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Media Release
PETER GUTWEIN, MHA
Shadow Minister for Education
Friday April 15, 2005

Independent schools literacy deal shows how behind the eight ball public schools are thanks to Wriedt’s political games

Shadow Education Minister Peter Gutwein today welcomed the appointment of the Association of Independent Schools of Tasmania as the broker for the pilot Tutorial voucher initiative for eligible students in non-government schools.

Mr Gutwein said today’s announcement by Federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson also highlighted how far behind the eight-ball government schools are now with the $700 literacy voucher scheme, thanks to Paula Wriedt playing petty politics with the program.

“Non-government schools recognised that the $700 tuition voucher for students who were below the Year 3 reading benchmark could only be a positive thing, and they embraced this project when it was first announced about 12 months ago,” Mr Gutwein said.

“As a result, they are now almost ready to begin providing this tuition, and it is expected that it will be completed by August 31.

“Compare that to the disgracefully obstructionist approach of Education Minister Paula Wriedt, who only this week caved into months of State Liberal pressure for her to allow Tasmanian government school students to access this scheme.

“Ms Wriedt has deliberately delayed their access to this tutoring, and has placed these struggling students at a disadvantage to their private school counterparts.”

Mr Gutwein also called on Ms Wriedt to rethink her pathetic decision not to allow the Tasmanian Department of Education to enter discussions with the Federal Education Department over being broker for its literacy scheme which will help out an estimated 170 students with literacy difficulties.

“Minister Wriedt should follow the sensible lead of the NSW and South Australian Labor Education Ministers and allow the Education Department to talk with Federal education officials about administering this crucial literacy program, rather than take part in petty, small-minded ideological games,” Mr Gutwein said.

“Just as the Association of Independent Schools of Tasmania is now in the position to identify a choice of tutoring arrangements to augment the literacy programs being delivered by the schools, through its appointment as broker, so too could the Tasmanian Education Department be actively involved in this positive program if Paula Wriedt could only put the education of children ahead of her immature political games.”
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Tim Morris MHA
Friday, 15 APRIL 2005
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CULTURE MUST CHANGE
And Fractured Structure Must Become Co-ordinated
The Tasmanian Greens today reiterated the need for a statewide review of the Mental Health services which investigates both structural and cultural changes needed following the release of two disturbing reports, one from the Health Complaints Commissioner into Ward 1E and Mental Health Services in northern Tasmania, and the other report into the Royal Hobart Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry.
Greens Opposition Health and Human Services spokesperson Tim Morris MHA said that it is now evident that there are chronic and systemic problems within the mental health services around the state, which go back for many years under both Labor and Liberal governments, and which is exacerbated by the fragmentation of the current delivery of those services, and combined with a culture of fear prohibiting people from speaking out.
Mr Morris believes that it is not an unfortunate coincidence that the Health Complaints Commissioner’s report had found examples of abuse across three northern facilities which demonstrates a widespread culture which not only allowed such abuse to occur, but then victimised staff attempting to expose wrong-doing.
“The Greens are calling for any review of the state’s mental health system which the government may undertake to focus on ensuring that staff training and management practices do not compromise client care, and that any unacceptable treatment is not to be tolerated,” Mr Morris said.
“These chronic and systemic problems have existed for a long time under both Liberal and Labor governments, and while changes at the bureaucracy level may be a start they will not be effective in the long run should there not be a dramatic cultural shift.”

“The report by the Royal Hobart Hospital Department of Psychiatry has exposed a fundamental problem in the silo-like structure of mental health service providers in the south which has resulted in little or no communication between them, no information sharing, separate files on the same patient, factors which can all contribute to specific needs not being addressed and clients falling between the gaps.”
“Such fragmentation of mental health services can result in problems with co-ordinating appropriate patient medication and support.”
“Fragmented services also mean that patterns of abuse and inappropriate behaviour may not be identified promptly and also provide an obstacle to anyone trying to address the problems.”
“Just fixing up the bureaucracy is one step, but the next important stage is shining a spotlight on cultural problems, and changing practices so that people are not victimised when they attempt to voice concerns over wrong-doing.”
“What is further disturbing about these reports is that it does not appear that the State has learnt from the earlier example of Mental Health nurse Kevin Moylan who blew the whistle on patient care problems during the 1990s and was subjected to abuse and intimidation for his efforts.”
“Such instances should not have happened in the 1990s, and they certainly should not be happening now,” Mr Morris said.
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Media Release
WILL HODGMAN, MHA
Shadow Minister for Economic Development
Friday April 15, 2005
Auditor General’s report confirms arrogance and secrecy in use of taxpayers’ money

Shadow Economic Development Minister Will Hodgman today attacked the State Labor Government for arrogantly refusing to implement a single one of the Auditor General’s recommendations back in 2000 relating to greater transparency for industry assistance grants.

Mr Hodgman said it was typical of Labor’s secret and unaccountable dealings with taxpayers money and unacceptable given that it was told to clean up its act five years ago.

A special report by the Auditor General, tabled in State Parliament yesterday, reviewed the Department of Economic Development’s response to a report in 2000 assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of assistance to industry processes.

It concluded:

“None of our recommendations were accepted or implemented.”

While the Department had made some changes in the way that it assisted industry in Tasmania, the Auditor General also said:

“We stand by our original recommendations on the need for improved documentation of process, and the need for public disclosure.”

Mr Hodgman called on the Minister, Lara Giddings, to tell the people of Tasmania what is so wrong about being transparent and accountable when using taxpayers money for industry assistance grants.

He said it beggared belief that the arrogant State Labor Government would not implement a single recommendation aiming to achieve greater transparency and accountability, some five years after they were made.

The recommendations included:

· DSD should consider using a basis of evaluation of major projects for assistance (eg where the aid will exceed $1 million) that includes analysis of benefit to the State, as well as reflecting all related costs;
· DSD should produce its own departmental guidelines on the administration of assistance; and
· Assistance to industry files should contain complete documentation to allow straightforward examination of projects and to ensure transparency of management processes.
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Media Release
BRETT WHITELEY, MHA
Shadow Treasurer
Friday April 15, 2005

Auditor General asked to investigate misuse of corporate credit cards across all government departments

After audit of just 294 transactions in four departments and one GBE reveals a staggering $110,000 worth of errors

The State Liberals are today writing to the Auditor General, asking him to investigate the use and misuse of corporate credit cards across all Lennon Labor Government departments and agencies.

It follows yesterday’s damning report that showed that in an audit of just four government departments, and one GBE, and covering just 294 credit card transactions, there was an extraordinary proportion of transactions that did not stack up.

Mr Whiteley said the damaging findings of the report were likely to be just the tip of the iceberg.

He said given that large sums of taxpayers money was at stake, the Auditor General should undertake a much wider inquiry into the problem.

“Tasmanians will be shocked and appalled that the limited inquiry into the use of corporate credit cards in government departments has exposed such a massive problem.

“The audit tabled yesterday tested only 294 transactions of the 1487 credit cards issued in the Departments of Education, Premier and Cabinet, Tourism Parks Heritage and the Arts, Health and Human Services and Hydro Tasmania.

“It uncovered an error rate ranging across departments of between 5 per cent to a staggering 60 per cent.

“The value of these erroneous transactions, where there was either inadequate documentation, improper authorisation, inappropriate use, lack of purchase details, or no signature from the cardholder totalled a staggering $109,433.

“It is likely that there would be tens of thousands of credit card transactions involving corporate cards across all Lennon Labor Government departments, agencies and GBEs.

“If almost $110,000 worth of erroneous transactions has been uncovered in an audit of just 294 transactions, the scale of this problem could potentially be staggering.

“This is taxpayers money we are talking about, and the State Labor Government has a history of being secretive, unaccountable and wasteful in its use of this money.

“In fact, as it builds up a $400 million warchest for the next election, and splurges hundreds of thousands of dollars on wasteful Ministerial and backbencher office upgrades, a $650,000 golden handshake for a failed Governor, and charter flights for a Minister, it is becoming evident that Labor is drunk with money, and doesn’t mind a few thousand or hundred thousand dollars being wasted here and there.

“This is unacceptable, especially given the huge areas of unmet need in our community.

“The use and misuse of corporate credit cards appears to be out of control under the Lennon Labor Government and demands a full inquiry from the Auditor General.

“The State Liberals are today writing to the Auditor General requesting as much and look forward to this alarming matter receiving the scrutiny it deserves.
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Media Release
SUE NAPIER, MHA
Shadow Minister for Health
Friday April 15, 2005
Failure on mental health the final straw
Shadow Health Minister Sue Napier today called on David Llewellyn to step down as Minister for sweeping serious concerns relating to Ward 1E and other mental health facilities under the carpet for so long.

Mrs Napier said the damning reports released yesterday into shameful practices by a very small group of mental health workers in the North and North West, as well as inappropriate practices and facilities in Hobart, were a complete vindication of the courage of all those who persisted in the face of huge pressure to try to get the Minister to get his head out of the sand.

“But it should never have taken this long and the fact remains that some of the abuse, some of the suicides, may have been prevented had the Minister not been so determined to continue the appalling cover-up that was occurring,” Mrs Napier said.

“The Minister failed these people and it is simply not good enough for him, three years on, and after more abuse and more suicides that may have been prevented, to say it was regrettable.

“It was not just regrettable, it was absolutely unconscionable and he should do the right thing and step down.”

The Medical Council of Tasmania wrote to Health Complains Commissioner back in March 2002 expressing concern about the inadequacy of the State’s psychiatric services.

The State Liberals were contacted by mental health professionals and clients who had tried in vain to have their concerns dealt with through the system, we and others then contacted the Minister to convey their concerns. When that failed, the State Liberals were forced to raise some of the issues publicly and in the Parliament to try to shame the Minister into action.

Mrs Napier said sadly that management had in effect condoned intimidation and attempts to silence whistleblowers by turning a blind eye to their pleas and subsequent unfair treatment. The Minister similarly tried to “shoot the messenger”, joining the move to intimidate people into silence.

In a letter to Mrs Napier, after she raised concerns about allegations involving assaults, sexual assualts and intimidation of the mentally ill in a bid to get the State Government to act, Mr Llewellyn said:

“I am urging you to consider the ramifications of your actions and style of approach on vulnerable individual mental health clients, some of which you refer to in a potentially identifiable way in your press release. Your approach would have undoubtedly increased the risk of harm to these clients, which, I am sure you would agree, is not the aim of politics.”

He also said:

“The way you have irresponsibly raised these issues in your press release can only incite more fear and add to the further stigmatisation of people with mental illness.”

As Mrs Napier pointed out at the time, Mr Llewellyn ought to have explained how he could not act if he acknowledged that the clients were at risk of harm and how exposing abuses against extremely vulnerable members of our society could stigmatise them. What we needed was immediate action, not procrastination.

“What I want to know though, on behalf of these vulnerable people that I, and many others were trying to protect, is why this Minister swept these issues under the carpet for so long.

“He knows that I only raised them after people came to me telling me that they had been trying for months to bring them to the attention of his Department and his office, but they just could not get their voices heard. They did not even listen to the Australian Nursing Federation.

“Undoubtedly, the way the State Labor Government turned its back on these concerns would have caused many mentally ill people to withdraw allegations they may have made, because they just weren’t listened to.

“In so doing, the State Labor Government treated these people like second-class citizens – not believing or taking seriously what they had to say in what amounts to perhaps the worst stigmatisation of the mentally ill possible as it has occurred from the Government entrusted with their care.”

Mr Llewellyn also condemned the rest of the hard working staff in the very difficult area of acute mental health care to an atmosphere of distrust, doubt and stress. Minister Llewellyn and his Department owe an apology to the workers in the mental health sector for their failure to provide the leadership and management that would help them deliver quality mental health services to their clients.

Mrs Napier said she held similar concerns about the way the State Labor Government responded to issues at the Department of Psychological Medicine, at the Royal Hobart Hospital. A very real worry in this report is their concern over dysfunctional organisational and management systems in mental health both in the specialist hospital services, and the need for better organisational links between community based and acute services, which they say needs immediate attention.

“The current arrangements do not meet National mental Health Standards, or the agreement of Health Ministers in 1992. Integration of all aspects of the specialist mental health services is an accepted standard. It is not being achieved in Southern Tasmania.

And on the matter of the need for a single identifiable budget for mental health services, and accountability for the quality of the mental health service for clients…“not in keeping with the national mental health standards, or the reform of mental health services elsewhere in Australia”.

“In the end we need to know whether the mental health services are structured in such a way that they can provide a seamless continuity of care from community based care and support to the acute sector and vice versa…..they are the outcomes that matter..for the people of Tasmania who pay the Bills and elect their State Government to deliver.

“Minister Llewellyn is the Minister and under parliamentary practice must be held accountable for this situation.”

In 2003, Mrs Napier called for a review of all psychiatric facilities in public hospitals in Tasmania and their categorisation procedures after a Coroner’s report into the death of a patient at the DPM identified serious shortcomings in relation to procedures and hanging points.

The State Labor Government turned a deaf ear.

Then in 2004, we raised in Parliament the fact that another person on suicide watch had suicided, expressing concerns that the State Government had not acted to make psychiatric facilities safe.

The Minister’s response a vicious attack on not just the messenger, but also on the clients, families and staff who had pleaded for him to do something.

Mrs Napier said she welcomed the long-awaited release of the reports yesterday and the State Government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations.

But she said this action was years overdue and lives had been irreparably damaged by the Minister’s failure to take the concerns seriously when they were first raised.

“There were enough reasons for David Llewellyn’s sacking before this week with the crisis in our hospitals, disability services sector, children and family services and domestic violence crisis support all getting worse but the damning tale of inaction and refusal to listen to the concerns of his own employees, and people with mental illness must surely be the last straw.”
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Peg Putt MHA
GREENS OPPOSITION LEADER
Friday, 15 APRIL 2005
PUTT TO RAISE AWARENESS OF RECHERCHE BAY LOGGING THREAT IN FRANCE
Will Speak at National Conference of Historical and Scientific Societies
The Tasmanian Greens today announced that their Leader, Peg Putt MHA, is travelling to France to raise awareness in science and history circles of the threat to French cultural heritage posed by logging plans for Recherche Bay.
Greens Opposition Leader Peg Putt MHA has been invited to deliver a paper together with Professor Claude Sastre, of the National Museum of Natural Sciences, to the 130th national conference of Historical and Scientific Societies which is focussing this year on ‘Voyages and Voyagers’.
“The north east peninsula of Recherche Bay is a cultural landscape of significant heritage value to France, being the site of the 1792 and 1793 visits of the French expedition of Admiral Bruni D’Entrecasteau, and the concerns of scientists and historians in France about this place have led to my invitation to speak about the current logging threat at a national conference,” Ms Putt said.
“I will deliver a paper jointly with Professor Claude Sastre of the National Museum of Natural Sciences who has visited Recherche Bay and since undertaken new research into the botanical collections of Labillardiere taken from Recherche Bay.”
“This is a unique opportunity to raise awareness and appeal for help from France to protect this important cultural heritage landscapes, the site of first European-Aboriginal contact on the Tasmanian mainland, and the type site from which many of Tasmania’s plants were first identified including the Tasmanian Blue Gum.”
“Many of the cultural heritage values of Recherche Bay have been ignored and remain unprotected by authorities who have put in place minimal protection of only the small sites of built heritage remains, the French garden and observatory.”
Ms Putt will speak on Tuesday at the Conference in la Rochelle, a university town on the East Coast of France.
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Tim Morris MHA
Thursday, 14 April 2005
SHAKE UP FOR SOUTHERN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the release of the Report into Factors Relevant to the Prevention and/or Reduction of Incidents of Self-harm by Patients of the department of Psychiatry, Royal Hobart Hospital.
Greens Opposition Health and Human Services spokesperson Tim Morris MHA said that whilst this report was released late today it was conducted over a year ago, and the delay in its release is disappointing.
“There are a lot of recommendations in the report and they need some consideration, however there were organisational issues that did not meet the accepted standard,” Mr Morris said.
“I will be making a more extensive statement after giving the report greater consideration.”
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Media Release
SUE NAPIER
Leader of Opposition Business
Thursday April 14, 2005
Sturges’ desperate but farcical attempt to divert attention from the litany of crises facing Labor
Leader of Opposition Business Sue Napier today accused backbencher Graeme Sturges of desperately and farcically trying to divert attention from the litany of crises now dogging the State Labor Government through his fanciful attack on the performance of the State Liberals.

Mrs Napier said the only thing Mr Sturges had demonstrated through his statement this evening was that he was the puppet of some desperate Labor spin doctor who was embarrassed and appalled at the way the State Labor Government has performed this week, and for many months previous.

“Anyone who was in State Parliament this week would have to seriously question what planet Graeme Sturges is on,” Mrs Napier said.

Mrs Napier said it was a tragic and disgraceful irony that Mr Strurges’ statement alleging poor performances was put out on the same day when two reports showed neglect and poor performance by the Lennon Labor Government as a whole and the Health Minister in particular had led to lives being lost in the mental health system.

Mrs Napier said for Mr Sturges’ benefit given that he had clearly been away with the pixies during Question Time this week his arrogant and incompetent Labor Government had been on the ropes from the very first question to the very last.

Examples include:
· Exposing the State Labor Government’s secret and unaccountable plan to destroy the Tasmanian racing industry and worsen problem gambling by licensing Betfair;
· Exposing Premier Paul Lennon’s weakness and indecisiveness through his inability to enforce his Code of Conduct for Government members and order Ken Bacon to repay the taxpayers’ money he wasted when he chartered a flight to Flinders island;
· Revealing Education Minister Paula Wriedt’s incredible backflip on literacy vouchers;
· Testing Paula Wriedt’s knowledge of the number one issue in the Tourism portfolio making Spirit III a success now that the Labor Government has decided to retain it and revealing that she knew nothing at all;
· Seeking a clinic for cystic fibrosis sufferers as well as answers over the chronic under-resourcing of family and children’s services;
· Tabling petitions fighting the State Government’s disgraceful plan to sell off Corra Linn; and a 4371-strong petition condemning Labor’s neglect of the Royal Hobart Hospital;
· Seeking to get the Premier to take some responsibility for the shameful performance of his Health Minister, who somehow kept his job in Monday’s reshuffle, despite the health crisis going from bad to worse. One example was statistics released last week that showed 50 patients had to wait more than five years for elective surgery at the Royal;
· Pressing home the need for the State Labor Government to provide land tax relief in the May Budget, as well as securing a victory in our campaign to get the Lennon Labor Government to extend stamp duty relief for first home buyers beyond May 30;
· Succeeding in getting the Premier to over-rule his Attorney General and ensure the Parole Board is provided with all relevant information before it considers an application for freedom from child-killer James O’Neill;
· Exposing a huge split in the Labor Party on the issue of same sex marriages.

And much more.

Mrs Napier said Graeme Sturges should have been embarrassed by whichever minder made him put his name to the ludicrous statement issued tonight.

“Not even the most die-hard of Labor supporters would agree that the performance of the Opposition was found wanting this week.

“Indeed, any die-hard Labor supporter worth their salt would be clamouring for a change of Labor’s leadership before the State Labor Government’s woes get even worse.”
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Media Release
SUE NAPIER, MHA
Shadow Minister for Health and Human Services
Thursday April 14, 2005
DPM report documents years of Labor neglect
Further serious shortcomings in Tasmania’s mental health system have been exposed in a report the State Labor Government tried to slip under the radar this afternoon.

Following the damning report into Ward 1E, which found among other things that lives had been lost due to systemic departmental problems that were brought to the State Labor Government’s attention long before it decided to investigate them, the Health Minister has this afternoon released to the media, the long-awaited report into the Department of Psychological Medicine at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

The report was commissioned after four patients died between 2001 and 2003 while in the care of the DPM, but was not even mentioned during the Minister’s Ministerial Statement in Parliament this morning dealing with the horrific abuse of mental health patients in the North and North West of the State.

In April last year, Mrs Napier raised in State Parliament the fact that a woman on suicide watch had tragically hanged herself in DPM after Coroner Shan Tennant had raised concerns about hanging points, a lack of supervision and poor line of sight for people on suicide watch in the DPM, following the death of another patient in DPM in early 2003.

The Health Minister responded by attacking Mrs Napier for even raising the issue.

Now, the review into DPM that finally followed has revealed appalling shortcomings in a range of areas relating to mental health services in the South, highlighting among other things:

· There are no unified, systemic policies and procedures for the delivery of mental health services across the psychiatry services in southern Tasmania;
· Lack of continuity of care;
· The three-bed high dependency unit having multiple points for hanging, poor safety for patients and staff;
· A surprisingly low number of patients being categorised so that they receive frequent visual sightings in case of being suicidal;
· Patchy assessment at admission;
· Poorly documented management planning;
· The duress alarm system not working properly;
· Inappropriate accommodation for infants admitted with their mothers; and
· The need to remove power points and to limit access to light fittings in the secure unit.

Mrs Napier said given that the first suicide occurred in 2001, and there were three more between then and 2003, it was a disgrace that only now, in 2005, was the State Labor Government apparently taking the matter seriously.

“This series of suicides of patients while in the care of DPM may have been prevented, and it should never have taken this arrogant and incompetent Lennon Labor Government so long to even investigate the problems that community and mental health advocates, and myself, had tried to raise with it on repeated occasions.

“This is another very black day for the Health Minister David Llewellyn and how he could possibly keep his job after such neglect and failure of some of our most vulnerable citizens in the North, the North West and the South of the State simply beggars belief.

“David Llewellyn and the entire Lennon Labor Government failed people with mental illness in this State and failed them for years because they simply ignored the pleas for help and the reports of major problems that were being brought to its attention repeatedly.

“Words cannot express the anger, outrage and sense of grief that I feel about Labor’s neglect of these vulnerable people.

“The only honourable thing David Llewellyn can do now is resign.”

Mrs Napier said the State Labor Government must today commit to implementing the recommendations outlined in the DPM report, or publicly justify where he is unwilling to act.
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Peg Putt MHA
GREENS OPPOSITION LEADER
Thursday, 13 APRIL 2005
CONCERN ON CREDIT CARD USE COMPLIANCE FIGURES
Error Rate = 60% DHHS, 43% in DPAC
The Tasmanian Greens today believe that it is imperative that government departments lift their game in following guidelines for credit card use in the wake of Compliance Audits of the Auditor General tabled in Parliament.
Greens Opposition Leader Peg Putt MHA said that the 60% error rate in DHHS and 43% error rate in DPAC were unacceptable and that such a breakdown in applying safeguards around the use of taxpayer’s money cannot be countenanced.
“The huge error in government departments in conforming with rules for credit card use is unacceptable, particularly the 60% error rate for Health and Human Services and the 43% error rate for Premier and Cabinet,“ Ms Putt said.
“Whilst the expenditures were legitimate, this is no excuse for not applying safeguards around the use of taxpayers money because if the rules are not being followed fraud could occur in the future.”
“Paul Lennon must ensure that all the government departments lift their game,” Ms Putt said.
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Tim Morris MHA
Thursday, 14 APRIL 2005
AUDITOR CRITICISES EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OVER TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
Literacy & Numeracy Recommendations Ignored
The Tasmanian Greens today said that they were disturbed that the Education Department had ignored the Auditor General’s recommendations in relation to the teaching literacy & numeracy by teachers who were not trained as specialists in these subjects.
Greens Opposition Education spokesperson Tim Morris MHA said that the Report of the Auditor General, Follow-up Audits 2005 revealed that in a previous report of 2000-2001 the Auditor General had recommended that the Department should determine:
“The extent to which effective English teaching requires specialist knowledge and skill should be ascertained by DoE through research…”,
but that the department has totally failed to either accept the recommendation or justify why they have not acted upon it.
“Because of the high number of English and Mathematics teachers who were not specialist trained in their respective fields, especially in District High Schools, I have concern that literacy and numeracy outcomes for students are not as good as they could or should be,” Mr Morris said.
“Because of the failure of the Department to address these recommendations, they have provided a focus on one possible reason that too many Tasmanian students are failing to achieve the literacy and numeracy levels that the community expects.
“It is about time that the Department of Education accepted the Auditor General’s recommendations and did the research to determine whether the fact that the department is relying on teachers taking Maths and English classes but who are not trained as specialists in those subjects is resulting in lower levels of literacy and numeracy in Tasmanian Government schools.”
“The Government must ensure that our teachers are appropriately trained so they can be really effective in raising literacy and numeracy levels,” Mr Morris said.
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Media Release
PETER GUTWEIN, MHA
Shadow Minister for Education
Thursday April 14, 2005
Wriedt’s petty games not helping
our children struggling to read
Education Minister, Paula Wriedt has today confirmed that she is more concerned with petty politics than with improving the reading skills of Tasmanian school children who are struggling to read, Shadow Education Minister, Peter Gutwein said.

Minister Wriedt has confirmed that she will not be allowing the Tasmanian Department of Education to enter discussions with the Federal Education Department over being broker for its literacy scheme which will help out an estimated 170 students with literacy difficulties.

“Minister Wriedt should follow the sensible lead of the NSW and South Australian Labor Education Ministers and allow the Education Department to talk with Federal education officials about administering this crucial literacy program, rather than take part in petty, small-minded ideological games,” Mr Gutwein said.

“It is beyond the pale that Minister Wriedt believes that a literacy program that allows parents to have a degree of control over improving their child’s reading skills is “educationally unsound”.

“It seems that Minister Wriedt is more concerned with saving her own political face, rather than improving the reading skills of Tasmanian children,” Mr Gutwein said.
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Kim Booth MHA
Thursday, 14 APRIL 2005
PROBLEM GAMBLING INCREASE NOT CONSIDERED IN BETFAIR PLANS
Lennon Must Consult Tasmanians
The Tasmanian Greens today remain concerned that the Tasmanian government has not factored a potential rise in problem gambling in Tasmania into their decision-making on Betfair, despite the fact that in the UK it led to a massive increase in betting on races and an ensuing increase in problem gambling.
Greens Opposition Gaming and Racing spokesperson Kim Booth MHA said it was unacceptable that this issue was dismissed out of hand in Parliament today, and that the government was persisting in secrecy over detail of their Betfair negotiations.
The Greens believe that Tasmanians have a right to be consulted by government over this controversial move to become Betfair’s second global headquarters.
“Paul Lennon seems to see nothing but dollar signs where Betfair is concerned and it is unacceptable that the potential increase in problem gambling is being ignored in the government’s decision-making on whether to get involved,” Mr Booth said.
“Tasmanians are already upset that the impacts of the extension of pokies to pubs and clubs have never been thoroughly examined through an independent social and economic impact assessment and now we seem to be about to have to deal with an open-door policy to another known source of significant problem gambling.”
“Tasmanians have the right to be consulted about whether they want this state to become a second global headquarters for Betfair, but Paul Lennon is treating them with contempt.”
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Thursday April 14, 2005
North-West university students unfairly slugged
North-West university students were being unfairly slugged over $130 a year for a service that many, if not most, will never use, the Federal Member for Braddon, Mark Baker MP, said today.

Mr Baker said opposition to the Howard Liberal Government’s plan to introduce voluntary student unionism (VSU) was based on the premise that most university students would not choose to pay for services provided by student unions.

“In other words, what Labor politicians and student unionists are afraid of is that if university students are given the choice then they may decide en masse not to pay for services that they do not use,” he said.

“I understand that full-time students at the Cradle Coast Campus of the University of Tasmania are forced to pay $132 a year and all they get for that money is the assistance, if they ever require it, of a part-time student liaison officer and discounts at a local shop.

“Surely if North-West students felt that this was value for money then they would still choose to pay for the service?

“What the Australian Government is about is giving choice to university students.

“Why should, for example, a single mother from Burnie who has decided to go back to university part-time have to pay upwards of $60 a year for services that she may never choose to use?

“The Howard Liberal Government has been tremendously supportive of the University of Tasmania in its efforts to establish and develop a campus in the North-West, and, as the Federal Member for Braddon, I am immensely proud of the achievements of the Cradle Coast Campus.

“I am totally opposed, however, to forcing university students to pay union fees and I think that the vast majority of fair-minded people in the North-West would question why a university student would be forced to pay for a service that they do not wish to use.”
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Media Release
BRETT WHITELEY
Shadow Treasurer
Thursday April 14, 2005
Labor’s arrogant credit card craze
Shadow Treasurer Brett Whiteley today said the rampant use of corporate credit cards by the Lennon Labor Government, and the alarming incidence of errors in their use, was further proof of how drunk with money the State Labor Government has become.

Mr Whiteley said the Auditor General’s Special Report, tabled in State Parliament today, exposed the shortcomings of the Lennon Labor Government’s unaccountability and there was an urgent need for a far more transparent approach to be taken.

“The Tasmanian community will be aghast at not only the number of corporate credit cards that are being used at taxpayers’ expense, but also the lack of accountability in relation to claims that has been exposed in this report.

“Some 76 per cent of Hydro employees have a corporate credit card, along with almost 42 per cent of Department of Tourism Heritage Parks and the Arts employees, 6 per cent of DPAC staff, 5 per cent of Education Department staff and 1.4 per cent of Department of Health employees.

“While there may be good reason for so many staff being issued corporate credit cards and I know the community would like to know what that is the biggest cause for alarm is the extraordinary error rate recorded ranging from 5 to 60 per cent.

“There are reports of lack of documentation, inappropriate authorisation, and inappropriate use all of which points to an appalling lack of accountability in the use of taxpayers’ money.”

Mr Whiteley called on the State Labor Government to detail the six transactions that were found to have been made for inappropriate purposes particularly the two worth more than $2000 each, one of which related to airfares, and the other entertainment expenses.

He said the State Labor Government should explain whether the staff involved were reprimanded and forced to repay the money.

“The State Labor Government is the custodian of taxpayers money, and it has clearly let its guard down in the use of corporate credit cards.

“This is undoubtedly another example of Labor arrogance, and perhaps its coffers have become so full it does not care about a few lazy thousand dollars here or there.

“My message to the State Labor Government is that this is taxpayers money desperately needed in a range of areas, and it must not tolerate a situation where it is being wasted or abused.

“The State Labor Government must today commit to implementing every one of the Auditor General’s recommendations.”
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Kim Booth MHA
Thursday, 14 APRIL 2005
FOI DOCUMENTS REVEAL INTERNAL CONCERN OVER ‘OVER-REPRESENTATION’ OF LOG TRUCKS IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT STATISTICS
The Tasmanian Greens today released Departmental documentation received under the Freedom of Information Act that reveals that there are an “unacceptable number of log truck accidents” occurring in the state, and that there is concern that eventually these accidents will result in fatalities.
Greens Opposition Infrastructure spokesperson Kim Booth MHA said that despite the government attempting to convince people that there isn’t a problem with log trucks specifically but that it is more of a general heavy vehicle issue, correspondence from the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources states that log trucks are “over-represented” in accident statistics.
Mr Booth also said that this documentation supports the need for interim measures to be implemented while a more indepth investigation is undertaken, including reducing the speed limit to 80 kilometres per hour and/or a maximum load limit of 3.9 metres.
“The Departmental letters received by the Greens under Freedom of Information not only validates our campaign to have this public safety issue taken seriously, but also raises the important question as to what will the Minister, Bryan Green, do about this unacceptable situation,” Mr Booth said.
“No longer can Mr Green hide behind lame allegations that this is just a Greens’ anti-forestry beat-up when his own department says the following in a letter to Gunns Pty Ltd;
“I would like to reaffirm our concern about the number of heavy vehicle accidents occurring on our roads and in particular the unacceptable number of log truck accidents… the sheer number of accidents occurring indicates that unless that there is a significant reduction, it will not be too long before a log truck accident results in fatalities.”
The letter then goes on to say
“However, the log truck industry is over- represented in current accident statistics and, in my view, the number and seriousness of the accidents represents a significant risk…”
“Minister Green must now admit that there remain serious unresolved issues specifically in relation to log truck safety on our public roads, and there is no excuse for not immediately implementing the interim measures of imposing a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour an/or a maximum load limit of 3.9 metres.”

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Kim Booth MHA
Thursday, 14 APRIL 2005
GOVERNMENT TURNS BLIND EYE ON OVERLOADING
Whilst Gunns Contracts May Induce Contractors To Break The Law
The Tasmanian Greens today released documents obtained under freedom of information act from the Department of Infrastructure Energy and Resources to Gunns Ltd, which reveal that for the last two years there have been serious concern about the practice of overloading vehicles on overloading of log trucks and that the Department is concerned that the company may be inducing their cartage contractors to break the law.
Greens Opposition Infrastructure spokesperson Kim Booth MHA Said that the documents support the contention of the Tasmanian Greens that overheight vehicles and overloaded vehicles pose a significant safety risk to the lives of drivers and other road users and shows that the government has been ineffectual in its attempt to improve legal requirements.
Mr Booth called on the Minister, Brian Green, to demand that his department inspectors are allowed to inspect the company’s weighbridge, which the released correspondence reveals had been requested but refused.
Mr Booth said that a letter from the departments General Manager of Land Transport Safety to Gunns Ltd said;
“I understand your current practice may be to pay contractors for loads up to two tonnes over the legal limit,” and that, “… such contracts could be construed as inducing parties to break the law.”

“We now have confirmation that there are valid concerns about the risk to public safety by the practices of trucks, by this correspondence released under FOI,” Mr Booth said.
“It is also apparent that despite polite requests from the department that the company has blocked attempts to have the department inspectors access Gunns’ weighbridges.”

“The Department has also expressed concern that the company is exacerbating this serious problem by continuing to pay contractors for loads up to two times over the legal limit, despite receiving warning highlighting the legal breach this entails.”
“I must however express my disappointment in the contradictory position your company has taken by continuing to pay contractors for loads of up to two tonnes over the legal limit.”;
“ I strongly believe that payments for overloads work against this and in fact may be sufficient to encourage some operators to carry loads in excess of the legal limits.” and
“I also have advice that suggests this action by your company may well be in breach of regulation 20 (1) of the Vehicle and traffic (Vehicle Operations) Regulations 2001.”
“It is now quite apparent that the Greens’ concerns voiced on this issue over the last year were valid and can no longer be dismissed by the Minister as a scare campaign.”
“The department knows of the seriousness of the problem, that laws are being breached and that potentially public safety is compromised, despite all their attempts to rectify the situation have been ineffectual.”
“Minister Green must take control of the situation.”
“He can no longer rely on polite ineffectual bureaucratic letters, instead he must demand that his inspectors have access to all company weighbridges and should overloading be identified ensure these breaches are prosecuted.”
”There must also be a thorough examination of the company’s contracts to ensure that there is no inducement or incentive for contractors to breach the over-loading limits,” Mr Booth said.
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.Media Release
WILL HODGMAN, MHA
Shadow Minister for Economic Development
Thursday April 14, 2005
Lennon Government’s dithering on
old LGH site another sign of incompetence
The failure by the Lennon Labor Government to generate any action on the old Launceston General Hospital site, demonstrates their incompetence, yet again, in the management of major projects, Shadow Economic Development Minister Will Hodgman said today.

Mr Hodgman said that the site had remained derelict since the late 1990s and the Lennon Labor Government had been dithering on the expressions of interest process with still no information available to the public on what will be developed at the site.

“The secretive Lennon Labor Government have had years to find a developer for this important Launceston site and the Launceston community, including local businesses, is correct in asking what is being done with the old LGH,” Mr Hodgman said.

“Economic Development Minister, Lara Giddings, provides no confidence to the Northern Tasmanian business community on her ability to produce results on major projects and this is yet another example.

“In fact, prominent members of the business community have described Minister Giddings’ Department’s management of the process as “a waste of time”, “hopeless”, and “slow moving” because of “red tape”.

“Whilst, I welcome the statement by Minister Giddings today that her Department is in discussions with an interested developer, I remain concerned that the Launceston community has been kept in the dark over the LGH’s development for such a long time.

“I would hope that these discussions between the developer and the Department of State Development can be progressed as quickly as possible, because any further stalling in the project by the Lennon Government would provide the suggestion that the site may be even left even longer in a state of disrepair.

“Certainly, the Lennon Government’s poor track record in managing major projects and keeping them within their timeframes, such as the fibre optic project, the Meander Dam and Basslink gives no confidence that the LGH site will be developed in the near future,” Mr Hodgman said.
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Tim Morris MHA
Thursday, 14 APRIL 2004
MENTAL HEALTH SCANDAL A DAMNING INDICTMENT
Recommendations On Service Provision Thanks to Whistleblowers
The Tasmanian Greens today described as an outrage the abuse of patients at mental health services, professional misconduct and service failures outlined in the long awaited Report of an investigation into Ward 1E and Mental Health Services in northern Tasmania by the Minister for Health, David Llewellyn, following serious complaints about various aspects of Mental Health Service in the north of the state.
Greens Opposition spokesperson for Health and Human Services Tim Morris MHA said that we can thank whistleblowers from within the Mental Health sector for having the courage to speak up about injustices as they saw them, and today they were proven right by the Health Complaints Commissioner’s report.
“This abuse of mental health patients should never have happened, the damage must be addressed, and faith in the institutions be restored,” Mr Morris said.
“While the Greens welcome the release of today’s report by the Health Complaints Commissioner following the investigation into the Mental Health Service in the north, we at the same time acknowledge the sad situation when outrageous behaviours and professional misconduct only are brought to justice with the help of whistleblowers.”
“We are outraged by what has occurred and are grateful that some individuals have had the courage to speak up.”
“We owe thanks to the brave people who came forward with their concerns and now we need to ensure their safety too, as whistleblowers are traditionally hounded down for their courageous acts, when they really should be thanked and rewarded.”
“The Minister has made undertakings to remedy the situation and deal with all outstanding complaints and the Greens will definitely hold him and this government to this promise,” Mr Morris said.
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Tim Morris MHA
Thursday, 14 APRIL 2004
MENTAL HEALTH SCANDAL A DAMNING INDICTMENT
Recommendations On Service Provision Thanks to Whistleblowers
The Tasmanian Greens today described as an outrage the abuse of patients at mental health services, professional misconduct and service failures outlined in the long awaited Report of an investigation into Ward 1E and Mental Health Services in northern Tasmania by the Minister for Health, David Llewellyn, following serious complaints about various aspects of Mental Health Service in the north of the state.
Greens Opposition spokesperson for Health and Human Services Tim Morris MHA said that we can thank whistleblowers from within the Mental Health sector for having the courage to speak up about injustices as they saw them, and today they were proven right by the Health Complaints Commissioner’s report.
“This abuse of mental health patients should never have happened, the damage must be addressed, and faith in the institutions be restored,” Mr Morris said.
“While the Greens welcome the release of today’s report by the Health Complaints Commissioner following the investigation into the Mental Health Service in the north, we at the same time acknowledge the sad situation when outrageous behaviours and professional misconduct only are brought to justice with the help of whistleblowers.”
“We are outraged by what has occurred and are grateful that some individuals have had the courage to speak up.”
“We owe thanks to the brave people who came forward with their concerns and now we need to ensure their safety too, as whistleblowers are traditionally hounded down for their courageous acts, when they really should be thanked and rewarded.”
“The Minister has made undertakings to remedy the situation and deal with all outstanding complaints and the Greens will definitely hold him and this government to this promise,” Mr Morris said.
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Media Release
PETER GUTWEIN, MHA
Shadow Minister for Education
Thursday April 14, 2005
State Liberals call on Wriedt not to sabotage
literacy program for Tasmanian students
Shadow Education Minister Peter Gutwein has today called on Education Minister, Paula Wriedt, not to sabotage the operation of the Federal Government’s literacy funding scheme for Tasmanian students that are struggling to read.

Mr Gutwein said that this literacy funding was crucial for the improvement of the literacy skills for an estimated 170 students in Tasmanian public schools and that Minister Wriedt should ensure that it goes ahead smoothly.

“I am aware that both the South Australian and New South Wales Education Departments have sensibly approached the Federal Government to be the ‘broker’ or administrator of the scheme in those States and have subsequently been contracted,” Mr Gutwein said.

“I would make the suggestion to Minister Wriedt that she should not deny her own Education Department the opportunity to discuss the possibility of administering the scheme with Federal Department of Education officials.

“The possibility of the Tasmanian Department of Education playing a part may provide a more streamlined system, which is now required following Minister Wriedt’s appalling obstruction of the scheme for almost 12 months.

“If Minister Wriedt is truly committed to the future of each and every student in our Tasmanian schools, she would not seek to sabotage this crucial literacy scheme, but, instead, go to all lengths to ensure it is a success,” Mr Gutwein said.
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Media Release
MICHAEL HODGMAN, QC MHA
Her Majesty’s Shadow Attorney General
Thursday April 14, 2005

Jackson rolled on her refusal to address concerns over prisoner O’Neill

Attorney General Judy Jackson has been humiliatingly rolled for the second day running in State Parliament with the Premier over-ruling her refusal to lift a finger in terms of addressing concerns created by the possible paroling of convicted child-killer James O’Neill.

On repeated occasions the State Liberals have demanded the Attorney meet with the Police Commissioner to discuss his publicly expressed concerns that O’Neill would kill again if he was ever released from jail.

These calls have intensified in the last week following reports that O’Neill plans to apply for parole.

“On each occasion, the arrogant Judy Jackson has dismissed our concerns and our calls that she meet with Commissioner McCreadie to discuss his alarming views in relation to this prisoner, and ensure that all relevant information is provided to the parole board.

“In fact, she has refused to even comment, except for claiming that she cannot involve herself with Parole Board matters a statement that demonstrates gross double standards.

“The former Attorney General Peter Patmore actually requested the Parole Board revoke a decision to grant parole to Gerald Wayne Hyland, just months before the last state election.”

However, Mr Hodgman welcomed the statement provided to Parliament this morning by the Premier that the Parole Board would be provided with all relevant information prior to O’Neill’s application being heard.

Mr Hodgman said he hoped he was correct in understanding that the Attorney would also be discussing the Police Commissioner’s concerns.

“This is a staggering rolling of the Attorney General, who refused to even interest herself in this controversial case.

“It comes just a day after the State Labor Government shafted the Attorney General by opposing the principle of same-sex marriages in Parliament a principle the Attorney is known to strongly support.”

Mr Hodgman welcomed the Premier’s assurances in relation to O’Neill and said the State Liberals would hold him to his word.

He also repeated his call for the State Labor Government to expand the Parole Board membership by one to include a representative of victims of crime to ensure that their voice gets a proper hearing in all future parole deliberations.
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RENE HIDDING, MHA
Leader of the State Opposition
Thursday April 14, 2005

Health Minister’s cop out on online gambling concerns

There were more than enough gaming opportunities in Tasmania, Opposition Leader Rene Hidding said today, as he continued the State Liberals’ campaign against the State Labor Government’s apprarent plan to licence Betfair.

Mr Hidding said the devastation that would be wreaked on the Tasmanian racing industry if Premier Paul Lennon licensed the British based betting exchange was not the only damaging consequence that would arise.

Mr Hidding said that with more than $2 billion being gambled in Tasmania last year, and with an estimated 3000 Tasmanians having serious gambling problems, another outlet for gambling was the last thing Tasmania needed.

But the Health and Human Services Minister David Llewellyn has completely washed his hands of the potentially disastrous repercussions of licensing Betfair.

“Following the licensing of Betfair in the UK, it has been reported that betting on horse-racing increased by more than 30 per cent,” Mr Hidding said.

“There are clear implications for the Health and Human Services Budget of more gaming opportunities being made available in this State, and Anglicare has expressed similar concerns.

“But the Health Minister indicated today he simply is not interested in the impacts of another gaming opportunity on problem gamblers in this State by referring questions on this matter to the Racing Minister.

“This was a cop-out and a disgraceful response to an issue of serious social concern.”

Mr Hidding said the vast majority of the Tasmanian community would accept that we have reached saturation point in terms of gaming opportunities in this State, and that any increase would be harmful to the community.

“While people can already bet on Betfair, were the State Labor Government to license the betting exchange, gambling transactions would be legalised, and Betfair would be able to heavily promote its activities in the marketplace.

“The threat that the racing industry perceives to revenue from the licensing of Betfair is a good indication of just how much money is expected to be wagered on the online gambling forum.

“The bottom line is that Tasmania has more than enough gaming opportunities. There is a wealth of evidence that those opportunities that currently exist are already causing massive social and economic problems, which only makes more reprehensible the fact that Labor still has not committed to a full social and economic impact study into gaming.

“Gaming has provided many benefits for the community in the forms of investment, employment and a boost for the hospitality sector, as well as funds through the Community Support Levy.

“Although the overwhelming majority of Tasmanians do not have a problem with gambling, there is a small number who have difficulty controlling their gambling habits.

“For this sector of the community, problem gambling is a very serious issue which has a very severe impact on the individual and their families.

“The State Labor Government does not seem to care about the devastating impact of licensing Betfair on the racing industry.

“It seems it also has no regard for the impact that additional gaming opportunities would have on individuals and families throughout the State.”

Mr Hidding said the State Labor Government was going about its negotiations with Betfair in exactly the same way it handled the renewal of the exclusive pokie monopoly with Federal Hotels in a secretive and unaccountable way.
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Media Release
RENE HIDDING, MHA
Leader of the State Opposition
Thursday April 14, 2005
Labor’s reaffirmation of opposition to principle of same sex marriage welcome but tempers have flared behind the scenes

Opposition Leader Rene Hidding today welcomed the State Labor Government’s reaffirmation of its support of the State Liberals’ position opposing the principle of same-sex marriage.

In State Parliament this morning, Mr Hidding called on the Deputy Premier to stand by the position he articulated during Private Members Time, after it was dramatically undermined by disgruntled Labor back-bencher David Bartlett.

Mr Llewellyn maintained that the Labor party was united in its opposition to the principle of same-sex marriage but the events of yesterday, and the body language today of furious Labor MPs such as Lara Giddings said it all: this issue has exposed huge divisions in ALP.

Mr Bartlett was almost reduced to tears yesterday afternoon as he spoke of his distress at having to oppose the principle of same-sex marriage; and it has emerged that Judy Jackson, Kathryn Hay, Lara Giddings and Bryan Green, as well as MLCs Lin Thorp and Alison Ritchie are just as furious with their Premier and Deputy Premier at being forced to oppose the principle of same-sex marriage by the Premier and his Deputy.

Ms Jackson strongly favours the principle of same-sex marriage and was keen for the issue to be probed by a Parliamentary Committee if it was found that the State had jurisdiction in the area of marriage.

The State Liberals have been told by more than one Labor person around Parliament that there were extremely ugly scenes in the Labor Party over this issue, both before and after yesterday’s debate – and David Bartlett’s undermining of his party’s hierarchy has only made matters worse.

“Publicly, the Deputy Premier has claimed David Bartlett was not reprimanded for his unprecedented undermining of the Labor party line privately it is a very different story.

“It is understood that Mr Bartlett was roasted by his Premier for what he regarded as a politically immature and very damaging display of disunity; in fact it is common knowledge around the halls of Parliament today.”

Mr Hidding said the scenes in State Parliament yesterday afternoon were extraordinary for the Labor Party, and demonstrated how far Paul Lennon’s leadership credentials had sunk among his own ranks.

Mr Lennon is also under fire from other prominent members of his party, including David O’Byrne, David Price and Duncan Kerr, who are shaking their heads in disbelief at Mr Lennon’s rejection of a principle that has had strong support in the Tasmanian ALP for some time.

“Jim Bacon ruled his party with an iron fist and was able to because he commanded the