Thursday, 17 September 2015
Dr HUGH McDERMOTT (Prospect) [6.05 p.m.]: I support the Homicide Victims' Support Group. Twenty-nine years ago, in the suburb of Prospect, Anita Cobby, a young nurse, had her life tragically stolen. Six years later, Ebony Simpson, a nine-year-old schoolgirl, also had her life tragically stolen. Two innocent people were lost, for no reason at all. It was when the parents of Anita Cobby and Ebony Simpson met that the Homicide Victims' Support Group was founded. They recognised the need for an organisation to assist the families and friends of homicide victims, through counselling, support and information. They have been successful in lobbying this House for legislative reform—having transformed the role of victim impact statements in the New South Wales sentencing system and influenced the implementation of many other reforms.
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Thursday, 17 September 2015
Dr HUGH McDERMOTT (Prospect) [4.43 p.m.]: I support this petition and the member for Wyong, as well as some of the comments of the member for Tamworth and the member for Hornsby. I agree with much of what they had to say. The 125,000 signatures on this petition show the depth of feeling for this issue in the community. Newsagents are fantastic small businesses and are a key part of many local small shopping centres in the suburbs. These agencies are run by hardworking families who get up early in the morning and work hard to make an important contribution to our communities. Newsagents should not be driven into liquidation because of a small and unnecessary policy change by the Government which could be reverted at any time. I also did not agree with the previous policy of the Labor Party. I think it was wrong. I agree with the Government members about that, as do many members on this side of the House. But we now have a chance to fix it. The Government could introduce legislation to address this problem.
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Wednesday, 16 September 2015
Dr HUGH McDERMOTT (Prospect) [4.51 p.m.]: I support the Property, Stock and Business Agents Amendment (Underquoting Prohibition) Bill 2015. For thousands of families around New South Wales, the biggest investment they will ever make is the family home. Home ownership is part of the Australian culture and it is a cornerstone of the New South Wales economy. The bill will apply to every one of the millions of homes that will eventually change hands in New South Wales. If passed, it will iron out the creases that plague the New South Wales real estate industry; that needs to happen. It will hold real estate agents to account to ensure the highest standards of transparency and fairness for transactions that can involve millions of dollars per home.
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Wednesday, 16 September 2015
Dr HUGH McDERMOTT (Prospect) [1.20 p.m.]: I commend Girraween High School, a great school in the Prospect electorate. On Tuesday 16 September I was invited to the school to give a speech to senior students and school leaders on the values of leadership. I was also pleased to present badges to the new school captains, Victor Jong and Marie-Angela Echevarria, and to the new school vice-captains, Ashvin Bandokar and Mayah Thangarajah. I commend principal Julie Kennedy for her continued dedication to public education and her leadership at that school. I also commend deputy principals Greg Murty and Eloise Burgess and the outgoing school captains, Archis Akolar and Monica Jovanov. Girraween High School continues to set a very high standard in the Prospect electorate. I commend its continued efforts and wish its year 12 class of 2015 the best of luck in the Higher School Certificate exams.
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Tuesday, 15 September 2015
Dr HUGH McDERMOTT (Prospect) [5.05 p.m.]: I speak in debate on the Independent Commission Against Corruption Amendment Bill 2015 and I commend the bill to the House. Corruption is a force that tears our State apart. Sometime it feels as if corruption is ever present in the corridors of Parliament. The recent scandals have uncovered the stain on society that corruption brings. Now the New South Wales Parliament has a chance to move the State towards ending corruption in New South Wales public life. The bill is a window of opportunity to make a difference. For too long the people of New South Wales have had little reason to have faith in the administration of their State. We have seen the abuse of coal licences being granted for personal gain and the abuse of power in granting leases for waterfront cafes. A legion of members of Parliament have been forced to leave office as a result of their corruption. Premiers have left office as a result of the Independent Commission Against Corruption [ICAC] investigations.
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Wednesday, 26 August 2015
Dr HUGH McDERMOTT (Prospect) [1.22 p.m.]: I congratulate Bossley Park Public School on celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. We recognise Bossley Park Public School as one of the oldest public schools in New South Wales, having been established in 1890. I note the long history of Bossley Park Public School and the impact it has had on the Bossley Park community. It provided an alternative school in 1890, so that primary school-aged students would not have to walk several kilometres to school, it was a hub for community volunteer activity throughout the twentieth century, and it has educated thousands of children over many generations from Bossley Park and its surrounding suburbs. I also recognise the importance of public education in New South Wales. I commend the organisers of Bossley Park Public School's anniversary celebration and the principal of Bossley Park Public School, Mr Graeme Brims.
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