Peter Debnam MP

 

 

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Keynote Speeches

ADOPTION AMENDMENT (SAME SEX COUPLES) BILL 2010 (NO 2)

Legislative Assembly 2nd September 2010 

Mr PETER DEBNAM (Vaucluse) [6.47 p.m.]: I am pleased to support the Adoption Amendment (Same-sex Couples) Bill (No. 2). I admit that when the member for Sydney introduced the bill I was a little uncomfortable with where the debate was heading until I researched the topic, examined the bill and considered the reality of what is happening. I now believe that the bill is very sensible and I congratulate the member for introducing it. There has been much discussion in this debate about role models. The member for Sydney is a wonderful role model for all members. She is one of the hardest working members in this place. She has also demonstrated that one can influence policy and make a difference from outside the Government as long as one is persistent and undertakes thorough research over a number of years. She has certainly done that. The objects of the bill state: 

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RELATIONSHIPS REGISTER BILL 2010

Legislative Assembly 23rd April 2010

Mr PETER DEBNAM (Vaucluse) [10.46 p.m.]: I am pleased to support the Relationships Register Bill 2010. The objects of the bill are to provide for the legal recognition of relationships of couples, regardless of sex, by registration of the relationships; and to recognise registered relationships, and interstate registered relationships, as de facto partnerships for the purposes of State legislation. Part 2 of the bill relates to the registration of relationships and clause 5 entitles two adults who are in a relationship as a couple to apply to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages for registration of their relationship. Schedule 2.2, section 21C (3) sets out the determination of "relationship as a couple" and states:

 

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CRIMES AMENDMENT (POLICE PURSUITS) BILL 2010

Legislative Assembly 25th February 2010

Mr PETER DEBNAM (Vaucluse) [6.02 p.m.]: The member for East Hills said that a bill like this has been coming for some time. The fact is that a bill like this has been coming since cars went on the road and police chased them. Indeed, this Parliament has talked about this bill for 16 years. There are members in this House—I am not sure about the Labor members, but certainly Coalition members—who were on the Staysafe committee in 1994. When I came to this Parliament 16 years ago, the Staysafe committee report was one of the first reports I took notice of. Subsequently, in April 1995, the Government changed. For 15 years we have been pleading with the Labor Party to put in place the recommendations of that Staysafe committee from 1994. So, when the member for East Hills says a bill like this has been coming for some time, yes, it has—since cars were invented. But specifically, this offence has been coming since that Staysafe committee report of 1994 and we have been calling on this Government to act since April 1995.

 

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INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (COMMONWEALTH POWERS) BILL 2009

Legislative Assembly 25th November 2009

Mr PETER DEBNAM (Vaucluse) [4.26 p.m.]: I also am pleased to say a few words on the Industrial Relations (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2009. I will be very brief, not only because I have been laid low with the flu for a week but because I simply want to make a couple of points.

 

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10 positive steps to turn around NSW

04 September 2009

Address to Friday Lunch Forum - Parliament House

"Open Letter to Premier Rees"

10 Positive Steps to turn around NSW

Premier, Everyone wants to begin turning the State’s fortunes around now - even though it’s nineteen months to the election. You are uniquely positioned to lead that change so below is a list of ten positive things you can do.

Although relatively easy steps, they will each have a big impact on the State and you could also see them as a self-help manual.

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EDUCATION FURTHER AMENDMENT (PUBLICATION OF SCHOOL RESULTS) BILL 2009

Legislative Assembly 2nd September 2009

Mr PETER DEBNAM (Vaucluse) [6.54 p.m.]: I will not oppose the Education Further Amendment (Publication of School Results) Bill 2009. As members know, my views are very different from those of my colleagues. Let us be clear: Liberals must stand for more not less transparency with regard to school performance benchmarking. After this debate it must be stressed that the New South Wales Liberal Party still stands for more open government and for transparency to facilitate change in the public sector. New South Wales needs greater transparency, better analysis and real corrective action—not only for schools but also for hospitals and the rest of the public sector. The ongoing public debate on school benchmarking has, in the end, been worthwhile, both in airing the pros and cons of school performance benchmarking and in outing the cynical politics of the New South Wales upper House.

 

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