thursday, 14 november 1996financial statements for 1995-96— q invest limited q invest retirement...

14 Nov 1996 Papers 4107

THURSDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 1996

Mr SPEAKER (Hon. N. J. Turner, Nicklin)read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m.

PETITIONS

The Clerk announced the receipt of thefollowing petitions—

Police Staffing, Mackay

From Mr Cooper (154 signatories)requesting the House to significantly increasethe number of police officers in the City ofMackay.

Gun Control Laws

From Mr Littleproud (12 signatories)requesting the House to explain why itconsiders that the nation's law-makers have aclear and urgent duty to legislate against thelawful owners of firearms in Queensland inorder to fulfil an obligation to the FederalGovernment instead of pursuing a royalcommission into the Port Arthur incident.

Karawatha Forest

From Mr Robertson (287 signatories)requesting the House to select an alternativeroute so that no rail line is constructed throughKarawatha Forest, thus protecting an arealisted on the Register of National Estate,avoiding irreparable damage to landpurchased by the Queensland Governmentand Brisbane City Council specifically topreserve its environmental values and alsopreserving the habitat of two rare frog specieswhich will otherwise be destroyed.

Petitions received.

PAPERS

The following papers were laid on thetable—

(a) Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister forthe Arts (Mrs Sheldon)—

Queensland Art Gallery—Annual Reportfor 1995-96

Financial Statements for 1995-96—

Q Invest Limited

Q Invest Retirement Fund

(b) Minister for Families, Youth andCommunity Care (Mr Lingard)—

Annual Reports for 1995-96—

Department of Families, Youth andCommunity Care

Intellectually Disabled CitizensCouncil of Queensland

Aboriginal Co-ordinating Council

(c) Minister for Police and CorrectiveServices and Minister for Racing (MrCooper)—

Department of Police—Annual Report for1995-96

Queensland Police Service—StatisticalReview 1995-96

(d) Minister for Economic Development andTrade and Minister Assisting the Premier(Mr Slack)—

The State of Queensland and Sun MetalsCorporation Pty Ltd—Townsville RefineryAgreement

(e) Minister for Tourism, Small Business andIndustry (Mr Davidson)—


Department of Tourism, SmallBusiness and Industry

Queensland Tourist and TravelCorporation

(f) Minister for Environment (MrLittleproud)—


Department of Environment

National Trust of Queensland

(g) Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheriesand Forestry (Mr Perrett)—


36th Report of the Brisbane MarketAuthority

Timber Research and DevelopmentAdvisory Council of Queensland

(h) Minister for Local Government andPlanning (Mrs McCauley)—


Department of Local Governmentand Planning

Local Government GrantsCommission on Financial Assistancefor Local Government

Office of the Local GovernmentCommissioner

Trustees of the Local Government DebtRedemption Fund—Operating Statementfor 1995-96

(i) Minister for Natural Resources (MrHobbs)—

Mt Isa Water Board—Annual Report for1995-96

4108 Ministerial Statement 14 Nov 1996

(j) Minister for Transport and Main Roads (MrJohnson)—


Logan Motorway Company Limited

Queensland Motorways Limited andits Controlled Entities

Sunshine Motorway CompanyLimited

The Gateway Bridge CompanyLimited

Department of Transport

(k) Minister for Public Works and Housing (MrConnor)—

Queensland Building Service Authority—Annual Report for 1995-96.

Mr LINGARD: I will table the annualreport of the Island Co-ordinating Council for1995-96 immediately the financial statementsassociated with that report have been certifiedby the Auditor-General.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Heiner Documents

Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (SurfersParadise—Premier) (9.36 a.m.), by leave:Honourable members will recall that on 10October 1996, I tabled copies of a report of aninvestigation by Mr Morris, QC, and Mr Howardinto allegations by Mr Kevin Lindeberg, MrGordon Harris and Mr John Reynolds. Theseallegations related to some of the mostnotorious and controversial whistleblowercases in recent Australian history. They werethe subject of ongoing debate both within thisState and federally, and led to theestablishment of a Senate inquiry.

They were matters that attractedconsiderable community and professionalinterest, and warranted appropriateinvestigation. It was for that reason that thetwo senior barristers were briefed to advise.The report they presented, and which I tabled,raised many important issues. So far as theLindeberg allegations are concerned, thebarristers found that it was open to beconcluded that certain criminal offences mayhave been committed by various publicservants and possibly by a previous CabinetMinister. The potential liability of the first GossCabinet in authorising the shredding of theHeiner documents was also considered.

The barristers recommended that theconsequences of the shredding of the Heinerdocuments and subsequent actions byrelevant people were so serious that there wasa need to hold a full public inquiry. The

barristers outlined at some length the reasonsthey believed warranted this course of action.

Mr Fouras: When are you going to startgoverning?

Mr BORBIDGE: What is the LaborParty covering up—"Shreddergate". Theyshould be ashamed of themselves.

I informed this House when I tabled thereport that a submission would be taken toCabinet to determine what further action wouldbe taken. It was mistakenly assumed bysome, including honourable membersopposite, that this Government wouldautomatically establish a public inquiry.However, as I indicated on 10 October, thisquestion would be carefully considered and Inow wish to inform the House whatdevelopments have occurred since that time.Opposition members should listen; they maylearn something.

Both the Attorney-General and I wereconcerned that, before any public inquiry wasestablished, certain critical threshold questionshad to be determined. We are cognisant ofthe importance of ensuring that due process isrespected and that rights of all people, bothwhistleblowers and those about whom thewhistle has been blown, are protected. Forthat reason, I can now inform the House thatthe Minister for Justice and Attorney-Generalhas written to the Director of PublicProsecutions seeking his advice on thefollowing issues—

1. The proper interpretation of section129 of the Criminal Code, whichdeals with the destruction ofevidence required in a judicialproceeding;

2. whether the material disclosed todate would justify the bringing of anycharges as suggested by thebarristers;

3. if the material disclosed to datewould not enable the director to forma firm opinion, what investigationsnow should be held, and how shouldthey be conducted, to enable thedirector to form such an opinion; and

4. whether an inquiry established underthe Commissions of Inquiry Act wouldprejudice the commencement ofappropriate proceedings and, if not,the director's advice on the properterms of reference of that inquiry.

In short, this Government is absolutelycommitted to ensuring that all proper mattersare considered and that the rights of all peopleaffected by this sorry chapter in our State's

14 Nov 1996 Ministerial Statement 4109

history are given due weight. There will not beany knee-jerk reaction to set up an inquiry andevery effort is being made to ensure that thismatter is handled in a professional, apoliticaland proper manner.

This Government will not engage in thetype of political victimisation that the GossGovernment became notorious for. Butalthough the director has been given allmaterial which this Government has access to,he still will not have access to the Cabinetdocuments that the Leader of the Oppositionrefused to allow Mr Morris and Mr Howard toview.

I again point out to the House what thebarristers said in their report about this refusalby the Leader of the Opposition to cooperate.They said—

"Mr Beattie's decision has had theconsequence that we are unable toresolve the question whether members ofState Cabinet may have committedcriminal offences, or may have committed'official misconduct' within the meaning ofthe Criminal Justice Act by theirparticipation in the decision to destroy theHeiner documents." Mr Fouras: Are you a desperado? How

desperate can you get?

Mr BORBIDGE: The Opposition cansolve this problem today. The reportcontinues—

"As matters stand that issue can onlybe resolved by a public inquiry which hasaccess to relevant Cabinet documentsand which can take testimony frommembers of State Cabinet whoparticipated in that decision on 5 March1990."

If the Leader of the Opposition and hiscolleagues are genuine in stating that there isno need for a public inquiry into the"Shreddergate" fiasco, now is their opportunityto put into action what they have so loudlyproclaimed. Once again, I ask the Leader ofthe Opposition: are you prepared to allowaccess to the relevant Cabinet documents,this time by the Director of PublicProsecutions, to enable him to carry out hisduties? If the Labor Party is genuine aboutthis matter, and has nothing to hide or fear,then allow this independent law officer to dohis duty fully and properly by giving him freeaccess to this material. This issue has beenshrouded in secrecy and counterclaims sincethe beginning. Let us lift the curtain on thischapter of our history and allow anindependent law officer who is beholden to no-

one to provide the advice that he has beenasked to give.

Members opposite were loud in theirpraise of this office during the debate on thePublic Service Bill. They pointed out thecentral and independent role of this office. TheGovernment agrees with this analysis of therole of the Director of Public Prosecutions, andthat is why he has been briefed in the mannerI have outlined. All I say is that, in carrying outhis task, he should receive full cooperationfrom all interested parties, and that includesthe Australian Labor Party.


Suncorp/Metway/QIDC Merger Hon. J. M. SHELDON (Caloundra—Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister forThe Arts) (9.42 a.m.), by leave: The final majormilestone in the merger of Suncorp, the QIDCand Metway Bank was successfully completedyesterday with the extraordinary generalmeeting of Metway shareholders. Thatmeeting unanimously endorsed the mergerproposal. That result adds to the weight ofopinion that the merger will produce a solidnew financial services group with strongearnings and growth prospects. The mergerhas been endorsed by two sets ofindependent experts: by the market, and nowformally by Metway shareholders. It is themost significant development in the State'sfinancial services sector since the formation ofthe State Government Insurance Office itselfin 1916. There can be no denying that it is themost innovative strategy adopted by any StateGovernment in divesting itself of banking andinsurance businesses.

Labor State Governments elsewherewaited until a financial crisis forced a fire sale,the prime objective of which was to cut thehuge losses borne by the taxpayers in thoseStates. By contrast, Suncorp and the QIDC,like the Commonwealth Bank, are healthyfinancial institutions. The introduction of privateequity and the exit of the Government fromdirect ownership and control maximises thevalue of these businesses and gives themmuch stronger growth prospects. The mergeris the best result all round—for Metwayshareholders, for Queensland taxpayers andfor the staff and customers of all threeorganisations.

The vote by Metway shareholders clearsthe way for the merger to proceed on 1December and marks the beginning of a newera as the Government steps back and theindependent board takes over the reins of


Queensland's largest listed company. Themerged group will be the major player in theQueensland financial market and is likely tohave a major influence on the development ofthe State's economy. The merged group hasa promising and exciting future, and it isincumbent upon us all to put aside partisanviews and to wish every success to thisimportant new Queensland enterprise.

I am privileged to have carriedresponsibility for this merger. Its success is ashowcase for the coalition Government andour capacity to deliver initiatives vital to thefuture of this State. In eight months, the futureof the Queensland banking, insurance andfinance sectors, which were under grave threatas a result of the proposed St George Banktakeover of Metway, has been restored. Morethan this, we have created a marketleader—an entity with strong interests in bothbanking and insurance sectors. This is the wayof the future in Australian finance and, as aresult of this merger, Queensland has stolenthe march on every other State. Thecombined Metway/Suncorp entity will beblazing a financial trail.

Because of the synergies created inpursuing its unique allfinanz strategy, andbecause of the critical mass achieved bycombining Metway, Suncorp and the QIDC,this new entity has huge potential. In the shorttime afforded the market to assess thepotential of the combined group, we haveseen a spectacular endorsement from sharebuyers. My feeling is that we have only justscratched the surface. As the value of thepotential synergies becomes apparent, and asthe new entity begins to realise its potentialthrough growth and a very strong competitiveposition, the price of shares in the new entitywill continue to advance.

Because of its unique structure, thisregional-based entity will be in a position tooutperform the big four, and I congratulate allthose who have contributed so much to itsbirth. In particular, I would like to mention theefforts of the Under Treasurer, DougMcTaggart, Deputy Under Treasurer, MarkGray, and the members of the Treasury taskforce, Jon Grayson, Tony Bellas, VanessaFernandes and Therese Bennetts. I wouldalso like to mention the contribution of thelegal advisers, Allen Allen and Hemsley, taxadvisers Arthur Andersen, financial advisersSBC Warburg, and communicationsconsultants Turnbull Fox Phillips.

In the broking field, the project has hadexcellent support from its broking leadmanagers, Morgans, Wilson HTM and

JB Were and Son. The boards and seniormanagement of all institutions have workedhard and demonstrated their capacity to worktogether. I thank the CEOs, Bernard Rowley,Stephen Van Der Mye and Greg Moynihan. Inclosing, I thank Frank Haly and the board ofMetway, Norm Fussell and the board of QIDC,and Martin Kriewaldt and the board ofSuncorp.


Queensland Treasury Corporation;Queensland Economy; Ms P. Hanson

Hon. J. M. SHELDON (Caloundra—Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister forThe Arts) (9.47 a.m.), by leave: I have justreturned from an intensive delegation onbehalf of the Queensland TreasuryCorporation throughout South East Asia.During the tour, I met with almost 30 differentmajor investment houses, ranging from theAsia Development Bank in Manilla to theUnited Overseas Bank in Singapore, and theJapanese Nikko Securities Co. and the HongKong Monetary Authority in Hong Kong.

The purpose of the delegation, whichincluded Under Treasurer Doug McTaggart,QTC Chairman Sir Leo Hielscher and QTCchief executive Stephen Rochester, was toinform these major international investors thatQueensland's economy was going fromstrength to strength. Each of our delegationsstressed the underlying strength of theQueensland economy, the net asset positionof the State at $51 billion, and the constructiveand far-reaching economic policies of the newcoalition Government. We received anextremely positive response from all privateinvestors, institutions and securities dealers.QTC borrowings on behalf of the StateGovernment, its Government ownedenterprises and local authorities for the currentyear are expected to be about $4.1billion—similar to last year. The delegationvisited Singapore, Hong Kong and Manilla.Those I met with are all pursuing opportunitiesto invest in Queensland.

My discussions with investors in Asia haveindicated a strong demand for investmentopportunities in Queensland because of theState's strong fiscal position and history offavourable economic growth. The trip hasproved a major vote of confidence in thecoalition Government's commitment to theresponsible financial management of theState's finances, the cornerstone of which isthe coalition's first State Budget.


It may surprise those opposite, but thosewe met with in Asia were also keenlyinterested in the State Government's decisionto merge Metway, Suncorp and the QIDC.Asian investors and financial intermediarieshave endorsed the Queensland Government'sdecision to withdraw from the direct ownershipand control of financial services businesses.They view this as a positive factor for theState's financial position. In addition, theybelieve that the creation of a major financialinstitution in Queensland is a demonstration ofthe maturing of the State's economy, whichhas consistently outperformed the rest ofAustralia. The coalition's commitment toretaining the State's AAA credit rating was alsogenerating millions of dollars for essentialservices by cutting interest payment costs onthe Government's annual loan program.

Our delegation in Asia was also lobbiedby major financial institutions offering a rangeof loan opportunities at favourable interestrates. This is where the State's AAA creditrating translates into real savings forQueensland taxpayers. For example, $1 billionraised at savings achieved on Queensland'slatest issues would mean savings in interest of$3m for each year of the three-year loan. Thatmoney goes back into the Queenslandeconomy. The delegation followed a similartrip to Japan in June in which the QTC wasvery well received.

All this is very positive news forQueensland, and Queenslanders should beproud of how highly regarded the State as awhole, and the QTC in particular, is in Asianinvestment circles. However, there was onlyone disturbing element of the trip. Thatelement was the so-called Pauline Hansonfactor. I am extremely sorry to report that, onseveral occasions, particularly in Singapore,concerns were raised about Pauline Hanson'scomments and support for her within Australia.Singaporean investors stated that they hadheard disturbing reports from Queensland ofracial vilification of Singaporean residents overthe last few months. In particular, Singaporeanstudents studying in Queensland had beenthe victims of racial abuse since Ms Hansonraised her ugly and divisive views. Thankfully,on behalf of the Queensland Government, Iwas able to put to rest the fears of those I metabout the Queensland people. I stated, in nouncertain terms, that Pauline Hanson did notrepresent the majority, or close to the majority,of Queenslanders. I stated that her views werevehemently opposed and rejected by theQueensland Government and Queenslandersin general. I stated strongly thatQueenslanders were not racists, and that the

Queensland people welcomed tourists,immigrants and investors from all over theworld.

Mr Hamill interjected.

Mr Beattie interjected.

Mrs SHELDON: I have not heard eitherMr Hamill or Mr Beattie in any way speakingout against Ms Hanson.

It is all too easy for a person in MsHanson's position to push the populistbuttons—to prey on emotive issues withoutany responsibility. It is all too easy to makewild, headline-grabbing claims and then walkaway without justifying your position. And,unfortunately, it is all too easy to portray anational and international image ofQueensland and Australia which is at oddswith reality. Pauline Hanson has pushed theemotive, headline-grabbing issues without anythought of the short and long-term damagethat her thoughtless grandstanding can, andwill, cause. What is vital is that we ensure thatour Asian neighbours also understand that herviews in no way represent the mainstream ofAustralia. I am happy to say that those I metwith in Asia now understand that, but there isstill much work to do to ensure thatQueensland's great reputation as a tourism,business and investment centre for Asia is notirrevocably destroyed.

Finally, it must be pointed out thatQueensland had 12,000 overseas students in1995—15 per cent of the Australian total. Ahuge percentage of these were Asian. Thesestudents brought in a total of $267m forQueensland in 1995, and that is expected torise to $325m this year. Queensland isAustralia's gateway to Asia. We stand tobenefit greatly through tourism and investmentfrom Asia. I can only endorse previouscomments by the Premier following his returnfrom China and state that the Queenslandcoalition Government totally and unreservedlyrejects Ms Hanson's destructive views andwelcomes continued close ties with our Asianneighbours.


Police Statistical Review

Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest—Minister for Police and Corrective Services andMinister for Racing) (9.53 a.m.), by leave: Ihave today tabled the Police Statistical Reviewfor 1995-96. The review provides statisticaldata of higher quality and therefore of greateruse to policy makers and social researchersthan ever before because of the advancesmade by the Queensland Police Service in


recent years in improving their technologicalstrength. The service has come into thecomputer age in a big way with the StatewideCrime Recording Information System—CRISP—in December 1994, and theimplementation of a powerful statistical systemearlier this year. This new technology tells usfar, far more—through the statistics in thisreport—about crime and policing in our State,regions, towns and cities than we ever knewbefore.

The technology has allowed us to amassmore information in a far more accurate,relevant and timely way. For the first time, itcontains detailed profiling of both victims andoffenders as well as a breakdown of crimelocations—the site where a criminal offenceoccurred. It gives us the opportunity formeaningful analysis of law and order problemsthat should help make us smarter at findingthe solutions to those problems. It also allowsus to see more clearly and accurately—and,most of all, irrefutably—just how hopelesslymismanaged the Queensland Police Servicewas through the days of incompetent,negligent administration by the Goss regime.

Throughout the six-year reign of thosepeople on the other side of the House,Queensland taxpayers poured over $245mmore into their Police Service. Where thatmoney has gone is a mystery to me. Evenallowing for the cost of implementing much-needed technological change and equally vitalimproved accountability measures followingFitzgerald, how was it that they could almostdouble the Police budget and yet run downoperational service delivery to the degree thatthey did? Everyone else in Queensland knewthat they were not getting the service they hadin the past. Everyone thought crime was out ofcontrol. That is why the community was soangry that groups of citizens were prepared tobecome involved through NeighbourhoodWatch, Crime Stoppers and other communitypolicing, crime preventing initiatives. That iswhy those who have become maligned as theConcerned Citizens of Mundingburra wereprepared to put their own time and money intoactively lobbying the political process for abetter Police Service. They were among the270,611 Queenslanders who, in the last year,had first-hand bitter experience of criminalactivity, either as assaults or robberies orbreak-ins. They had had enough.

They had had enough in the same wayas the serving police officers of this State hadhad enough. Academics repeatedly told us allthat the statistics did not show any alarmingrise in the rate of crime per head ofpopulation, even allowing for unreported

crime. And they were right. But the statistics intoday's review tell us that, although there wasa significant increase in the number ofoffences as one might expect with increasedpopulation, in virtually every town and city inthe State—some exceptions are Longreachand Dalby where the population has dropped,and Ipswich where they have pro-actively andaggressively pursued a safe city communitypolicing strategy—but in almost every othertown and city, rising crime was accompaniedby a drop in police numbers or an increasethat lagged way behind the crime rise.

I have compared the statistics containedin today's review with the previous review,which gives us a picture not just of 1994 and1995 but also of 1993. It is a snapshot of thelast three years, the years when, under thesick administration of the member for Kedron,we poured all that money into our PoliceService. This is what we got: while they keptlying about how they had increased policenumbers long after they had stoppedincreasing police numbers, we actually had adrop in numbers of 79 between 1993 and1995. Over the past three years, we have hada miserable 0.55 increase in police numbers.At the same time, offences against the personrose by 19.9 per cent, while offences againstproperty went up 10.8 per cent. On the GoldCoast, police numbers dropped by almost 12per cent, while crimes against people rose 7.3per cent and crimes against property went up12.8 per cent. In Cairns, they had an increaseof 20.5 per cent in crimes against people and4 per cent in property crimes. The policeserving them increased by 1.6 per cent.

On the Sunshine Coast, policing staff fellby 7.9 per cent while offences against personsand property went up a staggering 55 per centand 40.8 per cent respectively. In Gladstone,the Independent member will probably not besurprised to learn that her city lost five police,dropping from 87 to 82 officers, while crimesagainst people went up 57 per cent andcrimes against property went up 24 per cent.

In academic speak, perhaps the crimerate was not "out of control", but the memberfor Kedron's mismanagement most certainlywas. He expected virtually exactly the samenumber of police to cope with those massiveincreases of 29 per cent in crimes committedupon people and 10.8 per cent against theirproperty. No wonder serving police weretearing their hair out. No wonder, when all theirattempts to get the then Minister, the memberfor Kedron, to even listen to them failed, theyturned to the coalition. No wonder they wereseeking help, just as the community wasdemanding action. It was the just grievances


of those overburdened, stressed out men andwomen that I was trying to address in thememorandum of understanding, which, to thisday, I regard as simply an acknowledgment oftheir problems and an assurance that I wouldlisten to them and try to find the answers tothose problems—problems evident not only tothem but also to the community. For that, Ihave been persecuted for the past ninemonths. No-one has attacked me moreviciously or personally than that fraud acrossthe Chamber who sat and fiddled and grew fatwhile our Police Service burned and ourcommunities suffered—suffered from hisneglect and incompetence.

The statistics contained in this review,which has been tabled, absolutely validate thefindings of the Queensland Police Servicereview headed by Sir Max Bingham. Withouteven the benefit of this data, that finecommittee identified significant problems withthe management of the Queensland PoliceService, problems which were seriouslyimpacting on the effectiveness of its servicedelivery. They were particularly critical of thestaffing model, and today's figures showclearly that the staffing model simply does notwork. A Police Service staffing model whichgives us so few police to deal with suchincreased crime is not worth the paper it iswritten on. The Bingham review told us we hada Police Service that was clean, a PoliceService that has vastly improved both itsaccountability and its technological capacity.But it also told us that we had a Police Servicethat needed critical attention to make itefficient and effective in the way it uses itsvastly increased budget.

I made a commitment in Opposition to doeverything in my power to assist in deliveringthat critical attention. I see the Bingham reviewand the subsequent report as the blueprint fordelivering that efficiency and effectiveness tothe operational services of the QueenslandPolice. The coalition Government will do it notjust through increasing the number of policebut, just as importantly, by improving theirprofessionalism and making a genuinecommitment to community policing initiativesand crime prevention strategies. The reviewjust tabled and all the information it containswill assist enormously in intelligentlyaddressing those issues as we implement therecommendations of the Bingham report. Icommend the review to all members.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTNatural Gas

Hon. D. J. SLACK (Burnett—Ministerfor Economic Development and Trade and

Minister Assisting the Premier) (10.01 a.m.), byleave: I would like to inform honourablemembers of the progress of the StateGovernment's plan to offer energy alternativesto the people of Queensland to delivercheaper power and to ensure a continuity ofgas supply for industrial and domesticconsumers.

The Government is committed to meetingthe energy needs of this State. Great progresshas been made to harness our natural gasresources and to pipe this gas to the regionalareas of the State at a competitive andrealistic rate for all users. Central to thisstrategy, as honourable members would beaware, is the private sector's involvement inthe construction, ownership and operation ofthe pipelines.

Just three weeks ago, Tenneco, whichwas selected to construct the south-westQueensland to Wallumbilla pipeline,announced that it was in the process of watertesting the completed pipeline. I can informhonourable members that, if these tests aresuccessful, the pipeline will be carrying gas toBrisbane by early next year.

Preferred developer AGL is currentlyworking on environmental impact studiestowards the construction of a natural gaspipeline from south-west Queensland toMount Isa. The company has placed an orderfor steel pipes worth $50m. The StateGovernment is moving to acquire a transportinfrastructure corridor in which AGL will be thefirst licensed user.

For consumers in the far north, thisGovernment is working to facilitate a schemeto bring natural gas from Papua New Guineaacross Torres Strait to the Queenslandmainland. It is likely that a decision on theproject will be made within 12 months, basedon a recent decision that Chevron will takeover investigations for the development of asingle gas pipeline, carrying natural gas tonorth Queensland.

Gas consumers in central and southernQueensland are also set to benefit from theprovision of new gas distribution franchises inthe Sunshine Coast and Gympie, and newfranchises are expected for Bundaberg andMaryborough. The relative environmentalcleanliness of natural gas must be animportant consideration in offering energychoices to residents and industry throughoutQueensland. Reforms in the energy marketunder the Council of Australian Governmentsprocess will enhance the efficiency of gas andelectricity industries and bring down prices ingeneral for consumers. The availability of


natural gas at a competitive cost for industrywill also be a key factor in attracting majorprojects to our State, creating jobs and wealthfor Queenslanders.

The State Government is committed tothis process and will continue to work toensure industry and Queensland consumersenjoy the benefits of clean, reliable and cost-efficient energy.


Overseas VisitHon. B. W. DAVIDSON (Noosa—

Minister for Tourism, Small Business andIndustry) (10.04 a.m.), by leave: Last month Ivisited New Zealand to meet with tourism andbusiness leaders. While many would expectthat such a visit would have beencommonplace for Queensland TourismMinisters, I was amazed to find that my arrivalin New Zealand was greeted with great relief.

The reason for this relief was that, despiteits status as Queensland's second-largestinternational tourism market, despite the factthat New Zealand provides more than 200,000tourists spending their hard-earned dollars inevery region of our State, no QueenslandTourism Minister has bothered to visit NewZealand in the past three years.

The purpose of my trip was not only toreassure New Zealand wholesalers andretailers that this Government recognises theirefforts to sell Queensland and is committed toworking with them to grow the market evenfurther but also to meet with airline officials.Aside from our own Australian airlines, the keyplayers in developing and growing NewZealand tourism into Queensland are Air NewZealand and charter operator Freedom AirInternational. In the last 12 months, increasedservices through both scheduled and charterairlines have driven the New Zealand marketto such an extent that it is now not only oursecond-largest international market but alsoone of our fastest growing.

This and future development issues werethe basis for discussions at a meetingbetween myself and senior delegates with MrJim McRae, Air New Zealand's generalmanager. The single aviation market recentlyannounced by the Federal Government hascreated enormous opportunities for both NewZealand and Australia in developing tourismbetween our countries. As well, charter airservices are playing an increasingly importantrole in tourism growth from New Zealand intoQueensland.

Freedom Air is bringing seven flights intoCoolangatta over the peak Christmas periodand, since my visit, approval has been givenfor 34 more flights next year. I met withFreedom Air's general manager, Mr RicMacGillicuddy, and his senior staff to assurethem of my continued support for their planswith regard to Queensland. As members ofthe House will recall, I have been quite open inmy support of charter air services and madedirect representations to my Federalcolleagues to ensure approval was given forFreedom's flights.

Mr MacGillicuddy stated quite plainly thatFreedom sees its future based very largelyaround Queensland. And no wonder—thisState offers New Zealanders the best holidayexperiences in the world. Mr MacGillicuddyand I discussed the potential for Freedom tocharter flights to Queensland based aroundspecial events. Our numerous sporting,cultural and social events all possessenormous tourism potential and I amcommitted to ensuring this potential isexploited for the benefit not just of the tourismindustry in Queensland but for allQueenslanders.

I am confident that the combined effortsof this Government, through the QueenslandTourist and Travel Corporation, theQueensland Events Corporation and mydepartment, and airlines and tourismdistributors will see continued growth from NewZealand. Most importantly, however, thisgrowth will reflect this Government's increasingemphasis on diversifying Queensland'stourism appeal through the development ofniche and special-interest markets, particularlyevent and cultural tourism.

This issue was much discussed at atourism industry dinner which I hosted inAuckland. Guests included 16 tourism industryleaders, including major wholesalers andretailers and tourism media. As well, I waspleased to be joined by the Mayor ofHamilton, Margaret Evans, and Australia'sSenior Trade Commissioner, Mr Frank Walsh.

Whilst in New Zealand, I also heldmeetings with two major business investors inQueensland, Lion Nathan Breweries andFisher and Paykel. These meetings provedvaluable in maintaining strong links betweenQueensland and these two important playersin our State's business community. I now tablea copy of my report on this trade mission toNew Zealand.

14 Nov 1996 Criminal Justice Commission 4115

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTFire Blight

Hon. T. J. PERRETT (Barambah—Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries andForestry) (10.08 a.m.), by leave: I am notgoing to be quite as complimentary about NewZealand. Yet again, this State's rural industriesface the serious threat of an outbreak of adevastating new exotic disease. The culpritthis time is New Zealand apples, which carry adeadly bacterial disease known as fire blight.The potential victim is Queensland's $20m ayear apple industry, based on the Granite Belt.

Twice before our Tasman neighbourshave tried to get their apples into our country,despite strong scientific evidence of a real riskof fire blight spreading, with a serious outbreakpredicted to occur within 10 years. Not happywith two knock-backs, late last year NewZealand put a third application up to theAustralian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

What disturbs me the most, as Ministerfor Primary Industries in Queensland, is thesuggestion coming from even within AQISitself that the Australian apple industry is usingquarantine as a trade barrier. Nothing could befurther from the truth; the facts speak forthemselves! New Zealand, along with all otherapple-growing regions of the world, except forSouth Africa and Australia, is infected with fireblight. The disease totally destroys orchardsand growers are forced to use antibiotic spraysto control it. This would be a disaster for ourclean and green image. Australia enjoysmarket advantage in apple export because ofour disease free status.

My department's highly qualified scientistshave studied New Zealand's latest applicationto AQIS and rejected it because of technicaldeficiencies. Put simply, my scientists aretelling me we could not keep fire blight out ofthis country if we let New Zealand apples in.What is more, we have the scientific evidenceto back our stand. If this disease was to get in,it would cost growers and the taxpayers ofQueensland millions and millions of dollars,and even then we would never get rid of it. Iwant to reassure the apple growers ofQueensland that the State coalitionGovernment will do everything possible to stopthis madness.

My department has put together acomprehensive response to New Zealand'sapplication for access to the Australian applemarket. On the basis of science, thissubmission totally and unequivocally rejectsNew Zealand's application. I will work to ensurethat AQIS and the Federal Ministerresponsible, the Honourable John Anderson,

whom I am meeting with in two weeks' time,fully understands our position.

Unlike the Labor Party, the coalitionrecognises the enormous importance ofagriculture to the economy and social fabric ofQueensland. We will fight to ensure it retainsits position as a major economic powerhousefor the State.

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION ANDAUDIT AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2)

Suspension of Standing and SessionalOrders; Remaining Stages;

Abridgment of TimeMr FITZGERALD (Lockyer—Leader of

Government Business) (10.10 a.m.), by leave:I move—

"That so much of Standing andSessional Orders be suspended to enablethe Financial Administration and AuditAmendment Bill (No. 2) to pass throughall its remaining stages at this day'ssitting."

Motion agreed to.

PARLIAMENTARY CRIMINAL JUSTICECOMMITTEE

ReportHon. V. P. LESTER (Keppel)

(10.11 a.m.): I lay upon the table of the Housea report of the Parliamentary Criminal JusticeCommittee titled, "Report on a Review of theCriminal Justice Commission's Report onCannabis and the Law in Queensland". Thereport represents a culmination of extensivereviews conducted by the PCJC. I move thatthe report be printed.

Ordered to be printed.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMISSION

ReportHon. V. P. LESTER (Keppel)

(10.11 a.m.): I lay upon the table of the Housea CJC research paper titled, "Gender andEthics in Policing". While the CJC has aspecific responsibility to table reports in theParliament pursuant to section 22 of theCriminal Justice Act, as the committee haspreviously advised the Parliament there iscurrently no definition of "report" in the Act.The committee believes that it is in the spirit ofthe Criminal Justice Act that all non-confidential publications by the CJC be tabledin the Parliament. Therefore, the document isbeing tabled in accordance with the priorrequest of this committee to that effect.

4116 Private Members' Statements 14 Nov 1996

The committee stresses that it has in noway conducted an inquiry into the matterswhich are the subject of the publication. Thecommittee simply believes that the Parliament,and therefore the people of Queensland,should be informed of all non-confidentialpublications produced by the CJC. Thecommittee also stresses that the CJC hasdetermined that the document is not a reportof the commission for the purposes of section26 of the Criminal Justice Act.

LEGAL, CONSTITUTIONAL ANDADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

COMMITTEE

Report

Mrs GAMIN (Burleigh) (10.12 a.m.): I layupon the table of the House the report of theLegal, Constitutional and AdministrativeReview Committee on its review of theReferendums Bill 1996. I also tablesubmissions received by the committee. Icommend the report to the House.

NOTICES OF MOTION

Election of Mr P. Lucas

Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH(Chatsworth) (10.13 a.m.): I give notice that Ishall move—

"That the Parliament notes theelection of Paul Lucas as the member forLytton."

National Party Betrayal of CountryPeople

Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba)(10.13 a.m.): I give notice that I shall move—

"That this Parliament condemnsNational Party Ministers for betraying thebush by ignoring the needs of the verypeople who voted for them and calls onthe Government to start being aGovernment for all Queenslanders byproviding services where they areneeded."

Council of Australian Governments

Mr ROBERTSON (Sunnybank)(10.14 a.m.): I give notice that I shall move—

"That, in light of evidence ofincreasing racial intolerance and acts ofracial vilification and violence, thisParliament calls on the Prime Minister ofAustralia and the Premiers and chiefMinisters of all Australian States to use

tomorrow's Council of AustralianGovernments meeting in Brisbane toprovide leadership and use this uniqueopportunity to make a unanimous andunequivocal statement calling on allAustralians to stand as one against thosewho intentionally or otherwise seek todivide our nation by their ongoinginsensitive and offensive attacks on fellowAustralians of Aboriginal and Asiandescent."

PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

Carruthers Inquiry Enabling Bill

Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leaderof the Opposition) (10.15 a.m.): Early thismorning, Parliament passed a privatemember's Bill without a division on the secondand third reading to ensure the resumption,protection and completion of the Carruthersinquiry and to ensure Queenslanders gotvalue for the $3.5m already spent on thatinquiry. That Bill was a victory for honesty,integrity and accountability. The Bill has threeeffects: it enables Mr Carruthers to return, if hebelieves he has the support of the entireParliament; it enables the CJC to appointsomeone in his place if Mr Carruthers feelsthat the Government's denigration of hisreputation is irreparable—and I accept thatthat is the most likely outcome; and it offersprotection from interference to the twobarristers currently working on makingrecommendations about any charges arisingfrom the inquiry.

The main point is that there is now noreason why the Carruthers inquiry should notbe completed and a report made. We nowhave an Act to ensure the resumption,protection and completion of the inquiry. ThePremier and Ministers must now demonstratethat they support the resumption, protectionand completion of the inquiry and must endtheir denigration of Mr Carruthers.

Unfortunately, this morning we heard acontinuation of this denigration by Mr Connollyon ABC radio, which now makes him unfit tocontinue. I refer to the comments that thePremier made this morning about theMorris/Howard inquiry and referring it to theDPP. The Government could have done thatright from the beginning without an inquiry.This has cost $400,000.

Mr Schwarten: They could have put itinto police stations.

Mr BEATTIE: They could have put itinto police stations. The Premier shoulddemand today that Mr Morris return the

14 Nov 1996 Private Members' Statements 4117

money. He should demand that the taxpayersof this State have that money effectively used.This report is an absolute waste of taxpayers'money and the Government should get themoney back. Taxpayers are entitled to thatmoney and it should not be wasted.

National Australia Day

Mr HEGARTY (Redlands) (10.17 a.m.):From time to time there is a move towards anational day. The debate then centres aroundwhich is most suitable—Australia Day, AnzacDay or some other day. These days markimportant events which, whether positive ornegative, have helped shape this country'splace in the world. However, Australianscannot generally agree on such matters, butfew would argue that one day surely unites thenation in a positive way.

Whether one is rich or poor, black, whiteor yellow, Melbourne Cup is truly a nation-stopping event. The first Melbourne Cup wasrun in 1861 and the Victoria Governmentgazetted the first Tuesday in November as apublic holiday in 1877, clearly and correctlyrecognising the community's interests in thisevent.

Horseracing has always run deep in ournational psyche. It was our first sport. Whenthe pioneers settled an area, they did threethings: they built a racecourse, a school and achurch, usually in that order. The whole nationhas always stopped for the cup. It is one ofthe quirks of the Australian psyche that on thisone day we become interested in horseracingand gambling, often to ignore them again forthe rest of the year.

I have never condoned excessivegambling, but few could ignore this colourfuland happy event. I believe that, for a numberof reasons, it deserves special recognitionabove and beyond that which it currentlyreceives.

We all know that businesses and manyGovernment activities are rescheduled aroundCup Day activities. Indeed, it is recorded thatthe Federal Parliament took an extra longluncheon adjournment in the 1950s to allowmembers time to listen to the cup. Of course,since the televising of the cup in recentdecades, even more time is devoted to theevent. Many business houses generouslyallow lunch time and afternoon functions tocater for their employees who are interested inthe cup. This is to be applauded.

However, it must be recognised that theseevents have a real economic cost to thecommunity. It is questionable in this day and

age whether many small businesses canafford the luxury of paid time off for such anactivity. I propose not that we stop this positivepractice, but that we recognise its effect. Weshould recognise its positive effect on the spiritof our nation and recognise that theMelbourne Cup is already so entrenched aspart of our culture that its recognition as apublic holiday will go some way towardsnational unity.

Time expired.

Freedom of Information

Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH(Chatsworth) (10.19 a.m.): On Tuesday, Iraised as a matter of privilege an issue inrelation to freedom of information. I asked theDepartment of Public Works and Housing toprovide information on Roma Street rail yardsand said that I had been advised undersection 28 of the Act that they may refuse.The Minister took a point of privilege and saidthat the information that I had asked for wouldfill about two semitrailers. He also said that myrequest would necessitate their supplying thewhole block of archives.

Yesterday, I received a letter from theMinister saying that the department hadidentified 7,500 documents. One can fit 7,500into the two boxes that I am holding. TheMinister would have us believe that one needstwo semitrailers to move these two and a halfboxes of information.

When I was the Minister for Public Worksand Housing, no applications under section 28were ever refused. In fact, some of thoseapplications did not require 7,500 documents;some of them required over 30 documents.

I ask members to read the report whichwas handed down yesterday by theQueensland Information Commissioner. I referhonourable members to pages 28 and 29,and in particular to the following comment—

". . . claims from within the executivebranch of government that the FOI Act,and similar Fitzgerald-inspiredaccountability mechanisms, have 'gonetoo far' and constitute an expensive andinefficient distraction from theperformance of the main tasks ofgovernment, ought to be regarded by theParliament with a healthy scepticism."

The Minister is attempting to cover up hismisleading of the Parliament.

Mr CONNOR: Mr Speaker, I rise to apoint of order. Firstly, I find offensive and askthe member to withdraw his comment that I

4118 Private Members' Statements 14 Nov 1996

am trying to cover up something. Secondly,the member is misleading the House in thatthere were 7,500 documents, not pages. Thatis how much has been found so far.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member willresume his seat. The Minister found theremark offensive. I ask the member towithdraw.

Mr MACKENROTH: That he misled theParliament? Mr Speaker, I am trying to provethat he has misled the Parliament. TheMinister will not let me look at the documents.If he lets me look at the documents and I findthat I am wrong, I will apologise.

Mr CONNOR: Mr Speaker, the memberdid not withdraw.

Mr MACKENROTH: Mr Speaker, I willwithdraw until I get the documents—and I willget them.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member haswithdrawn.

TAFE Queensland—A New Focus:Working Better Together

Mrs GAMIN (Burleigh) (10.22 a.m.):Thanks to the work of my ministerial colleagueSanto Santoro, TAFE Queensland istransforming the way in which it doesbusiness. The initiative TAFE Queensland—ANew Focus: Working Better Together aims tomake TAFE a more competitive trainingprovider and a more responsive employer.One of the main elements of these reforms inTAFE has been to focus on ways to cut redtape and to make the organisation morecompetitive in domestic and internationalmarkets.

In my region, this is certainly having animpact on the directions of the Gold CoastInstitute of TAFE—GCIT. The institute isbuilding a strong reputation for innovation,particularly in international markets. Success ininternational markets will contribute to theprosperity of Queensland and, importantly, willassist to internationalise our own vocationaleducation and training staff and curriculum. Inturn, this enhances TAFE Queensland'sreputation as a provider of high-quality,internationally competitive training productsand services.

The Gold Coast Institute of TAFE hasevery opportunity to expand its internationaloperations. One of the professional cookeryteachers at GCIT, Liz Stokes, was a memberof the TAFE Queensland team which recentlycompeted with such distinction in theprestigious Culinary Olympics. Also, one of the

institute's current international students, BabroSahlin, from Sweden, made it into the finals ofthe RAQ Fashion Awards student designercompetition.

GCIT, together with Griffith University, willbe offering a number of combined awardcourses in 1997 which will allow school leaversto gain a diploma from GCIT and a degreefrom Griffith in just four years. This will combinethe best of both worlds, with the practical andemployment-related studies of TAFEcomplemented by a higher educationqualification.

Time expired.

Giant Steps ProgramMr BREDHAUER (Cook) (10.24 a.m.):

Today I welcome to the gallery of theParliament parents and carers of autisticQueensland children who are protesting overthe Borbidge Government's refusal to goahead with a planned one-year trial of anintensive autism therapy program. Theinnovative Giant Steps program would havehelped autistic Queensland children toimprove their educational opportunities.However, the State Government has dashedthe children's hopes by failing to fund theGiant Steps program, which has proved highlysuccessful overseas and in New South Walesand Tasmania.

The Government's failure to fund theprogram is an indictment of Education MinisterQuinn's lack of responsibility in providingresources for students with disabilities. In aletter to Giant Steps Queensland in April, MrQuinn indicated that a pilot program wouldcommence at the beginning of the 1997school year. However, the Government failedto make any funding allocation in the StateBudget and the program now appears unlikelyto proceed.

The Giant Steps program began inCanada in 1982 and provides intensivetherapy for autistic children. If the childrenrespond well to the therapy, they can often bemoved into mainstream educational facilities.The program operates in New South Walesand Tasmania and moves are under way tointroduce Giant Steps in all other States.

The one-year pilot program proposed forQueensland would have involved 12 autisticchildren under the supervision of localtherapists trained by experienced people flownin from Canada for the purpose. Theorganisation was also negotiating with theEducation Department for access to surplusclassroom space to house the program. Mr

14 Nov 1996 Questions Without Notice 4119

Quinn should demonstrate that he has acommitment to providing educationalopportunities for students with disabilities, inthis case autistic Queensland children, andfund the Giant Steps program immediately.

TAFE Queensland—A New Focus:Working Better Together

Mr RADKE (Greenslopes) (10.25 a.m.):In July of this year, the honourable memberfor Clayfield announced a major initiativeknown as A New Focus: Working BetterTogether to revitalise the TAFE sector inQueensland. The imperative for the initiativearose from the increasingly competitivevocational education and training market andthe need to ensure that TAFE maintains itshigh-quality status as a training provider.

My electorate of Greenslopes forms partof the catchment area for the South BankInstitute of TAFE, and within the electorate theCoorparoo campus is a major centre foraccess and employment programs. TheFaculty of Foundation Studies is located at theCoorparoo campus, where real-life facilitiessuch as the canteen, coffee shop andrestaurant are used for hospitality training.Industry works closely with the faculty toensure that the training provided is relevantand responsive to labour market needs. Forexample, the faculty utilises workplace orenterprise-based teachers and involvesindustry in the production of training manuals.High employment outcomes are achieved. Forexample, up to 60 per cent success rates forpeople with disabilities and up to 72 per centfor others wanting to enter the work force havebeen achieved. Literacy and numeracyprograms are integrated with vocationallybased programs and close links with job clubsand employment agencies are maintained.

The TAFE Queensland initiative aims toimprove working relationships both within theorganisation and externally with industry andlocal communities. The Queen AlexandraHome Community Centre is a focal point withinthe Greenslopes electorate for new andinnovative community cultural, commercial andeducational pursuits. I commend the initiativeof the honourable member for Clayfield andthe processes that he is using in his ministerialinitiative in TAFE to ensure that TAFEQueensland serves the needs of allQueenslanders in the best possible manner.We must all continue to work better together.

Mr P. Connolly, QC

Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga)(10.27 a.m.): Mr Peter Connolly, QC, hasdemonstrated by his conduct that hisappointment to head the commission ofinquiry into the CJC is inappropriate. MrConnolly should resign his commissionforthwith. The Opposition objected to MrConnolly's appointment on the grounds of aconflict of interests in that Mr Connolly hadacted as counsel for Police Minister Cooper inthe Carruthers inquiry. However, that objectionon the grounds of bias——

Mr COOPER: I rise to a point of order.Mr Connolly was not my counsel.

Mr FOLEY: That presentation of anadvice by Mr Connolly, QC, on behalf of MrCooper gave rise to a conflict of interest andan objection on the ground of bias, but sincethen two further actions have fatallycompromised Mr Connolly's position: firstly, hisintemperate criticism of the honourableKenneth Carruthers, QC, whom he describedas childish and paranoid. That wasintemperate to the point of being highlyinappropriate for an independentcommissioner. Secondly, Mr Connolly'sdescent into the arena of political debate onthe radio this morning describing the privatemember's Bill passed by the Parliament aspolitical kafuffle was imprudent, undignifiedand improper. He found himself in the positionof arguing the same political line as his formerclient, Mr Cooper. It was behaviour moreappropriate for a political spin doctor than anindependent commissioner. An independentcommissioner should not be on talkback radioseven hours after the Parliament has passeda Bill. The principle set out by Mr Connolly wasas follows in an article in the March 1995edition of Proctor——

Time expired.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Comments by Mr P. Connolly, QC

Mr BEATTIE (10.30 a.m.): I refer thePremier to Commissioner Connolly's attack onABC radio today describing the privatemember's Bill passed this morning by theParliament as a political kafuffle. I ask: doesthe Premier not agree that Connolly'scomments are a contempt of this Parliamentand that his frequent public attacks on theParliament and the Carruthers inquiry makehim an unfit and improper person to conduct aso-called independent inquiry?

Mr BORBIDGE: No.

4120 Questions Without Notice 14 Nov 1996

Comments by Mr P. Connolly, QC

Mr BEATTIE: I direct a question to theAttorney-General. Given that CommissionerTony Fitzgerald, QC, established strongbipartisan support for the Criminal JusticeCommission, I refer the Attorney-General tomedia comments this morning byCommissioner Peter Connolly, QC, and I ask:in light of Connolly's comments, which arehighly destructive of the Fitzgerald reformprocess and make it impossible for him toconduct an independent inquiry, will theAttorney-General now withdraw hiscommission?

Mr BEANLAND: We have witnessed yetagain today, as we did in the early hours ofthis morning, character assassinations on MrConnolly, QC. We have seen this so oftenfrom members of the Labor Party. If lawyersdo not toe the Labor line, day after day thesecharacter assassinations are attempted. WhenMr Gyles represented "Saint Carmen" at theWestern Australian royal commission, it wasfine then for Labor members to get aroundand praise him. But because he has nowcalled into question and highlighted the bias ofMr Carruthers in relation to a number ofmatters, it is a different story altogether. LaborParty members suddenly started to attack MrGyles, as they are now attacking Mr Connolly.

I heard what Mr Connolly said thismorning. It was totally in order. The Leader ofthe Opposition was the one misleading thepublic this morning, and he knows it. What adreadful misleading exercise he undertook onradio this morning! He had the gall to go onradio this morning and tell the public that theinquiry asked for personal documents and soon. The inquiry asked for no such thing, andthe Leader of the Opposition knows it. Heknows that he misled the public ofQueensland. The inquiry purely asked fordocuments not to be destroyed. Mr Connollyindicated that this morning quite clearly, quiteprecisely.

As I said a number of times last evening,we cannot undo what Mr Carruthers himselfhas largely done. It was Mr Carruthers whothrew in the towel. It was Mr Carruthers whodecided to show bias in relation to this matter.It was Mr Carruthers who decided to leave thisState—not anybody else. It was Mr Carrutherswho decided to create the misconception andmisperception in people's minds. Quite clearly,those things cannot be undone. Severalpeople have phoned me in relation to thismatter. No matter how many pieces oflegislation are put through this Parliament, wecannot undo what has already been done in

relation to this matter. That is what MrConnolly highlighted quite clearly this morning,and I totally agree with that matter.

Again this morning we have seen aneffort by the Opposition to crucify Mr Connollythrough personal attacks. It is Mr Connollytoday; it will be somebody else tomorrow. Theother day it was Mr Hanger; then it was MrGyles. The Opposition is desperate.

Suncorp/Metway/QIDC Merger

Mr CARROLL: I ask the Honourable thePremier to detail the effects of the resolutionsof yesterday's meeting of Metwayshareholders which was called to allow votingon the proposal to merge Metway, Suncorpand the QIDC.

Mr BORBIDGE: In reply to thehonourable member—I think it is significantthat it took the shareholders of Metway lessthan 30 minutes yesterday to pour a bucket ofcold water over the very deliberate campaignof economic sabotage waged by the LaborParty members opposite. This Government isdelighted with the outcome of the Metwayboard meeting yesterday, which delivered arousing vote of confidence in the mergedentity. More than 1,000 Metway shareholdersat the convention centre——

Mr Fouras: Why wouldn't they? Mr BORBIDGE:—voted unanimously to

accept the merger proposal. If the honourablemember for Ashgrove had had his way, theywould have been taken over by St George. Irecall the member for Logan saying in thisplace for years that he did not wantQueensland to be a branch office State; hewanted head offices here in Queensland. Thefirst chance he got to do somethingconstructive about it, the Labor Party wantedto see Metway lost to New South Wales.

Mr Littleproud: They never put theirmoney where their mouth is.

Mr BORBIDGE: As my colleaguereminds me, they did not put their moneywhere their mouths were when it came to thevote yesterday. Like the other Metwayshareholders, they voted for theproposal—despite the fact that for five longmonths now the Labor Party, which never hadthe guts to do this sort of thing, has put everyobstacle in the path of the Government'splans. I think it is significant that theshareholders of Metway yesterday voted forthe proposal, despite the last-minuteintervention of the visiting Professor of MBAfame, "Mr Unforgiven", who attempted, nodoubt on the urging of a couple of his


business mates, to drop a bucket on themerger.

This decision means that the path hasnow been paved for a turnaround in what hasbeen a trend in recent years of majorQueensland institutions being swallowed up bythe southern States—by the Melbourne andthe Sydney business establishments.Yesterday, because of the political convictionand determination of this Government, anddespite the negative whingeing and whining ofthe Labor Party, despite the fact that themarkets rallied behind the Government'sstrategy and the fact that independentanalysts said that it was in the best interests ofQueensland that the merger proceed, theshareholders of Metway agreed with a planthat will create a very special Queenslandorganisation—an organisation which will holdNo. 1 position in terms of total deposits, interms of home lending, in terms of generalinsurance, in terms of third-party insuranceand in terms of motor vehicle insurance in thisState. But more than that, they agreed with aplan that will see this institution immediatelybecome a strong and positive financialinstitution in this country, a lead player in thenational market. They have agreed with a planthat will provide the missing ingredient in termsof economic development in this State, whichhas been a home-grown financial institution upwith the best of the best.

Mr T. B. Sullivan: Loss of jobs.

Mr BORBIDGE: The honourablemember was happy to sell Metway out. He didnot give a cold crumpet for the staff of Metwaywhen he was ready to throw Metway to StGeorge.

The legacy of this will be a very healthyreturn to the Government as we down sell; itwill be job creation in Queensland; it will beeconomic development in this State. It isinteresting how members opposite are alwaysright and everyone else is always wrong. Theytried to talk down the share price and it wentup. They tried to sabotage the shareholders'meeting. I expected the member for Logan tobe walking up and down outside the AGMyesterday with a sandwich board saying "Theend of the world is nigh". That was theintellectual quality of the absolutely insipidargument that had been proposed by theLabor Party.

Surely the time has come for the LaborParty to start to play a positive andconstructive role. Members opposite did nothave the guts to carry this through. Theywould have thrown Metway to the New SouthWales wolves, and to hang with all the jobs

that would have been lost there. They wouldhave sacrificed for all time the opportunity forQueensland to have a major national financialinstitution. The actions of Labor—the actionsof the Leader of the Opposition, the DeputyLeader of the Opposition, the shadowTreasurer and the gentleman up the back,who no doubt is off studying againtoday—amount to economic sabotage. Theyamount to actions that were against theinterests of the people of Queensland——

Mr BEATTIE: I rise to a point of order. Ifind those comments offensive. We have thePremier behaving like Mr Magoo pretendinghe is Sid Vicious.

Mr SPEAKER: What is the member'spoint of order?

Mr BEATTIE: The comments areoffensive; they are not true. We have notsought in any way to sabotage thisarrangement. I ask for those comments to bewithdrawn.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Premier.

Mr BORBIDGE: If the Leader of theOpposition takes offence, certainly I withdraw.But can I say that it is the strangest expressionof support that I have ever witnessed for anyproposal that we have seen coming from theLeader of the Opposition, the member forLogan and all the other knockers andwhingers opposite!

The fact is that even some of ourstaunchest critics, the Australian FinancialReview amongst them—the southern pressthat the member for Logan, along with acouple of his business mates, had beenbackground briefing—are now reluctantlyadmitting that this Government and thepeople of Queensland are on a winner withthis particular strategy, which is now in theprocess of delivering to the people ofQueensland, despite the objections of thoseopposite, despite their negativity, despite theiranti-Queensland economic sabotage, asituation in which this State, by courtesy of thisGovernment——

Mr HAMILL: I rise to a point of order.The Premier has persisted with an allegationthat the Opposition was involved in economicsabotage of Queensland. As the shadowTreasurer, I find that particularly offensive, andI point out that we have only been trying toprotect taxpayers' money that has been usedin large amounts to subsidise this bankmerger.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Premier didnot refer to the shadow Treasurer. There is nopoint of order.


Mr BORBIDGE: I thought the membermight have worked out the error of his waysnow that Labor Holdings has made a bit ofmoney out of the courageous and positivestand that this Government has taken. We donot mind acting in the interests ofQueensland, even if now and then it helps outLabor Holdings. This project is a majoreconomic development stimulus for the Stateof Queensland and it will be embraced byQueenslanders. It will be a major Queenslandsuccess story and the records of history willshow that Labor opposed it in this place all theway.

Mr K. Carruthers, QC

Mr ELDER: I ask the Police Minister: ifhe and the Premier, as they claim, are soanxious to clear their names of corruptionallegations, why have they so publiclydenigrated Mr Carruthers, QC, and made itimpossible for him to complete his inquirywithout their political interference?

Mr COOPER: I have not publiclydenigrated Mr Carruthers.

Rural Queensland

Mr SPRINGBORG: I ask the Premier:can he outline to the House just what liesbeneath the bush-friendly exterior currentlybeing portrayed by the Leader of theOpposition?

Mr BORBIDGE: I think that one of thegreat and unbelievable events of Queenslandpolitics in recent weeks has been the newcuddly and bush-friendly Leader of theOpposition—the Leader of the Labor Party,who spent a recent weekend out at Barcaldinetelling anyone who would listen that Labor hadlearnt its lesson. Of course, on more than oneoccasion we have already heard himdenounce the policies of the LaborGovernment of which he was a proud memberfor so long. We have heard him denounce themove by his now shadow Treasurer who, in aformer life, tried to close down one-third ofQueensland Rail. We have heard himdenounce the policies of his colleagues, themembers for Yeronga and Murrumba.

Mr ARDILL: I rise to a point of order.The Premier is again misleading the House—telling lies. The Labor Party did not close downone-third of Queensland Rail and did notattempt to close down one-third ofQueensland Rail. In fact, it closed down less ofthe rail—one-tenth—than those opposite.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The remark thatthe member passed in relation to the Premieris unparliamentary. I ask the member towithdraw it.

Mr ARDILL: I withdraw.

Mr BORBIDGE: The member has reallyhurt me. It is a bit like being mauled by theproverbial dead sheep.

Mr ARDILL: Mr Speaker, at yourdirection, I withdrew the offending words. Mystatement was correct and I seek a withdrawalfrom the Premier of the untruth that he told.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I think thehonourable member has asked the Premier towithdraw some reference about a sheep.

Mr BORBIDGE: I am confused, but tokeep the member happy, I will withdrawwhatever he found offensive.

The Labor Party in a former life plannedto close down one-third of Queensland Railand former Labor Attorneys-General, now onthe front bench, in their former lives presidedover the closure of country courthouses. Wehave also heard the Leader of the Oppositiondenounce the general policies pursued by hiswould-be leadership challenger, the memberfor Logan, and the previous Government'sadherence to the policies of economicrationalism.

What we have already seen from theLeader of the Opposition is a publicrepudiation of a number of his front benchcolleagues. However, the question the peopleof rural and regional Queensland need to askthemselves is: does a leopard ever change itsspots? Could this Labor Party, so helplesslydivided between those who know why they lostand those who still cannot understand whythey lost, ever be bush friendly? I doubt it, andI doubt it for a couple of reasons which I willoutline.

Fundamentally, this is a Labor Party witha dislike for anything that happens outside thecapital city. This is still a Labor Party which, if itis successful at the next election, will seek toabolish the electoral weightage applied tosome rural electorates, electoral weightagethat was recommended by the independentEARC as a result of the Fitzgerald commissionof inquiry. While the Leader of the Oppositionstands on the stump out at Barcaldine andappears all bush friendly, what he does notsay is that he intends to cut in half the level ofparliamentary representation currently enjoyedby the people who live in that region.

If we need any proof of that, we needlook only at what took place last year, whenthe then Minister for Justice, now the shadow

14 Nov 1996 Privilege 4123

Minister for Justice and presumably the personwho would be the Minister in a LaborGovernment, used taxpayers' funds to supporta High Court challenge to electoral weightageput forward by the then Labor leader inWestern Australia. The Labor Party cronies inWestern Australia were challenging theboundaries there, and what did Mr Foley do?

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Premier willrefer to the member as "the honourablemember for Yeronga", not "Mr Foley".

Mr BORBIDGE: The honourablemember for Yeronga came out at taxpayers'expense to support his colleagues in WA.

I understand from my investigations thatthe challenge, at the instruction of theMinister, was headed up by the Solicitor-General and utilised the full resources of hisdepartment. Further, an amount of in excessof $5,000 was spent in travel to and from theHigh Court as the Solicitor-General was madeto argue the Labor Party's case.

The Leader of the Opposition has anobligation to outline to the people of rural andregional Queensland just how he plans toreduce their representation, how under hispolicies the recommendations of independentEARC will be tossed out the window, and howunder his policies the electorate of Gregory willbe amalgamated with the electorate ofWarrego, how Mount Isa will be amalgamatedwith Charters Towers and how Cook willbecome part of Cairns.

Let us have a look at the commitment ofthe Leader of the Opposition. A recentnotional redistribution of the State under anumerically equal electoral structure, which theLeader of the Opposition proposes in defianceof EARC, shows one member representing aseat stretching from Mornington Island to theNew South Wales border and east to Jericho,which would cover 43 per cent of the State,while there would be 56 members in the 200kilometre by 75 kilometre strip from Noosa tothe Tweed and out to Ipswich, covering only0.77 per cent of the State. That is thecommitment of the Labor Party; that is thecommitment of the Leader of the Opposition.

On 3 September 1995, the Courier-Mailcarried an articled headed "Labor bent torevamp five rural electorates", which stated—

"Five huge electorates in westernand northern Queensland could becomeeven larger under an electoral reviewproposed by Attorney-General, MattFoley."

Next time the Leader of the Opposition goesbush, he might like to explain to the people of

rural and regional Queensland how he is goingto throw out the recommendations of EARCarising from the Fitzgerald commission ofinquiry and how he is going to decimateparliamentary and political representation inthe bush and how he is going to make itabsolutely impossible for parliamentaryrepresentation and leave 43 per cent of thearea of Queensland with one member ofParliament.

Given his recent exercises, the Leader ofthe Opposition can go bush as often as helikes, because people will not forget. TheLeader of the Opposition can explain to thepeople how the member for Yeronga utilisedtaxpayers' money and utilised the Office of theSolicitor-General to go to bat in the High Courtin Canberra for a politically motivated stuntengineered by the then Leader of theOpposition in the Western AustralianParliament.

Debate interrupted.

PRIVILEGE

Electoral RedistributionMr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader

of the Opposition) (10.50 a.m.): I rise on amatter of privilege suddenly arising. For theinformation of the House, I point out that theOpposition is committed to the EARCprinciples and the EARC recommendations.What the Premier has said is simply not true.He continues to behave like Mr Magooseeking to be Sid Vicious.

Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (SurfersParadise—Premier) (10.51 a.m.): I rise on amatter of privilege suddenly arising. I take it,therefore, that the Leader of the Oppositionhas totally dissociated himself from thecomments made by the then Minister forJustice and Attorney-General in the Courier-Mail in respect of the stated policy of theLabor Party as of 5 September 1995, when itwas official Labor Party policy that five hugeelectorates in western and northernQueensland could become even larger underan electoral review proposed by the thenAttorney-General, Matt Foley. That is what themember did in Government. Why wouldanyone believe a fraud like him in Opposition?

Mr BEATTIE: I rise to a point of order.Sid Vicious continues. I find that remarkoffensive and seek its withdrawal. It is abouttime that the Premier started behaving like aPremier.

Mr BORBIDGE: If the Leader of theOpposition takes offence, I withdraw thecomments made by the member for Yeronga.


QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICECarruthers Inquiry

Mr BARTON: I ask the Minister forPolice and Corrective Services: why did heattack the Carruthers inquiry as a "show trial"when he himself referred his secret PoliceUnion deal to the CJC for investigation, andthen voted in Cabinet to establish thecommission of inquiry, headed by his ownlegal adviser, to scuttle Mr Carruthers beforehe could recommend whether the Minister andthe Premier should face charges for electoralbribery?

Mr COOPER: Firstly, I have already saidthat Mr Carruthers has not been publiclydenigrated by me; end of story. Thehonourable member's question referred to MrConnolly as my legal adviser. He is not. Irefute that statement. He is not my legaladviser.

As far as a "show trial"—membersopposite must be deaf, dumb and blind. Thegeneral public can see exactly what has beengoing on out there. Opposition members canask anyone about that. Let me have a look atwhat members opposite did when they were inGovernment. Do they remember the Cookeinquiry? They would have a rough idea aboutthe Cooke inquiry. They shut it down. But thatdid not matter, did it? We have not shutanything down, but the former Governmentdid.

I refer to an article written by Chris Griffith,which stated—

"However, the incoming Laborgovernment regarded the inquiry aspolitically motivated and ideologicallydriven.

The relationship between MrCooke . . . and the Goss government waspublicly spiteful—as has been therelationship between . . . Borbidge and MrCarruthers.

But, according to Cooke inquirysources, the bad blood meant inquiry staffalso had to overcome enormous odds sothat Mr Cooke could deliver his finalreport, which examined the AustralianWorkers' Union."

He went on—"Despite the obstacles, he delivered

the report on time.

Last week Mr Cooke and his formersenior counsel, Ken Fleming, QC, refusedto comment, but inquiry sources for thefirst time disclosed the hardships stafffaced in its final months:

Staff were told to vacate their officein the Jetset Centre by June 30,1991—before Mr Cooke's report into theAWU was completed. The inquiry couldnot finish a planned review of publicservice unions as a result (He also faced alegal injunction on this issue);"

That is what members opposite were going todo to him—close him down and then threatenhim with legal injunctions. How on earth couldhe finish his report? Talk about the pot callingthe kettle black!

Mr Barton: I wasn't here then.

Mr COOPER: The member forWaterford should not try to duck out of it. Itwas his lot who did it. Members opposite areall tarred with the same brush. They knowdamned well that they are.

The article goes on—

"In the weeks before June 30, all butone of the inquiry's phones were cut offand Mr Cooke was left with just one typist.He wrote much of his report on the AWUin longhand."

Members opposite took everything away fromhim. But that was okay with them, was it not?

The article continues—

"While Mr Cooke was writing hisreport, Public Works Department staffwere busily trampling through his personaloffice measuring partitions and detailingrenovations;

In the end, Mr Cooke worked on thereport from his Chambers, while his tworemaining staffers proofread drafts inanother building—Forestry House. Thiscontinued for three weeks."

Look at the way that members oppositetreated these people. They are a disgrace.The article continued—

"The government threatened towithdraw the inquiry's cars because theywere more than two years old."

Mr BARTON: I rise to a point of order.The Minister's answer surely must have somerelevance to my question, which had nothingto do with the Cooke inquiry. Frankly, theMinister's references to me having anyinvolvement in shutting down the Cookeinquiry are offensive, and I seek theirwithdrawal.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Minister.

Mr COOPER: I think it is very relevant. Ithink I should finish reading this article. I willjust go back to one point, because I wantOpposition members to hear this.


Mr Barton interjected.Mr COOPER: As the member was not

there, it might be a good idea if he listens tothis. This is how his colleagues performed—

"The government threatened towithdraw the inquiry's cars because theywere more than two years old. Thegovernment had asked the Cooke inquiryto hire cars which inquiry staff regarded asenormously expensive;

The government constantly whittledaway support staff when they wereneeded by the inquiry. The staff had beenseconded from departments;

Mr Cooke also faced politicalattacks—that his inquiry was extremelyexpensive, had found little and his reportswere 'B-class'."

That is what I would call denigration and publicridicule. Members opposite pulled everythingout from under that inquiry. They did thatdeliberately. For political reasons they closeddown a legitimate inquiry that was gettingclose and getting hot. That is the way theyhandled these issues. They should beashamed of themselves.

Debate interrupted.

DISTINGUISHED VISITORHon. W. A. M. Gunn

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before I call thehonourable member for Cunningham, I drawto the attention of the House that, in thegallery, we have the former Deputy Premier BillGunn.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Rural Initiatives

Mr ELLIOTT: I refer the Premier to therecent visit to Barcaldine by the OppositionLeader, Mr Beattie, which apparently wassomething akin to a conversion on the road toDamascus, in that he claimed to haverediscovered the bush, despite the damagedone to rural areas by the former LaborGovernment. I ask: can the Premier inform theHouse what initiatives have been undertakenfor rural Queensland under the coalitionGovernment?

Mr BORBIDGE: I thank the honourablemember for his question and the opportunityto detail to the House the changes that thisGovernment has brought about by makingsure that rural and regional Queenslanders are

not treated as second-class citizens and aretreated as equal partners in the developmentof this State.

What we have seen in the recent StateBudget is a commitment that has beenunprecedented from a State Governmenttowards rural and regional Queenslanders.After six long years of hostility and neglect byhonourable members opposite, when theyravaged the social infrastructure of the inland,pulled out railway jobs, closed down railwaylines, took away teachers and nurses, closedhospital wards and operating theatres——

Mr PALASZCZUK: I rise to a point oforder. The Premier is misleading the House.When the National Party Government was inpower, it closed down 733——

Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no pointof order.

Mr PALASZCZUK: Yes, Mr Speaker—10,000 kilometres of railway lines——

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member willresume his seat.

Mr PALASZCZUK: Fifty-five policestations and 733 schools.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourablemember for Inala will resume his seat. This isnot a debate.

Mr BORBIDGE: The honourablemember for Inala thinks that he representswestern Queensland. Inala is about as farwest as the Labor Party goes.

Let us consider the performance of thisGovernment. As to the rebuilding of theDepartment of Primary Industries—thecoalition Budget provided for the employmentof an additional 242 full-time staff, including 76positions that are currently being filled, toboost regional service delivery to primaryproducers. The sugar industry on the AthertonTableland is expanding with the establishmentof a new sugar mill. In conjunction with ruralindustry leaders, the State secured an $80mextension to drought funding from the FederalGovernment. The sum of $2.5m over threeyears has been provided for a new droughtand rural development program within the DPIto increase support for droughted producersand enhance measures for farm viability. Eightindustry-based institutes are to be establishedto provide enhanced linkages betweenextension information and research.

In regard to the courthouses that themember for Yeronga and the member forMurrumba so shamefully closed down, fourcourthouses will be reopened on a part-timebasis to provide regular court services at


Inglewood, Springsure, Millmerran andMitchell—courthouses previously closed by theLabor Government. The upgrading ofcourthouse facilities is under way, includingmajor projects at Bundaberg, Rockhamptonand Gympie.

As to initiatives taken by my colleague theMinister for Health—an office of rural health iscurrently being established at Roma on thewestern downs. A remote area nursespackage has been developed to help keepexperienced nurses in the bush. That includesallowances for professional training anddevelopment, additional leave, an isolationbonus, locum relief and two air fares per yearfor the nurse and family to travel out of thearea. Four rural health training units havebeen established and are fully operational atCairns, Townsville, Toowoomba andRockhampton. Therapy, counselling and otherallied health services have been increased inrural Queensland through the successfulOutreach Allied Health Services Program.

As to education—we have provided forairconditioning of State schools north of thetwentieth parallel. A 250 per cent increase inthe Remote Area Incentive Scheme for Stateschool teachers has been provided, withexpenditure rising from $2.2m to $5.6m thisfinancial year and $8.1m the following year.

With regard to natural resources—withinthe first two weeks of assuming Government,Crown land rental payment levels for grazingand agricultural categories were frozen to helpproducers, on which the previous LaborGovernment would not even allow the debateof a private member's Bill. In addition,planning for the Comet and Dawson Riverdams constitutes the largest water resourcedevelopment project since the Burdekinirrigation area. The Water Infrastructure TaskForce, establishment by the Minister forNatural Resources, has identified billions ofdollars of potential water resource projects—anissue ignored by Labor for six long years.Assistance has been provided for localgovernment planning for development ofwater infrastructure in areas such as Winton,Karumba and Normanton, including afeasibility study for a new dam at Winton.Stock route water supplies across the Stateare being upgraded. Additional funding hasbeen injected into the noxious weed and pestcontrol programs.

As to roads—$60m has been invested inupgrading the Flinders Highway to allow TypeII road trains access to Townsville by 2003.The completion of bitumen sealing of theWinton to Hughenden road will occur over five

years. Other roads earmarked for completionof sealing include Georgetown to Croydon,Normanton to Croydon and Nardoo to FieryCreek. The upgrading of the bridges androads to the port of Karumba is anotherinitiative. The dredging of the port of Karumbais one of the major initiatives undertaken bythis Government to assist our live export trade.

Let us consider what else the Minister forTransport has been doing. Transportation ofdonated drought fodder has been provided atno cost. The Mareeba-Einasleigh rail line is tobe re-opened. Progress is under way to locateworkshops in country towns, includingexpanding facilities in Townsville and Alpha.Work is under way to establish maintenancefacilities at Hughenden and Charleville.

As to my colleague the Minister forEmergency Services—ambulance regionalcommunications are being overhauled todetermine a process whereby the firsttelephone call will be to the local ambulancecentre rather than a regional communicationscentre. That will get over Labor's massiveadministrative mess that cost lives. Under theDepartment of Families, Youth andCommunity Care, five multipurpose communitycentres will be provided, including new facilitiesin Edmonton and Miles. A $4.35m fundingpackage will provide 40 additionalmultipurpose children's centres in ruralcommunities throughout Queensland.

The list goes on and on. This Governmenthas done more for rural and regionalQueensland in eight months than Labor couldever have contemplated in six years. It waswithdrawing services and treating regional andremote Queenslanders as second-classcitizens. In eight months, this Government iswell on the way to putting Government backinto the bush to redress six long years ofarrogant abuse of country Queensland byLabor.

Cairns Economy

Mr HAMILL: In directing a question tothe Treasurer, I refer to the economic surveycommissioned by the Cairns Post andcompiled by W. S. Cummings ResearchServices.

Mr FitzGerald interjected.

Mr HAMILL: For the information of theLeader of Government Business, I point outthat that is a company headed by a formerLiberal Party candidate for Leichhardt. Thatsurvey shows that the Cairns economy hascrashed into deep recession since May withgrowth levels of minus 3 per cent. Is this not


further proof of the dramatic slowdown in theQueensland economy which has occurred asa result of the Treasurer's capital work freeze,her seven new or increased taxes, and hercampaign of undermining businessconfidence?

Mrs SHELDON: I think that——

Mr Schwarten interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn themember for Rockhampton under StandingOrder 123A.

Mrs SHELDON: Everyone in northQueensland and Cairns knows that the slumpthat that area is currently experiencing is dueto the inept economic policies of its member,the member for Cairns.

Giant Steps Program

Mr WOOLMER: I direct a question tothe Minister for Education. Earlier today, themember for Cook pleaded the case for privatefunding for the privately operated Giant Stepsprogram. Can the Minister inform the House ofhis knowledge of that organisation and anycommitment to fund it?

Mr QUINN: Yes, I am aware of the GiantSteps program and also the coverage in themedia—I believe that it was Today Tonight—atthe end of October. I will outline to the Housethe background to the program and what hasbeen done to date, because I think we needto put the facts on the table so that everyoneis aware of the issues. In early 1995,negotiations commenced between theDepartment of Education and Giant StepsAutistic Therapy Association of Queensland,with a view to establishing a Giant Stepsprogram in Queensland.

A working party was established withmembership from the Office of Non-StateSchooling, the Low Incident Support Centreand the Acting Assistant Director, StudentSupport Services. The working party presentedto the director-general on 16 February thisyear a budget proposal for a pilot program forstudents with autistic spectrum disorder, basedon the principles of Giant Steps. That proposalwas not approved.

Funding for such a trial was based on aformula used for non-State special schoolprograms, that is, enrolment reflecting specialeducation support. For 12 students, that wouldbe approximately $200,000. That option alsoincluded an external evaluation by a reputableagency. Giant Steps had requested acontribution of $796,500. Under that proposal,Giant Steps was required to find additional

funding from other sources and to advise thedepartment of that. The Giant Stepscommittee has still to advise the departmentof that. No application—I repeat, noapplication—has been lodged for approval tocommence as a non-State special school.

The correspondence between the peopleinvolved in the Giant Steps program and meillustrates that the department was intendingto facilitate such a pilot program provided theconditions were met by the Giant Stepsprogram itself. Those conditions were not met,and on that basis the funding was notincluded in the State Budget. I can also saythat so far no research is available to supportthe claims made by the Giant Steps program.

Mr Bredhauer: You told them a trialwas anticipated to commence in 1997.

Mr QUINN: The member should listen.Officers from the Department of Educationand Griffith University investigated theprograms based on Giant Steps in Tasmaniaand New South Wales—so there has beensome research carried out—and found that,although practices were good, there were nospecific methodologies that related to GiantSteps that were not being used in specialeducation programs in State schools inQueensland at present. So the programs thatthe department is running in the specialeducation units and in special schools inQueensland reflected what the Giant Stepsprogram was, in fact, attempting to do.

Currently, the Departments of Educationin both New South Wales and Tasmania arearranging for reviews to be undertaken todetermine the unique characteristics and theefficacy of Giant Steps programs. That wasone of the conditions that the departmentwished to place on the pilot program—it wasasking for external review. Also, reviews ofinternational literature have indicated that,despite the existence of Giant Steps programsfor over a decade, limited research articleshave been published relating to theeducational programs and none has beenpublished on the specific methodology used inGiant Steps programs. So based on all of thatinformation, we made the right decision in notproposing to fund the program in the Budget.

However, the offer is still open to thepeople associated with the Giant Stepsprogram. If they wish to apply for fundingthrough the non-State organisations, andcomply with the conditions that thedepartment requests, then the funding will beconsidered. However, this department is notabout providing funding on the basis that no


evaluation has been carried out of theeffectiveness of the program itself.

There has been a range ofcorrespondence between that particularorganisation and me. Some of it has beenquoted selectively. There was never anyabsolute guarantee——

Mr BREDHAUER: I rise to a point oforder. I draw the attention of the House to aletter from the Minister to the Giant Stepsorganisation, in which he states—

"I am informed that the trial isanticipated to commence at thebeginning of the 1997 school year."

The Minister said that, and I have notmisquoted it.

Mr QUINN: I never said that themember for Cook misquoted me; I simply saidthat there has been some misquoting of therelevant correspondence. The correspondencewas based on the department trying tofacilitate a pilot program with an anticipatedcommencement date in 1997, which was as Istated in the correspondence. It was not a firmand hard commitment to fund that particularproposal.

In conclusion, the State Department ofEducation provides an enormous range ofsettings for students with special disabilities, ofwhich autism is one. It is providing enhancedfunding in the budget for those students for arange of settings across the State. This was apilot program for 12 students. We haveapproximately 1,200 such students in ourschools. They are being adequately cateredfor. If this particular organisation wishes tocome back to the Office of Non-StateSchooling with a firm proposal, includingfunding and agreeing to the proposals that weput forward, we are more than willing to look atit again.

Goods and Services Tax

Mr BREDHAUER: I will let the peoplebe the judge. I refer the Treasurer to mediareports of widespread support for a goods andservices tax among Queensland members ofthe National Party. I refer the Treasurer also tothe parliamentary debate in this House on 25February 1993 during which she repeatedlysupported a GST, and I ask: as the Treasurerand the Premier are scheduled to host theCouncil of Australian Governments meetingtomorrow, does she still support theintroduction of a GST as a taxation reform?

Mrs SHELDON: Both the Premier and Isupport a restructuring of Federal/State taxing

arrangements. Over the years, the decrease inreal terms in funding to our State and the factthat we have to deliver all the services hasplaced more and more strain on the StateBudget. In point of fact, this restructuring cantake place with the existing taxes. I draw theattention of the House to fuel excise, which isa Federal Government tax. If that tax—whichamounts to several billion dollars a year—wasreturned in full to the State of Queensland, wewould have adequate funding for our roadsand for everything else that we need in thisState.

We are saying, "Let us look at the existingtaxing situation and look at a more equitablearrangement of those taxes so that we canindeed deliver to our people the services thatthey need." As a coalition Government, wehave never espoused a GST.

Greyhound Racing Authority

Mr J. N. GOSS: I direct a question tothe Minister for Police and Corrective Servicesand Minister for Racing. I understand that theGreyhound Racing Authority has recentlyreceived funding from the RacingDevelopment Fund to assist with itsoperational expenditure and also to provideemergency safety-related capital works forsome clubs, and I ask: can he confirm this andadvise the House why it was necessary?

Mr COOPER: I thank the member forthe question. It is pretty well known that themember is very keen on his dogs. If membershave a good look at him, they would see thathe even looks almost as sleek as agreyhound—but I ask him to please not standup. He has an enormous interest ingreyhounds.

Mr Gibbs: He's known as an old bunnychaser.

Mr COOPER: A plate licker. Themember may have heard all the descriptionsof himself, but nothing has dented hisconfidence or his faith in the greyhoundindustry. The member represents people wholive on the north side of Brisbane, particularlythose located in the Lawnton area. I know thathe has chaired a few meetings in that area,because a decision has to be made aboutgreyhound racing at Lawnton and Redcliffeonce we know how far the people want to gowith greyhound racing at Albion Park.

I can confirm that some time ago a grantof $250,000 was made to the GreyhoundRacing Authority to cover the safety-relatedcapital works for clubs throughout the State.Facilities at a number of greyhound venues


were run down and some had been damagedby flooding earlier this year. It was theGovernment's responsibility, through the RDF,to make sure that those funds were suppliedso that the industry could remain viable. Anamount of $500,000 has also been providedto cover operating losses to the authoritycarried forward from last financial year andoperating costs for the current year. Again,that was vital so that the authority couldcontinue its functions without increasing levies.As has been said before, this Government istrying to make sure that it delivers thecheapest possible racing that it can—be itgreyhound racing or whatever.

The Government has also earmarkedanother $750,000 for the Greyhound RacingAuthority so that it can establish its owngreyhound breeders' incentive scheme. That isa first, and it is going to provide additionalbenefits to the owners of greyhounds in thisState. I believe that, as this Governmentrevamps the greyhound industry, it will receivewidespread support throughout the State.

The initiatives result in a total package of$1.5m in Government support for thegreyhound industry this year. That is certainlysubstantially in excess of what that industryhas received over the past several years. It willprovide a great boost for the industry. In fact, ifone compares that funding with the fundingthat the industry has received over the last sixyears, one finds that that level of funding inone year is about equal to the funding thatwas given to the authority in the previous sixyears. That funding will be accepted very wellby the greyhound industry.

I encourage the member to continue tomaintain his very close interest in thegreyhound industry. We do not have agreyhound racing track between Brisbane andBundaberg. However, we want to make surethat the north side of Brisbane and thegreyhound industry generally are properlycatered for.

Public Service Hit Lists

Ms BLIGH: I ask the Premier: will hegive this Parliament an unequivocal assurancethat he was in no way involved in thepreparation or implementation of any publicservice hit lists?

Mr BORBIDGE: I find it amazing thatthe Labor Party continues——

Mr Elder: "Yes" or "No".

Mr BORBIDGE: I want to talk about theOpposition's hit lists. The other day, as part of

his 10-point plan to invigorate job growth inQueensland, we saw from the Leader of theOpposition a hit list. This is how he is going tosolve unemployment in Queensland: sack thesenior public servants who were appointed.This matter has been canvassed andcanvassed and canvassed. The Oppositionhas been getting up to mischief and spreadingfibs from one end of Brisbane to the other.The challenge to the Labor Party is for theLeader of the Opposition to name his hit list.

Queensland Abattoir Corporation

Mr MALONE: I ask the Minister forPrimary Industries: can he elaborate on hiscomments, reported in the Courier-Mail of 12November, regarding the Government's planto gradually exit from ownership of theQueensland Abattoir Corporation? Can theMinister advise whether the Government hascompletely rejected the proposal by theQueensland Abattoir Corporation for therelocation of its Brisbane, Ipswich andToowoomba operations to a new state-of-the-art abattoir complex in south-eastQueensland? Does the Government have anypreferred site in regard to the future location ofthe new abattoir?

Mr PERRETT: I thank the honourablemember for his question. As I informed theHouse yesterday, the QueenslandGovernment has made the decision togradually exit from its ownership role in themeat processing industry. I stress to theHouse that this exit will be made in an orderlymanner. We will not be closing down thepublic abattoir system overnight. We willdevelop an exit strategy through a process ofconsultation with the Queensland meat andlivestock industry, including both the producersector and the processor sector. This will behandled by a steering committee chaired bymy director-general, Mr Roley Nieper. Thatcommittee will report to me and to Cabinet.

Mrs Bird: More jobs gone.

Mr PERRETT: I take that interjectionabout jobs. One has only to do the sums.There will be no less stock slaughtered in thisState and we are going to need a work forceto slaughter it; it is as simple as that. TheOpposition is trying to create a furphy; tocreate a problem that does not exist. The lotopposite gave their old mate Ron McLean thejob of working out a deal between the QACand the workers. That has been done andredundancy arrangements have already beennegotiated. Therefore, the Opposition is tryingto stir up something out of nothing.


The Queensland Government recognisesthat it is essential to the future of the meatand livestock industries in this State to ensurethe ongoing provision of a service kill orcontract slaughtering capacity within the meatprocessing industry. However, it is theGovernment's view that there is no longer anycompelling reason for the Government toprovide that service kill capacity itself throughthe continued ownership of abattoirs. We havecalled, and will be renewing that call, forexpressions of interest from the private sectorfor the ongoing provision of the service kill role.I do not expect any lack of interest from theprivate sector because we have, in fact,already received a number of proposals.

As part of this process of negotiation, wewill be looking at the future of the five existingpublic abattoirs operated by the QueenslandAbattoir Corporation. Where there areopportunities to sell any of these facilities tothe private sector, these opportunities will beexplored. However, we have to recognise thereality that environmental and urban pressuresin regard to the abattoirs at Cannon Hill inBrisbane and Churchill in Ipswich haveprobably set a limit of no more than four to fiveyears of the continued operation of meatprocessing activities on those sites.

In relation to the second part of thequestion from the member for Mirani—theGovernment has ruled out the provision ofpublic funding for a new abattoir. In this dayand age, it is simply not appropriate tocontemplate spending $40m or $50m, ormaybe more, of taxpayers' money on buildinga new abattoir, particularly when there is noshortage of proposals from the private sectorfor the development of a new processingcapacity.

As far as the Queensland AbattoirCorporation is concerned, if the corporationcan come back to Government with a proposalthat includes 100 per cent private sectorfunding, firm contractual commitments from itsmajor clients, an acceptable strategy forrepayment of its current debt to Treasury anda feasible exit strategy for Government interms of ownership prior to relocationcommencing, we would obviously be preparedto have a good look at that proposal.However, I stress again that the Governmentwill not be providing capital funding for a newabattoir.

Finally, the Government has no particularpreference as to the location for a proposednew state-of-the-art abattoir. If this proposalwas to come to fruition, the matter of siteselection for any new private sector abattoir

would rest entirely with the private sectorproponents to negotiate with the various localgovernments. A number of local governmentsare clearly interested in doing what they canwithin their legal and operational jurisdictionsto attract private sector investment, includinginvestment in new meat processing facilities.However, any assistance measures that areproposed by local governments to the privatesector operators would have to stand or fall ontheir own merits. The QueenslandGovernment certainly does not intend tobecome involved in an adjudication rolebetween competing local governments in sofar as the private sector investment isconcerned.

Queensland Abattoir CorporationMr GIBBS: I refer the Minister for

Primary Industries to his meat industryannouncement yesterday, and I ask: whatdiscussions has the Minister personally hadwith the Queensland Abattoir Corporationconcerning this strategy? I note that theMinister did not outline a time frame in hisprevious answer. What is the proposed timeframe? What discussions have the Minister orhis officers had with the Australasian MeatIndustry Employees Union on this issue?

Mr PERRETT: Obviously, theOpposition spokesman has not been listeningto what we have been saying during the pastcouple of days. I remind the House that it wasthe honourable member's predecessor whocommissioned a report from the QueenslandAbattoir Corporation. He put it in the bottomdrawer because it was all too hard. He did notlike what he read in it, and he marked it"Taipan". When the member for Bundambatook over the portfolio, he saw that it wasmarked "Taipan" and he did not get it out incase it bit him.

This Government has had the intestinalfortitude to get that report out and do whatneeds to be done for the future of the beefindustry in this State. There have beenongoing negotiations at all levels, practicallyever since we came into Government. Let mesay that it has been worked through over andover again.

Mr Elder: With whom?

Mr PERRETT: There have beennegotiations with all sectors of industry—producers, processors and the AMIEU. It is assimple as that. The Queensland AbattoirCorporation has been integral to thosediscussions. Members opposite have beenvery critical of the fact that the Queensland

14 Nov 1996 Transport (Gladstone East End To Harbour Corridor) Bill 4131

Abattoir Corporation has carried a large debtfor a number of years and, until thisGovernment came to power, the Governmentwas subsidising the interest paid to keep thatoperation afloat.

Mr PURCELL: I rise to a point of order.The Minister is misleading the House. TheQueensland Abattoir Corporation and itsoperation at Cannon Hill were in the black forsome three years under the previousGovernment.

Mr PERRETT: I have always believed inthe philosophy that it is better to sit there andlook a fool than to open your mouth and proveit! All the member has to do is to look at thereports which come to this place and he willsee that the Queensland Abattoir Corporationcarries a debt of $10.2m. There is a significantdebt there. The member for Bulimba is verynaive. It is better that he keeps quiet on theissue because, frankly, he is getting nowhere.

The Government is absolutely determinedto get it right for the future of the meat industryin Queensland. It is our biggest industry interms of production, processing and jobcreation. The industry—whether involvingcattle, sheep, pigs or whatever—creates about8,000 jobs in this State. That will bemaintained and this Government will see itthrough to the end. There is no time frame.We are going to get it right, and if it takes fouror five years, so be it. This Government hashad the guts to do what the formerGovernment did not do.

PAPERS

The following papers were laid on thetable—

(a) Premier (Mr Borbidge)—

Bikeways Project Board—Annual Reportfor 1995-96

(b) Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheriesand Forestry (Mr Perrett)—

Electrical Workers and Contracts Board—Annual Report for 1995-96.


Queensland Building Tribunal AnnualReport

Hon. R. T. CONNOR (Nerang—Minister for Public Works and Housing)(11.30 a.m.), by leave: I wish to advise theHouse regarding the tabling of the annual

report of the Queensland Building Tribunal forthe 1995-96 financial year. Under section46J(1) of the Financial Administration andAudit Act, the annual report of theQueensland Building Tribunal was required tobe furnished to me by 31 October 1996.Under section 46J(2) of the FinancialAdministration and Audit Act, I have extendedthe time allowed for the Queensland BuildingTribunal to submit its annual report.


Department of Public Works andHousing Annual Report

Hon. R. T. CONNOR (Nerang—Minister for Public Works and Housing)(11.30 a.m.), by leave: I wish to advise theHouse that, due to exceptional circumstances,there will be a delay in the tabling of theannual report of the Department of PublicWorks and Housing. The Auditor-General hasrequested an extension of time to allow hisofficers to complete the 1995-96 audit. Mydepartment will allow extra time for theincorporation of the audit statements in theannual report and to proceed to printing.Therefore, I have extended the time forpresentation of the annual report on theoperations of the department for an additionalperiod of two months to allow bothdepartments time to complete therequirements for the annual report.

PRIVILEGE


Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH(Chatsworth) (11.31 a.m.): I rise on a point ofprivilege. The Minister for Public Works andHousing said that the Queensland BuildingTribunal annual report was not prepared. Ithas been sent to all members of Parliament.In fact, I have a copy in my electorate office.

TRANSPORT (GLADSTONE EAST ENDTO HARBOUR CORRIDOR) BILL

Hon. D. J. SLACK (Burnett—Ministerfor Economic Development and Trade andMinister Assisting the Premier) (11.32 a.m.), byleave, without notice: I move—

"That leave be granted to bring in aBill for an Act to authorise the acquisitionof certain land for rail transport corridorpurposes, and for other purposes."

Motion agreed to.

4132 Transport (Gladstone East End To Harbour Corridor) Bill 14 Nov 1996

First ReadingBill and Explanatory Notes presented and

Bill, on motion of Mr Slack, read a first time.

Second ReadingHon. D. J. SLACK (Burnett—Minister

for Economic Development and Trade andMinister Assisting the Premier) (11.33 a.m.): Imove—

"That the Bill be now read a secondtime."

Since 1914 Queensland CementLimited—QCL—has provided cement for thedevelopment of Queensland. QCL has grownto become one of Queensland's largestcompanies. Since 1935 dead coral limestonehas been dredged in Moreton Bay as the rawmaterial for the company's cement works atDarra. The existing QCL operations atGladstone were approved under theQueensland Cement and Lime CompanyLimited Agreement Act 1977—the QCLAgreement Act.

The Act provided for an initial ratedcapacity of 500,000 tonnes of clinker per year.Following completion of environmental studiesfor the mine, the slurry pipeline, the cementmanufacturing plant and the source of sand,the original project was approved, andmanufacturing of clinker commenced in 1981.New facilities for clinker grinding werecommissioned in 1993.

The need to expand operations in theGladstone area is due to QCL being unable tosecure additional licences to dredge corallimestone in Moreton Bay. As a result, therewill be insufficient licensed reserves toguarantee production at QCL's Darra plantbeyond 1998. Rather than importing productfrom associated companies or from overseas,QCL has decided to expand its existingGladstone operation in order to secure supply,product quality, product variability, and localinvestment.

The decision not to extend coral dredginglicences in Moreton Bay was made by theprevious Government and it is supported bythis Government. In order to facilitate thecessation of coral dredging, the previousGovernment agreed to facilitate the expansionof the Gladstone operation. This was on thecondition that limestone from the east-endmine be transported to the clinker plant atFisherman's Landing by rail in order to preventa very large increase in road traffic in theGladstone area. This Government fullyendorses this approach.

The upgrading of QCL's Gladstoneoperations will mean increased clinkerproduction of an additional 1 million tonnes ayear. At present, limestone is transported as aslurry through a pipeline to the old plant.However, the pipeline cannot be used totransport limestone to the new plant as it usesa different manufacturing process whichcannot accept a wet slurry as input material. Inaddition, the pipeline would not have thecapacity to deliver the extra volume required.

The solution lies in the construction of anew railway. The effective relocation of QCL'soperations to Gladstone depend on it, as doesthe general public interest. The railway that willbe built will service the State developmentarea—the Aldoga site—in the Gladstoneregion, and will also in the public interestfacilitate the planned relocation of QCL'soperations from Moreton Bay and Darra to theGladstone region.

Much of the land required is already heldby the State in a variety of tenures. The Statehas recently acquired by agreement a largearea of land to be used for both the Aldogaindustrial land project as well as the railwaycorridor. The rail line, once constructed, willservice future industrial projects as they areestablished at the Aldoga site and on otherparts of the selected route. This line will be animportant piece of infrastructure contributingsignificantly to the economic development ofthe State in general and Gladstone inparticular.

A number of private landowners hold thebalance of land required for the railway. Mostof these land-holders agree that theGovernment has good reasons to build arailway and have accepted that some of theirland will be given over for that purpose. Theywill receive appropriate and fair financialcompensation. However, a small number ofland-holders are holding out and will not bepersuaded to willingly agree to the necessaryland being acquired.

Every effort has been made toaccommodate the wishes of these land-holders while balancing the legitimateconsideration of not incurring unnecessary andexcessive extra costs to the public purse. Theproposed rail alignment will take a smallproportion of each property mostly close to, oralong, the property boundaries. No residencewill be demolished, and the occupants will notbe required to relocate. Fences will be erectedalong the rail route and fair financialcompensation will be paid in accordance withthe existing compensation regime.

14 Nov 1996 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 4133

If the railway line is not completed ontime, QCL estimates that it would then faceadditional costs of approximately $4.5m permonth. Obviously, this is a matter of someconcern for QCL. If this occurs then there isalso the possibility of the Government beingapproached to subsidise the additional costsincurred by QCL. The Government has a dutyto consider the public interest. TheGovernment has given long and carefulconsideration to all the options available. Ithas done so with a view to achieving abalanced decision which enables the railway tobe built with a minimal impact on alllandowners whilst at the same time protectingthe interests of Queensland taxpayers.

The refusal of a small number oflandowners to accept the preferred option hasnecessitated the introduction of speciallegislation to acquire the land. However,compensation rights which exist under currentlegislation will still apply. The intention of thisBill is to make the required land availablewithout delay. There is no intention to defraudexisting landowners out of the value of theirproperty. They will be properly compensatedfor any land they lose in the same way theywould be compensated if the processes underthe Acquisition of Land Act were allowed torun their course.

I will now draw members' attention tospecific provisions. Although the Bill is short, itis quite complex and this is due to the inherentcomplexities of dealing in land. Freehold landheld by private individuals, and the State andlocal Government, is to be taken for railcorridor purposes. Land held by the State in arange of other tenures is allocated to thesame purpose. Land is taken for roads. Someparts of roads are closed where they interferewith the rail route, and new roads are openedto take their place. Where rail and road crossby bridge, both activities can legitimately co-exist. Existing interests in the land areconverted to rights to claim compensation,and provision is made so that compensationpayable will be the same as currently exists,using mechanisms described in the Acquisitionof Land Act 1967.

Native title issues have also beenconsidered. The Bill contains provisions toproperly deal with any claims which may arise.Claims may be dealt with under the NativeTitle (Queensland) Act 1993. In summary, thisBill delivers exactly what would be achievedusing existing legislation but, significantly, itremoves the potential for costly andunnecessary delays.

Debate, on motion of Mr Elder,adjourned.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIONAMENDMENT BILL

Hon. D. E. McCAULEY (Callide—Minister for Local Government and Planning)(11.40 a.m.), by leave, without notice: Imove—

"That leave be granted to bring in aBill for an Act to amend legislation aboutlocal government, and for otherpurposes."

Motion agreed to.

First Reading

Bill and Explanatory Notes presented andBill, on motion of Mrs McCauley, read a firsttime.

Second Reading

Hon. D. E. McCAULEY (Callide—Minister for Local Government and Planning)(11.41 a.m.): I move—

"That the Bill be now read a secondtime."It gives me pleasure to introduce this Bill

which deals with a number of very importantissues. The Bill puts in place an entirely newprocess for the review of local governmentexternal boundaries and electoralarrangements which means the office of LocalGovernment Commissioner is no longerrequired. The Bill sets out a better process forreviewing the external boundaries andelectoral arrangements of local governments.The independent Electoral Commissioner ofQueensland will now be responsible forconducting the reviews, assisted by qualifiedreview commissioners as and when the needarises. These commissioners will be appointedby the Governor in Council to a standingpanel. The Local Government Association ofQueensland must be consulted prior to aperson's initial appointment as a reviewcommissioner. That appointment can be up tothree years and there is scope forreappointment.

Review commissioners are not intendedto work on a full-time basis. They onlyundertake their role when the Minister makesa reference on a reviewable local governmentmatter to the Electoral Commissioner and it isdecided that review commissioners shouldform part of the commission. Once thedecision is made that the commission is toinclude one or more review commissioners, itis then up to the Electoral Commissioner toselect the requisite number from the standingpanel. Once the commission has made its

4134 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 14 Nov 1996

determination and reported to the Minister, itceases, and the review commissioners haveno further role until they are appointed to acommission to carry out another review. Theextent to which review commissioners areused will depend on the nature of thereferences given by the Minister. For majorreferences that involve looking at significantchanges to external boundaries, a number ofreview commissioners are likely to beappointed. In the case of minor referencesthat do not involve complex issues, the scopeis there for the Electoral Commissioner to dealwith the matter as a single-membercommission.

Given the matters to be examined by alocal government electoral and boundariesreview commission, the Public Service Act isalso to be amended by the Bill to include thereview commissioners in the list of exemptterm appointees because their role isequivalent to that of the ElectoralCommissioner. The matters they are dealingwith require them to act independently and tobe seen to act independently.

Another fundamental change from thecurrent provisions of the Local GovernmentAct is that the commission makes the finaldetermination, which cannot be rejected bythe Minister. It is only in the area ofimplementation that the Government has adiscretion. The implementation issues arespelt out in the Act and include theapportionment of assets and liabilities, whichexisting local laws should apply to the areabeing transferred, etc.

The Bill contains provisions for theconstitution of a special local governmentelectoral and boundaries review commission toundertake the redistribution of wardboundaries for Brisbane if this is necessarybefore a triennial election. It will now bepossible for a reference to be issued thatinvolves consideration of a change in theexternal boundaries of the city and also anynecessary adjustments to ward boundaries ifthat change is to proceed. However,compliance with the quota of electors for eachcouncillor and the margin of allowance of 10per cent will still apply.

Apart from the special procedures for aredistribution of Brisbane wards, the Billprovides three ways for dealing with reviewablelocal government matters and the minimumprocess to be undertaken for each one. Firstly,there are major reviews, such as those whichcould result in the abolition, creation oramalgamation of local government areas aswell as other major boundary adjustments.

These reviews require public notification ofproposed changes and time for the lodgmentof submissions from interested parties. TheMinister may specify that a reference is to betreated as a major reference. If such action isnot taken, it is up to the ElectoralCommissioner to decide if a reference shouldbe treated this way. A reference to reviewexternal boundaries that could also result in achange to Brisbane's ward boundaries mustalways be treated as a major reference.

Secondly, the Bill provides that areference may be treated as a minorreference. These types of references couldresult in minor adjustments to externalboundaries, electoral divisions or otherelectoral arrangements. Instead ofundertaking a comprehensive review process,the streamlined procedures will enableconsultation to occur with the affected localgovernments, any affected land-holders andother people who are directly affected.However, if it becomes apparent to acommission after it has received responsesfrom those it directly consulted that there arewider ramifications, the commission maydecide to upgrade the reference and treat it asa major reference with a full public consultationprocess.

Thirdly, affected local governments andlandowners who have reached agreementamong themselves on a proposed change toexternal boundaries will be able to applydirectly to the Electoral Commissioner. Thesevery minor external boundary adjustments canbe dealt with by the Electoral Commissionersitting as a single-member commission and donot require a reference from the Minister or apublic consultation process.

I will now mention how referendums fitinto the review process. A referendum must beheld for a proposal to create or abolish a localgovernment area or to amalgamate localgovernment areas. It would be held after acommission had given public notice of aproposed amalgamation and still consideredthe amalgamation should occur following anexamination of the submissions received.There is also discretion for a commission todecide to hold a referendum on proposals formaking adjustments to external boundaries. Areferendum question is approved if a majorityof electors who take part vote "Yes" for thequestion. However, if the affected area isbroken up into voting areas, the referendumquestion is only approved if a majority ofelectors in each voting area support the "Yes"case. Because of the complex circumstancesthat could apply in the case of anamalgamation or the creation of a new local


government, it is not possible to specify in thelegislation who should participate in areferendum and whether voting areas areneeded. The range of possibilities is almostinfinite. Therefore these decisions can only bemade once a specific proposal is put forwardby a commission.

The outcome of a compulsory referendumdetermines whether a proposal for the creationor abolition of local government areas or anamalgamation will be implemented. If thecommission's proposals are not supported atthe referendum, the commission cannot makea determination that the changes are toproceed. It is possible that such changescould be rejected at a referendum because oflocal issues, despite there being strong overallpublic interest reasons for them to occur. Forexample, there may be a council experiencingextreme financial difficulties to the point whereits viability can no longer be sustained. If areference was given and it was proposed toamalgamate the council with an adjoining localgovernment area, a referendum would have tobe held. If the proposal was to be approved bythe electors in each local government area,the change could not proceed if rejected by amajority of electors in one area. They couldinherit substantial debts and a poor standardof infrastructure. Rates may also have to riseto remedy the situation and improve the livingconditions of people in the run-down area.Even a significant offer of additional Statefinancial assistance might not affect theoutcome. The Bill then permits Parliament tohave a final say if a mandatory referendum isnot carried. If good public policy reasonsclearly exist for proceeding with the proposal,the Legislative Assembly could request theGovernor in Council to make a regulation toimplement the proposal.

Where an adjustment of local governmentexternal boundaries is proposed and thecommission has exercised its discretion toconduct a referendum to gauge opinion, theresult of the referendum would not be bindingon the commission. Although it would not bebinding, the commission would have toseriously consider the referendum resultbefore making a decision to go in a differentdirection. Public confidence in the reviewprocess depends on the commissionersexercising sound judgment. It is not possibleto legislate to say that some externalboundary change proposals require acompulsory referendum while for others areferendum is optional. The variety ofcircumstances that could arise in practicemeans the decision on whether to hold areferendum can only be made in the light of a

specific proposal and the circumstancessurrounding it. The commissioners thereforehave to exercise sound judgment in decidingwhich external boundary change proposalsshould be the subject of a discretionaryreferendum.

The Bill contains a range of otheramendments to the Local Government Actand the City of Brisbane Act. The most criticalones that relate to the long-term futuredirections of the local government system dealwith National Competition Policy. In July 1996,Cabinet approved the release of a policystatement on National Competition Policy andQueensland local government. The statementwas developed in conjunction with aState/local government working group on NCPand outlines the application of the competitiveneutrality reforms. These reforms require theremoval of the advantages and disadvantagesthat local government businesses derive byvirtue of Government ownership. They onlyapply to activities involving the trade in goodsor services and not the social or regulatoryactivities of local governments.

Competitive neutrality reforms facilitatebetter decision making because the true costsand the level of performance of thebusinesses will be much more transparent.The reforms also promote productivity gainswhich will flow to consumers and industry inthe form of better services and lower prices. Imight add that contrary to what Bill Ludwigand a number of mayors and other ill-informedpeople might say, the reforms do not involveprivatisation or the compulsory tendering outof any local government activities. Those arefurphies being pushed by people for their ownends. There is also no requirement toimplement the reforms unless the benefitsoutweigh the costs.

The policy statement defined significantbusiness activities as those which have acurrent annual expenditure in excess of $5min 1992-93 terms—classified as type 1 andtype 2 business activities depending upontheir size. Seventeen local governments wereidentified in the statement with significantbusiness activities that are above thesethresholds. The Bill applies the first stage ofthe competitive neutrality reforms to thoselocal governments. They are the largestcouncils in the State and include Brisbane,Gold Coast, Townsville, Logan and Ipswich.The relevant business activities are theirgarbage, water and sewerageservices—depending upon their size—andBrisbane's public transport service. These localgovernments have to carry out public benefitassessments by 30 June 1997 to determine

4136 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 14 Nov 1996

whether the benefits outweigh the costs ofeither corporatising, commercialising orapplying full cost pricing to the nominatedactivities.

My department, in conjunction withQueensland Treasury and the State/localgovernment working group, is finalising theguidelines for conducting a public benefitassessment. The guidelines have a localgovernment flavour but will be consistent withthose that apply to the assessment of StateGovernment business activities. An issuespaper on enabling legislation for localgovernment owned corporatisations wasreleased for public comment last month. Workis also under way on a commercialisation andfull cost pricing framework.

Legislation is expected to be introducedinto Parliament early next year to enable localgovernments to take the results of their publicbenefit assessments and to apply thesereforms. Under the policy statement, the initialtarget completion date for those localgovernments implementing corporatisation,commercialisation or full cost pricing reforms isJuly 1998.

Queensland will be eligible forCommonwealth "competition payments",subject to meeting the timetable for theimplementation of the reforms in the policystatement. The State Government has alreadyagreed in principle to allocate a proportion ofthese payments to local governmentsundertaking the reforms. The StateGovernment has also agreed that if a localgovernment corporatises a significant businessactivity and that makes the activity subject toState taxes, an amount equivalent to thosetaxes would be payable to the localgovernment that owns the corporate entity. Ithas also been agreed that amountsequivalent to State debt guarantee fees wouldalso be retained by the relevant localgovernment. In effect, there would be noadditional payment of taxes to the StateGovernment because a local governmentcorporatises an activity. The Bill reflects theseprinciples.

Strong approaches have been made tothe Commonwealth to have them adopt thesame approach as the State Government. Taxequivalent regimes should apply rather thanthe transfer of any additional funds from onelevel of Government to another. If Statebusiness activities are corporatised, they areprotected in this way from Commonwealthtaxes. We will continue to argue for similarprotection for local governments and an earlyresolution of this issue.

The Bill also contains a number ofimportant amendments relating to localgovernment elections. It sets the date for thenext triennial elections for Brisbane CityCouncil as 15 March 1997—the same datethat is being fixed under the LocalGovernment Act for the elections of all otherlocal governments. Action has also beentaken to declare that the Rosalie Shire willhave no electoral divisions for the 1997triennial elections and will remain undividedunless an Electoral and Boundaries ReviewCommission redivides the shire. The existingdivisions of the shire are outside the margin ofallowance for the quota of electors and thecouncil does not support the finalrecommendation of the Local GovernmentCommissioner on how its area should bedivided.

Additional amendments have beenincluded in the Bill to clarify or improve thepractical application of the local governmentelection procedures. For example, furtheramendments have been made to deal withthe issue that arose last August on whether ornot councillors had to live in the electoraldivisions they represented. The proposedamendments not only retain the principle thatcouncillors need not live in their divisions, theyalso provide assistance to returning officers indealing with this issue. However, theamendments also make it clear that if aperson lives in the area of the localgovernment and is an elector for an electoraldistrict or a part of an electoral district includedin the area on the cut-off day for compilationof the voters roll for a by-election, the personcan nominate for the by-election—provided ofcourse they suffer no other disqualificationsfrom office. The nomination form to be signedby the returning officer accepting thenomination now reflects this principle.

Provision has also been made to widenthe discretion of the chief executive officer of acouncil to appoint another person as thereturning officer for an election. The Billclarifies the procedure to be followed tocontract out responsibility for the conduct ofthe elections. A number of other electoralamendments provide for greater consistencywith revised procedures under the ElectoralAct. For example, the procedure for takingaction against non-voters has been amendedin line with the State requirements. Theprovisions in the Electoral Act dealing withspecial grounds for deciding that a person isnot properly nominated have also beenincorporated in the Bill. For instance, areturning officer could decide not to accept anomination if the person has changed their


name to include the word "informal". The Billalso clarifies that a registered political partycan only nominate a person to fill a vacancy ifthe vacating councillor at the time ofcandidature had been endorsed on thenomination form by a registered political party.

Other electoral amendments relate to theintroduction of tear-off declarations fordeclaration envelopes, clarification that thelocal government is to meet the cost ofelections in its area, alternative addresses towhich postal votes can be sent and powers ofdelegation by electoral officers. The Bill alsocontains a number of other miscellaneousamendments to the Local Government Actand the City of Brisbane Act. For instance, itclarifies that local governments may applyutility charges for services such as watersupply to parts of one or more financial years.It also clarifies that differing charges may belevied for differing periods in one or moreyears and how meters may be read if thereading does not occur on the previouslynominated day. Many local governments thatuse water meters charge for water usage onthe basis of periods which do not coincide withthe financial year. This practice commencedunder the old Local Government Act. Legalopinion obtained by the Ombudsman and theLocal Government Association indicates sucha charge is not in accordance with the currentAct. However, it is not possible for localgovernments to read all meters at 30 Juneeach year.

With the transition of more localgovernments to user-pays systems, it isincreasingly important they are given theflexibility to adopt varying charging proceduresappropriate to their local circumstances. TheBrisbane City Council is satisfied that itscurrent utility charging arrangements meet therequirements of the City of Brisbane Act.However, the council requested anamendment to that Act to provide theadditional flexibility being given to other localGovernments in setting volume based utilitycharges.

The draft Bill also validates the fixed usecomponent of utility charges for water madeby the Livingstone Shire Council for the 1993-94 financial year in relation to waterconsumers in the Capricorn Coast area. TheLivingstone Shire Council levied a base chargefor water in 1993-94 along with an excesscharge. This was intended to apply from 1 July1993 to the date of a meter reading in April1994, but neither the Budget resolution northe wording on the rate notice made this clear.

The council then charged on a usagebasis at the rate of $1 per kilolitre for the

period from April 1994 to July 1994 and forsubsequent three monthly periods with aminimum charge of $390 per financial year.This process resulted in an argument thatcharges were levied twice in respect of theperiod from the meter reading in April 1994 to30 June 1994. The Ombudsmanrecommended the Livingstone Shire Councilshould make a refund to each user for theamount apparently charged twice. If thecouncil was to make this refund and stillbalance its budget, it would have to raiseadditional revenue equal to the amountrefunded plus any administrative costs. Theeffect on a person who was a ratepayer at thetime of the charge and is still a ratepayer islikely to be a refund largely offset by anadditional levy.

Because of the complexity over the issueof refunds and as most ratepayers pay thesame amount or a lower amount each yearthan what would have been paid if there hadbeen no change in 1993-94 to the council'scharging scheme, the Bill contains a provisionvalidating the charges made in that year.However, I made it clear to the LivingstoneShire Council that I do not like having to bringsuch legislation into Parliament—particularlywhere a more considered approach on theirpart in the first place might have resolved thematter. It is now up to the council toadequately explain its actions to thecommunity and no doubt they will be judgedappropriately at the local government electionsnext March. The Livingstone Shire Councilshould also act quickly to mend its relationshipwith the Ombudsman.

The Bill also clarifies certain provisionsdealing with interest accrued on unpaid rates,the recovery of overdue rates and incentivesfor the early payment of rates. The latteramendment has been incorporated into theCity of Brisbane Act. Because a review isunder way of the Art Unions and PublicAmusements Act, the provisions that allowlocal governments to run a lottery toencourage earlier payment of rates will expireon 30 June 1998. This will enable the offeringof such incentives to then be picked up in thenew Art Unions and Public Amusements Act.

The Bill also extends the application ofcertain provisions in the Local Government Actwhich are due to expire. The power for localgovernments to make local laws to authorisecouncil officers to enter any place to seize adangerous dog has been extended to allowan evaluation of the provisions to becompleted. A provision which enables localgovernments to make local laws for thepurpose of prohibiting or regulating the

4138 Privilege 14 Nov 1996

construction and maintenance of levee bankshas also been extended pending thedevelopment of new legislation for themanagement of the State's natural resources.Under the Local Government Act, all localgovernments are to review their local laws forredundant provisions by 25 March 1997. Thedraft Bill extends the deadline for completionof the current local law review to 30 June1999.

The Bill also clarifies that local law policiesnot only bind the local government but alsothe community—provided the local lawexpressly states that a local government maymake a local law policy and the local lawcontains relevant enforcement provisions inrelation to the local law policy. This was alwaysbelieved to be the case. However, someuncertainty has arisen as a result of legaladvice provided to the department.Furthermore, the Bill allows the Minister toexempt certain local governments from therequirement to develop and administer anequal employment opportunity managementplan. Such an exemption could only be madein accordance with criteria fixed by regulation.

The Bill also clarifies that localgovernments may make superannuationcontributions as part of salary sacrificingarrangements for their senior executiveofficers. I hope to see these provisionsextended to elected officials next year.

Given the size of the Bill and the widevariety of issues of importance to localgovernment that it addresses, consultationoccurred with a range of bodies including theLocal Government Association, Brisbane CityCouncil, Institute of Municipal Management,Local Government Superannuation Board,Ombudsman's Office, Local GovernmentCommissioner, Electoral Commissioner andthe Queensland Treasury. I want to thank allthose people who contributed to thedevelopment of the Bill and in providing theircomments on such short notice. The Billreflects many of the comments that weremade. Thanks also to my departmentalofficers for their hard work in this regard. Icommend the Bill to the House.

Debate, on motion of Mr Mackenroth,adjourned.

PRIVILEGE


Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH(Chatsworth) (12.01 p.m.): I rise on a matter ofprivilege. Earlier, I rose in relation to a

ministerial statement made by the Minister forPublic Works and Housing in relation to theannual report of the Queensland BuildingTribunal. The statement that the Ministermade was three sentences long. He said thathe had allowed an extension of time for theQueensland Building Tribunal to submit itsannual report. At that time, I mentioned thatmembers had a copy of that report. I had acopy of it sent to me in the mail. Here it is. It isthe Queensland Building Tribunal annualreport for July 1995 to June 1996. As it is quiteapparent from what the Minister said earlier inhis ministerial statement that he has misledthe House, particularly as the report shouldhave been tabled in the Parliament by 31October, I move—

"That the matter be referred to theMembers' Ethics and ParliamentaryPrivileges Committee."

Ms BLIGH (South Brisbane)(12.03 p.m.): I second the motion before theHouse. The ministerial statement makes itclear that the Queensland Building Tribunalwas required to submit that report by 31October. I have certainly had my copy of thatdocument since at least 25 October.Therefore, it was in existence long before therequired date for submission. That is not whatthe Minister said this morning in his statementto the House. The question for the House andfor the Members' Ethics and ParliamentaryPrivileges Committee is whether there was amisleading and whether the misleading wasdeliberate. In my view, there are a number ofthings in the Building Tribunal's report whichthe Minister deliberately wanted to concealfrom the Parliament and the people.

Hon. R. T. CONNOR (Nerang—Minister for Public Works and Housing)(12.05 p.m.): First of all, I shall give membersa bit of background as to what happened. As Iunderstand it, a draft report was sent to mydepartment. The department has informed methat the problem was that the QueenslandBuilding Tribunal failed to get its financialstatements audited. I have been informed thatthe Auditor-General did not audit the financialstatements of the Building Tribunal. On thatbasis, it was not a report. It was not complete;therefore, it was not a report. There were alsoother considerations in relation to it. I have aletter coming——

Mr Mackenroth interjected.

Mr CONNOR: I will tell the honourablemember in a minute. I sent a letter to theQueensland Building Tribunal, and I amgetting a copy of that letter brought to the

14 Nov 1996 Privilege 4139

House now. I am trying to get it here as fast asI can.

Ms Bligh: I bet you are.

Mr CONNOR: Yes, I am. It is alllegitimate. I might add that not only is itlegitimate but, as the department has told me,it is what I am required to do as a result ofsection 45KB(2) of the Financial Administrationand Audit Act. I am acting on my department'sadvice as to what I am required to do underthat Act.

The other matter is this. The QueenslandBuilding Tribunal made statements in thatdraft report which were considered by theLegal and Contractual section of mydepartment to be inappropriate to be in anannual report.

Mr Mackenroth: You are censoring thereport.

Mr CONNOR: I am not censoringanything. We have not censored anything.The Legal and Contractual section reportadvised sending the draft report back to theQueensland Building Tribunal and informing itof its obligations under the Act. According toLegal and Contractual, that report simply didnot comply with the Act. Do Oppositionmembers know John Scrivens? According tothe Legal and Contractual section of theDepartment of Public Works and Housing, thatreport did not comply.

As I said, very shortly I will have here aletter that has been prepared by the Legaland Contractual section of my department.Very shortly, that letter will be here. I am quitehappy to supply the Opposition with a copy ofexactly what was said to the QueenslandBuilding Tribunal. If Opposition members willgive me the opportunity to supply that, I will bevery happy to do that. As I said, that lettershould be here very shortly. I am doing mybest to keep members informed. This matterwas brought to my attention only yesterday. Iunderstand that the Building Tribunal hadbreached certain aspects——

Mr Milliner: This is your responsibility.

Mr CONNOR: It is an authority. It comesunder the Queensland Building ServicesAuthority Act, as I understand it. It has aresponsibility to report.

I might add that I think it is important torecall something else that happened underthe previous Minister. Members may recall thatthe previous Minister is the honourablemember for Chatsworth. Under that Minister,an annual report was not compiled for threeyears. As I understand it, between 1992 and1995, it put out only one report—a combined

report of three years. If the honourablemember for Chatsworth wants to take that tothe Members' Ethics and ParliamentaryPrivileges Committee—he was the Minister atthat time. I am sure that the Members' Ethicsand Parliamentary Privileges Committee wouldbe very interested to know why there was onlyone report that covered three years. Perhaps Ishould be moving an amendment to themotion that, in effect, the previous Ministershould also be referred to the Members' Ethicsand Parliamentary Privileges Committee inrelation to why the Queensland BuildingTribunal put in only one annual report in threeyears. People who live in glass houses shouldnot throw stones.

I am doing my best to live up to myobligations under the Act. As I said, that lettershould be here very shortly. If the Leader ofOpposition Business wants to give me a bit oftime, I would be very happy to get that letter tohim. I have been to my office. A copy of thatletter is on its way over here now. If themember is happy to postpone this discussionfor a very short time, I would be happy to getthat letter to him. Would he be happy to dothat?


Mr CONNOR: Yes, as soon as I sitdown, the member will bring the debate to anend.

I am trying to restore some sanity to theHouse. This is the fourth time that the memberfor Chatsworth has moved a motion referringme to the Members' Ethics and ParliamentaryPrivileges Committee. He has failed threetimes. Each time totally frivolous matters havebeen involved. The member for Chatsworthmay have nothing better to do than presentissues to the Members' Ethics andParliamentary Privileges Committee, but I amtrying to run a department. Trying to sendfrivolous matters to the Members' Ethics andParliamentary Privileges Committee is totallyinappropriate action to take. If the memberhas nothing better to do, that is fine, but Ihave: I am trying to get on with running mydepartment.


Mr CONNOR: As to the matter that themember mentioned in his interjection—Imentioned earlier today that the member wasmisleading the House.

Mrs EDMOND: I rise to a point of order.Mr Deputy Speaker, have mercy. This istedious repetition.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Laming):Order! There is no point of order.

4140 Drugs Misuse Amendment Bill 14 Nov 1996

Mr CONNOR: He could have mercy onme by giving me an opportunity to obtain thatletter, but he will not.

Mr Hamill: You are trying to filibuster.

Mr CONNOR: He would also be savingthe time of the House if he were to do that.However, that is his decision and not mine.

In relation to the other matter raised bythe member for Chatsworth in an interjection,members may recall that this morning, whenhe rose on a matter of privilege, the memberfor Chatsworth maintained that I had said that7,500 documents were involved. He did notread further through that letter and find thatthat was the number discovered so far andthat the process was still continuing.

Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH(Chatsworth) (12.12 p.m.): The Minister askedme to have mercy on him. I really am trying tohave mercy on him: I am trying to bury himand get him off the front bench. I think thatthat is the best I could do. As to the matterthat I raised to be referred to the Members'Ethics and Parliamentary PrivilegesCommittee—the Minister made a three-sentence statement that he had extended thetime for the submission of the annual report,when an annual report had been sent to me.If the Minister had other matters that hewished to raise, he should have informed theParliament of that this morning and not simplyhave made a statement. What is even worseis that he then went on to say, basically, thatthere are other matters that he wants changedin the annual report. Ministers do not changeannual reports that are sent to them by bodiesthat are under their control. The annual reportsof those bodies are——

Mr CONNOR: I rise to a point of order.The member is misleading the House. What Isaid quite clearly was that I was informed thatthe Auditor-General had not signed off thefinancial statements. I now have the letter fullyinforming Mr Cotterell——

Ms BLIGH: I rise to a point of order. TheMinister is not making a point of order. Thatletter has no relevance to the point of orderthat the Minister is taking on the member forChatsworth.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! TheMinister has made his point of order. TheHouse is aware that the letter is in the House.

Mr MACKENROTH: The issue is thatthe Minister did mislead the Parliament thismorning. This morning I raised the matter ofexaggeration. The Minister said that this is thefourth occasion that I have moved a motionreferring him to the Members' Ethics and

Parliamentary Privileges Committee. This isthe third occasion that I have sought for him tobe referred to the Members' Ethics andParliamentary Privileges Committee.

Mr ROBERTSON: I rise to a point oforder. I ask the Minister to have the courtesyof providing all members with a copy of theletter that he just handed to the member forGladstone.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Thereis no point of order.

Motion agreed to.

DRUGS MISUSE AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading

Debate resumed from 30 October (seep. 3657).

Mr BARTON (Waterford) (12.16 p.m.): Inrising to speak to the Drugs MisuseAmendment Bill, I point out at the outset thatthe Opposition shares the concerns of theGovernment about the proliferation and use ofnew designer drugs, particularly the one thathas come to attention in recent weeks knownas Fantasy or GHB. We have seen in the pastseveral weeks just how dangerous thisparticular drug can be. We support theGovernment in its action to ensure that thedrug is made illegal and made illegal as soonas possible. I state very clearly, in thestrongest possible terms, that we share theconcern of the Government about the risk toyoung people. When we are literally only oneday away from the beginning of SchooliesWeek, it is absolutely essential that this actionbe taken now. I, in common with the Minister,was wondering whether we would ever reachthe point of debating this Bill.

Opposition members understand thatyoung people seek new experiences.However, sadly the truth is that, when it comesto drugs, seeking those new experiences cansometimes lead to death. We all know ofexamples of experimentation or tragicmistakes of young people leading tounfortunate deaths.

We agree with the Government. I say verystrongly that this legislation needs to bepassed today so that, if information is correctthat large quantities of the designer drugFantasy will arrive from interstate for SchooliesWeek, we have a demonstration from thisParliament that it is our intention that that drugbe made illegal so that the Police Service is ina position to act.

The events on the Gold Coast certainlydid highlight the nature of the problem. I am

14 Nov 1996 Drugs Misuse Amendment Bill 4141

sure that, in common with me, most membersof this Parliament would have believed that, ifdesigner drugs of that nature did exist andwere being used, those drugs would be illegaland police would be in a position to act. WhenI heard about the events at the rave club onthe Gold Coast and the fact that police weresuspicious of actions at that particular raveclub, my first response was to feel that policehad not acted properly in not taking action toclose it down. Of course, subsequently we alldiscovered that the police did not have thelegal powers to do that, because at that timethe drug was not illegal. That event severalweeks ago showed just how easy it is forpeople to put their lives at risk, by taking actionthat, at the time, may be technically legal. Wemust ensure that the people who sellpotentially deadly drugs at dance parties andrave parties are stopped. We must do it today.

I have found it amazing that there couldbe clubs that, in fact, sell only water. Clearly, ifpeople are promoting such a club, even if theyare not the sellers of the drugs themselves butare promoting and organising a club thatprovides only water, I suggest that they knowfull well what is happening at theirestablishments. They know full well that drugsare being sold and taken on their premises. Ithink that they are equally as responsible asthe people who actually sell the drugs. Thosepeople are no better than the drug dealers.The police must be given the clear capacity tostop the people who engage in thoseactivities. The Opposition believes that this Billdoes that, and it will support it. However, Imust say that Opposition members did andstill do have some concerns about somematters contained in the Bill about which I willspeak shortly. I may ask a couple of questionsof the Minister later to clarify some pointscontained in the Bill.

From reading the Alert Digest of theScrutiny of Legislation Committee, Oppositionmembers also appreciate that the Bill mayoffend at least one important principle of goodlegislation—the fact that regulations will notnecessarily pass away automatically after 10years. Again, the Opposition's view is that inthis special case the Parliament needs to say,"Yes, we have taken note of that, but we areprepared to let the Bill go through the way itis." I would hate to think that because we didnot take action and convert the Schedules ofthe Act into regulations a whole range ofdangerous drugs would automatically cease tobe illegal through some slip-up at some pointin the future.

The Opposition also agrees that it isabsolutely necessary to convert the Act's

Schedules into schedules of regulationsbecause, as was demonstrated in this latestcase in relation to Fantasy, people aredeveloping new drugs. If those people were toget off on technicalities because of the timethat it took to bring amending legislationbefore this Parliament and have it passed andproclaimed, then we would not be doing theright thing and what is in the best interests ofQueenslanders, particularly people who maytake those drugs believing that they are notdoing anything illegal. The Opposition doesnot take it lightly that important public issuesare removed from statutes to subordinatelegislation. It believes that that particularlegislative principle is important. However, thisis a special case. The Opposition believes thatif we fail to undertake this measure we wouldleave identified, dangerous and potentiallydeadly drugs in the community.

The Opposition will support the provisionsof the Bill relating to the publication of recipes.However, it has expressed some concernspublicly about that matter. Although theOpposition supports that provision, it still hassome concerns. It is concerned that thoseprovisions may result in some young peoplereceiving tough prison sentences—and theycan be very long prison sentences—for doingnothing more than accessing the Internet,printing out a recipe and passing it on tosomeone else to demonstrate what is on theInternet. Of course, the Opposition is awarethat young people have been able to find theplans for how to make nuclear weapons onthe Internet. This is the era in which welive—there is a large amount of information onthe Internet that cannot be regulatedeffectively. I would hate to think that someyoung person who was scrolling through theInternet could find a recipe for a designerdrug, print it out, take it to school or take it tohis or her club or show his or her workmates,and suddenly find that he or she is facing avery tough prison sentence.

The Opposition takes some comfort fromthe words that the Minister used in his second-reading speech. He stated very clearly that itwas not the Government's intention for that tooccur—that what the Government was seekingto do was to catch up with the people who arepassing on the recipes for drugs to make aprofit, or who are using the recipes to promotethe manufacture and sale of dangerous drugs.I will not read the Minister's words; they appearvery clearly in Hansard. The Opposition hasbeen influenced by the fact that the Ministerhas said very clearly that that is not theGovernment's intention. However, it wants thepeople who are involved in manufacturing


designer drugs and the people who areinvolved in either selling the recipes or passingon the recipes to other people to manufacturethe drugs and who deal in drugs to be nailed.The Opposition takes comfort from theMinister's speech.

This is not a Bill about which theOpposition intends to hold a lengthy debate; itwill save its energy to debate Bills about whichit has some very real differences with theGovernment. However, I will make some briefcomments about some of the clauses duringthe Committee stage. The Oppositionsupports the need to ban this newlydiscovered group of drugs, which havedemonstrated already how potentiallydangerous they are. It supports the change inthe Act to allow newly identified dangerousdrugs in the future to be speedily made illegalby the conversion of the Schedules in the Actto regulations. The Opposition supports theneed to punish those people who publishrecipes in circumstances in which they areseeking to proliferate drug use, but not forother purposes. The Opposition supports thisBill.

Mrs EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha)(12.27 p.m.): As my colleague just said, theOpposition supports the Bill. It is deeplyconcerned—and I think that it shares thatconcern with the Government—about therecent tragic drug-related incident involvingseveral young people at a rave party at theGold Coast. That was caused by theirexposure to a dangerous drug with the streetname Fantasy.

It is of concern to me that increasingly weare seeing a manipulation of chemicalformulas just to evade the law. It is for thatreason that the Opposition supports thislegislation in the direction that it has taken.The Health Minister, along with the PoliceMinister, have quite rightly been in the mediato respond to the issue as a matter of greatpublic importance. As the mother of a Year 12student who is just about ready to go off onSchoolies Week, I was extremely concerned toread in the paper that there has been a hugeboost in the supplies of drugs on the GoldCoast and other areas to take advantage ofkids. I think they are really a low form oflife—to take advantage of kids who are lettingoff steam.

It is important that those types of drugsbe scheduled as dangerous drugs so that it isquite clear under the law to those who seek tosell or produce those substances that they arebreaking the law. Similarly, it is important thatyoung people and other adults who are willing

to take up those sorts of drugs, or experimentwith them on a regular basis, know that theyare breaking the law and are almost certainlytaking a major risk with their own life. However,the absence of a harm-minimisation approachby this Government to the existence of thisnewly discovered dangerous drug in ourcommunity, considering its apparent popularityowing to its street status as a designer drug, isvery disappointing. It is a problem that, inmaking people aware, one is often making thedrug better known to those young people.

Having heard from the Minister for Healthabout this serious drug issue, I could not helpcasting my mind back to some of the puerilepress releases put out by the now Minister forHealth when he was in Opposition bagginghealth promotion and other drug awarenessrelated programs, which he suddenly tells usthat he supports. This is a conversion ofPauline dimensions. I remember one particularpress release that the Minister put out baggingthe Goss Government for its commitment toprovide a needle exchange service on theGold Coast. I think the now Minister referred toit as a needle exchange supermarket andimplied that this harm-minimisation approachwas some sort of communist plot. He really isvery keen to find reds under the bed. I thoughtthat the old Cold War had long gone, but notfor Mr Horan. I think he used to refer to thesehealth promotion and community-basedinitiatives as a waste of money and time.

If the Minister stopped and thought aboutit for long enough, he would realise that a lotof those promotions keep people out ofhospitals and save lives. They also save thelives of innocent drug-free people, too. Thereis more to health promotion than sending outpictures of the Minister, or press releasessaying that the Minister is concerned. Whilethe Health Minister was big-noting himselfabout how serious he is about preventingserious illness or death, which in the case ofour young people is often the result of druguse, I had a look at some of the types ofprograms in regard to which he has beencutting funding.

Bearing in mind that I have only looked atprograms, aimed at preventing young peoplefrom taking drugs, which were sponsored bythe Queensland Health Promotion Council, Iwant the Parliament to know that, while theMinister is promoting himself on the basis ofhis sincere concern about the serious issue ofdrugs, he has cut funding to the HealthPromotion Council and, therefore, to the workthat it is doing. He has also scrapped a vastnumber of health prevention programs fromhis department by gutting the Health


Advancement Branch, essentially becausethose were initiatives of Labor in Government.

Let us look at the sorts of programssponsored through the grants issued by thecouncil just in the area of drug awareness andinjury prevention that the Minister thinks arenot worth the money: drug and alcoholcoordination with the Queensland PoliceService; "Rumble in the Jungle", a unique skill-based initiative for young people; theSouthern Zone Population Health Unit, whichis reducing youth access to tobacco throughcommunity involvement; the south coastregion which has established a healthy schoolcommunities program; GAIN Incorporated,whose theme is, "Don't drink, pop or drop"; thePharmacy Guild of Australia's multilingual,intravenous drug users brochure, which isaimed at ensuring safer needle and syringeusage and disposal; and the Department ofSocial and Preventive Medicine at thePrincess Alexandra Hospital, which provides adrink-driving rehabilitation program for WideBay. That is just a small sample of some ofthe grants issued by the Health PromotionCouncil when Jim Elder was the Minister forHealth and it gives people an idea of the typesof programs that we are talking about. I amsure that any reasonable person wouldacknowledge that these worthy programsshould be above political point scoring.

Here we have a small sample of thoseprograms which promote healthy lifestyles forour young people and discourage drug use ina practical and hands-on way, which is clearlywhat is needed on the Gold Coast andelsewhere. The Minister is big on platitudes, lipservice, secret deals, half-baked promises andstolen rhetoric that he either does notunderstand or honestly supports. However, heis very low on action and support for the sortsof drug prevention programs needed tocombat drug experimentation and drugdependency in our local communities,particularly in our youth communities. If onepretends that something is not there and it isnot discussed, it does not go away. Youngpeople need to be aware of the risks that theyare taking. If the Government thinks thatbanning the drug Fantasy will fix the drugproblems facing Queenslanders, it has a lot tolearn.

My criticism of the Government stemsfrom my ardent belief in the importance of awhole-of-Government approach to fighting theprevalence of drugs in our community whichtakes a harm-minimisation focus seriously.Virtually all medical experts and law enforcerswith experience in this field will say thatprohibition on its own will not solve the

problem. The latest report into illicit drugs,conducted by the Victorian Premier's DrugAdvisory Council in March of this year andheaded up by well-known academic ProfessorPennington, looked at the central issues ingreat detail and came up with many importantrecommendations for consideration.

Professor Pennington's report works onthe premise that harm-minimisation drugstrategies are essential. Prohibition to controldrugs must be backed up with innovativemeasures aimed at delivering realisticprograms to address the prevalence of drugsand drug usage as a societal problem. ThePennington report's argument that theprohibition approach nationally andinternationally has been adhered to for longenough to produce any profoundly positiveresults but has failed to swing the tide of drugtrafficking, production and consumption is verypersuasive. Internationally, Australia andSweden have been recognised as the mostoutstanding achievers in fighting the harmfuleffects of drug dependency due to acommitment to a multifaceted harm-minimisation approach on this issue. Thismodel demands a serious commitment tohealth promotion, education and injuryprevention strategies.

Given the Government's reactive andsingle-minded response to the serious incidentat the Gold Coast involving the drug Fantasy, Iam not confident that a comprehensive drugstrategy to deal with the problems we arediscussing in the House today has beenworked through properly. I think that this is aknee-jerk reaction. It is a reactive reaction to asingle issue rather than thinking about andworking on a whole-of-Government strategy toattack this very real problem in our societytoday. The Health Minister in particular hasfailed to use this issue to highlight anythingother than the need to ban the drug inquestion. I have no problem with banning thatdrug, but I think that it would have beenequally appropriate for him to make somemention of the public health issues at stakehere.

It is for this and other reasons that I haveconsiderable reservations about theGovernment's decision to include in thislegislation special provisions to give theExecutive arm of Government special powersto add substances to the schedules ofdangerous drugs. Quite clearly, theGovernment has a bit of a fetish for extendingits Executive powers to suit its own agenda,and that is a concern to all on this side of theHouse. As I have said earlier, I accept theneed for a more rapid response to situations


where there is clear manipulation of chemicalformula just to dodge the existing laws.

The only person in this Governmentattempting to promote a harm-minimisationapproach to drug awareness seems to be theEducation Minister, Mr Quinn, who recentlylaunched the book for schools calledManaging Drug Related Incidents—Suggestions for Schools. I congratulate theEducation Minister on taking this initiative.However, there seems to be a total policyvacuum on the part of some of the relevantMinisters in this Government on the issue.They seem to have a limited understanding ofthe fact that drugs in our community are a factof life and, as a consequence of that, we needmore than a one-pronged approach to theproblem.

When the Minister for Education firstcame into this House, he was very concernedthat drug-minimisation programs, drug-awareness programs and needle-exchangeprograms actually encouraged people to usedrugs, particularly on the Gold Coast. As aresult of some fairly strenuous persuasion onmy part, he came along to an AIDS educationday that we organised here at ParliamentHouse for parliamentarians with the assistanceof the AIDS groups and the HealthDepartment to inform people realistically aboutthe issues involved and about what harm-minimisation means. Harm-minimisation doesnot mean encouragement to use; it meanstrying to keep young people alive long enoughto grow out of their habits. A lot of informationand research proves that if these youngpeople can be kept alive and healthy for anumber of years, they actually grow throughthe process of using drugs and move on to ahealthy, normal and productive life. TheMinister for Education took on board thedetails that were made available to him thatday and he grew out of that experience. It isgood to see him supporting such programs.

The people of the Gold Coast want to seemore support from the Government forpractical, community-based responses to theserious issues posed by the prevalence ofdangerous designer drugs which seem to bevery popular at the moment. The member forSouthport should be severely reprimanded forhis irresponsible comments in relation to theGold Coast drug incident. He said that peoplewho take drugs like this should be responsiblefor paying for their own medical treatment,including emergency care. I wonder whetherthe member for Southport has considered thathis foolish and ridiculous suggestion wouldmean that decisions about people's medicalcare might deny obese, cholesterol rich,

hypertensive, retired footballers who drink andsmoke access to free health care inQueensland as well. They should also takeresponsibility. What is wrong with that? What isthe difference?

I will not oppose this legislation, but Istress my real concern about the reactiveapproach taken by the Government inextending its powers to add substances to theschedule of dangerous drugs, considering itsabuse of these sorts of powers on many otherimportant issues. Again, my concern is thatthis is a reactive and single-minded approachwithout looking at all of the wider issuesinvolved. With a cloud remaining over thePremier and the Police Minister's integrity andhonesty in relation to the secret Police Uniondeal which was signed to shore up votes in theMundingburra by-election, I am sure that allhonourable members would forgive me forfeeling somewhat apprehensive about givingthe Government more Executive powers.

Ms SPENCE (Mount Gravatt)(12.39 p.m.): In common with my colleagueson this side of the House, I support the Bill,the major purpose of which is to add Fantasy,or GHB, to Schedule 2 on the list ofdangerous drugs. I welcome this opportunityto debate the subject of illicit drugs. We do notoften have that opportunity in the Parliament.In fact, in the seven years that I have beenhere, I think that there has been only oneother drug-related Bill before the Parliamentwhich gave us the opportunity to have adebate such as this.

Obviously, the use of dangerous drugs isone of the biggest problems we face in oursociety today. Therefore, it is disappointingthat no Government members are taking theopportunity today to participate in this debate.That makes one suspect that Governmentmembers are either uninterested in the subjectof drugs and the harm they do in our societyor are too frightened to take a position eitherway on the subject of drugs.

This is no bidding war. We are allconcerned about the dangers and harms thatillicit drugs do to people in our society,particularly to the young people who usethem. By talking about this issue, we aspoliticians should be educating ourselvesabout the problems and exploring somesolutions. In supporting this Bill today, I believethat we are not really offering Queenslandersmany solutions to the illegal drug problem.What we are doing today is really just yetagain wielding the big stick and saying, "Drugsare bad. If you take them, we will punish you."We are not talking about, as my colleague


said, harm minimisation, or ways in which wecan prevent people from harming themselvesthrough drug use. We are not talking abouteducation or any preventive measures.Basically, we are just saying, "We hope stifferpenalties will deter young people from usingdrugs." I do not happen to think they will.

Mr Woolmer: Mrs Spence——

Ms SPENCE: If the member oppositewants to participate in the debate, why doeshe not put his name on the speaking list? It isshameful that no Government members areinterested enough in this issue to participate inthe debate today.

There is a lack of public understandingabout designer drugs. I suspect that people inthe general community think that these drugsare being invented in factories and back alleysand are being sprung upon us. That is not thecase. Designer drugs have been around inmedical forms for a long, long time. The drugFantasy, which we are outlawing today, has amedical purpose. It has been a laboratorymanufactured drug since the 1930s. It is adrug that has been used as an anaesthetic incontrolled doses. It has been medically usedto prevent cerebral depression. It has beenmedically used in Europe to treat alcoholwithdrawal symptoms. It is a powder and is awell-known drug in the medical communityelsewhere.

In controlled and medically supervisedsurroundings, it is a useful drug. The dangerwith these sorts of drugs arises when they areproduced in back streets without precautionsand quality control and are introduced intonightclub scenes, as we have seen recently. Iunderstand that the problem with the use ofthe drugs Fantasy and Ecstasy at dance partyscenes is that the users dehydrate very quicklyand thereby do themselves harm. In addition,the fact that they are undertaking immenselevels of physical activity while using this drugalso does them harm. These drugs are not asharmful if one keeps up one's fluid levels anddoes not participate in great levels of physicalactivity. There are messages that we can sendto our young people about how to minimiseharm to themselves when under the influenceof these drugs.

I am a member of a group called theAustralian Parliamentarians for Drug LawReform. I am pleased to say that the grouphas representatives from every State inAustralia. It includes politicians from all politicalpersuasions, including Sir John Gorton,Professor Peter Baume, Don Chipp, Sir RupertHamer, Kevin Rizzoli, Joan Kirner and over100 other politicians throughout Australia.

Membership of this group clearly does notindicate that one is a member of a radicalfringe, is pro-drugs or pro-legalisation of drugs.However, members believe that the currentpolicy of criminalisation in regard to illegaldrugs does not work. Members believe that itis the duty and responsibility of politicians inthis country to inform themselves and to talkabout the issue of drug law reform—something that does not happen inQueensland. Members of this Governmentappear very reluctant to do that.

Members of the AustralianParliamentarians for Drug Law Reform believethat current drug policies cannot deal withexcess crime, violence and health problemscaused by prohibition. The lessons of historyshould serve us well. Laws did not stoppeople's thirst for alcohol in prohibitionistAmerica, their participation in SP bookmakingin Australia or prostitution anywhere. Far fromchanging addictive behaviour, prohibitionassists organised crime, encouragescorruption in the criminal justice system,erodes civil liberties and increases the burdenon taxpayers, who are not only experiencingproperty related drugs crimes but also beingtaxed to support increases in expenditure onprisons, courts and police.

Members of the group believe that thiscountry can do better with less waste.Legalisation is not the only alternative.Different policies might make sense fordifferent drugs. Many options are available,including decriminalising users only, permittingdoctors to prescribe some drugs to addicts toundercut the black market, or shifting theallocation of anti-drug resources to focusmainly on treatment and prevention ratherthan on drug law enforcement. Some or all ofthese strategies are being practised indifferent parts of Australia. It would take a lotof finetuning and experimenting to get ourapproaches to the treatment of addiction right.

No-one can claim to know precisely whatis best—neither the legalisation advocates northe prohibition partisans. We all shareconcerns about the problems caused by drugabuse in our society, but we must alsoconcern ourselves with the harms caused byour policies. Even though I am supporting thislegislation today, I suspect that some harmswill be associated with it.

As my colleague mentioned, when wethreaten the big stick of very harsh penaltiesand prison sentences, instances arise such asthe Anna Woods case in Sydney, in which ayoung girl died from taking Ecstasy. Her deathwas caused by her friends' failure to seek


medical attention. They were frightened that,had they sought medical attention, they wouldall have been subjects of a police investigationand perhaps been found guilty and received astiff penalty. In imposing such penalties, wehave to realise that there are negatives. If wedo not educate our young people about whatto do and whether they are going to besubjects of police investigations, they will infuture fail to call for medical help when theyshould do so, and we will see more lives lost,such as in the case of Anna Woods.

It has been said that illegal drug traffickingmay be the last bastion of free enterprise inAustralia. Unencumbered by healthregulations, safety laws, minimum wages andmorality, illegal drug traffickers market drugsexactly as they please. As the market hasincreasingly demanded more and betterdrugs, so have the drug traffickers responded.Sure, we catch some traffickers and users.This legislation will no doubt do that. Then wewill build more and better gaols so that moreof our young people can be accommodated.But in the meantime the social costs rise andthe drug trade continues.

Let us not fool ourselves into believingthat this legislation will stop the drug trade inFantasy. It will continue. I hope the police docatch some of the peddlers of this drug, but Ido not believe that just by making it illegal wewill solve the problem. We have to have amultifaceted approach to the problem of illegaldrugs. We have to have policies on harmminimisation. We have to have sensibledebate and sensible education for our youngpeople so that they do not want to involvethemselves in the illicit drug trade. There is nobetter time for rational debate than thepresent. I believe that as legislators we shouldnot be afraid of participating in the debate ondrug law reform.

It saddens me to think that, inparticipating in debates like this, colleagues inthis House think that it is smart to label peoplewith silly names because they actually happento have an opinion and happen to havethought about this subject. I think it will be asign of maturity when each one of us canstand up and talk about the drugs issue, asthey have done in Victoria. I congratulate JeffKennett on his courage in getting thePennington commission going and debatingthe Pennington report. I think that process wasvery educative for Victorian parliamentariansand I would welcome that process inQueensland, because I believe when we canall get up and talk sensibly about the problemof drugs and how we might solve it, then we

will go a long way to actually solving the drugproblem in this country and in this State.

I am happy to support this Bill. I believethat the Minister, like the members of theOpposition, is very concerned about the drugproblem in our society and that he is doing allhe can to find solutions to that problem.

Mrs BIRD (Whitsunday) (12.52 p.m.): Iam pleased to participate in this debate. Alongwith the other members of the Opposition, Iwill be supporting the Bill. I do, however, needto say that while the Bill is necessary if only toclassify this drug as illegal and legitimise amechanism by which action can be broughtagainst the peddlers of both lethal designerdrugs and illegal and illicit drugs, I know—and Iexpect many others here know also—that it willdo very little to alter the scene in which peoplepeddle drugs and others continue to becomeaddicts at an increasing rate.

It is curious that Queenslanders were soshocked by the recent events in which peopleoutside a Gold Coast dance club needed lifesupport and assistance. It is astonishing thatso many people were shocked by theseevents. Perhaps that was because the victimswere all in the same place at the same time.Perhaps it was because the reaction to thisdesigner drug was different from that involvingwell-known drugs such as heroin and speed.But overdoses involving illegal drugs are afrequent occurrence. Every weekend suchincidents occur. They have been occurring fora long, long time, and they are occurring withincreasing frequency. Are we so out oftouch—particularly in this place—with what isoccurring out there that we are ignorant of thefact that every weekend Brisbane produces atleast 8 or 10 overdoses or unreported cases ofyoung people suffering from drug-inducedhallucinations?

The tragedy of the events on the GoldCoast is not only that they occurred but alsothat so many parents are clearly not aware ofthe situation that exists, that society has alamentable lack of knowledge of the variousaspects—how, where and why—of what is therecreational lifestyle of a great many of ouryoung people. Perhaps in this respect whatoccurred at the Gold Coast will force decisionmakers such as us and parents such as us toseek answers to these questions.

It is now very clear that the drug problemhas reached all layers of our society. Youngpeople take drugs for many reasons, and wemust not comfort ourselves by saying that it isjust a stage they are going through. Initiallythey may do it for reasons of peerpressure—to be part of a scene. More


innocently, they do it for curiosity. They do itbecause of insecurity—a sense of notbelonging and an inability to cope with life.They may do it as an out from society aftersuffering psychological and/or physical abuse.They do it because of a lack of self-worth. Butincreasingly, and probably more importantly,young people become involved with drugsbecause of a very solvable problem for whichwe should be seeking answers: youthunemployment.

Firstly, it is part of the recreational cultureof the unemployed to take drugs. To fill intime, drugs fit the bill. Secondly, there is thefinancial aspect. The appeal of being able tomake lots of money as a distributor in the drugnetwork is becoming far too great. Initiallyyoung people may intend to sell for a shorttime to make money to do something elseand then get out. That does not work, or itrarely works. By the time their time is up to buywhatever they wanted to buy or to becomeinvolved in whatever they intended to do, theythemselves have become addicted. In manycases, young people end up selling to feedtheir own addiction.

I am aware of a recent article in the paperabout the Minister having treatment withRohypnol. I want to tell him just how innocentlythat drug can affect our young people.Rowies, as Rohypnol is called, are one of themost popular drugs in the drug scene. Takenin abundance, rowies cause young people toreach a stage at which they are uncontrollable.This leads them to commit violent acts and dothings that they would never consider doingunder normal circumstances—things that arealien to their personality.

Last week, information came to me thattwo other drugs have become fairly prevalentin the Brisbane region. A crystalline form ofcocaine, called crack, is now available in thecity, as is ice. My colleague the member forMount Gravatt just spoke about how weshould be teaching our children to cope withsituations as they arise. I understand that ice,if taken intravenously, is extremely dangerous.I understand that ice is now being sold inBrisbane as speed; therefore it is beinginjected and putting lives at risk. This is aserious situation. We desperately need to getthis information out to young people. Theymust be informed. Add to this the alreadyavailable legal and illegal drugs on themarketplace—and we have heard previouslyabout the ability of young people to get legaldrugs by visiting a number of doctors—andone starts to realise the time bomb and thepressure to conform that many of our youthare dealing with on a daily basis.

It is not my intention to paint a picture oframpant drug taking, but it is my view that thescene is well on the way to being out ofcontrol. It is time we stopped playing ostrichand dealt with the issue of drugs in oursociety. We must take responsibility for ourown lack of knowledge. We are only too quickto blame rave parties, dance parties and otherenvironments, but the reality is that we arefacing the threat of designer drugs becomingpart of our youth culture, especially for thosepeople with risk-taking personalities. It is mybelief that education, communication andhonest information ad nauseam is the answerto dealing with young people taking drugs andto help them make sensible, balanceddecisions about drug taking without becomingvictims of psychological conditioning and/orpressure.

Recently in this place I launched a booktitled Help! I think my kid's on drugs. This bookwas written by Chris Stone and RowenaSoloman. The authors come from verydifferent backgrounds. Chris was once one ofAustralia's 10 most wanted criminals, with achequered past of heroin and alcoholaddiction and long prison terms. Rowena, whohas worked with Drug Arm for many years, is acounsellor to gaol inmates and well known inthe community as one of the best advisers inthis capacity.

Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.30 p.m.

Mrs BIRD: Before the luncheonadjournment, I was talking about a book Irecently launched, Help! I think my kid's ondrugs . That book was written by Chris Stoneand Rowena Soloman, and it is aimed atempowering parents with the knowledge ofwhat to do and when to do it. It enlightens usas parents and gives us that confidence onhow to deal with drug situations as they arise.So impressed was I with both Chris andRowena that I have arranged several seminarsand workshops in my electorate for teachers,community workers, parents and interestedpeople to attend. Our hope is that throughthese workshops and seminars we willempower the people in the electorate andattack the issue at a community level.

I am pleased to support the Bill. It had tobe; nevertheless, we must not comfortourselves that we have done our bit. We mustaim for harm minimisation, a reduction in thesupply of drugs and take a more reformist viewon what is really happening outside in thecommunity, and we must impart knowledge toour children on what to do should somesituations arise.


Queensland rural communities are sadlylacking in support when it comes torehabilitation centres. Support volunteerorganisations do an excellent job, but the factremains that local rehabilitation centres inmetropolitan areas are of little benefit for thosewho are alienated from their family support. Inmany cases, family counselling is essential forsuccessful recovery. The excuse that countryareas do not have the numbers of victims toqualify for a service denies the true existenceof the enormous problem.

Recovery is a long-term strategy, andoccasionally there will be a fall back. We musthave centre support for those occasions whenyoung people slip back. Recognising that thisBill only identifies that drugs are dangerousand that it is not the solution to the problem, Iam pleased to support the Bill and I thank theMinister for bringing it into the House.

Motion agreed to.

Committee

Hon T. R. Cooper (Crows Nest—Ministerfor Police and Corrective Services and Ministerfor Racing) in charge of the Bill.

Clauses 1 to 6, as read, agreed to.

Clause 7—

Mr BARTON (2.34 p.m.): I want toexamine this clause which prohibits publishinginstructions or recipes for designer drugs. Iwould like to make some comments and thenI would ask the Minister to respond to them.During the second-reading debate, I talkedabout a concern held by a number ofOpposition members that, while we agree withthe provision essentially, this clause could leadto a number of young people being chargedwith a very serious offence that couldpotentially lead to a very long gaol term. I amconcerned about those people who may, forexample, trip over a recipe for a designer drugon the Internet. If people were distributingthose recipes in any other way, we wouldprobably have a harder attitude towards it, butall sorts of things do appear on the Internet.This clause, and even the Explanatory Notes,are written in the broadest possible terms toensure that it includes people who are passingon recipes or instructions on how to makethese designer drugs.

Clause 7 defines "publishing" and itstates—

". . . exhibit and display to any person,whether the publication is made orally orin written, electronic or another form."

When it comes to electronic forms ofpublishing, if a person was accessing theInternet and that person found a recipe for adesigner drug, it would appear that the terms"exhibit" and "display" could apply to thatperson if he or she simply got somebody elseand said, "Come and have a look at this."Under that wording of the clause, that personwould not even have to print out or technicallypass on or publish that information.

For a while, I exercised my mind abouthow could we potentially amend this clause tomake sure that it applies to the people whoare publishing for the wrong reasons, thosewho are publishing because they want to passon the information or because they areinvolved in the manufacture of these drugs.While I appreciate that that was what wasintended, by including this catch-all clausethere is the potential for over-zealous policeofficers in some circumstances chargingpeople who have absolutely no intention ofmanufacturing or encouraging people tomanufacture the drugs or to make profits outof them. I appreciate that this is a matter inwhich police officers will have to use a fairdegree of discretion, but it does appear thatthis clause is written so broadly that it couldeven apply to somebody who simply had arecipe up on screen. A person may haveinadvertently accessed a recipe for a drug andsaid to somebody else, "Come and look atthis", or maybe that person rang a colleagueand said, "Get into the Internet. I will tell youthe access code. You will not believe what willcome on screen; you will see a recipe or a setof instructions for a new designer drug."

I ask what the Minister's intention is forhow police will act in relation to this matter,because I would hate to see a lot of youngpeople get pegged in by a very broadlyworded, catch-all clause. I know that thisclause intends to catch the crooks who aretrying to make money out of drugs, but it couldcatch some innocent people on the waythrough.

Mr COOPER: I am supposed to be at aPolice Ministers Council meeting; I was a bitrushed and I neglected to thank all speakersin the debate. Before I address the member'sconcerns about the clause, I trust I can enjoyhis indulgence to acknowledge the speakers inthe debate. Thankfully, all members whocontributed—the member for Waterford, themember for Mount Coot-tha, the member forMount Gravatt and the member forWhitsunday—were extremely responsible intheir response to the legislation. In oneinstance it was referred to as being a knee-jerkreaction, but it is not. There are many

14 Nov 1996 Financial Administration and Audit Amendment Bill (No. 2) 4149

schemes in place for drug education, but wecan always do better. It is my intention to dobetter so that, when instances such as theextremely unfortunate incident at the GoldCoast arise, they can be dealt with. We couldhave left the legislation as it is and donenothing about it, but we wanted to make surethat we could change this legislation so thatwe could list dangerous drugs as they cameon the scene. That is only one way in whichwe can address this drug problem.

I take on board and I agree with many ofthe comments made about drug education.We should become more enlightened andmore understanding of young people. I dounderstand. I had four young children whosurvived the pressures of peer groups. It is farbetter to address these problems by educationand compassion, rather than with a big stickapproach. This legislation is not intended as abig stick. It is a big stick for the drug pushersand peddlers, but it is not aimed at the kids. Itis to protect them as best we can from thedangers of being exposed to these drugs thatwe know are out there. Sometimes they arenot aware of them, and sometimes they areand they want to experiment with them. Inthose cases, we must show the necessarycompassion. I am sure every member in thisplace would prefer to do things that way.

I certainly welcome the support of theOpposition. It is a fact that the pushers andsuppliers need to be called to account. Aswell, the 10-year automatic expiry period wasmentioned in the Alert Digest, which was quitecomplimentary of this legislation. It would bewrong and, in my opinion, it would be amistake if we allowed some of thesedangerous drugs to fall off the end of the tableat the end of 10 years if someone forgot thatthe regulation had to be renewed. Therefore, itis far better to allow them to remain there.

We should also be able to alter or at leastadd to that list immediately when a new drugcomes onto the scene. But members shouldnot forget that these matters can always bebrought into this place for approval when theParliament is sitting. If there was anydisagreement about a drug put on theschedule, a motion for disallowance could bemoved in this place. Therefore, any police whowere getting a bit anxious or a bit active andwanted to push the law to its ultimate limitmight find that the Parliament disallowed theinclusion of those substances that were put onthe——

Mr Beattie: We're with you.

Mr COOPER: Yes, that is all right. I justwanted to explain all this. This Parliament

could decide whether or not those substanceswould be included on the schedule. If anyoneacted improperly, then that person would betaking an enormous risk.

Members will note that section 13 hasbeen amended to allow for this offence thatwe are talking about—publishing—to be dealtwith by a magistrate. The maximum penalty inthat case is two years. Two years is still a longsentence for a school child. The matter is inthe hands of the magistrate. It is also the factthat police have a discretion not to prosecuteyoung people who access recipes on theInternet. Obviously, that is a judgment that thepolice could make. Also, the Director of PublicProsecutions does not have to proceed with aprosecution. He or she has a discretion. I ampretty sure that we can cover young peoplewho innocently access recipes on the Internetwithout a real intent. The main intent of thislegislation is to make sure that we deal withthose serious cases of people who arepeddling and pushing drugs.

Clause 7, as read, agreed to.


Bill reported, without amendment.

Third Reading

Bill, on motion of Mr Cooper, by leave,read a third time.

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION ANDAUDIT AMENDMENT BILL (No. 2)

Second Reading

Debate resumed from 13 November (seep. 3989).

Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leaderof the Opposition) (2.45 p.m.): We fullysupport this matter being dealt with at thistime. The Opposition will be supporting theFinancial Administration and AuditAmendment Bill (No. 2) 1996. Our decision tosupport the amendment comes only after verydetailed examination of its ramifications,because we also put great store in therecommendations of EARC in relation to theterm of the Auditor-General.

I am pleased to advise the House that Ihave had discussions with Mr Barrie Rollason,the present Auditor-General, in relation tosome specific concerns that I initially heldabout extending his term of office. There hasalso been correspondence between thePremier and myself on two occasions. Boththe Premier and I have adopted the view,which is entirely proper, that the office of the

4150 Financial Administration and Audit Amendment Bill (No. 2) 14 Nov 1996

Auditor-General should be above politics andthat any actions taken by this Parliament inrelation to the term of the Auditor-Generalshould be approached in a bipartisan way if,indeed, the integrity and independence of theoffice are to be safeguarded.

In reaching our decision to support theamendment, it was necessary to specificallyconsider the reports and recommendations ofEARC and of the parliamentary EARCcommittee, which was, at the time, chaired bymy colleague the Honourable Matt Foley,MLA, the shadow Attorney-General.

EARC specifically recommended a non-reviewable term of office for the Auditor-General. Section 51 (2) of the FinancialAdministration and Audit Act 1977 states thata person can be appointed Auditor-General foronly one term, with the maximum limit beingseven years. Mr Barrie Rollason wasappointed by the Governor in Council on 17December 1992 for a term of four years. Thus,his term comes to an end on 17 Decemberthis year. He possibly could have beenappointed for a period of seven years. Thatwould have been the maximum period at thattime.

The policy on the term of office advocatedby EARC and PEARC protects theindependence of the office of the Auditor-General and should not be departed fromwithout compelling reason. The specificrecommendation for a non-reviewable termwas clearly arrived at only after very detailedexamination and was designed to ensure thatpressures were not able to be brought to bearupon an Auditor-General. That is a veryimportant consideration.

It should also be noted that section 7.52of EARC's report on its review of public sectorauditing in Queensland agrees thatincumbents should not be able to bereappointed to the position followingcompletion of their term. EARC said that thisrecommendation was designed to—

". . . help to ensure that incumbents areable to concentrate on the independentexercise of their functions, free from anyconcerns as to re-appointment.

However, the commission disagreeswith the recommendation of the NewSouth Wales Public Accounts Committeethat following completion of their term,Auditors-General should be preventedfrom further appointment to any positionin the relevant public sector. Not onlywould this restriction deprive the State ofthe services of a former Auditor-General,whose skills might be invaluable for a

variety of Executive or advisory positions,but it would unduly restrict the personalrights of the individual to employment."It would be open to the Government or to

a statutory authority to employ the obviousskills and expertise of a former Auditor-Generalin another capacity if that was so desired.Therefore, my initial reading of the positionwas that it would not be appropriate to departfrom the conditions set down in the FinancialAdministration and Audit Act 1997. However, Idid make the point to the Premier that, if therewere specific reasons why the present Auditor-General should be given an extension ofterm—and I instanced the possibility of hisneeding to complete a major inquiry—thenobviously the Opposition would certainly giveconsideration to these specific circumstances.The Opposition believes that the independentstrategic review of the Queensland AuditOffice, due to take place in 1997, and arisingfrom another EARC recommendation for anindependent review to be undertaken at leastonce every five years, does definitely meetthat criterion and, therefore, establishesspecific and special circumstances for theAuditor-General's term to be extended by oneyear.

After discussions with Mr Rollason andsenior staff of the Office of the Auditor-Generaland from the correspondence from thePremier, I am convinced that it would be notonly appropriate but in fact desirable for MrRollason to remain in his position during thatreview or, at the very least, throughout theinitial stages and major part of the review. I aminformed that, in some other States, suchreviews have taken up to 18 months, but Iwould be dismayed were this review to go into1998. We are extending Mr Rollason's term bya year for the period of the review so that MrRollason holds that position at the time of thereview. When that is completed, there will bean opportunity for a new Auditor-General to beappointed, who can then move forward fromthe period of the completion of the review.Accordingly, the Opposition believes that a 12-month extension of Mr Rollason's term isentirely appropriate so that he heads theOffice of the Auditor-General at the time of thisreview. He indicated that he would be fullybriefing the Premier of his meeting with me,and I understand from a privatecommunication between the Premier and methat that communication took place.

Therefore, both the Government and theOpposition—and, I understand, the memberfor Gladstone—are supportive of thisamendment, which gives effect to thatdecision. I extend my appreciation to the

14 Nov 1996 Financial Administration and Audit Amendment Bill (No. 2) 4151

Premier and the Office of the Auditor-Generalfor their courtesies in dealing with this matter.From the Opposition's point of view, thedecision to support an extension has not beentaken lightly because of the imperative ofmaintaining the standards properly set byEARC. Everyone in this House knows mystrong commitment to the Fitzgerald process,including EARC and the CJC. Nevertheless, inthe circumstances, I believe that the decisionthat we are making today is most certainly theright decision.

On many occasions, publicly and in thisHouse, the Opposition has said—and I sayagain today—that we will give our bipartisancommitment to those matters that we believeare in the interests of the State. Such a caseis before us today. Other illustrations includeCentury Zinc, Comalco Refinery and KoreaZinc. The Townsville Zinc Refinery Bill hasbeen introduced into this House and theOpposition will be supporting that legislation.There are also a number of other measures,such as the gun laws, about which we believethat, if the Government has got it right, we willsupport them. On this occasion, as thePremier knows, we believe that this is theappropriate action to take. I thank him for hiscourtesies in dealing with this matter. It hasbeen dealt with in the manner in which thesematters should be dealt. The Premier actedproperly from the beginning by writing to me ina bipartisan way. I have responded to thatcourtesy in a positive way. I thank him for thecourtesy. I commend his Bill to the House.

Mr HOLLIS (Redcliffe) (2.55 p.m.): I joinbriefly in this debate about the extension ofthe term of the Auditor-General. I agree withthe Leader of the Opposition and the Premierthat the seven-year term for an Auditor-General and no reappointment has a veryvalid reason, that is, so that the Auditor-General will remain independent. In 1992, asChair of the Public Accounts Committee, I wasappointed as chair of the selection panel toappoint Mr Barrie Rollason to the position ofAuditor-General. I believe that it is appropriatetoday for me to say a few words about the roleof the Queensland Audit Office and MrRollason over the past four years.

I have no doubt that longstandingmembers would know that Mr Rollason startedwork with the Auditor-General's office as a boy.He has now worked in that department forover 40 years. When one considers that thePublic Service Bill was recently before theHouse, one realises that there will not be toomany public servants in Queensland who willbe able to say, "I've had 40 years and gone

from the boy to the top." That is veryunfortunate for public servants.

Of course, great pressure is now placedon those who have the job of scrutinising whathappens in Government. Over recent weekswe have seen that in the scrutiny by theCriminal Justice Commission of the activities ofGovernment. We often see that also whenAuditors-General present adverse reports onaspects of Government accountability.

Over the past four years, the hugechanges that have occurred at the Audit Officehave become very apparent. It has changedfrom the Department of the Auditor-General tothe QAO. It has almost corporatised itself inmany ways. It now has a fee for service, whichwas not the case previously. Eventually theQAO will become completely self-funding, asaudit offices are in many countries. Thatrestructure has caused major difficulties forstaff and major problems have beenassociated with reorganisation and the generalethos of what the Auditor-General's office is allabout. A change of offices was necessary sothat the office would become moreprofessional. That has happened very wellover time. This year, the Public AccountsCommittee will face the job of reviewing theperformance of the QAO. As the Premierstated in his second-reading speech, onegood aspect of the extension of theappointment is that Mr Rollason will be presentwhile people review his actions over the pastfour years. I believe that it is incumbent uponany Government to ensure that people havethe opportunity to explain their actions and thereasons for them.

As Chair of the Public AccountsCommittee, I travelled to many parts ofAustralia and New Zealand. I have seen MrRollason at different venues—at PublicAccounts Committee seminars and meetingsof Auditors-General. He is greatly respected byAuditors-General throughout Australia andNew Zealand for his attitude of beingextremely independent. Members on bothsides of the House would all say that MrRollason has been fiercely independent. Thatis a very good sign of a good Auditor-General.

The work that he presented to the PublicAccounts Committee was always carried outon a very professional basis. We always knewthat, when we asked for the Auditor-General'sadvice, he would give it free of politicalpersuasion. That is a very important aspect ofhis stewardship of the Auditor-General'sposition. I travelled overseas in 1993 and Iremember the great help that Mr Rollasongave me by making contacts available to me.

4152 Financial Administration and Audit Amendment Bill (No. 2) 14 Nov 1996

He made people such as Sir John Bourne, theController and Auditor-General of the UnitedKingdom, Noel Hepworth from the CharteredInstitute of Public Finance and Accountancyand Sir David Cooksley from the AuditCommission in England aware that the veryminor Chairman of the Public AccountsCommittee of Queensland was visiting thatcountry and he ensured that hospitality wasextended to me. He ensured also that, when Ivisited those people, I learnt a bit more aboutaccountability processes. If we go through ourlives in Parliament and do not learn, there issomething wrong with us. One of my greatestachievements during my time here is not tohave become an accountant or to haveobtained a bachelor of commerce but to havedeveloped an understanding of theaccountability processes. I thank the Auditor-General for giving me those opportunities toincrease my understanding. If during our timein this place we all learnt about what isexpected of us in terms of the accountabilityprocesses and also what is expected ofGovernment departments, the structure of theQueensland Government would be greatlyimproved.

So I thank the Auditor-General for puttingme on that learning curve and, as I say, forthe assistance that he gave to the PublicAccounts Committee during my tenure as thechair of that committee. I know that MrRollason is continuing that bipartisan approachto offer advice and help to the Public AccountsCommittee, which is now under thechairmanship of Bob Harper. It is importantthat the Auditor-General and the PublicAccounts Committee have cooperation andunderstanding so that problems can be ironedout where they should be ironed out, which isin the committee hearings involving theAuditor-General, the Minister and the officersof his or her department. If we all adopted thatattitude, I am sure that much of the frictionand many of the problems that occur fromtime to time within the public sector and withinthe Parliament would be solved.

With those few words, I say that this Bill isvery worth while. As I say, it gives Mr Rollasonthe chance to expand his achievements andto answer any criticisms that there may be ofhis time in office. I wish him well for the finalyear of his term as Auditor-General.

Mr HARPER (Mount Ommaney)(3.02 p.m.): I rise to speak very briefly to thisBill. Firstly, I had known the Auditor-Generalpersonally for some time before I came to thisplace. I knew him in my previous life in theelectricity industry so I can personally attest tohis integrity, his independence and his ability. I

am pleased to say that, in common with theprevious speaker, I still have a good andproper working relationship with the Auditor-General and commend him for hisprofessional cooperation.

I think that it is well worth noting the factof the independence of the Auditor-General.Certainly, this Bill does not change that. I notethat, by this Bill, an appointment can be madefor up to seven years. Originally, the currentAuditor-General was given a four-year term.Also, and very importantly, this legislation willexpire at the end of that 12-month extensionof the Auditor-General's appointment.

Although I speak as the member forMount Ommaney, I can attest to the fact thatthe members of the Public AccountsCommittee take their role very seriously inmatters relating to the Auditor-General. Thecommittee members look forward to theirinvolvement in the review of the Audit Officenext year. I think that particular review is veryimportant not only for the efficiency of theAudit Office but also for the independence ofthe Auditor-General, the way in which theAudit Office operates and for the business ofGovernment to proceed properly. As I said,the members of the committee look forward tomaking a well and truly worthwhile contributionto that review. I commend the Bill to theHouse.

Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (SurfersParadise—Premier) (3.04 p.m.), in reply: Ithank honourable members for theircontributions to the debate. I will not prolongthe business of the House unduly except toformally advise the House, as wasacknowledged by the Leader of theOpposition, that the Government would haveembarked on this particular course of actiononly with full bipartisan support. I thank theLeader of the Opposition for the courtesiesthat he extended to the Government in thatregard.

I think that members on both sides of thisHouse have a great deal of respect for MrRollason, the Auditor-General, and themanner in which he has conducted himself.Obviously, it is entirely appropriate that thislegislation proceed.

In respect of the matters raised by thehonourable member for Mount Ommaney, Iwill be writing shortly to the Public AccountsCommittee about the proposed terms ofreference for the review of the QueenslandAudit Office and I will be informing thecommittee of the proposed strategy for thereview process. I will be indicating that theproposal is that the review be conducted by a

14 Nov 1996 Consumer Law and Other Justice Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 4153

retired Auditor-General from another Australianjurisdiction and, of course, subject to advicefrom the committee, suggesting that thePublic Accounts Committee act as a referencegroup for the review by the retired Auditor-General so that there is appropriateparliamentary oversight of the strategic review.

I am currently giving consideration to thedraft terms of reference. I will be writing to thePublic Accounts Committee next week in thatregard. Obviously, I will appreciate very muchthe response from the committee. I thankhonourable members on both sides of theHouse for their support for this legislation.

Motion agreed to.

CommitteeClauses 1 to 3, as read, agreed to.


Third Reading

Bill, on motion of Mr Borbidge, read athird time.

CONSUMER LAW AND OTHERJUSTICE LEGISLATION

(MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) BILLSecond Reading


Ms SPENCE (Mount Gravatt) (3.07p.m.): The Opposition is pleased to supportthe Consumer Law and Other JusticeLegislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.Indeed, it welcomes many of the changes thatthis Bill makes to legislation.

Before saying some of the positive thingsabout the changes made to legislation by thismiscellaneous provisions Bill, I would like tomake a fairly negative comment. The Scrutinyof Legislation Committee picked up thismatter—and, indeed, I picked up this matterlong before it did when I was trying tounderstand the 24 changes to legislation thatare contained in this Bill—and I refer to thesufficiency of the Explanatory Notes that comewith the Bill.

The Legislative Standards Act requiresExplanatory Notes for a Bill to include a simpleexplanation of the purpose and intendedoperation of each clause of the Bill.Explanatory Notes may be referred to if aquestion arises about the interpretation of aprovision or provisions of a Bill. It isdisappointing that the Explanatory Notes

associated with this legislation fail toadequately explain the purpose and intendedoperation of each clause of the Bill. I referparticularly to the explanation of clause126—a clause that covers seven pages of theBill—which deals with the appointment ofinspectors, inspectors' powers, the issuing ofwarrants, other enforcement matters andcompensation. It is a lengthy and importantsection of the Bill. What do we get in theExplanatory Notes for those seven pages oflegislation? We get one line in the ExplanatoryNotes that states—

"Clause 126 provides for the insertionof the power to appoint inspectors and forinspectors powers into the Act."

I say to the Attorney-General that heshould pay more attention to the ExplanatoryNotes that go with his legislation in future,particularly when we have a piece of legislationthat is as extensive as this Bill. I am sure thatmembers would not appreciate the importanceof the legislation that we are debating. By thislegislation, we are proposing to change 24Acts of Parliament. That is quite an incrediblething to do with one Bill. I would like to listsome of the Acts that we are proposing tochange to reveal to members the diversity ofthe legislation that we are changing by this Bill.

We are changing the Land Sales Act, theLiens on Crops of Sugar Cane Act, the MobileHomes Act, the Motor Vehicles Securities Act,the Partnership (Limited Liability) Act, thePawnbrokers Act, the Primary Producers'Cooperative Associations Act, the Registrationof Births, Deaths and Marriages Act, theRoman Catholic Church Lands Act, theRoman Catholic Church (Northern Lands)Vesting Act, the Scout Association of AustraliaQueensland Branch Act, the Second-handDealers and Collectors Act, the Travel AgentsAct, the Co-operative and Other Societies Act,the Coroners Act, the Hawkers Act, theJuvenile Justice Legislation Amendment Act,the Classification of Computer Games andImages (Interim) Act, the Classification of FilmsAct, the Classification of Publications Act, theAssociations Incorporation Act, the Bills ofSale and Other Instruments Act, and theBusiness Names Act. That covers the 24 Acts.Anyone would be very confused by a singlepiece of legislation that attempts to change 24Acts of Parliament. Therefore, if one is toattempt to understand the breadth of changesthat we are making in a piece of legislationsuch as this, it is very important to havedetailed and sufficient Explanatory Notes.

I intend to discuss a few of the mostimportant Acts that this Bill changes. They are

4154 Consumer Law and Other Justice Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 14 Nov 1996

also the Acts that members would have themost interest in. Firstly, the changes proposedin the Bill to the Associations Incorporation Actprovide flexibility in the conduct ofmanagement committee meetings by meansof telephone, video link or any other form ofcommunication. This provision will be ofbenefit to associations in country areas orwhich have Statewide membership. It isimportant to bring the operations ofmanagement committees up to the 1990sway of doing business. I serve on a number ofmanagement committees and we frequentlyhave tele-conference meetings. They are avery adequate and efficient way of holdingmeetings in this day and age. The Bill alsoallows for management committees to havevideo link-up meetings. I am sure that thisreflects the need to update our legislation tomake it relevant to present day practices.

The Bill also alters the requirement thatmanagement committees meet every fourmonths. The previous legislation required thatmanagement committees met every twomonths. I do not totally understand thereasoning behind this change. It seems to methat it is vital for many associations thatmanagement committees meet more thanthree times a year, and I would be pleased tohear the Minister's comment on this point laterin the debate. My attention is drawn to theproblems that the RSPCA has been havingrecently. If its management committee hadmet only every four months, although somepeople might have been very pleased, theassociation would not have benefited. Theamendment also relaxes the rules in relationto the qualifications of people who can serveon management committees, who no longerhave to be Queenslanders. They can live 65kilometres from the Queensland border. It hasbeen explained to me that this is becausemany people who work on the Gold Coast liveover the New South Wales border, but theywant to serve on management committees. Iaccept that that is a very sensible provision tomake in the Bill.

Secondly, the Bill proposes changes tothe Births, Deaths and Marriages Act which willallow parents of adopted children the sameright to change their child's name that parentsof non-adopted children have. It also allowsthe registrar to register a birth, despite the factthat the fee has not been paid. I understandthat many people cannot afford the fee that isrequired. They may move on, and the child'sbirth may never be registered. Through thisamendment, the registrar now has the abilityto waive the fee and register births in cases of

hardship. I think that is a very sensible solutionto the problem.

This change also provides that registrationmay be made in the name of the father only ifthat is the wish of the applicant. I understandthat, in previous cases, if the parents were notmarried the child was registered in themother's name. This amendment changesthat provision. I am sure that it is a verywelcome amendment for many couples. It islong overdue. I congratulate the Minister onthat change.

Thirdly, the Bill changes the BusinessNames Act through amendments whichtighten up procedures and processes forapplicants for business names. When lodgingan application, applicants are required to paya fee and, if that fee is not paid and someoneelse lodges an application asking for the samebusiness name, the second applicant will begiven the name. Similarly, if an applicant paysa fee with a cheque that is dishonoured, thenext applicant will gain the business name ifthe fee is not paid on the dishonouredcheque. Business names are very important tosmall businesses. They, too, will welcome thetightening up of this particular Act.

Fourthly, perhaps one of the mostsignificant changes in this Bill relates to theclassification of films, magazines and videogames to bring Queensland legislation intoaccord with the Commonwealth ClassificationAct 1995. While the Opposition supports theamendments proposed today, we questionwhy this Government has not used thisopportunity to seriously examine the successof Queensland's censorship laws. Membersshould be aware that the amendments thatwe are debating today relate merely to anumber of technical changes which will bringQueensland censorship laws into line withCommonwealth requirements. The Ministerand the Government have not taken thisopportunity to investigate the state ofcensorship in this country or, in fact, to tightenup our censorship regulations.

It is surprising to me, as it is surprising tomany members of the community, that theGovernment has not taken this opportunity toexamine our censorship laws, given the factthat so many Government members concernthemselves with the issue of censorship fromtime to time. Frequently, Governmentmembers use the media to deplore thecensorship laws in this State. Last week, themember for Maroochydore commented aboutthe sale of offensive CDs in a supermarket.The member for Mansfield has deplored thekind of language that was used on a particular


radio station in this State. Time and timeagain, Government members act in a veryself-righteous and moralistic manner on thesubject of censorship, yet when theGovernment has an opportunity to dosomething to change the censorship laws, itdoes nothing.

I have received a letter from theAustralian Federation for the Family. I suspectthat the gentleman who wrote the letter, MrJack Sonnemann, has also written to theMinister. He expresses his concern that theMinister has not taken this opportunity toactually toughen our censorship laws. MrSonnemann states—

"Please help. Denver Beanlandseems to be attempting to shirk hisresponsibility as chief legal officer ofQueensland in regards to smut rags likePenthouse and Picture being sold to,displayed to and accessed by ourchildren.

According to my understanding ofthe Consumer Law Amendment Bill theresponsibility on magazine censorship willbe placed in the hands of someone in theAustralian Capital Territory."

Mr Sonnemann continues in that vein.

I have no problems with the amendmentsbeing made today to our classifications laws.However, it would seem to me ratherhypocritical that this Government has not donemore about this subject and discussed it ingreater depth. It is very silent about what it willdo in respect of our censorship laws in thefuture. I suggest to Government backbencherswho make shock/horror statements in themedia about censorship—for example, aboutthe sale of grubby movies and CDs—that itmight be better if they lobbied their Ministerabout this subject. Rather than engaging inmedia stunts, they might do some real workon this legislation, as opposed to just talkingabout it.

As to the amendments required to bemade to Queensland's censorshiplegislation—the enactment of theCommonwealth Act has compelled technicalchanges to Queensland's censorship Acts,which include "replacing references in thethree Acts to the former Australian CapitalTerritory ordinance, offices and procedureswith references to those contained in theCommonwealth Act". Secondly, theamendments will ensure that the"Classification of Films Act 1991, like the twoother censorship Acts, 'picks up' the decisionsof the Commonwealth censor and enablesthem to be enforced in Queensland". Thirdly,

the amendments will ensure that the"enforcement provisions comport as far as ispracticable with those contained in the modelState/Territory Classifications (Publications,Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement)Bill prepared for censorship Ministers".

The complex nature of the legislationcovering censorship of films and videos wasembodied in eight or nine Federal, State orTerritory Acts and was addressed in March1995 when the legislation was centralisedunder the Commonwealth Classification(Publications, Films and Computer Games)Act. The former Attorney-General, MichaelLavarch, when speaking about the guidelinesset out in the schedule to the classificationsAct, stated that adults in a free society shouldbe allowed as far as possible to see what theywish and creative artists, including film makers,to depict what they please without fear ofinterventions by the State. However, he alsosaid that the exercise of these rights carriedcertain responsibilities that must be subject toa number of constraints for the good of societyas a whole. To ensure children and youngpeople are protected from material of adisturbing nature and the community frommaterial that could endanger their health orsafety it was essential that the guidelines setout in the Schedule were comprehensive andunambiguous.

The National Classification Code, which isincluded in the Schedule to the Act, statesthat the classifications decisions should giveeffect to the following principles—

"a) adults should be able to read, hearand see what they want;

b) minors should be protected frommaterial likely to harm or disturbthem;

c) everyone should be protected fromexposure to unsolicited material thatthey find offensive;

d) the need to take account ofcommunity concerns about:

depictions that condone or inciteviolence, particularly sexualviolence; and

the portrayal of persons in ademeaning manner."

I read out those principles because I believethat members of the House, particularlymembers of the Government who have madepublic statements condemning subjects thatthey find offensive, should be aware of theguidelines that we are all working under in thiscountry with respect to censorship. Every Stateis now working under the same set of


principles under a Commonwealth Act. We inthe Labor Party agree with the broadprinciples. However, it is the detail of how ourcensorship laws apply in practice that concernspeople. For example, I refer to incidents ofpeople receiving unsolicited pornographicmaterial in the mail, viewing offensive materialon the shelves of our supermarkets ornewsagents, or having that type of offensivematerial on display for children to see. That iswhat concerns members of the general public.

I can assure the Minister that we in theLabor Party are concerned about those typesof details and how our censorship lawsoperate. As a member of Parliament, incommon with other honourable members,from time to time I am exposed to suchunpleasantaries as crank callers and crazies.

Mr Stephan: I've never had one ofthem.

Ms SPENCE: I will not say what I wasgoing to say!

Recently, over about four months,someone sent me unsolicited pornographicmaterial in the mail. That person was not ableto be identified. There were no markings onthe material. Whoever was doing that hadgone to extreme lengths to cover their tracks.That person was printing on the envelopeswith different pens, using different styles ofprinting every time and was using post officesfrom Northgate to Beenleigh—all over theplace. There was absolutely no way ofidentifying who was responsible. I was quitedisturbed by that. Personally, I findpornographic literature very offensive. I do notwant to look at it, and I do not know anyonewho wants to look at it. I called in the police toinvestigate this matter. Although I did not thinkthat they had any hope of finding out who wasresponsible, I merely let them know that thisform of harassment was occurring. Suchbehaviour is a form of stalking or harassment.The police were concerned that, even if theycould find the culprit, there was probably nolaw under which that person could bepunished, anyway.

The problems of censorship confront all ofus from time to time. Constituents havecomplained to me that they have been sentcatalogues in the mail of a pornographicnature advertising X-rated material fromCanberra. It is okay if someone sends awayfor that material. However, if the recipient doesnot want such material and finds that type ofthing offensive, it can be incredibly distressing.It is the detail of our censorship laws whichconcerns us all. Perhaps the Attorney-General

might consider giving some time to that detailduring his term in office.

I will turn to another section of the Bill,namely, that concerning the enforcementpowers. This Bill provides for the insertion ofinspectors' powers into both the Land SalesAct and the Mobile Homes Act. Inspectors canonly exercise their broad powers of search andseizure if entry has been gained either with theconsent of the occupier of the place or by theauthorisation of a warrant. I am concernedthat this is the third piece of consumerlegislation that has come before the House inthe Minister's time in this portfolio. With eachpiece of legislation, tougher enforcementpowers are provided to the inspectors. As acivil libertarian, I am not sure how concerned Ishould be. I have spoken to my colleagues,and they agree that those inspectors need thepowers that the Minister is proposing to givethem under this legislation. However, I assurethe Minister that we will continually monitor thelegislation that he brings before the Housewhich increases the powers of his inspectors.

With that, I congratulate the Minister onthis legislation. As I said, it changes 24 Acts ofParliament. No doubt the Minister'sdepartment has spent a lot of time on this Bill.The Opposition is pleased to give the Bill itssupport.

Mr MULHERIN (Mackay) (3.30 p.m.): Irise to speak in support of the Consumer Lawand Other Justice Legislation (MiscellaneousProvisions) Bill. The Bill will amend 24 statutesadministered by the Office of Consumer Affairsand the Department of Justice. It will respondto the legislative needs of this State andremove any statutory anomalies that exist.

The amendments range from amendingthe Associations Incorporation Act 1981, whichwill assist management committees in countryareas with flexibility in the conduct of theirmeetings, to amending such statutes as theRoman Catholic Church Lands Act 1995, thePawnbrokers Act 1984 and the Cooperativeand Other Societies Act 1967.

However, one of the most importantmatters which this Bill will deal with relates tocensorship. The Bill will amend theClassification of Publications Act 1991, theClassification of Films Act 1991 and theClassification of Computer Games and Images(Interim) Act 1995 to reflect the changes in theCommonwealth Classification (Publications,Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 whichcame into effect on 1 January this year.

The changes to Queensland's censorshipActs include: replacing references in the threeActs to the former Australian Capital Territory


ordinance, offices and procedures withreferences to those contained in the newCommonwealth Act; ensuring that theClassification of Films Act 1991, like the twoother censorship Acts, picks up the decisionsof the Commonwealth censor and enablesthem to be enforced in Queensland; theinsertion of provisions enabling theCommonwealth censor to call in certainpublications, thereby facilitating compliancewith the legislation; and ensuring that theenforcement provisions accord as far as ispracticable with those contained in the modelState/Territory Classification (Publications,Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement)Bill prepared for censorship Ministers.

Censorship has always generated aconsiderable amount of debate within thecommunity. Recently, the honourable memberfor Maroochydore received considerablemedia coverage when she successfullycomplained to her local K mart store about thenature of the lyrics on the CD album titled Tu-Plang by ARIA award winning bandRegurgitator. The honourable member foundthe lyrics smutty and vicious and felt that thealbum provided a graphic test case in themidst of the Australian music industry's year-long trial for self-regulation. The CD wasmarked with a white sticker warning that itcontained explicit language which may causeoffence and was removed from K martMaroochydore's shelves.

K mart Queensland said it was the firstcomplaint that the retailer had received andthat it had no intention of removing this CDfrom its other stores. The band's manager, MrPaul Curtis, said the band's lyrics were aimedat cynically exposing, rather than condoning,society's foibles. He felt that the honourablemember had only created more interest in theband and had generated more sales for thealbum by her comments.

Mr J. H. Sullivan: Isn't that theproblem, though—when you take somethinglike that public you tend to create a desire forpeople to own the product rather than thealternative, which is to get the product out ofcirculation. That would have been thehonourable member for Maroochydore'ssuggestion, wouldn't it?

Mr MULHERIN: Yes—her commentshave highlighted the album. This is not the firsttime the honourable member forMaroochydore has commented on censorship.On 13 May 1993, during the debate on theClassification of Films Amendment Bill, shestated—

"The Bill is an improvement on whatis presently in place, but I would suggestthat it does not go far enough. The MAcategory is supposed to protect childrenfrom the extremes of films which werepreviously in the very broad category ofM. It is interesting to note from the Billthat an MA film will be classified as such—

'. . . if the censor is of the opinionthat the film describes, depicts,expresses or otherwise deals withsex, violence or coarse language in away that makes the film unsuitablefor viewing by persons under 15years.'

That is fair enough but, if children whowatch films that have all those attributesare accompanied by an adult 18 years orover, are the films somehow sanitised andnot of a contaminating effect? Althoughthe Bill is an improvement on the presentlegislation, it does not go far enoughbecause, by having someone besidethem, how will children who are subjectedto these very real images suddenly beable to rationalise the impressions whichare left directly in their minds?"

Back in 1993, the honourable member feltthat there should be a tightening of thecensorship relating to films.

Another coalition member, thehonourable member for Mansfield, recentlyattacked radio station B105 for what he calledthe announcers' attempts to humour listenerswith smut. The honourable member said thathe did not usually listen to B105 but wasforced to when he used the parliamentarygym.

Mr Nunn: Who has forced him?Mr MULHERIN: That is what he

reckons—he was forced to listen to it whileexercising at the gym.

Mr Nunn: I understood he had a collegeeducation. I thought he could have turned itoff.

Mr MULHERIN: One would havethought so.

If the honourable members forMaroochydore and Mansfield had any clout intheir respective parties, one would havethought that these amendments would reflecttheir legislative views and those of the Statecoalition rather than legislation introduced intothe Commonwealth Parliament by the formerLabor Attorney-General, the HonourableMichael Lavarch.


I believe that most members support themajority in our community who believe thatcensorship should be a tolerant balancebetween the extreme views of radicallibertarians and the ultra conservatives—abalance that supports and respects the rightsof the adult individual and, on the other hand,protects the young and innocent from immoraland amoral influences. As legislators, our jobis to reflect the views of the majority.

Mr J. H. SULLIVAN (Caboolture)(3.36 p.m.): I am pleased to rise to join mycolleagues on this side of the House insupporting the Consumer Law and OtherJustice Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions)Bill. In doing so, I want to raise a couple ofmatters with the Attorney and highlight where Ibelieve there may be a problem with thedrafting in a couple of the clauses that willneed to be looked at before this Bill is passed.The Attorney might like to have a look at theprovisions to which I will refer for the prospectof an amendment at the Committee stage.

I am fairly keen about one matter thatrelates to drafting generally. In our moderndrafting regimes in Queensland, a number ofstandard phrases have been developed forinclusion in legislation. From time to time theScrutiny of Legislation Committee, of which Iam a proud member, has taken up a numberof these issues. It is pleasing that the Ministerhas taken on some of those issues in this Bill.I will get to that later. One that we noticed withparticular reference to this Bill is the issue ofmeetings. I believe that it occurs a couple oftimes in the Bill, but I will restrict my commentsto the instance where it occurs in relation tothe amendment of the AssociationsIncorporation Act. It relates to the method ofconducting a meeting.

We are starting to see a standard phraseto try to accommodate technology and theability of meetings to be held consequentupon changing technology. The phrase thathas been used is "to take part in meetings bytelephone, video link or another form ofcommunication". The Scrutiny of LegislationCommittee is quite sure that the existing formsof contemporaneous communication are notthe only forms that are going to be availablefor the community in the near future, let alonethe distant future—the time that we mighthope that these amendments will hold force.However, there are forms of communicationwhich I believe—and I know the committeeshares this view—are not appropriate for theconduct of a meeting. "Another form ofcommunication" could mean by letters passingbackward and forward, it could mean by

facsimile or it could mean by radio link—amethod that is not contemporaneous.

The issue is that people participating in ameeting and making decisions at a meetingshould be aware of all that occurs at themeeting. Unless it can be contemporaneous—unless it is a two-way link-up that has theperson at the other end of the link-up fullycognisant of what is going on at the placewhere the major part of the meeting is takingplace—then I believe that it is diminished in itsefficacy, and we should be looking at that. Iam not suggesting to the Attorney that weneed to tie this up to such an extent that itwould be impossible to find a phrase thatcould be used as various Acts are amended.However, I believe it would be useful if atsome stage he could have a look at trying todeal with the problem of emerging technologyversus the need for people to be there at thesame time.

When I was a member of theParliamentary Electoral and AdministrativeReview Committee, I attended meetings heldby video link. I understand that prior to myjoining that committee, meetings were heldwith other members by telephone. It isimportant that those people who are notpresent where the bulk of the peopleattending the meeting are locatednevertheless have the benefit of all of thedeliberations, not just those that might besummarised and passed on to them for theissue to be resolved. I recognise that there isno amendment to this Bill foreshadowed inrelation to that, but I would hope that theMinister would take that matter on board.

Honourable members will recall that themember for Mount Gravatt spoke aboutenforcement powers. The enforcement powersin this Bill as they relate to the Land Sales Actand the Mobile Homes Act are better, in acouple of ways, than we have seen previously.Unlike some other legislation that has beenbefore the House recently, this Bill allows theinspectorate to enter a place not when it isavailable for entry but, if it is a public place,when it is open for entry by the public. That isan important distinction, and I would like tothank the Attorney for picking up on that.Personally, I would prefer it if entry were onlyby warrant or consent, but I accept that theMinister has made that provision slightlybetter.

Before we get to the Committee stage, Iwould like to refer to the Bill as it relates to theMobile Homes Act, and I ask the Attorney tohave his advisers address this issue before wediscuss the clauses of the Bill. I will have to


refer to the clause, because I think theAttorney will need to consider it. Proposed newsection 12F(1) says that subsection (2) powersreally can only be exercised if entry is gainedby consent or by warrant, and that is fine, butthen subsection (2) has paragraphs (a) to (g).The word that links each of those paragraphsis the word "or", and it would seem to me thatthat would indicate that an inspector whogains entry authorised by warrant is entitled tosearch any of that place for any of the mattermentioned in the other paragraphs. I am notsure that the word "or" is necessary to link anyof those paragraphs.

If I am right—and I suspect that there is achance that I may not be—that would makeparagraph (g) which is the paragraph whichrequires a person to give assistance where it isrequested, meaningless. The inspector wouldonly be able to examine or photographanything or ask the person in charge of theplace for assistance. If the inspector asked theperson in charge for assistance, then he wouldnot be able to examine or photographanything. I have a feeling that the clarity of theclause would be strengthened if the word "or"was dropped. I do not think that it doesanything to enhance the meaning of thatclause. It certainly has the prospect ofdiminishing it. Maybe the Minister could havehis staff address that issue prior to theCommittee stage.

In relation to the powers of entry andconsent—there are certain provisions aboutconsent that are normally expected. Thematerial before us really does not make it clearthat the inspector who is seeking to gain entryby means of consent is required to advise theperson in charge of the place, or the owner oroccupier, of what that consent means. Theinspector is obliged to indicate that consentneed not necessarily be given, but I am notsure that it is spelled out that the inspectorneeds to advise what consent, if given, wouldentail. The inspector should be able to advisethe person, for example, that if he or she didgive consent and then refused to giveassistance, he or she could be liable for a fineof 60 penalty units, which is quite a substantialsum of money. Inspectors should bespecifically required to advise anybody whomthey are asking for consent of the possibleconsequences of that consent.

Another matter that I would like to raisehas been raised with the Attorney previously,that is, matter being made available for civilproceedings or derivatives. I am not contentthat there is any way to acquire material thatmight be used against some person in anyproceeding, criminal or civil, that has been

gained by means other than a warrant. I wouldexpress some discomfort in relation to thosepowers in this Bill as they relate to the two Actsthat I have mentioned. That issue has beentaken up with the Attorney previously and theAttorney has not yet seen the benefit of thecommittee's views, or he has not beenpersuaded by the strength of our argument. Iwould hope that at some stage the Ministerwould take note of those views.

Other members have spoken aboutspecific legislation, for example, theclassification of films or literature. Essentially, Ido not believe in censorship. However, I thinkit is quite clear that many forms of self-regulation are not working in the manner inwhich society would hope. For example, anumber of outlets operating as subnewsoutlets, be they service stations or the like,display magazines that are really not materialthat is suitable for display at a child's eye level.Adults who go into a service station wanting tobuy a newspaper or perhaps a gun magazine,dare I say, or a fishing magazine, find thatthey have to lean over to pick those things up.That material is displayed at children's eyelevel, not at an adult's eye level. That is quitean inappropriate way to display material. If thebusiness community is not going to becognisant of the sensitivities and sensibilitiesof different people, whether it be because ofage or some particular personal views, thenwe have to regulate their actions in someways.

Having said that, I am not a greatproponent of censorship. I believe that I candetermine what I want to see and I can putaside what I do not want to see in the sameway that the member for Mount Gravatt is ableto make those types of decisions and putaside the material that she does not wish tosee. It is a bit beyond the pale to receivematerial in an unsolicited fashion. If it hadbeen happening to me, I would have beenmaking a list of all the people whom I hadupset. It might have been such a long list thatI would not have been able to determine theculprit!

In conclusion, there is no more importantlegislation that we bring before this Housethan legislation that deals with consumerissues. Every person in this State is aconsumer, and the protections that we cangive consumers through the consumerlegislation that is brought into this Parliamentbenefits them all. There are certainly a numberof sharp practices in the dealings of ratherslippery business people which I know that theAttorney, as the Minister responsible forconsumer affairs, will bring to the attention of


this House from time to time. Nevertheless, itis important that this House recognises thatconsumer legislation is legislation of a highstatus indeed. It is not one of the also-rans. Itis legislation that deals with issues that reallymatter to people in their day-to-day lives. Inthe main, these amendments are sensibleand logical. As I have said, I thank theAttorney for some of the "give" that appears insome of the matters that I have beenconsistently arguing in this Chamber for anumber of years. I am happy to support thisBill.

Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee) (3.50 p.m.): Iwish to take this opportunity to say a fewwords about some matters arising out of theBill. One matter in particular relates to theRegistration of Births, Deaths and MarriagesAct. I have raised with the Attorney-General aparticular case concerning one of myconstituents. The Attorney has indicated thatthe matter will be addressed when the Act isnext reviewed. However, I believe that it wasworth while raising this matter again in thisplace.

This case concerns a constituent of minewho discovered that he has a son who is 20years old. On discovering this, the son wishedto have his father's name recorded on his birthcertificate. The difficulty that arose was that,because of the age of the person involved,the current provisions of the Act require that,when the father's name is entered on the birthcertificate, the son's name is changed to thatof the father. The fellow concerned has grownup with his natural mother's name, which hewished to retain. However, he also wished tohave his father's name recorded on his birthcertificate. The Attorney has indicated that,probably in mid-1997, when the Act will bereviewed, that issue will be taken into account.It is important to take account of these issuesand try to resolve them. This matter is quitedistressing to both families. Hopefully, it canbe resolved when the Act is next reviewed.

I wish to raise a couple of general issuesin relation to consumer law. There are someparts of this legislation which I believe lackteeth. I want to give two examples of howconsumers were basically left out on their own,and the existing laws were not very helpful.The first case related to the sale of smokealarms. This is a matter that I have raisedpreviously in this place.

A particular company operated in thefollowing fashion. It placed an advertisementin a local newspaper advertising that a prize ofa free dinner was available to people who filledout a coupon. In fact, as I understand it, most

people who filled out the coupon received theoffer of a free dinner. At that free dinner,salespeople demonstrated the benefits ofparticular smoke alarm equipment. At theconclusion of the demonstration, they wererequested to fill out a card which, in effect,invited a salesperson to their home to furtherdiscuss these particular products. Once in thehome, a quote was given for the installation ofwhat were battery-operated smoke alarms andsmoke detectors. As I have indicatedpreviously in correspondence and in this place,quite outrageous prices were being chargedfor those smoke alarms.

On reporting this matter to the Office ofConsumer Affairs, the basic response was thatthe company was doing nothing illegal, thatthe basic message to be given to theconsumer was: buyer beware. However, Ibelieve that one issue that arose during thatparticular process is something which could beaddressed by consumer legislation, that is, themethod that the company used to, in my view,override the provisions of door-to-door saleslegislation in respect of a cooling-off period.Simply because the people at that free dinnerfilled out cards which, in effect, invitedsalespersons to their homes, the cooling-offprovisions of the door-to-door sales legislationhad no effect. I simply draw this to theattention of the Attorney-General in the hopethat this issue might be considered. Perhapssome powers could be given to inspectors sothat they could take action in cases in whichpeople deliberately seek to override particularprovisions of Acts.

The other matter that I wish to raise alsoconcerns constituents in my electorate whohave taken out prepaid funeral benefits. Thisis another matter that I have raised incorrespondence with the Attorney-General. Infact, it has led to Crown law advice. Theparticular contract that I am talking about wastaken out in the 1950s. It involved a personmaking small contributions over a period. To anon-legal person, a plain reading of thedocument basically led one to believe that,upon the death of that person or his or herspouse, a benefit, as outlined in the contract,would be received. Again, a non-legal personreading that contract would be led to believethat, basically, that benefit would pay for a fullfuneral. However, recent advice which hasbeen given to the holders of those contracts isto the effect that they are entitled to only $160worth of funeral benefits.

Mr Campbell: That doesn't go far.

Mr ROBERTS: No, it does not go veryfar at all. When the contract was taken out


and the amounts paid, the contract probablywould have covered the full cost of a funeral.However, over time, that sum has beeneroded.

These issues, including the last one,involve mainly the elderly in the communityand those who are perhaps not as welleducated as others. When they read contractsor have contracts explained to them, plainEnglish and an understanding of the benefitsshould be a requirement. That is probablysomething which needs to be given a littlemore attention with respect to contracts thatare entered into in a range of matters.

Mrs CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone)(3.57 p.m.): I want to make a couple ofcomments about one section of this consumerlaw and other justice legislation, which iscertainly diverse. The purpose of the changesto the classifications of publications is to bringQueensland into line with Commonwealthstandards. Although I can understand thatpurpose, I have to say that if we, as a State,wish to maintain a tighter control on materialthat is available, then I do not believe thatbeing in line with Commonwealth standards isnecessarily always a good thing. I hold out ourright to remain separate and perhaps a littleconservative.

This legislation involves a lot of changesto classifications of publications. The oldclassifications have been around for a longtime, and people have become very familiarwith them. Any changes to classificationsshould be very clear. If the RC classification isplaced on a cassette holder, it should also beclearly marked as a restricted classification.People have become used to the Rclassification. The community should beeducated about these classifications, whichshould be clearly marked.

The other issue that needs to beconsidered is that printed material is not theonly medium that is available. A plethora ofmediums is available to the community. As themember for Caboolture said, those mediumsare available to our children. I refer to theInternet, e-mail, CD-ROMs, disks, videos,cassettes—the whole works. Thoseclassifications, particularly those relating toquestionable material, need to be clear.

The other point I want to raise is thatpublications in shops are always put withineasy access of young people. They can bequite adult magazines, but they are right therewhere kids can not only access them but viewthem. At one stage, there was a voluntaryprogram operating in this State involving arequest that garages, magazine shops and

corner stores put adult magazines in what Icall blinds so that all that was visible was thename of the publication. That is one verypractical way of addressing the problem ofvisual pollution. And from my perspective, withchildren, that is what it is. The adults can stillsee what the magazine is, they still have thechoice of purchasing it, but the offendingpictures are not accessible to children, andthey are not something that offends peoplewhen they walk into the premises. Althoughthat program had some success as avoluntary mechanism, some organisationsthroughout the State blatantly refused to beinvolved, albeit that there was a demonstratedbenefit to youth. I encourage the Minister toconsider the compulsory use of what I callblinds, those magazines holders that cover thepictures but still allow access to the names onthe magazines.

Hon. D. E. BEANLAND (Indooroopilly—Attorney-General and Minister for Justice)(4.01 p.m.), in reply: I thank the Oppositionand the member for Gladstone for theirsupport for this legislation. It contains a rangeof matters of concern to Queenslanders. Theamendments are about improving thelegislation for the benefit of all Queenslanders.

A number of points have been raisedabout the legislation and the ExplanatoryNotes. This Bill is a technical Bill to make non-contentious, administrative amendments tothe legislation. Many amendments werenecessary because, as I found on takingoffice, none of these sorts of changes hadbeen made for many years under the LaborGovernment. Quite a bit of catch-up wasneeded. The Government also had a range ofissues with which it wanted to deal.Consequently, this legislation contains a largenumber of amendments. Next year, anotherhost of amendments will be introduced asquite a considerable number of issues stillneed to be addressed. Of course, many of theamendments have been requested byinterests groups within the community, such asthe Catholic Church and scout groups.

The member for Mount Gravattmentioned communication for managementcommittee meetings. Associations will be freeto conduct management committee meetingsas often as they wish. Some committees donot need to meet every two months, which isthe current compulsory requirement. Thatrequirement has caused hardship, particularlyin country areas of this State. This is a vastState. The term "tyranny of distance" certainlyapplies to many of those groups when theyare trying to meet. Although we still have verystrict requirements for the frequency of holding


meetings—and they are the strictest in thiscountry; they are far stricter than in otherStates—in passing these amendments we areattempting to find a middle ground for someassociations.

Some community organisations are quitesmall. I noticed that the honourable memberreferred to the RSPCA at Yeronga. Of course,that is a very large association, and itsmembers will be wanting regular meetingsheld. However, on the other side of this State,in places such as Bedourie, the circumstancesare vastly different. We have to cater for allcircumstances. Community groups will stillneed to meet on many occasions, but thecompulsory requirement is at least four times ayear. I understand that this State has some17,000 associations. I think we all agree thatthis is a diverse State with a diversity ofassociations. We are trying to meet their manyrequirements. I am sure that members ofassociations would soon cause a commotion iftheir executive committees were not meetingon the basis that they wanted, and that variesfrom place to place, from town to city. Thesedays, everybody has a very busy life. Evenpeople in country areas are finding it moredifficult to attend meetings, whether it bebecause of drought, busier lives or otherreasons. Consequently, they need leeway inrelation to these issues. The purpose of theseamendments is to provide greateropportunities and more flexibility.

The member for Caboolture raised theissue of forms of communication. I am surethat committee members will be realistic in theway that they conduct their meetings. I do notexpect them to use methods of meeting thatwould be detrimental to members. I trust thatthis provision will be used in the way that isintended by the legislation so that it willprovide positive assistance to managementcommittee members. If we discover thatpeople are finding ways around the legislationand not doing the appropriate thing by theirmembers, we will look at moving a slightamendment. In a changing society, withtechnology such as the Internet and a wholehost of mechanisms for meetings—andperhaps many of us have not thought beyondvideo links and telephones—we do not wantlegislation to be some years behind what ishappening in the community. Greater flexibilityis the reason that that was agreed upon forinclusion in this particular amendment.

The member for Mount Gravatt raised theissue, as did some other members, ofinspectors and inspectoral powers. Care wastaken in the Explanatory Notes to explain whatwas new and different in that respect in the

legislation. Of course, the powers of theinspectors are fairly well spelt out within thelegislation. They are fairly straightforward.Although there has been some criticism of theExplanatory Notes in that regard, when onereads through the legislation I am not surethat it could be much more explicit than it iscurrently. I certainly had no trouble followingwhat inspectoral powers are and are not withinthe wording of the legislation.

Ms Spence: Do you think one line issufficient explanation for seven pages?

Mr BEANLAND: I am coming to that.The member mentioned that one line.However, the fact is that those powers arespelled out very clearly within the legislation. Ido not know that we could use language thatis much more explicit. We could repeat what isin the Bill, but I do not think that that wouldachieve a great deal. To be fair, they werespelt out very clearly within the legislation sothat no problems would arise and so thatpeople would not need to refer to theExplanatory Notes. I am more concernedabout these matters than perhaps most of themembers opposite. I know that they say thatthey are concerned, and I am not doubtingthat. I am also very concerned aboutinspectoral powers. In my days in the BrisbaneCity Council I found that, in many cases,council inspectors had far wider powers thanpolice officers. It was quite horrific when oneconsidered what council inspectors could do.With regard to people's legal rights andprivacy, I am very much aware of the need tobe very careful about what powers we giveinspectors.

Ms Spence: Some people would justlike to have a full understanding by readingthe Explanatory Notes, and by summarisingseven pages in one line they cannot really getan understanding of the legislation. In fact,you are saying they have to turn to thelegislation.

Mr BEANLAND: That is what thelegislation is for. We do not mind repeating it,but the legislation is for that purpose. I do notknow that there is much purpose in repeatingthose words in the case of an administrativeBill such as this. As the honourable memberseems to be concerned that we do repeatthem, I will consider that for a future occasion;however, I am much more concerned aboutwhat the Bill says in relation to the powers ofinspectors.

As to the Mobile Homes Act—inspectorsneed powers in that regard, because residentsare often elderly, frail people without financialmeans. They cannot afford to live in retirement


villages. In contrast to residents, mobile homepark owners, as a group, generally have goodfinancial backing and access to legal advice.The inspectors need powers of search toobtain assistance from owners to discoverwhether agreements exist and what they say.That is why inspectors have some of thosepowers.

I noticed that the Scrutiny of LegislationCommittee referred to the Keno Bill. While Iam on the subject of the Scrutiny ofLegislation Committee—I point out that thesites where keno machines will be operatingare vastly different from mobile home parks. Inmany cases elderly, frail people need supportand assistance, in contrast to mobile homepark owners. I think that the Scrutiny ofLegislation Committee said that we should getpermission in writing. No mobile home parkowners will sign a document without firstseeing their legal advisers, who will tell themnot to sign anything. That is what all legaladvisers say in relation to matters such as this.Of course, a person would not sign adocument to allow consumer affairs inspectorsonto the site, because that person would notbe too sure what they might or might not find.Those owners might receive a clean bill ofhealth and they might not, so it would be sillyfor them to sign such a document. It would bea hopeless exercise in that on each occasionwe would end up having to require warrants.We certainly do not want to clog up the courtsystem by requiring warrants to be issued oneach occasion.

Mr J. H. Sullivan: Warrants could beobtained by electronic means with thelegislative changes.

Mr BEANLAND: I do not know what themember for Caboolture said. I am trying to setout the format as it is explained in thelegislation. We are trying to formulate workablelegislation that will be of assistance to thosepeople in those particular situations. If theGovernment adopted some of the proposalsthat were made by various members in thisChamber, the Bill would be simply unworkable,difficult and unenforceable.

A similar situation exists in relation to theLand Sales Act. If developers had somethingto hide, they would simply not sign adocument to allow inspectors on the property.Again, under this legislation, those developerswould have access to advice from lawyers andso forth. We are trying to give inspectors'powers some teeth. At the moment, they donot have that and it is all a bit of a farce.Members stand up in this Chamber and say,"Why aren't you doing this, that, or something

else under the legislation?" However, underthe existing legislation, we do not have thepower to do those things. The purpose of thislegislation is to make those Acts workable andworth while. At the same time, I acknowledgethat we have to be careful about the powersthat we give to inspectors of the ConsumersAffairs Office.

The member for Caboolture raised theissue of the insertion of the word "or" in someof the clauses. After a investigation into thismatter, I understand that in relation to themobile homes inspectors' powers, the word"or" is necessary for them to be able to electto use any of the powers which areappropriate in order to avoid ambiguity thatmay otherwise arise. For example, there maybe a mistaken belief that all the powers haveto be exercised. Therefore, it is a necessarydrafting measure, and I accept that. I thinkthat it is appropriate that those clauses areworded in that particular way.

The member for Nudgee raised a matterin relation to greater enforcement of certainlegislation to do with consumers. I think thatthe member will find that the matters that heraised will be addressed in the fair tradinglegislation. There has been a tightening up ofenforcement and consumer protectionmeasures in that legislation, particularly inrelation to the substantiation notices. It is amost significant part of Queensland'sconsumer protection legislation. So when wecome to debate the Fair Trading Bill, I am surethat the member will find that the points thathe raised have been addressed by that Bill.

As to censorship, the member forGladstone raised the matter of the RC label. Isay that the RC label will not be on thematerial because it will not be in themarketplace. I understand that it is bannedthroughout Australia. The RC classification willmake the law clear and it will makeinterpretation of the legislation easier formagistrates. However, this is not a piece oflegislation on which we can hold a lengthydebate about censorship. If we are going tomake major changes to censorship, we needto tackle that matter in separate censorshiplegislation and not in this Bill, which makesadministrative and technical changes on abroad scale. The amendments in this Bill thatrelate to censorship are only to accommodatethe terms of the new Commonwealth Act.

In 1991 or 1990, the former Governmententered into a uniform agreement andQueensland did away with its own censorshipregime. So when members talk about havinga different system in place that will tighten up


legislation, at the end of the day the Statewould need to consider whether it shouldcontinue with the current Commonwealthregime or crank up a regime of its own. Thecensorship amendments contained in this Billcoincide with the new Commonwealth Act andare not intended to change the basicunderpinnings of the censorship law. That iswhy they are only technical in nature.

We have a cooperative censorshipsystem in this State. I accept that today anumber of contentious issues have beenraised. In fact, many of those issues havebeen raised at various ministerial meetings. Imight say that Queensland is very vocal in thisarea. In relation to the Commonwealthlegislation, we should also appreciate that,under the uniform scheme, theCommonwealth actually classifies the materialand the States enforce the censorshipdecisions. There are no X-rated videos withinthis State and nor are categories 1 or 2 hard-core pornography allowed in this State. I knowthat members raised some points in relation tothat matter. I know that there is a great deal ofconcern about some of the material that findsits way onto the shelves. However, it is slightlydifferent from the hard-core material that isavailable in other States and Territories.

The member for Mount Gravatt raised theissue of receiving pornographic matter in themail. That has been of concern to me forsome time. This material comes through thepost—and I am not saying this in relation tothe member herself—much of it from the ACT,which allows various forms of pornographicmaterial. It is posted throughout the nation.People receive this unsolicited material. I amnot saying that the member for Mount Gravattis necessarily receiving this material, but itcertainly happens to constituents in myelectorate.

Ms Spence: A lot of it is quite offensive.Mr BEANLAND: I agree that a lot of it is

quite offensive. Unfortunately, because of thefreedom of interstate trade, which is allowedunder the Constitution, there is nothing thatwe can do about it. I would not stand by idlyand allow it to occur if I could take action.However, we cannot because such material islegal within the ACT.

I mentioned that there was no hard-corepornography and no X-rated videos allowed inQueensland. A member mentioned MrSonnemann. I have met with Mr Sonnemannand discussed with him the range ofmagazines and material that is available. Wemay need to consider a range of matters overtime. One of those matters—audio

material—was raised at the last SCAGmeeting. That issue was raised this afternoonby a couple of members. There is now in placea self-regulatory process for new material. Wewill see how that operates over the next 12months.

I think a member raised the issue of a CDthat is available at Maroochydore. Iunderstand that that CD was released some12 months ago and would not be covered bythe new categories. However, I am appalledby some of the language that I hear on someCDs. I am also concerned about some of thethings, such as the language, that I hear fromtime to time on the radio. It is very difficult forus to discourage the availability of that type ofmusic with such lyrics when it is broadcastacross the airwaves. I am aware of this matter.It was raised at the last SCAG meeting and wehave asked for the broadcasting authority tolook at some of these issues. It is all very wellfor State Ministers to be doing something atthe level where such CDs are sold at musicstores, but if it is played on the airwaves, thenwe are fighting a fairly uphill battle.

I have tried to cover the points raised bymembers in relation to this Bill. I accept thatthis is a very large piece of legislation whichcovers a range of material right across-the-board. I hope that, now that we have madethis good start, next year we can introduceanother Bill such as this one which will tidy upa few other outstanding matters.

Motion agreed to.

Committee

Hon. D. E. Beanland (Indooroopilly—Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) incharge of the Bill.


Clause 60—

Ms SPENCE (4.21 p.m.): Clause 60deals with the length of time that goods maybe detained following their seizure. TheMinister is proposing to increase that length oftime from 60 days, as it is under the presentAct, to a term of one year. I would like someexplanation as to why the Minister believesthat this is necessary. The Explanatory Notesstate that this would only involve cases ofseizure of a large number of computer games.What does the department consider to be a"large" number of computer games? Why is ayear necessary for the classification ofmaterial?

I am particularly concerned about thenegative effects on business if goods are


seized and held for a year while they areclassified. It might be relatively harmlessmaterial and businesses can be greatlydisadvantaged if a large amount of their stockis detained for a year and then classified at anacceptable level. With the quirky nature of thecomputer games industry, by the time thestock comes back to the shop a year later, itmay be out of fashion and fairly worthless.Surely it would have to be an extraordinarycircumstance for officers to hold goods for ayear. I would like some explanation of thatpoint.

Mr BEANLAND: I know the generalanswer to the question, but if the memberwould like a more specific answer I had betterget one for her. Sixty days is too short a timein which to classify some of these materials.We need to issue certificates and adviceneeds to be sought in some cases. These arenot straightforward matters.

The change will bring more consistencywith the Justices Act. For example,prosecutions may be involved and sometimesraids can net a large amount of material. Thecurrent time limit in the Act is insufficient forofficers to be able to carry out prosecutions.As the member would appreciate, there is alarge amount of material coming onto themarket now. It is not a small market any more.One has to go through the processes of beingable to prepare and bring about prosecutionsappropriately. The Office of Consumer Affairsand others who deal with these matters feelthat 12 months is more in keeping withlegislation elsewhere in the JusticeDepartment, as a certain period is needed tobring prosecutions forward.

Ms SPENCE: I accept the explanationof the Minister. I accept that the departmentmay need a year if the seizure of goods isintended to result in a case for prosecutionand that preparation time is needed. However,surely 60 days should be ample time for thedepartment to classify seized material. I wouldnot like to think that officers are seizingmaterial on the basis of classification andwaiting for a whole year before returning it.There is something wrong with the process ifseized goods cannot be classified within the60-day term. As I said before, the Minister isgoing to disadvantage businesses, which maynot be doing anything unlawful, if their seizedgoods are kept for a term longer than 60 days.

Mr BEANLAND: I understand that theBill states a 12-month period for theclassification of material but, of course, oncewe know that material is okay the office mustgive it back. We cannot retain material for no

good reason. The only way it can beretained—and we do not say that it will beretained for 12 months—is if a prosecution isgoing to be undertaken. Of course, we hopethat prosecutions can be undertakenexpeditiously. There is no reason why a casehas to wait for 12 months before beingfinalised. It is fair to say that we make everyeffort to ensure that prosecutions are broughton very quickly indeed, because it is in theinterests of the department, the Governmentand the Office of Consumer Affairs to getthese prosecutions up and running if we wantto send a message to the industry that we willnot tolerate this type of material beingavailable within the community. As thehonourable member would understand, theJustices Act provides a maximum of 12months in which to bring a prosecution on. Ofcourse, the Office of the Director of PublicProsecutions and others involved alwaysendeavour to bring prosecutions about in theshortest period possible.

I can understand the concerns of thehonourable member, as I have the sameconcerns. I am quite happy to give anundertaking to the Parliament that we alwaysmove to bring about prosecutions asexpeditiously as possible and to classify andreturn lawful material as quickly as possible.

Clause 60, as read, agreed to.


Clause 126—

Mr J. H. SULLIVAN (4.27 p.m.): I willtry to be brief. This clause relates to an issuethat I raised with the Minister during thesecond-reading debate concerning the listingof the powers of the inspector and the use ofthe word "or" joining each of those powers. Ilistened to the Minister's response on thesubject, but I was not convinced, I am sorry tosay. However, if the Minister was to give thesame response in this section of the debate, itwould be classed as extrinsic material and theintention of Parliament will be clear to anybodywho looks at this issue later.

According to the Shorter Oxford EnglishDictionary, the word "or" means "A particle co-ordinating two (or more) words, phrases, orclauses, between which there is analternative."

Mr Stephan: I'm glad you told us that.

Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I think it isimportant. I notice the member for Gympieinterjecting from a seat other than his own but,as a person who has spent more than adecade in this place looking at legislative

4166 Townsville Zinc Refinery Bill 14 Nov 1996

interpretation, he ought to understand thatthese things can be important.

The issue is that the use of the word "or"may not achieve the purpose that the Ministeris looking for. It may denote that an inspectordoes not have to undertake all of theseactions. By definition of the word "or", theclause could limit an inspector to undertakingonly one of that list of actions per entry. I thinkthe Chamber will be quite aware that theproper intention of the Bill is that an inspectorshould be able to undertake any or all of thepowers listed in subclauses (a) to (g). In orderto achieve that purpose, surely proposed newsection 30F(1) could read—and I apologisebecause I am not a draftsperson—"Afterentering a place under section 30C, aninspector may exercise any or all of the powersmentioned in subsection 2 only if . . . " andthen, in subclause 2, remove the word "or"entirely. In plain English, I think that themeaning would then be crystal clear.

I believe that at the moment it is possibleto read the clause down to the extent that onlyone of those powers could be exercised by aninspector on entry to any place. I know thatthe Minister will say that it is the intention thatinspectors will be able to exercise any or all ofthose powers, but this is a problem in thedrafting that needs to be amended at somestage. It must be fixed up in future instances.

Mr BEANLAND: Perhaps the membershould refer to the appropriate dictionary—theMacquarie Dictionary. The drafting isnecessary for the efficacy of the section. Thatdoes not mean that only one of thoseparticular sections can be used. It might bethat the inspector uses one or a number ofthem. I think it is okay as it is at the moment. Iam quite happy with it the way it is. If we findout that there is a problem, we will address it ina "CLMP" Bill when some others matters willbe looked at early next year. We will look atfixing it up then, if there is problem. However, Ithink it is okay.

Clause 126, as read, agreed to.Clauses 127 to 140, as read, agreed to.Clause 141—Mr BEANLAND (4.31 p.m.): I move the

following amendment—"At page 86, line 5, 'after'—omit, insert—'before'."

This amendment corrects an error madewhen the Bill was drafted. The word "after"needs to be omitted, and the word "before"inserted.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 141, as amended, agreed to.Clauses 142 to 180, as read, agreed to.

Clause 181—Ms SPENCE (4.33 p.m.): Given the

change to the Scout Association legislation, Iwas wondering why the Scout Association isretaining the word "boy" in its legislation? Itwas my understanding that they were nowcalled scouts. I would have thought that theywould have lobbied the Minister to take thisopportunity to make their legislation moregender neutral, given that it is being changedon this occasion.

Mr BEANLAND: Briefly, I understandthat this is exactly what they asked for. I amcertainly not in the business of telling variousinterest groups what terminology they shouldor should not use in their title. We understandthat this is what they wanted.

Clause 181, as read, agreed to.Clauses 182 to 199, as read, agreed to.

Bill reported, with an amendment.

Third Reading

Bill, on motion of Mr Beanland, by leave,read a third time.

PAPER

The following paper was laid on thetable—

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice (MrBeanland)—Department of Justice—Annual Report for1995-96.

TOWNSVILLE ZINC REFINERY BILL

Second Reading


Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leaderof the Opposition) (4.36 p.m.): On behalf ofthe Opposition, I am delighted to be able tolend bipartisan support to the Townsville ZincRefinery Bill. The Sun Metals zinc refinery isthe largest Korean investment in Australia.When its capacity is ultimately doubled by theaddition of Stage 2, it will be the largest zincrefinery in the world.

Construction is expected to start after theend of the wet season, probably in early April1997. The 30-month construction phase willcreate average employment for 300 and apeak work force of 590. Employment duringthe operations phase of Stage 1 is estimated

14 Nov 1996 Townsville Zinc Refinery Bill 4167

at 350. Through the establishment of the SunMetals zinc refinery at Townsville we areseeing a welcome and permanent boost inemployment in north Queensland.

I note that the Premier has taken thecredit for this major project. People such asWayne Goss, Townsville Mayor Tony Mooney,former Minister Tony McGrady, and themanagement of Townsville Enterprise must bewondering what happened to all of the hardwork they put into this project long before thePremier arrived on the scene. I was in Cabinetwhen a proposal came forward to deal withelectricity prices in relation to this venture. Thatwas a proposal brought by none other thanthe then Minister for Minerals and Energy.That proposal was supported unanimously bythe Cabinet at that time.

Mr McGrady interjected. Mr BEATTIE: That was on the

honourable member's recommendation.

I do not wish to get into a squabble withthe Premier over the credit for this importantproject. It is quite clear who was responsible.The management of Korea Zinc did the reallydifficult part. It put up the hard cash and it hasput its faith in Queensland as a good place toinvest—a good judgment. For that, theOpposition thanks it publicly today. Inparticular, we wish to thank Mr Chang GurlChoi and his brothers for choosing Townsvilleand Queensland as the site for their first majorinvestment outside of Korea. I also pay tributeto Mr K. C. Choi, the managing director of SunMetals Corporation, for his tireless efforts inseeing this project through. I thank keyadvisers within Sun Metals Corporation—DrShad Linley, Mr Geoff Anderson, and MrMichael Kennedy—for their courtesy inkeeping the Opposition informed about thegeneral progress of the zinc refinery project.We look forward to having regular contact withthem.

The Townsville zinc refinery is part ofLabor's broader vision for industrialdevelopment in Queensland. I have alreadymade it clear publicly that, when back inGovernment, we will have an aggressive policytowards major projects such as this one. Wesee the cities of Townsville, Gladstone andBrisbane, as well as others, as having thepotential to become major industrial centres inthe Asia/Pacific region adding value toQueensland's vast natural resources. Underthe right economic conditions, Queensland willbe capable of processing much of the mineralwealth of the rich north west minerals province,the Cape York bauxite deposits and theoutput of other mines in the State. I was in

Mount Isa with the Honourable Tony McGradyon Saturday and Sunday when we had abriefing in relation to the Ernest Henry mine.We know the value of the north west mineralsprovince and what it will mean for this State asit becomes very much the jewel inQueensland's mining crown.

In addition, phosphate fertiliser is likely tobe produced here in Queensland and used onQueensland farms, displacing importedfertiliser and helping improve Australia'scurrent account position. There is evenpotential for Queensland to be the location ofa major petrochemical operation. Thedevelopment of a range of manufacturingindustries utilising the vast magnesite depositsin Kunwarrara holds enormous potential forthe central Queensland economy. Themultiple applications of processed magnesiumsuch as refractory bricks, environmentalmanagement products and magnesium metalhave large and expanding markets astechnological development proceeds. I hopethe present Government will maintain thesupport Labor provided to Queensland MetalsCorporation in developing these industries.There are huge social benefits to be gainedfor central Queensland from the stable anddiversely skilled employment base that willarise from the growth of these industries.

The Opposition, as the alternativeGovernment, is also keenly watching thecountdown to a decision by the Comalcocompany on whether or not it places theproposed $4.5 billion alumina refinery inGladstone or Bowen or opts for Malaysia. Weare firmly on the record as being verysupportive of that Comalco project, and weurge the Government to do everything withinits power to bring that proposal to fruition. Wesupported it in Government, we support it inOpposition, and we again will support it whenwe return to Government next year.

I understand that the nature ofnegotiations on these projects is complex andthat the interests of the State must beprotected. But there is no doubt that a $4.5billion investment in Gladstone or Bowen orWeipa would add considerable strength to theeconomic structure of Queensland andposition it well for further industrialdevelopment, particularly in more elaboratemanufacturing. It is a tough world out there,and we need to grasp that proposal with bothhands and make it a reality. I say to theMinister today that he has our bipartisansupport to make that venture a reality.

I note the Government's recentannouncement of its intention to promote the


development of the Surat Basin in south-westQueensland. Naturally, we would welcome anysuch development, and the previous LaborGovernment was active in exploring means ofopening up that region. There are a number ofimpediments to such development, however,which the introduction of private interests mayor may not overcome. I certainly hope that theGovernment is not focusing on the SuratBasin simply because it cannot claim the northwest minerals province as its own initiative.

However, the Government's frequentadvocacy of a large coal-fired power station inthe area does not sit well with the likely futurepattern of energy needs throughout the State.I am concerned that the decision to shiftEastlink further west, which will cost theQueensland taxpayer up to $150m more thannecessary, had more to do with providing amarket for this parish-pump power station thanany real concern about the impact oftransmission lines on people's property. TheMinister is aware of our commitment toEastlink in Government. In Opposition, thatcommitment remains. We urge the Minister tobecome part of that national grid.

Investments of the type and scale of theTownsville zinc refinery offer major benefits forQueensland and Australia as a whole, themost central one being jobs, jobs, jobs. Theyalso offer secure and rewarding jobs for youngQueenslanders living in our provincial cities.The youth unemployment level in this State isalready far too high, and it has been for sometime. It is getting worse under thisGovernment. I mentioned earlier in the weekthat an additional 12,200 Queenslanders havebecome unemployed since this Governmentcame to office in February. These youngpeople, secure in employment, will find itpossible to maintain their family ties and toraise their own families in their home townsand cities instead of being forced to move tosouth-east Queensland in search of jobs. Thatis why these ventures are so important. Theirspending power will boost our regionaleconomies, making them more viable for otherfamilies who gain employment through theprovision of support services. The entire skillsbase will be lifted, providing youngQueenslanders with rewarding career paths insophisticated manufacturing and serviceindustries. We have to remember thatQueensland has 3 million people scatteredacross a huge area. We need to have adegree of decentralisation to make this Statework as effectively as it possibly could andshould.

An enhanced skills base will also add tothe attractiveness of Queensland as a

destination for further investment. Theconcerns recently expressed by the Chairmanof Construction Training Queensland, MrWalter Sommer, about the net reduction in thenumber of apprenticeships in his industryhighlight the potential bottleneck that aninadequate skills base can create. Mr Sommerbelieves that there should be 725 moreapprenticeships than currently exist if theconstruction industry is to maintain its capacityto operate at current levels of activity. If theskilled workers are not available, then the jobcannot be done and investment will goelsewhere where the requisite skills do exist.This is a matter we have to be particularlyconcerned about. I urge the Minister to pursuethat issue.

We need to ask: what are the conditionsthat will need to prevail to realise this vision forprovincial Queensland? A key ingredient is theprovision of efficient and internationallycompetitive infrastructure such as ports, rail,electricity, gas and water. Infrastructure is thekey to our future, particularly from aninvestment point of view and in terms of jobsand growth. In all of those areas, infrastructureis the key. I know that the Minister will join mein hoping that the Korea Zinc project will act asa catalyst for further investment in Townsvilleto make it the pre-eminent base metalindustrial centre of the Asia/Pacific region.That vision will not be realised unless northQueensland's infrastructure is substantiallyupgraded. Work is currently under way inexpanding and upgrading the port ofTownsville—something of which we are verysupportive.

Mr McGrady: Hear, hear!

Mr BEATTIE: Indeed, the honourablemember was on there——

Mr McGrady: Seventeen years.

Mr BEATTIE: He spent 17 years on thePort of Townsville Authority.

Mr Gibbs: An outstanding contribution.

Mr BEATTIE: Indeed it was.

The Government must now focus onensuring that Townsville is provided with anefficient and effective rail service and afunctional national highway connection andthat the region is able to access energy atworld competitive prices. The Minister knowsthat getting access to energy at worldcompetitive prices is fundamentally importantto that growth. I would have thought that gaswould have been one of the major areas ofindustry which we would want to see in thenorth.


Mr Slack: My ministerial statement thismorning——

Mr BEATTIE: I am aware of that.

Mr McGrady: With all due respect, MrBeattie—as you know, in Government we werethe ones who were talking about bringing gasto Townsville.

Mr BEATTIE: Indeed, and we willcontinue that strategy when we are back inGovernment next year.

Mr FitzGerald: 1998—come off it.

Mr BEATTIE: I beg your pardon! RayConnor told me earlier it was going to be nextyear.

Honourable members interjected.

Mr BEATTIE: No-one seems to want toown him today!

The Queensland Government has offeredKorea Zinc a world competitive electricity pricefor its first five years of operation. As Iindicated earlier, I was a member of Cabinetwhen that matter was discussed. If we aregoing to get these ventures here, that is thecreative approach we have to take to attractinvestment to this State. That was a sounddecision made by the Goss Cabinet. It madethis venture possible; it made it a reality.Those are the sorts of courageous decisionsGovernments need to make, and the samecourageous approach that was followed by theGoss Government at that time needs to befollowed in relation to the Comalco refinery tomake it a reality as well.

As I said, electricity pricing was a keyfactor in securing the project for Queensland.The State must now ensure that the economicand policy framework is right so that themarket can supply Korea Zinc's futureelectricity needs. If the Townsville zinc refineryis to proceed to Stage 2 and if other projectslike it are to go ahead, north Queensland willneed a base load power station to generateelectricity at internationally competitive rates. Istress that it has to be at internationallycompetitive rates. It is a tough world out there,as I said earlier. There are other opportunities.That is what we need to do. The Governmentplays an important role in determining whetherthis will occur, and it has to provide leadership.

Mr McGrady: And vision.

Mr BEATTIE: And vision. It is not goodenough to have people running around northQueensland like chooks with their heads cutoff, trying to look important for the TownsvilleBulletin. What is important is that theGovernment makes the decisions that matter,

not politicians who want to put their head upwhenever a camera is around.

The Minister for Mines and Energy iscurrently considering a report on therestructuring of the Queensland electricityindustry. The Government's response to thereport is being eagerly awaited by the industryand the Opposition, as it will determine theextent to which the private sector will invest inthe Queensland energy sector, especially innorth Queensland. Today, I attended a lunchat the Brisbane Club with members of theboard of Mount Isa Mines. They were holdingtheir annual shareholders meeting to whichthey invited both the Premier and myself.

Mr McGrady: Was the member forSpringwood there?

Mr BEATTIE: No, that member was notthere, but during that lunch, I talked toBrisbane's and Queensland's leading businesscommunity. They are very concerned aboutthe future of the electricity industry and theyare keen to see the Government's response tothis report. I signal to the Government, in anon-political way, that the industry and thebusiness leaders are waiting to know what it isgoing to do in relation to electricity. I urge theGovernment to not delay any longer. Businesspeople who came to talk to me, who haveprobably never voted for my party in theirlife—with a bit of luck they will see the light anddo it in the future—indicated that they believethere has been too much delay in theconsideration of this electricity report and theybelieve that the Cabinet should be consideringit and should be making a decision so thatthere is some certainty in the industry.

This report will also determine the extentto which Queensland will maintain its currentcompetitiveness with other States which arejostling for new industrial investment. TheMinister has just returned from a trade trip toIndia for which, as he indicated in this Houseon a previous occasion, he had bipartisansupport. He attended the New Horizons launchin India, and I commend him for attendingthat, but he knows that overseas we arecompeting against not only other countries butalso other States in Australia. It is very muchthe model that has been followed in theUnited States and other European countries.That is the model of the future.

I am aware that we are one nation, butwe will be competitive with other States. Forexample—and the Minister knows this—Western Australia has become veryaggressive in its operations in India. Indeed,when in Shanghai, the Premier was talkingabout the competitiveness of other States—


and I am not being unkind—and he said thatwe needed to improve our competitiveness inthese areas. I share that view. We need tomake certain that we are there and we arebeing competitive, and electricity and otherinfrastructure is the key to that.

The Government's recent announcementof two peak load power stations to be fired byliquid fuel but with a capacity for translation togas does help to resolve the absence of localelectricity supply capacity. The production costof power through these stations, however, willbe very high and industry is not likely to beattracted to buy their output, at least in theshort to medium term. That is the point theHonourable Tony McGrady has been making,and I make that point again here today. Therestill appears to be a strong case for a baseload power station in the north to assurepotential industry investors of a reliable andapproximate source of energy. In fact, it is fairto say that that is the key to it.

If the Government decides to install alarge base load power station on the DarlingDowns to export subsidised power to NewSouth Wales, as was mooted by the Ministerfor Mines and Energy in the recent Estimatesdebate, the prospects of base load power inthe north will be dashed. It is that simple. Thatis not a solution to the energy and powerneeds of north Queensland. Gone with it willbe the legitimate hopes of Townsville andnorth Queensland for the development of alarge and sustainable employment base for itscitizens. I urge the Minister to have somediscussion with the Minister for Mines andEnergy to try to resolve this problem soonerrather than later.

The Government must not sell out northQueensland for the sake of saving face overits reckless decision to abandon Eastlink. NewSouth Wales already has massive excesscapacity and prices are cheap, so why shouldQueensland subsidise New South Waleselectricity consumers by selling them electricitybelow the true cost of producing it? That doesnot make sense in anybody's language, andto do so would be an act of treachery to northQueensland. The Opposition calls on theGovernment to abandon this expensive follybefore it goes any further.

Instead of interfering in the electricitymarket, the Government should allow buyersand sellers of electricity to negotiate directlyand come to commercial terms. However, ifthe Government cannot resist getting involved,it should ensure that 600 to 700 megawatts ofbase load capacity is located near Townsville.It is that simple.

The second condition for the achievementof our vision for provincial Queensland, whenwe are back in office, is the establishment of aregional industrial waste facility in northQueensland. While the Government has beentalking about this for some time, we have seenvery little or no action.

Mr Slack: You had six years. We havehad eight months.

Mr BEATTIE: I am happy for theMinister to outline in his reply exactly what heis doing, and if he goes down that course ofaction soon, he will have my support and thesupport of the Opposition. I can do no morethan that.

We still await the revised guidelines forthe private provision of infrastructure theGovernment has been promising for manymonths. The Environment Minister, MrLittleproud, has been making the right noisesabout regional waste facilities; now it is time forsome action, though having seen hisperformance in recent times, I will not beholding my breath.

That brings me to the third condition, thatis, leadership by the Government. There aremany ingredients that make overseasinvestment work, and leadership by theGovernment is one. The business communityis begging this Government for someleadership and some real decisions. Again, atthe MIM lunch today, that was one of theother key messages I received. People believethat this Government is directionless,rudderless and without leadership. TheGovernment is intent on waging war with theCJC instead of getting on with the job ofgoverning. The business community isbegging this Government for some leadershipand some real decisions. That is what theywant.

I call on the Premier and the DeputyPremier and Treasurer—although there isprobably more sense to just call on thePremier—to stop attacking the public'sindependent watchdog and concentrate ongetting the Queensland economy movingagain. The Opposition is willing to play its partby giving bipartisan support to major projectssuch as the Townsville zinc refinery, and Laboris also committed to aggressively promotingQueensland as a destination for investmentand as a source of quality competitiveproducts for markets around the world.

We will always be concerned to see thatany environmental impacts are minimised, andI endorse the environmental agreement thathas been reached between the Governmentand Sun Metals after the completion and


evaluation of a full impact assessmentstatement. That agreement gives someindication on how these matters can proceed.

Mr Stoneman interjected.

Mr BEATTIE: One of the things we willnot be doing is sending that memberanywhere because he is an embarrassment. Itis essential that any mineral processing projectlocated near the coastline bordering the GreatBarrier Reef achieves the highestenvironmental standards, and we will want tobe assured that licence conditions are beingmet at all times.

The passage of this Bill clears the way forthe Townsville zinc refinery to proceed. TheOpposition is pleased to be able todemonstrate to Korea Zinc and to the peopleof Townsville that it is committed to thisimportant project, which began under ourGovernment, now going ahead without delay,and it is pleased to demonstrate that it iscommitted to developing the Queenslandeconomy by supporting projects which will yieldjobs and other real benefits to the people ofQueensland and which meet appropriatestandards of environmental management.

In conclusion, I thank the Minister for hisbriefings on this matter and I put on the publicrecord the bipartisanship which he hasdemonstrated in relation to this Bill and withwhich we have reciprocated. Right from thebeginning, when the Minister signalled to usthe need for this legislation, we made it clearthat we would support him and that we wouldalso be prepared to support this matter goingthrough the Parliament as quickly as possibleto make it a reality. The Minister has dealt withus in good faith. He is well regarded by theOpposition on these matters and we will behappy to deal with him on these and othermatters to make certain that these majorprojects become a reality for this State.

Mr STONEMAN (Burdekin) (5 p.m.): Itgives me a great deal of pleasure to rise andsupport this Bill, which is supported by theentire Parliament and the overwhelmingmajority of people not only in Queensland butin Australia. This is a most significant day inthe life of the development of this State, itsprogress and, if one likes, its capacity to moveinto the next century with some confidencethat, once again, it is attracting investment ofthe magnitude that the Korea Zinc project hasbrought.

It is worth while mentioning that we are allgoing to have to condition ourselves tochanging the reference to Korea Zinc to SunMetals. That is the new company name, which

was developed in consultation with the peopleof north Queensland. In fact, it was developedthrough a competition within schools in thearea. It is a most appropriate name.

I join with the Leader of the Opposition incongratulating the various people who havebeen involved in bringing this to fruition. Incommon with the Leader of the Opposition, onbehalf of us all I am thankful for theconfidence displayed by the chairman ofKorea Zinc, Mr C. G. Choi, his brother Mr C. K.Choi, who is the company president, andanother brother—who is somewhat indisposedat the moment—C. Y. Choi. That company,particularly the family operation, hasdeveloped the project under the localleadership of Mr K. C. Choi, who is not arelative of the other three, and the team hehas around him. I will talk about that in amoment.

It is an enormous vote of confidence inthe people of this State and its Governmentthat such an enormous investment has beenmade thousands and thousands of milesaway from home territory. Support has beengiven to the project over a number of years bypeople such as those at Townsville Enterprise,who are really the ones who must get theaccolade for maintaining the rage, so tospeak, and for making sure that this did not goaway.

I also pay tribute to the former memberfor Mundingburra, Mr Ken Davies, for the partthat he played. It was very significant in thoseearly days, in the intervening time and, Isuppose, in the dying days of the GossGovernment. I do not want to get into apolitical slanging match about this, but the factof the matter is that, unfortunately, the LaborParty did not hand over a tidy program. Inmany instances, it was back to go again. Thatis a fact of life, but I do not believe that weshould diminish or demean the input that allparties have had. I acknowledge particularlyMayor Mooney, the Townsville City Council,Townsville Enterprise, led by Professor TedScott and Mr Richard Power, and theChamber of Commerce, where MalMissingham is the president. I acknowledgealso all those people—who are too numerousto mention—who have been part and parcel ofdrawing together the commercial and socialcomponents of the community, particularly inthe Townsville region. My involvement in thisstarted before we came to Government. Imust say that my involvement was notenhanced by consultation with the formerGoss Government or any of its Ministers. Notonce did they suggest a briefing.


Mr Beattie: He makes bipartisanshipvery difficult, doesn't he?

Mr STONEMAN: The Leader of theOpposition thanked the Minister and variouspeople for briefings. Unfortunately, that wasnot forthcoming from the former Governmentto me, as the member in whose electorate theproject and the refinery are to be sited. That isunfortunate. However, I accept that theLeader of the Opposition has nowacknowledged the changed circumstances.That is as it should be.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to beable to travel to Korea. I believe that was anecessary exercise. I went there as the localmember and the Premier's representative innorth Queensland. I had a look at the projectand was able to come back and talk withconfidence about the development and thecompany that is going to be undertaking thatdevelopment. On that trip I was accompaniedby Mr Tony Krimmer, the Director-General ofthe Department of Economic Developmentand Trade, which is the lead agency in thatparticular project. Mr John Gilmour of theDepartment of Environment also was there. Itis very important that the environmentalcomponents and assessment andunderstanding of the project be embraced bythat department. For the three of us, it was asalutary lesson in the need to communicatewith project operators and innovators. Moreparticularly, we were able to look at the prosand cons of an operation as it might impact inour midst here.

I acknowledge the hospitality and thecourtesy extended to us by the executives ofKorea Zinc. Mr Shad Linley, who is aconsultant to that company, travelled with us.He is a great character in his own right. He hasa great deal of expertise and, obviously, hasthe confidence of his employers. Moreparticularly, the local team with whom we wereinvolved included Michael Kennedy, one ofthe directors, Shad Linley—as I said—andPaul Salmon. I also mention an unfortunateaccident that befell Mr Eddie Boggiano, theenvironmental manager, who was formerlyemployed by the Queensland Government inTownsville. I wish him well in his continuingrecovery, because he is a very important link inthe chain of communications.

Our visit to Korea involved travelling toUlsan in the south-east of Korea to look at therefinery, which is almost a quarter of a centuryold. It is operated by Korea Zinc inOnsan—another area in that region of Korea.We also looked at the industrial estate area of

which the Korea Zinc refinery and lead smelteris a part. It was quite a remarkable experience.

Today, I have here the gloves that weregiven to me by the management of therefinery. I will put them on to show members. Iwore them for the whole day. On the back ofthem is a bit of grease from when I got out ofthe car. Honourable members can see thatthat is the dirtiest part of them. I went aroundthe whole factory, the whole refinery and theport wearing those gloves. One would haveexpected that a lead and zinc refinery wouldhave a lot of dust and so on associated with it.But after going up hill, down dale, up stairs,around rails and across rooftops, that is all themuck that accumulated on these glovesduring the whole day. They have not beenwashed. I asked if I could bring them back,and they allowed me to do so. They are agreat advertisement for that sort of refinery. Iremind members that the new refinery willinvolve technology that is a quarter of acentury newer.

I am sure that the Government will beharangued from the member for Evertonabout the environmental impacts. People suchas Mr Jeremy Taeger, who constantly seeks tocreate misunderstanding and raise fears aboutthe impact of this project, should sit down andtalk to the people who know. I table thesegloves for the benefit of honourable membersopposite.

After going right through that wholerefinery, I then came to the water outlet. Afterthe water has been through the various bitsand pieces, washing the zinc and everything, itfinally comes out, runs into the river and theninto the ocean. I was very interested to have alook at that water, because effluent disposal isa very important component of the Townsvillerefinery. That water looked clear. I askedthem, "Is it clean?" They said, "Yes." I said,"Can you drink it?" They said, "Oh, well, yes."So I did. I drank it. I have a photograph of medrinking the water at the tail end of the zincrefinery in Korea.

An Opposition member interjected.

Mr STONEMAN: I table thatphotograph for the benefit of the honourablemember. He can have a look at it. I will sign itfor him, if he likes. That water was marginallysalty, but it was certainly no worse than waterthat I have tasted from bores in westernQueensland.

An Opposition member interjected.

Mr STONEMAN: I think my hair mighthave grown a little since then. It certainly hasdown the back.


The effluent, including the water from theTownsville refinery, will not go into the sea.None of it will. It will be recycled and used forirrigation. However, if it were to go into the sea,I would be totally at ease with the fact that itwould have no impact at all on theenvironment anywhere—none whatsoever.Regardless of what the Jeremy Taegers of theworld might like to say, if I can drink the waterfrom the outflow of a 24-year-old factory, Ithink the community need have absolutely nofear whatsoever, particularly when oneconsiders the new technologies that will beused at Townsville. I have seen film clipssuggesting that the refinery is being built inwetlands areas. I believe that some peopleare trying to undermine not only thecommunity in which they live but also thefuture prosperity of that community and thisState. It bodes ill if we have to continue to putup with that sort of rubbish. The consultativeprocess that has been undertaken through theofficers of State Government departments andthe company and the technologies that we willbe able to experience are a credit to everyone.I particularly compliment that company'stechnicians for that.

Obviously, that very high-tech refinery hada lot of computerisation. At one stage, mycolleagues and I were looking at thesmokestack emissions relating to a particulararea of the refinery. The level hovered on zeroparts per million for some time. We decidedthat the gauge must have been broken.Suddenly, the gauge flicked to 1 to 1.25, backto 1, to zero. Obviously, something has to goup the smokestack, but the emission was veryminimal. Korea has very stringentrequirements and those demands in Korea willform part of what is required in northQueensland. As I said earlier, at that refinerythere was absolutely no smoke or dust. Theindustrial estate was cleaner than virtually anysingle factory that I have visited in Australia.That huge industrial estate in Korea containeda multitude of refineries and factories and itwas as clean as a whistle.

We visited the port to see the unloadingprocedure. The same system will be used inTownsville. There was absolutely no spillage ordust. Nothing was going into the water, unlikemost Australian unloading facilities where onesees ore dropping into the water. We visitedthat port in our suits and white gloves, andone could have eaten off the floor of that port.That was remarkable and it is the case acrossthe country. Korea is a remarkable country.We need to understand the enormous inputKoreans have into ensuring that their

environmental outcomes are of the highestorder. They have been successful.

People in my electorate in Townsvillehave been concerned because some suburbsare slightly downwind of the refinery. I amconfident that there will not be a problem.However, we need to communicate that. Ihave taken slides and we need to set up apublic relations system. I know that thecompany is undertaking that now. I will bedelighted to help, because we also need toensure that people understand what they arehearing and that they are comfortable with it. Ifconcerns do emerge, we need to be able toembrace those concerns. I am confident that,in dealing with Sun Metals, the community willhave nothing to fear.

This investment will be the catalyst forgreater investment not only across northQueensland but also across Queensland andAustralia. I do not think that we can overstatethe confidence that this will bring to investorsaround the world. It will certainly have a flow-on effect for areas such as lead, phosphateand the gas pipeline that will potentially benefitthe power generating facilities being plannedfor Townsville to enable them to go from peakload to base load stations. It is an enormousopportunity for the gas pipeline and the furtheropportunities that it provides. It may providethe opportunity for Comalco to move intoBowen. Bowen is like Gladstone used to be 25or 30 years ago and it needs desperately tohave a catalytic development. I would like tothink that Comalco will continue to focus on arefinery there.

Developments such as this create anenormous amount of local employment. Forpeople in the manufacturing area, the refineryis an enormous project which has to be built.All categories of professional people will berequired to work at the refinery. That will bringgreater prosperity to the area. There will morehousing.

It is very interesting that so many Koreansdo not understand Queensland or northQueensland. This project is giving them aparticular point of focus on Townsville andnorth Queensland, so the whole region standsto benefit from people visiting to see what thiscountry in which their own country hasinvested so much is like.

While I was in Korea, I was fortunateenough to visit the Mayor of Suwon City, MrSim. A sister city relationship is beingdeveloped with Townsville and I congratulateMayor Mooney, his council and all thoseassociated with developing that sister cityrelationship. That city is the administrative


centre for Kyonggi province. A sister Staterelationship is in the process of beingdeveloped with Queensland. It is mostfortuitous that we have all of those links. I wastaken to lunch in Kyonggi province by the vicegovernor, who showed great hospitality andgreat interest in Queensland. That provincehas 8 million people and an unemploymentrate of 1 per cent. In fact, they are importingpeople from other countries for employment.That province has no natural resourceswhatsoever. It has no timber or metals and ithas to import everything; yet it has anunemployment level of under 1 per cent. Thatis quite a remarkable exhibition of what can beachieved.

I do not want to take any more of the timeof the House. I am very proud to have been apart of the Government that has brought thisproject to fruition in consultation with people atthe local and Federal level. A great deal ofcooperation has existed across-the-board.There has been a determination tosuccessfully bring this project to the point atwhich we can pass legislation as one of thevery final steps before the commencement ofthe operation becomes a physical fact of life. Icongratulate the Minister and the officers ofhis department for the way in which they havemaintained the progress. They brought it tofruition. I thank members on both sides of theHouse for the support that they are giving thepeople of north Queensland. We will makesure that that support is not misplaced andensure that Sun Metals has a happy home formany years, and one on which we hope theywill build in north Queensland.

Hon. G. N. SMITH (Townsville)(5.20 p.m.): I rise in support of the project andthe legislation that is necessary to ensure theorderly progress of that development. This isthe first major development in northQueensland since Queensland Nickel was builtin the very early seventies, so it is a verysignificant event for Queensland. It is verysignificant for Townsville. It helps to redefineTownsville as the industrial centre and thecentre of production in north Queensland.

I am very pleased that the Minister hasrecognised that this was a Goss Governmentinitiative and that the former Minister, MrMcGrady, was very much involved in thisproject. I think that we need to recognise therole that Mr McGrady played because of thecentral issue of the facilitation of the electricitysupply to this project. Undoubtedly, lots ofother people had an input.

The fact of life is that there is very tightcompetition on an international and national

basis for these projects. On this occasion, thedecision came down to whether to locate theproject in Townsville or in Gladstone. Bothsites offered certain advantages, and bothsites had detracting features. Townsville'smajor advantage was its proximity to MountIsa, which we hope will be the main source ofsupply of zinc ore for the plant.

Mr Stoneman: They are taking about80 per cent now.

Mr SMITH: I will come to that.Undoubtedly, people have to recognise thatGovernments have to give way to some extentand that the plant does come at some cost toGovernment by way of concessions, inparticular, electricity concessions.Nevertheless, the spin-off benefits have morethan justified those concessions.

I have to say that I am quite delightedthat this Minister has been charged with theresponsibility of overseeing this project.Members on this side feel much morecomfortable dealing with this Minister than thePremier or his Treasurer.

Mr Stoneman interjected.

Mr SMITH: I will ignore that.Nevertheless, the unsatisfactory situationremains in that State Governments throughoutthe country have to bear the costs ofinfrastructure in regard to getting theseprojects off the ground. The FederalGovernment is the major beneficiary of suchprojects by way of export income and it justseems to me to be quite wrong that FederalGovernments are not prepared to assist to agreater degree than they have in the periodthat I have been in this Parliament. I think thatin that regard there is an imbalance.

Of course, for many, many years a zincrefinery has been a prospect for Townsville—right back to the days when I worked for theelectricity authority. Mount Isa Mines hadundertaken a feasibility study for this project,which was updated regularly. Of course, thedevelopment associations were foreverdusting it off. I have to say that one of theimpediments to the project going ahead wasthe cost of electricity, which involved suchschemes as Mount Isa Mines taking over theCollinsville Power Station and seekingagreement to transmit electricity over supplyauthority lines. All of those sorts of things wereconsidered, but the benefits never quiteadded up. So it is really a significantachievement to get this project for Townsvilleat this time when competition is, in fact, tighterthan it has ever been before. That takes a lotof sensible negotiations and give and take.


In common with the member for Burdekin,I give credit to the development agencies and,in particular, Townsville Enterprise—RichardPower with his enthusiasm and Ted Scott withhis diplomacy. I think that they are a very goodteam. They worked in conjunction with theTownsville Port Authority, which the memberfor Burdekin did not mention. I think that theauthority played a much greater role than didthe Chamber of Commerce—not that I amcriticising the Chamber of Commerce, but Ithink its role was very much a secondary rolecompared with that of other agencies—and, ofcourse, the Townsville City Council played arole. The officers of the council certainly had avery big input. I believe that the StateGovernment has worked well with the counciland that there has been an exchange ofinformation.

Very often, the professional officers of theGovernment do not get a mention. Becauseof my past association with DBIRD, which wasinvolved in major developments, I know thatthe unsung heroes of the department areprobably lurking in the background. They dothe sums and they do the quiet negotiations.Quite frankly, without those people and theirprofessionalism, we would never get theseprojects off the drawing board. So I give creditto them as well.

Mr Stoneman referred to Mr Davies, theformer member for Mundingburra, whoaccompanied Mayor Mooney to Korea wherethey had face-to-face discussions with theprincipal of Sun Metals. I certainly concur withthe member in that those face-to-facediscussions probably gave the assurance thatSun Metals wanted. In fact, a recent article inthe Townsville newspaper indicated that thepeople from Sun Metals were very impressedwith the sophistication of Townsville City andthat of the officers with whom they dealt. Ofcourse, that includes the Government officers.So I think that a lot of people can take creditfor this project.

From the psychological point of view, thisproject comes at a very important time forTownsville. In recent times, it has sufferedsetbacks such as the loss of the cement plant.Bulk cement is now shipped into Townsville,which certainly has meant that Townsville haslost a lot of jobs. In more recent times thecopper refinery, which has always been seenas a symbol of Townsville's industrial standing,has retracted from very important value-addingareas and is now going to concentrate onproducing copper ingots. The rod mill hasdisappeared.

Mr Stoneman: The meatworks.

Mr SMITH: That is true. One of themeatworks has gone. So this project comes ata time when it has the capacity to inject someconfidence into the city, and I am certainlygrateful for that.

The legislation is necessary to providecertainty to the developers. When developersare wanting to put forward half a billion dollars,one cannot expect them to do that withoutany certainty and, more importantly, anassurance that once a project is commenced,it is not going to be interrupted by someunforeseen event. So for that reason we haveto recognise that special legislation will berequired. I do not regard it as terribly complexlegislation; it is sensible legislation. However, itprovides a level of assurance.

Naturally, there will be some objection tothe project from a range of people. Thoseobjectors have a perfect right to voice theirobjections and they have a right to receiveresponses to the issues that they raise. Icertainly do not support development at anycost. However, there has to be some give andtake, otherwise no projects would get off theground: developers would simply goelsewhere. In Queensland, we are able tooffer resources, infrastructure, an educatedand skilled work force, political stability andgood international relations. As I said, KoreaZinc regards Australia, Queensland andTownsville as having all of those desirableattributes.

Some people have argued that the plantshould have been placed in a more remotelocation. Sure, we could all argue that; wecould all voice those types of views. I am surethat Mr Stoneman would probably agree—andI would agree—that it would be nice to do that.However, the reality is that a remote locationadds costs to a project. When one considershow finely balanced some of these projectsare, one realises that the additionalconstruction costs and operating costs thatwould be incurred by siting the project in aremote location puts it out of the range ofbeing a viable proposition. So to a large extentwe have to live with it—but, as I said, not at allcosts.

A member referred to pollution levels.Today, modern plants usually havecontainment areas. I was very impressed withone particular aspect of this plant, which is thatduring times of rain or storms the catchmentarea would be sufficient to catch all the firstrun-off, which presumably would contain anyspilled pollutants. Of course, that water couldbe treated before it is discharged. I think thatthat ought to provide a fair bit of confidence to


those people who have concerns aboutpossible run-off.

Mr Stoneman: In Korea, one of theirmain holding areas for some of the by-productand so on, you can drink out of it as well afterthat.

Mr SMITH: I heard the honourablemember make that comment.

Mr Stoneman: It's very good.

Mr SMITH: I do not doubt it. Theprofessional officers, the member for Burdekin,the mayor and others have seen plants inKorea using the new process which, of course,is very different from the old process. Perhapsthere is not the same degree of concern aboutthe new process. However, I suppose that thelegacy of the old process lives on and one canunderstand why people question it.

I understand that the company has beenvery accommodating about the protection ofthe Aboriginal burial ground. It has agreed tocede some 44 hectares because previousinvestigations have identified a significantarchaeological site in the sand dune area tothe north of the smelter site. An impactassessment study has confirmed that thearchaeological site extends into the sand dunearea on the smelter site and no archaeologicalmaterial was located outside the sand dunearea. The site, known as the Sandfly Creeksite, is considered to be archaeologicallysignificant. It is the only known survivingAboriginal burial ground in the Queenslandcoastal zone. Because of this significance, thedune area will be excluded from thedevelopment area of the smelter. Early onKorea Zinc agreed that it would consider anyreasonable request to excise that area. In hissecond-reading speech, the Minister statedthat it has been agreed that the site ofapproximately 44 hectares will be protected.

The matter of an enlarged water supplyhas arisen. It is unfortunate that the companydid not identify immediately what itsrequirements were, because the installation ofan enlarged pipe has put a burden on theTownsville/Thuringowa water board. That costwas not factored into the original Governmentpackage. I am not certain that that issue hasbeen resolved totally. I have received a notefrom the Minister in response to a question,but it seems that there is still a question aboutwho bears the cost. The Minister might like tocomment on that.

The adjoining communities of SandyBend and Phantom Retreat have anexpectation that they may be able to get waterfrom the extended supply, and it would mean

a lot to those communities if that water wasavailable. They do not expect to receive thewater without cost, but it would be good if theirneeds could be accommodated.

Lastly, I turn to the very serious issue ofthe road. The Minister's consultations with theTownsville City Council have been long andconsidered. However, I believe that thequestion of road use has not been properlyresolved. As I understand it—and MrStoneman made this point before—it may wellbe that if 80 per cent or more of the zincconcentrate comes from Mount Isa, perhapsthe need for a special road from the smeltersite to the port will be reduced. I concede that.

I understand that a company would notwant to put itself into a position where it couldessentially be held hostage to one supplier ofore, and that makes sense. Perhaps theagreement has been formulated so that if infact negotiations with the potential supplier,Mount Isa Mines, do not go smoothly, thecompany can indicate other sources. I hopethat does not happen. I hope that the refinerycan be supplied 100 per cent, although thatwill probably never happen. However, if we getto the stage where a significant level of theconcentrate is imported, I believe that therewill be an obligation on the Government andthe company to come to a sensiblearrangement with the Townsville council tobuild a dedicated road and to take the impactaway from the suburbs of Townsville.

Mr WELFORD (Everton) (5.35 p.m.): Itis my pleasure to speak in support of thislegislation. Of course, a number of issueshave been raised by honourable membersand, as the Opposition spokesperson forEnvironment, I want to address some of theissues relating to this major project which doimpact on environmental considerations.

At the outset, I welcome investment inthis country by investors from Asia. What theformer Prime Minister said the other day isquite right: whether we like it or not, we areenmeshed in the economy of the Asia/Pacificregion. It is in our national long-term intereststo work closely with our partners in Asia in awhole range of areas, not least of which isprojects like this one which will be of somebenefit to Australia. Certainly, Townsville andthe north Queensland region will benefitgreatly from the project. The region has nothad a major project for many years. Hopefully,this project will help to enliven the economy ofthe north Queensland region and bring to itgreater diversity of economic activity.

The disparaging comments made bysome members of the Government in relation


to members of the environmental movementdo them no credit. The simple reality is thatJeremy Taeger and any other environmentalistin this State is entitled to address concerns asthey see them in relation to any major projectthat comes to this State. They are entitled, asare all Queenslanders, to have those concernstaken seriously and addressed in the processof approvals that are given by Government. Itis in relation to future approval processes that Ithink members of this Parliament ought toexpress some concern.

The fundamental element of thislegislation is to set aside the requirement foran application to be made to rezone the site interms of the uses proposed. That does awaywith third-party appeal rights that currently existunder local government and planninglegislation—legislation which would otherwiseapply to any other development by any otherperson, including Australians, within ourState's boundaries. It is not the case thatexceptions cannot be made to that rule.Exceptions can certainly be made to the rule.There are plenty of precedents where theParliament has, through legislation, madeprovision for projects of the scale andimportance of this project in terms of itspotential economic benefits. However, it needsto be recognised that special considerationhas been given. I have some concerns, not somuch about this legislation in particular butabout subsequent approval processes. Inparticular, I am concerned about theopportunity that the Queensland communitywill have to participate in those processes. Iwish to ensure that, whichever Government isoverseeing those processes, they cover all theissues of relevance to environmental andcommunity concerns.

There are significant economic benefits aswell as benefits of technology transfer whichare to be welcomed. In particular, havingtravelled to Korea I am very familiar with theaggressive improvement in approach toenvironmental management which the KoreanGovernment and Korean industry is nowpursuing. The Korean Government isencouraging its people to travel throughoutthe world to source the very best technologiesand practices in environmental management.Therefore, Korean industry will practiseenvironmental management in a way that isecologically sustainable—indeed, as we hopeAustralian industry does. There are enormousopportunities for Australian companies toengage with Korean investors in joint venturesand other activities, both on our shores andoverseas.

As I say, this Bill needs to be approachedwith some caution. The legislation is, in effect,a ministerial rezoning in the sense that theMinister has proposed legislation whicheffectively rezones the site without the normalappeal processes being pursued. There hasbeen some concern raised that this hasoccurred in the context of the currentTownsville industrial land project which isdesigned to identify the future development ofindustrial land in the Townsville region.Certainly, there is an important role forGovernment to play in planning regionally forboth industrial and urban developmentgenerally. We need to be conscious of theimpacts which large scale development willhave.

I note from the legislation that the Column1 Purposes, which are as-of-right uses, includeactivities that go beyond smelting. Thepurposes include the reprocessing of wasteproducts and power generation. Those twoelements are significant and potentiallysubstantial additional projects that arerequired, but in terms of this legislation theyrequire no special planning approval.

However, those elements will potentiallyrequire further environmental impactassessment and further environmentallicensing under the QueenslandEnvironmental Protection Act. However, as Ihave already indicated, not only is theapproval process in terms of third-party rightsexcluded in relation to rezoning; I draw to theMinister's attention the fact that under theEnvironmental Protection Act the rights forcommunity participation in the allocation oflicenses have yet to be proclaimed under thatlegislation. I ask the Minister to take that pointon board and to encourage the EnvironmentMinister to bring forward that process so that,in subsequent approval processes, the rightsof the community are protected.

The environmental impact statement hasaddressed Stage 1 of the project, althoughthis legislation appears to provide zoningapprovals that go beyond the types of uses towhich the EIS itself was addressing. So it doespermit some major expansion of Stage 1 as ofright in respect of the zoning approvals. As Isaid, at this stage there is no opportunity forpublic input into or public scrutiny ofGovernment and departmental approvaldeliberations at the later stage ofenvironmental licensing. To me, that raisessome concerns. In saying that, I do not castany aspersions upon the project proponent,the investor or the project itself.


I have a great deal of confidence that thetechnologies in environmental managementare developing so rapidly that these sorts ofprojects can be adequately and realisticallyaddressed in an ecologically sustainable way.However, it is the processes of Governmentdecision making that need to be open toscrutiny, and it is that issue that requires therights of third parties to be involved in thosedecision-making processes affecting EPAlicensing down the track.

In the agreement with the company,under clause 6, there is also a provision for afurther impact assessment study to beundertaken with respect to further stages ofthe development following the provision of afeasibility study in respect of Stage 2. Thefeasibility study is to be commenced withinone year of the commissioning of theoperation. Following that feasibility study, theMinister will have a discretion to either requireor dispense with an impact assessment study,if he or she is satisfied that the further stage isnot likely to cause a substantial increase in therisk of environmental harm.

I have already raised with the Minister myexpectation that, in the event that thatdiscretion were to be exercised either byhimself or any other Minister of theGovernment at the time, I think it would bedesirable that that discretion be exercisedpublicly and that the reasons for the decisionto dispense with any further impactassessment study be made public and opento scrutiny. Currently, there is neither provisionfor that in the Bill nor in the agreement withthe company—not that there needs to be anyprovision in the agreement. Since it is not inthe legislation, I seek from the Minister anundertaking that that would occur.

In respect of emissions from the site,which is one of the other issues raised inpublic discussion relating to these matters,liquid waste emissions will go to a newtreatment plant at Cleveland Bay to beoperated by the Townsville City Council. Thesludge wastes, including heavy metalcontaminant from that treatment plant, will bereturned to the site of the Townsville refinery,with an intention that that material is dealt witheither on site or elsewhere through furtherrefining and appropriate disposal processesdown the track.

Also, zinc ferrite surplus will be disposedof to settlement ponds, pending the provisionof a reprocessing plant, the technology forwhich is said to be already accessible to SunMetals and which will presumably be put inplace in accordance with the time limits given

in the commitments previously advised to theGovernment. The issue of why thosereprocessing facilities were not required at thecommencement of the project was raised. Iunderstand that there is an opportunity toapply future and perhaps better technologieswithin the next couple of years. Elsewhere inthe world, the company is already conductingsuch reprocessing plants and will no doubtlearn from that experience over the next yearor two, with a view to siting in Queensland thevery best technology for reprocessing zincferrite. There is some rational justification fornot requiring it immediately. Hopefully, we willbenefit from the experience currently beinggained from similar plants elsewhere.

The other emission is the air emission ofsulfur dioxide, which is required to bemaintained within specified limits. Those limitshave been set in the context of somepreliminary air shed studies being undertakenin the Townsville region. However, Iunderstand that those studies are notconclusive. Although there is an expectationthat the studies will come up to standard andbe totally satisfactory in terms of the sulfurdioxide emissions that are likely from the site,it is a matter of slight concern that whicheverGovernment is in office should make sure thatthese sorts of preliminary environmentalassessments are comprehensive andcomplete before a project proceeds.

Notwithstanding the best of intentions byall parties involved, if it transpires that theemissions are subsequently found to exceedthose levels that might be acceptable for thatparticular air shed or the carrying capacity ofthat particular region, we would be left in avery difficult situation. Air pollution is one of themost significant factors impacting on people'shealth and is one of the biggest problemsfacing cities in this country and elsewhere inthe world in the present era. One would havepreferred that the Government had put a littlemore effort into finalising the assessment of airshed studies in the Townsville region. We takeon trust the current Government's intentionthat the studies that will be done subsequentlywill be sufficient to satisfy any concernsrelating to environmental impacts.

It should be said that it is not just KoreaZinc and Sun Metals Corporation which aremaking a substantial investment in this project;the people of Queensland are also making asubstantial investment in this project. Theprevious Government did a lot of work on thisproject through Cabinet to bring this project tothe stage at which it is now. There is still a lotof work to be done. Construction is yet to beundertaken. Lots of consultation and approval


processes have yet to be finalised. However, itneeds to be acknowledged that theQueensland people, through theirGovernments, have made a significant effortto bring this project to Queensland. In thatsense, although the project is owned by SunMetals, it is very much a joint venture betweenthe people of this State and the foreigncompany which is coming here to undertakethis enterprise.

When we were in office, the QueenslandGovernment provided a 30 per cent discounton the royalties payable for any zinc which isvalue added in Queensland. In addition, weprovided a range of other facilitatingconcessions and contributions to bring theproject to fruition. I make no criticism of thatcontribution. I think that is entirely appropriate.However, the contribution needs to berecognised by all of us and taken into accountin our assessment of what sorts of projects wetruly want to bring to Queensland and whatvalue we wish to derive from them. I speak notjust in employment terms but also in respect ofthe range of ancillary social benefits that weseek to draw from any investment in thiscountry.

I think I have addressed most of theissues that relate to environmental factorsaffecting this facility. As I said, there are boththreats and opportunities arising from a projectof this scale. It will need to be managedcarefully. I have confidence that the project'sproponents do genuinely seek to develop thisproject in a way that is ecologically sustainableand consistent, as the agreement requires,with best practice environmentalmanagement. But it will be the responsibility ofthe Queensland Government to work closelywith Sun Metals and to work closely with theQueensland community to ensure that thevery best technologies and practices areemployed in this project so that we set in thisState an example of what truly can beachieved with substantial economicdevelopment projects.

The real challenge for Queensland in theyears ahead and into the next century is notjust to undertake large-scale economicdevelopment in a glassy-eyed way, asmembers like the member for Burdekin wouldseem to do, but to undertake economicdevelopment which is economically, sociallyand environmentally of significant benefit tothe people of Queensland and whichdemonstrates our capacity to undertakeprojects in an ecologically sustainable way. Isupport the Bill.

Hon. D. J. SLACK (Burnett—Ministerfor Economic Development and Trade andMinister Assisting the Premier) (5.52 p.m.), inreply: I thank the members of the Oppositionand the Leader of the Opposition for theirbipartisan support for this Bill. I also take thisopportunity to thank those people who havebeen mentioned by previous speakers. Inparticular, I want to acknowledge K. C. Choi,the managing director of Korea Zinc SunMetals, who is in the gallery, and the teamfrom Korea Zinc Sun Metals that is in thegallery. I thank also the officers of mydepartment who have worked through thisproject during the time of the previousGovernment and during the term of thecoalition Government. Their contributionshould be acknowledged. It has been quitesubstantial. Naturally, they have been involvedin the negotiation process. I want to thank theTownsville City Council for its contribution.There has been a very good, cooperativecontribution from all the parties involved tobring this project to fruition.

I note that the time is six minutes to six.The prime objective is to get the Bill through allstages prior to 6 o'clock. Therefore, I amunfortunately not able to address the issuesraised by the various speakers.

Mr Welford: We're not going to speakto any clauses.

Mr SLACK: I understand that. I willrespond in writing to the issues of a specificnature raised by the member for Townsvilleand other members.

The member for Everton raised the issueof clause 6.3 in the agreement titled"Condition to Further Stages". It states—

"An impact assessment study will berequired for each Further Stage exceptwhere the Minister is satisfied in respect ofa particular Further Stage that that FurtherStage is not likely to cause a substantialincrease in the risk of environmental harmbecause of a substantial change in"—

and it goes on to explain that particular matter.I accept the points raised by the member forEverton and can assure him that I or anyfuture Minister would make such a decision ina public manner. Naturally, that decisionapplies only to minor issues. Any major issueswill require the IASs that are referred to in theagreement.

Once again, I thank all honourablemembers for their contributions. I pay tribute tothe members of both the previousGovernment and this Government who havebeen involved in this development for the

4180 Election of Mr P. Lucas 14 Nov 1996

contributions that they have made. Iacknowledge the contribution of people fromKorea Zinc Sun Metals in bringing this historiclegislation and agreement to fruition. Icommend the Bill to the House.

Motion agreed to.

Committee

Clauses 1 to 14 and Schedules 1 to 3, asread, agreed to.


Third Reading

Bill, on motion of Mr Slack, by leave, reada third time.

PAPER

The following paper was laid on thetable—

Minister for Emergency Services and Ministerfor Sport (Mr Veivers)—

Queensland Fire Service SuperannuationPlan 1996 Annual Report.

ELECTION OF MR P. LUCAS

Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH(Chatsworth) (5.58 p.m.): I move—

"That the Parliament notes theelection of Paul Lucas as the member forLytton."

In doing so, I seek leave of the House toenable the member for Lytton to speak for 20minutes.

Leave granted.

Mr SPEAKER: I now call thehonourable member for Lytton. I advisemembers of the House that it is his maidenspeech and would expect them to afford himthe normal courtesies.

Mr LUCAS (Lytton) (5.58 p.m.): Let mesay at the outset how proud and honoured Iam to represent the men and women ofLytton in this House. In particular, I thank themfor electing me as a parliamentary member ofthat great reforming institution, the AustralianLabor Party.

The Lytton by-election campaign ran overa period of five months, giving me a uniqueopportunity to meet personally many of thethousands of decent, hardworking men andwomen of the electorate. Many years ago,Kim Beazley Snr lamented the loss of thecream of the working class from Labor

activism. I must respectfully disagree and saythat it was my experience in the Lytton by-election that the working men and women ofthe electorate remained committed to theelection of a Labor member and theprogressive policies of Labor in Government. Ican only say that both before the by-electionand since I have never ceased to be delightedat the warmth and hospitality of the people ofthe bayside—the pensioners, the families, thebattlers and the kids.

Besides my family and my faith, the othergreat institutional influence in my life has beenmy membership of the Australian Labor Party.I joined the Labor Party at 18, shortly after BillHayden's loss of the 1980 Federal election,and have since that time been nourished bythe rich tapestry of the membership and policydynamism of Australia's one great lastingpolitical party. Throughout the history of thisnation and this State, it has been Labor thathas been at the cutting edge of change andinnovation to improve the lot of the ordinaryman and woman.

Let me record at the outset mycommitment to the principles of unionism andthe need for collective action by the weak andpowerless to ensure a fair go and their justshare for the fruit of their labours. The labourmovement of the 1890s saw the need for it toparticipate in the parliamentary process toachieve the real gains it needed for a bettersociety. In the 1990s, with increasing numbersof members in Parliament, like myself, beingeducated through university and no longerfrom the shop floor, it is vital that Labormaintains and strengthens its links with thetrade union movement. It is the union basethat distinguishes Labor from many of theworld's other left-of-centre parties and ensuresthat our policies are based on egalitarianismand respect for the individual worth of all,rather than some paternalistic, good-naturedgesture. If three words could sum up what Ibelieve Labor stands for, it is "a fair go". Icommit myself as a member of Parliament tofight for a fair go for the people of Lytton andthe people of Queensland.

Some people in life are fortunate to havea privileged upbringing. I, on the other hand,am privileged to have had a modestupbringing where my parents taught me thevalues of honesty, hard work and respect forothers. I thank my parents, Trish and Col, andmy sister Anne, for their love and sacrificesthat they made for me over the years. I alsothank my now deceased maternalgrandparents, Norah and Tim Lee, for givingme their love of their faith, and my paternalgrandparents, Tom and Pat Lucas, for their

14 Nov 1996 Election of Mr P. Lucas 4181

unswerving loyalty to Labor through the goodtimes and the bad.

It is indeed a very great privilege to bechosen to represent the people by following inthe footsteps of such a great member ofParliament as Tom Burns. Tom Burns is to methe quintessential Labor politician—a manalways prepared to fight for the little peopleand the battlers, whether they be in theelectorate of Lytton, in public housing or thebush. When campaigning in the by-election,person after person came up to me and toldme what a great member Tom Burns hadbeen, many telling me stories of how he hadhelped them in a way that always preservedtheir dignity and respect.

Tom Burns has represented theelectorate of Lytton for the entire 24 yearssince its creation, and I am acutely aware ofthe very big shoes that I have to fill inrepresenting his old electorate in thisParliament. Both Tom and Angela have beengreat teachers, and I place on record mysincere thanks and appreciation for their helpand encouragement both before and since myelection to this Parliament.

When Tom Burns made his maidenspeech before this House on 12 September1972, he gave his special thanks andappreciation to his campaign director, DarcyO'Dempsey. When Tom Burns retired, he wasthe father of the House. Darcy O'Dempseyoutlasted Tom and also served as mycampaign director. Darcy was Tom's campaigndirector for every single one of those 24 years.This must make Darcy O'Dempsey the fatherof all campaign directors. Darcy has not onlybeen the driving force behind Laborcampaigning in the Lytton area, but also formany years he has ensured that we, from theLabor branches in Lytton, have helped otherbranches of the party less fortunate than us incarrying the Labor banner during campaignsand on polling days.

I also wish to thank my loyal andhardworking band of campaign workers andvolunteers for their commitment and support.Whether it be people who staffed the officeday after day, like Barbara Colledge, or our lifemembers, Harry Ballment, Lil Blinco, TopsyChiverall and Arch Geary, who have beenfighting the good fight since long before I wasalive. These hardworking volunteers never geta cent for their effort, but the satisfaction andpride of having a Labor representative forthem and their fellow bayside residents.

I also thank State Secretary of the ALP,Mike Kaiser, for his support and advice. Mikeis not only a personal friend, but someone

whose political skills and advice, so amplydemonstrated in the Lytton by-electioncampaign, that I have absolute faith andconfidence in.

Of all the people to whom I owe a debt ofgratitude, no debt owed is as great as thatone that is owed to my wife, Sharon. Sharon, Ithank you for the love, support andencouragement that you have given me, notonly since we have been married, but in the13 years that we have known each other. Ialso thank you for being a fantastic mother toour four children, Tom, Matt, Michael andMonica. Many people, both inside the politicalprocess and out, have warned me of thesacrifices that a politician's family must makein the course of his or her career. To you I saythat I will strive to ensure that I never forget myfundamental obligation to my family.

As a practising but very imperfect memberof my own religious denomination, I feel that itis important that I say a few words about theinfluence of religion in politics. Religious beliefis an important but not a determinative factorin one's moral and ethical make-up. I rejectthose who claim moral or political superiorityon the basis of their religious practice. I wouldhope that all of us, religious or not, realise ourfundamental obligation to work for theimprovement of the lot of the lives of our fellowmen and women, regardless of their race,colour or creed. To paraphrase those words soeloquently recalled by Edmond Campion—

"Mr Smith went to Church.He did it every Sunday.Mr Smith went to hell.For what he did on Monday."

Neville Wran, when once asked what themain priorities of his Government were, said,"Jobs, jobs, and more jobs". I could not agreemore. There is nothing more dignifying than togive someone the opportunity to earn a livingand to give him or her the pride of getting apay packet and saying, "This is mine, I earnt it,I will spend it on my spouse and family."

Just as the Federal Liberal/NationalGovernment wishes to remove the statutorycommitment of the Reserve Bank tomaintenance of full employment, so has thisState National/Liberal Government pursuedpolicies that have already had the effect ofincreasing unemployment. During the periodof the Goss Labor Government from 1989 to1996, Queensland's labour force grew by202,000—some 202,000 additionalQueenslanders being given the dignity of ajob. Queensland, with 18 per cent ofAustralia's population, was responsible for

4182 Election of Mr P. Lucas 14 Nov 1996

23.5 per cent of the increase in the labourforce.

Under Labor, we had a Government thatdelivered on projects and brought jobs toQueensland. Labor secured the $800mexpansion of the Comalco smelter atGladstone, resulting in significant value-addingbenefits for the State and the country. Labordeveloped, in an integrated way, theCarpentaria/Mount Isa mineral province, withinitiatives such as Government sponsoredresearch and coordination of infrastructure,land use and environment planning. What hasthe coalition delivered? A freeze in capitalworks, policy paralysis and, at 10.1 per cent,the highest unemployment of any mainlandState.

But Labor does not only have acommitment to the working men and womenof Queensland. There are many proudachievements of State Labor in Governmentfor those no longer in the work force. Lyttonhas many older people amongst its residents.These people have benefited from initiativessuch as the Senior's Card and the HomeAssist and Home Secure programs. HomeAssist and Home Secure, operated in Lyttonby the fine people of the Wynnum BlueNursing Service, have helped manypensioners to have that extra security and theright to feel safe in their own homes.

One area crying out for reform of the lawis that relating to coronial inquests. The GossGovernment had started the process ofreviewing the Coroner's Act and hadannounced the laudable intention to create anOffice of State Coroner. As a practisingsolicitor, I was astonished at the shockinginjustices perpetrated time after time byinadequate coronial investigations andhearings. The families of people tragicallykilled, whether by suspicious acts or grossnegligence, are owed, at the very least, aproper and thorough investigation of theevents leading to their loved one's death. Thecommunity also deserves a proper andthorough investigation, with a view toimplementing changes in the law or systemsof work to prevent such deaths or injuries fromoccurring in the future.

One has to look only at the pain and hurtsuffered by the family of Mount Isa school girl,Peta Ann Devine, who had to endure threeinquests to have her death properlyinvestigated. I can also recall an inquestinvolving a death at the Brisbane Watch-house where the entire police staff, one byone, claimed, and were allowed, the privilegeagainst self-incrimination and did not answer

any further questions after they were askedthe initial question: were they on the staffroster on the night of the death?

I believe we need to overhaul our coronialsystem along the lines of that operating inVictoria. In that State, the primary role of acoroner is not to decide who will be chargedwith a criminal offence—that is the role of theDirector of Public Prosecutions. The coroner'srole should be to look at why the deathoccurred and to recommend action to preventany recurrence in the future. To get to thebottom of the events, the coroner must havethe power to fully take all the evidence,instead of allowing the blanket claim ofprivilege against self-incrimination.

Very serious consideration should begiven to providing that the Coroner's Act, likethe Criminal Justice Act and the CorporationsLaw, require that no incriminating answer shallbe admissible in criminal proceedings, butrequire it to be answered in the inquest toallow the coroner to base his or her findings onall the evidence that is potentially availableand come to a fair dinkum conclusion.

There are many working men and womenin Lytton who, in recent years, have had toundergo massive change and dislocation inthe name of workplace reform. The legalprofession and the courts should be nodifferent. I pledge myself to supportinginitiatives to make our judicial systemaccessible, prompt and inexpensive. If it isgood enough for a wharfie to be assessed bycontainer movements, then it is reasonable toask judges to ensure their courts operate in anefficient manner. The very important doctrineof judicial independence does not includeindependence from prompt obedience to therule of law.

If I was given the choice of an electoratein Queensland that I would most wish torepresent, then there is no doubt that I wouldchoose the electorate of Lytton. The people ofWynnum, Manly and Lota are blessed byliving adjacent to the beautiful Moreton Bay.One of the greatest strengths of the electorateof Lytton is its very strong community ofinterest. We have Moreton Bay on our easternboundary providing recreation and enjoymentfor young and old, and on the westernboundary we have a green belt, though sadlydecreasing, which helps us preserve ourcharacter as a local community which grewfrom the days of old Wynnum town.

I am sure that very few members of thisplace would be fortunate enough to have theirelectorates serviced by the multitude ofcommunity and service organisations that exist

14 Nov 1996 Election of Mr P. Lucas 4183

in Lytton, all working together to keep thebayside the best place to live—a place whereyoung and old, the workers and the retired,work, live and play together.

A classic example of the sort ofcommitment shown by our local community-spirited people is that of Mrs Nell Fletcher andher organisation, ARAD, the Aid andRecreational Association for the Disabled. For27 years, ARAD and its band of volunteershave worked tirelessly, and withoutGovernment funding, to provide support,assistance and respite for physically andintellectually disabled people and theirfamilies. ARAD is but one of the countlesscommunity organisations that devote theirtime, work and love to making the bayside abetter and fairer place to live for the wholecommunity.

Adjoining a delicate marine ecosystem,the people of Lytton are acutely aware of theneed to care for their environment, not only fornow but for our children and their successors.Tom Burns was a great fighter for the bay. Itwas successive conservative Governmentsthat were responsible for allowing coraldredging to occur on a large scale in MoretonBay. I am proud of Labor's achievement insaving Green Island from dredging andnegotiating with Queensland Cement andLime to relocate to Gladstone by 1998. Butthat is not far enough. Having inspected MudIsland and seen the damage done by coraldredging, I believe that coral dredging shouldbe banned immediately in the environmentalinterests of the bay.

Labor also has a proud record in declaringMoreton Bay one of Queensland's first twoRAMSAR sites and declaring Moreton Bay amarine park. I call on the current Governmentto finalise the zoning plan in order to maximiseprotection for the bay.

Being adjacent to such a large city, andincluding a growing port complex, it is vital thatwe maximise the environmental protection forthe bay. Every encouragement should begiven to port industries to conduct themselvesin a fashion that allows people, theenvironment and industry all to grow andprosper for the future. I said before that thegreatest priority of a Labor Government shouldbe jobs. I am concerned to ensure that thepeople of Lytton get their fair slice of jobs andbusiness, particularly from the port area. Icommend Ampol for both its communityconsultation initiatives and its attempts tosource, as far as possible, a number of itssupplies from the local community.

The Commonwealth Governmentpromoted growth in suburban areas bylocating the Australian Taxation Office inChermside and Mount Gravatt. The StateGovernment should play a similar role,particularly in encouraging bodies such as thePort of Brisbane Corporation and theDepartment of Environment to locate theiroffices in Wynnum, thus taking advantage ofour excellent public transport links, skilled workforce and the reduction of pollution andcongestion resulting from inner-cityconcentration. This would also result insignificant financial savings in reduced rentand overheads.

Finally, let me record my commitment toour State and nation's future—its youth. Beinga parent of four young children, I am acutelyaware of the benefits and responsibilities ofliving in a society where decency, honesty andtolerance have been practised for many years.Our country is all the better for its ethnicdiversity and our common goals asAustralians. Whether it be presenting awardsat a school speech night to children from anon-European background, cheering our localgirl Vicki Wilson, the Australian netball captain,or barracking for Cathy Freeman in theOlympic Games, the sum of our individualparts adds up to make the whole of our nationthe greatest and most tolerant country onearth.

Lytton has always been an area that hasbeen all the better for the interaction betweenchildren, young families and the more maturemembers of the community. Whilst served bymany excellent local sporting clubs, it is mybelief that we do have a lack of local activitiesfor our young to participate in. We haveexcellent organisations, such asBABI—Bayside Adolescent and BoardingIncorporated—which provide support to ouryouth and play an invaluable role inadvocating their cause locally. I intend topursue projects such as lobbying for theestablishment of a playground and recreationassociation centre to give our kids good,wholesome activities, particularly in holidays. Ialso intend to pursue my by-election proposalfor the extension of Wynnum jetty to make itaccessible for fishing in all tides as a particularbenefit for those who cannot physically orfinancially get access to the bay for fishing andother recreation.

In closing, I again thank the people ofLytton for putting their faith and confidence inme and in Labor. I thank them for the warmthof the reception and support given to me andalso, during the by-election, to the nextPremier, Peter Beattie, and the next Deputy

4184 National Party Betrayal of Country People 14 Nov 1996

Premier, Jim Elder. In six all but too shortyears, Labor changed Queenslandfundamentally for the better. Throughout theLytton by-election campaign, one factorconstantly was driven home to me. It was thepeople of the electorate calling out for thereturn of Labor to Government in this State. Ihave no doubt that the Beattie/Elder Laborteam will be returned to Government by thepeople of Queensland whenever the people ofQueensland are given the opportunity to throwout this paralysed, disorganised rabble thatpasses itself off as the current QueenslandGovernment.

For whatever such time the people ofLytton choose to have me as their electedrepresentative, I promise to strive in this placeto advocate the policies of a fair go for allQueenslanders and, in particular, those inLytton, regardless of their race, colour orcreed.

Motion agreed to.

NATIONAL PARTY BETRAYAL OFCOUNTRY PEOPLE

Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba)(6.15 p.m.): I move—

"That this Parliament condemnsNational Party Ministers for betraying thebush by ignoring the needs of the verypeople who voted for them and calls onthe Government to start being aGovernment for all Queenslanders byproviding services where they areneeded."

This morning, members heard theMinister for Primary Industries report to thisHouse, as he has in the last few days, inrelation to the Queensland beef industry. Anymember of this Chamber who saw the FourCorners television program a couple of weeksago could not help being alarmed by the rapiddecline of Queensland's and Australia's beefindustry, particularly here in this State. Ibelieve it is very relevant at this time to saythat, in relation to the Minister's comments thismorning about selling off the meatworks ofQueensland, the reality is that, while there canbe an arguable case for some rationalisationand change within the industry, the industrythat he represents, particularly the people onthe land, want two things. They want thisindustry maintained by both Australian andQueensland ownership.

I was sorely tempted to say somethingthis morning, but I will say it tonight because,for the last couple of weeks, the Ministerobviously has been practising his little line

about the taipan file and holding it in reserve.It is probably very appropriate tonight to saythat it is understandable that he would usesuch reptilian terms, because for a long timethe Minister has been known as the best oldsnake handler in this House.

The reality is that, in return for therationalisation that will take place in thisindustry, it is estimated that jobs will be lost inthe following regional areas of Queensland: inIpswich, 250 jobs; in Toowoomba, 120; inBundaberg, 20; in Townsville, 20; and inCannon Hill, between 350 and 400 jobs,representing a total jobs loss of 800—800more people on the dole heap in this State ofQueensland. That is direct job losses only. It isestimated that, with a multiplier effect in thoselocal communities, at least 2,500 jobs will belost. With the coalition Government's closureof the employment programs across regionalQueensland, and the CommonwealthGovernment's closure of similar programs,where are these meatworkers expected to findjobs? There are no Queensland Governmentlabour market programs to assist them. ThisGovernment sacked the public servants whowere specifically employed to help workers inthose situations.

What is the consumer guru, MinisterBeanland, going to say when the ultimateresult of this decision is that Queenslanders,particularly those whom he claims to representin rural areas of this State, will be paying morefor their meat and eating the worst cuts as thebest product will be shipped out overseas?This decision will affect all Queenslanders,from the dinner table to the price paid for beefand to the cut of beef that is available forpurchase from the butcher or the supermarket.

This Government, which campaigned sohard at the last State election on mattersincluding the lack of services in the bush, hashad over nine months in which to live up to itspromises—to deliver on its rhetoric. Instead, ithas become the Government of the big cityand big business and has received constantcriticism from its traditional support base, thefarming groups and small business. Thepeople of regional and rural Queensland arereeling from the lack of action of thisGovernment.

Specifically, as mentioned by the Leaderof the Opposition this morning, up to 1,500Metway, Suncorp and QIDC employees couldbe forced to join the dole queues because ofthe creation of the megabank. Despiteconstant questioning from the Opposition tothe Treasurer in relation to these jobs, she hasrefused to give any guarantees that no

14 Nov 1996 National Party Betrayal of Country People 4185

employee will be retrenched, compulsorilytransferred or pressured to take forcedredundancy from either head office or anybranch. There are branches of Metway andSuncorp all over Queensland. If themegabank results in 1,500 sackings, it willhave a major impact on regional Queensland.

I have spoken of the impact of theQueensland Abattoir Corporation. Combinethese Government actions with the closure ofregional health offices and the cutbacks inother State Government programs and onehas a recipe for disaster for the economies ofregional and rural Queensland. One of themost shameful actions of this Governmentwas the closure of the labour market programsin Queensland. In particular, in Roma,Emerald and Mount Isa the YouthEmployment Service was closed down. It wasalso closed in the regional cities, includingIpswich. The Self Employment VentureScheme was shut down across the State. Keyelements of the Community Jobs and TrainingProgram were scrapped. This Governmentsimply does not care for the unemployed orthe disadvantaged.

This Government was extremely critical ofthe Labor Party for shutting down MagistratesCourt offices. Before the last State election,the shadow Attorney-General stated with greatfanfare that the coalition would open allMagistrates Court offices. This week, we havewitnessed a sop to the people of Inglewood,Springsure, Millmerran and Mitchell. The realitysimply is that the Government has gone softon its promise as these areas will have a part-time court only.

As to the Department of Works andHousing—more houses are being built in theGold Coast area at the expense of regionaland rural Queensland apparently because ofthe waiting lists on the Gold Coast. It is simplymore than a coincidence that the HousingMinister represents the electorate of Nerangon the Gold Coast. He is feathering the GoldCoast six-pack of conservative electorates atthe expense of rural and regionalQueenslanders.

An Opposition member: Shame!Mr GIBBS: Family Services—and this is

a disgusting shame—is in absolute chaos.Aboriginal Affairs was once a department,then a division, then an office and it is now tobe downgraded yet again to program statuswithin the Department of Families, Youth andCommunity Care. That latest proposal is a slapin the face for the many thousands ofAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplewho live in country Queensland.

An area of great concern to me is the lackof services available to disabled youth whoturn 18 years of age. Those young peoplehave no further school opportunities, havelimited access to educational programs, havelimited access to respite care and become thefull-time responsibility of the parents, 24 hoursa day, seven days a week. One can well ask:where are the services for those young peoplein rural Queensland?

This week, we have witnessed theGovernment's lack of consultation with thepeak farming organisations in relation to thetyre and fuel taxes. Even in relation to the artsand libraries, this coalition Government hasshown its disdain for regional Queensland.Country kids will have to read the same staleand out-of-date books and will be turned offusing their local libraries as a result of the cutof $1m real per capita funding from publiclibraries. This Government cannot grandstandabout literacy standards in the community if itis cutting funds to purchase books. That is amiserable act perpetrated by the Treasurer.

I draw the attention of Governmentmembers to a number of fairly prominentnewspapers throughout Queensland thatcertainly could not be considered to besympathetic to the Labor movement. If thesewere the words of Opposition members, acynic could say that it was simply a case ofpolitical point scoring. An article in the NorthQueensland Register of Thursday, 17 October,was headed "Govt axes bush job scheme". Itcarried the subheading "Scheme had helped5000 find work". The article states—

"The State Government has axed aRichmond-based scheme"—

Richmond is in the heart of theirconstituency—

"designed to provide ongoingemployment for rural workers.

The six man committee whichoversees the operation of the RichmondRural Placement Scheme was advisedlast week by letter that its annual fundingallocation of $70,000 was no longeravailable.

. . .

Committee member, John Wharton,Runnymede Station, Maxwelton, said thescheme which started in 1981 had helpedmore than 5000 people find work."

Axing that scheme is a pretty disgusting andshabby effort on behalf of a party that claimsto represent a rural constituency.


The Townsville Bulletin carried theheadline "Sheldon gets a roasting frombusiness heads". When the Treasurerattended a Budget breakfast in Townsville inSeptember, the chairman of that function,Townsville Chamber of Commerce president,Mal Missingham said that the Governmentwas starving the north of funds forinfrastructure such as roads, railways, waterand sewerage. The article quotes him assaying—

"You have disregarded anddismissed the region that gave youGovernment."

An article in the Goondiwindi Argusheaded "Lies, style and politicians . . ." givesmembers opposite the best baking that it hasseen. It states—

"Sorry to keep on harping aboutthese lying bloody politicians, but boy ohboy, they give us a pain in the comics.

Lies, lies and more lies."

Day after day the coalition is breakingpromises that it gave in the lead-up toMundingburra and the lead-up to the electionlast year. It has let down its rural constituency.On behalf of the alternative Government, I sayto people in the bush: keep heart and havefaith because when we are back there nextyear we will not disappoint you.

Mr PALASZCZUK (Inala) (6.27 p.m.): Isecond the motion moved by the honourablemember for Bundamba. Queensland Laborunderstands rural Queensland. The last LaborGovernment worked hard to ensure thatpeople in rural areas received the samestandards of services as enjoyed by allQueenslanders. However, as the motionstates, the disillusionment that exists in ruralQueensland towards the coalition Governmentcontinues to grow. With each visit I make torural Queensland I detect increasing levels ofresentment at the way the National PartyGovernment is failing to provide the value-added industries and flow-on employment thatrural Queensland is calling for.

The letter sent to the Premier by themayors of seven western towns calling on theGovernment to live up to its election promisesand deliver jobs and services is a clearindication of rural discontent. Alarm bells mustbe ringing in National Party headquarters inBrisbane when mayors from rural areas areforced to take such drastic measures to getthe message across. I can appreciate theexpectations that exist in those areas followingyears of crippling drought. They deserve better

and the National Party Government is ignoringtheir pleas for help.

The unhappy truth is that ruralQueenslanders have been forgotten by thecity-based and coast-based National Party. If itwere not for the Labor Party Oppositiongetting out and listening to rural Queenslandand fighting for them in Parliament, therewould be a cotton growing industry on theCooper. Ministers on that side of the Houseare happy to sit in their plush offices in the cityand not get out into the rural communities. Itmight do them the world of good to get into acar once in a while and drive through the ruralcommunities and talk and listen to the peopleand come back to the Parliament to makesome decent representations on their behalf.

If it were not for the Labor PartyOpposition getting out there and listening torural Queenslanders and fighting for them inParliament, the roo shooters and dealerswould be facing massive increases in fees. If itwas not for the Labor Opposition getting outand listening to rural Queenslanders, the cattleproducers of north Queensland would bepaying a massive 700 per cent increasedloading fee at the port of Karumba. In thatregard the Minister for Primary Industriesshould make representations to the Ministerfor Transport in relation to the currentnegotiated fee of $2.80, because the loadingfee for ore per tonne was to be 66c. If hearrives at that fee for the cattle producers andadds that to the 80c that they were paying, hewill then have a realistic level. I suggest thatthe Honourable Minister for Primary Industriesmake those representations to the Minister forTransport.

If it were not for the Labor Oppositionlistening to rural Queenslanders, ruralproducers would be stuck with massive, new,illegal tyre and oil taxes. Let me pose thesequestions to members opposite: how will thatscheme be constituted, administered, fundedand audited? Where in rural Queensland willexist the infrastructure to collect and storewaste oil and used tyres so that the pollutionproblem can be addressed? How did theGovernment arrive at those costs for industry ifit has not calculated the dimensions of theproblem? Why will the tax be used to clean uphospital waste in south-east Queensland?

Finally, let us have a close look at theimpact that the lifting of the toll on theSunshine Motorway will have on ruralQueensland. Every man, woman and childliving in rural Queensland will have tocontribute $120 towards the lifting of the tollon the Sunshine Motorway. For example,


Charleville, which has a population of 3,000people, will make a contribution of $360,000.Members could take the population figure ofevery town in rural Queensland, multiply it by$120 and come to the contribution that eachrural town will be making towards the lifting ofthe toll on the Sunshine Motorway.

Honourable members, this is not aGovernment for all Queenslanders; it is aGovernment for its own. Rural people are theforgotten people. Labor in Government willextend a helping hand and be there to helprural communities. Labor intends to look afterpeople no matter where they live. I ask thosepeople who have always voted for theNationals, "Are you better off with thatsupport? Do you vote for the Nationals out ofhabit?" Habits are addictive! As rural peoplehave found out with the Nationals, habits arenot useful.

I urge all honourable members to supportthe motion moved by the honourable memberfor Bundamba.

Hon. T. J. PERRETT (Barambah—Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries andForestry) (6.32 p.m.): I move—

"That all words following 'thisParliament' be deleted and that they bereplaced with the following—

'recognises the special needs ofthe bush and reaffirms itscommitment to continued restorationof rural services and infrastructure.' "

Primary industries represents almost $6billion a year in production to this State andprovides jobs, directly and indirectly, for 21 percent of Queenslanders. This coalitionGovernment has a firm commitment toproviding the conditions in which primaryindustry and rural and regional communitiescan thrive.

We have begun the long task of restoringservices and infrastructure that were trashed insix and a half years of Labor rule. That is whythe Labor Party received such a bashing atthe last election. There were huge swingsagainst Labor. Labor took the knife to theprincipal vehicle for rural service delivery, theDepartment of Primary Industries. It guttedDPI's research and extension services andmade redundant 692 experienced and loyalDPI staff—essential field staff, horticulturalists,stock inspectors, agronomists and otherimportant advisers have gone. To makematters worse, Labor borrowed $7.7m tomake those people redundant and left thecoalition to pay back the loans.

The coalition is meeting the challenge ofrebuilding the DPI. To demonstrate to theHouse what it has done through its rebuildingprogram, I have some documents which Iseek leave to table.

Leave granted.

Mr PERRETT: I hope that theOpposition spokesman and also the memberfor Inala take the time to read that material.

This Government has put the focus backon service delivery. It has taken DPI back tothe bush. This Government is about rebuildingDPI's research and extension services. It iscommitted to assisting rural industries tobecome more efficient producers andmarketers of food and fibre. Already, theGovernment has created 166 new DPI jobs inresearch and extension services, most of thembased in rural and regional areas. Producers inrural communities are already starting tobenefit from these appointments.

The coalition's first Budget increasedDPI's funding—the first real increase since theterm of the previous coalition Government inthe late 1980s. However, we at DPI have goneeven further in this Government's short time inoffice. In the interests of primary industries andas part of a five-year plan, we have set out theDPI's business priorities for the next 12months. They are a form of contract betweenthe DPI and the primary industries which wasagreed to after extensive consultation.

We have also introduced the institutesystem of primary industry research andextension—a scheme that Labor looked at butcould not manage to introduce. Those nineinstitutes will not be costly new buildings butpartnerships between DPI and industry tobring about a more coordinated and betterdirected research and extension service.

The Government has also battled onbehalf of the producers in rural communities,which have been battered by years of droughtand Labor's lack of real concern. DPI is apartner in a coalition scheme to create anadvisory council for rural women—a group thatcould bring their concerns to the Governmentwith one strong, united voice.

The coalition came into Government withmore than 40 per cent of the State droughtdeclared. I am pleased to say that thechanged seasonal conditions have reducedthat figure to 22 per cent. However, it is still atragedy. This Government took new measuresto help primary producers and ruralcommunities to cope with drought. We arenow working on some initiatives to help themrecover from it. We introduced a system of


forward freight subsidies to move stock fromdrought-affected properties and we extendedthe eligibility period for restocking afterrevocation of the drought declarations. Wealso increased the distance that stock can betaken for agistment. The coalition Governmentdecided to bear the full cost of rail freight forfodder and other relief supplies going toproducers and communities in drought-affected areas. The DPI also baled 370tonnes of fodder hay off its south-eastQueensland research stations and sent it todrought-affected areas.

The coalition Government went to theFederal Government with a drought recoverypackage and won for the farmers and graziersa major share of an $81m package, which wasannounced this month. Yet Labor has thehide to say that the Minister for PrimaryIndustries has deserted the bush! For sixyears, people in the bush were treated withcontempt by the former Labor administration.For six years, the Labor Government relishedthe task of cutting rural programs and services.Now members of the Labor Party have the gallto stand in this Parliament and berate thecoalition Government with allegations that it isdeserting the bush.

Since this Government has been inpower, it has diligently set about repairing thedamage that Labor thrust upon rural residents.Let it be very clear: it is only now that thiscoalition Government has come to power thatservices in the bush, such as those providedby the Department of Primary Industries, arereturning to normal.

Hon. D. E. McCAULEY (Callide—Minister for Local Government and Planning)(6.36 p.m.): I second the amendment movedby the previous speaker. I am very pleased tosee that the member for Bundamba is back tohis normal nasty self that we in this place haveall come to know and love. However, I find itvery difficult to accept that this man, whoworked so hard to get the title of "Chardonnaykid" and the former "Minister for long lunches",should now be the patron of the bush—thesaviour of the bush. I find it very difficult toaccept that that is a mantle that he wearseasily. However, when I look at the othermembers opposite to see who else could takeover that responsibility, I realise that at leastthe member for Bundamba knows that tohave an affinity with the bush, one needsmore than RMs and an akubra hat. Some ofthe other members opposite seem to thinkthat that is all they have to do—put them onand they will be accepted by the bush. It is notas easy as that.

In fact, the member for Inala could tell thestory about when the Government announcedthe building of the Comet Dam and that it wasgoing to flood Rolleston. He thought, "I willsave these people." He jumped in his hire carand drove out to Rolleston and said to thepeople, "I am here to save you. I am here tohelp you." They asked him, "Who are you?"

Mr PALASZCZUK: I rise to a point oforder. The Honourable Minister is misleadingthe House. I did not meet with people and saythat I was going to save them from the dam.

Mrs McCAULEY: The member shouldlet me finish my story.

Mr PALASZCZUK: I was working withthe Minister for Natural Resources.

Mrs McCAULEY: I have not finishedyet. I have got only four minutes left in whichto speak. Those people asked the member,"Who are you?" He told them who he was andthen they said, "Clear out." So the memberhad to get back in his car and go back toBrisbane.

People in rural areas are welcoming themoney that this Government is going to pourinto water infrastructure in this State—$1 billionover 15 years, which will be very, verywelcome. I can tell members that the previousLabor Government was not noted for its dambuilding. Nothing in the bush is anythingwithout water, and that is one of thisGovernment's major priorities. It will build thewater storages that are needed to keep thebush viable and to keep it producing exportincome for this State.

I refer to an article in today's QueenslandCountry Life, which is hot off the presses. It iswritten by the President of the United GraziersAssociation, Larry Acton, who is a gentleman,a man of the bush, and a very sincere andcharming man. He stated—

"The Queensland Government hasdone much to generate an improvedeconomic environment for the State'srural sector.

The Premier, Treasurer and PrimaryIndustries Minister placed drought policyback on the agenda and there are severalthousand families who will continue toreceive the Drought Relief Paymentbecause of their efforts.

The dredging of Karumba Port andthe recognition by the Transport Ministerthat it is essential to keep costs downreinforces the philosophy that business toAsia must be fostered."


Mr Acton goes on to state—

"The reviews of land valuations andrentals by the Natural Resources Ministerare also on the right track. The list goeson."

That is a comment, hot off the presses today,from a man who should know. He is payingtribute to what this Government is doing forrural communities.

A good example of what this Governmentis doing is happening in my own department.We have produced total management plansfor water infrastructure for ATSI communities inthe north. There is no doubt that there are alot of problems in that area, and there alwayshave been. However, the way in which totackle the problems is to do the planningproperly and then put in the money. Mydepartment has prioritised expenditure for newworks and recurrent costs for waterinfrastructure for those communities. Thedepartment will now move in, prioritise thoseworks, put that money in and see thingshappen. It is no good just throwing the moneyat the problem; we have to make sure thatthose people are able to maintain theirservices—their septic systems and their water.That is a very major initiative, and it is one ofwhich I am very proud.

There is a host of other things as well. Letme tell the House about the $600m water andsewerage infrastructure package for localgovernments which is the most significantboost provided to councils in a generation.This doubles the infrastructure subsidy from 20per cent to 40 per cent. It means that, for allnew water and sewerage facilities throughoutthe State, the Government will pay two-fifths ofthe cost. Councils throughout the State aregearing themselves up for this. This is back tobasics and it is very good stuff. Included inthat funding is a $150m infrastructure packagefor smaller rural and remote communities.

We have not forgotten rural people, andthat is most important to them. I was veryproud to go to Croydon a few months ago tolook at the dam which cost $2m. It is only avery small community, but it cannot doanything without water.

Time expired.

Mr SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton)(6.42 p.m.): I thank the previous speaker forher acceptance of the fact that theQueensland Labor Government did more forthe bush than her Government has. The RuralLiving Infrastructure Program was a mainstayof our rural policy, although the honourable

member for Callide has claimed credit for it,which does her no good.

I wish to speak on behalf the cattleindustry of Australia about the outrageousproposal that the Minister for PrimaryIndustries outlined to flog off the QueenslandAbattoir Corporation. The fact is that the planto flog off the fourth biggest processingindustry in this State to multinational mates ofthe National Party is an all too familiar sign ofthe Government. Every time it gets its handsnear any public enterprise, the old ideologytakes over: what can we flog off to bigbusiness? The Government has obviouslybowed and scraped to companies such asAMH—a most treacherous company.

Mr PERRETT: I rise to a point of order.There is no plan to flog the meat industry offto multinationals.

Mr SCHWARTEN: Who does theMinister think will buy it—Santa Claus? Thatshows just how out of touch the Minister is, asdid his statement this morning that there willbe no job losses. When one of the mainplayers is knocked out of the beef processingindustry, what does the Minister think willhappen? Sheds will be closed andimprovements in technology will mean thatmore and more meatworkers will have to goon the dole. The Minister will be responsiblefor that. He is bringing in a grubby mob likeAMH, which is backed by KonAgre, aninternationally discredited United Statescompany that employees Mexican kids and isheld up for ridicule internationally. It is thesame in the Philippines. The Minister wantsthese sorts of people to get our great beefindustry.

It is not just that the issue is too hard. Iknow that the Minister does not have muchmental capacity, but even he should be ableto work out that this industry is worth hangingon to. I can tell the Minister that theGovernment does not own this industry; itbelongs to the taxpayers of the State. TheGovernment is the mere custodian of theindustry. I say here and now that theGovernment will pay dearly at the next electionif it tries to flog off the industry. However, thatis not a sufficient deterrent. The truth is thatany State industry is repugnant to theGovernment. It cannot help itself. Whenever itsees a State asset, it has to flog it off. Thisaction will do the Government no favours atthe next State election. The people in thebush will not forget how the Government hastreated one of our great State industries.

This morning, the Minister was panderingto the nonsense that somehow or other a


better and more efficient industry will becreated by centralising one or two companies.That is not going to help our internationalindustry at all. It certainly will not enable ourproducers to get a better deal in theinternational markets, especially when ourbeef is being pirated, as the Four Cornersprogram showed.

Rural fire brigades is an issue that is dearto my heart. One would think that theGovernment would at least get that right forrural Queensland, but no! Last year, the LaborGovernment spent around $8m on rural firebrigades. The present Government hasallocated only $6m. The Government wantsthe volunteers who work in all of ourelectorates to go back to the days of using wetbags. The truth is that the Treasurer knows fullwell that the kitty needs about $10m. Thefunding should have increased by $2m, but ithas gone down by $2m. When we came toGovernment, there was not a single newpumper in the bush. All the discards from theurban fire services were being used. It was theLabor Government which provided over 300new pumpers, yet the Government has thehide to tell us that it is somehow in touch withits bush clientele. What a lot of rot! Unless theGovernment fixes that issue, it is in for a hell ofa flogging at the next election. The volunteerswill walk off the job.

Time expired.

Mr SPRINGBORG (Warwick)(6.47 p.m.): The amendment moved by theHonourable Minister for Primary Industries andseconded by the Minister for LocalGovernment and Planning is certainly worthyof support by the Parliament because itsfundamental premise is the restoration ofGovernment services in rural areas which havebeen stripped away by the people who sit inOpposition and who sat in Government for sixyears from 1989 to 1996. This debate tonightis probably motivated by the Leader of theOpposition, who has become known in thebush as "I will not close your railway linesBeattie".

I understand that when the Leader of theOpposition and the member for Inala drovewest of Ipswich the other day to findBarcaldine, it took them about a weekbecause they did not have a clue where theywere going. The member for Inala saw his firstcow and thought that it was a kangaroo. Themember for Bundamba is about as relevant tothe bush as fish are to nuclear physics.

I will run through a few things which theNational/Liberal coalition has done sincecoming to Government in February this year. I

notice that the honourable member forBundamba tried to run down the major stepstaken by the Government this week, whichwere the——

Mr Gibbs: I fixed up the wine industry foryou.

Mr SPRINGBORG: I must admit thatthe honourable member did do a pretty goodjob of that.

Mr Gibbs: What about all those nights Icarried you out of the local hotel when you gotdrunk.

Mr SPRINGBORG: The former Ministerbelieved in the industry and he had a self-interest in the industry.

The Inglewood Courthouse was reopenedthis week. The honourable member forBundamba played that down and said that itwas only a part-time court. Formerly, thecourthouse did about 50 hours of court workper year and it was mostly a part-timecourthouse. Since that time, it has beenconverted to a QGAPP office, which I mustadmit was a reasonable initiative of the formerGovernment. However, this restores the fullrange of services to the courthouse.

Another piece of legislation passed in theParliament today, the Consumer Law andOther Justice Legislation (MiscellaneousProvisions) Bill, allows people in northern NewSouth Wales, for example, to participate insocieties or associations in Queensland. Thatis particularly important for the betterment ofour show societies. The Bill also allowed forteleconferencing, which took into considerationthe distances which are experienced by ruralpeople.

Only the other day, the Premier, theMinister for Primary Industries and other Staterural leaders were successful in obtaining a$80m drought relief package from theCommonwealth. That is another majorinitiative of the Government which is worthcommendation. That is what this Governmentis about. That package will be of great benefitto people in rural areas, particularly those whohave experienced a great deal of drought overthe last couple of years.

The allocation of 242 extra Department ofPrimary Industry staff will restore about one-third of the people who were ripped out of ruralareas by the former Government during its sixyears in office. Regional health took away thelocal ownership of our hospitals and healthservices. Instead of one Brisbane, there wereabout 13 Brisbanes. The Honourable Ministerfor Health is establishing 42 district councilsacross the State, which will return the

14 Nov 1996 Grievances 4191

ownership of health services to ruralcommunities and ensure a better healthservice for rural people.

Funding to the Rural Regional ArtsDevelopment Fund has been increased. Iknow that people in my area will share thebenefits of that increase over the coming year.In addition, there is a $4 billion capital workspackage. Almost one-half of that package isearmarked for regional areas. When thatpackage is put in place, it will create a majorbenefit for regional and rural areas of thisState. That is another feather in the cap forthe National/Liberal Party coalition. It iscertainly something from which I will benefit inmy electorate, as will many members on bothsides of the House.

As I have plainly outlined to the Housetonight that in the eight months in which thisGovernment has been in office it has donemuch to advance the status of rural people.We are starting to listen to rural people again.Sure there are problems. There will always beproblems. Any Government worth its salt willbe able to move in a contemporaryenvironment and address those problems. Iam listening to what people have to say.

We have put in place the WaterInfrastructure Task Force. We have $1 billionto invest over the next 15 years. We arehoping to attract some more money so thatwe can do more to promote, develop anddrought proof those areas. That is a majorinitiative of this Government—one of many.We have implemented a regional roadspackage, which will address many of the blackspots in the State. The motion moved by theOpposition is a nonsense. The Government'samendment is worthy of support.

Time expired. Question—That the words proposed to

be omitted stand part of the question—put;and the House divided—AYES, 42—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bird, Bligh,Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Campbell, D'Arcy,De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Foley, Fouras,Gibbs, Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Lucas, McElligott,Mackenroth, Milliner, Mulherin, Nunn, Nuttall,Palaszczuk, Pearce, Purcell, Roberts, Robertson,Rose, Schwarten, Smith, Spence, Sullivan J. H.,Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: Livingstone,Sullivan T. B.

NOES, 43—Baumann, Beanland, Borbidge, Connor,Cunningham, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin,Gilmore, Goss J. N., Grice, Harper, Healy, Hegarty,Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Laming, Lester, Lingard,Littleproud, McCauley, Malone, Mitchell, Perrett,Quinn, Radke, Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, Simpson,Slack, Stephan, Stoneman, Tanti, Veivers, Warwick,Watson, Wilson, Woolmer Tellers: Springborg,Carroll

Resolved in the negative .

Amendment agreed to.

Motion, as amended, agreed to.

GRIEVANCES

Proposed Palm Beach CommunityHealth Care Centre

Mrs ROSE (Currumbin) (7 p.m.): TonightI again raise in this House the desperate needfor a community health centre to be built inPalm Beach. Tonight I have with me a sampleof the hundreds and hundreds of cards I havereceived from concerned residents over thepast months appealing for the construction ofthe centre to begin. The cards say "Enough isenough" and "I support the urgentconstruction of a community health centre atPalm Beach".

Yes, enough is enough! The land for thenew health centre was purchased in Januarythis year—that is right; in January. That waswhen the purchase of the land was arrangedby the then Health Minister, Peter Beattie. Hecame down to Palm Beach and he and I wentto the site and discussed the importance ofthe community health centre to the people ofthe southern Gold Coast. That centre wouldinclude a desperately needed dental clinic.Southern Gold Coasters have beendisadvantaged for years because the onlydental clinic they can access is at Southport,which can be up to nearly an hour's driveduring peak hours. Many of the people whoneed to access the dental clinic are theelderly, and they are forced to spend up tohalf a day travelling backwards and forwardsfor one dental treatment.

Some of the other services to be availableat the health centre would include: communityhealth, family and children's health, youthhealth, women's health, aged care and healthpromotion. Although Community Health iscurrently delivering some of these services outof the leased premises at the corner of FifthAvenue and Cypress Terrace, it is anxiouslyawaiting the construction of the new facilitywhich would include the dental clinic.

Tonight I appeal to the Minister to pleasebegin work on our health centre. The two oldrun-down houses that were on the site havenow been demolished and removed, but Iknow that that was because the squatterscould not be kept out. I appeal to the Minister:when are we going to see some action fromthis Government? When are we going to seework begin on the health centre?

4192 Grievances 14 Nov 1996

Honorary Ambulance OfficersMr BAUMANN (Albert) (7.02 p.m.): I

wish to bring to the attention of the House thevaluable work honorary ambulance officerscontribute to the operations of theQueensland Ambulance Service. Honoraryambulance officers are an integral and valuedpart of the Ambulance Service in the role theyplay in delivering patient care, particularly inrural and remote areas of Queensland.

Both the Government and theHonourable Mick Veivers are totally committedto the improvement of emergency servicedelivery to all people throughout Queensland.As part of this commitment, I am pleased toadvise that the Honourable Minister willcontinue to strongly support honoraryambulance officers. Honorary ambulanceofficers provide vital support for full-timeambulance staff and in rural areas deliverservice when full-time officers may not beavailable.

The personal commitment of thesepeople who become honorary ambulanceofficers is highly commendable. All suchofficers receive appropriate training from theAmbulance Service. However, this training isdone in their own time. They are required tocomplete semester one of the AssociateDiploma of Applied Science (Ambulance), andit is good to see that many choose to proceedon to further semesters of the associatediploma. Not only does the individual honoraryofficer provide a valuable community service,but at the same time future career prospectsfor the officer are opened up with honoraryambulance service being one of severalpathways for entry into the QAS as a full-timeofficer.

There is no doubt that honoraryambulance service provides the QAS with ahighly skilled pool of potential ambulanceofficer applicants. Of a recent student intake,11 per cent of the 710 applications were fromhonorary ambulance officers, who in turnrepresented 22 per cent of the first 100successful applicants on the order of merit list.The majority of other successful applicantscame from some patient care background,such as nursing.

This Government and the Ministerrecognise the dedicated efforts of thehonorary ambulance officers throughout theState and will continue to encourage suitablemembers of the community to apply forhonorary ambulance officer positions in ruralcommunities to assist in the provision of pre-hospital emergency care.

Time expired.

Health and Dental Services,Rockhampton

Mr SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton)(7.04 p.m.): Over the last few weeks I havelistened carefully to what the Minister forHealth has been telling us in this place. I havealso followed closely in the media the reportsthat he has made that our waiting listproblems in this State are over, thatsomething has been done to fix them up. Thatis contrary to the reality of what is occurring inmy office—and the offices of many of mycolleagues—where almost weekly I hear talesof woe from people who simply cannot accesshealth services and dental services in thisState.

I refer in particular to a Mr Bill Hickson,who is 76 years of age. On 30 August lastyear, he attended at the base hospital andwas put on a waiting list to see a specialist,which occurred on 30 September this year. Heattended at that particular specialist, wasfound to have prostate cancer andsubsequent to that was told that he wouldhave to wait one to two years for any sort ofprocedure to fix his particular problem. As hiswife pointed out to me, "I know you will dowhatever you can for the best for Bill and try toget him in earlier, as he will surely die if he hasto wait much longer." Those are the feelingsthat his wife has, and it is totally at odds withwhat Mr Horan is telling us in this Chambertime after time—that we do not have anywaiting list problems, that he has fixed themup. The two-year wait for this particularoperation on this elderly gentleman is surely adisgrace.

With regard to the dental clinic—I amadvised that there are over 500 people waitingon a list in the Rockhampton Mercer Streetcentre. Today I was contacted by a lady whoheard Mr Horan say to the people ofQueensland that the waiting list problem wasover. She rang the particular clinic and wastold that, even though she had waited six anda half months, she still had another 12 monthsto wait.

Time expired.

Training for Rural Firefighters

Mr MITCHELL (Charters Towers)(7.06 p.m.): The sheer effort and dedication ofour volunteer firefighters within the Rural FireDivision is matched only by the sheer numberof volunteers. More than 46,000 peoplethroughout the State volunteer their time tofire prevention and suppression in our ruraland remote areas. The efficient and effective


training of these volunteers is a priority of theHonourable Minister for Emergency Services,Mick Veivers. Training for volunteers is basedon a train the trainer scheme where selectedvolunteer officers are trained to instruct,passing on the lessons to brigade members.

In the past there has been a shortage offull-time officers within the Rural Fire Division,accompanied by a lack of trainingdocumentation. In line with this Government'scommitment to the improvement ofemergency service delivery throughout theState, the Rural Fire Division now has apermanent staff of eight training officers. Theeight officers are located throughout rural andregional Queensland, with the trainingcoordinator in Brisbane being responsible forthe development of training policy standardsand resource material. Training officers atCairns, Townsville, Rockhampton,Maryborough, Caboolture, Toowoomba andIpswich are responsible for coordinatingtraining among volunteers and developing thetrain the trainer network.

A professional approach to developingappropriate training methodologies has beenestablished. A divisional training plan, theVolunteer Training and Educational Program,has been developed which is the blueprint forall volunteer training. It provides guidelines forinstructors to train volunteers in theappropriate skills to ensure increasedoperational efficiency and safety, bothindividually and collectively as a brigade.Training resource packages have beendeveloped for the basic firefighter modules,and these are now being distributedthroughout the State. An interim package forthe more advanced course aimed at brigadeoperational managers is also beingdeveloped.

In line with this Government'scommitment to the provision of improvedemergency service delivery throughout theState——

Time expired.

Racism

Mr ROBERTSON (Sunnybank)(7.08 p.m.): This morning I tabled a notice ofmotion calling on the Prime Minister and thePremiers and Chief Ministers of all AustralianStates and Territories to use the uniqueopportunity that tomorrow's COAG meetingwould have provided to make a unanimousand unequivocal statement calling on allAustralians to stand as one against those whointentionally or otherwise seek to divide our

nation by their ongoing insensitive andoffensive attacks on fellow Australians ofAboriginal and Asian descent.

Although the COAG meeting has beendeferred, it would have provided the firstopportunity since the now infamous speech ofthe member for Oxley that all of Australia'spolitical leaders would have gathered together,and I believe it would have been incumbenton our leaders to use this opportunity to callfor a halt to a debate which is encouragingacts of racial vilification and violence againstfellow Australians of particular racial origin.

No-one expected this debate to go on aslong as it has. I am sure all members hadhoped that the attention of the media and thepublic would have moved on to other mattersby now. But this has not occurred, and to thegreat distress of many Australians the debatehas deteriorated to the point that citizens andvisitors to this country are increasingly sufferingovert acts of racial vilification and hatred. Thecurrent debate has gone way beyond thequestion of what Australia's immigration intakeshould be. No-one suggests that the level ofimmigration should not be the subject ofscrutiny and informed discussion, but there isno justification for allowing any such debate toget so out of control that the physical safety ofcitizens is compromised.

Recently, over 5,000 Australians gatheredin King George Square to express their verydeep concern at the re-emergence of overtracism prompted by the utterances of anumber of misinformed and irresponsibleindividuals. It was a rally of unity and acelebration of the contribution that indigenousAustralians and those who have chosen to callAustralia their home have made to this nation.We are all nation builders. No matter where wemay have come from—whether that beEurope, Africa, America or Asia—we are allAustralians and have the right to be treatedwith dignity and respect.

I ask this Parliament to recognise thesefundamental rights and to call on Australia'spolitical leaders to enshrine these rights in astatement which provides leadership anddirection to the Australian community—adirection which takes us forward as acompassionate, caring and multiculturalnation.

Time expired.

Giant Rat-tail GrassMr STEPHAN (Gympie) (7.10 p.m.): I

take this opportunity to highlight some of theproblems facing the rural community. I listened


to the member for Rockhampton talk abouthow Labor looked after the rural community. Isuggest to him that when in Government hisparty did not do much at all in that regard. Acase in point is giant rat-tail grass. The formerGovernment undertook no researchwhatsoever into that matter. I want to highlightto the House the problems that this weedcauses.

Giant rat-tail grass is an aggressive weedthat sets large quantities of fine seedthroughout the year. It invades pastures andcompetes with most other desirable pastureplants. It is unpalatable to stock when mature.Seeds are spread very easily. The beefindustry has taken some steps to try to controlthis weed with the use of sprays and the useof wicks, but at times it gets up into the fairlysteep country and under those conditions it isvery, very difficult to control. Seeds can bespread by vehicles and farm machinery,especially slashers, and by movement of stockand other animals. Seeds are spread whenhay is transferred from one property toanother. They are also spread by cattle whenthey drink water, whether it be from troughs orwatercourses. This weed is taking over in theareas in which it is growing. It is only becauseof the expertise that is being developed bythe——

Time expired.

Whale Watching

Mr NUNN (Hervey Bay) (7.12 p.m.): Thepeople of Hervey Bay are dumbfounded bythe antics of the coalition, which is fracturedand fragmenting. The Minister for Environmentand Heritage is doing his best to castrate thewhale watching industry and has been roundlycriticised by the Minister for Tourism and SmallBusiness. The Premier promised he wouldtake a personal interest in the matter and sentthe Minister for Tourism up to calm thenatives.

The Hervey Bay Independent Newspaperreported today—

"Environment Minister BrianLittleproud has been criticised by a fellowminister for failing to consult the localindustry before issuing five new whalewatch permits for Moreton Bay.

Speaking at a breakfast organised bythe Hervey Bay branch of the LiberalParty, the Minister for Tourism, SmallBusiness and Industry, Bruce Davidson,said he was 'pretty disappointed' with MrLittleproud.

'I can't believe Brian Littleproudwould have approved those five whalewatching permits in Moreton Bay withoutconsulting with the whale watchingindustry up here.

'It was pretty poor that there was alack of consultation . . . and I know thePremier is aware of it."

That is good stuff.

He hit town and was asked by ABC radiowhat he thought should be done about thewhale watching industry. He said, "Look, Ihaven't been briefed on the matter." I have toask why he was not briefed on the matter hehad been sent to Hervey Bay to fix up. Afterall, he sits next to the Environment Minister inParliament and, indeed, he sits behind thePremier. For God's sake, do these people notspeak to each other? They are on the sameside, I think.

The same day, on local television news,the Tourism Minister was asked the samequestion and he said, "I have voiced my viewson this matter in Cabinet." Even though hehad not been briefed on the whale watchingsituation, he was able to express a view inCabinet. My guess is that the Minister forTourism, when asked for a comment on theHervey Bay whale watching industry, was ableto say, "Don't ask me, I don't know."

The members of Mr Borbidge's Cabinetare reminiscent of Dad's Army. If that lot arethe general and the lieutenants, God help thetroops!

Time expired.

Re-use of Waste Water

Mr LAMING (Mooloolah) (7.14 p.m.):Firstly, I wish to mention some seeminglyunrelated facts about re-use of waste water.The small township of Landsborough in theSunshine Coast hinterland is in urgent need ofsewering. The option to release even highlytreated effluent into the Mooloolah River hasmet with substantial opposition downstream atMooloolaba and Kawana.

The Caloundra/Maroochy strategic wastewater management study has recentlyreported that indirect potable re-use of wastewater is now the favoured option of treatmentin that region. Ewen Maddock Dam is locatedquite close to Landsborough and is currentlyoff line for household water supply.

It is coalition policy to provide for anincrease in water and sewerage capitalsubsidy base rates for local authorities from 20per cent up to 40 per cent for new works.


Small communities, hopefully such asLandsborough, will access a $150m 10-yearassistance program and additional assistancewill also be provided for effluent re-useinfrastructure and technological innovation.

This unique set of factors is about to becapitalised on as the Caloundra City Council ispoised to make history. That council is keenand is about to embark on a pioneeringproject of sewering Landsborough and treatingthe waste water by micro-filtration to astandard that will allow indirect potable re-usevia Ewen Maddock Dam.

I congratulate the Caloundra andMaroochy communities on opting for a re-usepreference. I commend the Caloundra CityCouncil for taking the bold step of planning forit. I remind honourable members that it was acoalition Government that provided the extrasubsidy on these expensive capital works thatcan make this project possible. I am sure thatthe Departments of Natural Resources,Forestry and Local Government will now playtheir part in bringing this scheme to reality. It isnot just the people of Landsborough,Mooloolaba and Kawana who will appreciatethis. Such a project will delay the building ofanother dam in the hinterland and the buildingof another ocean outfall on the coast; andsuch a project could well be a first for Australia.

Thanks to a coalition Government,Queensland leads the way once more. I lookforward to all relevant Government Ministersgiving their support to the project.

Time expired.

Nilsson Corporation Pty Ltd

Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy) (7.16 p.m.):Nilsson Corporation Pty Ltd—previously knownas Darling Downs Finance and Land PtyLtd—with David John Nilsson as managingdirector, entered into a contract to purchasesome 8,000 acres of rural land at Clairview onthe coast in central Queensland in the early1990s. The company wanted to establish amajor resort on this property similar todevelopments in the Whitsundays.

To facilitate this vision, the company had14 acres rezoned commercial for roadhouse,motel, caravan park and shop purposes. Thecompany then applied to have approximately100 hectares of adjacent land rezoned ruralresidential—five-acre lots. This was approvedby the Broadsound Shire Council, but was amajor concern to the then Department ofHousing, Local Government and Planning.The land was never rezoned.

To carry out the rezoning applications, thecompany had to raise capital in 1992. To dothis, in late 1992 the company sold sixunregistered five-acre lots depicted on a ruralresidential concept plan to six people fromNauru for about $70,000 per lot. The plancontained a total of 60 five-acre lots. Theselots do not exist and are still not shown on therates book of the Broadsound Shire Council.The money received from the sales wasbanked in a Nauru bank under the name ofD.J. Nilsson and subsequently withdrawn andentered into the company's books as a loan tothe company by the director, David Nilsson.

In order for the lots sold to the Nauruansto come into being, the company had tospend approximately $120,000 per lot onproviding service infrastructure. In 1995, thecommercial zone was subsequentlybackzoned to rural and the rural residentialrezoning application was withdrawn as thecompany was directing its efforts intoestablishing a coastal service town on theBruce Highway at Clairview. Under theseconditions, it is highly likely that the lots cannever be created.

Inquires have been made of theBroadsound Shire Council by a Nauruanpurchaser regarding that land at Clairview. Thepurchaser has been advised by the councilthat the land does not exit on its rates book.

Crime, Cairns Mrs WILSON (Mulgrave) (7.18 p.m.):

The past few weeks have seen two of themost horrendous crimes perpetrated in theCairns/Mulgrave area. Two young innocentvictims now lie in hospital beds in Townsvilleand Brisbane, and both have fought for theirlives as a result of the attacks perpetratedupon them. The town has been in shock, ashas been the rest of the State.

Young Tjandumurra O'Shane, just sixyears old, was doused in petrol and set alightwhile innocently playing in the schoolyardduring his lunch hour. Tjandumurra wasfighting for his life at the Burns Unit of theRoyal Brisbane Hospital for the first few daysand in the last few weeks he has undergoneskin grafts and is gradually healing. Every daysees him a little better, but he has a long wayto go and much pain to bear.

With his cousins, I visited Tjandumurra atthe hospital during the first week he was there.Although we were unable to see him due tothe danger of infection which he then faced, Ispent time with members of his family whowere staying in a flat at the hospital. If there is


a positive anywhere in all of this, it is the loveand support that Tjandumurra is receiving fromthose around him—his family, the medicalstaff and hospital staff generally and, ofcourse, the community at large. The responseby his school community and other schools inthe area has been quite incredible. His hero,the athlete Cathy Freeman went to hisbedside that day also. Although Tjandumurracould not see her, he felt her presence. I notein today's press that Jacko plans a visit also.

Last weekend, a Tjandumurra O'Shanebenefit concert was held in Gordonvale toraise money to assist the family. This was aconcert which brought local bands together,with band members giving their time freely toraise funds for the family. This has beenrepeated in a number of places. Thanks go toTerry Doyle and his band of entertainers, whoorganised the event.

This little boy will bear the scars bothphysically and emotionally all his life; scarsbrought about by a person who must beseverely dealt with. The message to go out tothe community must be the message thatAustralians, and certainly Queenslanders, willnot stand for this sort of action by anyone.

Cleis Norbury, an 18-year old BayviewHeights teenager, also fought for her life a fewweeks ago in Townsville.

Time expired.

Timber Industry

Mr DOLLIN (Maryborough) (7.20 p.m.):As I predicted in this House on severaloccasion, the Honourable Minister for NaturalResources, Mr Hobbs, and the HonourableMinister for Primary Industries, Fisheries andForestry will sign the Howard FederalGovernment agreement for the retention of 15per cent of native forests prior to 1750 withsome flexibility. I believe that a Cabinetdecision has been made that that will goahead. This is contrary to what those Ministersand the Federal member for Wide Bay,Warren Truss, promised the timber industryover and over again in the lead-up to the lastState election. They promised that thisagreement would be consigned to the wastepaper bin.

Even their own supporters within theindustry have had enough of their brokenpromises and their inability to make decisions.An article in the Maryborough Chronicle dated6 November headed, "Uncertainty in timberindustry", states—

"The hardwood timber industry is fastlosing confidence in political parties of all

persuasions over the regional forestagreements (RFAs) process, according toTiaro's Dale and Meyers Sawmill co-ownerJohn Meyers.

Mr Meyers said the present CoalitionState Government said before it waselected that it would scrap the 15 per centforest lock-up proposal when in power.

'They were going to throw it out afterthe election but here we are months laterand they are about to sign an agreementwhich could end up being better or worsethan the original proposal," he said.

'They are afraid of it. I believe theywill drag this out for years because theyare reluctant to be involved in it at all.'

Last week, State Cabinet approvedthe undertaking of regional forestagreements (RFAs) in Queensland in co-operation with the CommonwealthGovernment and all major stakeholders.

Queensland Natural ResourcesMinister Howard Hobbs said the processwould assemble the full range of foresteconomic, social, environmental andheritage values and, based on thoseassessments, a decision would be madeon the most appropriate allocation.

Mr Meyers said if every part ofQueensland was going to have a differentallocation, 'no-one will know where theystand'.

'The Maryborough district could endup with no allocation and theRockhampton area could end up with 60per cent, who knows?'

He said that caused uncertainty inthe industry and employees weren't sureof their futures."

Time expired.

Kirwan Hospital for Women

Mr TANTI (Mundingburra) (7.21 p.m.):Honourable members will recall that I havepreviously raised the matter of grossly wrongand alarmist statements by the member forMount Gravatt in relation to the KirwanHospital for Women. It is now timely to updatehonourable members on the state of play atKirwan. The vacancies at the Kirwan Hospitalfor specialist obstetric and gynaecological staffare rapidly being filled. The House is alreadyaware that the offer made to the new Directorof Obstetrics and Gynaecology has beenaccepted. The new director will be Dr EricGreen, formerly of Adelaide's Modbury


Hospital, who will commence work at thehospital in the first week of 1997.

Similarly, the House is aware that Dr PeterKraus, formerly of Windsor, Sydney, has beenappointed as staff specialist. Dr Kraus iscurrently a staff specialist at the NepeanDistrict Hospital in Penrith. I also welcome DrKraus to north Queensland. Further to this, Iam now in a position to advise the House ofthe third appointment of Dr David Watson ofthe Cairns Base Hospital, who has also beenappointed to the position of staff specialist.These appointments are proof of theGovernment's commitment to Kirwan.

Prior to these appointments, the districthas had no difficulty filling the vacant positionswith locum staff. There has been very littledisturbance to date of scheduledappointments for women, and the neonatalservice has not been affected at all. Inaddition, an offer has been made in respect ofthe last vacant position. We may be withindays of seeing obstetrics and gynaecologyfully staffed. We are now looking forward to abright future for Kirwan. All of this adds to thepressure on Mrs Spence to unreservedlyapologise to the women of north Queensland.She should have the guts to do so.

Grazing Industry

Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg)(7.22 p.m.): This week saw a sell-out of amajor rural industry, the grazing industry, withthe State Government selling off or divestingitself of public-owned abattoirs, which are thefourth-largest meat processors in Australia.The result will be 800 jobs lost Statewide, with700 that are on the floor in any one day. Aswell, this will ensure that the grazing industry,and especially small producers, will be held toransom by foreign-owned processingcompanies—American-owned and Japanese-owned companies. Not only do they dominatethe abattoir industry, but they also undertakevertical integration with their own feedlots andproperties to process their own beef. Thismeans that Australians will be left out. Theywill be squeezed out of the industry. That willbe the result of this deliberate decision by theState Government to give total control toforeign companies.

Abattoirs provide a service to the grazingindustry and to many other aspects of ruralindustries. Graziers have always hadsomewhere to process their beef and stock,even when it was drought-affected stock.Truck loads and train loads of drought-affectedstock used to be taken to Cannon Hill to be

processed. Now, if there is no service industry,there will be no alternative but a bullet,because processing will not and cannot beguaranteed. Government owned abattoirshave always ensured a fair deal for graziers inrelation to weights, bruising andcondemnations. We cannot guarantee thatwith foreign-owned companies.

The Bundaberg abattoir is typical of thisservice. A total of 28 jobs could be lost froman area where there is 20 per centunemployment. Last year, 15,311 cattle,20,000 pigs, some lambs, and even goatswere processed there. Where will they beprocessed now? The closest place is Gympie,200 kilometres to the south. To the north,where do they go? It is at least 350 kilometresto Rockhampton. Many graziers will be withouta service.

Time expired.

Cooloola Sunshine Institute of TAFE

Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore)(7.24 p.m.): This week, members have heardof some of the important achievementsoccurring throughout TAFE Queensland as anoutcome of Minister Santoro's initiative. As themember for Maroochydore, I would like to addto these achievements by outlining what ishappening within the Cooloola SunshineInstitute of TAFE. Since the delivery of the1996 Budget, the Cooloola Sunshine Instituteof TAFE has witnessed a growing demand forits courses. This has seen an increase in arange of programs, including retail travel, finearts, architectural technology, applied science,construction, fashion and office administration.

Community and industry demand for andacceptance of these expanded courses is theresult of a number of initiatives occurring in theinstitute. These include—

greater flexibility in the delivery ofcourses—delivery which will be furtherenhanced in 1997 with the introduction offlexible delivery centres at Gympie andNambour;

a revitalised advisory structure, with theestablishment of an institute advisorycouncil—the result of a new TAFEinitiative instigated and launched earlierthis year by the Minister;

enhanced institute/business/communitylinks, with the appointment of threetraining services officers, who aredeveloping a number of high-level trainingprograms to meet the specific needs ofbusiness and industry; and

4198 Special Adjournment 14 Nov 1996

an extensive Capital Works Program of$20m, which will lead to the expansion ofthe Mooloolaba centre and theestablishment of a new campus atTewantin, construction of which isexpected to be completed by December1998.

Community, business and industrysupport has been a catalyst for a number ofother achievements and projects at theinstitute, ranging from the development of amentoring program for the institute's retailstudents to the enrolment of more than 100trainees as a result of the work of six instituteemployees who are assisting employers todeliver custom-designed training. As memberscan see, the institute is progressing at a greatpace, and by capitalising on these outcomesthe coalition is seeking ways to work betterwith staff and business communities. This willcater for future growth in the vocationaleducation and training needs of the diversecommunities serviced by the institute.

National Competition Policy

Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee) (7.27 p.m.):Under National Competition Policy, contractingout is promoted as being a panacea for manyof the so-called ills of the public sector.However, I happen to be one of the peoplewho believe that the public sector can deliverservices in an efficient and cost-effectivemanner. One of the interesting concepts withwhich employees are constantly beingconfronted is a proposition that it alwaysseems to be cheaper and more efficient to getsomeone else to do their work. I recently cameacross an instance in SEQEB where a localmanager presented figures to the employeeswhich demonstrated—and I use that termloosely—that even if they worked for nothing, itwould be cheaper to employ contractors to dotheir work. This madness has to be stopped. Ifwe believed half of the nonsense that is beingpeddled about contracting out, we would all gohome and pay someone else to do our workfor us.

Some interesting international studieshave cast doubt on much of the dogmasupporting contracting out. One academicstudy in the UK suggests that savings of up to20 per cent were achievable. Those figureshave been relied upon by the IndustryCommission here in Australia. However, amore recent comprehensive study by the UK

Audit Commission suggested that cost savingswere more in the order of only 7 per cent. Atthat level, the feasibility of contracting outbecomes marginal as productivity measures inthe work force are more than capable ofmeeting that level of improvement. There is nodoubt that contracting out makes sense inparticular circumstances. However, there isplenty of evidence to suggest that adopting anacross-the-board application of that policy isbad policy making that will lead to lowerstandards of service and quality, job lossesand ultimately increased costs to consumers.

John Paul College Awards Evening

Mr WOOLMER (Springwood)(7.29 p.m.): Thank you very much for yourindulgence, Mr Speaker. I rise tonight to paytribute to the teachers, staff and students ofwhat is commonly regarded as the John PaulCollege family. On Tuesday evening, I had thedistinct pleasure of attending the John PaulCollege awards evening held in Brisbane atthe Entertainment Centre. That venue hasbeen used by the school for the past twoyears because the auditorium at the schoolcannot fit in the over 2,000 people who attendthe awards evenings.

Mr FitzGerald: You were there.

Mr WOOLMER: Yes, I did attend.

I particularly congratulate the principal, MrCes Munns, and his wife, Noelene Munns, forthe hard work that they have put into that fineinstitution over the years. I congratulate alsothe current Chair of the Board, Mr DanGorman, and his predecessor, Harry Coleman,for their vision and foresight in establishingwhat is now undoubtedly one of the finestprivate schools in Queensland. I pay tributealso to Enid Bradley Spencer who has beenon the board of the school since its formationin 1978. For some many years now Enid, whoI think is now 83 years of age——

Time expired.

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT

Mr FITZGERALD (Lockyer—Leader ofGovernment Business) (7.30 p.m.): I move—

"That the House, at its rising, doadjourn until 9.30 a.m., Tuesday, 26November 1996."Motion agreed to.

The House adjourned at 7.30 p.m.

14 Nov 1996 Questions on Notice 4199

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE951.Mr L. McPherson

Mr BARTON asked the Minister for Police andCorrective Services and Minister for Racing(8/10/96)—With reference to conflicting reports from him andthe National Crime Authority regarding on goinginvestigations into Gold Coast assets owned by theestate of recently deceased Sydney crime figure LenMcPherson—(1) Who gave him the information that an

investigation into McPherson's assets waspresently being conducted by the NCA under acode-name of Sugar?

(2) When did he receive this information?(3) Why has the NCA denied that their

investigations are dealing with McPherson'sassets rather they are directed at his generalcriminality?

(4) How does he explain the conflict between hisstatements and those of the NCA?

(5) Is there any action pending from operationWallah that may involve McPherson's GoldCoast assets?Mr Cooper (5/11/96):

(1) This information was provided by the Manager(Investigations) of the Brisbane office of the NationalCrime Authority to the Detective Inspector, Fraudand Corporate Crime Squad. That investigation wasnot code-named 'Sugar', but carried out under thegeneral reference of that name.(2) This information was provided by the ActingCommissioner of Police on 18 September 1996 inresponse to Question on Notice number 732.(3) The original question specifically requestedinformation concerning the 'ill-gotten gains' ofMcPherson. For this reason the answer providedspecifically referred to the assets of McPherson.However, the NCA investigation was directed atMcPherson's general criminality, but as with all suchinvestigations, proceeds of crime issues follow as anatural consequence. (4) The perceived conflict has been explained in theanswer to the previous question. The important issuehere is that as the NCA had charged McPherson withoffences prior to his death, they are the only agencycapable of pursuing any conviction based forfeitureapplications.(5) No action can be taken against McPherson'sassets from Operation Wallah or any otherinvestigation unless charges were laid prior to hisdeath. As such only the NCA or, having regard to thenature of the charges, the Australian Taxation Office,are in a position to take action.

952. Criminal Justice Commission, Attachmentof Police OfficersMr LIVINGSTONE asked the Minister for

Police and Corrective Services and Minister forRacing (8/10/96)—With reference to the significant number of servingpolice officers that are currently attached to theCriminal Justice Commission—

(1) What is the current number?(2) Is it intended to leave the same full strength of

police attached to the Criminal JusticeCommission; if not, how many will bewithdrawn?

Mr Cooper (5/11/96):

(1) 79 police officers were assigned to the CriminalJustice Commission as at 1 October 1996.(2) There is no current proposal to vary the CriminalJustice Commission police strength.

956.Police Stations and Watch-housesMr BRISKEY asked the Minister for Police and

Corrective Services and Minister for Racing(8/10/96)—

With reference to capital works at Queensland PoliceService stations and watchhouses—

(1) Why has the Queensland Police Serviceabandoned plans to build (a) a $2m replacementpolice station and watchhouse at Dunwich, (b) a$3.504m replacement police station andwatchhouse at Cleveland, (c) a replacement$900,000 watchhouse at Pormpuraaw and (d) areplacement $700,000 watchhouse at Roma?

(2) What was the greater demonstrated need for areplacement district headquarters andwatchhouse at Gladstone, as opposed to theabandoned facilities at Dunwich, Cleveland,Pormpuraaw and Roma?


(1) In 1995 the previous government introduced anAccelerated Capital Works Program for the purposeof stimulating the construction industry. Thisprogram sought to introduce projects that were notoriginally identified in the 1995/96 Capital WorksProgram but which could be brought forward. Withthe exception of Cleveland, the projects referred towere not listed in the 1995/96 Budget Papers butwere identified as projects that could be broughtforward. This decision was based on a financialpriority as opposed to operational priorities. As such,these projects did not reflect the Queensland PoliceService's highest priorities.

Nevertheless, the projects are still reflected in theQueensland Police Service's Forward Capital Worksprogram.

Dunwich was one such project that was broughtforward in the Accelerated Capital Works Programbut has since been deferred in favour of projectswith a higher operational priority.

Cleveland has not been abandoned and remains apriority for the Queensland Police Service.Negotiations are proceeding with Council regardingthe acquisition of a suitable site. Once these issuesare resolved planning will proceed for thereplacement Cleveland Police Station andWatchhouse.

Investigations have been undertaken to determinewhether the Pormpuraaw Watchhouse should bereplaced or upgraded. It is currently an elementwithin the Police Service's Centralised Watchhouse

4200 Questions on Notice 14 Nov 1996

Upgrade Program, which forms part of the CapitalWorks Program.Plans for a new watchhouse in Roma have not beenabandoned. Investigations have determined that anew watchhouse is required. The cost of this facilityis such that it has been removed from the CentralisedWatchhouse Upgrade Program and now appears as aline item in its own right on the Capital WorksProgram.

(2) A replacement district headquarters andwatchhouse at Gladstone have always beenidentified as a higher operational priority thanDunwich. However, a number of significant issuesare being addressed in a predesign study beforeGladstone can be progressed. All other projects arereceiving due attention as detailed above.

957. Ministers and Ministerial Staff,Government Vehicles

Mr HAMILL asked the Deputy Premier,Treasurer and Minister for The Arts (8/10/96)—

With reference to her responsibility for Ministerialoffice expenses—(1) Which members of Ministerial staff are entitled

to a Government vehicle as part of theirconditions of employment?

(2) How many vehicles are allocated to Ministerialoffices for the use of Ministerial staff and howare these vehicles distributed among Ministerialoffices?

(3) How many vehicles are allocated to Ministersfor official and electorate use and what is thetotal number of such vehicles used by CabinetMinisters?

(4) What is the anticipated cost of sales tax for (a)Ministerial and (b) Ministerial staff vehicles in1996-97?

Mrs Sheldon (7/11/96):

(1) Ministerial Staff in the positions of Senior PolicyAdviser, Senior Media Adviser or their equivalent areentitled to a car as part of their conditions ofemployment.(2) There are 41 vehicles allocated to Ministerialoffices for the use of Ministerial staff and aredistributed as follows :

Office of the Premier—5

Office of the Deputy Premier—3Office of the Minister for Police, CorrectiveServices and Racing—2

Office of the Minister for Economic and TradeDevelopment—2

Office of the Minister for Sport, Recreation andEmergency Services—2

Office of the Minister for Transport—2Office of the Minister for Employment, Training& Industrial Affairs—2

Office of the Minister for Minerals andEnergy—2

Office of the Minister for Primary Industries—2

Office of the Minister for Health—3Office of the Minister for Education—2Office of the Minister for Environment—2

Office of the Attorney-General and Minister forJustice—2Office of the Minister for Families, Youth andCommunity Care—2

Office of the Minister for Public Works andHousing—2Office of the Minister for Local Government—2Office of the Minister for Small Business andTourism—2

Office of the Minister for Natural Resources—2(3) There are 18 Chauffeur driven vehicles, 5electorate vehicles, giving a total of 23.

(4) The anticipated cost of sales tax for (a) Ministerial vehicles is $42,366.00 and,(b) Ministerial Staff vehicles is $46,014.00.

958. Guidelines Regarding Provision ofInfrastructure by Private Sector

Mr FOURAS asked the Deputy Premier,Treasurer and Minister for The Arts (8/10/96)—With reference to the statement by the Under-Treasurer, Doug McTaggart of the need to furtherpromote the opportunities for the private sector tobecome involved in infrastructure provision—(1) Why have the guidelines for private sector

provision of infrastructure promised by theUnder-Treasurer to be made available in Augustbeen delayed?

(2) When will these guidelines be made available?Mrs Sheldon (7/11/96):

(1) The objective is to provide the private sectorwith a clear framework for its involvement in publicsector infrastructure delivery in a manner whichensures that the Government achieves the bestpossible outcome for the public in every instance.To achieve this outcome, the policy developmentprocess must necessarily involve:

extensive consultation within the public sectorto ensure that the particular needs of the broadrange of service areas within Government arefully addressed;appropriate steps to ensure that the frameworkis consistent with other key policy initiativescurrently under consideration by theGovernment, including the State Strategic Plan,the State Economic Development Strategy, therecommendations of the Commission of Audit;and

following agreement by Government agencieson the draft framework, extensive consultationwith private sector stakeholders, commencingwith the Infrastructure Association ofQueensland members of the jointGovernment/private sector working groupestablished to oversee development of theguidelines.


(2) The guidelines will be made available for widerconsultation following firm agreement on their formand content by the joint Government/private sectorworking group.

959.State Budget, Advertisement

Mr HOLLIS asked the Deputy Premier,Treasurer and Minister for The Arts (8/10/96)—With reference to a budget advertisement placed bythe Government in the Peninsula Post on 12September which stated "No increase in average taxper person"—

Will she explain for the benefit of the many Redclifferesidents who have contacted me complaining of herincreased and new taxes, how she arrived at thestatement "No increase in average tax per person"?

Mrs Sheldon (7/11/96): Consolidated Fundcollections of taxes, fees and fines are estimated tobe $4,364 million in 1996-97. Once the impacts ofunderlying price increases and population growth aretaken into account, ie. collections are calculated on areal per capita basis, the average tax burden isestimated to be $1,294.63 per person.This represents no real change from the 1995-96average, in real per capita terms, of $1,294.64 perperson.

In contrast, the average tax burden in real per capitaterms increased from $929.76 in 1989-90 to$1,294.64 in 1995-96. That is, the average State taxbill paid by Queenslanders increased over this periodby an average of 5.7% in real per capita terms eachyear.

961. Acacia Ridge Police Station; MountGravatt Police Station

Mr ROBERTSON asked the Minister forPolice and Corrective Services and Minister forRacing (8/10/96)—

(1) What numbers of operational police arerostered on duty at the Mount Gravatt PoliceStation and the Acacia Ridge Police Station?

(2) What were the numbers at each of thesestations for each month since July 1995?

(3) What is the current number and nature ofavailable vehicles for each shift at each of thesepolice stations?

(4) What is the rank of each of the officers at thesestations?

(5) What is the current police to population ratio inthe areas covered by each of these policestations and what were the ratios in July 1995?

(6) Why has he broken his election promise byrefusing to build a new police station in theSunnybank electorate in his Government's firstterm of office?

Mr Cooper (5/11/96): It should be noted thatUpper Mount Gravatt Police Station is a DistrictHeadquarters and that, with the exception of generalduties personnel, officers from other organisations

listed below operate throughout the Upper MountGravatt District.(1) The following numbers supplied are averages forany 24 hour period since July 1995.

Upper Mount. Gravatt Police Station:

General Duties 6:00 am to 2:00 pm—3

7:00 am to 3:00 pm—3

2:00 pm to 10:00 pm—53:00 pm to 11:00 pm—2

10:00 pm to 6:00 am—5

In addition to the above, a supervising sergeantis drawn from District resources and operatesduring afternoon and night shifts.Upper Mount Gravatt Juvenile Aid Bureau

7:00 am to 3:00 pm—1

8:00 am to 4:00 pm—22:00 pm to 10:00 pm—2

Night work—One officer is supplied eachmonth to perform duty with a CIB member onthe regional night wireless vehicle.

South Brisbane District Traffic Branch7:00 am to 5:00 pm—4

10:00 am to 8:00 pm—3

2:00 pm to 12:00 am—7

3:00 pm to 1:00 am—3South Brisbane District Inquiry Office

8:00 am to 4:00 pm—3

2:00 pm to 10:00 pm—2South Brisbane District Criminal InvestigationBranch

6:00 am to 2:00 pm—2

8:00 am to 4:00 pm—62:00 pm to 10:00 pm—4

4:00 pm to 12:00 am—2

10:00 pm to 6:00 am—2The shifts and staff numbers at the SouthBrisbane District Criminal Investigation Branchare averages over the total period. In recentmonths a 1800—0200 shift has been worked onFriday evenings by 2 personnel to ensure anoverlapping of shifts during busy periods.

Upper Mount. Gravatt Scenes of Crime

7:00 am to 1:00 pm—18:00 am to 4:00 pm—2

2:00 pm to 10:00 pm—1 (the officerperforming this shift remains on call untilthe following morning)

Metropolitan South Regional Crime Unit:7:00 am to 1:00 pm—2

8:00 am to 4:00 pm—4

2:00 pm to 10:00 pm—2


The Metropolitan South Regional Crime Unitconsists of personnel who are seconded on asix monthly basis from other establishmentswithin the Metropolitan South Region. The unithas no allotted positions. Acacia Ridge Police Station:

12:00 am to 8:00 am—28:00 am to 4:00 pm—34:00 pm to 10:00 pm—24:00 pm to 12:00 am—2

(2) Numbers of operational police have generallyremained constant at all establishments listed sinceJuly 1995. From time to time numbers do, however,fluctuate due to leave, training, etc. (3) The details of shifts, number of vehicles andoutline of duties are supplied in respect of the UpperMount Gravatt police station:

6:00 am to 2:00 pm—one police car for uniformpatrol7:00 am to 3:00 pm—one police car for uniformpatrol2:00 pm to 10:00 pm—two police cars for useby uniform patrol and supervisor3:00 pm to 11:00 pm—one police car foruniform patrol10:00 pm to 6:00 am—two police cars foruniform patrols

The Upper Mount Gravatt Juvenile Aid Bureau hastwo unmarked cars for all shifts.South Brisbane District Traffic Branch

7:00 am to 5:00 pm—one police car and onemotorcycle for patrol and radar10:00 am to 8:00 pm—one police car and onemotorcycle for patrol and radar2:00 pm to 12:00 am—two police cars and twomotorcycles for patrol and radar3:00 pm to 1:00 am—one heavy specialpurpose vehicle

South Brisbane District Inquiry Office:8:00 am to 4:00 pm—two vehicles for uniformand hospital inquiries2:00 pm to 10:00 pm—one vehicle for uniformand hospital inquiries

South Brisbane District Criminal Investigation Branch6:00 am to 2:00 pm—one unmarked car for CIBduties8:00 am to 4:00 pm—two unmarked cars forCIB duties2:00 pm to 10:00 pm—two unmarked cars forCIB duties4:00 pm to 12:00 am—one unmarked car forCIB duties10:00 pm to 6:00 am—one unmarked car forCIB duties

The Upper Mount Gravatt Scenes of Crime has twounmarked vehicles for all shifts.

The Metropolitan South Regional Crime Unit has twounmarked vehicles for all shifts.

The Acacia Ridge Police Station has two markedpatrol cars for general duty policing.(4) Upper Mount. Gravatt General Duties

Senior Sergeant, in charge—1

Senior Sergeant, operational—1

Sergeants, operational—10

Senior Constables, operational—7

Constables, operational—17

Upper Mount. Gravatt Juvenile Aid Bureau

Detective Senior Sergeant, in charge—1

Detective Sergeant—1

Detective/PC Senior Constables—3

Detective/PC Constables—2

South Brisbane District Traffic Branch


Senior Sergeant, operational—1

Sergeants—5

Senior Constables—12

Constables—8

South Brisbane District Inquiry Office


Sergeant, supervisor—1

Senior Constables—5 (includes one part-time member)

Constables—6 (includes one part-timemember)

Upper Mount Gravatt CIB

Detective Senior Sergeant—1

Detective Sergeants—2

Detective/PC Senior Constables—9

PC Constables—4

Upper Mount. Gravatt Scenes of Crime Office

Sergeant, in charge—1

Senior Constables, operational—5(includes one part-time member)

Constable—1Metropolitan South Regional Crime Unit

Detective/PC Sergeant—1

PC Senior Constables—4

PC Constables—4

Acacia Ridge General Duties


Sergeants—3

Senior Constables—7

Constables—14

(5) Upper Mount. Gravatt Division

Year Police Population Ratio

July 1995 40 53,427 1:1,335.67

July 1996 39 54,395 1:1,394.74


Acacia Ridge DivisionYear Police Population Ratio

July 1995 23 46,477 1:2,020.74

July 1996 26 48,313 1:1,858.19(6) The Government is not refusing to build a newpolice station in the Sunnybank electorate. Theconstruction of a police station at Calamvale remainson the Queensland Police Service's Ten Year CapitalWorks Program.

962.Courts Service Strategy

Mr WELLS asked the Attorney-General andMinister for Justice (8/10/96)—

With reference to the newsletter of the CatholicPrison Ministry Tikkun wherein it refers to beingconsulted by the Department of Justice regardingthe Courts Service Strategy for the Courts for thenext 15 years—

(1) Was the Queensland Justices and CommunityLegal Officers Association consulted as part ofthis process; if not, why not?

(2) Was the Justices of the Peace Councilconsulted in their statutory role under theJustices of the Peace and Commissioners forDeclaration Act; if not, why not?

(3) Was the Sunshine Coast Volunteer Justices ofthe Peace (Qualified) Group, who were untilrecently operating out of the MaroochydoreMagistrates Court, consulted in the process; ifnot, why not?

(4) What plans has the department to expand theJP Volunteers in the Magistrates Court system,including the provision of a room and facilities,similar to that provided to the Court supportservices?

(5) As plans were well established to commence JP(Qual) Volunteers in all major MagistratesCourts in Queensland, including the BrisbaneMagistrates Court, will he outline the future roleof community JPs in the Courts ServicesStrategy for the next 15 years, and on whatbases had this been determined?

(6) What group of JPs or individual JPs has eitherhe, his office or the Department of Justiceconsulted in this Court Services Strategy?

(7) What advice has been given by departmentalofficers in relation to the services that can beprovided by community JP (Quals) in theMagistrates Courts system in Queensland andwhat positions do these officers hold in thedepartment?

Mr Beanland (12/11/96):

(1) No. At the time consultation was taking place withvarious organisations in Queensland the QueenslandJustices and Community Legal Officers Associationwas in a difficult position as its affairs were beingadministered by a provisional liquidator. This was anunfortunate situation because this government seeksto work with the association. However, it was notappropriate to consult with them at a time when the

association was not in the position to reflect theviews of its members.

(2) Yes. An officer from the Courts Division met withthe President of the Justices of the Peace Council todiscuss the strategy.

(3) Yes. A member of the JP Volunteer Group fromMaroochydore, Mr Neville Jackson, was present atthe meeting with the President of the JP Council.

(4) Recently I introduced into this parliament theJustices of the Peace and Commissioners forDeclarations Amendment Act. The amendments tothe Act are designed to maintain the status quo whilethe Queensland Law Reform Commission considersthe present system in which Justices of the Peaceoperate. It would be inappropriate to generate plansto extend the JP Volunteers program until the LawReform Commission has finished its work.

(5) Again it would be inappropriate to make suchlong term plans until the Queensland Law ReformCommission has reviewed the role of Justices of thePeace in Queensland.

(6) As I indicated previously the President of theJustices of the Peace Council was consulted on thismatter and along with 34 different private,government, and quasi government organisations.

(7) The powers and authorities of Justices of thePeace (Qualified) have been spelt out in severalissues of the Justice Papers and staff of the Justicesof the Peace Branch reaffirm these powers andauthorities to any enquirer. The extent to whichcommunity Justices of the Peace (Qualified) exercisetheir powers and authorities varies from onecommunity to another; but there has been nodirection by any Departmental officer to change theexisting arrangements.

964.State High Schools, Enrolment

Mr ARDILL asked the Minister for Education(8/10/96)—

(1) How many State high schools in Queenslandhave less than 300 students enrolled?

(2) Where are these schools located?

Mr Quinn (6/11/96): (1) & (2) There are 21 statehigh schools in Queensland with less than 300students enrolled. These schools are locatedthroughout the Capricornia, Darling Downs,Metropolitan East, Metropolitan West, Northern,North Western, Sunshine Coast, South Western andWide bay regions of the Department of Education.

965. Transport and Main Roads Department,Corporate Services Sections

Mr ELDER asked the Minister for Transportand Main Roads (8/10/96)—

With reference to his claim that there were no extracosts involved in the separation of Main Roads fromthe Department of Transport, even for such items asthe establishment of new executive offices, printingof new stationery or creation of additionalpositions—


What measures has he put in place to ensure that theCorporate Services Sections in both theDepartments of Transport and Main Roads, which areapparently half the size of the former QueenslandTransport Corporate Services Directorate, will notbegin to grow back towards their original size?

Mr Johnson (7/11/96): I have been advisedthat there were one-off costs incurred in theestablishment of the Departments of Transport andMain Roads. These costs related to thedetermination of the mechanics of deamalgamation,the establishment of separate departmental identities,and necessary changes to business systems.

The Corporate Services functions of the twodepartments have been either split or shared. Thedecisions made to split services have been takenbecause they offer a driving role for the newdepartments which may mean operating differentlyfrom the past. The decisions made to share serviceshave been taken because opportunities exist toachieve greater efficiency and a reduction in costs.Therefore the comparison of the sizes of the twodepartments' Corporate Services functions inrelation to the former Queensland Transport may bemisleading.

The deamalgamation of Corporate Services wasguided by a clear protocol, signed by the respectiveDirectors-General, which stressed cooperation andcommitment to ensuring the success of thedeamalgamation and the future success of bothdepartments. The focus of Corporate Services inboth departments is adding value to the businessunits to enable them to meet their objectives. Theassessment of relevance to, and best value for,business units will be monitored through thebenchmarking of services in the public and privatesector. Where formal service agreements are in placefor shared services, the 'buyer' can exercise theirauthority in ensuring value for money services arereceived.

The recent funding constraints in themselves ensurethat the departments cannot afford to expand theirCorporate Services areas. Mechanisms in place tofurther ensure the departments Corporate Servicesdo not inappropriately grow in size also include:

Resources employed in corporate services aremanaged through a separate program, withclear deliverables and funding allocations,

The benchmarking of services will be used tomonitor performance and judge best value,

A process of determining fair prices for serviceswill be used to monitor costs borne by businessunits, and

Program evaluation will formally examine theeffectiveness and value for money issues.

966.Police Resources, Townsville

Mr SMITH asked the Minister for Police andCorrective Services and Minister for Racing(8/10/96)—

(1) What is the current position regarding thePolice Beat services in Townsville as according

to reports, there were highly successful trials ofPolice Beat services in Toowoomba and atWest End and they are expected to beexpanded to Townsville?

(2) How many positions have been called forTownsville?

(3) When are they likely to be filled?

(4) What areas will be covered by Police Beats andhow were they selected?

(5) Over the last 12 months what have been thetotal number of police committed to CentralBusiness District patrols in Townsville,particularly through the Flinders Mall PoliceShopfront?

(6) What were the total number of hours ofcommitment to these patrols, and how does thiscompare with police CBD patrols in comparablecentres, such as Cairns and the Gold Coast?


(1, 2, 3 & 4) As part of proposals to expand PoliceBeat services to other areas, three beat areas werenominated for Townsville, these being North Ward,Garbutt and Aitkenvale. These areas were chosenfollowing a detailed analysis of calls for servicewithin the greater Townsville area which wasconducted in mid 1995. Six additional seniorconstable positions were advertised in theQueensland Police Gazette for the beat positions butexpansion of the project was deferred following thechange of Government, pending a reassessment ofpolicing priorities. As part of that assessment, it wasdecided to defer further consideration of the projectuntil 1997/98, in order to accord higher priority toother initiatives in 1996/97. These initiatives includedthe Police Staffing Plan which will provide increasedoperational policing services to the communitythrough the provision of extra police officers andongoing civilianisation of the service to releasepolice for operational duties,and the establishment ofthe North Queensland Campus of the QueenslandPolice Academy which was opened on 20 October1996 with an initial intake of 40 recruits as part of theGovernment's commitment to increase policestrength to 2,780 by the year 2005.

(5) Since the official opening of the Flinders MallShopfront on 21 April 1995, two police officers havebeen permanently located at that establishment.These officers are responsible for the generalpolicing of the Central Business District ofTownsville with a primary focus on beat patrolling.

These officers are supplemented from time to timewith other personnel for the purpose of targetpatrolling.

The Shopfront's strength also includes a permanentadministrative officer.

(6) Both police officers in the Shopfront work astandard 40 hour week.

The establishments for all Shopfronts throughoutQueensland are identical. These may besupplemented, however, at the discretion ofRegional Assistant Commissioners to meet thedemands of local circumstances.


970.Class SizesMr BREDHAUER asked the Minister for

Education (8/10/96)—

With reference to information recently provided byhim on class sizes in Queensland—

Will he provide a breakdown on a region by regionbasis of class sizes above the recommended levelsas at the February effective enrolment returns in1995-96?

Mr Quinn (6/11/96): Classes above targetsize—

Region 1995 1996

Sunshine Coast 206 212Metropolitan West 339 328Metropolitan East 367 268Darling Downs 100 69South Western 8 12Wide Bay 121 124Capricornia 110 134Northern 128 123North Western 29 8Peninsula 102 76South Coast 351 290

972.Asbestos in Government Buildings

Mr SCHWARTEN asked the Minister forPublic Works and Housing (8/10/96)—

With reference to problems of asbestos inGovernment buildings in Rockhampton—

(1) Has there been an audit carried out of allpublicly-owned buildings, especially schools, todetermine the presence of asbestos and thehealth risk associated with its presence; if so,what is the result of this audit, i.e. is there apriority list for the treatment of this problem?

(2) If not, when will such an audit be carried out?

(3) Are there personnel from Q-Build trained tomanage asbestos identification and removal at aregional level and are these employeescurrently working on an asbestos removalprogram?

(4) What is the budget for asbestos removal andproblem management in the Capricornia region?

(5) What schools in Rockhampton have beenidentified as having asbestos problems andwhen will these problems be addressed?

Mr Connor (7/11/96):

(1) Approximately fourteen (14) asbestos auditscomprising of 268 publicly-owned buildings havebeen carried out in the local Rockhampton area. Four(4) schools have been audited in the localRockhampton area. Results of the 14 "audits" carriedout are detailed in the Building Management Plan(BMP) which is held on each site. The BMP is heldby the Client Department's Nominated Officer.

(2) Audits are progressively being carried out.

(3) Q-Build employees working on the AsbestosManagement Program have been specifically trainedby experienced staff. These personnel are not

trained as asbestos removalists, they are trained tomanage contractors who undertake removals.(4) Funding for asbestos removal and problemmanagement in the Capricornia Region is theresponsibility of each department as part of theAnnual Maintenance Program and is on an as needsbasis.

(5) There have been no asbestos materials classifiedin the Immediate ("asbestos problems") category inRockhampton schools audited. Asbestos containingmaterials found in schools are to be managed asrecommended in the Building Management Plan.

973.Regional Libraries, Book Stock

Mr FOLEY asked the Deputy Premier,Treasurer and Minister for The Arts (8/10/96)—

With reference to the Government's slashing offunds for purchase of book stock for regionallibraries from $2m in 1995-96 to $1m in 1996-97—(1) How many books will be unable to be

purchased as a result of this $1m budget cut?

(2) Did she consult with regional libraries and localGovernment authorities prior to cutting thisgrant for book purchase; if so, with whatlibraries and regional authorities did she consultand what was their feedback to her?

(3) What possible justification could there be forthis savage cut affecting regionalQueenslanders?Mrs Sheldon (7/11/96):

(1) The previous government increased baselinefunding for local governments for public libraries byan additional $2.0m as a new initiative in 1994-95.During the budget process this year, all existinginitiatives were reviewed. The 1996-97 allocation ofbaseline funding for public libraries will be $14.380m.This represents only a marginal reduction onprevious years and not the $1m suggested.

(2) A review of the public libraries grant scheme hasalready commenced. The review is examining theeffectiveness of Queensland Government supportfor the continued development of public libraries.There is a Treasury representative on the reviewcommittee, and representatives of both localgovernment and regional libraries. A process ofregional consultation will culminate in a report for myconsideration, which I shall receive early in 1997.(3) It has been necessary for the government tobring the budget under control, and it would beunrealistic to expect the Arts portfolio to be exemptfrom that process.

975.Police Resources, Gold CoastMrs ROSE asked the Minister for Police and


With reference to his statements that extra police willbe forthcoming to the Gold Coast Region—

(1) How many extra police will be allocated to theGold Coast?


(2) How many of these additional police will beallocated to Coolangatta?

(3) How many extra civilian staff will be employedby the police on the Gold Coast and inCoolangatta?


(1) The Gold Coast District has an authorisedstrength of 480 police officers. The actual strengthof the District as at 1 October 1996 was 463 policeofficers. The next graduation of 117 officers from theQueensland Police and Emergency ServicesAcademy will take place on 29 November 1996. Atotal of 13 First Year Constables will be allocatedfrom this group to perform duties within the GoldCoast District. Allocations of First Year Constablesare made on a District level only.(2) This financial year the overall strength of theService is to be increased by 139 police positions.While a final decision in regard to the distribution ofthese additional positions has not yet been made,operational policing and direct service delivery to thecommunity remain priorities for the Service and willbe considered in the determination of appropriateallocations. Accordingly, the Gold Coast District willbe allocated a proportion of the total number ofavailable positions in line with the respectiveoperational needs of Districts across the State. TheRegional Assistant Commissioners have thediscretion to determine the most appropriateallocation of staff within the divisions in their regions.The impact of any increases as a result of thisallocation is unlikely to be felt prior to June 1997 dueto the time involved in recruiting and trainingadditional officers.

(3) The implementation of the civilianisation programis proceeding in the 1996/97 financial year with thedistribution of Communication Room Operators inRegional centres to be effected in mid April 1997.This distribution will include the placement of 8Communications Room Operators within the GoldCoast District Communications Centre atBroadbeach and will enable the release of policeofficers from these support roles back to operationalduties. At this time it is not proposed to placeadditional civilian positions within the Coolangattadivision.

978. Education Department, MaintenanceAllocation

Ms BLIGH asked the Minister for Public Worksand Housing (8/10/96)—

With reference to the $55m maintenance allocationfor the Education Department, currently held andexpended by Q-Build—(1) Will these funds be transferred to the Education

Department during 1996-97?

(2) Will individual State schools be untied from Q-Build for maintenance and buildingrequirements during 1996-97?

(3) What effect will any transfer of funds toeducation, and the untying of schools from thecurrent requirement to use Q-Build, have on thestaffing and workloads of Q-Build?

(4) Will any other departments be untied in 1996-97?Mr Johnson (7/11/96):

(1) Maintenance funds have been quarantined forindividual Departments including the Department ofEducation for 1996/97.

(2) No.

(3) Not applicable.

(4) No.

979.Power Supply, Daintree Region

Mr WELFORD asked the Minister forEnvironment (8/10/96)—

With reference to the proposal by the Minister forMines and Energy to construct a large scale programof highly subsidised power lines through theDaintree Region of Far North Queensland—

(1) Is he aware or has he been advised of anyadverse impacts of such power lines on worldheritage values or local endangered species; ifso, what are those impacts?

(2) Who will commission and who in Governmentwill oversee the environmental impactassessment process?

(3) What is the timetable, and what arrangementsare in place for public participation for the EISprocess?

(4) What action will he take to stop this taxpayerfunded destruction of the environment?

Mr Littleproud (6/11/96):

(1) The Minister for Mines and Energy hasannounced that he will be seeking "in principle"Cabinet approval for the proposed powerline prior toan environmental impact assessment study beingundertaken.

The Wet Tropics Management Authority hasprovided advice to me of possible environmentalimpacts of extending grid electricity north of theDaintree River. However, this advice was givenbefore the Authority was provided with anyinformation about the proposed extension. Theenvironmental impact assessment announced by theMinister for Mines and Energy will provide the meansfor identifying and addressing potential impacts.

(2) The Far North Queensland Electricity Board willbe the agency responsible for overseeing theenvironmental impact assessment process undersection 29 of the State Development and PublicWorks Organisation Act 1971. The environmentalimpact assessment process will be undertakenaccordance with the policies and administrativearrangements put in place by the Department of thePremier and Cabinet and will involve extensiveconsultation with advisory groups (including State,Federal and local government agencies, environmentand community groups and affected propertyowners).

In particular, the environmental impact assessmentprocess will require FNQEB to undertake thefollowing processes—


prepare a detailed terms of reference inconsultation with the advisory groups;

commission an independent consultant toundertake and prepare a draft environmentalimpact study in accordance with the terms ofreference;

publicly release the draft environmental impactstudy report and allow advisory groups tocomment on the report;

finalise the environmental impact study reportbased on submissions (which determineswhether to proceed with the line and, if so, thepreferred route); and

develop an Environmental Management Plan(covering the construction and operationalrequirements of the project) to minimise theenvironmental impacts

(3) These details will be determined and announcedfollowing consideration of the Cabinet submission tobe presented by the Minister for Mines and Energy.

(4) See above.

980.Jinibara State School

Mr HAYWARD asked the Minister forEducation (8/10/96)—

With reference to the estimated 1997 studentpopulation of 400 at Jinibara State School—

(1) When will Block D construction commence?

(2) Will this construction be completed beforeschool starts in 1997 to cater for anticipatedschool enrolment growth?

(3) What further commitment will he make inensuring the provision of appropriate andadequate classroom accommodation to JinibaraState School students given the demographicestimates provided?

Mr Quinn (6/11/96):

(1) Construction commenced on 24 September1996.

(2) The contractor has programmed the work to meetthe commencement of the 1997 school year,excepting certain unforseen events such asprolonged wet weather.

(3) Demographic analysis indicates that theanticipated enrolment for the start of the 1997 schoolyear will necessitate the provision of an additionaltwo classrooms. Planning is now in progress toprovide a relocatable classroom building in additionto the construction of the permanent block.

982. Asbestos in Schools, Mount GravattElectorate

Ms SPENCE asked the Minister for PublicWorks and Housing (8/10/96)—

With reference to the asbestos removal programinitiated by the previous Government—

(1) What schools in the Mount Gravatt Electoratehave been inspected for asbestos?

(2) When were the inspections carried out andwhat was the result of these inspections?

(3) What action is he instituting to address thefindings of the inspections?

Mr Johnson (7/11/96):

(1) Five (5) audits have been completed to date.(2) The inspections were carried out from September1995 to June 1996. Results of "audits" carried out aredetailed in the Building Management Plan (BMP)which is held on each site. The BMP is held by theClient Department's Nominated Officer.

(3) Action has or is being taken that is consistentwith the results of the Building Management Plan(BMP).

983.Extended Drug Package

Mr PEARCE asked the Minister for EmergencyServices and Minister for Sport (8/10/96)—

With reference to the new Extended Drug Package,formerly known as the Remote Area Drug Package,which is intended to allow selected and speciallytrained Queensland Ambulance Officers to usecertain drugs, through consultation with a doctor, inareas where they are at least thirty minutes frommedical care—(1) What is the current status of the Extended Drug

Package in regional Queensland, in particular,Central Queensland?

(2) How many selected and specially trainedofficers are there in the region, in particular,those who are IV trained?

(3) What training programs have been put in placeto ensure that rural based QueenslandAmbulance officers are given every opportunityto upgrade their skills in this area?Mr Veivers (7/11/96):

(1) The Remote Area Drug Package is a programwhich allows an ambulance officer in isolatedlocations to administer drug therapy under theinstruction and direction of a medical practitioner.The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) hasapproved the new Extended Drug Package inprinciple and has written new clinical policies tocover the administration of the drugs. A trainingprogram is currently being developed which willallow the regions to upgrade the skills of theirofficers.

The Remote Area Drug Package, which is thepredecessor to the Extended Drug Package, willremain operational until the introduction of the newprogram.(2) The Central Region of the QAS has sixty (60)officers trained in the provision of IV fluidresuscitation. These officers operate under themedical direction of their local medical practitionerwho is responsible for the program. These officersare deployed at selected rural stations in the CentralRegion.

(3) The provision of the Extended Drug Package isdependent on the support of the local medicalpractitioner. The medical practitioner plays a critical


role in training the officers and thereafter acts as oneof a number of contact medical practitioners for theambulance officers to obtain approval before theadministration of any additional drugs. Where theprogram has the support of the local medicalpractitioner, the QAS will ensure all officers in rurallocations will be given every opportunity toparticipate in the program.

984. Complaints of Domestic Violence AgainstPolice Officers

Mr CAMPBELL asked the Minister for Policeand Corrective Services and Minister for Racing(8/10/96)—With reference to a recent case where a New SouthWales policeman murdered his wife in Bald Hills,Queensland and with respect to the QueenslandPolice Service—

(1) Does the Police Service maintain records of thenumber of complaints regarding domesticviolence made against Queensland PoliceOfficers; if so, how many police officers havebeen involved in domestic violence in their owndomestic situations?

(2) Do these police have special training andundergo specific domestic violence programs?

(3) Are police, who have a history of personaldomestic violence allowed to respond todomestic violence situations; if so, why?

(4) Has the Queensland Police Service consideredimplementing the Duluth (USA) model or thevery successful model of handling domesticviolence in Aruncy, Massachusetts, USA wherethere has been no domestic violence murders inover 9 years?

Mr Cooper (5/11/96): (1) The Queensland Police Service maintains aComplaint Management System database whichidentifies all complaints made against Queenslandpolice officers. The system does not, however,differentiate between complaints made againstQueensland police officers who are perpetrators ofdomestic violence and complaints made againstpolice officers responding to incidents of domesticviolence.

All Domestic Violence Orders issued against policeofficers are brought to the attention of AssistantCommissioners and disciplinary action is takenagainst the officers where justified. Officers who arerespondent spouses in Domestic Violence Ordersare not permitted to possess either privately ownedor Service weapons.

The Assistant Commissioners maintain records ofthose officers who are named as respondentspouses in Domestic Violence Orders, however,these records are not kept in a form which allowsready statistical retrieval.(2) There are no mandatory domestic violenceprograms in place for Queensland police officerswho are perpetrators of domestic violence.Queensland police officers and their spouses mayreceive counselling from Human Services Officers

and can be referred to external domestic violenceprograms.

(3) A police officer who is named as a respondentspouse in a Domestic Violence Order is notpermitted to possess weapons. In many cases thisresults in the officer being redeployed fromoperational duties. Officers who are respondentspouses and continue in operational roles may bedirected to attend domestic violence incidents. TheQueensland Police Service expects its officers toact professionally at all times without regard to theirpersonal situations. Officers who allow their personalcircumstances to interfere with their professionalismmay be subject to disciplinary sanctions.

(4) The Queensland Police Service has, for sometime, been involved in the development of aresponse to domestic violence which draws fromsuccessful overseas models including the Duluth andQuincy models. The essential element in thesemodels is the provision of a coordinated, multi-agency response to domestic violence.

Strategies to improve liaison and cooperationbetween the courts system, domestic violencesupport and referral service and the QueenslandPolice Service are included in the Queensland PoliceService Domestic Violence Strategic Plan.

The Queensland Police Service is alreadyparticipating in coordinated responses to domesticviolence, including a pilot project in Townsville.Negotiations with other government departments,the Brisbane City Council and community groups aretaking place to establish a similar approach todomestic violence in the greater Brisbane area.

Other elements of the Duluth and Quincy modelshave been considered and adapted to the legalframework which applies to Queensland. Of mostrelevance to the Queensland Police Service is the'pro-arrest' policy frequently adopted in UnitedStates' jurisdictions. While the Duluth modelhighlights the desirability of arresting a domesticviolence perpetrator, Queensland law does notpermit the arrest of perpetrators as a routinemeasure. However, it is Queensland Police Servicepolicy that where sufficient evidence of a criminaloffence is available against a perpetrator of domesticviolence that criminal proceedings are taken againstthat person and this may involve the arrest of theperpetrator.

986. Woolcock Street Roadworks Project,Townsville

Mr SMITH asked the Minister for Transportand Main Roads (9/10/96)—

(1) Will he indicate what timeframe is planned forthe Woolcock Street roadworks project inTownsville, specifically when will tenders becalled in view of announcements that work issupposed to start in December?

(2) Will he also advise on programming for thecompletion of the northern approaches works,which are to link the Woolcock Street projectvia Ingham Road and Duckworth Street?


(3) More importantly, will these timeframes conformwith those announced by the previous Stateand Federal Governments?

(4) Will he give an undertaking regarding themissing link on Woolcock Street from DalrympleRoad through to Duckworth Street as this willbe a State Government responsibility andrequires a firm commitment as a follow-on tocomplete this important network?


(1) The Federal Government announced fundingapproval of $21.49 million for the Woolcock Streetand Duckworth Street projects in Townsville.I have recently confirmed State Government fundingfor this Townsville roads package, and I understandthe funding contribution from the Townsville CityCouncil is in the final stages of an agreement.

Tenders for the bridgeworks and associated precastconcrete bridge components were called on 28September 1996. Subject to the normal tenderassessment processes, the concrete productsmanufacturing will commence in December 1996, andworks under the bridgeworks contract will start inJanuary 1997.

(2) This total Townsville roads package will bedelivered under a number of separate contracts.Dates for Calling Tenders

a. Bridges over Louise Creek and the railspur—Sept. 1996 (called)

b. Drainage works in Duckworth Street—Oct.1996

c. Woolcock Street (Duckworth Street—Bohle)—Nov. 1996

d. Duckworth Street (Dalrymple Road—InghamRoad)—Nov. 1996

e. Woolcock Street (Duckworth Street—HughStreet)—June 1997

f. Ingham Road (Mather Street—Bohle)—Nov.1997

g. Shaw Road (Bruce Highway—Hind Road)—Nov. 1997

(3) Following the recent funding approvals by theFederal and State Governments, these projects areprogrammed for completion by December 1998, inaccordance with the commitments of the previousFederal and State Governments.(4) The extension of Woolcock Street betweenDalrymple Road and Duckworth Street will beconstructed to a four-lane divided road and will befunded by the State Government, with a contributionfrom Townsville City Council. As indicated above,tenders for these works are expected to be called inJune 1997 and construction is scheduled tocommence in October 1997 at an estimated cost of$7.8 million.

987.Winton-Hughenden Rail Line

Mr ELDER asked the Minister for Transportand Main Roads (9/10/96)—

(1) How regularly are services operating on theWinton to Hughenden line and what are thelevels of patronage for those services?

(2) What level of community service obligations isinvolved in supporting any services on theWinton to Hughenden line and what are themaintenance costs associated with that line?


(1) A scheduled service is provided from Hughendento Winton and return once a week. The normalloading on this train is approximately 200t trailingload, whereas a full train could haul around 800ttrailing load.

Livestock trains are provided on an as-required basisand 12 extra trains were run up and down during theperiod 1 January to 10 October 1996.

(2) The CSO requirement to support the servicesbetween Winton and Hughenden on this line sectionfor the 1994-95 financial year was $1.34 million.

At this stage, minimal maintenance is beingundertaken on the line section, and for the line toremain open, the following costs will need to beincurred:

Up front: $3.0 million

On going: $2.1 million per annum (CSOpayment)

989. Transport Minister; Election Promise toJilalan Railway Workers

Mr MULHERIN asked the Minister forTransport and Main Roads (9/10/96)—

With reference to the combined railway unionmeeting held at the Sarina Bowls Clubs on 24 March1995 at which he, then the Coalition's ShadowMinister for Transport, promised running crews atJilalan that if the Coalition won Government hewould guarantee them an 8-hour shift—

Will he honour his election promise?

Mr Johnson (7/11/96): Since that meeting atthe Sarina Bowls Club, Queensland Rail and unionshave been involved in continuous negotiations on aTraincrew Agreement. These negotiations involvedstate and local union officials and key QR managers.

The Agreement embraces a range of productivityinitiatives, in return for substantial remunerationincentives. This Agreement will enable QueenslandRail to meet the challenges of the future. Part of theAgreement involves working shift up to 11 hours forTwo Driver Operations, and 8 hours 45 minutes forDriver Only Operations, and when a Driver isrostered with a Driver's Assistant.

The package was taken to all traincrew employeesacross the State. These employees votedoverwhelmingly, by secret ballot, to accept theproposal. Given this situation and the financialbenefits accruing to Traincrew from this Agreement,it is unlikely that Traincrew at Jilalan or other depotswould wish to revert to 8 hour shifts, and thesubsequent loss of income and other improvedconditions.


990. Undurba Preschool, Speech TherapyServicesMr HAYWARD asked the Minister for

Education (9/10/96)—When will speech therapy services for Undurba PreSchool students commence?

Mr Quinn (6/11/96): During 1995 UndurbaState School was serviced by a therapist for one fullday per week over the whole year. When JinibaraState School was opened in 1996 all schools in thePine Rivers area were made aware that they wouldbe required to forego some service to enable theservicing of the new school, as there was noadditional time available. The situation was broughtto the attention of the appropriate principals' clusteron 5 December 1995. Consequently, at thebeginning of 1996 it was decided that Undurba StateSchool would drop from one full day (8:30am to4:30pm), to six hours (8:30am to 2:30pm).Schools in the Pine Rivers area are involved inprioritising the speech pathology needs of students.The speech and language pathologists respond tothese needs. This is a necessary process astherapists in the Sunshine Coast Region have carriedcaseloads of over 300 clients. This figure is outsidethe acceptable limit and is simply not manageable.The prioritisation is undertaken by the key contactpeople in the school with support from thetherapists. Priorities for the schools are clarified atthe beginning of each term.The principal of the school made a decision to utilisethe therapist in the primary section of the school,particularly the special education unit where therewere students who had speech needs identified intheir individual education programs. The preschoolwas to receive the services of the advisory visitingteacher for communication.The provision of this service has never ceased,however there has been some interruption to itsdelivery, as a result of the untimely resignation of thetherapist, on 6 September this year. Several stepshave been taken to fill this vacancy:(a) Eight applicants from an applicant pool assembledin June this year were contacted and each indicatedthat they had found other employment.(b) The Queensland therapist locum register wascontacted but was not able to supply a suitableapplicant.(c) Arrangements are under way to advertise theposition in newspapers. The Department willproceed to recruit a suitable applicant as soon aspossible.

991.Ipswich HospitalMr HAMILL asked the Minister for Health

(9/10/96)—With reference to the redevelopment of the IpswichHospital—(1) What is the total cost of this project?(2) What is the total contribution to be drawn from

the recurrent hospital budget to meet theGovernment's new "capital charging scheme"?

(3) Over what period will this capital charge bepaid?

(4) What was the actual spending of the IpswichHospital in 1995-96?

(5) What is the estimated spending of the IpswichHospital for 1996-97?Mr Horan (8/11/96):

(1) $75 million.(2 & 3) The Coalition is committed to modernisingand upgrading health care facilities; its capital worksbudget represents real outlays for real projects withachievable deadlines. By redeveloping facilities inthis way, the Coalition will achieve value for capitalinvestment, and improved outcomes for bothpatients and taxpayers. The Coalition's new and redeveloped hospitals willrun at considerably higher levels of efficiency andpatient service. Queensland Health will not shirk itsresponsibility to deliver the best possible healthservices at the lowest possible cost to theQueensland taxpayer. The approved capital fundingframework reflects this.The only capital charge which will apply will be thatto cover Labor's unfunded commitments: where yourLeaders, Messrs Beattie and Elder, overcommittedthe capital works fund by $1.2 billion. This capitalcharge is the cost of preventing the collapse ofQueensland's hospital infrastructure, the collapsewhich would have followed from the bankruptcy ofthe fund.(4) $47.241 million.(5) Information on hospital estimated 1996-97budgets, including the Ipswich Hospital estimated1996-97 budget, will not be available until 1996-97budget processes have been completed. Districts(and facilities/hospitals within Districts) are currentlyin the process of analysing budget details providedto them by Corporate Office. Estimatedfacility/hospital budgets will be determined after thisanalysis is complete and negotiations with theDirector-General on performance targets areconcluded. Districts will also access funds from theSurgery on Time and similar strategies as the yearprogresses.

992.Rural Fire BrigadesMr LIVINGSTONE asked the Minister for

Emergency Services and Minister for Sport(9/10/96)—With reference to recent complaints from rural firebrigades that they are underfunded and as a result,fear their effectiveness to fight bushfires will beimpeded—(1) Why is the 1996-97 Coalition Budget for rural

fires less than that set by Labor in 1995-96?(2) Does he agree with rural firefighters that

underfunding in the 1996-97 Budget will meanless fire protection in rural Queensland?

(3) Given this underfunding, does he now expectthat rural fire brigades will turn to localauthorities so that they can properly fund theiractivities?


Mr Veivers (7/11/96):

(1) The budget for the Rural Fire Division of theQueensland Fire Service (QFS) for 1996-97 is$6.364M. The Division's budget has not been cut.The current budget continues to be comprised ofthe agreed base funding, the Bushfire Auditinitiatives and an allocation from the Department ofEmergency Services indexed $10M new initiativeprovision. The Division's base funding increased by3.2% compared with 1995-96, from $2.716M to$2.803M.

(a) The initiative funding resulting from the BushfireAudit and approved by the previous Government isscheduled for reduction over a five year period. Theprevious government approved a reduction in thisfinancial year from $3.09M to $2.64M.

(b) The previous year's budget also included fundingof $0.860M by way of an election promise of theprevious Government. This initiative was intended toprovide:

(i) $0.74M for the provision of new rural firefightingappliances.

(ii) $0.07M for the provision of new communicationsequipment to rural fire brigades.

(iii) $0.05M for the provision of protective clothingfor rural firefighters.

Funding for the first year of this initiative (1996/97)was provided by Treasury from the ConsolidatedFund. The Department of Emergency Services wasdirected by the previous Government to fund thisinitiative in 1996/97 FY from the Department's internalinitiative fund (Tobacco Tax). As the funds from thissource had already been fully allocated, the formerGovernment's election promise could only be met bycutting other initiatives to which funds had alreadybeen committed. In other words, the formerGovernment's election promise was in effectunfunded for the 1996/97 FY.

(c) The previous year also included a once-offamount provided by the Commissioner, QFS fromthe urban fire budget.

(2) I do not agree that there will be less fireprotection in rural Queensland. It is pertinent to notethat the funding for the Rural Fire Division for thisyear is higher than the funding provided over four ofthe six years during which the previous Governmentheld office. This year will see general equipment,such as pumps and knapsacks valued at $1M,provided to brigades.

Fire protection is dependent upon more than justequipment. The permit to burn system employedover the last four decades will continue, as willtraining to the volunteer fire wardens and volunteerbrigade members.

(3) Legislation to enable local authorities to strike arural fire levy was enacted in 1994 and over 30 localauthorities already have a levy in place. It is up toeach local authority to determine throughconsultation with the local District Inspector and therural fire brigades whether a levy should be imposed,how much the levy should be and the disbursementof the levy money.

The Rural Fire Division has recently introduced aclassification system which will help in thecategorisation of each rural brigade into one of threecategories. The classification system alsorecommends the type and quantity of equipment fora brigade of each classification. The Division is usingthis classification system to more equitably distributeequipment funds and it is probable that brigades intruly rural areas of Queensland are now receiving agreater share of the available funds. Now that thisguideline has been introduced I encourage allcouncils to liaise with their local District Inspector tobetter determine how the needs of the local brigadescan be met.

993.Ambulance Subscriptions; Fire Levy

Mr SCHWARTEN asked the Minister forEmergency Services and Minister for Sport(9/10/96)—With reference to the Queensland AmbulanceService and the Queensland Fire Service—

(1) Will he guarantee that there will be no otherincreases other than CPI increases in theambulance subscriptions during 1996-97?

(2) Is he currently considering increases toambulance call-out charges to be implementedearly in 1997 or will he unequivocally rule outsuch increases?

(3) Will he guarantee that the fire levy will not beincreased other than by a CPI or less figureduring 1996-97?

Mr Veivers (7/11/96):

(1) You will be aware that a review of theQueensland Ambulance Service (QAS) is currentlybeing undertaken with a report expected in the nearfuture. This will also address the issue of QASsubscription rates and, until the report is receivedand considered by the Government, I am unable tocomment further in regard to QAS subscription rates.(2) This review will also consider the QAS fees forprovision of ambulance services to persons notcovered by a current ambulance subscription and,until the report is received and considered by theGovernment, I am unable to comment further inregard to QAS fees for provision of ambulanceservices.

(3) Increases on the fire levy for the 1996/97 periodhave been set at no more than 3.3%. This is in linewith CPI increases. There will be no increases abovethis figure for the 1996-97 period.

994.Fire Station, Hervey Bay

Mr NUNN asked the Minister for EmergencyServices and Minister for Sport (9/10/96)—

With reference to the Coalition promise made to thepeople of Hervey Bay that a 24-hour fire stationwould be provided when the Coalition tookGovernment—(1) Why has this promise not been kept?

(2) Does he intend to keep this promise; if so,when does he intend to keep it?


(3) What is the expected date of commencementof the 24-hour station?Mr Veivers (7/11/96): In response to the

specific questions made by Mr Nunn, I can advise asfollows:

Both the Torquay and Pialba Fire Stations currentlyprovide a 24-hour fire and rescue service to HerveyBay. Torquay has a total of 14 career firefighters,who provide an immediate response between 7.00amand 11.00pm and 10 auxiliary firefighters to cover theremaining 8 hours. Pialba is staffed by 10 auxiliaryfirefighters.

The Queensland Fire Service has adopted a flexiblestaffing strategy employing auxiliary and permanentfirefighters. This strategy matches resources toworkload patterns in a way that ensures Hervey Bayis provided with a service meeting national andinternational standards of service delivery.

Growth projections for Hervey Bay suggest that anincrease in the level of service delivery may becomenecessary at some time in the future. However, atthis stage it would be premature to change staffingarrangements at Torquay Fire Station.

995.Shaws Road, Townsville

Mr McELLIGOTT asked the Minister forTransport and Main Roads (9/10/96)—

With reference to the improvement of theThuringowa Drive—Dalrymple Road intersection andthe sealing of part of Shaws Road which has led to amassive increase in traffic volumes and given thatthere have been some 40 accidents, some fatal, onthe unsealed section of Shaws Road—

Will he give a firm undertaking that completion ofShaws Road will be given priority and will he give atimetable for completion of the work?

Mr Johnson (7/11/96): The construction ofShaws Road to a bitumen-sealed standard,extending from the Bruce Highway to Hind Road (anextension of Dalrymple Road) is scheduled forconstruction during 1998. Tenders are expected tobe called in November 1997.

The recent State Budget provides funding for thedesign of this project during 1996/97. Design hascommenced and will be completed by June 1997.

The project is currently programmed for completionin the second half of 1998.

The actual timing of the project will be reviewed inJune 1997, at which time options for advancing theworks will be considered.

996.Diesel Electric Locomotives

Mr ARDILL asked the Minister for Transportand Main Roads (9/10/96)—

Will he take action to correct a design fault in thenew 2800 class diesel electric locomotives, wherebywhen a beast is struck by the locomotive at runningspeed, the cowcatcher fails to throw the beast to theside of the train, and instead, allows it to pass underthe train leading to damage to the air system, and in

the case of passenger trains, to other seriousdamage?

Mr Johnson (7/11/96): The design of thecowcatcher on the new 2800 class diesel electriclocomotives is the same as existing QR locomotives,which means the cowcatcher is approximately100mm above rail height. Animals such as kangaroosand small cows can squeeze under the cowcatcherand generally no air equipment is damaged.

However, any beast, including kangaroos, that strikethe front of the locomotive (headstock), where theair connections for coupling to the adjacentlocomotives are located, is likely to cause damage. Ifpipes are broken, the driver can still take action toapply the brakes of the train. Loss of train air willbring on the train brakes. The new 2800 locomotiveis more susceptible to this damage due to themounting arrangement of the cocks. In addition, thebeast tends to roll along the side of the locomotive,where other air equipment is susceptible to damage.

The design of the 2800 locomotive did not take intoconsideration the high occurrences of beast strikes.It has also been suggested that the locomotive'sreduced noise level offers less warning to cattle.Older QR diesel locomotives are less susceptible todamage due to the use of more robust cocks,mounted flat against the face of the headstock and,in general, higher up. Many still have buffers fittedwhich offer protection, but a program to removebuffers has been in force for some time now as theyare considered unnecessary, and a safety issue. The2800 locomotive headstock design is similar toelectric locomotives.QR is currently reviewing the design of future 2800class locomotives, and modifying the existinglocomotives. Modifications include stronger cocks,improved mounting and added protection, and hasincluded the requirement for beast strike protection.

997.Prostitution LawsMr BARTON asked the Minister for Police and


With reference to the Special Operation Task Forceto monitor identifiable trends in prostitution relatedactivities, particularly where they relate to advertisingin regional newspapers and attempts to circumventexisting legislation and noting that advertising is stillwide spread (including in free suburban newspapers)(9/10/96)—

(1) What staff are attached to this unit?(2) What trends has this unit identified?

(3) How effective has the Police Service been inaddressing breaches of the laws onprostitution?

(4) What action is intended by the Police Serviceto address difficulties identified in policingcurrent prostitution laws?

(5) Does he intend to introduce amendments to thecurrent prostitution legislation in the near future;if so, what will be the basis of thoseamendments?


Mr Cooper (5/11/96): (1) The Special Operations Task Force is presentlystaffed by eight police officers and one staffmember.(2) The main trend identified by the Task Force hasbeen the closure of known large brothels. Withparticular reference to advertising in regionalnewspapers, certain trends have been identified. Thebulk of prostitution advertising is now drafted to givethe appearance of single person operations, incompliance with current legislative requirements.These advertisements are not normally overt inrelation to prostitution services. Advertisements arealso being placed in the Natural Therapies section ofsome newspapers.

(3) The Queensland Police Service has activelyenforced the current legislation relating toprostitution and, where breaches have beendetected, appropriate action has been taken. Duringthe period February 1993 to June 1996, some 190persons were charged with a total 715 charges bythe Special Operations Task Force. (4) & (5) I have already indicated my intention toreview the prostitution laws and I will keep youadvised as to progress.

999.Police Resources, Maryborough Mr DOLLIN asked the Minister for Police and


With reference to an increase in the funded strengthof police numbers for 1996-97 of 139—When does he intend to realise his commitmentduring the 1995 State Election that the MaryboroughPolice District needed another 88 police officers?

Mr Cooper (5/11/96): The CoalitionGovernment has given an undertaking to increase thestrength of the Queensland Police Service by 2780police officers over the ten year period commencingfrom the 1995/96 financial year. This increaseincludes an additional 800 police officers in the threeyear period from 1996/97 to 1998/99. This financialyear the overall strength of the Service is to beincreased by 139 police positions.While a final decision in regard to the distribution ofthese additional positions has not yet been made,operational policing and direct service delivery to thecommunity remain priorities for the Service and willbe considered in the determination of appropriateallocations. Accordingly, the Maryborough PoliceDistrict will be allocated a proportion of the totalnumber of available positions in line with therespective operational needs of Districts across theState.

1001. Police Beat Shopfront ProgramMr BRISKEY asked the Minister for Police and


With reference to the outstanding success of thePolice Beat Shop Front Program introduced by theLabor Government in 1993, and his intention to bring

the total number of permanent shop front locations inQueensland to 25 by 30 June 1997—(1) As this figure is substantially lower than the

Labor Government's intention of 32 permanentand 14 relocatable shop fronts by the samedate, does this mean the Coalition Governmentdoes not share the public's appreciation ofthese facilities; if so, why?

(2) What alternative measure does he propose toput in place to provide the Queenslandcommunity with the policing services theywould have received had Labor's proposalsbeen given full effect?

Mr Cooper (5/11/96): (1) The Coalition Government has continued tosupport the Police Beat Shopfront Program and hasprovided funding of $1.4m per year, an amountequivalent to the level of funding allocated by theprevious Government.

Nevertheless, the recurrent costs involved inoperating and maintaining these facilities havecontinued to escalate with the increases in thenumber of permanent shopfronts. Accordingly, theescalation in recurrent costs has impacted on theService's ability to establish more shopfronts.Consequently the budget allocation of $1.4m willonly allow three shopfronts to be opened in thecurrent financial year.

I would also point out that as more permanentshopfronts are opened, there is a decreased demandfor the portable shopfront modules. I am advised thatthe requirement for portable shopfront modules andPolice Beat is under review with the intention toremove portable facilities from service as from 1November 1996 in line with changing requirements. Itis anticipated that funds realised from the disposal ofthe vans and modules should be sufficient tocomplete an additional shopfront by June 1997.(2) With respect to alternative measures I draw yourattention to the crime prevention initiatives containedin the Coalition Government's Law and Order Moduleand in particular to the range of community basedpolicing initiatives .

Central to the philosophy of the Law and OrderModule is an active, practical encouragement of thecommunity to help devise local crime preventionstrategies and policies. The framework to implementthis policy will be a statewide network of Police andCommunity Councils. The Councils will encouragesubmissions from local people, consider local crime-fighting strategies and discuss priorities inconjunction with local police.

This Government is funding the development of aSchool Based Policing Program which, in effect, willplace operational police performing policing dutieswithin selected school communities.Beat Policing will be enhanced to improve access topolicing services by local communities.

The key purpose of these new programs will be tosupplement current crime prevention strategies andcommunity policing initiatives such as the PoliceBeat Shopfront Program and form part of the wholeof Government approach to crime prevention.


1002. Health Department, Funding of Non-Government Organisations

Mrs EDMOND asked the Minister for Health(9/10/96)—

With reference to the non Government organisationsthat receive funding from his department either asgrants or subsidies—

(1) How much did they each receive in 1995-96?(2) How much will they each receive in 1996-97?

(3) Will he list all organisations which weredefunded in 1996-97?

Mr Horan (8/11/96): (1)-(3) See parts (1), (2)and (4) to my Answer to Advance Question onNotice No. 9 asked during Estimates Committee Gprocess by the Opposition.

1003. Public Art

Mr FOLEY asked the Deputy Premier,Treasurer and Minister for The Arts (9/10/96)—(1) What action is the Government taking to

support and promote public art?

(2) Is the Government aware of the need to ensurethat public art is a component of public workssuch as Government buildings and facilities?

(3) Is the Government aware of the potential forgenerating employment for Queenslandartsworkers through ensuring that works of artare included in public projects such as theCairns Convention Centre?

(4) What funding is the Government providing in1996-97 to support and promote public art?

(5) In what specific public projects during 1996-97is the Government planning to fund public art?

Mrs Sheldon (8/11/96): (1) In line with Coalition arts policy, the Office of Artsand Cultural Development (OACD) is developing formy consideration a Designing Environments Strategyto clarify the State Government's position on publicart in relation to:

legal and administrative arrangements for theengagement of artists on major public worksprojects;

the purchase and commissioning of artworks inpublic parks and buildings;

ongoing management and maintenance ofartworks on site;project management issues and 'best practice'models;

the use of cultural activities and artworks tomake public precincts safer, more friendly, morecommunity responsive, and more attractiveplaces to spend time in;

the protection of artists' copyright andintellectual property rights in this context; andthe delineation of the responsibilities of stateand local government in the planning,development and ongoing management ofpublic art projects and programs.

The Designing Environments Strategy will seek tomaximise the development of public art as anindustry here in Queensland. Public art is now widelyrecognised as a high profile aspect of culturalactivity that generates employment, encouragescultural tourism and triggers economic growth. It alsoassists major centres such as Brisbane and smallercommunities such as Cooroy or Gordonvale todefine their distinct regional identity.

As part of the implementation of the Coalition's ArtsPolicy, the OACD has also recently commissionedten cultural sector professionals to produce positionpapers (in the form of journal articles) which addressPublic Arts from their own

particular professional perspective. These papers willprovide a valuable source of data for the DesigningEnvironments Strategy as well as fosteringawareness and debate about Public Art. Thesecommissioned papers when published will not onlyinform the bureaucracy and Government, they willinform the arts, design and construction industries aswell as the broader community.

Each year, the state government commits significantsums of money to art and cultural activities in thepublic domain. Funding is generally available to artsorganisations or community groups for artists' feesfor public art and collaborative design projects,however, on occasions funds have also been madeavailable to individual artists to develop their ownwork in public sites.

(2) Yes. As well as administering funds for public artand providing advice to the Department of PublicWorks and Housing in relation to the Government'sown projects, the OACD has recently supportedseminars, workshops and lectures on public art inBrisbane, Townsville and Cairns.

(3) Yes. The procurement of artworks for the CairnsConvention Centre was project managed by OACDclient, Queensland Artworkers Alliance (QAA). I wasrecently pleased to offer a significant increase inoperational funding to QAA and next year theGovernment will be consolidating this organisation'songoing success through a multiyear fundingagreement. This will ensure the excellent work of theQueensland Artworkers Alliance and especially itsartist employment program are expanded.

(4) In 1996-97, the Department of Public Works andHousing has made specific provision for public art innew buildings (see 5). I will shortly announceallocations under the Arts Development Programwhich was established to support arts activitiesincluding public art projects submitted bycommunities, Local Government and individualartists.

(5) In 1996/97 the Government will proceed with thedevelopment of 75 William Street in Brisbane City.This public sector project has $200,000 earmarkedby the Department of Public Works and Housing forthe inclusion of public art. The commissioningprocess envisaged will be consistent with the oneused for procuring the artworks for 111 GeorgeStreet, the success of which has been acclaimed byboth industry and the media.


1004. Fleay's Wildlife Centre

Mr FOURAS asked the Minister forEnvironment (9/10/96)—

With reference to his ongoing plans for Fleay'sWildlife Centre on the Gold Coast—

(1) What were the results of his discussions withthe National Trust and the management of theCurrumbin Bird sanctuary regarding theiracquiring or assuming responsibility for Fleay's?

(2) Is the national Trust still in consideration as apossible manager of Fleay's?

(3) What were the results of his discussions withthe children of Dr Fleay regarding the futureownership and management of the centre?

(4) When will a consultant be appointed to reviewthe management of Fleay's?

(5) When will the consultant be required to report?

(6) What funding has been allocated for thisreview?

(7) How does he account for the $400,000 abovereceipts it cost the taxpayer to run Fleay's lastyear (a breakdown of this figure would behelpful)?

(8) What was the level of receipts in 1995-96?


(1) The situation at Fleay's Wildlife Centre was oneignored by Labor. Preliminary discussions were heldwith the National Trust acknowledging thecomplementary nature of the similar organisations.Although the Trust has expressed interest in themanagement of Fleays Wildlife Park, no commitmentshave been made in this regard. In keeping with thewishes of the park's benefactor, the late Dr DavidFleay, Fleays Wildlife Park is a declaredConservation Park under the Nature ConservationAct 1992. It can therefore not be sold or disposedof. It is the Department's intention to review theoverall operations of Fleays Wildlife Park, with a viewto reducing the commitment of taxpayers dollars tothe park's operations.

(2) Expressions of interest have been sought toengage a management consultant to undertake a fullreview of the running of Fleays Wildlife Park. It isexpected that the successful consultant will putforward recommendations to improve marketing andmanagement structures to maintain the uniqueness ofthe Park while improving its competitiveness andviability. No individuals or organisations are beingconsidered as possible managers of Fleays, and nocommitments will be entered into prior to theconsultancy being finalised.

(3) The Minister met with members of the Fleayfamily, including his daughter, sister and wife, as wellas with park staff and volunteers to discuss thereview of the Fleays Wildlife Park operations. At thatmeeting, the family was given a commitment that

ownership would remain with the State ofQueensland and Fleays Wildlife Park would remainthe responsibility of the Department of Environment.

(4) Expressions of interest for a managementconsultancy closed on Friday 11 October 1996. It isanticipated that the successful consultancy will beappointed soon.

(5) The consultancy brief states that work willcommence upon the signing of a consultancyagreement with the Department. It is anticipated thestudy of Fleays Wildlife Park operations will take 6-8weeks to complete.

(6) It is expected that the consultancy will costbetween $30,000 and $40,000.

(7) The $400,000 allocated above receipts iscomprised of a $200,000 contribution towardssalaries and wages and $200,000 in operationalfunding (for animal food, veterinary care, wildliferescue and release and animal hospital costs).

(8) Receipts in admissions, food and souvenir salesand donations were approximately $630,000 in1995/96.

1005. Contaminated Land

Mr D'ARCY asked the Minister forEnvironment (9/10/96)—

With reference to his answer to Question No. 772 Iasked on notice—

(1) What were the levels found at Bielba, Culgoa,Currawinya, Diamantina, Girraween, Idalia,Sundown, Thrushton and Welford NationalParks for the following contaminants (a) arsenic,(b) chromium.,(c) lead, (d) mercury, (e) copper,(f) zinc, (g) aldrin and (h) dieldrin?

(2) Where were these contaminants found on eachof these national parks?

(3) Why were the occupants of Lochern,Currawinya and Sundown National Parks theonly staff blood tested as a result of thesetests?

(4) Which other national parks will be investigatedin 1996-97 to ensure these workplaces are safefor staff?

(5) If the national park study has shown that otherhouses in rural areas may also be contaminatedto levels warranting investigation, what has hedone to alert rural property owners to this?

(6) Does he intend to use his powers under theContaminated Land Act 1991 to notify ruralproperty owners of the potential contaminationin and around their homesteads andoutbuildings; if not, why not?

(7) Has he personally approached the HealthMinister over this matter; if so, what was theoutcome of these talks?


Mr Littleproud (7/11/96): (1)

Park Contaminants Arsenic Chromium Lead MercuryAs Cr Pb Hg

Culgoa National Park 50 <10 <10 <10( dip site only)Currawinya National Park <10-690 10-2300 <10-37000 <0.2-.9Diamantina National Park <10 20 30-1200 <0.2Expedition Range National Park(Bielba Base) 0-<10 0-10 60-510 0-1.3Girraween National Park <10 <10-10 50-320 <0.2Idalia National Park 0-50 0-50 230-32000 0-<10Sundown National Park <10-1300 10-30 20-610 <0.2-.4Thruston National Park 53-110 not done not done not done(sheep dip site only)Welford National Park <10-1000 20-30 10-310 <10

Copper Zinc Aldrin DieldrinCu Zn

Culgoa National Park 10 80 .03 78.8( dip site only)Currawinya National Park <5-430 30-37000 <10 <.01-3.4Diamantina National Park 20-75 310-7400 <.05-.04 .145-1.8Expedition Range National Park(Bielba Base) 0-1600 not done not doneGirraween National Park <5-60 270-850 <.005 <.005-.023Idalia National Park 0-80 370-3100 0 .13-49Sundown National Park 10-140 220-9500 <.01-.06 .05-41Thruston National Park(sheep dip site only) not done not done .01-.145 .58-14Welford National Park 5-70 50-5100 not done 0.3-132

Results expressed as milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)in the AS 1289 prepared samples.

Varying number of samples were taken from eachsite—soil, dust & paint samples from residences,worksheds & old stock dip sites..(2) Contaminants were located in the vicinity of oldstock dip and stock spraying sites, worksheds wherethese chemical contaminants were stored, and in andaround residences where pesticides were used.

(3) Medical advice provided to the Departmentindicated that blood testing of employees at theother National Parks was not required.

(4) The following national park sites will beinvestigated in 1996-97: Princess Hills base(Lumholtz National Park), Moorinya and Homevale. Inthis regard the Coalition Government is continuing toaddress this issue, which is more than can be said foryour Labor Government.(5) Medical and scientific advice was sought fromthe Environmental Toxicology Branch of theQueensland Department of Health in theinvestigations. The officers found that there were nosignificant health problems associated with the levelof contaminants found in the survey.

It is likely that many rural and urban homesteadsthroughout Australia suffer in some degree fromcontaminants of various forms. The indications fromthe national park study are that in some houses thelevel of some contaminants in localised areas may bewithin the level requiring investigation.

In regard to paint lead contamination, a major andjoint Commonwealth/ State program was put in placetwo years ago. Brochures are generally available athardware stores and point outlets advising of thepotential risk associated with renovating olderhouses which may have lead paints.(6) If any warning in the future is required it wouldbe issued through the Department of health as thelead agency in these matters. The QueenslandDepartment of Health has participated in the reviewand has not provided this Department with anyconcerns in relation to long term health risks.The main concern for rural property owners in regardto contamination by these chemicals is with stock dipsites. The management procedures incorporated inthe Contaminated Land Act 1991 are in place to dealwith dip sites in rural areas.Queensland Health provide information to thegeneral community regarding the management ofolder buildings painted with lead based paint.The Rural Health and Safety Advisers from theDivision of Workplace Health and Safety,Department of Training and Industrial Relationsprovide advice and information to rural communitieson workplace issues relating to hazardous substanceusage on rural properties. The Queensland Farmers Federation employ Healthand Safety Field Officers who provide assistance torural communities on issues relating to farmchemicals. (7) Given the above, no.


1006. Hospital Funding; Elective SurgeryWaiting Lists

Mr MILLINER asked the Minister for Health(9/10/96)—

With reference to Royal Brisbane, PrincessAlexandra, Prince Charles, Royal Children's, CairnsBase, Townsville General, Mackay Base,Rockhampton Base, Toowoomba Base, Gladstone,Bundaberg, Maryborough Base, Gold Coast andNambour Hospitals—

(1) What extra funding was allocated for eachhospital to specifically address elective surgerywaiting times?

(2) What funds were spent on over-time for nursesand doctors and ancillary staff at each hospitalto facilitate the extra operations undertaken toreduce the waiting lists?

Mr Horan (8/11/96):

(1) On 1 July 1996, the Coalition announced thecommencement of its strategy to enhance electivesurgery services in Queensland public hospitals.Surgery on Time is backed by funding of $36.2million in 1996/97. This funding is delivered through anumber of programs, schemes, and allocations,including the Waiting List Backlog Program (WLBP),the Hospital Access Bonus Pool (HABP), and theDay Only Procedures Program (DOPP). Funding for1996/97 from the WLPB allocated to each hospital isdetailed in Table 1. HABP ($10.5 million) and DOPP($2.642 million) funding is available by bid to allHealth Service Districts to bid for available funds.Bids for the DOPP funds are currently beingassessed. Further initiatives include:

$56,000 per site to address the shortage ofoperating theatre nurses in public hospitals inQueensland, through the employment ofperioperative nurse educators in each of the ten(10) Surgery on Time hospitals for 1996/97,

$52,000 per site has been provided to employElective Surgery Coordinators in each of theten (10) participating hospitals for 1996/97,

approximately $5,000 per site (in ten (10) sites)will support the further installation of theElective Admission System (EAS) by December1996,

theatre information systems in the ten (10)participating hospitals as well as RedcliffeHospital and the Mater Misericordiae PublicHospital, at a total cost of $2.4 million,a $1 million minor works program (total fundsprovided to each site being detailed in Table 2),and

special funding to address critical demandmanagement issues at five hospitals, RoyalBrisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, The PrinceCharles, and Cairns Base Hospitals (fundsprovided to each site being detailed in Table 3).

Table 1Waiting List Backlog Program

Hospital—1996/97 Approved FundingBundaberg—$360,000 Cairns—$2,100,000 Gold Coast—$1,630,000 Mackay—$900,000 Maryborough—$600,000 Nambour—$1,923,113 The Prince Charles—$1,100,000 Princess Alexandra—$2,500,000 Rockhampton—$1,000,000 Royal Brisbane*—$2,500,000 Royal Children's—$246,000 Toowoomba—$900,000 Townsville—$2,500,000

* An additional $2.0m provided for replacementequipment plus $0.5m for enhanced throughputof clinical services.

Table 2

Minor Capital Works Bids

Hospital—Total Funds ProvidedCairns—$60,039Townsville—$94,563Rockhampton—$121,824Nambour—$77,106Royal Brisbane—$74,000Princess Alexandra—$232,714Gold Coast—$41,500Toowoomba—$155,100Ipswich—$85,438Total—$942,284

Table 3Critical Demand Management

Hospital Use Deliverables 1995/96 Full Year

Royal Brisbane Open 2 x 30 bed wards Reduce cancellations to 2/month $1,300,000 $5,100,000Reduce waiting list by 230

Gold Coast Open 30 beds Additional 10,000 bed days/annum $417,534 $1,277,163Townsville Recruit Urologist Eliminate urology waiting list $277,000 $908,699The Prince Charles Additional Category Additional 6 Category 1 patients $560,000 $2,500,000

1 Activity treated per weekCairns Base 3 additional staff in Waiting times improved $40,000 $300,000

Emergency Dept.

Total 90 additional beds Additional throughput $2,544,534 $10,085,8624 additional medical staff Additional bed days


(2) The payment of penalties reduces the costeffectiveness of any program, and should beavoided. A program which incurred large overtimepayments would suggest inefficiency and waste.Surgery on Time aims to see additional activityabsorbed into the normal business day. I am pleasedto advise the House that, for most sites, this hasbeen achieved. Only emergency procedures (whichare performed outside business hours) have incurredovertime.

1007. School Guidance Officers, MountGravatt Electorate

Ms SPENCE asked the Minister for Education(9/10/96)—With reference to the 18 additional guidance officersprovided for in the 1996-97 Budget—

(1) Which schools in the Mount Gravatt Electoratewill receive extra guidance officer time in 1997?

(2) How much additional guidance officer time willthey receive?

(3) When will the Government achieve its electionpromise of doubling the number of guidanceofficers in State schools?

Mr Quinn (6/11/96): (1), (2) & (3) In June 1996,State Cabinet approved the employment of anadditional 200 Full-time equivalent (FTE) supportpersonnel, with a total budget of $20 million over thenext three financial years. These personnel are to beemployed so that the Department of Education canincrease the number of specialised support staff,including guidance officers, available to supportchildren with behaviour difficulties and other specialneeds in Queensland state schools.

The FTE numbers were converted to a notionalsalary allocation and the Metropolitan East Regionwas allocated 10 personnel in 1996-97; 10 for 1997-98; and 9 for 1998-99. This is a total of 29 positionsover the next three years.A collaborative process involving Principals andSchool Support centre personnel, from theMetropolitan East Region, was used to determinewhat type of support staff were required to fill thenew positions. A number of options were available(eg. Psychologists, guidance officers, behaviourmanagement teachers, youth workers, communityadvisers and social workers). The final allocationswere made in consultation with various groupsthroughout the region.

In 1996-97 [Stage 1 allocations], the MetropolitanEast Region chose to appoint a variety of supportpersonnel, including Behaviour ManagementSupport Teachers, Community Advisers and TeacherAides, to assist children in schools. However, noguidance officers were requested in this first stage.In Stage 2 (1997-98), it is proposed that threeadditional Guidance Officers, with a behaviourintervention and support focus, will be employed. Afurther three Guidance officers are proposed to beemployed in the final stage.

With respect to schools in the Mount Gravattelectorate, the Honourable member would be awarethat final staffing allocations for 1997 have not been

determined at this time. I would be happy to adviseof 1997 support personnel staffing allocations, forschools in the Mount Gravatt electorate, when thisinformation becomes available.

1009. Workers Compensation Board;Kennedy Report

Mr PURCELL asked the Minister for Trainingand Industrial Relations (9/10/96)—(1) Did the Workers' Compensation Board adopt

misleading injury classifications in order to over-represent the occurrence and nature of"sprain/strain" injuries and "back injuries" ascommented on in the Kennedy report?

(2) Does the Workers' Compensation Board notadopt scientific injury classification guidelinessuch as those used by WorkSafe Australia?

(3) What percentage of "back injuries" referred to inthe Workers' Compensation Board data for the1995 year are made up by each of the followingtypes of injuries (a) upper back injuries, (b)vertebrae fractures, (c) spinal cord lesions, (d)spinal nerve injuries, (e) musclo-ligamentousback injuries, (f) disc injuries, (g) spinalstenosis, (h) spondylolysis and (i)spondylethesis?

(4) Does the Workers' Compensation Board'sgrouping of all such injuries under oneclassification and attributing a demeaningdescription to it of "back injury" reflect its ownagenda to eliminate compensation for this typeof injury and common law claims in general?

(5) How much money does the Governmentestimate has been spent through managementtime and expenses in pursuing its own agendato eliminate common law claims?

Mr Santoro (7/11/96): (1) The Board does not use misleading injuryclassifications. The injury classification systemdeveloped and used by the Board for claims wasintroduced on 17 February 1984.(2) The Worksafe system, released in December1990, is very similar to the Board's classificationsystem. To ensure national consistency of statistics,the Board plans to upgrade the classification systemto be more in line with the Worksafe system. Thisclassification change will occur when the plannednew claims management computer system isdeveloped within the next three years. Currently theBoards's compensation injury data is converted bythe Government Statistician into the WorksafeAustralia injury classification codes for the purposesof evaluating and producing statistics on Queenslandworkplace injuries.(3) Of the 19,836 statutory back claims lodgedduring 1995/96:(a) 4.23% were upper back injuries(b) 1.09% were fractures.Of the 1,217 common law back claims lodged during1995/96:(a) 1.73% were upper back injuries

(b) 3.45% were fractures.


The remaining categories requested are not able tobe extracted. However, an injury classificationbreakdown for all statutory and common law backclaims for 1995/96, in terms of injury location andnature, is attached.

(4) No

(5) The Government does not have an agenda toeliminate common law claims.

1010. Optical Services, GladstoneElectorate

Mrs CUNNINGHAM asked the Minister forHealth (9/10/96)—

With reference to optical services to Gladstone forpublic patients which are critical and as visitingoptometrist, Dr Noble, has ceased visiting the cityand residents must travel to Rockhampton orBundaberg for services and as Dr Noble is now sickand has no locum—

What plans are in place to renew an optical serviceto the Gladstone region given the urgent needs ofresidents and particularly older residents with regularoptical needs?

Mr Horan (8/11/96): The loss to Gladstone ofDr Noble's private practice, now some time ago, is ofserious concern to me.

Accordingly, negotiations will be held with thesuccessful tenderer for the proposed co-location ofa private hospital in Gladstone regarding theprovision of ophthalmology services. However, Irealise that this may take some time and so I havedirected my Department to immediately advertise theprivate practice opportunity presented byGladstone.

As regards public services, there will be no reductionin the travel and accommodation assistance availableto Gladstone residents travelling to other centres.

1013. Queensland Health, VERs

Ms BLIGH asked the Minister for Health(9/10/96)—

With reference to the reorganisation of staff inQueensland Health and savings measures outlined inthe Program Statement—

(1) How many staff from former Regional HealthOffices and Central Office have accepted VERsto date?

(2) What was the average length of service forearly retirees concerned?

(3) How many further VERs have been budgetedfor in 1996-97 and when does the departmentexpect to finalise these?

(4) Will he list all positions which have beenadvertised as a direct result of thereorganisation since February 1996 and at whatlevel are these positions?

(5) Which of these have been appointed?

Mr Horan (8/11/96): (1) VER numbers to date are 24 for Corporate Officeand 47 for Regional Offices. These figures accountfor Regional Directors as Regional Office staff.

(2) The average length of service for these retireeswas 16.6 years.

(3) There may be a small additional number of VERsas staff take up positions within the new CorporateOffice structure. These will not be a major cost tothe Department as it is anticipated that equivalentpositions will be abolished and salary savings willcompensate Queensland Health for the costsincurred.(4 & 5) I refer you to the Government Gazette andthe Health Services Bulletin. To what extent each ofthe vacancies appearing there are a direct result ofrebuilding Queensland Health is debatable; theprocess required to separate this out would beunduly onerous in terms of staff resources. A numberof the vacancies during the period occurred as aresult of normal staff turnover. I am advised that allrebuilding vacancies will be filled by Christmas thisyear.

1014. Lake Eacham Regional NurseryMr BEATTIE asked the Minister for

Environment (9/10/96)—

With reference to the slashing of funds for the LakeEacham Regional Nursery in the recent StateBudget—

(1) What operational funding is available for thenursery in 1996-97?

(2) What full-time equivalent staff numbers havebeen allocated to the nursery in 1996-97?

(3) What numbers and classification of staff havebeen lost from the nursery in 1996 and for whatreasons?

(4) How does he see (a) the education work ofTREAT being continued without the support ofthis nursery, (b) the revegetation work ofTREAT being continued without the support ofthis nursery, (c) Donaghy's wildlife corridorbeing finished without this nursery, (d) thisdecision sitting with his Government's statedcommitment to Landcare and CatchmentManagement, (e) the nursery's workpropagating rare and threatened species ofnative plants being continued and (f) therevegetation work on new and existing nationalparks in Far North Queensland continuingwithout the nursery?

(5) Who made the decision to cut funding to thenursery?

(6) Was the matter considered by Cabinet?

Mr Littleproud (6/11/96): (1) The overall budget allocation (includingoperational funding) for the Lake Eacham Nursery forthe 1996/97 financial year is yet to be determined.The final allocation will depend upon the outcome ofa Departmental review of the nursery, as well as:


(a) an as yet undetermined allocation by theWet Tropics Management Authority(WTMA) for ecosystem reconstruction;and

(b) discussions with Trees for Eacham andAtherton Tablelands (TREAT) and otherparties.

(2) There is currently one full time person staffing thenursery with support provided by other regional staffas required. This situation may alter afterDepartmental review of the nursery is completed inlate November 1996.

(3) In June 1996 one temporary and one casualposition were terminated as a consequence of strongindications from WTMA that budget allocations for anumber of projects carried out by the nursery, andfunded by WTMA, would either be terminated or cut.A further temporary employee has been re-deployedto other duties pending the outcome of the review.(4) a) While the Departmental review of the nurseryhas not been completed, it is intended that access tonursery facilities by TREAT members will continue,particularly use of the nursery each Friday byvolunteers. On this basis, the education work ofTREAT would be expected to be largely retained.

If the nursery did close, TREAT would obviously beunable to undertake an education role based solelyaround the nursery. In the unlikely event this didoccur, Departmental officers would help TREAT toidentify alternative education opportunities. TheDepartment would also continue to provide anextension service for those individuals andcommunity groups interested in restoration andenhancement of natural habitats by native plantrevegetation.

b) As stated above, it is intended that TREAT accessto nursery facilities will continue. The revegetationwork of TREAT may be affected by reduced fieldsupport by the Departmental and it may benecessary for TREAT members to collect more seedfor planting than in previous years.c) The Department's contribution to the Donaghy'scorridor revegetation project has beenpredominantly funded by WTMA. Current indicationsare that there will be no allocation to this project byWTMA in the 1996/97 financial year. The plants forthis project currently housed at the Lake Eachamnursery will be maintained until the planting outperiod during the forthcoming wet season, at whichtime I would expect that they would be planted inthe area known as Donaghy's corridor.

I am advised that the completion of this project is notso much dependent on the continued operation ofthe nursery, rather the provision of additional fundsfor minor capital works.

d) These programs are funded by theCommonwealth Government and managed by theQueensland Department of Primary Industries,Fisheries and Forestry. The Lake Eacham nursery isnot funded by either program, and althoughcooperative projects have been undertaken, the LakeEacham nursery is not directly affiliated with eitherprogram. The State Government will continue tosupport both Landcare and the Integrated

Catchment Management initiatives throughoutQueensland.e) The propagation of rare and threatened species isnot a primary function of the Lake Eacham nursery,although some experimentation work has beenundertaken to trial various propagation techniques.Therefore there is not expected to be a significantimpact on this work.

f) If a final decision were made to close the LakeEacham nursery, priority revegetation work wouldcontinue to be undertaken on a park by park basiswhich would be coordinated through a regionalstrategic plan for priority rehabilitation works.

(5) and (6) Decisions regarding Lake Eacham will bemade by the Government in the context of a woefulfunding situation inherited from Labor at bothCommonwealth and State levels.

1015. Enduring Power of Attorney Forms

Mr WELLS asked the Attorney-General andMinister for Justice (9/10/96)—(1) Is he aware that the introduction of an Enduring

Power of Attorney by the last LaborGovernment had as one of its purposes makingaccessible to lay people a simple form whichcould be signed by individuals withoutoccasioning legal expense?

(2) Is he aware that as a result of recentamendments to the old form 16 (PLA) the newform is now barely locatable, and thereforeinaccessible to lay people?

(3) Is he aware that a person trying to find the newform must go through the following steps (a)realise there might be a new form, (b) check theupdate of Queensland Legislation Annotations(25.8.96), (c) read through to discover the formis renumbered, (d) note that the form wasgazetted 17 May 1996 and go to that Gazette,(e) find p. 621 and note that it says the form isin fact in Special Gazette No. 36 of 1996, (f)look under "n" for "notification of forms" to find areference to PLA on pages 549-567 and (g) findform 14?

(4) In light of this absurd difficulty, will he takesteps to make Enduring Power of AttorneyForms accessible to the public again by, forexample, putting together a package which canbe advertised as available, and be circulated toMembers for provision to their constituents?


(1) Yes(2) Notice of the approval of new forms for useunder the Property Law Act 1974 was given inGovernment Gazette No. 41 17 May, 1996 andcommenced on 28 May 1996. These new formsincluded a new Enduring Power of Attorney form 14in lieu of the previous form 16A. The content of thenew form is identical to the previous form, with theexception of the form number.

(3) The Honourable Member will no doubt recall thatit was legislation introduced and passed during theperiod he was Attorney-General that created the


inaccessibility of forms highlighted by his question.The passing of a 1994 amendment [via. the StatuteLaw (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994 No. 15 of1994] to the Statutory Instruments Act 1992, by theGoss Government, inserted provisions which arenow Part 8 in that Act. Thereafter all forms toQueensland legislation ceased to be included inSchedules to Acts. Since 10 May, 1994 theprocedure for making forms for use pursuant toQueensland legislation, including the Property LawAct 1974, has been regulated by Part 8 of theStatutory Instruments Act 1992. The HonourableMember has correctly described the procedurewhich the Goss Government decided that the peopleof Queensland would follow to locate forms tolegislation passed by this Parliament. The 1994Explanatory Note, for section 47 which wassubsequently renumbered section 58, asserts thatthe section "... states standard requirements tofacilitate access to forms (and the correct versions offorms) by people who wish to use them". (4) The Honourable Member suggests that hisconstituents and the people of Queensland have nochoice but to go through the complex proceduredescribed in part (3) of his question. However, inpractice most people seeking to appoint an attorneyunder an Enduring Power of Attorney, either use theservices of a solicitor, the Public Trustee or aTrustee Company or purchase a printed form from aNewsagent or a Stationery firm. The HonourableMember's suggestion of producing a package offorms to be supplied to Members for provision totheir constituents may have some merit and will beconsidered. However, that consideration will bepostponed until after my Department has completedthe process of considering proposals made by theQueensland Law Reform Commission for reforms tothe existing Enduring Power of Attorney legislation.

1016. Voluntary Conservation Agreements;Cape York Heads of Agreement


(1) Does he endorse and support the comments ofthe Member for Mansfield in Parliament onTuesday 8 October regarding the benefits ofvoluntary conservation agreements (VCAs) withlandholders?

(2) Does he believe all landholders should betreated equally in this regard; if so, does hesupport the Cape York Heads of Agreementbetween landholders, conservationists andAboriginal communities providing forenvironmentally sustainable protection and useof Cape York lands?

(3) When will he speak up for Cape Yorklandholders to ensure State Governmentendorsement of their agreement in the sameway he claims to support VCAs referred to bythe Member for Mansfield?

(4) Why is he happy to boast about his promotionof VCAs with rich white landholders elsewherein Queensland while remaining conspicuouslysilent in the face of his Government's refusal to

endorse the Cape York VCA to which localAborigines happen to be a party?Mr Littleproud (6/11/96):

(1) Voluntary conservation agreements (VCAs) arean appropriate strategy to provide protection for theconservation values of an area by working inpartnership with the landholder. The Member forMansfield highlighted the benefit of such agreementsduring his speech on 8 October 1996.

(2) Yes to the first part of this section of thequestion. With regard to the Cape York Agreement,this is an unrelated issue, though I can understandthe Member's confusion.(3) See answer to question 2.

(4) See answer to question 2, although I resent theoffensive nature of this section of the question.

1017. Commercial Crabbing, PumicestonePassage

Mr J. H. SULLIVAN asked the Minister forPrimary Industries, Fisheries and Forestry (9/10/96)—

(1) Is he aware of reports that certain commercialfishermen were conducting crabbing operationsin Pumicestone Passage on a commercialbasis?

(2) Were the reports based on fact; if so, were theoperations condoned by his department or theQFMA?

(3) What action has been taken to ensure strictadherence to the regulations in future?

Mr Perrett (5/11/96):(1) Two recent reports have been received at theQueensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP)Mooloolaba office regarding crabbing operations inPumicestone Passage. In the first instance a juvenilewas crabbing using a licensed tender vessel. Theyouth was reminded to keep commercial fishing boatmarkings covered if it was being used recreationally.The second instance related to a number of crabpots. QBFP located only lawful pots. Subsequentlypatrols of the area revealed no unlawful activity.

(2) Commercial fishing operations of any form are notcondoned within the closed waters of thePumicestone Passage by any staff of the Departmentor the Queensland Fisheries Management Authority(QFMA).

(3) Regular patrols of the Passage are conducted byQBFP staff. Very few comments or complaints have beenreceived regarding commercial fishing activitieswithin the Pumicestone Passage and I believe anyknown infringements would be reported by thepublic and other commercial fishers alike. Anycomplaints or notifications are fully investigated.

1018. Perpetual Town Leases

Mr CAMPBELL asked the Minister for PublicWorks and Housing (9/10/96)—(1) How many perpetual town leases are there in

Queensland under the State Housing Act?


(2) In what cities and towns are they situated andhow many are in each?

(3) What has been the average increase in thevaluations of these leases over the past fiveyears in Brisbane, Maryborough, Bundaberg,Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay andTownsville?

(4) What is the annual rental on a perpetual townlease with a valuation of (a) $10,000, (b)$15,000, (c) $20,000, (d) $30,000, (e) $40,000and (f) $50,000?

Mr Connor (8/11/96): (1) There are 493 perpetual town leases inQueensland under the State Housing Act.

(2) The spread of leases throughout the state isshown in schedule 'A'.

(3) The average increase in valuations over the past5 years is shown below -

Brisbane (residential)—58%

Brisbane (commercial)—14%

Maryborough (residential)—107%Bundaberg (residential)—73%

Gladstone (residential)—143%

Rockhampton (residential)—65%Mackay (residential)—93%

Townsville (residential)—48%

(4) Annual land rental for residential leases is basedon 3% of the unimproved capital value. Annual landrental for commercial leases is based on 12% of theunimproved capital value.

1019. Year 2 Student Literacy

Mr BREDHAUER asked the Minister forEducation (9/10/96)—

(1) What proportion of year two students wereidentified in phases A and B of the 1996 yeartwo net for literacy?

(2) How many of these students will be assisted bythe Reading Recovery Program in 1996-97?

(3) Will he provide a regional breakdown of bothfigures?

Mr Quinn (6/11/96): (1), (2) & (3) TheHonourable Member would be aware that data fromthe Year 2 Net is protected under the Freedom ofInformation Act. Therefore, in the interests ofQueensland students I am unable to provide adetailed response to this question.The Reading Recovery program is an interventionprogram which utilises highly trained teachers todeliver individual specialised daily support tochildren who require assistance with support inreading and writing.

This program operates with the lowest text readersfrom the beginning of the second year of primaryschool. On entry into the program children will beoperating in either Phase A or B of the ReadingContinuum. On exiting the program the large majorityof children will be Phase C readers.

A child would normally take between 14 and 20weeks to exit the program. Upon completion lessthan 4% of children require any additional literacysupport in their compulsory school years.The Reading Recovery program is in its first year ofimplementation within Queensland. It is operating infour regions and there are currently 96 ReadingRecovery Teachers operating in approximately 100schools. In 1997, the program will extend to operatein all regions.

1020. Tugun BypassMrs ROSE asked the Minister for Transport

and Main Roads (9/10/96)—

With reference to the proposed Tugun Bypass, westof the Coolangatta Airport—

(1) What action has the Government taken toprogress this proposal?

(2) What discussions has he held with the NewSouth Wales Transport Minister regarding thebypass?

(3) Will he outline the Government's commitment tothis proposal?

Mr Johnson (7/11/96): (1) This Government is working towards determiningthe final land use transport strategy for the southernGold Coast/Tweed corridor. An outcome of thiswork will be the preferred location and alignment oftransport corridors and associated supportingfacilities, including the resolution of the proposedTugun Bypass and the Robina to Coolangatta railline.

At this stage in the process, three consultants havebeen shortlisted and their final offers submitted toGovernment for consideration. It is expected that thesuccessful consultant will be appointed in November1996. The period allowed in the study is 250 workingdays, which means completion of the study at theend of 1997.

(2) This study is a joint exercise involving theDepartments of Transport, Main Roads and LocalGovernment and Planning. In early September 1996,representatives of these Departments met withrepresentatives from the New South Wales'Department of Transport, the Roads and TrafficAuthority and the Department of Urban Affairs andPlanning to ensure the New South WalesGovernment was fully aware of this study. Followingthis meeting, my colleague the Hon. Di McCauley,Minister for Local Government and Planning wrote tothe Hon Craig Knowles, Minister for Urban Affairsand Planning and Minister for Housing seekingagreement in principle of the New South WalesGovernment to support the findings of the study. Iunderstand a reply has not been received at thispoint in time.(3) My Government is committed to progressing andfinalising the Southern Gold Coast/Tweed CorridorStrategic Planning Study. It is believed a keyoutcome of the study will include a landuse/transport strategy for the study area whichwould identify preferred land uses and transport


networks. This would take into account therequirements for both passenger and freighttransport and identification of detailed alignments forthe major public transport corridor south of Robinaand the major new road corridor between Tugun andthe Tweed.

1021. Standards Australia

Mr ROBERTS asked the Minister for Trainingand Industrial Relations (9/10/96)—

With reference to the organisation, StandardsAustralia, and the standards which are issued by thisorganisation—

(1) Does he and his department have confidence inthe standards issued by Standards Australia; ifnot, which standards issued by StandardsAustralia and which are referred to in legislationwithin his portfolio, do not have his or hisdepartment's confidence?

Mr Santoro (7/11/96): (1) There are 37Australian Standards referenced within theQueensland Workplace Health and Safety legislation.My Department and I have every confidence thatthese Standards are appropriate to the specificcircumstances in which the legislation referencesthem.

1022. Hospital Waiting Lists

Mr T. B. SULLIVAN asked the Minister forHealth (9/10/96)—

With reference to the proceedings for EstimatesCommittee G, in which he refused to supplyinformation in response to a question on notice fromthe Shadow Health Minister (Mrs Edmond)concerning hospital waiting lists, under variouscategories, for certain Queensland hospitals and ashe explained his refusal to the Committee by claimingthat the question was really a series of questions andtoo onerous to answer and yet, in Parliament on 9October, he informed the House that data for waitinglists is "signed off each month" by his department—

(1) Was his statement to the Parliament on 9October correct; if so, why did he refuseto supply this readily-available data onwaiting lists to the Estimates Committee?

(2) Is this simply another example of hiscontempt of the Parliamentary process ordid he deliberately withhold thisinformation from the Estimates Committeeto hide waiting list figures from the peopleof Queensland?

Mr Horan (8/11/96): (1 & 2) The only contemptof parliamentary process was that committed by theMember for Mount Coot-tha, Mrs Edmond. Sheabused the standing orders by asking dozens ofquestions on notice when she was permitted ten.The success of Surgery on Time has been achievedthrough the time and effort of Queensland's firstclass medical, nursing, and allied health staff, whichshould not be diverted into chasing paper for MrsEdmond.

I am only too happy to again provide the House withdetails of the success of Surgery on Time. I amadvised that, at the ten Surgery on Time hospitals,between 1 July 1996 and 1 October 1996, thenumber of long wait, category 1 (urgent) patients fellby 71.6% to only 156. Similarly, the number ofcategory 2 long waits fell by 56, and the number ofcategory 3 long waits by 200.

1023. Cairns Health District; TownsvilleHealth District

Mr De LACY asked the Minister for Health(10/10/96)—Will he advise the actual recurrent expenditure for1995-1996 (reconstituted on district basis), andestimated expenditure for 1996-1997 (includingdetails of unresolved issues) for (a) Cairns HealthDistrict and (b) Townsville Health District?

Mr Horan (11/11/96): I am advised that theactual recurrent expenditure for 1995-1996 was asfollows:

(a) Cairns District—$96.460 million (from a budgetof $97.527 million)

(b) Townsville District—$131.554 million (from abudget of $122.264 million)

It must be noted that the total 1995-1996expenditure for Cairns and Townsville Districtsincluded several items (Cairns District—$3.171million, Townsville District—$2.141 million) which willnot occur in either District in 1996-1997, for exampleRegional Office costs, one-off litigation expenditure,and Public Health activities which have beencentralised. This non-recurrent expenditure has beendeducted to arrive at the above figures.

Also, under Minister Beattie, the Townsville Districtincurred a 1995/96 State funded budget overrun of$9.72 million, which is expected to be reduced to nilin 1996-1997. I am advised that this District is, todate, running to budget.The estimated funding (including estimated fundingfor unresolved issues) for 1996-1997 is as follows:

(a) Cairns District—$99.349 million

(b) Townsville District—$131.993 million

1024. Mackay Helicopter Rescue Service

Mr MULHERIN asked the Minister forEmergency Services and Minister for Sport(10/10/96)—With reference to his Government's pre-electionpromise to the people of Mackay that $1.5m incapital funding would be provided to the HelicopterRescue Services in Mackay—

Does he intend to keep the promise to the people ofMackay; if so, when will he be delivering on thispromise?

Mr Veivers (11/11/96): On 26 June 1996 Ihanded over a cheque for $300,000 from theDepartment of Emergency Services and a further$100,000 from the Motor Accident InsuranceCommission to assist with the establishment of the


Mackay helicopter rescue service. The Mackayservice commenced operations on 1 September1996.

The Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Servicebased in Mackay currently receives an annualGovernment grant of $300,000 (minimum) paidquarterly in advance.

I intend to submit an application for increasedfunding for the Mackay service, along with the otherCommunity Helicopter Providers, to be consideredin the Mid-Year Budget Review process inDecember 1996. A submission for increased fundingwill also be made for the 1997/1998 Budget.

The Government will continue to provide substantialfinancial support to the Mackay service.

1025. Jet Skis

Mr SMITH asked the Minister for Environment(10/10/96)—

With reference to the noise from jet skis which hasemerged as a problem in many areas of the Stateand, in particular, my interest in the area from theTownsville Breakwater to Cape Pallarenda—

Will he provide an assurance that the department willaccept responsibility for the control of noise fromrecreational water vehicles or will he guarantee thatthe administrative steps will be urgently taken totransfer the responsibility to the Department ofTransport?

Mr Littleproud (11/11/96): Under the MarineSafety Act which was enacted by the previousgovernment, control of jet skis now only relates tosafety issues.

The Department of Environment is havingdiscussions with the Department of Transport with aview to devising suitable administrative andlegislative control mechanisms to deal with thedifficult issue of noise from transitory noise sourcessuch as jet skis.

1026. Maryborough, SesquicentennialBirthday Celebrations

Mr DOLLIN asked the Premier (10/10/96)—

(1) Is he aware that the funding for Maryborough'sSesquicentennial (150 year) BirthdayCelebrations has been slashed (the celebrationsare an opportunity to celebrate 150 years ofachievement since the community was foundedin 1847)?

(2) As this is not only a significant achievement forMaryborough but has broader significance toQueensland as a whole, will he take whateversteps are necessary to ensure that thesesquicentennial celebrations are a completesuccess by reinstating the funding it deserves?

Mr Borbidge (11/11/96):

(1) No.

(2) Meetings were arranged with representatives ofthe Maryborough City Council for Tuesday, 29

October 1996, to discuss the 1997 MaryboroughSesquicentennial Celebrations, and relevantGovernment Departments are considering theirpossible involvement.

1027. National Guidelines on TeacherTraining

Mr BREDHAUER asked the Minister forEducation (10/10/96)—

With reference to the announcement by the FederalMinister for Education, Dr David Kemp, of theFederal Government's intention to impose nationalguidelines on teacher training—

(1) What consultation occurred with him as theresponsible State Minister and his Federalcounterpart prior to this announcement beingmade?

(2) What has he done since the announcement toensure that the interests of Queensland'seducation system are appropriatelyincorporated in any proposed nationalguidelines?

Mr Quinn (6/11/96): (1) & (2) I am aware ofstatements that have been made in the mediarecently concerning what has been described as anational review of teacher training standards, and thealleged imposition by the Federal Government ofnational guidelines for teacher education.

The initiative is not a "review' but a collaborativeproject funded by the Commonwealth Department ofEmployment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs.The project will build on the work done nationally bythe "Chalk Circle—A Dialogue on Teacher Education"in 1995 and the work of the National Working Partyon Guidelines for Teacher Education, convened bythe Australian Teaching Council. This working partyhas a membership which includes representatives ofthe Australian Council of Deans of Education, theAustralian Teacher Education Association, the SouthAustralian Teacher Registration Board, and theQueensland Board of Teacher Registration.

The Working Party prepared and endorsed fordiscussion a set of 'Draft National Guidelines forInitial Teacher Education', which outlined bestpractice in teacher education. The draft guidelineswere based on, and very closely resembled, theAcceptability of Teacher Education Programs forTeacher Registration Purposes guidelines of theQueensland Board of Teacher Registration. The draftguidelines were distributed widely late last year tomembers of the education community. The aim wasto generate as much discussion and consensus aspossible so that the profession and its keystakeholders could adopt a national position onteacher education and have more influence on itsfuture direction.

The newly announced National Standards andguidelines for the Initial Teacher Education Projecthas similar objectives:

to develop national guidelines for teachereducation, based on national work alreadyundertaken;


to determine the role of national guidelines andframeworks in underpinning high standards ofteacher education and entry into teachingacross Australia;

to forge partnerships between key educationstakeholders to promote ongoing commitmentto the implementation of teacher educationguidelines and to improve the effectiveness ofinitial teacher education.

The project will be managed by an AdvisoryCommittee which will include representatives ofgovernment and non-government educationauthorities. The Queensland Board of TeacherRegistration will be represented on the Committee,which meets for the first time next month. Theenvisaged outcome will be a report, suitable forpresentation to the Ministerial Council on Education,Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA)and wider dissemination, as appropriate.

Queensland is in the fortunate position of being theonly state in Australia to have established, under theEducation (Teacher Registration) Act 1988 astatutory body which legislated authority to conferand collaborate with members of the education andgeneral community in relation to standards ofcourses of teacher education. Through the work ofthe Board of Teacher Registration, Queensland has ahigh basic standard for entry into the profession,underpinned by legislation. National guidelinescannot simply be 'imposed' in Queensland.

The Board of Teacher Registration has stronglysupported the development of agreed nationalstandards for the teaching profession. TheGuidelines of the Board, and the widely-consultativeway in which they were devised and have beenimplemented, have served as a model of goodpractice for the rest of the country. The newAdvisory Committee is expected to draw on, andbenefit from, the experience and expertise ofQueensland.

1029. State Schools, Security Services

Mr ROBERTSON asked the Minister forEducation (10/10/96)—

With reference to the plan to wind back GovernmentSecurity Services for State primary and secondaryschools—

(1) Which schools in the Sunnybank Electorate willnow be required to pay for security services toprotect buildings and equipment outside ofschool hours?

(2) What will be the approximate costs incurred byschools to engage private security providers toprotect buildings and equipment outside ofschool hours?

(3) How does he propose that schools raise thefunds to engage private security providers toprotect State Government assets?

(4) What assistance is he prepared to provide tosmaller schools in my electorate such as KurabyState School and Sunnybank State School to

maintain security services given that smallerschools have a much narrower fund raising basethan larger schools?Mr Quinn (6/11/96): (1), (2), (3) & (4) The

decision, by the Department of Education, towithdraw funding for responses to the officialelectronic security systems of schools has now beenrescinded. Consequently, no school in theSunnybank electorate will be required to pay forsecurity services, except when an alarm is caused bythe incorrect use of a security system by schoolstaff, or user groups.

The Department of Education, in conjunction withthe State Government Security service, will continueto monitor the cost of this service to ensure thatmoney allocated for school security is a benefit to asmany schools as possible.

1032. Queensland Health, VERs

Mr NUNN asked the Minister for Health(10/10/96)—

With reference to the reorganisation of QueenslandHealth—Have any staff who had their position abolished andwho requested a VER, either from former RegionalHealth Authorities or in Central Office, resignedwithout having received a redundancy payout; if so,how many and why were they denied VERs?

Mr Horan (8/11/96): Two officers haveresigned after having accepted other positionsoutside the Queensland public sector. They hadrequested but not been offered a Voluntary EarlyRetirement (VER) package because the requirementsof the Public Sector Management Standard forStaffing Options to Manage Organisational Changein the Queensland Public Sector had not been met.

1033. Mr F. O'Gorman

Mr BARTON asked the Minister for Police andCorrective Services and Minister for Racing(10/10/96)—

With reference to recent media coverage concerningfurther investigation into the murder/suicide of twoAtherton women, which raises the possibility of anew investigation taking place under an independentinvestigator, and the possibility that the independentinvestigator may be Mr Frank O'Gorman, a member ofhis personal Ministerial Staff, who is a former policeofficer—(1) What powers does Mr O'Gorman have to carry

out police investigative work?

(2) Who pays Mr O'Gorman's salary?

(3) Will Mr O'Gorman's position in the Minister'soffice be filled from elsewhere while he iscarrying out the investigation?

(4) If Mr O'Gorman is not a serving police officer,why can't this investigative work be carried outby a serving police officer?

(5) On what basis will Mr O'Gorman be givenauthority to carry out this investigation?



(1) This question, as acknowledged, is based onmedia reports. The media reports are wrong andwere written despite quite specific denial by myoffice that Mr Frank O'Gorman was conducting anyreview or investigation of the Arnold/Leahymurder/suicide.

(2) The bulk of the question is thus irrelevant.

(3) Mr O'Gorman, a highly respected former AssistantCommissioner with the Queensland Police Service,is acting in the position of Senior Policy Adviser inmy office and as part of that role is tasked withhandling correspondence relating to theArnold/Leahy murder/suicide.

(4) During Opposition, I promised an independentinquiry into the police investigation of that matter asa suitable response to the widespread publicdisquiet about the matter.

(5) Since taking office, I have approached theCriminal Justice Commission who have undertakento review all previous inquiries into that investigation.Any further action by me is a matter which will bedecided when I am advised of the outcome of thatreview by the Commission.

1036. Mr A. Callaghan

Mr BRISKEY asked the Minister for Police andCorrective Services and Minister for Racing(10/10/96)—

With reference to the very serious allegations madeagainst Allen Callaghan by three RSPCA Councillorsand the subsequent Fraud Squad investigation intowhether Mr Callaghan has misused a corporateMastercard while working for the RSPCA since1994—

As the Fraud Squad began their investigation 10weeks ago on 30 July and as the allegations ofmisappropriation by Mr Callaghan are causingimmense damage to the RSPCA in Queensland, willhe advise when this investigation will be finalised?

Mr Cooper (5/11/96): The investigation intothe allegations made against Mr Callaghan have beenassigned appropriate priority by the Fraud andCorporate Crime Squad. The investigation is beingconducted by a senior police officer.

In order to properly and thoroughly investigate thecomplaint, investigators consider it necessary tocompletely reconstruct the accounts associated withthe credit card transactions. In order to achieve thisthe original vouchers have been called for from therelevant financial institutions. This has proved to be alengthy and labour intensive process for theinstitutions concerned.

Following the receipt and analysis of thosedocuments, a final determination will be madeconcerning the nature of any charges to be laid. It isanticipated that the matter will be finalised by the endof November 1996.

1037. Police NumbersMr HOLLIS asked the Minister for Police and


With reference to the matter of police to populationratios and the figures he supplied previously for eachregion and projected figures for 30 June, 1997—

(1) Why will the north coast be worse off in twelvemonths time and why isn't it being addressed?

(2) Why will there be virtually no improvement inthe southern region and why isn't this beingaddressed?


(1) The Queensland Police Service constantlymonitors the need for police staffing numbers in linewith population growth on a Statewide basis. TheService utilises a Staffing Allocation Model todetermine appropriate police staffing strengths foreach particular region.The approved model allocation strength for NorthCoast Region at June 1996 was 704 police officerswith an estimated model allocation strength at 30June 1997 of 743.

The police to population ratio at June 1996 wasbased on the actual strength of North Coast Regionwhich at that point in time was 715 police officers.The North Coast Region was in fact 11 policeofficers over the approved model allocation (704).

The actual staffing strength for each region can varymarkedly at any given point in time. Contributingfactors to this are the allocation of first yearconstables for training purposes to each region, andconversely, natural attrition and promotions andtransfers in and out of each region.The following comparison between the police topopulation ratios based on model allocationsindicates an increase in staffing numbers and areduction in the police to population ratio for NorthCoast Region over time:

Approved Staffing Allocation—June 1996 704

Police/Population ratio—June 1996 1:844Actual Strength—June 1996 715

Police/Population ratio—June 1996 1:831

Estimated Staffing Allocation—June 1997 743Police/Population ratio—June 1997 1:833

(2) Similarly, the above would apply to SouthernRegion.

The approved model allocation strength forSouthern Region at June 1996 was 625 policeofficers with an estimated model allocation strengthat 30 June 1997 of 636.

The police to population ratio at June 1996 wasbased on the actual strength of Southern Regionwhich at that point in time was 635 police officers.The Southern Region was in fact ten police officersover the approved model allocation (625). As mentioned previously, the actual staffing strengthfor each region can vary markedly at any given pointin time. Contributing factors to this are the allocationof first year constables for training purposes to each


region, and conversely, natural attrition, andpromotions and transfers in and out of each region.The following comparison between the police topopulation ratios based on model allocationsindicates an increase in staffing numbers and areduction in police to population ratio for SouthernRegion over time:

Approved Staffing Allocation—June 1996 625

Police/Population ratio—June 1996 1:673Actual Strength—June 1996 635

Police/Population ratio—June 1996 1:663

Estimated Staffing Allocation—June 1997 636Police/Population ratio—June 1997 1:669

1038. Queensland Health, Staff ReductionsMr MILLINER asked the Minister for Health

(10/10/96)—

With reference to his promise to substantially reducebureaucracy and I quote from one of his healthpolicy announcements of 23 June 1995 entitledCoalition Hospital Management Plan in which it wasstated that "180 bureaucrats would be axed to freeup funds for another 300 nurses, doctors, and alliedhealth professionals"—

(1) Is he still planning to sack 180 people fromQueensland Health?

(2) Will he clarify the reference to the surrender of200 net funded positions mentioned on page 4of the Ministerial Program Statement as, inanswering other questions on this specificissue, he has stated that this will not see areduction of 200 full time employees?

(3) Will he fulfil his pre-election promise to sackbureaucrats with approximately 200 positions toget the axe or not?

Mr Horan (8/11/96): (1) The Coalition is not in the business of sacking theemployees of Queensland Health.

(2) The number of positions saved sincerestructuring was identified as 214.5 at 18 June 1996.These savings are made up of Regional Officepositions (181.5) and Central Office State permanentpositions (33). These savings have enabled theCoalition to expand nursing numbers by 540,meeting and exceeding its commitment to theelectors of Queensland.

(3) As I said, the Coalition is not in the business ofsacking the employees of Queensland Health.

A vacancy management program to assist inrebuilding of Queensland Health has continuedthroughout my administration. A small number ofemployees who are unplaceable due to theirgeographical location or their skill fit with newpositions may yet be offered Voluntary EarlyRetirement packages; however, Queensland Health iscurrently holding more vacancies than it hasemployees to place. I have every confidence inthese redeployees and look forward to working withthem in the new Queensland Health.

Queensland Health now has fewer administrators toclinical staff, its surgical waiting times are falling fast,and genuine community input is being restored, as ispublic confidence in the health system. These wereour promises, and on these, the Coalition has welland truly delivered.

1039. Noise Barriers, Ipswich Motorway

Mr ARDILL asked the Minister for Transportand Main Roads (10/10/96)—

When will action be taken to provide noise barrierson the Ipswich Motorway at Riawena Road,Salisbury, which is the defined transport route to thewest and acts as a sound stage for the amphitheatreof residential south west Salisbury?

Mr Johnson (11/11/96): A report which willprioritise sections of access-limited roads for noisereduction treatment in the Metropolitan area south ofthe Brisbane River, is currently being prepared.

These roads include both State funded roads andthe Federally funded National Highway.

This section of Riawena Road, Salisbury is a part ofthe National Highway, and approval of works by theFederal Government is necessary. Until the report iscompleted, I am unable to advise the priority fortreatment of this section compared with othersections of the National Highway. However, I havealready foreshadowed an application for funding ofnoise reduction measures to the Federal Minister,following completion of the report.

1040. Justices of the Peace (Qualified)

Mr WELLS asked the Minister for Training andIndustrial Relations (10/10/96)—

With reference to his departmental publication FutureFocus, specifically page 2, referring to the newcourse for Justices of the Peace (Qualified)(10/10/96)—

(1) Is it the case that he and or his office, and/orofficer/s of the Department of Justice, eitherverbally or in writing, sought to stop thedelivery of the JP (Qual) courses in both theTAFE Colleges and by Walker Pender in thepre-budgetary deliberations in the monthsleading up to the State budget; if so, what werethe reasons given for the attempted curtailmentof these training programs?

(2) Was funding sought by the Department ofJustice for the delivery of Justice of the Peace(Magistrates Court) training; if so, what was thedecision in relation to this funding and thereasons that funding was or was not provided?

(3) Will JP (Qual) courses continue to run in theTAFE Colleges and in rural and remoteQueensland in 1997 and 1998 calendar years?

(4) Given the article on page 2 which states "Thosewho have achieved JP (Qual) status canreceive further training to a JP (MAG CT)", willhe advise the 7,000+ JP (Quals) in thecommunity how, when and where they can


receive this training and which department hasthe responsibility for delivering the training?Mr Santoro (11/11/96):

(1) Neither I nor my officers sought to stop deliveryof the JP (Qual) courses. I am unaware of any suchattempt by officers of the Department of Justice.Furthermore, negotiations with Walker PenderConsultants Pty Ltd and TAFE Queensland Institutesin May 1996 resulted in a total of 51,216 studentcontact hours being delivered in remote areas.

(2) No.(3) In 1997 provision is made for delivery of morethan 40,000 student contact hours in JP (Qual)courses across a number of TAFE QueenslandInstitutes, including those Institutes in rural areas.Courses to be delivered in remote areas will beadvertised through a competitive tendering process.

Delivery of the JP (Qual) course for 1998 is subjectto the outcomes of consultations with stakeholdersfor the development of the 1998 State TrainingProfile.

(4) At this stage the JP (MAG CT) course is notrecognised by VETEC. When a decision is maderegarding delivery of the JP (MAG CT), people whohave attained recognition for the JP (Qual) coursewill be advised how they can access the JP (MAGCT) training.

1041. Tuberculosis

Mrs EDMOND asked the Minister for Health(10/10/96)—With reference to reports of an alarming incidence ofpositive tuberculosis test results identified in nursingstaff at the Dandenong Hospital in Victoria and thepublic health implications this poses for QueenslandHospitals—

(1) What testing is or has been conducted to allaycommunity fears that this potentially lifethreatening illness could be contracted bypatients free of the disease when they enterpublic health facilities for treatments?

(2) Have there been any incidences of tuberculosisrecorded by the department which could beattributed to staff in Queensland hospitals orother health facilities; if so, which hospitals andhow many cases were identified in each case?

(3) What is Queensland Health doing to ensure thatall precautions are being taken in relation to thepossibility that tuberculosis is making a comeback in Australia?

(4) From a clinical point of view, is Queenslandmore conducive to the spread of a disease liketuberculosis for climatic or other reasons worthnoting?

Mr Horan (8/11/96): (1) All nurses and medical students have a mantouxtest (screening), chest x-ray and vaccination (BCG) ifappropriate before commencing hospital work. Thenumber of new cases of tuberculosis (TB) inQueensland remains low. Queensland facilities followboth the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards

and the recently released National Health andMedical Research Council (NHMRC) Guidelines. Aworking party is reviewing all State infection controlpolicies. Any patient who is likely to be of higher riskof TB is screened and managed according to theseguidelines.(2) Most transmission of TB occurs in a householdenvironment. Transmission of TB in Queenslandhospitals is uncommon. This year one case of ahealth care provider in an Oral Health Clinic who hadacquired the infection on an overseas trip has beenimplicated in the possible transmission of the TBbacteria to two other persons who have developedthe active form of the disease. However, as neitherof these persons were treated by the health careprovider the investigation is continuing.

(3) While TB has re-emerged as a significant problemin the USA particularly, this has not been the case inQueensland or Australia. The Specialised HealthServices Branch of Queensland Health hascontinued the program of specialised central TBcontrol throughout Queensland. The situation isclosely monitored on a continuous basis through anadvanced TB surveillance statewide program.

(4) No. Rates of TB in Queensland are among thelowest in the world. On current knowledge, it ispossible that the lifestyle and climate in Queenslandis less conducive to the spread of TB. However, TBhas not been eliminated anywhere in the World andits nature is such that small outbreaks are likely tooccur and should not cause undue surprise. OurQueensland anti-tuberculosis control policy ensuresthat TB is maintained at low rates for the generalpopulation and special strategies ensure that specialrisk areas and situations are adequately catered for.

1042. Queensland Health, Staff Reductions

Mr PURCELL asked the Minister for Health(10/10/96)—With reference to his promise to reduce bureaucracyoutlined in yet another one of his pre-electionstatements on 4BC radio on 23 June 1995 when hesaid, and I quote "160 health fat cats would besacked to create an additional 200 beds"—

(1) Is this promise to axe 160 "health fat cats" as heput it still his policy and when will he finalise thisnumber of sackings from his department?

(2) Is this promise to sack 160 positions in additionto the 180 he also promised to sack or part ofthe total 180 and the 200 net positions to besurrendered which was mentioned in the healthbudget papers?Mr Horan (8/11/96): The promises of the

Coalition are to be found in its Policies. TheCoalition Health Policy committed the Coalition to—

". . . devolve services as closely as possible tothe people to achieve efficiencies that willenable more services to be provided from thehealth dollar."

It goes on to say that, at that time—". . . regionalisation [had] nothing to do withcommunity interest and access to facilities, but


everything to do with administrativeconvenience, with Government forgetting that itis the servant of the people. The Coalition willput the people first by delivering the servicethey require.

. . .

[District] Health Councils [will] provide forgenuine community input into the services oftheir Hospital and Community Health Service."

The Coalition Nursing Policy provided for—

". . . an additional 400 staff in the first year . . ."

As you can see, the Coalition is not in the businessof sacking the employees of Queensland Health. Thenumber of positions saved since restructuring wasidentified as 214.5 at 18 June 1996. These savingsare made up of Regional Office positions (181.5) andCentral Office State permanent positions (33). Thesesavings have enabled the Coalition to expandnursing numbers by 540, meeting and exceeding itscommitment to the electors of Queensland.

A vacancy management program to assist inrebuilding of Queensland Health has continuedthroughout my administration. A small number ofemployees who are unplaceable due to theirgeographical location or their skill fit with newpositions may yet be offered Voluntary EarlyRetirement packages; however, Queensland Health iscurrently holding more vacancies than it hasemployees to place. I have every confidence inthese redeployees and look forward to working withthem in the new Queensland Health.

Queensland Health now has fewer administrators toclinical staff, its surgical waiting times are falling fast,and genuine community input is being restored, as ispublic confidence in the health system. These wereour promises, and on these, the Coalition has welland truly delivered.

1043. School Programs, Capricornia Region

Mr SCHWARTEN asked the Minister forPublic Works and Housing (10/10/96)—

With reference to the previous Labor Government'sinitiatives 'Schoolsafe', 'Makeshade' and 'BuildingBetter Schools'—

(1) Are these programs being continued by theGovernment; if so, what is the budget for eachof these programs for the Capricornia Region?

(2) What schools are involved and what is the timeline for each of these schools/projects?

Mr Connor (11/11/96): (1) & (2) TheMakeshade and Building Better Schools programsrest within the portfolio of my Cabinet Colleague, theHonourable Bob Quinn MLA, Minister for Education,it would be more appropriate that these questions bereferred to him. With reference to the Schoolsafeprogram it would be more appropriate that thesequestions be directed to my Cabinet Colleague whois responsible, the Honourable Vaughan JohnsonMinister for Transport and Main Roads.

1044. Mental Health Services, Emerald andCentral Highlands

Mr PEARCE asked the Minister for Health(10/10/96)—

With reference to ongoing calls for additionaldedicated mental health workers to service Emeraldand the Central Highlands—

(1) What is the level of service provided to patientsat the Mental Health Service clinic at Emerald?

(2) How many social workers and nurses arelocated in Emerald to service those in need ofmental health care and to support the families ofpatients?

(3) Has the Regional Mental Health Services Planidentified the need for additional dedicatedmental health workers?

(4) When will he commit real dollars to improvingMental Health Services for Emerald and theCentral Highlands?Mr Horan (8/11/96): Labor may not have

listened to these ongoing calls, but the Coalition will.

(1) The Rockhampton District Mental Health Serviceprovides an outreach service to Emerald two daysevery four weeks. This comprises a multidisciplinaryteam of psychiatrist, psychiatry registrar, psychiatricnurse and mental health allied health professional.

(2) Two locally based community health nursesprovide support to people with mental illness andtheir families between visits from the Rockhamptonteam. (3) Thanks to the return of genuine community input(through the Central Highlands District), the need fora locally based mental health service has now beenrecognised. This need was not previouslyhighlighted by the then Central Region. So this isjust one local benefit flowing from the abolition ofLabor's failed regional system.

(4) The Ten Year Mental Health Strategy includes atime frame for the allocation of new resources todevelop this new local service, supported byoutreach services from Rockhampton. Emerald willbe considered as a priority in the allocation ofresources in the next State Budget.

1045. Gladstone State High School

Mrs CUNNINGHAM asked the Minister forEducation (10/10/96)—

With reference to the need for permanent emergencyaccess to all areas of State and private schoolproperties—Will the department accept responsibility for the dirtroad at Gladstone State High School which allowsfire brigade, ambulance and police to rear buildingson this site?

Mr Quinn (6/11/96): The Department willreview the situation of emergency access tobuildings at the rear of the Gladstone State HighSchool site in light of priorities within the CapitalWorks Program.


I will keep Honourable Member informed of anydevelopment regarding this matter.

1046. Bus Trials

Mr ELDER asked the Minister for Transportand Main Roads (10/10/96)—What are the details of the accessible bus trialswhich are being conducted as part of the pilotprogram this year?

Mr Johnson (11/11/96): In the 1996/97 Budgetthe Government allocated funding of $7.5 millionover three years to provide financial assistance tobus operators to purchase and trial wheelchairaccessible buses. $1.5 million has been allocated for1996/97.

The Government recognised the value of theAccessible Bus Pilot Program introduced by theprevious Labor Government and continued it withthis substantial injection of funds.Under the program, bus operators will receive asubsidy of up to 25 percent of the total purchaseprice of accessible buses which they operate. As acondition they will be required to collect informationfor Queensland Transport about the operations ofthe buses over a twelve month period.

As well as giving operators a helping hand ininvesting in new technology, it will also provide uswith some good information on the performance ofdifferent types of accessible buses in differentoperating conditions in Queensland.

In terms of the details of the accessible bus trialscurrently being conducted, the Honourable Memberwill be aware that two accessible buses commencedoperating in the Ipswich area in March this year. By the end of October, the operator in Camira willtake delivery of a wheelchair accessible ultra low-floor MAN mini bus which will be the first of its kindto go into operation in Australia. This operator willtake delivery of a second MAN bus approximatelyfour weeks after this. The bus operator in Mackayexpects to take delivery of the same type of busaround December. The Townsville operator will beobtaining a number of accessible buses over thenext 2 years.

A number of other operators from Park Ridge,Maryborough, Redcliffe, Bribie Island, Cairns,Wynnum and Brisbane have also expressed a stronginterest in receiving funding under the program topurchase accessible buses in this financial year.

1047. Sheepstation Creek ConservationPark

Mr HAYWARD asked the Minister forEnvironment (10/10/96)—

With reference to Sheepstation Creek ConservationPark at Morayfield—Will he confirm whether or not adult visitors,including local residents, will be required to purchasea Park Pass before entry?

Mr Littleproud (7/11/96): The proposed ParkPass entry fee will be required from March 1 next

year for all national and conservation parks inQueensland including Sheepstation CreekConservation Park. This entry fee will apply to adultvisitors including local residents. You will be awarethat introduction of such an entry fee was madenecessary by the Labor legacy of inadequate fundingfor management of protected areas. However, it isworth noting that all other States and Territorieshave some form of park entry fee already operating.

1048. Mr R. Matson; Peicor Pty Ltd

Mr D'ARCY asked the Attorney-General andMinister for Justice (10/10/96)—

With reference to my Question on Notice No. 840and to his answer—

(1) Is Mr Roger Matson a principal of Peicor PtyLtd?

(2) Who are the office holders of that company?

Mr Beanland (12/11/96): In response to thespecific questions made by Mr D'Arcy, I can adviseas follows:

(1) No.

(2) The office holders of Peicor Pty Ltd are ChristaAntoinette Schweizer, director and secretary, andRobert Schweizer, director.

1049. Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island


With reference to the proposed development ofNelly Bay, Magnetic Island—

(1) Does the Government intend to excise anysection of World Heritage Marine Park in orderto sell the area to private developers?

(2) What is the legal precedent for the removal of apublic beach from a World Heritage StateMarine Park for private residentialdevelopment?

(3) When will the final EIS be made public?

(4) Will the Government require a new publicreview process if the proposal is alteredsignificantly through the EIS process?

(5) Will the Picnic Bay jetty be closed to make wayfor the Nelly Bay Harbour project?

(6) What does he understand to be the result ofthe Bright Point boundary dispute?

(7) How much has the Queensland Governmentspent to date on project promotion, the EISprocess, various applications affecting themarine park, court proceedings and othercosts?

(8) What infrastructure and ongoing maintenancecosts will the State incur in servicing theproject if it goes ahead?

Mr Littleproud (11/11/96): This matter is theresponsibility of the Honourable Minister forEconomic Development and Trade, to whom anyquestion should be directed.


1050. Gold Coast Rail Link

Mrs ROSE asked the Minister for Transportand Main Roads (10/10/96)—

With reference to the Gold Coast Rail Link—

(1) What is the expected completion date of theRobina Station?

(2) What is the expected completion date of therail line from Helensvale to Robina?

(3) What studies to date have been undertaken onthe extension of the rail line from Robina toCoolangatta?

(4) What is the Government's commitment to theextension of the rail line from Robina toCoolangatta?


(1) For several years, the completion date for thestation has been December 1997.

However, negotiations have also been in progressfor many years with Robina Land Corporation (RLC)with regard to the acquisition of the land required forthe station and for the southern extension of therailway through RLC's lands.

Unfortunately, these negotiations have not beenconcluded as there emerged significant differencesof opinion between the Government and RLC overthe form of construction for the southern extension.

The date for completion of the station will dependupon the outcome of negotiations and in particularthe date when land can be acquired for constructionand also the form of architectural treatment of thestation building.

It is therefore no longer possible to say specificallythat the station will be opened in December 1997. Anopening in March 1998 will be feasible if Governmentresumes the land and the station building is to QR'sdesign. Adoption of RLC's proposed building couldadd some months to the design and constructionwhich would affect the completion date.

As previously stated, these negotiations are imminentand the question can be better answered when theyare concluded, hopefully within the next month.

(2) As noted in the response to Part 1 of thisquestion, the station building at Robina is critical forthe rail line opening to Robina.

However, construction is well advanced betweenHelensvale and Nerang and it is expected to call fortenders for the station building in November thisyear, with completion expected twelve months later.

It is expected that the service to Nerang will open inDecember 1997 as planned.

Included in the station complex is a bus interchangewhich will provide bus/bus transfer as well as bus/railand it is expected that this will lift the level of publictransportation in the region significantly.

(3) A study was conducted in 1991/92 which lookedat options for a Casino—Murwillumbah/Robina railcorridor. The study was conducted by SymondsTravers Morgan on behalf of Queensland Rail andthe NSW State Rail Authority. The options were forthe development of some form of full or partial railservice between Casino and Robina. One optionconsidered was a rail extension from Robina toCoolangatta.

Gutteridge Haskins and Davey (GHD) managed astudy for Queensland Transport on an investigationof a proposed rail connection fromRobina—Coolangatta. A report was produced inAugust 1995.

The purpose of the GHD study was to examine thetechnical feasibility of a rail alignment, to identifyimpacts on property, and to assess majorconstruction and operational issues.

(4) Agreement between all levels of Government wasreached in 1996 to progress the rail extension fromRobina—Coolangatta. The study project willprogress under the umbrella of the Building BetterCities Program. The investigation program alsoincludes consideration of a Tugun Bypass (anextension of the Pacific Highway).

The Queensland and Commonwealth Governmentsare both contributing major funding towards theproject, with a contribution also from Gold CoastCity Council. This Government is committed to aproper evaluation of the concept as are also GoldCoast City and Tweed Shire Councils. A SteeringCommittee is in operation, and it is expected thatconsultants will be appointed to commence thestudy by the end of 1996.

The rail extension is an important public transportopportunity for investigation identified in the draftIntegrated Regional Transport Plan (IRTP).

1051. Schools, Nudgee Electorate

Mr ROBERTS asked the Minister forEducation (10/10/96)—

With reference to primary and secondary schools inthe Nudgee Electorate—

(1) What are the enrolment and predictedenrolments for each school at (a) Boondall, (b)Zillmere, (c) Geebung, (d) Nudgee and (e)Northgate Primary Schools and Banyo StateHigh School for the years 1990 through to2006?

(2) Excluding the monitoring of enrolments anddemographic trends what proactive action hasthe department taken, or does it intend to take,to maintain viability of schools within theelectorate?


Mr Quinn (6/11/96): (1)

Year Banyo SHS Boondall SS Geebung SS Northgate SS Nudgee SS Zillmere SS

1990 405 430 365 141 440 1401991 455 466 324 144 427 173

1992 394 448 298 118 416 194

1993 319 466 293 125 406 2051994 289 458 294 147 378 181

1995 291 463 306 157 331 193

1996 292 460 314 145 337 1841997 301 456 325 133 318 186

1998 321 440 338 135 314 193

1999 322 435 346 147 326 1952000 328 428 344 158 336 197

2001 327 443 341 159 366 197

2002 321 450 334 168 386 1982003 316 462 334 190 394 196

2004 311 470 332 208 400 194

2005 306 476 331 219 404 192

2006 300 484 329 226 407 195

(2) The Department of Education maintains regularmonitoring of enrolments and demographic trendsfor all schools in the region. Part of such monitoringincludes a viability assessment.

Projections indicate that Boondall State School,Geebung State School, Northgate State School,Nudgee State School and Zillmere State School willmaintain enrolments at, or about, their present levels.Banyo State High School shows a continuingdownward trend which will make the provision of arange of senior secondary programs increasinglydifficult, over time. This will be addressed in part byBanyo SHS students accessing a wider array of postcompulsory offerings drawn from the surroundingcluster of schools. The Honourable Member wouldbe aware that I met recently with Mrs Elizabeth GraceMP, Federal Member for Lilley, and representativesfrom Banyo SHS and Nudgee College, to discussthe concept of a Centre for Excellence at the highschool.

1052. Reef TaxMr CAMPBELL asked the Minister for

Tourism, Small Business and Industry (10/10/96)—

With reference to the proposed increase in thebarrier reef tax by the Federal Government from $1to $6 per day and the State Government's $3 nationalpark entrance tax, for a tourist visiting LadyMusgrave Island off Bundaberg and having a scubadive, the taxes imposed will be $9 paid by the touristboat operator and $6 paid by the dive operator—atotal of $15.00—

(1) Since many of the tourist packages have beenpresold to tour wholesalers for the period up toMarch 1998, how can these tour operatorsabsorb these massive tax increases?

(2) What help will be given to tourist operators toenable them to survive with these massive costincreases?

Mr Davidson (8/11/96): (1) The Commonwealth Government's proposal toincrease the EMC by $5 and to implement thisincrease by 1 January 1997 would not give manyoperators sufficient time to absorb the increase,especially those who have pre-sold a large numberof tours. It is extremely regrettable that theCommonwealth has announced the increase in theEMC in this way. The Queensland Government willnot increase commercial tour operator user chargesfor national parks before 1 January 1998, allowingtime to negotiate with the industry and time for theindustry to absorb any increases.

(2) I view the proposed increase in the EMC withgreat concern and have asked the Commonwealth toreconsider this proposal. The most effective form ofassistance to the industry would be to have acompromise worked out that will provide sufficientfunding for the management and protection of theGreat Barrier Reef.

I have made representations to the CommonwealthMinister for Industry, Science and Tourism, theHonourable John Moore MP, and the Minister forEnvironment, Sport and Territories, Senator RobertHill. I have also spoken to the Prime Minister, theHonourable John Howard, outlining Queensland'sconcerns. The Chair of the Queensland Tourist andTravel Corporation has written to Mr Moore seekingto have the decision overturned. The marine tourindustry is making strong representations on theissue. My Department is continuing to liaise with theCommonwealth Government, the Great Barrier ReefMarine Park Authority and the industry. It is hopedthat the Commonwealth will reconsider the issue and


a compromise will be reached that shares the cost ofprotecting the Great Barrier Reef among all thosewho benefit from it.

1054. South Bank Parklands Redevelopment

Mr BEATTIE asked the Minister forEnvironment (11/10/96)—

With reference to plans to re-develop the SouthBank Parklands at a cost of $26m—

(1) What part and area of the South Bank Parklandsis proposed for this re-development?

(2) What portion of the re-development area willhave the 200—250 residential units built uponit?

(3) What portion of the re-development area will beretained as open space parkland?

(4) What portion of the re-development area will beset aside for commercial development?

(5) Will two hotels providing up to 700 rooms alsobe built on the site?

(6) Are a series of 6-10 storey office developmentsalso planned for the site?

(7) Is the South Bank Corporation planning landsales of South Bank land to recoup the $26mcost of this re-development and realise a profitof approximately $24m?

(8) Where is it intended to spend this $24m profit?

(9) How much land is intended to be sold andwhere is this land located on the South Banksite?

Mr Littleproud (11/11/96): This questionshould be directed to the responsible Minister, thatis, the Honourable the Premier.

1055. Cautionary Notices; Traffic BreachNotices

Mr NUNN asked the Minister for Police andCorrective Services and Minister for Racing(11/10/96)—

(1) What is the normal operational procedurefollowed by police officers in issuing cautionarynotices instead of fines?

(2) How many traffic breach notices were issuedby the Queensland Police Service in August1996?

(3) How many cautionary notices were issued bythe Queensland Police Service in August 1996?


(1) The discretionary power for a police officer toissue penalty notices or cautionary notices is foundin section 3.4 of the Operational Procedures Manualfor the Queensland Police Service. This sectionoutlines the matters that the officer is to considerbefore making a decision to prosecute or not.

The decision to either institute proceedings or desistfrom doing so initially rests with the officer who,having investigated the offence, contemplatesinstituting proceedings against the person for that

offence. In cases where a minor offence is detectedand where the offender is an otherwise law abidingcitizen, prosecution for the offence may in fact becounter productive. However, each case must beconsidered individually.

Some of the factors an officer must consider whendeciding to initiate a prosecution are:-

(i) the seriousness or, conversely, thetriviality of the alleged offence or whetherthe offence is of a 'technical' nature only;

(ii) any mitigating or aggravatingcircumstances;

(iii) whether the prosecution would beperceived as counter-productive;

(iv) the availability and efficiency of anyalternatives to prosecution both personaland general.

The manner in which cautionary notices are to beissued is outlined in Commissioner's Circular 74/93.

That Circular provides for officers to give a verbalcaution to an offender when issuing a cautionarynotice.

The officer is to make a note of the date, time,location, offence committed, the offender's name andaddress and registration number of the vehicle intheir official notebook or Activity Log.

No other action is required.

(2) Queensland Transport records indicate thatduring the period 1 August to 31 August 1996, a totalof 29,615 Traffic Infringement Notices were issuedby members of the Queensland Police Service. Thisfigure does not include Infringement Notices issuedas a result of traffic incidents.

(3) No centralised records are kept of cautionarynotices issued by police and consequently thenumber issued during August 1996 is not readilyobtainable.

1056. South East Freeway; Pollution Levels

Mr ROBERTSON asked the Minister forTransport and Main Roads (11/10/96)—

With reference to his answer to my Question onNotice No. 521 where I raised concerns that thedecision to widen the South East Freeway andincrease its carrying capacity would result in a furtherdeterioration in air quality in suburbs such asUnderwood, Springwood and Rochedale and hisadvice that 'the increased capacity in the corridor,particularly if achieved in a manner which encouragesincreased vehicle occupancy, is not expected tocause a deterioration in air quality levels'—

(1) What scientific evidence does he have tosupport this statement?

(2) Will he provide this evidence to ensureresidents who currently live along the SouthEast Freeway will not suffer a deterioration inhealth as a result in a deterioration in air qualitybrought about by the significant increase intraffic movements along the freeway predictedby the Vietch Lister Consulting Technical


Report prepared for the Department ofTransport?


(1) Air quality levels are affected by a range ofparameters, transport being only one. The populationgrowth in the South East Freeway corridor anddispersed land use patterns are the primary causesof the expected increase in traffic flows andassociated changes to air quality. To meet thisgrowth, effective transport infrastructure is needed.Without additional capacity, congestion and airquality problems will increase. Provision of theadditional capacity through a busway and highoccupancy vehicle lanes is an environmentallyresponsible way to meet the growth in populationand travel demands.

In terms of scientific evidence, modelling of airquality levels which may result from the upgradinghas not been done at this time. However, it isnoteworthy that modelling done as part of thedevelopment of the Impact Management Plan for thesection of the Pacific Highway south of the LoganMotorway, showed that regional air quality would notdeteriorate as a result of the widening.

(2) An Impact Management Plan (IMP) will bedeveloped as part of the planning for the South EastBusway Project. As part of this process, air qualityimpacts will be analysed. This will includeconsideration of both regional air quality and local airquality impacts. It is unlikely that the improvementsto public transport resulting from the South EastBusway Project will cause a deterioration in airquality. The incentives to increase vehicleoccupancy created by the HOV lanes will play a keyrole in moving people more efficiently and reducingemissions from transport in the corridor.

1057. Suncorp and QIDC, VERs

Mr HAMILL asked the Deputy Premier,Treasurer and Minister for The Arts (11/10/96)—

With reference to the operation of Suncorp and theQIDC—

(1) What was the total number of employees ineach of these Government owned enterprisesat 26 June 1996?

(2) What is now the total number of employees ineach of these Government owned enterprises?

(3) How many employees of each of theseGovernment owned enterprises have (a) retiredand not been replaced, (b) resigned and notbeen replaced, (c) taken a voluntaryredundancy package, (d) redeployed and theirold position abolished and (e) been retrenchedin the period since 26 June 1996?

(4) What is the cost to Suncorp and the QIDC forthe voluntary and involuntary redundanciesduring this period?

Mrs Sheldon (8/11/96): QIDC

(1) The total number of employees of QIDC as at26/6/96 was 455.

(2) The total number of employees of QIDC as at22/10/96 was 450.(3) The number of employees who have left QIDCsince 26/6/96 due to:

(a) retired and not replaced—0

(b) resigned and not replaced—11(c) taken a voluntary redundancy package—0

(d) redeployed and their old position abolished—0

(e) been retrenched—14(4) The cost to QIDC of voluntary and involuntaryredundancies for the period was $573,908.41

Retrenchments at QIDC have resulted from thedecision to close some elements of the investmentbanking division, in particular, the CorporateAdvisory area due to under performance and aconsequent lack of profitability. Retrenchments havenot in any way been merger related as neitherSuncorp or Metway conduct similar activities tothose terminated at QIDC. QIDC is still activelyrecruiting to fill key vacancies.

SUNCORP(1) The total number of employees of SUNCORP asat 26/6/96 was 3781.

(2) The total number of employees of SUNCORP asat 22/10/96 was 3850.

(3) The number of employees who have leftSUNCORP since 26/6/96 due to:(a) retired and not replaced—0

(b) resigned and not replaced—30

(c) taken a voluntary redundancy package—0(d) redeployed and their old position

abolished—34

(e) been retrenched—35

(4) The cost to SUNCORP of voluntary andinvoluntary redundancies for the period was$502,017.

In the case of Suncorp, any redundancy orredeployment of staff has occurred as a result ofvarious organisational restructures that were plannedwell before any announcement of the merger withMetway and QIDC was made.

1058. Railway Workshop Job Losses,Townsville

Mr SMITH asked the Minister for Transportand Main Roads (11/10/96)—With reference to the Estimates Debate during whichhe acknowledged that further job losses in therailway workshops would occur from the existing1,844 jobs to 1,100 in 1998—

In view of the foreshadowed loss of a further 750workshop jobs, will he indicate if any of those joblosses will occur in Townsville?

Mr Johnson (11/11/96): It was established atthe Estimates Committee Hearing this year that thereduction of employment within the Workshopsgroup of Queensland Rail was in line with the overalldirection of the original Workshops Strategy


adopted in July 1993, which was during the time ofthe Labor administration.In September 1996, a new initiative in respect ofTownsville Workshops has been entered into byQueensland Rail in line with the Coalition Policywhich considers the retention of a number of majormaintenance operations within the Townsville region.

The current level of employees within the TownsvilleWorkshops will be retained subject to normalattrition, and the current Voluntary Early Retirementpolicy operating within QR and the workload whichwill be appraised on a regular basis.

Overall, the level of employees within theWorkshops group will reflect the opportunitiesafforded to the group to compete for appropriate railwork and the group's ability to achieve the necessaryefficiency to compete within the market.

1059. Bingham Report ImplementationCommittee

Mr BARTON asked the Minister for Police andCorrective Services and Minister for Racing(11/10/96)—With reference to his announcement of anImplementation Committee for the BinghamCommittee Report and the fact that no informationhas been made publicly available of the costsassociated with that implementation committee'swork—

(1) What are the projected costs to the PoliceService for this implementation?

(2) What will be the remuneration paid to eachmember of the implementation committee?

(3) How will their expenses be paid and what isthat projected cost?

(4) How will the Bingham Report ImplementationCommittee impact on the work of the CriminalJustice Commission?

Mr Cooper (11/11/96): (1) In answering this question it is assumed that itrelates to the operations of the Overview Committee,and not the costs of implementing the QPS ReviewCommittee's recommendations.

The members of the QPS Review OverviewCommittee are:

Sir Max Bingham (chair)Sir Bruce Watson

Ms Jill Bolen

Mr Roly Dargusch

Mr Laurie WithamProjected costs relating to the Overview Committeewill consist of remuneration for Committee members,associated travel costs, executive support,equipment and miscellaneous costs.

The cost of the Overview Committee for theremainder of the 1996/97 financial year has beenestimated to be $70,664.39. The breakdown of thiscost is provided below.

2. Members of the Overview Committee will beremunerated at the same daily rate as applied whenthey were conducting the Review, with theexception of Sir Bruce Watson who has again askedthat an honorarium be paid to charities nominated byhim. While it is not certain at this stage exactly howmany days the Committee will need to sit, it isanticipated that ten days per member for theremainder of the 1996/97 financial year is the likelyrequirement. On the basis of this estimate, thefollowing costs will be incurred:

Sir Max Bingham @$600 per day—$6,000

Ms Jill Bolen @$600 per day—$6,000

Mr Roly Dargusch @$500 per day—$5,000

Mr Laurie Witham @$500 per day—$5,000

Sir Bruce Watson—$1,000

Total—$23,000

In addition, it is anticipated that Sir Max Bingham andMs Bolen will be undertaking research and readingwork associated with the Overview Committeeseparate from formal meeting days.

Sir Max Bingham @$600 per day x 15 days—$9,000

Ms Jill Bolen @$600 per day x 10 days—$6,000

Total—$15,000

(3) Other costs include travel and accommodationcosts for Committee members and administrativecosts.

(a) Travel costs have been calculated at $7,201.89

(b) Accommodation costs have been calculated at$2,880.00

(c) Administrative costs:-

(i) Motor Vehicle Parking $480.00

(ii) Secretarial support $7,200.00

(iii) Executive Officer support $9,600.00

(iv) Contingency Reserve for UnidentifiedCosts $4,000.00

(v) Equipment (computer connection andsoftware) $700.00

(vi) Miscellaneous (telephone and post officebox rental) $602.50

(4) The Overview Committee will have no impactwhatsoever on the work of the Criminal JusticeCommission.

1060. Juvenile Aid Bureau, Gladstone

Mr LIVINGSTONE asked the Minister forPolice and Corrective Services and Minister forRacing (11/10/96)—

With reference to my understanding that theAssistant Commissioner, Central Region, supportsthe idea of establishing a Juvenile Aid Bureau inGladstone in principle—

(1) Why has Gladstone a higher priority than anyother town, city or district under his control?


(2) What other towns, cities or districts in thecentral region does the Assistant Commissionersupport in principle for the establishment of aJuvenile Aid Bureau?

(3) What other towns, cities or districts in all otherpolice regions in Queensland have "in principle"support for the establishment of a Juvenile AidBureau?


(1) Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and LongreachPolice Districts are located in Central Police Region.Juvenile Aid Bureaux are established atRockhampton and Mackay. No Juvenile Aid Bureau(JAB) is located at Longreach and it is not proposedto establish one as the volume of reported crimedoes not warrant it.

The Officer in Charge, Gladstone CriminalInvestigation Branch, submitted a report dated 7February 1994 for establishment of a Juvenile AidBureau at Gladstone with justifying statistics forjuvenile police work conducted there. Thisapplication was supported by the District Officer.The Juvenile Aid Bureau State Co-ordinatorconducted a needs assessment for the establishmentof a Juvenile Aid Bureau in the Gladstone PoliceDistrict in 1994. As a result of this assessment, it wasrecommended that three additional positions beallocated to Gladstone Police District to establish aJuvenile Aid Bureau. The additional positions couldnot be met from existing Regional Resources at thetime.

The District Officer, Gladstone, made furtherapplication on 26 October 1995 for establishment ofa Juvenile Aid Bureau at Gladstone. Justification wasbased on local statistics showing that, for the period1 January to 30 October 1995, the number ofjuvenile arrests/summonses/cautions for the Districttotalled 407. Of this figure, 220 juvenilearrests/summonses/cautions were reported forGladstone Division.

A proposal was made to the Queensland PoliceService's Board of Management on 11 June 1996 forthe provision of additional staff to create a JuvenileAid Bureau at Gladstone in conjunction with otherstaffing submissions. At that time, it was resolved todefer a decision on this matter, pending thecompletion of a Statewide review of service delivery.

As previously stated, the need for a Juvenile AidBureau in Gladstone was identified in 1994, and itspriority for establishment over any other town, city ordistrict in the Central Police Region has the fullsupport of the Assistant Commissioner. This supportis based on the volume of juvenile related policework conducted in the Gladstone District comparedwith similar work undertaken in Rockhampton andMackay which are already serviced by a JAB.

(2) The Assistant Commissioner, Central PoliceRegion, does not support in principle theestablishment of a Juvenile Aid Bureau at any othertowns, cities, districts in the Central Police Region atthis time.

(3) No other Regions within the State have Board ofManagement approval or support "in principle" or

otherwise for the establishment of Juvenile AidBureaux at this time.

1061.Denison Street Rail Line, Rockhampton

Mr SCHWARTEN asked the Minister forTransport and Main Roads (11/10/96)—

With reference to the upgrade of the Denison Streetrail line in Rockhampton—

(1) Will he ensure that the ballast on that line iscompletely sealed and therefore averting thecontinuing problem of stone damage in thearea?

(2) Will he assure any small businesses in the areathat they will be compensated for any lossincurred during the reconstruction of this line?


(1) Virtually all railway lines in Queensland are laid oncrushed rock ballast which has to be renewed fromtime to time. Open ballast track allows thismaintenance work to be carried out quickly and withminimum effect on the occupants of Denison Street.

Sealing the ballast reduces the ability to maintaintrack stability and alignment, a necessary requirementfor the safe operation of trains. In addition, futureremoval of the surfacing to allow track maintenance,can only be achieved at considerable cost and willcause disruption to businesses and residents in thearea.

Queensland Rail, in the development of the DenisonStreet upgrade project, undertook extensivecommunity consultation and reluctantly agreed, dueto the costs involved and the serious limitations inrelation to maintenance operations, to reconstructthe section between Stanley and Fitzroy Streets as asealed bitumen surface. While sealing of theremainder of the line is not being carried out,Queensland Rail has put in place measures for staffto be vigilant in reporting acts of vandalism.

I am sympathetic to the residents in the area, but I dobelieve that it is a community policing issue andevery effort should be made to fix the cause of theproblem, not the symptom.

Ultimately, as an organisation, Queensland Railcannot be held responsible for the criminal actions ofunknown persons.

(2) Given that the rail line is located within DenisonStreet, its reconstruction always had the potential tocause some disruption to businesses within thesurrounding area. Queensland Rail always identifiedthis fact and as such undertook to notify allconcerned parties, including the wider communityand to carry out the work in an efficient andexpeditious manner.

Queensland Rail has endeavoured to work in withbusinesses as far as practicable.

The high standard of reconstruction work carried outmeans Queensland Rail will not need to carry outmajor works for some years. Trackwork on the line inthe immediate future will be limited to minormaintenance. In the interests of safety, thereconstruction work is required.


I am satisfied that Queensland Rail has doneeverything in its power to minimise the effect of theconstruction on businesses and residents and assuch compensation will not be paid.

1062. Fortune Telling, Criminal Sanctions

Mr WELLS asked the Attorney-General andMinister for Justice (11/10/96)—With reference to his proposals for review of thecriminal law and noting that they fail to recommendremoval of criminal sanctions against fortune telling—

(1) Is he aware of strong representations forremoval of this archaic and now pointless legalban?

(2) What is his response to these representations?Mr Beanland (12/11/96): The leading questions

asked by the Honourable Member and the point ofreference upon which they are predicated eachassume

(a) that there is a flaw or a failure in theindependent review process not recommendingthe repeal of laws which proscribe fortune-telling;

(b) that because something is old it is archaic andtherefore unnecessary; and

(c) that I should agree with his view that the law ispointless.

I am aware of representations to have section 432 ofthe Criminal Code and section 4(1)(o) of theVagrants Gaming and Other Offences Act 1931repealed.

These provisions as they are there to protect thegullible and to discourage the practice of not onlyfortune-telling but, as section 432 also provides,witchcraft, sorcery and practices in the occult; thevery kinds of evil which led to the killing of MrBaldock in a Brisbane city park and to the convictionof Tracey Wiggington, Kim Jervis and LisaPtaschinski. These practices therefore are not archaic. Between1984 and 1990 in Western Australia, one Scott BryanGozenton committed deviant sexual acts upon 12 to15-year-old boys while professing to be practisingwitchcraft, and initiated some boys into anorganisation called "the Satanic Warriors". Reportedcases of prosecutions for pretending to tell fortunesalso exist; see for example Hartridge v Samuels[1976]14 SASR 209 in which it was accepted that theSouth Australian Parliament had outlawed fortune-telling because it was in itself a fraudulent practiceand necessarily deceptive whether or not thedefendant genuinely believed in his ability to foretellthe future.

1063. Police NumbersMr BRISKEY asked the Minister for Police and


With reference to his projected police to populationratios for the next decade previously provided—

(1) Will Queensland's ratio, by the year 2004-05have only just surpassed New South Wales'present figure of 1:475 and still be worse thanevery other Australian State and Territory'spresent figure and just level with the Australianaverage ratio?

(2) Is he admitting that he intends to preside overthe worst police to population ratios in Australiafor the next decade?

(3) What, in his view, is the value of the police topopulation ratio as a measure of effectivenessof delivery of policing services?

(4) Has his continued carping on this subject overthe last six years now been exposed for thehollow rhetoric it obviously was?


(1) The Coalition inherited the worst police topopulation ratio in Australia. This Government'sproposed increase in police numbers over the nextnine years is more than double the increaseproposed by the previous Government and is a majorstep in improving the police to population ratio. Weplan to match the Australian average by 2005.

(2) Under this Government, the average increase inpolice strength over the next decade will beapproximately 302 officers per year, as against only142 officers per year under Labor. In fact, underLabor, the police to population ratio in 2004-05would have been 1:531 which is even worse than theone they left to the Coalition in February 1996.

(3) It is the Government's view that police topopulation ratios are valuable indicators of policingrequirements at the macro level to ensure policenumbers keep pace with population growth and donot return to the levels experienced under the formerGovernment. In the larger States, New South Walesand Victoria, police to population ratios haveremained static for many years. The Queenslandpolice to population ratio will be steadily reducedthrough our ongoing commitment to increased policerecruit intakes.

However, in determining the effectiveness ofdelivery of policing services, particularly at theDistrict and Regional levels, there are other factorsthat must be considered rather than relying solely onpolice to population ratios.

The demographics and social characteristics of thepopulation to be served, the proportion of policeperforming operational duties, the number ofspecialist positions and civilian staff available tosupport general duties police officers, changes intechnology, and the efficiency and effectiveness ofpolice systems and procedures are critical measuresof the standard of policing services.

(4) I believe that the Coalition's action in addressingthe police to population ratio speaks for itself.

1064. Spectacle Prescription Examinations,Princess Alexandra Hospital

Mr ARDILL asked the Minister for Health(11/10/96)—


Will he advise if patients still waiting forappointments at Princess Alexandra Hospital toprovide examination for spectacle prescriptions, willbe allowed the option of attending other hospitalswith shorter waiting lists and easier access, in viewof the problems being faced by these people, deniedan essential faculty?

Mr Horan (8/11/96): All patients already havethe option to attend any hospital they choose toseek assistance with the provision of spectacles.Provided the patient is not seeking provision ofspectacles more frequently than is consideredreasonable under the guidelines, any hospital willprovide the necessary examination.

1065. QE II Hospital

Ms SPENCE asked the Minister for Health(11/10/96)—

With reference to the QE II Hospital—

(1) How many medical beds are available?

(2) How many surgical beds are available?

(3) How many patients have been seen in theemergency department in the past 12 months?

(4) What improvements have been made inradiological facilities since he became Ministerfor Health?

(5) What use is proposed for the 5th floor of thehospital?

Mr Horan (11/11/96):

(1 & 2) Fifteen (15) medical beds and fifty (50)surgical beds are currently available. However,through the recent State Budget, the BorbidgeGovernment provided $10 million for capital works,as well as an additional $10 million in operating fundsto restore the QE II Hospital to full communitygeneral hospital status.

Your constituents remember that QE II wasdowngraded to such an extent that during oneweekend in 1995 there was a total of 9 patients in theHospital.

In contrast, the Coalition will restore QE II to a fullyoperational 161 bed hospital. This redevelopmentwill result in the:

Upgrade of the High Dependency Unit with theability to ventilate patients for short periods;

Establishment of a 30 bed acute medical ward;

Addition of another rehabilitation unit tocomplement the existing neurologicalrehabilitation unit;

Equipping and staffing the remaining twooperating theatres to increase surgicalthroughput, improve access to elective surgeryand reduce waiting times;

Increasing staff for the emergency department;

Re-equipping the radiology unit.

These major improvements to QE II will make thehospital a vital link in the network of hospitals onBrisbane's southside.

(3) During the 1995/96 financial year, 25,873 patientswere seen in the Emergency Department. A total of6,684 patients have been seen in the 1996/97financial year.

(4) As part of the redevelopment process, theRadiology Review Reference Group was establishedin July to investigate the various options forimprovement. A report was prepared and is currentlybeing considered by the Capital Works Branch ofQueensland Health.

(5) In the current plan, the 5th Floor of QE II Hospitalis to accommodate Clinical Division offices, hospitaland community administration offices. The hospitaland District administration are relocating to the 5thFloor to make space available for clinical services onthe Ground Floor. It will also accommodate the AgedCare Assessment Service currently based atDiamantina House, Princess Alexandra Hospital andthe Community Health Service which is currentlyhoused at 1st Floor, 472 Ipswich Road, Annerley.

1066. Undurba State School

Mr HAYWARD asked the Minister forEducation (11/10/96)—

With reference to the Undurba State School—

When will covered walkways between the modularand demountable buildings be constructed?

Mr Quinn (6/11/96): It is current Department ofEducation policy not to provide covered walkwaysto temporary (relocatable) buildings. Therefore anyrequest for this provision at Undurba State Schoolwould require consideration of any circumstanceswhich would warrant approval as a special case.

1068. Drought Assistance

Mr PEARCE asked the Minister for PrimaryIndustries, Fisheries and Forestry (11/10/96)—

With reference to the fact that on 10 December1996, several thousand primary producers acrossQueensland will become ineligible for the DroughtRelief Payment as a result of the revocation ofdrought exceptional circumstances and as producersand their families will also be ineligible for other formsof income support, such as Job Search, because ofthe assets and activity tests—

What urgency has he, as Minister, applied in hisnegotiations with the Federal Government to ensurethat thousands of Queenslanders will not be deniedincome support until they have recovered from thedrought and established a cash flow that will allowthem to again stand alone as a much needed ruralproducer?

Mr Perrett (5/11/96):

(1) There have been ongoing delegations andsubmissions to the Prime Minister and Minister forPrimary Industries and Energy since the revocation


of northern and south-eastern Queensland fromDrought Exceptional Circumstances (DEC) declaredstatus on 11 June 1996.(2) I presented a submission to Messrs Howard andAnderson during their visit to Winton and Clermontdrought areas on 16 August 1996.

The submission sought extension of assistancemeasures, including the Drought Relief Payment fortwo (2) years, rather than the six (6) months currentlyprovided, following revocation of DEC status.

(3) To further progress that submission, the Premierlead a delegation, including myself and seniorindustry members, to Canberra on 16 October 1996.(4) The Prime Minister has been made well aware ofthe plight of Queensland primary producers and hasprovided an assurance that he will progressQueensland's case through Cabinet at the earliestopportunity.

(5) In addition, I have been vigorously pursuing theplight of Queensland producers during drought andin post drought recovery, through theCommonwealth Spring Review of DEC Declarationsand the Mid-Term Review of the Rural AdjustmentScheme currently under way.

1069. Bundaberg Police District

Mr CAMPBELL asked the Minister for Policeand Corrective Services and Minister for Racing(11/10/96)—

(1) How many extra police will be provided in theBundaberg Police District?

(2) What steps are being taken to immediatelyprovide extra patrols in the CBD on Thursday,Friday and Saturday nights?

(3) What steps are being taken to improveimmediately the police patrols and services tocoastal towns around Bundaberg?

(4) Will he advise the number of crimes reported,by classification, number of crimes cleared,crimes per police officer etc., for 1993-94,1994-95, 1995-96 and this year to date for theBundaberg Police District?

(5) Will he advise the annual Budget for theBundaberg Police District for 1993-94, 1994-95,1995-96 and 1996-97?

(6) What was the average number of prisoners heldin the Bundaberg Watchhouse for 1993-94,1994-95, 1995-96 and what was the highestnumber of prisoners held in any one day in theBundaberg Watchhouse in 1993-94, 1994-95,1995-96 and the current year to date?


(1) During 1996/97, the funded strength of theQueensland Police Service will be increased by 139officers. Of this, it is expected that the allocatedstrength of the Bundaberg Police District will beincreased by six officers to a total of 92 officers.

(2) The Bundaberg District has a Target Committeewhich includes the District Officer, the DistrictIntelligence Officer, the Officer in Charge of theDistrict Criminal Investigation Branch and theOfficers in Charge of all police divisions throughoutthe District. This Committee meets monthly toidentify problem areas in the Bundaberg PoliceDistrict and to develop appropriate strategies toaddress them, based on local intelligence. Specificoperations targeting a number of locations, includingthe Bundaberg CBD, have recently been conducted.The Target Committee will continue to focus onpolicing priorities of the areas concerned.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are knownperiods of increased activity and all available policestaff are rostered at those times.

(3) The Assistant Commissioner, North CoastRegion, is satisfied with the policing service currentlyprovided to coastal towns around Bundaberg. Allcalls for assistance received by police in this area areprioritised and attended to accordingly on that basis.Additional intelligence driven patrols and operationsare also conducted in the area.

(4) Bundaberg District Crime Statistics

1993/94 1994/95 1995/96 Year to

30/9/96

Offences Against PersonOccurred 345 353 521 101Cleared 257 272 355 59

Offences AgainstPropertyOccurred 4840 4128 4685 1194Cleared 971 1146 1017 195

Other OffencesOccurred 1182 1143 1633 337Cleared N/A N/A N/A N/A

TotalOffences 6367 5624 6839 1632Officers 88 88 89 89

Please note that cleared offences include offenceswhich may have occurred in previous years but werecleared in the year under review. Consequently it ispossible to have more offences cleared thanreported for a given year.


(5) Summary Report—Bundaberg District:Description 1993/94 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97

Salaries 3,290,548 3,291,303 3,367,557 3,471,249Wages 25,689 30,496 34,286 35,828Allowances 68,385 70,330 71,394 98,102Overtime 140,574 137,447 170,344 126,993Statutory Holidays 49,357 40,837 17,685 17,333Weekend Work 298,217 292,879 451,388 504,878Travel Allowance 24,576 26,406 42,507 31,687Fares, Freight, Printingand Stores 30,661 39,043 27,693 23,773Maintenance, Plant and Equipment 114,741 127,606 83,812 82,977General AdministrativeExpenses 99,428 152,205 157,537 125,218Fixed Assets 1,929Payroll Tax 193,639 199,599 205,633 212,719

Total 4,335,815 4,408,151 4,631,765 4,730,757

Please note that for salary related items, the 1996/97column is an estimate based on this yearsexpenditure to September. Comparisons betweenprevious years' expenditure will be affected bychanges to staffing levels throughout Districts as theRegion moves towards its correct model strength.These budgets are affected by budgetredistributions relating to the centralisation of motorvehicle expenditure and changes to the processingof workers compensation.

(6) The average numbers of prisoners held in theBundaberg Watchhouse were:

93/94 1020

94/95 1166

95/96 1480The highest number of prisoners held in any one day(i.e. overnight) was:

93/94 unknown

94/95 1795/96 17

1070. Police Station, Palm Beach

Mrs ROSE asked the Minister for Police andCorrective Services and Minister for Racing(11/10/96)—

With reference to the proposed Police Station atPalm Beach—

(1) How will the $75,000 allocated in the currentBudget be spent?

(2) How much of the funding for land acquisitionwill be set aside for a Palm Beach site?

(3) What is the timeframe for acquisition of a site?

(4) When is it expected that the police station willbe fully operational?


(1) The funds allocated will be used towardspreliminary planning and professional fees as aprerequisite to actual construction.

(2) Negotiations are continuing and the valuation of aproperty is being sought. Until this valuation isknown, it would not be appropriate to speculate onthe purchase price.

(3) It is expected that settlement of a suitableproperty will be effected later this year or early in1997.(4) The station should be fully operational sometimein the 1998/99 financial year. The actual date forcompletion is unknown at this stage.

1071. Austcast Foundry, NorthgateMr ROBERTS asked the Minister for

Environment (11/10/96)—

With reference to the Austcast Foundry situated atToombul Road, Northgate—

(1) How many complaints have been received ineach of the years 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994,1995 and 1996 for noise, dust and odourrespectively?

(2) What actions are taken when complaints of thisnature are lodged?

(3) Has the department entered into anenvironmental management plan with Austcast;if so, what environmental managementstrategies have been agreed to under this plan?

(4) What action will the department take if aspectsof the management plan are not adhered to?Mr Littleproud (7/11/96):

(1)

Year Noise Dust OdourComplaints Complaints Complaints

1990 1 0 271991 1 0 541992 0 4 551993 2 5 271994 0 3 81995 0 0 71996 0* 0* 00* Up to and including 20 October 1996


(2) When complaints are received, details arerecorded and complainants contacted by telephoneor personal visit. Premises are inspected to assessthe nature and sources of the alleged complaints.Appropriate action is then taken to resolve theissues.(3) Yes. Odour minimisation.

(4) Austcast has shown every indication ofcomplying with the Certificate of Approval for heEnvironmental Management Program.

If circumstances arose to the contrary, investigationand enforcement provisions are available under theEnvironmental Protection Act.

1072. National Institute of IndigenousPerforming Arts

Mr FOLEY asked the Deputy Premier,Treasurer and Minister for The Arts (11/10/96)—With reference to the support National Institute forIndigenous Performing Arts (NIIPA), the proposed(Roving) Indigenous Arts Festival, Support toIndigenous Arts in general in Queensland—

(1) What action has she taken to date to establishthe National Institute of Indigenous PerformingArts (NIIPA) in Queensland?

(2) Why has she continued to avoid public criticismof the Federal Government for deprivingQueensland of this important national artsinstitute?

(3) Why has she scrapped the proposedindigenous art festival launched by the LaborGovernment in 1995?

(4) What action, if any, is she taking to support andpromote indigenous art in Queensland?

Mrs Sheldon (8/11/96): (1) I have previously advised the House that I havemet with Senator Alston on several occasions andtwice written to him in the lead up to the formulationof the Federal Government budget. On each of theseoccasions I championed Queensland as theappropriate home for NIIPA.

Notwithstanding my strong advocacy, the newCommonwealth Government did not have the samecommitment to a National Institute for IndigenousPerforming Arts. I am separately considering anumber of issues related to the accommodationneeds of arts organisations. I will be looking at whatcapacity there is for Queensland to support trainingin the Indigenous arts.

(2) There seems little value in criticising theCommonwealth Government on this issue. Theformer Labor Government had plenty of time tofinalise arrangements with the Commonwealthregarding NIIPA but the delay in finalising funding fora new site for the Queensland College of Arts (whichwas proposed as a co-location option with NIIPA)resulted in Queensland losing NIIPA.(3) The Coalition Government recognises the needto maintain traditional practices and encouragecontemporary expressions of the two Indigenouscultures of Queensland. Increasing the opportunity

for employment in all cultural industries throughresourcing and empowering Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander Communities to preserve, express anddevelop their unique Indigenous arts and heritage isan essential part of the Governments program. I willshortly receive a report on Indigenous ArtsInfrastructure in Queensland. This survey will informfuture policy and program direction especially inrelation to festivals and other celebratory events.(4) The Government through the Arts DevelopmentProgram and through the Arts Statutory Authorities issupporting women's traditional arts and craft;preserving heritage through displays of historicalartefacts; encouraging greater community access toIndigenous arts and heritage collections; developingartistic skills; supporting urban Indigenous practice;and the commercial development of Indigenous artsand craft.

1073. Rugby League Clubs

Mr McELLIGOTT asked the Minister forEmergency Services and Minister for Sport(11/10/96)—

As the guidelines for the allocation of grants andsubsidies to Queensland sporting bodies require thatapplicants be affiliated to their State governingbodies, what will be the situation for any rugbyleague clubs and associations which alignthemselves with the privately owned and controlledSuper League?

Mr Veivers (7/11/96): I am advised that, underthe present guidelines, Super League clubs wouldnot be eligible for funding under programsadministered by my Department.

1074. Management of National Parks

Mr DOLLIN asked the Minister for Environment(11/10/96)—

(1) Is he aware that the Maryborough office of theDepartment of Environment is severelyunderstaffed and that there is a need foradditional park rangers to care for our nationalparks?

(2) Is he also aware that the employment of atrainee ranger could cost as little as $122 aweek, or $3 an hour, with Federal Governmentsubsidies?

(3) Will he take appropriate action and employadditional staff to ensure the futuremanagement of our national parks?


(1) Staffing levels have been the same for at least thelast four years. Despite the budgetary situationinherited from Labor, this Government is prepared tomeet the management challenge for NationalParks—unlike our predecessors who had an excessof $50m in three years to make the area operationaland viable and who failed abysmally on both counts.

That being accepted there are six national parks and12 conservation parks managed by the Departmentof Environment's Wide Bay-Burnett District staff


based in the Maryborough office. At present there isa District Ranger and four field rangers dedicated tomanagement of those parks. A ranger position at Murgon is vacant. This will havea minor impact on wildlife operation but will notaffect management of the conservation parks in thearea which are willingly managed by the local ShireCouncils as trustees.

(2) There are 11 environmental trainees placed withthe Department of Environment in Queensland; 5 inSoutheastern Region, 4 in Southwestern and 2 inCentral Coast Region.

Across the State and all employers there is a total of170 environmental trainees placed.

The cost of employing a trainee can be as low as$122 per week but depends on a number of factorsincluding the type of certificate being sought, thelength of time the person is unemployed before thetraineeship and their eligibility for Job Start and anyFederal Government subsidies.

The decision to employ a trainee must includeconsideration of the resources available to providethe necessary and obligatory training as well as theidentification of funding. The Department ofEnvironment has and is considering appropriatetraineeships within the constraints of budgets andidentified needs.

(3) Management of national Parks is a high priority forthis Government,. Unfortunately the previousgovernment did not match its funding for parkacquisition with adequate funding for management,so there is considerable catching up required.Increased funding has been provided for parkfacilities and introduction of the Park pass systemwill also help in increasing funding for parkmanagement.

1116. Logan West Community Centre; MsW. Howard

Mrs WOODGATE asked the Minister forFamilies, Youth and Community Care (30/10/96)—

With reference to the application for funding underthe Family Support Worker Program by the LoganWest Community Centre which carries the signatureof Ms Wendy Howard alongside the telephonenumber of his ministerial office—

(1) Is this the same Wendy Howard who is employedas his private secretary?

(2) Is he aware of community and departmentalconcern that preferential treatment was given to theLWCC because of Ms Howard's association withhim?

(3) Will he agree that it is highly inappropriate forsomeone from his staff to submit funding requests tohis department?

(4) Will he outline why the submissions lodged bythe other 30 unsuccessful applicants for fundingwere inferior to that submitted by his privatesecretary?

(5) Did he exert any influence over his department'sselection process to ensure Logan West and

Jimboomba, the community centre in his electorateand of which he is a patron, became successfulapplicants?

Mr Lingard (12/11/96):

1. I am advised that Wendy Howard's signature doesnot appear anywhere on the application; thereforequestions (1), (2), (3) and (4) are not applicable.

5. I am advised that I am not the Patron or a memberof the Committee of Jimboomba CentralNeighbourhood Centre.

1120. Carruthers Inquiry; Connolly/RyanInquiry

Mr ROBERTSON asked the Attorney-Generaland Minister for Justice (30/10/96)—With reference to his reply in the second readingdebate on 11 October on the Criminal JusticeLegislation Amendment Bill which providedsignificant powers to be given to the ConnollyInquiry where he stated—"There will be no way thatCarruthers will be influenced by other matters. It isquite clear that Mr Carruthers will not be influenced. Iam sure that he will produce his report together withits recommendations in due course" and given theshock resignation by Mr Carruthers as a result ofinappropriate interference by the Connolly Inquiry—

(1) What correspondence or conversations occurredbetween the Attorney-General and CommissionersConnolly and/or Ryan and/or Counsel assisting theInquiry with respect to the Carruthers Inquiry?

(2) Was he aware that Commissioner Carruthers hadbeen directed to produce all documents relevant tohis Inquiry by the Connolly Inquiry; if so, when didhe become so aware?(3) Did he support the actions taken by the ConnollyInquiry in demanding the production of alldocuments by Mr Carruthers prior to the completionof his Inquiry; if so, why?

(4) Does he remain committed to the completion ofthe Carruthers Inquiry free from interference from theConnolly Inquiry or other sources; if so, how doeshe intend to facilitate this?

(5) Will he publicly distance himself from thedisgraceful interference in the independence of theCarruthers Inquiry and allow the completion of theinvestigations free from any further unwarranted andcompromising actions by the Inquiry he established?


(1) No correspondence or conversations occurredon this matter.

(2) I first became aware of this from media reports on29 October 1996.(3) The Commission of Inquiry into the future role,structure, powers and operations of the CriminalJustice Commission is entirely independent of theGovernment. The Commission is required to operatewithin the terms of the Order in Council of 7 October1996 and the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1950. Ihave no evidence this has not been done.

I am advised that Senior Council assisting the Inquirysought from Mr Carruthers an undertaking that


neither he nor any person engaged in assisting him inthe preparation of his reports would destroy anydocument which came into his or their possession orhad been procured in the course of the inquiriesconducted by him or the preparation of his reports.Despite the honourable member's unsubstantiatedassertion, I am unaware of any request to MrCarruthers to produce any documents.

(4) This is entirely a matter for the Criminal JusticeCommission.

(5) I understand the Criminal Justice Commission hastaken steps to overcome the problems arising fromMr Carruther's resignation.

1124. Carruthers Inquiry

Mr ARDILL asked the Attorney-General andMinister for Justice (30/10/96)—

(1) What action does he intend to take to remove theultimate corruption of interference with the work ofMr K Carruthers QC, a person in a judicial situationand a former Supreme Court Judge, investigatingpossible corruption at the highest level, at the crucialtime of preparing to bring down his report?

(2) Will he consider the fact that matters, such asthis, are only interrupted if a Supreme Court orAppeal Court order is obtained?


(1) I do not understand the concept of "corruption ofinterference" raised by the Honourable Member.

(2) See (1).

1133. Police Action at 4ZZZ Concert

Mr BARTON asked the Minister for Police andCorrective Services and Minister for Racing(30/10/96)—

With reference to the police action at the 4ZZZmarket day concert on Saturday, 19 October whichinvolved the use of police horses and riot equipment,the batoning of young people by police, and theinappropriate (and possibly illegal) involvement ofmilitary police—an incident which resulted in over 60arrests—

(1) How does he explain this use of physical force bypolice on a group of young people sheltering fromthe rain?

(2) Why did police not consult with the concertorganisers as provided for in the Policing andConflict Resolution Plan negotiated with the PoliceService prior to the concert before deciding to clearthe park?

(3) Will he guarantee that police will not act in asimilarly precipitous way at future such concerts?

(4) How many police from which units attended thisfunction?

(5) Why were these numbers required?

(6) At what other similar functions have similarnumbers of police been required in Brisbane inrecent times?

(7) At what time was the main body of police whodispersed the crowd attending the function put intoplace?(8) What action by the crowd warranted this action atthis time?

(9) Who gave the order for these numbers of policeto be assembled at this time?

(10) Was a request received by police fromorganisers of the function for this police assistance?(11) Which police officer requested the assistance ofthe military police and at what time was this requestmade?

(12) When did the military police make their presenceat the function known to the Queensland PoliceService?

(13) How many military police were in attendance?(14) What role did the military police play in thisaffair?

(15) How many arrests were made in total and howmany people were charged?

(16) What particular actions at the function requiredpolice dogs, mounted police and riot gear to beused?(17) Is he satisfied that this matter has been handledaccording to the best standards of policing; if not,what action has he taken to ensure there is norepetition?

(18) Is he aware of an undercurrent of ill-feelingamongst the Police Service towards radio Station4ZZZ?

(19) Will he absolutely rule out the possibility thatpolice handled this function in the manner they did inresponse to 4ZZZ's criticism of the Police Force?(20) Is he satisfied with the manner in which theCriminal Justice Commission is handling their inquiryinto this incident?

Mr Cooper (8/11/96): The Member forWaterford was fully briefed by Chief SuperintendentFreestone on Monday 21 October 1996 in relation tothe 4ZZZ Concert.

As this incident is currently under investigation bythe Criminal Justice Commission, it would beinappropriate for me to make any further comment onthis subject.

1141. Repayment of Rates, Hamilton IslandEnterprises/Whitsunday Shire Council

Mrs BIRD asked the Minister for NaturalResources (30/10/96)—

With reference to an answer to my Question onNotice in September in which he advised that hisdepartment had reduced valuation of land occupiedby concessionaires on Hamilton Island at nil valueand given that in real terms this land is valued atmany millions of dollars (most expensive in theWhitsundays) (30/10/96)—How can he justify the huge reduction in valuationand an enormous refund anticipated at $800,000 toHamilton Island Enterprises?


Mr Hobbs (13/11/96): The concessionaires,that is the sublessees, are not "owners" for thepurposes of the Valuation of Land Act 1944. Thehead lessee—Hamilton Island Enterprises—is the"owner". Therefore, the recent valuations were issuedover the whole of the island in lieu of the previousvaluations which were calculated by adding thevaluations of each of the subleases.The valuations date back to 30 June 1993.Therefore, there is an accumulation of rates affectedby the changed valuations.

1175. Pine Rivers Shire Council, QuarryApprovals

Mr HAYWARD asked the Minister for LocalGovernment and Planning (31/10/96)—

With reference to the expiration of the moratorium onquarry approvals at 13 July as contained in the PineRivers Shire Council's Town Planning Scheme—

Will he extend the moratorium on quarry approvals inthe shire until 13 January 2002?

Mr McCauley (13/11/96): The moratoriumexpires on 13 January 1997, and not on 13 July1996.

A six month extension to the original five-yearmoratorium approved by the previous Government,was published in the Government Gazette on 12 July1996. This extension from 13 July 1996 to 13January 1997, was granted at the Council's requestto allow it time to consider a consultant's report on

extractive resources, and for the Council to initiateappropriate amendments to the Strategic Plan. The Pine Rivers Shire Council notified the ChiefExecutive of the Department of Local Governmentand Planning on 29 October 1996 of its intention toextend the moratorium to the year 2002, by way ofdraft amendments to its Planning Scheme andStrategic Plan. Public submissions on theseproposed amendments close on the 28 November1996 and the 23 January 1997 respectively.

Officers of my Department will evaluate theamendments including any public submissions andCouncil's representations on them, when they havebeen submitted to the Department by the Councilfollowing its assessment of public submissions. I willconsider this material together with advice fromDepartmental officers, in deciding the nature of myrecommendation to the Governor in Council. Itwould therefore be inappropriate for me to prejudgewhat my recommendation could be until I have hadthe opportunity to review this material and the meritsof the amendments.

As a general principle however I do not favour theuse of moratoriums as a permanent means ofmanaging land uses and their impacts. I would preferthat Councils take a more comprehensive planningapproach to the management of their communities inan even handed and carefully considered manner,rather than merely continuing to defer hard decisionsto another time when they will be all the more difficultto deal with, and where such moratoriums only serveto perpetuate uncertainty.

J. R. SWAN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, QUEENSLAND—1996