100 Days, 100 Questions

100 QUESTIONS100 DAYS

Mr Green to ask the Premier -

(a) What assessment has the Department of Premier and Cabinet made regarding the financial impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the Department’s expenditure and revenue over the forward estimates.

(b) Will the Minister release the relevant material assessing the impact?

Mr Green to ask the Premier - What assessment has the Department of Premier and Cabinet made regarding the impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the effectiveness of the programs and Budget outputs of the Department?

Mr Green to ask the Premier - When will the Government reduce fares on the Spirit of Tasmania ferries by 20 per cent and what impact will this have on the State Budget?

Mr Green to ask the Premier - When did you first learn of SeaRoad’s decision to order a new freight vessel for Bass straight?

Mr Green to ask the Premier - When and how did the Government first inform SeaRoad Tasmania of the Government’s intention to limit TT-Line’s freight capacity?

Mr Green to ask the Premier –

(a) Consistent with your pre-election promise does the Government still intend to achieve $2million of savings by abolishing Government Boards and Committees?

(b) As at June 2014 how many Government Boards and Committees have been abolished?

Mr Green to ask the Premier - Is the Premier aware of the comments made by the Chief Operating Officer of NBN Co, Greg Adcock, that the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in Glebe and Riverside were part of a ‘usual deployment’, and were ‘business as usual’ and not part of a special aerial trial?

Mr Green to ask the Premier – What assurances, if any, have been given to Japanese customers of Tasmania forest products that they will only receive supply from the areas previously agreed to under the previous Government’s Tasmanian Forests Agreement?


1. Can the Premier confirm that since the election the Government has established at least the following boards, reviews and committees:

(a) The Planning Review Taskforce

(b) An Energy Committee

(c) A new export freight committee

(d) The $1 Million Royal Hobart Hospital Review

(e) An expanded Parole Board, and

(f) The Autism advisory panel.

2. Can the Premier detail the costs associated with each of these new boards and committees?


(a) Will the Government give a commitment that it will not seek to delay or restrict access to Right to Information by diverting the resources of Departments away from RTI officers

(b) And will those positions be protected from any plans to slash up to 1500 public sector jobs.

Mr Green to ask the Premier - In regard to the Gonski Pledge signed by the Premier (as Opposition Leader) on February 19, can the Premier provide details of any efforts he has undertaken on behalf of the Government to secure a Federal Government Commitment to funding years 5 and 6 of the Better Schools (Gonski) Plan?

Mr Green to ask the Premier - With regard to the appointment of the Executive Commissioner of the Planning Reform Taskforce: When did the Executive Commissioner officially start in the role?

Mr Green to ask the Premier - With regard to the appointment of the Executive Commissioner of the Planning Reform Taskforce: When was the position description for the role of the Commissioner finalised, and can it be provided?

Mr Green to ask the Premier - With regard to the appointment of the Executive Commissioner of the Planning Reform Taskforce: Under what legislation is the Commissioner employed?

Mr Green to ask the Premier - With regard to the appointment of the Executive Commissioner of the Planning Reform Taskforce: Which Department or Agency employs the Commissioner?

Mr Green to ask the Premier - With regard to the appointment of the Executive Commissioner of the Planning Reform Taskforce: What are the line-reporting arrangements for the Commissioner?


(a) Is the Minister aware of a Federal Government proposal to cut 18 jobs from the CSIRO in Hobart?

(b) Can the Premier provide details of any representations he has made to the Federal Government to support retaining these jobs in Tasmania?


(a) Is the Minister aware of a Federal Government proposal to cut 17 jobs from the Australian Tax Office in Launceston?


Mr Green to ask the Premier -

(a) Is the Premier aware of a Federal Government proposal to cut jobs from the Australian Antarctic Division in Kingston?


Mr Green to ask the Minister for Education -

(a) What assessment has the Department of Education made regarding the financial impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the Department’s expenditure and revenue over the forward estimates?


Mr Green to ask the Minister for Education -

(a) What assessment has the Department of Education made regarding the impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the effectiveness of the programs and Budget outputs of the Department?


Mr Green to ask the Minister for Education –

(a) How will the State Government be able to replicate the level of subject choice at Colleges when it implements its Year 11 and 12 policy at individual high schools?

(b) How much money is this program expected to cost?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Education - Does the State Liberal Government support separate education hubs for children with disabilities in mainstream Tasmanian schools?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Primary Industries and Water -

(a) What assessment has the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment made regarding the financial impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the Department’s expenditure and revenue over the forward estimates?


Mr Green to ask the Minister for Health -

(a) What assessment has the Department of Health and Human Services made regarding the financial impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the Department’s expenditure and revenue over the forward estimates?


Mr Green to ask the Minister Health -

(a) What assessment has the Department of Health and Human Services made regarding the impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the effectiveness of the programs and Budget outputs of the Department?



(a) Can the Minister confirm the current services being provided at Beaconsfield Hospital include: Residential Aged Care, Acute Care, Respite, Palliative Care and Post Natal Care?

(b) Are there also a number of Community Services, Visiting Services and Support Groups that operate from the service including a Women’s Health Clinic, social work and physiotherapy?

(c) Will the Minister give a commitment that the State Government will not close the Beaconsfield Hospital and will maintain the current programs and service delivery levels?


(a) Can the Minister confirm the current services being provided at the New Norfolk District Hospital include: sub-acute beds, radiology, physiotherapy, podiatry, community health, mental health services, child health services and visiting consultants?

(b) Will the Minister give a commitment that the State Government will not close the New Norfolk District Hospital and will maintain current programs and service delivery levels?


(a) Can the Minister confirm the current services being provided by the Smithton Hospital include: acute care beds, an Accident and Emergency Service and Visiting Services such as Radiology, Diabetic Clinic, Obstetric Services and Continence Services?

(b) Is the Minister aware that the site includes the Ambrose Nursing Home which provides high care residential aged care beds?

(c) Is there also a range of community services also provided from the hospital including: Community Nursing, Hope Help/Personal Care and Home Maintenance?

(d) Will the Minister give a commitment that the State Government will not close the Smithton Hospital and will maintain current programs and service delivery levels?


(a) Can the Minister confirm the current services being provided by St Mary’s Community Health Centre include: Acute/Palliative Care beds, an Outpatient and Emergency Service, Physiotherapy and visiting services?

(b) Is the Minister aware that other services provided by the Centre include Community Nursing, Day Centre and Home Help/Personal Care, and that on site is St Mary’s Medical Practice and the Tasmanian Lymphodema Centre?

(c) Will the Minister give a commitment that the State Government will not close the St Mary’s Community Health Centre and will maintain current programs and service delivery levels?


(a) Can the Minister confirm the current services provided by the St Helen’s District Hospital include: acute/palliative care beds, an Outpatient and Emergency Service, Physiotherapy, radiology and visiting services, community nursing, day centre and home help/personal care?

(b) Will the Minister give a commitment that the State Government will not close the St Helens District Hospital and will maintain current programs and service delivery levels?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Health –

(a) Is the Minister aware of concerns being expressed by state Health Ministers from around Australia about the impact of the GP co-payment on hospital emergency department presentations, including the suggestion that some states will consider introducing an emergency department co-payment to deter non-emergency patients from Tasmanian hospitals?

(b) Can the Minister rule out the possibility of the State Government introducing a co-payment for any class of emergency department presentations?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Health - Can the Minister confirm that if a case of misconduct against the former CEO of THO South, Ms Jane Holden, had been substantiated her position could have been terminated with no liability to the tax payer?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Health - Why did the government terminate the employment of the former CEO of THO South, Ms Jane Holden?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Health – (a) Has the Department of Health and Human Services considered the administrative

requirements for Tasmanian Health Organisations to monitor and report on the proposed new co-payment for medical consultations?

(b) Can the Minister provide details regarding the reporting expectations and what the State Government will be doing to assist Tasmanian Health Organisations in meeting their obligations?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Health – (a) Has the Department of Health and Human Services considered the administrative

requirements for Tasmanian General Practitioners to monitor and report on the proposed new co-payment for medical consultations?

(b) Can the Minister provide details regarding the reporting expectations and what the State Government will be doing to assist Tasmanian General Practitioners in meeting their obligations?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Health –

(a) Is the Minister aware of estimates which indicate that 9.8% of Tasmanians already defer treatment because of cost of PBS medicines?

(b) Is the Minister also aware that the 2014 Federal Budget foreshadows that the cost of medicines for general patients will rise to $42.70 and for concessional patients the cost will rise to $6.90.

(c) Given these increased costs and the potential of patients deferring treatment has the Department considered the impact on Tasmanian Hospital Emergency Departments and mental health services and how will this be managed?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Information, Technology and Innovation –


(b) Can the Minister provide details of any representations he has made to the Federal Government to support retaining these jobs in Tasmania?

Mr Green to ask the Minister Information, Technology and Innovation –

(a) Is the Minister aware of a Federal Government proposal to cut 18 jobs from the Australian Antarctic Division in Kingston?


Mr Green to ask the Premier representing the Attorney-General -

(a) What assessment has the Department of Justice made regarding the financial impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the Department’s expenditure and revenue over the forward estimates?

(b) Will the Attorney-General release the relevant material assessing the impact?

Mr Green to ask the Premier representing the Attorney-General -

(a) What assessment has the Department of Justice made regarding the impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the effectiveness of the programs and Budget outputs of the Department?

(b) Will the Attorney General release the relevant material assessing the impact?

Mr Green to ask the Premier representing the Attorney General - With regard to the Government’s policy to scrap suspended sentences, can the Attorney General:

(a) Produce any evidence that scrapping suspended sentences would deliver lower crime rates;

(b) Indicate whether the Department of Justice has considered the evidence and, and if so table the Department’s advice?

Mr Green to ask the Premier representing the Attorney General –

a) Can the Attorney General indicate the expected additional costs to the Department of implementing the Government’s policy to scrap suspended sentences?

b) If any additional costs are to be met from within existing budgets can the Attorney General indicate which Department of Justice programs and services will be cut?

Mr Green to ask to the Premier representing the Attorney General –

I refer the Minister to her advice to the House of Assembly on Tuesday June 2 that: “If we were to abolish suspended sentences without phasing in other options, there will be

an increase in the prison population, but that is not our policy.” Can the Attorney General confirm:

(a) That Risdon Prison is nearing capacity?

(b) That the current Government has not and is not considering an expansion of the State’s Prison Facilities;

(c) What the ‘other options’ are that the Government is considering?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for State Growth –

(a) What assessment has the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources made regarding the financial impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the Department’s expenditure and revenue over the forward estimates?


Mr Green to ask the Minister for State Growth -

(a) What assessment has the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources made regarding the impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the effectiveness of the programs and Budget outputs of the Department?



(a) What assessment has the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts made regarding the financial impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the Department’s expenditure and revenue over the forward estimates?



(a) What assessment has the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts made regarding the impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the effectiveness of the programs and Budget outputs of the Department?






(a) Is the Minister aware of a Federal Government proposal to cut 17 jobs from the Australian Tax Office in Launceston?



(a) Is the Minister aware of a Federal Government proposal to cut 18 jobs from the Australian Antarctic Division in Kingston?


Mr Green to ask the Treasurer -

(a) What assessment has the Department of Treasury and Finance made regarding the financial impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the State Government’s expenditure and revenue over the forward estimates?

(b) Will the Treasurer release the relevant material assessing the impact?


(a) What assessment has the Department of Treasury and Finance made regarding the impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the effectiveness of the programs and Budget outputs of the Department?



(a) What assessment has the Department of Treasury and Finance made regarding the impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the effectiveness of the programs and Budget outputs of the Department?


Mr Green to ask the Treasurer – Can the Treasurer confirm which boards and committees the Government has abolished since its election in March 2014

Mr Green to ask the Treasurer – Can the Treasurer name the boards and committees that the Government intends to abolish to deliver the Government’s pre-election commitment?

Mr Green to ask the Treasurer - Can the Treasurer rule out any increase in state taxes?

Mr Green to ask the Treasurer - Can the Treasurer confirm the estimated savings to Government from the abolition of the Clean Start agreement?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Planning and Local Government - With regard to the appointment of the Executive Commissioner of the Planning Reform Taskforce: Under what legislation is the Commissioner employed?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Planning and Local Government - With regard to the appointment of the Executive Commissioner of the Planning Reform Taskforce:

a) What are the administrative arrangements delineating responsibilities between the Executive Commissioner of the Planning Reform Taskforce and the Executive Commissioner of the Tasmanian Planning Commission?

b) When and how were these arrangements finalised?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - The Government has announced its intention to relocate Mineral Resources Tasmania to the North West Coast. Can the Minister confirm when it is anticipated this relocation will commence and when it will conclude?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - With regard to the proposed relocation of Mineral Resources Tasmania (MRT) to the North West Coast, can the Minister advise:

(a) How many staff are expected to be based on the North West Coast

(b) How many existing staff are expected to relocate to the North West Coast

(c) How many residual staff may be required in Hobart?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - With regard to the proposed relocation of Mineral Resources Tasmania (MRT) to the North West Coast, what is the anticipated full cost of relocating MRT to the North West of Tasmania?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - What advice has Treasury provided to ensure that Forestry Tasmania remains solvent?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources –

(a) What advice does the Minister have on the effects of removing financial support for Forestry Tasmania?

(b) What contingencies, if any, does the Government have if the company becomes insolvent?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - What is the timeframe under your Forestry (Rebuilding the Forestry Industry) Bill 2014 to secure Forest Stewardship Certification for public native forests?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources – What advice have you sought and received about the likelihood of the Forest Stewardship Certification being received under your Forestry (Rebuilding the Forest Industry) Bill 2014?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - Has funding for the residues Solution Study provided under the TFA been secured and will this program continue?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - Has funding for Short Term Residues Transport Subsidy provided under the TFA been secured and will this program continue?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - Has funding for the Cable Harvesting Subsidy provided under the TFA been secured and will this program continue?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - Has funding for the Special Timbers Management Plan provided under the TFA been secured and will this program continue?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - Has funding for Public Plantation Management provided under the TFA been secured and will this program continue?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - Has funding for the Contractor Accreditation and Capacity Building Programs provided under the TFA been secured and will these programs continue?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - Has funding for the Employee Assistance Program provided under the TFA been secured and will this program continue?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - Has funding for the Plantation Manufacturing Innovation Investment Fund provided under the TFA been secured and will this program continue?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - Has funding for the Employee Assistance Program provided under the TFA been secured and will this program continue?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources - Has funding for the Plantation Manufacturing Innovation Investment Fund provided under the TFA been secured and will this program continue?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Resources – What intellectual property will Forestry Tasmania provide to identify areas where specialty timbers exist and what impact will this cooperation have on the pursuit of the FSC certification?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Police and Emergency Management -

(a) What assessment has the Department of Police and Emergency Management made regarding the financial impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the Department’s expenditure and revenue over the forward estimates?


Mr Green to ask the Minister for Police and Emergency Management -

(a) What assessment has the Department of Police and Emergency Management made regarding the impact of the 2014 Federal Budget on the effectiveness of the programs and Budget outputs of the Department?


Mr Green to ask the Minister for Police and Emergency Management – in regard to the Government’s commitment not to cut frontline services:

a) Is the Minister aware the documents released under Right to Information laws revealed that one of the first acts of the new government was to instruct Police Commanders to take immediate action to ensure that budgets within their command incurred only essential expenditure for the remainder of this financial year.

b) Can the Minister provide details what savings have been made to date and what impact they will or have had on the delivery of essential services?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Infrastructure - Will you rule out stripping a dividend from TT-Line to help fund your exorbitant $510 million in pre election promises.

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Infrastructure -

(a) Minister what plans does the Government have to address the freight needs of primary producers during the 2014-15 financial year particularly when the existing vessels servicing Bass Strait are in dry-dock?

(b) Will you categorically rule out TT-Line leasing or buying a freight vessel in the next three years?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Infrastructure - When and how did consultations occur with the TT-Line Board regarding the Government’s policy to reduce fares on the Spirit of Tasmania by 20 per cent?


(a) Is the Minister aware of the impact a decision to make a dividend from TT-Line would have on the ability of the TT-Line to replace the existing Spirit of Tasmania Ferries?

(b) Will the Minister release any advice he has been provided with that highlights the impact?


(a) Is the Minister aware of any negotiations of the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources has had in the last twelve months with Swire Shipping to re-introduce an international shipping service for Bell Bay?

(b) Can the Minister clarify the current status of any negotiations and the impact any change in Government Policy has had on the likely commencement date if any internationals shipping services?


(a) Can the Minister confirm that the Government has committed $11 million a year for three years to secure an international shipping service from Tasmania?

(b) Will the Minister provide a guarantee that the entirety of this $33 million will be spent on international shipping only and not on domestic Bass Straight freighting issues?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Infrastructure –

(a) Is the Minister aware of an announcement by the Victorian Government that it would offer a 40 year lease of the Port of Melbourne, in an attempt to capitalise on a 15 per cent reverse revenue loading offered by the Federal Liberal Government to privatise infrastructure?

(b) What advice has the Minister been provided with on the impact that any privatisation will have on costs for Tasmanian exporters and shipping companies?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Infrastructure – Can the Minister outline the Government’s long-term vision for the TT- Line?


(a) Is the Minister aware of an article in the Advocate Newspaper on March 4, 2014 which states: “the Tasmanian Liberals have pledged to drive down Spirit of Tasmania fares by 20% ”?

(b) Can the Minister confirm and when the Government’s commitment will be delivered?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Infrastructure – with regard to the Government’s commitment to reduce fares on the Spirit of Tasmania by 20%:

a) is the Minister aware of comments by a TT-Line spokesman in the Mercury newspaper on June 22, 2014 where the spokesman said: “fare comparisons at different times of the year are not relevant because of seasonality and availability."

b) Given the spokesman’s comment how does the Government intend to benchmark whether fares on the Spirit of Tasmania have reduced by 20%?


a) Can the Minister confirm that the Federal Government has formally committed $400 million to upgrade the Midland Highway?

b) Can the Minister confirm whether Federal Funding for the project is contingent on a contribution from the State Government?

c) Will the Minister confirm the timeframe for the delivery of any state contribution to

the project?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Human Services –

(a) Will the Minister commit to the Housing Policy?

(b) What advice has the Minister received from the Department around the feasibility of a ‘three strikes and you’re out’ policy for Housing Tasmanian tenants?


(a) Is the Minister aware of the cessation of the National Rental Affordability Scheme, the lack of capital funding through National Partnership Agreements on Homelessness and the national Disability Insurance Scheme?

(b) What plans does the Government have to continue to supply affordable Housing in Tasmania?


(a) Is the Minister aware that in 2012 the Victorian Government began the Service Sector Reform project commonly known as the Shergold Report; and that this has now been endorsed and implemented by the Victorian Government?

(b) Can the Minister provide details of what consideration the Tasmanian Government has given to implementing a similar model in Tasmania?


(a) Is the Minister aware the Federal Government has terminated the program More Support for Students with a disability?

(b) Can the Minister confirm if the current State Government remains committed to the review of disability education it announced prior to the State Election in March 2014?

(c) Can the Minister advise the timeframe for any proposed review? Mr Green to ask the Minister for Human Services –

(a) Is the Minister aware of a recent Federal Government decision to reduce the portability of the Disability Support Pension to 4 weeks in a 12 month period - from 6 weeks on multiple occasions - while other pensions and allowances have not been restricted?

(b) Has the Minister or the Department raised any concerns with the Federal Government in regards to this apparent discrimination against some the most vulnerable Tasmanians?


(a) Can the Minister confirm her recent announcement that work has commenced on an Affordable Housing Plan?

(b) Can the Minister advise when this work will be complete and how it might differ from the existing Housing Tasmania Strategic Plan 2012-2017?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Human Services – Given the changes to income support for young people outlined in the Federal Budget has the Department of Health and Human Services done any work to assess the potential eviction rates for young people in Public and Community Housing?

Mr Green to ask the Minister for Human Services – Given the changes to income support for young people outlined in the Federal Budget will the government consider providing reduced rents for hardship?

100 Days, 100 Questions

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Transcript of 100 Days, 100 Questions