2019-01-05
By Hon. Robin Chapple, MLC for Mining and Pastoral
This year, your Greens (WA) team has been busy kicking goals and getting wins across the board.
While there is always a lot to work on, and a lot that needs to change, I wanted to quickly give you a run-down of some of the wins we have had in 2018.
Voluntary Assisted Dying laws will be introduced as a result of the committee work we did. Having first tried to make voluntary assisted dying legal in WA almost two decades ago, it is so gratifying to see us almost there. Well done to Dying with Dignity WA for all your work.
World Heritage Listing for the Dampier Archipelago is on the way, after working with Traditional Owners, conservation groups, Friends of Australian Rock Art and the Government. Despite Labor trying to push for more industry next door, moving the Dampier Archipelago towards heritage listing is a battle close to my heart, and I am delighted to have helped progress it this far.
A bill to ban plastic bags was put forward by me earlier this year, and due to relentless pressure we have now seen the Government not only ban lightweight bags, but also consider reducing other single use plastics. What this shows is that the more pressure we put on the Government, the better results we get.
Aside from the big policy wins, sometimes the best part of this job is simply helping out residents, such as the older Australian in Karratha who needed a hand getting his landline reconnected after getting lost dealing with a telco.
In 2018, The Greens (WA) achieved results for you, and in 2019 we’ll be going even further to create a future for all of us.
And ban fracking.
Merry Christmas, and a happy new year!
Header photo: Our MLCs Diane Evers, Robin Chapple, Alison Xamon and Tim Clifford at an anti-fracking rally outside parliament house. Liam Carter