Questions

Published: 19 October 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday 19 October 2022

Ms FORREST question to LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to Federal immigration and Visa processing delays in areas of workforce shortage and need:

1 What are the current areas of workforce shortage or need;

2 Does State government sponsorship enable more timely assessment and processing; and
a. If so, how many applicants are being currently sponsored by the State; and
b. In which workforce areas?

Published: 19 October 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday 19 October 2022

Ms FORREST question to LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT, Mrs HISCUTT

In a recent extended power outage in Zeehan, reportedly due to power lines down on the Zeehan Highway, I am informed power was restored to part of the town, including retail and business areas, many hours before being restored to residential areas in close proximity to the town centre, including Parkinson and Counsel Streets.

Can the Leader explain why this was the case as many residents of Zeehan rely on power for heating, cooking and essential electrical medical devices?

Published: 19 October 2022

Legislative Council, Tuesday 18 October 2022

Ms FORREST question to LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the decision by JBS Australia Pty Ltd to ship cattle from King Island to Devonport for transport to the Longford Abattoir on the Bass Island Line (BIL):

(1) what discussions and/or correspondence were held between TasPorts and JBS regarding this service;

(2) what discussions and/or correspondence were held between BIL and JBS regarding this service;

Published: 19 October 2022

Legislative Council, Tuesday 18 October 2022

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

With regard to the well known and concerning housing shortage, what is the Office of Local Government's view on:

(1) the possible introduction of commercial, local government rate on properties listed on booking platforms such as Airbnb and Stayz where the entire property is available for booking; and

(2) statewide limitations on whole homes being made available for bookings on platforms such as Airbnb and Stayz?

Published: 19 October 2022

Legislative Council, Tuesday 18 October 2022

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

With regard to visits to King Island by forest practices officers undertaking their statutory role:

(1) Are the costs of visits passed on to the land owner, and if so, if more than one land owner is visited, are the costs apportioned?

(2) How are decisions made regarding the level of financial penalty for works deemed illegal, and by whom?

Published: 19 October 2022

Legislative Council, Tuesday 18 October 2022

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

Regarding biosecurity on King Island and the lack of a truck wash down facility:

(1) How is biosecurity being managed to protect King Island?

(2) Where does the minister believe the most effective location for a truck wash down facility should be located to protect biosecurity on King Island?

Published: 28 September 2022

Legislative Council, Tuesday 27 September 2022

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

With regard to police investigations into matters related to offences against an individual:

(1) What avenues are available to an individual when they believe the police response to a report of a serious incident has been inadequate, including:

Published: 12 September 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 8 September 2022

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

The Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC) is calling on the Government to commence an inquiry to review the historical evidence and the statements made by the Hobart City Council, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and the Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council regarding the actions of William Crowther and others in respect to the circumstances surrounding William Lanne's skull, using evidence provided by appropriate experts in their field.

Published: 12 September 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 8 September 2022

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

TasBuild was created to manage the portable long service leave scheme for eligible employees in the Tasmanian construction industry by registering records of any reported relevant employment undertaken by a worker in a single account so that employment reported across multiple employers counts toward achieving an entitlement.

(1) With regard to the TasBuild 2021 financial statements, the balance sheet shows assets of $184 million, but the liability for long service leave is only $134 million. The balance of $50 million is retained revenue.

Published: 12 September 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 8 September 2022

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

I asked the Leader on 24 August about the high cost of living on King Island, mainly due to transport costs of food like fruit and vegetables. The Leader stated that Bass Island Line (BIL) is now offering the opportunity for local food outlets to source products from mainland Tasmania via sea freight, which is considerably cheaper than transport by air. Refrigerated containers have now been secured. BIL is now exploring the possibility of a trial subject to market demand. That was the response I was provided.

My follow-up questions to the Leader are:

Published: 12 September 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 8 September 2022

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

On Tuesday 23 August I asked the Leader a number of questions with regard to shipping services for King Island. I noted that retail fuel prices were on average usually 40 cents to 45 cents higher on King Island than in regional Tasmania. I asked for a breakdown by percentage of cost for each component or element of charge by Bass Line that related to (1) fuel supply/commodity; (2) transport - road and sea; (3) wholesale storage and distribution; and (4) retail.

Published: 08 September 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday, 7 September 2022

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

With regard to the Government's policies around access to affordable and accessible housing and the response related to the construction of social housing, including housing for those with a disability, the response last week included the fact that no houses are being constructed on King Island.

(1) Can the minister confirm whether any homes are currently being built or are planned to built in the next five years on King Island; and

Published: 25 August 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 25 August 2022

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

With regard to the Government’s policies around access to affordable and accessible housing:

1 How many houses have been constructed in each North West Local Government Area in the last five years for social housing reported by:
• The town the home has been built; and
• The number of properties in each that are suitable for residents with disability, including the availability of hoists.

Published: 23 August 2022

Legislative Council, Tuesday 23 August 2022

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

With regard to shipping services for King Island –

1. What consideration or investigation has been undertaken in the last five (5) years by the Government or TasPorts regarding the possible transition to a private operator taking over the entire King Island shipping and freight task;

2. If any consideration or investigation has been undertaken in the last five (5) years:

Published: 23 August 2022

Legislative Council, Tuesday 23 August 2022

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

With regard to shipping services for King Island – retail fuel prices are usually 40-45 cents higher on average on King Island than in regional Tasmania. During the last 6 months the average retail fuel price on King Island was 55 to 65 cents higher than regional Tasmania retail costs:

1. Please provide details of fuel (LSD, ULP and PULP) transport to King Island on Bass Island Line (BIL) for the last five (5) years;

Published: 27 June 2022

I asked a number of questions relating to the 2022-23 Budget in Parliament and the Government provided the following answers:

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Fiscal_Action_Strategy

Imputed_Rents

Published: 26 May 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 26 May 2022

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

With regard to capital works projects at the West Coast District Hospital related to Stage 2 of Lyell Wing, the aged care facility:

1 Does the Minister believe it would be more cost effective to undertake this capital upgrade at the same time as the capital works to the Emergency Department?

2 Have the designs been finalised?

3 What is the likely cost and has this been budgeted for?

Published: 26 May 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 26 May 2022

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

With regards to upgrades and capital works projects at the West Coast District Hospital (WCDH), I understand the budget has been approved for the upgrade to the Emergency Department at the WCDH:

1) What is the budget allocation for this upgrade?

2) When will the work commence?

3) What is the expected completion time?

Published: 26 May 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 26 May 2022

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

I understand the West Coast Council have agreed to provide units to the Department of Health for staff accommodation to achieve a suitable standard for occupation, the Department will be required to fund upgrades to the units.

1 What process was used to obtain quotations for the upgrades?

2 How many quotations were obtained?

Published: 26 May 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 26 May 2022

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

I understand the underpayment/incorrect payment of staff has been occurring for approximately six months at the West Coast District Hospital.

1 How many staff have been impacted?

2 What is the reason behind these errors?

Published: 26 May 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 26 May 2022

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

With regard to staff training and support, including equipment at the West Coast District Hospital:

1. Has funding been allocated for a Clinical Nurse Educator at WCDH;

a. If so, when has or will this position been filled; and
b. If not, will a position if Clinical Nurse Educator be funded and employed in the coming financial year?