ROSEMARY ARMITAGE MLC

[3:43 p.m.] Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, I, too, find this a confronting bill. I accept some parts of it and have concerns with other parts. I will support it into the Committee stage because I look forward to some of the proposed amendments. I thank the Government for the ongoing briefings we have had over the past couple of weeks. It has been very good. The information received this morning from Chris Gunson from the Tasmanian Bar, Tasmania Police and, of c

[4.11 p.m.] Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, we have a wonderful creative arts community in Launceston. I know because I have been involved with the School of Visual and Performing Arts and was the chair of CentreStage Dance Company for many years after Don Wing; the member for Rosevears, Mr Finch, might have been chair of CentreStage before Don. It was unfortunate CentreStage was disbanded, but it was not the choice of the board. We appreciate changes occur and the

[12.24 p.m.] Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, I, too, thank the member for Elwick for bringing on this report. The recently released Health and Wellbeing of Tasmania's Children and Young People Report 2018 provides a valuable resource for individuals, professionals, government and non-government agencies. We have come a long way, but there is still much more work left to do in regard to the health and wellbeing of our children and young people. There are over 112 64

[12.24 p.m.] Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, the number of registered health practitioners continues to grow. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - AHPRA - and the National Boards released an annual report summary on health practitioner regulation in Tasmania for the year ending 30 June 2017. There were 14 522 registered health practitioners in Tasmania compared with 14 123 in the previous year - an increase of 399 registered health practitioners.

[3.40 p.m.] Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, this is a very good move for officers; as mentioned by the member for McIntyre, it is one more tool in the toolkit. While some cameras are in use, we believe it will be around 24 months before they are rolled out Tasmania-wide. While it is primarily for the safety of officers, it is also for the safety of the public. It is hoped these cameras will deter people from attacking officers, given it will all be captured on film

[12.30 p.m.] Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, I agree with the previous two speakers. Child sexual abuse is abhorrent, whoever commits the abuse. This is particularly so for these vulnerable children in institutions. Obviously the National Redress Scheme is a key recommendation of the royal commission. I agree with the member for Murchison: it is disappointing more of the recommendations were not taken up. However, I will certainly support this bill. It is very

[11.17 a.m.] Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, the Tamar Valley Writers Festival is a festival based within the magnificent Tamar Valley in the member for Rosevears' electorate, but with contributors from all over. It was held this past weekend at the Aspect Tamar Valley Resort in Grindelwald. This biennial three-day event, previously known as the Festival of Golden Words, has gained a reputation for attracting high-profile writers and presenters from across Australi

Ms ARMITAGE question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT [2.37 p.m.] On 11 July I asked a question on notice with regard to board membership. I have received a letter from the Premier providing most of the information. The information I am still waiting on, which I thought would have been available considering that most of these government business enterprises and state-owned company boards would do annual reports, is with regard to interstat