2020-02-29
Over this summer of bushfires, increasing concerns about climate change, particularly the proposed Burrup Hub LNG expansion. Also concerns about political donations, strip searches, animal welfare and a range of other issues related to my portfolios.
By Hon. Alison Xamon, MLC for North Metropolitan
A shocking start to 2020 and I know that we all shared in the devastation felt by the entire Australian community as the horror of the bushfires on the east coast unfolded in December and January. I would like to, firstly, acknowledge the members of the community who died in the fires; the American firefighters who lost their lives when they came to help us; those who lost their homes and livelihoods, as well as the one billion animals and tens of billions of invertebrates which perished when fire ravaged their habitats. It is important that we do not silence our firefighters and fire brigade chiefs by pretending that climate change did not play a role in this truly tragic bushfire season. I spoke to the devastation in Parliament.
The Australian Electoral Commission recently released its political donations data related to the Federal Election. The report showed the extent of the corporate donations – particularly from fossil fuel companies – lining the pockets of the Liberal party throughout their election campaign. I took the opportunity to speak in Parliament about the urgent need for political donations reform. It is unacceptable that the public is not privy to information about who is lining party coffers, until up to 18 months AFTER they have voted. Moreover, parties across Australia, including in WA, can hide millions and millions of dollars in donations – and transparency laws allow this to happen. We need reform, including real-time reporting, now.
I have grave concerns about the proposed LNG developments for the environmentally sensitive and culturally significant Burrup peninsula, particularly when we have seen first-hand over the summer the devastating effects of climate change. I had the opportunity recently to make a submission to the Environmental Protection Authority’s review of the proposed Burrup Hub expansion, and I opposed and spoke against the North West Gas Development (Woodside) Agreement Bill when Parliament resumed in early February. These developments will emit nearly four times the emissions of the Adani mine proposed in Queensland – making the project Australia’s biggest polluter. We must not continue to expand the fossil fuel industry if we want to minimise the effects of climate change in Western Australia, instead focusing on creating jobs by expanding our state’s renewable energy sector.
Elsewhere in my Parliamentary work, I was aghast with Government responses to my Questions on Notice, which revealed WA Police carried out 1,450 strip-searches on young people under the age of 18, in 2018-19. Of those strip-searched, 68 were 12-years-old; 24 were 11-years-old and 19 were TEN-years-old. Police also strip-searched six young people who identified as trans. I am horrified by these statistics – and, worryingly, the data excludes strip-searches carried out at Banksia Hill Detention Centre and outside of what police are calling ‘custody episode’. Being strip-searched is an intrusive and traumatic experience which, were it not protected by law, would be considered assault. I am calling on the Government to initiate an inquiry and have been contacted by a range of people who have been strip searched following arrest for participating in peaceful demonstrations.
There has been much going on within my Animal Welfare portfolio. I have been working with stakeholders to encourage the Government to act to better protect the dolphins of Monkey Mia, since evidence emerged that its hand-feeding program is impacting the health, behaviour and reproduction of the dolphin population. On a more positive note, I was pleased with the Government’s announcement in January that it would introduce legislation to ban puppy-farming and the sale of puppies at pet shops. This is something the Greens have advocated for, for a long time, and I look forward to speaking on the bill when it reaches the Upper House. We must extend the same level of compassion, however, to all dogs in Western Australia – and also ban greyhound racing. I again spoke about greyhounds in Parliament in the first days back, highlighting the measures that can be taken to minimise the devastating number of dog fatalities and injuries. Tragically, of 3,500 races held between August 2017 and July 2018, 45 greyhounds died and 736 were injured. Injuries affected more than half of the 1,391 dogs registered in WA. Animals should never be exploited simply to prop up the gambling industry.
Aside from this, I have been speaking on, and questioning the Government about a whole range of issues, including the eviction of people with mental health issues from public housing which is proving to be a significant issue; the unacceptably high rate of unemployment among people with disability in WA; the Government’s poor performance in the youth justice space; the need for more awareness of blindness-causing retinitis pigmentosa, and the need for LGBTIQ-specific health and mental health services.
Over the summer and since Parliament returned, I have attended and spoken at several rallies and marches, particularly around Climate Change, and extensively met with stakeholders and constituents. It was an unusual January, normally a quieter time with the opportunity to prepare for the year ahead, but this January was notable for the level of activity required.
For more detail as to what I have been up to during January and February visit my website at www.alisonxamon.org.au
Header photo: Alison with Greens staff and supporters at the Perth Invasion Day rally held at Forrest Place.