Legislative Council
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
15952 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Thursday 18 October 2012 __________ The President (The Hon. Donald Thomas Harwin) took the chair at 9.30 a.m. The President read the Prayers. PORTS ASSETS (AUTHORISED TRANSACTIONS) BILL 2012 PASSENGER TRANSPORT AMENDMENT (TICKETING AND PASSENGER CONDUCT) BILL 2012 Bills received from the Legislative Assembly. Leave granted for procedural matters to be dealt with on one motion without formality. Motion by the Hon. Duncan Gay agreed to: That the bills be read a first time and printed, standing orders be suspended on contingent notice for remaining stages and the second readings of the bills be set down as orders of the day for the next sitting day. Bills read a first time and ordered to be printed. Second readings set down as orders of the day for a future day. Pursuant to sessional orders Formal Business Notices of Motions proceeded with. MENTAL HEALTH MONTH Motion by the Hon. Linda Voltz, on behalf of the Hon. AMANDA FAZIO, agreed to: 1. That this House notes that Mental Health Month will be held in October 2012. 2. That this House notes that: (a) this year's theme is "Celebrate, Connect, Grow", (b) the theme encourages everyone to act on the big and small things they can do to increase their own wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of those around them, and (c) this year's theme is: (i) about celebrating the positive things in your life, as well as the strengths and values that have helped you through more challenging times, (ii) about connecting with others by paying attention to your close relationships, or by reaching out and making new friends, (iii) about growing, expanding your horizons and trying something new that creates meaning and purpose for you. 3. That this House notes that: (a) the Mental Health Association NSW [MHA] is a community-based organisation and registered charity that has worked since 1932 to address stigma and to promote mental health and wellbeing through education, support and advocacy in New South Wales, (b) the Mental Health Association NSW's vision is a society that understands, values and actively supports the best possible mental health and wellbeing, and (c) the Mental Health Association NSW conducts the following programs: (i) mental health promotion including coordinating Mental Health Month in New South Wales, (ii) Workplace Health Promotion Network, working to improve employee wellbeing, 18 October 2012 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 15953 (iii) anxiety support and self help groups, (iv) GroupsNet resourcing support group leaders across the State, (v) Small Steps providing education to teachers and parents about anxiety in children, (vi) a mental health information and referral service and database. 4. That this House congratulates the Mental Health Association NSW for their work. NATIONAL CARERS WEEK Motion by the Hon. Linda Voltz, on behalf of the Hon. AMANDA FAZIO, agreed to: 1. That this House notes that: (a) National Carers Week will be held from 14 to 20 October 2012, (b) Carers Day Out will be held in Martin Place Sydney on Tuesday 16 October, (c) the focus is Be Care Aware, (d) Carers Week is a week dedicated to raising awareness, recognition, support and appreciation of carers across the nation, and (e) Be Care Aware encourages people to get to know more about unpaid family carers, who they are, what they do and how they can be supported. 2. That this House notes that: (a) every day 2.6 million Australians care for somebody else, and (b) unpaid family carers are friends, relatives, siblings, partners and neighbours who provide full or part time unpaid personal care, support and assistance to people of all ages with disabilities, medical conditions, mental illness, frailty due to age and people who have alcohol and drugs issues, (c) Be Care Aware is a national communications initiative that aims to raise awareness, recognition, support and appreciation of the 2.6 million Australians who provide unpaid care and support to family members and friends, and (d) the replacement cost of this care is estimated by Access Economics to be over $40 billion per year. 3. That this House acknowledges that carers make an invaluable contribution to our community and a profound difference to the lives of individuals every single day. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE Formal Business Notices of Motions Private Members' Business item No. 930 outside the Order of Precedence objected to as being taken as formal business. SYDNEY SWANS 2012 GRAND FINAL Motion by the Hon. JENNIFER GARDINER agreed to: That this House: (a) congratulates the Sydney Swans on winning the 2012 AFL Grand Final against Hawthorn, (b) notes that this was the sixth time in eight years that the Sydney Swans reached the finals, (c) notes that this is the Sydney Swans' second premiership flag in that same period, and (d) applauds the values inculcated in the Swans team and the consequent positive role models they provide for young people in New South Wales and across Australia. DEADLY AWARDS Motion by the Hon. MARIE FICARRA agreed to: 1. That this House notes that, on 25 September 2012, the Deadly Awards were held at the Sydney Opera House to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in the fields of art, music, sport and a range of community endeavours. 15954 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 18 October 2012 2. That this House notes that: (a) in the Health category, the Deadly Award for Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health went to the Boodjari Yorgas Family Care Program from Perth, (b) the Deadly Award for Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education went to the Napranum Parents and Learning Group [PAL], (c) the late rugby league legend Arthur (Artie) Beetson was awarded the Ella Award for his lifetime achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sport, (d) the inaugural Marcia Langton Award for a lifetime achievement in Leadership went to Yarrabah and Palm Island Activist Percy Neal, (e) the Lifetime Contribution Award for Healing and The Stolen Generation went to Marumali Healing founder, Aunty Lorraine Darcy Peeters, (f) the original Sapphires, Beverly Briggs, Naomi Mayers, Lois Peeler, Laurel Robinson and Tony Brigg were honoured through the Jimmy Little Award for Lifetime Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, (g) in the music category, popular singer Jessica Mauboy won Music Single of the Year for Galaxy, and Female Artist of the Year, (h) musician and singer Gurrumul Yunupingu, was conferred Male Artist of the Year, (i) in the Arts category, Male Actor of the Year was conferred upon Jimi Bani for his performance in the popular film, Mabo, and (j) in the sports category, Boxer Damien Duncan Hooper was awarded the Most Promising New Talent Award. 3. That this House: (a) commends all award recipients on their outstanding achievements, and (b) congratulates the organisers of the Deadly Awards. SYLLABUSES ONLINE INITIATIVE Motion by the Hon. MARIE FICARRA agreed to: 1. That this House notes that: (a) on 16 October 2012, the Minister for Education, the Hon. Adrian Piccoli, MP, launched the new English, Mathematics, History and Science syllabuses for students from Kindergarten to Year 10, giving teachers online access to syllabuses including Australian curriculum content, anywhere, any time, on a variety of devices in three clicks or less, (b) the O'Farrell Government has provided an additional $25 million in funding over the next two years to specifically support New South Wales schools to introduce the new syllabuses, (c) of that funding, the Government school sector will receive $22.8 million with most of the additional funding going to NSW Government schools to support teacher professional development, and the non-government sector will receive $2.2 million, (d) the Board of Studies NSW coordinated the syllabus development process, which included wide consultation with teachers, parent bodies, academics, teacher unions and professional associations across all education sectors, (e) the quality of the syllabuses will enrich the teaching and learning experience with New South Wales students being the ultimate beneficiaries, and (f) every parent and student in the state now has a clear idea of what they can be expected to learn, and at what stage due to the "Syllabuses Online" initiative. 2. That this House commends the Hon. Adrian Piccoli, MP, Minister for Education, the Board of Studies, teachers, parent bodies, academics, teacher unions and professional associations across all education sectors for their work in collaborating and bringing "Syllabuses Online" to fruition. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE Formal Business Notices of Motions Private Members' Business item No. 951 outside the Order of Precedence objected to as being taken as formal business. 18 October 2012 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 15955 SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT Motion by the Hon. Michael Gallacher agreed to: That this House at its rising today do adjourn until Tuesday 23 October 2012 at 2.30 p.m. SESSIONAL ORDERS Debate on Committee Reports and Budget Estimates 2012-13 Motion by the Hon. Duncan Gay agreed to: That the sessional orders giving precedence to debate on committee reports and debate on the motion to take note of the budget estimates for 2012-13 on Tuesdays be suspended for the remainder of 2012. SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSIONER AND SMALL BUSINESS PROTECTION BILL 2012 Second Reading Debate resumed from 13 September 2012. The Hon. STEVE WHAN [9.39 a.m.]: I support the Small Business Commissioner and Small Business Protection Bill 2012, which has been introduced by the shadow Minister for Small Business. The bill seeks to do what the Government should have done already—that is, incorporate into legislation the powers and responsibilities of the Small Business Commissioner. I listened with great interest to the contributions of Government members, who oppose this bill.