Scrutinising Government Bills
Most time in Parliament is spent dealing with Government Bills. In the first half of 2008, 41 Government Bills were passed by the Upper House, showing that the House is working smoothly in its review role.
Through debate and amendments relating to Government Bills, Paul helped to achieve outcomes that are greener, fairer and more socially just.
Some examples:
- Paul successfully moved an amendment to the State Supply Commission Amendment Bill 2007 to require the Government to minimise greenhouse gas emissions from the State Government car fleet; report annually on those emissions; and offset those emissions. Read speech...
- Paul successfully moved an amendment to the Water Resources Legislation Amendment Bill 2006 to require the Minister for Water Resources to have regard to water recycling and water efficiency measures when planning the development of new water resources. Read speech...
- Paul sought to include a definition of sustainability in the Planning and Development Bill 2005 and also commented on the need for third party appeal rights. Read speech...
- In the debate on the Gene Technology Bill 2005, Paul moved amendments that sought to make the companies who produce genetically modified organisms responsible for any financial or environmental damage resulting from the release of those organisms. The amendments were defeated, but the Government agreed to investigate the issue. Read speech...
- In the debate on the Superannuation Legislation Amendment and Validation Bill 2005, Paul criticised the lack of ethical superannuation options for government employees. In response to this criticism, the Government Employees Superannuation Board invested a portion of their fund in ethical investment. Read speech...
- Paul successfully moved an amendment to the Public Trustee and Trustee Companies Legislation Amendment Bill 2006 to ensure Parliamentary scrutiny of future fee increases for the services provided to disadvantaged people by the Public Trustee. Read speech...
- Paul sought to amend the Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2008 to ensure that the courts, rather than police, make decisions that impose penalties on dangerous drivers. This amendment was defeated by the Government and Opposition, who favoured giving the police, rather than the courts, the power to impound vehicles for up to 28 days where they suspect an offence has been committed. Read speech...
For a current list of the Bills before the Parliament go to the website of the WA State Parliament.