Wednesday, 14 September 2016
Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the Liberal National Government had delivered an election commitment to overhaul archaic wildlife legislation with modern and innovative laws that met expectations for environmental protection in the 21st century. "The passing of the Biodiversity Conservation Bill 2015 in Parliament yesterday delivered conservation powers never before seen in this State," Mr Jacob said. "The State Government grasped the opportunity to replace outdated and deficient legislation with a more contemporary, robust Act that ensures accountable and effective governance of biodiversity conservation. "Every provision in this new legislation is superior to the inadequate and outdated Wildlife Conservation Act from 1950. However, Labor voted against everything in the new Act and has shown itself to be out of touch with what is needed for modern conservation." Under the old Act, people attempting to smuggle native fauna out of WA faced a maximum fine of $4,000 to $10,000 for animals that can be worth more than $100,000 each overseas. The new Act has increased the maximum penalties to up to $500,000 to provide a real deterrent to those considering serious wildlife crimes. The new Act has enhanced special protection for whales, dugong and dolphins. It also enables listing as critical habitat areas of land or water that are critical to the survival of a threatened species or community. There is now increased public scrutiny of Ministerial decisions on listing native species and improved Ministerial accountability measures, particularly in relation to decisions that may result in extinction, which now must be approved by both Houses of Parliament. These decisions can currently be made without this scrutiny. These additional accountability measures were also opposed by Labor. Fines have increased to $1 million for illegally obtaining sandalwood, and for the first time, WA has verifiable record keeping of trading and processing of sandalwood. "Labor had the chance to play a constructive role in shaping these new laws but it chose to obstruct the legislation. They have no credibility when it comes to protecting the environment," the Minister said. Fact File
Wednesday, 14 September 2016
Releasing the Dental Health Outcomes of Children Residing in Fluoridated and Non-Fluoridated Areas of Western Australia report today, Health Minister John Day said it revealed children from unfluoridated areas were at 1.6 times the risk of having one or more decayed, missing or filled permanent teeth, compared with children drinking fluoridated water. "The bottom line is that water fluoridation works and remains our single most important public health measure to combat tooth decay," Mr Day said. "These results support the findings of similar studies around the world. "As a former dentist, I know only too well the impact of tooth decay. As well as pain, infection and tooth loss, it can disrupt eating, sleeping and social interaction. Ongoing oral infections are associated with heart and lung disease, stroke and poor pregnancy outcomes." The study also found that fluoride reduced decay in the very young, with children from unfluoridated areas at 1.5 times the risk having one or more decayed, missing or filled deciduous (baby) teeth. With more than 92 per cent of West Australians having access to fluoridated water, only small pockets of the State remain unfluoridated. The study examined the oral health of nearly 11,000 children aged five to 12 years who attended Government dental centres in 2011-12, comparing the results from the fluoridated Perth metropolitan area with unfluoridated centres in the South-West. The Minister said the Liberal National Government was committed to spreading the benefits of fluoridation right across WA. "We have recently brought fluoridated water to Moora, Dongara and Port Denison," he said. "Port Hedland is expected to have fluoridated water by the end of 2016, with Newman, Kununurra and Yanchep due to come on line in 2017." Fact File
14/09/2016
Premier and Tourism Minister Colin Barnett welcomed the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award for Museums in Australia, which saw the Albany National Anzac Centre attract more positive reviews on the popular travel website than the National Gallery of Victoria and Melbourne Museum, which were ranked second and third respectively. The $10.65 million centre was opened by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett on November 1, 2014 and has attracted more than136,000 visitors since that date. "The National Anzac Centre offers visitors a unique and moving experience of World War I through the voices of ANZAC soldiers," Mr Barnett said. "It was officially opened on the 100th anniversary of the departure of the first convoy of Australian and New Zealand troops from King George Sound and will be a lasting legacy of Australia's commemoration of World War I." With content developed by the Western Australian Museum, Australian War Memorial and New Zealand cultural institutions, visitors to the centre experience WWI through the personal accounts of 30 ANZACs - and two of their foes - on the battlefields of Gallipoli, Palestine, Sinai and the Western Front. The Premier said the $10.65 million centre had attracted 136,090 visitors since it opened on November 1, 2014. "Albany holds a significant place in history as the departure point for the first convoy of ships carrying ANZAC soldiers. For many, it was the last glimpse they had of Australian soil," he said. The TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice award is the latest accolade for the Albany National Anzac Centre. Others include the best new tourism business prize at the 2015 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards and it has been ranked number 21 in Lonely Planet's top 26 new travel experiences for 2015. Fact File
Tuesday, 13 September 2016
Deputy Premier and Training and Workforce Development Minister Liza Harvey today released the biggest predicted growth industries for WA over the next five years. "While some industries have softened, the foundations of WA's economy are very strong and there are plenty of job opportunities to be taken advantage of," Ms Harvey said. The Minister said the forecast key growth areas over the next five years were:
"Since 2009, the Liberal National Government has invested $288 million in training facilities to ensure our training equips students with the best skills to find a job in the industries driving our economy," she said. This week also marked the second phase of the State Government's new TafeChoices campaign to inform and inspire both parents and potential students of the diverse and exciting opportunities offered by Western Australian TAFE courses. "The first phase of the campaign achieved the desired outcome of parents and students rediscovering the high standard and diversity of career training which is offered in WA." Fact File
Tuesday, 13 September 2016
Small Business Minister Sean L'Estrange said with more than 400,000 square metres of additional retail space approved for development, and more than 1,700 new retail stores expected to be developed in Western Australia by 2020, the project would focus on making it easier for small retailers to start and grow their businesses. "Following planning reforms introduced by the State Government in 2010, Western Australia is now undergoing the biggest retail shopping centre upgrades it has ever seen, with about $4.4 billion to be invested into the sector over the next three to four years," Mr L'Estrange said. "More than 11,000 jobs will be created during the construction phase and more than 8,000 ongoing retail jobs. We are acting now, to reduce the red tape barriers for entrants into the retail sector as well as to ease the burden for existing retailers." The 90 Day Retail Mapping Project will be led by the Small Business Development Corporation. The project will identify unnecessary or inefficient regulatory burdens and lead to reduced compliance for new and existing retailers. It will also examine the practice of landlords on-selling electricity at a profit to tenants and it will look at the potential introduction of a standard form tenancy contract for small businesses. "As Small Business Minister, I am committed to making the regulatory environment easier for retailers," Mr L'Estrange said. "As an example, a new clothing retailer must negotiate at least 35 licensing requirements before opening. If we want to attract new entrants into the retail sector and see them succeed, the regulations need to be reduced and improved. "Essentially it is about streamlining regulation and accelerating approvals and licensing to get retail start-ups open for business with less cost and in a shorter amount of time." Fact File
Monday, 12 September 2016
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said Transperth scored six five-star ratings, and two four-star ratings in the eight category survey. Only one other rail operator achieved a five star rating. "Train passengers are clearly very impressed with their services, including reliability, comfort of the trip, legibility of the ticketing system and cleanliness, with Transperth receiving a five star rating in each of these categories," Mr Nalder said. The Canstar survey measured rail passenger satisfaction in Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. "The survey shows people are reporting less crowding on services - that's a testament to our $244 million investment in new trains for the system," the Minister said. "While there was a very small increase in some respondents not feeling safe at night, the Liberal National Government is keeping the network safe with more than 1,600 CCTV cameras at stations and thousands more inside buses and trains, as well as more than 250 fully trained security personnel. "Perth's status as having one of the best networks in Australia is a testament to the hard work of all Transperth staff, from the overhead linesmen and track maintenance staff to customer service assistants and transit officers, train drivers and ticketing staff." Each year, Transperth conducts a survey of more than 4,000 regular public transport users. The survey results will be released in coming weeks. Fact File
Monday, 12 September 2016
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said work would start soon on the Liberal National Government's new $5 million pathway, which would include a 120m bridge overpass at the Roe Highway and Orrong Road interchange. "This new pathway will complete the final and missing link in the 22km cycling and pedestrian route along Roe Highway, between the Kwinana Freeway and Berkshire Road in Forrestfield," Mr Nalder said. "It will also connect to the continuous shared path adjacent to Tonkin Highway, recently completed as part of the Gateway WA project. "Following the successful completion of Gateway WA and the current works on the Roe Highway upgrade between Tonkin Highway and Orrong Road, pedestrians and cyclists will have uninterrupted movement from the Swan River along Tonkin and Roe highways to the Kwinana Freeway." Detailed design of the PSP project is underway. Work is expected to start by the end of the year and completion is anticipated in March 2017. The opening of the PSP is scheduled to align with the completion of the Roe Highway Upgrade project. Fact File
Monday, 12 September 2016
Mental Health Minister Andrea Mitchell said the important service was another initiative of the $14.9 million Western Australian Meth Strategy announced in this year's State Budget. "I urge people with meth-related issues to call the Meth Helpline and talk with the professional counsellors about the treatment and support services available to them," Ms Mitchell said. "The Mental Health Commission has allocated $300,000 over two years for this dedicated helpline to provide telephone counselling, information and referral services for anyone concerned about their own, or another person's, meth use." The Minister said she had been listening to desperate stories of parents and others at public forums across the State in recent months, asking where to get help and information. "Now I can simply say 'call the helpline' and know that the start of something potentially life-changing is just one phone call away for people," she said. "It's important to remember that it helps to get help. "No matter what the circumstances, helpline counsellors will be there to listen and provide help and support." Helpline counsellors are professional and non-judgemental and will work with people who are concerned about their own meth use or that of someone else. Parents, families and friends are encouraged to get support through the helpline. Helpline counsellors can also link parents and other family members to a network of trained parent volunteers who have experienced their own child's alcohol or drug use. The Meth Helpline also provides support via email and the live chat online messaging service. The Western Australian Meth Strategy also includes funding for 60 dedicated meth withdrawal and rehabilitation beds, a specialist meth clinic, placement of specialist nursing resources in hospital emergency departments and expanded school drug education. Fact File
Monday, 12 September 2016
Agriculture and Food Minister Dean Nalder said the State Government and InterGrain partner the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) had decided to absorb the minority shareholding of partner Monsanto. "Monsanto has elected to divest its minority shareholding in InterGrain, following a strategic global review of its business," Mr Nalder said. "Monsanto's exit from the business had been a well-planned and amicable process, allowing InterGrain to continue to use Monsanto's technology to complete its 2016 breeding program. "InterGrain has a key role to play in the development of new wheat and barley varieties that can increase industry profitability, so the Government and GRDC have taken on Monsanto's 26 per cent equity stake in the company." The process is now underway to increase the State-owned Western Australian Agriculture Authority's share of InterGrain to 61.7 per cent, while the GRDC will increase its share to 38.3 per cent. The Minister said the Government remained committed to supporting the growth of the State's valuable grains industry to capture a greater share of rising global demand for food. "With Australia's relatively high cost of production, genetic improvement in grain varieties is vital to maintain and increase the industry's international competitiveness," he said. "Investment in science and innovation is critical for the grains industry to achieve its potential and increase its already sizable contribution to the Western Australian economy." Fact File
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