Consideration of Tabled Papers
Resumed from 4 June on the following motion moved by Hon Stephen Dawson (Minister for Environment) —
That pursuant to standing order 69(1), the Legislative Council take note of tabled papers 2664A–D (budget papers 2019–20) laid upon the table of the house on Thursday, 9 May 2019.
HON ALISON XAMON (North Metropolitan) [5.40 pm]: I rise to say a few things about a completely different issue and put on the record my concerns about the merger of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and LandCorp. My concerns have continued to grow over the course of this term, as I have watched a number of projects being undertaken by both those bodies. I have spoken numerous times in this place about LandCorp’s Montario Quarter development at the old Shenton Park Rehabilitation Hospital site.
Hon Alison Xamon MLC, Member for the North Metropolitan region, has raised in parliament concerns regarding the ongoing lack of elected representation for the City of Perth.
Ms Xamon acknowledged that there had been issues with the City of Perth and said that she did not question the Minister’s motivations in suspending the Council on 2 March 2018 and appointing three commissioners while an inquiry was conducted.
HON ALISON XAMON (North Metropolitan) [5.20 pm]: I want to raise my concerns about the ongoing lack of elected representation for the residents of the City of Perth. I want to be very clear: I am certainly not here to suggest that there were no issues with the City of Perth, and I am not suggesting that the minister did the incorrect thing by suspending the council, but it has been over a year since the Perth city council was suspended on 2 March 2018 and the three commissioners were appointed.
HON ALISON XAMON (North Metropolitan) [10.00 pm]: I rise to reflect on the life of Karen Merrin, who passed away yesterday morning after a long battle with cancer. Karen would be well known to many members of this place. She has left a significant legacy in this state, specifically in the community legal sector. I want to acknowledge so much of what Karen has done and her achievements. This information about Karen’s work in the sector is from the Community Legal Centres Association of Western Australia, which has written a very good obituary for Karen.