Speeches

Speech: Parliamentary Committees (Referral of Petitions)

What is left to say? I think all of my colleagues have articulated the reasons why this bill should be supported. The Greens also support this bill. We thank the Hon. Connie...

Speech: Second Walker Tower

10 April 2024 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:30): I rise to speak this afternoon about a matter that will be important to any South Australian who cares about the character of...

National Energy Laws (Wholesale Market Monitoring)

9 April 2024 I rise to speak in favour of the Statutes Amendment (National Energy Laws) (Wholesale Market Monitoring) Bill 2023. This bill improves the transparency of energy contracts between energy wholesalers...

Ayers House Bill

9 April 2024 I rise to support this bill on behalf of the Greens. In so doing, I recognise that this was an election commitment from the Malinauskas government and, indeed, an...

Speech: Condolence Motion for Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue

9 April 2024 I rise to support this motion and to recognise the remarkable life and contribution of a truly great South Australian, Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue, and pay tribute to her remarkable...

Royal Commission into domestic, family and sexual violence in South Australia

7 March 2024 Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. T.A. Franks: That this council calls on the Malinauskas government to establish a royal commission into domestic, family and sexual violence in South...

SA Unions Motion

7 March 2024 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:38): I rise to speak in support of this motion. I think it reflects the support the Greens have for the union movement and the principles...

Bail (Conditions) Amendment Bill 2023

7 March 2028 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:26): I rise very briefly to speak on the Bail (Conditions) Amendment Bill 2023 and to indicate that the Greens will support this bill. Domestic and...

First Nations Voice to Parliament

6 March 2024 FIRST NATIONS VOICE TO PARLIAMENT Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. S.L. Game: That this council— 1. Acknowledges that the South Australian First Nations Voice was not democratically agreed...

Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) (Building Inspections) Amendment Bill

6 March 2024 LAND AND BUSINESS (SALE AND CONVEYANCING) (BUILDING INSPECTIONS) AMENDMENT BILL Introduction and First Reading The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:06): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend...

Spent Convictions (Part 8A Findings) Amendment Bill

5 March 2024 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:45): I rise to speak in favour of the Spent Convictions (Part 8A Findings) Amendment Bill 2023. Currently, I understand people who are found not guilty by...

Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) (Section 31 Offences) Amendment Bill

5 March 2024 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:48): I rise to speak on the Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) (Section 31 Offences) Amendment Bill. I understand the bill comes after an error was...

Controlled Substances (Destruction of Seized Property) Amendment Bill

22 February 2024 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (11:44): I rise to speak on behalf of the Greens on the Controlled Substances (Destruction of Seized Property) Amendment Bill 2024. In doing so, I indicate...

New Protections for Heritage Places Passes the Upper House

22 February 2024 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (17:31): I want to thank all members for their contributions: the Hon. Frank Pangallo, the Hon. Nicola Centofanti and the Hon. Emily Bourke. I know...

Electoral (Control of Corflutes) Amendment Bill

8 February 2024 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (11:07): I rise to speak in favour of the Electoral (Control of Corflutes) Amendment Bill 2023. The Greens have long advocated for a ban on corflutes...

Grocery Pricing

7 February 2024 Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. R.A. Simms: 1. That a select committee be established to inquire and report on grocery pricing in South Australia with particular reference to:...

Education and Children's Services (Reporting Requirements) Amendment Bill

7 February 2024 EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES (REPORTING REQUIREMENTS) AMENDMENT BILL Introduction and First Reading The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:32): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the...

Parliamentary Committees (Response to Reports) Amendment Bill

7 February 2024 Bills PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES (RESPONSE TO REPORTS) AMENDMENT BILL Introduction and First Reading The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:26): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the...

Dunstan By-Election Matter of Interest Speech

7 February 2024 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:38): I rise to speak on a matter that will be of importance to all people in our state but in particular to those living in...

Adjournment Debate: 2023 Valedictory

30 November 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (17:57): Briefly, on behalf of the Greens, I want to wish everybody a safe and happy Christmas. For me, Christmas has always been a time to...

Public Assemblies (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill

30 November 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:35): I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I rise to speak in relation to the Public Assemblies (Miscellaneous) Bill 2023. This...

Public Sector (Ministerial Travel Reports) Amendment Bill

29 November 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to indicate the Greens will support the amendments and the passage of the bill through the upper house, as we did previously. But I...

Committee Stage: Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill

28 November 2023 I am very sorry to dash the hopes of the Hon. Michelle Lensink, but the Greens will not be supporting this amendment. It is true that we usually like...

Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill

28 November 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:15): I rise to speak in favour of the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2023, and I speak proudly in favour of this legislation. This is...

Statutes Amendment (National Energy Laws) (Other Gases) Bill

16 November 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:37): I rise to speak on the Statutes Amendment (National Energy Laws) (Other Gases) Bill 2023 in what will be my last speech during state parliament's...

Advance Care Directives (Review) Amendment Bill

16 November 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:11): I rise to speak on behalf of the Greens on the Advance Care Directives (Review) Amendment Bill. This bill amends the Advance Care Directives Act...

Petroleum and Geothermal Energy (Energy Resources) Amendment Bill

16 November 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:29): I welcome the opportunity to speak again on gas week, or energy week, as it has become. It is the theme of the week. An...

Gas (Ban on New Connections) Amendment Bill

15 November 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (20:11): I think Socrates would not be able to turn this one around, based on the feedback I have heard from my colleagues. It is a...

Hydrogen & Renewable Energy Bill

14 November 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:51): I rise to speak on the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Bill on behalf of the Greens. I should note that I am the spokesperson for...

Establishment of Adelaide University Third Reading

1 November 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (21:19): I want to make a few very brief remarks, given we have come to the end of this bill. I think it is appropriate to...

Social Development Committee: Inquiry into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Report

1 November 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (19:46): I rise to speak on the report of the Social Development Committee on its inquiry into the impact of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)...

Perils of dealing with One Nation

1 November 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:44): The matter I rise to speak on this afternoon is one that will be of interest to all South Australians who care about the health...

Adelaide University Bill

31 October 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:08): I rise to indicate on behalf of the Greens that we will not be supporting this bill. We will, however, be working very hard during...

Joint Committee on the Establishment of Adelaide University Report

18 October 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:14): I rise to speak in relation to the report. In so doing, I want to recognise the work of all members of the committee: the...

Appropriation Bill

17 October 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (17:11): I rise also to speak on the Appropriation Bill. In so doing, I echo many of the comments made by my colleague the Hon. Tammy...

Tissue Donation Statements Bill

28 September 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:35): The Greens are supportive of this bill. This bill allows the next of kin of a deceased person to request that a tissue donation statement...

Ombudsman And Auditor-General Bill

28 September 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (11:10): I rise to speak very briefly on the Statutes Amendment (Ombudsman and Auditor-General) (Terms of Office) Bill and to indicate that the Greens will be...

Opposing One Nation's Energy Motion

27 September 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (17:23): I rise to speak against this motion on behalf of the Greens. In so doing I want to debunk some of the, quite frankly, ridiculous...

Industrial Manslaughter Bill passes the Upper House

14 September 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I want to use this opportunity to make a few general remarks about this bill because I have not yet spoken on industrial manslaughter during my...

Restrictions on Junk Food Advertising

14 September 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (18:34): I am disappointed to hear that no parties in the parliament are supporting the bill. I had hoped that the government would announce that they...

Vale Sophie Trevitt

13 September 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:48): I rise to speak about Sophie Trevitt, a former colleague and Greens comrade who passed away on 27 July after a nine-month battle with brain...

Emissions Reduction Objectives

12 September 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:18): I rise on behalf of the Greens in support of this bill. I think it is important to reflect, in talking on this bill, on...

Greens' Adelaide Park Lands Bill Passes Upper House

30 August 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (21:13): I thank all honourable members for their contributions: the Hon. Michelle Lensink, the Hon. Frank Pangallo, and the Hon. Mr Hanson. In responding to the...

Greens' Relocation of SAPOL Facilities Bill Passes Upper House!

30 August 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (20:18): I thank the Hon. Michelle Lensink and the Hon. Connie Bonaros for their remarks and I thank them for their support of this bill. The...

Affordable Housing

30 August 2023 PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE (AFFORDABLE HOUSING) AMENDMENT BILL Introduction and First Reading The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (17:35): obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the...

Protection of State Heritage Places

30 August 2023 Bills HERITAGE PLACES (PROTECTION OF STATE HERITAGE PLACES) AMENDMENT BILL Introduction and First Reading The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:03): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to...

Joint Committee on the Establishment of Adelaide University

6 July 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:56): I move: That the motion be amended by inserting after 'Adelaide University' the words 'with the following amendments: In subparagraph 1(b) leave out 'non-commercially confidential'...

New Women's And Children's Hospital (Relocation of SA Police Facilities) Amendment Bill

28 June 2023 Introduction and First Reading The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the New Women's and Children's Hospital Act 2022. Read a first...

Local Government (Rateable Land) Amendment Bill

28 June 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The bill that I am introducing today aims to address one of the issues that...

Prohibit Parklands Rezoning

14 June 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:35): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. Read a first time. Second Reading...

Bill to Repeal Summary Offences Act (Anti-Protest Bill)

14 June 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:28): Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Summary Offences Act 1953. Read a first time. Second Reading The Hon....

Matter of Interest: Concerns Regarding Media Reporting

14 June 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:45): I rise to express my dismay at the Adelaide Advertiser's report in Saturday's paper, 'Cash, sex and frock'n'roll', where a church leader was outed,...

Residential Tenancy Act Reform

13 June 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:26): I rise to also speak in favour of the bill, although of course the Greens do have some concerns that it does not go...

Adelaide Park Lands Committee

31 May 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:41): I am really dismayed to hear that the government are not going to be supporting this select committee. I am really dismayed, but it is...

Gender Recognition

31 May 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (17:33): I want to speak very briefly against the motion. In so doing, I reinforce the comments made by my colleague the Hon. Tammy Franks that...

Anti-Protest Bill

30 May 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:25): I indicate from the outset that the Greens are not supportive of the Summary Offences (Obstruction of Public Places) Amendment Bill. I have made that...

International Nurses Day

18 May 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (17:05): I rise to speak in favour of this motion. I want to thank the Hon. Mr Martin for putting this forward. It is a worthy...

Dr George Duncan

18 May 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (16:14): I also rise to speak in support of this motion. May 10 this year marked the 51st anniversary of the drowning and murder of Dr George...

Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) (Fees) Amendment Bill Speech

18 May 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:45): I rise to indicate the Greens' support for the Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) (Fees) Amendment Bill. The Greens believe that high-quality national freight...

World Press Freedom Day Motion

17 May 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (18:09): I, too, rise in favour of the motion proposed by the Hon. Frank Pangallo; however, I take this opportunity to indicate that the Greens are not...

Public Finance and Audit (Auditor General Access to Cabinet Submissions) Amendment Bill Speech

17 May 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (17:25): I rise on behalf of the Greens to speak in support of this bill. I am disappointed to hear that the Labor government will not...

Soft Plastics Recycling Select Committee Speech

17 May 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (17:05): I rise to speak in favour of this motion. The Greens, of course, are supportive of the establishment of this committee. In doing so, I...

Matter of Interest: 2023-24 Federal Budget

17 May 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:24): The matter I rise to speak on this afternoon is one that will be of importance to all South Australians who are dealing with...

Residential Tenancies (Rent Control) Amendment Bill

3 May 2023 Second Reading Adjourned debate on second reading. (Continued from 6 July 2022.) The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I want to thank all honourable members for their contributions: the Hon....

Gene Technology Amendment Bill

23 March 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak on behalf of the Greens in support of this bill. The purpose of the bill, as has been outlined by my...

Don Dunstan

23 March 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion, acknowledging the 70th anniversary of the election of Don Dunstan to this parliament and the significant...

Environmental Impact of Private Mines Amendment Bill

23 March 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I want to thank honourable members for their contributions: the Hon. Connie Bonaros, the Hon. Clare Scriven and the Hon. Heidi Girolamo. As has been...

Introducing The Ambulance Response Targets Amendment Bill

22 March 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Health Care Act 2008. Read a first time. Second Reading The Hon. R.A....

Julian Assange

22 March 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in support of this motion. In doing so, I note this is the first time I have spoken on the matter...

Equal Opportunity (Domestic Abuse) Amendment Bill

21 March 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in favour of the Equal Opportunity (Domestic Abuse) Amendment Bill 2022. The Greens believe that everybody deserves to be safe, respected...

National Energy (Ministerial Reliability Instrument)

9 March 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to indicate the Greens' support for this bill, which will introduce a ministerial reliability instrument in other states that is already in place...

Local Government (Casual Vacancies) Amendment Bill

7 March 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in favour of the Local Government (Casual Vacancies) Amendment Bill on behalf the Greens and to indicate that we will be...

Strangers Gallery Renaming

22 February 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in favour of this motion on behalf of the Greens. As the honourable Leader of the Opposition has noted, many of...

Matter of Interest: Fast Track Cities Program

22 February 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: This afternoon, I rise to speak about Adelaide's membership of the Fast-Track Cities network. The Fast-Track Cities initiative is comprised of a global network of...

University Reform

22 February 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: This bill aims to increase accountability, transparency and inclusivity in our South Australian universities. The provisions of the bill would apply equally to the University...

The South Australian Voice to Parliament

21 February 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in support of this historic reform. For far too long, First Nations people have been marginalised and excluded from decision-making in...

Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) Amendment Bill

9 February 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to indicate that the Greens also support the Rail Safety National Law (South Australia) (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2022. Hearing all of the speeches,...

Statutes Amendment (Civil Enforcement) Bill

9 February 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise briefly to speak on the Statutes Amendment (Civil Enforcement) Bill. This is a new version of a bill that, as the Hon. Ms Lensink...

Environmental Protection (Cigarette Butt Waste) Amendment Bill

8 February 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Environment Protection Act 1993. Read a first time. Second Reading The Hon. R.A....

Report from the Public and Active Transport Committee

8 February 2023 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I move: That the report of the select committee be noted. I want to speak briefly on this report and firstly begin by thanking the...

Merry Christmas and Happy New year 2022

1 December 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise on behalf of the Greens to wish all members here a safe and happy Christmas. Might I begin by reflecting on personally how much...

Matter of Interest: Pill Testing

30 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak on the matter of pill testing. I travelled to the ACT back in October to visit Australia's first fixed-site pill testing...

Electric Vehicle Levy Amendment Repeal Bill

1 December 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in support of repealing the Motor Vehicle (Electric Vehicle Levy) Amendment Act 2021. It is no surprise to anybody in this chamber...

World Teachers Day

1 December 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I also rise in support of the motion on behalf of the Greens. The Greens believe that a strong public education system for all stages of...

Human Rights Abuses in Qatar

30 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: In starting, I really want to commend the Hon. Mr Hunter for the speech he has given and also recognise his decades of service as...

Israel-Palestine Conflict

30 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I also rise to put on the public record my support for this very important motion, and I thank the honourable member for putting it...

Recognising the Australian Red Cross

30 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The motion brought to us by the Hon. Jing Lee provides an opportunity for this chamber to acknowledge the valuable work of the Australian Red...

Tobacco Product Prohibitions Amendment Bill

30 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise today to speak very briefly in support of the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products (Tobacco Product Prohibitions) Amendment Bill 2022. This bill, introduced by...

Planned Obsolescence

30 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. In the 1920s, the makers of light bulbs wanted to find a competitive edge....

Speaking on Healthcare (Acquisition of Property) Amendment Bill

29 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak on behalf of the Greens on the Health Care (Acquisition of Property) Amendment Bill. Under current legislation the government can acquire...

National Energy Laws (Regulatory Sandboxing)

17 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise on behalf of the Greens to speak on the Statutes Amendment (National Energy Laws) (Regulatory Sandboxing) Bill. This bill, as part of the...

National Energy Laws (Gas Pipelines)

17 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I am speaking today on behalf of the Greens on the Statutes Amendment (Natural Energy Laws) (Gas Pipelines) Bill. The bill before us will simplify...

Dog Theft Amendment Bill

17 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise today to indicate the Greens' support for this bill that will create separate penalties for the theft of dogs. Over recent years, as...

Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Bill

16 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak briefly in favour of the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Bill on behalf of the Greens. In so doing, I want...

Livestock Amendment Bill

15 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise on behalf of the Greens in support of this bill. We recognise that biosecurity is vital to protect our precious environment and our...

Monitoring Orders Bill (Bushfires)

15 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in relation to the monitoring orders bill. The Greens are supportive of this bill. We have seen the devastating effects of...

Reportable deaths under the voluntary assisted dying Bill

15 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to indicate the Greens' support for the Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) (No. 3) Bill. The Greens have been very supportive of voluntary assisted...

Paid Parking Bill Speech

3 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak today on behalf of the Greens in support of the Private Parking Areas (Shopping Centre Parking Areas) Amendment Bill. I do...

Matter of interest: Removing the Lord's Prayer from Parliament

2 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The matter I rise to speak on this afternoon will be important to all those who believe that this parliament should be inclusive and representative...

New Women's and Children's Hospital Bill Speech

1 November 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The Greens welcomed the announcement of a new Women's and Children's Hospital last month. Indeed, the need for a replacement for the tired Women's and Children's...

National Electricity law (Consumer Data Rights) Amendment Bill Speech

20 October 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I also rise in support of the bill on behalf of the Greens. Giving consumers better information regarding their electricity is a key element of...

Heritage Listing the Parklands (Bill Passes the Upper House)

20 October 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Given some time has passed since we dealt with this bill, I will just briefly summarise the history behind this. The Adelaide Parklands were established...

Vacant Land Amendment Bill

19 October 2022 I rise to speak on the Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Use of Vacant Land) Amendment Bill. In 2017, my predecessor, Mark Parnell, brought a similar bill to this one,...

Russian Assets Amendment Bill

18 October 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise on behalf of the Greens to speak in support of this bill. I should say from the outset that it is my assumption that...

Amendments to the Mental Health Act

18 October 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak on the Statutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio and Other Justice Measures) Bill, which amends 14 acts within the Attorney-General's portfolio and two acts...

Matter of Interest: Second Tower at Festival Plaza

28 September 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The matter I rise to speak on this afternoon is one that will be of importance to all those South Australians who value our open public...

Council Amalgamations

27 September 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak on behalf of the Greens on the Plebiscite (South East Council Amalgamation) Bill 2022. I want to put on the public...

Controlled Substances Pure Amounts Amendment Bill

27 September 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise in support of the Controlled Substances (Pure Amounts) Amendment Bill on behalf of the Greens. As both the Attorney-General and the Hon. Michelle Lensink have...

Bill Restricting the Privatisation of State Assets passes the Upper House!

8 September 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I want to thank all members for their contribution to this debate: the Leader of the Government in this place, the Hon. Kyam Maher; the...

Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

7 September 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in support of the motion moved by my colleague the Hon. Tammy Franks. Ongoing investments in fossil fuels by Australian governments...

Bill to Ban Junk Food Advertising Introduced

7 September 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Food Act 2001. Read a first time. Second Reading The Hon. R.A. SIMMS:...

Bill to Ban Gas Connections to New Homes Introduced

7 September 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Gas Act 1997. Read a first time. Second Reading The Hon. R.A. SIMMS:...

Ministerial Diaries Bill Passes Upper House

7 July 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I want to thank members for their contributions: the Hon. Kyam Maher, the Hon. Michelle Lensink and the Hon. Frank Pangallo. I am very disappointed...

Car Racing in the Park Lands

7 July 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in relation to the South Australian Motor Sport (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill. Before doing so, I want to put on the public...

Tackling the Rental Crisis in SA

6 July 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak on the Residential Tenancies (Rent Control) Amendment Bill. This bill seeks to limit rent in line with CPI to protect renters...

Better Conditions for SA Power Workers

6 July 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in support of the hundreds of SA power workers who are fighting for better pay and conditions. These workers have been...

Cross Border Commissioner Bill Amendments

14 June 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The member for Mount Gambier's ears will well and truly be burning this afternoon. He has been the subject of a riveting debate. In the...

Establishing the Public and Active Transport Committee

01 June 2022 Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. R.A. Simms: 1. That a select committee of the Legislative Council be established to inquire into and report on public and active transport...

Private Mines Amendment Bill Reintroduced

01 June 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The bill that I am moving today, the Mining (Environmental Impact of Private Mines) Amendment Bill, is an amendment to the Mining Act of 1971....

Ministerial Diaries Amendment Bill Reintroduced

01 June 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The bill that I am introducing today seeks to amend the Freedom of Information Act to require the publication of ministerial diaries. This is a...

The New State Budget

01 June 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise today to talk about the Malinauskas government's first budget. Budgets are a statement of priorities. They reflect what a government wants to achieve...

Cross Border Commissioner for SA

31 May 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise in support of this bill on behalf of the Greens. I recognise that the opposition have amendments and will certainly consider those and...

Climate Emergency Declaration

31 May 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in support of this motion to declare a climate emergency. I will speak to the merits of the motion, but first...

Greens BYO Container Bill Passes Upper House!

19 May 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I would like to thank all members for their thoughtful contributions and for their support of this bill. I would also like to acknowledge the...

Greens Park Lands Heritage Bill Reintroduced

19 May 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in relation to the Heritage Places (Adelaide Park Lands) Amendment Bill, and I will keep this brief; I am conscious that...

Public Health Bill: COVID-19 Direction Accountability and Oversight

19 May 2022 ROBERT SIMMS MLC: This is the amendment to establish the SA public health COVID-19 Direction Accountability and Oversight Committee. The intention behind this amendment is to ensure that there...

Bill to Restrict the Privatisation of State Assets

18 May 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in relation to the State Assets (Privatisation Restrictions) Bill. This bill seeks to prevent the sale, disposal or lease of certain...

Public Health (COVID-19) Amendment Bill

17 May 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak on the South Australian Public Health (COVID-19) Amendment Bill on behalf of the Greens. The Greens are supportive of this legislation,...

Importance of the Greens in Federal Parliament

4 May 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak about the important choices facing the people of South Australia and our nation later this month. On 21 May, South Australians...

Welcome to the New Parliament

3 May 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Thank you, Mr. President, and I congratulate you on your elevation to the role. I just wanted to rise very briefly on behalf of the...

Liberals' COVID Incompetence

9 February 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I want to start by acknowledging the excellent work of the people involved in this committee, obviously my colleague the Hon. Tammy Franks and the...

No Mines In Mount Lofty Watershed

9 February 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak on the Mining (Prohibition of Mining in Mount Lofty Ranges Watershed) Amendment Bill. This bill seeks to prohibit mining operations in...

Heritage Protection for the Park Lands

8 February 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I want to thank members for their contributions. I acknowledge the contribution of the Hon. Emily Burke, the contribution of the Hon. Frank Pangallo and...

Protection for Martindale Hall and SA Heritage

8 February 2022 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I want to use this opportunity to put on the record the Greens' opposition to this bill, the proposal from the Marshall government that Martindale...

World AIDS Day

01 December 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise in support of the motion moved by my colleague the Hon. Tammy Franks. This year's World AIDS Day marks 40 years since the...

Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility

01 December 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The Young Offenders (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Amendment Bill was introduced by my predecessor, the Hon. Mark Parnell, early last year. The bill raises the...

Disclosure of Ministerial Diaries

01 December 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in relation to the bill requiring the disclosure of ministerial diaries. This bill is a basic transparency measure to allow the...

Adelaide Parklands State Heritage Bill

01 December 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The bill that I rise to speak on today seeks to include the Adelaide Parklands on the state's heritage list. The Adelaide Parklands, established in...

SA Greens State Election Initiatives 2022

01 December 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak on the important choice that South Australian voters will face in the new year. Voters, of course, face two choices, not...

Code of Conduct Amendment

18 November 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I move to amend proposed new standing order 455B: After 'Code of Conduct', first appearing, insert 'and should a Member wilfully contravene the Code, the...

Voting Age Amendment

18 November 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I move: Amendment No 1 [Simms–1]— Page 3, after line 11 [clause 4, before subclause (1)]—Insert: (a1) Section 4(1), definition of elector—delete '18 years' and...

Opposition to the Sun Tax

17 November 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I will speak very briefly, because I am conscious that we have a lot to get through tonight. I will not reprosecute the arguments, but...

Fighting to Protect Our Parklands

17 November 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I thank the Hon. Frank Pangallo for his support, and I express regret at the position of the Labor and Liberal parties. They often have...

Select Committee on Privatisation in SA Hands Down Report

17 November 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I move: That the report of the select committee be noted. Very briefly, the privatisation committee was established back in May and handed down its...

Equal Opportunity Commissioner's Independent Review

16 November 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The Greens are also supportive of this report and the recommendations. In particular, I want to put on record our support for the code of...

Stealthing and Consent Bill

16 November 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The Greens also support this bill, and in so doing I want to commend the Hon. Connie Bonaros for her leadership on this issue in...

Electric Vehicles Tax

28 October 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The lively debate has begun. I am bitterly disappointed to see that it appears the government have cobbled together the numbers to put this tax...

Independent Speaker Bill

28 October 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise in support of this bill. This is an opportunity to reform our parliamentary democracy. These opportunities do not come along very often. The...

Climate Change Conference Proposal

27 October 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: In summing up, I do want to thank the honourable members for their contributions. I thank the Hon. Ian Hunter and recognise his work as...

Impacts of Off Road Vehicles on Beaches

27 October 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak on the escalating damage that inappropriate off-road vehicle usage is doing to our coastal environment and our ecosystems in South Australia....

Adelaide Park Lands Amendment Bill

27 October 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Planning, Development and Infrastructure (Adelaide Park Lands) Amendment Bill seeks to amend...

Government Advertising

26 October 2021 Hon Robert Simms: Mr Chairman, before commenting on the detail of the amendment that is before you, I will respond to the tabling of the letter from the Auditor-General...

Christmas Day Amendment Bill

26 October 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I also rise in support of this bill. In doing so I want to begin by praising my colleague the Hon. Tammy Franks MLC for...

Violence Against Women

14 October 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise on behalf of the Greens to speak in favour of this very important motion, and in so doing I want to reflect, as...

Electoral Reform Amendments

14 October 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak in support of the electoral reform bill, with some caveats. I understand the Labor Party will be moving some amendments to...

Corflute Ban

12 October 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise in support of this bill on behalf of the Greens. In so doing, I recognise that, as is the case with all political...

Protecting Our Park Lands

22 September 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I move: That this council— Notes that the site proposed by the state government for a ‘Riverbank Arena’, Helen Mayo Park (Park 27), is designated...

Private Mines Amendment Bill

8th September 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: This bill relates to the regulation of private mines and seeks to impose a similar regulation for private mines to other mines. By way of...

#GoToTown Campaign

8th September 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak on the government's #GoToTown campaign, which was announced last week. In the Premier's own words: South Australians are being invited...

COVID-19 Emergency Response (No. 3)

7th September 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: If it pleases the Chair, I will make some general remarks about the three amendments in their totality rather than standing up and speaking on...

Retail Trading Hours

26 August 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I welcome the opportunity to also put on the public record my opposition to this push to deregulate shop trading hours in South Australia. As...

Vice Chancellors' Salary Cap Bill

25 August 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Flinders University Act 1966, the University of Adelaide Act 1971 and the University...

State Budget 2021

23 June 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak on the Marshall government's budget and the failure of that budget to deal with the climate crisis and to deal with...

Local Government Review Amendments

10 June 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I just want to very briefly speak in favour of these amendments. I think this has been an example of what this house of parliament...

Gas Infrastructure

9 June 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to amend the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016. Read a first time. Second Reading The Hon....

Covid -19 Permanent Measures Bill

8 June 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I welcome the opportunity to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on South Australia. It really goes without saying that we have been very lucky...

St Kilda Mangroves Destruction

27 May 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak briefly in support of this motion, but particularly in condemnation of the way the two ministers, the Minister for Energy and...

Bill: Walking and Cycling Commissioner

26 May 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The purpose of this bill is to establish a walking and cycling commissioner to encourage walking and cycling as modes of travel; promote the health, environmental,...

Mel Justice Memorial Speech

26 May 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise to speak about the passing of a respected community leader: Mel Justice, the Principal of Aldinga Beach Primary. Mel passed away suddenly on the...

Extending the COVID-19 Moratorium on Rental Evictions

13 May 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The Greens have a number of questions that we will be asking in relation to this bill in committee. My colleague the Hon. Tammy Franks has...

Green Open Spaces

12 May 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I thank the Labor Party for their support of this disallowance. While this is my first time speaking to this disallowance in former member, the Hon. Mark...

IDAHOBIT

12 May 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I rise in support of this motion and I thank the Hon. Ian Hunter MLC for putting this forward for the chamber's consideration. May 17 is International...

Disclosure of Donations

11 May 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: If it pleases you, Chair, I will make some general remarks about the thrust of a series of these amendments because they all relate to the...

Transparency in Local Government Elections

11 May 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I move: Amendment No 1 [Simms–1]— Page 98, after line 25—After clause 180 insert: 180A—Amendment of heading to Part 14 Heading to Part 14—after 'donations'...

Voluntary Assisted Dying

5 May 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important reform—voluntary assisted dying legislation. I thank the Hon. Kyam Maher for putting this on the agenda and...

Cuts to Hutt St Centre and Catherine House

5 May 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: The matter I rise to speak on this afternoon is one of real importance to South Australians who care about the most vulnerable in our community,...

First Speech

4 May 2021 The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Thank you, Mr President, and thank you, Treasurer, for yourkind words. I want to start by acknowledging the traditional owners of this land, the Kaurna...