Elise Archer MP

Guildford Young College Political Forum
12 August 2010
“The new Tasmania: where do we go from here?”

Thank you to the convenors and teachers for the opportunity to speak today.

The topic chosen today “the new Tasmania – where do we go from here?” is quite an appropriate theme for a Gen Y group ... or a group sometimes known as Generation Next ... or Generation What’s Next?!

Yours is a generation that is pretty much swamped by choice and – as some may say, perhaps unfairly – that you also have a desire for instant gratification!

But you are also passionate, flexible, optimistic, confident, and you demand success, not just of yourselves but of others too. 

I think the future is bright – because you have strong morals and a sense of civic duty, and you will not accept the tired old platitudes of some politicians any more than you would accept a dead-end boring job for life.

In fact, I believe the best thing politicians can do for Gen Ys is get out of your way and let you shine!

Or alternatively, create an environment to allow you to do just that.

We have heard a lot in recent months about the new political landscape in Tasmania – what some have even dubbed as “the new Tasmania”.

But I have to say, honestly, that things don’t appear to be that much different from the “old Tasmania” prior to 21st March this year.

And I do think there is a real risk of inertia and indecision in this new political landscape – which is the last thing our State needs, at this time.

I believe that Tasmanians want their politicians to be thinking more about what’s good for Tasmania, than what’s good for them.

Yes, our State does need a new future, or a “new Tasmania” – but we need a Tasmania that is forward-thinking, in the long term, and innovative.

We need to develop a culture within government that it’s not the solution to every problem known to mankind, but it’s an ‘enabler ... a group of people who look for solutions and can make things possible by paving the way.”

We need government to create both the infrastructure and the environment – not just the roads, the cables, the schools and the hospitals - but a regime of less taxes and less regulation, to make it easier for you to be the architect of your own future.

Gen Y’s have the ability to become the new pioneers of this State, to lead by innovation and invention.

And believe me, innovation is greater than just technology.

It might mean applying technology to a problem to do a job smarter, more efficiently. But just as equally, knowledge can be the great innovator.

The “new Tasmania” should be about bringing ideas used across the world and applying it to our State, in our industries and in our businesses.

It should be about creating an environment – in the private sector and in the public sector – for ideas to flourish.

And Governments can have a real role to play as the directors or the conductor.

It also has a crucial role in addressing the historic and emerging challenges to a better future.

One of those challenges is labour productivity. 

You might think the number of people in the job market won’t make a scrap of difference to you now, or even into the future.

But our ageing population represents a ticking time bomb for this State.

It means we’ll have a decreasing number of people of working age and this, in turn, means less money coming in to government to provide services like schools and health services.

The upshot of all this is simple – either those who are in the workforce will have to pay higher taxes, or governments will only be able to deliver less services.

This is why you’ll find governments of all persuasions trying to encourage young people to get a good education, so they can work and get a good job.

It’s not only good for you – it’s good for Tasmania as well!

And that’s also why governments will need to work harder to reverse what is commonly called the “brain drain” – where our youngest and brightest leave the State to live and work in other States or countries. 

We need you to stay in the State or, at the very least, come back and live here.

One of the other major challenges for young people – and old – is the spiralling cost of living.

Many of you may already have part-time jobs.

If you do, you’ll know your money doesn’t stretch far, especially if you have a car and you need to buy credit on a regular basis.

In the next 10 years, if you have to add rent or a mortgage to that, as well as food and electricity bills – all of which are going up and up – it’s very, very difficult to get ahead, let alone with a job.

As politicians, I think we have a real responsibility to look seriously about how we can keep a lid on ever-increasing prices.

We want young people to be able to have their own home – and I would gather your parents want that eventually too. 

But this is going to remain a distant goal if prices keep skyrocketing the way they are. 

Low or competitive taxes and charges can be a means of attracting young people and families back to our State – so it’s both an opportunity and a challenge for us to address - for the sake of Tasmania’s future.

To summarise, I think the new Tasmania is anything you want it to be.

And the role of government is to listen to people, and to facilitate that.

Many of you will have the chance in this Federal election to vote for the first time or, if not, I would of course encourage you to enrol to vote as soon as you are eligible.

Like any decision you’ll make in your life – you’ll need to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of the candidates and the parties.

And then vote Liberal ... just kidding - but it is a real opportunity for you to chart the course of a new Tasmania.

And it might also spark the start of an interest in politics that will see one of you in this room become a future leader of this State.

Thank you.

http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/ha/ISArcherElise.htm

Tasmanian University Union Forum - Multiculturalism in Tasmania - 15 March 2010 at 6.30pm

Thank you for this opportunity to talk about the issues and concerns for our multicultural community.

I have pleasure today in representing the Liberal Opposition Leader, Will Hodgman, all State Parliamentary Liberal Members and Liberal candidates.

There is no doubt at all that Tasmania is by far a richer place because of our cultural diversity.  

More than 70 nationalities call Tasmania home; the University of Tasmania hosts more than 3000 international students, and each year our State welcomes humanitarian entrants or refugees from countries around the world.

We have a proud reputation of welcoming migrants, refugees and international students to our State, and our migrants, refugees and international students contribute to our society in so many ways - from introducing us to their own cultures and adding flavour and variety to our way of life - to bringing their skills and experience to Tasmania.

But a multicultural society is not without its struggles.

For migrants and refugees, moving to a new country can be very challenging.

They might find our culture different, find our work or school difficult, and even have trouble with our language or our Australian sayings.

I read recently where a migrant worker was told by his boss after a day’s work that he could go home and put his feet up – puzzled, he called a volunteer with Multicultural Affairs and said  “what’s wrong with my foot, why do I need to put it up?”

But aside from the language barriers, there are other challenges, particularly for refugees, in terms of accessing housing and employment, and there is often discrimination faced at that time.

And sadly, migrants, refugees and international students also face racist slurs.

Tasmania, as a whole, must also face up to the scourge of racism in our society.

I am a lawyer with an anti-discrimination (and employment) law practice and I am aware that recently, the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner conducted a survey on increasing racism and inciting hatred towards international students, migrants and refugees in Tasmania.

It is of great shame to me – and many others in this State – that this survey found verbal abuse, physical assault and discrimination is rife in Tasmania, especially on our streets and in public areas.

I agree with the Multicultural Society which has called for a public campaign to stamp out racism in Tasmania – and I agree that such a campaign should begin in our schools.

The response by the Government (Lisa Singh) was that there are more ‘urgent’ issues than an anti-racism campaign.

The Liberals disagree.

We believe our children need to know that racial intolerance and discrimination is not legal in this country.

We believe they should have an awareness of the cultural difficulties and challenges faced by migrants, refugees and international students.

And we believe that if we fail to address racial discrimination, we face the prospect of losing our cultural diversity, and our growing and lucrative international student population.

Understanding is knowledge and knowledge can bring about greater acceptance and inclusion – and we believe that understanding should begin at the school level.

But the Liberals also believe in sending a strong message that racially-motivated assaults will not be tolerated.  

We will introduce new provisions which will provide for an additional category of serious assaults, committed in prescribed circumstances of aggravation, which will also be deemed to be serious assault – and this includes assaults motivated against a particular group (based on their race, religion, sexual orientation or disability).

The Liberals in government is also prepared to work with the Multicultural Council of Tasmania to look at how an education and awareness campaign, beginning in our schools, could help us to celebrate our cultural diversity and stamp out racism in this State.

The University of Tasmania is well known for its overseas students, many of whom have gone on to leadership positions back in their home countries, or have settled here in Australia.

But I believe the current Labor government is actively discouraging international students from pursuing further study here. 

For example, I am aware that a Masters’ student on an overseas student visa had two school age students. 

She enrolled them at a public primary school in Sandy Bay. She was charged approximately $5,500 per student, per year by the State Government to enrol her two children. She was offered the chance to undertake a doctorate in Tasmania but chose instead to go to Adelaide, where students of international students are charged the usual levy like everyone else, and not these exorbitant fees. 

And in Tasmania, under the Liberals, the usual levy for primary school students will disappear in any case.
But the real point is, had this student stayed, she would have contributed to the local economy and may even have decided to settle here – bringing her skills, knowledge and culture to our State. 

Who knows how many students are in the same situation?

This is small-minded and short-sighted, and purely profiteering – and it would not happen under a State Liberal Government.
Another challenge faced, especially by refugees, is access to housing.

Some time ago, Colony 47 arranged a forum on this issue, where the voices of humanitarian entrants to our State were heard loud and clear.

They told of discrimination by landlords in accessing affordable housing, the problems in finding larger dwellings for their larger families, and the sad fact that many refugees who make their way to our State are no longer here, and have moved interstate because of these difficulties.

These problems were also raised in Anglicare’s excellent report on the settlement experiences of refugee communities, entitled “Dropped from the moon”.

It found the State struggles to retain the refugee communities which have settled here, and because of Tasmania’s greater levels of general poverty and hardship, refugees are in direct competition for affordable housing and unskilled jobs. 

And it also found that housing problems are undermining settlement outcomes - in some cases resulting in refugees in crisis housing, financial stress, and struggling with the social isolation caused by frequent moves and disconnection from their community networks.

Another critical issue for migrants, some of whom have been here for many, many years, is the support required and the social isolation of many as they age -  especially those from non-English speaking backgrounds.

While it is our right to grow old in our own homes, sometimes, because of ill health, this is not possible.

Some elderly migrants may lose command of their English and revert to the language of their birth, and may feel powerless as a result in an aged care facility.

Tasmania owes an enormous debt to the thousands of migrants who came here and helped shape our State.
It is up to us to support those migrants, as they age.

And that means active participation in ethnic communities, providing funding support to those bodies which are active in assisting their own communities - ensuring migrants are not socially isolated or fall through the gaps.

Our migrant and refugee communities might also need assistance with English language, skills training, housing or tenancy support, or advocacy in their dealings with government bodies, employers or health providers.

For the Liberals, the most important thing we can do is break down the barriers or obstacles that migrants and refugees face.

We can do that in a number of ways, including education of employers, landlords and the general Tasmanian community.

We can assist new entrants to our State with access to longer-term affordable housing options through case management and support.

And we can address the many other obstacles and barriers to social inclusion through our ‘Fairer Tasmania’ strategy.

The Liberals’ framework for creating a fairer Tasmania is based on five criteria –
- Providing better access to services;
- Supporting disadvantaged groups and disadvantaged places;
- Reducing barriers to opportunity;
- Giving equity to rural and regional people; and
- Creating a Tasmania where people have rights and respect, regardless of their age, gender, abilities or disabilities, religious beliefs or nationality.

I note that this framework very much aligns with the Hobart City Council’s strategy for Cultural and Linguistic Diverse communities.

Many of you will know that I am an Alderman of the Hobart City Council, and I have been involved with community development and also our social inclusion strategies, which are currently out for public consultation.

That strategy will also have a defined role for council in terms of action plans in the key areas of community participation, vibrant places, affordable living, effective transport, health and wellbeing, community safety and economic development.

More importantly, the Liberals believe in working more closely with local government to enhance services in  these and other areas, truly partnering to make advancements at the grassroots level.

I can only speak for myself, but I do know that as a council, we are very supportive of migrant and refugee communities, including telephone interpreter services throughout council, the Hobart Networking for Harmony Committee (which organises the annual welcome by the Lord Mayor), one-off projects such as festival kits for schools, significant financial support for cultural events, ‘Refugee Week’ activities, international student expos, Living Recipes (in association with the Taste of Tasmania), and sister city relationships.

Next year, all council staff will undertake diversity training, and Council’s Strategic Plan for 2009-2012 sets out a major action agenda to take a greater leadership role in promoting Hobart’s cultural diversity in the areas of perception, communication and participation.

For instance, there will be fact sheets about Council in CALD (cultural & linguistic diverse) languages, we’ll use ethnic radio to advertise events and give information, we’ll promote Hobart as a Refugee Welcome Zone, and develop initiatives that address racist incidences in the Hobart CBD, bus mall and at UTAS.

Tasmania is a small State of 500,000 people.  The Tasmanian Liberals believe in enhancing, and supporting the good work already being done at the grass roots level through local government. 

We don’t need to re-invent the wheel and duplicate what is already happening in local communities and in local government – but we do need to identify the gaps in service delivery and tackle those.

Knowing what local councils are already doing, consulting and genuinely partnering with councils to enhance those services, can only help free up the resources of government to tackle the bigger problems of access to health, education, housing and transport for migrants, refugees and, indeed, all Tasmanians.

Tasmania is fortunate in that we have well-established bodies & organisations which have built good relationships and partnerships over many years, including the Multicultural Council of Tasmania and the Migrant Resource Centre, the community sector, ethnic community bodies, and of course, our community development officers throughout local councils.

We support these bodies, these people and their volunteers, and applaud the work they do.

And I can sincerely commit that a Liberal Government will listen to them, take their advice, and more importantly, ensure their recommendations to government are taken on board and acted upon.

Once again, thank you for inviting me along today to address this forum.

Centre for the Arts - 24 February 2010 at 7.30am

Thank you for convening this forum and having me along to represent the Tasmanian Liberals and present our position.

There is no doubt that investment is needed in infrastructure of all types throughout Tasmania.

The Liberals, if elected next month, will start off by establishing an independent body – to be named Infrastructure Tasmania – to consult and prepare, within one year, a plan that actually responds to the needs of the community.

Infrastructure is our ports, our roads, our bridges, our public transport, our rail, our energy supplies, our water and sewerage, and of course it is also our pedestrian access and cycle ways. 

Developing infrastructure is expensive.  It requires long-term planning. And this means spending decisions must be based on need, not politics.

And decisions must be based on putting the State’s interest first.

That’s why we think it’s important that Infrastructure Tasmania is an independent body – a body that sits outside of government, and can independently recommend priorities to the next government and the next government after that.

You might think that in such a plan, cycle ways may have less priority than, say, rail upgrade. 

You would be wrong, because the job of Infrastructure Tasmania will be to respond to the needs of the community, now and into the future, and to provide sustainable transport solutions for the 21st century.

Therefore, day one of a Hodgman Liberal Government, there will be an expert body to take input from your group, to look at the existing body of work, including the Hobart Regional Arterial Bicycle Network Plan, and take these projects from the paper to infrastructure on the ground.

And to get cycling networks off the ground, we all have to work together. 

There is no point in one local council putting forward a strategy for a new cycleway, which finishes, or is not completed, when it reaches the boundary of a neighbouring council.

To get interconnectivity, we need local government areas to work together, cooperatively, for shared goals, and an integrated approach to regional planning.

We all know the benefits of cycling to create healthy communities, just as we know the benefits of leaving the car at home and taking off on foot.  

But people are not going to change a lifetime of habits unless there is safe, accessible infrastructure to entice them to walk and cycle more. Many lack the courage – and it does take courage - to cycle on our roads!

This is changing slowly, with 42.1% of people walking and 9.6% cycling in the 2008 Tasmanian exercise survey, and I fully believe that if we create more walking tracks and cycle ways, these figures will continue to improve.

Of course, in an ideal world, there would be shared cycling/walking tracks alongside every road in the State, but this would be a massive investment, when there are so many competing priorities for infrastructure.

So failing that, we have to work out the best use of the funding available – fixing those black spots for cyclists, where it is unsafe for cyclists to use the roads – and ensuring cycle ways are built in areas that will get maximum usage in our communities.

As a result of a deal done by the Greens with the Australian Government over stimulus funding, there has been some $40 million available for cycle ways throughout the nation, and the Labor Government has tapped into some of this funding by matching it, to begin projects around the State.

I can assure you that a Hodgman Liberal Government will look favourably at any new plans or submissions put for further investment in cycle ways.

But I stress, I think we need to look strategically at the whole of the State for infrastructure planning.

One thing the Tasmanian Liberals can commit to, however, is working in partnership with the Australian Government and local government to continue to improve cycling and walking infrastructure for all Tasmanian communities.

We’ll also be looking very carefully at park and cycle facilities – investment in car parks at the end of cycling tracks, to avoid traffic congestion in our cities.

And we’ll also be looking at cycle and ride facilities – where people can cycle to a bus terminal, have their bike safely stored and catch public transport to work.

Such combinations allow people more flexibility in changing their transport habits, and might help mitigate our hilly environment, which may detract some people from commencing a cycling or walking program.

I want to also briefly touch on local government planning.  In my other role as an Alderman on Hobart City Council, I have of course been involved at the local government level, and I’m proud of the work undertaken by local councils and, in particular, the Hobart Regional Arterial Bicycle Network Plan, which amalgamates the work of the 2007 Kingborough Bicycle Plan, the 2008 Clarence Bicycle Action Plan, the 2007 Hobart Principal Bicycle Network Plan and the 2008 Draft Glenorchy Bicycle Strategy.

This is an excellent example of councils working together to deliver for a region, and their strategies now clearly outline the future opportunities for cycling routes across the Hobart region, and will be a ready and available reference point for our Infrastructure Tasmania body in recommending strategic directions and priorities for government.

Things such as sealed shoulders on high speed roads, dedicated paths and cycle ways linking shopping centres, access to education, our high schools, colleges and Universities, and on-road bicycle lanes need both Federal, State and local input – because all our roads are owned by each level of government.

When Infrastructure Tasmania brings down its priority plan, a Hodgman Liberal Government will look to further investment in cycle ways and walking tracks, to follow up the current government’s program which is coming to an end.

To date, in this campaign, the Tasmanian Liberals have committed $100,000 in funding over four years to support the Launceston Cycling Classic – recently renamed the Stan Siejka classic, in honour of one of the inaugural organisers of the race, who died tragically last September.

We will also lobby the Federal Government for additional financial support for cycle ways, as well as partnering with local government on strategic projects, to ensure more cycle-friendly tracks and trails in Southern Tasmania.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today.