New South Wales

Legislative Assembly

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Fifty-Sixth Parliament First Session

Thursday, 18 October 2018

Authorised by the Parliament of

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Bills ...... 1145 Civil Liability Amendment (Organisational Child Abuse Liability) Bill 2018 ...... 1145 Returned ...... 1145 Documents ...... 1145 Auditor-General ...... 1145 Reports ...... 1145 Bills ...... 1145 Government Telecommunications Bill 2018 ...... 1145 First Reading ...... 1145 Second Reading Speech ...... 1145 Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 ...... 1148 Consideration in Detail ...... 1148 Budget ...... 1148 Budget Estimates and Related Papers 2018-2019 ...... 1148 Bills ...... 1149 Workers Compensation (Firefighters' Presumptive Rights to Compensation) Bill 2018 ...... 1149 Second Reading Debate ...... 1149 Motions ...... 1157 ...... 1157 Business of the House ...... 1164 Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders: order of business ...... 1164 Motions ...... 1165 Invictus Games...... 1165 Personal Explanation ...... 1173 Integrity of the Chair ...... 1173 Motions ...... 1173 Gidget Foundation ...... 1173 Visitors ...... 1174 Visitors ...... 1174 Question Time ...... 1174 Slasherteck ...... 1174 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse ...... 1175 Slasherteck ...... 1176 Regional Sporting Infrastructure...... 1177 Matthew Fraser Comments ...... 1179 Jobs and Growth ...... 1180 Westconnex ...... 1182 Higher School Certificate ...... 1183 Short-Term Holiday Letting ...... 1184 Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley ...... 1185 TABLE OF CONTENTS—continuing

Committees ...... 1186 Committee on the Independent Commission Against Corruption ...... 1186 Report: Review 2016-17 Annual Reports of the ICAC and the Inspector of the ICAC ...... 1186 Petitions...... 1186 Petitions Received ...... 1186 Committees ...... 1187 Legislation Review Committee...... 1187 Report: Legislation Review Digest No. 61/56 ...... 1187 Report: Legislation Review Digest No. 62/56 ...... 1187 Matter of Public Importance ...... 1188 Clean Up Founder Ian Kiernan, AO ...... 1188 Community Recognition Statements ...... 1191 Timor Chinese Association of NSW...... 1191 Australian Junior Track Championships ...... 1192 Hunter Academy of Sport ...... 1192 Mosman Men's Shed ...... 1192 Tribute to Gwen Smith...... 1192 Moree Masonic Lodge Debutatne Ball ...... 1192 Paada Yatra Walk ...... 1193 Mingara Athletics Track ...... 1193 Chilean National Day ...... 1193 Under 14s Rugby League Team ...... 1193 Flinders Public School Student Katie Williams...... 1194 National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies Challenge Winners ...... 1194 ACON Honour Awards...... 1194 Australian Cattle Dog Trials Winners Ben Gould and Jake ...... 1194 Grandparents Day ...... 1195 Dame Marie Bashir Peace Award Recipient Eleanor Drury ...... 1195 African Women's Group ...... 1195 Lamrock Committee Trivia Night Fundraiser ...... 1195 Death of Thich Phuoc Dat...... 1195 Hammondville Resident Hannah Learson ...... 1196 Death of Neil Grieves ...... 1196 Clever Care Now...... 1196 Newtown Electorate Resilient Australia Award Recipients ...... 1196 Grandparent of the Year Award ...... 1196 Denny Foundation ...... 1197 Regional Academies of Sport ...... 1197 Spears Sports Club ...... 1197 Kiama Community Achievement Awards ...... 1197 Action Club of Nelson Bay ...... 1197 Hauslein Tiny House Co. Launch ...... 1198 TABLE OF CONTENTS—continuing

Petitions...... 1198 Coffs Harbour Boat Ramp ...... 1198 Discussion ...... 1198 Private Members' Statements ...... 1200 Australian Kangaroos Rugby League Player Ron Costello ...... 1200 United Indian Associations Walk for Farmers...... 1201 Bathurst Electorate Funding Announcements ...... 1202 Vaucluse Electorate Solar My Schools Program ...... 1202 Wyong Electorate Higher School Certificate Examinations ...... 1203 Myall Lakes Electorate Funding ...... 1204 Traffic Noise Mitigation ...... 1205 Visitors ...... 1206 Visitors ...... 1206 Private Members' Statements ...... 1206 Moon Festival ...... 1206 Albury Electorate Sporting Achievements and Facilities ...... 1207 Higher Education Access ...... 1208 North Community Awards ...... 1209 NSW Wine Awards...... 1210 Coffs Harbour Englands Road Roundabout ...... 1210 Murray Electorate Agricultural Shows ...... 1211 Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital...... 1212 Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry ...... 1213 Bobs Farm Public School...... 1214 Riverstone Wetlands ...... 1215 Australian Chinese Teo Chew Association Thirtieth Anniversary ...... 1216

Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1145

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 18 October 2018

The Speaker (The Hon. Shelley Elizabeth Hancock) took the chair at 10:00. The Speaker read the prayer and acknowledgement of country.

Bills CIVIL LIABILITY AMENDMENT (ORGANISATIONAL CHILD ABUSE LIABILITY) BILL 2018 Returned The SPEAKER: I report receipt of a message from the Legislative Council returning the abovementioned bill without amendment. Documents AUDITOR-GENERAL Reports The CLERK: In accordance with section 63C of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, I announce receipt of the Performance Audit Report of the Auditor-General entitled "Mobile speed cameras", dated 18 October 2018, received out of session on18 October 2018 out of session and authorised to be printed. [Notices of motions given.] Bills GOVERNMENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS BILL 2018 First Reading Bill introduced on motion by Mr read a first time and printed. Second Reading Speech Mr VICTOR DOMINELLO (Ryde—Minister for Finance, Services and Property) (10:12): I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I am pleased to introduce the Government Telecommunications Bill 2018. The bill repeals the current Government Telecommunications Act 1991. By way of background, a review of the Act was approved in April 2017. Key drivers for the review included the age of the Act and the need for a firm legislative basis to support delivery of the Critical Communications Enhancement Program [CCEP]. The CCEP significantly increases the coverage and capacity of the Government Radio Network [GRN] for mission critical operational communications. These communications support public safety agencies and other entities providing essential public services across New South Wales. The Act establishes the GRN and the NSW Telco Authority, which operates and manages the GRN on behalf of the New South Wales Government. For the past 20 years, however, New South Wales government agencies and essential services have typically built and operated separate radio networks in addition to the GRN. As a result, law enforcement and public safety agencies, along with a large number of other agencies, operate their own radio networks. Some networks make sense to be separate. However, the Government does not regard the existence of both the GRN and other agency radio networks as an optimal use of resources. It is also not the best way to deliver superior public safety outcomes to the people of New South Wales. The Government believes it would be better to have these assets housed under one roof, owned and managed by the authority. A single, shared network will streamline administration, operation and maintenance costs to provide the community with the services they need at a lower cost. Currently, the Government regards radio as the best technology for agencies. It is a mature and reliable technology, and is essential to the effective delivery of operations and services by government agencies. Radio achieves what is called "mission critical standards" of communications, and are configured to achieve 99.95 per cent availability in circumstances where life, health and property are in danger, and is absolutely critical to ensuring frontline personnel are able to communicate, especially during emergencies and for day-to-day operational activities. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1146

The Government has already begun to address this through its CCEP. The Government is proud of the CCEP. It is delivering an enhanced GRN that uses the best existing agency radio sites and, where needed, builds new sites to extend shared network coverage across the State. Once government agencies have transitioned to the enhanced GRN, surplus radio assets and sites not required for other operational purposes can be decommissioned. I am now pleased to confirm that this bill will support the delivery of the CCEP, and underpins the Premier's priorities to deliver infrastructure and improve government services, and meets the State priority for safer communities. The bill also delivers on a key initiative of creating one integrated operational communications portfolio. Specifically, the bill: includes new terms and definitions to accurately reflect the authority's current role and functions as the owner or operator of the Government telecommunications network; provides clarity on the board of the authority's membership structure and advisory status, incorporating feedback from the NSW Police Force and emergency services; confirms that government agencies are required to use the government telecommunications network, which includes the Government Radio Network, while clearly articulating the circumstances under which agencies can be authorised to establish an alternative network if required; provides for the modern property and infrastructure management and access powers required by the authority to operate a consolidated Government telecommunications network; and introduces tailored offence and penalties provisions for damage to the GRN, given the critical role that its infrastructure has to public safety. These reforms will facilitate unification of communication assets, resources and services under a single integrated portfolio, reducing costs and duplication associated with maintenance of individual networks. The legislation brings clarity to the arrangements for securing and transferring leases and agreements for new and existing sites, and that clearly established access rights, and also protection against damage to infrastructure, now exist. The reforms will also free up New South Wales government agencies to better focus on their core operations, improving safety outcomes for frontline workers and communities, and ensuring efficiency and value are delivered to the people of New South Wales. Additionally, the reforms aid a better understanding of what the authority is, and its role as the expert service provider of public safety operational communications. The reforms also provide assurances around how the authority will manage property and infrastructure matters. Of course, I am also pleased to say that the new bill will better prepare New South Wales for emerging technologies such as the Public Safety Mobile Broadband. I now turn to the details of the bill. Part 1 updates terms and definitions in the bill and removes any conflict with Commonwealth legislation. It also addresses issues with the current definitions in the Act and introduces new definitions where they are needed. For example, the current definition of "Government telecommunications network" refers only to infrastructure that has been subject to a Ministerial vesting order and therefore does not recognise the alternative infrastructure transfer mechanisms that have been used to form the GRN, such as negotiated leases and licenses. The bill amends this definition to address these current deficiencies. A new definition of "operational communications" has also been drafted to clarify that these communications, and their networks, are distinct from other forms such as agencies' internal paging systems or computer networks that communicate medical information across the health system. Part 2 of the bill ensures that the authority's current roles and functions are accurately reflected. It focuses on the functions of the authority and articulates the authority's role in operating and managing the government telecommunications network, which includes the GRN. The bill introduces a new statutory obligation on the authority by providing for the Minister to request and approve a property and infrastructure management strategy. The strategy is required to detail the range of approved mechanisms available for dealing with the management of infrastructure and how the authority will engage with government agencies, commercial entities and private citizens in this capacity. This will provide assurance and clear guidance for stakeholders when dealing with the authority about property and infrastructure matters. Part 3 of the bill clarifies the status and membership of the board of the authority. Currently, the Act does not explicitly articulate the role or status of the board and is inflexible regarding the composition of the board. The bill enables flexibility and the streamlining of board processes, including board appointments. Board members can be appointed from a wider field of candidacy such as industry, academia and other fields of telecommunications expertise to assist in the provision of high level and best quality advice to the Minister and the authority. Part 4 of the bill clarifies the authority's responsibility to establish, control, manage, maintain and operate the government telecommunications network, and defines criteria for authorisation to establish alternative networks. In this regard, the bill is consistent with the authority's core function of managing the network and releases government agencies from these obligations so they may focus on their core public purpose functions. The bill also removes the concept of exemptions and instead introduces defined criteria under which the Minister may authorise a government agency to establish alternative networks. This is in recognition that there are networks currently owned and operated by agencies that meet specific operational requirements that cannot currently be provided by the GRN. Additionally, some agencies have specific authority, granted by separate legislation, to own and operate standalone networks. The bill also introduces the ability for the Minister to consider Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1147

granting a "class" authorisation so that those agencies that may regularly require the establishment of alternative networks for operational purposes such as management of an event or incident do not have to seek individual authorisation each time. Part 4 of the bill provides for offence, penalty and compensation provisions for damage to or interference with government telecommunications assets. The infrastructure being operated by the authority under the Act is used to support responses to public safety incidents and is therefore an extremely valuable and important public asset. However, there are currently no damage or interference offences that apply specifically to telecommunications infrastructure operated by the authority, and no statutory right for the authority to seek compensation for costs associated with such damage or interference. Part 4 of the bill introduces two elements. The first is damage and interference offences and penalties provisions to support the authority to protect its infrastructure and act as a deterrent to persons intentionally or recklessly causing damage or interference. The second is a statutory right to recover compensation from any person who damages or interferes with the authority's equipment or facilities, regardless of whether the conduct amounts to a criminal offence. Part 5 of the bill modernises property and infrastructure management practices. It recognises various mechanisms for transferring or incorporating infrastructure into the GRN and acquiring access to property that is currently being used by the authority. Finally, a new reform in the bill was developed in consultation with the NSW Police Force to allow for the establishment of temporary telecommunications networks for the purposes of law enforcement activities or compliance operations without advising or needing the consent of the authority. This reform enables the NSW Police Force to operate without the delays or hindrance that gaining the authority's consent for temporary networks might cause to their public safety operations. This bill will achieve greater efficiency in government expenditure whilst delivering greater public safety outcomes. The CCEP includes a number of legacy networks, including 2,600 existing radio communication sites across multiple independent networks. In addition, 65 per cent of existing assets will reach or near the end of their life in the next three years to 2020. There are more than 3,000 plus site access agreements with an unknown quantity of private arrangements. The bill will deliver enhanced GRN sites and a single common platform for future technologies. We will de-risk end of life assets and end of vendor support and there will be 1,500 fewer formal site access agreements, which shows there is enormous utility in passing this reform. The member for Tamworth, who is at the table, knows all about the radio telecommunications network. He is an absolute expert and an outstanding member of Parliament. We are lucky to have him. A question may be asked about why the new Act is required. The answer is that a review of the Government Telecommunications Act 1991 was approved in 2017. Mobile phones were not even around in 1991 when the parent Act was enacted, which almost makes it a rhetorical question. The new Act is required because it is more than 25 years old and definitely needs updating. A common question that is asked relates to how the critical communication enhancement program is linked to the legislative review. The answer is that the New South Wales Government recently boosted its investment of $240 million towards the CCEP with a further $320 million in order to deliver an enhanced GRN to improve day-to-day and emergency communications for New South Wales government agencies and, ultimately, the community. It will provide greater accessibility to public safety standard radio communications, a single platform for critical communications and a more efficient management of resources. Under the CCEP, the GRN will grow from 190 to approximately 800 sites. Therefore, it is important that the legislation is clear on the arrangements for securing and transferring leases and agreements for new and existing sites, and that clearly established access rights and protection against damage to infrastructure exist to support this rollout. On that point alone, I was speaking to the member for Upper Hunter yesterday and explaining the size and scale of this reform. As somebody tweeted the other day, normally this type of the reform does not appear on the front page of the Daily Telegraph or the Sydney Morning Herald, but the reality is this is in essence a $600 million investment back into the Parramatta light rail, and this investment will seriously save lives. That is what the member for Upper Hunter said to me yesterday. If it crystallises into that, this radio communication will save lives. If there is a bushfire, if there is an emergency event, people need emergency communications. If we do not have communications, we put the public at risk. At the moment the coverage is about 30 per cent. After we establish the CCEP and it is completely rolled out, we will get north of 80 per cent coverage. We can see why this is heralded as such critical reform by all of our critical frontline services, whether it is police, ambulance, fire and rescue or SES. You name it, they are all saying this is great reform and a massive boost for public safety and protection. Another common question I am asked is: Why is there a new offence? Why are new penalties and compensation provisions being proposed? The answer is that the GRN has a critical role to play in public safety, and so it must remain operational and in good condition to save lives. We already have similar offence provisions. Whether somebody deliberately or recklessly attacks water infrastructure because it is core infrastructure, or Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1148

electricity infrastructure because, again, it is critical public infrastructure, in the same way, telecommunications are critical public infrastructure on any objective measure. Therefore, a significant public deterrent must ensure that nobody deliberately or recklessly puts that infrastructure in peril, because if they do then they could potentially put lives at peril if the network falls down. That question, albeit a legitimate question, has a straightforward explanation. Another question I am often asked is: Will the offence and compensation provisions apply if a person or a representative of an organisation or agency unintentionally damages or interferes with the authority's infrastructure? The answer is that the intent of the reform is to deter people from recklessly or intentionally damaging the authority's property. However, to ensure that the authority's infrastructure and property is properly protected, the reform has catered for accidental damage as well as intentional damage. In addition, this reform entitles the authority to pursue compensation from a person or party responsible for damage to the authority's infrastructure or property if they are convicted of the offence. I will leave some of the other questions and answers for my reply because I have no doubt that those opposite may raise some questions in the debate. Mr : We may not. Mr VICTOR DOMINELLO: They may not. I value and respect my shadow Minister in this regard; he has a good mind and I am sure he will ask some good questions. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned. EMERGENCY SERVICES LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2018 Consideration in Detail Consideration of the Legislative Council's amendment. Schedule of amendments referred to in message of 16 October 2018 No. 1 Register of personnel of rescue units Page 5, Schedule 1 [19], line 11. Omit "when requested to do so by the State Rescue Board". Insert instead "then every 6 months or, if the State Rescue Board specifies different periods, at the periods specified". Mr KEVIN ANDERSON (Tamworth) (10:35): I move: That the House agree to the Legislative Council amendments. The Government supports the Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 as amended by the Legislative Council. Mr (Fairfield) (10:35): I speak on behalf of the New South Wales Labor Opposition. I thank members in the other place and the Parliamentary Secretary, who has just indicated that the Government will support this amendment. The amendment will omit: "when requested to do so by the State Rescue Board" It will insert instead: "then every 6 months or, if the State Rescue Board specifies different periods, at the periods specified" I commend the amendment. I thank the Government for its consideration of this amendment to the bill. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to. Message forwarded to the Legislative Council advising it of the resolution. Budget BUDGET ESTIMATES AND RELATED PAPERS 2018-2019 Debate resumed from 27 September 2018. Mr (Oatley) (10:36): Health and education are the top two categories of funding expenditure in the 2018-19 budget. Only good economic management can ensure our health and education systems are thriving and able to meet the demands of the future. With a combined funding record of $16 billion being invested, we are upgrading hospitals and building more schools. We are making sure our teachers and medical staff have the facilities and resources they need to do their jobs effectively. We are there to support families in times of sickness and medical emergencies. We are setting up children for a brighter future. Health and education are at the heart of this budget. We are building for tomorrow and delivering for today. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1149

Beyond health and education, transport across New South Wales is a priority for this Government. We want a better connected State, whether that be by travelling on our train lines, our motorways or travelling for miles along country roads. This budget prioritises on-time running for public transport by maintaining and improving the reliability of services over the next four years. The second State priority is to improve road travel reliability so that 90 per cent of peak travel on key road routes is on time. We are getting on with the job of doing what we need to do to fix our transport system across New South Wales. The F6 Extension Stage 1 is a key element of this Government's transport vision for New South Wales, connecting Sydney's south to the wider motorway network. This financial year's budget has invested $178 million to continue planning and preconstruction of major road projects, including stage 1 of the F6 extension. This project will link the new M5 motorway to President Avenue in Kogarah. The M1 is a key part of our State's national highway system and provides a vital arterial road link through southern Sydney. At present, there is no efficient connection to Sydney's motorway network from the south. The existing F6 corridor was reserved in the early 1950s to meet the future needs of our growing population. The F6 extension has been identified as a key priority for this Government over its 40-year vision for transport outcomes. This completed project will have outstanding benefits to residents of my electorate and in the Sutherland Shire. Some key features of the F6 extension include twin four-kilometre tunnels linking the new M5 at Arncliffe to President Avenue, Kogarah, ramps between the main motorway tunnel and the surface intersection at President Avenue and provision for new shared cycle and pedestrian pathways. How this project will practically benefit local motorists is simply that the F6 extension will enable motorists to bypass up to 23 sets of traffic lights on the between St Peters and Kogarah. This is a much-needed upgrade to road infrastructure and it is part of numerous projects under this budget's $178 million investment. In addition to the F6, King Georges Road is a major road connecting my electorate in the south of Sydney to suburbs in the south-west of Sydney. Under the previous Labor Government this main corridor was completely ignored. Congestion, which in most cases has only two lanes in each direction, is costing residents, families and small business time and money every day as they travel on it. After 40 years of patiently waiting, my local community will benefit from a $40 million injection to widen King Georges Road between Stony Creek Road, Beverly Hills and Forest Road, Hurstville. Thousands of motorists each day will benefit from the widening of the 1.5 kilometres of King Georges Road to three lanes in each direction. When it comes to King Georges Road and the widening, we are getting on with the job and I can say that it is mission accomplished. Under this budget funding has also been secured for a multistorey car park in Edgbaston Road, Beverly Hills. Transport for NSW will commence community consultation on the concept design very soon. Planning approval is assessed to be finalised over the next six months, with construction to commence some time next year. This funding is part of the budget's $133 million transport access project. This is a great win for the entire St George community. The commuter car park at Beverly Hills will encourage public transport, unclog our streets, facilitate shorter commutes and increase productivity. This is a great win for our local community. Community safety is one of the Government's top priorities and we are getting on with the job of building a brand-new multimillion-dollar police station at Hurstville. This state-of-the-art $29 million police station will ensure local police have the resources they need for generations to come. The St George Local Area Command does an outstanding job across the area and I thank every one of our local law enforcement officers for their proactive approach to policing to ensure local crime rates continue to fall. This Government cares about families and communities across New South Wales, particularly the ones in my electorate. I thank the Premier and Treasurer for what they have done to help deliver many real outstanding outcomes for the people of the Oatley electorate. Bills WORKERS COMPENSATION (FIREFIGHTERS' PRESUMPTIVE RIGHTS TO COMPENSATION) BILL 2018 Second Reading Debate Debate resumed from 27 September 2018. Mr ALISTER HENSKENS (Ku-ring-gai) (10:43): I lead for the Government on the Workers Compensation (Firefighters' Presumptive Rights to Compensation) Bill 2018. I commend the member for Fairfield for the intent behind the bill. It is important to properly look after our brave firefighters to whom the community owes so much. I make clear at the outset that Government members certainly express our absolute and unqualified support for all firefighters in New South Wales. However, in respect of these very serious issues, it is paramount to carefully formulate legislative provisions so that they adequately look after not only firefighters but all the Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1150

legitimate public interests involved. Indeed, the member for Fairfield will be aware that recently the Government made an announcement with regard to this matter and I will refer to that later in my contribution. The dedicated firefighters across our State, who every day perform work that is often dangerous and unpredictable, deserve our admiration and thanks because they keep our communities safe. Under Fire and Rescue NSW the people of New South Wales are protected by one of the world's great urban fire and rescue services; indeed, I would say the world's most professional urban fire and rescue service. They are constituted by extraordinary men and women. Firefighters help anyone, anywhere, anytime by responding to any emergency necessary. They are passionate about safety, education and prevention. The firefighters employed by Fire and Rescue NSW do those things every day of the week, every week of the year. Fire and Rescue NSW has 335 fire stations across New South Wales. Fire and Rescue NSW has over 6,000 active firefighters and these firefighters protect 90 per cent of the State's population from emergencies involving fire, motor vehicle accidents and other dangerous situations. These firefighters protect 100 per cent of the State's population from hazardous materials, emergencies and building collapses. In 2016-17 our firefighters responded to 123,711 emergencies, with 21,784 of those being actual fires. These are just extraordinary numbers, numbers which represent the protection that our firefighters provide to the people of New South Wales. As our firefighters protect the people of New South Wales, so, too, is the Government committed to providing the best possible protection and support for all of our firefighters and their families across New South Wales when they need it most; it goes without saying that this Government supports our firefighters. It is often assumed by those opposite that because the Australian Labor Party has a special relationship with the union movement they have some sort of unique insight into the working conditions of people like firefighters. I would contend that that is no longer the case and, as the Government leadership often says, the Coalition is now the party of the worker. For example, Coalition members have not been cloistered in the union environment or an environment where they have worked as party apparatchiks all their lives. They have real-life experience and through that real-life experience they are able to understand issues through the casual conversations they have had with relevant sections of the community. I can offer a personal example. The parents of two of my daughter's best friends at school included a long-time worker in the fire and rescue services and a train driver. People often think that those who live on the North Shore are multimillionaires but our community is full of ordinary workers, giving members on this side of the House opportunities to hear what I would call casual testimony, in a social context, of the sorts of issues that affect the working lives of everyday people. I have been inside the home of a fire and rescue service worker and a train driver, as they have been inside my home. Through convivial conversations, often facilitated by a beverage or two, I have learnt about some of the demands on the grassroots members of organisations such as the fire and rescue services. Firefighters have to deal with situations that cause them greater trauma, which thankfully many of us in the community do not have to deal with, and as a consequence it is recognised that that the community, through the New South Wales Government, supports sensible benefits to these workers based upon evidence, decision-making, careful legal drafting of legislation and sensible fiscal responsibility. To that end this Government supports the introduction of presumptive workers compensation legislation for our firefighters regarding specific cancers where the research shows there is a link between their work and the cancer. What this Government does not support is legislation that does not fulfil that criterion. Not only are the people and property of New South Wales protected by firefighters employed by Fire and Rescue NSW but also they are protected by the extraordinary volunteers who provide their time in service to the people of New South Wales through the NSW Rural Fire Service. The NSW Rural Fire Service is the world's largest volunteer fire service. That is a fantastic reflection on the community spirit of the people of New South Wales. As a member of Parliament one of the great pleasures I have had is to get to know these unique people very well. It is well known that in the Upper North Shore, which I represent, is the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Our very leafy area is full of beautiful trees, and also includes the Lane Cove National Park, and provides challenges in terms of bushfires. That has galvanised the community to have many volunteers in the NSW Rural Fire Service. Through meeting them I can say it is an amazing cross-section of our society that are in the Rural Fire Service—in my area we have judges, engineers, tradies, school teachers and all manner of occupations, even some politicians—and their level of service is quite extraordinary. On 20 September 2018 I attended the medal presentation for the Hornsby-Ku-ring-gai Rural Fire Service. Jack Barnett, who is a great constituent in our area, was recognised for 60 years of service to the NSW Rural Fire Service. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: That is older than you. Mr ALISTER HENSKENS: That is older than me; almost older than the Deputy Speaker. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1151

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Not quite. Mr ALISTER HENSKENS: Four other people, including John Hanscombe, had 50 years of service— that is almost as old as me. It was appropriate that on that occasion Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, local members of Parliament and others came together as a community to recognise this outstanding service. In one local area in the electorate of the member for Hornsby it seemed as if every member of the community was a member of the NSW Rural Fire Service. That is absolutely extraordinary. These are the sorts of people who do not get paid. They voluntarily risk their lives to protect their community and the people of our State. They deserve our great gratitude. The NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers are supported by more than 800 full-time staff, the majority of whom volunteer in the NSW Rural Fire Service. It would be remiss of me not to mention Mark Sugden who leads the Hornsby-Ku-ring-gai Rural Fire Service in my area. Indeed, so important is the Hornsby-Ku-ring-gai Rural Fire Service brigade that it is now being split into two brigades. There will now be a new Ku-ring-gai brigade based at Killara. I acknowledge the leadership of Mark Sugden and Stuart Clark, who is a very distinguished lawyer and former managing partner at Clayton Utz, and who has been very active in the rural fire service for many years, in this very important development in my local area. In 2016-17 the NSW Rural Fire Service volunteer members attended more than 24,000 incidents across New South Wales, including more than 11,500 fires, and it also undertook more than 2,000 controlled hazard reduction burns. I categorically inform the House that this Government supports our firefighters whether they be from NSW Fire and Rescue or members of the NSW Rural Fire Service. Ms : Why oppose the bill then? Mr ALISTER HENSKENS: It is very regrettable that we are getting interjections of that kind. This is a very serious subject. We are talking about very serious illnesses that are suffered by firefighters. Dr Hugh McDermott: That sounds dirty. Mr ALISTER HENSKENS: I note another interjection from a member who does not even give the House the courtesy of sitting in the Chamber. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: If the member for Prospect wants to make a contribution he should come into the Chamber. The member will cease back-answering and leave the Speaker's gallery. Mr ALISTER HENSKENS: The member for Prospect is sitting in the Speaker's gallery drinking a cup of coffee. The way in which members such as the member for Prospect are disrespecting this House and this Parliament is an absolute disgrace. We all know about the member for Prospect and his faux medals and carry on. He is going red in the face. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The member for Prospect will leave the Chamber. Mr ALISTER HENSKENS: I am sorry for getting a little bit upset. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member for Prospect had no right to interject from where he was sitting or to be drinking a cup of coffee. Mr ALISTER HENSKENS: This is a serious matter. That sort of behaviour ought not to be tolerated by this House. Before I was rudely interrupted I believe I was saying that the NSW Rural Fire Service undertook more than 2,000 controlled hazard reduction burns in 2016-17, which are very important for communities like mine. The Government supports our firefighters and it supports the introduction of presumptive workers compensation legislation for our firefighters regarding specific cancers where the research shows there is a link between the work they do and the cancer that the firefighter has unfortunately contracted. The Government made a very important announcement on 27 September that it would soon bring to Parliament a bill to provide for presumptive legislation for firefighters regarding the specific cancers that research has shown can be linked to the dangerous work that firefighters perform. I hear a few murmurs from the member for Fairfield about that, but the fact is that these issues require detailed consideration and careful formulation to properly deal with them, and that is what the Government is doing. I am not critical of the member for Fairfield. It is fair to say that the Opposition does not have all the resources of Government to be able to do these things as thoroughly as the Government can do them, and the Government certainly has access to resources that the Opposition does not have, but the Government is not going to rush into these matters. The Government will address this matter properly and carefully so there are no mistakes or problems, because that is what the people of New South Wales deserve and it is certainly what the firefighters deserve. I will outline some of the problems with this bill, which will not be repeated in the legislation that the Government introduces. On 27 September the Minister for Finance, Services and Property and member for Ryde, Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1152

and the Minister for Emergency Services and member for Dubbo, announced that the Government would introduce presumptive legislation for firefighters. I quote from their media statement: The Government will introduce amendments to workers compensation legislation to reverse the onus of proof for NSW firefighters who are diagnosed with one of 12 prescribed cancers and meet the applicable minimum employment periods. Anyone who is diagnosed from today onwards will be entitled to the presumption, subject to the passing of this legislation. Known as presumptive legislation, similar provisions have been introduced in most other states and territories and the Commonwealth over the past seven years. One reason the Government does not agree with Labor's bill is that, as described by the shadow spokesman, it contains a 10-year post-employment limitation on making a claim. I do not think firefighters would be happy to know that there is a limitation of that kind. The Government believes that our firefighters deserve better protection than that and is currently finalising the costings and operational changes required to implement its preferred reform, which will not contain Labor's 10-year limitation period. Over the past 12 months the Government has been consulting with the Fire Brigade Employees Union and the NSW Rural Fire Service Association, which represent the more than 100,000 current and former firefighters who will benefit from the Government's reform. The principal firefighting agencies, including Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service, have been part of the consultation. The Government is committed to bringing effective and fair legislation before the Parliament that establishes presumptive rights to workers compensation for firefighters. The member for Fairfield's bill—and I am not critical of him personally— the Workers Compensation (Firefighters Presumptive Rights to Compensation) Bill 2018 is not effective or fair legislation. I do not say that as a personal attack on the member, but the Government wants to get this legislation right and to make it better. All Australian jurisdictions with presumptive legislation prescribe the same 12 types of primary cancers and apply the same qualifying periods of service for each of those cancers. Despite the consistency and types of prescribed cancers and corresponding service periods, there are several differences in the design features across Australia. The member for Fairfield noted that the first presumptive legislation for firefighters in Australia was enacted in 2011 in the Commonwealth Workers Compensation Scheme and that this move recognised the very important and occupationally hazardous role firefighters play every day. The Commonwealth legislation provided presumptive rights for those who are unfortunately diagnosed with one of the specified 12 cancers, which had been expanded from seven specified cancers following a Senate inquiry. Following the passage of that bill, other jurisdictions across Australia reviewed the research and sought to pass presumptive legislation modelled on the Commonwealth legislation. In September 2013 Tasmania passed legislation for employed firefighters and volunteer firefighters who could demonstrate 150 exposures over 10 years. In October 2013 Western Australia passed legislation providing presumptive provisions for employed firefighters, extending that to volunteer firefighters in 2016. In March 2014 South Australia enacted provisions based on the Tasmanian model. That was amended in 2015 to remove the requirement for volunteers to have attended at least 150 exposure events. In March 2015, the Northern Territory passed legislation based on the Commonwealth legislation for employed firefighters, with presumptive rights for volunteers who have had 150 exposures, similar to the Tasmanian legislation. The Government will seek to introduce amendments aligning New South Wales workers compensation arrangements with other Australian jurisdictions that have presumptive legislation. I will now list the 12 prescribed cancers that the Government supports being included in workers compensation legislation for serious medical conditions, and their qualifying service periods. The first is a primary site brain cancer for which the qualifying service period will be five years. A primary site brain cancer occurs when abnormal cells form within the brain. Tumours can be cancerous or benign, and primary tumours are those that start within the brain and will be covered by the legislation, as opposed to secondary tumours that spread from elsewhere in the body. The second of the 12 prescribed cancers is primary leukaemia, for which the qualifying period will be five years. Leukaemia is a group of cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in a high number of white blood cells. These white blood cells are not fully developed and are called blasts or leukaemia cells. The third of the 12 prescribed cancers is breast cancer and the qualifying service period will be 10 years. Breast cancer is a cancer that develops from breast tissue. It is relatively widely known in the community. Signs of breast cancer usually, but not always, include a lump in the breast. The fourth prescribed cancer is primary site testicular cancer and the qualifying service period will be 10 years. Testicular cancer is a cancer that develops in the testes, which, as we all know, are part of the male reproductive system. The fifth of the 12 prescribed cancers is primary site bladder cancer and the qualifying service period is 15 years. Bladder cancer is any of several types Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1153

of cancer arriving from the tissues of the urinary bladder. It is a disease in which cells grow abnormally and have the potential to spread to other parts of the body. The sixth of the prescribed cancers is primary site kidney cancer and the qualifying service period is 15 years. Kidney cancer is also known as renal cancer, and it is a type of cancer that starts in the cells in the kidney. The two most common types of kidney cancer are renal cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma, also known as urothelial cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis. These names reflect the type of cell from which the cancer develops. The seventh of the prescribed cancers is primary Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and the qualifying service period is 15 years. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a group of blood cancers that includes all types of lymphoma, except Hodgkin's lymphoma. Symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, weight loss and tiredness. The eighth type of prescribed cancer is multiple myeloma and the qualifying service period is 15 years. I note that the word "multiple" is not included in the private member's bill, which I think may be a drafting error. Multiple myeloma, also known as plasma cell myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsible for producing antibodies. The ninth type of prescribed cancer is primary site prostate cancer and the qualifying service period is 15 years. Prostate cancer is a common cancer among men. It is the development of cancer in the prostate gland in the male reproductive system. I think that is well known in the general community. The tenth type of prescribed cancer is primary site ureteral cancer and the qualifying service period is 15 years. Ureteral cancer is a cancer of the ureters, the muscular tubes that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. It is also known as ureter cancer. The eleventh type of prescribed cancer is primary site colorectal cancer and the qualifying period is 15 years. Colorectal cancer is also known as bowel cancer and colon cancer. It is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum, and involves the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. The twelfth prescribed cancer is primary site oesophageal cancer and the qualifying period is 25 years. Oesophageal cancer is a cancer arising from the oesophagus, the food pipe that runs between the throat and the stomach. Symptoms often include difficulty in swallowing and weight loss. Importantly, the Government has taken the time to review and learn from these other Australian workers compensation jurisdictions. This will ensure that our firefighters who work so hard to protect the lives and property of the people of New South Wales are provided with the best possible protection and support when they need it the most. This legislation deserves careful, informed, evidence-based drafting and that is what the Government is committed to doing. The Government's position is informed by extensive Australian and overseas research on cancer incidents and mortality rates in firefighters. I will talk briefly about the research and inform the House of that research conducted both in Australia and internationally that informs the Government's position. A 2014 study that the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council commissioned and the Monash University undertook looked at cancer incidence and mortality rates in firefighters. The study, an extensive study of nearly 233,000 serving or former full-time, part-time and volunteer firefighters in Australia, made a number of findings including the following. First, full-time and part-time male career firefighters had a statistically significant increase in prostate cancer incidence, particularly for those employed for more than 20 years and 10 years respectively. Secondly, there was a trend of increasing overall cancer incidence with increased attendance at vehicle fires for male career firefighters. Thirdly, lymphohematopoietic cancer was significantly elevated for full-time career firefighters with at least 10 years of service compared with those who had worked for fewer than 10 years. Fourthly, male breast cancer was statistically significantly increased among full-time career firefighters employed for more than 20 years. Lastly, general mortality of firefighters was significantly lower than the wider Australian population, attributed generally to better health and fitness amongst our firefighters. Many of our firefighters are extraordinarily fit men and women, which is of great assistance to them in the performance of their duties. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are one, aren't you? Mr ALISTER HENSKENS: No, I regret to say. In fact yesterday at the Parliamentary friends, I suggested that perhaps the Treasurer could do with a bit of strength and conditioning, given his frame, which is contrary to the frame of many members of Parliament [MPs]. Many MPs do not suffer a lack of conditioning. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Please do not look at me when you are saying all this. Mr ALISTER HENSKENS: Mr Deputy Speaker, I am not casting any aspersions on you. I certainly would be in a glasshouse throwing stones if I were to do so. I turn now to the international research that has informed the Government's position. The LeMasters study is a 2006 meta-analysis of 32 separate studies on firefighters to determine their cancer risk. Put together, the 32 studies involved 110,000 firefighters, most of them full-time male firefighters. Risk for 20 different cancers was classified into three categories—"probable", "possible" or "not likely". Patterned after the risk assessment model used by the International Agency for Research on Cancer the study made the following findings. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1154

First, there was a probable risk for multiple myeloma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and prostate cancer. Secondly, there was a possible risk for testicular cancer, skin cancer, malignant melanoma, brain cancer, and cancer of the rectum, buccal cavity, pharynx, stomach and colon, as well as leukaemia. Thirdly, there was an unlikely risk for cancer of the larynx, bladder, oesophagus, pancreas, kidney, liver and lung, as well as Hodgkin's disease. Another large international study was the study of cancer amongst United States firefighters published in 2016. This was a five year study of nearly 30,000 firefighters from Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco fire departments. The firefighters showed higher rates of certain types of cancers than the general United States population. Ms : Which is why they need workers compensation legislation. Mr ALISTER HENSKENS: Based on United States cancer rates, first, firefighters in the study had a greater number of cancer diagnoses. Ms Liesl Tesch: So why don't you look after them in the compensation? Mr ALISTER HENSKENS: I know the member for Gosford has come in halfway through the speech but her interjections show a lack of knowledge of what I have been saying to the House for some time and they are regrettable. I would prefer it if she desisted from making such uninformed and erroneous comments. I will continue. First, firefighters in the study had a greater number of cancer diagnoses and cancer-related deaths. These were mostly digestive, oral, respiratory and urinary cancers. Secondly, there were more cancers among young firefighters. For example, firefighters in the study who were under 65 years of age had more bladder and prostate cancers. The Ottawa firefighters study published in 2017 made two critical findings. First, firefighters absorb carcinogenic and DNA damaging chemicals through their skin, and preventing skin exposure can greatly reduce the risk of disease. Secondly, according to researchers, many previous studies show firefighters have an increased risk of cancers and other serious illnesses because of their exposure to hazardous chemicals found in smoke. As I mentioned earlier, these studies are robust credible academic studies. These studies inform the Government's position to establish presumptive rights to workers compensation for firefighters in respect of certain cancers. I am emphasising this because it is important to get this right. Presumptive legislation is important and it is important our firefighters get the protection they need. I now turn to the Workers Compensation (Firefighters' Presumptive Rights to Compensation) Bill 2018 introduced by the member for Fairfield. which is, as noted on the bill: An Act to establish presumptive rights to workers compensation for firefighters suffering from certain kinds of cancer. It is a noble and proper aim and an aim that this Government supports. However, this bill is not the right vehicle to achieve this aim. The Government supports the introduction of presumptive workers compensation legislation for our firefighters regarding specific cancers where the research shows there is a link. The bill proposed by the member for Fairfield does not sit well with the existing workers compensation legislative framework. It provides further complication and complexity by introducing yet another Act to sit alongside the current Act. I quote from the bill. Clause 3 states: 3. Relationship to workers compensation Acts (1) This Act is to be construed with, and as if it formed part of, the following Acts: (a) the 1987 Act, (b) the 1998 Act, (c) the volunteer firefighters compensation Act. (2) In the event of an inconsistency between this Act and the 1987 Act, the 1998 Act or the volunteer firefighters compensation Act, this Act prevails to the extent of the inconsistency. Where the Acts are defined as: the 1987 Act means the Workers Compensation Act 1987. the 1998 Act means the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 the volunteer firefighters compensation Act means the Workers Compensation (Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act 1987. Members of this Parliament are all too familiar with and recognise that there is extreme complexity in the workers compensation Acts. A firefighter is already covered by the Workers Compensation Act 1987, the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998, and the Workers Compensation Regulation 2016. A volunteer firefighter is covered by the Workers Compensation Act 1987 and the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998, the Workers Compensation (Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act 1987 and the Workers Compensation Regulation 2016. The members opposite, through this private member's Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1155

bill, want to add another Act into that already complex mix. I think it really raises a question for those members opposite. Noting that this bill introduces a new Act into the workers compensation legislation, how was the Act intended to operate with the definitions of workers compensation legislation as per the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998? I quote the definition of workers compensation legislation in the 1998 Act: "workers compensation legislation" means: (a) this Act and the instruments under this Act, or (b) the 1987 Act and the instruments under that Act, or (c) the Workers Compensation (Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act 1987 and the instruments under that Act, or (d) the Workers' Compensation (Dust Diseases) Act 1942 and the instruments under that Act, or (e) any other Act or instrument (or part) prescribed by the regulations. I have read the Workers Compensation (Firefighters' Presumptive Rights to Compensation) Bill 2018 from front to back several times, yet I am not clear that the proposed Act would operate within that definition. The Workers Compensation (Firefighters' Presumptive Rights to Compensation) Bill 2018 introduces more complexity. This Government is committed to simplifying workers compensation as much as possible, not adding to the complexity of an already complex system. Section 5 of the Workers Compensation (Firefighters' Presumptive Rights to Compensation) Bill 2018 seeks to define "firefighters" in clause 5 as: (1) An eligible firefighter is a person who is an employed firefighter or a volunteer firefighter. (2) An employed firefighter is a worker who: (a) is employed as a firefighter, or (b performs firefighting duties as a substantial part of his or her employment. (3) Volunteer firefighter has the same meaning as official fire fighter has in Part 2 of the volunteer firefighters compensation Act. (4) The service period for an eligible firefighter is the total period during which the firefighter is employed as a firefighter (including where the employment involves the performance of firefighting duties as a substantial part of the employment) or is engaged as a volunteer firefighter (or both). Definitions are very important to any legislation, particularly in workers compensation legislation. Poor, open and vague definitions will ultimately lead to disputes. Just yesterday this House debated and passed the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2018. I thank the Minister for Finance, Services and Property, the member for Ryde, for the work he and his staff have undertaken to bring the Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 to Parliament. As all members would be aware a key objective of that bill was to simplify the dispute resolution process and introduce amendments to reduce workers compensation disputes. It seems that members of the Opposition have not taken into account anything from that process, as the Workers Compensation (Firefighters' Presumptive Rights to Compensation) Bill 2018 that they brought before this House will inevitably lead to an increase in disputes. For example, the definition of "firefighter" in clause 5 (1) of the bill states: (1) An eligible firefighter is a person who is an employed firefighter or a volunteer firefighter. That seems simple and clear enough but clause 5 (2) then states: (2) An employed firefighter is a worker who: (a) is employed as a firefighter, or (b) performs firefighting duties as a substantial part of his or her employment. Clause 2 (a) also seems simple enough but under clause 5 (2) (b) does the firefighter have to prove or provide evidence that they performed firefighting duties as a substantial part of their employment? I ask members opposite: What does "substantial" mean in this case? Does it mean 10 or 20 per cent of their work time? Does it mean 10 hours a day or 50 per cent? By leaving critical definitions ambiguous as to who can and who cannot claim under the bill through vague language leads to uncertainty. It will lead to distress to workers. It will burden our courts. It will lead to judges having to determine those matters and it will ultimately lead to stress and anxiety for workers as to what their legal position is. The definition of "firefighting duties" in the bill presents similar problems. These are but some examples of the problems inherent in the drafting of this bill. As I have already said, it is extremely important that a well formulated and considered bill is put to this Parliament. As a consequence, the Workers Compensation (Firefighters' Presumptive Rights to Compensation) Bill 2018 should not be supported in its current form. Ms TRISH DOYLE (Blue Mountains) (11:32): I will make a brief contribution to debate on the Workers Compensation (Firefighters' Presumptive Rights to Compensation) Bill 2018. In doing so, I acknowledge that once again Labor and its shadow ministerial team are leading the way from Opposition, within a policy and legislative vacuum created by the laziness of the Government. Labor has been engaging with and listening to the Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1156

community on this and many other matters. The Fire Brigade Employees Union [FBEU] and the Rural Fire Services Association have both pledged their support for this legislation and have been at the forefront of the push to protect firefighters in both agencies against the long-term health impacts of the vital work they perform. To this end, Leighton Drury at the FBEU has been leading the charge and advocating for the health and wellbeing of his members and he should be commended for his contribution to getting this bill before the House. This bill seeks to introduce amendments to the Workers Compensation Act 1987, the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 and the Workers Compensation (Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act 1987 to provide employed and volunteer firefighters with the appropriate protections should they contract a cancer known to be caused by exposure to hazardous substances while performing firefighting duties. This is especially pertinent as we learn more and more about the health impacts of dangerous firefighting equipment and suppressants such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid [PFAS]. This bill will bring New South Wales in line with other Australian jurisdictions. I note that when Labor's shadow Minister for Emergency Services, Guy Zangari, introduced this bill in September, the New South Wales Liberals indicated they were willing to move on the issue. If that is the case, I look forward to them voting for this bill. Just as Labor was out in front on new legislation to protect emergency services workers and first responders by the roadside, and the Government followed our lead in that respect, we are leading the way on worker health in the emergency services sector and the Government is being shamed into action. Unlike Labor, however, the New South Wales Liberals have not engaged in a consultative process with the people who matter most in this debate—the firefighters on the frontlines protecting our communities. Labor has engaged with these people, and the bill we are debating today enjoys firefighters' support. The need for legislation to enshrine in law essential protections for full-time, retained and volunteer firefighters has been acknowledged in every other Australian jurisdiction. New South Wales remains the only jurisdiction in the nation that is lagging behind without protections for firefighters at risk of contracting certain cancers as a result of their role as firefighters. Numerous studies have conclusively proven that firefighters are at much greater risk of developing certain cancers as a result of being exposed to hazardous substances in their job. Therefore this bill will ensure that any firefighter who is diagnosed with one of the listed occupational cancers is eligible for compensation without needing to go to excessive lengths to prove a direct cause of the disease. As the member for Blue Mountains, I know how important it is that the community at large protects firefighters at a time in their lives when they need it. Many of my local firefighters have approached me very humbled and supportive of Labor's move to introduce this bill. I acknowledge the contribution of Zone Commander Blue Mountains at Fire and Rescue NSW, Selwyn Mathias, and District Manager for the Rural Fire Service [RFS], David Jones, as well as their executive teams and all their crews, every Fire and Rescue station in the mountains and the retained and permanent firefighters who work there, and all of our RFS volunteers who keep our community safe during bushfire season, and the other seasons, who lead us into preparedness and resilience month in and month out. Fire and firefighters are synonymous with the Blue Mountains. My community relies on the dedication and bravery of Fire and Rescue firefighters and Rural Fire Service volunteers because of the unique risks of living in a bushland setting. But we need to acknowledge that at times these workers will need our support and assistance in return, and Labor offers that to the firefighting community today. I thank all firefighters across this State for dealing with hazardous material in dangerous and unpredictable situations on a daily basis. That is why we are here today, and that is why we are putting forward this important legislation. I commend the bill to the House and I implore the New South Wales Liberal-Nationals Government to support it. Mr (Campbelltown) (11:38): I am delighted to contribute to debate on the important Workers Compensation (Firefighters' Presumptive Rights to Compensation) Bill 2018. Ultimately, this is about the protection of workers. Firefighters work in some of the most dangerous conditions that any employees confront. Putting a framework of protection in place for workers who keep our communities safe day in and day out is vital and paramount. Yesterday during debate on the workers compensation bill I said that workers who hope to come home from work in the same condition as they went to work are not seeking a luxury but pursuing a right. It is our job to ensure that a framework is in place through regulatory means and Acts of this Parliament to provide those protections. Yesterday I was a dumbfounded by the statements of some members opposite who, frankly, are out of touch. I refer to the member for Epping, who basically tried to reduce the validity of the serious issues confronting our injured workers. I thank the House. Mr DAVID HARRIS (Wyong) (11:40): I am pleased to support the very good Workers Compensation (Firefighters' Presumptive Rights to Compensation) Bill 2018 introduced by our shadow Minister. I acknowledge the members of the firefighters union who are in the gallery. I commend them for their fantastic work in advocating Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1157

on behalf of their members to bring this legislation to the House. I was surprised to learn that New South Wales is the only Australian State that does not recognise the serious health risks faced by firefighters on the job. Several jurisdictions around the world have presumptive legislation, including most Canadian provinces and 24 American States. In many cases that legislation also covers volunteers, which this bill seeks to do too. It is important for our firefighters that the bill is passed. I was particularly buoyed to support the bill after I heard a firefighter say: The last thing a person needs when given a diagnosis of a potential fatal disease, when they and their families are struggling with treatments, doctors and an uncertain outcome is to have to worry about costs of these treatments or in fact even if they will have a job once their employer is aware of the seriousness of their illness. That goes to the core of this matter. On a daily basis firefighters are expected to take risks that would be unacceptable in any other work environment. They may be trained to manage risk and protect themselves, but their working environment itself cannot be made safe because they deal with situations that are inherently dangerous and they may lose control. Firefighters work in the interests of society and as safety professionals; however, they essentially waive their right to refuse dangerous work and routinely accept risk on behalf of the community. It is obvious that it is in the interests of New South Wales to compensate them for the risk they take. I know that the Government has come on board at the eleventh hour and committed to introducing legislation. That has not happened as yet; we are still waiting. Ms Trish Doyle: There is a media release. Mr DAVID HARRIS: Yes, we have seen a media release. The fact that Government members are not supporting this bill is a cynical and purely political action. They want to be seen to have done it rather than support our legislation that is warranted and needed. Business interrupted. Motions INVICTUS GAMES Mr JAMES GRIFFIN (Manly) (11:44): I move: That this House: (1) Welcomes more than 500 athletes from 18 nations to Sydney as they compete in the Invictus Games. (2) Joins with thousands of people from across New South Wales in celebrating the many inspirational stories of the Invictus Games. (3) Recognises the value of this event in raising awareness of the power of sport and physical activity to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding of and respect for those who serve their country. On the dusty plains of the Chora Valley, central Oruzgan province, Afghanistan, on March 2012, dressed in white, clean and washed, a young boy approximately 12 years old stepped calmly over a small ditch and onto a road. From there he walked into the middle of a small 10-person patrol before detonating the large bomb he was wearing as a vest. The bombing on that day caused Australia's first civilian combat casualty in the 10-year Afghanistan war. That exact location and date also marks the beginning of a slow descent into depression and isolation for my brother-in-law, who was on his first tour of Afghanistan. My brother-in-law was a proud, fit and happy young man. He chose to become a soldier. He was passionate about service. He was proud to be a digger and proud to have been recently promoted to a lance corporal to lead his small combat unit. He learnt some amazing skills—particularly as a medic and in first aid—as he trained for and during his time in Afghanistan. He hoped to one day put those skills to good use as a civilian. He would speak of becoming an ambo after he finished in Afghanistan. The trauma which that day in 2012 inflicted on him is not visible. He has no scars. He has no physical injury. Perhaps that is what makes it so hard to deal with—both for him and us as a family. It is far more difficult to articulate the pain of the mind than point to a scar or missing limb. People might think the Invictus Games seem somewhat irrelevant or remote. They may think, "Sure, the games are interesting and lovely, but I don't know any veterans, so what does it mean for me?" The true value in the Invictus Games lies beneath the glamour of Prince Harry, the shine of the medals and the entertainment of the opening ceremony. It needs people to go beyond a curious scan of the website or a flick through the pages of the newspaper. The games not only shine a light on the hundreds of competitors, their thousands of supportive friends and family members and the massive journey they all took through recovery but also send a message. They send a message to those in the shadows, like my brother-in-law, veterans or not, who are still broken. They send a message to those who cannot or will not seek help, who cannot manage to lift the fog, who have cut off the outside world and see no way back to recovery. They send a message that it takes just one small but meaningful step to begin a long and often painful road back to recovery—a road that does not need to be travelled alone. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1158

In this month that is fittingly Mental Health Month, we rightly place a emphasis on the mental wellbeing of all citizens. Adaptive sport competitions like the Invictus Games help to demonstrate and start a discussion that people from all walks of life—service people or not—can overcome their injuries, boost their self-esteem and have an outlet to expend excess energy through physical activity no matter how simple it may be. Furthermore, the social impact of the games provides an environment of belonging, promoting an active and connected lifestyle for all of those dealing with mental or physical challenges. Once the Invictus Games have moved on its legacy will focus on adaptive sport, health and wellbeing, education and employment. Yesterday the Premier and the Minister for Mental Health launched a new suicide prevention framework and announced an additional $90 million to tackle that issue. The relationship between mental health for every citizen and the goals of the Invictus Games is strong and real. I know that veterans like my brother-in-law do not want our sympathy. He is uncomfortable with me sharing his story, but he knows it must be done. His pain and darkness is a shared pain. No one person in a family carries the burdens alone. Invictus Games competitors do not want our sympathy. They want us to celebrate with them—their journey, their resilience and the real example they provide for all of us that adversity causes some to break and others to break records. I hope that the Invictus Games will light a spark in people like my brother-in-law that will cause him to take his first step on the road to recovery. For me and all of us, that is what the Invictus Games are all about. Ms LIESL TESCH (Gosford) (11:49): I thank the member for Manly for sharing such a personal journey. I have been on a similar journey, not with members of my family but with veterans from my community over the last few months. Invictus has been a powerful space for all of us to look, listen, think and perhaps breathe in a different way than we have had the opportunity to do before, because the games are in our location. The Invictus Games in Sydney will be brilliant. We are all ready for this fantastic opportunity to challenge our concepts of ability, possibility and also reality. Some 500 athletes from around the world and their families and friends have already converged on this great city. They will educate all of us about the importance of sport for all and what that means. Even before the opening ceremony on Saturday, these men and women are already heroes. Every person competing in the Invictus Games has served their nation. This in itself is an incredible commitment and incredible generosity—to select a dangerous workplace that in essence protects democracies around the world. On my journey with young returned servicemen similar to the member for Manly's brother-in-law and with our local Invictus athlete Luke Hill to schools across the Central Coast in recent weeks, I have learned that there is much more about the challenges that servicemen and women go through in their line of duty. Like athletes, military personnel are trained to perfection. They are trained to perform in a team with focused responsibility to undertake disciplined duties to achieve particular goals with unwavering focus. But, unlike athletes, their workplace involves exposure to violence, trauma and risk to human life, yet they endure. In the past few weeks, I have heard firsthand the challenges of returning home to an ordinary human life after both peacetime and wartime operations. Servicemen, servicewomen and Invictus athletes alike speak of times when their moral fibre was challenged and their ethics put to the test in their workplaces. Yet, once our injured veterans return home, they are left to their own devices to try to slot back into civilian life and get on with it as best as they possibly can. The result for many is post-traumatic stress disorder, but PTSD does not pop up immediately. It is not an immediate injury like the one I suffered when I fell from my bike or when the young man was blown up. It is an illness that can simmer within and may or may not manifest for weeks or years or under any circumstance. Our Central Coast Invictus hero reflects that it took years for him to realise that PTSD was sneaking up on him, and even then it took a while for him to reach out for help and to take action. I commend Luke for taking steps to create support structures and activities to help manage his PTSD. In this Mental Health Month of October, I emphasise the relationship between beyondblue and the Invictus Games that highlights the positive impact that sport, exercise and participation can have on mental health and wellbeing. The games highlight how sport and exercise help people regain confidence and sense of normality and control. Sport gives us a framework in which we can set goals, work to improve our own personal ability and reach the next level of competition. Sport is great for our bodies, and the adrenaline and endorphins released during exercise are something that I am definitely addicted to. The member for Manly is nodding his head, so I suspect he knows exactly what I am talking about. Sport has played an important role in rehabilitation after injury. Prince Harry has highlighted that the Invictus Games is about not just physical injury but also the invisible mental issues. Sometimes I think I am lucky to have this wheelchair, which people can see, but the Invictus Games will leave a legacy about the things within us. It will show that it is okay to speak about PTSD, one's anxiety and depression and, more importantly, it is okay to reach out and create a world with a cocoon of strategies and possibilities around an individual. Most would Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1159

agree that that starts with family being there, but there are many more resources in our community, as we saw in Parliament yesterday, to form that cocoon. With archery, athletics, indoor rowing, cycling, sailing, , swimming, wheelchair basketball, , wheelchair tennis, the Invictus Games will offer a set of exciting and amazing events. I am a little disappointed to see the member for Terrigal's press release that states that Labor does not support the Invictus Games. That weirded me out. The Invictus Games is far above the politics of this place. I can wish all of the athletes, families and fans the very best. I encourage Sydneysiders to get behind the games: to go down, get tickets, watch the free events on Sunday and enjoy this opportunity to change the face of mental health and have conversations we have never had before. Mr (Seven Hills) (11:54): Is it an absolute pleasure to speak on this motion moved by the member for Manly. I commend him for moving this motion on the Invictus Games. He has close ties to Invictus through his family and his upbringing—an upbringing that was obviously very successful, as he is a fine member of this Parliament and a fine representative of his community. Invictus was celebrated in the Manly community. There was a walk and talk session on Manly Beach with the Minister for Veterans Affairs, which would have been an interesting walk for the member for Manly. The member for Manly also held a breakfast in Parliament. He has certainly taken the Invictus Games on board. It is a credit to him. As the Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans, I formally record my welcome to those competing in the Invictus Games. We have heard stories of the origins of Invictus and what it is about, and I will not go over that. Instead I welcome and thank those who are assisting the veterans to participate, those who have taken time off work to volunteer, those who are working to organise the games and, importantly, those who are accompanying the carers, family and friends who are here to support the veterans participating in the Invictus Games. I commend those volunteers and carers to the House. They have also travelled the journey with the veterans, which must have been and must still be a hard journey for those carers and assistants. I cannot imagine how difficult that journey must have been. I understand that they must be proud of what their friend, father, sister, brother or other relative is doing as they face their physical and mental challenges in participating in these games. In short, as a community we are proud of the efforts of the competitors in the Invictus Games. I wish them all the best in their efforts. I hope they enjoy themselves and go well. It is an absolute privilege to be in this House at this time that the Invictus Games are in Sydney. It is a privilege to be a small part of a magnificent event. I commend the motion. Mr GUY ZANGARI (Fairfield) (11:57): I thank the member for Manly for moving this important motion, and I note that the Invictus Games is an international, adaptive multisport event which has been regarded as a tremendous success around the globe since its inception by Prince Harry in 2014. He said the games would "demonstrate the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and demonstrate life beyond disability". The adaptive sports which the athletes will compete in are simply modified versions of their traditional counterparts, with some changes to the rules and equipment, as seen in the Paralympics. I acknowledge the efforts of my colleague the member for Gosford in her Paralympic pursuits. She is a true champion and a strong advocate for people to lift themselves out of troubled times, increase their skills and break down the barriers. I thank the member for Gosford for her advocacy. The story behind the Invictus Games is remarkable. The games were born from the inspiration Prince Harry felt while watching the British team competing at the US Warrior Games in 2013. Prince Harry witnessed firsthand the tremendous power sport can play and it certainly helped physically, psychologically and socially for those who are suffering from injuries and illness. The word "invictus" means "unconquered". It embodies the fighting spirit of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and exemplifies what can be achieved following injury. It is important to note that. The very first Invictus Games were hosted by London in 2014 where more than 300 wounded, sick or injured armed servicemen and women competed in a variety of sports including indoor rowing, archery, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, wheelchair rugby and many more. The popularity of the Invictus Games continued to grow over the coming years as more countries continue to participate. The following Invictus Games were held in Orlando, Florida, where 15 nations took part and competed at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. The welcomed 485 competitors, who competed over four days of intense sporting action in front of tens of thousands of adoring fans and spectators, who came to cheer them on. Toronto, Canada, would play host to the , with more than 540 competitors from 17 nations in attendance competing across 12 different adaptive sports throughout a number of state-of-the-art sport venues throughout Toronto. Now we are at the precipice of the here in Sydney and we are ready to cheer on athletes from 18 different nations over the coming week from 20 October to 27 October. We are all incredibly proud to be given the opportunity to honour the service men and women from our friends at home and abroad and Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1160

will be giving them all our support to make sure they feel welcome in the best city in the country. Veterans and community-minded volunteers have been working tirelessly in preparation for the 2018 Sydney Invictus Games and have been giving their all, not only to accommodate and welcome the athletes and their families, but to set up, organise and prepare for the events. One of the great things about Australia is the great Aussie spirit of volunteering. I express my thanks to all the volunteers for their efforts and help over the next week to make those wonderful service men and women feel at home. In conclusion, I thank the member for Manly for moving the motion and I thank my parliamentary colleagues for their contributions. Mr (Terrigal) (12:01): I, too, commend the member for Manly for bringing the motion yesterday, which I was delighted to support, and for his courageous speech this morning, which reinforces exactly why the Invictus Games have become so important to returned service personnel and to the world. They need to know that we respect them and honour the sacrifices they have made for their countries and for freedom. The Invictus Games really embody the spirit of success and caring and across the nation we are seeing that being embraced. We have outstanding athletes from across Australia, including Luke Hill from my own electorate of Terrigal. Luke is an amazing man. I had the privilege of sitting down and having a very extensive chat with Luke about what he had been through. Luke is very private about his post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], as is his right, but he is in awe of the commitment and attributes of those athletes who suffer physical disabilities as a result of serving in the defence of their nation, a nation coming together with the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Who could not be moved by the sight of five-year-old Dubbo student, Luke Vincent, reaching out to touch the beard of the Duke of Sussex this week. That is an image that brings the nation together. We can be so proud of the way the nation is embracing the Invictus Games, with 500 athletes from 18 nations coming together in Sydney to show that no matter the impediment they have the spirit, the will, the passion and the dedication to continue. I have spoken about the recent visit from the Minister for Veterans Affairs, the Hon. David Elliott. One could not meet a more passionate Invictus Games supporter than the Minister, as the member for Manly would know. He visited my electorate and we had a fantastic morning at Kincumber Public School. The Minister discussed firsthand with the entire school the importance of the Invictus Games and saw the excitement and passion in the schoolchildren's eyes. Children from more than 200 schools across New South Wales will watch the Invictus Games. It is testament to the spirit of the people of this country and State that our young people also embrace the passion and enthusiasm of the Invictus Games. I know that students from Kincumber Public School grabbed those tickets with enthusiasm to ensure that they attended the games. I will be attending the swimming and the opening ceremony. We, as a nation, can be so proud and there was much enthusiasm across the Central Coast also. The Invictus Games flag has been flying very proudly in the front window of my electorate office. Indeed, many people have commented on it, come into my office and asked how they can obtain tickets. My local RSL clubs in Terrigal, Wamberal and Davistown have also been supportive. The Terrigal Wamberal RSL has organised from Jai Briedis from JBS Surfboards to manufacture the most incredible Invictus Games surfboard to raise additional funds for athletes who need assistance. That is the level of passion across the Central Coast, New South Wales and Australia for the Invictus Games. I commend the member for Manly for his initiative and enthusiasm, having the breakfast here in Parliament, and driving the message of the Invictus Games, along with the Minister, the Hon. David Elliott. I congratulate him for bringing this excellent motion to the House. Mr CHRIS PATTERSON (Camden) (12:05): By leave: The word "invictus" is Latin for "unconquered" and embodies the fighting spirit of our wounded, injured and ill service men and women, as found on the Invictus website. They have been tested and challenged but they have not been overcome. They have proven that by embracing each other and the support of family and friends, they can reclaim their future. They are invictus. Thankfully, most of us will never know the horrors of combat, horrors so great that many service men and women suffer life-changing injuries, both visible and invisible, while serving their countries, while serving us. How do these men and women find the motivation to move on and not be defined by their injuries? How can we challenge perceptions and send a positive message about life beyond disability to an international audience? His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex not only asked but answered these questions and has been a tremendous advocate for these games. I would like to mention a gentleman from Camden whom I had the privilege of meeting at a couple of Anzac Day services and a Remembrance Day service and who will be competing at the Invictus Games—Garry Robinson. Garry is an outstanding and inspirational member of my community. According to the Australian Defence Force website, Garry said he joined the Australian Army in 1994 and was medically discharged in 2016 as a Special Forces Sniper Team Commander. Throughout his service he was a member of 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and 2nd Commando Regiment. He completed multiple deployments to East Timor and Afghanistan. Garry is 45 and lives in Camden Park. He will be competing in archery, cycling and swimming. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1161

Garry was asked about the nature of his injury. He said he was in a Black Hawk helicopter that crashed in Afghanistan in 2010. Garry sustained a traumatic brain injury and fractured multiple bones, including his lower spine, sacrum, eight ribs, both shoulder blades and his left leg, which was later amputated below the knee. He had a lot of internal bleeding, had his spleen removed and had a punctured lung. He was in an induced coma for four weeks while his body healed and spent two years in hospital rehabilitating from the brain injury. He was asked what role sport played in his rehabilitation. He said that sport has been a big part in his rehabilitation, especially since competing in the first Invictus Games. He came home wanting to compete more. It gave him something to focus on. Garry said: My abilities have changed over the years and, through sport, I found ways to adapt so that I can stay involved and active. That says something about Garry. When asked what his greatest achievements were he said: I feel honoured to have spent 21 years in the Army which provided me with the means to support my wife and three children. The Army has given me many opportunities in life and long-lasting friendships. Garry is an inspiration not only to the people of Camden but also to New South Wales and the Australian community. We are all extremely proud of him. We wish Garry and all competitors at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 the best of luck. They have come from adversity that the majority of us will never know and they have also risen to heights that the majority of us will never achieve. Well done! Ms (North Shore) (12:10): By leave: I acknowledge the commencement of the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 later this week and thank the member for Manly for his motion. The member for Manly has been deeply engaged in bringing these games to Sydney. I recently had the pleasure of joining him at a breakfast here at Parliament House where we heard some wonderful stories from members of the broader community, defence personnel and a lovely war widow. The beauty of the Invictus Games is that it offers the opportunity to hear from people, to learn and to understand the challenges faced by many different people. All members have a personal commitment to our current and former defence personnel, including their physical and mental wellbeing. Indeed, the Invictus Games helps to shine a light on that. The North Shore electorate has two naval bases: HMAS Waterhen and HMAS Penguin. HMAS Penguin, which I have had the pleasure of visiting on a couple of occasions, is home to the Royal Australian Navy Medical School and the Australian Defence Force Centre for Mental Health. I have visited both those centres. They are responsible for variously training and equipping our medical professionals across the Navy, and providing treatment, resources and research in mental health across the three services. From HMAS Penguin at Mosman psychologists and psychiatrists are providing tele- and video counselling to service personnel based across Australia and globally. These kinds of services have been instituted, although they may not have been in the past, to ensure that we are investing in the wellbeing of our service personnel while they are in active service and also to give them access to support when they are no longer in the service. I thank everyone who works in those centres in particular and our service personnel more broadly. The athletes who will be taking part in the Invictus Games are an inspiration to all of us. As I said, the Invictus Games shine a spotlight on critical health issues for our service personnel. They also focus on recovery and empowering individuals through sport to not be seen as disabled people but, as the member for Manly said, people who focus on their abilities, power and skills to break records. It is important to empower people who have been through illnesses or injuries, whether physical or mental, and support them in their journey to recovery. The Invictus Games do exactly that. I also acknowledge the milestone reached this week not only for my constituents but also for Sydneysiders and visitors from across the globe with the opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge access lifts in time for the games. I note that the Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight is in the Chamber. Yesterday morning Minister Pavey cut the ribbon— Mrs : Daphne did. Ms FELICITY WILSON: Daphne helped to cut the ribbon. It has been a long journey to get those lifts installed. The bridge was opened in 1932. A walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a beautiful way to experience our city—a lot of my constituents use it to commute to the city—but it has not been accessible. As able bodied people it is easy for us to forget how much other members of our community miss out on without this sort of investment. I thank Roads and Maritime Services, Minister Pavey and the 400 people who worked on this $15 million project to ensure that these lifts, which are located at both ends of the bridge, make the bridge accessible for all pedestrians—people with disability, parents with prams or anyone who has issues climbing stairs. I again thank the Minister and wish all the athletes at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 the best of luck. Mr KEVIN ANDERSON (Tamworth) (12:14): By leave: I thank the member for Manly for his motion. We know of his family's history in the defence forces. I join with him and his family in welcoming the many athletes from the many countries who will be taking take part in the Invictus Games Sydney starting this week. Sydney is an ideal place to hold these games. We have a proud military heritage and we are sports mad. As Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1162

a young veteran myself it is with a great deal of pleasure, honour and humility that I speak about those who have served our nation, those who made the ultimate sacrifice and their mates who were with them, and the physical and mental scars they brought back home with them. When one thinks of the word "home" one thinks of a warm, loving, welcoming and comfortable environment. Quite often "home" is not that environment for those who have served our country when they return. Quite often it is a world of complete unknown, given that they may have experienced operations that ultimately will affect their lives forever. We need to embrace our veterans—our young veterans and those in their senior years from theatres gone by—and make sure they know that when they are home they are absolutely warmly welcomed into the bosom of the Australian community. I am very focused on this not only with the local RSL sub- branches in my electorate but also with any RSL sub-branch across this great nation. A few weeks ago I was very pleased to welcome the Minister for Veterans Affairs, David Elliott, to the Tamworth electorate when a number of tickets were given to children with disabilities at the G. S. Kidd Memorial School, Gunnedah. The children also put on some special entertainment for the Minister and me. I am delighted, honoured and privileged to be able to represent the Minister on Friday 26 October at the Invictus Games where I will meet with ambassadors and competitors. I am really looking forward to it because it will give me an opportunity to say thank you to those who have served our nation and provided us with the freedom that we enjoy today. I am looking forward to telling them that they are home, they are warmly welcomed and we thank them for their service. The Invictus Games Sydney 2018 is about making their mark down under. Sport will not only boost self-esteem, reduce pressure and stress but also help them in their journey back to being integrated and welcomed in the community and into the family that they love and care for so much. The Invictus Games means much more than pulling on a jersey and playing sport; it goes much deeper than that. I thank the Invictus Games teams in Sydney and across the participating nations for providing this opportunity. Ms (Mulgoa—Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Women, and Minister for Ageing) (12:18): By leave: I thank the member for Manly for bringing this motion to the House and for the opportunity it has afforded many of us in this place to speak about the Invictus Games. The Invictus Games uses the power of adaptive sport to help our wounded warriors on their journey to recovery. Established by Prince Harry, the inaugural Invictus Games took place in London, England, in September 2014. In 2016, a second, immensely successful Invictus Games was held in Orlando, Florida, with more than 500 competitors from 15 nations. The Sydney games will attract competitors from 18 nations, who will compete in 11 adaptive sports. Sydney will also be hosting more than 100 family and friends who will be supporting the competitors. Most of us will never know the horrors of combat, horrors so great that many service men and women suffer life-changing injuries, both visible and invisible, while serving their countries, while serving us. The inspirational stories from many Invictus competitors highlight the importance of being active and connecting with their support network of family, friends and their local community. The Invictus Games Sydney 2018 marks the beginning of a program to support the growth of adaptive sports programs in Australia, to further personal and professional opportunities for service men and women and, above all, to encourage Australians to embrace our wounded veterans every day. I am proudly a patron of my local St Marys RSL Sub-Branch in Western Sydney. It is one of the most active sub-branches in New South Wales. All of those men and women continually serve their local communities both within Western Sydney and across New South Wales. Ex-serving men and women face specific challenges with their mental health as they reintegrate into civilian society. In April the Federal Government released the findings of the largest-ever look at how being in the Australian Defence Force [ADF] impacts the lives of military personnel and how leaving the ADF has its own problems. The report stated that people leaving the ADF have much higher rates of mental disorders such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression and drug and alcohol dependence. Nearly half—46 per cent—of veterans who left the ADF experienced a mental disorder within five years. The most common problem is anxiety, with one in three veterans saying they experienced symptoms. The other common illnesses were post-traumatic stress disorder, affecting nearly 18 per cent; panic attacks, affecting 17 per cent; and depression, affecting nearly 12 per cent. Far more concerning are the statistics on suicidal ideation. The report stated that one in five veterans has experienced suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts. The mental health and wellbeing of our veterans is of great importance to this Government. The Commonwealth Department of Veterans' Affairs provides funding for veterans who may require hospital admission, emergency department care, community health services, outpatient and other ambulatory care. In June 2017, the New South Wales Government announced that $341.2 million is to be invested in the redevelopment of the Concord Repatriation General Hospital. The redevelopment will comprise the Rusty Priest Centre for Rehabilitation and Aged Care, a new comprehensive cancer centre, additional inpatient capacity, and enhanced ambulatory care services. Yesterday, the Premier announced the Strategic Framework for Suicide Prevention in NSW, a nearly $90 million investment in our efforts to further advance suicide prevention in this Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1163

State, which marks the beginning of New South Wales' journey towards zero suicides throughout the community by ensuring that as a community we work together better. Under this strategy, distressed individuals and communities impacted by suicide or associated mental health challenges will have more support than ever before. It is anticipated that the implementation and focus on the eight integrated initiatives to receive funding will reverse the recent increase in the number of lives lost to suicide in New South Wales. I commend the efforts of all those behind the Invictus Games and I especially congratulate Prince Harry and his wife Meghan who are here in this country championing this cause and putting a spotlight on the needs of our veterans and on mental health in our community more broadly. I commend them for using their status and their ability to influence to champion this cause for everyone across our State. I congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They are welcome here in Australia and we all look forward to celebrating the start of the Invictus Games. To all the competitors: Welcome to Australia, go forward and have a great games. Mrs LESLIE WILLIAMS (Port Macquarie) (12:23): By leave: I am very pleased to join in this discussion about the Invictus Games and to join in the excitement in New South Wales as we draw closer to the opening ceremony. Other members have spoken about the word "invictus", a Latin word meaning unconquered. As has been mentioned, it embodies the spirit of our wounded and injured service men and women. We know that in the past, through the conflicts they have encountered, they have already been tested and challenged and unfortunately have the injuries to show for that. But they have not been overcome and I think we will see that when the Invictus Games begin very shortly. I too acknowledge the Duke of Sussex and the role that he has played in making the Invictus Games a reality and giving these injured service men and women from across the world the opportunity to show their spirit, their competitiveness and their ability to rise above the injuries they have sustained. I have spoken previously in the House about a particular constituent in my electorate, former Army Reserve rifleman Matthew Model, who is representing his country together with 72 other athletes from the Australian Invictus Games squad. Matthew is competing in the rowing and athletics events as the team's captain and mentor. He joined the Army in 2004 and was deployed overseas on a peacekeeping mission to East Timor from 2006 to 2007 before he was medically discharged in 2008. Sadly, he sustained injuries during military operations in a mission to capture former Timorese rebel dictator Alfredo Reinado. Matthew acknowledges, as I am sure many of the athletes do, that the Invictus Games and the amazing organisers who work tirelessly each year to ensure the success of the event are a contributing factor to motivating him to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. In athletics Matthew will compete in the 200 metre and 400 metre races as well as in the 4 x 100 metre relay, and in rowing he will partake in a four-minute endurance row and a one-minute "fly and die". Matthew is very much community-minded and when he is not training for the Invictus Games he donates his time to the Rural Fire Service. He is an amazing athlete and an absolutely exceptional volunteer in our community. I know I speak for all of my community in wishing Matthew the very best in the upcoming Invictus Games and I take this opportunity to thank him for what he has contributed to the community in the Port Macquarie electorate. The excitement around the Invictus Games here in Sydney and the excitement across our regional communities, particularly in Dubbo yesterday, of having Harry and Meghan here has a ripple effect. That our local schools will have an opportunity to be a part of the Invictus Games is fantastic. Local students will have the opportunity to cheer on the Invictus athletes in various settings and my thanks go to the Minister for Veterans Affairs. Almost 200 public schools have signed up for a unique experience, ensuring that they become a part of the spirit of the Invictus Games and a part of the exciting things that are going to happen in Sydney over the coming weeks. Mr (Myall Lakes) (12:28): By leave: I speak in support of this motion and in support of the Invictus Games that are opening here in Sydney this week. The Invictus Games is the brainchild of Prince Harry and he should commended for that. He saw the need for something to inspire and to help support injured returned service men and women. The games provide an opportunity to highlight the ability of wounded, injured and ill defence personnel and veterans. At the time of the Vietnam War, soldiers returning from Vietnam after seeing action, able-bodied and those who had been wounded, were met by nobody at the airport. They were left to their own devices and many of them suffered without any help. Through the Invictus Games, giving people who were injured and ill a goal to aim and strive for is something that saved many veterans. That should be commended. The Invictus Games will see competitors from 18 nations compete in sports such as wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, wheelchair rugby, indoor rowing and other sports. One of my constituents, who is involved in the Sporting Shooters Association and its range at Wingham in my electorate, is looking forward to competing and being given the opportunity of having something to strive for, train for and be part of. I wish him and all other competitors the very best of luck. It is fantastic that the New South Wales Liberal-Nationals Government has got behind the Invictus Games and brought them to Australia. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1164

We should commend the Minister for that. It is not only the Invictus Games that will help veterans, but also an employment target that the Government has set for veterans who have returned to Australia. The Government set out to employ as many veterans as it could and employed more than 650, exceeding the target of 200 by 227 per cent. The Minister may update us on that; those figures may be old and may need updating. A total of 71 per cent of veterans were employed by the New South Wales Government in justice and transport sectors. Ex-service men and women have also started new careers in health, education, finance, planning, environment, family and community services and the Treasury. That is fantastic. As I said, those who returned from Vietnam were forgotten about. There was no assistance or support for them, whereas now there are not only the Invictus Games but also jobs to give those people some self-esteem and help them. Every person deserves to have a job and know that they are contributing to their family, community and society. That is what this Government has done through that scheme. The other great thing about the Invictus Games is the program encouraging students to come along to the Invictus Games to see what is going on with veterans and what the Government is doing for them. More than 200 schools have taken up that opportunity. I commend this motion and I wish all those involved with the Invictus Games all the very best. Mr JAMES GRIFFIN (Manly) (12:32): In reply: I thank the member for Gosford, the member for Seven Hills who is also the Parliamentary Secretary of Corrections and Veterans, the member for Fairfield, the member for Terrigal, the member for Camden, the member for North Shore, the member for Tamworth, the Minister for Mental Health, the member for Port Macquarie and the member for Myall Lakes for their contributions to and support of this motion. I thank the Premier and the Minister—and I acknowledge him in the Chamber—for their vision and leadership to bring the games to Sydney. It has been my great privilege to play a very small role in advocating and supporting the games. It is perhaps now a bit clearer as to why I have done so with such focus and intent. It is clear from the insights of each member about what their community has done with respect to the Invictus Games that the message is getting through loud and clear. Tomorrow we will have some fun in Manly, capping off what has been 12 months of Invictus activity, whether the mental health panel at Manly Life Saving Club or the walk and talk that the Minister, Parliamentary Secretary and the member of Ku-ring-gai attended. We had the exhibition rugby match between the Marlins and the Royal Navy and tomorrow we will welcome 360 family and friends of Invictus athletes to the Quarantine Station for a barbecue. I thank my electorate office team—Adele Heasman, Dan Rubenach and Invictus extraordinaire Kim Preston-Hiney—who have turned Manly into an Invictus outpost over the past 12 months. There are two days to go. I encourage members to get some tickets to attend an event and look a bit deeper at what the Invictus Games mean. I believe these games will change lives. I conclude with a couple of lines from William Ernest Henley's poem Invictus, which for generations has given people strength in times of adversity: I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. I commend the motion to the House. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): The question is that the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to. Business of the House SUSPENSION OF STANDING AND SESSIONAL ORDERS: ORDER OF BUSINESS Mr (Lane Cove—Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing, and Special Minister of State) (12:34): I move: That standing and sessional orders be suspended at this sitting to: (1) Permit the consideration of a motion without notice regarding support for the Invictus Games and veterans to be moved forthwith by the member for Baulkham Hills. (2) Provide for the following speaking time limits: (a) mover – 7 minutes; (b) member next speaking – 7 minutes; (c) four members – 4 minutes each; and (d) mover in reply – 4 minutes. Mr (Maroubra) (12:35): Before the Opposition is able to form a position on whether to agree with the suspension, could we have an advance copy of the motion that the Minister is about to Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1165

move? The Minister is asking the House to agree to a motion that he is going to move forthwith. The Opposition does not know what the motion is and whether we can agree with it. Mr Anthony Roberts: It is quite clear that there is a notice regarding the support for the Invictus Games and veterans to be moved by the member for Baulkham Hills forthwith. I do not want to get into a position where members opposite will not support the Invictus Games again. That is my concern. That is quite clear in the motion. Mr MICHAEL DALEY: I represent the Opposition and I have a choice to make. I can take both Ministers on their implied words that as honourable gentleman—one would hope—they are about to move a motion about the Invictus Games and that it is attended by bipartisanship and honour that members showed yesterday and today. I have asked the Leader of the House to show me a copy of the motion so that I can make an informed decision about whether it is something that warrants a suspension. The Minister has refused to show me, the manager of the Opposition business, the motion that he is about to move. My instincts tell me that a stunt is about to unfold in the House. However, the Leader of the House is a friend of mine. He has indicated to me that his colleague the member for Castle Hill and Minister for Corrections will move a motion. Mr David Elliott: Baulkham Hills. Mr MICHAEL DALEY: Baulkham Hills. Sometimes it is hard to tell with Government members about who is in whose electorate. I accept the Ministers at their word that the motion that we are about to debate will be honourable and worthy of bipartisanship. On that basis, the Opposition will not disagree with the suspension of the House and look forward to a debate that honours the intention of the Invictus Games, which is to celebrate the great things about humanity and not indulge in a political stunt. When the Minister is making interjections as usual, I have my grave doubts, but I hope, for the dignity of the House, that he is not pulling a stunt. With all the issues befalling and confronting the citizens of New South Wales, this will be a new low, even for the Government. Mr ANTHONY ROBERTS (Lane Cove—Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing, and Special Minister of State) (12:38): It is quite clear that this motion, which supports the Invictus Games and veterans, being moved by the member for Baulkham Hills enables the mover and four other members to contribute to that. We look forward to their contribution to this debate. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): The question is that the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to. Motions INVICTUS GAMES Mr DAVID ELLIOTT (Baulkham Hills—Minister for Counter Terrorism, Minister for Corrections, and Minister for Veterans Affairs) (12:38): I move: That this House: (1) Condemns the Opposition for voting against the House's motion to recognise and celebrate the Invictus Games and our disabled veterans, whose sacrifice we should be honouring; and (2) Congratulates the member for Manly on bringing this motion to the House. I find myself in the awkward position of agreeing with and congratulating the member for Prospect on his approach to veterans policy yesterday when he snubbed his leader and refused to vote with the Labor Opposition against this motion. I am proud to say that my colleague the member for Campbelltown also refused and snubbed his leader by declining to vote against this motion yesterday. Yesterday, in good faith, the Government's motion stated that we supported our Invictus Games athletes, the wonderful veterans who have suffered damage, hurt and ill-conditions as a result of their service in times of war and peace. The Labor Opposition wickedly opposed the motion. They called for a division and voted against it. From now until 23 March I will make sure that is told to every Labor electorate. I do not understand why they would reject the Invictus Games motion in the manner that they did. Only last month, the member for Maitland wrongly accused the RSL Women's Auxiliary of being sexist. The member for Granville gave a speech in front of a Hezbollah flag. The Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane in the other House has social media links to Hamas. During two hours of a budget estimates hearing, the shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs the Hon. failed to ask me one question about veterans' welfare. There is a theme. They are on the side of Australia's enemies. I do not understand the member for Keira. Only a few short months ago he wrote to me, begging me to have Prince Harry visit his electorate. And yet, after begging me to bring Prince Harry to his electorate, he voted against the Invictus Games. I do not know what those opposite have against disabled veterans, or Prince Harry, or the notion that the Invictus Games is now front of mind for all those who want to wish our disabled veterans well. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1166

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): The member for Gosford will come to order. Mr DAVID ELLIOTT: Yesterday the politicisation by the Labor Party of the Invictus Games was appalling. They are unable to stand up and say, yes, let us put politics aside. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): The member for Gosford will cease interjecting. Mr DAVID ELLIOTT: The member for Lakemba called a division. The Leader of the Opposition brings his troops in and sits opposite condemning this House yet his members are opposed to the Invictus Games. I was horrified that The Greens member for Ballina joined Labor to vote against the motion. The member for Ballina has more veterans in her electorate than most North Coast electorates. I understand that her father is a veteran and that she has a veteran working for her. Despite this, she joined the Opposition, condemning the Invictus Games. How hard is it for the Labor Party to stand with us for one day and say to our veterans: We support you during this important time of celebration, rehabilitation and your ability to reignite an interest in community affairs. During my 30 years of politics, including almost a decade in this House, I have never once seen a Labor Opposition condemn itself in this way. I am sure it was a tactical error. I would like to think that the member for Lakemba did not mean to call a division on something so sensitive and important. For the last four or five days every newspaper in Australia has had the Invictus Games on their front pages. Government members and their clubs have been preparing for the Invictus Games by raising money and participating in soil collection ceremonies to open the renovations of the war memorial. But the Opposition wants to politicise it. They want to join those critics of our brave veterans by saying, "No, we do not care about disabled veterans or Prince Harry's ability to bring the community together." They cannot put aside politics on this one occasion and say to the community, "Parliament stands together." It did not happen. This motion condemns the Labor Party. We have achieved a new low with the way the member for Maitland treated the RSL Women's Auxiliary last month and the member for Granville embarrassed herself by being involved in the Hezbollah protest. We have sunk to a new low. I remind the House that regardless of what happens today, all members of this House will be celebrating the Invictus Games spirit over the course of the next week. We love the fact that Prince Harry has used his celebrity to be involved in a worthy cause. If a member of Parliament believes they can walk on both sides of the street they should take a hard look at themselves. Yesterday Labor condemned itself by being part of the ridiculous politicisation of the Invictus Games. I hope its members do not bother voting on the motion. They cannot vote in favour of it because it would condemn their leader. They cannot vote against it because it would highlight the fact that they are petty. Labor members should leave the Chamber and let the Government pass the motion and say to the community, "We stand as one." The Invictus Games are more important than the political stunt we have seen those opposite attempt. I ask the House to endorse the motion. Mr MICHAEL DALEY (Maroubra) (12:45): With his concluding remarks the Minister, the man who is barely fit to hold an office that should be attended with the dignity of the history of this place, has let the cat out of the bag about today's strategy. He said the Opposition cannot vote in favour of the motion because it condemns their leader, it cannot vote against it because—I do not know, I drifted off while he was talking. It has been carefully crafted to be a stunt. I do agree with the Minister; we have sunk to a new low because in my 13 years in this place I have not seen any motion moved in this House under cloak and dagger like this one was. Six minutes ago I asked the two Ministers, who have been concocting this in their rooms like little crows hovering over a morsel— Mr David Elliott: Vultures, actually. Mr MICHAEL DALEY: Crows. I asked them to show all members of the House, regardless of political colour, what the motion was about and they would not. This stunt is designed to wedge us into a position that we vote against the motion. We will vote against the motion condemning the Labor Opposition for voting against the House's motion to recognise and celebrate the Invictus Games and our disabled veterans, whose sacrifice we should be honouring. The Minister knows this is a political stunt. In many ways the motion today says many things about this Government and the two Ministers who have cooked it up. I know this Government is shot to pieces. I know the Premier's confidence is absolutely shot. I know the planning Minister's confidence is shot because I just came from an Urban Development Institute of Australia annual conference and people I know told me that the Minister's performance was substandard. We are debating a motion that was moved by a man that barely deserves to be called a Minister in this place. A Minister of the Crown is supposed to have some dignity, wit and skill, some intelligence and ability to get on top of a brief. We have a man who is mouthing off who loves to brag about the dirt unit he leads. This motion has been moved by the chief headkicker of the Government, which is silly enough. In his six-minute Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1167

contribution the Opposition did not interrupt him because he said nothing of substance. No points of order were taken because we reserve them for people who are making contributions that matter, and his did not. The Minister for Planning and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs stand condemned for their conduct in moving this motion to today, and I will not trust them again. They have lost my trust. Mr David Elliott: What a coincidence. Mr MICHAEL DALEY: You're a clown and I do not care what you think, but your friend was different—or so I thought until a minute ago. Let us consider the statements by this silly man. He said words to the effect of "I do not know what those opposite have against the Invictus Games. I do not know why they do not care about disabled veterans." What a stupid, shameful and unsupportable thing for him to say. He is a foolish, foolish man. I would like the Minister to take 10 paces that way and say that the member for Gosford does not care about disabled veterans. If he wants to wear his medals and pretend he is a tough military man, walk 10 paces outside the Chamber and say that the member for Gosford does not care about disabled veterans. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): The member for Kogarah will come to order. Mr MICHAEL DALEY: I will give you 10 seconds of thinking time, tough guy. There he sits with a stupid, foolish, smug grin on his face, not willing to walk out of the coward's castle and back up his foolishness in this Chamber today. You are a grub and a fool. The way you have brought the subject of disabled veterans into the House today is a stain on your career forever, you imbecile. Yesterday afternoon a procedural motion was moved, which happens twice on Tuesdays— Mr Andrew Fraser: Point of order— Mr MICHAEL DALEY: You make it worse and you stick up for him, mate. Why don't you come over here and choke me while you are at it? Mr Andrew Fraser: What the member for Maroubra has been calling the Minister in the last couple of minutes is unparliamentary. I ask that the member for Maroubra withdraw those comments. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): The member for Coffs Harbour has asked the member for Maroubra to withdraw his comments. Mr MICHAEL DALEY: When the Minister says to me in this Chamber that I do not like disabled veterans, he can wear that for the rest of his career. I am withdrawing nothing. Today the foolishness of his offering was summed up in the conclusion of his remarks. He said, "… regardless of what happens today, all members of this House will be celebrating the Invictus Games". In one breath the Minister says the Opposition hates disabled veterans and in the next breath he says we will all hug each other and celebrate the Invictus Games. This is a foolish motion. I do not know where the Premier is today. I hope to God she comes to this Chamber and votes on the motion because this will condemn her. Her Government is in so much trouble in so many ways. Recently mental health nurses who were in my office were crying because they could not help young people with mental health issues in my electorate. The young people were being left unattended in the emergency department. This Minister has pulled a foolish stunt—shame on you! Mr STEPHEN BROMHEAD (Myall Lakes) (12:53): I support this motion. Yesterday Labor had a chance to vote on a motion to support the Invictus Games and to recognise its importance, but it chose not to. On other occasions when motions have been moved by both sides Labor has supported the motion for precedence, but yesterday it did not. Some members of the Labor Party were so ashamed of the directions from their leader that they refused to vote and left the Chamber. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): I call the member for Kogarah to order for the first time. I call the member for Port Stephens to order for the first time. Members of the Opposition will come to order. Mr STEPHEN BROMHEAD: They refused to take the direction of their leader, showing a lack of support of the Leader of the Opposition by the Labor Party. In fact, the Labor Party continues to ignore our veterans' community. It is in its DNA. An example is the motion moved by the member for Manly to support our veterans and the Invictus Games and only one member of the Labor Party deemed the motion important enough to speak on. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Members of the Opposition will resume their seats. I call the member for Port Stephens to order for the second time. Mr STEPHEN BROMHEAD: The Labor shadow Minister did not even ask a question about it because it is not important enough and it never has been for the Labor Party. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1168

Mr Greg Warren: Point of order: I refer to Standing Order 73. I ask the member for Myall Lakes to withdraw his statement because he is misleading the House. There was not only one Labor member who spoke to the motion. I ask him to correct the record. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): I would be surprised if anybody could hear what was being said because there was so much interruption from the Opposition. A request has been made about something I was unable to hear. Mr STEPHEN BROMHEAD: There were two from the Opposition. Mr Greg Warren: Further to the point of order: Members on both sides of this Chamber are contributing in a robust manner and shouting across the table. It is unfair to point out the Labor Opposition alone. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): The member for Campbelltown will resume his seat. I have issued many warnings. This time it is Opposition members who are interrupting the member for Myall Lakes. Mr STEPHEN BROMHEAD: This is typical of Labor. When a Government member is speaking and the Opposition members do not like it, they yell and scream and take points of order. They do not like hearing the truth. Another example of not supporting veterans being in their DNA is the way that Vietnam veterans were treated by the Labor Government when they returned to this country. A local constituent, Bernie Stenchion, has written his memoirs about his treatment by the Labor Government when he returned from Vietnam. We saw anti-Vietnam marches, led by Tom Uren, Jim Cairns, Whitlam and others, which was a disgrace. Nothing has changed. Labor is not fit to govern and the Leader of the Opposition is not fit to govern. I commend the motion to the House. Ms LIESL TESCH (Gosford) (12:57): I move: That the motion be amended by leaving out paragraph (1) with a view to inserting instead: "(1) Gives praise and wishes all success to the competitors at the Invictus Games." All members who were elected to this House thought it was a place of credibility. I am embarrassed to have to speak about this matter. It hurts my heart and I know it hurts the heart of every member on this side of the Chamber to have this accusation levied against them. Many of us have friends who have come back from war. Many of us have ancestors who have served this nation and other nations and their descendants will be competing in the Invictus Games. I am embarrassed to have to talk about this hideous accusation in this Parliament. Labor will always support the Invictus Games. Labour members support RSL clubs across their electorates. We have spent the past few weeks talking about the Invictus Games, just as the member for Manly and other Government members have spoken in support of the them. A number of Opposition members spoke about the games last night but today we only had two speakers because we did not know the Government was going to have a number of speakers. Opposition members honour the intention of the Invictus Games. I know the member for Lakemba is a proud representative of veterans in his community. How dare Government members say that Opposition members— TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): The member for Lakemba will come to order. Ms LIESL TESCH: This is a bipartisan celebration in our community. I cannot believe the Government has stooped this low. How dare the Minister say that I do not like disabled veterans. I have been training with them and building their worlds and opportunities. We have been working to create adaptive sport opportunities for injured people within his ministerial portfolio. We are trying to look after them, yet the Minister has made that accusation about members on this side. What a disgrace. These games are far too important. Earlier I texted athlete Luke Hill with pride to say that I had a spoken about the Invictus Games in Parliament. I am sure the member for Manly will communicate to his family with pride that he spoke about his brother-in-law. Luke texted me back and said thanks very much. He said that the journey they are having in the camp is fantastic. Now I have to be here doing this. What a disgrace. We wish our wonderful veterans a fantastic games. We have the utmost respect for those people who have taught us profound lessons about post-traumatic stress disorder and have been able to take conversations about mental health to new levels because the games are being held in our magnificent city. Labor member will continue to stand beside our veterans. I know that many of my colleagues will be at the games to support them. It is extremely disappointing that members of this privileged place have stooped so low while athletes and their friends and families are converging on this city from all over the world. I acknowledge the work of the magnificent . The games have presented beautiful opportunities in so many ways. Sophie Cotsis and I stood at the bottom of the Harbour Bridge with megaphones asking for disabled access to the bridge, which people have been waiting on for 20 years. The whole of this Parliament should be proud of that. [Time expired.] Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1169

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! Opposition members will come to order. They will observe the standing orders. Ms (Holsworthy) (13:01): The member for Gosford is a phenomenal athlete. I have an uncle who attended the Paralympic Games twice and I am incredibly proud of his training and tenacity. I understand the member for Gosford has the same tenacity. When the vote came up yesterday the member for Gosford was wise enough to leave the Chamber. As soon as the division was called, she got out of here. She heard what was going on and was smart enough to leave. The Opposition leadership team thought they should stay and speak about a political motion to condemn the Government rather than support our returned service personnel. Are they kidding? Rather than support our returned services personnel, they went to the gutter. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! The member for Wollongong will come to order. Ms MELANIE GIBBONS: Opposition members had a chance to realise that we have international visitors in town and we are the pride of the world right now. Instead, they chose to go to the gutter with a political motion. They should be ashamed of themselves. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! Opposition members will come to order or be placed on calls to order. Ms MELANIE GIBBONS: The member for Gosford was smart enough to leave the Chamber; I understand that she may not have wanted to vote with us. On occasion the Labor team has come to us and said that they will agree to debate a Government motion. Sometimes they have withdrawn an Opposition motion or agreed to debate both. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! I call the member for Wollongong to order for the first time. Ms MELANIE GIBBONS: Opposition members did not do that yesterday. They decided to turn their backs on our returned services personnel and I could not believe it. As the member for Holsworthy, I am incredibly proud of our returned services personnel. [Interruption] No, I am not? You are kidding me, aren't you? I know what families go through when they hear that there has been a death in Afghanistan. They stand at the school gate and wait to see which family has been impacted. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! I call the member for Bankstown to order for the first time. Ms MELANIE GIBBONS: I am absolutely proud of our veterans. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! I call the member for Bankstown to order for the second time. Ms MELANIE GIBBONS: There is no way that I would turn my back of them in the way that members Opposite did. They are an absolute disgrace. Ten per cent of Holsworthy High School students have a family member who is currently serving or has served in the forces. I cannot believe that leaders of their community who sit opposite would not support them but would instead do something so underhanded. Opposition members had the opportunity to support them. They listened to the motion. Surely they are smarter than to listen to a motion about people who defend our country and decide to act politically instead of to support it. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! Members will come to order. This is no way to conduct a debate. Members who disagree with the member for Holsworthy will have an opportunity to make a contribution. I will continue to call members to order if they interject. Ms MELANIE GIBBONS: Opposition members talked about showing the utmost respect to our services personnel. There was a way they could have done that yesterday, and it was to support the motion. They could have come to us and said, "We'll do it." At times when I have put motions up we have come together; Opposition members have either withdrawn their motion or offered to debate both. They did not do that yesterday. The eyes of the world are on us. Members opposite are leaders of their communities, and those communities have just seen what they have done. Truly, it is shameful. Ms : Then support Liesl's amendment. Ms MELANIE GIBBONS: I am supportive of Liesl and her career. Ms Kate Washington: Support her amendment. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1170

Ms MELANIE GIBBONS: No, because you did not show your support. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! I call the member for Gosford to order for the first time. I call the member for Bankstown to order for the third time. Ms MELANIE GIBBONS: Members opposite cannot come forward now and say, "Oh yeah, that's right. We do support them." They showed yesterday that they do not support our veterans. Their colours are nailed to the wall. Members opposite showed that they would prefer to go political and try to get one up on the Liberal Party. Well, they did not get one up. They turned their backs on our returned services personnel. [Interruption] Did the member for Newcastle say that supporting our returned services personnel is a stunt? Really? Members opposite keep digging a hole. I cannot believe them. [Time expired.] Mr LUKE FOLEY (Auburn) (13:05): This time tomorrow, not 30 metres from here, a reception will be held to welcome Team to the Invictus Games Sydney. The reception will be hosted by me and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia Dr Mykola Kulinich. Eighteen nations are participating in the Invictus Games Sydney. Only one of those nations is engaged in a war right now. It is Ukraine and it is a war against Putin's aggression. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! Government members will come to order. Mr LUKE FOLEY: The invasion of Eastern Ukraine by Putin's Russia is occurring now. Veterans who were injured on their own soil are coming to this Parliament tomorrow. They are the only national team participating in the Invictus Games who are engaged in a war on their own soil right now. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! The member for Baulkham Hills will have an opportunity to speak in reply. Mr LUKE FOLEY: Last month I presented the Ukrainian community with a giant Invictus Games flag. Hundreds of members of the community were there. I have been to fundraisers that the community has been holding for many months to support its veterans. Whilst the wilder recesses of the right wing of the Liberal Party ape Trump in supporting Putin, there are veterans coming here who have been shot up in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine by Putin's forces. Next time the loudmouths in the right wing of the Liberal Party want to go into bat for a dictator who shot down a plane carrying Australians they might want to reconsider their cheering on of Putin. That reception is occurring tomorrow, and I am paying for it out of my own pocket. I do not see any members opposite doing that. Members opposite have the hide to accuse the Labor Party of failing to support the Invictus Games. The motion is factually wrong. It condemns the Labor Opposition. Well, ho-hum. Condemnations are a dime a dozen here; they happen all day every day. The basis of this condemnation, we are led to believe, is for voting against a motion to recognise and celebrate the Invictus Games. That is dead wrong. When the question on the member's motion to recognise and celebrate the Invictus Games is put, every Labor member will be voting for it. The motion before the House is wrong. What was voted on yesterday was a procedural motion—nothing more, nothing less— about what should take precedence on the list today. There was no vote by Labor against the Invictus Games. That is a nonsense. Only a child would dare suggest something like that. It is childish. It is a juvenile. It is grubby. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! Opposition members will come to order. The Leader of the Opposition needs no encouragement. Mr LUKE FOLEY: The accusation comes from the chief grub in this place, who refers to female members such as the member for Maitland as the "member for Weightland", and then repeats the insult on social media. A person who does that is the greatest grub in this Parliament. He continues his grubbiness today. He does it all day, every day. When O'Farrell was Premier, he would not have him within cooee of his Cabinet. Standards have slipped so much in the Government led by the current Premier. She is so weak that she deigns to have such a grub in her Cabinet. The Premier should be condemned for that. [Time expired.] Mr (Lake Macquarie) (13:13): By leave: It is somewhat with trepidation that I enter the fray. As a member of the crossbench who will be obliged to vote on this motion, I believe I should state my views on what is occurring in this House. I think my views might be shared, at least in large part, by other members of the crossbench. I find this particular debate to be one of the most base and unedifying debates I have seen in this Chamber, not because of the carriage of it but because of its subject matter. Can we just all slow down a little bit and think about just what we are debating? I think much of that has been lost in the debate. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1171

First, I congratulate the Government, including the Minister for Veterans Affairs, on their support for the Invictus Games and the work that has been done to bring the Invictus Games to Sydney. I believe that every person in New South Wales supports the Invictus Games and what they stand for. I believe that members of the Opposition would not have it in their hearts to refuse to support injured returned servicemen. I came into the Chamber when a division was being conducted on the procedural motion for a matter to be given precedence. I asked the Whip about it because the standard procedure—one that has been adopted for a long time by the crossbench—is that we will support the Opposition's right to bring matters before this House. The crossbench does so because the Opposition is an integral part of our political system in its role of holding the Government to account. Opposition members do not have opportunities to speak and bring forward matters in this House that Government members have. Thursdays, which are private members' days, provide the Opposition with one opportunity to bring forward matters in this House. The crossbench normally would support the Opposition in doing so. In relation to matters such as the motion before the House, during my term in this House some variation in procedure has emerged whereby the Opposition or even the Government might cede and accept the other political party's motion because of its inherent goodwill. I believe that should have been the case yesterday. I also understand that with that procedural motion, the Opposition may have made a mistake. Mr Christopher Gulaptis: They dropped the ball. Mr GREG PIPER: The member for Clarence is right. With all due respect to Opposition members, they did drop the ball. The Opposition should have foreseen what might happen and should have been more tactical. But this debate is not about tactics. This issue is much too important and goes beyond tactics. The Opposition could have called for a division or voted with the Government, as the three Independents and a member of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party did, because of the subject matter of the motion. But the Opposition has an inherent right to bring forward matters in this House, and I believe that generally should to be supported. The Opposition made a mistake, but I do not, and will not, accept that any member of this House across the board has any malice or ill will towards the Invictus Games. I congratulate the Minister on what he has done to this point, but not on this motion. I cannot support the motion. Mr DAVID ELLIOTT (Baulkham Hills—Minister for Counter Terrorism, Minister for Corrections, and Minister for Veterans Affairs) (13:14): In reply: I note that the Leader of the Opposition called me a grub, but I can tell the House what I am not: I am not someone who has been convicted twice for drink-driving; I have never taken a quarter of a million dollars from a convicted murderer and refused to give it back; I have not had a little bit too much to drink at a party and harassed an ABC journalist; and I did not knife a woman in the back to get my seat in this House. If the defence of the Leader of the Opposition against this motion is calling me names, I will defend myself. Furthermore, if the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am a grub, that is great because I think he is someone who has been convicted twice for drink-driving, and he is someone who took a quarter of a million dollars from a convicted murderer and refused to give it back. I also think he has insulted women by knifing one of them to get his seat in the Legislative Assembly. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! I call the member for Kogarah to order for the second time. Because the member for Kogarah has persisted with interrupting, I call him to order for the third time. Mr DAVID ELLIOTT: The Leader of the Opposition has displayed a very uneducated approach to world affairs. He said that Ukraine is the only nation participating in the Invictus Games that is fighting a war on its own soil. He should tell that to the team in , to the team in Afghanistan and to the Jordanian team. You ignorant man! You have no idea! Does the Leader of the Opposition think that the members of this House will celebrate because he is paying for a few drinks with the Ukrainians tomorrow? Does the Leader of the Opposition think this House will celebrate his generosity because he is turning up for a few drinks? I hope there is no ABC or Sydney Morning Herald journalist turning up to those drinks because, just quietly, we know what the Leader of the Opposition is like after he has had a few. As the member for Lake Macquarie said, this motion has been moved because the Labor Party made a tactical error. The Government is trying to remedy that tactical error. I have even gone so far as to embrace the member for Prospect for snubbing the motion that was moved yesterday. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! The member for Maitland will remain silent. Mr DAVID ELLIOTT: I have even dipped deeply into my soul for forgiveness. I said to the member for Prospect, "You did the right thing by snubbing your leader yesterday." The member for Campbelltown spent 10 years as a rifleman in the Australian Army and he also did the right thing by snubbing his leader yesterday. Yesterday's tactic was unworthy of any member of this House, let alone the Leader of the Opposition whose reputation among veterans, as the member for Myall Lakes pointed out, is "not that good at the moment anyway." Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1172

Ms Liesl Tesch: We support the Invictus Games. Support the amendment. Mr DAVID ELLIOTT: Instead of Labor members defending the Leader of the Opposition's drink-driving, his theft and his misunderstanding of the Invictus Games spirit—he cannot even name the countries that are fighting wars on their own soil—members of the Opposition should admit that yesterday the Opposition made a tactical error and did the wrong thing. Apologise! Let us embrace the Invictus Games spirit. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! I call the member for Gosford to order for the second time. The member for Gosford will come to order. Mr DAVID ELLIOTT: Let us follow the leadership of the member for Campbelltown and the member for Prospect and say, "This is beneath us." I find it very hard to keep a straight face when I am being accused of being a grub by someone who has been convicted twice for drink-driving, who does not know world affairs, who has stolen a quarter of a million dollars from a convicted murderer and who does not understand that Iraq, Afghanistan and Jordan are fighting a war on their own soil. Yet the Leader of the Opposition somehow thinks he is an alternative Premier. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! I remind the member for Bankstown that she is on three calls to order. Mr DAVID ELLIOTT: The Leader of the Opposition has lived his life on the breast of the union movement and the Labor Party, but has never bothered to be involved in world affairs. The conduct by Labor members yesterday in this House was unworthy—even of the Labor Party. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! I note that debate on the motion was conducted in a manner that brings no credit to this House. Ms Jodi McKay: But you sat there and allowed it to happen. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): Order! I call the member for Strathfield to order for the first time. The question is that the amendment be agreed to. The House divided. Ayes ...... 35 Noes ...... 46 Majority ...... 11 AYES Aitchison, Ms J Atalla, Mr E Bali, Mr S Barr, Mr C Car, Ms P Catley, Ms Y Chanthivong, Mr A Crakanthorp, Mr T Daley, Mr M Dib, Mr J Donato, Mr P Doyle, Ms T Finn, Ms J Foley, Mr L Harris, Mr D Harrison, Ms J Hoenig, Mr R Hornery, Ms S Kamper, Mr S Lalich, Mr N (teller) Lynch, Mr P McDermott, Dr H McGirr, Dr J McKay, Ms J Mehan, Mr D Mihailuk, Ms T Minns, Mr C Park, Mr R Piper, Mr G Scully, Mr P Tesch, Ms L Warren, Mr G Washington, Ms K Watson, Ms A (teller) Zangari, Mr G

NOES Anderson, Mr K Ayres, Mr S Barilaro, Mr J Bromhead, Mr S (teller) Conolly, Mr K Constance, Mr A Cooke, Ms S Coure, Mr M Crouch, Mr A Davies, Mrs T Dominello, Mr V Elliott, Mr D Evans, Mr A.W. Evans, Mr L.J. Fraser, Mr A George, Mr T Gibbons, Ms M Goward, Ms P Grant, Mr T Griffin, Mr J Gulaptis, Mr C Hancock, Mrs S Henskens, Mr A Humphries, Mr K Johnsen, Mr M Kean, Mr M Lee, Dr G Marshall, Mr A O'Dea, Mr J Patterson, Mr C (teller) Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1173

NOES Pavey, Mrs M Perrottet, Mr D Petinos, Ms E Provest, Mr G Roberts, Mr A Rowell, Mr J Sidoti, Mr J Speakman, Mr M Taylor, Mr M Toole, Mr P Tudehope, Mr D Upton, Ms G Ward, Mr G Williams, Mr R Williams, Mrs L Wilson, Ms F

PAIRS Cotsis, Ms S Berejiklian, Ms G Haylen, Ms J Stokes, Mr R

Amendment negatived. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): The question is that the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to. Personal Explanation INTEGRITY OF THE CHAIR Mr THOMAS GEORGE (Lismore) (13:25): By leave: I take exception when the integrity of the Chair is questioned by the Labor Party. I refer to the member for Maroubra accusing me— Mr Michael Daley: Point of order: A personal explanation has to arise from something which is said in the proceedings of the House. I did not mention the member for Lismore during the debate. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): The member for Maroubra will resume his set. Mr THOMAS GEORGE: The member for Maroubra accused me— TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): The member for Lismore is speaking about something that has occurred and will be heard in silence. The member for Maroubra is in no position to make any remarks until he has heard what the member for Lismore has to say. Mr THOMAS GEORGE: The member for Maroubra accused me during the debate of causing this problem because I called a division yesterday in the chair. I take exception to that. That is nothing but grubby coming from the Labor Party, and especially the member for Maroubra. Motions GIDGET FOUNDATION Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (13:27): I move: That this House: (1) Congratulates the Gidget Foundation, based in North Sydney, on the launch of its Start Talking campaign, which is a groundbreaking video counselling program to support the emotional and mental wellbeing of expectant and new parents. (2) Thanks the Deputy Premier and the Minister for Mental Health for joining the member for North Shore to announce the Government will contribute $270,000 to support this initiative. (3) Acknowledges the work of Chief Executive Officer Arabella Gibson, Chair Vijay Roach and everyone at the Gidget Foundation in raising awareness and providing support to women and men affected by perinatal anxiety and depression. Members would be very aware of the importance of perinatal mental health and wellbeing, particularly as Mental Health Month is upon us. When I gave notice of this motion I was much less aware of the challenges of pregnancy and impending motherhood. It is a very exciting and emotional time, one that I have the great fortune of enjoying myself now. Becoming a parent is a life-changing event and is full of joy and happiness. For many parents it can also be a very challenging and stressful time. Many people in our community, our friendship circle and family circle, will have experienced perinatal anxiety or depression, with around 13 per cent of mothers experiencing this. New fathers as well face an increased risk of experiencing anxiety and depression. The impact of untreated perinatal mental ill health is significant. The Gidget Foundation was formed after the death by suicide of a young Northern Beaches mother, Gidget. Her family, sisters and friends came together to form this foundation, particularly to address the risks of Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1174

suicide, but also to ensure we were supporting people throughout their perinatal journey, improving mental health and wellbeing. I am very proud that the Gidget Foundation is based in North Sydney. I have spent some time with the foundation and the Chief Executive Officer, Arabella Gibson, who has also joined us in Parliament for question time. I was very moved at the launch of the Start Talking initiative by the personal contributions of the Deputy Premier, the Minister for Mental Health, the many ambassadors for the Gidget Foundation and journalist Brigid Glanville, who spoke about their journeys and struggles with perinatal anxiety and depression. It was profound to hear those stories, and about the risk and fear of harming one's child, the desire to self-harm and suicidal ideation. It is appropriate that this motion has been moved during Mental Health Month, and yesterday's announcement of the Strategic Framework for Suicide Prevention in NSW and the additional funding being provided. It is unique that we are looking at maternal and paternal wellbeing. The primary cause of maternal death is suicide. We can only imagine the difference these programs and initiatives will make. Business interrupted. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): I will now leave the chair. The House will resume at 2.15 p.m. Visitors VISITORS The SPEAKER: I give a warm welcome to our guests in the gallery this afternoon. I welcome David Arakie from Shoalhaven Superheroes, guest of the Speaker and of the member for Kiama. We hope Mr Arakie has had a wonderful day and thank him for all the work he does on behalf of our volunteers in the Shoalhaven. I also welcome Councillor Tony Hadchiti and Mr Darren Foxe, guests of the Deputy Government Whip and member for Holsworthy. I welcome Springwood Rotary Club members Margaret Bell, Pat Ainslie and Edna Robinson from the , and Sofia Sjöeberg, an exchange student from Switzerland. They are guests of the member for Blue Mountains. I also welcome students from Granville Boys High School, Holroyd High School, Cerdon College, St Pauls Catholic College, and Delany College, guests of the member for Granville. Before we proceed, I remind members that six members are on at least two, if not three calls to order. Those calls to order that occurred during the fairly raucous debate that preceded question time will continue through question time. If members want to know whether they are on two calls or three calls, they should consult their Whip. Question Time SLASHERTECK Mr LUKE FOLEY (Auburn) (14:19): My question is directed to the Deputy Premier. When the Deputy Premier announced a $100,000 grant to a company called Slasherteck, why did he not mention that a director of Slasherteck is former leader of The Nationals Andrew Stoner? The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier has the call. I will not have a repeat of this morning when members were calling out. Some members may have to go home early today. Maybe that is what they want. Mr (Monaro—Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional New South Wales, Minister for Skills, and Minister for Small Business) (14:20): Yesterday I had the opportunity to be in Dubbo and one of the most fantastic things happened in Dubbo—the rain fell. People in the regions were rejoicing that there was rain and at the possibility that it might break the drought. I did hear of some of the shenanigans that were going on in this place because of those opposite. It is the same old, same old, as it was the other day. This morning in the upper House those opposite used this place, because they have parliamentary privilege, to make accusations that could destroy somebody's reputation. They do that often because they are a bunch of grubs, led by the greatest grub of all, the Leader of the Opposition. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Keira to order for the first time. Mr JOHN BARILARO: As I touched on the other day, Jobs for NSW is an independent board and organisation of the Government that makes investment decisions in relation on how we support businesses in this State. It has a number of grants, loan products and equity investments. We on this side of the House are proud that we support the idea of growing jobs for this State. That is why it is called Jobs for NSW—its task is to create as many jobs as possible and to work in partnership with the private sector to create jobs both in regional New South Wales and in metropolitan New South Wales. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1175

We are proud that we are now the start-up capital not just of Australia, but of the . We are proud of the investment in the Sydney Startup Hub. It is the Sydney Startup Hub by name, but it has a regional launching pad where regional start-ups have the opportunity to join us and pitch their ideas to venture capitalists, banks and others. That start-up hub has a network of start-up connections in the regions, incubators and accelerators that will create an ecosystem for start-ups in this State. Through our Boost Program we have committed $18 million to support universities in this State to partner with start-ups in this State to grow businesses. Ms Jodi McKay: Point of order: The question specifically related to whether the Deputy Premier knew that former leader of The Nationals Andrew Stoner was a director of the company. The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier is being relevant to the question he was asked. Ms Jodi McKay: It is a direct question. Yes or no? The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Strathfield does not determine how a Minister should answer a question. Mr JOHN BARILARO: My point is that we have a vehicle called Jobs for NSW that supports businesses. Through the Boost Program we have invested $18 million into the university sector. If we look across regional New South Wales at the partnership that universities have with start-ups, with accelerator and incubator programs and with some of the smartest entrepreneurs in this State, we can see that somebody does not have to come from Sydney to be an entrepreneur or to start a start-up. Some of the best ideas in this State and some of the best innovation comes from regional New South Wales. One of the most innovative sectors is agriculture. Our farmers have one of the most innovative and efficient sectors in the world. Ms Jodi McKay: Point of order: My point of order relates to Standing Order 129. The question relates to Andrew Stoner and whether the Deputy Premier knew he was a director of that company. The SPEAKER: Order! I heard that. The member for Strathfield made that point before. If she does it again, she will be on two calls to order. Mr JOHN BARILARO: We are doing a lot and investing a lot in this space. I said this the other day and I will say it again today: Jobs for NSW is an independent arm of the New South Wales Government with an independent board headed up by people like David Thodey, somebody who was, once upon a time, in charge of IBM and Telstra. Those opposite are criticising the credibility of someone that both levels of Government continue to use in relation to mapping out the investment opportunities in the economy and the structural reform that is required for the economy. They are criticising people like Jane Cay, a wonderful entrepreneur from Birdsnest in Cooma, whose business employs 140 locals with an online fashion house. These are the entrepreneurs who sit on an independent board and assess the investment through grants, loans or equity stake holdings and they are decisions that I am comfortable with. Mr Luke Foley: Point of order— The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier has finished his answer. ROYAL COMMISSION INTO INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSES TO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Mr MICHAEL JOHNSEN (Upper Hunter) (14:25): My question is addressed to the Premier. How is the New South Wales Government responding to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse? Ms (Willoughby—Premier) (14:25): I thank the member for Upper Hunter for the question. I know how strongly he and every member in this place feel about righting the wrongs of the past in relation to survivors of child sexual abuse. It was an honour for the Attorney General, Minister Goward and me to be alongside Karen Willis, Chief Executive Officer [CEO] of Rape and Domestic Violence Services, Craig Hughes-Cashmore, CEO of Survivors & Mates Support Network, and Caroline Carroll, Chair of the Alliance for the Forgotten Australians because today was really about the survivors, those people who, through their courage, have spoken about their own personal experiences and advocated on behalf of so many Australians, including those in New South Wales who suffered at the hands of people who should been taking care of them. Today it was very humbling to be in their presence, to thank them for their courage and advocacy but also to hear from them how much they appreciated the New South Wales Government's leadership in this area. We are now the State that is really leading the nation when it comes to not only signing up to the nation's redress scheme—we were the first State to sign up to that—but also today we provided an additional $127 million to support services and the recommendations of the royal commission and to ensure that every child, no matter where they live and where they go for activities not only is safe but also feels safe. That is a legacy that all of us owe successive generations and the survivors of child sexual abuse. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1176

I am also very pleased that this Parliament is the first to have passed laws last night meaning that survivors of child sexual abuse can now actually sue those institutions that committed those offences. That is again a first for any State. I do not want to boast too much about what the State is doing because this is really about recognition of those who, for too many years were not given a hearing, had their childhood taken away from them and not only have the scars of the past but also have had to deal with this all of their lives. I cannot thank enough the advocates, and behind these three advocates are so many others. I take time to commend Minister Goward, Minister for Family and Community Services, and the Attorney General for making sure not only that we provide these survivors with the best support we can but also that New South Wales has not and will not leave any stone unturned in addressing issues that came out of the royal commission, and ensuring that we lead the nation on these important measures. I thank those Ministers, their agencies and the New South Wales Government for their support in making all this possible. Specifically, today's announcement provides $127 million in additional funding for early intervention and child specialist therapeutic services and resources for the community. It provides money to expand sexual assault outreach for Aboriginal people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It provides for an integrated specialist therapeutic service for adult survivors, additional funds for out-of-home care checks, safety of children in juvenile detention and expanding the Local Court capacity. This was an important point that the Attorney General made. Hopefully many survivors will come forward and we want to make sure that our court system can cope with the extra demand and cases will not be delayed unnecessarily. We are also supporting resources for non-government organisation caseworkers to respond to children with complex needs. Not only does the Government provide record amounts of funding to support children in out-of-home care but also supports non-government organisations to do vital work with those most vulnerable. We are also providing funding towards what we call a worker register to better protect children in intensive therapeutic care to make sure that everybody who is caring for children has the appropriate checks. Today is where New South Wales not only leads the way in this important area of policy but also in a way that acknowledges those decades of suffering and takes the opportunity to thank all the advocates and people who may have spoken up but were not listened to or until this point did not feel that they could speak up. We are so pleased that today has been a turning point for our actions in that regard. Today is not just about the money; but today it is important to say, on behalf of our taxpayers, that we have contributed more than $570 million to address both the issues in the redress scheme that we were the first State to sign up to and also these important measures we have announced today. [Extension of time] I often make the point in this place that having the ability to make these important decisions is because we have been able to ensure that we not only get our priorities right but also have a strong budget. Not every State in Australia can afford an extra $570 million towards these important initiatives. We are proud to be able to do that. We know that when New South Wales has a strong position we can ensure that those most vulnerable, and those who need and seek justice in the protection of children are given the utmost priorities. There is no point having a strong economy if one does not have a strong heart and compassion. Today I hope, on behalf of all the people of New South Wales, we have done what is right by those survivors of child sexual abuse. SLASHERTECK Mr MICHAEL DALEY (Maroubra) (14:31): My question is directed to the Deputy Premier. What conversations did the Deputy Premier or anyone in his office have with Andrew Stoner prior to him awarding him a $100,000 grant to his company Slasherteck? Mr JOHN BARILARO (Monaro—Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional New South Wales, Minister for Skills, and Minister for Small Business) (14:31): In the past couple of days those opposite have been asking: Does the Deputy Premier take ownership of signing off on an equity investment on behalf of the Government or the partnership with First State Super in relation to signing off that investment deed? They have been attacking me for the past couple of days about the Australian oyster coast. This time they have re-framed the question because they clearly know I actually did not sign off on this grant. They clearly know that this grant was given by Jobs for NSW directly, as it does. It is a building partnership grant that we have in place to support businesses in the State; one, of course, that is done by the independent board of Jobs for NSW. Jobs for NSW has independent people from industries that we supposedly represent that are important to growing the jobs in this State. That board, along with a number of secretaries of this Government, sit and make these decisions without any request or any direction from me. The other point is that Jobs for NSW has many professional public servants who, I believe, do the right and honourable thing when they are assessing grants. Labor members today are attacking those public servants, their professionalism and their honour. They are attacking the independence of people like David Thodey in relation to Jobs for NSW. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1177

Ms Jodi McKay: Point of order: My point of order is relevance under Standing Order 129. We are not attacking public servants. We are asking whether the Deputy Premier or any of his staff spoke to Andrew Stoner. The SPEAKER: This is not a debate. There is no point of order. I call the member for Strathfield to order for the second time. Mr JOHN BARILARO: Those grants and loan products happen each and every day through Jobs for NSW, which is an important vehicle for this Government and we are proud of its achievement. The unemployment rate today shows that we have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation. We are seeing more jobs created in regional New South Wales than we have ever seen before. The SPEAKER: I remind the member for Bankstown that she is already on three calls to order. Mr JOHN BARILARO: We are investing in new technology and innovation; that is no different from the drone piece of innovation last year up in the Northern Rivers that was so important in saving the life of someone who was drowning. Mr Luke Foley: Point of order: It is not new technology; it is Stoner's lawnmower business, mate. The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition will direct his comments through the Chair. I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time. Mr Luke Foley: You gave him $100,000 to run his lawnmower business. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. Mr JOHN BARILARO: Again, the grubby Leader of the Opposition. He cannot come into this place and debate on policy, all he can do is come in here and be a grub. If he actually looks up Slasherteck it is a significant business in regional New South Wales. Mr Michael Daley: Point of order— The SPEAKER: The next member who has an argument at the microphone with a Minister rather than addressing their comments through the Chair will be automatically placed on a call to order. Mr Michael Daley: My point of order relates to Standing Order 129. It is a simple question. I asked whether the Minister— The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Mr Michael Daley: —or anyone in his office had a conversation prior to the awarding of the grant. The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier is being completely relevant to the question he was asked. Mr JOHN BARILARO: I am more than happy to answer the question, but first I want to give some background. As I said recently, this is a place of debate. It is a place of ideas where you can actually argue on the facts. Those opposite will do what they have always done—that is, to come to this place and use this House. We all knew this was going to happen with three sitting weeks left. After today there are only three weeks left of Parliament. Luke Foley—unknown to the voters of New South Wales—and the Labor Party are struggling in the poles in New South Wales. They are struggling so they are going to use the next three weeks. Here is my bet: In the next three weeks those opposite will not debate policy in this House, they will use question time to do what they are doing today, to attack individuals. But in answer to the question I can make it absolutely clear to this House that I have never met Andrew Stoner and discussed anything around Slasherteck. REGIONAL SPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE Mr THOMAS GEORGE (Lismore) (14:35): My question is addressed to the Deputy Premier. How is the New South Wales Government giving regional communities the opportunity to access better quality sporting infrastructure for a stronger, better future? Mr JOHN BARILARO (Monaro—Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional New South Wales, Minister for Skills, and Minister for Small Business) (14:36): I thank the member for Lismore for his question. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Cessnock will come to order. Mr JOHN BARILARO: The member for Cessnock wants to criticise the grants that we are giving to regional New South Wales, but his electorate has benefitted from those on this side of the House—from the Resources for Regions, Regional Growth Fund, Stronger Country Communities Fund, Regional Cultural Fund and the Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund. To that $1.3 billion add another $300 million in the Regional Growth—Environment and Tourism Fund. I have been with the member for Cessnock to announce some of those Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1178

projects. We have invited him and now he wants to criticise us during question time. As I said to the gallery a minute ago, these guys will use question time over the next three weeks to attack the Government for the sake of attacking. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Cessnock will come to order. Members will cease calling out. Mr JOHN BARILARO: They will oppose us for the sake of opposition. Why? Because when they judge us on our actions they have very little to criticise us about in view of the investment we have made in the regions and right across the State. Some $80 plus billion dollars is being spent in New South Wales and regional New South Wales is getting its fair share. We are seeing cranes in the sky in Sydney and we are also seeing cranes in the sky in the regions. I turn now to the member's question about regional sports. We all know in the regions— and I have said this before—that the character and identity of a town or city in regional New South Wales is often forged on the footy field or netball court. We know what about the cross-town rivalry across the borders. That is what makes regional New South Wales the fantastic community it is. Sport brings us together for our kids. When one thinks about the electorates we represent, the tyranny of distance often isolates a lot of families but when we bring the kids in on a Saturday or Sunday, or training nights during the week it brings families together. That is the cohesion or glue that makes regional New South Wales the fantastic community that I and other members of this House are proud to represent. The SPEAKER: Order! There are too many audible conversations in the Chamber. If members wish to converse they should do so outside the Chamber. Mr JOHN BARILARO: That is why in the Regional Growth Fund we have earmarked $100 million to invest in regional sports infrastructure. Over the past couple of years through the Stronger Country Communities Fund we have invested $300 million in building local amenities. Part of that went into sporting infrastructure, but small-scale sporting infrastructure—upgrading a change room, installing lights, rebuilding some grandstands or seating, and changing surfaces. When I watch social media and read media releases across the State I see members of this Liberal-Nationals Government in regional New South Wales announcing money the like of which has never been seen before to support our community clubs. For example, a small grant like $100,000—how many sausage sizzles would you need to run to raise $100,000? The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Rockdale and the member for Swansea will cease commenting. Mr JOHN BARILARO: The Government wants to partner with our sporting clubs and communities to make sure we build the infrastructure. We know that we live in a great part of the State, but to live there you want to be able to raise a family. It is not just about the economy and jobs—and we are doing a wonderful job there—but it is also about building those amenities, those little extras that are so important to community harmony. That is why we are investing in culture, art and amenities right across the board—from upgrading showgrounds to Country Women's Association halls—and sporting infrastructure. The Government is also making some large-scale investment in upgrading sports infrastructure in regional New South Wales. There is more to be announced, but I will now share a couple of the highlights. It does not matter where people live—for example, at Broken Hill's we are installing light towers. Broken Hill, which is a great city in regional New South Wales, is proud of its sporting history and it is important that we make that investment. Why? It will enable locals to train and play at night during summer when temperatures are cooler. That is common sense, but it is the Liberals and The Nationals that are investing in important regional sporting infrastructure. The member for Coffs Harbour has just announced $10 million in funding to create a regional sport hub. This will ensure that the kids and adults in Coffs Harbour can not only follow their dreams in sport at a social level but also on an elite pathway. It was great to see the member for Murray in Griffith. Griffith will receive $10 million from the fund and, in partnership with the Griffith City Council, a multipurpose regional sports complex will be constructed. This will include seven indoor basketball courts, seven all-weather netball courts, a new synthetic athletics track with lighting, a new synthetic hockey pitch and a new grandstand. I can already hear those opposite saying "pork-barrelling, pork-barrelling". I wear that as a badge of honour. This is making sure that regional New South Wales gets its fair share. [Extension of time] The member for Lismore really cares about his electorate. We have seen an investment in the sports ground at Lismore. Lismore could become the baseball capital of the world. The SPEAKER: Order! I remind the member for Kogarah that he is on two calls to order. Members will cease calling out. Mr JOHN BARILARO: The member for Oxley has just announced a $2.46 million investment in South West Rocks, but one of the most exciting investments is at Dubbo. No, it was not because of the Royal visit or because the rain fell—it was great to see 60 millimetres of rainfall last week and another 40 millimetres or Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1179

50 millimetres last night—but a fantastic investment of close to $10 million by the Government in the Western Region Institute of Sport. This will be a $44.5 million investment in partnership with Charles Sturt University, the local community and a range of sporting associations. The local member has been advocating to put his community first. The SPEAKER: Order! Opposition members will come to order and stop conversing among themselves. Mr JOHN BARILARO: We have seen significant investment at Dubbo in hospitals, roads and schools. Yesterday it was fantastic to show off some of the great programs at the Dubbo Senior College Campus—be it the Girls Academy or the Clontarf Foundation—when the royal couple visited the college. But the announcement across the board is about making sure that we invest in facilities. Those opposite run around the country talking about stadiums being built here in Sydney— The SPEAKER: The member for Rockdale will cease interjecting. Mr JOHN BARILARO: But they do not want to talk about the significant investments, tens of millions of dollars, hundreds of millions of dollars going into regional sports infrastructure. It does not matter if one is in Lismore, Dubbo, Parkes, Griffith, Wagga Wagga, Goulburn or Queanbeyan. I have not announced mine yet, but that is coming. I am sure the Labor candidate down there will be waiting and those opposite will find something to talk negatively about. MATTHEW FRASER COMMENTS Ms KATE WASHINGTON (Port Stephens) (14:43): My question is directed to the Deputy Premier. What is the Government's response to comments made by senior Nationals' identity Matthew Fraser who on Friday 5 October described farmers and their families campaigning to protect State-significant Cudgen farmland as "the great unwashed"? Will the Government apologise to them? Mr JOHN BARILARO (Monaro—Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional New South Wales, Minister for Skills, and Minister for Small Business) (14:44): Firstly, look at our track record in the way we support agriculture and primary industries and how we are supporting farmers in this State during drought. The response by the New South Wales Government in supporting the sector has never been stronger. The Government has provided almost $1.1 billion to support our farmers during this very tough period. The SPEAKER: The member for Maitland will come to order. Mr JOHN BARILARO: Even though we have seen some rainfall across the State—and it was great to see rainfall in most corners of the State—we are a long, long way away from the drought being broken. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Maitland to order for the first time. Mr JOHN BARILARO: We will continue to be there shoulder to shoulder with our farmers. A minute ago, and over this week, Labor members have attacked me and the Government for the investment in Australia's Oyster Coast or— Ms Jodi McKay: Point of order— The SPEAKER: The Clerk will stop the clock because of the persistent points of order being taken, which are not points of order at all. Ms Jodi McKay: We agree that what is happening to our farmers with the drought is shocking, but the question relates to comments made by a National Party identity. The SPEAKER: I heard the question. The Deputy Premier's comments about the drought are appropriate and relevant to the question he was asked. Ms Jodi McKay: It is whether he will condemn those comments. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Strathfield will resume her seat. I call the member for Strathfield to order for the third time. Mr JOHN BARILARO: The Opposition is referring to a comment made by a member of the party up on the North Coast, but let us have a look at what those opposite are talking about. They are talking about a selection of a site on which we have committed to build a new hospital—a significant announcement. The member for Tweed was able to secure more than $580 million to build a new hospital for the people of the Tweed. Through a very independent process of Health Infrastructure we were able to rule out one site—a site which the Labor Party decided to pluck off the back of a coaster, and when we link the owner of that site back to the Labor Party we can list a series of donations over a decade. This site belongs to a developer from whom the Labor Party has Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1180

received donations over a decade, and it is a site the Labor Party picked with no process. Those opposite do not understand process. We have announced a site and now we are committed to ensuring that we build a hospital for the Tweed not just for today but for the future. If those opposite want to talk about process, let us look at the Federal Labor member in the Tweed. Ms Kate Washington: Point of order: My point of order relates to Standing Order 129. The question is whether the Deputy Premier is going to apologise to the families of the farmers. The SPEAKER: I understood the question. All the Deputy Premier's comments have been relevant. Mr JOHN BARILARO: Forget what anyone else says, listen to what I say about farmers in this State and how supportive I have been in fighting for their plight. Those opposite ask questions in here but they do not do anything. They do not care about regional New South Wales. But let us go back to the Federal member Justine Elliot, who is using Federal Labor funds to run ads against the site. Who is the State candidate? It is Justine Elliot's husband. Ms Kate Washington: Point of order— The SPEAKER: The Clerk will stop the clock. I have ruled that the Deputy Premier is being relevant to the question he was asked. Does the member for Port Stephens have another point of order? Ms Kate Washington: Madam Speaker, did you say that you were going to ask the Deputy Premier to be relevant? The SPEAKER: No. The member for Port Stephens should listen more often in this Chamber. Ms Kate Washington: I am sorry. I was trying to hear you, Madam Speaker. My point of order relates to relevance. There is no way on earth that what the Deputy Premier is straying into now has any relevance to the question that has been asked. The SPEAKER: I do not know yet. The member for Port Stephens has objected to one sentence. I will hear further from the Deputy Premier. No further points of order will be taken. Mr JOHN BARILARO: It is in relation to the debate about the site that we have picked in a very independent process through Health Infrastructure—a significant site; I think it is 23 hectares—on which to build a hospital not just for today but for the future, understanding the growth of that region. We have seen the growth of that region—it is possibly hitting 125,000 people. Tweed hospital will end up becoming the hospital that will service southern Queensland, so we are doing our bit on our side of the border. But to return to what I was saying earlier, Justine Elliot's husband is now the candidate for Labor against the current State member and Justine is running ads using Federal funding—and remember there are no bans on developer donations federally—for a change of site. Who should be answering questions today? And let us not forget Walt Secord's connection to Justine Elliot—once upon a time, chief of staff. Mr : Point of order— The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier will resume his seat. Mr Paul Lynch: My point of order relates to Standing Order 73. If the Deputy Premier wants to launch an attack on someone, be they a member of this place or not, it should be by substantive motion. The SPEAKER: I will hear further from the Deputy Premier, but I caution him. Mr JOHN BARILARO: I was not here yesterday in question time to defend myself but those guys opposite attacked. They do not want to listen to the truth. They want to apply one standard to themselves and they want to apply another standard to us, but the difference between what they did yesterday and in the last couple of days and what they did this morning in the upper House is the stuff that I have mentioned, and it is all fact. It is all in the public domain and everyone can read it: Justine Elliot's husband the candidate, Justine Elliot running ads against our site, which had gone through an independent process, and backing a site picked by Walt Secord and the Labor Party in favour of a donor-related party. JOBS AND GROWTH Mr (Heathcote) (14:50): My question is addressed to the Treasurer, and Minister for Industrial Relations. How is the New South Wales Government supporting jobs and growth and ensuring we deliver a stronger, better future for New South Wales, and are there any alternatives? Mr (Hawkesbury—Treasurer, and Minister for Industrial Relations) (14:51): I thank the member for Heathcote for his question. I know that the Menai Business Chamber has never seen businesses booming in Heathcote like they have under the good member's leadership. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1181

The Berejiklian-Barilaro Government is building a better future for the people of New South Wales. Every single week we are fighting for better outcomes for the people of our great State. Just this week we saw another amazing win for the people of New South Wales. We took the fight to Canberra and got a great deal on the goods and services tax [GST]. I am proud to say that the Commonwealth Government has agreed to enshrine in law that New South Wales will not be worse off as a result of these new GST changes. I thank the Treasurers from the States and Territories, both Labor and Liberal, who stood shoulder to shoulder to make this happen. I thank the Board of Treasurers for achieving this great victory. I saw the Victorian Treasurer, Tim Pallas, earlier today and I acknowledge and thank him for his efforts as Victoria and New South Wales led that charge together. Every single day we are working for greater opportunities for the people of New South Wales and today I am pleased to announce that we have broken yet another record. For the first time in 10 years, the New South Wales unemployment rate has hit a record low of 4.4 per cent. That is the lowest unemployment rate in the nation for 40 months straight. This is a jobs boom happening right across the nation. Since coming to office in 2011, New South Wales added more jobs than the entire population of Tasmania. Tasmania produces apples; we produce jobs. The result is no accident and it did not just happen. It is a testament to the strong financial and economic policies of the Berejiklian-Barilaro Government. We know that the biggest threat to our jobs and our children's jobs are the economy-killing policies of Luke Foley and the New South Wales Labor Party. That is why it is no accident. When Labor was last in office the unemployment rate was above the national average for 62 of 68 months. While the Liberals and Nationals have been building up our State over the past seven years, the Labor Party wants to talk it down and tear it down. A lot of the jobs growth is on the back of infrastructure projects such as WestConnex, which is providing 10,000 jobs and adding half a percentage point to our economic growth each year for the next two years, and because of our strong investment in infrastructure. The Leader of the Opposition has already promised that he will scrap the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link, the F6 and the Metro Southwest. He has already promised to hold sham inquiries into the WestConnex and light rail because we know he wants to cancel them too. Luke Foley is the first Leader of the Opposition in our State's history to run an election campaign on a policy platform of taking things away from people. That is because the Labor Party puts politics first. It claims to be the party of the working class but we know that it sells them out for its inner-city elite. That is why it is trying to cancel WestConnex: It is more interested in saving the member for Summer Hill than the member for Blue Mountains, the member for Lakemba, the member for Prospect, the member for Granville or the member for Strathfield. But there is one person that I think everybody in this House should agree should be out of a job—and that is Labor MLC Shaoquett Moselmane. He has been on Twitter again lately. The good thing about Shaoquett on Twitter is you never know what you are going to get. Mr : Point of order— The SPEAKER: Order! I have not even heard what the Treasurer has to say. I anticipate what the member's point of order will be, but it is too early to take a point of order. The member will resume his seat. Mr DOMINIC PERROTTET: He has had a big week. Ms : Point of order— The SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. The member for Maitland is anticipating what the Treasurer might say about another member. The Clerk will stop the clock. The member will resume her seat. Mr DOMINIC PERROTTET: He has been on Twitter and members opposite are obviously concerned about this. First, he has liked tweets that call Israel "a genocidal state". [Extension of time] Mr Ryan Park: Point of order— The SPEAKER: Order! I assume the member for Keira will say that is not a reflection against a member in the other place. Is that what the member for Keira will say? Mr Ryan Park: Yes. My standing order relates to Standing Order 72. The SPEAKER: The member for Keira is anticipating something which has not happened yet. Mr Ryan Park: It just did happen. The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is reading what this person has said, but I will hear what the member for Keira has to say. Mr Ryan Park: Quite clearly, we have a rule that if members want to make comments like that against other members, they should do it by way of substantive motion. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1182

The SPEAKER: Which comment is the member referring to? Mr Ryan Park: The comments about the member in the upper House. The SPEAKER: Which particular comment is the member taking offence to? Mr Ryan Park: Do you want me to repeat it? It is the last comment. Mr DOMINIC PERROTTET: This is ridiculous. I am just repeating— The SPEAKER: Those were the comments of another member, not the Treasurer, about another member. The member for Keira was not listening. The member for Keira will resume his seat. Mr DOMINIC PERROTTET: He was listening. These are just his own comments. He is following the Hamas movement, a terrorist organisation, on Twitter. Last night— Mr David Harris: Point of order— The SPEAKER: I reiterate what I said. Mr David Harris: Even if this is not an attack on another member in the other place— Mr DOMINIC PERROTTET: This is what he said. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Wyong will resume his seat. Mr DOMINIC PERROTTET: Then, thanks to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Michelle Brown— The SPEAKER: Order! The Clerk will stop the clock. This is what another member said; not what the Treasurer is saying about him. The member for Keira will resume his seat. The member for Wyong will not argue with me. [Interruption] Mr DOMINIC PERROTTET: He should be out of a job. The SPEAKER: Order! If the Treasurer wants to launch an attack on another member, that point of order will be upheld. But at the moment the Treasurer is quoting from what the member said in another place, not what the Treasurer said about him. The member for Wyong can be outraged all he likes, but that is enough. That goes for the member for Keira too. Mr DOMINIC PERROTTET: Last night when Shaoquett should have been doing his job in the upper House, he tweeted an article from David Duke. Ms Jodi McKay: Point of order— The SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. I am trying to listen to what the Treasurer has to say. The member for Strathfield will resume her seat. Mr DOMINIC PERROTTET: Who is he? A famous anti-Semitic, the Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. If members opposite disagree with Shaoquett Moselmane, they should put their hands up. But members will not because the standard you walk by is the standard you accept. The Leader of the Opposition should show some leadership and get him out of the job. The SPEAKER: Order! Members will not argue across the Chamber. Let us not descend into what happened earlier in the day, especially if we have guests in the public gallery and people watching. They expect better of us. WESTCONNEX Ms JODI McKAY (Strathfield) (14:59): My question is directed to the Premier. Why did it take the new private owner of WestConnex to reveal that the Government funnelled more than $1 million to Liberal Party identity Tony Shepherd's football club? Why did the Premier keep that secret? The SPEAKER: Order! That question should be ruled out of order. Does the Premier wish to answer it? Ms GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN (Willoughby—Premier) (15:00): Will the member for Strathfield reword it? Madam Speaker, this question should be out of order but I want to take it. The member for Strathfield is so lazy that she thinks we forget she has asked that question before in this place. She asked the Minister for Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1183

Sport this exact question already. She should be ashamed of herself. The question is out of order, and she asked it already. Mr Michael Daley: Point of order: My point of order relates to Standing Order 129. We did ask the question and the Government did not answer it then— The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Maroubra will resume his seat. He will not continue his previous behaviour and shout at people across the Chamber. Is the Premier finished her answer? Ms GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN: No, I am not finished not by a long mile. I refer members to an article from 28 February 2017, which says: The GIANTS are pleased to announce WestConnex as a foundation community partner as part of a three-year deal to support GIANTS Care programs and communities in western Sydney. GIANTS CEO David Matthews said the new partnership has ensured the expansion of GIANTS care, which offers a range of programs and initiatives to address some of the biggest issues facing youth, families and communities across western Sydney. If members opposite do not think that is worth supporting, they should not be in this place. HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE Mr BRUCE NOTLEY-SMITH (Coogee) (15:01): My question is addressed to the Minister for Education. Can the Minister update the House on this year's Higher School Certificate [HSC] and what the New South Wales Government is doing to strengthen our world-class school system so that our children have a stronger and better future? Mr (Pittwater—Minister for Education) (15:02): I thank the member for Coogee for his question. It was a wonderful privilege for me to join the Premier and the member for Coogee at the member's alma mater, Randwick Boys High School, to congratulate the HSC students at that school who were emerging from the English exam that they sat this morning, together with more than 60,000 students across New South Wales as part of the 2018 Higher School Certificate. Given that the HSC English examination was today, I was planning to start with some poetry, as I did on Tuesday, but the Japanese verse, haiku, seemed to confuse members opposite, although students sitting today's examination would not have been confused. There is a difference between a word and a syllable. Haiku are built around the number of syllables in a line, not the number of words. In what is tantamount to global outrage against the cause of Japanese literature, some of the whiz-kids in Labor head office tried to write a haiku and got it completely wrong. It was a real stumble in the cause of Japanese verse. Mr Dominic Perrottet: That is why they are not fit for office. Mr ROB STOKES: As the Treasurer said, clearly they are not fit for office. The SPEAKER: It would not have been the member for Lakemba, because he was an English teacher. He would know. Mr : You should have gone the limerick. Mr ROB STOKES: I thank the member for Lakemba for his suggestion. I was considering a sonnet or perhaps a ballad, but no: a limerick. A limerick is a form of verse that follows anapaestic meter. It is a five-line verse. I will have a go. Labor once did a haiku, Something quite easy to do, Yet a straightforward task Proved too great an ask For a team that belong in the zoo. We will leave haiku-gate for another day. It is now time for us to reflect on the great achievements of all the students who have worked so hard to get to a point where they are part of the 76,000 students across New South Wales and the world who will attempt at least one subject in this year's Higher School Certificate. The Higher School Certificate this year comprises 118 subject exams, beginning with English today. There is a second English paper tomorrow, and on 9 November the concluding exam will be drama. Students will receive their results via SMS on 13 December. I join with all members to pass on our best wishes to all students attempting the HSC this year. Our best wishes to the teachers and support staff who work in schools across independent, Catholic and public schools in New South Wales supporting the students and the families. In many ways they sit the HSC along with the students in their care. It is a huge undertaking for families across New South Wales. My message to everyone involved in the HSC is not to be isolated. It is important time to seek the support of friends, colleagues and hardworking dedicated teachers who have prepared you to this point. I pass on our best wishes to everyone Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1184

participating in a world-renowned and highly regarded credential. It is a credential that has served us well for the past 50 years. It something we must continue to look to improve. [Extension of time] The Higher School Certificate has been a feature of the educational firmament in this State for more than 50 years. I note comments from Labor today that the HSC should be reviewed as part of the curriculum review. I note the curriculum review has been announced. The terms of reference for the review were publicly consulted upon. It was a matter of consulting with stakeholders to make sure it was a broad review. Assessment tasks such as the HSC are caught within the terms of reference for the HSC. I note Labor's comments. I invite Labor to make a written submission as part of the review process. It has until the end of November to do that. Today was not the best time to call this credential into question or seek a review of it; today is a day that we should get behind all the students and school communities across New South Wales. We should celebrate achievements to this point and ensure they know that we have their back. This is a credential that we have confidence in. We support the great efforts of students and the teachers who have prepared them for the HSC and who will mark the HSC. I acknowledge the generations who have contributed to developing the syllabuses tested in the HSC. SHORT-TERM HOLIDAY LETTING Ms (Ballina) (15:09): My question is directed to the Minister for Planning and Minister for Housing. Given the extremely negative impact upon my community that allowing 180 days a year of unregulated short-term holiday letting will have, will the Minister give Byron Shire Council the power to retain the longstanding arrangement, strongly supported by the community, to have a 90-day limit for short-term holiday letting? Mr ANTHONY ROBERTS (Lane Cove—Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing, and Special Minister of State) (15:10): I thank the honourable member for her question, but she is a bit late. The Hon. Ben Franklin raised this issue with me some months ago. I give him credit and thank him for that. I am running through the list. Do I have any recent correspondence from the member for Ballina on this matter? None that I can see. I do have a large amount of correspondence from the Hon. Ben Franklin, who recognises that communities around New South Wales deserve the best representation. I inform the House that on 5 June this year the New South Wales Government announced a whole-of-government policy for short-term holiday letting, now referred to as short-term rental accommodation and, as the member for Hornsby will tell members, also known as STRA. The member did great work. The Government policy supports home-sharing while managing potential impacts through a statewide planning framework and amendments to strata regulations as well as a mandated code of conduct. The Department of Planning and Environment is currently seeking feedback on proposed amendments to planning instruments. The amendments will enact the statewide planning framework through a definition of STRA and clear pathways for simplified planning approval. For example, when the host is present on site overnight, STRA will be allowed all year. When the host is not present, STRA will be allowed with a limit of 180 days in Greater Sydney and 365 days in other areas of New South Wales. I am pleased to say councils outside Greater Sydney will be able to decrease the 365-day threshold to no lower than 180 days per year. Certain rules will apply on bushfire-prone land. The amendments are on exhibition until 16 November 2018. In making its decision the Government considered the issues, needs and expectations that the industry and community expressed during an options paper process. The new policy seeks to enable STRA activity to continue to take place without undue impact on communities. The statewide policy is not yet in effect. The Department of Planning and Environment and the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation are working hard together to implement the policy. Once the policy comes into effect a consistent planning framework will improve certainty and streamline processes alongside a new co-regulatory governance model which will help manage the conduct of visitors and hosts. I take the opportunity to mention Ben Franklin, who raised the issue concerning Byron Bay. I have been informed that he will be contesting the electorate of Byron Bay. I congratulate Ben Franklin on his endorsement to contest the electorate. His advocacy has been incredible for that local area. From the upper House he has seen a need for good strong representation on the North Coast from this House. I wish him, as all do in this House, the best of luck. I do wish the Labor Party the best of luck in winning back some of the Green electorates. Mr Luke Foley: Point of order: We know you are just worried about the member for North Shore's electorate. The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1185

Mr ANTHONY ROBERTS: That raises the question: Where is Barb? We all miss Barb. I thank the member for her question, albeit late. I can assure the people of Ballina that Ben Franklin has already raised these issues with us and we are dealing with them. We will be responding to Ben Franklin's concerns on behalf of Ben Franklin's community in a very short period of time. Did I mention Ben Franklin? Mr John Barilaro: How do you spell it? Mr ANTHONY ROBERTS: B-E-N as in Ben Franklin. HAWKESBURY-NEPEAN VALLEY Mr (Riverstone) (15:15): My question is addressed to the Minister for Western Sydney, Minister for WestConnex, and Minister for Sport. How is the Government going to bring a stronger and better future for the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley? Are there any alternative approaches? Mr (Penrith—Minister for Western Sydney, Minister for WestConnex, and Minister for Sport) (15:15): I thank the member for Riverstone for his question because together with members representing the electorates of Castle Hill, Hawkesbury and Mulgoa they know the importance of flood mitigation to communities across Western Sydney. One of the most important risks associated with living in Western Sydney is the ability to mitigate against flood. Since we formed government we have been developing a detailed evaluation of the impact of flood across one of the most complex flood plains anywhere on the face of the planet. We have incredibly difficult topography to deal with that particularly leads with the Sackville plug hole that means water does not leave this particular flood plain. The Government has devised a long-term strategy about building resilience in this community and the most important infrastructure investment is the raising of the Warragamba Dam wall by 14 metres which will significantly improve the ability of this community to be resilient during the course of a flood and reduce significant impacts. To give members a clear understanding of what I am talking about, if a flood similar to the 2011 flood in Brisbane happened in Western Sydney today we would have to evacuate 64,000 people from where they live. That is why this Government is committed to raising the Warragamba Dam Wall by 14 metres. The cost of that work would be in excess of $2 billion if a similar flood happened. It is incredibly important to understand what those opposite are proposing. Those opposite have proposed something quite extraordinary. They suggest we should lower the water in Warragamba Dam by 40 per cent—that is 795 billion litres of Sydney's drinking water. By the way, we are in a drought. To fill that gap they would have to turn on the desalination plant and build two more desalination plants and operate them every day. The Opposition has accused the Government about the cost of raising the Warragamba Dam wall. If we took into account the cost of those three desalination plants, $7 billion would have to be passed on to every consumer across New South Wales. The policy of those opposite is less flood mitigation capacity and higher water costs. But it goes further because the Opposition also accuses the Government of raising the Warragamba Dam wall to try to increase development. That is fascinating because when those opposite were in government their planning Minister, Frank Sartor, prevented any restrictions on development above a one-in-100-year flood. He provided a law that stopped the Government from implementing restrictions on development to protect people from flood impacts. The only reason that has now changed is that this Government did its research into the Hawkesbury- Nepean flood area and changed the State environmental planning policy for the North West Growth Area so that it could have better flood resilience. The Government has also done that in another area, the Penrith Lakes, which is in my electorate. Those opposite had a legal framework and planning policy that allowed for 4,900 homes to be built at Penrith Lakes. What did this Government do? We researched the Hawkesbury-Nepean flood area. We understood the risks and then we changed the planning policies to reflect that risk. The SPEAKER: I remind the member for Kogarah that he is on two calls to order. Mr STUART AYRES: We changed the planning policy for Penrith Lakes so that we could have only 30 residential properties on the Penrith Lakes. Those opposite had planning laws for 4,900. [Extension of time] Labor's planning law provided for 4,900 homes to be built at Penrith Lakes. Under this Government it is 30 homes. The Government recognises that if people do not live in locations, the capacity to evacuate them is quicker. At Penrith Lakes we would like to see other forms of urban development, for example, tourism attractions, opportunities for accommodation or even places where people could have employment and work close to home. One thing we do not accept, because of the high risk, is 4,900 homes being built at Penrith Lakes. What we have consistently seen from those opposite is really simple: They do not want to protect the people of Western Sydney from flood mitigation. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1186

If the Opposition does not want to hold the water behind the dam wall, the water must be in front of the dam wall—in the communities where people live. Lowering the volume of water in the dam does not provide the flood mitigation that is required. Even increasing evacuation routes does not prevent a flood from happening. The only way to slow down the water in the case of a one-in-100-year flood in this area is to raise the wall by 14 metres, which would reduce the flood incident by 85 per cent. Those opposite want an 85 per cent more chance of a flood in Western Sydney. They want higher water bills and less drinking water. Their approach to looking after Western Sydney is as simple as that—higher water bills, less water and more floods. Committees COMMITTEE ON THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION Report: Review 2016-17 Annual Reports of the ICAC and the Inspector of the ICAC Mr : As Chair: I table a report entitled "Review of the 2016-17 Annual Reports of the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Inspector of the Independent Commission Against Corruption", dated October 2018. I move: That the report be printed. Motion agreed to. Petitions PETITIONS RECEIVED The CLERK: I announce that the following petitions signed by fewer than 500 persons have been lodged for presentation: Sydney Metro Pitt Street Over-station Developments Petition rejecting the current proposed Sydney Metro Pitt Street over-station developments, received from Mr . The Star Casino Petition opposing construction of a proposed residential and hotel tower on The Star casino site, received from Mr Alex Greenwich. Inner-city Ferry Services Petition calling on the Government to fast-track project work for ferry wharves and services at Glebe Point; Johnstons Bay, Pyrmont; Woolloomooloo; and Elizabeth Bay, received from Mr Alex Greenwich. Brisbane Water Channel Petition requesting the funding of a long-term dredging solution for Brisbane Water Channel, received from Ms Liesl Tesch. Sydney Football Stadium Petition requesting that the Government upgrade rather than rebuild the Sydney Football Stadium and invest the money saved into health, education and community sports facilities, received from Mr Alex Greenwich. Woy Woy Public Wharf Petition requesting that the Woy Woy public wharf be rebuilt to modern operational standards, received from Ms Liesl Tesch. The CLERK: I announce that the following petition signed by more than 500 persons has been lodged for presentation: Yass Valley Hospital Petition calling on the Government to commit funding to plan and build a new Yass Valley hospital with a maternity ward within five years, received from Ms Pru Goward. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1187

Committees LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE Report: Legislation Review Digest No. 61/56 Report: Legislation Review Digest No. 62/56 Ms FELICITY WILSON: I move: That in accordance with Standing Order 306 (7) the reports of the Legislation Review Committee, being Orders of the Day (Committee Reports) Nos 61/56 and 62/56, be considered together. Motion agreed to. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Lee Evans): The question is that the House take note of the reports. Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (15:25): As Chair: I first take this opportunity to thank former committee Chair the member for Manly for his work and contribution to the committee this year. In Legislation Review Digest No. 61/56 and Legislation Review Digest No. 62/56 the committee examined a total of 15 bills introduced in the past two sitting weeks. The committee also identified issues in a number of the statutory rules it reviewed. I will now draw to the attention of members some of the key issues raised in the sixty-first digest. The Crimes (Appeal and Review) Amendment (Double Jeopardy) Bill 2018 proposes amendments that extend an exception to the rule against double jeopardy in relation to an acquitted person when previously inadmissible evidence becomes admissible. The bill follows a recent decision of the Court of Criminal Appeal to refuse an application under the exceptions of double jeopardy in the Bowraville case. The committee identified that the bill's expansion of the definition of fresh evidence widens the exceptions to the double jeopardy rule which prevents a person from being retried for the same conduct they have already been acquitted of. Although noting the safeguards in the Act that must be satisfied before a retrial can be ordered, the committee ultimately referred the issue to the Parliament. The Criminal Legislation Amendment (Consorting and Restricted Premises) Bill 2018 proposes amendments in response to two reports by the NSW Ombudsman concerning the offence of consorting and related police powers. In New South Wales it is an offence for a person to habitually consort with at least two convicted offenders after an official warning has been given in relation to each of those convicted offenders. In previous reports the committee has noted that this offence may impact on the ability of people to freely associate and communicate with each other and could criminalise innocent communications. While the committee noted that the amending bill seeks to increase the overall fairness of the provisions, the committee considered it appropriate to reiterate its previous concerns on the consorting law more generally. The Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 follows the Legislative Council Standing Committee on Law and Justice first review of the workers compensation scheme. The bill seeks to implement some of the review's recommendations aimed at simplifying the dispute resolution process. The bill gives new information collection and sharing powers to the State Insurance Regulatory Authority. Those powers extend to personal or health information despite anything in existing privacy laws. While the committee acknowledged that such expansive powers may assist the authority's regulatory function, it noted that the provisions may nonetheless unduly trespass on an individual's right to privacy, given the few limitations on the use or collection of information. Accordingly, the committee referred the issue to Parliament. The sixty-second digest addresses two potential issues in the Civil Liability Amendment (Organisational Child Abuse Liability) Bill 2018, including that the provisions apply retrospectively and commence by proclamation. However, the committee made no further comment on these issues as the retrospectivity extends the benefits of the reforms to survivors of historical child abuse, and the delayed commencement would allow administrative changes necessary to support the reforms. The committee also reviewed the National Park Estate (Reservations) Bill 2018 and identified one issue. That bill seeks to reclassify State forest land variously as national park land, State conservation areas, or land vested in the Minister for the Environment. Those different classifications are listed in three schedules to the bill. The committee noted a provision that allows the chief executive of the Office of Environment Heritage, in certain circumstances, to issue a notice which reclassifies some of the land listed in those schedules. This provision appears to be a common feature of similar bills. However, given that such a notice may not be subject to parliamentary scrutiny, the committee referred this issue to the Parliament. In this week's digest the committee also reported on three statutory rules: the Anzac Memorial (Building) Amendment By-law 2018, the Cemeteries and Crematoria Amendment Regulation 2018, and the Electoral Regulation 2018. The Cemeteries and Crematoria Amendment Regulation allows for the renewal of burial sites Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1188

after periods of between 25 and 99 years. The committee noted that such a regulation may be seen to trespass on religious or cultural rights given the belief held by some that human remains should never be disturbed. It was noted that the Legislative Council is currently inquiring into this regulation and the committee referred the matter to Parliament for its further consideration. That concludes my remarks on the sixty-first and sixty-second digests of this Parliament and my first as Chair. I encourage everyone to read the full digests, which are available on the committee's website. I thank my fellow committee members and the secretariat for their contribution. I commend the digests to the House. Mr (The Entrance) (15:30): On behalf of Opposition members of the Legislation Review Committee I comment on Legislation Review Digest No. 61/56 and Legislation Review Digest No. 62/56. First, I welcome the member for North Shore to the committee as its new Chair. I also thank the outgoing Chair, the member for Manly, for his service and careful chairmanship. All committee members would make that comment but I wanted to thank him personally for performing his role admirably. In the sixty-first digest the committee considered 11 bills and commented on seven of them. I will not address those. In the sixty-second digest the committee considered four bills and three regulations and commented on all of them. I draw to the attention of members that the committee has the power to comment on regulations as well as bills. That is often forgotten because we mainly consider bills in this place. As well as considering whether regulations trespass unduly on personal rights and liberties the committee can consider whether regulations have an adverse impact on the business community or whether regulations otherwise might be made by other means. The committee performs different functions with respect to regulations and to bills. This month we considered the Anzac Memorial (Building) Amendment By-law 2018, which has a disallowance date of 23 October in this place and 13 November in the other place. The by-law was made under the Anzac Memorial Building Act 1923. The digest notes: The amending By-law creates a new By-law which makes it an offence for a person to sit or lie on the steps of the Memorial Building. The offence is punishable by a maximum of 20 penalty units, which is approximately $2,200. That is an expensive lie down. The digest continues: The Committee acknowledges that the Memorial Building is of special significance and worthy of respect. The Committee also understands that the Bylaw has been introduced to help protect the Memorial Building in circumstances where some members of the public loiter on the steps at night. However, the Committee notes that the new By-law may be seen to unduly trespass on an individual's right to freedom of movement. In particular, the Memorial Building is situated within a public park and, in this context, some may consider that sitting on the steps is not itself an act of disrespect or should not attract such a substantial monetary penalty. The Committee therefore refers to Parliament the question of whether the new by-law, and the attached penalty, is appropriate in the circumstances. I draw that to the attention of the House, and I encourage members once again to review the digests and use them in their deliberations. I finish by again thanking the secretariat, welcoming the new Chair, and thanking the outgoing Chair. I commend the digests to the House. Reports noted. Matter of Public Importance CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA FOUNDER IAN KIERNAN, AO Mr GREG PIPER (Lake Macquarie) (15:34): I thank the Speaker, Ms , for giving me the opportunity to raise this matter of public importance today. It is in reference to the passing of Ian Kiernan, AO, and in commemoration of his extraordinary life. On Tuesday night, with the death of Ian Bruce Carrick Kiernan, AO, New South Wales and Australia lost a great champion for the environment, for his community and, dare I say, a great bloke. I offer sincere sympathy and commiserations for their loss to Ian's wife, Judy, his daughters Philippa and Sally, all of his friends and colleagues at Clean Up Australia and the many thousands of friends he has made around New South Wales, the country and the world. I am not sure when I first met Ian, but I know that, along with the vast majority of New South Wales, he first came onto my radar in 1989 when this knockabout bloke stepped up with an audacious and hugely ambitious plan to clean up Sydney Harbour. It is a matter of record that more than 40,000 people stepped up to the challenge set by Ian to clean up their local area around the harbour on that day, and a powerful movement was started. However, these things do not just happen; they start with an idea and invariably require many hands. In this case, the idea came to Ian after he realised the amount of rubbish, particularly plastics, that were making their way into our natural environment. He saw this firsthand while on an adventure as a competitor in the BOC Challenge solo around-the-world yacht race. Ian was appalled at the vast amounts of debris he saw in the Sargasso Sea. This memory stayed with him and inspired him. It is now a matter of record that on Tuesday night Ian passed away. He had been living at Kirribilli in his latter years and was a young 78 years of age. He had been diagnosed with cancer only eight weeks prior. It was a short period from the diagnosis of his illness to his passing away. Ian was born on 4 October 1940. He grew up around Sydney Harbour and was educated at Scots College in the Armidale School. He was a man that loved a bit Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1189

of adventure. There is no doubt that sailing was a great love of his and it put him in close contact with the natural environment. He was also a practical bloke. He was a builder and he liked to get things done. If Ian set out to do something, he wanted to see an achievement at the other end of it. Ian was inspired by what he had seen on the Sargasso Sea, but while thinking about what he could do about it he came across a number of things that further inspired him to step up to the plate. People have differing views about where his ideas came from, but I want to claim a little bit of the credit for Lake Macquarie. In 1987 Ian was in Lake Macquarie. He used to sail there quite frequently and was a good friend to Lake Macquarie over the years. He had seen a project run by then Mayor Ivan Welsh to clean up Lake Macquarie. Ian saw that this as an opportunity to clean up Sydney Harbour. He could motivate people and do it bigger and better. He took it to Sydney Harbour in 1989 with Clean Up Sydney Harbour. That went on a few years and later became Clean Up Australia , then Clean Up The World. Ian has mobilised millions of people to Clean Up Australia. He has been an inspiration. The people of New South Wales have lost a great champion and any member in this House who has had anything to do with Ian Kiernan would recognise the greatness of this man. Mr ANDREW FRASER (Coffs Harbour) (15:40): I speak in support of the matter of public importance as put by the member for Lake Macquarie. I also grew up in Newcastle and I remember fishing on the lake. I remember a lot of sailors who used to go there for a good day out, and every time they finished a beer they would punch holes in the can and let it drop to the bottom of the lake. Ian Kiernan first started Clean Up Sydney Harbour which then grew into Clean Up Australia. Marine environments were his main concern as a man of international renown in the yachting world. As a member of Apex since before I came to this place, we take great pride in going out and cleaning up the waterways around Coffs Harbour. Unfortunately, Clean Up Australia Day still goes on and we still pull many tonnes of rubbish—a lot of it plastic, as was mentioned by the member for Lake Macquarie—out of our estuaries and lakes and waterways generally. I acknowledge Professor Steve Smith from the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour. He has been trying for a number of years to get funding to look at the effects of plastic on the environment in the East Coast. A number of people would know that Coffs Harbour has the Solitary Islands Marine Park, and we do not want to see the environment there spoilt by the dumping of rubbish either in the water or into the estuaries that drain into that magnificent marine park. I remember one discussion I had with Ian about yachties because quite often when they are cruising for pleasure on their yachts, they dump their waste straight overboard. I suppose we disagreed on this subject, but Ian was more interested in stopping the other types of pollution that go into the ocean. I acknowledge Terrie-Ann Johnson and her father, who are both friends of mine. Terrie is the managing director and chief executive officer of Clean Up Australia. I know how she must be feeling. I think it is some six months ago that Ian first knew that he had a problem with cancer. He underwent treatment, but in the last eight weeks it really knocked him around to the extent that he was hospitalised and, tragically, has since passed away. Ian has raised awareness across coastal towns of the damage that unimpeded dumping of rubbish in waterways, gutters and streets—which invariably run into the ocean—has and will continue to have not only on local waterways but also on major oceans, as we have seen through the vast amounts of plastic that is floating around. A number of people are trying to arrest that plastic waste with some small means of success, but the reality is without Ian Kieran originally leading this charge into making sure that our waterways and oceans were clean, I do not believe much would have been done. Because of Ian, not only does Australia lead the world in awareness and programs to stop rubbish being dumped into waterways and oceans but we would have to be the most successful country. Indeed, other countries are now starting to follow suit. It is with great sadness that I offer my condolences to Judy, his wife, and his daughters. He was a great man. He will remembered for a long time. I trust that Clean Up Australia will continue as an ongoing legacy of the work he started. Each year on Clean up Australia Day we will remember what a great man he was and what a great thing he has done for the environment world-wide. Ms LIESL TESCH (Gosford) (15:45): I support the member for Lake Macquarie and member for Coffs Harbour on this matter of public importance. I, too, grew up on the shores of Lake Macquarie. Like so many coastal-living Australians I pottered around in Ian's way of life; the member for Pittwater and the member for Shellharbour may know this lifestyle also. Living on the coast and pottering around in the waterways and on the boats as kids we all stopped and picked up the rubbish as part of Clean Up Australia Day. Like Ian Kiernan I got on to boats at any early stage of my life. He accomplished amazing things on the waterways, first as a sailor, competing in a dozen Sydney to Hobart races, and then had the inspiration to circumnavigate the world in 1986 in the BOC Challenge. In that race he finished sixth but he actually set an Australian circumnavigation record. He really is a sailing legend, and it was that experience that inspired him to do what he did, especially after nine months at sea. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1190

I know I never take a plastic water bottle now if I can possibly avoid it because I have seen the rubbish out at sea. Ian inspired me to teach kids about the Pacific gyre of waste and the flow-on effect of the Clean Up Australia campaign that has been a part of our lives. Few Australians would not know Ian from his advocacy for preserving the beautiful environment that we all cherish. Few people have created such a dedicated wide-ranging movement as Ian did with Clean Up Australia Day. With only a small committee of friends after he returned from his trip around the world, he set up the first Clean Up Sydney Harbour and ended up with 40,000 volunteers; he was obviously starting a movement. From there it grew and grew. Since then more than seven million people have taken part in the annual event, with the addition of Schools Clean Up Day, Business Clean Up Day and Clean Up the World, involving 40 million people from 120 countries. Ian's mission through Clean Up Australia Day was to inspire and work with communities to clean up and fix up our earth. He can be sure that legacy will live on forever. Beyond Clean Up Australia Day, Ian encouraged Australians to take a renewed pride in our environment. I actually believe that two Central Coast organisations came from this legacy—Clean 4 Shore, which has just won a national Landcare aware, and Take 3 For The Sea, which encourages kids across the Central Coast to pick up three pieces of rubbish as they leave the beach. Ian has made us realise that we are custodians of this land for only the time we are here. We inevitably pass it on to the next generation, who will do the same for the next generation. We are not the first and we are not the last. We need to take care of what we have and make sure we can be proud of what we leave for those who follow. This is not just one day of the year; it is every day. That is Ian's true legacy. Vale, Ian Kiernan, AO. Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (15:51): By leave: I make a contribution to this matter of public importance and thank the member for Lake Macquarie for raising it. As he acknowledged in his contribution, the late Ian Kiernan died as a resident of Kirribilli in my own community of North Shore. He had a long-lasting legacy across my community. The very first iteration of Clean Up Australia Day, before it was even called that, when it was called Clean Up Sydney Harbour, initially took place in Mosman. The plan was for it to clean up Mosman but many community activists and locals had the crazy idea to expand it to the whole of Sydney Harbour. People may know the story of that original day. There was a fear that nobody would turn up or be involved and that people would look foolish in trying to achieve such a significant initiative. I do not think that effort could ever be called foolish because the following year, in 1990, it went on to become Clean Up Australia Day, with hundreds of thousands of volunteers, and through Clean Up the World it has touched more than 40 million people from 120 countries. Ian Kiernan latched onto an issue back in the 1980s that is becoming more and more prominent around the globe. While it is very easy for us as Sydneysiders and Australians to accept we have some of the cleanest beaches in the world, including in my own community, we would not have to travel far to see the significant pollution, particularly single-use plastic pollution, that exists in our oceans and the impact that has on our marine life and marine diversity. What we can do in acknowledging Ian's contribution and passing is to double-down on our own personal responsibility and commitment to addressing plastic use, particularly single-use plastic, and waste in our waterways and oceans. Many people in my community have been touched by the loss of Ian Kiernan, including local businesses like Tonic Lane in Neutral Bay, environmental activists. They were recently finalists at the Green Globe awards and experienced significant mentorship and support from Ian Kiernan. We are a harbour-based community and electorate. We love our environment. We have organisations that go down to Balmoral to pick up straws, waste and rubbish every day. We have the home of the Sydney Institute of Marine Science in Chowder Bay and Taronga Zoo Sydney, with all its work and effort for Australian and global conservation and marine protection. Ian has left a long-lasting legacy and while it is devastating that we have lost him, we are grateful that we had him in the first place. We can experience and enjoy his legacy and redouble our efforts. Mr (Northern Tablelands—Minister for Tourism and Major Events, and Assistant Minister for Skills) (15:51): By leave: "A larrikin, a powerful environmentalist and a man who showed that one person can change the world". That is how Murray Guest, Headmaster of the Armidale School paid tribute to Ian Kiernan yesterday upon hearing the very sad news of his passing at the age of 78. Ian was truly a great Australian and the remarks of previous members, particularly by the member for Lake Macquarie, have clearly articulated that. One of the lesser known facts about Ian is that he was educated in country New South Wales, in Armidale, at the Armidale School. He attended that school between 1952 and 1958 where he was a member of the First XV, a talented swimmer, and built on his sense of adventure during weekend bush leave, as it was called then, where he would go into the nearby gorge country with his mates, many of whom he remained friends with for the rest of his life. But his association with the school did not end with his departure in 1958. He became a founding member of the Armidale School Company, a position he continued to hold up until the time of his passing. I pass on from the Armidale School its appreciation for the wonderful contribution, wisdom, insight and humour that he freely Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1191

gave to the school many decades after he left. Ian returned to TAS back in 2011 to be guest speaker at the annual presentation day. Although I was not present on that occasion Headmaster Murray Guest recalls vividly a comment that Ian made during the presentation. As Ian was talking to the students during his address he said: One of my great lessons from TAS was to look for and take up challenges and I really abide by the George Bernard Shaw quotation "If your dreams don't frighten you they're not big enough". I do not think there could be a more apt description of the way Ian Kiernan took on challenges and issues and without doubt prevailed. I, too, join with the TAS community and all Australians in passing on my sympathy to Ian's wife, Judy, and his children. We truly have lost a great Australian. Mr JAMIE PARKER (Balmain) (15:34): By leave: I make a brief contribution to acknowledge the life of Ian Kiernan. He was a fantastic Australian who inspired millions not only within Australia but also around the world. Many of us know Ian Kiernan from his work in Clean Up Australia but he was also throughout his life very high profile and effective in speaking up for the environment, in particular protecting our waterways and oceans. When he competed in a world yacht race in 1987 he found the oceans spoiled with rubbish. On his return he organised a community event, which shows the power of one. That community event, which was to combat the spread of litter in public parks and waterways, led to the founding of Clean Up Australia from Clean Up Sydney, and the following year went international. Not only have tens of thousands of volunteers turned up in Australia and hundreds of thousands around the world for this event but the idea has inspired people everywhere. For example, in Myanmar, a place I hold very dear, they hold clean-up days. In fact, they looked to the work of Ian Kiernan and Clean Up Australia to help them clean up their country. Ian Kiernan not only wanted to clean up the waterways in our communities at the end of the process but also to make sure that waste did not get into our communities. He was a strong supporter of addressing the collection of litter and also extended producer responsibility, including making sure that schemes such as the Return and Earn container deposit scheme were introduced. Ian Kiernan was acknowledged in 1991 with a Medal of the Order of Australia, in 1994 he was named and in 1995 he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. He really was a champion of our community and our environment. His work will live on forever because the idea about community action and that each of us can be responsible to get governments to take action has been set in stone as a result of his legacy. I wish his family and friends best wishes in their time of bereavement but they should acknowledge that he fought an incredible fight that is acknowledged not only in this Parliament but around the world as a champion for Australia and the environment. Mr GREG PIPER (Lake Macquarie) (15:57): In reply: I thank the members for the electorates of Coffs Harbour, Gosford, North Shore, Northern Tablelands and Balmain for their contributions to this matter of public importance. Anyone who has had any direct experience with Ian Kiernan knows what a wonderful person he was; the community has known that for many years. Indeed, the community has been greatly inspired by him. I will not take too much more time of the House because even if we had hours we would never be able to do justice to the legacy or life of Ian Kiernan, but in closing I will say one more thing. Ian knew he was just one man and that he could not possibly do so much by himself. His gift to the community, his city and his country was to inspire and mobilise others and to bring together armies of volunteers and concerned citizens to tackle the rubbish choking our bushland, waterways and oceans, and more recently to tackle the use of single-use plastic bags. He was one man but one amazing champion for the environment. I reiterate, our thoughts are with Ian's wife, Judy, and his daughters, Sally and Pip, but they are also with his close friends and colleagues at Clean Up Australia. I know, as was mentioned by the member for Coffs Harbour, that Terrie-Ann Johnson, the managing director of Clean Up Australia, and the team will be driven to continue the legacy of Ian Kiernan. I pledge here now, and I am sure other members will do likewise, that I will continue to do what I can to continue the legacy of Ian Kiernan. Vale Ian Kiernan. Community Recognition Statements TIMOR CHINESE ASSOCIATION OF NSW Mr PAUL LYNCH (Liverpool) (15:39): Today I recognise the Timor Chinese Association of NSW. The association has been in existence for 40 years, having been established in 1978. It recently held a fortieth anniversary celebration on Saturday 29 September. I should particularly acknowledge the roles of President Tony Von and Secretary Paul Jong, both of whom I have known for decades. I also acknowledge the executive and supervisory committees of the association. Also present at the event was the Acting Consul-General of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Sergio Dos Santos. The purpose of the event was to celebrate not just the fortieth anniversary but also the achievements of the association and its contributions to our multicultural society. The association had small beginnings but is now an impressive organisation. In particular, it should be Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1192

acknowledged both for its charitable work and for its work in maintaining and celebrating culture. For 40 years the association has made a positive contribution to the multicultural fabric of south-western Sydney and Australia more generally. I look forward to that continuing for many years to come. AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS Mr STEPHEN BROMHEAD (Myall Lakes) (16:00): Taree Motorcycle Club celebrates two local junior national motorcycle champions after the recent Australian Junior Track Championships at Tamworth. Zane Hopkins and Cody Wilby are Australian junior track champions. Zane was first in the 65cc 7-U9 class and Cody won the 80cc modified class. Everything came together for Zane. He got the "hole-shot" in the final and led from start to finish. He was riding a 65cc KTM and expressed his appreciation to Ian Bisley and Garth Wilby who do all the work on his bike. Cody was ecstatic after his win. He was riding an 80cc modified Honda and was third out of the gate in the final. I also congratulate the seven Taree juniors who were in action there: Mitch Bisley, who came third, Kurtis Wilby, Blake Wilby, Cody Wilby, Will Bisley, Hayden Nelson and Zane Hopkins. Congratulations to all. HUNTER ACADEMY OF SPORT Ms (Charlestown) (16:01): Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Regional Academy of Sport function here at Parliament House. The Hunter Academy of Sport was very well represented by its staff, athletes and their families. This year the Hunter Academy of Sport is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary and I congratulate them on that achievement. In particular, I was very pleased to have my constituent Josh Robards and his family present. At the ripe old age of 16, Josh is a young golfer who plays off a handicap of plus-1. He is ranked fifth in New South Wales for male golfers under 18 and 33rd in Australia for males under 18. In 2017 he was the winner of the Brett Ogle Junior Masters, the Fayde Matchplay Tournament and the North Coast Junior Masters. This year he has been successful in winning the South Coast Junior Masters, Northern New South Wales Golf Championships, the Greg Chalmers Junior Masters, Macarthur Junior Masters and the Alice Springs Junior Open. All the very best to Josh and I expect to hear big things in the future. MOSMAN MEN'S SHED Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (16:02): Today I acknowledge the Mosman Men's Shed. This is a wonderful organisation in my community. It has more than 50 members and operates out of Georges Height. Earlier this month I made a special visit to the Mosman Men's Shed with one of my chairs. A number of years ago an errant sister of mine—I will not name which one—broke the rules and broke a chair leg. That chair has been waiting to be repaired for some time. I acknowledge the work of master craftsman Steve Morato who, with great love and attention, has brought the chair back to life. In 2017 he was the Mosman Citizen of the Year. Steve is known for his ability to use all types of tools. Indeed, he is a supervisor of extraordinary ability at the men's shed and he uses his great capabilities and knowledge to train others in a safe environment. We recently celebrated Men's Shed Week and I thank the Mosman Men's Shed for all the work it does for our community. TRIBUTE TO GWEN SMITH Ms KATE WASHINGTON (Port Stephens) (16:03): I attended a special concert recently at a retirement village in my electorate. To a packed hall, the performers sang old favourites; there were a lot of smiles and songs and a few tears. The concert was in memory of a woman I wish I had met, Gwen Smith. At the concert Gwen was posthumously awarded an Eminent Resident Award. I had the honour of awarding it to Gwen's daughters, Sue Rowe and Robyn Fairbairn. Residents from Harbourside Haven and Bernie Thompson Park retirement villages recognise those whose efforts enhance the life and enjoyment of other residents with the Eminent Resident Award. Whilst Gwen was only in the village for two years, she shared her love of singing and had a sense of fun, which I am told was infectious. Gwen organised a "Village Choir", she entertained and she mounted professional concerts. I thank the talented performers at the concert, who included Gwen's daughter Sue alongside Doug Merrick, Jenny Rossi and P. J. Wills. I say a big thank you to Frank Ward and Kath Cridland for organising the concert and to all of the residents who came to remember Gwen and for following her advice to sing, sing, sing. MOREE MASONIC LODGE DEBUTATNE BALL Mr ADAM MARSHALL (Northern Tablelands—Minister for Tourism and Major Events, and Assistant Minister for Skills) (16:05): I recognise seven young women from the Moree community, who last month made their debut at the annual Moree Masonic Lodge Debutante Ball at the Moree Memorial Hall. Upon entering, the debutantes were piped into the hall and proceeded under the sword arch made by 12 masons from Lodge Courallie 235. I congratulate the debutantes and their partners: Brooke Muller and Lachlan Appleby; Chloe Flegerbein and John Shelton; Sharri Eggins and Andrew Atkinson; Chelsea Kelly and Nathaneal MacIntosh; Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1193

Marina Shelton and Bradley McLane; Grace Carter and Oscar Davis; and Amanda Leifels and Sean Conrad. They did themselves very proud on the evening. PAADA YATRA WALK Dr HUGH McDERMOTT (Prospect) (16:05): The morning of 29 September was perfect, sunny weather to celebrate the twentieth year of the Paada Yatra walk by the local Hindu community in the electorate of Prospect and surrounding suburbs of Western Sydney. Paada Yatras or "foot pilgrimages" are Hindu religious pilgrimages undertaken towards sacred shrines or pilgrimage sites. Our main focus this year was to bring more members of our community to join the walk from the Sri Murugan Temple in Westmead to Sri Sai Mandir in Strathfield. Many pilgrims then continued with the walk that concluded at Sri Venkateswara temple, Helensburgh—a journey of 65 kilometres. The walk was started by more than 200 people, including many children and seniors. I was honoured to address the walkers and officially begin the walk, where I was joined by Parramatta councillors and Blacktown councillors. I congratulate the Hindu Council of Australia and the organisers on a wonderful, vibrant event. MINGARA ATHLETICS TRACK Mr ADAM CROUCH (Terrigal) (16:06): Mingara Athletics Track is a regional sports facility that is used by dozens of schools, sporting groups and charity organisations from across the Central Coast, including for the great Relay for Life. The track surface is now 18 years old. It is a credit to Mingara that it has been kept in good condition for longer than expected, but it is now in need of urgent repairs and resurfacing. Together with Central Coast councillor for The Entrance, Jilly Pilon, and my parliamentary colleague from the other place the Hon. Taylor Martin, we have launched a petition to fight for funding to fix the Mingara Athletics Track. In some parts the track has split and the surface has worn away and is uneven. Earlier this week, I was again at Mingara and saw firsthand how the track is worn and in need of repairs. That is why we are fighting for regional funding from the Deputy Premier to fix the track. Ms : You didn't join us in funding them. Mr ADAM CROUCH: A new track would ensure the community continues to have access to a world-class facility. I urge everyone across the Central Coast to sign the petition and support our campaign to upgrade the Mingara Athletics Track. I note the interjection of the member for Swansea and I suggest she gets everyone to sign the petition. CHILEAN NATIONAL DAY Mr GUY ZANGARI (Fairfield) (16:07): On Sunday 23 September the Cobreloa Sporting Club Fairfield burst into life as the community celebrated the 2018 Chilean National Day. The celebrations were very well attended by members from the local Chilean community, who played host to the Chilean Consul General in Sydney, Mr Umberto Molina; Honorary Consul for El-Salvador, Mr Jose Vasquez; President of the Cobreloa Sporting Club, Mr Jorge Gahona; and NSW Spanish and Latin American Association for Social Assistance [SLASA] Manager, Mr Carlos Encina. I had the great honour of officially opening the completed upgrades to the club, which were secured through Community Building Partnership grants funding. I would like to commend the committee for their hard work and congratulate them on the terrific additions to the club. The celebrations included the launch of the Latin American Cultural Centre project, which is a great initiative between NSW SLASA and the Cobreloa Club. The aim of the project is to work with the Latin American community to develop, preserve and promote Latin American culture in all its expressions. The Latin American Cultural Centre will be based at the Cobreloa Club and will utilise the recently upgraded facilities. Well done to everyone involved in making the celebrations a tremendous success. KIAMA HIGH SCHOOL UNDER 14S RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM Mr (Kiama) (16:09): Recently Kiama High School's under 14s rugby league team won the prestigious WG Buckley Memorial Shield for the second time. The statewide rugby league knockout competition came down to a conclusion between Kiama and Bass Hill high schools at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, where Kiama came out 10-6 winners. Coach Tim Poppett provided the guidance and leadership necessary to be competitive by ensuring the boys improved together both as individuals and as a unit. Special mention must go to Dylan Egan, who won the player of the series and was the player of the final. Other notable performers included Wes Pring, Noah Morphett, Taj Ford, Kane Graham, Ashton Ward and Hamish Stewart. Additionally, Aiden Curll showed significant improvement throughout the tournament. The rest of the team included Mathew Laughton, Kyle McCarthy, Braxton Doherty, Beauden Anderson, Callum Roberts, Jaxon Lavender, Liam Holland, Cooper Harrison, Kyan McCallum, Jasper Scobie and Travis Dickson. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1194

Once again, congratulations to all involved as each and every one of you were instrumental in making this accomplishment a reality. I look forward to seeing further success from you in what will be a very bright future. FLINDERS PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT KATIE WILLIAMS Ms (Shellharbour) (16:10): I bring to the attention of the House the incredible work and artistic achievements of Miss Katie Williams, a year 6 student at Flinders Public School in my electorate. Katie recently created an artwork that was selected for Operation Art. Katie was inspired to submit a piece to the program following her own experiences in Westmead Children's Hospital. Back in 2014, Katie spent several weeks in hospital when she had surgery to remove an abscess that was pressing into her appendix. Throughout her time in hospital, Katie spent hours in the Starlight Express Room, drawing and painting and looking at the artworks on the walls. Katie's artwork is currently being exhibited at a Sydney art gallery, but soon it will be hung on a wall in one of our State's children's hospitals and will inspire kids just like Katie to get well soon. On behalf of my entire community, I say huge congratulations to Katie. Your beautiful artwork will inspire countless other kids across this State and you should be incredibly proud of yourself. NATIONAL CURRICULUM STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES CHALLENGE WINNERS Mrs LESLIE WILLIAMS (Port Macquarie) (16:11): I recognise the brilliant-minded, year 5 and 6 students from St Joseph's Primary School—Milly McGrath, Dexter Maher and Cooper Winn—for scoring 100 per cent in the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies [NCSS] Challenge through an online computational thinking course. This year the talented trio from St Joseph's Primary School competed against thousands from across the country to learn to code by problem solving online in Python 3.6. The application teaches students how to learn scripting language for many different formats including web applications and scientific research. The NCSS was held over a five-week period, with the online challenge gradually increasing in difficultly and demand over the course of the event. St Joseph's trio Milly, Dexter and Cooper scored an equal first and received full marks in the newbie challenge, which is designed by the University of Sydney for students in years 5 and 6. More than 9,500 students in Australia alone, with more from countries across the world, participated in the challenge, set to test pupil's abilities in the modern world of computational thinking and science-based algorithms. I congratulate Cooper, Dexter and Milly for claiming equal first in the NCSS competition and thank St Joseph's Science and Technology teacher Sarah Blundell for offering students this wonderful learning experience that will support them in their future career. ACON HONOUR AWARDS Ms (Newtown) (16:12): Each year the ACON Honour Awards recognise outstanding achievements within, or excellent service to, the LGBTIQ community in New South Wales. It was my great pleasure to attend the presentation again this year, and to present the Young Achiever Award to Bayvick Lawrence, an inspirational role model and spokesperson for LGBTIQ Pacific Islander youth. Congratulations to Mark Trevorrow, who won the Arts and Entertainment Award; Sydney-based artist Kim Leutwyler, who took home the Cayte Latta Memorial Award for Visual Arts; Dr Allison Bielawski, who won the Health and Wellbeing award; and David Crawford, who was crowned HIV Hero for 30 years of service and care to people living with HIV. Congratulations also to the joint winners of the Community Organisation award—the amazing Equality Campaign and the impressive Human Rights Law Centre; Community Hero recipient Robyn Kennedy and President's Award winners Camp Inc. Special congratulations go to Newtown's own Dr Shirleene Robinson, who won the Media Award for her extensive body of work in the media that has drawn attention to LGBTIQ issues. They are all an inspiration. AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG TRIALS WINNERS BEN GOULD AND JAKE Mr CHRISTOPHER GULAPTIS (Clarence) (16:13): I offer my congratulations to Ben Gould and his eight-year-old collie-cross-cattle dog Jake. I first met Ben and Jake approximately four years ago at the dairy property that Ben manages for his family at Greenridge, just east of Casino. Since that time, Ben has continued his love of cattle dog trials and has been part of the NSW State of Origin Team five times. They of course compete against our arch rivals, Queensland. At the 2018 Australian Cattle Dog Trials held recently in Grafton, Ben and Jake once again took out an Australian championship. Jake came out in top position in the open event after competing against 218 other dogs over the three-day event. Congratulations Ben, and I wish you and Jake continued success in the future. I guess Jake is still listening. That is a trait that a few members in this place should observe. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1195

GRANDPARENTS DAY Ms LIESL TESCH (Gosford) (16:14): I thank all grandparents across New South Wales and wish them happy Grandparents Day. The day is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contribution that our grandparents have made—and continue to make—to our families and our communities. Oldies—or should I say, Goldies—are the living celebration of the changes we continue to see in our community. Our grandparents have lived through incredible change: war, wireless, telly, the man on the moon, computers and mobile phones. Living in times when things were different, dealing with rapid change and making incredible adjustments to accommodate the new, they are our exemplars of adaption. They may struggle a bit with the new stuff sometimes and do their best to hold their own with their grandkids on , with mobile phones, sharing the remote control, and eating pre-packaged food in this disposable society, but they continue to smile, love, care and think so sincerely about others. We in the New South Wales Parliament wish all grandparents across New South Wales the happiest ever Grandparents Day every day. DAME MARIE BASHIR PEACE AWARD RECIPIENT ELEANOR DRURY Ms SHELLEY HANCOCK (South Coast) (16:15): I congratulate captain Eleanor Drury who recently received the Dame Marie Bashir Peace Award. The NSW Dame Marie Bashir Peace awards recognise students who have made significant contributions to harmony or social justice through displaying leadership in fostering harmonious relationships and peace. Eleanor is an outstanding student and active community member. The list of her involvement in school and community projects is extensive, including the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge, R U Ok? Day, White Ribbon Day, Clean Up Australia Day, Anti-Bullying Day, Youth Parliament and many more. In addition to receiving the Dame Marie Bashir Peace Award this year, she has also been awarded the Spirit of Anzac youth award and the Premier's Award of Excellence in Student Achievement. Eleanor would have started her HSC exams today and I wish her the best for an undoubtedly bright future as she takes after her parents, both of whom I taught at Ulladulla High School. I congratulate Eleanor Drury and wish her luck. AFRICAN WOMEN'S GROUP Ms (Granville) (16:16): Last Saturday the African Women's Group hosted its fabulous thirteenth annual dinner dance and I was delighted to join it. It brought together hundreds of women from across the 54 countries of Africa for a fantastic evening of dancing, cultural performances and an amazing fashion parade. It was not just any fashion parade. Women from different countries of Africa strutted their stuff and were judged on not only their outfits but also how they danced and engaged with the audience. It was fantastic to see. The beautiful outfits and the dancing were incredible. The dinner dance began as an opportunity for recently arrived migrant and refugee women to come together, share their experiences and overcome some of the isolation and, in many cases, trauma associated with resettlement. But most importantly, they come together for a lot of fun and it has grown every year. I congratulate all the organisers, particularly Rosemary Kariuki and president Franklyn. LAMROCK COMMITTEE TRIVIA NIGHT FUNDRAISER Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (16:17): Last month I had the privilege of attending the Lamrock Committee's trivia night to fundraise for St George Hospital. The night, held at the Georges River Sailing Club in Sandringham, was a huge success. The Lamrock Committee focuses its fundraising efforts on hospital equipment. The trivia night alone raised $11,000 for St George Hospital and was an outstanding outcome. I thank the Lamrock Committee for its commitment to serving the community for more than 25 years and playing a positive part in the recovery of many patients in the St George area. I also make special mention of the hardworking men and women who made the trivia night such a wonderful success: Liane and Dan Simpson, Meg and Richard Sheahan, Ros Comino, Toni Horsey, Marion Smith, Judy Beekman, Jennie and Warwick Overall, Lynda Robinson and Dianne Roberts. On behalf of my electorate, and all members of this Chamber, I thank them for their contributions. DEATH OF THICH PHUOC DAT Mr (Cabramatta) (16:18): It is with great sadness that I report the passing of the Venerable Thich Phuoc Dat, vice-abbot of the Phuoc Hue Temple in Wetherill Park. Venerable Thich Phuoc Dat was a mainstay of the Buddhist religion in Cabramatta, particularly, but not limited to, the Vietnamese-Australian community. Although he was small in stature, his smile could light up and inspire the largest of crowds. His wise words brought comfort to many at their most trying times and his sagely advice helped find solutions for many. The Venerable was formerly president of the culture and education committee of the United Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in Australia and . He was also a former director of the Bo De Federation of Vietnamese language school Phuoc Hue. The Venerable was 88 when he passed away, having been a monk for 20 years. Cabramatta will always be blessed by the big smile and caring eyes of the Venerable Thich Phuoc Dat watching over us from heaven. I express my condolences to all who knew him. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1196

HAMMONDVILLE RESIDENT HANNAH LEARSON Ms MELANIE GIBBONS (Holsworthy) (16:19): I congratulate Hannah Learson on her new role in Casula Powerhouse theatre production Hating Alison Ashley. The Hammondville resident was diagnosed at a young age with cerebral palsy, Asperger's syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. I am so proud that she has not let it hold her back from pursuing her dreams. In fact, Hannah was so talented during rehearsals that the production team added extra lines for her character. Her family is incredibly proud of her and says that the production has made her more outgoing and sociable. She is working alongside professionals with a lot of experience in the industry and loves gaining insights and learning from them. Once again I recognise Hannah Learson for following her passion, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this young superstar. DEATH OF NEIL GRIEVES Ms YASMIN CATLEY (Swansea) (16:20): I speak in praise of Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue Commander Neil Grieves and offer my most sincere condolences to his loved ones and members of his unit following his recent, unexpected death. Neil was a prominent and popular figure in my electorate of Swansea, which is a water wonderland for boaties, fishers, sailors and surfers. He was a father, a grandfather, a mate and a leader. The unit's senior chaplain Richard Wrightson recently summed Neil up when he said, "He knew that position alone never gives you the right to command. It only imposes on you the duty of so living your life that others can receive your orders without being humiliated." Neil left us in his sleep, lulled to slumber by the rocking of the waves aboard a boat after spending a day out on the reef. I hear he had had a glorious day where he caught a marlin, had a feed of fresh fish and enjoyed a beer with friends—a fitting end to a life well lived. Vale, Neil. I thank him for everything. He will be missed. CLEVER CARE NOW Mr (Cronulla—Attorney General) (16:21): Last week I was delighted to open officially the new premises of Clever Care NOW in Caringbah with the member for Heathcote and the member for Miranda in attendance. In 1959 Clever Care NOW started as Rockdale Community Mobile Nursing Service. Last week also marked its change of name from Nurses on Wheels to reflect its evolving nature from not merely a home nursing care service to providing a much wider range of services such as medical checks including blood pressure and blood sugar testing, flu vaccinations programs, day trips for seniors to promote socialisation and a new Ready to Read Community Literacy Program, a non-profit initiative to increase early literacy levels supporting literacy development of preschoolers in St George and the Sutherland shire. I congratulate Clever Care NOW and welcome it to the new premises in the shire. NEWTOWN ELECTORATE RESILIENT AUSTRALIA AWARD RECIPIENTS Ms JENNY LEONG (Newtown) (16:22): I draw the attention of the House to two organisations in the Newtown electorate whose impressive work was recognised this week through the Resilient Australia Awards, which recognise initiatives that strengthen community disaster resilience. Inner Sydney Voice won the Community Award for its efforts over two years to increase the level of disaster resilience within social housing communities in Sydney and across the State. Together with social housing tenants, the project developed emergency plans for 42 high-rise buildings and improved communications and awareness through local initiatives. I congratulate Thomas Chailloux who led the project, as well as chief executive officer Charmaine Jones and the whole team at Inner Sydney Voice for its incredibly important work. The Centre for Disability Research and Policy at the University of Sydney won the business award for its amazing work in creating the Person- Centred Emergency Preparedness tool and framework. I congratulate the project team Michelle Villeneuve and Professor Gwynnyth Llewellyn on their vital contributions. GRANDPARENT OF THE YEAR AWARD Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (16:23): Grandparents and older people give so much to our communities and families, from sharing their skills and wisdom to volunteering their time and looking after grandchildren. Earlier this month it was my pleasure to present John Dansie with the 2018 North Shore Grandparent of the Year Award at the Mosman Men's Shed. John is an incredibly deserving recipient of the award, given his work in the community. He is also a proud grandfather of six grandchildren and one of his daughters and one of his granddaughters joined us on the day. We were also joined by dozens of members of Mosman Men's Shed and representatives of the Lions Club and the historical society. John is active across our community through his involvement with the Lions Club of Mosman, the Mosman Historical Society, Mosman Men's Shed and Warringah Bowls Mosman. John is the life of any community organisation—warm, caring, kind and compassionate—and he always has a smile. He was also Mosman's Citizen of the Year. I thank John for his ongoing contributions and congratulate him. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1197

DENNY FOUNDATION Ms ANNA WATSON (Shellharbour) (16:24): I bring to the attention of the House the DENNY Foundation's incredible 12 Weeks of Christmas Giving initiative. Over the 12-week period leading up to Christmas Shellharbour area businesses will collect non-perishable items. These items will then be collected by the DENNY Foundation and turned into Christmas hampers to be given to the less fortunate. This year principals from six public schools have each chosen two families from their schools to be the recipients of the hampers. These families have been through extreme hardships and would otherwise have missed out on Christmas this year. On behalf of the entire Illawarra community, I say a huge thank you to the team at the DENNY Foundation. This is an incredible initiative and we are all so grateful for the work that you do. REGIONAL ACADEMIES OF SPORT Mr ADAM CROUCH (Terrigal) (16:25): Last night I was delighted to attend the New South Wales Regional Academies of Sport parliamentary reception hosted by Speaker Shelley Hancock, who is present in the Chamber. As a representative of the Central Coast community, it was a pleasure to celebrate our region's sporting achievements. Indeed, sport is a significant part of the Central Coast lifestyle and culture. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of 16-year-old Milla Evans from the Central Coast, who has represented her school, and now her region, in netball. Congratulations also to 15-year-old Eli Taylor, a basketball champion who has also represented his school and region. Ian Robilliard, affectionately known as "Moose", is not only the Managing Director of the Central Coast Academy of Sport, but also the Chairperson of Regional Academies of Sport. I commend him for his work in mentoring and training the next generation of Australian sports men and women. Congratulations to all involved in the Regional Academies of Sport. SPEARS SPORTS CLUB Mr PAUL LYNCH (Liverpool) (16:26): I acknowledge Spears Sports Club whose club presentation and awards dinner was held on 6 October at Al Amanah College at Liverpool. The club was established 18 years ago. It has grown significantly and this year featured about 350 players. I have known of the club since its foundation and have attended many events. I acknowledge the president of the club, Omar Kabbout, and the secretary Mustafa Krayem. As with many sporting clubs a vast amount of work is performed by volunteers. The officials should be acknowledged as should the parents who play such an important role in the operation of the club. I also acknowledge those present on the night including Mohammad Chams, representing the Islamic Charity Projects Association [ICPA], Sheikh El Haj, Mohammad Issa, First Secretary of the Moroccan Embassy, Faten El Dana and Ayman Alwan. The Spears Sports Club is closely associated with the Islamic community in South West Sydney. It makes a very positive and important contribution to the part of Sydney in which we live. KIAMA COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Mr GARETH WARD (Kiama) (16:27): Recently, I spoke on the achievements of Wil Da'Ibarra, the recipient of the Kiama Sporting Achievement Award at the Kiama Community Achievement Awards event. Wil is an incredibly talented athlete excelling in golf. At the end of August Wil competed for New South Wales at the 2018 Combined High Schools Sports Association's Australian Golf Championships in Coffs Harbour. In order to be selected in the side, Wil won three out of the five State competitions he played. This in itself is an incredible achievement, but Wil managed to top this and helped New South Wales place second in the nation to Victoria, falling short by just a single shot. I am incredibly proud of Wil's achievements, especially at such a young age. He has an extremely bright future and I cannot wait to see him perform at the very highest levels of golf. We are so fortunate across Kiama to have so many talented athletes. Wil, you rightly take your place as another one of those. ACTION CLUB OF NELSON BAY Ms KATE WASHINGTON (Port Stephens) (16:28): I recognise a local hardworking group that identified a need and acted. When the Action Club of Nelson Bay learned about the tough conditions farmers are facing because of the drought it established its Farm to Coast project. It contacted local businesses and arranged for free holidays for farmers and their families to take a well-earned break. I acknowledge president Craig Benjamin, secretary Reg Cronin and treasurer Gary Troon for their efforts. This latest project builds on their history of raising funds for local charities and regularly assisting at community events. I also acknowledge sponsors Moonshadow Cruises, Port Stephens 4WD Tours, PRD Realty Shoal Bay, Salamander Rotary Club, Essence Cafe Nelson Bay, Village Grind Cafe Salamander Bay, Rubi Blue Restaurant Anna Bay, Crest Restaurant Birubi Point, Bluewater Grill Restaurant Nelson Bay, and Nelson Bay Bowling Club. This project is a great example of a community with a heart, playing to its strengths. A generous tourism and hospitality industry delivered positive outcomes for farmers doing it tough. Thank you to the team at Nelson Bay Action Club for bringing everyone together to help famers in need. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1198

HAUSLEIN TINY HOUSE CO. LAUNCH Mrs LESLIE WILLIAMS (Port Macquarie) (16:29): I acknowledge the launch of new start-up business Hauslein Tiny House Co. onto the sustainable housing market on Saturday 15 September at Cassegrains Winery. Business partners Sam Verlaan, David Boyd, and Scott and Sarah Rohdich celebrated the launch of their new business enterprise that promises to deliver affordable housing options to consumers who are finding it difficult to financially afford to build a new home. More than 200 people attended the event at Cassegrains winery. It reflects the interest in the affordable housing market and in the Hauslein Tiny House model. The business took flight in April of this year and has attracted particular attention from the younger generation wishing to enter the housing market. The tiny house is 2.5 metres wide and is fully registered as a caravan for towing. All the bells and whistles are included in a compact yet sizable space with no compromise on quality and attention to detail. It includes a dishwasher, air conditioning, appliances and full off the grid sustainability options. Scott and Sarah commented on the challenges faced by younger couples wishing to take that next step to purchase a home. It was from there that the idea sprouted. It was refined through meticulous research and study into the United States housing market. My congratulations are extended to everyone involved in the Hauslein Tiny House Co. It is an exciting new business creation that offers employment and income to our local regional economy. Petitions COFFS HARBOUR BOAT RAMP Discussion Mr ANDREW FRASER (Coffs Harbour) (16:30): This petition as presented to the House is extremely important not only for locals in Coffs Harbour but for the vast amount of tourists that come to Coffs Harbour to utilise the boat ramp in the holiday period to fish in one of the most picturesque areas and best fishing spots in New South Wales. In 2015 our Government gave the Coffs Harbour City Council, on application, approximately $1.2 million to resolve an issue that had been raised at a public meeting at the fishing club in relation to the dangers attached to the both ramp. That club was basically closed by council. We had public works engineers present who addressed the meeting and offered a solution to the hundreds of fishermen at the meeting. It involved a groin headed in a north-west direction off the existing wall at the boat ramp that stopped the accretion of sand into the boat ramp creating a dangerous swell and a surge when seas were high. Coffs Harbour City Council was given the money to address the issue. It ignored the plan put forward by Public Works and, according to Coffs Harbour City Council, went to the hydraulics laboratory at Manly. It decided that the plan put forward by Public Works would not work and instead dug a hole at the back of the boat ramp basically to make it a bit deeper. It did not stop the accretion of the sand. I asked the Minister at the time, the Hon. Duncan Gay, to do a full audit on the funds and the way they were expended by Coffs Harbour City Council. I am told reliably by the boat owners and recreational fishing groups that a fair amount of this money was not spent on the boat ramp itself but on tarring the road and other improvements external to the ramp itself. What we have seen over the past holiday period is boats being trashed, hulled and severely damaged. We have seen people injured. A lot of families come to Coffs Harbour for tourism. Someone will end up killed or injured. A lot of young people like to go out with mum and dad in the boat to fish. The surge that continues to come in there was not repatriated, as it should have been, with the money given to the council. I commend John Radford and others who collected 12,222 signatures on the petition. It was not just locals signing, but those who have telephoned my office and said, "Look, we love Coffs Harbour. We love the fishing up there. But we are not coming back until such time as we can access that boat ramp with absolute safety." We did have two major fishing competitions. There is another story attached to the fishing club about the lack of attention council gave to a proposal if put forward. As a result the fishing club went broke, the lease was not renewed and it closed down. The petition also calls for fish cleaning facilities. There are fish cleaning facilities at the old fishing club adjacent to the ramp that was paid for by this Government. which now cannot be opened because no-one in charge of the fishing club. We have these magnificent facilities that cannot be utilised by local fishermen. We also need lighting and amenities so that anyone who uses the ramp can do ablutions down there and do not have to go to some other part of the jetty area. I support the petition, but I suggest that rather than council be given money to repatriate the boat ramp that it be given to a government agency to ensure that what is planned and put forward, as it was in 2015, is done. We do not want council to spend the money on the shore rather than on the boat ramp. It is an important facility for tourism and for local fishers. I commend the petition to the House. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1199

Ms YASMIN CATLEY (Swansea) (16:35): I am pleased join the discussion on this petition. In fact, I like join the discussion on all petitions with more than 10,000 signatures that come to this House because they take a lot of effort. As the member for Coffs Harbour has pointed out, his constituent John has gone to an enormous effort to collect these signatures and I commend the Coffs Harbour community for doing that. I think that every community that does that deserves to be recognised in this place and acknowledged. The member for Coffs Harbour does not know that, until recently, I have holidayed in Coffs Harbour every year at the caravan park. I am very familiar with the harbour area. Mr Andrew Fraser: Pay your bill next time. Ms YASMIN CATLEY: Do not worry, I inject a lot of money into Coffs Harbour economy when I am there with my three children. One year I even came home with pet. As a 19-year-old I sailed out of Coffs Harbour on the Young Endeavour to Brisbane. I know the terrific area to which the member for Coffs Harbour refers. Like Coffs Harbour, Swansea also has its fair share of boat ramps and difficulties with them. Norah Head, which is in the electorate of the member for Wyong, has a sea-going boat ramp that people on the Central Coast in the electorate of Swansea use and it can be incredibly dangerous. I understand the urgency of the matter raised in this petition and why the Coffs Harbour community is seeking work to be done—lives could be lost. We all know that boating and the sea are very dangerous. If people live in a coastal electorate they are very familiar with how dangerous the ocean can be. I have seen many boat accidents that one would never have dreamt would happen, but with a freak surge of water the boat leaves the trailer and then a fisherman is stuck between a car and a boat. I have looked at the pictures. Mr Andrew Fraser: The Swansea channel. Ms YASMIN CATLEY: Indeed. We have seen Milano's on the Lake, our great restaurant, fall into the lake in Swansea channel. We are very familiar with the dynamics of the environment in the water. The ocean can be incredibly rough and dangerous at Coffs Harbour so I understand why this community believes this matter is so important. The similarities between our eastern seaboard electorates is the people who love to go on the water. They love to boat, surf, sail, swim and fish. I hope Government members do not mind me mentioning the "f" word on this occasion. I know that it has been difficult for them with their backflip in relation to the fishing lockout. I know that in Coffs Harbour, Port Stephens and Swansea fishing is an incredibly big part of tourism. I acknowledge the presence in the Chamber of the member for Port Stephens. So we certainly have to make sure that people can go out and enjoy it. The electorate of Swansea has some of the highest numbers of boat registrations in the State, and boat ramps are critically important to the area. The member for Coffs Harbour mentioned that the Swansea Channel is incredibly dynamic. In fact, as we speak the boat ramp next to Milano's on the Lake is closed due to erosion of the channel at Pelican. I am in a similar situation working with the Lake Macquarie City Council. I applaud the council; it has done a great job consulting with the community, making sure they get what they want and also making sure it spends the money to ratepayers' best advantage. The council is ensuring that the channel will not erode again in the near future. Lake Macquarie City Council will be putting a groyne in place which will slow the swift current and make it much safer to load or unload vessels onto trailers. Another similarity to my electorate is that the Coffs Harbour Boat Ramp has needed dredging in its time. As members know, the Swansea Channel needs regular dredging. It is being dredged as we speak because a large sailing event will be held on the lake at the beginning of next month. I applaud the community of Coffs Harbour and I applaud the member for Coffs Harbour for bringing this motion to the Chamber. I hope that he is successful in fixing the boat ramp. Mr KEVIN ANDERSON (Tamworth) (16:41): I speak in my capacity as Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads, Maritime and Transport to support the member for Coffs Harbour. I have a coxswain's ticket as well, so I have some knowledge of harbours up and down the coast. A couple of weeks ago I was in Coffs Harbour admiring the beautiful harbour and the amount of work the member for Coffs Harbour has done to upgrade the breakwater, which makes it safer and provides greater protection to the harbour. I commend the Coffs Harbour Regional Boat Ramp Precinct Enhancement Committee for its efforts to organise the petition advocating for improvements to this important piece of regional infrastructure. It is pleasing to hear that representatives from Roads and Maritime Service and the Department of Industry—who are now working together as part of a combined Maritime Infrastructure Delivery Office—have met with the petition organisers and the local council to discuss a range of potential enhancements to the facility. These include further major engineering works to try to alleviate the accumulation of sand at the basin; further works to try to reduce the impact of surging water within the basin; widening of the ramp and addition of another pontoon; provision of boat wash-down bays; installation of toilets and improvement of fish cleaning tables and general amenities; and improvement of lighting and signage at the ramp, including a potential trial of electronic Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1200

variable messaging signage to better alert users to the potential risks of using the facility during different conditions. There is a great deal of variation in the level of complexity and cost for each of those potential enhancements, with the cost of any further engineering works to the basin likely to be in the order of millions of dollars. The Maritime Infrastructure Delivery Office is currently assisting Coffs Harbour City Council to develop high-level cost estimates for the works, which will assist with options analysis and further project development. Coffs Harbour City Council has sought assistance from Roads and Maritime Services to trial the installation of electronic signage at the ramp. I am advised this matter is being given urgent consideration. The Coffs Harbour Boat Ramp is an important piece of regional infrastructure that supports recreational opportunities for local residents and helps attract visitors to the area to launch their vessels. While recognising the challenges associated with the ramp, it is pleasing to see different levels of government and the community working towards a solution. As a user of boat ramps up and down the coast, I know that safety components are important. I commend the member for Coffs Harbour as well as the Coffs Harbour Regional Boat Ramp Precinct Enhancement Committee for bringing this petition forward. I also commend the Coffs Harbour City Council for its support of the committee to get the best outcome. Ms KATE WASHINGTON (Port Stephens) (16:44): I thank the residents of Coffs Harbour for their commitment to their cause. Like the member for Swansea, I know how hard it is to get 10,000 signatures on a petition. To achieve it shows how important the Coffs Harbour boat ramp is to the community. I am slightly perplexed as to why the member for Coffs Harbour, who is a longstanding member of this place of 28 years and a member of the Government, has to bring a petition to ask for this to happen. Mr Andrew Fraser: Because council wasted $1.2 million. Ms KATE WASHINGTON: The member makes an interesting point. My community often shares its frustrations with me about similar issues with approval processes. There seems to be a lack of expertise in Roads and Maritime Services when it comes to approvals and funding of boat ramps and dredging works. The length and difficulty of the processes for anything to do with waterways and structures is enormously frustrating for the Port Stephens community. We have to deal with seven different authorities before there is any movement on anything that needs to occur, including making boat ramps safe and accessible for users. The member for Swansea and others have spoken about the importance of providing safe access to waterways up and down the coast. Commercial fishing and recreational fishing are important for our economies and for people's livelihoods and quality of life. It is essential that the Government works better with councils and communities to ensure that the money it invests in assets provides the right outcomes. The missing piece of this puzzle seems to be any oversight of how the money that Government provides is spent in communities. I appreciate that sometimes there are issues with delivery by councils, but I urge the Government to play a greater role in scrutinising and oversighting the projects it funds to ensure that the outcomes are achieved. I thank the member for Coffs Harbour for bringing the petition to the House and I thank all of the residents who signed it. Private Members' Statements AUSTRALIAN KANGAROOS RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER RON COSTELLO Ms ANNA WATSON (Shellharbour) (16:47): It is with great pride and a real sense of honour that I draw to the attention of the House the lifetime achievements of Mr Ron Costello. Ron is a Shellharbour legend, born and bred, whose story starts out like that of so many locals. Ron was born at Port Kembla Hospital on Saturday 7 November 1942. As a child he attended Shellharbour Public School before heading off to Kiama High School for his secondary education. It was during his time at Kiama that Ron first started playing rugby league both in and out of school. When he was not playing for his school team, Ron was playing for the Shellharbour Junior League. Ron recalls learning to tackle at Kevin Murphy's farm in Dunmore, practising on sheep and small bulls. Needless to say, his practise paid off. Ron was selected for his first representative game playing for group 7 in the under 18s against Brisbane and travelled up to Queensland for the game. For the next few years, Ron continued to play senior football for Shellharbour. The highlight was his first grade team's grand final win over Gerringong against all odds in 1962. The following year he signed with the . He played in the centres for two years and was a second rower for the following three years. In 1967 Kevin Smythe, the coach of the Rugby League Football Club at Wollongong, asked Ron if he would like to come back down south to his home. Ron jumped at the opportunity. He signed with the club and he went on to play a starring role in the Collegians Wollongong premiership victory. Ron was later picked for New South Wales country and State teams and ended up playing nine games at that level. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1201

In 1969, Ron was selected to play for Australia, officially becoming Kangaroo number 430. He appeared in one test and toured New Zealand with the team before signing with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. He played with the Bulldogs for three seasons between 1970 and 1972 and also played in the team that won the State Cup against Parramatta. Meanwhile, he also represented Australia for the second time in the third Ashes test against Great Britain in 1970, and was selected to play in the World Cup of the same year. Australia won the Rugby League World Cup final against Great Britain, with a score of 12 to 7 at Headingly Stadium. Ron's final test appearance was against New Zealand in 1971. After his contract with the Bulldogs expired, Ron returned to the Illawarra to play for the Port Kembla Club, where he captained his team and coached others. He then came home to Shellharbour, the club where it all began, and played his last game in 1984. This last game happened to be his team's grand final and he fought through the pain and played the match with a fractured sternum. In recognition of Ron's incredible career, he was made a life member of the Shellharbour Sharks Rugby League Football Club. The club also made the worthy call to name their home ground after him—Ron Costello Oval. Ron is still a great and loyal supporter of the club today. Ron has undoubtedly lived a great life and inspired countless people in my community and in other communities across the country in the process. On behalf of my entire community, I thank Ron Costello for all he has done throughout his lifetime and continues to do for our community. He is a local legend with an incredible legacy. We will be eternally grateful. UNITED INDIAN ASSOCIATIONS WALK FOR FARMERS Mr DAMIEN TUDEHOPE (Epping) (16:51): On Saturday 22 September I joined the mayor of Parramatta and a crowd of local supporters to farewell participants in the United Indian Associations [UIA] Walk for Farmers, which ran from 22 September to 1 October. The core group of walkers were UIA president Sreeni Pillamarri, Anil Doma, Jaya Deep, and Suvarnaraju Peravali who were supported generously along the way by a number of sponsors, donors, and volunteers. Their efforts raised more than $16,000 for the charity Aussie Helpers, to assist farming families. Aussie Helpers is an outstanding charity founded by Brian and Nerida Egan and is a not-for-profit organisation supporting and educating the community about Australian farmers. I acknowledge the contribution of Bob Waller, a Cherrybrook resident, who acts as the Sydney representative for Aussie Helpers. The Walk for Farmers event has a GoFundMe page where they proudly outline their mission as follows: Here we stand united as TeamUlA in a difficult time for all farmers who have been struck by major periods of drought making it impossible for them to grow their crops. "The hand that feeds us" is in trouble today. The severity of this situation has only worsened for everyone. But we together can choose to be a part of this team of people who have taken it upon themselves to help in any way we can. Their initial leg was a 38 kilometre walk from Parramatta to Campbelltown. Over 10 days of walking they visited Picton, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Exeter, Bundanoon, Goulburn, and then Canberra. The Walk For Farmers concluded on Mahatma Gandhi day in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Glebe Park in Canberra. The UlA team received some local media coverage along the way for their efforts, appearing in the Southern Highlands News and the Hills Shire Times. The Southern Highlands News reported: A small volunteer group has made a big impact on the lives of drought-stricken farmers. Volunteers from the United Indian Association walked 380 kilometres from Sydney to Canberra in 10 days in aid of farmers. The team raised funds for charity Aussie Helpers as well as awareness of the challenges of life on the land. The Hills Shire Times wrote of event organiser Sreeni Pillamarri: Sreeni Pillamarri is a proud Australian. The Cherrybrook local migrated to Australia from India in 1998 and immediately fell in love with his new home. Twenty years later Mr Pillamarri is gearing up to repay the kindness shown to him by the Australian community with a 380km walk from Sydney to Canberra to raise money for drought-stricken farmers. The Walk for Farmers will see a group of five to seven people set off from Parramatta Town Hall on Saturday and trek through Campbelltown, Bowral, Moss Vale and Goulburn before arriving in the nation's capital by Monday, October 1. … "The idea for the Walk for Farmers came two months ago, when (the UIA) raised $5000 for NSW Farmers and presented it during the Mateship Fair in Parramatta in August ... "However we felt that was not enough and clearly something needed to be done to give attention to the farming community at large. The purpose of this initiative is to morally and financially support the farmers of NSW who are currently facing one of their worst ever droughts." This commitment to others in need and the sense of community spirit demonstrated by the Walk For Farmers is a testament to the important contribution of the Australian Indian community and community organisations such as the United Indian Associations. The Indian community is one of the largest in my electorate of Epping, and I look Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1202

forward to sharing the news of this successful initiative as I attend various Diwali celebrations over the coming months. United Indian Associations is the largest Indian association in New South Wales. It was established in 1994 by a team of professionals and doctors to serve the Indian community at large. As a premier umbrella organisation, the UIA serves the Indian diaspora in Australia by engaging in social and community development. I congratulate Sreeni, Anil, Jaya, Suvarnaraju and the team on such an outstanding commitment towards raising awareness and vital funds to assist struggling farmers in Australia. BATHURST ELECTORATE FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr (Bathurst—Minister for Lands and Forestry, and Minister for Racing) (16:55): I am pleased to talk about some of the wonderful achievements that are continuing in the electorate of Bathurst. At the start of the year, I made a commitment to my people that there would be at least one announcement per week from the New South Wales Government to continue to build the Bathurst electorate. Not a week goes by that we do not make a funding announcement. More than that, we are smashing it with more than two or three announcements every week about projects that build our communities. We have not seen this money for many years and our community is proud to receive it because it funds projects that build the vital infrastructure that is needed in our local communities. Unfortunately five minutes is not enough time to mention all the projects I have been involved with over the past couple of weeks that make a difference to the Bathurst electorate, but I will mention as many as I can. One of those projects is Lifeline. It plays a vitally important role not only in the Bathurst electorate but also across the Central West. I was pleased to visit the organisation, which has moved into new premises. The New South Wales Government will support Lifeline with funding of more than $163,000. Lifeline will make some modifications to the new building that it has moved into. This is important because the refurbishments will help Lifeline undertake training at that facility. Currently it has to go to other buildings around town so issues of privacy are not being adhered to. But why would we not support Lifeline when it is supporting our communities? It provides counselling to people who are dealing with mental health, domestic violence, financial issues and drug and alcohol issues. This is an important facility and this training room will make a big difference. I congratulate the volunteers and Stephanie Robinson for the work they are doing in the local area. Bathurst Meals on Wheels was formed in 1997 and 1998. It is about 20 years since it received upgrades, but it will now receive an investment by the New South Wales Government of more than $293,000. That will fix up the kitchen and amenities at that facility. When it was built almost 50 years ago, the kitchen was only set up to make around 20,000 meals a day. Now Bathurst Meals on Wheels makes almost 400,000 meals a year. The meals those volunteers create for the elderly and for people with disability allows people to continue to live independently in their homes. The larger ovens and upgrades to the kitchen will give volunteers the ability to make those meals, which are important to the communities in Blayney, Lithgow, Bathurst or Oberon which are serviced by the great work of Meals on Wheels. Another great organisation in my electorate of Bathurst is the Lithgow Combined Districts Kart Club. As recently as a week ago I visited the club, which has a great kart-racing facility at Marrangaroo, and inspected the race control centre and the technical inspection building, which at the moment are a little run down. The New South Wales Government will invest $101,000 to upgrade the facility. When we see national and State events taking place elsewhere, we think about how the club will be able to attract larger categories of go-kart racers into the Marrangaroo-Lithgow area. Everyone acknowledges that the Bathurst electorate is widely known for holding race events. I hope everyone saw the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 a couple of weeks ago. Go-kart racing introduced many of our current Bathurst 1000 competitors to racing. I am pleased that the Government has been able to support the club with an important infusion of funds, which will really help. Let us not forget about the young people in our communities. Recently I caught up with the mayor of Bathurst, Graham Hanger, Deputy Mayor Bobby Bourke and residents. The Government intends to invest $300,000 in the construction of an additional skate park. The current skate park caters for intermediate and advanced users, but the funds will provide a skate park that will cater for young people in the Bathurst electorate. The Government is partnering with Lithgow and Portland councils to provide a high-quality skate park for young people. Young people will be able to hone their skills after school, on weekends and during the school holidays. The Bathurst electorate is going ahead in leaps and bounds—and do not worry, there is more to follow. VAUCLUSE ELECTORATE SOLAR MY SCHOOLS PROGRAM Ms (Vaucluse—Minister for the Environment, Minister for Local Government, and Minister for Heritage) (17:00): Earlier this week, on Monday 15 October 2018, I joined principal Michael Jones, teachers and students at the Bondi Public School's assembly to launch their new 23-kilowatt solar power photovoltaic [PV] system. The project was inspired by a passionate group of last year's year 6 students who wanted to make renewable energy a reality at their school. In the words of Principal Jones: Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1203

"Our planet will be in good hands if tomorrow's leaders are of this calibre." I, too, commend these students for their inspiration and determination. It was great that they could return to their old school for the assembly and see their project come to life. The energy generated by the solar panels will produce enough clean energy to power 150 computers a year and now covers 20 per cent of the school's energy bill. I was pleased to have been a part of the project, having visited the school earlier this year when I presented a $18,500 New South Wales Government Community Building Partnership grant. This funding contributed to the design, supply and installation of the photovoltaic modules. The Solar my School program is an initiative that helps schools to reduce their energy use and their power bills. It helps to educate students about renewable energy and how it can help to shrink their carbon footprint. It gives support and guidance to primary and secondary schools that want to install solar panels, with almost 30 schools—both public and private schools from the eastern suburbs—already signed up to the initiative. Last June, I visited the Kincoppal Rose Bay [KRB] School on its 135th anniversary to help launch its solar power PV system on the roof of the Maureen Tudehope Centre. It was the largest project of any school in the eastern suburbs to date. I was also delighted to assist with a $25,000 New South Wales Government Community Building Partnership grant towards the construction and installation of those solar panels. KRB now has a 99-kilowatt system with more than 330 solar panels. This means the school is now producing clean, green power on site, powering its sports, music and performing arts facilities. That is approximately 149,000 kilowatts of power generated each year that can power more than 745 school computers. Simple steps in our everyday life, such as turning off lights when you do not need them or are leaving the room and unplugging devices when they are not being used, can make a big difference as well. Those kinds of practical lessons for reducing energy consumption are taught through the Solar my School program. Other schools in the eastern suburbs are installing solar panels. They include: Bellevue Hill Public School, which installed solar panels in January last year; Rose Bay Public School, which installed solar panels just last month; and Moriah College, in February this year. I congratulate them all. But that is not all: Many other schools are preparing to make the change to renewable energy, including Double Bay Public School, Woollahra Public School, Vaucluse Public School, Kesser Torah College, Kambala School and Cranbrook Senior and Junior schools. I commend them for signing up to the program. Energy efficiency is important to keep our State moving. As environment Minister, I had good fun visiting an Evolve Housing site in Penrith just last week, marking the completion of a joint energy efficiency project between community housing provider Evolve Housing and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. The New South Wales Government has invested around $250,000 into upgrading 137 Evolve properties, including the installation of rooftop solar PV systems, heat pump hot water systems and upgrades to communal area light-emitting diode lighting. This provided an average saving of $859 per year to the households involved— another great example of how energy efficiency can make a difference to people's bills and cost of living. As a State and a nation, we have some of the longest sunshine hours in the world and rooftop solar is a great way to use this energy on offer to reduce other forms of energy and help us manage household costs. I am thankful to the Solar my School program, the local councils involved and all my local schools that have taken up the opportunity to learn more about how they can be energy efficient and how students can show leadership, determination and commitment to bring these projects alive and help us all make a better change to renewable energy. I commend my private member's statement to the House. WYONG ELECTORATE HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS Mr DAVID HARRIS (Wyong) (17:05): "Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential", said John Maxwell. I say good luck to all the young people—and some not so young people—who started their Higher School Certificate [HSC] exams today across the Wyong electorate and the State. I recognise the students, teachers and parents from Northlakes High School, Gorokan High School, Wadalba Community School, Wyong Technology High School, St Peter's Catholic College, McKillop Catholic College, Wyong Christian Community School and Lakes Grammar—An Anglican School. I acknowledge also those students sitting exams in TAFE. I have had the pleasure of visiting and meeting many year 12 students across a range of opportunities, and I am impressed by the energy, intelligence and enthusiasm of young people in year 12 across the Wyong electorate and indeed the Central Coast. This year's HSC exams hold special meaning for me as my eldest daughter, Rachael, also joins the 2018 cohort sitting their exams. The normal advice you would give to students is to consider carefully what each question asks, plan a response, check the recommended time for the question and try not to spend too much time on one question at the expense of others. I think the most important point is: Above all, don't forget to breathe. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1204

We hear varying advice to students that the HSC is not the be-all and end-all; there are many pathways to success. And that is certainly true. So I say to all of them: Relax and concentrate on relating what you have learnt over the last few years. I say to parents: Try to make sure that your young charges are well fed and well rested; encourage them to talk about these subjects so they feel comfortable in their topics; be supportive but not overbearing as this can create stress and, whilst a little stress is healthy, too much stress can be destructive. I thank all the teachers for the work they have done in preparing the young people in our schools and TAFE. The dedication of our teachers cannot be underestimated. They often feel the same stress as their students as they have invested much in the success of young people. During my teaching career at Woy Woy High School I remember that when the results came out teachers were just as apprehensive and excited as the students were. I say to the year advisers, some of whom have watched young people grow and develop since year 7: Thank you for the time, energy and dedication you have invested. I am always struck at graduation time by the close relationship that year advisers have with their students. This is demonstrated through the tears and stories that are shared by all of them; they become almost like family. Finally, true success is not about things, status or money; it is about the kind of person you are and the positive impact you have on the world. Here are some of the many ways that success can be defined: living a life you can be proud of; doing your best; spending your time with people and activities that are important to you; standing up for things that are right, even when it is hard; and becoming the best version of you that you can. Best of luck to all students, but particularly a fatherly hug to my beautiful daughter Rachael. Today I sent her a message with a thumbs up gif. I have not spoken to her yet to find out how her first English exam went today, but I am very confident that she has done everything, as all the students have, to prepare herself for the HSC. I hope that in a month or so they all get the results that they have worked hard for and move on to become productive citizens across our society. MYALL LAKES ELECTORATE FUNDING Mr STEPHEN BROMHEAD (Myall Lakes) (17:10): I inform the House of events and announcements in the Myall Lakes electorate. Recently I attended the Forster Police Station for the opening and cutting of the ribbon for the extension to the station. This is a $2.3 million project, which includes new cells, a new prisoner loading dock, storage, and other facilities. It is state of the art. That work was undertaken because Taree Police Station will be demolished and a new police station will be built. Somewhere was needed with a greater facility to house prisoners. Later the same week I went to Taree Police Station, where I joined Superintendent Shane Cribb, Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell, and others, to turn the sod on a $16 million build, something that the police have very much been looking forward to. They are pleased and excited with the plans of what will be delivered. In the same week I went to the Manning Base Hospital for an inspection and tour of stage 1 of the redevelopment of the hospital. We cut the ribbon on the first part of the stage 1 redevelopment, which includes a new oncology unit and renal dialysis unit. The Neeta Reed Community Dialysis Centre in Taree will be moved to the hospital. I am pleased to say the new dialysis unit at the hospital will continue to be named after Neeta Reed, an advocate for renal services in the Manning for many years. The car parks had already been opened as the first part of stage 1. Another $20 million had previously been announced for the construction of the floor above, enabling the medical imaging department to be moved there. That is a total of $40 million for stage 1. Of course, I am now fighting for funding for stage 2, which is really needed at the hospital. I am also fighting for funding to upgrade the mental health unit at the Manning Base Hospital. I have been to Wingham Tennis Club and announced $94,000 of funding to upgrade the lighting there. It is a great little club at Wingham, which is the commercial hub and centre of the Upper Manning for the population in the hinterland. At Taree Showground I announced $151,000 in funding for stage 2 of the cattle pavilion and to upgrade the electrical system. Stage 1 has been delivered at a cost of approximately $130,000. On completion of stage 2 the cattle pavilion will become a multipurpose undercover area. The weekend before last I attended the 140th anniversary of the Wingham Show at the Taree Showground. Even though the weather was not the best the crowds were good, and nobody begrudged the rain that fell during the show. I was pleased to announce $133,000 of funding for the Cundletown Football Club to upgrade their lighting. This will not only help the Jets but also the cricket club that uses the facility. Twilight cricket is popular in the Manning and this upgrade provides another facility. The women's soccer team won the competition last year and was runner-up this year. They did that notwithstanding the women's competition is played at night. They have never played a home game because of insufficient lighting at the grounds, which will now be upgraded. That is a really good news for them. I also announced for Peter Barclay Sports Fields, Tuncurry, funding of $114,000 for security fencing. This is for about four fields in total where touch football, rugby league, rugby union and school sports are played. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1205

Occasionally hoodlums get into the fields and churn up the ground. The security fencing will also make the area safe so when families go there the children will be kept within a secured area. I also visited the NSW State Emergency Service at Wingham where I handed over a $5,000 grant towards an Arkangel raft. This is really important for the community. I note the time. These are really good announcements and there will be more to come next week. Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (17:15): I congratulate the member for Myall Lakes for his outstanding work over the past 7½ years in delivering for his local community—for example, $16 million for the Taree Police Station and the stage 1 upgrade to Manning Base Hospital. Every Thursday the member for Myall Lakes makes a contribution to private members' statements. He is always campaigning for upgrades to Manning Base Hospital— a bit like myself at St George Hospital, as the member for Kogarah would acknowledge. At the end of the day only the Liberals and The Nationals will invest in schools, hospitals and community upgrades, unlike those opposite. I congratulate the member for Myall Lakes for his wonderful service. TRAFFIC NOISE MITIGATION Mr GARETH WARD (Kiama) (17:15): Today I use this private member's statement to bring to the attention of Parliament the concerns of residents around traffic noise and the need for noise mitigation. Members of the House will recall that I have previously raised the concerns of Coryule Place residents in Kiama who are being impacted by increased highway noise along the Princes Highway. Whilst I was pleased to secure funds to undertake some noise mitigation work along the Princes Highway, many residents have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the current solution. Tonight I want to raise not only this matter again but also that of Berry residents following the conclusion of the Berry bypass. Both of these issues bring to light the current standards recommended by the Environment Protection Authority and those adopted by the Roads and Maritime Services to provide for noise mitigation throughout the design and the delivery of highway projects. I believe these standards need to be reviewed. I make no apology for using the time of this House to put onto the record issues that residents raise with me. I do so because as their representative it is my job to ensure issues that concern our community are heard at the very heart of government. I will now read onto the record some of the comments I have received from my electorate on this matter. I stress that these are extracts from letters because time prevents from reading all of the comments I have received. In a letter from Paul and Mary Mercieca, Maree Fenech, John Blom and Bob Belh they advise that: In what is indeed an unfortunate state of affairs, we find that we must again approach you in an attempt to find a solution to the unreasonable level of traffic noise experienced by the residents of Coryule Place, Kiama, and in other residential streets in the vicinity. Coryule Place residents have been approached by nearby residents to ascertain the effectiveness of the existing wall and they too have been dismayed by the lack of any relief provided by the existing structure. In a separate email from John Blom he advises that: At all times we are just seeking to have provided along the Kiama bypass the same infrastructure that residential communities have in Dapto, Flinders and North St Berry. We accept that all noise will not be eliminated but can live with the hum that the Dapto residents experience as opposed to the truck blasts we receive. In regards to the type of material to be used in the construction of the noise barrier is an issue for the RMS but we seek a minimum height of 4 meters so as to intercept truck exhaust noise. I have always suggested a concrete barrier on the basis of cost and that it is effectively used along the route through Dapto. In the end, we just want a 4-meter wall full length of the Bypass. Berry residents have also raised concerns. I received this communication from David and Elizabeth Lambert: We refer you to previous letters and emails on the above-mentioned subject. Having done further research we are now of the opinion that inadequate investigation was performed by the RMS, its consultants, and its contractors, over the impact of road noise on urban residents south of the Kangaroo Valley Road overpass. For some reason it would seem that Mark Radium Park was addressed in previous studies for a noise barrier but was discounted from further attention as being unnecessary. The residents from Windsor Drive would have some interest in this. From information at hand it is apparent that most of the noise abatement attention was directed to the North Road precinct with a significant amount of attention to detail from the height of noise mounds to the road being lowered further from earlier design work. It would seem that no noise measurements from the old highway were performed at residential locations south of Kangaroo Valley Road to compare with what is being experienced today. Those residential areas were ignored in design considerations. It's as if they didn't exist. It would also seem that the aforementioned previous studies totally ignored the several metres increase in height of the "bypass" at the same location of the old highway. This seems to be in contravention of best practice. We refer you to the following extract from one report— Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1206

They went on to talk about that detail. However, I will continue with the email: We believe that, as an absolute minimum, and in consultation with affected residents, noise measurements be performed adjacent to affected properties. In the meantime, it would be appreciated if you can provide us with all, or any, documentation that contradicts the issues raised in this letter. Margaret Walsh of Windsor Drive in Berry also raised her concerns. She said: The noise from the new highway carries across to my house, so much so that all windows facing south have to be closed at night, and then of course the back bedroom facing north is impacted by the roundabout traffic noise and lights – a total no-win situation for me at all in both directions. This has not turned out in any way that I was told – and this in turn is a huge disappointment in what should have been a success story at this end of town. I feel very strongly that all of this has devalued my property, instead of raising the value, as we had all been told by local real estate agents, "because the highway won't be behind you any more". No, I now just have a monstrous roundabout higher up than the old highway ever was. My request is for a large barrier wall to be constructed on the top of the new footpath behind mine and other properties, and along the highway down beside Mark Radium Park. Visitors VISITORS TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Adam Crouch): I welcome our guests in the gallery. Members are making private members' statements, which are five-minute statements about issues in their electorate. I hope you enjoy your evening in the Legislative Assembly of the New South Wales Parliament. Private Members' Statements MOON FESTIVAL Mr (Kogarah) (17:21): The Moon Festival, or the Mid-Autumn Festival, is celebrated every year by Chinese people around the world. The Moon Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth month according to the Chinese lunar calendar. The official date of this year's festival was Monday 24 September, but celebrations happen throughout September and October. Because I was not available on the last parliamentary sitting day of September, I could not speak during the festival. Mr Mark Coure: What were you doing? Mr CHRIS MINNS: I had a family event to attend. Is this the appropriate time for the member for Oatley to raise this? Mr Mark Coure: No. Mr CHRIS MINNS: The Moon Festival celebrates three things: gathering, thanksgiving and praying. It is a time for family and friends to reunite, to give thanks for harmonious relationships, and to hope for longevity and prosperity. It is called the Moon Festival because ancient Chinese people noticed the moon was brightest at this time of the year, and the roundness of the moon symbolises completeness, which is fulfilled by reuniting with loved ones. Chinese Australians have made massive contributions to modern Australia. I love seeing the culture celebrated and embraced not only within the Chinese community but also by the broader community throughout the St George area. Indeed, I have seen the member for Oatley dressed in a charming Chinese red outfit. He looks quite becoming. Kogarah has a large Chinese population, many of whom still have extensive family in China. It can be difficult to be away from family during times like this. Therefore, it has been wonderful to see so many different groups and organisations celebrating the Moon Festival so that everyone who is missing their family can come together to celebrate this part of their culture and feel supported by their community in Australia. I have been lucky enough to be a part of some of these celebrations during the Moon Festival. I had the privilege of hosting more than 200 members of the St George Chinese Seniors Association here at Parliament House last week as part of the Moon Festival. I thank the member for Strathfield and the Hon. Ernest Wong for attending and addressing the big crowd. I also thank Mr Li, Mr Liang, Mrs Fang and Mrs Guo from the seniors association for organising the visit. It was a fantastic morning spending time with some seniors who care about their community and, of course, Australia. In the past two weeks I was also lucky enough to attend two events with the Asian Women at Work. I had a great morning tea with the dance and arts group, and I was treated to a performance from the choir group. My youngest son, George, who is one-year-old, appreciated the dulcet tones of that wonderful group. I thank these wonderful women for inviting me along to spend time with them and for sharing their talents. I also attended a wonderful Moon Festival event at Sunny's Seafood Restaurant where 25 tables accommodated local St George area residents and members of the Labor Party in the St George region. It was a wonderful night and I thank Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1207

especially the guest speakers and the many entertainment groups who came along and contributed to dancing and singing. Mr Mark Coure: I would have attended if you had invited me. Mr CHRIS MINNS: You would have been more than welcome—I would have been happy to have you there. The 200 members of the Labor Party in the St George region may have had a different view, but if you wore your red shirt it would have been fine. I thank the organisers of Moon Festival events throughout the St George region and I sincerely congratulate them on the conclusion of a wonderful festival. For those who are away from their families and friends, I hope that the community support that they get from being a member of the St George community is in some way compensation for being away from their families during a wonderful cultural celebration. Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (17:25): I acknowledge the member for Kogarah and, more importantly, the Mid-Autumn Festival, which was celebrated in September. The Mid-Autumn Festival is huge in the St George area, particularly in Hurstville. Last week I mentioned some of the events that I had attended recently to celebrate the festival. It is a day for family gathering and reunion. Family members will gather together on this day and enjoy the full moon, which symbolises harmony, luck and happiness that knows no bounds. It is an extraordinary day in our calendar, in Hurstville in particular. A number of events were held during that week, at Sunny's restaurant and many others throughout Sydney. I put on record the wonderful contribution of Chinese Australians in my community and throughout Australia. ALBURY ELECTORATE SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS AND FACILITIES Mr GREG APLIN (Albury) (17:26): When Australia sent its team to Canada for the Water Ski Show World Championships, it took out second place. That is a great achievement for Australia. What is less well known is that of the 35-person Australian contingent, 24 skiers came from one place—Mulwala Water Ski Club. That is an astounding achievement in any sport. The New South Wales Government is quietly backing this mighty club too. Funding of $300,000 has just been announced to upgrade facilities at Max Kirwan Water Ski Park to world-class standard. Money will be spent developing internal roads, amenities, shade, catering facilities and security improvements. The revamped club infrastructure will assist in securing major events, ensuring disability access and supporting regional junior sport. The Mulwala Water Ski Club will host some of the world's best show skiers, having succeeded in its bid to hold the 2020 Ski Show World Championships—a great coup for the club and for the region. I thank the Minister for Sport for coming to Albury to announce a massive $3.1 million funding boost to complete the $13 million transformation of Lavington Sports Ground. This precinct will cater to netball, football, cricket, soccer and AFL at all levels, including elite . The Minister also announced funding to support two more NSW Senior Open Golf Tournaments for Albury, securing this national, indeed international, event here for three years. Later this month the tournament commences in Albury with two-time Australian Open Champion Peter Fowler making his debut among stellar company—Australian legends like Peter Senior, Craig Parry, Peter O'Malley, and Mike Harwood, all former PGA Tour of Australasia winners. Major projects are one thing, but this Government has also been pumping money into regional sports at the grassroots. In recent years we have provided funding towards a new netball pavilion at J. C. King Park, for cricket nets at Urana Road Oval, for tennis, water polo, football and more. The following is what the New South Wales Government has assisted with in just the last year. Lighting has been provided in sports fields for Albury United Soccer Club, Jelbart Park and Boomers Football Club at Glen Park, and $272,965 will upgrade the lights at the recreational reserve in farming town Rennie. Club houses and amenities are being upgraded at Thurgoona Oval and John Foord Oval at Corowa, and $91,817 is allocated for upgrades to the Colombo Creek Ski Club toilet block at Morundah; $449,820 for upgrades to the Oaklands Recreational Reserve change room and toilet block; $180,000 for the refurbishment of clubrooms at Howlong Tennis Club, and $199,353 for the Ball Park Multisport Pavilion used by the Corowa Cricket Club and Corowa-Rutherglen United Hockey Club. At Corowa Rowing Club $95,898 will be spent refurbishing the kitchen, floors, cladding and security. We are providing money for the construction of 50 new covered stables, roadworks and power upgrades for Albury Wodonga Equestrian Centre and for works at Holbrook Equine Centre and Jingellic Pony Club. Zone 20 Pony Club gets a dressage trailer, and there is a canteen upgrade for Tumbarumba Polocrosse Club and a scorer's office for Wirlinga Pony Club. Grants will help with safety at Albury Wodonga Clay Target Club, Corowa Clay Target Club and Finley Gun Club. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1208

A new electronic scoreboard will grace the oval for Murray Magpies Football and Netball Club and the New City Cricket Club. Playing surfaces wear out and need some TLC. We will help fund renovations and levelling of three croquet courts in Howlong and work on the netball court at John Foord Oval. The Urana tennis courts will be resurfaced with three synthetic surfaces at a cost of $104,853, and $85,532 will be used to rejuvenate Corowa High School's oval for community use by local junior cricket clubs and regional students. At Coreen Recreation Reserve $280,393 will go to the reconstruction of the netball and tennis court. I turn to upgrades to water sport facilities, with $1,331,250 for Jerilderie swimming pool, $750,000 for a swimming pool and splash park in Corowa, $243,531 for Urana's Aquatic Leisure Centre club house, while Culcairn's swimming pool gets $60,000 and Jindera's pool $100,000 to better manage temperature, improve accessibility and improve facilities for community programs. Following an outdoors fitness theme, there is money towards an outdoor basketball court for the Albury Police Citizens Youth Club, sports facilities for Walters Park South Albury, an outdoor gym for the Thurgoona-Albury trail and an outdoor fitness zone at Ernest Grant Park in Thurgoona. The Government is supporting councils to develop and improve Lavington Playspace and Henty Bowling Club's Healthy Sports and Outdoor Living Project. In addition to providing cycling infrastructure at Tumbarumba and Corowa, the Government has helped fund a myriad of small but necessary projects right across the sporting spectrum. What we are witnessing in Albury is a deep transformation of key sports facilities. It is the Government's aim to help councils modernise their sporting infrastructure and to help them better plan how to utilise the vast funding available now in New South Wales. HIGHER EDUCATION ACCESS Mr ROB STOKES (Pittwater—Minister for Education) (17:32): This evening I will talk about the issue of access to higher education. This is an issue important to many in the Pittwater community, which I am proud to represent. The university of choice for most residents in Pittwater is the outstanding Macquarie University, because of its proximity up Mona Vale Road. But not everyone who wants to pursue higher education wants to pursue it through a large research university. Universities today are often massive, ungainly behemoths spanning multiple campuses, offering a vast range of degrees to bloated student cohorts. A corollary of this is that their societal function has become clouded. Do they exist to incubate ideas and encourage the proliferation of independent thought, or are they degree factories, equipping students with certificates that help them find employment? Whilst the two are not mutually exclusive, it seems that educational offerings around the world are becoming increasingly commoditised, with degrees often being viewed as products that can be sold to consumers. Another side effect of the higher education landscape being dominated by a small number of massive institutions is the increasingly monocultural nature of student life. In a competitive quest to be perceived as inclusive and socially engaged, large universities seem to be rushing furiously toward the same point of difference—embracing identity politics at the expense of ideological diversity. Indeed, some faculties are now so dominated by left-wing groupthink that those with divergent views are either shouted down or completely shut out. Universities are increasingly expected to be a "safe space", free from ideas that have the capacity to offend. Confronting material used in lectures often now must include a trigger warning before being taught. Speakers with opinions perceived to be offensive are "no-platformed". In the United States, the monocultural nature of large universities is balanced by hundreds of smaller liberal arts colleges that adhere to alternative philosophic and religious viewpoints. These colleges are often able to offer a more collegiate and personal experience to students, a more pastoral experience, as opposed to the more passive and institutionalised nature of the big universities. The variety of liberal arts colleges in the Unites States ensures a real contest of ideas between different higher education institutions. Colleges have also supported decentralisation throughout the United States where many small cities throughout the regions are sustained through the support of universities and the research that they have sponsored. Across the United States, many large country towns and small cities exist entirely because of the liberal arts colleges that have spawned in those locations. It is crucial to note that I am in no way denigrating our large public research universities here in New South Wales; they are world class. Whether it is the research in public law or history being done at Macquarie, the cutting-edge research in quantum computing being done at the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales or the translational research and industrial partnerships taking place and being promoted at the University of Technology Sydney, universities across New South Wales are solving the great challenges of our time. But these universities will be strengthened further by competition from smaller, liberal arts-style institutions entering the fray, which will focus on building strength in a small number of disciplines as opposed to building market share or chasing the lucrative international student market in order to cross-subsidise research. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1209

At present, there are very few small liberal arts-style colleges in New South Wales. Campion College in Western Sydney focuses on history, literature, philosophy and theology and does an outstanding job. There is Alphacrucis College in Parramatta, but few others. Yet the desire for more standalone higher education institutions clearly exists. The Northern Beaches Council has put out an expression of interest inviting universities to set up a campus near Frenchs Forest or elsewhere. This is a terrific initiative. But would it not be great if instead of an existing university opening up yet another satellite campus a smaller, independent university established itself on the northern beaches? It could be something like the International College of Management already at Manly, a fantastic little institution providing world-class education on the northern beaches of Sydney. Similarly, how exciting would it be if the newly proposed university for the aerotropolis, next to the new airport, ended up being a specialist technical university in line with the City Deal? Increasing the number of institutions in a higher education system stimulates diversity of thought, encourages a contest of ideas and promotes ideological diversity. These things are absolutely crucial to a healthy democracy. NORTH SYDNEY COMMUNITY AWARDS Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (17:37): I pay tribute to members of the North Sydney community who were recognised at the North Sydney Community Awards at the end of September at Norths Club in Cammeray. It was wonderful to join members of that community along with the evening's host, my Federal colleague Trent Zimmerman, MP, Federal member for North Sydney, along with Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalist and commentator Annabel Crabb and a range of dignitaries from across our area, including representatives of the HMAS Waterhen, the North Shore Police Area Command, our local councils and the mayor of North Sydney, Jilly Gibson. The wonderful band led by conductor Mr Michael Connor played for the evening. It is always a joy to see the excellent musical skills of our young school students. The North Sydney sports achievement award recognises outstanding sporting performances, achievements and contributions by local residents. Special mentions went to Hunter Madden and to Pratik Napit, whose father, Shri, a friend of mine, accepted the award. Pratik has been playing football at Chatswood Rangers Club and has participated in the Danone Nation Cup in Warsaw, . Special mention also went to president of the Northern Suburbs Netball Association Glenys Paranihi and to Graeme Reid, the exceptional chief executive officer of the Northern Suburbs Basketball Association, the largest basketball association in New South Wales. The overall winner of the North Sydney sports achievement award was Alanna Fisher, who has excelled in her sporting career at international, State, regional, local and school level over many years. She is 16 years of age and has been in four Australian teams including under-14, under-15, under-16 and under-21, touring the United Kingdom and . She was also selected to tour Brazil and Spain and has represented New South Wales at eight Australian futsal championships. Alanna has also played representative level soccer for five years. She has played in the NSW Premier League 1, the highest level of women's amateur soccer in Australia, representing North West Sydney Koalas in the 2018 New South Wales competition. The North Sydney Community Award was open to any individual who lives in the local area or works for a North Sydney based organisation or local community group. Special mentions went to Senior Constable Jonathan Alderton, the Vulnerable Community Liaison Officer at the North Shore Police Area Command; Jacky Barker, founder of In the Cove; Jim Birchis, the much-loved front-of-house manager at the Ensemble Theatre; Chris Birdhas, a member of the local State Emergency Service [SES]; Dr Karen Byth-Wilson, President of Haven Promotions; Mr Robert Chambershas, who has been driving the "senior's bus" for the past 24 years; Mr Simon de Rosais, the President of the North Sydney Girls' High School P&C Association—I am sure he is very busy at the moment nurturing the students through the Higher School Certificate; and Miss Freya Fox, a labrador retriever and volunteer for Australian Support Dogs as an assistance dog for people with a disability; and Leading Senior Constable Daniel Glenn, a member of the North Shore Police Area Command for the past three years. We acknowledged Lisa Graham, who I have spent quite a bit of time with, the Chief Executive Officer of Taldumande Youth Services; the communications director of the Waverton Hub, Mrs Liane Heinke; Chair of the Pottery Gardens Board, Mr Paul Johnson; and Mr Brett Jones, who is a deputy team leader for the SES. We recognised Mr Peter Krinks, a volunteer at the Crows Nest Centre for the past 15 years; Mr Martin Lobo, who recently retired from St Aloysius' College, having served as the school's Head of Junior School for 20 years; and Ms Jeanette Loewensohn, a volunteer at the Crows Nest Centre on a weekly basis for the past nine years. We recognised North Sydney SES's youngest member, Mr Patrick Pelletier, and a number of other representatives including Mr Luke Tobias from the Crows Nest Centre. The overall North Sydney Community Award went to Mr Larry Boyd. Larry is the founder of the Different Degrees Theatre Ensemble. He founded the group to give disabled people an opportunity to get involved in dramatic performance. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1210

Special mentions for the North Sydney young person of the year went to Lexie Duncan, who is a wonderful singer—she sings at our North Sydney citizenship ceremonies, so I have spent a bit of time with her— Luke Forward, a Youth Ambassador for The Kids Cancer Project; Guy Fredericks, who works with Studio A in Crows Nest; and Mr Benjamin Jones. The winner of the North Sydney Young Person of the Year Award was Sophia Skarparis, who at 15 has been working to ban the plastic bag. She has a petition that is coming to this Parliament and has been working with the Premier and Willoughby councillors. I would love to support her in her initiative to ensure that we make a better future for our environment. I congratulate all of the individuals at the North Sydney Community Awards. NSW WINE AWARDS Mr CLAYTON BARR (Cessnock) (17:42): It should come as no surprise that the member for Cessnock, the electorate of which takes in the beautiful Hunter Valley vineyards, would rise to speak about the NSW Wine Awards in its twenty-third year. The awards were created in 1996 to recognise and reward excellence in wines from New South Wales. Tomorrow it will be supported by the Governor of New South Wales, who has lent his name to the major trophy, the NSW Governor's Best in Show trophy, which will be awarded at Government House. The awards are also supported by the Department of Primary Industries, which is sponsoring two trophies. Tonight there is also a function at Parliament House. The judging for the NSW Wine Awards is typically held in regional areas, because that is where the wines are. Rather than bringing them into Sydney to be judged, we host these judging events in regional New South Wales, which is another great feature of the event. This year has a record number of entries, with 879 entries in New South Wales. The reality is that when there is a wine judging process or wine awards to be given out, in any given year there might be a great many winners or there might be zero winners. A gold medal is not given because a wine wins, a gold medal is given because a wine reaches a certain standard. To receive a gold medal award a wine must score more than 18.5 out of 20. The threshold is incredibly high. This year, for those 879 wine entries 51 gold medals were awarded across a range of varieties. Before I brag about the Hunter I should recognise the other regions that won awards. I will start with Orange, which won eight gold medals. I congratulate Orange. The Riverina won seven gold medals. Good on them. Hilltops one four gold medals. One was awarded to Gundagai and three to the Canberra district, which is the Australian Capital Territory and outside areas. We will claim them as New South Wales. There was one gold medal winner in the Murray-Darling. Congratulations. If we add the numbers up, out of the 51 gold medal winners, we reach 24. That is less than half, so who won the gold medals in New South Wales? Twenty-seven of the 51 gold medals at the NSW Wine Awards come wineries in the Hunter—that is right, the Hunter Valley. Tomorrow, from the 51 finalists, 16 trophies will be announced and also the New South Wales Governor's best in show. I thank Alexandra Burgener from NSW Wines for the following information: Semillon, where the Hunter Valley dominates and is the world leader in this varietal. Both the fresh crisp Semillons and the more ethereal mature Semillons were recognised and rewarded. Chardonnay, where all four gold medals were also from the Hunter Valley. Shiraz saw some great wines, especially the 10 gold medal winners. The revelation of this year's show were the quality varieties. I will not linger as I need to list some of the major award winners. The member for Coffs Harbour will be very happy. Bimbadgen hosted "day on the green" events. It won a gold medal for their Signature Semillon. Congratulations. Brokenwood won two gold medals. That is good stuff. They are great friends of mine. Cock Fighters Ghost and De iuliis wines won gold medals. I congratulate Mike and his team. First Creek wines have been doing good things for a long time. I mention Hart and Hunter, Hungerford Hill, Margan family wines—which is a great name in the Hunter—Mount Pleasant wines, Silkman wines, Sweetwater Estate—new winners; congratulations—and Tamburlaine Organic Wines, their winemaker is a good friend of mine, Thomas wines and Two River wines. And who won five gold medals? Mr Andrew Fraser: Tyrell's. Mr CLAYTON BARR: Tyrell's Wines. I congratulate Bruce and the team at Tyrell's. I congratulate all New South Wales wineries. We should support the New South Wales wine industry—get some today. TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Greg Aplin): I thank the member for Cessnock for that entertaining contribution celebrating the great achievements of the winemakers of New South Wales. COFFS HARBOUR ENGLANDS ROAD ROUNDABOUT Mr ANDREW FRASER (Coffs Harbour) (17:47): I will begin by reading a media release by me dated 8 August 2007. It states: The member for Coffs Harbour ... today called on the Roads and Traffic Authority to urgently redesign the roundabout at Englands Road following yesterday's accident where a B-double tipped over. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1211

The roundabout has always been a problem. It is too big, the road is cambered the wrong way and this is not the first time a semi-trailer has failed to negotiate the roundabout. ... The RTA should consider the closure of Englands Road to the west ... In 2016 I wrote to the Hon. Duncan Gay, stating: It is my belief that Roads and Maritime Services [RMS] needs to consider structural works on the roundabout such as the removal of the apron, which would in effect "widen" the roundabout, the removal of vegetation on the roundabout which would give far better sight distances and the possibility of some warning device either side of the roundabout that would alert drivers to the potential dangers. I also mentioned ripple strips in that particular representation. In July of this year I wrote to RMS and said: As you are aware, I have been long concerned, since 2007, of the dangers of the intersection on the northern decline to the roundabout and I believe ripple strips should be installed, similar to those at Raymond Terrace. I also believe that the road deviates away from the straight line and as there is heavy vegetation in the middle of the roundabout, drivers are not able to see traffic until they get onto the other side of the roundabout. The only way to resolve this problem is to clear the vegetation, which would not only give all traffic a clear vision of the road ahead, but would also allow for other vehicles to use the roundabout at the same time. I note from RMS regulations that vegetation should not restrict the sight of drivers and therefore I ask that urgent attention be given to clearing the vegetation at the roundabout and installing ripple strips to ensure that accidents at this site are kept to a minimum. Yesterday a car ran off the road early in the morning purely because the vegetation is as high as this Chamber, the roundabout is too wide and it veers off at the wrong angle. Anyone who does not know the road—even though there is a 60 kilometre an hour speed limit—expects to travel through the roundabout and have the road go straight ahead, but the road veers to the north-east. The car involved in yesterday's incident was off to the side of the road and sometime early this morning a semitrailer loaded with frozen bread rolls came down the hill. Once again, it came around the corner—the driver may have been looking at the car that was still in place off to the western side of the roundabout—and made a sharp correction. The B-double rolled, and there were bread rolls all across the road. Someone is going to be killed at this roundabout unless something is done. The easy solution in the short term is to get rid of the vegetation. I have written to RMS and I have written to the council. I am told by RMS that, whilst it has regulations in relation to vegetation on the roundabout, it is up to the council to maintain the vegetation and ensure it meets the regulations. The trees totally block from the north, south, east and west proper vision on this roundabout. In the short term, unless the vegetation is cleared someone will be killed. I do not know whether I will have to go home, get the chainsaw and go down and do it myself or whether RMS and the council have to attend to this issue before someone is killed or maimed. There is always broken glass on the road because cars traversing the roundabout do not see other vehicles. The real danger is that late at night a semitrailer that cannot see vehicles coming the other way could roll on another vehicle and not only injure the driver, as happened last time, but also take a life. The solution is fairly simple. Whilst I believe ripple strips should be introduced on the southern side of the roundabout—we do have a flashing light there—the major problem is the vegetation and the fact that drivers cannot see the way in which the road veers to the north-east once they get around it. I call for the Minister, RMS and the council to resolve this issue immediately—if not sooner—in order to save lives. MURRAY ELECTORATE AGRICULTURAL SHOWS Mr AUSTIN EVANS (Murray) (17:52): Agricultural shows are one of the highlights on the rural calendar and are an integral part of Australian culture. The Murray electorate has been in the grips of show fever for the past few months, with at least one show being held every weekend. In tough times such as drought, the shows are more important than ever in bringing the community together. They not only provide a source of entertainment, but also the opportunity to catch up with mates and take a break from the stress of the land. In the past few months, I have had the pleasure of opening and attending several shows, including the 101st Finley Show, the 103rd Leeton Show, the 129th Hillston Show and the 133rd Wentworth Show. This is part of my role as a member of Parliament that I enjoy a great deal, as shows in rural areas truly embody everything that is great about the country: the produce, the animals and the people—to name just a few things. Shows are a wonderful celebration of all that we do so well, with competitors vying for a champion ribbon in myriad different competitions, including dogs, sheep, cattle, horses, poultry, cooking and needlework—the list goes on. Then of course, there are the more unusual events, such as dog high jumping and esky racing. There is also a showgirl competition, which continues to play an integral part in the show, with the winner performing an important community role in the ensuing year and also competing for the statewide award. The displays and demonstrations play an important part in educating our communities, such as the NSW Rural Fire Service smokehouse, which allows children to experience a smoky room and teaches the need to "Get down low and go, go, go." Shows would not be possible without the incredible commitment and generosity of the local show committee and the huge contingent of volunteers, supporters and sponsors. Each show requires an extraordinary amount of time and commitment to pull it all together. Some shows have been forced to have a hiatus as the community has been unable or unwilling to donate the time required to organise the event. It is so pleasing that Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1212

Griffith Show is back up and running again after one such hiatus. Shows have needed to continually adapt their events in order to attract the community. They have also needed to ensure that the infrastructure at the showgrounds meets community expectations. Recently it was terrific to be able to give the good news to the Leeton and Hillston communities that upgrades will be undertaken at their showgrounds following New South Wales Government grants as part of the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund. Hillston was delighted with the news that it will receive $121,000 to upgrade the powerlines at the showground and put them safely underground. The committee at Leeton was thrilled with the news that it will receive $400,000 in funding for a new grandstand from the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund, and just last week it heard it will get a further $800,000 from the Stronger Country Communities Fund for a new grandstand to replace one that can no longer be sat in. That will make an enormous difference to the Leeton community, as showgrounds are widely used throughout the year for sport, field days, markets and other community events. Leeton Showground is used for a huge number of events. Wentworth Showground will also benefit from an upgrade following a $450,000 grant through the Stronger Country Communities Fund for a pavilion, which is a great design. It is also putting in a lot of money. I commend all of those involved for coordinating each show. I thank the volunteers for their tireless contributions. I also congratulate those who have been made life members, as this truly recognises their commitment to the local community. With more shows coming over the next month, I urge people to make the trip to one of the shows in the Murray electorate. Not only will they thoroughly enjoy country hospitality and the entertainment but also they will be making a difference to the local economy, for which the locals will be truly grateful. I live in Coleambally and I went to the Wentworth Show at the other end of my electorate, which is about a 4½- or five-hour drive. My wife was away enjoying a holiday with her sister and I put the challenge out to my four boys. I said, "Who wants to come with me to the Wentworth Show?" My 19-year-old said no. My 16-year-old said no and the 13-year-old said no. But my nine-year-old said, "You bet, Dad. Let's go. Road trip!" So we made the drive out there and had a fantastic time. When we got there he said, "Dad, that only seemed like a two-hour drive; it didn't seem like far at all." Then he had a wonderful day at the show. One of the highlights of the Wentworth Show is that, being so close to Mildura, a huge number of people attend. It is a two-day show and most show societies would love to have the attractions that Wentworth Show has. They make the point of keeping it a very agricultural show, with lots of agricultural displays, which is appreciated by the wider Sunraysia community. I congratulate all the show societies. SHOALHAVEN DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Ms SHELLEY HANCOCK (South Coast) (17:58): Last week I was pleased to join with my colleague the member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, to announce that the Berejiklian Government was investing $250,000 at Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital. The funding will be utilised to enhance facilities in the integrated paediatric unit, which includes the children's ward and special care nursery. Specifically, the funding will be used to: enhance the existing playroom and outdoor area; make the special care nursery a supportive environment for parents and newborns; and improve parents' access to facilities in the integrated paediatric unit. This is a fantastic investment in our local hospital that has been welcomed by hospital staff, doctors, nurses and patients. In fact, hospital staff campaigned for this upgrade, which I, along with the member for Kiama, was pleased to deliver last week. Head of paediatrics Dr Mark de Souza noted, "The clinical care is the important part of the hospital but this money will reduce the impact of what can otherwise be a harsh and cold environment." I thank the hardworking staff, doctors and nurses at Shoalhaven hospital, who do an amazing job day in and day out to ensure they provide the best possible care to all patients. It was disappointing to see comments from the Labor candidate for South Coast and the Labor Party generally labelling this investment as "pork-barrelling". It is a slap in the face to hospital staff, who themselves proposed and campaigned for the upgrades. Clearly the Labor candidate does not understand models of care for young patients. This is no surprise, especially given the previous and only visit to the hospital by the shadow Minister for Health and the duty Labor member for South Coast, during which they stood in front of the hospital posing for the media. They failed to go into the hospital to meet any of the hardworking doctors, nurses or hospital staff. It was another Labor stunt. All patients require the best possible physical environment to aid their treatment and improve their healing times. Doctors, nurses and hospital staff know that providing a physical environment that makes a hospital ward less like a hospital improves patients' morale and wellbeing. Labor's response to this investment is political, unwelcome and offensive. The simple fact is that any investment in our local hospitals should be welcomed, no matter how big or small. The truth is there has been record investment at Shoalhaven hospital over the past eight years—money that has never before been delivered to the hospital. This financial year the annual initial expense budget at the hospital has increased by over $16 million. During the previous year there was a $12 million increase. Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1213

As well as constant increases to the operational spend, the New South Wales Government has significantly invested in hospital infrastructure to provide additional services, improved facilities and essential upgrades to improve patient care. The improvements include a new multi-deck car park with more than 220 spaces, reaffirming this Government's commitment to providing access to state-of-the-art health facilities in the Shoalhaven region. In addition to the five split-level car park to be built on the health campus, an additional 60 ground level car spaces will be delivered. As well, $50 million has been invested in the hospital over recent years, including for the reconfiguration and expansion of the emergency department, the addition of a dedicated endoscopy suite, refurbishment of Medical Ward B to provide a purpose-designed aged care unit, and construction of the Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre and Sub-Acute Mental Health Unit. The 2018-19 State budget included $15 million to progress planning for a number of projects, including the Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital upgrade. This will support the detailed planning required to consider the future requirements for the Shoalhaven community and what investment may be required at Shoalhaven hospital in the future. The master planning exercise is an essential part of informing how best to respond to the health service needs of the Shoalhaven community. The Government is providing additional staff to the hospital. This year alone the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District welcomed 65 medical graduates as part of a record intake of intern doctors funded by the Government. In addition to the 65 graduates, 132 medical graduates under the New South Wales Rural Preferential Recruitment Pathway will spend the majority of their first two years working in a rural setting. This year 20 graduate nurses and two student midwives launched their careers at our local hospitals. In addition to the nurse and medical graduates, the New South Wales Government has funded the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District to enhance its specialist palliative care service through the appointment of a second staff specialist. The Berejiklian Government is getting on with the job of delivering improvement in our local hospitals, whether that is improved infrastructure or additional staff. Hospital staff and I will not be lectured to by the Labor Party or its candidate for South Coast, who have rejected reasonable and appropriate improvements to our paediatric unit. Labelling these enhancements as "pork-barrelling" is simple stupidity. Any candidate, whether Labor, Liberal or otherwise, should welcome any enhancement of their hospital. Along with the member for Kiama, I will continue to work with our community to deliver the services it needs. The Labor Party and its candidate should be ashamed of themselves. Mr GARETH WARD (Kiama) (18:03): I thank the member for South Coast for her brilliant, beautiful and eloquent address and for campaigning hard for health services and additional staff resources that matter to our community. I have enjoyed working with her and witnessing her strong leadership in our community for improvements in health and dental services and I commend her for her hard work for hospitals all over her electorate. The South Coast electorate is lucky to have her because she understands that public health and a strong public health system are vital for our community. Like the member for South Coast, I was inundated with complaints about the comments made by the Labor candidate from doctors and nurses who were offended at her ignorance and stupidity. It is disgraceful to say that investments in the children's ward were not warranted. I am sure that those doctors and nurses will make their displeasure known directly to the Labor candidate. As a former union official, she should hang her head in shame. LIVERPOOL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY Ms MELANIE GIBBONS (Holsworthy) (18:04): Last week I attended a Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry lunch at the Holiday Inn, Warwick Farm, where the Premier was the keynote speaker. It was wonderful to see hundreds of local businesspeople come together to hear from the Premier and to support local charity the Young Disabled Adults Association, which is close to my heart and that I have mentioned in this place before. The Premier spoke about the south-west and its importance to the broader New South Wales economy. She also spoke about her family's journey and growing up in Sydney as a migrant. It was very relatable to our Liverpool community, which includes many new migrants. The Premier highlighted local issues including youth employment, and said: The youth unemployment rate is the lowest it's been in south-west Sydney and New South Wales has the lowest youth unemployment in the nation. That is a phenomenal result that we as a Government have been working hard to achieve. The Premier also spoke about the future importance of Liverpool. It was exciting to hear that the new Western Sydney Airport that will be built soon will add 200,000 new jobs to our region and that new businesses are already pledging to move to and around Badgerys Creek. The Premier then highlighted some of the massive infrastructure and service spends that the Government has been able to make through its strong economic management. They include things such as the $740 million upgrade to Liverpool Hospital and the construction of the South West Rail Link, which the Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1214

Premier rightly pointed out the Labor Party could not and did not deliver. Where Labor tried and failed at delivering the project, we came in and built it. Events like these cannot be organised without a strong and cohesive team. I acknowledge the new executive of the chamber, who put in a lot of time and effort to ensure that the lunch was successful. The new volunteers are working with full force and doing a phenomenal job. President Dimitri Karam grew up in Western Sydney and has been conducting business in Liverpool for more than six years. He feels it is an exciting time to be positioned there. He has seen many great changes over the years and is looking forward to the future and bringing businesses together. Dimitri Karam is an impressive man who is running a great business at the Holiday Inn and doing really good work. For more than 18 years, Vice-President Rhonda Osman has focused her expertise in product development as a customer service and interactive voice response technology specialist. She has managed thousands of staff in customer service, sales and product development roles. Treasurer Simon Peri is the director of Prudential Real Estate in Liverpool. Simon has a wonderful goal to help businesses enhance their business relationships by working with each other locally. Director Fazila Farhad is the managing director of Ramada Hotel and Suites Sydney Cabramatta and has a passion for tourism and hospitality, especially in south-west Sydney. It was wonderful to talk to her about tourism in the Liverpool region and the changes that the airport will bring. Director George Germanos is a strong leader in the local business community who previously ran the chamber as president. I have spoken about him before. George hopes to continue his work in bridging the gap to strengthen relationships between government and businesses. Director Jeff Gough was born and raised in Liverpool. I have also mentioned Jeff before. He has strong links to the Liverpool business community and took over running Liverpool Glass Company in 2006. Importantly, while on the board Jeff will be focused on ensuring that our local businesses succeed. He is a wonderful family man and I have a great deal of time for him. Director John Tindall has had extensive involvement in local sports clubs and school boards and is the principal of Accumulus Home Loans, which is an award-winning mortgage broking practice. John believes in community, which is why he is passionate about his involvement with the chamber. Director Michael Azzi is the director of Intaus Group, which is a fully integrated professional services company. Michael is passionate about building a strong chamber that focuses on networking and giving members the opportunity to grow their business database. Director Tony Estephen is an avid gardener who runs Bringelly Nursery and Water Gardens, which is a unique garden centre west of Liverpool. Tony looks forward to bringing in new ideas and enthusiasm to grow the chamber and to allowing more businesses to have a say in the expanding Liverpool city.\Finally, Director Tom Wang is the managing director of Quest Liverpool and has a keen interest in seeing tourism prosper in south-west Sydney. Tom's goal is to develop a financially secure chamber by focusing on sponsorship and member growth. The chamber executive comprises an amazing group of people who are very active in the tourism sector and focused on making Liverpool a great place to live in and to visit. They do phenomenal work in supporting and advocating for local businesses. I commend them for all they do and for putting together a fabulous function. The Premier and I very much enjoyed attending. BOBS FARM PUBLIC SCHOOL Ms KATE WASHINGTON (Port Stephens) (18:09): Last sitting week I spoke in this Chamber in recognition of the centenary of a school in my electorate of Port Stephens, Bobs Farm Public School. With only 36 students, it is a truly small and beautiful school. Since then, my community has learned of a shocking proposal that could see the school close its doors after a century. Bobs Farm is a small community on the Tomaree Peninsula. It sits on either side of Nelson Bay Road on the way to Nelson Bay. It was once considered the food bowl for our area due to its rich soils and good drainage that runs through ancient sand hills and helps to purify the groundwater. The community is not connected to town water and there are still primary producers in the area. It is a tranquil, peaceful and natural environment, sparsely scattered with family homes. One of the properties on Nelson Bay Road became home to a fig and olive farm that its owners have since left. Since 2014 they had hoped to develop that property into a sand mine. In that year, members of the community rallied and made clear their strong objections to the sand mine proposal. I was with them at that time, opposing the sand mine proposal. Since then there has been silence—that is, until last week when Bob Lander of Tattersall Lander hosted a community meeting to provide an update to residents about the proposal. What we learnt was, frankly, shocking. The proposal for a sand mine in Bobs Farm includes three phases of mining: First, they would remove vegetation and mine to one metre above ground water level. Secondly, an excavator would remove sand from one metre above the water table to one metre below. Thirdly, the area would be dredged to remove sand to 15 metres below the water table. The developer's representative admitted that it is a large undertaking. The application will seek to extract and transport 10 million tonnes of sand over 15 years from a small, vibrant and caring community, Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1215

leaving it with a 24.5 hectare void. It was suggested that the ancient sand hills, gutted of their natural elements, could then become a tourist park or a floating solar farm. When residents questioned Mr Lander on air quality issues, they were told that the reports show the proposal was "unlikely to cause any issues at all". A couple of local residents who happen to be researchers and scientists in the field of air quality called out the information as simply incorrect. In terms of the impact on the environment, it was conceded that there are threatened species and feeding habitat on the 36.1 hectare site that will be cleared if the proposal is approved. However, according to Mr Lander and in accordance with this Government's new biodiversity laws, the species will be "captured and put through a calculator." And yes, Mr Lander actually said that. I look forward to seeing what a powerful owl looks like once it has been through a calculator. Salt incursion in groundwater is already an issue in Bobs Farm, and this proposal could easily exacerbate that problem. As I mentioned, residents are not connected to town water, so they rely on clean groundwater. Just down the road, literally, at Salt Ash and Williamtown, our community has learnt the hard way about the impact of groundwater contamination and its long-term and wideranging affects on families. When Mr Lander was questioned about truck movements, residents learned that if the mine were to proceed, it would have 180 truck movements per day starting from 7.00 a.m. and going until 6.00 p.m. with a maximum of 18 trucks departing the site every hour. These trucks will rumble next to the back fence and up the side of Bobs Farm Public School to egress onto Marsh Road and then Nelson Bay Road. There could be a truck every three minutes. Student assemblies at Bobs Farm Public School already need to be paused when a passenger bus passes, due to the noise and vibration. The school community is concerned about the impact these fully laden trucks will have on the operation of the school and the quality of learning—even if student numbers remain at a level that allows the school's doors to remain open. Port Stephens is already home to many sand mines and residents already share Nelson Bay Road with many trucks from these operations. We are concerned about the cumulative impact of the additional trucks. Our community is not against sand mining, but this proposal is different. It is an unacceptable proposal on an unacceptable site with unacceptable local impacts and unacceptable outcomes for the community. So where to from here? The community of Port Stephens has another battle on its hands. While it is a small community, many more people will be affected by this proposal, both directly and indirectly. This week I put the Minister for Health, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight and Minister for Planning on notice about this obscene proposal and sought their input and opposition. I urge all of the Ministers to back my community and say no to sand mining in Bobs Farm. RIVERSTONE WETLANDS Mr KEVIN CONOLLY (Riverstone) (18:14): The Riverstone wetlands are located adjacent to South Creek, not far from its confluence with Eastern Creek, in the locality of Riverstone. This area lies within the Marsden Park North precinct of the North West Growth Area. These natural wetlands have existed since long before British settlement in New South Wales in 1788 and certainly long before the construction, operation and subsequent closure of the Riverstone meatworks. Members may not be aware that the whole of the North West Growth Area, including this precinct, has been investigated by both State and Commonwealth environmental agencies to identify all areas of significant environmental value to ensure their protection within the planning process. Biodiversity certification of the North West Growth Centre under the former Commonwealth Threatened Species Act was conferred in December 2007 and confirmed in 2008—at a time when Labor was in government at State and Federal levels, which enabled the urban development process to proceed. It has been noted that a number of species of migratory shorebirds have been observed in the Riverstone locality, apparently as a stopover point on their long migratory journeys. I understand the migration routes of migratory birds follow patterns that can persist for thousands of years, passing from generation to generation of birds. So it is important that the natural Riverstone wetlands are protected and preserved in the course of urban development in the region. I am pleased to note that the draft plan for the Marsden Park North precinct, which is currently on exhibition, ensures that more than 100 hectares of Riverstone wetlands will be protected, as will a substantial area near Eastern Creek that has been identified as a migratory bird habitat investigation area. The latter has been included in the plan as a consequence of the observation of some migratory birds in the vicinity of a group of disused waste settlement ponds left over from the former Riverstone meatworks. It has been suggested to me that the ponds were constructed as part of the 1973 upgrade to the meatworks operation. The ponds were built to allow wastewater from the meatworks to evaporate, leaving sediment behind, rather than discharging that sediment into local creeks. The ponds were built on high ground to minimise the risk of inflow from rainfall run-off that might lead to discharge into the creeks. It follows that they were built precisely and Thursday, 18 October 2018 Legislative Assembly Page 1216

deliberately in a location that was not, and could not be, wetland. It also follows that the disused ponds contain significant waste sediment that probably constitute contamination under current environmental legislation. The Marsden Park North precinct's exhibition discussion paper reports the findings of the environmental consultants who investigated the ponds. They reported that there is "current contamination associated with aged and degraded asbestos cement piping within the ponds' walls and the presence of heavy metals in the silt". The ponds also constitute "an arbovirus risk"—for example, Ross River fever—as they provide favourable mosquito habitat. The consultants concluded that "the ponds do not meet the definition of being internationally or nationally important habitat". Given the relatively recent existence of those waste ponds, it is safe to assume that the routes of migratory birds observed in the Riverstone locality long predated their construction. There can be no doubt that the existence of extensive natural wetlands nearby is the real reason for the periodic presence of migratory birds in the area. As I noted earlier the natural wetlands and the Migratory Bird Habitat Investigation Area will be protected in the Marsden Park North precinct plan. So too will substantial areas of native vegetation, including a large consolidated area on very high ground, above the probable maximum flood [PMF] level. This makes it clear that the decisions about areas to be preserved and protected have been made on environmental grounds. I am pleased that the real Riverstone wetlands are being recognised and protected, and that migratory birds will continue to find a haven in this region well into the future. AUSTRALIAN CHINESE TEO CHEW ASSOCIATION THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY Mr NICK LALICH (Cabramatta) (18:18): It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the Australian Chinese Teo Chew Association on achieving its thirtieth anniversary this year. The Australian Chinese Teo Chew Association is located in the heart of my electorate of Cabramatta in Park Road. Day in and day out it is a hub of activity, as members file in for social gatherings and various activities such as Chinese opera singing, Teochew string instruments and karaoke. A huge number of the Chinese population in Cabramatta speak the Teochew dialect, originally hailing from the Chaoshan region in eastern Guangdong in China. Many of the Teochew people in Western Sydney came here as refugees from Vietnam and identify as Australians of Chinese- Vietnamese descent. The association's offices on Park Road in Cabramatta are very distinctive, with a giant Chinese gate at the front. Members young and old attend the office regularly, be it for Chinese lion and dragon dancing for the younger ones or the very distinctive Teochew music and opera singing for the older people. The association is also currently undertaking construction of its own Chinese Teochew Temple, to be located on Edensor Road in Cabramatta. This is a massive construction effort and I acknowledge the hard work of so many in making sure that this project goes ahead. I have known the people of the Australian Chinese Teo Chew Association for all my time in public life. They regularly take part in fundraising for philanthropic causes, as well as fundraising for disaster-ravaged areas such as the fires in the Blue Mountains and many other worthy causes. I congratulate my good friend Mr Frank Chou, OAM, chairman of the association, who has put so much time and effort into building the association. I congratulate also my good friend Mr Hung Ly, OAM, president of the association since 2004. Hung carries on the family legacy of his father, who was president before him, and various other family members who play an integral role in the association. There are many others who have contributed so much to the community via the association over the years: Dieu Que Nghe, Peng Qua, and Hong Pei Kung, to name just a few. There are many more I would love to mention but unfortunately time will not permit. The important thing is that they know who they are and the valuable contributions they have made to our local community. It is so important for cultural organisations like the Australian Chinese Teo Chew Association to thrive. They stave off social isolation and loneliness for the elderly, and they keep the cultural traditions alive for the younger generations. Again, I congratulate the Australian Chinese Teo Chew Association on reaching 30 years and wish it infinitely more years of success in the future. The House adjourned, pursuant to standing and sessional orders, at 18:22 until Tuesday 23 October 2018 at 12:00.