The first sitting day this year brought the summer campaign against the shark cull to the steps of Parliament House. Along with Sea Shepherd’s Jeff Hansen and mother of shark victim Kyle Burden, Lynn encouraged the crowd at Tuesday’s rally to demand the drum lines be removed. In question time Lynn highlighted the strength of the campaign to stop the cull, the lack of scientific foundation, and the need for alternatives like eco barriers, early-warning systems, better education, more research and tagging. On Thursday the Minister couldn’t disprove that the drum lines had claimed a dolphin off Leighton Beach.
Within minutes of Parliament starting for the new year, Lynn’s Same Sex Marriage Bill cleared its first hurdle. The President dismissed a challenge by Liberal backbencher Nick Goiran MLC who asked him to rule it out of order. This opens the way for WA to debate the Bill.
Robin has been debating the Local Government Amendment Bill in the house, which we have clearly indicated we will not be supporting. The Minister is using deceit to circumnavigate the Dadour poll provision which in case of an amalgamation of two councils gives a veto right to the local community. The Minister is circumventing this by abolishing one council and changing the boundaries of other councils. Tricky!
The WA Photo Card Bill passed with our support. People who do not have a driver’s licence or a passport can soon prove their identity. Lynn expressed concerns over the security of the data provided because the CEO of the Department of Transport will be able to privatise the use of the card and the data associated with it.
Detailed questions looking into genetically modified canola and wheat were also answered this week, as Steve Marsh’s case reached the WA Supreme Court.
Robin’s questions in Parliament followed up on issues around the Goldfields-Esperance Regional Development Commission, fracking in the Kimberley and more. He also made a submission to the EPA on the Kintyre Environmental Review and Management Programme.
For more information about questions that Lynn and Robin have asked, please visit their websites:
The Bills program is building up to be quite heavy. A full list is provided below.
Asbestos Diseases Compensation Bill 2013
Climate Change Readiness (Coastal Planning and Protection) Bill 2013
Consumer Protection Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Criminal Code Amendment (Child Sex Offences) Bill 2013
Criminal Code Amendment (Unlawful Possession) Bill 2013
Custodial Legislation (Officers Discipline) Amendment Bill 2013
Declared Places (Mentally Impaired Accused) Bill 2013
Electronic Conveyancing Bill 2013
Free Range Eggs Labelling Bill 2013
Liquor Control Amendment Bill 2013
Local Government Amendment Bill 2013
Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Bill 2013
Mental Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Mining Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Pilbara Energy Project Agreement (Termination) Bill 2013
Ports Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Royal Perth Hospital Protection Bill 2013
Sentencing Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Bill 2013
Sunset Reserve Transformation Bill 2013
Taxi Drivers Licensing Bill 2013
Unclaimed Money (Superannuation and RSA Providers) Amendment and Expiry Bill 2013
Warehousemen's Liens Amendment Bill 2013
