Speeches

HON ALISON XAMON (North Metropolitan) [ 9.48 pm ]: Earlier today I tabled a petition about the redevelopment of Shenton Park rehabilitation hospital. I would like to draw members’ attention to the fact that the two originators of that petition — Heidi Hardisty and Lynette Jennings — along with some other local residents, were able to get more than 300 signatures on the petition in just a couple of days. I think that indicates just how much the community in this area cares about what will happen with this particular patch of bushland.

HON ALISON XAMON (North Metropolitan) [ 5.36 pm ]: I rise because I want to recognise that this Saturday, 9 September, is International FASD Awareness Day. It is held on the ninth day of the ninth month every year. The date was chosen to highlight the importance of the nine months of pregnancy. International FASD Awareness Day was first held in 1999, so awareness of the existence and cause of FASD has increased significantly since that time. For members who do not know what FASD is, it stands for foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.