In Parliament last week I asked Premier Rann to rule out housing on Glenthorne Farm. He acknowledged that the most recent plan by Adelaide University, submitted on 30 September 2008, includes housing.  He also noted that this proposal does not meet the requirements of the deed or the land management agreement. However, the Premier did not exclude the possibility of housing and is waiting on community views in response to the university’s latest proposal.

The situation of Mr Trevor Cheesman highlights the misleading nature of current sentencing laws. As a victim of a vicious and callous attack by three home invaders, Mr Cheesman learned that his assailants will be released automatically when their parole date occurs. Even though they were sentenced to two years and four months, the offenders will be released after nine months – without going before the parole board. This is consistent with current law which stipulates that offenders given a sentence of five years or less will be automatically released on their parole date. The one exception is sex offences. Therefore I have introduced legislation that will make sure all offenders convicted of violent crimes, such as home invasion and armed robbery, will go before the parole board before release. 

The State Government has introduced legislation that will give sweeping new powers to police to create false identities. The Bill allows for documents, such as drivers licences, birth certificates and credit cards, to be produced to support an assumed identity of an undercover police officer. Under this law the Supreme Court may order for an entry to be made in the register under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act in order to validate a false identity.  

Stem cell research is an ongoing and sensitive issue. Stem cells refer to cells that can multiply and even cause the creation of different kinds of specific cells. They could create liver cells, brain cells, heart cells, and so on. If scientists can direct cells to grow a particular type of body cell through technical manipulation, they could create a host of other cells with the hope of implanting them into a diseased organ of the body. Last week in Parliament I spoke to legislation that will bring State laws in line with Commonwealth laws.  These laws will regulate research involving human embryos and prohibit human cloning for reproductive purposes. While this is a highly emotive issue, by allowing scientists to study the development of stem cells there is enormous potential to save life, or dramatically improve the quality of life for thousands of people. After about two days of debate the Lower House passed the proposal 25 to 14.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a term used to describe different disabilities and various related disorders experienced by people who may have been exposed to the effects of alcohol prior to birth.  It is a complex condition that may lead to birth defects and brain damage acquired before being born. With possibly more than 200,000 FASD sufferers in Australia, I asked the Minister for Health in Parliament when the Government will establish appropriate diagnostic and support services for people with FASD and their families.

Last week I had a question answered in Parliament regarding the number of SA Police officers who have been reassigned to work with the Australian Federal Police. I learned that 80 SAPOL officers were involved in operations in East Timor, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands between 2000 and 2007. A further 24 officers were assigned to Adelaide Airport between 2006 and 2007. Given the need for an increased police presence on Adelaide streets, and the Government’s drive to recruit more police in SA, the manner in which police resources are used must be continually scrutinised. 

Many Housing Trust tenants are charged for water usage as a proportion of a single reading for a block of units.  This disadvantages those tenants who are conscientious about water usage and benefits those who are not.  Last week I presented a petition to Parliament signed by 75 local residents urging the Government to ensure all Housing Trust households are provided with their own individual water meters in order that they can monitor and control their own water use.  This way they will also pay SA Water for the accurate and appropriate usage. Eventually, I would like to see this for all privately owned water meters as well.