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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-11-12 Daily Xml
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SOLARIA

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (15:25): I seek leave to make an explanation prior to directing a question to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation on the issue of the banning of commercial solaria.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: The minister earlier outlined the government's decision and the reasons for it, and I thank him for the references to the supporting documentation for the decision. My questions are about other related aspects. One was his willingness to consult with small business people about the impact of the government's decision.

In transcripts of television news from last evening, a spokesperson for the industry, Merv Davies, indicated concern in that they had been trying to meet with the minister to at least discuss their particular concerns in relation to the government's policy that was announced in October last year. Minister Hunter, when asked about this last night by Channel 7—as to whether or not he was aware of any industry attempts to lobby him personally or to meet with him—was quoted as saying, 'They've not approached me in recent times.' The industry spokesman went on to say that they had been approaching the minister since May and they claim that two planned meetings with the minister were cancelled subsequent to May. Mr Davies is quoted as saying, 'Basically he's too busy to see us.'

The second issue relates to the similar decisions taken by governments interstate. I refer to the fact that the Queensland government has decided to pay compensation to small business operators whose businesses will be closed as result of the equivalent decision in that state. I think it is the equivalent of $1,000 per bed. The Western Australian health minister publicly indicated that they were looking at a similar policy decision and will consider the Queensland government decision to provide compensation of $1,000 per bed for businesses that close down. My questions are:

1. Did the minister cancel planned meetings since May with the industry over the proposal and, if so, why?

2. Did the government consider the payment of compensation to small business operators impacted by the policy, such as exists in some other jurisdictions, and, if so, what is the government's position on this issue?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (15:28): I thank the honourable member for his important questions. May I say, and I repeat what I said on the wireless yesterday in terms of consultation—

An honourable member: Call me old-fashioned.

The Hon. J.M.A. Lensink: How old are you?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I'm looking very good for my age, Hon. Michelle Lensink. Thank you very much for that compliment.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I understand what you're saying, minister. I still have a wireless.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I was on the wireless and I said that the government took the position of a long lead-in time for this ban. I think it was announced on 25 October 2012 by the former minister. We took the view that we would prefer that course of action with a long lead time to allow business to adjust itself to the new business environment.

Queensland undertook another plan altogether. They are introducing their ban a year earlier (1 January 2014) and so perhaps that bore on their consideration of paying a small amount of compensation per bed. I cannot speculate on what motivated Queensland but that is probably a sensible decision from its perspective in introducing the legislation much earlier.

In terms of meeting with industry, when they approached my office earlier in the year my understanding is that senior members in my office met with them whilst I was visiting the South-East on other matters. However, the position was that the government was not going to be changing its policy on this matter and they have not contacted me, to the best of my knowledge, since their initial contacts earlier in the year. I stand by my decision, that I mentioned on the wireless, that they have not contacted me for a further meeting in recent times.

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