Private Members' Statements

Private Members' Statements

Ms PRATT (Frome) (15:56): Today, I had pleasure in tabling a petition signed by 308 residents of the Freeling community who are very keen to have a police officer returned to the Freeling station. I want to pay my regards and compliments to the tireless work of resident Lynn Craige, who sat at the local supermarket collecting as many signatures as she could. I understand that around the time of COVID the resident police officer was redeployed and unfortunately has not returned.

Freeling is a growing community with subdivisions attracting new businesses. There has been an expansion of services like the new Foodland. We will see a medical clinic return, hopefully, and the chemist that was burnt down will be a recent addition. This is a growing community.

I note the member for MacKillop, in his heartfelt condolence motion yesterday, explained that the good people of Lucindale totalled 637 residents and still have their own police station, which is a building, he said, adjoining a house that is just a stone's throw from the local pub, post office and deli. With over 2,200 people living in the Freeling community, the Freeling station is similarly located. They are simply asking for the same service.

The residents of Freeling are keen to learn the future of this station and if there are any plans to return an officer to the station. Yesterday in the house we heard the heartbreaking tributes in honour of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig, and I add my own contribution to his family and colleagues because we greatly value the service and protection afforded to us by those who choose to serve. The presence of police officers who live in our country towns makes an immeasurable difference to our safety.

Ms CLANCY (Elder) (15:58): I would like to use this time on International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People to say a few words. On Monday night, our six year old lay between us in our bed because the storm was scaring her. The bright lightning and loud thunder made her worried, but she was safe and, despite her tight cuddles, I think she knew she was safe. The same cannot be said for the children in Gaza. The bright lights of lightning and loud bangs of thunder are replaced with the bloodcurdling sounds of war.

The children of Gaza are not scared of lightning: they are scared of bombs. The children of Gaza are so desperate that even during a thunderstorm they stand out in the street with their mouths wide open, hoping to catch a drop of the only safe drinking water they have seen in days.

In Australia, we are rightly horrified when there is news of the death of one Australian child. When we hear of the death of thousands of children, it becomes almost unfathomable, impossible to comprehend, but we must try. At last night's vigil on the steps of this parliament, the names and photos of many of the children who have been killed were on display. These children were the nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, cousins and grandchildren of their families, and their lives have been devastatingly cut short.

While violence, dispossession and suffering have been prevalent in Gaza for decades, conditions in this small region of occupied Palestine have deteriorated beyond belief in the past 16 years. The median age in Gaza is 18 years. Clean water is unavailable to 95 per cent of the population; 80 per cent of the population relies on aid for food. For those who do survive these brutal conditions, many are met with a bombing campaign described by some horrifyingly as 'mowing the grass'. Today, on International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and every day, I stand in solidarity with you.

Mr BASHAM (Finniss) (16:00): I rise briefly to speak about a gathering last night in the town of Goolwa. This was a gathering organised by some local members of the community in relation to a proposed code amendment occurring in relation to a development to the north of Goolwa. The Minister for Planning in May of this year announced that there would be 2,500 new allotments made available in Goolwa. This is the area that we are now looking at with the code amendment.

There is real concern by this community in relation to the infrastructure needed to make it possible for 2,500 dwellings to be built in Goolwa. This would put enormous pressure on the road networks coming into the community. It would put huge pressure on the great work the town has done to become a Cittaslow town, which means a slow town, a town that wants to do things in a sustainable way.

It is certainly something that is putting up a lot of challenges in the community's eyes. I very much support them. I very much hope the minister considers the views of the community when the code amendment comes before him, rather than just having prejudged this code amendment by making that announcement in May.

S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (16:02): As the parliamentary calendar draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my hardworking staff, Abbey, Alex and Macey. It is quite something to be working with people who stand beside you and walk alongside you, always knowing that they are giving you absolute support. For all three of them, I am so proud that whenever someone calls or drops into our office, they show the utmost respect for the concerns and worries that constituents bring to us and for everything that they do in all of their power to help alleviate those concerns and bring about positive results for people in our community.

I would like to acknowledge Abbey, whose values she holds deeply but expresses quietly, who is thoughtful and diligent and works beyond whatever is asked of her but never seeks any praise; Alex, who is professional and polite and always quick to have a laugh; and Macey on the front counter, right on the frontline, who brings absolute empathy to everyone she speaks with, who is patient, who listens, who shows absolute respect for everyone who comes in and gives them the time they need to hear their worries. I thank them all and wish you all a very happy Christmas.