Victoria's National Parks too precious to lose
Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) -- I am not convinced by any of the contributions I have heard so far as to what it is we are actually being asked to vote for here. If this is a portent of how the government is going to set about doing commercial development in national parks, I think we should stop right here and have another think, because that is what this is. While there has been some recent discussion about commercial development in national parks, this is a development in a national park with the relevant piece of land a commercial body is interested in being excised from a national park for its purposes.
It is the same difference as far as I am concerned, and for that reason we will not be supporting the bill.
Remembering Bruce Skeggs OAM
Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) -- In contributing to the debate on this condolence motion the Greens send our condolences to Mr Skeggs's family and loved ones.
Mr Skeggs was one of the first politicians I ever met. As a very young and impressionable university student at the Bundoora campus of La Trobe University, I was actively involved with a number of environmental issues in his electorate. I was an avid 3XY listener, so I already knew the name Bruce Skeggs. As one of the first politicians I ever met, I might have formed the view that all politicians were like him. But it is clear that he made an impression on everybody he met.
Member's Statement: Fishermans Bend - governance
Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) -- Last night the Melbourne City Council backed away from a contentious takeover plan for Fishermans Bend proposed by the Lord Mayor, Cr Doyle. It had been reported previously in the press that although the Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy, had voiced his support for this move, the Premier, Denis Napthine, had labelled Cr Doyle's comments 'premature'. Instead the council has called on the Premier and the planning minister to return planning control for the area to a local authority. That local authority should be the City of Port Phillip.
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Schools: special religious instruction
Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) -- My question is for the Minister for Higher Education and Skills in his capacity as the representative in this chamber of the Minister for Education under standing order 8.01. On 12 October last year I asked him a question about a memo sent to schools by the department regarding supervision of students who do not attend special religious instruction (SRI).
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Questions on Notice: Answers
Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) -- I seek some follow-up from the Leader of the Government on five outstanding questions, two of which are just over two months old and date from February this year.
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Greens motion: Production of Documents
Debate resumed from 20 March; motion of Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan):
That this house requires the Leader of the Government to table in the Legislative Council on Tuesday, 16 April 2013, a copy of:
(1) all documents relating to the 'Route alignments peer reviewed and short-listed' and 'Communications and engagement strategy finalised' referred to on page 3 of 'East-west link reform and investment framework -- stages 1 to 6', August 2012', which formed part of the east-west link submission to Infrastructure Australia;
(2) the agenda, minutes, any attachments to the minutes and any presentations or materials tabled in relation to each meeting of the Department of Transport's east-west steering committee to date;
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Adjournment: Bayside planning scheme: amendment
Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) -- My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy. The water sensitive urban design policy, clause 22.08 of the Bayside planning scheme, is scheduled to expire on 31 May this year. At its 17 July 2012 meeting council resolved to write to the Minister for Planning requesting that he:
Napthine government not prepared for transport congestion
Two reports tabled in the Victorian Parliament show that Melbourne's transport system is in danger of grinding to a halt, says Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber.
"We're in trouble in Melbourne when it comes to public transport," said Greg Barber MLC
"The Auditor-General says the Government has no plan for shifting people from their cars to public transport despite road congestion getting worse."
Fair go for Firefighters a step closer as bill sent to committee for inquiry
Speech in parlaiment by Colleen Harltand
I move: That the Accident Compensation Legislation (Fair Protection for Firefighters) Bill 2011, as introduced into this house by myself and ruled out of order by the President on 20 February 2013 for infringing section 62 of the Constitution Act 1975, be referred to the Economy and Infrastructure Legislation Committee for consideration and report by 12 June 2013 on measures aimed at addressing any constitutional impediment to the bill’s introduction into the Legislative Council.
The Accident Compensation Legislation (Fair Protection for Firefighters) Bill 2011, which I introduced into Parliament, would see artificial barriers removed to enable firefighters to access WorkCover compensation when they contract cancer from work-related smoke and toxic exposure. This is a bill with utmost merit. It is the right thing to do. It is the decent thing to do. Unfortunately it is not the merit of the bill that is in question here; it is whether it is constitutionally valid to introduce this bill into the Legislative Council that is in question.
Hartland sets deadline for smoke free outdoor dining
Victorian Greens Health Spokesperson Colleen Hartland has announced a 29 May deadline for the Government to announce a ban on smoking in outdoor dining and drinking areas, or face up to the issue in parliament via her smoking in outdoor areas bill.
In response to the release of the Government’s consultation on smoking in children’s recreational areas, and the launch of the peak health organisation campaign ‘Keep Fresh Air Fresh’, Colleen Hartland has announced that she will proceed with her Bill on the 29th May if the government fails to act before then. Ms Hartland’s Bill aims to make outdoor drinking and dining areas smokefree.
“I will give the government the opportunity to do the right thing and act on submissions to the consultation that support making outdoor dining and drinking areas healthy and smokefree. If they do not make this announcement, I will proceed with my bill in parliament.” said Colleen Hartland.
