Speeches
2011 Budget Reply Wednesday, 22 June 2011 00:00 |  Written by Jacquie |  | 
Jacquie Petrusma MP - Member for Franklin Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise to speak on the Budget reply. As the shadow minister for children, human services and cost of living, my shadow portfolio responsibilities encompass many of the most vulnerable people in this State - children, people living with a disability, those who are homeless or experiencing housing stress and the countless Tasmanians who are finding it more and more difficult to cope with the rising cost of living pressures.
Health - Huntington's DiseaseThursday, 26 May 2011 00:00 | Written by Jacquie | |
Jacquie Petrusma MP - Member for Franklin Recently, along with the shadow minister for health, Jeremy Rockliff, I met with the Huntington's Disease Association about the difficulties that are faced by people with this disease and the difficulties they face in having their health and care needs met. As members may be aware, Huntington's Disease is a health or neuropsychiatric condition. However, the course of the disease means that people with the disease do not reach a stable level of functioning and their condition continues to deteriorate over time - for up to 15 years - until the person is bedridden, unable to speak, has swallowing difficulties, is emaciated, has dementia and perhaps also suffering a serious psychiatric disorder. This is a disease that causes progressive deterioration and disability and the lack of knowledge of the disease and the high level of unmet need is extremely concerning.
Tasmania's Education PerformanceWednesday, 25 May 2011 00:00 | Written by Jacquie | |
Jacquie Petrusma MP - Member for Franklin Mr Deputy Speaker, I think it is quite ironic that this Government spent the past year singing the praises of the synergies and benefits of having one minister in charge of education, children and police. Now we have those portfolios split three ways with the Minister for Children now coupled with Health and the Minister for Education coupled with Sustainable Transport and responsibility for alternative energy. As shadow minister for children, I believe that there is no more important issue for children than a good education. But for children under the guardianship of the State, under State care, this is not a reality. The 'Be heard' report by the Create Foundation, which surveyed 96 children in State care over a two-year period, found that only 3 per cent of those children had an individual education plan and 53.1 per cent did not feel that they had anyone in their lives who could help with their homework.
Disability SupportTuesday, 24 May 2011 00:00 | Written by Jacquie | |
Jacquie Petrusma MP - Member for Franklin
DISABILITY SUPPORT Matter of Public Importance May 24th, 2011 Mr Speaker, I move - That the House take note of the following matter: support for people living with a disability. Last week we learned that funding for individual support had dried up as there had only been just two individual support packages, or ISPs, allocated since December last year and that the waiting list for ISPs had blown out to 285 people statewide. By failing to provide Gateway services with allocation funding for ISPs for months now, the minister has forced another 61 people onto waiting lists. Mr Speaker, it is simply appalling that the Greens-Labor Government has allocated ISP funding for just two individuals living with a disability this year and therefore has made the wait longer still for some of those who have been languishing on that list for up to 12 years.
Infrastructure - Murphys Creek Bridge, Bruny IslandWednesday, 18 May 2011 00:00 | Written by Jacquie | |
Jacquie Petrusma MP - Member for Franklin I have recently been made aware of considerable public concern about a potentially unsafe replacement bridge being built on Bruny Island over Murphys Creek. It is my understanding that for the last few years the community has been in consultation with DIER regarding the replacement of Murphys Creek bridge. This discussion has always been for the replacement of the existing bridge with a two-lane structure. To the best of my knowledge there has not been any consultation with the community regarding a single-lane bridge replacement. Instead of solving the current problem of traffic meeting on the bridge and the need for a vehicle to give way, it ensures the continuation of that problem into the future. Furthermore, the lack of clear lines of sight through this section of road adds to the dangerous nature of the proposal. Increased use of the road for tourism and general traffic including school buses, heavy vehicles and log trucks, makes a view to the future vital in this planning. The community strongly believes that public safety should be paramount in the decision-making process. The community is also of the unanimous view that DIER should be required to implement the original proposal as negotiated with the community for a new two-lane bridge.
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Neighbourhood House WeekTuesday, 17 May 2011 00:00 | Written by Jacquie | |
Jacquie Petrusma MP - Member for Franklin Mr Deputy Speaker, as many in this Chamber would know, last week we celebrated Neighbourhood House Week. There are 34 community-run neighbourhood houses and community centres located in disadvantaged and isolated communities across Tasmania, from Risdon Vale, Warrane, Clarendon Vale, Rokeby, Geeveston, Kingston and Woodbridge in my electorate of Franklin, through to other centres located in Beaconsfield, Fingal, Burnie, Rosebery, Dunalley and just about every other corner of Tasmania. I believe that last week alone, local people who are committed to their community provided over 2 800 hours in volunteer labour across Tasmania's 34 neighbourhood houses. An example of the good work these volunteers and a limited number of paid staff have done include 22 community gardens, nine men's or community sheds, 13 breakfast clubs, 25 playgroups, 20 walking groups, 13 volunteer-run community cars, and so much more. On average there are more than 4 700 participants in total each week across Tasmania.
Community Protection (Amendment Bill 2011 (No. 18)Thursday, 14 April 2011 00:00 | Written by Jacquie | |
Jacquie Petrusma MP - Member for Franklin I take the opportunity to talk on the Community Protection (Offender Reporting) Amendment Bill 2011 especially in regard to the wider matter of sexual offending in our community. As my colleague, the member for Denison, Elise Archer, has said, the Liberals support this bill but believe there are plenty of opportunities for policy reform in the area of sexual offending that the Government has not addressed in its twelve-and-a-half years in office.
Family Violence Counselling Support ServiceWednesday, 13 April 2011 00:00 | Written by Jacquie | |
Jacquie Petrusma MP - Member for Franklin Tonight I want to raise an issue of concern in relation to the Family Violence Counselling Support Service for both adults and children. The Family Violence Counselling Support Service comprises two programs, the adult program and the children and young persons program, and is the service that is available to those affected by domestic and family violence in this State, providing face-to-face and telephone counselling, support, referral, advocacy, information, practical assistance, community education and policy development. For children affected by family violence the service's role in monitoring and constantly assessing the ongoing risk and safety of children exposed to family violence is central to the program's integrity.
Tasmanian Police and Citizens Youth ClubsWednesday, 13 April 2011 00:00 | Written by Jacquie | |
Jacquie Petrusma MP - Member for Franklin Mr Deputy Speaker, as our shadow minister has stated, PCYCs are a vital community policing initiative, especially in regard to my portfolio of children, in re-engaging youth at risk and youth justice. They also provide vital recreational activities, especially in my electorate of Franklin, in Huonville and Clarence.
Health Services Establishments Amendment Bill 2011 (No. 2)Tuesday, 12 April 2011 00:00 | Written by Jacquie | |
Jacquie Petrusma MP - Member for Franklin I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Health Service Establishments Amendment Bill 2011. I note that the purpose of this bill is to make several amendments to the Health Service Establishments Act that was passed in 2006 but has not yet commenced, pending completion of the Health Service Establishments Regulations. I also note that the purpose of the Health Service Establishments Act is to repeal the Hospitals Act 1918 and implement the recommendations of the National Competition Policy review of private hospital licensing and residential aged care establishments.
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