your say Sandy Bolton Noosa State Member for Noosa
Digging deep into Estimates Hearings IN years past I have attended all estimates hearings, whilst working on improving efficiencies within these processes. This year it was just my own legal affairs and safety committee, and that via Zoom, due to isolating after a COVID test. Happily though, it ended up a different ‘bug’! The decision not to attend all hearings was not taken lightly. However being away from emergencies at home to be able to ask one or two questions each day, did not make sense. This year I sent two questions on notice to all committees instead, which is the process allowed for our own committees. These were rejected. However, they certainly should be accepted, if the intent was truly seeking greater efficiencies and accountability as part of scrutinizing government expenditure. Even though efforts to get a review of the current estimates and committee processes have not been successful so far, a step forward is to revisit the committee system. As one of four on the panel, I look forward to seeing a review become a reality. So, how did this year’s Es-
timates Hearings fare? For my legal affairs and safety committee, our questions included funding for domestic violence (DV) victims and their families, with prioritisation of emergency and affordable housing. Additionally, we asked how funds for refuges and shelters are allocated, as there have been only CPI increases over some years, which is insufficient for accompanying children needing support and services and thereby for breaking the intergenerational cycle of violence and suffering. The Attorney-General has offered to work closely with me on this. Other questions concerned any budget allocations available for tackling privacy of voter information and other concerning election practices, the handling of complaints regarding public officials and government decisions, and electoral boundaries. Allocation constraints regarding both time and questions led to our remaining questions being submitted via standard correspondence. These covered options to house DV perpetrators away from the
family home, as well as DV, sexual assault education and services being made available to all youngsters in our schools. Within the budgeted increase for police personnel, the Minister for Police did not commit specifically regarding our request for extra permanent resources in our community, or at Teewah, to see an end to the dangerous and disgraceful behaviour that is impacting our environment, residents and visitors. However, we have reiterated the urgent need. Exploring the deployment of increased Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in the Noosa area will also be followed up. Other budgetary items included the importance of requested training for our SES personnel and volunteers, who do an incredible job selflessly giving of their time to keep our community safe. Bushfire resources, pilots for that LAT (the large air tanker that had ‘down time’ during the Fraser fires from a lack of replacement pilots) and additional resourcing for youth crime were questions delivered either verbally or via a question on notice. And for all those questions to the other 16 Ministers that
were not accepted as part of the Estimate process, these have been sent via standard correspondence. May the future see the needed ‘tweaks’, and these outdated processes amended! Estimates 2021/22, as last year, was not easy, and the impacts from COVID are apparent in every realm. As resources are stretched to accommodate this pandemic, the reality is we are seeing many requests that are not considered as vital in the health and economic rebuild arenas relegated to the ‘future’. This will no doubt translate to many of these questions being revisited in 2022. For a full update on Estimates, including my speech and tabling of our intern’s research into how our Committee systems can be improved, please head to https:// www.sandybolton.com/ estimates-2021-2022-summary-2-september-2021/ Whilst there, don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly newsletter and join us on Facebook. Until next month, enjoy the beginning of Spring! Sandy
Llew O’Brien Federal Member for Wide Bay
Stay patient on the roads these holidays
SEPTEMBER school holidays are just a few weeks away, and I’d like to thank all the teachers in Noosa communities who have worked hard this term, particularly throughout the challenges posed by the recent local lockdown, to ensure their students continue to get the best possible education. School holidays are traditionally a busy time on our roads as more people head to Noosa, Teewah, Rainbow Beach and other coastal areas of our beautiful region. Whether you’re travelling as well or staying close to home, I encourage all road users to be patient, mindful of road and weather conditions, avoid distractions, follow the speed limit and wear a seatbelt. Driving responsibly saves lives. While the impact of the New South Wales and Victorian lockdowns is still creating uncertainty for the tourism market, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg recently announced a new business assistance package that is available to all businesses in Queensland, impacted by
lockdown, that employ staff and have suffered a downturn of 30 per cent or more. The 2021 COVID-19 Business Support package is now open and builds on the economic support that the Morrison Government has provided to Queensland households and businesses during the pandemic. Further information, including how to apply, is available at this link: https://www. business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants/covid19-support-grants and applications close on 16 November 2021. Finally, thank you to everyone who has completed and returned their census form. The Census is an important planning tool for all levels of government and helps inform decisions about transport, schools, health services, and roads. If you have not already returned your census form, please do so as soon as possible – if you need assistance or to order another form, please telephone 1300 512 441 or visit https://www.census. abs.gov.au/
Working for Noosa Communities
Cooroy Rag, 15 September 2021 - Page
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