In response to the Planning Reform recently announced by the Minister for Urban Development and Planning, I have made a submission.  I supported initiatives that maintain open space, enhance water collection and reduce the impact of climate change.  My major objection relates to changes that will compromise local government oversight and community consultation. Due to the permanent nature of buildings and the impact on neighbours it is more important to get things right than get things done quickly.

Homelessness is reaching a critical level, particularly for those with mental health problems or those experiencing extreme poverty.  Currently it is a four month waiting period for emergency housing, which is directly affecting 261 homeless families state wide, including 500 children.  If you have a serious mental or physical disability there is still a waiting period of a year or two to get a Housing Trust place. I have consistently raised this issue publicly and will continue working to ensure that all available housing is occupied.

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. 

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.