Kalamunda MLA Matthew Hughes gets behind schools

MEMBER for Kalamunda Matthew Hughes MLA knows how important it is for children to have the best possible opportunities at their local public schools.

“It is evident that a number of schools, particularly within the southern part of the electorate of Kalamunda, have aged with facilities that are less than optimal,” Mr Hughes said.

“There are however concerns regarding ongoing maintenance issues for all schools across the electorate.

“This is why my commitment to families and schools has been to bring these matters directly to the attention of the state government, most recently at the Community Cabinet meeting held in the electorate in March.”

Following on from the meeting, Mr Hughes has arranged a Q&A forum with the Hon Sue Ellery MLC, Minister for Education and Department of Education representatives to contribute to a plan for reinvigorating public schools across the electorate of Kalamunda.

The Q&A will take place on Monday, September 16, from 6.30 – 8:30pm at the Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre, 48 Canning Road, Kalamunda.

“I anticipate that this should be a well-attended meeting and will provide a good opportunity to meet the minister and discuss with her how we think the state government can work towards improving our community’s school facilities in support of improved student outcomes,” Mr Hughes said.

To register for the Q&A, email electorate officer Janelle at janelle.sewell@mp.wa.gov.au.

The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill was introduced to the state parliament in August with Minister for Health Hon Roger Cook having now read the bill into the Legislative Assembly where it is being debated.

“Prior to the election, I said that I would support legislation to permit voluntary assisted dying but that my support was qualified on the basis that I would have to be satisfied the proposed legislation was measured and had appropriate safeguards,” Mr Hughes said.

“I have kept abreast of the issue as the community has lobbied me prior to and since the 2017 general election, read the select committee’s report “My Life, My Choice” (including the substantial minority report), held a community forum on the issue and read carefully the recommendations to the government from the ministerial expert panel.

“I have not struggled to make this decision – one which I acknowledge for others will not be easy and which for some could never be countenanced.

“I have made my position of support for Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation clear to the constituents in the electorate of Kalamunda.

“I acknowledge there are among you those who have a diametrically opposed view, however the overwhelming majority want this legislation to be enacted.

“Within that majority there are those who will consider the legislation does not go far enough and I know they will be disappointed by the conservative nature of the proposed legislation.”

Mr Hughes said voluntary assisted dying is not a substitute for palliative care, nor is it an inevitable extension of palliative care.

“However, where pain and suffering have become intolerable for the individual who is dying, individual choice should be respected and the option to voluntarily end one’s life should not be denied,” he said.

“The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill ensures that the request for medical aid in dying is a voluntary one, available only to those over the age of 18 years, who are dying, who have intolerable suffering and who understand and are capable of making the request themselves.

“At its core is the relief of suffering and, therefore, I consider the legislation compassionate.

“While the bill is likely to pass the Legislative Assembly, the fate of the bill in the Legislative Council is very much less certain.”