SEPTEMBER 2016 THE DENISON INDEPENDENT ANDREW WILKIE MP - YOUR INDEPENDENT IN CANBERRA Glenorchy precincts axed Glenorchy City Council has dropped its support for the community precinct committees even though they have for years provided Voted to keep the precincts a terrific service in the City. They have allowed residents to get together and discuss issues important to them and been a way Ald Kristie Johnston (Mayor) for concerns to be taken directly to the Glenorchy City Council. In Ald Harry Quick (Deputy Mayor) addition the precincts have run countless events such as arts and craft groups, community libraries and lunches. Ald Jan Dunsby In Andrew’s view it was very disappointing that the Council dropped Ald Matt Stevenson its support for the community precinct program. The precincts repre- sent a tiny cost to the Council’s budget but the benefits they provide to the community are enormous. Voted to scrap the precincts Of particular interest to Andrew is how the precincts have been an Ald Jenny Branch-Allen important mechanism for greater scrutiny and transparency of the Council’s performance and conduct. Ald Christine Lucas Whether or not the precincts can be saved is unclear, although Andrew Ald Haydyn Nielsen has committed to offer whatever support he can to keep them going. Ald Stuart Slade More broadly the problems plaguing the Glenorchy City Council continue. It’s important that the State Government’s inquiry puts an Ald David Pearce end to the dysfunction that we’ve seen over the last two years. The Ald Steven King community expects governments at all levels to get on with governing and put squabbling and infighting aside. Federal election I’m thrilled to have been re-elected as the Independent Member for Denison. I remain committed to not doing any deals and have not pledged my support to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull or Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. I will continue to approach all issues on their merits. Due to my genuine independence Denison is in a better position than the rest of Tasmania and I’m confident the electorate will benefit during this Federal Parliament. I will continue to stand up for Denison and to speak out on the big issues, and in particular health, education and jobs. I’ll also tackle the matters the Liberal and Labor parties ignore like gambling reform, animal welfare, asylum seekers and foreign and security policy. 100% Independent ANDREW WILKIE MP - YOUR INDEPENDENT IN CANBERRA Gambling reform back on the table Chilcot report Census problems There is an urgent need for action in the new parliament on problem gambling, and having Nick Xenophon and myself in key crossbench positions creates the perfect opportunity. We will be introducing legislation to rein in the The Chilcot Inquiry into the The 2016 national census was a shambles. There was harm caused by poker machines, including by implementing the Productivity Commission’s recommendations of Iraq War has been released confusion in the community about how to complete the $1 maximum bets. We’re also focusing on the scourge of gambling advertising and have called on the and it is damning of the census, the phone lines to request paper forms were Government to ban sports betting advertising during G-rated television periods. British Government. By impli- jammed and many in the community were concerned cation it’s equally damning of about being fined. On the Tasmanian front, the State Govern- the Australian Government. ment’s monopoly deal with Federal Hotels will Andrew’s office soon expire. The Government is committed The Inquiry found there was was inundated to establishing a new arrangement from 2023 no imminent threat from by people with with Federal retaining a license to operate Iraq, that the danger posed concerns about poker machines in its two casinos while all by any weapons of mass privacy and machines in pubs and clubs will be put out to destruction had been exaggerated, that peaceful the security of tender for a separate license or licences. alternatives to war were not exhausted before resort to their sensitive force, and that warnings about the consequences of personal data. One option of course is for the Government to war were ignored. not issue a separate license or licenses, thereby Andrew supports the census and its important role in seizing this once-in-a-generation opportunity Andrew resigned from the Office of National Assess- data collection, but believes last month’s ordeal was a to make all pubs and clubs pokies-free as is ments, Australia’s senior intelligence agency, in 2003 waste of taxpayers’ money. The results are going to be the case already in Western Australia. due to concerns about the invasion of Iraq and was virtually worthless because they won’t provide an accurate Nick Xenophon, Andrew Wilkie and Tim Costello We know that the community overwhelmingly the only serving intelligence official in Australia, the snapshot of Australia specifically on 9 August. want this - four out of five Tasmanians want the number of pokies reduced or want them out of pubs and clubs UK and US to resign publicly before the invasion. He altogether. A strong and growing coalition of Tasmanian organisations are calling on Premier Will Hodgman to will continue to push for a proper inquiry in Australia The current results should be abandoned, the census restrict pokies to the two casinos and they have launched an open letter which can be signed by members of the similar to Chilcot’s to ensure that these matters must be redone, and Australians need to be assured public at www.sarc.good.do/getthepokiesoutoftasmaniaspubsandclubs/letter/ are investigated. that their personal information is secure. The Community Voice on Pokies Reform Coalition pushing for restricting pokies to the casinos includes: Anglicare, Brain Injury Association of Tasmania, Brighton Council, CatholicCare, City of Hobart, Colony47, Community Legal Centres of Tasmania, The Country Women’s Association in Tasmania, Glenhaven Family Care, Glenorchy City Council, Hobart City Mission, Holyoake, Kingborough Council, Launceston Benevolent Society, Launceston City Mission, Lifeline Tasmania, Meander Valley Council, Men’s Resources Tasmania, Mental Health Council of Tasmania, Mission Australia, National Council of Women Tasmania, Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania, Relationships Australia, RHH rebuild The Salvation Army, SU Tasmania, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Southern Midlands Council, Tasmanian Baptist Churches, TasCOSS, UnitingCare Tasmania, Uniting Church in Tasmania, Youth, Family and Community Connections, and Youth Network of Tasmania. Many in the community including Andrew were disappointed to hear the Royal Hobart Hospital rebuild is running six months late. The current hospital is in very poor shape and the community will enjoy much improved health care when the rebuild is complete. Banks out of control The delays are due to problems with the temporary building in the forecourt as well as the need to remove The big four banks made $15 billion You can get this sticker from Andrew’s office asbestos from some old buildings. A consolation is that profit in the first half of this year. Andrew is working on a Private Member’s Bill the cost of the delay will be borne by the contractor who to crack down on political junk mail. Currently is also contractually bound to pay a substantial financial But they’re still refusing to pass on the Reserve Bank’s by law there is no way to opt out of receiving penalty if there is a failure to deliver the project on time. August interest rate cut in full to their customers. This is political material (like the Denison Independent), disgraceful behaviour but sadly it’s even if your letter box says “no unaddressed Demolition work will soon make room for the construc- just what customers have come to mail” or similar. Andrew’s Bill would force tion of the new K-Block towers. This 10-story inpatient expect from the big four banks. Australia Post to recognise residents’ wishes precinct will deliver improved patient care as well as 250 when delivering political leaflets. Let’s hope the beds, seven more operating and procedure rooms, a Andrew supports the call for a Royal major parties pay attention and support the Bill. helipad and a new hyperbaric chamber. A new entrance Commission into the banks and has on Campbell Street will provide a one-stop arrival and been a strong advocate for improved In the meantime, if you would like a “No junk departure area for patients. regulation of the sector. He has tried to legislate both a mail – including political material” sticker – mandatory banking code of conduct, and a crackdown on which can sometimes deter the posties from Andrew secured $340m in federal funding for the excessive fees, but received no support from the Liberal delivering political leaflets – please contact redevelopment as part of his negotiations after the and Labor parties. Andrew’s office. 2010 election. Image produced by architects Lyons with Terroir and supplied by the RHH Redevelopment team Community notice board Healthy eating Golden anniversary The West Moonah Community House The Country Music Club of Southern Tasmania recently and Goodwood held their 50th anniversary dinner. Congratulations to the Community Centre Club for being the oldest continuously run country music have joined forces club in Australia. If you’re interested in watching a con- to establish the First cert or even singing yourself then feel free to come along Choice Food Co-op. every Tuesday night at the Golden Years Club at 314 The Co-op will offer Main Road Glenorchy, opposite the police station, from members a weekly $20 vegetable & fruit box contain- 7:30pm until 10:30pm. ing high quality, fresh and seasonal produce that is fair priced including vegetables, fruit and regular extras, Contact Michael Smith 0427 804 630 such as seed packets, recipe sheets and healthy eating information.