Questions

Published: 23 March 2023

Legislative Council, Wednesday 22 March, 2023

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

With regard to the work commissioned by GHD to investigate possible options for a second Cam River Bridge:

(1) has this work been completed;

(a) if so, please provide a copy of the report;

(b) if not, when will this work be completed and when will the report be released; and

Published: 23 March 2023

Legislative Council, Wednesday 22 March, 2023

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

With the Group 6 Metals Mine commencing operations at the Grassy Mine on King Island, and additional overburden being available in 2025 to potentially construct an all-weather safe harbour which King Island does not have:

(1) Will the minister and Government consider funding the development of a master plan for Grassy Harbour?

(2) will the minister keep an open mind about options to develop an all-weather safe harbour in Grassy; and

Published: 21 March 2023

Legislative Council, Tuesday 21 March, 2023

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

With regard to the development of the new integrated and the temporary file management system across the Department of Justice.

(1) What is the total budget for this new system?

(a) How much has been spent to date?

(b) Is the project on budget? If not, please provide an explanation of any budget overruns.

(2) What are the time lines for this project?

Published: 21 March 2023

Legislative Council, Tuesday 21 March, 2023

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

With regard to the recent sale of Basslink, and the government and Hydro Tasmania stating that they are committed to assist with Basslink becoming a regulated asset and noting Basslink’s operating costs being well known and the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) figure can be reliably estimated;
(1) What does the Minister envisage the range of recoverable revenues from consumers to be?
(2) (a) With regard to the performance of Marinus Link as a regulated asset, what does the Marinus modelling assume about Basslink’s role;
(b) will it perform the same role as Marinus; or
(c) are there other assumptions?

Published: 21 March 2023

Legislative Council, Tuesday 21 March, 2023

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

QUESTIONS:

With regard proposed reform in the energy sector and matters related to energy prices, in an answer to a Question on Notice from Minister Barnett on 10 November 2022, the Minister stated:

“Based on modelling undertaken by Marinus Link Pty Ltd, Tasmanian residential electricity bills will be lower than they otherwise would be following the construction of Project Marinus. This is because of downward pressure on wholesale energy prices arising from the national rollout of lower cost new renewables.”

Published: 21 March 2023

Legislative Council, Tuesday 21 March, 2023

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

With regard to the recent sale of Basslink, the government and Hydro Tasmania have stated they are committed to assist with Baslink becoming a regulated asset:

(1) What is the process in Basslink becoming a regulated asset;
(2) what roles will the government and Hydro Tasmania play in this process;
(3) what commitment and/or undertakings have they made at this stage;
(4) which other parties need to be consulted before the AER will consider making a draft determination for Basslink to become a regulated interconnector;

Published: 25 November 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 24 November 2022

Mrs HISCUTT (Montgomery - Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council)- The other answer I had was for the member for Murchison, and I will read it through. I hurried to get an answer as best I could and I thank the department for doing that.

In relation to the matter that the member for Murchison raised last night and the night before, on adjournment, I want to assure the member - and the community - that the Tasmanian Government is committing to expanding and adding resources to stations and areas to continue providing the right care, at the right place, at the right time.

Published: 25 November 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 24 November 2022

Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for WOMEN, Ms PALMER

It is nearly the end of 2022, and I am not sure that the strategy is going to be released before the end of 2022. Will we need to change the name to Women's Strategy 2023-27? I would have thought it would have been out earlier than this.

Published: 25 November 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 24 November 2022

Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for WOMEN, Ms PALMER

Noting that tomorrow is the Tasmanian Walk for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, an important event to recognise the seriousness of the ongoing situation we face, I would like the Minister for Women to update us on the Women's Strategy.

Published: 24 November 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 24 November 2022

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

With regard to a property at 3 Pergola Crescent in Wynyard, which I understand is a property available for public housing and that it has been vacant for some time. Further in light of the severe shortage of public and social housing in Wynyard:

1. How long has this property been vacant;

2. Why has this property not been re-tenanted; and

Published: 23 November 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday 23 November 2022

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

With regard to the most recent announcements related to a Tasmanian AFL team and the alleged need for a new stadium in Hobart:

1. If funding is sought, or offered, by the Australian Government to fund part or all of a new stadium, will the Treasurer and Premier ensure the funds granted for any new stadium are quarantined from the CGC GST determinations to ensure the funds aren’t clawed back through reduced GST to the State, as was the case with the RHH grant funds; and

Published: 23 November 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday 23 November 2022

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

With regard to the shipping service to and from King Island, noting the review conducted in 2018-19 that saw the continuation of the Bass Island Line (BIL) and subsequent removal of the direct Victorian service:

1. Will the Minister commission a fully independent review of the shipping service, that is at arm’s length from TasPorts, BIL and government to review;

a. the regularity, reliability and timeliness of the BIL service delivery;

Published: 22 November 2022

Legislative Council, Tuesday 22 November 2022

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

With regard to ophthalmology care at the North West Regional Hospital (NWRH):

1 When and for what eye injuries and eye conditions are patients referred to the Devonport Eye Hospital for assessment and care;

2 What afterhours ophthalmology services are provided at the NWRH and are the necessary skilled and qualified staff and equipment available to assess an eye injury or serious eye medical condition; and

Published: 22 November 2022

Legislative Council, Tuesday 22 November 2022

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

We know there has been a large increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and related hospitalisations in Tasmania and throughout Australia.

In light of the ongoing risk of serious illness from COVID-19 for some people, the increasing risk of Long COVID for those re-infected with COVID-19 and the arrival of cruise ships into Burnie with many positive cases on board, which is expected to continue in coming months:

Published: 16 November 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday 16 November 2022

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

With regard to the Cam River Bridge that was damaged in a recent flooding event, I note ongoing monitoring of this bridge is occurring on and around the bridge following the repair work as works restart on the replacement bridge.

1. What methods are being used to monitor the bridge for further sagging or signs of damage; and

A) How often is the bridge monitored and assessed?

Published: 16 November 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday 16 November 2022

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

1 Are antenatal classes being offered face to face;

1.1 If so, in which hospitals/facilities;

2 What is the schedule of routine care provided by the Child Health and Parenting Services (CHAPs) nurses listed by:

Published: 16 November 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday 16 November 2022

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

1 In light of a new wave of COVID-19 infections and new strains of the virus; will the Government review and amend air quality regulations for indoor areas be reviewed and amended to require air quality that will reduce the risk of transmission of viruses including airborne viruses?

Published: 16 November 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday 16 November 2022

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

1 Will the Government provide the requested $150k for the West Coast Council to develop a housing plan for the West Coast; and
a. If so, when?

2 Will higher density, apartment living be supported in these communities;

3 Will the Board of Homes Tasmania be tasked, as a matter of urgency, with fully assessing and understanding the housing needs of:

Published: 11 November 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 10 November 2022

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

QUESTION(s): With regard the recently announced funding arrangements for the proposed Marinus Link:

(1) What was the date of the Business Case that has guided this decision making?

(2) Has the Business Case been updated recently to factor in:

Published: 09 November 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday 9 November 2022

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

1. If a person wins an amount of money on a gaming machine, are the winnings to be credited to the card; and
a) If so, can the person then continue to play the gaming machines beyond the daily limit, that is, also spend the winnings?

Published: 09 November 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday 9 November 2022

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

With regard to ambulance services on King Island and the lack of dedicated ambulance facilities, to the point that volunteers are required to use a port-a-loo at the rear of the Police Station where they have been based and do not have access to a facility to undertake training and/or debriefing after a critical incident: