The Liberals have committed over $28 million to deliver new and expanded services that will make a significant difference to people’s lives.

The funding includes $5 million to begin an innovative new direct funding model Your Care, Your Choice to allow people with disabilities, their families and carers, to arrange the supports they require based on their individual circumstances.

In particular, mothers with children with disabilities have specifically told the Liberals this is the model they want to see adopted in Tasmania, because this program is flexible, individual and will make a real difference to their everyday lives.

They have also told us they need more respite options, and we have committed $6.1 million to significantly increase the range of respite available for families caring for people with disabilities in this State.

Unless regular respite can be provided, there is a real risk of families falling into crisis.

We have also provided $3 million for a no-interest loans scheme so that people with disabilities, families and carers can access funding for motor vehicle modifications or purchase, and home renovations.

Mr Whiteley said:

The Liberals’ funding also includes $3 million in additional funding for existing service providers.

We acknowledge there has been funding shortfalls under a State Labor Government, and providers are struggling to meet their service obligations.

Additional funding is needed to meet these shortfalls, and to meet the additional needs of elderly people in residential services who wish to ‘retire’ from attending day support services but are currently unable to do so.

A Hodgman Liberal Government also commits to providing more funding for National Disability Services as the peak body in a partnership to further research into unmet need, ensuring a disability workforce for the future and helping the public sector and business maximize employment for people with disabilities in the State.

The Liberals also begin, with the Brain Injury Association of Tasmania, the overdue process of developing a five-year, whole-of-government strategic plan for Acquired Brain Injury in Tasmania, with $95,000 to determine future services, support and resourcing.

This policy, combined with already announced policy for autism, the A-team, funding for Special Schools and a $4.5 million injection into the Community Equipment Scheme, for equipment, aids and technology, for people with disabilities, shows the Liberals are the only party at this election prepared to stand up for people with disabilities in Tasmania.

And only the Liberals will ensure real change for them, their families and carers.

Labor has failed the Flinders Island community over almost 12 years in government. Most recently, the debacle surrounding the Flinders Island shipping service highlights Labor’s ineptitude and lack of interest in the people of Flinders Island.

The people of Flinders Island deserve real change – real change that only a majority Liberal Government can deliver.

First and foremost, we will deliver real change to Flinders Island’s shipping service by empowering the Flinders Island community to take control of the Island’s vital shipping service.

Rather than the state government subsidising a shipping service as has been done unsuccessfully in the past, we will provide $750,000 over three years to the Flinders Island Council to empower the island to be in control of its sea transport links. In conjunction with the Council, we will establish a board to manage shipping services to the Island, to ensure the shipping debacle that occurred in the last two years doesn’t happen again.

We will also ensure that as part of Infrastructure Tasmania’s state-wide infrastructure plan, that a 10 year ports plan will be developed for Flinders Island. Once the plan has been finalized, Tasports will be tasked to develop a schedule of priority works, expected to be up to $5 million.

Furthermore we will provide $180,000 over three years to assist the island to further develop its tourism industry, strengthen the Flinders brand and its penetration into key markets.

We will also:

• Provide $100,000 to develop a Whitemark Master Plan;
• $150,000 to enable the council and community to further develop renewable power generation and investigate and develop a community ownership model for the Island;
• $220,000 to towards maintenance on the Whitemark Link Road in 2010-11, and we will consider a formal transfer of the road to the State Government once due diligence has been undertaken;
• Funding of $30,000 over three years for the transition program to assist young islanders undertake further education or employment on mainland Tasmania.

Residents of Flinders Island will also benefit from the real change brought about by the Liberal’s policy to secure the ongoing future of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the introduction of “flying clinics.”

Only a majority Hodgman Liberal Government can provide the people of Flinders Island with the real change they need.

Having grown up here, there are certain qualities that I love about Launceston most:

• its spirit of enterprise – working to create (and often fighting to retain) services and facilities to improve our quality of life through our own efforts, without always waiting for Government to help;
• its self-awareness as the provincial capital of Northern Tasmania arising from our city as being traditionally the commercial and productive centre of the entire state; and,
• its lifestyle – I often say that “our city is big enough, and small enough” to make it the best city in Australia, offering the best opportunity for a good life.

The reason I am standing for public office again comes entirely for my vision is to see Tasmanians become the happiest people, enjoying the best quality of life in Australia. After all, every decision a politician can make will influence the quality of life of affected people.

So this is the reason that the time has come to speak out and acknowledge that we do, in fact, have a problem. And we must deal with this problem with strong action. In the past when I’ve highlighted unsavoury problems in our social life, there have been other leaders who took the easy road to criticism of me, saying “stop talking down the city, it’s a great city”. My response then was to agree it’s a great city; however not everyone is able to enjoy it because of the actions of a small minority.

I have chosen to highlight the problem of antisocial behaviour. We as a society can no longer afford to just ignore the problem of antisocial behaviour or tolerate senseless acts of disruption, foul language and petty crime. This is activity which, examined on a case-by-case basis may not even be illegal or a serious crime. However taken as a group, those people engaging in antisocial behaviour are small in number but are having a disastrous effect on the quality of life of a very large number of Launcestonians and visitors to our region.

My interest in this difficult issue was heightened recently during a routine day of doorknocking in the CBD. My intention was to gauge the businesses conditions in the city, and discover any concerns or needs of business owners and workers.

In the very first shop I was told their over-riding concern was anti-social behaviour.

It was a worry I kept hearing. A couple of female shop assistants told me about a recent spate of violence at the St John Street bus zone. They told me that they witnessed a fight outside the shop and called police. But before police arrived the fight moved into their shop. It caused distress and fear to workers and customers who were forced to retreat to the rear of premises. When police did arrive the wrong person was arrested, although this was eventually rectified after viewing CCTV tape.

And so it went on. A story of harrassment, foul language, fights, and a general feeling of helplessness, that there was no one prepared to step forward to deal with the issue.

As someone who wants to represent and fight for the best interests of the people of Bass, it’s clearly my duty to deal with this issue.

So I resolved to properly measure the views and experiences of those people working at the frontline of retail in Launceston City by interviewing and surveying them.

What I found out was startling. 

Please take a look for yourself at the survey results, and leave your comment at the end.  My question is:  how do you feel about my ideas for a stronger police presence in The Mall and for giving police additional powers to move-on people who engage in anti-social behaviour and groupings?

Launceston CBD Anti-Social Behaviour survey + results

1. Do you feel that the level of ASB in the CBD is worse than 12 months ago?
About the same 33%
Yes, it’s worse 45%
Yes, it’s much worse 15%
Not answered 6%

2. Where is the worst behaviour evident?
The Mall 74%
The Quadrant Mall 26%
St John St Bus Zone 21%

Other places mentioned:
Charles Street: 2
Coffee Republic: 6
Outside welfare venues: 2
Prince’s Square: 2
Across city generally 1
Birchalls Car Park 1
Taxi ranks 1

Specific times mentioned:
Outside nightclubs at night / evenings: 2
After school: 5
Afternoons: 2
Peak hour: 1
All day: 1
Lunch time: 1

3. Is the behaviour related to:
Harassment 48%
Horse Play 39%
Littering 59%
Bullying 48%
Shouting 84%
Foul language 98%
Fighting 53%
Alcohol/drug abuse 47%
Stealing 34%
Menacing 41%
Skateboards 52%
Truants 22%

Other ASB reported:
Damage to property: 8
Spitting/urinating/vomiting: 4
Underage smoking and/or smoking in non-smoke areas: 5

4. Are you concerned that this ASB could influence shopper visitation to the CBD and / or your business?
Yes 71%
Maybe 21%
No 9%

5. Would you support the idea of a modest police presence such as a police information booth in the Brisbane St Mall?
Yes, definitely 95%
No, it would look bad 0%
No 0%
Other 5% (including “not sure”)

6. Are you satisfied with the coverage and use of CCTV?
Yes
No, why:
Results non-conclusive as the vast majority of respondents were unaware of the presence, location or reference value of this system. However many stated they were dissatisfied with the system as it is not being monitored.

7. Do you support police powers (in circumstances of potential public order breakdown and with the oversight of a police sergeant or higher) that would allow an officer to issue a 24 hour move-on order to a person?
Yes 82%
No 9%
Not answered 9%

A Hodgman Liberal Government will provide $11.5 million to the Launceston Flood Authority for urgent and essential works to complete the works on the Lindsay Street Levee re-alignment.

This work, which is well underway, is essential to protect the suburbs of Invermay and Inveresk, and the homes and businesses of around 3,000 people which will be affected if the levees are breached as the result of a significant flood event.

The Launceston City Council has advised that, if the levees are breached, the homes of 1,500 people would be flooded. In addition, a further group of 1,500 would be forced to evacuate because of the loss of water, sewerage and power services.

Apart from the significant loss to private property and public infrastructure, including schools, roads and the Inveresk campus of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, this level of flood would bring with it major public health consequences, including the potential for disease.

The major flood of 1929 recorded what will happen in such a catastrophic flood.

The Launceston City Council has made a strong case for assistance from both the federal and state governments in the amount of $23 million. The Tasmanian Liberals commit to providing dollar-for-dollar funding, in partnership with the Australian Government.

This is essential work that must take place in the next two years to complete the levee works in Lindsay Street.

We would provide $11.5 million spread across financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12 to complete these important remedial works.

Video highlighting the issue in 2009 on the anniversary of the great flood of 1929

Last night’s television news brought stories like any other normal evening – including one about a quake in a distant, small nation – nowhere near Tasmania.  At that time, while the images were disturbing, there was not the indication that the human tragedy to later emerge would be as shocking and on such a massive scale.

BBC News: The Haitian Prime Minister has annouced that he believed more than 100,000 of his people had died. The UN mission has collapsed, the Red Cross says up to three million people are affected.   Parliament has collapsed. Schools have collapsed. Hospitals have collapsed.

The Australian:  The US, France, Canada and governments across Latin America were scrambling to mount an aid effort for Haiti last night, after an earthquake levelled buildings and caused an unknown number of casualties.

United Nations:  Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued an urgent call to the international community to assist Haiti. There is no doubt that we are facing a major humanitarian emergency and that a major relief effort will be required,” he said. Expressing gratitude to nations rushing aid to the earthquake’s victims, he called for the world to “come to Haiti’s aid in this hour of need.”

A compassionate Tasmanian response

The urgent efforts to rescue trapped survivors, together with attending to the wounded is certainly the key priority. Few Tasmanians, if any, will be directly involved in that effort.

At times like these we should not stumble over our sadness and fail to act.  Our long distance apart, our lack of time, ability or skills to assist the practical rescue and rebuilding effort should not cause any of us to respond only with sadness.  We should recognise that we all have our part to play – and that can include prayer, urging our Australian Government to contribute to the cause and for each of us to consider a personal donation to a recognised aid charity.  From my experience during the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, aid organisations and host countries find the donation of phyisical items such as used clothing or building materials inefficient and sometimes even unhelpful.  The best way to help is to make a financial donation.  Here are some recommended agencies which are recognised by AusAid and attract tax deductibility:

• Compassion Australia has launched an urgent appeal for the children of Haiti after this morning’s devastating earthquake. Compassion has more than 64,000 children supported in the country, including more than 4,600 sponsored by Australians.  Donations made to Compassion Australia will support emergency response efforts to Compassion assisted children and their families, including fresh water, clothing, blankets, food and hygiene kits.
• World Vision’s rapid response team is conducting assessments and preparing a relief response and accepting donations.
• Australian Red Cross has launched an appeal. Local and international Red Cross staff and volunteers are providing relief in the most needed areas.

It’s 8:47am and I have taken the above action.  Please join me.

Drive our Economy Forward
Backing Business to Invest in Renewable Energy
Four-Lane Midland Highway
Getting Better Returns from Government Businesses
Making Tasmania a Magnet
Protecting and Creating Jobs in our Tourism Industry
Statewide Residential Planning Code
Tasmania’s World Class Tarkine – Growing our Tourism Potential
Fixing Tasmania’s Critical Infrastructure
Farming for the Future
Urgent repairs to the Midland Highway
Building Better Regional Roads
Abolishing Land Tax
Putting Tasmanian Products on the World Stage
Deliver Accountable Government
A New Culture of Accountability and Transparency
Fixed Terms
Greater Budget Honesty
Achieve Better Health Results
Smarter Health Care for the North
A New Generation Royal Hobart Hospital
At-Risk Children
Better Quality of Life for Tasmanians with Disabilities
A Fairer Tasmania
The Sooner the Better: No more Endless Waiting Lists
Upgrading the Mersey
Equity for North-West Cancer Patients
Exciting new health services for Tasmanians with the Royal Flying Doctors
More step down beds for the Huon
Raise Education Standards
Free Bus Travel for Students
Pathway Planning
Supporting students with Autism
A better deal for Teacher Aides and Support Staff
Better retention and results – ending the experimentation with our education system
Protect our lifestyle & strengthen our community
Continuing to make our Roads Safer
Double Demerits
Forest Protests
Linking Responsibility – At School and on the Road
Mandatory Employment Screening For All People Working with Children
Parole Board
Police Highway Traffic Patrols and High Visibility Police Vehicles
Police Workers Compensation
Road Safety Authority
Sentencing Advisory Council
Sex Offender Programs
Tougher Sentences for Sex Crimes
Vehicle Impoundment Program
Saving lives – providing specialist smoke alarms
Light Rail in Hobart

Fixing Labor’s Water and Sewerage Debacle
Using social media to reduce street violence
Supporting our Surf Life Savers
Strengthening Penalties for Arson
A Plastic Shopping Bag Free Tasmania
A New ‘Chance’ for young people in Glenorchy
Lights for King George V Oval, Glenorchy
Tackling Tamar Silt
Protecting Launceston from Flood
Devonport Aquatic Centre
Recognising and supporting grandparent carers

I am terribly disappointed to learn that the massive efforts of so many people of genuine goodwill in our community have been dashed as a result of pure government bloody-mindedness.

Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett and Deputy Prime Minister Julie Gillard should hang their heads in shame at their disgraceful abandonment of one of the best-performing technical education institutions in the state.

The wisdom of the ATC vision and the local implementation are proven – and will always deserve recognition as a great success even in the face of constant opposition. The negativity toward the model from state and federal Labor has always been the biggest challenge because Labor opposes vocational education models which involve parents, industry and flexible employment arrangements.

In particular I express my deep dismay that the Rudd Labor Government has broken its election promise to continue to support the ATCs in some form and have instead handed it over to be executed by David Bartlett’s already discredited Tasmania Tomorrow model of Polytechnic, Skills Institute and Tasmanian Academy. Bartlett Labor have seen the transaction as being an asset grab for buildings which were purpose built for the ATC model of flexible learning together with year 11 and 12 TCE studies.

In Rudd and Bartlett’s new era of ‘cooperation’ this decision represents the victory of mediocrity over what’s good for our young people.

I worked tirelessly to achieve an ATC campus in Launceston because of my belief in raising educational quality and choice. It was a huge effort and worth it.

I have also been working behind the scenes with the University of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a number of local independent schools to try to save our ATC. However that all appears to have been in vain.

On news of the impending closure of the ATC earlier this week, I called for genuine and vocal support from all our elected members. Now we understand why they have been so silent.

My thoughts are mostly with the staff and students who, despite hollow assurances, face a most uncertain and disrupted future.