Questions

Published: 27 August 2020

Legislative Council Wednesday 26 August, 2020 

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

I note the Burnie Court Complex is not fit for purpose and for some time has been inadequate in providing appropriate access to justice and a safe workplace environment for people attending court and those who work in it.
With regard to the recent announcement to relocate the Burnie Court to a more suitable premises -

(1) What consultation was undertaken regarding the proposed relocation to the Mooreville Road site used by the University of Tasmania - UTAS?

(2) Who were the stakeholders engaged in this consultation and when did this consultation occur?

Published: 25 June 2020

Legislative Council Thursday 25 June, 2020

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

With regard to breastfeeding rates in Tasmania and related data:

1 Does the Government recognise and promote the benefits of breastfeeding?

2 What are the breastfeeding rates for Tasmania for each of the last 10 years noting both fully or partially breastfeeding rates, listed separately at:

Published: 25 June 2020

Legislative Council Thursday 25, June, 2020

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

With regard to safe and secure housing for victims of family violence when escaping a violent and/or unsafe living arrangement on the North West Coast:

1. How many properties are available in each Local Government area in the North West region available to women and families escaping family violence or abusive relationships?

Published: 25 June 2020

Legislative Council Thursday 25 June, 2020

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

A follow up question to the answer received 25 March 2020, wherein it was stated that the underlying cause of a decline in the value of Hydro Tasmania’s balance sheet of $195.83 million was a commercial in confidence matter not to be shared with the beneficial owners, the people of Tasmania.
I note the Government has been trying to gain support for various projects to build on our strengths in renewable energy generation. Adopting a secretive approach, prima facie appears to undermine the search for a social and economic license especially given the balance sheet loss represented almost 10 per cent of Hydro Tasmania’s value.

Published: 25 June 2020

Legislative Council Wednesday 24 June, 2020

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

With regard to the future of on campus learning at TasTAFE, it appears all learning has moved to online and distance delivery, with students unable to physically attend a campus unless invited to attend a timetabled small group session, to use a pre-booked computer or for assessment purposes;

1. Has the impact of this mode of delivery for an extended period of time been considered on students who do not have access to or who are not skilled in technology, have poor internet access or literacy skills;

Published: 24 June 2020

Legislative Council Wednesday 24 June, 2020

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

In answer to previous questions I asked regarding the promotion of gender equality in the State Service I was provided with extensive answers related to work being done to support the advancement of women in the workplace. I commend these actions.

With regard to the promotion of gender equality throughout the State Service I note the previous answer advising of a range of specific gender equality related activities as part of broader Diversity and Inclusion programs;

1. Has a gender sensitive/gender equality audit been conducted;

Published: 24 June 2020

Legislative Council Wednesday 24 June, 2020

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

With regard to access visits and availability of family contact centres on the North West Coast:

1. Is the Minister aware that monitored and no contact access visits are being facilitated in public places on weekends allegedly due to lack of safe places in Burnie?

2. Where are the designated family contact centres in Burnie;
    a. What hours are these open to facilitate access; and
    b. Which centres, if any, are currently open on weekends?

Published: 24 June 2020

Legislative Council Wednesday 24 June, 2020

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

With regard to the Economic and Fiscal Update Report dated May 2020, in particular page 19 which estimates the decreases in dividend tax and rate equivalent income for government businesses at $140.2 million for 2020/21. I note this is a 38 per cent decrease.

1. What is the breakup of this amount, specifically listed by individual amounts for each business, as would be presented in a policy and parameter statement?

Published: 24 June 2020

Legislative Council Wednesday 24 June, 2020

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

With regard to the care of pregnant and post-natal women since March this year:
1 What specific assessments have been undertaken to assess for antenatal anxiety and depression; and
   1.1 Have additional antenatal assessments undertaken in light of the risk of COVID-19 and limitations placed on visitors in hospital and support for new parents, particularly for pregnant women in North West Tasmania?

Published: 24 June 2020

Legislative Council Wednesday 24 June, 2020
Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the Stanley Highway (B21) from the junction with the Bass Highway into Stanley;

1. Is the Minister for Infrastructure aware of a high seasonal use of this road;
2. Is the Minister for Infrastructure aware of the narrowness of the road, lack of sealed shoulders and unsafe camber of the road in many sections; and
3. Is the Minister for Infrastructure aware of regular vehicle crashes occurring on this section of road?

Published: 05 June 2020

Legislative Council Thursday 4 June, 2020

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

I believe this question will probably have answers that will be sent back. We will put this one on the record as well, in case late entries arrived for correction.

This is a follow-up question to an answer received on 25 March 2020, wherein it was stated that the underlying cause of the decline in the value of Hydro Tasmania's balance sheet of $195.83 million was a commercial-in-confidence matter not to be shared with the beneficial owners, the people of Tasmania.

Published: 05 June 2020

Legislative Council Thursday 4 June, 2020

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

There may not be answers to these questions, but I want to put them on the record.

The Economic and Fiscal Update Report dated May 2020, page 19 in particular, estimates the decrease in dividend tax and rate equivalent income for government businesses at $140.2 million for 2020-21, which I note is a 38 per cent decrease.

Published: 05 June 2020

Legislative Council Thursday 4 June, 2020

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

The additional funding for mental health services from both State and Federal Government is welcome in light of the additional impacts on COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of many Tasmanians.

1 What specific measures are being put in place to support mental health in the North West Coast?

2 What specific measures are being put in place to support mental health in the West Coast?

Published: 05 June 2020

Legislative Council Thursday 4 June, 2020

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

Reserve Bank Governor Lowe's announced on 19 March 2020 that the Reserve Bank is prepared to purchase Australian Government Securities - AGS - and securities issued by the state and territories central borrowing authorities, semis, in the secondary market as part of a package of measures to address the fallout from the current pandemic -

1. What is the total face value of Tascorp bonds purchased by the RBA since 19th March 2020?
2. To what extent is the Government and/or Tascorp involved in the bond purchases; and
a. Does either the Government or Tascorp have any active role in the process?

Published: 05 June 2020

Legislative Council Thursday 4 June, 2020

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

With regard to acute inpatient mental health care in the North West region, I note the bed capacity at Spencer Clinic has been reduced to promote and support social distancing and COVID-19 safe care.
1 How many inpatient beds are currently available on Spencer Clinic;

2 How are patients being cared for in the community, who would otherwise have been admitted being provided appropriate care; and,

3 If all allocated beds are taken at Spencer Clinic and a patient in urgent need of admission presents, how is this patient managed?

Published: 05 June 2020

Legislative Council Thursday 4 June, 2020

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

With regard to specialist outpatient, medical services and clinics -

(1) What is the time frame for reopening outpatient specialist clinics for -

(a) each speciality

Published: 05 June 2020

Legislative Council Thursday 4 June, 2020

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

With regard to the resumption of elective surgery in Tasmania, noting that many hospitals on the mainland are requiring all elective surgery patients to have a COVID-19 test and self-isolate from the time of the test until admission for elective surgery and acknowledging that Tasmanian patients are being screened using a self-reporting screening tool:
1. Has consideration been given to COVID-19 testing of all booked elective surgery patients within a short time before planned admission;
a. If so;
i. Are these patients then required to self-isolate prior to admission; and

Published: 04 June 2020

Legislative Council Wednesday 3 June, 2020

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

I appreciate the answer to the previous question on gender equality training. It seems like there is an awful lot of programs that women can attend. I am interested also - and I can put this on notice for another time - on the number of men who attend such training, because it is not just the women who need the training, it is the men as well.

This question follows on a little from that. With regard to the charges laid and convictions related to section 9 of the Family Violence Act 2004 relating to emotional abuse and intimidation, and is described in the act as -

Published: 03 June 2020

Legislative Council Wednesday 3 June, 2020

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

1. With regard to the Independent Inquiry into the Covid-19 outbreak at the NWRH, will the Report of the Independent Panel be made public?

I will await the advice of the Independent Review Panel and to understand any commitment that may be made on the treatment of submissions or evidence gathered as part of the inquiry. However, at this time, I can see no reason why we would not release the recommendations of this report to ensure our continued focus on a culture of learning from major events.

Published: 03 June 2020

Legislative Council Wednesday 3 June, 2020

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

With regard to the promotion of gender equality in the State Service;


1. What specific programs and measures have been taken to promote gender equality throughout the State Service;
2. What training and education programs related to gender equality have been undertaken and provided to State Service employees;
a. How many employees have engaged in these programs in total and percentage of staff terms for each agency or division within an agency;

Published: 03 June 2020

Legislative Council Wednesday 3 June, 2020

Mrs HISCUTT - Mr President, the member for Murchison also asked about an independent investigation inquiry into the North West Regional Hospital COVID-19 outbreak. She asked about the terms of reference for the inquiry, when it would be, and whether State Service employees would be empowered to provide evidence without fear of retribution.

(1) Tasmania has a history of proactively commissioning external independent reviews, demonstrating the culture of seeking to learn from major events. The Department of Premier and Cabinet will provide a draft set of the terms of reference to the Premier for his consideration.

  1. COVID-19 positive cases - 19 April to 25 May 2020
  2. North West Regional Hospital and North West Private Hospital - Reopening
  3. COVID-19 - Remedial Deep Tissue Massage
  4. Questions relating to COVID-19 in Tasmania
  5. NW Hospital Staff Quarantine
  6. Questions relating to COVID-19 in Tasmania
  7. Mediation - Settlement Conditions
  8. Sustainable Timber Tasmania - Accrued Revenue and Expenses
  9. 2019 Annual Report for Hydro Tasmania
  10. TasNetwork’s 2018-19 Annual Report