct of it having been totally distracted by its own scandals and internal problems.

(3) Further notes:–

(a) the government, through running out of business on day one of the historic Burnie sitting, has sent a poor message to Tasmanians about the lack of a policy agenda for the Government at a time when confidence in the Government is at rock bottom; and

(b) that the important range of matters of great importance to Tasmanians, such as sentencing reform, planning, health and education, remain languishing in the in-trays of the 9 Ministers of the Bartlett Government.

(4) Calls on the Premier and his Labor Government to get their house in order in advancing a positive policy agenda for the State, and to also bring forward legislation that is long overdue. (24 September 2008)

231 Ms Singh to move—That the House:—

(1) Encourages older Tasmanians to take part in the events held throughout Seniors Week, to be held 1-7 October 2008, including opportunities to participate in groups or activities for the first time.

(2) Notes that Tasmania has the fastest ageing population in Australia and that an engagement with and the contributions of older Tasmanians are essential in building stronger communities.

(3) Congratulates all Seniors Week event organisers, especially volunteers, who have planned a full and rich range of activities for Seniors Week. (24 September 2008)

232 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with serious concern the parlous state of shipping connecting Flinders Island to mainland and Tasmanian ports.

(2) Further notes that:–

(a) the purpose built stock carrier MV "Flinders" is currently unseaworthy due to motor failure;

(b) approximately 1100 cattle and 600 sheep awaiting shipment from the island are currently stranded at great cost to farmers as well as causing significant management and feed allocation challenges;

(c) although MV "Condor" can carry limited stock she is a general freight carrier which is also required to carry freight to Flinders and Cape Baron Islands;

(d) MV "Condor" is unsuitable to carry stock because of her poor facilities with stock arriving in poor condition leading to some agents refusing to use her to transport stock; and

(e) that the island economy and reputation is now being affected by unreliable transport connectivity.

(3) Condemns the Bartlett Labor Government for failing to address the issue and calls on the Premier to intervene and require the Minister for Transport to become engaged on this serious issue, and negotiate with Flinders Shipping to ensure that public subsidies currently being paid actually deliver a safe, reliable and adequate shipping service to the Flinders Island community. (24 September 2008)

233 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Reminds Tasmania's latest Attorney-General, Hon Lara Giddings MP, that it is her solemn duty to uphold at all times absolute integrity in governance.

(2) Calls upon the Attorney-General to formally constitute a Commission of Inquiry pursuant to the provisions of section 4 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1995 (No. 70 of 1995) to inquire into, and publicly report back upon, serious scandals and allegations of corruption against the Lennon Labor Government and the Bartlett Labor Government of which she is a very senior member as both Deputy Premier and much more important role as Attorney-General and First Law Officer of the Crown, duty-bound to uphold at all times absolute integrity in governance. (24 September 2008)

234 Mr Morris to move—That the House notes that:—

(a) the permit to import Electric Arc Furnace dust from Melbourne by Intec has been withdrawn and that there are serious concerns about whether the storage of the Electric Arc Furnace dust at the Hellyer Mill complied with the planning permit issued by the Waratah Wynyard Council;

(b) there should be a full explanation by the Environment Protection Authority as to whether the Electric Arc Furnace dust as stored and used at the Hellyer Mill posed a risk to, or actually contaminated the surrounding area of rivers; and

(c) Workplace Safety Tasmania should explain whether the manner in which the Electric Arc Furnace dust was handled at the site has posed any risk to the employees who worked at the mill. (24 September 2008)

235 Mr Hidding to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with grave concern the possibility that the Abalone Ganglioneuritis virus has spread throughout Tasmania's wild fishery, threatening the viability of an industry with a $110 million beach price turnover.

(2) Further notes that it is a fair assumption that Tasmania's biosecurity framework may well have been breached for this virus to have spread from Victoria.

(3) Calls on the State Government to order an immediate, complete review of the State's biosecurity framework at all pre-barrier points, barrier points and post-barrier points. (24 September 2008)

236 Mr Hidding to move—That the House:—

(1) Congratulates the community of the South East Midlands for their 'can do' attitude in dealing with appalling drought conditions and related matters such as the threatened closure of the Levendale School.

(2) Notes that the South East Midlands community will hold the first of what is hoped to be many Country Market and Family Days on Sunday, 28 September 2008 at Levendale, with a great program of events and activities for the whole family as well as the best of the wonderful local produce.

(3) Calls on all Members of Parliament to attend the first Levendale Country Market and Family Day. (24 September 2008)

237 Ms Singh to move—That the House:—

(1) Authorises the Speaker to procure an Australian Aboriginal Flag, and to place this flag alongside the Australian and Tasmanian Flags in the Chamber of the House of Assembly.

(2) Acknowledges that this shall be the first time that an Indigenous Flag has been displayed in the Tasmanian Parliament.

(3) Affirms that recognition of the Aboriginal Flag in the House of Assembly is an important step in the Tasmanian Parliament's commitment to reconciliation.

(4) Recognises previous decisions taken by the Tasmanian Parliament in the spirit of reconciliation, including an apology and compensation for the Stolen Generations and the return of land to Tasmania's indigenous peoples. (25 September 2008)

238 Mr Rockliff to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with deep regret the passing on 21 September 2008 of Gordon George Ibbott, in his 85th year.

(2) Records with appreciation Mr Gordon Ibbott's distinguished contribution to Tasmania, and in particular to the building and construction industry on the North-West Coast.

(3) Further notes that Mr Gordon Ibbott was a candidate for the Australian Senate in 1983 and would have made a fine contribution to any Parliament.

(4) Expresses its sincere condolences to Mr Ibbott's family in their bereavement. (25 September 2008)

240 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that:—

(a) one of the main reasons that students fail to succeed in their schooling, fail to get qualifications, fail to complete Year 12 or their apprenticeships, is due to poor literacy and numeracy;

(b) the Premier's and Federal Government literacy package resources predominantly 32 of our 206 schools; and

(c) the National literacy and numeracy results, showed that Year 7 and Year 9 students were below the National average in writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy, and Year 7 below the National average in reading.

(2) Calls on the Government to ensure that every single student that failed will be assessed by professionals to determine why they are failing, and provided with intensive and ongoing literacy and numeracy support if need be for the rest of their schooling. (25 September 2008)

241 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that on 24 September 2008 in his formal letter, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr T.J. Ellis, S.C., has now brought to public attention a detailed chronicle of alleged improprieties in governance involving a former Premier, Ministers and senior public servants, which included inter alia, matters relating to the ordered shredding of important documents and vital evidence.

(2) Further notes the present Premier's extraordinary glee in the House, notwithstanding the fact that the letter itself sets out a damning catalogue of alleged improprieties in governance.

(3) Is of the opinion that the Director of Public Prosecutions' letter, having now been made public in full, actually strengthens the case being put forward by all thinking Tasmanians that there must be a full and open Commission of Inquiry into propriety in governance in both the Lennon Labor Government and the Bartlett Labor Government.

(4) Calls upon the Premier, himself a former senior Minister in the Lennon Labor Government, to immediately advise His Excellency the Governor, to Order the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry pursuant to section 4 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1995. (25 September 2008)

242 Ms O'Connor to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that the city of Devonport looks set to be the location for a five and a half metre high bronze sculpture of questionable artistic merit that the Honourable Member for Braddon, Mr Best rightly believes would be a catalyst for attracting notoriety to Devonport.

(2) Further notes that this notoriety will be for all the wrong reasons; that this statue of an ancient figure of legend with no cultural connection or relevance to Tasmania, will cost the Tasmanian taxpayer $180,000 despite the sculpture project not being publicly commissioned or going out to public tender to enable other fine and highly qualified Tasmanian artists to present their vision for Devonport's waterfront.

(3) Condemns the Bartlett Government for waiving its Percentage for Art commission price ceiling for publicly funded sculpture, and paying far too much out of the public purse - well above market value - for a sculpture of dubious artistic merit by an artist of uncertain reputation who is not Tasmanian, despite the fact we have some of the nation's finest sculptors here in Tasmania.

(4) Calls on the Bartlett Government to acknowledge it has been conned at the public expense, in part by the vocal advocacy of the Labor Member for Braddon Mr Best, who does not seem to understand that public art should foster home-grown artists, and be driven by quality and the highest standards of merit, above all. (25 September 2008)

243 Mr Hidding to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the good work of the Bicheno Housing and Services Association in its efforts to expand the supply of affordable housing in Bicheno.

(2) Calls on the Minister for Human Services, Hon Lin Thorp, to make herself aware of all the contact that the Bicheno Housing and Services Association has made with Housing Tasmania over the years on this matter and to direct Housing Tasmania to advance matters.

(3) Calls on the Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Hon David Llewellyn, to engage directly with this group to advance negotiations for the transfer of a small parcel of land on which to have some units constructed.

(4) Notes that the excellent May Shaw organisation on the East Coast has taken this Bicheno group under its wing, providing it with enhanced administrative ability and status. (25 September 2008)

246 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the ongoing financial difficulties being experienced by pensioners.

(2) Supports a tri-partite delegation, consisting of the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Tasmanian Greens, to travel to Canberra to lobby the Federal Government to immediately increase the aged pension. (14 October 2008)

247 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) results of taxpayer-funded Government polling that 57.8% of Tasmanians rate the Government's performance as very poor or poor in relation to improving public hospital services; and

(b) that only 1.6% of Tasmanians believe the Government is performing very well in ensuring Tasmanian hospitals treat more patients and only 2.6% believe it can manage the development of a new Royal Hobart Hospital very well.

(2) Recalls the commitments made by the Minister for Health in announcing her Future Health Plans in May last year that her plan offered the "chance to significantly improve hospital performance".

(3) Further notes with concern since May 2007, elective surgery waiting lists have increased a further 18% and hospital-initiated surgery cancellations have increased 38% and ambulance ramping and access block is now a feature of Tasmanian public hospital services.

(4) Acknowledges the Australian Nursing Federation, Health and Community Services Union, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ports groups, retail traders, Hobart City Council, Property Council and broader community have all raised legitimate concerns about a $1 billion waterfront hospital. (14 October 2008)

248 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that it is Anti-Poverty Week.

(2) Acknowledges that one third of Tasmania's population relies solely on Commonwealth pensions and payments as their major source of income and these payments are inadequate.

(3) Further notes research by the Tasmanian Council of Social Services that many Tasmanians have inadequate income to cover the basic costs of living.

(4) Calls for Australian and State Government action to redress the social exclusion that exists for people on low incomes in Tasmania by:—

(a) increasing pensions;

(b) providing more affordable housing options; and

249 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the recent discovery of the worlds tallest known hardwood tree in an unprotected area of state forest slated for logging in the Southern Forests of Tasmania.

(2) Calls on the Bartlett Labor Government to extend the national park boundary to provide permanent protection to this spectacular example, and other tall trees.

(3) Condemns Forestry Tasmania for continuing to log high conservation value forests.

(4) Notes with grave concern Forestry Tasmania's abysmal record of damage and destruction of tall trees including the negligent burning of Giant El Maestro in the Arve Valley and the killing of El Grande in the Florentine. (14 October 2008)

250 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the results of the recent survey of principals called the State of our Schools, including concerns over the need for increased capital upgrade of facilities, better resourcing of specialist areas and children with special needs, and smaller class sizes.

(2) Calls on the State Government to increase their investment in public education, which will in turn require by limited formula the Federal Government to increase their level of investment in public education. (14 October 2008)

251 Mrs O'Connor to move—That the House:—

(1) Respectfully notes that it is Anti-Poverty Week and unlike every Member of this place, thousands of Tasmanians are doing it extremely hard, unable to meet many of their most basic needs.

(2) Further notes that:—

(a) just under a third of Tasmanians rely on manifestly inadequate Commonwealth income support payments as their major source of income; and

(b) narrative and quantitative evidence of this hardship is presented in TasCOSS's (2008) publication, "Enhancing Quality of Life: Addressing Poverty and Disadvantage through the HACC Program".

(3) Commends the work of the non-government sector including agencies such as TasCOSS, Anglicare, Mission Australia, Colony 47, the Salvation Army and Lifeline, in helping disadvantaged Tasmanians feel fractionally less socially excluded.

(4) Condemns the Bartlett Government for failing to meet significant benchmarks as detailed in the Tasmania Together Progress Report 2008 and by TasCOSS, including indicators relating to the cost of food, electricity, housing, transport and health as a proportion of income, and indicators relating to housing stress, education retention rates and reported family violence.

(5) Calls on the Bartlett Government to make a genuine commitment to addressing the causes of poverty and get serious about social inclusion across the full spectrum of disadvantage among Tasmanians. (14 October 2008)

252 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Condemns the Attorney-General, the Hon Lara Giddings MP, for her incorrect, inaccurate and misleading evidence to the Joint Select Committee inquiring into ethical conduct standards and integrity of elected Parliamentary representatives and servants of the State, the existing mechanisms currently available to support ethical and open government in Tasmania, and the capacity to conduct independent investigations.

(2) Condemns the Premier, the Hon David Bartlett MP, for brutally and publicly repudiating his own Attorney-General's evidence to the committee, thereby causing her great public humiliation.

(3) Notes that having then shown his total lack of confidence in her, the Premier then failing to demand, as he knew he was bound to do, her resignation from the crucial office of Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania, the first law officer of the Crown, whose prime and most important duty is to ensure at all times integrity and absolute probity in the governance of the State of Tasmania. (14 October 2008)

253 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that:—

(a) on 11 October 2008 the Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania, the Hon Lara Giddings MP, advertised for a legal adviser to join her ministerial staff to provide "high level policy advice" to the Attorney;

(b) the advertisement stated, and I quote, that it would be desirable if applicants have had experience practising law; and

(c) the high level policy legal adviser was being sought just three days after the Attorney-General's most embarrassing public appearance before the Joint Select Committee on Ethical Conduct, where the Attorney-General displayed to the committee her fragile knowledge of fundamentally important legal principles such as the compellability of witnesses, the elements of parliamentary privilege, and the difference between an adversarial and inquisitorial legal system.

(2) Therefore supports the Premier in his decision to provide this urgently needed additional high level policy adviser to bolster and assist the Attorney-General in an attempt to somehow broaden her measurable legal understanding. (14 October 2008)

254 Mr Morris to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that Forestry Tasmania has made decisions to clearfell two coupes, BD 002a and CO 002b, totalling an approximate 60 hectares, in the Wayatinah view field within the next year without having undertaken any consultation with the local community prior to the certification of the Forest Practices Plan.

(2) Calls upon the Premier to acknowledge that this failure to consult does not satisfy any reasonable test of transparency or any of his aims to be kind, clever or connected. (14 October 2008)

255 Mr Hidding to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes with grave concern that in evidence to the Joint Select Committee on Ethical Conduct on 10 September 2008, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Tim Ellis, SC, said that the recent appointments of the Commissioner of Police and the Solicitor-General by the 10 year old Labor Government showed " an appalling failure of process"; and in the case of the Commissioner was due to "political patronage" by Cabinet.

(2) Further notes that the now Premier of Tasmania, Hon David Bartlett MP, the Deputy Premier and Attorney-General, Hon Lara Giddings MP, and other current Ministers of the Crown were present in Cabinet and were directly involved in these appointments which lacked transparency and accountability and, as the Director of Public Prosecutions so accurately said, showed an "appalling failure of process".

(3) Calls on the Premier and the Attorney-General to explain to the House why they are opposed to the appointment of high public office-holders in this State being done by a transparent process. (14 October 2008)

257 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Welcomes the Liberals' policy announced last year to establish a Health Promotion Foundation in Tasmania.

(2) Notes the 1997 inquiry by the House of Assembly into the establishment of a health promotion body in Tasmania.

(3) Congratulates TasCOSS on its forum earlier this year to further explore the establishment of a Health Promotion Foundation.

(4) Notes the recent report by TasCOSS that consensus was reached at its forum on the urgent need for a renewed and strengthened focus on health promotion in this State and for coordination of health promotion activities and funding.

(5) Calls on the Government to take heed of the report by the Director of Public Health which presents a compelling case for an increased focus on health promotion and to work towards the establishment of a Health Promotion Foundation. (15 October 2008)

258 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Recognises that:—

(a) 15 October 2008 is World Rural Women's Day, and that rural women, mainly farmers, represent a quarter of the total world population, and produce on average more than half of all food that is grown, own only 2% of the land, and receive only 1% of agricultural credit;

(b) rural women have worked incredibly hard to establish farming businesses, to produce crops, tend to livestock and to care for Australia's fertile lands whilst rearing families, building communities and becoming industry promoters and lobbyists; and

(c) rural women have been integral to the development of recent important advances in agriculture, such as quality assurance and environmental management systems, and have also been a driving force behind the establishment of Landcare and School of the Air.

(2) Celebrates the contribution of rural women to the Tasmanian community. (15 October 2008)

259 Ms O'Connor to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the increasing community alarm over the Bartlett Government's plan to build Tasmania's new public hospital on the Hobart waterfront, and that this alarm extends to both the process of site selection and the proposal itself;

(b) that port users, including the Tasmanian Maritime Network and the Tasmanian Polar Network, believe the proposed hospital poses an unacceptable threat to the future viability of the working port; and

(c) that a refurbishment of the current hospital site is not the preferred option of staff and clinicians, because of the negative impact on patients - including an elevated disease transmission risk - of working in a construction zone over a period of years.

(2) Calls on the Bartlett Government to extend its thinking beyond the two narrow, unsuitable options that have been presented, and make sure we don't blow this once-in-a-century opportunity to make sure the right site is chosen to build a state of the art public hospital to serve all Tasmanians into the future. (15 October 2008)

260 Mr Hidding to move—That the House notes:—

(a) the shocking news of the State's Police Commissioner being charged with a crime, highlights the fact that the State Labor Government promised a structured independent police integrity process ten years ago and has since failed to deliver on this key area of responsible governance;

(b) that in yet another example of failing to live up to its solemn duty to maintain public confidence in Tasmania Police the State Government ignored calls for a contestable process for the appointment of the Police Commissioner; and

(c) that Tasmania Police is likely to be without the services of Commissioner Johnston for some 12 months and, in order to enhance public confidence in Tasmania Police, the Minister for Police and Emergency Management must take strong action to ensure a full executive leadership team for Tasmania Police in the interim. (15 October 2008)

261 Mr Best to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the apology by the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Hon Will Hodgman for gestures he made in the House during the Adjournment of the House debate on 15 October 2008.

(2) Considers Mr Hodgman's actions as bringing the House into disrepute.

(3) Further considers his actions as immature and unbefitting a member of the House of Assembly and a leader of a political party.

(4) Refers this matter to the Privileges Committee. (16 October 2008)

262 Ms O'Connor to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that the Wielangta forest is a critical breeding habitat for the endangered Swift Parrot.

(2) Further notes that Forestry Tasmania has in the past rejected any notion that logging should cease in Wielangta in order to protect the species and indeed fought all attempts by Australian Greens Leader, Senator Bob Brown to protect the Swift Parrots in the Wielangta area through legal means.

(3) Calls on Forestry Tasmania and the Bartlett Government to do more than cease one season's logging in Coupe 19D - which is no more than a stay of execution for the Swift Parrot - and end all Forestry operations in Wielangta, the Southern forests and Bruny Island where the Swift Parrots breed in summer. (16 October 2008)

263 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Supports the phase out of incandescent lighting as an important policy for reducing greenhouse emissions.

(2) Notes that compact fluorescent lamps (CLFs) contain mercury, which if disposed of in landfill, often break down into methyl mercury.

(3) Supports an extended producer responsibility scheme to provide a viable disposal pathway for redirecting compact fluorescent lamps from landfill. (16 October 2008)

264 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—

Notes that:—

(a) on 12 April 2008 the now Premier, the Hon David Bartlett MP, issued a media release saying that there was, I quote, "no need" for an anti-corruption body in this State;

(b) on 26 May 2008, on the very day he was commissioned as Premier of Tasmania, he changed his position and told the ABC Lateline programme that an ethics committee "with teeth" was needed;

(c) on 7 June 2008 Mr Bartlett changed his position yet again and said he was "not convinced" any permanent body needed investigative powers;

(d) on 19 August 2008 Mr Bartlett decided that his Labor Government does apparently support a commission with independent investigative powers;

(e) during the week of 6 to 10 October 2008 the Government again back-flipped when the Deputy Premier and Attorney-General told the Select Committee on Ethical Conduct, on behalf of the Premier, that the Bartlett Government would "consider" but not necessarily adopt its recommendations;

(f) on the following day, the Premier contradicted his Deputy Premier by adopting yet another stance; and

(g) given this multitude of positions, the House and the people of Tasmania can have no confidence in the Bartlett Government's stance and no expectation that this Government has any intention of addressing the crisis of confidence in governance to which this discredited 10 year old Labor Government has been the prime contributor. (16 October 2008)

265 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the election result in the Australian Capital Territory, in which a balance of power Parliament is likely; and

(b) that the Australian Capital Territory will join Western Australia as an Australian jurisdiction with a balance of power Parliament.

(2) Agrees:—

(a) that the current term of majority government in Tasmania has seen an unprecedented lack of transparency in governance processes and a significant lack of checks and balances on executive government;

(b) that a balance of power Parliament in Tasmania with Michael Field as Premier resulted in the commencement of the debt reduction strategy which has resulted in Tasmania being general government net debt free today; and

(c) that the major determinant of whether any Parliament generates good outcomes for the communities which elect them is the quality of the people elected, not whether or not any party is elected in a majority. (21 October 2008)

266 Mr Gutwein to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes:—

(a) the results of the recently released Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tasmanian survey of business expectations;

(b) that this survey shows that business confidence in Tasmania is at its lowest point since 1995 and that the combined index of employment, investment and business conditions is at the lowest level since 2001 indicating not just a loss of confidence but also a slowing of business growth;

(c) the failure of the Government to address the skill shortages meaning that the availability of suitably qualified employees has been the number one constraint on business for 19 consecutive quarters;

(d) that the cost of energy was another key concern; and

(e) that Tasmania is at a stark disadvantage in the current economic circumstances we find ourselves in as a result of not having a strategic long term infrastructure plan, a long term population plan or a genuine commitment to taxation and planning reform.

(2) Calls on the Government to ensure that infrastructure investment is brought forward to insulate our economy in the short term and that the Government ensure that its planning and taxation reform processes are progressed as a matter of urgency. (21 October 2008)

268 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the launch on Saturday 18 October 2008 of the book "The Walk of Life" authorised and published by the Circular Head bosom Buddies.

(2) Acknowledges the remarkable effort of the bosom Buddies to raise $140,000 through their walk from Smithton to Hobart.

(3) Records its appreciation of the bosom Buddies' commitment to raising awareness of breast cancer and for their role as a beacon of hope for cancer sufferers across the state. (21 October 2008)

269 Mr Whiteley to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that the week of 20 to 26 October is National Carers' Week and Tuesday, 21 October is National Carers' Day.

(2) Acknowledges the significant and honourable role of over 2.5 million carers in our communities and the fact that our health system could not survive without the estimated $30 billion worth of care provided each year by Australian carers.

(3) Realises that many carers are under acute financial pressure and are urgently awaiting the long-term pension reform promised in next year's Federal Budget.

(4) Calls on the State Government to provide greater support and resources to carers, in particular respite services. (21 October 2008)

270 Ms O'Connor to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that:—

(a) 21 October is National Carers Day, and the week of 20 to 26 October Carers' Week in recognition of the enormous contribution carers make to society and to our economy, but most importantly to the lives of the individuals for whom they provide care; and

(b) according to the organisation Carers' Tasmania there are an estimated 69 500 family carers living in Tasmania, and that these are among the most socially excluded of citizens.

(2) Expresses its concern over research indicating that carers have the lowest level of health and wellbeing than any other group of Australians previously studied.

(3) Supports the call for a primary health care program to be established nationally to encourage better preventative health outcomes for carers.

(4) Calls on the Bartlett Government to:—

(a) acknowledge it needs to do more to improve the lives of carers, including the need for greater investment in regional and rural areas in Tasmania, and to provide long-term, sustainable services based on identified carer need; and

(b) support a Charter of Rights for Care based in legislation to ensure carers' rights are respected and embedded in law. (21 October 2008)

271 Mrs Napier to move—That the House:—

(1) Acknowledges that the Tasmanian Classical Ballet Company is:—

(a) Tasmania's only professional ballet company and also the only professional ballet company to tour regional Tasmania; and

(b) a very professional arts organisation that has growing support from audiences across Tasmania.

(2) Notes that:—

(a) the Tasmanian Classical Ballet Company has been unsuccessful in its efforts to attract as little as $50,000 per year in recurrent funding from the State Government; and

(b) recurrent funding from the State Government would ensure the ongoing viability of the ballet and ensure that its high standard of professional dance will continue to be accessible to all Tasmanians, particularly those in regional areas and children in schools.

(3) Calls on the State Government to thoroughly examine the case for recurrent funding of the Tasmanian Classical Ballet Company and how the State Government can assist in the ongoing success of this important Tasmanian arts organisation. (21 October 2008)

273 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Request that His Excellency the Governor order that a Commission of Inquiry be established under the Commission of Inquiry Act 1995 with the following terms of reference to investigate the events leading up to the current constitutional crisis, and to recommend a resolution, including:—

(a) the Premier's decision to recommend the appointment of a temporary Police Commissioner to replace the Acting Police Commissioner, including how and why that decision was arrived at;

(b) the belief of the Director of Public Prosecutions that 'close and current links' exist between the Premier, Mr R McCreadie and Mr J Johnston;

(c) the Director of Public Prosecutions' view that a situation exists which could affect the fair trial of suspended Police Commissioner Mr Jack Johnston, and could also prejudice further investigations which may be required;

(d) the Director of Public Prosecutions' view that what he describes as the Premier's precipitate advice has posed dilemmas for the administration of justice;

(e) the belief of the Solicitor-General that the lack of preparedness of the Director of Public Prosecutions to discuss matters affecting advice to the Premier gives rise to two significant constitutional problems; and

(f) all other matters incidental thereto.

(2) Directs that the inquiry can investigate, and make recommendations, in relation to any other matter brought to light during its examination of the terms of reference.

(3) Directs that the Commissioner and the Commissioner's investigators be sourced from a jurisdiction other than Tasmania.

(4) Directs that investigatory officers employed by the inquiry shall have access to all investigatory tools and powers available to Tasmania Police, and any extra powers as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Parliament. (22 October 2008)

274 Mr Booth to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that by unanimous decision of eight to zero, the West Tamar Council on 21 October 2008 decided to refuse to allow Gunns an easement for the construction of the water supply pipe line for their proposed polluting pulp mill at Long Reach.

(2) Congratulates the West Tamar Council for its courageous stand.

(3) Calls on the Bartlett Labor Government to:—

(a) recognise that the Gunns pulp mill proposal is dead; and

(b) immediately withdraw all support for the project. (22 October 2008)

275 Mr Gutwein to move—That the House notes:—

(a) that Tasmania is not and will not be immune to the global financial crisis;

(b) that last Tuesday 14 October 2008 the Premier announced his response to support Tasmania's economy in the face of the global financial uncertainty;

(c) that the Government has failed to respond to the State Opposition's request that the Government provide its members with briefings on the potential impacts on the economy and the State Budget;

(d) the Premier's Ministerial Statement of last week, when he said "the key agencies of Treasury and Premier and Cabinet have been monitoring this situation closely and keeping the Government updated and the secretaries of those departments will next Monday make a presentation to Cabinet to directly brief ministers on the potential impacts of current events on the State Budget.";

(e) that 'next Monday' was two days ago now and as yet the Premier has not provided any details regarding the views of the key agencies of Treasury and Premier and Cabinet in respect of what they expect the impact to be on the State Budget; and

(f) that the State Opposition has, as of today demanded that this information, rather than being kept secret, be released publicly so that Tasmanians can be appraised of the potential impact on their businesses and their lives and therefore take action and plan their strategies accordingly. (22 October 2008)

276 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House:—Asserts that it is clearly constitutionally entitled to an immediate detailed Ministerial Statement by the Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania, the Hon Lara Giddings MP, as to her involvement in all matters leading up to the formal suspension of Commissioner Jack Johnston on Monday 20 October 2008, and the Premier's proposed aborted appointment of Mr Richard McCreadie as the new Commissioner of Police, and in the constitutional crisis which has developed with the distinguished Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Tim Ellis SC now publicly indicting this Premier and this Government, and devastatingly indicating in writing that he does not trust either the Premier or the Government with confidential information, and that he is 'not at this point prepared to discuss the matters......with anyone except His Excellency the Governor should His Excellency so wish.' and further that 'I would not give that detail to this Government.'. (22 October 2008)

277 Ms O'Connor to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes that kerbside recycling is a key component of responsible, modern waste management practice as a means of reducing landfill and ensuring the more efficient reuse of recyclable materials.

(2) Expresses its concern over the decision by the Devonport City Council not to pay its share of the regional recycling contract and to abandon kerbside recycling from mid next year.

(3) Further notes that:—

(a) the motion was not unanimous and carried 7 councillors to 5; and

(b) the Council's decision may push up the cost per tonne of recycling for other North West Coast municipalities, and potentially places at risk the entire regional recycling contract.

(4) Respectfully urges all parties in this matter, including the Cradle Coast Authority, Devonport, Latrobe, Kentish, Central-Coast, Burnie, Waratah-Wynyard and Circular Head Councils, to work together to ensure kerbside recycling on the coast is both viable and achieving the twin aims of keeping good recyclable material out of our landfills, as well as encouraging people to think about their patterns of material consumption and waste production. (22 October 2008)

279 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the recent violence against forest activists in the Florentine Valley, which has resulted in three people being charged with assault.

(2) Condemns outright all recent violence.

(3) Agrees that the victims of the assault were not responsible for the violence.

(4) Notes that the Premier has made numerous specific statements criticising forest activists over recent events, but has yet to specifically criticise forest contractors for participating in violent acts.

(5) Further condemns the Premier's implication that the activists who were assault were responsible for any violence.

(6) Calls on the Premier to finally show some leadership by acting to bring people together and heal divisions in our community rather than pouring fuel on the flames by intemperate and divisive comments. (28 October 2008)

280 Mr Hodgman (Denison) to move—That the House expresses its dismay that the Premier, Hon David Bartlett should challenge the honesty and integrity of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Tim Ellis SC by telling the House on 22 October 2008 that the letter of the Director of Public Prosecutions of 20 October 2008 was 'completely false', 'completely untrue' and 'false, false, false'. (28 October 2008)

282 Mr McKim to move—That the House:—

(1) Notes the following comments made by the Premier, Hon David Bartlett MP, in the House during Question Time on Tuesday, 28 October 2008, in relation to the Legislative Council Select Committee into Public Sector Executive Appointments:—

(a) “I understand that the committee, such as it is, will no doubt next be issuing a subpoena for the cleaner. I think old Razor Ray, the bloke who delivers the mail around the place, is getting nervous because he might have to appear. This is where this committee is headed, let us face it and be honest about it...";

(b) "an opportunity for you and you and others from another place to have a cast of characters flowing through, trawling over the entrails... There is a clear political agenda."; and

(2) Agrees that the statements constitute an attempt to influence, ridicule and intimidate a properly constituted Parliamentary Committee which should be free to operate without fear or favour.

(3) Further agrees that the above comments constitute a breach of Standing Order No. 169 which prohibits the use of offensive words against either House of Parliament.

(4) Refers these issues to the Privileges Committee for investigation and report. (29 Octob