Ms Armitage (Launceston) - Mr President, I appreciate the opportunity to say a couple of words about Vanessa this afternoon. Our Vanessa, Dr Vanessa Goodwin, the former member for Pembroke, is an amazing, beautiful person. A genuine, caring individual for whom nothing was too much trouble. She was kind and generous; she made me, as a new member, feel very welcome and I really appreciated that. Vanessa showed herself to be a friend to all and she was always happy to help. In my years in this place I never heard Vanessa say a bad word about anyone, nor have I ever heard anyone say a bad word about Vanessa, whatever their political affiliation. She is respected by all. Vanessa was a wealth
Ms Armitage (Launceston) - Today I pay tribute to Launceston anaesthetist Dr Colin George Merridew. Better known as George, he was born in Devonport, Tasmania in 1948. George retired at the end of last month after a distinguished career spanning five decades in which he did a lot for his profession in Tasmania, in Australia and internationally. As a medical student at the University of Tasmania, George joined the Royal Australian Air Force undergraduate scholarship scheme. After graduating in 1972 he served in the permanent air force as a medical officer for four years and then undertook specialist anaesthesia training in Adelaide from 1979 to 1983. After that, George worked in England,
Ms Armitage (Launceston) - Mr President, I thank the member for McIntyre for the motion before us. It certainly is an issue. Like other members, I have also toured the facility at Launceston. I have been out to Ashley with Whitelion. It is a sad reflection on our society that we need another prison. It would have been nice if we still have the Hayes Prison Farm for low-risk offenders. Unfortunately that is no longer there. Also, you read every day that people need drug diversionary places; they cannot have them, so they have to go to prison, because there is no facility for them. It would be good if the Government could look at putting more money into those areas. Another concern is if