Full Day Hansard Transcript (Legislative Assembly, 10 April 2008, Corrected Copy)

The Speaker (The Hon. George Richard Torbay) took the chair at 10.00 a.m.

The Speaker read the Prayer and acknowledgement of country.

General Business Notices of Motions (General Notices) given.

Debate resumed from 3 April 2008.

Mr KEVIN HUMPHRIES (Barwon) [10.03 a.m.]: I take this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Parliamentary Electorates and Election Amendment (Truth in Advertising) Bill 2007. From the outset I congratulate my colleague the member for Ballina and commend him for introducing this important initiative. The long title states that the bill is:

An Act to amend the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act 1912 to provide for truth in political advertising in State and local government elections …

At this point I acknowledge the presence in the public gallery of some members from Moree Plains Shire Council. As a new member to this House I find it extraordinary that we are debating this bill. My expectation and that of the community is that the standards and codes of conduct for political advertising should be a major tenet in the democratic process within the State of New South Wales. The amendments set out in clause 3 will make it an offence for a person to authorise, cause or permit the publication of an electoral advertisement containing a statement that is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent. The offence will apply to both State and local government elections and will carry a maximum penalty of 1,000 penalty units or $110,000 for a body corporate, and 100 penalty units or $11,000 for an individual.

As leaders, decision makers, policymakers, lawmakers and representatives of the people how we instil, maintain and support the fundamental values of truth and confidence in our system of government is critical to our legitimacy and authenticity. In more recent times there has been a basic disconnection between the Government and the people of New South Wales. The importance of this bill is that it seeks to restore public confidence not only in the democratic and electoral process but, indeed, also in the role of government in this State. I would expect bipartisan support for this bill from all members of the House and that that support would be widespread throughout media outlets. It appears that the Labor Party of New South Wales will reject this bill. It is incumbent on members opposite to support the bill because it is exactly what the people of New South Wales are calling for.

If the Labor Party does not support the bill, it needs to publicly articulate why and accept the wrath of the media and grassroots New South Wales. Issues around restriction of freedom of speech and the legitimacy and constitutionality of the bill have been subjected to legal and parliamentary scrutiny across a number of jurisdictions, and it has been shown that it can work. In 1985 the South Australian Government enacted the Electoral Act 1985. Section 113 of that Act makes it an offence to authorise or publish an advertisement purporting to be a statement of fact when the statement is inaccurate or misleading. Section 113 has supported a successful prosecution and survived a constitutional challenge in an appeal to the Full Court of the Supreme Court of South Australia. In Cameron v Becker (1995) the court relevantly held as follows:

The constitutional free speech defence failed because the limitation imposed by section 113 is manifestly proportionate to the legitimate object of ensuring that what is represented is factual material published in political advertisements is accurate and not misleading.

Politicians or would-be politicians are no different from anyone else within our communities and therefore should be subject to the same standards that the Supreme Court of South Australia has upheld. Reviews on this issue across the country continue to support truth in advertising legislation. We expect the same standards within industry in the launching and promotion of products and services. Product and service scrutiny within the political arena should not be left to isolated review by media programs such as Media Watch or the tabloids who suffer the temptation to dumb down the political information process around election time.

It is extraordinary that for the last election the Labor Government ran a $100 million-plus campaign, of which $90 million, as highlighted by the Auditor-General, was spent on political spin advertisements instead of good public policy advertisements. This taxpayer-funded multi-multimillion dollar spend-up occurred while emergency departments in our hospital system were crying for additional resources, and nurses and clinicians were calling for fundamental resource reform of the health system generally. In the lead-up to the 2007 election the Labor Government made public allegations in significant advertisements that the Coalition would cut 20,000 nurse, teacher and police positions. It is a shame the taxpayers of New South Wales had to fund this straight-out lie. There was no accountability, truth or substance to this outrageous and unfounded claim.

Our policy was very clear: no front-line jobs and no jobs in country areas would be lost. At the time 20,000 back-of-house jobs was a modest estimate of public service adjustments in what was perceived to be unaccountable growth and lack of ministerial leadership in many areas of the public service. Apparently, the Treasurer of New South Wales claimed in his party room that the cuts should have equalled 70,000 jobs. Notwithstanding those claims, what is the Government's position on this issue? Recently I attended the presentation of a number of reports of the Auditor-General, one illuminating briefing, and a good report on public performance, which was about managing the departmental amalgamation of the Department of Commerce and the Department of Primary Industries. I commend that report to members.

On 1 July 2004 the Department of Primary Industries was created as a result of the amalgamation of Agriculture, Mineral Resources, NSW Fisheries and State Forests. In 2004 total staff on amalgamation was 4,000. The objectives of the amalgamation were threefold. The first was to achieve budget savings of $36 million to $37 million in the first year, $57.4 million in the second year, and $58 million in the third year. The second objective was to give rural New South Wales a stronger voice in government, and the third objective was to provide better services to customers and stakeholders. Besides running a smear campaign against the Coalition, in the lead-up to the 2007 election the Government was responsible for serious redundancies. According to the Auditor-General, as a result of these amalgamations, 400 staff members have been made redundant. There was no consistency or truth in advertising in the lead-up to the 2007 election.

We regarded as a joke the Government's reference to a rural voice. The Rural and Regional Task Force did not refer to agriculture once in its 22 recommendations, so the objectives of the amalgamation have not been achieved. We also regarded as a joke the Government's reference to better services to customers and stakeholders as a result of the amalgamation. I am still petitioning the Government to fill a technical assistant position in Coonamble that has been made vacant. Too many front-line positions in the Department of Primary Industries are still vacant today, which is unacceptable. As I said earlier, 400 jobs in the Department of Primary Industries have been lost. On 2 April 2003 the Department of Commerce was created as a result of the amalgamation of Public Works, Fair Trading, Industrial Relations and the Department of Information, Technology and Management. The Attorney General said in his report:

There has been considerable change since amalgamation.

Amalgamation drew together 4,150 staff, which was subsequently reduced by 1,000 jobs over the first two years. Going into the 2007 election the amalgamation of two merged departments resulted in 1,400 jobs being made redundant. New South Wales has 69 budget-dependent agencies and 39 public trading organisations. A simple correlation might indicate that the Labor Government, whilst falsely accusing the Coalition of planning 20,000 staff cuts within the public service, cut back 40,000 to 50,000 jobs. This is based on the 700 redundancies for budget-dependent agencies, as highlighted by staff cuts in the Department of Primary Industries and the Department of Commerce. Truth in advertising is all about spin, smoke and mirrors. It is a calculated plan to mislead workers and the people of New South Wales.

The Labor Government cringes at the concept of truth in advertising mainly because it is incapable of recognising the truth. Its ability to extract and truthfully analyse data as simple as truancy rates is indicative of its ability, simply and honestly, to report to the people of New South Wales what is going on. When it comes to the truth in public service employment figures, similar analogies can be drawn. It is possible and desirable to legislate to prevent candidates and politicians lying or misrepresenting facts during an election campaign. We can and must do better for the people of New South Wales. I again commend the member for Ballina for introducing the bill and ask all members to support it.

Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [10.15 a.m.]: I support the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Amendment (Truth in Advertising) Bill 2007. It is about time that politicians, political organisations and others meet the same standards of honesty that business and other organisations meet under advertising provisions. Members of the general public are not as gullible as advertising agencies and their political clients seem to think. It might be hard to believe that dishonesty in political advertising has added to the perception that politicians are prone to stretching the truth and, in some instances, telling straight out porkies. I support this bill because I firmly believe that truth in advertising in elections campaigns is long overdue. If our house were in order it would negate the necessity for this legislation. I support the bill, but was gobsmacked by the hypocrisy behind a member of The Nationals introducing it. The member for Ballina said:

During the recent election campaign the New South Wales Labor Party ran a series of negative advertisements about the New South Wales Coalition across a range of mediums that were grossly inaccurate and misleading.

He went on to outline a range of advertisements that he believed were dishonest. Well, Stoner the crows! How did The Nationals act in the seat of Tamworth at the last election? I support this legislation because I believe that the people of New South Wales deserve honesty in political advertising, not because The Nationals found themselves outplayed at their little game during the last election. The people of New South Wales decided that, despite their lies, they were less qualified to run the State than their opponents. The whole election ended up being decided on which side of politics people disbelieved the least. I support this legislation because I believe in it and I always have.

My experience at the hands of the hypocritical Nationals at the last election reinforced in my mind the need for change. Many people said to me that the last election in the State seat of Tamworth was the dirtiest they can ever remember. I assure members that that was not of my making. It is strange that The Nationals chardonnay set is now holding its State conference at the Kirribilli Club at Lavender Bay in Sydney. Before the last election The Nationals held their State conference in Gunnedah and they held their 2007 campaign launch in Tamworth so that they could promise my constituents a great collection of mistruths that they could never hope to deliver. They promised a dam on the Barnard River. They were going to divert the water and make it run backwards—$250 million worth of dam and waterworks to pipe water through the ranges to the western fall as a solution to Tamworth's water requirements.

[Interruption]

Listen to the bleating from The Nationals! They do not like the truth, do they?

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Clarence will have an opportunity to contribute to the debate.

Mr PETER DRAPER: That was despite comments by former Federal leader, Mark Vaile, in the Manning River Times that, unless his irrigators agreed, it would not go ahead. Talk about hypocritical! At the end of the day The Nationals could not get their Federal colleagues to put a mere $6.8 million in the budget for the proposed Chaffey Dam before the last election. The Nationals said, "Vote for us and you will get a new hospital, new schools, new roads and new bridges." The Nationals promised electors everything. They were going to spend the whole budget in the Tamworth electorate. Unfortunately for The Nationals, who are still bleating behind me, people in the Tamworth electorate discounted their outrageous promises.

The coup de grace of their whole campaign was an advertisement on local television spoken by V. Moss, with no address identifier included, and authorised by B. M. Keene, Piallamore. That advertisement, which was an exact copy of the advertisements that were run in the metropolitan area, was spoken by the same voices that were used in the metropolitan advertisements. Besides being misleading, the advertisement featured the punch line, "Draper equals Labor." What a lie! The electors of Tamworth know that Draper equals Independent. It would be honest for me to say that The Nationals, who are still bleating behind me, are on a rapid slide into oblivion in this nation. It is not honest for The Nationals to say that Draper equals Labor.

I am disappointed that the Government is opposing this legislation, as its outcomes would deliver the best result for the people of New South Wales. The member for Drummoyne rightfully pointed out that regulating the content of election advertising is vexed issue in Australia. It is a vexed issue because the general population wants honesty in political advertising, while political organisations simply do not believe that it is in their best interests. It would be in everybody's best interests and, in some way, it might well address the cynical view of politicians that rightfully is taken by the community. The member for Drummoyne, when speaking against the bill, also said:

A common criticism is that regulatory efforts to encourage truth in political advertising might be desirable but are simply unworkable in practice.

It is not merely a case of being desirable; it is essential that we take action to clean up our political act. As for unworkable, it would work if members in this House were determined to improve the current state of play. Suggestions that the Electoral Commissioner's neutrality could be compromised if the bill is passed, in that he may be criticised when making a decision on whether a person should be required to withdraw an advertisement or refer a matter to the Supreme Court, just do not hold water. Like the Governor of the Reserve Bank and heads of departments, the Electoral Commissioner is well qualified to handle such situations. Over 30 years ago the bush poet and storyteller Stan Coster, a great Manilla boy, wrote the words to a song called Election Day, which was recorded by Slim Dusty. I shall quote from the words of the song as follows:

Ms Linda Burney: Sing it!

The SPEAKER: That interjection is definitely out of order!

Mr PETER DRAPER: I will leave singing and scheming to other people.

The SPEAKER: That comment is out of order as well!

Mr PETER DRAPER: Those rather perceptive words, written many years ago from the pen of a real Aussie storyteller, are as relevant today as they were back then, and it is a perception that we need to address. The object of the bill is to make it an offence for people to authorise, cause or permit the publication of an advertisement containing a statement that is inaccurate or misleading to a material extent. The member for Barwon referred to Labor advertising as being misleading and deceptive. Recently the former Federal Coalition Government spent an enormous amount on advertisements in an effort to convince people of the merits of WorkChoices. Similarly, the union movement ran Your Rights at Work. The community is justified in believing that this is money misdirected. When one considers the current fracas surrounding political donations and cash for influence, this legislation will work in tandem with proposed changes to political funding to bring honesty to political advertising. It is long overdue and I commend the bill to the House.

Mr RUSSELL TURNER (Orange) [10.22 a.m.]: I support the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections (Truth in Advertising) Bill 2007 introduced by the member for Ballina. For a long time I have been concerned that advertising by politicians and political parties, particularly during election campaigns, is not always truthful. This does not help the image of politicians and political parties because the public do not know what to believe and the bill will go some way towards making advertising campaigns more transparent. I understand the bill has similar provisions to that which apply in South Australia. Specifically, it will be an offence for a person who authorises, causes or permits the publication of an electoral advertisement if that advertisement contains a statement purporting to be a statement of fact that is inaccurate or misleading to a material extent.

It is proposed that fines apply for persons or bodies corporate guilty of the offence. The Electoral Commissioner may request the advertiser either to withdraw the advertisement from further publication or to publish a retraction in specified terms. A defence is provided if it can be shown that the person or body corporate took no part in determining the content of the advertisement or could not reasonably be expected to have known that the statement to which the charge relates was inaccurate or misleading. Arguments in favour of the bill are that political advertising should meet similar standards of probity and honesty as those required of commercial advertising under State and Commonwealth law. As it stands, the law allows people to seek and obtain political power through political advertising that can be totally fraudulent or misleading. This lax attitude to truthfulness fosters a culture that action is simply a part of the political game rather than a serious attack on the integrity of the political system. It has been argued that the bill could restrict political communication. I do not agree. The public merely seek honesty from political parties.

The object of the bill is to prohibit inaccurate and misleading political advertising. Under the current New South Wales law the provisions with respect to misleading advertising that apply to business do not apply to political parties or political candidates. Political advertising should meet the same standards of probity and honesty as commercial advertising. During the March 2007 election campaign the New South Wales Labor Party ran a series of negative advertisements. A strong Coalition policy at that time was to upgrade the Bells Line of Road to a four-lane divided, 110-kilometre highway so that cars and trucks could safely travel along that road, hopefully minimising the rate of accidents and deaths that currently occur.

Labor did not support that campaign to open the Central West to further expansion of housing and business opportunities; indeed it carried out a dishonest campaign to mislead the people. The Coalition costed the project at about $2 billion to $3 billion. The Government inferred that the highway would cost $8 billion, with a toll component of $60 to $80 return. That was just fearmongering. The preferred option was for it to be a State or national highway using both Federal and State funding, not a tollway. However, if it were to have a toll component, it would be nowhere near the amount suggested by the Government. Unfortunately, the public gave some credence to the Government's claims.

Another example of misleading advertising was that the Coalition was planning to cut 29,000 jobs. The Coalition said that it was going to cut up to 29,000 jobs but only by way of natural attrition because history has shown that during any term of government, that number of people retire or seek other employment. Therefore, we were not planning to replace staff in backroom positions. This did not apply to nurses, police and emergency service personnel. Indeed, with the money saved, we were going to employ more people in emergency services—more doctors, police and teachers. It is because of Labor's misleading campaigns that the member for Ballina has moved this private member's bill.

The bill provides penalties for a person who authorises, causes or permits the publication of an electoral advertisement if that advertisement contains a statement purporting to be a statement of fact that is inaccurate or misleading to a material extent. This applies to advertisements published by any means, including radio, television or on the Internet. The bill also applies to local government elections. The bill will legislate the application of fines for persons or bodies corporate guilty of this offence, with maximum penalties of $11,000 for an individual or $110,000 for a body corporate.

The Electoral Commissioner will be the regulator or the judge of whether a statement purporting to be fact is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent. The bill provides the Electoral Commissioner with two options if an advertisement is found to be misleading and inaccurate to a material extent: first, the commissioner may request the advertiser to withdraw the advertisement from further publication, and/or, second, the commissioner may request the advertiser to publish a retraction in specified terms. If the advertiser refuses to comply, the Electoral Commissioner may apply to the courts for imposition of a fine. Parliamentarians should set an example. As we know, countless government rules and regulations apply to retailers, producers of commodities and factories, but we do not act as we order others to act.

For example, if a butcher advertised chuck steak as rump steak with the accompanying profit margin, the Department of Fair Trading would come down on him in a flash. If in my previous life as an egg producer I had packed eggs in a carton and advertised them incorrectly, I would have been subject to a fine imposed by the same State Government that does not lead by example. There are thousands of instances of rules and regulations applying to real estate agents, producers of commodities and others to whom the State Government says, "Thou shalt do what we say, but we do not have to act with the same responsibility." I believe the bill is worthwhile. I hope Government members support the bill, but I do not expect that they will. If the Government believes that we should act in the same way that we expect other businesses in New South Wales to act it will support the bill.

Mrs DAWN FARDELL (Dubbo) [10.31 a.m.]: I will not take up too much of the time of the House because I do not want to prolong the misery of the member for Clarence, who had to sit through the lengthy speech made by the member for Tamworth. I support the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Amendment (Truth in Advertising) Bill 2007 introduced by the member for Ballina, which will increase accountability. I welcome the comments made by the member for Barwon who asked where truth is in advertising. It certainly was not apparent in the 2007 election in Dubbo. I am pleased that one member of The Nationals and others who support the bill have seen the light, and I think the light is called honesty. The bill is not about a new vision; it is all about honesty, which New South Wales voters expect.

I can speak from personal experience about a by-election in November 2004 when I replaced the late Tony McGrane. I consider that my fellow main contender was a fellow swan. We both agreed that we would run an honest campaign. Jen Cowley was The Nationals candidate, a person whom I admire. I like Jen very much. We decided to tell our supporters that we would run a clean campaign and run on merit, and that is exactly what happened. Although I am most pleased that I won the election, had Jen won the by-election, I know she would have done the job with honesty. While my opposing candidate in the 2004 election was a fellow swan, in 2007 I had a goose. I do not mind unflattering photographs being used of political rivals or any little bit of humour that occurs during election campaigns because it is all part of the process, but I draw the line at blatant lies and blatant promises that a candidate knows cannot be kept.

Three weeks out from the election, when candidates for The Nationals knew that the Government would be re-elected, they made false promises to win the seat for the party, instead of doing what is good for the people. I say with a degree of modesty that the electorate knew it had a member who would be prepared to work hard for them, and was prepared to work with parties of all political beliefs, and that is what I do. But listening to all the promises being made to lure voters during the campaign, particularly in Dubbo, was alarming. The member for Barwon is right when he says elections are all about spin, and that certainly was the case in the Dubbo electorate during the 2007 election. The election was all about spin after spin after spin, and lots of it. There were lots of brochures, lots of advertising, and it was all rubbish. A list broadcast on the radio was authorised by M. Blake who has been a foot soldier in the area for many years.

I was happy to put my name and voice to every campaign advertisement that I ran, so my name was behind what was being said, but that was not the case with the goose candidate in 2007. Some of the claims were that "they do not want the Lourdes Hospital" in Dubbo. I must point out that "they" meant Labor and Dawn Fardell. I do not know what Labor wanted, but I certainly know that Dawn Fardell was working hard for Lourdes Hospital. Another claim was that "they don't want a new police station". I know that for some years there were lots of discussions between the mayor at that time, Allan Smith, and me about the police station, and we knew what was happening. We knew when the tender was being advertised. But claims that "they don't want this" and "they don't want that" were just blatant lying. My opposing candidate was just guessing without ascertaining the facts, which made him out to be a goose.

Every day when I am in Dubbo I drive up Justice Place, and "justice" is certainly apt because Justice Place is right alongside the site on which the new police station is being built. It should be completed in October. The term "justice" comes into my mind every time I drive up Justice Place because I know that what was promised did happen, and I supported it. The bill refers to truth in advertising, and it is good to see that The Nationals are supporting the bill. I also welcome provisions relating to fines. I would like the Government to support the bill because the legislation would bring some of the candidates in Dubbo, particularly the last one, to account. If the bill is not passed, the gate will be left open for untruthful allegations to be made against candidates regardless of what party they belong to or whether they are Independents and for false promises to continue to be made.

How far will the legislation extend? Will it extend to fines being imposed? For example, when two Ministers with whom I have a good working relationship came to Dubbo and asked how they could help me to deliver the message about what I intend to do for the community and how they could help me to do the job for which I might be chosen, it was not good to hear from them the night before an election that another candidate told them that I am a devout atheist. That is evil.

Dr Andrew McDonald: You cannot be a devout atheist.

Mrs DAWN FARDELL: That is right. It was not good when fellow candidates paid vulnerable people needing to fund their substance abuse to walk among my supporters and say an expletive word plus Fardell, or to challenge three young people aged approximately 16 years who were walking around my front veranda at 3.30 a.m. Those youths were fearful when they realised I had recognised who they were, but things got worse when, after I asked them why they were doing that and who set them up to do it, the source was revealed. For my sake I do not mind the all-round nastiness, but I do mind for my family and I am concerned for the safety of my family. I can accept failure—we can all accept failure or loss because it builds character—but I just want truth in what people do. I want people to run for election on merit and not on dishonesty. That is all I ask. That is why I support the bill.

I commend the member for Ballina for introducing the legislation. There are good people on the Opposition side of the House who also will speak with good reason to commend the bill. I commend the bill to the Government and urge Government members to support it to strengthen accountability and provide for the imposition of fines for wrongdoing associated with election campaigns, just as all other fines apply to breaking the law or doing anything that is not proper in society. I welcome any strengthening of accountability and honesty in advertising during election campaigns.

Mr CRAIG BAUMANN (Port Stephens) [10.37 a.m.]: The experience of contesting a seat as marginal as Port Stephens taught me a thing or two about the Labor Party's approach to truth in advertising. As many members would be aware, Port Stephens swung against the Labor Party by a factor of 7.3 per cent, and the Labor Party lost the seat by 68 votes. In such a close race, the people of the region were subjected to the usual parade of Ministers announcing funding and projects in an altogether cynical effort to shore up Labor's chances of electoral victory. Of itself, that is not the problem. A popular political slogan in the Hunter Valley is "let's make it marginal". People in the Hunter Valley know they get a more equitable share of Government funding when the region's seats are at risk of falling to an Opposition political party or an Independent.

While that does not make for a healthy democracy, many projects in the Hunter Valley would never have seen a cent were it not for the threat of the electoral defeat of the Government. However, in the lead-up to the 2007 election, the advertisements and commitments offered by the Labor Party crossed the line and misled the people of Port Stephens in particular. That behaviour highlights the need for government regulation of election material to ensure our democracy remains one where honesty and accountability are held at a premium. One example that springs to mind is the Port Stephens Local Area Command. It would not have taken a political genius to figure out that the Port Stephens community had swung whole-heartedly behind the idea of having its own dedicated local area command to cater to the area's unique policing needs.

By 2007 the need for such an administrative change was obvious. Two police patrol cars were forced to cover an 8000 square kilometre area at night and response times were suffering. The then Minister for Police, John Watkins, committed the New South Wales Government to investigating and delivering a new local area command in nine separate statements to a local news outlet. The commitment was then repeated on local radio and repeated by the Labor candidate for Port Stephens. It also featured in Labor Party election material. But following the Labor Party's election loss in Port Stephens, not only was the commitment shelved but also the incoming Minister for Police, David Campbell, would claim no such commitment was ever made in an answer to a question in this place. His predecessor was not accountable to anyone, his claims had no oversight, and in the end, the people of Port Stephens suffered. Instead of answering that question, the Minister went on to lecture the Opposition about the Government's charter of budget honesty that we continue to support. If there can be a charter for budget honesty, why can there not be one for advertising? Honesty is not something you can be selective about; you are either honest are or you are not.

For the better part of a decade the Labor Party went to the polls in Port Stephens advertising that it would commit to the construction of a new Raymond Terrace police station. Year after year this promise was broken: a promise that constituted part of Labor Party election advertising year after year and a promise it had no intention of keeping. As the Labor Party's desperation to win Port Stephens increased, the advertisements increased in number and in tone in an attempt to portray its opponent in a negative light. Worse still, the advertisements made claims to fix and fund many programs and facilities in the region that even 12 months on have still not been completed. For example, Wirreanda Public School, which presently uses four demountable classrooms while it awaits crucial capital works funding to construct new ones, was promised with great fanfare and accompanying radio advertisements new classrooms in time for the 2008 school year. In January this year the school was told it would have to wait another term. It is still waiting.

A government must be accountable when it cynically misleads a region and its people, and I am satisfied the bill will provide that accountability. Whilst those opposite try to deride the legislation that the member for Ballina has introduced, I wonder if they have considered just how much damage their negative advertising does to their own candidates. As I moved between polling booths on 24 March last year, one thing I noticed was the disgust the community felt at much of the Labor Party's election material. I know the people of Port Stephens saw through the shameful practice of using the union movement to distribute shameful material that told outright mistruths about Coalition policy. I do not think the Labor Candidate for Port Stephens, Jim Arneman, who is a respectful man, was altogether impressed with the advertisements his campaign workers were forced to distribute. Jim attempted to run a fair and positive campaign—68 votes make a lot of difference. Things could have been a lot different had the Labor Party demonstrated a little more respect in its campaign material.

It takes a particular type of individual to stand in front of a camera or a crowd and tell a barefaced lie. I am proud to say I do not know too many people on either side of the House who are capable of that level of deception. Of course they do not have to when a proxy agency like the union movement can be trotted out at every election campaign to lie on behalf of the Labor Party. During the election campaign the people of Port Stephens were subjected nightly to advertisements depicting the former Leader of the Opposition Peter Debnam, claiming falsely that he would cut jobs in key front-line areas. My constituents were subjected to an outright lie. The advertisements made no claim to having any evidence of their statements, they presented spin as fact and did the people of New South Wales a tremendous disservice by making an election that should have been about service delivery and Government accountability instead about who could tell the biggest lies. I am at least proud to say my party and those who sit behind me lost that contest, even if we lost the election.

People were subjected to advertising on television, on radio, and on the posters that mysteriously appeared on telegraph polls night after night, high enough that only a cherry picker could have placed them there. These items of electoral advertising were not endorsed by the Labor Party or its candidate, but by the Health Services Union and the Electrical Trades Union. They were able to pay for advertising and were not accountable to the individual who actually put his name forth to run in that seat, a practice that is deplorable. It does not merely damage the proponents of these advertisements' political opponents, it also damages the political process, and it damages the faith that the people of New South Wales have in their elected leaders. Cynicism in this House runs rife, and it cannot be solely blamed on the many scandals and shady dealings that the Labor Government has participated in. This cynicism stems from the practice of negative and untruthful advertising, and it must stop.

Mr STEVE CANSDELL (Clarence) [10.44 a.m.]: I support the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Amendment (Truth in Advertising) Bill 2007. I commend the member for Ballina for introducing this overdue bill. All speakers, including the Independents, agree that there must be parity with the private sector, industry, and politicians. I understand why politicians in general have a bad name. The stench of not only corruption but also fraudulent activities and lies fits perfectly with the image of a politician who goes to an election campaign and completely puts the wrong perspective across, and makes false promises and commitments that everyone knows will never be fulfilled.

The current law in New South Wales allows people to seek and obtain political office through political advertising that can be totally fraudulent. At the last election the Coalition had a policy to cut 29,000 backroom bureaucrats' jobs through natural attrition. The advertisements at that time showed an old lady in hospital calling for a nurse, but she could not get one. A voice-over then said, "When the Coalition gets into office, this is what will happen. You will lose the front-line services, such as nurses, police and the firefighters." The idea of cutting 29,000 backroom bureaucrats was to enhance the front-line services we desperately need and do not have. We need more nurses in hospitals and more police on the streets. Party hacks and backroom bureaucrats are now filling out paperwork and warming seats that do not need warming at all.

I have always maintained that had we won Government at the last election the first job to go would be that of a former Labor candidate for Clarence who was given a cushy job as the political agricultural and policy adviser to Tony Kelly. I speak of Terry Flanigan who sits in a cushy office in Grafton and collects a handy pay for being a party hack and writing letters to editors trying to undermine the good governance in the Clarence area. If Labor Party people who do not get into office following elections are fair dinkum they should keep fighting for the promises made to provide those front-line services. I refer not only to the last election but also to the election of 1999 when $7 million was promised for the upgrade and redevelopment of the operating theatres at Grafton hospital. The upgrade was urgent in 2003, it was urgent in 2007 and it is still urgent. Now that the Federal Government has come on board and committed the money, hopefully the upgrade will occur. What is the New South Wales Government doing with the Federal Government money? Where is it? It should be spent right now on those operating theatres at Grafton hospital.

At the 2003 election former Premier Bob Carr gave an ironclad guarantee for $7 million to build a bridge in Grafton. He said the money was there—unallocated Roads and Traffic Authority funds. The Government's advertisements said it was doing a great job and that it would build the bridge, but when the election was over it could not find the money. Now here we are, six years later, and the bridge is yet to be started. To draw an analogy, if McDonald's put out an advertisement that showed someone choking after biting into a Hungry Jack's hamburger and then someone else came along and fed the person a Big Mac to make the person better, McDonald's would be in court for totally misrepresenting the facts. The same laws and penalties should apply to political mistruths in advertising.

The bill would impose penalties on a person who authorises, causes or permits the publication of an electoral advertisement if that advertisement contains a statement purporting to be a statement of fact that is inaccurate and misleading to a material extent. This applies to advertisements published by any means, including radio, television or the Internet. The bill would also apply to the local government elections, which are coming up shortly. The bill legislates for the application of fines for persons or bodies corporate who are guilty of this offence. The maximum penalty is $11,000 if the offender is a natural person and $110,000 if the offender is a body corporate.

Let us hope that body corporate includes unions that run union-funded advertising in support of the Labor Party, as they did during the last Federal election, because those advertisements contained a lot of lies when they were supposedly for the public benefit. I support the member for Ballina, who has brought some truth into the House. Let us hope that if there is some integrity on the Labor side of politics, and hopefully among the Independents as well, the bill will be supported so that we can raise the perception of the integrity of politicians in this State from down the bottom of the list with car salesmen up to where it belongs—as true corporate representatives of the people.

Debate adjourned on motion by Mr Daryl Maguire and set down as an order of the day for a future day.

Debate resumed from 15 November 2007.

Mr ALAN ASHTON (East Hills) [10.51 a.m.]: I move:

That this debate be now adjourned.

Question put.

The House divided.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Motion for adjournment of debate agreed to.

Debate adjourned and set down as an order of the day for a future day.

Debate resumed from 28 February 2008.

Mr ROB STOKES (Pittwater) [11.00 a.m.]: I support the Conveyancing Amendment (Mortgages) Bill 2007. I commend my colleague the member for Ballina for bringing this important issue before the House. Given the current market conditions and the present and future trajectory of interest rates, we have seen an increase in foreclosures on mortgages. Sadly, they are likely to increase in the future. My community is characterised by a population of young families with large mortgages. They are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the repayments on their mortgages in the current financial environment. When clerking for one of this city's big law firms, I had the unpleasant duty of taking documentation to banks in relation to foreclosures on rural properties. So it is with emotion that I approach this bill. It is most important that as much relief, understanding and compassion is given to the unfortunate situation where borrowers are unable to meet their repayments and mortgagees seek to recover their interest.

The primary focus of mortgagees is to recover their interest in a property when borrowers are unable to meet repayments. It is a well-established principle that mortgagees in any situation have a fiduciary duty towards borrowers. Contracts must be entered into and executed in good conscience. There is strong precedent for this fiduciary duty in Petelin v Cullen and, more particularly, the Commercial Bank of Australia v Amadio. Those cases established that, in approaching borrowers, financial institutions are required to act in good faith and not act in a way that could be considered unconscionable. It is well established that lenders cannot take advantage of the weaknesses of borrowers. It is highly appropriate that the weakness of borrowers in circumstances where they cannot meet their loan repayments should not be used to the advantage of the mortgagees, who are focused on recovering their interests.

The object of the bill is to amend the Conveyancing Act 1990 to ensure that a mortgagee or chargee, when exercising a power of sale in respect of land subject to a mortgage or a charge, must take all reasonable care to ensure that the property is sold for not less than its market value. Although the bill ensures that the interests of the bank are secured when it gets its money back, it does not take into account the interests of the owner of a property by ensuring that the best possible price is obtained. If the best possible price is obtained, the owner can be returned to the best possible position out of difficult circumstances.

The bill is entirely consistent with established legal principles and the general notion of justice and fairness in relation to mortgagees, who often find themselves in a position of great power and responsibility when dealing with borrowers in trying circumstances. Unfortunately, those trying circumstances are likely to continue, given the recent projections of increased interest rates and house prices. We are likely to see more foreclosures. It is most important that not only should banks, mortgagees and chargees be required to act to the letter of the law, but that the law should be changed to require they exercise their fiduciary duty appropriately and act with justice and compassion when dealing with the sad situation that borrowers are increasingly facing. I commend the bill to the House.

Dr ANDREW McDONALD (Macquarie Fields) [11.05 a.m.]: The Government does not support the Conveyancing Amendment (Mortgages) Bill 2007 in its current form at this time. The Government has recently considered a Cabinet minute that seeks to amend the Real Property Act 1900 and the Conveyancing Act 1919. The amendments will increase the duty of care of a mortgagee more broadly than only when exercising a power of sale, as proposed in this private member's bill. It would be advisable to postpone dealing with the issue as a separate bill and address the issue more broadly as part of the Government's proposed amendments. This private member's bill is deficient in that it proposes increasing the duty of care owed by a mortgagee who exercises a power of sale over real estate.

The mortgagee's power of sale is not the only means by which a mortgagee can sell land where a mortgagor has defaulted. A mortgagee can use its powers under the mortgage to appoint a receiver to sell the land on the borrower's behalf or to sell the land pursuant to a power of attorney contained in the mortgage. The proposed bill is not wide enough to catch these alternative methods of sale. To address the mischief caused by a mortgagee selling mortgaged land for less than its real value, all methods of sale available to a mortgagee should be considered. The amendments proposed by the Government to the Real Property Act and the Conveyancing Act anticipate increasing a mortgagee's duty of care in another way.

As a measure to mitigate the risk of identity fraud, it is proposed to require the mortgagee to take appropriate steps to properly identify the mortgagor and ensure that he or she is the registered proprietor. To avoid unnecessary disruption to the banking industry, all proposed amendments in this area should be introduced at the same time. The Government's further amendments will ensure consistency in drafting and avoid unnecessary duplications. The Government does not support the current limited amendments proposed in the Conveyancing Amendment (Mortgages) Bill 2007 and intends to address this issue and a range of other related amendments in greater detail with more comprehensive amendments to the Real Property Act and the Conveyancing Act. I look forward to the debate on the Government's proposed bill in the very near future.

Mr GEOFF PROVEST (Tweed) [11.08 a.m.]: Once again, I am 100 per cent for the Tweed. I compliment the member for Ballina on bringing the Conveyancing Amendment (Mortgages) Bill to the Parliament. I am deeply concerned about this issue, particularly as it relates to the electorate of Tweed, which is a low socioeconomic area in New South Wales. This bill will raise the level of care. Currently, New South Wales has a lower duty of care, as opposed to Commonwealth legislation. This duty of care relates to people who are going through stressful situations.

In a recent media report in the Sydney Morning Herald on 28 March the Reserve Bank clearly said that currently in New South Wales 40,000 people are suffering mortgage stress. As we all know, in recent times we have had well over eight interest rate rises, and now 40,000 people are more than 30 days in arrears on their mortgage repayments. The article further states that 15,000 of those people are 90 days overdue on their mortgage repayments. These are people who are going through an enormous amount of stress—often there have been family break-ups and money is a major problem. What this legislation does is lift the level of care for such people. New section 111 of the bill states:

Certain duties of mortgagees and chargees

(1) In exercising a power of sale in respect of mortgaged or charged land, a mortgagee or chargee must take all reasonable care to sell the land for not less than its market value when it is sold.

This is the key objective of the whole amendment. I have seen in the electorate of Tweed a number of repossessions and a number of mortgagee sales, and nine times out of ten the properties are sold in a quick sale because sometimes in our local area banks are not the most generous or conciliatory people and they just want to get their money back. I understand that banks have an onus to see that there is a return on the money that people have invested in them, particularly the shareholders, but, at the same time, these people suffering mortgage stress are usually going through an emotional period and are really not focused. They have probably been working for many years; saving up and constantly trying to meet those mortgage repayments.

In many cases probably they have built up a fair amount of equity in their property. For example, if a person owes $150,000 on a home he or she bought for $300,000, the current legislation requires that the bank just get its money back—the $150,000. That means the property can be sold for far less than the equitable price of the house. It is ripping off the people in our local community who can least afford it. I am absolutely amazed that at times my colleagues on the other side of the House stand up and talk about rights for workers and so on, yet here is a group of hardworking people in New South Wales who are not afforded a level of protection when they really need it.

I am a little bit confused because the Commonwealth legislation virtually mirrors this amendment: it offers a higher level of protection than is currently available in New South Wales. I believe that in a previous session of Parliament this amendment passed through the lower House and was in the process of being debated in the upper House at the time of the election and it all fell into a little bit of a heap. I am emotionally involved in this issue because I have seen many people lose the equity in their homes that they have worked and strived all their lives to have. I commend the bill to the House.

Mr WAYNE MERTON (Baulkham Hills) [11.13 a.m.]: The Conveyancing Amendment (Mortgages) Bill 2007 should go beyond all realms and boundaries of politics. The bill contains a very simple proposition. Often, through tragic or other unfortunate circumstances, a mortgagee takes possession of a property and proposes to sell the property pursuant to the mortgage that was executed over the property. In regard to that situation the bill states:

In exercising a power of sale in respect of mortgaged or charged land, a mortgagee or chargee must take all reasonable care to sell the land for not less than its market value when it is sold.

There is nothing political about that: it is common sense; it is a sense of fairness; it is a sense of equity; and it allows people who are facing the tragic situation of losing their home or other property to get as much money out of the sale as possible. In other words, the bill says that a bank or other financial institution simply cannot sacrifice the property to get enough money to cover the debt and not worry about what happens to the money that is left over after the debt has been discharged—the borrower's equity. As the member for Tweed said, people might have a house that may be worth $300,000, and if there is a mortgage over that house of only $200,000, those mortgagors should be certain they can get their $100,000 back.

By imposing standards that require the mortgagee to exercise all reasonable care to sell the land for not less than its market value, those battlers, those people from Struggle Street, those hardworking Australian families that our colleagues on the other side of the House talk about so frequently, are certain of getting their fair share of the property, to which they are entitled. That is what this bill is about. I commend the hardworking member for Ballina for protecting these people. I am a little bit disappointed in members on the other side of the House because I think really within their hearts they are decent people and they understand how the people they represent and the people we represent are finding it hard at the moment with interest rates rising almost monthly and they are suddenly at the stage where they are in crisis. We say give them a chance and join with us in this legislation.

If Government members do not like parts of the bill they should move amendments today and let us deal with them because next Saturday, the Saturday after that and the following Saturday mortgagee sales will take place and this legislation will not be in force. The sooner the amendment becomes law the sooner those battlers will be protected, and that is what this bill is all about. I commend the bill to the House and I ask the Government to reconsider its position and join us. If the Government wants to improve the legislation, that is fine. We are here to seek justice for people under mortgage stress and we ask the Government to join our cause. We will be disappointed if the Government votes against this bill.

Debate adjourned on motion by Mr Michael Daley and set down as an order of the day for a future day.

Debate resumed from 6 December 2007.

Mr DARYL MAGUIRE (Wagga Wagga) [11.17 a.m.]: I support the TAFE (Freezing of Fees) Bill 2007. This is a very important piece of legislation and I know that all members on this side of the House support the great work that TAFEs do in our community, which benefits those people who choose to take up a training course in TAFE. I have heard so often, particularly from the Federal Government, concerns about skills shortages. One way to overcome those skills shortages is to ensure that people have an opportunity to participate in the TAFE educational system. Throughout New South Wales TAFE delivers terrific educational courses in all the fields identified as having skill shortages. The problem is that in some communities many people do not have the financial capacity to gain an education, gain skills and receive certificates that will allow them to participate in the workforce. This bill will help to address that problem.

Under the leadership of the Minister for Education, TAFE fees have increased to the point where people on a disability pension or people who have fallen on hard economic times have been disadvantaged and are finding it very, very difficult to be able to participate in courses and pay their way. We have had many debates in this place in which members have pointed the finger at the Federal Government and decried the fact that university students are subject to the Higher Education Contribution Scheme. Members have said that university fees are terrible and that if we did not have them there would be more nurses, pharmacists, vets and so on. However, when it comes to TAFE fees they have a different opinion. They say, "No, we must support the Hon. John Della Bosca and increase those charges, even though the people that the Labor Party is supposed to represent are disadvantaged." There are many examples of people who have been severely disadvantaged as a result of Minister Della Bosca's increasing TAFE fees.

Last week I went to Tumut, which is now in the Wagga Wagga electorate after the redistribution at the last election. It has a wonderful TAFE that, while small in campus terms, delivers many courses to the community. One area of local interest is the timber industry. If ever there was an area in which to encourage people to undertake TAFE courses, it is the timber industry. I know members on this side of the House will support my call to this Government to make it easier for those people to participate in courses that will eventually enable them to enter the workplace and to make a contribution to New South Wales, Australia and, indeed, the world. Only one specialised papermaking course is offered in the southern hemisphere. The suggestion is that Tumut should now be the hub, in cooperation with Charles Sturt University, for the delivery of papermaking and timber products courses. The problem is that this Government keeps increasing fees. I believe there is a saying along the lines of, "There has never been a tax they did not like or hike." Clearly, this Government is fixated on raising fees and charges, and the TAFE increases are just one example of that.

The Riverina Institute in Wagga Wagga is a large campus. The Government was fixated on increasing the campus size to a point where it would have been unmanageable. As a result of community activity—with the support of individuals, organisations and businesses that rely on TAFE to deliver the courses to enable the skills shortage to be addressed and to give individuals the opportunity to participate in courses—we changed the Minister's mind and a ninth TAFE region was created. Because of that decision, Riverina TAFE is one of the leaders in courses offered in our region. However, because the Minister has again increased fees, many people with disabilities, people who are disadvantaged and people who have fallen on hard times are now having trouble meeting the expectations of this greedy, high-taxing, overcharging, dysfunctional Government. Because of this incompetent Government's mismanagement and its appalling budget standards, these people—whom members opposite should be helping—must now cough up to help fund the deficit.

I congratulate the shadow Minister on introducing this bill and for standing up for people who make a large commitment to attending TAFE courses. Paying the fees is only part of the commitment that students make. Some students travel for hundreds of kilometres to attend courses and fuel costs more in country areas. Kevin Rudd said that he would bring down the cost of fuel and manage the price of groceries—and probably make the sun shine! However, fuel is expensive in regional and rural New South Wales. The member for Murray-Darling will confirm that diesel costs up to $1.60 or $1.70 a litre at some country bowsers. That and the cost of accommodation must be factored into the students' budgets. Life is difficult without an effective public transport system. Even that is being plundered by the New South Wales Government. Pensioners and people receiving benefits now have to pay booking fees for services provided by CountryLink.

All of those things impact on people who are trying to better themselves. Students must now travel from campus to campus and from home to TAFE at great expense. It is not simply a case of going across the road to TAFE and going home. Some students travel for hundreds of kilometres at night on country roads, dodging trucks, kangaroos and many other obstacles to get to TAFE to better themselves. When they get there they are hit with outrageous charges that are increased without justification. Of course, they must also pay for their materials on top of the cost of travel, accommodation and so on. I will support this bill and the shadow Minister, and I am sure all members on this side of the House will do likewise. Members opposite call themselves the great saviours and warriors of education, but they will now vote down a very important piece of legislation that would freeze TAFE charges and enable us to address the skills shortage that they are completely ignoring.

Mr WAYNE MERTON (Baulkham Hills) [11.28 a.m.]: I support this bill. It is unbelievable that while the Australian Labor Party's Federal masters talk about the skills shortage this Government has seen fit to increase TAFE fees. In the circumstances, this bill makes a lot of sense. People in the Baulkham Hills area are contacting my office regularly complaining about TAFE fees. In many cases the increase means that people simply cannot afford to study and their whole life is affected because they cannot improve their education. This revenue-driven Government has decided to increase fees and that will impact on the most vulnerable people in our community who are looking for a future and a career. This Government is denying them that opportunity. They purport to be the champions of the working class and the battlers' friends. These are the Australian working families that their leader tells us about every second sentence. This Government is denying many of those people the opportunity to go to TAFE because of its relentless determination to gather more revenue. It has decided that their careers and future can be sacrificed in search of the almighty dollar.

The Opposition supports people trying to get ahead. I support this legislation, which will allow TAFE fees to be frozen to provide these people with the opportunity to pursue a career. Government members do not seem too concerned about that. However, Opposition members care. We worry about the Australian people. We worry about their future. Judging by the Government's response to this bill, one can come to only one conclusion: It does not care, it is indifferent, and it has no compassion or concern for the battlers. The great Australian Labor Party, born out of the cause of championing working-class people's rights, has sacrificed these people for political and commercial expediency.

Pursuant to sessional orders business interrupted and set down as an order of the day for a future day.

Debate resumed from 3 April 2008.

Mr ROB STOKES (Pittwater) [11.30 a.m.]: I support the motion moved by my colleague the member for Wakehurst. The motion notes the urgent need for a new northern beaches hospital to be constructed and brought into service; notes the delay in preliminary planning for clinical services at this new hospital; calls on the Government to immediately commit to a timetable for construction of a new hospital; and congratulates the hardworking staff of Manly and Mona Vale hospitals on continuing to provide health services, as both hospitals have been run down by the Government's chronic underfunding. The northern beaches community of almost 250,000 people has a right to know the future of its health services. It has a right to know the future for its local hospitals. The sword of Damocles has been dangling over Mona Vale and Manly hospitals for far too long.

It is not conducive to good community spirit about the future of our health services and hospitals. It is damaging. It is difficult to raise money in the community for the future of these hospitals and to support these hospitals when the Government is unsure. It is showing a lack of leadership in relation to the future direction of health services on the northern beaches. As a local member I have been trying to help the community to raise funds for urgently needed equipment at Mona Vale hospital, which, quite frankly, is the Government's job to provide. It is not the responsibility of the local community to dig into its pockets. It is difficult to try to raise funds when people say they are not sure what the future of the hospital will be. Why would people give their hard-earned money to a hospital when they do not know what future mix of services will be provided there?

This review process has been going on for years. There has been uncertainty over the future of health services on the northern beaches for far too long. Our communities have every right to know. One small example from my local hospital at Mona Vale is the renal dialysis unit. We were promised this by the Minister for Health in June last year. In answer to a question in this place she confirmed that the renal dialysis unit would be up and running by the end of March 2008. It is now April and there is no renal dialysis unit at Mona Vale. A local resident who is 83 years old has to drive to Royal North Shore Hospital three times a week because there is no local renal dialysis unit for him. That is not right; it is unjust, particularly when a commitment, a firm promise, was given that that unit would be installed by the end of March. Sadly, this sort of atrophy is just what we have come to expect from the Government.

We need certainty about the mix of services to be provided at the new hospital at Frenchs Forest. We also need to know the services that will be maintained, the services that will be upgraded, and the new services that will be provided at Mona Vale hospital. Our communities have every right to know. This charade has been going on for far too long. My hardworking colleagues from the northern beaches and I met with the Minister for Health, who confirmed late last year that the mix of services that would be provided at the new hospital and at Mona Vale hospital would be confirmed with Cabinet early in the new year. We still have no idea of what mix of services is to be provided at Frenchs Forest or at Mona Vale. Today's front page of the Manly Daily shows how far services at Mona Vale hospital have been driven down despite the strong efforts of hardworking staff. A local man, a friend of mine, Ralph Purdue, was forced to drink tap water, which is dangerous to his condition, because the hospital was unable to provide bottled water. That is not good enough. We need a firm commitment about Frenchs Forest hospital and Mona Vale hospital.

Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) [11.34 a.m.]: I join my northern beaches colleagues in strongly supporting the motion. We seek clarity on this issue. For too long we have had uncertainty about northern beaches health. Plans have been outlined but the progress is appallingly slow. I applaud the staff at Manly hospital. I cannot begin to count the number of times members of my community have said that nurses and doctors and all staff at Manly hospital have gone above and beyond the call of duty to look after them at a time of crisis or need. Indeed, in this House I have given a personal example of how nurses and midwives at Manly hospital had a huge impact on my wife's life at a critical time—the birth of our second daughter.

Manly hospital has had a cloud over it for many years, and we want the cloud to be lifted. We are not asking for much; we are asking: What is going to be done with the Manly hospital site? We want it to be retained. We are also asking: What is the time frame for building the northern beaches hospital? We are glad to learn that Manly hospital has made the cut in the current health inquiry, and I hope the community comes forward to tell the Minister for Health what the problems are and what it wants to happen. Ted Walsh, a member of my community, shared with me a harrowing personal story of his wife's experience. It was diabolical having to deal with the facilities, and the staff are shortchanged in numbers and stretched in a hundred different directions. Manly hospital has been beset by problems because it has been starved of funds, pure and simple. Food is a problem. We have heard that half the patients of New South Wales Health are malnourished. The problem is not new.

Caterers feeding patients at Manly hospital spend just 26¢ more on a meal than they did seven years ago. In June last year I raised concerns with the Minister for Health about the quality of the food. I asked her to come to Manly hospital and share a meal with me and one of the patients so she could see first hand that the food is not acceptable. It is symbolic of what we are putting up with in this current health system. Whether it be the food, the level of resources or the physical facilities, not enough is being done to support the staff that day in and day out looks after the community. I am appalled that the Iemma Government does not believe that the staff and patients at Manly hospital are worthy of fresh milk. In yet another budget cut it has replaced fresh milk with long-life UHT milk. The Government has thought, "How can we save money? We will not give patients fresh milk; we will pull something off the shelf and put it there for them. That will do."

I refer also to the beds debacle. The hospital was lucky enough to receive some beds, much-needed beds, in December last year. It emerged that they were too wide to fit through doorways. Patients had to wait for crucial tests because staff could not wheel them into the department. Other staff had to pick up patients and carry them through doors. It is an example of inept management. Patients and staff have suffered years of uncertainty in relation to the maternity unit. I pay tribute to the former member for Manly. He was committed to saving the maternity unit and he spent a lot of time trying to keep it safe. There has been a cloud over the unit for almost 20 years. In October last year the Manly hospital midwives were compelled to write to the hospital's general manager to seek a meeting as they were concerned about their unit's future. They said:

This long ongoing threat of closure is extremely demoralising and grossly unfair not only to us but to the women and families we care for …

Some transparency and consultation with regard to our busy unit's future would be greatly appreciated.

Nurses are calling out at a time of crisis. They want someone to listen to them and to help them. All they want to do is care for people, and the Government should support them in that aim. Last year I put several questions to the Minister for Health after midwives told me that hot water was unavailable for women giving birth. It meant that women were left without natural pain relief during labour. It is not an isolated incident. Hot water was unavailable five times in the first half of last year because the plumbing had deteriorated. We say to the Government, "Get on with the new hospital." Late last year we met with the Minister. She said the northern beaches health plan was imminent. We are yet to see it. We are asking for it to be released.

When the Frenchs Forest hospital is built we ask that the Manly site be retained as a centre of excellence for aged care and for mental health. It is an area health asset and it must be retained in public ownership. Until the new hospital is built its services must be retained. We call on the Iemma Government to end its neglect of the people of the northern beaches and provide the staff at Manly hospital with the resources it needs to provide best patient care. We seek a guarantee that services at Manly and Mona Vale hospitals will not be downgraded while the new hospital is being built. We want the Government to get on with building the new hospital so we know it is not just a figment of its imagination.

Mr JONATHAN O'DEA (Davidson) [11.39 a.m.]: Morris Iemma was Minister for Health from April 2003 to August 2005 and then as Premier of New South Wales made Reba Meagher Minister for Health in April 2007. A "hospital pass" is a figurative terma poorly executed pass to a team mate, causing the receiver to present an easy target for a defender, and thus be tackled hard, increasing the risk of injury and a trip to the hospital. Premier Iemma gave a "hospital pass" to Minister Meagher. Premier Iemma passed Minister Meagher a health system that he mismanaged as a former health Ministerand he is a soon-to-be former Premier. However, the current Minister has compounded the problem she inherited with further mismanagement and incompetence, as highlighted in recent issues associated with Royal North Shore Hospital.

The Premier and current Minister for Health had similar backgrounds before entering the New South Wales Parliament. Both were Labor Party and union hacks with a lack of real life work experience or demonstrated management ability. It is very concerning that the people of northern Sydney and New South Wales rely on such people to oversee proper delivery of health services. Figures from page 148 of the 2005-06 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Public Health Expenditure Report reveal that New South Wales spends less on public health per person than all other Australian States and Territories. New South Wales spends the least per person. Like my colleagues in the northern region, I do not have confidence that Government members will properly manage and oversee health services in our area. In the words of the member for Blacktown, when commenting on his Labor colleagues, as reported in the Daily Telegraph on 16 February, "I am not going to sit back and be let down by buffoons who just do not know their jobs."

Mr Geoff Corrigan: Point of order. I ask you to draw the member back to the leave of the motion before the House.

ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Diane Beamer): Order! The member for Davidson has yet to stray from the leave of the motion.

Mr JONATHAN O'DEA: As we have heard, the northern beaches hospital project at Frenchs Forest has suffered significant delays. In fact, last year the response of the Minister for Health to one of my first questions on notice indicated that the planning process for the hospital should be completed in the second half of 2007. The Minister said that construction would be expected to start after that and take at least three years to complete. It is little surprise that the northern peninsula community and dedicated health professionals are disillusioned at Labor's ongoing delays. It appears to be the same old story of a State Labor Government being incapable of properly managing public infrastructure projects.

As the Labor member for Blacktown candidly admitted, which again was reported in the Daily Telegraph, "We are running Romper Room instead of a State … you've got kids running everything and they just don't know." The member for Blacktown admitted also, "If private enterprise performed like that they would go broke." Therein lies a very important point. It explains why New South Wales is going backwards compared with other Australian States.

The statement from the member for Miranda regarding planned hospital-related upgrades to the Forest Way-Warringah Road intersection is welcomed. The progress of these upgrades will be monitored keenly by locals, including elderly residents in the Glenaeon, Belrose Country Club and Wesley Gardens complexes on Forest Way. However, having campaigned on this issue over the past year, I ask for details of those plans and for relevant funding to be allocated as part of this year's budget process along with funds for the hospital construction.

Relevant land acquisition for the hospital site still has not been completed. Although offers have been made, I understand there has been a ridiculous attempt to charge rent to landowners before their properties actually have been acquired and the final purchase price paid. Existing hospital facilities at Mona Vale and Manly must be fully maintained and upgraded in advance of the proposed Frenchs Forest hospital being built and becoming operational. I commend the member for Wakehurst for his fine motion, which I support along with all northern beaches members of Parliament.

Mr BRAD HAZZARD (Wakehurst) [11.44 a.m.], in reply: A number of members have contributed to this debate, including all northern beaches members. I thank the members representing the electorates of Manly, Pittwater and Davidson for joining a call to arms to try to get this State Labor Government to actually do something for the northern beaches residents and to provide a decent health service and hospital system, as it responsibly should, to ensure that they have access to first-class health. I thank also the member for Miranda for leading on behalf on the Government, although I must say I was a little disappointed with his contribution, which clearly was prepared for him. It was a bit like listening to the member for Camden leap up with such enthusiasm a few minutes ago.

One wonders where these people come from. The member for Camden clearly does not come from the northern beaches, but he has had enough problems with Camden and Campbelltown hospitals. He should be sympathetic about the lousy approach his Government has to providing health services, especially after the debacle with the Camden and Campbelltown hospital system. Nurses and doctors were speaking out, but the Labor Governmenthis partywas trying to shut them up. Doctors and nurses on the northern beaches are crying out for this Government to do something and provide reasonable hospital facilities on the northern beaches. We northern beaches Liberal members support them 100 per cent.

The member for Miranda amazed me also when he talked about a number of issues that clearly show the Government does not have a clue. He talked about upgrading the intersection of Warringah Road and Forest Way. That is a kilometre and a half away from the new hospital site. I assume he was talking about an upgrading of the Wakehurst Parkway and Warringah Road intersection. If the Government cannot even get the correct intersection in a prepared speech, what chance have we got? We need an upgrade first and foremost of the Wakehurst Parkway and Warringah Road. Then we need upgrades of all surrounding intersections. To pick out one intersection that is a kilometre and a half away from the new hospital site and make that the issue emphasises just how silly this Government is.

Let us reflect on the northern beaches health service strategy that the member for Miranda talked about. Last July each State Liberal member was briefed by Stephen Christley. A health services plananother phrase for the northern beaches health service strategywas in place in July last year. That plan has not seen the light of day. The Minister told us in November last year that the plan would go to Cabinet shortly and then would be availablethat was five months ago. If a few words from the Minister are followed every time by a five-month or six-month delay in the commencement of any project, clearly the construction of the northern beaches hospital is years away.

The Government's amendment to the motion failed to talk about the timetable. Certainly the amendment congratulates the staff of Manly and Mona Vale hospitals on the work they do. All northern beaches Liberal members support thatit is stated in the original motion. However, the amendment talks about the Coalition calling on the Government to commit to the construction of the northern beaches hospital. Heavens, yes! We welcome that, but we want a timetable for the construction. There appears to be some consensus between the Government's amendment and what we have been talking about. I will not call for a division on the amendment but, by heavens, I put on record that what we on the northern beaches really want is less waffle and more timetable. We want a clear timetable for the construction of the hospital.

People on the northern beaches do not really believe the Government will deliver anything, based on past behaviour: empty promises, and phantom railways and infrastructure across Sydney and this State. We do not believe the Government will commit to the project, so we want the timetable. As I have said, I will not call a division because the Government's amendment to the motion clearly acknowledges the need to do something for our health services. We say to the Government: Get on with the job. I shall conclude my remarks by saying that a number of issues were raised, including services. Today the front page of the Manly Daily contained a story about Mona Vale hospital and a patient not being able to get some bottled water. That is an appalling indictment of what is happening in our hospitals.

A few weeks ago I visited a patient at Manly hospital who was a relative of mine. Another patient in the same ward could not get some apple juice. The poor doctors, but mostly the nurses I have to say, were running around trying to find some spare apple juice. What is going on in our hospital systems on the northern beaches? What happened also to the dialysis unit for Mona Vale hospital, which was promised for this financial year? This financial year is almost dead. As I understand it, the $1 million cost of that unit has blown out to $1.3 million. Give us the extra $300,000 and let those poor people on the northern beaches get their dialysis unit.

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Amendment agreed to.

Motion as amended agreed to.

Mr ANDREW CONSTANCE (Bega) [11.49 a.m.]: I move:

That this House:

(1) notes that a third of respite beds available to people with disabilities in New South Wales are blocked and that statistics released by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care reveal a significant and increasing level of unmet demand for disability housing across the State; and

(2) calls on the Minister for Disability Services to publish, on a quarterly basis, the waiting list for respite care and supported accommodation.

Without doubt the Iemma Government has failed dismally in the provision of respite and supported accommodation services in this State. It is easy for Minister Keneally to spend the past 12 months going around the State announcing money already provided by former Minister John Della Bosca and stating that she is achieving for disability services in this State. She has ensured that her photograph appears in local newspapers around the State, but she is not meeting with families who are in crisis, trying to obtain the respite services and supported accommodation they need to just get by every day. I am enormously disappointed that the Minister for Ageing, and Minister for Disability Services is not present in the Chamber to debate this motion. She could not be bothered to turn up.

Ms Tanya Gadiel: She is meeting with the families you say she does not meet with.

Mr ANDREW CONSTANCE: The member for Parramatta is always quick to respond. She could not be bothered to turn up to question time this week when the Minister for Disability Services said:

Currently, more respite places are available than ever and the number of blocked beds is at a lower point than at any time in a decade.

The Minister should try telling that to the 1,592 applicants who sought respite or the 1,596 applicants who sought supported accommodation in the past 12 months, of which only 85 received supported accommodation. According to the 2005 report into unmet need of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, potentially upwards of 8,000 people in this State require government-supported accommodation. I am particularly disappointed that the Minister is in denial. In front of her parliamentary colleagues she gave a glowing account without giving an accurate plight of carers and people with a disability. She celebrated the fact that the Government runs 238 beds, but that is no comfort to carers who need a break from looking after a loved one with the disability.

What is most telling is that the Minister will not reveal how many respite block beds are available in the State because she will not release the figures on non-government run respite beds. One question was answered during estimates committee hearings that indicated that no respite is available to families seeking it. As at 30 June 2007, 72 beds of the 138 of non-government respite services were not available less than seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. We know from families who are visiting the offices of the Coalition that they are not receiving respite services that they desperately need. As a result, families are facing further crisis and ultimately some relinquish the responsibility of their child into the hands of the State. This is cyclical. It is nasty. For the Government to continue to focus on a public relations exercise rather than substance is disappointing for those families. I turn now to the average length of time in which individuals occupy the block beds, which is in the order of two years and one month.

Mr Brad Hazzard: I know of one who was there nine years.

Mr ANDREW CONSTANCE: The respite beds are supposed to be available for short-term rest for families who struggle on a daily basis to provide care for a loved one 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As the member for Wakehurst said, one of those clients had been in a Department of Disability, Ageing and Home Care funded respite bed for more than nine years. The answer rests with the supported accommodation system in this State. It is incredible that the State Government has 19 group home properties that are currently unoccupied, such as the property in White Avenue, Queanbeyan, which has sat idle since 2006. People in Queanbeyan cannot obtain supported accommodation, yet the Government has a fully equipped, vacant home in Queanbeyan available for supported accommodation.

People cannot obtain the respite they desperately need and this is compounded by the fact that the Government will not address the supported accommodation crisis in the State. For example, 1,596 applicants sought supported accommodation and 19 group homes around the State are vacant, including in Queanbeyan. I note that the member for Monaro is not present in the Chamber when issues of vital importance to his electorate are being debated. He has said nothing about the White Avenue property; he has ducked for cover. In order to fix respite, the Government must also fix supported accommodation. Another area facing enormous pressure is metropolitan north. The Minister should be present to answer questions about adult services in that area.

Is it true that Girraween has three block beds, Popondetta at Bidwill has two block beds, Karalta Road has one block bed, Salerwong has one block bed, St Marys adult respite has one block bed and Wheeler Heights has one block bed? An enormous number of families cannot obtain the respite they need and people who should be in full-time supported accommodation are taking up a respite bed. Also, in the order of 120 beds are available in 19 vacant group homes around the State that the Government is not using.

I find that incredible and it is even more so if you make the interstate comparisons. In Victoria 13,719 people with a disability were assisted with respite compared to 4,593 in New South Wales and 4,451 in Queensland. Three times as many people in Victoria received respite than in New South Wales. The best we can get out of the Minister is that it will be fixed at some point between now and 2012 under Stronger Together. Stronger Together is not the answer to the crisis. It will not result in enough money or placements to meet both the respite and supported accommodation crisis that families face around the State.

I note that the Minister for Health is not present in the House during this important debate. That typifies her attitude to the crisis facing families around the State. It is very easy to spend the money that John Della Bosca obtained when he was the Minister for Health, but it is not good enough that the waiting-list figures are not reported quarterly so that the Minister can go to Treasury and the Commonwealth with accurate data to justify more expenditure on resources in disability services. Without having accurate statistics the Minister cannot argue the case in the way it should be argued. That is why the motion is before the House this morning. The Opposition believes in transparency, openness and accountability, particularly when services are being provided to people with a disability in New South Wales.

Ms LYLEA McMAHON (Shellharbour) [11.59 p.m.]: The only person in denial in the House is the member for Bega. Rather than doing his job and developing a policy for disability services, the member criticises the Minister for Health for doing her job in meeting with families in need throughout the State. I am advised that last year the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care provided respite to 6,147 people—up almost 2,000 from two years ago. The New South Wales Government is delivering appropriate facilities and services so carers get the break that they need and deserve.

The Iemma Government welcomes the opportunity to debate this motion and put the facts about our significant increases in accommodation and respite on the record. Carers play a significant role in supporting people with a disability to live at home and participate in the community. Carers are usually family members who provide care and assistance to others, including children and adults with a disability and frail, older people. More than 1 in 10 members of the New South Wales community are carers—dedicated citizens making an indispensable contribution to our social fabric. While caring for those we know and love is immensely rewarding, it can also be at times a frustrating and isolating journey. That is why carers need care too. Carers must know that our community values them and that practical support is available to make their role a little bit easier.

Respite is equally important for the person with the disability who is given an opportunity to form relationships, participate in meaningful activities and interact with the community. The Iemma Government understands the importance of respite for people who care for a person with a disability and is committed to expanding these services. The motion moved by the member for Bega is ridiculous. Not only is his motion not supported by the facts, but also it is too little too late. If the member for Bega is so concerned about supported accommodation and respite, why did he not once stand up to Mal Brough and his Liberal mates in Canberra and demand that the Howard Government match our historic commitment of funds for supported accommodation and respite under Stronger Together? As members of the House are aware, in May 2006 we launched our 10-year plan for disability services, Stronger Together, backed by $1.3 billion over the first five years. This plan was the result of extensive consultation with people with a disability—

ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Diane Beamer): Order! The member for Wakehurst will cease interjecting.

Ms LYLEA McMAHON: —their families and carers, as well as a broad spectrum of service providers and advocates. Stronger Together is a plan that the Iemma Government is implementing. A plan is something that the members on the other side of the House do not have. Not only does the Opposition have no plan but it also has no ideas. Stronger Together is a plan to provide greater assistance for people with a disability and their families. Stronger Together focuses on strengthening families of people with disabilities, promoting community inclusion and improving the capacity and accountability of disability services in New South Wales. Stronger Together is delivering. Not only is the Government reaching its targets set under the program, it is exceeding them. Stronger Together commits the Government to providing an extra 750 respite places by the end of June 2008. We have already provided an extra 1,062 extra respite places by the end of December 2007. Fifteen community-based organisations were funded to provide—

ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Diane Beamer): Order! Members listened to the member for Bega in silence. They will extend the same courtesy to the member for Shellharbour.

Ms LYLEA McMAHON: —a mix of flexible and centre-based respite to people with a disability across New South Wales. These are in addition to the 791 places that have already been made available for the Older Parent Carers' Respite Program, which has provided carers with a much-needed break, as well as opportunities for a person with a disability to access the community and socialise more widely. I am advised that in the first 18 months of Stronger Together, the refurbishment of 65 group homes and respite centres was completed and a grant was provided to the Office of Community Housing to buy land and build 10 accommodation places in the Sydney metropolitan area. I am further advised that intensive family support services has been expanded by an extra 60 places per year, and provides families of people with a disability who are having a particularly hard time with coordinated case management of therapy services, respite services and counselling.

Stronger Together recognises that support must be given to older carers. More results from this program include 125 extra flexible day programs for people cared for at home by older parents, providing meaningful activities for an adult with disabilities and a break for their older parents, and 19 more support coordination services that establish localised carer networks. The member for Bega has said the figure for blocked beds in non-government organisations has not been released. I am advised that there are currently eight people in blocked beds. Blocked beds across the sector remain at an all-time low, which means that more people with a disability, their family and carers, can access this much-needed service.

Under the 2007-08 State budget that was handed down on 19 June 2007, the second year of Stronger Together provides $8.2 million in this financial year for respite services. This will fund the places established in 2007, as well as two new respite projects that will trial innovative ways of providing flexible respite to support families with young children and assisting teenagers develop links with recreational and social activities. The Iemma Government has a commitment to improving the outcomes from respite services for both the carer and the person with a disability. Our new respite services through Stronger Together will focus on the delivery of a greater range of options for people with a disability, their families and carers. Respite will be delivered in ways to meet individual family needs.

The Iemma Government is delivering. There are now more respite places than ever, and unavailable respite beds are at an all time low. Claims by the Opposition of an ever-expanding number of blocked respite beds are simply not true. The Minister for Disability Services has already spoken in this place about a reduction in the number of blocked beds. For the benefit of Opposition members, I again highlight the significant improvements the Government has made. I am advised that in 1997, 187 respite beds were blocked, but today under the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care 36 respite beds are blocked.

The department is pursuing plans to move 32 of the people currently occupying blocked beds into better, long-term supported accommodation and will continue to work with the remaining people to find long-term solutions. The number of blocked beds is not a secret. The member for Bega can use the same minimalist research that he uses on every issue, that is, read a newspaper, or he could pick up a copy of the Stronger Together plan and read it. The motion is not supported by the facts. Access to respite places is increasing and those that are temporarily unavailable are falling as we identify more appropriate solutions. The Iemma Government is doing what is needed and getting on with the job of providing services to families and carers with needs.

Mrs JUDY HOPWOOD (Hornsby) [12.09 p.m.]: I gladly support the motion moved by the member for Bega, which relates to blocked respite beds and unmet demands, and calls for waiting lists for respite care and supported accommodation to be published on a quarterly basis. A number of families in my area have contacted me verbally and in writing expressing concern that they face regarding respite beds being blocked on an ongoing basis. It is not good enough for the Minister for Disability Services, in her numerous replies to my inquiries on behalf of these families, to state:

DADHC is aware that respite care can be critical for some families—

That is stating the obvious—

However, on occasions emergency accommodation is provided for clients in crisis and this may limit the availability of respite for some families.

Families who are looking after a disabled family member are under stress. They need certainty. It is not good enough for the Minister to take this ad hoc approach to these families. I have been in regular communication with the Meaker and Woodbridge families. In December last year I received a letter from Mrs Ingrid Woodbridge, in which she states:

I write as the parent of two sons with autism, both of whom have accessed DADHC respite units over the years. My older son with autism, Keely, now lives in a group home run by DADHC. I have become very familiar over the years with problems with respite such as the blocking of beds, both as a parent trying to access respite, and as a parent whose child has blocked a respite bed. This situation is an issue for families who use respite units at Burdett St Hornsby and Dartford Rd Normanhurst, and was reported in an article in The Advocate last week.

It is part of a wider problem with accommodation support which is provided by DADHC. There is a clogging up of the system as a whole with not enough accommodation available on a long term basis which has a flow on effect down to the short term respite units. Short term respite beds become blocked when there is nowhere else for the children or adults using these beds to move to.

Mrs Woodbridge later states:

Regarding the situation of my son Shea, he is one of the children who has accessed Burdett St and Dartford Rd respite units. His bookings have been cancelled on a number of occasions over the last year at both units. I rely on this respite in order to be able to attend work during school holidays on the two days a week my contract requires me to work. I do not have other suitable options for child care.

I am angry at the response of the DADHC spokesperson quoted in The Advocate article. This person said that there were two other respite units in the area that parents could access. This would mean more families competing for the beds at these units, and also additional travelling time to and from these units, and a lengthy orientation process for new clients accessing the units, as well as the staff who would be unfamiliar with clients. No acknowledgement was made of these objections, which the spokesperson should be aware of. The best option is to restore the units to full operating capacity and to increase respite beds to keep up with the demand that exists.

I would like to ask you to raise the matter of DADHC accommodation in order to get some focus on using the money which is currently on offer, on paper, by the state government to increase the amount of accommodation, both respite and long term, that exists right now. We are told that money is available, but it is not being used to address the danger of units becoming completely blocked to the families who are meant to be using them. As a parent representative on the management committee of ACTION I hear many sad stories about unmet needs for accommodation, both short and long-term.

I appreciate the size of the demand, and the complexity of compatibility and client matching, and the tightness of the vacancy matching process, but would like answers as to why things are moving so slowly, and why families who need information are being given so little about proposed developments.

This correspondence points out all the issues faced by families who are trying in a reasonable manner to access respite on a regular basis so that they can conduct their lives, meet their employment needs and look after their family member with a disability. The Government is not providing certainty to those families. It is an absolute disgrace that these cases are replicated all over New South Wales and families have to fight to get the type of disability services accommodation they deserve. I call on the Minister for Disability Services to stop giving a glowing review of the condition of supported and respite accommodation throughout the State and to work harder to provide the beds that are desperately needed. She must stop promising the provision of services to families on the basis of certainty when there is no certainty. These families do not know from one week to the next whether a bed is blocked.

Ms TANYA GADIEL (Parramatta—Parliamentary Secretary) [12.14 p.m.]: When putting together Stronger Together, the Government consulted widely and extensively with all interested stakeholders. The Opposition, on the other hand, has shown little interest in people with disabilities, their families and carers or their wants and needs. In fact, one of the only ideas the Opposition spokesperson has come up with is for the Government to opt out of providing accommodation services altogether. Disability services have rightly received a great deal of attention in this place over the past week. In response to a question on Tuesday, the Minister for Disability Services referred to the policy idea expressed by the Opposition spokesperson. The member for Bega now claims that the Minister took his comments out of context. For the benefit of the Chamber and the Opposition, I will put the comments of the member for Bega in context:

This is not a policy position. It is time to consider whether the Government should opt out of the provision of accommodation services altogether. Perhaps a community debate could consider whether the Government should outsource the provision of accommodation services.

Clearly, the Opposition wants to consider this idea. With ageing parent carers, families are looking for long-term solutions and practical support. The Opposition spokesperson for disability services thinks it is time to discuss whether the Government should opt out of providing accommodation services. That sounds like he does not want to commit the Opposition to helping people with a disability or their families and carers. It is time for the Opposition and the member for Bega to tell the people of New South Wales whether they support Stronger Together. Does the Opposition support an increase of 1,400 supported accommodation and in-home support places? Does it support our 1,000 new therapy places? Will it cut our innovative Family Assistance Fund and Intensive Family Support Service? Will it keep the 1,062 new respite places? Will it continue to fund our successful Transition to Work program, which sees nearly 70 per cent of school leavers with a disability go to jobs or higher education? Does it support the significant increase in our attendant care places?

[Interruption]

ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Diane Beamer): Order! The member for Bega will remain silent.

Ms TANYA GADIEL: Or will it stick to the only idea the member for Bega has managed to produce to date, that is, it is time for the Government to consider opting out of accommodation services altogether? The Government recognises the importance of meeting the needs of clients and making valuable respite and accommodation services available. During the course of this debate the member for Bega asked about a property in White Avenue, Queanbeyan. I am advised that a five-bedroom house at White Avenue was purchased just over a year ago and will become home to five people with an intellectual disability.

Mr Brad Hazzard: What has gone on for the last 18 months?

Ms TANYA GADIEL: It is anticipated that in mid-2008 the first person will move in. Over the last year the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care has been modifying the house—

Mr Brad Hazzard: Eighteen months to modify the house!

Ms TANYA GADIEL: —so that it will meet the needs of future residents, and it is sourcing an organisation to provide support services to the people who will live there.

ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Diane Beamer): Order! Opposition members were heard in silence. They will extend the same courtesy to Government members. The member for Parramatta has the call.

Ms TANYA GADIEL: He has asked whey these things take so long, so I am happy to elaborate. The types of modifications are those that are generally required, such as conversions of bathrooms to make them fully accessible, including specialised Arjo baths; kitchen upgrades for people with a disability; improved access for people with a disability, such as the widening of doorways and ensuring level access to indoor areas; the installation of fire panels and appropriate fire egress for people with a disability; and the construction of a carport for access by a minivan to enable the transport of the residents. The Iemma Government is committed to the expansion of accommodation services for people with a disability and we are getting on with the job.

Mr JONATHAN O'DEA (Davidson) [12.19 p.m.]: Disability services within the Davidson electorate suffer a deficiency in respite places that would enable families who look after their disabled children seven days a week to have a much-deserved break. Blocked respite beds have created much frustration for families. The fact that the Iemma Government has failed to fund adequate places for respite care is a sad indictment on the much-publicised Stronger Together program. I understand that, after a parent relinquished a child to the State, at least one bed in my electorate of Davidson has been blocked for about 10 years. The pressure of around-the-clock care for disabled children takes its toll on carers while saving the Government millions of dollars every year.

I have met with numerous parents of disabled children—some with adult children aged in their forties. Their biggest concern is that after a lifetime of dedicated around-the-clock care by them, what will happen to their child when they are gone? It is only when a parent relinquishes a child to the care of the State or the child dies that they receive real relief. Relinquishing a child, in turn, often blocks a respite bed for another family. Some of the parents I have met are desperate. They struggle with the daily grind of changing, bathing, dressing, feeding, taking their children to medical appointments and otherwise entertaining them. It is not easy, especially when their young children turn into adults. On top of this is the added stress associated with the purchasing of lifting and other mobility equipment.

What has struck me about this dedicated band of parents is their resignation that nothing will change in the short term. They realise there are few votes in disability issues, but that does not make disability services less worthy of assistance. The Labor Government must fund more supported accommodation to free up respite beds that are continually blocked by clients whose parents have had enough and have relinquished their child to the State. It seems the Government acts only when parents throw their hands up and reluctantly quit caring for their disabled child. In a private member's statement on 5 December last year I mentioned Homes West, an organisation that houses disabled people, one per home. Homes West firmly believes that the family, service provider and community must work together. With no office, its one administrator works from a laptop and an old car, putting every possible dollar into support. Homes West believes it achieves better outcomes than larger disability housing service providers, which spend up to 40 per cent on administration. I also asked in that private member's statement:

Why did the New South Wales Government sell the John Williams Trust Home at Wahroonga for $10 million? That home was providing respite for disabled children and was bequeathed to the Government on the understanding that the property would continue to be used for that purpose. About two years ago the Government sold the land, apparently very cheaply given that the developer is now building 70 units that are selling for about $1 million each.

On the same day I asked a written question of the Minister for Disabilities, and I thanked her for a fulsome response, which is not always forthcoming from her ministerial colleagues. The response indicated that additional facilities for Davidson would be known in early 2008. I now give notice that another question will be asked about this, given that we are now in the second quarter of 2008. According to a local constituent, Katrina Clark—who is also President of the Association for Children with a Disability—parents who know their children best and who bring ideas for care to the Government say they hit a brick wall. Ms Clark wrote to my office stating:

At a personal level I am frustrated and angry by the announcements I keep seeing coming out of the Minister's office to the effect that there are more respite places being provided. I don't see them—I am receiving less respite for Georgia than I have in the past and the reasons given to me for that are that there are more people using the service than before. Where are the new places being set up? If it is not translating to more respite for parents, why not?

Stronger Together was supposed to improve conditions for the disabled, but there is little evidence of that on the ground in my electorate and elsewhere in northern Sydney. Parents struggle from day to day and I cannot imagine what they are going through, having the good personal fortune to be the father of four healthy boys. I have witnessed the pain and heartbreak these parents suffer. All they want is more supported and respite accommodation to give them a much-needed break. When respite care fails to materialise, parents can finally throw in the proverbial towel, thus creating further blockages in the system. Considering that parents of disabled children save the Government millions in care every year, surely the Government could build and staff more supported and respite accommodation. The lengthy waiting times for respite care are obviously a catalyst for carer burnout. I support the motion moved by member for Bega.

ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Diane Beamer): Order! I am sure the member for Wakehurst will be treated with a lot more respect than he treated Government members during the debate.

Mr BRAD HAZZARD (Wakehurst) [12.24 p.m.]: Of course, Madam Acting-Speaker, you will show your usual impartiality by not using excessive verbiage in the introduction of members who are about to speak. I support the motion moved by the member for Bega and I remind the House that I have served in this portfolio as shadow Minister. Sadly, I saw close up the problems faced by people who are caring for people with disabilities. I was stunned to hear the regular complaints about the Government and its lack of understanding and commitment to ensure that people with disabilities are given the range of services they need. In relation to advocates for disabilities, there are advocates who are warriors and who will stand up and fight for people with disabilities. I was disappointed to see the two Labor members—the member for Shellharbour and the member for Parramatta—behave not like warriors but rather like wimps.

The member for Shellharbour and the member for Parramatta put up some nefarious arguments that lacked any substance. They tried to justify their government's failure of nearly 15 years and in so doing they have minimised the problem for people with disabilities. They should go back to their electorates and have a talk to some of their constituents, because I have, and those people are desperate for more services for people with disabilities. It is not just about respite; it is about group homes and the broader policy issue of ensuring that the carers of people with disabilities—whether they are minors or adults with disabilities—know that there is some prospect down the line that they will have accommodation for their loved one at an appropriate time.

Ms Tanya Gadiel: We have got Stronger Together.

Mr BRAD HAZZARD: Stronger Together is a policy—contrary to what she said a few minutes ago—that we have already indicated we support. That is not a problem. The member for Parramatta is lying through her teeth, and that is a sad indictment on her as a new member of Parliament.

Ms Jodi McKay: She's not a new member of Parliament.

Mr BRAD HAZZARD: The member for Newcastle is new, too. She can lie through her teeth as well. They both lied through their teeth.

Ms Jodi McKay: I haven't lied through my teeth. I haven't said anything.

Mr BRAD HAZZARD: Both members lied through their teeth. They said that the Opposition had no policies and they attacked the shadow Minister, who has been standing up for people with disabilities and announcing policies. A press release issued by the Council of Social Service of New South Wales on 13 March 2007—that is, in the lead-up to the election—acknowledges the Coalition's policy platform. The council clearly supported the Coalition's policy position. By heavens, do we have policies, and they are designed to provide more support for people with disabilities. Moving away from the wimps on the other side of the House, we do need more warriors, and that is certainly what Coalition members intend to be. I was happily advocating for and working with disability groups on a range of issues. The member for Davidson talked about the lack of respite services. That is a major part of the problem, but the real issue is the extent of the problem. First, there are not enough group homes. Secondly, where they do exist, they do not have appropriately paid staff who are able to be trained—

Mr Andrew Constance: What is going on in that regard?

Mr BRAD HAZZARD: Indeed, what is going on? Evidence indicates that the Government tried to cut the wages of frontline workers a few months ago. We have staff who do a great job generally, but some have very little training. Each group home faces the challenge of maintaining an appropriate level of training because of the constant staff turnover. That ties in to the lack of care plans. Often no care plan has been prepared and, if it has, it is not implemented properly because the staff involved are not appropriately trained.

We do not have enough group homes or trained workers, but we also do not have enough respite. The Government plays with the definitions of "unavailable beds" and "block beds" and of when an "unavailable bed" becomes a "block bed". The truth is that the carers know that they cannot get the respite they need. Reference was made to the fact that it took nine years to get one bed at Wheeler Heights, and that was the result of a major effort by the local community and me. This Government should be ashamed of its appalling record on the provision of services for people with disabilities.

Mr ANDREW CONSTANCE (Bega) [12.29 p.m.], in reply: I thank members for participating in this debate—some more than others. The New South Wales Liberals/Nationals supported the Stronger Together package—full stop, end of story. The Minister has said time and again that the Coalition has no policies. I again draw the attention of the House to the Council of Social Service of New South Wales press release issued prior to the last State election with the headline "Coalition disability and ageing package puts pressure on Iemma to do more". That suggests the council believes that our policies are better than the Government's.

I encourage members opposite—and particularly the members for Shellharbour and Parramatta—to read the Council of Social Service of New South Wales's pre-budget submission. It clearly points to the crisis in this area. It makes reference to the fact that 8,000 people are seeking supported accommodation in New South Wales. As I said, when there are 1,596 applicants and the State Government fills only 85 positions, leaving 95 per cent of the applicants without supported accommodation, there is a crisis. That figure does not include those who have not bothered to apply because the Government's record in this area is so ordinary. Supported accommodation has not been addressed, and that puts enormous pressure on respite because beds are blocked. The Council of Social Service submission states:

Clearly at current and promised spending levels, if there is no immediate acceleration in the provision of disability accommodation and respite, by 2012 NSW will still be in crisis in the provision of these supports to people with disability.

They are not the words of the Opposition; they are the words of the leading welfare agency in New South Wales. We did not fabricate that statement; it was made by the leading community advocacy organisation in this State. The Minister cannot continue to show off in front of her colleagues and make out that she is doing a wonderful job with supported accommodation and respite when the evidence to the contrary is so overwhelming. In my contribution earlier I spelt out very clearly that New South Wales and Victoria do not have the same level of respite and supported accommodation that is provided elsewhere in the country. The comparative figures are very startling. I hope the Minister is prepared to introduce some accountability by publishing waiting list figures for respite and supported accommodation. She should not be afraid. If she were to publish the statistics, her case to the Treasury, the Premier and the Commonwealth for additional funding would be so much stronger.

I note that the member for Shellharbour raised the Commonwealth-State and Territory Disability Agreement. Kevin Rudd signed the Kyoto Protocol within two weeks of being elected, but he has not been able to sign the Commonwealth and States and Territories Disability Agreement, which has been stalled since the middle of last year. The Liberals and The Nationals put a 50:50 funding offer on the table covering a State-provided supported accommodation and respite service. The Minister said, "No, I'm not going to sign it." The option to implement a 50:50 agreement was on the table to address this problem and it is a joke that the Government did not sign it. It is now four or five months since the Federal election and we still do not have an agreement and there is still no funding certainty for parents, carers and people with a disability.

The Minister spent 12 months saying that the Federal Government should match the $1.3 billion. Since the Federal election she has said zip, zero, zilch, nada about that issue. The Minister is again playing politics with the lives of disabled people in this State. She should have been in the Chamber for this debate. She is not supporting disability organisations in this State. I have a T-shirt from Outback Disability Expo, which was held in Broken Hill a number of weeks ago. The front of the T-shirt reads: "To the New South Wales Disability Minister: Thank you for supporting our expo with $1,000 help—"

ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Diane Beamer): Order! The member for Bega knows that the use of props is not allowed.

Mr ANDREW CONSTANCE: I ask the member for Parramatta to give this T-shirt to the Minister, because she must get the message that she is not supporting people with a disability in this State.

[Time for debate expired.]

Question—That the motion be agreed to—put.

The House divided.

Question resolved in the negative.

Motion negatived.

Mr ANDREW FRASER (Coffs Harbour—Deputy Leader of The Nationals) [12.46 p.m.]: I move:

That this House condemns the Government for the rising road toll in regional New South Wales.

I bring to the attention of the House the road toll on the North Coast and across New South Wales. Statistics show that over the 10 years from 1996 to 2005, on the Pacific Highway, there were 9,740 crashes, an average of 2.67 a day or just under 1,000 a year. Of those crashes, 326 caused fatalities, 3,778 caused injury and 5,636 caused reported damage. Further, 1,474 involved heavy vehicles while 8,038 involved cars or light trucks. In 2005, 827 crashes were recorded, with 25 fatalities and 329 injuries. That is just on the Pacific Highway. That is the way the road toll is moving.

It was great that over the Easter weekend no-one died on New South Wales roads, but I suggest that statistic was achieved because so many police were on duty that weekend that drivers slowed down. The fact that extra police would be on duty had been widely advertised. I travelled on the highway that week and went to Newcastle that weekend. I was amazed at the number of police on the F3, more than I had seen on that motorway in a long while. Police presence is a great tool in reducing road accidents and deaths on our roads. Unfortunately, until 19 December last year there were 436 road accident deaths, but the Government said it was far better than the 478 road fatalities that had occurred in the same period the previous year. Yes, lives were saved and the road toll was less than the year before, but when 436 people die on our roads in one year, it is 436 too many.

In the past week another accident happened in my electorate, about seven or eight kilometres north of Coffs Harbour. A log truck had broken down. Another truck travelling behind it had come off a dual carriageway onto a single carriageway. We probably will never know what happened. One man from Emu Plains still is in hospital suffering from third degree burns. The driver of the log truck was incinerated. The ensuing fire was horrific and the highway was closed basically. One lane was opened at different stages to allow 200 semitrailers through. When the land was closed again another 200 semitrailers would line up. The police could not confirm the death in that accident because of the severity of the fire.

The section of that road from Coffs Harbour through to Quirindi, and I would suggest even further north, is probably the worst section of road in New South Wales. In December last year the NRMA released figures about this highway. The report stated that the Pacific Highway was only a two-star highway. The Australian Road Assessment Program found the national average of two-star rating was 3 per cent whereas in New South Wales it was 8 per cent. New South Wales was found to have the lowest percentage of its highway network in the four-star rating, at 24 per cent as opposed to the national average of 42 per cent.

During the last Federal election campaign the Prime Minister and Mark Vaile announced $2.4 billion in AusLink expenditure on roads in New South Wales. Those funds were not contingent on the State Government matching it. Yet all we hear is Eric Roozendaal whingeing that the Federal Government put only a certain amount while this Government put in more. It is not about who put in what. It is about spending money, especially on regional roads, rather than in Sydney. If one can believe Road Transport Authority figures, $12 billion projects are being undertaken in the city while it will cost $8 billion to finish the Pacific Highway. But the Minister will not accept Federal Government funding or match that funding, despite last year close to 500 people dying on the Pacific Highway. That is absolutely totally unacceptable.

I commend the member for Bega, who I hope will speak on this motion, on pushing for a coronial inquiry into the Princes Highway. I believe the stage has been reached now, especially on the road north of Coffs Harbour through to Quirindi, for yet another coronial inquiry into that section of road. The following are some media releases I have released since last year: "Highway tragedy yet again proves the need for divided carriageway", "Truck smash demonstrates Labor's neglect", "Fraser calls for urgent inspection of Pacific Highway by the Premier and Minister for Roads following a double fatality north of Woolgoolga". From memory, two priests visiting from overseas died in that accident. The Lismore dioceses supported my calls for action to improve the condition of the highway. Further headlines of my press releases in May last year are: "Fraser calls for urgent upgrading of a treacherous section of Pacific Highway after it claimed another victim"; in June last year: "Boom Gates, Lights And Bell A Must At Level Crossings: Fraser" and "Need to reduce the speed limit between Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga". I put that call out again on Monday.

This section of the road is a single carriageway on which 30,000 heavy vehicles plus local traffic travel. People are dying in that area monthly, yet Eric Roozendaal will not visit the area. He goes to Little Italy over the Christmas break and says, "Isn't this wonderful. Look at what we've done." He did not do it. It was done with Federal Government funding. I believe it is still a dangerous section of road. It has a wide barrier down the middle and single lanes all the way along. Wire barriers do not save lives. We have seen that, especially on the Burringbar Range. Wire barriers do not save lives. They might slow down trucks, but they do not save lives. People have died on that section of the Princes Highway and they will die around Little Italy. Another headline, "Urgent need to redesign New England Highway's roundabout". That is one of the worst roundabouts I have ever seen on the southern side of Coffs Harbour. It is cambered the wrong way and trucks run off that part of the road regularly. The Roads and Traffic Authority says it was designed to slow down trucks. They are being put in the ditches and lives will be lost.

Headlines of other media releases in September last year are: "Need for safety measures on highway", "Labor fails on truck safety" and "Fatal school bus crash highlights Labor's inaction on seat belts". That is yet another issue we could debate separately. A young 17-year-old lass died on that particular section of the road because of a lack of seatbelts and any improvement to regional roads. Another press release states, "More police highway patrol needed to combat rogue truck drivers". When 30,000 trucks travel on the Pacific Highway each week, only 1 per cent, that is, 300, give the impression that all truck drivers are rogues. They are not, but some are idiots, and they scare the life out of some drivers. The school holidays commence next week. We will see an influx of people going north because it is the last bite of summer. I fear how many people will die on the Pacific Highway over that period. I sincerely hope no-one dies on the roads during that time, to give a nil record, as happened over Easter. I hope the Government puts out more highway patrol vehicles rather than just speed cameras to rip in fines—$41 million last year.

Mr Brad Hazzard: There is less highway patrolling than when they came to government.

Mr ANDREW FRASER: Exactly. There are fewer highway patrol vehicles than there were in 1984. Put that $41 million into highway patrol vehicles, have a visible police presence, which is what happened over Easter, and the toll will be reduced. Spend the money to improve the Pacific Highway and all roads in regional New South Wales.

Mr GERARD MARTIN (Bathurst) [12.56 p.m.]: Any fatality on our roads is a tragedy, and our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who have died on our roads. Last year the New South Wales road toll was a record low since World War II, despite there being 13 times as many vehicles, 10 times as many licensed drivers and double the population in 1945. My information on last year's figures is that the preliminary road toll for 2007 was 445, which is a 10 per cent reduction on the previous year. We welcome that result. That number was reduced for a number of reasons. The fatality per population rate based on 2007 figures was the lowest since records were kept since 1908. As at midnight on 31 March the provisional road toll for this year was 90, which represents a decrease of 17 fatalities compared with the same time last year. So the trend we have seen in recent years of a decreasing road toll is continuing.

The New South Wales road toll per capita is half that of the United States and two-thirds of that in New Zealand. None of this helps when one fatality is too many, but we are doing well by any measurable standard. At 6.5 fatalities per 100,000 of the 2007 population, the New South Wales road toll compared favourably to 14.7 in the United States of America, 9.4 in New Zealand, 9.3 in Italy and 8.8 in France. If we examine the numbers of fatalities in relation to distance travelled, they have fallen from 3.4 fatalities per 100 million vehicle kilometres travelled in 1979 to less than one fatality per 100 million kilometres travelled. But, still we need to do more. The Government is doing just that.

That is why the Iemma Government's State Plan has set a target of 0.7 per 100 million vehicle kilometres travelled. That is achievable and with the resources that the Government is putting into road safety and roads, we are confident that can be achieved. More than $150 million has been allocated for road safety programs and road safety campaigns during the 2007-2008 financial year. Millions more have been committed to road upgrade and maintenance programs, which also improve road safety. A record $2.6 billion will have been spent on rural and regional New South Wales roads by the end of the 2007-08 financial year. That means that almost three-quarters of the roads capital works and maintenance program budget will have been spent outside the Sydney metropolitan area, conveying the Government's commitment to enhancing road safety in rural and regional areas.

As mentioned, the road toll continues to fall, and it is instructive to note that the provisional Easter road toll in 2008 was zero. This result is unprecedented—it is the first time a zero road toll has been recorded since New South Wales traffic accident records began in 1945. People are also driving more safely. The incidence of speed as a factor in fatal crashes decreased from 40 per cent to 31 per cent in 2007—which is in line with the message the Government sent out in its road safety campaigns. Drink-driving as a factor in fatal crashes decreased from 23 per cent to 20 per cent in 2007, which is another pleasing trend, and the involvement of P1 licence holders in fatal crashes decreased by 38 per cent in 2007. In the past few years considerable community debate has occurred about how to handle provisional drivers. The State Government was criticised over its stand, but the statistics have shown a dramatic improvement. This means that more young people are still alive because of this Government's positive thinking and its allocation of resources. Honourable members opposite find that hard to swallow.

The Iemma Labor Government is investing in safer roads. Safety conditions have been reviewed and improved on the Pacific Highway and the Princes Highway. The member for Coffs Harbour said that there were 500 fatalities on the Pacific Highway in 2007 when there were only 445 fatalities across the entire State. He does not seem to worry whether his figures are factual. In addition, the Government has spent $65 million on dedicated road safety works on both routes between 2003 and 2007. Fatalities on the Pacific Highway between Hexham and the Queensland border have decreased. In 2006 there were 25 fatalities on this section of the Pacific Highway, eight fewer fatalities than in 2005 and less than half the number recorded in 2003. That is a different perspective from that offered by the Opposition, particularly the member for Coffs Harbour—whose record of irresponsibility is there for all to see. On the section of the Princes Highway from Yallah to the Victorian border the number of fatalities halved from 24 in 2004 to 12 in 2005, and decreased to four in 2006.

The Iemma Labor Government has also established the New South Wales Centre for Road Safety to refocus efforts on improving road safety. The Road Freight Advisory Council has been established to improve road safety and economic productivity in the heavy vehicle industry. Young drivers are now safer. The Government's measures include automatic loss of licence for at least three months by P1 drivers who are caught speeding; the introduction of practical passenger restrictions for P1 drivers in their first year; a ban on all mobile phone use for red P-plate drivers; and the implementation of a tougher and more thorough driving test for learner drivers that will better prepare them for their first year on our roads as P1 drivers. These are positive, well thought out policies involving consultation with relevant authorities across the State.

The Government is reinforcing new laws with education campaigns targeted at young people. These include the Little Pinkie and the Pimp Our Ads campaigns designed by young people for young people and the summer speeding blitz and roadshow for country towns. The Government is also enforcing the law with 950 highway patrol officers and targeted road safety issues. The enforcement of speed limits resulted in 207,734 speeding offences. Approximately 3.5 million drink-driving tests were conducted, resulting in 25,911 prescribed concentration of alcohol indictments. Also, 7,827 random roadside drug tests were conducted in 62 roadside drug-testing operations, with more equipment and targeted operations planned for 2008. Thus far one in 36 drivers tested has returned a positive reading. To date, there are 160 fixed speed cameras in 135 locations around New South Wales, including 53 cameras in 38 school zones.

As I highlighted, the Iemma Government is committed to enhancing road safety in rural and regional areas and will continue to take measures to further reduce the road toll in New South Wales. We are committed to continuing the significant reductions. The Government recognises that it must apply a multifaceted approach across the board. There must be more investment in roads, the police must have greater resources and our highway patrol officers must be much better equipped than ever before. By reinforcing that message across the community, we can deliver safer roads.

Mr Brad Hazzard: You were doing better when you were sticking to the script.

Mr GERARD MARTIN: Once again the empty vessel keeps sounding off; the member for Wakehurst does not like what he is hearing. But the facts speak for themselves: the Government is making important improvements to road safety.

Mr Brad Hazzard: Admit that you don't have enough police.

Mr GERARD MARTIN: Once again, all we get from Liberal members is carping, carping and more carping—and, in the case of members of The Nationals, it is whinging, whinging and more whinging. Opposition members must recognise that this policy should receive bipartisan support. They should join the Government, which is consulting and taking practical steps. The road toll is decreasing. However, while ever there is one road fatality, the Government will still have work to do. The Government will leave no stone unturned until the road toll is zero.

Mr ANDREW CONSTANCE (Bega) [1.06 p.m.]: On behalf of the Opposition, I wish the member for Bathurst all the best in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle. He is in with a great showing and will make a wonderful Minister in the Iemma Government. He should be Minister for Roads, based on that performance—when he stuck to the script. I am disappointed that the member for Bathurst did not refer to Commonwealth roads funding during his 10-minute contribution. He also failed to mention the State coronial inquest into the Princes Highway, which starts next Monday at the Glebe Coroner's Court. A number of years ago I wrote to the State Coroner following a horrendous period on the Princes Highway in 2004-05. In fact, during that time the Princes Highway had a higher number of fatalities than the Pacific Highway. I hope not only that justice can be obtained for those families who have lost loved ones on the Princes Highway but also that there will be a marked shift in the attitudes of the Iemma and the Rudd governments towards the Princes Highway.

It is not good enough that the Princes Highway—particularly the stretch south of Kiama—has been neglected in this way. It is not good enough that the community must listen constantly to Labor members' claims that the State Government is funding the Princes Highway to the tune of $380 million. That sounds like a large sum but the money is to be allocated over a 12-year period. Also, of that $380 million, $317 million will be spent north of Kiama, not south, where many of the tragedies have occurred. Over the past six months I have come to know very well a gentleman by the name of Mr Les Peterson, who last year lost his son to a terrible accident at Victoria Creek and, seven months later, lost his wife in a separate accident 10 kilometres down the road at Dignams Creek. This poor gentleman, having lost his son and his wife in the space of a short period, is seeking change for the better so that other lives can be saved.

I am disappointed that to date the Government has not seen fit to indicate that there will be any change in funding along the Princes Highway. The Roads and Traffic Authority [RTA] has perpetrated one of the most disgraceful and deceitful acts we have seen from a government agency in a long time. On the eve of the State coronial inquest the Roads and Traffic Authority is lowering speed limits and putting in road safety signage and barriers where there were none before. Even more disgracefully, the Roads and Traffic Authority has issued a press release stating that it is going to peg out a new route realignment at Victoria Creek. No ministerial green light or funding commitment was given regarding that project; the Roads and Traffic Authority, on the eve of the State coronial inquest, simply issued a press release saying that it is going to start pegging out the ground.

I hope the Minister for Roads will see fit to comment on that matter. The community of New South Wales, and particularly residents of the far South Coast, deserve answers as to what the Government's intentions are. Time and time again members have said that the Federal Government should put the money into our roads. But we have heard nothing from the member for Monaro or the member for Kiama about Federal funding since Kevin Rudd won the election in November last year. I hope that AusLink 2 funding will be made available to the Princes Highway so that many of the required major improvements will be State and Federally funded.

Mr Paul McLeay: So now it needs Federal Government funding, does it?

Mr ANDREW CONSTANCE: It is interesting that the member for Heathcote should make that point. I can produce documents and letters that I wrote to the Federal Coalition Government asking it to fund the highway; so do not try to claim that we have adopted a new approach. Members opposite need to make sure that their Labor colleagues in Canberra start to fund the Princes Highway so that we do not have to rely on the State coronial inquest as being a catalyst for change.

Mr STEVE WHAN (Monaro—Parliamentary Secretary) [1.11 p.m.]: As the member for Bathurst pointed out, the road toll in New South Wales has been decreasing in the past few years. That means there is a factual error in the motion moved by the member for Coffs Harbour. He should have been more accurate. As the member for Bathurst also said, every death and injury on our roads is tragic, and all members in this House should be working as hard as they can to reduce the road toll. We must continue to upgrade roads in rural New South Wales and improve driver behaviour. We must continue to act—as we have done with P-platers—to ensure that inexperienced drivers behave responsibly. We must reduce risk-taking behaviour on our roads. All those factors are important, particularly in rural New South Wales. We have tried to balance the very real need for young people to get to jobs, education and other places with driving limitations on P-plate drivers late at night, for instance.

We should give credit to the police and other authorities that there were no road deaths in New South Wales over Easter. Tragically, since then there have been some road deaths in my electorate, which is very disappointing. Two of the accidents involved single vehicles that ran off the road. Although we must wait for the coronial inquiries to determine the factors that contributed to those accidents, it seems that speed was a factor in at least one case. We must remind people repeatedly to drive to the road conditions. The accident in which it appears speed was a factor occurred on the Kings Highway. Over the past few years I have put a great deal of effort into securing improvements on the Kings Highway. The Government has been addressing issues raised by the NRMA, such as improving curves and runoff areas on the highway. The latter are most important as they allow vehicles to exit the highway if oncoming motorists do the wrong thing.

In recent times some of the buck-passing regarding funding for the Kings Highway has ended. The matter was complicated because the Kings Highway runs through the Australian Capital Territory and that section of the road did not have good verges. To my great relief, the new Federal member for Eden-Monaro, Mike Kelly, has secured $24 million to invest in improvements to the Kings Highway in the area leading to the defence headquarters. Interestingly, road improvements have started to happen since the election of the Labor Government. On the Monaro Highway—which is another major road in my electorate—a new, wider concrete bridge is being built over Native Dog Creek so that trucks and cars will not have to squeeze past each other. The State Labor Government is investing in that project—more funding for the Monaro Highway. When the Liberals were in office the Monaro Highway was not even sealed to the Victorian boarder. That demonstrates its priorities.

The member for Bega talked about the Princes Highway and asked why I have not mentioned it. I remind the constituents of the member for Bega that he—not the member for Monaro—represents them in this place. I attempt to help the member for Bega every now and again when he has trouble, and I know his constituents appreciate my efforts. I was disappointed that I was not able to join the hundreds of local residents who attended the recent opening of the new Pambula Bridge by Parliamentary Secretary Michael Daly. The Parliamentary Secretary and Mike Kelly attended the opening; their presence reflecting the fact that the State Labor Government contributed $12 million and the Federal Labor Government contributed $5 million towards the construction of the bridge.

Mr Paul McLeay: Where was the member for Bega?

Mr STEVE WHAN: The member for Bega was not even there. That is an important safety improvement on the Princes Highway. I do not wish to diminish the remarks of the member for Bega about the tragic case of the man who has lost two members of his family on the Princes Highway. I know of that case as well, and my heart goes out to that man. It is an absolute tragedy that cannot be diminished. But safety is improving on our roads. A lot of work is being done on barriers and improving curves, and Opposition members should acknowledge those important improvements.

Mr GEOFF PROVEST (Tweed) [1.16 p.m.]: I am 100 per cent for the Tweed. I speak in support of the motion moved by my colleague the member for Coffs Harbour regarding rising road tolls and condemnation of the Government. I will relate my remarks to the Tweed. The Tweed is a very special place in which 50,000 Queensland motorists drive daily. The Tweed did not suffer a fatality during the Easter period. But, unfortunately, two days after Easter a 72-year-old gentleman was run over on a local road. The area in question has been a black spot for a number of years and funding to improve it has been requested several times. However, the money has not been forthcoming, and a death occurred.

Unfortunately, the Tweed has a shame file: for the past six years we have had the highest incidence of drink-driving per head of population than in any other local area command. Of those infringements, 60 per cent to 70 per cent involved local people and 75 per cent were in the medium to high range—the motorists were not one drink over the limit, but a number. Why is this happening? One key reason is that in 1998 we had 13 highway patrol officers and in 2008 we have 15 highway patrol officers—an increase of only two. The population has almost doubled in that time but we have only two additional highway patrol officers. The Queensland Government will open the Tugan C4 bypass at the end of May or thereabouts, at which time traffic is predicted to increase by 10 per cent, according to the Queensland Department of Main Roads. Current road movements are estimated to be about 70,000 and it is predicted that they will increase to 150,000 by 2015.

Another area I bring to the attention of the House, and in support of my colleague the member for Coffs Harbour, is the famous Sexton Hill, which the NRMA has reported as one of the worst black spots in New South Wales. In five days over Christmas there was a spate of 15 accidents at Sexton Hill. The community has been waiting for upgrades and the Community Highway Action Group is still pushing hard for option C, which is the best option. Over Christmas for a number of days the police took the unusual step of reducing the speed limit in the area because of the sheer volume of accidents. Tow trucks wait on the hill every time it rains. Recently our hardworking police, on their own initiative—not at the direction of the Minister for Police—undertook a four-month campaign. They did so because last year 27 motorcyclists were tragically killed in the Tweed, Byron and Gold Coast areas. The majority of those who died were young people.

With minimal resources—there are only 15 highway patrol officers in the area—over a four-month period the police issued 260 infringement notices. I note that 140 of the infringements were detected in New South Wales and 11 per cent of the offenders were travelling more than 30 kilometres per hour over the speed limit. The education programs are not working; further enforcement measures must be implemented. Recently the Opposition introduced a private member's bill to make the Government move to close loopholes in the legislation. For example, since 2005 Queensland P-platers have been able to drive with up to 0.05 blood alcohol content. Previous speakers have referred to the Government's initiatives. But there are still loopholes in the current legislation regarding high-performance vehicles and talking on mobile phones, for example. The Government needs to take action to deal with this serious problem. I am 100 per cent for the Tweed, and I support my colleague's motion.

Mr JOHN WILLIAMS (Murray-Darling) [1.21 p.m.]: The member for Bathurst suggested that The Nationals are whingers. We are representing the interests of our constituents. I compliment the member for Coffs Harbour, the Deputy Leader of The Nationals, on bringing this motion before the House to give us the opportunity to highlight issues of road safety in our electorates. The electorate of Murray-Darling has the most unsealed roads in the State. Major sections of one of the main roads out of Broken Hill, the Silver City Highway from Broken Hill to Tibooburra, remain unsealed. I alert the Government that it is an accident waiting to happen. I cannot say to the people who have asked for the road to be sealed, "Road accidents are decreasing. You don't have to worry about it anymore." They are not interested in hearing that. They want a well-maintained, sealed road that is safe for travelling.

The proposal to seal the road has gone on for as long as Blue Hills. If the Government provided the required funding, the road could be completely sealed in a blink and the people out west could get on with their lives. With the sealing of the road, there would be more developments and more tourists would be prepared to travel on a bitumen road. Currently, those tourists game enough to travel on the road are subject to unsafe conditions because of their inexperience in travelling on unsealed roads. The other major road in the area that is also an accident waiting to happen is the Arumpo Road, which runs up to the Willandra National Park. Tourists are constantly travelling on that unsealed road. Many people are very concerned about the safety of the tourists who travel on that road. With a small amount of money from the Roads budget the road could be sealed, and the fears of the locals would be allayed because they would not have to worry about the welfare of tourists on the road.

Another major road is the Cobb Highway between Ivanhoe and Wilcannia. This section of highway needs to be completed with a connecting sealed road through to White Cliffs. People travel constantly along these unsealed roads. Central Darling Shire Council does a magnificent job of maintaining these unsealed roads. It is a continuous operation of maintenance and grading, depending on the availability of water. I continually raise issues on behalf of my constituents who are concerned about the maintenance and upkeep of the road and their safety and that of other travellers. The Nationals are not whingers. We want the Government to take a bipartisan approach to these issues. I would love to take the member for Bathurst around my electorate and show him some of the roads that I travel on.

Mr Barry Collier: You could arrange a city reception and invite us up.

Mr JOHN WILLIAMS: The member for Miranda has put up his hand; he would love it. I might have trouble arranging a civic reception because we do not have a council at the moment, but I am sure I could get a few of the locals to welcome him to the region. I will take him for a long ride around the electorate and he can get a bit of dust on his boots. That would be magnificent.

Mr Paul McLeay: Could you provide some black opals?

Mr JOHN WILLIAMS: We might see some black opals. The member for Barwon has been pushing for the black opal to become our State emblem but, amazingly, someone else has taken ownership of it.

Mr ANDREW FRASER (Coffs Harbour—Deputy Leader of The Nationals) [1.26 p.m.], in reply: I thank the members for Bathurst, Bega, Monaro, Tweed and Murray-Darling for contributing to this debate. I am disappointed that the member for Bathurst described The Nationals, who are concerned about people dying on our roads, as whingers. If he genuinely thinks we are whingers he should come to the Coffs Harbour electorate and I will introduce him to Nick Alexandrou, whose 17-year-old son was killed in a road accident. In a media report he said that every time he goes past the accident spot he cries. His son was killed more than two years ago. I will introduce him to the parents of young Dixie Gibson, a 17-year-old lass whom I have spoken about in the House before, who was killed at Kew. Dixie had sat around my dinner table and was my young fellow's girlfriend for a while. The life of this beautiful human being was tragically lost on the Pacific Highway. They are just two of dozens who have died over the past couple of years on the Pacific Highway.

The member for Monaro said the number of road accidents is decreasing. We do not know whether they are going down or up. We do know that basically weekly we hear of a death on the Pacific Highway or elsewhere in regional New South Wales. That is of great concern to country communities, who deserve better. Some $200 million is collected in tolls in Sydney and $12.2 billion is spent on Sydney roads. Roadworks in Sydney save people five minutes when travelling to work. We are trying to save lives. If that same amount of money were expended on the Pacific Highway and other major regional roads, such as the Princes Highway, as mentioned by the member for Bega, lives could be saved and injuries prevented.

When I was 18 years of age, or thereabouts, I had a car accident. Four of us were involved in the accident, and it changed our lives for the next six months—it probably changed our lives forever. In that accident a next-door neighbour was killed, my young brother spent six months in hospital with his leg in traction, my jaw was broken and I had fractured ribs and a fractured ankle—I cannot remember what else. My twin brother's liver ruptured and he had his spleen removed. He still bears the scars from that accident many years ago. I saw what that accident did to the family of the two deceased people involved. We were not at fault; the driver of the other car was doing 100 miles an hour. Every time I see an ambulance and every time I see a report of a car accident I think about what a tragedy it is for the families involved and I think about the great disturbance that accident must cause to their everyday routine.

Some members spoke about further driver education, but I do not believe we are doing enough in that area because P-platers are still being killed. I would like to see a good driver education program in schools. In Port Macquarie there is a young driver education program and not one child who has been through that program in the past few years has died in a car accident. I think that is phenomenal. I want the Government to be proactive on this issue and set up programs to teach young drivers advanced driving techniques and how to drive in poor conditions.

Police should patrol the F3 and make drivers keep to the left lane because some of the accidents that occur on the freeway are caused by drivers who ignore the "Keep Left" sign and sit in the right-hand lane doing 80 or 90 kilometres an hour. I am sure all drivers who have driven along the F3 will agree that that is a dangerous practice. We should adopt the European style of driving on highways, where once you have overtaken you go back to the inside lane. If the police started to enforce that practice we would find that, within a very short period, people would keep left after overtaking. It is an interesting phenomenon: on the F3 all the way to Newcastle people hang out in the right-hand overtaking lane but past Raymond Terrace people tend to stay left. I do not know why that is—maybe it is a city mentality—but it causes accidents.

Mr Paul McLeay: It is a selfish mentality.

Mr ANDREW FRASER: It is selfish. It is a selfish attitude and it creates problems. Only this morning I spoke to a truck driver—a member of the Transport Workers Union—from my electorate who rang me to talk about the need for more truck stops so that drivers have a place to stop safely and do not get overtired. Not long ago a driver was killed at Eungai while turning his truck around. His young son, who was in the truck with him, survived. The Coffs Harbour area is the halfway point between Sydney and Brisbane and we do not have enough public areas where trucks can change their rigs and head back to either city. There is a lot more to be done to reduce the road toll.

Question—That the motion be agreed to—put and resolved in the negative.

Motion negatived.

[Acting-Speaker (Mr Thomas George) left the chair at 1.30 p.m. The House resumed at 2.15 p.m.]

The SPEAKER: I welcome to the House Mr Don Rowe, President of the New South Wales Returned and Services League of Australia.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL (Keira—Minister for Police, and Minister for the Illawarra) [2.18 p.m.]: I congratulate the New South Wales Police Force on its latest efforts in cracking down on organised crime and the drug trade. The New South Wales Police Force is the biggest and the best force in the country. This is just another example of why this Government continues to back the force while members opposite remain the biggest critics of its hard-working women and men. If it were up to the shadow Attorney General our Police Prosecution Unit would be disbanded. According to him, it does not do a good enough job. I will never say that about the New South Wales Police Force, nor will this Government. I remind the shadow Attorney General that this is Parliament House, not the Opera House.

Mr Brad Hazzard: Point of order: Obviously, the standing orders allow the Minister to make a ministerial statement. However, he should not behave like a prima donna by making stupid—

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Wakehurst will resume his seat. I will not tolerate frivolous points of order.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: I shall get back to the pat on the back for the New South Wales Police Force. Just yesterday, with the help of the Supreme Court, the police imposed a freeze on a number of luxury hire vehicles, including a stretched Hummer and a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and a house as part of Operation Schoale. Since December 2006 the task force has investigated a syndicate involved in the alleged importation and distribution of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from the United States. In just over 12 months officers have arrested 14 people and seized approximately $20 million in cash, $5 million in assets, large commercial quantities of high-grade cocaine and 17 firearms, including a machine pistol, military rifles and a gold-plated .357 magnum. Operation Schoale is an ongoing investigation.

Also yesterday police charged two people after seizing heroin and a large amount of cash during an operation in Redfern. Officers from the region enforcement squad received information about the supply of illegal drugs in the local area. The information led officers to stop and search a vehicle at Waterloo. They found a quantity of heroin hidden in the steering wheel. The 46-year-old male driver was arrested and taken to Redfern police station. Officers then arrested a 19-year-old woman outside a unit in Alexandria. She was allegedly in possession of heroin, cannabis and nearly $100,000. They are two examples of the fine work of the police force in just 24 hours in cracking down on crime and syndicates and those who want to push drugs in our community. To the New South Wales Police force I say, "Well done. The Government is behind you, the people of New South Wales are behind you and I am proud to be the Minister for Police."

Mr GREG SMITH (Epping) [2.22 p.m.]: I am always delighted to praise the work of the New South Wales police serviceor Police Force, as it is now called. The police do wonderful work, particularly those who work undercover risking life and limb. This Government says it supports them, yet whenever any of these people get depressed and seek compensation or matters of that sort, their cases are resisted much harder than those of ordinary citizens. If the Government really supports the police it should support those who put their jobs and their lives on the line and suffer injury, rather than washing their hands like Pontius Pilate.

Government Business Notices of Motions (for Bills) given.

Mr BARRY O'FARRELL: My question is directed to the Premier. Given that the Minister for Health, the Minister for Ports and the Minister for Industrial Relations all worked for the Transport Workers Union, and the Minister for Housing and the member for Wollongong are current members of the Transport Workers Union, how does the Premier expect the public to believe it is coincidental that Transport Workers Union donations to the Australian Labor Party so closely mirror State Government payments to the Transport Workers Union?

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: Here are some facts. WorkCover New South Wales and the Motor Accidents Authority of New South Wales have long-established grants programs to further the cause of workplace safety and road safety laws.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Terrigal to order. I call the member for Murray-Darling to order.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: I have the member for Terrigal on this list of donations and government grants. We may come to that later. No application for funding is assessed or determined by the Minister or the Minister's office.

Mr Barry O'Farrell: So it is just coincidental?

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: Just sit back and relax, Barry. The Motor Accidents Authority provided grants to the Transport Workers Union during an overhaul of the road safety laws governing long-haul truck drivers. Those grants were provided in 2002-03. Seminars were run around metropolitan and regional New South Wales seeking input from truck drivers about the pressures placed on them by consignors and the unrealistic deadlines they were required to meet. As a direct result the Quinlan report recommended chain of responsibility legislation, which the Government drafted and enacted. The union then prepared, published and launched a road safety and driver awareness package to alert drivers to their new rights and responsibilities as a result of changes to the occupational health and safety laws passed by this House.

There are some 670,000 trucks on New South Wales roads, representing over 13 per cent of all vehicles. Large trucks have a claims cost of around six times that of an ordinary sedan, indicating the personal injury costs they cause. The Motor Accidents Authority has provided many organisations with funding under its road safety grants schemes, and they have been subject to regular internal audit reviews. Further, I am advised that the Minister has not been involved in determining or recommending grant recipients. WorkCover also has an occupational health and safety grants program, which funds projects run by union and employer organisations. Why? I am advised that it is a grant program of around $5 million, and eligible organisations are those that are registered under the relevant legislation. That means employers—which we will come to in a second—and union. WorkCover advises that in the past three years 42 unions and 58 employer groups have received funding for specific projects. Among the recipients are the Australian Industry Group, Australian Business Limited—

Mr Barry O'Farrell: Do you know how much it was?

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: I will go through the amounts in a second.

Mr Barry O'Farrell: And will you tell us how much goes to the Liberal Party?

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. The member for Willoughby will cease interjecting. The House will come to order.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: The Leader of the Opposition may know some of the individuals who work for these organisations. The Australian Retailers Association, the Motor Traders Association and the Master Plumbers are a few of these employer organisations that have received the grants. An analysis of the WorkCover grants scheme shows that affiliates of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have received $2.3 million in just the past three years—an organisation that also happened to spend $10 million on a pro-WorkChoices advertising campaign at the last election. For the benefit of the Leader of the Opposition: it makes no difference.

Mr Barry O'Farrell: It does$700,000 to go.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: I will come to that in a secondjust relax. Funding under these programs is determined independently. I am advised further that WorkCover audits these projects and any unexpended funds must be returned to WorkCover. It cannot be spent twice. You only get the chance to spend the funds once and it has to be on the project or the program. Any unexpended funds go back to WorkCover. You cannot spend it twice, Barry, that is the point. The advice I have is that WorkCover audits the program and the money has to be expended for the project. Any unexpended funds are returned to WorkCover. I am advised further that WorkCover employs a probity adviser and the Minister has never had any involvement in deciding who gets a grant.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Epping will cease interjecting.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: There is no conflict of interest, as the Leader of the Opposition well knows.

Mr Barry O'Farrell: It is just coincidence, pure coincidence?

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: Yes, maybe. Priors Bus Service, also one of the organisations receiving a Government grant, donated $10,000 to the member for Bega.

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will cease interjecting.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: I am further advised that the New South Wales Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries Incorporated donated some $10,000 to The Nationals. The New South Wales Taxi Council donated $68,000 to the New South Wales division of the Liberal Party. The New South Wales Taxi Councilit was quite busydonated $14,464 to The Nationals. This list contains one or two troubling ones and, I must admit, I did have to look at this next one twice. I refer to the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union New South Wales Branch, which donated $10,000 to the Liberal Party. I am advised that it received a grant! The most troubling one of all is from the Kyogle Branch of the Australian Labor Party showing up on the return of the member for Lismore to the tune of $500. I have no advice or information that the Kyogle Branch of the Australian Labor Party has received a grant, but that is a troubling piece of information. Perhaps the member for Lismore is a dual ticket holder!

Mr STEVE WHAN: My question is addressed to the Premier. Will the Premier update the House on the Government's response to the report of the Unsworth Consultative Reference Committee?

MR MORRIS IEMMA: Before I do I provide a supplementary answer to the previous question: There was one donation for the member for Terrigal of $300 from the Punchbowl Bus Company! I am pleased to inform the House of the Government's response to the recommendations of the Unsworth committee, which was established to examine the Government's plans to secure our future energy needs. We are responding to that challenge of securing extra electricity for the growth of New South Wales and, at the same time, protecting workers' families and ensuring greater environmental protection. In response to the recommendations of the Unsworth report I am today committing the Government to $272 million over the next five years for an electricity safety net package that will increase utilities rebates for pensioners and help low income families

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will cease interjecting.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: cut their energy bills.

Mr John Williams: A government price rise.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Murray-Darling to order for the second time.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: The Opposition might explain how much prices are going to go up under its proposal that it announced in May last year. There will be rebates for pensioners and to help low-income families cut their energy bills. I am announcing also strengthened protections for workers and the environment. The Unsworth committee was established to provide an opportunity for representatives from unions, consumer and community groups to consider the impact of the Government's package. Members will be aware that the majority of the Unsworth committee's members found that our strategy should proceed in the best interests of the people of New South Wales.

I am today outlining specific details of the Government's response. We accept many of the committee's recommendations. Accordingly, we will allocate $65 million over the next five years to increase pensioner energy rebates from currently $112 to $130 per year, and the amounts will be indexed to inflation. We will extend electricity concessions also to additional recipientsfor example, carers who look after children under the age of 16 years, and those who receive sickness and special benefits. We will allocate $25 million per year also to support a new "no disconnections" policy

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Epping will cease interjecting.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: and an additional $11 million per year to provide $20 million in assistance for families suffering severe financial hardship. This will provide increased assistance for families who are struggling to make ends meet and put more money into family budgets for groceries and petrol. For the benefit of employees, the Government has agreed that when considering proposals from potential operators we will establish as prime criteria the level of protection and certainty offered to employees and the implementation of the Government's commitments regarding conditions and superannuation, and commitments to the maintenance of local and regional employment. We will commit to a 10 per cent increase in apprentice numbers each year for the next three years. That is an investment in future skills to provide communities, particularly in regional and rural New South Wales, with the benefit of an additional 180 apprentices. The State Plan has set a target of returning to 2000 greenhouse gas emission levels by 2025 and a 60 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Mr Andrew Stoner: Did you clear this with Costa?

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: It has been ticked off by the budget committee. New South Wales has been a greenhouse gas leaderas witnessed by our greenhouse gas abatement scheme. We established the first emissions trading scheme in the nation and provided the policy leadership under which the national scheme is being considered. With respect to further measures, the Government is working on a detailed energy efficiency package, which will be released shortly. Much has been said about the future of the Munmorah power station on the Central Coast. Munmorah currently has one of the highest greenhouse gas emission intensities in New South Wales, but its relative age will present opportunities for redevelopment in the coming years.

As part of our plans the New South Wales Government will favour potential operators who are committed to improving Munmorah's greenhouse performance. We will do that by introducing lower greenhouse intensity supply options, including baseload gas and proponents who have demonstrated plans and capability to retain the adjoining Colongra plant as a peaking plant converted to baseload gas. The goal is to make sure that as we go forward the emissions intensity from Munmorah is reduced so that we get a better greenhouse outcomea win for the environment and a win for the people of New South Wales by more security of electricity supply.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Terrigal to order for the second time.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: The other major issue raised by the Unsworth committee goes to the structure of the plans. I inform the House that the suggestion for a possible share market float involving a share offer to the general public is under active consideration by the Government's advisers. The inclusion of a float that mum and dad investors can participate in has the potential to enhance both the competitive outcomes and the overall value of the State's electricity portfolio. Our financial advisers are very carefully considering possible structures and the strategy involved and I will provide the House with an update at a future time.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the Leader of The Nationals to order.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: Today in announcing the Government's response, we have delivered a strengthened package, one that increases certainty, provides for greater protection for consumers, workers and the environment. I look forward to updating the member on further plans.

Mr ANDREW STONER: My question is directed to the Premier. In view of public concerns about Government payments to the Transport Workers Union and equivalent Transport Workers Union donations to the Labor Party, will the Premier support the Liberal-Nationals call for additional funds to be immediately provided to the office of the Auditor-General to enable a performance audit of all payments made by the Government to unions and union-affiliated organisations?

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of The Nationals will resume his seat. The Premier has the call.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: I repeat the words of my Minister this morning. First, there is no difficulty with any oversight body examining these grants. Second, I have a question for the member: Why not take whatever material he has, his questions or concerns to the Independent Commission Against Corruption?

Mr Andrew Stoner: Point of order: My point of order relates to relevance under Standing Order 129. The question was specifically about the Auditor-General.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of The Nationals will resume his seat. There is no point of order.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: Instead of hiding behind a media grab that you gave this morning, why don't you show some ticker—sit down in front of Commissioner Jerrold Cripps, look him straight in the eye and tell him that you think he is a lapdog. Have the courage to tell Commissioner Cripps.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of The Nationals will cease interjecting.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: When doing that, you should take the Leader of the Opposition with you, so Barry can tell Commissioner Cripps that he thinks he is weak and useless. Why don't you do that? Show some ticker! That is my challenge to the Leader of The Nationals.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the Leader of The Nationals to order for the second time.

Ms TANYA GADIEL: My question is addressed to the Deputy Premier. How will the Iemma Government continue to honour our revered war veterans?

Mr JOHN WATKINS: As we approach Anzac Day that is an appropriate question and I thank the member for it. I know she spends a lot of her time working with the veteran community to ensure that the Government deals with issues that need attention and I thank her for her work. Before I go to the substantive part of my answer, members may be aware of a senseless crime committed in the early hours of yesterday morning at the Auburn RSL. Two items were taken from a memorabilia cabinet—a 303 rifle and a sword. Both were donated by a local man whose father fought bravely with the Light Horse Brigade and had been in the Battle of Beersheba. As 25 April draws near, I doubt any of us can understand the motivations behind anyone who would commit such an act. This theft flies in the face of everything that is good and right about the Anzac spirit. I know that today Minister Perry made an appeal, after speaking to the local police, for anyone to come forward. Again I make the appeal for anyone who knows anything about this criminal act to please come forward.

Ninety years ago on 11 November the guns fell silent on that most terrible war. As the sounds of battle faded, Australia counted its war dead: over 60,000 of our youngest and finest were never to see their families again and never to reach their homeland again. There were simply too many for the Government to even attempt to bring their remains home to Australian soil. In the days before mass overseas travel, it also meant the families would never see the place where their sons, husbands and brothers lay in those gentle fields in Belgium, northern France and other places and so began the long and painful process of building war memorials across our nation. There were a few memorials to the Boer War and for the Sudan. They do exist, but there are not many in number because prior to 1914 the number of war dead for our nation was only a few hundred.

Then in 1918 Australia was faced with mourning 60,000 deaths and so communities throughout our nation set about building war memorials in every town. They arose in every suburb in every place, in schools, public buildings, universities, even the railway workshops at Eveleigh. In the busiest streets and the remotest, loneliest corners of this State one can find war memorials. The nation became dotted with silent memorials to the sons, husbands and brothers who would never come home again. Those war memorials are among the most precious objects in our community. They were built, almost universally, by local fundraising, by wives, daughters, sons and proud communities left behind. So in a very profound way they belong to the people and it is the duty of the people—through their governments—to help maintain them.

All of us would know that the sheer number of our war memorials and their growing age make it a costly endeavour, one that local councils and RSL sub-branches cannot handle alone, even though they have done a magnificent job over that 90-year period. That is why last year the Government pledged to establish a Community War Memorials Fund. I am happy to advise the House that fund has now been established, worth $250,000 a year. It will enable councils, RSL sub-branches and other interested parties to apply for funding to help repair memorials in their local area. To administer the fund I have appointed a small committee chaired by the Parliamentary Secretary for Community and Veterans Affairs, and member for Parramatta. Joining her will be the President of the New South Wales RSL, Don Rowe, the President of the Shires Association, Bruce Miller, and the Principal Heritage Architect in the New South Wales Government Architect's Office, Bruce Pettman.

The committee will consider applications in two rounds, one to be announced on or near Anzac Day and the other at Remembrance Day each year. Applications can be made by following a simple set of criteria posted on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website, and I draw people's attention to it. I also advise the House that prior to the committee being established the Premier has approved a number of interim grants from the fund, for instance, I understand a $5,000 grant to repair the war memorial in Moruya and a $10,000 grant to shift and repair the war memorial in Katoomba following representations from the member for Blue Mountains. The Premier has also approved grants to restore the Light Horse Regiment Memorial and the adjacent Morshead Fountain outside the Botanic Gardens.

Members of the public who walk around that part of the city can see first-hand how magnificently these memorials have been restored, which gives a flavour of what this fund can achieve across the State, and we hope it does so over the coming years. The fact is that the bulk of our memorials are now approaching 90 years in age, and with all the survivors of the First World War now gone, it is our war memorials which will continue to tell the story of the fallen and keep the flame of remembrance alight. I sincerely urge communities across New South Wales to take advantage of this initiative and invite every member of the House to get behind it as well. Accordingly, it gives me some pride to launch the Community War Memorials Fund in the House today.

Mr THOMAS GEORGE: My question is directed to the Premier. Can he explain why the Government has given $73,000 to the Concerned Families of Australian Truckies, an organisation that purports to represent truck drivers and their families, when the two local truck drivers I spoke to, who have more than 50 years experience in the industry, have never heard of this organisation?

The SPEAKER: Order! Government members will cease interjecting.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: As the member for East Hills says, we have never heard of the Kyogle branch donating to the member. I am glad we checked that donation. In terms of that specific grant, I will seek the advice of the relevant Minister. I repeat: if the member for Lismore has information or evidence of any inappropriate activity then he can take a whole range of measures to have the matter redressed. I have just outlined in relation to the Motor Accidents Authority and the WorkCover Authority an extensive grants program to employers and to industrial organisations, the trade unions, for occupational health and safety for trucks on our roads—

Mr Andrew Stoner: Give details.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: If you want details of an individual grant I will direct you to the relevant Minister.

Mr DAVID HARRIS: I address my question to the Premier. Will the Premier update the House on the Government's continued efforts to advance clean coal technology and research?

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: In line with our plans to secure the State's electricity supplies we are taking additional steps to ensure cleaner greener energy. Of the electricity generated in New South Wales, 90 per cent comes from coal and coal is our biggest source of electricity. We are working with industry to examine further ways of making our power stations operate cleaner and reduce their emission intensity. That is why today I am pleased to deliver on our commitment to establish the Clean Coal Fund and the Clean Coal Council. Legislation to create the fund and the council will be introduced into the Parliament later today.

Our clean coal research and development initiative will support research into and development of clean coal technologies, including demonstration projects in New South Wales. It will also be able to be used to increase public awareness of clean coal technologies, and for the commercialisation of clean coal technologies. There will also be provision for voluntary contributions to the fund. This means the coal and electricity industries or other non-government organisations can contribute to reducing greenhouse emissions through the development of clean coal. We are also establishing a clean coal council that will identify suitable research projects and policies to encourage the development and implementation of clean coal technologies.

In New South Wales we are already up and running on this type of research. At Munmorah a pilot carbon capture plant is expected to be operational in the middle of this year. It will capture greenhouse gas emissions from the Munmorah power station. We want to see more of this type of research because it is the key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As we announced last December, a $100 million fund will be provided to ensure that our plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity industry come to fruition. That commitment builds on the $1 billion commitment made by industry to the Coal21 Fund, of which $400 million will be directed towards projects in New South Wales.

[Interruption]

Yes, $400 million. It is a great partnership between the New South Wales Government and the industry aimed at backing research and projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. That partnership will see these pilot and demonstration projects proceed. I also inform the House that we are supporting the development of renewable energy sources with a $100 million fund to provide support for renewable energy research and projects. Renewable energy sources and clean coal technologies will together play a crucial role in providing clean power in the medium to long term. So we are taking steps to ensure that the research and demonstration projects get the support to ensure that we secure our future electricity supplies. We are also exploring a range of measures to back further production of renewable energy in the areas of hydro, biomass landfill methane, wind and solar energy—all with the support of the New South Wales Government. We have been a leader when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change and these measures will further enhance the State's reputation.

Mr ROB STOKES: My question is directed to the Premier. Given corruption involving Wollongong Labor councillors, developers and donations was the basis of your proposal to ban all political donations, will the Premier confirm that despite his rhetoric the planned donation ban will not apply to the local government elections in September 2008?

Mr Richard Amery: Or the Kyogle branch.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: Or the Kyogle branch, indeed. I reiterate the commitment that I made. The first wave of reforms announced by me will be in place for the local government elections.

Mr Barry O'Farrell: But not the ban on donations?

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: Why don't you get your Acting State Director to support the total ban on political donations?

Mr Mike Baird: He does.

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: That is not what he was saying yesterday. It is not what you have been saying but it is what the member for Manly has been saying. I reiterate the commitment that the first wave of reforms will be in place for the local government elections. In the mean time we will continue to progress the details and the model and the testing of a total ban on political donations.

Mr RICHARD AMERY: My question is directed to the Minister for Health. Will the Minister update the House on the Government's strategies—

[Interruption]

What's that, comrade?

The SPEAKER: Order! The House will come to order. The member for Lismore is entitled to make a personal explanation at the end of question time. The Member for Mount Druitt will repeat his question.

Mr RICHARD AMERY: Will the Minister update the House on the Government's strategies to increase access to primary and community healthcare for the people of New South Wales?

Ms REBA MEAGHER: I thank the member for his question and ongoing interest in this area. Last year 2.3 million treatments were provided at New South Wales public hospital emergency departments. That amounted to around 30 per cent of our population seeking help and an 8 per cent increase over the previous year. Research has found that one of the key drivers behind people attending emergency departments is the lack of services provided by general practitioners in the community. In fact the research showed that 75 percent of people surveyed in hospital emergency departments said that they attended hospital emergency because there was not a general practitioner available to them. Only 34 per cent of those surveyed thought they needed hospital-level care.

The research conducted by Booz Allen Hamilton demonstrates that one of the key drivers of demand on emergency departments is the lack of access to primary care in the community. The research also found significant changes in the way the general practitioner workforce is operating. It found that general practitioners are ageing—like the rest of our workforce—working less and less hours, and are less inclined to provide their own after hours or home visiting services. This is undoubtedly a legacy of the Howard years and a legacy of the Howard Government's underinvestment in our medical workforce. You do not have to take my word for that. You need only look at the words of the Federal Leader of the Opposition, and the former President of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Brendan Nelson. On 1 February this year the Medical Observer ran a feature piece on Dr Nelson that I read with interest.

Mr Andrew Fraser: They are going to write a post-mortem on you!

Ms REBA MEAGHER: It is true that the range of journals I peruse has expanded. I quote from the Medical Observer:

Dr Nelson concedes that past Coalition policy was a significant factor in causing the workforce crisis.

The article then quotes Dr Nelson as saying the following:

In hindsight, it was obvious the restrictions on general practice training positions imposed in 1996-1997 were not appropriate … I did express my concerns about those at the time.

At least the Leader of the Federal Opposition is prepared to concede that the Howard Government policies had an impact on the availability of the medical workforce in this country.

Mrs Jillian Skinner: Tell us about the training places.

Ms REBA MEAGHER: We will come to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in a minute.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting. I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order.

Ms REBA MEAGHER: The Federal Coalition is prepared to concede that it made mistakes when it was in office.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier will cease interjecting.

Ms REBA MEAGHER: What has the New South Wales Opposition ever done or said?

Mrs Jillian Skinner: Point of order: I am keen to hear the remarks of the Minister for Health, but it is objectionable that her own Premier and other Ministers are interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! There is too much audible conversation in the Chamber.

Ms REBA MEAGHER: I am fascinated that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition would interject about training places. Today I had some time to go through the Opposition's policies at the last election.

Mr John Watkins: That would not have taken long.

Ms REBA MEAGHER: That is true, but it took me a while to find them. At the last election the New South Wales Opposition took a policy to the electorate that a Coalition government would add 500 nurses to the New South Wales health system over the next four years.

Mrs Jillian Skinner: I thought you were talking about doctors.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will cease interjecting.

Ms REBA MEAGHER: This is your policy. Aren't you proud of it? They said they would add 500 nurses over the next four years.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the second time. The Minister will direct her comments through the Chair.

Ms REBA MEAGHER: I am very pleased to update the Parliament and indicate that we have already exceeded that goal in the first 12 months of our term. It is a clear endorsement of the Government's desire to build a strong and resilient health workforce that is going to meet the health demands of our community into the future. Not once when John Howard was in office did the New South Wales Opposition stand up to Canberra and demand more for New South Wales residents. Not once did they stand up and complain about underfunding from the Federal Government.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Epping will cease interjecting. The Premier will cease interjecting.

Ms REBA MEAGHER: Not once did they stand up and say that the Federal Government needed to increase training places in our universities so that we could grow a domestic health workforce in this country. The Opposition was silent. It was a complete abrogation of their responsibility. They took no opportunity to lobby their Federal counterparts. They stand condemned for that. The Iemma Government is committed to providing better quality health care in our hospitals and by working closely with our divisions of general practice so that we can build a primary care sector, build access to general practitioners and give residents and families choice in the kind of health care they can access. Rather than driving people into busy and expensive emergency departments because there is no other option, we are working with doctors to ensure that there are opportunities in the community for alternative models of health care.

The SPEAKER: Order! There is too much audible conversation in the Chamber.

Ms REBA MEAGHER: At the last election we took a policy to the electorate for a $40 million package, with a five-year HealthOne program as our centrepiece. The community overwhelmingly endorsed that policy. The HealthOne program comprises integrated primary health and community care services that bring together both public and private providers. They provide families with access to community-based, multidisciplinary health services that treat people in their local community. They bring together general practitioner services, aged and chronic care management, allied health services such as physiotherapy, and drug and alcohol services. The HealthOne model integrates and shares patient information between the health professionals involved in a person's care.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Clarence to order.

Ms REBA MEAGHER: They require and rely on close partnership between area health services, divisions of general practice, local general practitioners and, where appropriate, local government. I am pleased to advise the House that the first HealthOne service has commenced operation and is now treating patients in Sydney's west at Mount Druitt. Mount Druitt HealthOne, which opened its doors in February following the completion of $480,000 in capital works, is a collaboration between Sydney West Area Health Service, the Mount Druitt Medical Practitioners Association, the Blacktown Medical Practitioners Association and Western Sydney GP Limited.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Clarence will cease interjecting. The Premier will cease interjecting.

Ms REBA MEAGHER: Mount Druitt HealthOne has established different models of care for priority patient groups including children and young families at risk; young people with health needs, including mental health; and people with chronic illnesses. Currently, 66 aged and chronic care patients are registered for case management at Mount Druitt. That is specialised and targeted care in their community aimed at keeping them out of hospital and improving their quality of life. Already about 33 general practitioners are involved in the planning and case management of these registered patients. By the end of this year we aim to have 40 per cent of local general practitioners engaged, building up to 80 per cent of local general practitioners in the longer term. Two general practitioner liaison nurses have been appointed to support these models of care. They are the first point of contact for local general practitioners and the 100 or so community staff attached to the Mount Druitt HealthOne team.

Planning for a further range of specialist services is nearing completion. These include a vulnerable families early childhood clinic, a refugee health clinic, a falls prevention clinic for older people at risk, and a wound clinic with a focus on co-ordinated care with general practitioners. Dr Di O'Halloran, the chair of New South Wales Health General Practice Council and one of the key drivers of this new model of care, has been closely involved in the planning for Mount Druitt. Dr O'Halloran has reported that Mount Druitt HealthOne is:

… delivering patient focussed, integrated models of care to community members who are most at risk.

She goes on to say that there has been:

… incredibly positive feedback from patients, GPs and community health staff.

Planning is well advanced on a number of other HealthOnes around the State. Elderslie is now operating under a HealthOne model, with a primary health nurse now co-located in a general practice, managing patients.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Clarence to order for the second time.

Ms REBA MEAGHER: Additional primary health nurses are being recruited to focus on chronic disease prevention and mental health.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier will cease interjecting.

Ms REBA MEAGHER: Work is well advanced on HealthOne at Rylstone, with $720,000 spent so far on upgrades to the community health building. Community health staff and general practitioners are expected to move into the refurbished facility by mid-2008. Planning is also well advanced to establish HealthOne services at Molong, Manilla, Cootamundra and Corowa. Further, shortlisted proposals for HealthOne services include Jindabyne, Blayney, Canterbury, Gulgong, Raymond Terrace, Quirindi, Sussex Inlet and Foster-Tuncurry. Auburn and Rouse Hill have also recently been identified as having sufficient merit to be recommended for development. In addition to the capital cost of establishing the HealthOne facilities, the Iemma Government has committed an additional $12.2 million over four years to increase the number of community health staff.

The Government is already working with the Federal Government to ensure alignment of the our HealthOne New South Wales services with their GP Super Clinic model, which was announced by the Federal Government to be rolled out over the next four years. HealthOne builds on our other initiatives, such as the After Hours GP Clinic program, to take pressure off emergency departments and provide the community with improved access to health care. The Iemma Government has committed funding of $15 million over five years to open clinics across the State. Clinics at Liverpool, Albury and Nepean hospitals opened in 2006.

Last year we opened further clinics at Shoalhaven, Ryde, Blacktown, Dubbo and Campbelltown hospitals. The Broken Hill After Hours GP Centre opened in January 2008. Approval has been given to establish more clinics at Mona Vale, the Central Coast, Canterbury and the Prince of Wales Hospital. Detailed planning for each of these services is now underway. We are working hard to build a public health system where the hospital emergency department remains the first and best option for critically injured and critically ill patients. We also need to build a health system that recognises that patients may be more appropriately treated in other settings in order to keep them healthier over their lifetime.

Mr PETER DRAPER: My question is addressed to the Premier. Given the Federal Government's $1 billion package to give students in years 9 to 12 improved access to computers, why have New South Wales school principals been directed to purchase only $1,000 wireless laptops when $650 desktop computers are the preferred option of many schools? How does the Government intend funding essential networks and support mechanisms to ensure these laptops are used and not put into storage?

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: The Commonwealth Government's $1 billion computer fund complements our commitment to provide $158 million for the Connected Classrooms Program, which will provide every public school student an online workspace and every public school a connected classroom. The department has written to secondary school principals and recommended that they, through the Commonwealth, purchase a high-end educational laptop. Why? So that we can use our market power to purchase laptops and achieve better value for the students. By using our market in this way we will be able to provide better support and related information technology services for the schools that participate in the program.

We are recommending to secondary school principals something that will achieve a better outcome for the students, and provide more safety, security and reliability of the laptop and the associated support—the information technology support, the teacher support and the entire related infrastructure required to deliver on the Commonwealth's promise. Following the Counsel of Australian Governments meeting I am very pleased to report that the Commonwealth acknowledges that its election promise to provide these computers involves a cost to the States, and has agreed to work cooperatively to close the funding gap that it has created for the States. By working together and by using our existing contracts and the power that the Department of Education and Training has in the market when it comes to procuring computers and information technology services, which includes support services, we will be able to achieve a better outcome.

Mr TONY STEWART: My question is directed to the Minister for Police, representing the Attorney General. Can the Minister inform the House of the Government's assessment of Opposition policy on judicial accountability, law enforcement and related matters?

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: The New South Wales Government is committed to giving the community a greater voice in our judicial system, making it more open and more transparent. The legal system can often seem intimidating and out of touch for the general public. That is why the Premier made an election commitment to ensure the community has a voice on the Judicial Commission. Former Commissioner of Police Ken Moroney and Martha Jabour from the Homicide Victims Support Group will represent the community on the commission, which examines complaints made about magistrates and judges. I congratulate them on their appointment. It is our policy to have openness and transparency in the legal system, greater accountability and a voice for the general community. Those opposite, however, are still a little confused about their approach to this all-important issue—

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will cease interjecting.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: —especially their spokesperson and songbird on all things legal—the Michael Bolton of Mobbs Hill, the Bubble of Beecroft, the choirboy of Cheltenham—

Mr Barry O'Farrell: Point of order: I will desist from using the language I used with the Minister for Planning yesterday, but you know the standing orders require even the Minister—

Mr Frank Sartor: You haven't withdrawn that yet, Barry.

Mr Barry O'Farrell: You didn't ask, Frank. I assumed you accepted it.

The SPEAKER: Order! What is the Leader of the Opposition's point of order?

Mr Barry O'Farrell: I suggest that you remind the Minister of the standing orders, which do not allow him to use those terms in this House when he is referring to a member.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. As I have ruled on a number of occasions, members should refer to other members by their correct titles.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: Last month the shadow Attorney General, the member for Epping, released a policy paper called "Restoring Faith in Justice—Promoting Transparency in Judicial Appointments in New South Wales". He was even kind enough to write his name at the bottom of the paper so we know what his vision is for the New South Wales legal system. Unfortunately, that is the only input he had. It is disturbing when one reads the paper of the member for Epping because it is very familiar. The Opposition document starts by saying that the public is confused about how judges are appointed and that positions should be advertised. He then outlines different models of judicial appointment—and that is where it gets really interesting. I read the opening paragraph of the first model he outlines entitled "Career Judiciary":

In most civil law systems, individuals train for a career either as a lawyer or as a judge. The bench is regarded as another arm of the bureaucracy where promotion through the ranks is determined on the basis of technical ability and seniority.

Mr Andrew Stoner: Point of order: I refer to Standing Order No. 128 (1), which states:

The following general rules apply to questions:

(1) Questions cannot be debated.

If the Minister wants to debate Coalition policy, statements or announcements, he should move a substantive motion.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister is not debating the question. The Minister is responding to a question that asked him to comment on the impacts of those proposals. The Minister has the call.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: I just read one paragraph from this document, and the document goes on, of course. But what is strange is that same opening sentence I just read under the same heading is in an article published in the Melbourne University Law Review in 2003. The paper goes on to state the key proposal of the member for Epping as a Judicial Appointments Commission. This is a body that would cost millions of dollars and in the United Kingdom that has meant a delay of 12 months in getting judges appointed to the bench.

Mr Brad Hazzard: Point of order—

The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Planning will cease interjecting.

Mr Brad Hazzard: We understand your commitment to ensuring that the standing orders are upheld. Standing Order 130 specifically precludes debating the issue when answering a question. I ask that you enforce that standing order.

The SPEAKER: Order! I have listened very carefully to the Minister's answer. He was asked to comment on the impact of certain proposals. At this stage he is within the leave of the question.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: It seems the member for Wakehurst is a bit jealous. He probably wants to steal someone's policies as well. Also canvassed in this paper is the model adopted by some American States of the Missouri plans. Once again, déjà vu, it was almost identical to that in the 2003 Melbourne University article. The member for Epping goes on to outline his "Way Forward for New South Wales". The university paper did not have a heading that said that; he had to think that up for himself. I will read a couple of sentences from the section headed, "Way Forward for New South Wales":

While there is as yet no definitive empirical evidence on whether such commissions have increased the quality of judicial appointments, it is significant that they have been perceived as having had this effect.

I go back to the Victorian document and read a couple of sentences from it. The sentences might sound familiar because they say:

While there is as yet no definitive empirical evidence on whether such commissions have increased the quality of judicial appointments, it is significant that they have been perceived as having had this effect.

Mr Brad Hazzard: Point of order: Mr Speaker, you have now had another 3.45 minutes to establish whether the Minister is debating the issue. I ask you to enforce Standing Order 130, which relates to debating the question. Otherwise, I ask you to enforce Standing Order 59, which relates to tedious repetition.

The SPEAKER: Order! The question was in order, and the Minister is answering it. Members often quote from documents and refer to the impact of various policies.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: As the Deputy Premier reminds me, that is the same sentence. The sentence in the document produced by the Opposition and the sentence in the 2003 Melbourne University article are the same. But, wait, there is more! A book entitled The New Judiciary also got the cut-and-paste job from the shadow Attorney General, the member for Epping. He copied a paragraph of the article word for word, but this time he included a footnote, suggesting that he had referenced the idea, not quoted all 105 words. The Opposition, stung by the fact that it has no policies, has simply lifted someone else's policy. The shadow Attorney General was once charged with prosecuting the law. He should now be charged with petty theft. He is touted as one of the Opposition's star recruits.

The SPEAKER: Order! Government members will cease interjecting.

Mr Donald Page: Point of order: Standing Order 73 prohibits members making reflections on other members. The Minister has been making a reflection on the member for Epping for about 10 minutes with no possibility for the member for Epping to respond. Mr Speaker, I ask you to rule that the way he is answering the question is in complete contradiction of Standing Order 73.

The SPEAKER: Order! The point of order of the member for Ballina is valid. If members wish to attack other members they should do so by way of substantive motion.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: Talk about turning the page! I earlier drew a comparison between the member for Epping and Michael Bolton. I regret that and withdraw the comparison, because I am advised that Michael Bolton has written many of his own songs.

Mr Brad Hazzard: Point of order: Mr Speaker, you just ruled on Standing Order 73. The Minister is clearly flouting that ruling. Will you please direct him—

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Wakehurst will resume his seat. Members should not be thin skinned.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: The author of this document, the plagiarist of Pennant Hills, the Helen Demidenko of Dundas Valley, must immediately amend this policy with a footnote—

Mr Chris Hartcher: Mr Speaker, you have previously upheld the Leader of the Opposition's point of order. Members are referred to by their electorates. This Minister is flouting that ruling.

The SPEAKER: Order! I uphold the point of order. The Minister will address members by their correct title. Has the Minister concluded his answer? If not, I ask him to do so.

Mr DAVID CAMPBELL: I have concluded the substance of the answer, but the fact remains that this policy is copied from others and is not worth the paper it is printed on.

Question time concluded.

Ms LINDA BURNEY (Canterbury—Minister for Fair Trading, Minister for Youth, and Minister for Volunteering) [3.25 p.m.]: We have heard much about youth violence this week. We have seen examples of young people displaying false bravado who think it is okay to injure people, to damage property and to treat the police with contempt. These are young people who do not fear prison, who brag on websites and who show no remorse. I know every member will join me in condemning this week's violence. This is not the society we want for our children and us.

In my role as Minister for Youth it is important that I make this statement. Both the offenders and most of the victims of Monday's attack were teenagers. Coming after recent publicity about teenage binge drinking, this incident unfortunately portrays young people in a bad light. Let us not forget that the great majority of young people are fine, law-abiding citizens. In the same week that that violent incident occurred, we also saw an incredible act of bravery. I acknowledge Brock Curtis, a young man from the North Coast who paddled through the surf to rescue his best mate after a shark attack. Despite seeing a dark shadow in the water, he still went to his friend and pulled him to shore. That is courage and a truly human response that demonstrates young people at their best. Tragically, his mate Peter Edmonds passed away. Our hearts go out to his friends and family.

It is relevant to talk about these things this week because it is Youth Week, which is now in its twentieth year. In my role as Minister for Youth I have met hundreds of young people and have been truly inspired. Young people are excelling in sport, the arts and education. They are getting on with the challenges of adolescence and finding their way forward in the world. I admire their resilience and perseverance, and the fresh perspective that they offer. As lawmakers we must be mindful of the pace of change and how it affects young people. Today's teenagers have grown up in a world where global technology dominates communication and where the threats they face are global—terrorism and climate change to mention two. We should listen to and learn from them.

I share some of the things that I have learnt as Minister for Youth. Young people want relationships with their peers and families and they want to belong, to participate and to contribute to the decisions that affect them. We know that young people who have strong connections to their families, friends and communities have a greater sense of responsibility, are more likely to have better school results and to enjoy a longer life. A great example of this was a very special event I attended at Bankstown last weekend: a game of bocce that brought together different generations and nationalities. It was one of hundreds of events and activities organised by local councils and young people for Youth Week. In closing, I encourage members, businesses, organisations, parents—indeed, everyone in our community—to do their bit to ensure children and young people have a sound foundation from which to meet life's challenges and to reach their full potential.

Mr Brad Hazzard: I seek the indulgence of the House to allow two members of the Opposition to speak on this matter. The Minister for Youth raised broad issues relating to young people, but she also raised the terrible tragedy that occurred at Ballina. The member for Ballina would also like to make a contribution.

Leave granted.

Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) [3.28 p.m.], by leave: I acknowledge what the Minister has said about the violence that occurred this week. Although that was nothing to be proud of, the youth of this State have much to be proud of. It would remiss of me not to point out a significant event that occurred this week. I refer to the release of the report of the first national inquiry into youth homelessness since the Burdekin report more than 20 years ago. Since that time the number of homeless teenagers has doubled. There are 22,000 homeless young people between the ages of 12 and 18, and 36,000 under the age of 25. If members want a graphic picture of the scale of homelessness in this country, that number would fill the Sydney Football Stadium.

In my local community, those at the Manly Community Centre look at me with tears in their eyes. Day in and day out they are turning people away because they have no beds for them. By 12 o'clock they are sending people away. Jacqui from the Manly Community Centre has told me that a young girl at the centre wears a hood because she can get a bed in a men's refuge but not in a woman's refuge. Other kids in the community are not included in those statistics because they sleep on couches and they go from home to home, often for reasons involving sex and drugs, and they are not included. We have a crisis.

This week we call for two things. The report has given us a roadmap, but 20 years ago we had a similar report and nothing happened. We call on the Iemma Government to do something, and that is to listen to what that report says by calling a summit. There should be a call to arms. Ten very significant points are made in that report, and we should establish a summit to make sure the same things do not happen again. The State budget allocated $6.8 million to youth mental health over the next four years—that is it—in a $40 billion budget. It must be prioritised, and I believe a youth summit on mental health and homelessness could help us to determine where the funds should be directed and, most importantly, ensure that we never have a report like this again.

Mr DONALD PAGE (Ballina) [3.30 p.m.], by leave: I thank the House for granting me leave to make a brief statement. The Minister for Fair Trading has mentioned the shark attack resulting in the death of Peter Edmonds and the courageous actions of his mate Brock Curtis. I join with the Minister, the Government and all members of the House, in extending our sympathy to the Edmonds family at the untimely death of Peter Edmonds following the shark attack at Lighthouse Beach at Ballina at around 8.15 a.m. two mornings ago. Peter Edmonds leaves behind his parents, Lisa and Neil, and two sisters, Kylie and Shelley. We extend our condolences to the Edmonds family and to Peter's friends.

Peter was a year 11 student at Alstonville High School, and he was a very popular boy. Our thoughts also go to his school friends at Alstonville High School who are devastated by their sudden and violent loss. Peter Edmonds' best mate was Brock Curtis. Brock's actions in trying to save his mate were courageous indeed. It had started to rain prior to the shark attack and Brock had left the surf to put his clothes under a rock when the attack occurred. When he returned he saw his mate lying face down in the water surrounded by blood and what is believed to have been a bull shark. Without regard to his own safety Brock Curtis dived back into the surf and dragged his mate to shore. He called 000 and then administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation before calling the Coast Guard. Unfortunately, the wounds to Peter's legs caused a massive loss of blood and Peter passed away on the beach. I am sure members would agree that Brock Curtis's actions were heroic, given that the shark was still in the bloodied water near his mate when he re-entered the water.

The family, the local school community and his many friends are still in shock over Peter Edmonds untimely death at the age of 16. The tragedy is magnified when we are told that the boys had only decided to go for a surf because school was not commencing until 11 o'clock due to industrial action. Prior to yesterday's tragedy the last shark attack in New South Wales waters that resulted in a person's death was at Byron Bay—also in my electorate—in 1993. On that occasion a couple were honeymooning and they went scuba diving at Julian Rocks. A white pointer came towards the female diver but her husband put himself between his new wife and the shark, only to be eaten by the shark. His wife survived. Again, on behalf of The Nationals and the Liberal Party, Independent members and all members, I express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Peter Edmonds.

The SPEAKER: On behalf of the House I offer our condolences to Peter's family and friends in these very difficult circumstances.

Mr JOHN AQUILINA (Riverstone—Leader of the House) [3.34 p.m.]: I move:

That standing orders be suspended at this sitting to permit the moving of a motion to adopt a new sessional order on Maximum Time Limits for Debates and Speeches and amendments to the following sessional orders that were adopted on 6 December 2007:

Routine of Business;
Friday Sittings;
Adjournment and Next Meeting;
Program for General Business Days;
General Business Notices of Motions and Private Members' Statements;
Consideration of Motions Accorded Priority;
Matters of Public Importance; and
Timing of Bells.

As you would be aware, Mr Speaker, members on both sides of the House have been working hard to ensure that the new sessional orders provide the maximum opportunities for all members to participate in the many different issues that are important and relevant to members of the House. We deal with government business, but members must have the opportunity to raise matters of importance to them and to their electorates in a timely way to ensure the House is able to respond appropriately and satisfy their needs. We have had a number of meetings since the new sessional orders were introduced to ensure that they are appropriately refined to improve the operation of the House. I introduce these amendments to sessional orders to ensure we can discuss a matter of public importance on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

As members know, because of the way the business of the House has been operating since the new sessional orders were introduced, there have been times when a matter of public importance has been severely truncated or has not been discussed at all. Under the amended sessional orders, at least 30 minutes will be guaranteed for a matter of public importance on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Under the old sessional orders, although we debated a motion accorded priority on both Tuesday and Wednesday, there was no such motion on Thursday. The Government acknowledges that motions accorded priority are an important way to express a point of view, which is why, under the new sessional orders, there will also be an opportunity to debate a motion accorded priority on Thursday.

There are a few other relatively minor changes but one is of importance. Previously, private members' statements were noted early on Wednesday and government business was then deferred to a later stage in the day. That has created some problems in ensuring the legislation reaches the upper House and is dealt with without delay. If the House passes legislation late on a Wednesday afternoon and the legislation proceeds to the other place on Thursday, when there is no opportunity to deal with government business, it quite often ends up being delayed for a week or, if Parliament goes into recess, it can be several weeks or a month before the legislation is passed through both Houses. Clearly, that is unacceptable. We thank all those who have contributed to this process to ensure we have an orderly procedure for government business and private members' statements, and an increased opportunity to debate motions accorded priority and discuss matters of public importance.

Mr ANDREW FRASER (Coffs Harbour—Deputy Leader of The Nationals) [3.38 p.m.]: Some commonsense prevails. I thank the member for Liverpool for intervening with the Premier's Department. I still cannot understand why it had any leave to buy into the sessional orders of this House. The program was ostensibly agreed to weeks ago. It was sent to the Premier's Department, which did not want us to discuss a matter of public importance or debate motions accorded priority on Thursday, all because of family friendly hours. I take the opportunity to point out that the unfortunate thing about family friendly hours is that any member who does not reside in the Sydney metropolitan area still has no opportunity to go home to see their family for the week during which the House is sitting.

Even those in the western districts of Sydney do not get that opportunity or, if they do, they get home fairly late even with family friendly hours. At the end of the day it is a farce. On numerous occasions since we have resumed the House has risen about 6.00 p.m. because there is no work. The schedule of this House was rearranged purely for a headline and not to give the Opposition the opportunity, as the Leader of the House said, to raise matters of public importance. It seems that a matter of public importance is debated on a Tuesday but not on a Wednesday, when it should traditionally come from a member of the crossbench or the Opposition, because of the filibustering during question time.

Answers during question time are notoriously so longas happened again todaythat we end up running out of time. This eats yet again into time allocated for private members' business, matters of public importance or motions accorded priority. This motion proposes a better schedule than the present one, but still is nowhere near the schedule I would expect as a member from a rural electorate. Members are here already: we are quite happy to sit here until 8 o'clock, 9 o'clock or 10 o'clock at night and debate matters to make sure business gets through the House. But this Government does not give the House much business to debate. Numerous times again this week leave was sought to suspend standing orders to bring on government business, yet we are knocking off at 6 o'clock, as we have done in previous weeks.

This Government has run the routine of business poorly. It is lunacy to get a headline by saying, "Look, we'll have family friendly hours and mothers and fathers can get home to their families." The vast majority of members here, regardless of whether they are Liberal, Labor, The Nationals or the crossbenchers, do not have the opportunity enjoyed by city members of going home to their families. Costa's budget cutting probably caused this in the first place. We are here; we are willing to do the business of the House. I would much prefer to see us go back to the schedule we had prior to family friendly hours because it meant that we got the work done.

One thing I do not like about the proposed schedule, which I raised during the meetings, is that on Friday we will have notices of motion for private members' bills. This means that if a member wants to introduce a private member's bill, he or she must be present on Friday morning. Under the current schedule, government business is conducted on Fridays and there is no question time. We do not get an opportunity to hold the Government to account. Yet, if we want to introduce a private member's bill, we are stuck here doing private business when Thursday was always traditionally private members' day, and Government members are off in their electoratesor perhaps in our electorates. The proposed schedule is not perfect by a long shot. The Government is responsible for causing these problems.

Mr Daryl Maguire: And Costa's budget cuts

Mr ANDREW FRASER: And Costa's budget cuts, as the member for Wagga Wagga said. The budget cuts have forced us to adopt these sessional orders. This proposal is not for the good governance of the State; it is not for the benefit of the majority of members. I seek assurances from the Leader of the House that if we have problems with this schedule, as we found we did with the last one, he will refer it to a committee and this House for further discussion.

Question—That the motion be agreed—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.
Mr JOHN AQUILINA (Riverstone—Leader of the House) [3.44 p.m.]: I move:

That this House agrees to a new sessional order on maximum Time Limits for Debates and Speeches and amendments to the sessional orders adopted on 6 December 2007 to apply from 6 May 2008 as follows:

85. The following maximum time limits shall apply for debates and speeches:

Address in Reply (SO 5)

Premier - unspecified
Leader of the Opposition - unspecified
Mover - 15 minutes†
Any other Member - 15 minutes†
Reply - 15 minutes†

Bills (SO 188-239)

Agreement in principle:

(i) Introduced by a Minister

Mover - unspecified
Leader of the Opposition or one Member deputed, next speaking - unspecified
Any other Member - 15 minutes†
Reply - unspecified

(ii) Appropriation Bill

Mover - unspecified
Party Leaders - unspecified
Any other Member - 15 minutes†
Reply - unspecified

(iii) Introduced by a Private Member

Mover - unspecified
Premier or one Minister deputed - unspecified
Leader of the Opposition or one Member deputed - unspecified
Any other Member - 15 minutes†
Reply - unspecified

Consideration in detail of bill or other matter (SO 240-242)

Minister - unspecified number of periods
limited to 20 minutes each

Leader of the Opposition or one Member deputed - unspecified number of periods
limited to 20 minutes each

Any other Member:

Three periods each on any one question not exceeding –

(a) first occasion - 15 minutes
(b) subsequent occasions - 10 minutes then 5 minutes

Bill be now passed (SO 218)

All Members - 20 minutes*

Committees, reports from–take note debate (SO 306)

Chair or Member tabling the Report - 10 minutes
Any other Member - 5 minutes

(Question being put after 30 minutes)

Days and times of meeting (SO 34)

Mover - 5 minutes
Three other Members - 5 minutes
Reply - 5 minutes

Motion Accorded Priority (SO 109)

Mover - 7 minutes
Member next speaking - 7 minutes
Other Members (limited to three) - 3 minutes
Reply - 3 minutes

Debates not otherwise provided for

All Members - 20 minutes*

Expulsion of a Member (SO 254)

Mover - 30 minutes*
Member next speaking - 30 minutes*
Any other Member - 20 minutes*
Member in response - 20 minutes*
Reply - 20 minutes*

General Business notices of motions or orders of the day (not for bills) (SO 107)

In each debate:

Mover - 10 minutes
Member next speaking - 10 minutes
Four Members - 5 minutes each
Reply - 5 minutes

Inaugural Speech (SO 63)

Member making inaugural speech - 15 minutes†

Matters of Public Importance (SO 110)

Mover - 7 minutes
Member next speaking - 7 minutes
One other Member - 3 minutes
Reply - 3 minutes

No confidence in the Government (SO 111)

Mover - unspecified
Party Leader - unspecified
Any other Member - 30 minutes
Premier in response - 45 minutes
Reply - 45 minutes

No confidence in a Minister (SO 112)

Mover - unspecified
Minister named - unspecified
Any other Member - 20 minutes
Response by Minister - 30 Minutes
Reply - 30 minutes

No confidence in Speaker (SO 113)

Mover - unspecified
Member leading debate in opposition to the motion - unspecified
Any other Member - 20 minutes
Response by Member leading debate in opposition to the motion - 30 minutes
Mover in reply - 30 minutes

Censure of Member (SO 114)

Mover - 15 minutes
Member named - 15 minutes
Four other Members - 5 minutes
Response by Member - 10 minutes
Mover in reply - 10 minutes

Censure of Speaker (SO 115)

Mover - 15 minutes
Member leading debate in opposition to the motion - 15 minutes
Four other Members - 10 minutes
Response by Member leading debate in opposition to the motion - 10 minutes
Mover in reply - 10 minutes

Papers, printing of (SO 266)

All Members, including reply - 3 minutes

(The Speaker may call the Minister in reply if debate exceeds 30 minutes)

Press, accommodation (SO 263)

All Members - 10 minutes

(The Speaker shall be entitled to put the question after 30 minutes of debate)

Private Members' Statements (SO 108)

Up to sixteen Members - 5 minutes
Replies by Ministers - 2 minutes

Privilege/Contempt (suddenly arising in House) (SO 91)

The Member may speak for 10 minutes to establish a prima facie case

Proceedings other than bills in consideration in detail

All Members - 20 minutes*

Re-ordering General Business (SO 106)

Member in charge of the bill or notice of motion - 5 minutes
One other Member - 5 minutes

Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Assistant Speaker, election of (SO 10, 13 and 14)

All Members - 10 minutes

Speaker's ruling, dissent (SO 95)

All Members, including reply - 10 minutes

(The Speaker may call on Member to reply if debate exceeds 30 minutes)

Statutory Rules, disallowance (SO 116)

All Members, including reply - 10 minutes

(The Speaker may call on Member to reply if debate exceeds 30 minutes)

Suspension of standing orders (SO 365)

Mover - 5 minutes
One other Member - 5 minutes
Reply - 5 minutes

* A Member may request and the Speaker shall put, without debate or amendment, a question that the Member be allowed to continue that speech for a further period of up to 10 minutes.

† A member may request and the Speaker shall put, without debate or amendment, a question that the Member be allowed to continue that speech for a further period of up to 5 minutes.

That, during the current session, unless otherwise ordered, Standing Order 97 shall read as follows:

97. The House shall conduct its business in the following routine:

Tuesdays

1. At 1.00 p.m. (Speaker takes Chair)
2. General Business Notices of Motions and Private Members' Statements
3. At 2.15 p.m. (Speaker resumes Chair)
4. Ministerial Statements
5. Notices of Motions (Government Business, Bills, Business with Precedence)
6. Notices of Motions to be Accorded Priority
7. Question Time
8. Ministerial Statements
9. Papers
10. Committee Reports – Tabling
11. Petitions
12. Announcement of Matter of Public Importance
13. Placing or Disposal of Business
14. Motion Accorded Priority
15. Business with Precedence
16. At 4.30 p.m. Business before the House is interrupted for Government Business.
Any interrupted business lapses except when the House is considering Business with Precedence which will stand as an order of the day for tomorrow.
17. At 7.00 p.m. Business before the House is interrupted for the Matter of Public Importance.
Any interrupted item of Government Business shall stand as an order of the day for tomorrow. If at the time of interruption a division is in progress, that division shall be completed.
18. Adjournment at 7.30 p.m. or at the conclusion of the Matter of Public Importance if concluded before 7.30 p.m.

Wednesdays

1. At 10.00 a.m. (Speaker takes Chair)
2. General Business Notices of Motions
3. Government Business concluding at 1.30 p.m.
Any interrupted item of Government Business shall stand as an order of the day for tomorrow. If at the time of interruption a division is in progress, that division shall be completed.
4. At 2.15 p.m. (Speaker resumes Chair)
5. Ministerial Statements
6. Notices of Motions (Government Business, Bills, Business with Precedence and notices to be the subject of a motion to re-order later in the sitting)
7. Notices of Motions to be Accorded Priority
8. Question Time
9. Ministerial Statements
10. Papers
11. Committee Reports – Tabling
12. Petitions
13. Announcement of Matter of Public Importance
14. Re-ordering of General Business Orders of the Day (for Bills) and General Business (Notices of Motions)
15. Placing or Disposal of Business
16. Motion Accorded Priority
17. Business with Precedence
18. At 4.30 p.m. Business before the House is interrupted for Government Business.
Any interrupted business lapses except when the House is considering Business with Precedence which will stand as an order of the day for tomorrow.
19. At 5.45 p.m. Business before the House is interrupted for Private Members' Statements.
Any interrupted item of Government Business shall stand as an order of the day for tomorrow. If at the time of interruption a division is in progress, that division shall be completed.
20. At 7.00 p.m. Business before the House is interrupted for the Matter of Public Importance.
21. Adjournment at 7.30 p.m. or at the conclusion of the Matter of Public Importance if concluded before 7.30 p.m.

Thursdays

1. At 10.00 a.m. (Speaker takes Chair)
2. General Business Notices of Motions
3. Government Business until 11.45 a.m.
Any interrupted item of Government Business shall stand as an order of the day for tomorrow. If at the time of interruption a division is in progress, that division shall be completed.
4. General Business Notices of Motions or Orders of the Day (not being Bills) concluding at 1.30 p.m.
Any interrupted business shall stand as an order of the day for tomorrow with precedence of other General Business (not for Bills). If at the time of interruption a division is in progress that division and any other division(s) to determine the matter shall be completed.
5. At 2.15 p.m. (Speaker resumes the Chair)
6. Ministerial Statements
7. Notices of Motions (Government Business, Bills, Business with Precedence)
8. Notices of Motions to be Accorded Priority
9. Question Time
10. Ministerial Statements
11. Papers
12. Committee Reports – Tabling
13. Petitions
14. Placing or Disposal of Business
15. Motion Accorded Priority
16. Business with Precedence
17. At 4.30 p.m. Business before the House is interrupted for General Business Orders of the Day for Bills.
Any interrupted business lapses except when the House is considering Business with Precedence which will stand as an order of the day for tomorrow.
18. At 5.30 p.m. Private Members' Statements.
Any interrupted business shall stand as an order of the day for a later time with precedence of other General Business Orders of the Day for Bills.
19. Adjournment at 6.30 p.m. or at the conclusion of Private Members' Statements if before 6.30 p.m. At the time for adjournment the question "That Private Members' Statements be noted" shall be put forthwith.

That, during the current session, unless otherwise ordered, Standing Order 98 shall read as follows:

98. On any Friday upon which the House sits, whether as a continuation of the sitting of the previous day or as a separate sitting day the following program will apply:

(1) General Business Notices of Motions for Bills
(concluding not later than 10.30 a.m.)
(2) At 10.30 a.m. Government Business shall have precedence of all other business in the Routine of Business.
(3) No quorums shall be called and any divisions called shall be deferred, set down as orders of the day for the next sitting day and determined after Question Time.
(4) At 1.00 p.m. Business before the House is interrupted for consideration of committee reports presented or the next item of business shall be called. Any interrupted item of Government Business shall stand as an order of the day for tomorrow.
(5) At 1.30 p.m. Private Members' Statements, after which the House shall adjourn without motion moved until the next sitting day.

That, during the current session, unless otherwise ordered, Standing Order 46 shall read as follows:

46. Unless otherwise ordered, the House shall be adjourned without motion moved at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday (or at the conclusion of the Matter of Public Importance if before 7.30 p.m.); at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday (or after the conclusion of Private Members' Statements if before 6.30 p.m.); and after the conclusion of Private Members' Statements on Friday.

That, during the current session, unless otherwise ordered, Standing Order 101 shall read as follows:

101. The procedure for establishing the program for General Business Days is as follows:

(1) On Wednesdays, Members shall advise the Clerk in writing by 12.00 noon which General Business Notices of Motions for Bills, Orders of the Day for Bills, or Notices of Motions (not for Bills) standing in their name on the Business Paper are to be postponed. Party Whips may also advise the Clerk in writing of which items of General Business standing in the name of Members of their party are to be postponed.
(2) The first ten notices on the Business Paper, not advised to be postponed by 12.00 noon on the day preceding a General Business Day, will be deemed to be proceeding. Any General Business Order of the Day for Bills or General Business Notice of Motion re-ordered by the House to have precedence in accordance with Standing Orders 97 and 106 will retain such precedence.
(3) On any day when General Business is being considered by the House, a Member may, without debate:
(a) withdraw or postpone any notice of motion standing in their name on the Business Paper for that day.
(b) postpone, or on motion, discharge an Order of the Day standing in their name of the Business Paper for that day.
(c) discharge an Order of the Day for a Bill on motion without debate or amendment, "That the Order of the Day be discharged", followed by a motion moved forthwith, without debate or amendment "That the Bill be withdrawn".

That, during the current session, unless otherwise ordered, Standing Order 108 shall read as follows:

108. The procedure for General Business Notices of Motions and Private Members' Statements is as follows:

(1) At the commencement of the sittings on Tuesday, Private Members' Statements will follow the giving of General Business Notices of Motions.
(2) (a) At 5.45 p.m. on Wednesday, at 5.30 p.m. on Thursday and at 1.30 p.m. on Friday, the business before the House shall be interrupted for the taking of Private Members' Statements.
(b) The interrupted business shall stand as an order of the day for tomorrow.
(c) If at the time of interruption a division is in progress – that division shall be completed.
(3) The Speaker shall propose the question "That Private Members' Statements be noted".
(4) Up to 16 Members may speak for up to 5 minutes each and replies by Ministers shall be limited to 2 minutes each.
(5) Private Members' Statements may be taken between items of business with the leave of the House for a specified period or a specified number of Members or until certain business is to be conducted as notified by the Minister in charge of the House at that time.
(6) A division on any question or quorum call shall not be permitted during Private Members' Statements.
(7) At the conclusion of Private Members' Statements on Thursday and Friday or at the time for adjournment the question "That Private Members' Statements be noted" shall be put forthwith and the House shall adjourn without motion moved until the next sitting day.

That, during the current session, unless otherwise ordered, Standing Order 109 shall read as follows:

109. The procedure for the consideration of motions accorded priority shall be as follows:

(1) Prior to Question Time, the Speaker shall ask if there are any written notices of motions to be accorded priority over the other business of the House.
(2) No more than two notices shall be accepted at any one sitting of the House.
(3) The notices shall be set down for consideration later in the sitting in accordance with the routine of business.
(4) (a) The Members giving the notices shall each be permitted to make statements of up to 5 minutes as to why their notice should be accorded priority.
(b) At the conclusion of the 5 minute statements the Speaker shall put the question on the first notice "That the motion of the Member for … be accorded priority".
(c) If this motion is carried the Member may proceed.
(d) If the motion is not carried the question "That the motion of the Member for …be accorded priority" is then put on the next motion.
(5) When the motion for priority is determined and the motion is moved, the following time limits shall apply:
Mover - 7 minutes
Member next speaking - 7 minutes
Other Members (limited to three) - 3 minutes
Reply - 3 minutes
Total - 26 minutes
(6) The motion will lapse at the time for interruption unless a division is in progress whereupon that division and any other division(s) to determine the matter shall be completed.

That, during the current session, unless otherwise ordered, Standing Order 110 shall read as follows:

110. The procedure for matters of public importance is as follows:

(1) The matter, which must be definite, shall be handed in writing to the Speaker no later than 12.00 noon on days when the House discusses a Matter of Public Importance and immediately published.
(2) The Speaker, in the event that more than one matter is submitted, shall determine which matter is of the greatest public importance.
(3) At least 30 minutes prior to the time for Question Time -
(a) the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, the responsible Minister in the House, Members submitting matters and the Independent Members shall be informed in writing by the Speaker of the matter determined by the Speaker to be discussed.
(b) the Speaker, by placing a notice on notice boards, shall inform Members of the matter.
(4) If the Speaker decides that any matter proposed is in order it shall be announced to the House by the Speaker.
(5) As provided in the routine of business the Speaker shall call the Member concerned to proceed with the matter. The matter cannot be amended.
(6) The following time limit shall apply:
Mover - 7 minutes
Member next speaking - 7 minutes
One other Member - 3 minutes
Reply - 3 minutes
Total - 20 minutes
(7) At the conclusion of the discussion no question shall be put.
(8) There shall be no dissent from the ruling of the Speaker in relation to the operation of this Standing Order.

That, during the current session, unless otherwise ordered, Standing Order 35 shall read as follows:

35. The timing of bells is as follows:

Tuesdays (Government Business Day – First sitting day of the week)
Bells are rung at 12.45 p.m. 12.56 p.m. 12.58 p.m. and at 2.13 p.m.

Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
Bells are rung at 9.45 a.m. 9.56 a.m. and at 9.58 a.m.

After lunch
Bells are rung at 2.00 p.m. and at 2.13 p.m.

Division
First bell 10 seconds, pause 10 seconds; second bell 10 seconds, pause 10 seconds; third bell 20 seconds. The doors are locked 4 minutes after the bells are first rung.

Quorum
One long continuous bell (for up to four minutes until a quorum is present in the Chamber).

House adjournment
Two short bells.

One long bell
A continuous bell rung at the discretion of the Chair.

I will not speak at length in support of this motion. I have canvassed most of the reasons the Government proposes the motion in moving the suspension of sessional orders to allow this motion to be debated. I welcome the comments of all members from both sides of the House. At the end of the day my job as Leader of the House is to ensure that the Parliament is able to work in an appropriate business-like fashion but in a way also that supports and generates constructive debate at appropriate opportunities for all members rather than by a process of exhaustion, which was the case on many past occasions under the old sessional orders.

Ms CLOVER MOORE (Sydney) [3.45 p.m.]: I express concern about the way this matter has been processed. I received this document from the Australian Labor Party Whip during question time.

Mr Gerard Martin: No, I didn't give it to you. One of our backbenchers did. I didn't do it!

Ms CLOVER MOORE: One of the backbenchers.

Mr Thomas George: Point of order: My point of order is that a representative of the Independents has been at every meeting, like every other representative member.

The SPEAKER: Order! That is correct.

Ms CLOVER MOORE: Mr Speaker, you would understand that as Independents we are not part of an official group.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Sydney has the call.

Ms CLOVER MOORE: Opposition members may think it is amusing, but nothing is more important than the rights of an elected member to be able to come into this place to represent their electorate and have a say in the process that permits that. It is appalling that I had to collect this document during question time. It is appalling also that no Opposition members had seen itthe communication is pretty poor. The Independents fought incredibly hard in 1993 to get private members' morning so that each member would have a right to come into this place and directly represent their electorate. Nothing is more important to every member in this place, whether they are Government, Opposition or Independent members, than to be able to have a private members' opportunity to represent their electoratewhether it is private members' bills, private members' motions or private members' statements.

The Independents' Charter of Reform actually achieved urgency motions or priority debates. The Charter of Reform actually achieved matters of public importance for the House. They now have been relegated to the end of the day. Members now will be lucky to have bills introduced on Friday morning if they are present; then they will have the opportunity to debate it late on Thursday afternoon. Clearly, one of the most precious things from the battle to achieve better rights for individual members of Parliament was private members' morning: no thanks to those who have been involved in organising the loss of that opportunity. This is a very sad day for democracy in this House; it is a real setback for democracy. I call on the Leader of the House to reinstate private members' morning on Thursday. This proposal is appalling and it is the way the Government has gone about achieving it. The organisation of the House fails us as members.

Mr JOHN AQUILINA (Riverstone—Leader of the House) [3.49 p.m.], in reply: The Government takes seriously the comments of the member for Sydney. However, I make a couple of observations. Although it is true that not every Independent member was present at the meeting when the new sessional orders were being determined, it is important to note that the Independents did have a representative present at every meeting. With respect to general business, notices of motion and orders of the day, the Government is not reducing the amount of time available for debating these issues. It is true that previously that was done on Thursday morning and now it has been split, partly in the morning and partly in the afternoon, but the same amount of time is available for debating these matters. Members still have their same rights with respect to private members' bills on Thursday as well as half an hour on Friday. Members have the equivalent time to debate matters in an appropriate way, although it is not in the one block.

Question—That the motion be agreed to—put.

Division called for and Standing Order 181 applied.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.

Mr THOMAS GEORGE, by leave: I wish to make a personal explanation. Earlier today during question time the Premier virtually shattered and damaged my career with his comments. I cannot even repeat them they were that bad. It was a clear indication of the Premier being in trouble and trying to shift the focus off him onto me.

Petition requesting improved and expanded bus services for Pyrmont and Ultimo, received from Ms Clover Moore.

Petition praying that the Government urgently improve bus service 311 to make it more frequent and more reliable, received from Ms Clover Moore.

Petition requesting improved access to Hawkesbury River railway station, received from Mrs Judy Hopwood.

Petition requesting adequate commuter parking facilities at Hornsby and Berowra railway stations, received from Mrs Judy Hopwood.

Petitions requesting the removal of booking fees charged to pensioners on CountryLink services, received from Mr Andrew Fraser and Ms Katrina Hodgkinson.

Petition asking that TAFE fees be frozen at the 2007 level until 2011, received from Ms Katrina Hodgkinson.

Petitions requesting increased funding for public libraries, received from Mr Andrew Fraser, Ms Katrina Hodgkinson, Mr Donald Page and Mr John Turner.
Petition requesting funding for a community caseload midwifery pregnancy care program at Coffs Harbour, received from Mr Andrew Fraser.

Petition requesting that plans for the placement of an aeromedical rescue helicopter service based in Coffs Harbour be fast-tracked, received from Mr Andrew Fraser.

Petition praying that the House support the establishment of a satellite renal dialysis service in Tumut, received from Mr Daryl Maguire.

Petition requesting funding for stage 2 of the Lismore Base Hospital redevelopment, received from Mr Donald Page.

Petition requesting funding for Hornsby's palliative care beds, received from Mrs Judy Hopwood.

Petition asking that a public haemodialysis centre be established in the Hornsby area, received from Mrs Judy Hopwood.

Petition calling upon the Iemma Government to allocate more police resources to rural and regional communities throughout New South Wales, received from Ms Katrina Hodgkinson.

Petition opposing the closure of the median strip crossing on the Hume Highway at the southern end of Marulan, received from Ms Katrina Hodgkinson.

Petition opposing the sale of animals in pet shops, received from Ms Clover Moore.

Petition requesting the retention of the infrastructure and systems for generating and retailing electricity as public assets, received from Mr John Turner.

Petition asking that the overregulation of small business be stopped and that the regulations related to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the operation and cost of WorkCover be reviewed, received from Mr Andrew Fraser.

Mr JOHN AQUILINA (Riverstone—Leader of the House) [3.57 p.m.]: I move:

That standing orders be suspended at this sitting to permit:

(1) the giving of a notice of motion for the Clean Coal Administration Bill; and

(2) the introduction, without notice, and passage through all remaining stages of the State Emergency and Rescue Management Amendment (Botany Emergency Works) Bill prior to the taking of private members' statements.

I have moved this motion to give notice of motion in relation to the Clean Coal Administration Bill to enable the Minister, in a proper and orderly way to give the agreement-in-principle speech tomorrow. I do not intend to do anything more than give notice this afternoon. However, there is some urgency with respect to the State Emergency and Rescue Management Amendment (Botany Emergency Works) Bill, which is why the bill must be debated and passed by this House and the other place today. If the suspension of standing orders is agreed to, the Minister for Emergency Services will move the motion, we will proceed to debate and complete passage of the bill, and then dispatch it to the other place so that it may do the same before the end of sitting today. It is appropriate for this to happen because of its urgency. I understand that the Leader of the Opposition and Opposition members have been briefed in some detail about the matter. Leaving the suspension issue aside, there is some agreement in relation to the substance of the bill that is the subject of the suspension. For those reasons I move the suspension and plead the indulgence of the House.

Mr BRAD HAZZARD (Wakehurst) [4.00 p.m.]: The Leader of the House is seeking an enormous indulgence from the House. In recent times the suspension of standing orders to bring on business outside the usual routine of business has become more the routine of business. It is 4.00 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, the House is to rise shortly and suddenly suspension of standing orders is on the plate again. The first bill being discussed here is about cleaning coal. That bill could have been introduced this afternoon in the normal order before question time—that is what the standing orders say. Why did the Government wait until after question time to tell members about that bill? One suspects it is another hallmark of the Government's incompetence, which is rife across every policy area.

The second bill being discussed is the State Emergency and Rescue Management Amendment (Botany Emergency Works) Bill. The Government is seeking the movement through the House without notice and all remaining stages of that bill. That is remarkable. It has taken 35 days for the Government to wake up to the fact that it has a problem down in Botany Road where there are shopkeepers desperately waiting to get on with business, the road has collapsed and there is a dispute between various Government departments and the builders—

Ms Kristina Keneally: Do you know which intersection it is?

Mr BRAD HAZZARD: I know exactly which intersection it is. You do not know too much about that area though do you, Minister? If you did, you would have been there to try to ensure that it was fixed. A bill is to be rammed through all its stages—a bill that the Opposition is not going to oppose. However, I must say it was drawn to our attention by legal practitioners on behalf of be building company late today that there is a serious and quite clear dispute between the various government departments and the building company about where liability rests. We know from media reports that the Roads and Traffic Authority knew there were problems with that particular section of road nearly three months before the event occurred. Even with its standard level of incompetence, the Government should have addressed the issue earlier.

What else is interesting about the bill is that the Government has managed to get it into the House pretty quickly. With the stench of corruption and incompetence around the Government, we know it could have been processing other legislation that the public might have had more interest in. For example, does the Minister know what happened in September 2007? The Independent Commission Against Corruption [ICAC] produced a report—which the Minister probably has on her desk and will probably take to bed tonight to read—that said it is time the Government addressed corruption and donations, yet it has done nothing. Yet there is no legislation before the House seven months later—we have been waiting seven months for that legislation. What did the Independent Commission Against Corruption report recommend? It recommended that persons submitting development applications or rezoning applications to the Minister for Planning should declare any political donations—

Ms Kristina Keneally: Point of order: The matter before the House is whether or not we suspend standing orders to consider the legislation. The member for Wakehurst is not within the leave of the question.

Mr BRAD HAZZARD: It is interesting that the Minister has shown up for this debate but she was not here this morning for the disability debate, as the member for Bega has pointed out on a number of occasions. Speaking of payments that may have some element of conflict of interest, possible corruption, all those sort of tainted adjectives that can be applied to this Government.

Mr Andrew Constance: Stench.

Mr BRAD HAZZARD: Yes, including stench. I think the Minister, now that she has butted in, was a recipient of some of that $700,000 from the Transport Workers Union. Is that right or was it more?

Ms Kristina Keneally: Point of order: The Opposition raised this in estimates, which suggests they have no other questions to ask me about policy, about delivery of services—

ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Diane Beamer): Order! What is the Minister's point of order?

Ms Kristina Keneally: My constituents would like this bill to pass through the House tonight.

ACTING-SPEAKER (Ms Diane Beamer): Order! There is no point of order. The member for Wakehurst has the call.

Mr BRAD HAZZARD: That sort of point of order manifests the stench of corruption and incompetence that surrounds the Government. There was not even an effort to clarify that point of order. The bottom line, I remind the Minister, is the $700,000 from the Transport Workers Union that was put back into your Government— [Time expired.]

Question—That the motion be agreed to—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.

Bill introduced on motion by Mr Nathan Rees.

Mr NATHAN REES (Toongabbie—Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Water) [4.05 p.m.]: I move:

That this bill be now agreed to in principle.

On 6 March 2008 a break in the main waterline under Botany Road at Alexandria was detected. Around the same time subsidence was detected and a retaining wall on an adjacent construction site has moved and is unstable. The Iron Duke Hotel, next to the construction site, has been evacuated and Botany Road is closed. The retaining wall remains at risk of collapse, with the potential to cause substantial damage to Botany Road and adjacent properties. The wall presents a risk to public safety. Botany Road is a major Sydney arterial thoroughfare. It has been closed for over a month causing considerable inconvenience to Sydney commuters. Action needs to be taken as quickly as possible to prevent further damage occurring to the road. Repairs need to commence so that the road can reopen. Advice from the Department of Commerce and WorkCover indicates that there is an unacceptable risk of collapse. The public has been excluded from the area.

The New South Wales Police Force has sought to use powers under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act to require the owner of the construction site to undertake further work to prevent the retaining wall from causing further damage to Botany Road. Some work was undertaken by the owner of the site to stabilise the wall. However, in view of the continuing risks at the site, the police subsequently required the Department of Commerce to enter the premises to undertake stabilisation work to prevent further damage to the road and adjacent property. The owner of the construction site has commenced proceedings in the Supreme Court to prevent the police, through the Department of Commerce, from entering the site and commencing the work that is required to prevent further damage. The property developer has effectively challenged the power of the police, acting through the Department of Commerce, to undertake the necessary work.

The property owner's made an application for an interim judgement, which was refused by the Supreme Court on Wednesday 9 April 2008. In handing down its decision, the court noted that it was not satisfied that "the emergency" is over. The court also recognised that the Government in acting in this matter is seeking to represent the people of Sydney. The court said that:

There is a real public interest in having Botany Road reopened and in enabling neighbouring businesses to resume operation. It seems to me an intolerable situation that Botany Road has been closed since [6] March and will remain closed into the foreseeable future until sufficient remedial work has been completed to enable it to be reopened.

The court also recognised that the immediate safety concerns, both to persons and property, needed to be addressed. Although the court refused the application for an interim or temporary injunction, and the Department of Commerce has commenced work on the site, the court is still to hear the full case. This will determine whether or not the New South Wales Police Force, acting through the department, has the legal authority to enter the site and authorise the necessary works to be carried out. The hearing of the full case commenced today and it is not known when the court will give its final decision. The court has been advised of the proposed legislation and the proceedings have been adjourned until Monday. The bill will be provided to the court.

If the proceedings continue, there is a risk that if the court hands down its decision while Parliament is not sitting and concludes that there are insufficient powers under the current legislation to undertake the important work, then the current rectification work being undertaken by the Department of Commerce will need to cease. Given that Botany Road is a major arterial road and the significant risk of damage that currently exists, any further delay in progressing these works is unacceptable. Consideration has been given to using powers under other legislation to ensure that further damage to the road is prevented. I am advised that none of these options provides a complete solution that will ensure that all of the required works can be carried out. The bill provides the Department of Commerce with clear legislative authority and a clear obligation to undertake the required work on the construction site to prevent further damage to Botany Road and address immediate safety concerns.

Specifically, the bill authorises and requires the Department of Commerce to carry out emergency works at the site and authorises the Department of Commerce and others to enter the site to carry out the works. In addition, the bill includes provisions to require the property owner and others to provide information to the department to enable the emergency works to be carried out. The bill also provides that the department can recover the costs of the rectification work from the property owner. These provisions are similar to recovery provisions in the current Act, which already apply where the existing directions powers are used. The property owner is not prevented from claiming against any other person or company that might be responsible for the damage.

The Government has delayed introducing this legislation as late as possible in the hope that the matter would be completely resolved by the courts. However, in view of the impending three-week recess of Parliament, the Government has no choice but to introduce this legislation to address the continuing uncertainty. This will ensure that the required works can continue during the parliamentary recess. I note that this bill does not in any way attempt to interfere with the court proceedings, which are already underway. The bill provides a site-specific solution, which authorises and requires the Department of Commerce to undertake the required works. It does not amend the provisions under which the New South Wales Police Force has issued directions. As a result, the court proceedings can continue.

The Government is not trying to prevent the owner of the site from pursuing its questioning of the limits of the existing powers in the Act in the courts. The Government cannot, however, afford to risk the unnecessary prolonging of a situation where a major road in Sydney remains closed because of risks to public safety. The particular circumstances of this emergency have raised some novel issues. It is not clear that existing legislation is ideally suited to addressing complex circumstances that involve important public property, a number of private properties and potential interests of third party insurers and financiers. The Government will, therefore, review relevant powers with a view to developing a more suitable model to address any similar situations that arise in the future. This review will proceed in consultation with business, including insurers and financiers, to ensure that proper regard is given to the interests of all affected parties. I commend the bill to the House.

Mr GREG APLIN (Albury) [4.15 p.m.]: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to the State Emergency and Rescue Management Amendment (Botany Emergency Works) Bill. When the Leader of the House sought leave to suspend standing orders he said that the Opposition had had the opportunity to obtain a thorough briefing. I refute that statement and indicate that we simply have a draft copy of the bill, which was handed to us a few hours ago. The New South Wales community heard a news report on 6 March 2008 that a break in a main waterline under Botany Road, Alexandria, had caused great difficulty to early peak hour traffic. Emergency services were required to attend the scene to rectify the problem of subsidence that had resulted from the burst water main and damage to a retaining wall on an adjacent construction site. The retaining wall had moved, become unstable and was at risk of collapse. A single-page briefing from the Department of Commerce, which was given to me a couple of hours ago, states:

Action needs to be taken as quickly as possible to prevent further damage occurring.

As the shadow Leader of the House indicated in a previous speech on this issue, it is now 35 days since this event. It is a matter of concern to all residents and traffic users in the area that the problem persists and the road is closed. In December last year residents wrote a letter to the Roads and Traffic Authority highlighting their concerns about the potential danger of a crack that had appeared in Botany Road—a major arterial road in southern Sydney that carries an enormous amount of traffic. The Roads and Traffic Authority should have been greatly concerned about a crack appearing in the road. Anyone who travels along the road or uses that particular route to access the airport, as I do frequently when I return to my electorate, would know that the damaged road has caused serious traffic concerns. Yet the Roads and Traffic Authority, whilst admitting it received the letter, said that it affected only heavy traffic.

A crack in the road should have been a call to act immediately. As members know, Botany Road leads to heavy and light industrial sites, warehouses and major shopping areas and is the conveyance for a large amount of heavy traffic that delivers goods to properties and sites in and out of Botany Bay. The Roads and Traffic Authority was remiss in not reacting to the letter about the crack in Botany Road, which it admitted it had received in December last year. At the very least, it should have investigated and assessed the potential risks. Further, it should have involved Sydney Water, which would have discovered the water main that lay beneath. The New South Wales Police Force issued a media release on 7 March 2008. I shall place that media release on the record to show the serious nature of the incident and the fact that 35 days later this serious incident has not been addressed correctly. The media release states:

Police are appealing to motorists to avoid Botany Road at Alexandria following its closure due to water damage.

About 4.20 am yesterday (Thursday 6 March 2008) a major water main ruptured beneath Botany Road, approximately 20 metres south of McEvoy Street and adjacent to a construction site.

It actually resulted in serious flooding to the whole area and significant damage to the road and two adjacent properties. The media release continues:

Work crews from Sydney Water repaired the damaged pipe, and the Roads and Traffic Authority conducted an examination of the road surface.

Redfern Local Area Commander says Botany Road will remain closed for an indefinite period after concerns were raised about the structural integrity of a retaining wall on the excavation site.

The local area commander continues in the media release:

An engineering assessment of the wall indicates it has moved and is under undue pressure.

The structure is considered at risk of collapse, and there are real fears that the presence of traffic on Botany Road at this time could cause increased damage to not only the wall, but also the roadway. Expert engineers are continuing to assess the situation to find the safest and most effective way to fix the wall and any other affected infrastructure.

In the interests of public safety, Botany Road between McEvoy and Retreat Streets, will remain closed in both directions whilst any assessment, and subsequent repair or demolition work is undertaken.

Local businesses in and around the affected area remain open—

I will read that again

Local businesses in and around the affected area remain open, and motorists are expected to be able to access those premises.

That is an important point. After 35 days businesses are suffering huge losses. Some of them have closed and some have put off staff. The ramifications are enormous. The media release continues:

Extensive local diversions and special traffic arrangements are in place, and authorities are asking motorists to avoid the area whenever possible, as traffic delays in streets surrounding Botany Road are expected.

The Roads and Traffic Authority, when assessing the letter back in December, said that the damaged road affected only heavy traffic. A City of Sydney document on road closures relating to the burst water main states:

To ensure safety, Botany Road will be closed for a number of weeks.

From the New South Wales Police Force indicating that Botany Road will be closed for a relatively short period and local businesses will remain open, we move very quickly to the City of Sydney stating:

To ensure safety, Botany Road will be closed for a number of weeks and 24 hour Emergency Clearways have been declared on many surrounding streets. Cars parked in these areas will be towed.

That is a threat. I now come to the important part. Given that the Roads and Traffic Authority considered back in December that the damage affected only heavy traffic, the City of Sydney advises:

Bus routes 309, 310 and 370 in the area have also changed.

So everyone is now affected. I want to deal with the effect of the road closures on businesses. On Monday this week a report appeared in the Herald Sun—and the media picked this up across Sydney—concerning the plight of businesses one month on from the burst water main. The report noted that police said businesses in the area would remain open and motorists would still be able to access those businesses. The report stated:

A month after a burst water main forced the closure of a major Sydney road, repairs and compensation claims are still being delayed by finger-pointing and red tape.

That is the point of this bill. This problem should have been fixed by now. Unfortunately, the Government is now forced to take action because groups such as the Roads and Traffic Authority and Sydney Water have taken insufficient action. The report goes on to state:

A 400m stretch of Botany Road at Waterloo is now likely to be closed for months with businesses starting to count the cost and asking how much longer they can survive.

One business affected is the Iron Duke Hotel, which was forced to close immediately after the pipe burst and flooded its cellar. Other businesses in the area claim their profits are down by about 40 per cent. The manager of the Iron Duke Hotel said:

We had to get out immediately and are not even able to trade or enter the building.

The Roads and Traffic Authority claimed that the road could not be reopened because now the issues relate to a retaining wall in an adjacent construction site. The State Government added to the confusion I have been attempting to tease out when the Minister for Roads appeared on Channel 10 and called on the Roads and Traffic Authority to fix the problem immediately. However, the Minister for Police appeared on Channel 9 and said that he would use special powers to order the private contractors to complete repairs. This Government had it both ways. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, the Minister for Roads was probably the one who should have taken the initiative and called on the Roads and Traffic Authority to fix the problem immediately. But the Minister should have made that statement at the beginning of March when the problem first occurred, not at the end of March.

Businesses in the area claim that the water main was sound before it broke and that if it were not for the soil subsidence it probably would not have broken at all. That is also the view of Sydney Water. At the heart of this issue is what caused the problem. We know that the Iron Duke Hotel—which is next to the site; I often pass it when I am in cabs on the way to the airport—was closed by the police under the local disaster plan and the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act that we are debating amendments to this afternoon. The hotel owner and the licensee, Gary Stewart, said that seven staff have lost their jobs and 11 permanent hotel residents have had to be relocated to emergency accommodation. He said that everyone is blaming each other and no-one is accepting liability, while the business owners and the residents—the innocent parties in all of this—are the ones who are suffering.

The initial repair plan—and this was a huge gaping hole that erupted and sprayed water well over McEvoy Street and the surrounding area—required 6,000 cubic metres of sand to be shipped in to fill the hole and to stabilise a retaining wall before the repairs could begin. But that was not a long-term solution and engineers from the Roads and Traffic Authority, the Department of Commerce, Sydney Water and Baseline Constructions—the company at the heart of this—are trying to find another way to repair and reopen the road. Charlie Svinos, the owner of Kafe Neo, estimates he is suffering a loss of $300 a day from the lack of street traffic and commuters in the area. He claims the area is now looking more like a ghost town.

I now turn to the particular concerns addressed in the bill. Repairs should have been carried out as quickly as possible and the issues surrounding the local disaster should have been remedied. Clause 4 of the bill provides for the repeal of the proposed Act after all the amendments made by the proposed Act have commenced. That is a sensible provision because the whole idea behind this bill is to effect the repairs and then withdraw the bill—that is a natural consequence following the completion of the job. It is unfortunate that it has reached this stage. New section 11 authorises and requires the Director General of the Department of Commerce to carry out certain emergency works, including the shoring up of retaining walls and other stabilisation work at the site in Alexandria surrounded by and including Botany Road, McEvoy Street, Retreat Street and Wyndham Street. That is fairly straightforward and it identifies the area at the heart of this issue. New section 12 provides for relevant persons to have access to the site and applies relevant provisions of the principal Act relating to access and the carrying out of works in the case of emergencies. That is sensible.

I now come to the problem area. New section 13 provides for the costs of carrying out the emergency works to be borne by BBB Constructions Pty Limited, the owner of the site. As the Minister informed the House, legal action concerning this matter is currently before the Supreme Court. The company is concerned that it will be forced to pay for this issue without recourse when it considers that the problem is in someone else's territory. BBB Constructions Pty Limited believes it is highly prejudiced by the events that have arisen. The company points first to the effect of the burst water main because it affected the construction area as well as the surrounding businesses. Secondly, the company claims that the preparedness of the appropriate authorities to accept responsibility for the damage will obviously impact on them because new section 13 specifically provides that it be liable for the costs. The company claims also that if the Government takes over the site under the auspices of this legislation it would impact adversely on the company because it would be less able to claim the costs from anyone found to be liable. New section 13 states:

(1) The costs of carrying out the emergency works under this Part (including any costs incurred before the commencement of this clause) are to be borne by BBB Constructions, and may be recovered in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(2) This clause does not affect any proceedings that may be taken by BBB Constructions or anyone else against any person who may be liable for causing the damage required to be rectified by the emergency works (or for causing the liability of BBB Constructions under this clause) or who has agreed to indemnify or insure a person against liability for any such damage or liability.

One can understand the concern of BBB Constructions Pty Limited given that, under this bill, it will be forced to pay the costs and allow people onto its property. It might not have recourse to claim those costs from anyone found to be liable, whether that be Sydney Water or the Roads and Traffic Authority. We do not run away from the fact that the repair job needs to be done, but we say it should have been done much earlier. The Government is at fault for not forcing action to repair the damage but, understandably, the matter is before the courts and it is regrettable that the situation has not been sorted out in that jurisdiction.

Let us look at what the insurance implications might be. The concern is that if this bill is passed it could result in more general legislation. Some of the concerns that an insurance company may then raise would be that there has been no involvement of the insurer in this process, there has been no opportunity for assessment, there has been no opportunity for competitive quotes and there has been no opportunity to discuss the rectification of this particular area based on the most competitive quote. It must be ensured that the site is returned to its original state and not to an improved state. The Government needs to take those issues on board in presenting this bill to the House. I am sure the upper House will look at those issues most seriously when the bill proceeds there.

I reiterate the facts. The situation at the site has existed now for 35 days. It has caused serious concern to all road users and businesses in that area of Sydney and it should have been sorted out earlier. There are concerns that the construction company may have to bear the full costs and that it cannot be proven to be the company's liability at this point, given that the matter is before the Supreme Court and given that the Roads and Traffic Authority knew about this problem in December and failed to take action. I understand that concerns may be expressed about new section 13 in the upper House, but I will leave my comments at that.

Mr NATHAN REES (Toongabbie—Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Water) [4.30 p.m.], in reply: I will make a couple of brief points to correct some factual errors. I have been advised that the office of the Leader of the Opposition and the office of the Leader of The Nationals were briefed on this legislation at 10.00 a.m. today and a briefing note was provided at that meeting. A copy of the bill was provided as soon as it was ready, at about 1.30 p.m. I emphasise that the State Emergency and Rescue Management Amendment (Botany Emergency Works) Bill resolves complex legal matters relating to multiple private property holders, government agencies and a set of highly unusual circumstances. Given that legal wrangling is underway and at the same time public safety is potentially compromised, it is appropriate that we pass a bill to ensure that public safety is restored. If it this situation has, as the member for Albury claimed, caused concern for 35 days, he has had ample time to ask a question in this place, but he has not done so.

I pay tribute to the member for Heffron for her representations on this matter. She organised a number of mobile offices at Beaconsfield and Zetland in the weeks straight after the incident and she has provided regular email updates to her constituents. I also put on record my high regard for and appreciation of the Parliamentary Counsel team and the Cabinet Office team, who have resolved a difficult legal matter in a short time frame. I also extend my gratitude to the Opposition for seeing the sense in allowing this bill to pass to let businesses get back on their feet and to restore public safety. I commend the bill to the House.

Question—That this bill be now agreed to in principle—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Bill declared passed and transmitted to the Legislative Council with a message seeking its concurrence in the bill.

Mr GRANT McBRIDE (The Entrance) [4.33 p.m.]: On Thursday 27 March I had the honour to represent Minister Nathan Rees at the Rural Fire Service Queen's birthday weekend Wyong Storm Medallion presentation at Wyong Shire Council chambers. Other guests at the presentation included Warren Welham, the Mayor of Wyong Shire Council; Craig Thompson, the Federal member for Dobell; and David Harris, the member for Wyong. The guest list also included Chief Superintendent Steve Yorke, Region East Manager; Superintendent Steve Sowter, The Lakes Team Manager; Inspector Shane Geerin, Community Safety Officer; and brigade captains, group captains, service members, medallion recipients and friends and families.

The medallions are an acknowledgement of the outstanding efforts of Wyong shire members of the Rural Fire Service in one of the worst—if not the worst—storm events in the shire's history. In conjunction with other emergency services, the Rural Fire Service made an outstanding contribution in assisting communities on the Central Coast that were very badly affected by flooding and storm damage. Our Rural Fire Service rose to an enormous challenge in the same spirit that we have come to expect from rural fire services of helping out and getting the job done. Our Rural Fire Service staff conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism to assist our friends, neighbours and even strangers in their hour of need.

There are many stories associated with this event demonstrating how not only the Rural Fire Service but also all emergency services work together to mobilise the appropriate response to what was, as I said, probably the worst storm event in the area's history. The storm caused significant damage to homes, infrastructure and the lives of residents in the region. Thanks to the hard work and commitment of our Rural Fire Service, most of the damage has been made good. I acknowledge the invaluable assistance provided by communications, catering and welfare support, and the local group officers and staff. I also acknowledge all the brigades that took part and their members, and the support groups providing logistical backup. The brigades recognised on the evening were Berkeley Vale, Charmhaven, Chittaway, Dooralong, Gwandalan, Lake Munmorah, Mannering Park, Ourimbah, Wadalba, Warnervale and Yarramalong. The groups recognised were Group Communications Support, Group Welfare Support, Group Operation Support, group officers and their staff.

Given the schedule of brigades and groups associated with this event, one would realise why it is not possible to name all those who received medallions on the evening. However, the community will be pleased to know that the local Wyong Rural Fire Service is a strong and vibrant organisation with 564 members, including 290 active members and 53 junior members, comprising 405 male and 159 female members. Notwithstanding the strength of the organisation in Wyong, new members are needed and greatly appreciated. I encourage Wyong shire residents of a mind to consider becoming part of this great community service. The State Government has long recognised the importance of the Rural Fire Service and the invaluable work that it does, not only in fighting fires but also in responding to events such as the intense storm that caused havoc across the Central Coast.

Although the Rural Fire Service does not immediately spring to mind when storm events occur, such events highlight the wide range of functions that the service provides in our community. I am sure that everyone in our community sleeps well at night in the knowledge that we have this highly skilled, highly dedicated, highly trained volunteer emergency service ready at a moment's notice to give its time and to risk injury and worse to defend our community. The medallions presented are to commemorate the spirit of caring and support in the worst storm event in the region's history when locals were in greatest need. On behalf of the community and the Government, I congratulate all those who rose to the enormous challenge. I also recognise the contribution of families, partners and friends who support our volunteers and thereby enable them to serve our community.

Mr ROB STOKES (Pittwater) [4.37 p.m.]: It is 150 years since Tom Wills and his mates played a game of footy on the Richmond paddock. That game is credited by many as the genesis of what is now known as Australian Rules football. It is 120 years since the club game of Aussie rules was first played outside Victoria. That game was not played as some might expect in Tasmania, South Australia or Western Australia, but in New South Wales. Carlton played Sydney club Waratah. It is also almost 40 years since the formation of the Pittwater Tigers Junior Australian Football League at Narrabeen in my electorate. The Pittwater Tigers club continues to be the only junior Australian Football League club on the northern beaches, with players aged from 5 to 16 years old. This year the club is fielding teams for Auskick, involving five-year-olds to eight-year-olds, and teams for the under 9 to under 16 competitions.

This year is particularly significant in the proud history of the Pittwater Tigers. This is the year that the clubafter years of dreaming, planning, begging and workinghas finally secured a clubhouse to call home. The first stage in achieving a permanent home for the Pittwater Tigers was completed in April 2003, when the club formally commissioned the ground and ground lighting equipment, and it was on that day that club president Glen Elliott outlined a vision for a clubhouse. Since that day Glen and his team have worked with focus and determination to develop partnerships to ensure that the clubhouse was built. The first partner in realising this goal was Pittwater Council, which provided clear leadership and support in helping the Pittwater Tigers club to achieve its goal of a new clubhouse.

Council staff provided advice and guidance throughout the project. Council itself, through the Shore Regional Organisation of Councils—commonly referred to as SHOROC—contributed a percentage of the capital required to fund construction of this great new facility. The next partner in delivering a permanent home for the Pittwater Tigers was the New South Wales Australian Football League. Not only has the Australian Football League New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory branch supported the club through its game promotional initiatives and school-level participation clinics and competitions—which have stimulated growth at the club over the last 10 years or so—but also it has provided significant support to the clubhouse project by contributing a percentage of the capital funding needed to complete the project.

Even more importantly was the speed with which the AFL made these funds available. The time between when the club submitted its business case to the AFL until the AFL's funds hit the nominated bank account was approximately six months, which enabled the clubhouse to be completed in time for the beginning of the 2008 season. If only the New South Wales Government could deliver infrastructure projects in this time frame! I commend Simon Wilson, the participation manager for AFL New South Wales, and Clare Toia-Bailey from AFL New South Wales for their commitment to our local club. Thank you.

The final partner in delivering the Tigers' clubhouse was, of course, the sponsors and members of the Pittwater Tigers. More than 50 individual businesses contributed either directly or indirectly to the clubhouse project. These businesses range from national icons, including Telstra—via the Telstra Kids Fund managed by the Telstra Foundation—through to local businesses and the Pittwater RSL, down to mum and dad, and sole-trader organisations. Collectively, contributions from these sponsors total approximately one-quarter of the true commercial value of this project. And there was the hard fundraising work undertaken by club members, from selling sangers at the oval to flogging raffle tickets and attending fundraising events. Together, club members raised more than $100,000.

A special mention must also be made of the efforts of the club committee of the Pittwater Tigers, without whose constant efforts the clubhouse could not have been built. I particularly commend the efforts of Jeff and Julie Robinson, whose huge personal commitment and passion for assisting local kids was so vital. Jeff's professional skills and abilities were so important in ensuring the clubhouse project was completed in a very tight time frame. Also, I pay special tribute to the man who first had the vision: Glenn Elliott. Glenn is a good man who not only has great dreams to help others, but also has the guts, focus, and skills to make it happen. Glenn, I salute you.

Aussie Rules is a uniquely Australian sport, and Narrabeen is an iconic Australian place. I am proud that the Pittwater Tigers have worked so hard to make a permanent home for AFL at Narrabeen. I commend the Pittwater Tigers, their members, supporters, sponsors and players to the House. Good luck for the 2008 season.

Mr FRANK TERENZINI (Maitland) [4.41 p.m.]: Great programs and initiatives continue to be a feature of public education in my electorate of Maitland. Today I bring to the attention of the House another example of how our schools are preparing students for their future. On 13 December 2007 I attended the Maitland Grossman High School in East Maitland. The occasion was the farewell assembly of the year 10 students. I was honoured to be given the opportunity to address the school and to wish the year 10 students the very best in their endeavours. Coincidentally, it was 30 years to the day that I had left my high school as a year 10 student to start my apprenticeship, so I knew how they felt. There were awards for special, academic and sporting achievement to recognise the outstanding achievements of the students. On display was the vast array of talent we have in our schools, which made me a very proud State member for Maitland.

A special part of the day for me was not only to thank the teachers and staff for their commitment and dedication in the difficult job of educating our young people, but also to thank them for a great initiative of this school—the Adopt a Resident Program that the school has been running for a number of years. This program is one of the great examples of how a school can provide a special type of educational experience for its students and at the same time serves the community. The Adopt a Resident Program is about year 9 and 10 students attending aged care facilities and spending some time with a resident of the home. Each student will acquaint himself or herself with a resident and, for the purpose of the program, adopt that resident. Time will be spent by the resident and the student taking part in all kinds of activities. The program runs during the last term of each year and there are a number of specified occasions when the visits are conducted.

At present, the school visits both the Benhome Nursing Home and the Largs Lodge Aged Care Facility. Late last year, I visited the Largs Lodge with these students to see for myself how the program was working. I was amazed just how successful it was. What I saw were close bonds being established between each student and resident—a connection spanning two generations. I spoke to the teacher who initiated the program, Ms Lee Osbourne, who told me that the students would really look forward to the visit. Some students, who never had the opportunity to know or even be close to their grandparents, have received enormous satisfaction and enjoyment from this program. When I spoke with the manager of the facility, Ms Carolyn Tranter, I heard how the residents would also look forward to the visit and how they would prepare things such as family pictures, knitted jumpers and cards et cetera. I was told that the residents would be kept busy all week preparing for the visit. Likewise, the residents who did not have the opportunity to see or even know their grandchildren were seeking comfort from these students.

The educational and social value of this program cannot be overestimated. What we have is a connection being formed by two people from two generations and who grew up and are growing up in very different times. In these circumstances, we are making connections where both can learn from one another. The students will learn how things were done and what values were important to these earlier generations. The residents are taking these opportunities to pass on life's experiences and lessons to our young people—a win-win on any day of the week. What we are seeing here is what education is all about—that great partnership between our schools and the community. All of us in the community have a vested interest in making sure that our young people are given the greatest gift in life—a good, sound, all-round education to prepare them for life ahead.

I congratulate the principal of the school, Dr Di Saltau, and all the staff on their excellent work at the school. I also thank the coordinator of the program, Lee Osbourne, for this creative and innovative measure. Of course, my congratulations go to all the students and residents for making this a great success and to the management of the Benhome Nursing Home and Largs Lodge for agreeing to take part in such a successful initiative.

Mr DONALD PAGE (Ballina) [4.45 p.m.]: I bring to the attention of the House the outstanding achievements of Pam and Martin Brook, proprietors of Brook Farm, a gourmet food manufacturing company located in the hinterland of Byron Bay. Pam and Martin Brook first purchased a property at St Helena in 1989 and planted 4,500 macadamia trees. They moved to the property on a permanent basis from Melbourne some 10 years later. They shared a vision of producing gourmet macadamia products. Two years after moving to the property and developing their products they reached the manufacturing stage and today produce gourmet roasted macadamia nuts, macadamia oils and a range of beautiful muesli products. Their business has grown and become enormously successful since commencing production and they now sell their products Australia wide and internationally to the United States of America, Canada, Europe, Japan, Scandinavia, India and South-East Asia. They have recently appointed a US sales manager to man their office, which opened on the west coast of the United States in January this year, and are opening a new factory in the Byron Bay industrial estate in two weeks.

I applaud Pam and Martin Brook for their vision, their dedication to producing high-quality products and the inspiration they provide to other small and medium business operators. This type of value adding in our horticultural industries is to be encouraged. I commend their leadership in this regard and their can-do approach to value adding. Their achievements have not gone unnoticed. Recently they won the 2007 Telstra Australian Business of the Year Award. Brook Farm shared the honour with a Northern Territory business, SRA Information Technology. Previous winners have included software, manufacturing, design and engineering companies. Brook Farm is the first food manufacturing company to win the award. At the same awards ceremony Brook Farm also won the 2007 National MYOB Award for businesses employing between five and 20 people. Brook Farm was chosen for the Australian Business of the Year Award from 3,800 nominations and 137 finalists. It is an incredible achievement.

Pam and Martin Brook's good work has enormous benefits for the Ballina electorate. They provide much-needed employment for 17 staff. Their products are GM free and showcase the very best produce available in the Northern Rivers region to the rest of Australia and internationally. They regularly exhibit their products at food shows and expos Australia wide. In their early days, they began selling their muesli range at the local Bangalow market, a popular Sunday destination for thousands of locals and visitors. Pam and Martin Brook are wonderful examples of what small businesses can achieve and the benefits they bring to their local community. They continually promote our clean, green image for our North Coast region. The contribution they make to the local economy through employment, retailing and promotion is extremely valuable and deserves a great deal more support and encouragement from the New South Wales State Labor Government than it currently receives. Pam and Martin are passionate about the area they live in and remain loyal to the local area. However, if they were to move their business across the Queensland border, less than one hour from their current location, they would enjoy much lower payroll tax, fewer State taxes and much lower regulatory burdens than they endure now as New South Wales business operators.

As member for Ballina I sometimes despair at the effects this State Government is having on businesses such as Brook Farm. It is no secret that the leading lights of the New South Wales business sector are leaving in droves. I am grateful to Pam and Martin Brook for their diligence and loyalty to our region, but I fear that the North Coast is losing too many good business operators to Queensland and other States. The flow-on effect of the loss of even one small business is felt throughout the local economy. Who can blame small business people for leaving when their operating costs can be so dramatically cut in other States?

I have long supported The Nationals' one-on-one-off policy for the introduction of new regulations. This policy is aimed at reducing the regulatory burden on small businesses in this State, but the State Labor Government has rejected it. I also support the harmonisation of cross-border regulations. Many businesses in the Ballina electorate, due to their proximity to the Queensland border, regularly face dealing with completely different regulations when doing business in Queensland. This situation only adds to the excessive burden of regulation imposed by the New South Wales Government.

I sincerely hope that the State Government implements tax and regulatory reform before too many more small businesses leave New South Wales, especially businesses like Brook Farm, which is a leader in its field. Again, I sincerely congratulate Pam and Martin Brook and the staff at Brook Farm on their marvellous achievements, including being this year's Telstra Australian Business of the Year, and the benefits they bring to the Ballina electorate.

Ms JODI McKAY (Newcastle) [4.49 p.m.]: Following the recent success of Earth Hour, I bring to the attention of the House initiatives that contribute to energy and water efficiency. It would be no surprise to members to know that Newcastle is at the forefront of much of this success. A seismic shift is occurring across the globe and the message is clear: existing levels of energy use are not sustainable. Evidence confirms that human activity is altering the climate and this is likely to impact on rainfall, water availability, temperatures, bushfire frequency, health, heritage and biodiversity for current and future generations. Newcastle is leading the way when it comes to research into climate change and clean coal technologies. As the world's biggest bulk exporter of coal, it is only proper that we would be at the forefront also of the development of sustainable energy technologies through the CSIRO and the University of Newcastle.

But it is not just these big-picture efforts that will help improve the greenhouse effect. Many things must be done at the micro level: individuals, families and households can, and must, contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and the preservation of water. Newcastle residents have a proud record of reducing their carbon footprint and I am very pleased the New South Wales Government supports these efforts. The New South Wales State Plan sets out the Government's priorities to work towards a secure and sustainable water supply for all users, cleaner air and progress on greenhouse gas reductions. The New South Wales Government's $340 million Climate Change Fund takes a significant step towards achieving these goals. The fund, initiated in July 2007, includes the Residential Rebate Program, the New South Wales Green Business Program, the Public Facilities Program, the Renewable Energy Development Fund and the School Energy Efficiency Program.

The Residential Rebate Program, established to assist families to make their homes more water and energy efficient, includes rebates for rainwater tanks, hot-water systems and ceiling insulation. This table indicates our position in the Hunter local government region. I am pleased to note that to date some 220 rebate applications amounting to $97,029 in Newcastle have been applied for and have been successful. I can confirm the following numbers of successful rebate applications: 69 for hot-water systems, 105 for insulation and 46 for rainwater tanks. I know the mayor of Lake Macquarie, and the member for Lake Macquarie will be pleased that his region leads the Hunter. I note that the Acting-Speaker, Mr Matthew Morris, is nodding in agreement. I congratulate him and the member for Lake Macquarie on these achievements. I encourage Newcastle residents to take on the challenge with increased vigour.

Business is also a major contributor to our State's carbon footprint. The honourable member for Blue Mountains announced the first round of recipients for the $30 million Green Business Program, which will help New South Wales businesses save 164 million litres of drinking water each year and 36,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Newcastle will benefit with a grant from the Green Business Program to go towards the installation of a tri-generation system to generate power and capture heat for reuse on the Royal Newcastle Hospital site and residential, retail and hotel development. I am advised that it will increase energy efficiency by up to 80 per cent and reduce greenhouse emissions by a third, thus creating a new benchmark in the development of apartment blocks. Anyone who has visited Newcastle of late will know that a significant number of taller buildings, including residential and service sector buildings, are being erected. This is a good example of what can be done to reduce the environmental footprints from the apartment block perspective.

Local community groups also are set to benefit from the Climate Change Fund, with the establishment of the $30 million Public Facilities Program to provide water and energy-saving projects in facilities that are open to, and frequently accessed by, the public. The Government has recognised the need for a holistic approach that acknowledges the footprint of both small community projects and large-scale projects. This will be taken into account with the $40 million Renewable Energy Development Program. All of these programs demonstrate that the Government is following through on its State Plan priorities. Even though we are progressing well in reducing greenhouse emissions, improving energy efficiency and saving water, we can and must do more. I encourage the residents of Newcastle to do just that.

Mr KEVIN HUMPHRIES (Barwon) [4.54 p.m.]: I refer to my proposal on behalf of the good people of Lightning Ridge for the black opal to be the gemstone emblem for New South Wales. Today I received the following letter from the Premier:

Dear Mr Humphries

I refer to your letter regarding the introduction of the black opal as the gemstone emblem for New South Wales.

I am writing to confirm the Government's support for your proposal. The Government considers that the black opal is worthy to be declared the State's gemstone emblem given its value as a world famous gemstone, and its strong association with Lightning Ridge and New South Wales.

I understand that you have had discussions with Mr Alex Smith, Deputy Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet in this regard.

I am advised that since the enactment of the State Arms, Symbols and Emblems Act 2004, additional State emblems must be introduced by way of amending legislation. Accordingly, I intend to introduce legislation in the Budget Session of Parliament to amend the State Arms, Symbols and Emblems Act 2004 to recognise the black opal as the gemstone emblem for the State.

Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.

Nearly 12 months ago on 27 July I exchanged a deal of correspondence with Alex Smith of the Premier's Department, who gave me some advice. I said:

Thanks for your help Alex and I look forward to hearing from you.

I added that if there was any correspondence to please send it to me. Alex Smith replied:

I will then start a process which will review the request and liaise with you on the response.

Happy to help but in the end it does have to go to the Governor. As a matter of protocol I would not wish to embarrass the Governor by making an announcement about what will happen.

We now know that legislation must be amended to achieve our aim. On 30 July 2007 I attended the Opal Jewellery Design Awards, which is a biannual awards ceremony in Lightning Ridge attended by people from all over the world. In response to my proposal at the awards to designate the black opal as the State's gemstone emblem the President of the International Opal Jewellery Design Awards, Mrs Lyn Carney, said:

I think that it's a wonderful suggestion, I think something as unique as the black opal should be recognised.

Opal is the national gemstone but black opal is only found in a couple of places in the world and precious black opal is only found in one place, that's Lightning Ridge.

I found it amazing that on page 3 of today's Daily Telegraph an article entitled "Black heart of state pride" states:

It might be the one lasting legacy that rogue former country MP Peter Black leaves NSWhis name.

A dark gem, the Black Opal, worth more per carat than just about any other gemstone, will today be designated an official NSW State emblem.

The article contains acknowledgement of the good people from Lightning Ridge and all the good work that community has undertaken to filter the proposal. It is clearly a deception. On page 26 of the same newspaper the editorial states:

In the manner of a Madonna or Kylie Minogue, Morris Iemma has reinvented himselfas Opal-displaying hand model Morris Gemma.

Considering that he is usually handling matters relating to his Government, the Premier looked remarkably at ease in charge of something precious and valuable.

Clearly this is a deception: It undermines and demeans the people of Lightning Ridge and the good work the people of Barwon were doing. In no way did the previous member for Murray-Darling have anything to do with this process. A couple of people from Lightning Ridge who rang me today were quite offended that they had not even been acknowledged in the process. The Premier's office rang the Lightning Ridge office of the Australian Fossil and Opals Centre for an explanation about the black opal.

He did not understand why black opal is not black. Black opal is unlike ordinary opals. Black opals have carbon and iron oxide trace elements, which results in a darker body tone and brilliant striking rainbow colours. They stand out far better than lighter opals, which are often referred to as boulder opals.

As a State, we acknowledge the waratah as our floral symbol, the kookaburra as our bird emblem, the platypus as our animal emblem and the blue grouper as our fish emblem. We will introduce legislation into this place to acknowledge the black opal as our State gemstone emblem. Again I acknowledge the good work of the people of Lightning Ridge, and everyone associated with the mining and opal industries, which are doing it pretty tough at the moment. Even though mining is a multimillion-dollar industry, those people should be recognised. This is a grassroots presentation for the Premier, to take the limelight off those people and acknowledge a former member, who had nothing to do with this process. He was an embarrassment to the Premier and this place. We can do better.

Ms SONIA HORNERY (Wallsend—Parliamentary Secretary) [4.59 p.m.]: What makes a community special? What harmonises a community? How do we create happy and sustainable communities? On the weekend of 15 and 16 March an extraordinary group of people gathered to undertake essential community work in the electorate of Wallsend. The participants formed a working bee of 30 parents and children, willing to sacrifice their precious weekend to make their local public resource a beautiful example of environmental education. This special facility is the Glendale East Public School that has within its grounds a unique environment habitat.

Glendale East Public School is fortunate to contain 16 acres of land, with a creek running through it. Of course, many inner-city schools would be envious of the expanse of playground, but it comes at a large, labour-intensive cost. How can a public school, in a socioeconomic area of workers mostly earning average or below-average wages, adequately maintain the land? I will outline the humble beginnings of the school's quest to improve its grounds. Ten years ago the school was a dust bowl in the summer and a mudslide in the winter. The 16 acres of ground were totally underused. It was hard to mow the grounds, let alone utilise them. Erosion and flooding problems were the greatest issues. The creek also required rehabilitation. Environmental work at Glendale East Public School began with a New South Wales Labor Government grant in 2000 to build bird-attracting gardens. The creek restoration was seeded by a State Government grant of $2,500. With an eye on the future, the parents and citizens association kicked in and erected a citrus swale. The swale helped prevent erosion, with the citrus for sale at a later date.

The school and parents and citizens association had dreams. With extremely hard work and some New South Wales Labor Government grants, these dreams have been realised. I will highlight some of the environmental accomplishments of Glendale East Public School: a student green team, a school Landcare group, a series of water diverging and cleaning swales to reduce erosion and flooding, a curriculum with environmental perspectives, a recycling program, weekly classroom power audits, water testing, a bush tucker garden, yearly whole school creek planting rehabilitation project, a small frog pond, a series of native gardens, including fern and lilly pilly hedge, worm farms and vegetable patches where students grow organic produce. I understand the pumpkins are very popular and the evidence is in the sales—a remarkable total of more than $300. The school principal, Maria Williams, referred to the successful outcome, and stated:

The results for Glendale's families are an appreciation of recycling, mulching and growing plants, both native and vegetable. Parents say that we have inspired their children to be the environmental gatekeepers of their families, telling them to compost, turn off the lights, save water and recycle. The students have also inspired parents to set up their own vegetable patches.

Ms Williams further thanked the State Labor Government and Landcare for making this environmental project possible, for without them the school would not have the resources to embark on these projects. Also, the mammoth support of Lake Macquarie City Council deserves recognition. The school parents and citizens executive, Megan Staff, Michelle Bryson, Kim Lennard and Lea Fry, and the school leaders of 2008, Hayley Bryson, Madison Honeysett, Lachlan Gratton, Tyson Beatty, Sam Dyson, Joe Fry and Sarah Kelly, are enthusiastic to maintain the current projects, build on them and begin new endeavours. I take a brief moment to acknowledge the parents and citizens association, staff and students at Glendale East Public School for their incredible effort in enhancing knowledge of the environment through the use of both practical and intellectuals skills, which, I am sure all members would agree, is the best way to learn.

Ms KATRINA HODGKINSON (Burrinjuck) [5.04 p.m.]: I bring to the attention of the House the continuing drought in central New South Wales. I also highlight the excellent work that is being done by the Mid Lachlan Alliance of Councils to seek equitable solutions to improve drought assistance measures. The Mid Lachlan Alliance of Councils is a grouping of the Lachlan, Parkes, Forbes and Weddin shires. Weddin shire is part of the Burrinjuck electorate. The Mid Lachlan Alliance is working in partnership with the Bland Shire Council and the Forbes Rural Land Protection Board to address the issues of drought support.

Anyone travelling through western New South Wales and south-western New South Wales at the moment will experience thick dust storms. They will see the lack of stock, the degradation to the land, and the unbelievable struggle that continues to confront farmers. There is hectare after hectare of dead grapevines and dead or dying fruit trees through lack of irrigation water, and entire regions waiting for moisture to begin planting winter crops. The latest drought figures make sobering reading. Between December and March there was a steady decline in the area of New South Wales in drought. This was encouraging to farmers, and me as local member, and raised hopes of the possibility of winter crops and some income. But the April figures are cause for concern. The area of New South Wales that is in drought has risen by 2.6 per cent to 42.9 per cent.

The last occasion when any part of the area covered by the Mid Lachlan Alliance was considered satisfactory was in June 2002. Since then the whole area has been in drought, with the occasional intrusion of small areas of marginal conditions. The mainstay of drought relief for farmers in New South Wales is through the exceptional circumstances framework that was introduced in 1994. While changes have been made to exceptional circumstances support and conditions over the years, the system of criteria, approval and declarations remains basically as it was in 1994. The exceptional circumstances criteria are intended to meet the needs of the farming community when they face a rare and severe drought event. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry defines a rare and severe drought as a one in 20 to 25 year event.

The drought that is facing New South Wales at the moment has surpassed this definition. Some have referred to the drought as a one in a one hundred year event and by others as the worst on record. Clearly this drought exceeds the 1994 criteria and a new approach is needed to ensure that farming will survive as part of the New South Wales economy. The Mid Lachlan Alliance met with the former Federal Government to raise the need for a national strategy to address this drought. It is also seeking talks with the new Federal Government to further highlight the pressing need for drought relief reform. I encourage Tony Burke to meet with the Mid Lachlan Alliance at the earliest convenience.

Last year, as Opposition Leader, Mr Rudd wrote to the alliance supporting the evolution of the exceptional circumstances system. It remains to be seen whether he will honour his commitment now that he is Prime Minister, and I would strongly encourage him to do so. In November last year I wrote to the Premier strongly urging him to meet with the Mid Lachlan Alliance, but to date I have not received a reply from the Premier. I urge the Premier to meet with this group to hear about its concerns firsthand. The alliance has raised with me several issues that must be addressed by all levels of government to give farmers across New South Wales and Australia a fighting chance to survive this devastating drought.

The alliance seeks the introduction of a drought rate rebate scheme for local government and rural lands protection board rates for primary producers and eligible businesses in drought areas; a small business emergency assistance scheme, including relief from payroll tax; cancellation of irrigation water charges when no water is available; an unequivocal extension of the Drought Transport Subsidy Scheme and drought support workers until the drought is well and truly over, and including a post-drought restocking period; assistance for businesses to delay GST payments due to businesses carrying drought debts by farmers; and subsidies to retain core breeding stock. There are more and more empty machinery sheds in areas to the west of Forbes and in Condobolin as agricultural equipment is being repossessed and feed now costs $500 to $600 per tonne. I received an email from the mayor of Weddin shire recently in which he said:

The situation is getting worse every day with the hot days drying off all available feedstocks and sapping any moisture from the ground. I take calls from many districts and the asking list can never be totally satisfied which we fully realise but something must be done or the social cost of the total collapse of farms, businesses and schools in the areas that we represent will never be overcome. In Grenfell recently nearly 300 persons from Grenfell and surrounding towns and cities attended a Roads to Recovery mental health awareness and support update, which was organised by the Rotary Club of Grenfell. This is serious stuff. Something must be done.

Councillor Maurice Simpson is right: something needs to be done. I call on the State and Federal governments to meet the challenge to ensure that once the drought is over we will still have an agricultural industry in New South Wales.

Dr ANDREW McDONALD (Macquarie Fields) [5.09 p.m.]: On 12 March 2008, together with the member for Menai, I met Aunty Nancy Davis representing the Gandangara people at the Liverpool Women's Health Centre. Nancy is one of the stolen generation. Her story, among others of her generation, needs to be never forgotten by the people of New South Wales. For that reason I would like to place a little of it in Hansard. Nancy was taken from her mother in the mid 1940s. She was aged about six years old and remembers it was a Saturday. She was charged with being neglected and removed. In her own words, she never had a child's life. Nancy also lost the language that her mother would speak to her before Nancy was removed. It was only after the apology by Prime Minister Rudd that Nancy was able to talk about her mother. The word "sorry" is about making a break with the past. As Nancy said, we need to move forward.

In my day-to-day work I regularly meet members of the stolen generation, as I am sure many of us do and we may never know it. Their stories are almost never volunteered, always painful, and often tragic. My own interest in Aboriginal health started in 1977, when I worked at Kempsey as a medical student and intern. Even then, it was clear to all in the field that many generations had been wronged, and that the only way to improve Aboriginal health was to involve the Aboriginal community. For many years at Federal level the failure to say sorry has made this harder or, as Australia's most distinguished paediatrician, Fiona Stanley, has said:

Acknowledgement of history is not only symbolic, it has been shown very clearly to increase self esteem and make people participate more fully.

One of the greatest rewards of my medical career was working at Tharawal Aboriginal Health Service. From my own experience, I resolutely can tell all in this place that the effect of the stolen generation resonates in all aspects of Aboriginal society and health to this day. Tonight there is a Close-the-Gap seminar on Aboriginal health in the Jubilee Room chaired by Daryl Wright, the General Manager of Tharawal Aboriginal Health Service. I look forward to having more Aboriginal medical and nursing staff to help me in the future. As Professor Stanley said, "An Aboriginal workforce is the sustainable solution to all of this". Yet again I acknowledge the involvement of the University of New South Wales and the University of Western Sydney in training Aboriginal medical and nursing students. By comparison, New Zealand has had 15 per cent Maori doctors for 50 years.

Another of the early leaders in Aboriginal child health is Professor of Paediatrics, Kim Oates, AO. For many years he held monthly clinics at Bourke where he introduced many of the paediatricians-in-training in New South Wales to the issues of indigenous youth. On the day of Mr Rudd's apology, he told me that as he stood in the rain in Martin Place the water on his face was not all from above. That brings me to the reason Nancy was there to welcome us to country: she was there to celebrate International Women's Day by launching the website for Liverpool Women's Health Centre and the WEEO WISER [Women Educating Each Other, Women In Safe and Equal Relationships] program.

Minister Firth described the Liverpool Women's Health Centre as an "oasis of calm". The value it provides to the community is enormous. More than a just a health centre, Liverpool Women's Health Centre has long been a tireless voice for women in south-west Sydney and beyond. The announcement on the day by Minister Firth of a further $100,000 for WEEO WISER was especially welcomed. I have spoken before of this an excellent program for our year 9 young women. This innovative project has led the way to equip young women with knowledge, skills and attitudes to reject violent, abusive relationships and to expect healthy, safe, equal relationships. The Lancet of 5 April 2008 stated:

Intimate partner violence is associated with serious public health consequences that should be addressed in national and global health policies and programs.

The safety of women and children is a real priority for the Iemma Labor Government. Programs such as this demonstrate our commitment to tackling domestic and family violence. Our area is enriched by Nancy Davis and WEEO WISER, and I commend them to the House.

Mr WAYNE MERTON (Baulkham Hills) [5.14 p.m.]: I speak on an issue of great importance not only to residents of The Hills district but also to the thousands of motorists who travel through the Baulkham Hills area to the Hawkesbury and central western regions of New South Wales or to the Central Coast via Wisemans Ferry. I refer to the intersection of Windsor Road, Old Northern Road and Seven Hills Roads. All three roads are under the control of the Roads and Traffic Authority [RTA] and the area is known as "the junction". To say that at peak hours this major intersection is at gridlock is an understatement. By "peak hours" I refer to lengthy periods commencing at 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

The situation has not improved and will only get worse by virtue of the north-west Rouse Hill-Kellyville development that was approved by the Labor Government in 1985. When this development is completed it will house an additional population of some 250,000 people—the same size as the population of Canberra. In addition, the Iemma Government has failed to commence construction of the north-west rail link, which was promised to be completed to Castle Hill by 2010 but later extended to 2015. In recent weeks we have been told that a metro line will be built, with no details of funding or commencement. Many disillusioned, shattered and devastated people simply regard the project as another dream of a Government that is about political expediency rather than providing services to real people.

Residents of The Hills are captives of our roads, with local motorists, buses and tourists travelling to the central west all competing for space on roads that were inadequate more than 15 years ago. This scandalous intersection is the focal point for transport chaos in The Hills area. Daily, motorists are subjected to increasing stress and trauma and many become agitated as they are forced into almost traffic meltdown. Recently Baulkham Hills Shire Council adopted a Baulkham Hills town centre development control plan that will substantially increase housing densities and provide additional retail and commercial development for the area. Council has realised that an essential part of these changes to the local planning scheme should include the construction of an overpass-underpass at this intersection. Council formally moved at its meeting of 25 March that this should happen.

The Roads and Traffic Authority appears to believe that more bus lanes in the town centre are the answer, with additional bus priority lanes planned along the Windsor Road north of the intersection. Many of us remember what has happened at Epping Road. Whilst new bus lanes may assist local transport problems in the short term, they are creating additional traffic chaos as more cars fight for less road space. I am informed by Baulkham Hills Shire Council—and I acknowledge the assistance given to me in this respect—that the daily traffic volumes on each of these main roads exceed 40,000 and are at capacity right now. Parramatta remains the single largest destination for our local workforce outside of the Baulkham Hills local government area in the morning peak.

The Baulkham Hills Shire Council further notes that the local population is growing in accordance with State Government housing targets. These new residents, in addition to those of the new north-west developments, will need both car and bus access through Baulkham Hills town centre. The Roads and Traffic Authority was in the process of contracting a new $10 million left-turn lane from Old Northern Road into Windsor Road, which may well reduce queues for bus and cars in the short term only. As a council officer stated:

Buses are extensively used by our residents, so it's obvious that when we are given a transport option, we are ready to use it. But it's no good if the buses simply get caught in a new queue further along Windsor Road, or they are caught in their own queue because they cannot enter the adjacent lane. The grade separation we propose would continue to allow buses to get to one of the most important bus stops in northwest Sydney and then onto the M2 without more delays.

Further, should the Roads and Traffic Authority finally approve the west-facing ramps for the M2 at the Windsor Road interchange, the new intersection arrangements will also include a bus priority lane. So it would be logical to correctly plan both these intersections now to get the most benefit for public transport. This grade separation will be an expensive project. A similar intersection at Norwest Business Park cost taxpayers about $50 million and the Baulkham Hills town centre project will probably cost the same, maybe more. Delaying the commitment to do the work will only result in more expense. The M2 west-facing ramps will probably cost over $25 million, when they could have been built in 1995 at a cost of about $5 million. That highlights the financial situation. I am pleased that council supports this project. I am prepared to work with council to ensure that the Minister for Roads addresses this important issue. The people of The Hills are in desperate need of transport relief and need an underpass or overpass, as suggested by council, at this vital intersection.

Mr MATTHEW MORRIS (Charlestown) [5.19 p.m.]: New South Wales Sport and Recreation grants were announced a few weeks ago. All members would acknowledge the importance of sport and recreation to our communities and the benefits derived by young people who participate in sport, such as keeping active and fit, participating in team building, and making friendships, which often last for many years. The provision of sports services and facilities comes at a cost. I am pleased the Government has consistently been proactive in supporting individual clubs and organisations in securing sport and recreation grants. The grants are used for a range of works, including amenities upgrades, disabled access, fencing, seating, storage facilities and ground improvements. That is not an exhaustive list but shows the type of work that is undertaken by sports clubs. The various sporting codes need assistance in improving the facilities and grounds they occupy.

Warners Bay Soccer Club is a strong club in the electorate of Charlestown. It started out as a very small, unknown club and built up over the years into probably the strongest soccer club in the local area, with about 600 registered players. The club has taken a great deal of responsibility upon itself to improve its facilities, contributing significant amounts of money. I am pleased to be in a position to support its efforts and assist in the provision of sport and recreation grants. The most recent grant for Warners Bay Soccer Club was in the order of $25,000 to assist in the completion of drainage work on the grounds. If grounds are not in a reasonable state of condition, games can be postponed for weeks. The club is well supported by players and parents. I am pleased the Government complements the work they do by providing sport and recreation funds.

Many other organisations and clubs have been successful in the grants process. New applications are lodged each year when the grant round is opened. I encourage clubs that have not made an application to do so. I know they are out there. I call for their commitment to lodge an application and allow me, and particularly the Government, the opportunity to take a stronger role in supporting the various sporting codes. Recently I have been in discussion with Lake Macquarie City Council. For many months the council has been crying poor. I note that the council is considering spending $57 million on a new administration centre. At the same time it has significantly increased fees and charges for sporting clubs. Those working mums and dads who put their young ones into sport are now paying significantly more in fees and charges for their children to participate.

In comparison, the neighbouring Newcastle City Council has a much stronger commitment to sport and recreation facilities. It spends much more time and energy on looking after its open spaces and sportsgrounds and provides more resources. Lake Macquarie council, a sizeably bigger council with a greater level of revenue, spends significantly less than Newcastle council on public sports facilities. I hope that situation will change in due course. Until then, the clubs in the area rely on New South Wales Sport and Recreation grants. It is a team effort. I thank Michael Reay and his team at Warners Bay Soccer for their commitment to sport for the young people of the area and for their energy and effort in fundraising, campaigning and lobbying to secure additional funds for the betterment of soccer.

Ms GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN (Willoughby) [5.24 p.m.]: I raise an issue that is causing enormous angst for the residents of Lane Cove North. The State Government's unfair planning laws have imposed unrealistic housing targets on councils throughout the North Shore. I turn my focus to the concerns raised by the residents of Lane Cove north. At the last State election I was most fortunate to inherit the area that bounds Epping Road, Centennial Avenue and Mowbray Road—the only part of the Willoughby electorate that now falls within the boundaries of Lane Cove Council. I have doorknocked the area extensively to receive feedback on the many issues that impact on that part of the community.

I thank the residents of Lane Cove north for being open and frank about the issues that impact on their quality of life and local community. The area is bound by major traffic and transport corridors and is characterised by mixed housing. Although high-density housing exists on the boundaries of these thoroughfares, a substantial section of the area is characterised by freestanding family homes. Many residents have lived in the local area for 30 or 40 years. It is a well-established area where families enjoy the benefits that come from living relatively close to the central business district and having a home with a moderately sized backyard that meets the needs of a family.

Firstly, under current planning laws, Lane Cove Council is being forced to consider proposals to rezone land in this area. This is causing enormous angst for residents. I appreciate their concerns, and that is why I raise the issue today. Many of the residential streets are narrow, with cars parked on either side. Many of the parked cars belong to commuters. Because of inadequate public transport alternatives, commuters park their cars on residential streets. Getting around these narrow streets and bends is already a difficult task. Increased development of the area would only exacerbate traffic safety concerns and the impact on the residential community. Secondly, many residents in the area, understandably, have invested a great deal of their life savings in the family home to make it a special place to raise their children. Rezoning the area would impact on their quality of life and residential amenity.

Residents feel that having multistorey levels close to the boundary of their property would impact on their quality of life and the value of their family home, which they have invested in over many decades. It is obviously a matter of great concern for them. I appreciate the angst that many local residents feel. Many people purchased their home with the intention that it would remain in their family for a long time. They have invested their life savings in their homes and are proud of them. Clearly, the rezoning proposals would impact on their investment, as well as their quality of life. Thirdly, the notion that people who live close to the central business district and in close proximity to bus stops and other transport amenities should live in an apartment, not a freestanding dwelling, is contrary to the concept of living in Sydney. Sydney should have diverse housing. Those pockets of residents who have worked very hard to have their family homes relatively close to the central business district and relatively close to amenities should not be penalised for that. Many residents feel that these proposals unjustly target them, and that is causing them great angst.

I thank the many Lane Cove north residents who have approached me about their concerns. I assure them I will keep raising their concerns. I have spoken to the Mayor of Lane Cove, Mr Longbottom, who is an excellent community representative and who does an outstanding job. He has assured me that all these residents will be given the opportunity to engage in robust debate on these issues, but obviously council is constrained by what is being imposed by the State Government. The residents understand that and I am grateful to the council for working closely with residents in relation to these proposals. I again assure residents that at every turn I will raise their concerns. I empathise with them and I can appreciate why they are so concerned because, regrettably, I have seen what is happening in Lane Cove north and in other parts of the electorate. I have taken this opportunity to make the House aware of these issues.

Mr NATHAN REES (Toongabbie—Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Water) [5.29 p.m.]: Tonight I inform the House of an important issue that affects veterans in Wentworthville in my electorate of Toongabbie. For the second year in a row, local diggers will be forced to conduct their dawn service at the Wentworthville Bowling Club instead of the Wentworthville Memorial Park. The memorial park was established so that diggers and their families would have a suitable place to pay their respects on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, and this is the most appropriate place to hold local services. The reason for the change of location is that the memorial park is next to the derelict site of the RSL club, on the corner of Cumberland Highway and Dunmore Street, Wentworthville. For seven years the RSL club has been vacant, and during that time it was badly damaged in a fire. Since then it has been left to rot away.

Jack Antoniolli, an 82-year-old World War II Digger and former President of the Wentworthville sub-branch of the RSL, contacted me through his son David and put forward his case to get this unacceptable situation fixed. I have written to the developer of the site, Zeaiter Corporate Holdings, and explained the Diggers' and residents' concerns. I am seeking a meeting with the developers to resolve this issue. This site has been an eyesore in the area for far too long. It is highly visible to all passing motorists on the highway and it is an absolute disgrace. Equally worrying, the site has become a magnet for vandals, who not only set fire to it in November 2006 but also have plastered the building with graffiti and smashed most of the windows.

I have been informed also that the site may be unsafe and that vicious dogs are now guarding it from intruders. The owners and developer have a responsibility to maintain the block. They also have a duty to minimise the impact on other residents and to get on with the job of developing the site. The developer has already spent a considerable amount of money taking its development application to the Land and Environment Court and it has won. I note that the development application has a use-it-or-lose-it provision that expires in July this year. It is therefore a mystery to most residents as to why the development has not yet proceeded. I have called on Zeaiter Holdings to demolish the building as soon as possible to allow local Diggers to hold their Anzac Day service in the adjoining park.

The inadequate perimeter fencing and safety of the site is just one issue. I also understand that the temporary fence surrounding the site intrudes significantly, so much so that it would interfere with any service the Diggers may want to hold in the memorial park. That is why I asked the developer immediately to reposition the perimeter fence and to make it safer. The enforcement of these measures falls within Holroyd council's jurisdiction. I was encouraged when I read in the Parramatta Sun that a council spokeswoman would ensure that the building would be made more secure and all temporary fencing blocking access to the laneway moved. I understand that the developer has agreed to reposition the fence in time for Anzac Day, and that is welcomed. However, it is clear that this year's Anzac Day dawn service will not be able to be moved back to the memorial park.

The Diggers rightly want a commitment that they will be able to go back to the memorial park for next year's dawn service and resume their most important event in its rightful place. Despite local media reports suggesting that the issue is now resolved because the fence has been moved, the Diggers advise me that this is not the crux of the issue. The issue is that development has not happened after seven years. Their real wish is for the former RSL club site and the building on it to be demolished and redeveloped so they can hold their services without an eyesore encroaching on the park. The memorial park is the most appropriate place to hold the dawn service and the Diggers should have access to it. The local Diggers have served this nation with pride and distinction and they deserve nothing less than to be treated honourably by developers in their own patch.

Mr MIKE BAIRD (Manly) [5.34 p.m.]: As this is likely to be the last sitting day before the Seaforth and Clontarf community votes on the future of the Seaforth TAFE site, I thought it appropriate to comment on the matter. Members of the community will decide whether they support the reopening of the TAFE site for an educational institution, the redevelopment of the site within the existing area, or the redevelopment and realignment of Sydney Road to create a new town centre with two new five-storey development sites. All these options have merits, and all have advocates in the community, including Susie Colvin, who is in the gallery today. She is a fighter for public education and particularly for the Seaforth TAFE site. With many varied views that have ebbed and flowed over the past nine years, it is right that the community votes to decide once and for all, and I congratulate Manly Council on giving the community the opportunity to vote.

The decision on this site will change the heart of the community for the next 50 years, so all deserve a voice. Let me be clear on this: I will support 110 per cent the outcome of the vote whatever it be. I believe there are merits in every proposal. However, I believe the onus is on me to provide a personal view on what I think are the opportunities for this site. To avoid this would be to avoid the responsibility of leadership. I believe that in future years we will either applaud the vision or rue the day we got it wrong. The history of this site is both proud and tragic. Seaforth TAFE began operation in 1964. It was the first technical college to be opened in the Manly-Warringah district. It provided a range of courses for well over three decades, including trades, accounting, commerce, fine arts, marketing, advertising, public relations and real estate. The death of the TAFE came quickly. After the State election the Labor Government made significant cuts to the TAFE NSW budget in 1999, and the Government had to hose down public concerns about its investment in public education.

On 2 July 1999 the Treasurer's office sent a fax to the New South Wales Teachers Federation stating, "No TAFE campus will close". However, less than a fortnight later the New South Wales Labor Government announced it would close Seaforth TAFE and less than six months later the gates were chained. It is another example of the State Labor Government deliberately misleading the public, particularly the residents of the northern beaches. Of course, everyone was upset and there was huge community opposition. The inquiry that commenced afterwards—the former member for Manly played a role in this and I commend him for that—found that the only consultation undertaken occurred after the announcement.

The inquiry also found that Seaforth TAFE should be reopened and it was deluged with literally thousands and thousands of signatures in support. The result? Nothing. For nine years the building has sat idle and the community has waited for action. Since the TAFE was closed the electorate has changed. More babies are being born in the Manly area and more young families are moving into the area. From 2001 to 2006 the population of Manly increased by a little over 2.5 per cent. Yet over the same period the number of children under five years old increased by more than 10 per cent.

Enrolments in public schools on the northern beaches are increasing at a rapid rate. At Curl Curl North Public School kindergarten enrolments have almost doubled in five years—climbing from 60 in 2003 to 110 this year. Harbord Public School currently has more than 800 students, including 130 kindergarten students over seven classes, compared with around 100 five years ago. Seaforth Public School had about 50 kindergarten students in 2003 and the enrolments have climbed to 85 this year. High school campuses also remain full: Mackellar Girls Campus is close to full; Freshwater Senior Campus is close to full capacity now; and enrolments at Balgowlah Boys Campus are continuing to climb.

There is very little capacity to cope with the increased demand, which is coming like a tsunami on the horizon. Wayne Gretsky, once described as the most famous ice hockey player of all time, in explaining his success, said, "I skate to where the puck is going not where it is." I ask the Department of Education whether it is planning for the education crisis that is coming to the Manly area or whether it is taking the dollars for short-term budgetary needs in relation to this site at Seaforth. I believe it is a tragedy to sell land when the evidence is telling us that in 10 years we will need a high school. If the vote in a couple of weeks time is for education on the site, I believe we should pursue that. If the education option were chosen I would fight for a Seaforth high school.

Currently there is no co-educational high school in Manly that is not selective or covers years 7 to 10. Would it be too bold to suggest a junior campus for years 7 to 10 to complement Freshwater Senior Campus? Or even a technical high school that could consolidate some of these offerings from local schools? It seems to me that the Department of Education and Training should preserve this site to retain educational flexibility for the Manly area. This could include alternative educational uses for the next 10 years—even a form of TAFE—but it could be a tent peg put in the ground for the future education of our kids. I acknowledge that not everyone in the community will support this view and many have worked hard on the options, but they will have their vote and I will support their choice. If the community decides to redevelop one of these sites then the Department of Education and Training should give a commitment that every single dollar it receives is returned to our local schools.

Ms ALISON MEGARRITY (Menai) [5.39 p.m.]: Members may recall my previous statement expressing our community's shock and distress at a media release issued by Stockland one week before Christmas. It proudly announced a joint venture development of a freight terminal all-systems go on the Defence National Storage and Distribution Centre site, formerly owned by the Department of Defence. The release concluded:

Planning for the development of the Moorebank terminal and adjacent warehousing will commence shortly. It is considered such a terminal will be operational in the next three to five years, depending on requisite approvals and freight demand.

The fact is that the joint venture seems to have made its bold announcement without consulting anyone else about its plans. For instance, it had certainly not approached the State Government to secure rail access to the site. As I have previously explained, the existing rail spur line on this site is potentially connected only to the East Hills passenger line. The New South Wales Department of Transport, had it been consulted about this issue, would have advised the joint venture that the East Hills line is fundamental to RailCorp's long-term operational planning for the metropolitan passenger rail network. So, contrary to the public proclamations of the Stockland/QR joint venture, the Stockland site cannot effectively operate as an intermodal without any direct freight rail access. Contrary to the specific goal of decreasing the proportion of freight on trucks, it could only operate using more trucks.

Following my previous statement in the House on this issue, two Stockland representatives asked to meet with me. Anxious to learn more about the proposal, I met with them on 19 March. The gentlemen politely apologised for the fact that more information had not been publicly provided at an earlier point. They explained that Stockland's purchase time frame had been tight and that the subsequent Christmas break had significantly restricted the time available to talk to anybody or plan anything about the future use of the site. To directly quote them, Stockland was "not even at the drawing board" in terms of preparing any detailed plans for specific usage. Without intentionally challenging the personal sincerity of the representatives, I felt compelled to respond that our community would find it very hard to accept that Stockland and its joint venture partners could now have no firm ideas for the future use of the purchased $301 million, 83-hectare site.

The Department of Defence lease on the site does not expire until 2013 plus two subsequent five-year options. However, the representatives did not rule out the possibility of putting additional warehousing facilities in and around the existing buildings during this period. I insisted that any intensified use would trigger certain planning mechanisms, including community consultation. I repeatedly pressed them for even a ballpark time frame as to when they would be providing our community with substantial and detailed information about their exact intentions for the site. They finally said that as there had not yet been even preliminary discussions with planning authorities such as the New South Wales Government and Liverpool council, it could take them at least 18 months to develop even concept-type plans.

Already some residents with homes on the market have had tentative reactions from the potential purchasers due to the current level of uncertainty about the exact nature of the proposed development. I told the representatives that if this uncertainty drags on for 18 months or so, it would only make the situation worse. On behalf of our community, I strongly urged Stockland to make a public statement with regard to its specific, likely intentions for the site and development time frame, sooner rather than later. Undertakings were subsequently given about what one may call a more neighbourly approach in the future, consisting of public disclosure and consultation with all affected parties, including our local community. In good faith, I conveyed these undertakings to many concerned local residents, so members can only imagine my surprise and discomfort when a constituent alerted me to a 27 March 2008 article on the Transport and Logistics News website referring mainly to a joint venture rail hub at Yennora. QR's Group executive general manager freight, Stephen Cantwell, was quoted as follows:

The Yennora development is an important interim step towards the building of the major metropolitan hub at Moorebank in Sydney's west announced late last year in conjunction with Stockland and Kaplan.

So the cold hard reality is that despite the somewhat reassuring promises of extensive local community consultation and the minimisation of any impact of the allegedly undetermined proposal, this article only reinforces the 18 December 2007 announcement of an all-systems go major development. Karen Valiukas, the concerned constituent who unearthed this most recent article, commented to me, "Obviously what Stockland and its joint venture partners say and do are two opposing things. I fear that they are still pushing along despite their advice to you." I suspect that Karen's reaction to Mr Cantwell's statement that QR has "always said that key pieces of infrastructure and complementary partnerships would be important component parts to QR's success," would be similar to my immediate thought. I say bully for QR and the joint venture's plan for market leadership and apparently unbridled success.

However, as far as I am concerned, the word "bully" applies in another context here, too. This powerful joint venture is marching onto land formerly owned by the Federal Government and therefore by the Australian people, including those decent, hardworking people who purchased land and built family homes bordering this site. Today I am calling on the joint venture to put all of its cards on the table immediately—do not pass go and do not collect $200. We assume it is also making a bid on the land currently for sale adjoining its site. I ask members to think about the cumulative impact. My desperately worried community is filling the vacuum created by this uncertainty by all manner of speculation and theory and we are the biggest losers in the process. We stood together to fight the international airport at Holsworthy. It would be a risky public relations strategy for the joint venture to treat the community as mushrooms on this issue.

Mr GREG PIPER (Lake Macquarie) [5.44 p.m.]: Residents in my electorate still have concerns about the Government's plans to privatise the New South Wales electricity industry and have asked me to raise this issue in Parliament again. I acknowledge that this is a fluid situation and that the Premier made an announcement today. Residents are unconvinced that justification for such a significant decision has been made. The two inquiries that the Government cites as justifications—the Owen report and the Unsworth review—did not have scope under their terms of reference to conclude whether privatisation would be a benefit. The Unsworth inquiry considered only how privatisation would be implemented. I also acknowledge the announcement the Premier made today regarding proposed benefits the Government will introduce if privatisation proceeds. With community sentiment so opposed to this policy, the benefits will need to be excellent.

A petition launched by email from my office has spread well beyond the Lake Macquarie electorate. At the time I presented the petition to this House it contained 5,000 signatures, but pages continued arriving after the deadline and the signatures now number 6,000. Messages I have received by phone, letter and email reinforce what I already believe: that this plan is bad for New South Wales and the majority of people in the Lake Macquarie electorate do not accept it. Among many others, the Sunshine Progress Association has written to me asking that I raise in Parliament their concerns about the lack of public consultation, the lack of parliamentary debate and the risks of poor maintenance of power stations. I welcome subsequent concessions by Minister Costa and the Government to allow this matter to be debated in Parliament.

On the progress association's third point, I believe that its concerns that State-owned power stations under long-term leases will be at risk of inadequate maintenance are valid. It is not difficult to believe that private energy companies would be less prepared to reinvest in infrastructure and maintenance when primarily seeking to maximise shareholder return. I am not suggesting evil intent by any potential private investor, only that the emphasis on what is most important would be different between public and private ownership models. An example of this is the widespread blackouts in Victoria and South Australia during 1999. A spectacular failure of privatised energy supply was the Longford gas explosion in eastern Victoria in 1998. The inquiry into this incident showed failure resulting from poor maintenance, lack of skilled engineers, poor training of operators and poor communication. Costs had been cut so that profit could be maximised.

The consequences were extreme, with two workers dead, eight injured, a two-week loss of gas supply to 1.3 million households and 150,000 workers stood down. The loss for businesses across Australia was $13 billion. The running down of the power system is a risk that cannot be ignored under the Government's proposed privatisation. These issues have been raised by Lake Macquarie constituents and I understand their concern. It is reported in Professor Sharon Seder's book Power Play that private companies can maximise their financial returns by controlling the availability of the generators. If a company withheld the output of one power station from the market the price of electricity rose almost instantly and the company's other generators could make a greater profit. If, as many believe, manipulation of the energy market has affected prices in Victoria, the beneficiaries have been the private operators and the costs have been borne by the public.

Residents have raised the example of the Victorian power privatisation that has been cited by proponents as a successful model. However, any success is arguable and the circumstances are different in 2008. Tax concessions allowed by the Hawke and Keating governments for private infrastructure investment meant that privatisation in Victoria was subsidised by other States, including New South Wales. This is no longer the case. At the time of the Victorian privatisation there was surplus capacity within its system. Once the reserve capacity was used, prices rose and there were even accusations that price increases resulted from manipulative interference with the market. Eraring Power Station, which in my electorate, is currently being upgraded, but there has been no suggestion that there will be a surplus capacity as a result.

In the changing world of carbon emissions, no-one yet knows what the costs of producing carbon dioxide will be. A basic scenario for change is the Commonwealth Government's commitment to a 60 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. Other reputable commentators say that this is not enough of a reduction. Potential lessees of power generators are in no position to evaluate the costs of operating into the future. In light of the Premier's confirmation that no indemnities will be provided to prospective purchasers, it is reasonable to assume that this will affect sale or lease price.

Mr KERRY HICKEY (Cessnock) [5.49 p.m.]: I draw the attention of the House to tourism in the Cessnock area. The Hunter Valley vineyard precinct is a marvellous attraction in my electorate. In fact, it is the focal point of tourism in the Hunter. It generates huge income for both the Government and the local communities. The revenue collected in wine equalisation tax, payroll tax and so on in the area is enormous. Some of that must be returned to the community to improve the condition of local roads. The vignerons are constantly complaining about the condition of the roads in the vineyard area.

The council is working as hard as it can. The 3x3 money is being stretched as far as it can be. The Minister for Roads needs to look at the issue and attend to it. The vineyard areas accommodate a large number of people. Marvellous concerts are held there and the vineyards bring to the area over two million people per annum. That is a major benefit to employment in the area and it is something we should all be proud of. As the local member I am proud of the achievements and the way vineyards have addressed many employment problems. Coupling that with the Hunter economic zone proposal for the industry park, the community can have quite a bright future.

With the Minister for Tourism present, it is appropriate for me to talk about the way tourism needs to be promoted and the way the Hunter needs to be promoted, particularly the vineyard areas. When the air link between New Zealand and Newcastle came into being, I was amazed to find that the reason the majority of New Zealanders came to the Hunter was to go to the vineyards. Newcastle and Port Stephens were promoting their areas, but the vineyards were the attraction. The vineyards are world-renowned for what they produce and how they produce it, and it is a wonderful spot. I encourage all members to go there for a weekend or even a week. I know the Minister for Tourism has spent time there. I spent a few hours with him at Gartlemans restaurant. It was an enjoyable time and we met a large number of people from the tourist association.

The town of Cessnock has changed considerably, and the reason for the change is tourism. The main street has been beautified and upgraded through money provided by the State Government and the local council. The State Government made a contribution of $10 million and the local council provided $1 million to beautify the main street. The town has changed its attitude towards the vineyards, and the Abermain Historical Preservation Society is looking at ways to promote the Abermain community for tourism. The society is looking for some grant funding to build a miners lantern to attract tourists to that area, as that was the first major coal field. That area is renowned for its militancy with regard to the industrialisation of the mines, leading to a large number of strikes.

That community wants to promote that to increase tourism in the area. So, any grants the Minister can find to help to achieve an outcome for the Abermain Historical Preservation Society will be used in a very positive way. The vineyards area is a spectacular place, especially in vintage time. I encourage all members to come up for a couple of days or even for a day. I am happy to show them around. The member for Wagga Wagga says he is happy to come along and shout me some meals in the fine restaurants and wineries there. I am very proud of my area and, if the member is going to pay, that is an added bonus. I encourage everyone to come to Cessnock and help to address the tourism problem there.

Mr MATT BROWN (Kiama—Minister for Housing, and Minister for Tourism) [5.54 p.m.]: I put on record the efforts the member for Cessnock puts into promoting his electorate. He is proud of his town and his industries, and he made sure that government services are delivering in his electorate. It is always a pleasure to travel to the Hunter Valley, to meet the vignerons, to look at the investments they are making and to see that they are going from strength to strength. The area is not without its challenges, but with the strong support of the local member it will continue to grow.

Ms CLOVER MOORE (Sydney) [5.54 p.m.]: Tonight I wish to speak about a matter of great concern to my constituents. Global warming, peak oil, air pollution and traffic congestion require dramatic action to create a modern, state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable, mass transit system. Transport is the critical issue to make our city work for its residents, businesses, workers and visitors. But business as usual—cramming more buses into the city—is not sustainable. Sydney is at breaking point, unable to cope with traffic and choked by congestion and noise. A few minutes on city streets at peak hour will confirm a 2005 State Government report finding that bus movements on George Street and Elizabeth Street will reach capacity by 2011. Buses will not provide the passenger growth expected due to rising population and petrol prices, and they will not promote the growth vital for reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Unless we urgently invest in transport infrastructure, congestion and travel times will increase, and Sydney will lose investment, jobs, economic growth and quality of life. Sydney's global status will be threatened. I welcome the State Government's underground metro commitment but more is needed to address problems in the central business district. Light rail is the only viable and effective solution to inner Sydney's transport problems, as part of an integrated transport plan that coordinates public transport, as well as roads, pedestrians and cyclists. One light rail vehicle can replace three buses and produces less greenhouse gas per passenger. It is greener, quieter, faster, more reliable and more accessible, including to people with wheelchairs.

Passengers could transfer from a bus onto a faster, more reliable light rail service—just as they now transfer from buses to trains at Bondi Junction, Edgecliff, Parramatta and Chatswood. Peak bus journey times from Central to Circular Quay are 18 minutes. Light rail would travel this distance in 13 minutes, and traffic-light priority would reduce the time to only nine minutes. While public transport is a State responsibility, the city commissioned reports demonstrating light rail's viability. In his 2005 report renowned transport professional Garry Glazebrook calculated that light rail would lead to long-term savings in operating costs in contrast to buses. His proposal involved a light rail network of five major lines from the central business district to surrounding high-population residential areas, coordinated with heavy rail and buses to outer suburbs.

The city released two further reports by Hyder Consulting in June 2006 on the feasibility of a Castlereagh Street central business district extension, including to Barangaroo. Hyder and Glazebrook's research confirms that the route is viable from an engineering and patronage perspective. In December 2006 the city released a PricewaterhouseCoopers financial analysis. The figures show that light rail is financially viable with a subsidy of 99¢ per passenger, compared to the current Government payment of $6.03 per heavy rail and $1.19 per bus passenger. Extensive public consultation over the past two years on the city's local action plans and our Sustainable Sydney 2030 project confirms that light rail is a top priority for inner city residents, visitors, workers and businesses. Building on our consultations and international public space expert Jan Gehl's findings, the Sustainable Sydney 2030 project creates an exciting vision of a city reclaimed from traffic congestion and pollution for pedestrians and cyclists.

A new light rail loop along George Street, connecting Central station with Barangaroo and Circular Quay will open up a green and inviting central spine through the city, with new vibrant city squares at Circular Quay, Town Hall and Central. With that central loop linked to high quality transport interchanges and a network of light rail or underground metro through densely populated inner metropolitan areas including the planned underground metro links, Sydney would have real transport alternatives and be positioned to respond to global warming and enhance our global status. I welcome the State Government's recent announcement of its support for light rail in the city. More than 100 cities worldwide have already built new or expanded existing light rail networks. For example, in Adelaide the light rail service was extended through the city last year. It immediately became popular and the South Australian Premier announced further extensions.

The City of Sydney could provide $13.5 million toward public domain works associated with light rail. State and Federal governments could jointly fund the fixed infrastructure costs, with the operator paying light rail vehicle costs. Light rail could be built in the term of this Parliament. The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors is seeking a formal partnership with the Federal Government in areas vital to capital cities' sustainability, including transport infrastructure. Sixty-four per cent of the nation's population lives in capital cities and generates 78 per cent of the country's economic growth. The Federal Government has committed to a cities policy. I call on the State Government to work with the City of Sydney and the Federal Government to create a light rail network as part of a coordinated transport plan for inner Sydney to secure our city's liveability, sustainability and future economic viability.

Mr DARYL MAGUIRE (Wagga Wagga) [5.59 p.m.]: I refer to my previous private member's statement in this place regarding the death of Mrs Kathleen Conlan. At the conclusion of the Queensland inquest Coroner Jennifer Batts stated in her report that she was unable to make a formal finding as to the cause of death. The Queensland State Coroner has failed to honour his promise in his correspondence to keep Mr Conlan informed. On behalf of Mr Conlan I request that the Premier of Queensland, or her representative, obtain and forward a copy of the State Coroner's request to the Superintendent Police Coronial Support Unit to locate the very mysterious former Government Pathologist, Dr Levy, who performed the official autopsy on Mrs Conlan after she died in Gold Coast Hospital on 28 November 2003.

I request also that the Premier of Queensland forward a report from the Superintendent Police Coronial Support Unit, and not from the State Coroner, Michael Barnes, detailing exactly what the police have done both nationally and internationally in their efforts to locate this very mysterious doctor, explain the reason they have not been able to locate the doctor, provide details of what they intend to do to locate the doctor and inform how long the police consider they will need to locate this mysterious doctor who apparently has vanished. It has been 4½ years since Mrs Conlan's tragic death in Gold Coast Hospital and five months since my private member's statement in this House. I request that the Queensland Premier give this matter her most urgent attention.

Mr Conlan advises me that he is aware the Queensland police contacted its State Coroner's Office on 28 September 2007 and were advised this matter was finalised and no further action was recommended. Mr Conlan claims that the State Coroner's response to my private member's statement and his failure to honour the commitment to keep Mr Conlan informed confirms the incorrect advice given to police. This matter will never be finished until such time as the very serious matters arising from the circumstances surrounding Mrs Conlan's tragic death and resulting matters have been addressed properly and dealt with by the Queensland Government. A Tom Levy resided in Southport in 2003. My office carried out a quick search of the medical register, as did the Parliamentary Library at my request. The searches reveal that a Dr T. Levy resides in Southport. I question whether this is the same doctor who performed the medical autopsy and whom the police have been unable to find.

The Queensland Government Medical Officer was in charge of the autopsy. In my earlier presentation to this House I suggested that the Coroner could not determine a cause of death because she believed that the pathologist needed to testify, and she was advised that the authorities were unable to locate the doctor. As I said, a quick search of the Queensland medical register revealed the existence of such a doctor. I urge the Queensland Premier or those in authority responsible to respond to my statement in this House. It is important that this matter is resolved. It is important that the people I have just named respond to the serious claims being made and allow a cause of death to be delivered by the Queensland Coroner. Mr Conlon will then know that this process has been transparent and everybody involved has given their maximum effort to bring about closure to a very tragic set of circumstances.

QuestionThat private members' statements be notedput and resolved in the affirmative.

Private members' statements noted.

Message received from the Legislative Council returning the bill with an amendment.

Consideration of Legislative Council's amendment set down as an order of the day for a future day.