Legislative Assembly Wednesday, 12 August 2009 THE SPEAKER (Mr G.A. Woodhams) took the chair at 12 noon, and read prayers. SHACK SITE COMMUNITIES Petition MR J.N. HYDE (Perth) [12.02 pm]: I present a petition that reads — To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled. We the undersigned say that: Leased Shack Sites Communities, such as Wedge Island, Grey, Donnelly River, Broke Inlet, Dampier Archipelagos, and Israelite Bay have long been the traditional holiday/recreational destination for many thousands of ordinary Western Australians. Most Shack Site Communities sprung up to accommodate the gathering of farming and town based families to enjoy holidays together in remote and idyllic fishing locations right across Western Australia. Some Shack Site communities went onto becoming fully-fledged towns such as, Bremer Bay, Jurien Bay, Dongara and Horrocks, whilst some Shack Site Communities have disappeared. However, some residual communities remain, with a strong sense of community and have become the preferred holiday option for many thousands of Western Australians. These places are tangible examples of sustainable lifestyles, where younger generations can learn responsibility and become creative and family traditions and stories can be passed on. The loss of these communities will seriously diminish the social, economic and health well being of many ordinary Western Australian families. Now we ask that the Legislative Assembly support our campaign for the Government to Examine how other States of Australia, including South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales have retained conforming Shack Site Communities in order to preserve these valuable assets for many Western Australians to have affordable coastal holiday destinations and continue to allow human interaction all but lost in today’s society. I certify that the petition contains 163 signatures and conforms to standing orders. Similar petitions were presented by Mr J.C. Kobelke (200 signatures) and Mr A. Krsticevic (169 signatures). [See petitions 92, 93 and 95.] RAIL FREIGHT CROSSING — NICHOLSON ROAD, THORNLIE Petition MR C.J. TALLENTIRE (Gosnells) [12.04 pm]: I have a petition from 105 petitioners. It reads — To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled. We, the undersigned, say 1 The at-grade rail/road crossing at the intersection of Nicholson Road, Thornlie and the rail freight line between Midland and Fremantle causes frequent and serious delays for both rail freight and road traffic. 2 The Daddow Road bridge in Forrestfield is currently being constructed to avoid delay at a similar at-grade intersection on the same railway. Now we ask the Legislative Assembly 3 To promote the construction of a Nicholson Road bridge over the railway so that both rail freight and road traffic can proceed without delay through the intersection. 5786 [ASSEMBLY - Wednesday, 12 August 2009] 4 To promote the construction of a pedestrian footbridge over the railway at Elliot Place, Thornlie and so avoid train sirens sounding, especially at night. I table the petition. [See petition 94.] PAPERS TABLED Papers were tabled and ordered to lie upon the table of the house. INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MOVEMENTS Notice of Motion Mr J.N. Hyde gave notice that at the next sitting of the house he would move — That this house — (a) notes the sixtieth anniversary of the four Geneva conventions of 1949; (b) congratulates the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement on its continuous fostering of the principles of international humanitarian law to limit human suffering in times of armed conflict and to prevent atrocities, especially against civilian populations, the wounded, and prisoners of war; (c) recalls Australia’s ratification of the conventions and of the two additional protocols of 1977; (d) affirms all parliamentary measures taken in support of such ratification at the national level with cross-party support; (e) encourages the fullest implementation of the conventions and additional protocols by the military forces and civilian organisations of all nations; (f) acknowledges that many of the obligations found in the Geneva conventions require implementation at a state or territory level; (g) encourages ratification by all nations of the conventions and additional protocols; (h) notes that the Red Cross was formed in Australia in 1914 and that the Australian Red Cross is represented on the governing board of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; and (i) recognises the extraordinary contributions made by many individual Australians, including Australian Red Cross members, volunteers and staff, in the state of Western Australia to the practical carrying into effect of the humanitarian ideals and legal principles expressed in the conventions and additional protocols. ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL — APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSOR D’ARCY HOLMAN Statement by Minister for Road Safety MR R.F. JOHNSON (Hillarys — Minister for Road Safety) [12.09 pm]: Prior to delivering my brief ministerial statement and on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture and Food, I acknowledge in the Speaker’s gallery the Agricultural Research Group from Libya. Obviously we welcome them very much indeed. Last Sunday it was my great privilege to announce that I had appointed Professor D’Arcy Holman as the incoming independent chair of the Road Safety Council. Professor Holman is a world-renowned expert in public health and is indeed the chair in public health at the University of Western Australia’s School of Population Health. His credentials are impeccable and he is someone in whom our state can take great pride. I believe his intellect, knowledge, experience and concern for the public good will prove invaluable as we meet the challenges that lie ahead in road safety and implementing the Towards Zero strategy. Western Australia is very fortunate to have a person of Professor Holman’s calibre in such an important position. I also believe the outgoing chair, Mr Grant Dorrington, is owed an enormous debt of gratitude from all sides of politics and, indeed, from the people of Western Australia. Twelve years ago road safety in Western Australia lacked focus. Death and serious injuries on our state’s roads were at horrific levels, yet Mr Dorrington welcomed the challenge to become the first chair of the inaugural Road Safety Council. Few people realise that this position does not come with any sizeable remuneration and that it is largely a voluntary role. Few people realise the demands of this job in terms of not only time but also emotional stress. I am told that Mr Dorrington endeavoured to personally contact many families of those killed in road crashes to offer his support. He was always available to the media at weekends, after hours and on public holidays. He never complained about the demands of the position; rather, he maintained his passion and enthusiasm for the role and even agreed to remain in the position while we set about finding the best candidate for the job. Mr Dorrington also leaves our state’s [ASSEMBLY - Wednesday, 12 August 2009] 5787 roads in a much safer state than they were in when he took on the role. He started at a time when the annual fatality rate on Western Australia’s roads was 14.1 deaths per 100 000 people. Last year, that figure was down to 9.62 per 100 000. Clearly many lives have been saved directly as a result of his work and efforts amongst key decision makers to raise the profile of this terrible problem. Mr Dorrington has my appreciation and, I hope, the appreciation of the other side of the house as he retires from the post, which Professor Holman will officially assume in November. I offer both men my congratulations and I hope that members from all sides of the house will join with me in offering Mr Dorrington our thanks and in wishing Professor Holman success for the future. Mr J.C. Kobelke: Minister, I know you can’t debate this, but I fully commend your statement and congratulate you on your appointment. Mr R.F. JOHNSON: I thank the member for Balcatta; I thought he would be happy. GENEVA CONVENTIONS — SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY Statement by Attorney General MR C.C. PORTER (Bateman — Attorney General) [12.12 pm]: I rise so that this house may formally record the event of the sixtieth anniversary of the modern exposition of the four Geneva conventions. This anniversary is a perfect opportunity to both recall and reaffirm this Parliament’s commitment, which I am sure includes members of all political persuasions, to the conventions as well as expressing gratitude to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement on being a continuous exponent of the principles of international humanitarian law, to limit human suffering in times of armed conflict and to prevent atrocities, especially against civilian populations, the wounded and prisoners of war. The Geneva conventions notably consist of four treaties and three protocols, which were updated in 1977. The four treaties provide for the amelioration of the condition of the wounded and sick in armed forces in the field; the amelioration of the condition of wounded, sick and shipwrecked members of armed forces at sea; perhaps most famously the treatment of prisoners of war; and the protection of civilian persons in time of war. The three protocols deal with the protection of victims of international armed conflicts; the protection of victims of non- international armed conflicts; and the adoption of an additional distinctive emblem for medical services. I can also advise the house that the commonwealth Attorney-General announced Australia’s ratification of the third protocol earlier today. In recognising the significant role that the conventions have played since their inception, this Parliament encourages ratification by all nations that have yet to formally subscribe to them.