Questions

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:

Published: 09 November 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday 9 November 2022

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

In follow-up to a question I asked in May this year regarding capital works projects at the West Coast District Hospital related to Stage 2 of Lyell Wing, the aged care facility and an Australian Government funding commitment of $1m in 2019 for an additional aged care bed, the Leader informed me that she had been advised the likely cost, based on a concept design prepared in early 2021 was in excess of $3.0 million and that this work is currently unfunded.

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 the Community Support Levy (CSL), over the last two years:

1. How much revenue has been raised through the Community Support Levy; and

a. Of the 25% for the benefit of sport and recreation clubs, please provide a breakdown of all funds dispersed;

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 the shipping service to and from King Island via Sea Road and Bass Island Line, over the last 5 years, reported by year:

1. How many twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU’s) have been transported from the Tasmanian mainland to King Island where products have been sourced in Tasmania; and

Published: 09 November 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday 9 November 2022

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

Regarding the recently announced feasibility study for a second Cam River bridge:

1. Will the government commit to a full and open process that includes community consultation with the residents of Waratah/Wynyard, Circular Head and Burnie municipalities in the undertaking of a feasibility study?

Published: 08 November 2022

Legislative Council, Tuesday 8 November 2022

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

With regard to renewable energy expansion in Tasmania and offshore:

1. Will the government commit to legislated renewable energy zones;
If yes,
a. when will this important legislation be progressed; and
b. Who and/or which stakeholder groups will be consulted?

Published: 28 October 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 27 October 2022

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

Year 11 and 12 students have experienced significant disruption to their learning over the last two years related to COVID-19. The north-west based students from Burnie through to the Circular Head regions are being significantly impacted as a result of the recent damage to the Cam River Bridge and long travel times. These students are entering the last couple of weeks of face-to-face learning and teaching, which is vital for many of these students.

Published: 28 October 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 27 October 2022

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

This was a few days ago and things have moved on a bit. Year 10 students have experienced significant disruption in their learning over the past two years related to COVID 19. Students from the Somerset side of the Cam River who attend Burnie High School have been significantly impacted as a result of the recent damage to the Cam River Bridge, with long travel times over a relatively short distance.

Published: 28 October 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 27 October 2022

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

With regard to the Bass Island Lines and shipping services to King Island for the past two years, please provide:

(a) the advertised sailings including dates and scheduled arrival times in King Island and Devonport;

(b) the actual sailings, including dates and scheduled arrival times in King Island and Devonport; and

Published: 28 October 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 27 October 2022

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

With regard to freight cost for freight trans-shipping through Devonport from Melbourne to King Island:

(1) Were trans-shipping wharfage costs imposed on shippers prior to withdrawal of the Bass Island Line from Victoria to Devonport?

(2) Please provide a breakdown of current freight costs associated with the trans-shipping costs for freight originating in Victoria, including return costs where applicable for:

Published: 28 October 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 27 October 2022

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

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

(1) What criteria was used to assess proponents;

(2) Did the review include the possible proponents including a Victorian leg;

Published: 28 October 2022

Legislative Council, Thursday 27 October 2022

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

With regard to the area on the Murchison Highway impacted by a landslip on the northern approach to the Yolande River crossing some time ago, works have been undertaken to construct a retaining fence to hopefully prevent further rockfalls and landslip event impacts onto the highway.

Published: 27 October 2022

Legislative Council, Wednesday 26 October 2022

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

Following the response to my question related to futureproofing of Grassy Harbour on King Island to ensure reliable, sustainable and cost-effective shipping service is assured through the construction of a new - and I emphasise new in the question - all-weather, safe harbour at Grassy on King Island, rather than strengthen the existing breakwater that supports the current port, a port that is not all-weather or a safe harbour facility: