2021-02-27
Robin will be retiring at the coming state election: here is his valedictory statement
By Hon Robin Chapple, MLC, Member for Mining and Pastoral
It feels like only yesterday that I first entered WA Parliament to represent the people of the Mining and Pastoral Region, but it’s been almost 20 years since I made my first step into what became my second home. Despite a brief hiatus between 2005 and 2008, I am proud to have represented the philosophies, values and campaigns of the Greens (WA) movement since 2001. My road to Parliament began – like many others at the time – within the anti-nuclear movement. I have continued to carry the torch of the campaign to ban nuclear weapons, nuclear power and uranium mining. But that was just the start! With my background in the mining industry, my specialties soon developed into mine rehabilitation, mining health and safety and the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage from mining and other destructive industries. On the protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage, I am proud to say that the wheels have been set in motion for the petroglyphs at the Burrup / Murujuga to finally be a World Heritage Listed landmark. As many of you know, this campaign has been close to my heart for many years and, alongside the tireless efforts of the Friends of Australian Rock Art, in January 2020 the Australian government officially lodged a submission for the Murujuga cultural landscape to be nominated for the World Heritage (tentative) List; an amazing win that was a long-time-coming!
In my time in Parliament, I often called upon my previous work with Indigenous people from remote communities in WA and the NT. I didn’t know it at the time, but these experiences and relationships would go on to inform my political work in heritage and culture. I would like to thank the indigenous communities of WA for their tireless efforts over these 20 years, and their admirable resilience in the face of so many obstacles. I extend my warmest respects to these communities, and their work. I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional calibre of our emerging elders across the State, with many of these communities’ leaders known to me, and the wider heritage and cultural circles, for their indefatigable efforts over the years.
It would not be right to attempt to claim WA’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation, passed in 2020. I am so proud to have worked alongside that prestigious committee and to have achieved these outcomes for my community members – and for my late mother. The contributions from the community were invaluable. I feel I speak for the whole committee when I say deliberation on voluntary assisted dying was not an easy process and it is a credit to the Members’ professionalism and commitment that we were able to achieve such a result. It is my fondest hope that this legislation will help many, and that it will continue to help long into my retirement.
They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. I would like to thank the Government for crafting their Bill to ban single-use plastic bags in WA, as an almost exact copy of our Bill to do the same. We know that this legislation – although not comprehensive enough in my opinion – has been a phenomenal success in reducing our plastic pollution considerably. It is my hope, moving forward, that WA policies continues to support scientific research in environmental protection.
We have pushed on all these issues and government have grudgingly followed but never to the extent that has been necessary, it certainly has been a rewarding time for me in terms of working with the constituents in the mining and pastoral region, unfortunately parliament is beset with egos and is uninspiring, though question time has been a rewarding experience for myself the environment movement and, again, my constituents.
Thanks to all the staff, volunteers, members and supporters over the years! You’re support has been vital to achieving what I have in the last 20 years. Finally, I want to wish all of our incumbent MPs and new candidates the very best for the last leg of the election campaign. I might be all the way up in Derby, but I will be watching you all and working from the sidelines in solidarity when the new Parliament is established. Now, let’s paint Parliament Green!