Legislative Assembly
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7933 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Tuesday 8 August 2000 ______ Mr Speaker (The Hon. John Henry Murray) took the chair at 2.15 p.m. Mr Speaker offered the Prayer. ASSENT TO BILLS Assent to the following bills reported: Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill Dairy Industry Bill Fair Trading Amendment (Enforcement and Compliance Powers) Bill Home Building Amendment Bill Casino Control Amendment Bill Children's Court Amendment Bill Crimes (Forensic Procedures) Bill Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill Industrial Relations Leave Legislation Amendment (Bonuses) Bill Liquor and Registered Clubs Legislation Amendment Bill Lotteries and Art Unions Amendment Bill Medical Practice Amendment Bill Racing Taxation (Betting Tax) Amendment Bill Unlawful Gambling Amendment (Betting) Bill Road Transport (Heavy Vehicles Registration Charges) Amendment Bill Industrial Relations Amendment Bill DEATH OF MARK CUPIT Ministerial Statement Mr DEBUS (Blue Mountains—Attorney General, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Corrective Services, and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Arts) [2.18 p.m.]: I wish to make a ministerial statement about a sad matter. I regret to inform the House that last Friday a fourth officer of the National Parks and Wildlife Service [NPWS] died from injuries that he sustained in the Ku- ring-gai Chase National Park fire tragedy. Mark Cupit's family and fiancee were with him when he passed away shortly after 7 a.m. on 4 August at the Royal North Shore Hospital. On behalf of the House, I express my deepest sympathy to Mark's fiancee, Angie, to his mother, Lee Cupit, and to all of Mark's family and friends for this tragic loss. I have spoken to Mark's family and they are showing great strength and dignity in a time of such sadness and grief. Mark had remained in a critical condition since the incident on 8 June and, since that time, he had courageously fought the terrible injuries he suffered in the fire. Mark had worked for the service since 1997 when he started as a field officer in Grafton. In 1998 he joined the staff at La Perouse, then later at Sydney Harbour National Park and in the Hawkesbury. As well as building a wealth of firefighting experience and training with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Mark was a Rural Fire Service volunteer for six years. As a NPWS field officer, Mark worked on issues and incidents as diverse as bushfires, the Sydney hailstorm, the Sydney Harbour oil spill and the restoration of historic buildings. He was known as a hard-working and experienced National Parks and Wildlife Service officer committed to conservation and was immensely liked by his colleagues. A coronial investigation is of course presently under way, which, once completed, will hopefully answer the questions that we all have about how this tragedy could possibly have happened. The Government, and in particular the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is focusing its efforts on supporting the family and friends of the deceased as well as doing all that we can to assist in the recovery of the three officers who are still battling injury in hospital: Natalie Saville, Luke McSweeney and Jamie Shaw. I am sure that all honourable members join me in expressing their condolences to the friends, workmates and family of Mark Cupit at this time of sadness. 7934 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 8 August 2000 Ms SEATON (Southern Highlands) [2.21 p.m.]: All members of the Coalition and I am sure all honourable members in this place join the Minister for Emergency Services in expressing sympathy to the fiancee and family of Mark Cupit, who sadly passed away last week. On any day the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Rural Fire Service, private landowners and members of the New South Wales Fire Brigades risk their lives to protect life and property on our behalf. They are involved in hazard reduction, maintaining fire trails, training and a number of other activities. The Premier, the Minister for the Environment, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the National Party and many members of this House attended a very sad thanksgiving memorial service on 21 June at which we expressed our sympathies to those families. One of the most worthwhile jobs in life is the conservation of our environment. Many envy the work done daily by members of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, particularly the more attractive aspects of that job. But with that privilege comes constant danger. Whilst participating in that memorial service and laying a carpet of eucalyptus leaves on the floor of the cathedral, many of us were reminded that beauty can turn to danger at a moment's notice. Sadly, that is one of the circumstances that Mark Cupit and his colleagues encountered. The honourable member for Gosford, who represents the area from which Mark Cupit came, particularly joins in acknowledging the Minister's comments, as indeed the honourable member for Hornsby and the honourable member for Wakehurst have done in this place on behalf of Claire Deane, George Fitzsimmons and Erik Furlan. Every member of the Opposition in this House joins in wishing Luke McSweeney, Natalie Saville and Jamie Shaw great success in their fight for recovery, and in extending deep sympathy to the family of Mark Cupit. POLICE INTEGRITY COMMISSION Reports Mr Speaker tabled, pursuant to the Police Integrity Commission Act 1996, the following reports of the Police Integrity Commission: Report for the year ended 30 June 2000 Report to Parliament—Operation Algiers Report to Parliament—Operations Copper, Triton and Nickel. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE The Clerk, pursuant to the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, announced the receipt of the following reports of the Public Accounts Committee, dated July 2000: Cost Control in the Department of Juvenile Justice Financial Disclosure of the WorkCover Scheme Statutory Funds Long Term Financial Viability of the Waste Recycling and Processing Service STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS The Clerk announced the receipt of the Standing Committee on Public Works' report entitled "Inquiry into Infrastructure Delivery and Maintenance: Volume 1—Report on Office Accommodation Management", dated July 2000. PETITIONS Drug Reform Petitions praying that the establishment of heroin shooting galleries be opposed and that consideration be given to the introduction of legislation for drug reform, received from Ms Hodgkinson and Mr Piccoli. Willoughby Paddocks Rezoning Petition praying that the Legislative Assembly will advocate for the retention of all vacant land in the area historically known as the Willoughby Paddocks and its development as public parkland for the enjoyment of the community, received from Mr Collins. 8 August 2000 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 7935 Department of Housing Waiting Lists Petition praying for a 50 per cent reduction in public housing waiting lists, received from Ms Harrison. North Wallarah Peninsula Development Petition praying that community concerns relating to the north Wallarah peninsula development be not ignored and that an inquiry into the process be considered, received from Mr Orkopoulos. McDonald Truss Bridge Petition praying that the McDonald Truss Bridge at Cunninghams Point, Bombala, be retained both for its heritage value and as a foot and cycle bridge linking Bombala on both sides of the river, received from Mr Webb. Firearms Legislation Petition praying that a committee be established to review the Firearms Act, received from Ms Hodgkinson. Queanbeyan Ambulance Station Petition praying for the allocation of funds for the construction of a permanent ambulance station in the Queanbeyan central business district to ensure faster response times and prompt emergency care for the residents of Queanbeyan and the surrounding region, received from Mr Webb. Illalong Deviation Petition expressing concern at traffic management issues and potential safety risks associated with the Illalong deviation on the Burley Griffin Way, and praying that the House will call on the Minister for Transport to provide an accurate completion date, received from Ms Hodgkinson. School Student Transport Scheme Subsidy Petition expressing opposition to the proposed elimination of the school student transport scheme subsidy for boarding students of Trinity Catholic College, and praying that the House will ensure that the basic transport needs of students of the college are met, received from Ms Hodgkinson. Bungonia to Goulburn School Bus Service Petition praying that the overcrowded Bungonia to Goulburn school bus service will be split into two distinct runs to ensure the safety of children travelling on the bus, received from Ms Hodgkinson. Elizabeth Drive, Bonnyrigg, Redevelopment Petition from concerned citizens of Bonnyrigg and surrounding districts praying for a review of the proposed redevelopment of Elizabeth Drive, received from Ms Meagher. Windsor Road Upgrading Petitions praying that Windsor Road be upgraded and widened within the next two financial years, received from Mr Merton, Mr Richardson and Mr Rozzoli. Dairy Farmers Assistance Petitions praying that the House will seek the provision of a State-based assistance package to New South Wales dairy farmers, received from Mr Amery and Mr Souris. 7936 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 8 August 2000 Export of Puppies to Asia Petition praying for opposition to the export of puppies to Asia, received from Mr Amery. Ovine Johne's Disease Program Petition praying for deregulation of the current Ovine Johne's Disease program and its replacement with a fair and workable alternative to facilitate trade and alleviate the social issues crippling the New South Wales sheep industry, received from Ms Hodgkinson. Standard Time Amendment Act Petition expressing strong opposition to the proposed two-month extension of daylight saving, and praying that the House consider the adverse effect on rural families in New South Wales and take immediate steps to repeal the Standard Time Amendment Act, received from Ms Hodgkinson. Disorderly Houses Act Petition praying that the Disorderly Houses Act be amended to confer on councils and shires the right to ban the establishment of brothels in towns of less than 20,000 people, received from Ms Hodgkinson.