PETITIONS COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEARING IN TRARALGON
December 1, 2011
The House of Representatives Petitions Committee will discuss a range of contentious issues during a public hearing in Traralgon tomorrow.
The committee which is chaired by Labor MP, John Murphy also includes Gippsland MPs Darren Chester and Russell Broadbent.
Tomorrow’s hearing will provide an opportunity for principal petitioners who have submitted concerns to the Federal Parliament to discuss their issues in a public forum.
Among those appearing will be:
* Mark Coleman of the Mountain Cattleman’s Association Victoria in relation to Alpine grazing.
* Jean Tops from the Gippsland Carers Association in support of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
* Manager of the Swifts Creek Community Centre Murray Kibble regarding ‘Take a Break’ occasional childcare funding
* Pharmacist Tim Shelton who petitioned Federal Parliament over the delivery of medicines to rural areas.
Mr Chester said the public hearing was an important part of the petitions process.
“In the past, petitions have disappeared in the Parliamentary system never to be heard from again,” Mr Chester said.
“Under the new system, public hearings provide an opportunity for important issues to be discussed and there is also a requirement for Ministers to respond directly to each petition which is tabled.”
The public hearing will be held this Friday at Latrobe City Council’s Service Centre in Kay Street Traralgon from 9.45 am Friday.
