ROSEMARY ARMITAGE MLC

[12.02 p.m.] Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, I note this bill has primarily come about as an urgent review because of the dog attacks on the wildlife, particularly our little penguins. It is hoped that the increase in penalties will have the hoped-for result, as these small penguins have little hope of survival against dog attacks. I think the member for Windermere mentioned it is important that people and dog owners are aware of the changes in the bill, and that it

[4.00 p.m.] Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, like the other members who have spoken, I find it very difficult to believe this paraphernalia is available for sale. The fact you can have something legally available for sale on shelves and then the minute you buy it, you can get picked up by the police for having a smoking implement - I cannot believe something like that could be for sale. I have mentioned I am an independent person with the police and I help deal with

Ms ARMITAGE question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT [2.32 p.m.] Mr President, as a follow-up to my question to the Leader on 21 November regarding the Government's plans to attract and retain talented and able health professionals to Tasmania in the years ahead, would the Leader please advise - (1) In 2018, the then Health minister established and fast-tracked the Tasmanian Health Recruitment, Retention and Workforce Planning Unit to assi

[7.52 p.m.] Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, I move - That the report of the Legislative Council Select Committee on Short Stay Accommodation in Tasmania be considered and noted. I am pleased to note this report. Due to the myriad of widely publicised concerns about the effect short stay accommodation schemes have caused in Tasmania's housing and rental markets, the inquiry was charged with investigating a number of issues. The terms of reference involved reviewing th

MOTION Mr Finch to move - That the Legislative Council - Notes that Civics and Citizenship is a part of the national curriculum that measures students' understanding of Australia's historic and current governance systems and practices, as well as Australian identity and culture. Recognises that results from the 2016 National Assessment Program for Civics and Citizenship showed that only 30 per cent of Tasmanian year 10 students achieved a proficient standard. Recognises that

[2.56 p.m.] Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, as has been pointed out, this bill brings the Long Service Leave Act up to current standards, simplifies the calculation of long service leave and amends the Long Service Leave (State Employees) Act 1994, which was clearly defined by the Leader in her second reading speech. It is good to see, as the member for Murchison mentioned, the term 'sick leave' removed and replaced with the term 'personal leave', which is more inclu

Ms ARMITAGE question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT Would the Leader please advise - (1) Despite the Government's claims of record funding growth resulting in 'the second highest rate of any state in Australia', why has there been a reduction of 17 per cent in surgical services in Tasmania during 2019? (2) As a corollary of the first question, the reduction in surgical services has caused a commensurate rise in waiting lists. What is th

Public Health Amendment (Prevention of Sale of Smoking Products to Under-Age Persons) Bill 2018 [3.27 p.m.] Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, I will make a short contribution but I will confine my comments to the motion before us. The member for Windermere is passionate about this matter. It is commendable. No-one can doubt his belief or his dedication and the amount of work he has undertaken. That does not mean I will support his motion unless I believe an inquiry

[11.24 a.m.] Ms ARMITAGE (Launceston) - Mr President, today I speak on a topic that we have recently had the opportunity of being briefed about. I am talking about Kin Raising Kids, an organisation which encourages and supports kinship carers, including grandparents raising grandchildren who are the primary carers of diverse families and kin. I thank the Leader's office for arranging this briefing, which I found to be eye-opening indeed. Kin Raising Kids offers peer support