Parliament

The Latest News & Speeches

BICKFORD’S AUSTRALIA 150TH ANNIVERSARY

11 April, 2024

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (16:42): I move:

That this Council—

  1. Recognises that a proudly Australian family-owned business, Bickford's Australia, will celebrate its 150thanniversary in 2024;
  2. Congratulates Bickford's Australia for reaching its remarkable milestones and acknowledges its legacy and historical connection with South Australia;
  3. Celebrates this iconic local business for its outstanding business success and innovation to becoming a globally recognised brand and acknowledges the Kotses family's vision for manufacturing in South Australia;
  4. Notes the significant positive social, cultural and economic impacts that Bickford's Australia has had for the manufacturing sector, beverage production industry and wider community; and
  5. Recognises Bickford's Australia for their continued efforts to keeping their production and employment local and for maintaining its status as an Australian family-owned and managed business.

SUMMARY OFFENCES (NAZI SALUTE AND SYMBOLS PROHIBITION) AMENDMENT BILL

19 March, 2024

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 30 November 2023.)

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (16:08): I rise to speak about the Summary Offences (Nazi Salute and Symbols Prohibition) Amendment Bill 2023 and indicate the support of the Liberal Opposition.

This Bill has been introduced as a result of the Select Committee on Prohibition of Neo-Nazi Symbols, on which I had the privilege to serve with other Members of the Legislative Council. The Select Committee on Prohibition of Neo-Nazi Symbols was formed to consider whether legislation such as this to ban Neo-Nazi symbols is required to address the increasing trend of antisemitism and far-right extremism and what form of legislation it should take.

ABORIGINAL TOURISM

06 March, 2024

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:50): I am excited to rise today to speak about Aboriginal tourism and more specifically to highlight an award-winning local tourism business, Kool Tours.

As Shadow Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, it is such a privilege to work with so many outstanding tourism operators offering unique and wonderful experiences to our local and overseas tourists. They are making wonderful contributions to our tourism industry and our local economy.

PLAYFORD MEMORIAL TRUST 40TH ANNIVERSARY

06 March, 2024

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (16:59): I move:

That this Council—

  1. Congratulates the Playford Memorial Trust for its important role in supporting education in South Australia and for achieving its 40thanniversary in 2023;
  2. Recognises that the Playford Memorial Trust was established in 1983 to honour the memory ofSir Thomas Playford, the State's longest serving Premier, through its objective to establish 'a fund to promote, encourage and finance research and development of projects relating to the primary, secondary and tertiary and mining industries which will be of practical use and benefit to South Australians';
  3. Acknowledges the importance that the Playford Memorial Trust has in providing prestigious scholarships, awards and internships for high-achieving students working in areas of strategic importance to the state; and
  4. Shows appreciation to the Playford Memorial Trust Chair and board members for bringing extensive experience from a range of sectors and recognises their commitment to continue the legacy of Sir Thomas Playford and for their role in reviewing and developing the Trust's strategic priorities to ensure South Australia's future needs are met.

DOM POLSKI CENTRE 50TH ANNIVERSARY

21 February, 2024

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (16:02):

That this council—

  1. Congratulates the Dom Polski Centre for reaching its golden jubilee anniversary and notes the centre as the heartbeat of the Polish community since the foundation stone was laid on 29 December 1972;
  2. Recognises the proud history of Dom Polski Centre as the community hub that plays a significant role in the Polish community through its mission to 'promote Poland and Polish language, culture, tradition, and history for present and future generations' and to foster Polish-Australian business enterprises;
  3. Acknowledges the outstanding contributions and dedication of founding members, community leaders, current and past presidents, committee members, volunteers, cultural dance groups and supporters of the Dom Polski Centre for organising programs, courses and events that promote Polish and Polish-Australian culture and accomplishments and for maintaining a repository of artifacts, archival materials, works of art, and publications;
  4. Highlights the Dom Polski Centre as an iconic function venue in Adelaide that fosters inclusive community engagement and multicultural partnerships by hosting festivals and special events for the Polish community as well as serving the broader multicultural community; and
  5. Reflects on the achievements and legacy of the Dom Polski Centre over the last 50 years and wish the centre and members of the Polish community every success and a bright future ahead as they enter a new chapter.

STUDYADELAIDE

07 February, 2024

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:57): It is my privilege to rise today to speak about StudyAdelaide.

As the Shadow Minister for Multicultural South Australia and Shadow Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, I am a great supporter of the work of StudyAdelaide. Higher education is one of Australia's biggest exports and international students are extremely important to Australia and our economy, contributing $40 billion annually and supporting some 250,000 jobs.

CEYLON TAMIL ASSOCIATION 40TH ANNIVERSARY

07 February, 2024

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (17:35): I move:

That this Council—

  1. Congratulates Ceylon Tamil Association of South Australia (CTA-SA) for achieving a special milestone of 40th anniversary in 2023;
  2. Recognises that the CTA-SA is one of the oldest culturally and linguistically diverse community organisations in Adelaide and is a leading community organisation that serves migrants and refugees from the Sri Lankan and Tamil community of South Australia; and
  3. Acknowledges the important work of founding members, current and past presidents, committee members and volunteers of CTA-SA, and thanks them for their hard work, dedication and contributions in preserving the Tamil language and culture by delivering 40 years of outstanding community service in South Australia.

CO.AS.IT (SA) 20TH ANNIVERSARY

07 February, 2024

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (17:23): I move:

That this council–

  1. Congratulates Co.As.It. (SA) for its important support services to the aged Italian community and for achieving a special milestone of its 20th anniversary in 2023;
  2. Recognises that Co.As.It.(SA) is a leading provider of social community welfare and aged-care support for ageing Italian Australians in South Australia, and that their valuable services, advocacy and programs help seniors to live a fulfilling life; and
  3. Acknowledges the important work of founding members, current and past presidents, committee members, professionals and volunteers of Co.As.It.(SA) and thanks them for their outstanding hard work over the past 20 years for delivering culturally and linguistically appropriate services by applying a quality-of-life framework to look after the vulnerable ageing Italo-Australian community in South Australia.

REFUGEE WEEK 2023

14 June, 2023

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (17:54): I move:

That this council—

1. Notes that Refugee Week will be celebrated across Australia from Sunday 18 June to Saturday 24 June 2023 and provides a platform to celebrate the positive social and economic contributions made by refugees to Australian society and create a culture of welcome;

2. Notes this year's theme is 'Finding Freedom' which asks us what it means to be free and to reflect on the dangerous journeys that refugees around the world undertake to find safety and freedom in a new home;

3. Congratulates the Australian Migrant Resource Centre for being the successful convener of SA Refugee Week since 2001 and for hosting the annual Youth Poster Awards Exhibition which features posters from primary, secondary, and tertiary students that celebrate the courage, resilience and contributions of people of refugee backgrounds; and

4. Commits to promoting harmony and inclusion in our community and recognises that diversity, multiculturalism and interculturalism are our greatest strengths.

Question: ABORIGINAL CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN CARE

07 March, 2023

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:46): 

My questions are directed to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:

1. Can the minister inform the council how often does he meet with the Minister for Child Protection to develop specific strategies to address the urgent issues for Aboriginal children in care?

2. Can the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs explain how often and when was the last time he has attended a cross-agency briefing on early intervention in child protection areas, specifically for Aboriginal children?