21 February, 1991 ASSEMBLY 65 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Thursday, 21 February, 1991 Mr Speaker (The Hon. Kevin Richard Rozzoli) took the chair at 10.30 a.m. Mr Speaker offered the Prayer. PHOTOGRAPH OF LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Mr Speaker announced that photographs of the sitting would be taken for display by the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly and to allow individual members the opportunity to gain a record of this Parliament. SENATE VACANCY Resignation of Senator the Honourable Peter Baume Motion by Mr Greiner agreed to: That this House meet the Legislative Council for the purpose of sitting and voting together to choose a person to hold the place in the Senate rendered vacant by the resignation of Senator the Hon. Peter Baume. Message Motion by Mr Greiner agreed to: That the following message be sent to the Legislative Council: Mr President. the Leeislative" Assemblv having" resolved to meet the Leeislative- Council for the purpose of sitting and voting together to choosea person to hold the placein thesenaterendered vacant by the resignation of Senator the Hon. Peter Baume requests the Legislative Council to name the place and hour for such meeting. SESSIONAL ORDERS Motion, by leave, by Mr Dowd, agreed to: That the sessional orders in identical terms to those adopted by this House on 17 August, 1988, and 22 February, 1990, be adopted in relation to the following subjects: Introduction of Public Bills Divisions and Quorums Private Members' Statements Days and Hours of Sitting Adjournment of the House Notice of Motions Time Limit of Speeches Personal Explanation-Debates of same session not to be alluded to Alternative Form of Amendment Divisions-Recording of Pairs Cognate Bills New Clauses and Schedules Preparation of Bills for Assent Suspension of Standing Orders 66 ASSEMBLY 21 February, 1991 LEAVE OF ABSENCE Motion by Mr Phillips agreed to: That leave of absence for the present session be granted to John David Booth, member for Wakehulst, on account of absence from the State. Motion by Mr Beckroge agreed to: That leave of absence for the present session be granted to John Henry Murray, member for Drummoyne, on account of absence from the State. Motion by Mr Beck agreed to: That leave of absence for the present session be granted to Bruce Leslie Jeffery, member for Port Macquarie, and George Souris, member for Upper Hunter, on account of absence from the State. PETITIONS Aboriginal Land Rights Act Petitions praying that because of the many benefits brought by the Aboriginal Land Rights Act to the Koori people and to the wider community, the House will support the retention of the Act as amended and the three-tier land council structure, received from Mr Fahey, Mr Gibson, Miss Machin and Mr Markham. Offences Against Children Petition praying that an investigation be made concerning claims that child sex offenders are being acquitted, and sentences of convicted child sex offenders be reviewed to see whether they should be substantially increased, received from Mr Rumble. Children's Care and Protection Legislation Petition praying that children be allowed to give evidence in court by means of video or audio tape, that child offenders be barred from contact with children involved in court proceedings, and that adults who do not report child sexual assault be deemed guilty of an offence, received from Mr Rumble. Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Petition praying that support be given to the continuation without interference of the gay and lesbian mardi gras, received from Ms Moore. Royal Agricultural Society Showground Petition praying that the House will prevent the sale by the Government of foreshore and public parklands, including the Royal Agricultural Society Showground, the E. S. Marks Athletic Field and part of Moore Park, and that residents be included on their administrative bodies, received from Ms Moore. Rockdale-Banksia Traffic Petition praying that the House reject the proposals of the Roads and Traffic Authority for Rockdale and Banksia, received from Mr Unsworth. 21 February, 1991 ASSEMBLY 67 Lidcombe Hospital Petition praying that the House reject any proposals to close down or cut back services or staffing at Lidcombe Hospital but instead support an increase in services and staffing at the hospital, received from Mr Nagle. North Sydney Girls High School Petition praying that because the relocation of the North Sydney Girls High School to split sites is unworkable and because funding and facilities at the school are below acceptable standards, funds be made available immediately to refurbish and upgrade the school to appropriate standards, received from Ms Read. F4 Freeway Petition praying that the House not proceedwith theimplementationof a tollway charge on any section of the western Sydney F4 Freeway, received from Mr Amery. Pacific Highway Roadworks Petition praying that the House request the Minister for Roads to honour the promise to complete work on the Swansea S-bends by 1991, received from Mr Welsh. Chullora High-Temperature Incinerators Petition praying that the House reject the proposal to construct two high-temperature incinerators at 75 Anzac Street, Chullora, received from Mr Shedden. Forestry Commission Petition praying that an inquiry be conducted into the administration, practices and policies of the New South Wales Forestry Commission with respect to long-term sustainability of timber resources and the protection of wildlife habitat, received from Ms Moore. Beverage Containers Petition praying that because of the detrimental effect of throw-away packaging on the environment, legislation be introduced imposing a mandatory deposit on all beverage containers sold in New South Wales, received from Mr Keegan. Crime Penalties Petition praying that penalties for crime be increased and that there should be no parole for life sentences, received from Mr Cruickshank. Adult Leisure Learning Centres Petition praying that annual grants to adult leisure learning centres be maintained at least at 1990 levels, received from Mr Griffiths. 68 ASSEMBLY 21 February, 1991 Northern Riverina County Council Petition praying that a full and open inquiry be held into the historical management of the Northern Riverina County Council, received from Mr Armstrong. Technical and Further Education Petition praying that the House will continue to allow all people receiving social security benefits to be exempt from the payment of TAFE fees, that there be no increase in TAFE fees and that TAFE courses continue to be advertised, received from Mr J. J. Aquilina. Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf Petition praying that public money not be wasted demolishing the structurally sound finger wharf and establishing a walkway on the western side of Woolloomooloo Bay but instead that basic renovations be carried out on the wharf and an integrated multimedia arts centre be established, received from Ms Moore. Local Government Rating System Petition praying that the House determine a more equitable method of rating properties than that currently being used by municipal authorities, received from Mr McManus. Wyong Shire Council Name Change Petition praying that the proposed name ofTuggerah Lakes City not beconferred upon Wyong Shire Council, received from Mr II. F. Moore. Heritage Trains Petition praying that the Minister for Transport will allow the continued full operation of heritage trains in New South Wales, received from Mr Welsh. Rockdale Police Station Petition praying that full police services be maintained at Rockdale police station, received from Mr Unsworth. Port Kembla Sewage Petition praying that the House will not proceed with the proposal to divert Port Kembla effluent to the Shellharbour sewage treatment plant, received from Mr Harrison. Breast Cancer Screening Petition praying that the Minister for Health will take urgent action to set up a breast cancer screening unit at Westmead hospital and provide screening vans for western and southwestern Sydney, received from Mrs Cohen. 21 February, 1991 ASSEMBLY 69 Hardinge State Forest Petition praying that the House reverse its decision to dedicate land in the County of Hardinge as State forest, received from Mr Moss. Wyong Railway Station Petition praying that before the final plans are approved for upgrading the Wyong railway station, consideration be given to the accessibility to platforms by the elderly, invalid and mothers with small children, received from Mr 13. F. Moore. [Tablingof Pnpers] Mr IIatton: On a point of order. It is absolutely impossible from the backbenches to hear one word that is being said. I do not know if other members can hear, but we on the backbench cannot. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I accept the point taken by the honourable member for South Coast. I have asked all members to co-operate and I expect their co-operation until the problem with the amplification system is rectified. INDEPENIIENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION Reports Mr Speaker, pursuant to section 78(1) of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act, announced receipt of the following reports of the Independent Commission Against Corruption received by him during the adjournment of the House: Investigation into Driver Licensing, Volumes 1 and 2, dated December 1990; Investigation into Harassing Telephone Calls made to Edgar Azzopardi, dated December 1990; Investigation relating to Stait, Dainford and Waverley council, dated January 1991; and Investigation into Sutherland Licensing Police, dated February 1991. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE RAILWAY RESIGNALLING PROGRAM Mr CARR: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Transport, Minister Assisting the Premier, and Minister Assisting theTreasurer. Did the StateRail Authority management officially notify employees in a bulletin on 11th January that on a number of occasions Sydney's rail signalling system has broken down and only quick action by staff prevented a serious accident or collision? Mr BAIRD: Along with some of the great lies we have heard such as, "The cheque is in the mail", and, "I am from the Government. I am here to help youR- [Interruption] 70 ASSEMBLY 21 February, 1991 Mr SPEAKER: Order! I do not wish to stem the flow of interjections that are made in the normal course of events.