Page 2049 - Week 07 - Thursday, 20 August 2020

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video


vehicles. No, it would be on a minor road across the road from the local residents and, even worse, Garran Primary School.

That is when the Greens and Labor realised that they had forgotten to consult with the community—and what an outcry there was too. As Ms Le Couteur alluded to, when people actually worked out what was going on they were none too pleased—so much so that even though they had made the decisions on the location, Labor and the Greens decided they should consult with the local community at that point.

I am really pleased with the final report. I have also been really pleased to be a part of this committee. When it was suggested to me that I was going to join the planning committee and when I considered the meetings of that planning committee, I thought that it might be a better option to stab my eyes out or something; but it has actually turned out to be quite a positive experience for me. I think that it is, in part, because of the personnel on the committee. Ms Le Couteur and Mr Pettersson have been wonderful to work with, as were previous members of the committee, including Ms Cheyne and Ms Orr.

Thanks to my committee colleagues Ms Le Couteur and Mr Pettersson. Thanks also to the amazing Annemieke and all of those who assisted in the support office. I am glad that is done.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Health, Ageing and Community Services—Standing Committee

Statement by chair

MS CODY (Murrumbidgee) (10.54): Pursuant to standing order 246A, I wish to make a statement on behalf of the Standing Committee on Health, Ageing and Community Services relating to petitions No 21 of 19 and No 1 of 20, concerning newborn screening for severe combined immune deficiency, as referred to the committee, pursuant to standing order 99A, on 11 February 2020.

The committee notes that with regard to the referral of a petition to a standing committee for consideration, that standing order 99A, together with the terms of the Assembly resolution establishing general purpose standing committees, indicates that a committee being referred a petition pursuant has an obligation to report back to the Assembly on its consideration of the particulars of the submission. The nature of a committee’s consideration inquiry and report process is a matter to be determined by that committee.

As members are aware, the right to petition parliament to highlight issues and directly influence the work of parliament dates back to the 13th century in Britain. A petition is a request by a group of citizens that asks its parliament to take action to solve a specific problem. It is the oldest and most direct way that citizens can draw attention to a matter and ask parliament to assist them.


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video