IT'S a busy week in State Parliament with mandatory sentencing for assaulting emergency workers on duty, building amendments and fair work legislation to be debated.
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Upper House member for Western Victoria James Purcell said it was unfortunate that nurse/patient ratio legislation was currently sixth in the list of upcoming legislation and unlikely to be reached this week.
Mr Purcell said he would be tabling a petition on Thursday backing Tower Hill becoming a national park which had 1100 signatures.
"I received a lovely letter from a nine-year-old saying she didn't like waking up to gunshots on duck season opening," he said.
"We have also been lobbied heavily by many locals about nurse/patient ratios but I just don't think the parliament is going to get to it this week.
“It’s unfortunate because it’s very important legislation and deserves attention from parliament.”
Mr Purcell said he had concerns about mandatory sentencing.
"I am a bit worried about it," he said.
"Mandatory sentencing removes the role of judges from the sentencing exercise. I don't want someone swinging around, their elbow inadvertently hitting an emergency worker and that person then facing a mandatory jail term."
Mr Purcell said he thought it was the role of judge to impose sentences not politicians.
"All cases should be treated separately. As it is at present I probably won't support the legislation, but there will be amendments and I'm flexible on my position," he said.
The second bill relates to building amendments and tradesman being required to be registered.
He said currently builders took responsibility for their subcontracted tradesmen but the proposal was to change some of those requirements, such as for plasterers.
Mr Purcell said he had spoken to leading builders and some issues had been raised which he had taken up with the Minister for Planning Richard Wynne.
He said his position in relation to the fair work bill was yet to be determined, but he expected to sit down with staff from Minister for Industrial Relations Natalie Hutchins’ office before having conversations with the opposition.
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