More maidens

Elise Archer MP
Liberal Member for Denison
Thursday 10 June, 2010

Inaugural Speech

I have never wanted to live anywhere else but Tasmania and, in my inaugural speech today, I outlined the reasons why and the path that has led me to become a Member of the House of Assembly.

Hobart and its surrounds is special to me. During my time on the Hobart City Council and now as a Member for Denison, I feel privileged and grateful to represent the people of this city and its surrounding suburbs.

I believe strongly in the unique character of Hobart and its surrounding suburbs. I believe in making Hobart an even more wonderful place in which to live and work. We must maintain this through a blend of sensitive development and improved public infrastructure and facilities.

I also believe that Denison is a far richer place because of our cultural diversity. More than 70 nationalities call Tasmania home; the University of Tasmania hosts more than 3000 international students, and each year our State welcomes humanitarian entrants or refugees from countries around the world.

It is of great shame to me that verbal abuse, physical assault and discrimination is relatively rife in Tasmania, especially on our streets and in our public areas. I strongly believe in creating a Tasmania where people have rights and respect, regardless of their gender, age, abilities or disabilities, religious beliefs or nationality.

Representing the people of Denison is one large part of my motivation for being elected, but like many others, I have also been increasingly concerned at the breakdown in ethics, accountability and transparency that has characterized the State Labor Government over the past decade. I will do everything possible to restore the people’s trust in government and their elected representatives.

Additionally, we must implement regional planning initiatives for better outcomes, not only in terms of planning assessments, but also in the areas of, but certainly not limited to, population growth, affordable housing, transport, and infrastructure.

We need to develop a State Coastal Policy which includes an appropriate response to the burgeoning climate change challenges and a policy which provides leadership to local government in this regard.

And for Tasmania to remain an attractive place in which to work and live for the young and the ageing, community participation must be at the forefront.

Adam Brooks MP
Liberal Member for Braddon
Thursday 10 June, 2010

Inaugural Speech

In my Inaugural Speech to the Parliament today, I reflected on where I have been in my life as a former member of the Armed Services, my work in Australia’s resource sector and my time in business.

With a deep sense of responsibility, I am now taking on a new position as a Member for Braddon and this is not something I take lightly, nor take for granted. I wish to thank all of those who voted for me.

Like many young Tasmanians, I left the state in my teens, unlike a lot of people that leave however, I returned with my family to make a life for us.

When I returned to Tasmania, I didn’t return because the Government states it celebrates business, or continues to push an unsubstantiated, mythical claim of job creation, I returned because this is my home.

For our kids today, it’s our job as elected representatives to do all we can to ensure we do not lose the current generation of young people because of a lack of jobs, or a lack of opportunity.

I was brought up on the belief that a good education is paramount to the building blocks of someone’s life. Botched education experiments are not the way forward.

And a healthy economy cannot exist unless governments free up business conditions to allow the drivers of our economy, mainly small business, freedom to operate without stupid, vexatious and onerous regulations that governments love to impose.

I also feel that it’s the Governments job to set the conditions to allow business to flourish. Not necessarily a handout, but by allowing business owners to get on with what they know best. And that isn’t filling in lengthy forms, or being so bogged down by red tape or by the process they give up. We need to ensure Tasmania is open for business!

We need to change the direction we have been heading. It would be a massive understatement to say there could be room for improvement from the raft of issues that have raised their heads in recent years. It’s just not good enough.

Download: Brooks_Speech.doc

Mark Shelton MP
Liberal Member for Lyons
Thursday 10 June, 2010

Inaugural Speech

It has been a long and interesting journey since I first decided stand as a Liberal Candidate for Lyons and during this time, my commitment to progress the views and interests of the people of Lyons remains stronger than ever.

In my Inaugural Speech today, I stated my belief that it is a privilege to stand here to represent the people of Lyons and Tasmania.

I believe that currently there is an enormous disconnect between government, the policy they apply and the smaller communities which government have a responsibility to serve and represent.

I intend that my time in this House will be spent representing the views of these communities to ensure the services which residents rightly deserve are delivered, and to ensure that the many small townships which Tasmania is made up of, do not wither on the vine.

We as a collective group of representatives on the floor of this House need to restore the balance. The provision of far better essential services in the areas of health, education, transport, community support and basic water and sewerage services must occur, otherwise there is a very real risk that many of the communities I speak of will simply disappear off the Tasmanian map.

I also believe that the smaller Parliament has inevitably led, over the last 12 years, to more decisions being taken by unelected officials which should rightly be taken by elected, and accountable, ministers in this place.

If we are serious about delivering high quality government, we must acknowledge that the allocation of 5 or 6 ministerial portfolios to an individual is ridiculous and cannot deliver the effective policy or decision making which is expected of a functionally efficient government.

We must return the number in the House of Assembly to 35, and this should be done through an independent, legitimate review process.

When we are engaged in robust discussion which from time to time will feel like unpleasant combat, I would encourage all my colleagues on the floor of this House to stop, take a moment and refocus on the reasons why we are here.

That reason is simple, to make life better for the people whom we represent now, and leave a positive legacy for future generations of Tasmanians.

Jacquie Petrusma MP
Liberal Member for Franklin
Thursday 10 June, 2010

Inaugural Speech

Today in my Inaugural Speech, I committed to be a hard working Member for the electorate of Franklin. Being a good and genuine listener, as well as understanding the concerns and aspirations of my community are my promise.

As a resident of the Eastern Shore of Franklin, I am acutely aware of the issues that matter to voters on that side of the river. From campaigning and speaking to constituents since the election, I am also very well aware of the issues that concern the western shore, including the Channel area, Kingborough and the Huon Valley, such as roads, forestry, infrastructure, employment, education and health.

I also take my new responsibility as the Shadow Minister for Children very seriously.

I have worked as a Registered Nurse for a few years in paediatrics and it was during this time that I witnessed firsthand the issues of child abuse, as well as children and adolescents with mental health issues and no-where appropriate to go.

I have never forgotten one incident when I went to place a thermometer under the arm of a young child who started screaming because she thought I was about to burn her with a cigarette.

I am passionate about ensuring that if our children are going to be cared for in Out of Home Care, that they have the best care available. All of us in this House today need to ask ourselves, would we allow our own children to be cared for in that environment, because that should be the litmus test.

Tasmania’s demographic is ageing faster than any other State or Territory and our baby boomers are starting to retire with a major upswing soon to occur.

We will also soon have more people aged over 65, than children 0 – 14 years and one-third of Tasmanian’s aged over 65 will not be residing in a major urban centre. We also have a large percentage of our health professionals retiring, with Generation Y leaving this state in droves. In fact, the loss of young people from Tasmania is exacerbating this demographic shift and putting us on an even more worrying economic footing.

We need to bring Generation Y back home to Tasmania and keep them here, especially in rural areas in my electorate such as the Huon Valley. We need to make Tasmania a magnet to attract and retain young, innovative and creative people, to grow our population and productivity.

With my experiences in life, health, business, education and our ageing population I will be working hard to ensure that Tasmania’s economic, social and cultural future is secured. Honesty, integrity and keeping my word will be my values.