Questions

Published: 05 September 2023

Legislative Council, Tuesday 5 September 2023

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

(1) With regard to the publicly available Early Works proposal lodged by Marinus Link P/L with the Australian Energy Regulator (AER):

(a) How will the net expenditure of $128.9 million be funded; and

The $128.9m will be funded via an intercompany loan from TasNetworks to MLPL, TasNetworks will fund the loan through borrowing from TasCorp. Interest is charged on the intercompany loan.

Published: 17 August 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 17 August 2023

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

To follow-up on my adjournment speech on 30 May my questions is:

1. Will or has the Attorney General and Minister for Justice work with the Burnie City Council to ensure FCFCOA matters can be dealt with in Burnie;
a. If so, what action has been taken;

Published: 17 August 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 17 August 2023

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

In response to a question I asked in March this year regarding the construct an all-weather safe harbour on King Island which I continue to maintain it does not currently have, the Leader informed me TasPorts had advised her that there is no demonstrable need for a second safe harbour at Grassy. Neither is there a demonstrated need to develop a master plan for Grassy Harbour. The port of Grassy already has additional capacity beyond its current freight task. TasPorts would only review its position on the need for an additional safe harbour if demand were to significantly increase.

Published: 16 August 2023

Legislative Council, Tuesday 15 August 2023

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

With regard to individuals experiencing harassment and threats or perceptions of threats of violence or incitement to violence through the use of social media or other online technology;

1. What avenues are available to an individual for reporting online harassment and/or perceived threats when they believe they are being targeted; and

2. What powers do Police have in Tasmania to investigate such claims?

Published: 04 July 2023

4 July, 2023

The following response has been provided out of session and will be tabled when Parliament resumes.

Published: 30 June 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 29 June 2023

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

My question is a follow-up question relating to the contract signed by the Premier and the AFL.

(1) Noting the contract specifies a fixed translucent roof:

(a) During the design phase of the stadium, could the fixed translucent roof be renegotiated to a retractable roof and still meet the requirements of the contract?

(b) During the design phase of the stadium, could an open the stadium without a roof be negotiated and still meet the requirements of the contract?

Published: 29 June 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 29 June 2023

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

With regard to the Child and Family Learning Centre in Queenstown;

1. What age children are able to access the programs and activities at the Centre?

2. For programs and activities for school aged children, if any, are children who are not enrolled in a school in the West Coast region able attend the various programs, including play groups and other play related activities and;
a) if not, why not?

Published: 28 June 2023

Legislative Council, Wednesday 28 June 2023

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

Regarding a QON during Budget Estimates Committee Hearings in response to a question about the National Health Reform Agreement (NHRA) and whether the State had exceeded the 6.5 per cent funding growth cap, the Treasurer informed the Committee that this growth cap had been exceeded in 2021-22 with actual growth of 9.1 per cent, however Tasmania received funding for its full NHRA growth in that year as a result of the national funding cap provisions under the NHRA.

Published: 28 June 2023

Legislative Council, Wednesday 28 June 2023

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

With regard to male patients referred by their medical practitioners for MRI scans to investigate or monitor prostate cancer that require the use of gadolinium contrast medium:

1. Where can these MRI scans be provided in the North of the State;

Published: 28 June 2023

Legislative Council, Wednesday 28 June 2023

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

With regard to the recruitment and appointment of the Independent Regulator for Child and Youth Safe Organisations:
1. When did the recruitment process commence including;
a. What date were expressions of interest or applications for the position first sought;

Published: 28 June 2023

Legislative Council, Wednesday 28 June 2023

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

My question relates to the 2023/24 Budget in particular I refer to Output Group 5.6 (Sport and Recreation) in the Department of State Growth in this year’s budget and the corresponding Output Group in the 2022/23 budget (Output Group 4.7 in Communities Tasmania).

Published: 27 June 2023

Legislative Council, Tuesday 27 June 2023

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

With regard to Federal grants from the Community Development Grants program that have awarded to the State:

1. What State projects/programs have received Federal funds as Community Development grants;

2. For each project/program, how much funding was provided for each; and

Published: 27 June 2023

Legislative Council, Tuesday 27 June 2023

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

With regard to the work commissioned by Government and awarded to GHD in March 2023 to assess the feasibility of a second bridge over the Cam River:

1. Please provide a copy the specific terms and scope of the work to be undertaken by GHD;

Published: 27 June 2023

Legislative Council, Tuesday 27 June 2023

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

My question is a follow-up question related to the contract signed by the Premier with the AFL.

1. Noting the contract specifies a fixed roof, however concern has been raised by cricketers that International Cricket is unlikely to be able to be played under a fixed roof and further noting a fixed translucent roof is a minimum requirement:

Published: 27 June 2023

Legislative Council, Tuesday 27 June 2023

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

1 Does the Government acknowledge there is real value in patient/individual outcomes through engagement with lived experience advocates and peer support across a range of health and well-being matters?

2 Does the Government accept the Tasmanian health demographic data indicates Tasmania has high rates of diabetes and other risk factors associated with peripheral vascular disease that increase the risk of lower limb amputation, risks that are exacerbated in rural and regional areas?

Published: 01 June 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 1 June 2023

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

My questions relate to Commonwealth Specific Purpose grants. In particular, I refer to Table 5.4 in Budget Paper No.1 for the budget year 2023/24 listing Commonwealth payments for specific purposes, specifically as related to Commonwealth finding for Macquarie Point and York Park precincts. I note the grants for the co investment at Macquarie Point and UTAS stadium are not included in Table 5.4.

1. Is this for the reasons described in Footnote 1 of Table 5.4; and
a. If not why are they excluded?

Published: 01 June 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 1 June 2023

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

Referring to the Budget for 2023-24, could you provide measures/details of:
1. Tasmania’s Gross State Product;
2. The service cost for current employees of the General Government who are members of the defined benefit superannuation schemes;
3. Employer contributions by the General Government in respect of members receiving retirement benefits from the defined benefit schemes;

Published: 01 June 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 1 June 2023

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

My questions relate to Commonwealth Specific Purpose grants. In particular, I refer to Table 5.4 in Budget Paper No.1 for the budget year 2023/24 listing Commonwealth payments for specific purposes.

1. Please indicate which grants will be excluded when the Commonwealth Grants Commission calculates Tasmania’s GST share, indicating:

Published: 01 June 2023

Legislative Council, Thursday 1 June 2023

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

Noting the Commonwealth Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) guidelines state, ‘The value of land should be determined by its opportunity cost, that is, what it could produce in its best alternative use’. Thus, the land at Macquarie Point is not ‘free’ land:

1. Was the opportunity cost assessed in the stadium proposal; and
a. If the opportunity cost was assessed, please provide details of the assessment and costs.
b. If it hasn’t been assessed and factored in:

Published: 31 May 2023

Legislative Council, Wednesday 31 May 2023

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

With regard to the separately specified $85m extra government borrowing in relation to the proposed stadium and Macquarie Point:

1. Why is this amount or these borrowings specified separately; and

2. If it relates to an amount to be hypothecated against lease revenue or land sale;

Published: 31 May 2023

Legislative Council, Wednesday 31 May 2023

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

I refer to the mooted $60 million Cradle Mountain cableway that was to be funded 50 per cent by the Tasmanian Government and 50 per cent by a Federal grant from the Community Development Grants program.

1. Would the grant, if received, have been included as a specific purpose grant by the Commonwealth Grants Commission when calculating the State’s share of the GST pool;

2. Did the State seek or receive any advice from the Federal government as to how the grant would be treated for GST purposes; and
a) If received, what was that advice; and