MLA Your State Member for Riverton

Parliamentary Secretary to Hon. Peter Collier, Minister for Education, Energy and Indigenous Affairs

A newsletter for the residents of Parkwood, Riverton, Rossmoyne, Shelley and Willetton

August 2012 Edition Shelley Bridge Upgrade Planned Having crossed Shelley Bridge for years, I know full well the frustration that drivers experience at peak times as the three lanes on Leach Highway merge into two on the bridge, causing traffic congestion. Since I became the Member for Riverton four years ago, I have been pushing for Shelley Bridge to be widened and for a pathway to be installed across the bridge for cyclists and pedestrians. Earlier this year, I invited the Transport Minister, , to come out to the site so that I could show him the traffic issues myself. As a result of our meeting, the Minister allocated $250,000 in the May State Budget to start the planning process for additional traffic lanes and a pedestrian/cycleway across Shelley Bridge. Mike Nahan discussing the need to widen Shelley Bridge and The funding will be used to undertake the necessary install a cycleway with Transport Minister Troy Buswell. pre-construction activities, including ground surveys, development of a concept design and the preparation of I will continue to push for this much-needed change to a business case for State Government funding. Shelley Bridge to be funded in the next State Budget. Important Parliamentary Role In the recent Cabinet reshuffle, Premier My goal has always been to represent the community and appointed me as a Parliamentary Secretary to the Hon. to tap in to my strong values, experience and leadership Peter Collier, Minister for Education, Energy and Indigenous to become a Minister. My appointment as a Parliamentary Affairs. I am honoured to take on this role within the State Secretary is an important step in that process. Government and I am now working closely with Minister Collier on these key portfolios. Before becoming the Member for Riverton, I was the CEO of the Institute of Public Affairs, Australia’s largest independent, non-profit public policy think-tank dedicated to preserving and strengthening our economic and political foundations; I was Chairman of the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, which sets the prices for medicines provided through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and provides information for consumers, carers and health professionals; I was a senior officer in the State’s Resources and Commerce departments and, for several years, I was a lecturer in economics and finance at the WA Institute of Technology, which is now . In 2000, I was awarded Centenary Medal for my services to public policy.

I pride myself on my strong record of standing up and speaking out for the local community. I will continue to Minister for Education, Energy and Indigenous Affairs, Hon. carry out that vital role for the community and will utilise my Peter Collier and Mike Nahan at one of their regular briefings extensive skills and experience to assist Minister Collier and regarding Mike’s new role as Parliamentary Secretary. the Liberal-led State Government in any way I can.

Shop P05 Stockland Riverton Shopping Centre, p. 9457 1282 [email protected] High Rd, Riverton f. 9354 3044 www.mikenahan.com.au

PO Box 225 Parkwood WA 6147 facebook.com/mikenahan twitter.com/mikenahanmla Premier’s Visit to LSHS As a serving member of the Lynwood Senior High School Board, it was a pleasure to take Premier Colin Barnett on a recent tour of the school.

Under the leadership of Principal Gary Anderson and his team, Lynwood Senior High School has again become a school of choice. It has gained Independent Public School status and, for the last two years, it has achieved a 100 per cent graduation rate for its students.

There are 87 different nationalities in the school and that diversity clearly adds to the richness of students’ experiences.

The Premier’s discussions included the school’s innovative programmes, Year 7s moving to high school and the ongoing repair Mike Nahan, Principal Gary Anderson, Premier Barnett and one of the and maintenance at the 40-year-old school. school’s staff members and students at the Intensive English Centre.

Free Tax Help At My Office Community members who earn less than $50,000 can utilise the free Tax Help Centre that operates from my Electorate Office each Tuesday morning through to 31 October 2012 to complete their annual tax returns. It is the third year in a row that I have run this free, confidential service in conjunction with the Australian Taxation Office and Mr Osmund Perera, our trained and experienced Tax Help Volunteer. Bookings for the service are essential. Please call my office on 9457 1282 to make an appointment.

Save the Children – Book Sale A huge selection of pre-loved books will be on sale at the annual Save the Children Book Sale at the Cannington Exhibition Centre, corner of Albany Highway and Station Street, Cannington from 9am Monday 1 October – Friday 5 October. Book donations can be left at my office at Stockland Riverton Shopping Centre. Volunteers to help sort the books or to work at the sales are always needed. Please email Audrey Wright at the South of the River Branch on [email protected] if you can help.

Roe 8 Extension Update The Liberal-led State Government remains committed to The Roe 8 Extension will be a defining issue in the 9 March building the Roe 8 Extension from the 2013 State Election. The Liberal-led State Government is through to Stock Road to help take trucks off Leach committed to building the road – Labor is against it. Labor Highway, ease local congestion and provide the southern won’t build the road. Instead, they say they will excise access to the new Fiona Stanley Public Hospital and its the road reserve right-of-way, just as they did with the much-needed medical facilities. Fremantle Eastern Bypass years ago. The result will be gridlock. Ambulances taking patients for urgent medical The Liberal/National State Government has spent $25m treatment at the new Fiona Stanley Public Hospital will be on an extensive, award-winning public consultation, trapped in traffic and patient care will be compromised. planning and design process over the last three years. The preferred route is now before the Environmental Labor says patients don’t need the Roe 8 Extension because Protection Authority for its consideration and approval. A they could catch a bus or train to the hospital instead. But decision is expected early next year. emergency, cancer, burns, rehabilitation or surgery patients are not fit enough to do that – they need road access. Last If it is approved, the State Government would then seek election, local communities had their say on this important a joint Federal funding contribution for the project as has road project and overwhelmingly voiced their support for been the case for the previous seven stages of Roe Highway. the Roe 8 Extension. Since then, the need has only grown.

Shop P05 Stockland Riverton Shopping Centre, p. 9457 1282 [email protected] High Rd, Riverton f. 9354 3044 www.mikenahan.com.au

PO Box 225 Parkwood WA 6147 facebook.com/mikenahan twitter.com/mikenahanmla WESTERN AUSTRALIA Rossmoyne SHS’s New Facilities It was a pleasure to attend the recent official opening of Rossmoyne Senior High School’s $14m State Government-funded new facilities. The works, built over two phases, have provided the school with a modern, well-equipped learning environment for its students.

Back in 2009, I successfully lobbied on behalf of the school for the $14m funding to be made available. I have been working with the Principal Leila Bothams, the School’s Chairman, Professor Gordon Parkinson, and the school’s community to help them achieve these new state-of-the-art facilities.

Rossmoyne has an impeccable academic record and I look forward to continuing to work closely with all involved as they review their needs and develop Mike Nahan joined Minister Constable and other dignitaries and further plans for their outstanding school. students at the official opening of the new facilities.

Canning Men’s Shed Success The Canning Men’s Shed is a great local facility where senior male members of our community can meet, have fun and do practical things. The group meets Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9am - 12noon at the Riverton Baptist Community Church in Modillion Avenue, Shelley. On Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 8pm and Thursday mornings from 8.30am to 12 noon, they operate the Canning Men’s Shed Computer Club, providing computer educational courses for a $50 annual fee to cover insurance and teas and coffees during the sessions. If you would like more information about their programmes, please contact Members of the Canning Men’s Shed with a colourful banner the President, Eddie Holmes, on 0405 199 710. that I donated to them to help advertise their club. Royal Show Children’s Access Free In celebration of the Australian Year of the Farmer, the Liberal-led State Government is providing an opportunity for children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by an adult to access free entry to the 2012 IGA Royal Show from 29 September through to 6 October. This also applies to all regional and metropolitan agricultural shows, including the upcoming Canning Show on 2–3 November 2012. Last year, more than 110,000 children took advantage of this offer at the Perth Royal Show alone, saving families around $12 per child. The State Government’s offer is a real contribution towards helping support WA families. Free entry for young children will also help to build up city– country relations by encouraging children and their families Mike joined Agricultural Minister Redman, Premier Barnett, to learn more about where our fresh food comes from and Royal Show staff and Willetton Primary School students at about the quality materials that our farmers produce to keep the launch of the free show entry for students under 12. us fed, clothed and sheltered.

Shop P05 Stockland Riverton Shopping Centre, p. 9457 1282 [email protected] High Rd, Riverton f. 9354 3044 www.mikenahan.com.au

PO Box 225 Parkwood WA 6147 facebook.com/mikenahan twitter.com/mikenahanmla WESTERN AUSTRALIA WSHS Public Meeting on $80m Upgrade Preliminary work on the new $80 million rebuild of Willetton Senior High School, that was recently announced by Premier Colin Barnett, has started with the school and Department of Education architects meeting to discuss the plans. The $32.5 million Stage One of the project, which includes a new science block, more laboratories and a dedicated planning area for staff, should be completed in 2015.

On Thursday 6 September at 7pm, I will be co-hosting a free community meeting with the Education Minister Peter Collier at the Riverton Baptist Church auditorium, 38 Modillion Avenue, Shelley, to provide an update on this exciting local project. Steven Marshall, the Chairman of the WSHS Board will also be speaking. The event is Mike Nahan joined the Premier, Principal Chris Booth, other open to the WSHS community, its feeder schools or to school dignitaries and students for the announcement at anyone who has an interest in this issue. Please call my WSHS of the $80m rebuild of the outstanding school. office on 9457 1282 if you would like to attend.

Local Artists Excel Congratulations to the Canning Arts Group on its recent highly successful 25th Anniversary Canning Art Awards, which featured 205 eye-catching entries covering works on canvas, paper, mixed media and 3D artworks. I was particularly pleased to attend the official opening of the 10-day event and to sponsor and present the City of Canning Resident Award of $500 to local constituent Henna Stanley for her stunning ‘Lace Ceramics’. Other local winners included John Jackson, Maggie Musca, John Ainsworth, Leesa Padget, Alyssa Arnold, Olga Place, Neil Elliott, Beba Hall, Margaret Nash, and Carol Watson. Michelle Larg and Alex Haynes took out the Youth awards and the Emerging Artist award went to Pam Langdon. I congratulate the Canning Arts Group on their hard work for co-ordinating such a successful event One of the many eye-catching displays of colourful artwork at showcasing the talents of our local artists. the Canning Art Awards.

Liberal-led State Government: Record expenditure for vital services Since the Liberal-led State Government was elected in 2008, we have been concentrating on increasing the capital expenditure funding available for our key agencies – Health, Education, Police, Corrective Services and Housing – after these vital services were allowed to run down under Labor.

2008-09 2012-13 Increase over four years Health $360m $1,174m 225.8%

Education $282m $518m 83.7%

Police $67m $132m 96.7%

Corrective Services $46m $154m 231.5%

Housing $615m $971m 58.0%

Shop P05 Stockland Riverton Shopping Centre, p. 9457 1282 [email protected] High Rd, Riverton f. 9354 3044 www.mikenahan.com.au

PO Box 225 Parkwood WA 6147 facebook.com/mikenahan twitter.com/mikenahanmla WESTERN AUSTRALIA