[Thursday, 23 September 2004] 6511

Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am advised that the penalties have not changed from those originally in the Electricity Industry Act 2004. However, the requirement that a network provider form an intent to engage in conduct that prevents or hinders access has been amended to preclude a network service provider or an associate of the network service provider from engaging in conduct that has the purpose of hindering or preventing access. Debate interrupted, pursuant to standing orders. [Continued on page 6537.] BULLSBROOK AND DISTRICTS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM Statement by Member for Swan Hills MS J.A. RADISICH (Swan Hills) [12.50 pm]: I rise to commend the Bullsbrook community for its initiative and spirit in the formation of a new community reference group. The Bullsbrook and districts community partnership program is taking the form of a partnership with Transfield Services (Australia) Pty Ltd, the service provider at the local Pearce Royal Australian Air Force base. Lizzie Thomas from the Bullsbrook Neighbour Centre has been pivotal in driving the partnership, and I also commend John Prince from Transfield for taking the role of community partnership manager. The community partnership is tackling real issues in the local area. Some are big issues and some are not so big, but they are all important to the local community. Issues such as transport infrastructure are being addressed. As part of the partnership, Transfield transport has offered to assist some of the local community’s transport needs throughout the year. The partnership is also taking very proactive steps for employment and is implementing basic principles such as advertising local jobs in the local Advocate newspaper. These are commonsense solutions that are mutually beneficial. The partnership is also pursuing issues such as child care, legal services, first aid training and even movie nights. This model is extremely exciting for the Bullsbrook community and I look forward to contributing to the group. I want to specifically acknowledge the champions for the local community, as well as supporters from outside Bullsbrook, including John Prince, Lizzie Thomas, Nicole Wynan, Steve McManus, Eugenie Stubbs, Andrew Merchant, Wayne Palmer, Humphrey Park, Esme Park, Shauna Booth, Kerri Rankin, Onah Law, Owen Douglas, Helen Shields, Debbie Gobel, Veronica Howard, John Pronk, Kathy Crofts, Jenny Oliver, Lisa Armstrong, John Provost, Jo Wilkie, Patsy Molloy, Lyle Tucker, Jeff Jorgensen and others. The team is coming up with exciting new ideas and projects and I have every confidence in its success. CITY OF PERTH GREAT BIKE RIDE Statement by Member for Murdoch MR M.F. BOARD (Murdoch) [12.52 pm]: I inform members of an event called the City of Perth great bike ride, which is to be held in Perth on 7 November. The bike ride is an initiative of the St George Rotary Club and will be supported by Rotary and community groups throughout Perth and Western Australia. The major sponsor of the bike ride is the City of Perth, as well as Nova 93.7 radio station, and funds generated from the great bike ride will go to the lighthouse project, which is a project of the St John of God Foundation. The purpose of the ride is to generate a large amount of interest in healthy activity, as well as to support young lighthouse riders. They are disadvantaged young people who may not have had the opportunity to own a bike or have not been able to ride a bike due to a mental or physical disability. The inner program of the great bike ride is a sponsored event. A number of mentors will meet on various Sundays leading up to 7 November, at which they will encourage and support young riders. These meetings are being promoted and supported through local high schools. The coordinator of this part of the event is Vivienne George from Rossmoyne Senior High School. I will write to all members of Parliament seeking their assistance to get their schools involved and particularly to support young disadvantaged riders who need support in such a great event. ROAD FREIGHT NETWORK, SOUTH METROPOLITAN REGION Statement by Member for Riverton MR A.D. McRAE (Riverton) [12.53 pm]: Today I am releasing a plan for the future development of the road freight network in the southern metropolitan region. It is a plan for the future that demonstrates that a sustainable freight connection is possible. The Gallop Government’s program of reform and improvement has been very clearly demonstrated through its work on Roe Highway. When we came to government in 2001 there had been no progress on Roe Highway for 10 years. We have now completed Roe Highway stage 4 to the Kenwick Link, Roe Highway stage 5 to Nicholson Road and Roe Highway stage 6 to South Street. Roe Highway stage 7 will connect to the Kwinana Freeway by the end of next year. There has been much debate about what will happen to the old plan for Roe Highway stage 8, which 40 years ago was designed to be bulldozed through the Beeliar wetlands west of the freeway. That old plan is not sustainable. It is no longer acceptable to put a major road like Roe Highway through such valuable wetlands. My plan is a plan for the future. It sets out a sustainable plan that protects the Beeliar wetlands and connects the freight network. My connect-and-protect plan shows how Roe Highway can be extended along the existing freight rail line to 6512 [ASSEMBLY] connect to Stock Road in the Spearwood industrial zone. Creating a freight corridor that contains both rail and road freight is good use of built infrastructure. It minimises the impact of freight movement on local communities and protects the wetlands from the bulldozers. This is a plan for the future that can be put in place if and when it is demonstrated that a connection of Roe Highway to Stock Road is necessary. This future Roe Highway connection to Stock Road provides a link to the Fremantle port to the north and a link to the future southern harbour and the Kwinana/Henderson industrial zones in the south. It is a plan for the future. It is a sensible and sustainable plan and a solution to our freight network needs. [The paper was tabled for the information of members.] MANAGEMENT OF MEMBERS’ IT RESOURCES AND ELECTORATE OFFICE STAFF Statement by Member for Carine MS K. HODSON-THOMAS (Carine) [12.55 pm]: For a long time I have held the view that Parliament should have responsibility for all entitlements of members of Parliament, particularly the allocation of computer resources, the management of their electorate office staff and the administration of their imprest accounts. Members in this Chamber would know full well that software and the support of members’ laptop computers is under the control and administration of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. The Department of the Premier and Cabinet, as I understand it, also provides training and support. However, when we use our computers in the Parliament, should there be a problem we must contact Parliament House’s information technology department. These circumstances are often problematic and sometimes quite confusing. It is time that this matter was dealt with, as it is less than satisfactory. Today my laptop has crashed yet again, something which is becoming a common occurrence for all members in this place. This is a matter that must be dealt with. I believe that the time has come for the Parliament to take action and responsibility for the allocation of all resources for our electorate entitlements. We should be independent of and separate from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Another matter I wish briefly to raise on behalf of our electorate staff is that staff appointments are signed off by presiding officers, yet the Department of the Premier and Cabinet has responsibility and control over the salary administration of our staff. As I understand it, electorate officers were advised via a media statement on 28 July 2004 that they would receive a pay rise, which would be backdated to 26 February. That pay increase has not been forthcoming. This is causing concern for our staff, who rightly deserve a better deal. BEN SMART Statement by Member for Mandurah MR D.A. TEMPLEMAN (Mandurah) [12.57 pm]: I want to highlight to the Parliament a remarkable young man who lives in Mandurah. His name is Ben Smart, he is 14 years old and is already a world champion in a number of dance class categories associated with linedancing. Ben has been to various national and international championships and gathered an amazing number of awards and achievements under his Akubra hat, many against competitors much older than he. Ben has been to Blackpool, Los Angeles and Asia, to name a few venues, and performed admirably at each event. The ABC television show The Next Big Thing only recently filmed his visit to Asia. Ben has been linedancing since he was eight years old and has danced his way through numerous competitions, all with a spirit of openness, honesty, enthusiasm and dedication. Ben lives with his grandparents, who are immensely proud of his achievements and continue to support his goals and aspirations. He is already admired from within and outside the Peel region. When he is not competing, Ben is an active community participant. He conducts classes for a group of older ladies every Tuesday morning, and they love him! He has spoken and performed at a number of local schools and has been a star performer at numerous community events and festivals, including the annual Stretch Festival, held in May in Mandurah. He promotes the benefits of dance to both girls and boys, and his infectious personality encourages participation from people of all abilities. I really admire Ben’s attitude and approach to his talents and to life. He is a well-mannered, positive, dedicated and passionate young man. He is an excellent role model for all young people in my community. He deserves acknowledgment, encouragement and support for his endeavours. Like many people in Mandurah, I congratulate Ben on his achievement so far and thank him for being a great young Western Australian.

YOUTH ON HEALTH FESTIVAL Statement by Member for Wagin MR T.K. WALDRON (Wagin) [12.59 pm]: I would like to acknowledge the great work done for our youth across Western Australia by YOH Fest. YOH Fest stands for “Youth on Health Festival” and sees schools from right across Western Australia - from Christmas Island and Kununurra in the north to Albany in the south and Kalgoorlie in the east - compete in the youth drama, dance and arts festival. Students from years 6 to 12 are invited to write, choreograph and perform either a 20-minute drama piece or an eight-minute dance piece, plus there is an area for an arts piece for special schools.