Legislative Council, Thursday 3 November 2023

Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I will make a very brief contribution on adjournment tonight.

I sent in good faith questions to the Government earlier this week regarding traffic management at the Cam River Bridge. I will read the question.

With regards to the works being undertaken at Somerset to replace the Cam River Bridge, noting that the additional traffic congestion and long delays in accessing the bridge at peak times in the morning and afternoon, getting across the bridge, since the Murchison Highway was closed and school has returned -

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Legislative Council, Tuesday 27 June 2023

The LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT tabled the following response to Petition No. 44 2023 regarding the delivery of physiotherapy services on King Island:

Petition No 44 

Legislative Council, Tuesday 27 June 2023

Ms FORREST (Murchison) - Mr President, I rise on adjournment this evening to speak about and advocate for the Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC) on behalf of its chair, Selina Maguire Colgrave, and to bring to the Council's attention the escalating acts of lateral violence the Circular Head Aboriginal community have faced on a daily basis.

I am going to read from Selina's message to me because it is her voice that needs to be heard in this.

What can be best described as a campaign culminating recently with the controversial and frankly painful-to-watch film entitled My Journey, screened at the recent Dark Mofo festival, the Aboriginal community of Circular Head have been the subjects of a long-sustained campaign by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and its associating members to discredit CHAC as an organisation and its community's claims of Aboriginality.

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I welcome the announcement of Mr Hutchison declaring his candidacy for the May 6 election for the electorate of Murchison. I wish him all the best and look forward to engaging with him during this election period.

An election is an important part of our democracy and gives the people of Murchison an opportunity to choose who they wish to represent them for the next 6 years.

I have been extremely privileged to serve this electorate, connect with the community and take their concerns and voices to Parliament. I will be contesting this election, seeking the community’s support to continue the work I have been doing to represent this community.

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Below is my submission to the Office of the Economic Regulator, relating to the current inquiry into Bass Island Line's pricing policies:

As the elected Member of the Legislative Council representing King Island, I have advocated for many years on behalf of King Islanders for more equitable freight costs and pricing and for greater transparency around freight costs and related details. I have heard many accounts of unexplained price increases and inexplicable freight cost differences with other regional areas for similar and like freight. It has been almost impossible to obtain any explanations related to these matters as the “commercial-in-confidence” claim is the standard response. I would expect the Regulator would not be subject to such barriers in undertaking this important review.

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The Government's response to the petition regarding the Cam River Bridge flooding has been tabled. 

You can read the response here

I appreciate my regular catch up with Shane Crawford, our Waratah/Wynyard General Manager (GM) to discuss matters raised with me by constituents and other areas of mutual interest and the benefit of our community.

A summary of some topics of discussion can be viewed here:

images/WWC_Update_April_2021.pdf 

I actually can't believe we are so close to Christmas - it has been a year like no other. I would like to wish you all a very happy time over Christmas and the New Year acknowledging the very real heartache some will be experiencing who have family and friends in Sydney that were planning to share this time with you. 

This year has taught us much - appreciation of our freedom and opportunities to spend time with loved ones, and for some sadly snatched away at almost the last minute.
Many have been separated from loved ones for months, missed sharing the arrival of grandchildren and hugging loves oned when unwell or dying. Things we never thought would ever be ‘prohibited’.

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Border restrictions have changed for Tasmanians returning from Victoria due to the current outbreak of COVID-19 in Victoria.

I fully appreciate how difficult this news is for so many Tasmanian families who have loved ones in Victoria who were planning to come home, expecting restrictions to ease.

I as much as anyone am feeling the sadness with three of my children, their partners and three grandchildren, including one born just this week who I will not be able to visit as planned.

A summary of the most recent changes can be viewed here

Legislative Council Thursday 7 May, 2020

I asked a number of questions in Parliament on Thursday, 7 May in relation to COVID19 in Tasmania and in the North-West in particular.

Answers were provided to all but four of those questions and they have previously been published here on my website.

The remaining responses have now been received and can be viewed here:

Remedial Deep Tissue Massage (RDTM) therapy
Re-opening of NWRH and NWPH
North-West Community Transmission
Independent Inquiry into the NWRH COVID-19 outbreak

Starting from June 15 (subject to Public Health advice) we have an opportunity as Tasmanians to holiday at home without the crowds from mainland Australia! Let’s explore our beautiful State and enjoy what we have to offer here. No need for long plane trips, hours waiting at airports, queues or deadlines! Let’s enjoy the wonderful ambience of an open fire, deep bathtub and a glass of your favourite beverage (Tasmanian of course) and locally sourced food! 

Here’s what you need to know

As COVID19 restrictions begin to ease, what does this mean when it comes to the way we move around within Tasmania and how we interact with others?

Here is some useful information to assist

Some of the common areas where people ordinarily come together for celebration, support or comfort, have been severely impacted in recent times.

Here is some information on what the easing of COVID19 restrictions mean for weddings and funerals

As part of the Tasmanian Government’s staged approach to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Stage 1 which commences on 18 May 2020 allows restaurants and cafes to re-open for ‘dine in’ customers with some restrictions in place.

What does this mean for these businesses and patrons? 

Some information is available here

The Tasmanian Government is implementing a staged approach in the lifting of restrictions so that we can continue to reduce the risk of CIVIC-19 to the community. Stage 1 commences on 18 May, with Stage 2 commencing on 15 June (subject to Public Health advice).

 What does this mean for the ways in which we exercise and take part in sport and recreation activities?

 Here is a list of FAQs which might be of assistance.

The following answers to questions asked in Parliament on Thursday 7 May, 2020 have been recieved from the Minister for Disability Services and Community Development.

The questionos are in relation to NDIS Services during COVID-19

Community testing for COVID-19 is more important than ever as we begin to take gradual steps to re-open businesses and activities within our community.

The mobile testing bus will be visiting the West Coast again soon to ensure that residents have the opportunity to be tested.

More information is available here

COVID Safe Workplaces are vital as we reopen, businesses and all workplaces operate in ways that keep all workers safe and minimise the risk of a Covid-19 outbreak.

WorkSafe Tasmania has many excellent resources to assist and you can view these here

The Tasmanian Government has developed a staged approach to lifting the current COVID-19 restrictions. These will be gradual, carefully monitored changes with safeguards in place. As the Premier stated – we want to “Glide out not sawtooth out” and this is designed to hopefully avoid a second wave of infections and a second lockdown if we all do the right thing!

As from MONDAY 11 May 2020