Parliamentary Debates (HANSARD)
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Parliamentary Debates (HANSARD) THIRTY-EIGHTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION 2012 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Thursday, 15 November 2012 Legislative Assembly Thursday, 15 November 2012 THE SPEAKER (Mr G.A. Woodhams) took the chair at 9.00 am, and read prayers. PARLIAMENT HOUSE — SOLAR PANELS INSTALLATION Statement by Speaker THE SPEAKER (Mr G.A. Woodhams): Members, I remain on my feet to provide you with two pieces of information. The Parliament has decided to install a set of solar panels on top of Parliament House. By the end of the year, Parliament will be generating its own electricity on site. There will be 72 panels in all, enough to provide energy to both legislative chambers. I might facetiously suggest that we always have enough light in this house! Mr T.R. Buswell: We’ve got enough hot air! The SPEAKER: Correct, minister! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Thanks, members. Hon Barry House, President of the Legislative Council, and I have been planning this project for quite some years. We believe that the location of the 72 solar array panels above this particular chamber, construction of which finished in 1904, will certainly reduce electricity costs in this place. Parliament will undertake other sustainable energy innovations with LED lighting, the use of voltage optimisers and the real time monitoring of electricity, gas and water use. I knew that members would find that information useful. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND JUSTICE STANDING COMMITTEE — INQUIRY INTO THE STATE’S PREPAREDNESS FOR THIS YEAR’S BUSHFIRE SEASON Extension of Reporting Time — Statement by Speaker THE SPEAKER (Mr G.A. Woodhams): I also indicate that I received a letter dated 14 November 2012 from the Chairman of the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee advising that the committee has resolved to amend the tabling date of the report on its inquiry into the state’s preparedness for this year’s fire season until 26 November 2012. CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME Petition MR W.J. JOHNSTON (Cannington) [9.04 am]: This petition is certified as being in accordance with the standing orders and is signed by four citizens. 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 the WA Parliament should pass laws to give Western Australia a Container Deposit Scheme to increase the number of beverage containers recycled in Western Australia and assist in improving the ongoing litter problem we have in our state. Now we ask the Legislative Assembly to take full and comprehensive action to ensure the passing of the Container Deposit Scheme is swiftly implemented in Western Australia. [See petition 697.] PERTH AIRPORT — THIRD RUNWAY Petition MR W.J. JOHNSTON (Cannington) [9.05 am]: This petition has been signed by 112 people and is certified as being in accordance with the standing orders. 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 building a third runway at Perth Airport will bring excessive noise to the community of Beckenham. We are opposed to the Barnett Liberal Government plan for a third runway. This is unnecessary, as congestion at Perth Airport can be dealt with by improving management practices at the Airport such as: [ASSEMBLY — Thursday, 15 November 2012] 8727 • ensuring small planes do not take off or land at peak times. • ensuring airliners carrying tourists and business people are given preference of peak times. • ensuring mining company fly in/fly out planes do not crowd the airport at peak times These options are all cheaper than spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a third runway, which would not only bring excessive noise to our homes, but also make airline travel through Perth Airport more expensive. Now we ask the Legislative Assembly to ensure the government protects local residents in Beckenham and stop the plan by the Barnett Liberal Government for an unnecessary third runway at Perth Airport. [See petition 698.] ST KIERAN PRIMARY SCHOOL AND SERVITE COLLEGE — SPEED-ZONE SIGNS Petition MR J.C. KOBELKE (Balcatta) [9.06 am]: I have a petition that conforms with the standing orders of the Legislative Assembly and contains 179 signatures. 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 are most concerned that too many vehicles fail to adhere to the 40kph speed limit in the School Speed Zone adjacent to St Kieran Primary School and Servite College in Tuart Hill. We fear for the safety of students along with their parents and other people who need to cross Cape Street on their way to and from school. Now we ask the Legislative Assembly to request the Government to install Flashing Electronic Speed Signs to improve driver awareness of the requirement to adhere to the 40kph speed limit during the designated times in Cape Street adjacent to St Kieran Primary School and Servite College. [See petition 699.] HOUSING AFFORDABILITY Petition MS J.M. FREEMAN (Nollamara) [9.07 am]: I have a petition that has been certified as conforming with the standing orders of the Legislative Assembly. It has 31 signatures and reads — To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled. We, the undersigned, bring your urgent attention to the issue of Western Australia’s lack of affordable housing and the impact it is now having on our families. We find ourselves in the intolerable position of not being able to provide our families with safe and stable homes. Many of us have been listed on the Department of Housing’s wait list for many years. With even the priority list now extending out to several years, we are desperate to find homes. We cannot afford private rental properties. For the few properties that are affordable, we have been unsuccessful because of the overwhelming number of applicants. Too many people have no choice but to sleep in their cars, tents and on the floors of friends and family. This is highly unsuitable, unsafe and de-stabilising for our children’s health and education. Now we ask the Legislative Assembly to give urgent attention to our housing needs and the housing needs of those Western Australians who are currently suffering homelessness due to a critical shortage of affordable housing properties in both the private rental and social housing sector. [See petition 700.] ST ANDREW’S HOSTEL, KATANNING — BLAXELL REPORT — VICTIM PAYMENTS Petition MR P.B. WATSON (Albany) [9.08 am]: I certify that this petition conforms with the standing orders of the Legislative Assembly. It has 32 signatures and reads — To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled. 8728 [ASSEMBLY — Thursday, 15 November 2012] We the undersigned residents of Western Australia strongly believe the amount of compensation offered to the victims of Dennis McKenna, former Warden at the State run St Andrews Hostel in Katanning to be totally insufficient. We believe that the maximum compensation of $45,000 should be raised significantly to reflect the devastating impact the abuse had on the lives of not only the victims, but also their families. We respectfully request that the Premier and the Government of Western Australia give this matter serious consideration [See petition 701.] NO PRIVATISATION OF MIDLAND HEALTH CAMPUS BILL 2012 Petition MR R.H. COOK (Kwinana — Deputy Leader of the Opposition) [9.09 am]: I have a petition containing 115 signatures that complies with standing orders and reads — To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled. We, the undersigned, say the Western Australia State Government should not privatise Midland Hospital. Hospitals are essential services that should be publicly owned and run. Public ownership and management is crucial in providing a system of accountability and responsibility, to ensure high standards of quality and care. Privatisation of Hospitals has failed in the past and will fail again. The Western Australia government can afford to provide us with a publicly owned and run hospital, and we the undersigned do not want our new Midland Hospital privatised. Now we ask the Legislative Assembly to urge Frank Alban, Member for Swan Hills and Premier Colin Barnett to vote in favour of, and encourage other Liberal and National Members of Parliament to vote in favour of, the No Privatisation of Midland Hospital Bill. [See petition 702.] BACK ON TRACK TRAIL BIKE STRATEGY Petition MR R.H. COOK (Kwinana — Deputy Leader of the Opposition) [9.10 am]: I also have a petition that states — TO THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE PARLIAMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED. We, the undersigned, support the mandatory registration of off-road vehicles as part of the Back on Track Trail Bike Strategy. Off-road vehicles are causing damage to bushland and parks in the Kwinana area and should only be used in designated off-road areas. We urge the State Government to act to ensure that off-road vehicles must be registered and have visible licence plates so that Police and other members of the community can report misuse of these vehicles. The petition is certified as complying with the standing orders and contains 104 signatures. [See petition 703.] Nonconforming Petition Mr R.H. COOK: I also report to the house that I have a petition with 164 signatures on a similar theme but it does not comply with the standing orders.