Your Genuine and Experienced Independent Voice for Elwick
Thomas Calls for Permanent Breast-Screen Facility in Glenorchy
20 September 2024
Independent Member for Elwick, Bec Thomas MLC has called on the Government to establish a permanent Breast Screen Tasmania service in Glenorchy to provide better access to one of the most effective ways to identify the early signs of breast cancer. In June the Government announced $15m for a new Public Diagnostic Breast Care Centre to be located in Hobart, but Ms Thomas said this is little comfort for many women who live in Glenorchy and other outer lying areas. During Question Time in the Legislative Council on Thursday, Ms Thomas queried the Government’s choice of location and asked if a permanent facility could be established at the Glenorchy Health Centre. “Many women from Glenorchy and outer-lying areas are unable to, or less likely to, access services in Hobart due to cost, transport and parking issues.” “Breast cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer death among Australian women. Early detection can save lives, but only 58% of Tasmanian women aged between 50-74 participate in breast screening,” Ms Thomas said. Breast Screen Tasmania operates a mobile breast screen unit, the ‘pink bus’, typically stationed at Glenorchy for 2-3 months per year and Ms Thomas said the demand for this demonstrates the need for a permanent facility. “When the Pink Bus is stationed in Glenorchy it is always fully booked or oversubscribed. This is a clear indication that Glenorchy needs a permanent breast-screen facility,” she said. In response to Ms Thomas’s question, the Leader of Government Business, Leonie Hiscutt MLC, confirmed locating a permanent breast screen site in Glenorchy remains under consideration. “I’m pleased to hear the Government continues to explore options for a permanent site in Glenorchy, as better access will save lives,” Ms Thomas said.
Bec Thomas MLC
Questions on Notice
Question 62- 18 September 2024
As Mayor of Glenorchy, in 2023 I wrote to the Minister for Health asking for a permanent Breast Screen Tasmania service to be established in Glenorchy. The response said options for new facilities were being explored. In June this year the Government announced that planning has commenced to deliver a new $15m Public Diagnostic Breast Care Centre in Hobart, with the aim of improving access to imaging for Tasmanians. Minister Barnett said “This new service will increase capacity, reduce wait times and ease the financial impact on Tasmanians requiring these services.” Many women from Glenorchy and outer lying areas are unable to access services based in the Hobart CBD due to a range of factors including cost, transport and parking issues. The mobile breast screen unit, or the pink bus, typically stationed in Glenorchy for 2-3 months per year is always fully or over-subscribed. 1.What was the Government’s rationale for choosing Hobart as the location for the new Public Diagnostic Breast Care Centre? 2.Did the Government consider developing the new Public Diagnostic Breast Care Centre in Glenorchy, rather than Hobart? 3.Will the Government continue to explore options for a permanent public breast screening facility in Glenorchy? 4.Could the Glenorchy Health Centre accommodate a permanent public breast screening facility? If not, why not?
Bec Thomas MLC
Questions on Notice
Question 63 - 18 September 2024
In August 2023, 180 Metro Tasmania services were suspended across Greater Hobart. The Government committed to reviewing the suspended services within six months. In February this year, then Transport Minister, Michael Ferguson, announced that a re-elected Liberal Government would “take more control and responsibility for timetabling of Metro bus services, particularly in the Hobart network.” Honourable Leader, my questions are as follows: 1.How and when will the Government implement its election commitment to “take more control and responsibility for timetabling of Metro bus services, particularly in the Hobart network”? 2.Has the reduced number of Metros bus services resulted in improved reliability of the services that were maintained? 3.Can the Government provide data to demonstrate improved reliability of Metro services since the suspension of some services in August 2023, ie. less services cancelled and more services running on time?
Bec Thomas MLC
Questions on Notice
Question 60 - 18 September 2024
Redevelopment of the Port of Hobart is a key component of the TasPorts Port Master Plan developed in 2018. Six years on, Tasports confirm the assets at Macquarie Wharf 4, 5 and 6 are approaching end of life, whereby routine maintenance is undertaken annually in order to sustain a minimal service level. The urgent redevelopment of Macquarie Wharf 6, in particular, is critical if Hobart is to remain the home of the Antarctic research ship the RSV Nuyina. The Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector contributes more than $183 million each year to the Tasmanian economy. The sector, which provides research, training, and support services to the Australian Antarctic program and other Antarctic programs from around the world, now employs nearly 1000 people in Tasmania. Hobart's status as the gateway to Antarctica and the subsequent jobs and economic gains are under threat due to protracted negotiations with the Federal Government on the redevelopment of Macquarie Wharf 6. 1.What is the Tasmanian Government’s position on who is responsible for funding the maintenance, renewal and development of new state-owned port infrastructure, including Macquarie Wharf 6? 2.Is the Government committed to ensuring Tasmania remains the gateway to Antarctica? 3.What actions have been taken by the Premier, Minister, Co-ordinator General, TasPorts, and any other relevant Tasmanian Government representatives to ensure the redevelopment of Macquarie Wharf 6 occurs so that Tasmania remains the gateway to Antarctica?
Bec Thomas MLC
Questions on Notice
Question 58 - 18 September 2024
Six years ago, during the 2018 election, the Tasmanian Liberal Government made a commitment to developing a new multi-purpose indoor sports facility in Glenorchy. Work has not yet commenced on this project and sporting organisations in the northern suburbs are turning people away due to lack of capacity within existing indoor court facilities. On 16 August, you advised 15 sites were being investigated and a shortlist was expected to be provided to the Minister by the end of August. 1.Has a shortlist of suitable sites for the multi-purpose indoor sports facility now been provided to the Minister? 2.When will the government announce the site for the multi-purpose indoor sports facility in Glenorchy? 3.When does the government expect to commence and complete the multi-purpose indoor sports facility in Glenorchy?
Bec Thomas MLC
Questions on Notice
Question 57 - 18 September 2024
The Hobart City Deal signed five years ago commits to “activating the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor through transit-oriented development that prioritises urban renewal and improves housing supply, affordability and diversity.” The City Deal states that “this will include the delivery of the most cost-effective public transport solution on the corridor, which refers to the existing rail corridor, within 5 to 10 years.” 1.How much Australian and Tasmanian Government funding has been committed to delivering the infrastructure required for the rapid bus service proposed along the Northern Suburbs Transit corridor? 2.Is the release of the Australian Government funding for the project contingent on the provision of a strategic business case? 3.When will the strategic business case for the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor rapid bus service be finalised? 4.When will the strategic business case for the rapid bus service be released to the public? 5.Is there any risk the Federal Government funding committed to the activation of the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor will be withdrawn?
Bec Thomas MLC
Questions on Notice
Question 56 - 18 September 2024
Passenger Transport Service Regulations came into effect on 26 June 2023 and prescribed ‘Powers of authorised officer’ in Division 3. This paved the way for Transit Officers on Metro buses to be provided more powers, to improve safety for bus drivers and passengers. In September 2023, the Government announced a $8.1 million support package for Tasmanian bus drivers. The package was to be implemented in two phases with phase one including initiatives such as personal safety, a pay rise and more attractive rosters to recruit and retain bus drivers. The announcement said phase two of the package would be accelerated to provide individual officers authorised by the Transport Commissioner with new powers, including the capacity to issue infringement notices and remove disorderly passengers. Have Transit Officers on Metro bus services been authorised in writing by the Commission, as per Section 9 (2) of the Traffic Act 1925 to enable them to exercise the powers of authorised officers under Division 3 of the Passenger Transport Service Regulations? Noting the regulations providing new powers came into effect in June last year, if the Commission has not yet granted this authorisation, what is the reason for the delay, and when does the Government expect this authorisation to occur?
Bec Thomas MLC
Questions on Notice
Question 44 - 14 August 2024
Six years ago, during the 2018 election, the Tasmanian Liberal Government made a commitment to developing a new multi-purpose indoor sports facility in Glenorchy. The 2018-19 Budget Paper No. 2, Volume 1 read “The new complex will provide fit-for-purpose, multi-use courts and sports amenities that meet current and future demands of community and elite sports participants. The multi-sport facility will cater for a wide variety of sports to be determined by extensive community consultation, for example basketball, volleyball, netball, squash, table tennis, futsal, badminton, dance, martial arts, roller derby, gymnastics and other community events.” Work has not yet commenced on this project and sporting organisations in the northern suburbs are turning people away due to lack of capacity within existing indoor court facilities. 1.When will the government announce the site for the multi-purpose indoor sports facility in Glenorchy? 2.When does the government expect to commence and complete the multi-purpose indoor sports facility in Glenorchy? 3.How much funding will the government invest in the multi-purpose indoor sports facility in Glenorchy? 4.What is the expected total cost of the JackJumpers High-Performance Training Centre at Kingston? 5.How much funding will the government invest in the JackJumpers High-Performance Training Centre at Kingston? 6.Will the government seek private partnership funding for the JackJumpers High Performance Training Centre at Kingston? 7.When does the government expect the JackJumpers High Performance Training Centre at Kingston to be commenced and completed?
Bec Thomas MLC
Questions on Notice
Question 43 - 14 August 2024
(To the Minister for Education)
Six years ago, during the 2018 election, the Tasmanian Liberal Government made a commitment to developing a new multi-purpose indoor sports facility in Glenorchy. The 2018-19 Budget Paper No. 2, Volume 1 read “The new complex will provide fit-for-purpose, multi-use courts and sports amenities that meet current and future demands of community and elite sports participants. The multi-sport facility will cater for a wide variety of sports to be determined by extensive community consultation, for example basketball, volleyball, netball, squash, table tennis, futsal, badminton, dance, martial arts, roller derby, gymnastics and other community events.” Work has not yet commenced on this project and sporting organisations in the northern suburbs are turning people away due to lack of capacity within existing indoor court facilities. 1.Will the government provide funding to urgently upgrade local school indoor courts in the northern suburbs, so our kids have somewhere to play and no one misses out while it continues to plan and deliver the new multi-purpose indoor sports facility? 2.What outcomes have the Community Liaison – Sport roles in the Department for Education, Children and Young People achieved to date in increasing access to school facilities outside of school hours, for sport and any other community purpose? 3.Have the Community Liaison – Sport roles in the Department for Education, Children and Young People connected any schools and sporting organisations in the Glenorchy local government area, Newtown and Lenah Valley? If so, can you please provide detail of these connections?
Bec Thomas MLC
Questions on Notice
Question 43 - 14 August 2024
Six years ago, during the 2018 election, the Tasmanian Liberal Government made a commitment to developing a new multi-purpose indoor sports facility in Glenorchy. The 2018-19 Budget Paper No. 2, Volume 1 read “The new complex will provide fit-for-purpose, multi-use courts and sports amenities that meet current and future demands of community and elite sports participants. The multi-sport facility will cater for a wide variety of sports to be determined by extensive community consultation, for example basketball, volleyball, netball, squash, table tennis, futsal, badminton, dance, martial arts, roller derby, gymnastics and other community events.” Work has not yet commenced on this project and sporting organisations in the northern suburbs are turning people away due to lack of capacity within existing indoor court facilities. 1.Will the government provide funding to urgently upgrade local school indoor courts in the northern suburbs, so our kids have somewhere to play and no one misses out while it continues to plan and deliver the new multi-purpose indoor sports facility? 2.What outcomes have the Community Liaison – Sport roles in the Department for Education, Children and Young People achieved to date in increasing access to school facilities outside of school hours, for sport and any other community purpose? 3.Have the Community Liaison – Sport roles in the Department for Education, Children and Young People connected any schools and sporting organisations in the Glenorchy local government area, Newtown and Lenah Valley? If so, can you please provide detail of these connections?
Thomas Calls on Government to Deliver on 2018 Election Promise
16 August 2024
Independent Member for Elwick, Bec Thomas, has called on the Tasmanian Liberal Government to urgently deliver on its 2018 election promise of a new multi-purpose indoor sports facility in Glenorchy. During question time on Thursday, Ms Thomas asked the Government to provide an update on the proposed facility, which was pitched in the 2018-19 Budget Paper No. 2 as a complex which will provide ‘fit-for purpose, multi-use courts and sports amenities that will meet current and future demands of community and elite sports participants. “It is now over six years since this promise was made, and the people of the Northern Suburbs don’t even have certainty of location of this facility, let alone an expected completion or commencement date,” Ms Thomas said. “Sadly, some sporting clubs are forced to turn kids away as there simply aren’t enough courts to meet demand. This is not only devastating for them, but it also means they are missing out on the many health and social benefits of that sport can bring.” Noting that many local school indoor court facilities sit empty outside of school hours, Ms Thomas also urged the Government to provide funding to upgrade these spaces to acceptable and modern standards, until the multi-purpose complex is completed. “There is a huge opportunity for the Government to work with local schools and grassroots community sporting organisations to provide more indoor courts to give our kids somewhere to play while it continues to plan and deliver the new multi-purpose indoor facility,” Ms Thomas said. In response, the Government advised a shortlist of sites will be provided to the Minister for Sports and Events by the end of August. Ms Thomas said she will continue to advocate strongly for this much-needed facility. “I’ll be closely following the Government’s progress with this project and requesting regular updates, with the aim of seeing this much needed and long-awaited facility delivered for our community,” Ms Thomas said.