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Mr ADRIAN PICCOLI (Murrumbidgee) [5.09 p.m.]: I express my appreciation to members of Cabinet, who will visit Deniliquin next Monday, and to welcome them to my electorate. I look forward to seeing the Premier and all members of Cabinet, including the Minister for Mineral Resources. I express this sentiment in a bipartisan manner because I usually speak in this Parliament in the spirit of bipartisanship and in the best interests of those I represent. It is essential for Cabinet members to visit country areas to gain first-hand knowledge of issues that affect those areas. Many of my constituents are anxious to speak to Cabinet members—although I cannot vouch for the tone they might use when speaking to some! Nevertheless, it is part of a robust democracy that people in Australia can speak their mind, without fear or favour, to the Premier or, indeed, the Prime Minister if he were to visit Deniliquin.
I am sure on Monday Cabinet members will be told by residents that they have been ably represented by me over the past six years and will continue to be represented by me during the next two years, until the boundary changes take effect. At that time, unfortunately, Deniliquin will no longer be in the electorate of Murrumbidgee. I am sad about that because I have enjoyed, and will continue to enjoy, representing the people of that community. They are fantastic. During the past 10 years residents in that area have had to endure so much and it is a great testament to their strength that they have been able to sustain their town. I seek to make this private member's statement in a bipartisan manner—
Mr Wayne Merton: As you often do.
Mr ADRIAN PICCOLI: As I usually do, but I would like to make some sensible suggestions. I know that the Minister for Mineral Resources has the close ear of the Premier. They are very good friends. The Premier often visits him at Cessnock, and shares a cup of tea with him at least every couple of weeks. I know the terrific job that the Minister for Mineral Resources does and his good relationship with the Premier, who is a great advocate of his. It would be wonderful if the Cabinet could make an announcement about the best practice water policy that the Minister for Energy and Utilities has implemented across the State. It may work in Sydney, but it does not work in country New South Wales. I do not know if it works in Dubbo, but I know that residents in the shires of Berrigan, Deniliquin, Hay and Griffith are angry because this policy will force up the price of urban water and make it difficult for councils to manage their budgets. Such a change would not cost the Government a cent; it could be done with the stroke of a pen. This is the type of responsible decision making we would like from the New South Wales Cabinet.
The Minister for Industrial Relations has already foreshadowed changes to the Occupational Health and Safety (Workplace Fatalities) Bill and we would welcome an announcement to that effect on Monday while Cabinet visits Deniliquin. Indeed, last night a meeting was held in the town about this bill. The meeting highlighted the depth of anger being felt in the community about this bill. Those concerns could be assuaged if the Minister were to announce withdrawal of that bill. Also, over the 10 years of the Labor Government about 100 public sector jobs have been cut from Deniliquin. A reasonable first step would be the announcement on Monday that at least half that number—50 jobs—will be reinstated in the town. Such an announcement would receive a terrific response. I could mention many more initiatives, but time does not permit. However, I look forward to those announcements being made on Monday.
Mr KERRY HICKEY (Cessnock—Minister for Mineral Resources) [5.14 p.m.]: As one resident of Deniliquin said to me this morning, because I have very close ties to this area, "Thank God this reign is over and we are finally going to be represented by the voice of the bush—Country Labor."