The Tasmanian Greens Leader Nick McKim MP today delivered his State of the State reply speech, outlining the Greens’ plans to strengthen Tasmania’s democracy, stimulate small business, care for the environment and look after for the community’s most vulnerable.
Mr McKim said 2013 would be a watershed year for Tasmania, when key progressive policies and reforms that many in the community have worked hard to achieve over many years, will come to fruition.
“This year we will see progress on two nation-leading Greens achievements in animal welfare, with the first stage of the state’s battery-hen ban in place from the 1st of July, along with a ban on sow stalls.”
“This year will also see the introduction of the ban on lightweight shopping bags to be completed by the end of October, helping solve a major environmental disaster that is literally choking our wildlife.”
“In education, we have already transitioned to the new four-term school year, in another significant step forward for improving educational outcomes for our kids.”
“The overhaul of the state’s energy sector will be progressing including the shift to full retail contestability by January next year, putting downward pressure on energy prices.”
“The Greens are hopeful that vital reform and restructure of the forestry industry will be progressed in the Upper House, allowing significant protection of high conservation value forests and putting the industry on a sustainable footing.”
“This year has also already seen Tasmania become a national trial site for the NDIS, enhancing the lives of many Tasmanians living with disability, empowering them to have choice and control over the supports they receive.”
2013 Policy Priority: Strengthening Tasmania’s Democracy Package
“There can be no surprise that the Greens are determined to move Tasmania’s democracy forward onto a healthier and robust footing.”
“The first step is to restore the numbers in the House of Assembly. This is long-overdue.”
“The Greens will bring on for debate this year our Parliamentary Reform (Restore Assembly Numbers) Bill 2012, which seeks to restore the House of Assembly numbers to 35.”
“The Greens will prioritise the public debate examining which model of ‘suspensory veto’ would be appropriate to reform the Legislative Council powers, specifically to reconcile powers with accountability.”
“There is no excuse for Tasmania to still not have a state-based political disclosure scheme in place for the next state election.”
“We will move to introduce legislation to implement a state based scheme, as we recognise that the Attorney-General has had a consultation process underway but this needs to be prioritised to ensure it is in place by 2014.”
The Greens proposed legislation would provide for:
• timely disclosure of donations received;
• lowered cap for donations disclosure;
• full disclosure of 3rd parties’ donations;
• ban on tobacco and gaming donations;
• public funding of parties and candidates,
• a transparency mechanism to remove the secrecy of behind-closed-door donations.
2013 Policy Priority: Legislation for $1 Bet Limits on Poker Machines
“For the calendar year of 2012, Tasmanians lost the shocking amount of $199, 838, 383 on pokies.”
“That’s almost $200 million dollars, lost to struggling families, not going to put food on the table, nor warmth in homes, or to pay other day to day bills.”
“Instead we see far too often reports of white-collar crime, as desperate pokies addicts resort to stealing from family, friends and workplaces, to get their fix or in a vain attempt to curb spiralling debt.”
“No more excuses. We will seek to introduce a $1 bet limit on pokies, by bringing on for debate in the first half of this year our Gaming Control Act Amendment Bill that is currently sitting on the books.”
2013 Policy Priority: State-based Container Deposit Legislation
“It makes good economic, environmental and social sense to move Tasmania forward, and introduce a state-based container deposit scheme.”
“No more waiting for the national level. We will table our own Bill to introduce this scheme.”
2013 Policy Priority: Fair Protection for Firefighters Legislation
“In 2013, the Greens will prioritise introducing our own state-based Fair Protection for Firefighters legislation.”
“Our firies, full-time professionals and volunteers, bravely put their lives on the line to protect us, our livelihoods and properties, over and over again.”
“This difficult and dangerous job is made even more dangerous by regular exposure to toxic chemicals and dangerous materials like asbestos on a near-daily basis.”
“It is almost a full year since Greens’ Emergency Services spokespeople Paul O’Halloran MP tabled a motion in this place calling for state-based protections to ensure Tasmania’s firefighters were covered by the state’s workers’ compensation laws for occupational cancers’.”
“Our proposal will seek to cover Tasmania’s 250 plus professional and volunteer firefighters.”
“Following the passage of Federal legislation, which had been spear-headed by Greens MHR Adam Bandt in 2011, South Australia moved on this last year, and the Victorian Greens have introduced legislation in their state parliament.”
“It is time we move to provide firies with the most comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation we can deliver.”
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader Wednesday, 6 March 2013
