Legislative Assembly
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Legislative Assembly Thursday, 27 November 2008 THE SPEAKER (Mr G.A. Woodhams) took the chair at 9.00 am, and read prayers. TRUTH-IN-SENTENCING LAWS Petition MR A.J. SIMPSON (Darling Range — Parliamentary Secretary) [9.02 am]: I have a petition that has been certified as conforming to the standing orders of the Legislative Assembly and has been signed by 210 petitioners. It reads as follows — To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled. We, the undersigned, say that the ‘truth in sentencing’ laws enacted by the Labor State Government that automatically reduce all sentences by 1/3rd do not represent community expectations. Now we ask the Legislative Assembly to repeal these laws which make a mockery of Western Australia’s criminal justice system. [See petition 21.] ROEBOURNE PCYC Petition MR V. CATANIA (North West) [9.03 am]: I have a petition with 26 signatures that reads as follows — To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled. We, the undersigned, say that the Roebourne PCYC is an important community asset and is a key hub of activity for local young people. The role that the PCYC plays in diverting children at risk, away from criminal activity and anti-social behaviour is a valuable one. Similarly the opportunity for the young to interact with positive role models and to develop trusting relationships with police is an investment in the future of our community. The possible closure of the PCYC would have major implications as alternatives which would achieve the same outcomes are neither feasible nor available. Now we ask the Legislative Assembly to endorse the continued future of the Roebourne PCYC and ensure that sufficient resources and funding are allocated to enable that to occur. [See petition 22.] GERALDTON TO PERTH PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICE Petition THE SPEAKER (Mr G.A. Woodhams): I have a petition signed by 3 195 people that reads as follows — To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled. We, the undersigned, say that we are strongly supportive of a passenger train from Geraldton to Perth. The current transport system is not suitable for the aged, sick, expectant mothers or veterans. A faster and safer way of travel is needed. Now we ask the Legislative Assembly initiate our request. [See petition 23.] PAPERS TABLED Papers were tabled and ordered to lie upon the table of the house. CORRUPTION AND CRIME COMMISSION — ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008 Correction — Statement by Speaker THE SPEAKER (Mr G.A. Woodhams): I advise members that, under standing order 156, I have authorised a correction to tables 14 and 15 on pages 91 and 92 of the “Corruption and Crime Commission Annual Report 2007-2008”, which was tabled on 26 September 2008. I also advise members that while the insertion has been provided, the annual report will be retained in its original form as tabled. [ASSEMBLY - Thursday, 27 November 2008] 607 JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON DELEGATED LEGISLATION Council Membership THE SPEAKER (Mr G.A. Woodhams): I have a message from the Legislative Council advising that Hon Kim Chance has been appointed to the Joint Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation. I note that the Legislative Council has acquainted the Legislative Assembly of the appointment of only one member to this committee. As members are aware, upon dissolution of the house in August this year, all committees, including joint committees, ceased to exist. Although the standing committees appointed in this Parliament have the same terms of reference, powers and titles as those of the committees of the previous Parliament, they are entirely different committees with different memberships. It is the practice for each house to acquaint the other house of its membership of joint committees, and I am certain that we will receive advice of the other Council members appointed to that committee in due course. COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENTS MEETING Statement by Premier MR C.J. BARNETT (Cottesloe — Premier) [9.08 am]: On Saturday I will attend the Council of Australian Governments meeting in Canberra. This will be an important meeting with a focus on reforming commonwealth- state financial arrangements. It will bring to a head the work of four COAG meetings over the past 12 months. However, the world economy has changed dramatically since this work started. I expect that this will have reduced the capacity for the commonwealth to fund reforms. It has also reduced the capacity of our state government to contribute new funding. For Western Australia, our priority at the COAG meeting will be to ensure that sufficient funding is available to fund our core services, such as health and education. Rapidly growing demand for these services means that extra funding is required in these areas from both the commonwealth and the state to achieve better outcomes for the community. Western Australia supports reforms to specific purpose payments. Proposed reforms that are aimed at reducing complexity and administrative costs and rationalising the number of SPP agreements from more than 90 down to five are, on the face of it, worthwhile and supportable, provided, of course, that they are accompanied by adequate funding over time. Similarly, reforms that replace commonwealth controls on state spending with an outcomes-focussed approach that gives the states flexibility to align funding with states’ priorities, while retaining state accountability to the community, are also supportable. Although many good policy reforms have been developed, I do not expect the commonwealth to be able to fund them all at this time. I can assure members that Western Australia will not sign up to any agreements until the detail of the commonwealth offer in these areas is clear and until we are satisfied that those agreements will deliver real benefits to Western Australia. Of course, we also need to understand the overall budget impact of these proposals on the state budget. Improving services to the Indigenous community remains a priority for Western Australia and I am keen to continue working with the commonwealth in this area. Increased infrastructure spending is important to sustain and support both the Western Australian and national economies—even more so, in the current economic climate. I look forward to discussing further with the Prime Minister funding from Infrastructure Australia to undertake priority projects in Western Australia that will lift our economic capacity into the future. This is needed for the state and for the nation given the contribution that Western Australia now makes to the national economy. Western Australia’s funding share from the goods and services tax also remains a serious concern. Despite expectations of reducing revenue, our GST share is still forecast to decline substantially—to unprecedented low levels not previously experienced by any state or territory. Western Australia is seriously disadvantaged by the current arrangements and, in turn, its ability to help the nation through these difficult times is also restricted. Although we welcome the new financial arrangements with the commonwealth that have been proposed as part of the COAG reforms, fundamental reform of how funding is distributed to and between the states and territories is also required if COAG objectives are to be sustainable in the long term. Finally, at this meeting, I will raise with the Prime Minister our concerns about the proposed implementation of the Commonwealth Emissions Trading Scheme. The commonwealth proposal risks fatal damage to our important liquefied natural gas industry. This industry is part of the solution, especially in the medium term, to address global climate change, but it is being severely disadvantaged under the commonwealth model. A better approach is needed. GERALDTON HMAS SYDNEY II MEMORIAL Statement by Minister for Regional Development MR B.J. GRYLLS (Central Wheatbelt — Minister for Regional Development) [9.11 am]: While sailing from Sumatra to Fremantle in November 1941, HMAS Sydney II encountered the disguised German raider 608 [ASSEMBLY - Thursday, 27 November 2008] Kormoran. After the ensuing fight, both ships were lost, including the entire 645-man crew of the Sydney. Many details of the incident remain a mystery. In March this year both ships were discovered off the coast of Carnarvon by the Finding Sydney Foundation, thus solving part of the mystery for the families of the crew members. In 1998, the Geraldton Rotary Club developed a plan to build a magnificent memorial to the Sydney and her crew. The HMAS Sydney II memorial was completed in 2001, in time for the sixtieth anniversary of its sinking. Rotary has sought financial assistance to add a fifth element, in the form of a pool of remembrance, to the HMAS Sydney II memorial. Smith Sculptors, the designers and creators of the original memorial, has prepared the concept and design of the fifth element, which is estimated to cost $435 000. The fifth element will involve minimal changes to the existing memorial. A few connecting steps will lead to a small amphitheatre created by concentric-circular limestone steps. The amphitheatre will contain a five-metre diameter glass surface, engraved with a map of Western Australia, that shows the offshore location of the remains of HMAS Sydney. The glass will be covered by a thin layer of rippling water. Last Thursday, Hon Wendy Duncan, MLC, announced that the state government will contribute $60 000 from the mid-west regional development scheme towards the fifth element; the full amount sought by Rotary. Rotary is still seeking a significant funding contribution from the commonwealth government, but is awaiting the government’s decision. Each year on 19 November, the anniversary of the incident, a service is held at the memorial.