A Bill is currently before State Parliament that will bring laws in relation to gene technology into line with the Commonwealth. A key element of the legislation is that the Federal Minister, in consultation with the Gene Technology Ministerial Council, will have the ability to quickly approve the use of a Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in the case of an emergency. An example would be calling on the use of a genetically modified vaccine to respond to a disease outbreak or the use of a GMO to break down an environmental toxin.  Green groups are concerned this places too much power in the hands of the Minister and limits consultation in the application of GMOs.

I am currently drafting legislation that will address the design features of poker machines that falsely entice people into believing a win is not far away. From my extensive research I have found there is a pattern to many machines that have winning symbols coming up on four of the five reels, which lures players into believing the fifth symbol will soon come up, but it is could be only a one in 100 chance. This is a trick in the design of poker machines which has players parting with their hard earned personal and family dollars. My legislation will ban this kind of trickery in the design of poker machines. The cost on State social welfare, health and crime prevention resources far outweighs the revenue raised from these addictive machines … and that is before we talk about the human cost. 

I am pleased to hear the Federal Government saying they will respond to the needs of pensioners. In August I wrote to Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs, raising concerns over the increased demand on emergency services in the Mitchell electorate from growing poverty.  With the cost of living rapidly rising, I fully support the push for an increase to the pension. This is an issue that must be dealt with long term. Since 2001 the number of persons aged 55 or over has jumped to 410,000, representing more than a quarter of the State’s population. 

Today’s COAG announcement failed to offer immediate relief for the Lower Murray. There appears to be no sense of urgency among Federal and State leaders. One example was the stumbling block over SA’s proposal to lift the current restriction of 4 per cent on water trading per year. While it was supported by other States, Victoria opposed the move. In the end, COAG agreed to keep the 4 per cent ceiling until the end of 2009 when it would go to 6 per cent. Victorian Premier John Brumby had promised business and agricultural interests in his State that he would not budge on the cap. This is despite water trading being critical in releasing more environmental flows for the Murray.

The Garnaut Climate Change Review will release its Draft Report on this Friday, 4 July. The Draft Report will outline the impacts of climate change and preliminary policy options for Australia to minimise its environmental and economic impacts.

Professor Ross Garnaut will host the forums, providing a half hour presentation, followed by question time.
The forum will provide an opportunity for individuals and organisations to discuss the Draft Report with Professor Garnaut ahead of the completion of the Final Report by 30 September 2008.
Date: Tuesday 8 July 2008
Time: 10.00-11.30am
Venue: Adelaide Town Hall
Attendance is free of charge but registration is required.
To register, visit www.garnautreview.org.au.
 

The Garnaut Climate Change Review will release its Draft Report on this Friday, 4 July. The Draft Report will outline the impacts of climate change and preliminary policy options for Australia to minimise its environmental and economic impacts.

Professor Ross Garnaut will host the forums, providing a half hour presentation, followed by question time.
The forum will provide an opportunity for individuals and organisations to discuss the Draft Report with Professor Garnaut ahead of the completion of the Final Report by 30 September 2008.
Date: Tuesday 8 July 2008
Time: 10.00-11.30am
Venue: Adelaide Town Hall
Attendance is free of charge but registration is required.
To register, visit www.garnautreview.org.au.
 

I congratulate Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his Petrol Price Commissioner for announcing a national FuelWatch scheme. I called on the Rann Government to introduce a similar scheme for South Australia back in August 2006.

I based my idea on the success of Perth’s FuelWatch, estimated to save motorists on average $2.50 a week. Check out how FuelWatch works on www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au   

The Conservation Council of South Australia has likened Professor Ross Garnaut’s Climate Change Review to the Australia’s equivalent of Al Gore’s film ‘An Inconvenient Truth’.

The inconvenient truth that Garnaut identifies is that Australia is exceptionally sensitive to impacts of Climate Change. The report highlights that the earlier we act, the better off Australia will be.

Here’s a link to the CCSA response to Prof Garnaut’s report:

http://www.ccsa.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5889&Itemid=1