Page 563 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 21 February 2018

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collect empty beer bottles from the local club.” Where does this minister get off? I would like her to spend a bit of time in these people’s shoes.

As I said before, 75 per cent of the trash pack business of the operator in the Weston Creek area has gone—75 per cent gone. He is not earning in excess of $200,000 like the minister; he is earning a very modest amount, less than $70,000 a year, and 75 per cent of that is now gone. And the minister’s response is, “Don’t worry about your loans. Don’t worry about your mortgage. You can go and collect garbage or beer bottles.” It is insulting, absolutely insulting, that that is the level of response that we have got from this government. The hand-wringing from the Greens is nothing that we have not become familiar with. It, too, is just as insulting.

Yes, the other issues are important. The implementation of the green waste program and how it is tracking are important issues. But when people’s livelihoods are in the balance, do not change the subject. Face up, take responsibility for your actions as a government and actually do the honest and admirable thing and face up to the industry and either help them out or tell them to their face, “You’re on your own and we’re not doing anything for you.” Do not hide in this ivory tower and say, “Oh, we’ve spoken with them. We’ve consulted them. We’ve told them that they might be able to collect some bulky waste.” That is not helping them, not helping them at all.

This amendment is absolutely appalling. The minister’s response is appalling, and the government’s response, to date, on this issue has been nothing but absolutely dishonest and heartless.

Question put:

That the amendment be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Amendment agreed to.

Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.

Adjournment

Motion (by Mr Gentleman) proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

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