Questions

Published: 30 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the way retail pricing is set by the Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator (OTTER), and noting:

• the current energy mix in Tasmania;
• the model uses Victorian forward pricing as the reference and variable inputs from Hydro Tasmania to then set the wholesale contract price that can be charged;
• that this mechanism has been in place since January 2014; and

Published: 30 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to a JackJumpers media release of 25 September 2023 titled “JackJumpers launch into schools with Huon Aquaculture”, the release states:
Huon Aquaculture will be the presenting partner of the JackJumpers in Schools Program delivering educational outcomes across Tasmania…

Designed by Tasmanian teachers within the Australian Curriculum, the JackJumpers Schools Program has been carefully crafted to align with the Tasmanian education curriculum for Years 3/4 and 5/6, exploring themes of health and wellness, focusing on both mental and physical health and giving students the tools they need to become healthy and happy versions of themselves.

Published: 16 November 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 16 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the North West Private Hospital transition to the Tasmanian Health Service for maternity services:

1. I understand there is still no service agreement or lease agreement in place between the parties to enable service delivery continuity a month away from the Transition date. What does this mean from a ward/clinical care and service delivery perspective?

Published: 15 November 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 16 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the Summary report on the findings from the Tasmanian economic regulator’s inquiry into Bass Island Line’s pricing policies was released in August and noting:

  • the significant financial losses made by Bass Island Line since its inceptions;
  • comments made by the Minister and TasPorts that have indicated there is no commercial shipping organisation that is suitable to provide the service to King Island, which is required;

Published: 15 November 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 16 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the Summary report on the findings from the Tasmanian economic regulator’s inquiry into Bass Island Line’s pricing policies was released in August:

1. Has the Minister taken any action since the release of this report;
a. If so, what actions have been taken?

Published: 15 November 2023

Legislative Council, Wednesday 15 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

(1) With regard to contract variations related to the QuayLink project:

(a) How many variations to the contract have been made to date;
(b) What is the value/cost of each variation; and
(c) What is the reason for each variation?

Published: 15 November 2023

Legislative Council, Wednesday 15 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

QUESTION:

(1) With regard to the operations of TasPorts and the recently announced governance review;

(a) Have any external reviews or investigations been conducted into matters related to:

Published: 10 November 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 9 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for SMALL BUSINESS, Mr DUIGAN

With regard to the announcement by Saputo Dairy Australia with regard to the review of the King Island dairy facility, is the minister aware of the possible flow-on impact to many small businesses, including tourism small businesses on King Island, if Saputo was to close the King Island operation?

Published: 10 November 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 9 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRIES and WATER, Ms PALMER

A follow-up question with regard to this matter: does the minister believe the iconic King Island cheese and dairy brand must remain owned by King Island and thus, Tasmania. If so, does she understand the status of this brand, who owns it now?

Published: 10 November 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 10 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for PRIMARY INDUSTRIES and WATER, Ms PALMER

With regard to the announcement by Canadian-owned company Saputo Dairy Australia regarding a so-called 'strategic review' of the King Island Dairy facility:

(1) Has the minister had any communication with Saputo regarding this review and the likely impact on dairy producers on King Island?

(2) Should Saputo decide to sell or close King Island Dairy operations, would the Government consider targeted support to assist impacted King Islanders, including those who run dairy herds?

Published: 09 November 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 9 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the staffing of Western District Tasmania Police stations by local government area:

1. What are the numbers of unfilled positions, by rank, in each of the following LGAs;
i) Burnie
ii) Waratah-Wynyard
iii) West Coast
iv) Circular Head
v) King Island

Published: 09 November 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 9 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

Regarding ambulance services and paramedic staffing in Smithton, Circular Head, noting there has been a review of ambulance services demand across the State to determine the number of paramedics and nature of services in each town – that is volunteer only, single branch, double branch stations.

1. Has the review been completed:
a. If not, when is this expected;
b. If so, have any changes been recommended to North West and West Coast (including King Island) ambulance services regarding station size and number of paramedics;

Published: 09 November 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 9 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the works being undertaken at Somerset to replace the Cam River Bridge, noting 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:

Is there any requirement to provide traffic management services to assist traffic flows during peak periods;

Published: 01 November 2023

Legislative Council, 1 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the resourcing of SES regional units to ensure these units have appropriate and suitable equipment and vehicles;

(1) How is the replacement of redundant vehicles managed;

(2) What is the time frame and/or criteria for replacement of such vehicles; and

(3) What equipment/vehicle shortfalls exist in regional units in the North-West, by broken down by area:

Published: 01 November 2023

Legislative Council, 1 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the recent termination of the TasPorts Chief Operating Officer and the decision by TasPorts to undertake a review of governance and related matters:

1. What specific matter or matters triggered the decision to undertake a review/reviews;

2. Who is undertaking the review/reviews;

Published: 01 November 2023

Legislative Council, 1 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

According to communication in September from TasPorts and employees and as reported in the Advocate Newspaper on 5th October 2023 related to a governance review. This include reference to the cancellation of credit cards and an alcohol related policy.

1. What controls were in place for the use of credit cards by employees;
2. How was employee expenditure monitored and audited;

Published: 01 November 2023

Legislative Council, Tuesday 31 October 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

(1) With regard to worker related matters at TasPorts:

(a) Over the last six (6) years please provide numbers of staff resignation by employment level/title for each of the years including year to date;

(b) (i) Are exit interviews undertaken for every resignation; and
     (ii) if not, why not; and
     (iii) if exit interviews are undertaken, for those that were undertaken what feedback was provided as to reasons for the resignation?

Published: 31 October 2023

Legislative Council, Tuesday 31 October 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the ‘COVID buses’ that were utilised as part of the COVID-19 response as mobile vaccination and testing vehicles;

1. Are these vehicles still part of the Government fleet; and if so:
a. what are they currently being used for; and
b. if they are not currently being used, what are the plans, if any, for future utilisation?

2. If these buses have been disposed of, what process was used for their disposal?

Published: 18 October 2023

Legislative Council, Wednesday 18 October 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to 4WD track access to and within the Arthur Pieman Conservation Areas (APCA)

(1) For all tracks closed since 2010:

(a) What year was each closed; and

(b) Please provide details (and where possible copies) of the notification provided to:
     (i) The relevant representative body either the Tasmanian Recreational Vehicle Association (TRVA) and/or Four Wheel Drive Tasmania; and
     (ii) The local newspaper advertisement.

Published: 28 September 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 28 September 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT):

1. What has the average (not exact) price received by Sustainable Timber Tasmania (per cubic metre or per tonne, whichever unit is more appropriate for the given category of timber) for each of the following categories of native timber as they appear in STT’s Annual Reports per year for the past 5 years:

a. High quality sawlog category;

Published: 28 September 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 28 September 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the Precinct Plan for Macquarie Point that will be provided to the Australian Government, reportedly in October 2023.

1. Will the Government make a copy of this Plan publicly available; and
a. If so, when will the Plan be made public.

  1. Cam River Bridge - follow-up
  2. Cam River Bridge update
  3. Marinus Funding
  4. Question on Notice - Early Works proposal lodged by Marinus Link P/L (2)
  5. Bass Highway roadworks update
  6. Disability access ramps on Gordon River cruise ships
  7. OTTER review into King Island freight costs
  8. QUESTION ON NOTICE - TasNetworks AER pricing submission
  9. Question on Notice - Early Works proposal lodged by Marinus Link P/L
  10. FCFCOA in Burnie