Your Greens in State Parliament
8 August 2013
We had a lot more to do this week than respond to Barnett’s first budget of his second term in State Government. It will take a while to unpack it, but within a couple of hours we released a statement that the Environment was the Biggest Loser in the State Budget. Robin says “Renewable energy has basically been emasculated.” Looks like Roe 8 didn’t get funding, but light rail and airport rail did. With help from our research team we’ll give you more details over the next week or so.
Lynn’s motion on the marina proposed near Point Peron stimulated debate for another two hours on Wednesday and concludes next week. She called on the Premier to investigate the actions of the Environment Minister and the circumstances of two appeals being withdrawn. She also called on the Minister to suspend proceedings until explanations have been made. Neither the ALP, nor the Libs, support the motion.
Lynn’s “wildcard” speech – in reply to the Governor’s opening of this Parliament – focussed on issues most dear to her, laying out the course she intends to take this term. Lots of South Metro volunteers and members were thanked as she reflected on the State Election and our 35 initiatives toward True Progress. Check it out here.
Homelessness Week ignited more parliamentary questions from Lynn on priority housing, and more events and media opportunities with Scott.
Robin has been paired for two days to attend the WALGA conference. He’s been very critical of this government’s approach to council amalgamation in the past, describing it as a ‘fiasco’. But he had not expected such a public unravelling of the process during the 2013 WA Local Government Association (WALGA) conference. The WALGA president, Mr Troy Pickard, revealed that the Premier has told him bluntly that country shires will be forced to amalgamate, in the face of the bulldozer which he has let loose, in the form of the new Minister for Local Government. We are now not sure how the Nationals will react to what looks on the surface to be a betrayal of the Premier’s promise to leave the bush alone, in return for Parliamentary support from Mr Grylls and his followers to trash the City Councils.
Media
A new report on climate change was highlighted in a joint media statement by Robin, Lynn and Scott calling for a serious response to the overwhelming evidence that links greenhouse gas emissions to extreme weather events. The American Meteorological Society’s annual snapshot of the world’s climate concluded that extreme weather events will become more frequent. Clearly the Barnett/Grylls government has ignored the issue of climate change for five long years, sitting on their hands while this state’s emissions have continued their inexorable upward trend. These are predicted to triple.
Climate change - extreme weather warnings keep coming
Country Council amalgamation
Justice Reinvestment to Tackle Shameful Indigenous Imprisonment Rates
State Budget Disaster for Renewable Energy in WA
Bills passed in the Legislative Council this week:
Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre Amendment Bill 2013
Insurance Commission of Western Australia Amendment Bill 2013
Hospitals and Health Services Amendment Bill 2013
Bills introduced
Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Amendment Bill 2013
Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Bill 2013
Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Family Court Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2013
Reports tabled
Fair Trading Amendment Bill 2013
Lynn gave notice she will move to disallow the Rezoning of A Class Reserve in Leda for the duplication of Gilmore Ave.
Also Rick Mazza (Shooters and Fishers) gave notice he will move to disallow the Firearms Amendment Regulations 2013.
The details of upcoming Bills can be found here:
|
Appropriation (Consolidated Account) Capital 2013-14 Bill 2013 Legislative Assembly Second Reading - 08/08/2013 |
|
Appropriation (Consolidated Account) Recurrent 2013-14 Bill 2013 Legislative Assembly Second Reading - 08/08/2013 |
|
City of Fremantle and Town of East Fremantle Trust Funds (Amendment and Expiry) Bill 2013 Legislative Council Second Reading - 25/06/2013 |
|
Climate Change Readiness (Coastal Planning and Protection) Bill 2013 Legislative Council Second Reading - 20/06/2013, Private Members Bill introduced by MacLaren, Hon Lynn |
|
Coal Industry Superannuation Amendment Bill 2013 Legislative Assembly Second Reading - 26/06/2013 |
|
Criminal Code Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2013 Legislative Council Second Reading - 26/06/2013 |
|
Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Amendment Bill 2013 Legislative Council Second Reading - 07/08/2013 |
|
Dog Amendment Bill 2013 Legislative Assembly Second Reading - 26/06/2013 |
|
Fair Trading Amendment Bill 2013 Legislative Council Second Reading - Committee Report Tabled - 06/08/2013 |
|
Family Court Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2013 Legislative Council Second Reading - 12/06/2013 |
|
Liquor Control Amendment Bill 2013 Legislative Assembly Second Reading - 12/06/2013, Private Members Bill introduced by Murray, Mr Mick |
|
Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Bill 2013 Legislative Assembly Second Reading - 07/08/2013 |
|
Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 Legislative Assembly Consideration in Detail - 26/06/2013 |
|
Restraining Orders Amendment Bill 2013 Legislative Council Second Reading - 19/06/2013 |
|
Royal Perth Hospital Protection Bill 2013 Legislative Council First Reading - 28/06/2013, Private Members Bill introduced by Cook, Mr Roger |
|
Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Bill 2013 Legislative Council Second Reading - Committee Report Tabled - 08/08/2013 |
|
Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Amendment Bill 2013 Legislative Assembly Second Reading - 07/08/2013 |
The Explanatory Memorandums for these Bills are available by clicking on the above links.
