A new session of State Parliament commenced last week amidst the customary ceremony.  While much time was consumed with formalities, little Parliamentary business was conducted.  This time and expense could have been better used.  

I introduced a Bill that was originally moved successfully by Greens MP, Mark Parnell, in the Upper House which allows State employees to make an ethical choice regarding the superannuation fund into which their contributions are invested. The intent of this Bill was to simply empower State Government employees with an option for electing a superannuation fund that is consistent with their personal ethics. Unfortunately, Labor rejected the Bill and it now leaves public servants stuck with investments they do not necessarily want their money supporting. 

A good crowd attended a meeting at O’Halloran Hill Anglican Church on Saturday19 July. I spoke about the history of Glenthorne, including efforts to keep the land free from urban development seven years ago. Peter Smythermann, Chairperson of Friends of Glenthorne, spoke about the need to retain open space.
Associate Professor David Paton from the University of Adelaide outlined the overall vision of restoring native vegetation to the Mount Lofty Ranges, including 100 hectares of Glenthorne, provided they get the money to do it.  He indicated that the total project requires $100 million.
From a survey I distributed, 80% of respondents opposed housing even if it meant jeopardising the project of revegetating Glenthorne proposed by the University.  
The Deed to which the University and the State Government are signatories prohibits urban development. It would require a political decision by the Labor leadership to change this provision.

 Click on image to enlarge map of Glenthorne Farm.

The Government introduced a Bill in Parliament which sought to amend the Statutes Amendment (Truth in Sentencing) Act 1994. The Government’s amendment was in response to Mr Shane Andrews who took legal action against the state, claiming that his imprisonment is illegal. I spoke to this Bill expressing concern that to introduce legislation while a judgment was pending is inappropriate timing and gives the appearance Parliament is interfering with the court’s decision. I also questioned the place of senior politicians in deciding whether people should be released from gaol or not.   This should be the sole responsibility of the Parole Board.

Last week in Parliament I moved a motion to recognise the event known to the Palestinian people as “Al-Nakba”, meaning “The Catastrophe”. This is a term that was adopted when, during the war in 1948, more than half of the Palestinian population of 1,380,000 were driven off their homeland by the Israeli army. The motion affirms the special connection Australia has to the land of Palestine and the Palestinian people, and regrets the failure of both Israel and Palestine to find lasting peace over the past 60 years. 
Israel’s independence came at a horrible price to the Palestinian people, which effectively resulted in ethnic cleansing and prevented Palestinian refugees from returning to their homeland.  My motion calls for the immediate establishment of the state of Palestine within the 1967 borders in accordance with United Nations Resolution 242.
Debate was adjourned.
 

Food businesses and private individuals have been given reassurances should they wish to donate safe, surplus food to charity.  Previously businesses disposed of useable surplus food for fear of legal repercussions should the recipient become ill from its consumption. Under recent legislation donors are protected, provided they act in good faith and without recklessness at the time the food is donated. I supported an amendment to the Bill to extend this protection to all forms of goods and services donated to charity.  The Government’s Bill passed the Lower House without amendment.

Last week the Government finally moved on my initiative to outlaw indecent filming of people.  Nearly five years after I proposed these measures it is now an offence to film someone, without their consent, attending to personal activities, such as undressing, having sex or going to the toilet. Back in December 2003 I introduced amendments to the Listening and Surveillance Devices Act to strengthen the law against surveillance devices such as cameras and mobile phones, but the Rann Government ignored my recommendations. Later in April 2005 I again warned the Government of failing to keep pace with the potential of ‘techno-perverts’ invading our privacy.  While the Government’s action is well overdue, I welcome the passing of this legislation.

I have organised a public meeting for this Saturday so local residents can find out more about Adelaide University’s latest revegetation plans for Glenthorne Farm. Last month Adelaide University released a management plan for 100 hectares of historic Glenthorne at O’Halloran Hill as part of a ‘Mt Lofty Woodland Initiative’.

While many locals welcome the plan, my concern is how the University proposes to pay for the $20 million initiative?

The Glenthorne community meeting will be held on Saturday 19 July, 3.00-5.00pm at the Christ Church Anglican Hall, 1708 Main South Road, O’Halloran Hill (corner Lander Road).

Speakers include Adelaide University’s Assoc. Prof. David Paton.