Legislative Assembly 4813 7 October 1993

THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 1993 (a) The Treasurer (Mr De Lacy)— Queensland Machine Gaming Commission—Report 1992-93 (b) Minister for Police and Emergency Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) Services (Mr Braddy)— read prayers and took the chair at 10. a.m. Queensland Fire Brigades Employees’ Superannuation Plan— PETITIONS Report 1992-93. The Clerk announced the receipt of the Ordered to be printed. following petitions— MOTION OF CONDOLENCE Bardon Professional Development Centre Death of Mr E. D. Harris From Mr Quinn (12 signatories) praying that the proposed sale of the Bardon Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier and Professional Development Centre and Minister for Economic and Trade adjoining Crown land be reconsidered to Development) (10.03 a.m.), by leave, without enable it to be retained for educational notice: I move— purposes in its bushland setting. “1. That this House desires to place on record its appreciation of the services rendered to this State by the late Edward Native Animals and Plants David Harris, a former member of the From Mr Slack (4 signatories) praying Parliament of Queensland. that the Parliament of Queensland will actively 2. That Mr Speaker be requested maintain legal sanctuary and permanent to convey to the family of the deceased preservation for all native animals and plants gentleman the above resolution together in Queensland national parks and revoke all with an expression of the sympathy and sections of Acts which appear to allow hunting sorrow of the members of the Parliament or gathering of native wildlife. of Queensland in the loss that they have sustained.” Kindergarten Funding Edward David Harris was born in Brisbane From Mrs Edmond (54 signatories) in 1911. He was educated at the Goodna, praying that sufficient funds be provided in the Wynnum and Sherwood primary schools, 1993-94 Budget to enable State Education receiving a scholarship to Sherwood. Mr Harris Department Subsidies (SEDS) to continue to was a clothing manufacturer by occupation, provide adequate funding for community specialising in men’s and boys’ wear until kindergartens and that extra funding be also 1966. He was also involved with horse provided for the Creche and Kindergarten breeding and grazing. During the Second Association. World War, he served in the Middle East and Petitions received. the Pacific as a member of the RAAF. Mr Harris was the President of the 24th Bomber and 75th Fighter Squadrons Association. STATUTORY INSTRUMENT He entered State Parliament as the In accordance with the schedule member for Wynnum representing the circulated by the Clerk to members in the Australian Labor Party in May 1966, and Chamber, the following document was remained as such until he was defeated in tabled— December 1974. During this period, he was Vocational Education, Training and also the minute secretary of the Wynnum Employment Act — Electoral Executive and the president of the Manly branch of the Australian Labor Party. Amendment of TAFETEQ Rules relating to fees and charges, effective from 1 During his eight years in Parliament, Mr Harris January 1994. earned a reputation for vigorous representation of his electors. His ability to have district problems resolved was well PAPERS known. He was also a consistent advocate of The following papers were laid on the the need for a district hospital at Wynnum, table— and was involved in issues concerning the inadequacies of the police force. 7 October 1993 4814 Legislative Assembly

Mr Harris was an active member of the grassroots issues. It was these sorts of parliamentary committees on health, police, fundamental matters which, as members of and works and housing. He represented the Parliament, none of us can afford to ignore. State Parliament at the Commonwealth As a tailor, Ted Harris also took particular Parliamentary Conference held in Canberra in interest in the standard of Government 1970. Mr Harris retired to Mount Tamborine in uniforms, in particular, that of prison officers. 1977. Back in 1967, as the Deputy Premier recalls, Mr BORBIDGE (Surfers Paradise— Ted Harris felt that the tailoring of uniforms for Leader of the Opposition) (10.05 a.m.) On prison officers made them look like circus behalf of the Opposition, I rise to second this performers. Ted said at the time that he spoke condolence motion for the former member for on good authority, after making a particularly Wynnum, Edward David Harris. Ted was a good living from making alterations not only to proud member of his party and a solid prison uniforms but also to railway and police member of Parliament who served for eight uniforms. When the Government responded years as the member for Wynnum between by saying that the uniforms were made to May 1966 and December 1974. I note that he measure, Ted replied— was born and bred in Brisbane and educated “The people who were doing the at the Goodna, Wynnum and Sherwood State measuring were obviously not qualified to schools. As the Premier indicated, before do so.” entering politics, he was a horse breeder, grazier and tailor, specialising in On one occasion, he even took the step of manufacturing men’s clothing. I also note that bringing a uniform into the Parliament to Ted Harris proudly served his country in the demonstrate his point. Royal Australian Air Force during the Second During his time in this House, Ted Harris World War. He entered the war effort in 1940, was an active member of the parliamentary serving with the RAAF’s 24th Bomber committees on health, police, and works and Squadron and 75th Fighter Squadron in the housing. He also represented State Middle East and in the Pacific. Parliament at the Commonwealth Ted Harris was very involved with his party Parliamentary Conference held in Canberra in at an executive level in the Wynnum and 1970. When he left Parliament in 1974, he left Manly electorates before becoming the with the knowledge that he had served his candidate for Wynnum following the party proudly and did his best to represent his retirement through ill health of Labor’s Bill constituents. Gunn. Ted Harris was to be commended for I did not know Ted all that well. During the his commitment to the community and to local last few years, I would often see him on the issues. Upon entering Parliament in 1966, he Gold Coast and have a talk with him in his vowed that he would never cease to be capacity as a member of the committee of the conscious of the tremendous trust that had Gold Coast Turf Club, which he also served been placed in him by the electors of with great dedication. We on this side of the Wynnum. He said that it was his intention over House pay our respects to Ted Harris and wish the ensuing years to see to it that their to pass on our sincere condolences to his confidence in him would not be misplaced. family. Ted noted that his electorate consisted mainly Mrs SHELDON (Caloundra—Leader of of working people, pensioners and small the Liberal Party) (10.09 a.m.): Ted Harris was businessmen. He felt it his responsibility to a grassroots-style local member who fought deal with matters which he felt were of diligently for his electorate of Wynnum concern to them and their families. between 1966 and 1974. Ted Harris was a Ted Harris relentlessly pursued issues proud ALP man who had worked as a tailor, such as the adequate provision of police men’s mercer, horse breeder and grazier officers and police facilities to deal with crime before entering Parliament. He specialised in in the Wynnum area. He was concerned men’s and boys’ wear and criticised the about health services and pushed hard for the Government of the day over the state of establishment of a hospital at Wynnum and Government uniforms which he said provided the extension of dental services. He was also a good living for private-enterprise tailors who a keen advocate of the electrification of the were forced to repair them. Brisbane rail system. At that time, he entered Ted Harris even touched on my own politics and felt that his electorate was electorate when he criticised the National developing into an important industrial centre. Party Government of the day for building a He often spoke on behalf of the workers in hospital in Caloundra while not building one at various industries in his area. These were Legislative Assembly 4815 7 October 1993

Wynnum. I am very glad that we now have a have to say this: we had the best-dressed hospital in Caloundra. I can understand the ALP branch in Queensland, but I have to frustration in trying to get the necessary continue this story. Sitting across the road was Government spending in one’s own the Wynnum Manly Rugby League team, and electorate. He fought for his electorate, and they had been running raffles. One of the he was very proud to help his area. In his members of the team was the Honourable maiden speech, he spoke of the growing Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing, who industry in Wynnum from boat building to the was then playing for Wynnum Manly. They Ampol oil refinery, and of the many new shops saw all these fellows going over there and and businesses moving into the area. He they said, “We’d better go over there and find served in the RAAF in the Pacific and the what it is about.” They said, “Vote in the Middle East during World War II. plebiscite”, so half the team voted. The only As a politician, Ted Harris was a quiet problem with Gibbsy was that he was dirty that achiever, a man who worked for his electorate he did not get a free shirt. All these well- without expecting or demanding high public dressed members attended the next branch praise. I offer my condolences to his family meeting. There was hell to pay as a result of and friends. the plebiscite. As an organiser, I was sent down to rerun the plebiscite, but Ted still won Hon. T. J. BURNS (Lytton—Deputy it. I am not too sure what he did the second Premier, Minister for Administrative Services time. Anyway, Ted was the eventual winner and Minister for Rural Communities) and he held Wynnum until he was defeated in (10.10 a.m.): For the first two and a half years 1974 by Bill Lamond, who was the first State that I was a member of this House, Ted Harris member of the National Party elected in a was my political neighbour. In fact, my seat of Brisbane metropolitan seat. Lytton actually now incorporates much of the bayside area that Ted represented. Ted was Teddy was born in 1911. He was a cousin the member for Wynnum from May 1966 until of Jim Donald. Some honourable members December 1974, when he was defeated in an would remember Jim Donald from Ipswich. In election that saw Labor’s numbers cut from 33 fact, at one time I think both of them were in to 11. this place together. Of course, Jim was a great old Labor man and leader of the Labor Party He was the sixth member for the at one stage. It is just under 20 years since electorate of Wynnum, following a very Ted left this place. As far as I can see, there popular local member, Labor man Bill are now only three members left in our Gunn—not the Bill Gunn we all know, but old caucus—Ed Casey, Bill D’Arcy and myself— Bill Gunn who was a Labor man for the area who would have been here with Ted. I do not for 22 years. Ted was a bloke who loved a think there are on the opposite side of the yarn and had a good sense of humour. He House any members who were here with him. was one of the many Labor members Doesn’t that point to the high turnover in this between the split in 1957 and December 1989 place in 20 years? Out of 89 members, there who spent their entire parliamentary careers in are only three members left who served with opposition. him at that time. He went from here in 1974; I first knew Ted in the 1960s when I was and it is now 1993. Sometimes, when attacks State organiser for the Labor Party in are made on politicians and their careers, Queensland. In those days it was against the people ought to realise what a rapid turnover party rules to canvass for votes in a plebiscite. of members there has been, what changes Honourable members interjected. have taken place and the pressures under which we work. Mr BURNS: Well, it was against the rules. Affiliated unionists as well as ALP members I have said it before and I will say again: it were entitled to vote, but the poor old is the families that miss out very much through candidates were not supposed to circulate the efforts of members of Parliament who do printed material to solicit their support. At the their job properly. One could say that Ted was time, Ted was a tailor and he ran a drapery a tight man with a buck. He was a dapper little store opposite the Manly Hotel. He did better fellow. If members ever saw him around the than simply distributing a few letters or racecourse, they would recall that he wore a brochures. During the week of the plebiscite to little hat and that he dressed very, very well. replace Bill Gunn, Ted placed an As the Leader of the Opposition said, he was advertisement in the Wynnum Herald inviting always critical of police uniforms and the ALP members in the area to call in at his uniforms worn by other people. In this place, drapery shop that Saturday morning for their reference was made to Ted as the member free gift on their way to vote in the plebiscite. I for uniforms. 7 October 1993 4816 Legislative Assembly

Ted loved racing. His son, Les Harris, was whole day sitting in the Chamber, one builds a a good jockey, but Ted would never give you very close relationship with the member sitting a tip. One day, after I had given him a lot of alongside. Members who sit beside one help in this place, I said to him, “You’d better another develop a particular understanding. give me a tip on Saturday.” On Monday, he Ted had two favourite topics which he walked past me and waved a $16,000 raised on a weekly basis while he was serving cheque, saying that he had a big win, but he in this place. One was the rag trade. I use that had not given me a tip. He said that I would particular term because he referred to himself have ruined the price. Honourable members as being a person who knew and understood can imagine how much of an effect my five the rag trade. The other topic was horses. As bucks each way would have had on the price! the Deputy Premier has said, Ted was a very, In 1975, when Bert Milliner died, there very successful punter. However, there is no was an argument in this place about who way in the world that he would give anyone a would fill the vacancy. There were rumours tip before Saturday’s races. He would only tell that Ted Harris would ask to be nominated, people about his successes on the Monday but those rumours were untrue. Albert Patrick morning following the races, not prior to the Field was the person who took that position at races. I guess that is probably why he was so that time; it was not Ted. successful. Ted served under three Labor Opposition I think it was the Leader of the Opposition leaders—Jack Duggan, Jack Houston and who referred in this debate to the way in which Perc Tucker. During the relatively short period Ted put up so many cases for an that he was a member of this Parliament, the improvement in the uniforms that Government State was led by four different Premiers: Sir employees were required to wear. I well Francis Nicklin, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen and, remember the day when he brought a railway briefly, Jack Pizzey and Sir Gordon Chalk. uniform into the Chamber. He referred to When he first stood for Wynnum in 1966, police uniforms on another occasion. Also, Ted’s campaign director was a bloke by the outside the Chamber, he showed people how name of Jack Comber, who was the Federal sloppy some of these uniforms were and said Labor member for Bowman from 1961 until that the Government ought to provide better 1963. Like Ted, Jack Comber was a tailor, so uniforms for its employees. He was successful. it was quite a combination—one tailor He pursued this issue relentlessly in this measuring up or, should I say, stitching up the Parliament. plebiscite, and another stitching up the Ted was always a great individual election campaign. representative of the people and there is no Ted was a real good bloke. Many people question about the ferocity with which he in the area of Lytton, which I represent, still could attack the Government of the day as an remember him fondly as their former member Opposition member when he thought that one in this Parliament. He will be sadly missed by or more individuals in his electorate were his wife and his mates. experiencing problems, particularly those in Hon. E. D. CASEY (Mackay—Minister for relation to health matters. Primary Industries) (10.16 a.m.): I would like to When he was defeated in 1974, Ted join this debate briefly because, during my first retired to the Gold Coast hinterland and led a term in this Parliament after I was elected in much quieter life than during the previous 1969, I shared a seat in the Chamber with the eight years while he was a member of this late Ted Harris who, as has already been Parliament. The Honourable Minister for indicated, served from 1966 through to 1974. Tourism has just reminded me that the Gold At that time, seating arrangements were Coast hinterland, where he was living, could entirely different. Backbenchers on both the not really be called Labor territory. But. Government and Opposition sides sat in pairs faithfully and regularly, Ted Harris would line from about the middle of the Chamber to the up on election day and work on the Labor rear wall. There is always something about polling booth. Even though he was well and sharing a seat in this Chamber. As the Deputy truly out of the public scene, Ted continued to Premier has pointed out, there has always display his loyalty to the party during the years been a big turnover of members. We all know of his retirement. that it can be a very, very lonely job. There is Although I did not have as much contact something good about sharing things on a with Ted in the last few years as I did during daily basis within the Parliament. Ted was a my first three years as a member of this very interesting character to sit alongside. Parliament, I regret the passing of Ted Harris. There is no doubt that, when one spends the Legislative Assembly 4817 7 October 1993

Mr D’ARCY (Woodridge) (10.20 a.m.): I candidate in the council elections. He used to also pay my respects to the late Ted Harris for give me advice. At that time, it was hard yakka a few moments. When I became a member of in Albert. I remember Ted manning the Upper Parliament, Ted was a member of this House. Coomera booth all the time for the Labor We have heard from other members about his Party. We used to get flogged there all the prowess. He was a very dapper man who time. One could always count on Ted to go cared very much about his constituents. there. Younger members, such as I was at that time, I pass on my condolences to his wife, could always talk to him and get advice from Marion, and his two children, Marion and Les. him. Unlike two of the members who spoke It saddens me when we lose the old before me, I was occasionally given a winner workhorses from this place, the ones who by him. I was able to get a lot of advice from battled away for years and years and never him. New members come in here very cold, saw the Government benches. When I won in and he was very warm in that way. 1989, I went to see Ted. There was no person I had a special affiliation with Ted through happier than I was. our love for horses. As Tom pointed out, Ted Mr VEIVERS (Southport) (10.24 a.m.): I was certainly very proud of his son, Les, who met Ted Harris when I won the seat of is still a well-known and well-respected jockey Southport in 1987. I had passed him, but I did within the racing fraternity on the Gold Coast. not know too much of him. I remember him He has won several premierships there. Ted saying, “Son, you have done the wrong thing was always very proud of Les’ prowess as a here. Aren’t you Tom Veivers’ cousin?” I said, jockey and his interest in that sport. “Yes.” He said, “What are you doing here? While Ted Harris was still the member for Didn’t you hand out how-to-vote cards for Bill Wynnum, he bought a property at Coomera. D’Arcy when you came home from Sydney?” I Quite a few funny incidents occurred. said, “Yes, I did.” He said, “Well, what’s Although it might not have been Labor happened to you?” That is how I came to see territory, I held the seat of Albert for the Labor Ted. I used to see him at the track very Party. The property that Ted bought was less regularly. He was a committee man at the turf than a kilometre away from the Hinze club. We got on well. homestead, where Russell was living at that Ted Harris also said that both Russ Hinze time. Then when Eddie Wallis-Smith moved and I should lose weight so that we would look into the electorate, three other sitting better in our clothes; that, until we lost weight, members and I were living in my electorate of there was never any chance that we would Albert. Ted always used to make a joke of it. look any good in our clothes. He had a very He was a good family man. He dry sense of humour. As was the case with Mr represented his constituents very well. He was D’Arcy, Ted did tip me a winner one day, so one of the people in this place whom one there is something wrong with the factions in remembers fondly. As Tom Burns pointed out, the Labor Party. I found Ted Harris to be very Ted Harris was famous for knowing a lot about pleasant. I would say that he did great things the internal workings of the Labor Party—and for the Labor Party. He was always the perhaps how to manipulate them from time to complete gentleman. He conducted himself time. He was fairly free with advice in that very well. This member of the House found it a direction. One could always get a cheery smile great pleasure to know Ted. I offer my out of him. He would always talk to people, no condolences to his family. matter what was happening and how he felt. Motion agreed to, honourable members As a member of Parliament, he will be well standing in silence. remembered by his constituents. One could say that he was a member of Parliament who Mr SANTORO having given notice of a will be remembered as an honourable man. motion— Mr SZCZERBANIK (Albert) (10.23 a.m.): Mr SPEAKER: Order! I remind the In common with many other new members of member for Clayfield that, in a notice of this House, I do not know what it is like to be motion, he does not have the right to make a in Opposition. Ted was a member of the long- statement that would be offensive to a term Labor Opposition in this State. I member of this House. That reference will be remember visiting Ted in 1986, prior to my withdrawn when the motion is edited. I am running as a candidate in the local authority talking about the reference to “a very elections. He lived at Upper Coomera, which is compliant chairman” of the CJC. In giving a less than a kilometre from where I used to live. notice of motion, the honourable member I visited Ted to ask him about running as a does not have the right to make statements 7 October 1993 4818 Legislative Assembly that would be offensive to any member or Mr McGRADY: No, I will not table it. reflect on any member of the House. Clothes, furnishings, vehicles and household appliances are all the direct result of mining, but many people are not aware of that fact. QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE I had great pleasure in initiating Mining 1. Mining Week Week last year specifically to illustrate, Mr BARTON asked the Minister for especially to city people, the importance of Minerals and Energy— minerals and energy to everyday living. “What will be the main features of Queensland Mining Week is a true community Mining Week this year?” event in which we have aimed to actively involve the people of Queensland in learning Mr McGRADY: I thank the honourable more about the everyday activities of the member for his question, which he placed on mining industry. notice yesterday. I want to place on record my thanks to Mr Borbidge interjected. the officers of my department, the Mr McGRADY: It is quite amazing that, Queensland Mining Council and the trade yesterday, Opposition members spent all of union movement. In the words of the Premier question time on trivial matters yet, when the other day, I conclude by commenting that Government members tried to talk about the anybody who is not interested in mining is not mining industry, they did not want to hear. really interested in the economy of Mr SPEAKER: Order! I suggest that the Queensland. Minister answer the question. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the Mr McGRADY: I am very happy to report member for Western Downs, I remind that Mining Week, which was an initiative of members that Ministers may table their this Government, will start this Sunday. answers for incorporation but that they do not have to do so. Equally, Ministers may read out Mrs McCauley interjected. their answers. They may adopt whichever Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for course they see fit. I will not tolerate members Callide! continually interjecting, calling for answers to Mr McGRADY: Mining Week will start with be tabled. The Standing Orders are as I have a day of free family entertainment at the interpreted them. They will be enforced in that South Bank. The day is called the Magical manner. Minerals Family Fun Day and will feature life- size coal and mineral characters, a walk- 2. Child Protection Register through coal tunnel, steam train rides and a junior rock show, amongst many other Mr LITTLEPROUD asked the Minister for activities. A highlight of the day will be the Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander magical minerals rock show, in which 16 Affairs— Brisbane primary schools will compete for “With reference to the Ombudsman's $3,000 in prizes in the junior version of the annual report in which grave concerns now-famous secondary school Rock were expressed about the use of the Eisteddfod. There will be 500 entrants Child Protection Register and who had performing as part of that event. Other access to it because unsubstantiated activities will include a fashion parade, malicious allegations are entered on that jewellery making, rock chipping and gold register— panning. The celebrations will continue Does she agree that the Department throughout the week, with displays and of Family Services' practice of maintaining activities in Queen Street. Anybody who visits a Child Protection Register that contains Queen Street during the next week will learn unsubstantiated malicious allegations something about mining and its role in our against parents is a gross violation of the society. Events will also be staged throughout civil rights of individuals?” Queensland mining centres so that people who are actually involved in the industry will Ms WARNER: I seek leave to table the also have a chance to participate. answer and have it incorporated in Hansard. No member of this House would disagree Leave granted. that mining plays an incredibly important part My department has a responsibility to record in the everyday lives of every person in this and maintain all mandatory and voluntary State. Clothes, furnishings—— reports of suspected abuse and neglect. This includes the details of investigations An Opposition member: Table it! Legislative Assembly 4819 7 October 1993

undertaken and their outcomes, which may be records which relate to children are of no unfounded, suspected or substantiated. relevance. The community’s concern for our children and their protection from abuse demands that departments such as mine hold accurate and 4. Roads, Wide Bay Area complete information to ensure their Mr DOLLIN asked the Minister for protection. Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier Obviously the issue of individual civil rights is on Economic and Trade Development— an important one for both the children and parents. The primary purpose of recording and “What action is the Government investigating reported is to assess whether taking to improve the road network in the concerns exist about the abuse or neglect of a Wide Bay area and specifically to address child and the focus is on providing assistance. problems on the Bruce Highway at the The Department does not make a finding of Gunalda Range?” whether a complaint was malicious. Where the Mr HAMILL: I table the answer and seek intent of the notifier appears to be malicious leave to have it incorporated in Hansard. and the report is unfounded, the maintenance of this information is still important in relation to Leave granted. how any future reports concerning the same child are responded to. This may result in a The Member for Maryborough will be pleased decision not to investigate a subsequent to know more than $35 million will be spent on report of a similar nature. road construction and maintenance in the Wide Bay District in 1993/94. This funding includes The issue of how long unfounded reports $9.4 million from the Federal Government for should be maintained has been the subject of a National Roads and $25.6 million from the State recent review. As a result, my department is Government for State-controlled roads. currently implementing procedures to address Productivity gains from our Road Reform this very issue. We are also conducting a total initiative will also allow additional work to be review of the child protection legislation and carried out including: invite comment on a range of issues including how long information should be retained. Construction of a number of overtaking lanes on the Maryborough-Hervey Bay The community’s concern for our children and Road costing $1 million. their protection from abuse demands that departments such as mine hold accurate and Continuation of construction of the $17 complete information to ensure their million bridge and approach works at the protection. I do not regard this as a gross new Burnett River crossing in Bundaberg. violation of civil rights. The protection of children is of paramount importance. Completion of the $1 million project to upgrade the Isis Highway between Childers and North/South Road. 3. Child Protection Register Completion of the $1 million project to Mr LITTLEPROUD asked the Minister for upgrade the Burnett Highway west from Family Services and Aboriginal and Islander Boundary Hill. Affairs— Concerning the Gunalda Range, there is a planned 3.3km deviation on new alignment to “Will she give her personal guarantee bypass the existing highway in Tiaro Shire, that unsubstantiated allegations against about 70km south of Maryborough. This would people listed on the Child Protection connect with the new Glenwood Deviation, Register have not influenced applications which was completed in 1991 and which for adoptions by the same people?” includes passing lanes. It commences on the Ms WARNER: I seek leave to table the northern side of the range. The estimated cost answer and have it incorporated in Hansard. of $7.8 million has now been put on the Queensland Department of Transport's five Leave granted. year program and is planned to start in 1997/98. I would like to point out that adoption Important work on the construction of new assessments are done by professional overtaking lanes between Childers and people—not departmental officers—who make Gympie, and several other projects, each assessments about the suitability of a adoption costing around $1 million will precede the applicants on a fee-for-service basis. Gunalda Range project. Another initial priority They do not have access to the files to which is shoulder sealing on lengthy sections south the Honourable Member has referred. of Maryborough to improve safety and reduce Departmental records are not checked, as a maintenance costs. matter of course, in regard to adoption 5. Tilt Trains, Brisbane-Rockhampton applications. Most adoption applicants are, in fact, childless and therefore, departmental 7 October 1993 4820 Legislative Assembly

Mr DOLLIN asked the Minister for Mr BORBIDGE: In directing a question to Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier the Attorney-General, I refer him to his failure on Economic and Trade Development— to implement most recommendations of the “At what stage is the Government's parliamentary Criminal Justice Committee in proposal to introduce highÐtechnology tilt regard to the Criminal Justice Act and the trains between Brisbane and establishment of yet another record-breaking Rockhampton?” committee—dominated by the Premier’s Office of the Cabinet, the Premier’s Public Mr HAMILL: I am sure that this is a Sector Management Commission and the matter that is of considerable interest to all Police Service—to review the CJC, and I ask members. I wish to assure the member for the Attorney: why has the parliamentary Maryborough that the Queensland committee been overridden, and why has he Government is well advanced in delivering tilt- permitted Executive interference in the train technology to the people of Queensland. redefining of the role of the Criminal Justice Already, three companies have expressed Commission? interest in the project, which will put Mr WELLS: I think it is important to note Queensland Rail in the forefront of tilt that the honourable the Leader of the technology worldwide. EDI-Hitachi-Itochi Opposition is complaining about the ordinary (Brisbane), ABB Transport (Brisbane) and processes of Government—processes with Morrison Knudsen Corporation of Australia Ltd which he was at one time familiar, although (Adelaide) have until December to place their presumably never the master of. The tenders, with the winning tender to be information that was provided to this announced in mid-1994. The first tilt train Parliament by the parliamentary Criminal could be in service by late 1996, with the Justice Committee was not, as the honourable second delivered in March 1997. member knows very well, provided in the form of a Bill. It was provided in the form of a large Tilt-train technology will slash the number of recommendations for a large travelling time from Brisbane to Rockhampton number of largely technical amendments by two and a half hours. The travelling time to which the Criminal Justice Commission wanted Maryborough will be cut from four hours 20 to see made into statutory amendments. minutes to three hours 20 minutes. The train Those were examined by the PCJC, which has design will feature advanced comfort and similarly reported to the Parliament. communications systems, and passengers will have access to video, television and radio, As the honourable member for Surfers telephones and fax facilities. It is envisaged Paradise knows very well, the process that is that two six-car trains will be built, each then required is for the Government to examine those matters and to make accommodating 325 passengers. They will be recommendations to this Parliament in the manufactured in Australia, possibly in form of a Bill. The process of the translation of Queensland, with some specialist equipment those matters takes time, particularly when imported. EDI-Hitachi-Itochi would utilise one is dealing with sometimes quite Japanese technology; ABB Transport would intractable matters. Matters which can largely use Swedish technology; and Morrison be described as technical nevertheless are Knudsen would use Italian technology. issues which require some process of Sweden, Japan, Italy and Spain are all decision. using tilt trains, which are an economical way I will give the honourable member one of achieving high speeds. By tilting into instance to which he might be able at a later curves, travelling times are cut substantially stage to give us a quick and easy answer. At without the necessity of building new track. present, the Criminal Justice Act provides that Nevertheless, the $526m main line upgrade a vexatious or frivolous complaint can be the which is under way between Brisbane and subject of a prosecution. However, it also Cairns will lessen journey times for the tilt provides that there has to be a warning before trains, which will have a top speed of 160 the prosecution goes ahead. There has to be kilometres per hour. It is also expected to a second occurrence. The CJC recommends encourage more people to travel by rail. For that we should delete the requirement of a instance, patronage almost doubled between warning. Of course, that raises civil liberties Brisbane and Rockhampton when the electric questions. The proposal that the CJC has Spirit of Capricorn was introduced in 1989. made may very well have some merit, but it does not seem to me that there is a quick and QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE easy answer. Changes to Criminal Justice Act Legislative Assembly 4821 7 October 1993

It is very odd to see the honourable the Mr PITT: I ask the Minister for Police and Leader of the Opposition girding himself for Emergency Services: is he aware of claims of battle on behalf of the CJC. His shadow a crisis over truancy and school absenteeism Attorney-General, the honourable Denver in Toowoomba? Can he inform the House of Beanland, stated recently— the success of police involvement with “After all, the Fitzgerald inquiry Toowoomba schools? recommended the abolition of the Mr BRADDY: The alleged crisis is a Special Branch. Now, there is very little figment of the imagination of the member for difference, I contest, between having the Crows Nest, who managed to convince the Special Branch and the CJC.” Toowoomba Chronicle to run a par in that paper on 16 September in relation to what he Members should hear also what Sir Joh referred to as a crisis. The greatest lesson to sayeth— be learnt from this is by the members for “The CJC has got to be closed down, Toowoomba North and Toowoomba South, and the quicker the better.” who were obviously beguiled into joining him in the alleged claim. Lo and behold, I am sure Sir Joh made that comment at a National that they have learnt their lesson, because the Party conference dinner. The honourable following day the Toowoomba Chronicle went member for Beaudesert has stated— to the trouble of interviewing the three high “The CJC is virtually working school principals in Toowoomba, who uncontrolled. It is about time that this disavowed the attention and expressed Government brought back that control.” surprise and amazement that the claim had been made. With friends such as those, the CJC does not It is not surprising that the member for need enemies. Crows Nest engages in this activity. He has been spreading gloom and doom where he can since he became the shadow Minister. Mabo Yet here he was disavowed, not by the police Mr BORBIDGE: In directing a question to officers themselves, but by the principals of the Premier, I refer to his expressions of the schools. support for the mining industry, and I ask: how I refer to the article in the Toowoomba does he reconcile his rhetoric as a champion Chronicle the following day. When the of the mining industry with the reality that he Toowoomba Chronicle approached the has both privately and publicly agreed with the Toowoomba State High School principal, Dr deliberate misinterpretation of the High Court Barrett, he indicated that the system was Mabo decision by the Commonwealth working very well. He conceded that, although whereby a mining lease does not extinguish three police officers had been originally native title? attached to the squad, there now were two. He was aware that the system had been Mr W. K. GOSS: The Leader of the evaluated and that, in the circumstances, the Opposition either fails to understand or police had found that two dedicated officers deliberately misrepresents the High Court were sufficient. In addition to that, we had decision. The High Court decision did not find instituted a pedestrian beat system in that mining leases extinguish native title as a Toowoomba whereby one of the police matter of law. As I have said to the Leader of officers is attached to a beat close to the the Opposition before that my advice is that it Toowoomba State HIgh School. In fact, in is really a mixed question of law and fact that addition to the Truancy Squad, that officer relates to the nature of the activity. The spends two days a week at that high school. proposal that is being discussed—in respect of Dr Barrett said that he was surprised at the which there is general agreement by not just comments made by the politicians. this State but conservative States as well—is The members for Toowoomba North and that there will be three categories of tenure, Toowoomba South had egg on their faces, and there will be a provision, subject to along with the egg on his face that the Federal Cabinet’s deliberations, whereby member for Crows Nest never seems to some mining leases will go into that category. notice. The reality is that the Truancy Squad But it depends very much on the nature of the system in Toowoomba is working very well. activity. The three high school principals have publicly expressed their satisfaction with it. Opposition Truancy and Absenteeism in Toowoomba 7 October 1993 4822 Legislative Assembly members again attempted a beat up which claims will apply offshore. I table a letter I sent ended in embarrassment for them. to the Minister for Tourism on 7 September, to which the Minister has not deigned to reply. I Ambulance Response Times ask the Premier: does he intend to ignore the impact of offshore native title claims and Mr PITT: I ask the Minister for Police and claims over the area of land between the high Emergency Services: has his attention been and low water mark, particularly in relation to drawn to recent figures regarding the average the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the response time of Queensland ambulances to Great Sandy Region National Park, or will he code 1 emergencies? act to ensure that the reef and other important Mr BRADDY: It is very important that our world resources in this State are exempt from ambulance reaction time is monitored and such claims? kept as low as possible. Around the world in Mr W. K. GOSS: I am aware of the urban areas the important test for ambulances attempt by the member to beat up some is the quickness of response to calls that are ambit Mabo-style claim on the Great Barrier made on them. The test normally is a 10- Reef. I thought it was pretty pathetic. I gather minute response time in urban areas. In that the press thought that it was fairly Queensland, we are finding that the response pathetic, too, because she tried to get it up times are better than that. two or three times and received very little Queensland ambulance officers coverage. It was a fairly disappointing operating from 177 stations across the State contribution to the debate. have recorded an average Statewide response time better than that required for Mr Borbidge: As usual, you’re doing urban centres such as Brisbane and the Gold nothing. Coast. The average response time across the Mr W. K. GOSS: The Leader of the State in the past financial year was seven and Opposition should calm down. I have all day. three-quarter minutes, which was well below Mr SPEAKER: Order! I do not. the national average of 10 minutes. Mr W. K. GOSS: There are issues that Mr FitzGerald: Average! could potentially arise in areas such as the Mr BRADDY: We should compare apples beaches, the Great Barrier Reef and so on, with apples. The comparison relates well to but they are quite speculative. These are the average response time across the country. matters that I raised personally with the Prime The yardstick is 10 minutes. The standard that Minister and the Federal Government months has been achieved in Queensland is less than ago. When honourable members see the eight minutes, which was achieved throughout legislation that is being debated by Federal the year right across the State. That flies in Cabinet at the moment—I understand that the face of the Chicken Little prophesies that should occur within the next two weeks—even continue to come from the member for Crows the Deputy Leader of the Opposition will have Nest, with the sky always falling in, as he to concede that there is no problem. would like. The official figures from the Ambulance Service again put the lie to the attempted Gold Coast Indy Car Grand Prix gloom and doom and the Chicken Little Mrs SHELDON: I direct a question to the prophesies that he continues to propagate. Treasurer. In light of the resignation of Indy Mr Cooper interjected. General Manager Bob Minnikin yesterday and the subsequent decision to appoint Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation for Crows Nest under Standing Order 123A. Chief Executive Ken Rosebery as a part-time Mr BRADDY: The average response time general manager, I ask: as Treasurer, does he of seven and three-quarter minutes, which is believe that the position of Indy General well below the national average, is better than Manager is a part-time job, given the race’s that of any other service in the country. losses of $53m over the last three years and the State Government’s continued stake of $5m in taxpayers’ funds this year? What Mabo safeguards has he put in place to ensure that Mrs SHELDON: In directing a question to the Queensland taxpayers’ investment will be the Premier, I refer to the inadequate protected? response from the Queensland Government Mr W. K. Goss: That’s the wrong to the High Court’s decision on native title and Minister. the Prime Minister’s statements that Mabo Legislative Assembly 4823 7 October 1993

Mr De LACY: The Minister for Tourism, the previous Government. The facts speak Sport and Racing is now the Minister starkly for themselves. responsible for the Indy car race, but I am Mr Cooper interjected. prepared to take questions any time Opposition members feel like asking them. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member for Crows Nest. Irrespective of what the Government has put in place to ensure that taxpayers’ Mr BRADDY: In 1989, Caboolture had 34 contributions are protected, the State police officers. Today, it has 52—an increase Government has received sufficient comfort to of more than 50 per cent. believe that the race can be run with a Mr Borbidge: No-one believes you. contribution from Government of $5m. As the Mr BRADDY: I take the interjection from honourable member should know, it is not the Leader of the Opposition. He says that no- possible to dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s one believes that. I presume that the this early in the process. Nevertheless, we honourable Opposition Leader is saying that, weighed up the situation on the basis of the when the annual report of the Police benefits that would flow to the Gold Coast, in Commissioner shows that the number of particular in terms of economic benefits, and police officers in the Queensland Police the promotion of this part of Australia on the Service has grown from 5 200 under the world scene. previous Government to nearly 6 400 under In respect of the management of the this Government, the Police Commissioner is Indy race, members of the Opposition have lying; that we do not have those extra 1 200 been calling for a long time for a shake up of police officers. That shows the falsity of the the board and a shake up of management. Opposition’s contention that no-one believes The Minister and the new board are putting in that. The people of Queensland do believe it. place a management structure that they They also believe the statistics that show the believe is appropriate to run the race in the significant—— best interests of Queensland. I am sure that Mr Elliott interjected. the Minister would say that he has great confidence in his new board, and the new Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for board is taking the appropriate action. Cunningham! Mr Borbidge: You should have a full-time Mr BRADDY: The figures published by manager. the Police Service—not by the Government— give the lie to the gloom and doom that Mr De LACY: As to whether or not it Opposition members continually try to preach should be a full-time manager—the member for their own petty political purposes. Since should direct that comment to the board. We this Government came to power, the number have a very important board with which I am of police officers in Caboolture has grown by not going to interfere. It will put in place what it more than 50 per cent. Therefore, under our believes to be appropriate action to ensure Government, the Caboolture Police Station is that the whole of Queensland derives benefit staffed 24 hours a day. That is relevant in from that great race. relation to the Opposition’s claim that no overtime is available. Caboolture Police District Mr Veivers interjected. Mr LIVINGSTONE: I ask the Minister for Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Police and Emergency Services: is he aware Southport! of claims by the Opposition that, because of Mr BRADDY: In fact, all available staff are overtime restrictions in the Caboolture, rostered to provide the best possible service to Waterford and Mount Mee areas, police are the division. The Caboolture area and other restricted to a Monday-to-Friday, 9-to-5 significant growth areas have never been service? Can the Minister inform the House of better staffed with police personnel than they the true situation? are at present. The people of Queensland do Mr BRADDY: In order to properly assess not accept the Chicken Little statements that the resources in Caboolture and similar areas, are made continually by that man who has we must look at what has occurred since the egg all over his face—the so-called election of the Goss Labor Government in honourable member for Crows Nest. 1989 and compare it with the inadequate Ambulance Officer Training resources that were given to that region under 7 October 1993 4824 Legislative Assembly

Mr LIVINGSTONE: I ask a second on-road duties every week in this district; that question of the Minister for Police and 56 of those officers were required for a 24- Emergency Services: can he inform the House hour coverage; and that only six officers were of any steps that have been taken to improve available to cover nine identified contingencies the level of professional training of ambulance ranging from air and marine attendant duties, officers within the Queensland Ambulance daily Brisbane transfers and medivac transport Service? to sick leave, workers’ compensation leave, Mr BRADDY: The issue of training for long service leave and public education ambulance officers in Queensland is courses? Did the memo follow a decision by undoubtedly the most significant achievement QAS senior management to further reduce of the Ambulance Service in the past three the total of Gold Coast ambulance staff from years in this State. Last month, I was pleased 108 to 98? to attend the graduation ceremony for the first Mr BRADDY: I thank the member for his ambulance officers in Queensland to be question, which is one of the few that he has awarded their Associate Diploma of Applied ever asked in this place. In relation to the Gold Science (Ambulance). Coast ambulance—the first thing that should Mr Connor interjected. be said is that, for a population of its size, that area has more full-time ambulance officers Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member than does Canberra. It also has more full-time for Nerang under Standing Order 123A. ambulance officers than does Christchurch in Mr BRADDY: Indeed, that was an historic New Zealand. day. That associate diploma, which was Mr Stephan interjected. introduced by our Government, is now the minimum qualification for ambulance officers Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for in Queensland. The three-year course, which Gympie! is conducted through TAFE, requires 1 000 Mr BRADDY: Those places have a similar hours of part-time study for each officer. There population to that of the Gold Coast. In are currently 1 650 officers studying for their relation to those ambulance officers—the associate diploma. department made a decision in relation to Opposition members interjected. resourcing the area as it believed it should be properly resourced, bearing in mind that the Mr BRADDY: Members opposite do not numbers available on the Gold Coast want to listen to the facts. An advanced measure up very well to any appropriate clinical training package is also being standards elsewhere in Australia or in this part developed by the Queensland Ambulance of the world. Service to allow officers to undertake medical procedures that they are presently not Mr Borbidge interjected. qualified to perform. A total of 96 per cent of Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the Leader eligible Queensland ambulance officers are of the Opposition under Standing Order 123A. now participating in study. I repeat that the Mr BRADDY: Again, members opposite training package available to Queensland do not want to listen. Some of the officers on Ambulance Service officers is the most the Gold Coast particularly enjoyed that significant achievement of the Queensland rostering system. Ambulance Service in the past few years, and it will be maintained until we have the best Mr Veivers interjected. trained, best educated officers in Australia. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member for Southport under Standing Order 123A. Gold Coast Ambulance Officers Mr BRADDY: However, a decision was made by management—not by Government Mr COOPER: In directing a question to and not at my suggestion or proposal, the Minister for Police and Emergency although I support it fully—that, with the Services, I refer to the meeting of Gold Coast numbers available, they can more than ambulance officers on Tuesday, which passed adequately cope. So a roster was distributed a vote of no confidence in the Minister and saying, “This is the way that it will be done.” I voted to suspend all duties apart from 000 will back them on that. emergency calls if shifts were reduced, and I ask: did the Ambulance Service Gold Coast In relation to the motion of no confidence District Superintendent, Mr R. K. Trenaman, in me—I understand that, of approximately issue a memo dated 3 September 1993 titled 100 ambulance officers on the Gold Coast, “Staff Establishment/Budget” which stated that only 25 attended that particular meeting. They only 62 ambulance officers were available for did not have the support of their union for the Legislative Assembly 4825 7 October 1993 meeting. No full-time union official attended With our transport framework firmly in that meeting. Less than one quarter of the place, it is appropriate that I detail a number ambulance officers on the Gold Coast were of particular programs that will benefit the present and voted at that particular meeting. I people of Queensland in the year ahead. make no apology for backing sensible Rail rostering systems on the Gold Coast that are designed to give a good, efficient service to One of the great stories of recent years the people. has been the regeneration of Queensland Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time allotted Rail. When I was appointed Transport for questions has now expired. Minister, much of our rail system resembled a working museum rather than a modern railway. I know that dinosaurs are very popular APPROPRIATION BILL (No. 2) at the moment, but let me tell honourable Resumption of Committee members that the one the Labor Government inherited in QR after decades of neglect was Debate resumed from 6 October (see scarier than anything they would see in p. 4799) on Schedule 1— Jurassic Park. We are breathing new life into QR with a massive rebuilding program, the Minister for Transport and Minister biggest in QR’s 128-year history. This year’s Assisting the Premier on Economic and annual report highlights the remarkable Trade Development progress achieved by this Government by management and, most importantly, by rail Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—Minister for workers, in the rebuilding process. In just four Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier years, Queensland Rail has delivered its on Economic and Trade Development) (11 second consecutive surplus with an operating a.m.): This year, the Queensland Government profit this year of $13.9m—a remarkable will spend more than $3.5 billion on transport, turnaround from the crippling losses of the of which $1.5 billion is committed to the 1980s. For the first time, QR’s financial results maintenance and expansion of our transport are presented on a commercial accrual infrastructure. That is $727m for roadworks, accounting basis as well as in the traditional $635m for our rail lines and $193m for our accounting format. The use of accrual ports. About three-quarters of this funding will accounting methods means that QR is now in be directed to regional and country areas, a position to measure its own financial boosting employment at a time when drought performance against that of other commercial and low commodity prices have ravaged the operators.The annual report highlights economy in many parts of regional dramatic improvements in labour and asset Queensland. productivity, with increases in both by 40 per The success being achieved by the Goss cent over the past three years, and this Government in the area of transport is good process has been enhanced by QR’s news. We are diversifying and strengthening enterprise bargaining with its work force. the State’s economy, creating jobs, and But one of the most important results of improving people’s choices of employment QR’s strengthened position has been its and lifestyle. Let me assure the Committee capacity to invest in the renewal of the that this Budget will continue the process of network. This financial year, almost $635m will transport reform, and help maintain be spent as part of that investment package Queensland’s position as Australia’s leading including— State. Our success in transport reform has been built upon the principles of social justice $153m towards the upgrade of the North and financial responsibility. These principles Coast Line between Brisbane and Cairns; are integral to the development of the $41m towards the construction of the Queensland Transport Policy (QTP) Directions Gold Coast rail link; Statement, which will plot the course for planning across the portfolio. In addition, the $24m to continue the duplication of the passage through Parliament of modern inner-city tunnels vital to the expansion of transport legislation over the next few months the Citytrain network; and will reduce the number of transport-related $166m to build infrastructure to support Acts from 55 to about 20, in keeping with the coal and mineral development. Government’s commitment to legislative and regulatory reform. This type of rail infrastructure work is generating over 2 000 direct jobs throughout the State and creating employment for 7 October 1993 4826 Legislative Assembly another 4 000 indirectly, as well as helping to big boost in Federal funding, which targeted achieve operational efficiencies such as the national highways and arterial roads. reduction of freight transit times between We have forged a strong partnership with Cairns and Brisbane from 40 hours to 27 local government in the delivery of our road hours. That is great news for business, and reform initiative. Although we are opening up particularly good news for industry in north road construction work to market competition, Queensland. we have put in place safeguards for those QR is also promoting its tourist potential. local authorities which rely heavily on Unashamedly targeting Queensland’s third roadworks for local employment. Nevertheless, largest industry, last year QR designed, rebuilt we are changing the relationship between the and launched a five-star quality hotel on department and councils from one of principal wheels—the Queenslander. A further and agent to one based on agreed price $900,000 is being invested in the new Spirit of performance contracts. It is the difference the Outback service, which will contribute to between asking someone to paint one’s the growing tourist industry of the central west. house and to send the bill afterwards, or This tourism drive will be enhanced further by asking for a quote up front before agreeing to the recent calling of tenders for a new high the work being done. We are asking councils technology tilt-train service, which will slash two for a price up front. Queensland taxpayers are and a half hours off journey times between getting better value for their money, and Brisbane and Rockhampton when it is councils are reaping the benefits of their introduced in 1996. efficiency through more roadworks being These reforms are not only providing a achieved. I wish to place on record my thanks significantly improved transport service but to local government for its cooperation with also they are providing Queenslanders with the challenge that is road reform. long-term employment security in a modern Marine and Ports and viable railway. While significant reforms have taken Roads place on the waterfront, particularly in the area In 1993-94, the total amount to be spent of stevedoring, the Queensland Government on the Roads Program will be a healthy has focused on the reform of the equally vital $727m. Of the overall outlay, the State area of port management. In this context, it is Government will boost its contribution to proposed that the recently established Ports $454m—a 14 per cent increase on last year. Corporation of Queensland, the Port of This includes $50m in special funding from Brisbane Authority and the Gladstone Port tobacco tax revenue—the first instalment of a Authority will be corporatised from 1 July 1994, $150m three-year commitment. In addition, and the remaining port authorities from 1 July unlike the approach taken by conservative 1995. Governments in other States, the Queensland This Government has also placed strong Government will actually spend the $31.5m of emphasis on the development of trade growth untied Federal road grants on State roads. as a major factor in strengthening our Although the total funds available for economy. It is pleasing to report that in the roads is less than the record level of 1992-93 past financial year, trade through owing to reduced levels of Federal funding, it Queensland’s ports increased by 5 per cent, is worth noting that this year’s road budget is with the system handling almost 120 million well above the trend line for road expenditure tonnes of cargo. Our northern ports of Cairns in Queensland in recent years. I might add and Townsville warrant special mention, with that this level of road funding is being trade growth of 24 per cent and 13 per cent complemented by increased levels of road respectively. I note that the honourable construction and maintenance being achieved member for Gladstone is present in the for each road dollar. Productivity gains Chamber. Gladstone again achieved record flowing from road reform will allow additional trade figures, while the port of Brisbane works worth approximately $90m to be carried continues to outperform other capital city ports out this year. The overall goal of road reform is through a combination of efficient a 20 per cent productivity improvement by the performance and competitive pricing. end of 1995, and we are well on the way to Brisbane’s increasing market share of the realising that goal. Australian container trade is reflected in the 47 We are devoting a large slab of our roads per cent increase in container traffic since budget to roads in non-metropolitan areas, in 1988-89. Brisbane now handles more many cases providing increased State funds containers per crane per hour than Hong to roads which did not benefit from last year’s Kong, and it is quickly catching up to Legislative Assembly 4827 7 October 1993

Singapore. Those ports are world renowned services throughout the State taking into for their efficiency and competitiveness. account the concerns of people in rural and To further improve the performance of remote communities. the port, the State and Federal Governments As a result, two contracts significantly are investing $85m to build a standard gauge upgrading western Queensland air services rail link to the port of Brisbane at Fisherman and expanding the number of communities Islands, in a project which will generate 3 000 receiving regular scheduled flights were jobs directly and indirectly, and link Brisbane to awarded. The allocation of $3.5m in this the interstate standard gauge rail network. budget means additional subsidised air Other major projects under way include services have been made available to the the expansion of the Clinton coal loading people of Winton, St George, Cunnamulla, facility at Gladstone and the duplication of Thargomindah, Bedourie and Boulia. coal loading facilities at the Dalrymple Bay Mr Johnson: Good stuff! coal terminal. The Queensland Government has also developed a draft State Port Mr HAMILL: I take the honourable Strategic Development Plan to provide the member’s interjection. It is good stuff, and I policy framework within which Queensland ask him to recognise the achievements of the ports will continue to grow. Other initiatives for Government for country people. our maritime industry this year include— Market forces alone do not always the completion of the final stage of the produce an equitable outcome, and that is pilotage and conservancy review which why this Government acted whereas will address pricing strategies; successive National Party administrations did the introduction of a new marine pollution nothing. This year, the three-year Urban Bill to provide our marine environment Passenger Transport Development Strategy, with increased protection from oil and funded by the Federal Government, will be other pollutants; completed. This program was responsible for modern bus interchanges at Toowoomba, the involvement of local authorities in the Caloundra, Townsville and Cairns and planning, management and ownership of provided for new buses in Brisbane and small craft facilities; and Rockhampton. the finalisation of an environment policy Upgraded bus/rail interchanges have for Queensland ports. been completed at Ferny Grove and A major priority this year is the completion Maryborough, as have improved Park-n-Ride of the review of Statewide public passenger facilities at Burpengary and Petrie. The transport arrangements. The review team program has provided bus priority lanes in examined interstate and overseas systems South Brisbane, new bus shelters in Brisbane and is engaged in extensive consultation with and Ipswich, and many minor road projects industry, Government stakeholders and other supporting public transport. interested parties, to test various policy A pedestrian tunnel linking the Ipswich options. Transit Centre and the Ipswich Railway station The team has examined bus, taxi and has improved access between bus and rail, private hire car operators, tourist and charter and the new bus/rail interchange at Sandgate operators and providers of community and will soon be finished. courtesy transport services. A recurrent theme in the review is the need to link Government The State Government has also moved subsidies and operator performance. This way to improve access to services for those with we ensure that the best possible public restricted or impaired mobility. To this end, passenger transport services are extended to Cabinet approved changes to the Taxi the greatest number of people. I am Subsidy Scheme, effective from 1 July this determined to see appropriate legislative year. Residents of Government-sponsored reforms put in place for passenger transport to accommodation, such as nursing homes and assist industry manage future demand and hostels, may now be eligible for taxi subsidies. improve levels of service. Temporary membership of the scheme may also be extended in certain circumstances to The same principle, which is guiding the people with severe but temporary disabilities. review of passenger transport services, was also adopted with respect to the extension of To meet these increased responsibilities, remote area air services. Early last year, the expenditure on this scheme is expected to rise Queensland Government began a 12-month from $2.5m in 1992-93 to $3.4m in 1993-94. review of all regulated and subsidised air This year, public transport in south-east 7 October 1993 4828 Legislative Assembly

Queensland will move closer to a fully A wide range of other road safety integrated system. The Government has used measures will continue to be implemented this advanced technologies to establish an year, including the Schoolsafe subsidy integrated information system, TRANSINFO; scheme which has been allocated $1m for as well as introducing electronic ticketing. 1993-94, and the highly successful School TRANSINFO provides residents and visitors to Crossing Supervisor Scheme, which will south-east Queensland with a state-of-the-art continue at a cost of $1.7m. telephone-based information system for all Marine safety issues are also of vital modes of public transport, while electronic importance to this Government, and that is ticketing is being introduced across the whole why we are providing substantial funding for of Brisbane Transport’s bus fleet and the Juvenile Boating Safety Program, which Queensland Rail’s Citytrain system in order to focuses on marine studies in high schools make intermodal transfers more convenient. throughout the State. We will also progress a The sophisticated information and ticketing new marine safety Bill, which includes the systems developed through these provision for the compulsory carriage of technologies will help make public transport a emergency position indicating radio beacons more attractive option for the region’s rapidly or EPIRBS. This new technology is already expanding population. saving lives and reducing significantly search In the area of road safety, the State and rescue costs. Government continues to provide the Ensuring that commuters can travel in essential ingredients for a progressive and comfort and safety is also a high priority, and successful assault on the State’s annual road vital to attracting passengers away from toll. In April this year, State Cabinet endorsed private vehicles and onto public transport. a whole-of-government Road Safety Strategy Accordingly, this Government will continue to with a target of achieving a one-third reduction upgrade safety and comfort features at in road trauma over the next 10 years. Queensland rail stations under the Operation Clearly, we want to maintain the Facelift Program, and provide support to the downward trend in the State’s road toll. In operation of the Railway Police Squad and 1992, Queensland’s road toll was 416, the QR’s successful Nightwatch security program. third lowest figure in 26 years. It would appear This Government has been extremely that the downward trend is continuing with the active in removing unnecessary regulations 1993 toll, as of 6 October, standing at 294, that have hampered, rather than helped, compared with 309 at the same time last year. industry in the past. In this Budget, further While improved driver training and progress has been achieved through the enhanced community road safety awareness abolition of the licence to hire for carrying are important factors in reducing road trauma, vehicles. This $2m charge on industry had I wish to make special mention of five long outlived its usefulness and its abolition measures which have contributed substantially has been welcomed by transport operators. In to the reduced road toll. They are— Queensland, the road transport industry random road watch, which has allowed carries over 70 per cent of all freight and it is improved police surveillance over a larger therefore vital that it operates without the proportion of the road network resulting in burdens of over-regulation. an 8 per cent reduction in crashes on One of the most important objectives for these routes this year; the road freight industry is to see the removal random breath testing, which has of costly and often inconsistent regulations contributed to a reduction of almost across different State and Territory 20 per cent in alcohol-related crashes this jurisdictions. The Queensland Government is year; a vigorous supporter of national uniformity red light cameras, which have reduced initiatives and is leading the debate in a crashes at signalised sites by 40 per cent; number of important areas. Indeed, we have child restraint legislation and publicity, already indicated our support for a nationally which has contributed to the number of uniform and fair system of road user charges casualties involving unrestrained child for heavy vehicles from 1 July 1995, and are vehicle occupants falling by one-third; currently working with other States to devise and an appropriate system of driving hours which are acceptable throughout the nation. compulsory bicycle helmet wearing, which has led to a 17 per cent reduction in Nevertheless, we have also advocated on injuries involving cyclists. behalf of the special needs of particular groups, such as livestock transporters and, Legislative Assembly 4829 7 October 1993 accordingly, we have forwarded our As the financial year progresses and the submissions in support of volumetric loading real picture emerges, it is obvious that the to the National Road Transport Commission. large, cumbersome, bureaucratic and While streamlining laws and reducing red financially hungry Labor machine that the tape, we have not retreated from our Labor Government has created since coming commitment to promoting safety in the heavy to office will need more funding from the vehicle industry. Our program of random already financially stressed Queensland roadside enforcement is targeting overloaded taxpayers. I hate to say that, but it is the truth. and unsafe vehicles, and it will be enhanced It is obvious that, under the Queensland by the purchase of a further two mobile Labor Government, progress in this great vehicle inspection units for light and heavy State is impossible. I was extremely surprised vehicles at a cost of $460,000. to note that some sections of the Queensland media were somewhat complimentary towards Most Queenslanders will at some stage in this year’s effort by the Honourable the their lives enter one of Queensland Treasurer, but then I realised that such Transport’s customer service centres for comments were made in the light of the licensing, registration or simply to inquire Keating/Dawkins Budget—and we all know about transport services. The Department of what a disaster that is. Transport’s one stop shop program is making sure that when this happens, people will be The Treasurer came back from Canberra able to transact all their transport business to tell us that there was a $315m shortfall. under the one roof. To date, Queensland That was the reason why all of the economic Transport has opened 50 one stop customer rationalists within the State were making service centres across Queensland. decisions at the eleventh hour that cuts would be made to essential services. People not This program will continue through 1994, only in rural, remote and regional Queensland with new one stop centres planned for but also in the south-east corner screamed Bundall, Rockhampton, Brisbane City, about those undesirable cuts that the Fortitude Valley, Nambour and Redcliffe. Government proposed without consultation. Queensland Transport services are also That is the prime objective of this Labor provided through a network of over 900 Government. It is a Government of stealth. agencies around the State, ensuring that There is no doubt about that. It does not people in rural and remote Queensland are consult with anyone. The order goes on. not disadvantaged in accessing the services of the Department. During the current year, in excess of $3.5 billion is estimated to be spent by the 1992-93 was a year of achievement Government on transport programs. That across the whole of the Transport portfolio, places a very heavy responsibility on the and I am confident that 1993-94 will also be a Minister and all of the officers under his control year of substantial progress. It can only be to ensure that that very significant sum of through the commitment of the personnel money is spent not only in a financially within the department and the statutory accountable manner but also for the authorities that the goals of improved service maximum benefit of all Queenslanders. and performance will be met.That commitment is real, and I thank them for their Firstly, I will refer to railways. The current support. I commend these Estimates to the Minister for Transport will, no doubt, go down Committee. in history as the Minister who presided over the decline of what once was a great railway Mr JOHNSON (Gregory) (11.20 a.m.): In system and an employer of large numbers of rising to speak to these Estimates, I point out the State’s men and women. Members should that an examination of the 1993-94 bear in mind that he is the same Minister who, Queensland Labor Government State Budget in April 1989 when he was in opposition, shows that it can be appropriately labelled a during the debate on the Railway Amendment “pay more, get less” document. That is the Bill promised the people of Queensland that, truth of that document. We are well aware that as the Minister for Transport in a Labor local government elections are coming up in Government, he would make Queensland early 1994. There is no doubt in the world that Railways a better place for all those who work the Budget was framed to make Jim Soorley within its employ. To say that he would make it look good in Brisbane. The Budget will make a better place for all those who work within its the Labor seats in the south-east corner look employ is sheer hypocrisy. good. It is a typical Labor big-city Budget. There is no doubt about that. He also went on to say that, unlike the National Party Government of the day, 7 October 1993 4830 Legislative Assembly

Queensland Railways would not be a profit- Townsville, being probably the most making organisation. Today, only three and a important railway centre in regional half years down the track, we see one drama Queensland, has been treated with total after another. Employees of Queensland Rail contempt by the Minister and by the Labor and their families are confronted with a future Government. If the downgrading of that facility of total uncertainty. I say to Government in Townsville occurs, we will witness a loss of members, who profess to represent the some $12m to $15m from the business centre working class families of this great State, that of that city. The economy of Townsville will they have sold out the employees of suffer. As all Government members well Queensland Railways and their families. The realise, some 52 related businesses have Minister, who represents an electorate right in direct dealings with the Queensland Railways the heart of a railway town, should be totally workshops. ashamed of his actions and his endeavours. Mr Davies: What about the $110m The Minister should undertake more contract for 40 locomotives that is going to consultation. He should speak to those people occur in Townsville—that is occurring now? more often. I would like to take the Minister Mr JOHNSON: That is very good. I take with me on some of my trips, when I talk to that interjection from the member for people who work in the railways. They say, Mundingburra. I support that. I have never, “What is our future?” I say, “I cannot help you ever criticised that new venture. At the same with your future, but I can tell you what your time, I put on record here and now: what is future would be if we were in Government. We the future of those 600 men in those would guarantee your future.” That is what the Townsville workshops? What is the future of Government has not done. In 1989, the the railway network in Townsville? Minister said in this Chamber that Queensland Railways would not be a profit-making I can assure this Committee that a organisation. Last year, he said that it made a coalition Government will continue to make $5m profit. In 1993, the Minister said that it Townsville one of the most important railway made a $13.9m profit for the year just centres and maintenance networks outside finished. It is all very well for the people to the south-east corner and, at the same time, believe that. However, the Minister has provide and guarantee employment for all cooked the books, again. I will come to that those personnel who are currently employed later. It is totally impossible for an essential there. That will further guarantee the service such as Queensland Rail to make a importance to the Townsville community and profit. The Minister knows that as well as I do. economy of the wealth that will be generated by the presence of Queensland Rail in that Since December 1989, when the Labor centre. Government came to power, the work force of Queensland Rail has declined by 3 499 We see in the 1993-94 Budget papers employees. The employees’ morale in that the upgrading of the rail link to the port of once-great organisation is at an all-time low. Townsville at a cost of $1m. It is absolutely We see the uncertainty of some 600 jobs paramount that the future of Townsville as a swinging in the breeze, with the men who are port and its strategic location be retained and employed in the Townsville workshops not maintained as the gateway to the north, the knowing what the future holds for them. Has south and the west by rail and to our northern the Minister been to the Townsville workshops trading partners by shipping. As the Minister to speak to those men? I have been there. said, exports at the port of Townsville have My colleague the member for Charters Towers grown by between 13 per cent and 14 per was with me. Those people are very, very cent. It is absolutely paramount that we worried. The situation is one of total maintain that facility. In the Budget papers this uncertainty. year, we see only $2.4m for the freight works at the repair depot at Stuart. I would have I know that the member for Thuringowa, thought that, in the $560m program for the member for Mundingburra and the Queensland Rail from Brisbane to the north, a member for Townsville are three Labor substantially larger amount of money would members. However, only the member for have been directed towards the relocation and Thuringowa has any intestinal fortitude in rebuilding of the Townsville network. However, trying to stand up for what the people of that we seem to have to wait for another day. city want. I say to the Minister that the people of Townsville, particularly the people in the Only $1m is provided for the workshops, will not accept it. redevelopment program for the workshops at Rockhampton. I would have thought that they were two very important centres for the Legislative Assembly 4831 7 October 1993 maintenance and repair of Queensland Rail the matter, but I hope that commonsense will rolling stock. They have been paid lip-service prevail, bearing in mind the important strategic of $3.4m in total. In the Queensland Rail links that those rail lines represent, the fact annual report for this year, the executive that they are important employers for the director stated that the 81.4 million tonnes of whole of Queensland and that they benefit coal freighted at a revenue of $1 billion will Queensland in general. I trust that the grow to 85 million tonnes in the current committee’s findings will be beneficial to the financial year—but listen to this—while whole of the State and not just to one portion. maintaining the same level of expenditure as The Minister says that we in the bush are 1992-93 in real terms. I would like the Minister subsidised. We may be subsidised, but has to explain that in his reply. Does that mean the Minister ever thought to tell the people of further reductions in the number of employees Brisbane that the urban network is subsidised of Queensland Rail? As I said, since the to tune of $300,000 a day? Does the Minister Government came to power, 3 500 tell the people that all the time? employees have been shed. It seems to me that the agenda of stealth is ongoing and will Mr Hamill: I do. be served by further reductions. Mr JOHNSON: I hope that the Minister The Minister can boast of the does, because the people in the bush know it. improvements that have been made to the However, the Minister does not say that to the declining system over which he presides. people in the bush. However, many of those changes are Mr Livingstone: Do you tell them how cosmetic and have little, if any, long term well subsidised it is out there? I bet you don’t. economic benefits. The Minister appears to be Mr JOHNSON: I tell the people that those a captive of either his own views or those of lines are subsidised. They know that rail is his advisers, and he has totally lost the plot. subsidised, but they also know that it is an The development role once played by essential service. They know that the value- Queensland Rail appears to have come to an added benefits of the goods that are abrupt end, and it will take a change of produced in that region create employment Government to reinstate Queensland Rail to right along the eastern seaboard and in the its proper role as an essential service to the south-east corner of this State. However, people of Queensland as a whole and a Government members do not acknowledge carrier of large volumes of commodities that that point. That is hardly surprising, because the hard labour of the people of this State there is no doubt that socialists are anti- have produced. production. Before I go off rail, there are couple of I turn to road funding. Mr De Lacy other issues that I want to address. informed us in his Budget Speech that this Mr Hamill: I think you’ve been off the year’s spending will total $727m, which I note rails for half of your speech. is less than last year’s allocation of $767m. Mr JOHNSON: It is very important that we This year’s report states that there has been a talk about certain matters. There is to be a surplus of $6m. I want to know what change to the uniforms of Queensland Rail at happened to that $6m. Will that be spent on a cost of $4.7m. In a time of recession, in a roads, or has it been gobbled up by the time of unemployment and in a time of bureaucracy somewhere? cutbacks to Queensland Rail, the Government Many residents of this State who live in or sees merit in changing a uniform that travel to less-developed areas comment everybody recognises—the traditional navy frequently that it is difficult to see where any and light blue—to the new outrageous pink significant roadworks have taken place in and red—or whatever it is—at a cost of $4.7m. those areas. Mr Hamill: Is that where you got yours Mr Hamill: What about Jessamine from? Creek? Mr JOHNSON: The Minister obviously Mr JOHNSON: Jessamine Creek is a two- condones that. year ongoing saga. In any event, that is I want to refer to the proposed cutbacks Commonwealth money. Last week in Winton, in railway services to rural and remote the Minister stated that $11m will be spent in Queensland. I know that the matter is the Winton Shire this year. That is very good, presently under review, but I will place it on but that is not $11m of State money. The bulk record. I await the decision of the committee of that $11m is Federal funding. The Minister in that regard. I will not say much more about knows that as well as I do. He is making the Budget look good by saying that the 7 October 1993 4832 Legislative Assembly

Government is putting the dollars in, but those Beenleigh and Brisbane with the intention of dollars are Federal dollars. The Minister does making it six lanes by the time it reaches the not have a vision; he does not understand Redland Bay area. I ask the Minister: how is what the road networks of this State are all he going to upgrade the Pacific Highway to about. cope with another multi-lane highway feeding Killer bridges and dangerous bends still into it? There will be a minimum of two lanes exist in their thousands. I suggest to the coming from the Gold Coast on the Pacific Minister that he needs to adopt a more Highway and another two lanes feeding into it compassionate and sensible attitude to cater from the toll road. It does not take a Rhodes for locations that present major potential scholar to work out that four lanes into three is hazards. not going to work. Why does the Minister not come clean with the people of Brisbane Mr FitzGerald interjected. and Redlands and admit that he has every Mr JOHNSON: I take the interjection from intention of extending the toll road north of the the member for Lockyer. He mentioned the Logan River, cutting right through two koala black spot funding. The Federal Government habitats, and extending it all the way through has seen fit to totally wipe that project. That is to Brisbane? very good! However, I pay tribute where it is It is all very well prior to the State election due. An amount of $10m is left over from last to delay unpalatable decisions so that the year, and that money will fund the black spot Government can retain the seats of Redlands program for a short time. However, as the and Cleveland, but what about the residents member for Lockyer just said, that program of those areas? They wanted some honesty has been totally wiped. The Minister referred and openness from the Minister, not just a earlier to the reduction in road fatalities in this back-door approach to road planning in the State. I commend the Government and the outer areas of Brisbane. I ask the Minister to authorities that have helped to reduce the explain how the eastern corridor will link up road toll. I think that every member of this with the Pacific Highway without causing Chamber supports that initiative. However, the massive congestion, or does the Minister have problem of those black spots in the road every intention of carrying the eastern corridor network of this State must be addressed. through to Brisbane? The capital works document which I turn to road safety. The Minister comprises part of the Budget papers refers to mentioned earlier the reduction in road the fact that the Department of Transport has fatalities, for which I commended him. While conducted a major reform program of road on the subject of road safety, I will also construction. I note that the department has a comment on the road safety education target of achieving 20 per cent efficiency programs conducted by the Minister’s gains, all of which will be used to undertake department—or, more correctly, the lack of additional necessary roadworks. I will be such programs. I recall that the previous following up that matter. I will be examining Government sponsored a very positive public the areas in which that money will be spent. I education program to inform all road users of look forward eagerly to that goal being their best survival tactics when using today’s achieved, and I am sure that the Minister will roads. Media road safety programs appear to provide me with the details of additional be a thing of the past. One never hears roadworks to be carried out during the current publicity for the excellent defensive driving year as a result of that program. courses, which appear to have been largely I turn to the question of the south-east discontinued. corridor. In this year’s budget, the Rhodes Mr Hamill: You obviously don’t listen to scholar Minister finally announced that any of the schools in your electorate. construction will commence on a toll road from the Logan River to the Gold Coast. A sum of Mr JOHNSON: I wrote to the Minister $21.8m will be provided to facilitate the some time ago asking him to advertise on TV construction of that project on the eastern or explain in the newspapers the correct corridor south of the Logan River. This is the procedures for entering and exiting toll road that the Minister could not make up roundabouts. I never received feedback on his mind about prior to the last election, but that. My colleague the member for Tablelands then we read about in the Budget papers. wrote to me in relation to that matter. We That toll road must feed into the Pacific wanted to make that a State program, but Highway somewhere north of Beenleigh. that was not to be. I hope that the Minister is not becoming complacent because of the I know that the Minister is working on recent decline in road fatalities. Many upgrading the Pacific Highway between Legislative Assembly 4833 7 October 1993 thousands of people are still being killed or about the pineapple line to Yeppoon, and he injured on Queensland roads. turned up with a couple of pineapples. In Time expired. 1979, I went to see accommodation provided for rail workers in Emerald, which was in the Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central) electorate that Mr Lester represented. It was (11.40 a.m.): I would like to depart from my some of the worst accommodation that I had prepared notes for this contribution on the ever seen. Do honourable members opposite Estimates to take the opportunity to respond know why something was done about the to a number of matters that were raised by the accommodation provided by Queensland honourable member for Gregory. Rail? It was because the then Government Mrs Edmond: Untruths. was embarrassed into it. Mr BEATTIE: Certainly untruths. The Mr Johnson interjected. honourable member for Gregory gives the Mr BEATTIE: The honourable member impression that he has been around for only may have been around for five minutes, but I about five minutes. From April 1978 to can tell him that the National Party October 1981, I was the State Secretary of Government expected railway employees to the Queensland Railway Station Officers live in slums. The honourable member should Union and a union advocate in the Industrial not try to tell me what that accommodation Commission. was like. I know what it was like, because I Mr Pearce: A good organisation. saw what it was like. Members of the former Mr BEATTIE: Indeed it was. I place on Government treated those employees with the public record that it was run incredibly well contempt. It was an absolute disgrace. by wonderful people. During that time, I Mrs Woodgate: What about Coppabella? observed the performance of the National Mr BEATTIE: I will come to Coppabella. Party Government. When the honourable The honourable member for Gregory reckons member for Gregory comes into this place and that he represents these places. In 1979, I talks about what has happened to the railways visited Bogantungan. There was a fifth-class under this Labor Government and tries to station master there whose wife was eight sanitise what the railways were like under the months pregnant. They were living in National Party Government, he is doing a accommodation which had no hot water and disservice to the people of Queensland. It is no electricity. As well, they lived in an area dishonest and I am not prepared to allow it to which was surrounded by high grass. The happen. woman was terrified of being bitten by snakes, When I was the State Secretary of that of which there were an abundance. That is the union, I spent some time looking at members’ track record of the National Party. The accommodation throughout the State. When I honourable member should not come into this spoke to employees of Queensland Rail and place and try to suggest that this Government members of my union in country Queensland has done something that is untoward and that and areas not so far from Brisbane, I found his former colleagues had some holier-than- that they were living in squalor. They were thou track record. What a lot of absolute living in bondwood huts and in the most nonsense! appalling conditions that any railway employee Mr Pearce: What about the voluntary anywhere in the world would be expected to employment agreements for the railway live in. I do not know where the honourable workers? They didn’t get them, did they? member for Gregory was in those days, but he was not taking any interest in the Mr BEATTIE: Exactly. The honourable accommodation of railway workers. When I member for Gregory spoke about what has travelled in country Queensland, I was sick to occurred in terms of technology. When I was a death when I saw the accommodation in union official, a new train control system— which they lived. CTC—and a new accounting system—EDP— were introduced. But were the station masters It is a joke to see Vince Lester come into and railway staff trained in the use of those this Chamber—— new systems? No! They were just rammed in. Mrs Woodgate: Not very often. Some of those poor members had to retire Mr BEATTIE: I take that interjection. On from the railways. They had heart conditions the rare occasions on which I see Vince Lester and all sorts of problems. in this Chamber, he makes comments about Mr Ardill interjected. the railways. On one recent occasion, he Mr BEATTIE: I take that interjection, endeavoured to try to embarrass the Minister because Mr Ardill shares my passion for rail. 7 October 1993 4834 Legislative Assembly

He knows that what I am saying is true. Those and 1987. Almost 60 lines were closed. I will poor beggars were put under an enormous table a document relating to that in a minute. amount of pressure. They did not have the Mr Ardill: And ripped up. sorts of schemes that were implemented by this Government to make sure that, when new Mr BEATTIE: They were ripped up. I grew technology is introduced, there is a degree of up in North Queensland. The list that I have consultation and education. For the benefit of reveals—and I remember this when I was a the honourable member for Gregory, I point kid—that in July 1964 the Kairi-Millaa Millaa out that I saw what happened to those line was closed down. In more recent times, in people. He should not suggest that under this May 1987 the Tolga-Kairi line was closed Government there has been a lack of down. Those are productive areas. They consultation. The fact is that there has been produce peanuts, maize and a lot of other more consultation than ever before. primary produce, yet the former Government closed down the lines. What is more, there I was not happy to see some suggestions was no corporate plan and no strategy. The in recent times about the closure of railway Government has in place a corporate plan lines, either. Honourable members would and a strategy to deal with railway needs. In a understand that, with my background and my moment, I will talk about SEQ 2001, which is friends, I did not support that. However, I an important part of that strategy. understand the logic. I was delighted when On 1 July 1961, the Nerang-Tweed the Premier announced that the Deputy Heads line—20 miles of it—was closed. On 1 Premier and the Transport Minister would July 1964, the Beenleigh-Southport line, which review those decisions. I fully supported that was 25.1 miles long, was closed. That is a review. I fully support the work that the Deputy prime example of the short-term, negative, Premier, Tom Burns, and the Transport stupid decision making of the former Minister have done in relation to those railway Government. We have to rebuild those lines lines. I am not being hypocritical about it. My at an enormous cost. Because the position is very clear. However, I do not want it honourable member for Archerfield will deal to be suggested that compassion was shown with the line closures at greater length, I will in the days of the former Government. I know not go through all of them. that at that time the honourable member for Gregory was not a member of this Parliament, I will table for the information of members but I can tell him that no compassion was a list of those 60-odd lines that were closed, shown by that Government. It treated railway which was a disgrace. workers like dirt. I will move on to other issues in relation to rail. Unfortunately, the necessity to reply to the Mr Johnson: I can’t agree with that. honourable member’s speech diverted me Mr BEATTIE: The honourable member from what I had intended to say. Before I do might say that he cannot agree, but I was leave what he was saying, I draw attention to there; I saw what happened. the fact that the honourable member tried to Mr Hamill: They were treated like the say that we were a big-city Government. What floors in some of the houses. a lot of nonsense! All he had to do was listen to what the Minister said and look at the Mr BEATTIE: That is exactly right. I went Budget. I will give illustrations as to why we are into those houses. They were infested with not a big-city Government. The honourable cockroaches. How could the honourable member should consult the Budget papers member support the provision of houses in and ascertain how much money we have the 1980s that did not have electricity and hot given outside Brisbane in road funding and in water? Is it any wonder that there were break- rail funding. ups in railway families? The poor station master at Bogantungan had to bring a baby The honourable member ignores the home to a dump—to squalor. Yet the benefits that rail has given to country honourable member comes into this Chamber Queensland. On 2 October, Vince O’Rourke and tries to say that the National Party did announced that there would be no increase in rail freight rates for the 1993 winter harvest something for the railway workers. I saw the and the 1994 summer harvest. He has done accommodation that was supplied for them by something to help people in the primary that Government. It was absolutely pathetic. industry area. He said that QR’s position in this The honourable member spoke about year’s discussions was that, in recognition of the Government closing railway lines. the plight of graingrowers battling because of Honourable members should look at the track adverse seasonal conditions and hence poor record of the National Party between 1955 harvest, and in recognition of the efforts of its Legislative Assembly 4835 7 October 1993 grain industry partners, principally Grainco, in is why I am a firm advocate of two things. improving the efficiency and productivity of rail Firstly, we must consider a major ring-road operations, there would be no increases. The around the whole of Brisbane. We need to honourable member cannot say that there is look seriously at a road on the other side of no commitment from this Government for QR Mount Coot-tha. We have to do that, and we to help primary producers. must do it quickly. When one considers what Mr T. B. Sullivan: And was he supported is in place in cities such as London, Paris, by a compassionate Minister in that decision? Munich—any of the major cities in the world—one finds that they all have ring-roads. Mr BEATTIE: Indeed he was. I will table London has the M25. I forget the name of the an article from the Toowoomba Chronicle road in Paris, but it is a major ring-road. If we which confirms exactly what I said about those do not do this, I know that my constituents on cuts. the north side of the river—— Let me deal now with rail generally. The Mrs Edmond: And mine. Minister needs to be congratulated. After we were elected, there was an amalgam of a Mr BEATTIE: Indeed—and the number of areas in transport into what some honourable member’s constituents will be people refer to as a super portfolio, and it forced to oppose suggestions from some does have a number of tentacles. In the quarters for roads through the city. That is limited time that we have in these Estimates stupid, senseless planning. We have to divert debates, it is impossible to deal with all the people around the city. People who want to major ones. That is why I intend to deal with travel by road from the Gold Coast to the rail, and marine and ports. north coast, or vice versa, should be able to do so by way of a ring-road. As the Minister indicated when he tabled the QR annual report yesterday, Queensland Mr FitzGerald: They do that via the Rail has delivered its second consecutive Gateway Bridge now. surplus, turning around a cash accounting Mr BEATTIE: Yes, but we need to form a deficit which was our legacy from the National complete circle. That is why we need a road Party Government. In 1989, we inherited a on the other side of Mount Coot-tha. $133m deficit. In the last two years there has Mr FitzGerald: It would benefit the been profit. The profit for last year was people going to the north coast—my $13.9m. If it were not for the change in the constituents. accounting system, it would indeed be much higher than that. Under this Government, we Mr BEATTIE: Indeed. We need to grasp have a profit. There has been a major that idea and implement it. I hope that one of turnaround in what has happened in the major legacies from successive Labor Queensland Rail. Governments will be a coordinated transport system that takes into account planning such In terms of transport generally—I refer to as that. SEQ 2001. As a member who has spoken about this issue on a number of occasions, I Previously in this Chamber, I have raised am committed to the concept of planning. We the tunnel project. If I remember correctly, need to have better planning of another $24m has been allocated in this infrastructures. With the amazing population Budget for the quadruplication of tunnels in growth that is occurring in the south-east Brisbane. When that is completed, I shall look corner of Queensland, particularly through forward to an inner-city rail loop that will serve interstate migration, there needs to be better the QUT Kelvin Grove campus, the Royal planning. Major challenges are confronting Brisbane Hospital and various schools on housing, sewerage, water and transport. As is Gregory Terrace. I have written to the Minister pointed out on page 54 of the annual report about this. I know that he understands my of the Queensland Department of Transport, argument. That sort of futuristic planning is the challenges that must be met in the important. I hope that, in conjunction with the metropolitan region include the transport tilt-train technology and other high-technology needs of a rapidly growing population that is services that will be introduced, this will make expected to exceed two million by the year rail an even more attractive proposition than it 2011. If we can get those transport is now, not only in commercial terms—which is infrastructure planning strategies right, that will what the tilt train is chiefly about—but also in save us a great deal of money. terms of the Spirit of the Outback, to which the Minister referred. I hope to be one of the Within that planning, we need to be members of this House who will travel on the courageous. We must ensure that we look inaugural journey of the Spirit of the Outback. futuristically towards our transport needs. That 7 October 1993 4836 Legislative Assembly

I believe that that is the sort of thing that will short term, it appears to be a great idea to encourage tourists to the western parts of this close railway lines, in the long term history has State. I say to the honourable member for demonstrated that we almost always regret Gregory that this Government has a closures. commitment to ensure that our rail network is I express some deep concerns about a improved on a Statewide basis, not simply on number of matters—all of them the a small, regional basis. responsibility of the Minister and all of them Together with the honourable member for relating to my electorate, which is a large, Mount Coot-tha, I recently visited Cape York highly productive, developing agricultural area. with a number of officials from the Department It has very little opportunity for further of Transport. I saw at first hand the new processing and manufacturing so we must live professionalism that the Department of with the things that have been given to us and Transport is demonstrating. Since then, this take best advantage of them. My electorate matter has been discussed at committee has a reasonable infrastructure of roads and, meetings with the Minister. I put on record my until recently, rail. It is still there, but its future admiration and respect for those Transport is pretty wobbly. However, a lack of a decent Department officials who, I believe, are blazing and progressive rail and road network in my a new attitude and a new professionalism electorate is crippling and destroying the towards transport in this State. future potential of that area. I shall give In the last few seconds available to me I members a number of reasons why I make shall deal briefly with marine and ports. I am that statement and I shall go into some detail. delighted at the effort that has been put into In respect of the developing sugar improving ports in this State. Under this industry in far-north Queensland—recently, I Government, the overall ports system was pleased to praise the Minister for Primary increased trade by approximately 5 per cent. Industries for his view that the sugar industry We must continue that commitment. We are should expand. It has provided great placing a lot more emphasis on trade with opportunities for farmers in the Atherton Indonesia, Vietnam, China and other Tableland region to grow sugar as a means of countries in our region. A key part of that is expanding the agricultural and financial base ports. I am delighted that that subject has of the tableland region. I regret to say that the been given a high priority by this Minister and Department of Transport has its feet well and this Government. truly bogged in the mud. It is unable to Time expired. change its priorities as emerging opportunities arise for regional areas in Queensland. That Mr GILMORE (Tablelands) (11.55 a.m.): I has been clearly demonstrated in the last am delighted to have followed the member for several months; first of all by the suggestion Brisbane Central in this debate because, in his that we should close our rail lines and, brief recitation on the history of rail closures in secondly, by successive issues that have Queensland, he made a couple of points that come to light since then. I was going to make. He was absolutely correct in what he said, particularly about the The Mossman central mill has been stupid, short-term planning perspective of the taking cane from the upper tablelands region Department of Transport in the past. I am sure for some time. The road infrastructure is being that the member for Archerfield, in his own used to transport cane from my electorate, inimitable way, will continue in the vein later. down the Rex Range to an interchange area He, also, will be correct. Quite clearly, there is at Cassowary. Irrespective of the fact that the no benefit to a community, a State or a nation Mossman central mill has spent a to tear up assets and remove them when, at a considerable amount of money on that road later time, we will regret having done so. Clear and that it is shifting only 100 000 tonnes of evidence of that is the removal of the rail line cane, that road is coming apart at the seams. to the south coast. Nothing is being done by the Department of Transport to ensure the continuation of a The member for Brisbane Central decent road link between Mareeba and mentioned a couple of rail lines in my Mossman. electorate that were closed during the time of his youth in Atherton. We all regret those The Mulgrave mill recently moved to closures. I trust that the Minister and develop an industry of about 300 000 tonnes departmental officers present in the lobby of sugar in the tablelands region. learnt something from the history lesson given Representatives from that mill wrote to me by the member for Brisbane Central. Whereas and said, in effect, “We regret that we have we might rush out and pretend that, in the had to pull out of that opportunity for the Legislative Assembly 4837 7 October 1993 people of the tablelands to develop that part have a B-double route from the Innot Hot of the sugar industry. One of the most Springs region across the Gentle Annie disappointing aspects of our work on the Range, down to Millaa Millaa, and along the proposal was the fact that we were not able to Palmerston Highway. Therefore, we are going achieve a competitive freight rate from to have vehicles double banking across the Queensland Rail.” That was the linchpin—the Gentle Annie Range. That will increase the basis of their withdrawal of support from the number of road movements, and it will also sugar industry on the tablelands. Now we have extraordinary effects on the dairy have the Mossman central mill at one end of industry, to which I will refer in a moment. It is the tablelands and the South Johnstone mill my view that the only viable option for the coming into the red soil area north of expanding sugar industry in the tablelands Atherton. region is the rail movement of that cane. We Mr Hamill: How big a subsidy should can move easily 1 000 tonne loads with 60- Queensland Rail provide? tonne locomotives because the heavy haul from Atherton towards the coast is all downhill. Mr GILMORE: I will come to that in a It would be easy to schedule 300 trains a year minute. The South Johnstone mill wants to instead of 20 000 road vehicle movements. move on to the red soil areas south of Mareeba, north of Atherton and, of course, However, it appears that Queensland out to the Innot Hot Springs area. Over the Rail, under the Minister’s tutelage, is not next three or four years, the South Johnstone prepared to provide a reasonable subsidy to mill is looking to process 300 000 tonnes of the expanding sugar industry and to the cane from this area. The entire tonnage will people of far-north Queensland. My colleague have to be transported by road simply mentioned that he is subsidising the people of because Queensland Rail is not interested in Brisbane at the rate of $300,000 a day. That taking that sort of a tonnage to the South is not bad. However, the Minister is not Johnstone mill. Let me tell the Minister that at prepared to do anything for the people of far- 30 tonnes a load—— north Queensland. He would rather sit there and mouth off about how wonderful he is. Mr Hamill: It is too expensive to use rail. However, he is moving to close that line, but Mr GILMORE: The Minister simply cannot will not even put any money into roads. I can come to grips with the necessity for tell him that he does not have what it takes to Queensland Rail to take the pressure off his be a Minister. collapsing road infrastructure. He should sit Before I run out of time, I will tell the and listen for a minute. I listened to him. The Minister about the effect this increased traffic Minister is talking about putting in an extra will have on the dairy industry. There is a need 20 000 single heavy vehicle road movements for cattle creeps on main roads in the Atherton in a six-month period on the road from Innot Tableland region, particularly in the dairying Hot Springs and the red soil country north of area. Large numbers of cattle cross those Atherton, through Malanda, Millaa Millaa and roads a couple of times a day. I have been down to the coast. Currently, that road is so carping at the Minister for probably 18 months overloaded that it is coming apart at the now about this problem. The end result has seams. We have a major problem of road been a meeting that was held yesterday in my disintegration between Malanda and Millaa electorate with officers of the Department of Millaa. I have mentioned that previously in this Transport. The only outcome of that meeting Chamber. was that it was decided to establish a code of Recently, I received a letter from the practice for cattle crossing that road. The Minister saying how wonderful it is that he has Minister is presiding over a potential disaster. spent $1m a year for some years on the The roads about which I speak are the Palmerston Highway, and he quoted the ones upon which he is going to put an extra Ithaca Creek bridge as an example. Several 20 000 road movements a year. Not two million dollars was spent on that section, but months ago, on that road, a semitrailer killed the rest of the roadway is coming apart. If over 24 head of cows in one hit. The Minister has the next three years his department is unable refused to provide access to money to fund to change its priorities to meet these emerging half the cost of cattle creeps in those areas needs, then that road is going to be a bog where they are most needed. Yesterday, the hole. It is in the superwet area and is currently Minister’s department said, “We will provide falling to pieces even without those proposed you with designs.” That is a great effort on the extra 20 000 road movements. part of the Minister! It demonstrates his The expanding sugar industry in that absolute contempt for the people of far-north region has a major problem in that we do not Queensland. The roads about which I speak 7 October 1993 4838 Legislative Assembly are heavily trafficked. It is high country, subject Mr Hamill: It is certainly not. to heavy rain squalls for extended periods Mr GILMORE: In the year prior to its and, during winter, dense fogs. It is almost closure, that line carried 28 000 tonnes of impossible to see cattle crossing those roads. minerals—these are his figures, not mine. Regardless of codes of practice, I inform the Minister that it has only been through the Mr Hamill: I’ll give you the grace of God that more cattle have not been correspondence, if you like, just to prove that killed, or, heaven forbid, a farmer, his wife or you don’t know what you’re talking about. child. That will happen. If one of my Mr GILMORE: I have discussions from constituents is killed, I will hold the Minister time to time with the people at Red Dome. personally responsible. They say that they saved $300,000 after the Mr HAMILL: I rise to a point of order. I Minister forced them on to road. Indeed, that find those remarks personally offensive and I is evidence—— ask that they be withdrawn. Mr Hamill: They asked to go. Mr GILMORE: I withdraw. Mr GILMORE: Indeed, Red Dome asked I would like to refer to the necessity for to go by road. Of course they asked to go by road train routes for the cattle industry, road—the Minister would not accept their particularly from the Forty Mile Scrub through loading, simply because he would not put two to Mareeba. There is an enormous gap in the bins of heavy mineral on those lines until it road train route in that area. The road reached Cairns. Queensland Rail said, “We will between Forty Mile Scrub and Mount Garnet not accept that loading.” The Minister did not is a disgrace, and it is a road train route. It is even have the brains to put in a decent-size very dangerous for the travelling public. On forklift to load the mineral on to those wagons numerous occasions, I have contacted the when the train reached Cairns. So we have a Minister’s office about this matter. I have major problem there. written to him and to his department about the necessity to fix up that road, particularly the Since 1991, the Minister has not section from Mount Garnet to Ravenshoe. accepted cattle loading on the Forsayth line. I have a document that proves that the Minister New industries simply cannot evolve and refused to accept that loading. He closed the develop properly because the single-lane loops on that line in 1991. The Minister should bitumen road is coming apart, which is not tell me I do not know what I am talking hindering the development of transport about; I do. infrastructure. The Roads Division simply will not spend the money to provide reasonable As to tourism—I have a document that road access. People are taking semitrailers states that the Government is going to back to Mount Garnet simply to pick up a improve the tourist facilities on that Forsayth dolly. They have to run with no trailer, just a line, and that it has limited the number of dolly on the back, because the Minister’s passengers to 56. It is dated 8 September department determined that as soon as they 1993. It states that the capacity of this put a dolly on the back of their semitrailers, particular train will be limited to 56 passengers, with articulated vehicles, they become road and that that figure cannot be amended trains. From anybody’s point of view except without the direct authority of the General the Minister’s, they are not road trains. Right Manager of the Traveltrain Division, John now, people are being prosecuted every week Angel. That was an internal Queensland Rail because it simply costs them $250 to run document. The Minister is limiting the empty in a truck with a dolly on the back. That capacity. is an unreasonable impost on the developing Mr HAMILL: You are out of date. industries of far-north Queensland. In the time left to me, I would like to refer Mr GILMORE: The document is dated 8 to the Forsayth and Chillagoe rail lines which, September 1993 and I am out of date? of course, are under a heavy cloud they are Time expired. part of the proposed rail closures over which the Minister is presiding. It is well-documented Mrs EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha) that the only reason that the Chillagoe rail line (12.10 p.m.): It is indeed with pleasure that I closed was that Queensland Rail refused to join this Transport Department Estimate accept loading from Red Dome. debate for the fourth year in a row. I have to say at the outset that there are so many Mr Hamill: That is not true. exciting developments in the Department of Mr GILMORE: It is true. Transport and I find it very difficult to limit Legislative Assembly 4839 7 October 1993 myself to a couple areas of particular interest. thirdly, well managed and evaluated. These One of the areas of the Department of principles have been applied to a number of Transport in which I have a particular interest road safety programs and initiatives over the is that of road safety. I would like to spend last 12 months and have led to some most of my time discussing that. significant gains. At the outset, it is worth pointing out that Let me talk about a few of those gains in this Government has taken road safety from terms of the road toll. In 1992, Queensland’s the fringe of transport issues with a budget of road toll was 416, the third lowest in 26 years. around $7m in 1988-89—I draw that, in That downward trend appears to be particular, to the attention of the member for continuing with the 1993 toll. The last figures I Gregory, who seemed to think that it did have saw, as at 22 September, were 8 per cent some status under the former National Party lower than for the same period last year. It can Government—to a full divisional status within be shown that a substantial proportion of this the expanded Department of Transport. This decrease is due to specific measures is a significant and important area where introduced by this Labor Government. Let me some $100m has been spent since 1989. give you some examples. The Minister has I know as well as anybody that spending already spoken about the Random Road money willy-nilly in an area does not Watch. I can tell honourable members that necessarily solve problems, but it does that is out and acting. I see an increased illustrate the recognition of the seriousness of number of police vehicles on targeted roads in the problems and the cost of road trauma, my electorate, such as Coronation Drive. I whether they are social, economic or public warn all members to drive carefully and safely. health problems. It is worth noting that if the It currently targets roads which account for 46 road fatality rate of the 1970s had continued per cent of Queensland’s fatal road accidents. without efforts to reduce the trauma and to There has been an 8 per cent crash reduction improve road safety, we could expect to see on those routes. 1 500 people dying on the roads in Random breath testing and the Queensland this year, whereas on current associated publicity has had a positive impact, trends it will be below 400, even though the as I am sure some members can tell us. road usage over that period has increased Currently, around 30 per cent of the road toll substantially. involves alcohol. There has been a reduction This is a significant achievement and of about 20 per cent in alcohol-involved highlights the importance of continuing to crashes in 1993. target road safety and why it is so worth while. Red light cameras are addressing However, even with this reduction, motor problems at intersections, with 4.3 per cent of vehicle crashes are estimated to cost the road toll involved. There has been in Queensland around $950m a year and ranks excess of a 40 per cent crash reduction at with cancer as the largest single cause of signalised sites treated with red light cameras. productive years loss. Of course, the personal I welcome the extension to this program. loss, the grief and the suffering cannot be Child restraint legislation and publicity are measured. targeted at crashes representing that very It is because of this fact that I was so precious and vulnerable area of our pleased in April this year to attend the official population. This involved 3.9 per cent of the launch of the Queensland road safety strategy road toll. There has been a one-third casualty at Lang Park, which is in my electorate. This reduction involving unrestrained child vehicle 10-year strategy is a whole-of-Government occupants. It still upsets me that some approach that has been developed through parents do not care enough to use readily extensive consultation with over 500 relevant available and cheaply hireable safety organisations and through individual research, restraints. There can be no excuse for not and, as I have indicated, whole-of- doing so. Government cooperation. Bicycle helmet wearing is aimed at The road safety strategy has the addressing 4 per cent of the road toll. There admirable aim of reducing the road toll by 30 has been a 17 per cent reduction in injuries per cent over 10 years. We have shown that involving cyclists. I would also like to support this is achievable with this coordinated and the measures for improving cycling facilities off considered approach. The overarching main roads with the safe cycling paths principles of the strategy are that road safety supported by the local government, State programs must be, firstly, cost effective; Government and Federal Government secondly, widespread in implementation; and, funding. Enforcement by the police has 7 October 1993 4840 Legislative Assembly targeted the most vulnerable groups of cyclists Three separate curriculum integrated kits who are reluctant to wear helmets.That has were produced and distributed to all pre- been, in particular, the teenage group. These schools and primary schools in Queensland. five measures alone have contributed The focus in the coming year will be upon substantially to the overall reduction in the developing, in consultation with the Education road toll over that of last year. Coupled with Department, strategies to optimise utilisation these, a wide range of other road safety of these resources and also upon identifying measures are being implemented this year in the road safety education needs of secondary a bid to further reduce the road toll. school students. The school crossing The Schoolsafe subsidy scheme, which supervisor scheme, I am pleased to say, will provides grants to local authorities on a dollar- continue at a cost of $1.7m in 1993-94. for-dollar basis to improve safety facilities During the year, significant effort has gone around schools, has been a particular interest into enhancing post-licence driver training and of mine, and I am glad to see it is continuing development programs. These have been this year with another $1m. I have to say that based on the Mount Cotton training centre, Toowong High School saw its set-down area which has been recognised interstate and opened this year after a long delay which I worldwide. thought was regrettable. This was due to the There have been welcomed moves very, problems of the Education Department very recently for more appropriate speed owning the land and the city council’s limits, such as 50 kilometres in residential maintenance program. It has finally opened, streets. This a move that I have urged for and I think the delay in that procedure meant some considerable time. From my experience that the final set-down area was more as a mother working in that area and on P & attractive and better planned than it had been Cs, I think it was an historical anomaly that we in the earlier phase. ended up with a 60 kilometre speed limit. This The final phase of the federally funded limit is too fast for the residential areas of black spot program is being implemented. Brisbane. I welcome moves for that change That program is being phased out—— and I also welcome the support of local governments to do that across the State. Mr FitzGerald: It is a disaster phasing it out, isn’t it? There is one area that I believe has not received enough attention. In case the Mrs EDMOND: I had wished it would go Minister has not heard about the effect of on. I do think it is a disappointment that it is fatigue on drivers, I draw it to his attention. being phased out. I would like to see it The effect of fatigue on drivers has long been continuing. I have to pay credit to the work recognised in terms of long-distance drivers, that has been done through that program—in and moves have been made to limit the particular, in the major local problem area, length of driving times across Australia. Kaye Street. The work there is nearing Recent research has also highlighted completion. It is about to get to the stage of concerns that I have held about the effect of extensive landscaping. sleep deprivation. This research is just as A $120,000 contribution to the new car relevant to all members of Parliament, assessment program will assist in encouraging especially city members, as it is to shift car manufacturers to rapidly improve the workers, and I believe it does need stressing. safety of their cars, people movers and four- I know that I am reluctant to have even wheel drives, making the results of crash tests an occasional alcoholic drink here in this of their vehicles widely available to motorists. House when I know that I have to drive home There is an increasing and welcome in the wee small hours that we often keep. My recognition by manufacturers that consumers concerns have now been verified and are interested in safety features and are quantified by Dr Drew Dawson, a researcher in prepared to pay more for their family’s safety. Adelaide, who has confirmed my suspicions In 1992-93, we saw the completion of the that sleep deprivation does impair one’s Roadsafe school road safety education driving skills. His team showed that staying program for pre-school and primary school awake one night until 3 a.m. caused a slowing students. I am disappointed that the member in reflexes and reactions on a par with a blood for Gregory does not seem to be aware of the alcohol content of .05, that is, at the legal extensive work that we are doing in educating limit. It does not take much imagination to young people in this area. I do not know how realise that the cumulative effect of several he missed all the publicity about that. He nights’ lack of sleep or reduced sleep would obviously does not talk to the schools in his worsen those results and that adding even area that are thrilled with the program. one alcoholic drink would mean that our Legislative Assembly 4841 7 October 1993 driving impairment would be that of someone Mrs EDMOND: I am happy to take that well and truly over the legal blood alcohol limit. interjection. If the honourable member were to As someone who does have to drive go out into my electorate, he would see that home after parliamentary sessions, I am there is no widening of Route 20. We have concerned at this and also at the effect of effectively tackled a severely dangerous area sleep deprivation on many other people of 600 metres of killer road that that man driving in the community—taxi drivers, shift opposed. He would prefer to see people killed workers and students. I know several students on Kaye Street than to have 600 metres of who work at night on Pizza deliveries. I have killer road improved. That is what the to say that I wonder how they are coping with honourable member is saying to the people of that, and I ask: are they aware that their Mount Coot-tha. He would prefer them to be driving is impaired? It is an issue to which I killed. That is not what his pal on Rouen Road believe we do need to give some serious wants. The objection of his pals, the Liberals thought, and perhaps we should start by on Rouen Road, is that the Government is not giving some serious thought to the sitting going ahead with Route 20. They write to the hours that we spend in Parliament. press constantly because the Government is not going ahead with Route 20. They are the My other area of interest in this debate is honourable member’s Liberal mates who are that of urban public transport. In an inner- pushing for a freeway through the area, and I urban electorate such as Mount Coot-tha, think that is a shame. traffic incursion is always a concern. Whilst I have one persistent critic who constantly carps As I said, I believe that the solution to the to the media about my rejection of a major traffic problems in Mount Coot-tha—and there freeway through these residential suburbs— are traffic problems in Mount Coot-tha, as and he must be a Liberal supporter, because there are in all inner-urban electorates—is to he always displays a Liberal Party sign during get people out of cars firstly into public elections; it is not hard to tell and I know that transport and then push very, very hard for the there are one or two around—I know that the expensive proposal, I know, of a bypass road majority of my electors support this stance. to the west of Mount Coot-tha—not, as Mr Beanland has suggested and has pushed for, I remain convinced that the only a major freeway through inner-residential acceptable way to reduce commuter traffic is suburbs where there is no room to ameliorate by the improvement of public transport the effects of noise, dust, pollution and all of facilities and determined efforts to get the nasty things that go with freeways. I had a commuters out of their single-occupancy cars. lot more to say on the very positive aspects of I also wholeheartedly agree with the member the Transport budget. for Brisbane Central on the need for a bypass road to the west of Mount Coot-tha, and I Mr Beanland interjected. have raised this on other occasions in this Mrs EDMOND: I am happy to stand on Chamber. my record of Route 20. The Route 20 freeway Mr Beanland: Tell us about the upgrade is something that I am proud that I fought on Route 20. against. Mrs EDMOND: I am happy to take the Time expired. interjection from the member for Toowong, Mr BEANLAND (Indooroopilly) who was so keen on Route 20, on pushing a (12.26 p.m.): The Minister is not in control of freeway through the residential suburbs of my his portfolio. Time and time again, major electorate, that he was out on every occasion debacles occur in the Transport Ministry. having his photo taken, with his hard hat on, Clearly, the Minister is not on top of his parading around Route 20, showing what ministerial responsibilities. In recent weeks, we engineering skills he had. It was certainly the saw the closure of many country rail lines in policy of the Liberal council at that time to this State. We know all about the backdown in push a major freeway through the residential the face of great pressure. We know how that suburbs of Brisbane. Sallyanne Atkinson—the was done. The Minister was not even mayor at that time—wrote, castigating people consulted beforehand. He was told to go out who opposed Route 20. and do it. We know about the rail cutbacks in Mr Beanland: What are you doing to my own electorate, to which I will refer in a few it—upgrading it? You promised to stop it. moments. Mrs EDMOND: Yes, and I did stop it. Time and time again, we see the debacle that is occurring in the Minister’s portfolio. The Mr Beanland: You said there would be people who work at the Townsville railway no widening of Route 20 and no upgrading. workshop are seeing it, also. They understand 7 October 1993 4842 Legislative Assembly that the workshop will close. However, one will the tolls on the Gateway Bridge were not find that happening at the Ipswich railway increased. In January of this year, the cost of workshop. That will develop from strength to a two-axle truck travelling across the bridge strength. It is in the Minister’s electorate, of rose 30c to $4.50; the cost of a five-axle truck course. Whenever matters are related to the rose 50c to $9; and the cost of B-double Minister’s electorate, they develop and grow. trucks rose by $1 to $11. At the time of the Outside his electorate, the Minister attempts increases in tolls, the manager of the Gateway to close down the railway workshops. Bridge Company said that increases were A few moments ago, the member for necessary to ensure that the company was Mount Coot-tha prattled on about Route 20 able to repay construction loans and annual and made a number of outrageous franchise and service fees to the Government. statements about me and other members of As far back as 1991, I recall that a the Liberal Party. In most instances, they were Transport spokesman was quoted in the daily quite untrue. The member’s own actions newspaper as saying that a fee reduction was speak louder than words. Although the Labor one of the more promising means of stopping Party said that there would be no Route 20— heavy trucks using routes through Fortitude no upgrading of those streets that then Valley. The spokesperson said— constituted Route 20—what happened? Never “We have to get vehicles out of the mind about taking a sign down and putting a inner-city area. We’ll be looking at definite sign up. Those streets that then constituted proposals within the next few months.” Route 20 are now undergoing major upgrading. To see that, one has only to go to Those few months have turned into a few the member’s electorate. Obviously, she has years. Urgent moves need to be made to not been there for a while. Kaye Street runs rectify that situation. It will only be a matter of up past Government House. A couple of acres time before another life is wasted. I call on the of heritage land have been taken from Minister to deal with some of those important Government House. A huge, four-lane road is issues. being constructed there. That development I turn to the identification required to must continue on those other streets to relieve obtain a driver’s licence. An idiosyncrasy exists the traffic congestion that will now occur there. in the department regarding the I turn to Kingsford Smith Drive. Today, we documentation required for the granting of a saw a photograph of a terrible accident that driver’s licence. The forms of identification occurred a couple of days ago on Kingsford required before a licence is granted vary Smith Drive in which a person was killed. That greatly between Transport Department offices. traffic hazard exists because of the increased For example, the McGregor office requires to flow of heavy vehicles choosing that route. sight a birth certificate, amongst other forms of Since the Government raised the tolls on the identification, whilst the Valley office does not Gateway Arterial Road, the cost to heavy require to sight a birth certificate. vehicles travelling across the Gateway Bridge Departmental officers advise that the policy has increased substantially. That has caused states that the forms of identification that a dramatic increase in the number of heavy need to be sighted may vary depending on transports travelling along Kingsford Smith the discretion of the individual manager. Drive and the Story Bridge. The situation is so Some offices require an applicant to severe that people waiting at bus stops have produce a birth certificate because of the seen material falling from trucks. increasing number of fraudulent applications However, as I said, a more serious for licences which have been made. However, situation occurred a couple of days ago on 4 as all offices do not require applicants to October, one which residents in the area have produce a birth certificate, a person wanting to been predicting for some time. A 24-year-old obtain a fraudulent licence could simply go to woman was sandwiched between two another departmental office. It also appears semitrailers and killed after a vehicle travelling that the number of forms of identification in front of the first semitrailer stopped required is not standard, even within the same suddenly. The possibility of that situation office. On two approaches to the Fortitude occurring would have been greatly reduced if Valley office, a person was asked for two Kingsford Smith Drive was not a main route for forms of identification on the first approach heavy vehicles. and three forms of identification on the second approach. That is another conflict. The purpose of constructing the Gateway Bridge was to divert heavy transports around I turn to the Ipswich Road upgrading, a the city. Indeed, it served that purpose until subject that I am sure is familiar to the Minister as he represents that area. Residents from Legislative Assembly 4843 7 October 1993

Centenary Village are concerned that the 16 September. To this date, no new roadworks currently under way at the appointments have been made. No action intersection of Ipswich Road and the has been taken by the Minister. For more than Centenary Highway will not provide a better, 12 months, Mr Reynolds has not lived in safer passageway for the public, and that it Townsville, yet he has been travelling to has been designed without regard to providing Townsville at considerable cost to conduct the reasonable access for the people of business of the port authority. Because Mr Centenary Village. The roadworks allow Reynolds has spent so long in Canberra, he access to the village only from Ipswich Road cannot possibly have his finger on the pulse of inbound, so entry from the city or other the city and the development and growth Brisbane suburbs has been denied, and occurring there. I appreciate that he is on residents are forced to travel all the way back, secondment and that at some stage he may adding an extra five or six kilometres and up return to Townsville. However, that scenario to 20 minutes in peak hour traffic just to return does not augur well for the port authority and to their homes. It is believed that the is unprofessional. proposed intersection will result in delayed We are aware of Mr Reynolds’ access and unnecessary backtracking for background. He has a number of abilities. It emergency vehicles such as ambulance, fire could be said that his appointment was a job brigade and police should there be an for the boys but nevertheless he brought a emergency situation within the village. It will number of abilities to that position. However, a also result in residents incurring extra travel lack of accountability exists in this case, and costs either through having to drive a longer the Minister cannot deny that. Mr Reynolds will distance or paying higher taxi fares. Many of either have to resign from the board or return those people are already isolated because of to Townsville so that proper work can be the lack of public transport. carried out on behalf of the people of There have been a number of inquiries to Townsville. the manager of the metropolitan south office requesting information on the upgrading of I turn to the Gateway Arterial-Logan that road. I understand that those people bypass road on the south side of the city. have subsequently been advised that the When I last spoke about that subject in this information has to come from the Minister’s Chamber, the member for Sunnybank office and that its release has to have the seemed to become very excited and very Minister’s approval. That is fair enough. On 17 sensitive. The day after my last speech on September, the Minister’s office was that topic, the member for Sunnybank contacted by one or two people to check on attacked me with the vigour of a dead sheep. the progress of the release of that information. He said that I had been sold a pup on the However, they were told that its release had issue of Karawatha by someone who had not received ministerial approval. Today’s date recently received significant criticism from a is 7 October, and the information has still not member of his own party. I have not been been released. Other complaints about the sold a pup on this issue. The other statements inability to obtain information from the on that occasion by the member for department abound, all because we are Sunnybank demonstrate gross arrogance constantly told that the Minister’s approval is towards his electorate. Two options have been required. put forward for that bypass road. Both will cut through the Karawatha forest bushland and I turn now to the Townsville Port Authority both take in very sensitive areas. We have and its board, and particularly to the former heard very little from the member for Mayor of Townsville, Mr Mike Reynolds, who is Sunnybank about either of those options. The chairman of the Townsville Port Authority. Mr red option also takes in a huge number of Reynolds was appointed to that position in areas covered by Brisbane City Council September 1990. In June 1992, he left vegetation protection ordinances. Townsville and moved to Canberra. I understand that he is on secondment to the Bushland, forest park, a number of Australian National University. That is fair protected vegetation areas, a number of enough, but Mr Reynolds still retains his sensitive environmental areas and the position as the chairman of the Townsville Port magnificent area of Karawatha will all be Authority. I understand that his family moved destroyed if that bypass road continues. The to Canberra in December 1992. only response by the member for Sunnybank has been to abuse me. He has not fought this In September of this year, Mr Reynolds’ proposal. It has been left to other Opposition time as chairman of the authority expired. In members and me to bring the matter to the fact, the tenure of the whole board expired on 7 October 1993 4844 Legislative Assembly public’s attention and to stand up for his The same applies to schools. Many electorate. It is about time the member for schools have complained to me that there has Sunnybank did some of the work and looked been a lack of consultation. Of course, a great after his own constituents rather than leave it deal of rearrangement is to occur in the to the rest of us to do his job. The local delivery of education. Time and time again, residents view the area in question as being members of the public are witnessing this very sensitive. They will not tolerate the Government’s lack of delivery of services. arrogance being displayed by the member for Consultation requires more than going out Sunnybank. and counting a few heads to see how many I turn now to rail services in my electorate. people travel on different rail services. Daily, We have heard a great deal from the Minister my office is being inundated with complaints about consultation. At the end of the day, little about the overcrowding on trains because or no consultation was undertaken on the services have been cut, and about the closure of services in the country and the enormous amount of inconvenience that has slashing of services through the western resulted. In peak periods, 17 services to suburbs. I refer particularly to the stations of western suburbs have been cut. At present, Sherwood, Chelmer, Graceville and Taringa, only one train every 20 minutes travels which are all in my electorate. Because I through the stations to which I referred raised this issue, a slight improvement has earlier—areas which are very close to the city. occurred. But listening to the Minister and At the same time, advertisements appear on Queensland Rail, one would swear that they television encouraging people to improve the were out there consulting daily with the environment by travelling by public transport. people. In truth, all we had day after day was The Minister may be able to claim that a head count, not consultation. Anybody can some of his constituents are better off. go around and count the number of However, a huge number of people in the city passengers getting on and off trains. Let us have relied upon the rail system because of set the record straight about what consultation the poor bus service. Nobody complains about means. The Minister has reinvented the word. the inadequacy of the road system that we He need not bother being arrogant about this put up with. matter in his reply. He knows that is true. I Time expired. have witnessed with disgust the arrogant attitude flowing through some of the material Mr DAVIES (Mundingburra) (12.40 p.m.): that has floated around, and the contempt in I want to spend a fair bit of time talking about which the public is held. what has happened in the Transport portfolio as it relates to Townsville over the last few When I first raised this matter in May, the years since we have been in Government. Acting Minister wrote me a very arrogant and However, before I do that, I must take issue abusive letter. I was aware of the matter for with the previous speaker, the member for months, but not a word was said by him. I did Indooroopilly, in relation to his disgusting not believe that any Government could be so comments concerning the Chairman of the stupid or foolish as to slash services as this Townsville Port Authority, Mike Reynolds. I Government has done in the western suburbs. was one of those who pushed strongly for After several months of clarifying my Mike Reynolds to be made chairman of the information before I did anything about the Townsville Port Authority, and I do not resile matter, I finally raised it in the public arena from that. It has been one of the best because this Government did not have the appointments that we have made in guts to tell the public about it. As a result, I Townsville since this Government was elected. was abused and told that I was being unhelpful to a meaningful discussion. I had Mr Bredhauer: A fine public not participated in any discussion. No-one had administrator. the courtesy to talk to me about the matter. Of Mr DAVIES: I take that interjection, course, the Government would have wriggled because I know that he thinks very highly of away from blame if I had not forced it to face the member for Cook, and I know that he the truth. After all that, I was sent a letter from would want those comments on the record. Queensland Rail—which is under the Mike Reynolds has a long history in public Minister’s portfolio—thanking me for all the administration in Townsville. He was the lone consultation that had been undertaken with Labor alderman on the Townsville City Council my constituents! Leaving aside the work done and he was partly and significantly responsible by a number of my constituents and me, there for the turning of Townsville into a Labor has been a total lack of consultation on the stronghold. He has done an incredible amount part of the Government. of work in the Townsville community. Not only Legislative Assembly 4845 7 October 1993 does he deserve the position that he is in were four people and a dog. One of the because of the contributions he has made to people who attended was the candidate for the Townsville community, he has performed the Liberal Party who was opposing me at the excellently in that position. He has overseen time, shadowy Jim Cathcart. It is obvious that and continues to oversee the greatest the member for Indooroopilly is listening to development in the history of the port of shadowy Jim Cathcart, because he is the only Townsville. person in Townsville who ever criticises Mike I have been involved in many of the Reynolds. No-one listens to him. The business negotiations with Mike Reynolds, with the then community in Townsville know what a good Federal Minister, Bob Collins, with David job Mike Reynolds has done, and his staff Hamill, with my parliamentary colleagues in know what a good job he has done. Townsville, Ken McElligott and Geoff Smith, Mr FitzGerald: Should he be still and with many other senior executives of both chairman of the board? the Federal Transport Department and the Mr DAVIES: If the member for Lockyer Queensland Transport Department, the believes where a person is domiciled in terms Premier’s office and so on. Mike Reynolds is a of residence is important in running a very good negotiator. He works incredibly hard multimillion-dollar organisation such as the for Townsville; he has always done so and he Townsville Port Authority, he is absolutely has continued to do that in his position. I will wrong. Where a person is domiciled does not not sit here and listen to the ravings of this matter; it is the direction that is important. lunatic on the other side when he wants to Mike Reynolds is providing the direction that character assassinate Mike Reynolds. the Townsville Port Authority has needed over Mr BEANLAND: I rise to a point of order. I the last few years in this major expansion find those remarks offensive and ask that they program of more than $90m, and he is doing be withdrawn. Not only that, they are a great job. Honourable members opposite unparliamentary and unbecoming of the cannot argue with the results. If the member. honourable member for Lockyer is worried The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Ms about the fact that it costs us a few grand Power): Order! I ask the member to withdraw extra a year to fly him up to Townsville for the those comments. monthly meetings when he saves significantly in terms of his management, the honourable Mr DAVIES: I withdraw. What I meant to member shows that he understands nothing say was “the lunatics on the other side”. Mike about management. Reynolds has a very strong history in Townsville. I will not sit here and listen to him Mr Beanland: So you’re paying for his air being character assassinated by people on fares? The board is paying for his air fares? the other side who know very little about Mr DAVIES: I would assume that the Townsville. One only has to look at the history board pays for the air fares. The honourable of the Liberal Party in Townsville to see how member is worried about a few grand in air successful they have been. fares when in terms of management he is Mrs Woodgate: They don’t have a doing a magnificent job. I will defend him, as I history. have done, at any time that he is attacked. He does not go on the offensive telling people Mr DAVIES: They do not have a history. how great he is, but I can do it and I will not The member for Kurwongbah correctly resile from it. Any time the honourable interjects that they do not have a history in member for Indooroopilly wants to take issue Townsville. with it, he should be ready for me to defend Mr Bredhauer: The last meeting in him, because Mike Reynolds does a great job. Townsville was attended by four people and a In contrast to the fine record of dog. achievement and leadership that he has given Mr DAVIES: I remember that. the Australian Labor Party in Townsville over a Mr Bredhauer: The dog was lost. It had a long period, the honourable member should patch over both eyes. look at his record. He is the deposed Leader of the Liberal Party. He is trying to get back Mr DAVIES: The interjections are so there again, but he will never get there. amusing that I have to take them. The then Leader of the Liberal Party, Angus Innes, for Mrs Woodgate: Sneaking around. whom I do have some regard—unlike the Mr DAVIES: He is sneaking around the current Leader of the Liberal Party—did attend corners trying to backstab Joan. a rally in the Townsville Mall at which there Mr McElligott: He can’t get five people. 7 October 1993 4846 Legislative Assembly

Mr DAVIES: He cannot get five people. The Mark Smith Drive to Angus Smith The reason why he cannot get five people is Drive section is the first stage of a plan to that he cannot count. His management construct four lanes from Stuart Drive to experience is absolutely hopeless. He cannot Angus Smith Drive. Preliminary funding of just walk around and count five people so that he over $1.1m has been provided from Federal can take over the Liberal Party. He has no Government National Highway funds to hope. He is so bad that he could not run a purchase materials, including bridge and chook raffle and make a profit out of it. drainage components, service relocation, Mr Johnson: Is this relevant to the survey and design. Major construction on the Transport Estimates? project will begin towards the end of the year and is expected to take about seven months Mr DAVIES: I am only responding to the to complete, providing employment for about unprovoked attack from the member for 40 people. Indooroopilly. Meanwhile, on the northern outskirts, Mr BEANLAND: I rise to a point of order. I projects on the Bruce Highway totalling more did not say a word about the member for than $10m will give Townsville/Thuringowa a Mundingburra in my speech. modern, four-lane northern entrance. Some of Mr DAVIES: I would now like to talk about those works have just been completed. The some of the transport achievements in work that was completed recently consists of Townsville. Over the last few years, record the four-lane duplication of the Bohle River funding has been provided for transport bridge and approaches, worth $5.2m. Not only infrastructure in Townsville. At the moment, will that bridge work, which was completed last major road projects are close to completion, or December, provide a four-lane crossing of the have been completed, and more than $20m Bohle River but also the new higher-level has been allocated to expansion of the port of structure will end lengthy wet season delays at Townsville. the crossing. The approach roadworks are Townsville is experiencing a major expected to be completed in July. economic boom driven by tourism, massive The four-lane duplication work over 2.3 mineral interests to the west, and new kilometres from Wagner Creek to Stony Creek, industry. It is vital that transport facilities which is worth about $4.7m, includes a new continue to evolve with the growth of bridge over Saunders Creek, the realignment population and industry within the area. of Gearneys Lane and traffic lights at the Townsville is a key air, rail and road link Gearneys Lane/Garland Road intersection. between northern, western and southern The bridge was completed last October, and Queensland and provides an important sea the roadworks have recently been completed. gateway to South East Asia and the Pacific The Minister recently opened that particular Rim. Possible new irrigation areas in the development. Burdekin and the new mining developments in Mr McElligott: It was a great occasion. the north west will strengthen Townsville’s economic development. Our transport facilities Mr DAVIES: It was a great occasion. I have to be ready for the future. know that the member for Thuringowa, in whose electorate those works are located, is As to roads—Statewide, record road very pleased that the work has been funding of more than $760m by the State and completed. He has been pushing for that for a Federal Governments in the current financial long time. Under the previous Government, it year is bringing major benefits to the did not receive the priority that it deserved. But Townsville/Thuringowa area. Large-scale this Government and the Federal Government projects are under way or close to completion have listened to the lobbying by the member on the Bruce Highway to the north and south. for Thuringowa, Mr McElligott, and the Federal In Townsville City, work is gearing up to bring member, Ted Lindsay. the new National Highway link on University Road up to standard. Preliminary work is Other Bruce Highway works that are beginning on the $4.5m first stage of the plan currently on track include a $2m project to duplicate University Road to four lanes. This funded from National Highway funds to widen will improve safety and reduce traffic delays on and strengthen 1.8 kilometres at West a road that forms part of the National Highway Barratta Creek between Ayr and Townsville. link through Townsville. Besides carrying That work, which will not only improve safety highway traffic, University Road is a key local but also upgrade flood immunity, should be arterial serving the Annandale area and the completed by December. The $4m Collinsons Lavarack Army Barracks. Lagoon project between Ayr and Townsville, which is part of a continuing program to Legislative Assembly 4847 7 October 1993 upgrade flood immunity on the Ayr-Townsville everything is rosy in the garden of transport in link, includes new road and bridge structures. Queensland, that we do not have any Preliminary work is also under way on a $2m problems, that our road funding is more than project to widen and strengthen three adequate, that we are delivering on our kilometres of highway between Toomulla programs, that our rail network is being Beach and Wild Boar Creek, just 42 kilometres operated efficiently, that we are realising a north of Townsville. That work should be $13.9m profit from rail and that there has completed by December. Work has also been an increase in road funding of some 14 recently been completed on a $1.9m project per cent or 15 per cent. As I say, everything to widen and strengthen 2.6 kilometres of the sounds rosy. However, when honourable highway between Wild Boar Creek and members examine the figures and listen to Surveyors Creek. As well, a $2m project is some of the complaints, they will start to under way to upgrade the Bruce Highway on wonder whether what they are hearing from Townsville’s southern approaches. the Government is correct, and whether the picture is as rosy as it is painted. Certainly, we The State Government has also directed have read the nice, glossy brochures that say part of its record outlays for road funding to how wonderful everything is and, as I have projects in the Townsville area, including just said, we have heard the Minister for Transport under two kilometres of the Herveys Range explain how everything is running according to Developmental Road near the Bohle River plan throughout the State. and a $600,000 project to construct a new pre-stressed concrete bridge over Elphinstone However, the Federal Department of Creek. That bridge replaces an old timber Transport special study in respect of roads structure that was demolished because of found that, on average, the age of termite damage. Queensland’s road network is increasing. Some 41 per cent of the pavement in the Flinders Highway projects are also very State’s declared road network is more than 20 high on the list of priorities. Even though they years old, which is the normal service life of are not located in my electorate or the pavement. Six per cent of the pavement is Thuringowa electorate, they link Townsville more than 30 years old. Obviously, there is an with the very important mining region of Mount enormous backlog of work to be done. Isa. The highway from Townsville to Mount Isa However, the level of funding available for across the top of northern Australia is an roads cannot keep pace with current and incredibly important link in the National increasing demands, let alone address the Highway. I know that the Minister places great backlog. At current funding levels, the priority on those particular projects. rehabilitation of pavement is occurring at the I place on record my appreciation to the rate of 300 kilometres a year. To do more Minister for visiting Townsville recently to than prevent further deterioration of the road announce a massive $110m contract for network and arrest the ageing process, Queensland Rail. Earlier today, the Opposition approximately 875 kilometres of pavement a spokesman criticised what this Government is year needs to be rehabilitated. Some shires in doing with Queensland Rail. As far as I can this State are literally digging up their roads ascertain, that particular project—the $100m and replacing them with gravel and dirt Goninan project for 40 new rail locomotives— because they are finding that it is too is the biggest contract awarded to Townsville expensive to replace the pavement. Why is by the State Government in its history. That is that happening? I am not blaming the State the significance of that particular Government for this situation. It should look to announcement. its Labor mates in Canberra. Time expired. Mr Ardill: What’s the date of the report? Sitting suspended from 12.56 to Mr SLACK: It is a current report. The 2.30 p.m. Government should consider the last Mr SLACK (Burnett) (2.30 p.m.): I rise allocation that it received for road funding out with pleasure to support the speakers from the of the Federal Budget, and the allocations before that, and work out their value. As Opposition who preceded me and, of course, members would know, Federal allocations are the shadow Minister for Transport. I support based on population, not distance. entirely his contribution to the debate today. Queensland has suffered, because it is a very From listening to the Minister for Transport large State and it does not have the level of and some of the speakers on the Government population that is required to receive the level side, one could not help but believe that of funding that is needed. As I have said, the 7 October 1993 4848 Legislative Assembly

Federal Government has not maintained the that was talked about because Queensland level of funding that is required to develop has been losing out on Commonwealth roads. funding for roads and transport during the Queensland’s national highways, for period to which I referred earlier. If we which the Federal Government claims full continue on in this way, there is no way in the responsibility, are the worst in the country. The world that we will end up with the types of Federal Department of Transport and roads that are needed to service our growing Communications report on a special study of population, our country areas, our ports and roads found that 78 per cent of Queensland’s our rail headquarters—if any of them are left national highways were good when rated on by the time the Government has finished driver comfort. Other States’ roads were making its rail cuts. better, or received good ratings. As to other When the Premier came back from the States—95.5 per cent of Western Australia’s Premiers Conference, he talked about national highways were good, 98.2 per cent in Queensland being down $115m. As I said, the Northern Territory were good, 97.9 per that figure is not nearly as high as the real cent in South Australia were good, 94.2 per figure in terms of Commonwealth road funding cent in Victoria were good, and 85.2 per cent in previous years. If we consider the State’s in New South Wales were good. contribution to roads—it is very difficult to Commonwealth funding of Queensland roads determine where the money is being allocated in real terms fell from $374m in 1991-92 to in the Transport budget because it is shown $254m in 1992-93. as one amount, and there is an overlap. I Mr Ardill: In New South Wales, they’ve found it very difficult to determine what was got one road from border to border. what. If one combines the Queensland figures with the Commonwealth figures, one finds that Mr SLACK: I point out to the member for Queensland is actually down 2 per cent in Archerfield that I am comparing like with like; road funding for this year. That does not apples with apples. Between 1983-84 and this include the funding allocated last year in the year, there has been a 32 per cent drop in One Nation package. Queensland is going funding. That is not taking into consideration backwards, and this Government needs to the special grants that occurred under the impress on the Commonwealth much more One Nation package last year. At the same strongly than it is doing that roads are the time, Queensland’s population has been lifeblood of this nation in regard to the growing at a rate of 2.6 per cent a year. The development of its economic base, the Queensland Department of Transport servicing of its economic base, and the indicates that the rate of vehicle ownership servicing of its ports, its rural industries and its and road use went up 74 per cent in that time. railways. Motorists pay $7 billion in fuel taxes to the Commonwealth, yet get back only $1.2 billion I mention the railways because when the in road grants. As I said, I am not blaming the Premier came back from the Premiers Queensland Government directly for that. Conference he automatically went into decline However, the Queensland Government and mode and announced the closure of 29 the Minister for Transport do have a railway lines. I do not know that the Minister responsibility to ensure that Queensland roads even knew that was going to happen before it and Queensland transport are adequately was announced. The hypocrisy of the Minister funded, and that Queensland receives its fair is evidenced by his appointment of Mr share from the Commonwealth. After looking Burns—who would have been a party to that at those figures, it is time that the Queensland decision—in an attempt at mending the Government jumped up and down and did fences with the union organisers, who had something about it. Queensland is going already seen 3 500 railway jobs go and feared backwards in respect of Federal allocations for that many more would go. Mr Burns was road funding. The member for Archerfield appointed to assess the situation but, as yet, would have to acknowledge that. we have not had a determination as to whether those lines are going to be closed, or It should be noted that although there which of those lines are going to be closed. has been an increase of 15.9 per cent in road Even in my own area, and the area that I revenue, Commonwealth expenditure on represented before the change in electoral roads is being cut by 34 per cent. After the boundaries, 66 more jobs will be lost if the line Premiers Conference, the Premier announced in that region closes. that he was disappointed in the fact that Queensland did not receive $115m. There is As the Opposition spokesman on much more money involved than that $115m Environment and Heritage, I have a vested interest in seeing many of the rail lines stay Legislative Assembly 4849 7 October 1993 open because they are part of the history of Mr Hamill: They had National Party this State. Obviously, if the rail lines are losing colours on them. massive amounts of money, or if they are not Mr SLACK: Those trains were green and providing a service, I am not saying that they the colour has been changed. should stay open. However, it must be borne in mine that we are currently experiencing a Mr T. B. Sullivan: Listen to the thinking. drought and a recession, and the throughput Mr SLACK: No. This is—— on those lines might not necessarily be the Mr Hamill: Let me assure you that Don same as that which we could expect in a few Lane and Joh Bjelke-Petersen are still doing years’ time. hard labour up in the coal mines. There is also a social implication in Mr SLACK: As the shadow Minister said, closing lines without due consideration to the the new uniforms cost $5m, yet these lines effect that it will have on the communities are being closed. There is a $5m contribution involved. The beginning of the communities for new uniforms when things are supposedly was associated with the coming of the rail. For so tight. argument’s sake, Winton, in the electorate of the member for Gregory, developed out of the I compliment the Minister because he is rail line coming into that area. Many towns intending to raise the speed limit to 110 had a similar beginning. Over the years, those kilometres per hour, not on a broad plane, but towns have been declining and they have felt on certain sections of road where it is practical the effects. Morale is very low. It is wrong to and sensible to do so. I bring to the attention come in at a time when morale is very low and of the House that I raised this matter shortly announce out of the blue, after having after my election because it seemed ridiculous assured everybody that the lines would stay to me that on a four-lane highway people there, “Sorry, they are going.” Imagine what a were passing others at what seemed to be morale booster that was! What did it do to the 120 kilometres when the speed limit was 100 morale of the people out there and to their kilometres per hour. A raising of that speed hopes for the future? It was one of the things limit to 110 seems to be very responsive to that sounded a final death knell for the towns the present situation and the capacity of from which the railway operated and that were today’s motor cars. serviced by it. The people in those towns Another point that I would like to raise, wondered what their future would be. which concerns the environment, relates to I turn to the train services in Brisbane. It the expansion of roads, particularly in the has come to my attention of late that there south-east corner, which takes in residential have been many changes to the timetables. I land and particularly parkland. I note that the am sure that the member for Brisbane Central Minister for Environment has come into the will agree that those changes have caused House. It is time that the Government looked much pain and anguish. There has been a more seriously at providing nature corridors or reaction to them. Those timetables have been little tunnels under those roads, or fencing the changed without due consideration to the roads, which obviously will have to go through convenience—— parks. The fact remains that fences and tunnels have been very successful overseas. Mr Hamill: That’s nonsense—absolute They are a means of addressing this problem. nonsense! I acknowledge that at times roads have to go Mr SLACK: It is not. For argument’s sake, through parkland. By the same token, we the high school students in South Brisbane have a dwindling area of parkland. In that could catch the 3.20 p.m. train. The timetable situation every provision has to be made to has been changed to 3.40. My figures may preserve our animals, such as the koalas that not be correct, but I am correct in saying that were mentioned before, and their habitat, so there was a massive reaction because their they can continue to exist. convenience was not considered when the Time expired. timetable was changed. Mr FENLON (Greenslopes) (2.45 p.m.): I The locomotives have been repainted. It rise to speak with great pleasure in these is true that they carried the National Party Estimates for the Minister for Transport and colours and have now been repainted. A fair the Minister Assisting the Premier on amount of money is being spent on that Economic and Trade Development. In doing change when there is an argument as to so, I would first of all like to mention some very whether lines out in western Queensland substantial local issues with which I have had should be closed. the pleasure of working closely with the 7 October 1993 4850 Legislative Assembly

Minister for Transport, Mr Hamill, to the great Mr FENLON: Just above the bellbirds benefit of local constituents. they can see the beauty of the grown One of those, in particular, is the project vegetation and they can imagine the regarding the noise abatement and tranquillity enjoyed by the local residents beautification on the South East Freeway. I behind those sound barriers, which is an stood in this place about three years ago and added benefit to their lifestyle. It is a benefit described the very appalling situation on the because the figures show that there have South East Freeway where the major entrance been significant reductions in the decibel to the city was a picture of neglect and levels of noise that have been experienced by essentially environmental mismanagement. those people. This has been a very satisfying The South East Freeway was constructed experience for me because those people from the seventies on and the original actually can say that their lifestyle is far better landscaping work that had been done was of by virtue of that project. I would like to thank a very low standard, without any thought to the Minister for his efforts in that regard and I irrigation and long-term environmental implore him to continue with the expansion of strategies. It was neglected. It was left with that project along the South East Freeway withering wattles and stunted trees and a lot according to the noise policy that has been of rubbish left along the road. developed. Mr T. B. Sullivan: And now you have got That shows how far we have advanced in the Gary Fenlon memorial fence. the few years that we have been in Government. Prior to this Goss Government Mr FENLON: I take that interjection—— coming into power in Queensland, there was Mr Beattie: Not memorial, surely. not even a noise policy to which residents Mr FENLON: Indeed it is not a memorial, could have reference. They had no right to since I am alive and well, but it is locally known say that they were getting too much noise or as Fenlon’s fence. Since the erection of the that there should be some remedy.The former fence, which has been erected to contain Government did not have a noise policy. After noise on the South East Freeway, I have coming to power in this State, one of the continually received calls from local residents fundamental things that we had to do was to who convey anecdotes to me such as, “I can formulate a noise policy. We now have that. now wake up in the morning without having to Constituents in my electorate and in other turn the clock radio up another notch so that I electorates can expect fair treatment can hear it over the passing freeway traffic”. throughout the suburbs where inordinate They also say things like, “I can now have levels of noise are being experienced. visitors stay in my back room.” People can Another major project that is impacting now use their whole house. upon my own electorate is the standard That project essentially had three main gauge link to the port of Brisbane. In his phases. The first was the erection of that speech, the Minister indicated the substantial sound barrier which now extends on both benefits that that project will create for sides of the South East Freeway through to Queensland in terms of the employment and the Holland Park West/Ekibin area. That fence economic flow-on to the citizens of this State. has heights of two to four metres. Here again is a contrast between this Government and previous Governments, The second phase, as I have already which bulldozed ahead with projects without indicated, was the beautification by way of any regard for local residents. I have been vegetation with the cooperation of Greening able to talk confidently to my local residents, Australia. They have been contracted to do who will feel the impact of that project by virtue that work by the Department of Transport. of the additional rail line coming through Thirdly, there has been a very fine Coorparoo, and say to them that they will innovation by way of a new open grade receive a net benefit from the project, asphalt surface which has been laid on the because noise barriers will be constructed to South East Freeway. My colleagues from the reduce the noise. Those trials are currently southern suburbs who drive to Parliament via proceeding. The residents will also benefit the South East Freeway would recall the very from better timetabling of trains, so that fewer delightful experience of driving through the trains will run at the most disturbing times of Greenslopes electorate. They drive along in the day, particularly at night-time during the the car and suddenly, instead of that whirring hours when one would normally wish to sleep. sound of their tyres on the bitumen, they hear In terms of the trials of the noise a soft hum and experience the beauty—— barriers—that project is now well advanced, Mr Nuttall: You can hear the bellbirds. with barrier design which is intended to Legislative Assembly 4851 7 October 1993 mitigate diesel exhaust noise. To the public, One very important issue that must be that has been the most objectionable source addressed in the future is that of controlling of noise from trains. A reduction in noise levels the speed of vehicles on local streets. of approximately 10 decibels is desired from Members would be aware that some attention that project. It is intended to include that in the has been drawn to the prospect of increasing design. That requires barriers similar to certain speed limits and decreasing others. hoardings, approximately six metres high with That matter must ultimately be linked to the treated plywood in the upper three metres use of devices such as speed cameras. only. At present, the trial barriers will be built Although that might be unpalatable to some on one side of the track only, and will include of the population, the indication that I am both reflective and absorptive surfaces to test receiving from local residents who live in their effectiveness on both sides of the track. streets that have a high incidence of rat- Some comments have been made about running and substantial problems with local the aesthetic merits of those noise barriers, traffic is that they are prepared to consider particularly by those people who have the anything in an effort to find a way of pleasure of driving past the barriers on the systematically and effectively reducing the South East Freeway. I can certainly relate to number of cars and the speed at which those honourable members that the effect of those cars travel through their streets. That issue barriers upon local residents far outweighs must be addressed and grappled with by local those aesthetic considerations. The people communities. The use of devices such as who are benefiting from lower noise levels are speed cameras should be introduced with the the last to want to protest about any disturbing support and cooperation of local communities. aesthetic considerations. Those people want Mr T. B. Sullivan: Doesn’t the Victorian quieter lives, and they get them via those experience indicate that it lowers the road toll, sorts of noise reduction devices. too—saves lives? One other substantial matter that I draw Mr FENLON: I take that interjection. to the attention of the Minister, which has There is certainly good evidence to that effect. received attention in recent years and will, I I am sure that, in Queensland, we can enjoy expect, receive further attention in the future, the full benefit of that. is local area traffic management. Although a Finally, I turn very briefly to the major majority of the streets in electorates such as changes that we are seeing in the mine are within the province of the city council, infrastructure of the State. I welcome the there are interrelated matters. In terms of local references that the Minister made to the area traffic management—one of the improvements in the rail system throughout fundamental causes of complaint is the the State, and particularly to the very modern incidence of people speeding—if not at high and creative approach that the Minister is speed, above the speed limit—and rat- adopting towards the plan to introduce tilt runners. There is an interrelationship between trains into this State. That would have a very local streets and main, State-controlled roads beneficial effect in terms of the broad agenda such as Old Cleveland Road and the South of economic reforms in the State and making East Freeway which has a direct impact upon our rail system more efficient. It would also be the State. of great benefit to the citizens of Queensland. When I was a member of the Travelsafe At this point, I make a special reference to my Committee, which continues to be ably father, Bernie Fenlon, who is in the gallery chaired by Len Ardill, an important matter that today and who, as a pensioner, regularly uses I raised—and that I understand is still on the the train between Rockhampton and agenda of the committee—is the role of the Brisbane. He will benefit greatly from that State Government in ensuring that forms of innovation, which will reduce the number of local area traffic management are hours of travel. economically attainable and provided in some Mr Hamill: Two and a half hours off the way. The provision of local area traffic travel time. management within our suburbs has a very direct impact upon not only the lifestyles of Mr FENLON: Yes. I will be able to see people but also road safety. If we could slow Bernie much earlier. The introduction of tilt down traffic in local streets and keep trains will be a great innovation and a great unwanted traffic out of local streets, we could benefit for those citizens of Queensland who reduce noise levels and lessen the impact of live in centres outside Brisbane. I support the that traffic. Estimates. The department has been managed very efficiently. 7 October 1993 4852 Legislative Assembly

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr central route? The difference between a 1991 Briskey): Order! I acknowledge the presence in and 1995 construction date could not add that the gallery of Year 7 students from the amount to the cost. Ove Arup said that it had Dunwich State School. extended the length of the central option to Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore) (3 p.m.): make it comparable with the western and The 3 500 people in the Yandina district and eastern routes that it was considering. But that 700 people in the Yandina township have adds only at the most two kilometres, and that been put through hell for the past 12 months could not cost $20m. Then I discovered in the because the Federal Government decided to road cross-sections at the back of Ove Arup’s overturn a State decision and put a consultant report that its central route was five metres in to examine all possible highway routes for higher through the middle of Yandina than the Yandina Highway upgrading. Quite frankly, was Queensland Transport Department’s if the Federal Government was going to make central route. How amazing! That is almost a decision—keeping in mind that it has given double the height, and Ove Arup was two necessary approvals—it should have done supposed to be looking at feasible routes! so last year and not put people through the I have copies of the Queensland farce of the $100,000 study by consultants Transport Department’s cross-sections and Ove Arup and another 12 months of those of Ove Arup if there are any doubting uncertainty. I am sure that the State Minister Thomases who wish to read them. One will understands the utter distress that people feel see that Ove Arup also unnecessarily builds when, for two years or more, they do not know up the central route embankment to the south whether their home is going to be bulldozed or of Yandina over the railway crossing. Ove whether they will have a job. Arup’s own western option, crossing at a The new Yandina Highway route should similar point to the central route, has a be chosen where the least number of homes clearance of 6.5 metres, but Ove Arup’s and jobs have to be destroyed, where homes central route option has a height of about 12 are not flooded by road embankments and metres. Of course, the Queensland Transport the cost is not excessive so that it can be built Department was able to design a central quickly to solve the present highway problems. option at this point with a crossing over the I hope that the Federal Government believes railway line of about 6.5 metres in height. that people’s homes and jobs are important, How did Ove Arup explain some of these too. I sincerely hope to God that the Federal height differences? Its representatives told Government does not use this report as a one person at the display that the measure of any of these impacts, because Queensland Transport designs were deficient. the real-life impacts will be sadly less rubbery I know that at the display one of the than those studied in a highly unprofessional consultants cast aspersions on the way in this study. Queensland Transport Department by telling Let us look at the facts. Ove Arup has people that the central route was 20 years out identified eight possible routes—five to the of date. The same consultant, a Mr Peter east through flood plain; a central option; and Rice, has been telling people that the central two western options. Members should not be route was a 14-metre tall China wall. I thought fooled by references on page 69 of the report that I would mention that matter today, that intimate that the Ove Arup central route because that is not how an unbiased option is similar to the Queensland Transport consultancy team informs an already Department’s resumed central route. On page distressed town about the eight options. 69, the report states— Heaven knows why a supposedly “In view of acquisition of land and professional company would so deliberately disruption which had already taken place overdesign its central route option. The it was considered appropriate on social Queensland Transport Department did not and community grounds to adopt this have to do it, so I suspect that Ove Arup was land as the basis of a central route.” doing the bidding of the Federal Transport Department in order to skew the results. It is Yet Queensland Transport’s 1991 estimates so unnecessary and unprofessional. I have of construction for their central resumed route, tried to draw these faults to the attention of as stated at public meetings in the town, were some ministerial minders, but they do not between $20m and $25m. Ove Arup’s central seem to want to know that such an expensive route costs are $41.9m which—surprise, and long-awaited report could be so flawed. I surprise—makes it almost comparable in cost beg the State and Federal Ministers not to be with the eastern routes which go through flood snowed by their departments, because plain. Why the $20m jump in cost for the people’s lives could be put at risk. Legislative Assembly 4853 7 October 1993

Putting roads through flood plains, most vehicles will be using the through road. particularly for a town in the confluence of two Ove Arup’s 1995 prophecy for traffic on the tidal rivers, is potentially fatal for residents old highway is only 1 100 vehicles, with the living in the immediate vicinity and in the town balance of the 17 000 vehicles per day itself. Building roads with less than desirable overloading the new four-lane through and inconsistent curves—which Ove Arup highway almost as soon as it is built, believes are acceptable, as stated on page 68 necessitating a six-lane highway just after the of the report—to me would be a future black turn of the century. That is what the spot waiting to claim a motorist who has driven representatives of Ove Arup were telling a relatively straight road. people at the display, and that is what they There are some other very interesting have been saying in a newspaper article which anomalies in the report that I have asked the I would like to now table. Ove Arup engineers to explain. I am still That figure of traffic of 1 100 vehicles waiting for the answers. For example, the remaining on the old highway through town is forecast traffic flows on page 73 are a feat of rather amazing, considering that Ninderry mathematics which seem to clash with the Road alone—a road which feeds school traffic Queensland Transport Department’s traffic on and off the existing highway in town—has counts. Either Ove Arup is wrong or the a figure much higher than 1 100 vehicles. In Queensland Transport Department is wrong. Queensland Transport Department counts for Mr Hamill: Which do you think? 1991, Ninderry Road had 1 620 vehicle movements over a 12-hour period. By 1995, Miss SIMPSON: I tend to think that the that number will be far higher. There are, of department’s traffic counts are correct. The course, many roads in addition to Ninderry 1991-92 traffic counts of Queensland Road which are feeding local traffic on and off Transport found that between Bunya Road to the existing highway within the study area to Yandina’s north and Wappa Falls Road to the come to the 10 400 vehicles figure per day town’s south, there were 10 400 local vehicle out of the present 18 000. But Ove Arup movements per day on the existing highway believes that it can make over 9 000 vehicles through Yandina. The total number of disappear to get a figure of only 1 100 movements of through traffic and local traffic vehicles. That is very interesting. is about 18 000 vehicles. Considering that many more people live outside the town than I turn to another point. Assuming that the inside the town, as the 1991 census shows, Ove Arup consultants used their own traffic this high level of local traffic is not surprising. figures in assessing other impacts, one should consider the planning balance sheet in the At page 72, the consultants say that the report. It assesses the impact that various local traffic/through traffic split is about highway options would have upon local traffic 50/50—quite a bit lower than the Queensland safety, pedestrian safety and cyclist safety. Transport Department’s traffic counts. For the Now that we know that Ove Arup’s consultants sake of analysing this report, let us use the believe that only 1 100 vehicles are left on the 50/50 split of Ove Arup. On page 73, the old highway in 1995 if a central route is report comes badly unstuck. A table constructed—the lowest figure for all the appearing on that page estimates the traffic routes—one would think that would mean that flow which will remain on the old highway in Ove Arup’s central route would therefore be the town as part of the local traffic network the safest of all for local traffic, pedestrians and the traffic flow which would then be and cyclists. But no; it ranks a lowly two carried by the new highway. That table gives against the west option’s ranking of four and different breakdowns for the eight different the ranking of six for east 1, east 2, east 3 routes. If Ove Arup’s figures are right, it is and east 4. That is very interesting. predicting taking between 30 per cent and 44 per cent per cent of local traffic—and I am not I should explain more about the planning talking about the through traffic but local balance sheet. We are told by the consultants traffic—out of the local road network and that it was highly important in determining their putting it on the new highway. That impact advice to Government. After studying it, I does not seem to register in the economic would say that it is about as useful as a stone analysis. to stone soup, if members know that old bush story. In other words, it can be whatever the Let us look at the figures a little more author wishes it to be if he or she adds the closely. If we use Ove Arup’s worst example, it right garnish and flavour after taking out the predicts that a central route with an stone. Subjectivity is rife. The apparent interchange will suddenly end up with very little complexity of this table cons people into not traffic remaining on the old highway, because reading and questioning it. I will cite an 7 October 1993 4854 Legislative Assembly example. Once one learns the formula for than a combination of categories such as turning the fancy pluses and minuses into highway rest spots, camping areas and picnic numeric forms, one then has to know the spots and the image of the State forests, formula to make sure that one is comparing which are not anywhere near the roads. apples with apples and not apples with Sugar land needs are worth a pittance to oranges between the 50 different categories this planning balance sheet and in no way of long term impacts column in the planning reflect their major importance to Yandina and balance sheet. I have here a planning the Sunshine Coast region. In the planning balance sheet with these weighted numeric balance sheet table, sugar land has to figures to allow proper comparison, which I will compete with 49 other categories of long-term now table. impacts, some of which seem to repeat Mr Hamill: Who took the option to go themselves under similar names such as near the farm—Ove Arup’s option? “viewing points”, “landscape/views” and “views Miss SIMPSON: All of Ove Arup’s in and out”. options affect agricultural land. Construction costs in the planning Mr Hamill: All the ones from the east. balance sheet have a weightage of 1.3 per cent out of 100 per cent and are ranked as Miss SIMPSON: No. The eastern and having less importance than Mount Ninderry, western options all affect agricultural land, but ranked at 1.4 per cent—whatever Mount it depends on whether they use the highly Ninderry is supposed to mean. The skewed bridge on the road to the north of the consultants will argue that this is the result of town. community feedback. Well, let them prove it, Mr Hamill: The railway lines in there, too, because no scientific and quantifiable means could cause further confusion. has been used in this whole study to gauge Miss SIMPSON: I would be surprised if that. they would want the railway line to the north of At the community focus groups and the town to cross on that angle. It would be interest groups where Ove Arup consultants quite skewed. They are more likely to put the asked community members to rank this list of crossing in another position. 50 categories they handed people, they told Mr Hamill: What about the east/west people that the categories could mean links for traffic that wants to move between whatever they liked. They also let them use Yandina and the coast? basically whatever means they wanted to rank it, whether one was the highest or 100 was Miss SIMPSON: From the west? the highest. It was only when people Mr Hamill: Yes. questioned them that they said that one Miss SIMPSON: There is no interchange would be the highest. No standard was used on the western routes. That is right. I want to across the groups. table this document because it is the only way What about the process of community that honourable members will understand consultation they claimed to have used? I call what the pluses and minuses mean. Then it the gut-feeling approach and as scientific as they will start to understand what this very an old boot, because the consultants have important planning balance sheet in the Ove refused to poll the people. Yet Ove Arup Arup report is about. It is important because continues to make comments to the media the consultants will be using it to advise about their perception of public opinion. The government. That is how ridiculous it is. people should be polled so that we can obtain Flooding is reduced to relatively minor impact their views. out of the 50 categories. The flood plains At the display at Yandina, a visitors’ book skirting Yandina’s east have claimed lives is available for people to sign and make within sight of the town only 20 years ago. comments in. I have seen Bypass Yandina More lives will be threatened, along with Organisation members read that book and homes, if a walled embankment is put through copy people’s names and comments. I would flood plains. An independent engineer to not be surprised if those people received whom I talked recently said that there is no nasty phone calls. I know all about the way a road could be built through those flood members of the Bypass Yandina Organisation plains without flooding the people in the town. and their phone calls! Yet in the Ove Arup planning balance Let us go back to the minor attention that sheet, flooding is less important than views. Ove Arup’s planning balance sheet gives to There are three separate categories for views the sugar industry. Each sugar farm has to in this table. Flooding is also less important have a certain amount of unalienated land to Legislative Assembly 4855 7 October 1993 be viable. A road cannot be put through the This year, expenditure from consolidated middle of a property without throwing a lot revenue is estimated to be $1.318 billion, with more out of production due to row lengths, an estimated $3.219 billion from the Trust and drainage and access. Each sugar farm helps Special funds. A further $907m will be spent maintain the viability of a central mill. Sugar on the Capital Works Program. That is the land cannot easily be replaced because it difference between those days and now. The must be located within an easy radius of the funding that has been made available by this mill to keep transport costs down and Government is essential to upgrading the production viable. system and providing mobility for the people In the last 10 years, the Government has of Queensland. resumed 327.5 hectares of Sunshine Coast Unfortunately, Federal road funds this sugar land for roads, airports, industrial land year will be reduced by 35 per cent on last and schools. That includes 38.3 hectares for year’s figure. This is unacceptable, and the Nambour bypass and 51.2 hectares for Queensland Treasury will be increasing its the Sunshine Motorway. As well, with the new content in road funding despite the fact that airport runway, the local authority is taking the Federal fuel tax should be funding a 127.9 hectares out of production. What is greater share of the maintenance cost. more, the Department of Industrial Funding on maintenance during the 1970s Development took 104 hectares. and 1980s resulted in a situation in which over The Sunshine Coast has lost more sugar 40 per cent of Queensland roads, and those land from government resumptions than all of other States as well, had reached the stage the other sugar-growing areas put together in of being irreparable. Under this Government, Queensland. That vandalism has to stop. those roads have not been returned to gravel There are hundreds and hundreds of jobs at surfaces, as has happened in other States. stake. I believe that the Government must Transport has embarked on a program to heed its own policy of preserving good replace these roads. This program will rely on agricultural land. economies being found and acted on. With roads, there are three major demands on I would also like to draw attention to how funds: maintenance of existing roads, they have looked at residences in the noise reconstruction, and the glamour segment, the column. They refused to tell me for a long construction of new roads and facilities and time how many houses would be affected as duplication of pavements to accommodate a result of the social impact. Finally, at page increased traffic. 77, I found a reference to the matter. I was surprised because the report predicted that 10 With an expanding economy and a houses would supposedly be affected by the massive increase in population, the new central route. I questioned that, because I construction factor is always a pressing knew that four houses would be affected. demand, but we ignore the maintenance Some of them were old sheds and there was factor at our peril, and successive a relocatable house. Governments have done just that because of shortage of funds. The cost-benefit ratio of Mr ARDILL (Archerfield) (3.16 p.m.): The transport facilities has been generally ignored Department of Transport is one of in Australia, except in the Territories where Queensland’s mega departments. It is a very money is no object, and in the small, high- logical amalgamation of all aspects of density State of Victoria. This has been a transport that has led to a better appreciation national folly which must not continue. of and coordination of mobility in this State than has been previously achievable. I believe In Queensland, this Government has that in the future, with good management, begun the process of addressing the problem. direction and planning, it can improve the There are major benefits to the economy in lifestyle of all Queenslanders. providing efficient rail services and an effective road network. Although there is seldom any A lot remains to be done. When I first kudos for authorities in provision of adequate received my driving licence and joined the facilities, there is severe danger in not RACQ, bitumen on the Bruce Highway ran out providing them. Road trauma, congestion, at Eumundi, 130 kilometres north of Brisbane. confusion, infrastructure cost escalation and The Pacific Highway was a two-lane road with loss of mobility to people are the results. a severely corrugated section over the Coombabah flats near the Crab Farm. A trip to As I said, there is now a strategy to Coolangatta took well over two hours, provide the transport and road infrastructure including a stop at Yatala or one of the we need, and work is being done. The main roadside pubs for a drink. western highway has seen massive work out 7 October 1993 4856 Legislative Assembly of Brisbane, which is a decade overdue. Other There are three categories of need for rail major work is still needed in Brisbane, in Queensland: firstly, the heavily used main including an urgently needed overpass on lines which, because of the large distances Route 20 at Kessels Roads and Mains Road, involved, require comfortable passenger trains Robertson. The present ring road 10—the with dining cars and sleeping cars, as well as inner road around the central city—and ring fast freight services; secondly, branch lines road 20 are severely overused and must be that serve and support small country towns supplemented by an outer ring road right and rural areas; and thirdly, the large around Brisbane, just as every major overseas metropolitan and regional centres. Despite the city has provided for its people. efforts of the Nationals to close down most of Route 40, which would continue the Queensland’s rail system, it still has the best Gateway Bridge route right around the and most comprehensive rail system in metropolitan area, has been proposed for Australia. During their time in office, the over two decades. It must be planned and Nationals closed down 21 lines—some of defined now to obviate the problems being them in sections. I will not go over that again, experienced in the Sunnybank electorate. In because I mentioned this during a recent case Opposition members think that the speech in this Chamber. country electorates are being ignored, I Mr T. B. Sullivan: They ripped up some remind them of the restoration and of the tracks, too, didn’t they? replacement work that is being done on major Mr ARDILL: They certainly did. They country highways at Balfes Creek on the ripped up most of those tracks. The Nationals Flinders Highway; between Mount Isa and also eliminated most country passenger Camooweal in the north west; on the services, except the major airconditioned Capricorn Highway over the Gogango Range; trains. and on the Landsborough Highway at Jessamine Creek between Longreach and While on the subject of airconditioned Winton. Bridge work and maintenance work trains, I draw the attention of members to the are being carried out on the Kennedy Highway role of Jack Duggan in providing between Ravenshoe and The Lynd—despite airconditioned trains, which are still a major what the member for Tablelands said. Major part of Queensland’s infrastructure after nearly work is also being carried out on the Bruce 40 years. The late Jack Duggan was closely Highway west of Bowen, which is long involved in every aspect of the design of those overdue. cars, as he was with the entire rail system. Those cars, which were world leaders, were I hope that similar work can be done on copied around the world. They were the first the rail line between Bowen and Home Hill. It airconditioned sleeping cars owned by an is quite ridiculous that, for a century, that rail individual State. They were leaders in the line has dipped into creeks and prevented supply of 240-volt head end power. They had trains from maintaining a proper speed on that total forward-facing sleeping berth section of basically flat, straight territory. The cabins—against the world practice of alternate speed of trains in that area could be increased facing. They also made use of pastel colours considerably if that section were reconstructed suitable for a journey in tropical conditions. to the same extent as that of the Bruce They were a radical change from the previous Highway. That major work should be carried practice in cars in many ways, not the least of out on a section of the north coast rail line. An which was steel construction and noise increase in the speed of trains through that reduction. area is vital to ensure that passenger trains get from Mackay to Cairns in a reasonable The genius who was responsible for the time. design and construction of the cars, Eric Adam, had this to say about Jack Duggan. He The allocation of $526m for the said that Jack Duggan was an excellent upgrading of the main line is a major, administrator and a decision maker of the first intelligent decision that will serve Queensland order. Those cars are still in use. It is to the very well. Queensland Rail is the lifeline of shame of the National/Liberal Party Queensland. It is the natural way to carry out Governments that they purchased practically the speedy distribution of freight between the no cars between Jack Duggan’s time and capital city and centres up to 2 500 kilometres electrification in the late 1970s. Mr Adam was away. This is the most decentralised State in the manager of COMENG, in which Evans Australia. An effective freight and passenger Deakin has a 25 per cent interest. It is rail system is vital. In fact, it is even more interesting to note that EDCO is now involved essential in Queensland than it is in any other in the construction of rapid transit vehicles for State. Legislative Assembly 4857 7 October 1993 export. It has certainly performed well in The Chief Executive of Queensland Rail, Queensland. Most large provincial cities could Mr O’Rourke, and his staff, including also make use of that rapid transit system in Traveltrain manager, John Angel, and others Queensland. deserve the thanks and acclamation of this As I mentioned before, the Queensland Parliament and the people of Queensland for airconditioned car design resulted in the the imagination and flair that they have shown construction of many cars of a similar type in providing for the needs of Queensland around the world. Five hundred went to South Traveltrain services. The Spirit of the Outback, Africa. This must be the way to head into the which is to commence next month, will be a future,if we are to provide meaningful work for welcome addition to the stable of world- our young people. We must provide an famous trains. industry that produces transport vehicles for Queensland is way ahead of the other overseas. The Duggan airconditioned cars States in terms of the services that it provides. have now been refurbished with the guidance I suggest that, instead of staying at Kuranda of David Hamill. Beyond doubt, they are still from 10 a.m. to 3.15 each day and cluttering leading the way as part of the best train in up that station along with two other trains, the Australia, that is, the Queenslander. People Kuranda Tourist Train should continue to can take the Ghan or the Indian Pacific, but Mareeba or Atherton, with bus connections the best train experience is the Queenslander. radiating from one of those points. On the day It is indeed a cruise ship on rails. The service after the Forsayth train goes through, part of is superb, the entertainment is much the train—together with any load that is appreciated in both sections of the train, and brought up the range on the Forsayth train the food is excellent. The decor was designed from Cairns—could then proceed to Chillagoe, by the same person who designed the decor which has a tourism future. Kuranda trains on the Ghan, but she was only practising on make use of some of Queensland’s historic the Ghan. Despite the fact that the car that I cars from last century, as well as the Davidson travelled in was commissioned in 1954 as part cars that have been used on that service for of the fifth airconditioned train, the Midlander, decades. On that service is a complete set of and was involved in the wreck at Medway Sunshine Express cars, which were Creek in 1960, it still provides excellent and constructed between 1935 and the war years comfortable service as the Coral Sea car in to provide what was then considered to be a 1993. luxury service from Brisbane to north It is hard for someone not closely Queensland. Those cars have been adapted associated with rail journeys to fully and modified for easy access on the Kuranda understand the aura of a wonderful rail service. Sooner or later, Treasury must accept journey such as the Queenslander provides. that public transport, and particularly rail The journey is of sufficient time to give one services, are a public service for which capital that cruise feeling of relaxation. This must not must be provided. Lack of capital expenditure be allowed to dissipate by speeding up that was the problem that Queensland Railways service too much. Anything less than 20 to 24 faced for 30 years under Liberal and National hours does not fit the bill. The journey on the Party control. That has now changed, and Queenslander represents a wonderful two must change further. The Government must days of relaxation. This is not to say that there accept that keeping branch lines open is a is not a market for the tilt train to replace the community service obligation, not something Sunlander. There is. This Government would to be subsidised by Queensland Rail’s do well to plan for this once the electric tilt train customers. technology is proved under Australian Time expired. conditions on the Brisbane-Rockhampton Mr LINGARD (Beaudesert—Deputy route. Leader of the Opposition) (3.31 p.m.): It is with A great variety of public transport needs great pleasure that I rise to speak in this can be served by rail. These range from the debate on the Estimates for the Department cruise and backpacker needs—both supplied of Transport. As we are all fully aware, by the Queenslander—through to the Queensland is the most decentralised State in Sunlander, the Inlander, the Westlander and Australia, and an efficient transport system is the Capricornian overnight journeys, the important for the social and economic fabric of magnificent day trains of the Spirit of the State. I support fully the comments of Mr Capricorn, and through to local services and Vaughan Johnson, the shadow Minister for the pioneer experiences such as the Forsayth Transport. He is a person who talks not from Last Great Train Ride and the huge success academic experience, but from personal of the Kuranda Tourist Train. 7 October 1993 4858 Legislative Assembly experience, and I know that he has a great core rationale for the department’s existence. I grasp of this portfolio. note that spending on passenger transport Although I have some specific transport- services has remained fairly constant over the related matters pertaining to my own last three years, with expenditure in 1991-92 electorate that I wish to discuss, I intend to amounting to $52.5m, and in 1993-94, also raise a number of points with the Minister $57.5m. The two areas of freight and about how the department is functioning and passenger transport, of course, are not how money is being spent. I note that in the actually involved in providing the service. They Client Services Program, which is responsible are there to provide the guidelines and the for the delivery of a range of motor and legislation. Even so, the two services between boating services across the State, the them will spend approximately $150m this departmental budget has doubled between financial year—a drop of $20m since 1991-92. the years 1991-92 and 1993-94. A large The real expenditure incurred by the proportion of this has occurred in department in moving freight and passengers administrative costs, which have gone up by is incurred by the rail transport area of the nearly 400 per cent. On capital outlays on department—an area responsible for the plant and equipment, the outlook for 1993-94 expenditure of $2 billion and the employment appears to revolve around a number of warm, of 17 000 people. It is in the railway area that inner glow programs, most of them typical of the Minister and his philosophies have had an academic approach towards running a the greatest impact—a philosophy that is quite department. It does not seem to solve the happy to subsidise commuter transport in the problem of people waiting for months for new Brisbane metropolitan area to the extent of $1 registration stickers after they have been sent billion per annum, yet expects every country their renewal notice and they have sent in rail line to at least break even if it does not run their money. I know personally of one case in at a profit. I refer also to the documents of the which a person has been waiting three February 1993 Cabinet meeting in Townsville months for his registration sticker, even in which this Cabinet, this Government, though the cheque was cleared months ago skited—and I will read the first page of this by the Department of Transport. very special, secret Cabinet document—that The Marine and Ports Division of the the Queensland Rail— Minister’s department is responsible for “. . . staff reduction of approximately navigation aids, waterways and boating 3,000 over the past two years has been facilities, private pleasure vessels, vessel achieved with minimal industrial surveys, nautical information and marine disruption.” safety education. However, for some unknown We know why there has been minimal reason, the boating patrol is the responsibility industrial disruption—because there have of the Department of Primary Industries. I find been retrenchments and great payouts. That it amazing that the enforcement agency for a is what has occurred. I will refer to some other large proportion of the Marine and Ports pages of this secret document which was Division’s activities is located in an entirely delivered in Townsville. It states— separate department. I ask the Minister to explain how he justifies that as an efficient use “As with elements of the rail reform of resources. program in other parts of the State, implementation of rail reform in the The Minister has, justifiably, received Townsville region will result in a reduction much criticism for the bungled attempt to in total job requirements. Due to the close 29 railway lines throughout Queensland. introduction of more efficient In the Minister’s defence, I understand that he infrastructure and changing requirements actually did not know that he was going to be over a number of years, the impact in closing 29 railway lines until he was told about Townsville will be particularly severe. it during a Cabinet meeting. Evidently, the These reductions would be phased over whole idea was really concocted by the Office three to five years as facilities, particularly of the Cabinet and the Treasury Department. the Workshops, are wound down. Given It is reassuring to know that the Ministry is that it is not intended to move away from being run by public servants, and to know that the existing policy of no involuntary the Minister has no control over what takes retrenchments, a longer period would be place within his own portfolio. involved depending on the take up rate The freight and passenger transport under the Voluntary Early Retirement services of the department are obviously the Scheme.” Legislative Assembly 4859 7 October 1993

Then it states— Beaudesert, which is completely untrue. A lot “Due to their extremely sensitive of private people in that area send their cattle nature”— down that line instead of offloading them at Dinmore. It costs an extra $7 a head to that is, this document and the removal of jobs unload them at Dinmore, and so private from Townsville— people have always been using that line at all “issues related to the employment hours of the day and night. Therefore, it is impacts of the rail reform program in completely and utterly untrue to say that AMH Townsville have been limited to is the only group using that line. This business confidential discussions between is, therefore, required to generate all funds Queensland Rail and the Minister for needed to pay for the line’s upkeep and train Transport and the Minister and the operating costs. Therefore, this Government is Honourable Geoff Smith and Messrs saying to AMH, “You are the only one”—which Davies and McElligott and David is untrue—“using the line, therefore you have Barbagallo.” to maintain the whole thing—the whole upkeep and the whole train operating costs.” Obviously, all of those people knew about it, That is what it is saying to AMH. I say to the but they did not tell the people of Townsville member for Archerfield that that is the future before the Cabinet meeting. This Cabinet, of the Bethania to Beaudesert line. Already, meeting secretly, decided to do away with all private contractors are down there starting to of these jobs in Townsville. The Minister has move parts of that railway. Obviously, they are no qualms about throwing away hundreds of going to close that line in the future. The millions of dollars of infrastructure in closing rail Minister stated in this letter to me— lines—infrastructure that could not be replaced “Unfortunately, the volume of in this day and age because of the costs livestock traffic currently using this line involved. However, that does not concern him only covers a fraction of the line’s overall because these railway lines are in electorates operating costs.” where the Labor Party gets very little support. So already it says that AMH has to cop the In the metropolitan area, the Minister has whole lot. Already it says that that is where the no qualms about the inefficiencies of the costs are incurred, and already the commuter network. Government is saying, “However, the volume Mr Ardill: What about the Beaudesert of traffic does not cover the costs.” These line? costs are exacerbated by the line’s light construction, which prevents the use of QR’s Mr LINGARD: I hear the member for more powerful and efficient locomotives. If Archerfield talking about the Beaudesert line. that statement is not saying indirectly that the Let us talk about the Beaudesert line, Beaudesert line is going to close down very because the Beaudesert line goes from soon, once the furore of the closure of 29 Bethania through Jimboomba to Beaudesert. railway lines dies down, then the member for Let us have a look at what the Minister has Archerfield is completely incorrect. The just said about the Beaudesert line. It is not Government is saying that one company has one of those lines that is to be officially closed, to pick up the total cost; it is saying that the but let us see what his comments were when line is already inefficient; it is saying that the we spoke to him. He stated— line is too light for the company’s locomotives “Queensland Rail is now a corporate and, indirectly, it is quite obviously saying that body which is required to operate in the Beaudesert line is going to close down. I accordance with sound commercial note that the average wage for people principles.” employed in railway operations is some Fair enough. He continued— $40,000 per annum. I find that an extraordinary amount when it is spread over “It is therefore progressively 17 000 people. restructuring its freight business to eliminate the major financial losses I wish to skip very quickly to a particular currently being incurred.” problem that I have about roads in my electorate. When I entered this Parliament in I point out to the member for Archerfield that 1983, my electorate extended to Springwood. the MInister stated further that livestock is the Therefore, in my electorate I had the South only traffic that is using the Beaudesert line, East Freeway development from Kingston to and that that livestock is coming from Beenleigh. The electric train development Australian Meat Holdings. He said that it is the from the city down to Beenleigh came through only rail traffic between Bethania and my area. the Cunningham Highway passed 7 October 1993 4860 Legislative Assembly through my electorate, as did the Ipswich What we have said to the Minister is that bypass. Most importantly, the development of something has to be done quickly. The the Mount Lindesay Highway occurred in my Minister has stopped the development of the electorate. Those people who have used the Mount Lindesay Highway. The development Mount Lindsay Highway will know in that has been extended only about 400 metres period there was development from Compton since the Government took office in 1989. All Road down to Johnson Road, Browns Plains the previous development occurred between and then along to Vansittart Street at Regents 1983 and 1989. Anyone who drives down Park. It was a massive development. Included towards Beaudesert will see a mass of yellow in it between 1983 and 1989 was the Logan flags and ribbons, which is part of a massive Motorway development. public campaign. Since 1989, the only development on the On Tuesday, I presented to this Mount Lindesay Highway has been about 400 Parliament a petition containing 3 500 metres from Vansittart Street to Middle Road. signatures of people at Jimboomba who say The indirect problem is the fact that there has something must be done about the bridge. been no development between Regents Park, We do not expect a four-lane highway to Browns Plains and Beaudesert. This has left a Beaudesert , although that will eventually massive problem at the Jimboomba bridge; happen when enough money is provided, but something on which the Minister has refused at least either the western side or the eastern to meet the people. He has refused to come side of that four-lane highway should be to a meeting. He has said that he has not constructed. Not only is it dangerous to the received the letters, even though his staff people, but also whenever there is a heavy have signed for certified mail. He knows full rain the section that floods and prevents well that a few weeks ago a young boy was access to Beaudesert is around this particular killed at the Jimboomba bridge. There have bridge. been other deaths there. The Minister has received a petition The difficulty with the Jimboomba bridge containing 3 500 signatures. He has received is this: although the Minister says that officially many invitations to come to a meeting with it is wide enough, on one side the traffic lane these people. There is a meeting on Sunday is 11 feet wide. From the centre of the double which the Minister has refused to attend. The lines to the rail is 11 feet. Therefore, a Premier has also refused to attend. I say to massive vehicle such as a truck or a bus, the Minister on behalf of the people of which are officially eight foot two inches wide, Jimboomba that this is an extremely such as the buses going through to dangerous situation. I do not expect the total Beaudesert State High School, have rear cost of $2.6m for the development of the four- vision mirrors extending so far that the real lane highway, but the part of the western part width of the bus is nine foot seven inches. If of the highway needs to be developed, firstly two such buses pass on the bridge, which has to save lives, and secondly, because when two lanes 11 feet wide, it is not too hard to flooding occurs no-one can use the Mount work out that there is only have a matter of Lindesay Highway. inches between them. Either they miss each Mr ROBERTSON (Sunnybank) either by inches or one of them stops. The (3.46 p.m.): Mr Temporary Chairman—— traffic behind then has to stop. The other night, a young student from Kooralbyn Mr Beattie: At last we’ll hear some stopped behind a bus and a third vehicle ran common sense. into the back of his vehicle. It pushed him into Mr ROBERTSON: I take that interjection the back of a bus. He spun out to the side from the member for Brisbane Central. I am and into the oncoming vehicle on the bridge. pleased to rise today to speak on the Unfortunately, it was a prime mover. The Estimates for the Department of Transport. In student was killed. His was not the first death particular, I would like to address my initial on the Jimboomba bridge. comments to that part of the Capital Works Mr Ardill: No. It has been there for years Program dedicated to intermodal transfer and like that. urban transport system development. Mr LINGARD: I am telling the honourable The 1993-94 Budget has dedicated an member that other people have been killed on amount of $13.5m to be spent during the Jimboomba bridge. I do not know how to 1993Ð94 for the development of transport answer the member for Archerfield. It is infrastructure to enhance the operational unbelievable. Of course, it has been like that efficiency and effectiveness of urban public for years. transport systems. As the Minister would be aware, since entering this House I have Legislative Assembly 4861 7 October 1993 developed a keen interest in public transport help phones have been installed to provide issues, particularly those in south-east instant access to the central rail control room, Queensland. This interest has developed as a and to police, if required. These are worthwhile result of my representing an electorate on the improvements for all rail customers that aim to outskirts of Brisbane that continues to attract more people to the convenience of our experience high rates of population growth. comfortable, airconditioned rail services in My electorate of Sunnybank also Brisbane. experiences pressures from the adjacent That, after all, must be one of this Logan City and the associated high rates of Government’s primary goals—to encourage growth in population and resultant issues increased patronage of public transport so highlighted recently in the SEQ 2001 study that, together with the Brisbane City Council, reports. As a result, I have become particularly this Labor Government can address the interested in initiatives which encourage higher increasing pressures on our existing road usage of public transport and the system. An example of the city council’s development of more efficient and effective contribution to this goal is the construction of a public transport systems. Initiatives such as bus transit lane from Mains Road, Sunnybank, the implementation of integrated ticketing for to the South East Freeway resulting in shorter Brisbane transport services will, I believe, travel times to the city for bus passengers. provide real improvements to the efficiency of The extent of the pressures on south- rail, bus and ferry services in Brisbane. east Queensland’s transport network was It is in the light of such initiatives that I demonstrated again in the Brisbane City was concerned to learn that a dodger was Council’s recently released Livable Brisbane recently distributed on Brisbane City Council plan. The imperative to find alternatives to the buses alleging that the State Government was increasing usage of private motor vehicles is proposing to deregulate the council’s bus highlighted in this document by the fact that in services. This dodger caused a great deal of 1991 in Brisbane people made 3.7 million concern to constituents in Sunnybank who private trips by car every day. This is expected are, by and large, served very well by city to increase to 6.3 million daily trips by 2011. council bus services. The driving force behind these figures is the That is why I was pleased to be advised continuing population growth and increasing by the Minister for Transport that this Labor car ownership, particularly here in south-east Government has no intention of deregulating Queensland. It is important to note that, urban bus operators, as has occurred in New although the number of people using public Zealand and Great Britain. The allegations transport has increased, as a proportion of the made in the dodger are clearly wrong and total population it has declined. In 1960, 40 have misinformed the public. per cent of all personal travel was by public transport. In 1993, that has dropped to only 8 This Government’s aim is to improve per cent. The reasons for that decline have service levels to the public and to ensure that already been widely canvassed in studies the fastest growing areas of the State, such as the South-East Queensland including new suburbs within the Brisbane City Passenger Transport Study. Council area, such as Stretton in my electorate, receive high frequency services to Mr Beattie: An important study. encourage greater use of public transport. Mr ROBERTSON: Indeed. Many of the My electorate of Sunnybank has already recommendations arising from that study have benefited from programs designed to attract already been and continue to be implemented more people to public transport. For example, by the Government. An example of the Queensland Rail has invested $1.1m ongoing implementation of those upgrading safety and comfort features for recommendations is the allocation of $6.2m in passengers at the Altandi, Kuraby and, just this year’s Budget to the implementation of outside my electorate, Trinder Park Railway integrated ticketing for Brisbane’s transport Stations. These station upgradings have been services. Passengers should be able to travel completed under Queensland Rail’s Operation from the start of their destination on one Facelift program and will benefit a total of ticket, valid for all sections of their trip, and 425 000 passengers each year. importantly covering all forms of public transport—buses, ferries and trains. This The improvements to these stations have Budget initiative will achieve that aim. focused on improved safety and comfort features for rail passengers. Safety is a top The Budget also allocates $151.2m for priority, with better lighting and improved vision the expansion and upgrading of Brisbane’s on platform areas. In addition, emergency suburban rail system. That allocation has 7 October 1993 4862 Legislative Assembly come at a time when the Department of and money earned from the fare box. Yet, in Transport recently completed its review of adjoining Logan City, the Logan City Council Queensland public transport arrangements. does not make any contribution to the That review was timely, providing as it does an operation and, importantly, the expansion of analysis of areas in Queensland that are private bus services in Logan. That is in spite poorly serviced by public transport. It is also of the fact that many residents in adjoining timely given the prediction in the SEQ 2001 cities such as Logan use BCC bus services, reports that, by 2011, the number of paid for, in part, by the ratepayers of Brisbane. passenger trips per day in south-east I would argue that social justice demands Queensland will increase from the current that the Logan City Council again looks long 477 000 to close to 718 000. and hard at contributing to the operation and I was therefore pleased to read the expansion of bus services in that fast-growing speech that the Minister for Transport region. It is not good enough for that council delivered at the opening of the Bus and to sit back and accept, and in some cases Coach Association’s biennial maintenance demand, expansion of the road network to and information conference in August this cope with increasing traffic pressures year. The speech by the Minister clearly generated by population growth in Logan demonstrates that this Government is aware while, at the same time, ignoring its own of the issues to be faced by transport responsibilities to ensure the expansion of the providers now and in the future. Given that the public transport network in Logan. Unless the State Government funds public transport to council accepts its responsibilities in that area, the tune of more than $270m a year I believe Logan will continue to have one of the highest that, as a Government, we do have a right to ratios of motor vehicle ownership per make demands on private bus operators to household in the whole of south-east improve the delivery of their services to the Queensland—a ratio that will continue to community. As the Minister pointed out in his increase into the future. speech to the Bus and Coach Association, years of ad hoc and uncoordinated decision The limited growth of public transport making have produced a public transport services in Logan imposes an onerous and system which, in many areas of Queensland, environmentally irresponsible burden on a provides either poor services or no services at section of the population that can least afford all during off-peak times, at night or on to own two or even three cars per household. weekends. The initial purchase and annual running costs of an additional car on an average It is not only the private bus operators on household’s budget must be more significant which we should make demands to improve than an appropriate increase in rates the level and standard of their services. Local dedicated to an expanded and more efficient authorities have a responsibility to also pay bus service in Logan City. their share by providing funding or subsidies to ensure that quality services are provided in an Public transport is an important part of equitable manner throughout their city or any social justice strategy. Low-income shire. If the current funding and operational earners, pensioners, the unemployed, arrangements with respect to the provision of students and women rely heavily on public bus services are to remain, the ongoing transport to access employment, services, commitment by the Brisbane City Council to shops and recreation. Therefore, it should not the provision of an efficient bus service, using be only the State Government that is a constantly upgraded bus fleet, should committed to social justice and the provision provide a model to many of the larger city of services. There is also an obligation on local councils throughout Queensland. authorities and even private transport operators to accept that they, too, must I am not suggesting that local authorities recognise the importance of public transport in should necessarily operate their own bus providing equality of access to employment, fleets. I am simply calling on local authorities education and recreation for all residents in to recognise the important role that an south-east Queensland. efficient and modern bus service has in resolving planning and infrastructure issues, I now turn to that item in the Estimates not to mention also protecting the that refers to funds committed to the environment. For example, Brisbane extension of the passenger rail line to Robina ratepayers subsidise the council’s bus service on the Gold Coast. Of the $151.2m to the tune of $26m on top of the significant committed in this Budget to the expansion annual contribution by the State Government and upgrading of the commuter rail system, $40.4m has been allocated to the further Legislative Assembly 4863 7 October 1993 construction of the Brisbane-Gold Coast senior officers at Queensland Rail have railway. The Minister is aware that I recently already visited Perth to inspect that new rail had the pleasure of accompanying the line, and many of the features on the Minister for Environment and Heritage to Perth Joondalup line will be integrated into the Gold to inspect the Transperth integrated rail and Coast rail link. I am also confident that we will bus public transport system. In particular, that be able to do it even better here in visit enabled me to inspect the operation of Queensland. the new passenger rail line to Joondalup, I take this opportunity to thank the senior some 26 kilometres north of the city centre. officers of Transperth for their time and Joondalup itself is a fast-growing regional informative tour of the Transperth operation. I centre, which has in part developed along the also acknowledge the foresight of the former lines of Queensland’s planned Robina West Australian Labor Government to commit integrated development project. However, the necessary funds to the construction of the what is significant about that project is that the new Joondalup line. public transport infrastructure was put in place In conclusion, I want to make a couple of early in Joondalup’s development. The comments about the new suburban rail Joondalup rail line has only recently been timetable. It is clear that a review of the opened using electric rolling stock timetable was long overdue. However, unlike manufactured here in Queensland. The trains members of the Opposition, I believe that the are an adaptation of the electric trains level of consultation by departmental officers currently running on Brisbane’s suburban rail from Queensland Rail was very good. network. The new Joondalup line has already Departmental officers listened to my concerns been a substantial success, with patronage about the draft timetable as it affected the high and increasing daily. Patronage on the Runcorn Railway Station. As a result, Runcorn Joondalup line has exceeded Transperth’s is now one of the three stations in my estimations. electorate where express services stop, the An important success of the Joondalup others being the Altandi and Kuraby Railway line is its integration with the Transperth Bus Stations. Service. As both bus and train services in Mr Beattie: You’re a good local member; Perth are operated by the one State they’re not. Government authority, efficient integration of services has been achieved. As a result, bus Mr ROBERTSON: I take the interjection services and train services do not run in from the member for Brisbane Central. competition with each other but compliment Unfortunately, my submissions with respect to each other and feed off each other. Instead of Sunnybank Railway Station did not achieve bus services running directly into the city, the the same degree of success. Whilst I accept bus routes circle major bus and train the arguments of Queensland Rail that interchanges. Part of the success of the Sunnybank Station cannot be part of the strategy has been to construct attractive but, express rail service, I hope that Queensland more importantly, functional suburban bus/rail Rail will keep that matter under review. interchanges, integrated timetables and an As the Minister is aware, the Park-n-Ride integrated ticketing system. Having witnessed facility at Altandi Railway Station is very the success of those systems in Perth, I am popular and always full from Monday to able to compliment the Minister for his Friday. I simply request that, if patronage commitment in this Budget to the introduction increases at Sunnybank Railway Station— of integrated ticketing and electronic ticketing which incidentally has a very good and secure machines throughout the suburban rail park-and-ride facility—that that be taken into network in Brisbane. consideration in any further review of the Of particular interest to me was that the Beenleigh line timetable. Finally, in supporting Joondalup rail line runs up the middle of the the Estimates of the Department of Transport, northern freeway from the city centre. As a I express my appreciation to the Minister, his result, bus interchanges are elevated above staff and departmental officers for their the freeway, and access to the rail stations support during the past year to achieve a below is by elevators. Transperth is also number of important local transport initiatives, committed to a program of converting its bus some of which I have mentioned in the fleet to run on environmentally sensitive fuels, Chamber today. such as natural gas. The new Joondalup line Mr SANTORO (Clayfield—Deputy Leader is a practical demonstration of what can be of the Liberal Party) (4.01 p.m.): I wish to use achieved with imaginative, practical solutions the time allotted to me in this Estimates to urban transport problems. I am aware that 7 October 1993 4864 Legislative Assembly debate to deal with the concerns of my the Minister and the department. It is of no constituents who are being affected by the use for the Minister to claim that the local operation of the Minister’s department and the community agrees with him because, with policies of his Government. As the Minister is respect, I can assure him that the local aware, during recent times I have referred to community does not. The Minister may think him and to his department several issues that it was the right decision, but the which have concerned my constituents. The community does not. Absolutely nothing that results that I have obtained from my the Minister says or does will convince those representations have been mixed, but from people otherwise. The Minister should be the outset I wish to thank various aware that the local rail action committee departmental officers—some of whom are remains constituted, and it will continue to here today and many of whom are very senior monitor the situation. Already, formal officers—for the courtesy and attention which correspondence has begun to flow through they have extended to me and to my and about 12 phone calls have been received constituents. Officers from Queensland Rail in the last couple of weeks from people who and the Transport Department have made have been genuinely inconvenienced by the themselves very accessible to me and have new timetables and by the less user-friendly provided formal responses which, if not aspect of the service now being provided. The definitive in their ability to resolve issues to the Minister should be aware that those satisfaction of my constituents, have at least complaints were immediately forwarded to his been informative. chief executive officer. I have advised that officer that we will keep on this issue until all of I also thank the Minister for his interest in those concerns are resolved. Those are the the issues that I have brought to his attention. sorts of commitments that the Minister made. Obviously, we did not agree on all the matters that we have discussed. At least the Minister I wish to thank the people who were has made himself available to discuss those involved in supporting the campaign to save issues, and he also made time to attend a the Eagle Junction-Pinkenba rail line. public meeting which I organised in relation to Mr Hamill interjected. the Eagle Junction-Pinkenba rail service. Mr SANTORO: To save the Eagle I wish to touch on several issues during Junction-Pinkenba passenger rail services. this contribution, including the Eagle Junction- Mr Hamill: Some people have been Pinkenba rail service, the Nundah bottleneck saying that we are closing the line. It would be issue, the Northern Transportation Corridor quite scurrilous to suggest that. and several other issues which, although not Mr SANTORO: I take the interjection from as high profile as those three specific ones, the Minister. That is a scurrilous suggestion. certainly impact on and are important to my Every media release that I have issued—and, constituents. as the Minister would be aware, they are As members would be aware, in late many in number—referred to “passenger rail September 1993, rail passenger services services”. ceased on the Doomben-Pinkenba line. The Mr Hamill: I know you wouldn’t do it. residents of the area always suspected that this move was on. Despite the claims that Mr SANTORO: I take the interjection. The consultation was occurring on the fate of that Minister and I disagree on many things, but I line, I have always contended—and the local agree with the Minister when he says that I residents certainly contended—that its fate would not tell lies or do anything as scurrilous was preordained and predesigned. I agree as some others—including some members of with some of the comments by the member this place—may. I thank the rail action for Indooroopilly, who said that the Minister committee and the general community for and some officers of his department have their support on this issue. I undertake to keep redefined the definition of “consultation”. the feedback forthcoming. Consultation started occurring—and the flow Another issue that is important to my of information to my constituents then constituents is broadly defined as the Nundah became enormous—only after we got involved bottleneck on Sandgate Road. In order to at a political level. It was at the point when the resolve that problem—which, to be resolved decision was made about the new timetable permanently, requires the injection of an and I started circulating information to my enormous amount of funds—the Minister constituents that they really were in the know. arranged for some parking restrictions to be Needless to say, the community implemented. I told the Minister that I would disagreed strongly with the decision taken by keep him, this Parliament and his Legislative Assembly 4865 7 October 1993 departmental officers informed on the impacts exit from Pinkenba. There is an enormous of those restrictions. I surveyed all of the small amount of concern within that local businesses along Sandgate Road that are community—and I accept that the concern is affected by those restrictions. Quite a few valid—that if there is an emergency along responses have been returned. The Minister Kingsford Smith Drive, such as a fire caused may be aware that I asked several questions, by fuel spills or whatever, the exit from the including questions about the decline or area for the residents of Pinkenba could be increase in the number of clients per week impaired severely. that those businesses have observed, the Mr Hamill: To Kingsford Smith Drive? turnover, security on business premises, and passing traffic and custom. Invariably, of the Mr SANTORO: The Minister would have responses that have been returned, about 25 to agree that, if Kingsford Smith Drive is per cent of the businesses surveyed have said blocked or is cut off, access from Pinkenba is that their business and their turnover has limited severely. I have already had some decreased as a result of those measures from discussions with the Federal Airport between 5 per cent and 35 per cent. I will Corporation about the problem, and that body compile the results of that survey, and I will let is looking into the matter, but there is not the Minister know the results when I do. much that it can do. However, I intend to pursue that issue even further. I think it is important that the Minister is aware of the impact on my constituents of I remind the Minister of a point that was decisions made by him and his department. raised by the member for Indooroopilly. The The Nundah bottleneck is a very worrying accident that occurred recently on Kingsford problem. It was one of the matters that the Smith Drive should be of general concern to Minister and I discussed. Obviously, we could the Minister in relation to that transport not determine what would happen until the corridor. Obviously, because of the sensitive information was properly compiled. I am in the nature of the accident, I have not sought to process of doing that. However, the early enter into any public debate. However, I returns, if I can use that term, from small encourage a thorough investigation and a businesses are not encouraging. consideration of solutions that are equitable not only to heavy-duty vehicles but also to the Another issue in which I have taken some regular traffic that uses the local traffic corridor. interest is the so-called transportation corridor in the Wooloowin/Kalinga area. The Minister Time expired. would be aware and would acknowledge that Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—Minister for there is a lot of concern within that area about Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier the possible widening of roads or the creation on Economic and Trade Development) (4.10 of new roads to assist traffic flows around the p.m.), in reply: I thank honourable members north side of Brisbane. I want to pay tribute to for their contributions to this Estimates debate. the Minister’s senior officers, who—obviously I admit that I come to close this debate under his instructions—received a delegation somewhat chastened by the attack that has of myself and the two local aldermen. Those been launched upon me by honourable officers set out the history of that issue, and members opposite. Indeed, I really felt guilty they have also made themselves available to when the member for Gregory accused me of answer specific questions on the issue. I have making this Budget look good. To drive that circulated my constituency with the names point home, it really hurt, because it is a good and telephone numbers of those officers, and Budget. This Government has nothing to be that system of information exchange is ashamed of in the Budget that has been working well. I want to stress that the local brought down in this place, particularly as it residents do not want a freeway or a Route 20 relates to transport. It is a Budget of situation. They want their residential amenity achievement. to be maintained. I support them totally in As I indicated earlier, the Budget provides that. I think it is a big step forward when I am a massive investment in infrastructure in able to say that, these days, the complaints Queensland. Contrary to the claims by the are being directed straight to those officers member for Gregory, it is not a Budget for the who are responsible for providing information. cities. He quoted in his remarks that it was “a As a result, my constituents can be made pay more, get less Budget”. I ask him to tell aware of the location of property owned by the that to the local authorities, who are seeing department and the location of the line on the massive funds pass through them for map for the suburbs in question. roadworks and road construction. He should Another issue of great concern to the tell it to the disabled who are benefiting, as I residents of Pinkenba is that of access to and indicated earlier, from the far more liberal 7 October 1993 4866 Legislative Assembly arrangements with respect to the disabled taxi of service. We have directed our attention to subsidy scheme. He should tell it to the improving the quality and the effectiveness of people in his constituency who are benefiting service. It is not a very good service that is through the extension of those remote area seeking to operate with poor facilities, poor air services. equipment, poor marketing and poor market Mr Johnson: I endorsed that, and you share. A good service is a service that people know that. are going to use, and that service should provide them with a substantial improvement Mr HAMILL: The honourable member in their amenity. That clearly was not cannot have it both ways. He cannot suggest happening when the National Party held the in one breath that it is a Budget which is reins of power, apart from in the mining costing people more and they are getting less industry, and even it was getting screwed with when, quite clearly, it is a Budget which respect to the National Party’s hidden royalty contains such a range of initiatives which is taxation policy which this Government in this providing quite tangible benefits to a wide Budget has set aside. The suggestion that rail range of people across the length and ought to be a viable and commercial breadth of the State. I invite him to tell it to the undertaking sits very well with providing high people employed in Queensland Rail, quality service. Unfortunately, the National employed by local councils, employed by the Party did not see them as going hand in Department of Transport or by contractors who hand. It saw that profit at all cost—it never got are benefiting through jobs that are being one—was given paramount consideration, generated by this Governments record and service ran a very poor last. investment in infrastructure development in terms of roads, rail and ports. It is all in the This Government has sought to run the Budget. two concepts together, and the results speak for themselves. I never thought that I would I was also intrigued to hear the hear the parties which claim to be the pillars of honourable member for Gregory quote from a private enterprise—the pillars of competition— speech of mine. Obviously, he finds it a actually suggest in this place that somehow particularly interesting one. I always found it a profit would be a dirty word. Yet the member particularly interesting speech. In fact, there is for Gregory stated in this place that it was a lot of good material in it. But parts of that impossible for an essential service to make a speech were incorrectly quoted back at me. profit. It is little wonder that he sits on the As my recollection of what I had said seemed Opposition benches today and his party is still to be at variance somewhat with the remarks not in Government in this place. made by the honourable member, I thought that it would be nice to get the speech out This Government believes in high quality and see what I had said about the poor service, but it also believes in prudent fiscal performance of the National Party and their management. That is exactly what we have erstwhile Liberal coalition partners when they brought to bear with respect to Queensland held the reins of power and ran Queensland Rail. Rail into the ground. I will quote from that I will refer further to the speech that I speech the piece which the honourable made in 1989. A number of the issues that I member tried to use quite wrongly to raised in that speech tended to be raised misrepresent the remarks that I made in this again at various stages of this debate— place in April 1989. Let me quote from a very sometimes by the Opposition but more reliable source, namely myself. I stated— particularly by members of the Government. “When the Commissioner for Reference was made in that speech to a need Railways can appear on television and to upgrade the north coast line between state that members of the Queensland Brisbane and Cairns by straightening the track public have to get it through their heads and providing better services. That is exactly that the railway is not there to provide a what this Government is doing, and proudly service, but rather must be a so. An amount of $155m of the investment in commercially viable undertaking, then I rail this year is towards upgrading the north suggest that the railways, under this coast line, a commitment that I made in 1989 Government, are on the wrong track.” and which I am very proud, as Minister, to be able to fulfil. I stand by everything that I said at that time. In that speech, I urged the Government Nothing in that quotation detracts at all to get on with the job of ensuring that the port from this Government’s performance in of Brisbane and Fisherman Islands were relation to management of the rail system. connected with the national standard gauge What we have not done is cast out the notion Legislative Assembly 4867 7 October 1993 rail network—a commitment that I made in issue of workshops, he was staggered that we Opposition as Transport spokesperson, and a were going to keep any railway workshops commitment that I am delivering as Minister. I operating in this State. Mr Charlton, a National am very proud of that. This Budget is Party Minister from Western Australia, was delivering that commitment. presiding over the closure of the last railway Another aspect to which I drew particular workshop for Westrail. What are we doing? attention in 1989 was the state of Queensland Through the rail board, $55m worth of new Rail’s workshops. I was enthralled to hear the investment is going into workshop facilities honourable member for Gregory talk about around the State. I know that the member for the National Party’s record in office when it Gregory may not be a whiz-kid with balance came to provision for rail workers. My sheets, but he quite falsely suggested that colleague the member for Brisbane Central only $1m had been allocated to Rockhampton very persuasively put the case of how rail and $2.4m for Stuart. Obviously, he did not workers and their families ran a very poor bother to cast his eyes further along the line second in the consideration of the previous showing the time for the delivery of that $55m National Party Government. So was it with worth of new investment for railway workshops respect to the workshops. When the National in this State. In the Townsville region, there is Party was in office, work was being taken out significant new investment at Stuart in terms of the workshops—contracted out. of wagon and locomotive maintenance. In Rockhampton, $20m will go towards I might say for the benefit of the redeveloping the railway workshops. In members of this place that one of the key Redbank, there is a $35m investment features of the enterprise bargaining involving the consolidation of workshops in the agreement which was negotiated between southern part of the State. Queensland Rail and Queensland Rail employees was the recognition of railway work Mr Johnson interjected. in the workshops remaining railway work in the Mr HAMILL: The honourable member is workshops. What is also the case, though, is bleating about employment uncertainty. that this Government has recognised that we Uncertainty of employment in the railways cannot have railway workshops in this State existed when a coterie of National Party with the cutting edge of technology of the Ministers presided over the destruction of the 1860s. That is exactly the legacy that the rail system and its future in this State. There coalition Government and then the later was no future for those employees who were National Party Government left us in this in a run-down industry that was being place. continually run down by an uncaring, I remember visiting the old Cairns unsympathetic, visionless Government. Under workshop to see wagons being moved with this Government, the jobs of Queensland Rail crowbars. There were no shunt tractors employees are secure. There is no question available for the blokes in the old Cairns about that. People say that a little knowledge workshops to move the wagons about. Such is a dangerous thing. I can conclude only that was the standard of high technology available the member for Gregory is not dangerous at in the days of the National Party Government. all. Honourable members might care to go and I draw the attention of members to some look at some of the machinery which adorns of the misguided comments of the member the floors of workshops in Ipswich, Townsville for Tablelands, who suggested that rail was and Rockhampton. Indeed, it was the losing its position in the market on the conservative Governments prior to T. J. Ryan tableland because this Government is not that made the funds available for some of that interested in livestock, primary produce or Red machinery. Dome. For financial reasons, the Red Dome The National Party may be able to live in mine chose not to move its product by rail. the past but, if railways in this State are to Had this Government not responded to those have a future, they have to be modernised to sorts of requests, the very same member who meet the needs of the community not of the has been casting aspersions on the 1890s but of the 1990s. The decisions which Government and Queensland Rail would have the rail board has taken with respect to been casting aspersions on this Government investment in workshops are without parallel in for the loss of jobs on the tableland. The this country. Opposition cannot have it both ways. A few months ago, I had the pleasure of Mr Johnson: You heard what the being the host for my counterpart from member for Tablelands said. Western Australia. When we discussed the 7 October 1993 4868 Legislative Assembly

Mr HAMILL: I heard what he said. So Mr Johnson: That’s in the south-east much of what that member said was arrant corner. nonsense. Mr HAMILL: In response to that Mr Johnson: He has the papers to prove interjection by the member for Gregory, I point it. out that people in the country have not Mr HAMILL: I have the papers here. I am missed out. We support country rail passenger more than happy to embarrass that member services to the tune of $50m. in any public forum. Queensland Rail is Mr Johnson interjected. negotiating with the sugar industry in north Mr HAMILL: The member does not like Queensland—and proudly so. But there are me putting this on the record. But let me put it some limitations. It is a matter of having on the record especially for him. About $50m modern infrastructure. There is still a a year goes towards supporting country rail maximum axle load of 10 tonnes over the services. Over $3m—a significant increase Kuranda range. Modern-day requirements will from the funding provided in the days of the not allow modern-day handling methods when National Party Government—is going into there are physical limitations such as that remote area air services. School bus upon the rail system. arrangements and passenger transport A number of members spoke about services in provincial cities also come under passenger transport. As I indicated in my the umbrella of the passenger transport opening remarks, passenger transport is a reform arrangements that I have already major priority for this Government in this term. outlined. We regard passenger transport as an I know that some honourable members integrated package—whether it be in country opposite really cannot help themselves when areas, where we strongly support passenger they get an opportunity to make a snide transport through Queensland Rail and private comment. The arch architect of the snide bus and school transport arrangements, or comment would have to be the member for whether it be in south-east Queensland, Indooroopilly, who took the opportunity to where our support for passenger transport make some snide comments about the and, indeed, the patronage of it, allows us to Chairman of the Townsville Port Authority. The spend the lion’s share of our road budget in Townsville Port Authority has done an country areas. If we did not support passenger outstanding job in its development of the port transport in the cities, quite frankly we would of Townsville. During the chairmanship of Mike have a far greater demand for dollars for Reynolds, there has been an increase in trade major roadworks in the cities. I will put my through that port. I place on record my money with passenger transport services any appreciation of the working relationship that I day. have had with Mike Reynolds in that role. He is a very inexpensive chairman to maintain. This Government has sought to revamp Members of the Liberal Party tried to make rail services. One of the features of that is a some snide comments about the costs change to the railway timetable. The world involved with Mike Reynolds having to travel to does not stand still. South-east Queensland Townsville to undertake his responsibilities as looks a lot different from what it did 15 years chairman of that port authority. I point out to ago. People have moved to different areas honourable members that the chairmanship of and there are different demands on the rail the port of Townsville costs only about half of service. Contrary to claims made by some what it did when the Chairman of the members opposite, through extensive Townsville Port Authority came from the consultation this Government has reshaped a Burdekin—when he was a mate of the rail timetable and, consequently, bus National Party Government. We might run timetables that better reflect an ability to meet lean, mean, cost-efficient operations, but I new levels of demand. I make no apology for make no apology for calling upon the talent of that. In fact, I make no apology for trying to the best people to do that job. put seats in places where people need them. When there is unused capacity in some areas I wonder whether the same snide while people are virtually falling out of buses comment from the member for Indooroopilly and trains in other areas, something is wrong would be directed at the activities of the rail if we cannot redistribute that capacity and put board. One of the members of that board is seats in places where they are needed more. brought down from north-west Queensland to That is exactly what we sought to do. attend board meetings. Is that inappropriate? Should country people be denied the opportunity to sit on boards and have a Legislative Assembly 4869 7 October 1993 considerable say in the day-to-day activities of This Bill provides for amendments to be their lives? Should we allow boards to hold made to the Transport Infrastructure meetings in country areas, so that those (Railways) Act 1991 which was proclaimed to members can listen to the interests of local commence on 1 July 1991. It was envisaged people? Or is that a waste of money? The at the time that a review of the Act would be member for Indooroopilly should not indulge in carried out after an appropriate period. This smutty, slimy, political point-scoring. Rather, proposed review has been completed, and a he should look at performance. Under Mike number of miscellaneous amendments are Reynolds’ chairmanship, the Townsville Port now required. These miscellaneous Authority has seen record trade figures and, amendments are designed to improve the last year, returned a $3m profit for the people drafting of the Act by removing certain of Queensland. inconsistencies within the Act and to enhance The achievements in transport are clear. certain administrative procedures under the They are set out very clearly in the Estimates. Act. The Bill also removes certain redundant I shall refer once more to that speech which and unnecessary sections and reflects current was so fondly used earlier by Mr Johnson. In drafting practices. relation to what we would do with Queensland By far the most important objective of this Rail, I said— Bill is to effect certain amendments which are “The Labor Party will restore quality designed to help counter the problem of fare and service to the goals of Queensland evasion on the Queensland Rail Citytrain Railways. The Labor Party will recognise network. It is estimated that Queensland Rail that the quality of life for all currently loses approximately $5m each year Queenslanders will be enhanced by a because of fare evasion. Accordingly, safe, efficient transport system to service Queensland Rail has developed a revenue this State’s economic and social needs. protection strategy which includes the The Labor Party envisages Queensland implementation of an infringement notice—on- Railways playing its part alongside other the-spot fine procedure—and the introduction modes of transport in achieving that of a new type of automatic ticket machine. goal.” The introduction of the new automatic ticket machine is expected to recover a significant Time expired. proportion of lost revenue by providing Progress reported. passengers with a ticketing facility during the hours that stations are unattended. In addition, the introduction of an infringement TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE notice, which streamlines the fare evasion (RAILWAYS) AMENDMENT BILL penalty procedures, will provide incentive for Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—Minister for people to ensure that they always purchase a Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier ticket. on Economic and Trade Development) (4.30 Presently, the Act requires that all p.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— offences under the Act must be prosecuted by “That leave be granted to bring in a way of complaint and summons. The adoption Bill for an Act to amend the Transport of an infringement notice procedure will Infrastructure (Railways) Act 1991.” provide a more effective mechanism for the Motion agreed to. enforcement of offences under the Act, and will also achieve savings in costs associated with court proceedings. The implementation of First Reading an on-the-spot fine procedure will be facilitated Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and primarily by amendments to the Justices Act Bill, on motion of Mr Hamill, read a first time. 1886 which will shortly be introduced into the House. Certain miscellaneous amendments to aid in the adoption of such a procedure by Second Reading Queensland Rail are contained in this Bill. Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—Minister for The Bill amends the Act to provide for the Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier introduction of a new form of automatic ticket on Economic and Trade Development) (4.31 machine. It is intended that automatic ticket p.m.): I move— machines will be installed at all suburban “That the Bill be now read a second stations to operate during the hours that time.” stations are unattended. The introduction of the machines will mean that every passenger will be required to have a ticket prior to 7 October 1993 4870 Legislative Assembly boarding the train. Existing automatic ticket used for racing since 1875, and is an integral machines are capable of issuing full fare part of the racing industry, both through its tickets. An optional new form of automatic use as a racecourse, and as a training facility ticket machines will issue tickets of a specified which provides valuable economic benefits to value and show the time and place where the Queensland. The Government wishes to ticket was obtained. Where the value of the protect this asset in the long-term and to ticket is less than the correct fare, the correct ensure that any development work that is fare is required to be paid at or before the end carried out on the racecourse is carried out in of the journey. Importantly, Queensland Rail a responsible manner. will launch a comprehensive community In order to ensure that this occurs, it has awareness campaign to inform the travelling become necessary to clarify the roles of the public about the introduction of the new trustees of Eagle Farm racecourse and the automatic ticket machines and on-the-spot Queensland Turf Club with respect to that part fines prior to their introduction. of the trust land that is occupied by the club The offence provisions in the Act have and used as a racecourse. The roles also been amended to provide for the operation of need clarifying to ensure that they meet the automatic ticket machines. Offences under current modern requirements of accountability the Act will be enforced by authorised officers, and public scrutiny. The roles of the trustees including inspectors appointed under the Act, and the club were previously stated in the as well as police officers. The intention is that Eagle Farm Racecourse Act of 1955. In 1955, inspectors will have the primary responsibility race meetings numbered a dozen or so for enforcement with police providing backup annually. In 1993, there will be approximately to inspectors where necessary. 48 race meetings at Eagle Farm racecourse, In conclusion, this Bill represents a and the venue is also used as a training significant step forward in combating the facility in conjunction with Doomben significant problem of fare evasion faced by racecourse. Queensland Rail. I commend the Bill to the More than 1 000 horses use these House. facilities on a daily basis and form an Debate, on motion of Mr Johnson, important part of the infrastructure of the adjourned. racing industry in Queensland. With the increased usage and importance of the venue has come the need to review the roles of both EAGLE FARM RACECOURSE BILL the trustees and the club to ensure that the Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba— Minister modern requirements are reflected. This Bill for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (4.35 p.m.), by clearly states the role of the relevant parties. leave, without notice: I move— The Queensland Turf Club will be responsible for operating the venue as a racecourse and a “That leave be granted to bring in a training facility. Bill for an Act to consolidate and amend the law for the management and The club’s occupancy of the racecourse development of Eagle Farm racecourse, part of the trust land will be formally and for related purposes.” recognised. The trustees’ role is to protect the asset in the long term by ensuring that the Motion agreed to. development carried out by the club is undertaken in terms of a strategic plan for the First Reading use of the venue rather than on an ad hoc basis. The trustees’ approval will be required Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and for development work to be carried out. Bill, on motion of Mr Gibbs, read a first time. Development work is that work which involves structural alteration to the facility. The club will Second Reading be responsible for regular maintenance work on the facility. To avoid any future conflicts of Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba— Minister interest, a member of the management for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (4.36 p.m.): I committee of the club is excluded from move— appointment as a trustee of Eagle Farm “That the Bill be now read a second racecourse. time.” The Bill vests the trust property in the The Eagle Farm racecourse is held by official name of the trustees of Eagle Farm trustees in trust for the members of the racecourse. The Bill also provides that the Queensland Turf Club. The land has been trustees are a statutory body for the purposes Legislative Assembly 4871 7 October 1993 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act Mr Casey: Why don’t you just get on with 1977. This will ensure that the trustees will be the Bill? audited. The trustees will continue to be Mr HOBBS: I will, but I wanted to make responsible for financial arrangements by way those particular points at the outset. These of borrowing secured against the asset or days, thanks to fax machines, televisions and grants or loans from the Racing Development so on, we have better communication Fund. This Bill reflects the requirements of the between Government and retailers for Government and the public in the context of a regulatory purposes, and better reporting. I modern racing industry. believe that the new accreditation system will Debate, on motion of Mr Perrett, be quite good. In fact, it is not new. I suppose adjourned. the Government is claiming credit for implementing that system, but it had already been done by the previous Government. MEAT INDUSTRY BILL The meat industry, which was previously Second Reading administered by one body, that is, the LMAQ, Debate resumed from 4 October (see will now be administered by four bodies, that p. 4806). is, the Queensland Livestock and Meat Mr HOBBS (Warrego) (4.40 p.m.): The Industry Policy Council, the Queensland Meat Industry Bill 1993 is a very interesting Livestock and Meat Authority, the Queensland Bill, and I am certainly pleased to speak to it Abattoir Corporation and the Meat Industry today. It replaces and repeals the Meat Tribunal. That may be fine. I am involved in Industry Act of 1965. Basically, I have no the wool industry, which went through a problem with this Bill, and I endorse the process of change similar to this. That industry remarks that have been made by the shadow was administered by two bodies. It was then Minister in relation to it. I suppose when decided to restructure the industry and have it reviews of legislation are undertaken people administered by four bodies. That proved to must come up with changes and, in many be a disaster, and now it is once again cases, they are timely changes. Unfortunately, administered by two bodies. I hope that this it does the Minister no credit to blame the restructuring of the meat industry will be National Party for the previous system. I think successful—I believe that it will be—and I that it worked reasonably well. This legislation hope that there are no administrative will also be the subject of criticism down the problems or power struggles between the track, as things progress. various regulatory bodies. After all, we need to have the confidence of the buyers and the Mr Casey: What are you talking about? confidence of the whole industry. What did I blame the National Party for? As I mentioned before, the thrust of the Mr HOBBS: What I am saying—and I will Bill is acceptable. While it is a loosely worded refer to it if the Minister would like—is that it piece of legislation, it is okay if practical takes the professionalism out of the common sense is used in its interpretation legislation. The Minister says that the old and application. However, I do express models of the National Party were ineffective concern on behalf of some butchers who may and resulted in major decay in the regulatory not see any benefits in this legislation. I guess framework of many primary industries in whenever any legislative changes are made Queensland. He also says that the regarding any industry, there are winners and introduction of this legislation is in stark losers. We can only hope that the producers, contrast to the lack of accountability in the the retailers and the consumers are all meat industry under the National Party, and winners. Producers can win from an increase so forth. Maybe in the Minister’s view that is in the volume of sales and the quality of their right, but down the track similar words will be products. Retailers and small business can spoken about this legislation. It is not a vote of benefit from value-adding and diversifying confidence. In fact, this Bill has been drafted their operations. The consumer can also purely for the benefit of the industry. It has the benefit from improved access to quality meat. connotation of a political document. I would prefer it to be a professional document for the If there is any clear winner in this betterment of the industry. legislation, I believe that it is small business. Small businesses—butcher shops, corner Mr Casey: It’s not for my benefit. stores and other medium-sized retail outlets— Mr HOBBS: That may be so, but I still compete with large shopping complexes which make that point. presently have the ability to sell fresh meat 7 October 1993 4872 Legislative Assembly through any number of chain stores, even been a need to support the kangaroo meat though they may have only one butcher shop. industry. I have been very supportive of it for a Mr Casey: Do you think you might be number of years. This legislation clarifies the able to convince a few of your colleagues of issue. I believe that it is well overdue. I believe that? that there is a market for kangaroo meat. We have an export market and a domestic Mr HOBBS: Let me finish what I am market, particularly in the restaurant and saying. That system gives large supermarkets health food outlets, and certainly among a distinct advantage over other small those Queenslanders who choose to buy that business. This legislation will even things out. meat. There is an export market; we just have A reduction in red tape and further regulation to find it. Not much research seems to have of small business should flow from this been carried out into the Asian market, legislation. I believe it is up to the Minister and particularly China. I congratulate the shadow the four regulatory bodies that are being Minister on the work that he has been doing in established to make sure that that happens. researching overseas markets for kangaroo Presently, a corner store that wishes to set up meat. I certainly hope that, at the end of the a class 3 butcher shop would find it very day, some benefits do flow from that work. expensive with the necessity for dual inspections under the Meat Industry Act and Local communities stand to benefit the Health Act. In future, corner stores will not greatly from this legislation. There are a lot of have two sets of hygiene standards. There will kangaroo shooters in my electorate of be one minimum hygiene standard. Warrego. Many communities, families and, Accreditation will not be needed. This will allow certainly, professional shooters, rely on the corner stores in this State to operate in a kangaroo meat industry. This may strengthen manner similar to such stores in New South the market base. Many small towns have Wales, Victoria and the ACT. I point out that service works, which are a great employer of New South Wales has had a similar system for the locals. This will help to put a bit of stability about 85 years. If businesses are able to back into those local communities. Our demonstrate that they have been meatworks in Australia are not very efficient disadvantaged by this legislation, their when one compares them with the meatworks concerns should be addressed in, say, New Zealand. The production of fresh compassionately. meat in New Zealand is three times cheaper than it is in Australia. America is probably half As I mentioned earlier, whenever major as cheap again. Until we become more changes are made to any industry, there may efficient, we are not going to be able to be winners and losers. If there are losers, it compete on world markets. may be because of a deficiency in the actual legislation. The Minister has a duty to The shadow Minister and I toured the minimise the impact on the people involved in San Cor Meatworks in Adelaide. That was the industry. Opposition members have certainly a very interesting experiment. It was brought to the attention of this House some losing money hand over fist. It did not know problems with the legislation. Those concerns what to do or what its next move would be. have been expressed to the Opposition by The meatworks underwent radical restructuring various sectors in the community. The first one and made some award changes. It was able that I would like to raise relates to the policy to turn its production around. If I recall the council and its composition. Of particular figures correctly, the meatworks increased its concern is the fact that the Minister might cattle kill from about 500 to 700 or 800. It appoint himself as chairman of that council. increased its sheep kill from about 1 000 to Another matter of concern was the selection 1 500 and its pig kill from 700 to 1 400. That of members for appointment to the put its books back in the black and it was able Queensland Livestock and Meat Authority and to improve its financial position. It is now in the exclusion of representatives of livestock quite a strong position. It will certainly seek to producers. These issues have been improve that production further. mentioned in detail by other members, so I will Although I believe that we in Queensland not go into them. I simply raise the concerns, are reasonably efficient, more work remains to and I hope that the Minister will address them be done. A country such as New Zealand, as in his reply. close as it is to us, is putting its products on Another important aspect of this our markets at a price lower than our cost of legislation is the fact that no distinction is production. Until we can compete with New drawn between meat for human consumption Zealand, our producers will slowly go out the and pet meat. For quite some time there has back door. We must do a lot more work on improving the efficiency of our meatworks. I Legislative Assembly 4873 7 October 1993 hope that those bodies set out in the Bill, some of the grain farms, and also the which may have a fresh approach, will development of some new feedlots utilising consider that. I am not saying that what was the very latest in technology, environmental done in the past was wrong. I am saying that and hygiene developments. Toowoomba has it is time that changes were made and that we also become a major centre for the export of should look very seriously at doing the best we live cattle. It has always been a centre for can to try to improve our production methods. studs, and now we have the development of I support the aim of the Bill. If it is handled embryo and AI centres. The other important correctly and interpreted properly, benefits will aspect of the beef industry is the health flow through to all Queenslanders. aspect. Recently, we have seen ads on TV Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South) showing the importance of meat for protein, (4.53 p.m.): It gives me pleasure to join the particularly in the provision of iron. debate on the Meat Industry Bill 1993. I One of the concerns for the beef industry recognise the importance of the beef industry, in recent years has been the dwindling particularly in the area of Toowoomba and the consumption of red meat. It is down to some Darling Downs. It is a very important industry in 35 kilograms per head per year. That has terms of employment and particularly in terms been partly because of the aggressive and of attracting export income not just to the excellent marketing of those people Queensland generally but particularly to the representing the poultry industry and the pork Toowoomba region. Within Toowoomba and industry, but particularly the poultry industry. on the downs, we have a number of very One of the advantages that the poultry significant beef enterprises, such as the industry has had is that it has been able to sell Toowoomba saleyards at Harristown, which poultry products at virtually every outlet—be it are regarded as the biggest saleyards for the takeaway outlets, specialised hot chicken sale of commercial cattle in Australia. The outlets or as frozen chickens in corner stores. Harristown saleyards took over that position There is no doubt that one of the thrusts from the Newmarket yards in Melbourne some of the Bill is to extend the opportunities for the years ago. Every week, the three major marketing of red meat. I know that, in that agents sell there, with three major sales each regard, the legislation has the support of all of week. the producer organisations. It makes sense. That in itself creates an enormous No matter how one argues about places amount of employment not only for the where shopping is available 24 hours and workers in the saleyards, including the clerks where it is not, the more outlets there are, the and so forth, but also for the trucking industry. more people walk past the product, the Toowoomba has become a major transport greater the potential to increase sales. terminal. The beef industry has contributed Another aspect of that will be the fact that greatly to that. On that point, I will diverge considerable concern has been expressed slightly. The pulling up of rail lines would have amongst small shopkeepers in recent years had a significant impact on Toowoomba. about the threat to their livelihood from the big Many road trains come into the city. They supermarket chains. They have always must come in through the western suburbs to resisted the push from those chains to have the saleyards. That is the final point at which seven days a week trading. The only road trains can journey east. Many Quilpie advantage that the small stores have is their cattle would have been coming through the convenience aspect: the fact that they are western suburbs of Toowoomba on road trains able to open seven days a week as a mum rather than by rail through to Oakey or down and dad operation and the fact that they can to Tancreds. open at 6 in the morning and stay open till We also have four major abattoirs in late at night. It is that convenience and those Toowoomba and the surrounding areas extra hours that give them the opportunity to slaughtering for the export and domestic find a market niche. trade. The other thing that the meat industry One of the things that those stores have brings to Toowoomba is manufacturing never been able to do is to sell fresh meat. industries. We have an enormous amount of The Bill gives them the opportunity to do that. welding works producing yards, crushes, At the same time, the Bill will mean a serious trucking equipment and farm machinery. We loss of income for some butchers. In common have had an enormous expansion of feedlots. with many other members of Parliament, I Toowoomba is probably the feedlot capital of have had representations from butchers in my Australia, with major feedlots of up to 28 000 electorate. This debate is the time to give or 30 000 head. We have had the voice to those genuine concerns of butchers, development of small opportunity feedlots on particularly the smaller butchers—the family 7 October 1993 4874 Legislative Assembly operations. Many of those butchers—most of of their business, their mode of operation and them, I would say—bought their butcher whether they spend the money—and I believe shops under existing legislation, existing that it is in the order of about $15,000—to regulations and existing arrangements. They install the equipment so that they can would have paid a certain amount of money prepackage meat.They then have to develop based on the capital value of their butcher a marketing and selling arrangement for their shop, the trade that it had and the potential shop in the local area or further afield. They that it had for increased trade. Now, with a perhaps have to consider the way in which stroke of the legislative pen, we could reduce they will transport their product. They have to much of that potential. consider their own staffing. A single operator Some butchers see an opportunity to of a butcher shop obviously cannot jump in increase their market share. Some butchers the car in the middle of the day to deliver see an opportunity to garner around them meat to other shops. perhaps 8 or 10 of their local corner stores These butchers fear—and I think that this and try to work in an agency-type will occur—that major operators will specialise arrangement so that they prepare the in providing prepackaged meat. The larger prepackaged meat, sell it to those corner operators that have sufficient throughput will stores, which rotate the stocks every two or be able to undertake portion control. No doubt three days so that it remains fresh and the the corner stores will want to sell only certain meat that is not sold comes back to the cuts, probably just steaks, chops and butcher shop to be reprocessed. One must sausages; fairly simple lines. It will be essential recognise that those butcher shops will that some portion control be available to those probably have to take a smaller margin for corner stores so that they can sell all of their that meat, because they are selling to products. There will be a trend for large someone who must onsell. Also, those operators to specialise in providing butcher shops will probably sell to someone prepackaged meat, and that will disadvantage who will take part of their own market share some butchers. and take some of the people who may have Another issue of concern is quality come to their shops. control. Most butchers have told me that over In some ways, the butcher shops have the years they have undergone the most torrid the potential to expand their market, but they inspections by the DPI. They have had to will make an enormous extra amount of work meet incredible standards of cleanliness under for themselves. I cite the example of a stand- those inspections. A points system has been alone butcher shop that is not in a little strip applied. It has cost butchers an enormous shopping centre. A stand-alone shop might amount of money to purchase the equipment see a mini-supermarket a half a mile or so up so that they can comply with those standards. the road as another potential store through Now they see other operators being able to which to sell extra meat. However, some sell meat products with a very minimum outlay people will go to that mini-supermarket on the on refrigeration and being subjected to a very weekend when they buy their newspapers and minimum quality control and inspection buy the meat that perhaps they would have procedure. bought from the little stand-alone butcher Reference has been made to the shop down the road, so he has effectively lost potential of this Bill to increase the sale of red some of his customers. meat. However, it is important to consider that Mr Casey interjected. quality will be of the essence. Meat has Mr HORAN: Butcher shops can open always relied upon quality and taste as its every day of the week, if they want to. attraction. It is essential that the product not However, they do not. be downgraded in any way. We must ensure that there can be no complaint from Mr Casey: They don’t want to, either. consumers about a lesser quality product Mr HORAN: Some of them do, where being supplied by corner stores compared with they are in a strip supermarket near a fruit the product supplied by butcher shops. barn or a newsagency, which ensures a Another concern of butchers is mutual reasonable flow through of people. I know that recognition and hygiene standards in New some shops in my electorate do that. The first South Wales. Historically, Queensland point for the Minister to consider is the effect butchers have been subjected to the most on the business of butcher shops. Most stringent of inspection standards. They have owners have paid in the vicinity of $150,000 to use stainless steel or synthetic-type blocks for a butcher shop. Often times, it is a family and have clean floors. However, in New South business. They must now reassess the value Legislative Assembly 4875 7 October 1993

Wales, butchers still use wooden blocks and This Bill provides a great deal of potential have sawdust on the floor. Because of mutual for the meat industry. It provides some recognition, the potential exists for the New opportunities but, at the same time, it will South Wales products to come over the necessitate some very painful decisions and border into Queensland shops. That may will present some great difficulties for some have an effect on quality, which is a very sections of the retail butchery industry. That is important consideration. the aspect of this Bill that causes us the most I would like to hear the Minister’s concern, and it is one which certainly needs to comments on those issues, and what be addressed very carefully by the Minister. assistance his department can give to butcher Mrs McCAULEY (Callide) (5.07 p.m.): shops over the next four years in the transition This legislation has caused me to think back period. The provisions of this legislation will to the butcher shops of my childhood. At the present problems for some butcher shops. No risk of showing my age, I can remember when doubt exists that some butcher shops stand at butcher shops had sawdust floors. risk of losing capital value of their shop or Mr Stoneman: They still do in New South losing potential sales. We should provide Wales. Did you know that? some form of assistance to the butcher shops at risk. Mrs McCAULEY: Is that right? That is very hygienic! I can remember going into a The main provision of this Bill is the butcher shop and asking my mother the formation of four bodies to replace the single meaning of the sign that read “No body that existed previously. Those bodies are expectorating”. I remember being told that she the Queensland Livestock and Meat Industry would tell me outside. I remember spelling out Policy Council, to formulate policy for the meat that word to myself and trying to work out what industry; an administrative body which will be on earth it could possibly mean. I remember called the Queensland Livestock and Meat the wooden blocks that butchers used. The Authority; the Queensland Abattoir butchers used to give me a cheerio and Corporation, which will run the public abattoirs; maybe a bacon bone to chew on, if I was very and the Meat Industry Tribunal, which acts as good. I really enjoyed butcher shops when I a review body. was a child. They were a place of great The other major provision of this Bill is the delight. accreditation system, which will replace the Today’s butcher shops are different. They previous system of licences, permits and are obviously more hygienic. From my point of registration. Again, that has been a concern of view, as a person who is in charge of the butchers. They have had to go through a preparing meals, I find them very helpful. They rigorous inspection system to keep their have wonderful meat that is prepared and licences, and that will now change to a system ready to be cooked and needs only to have of virtual self-accreditation and a degree of vegetables added. Butcher shops now sell honesty in maintaining quality assurance. products such as pastrami and marinated The third major provision of this Bill is spare ribs. In the last 30 years, they have quality control. That is the issue of particular certainly come a long way. Recently, a young concern to the butchers. They have apprentice butcher from my area travelled to maintained a certain standard for years at Japan. In that country, butchers do not offer great expense, and they want to see quality such innovative products, and that young man maintained right down the line—from the took great delight in showing them how to abattoirs to the butcher shops and from those prepare meat to make it easier for the operators preparing prepackaged meat to housewife. The Japanese were very taken whichever stores decide to take up the option with that idea. He enjoyed his time over there, of selling fresh meat. and his visit was mutually beneficial. Our shadow Minister has announced that My butcher—and I do not always go to he will be moving two amendments to clause him because we butcher our own meat on our 19, which deals with the chairman of the policy property—tells me that he has to be a council being the Minister or the Minister’s psychologist, a ladies’ man and Mr Personality representative. We will be moving an all in one. I tell him that I just want good meat amendment to that clause. and his thumb off the scales. He tells me that An Opposition member: Opposing it. the women who deal at his shop expect him to be all of those things. He tries to be all of Mr HORAN: Sorry; we will be opposing those things, and he runs a very good that clause. We will also be opposing clause business. 32 (4) (c). 7 October 1993 4876 Legislative Assembly

Sadly, I feel that the days of the stand- Yesterday, I was rather intrigued to hear alone butcher shops in larger areas are the member for Caboolture bemoaning the numbered. This legislation will probably spell fact that he could not buy meat at the the demise of some of them. I have to say weekend in his area. For many years, Biloela that the days of the stand-alone butcher shop has had a seven-day-a-week butcher shop. have long gone in my area. I do not have one On a Sunday morning, if I decide that I have left in my home town. The butcher shops in time to have a barbecue lunch, I can call into my electorate are either in supermarkets or the butcher shop on my way home from right next to the busy corner stores so that church, buy the meat and invite friends for a they operate in conjunction with those stores. barbecue. Quite honestly, as a shopper—and although I Mr J. H. Sullivan: There is one in am married to a sensitive new age man, I Caboolture. There is not one on Bribie Island, have not yet convinced him to do our grocery where my home is. Twenty-five kilometres to shopping—I want to do one-stop shopping. I buy a couple of chops is a bit of an excessive do not want to have to go here for my use of petrol. groceries, there for my bread and somewhere else for my meat. I want to be able to do it all Mrs McCAULEY: The honourable together, get it over and done with and go member is right. That means that Biloela is far home. in advance of Bribie Island. I would not have thought that that would be so. This Mr Stoneman: To the new age guy. arrangement is very convenient for people like Mrs McCAULEY: Exactly. One of these us who are a bit hit and miss with their days, he will learn to do the shopping. shopping and do not decide that they have As a beef producer, I want to see red time to have a barbecue with their friends until meat as readily available as white meat is. I Sunday morning when they wake up. In the am not only a beef producer myself but I also past, they could not have the barbecue if they represent a large number of producers. Over did not have the meat on hand. Having that many years, I have attended carcass seven-day-a-week butcher shop is handy for competitions such as the national feedback people like me who are not particularly trials that are held each year. I have also gone organised when it comes to things like that. into cold-rooms and looked very carefully at The Minister spoke about the four bodies the carcasses to gauge the amount of eye that are going to replace the single body. muscle and the fat depth, and to read the Normally I would not agree with bodies such sheets that tell one the average daily weight as the Meat Industry Tribunal, the gains. Queensland Livestock and Meat Authority, the As a beef producer, I am interested in all Queensland Abattoir Corporation and the of those things because they mean money in Queensland Livestock and Meat Industry my pocket if we can get it right. It is very Policy Council being set up. However, in this pleasing that beef producers are striving so case, I believe that they will work well together. hard for excellence in their product. They are I am pleased that the producer bodies such not just bringing the cows in from the back as the UGA, the Cattlemen’s Union and others paddock after they have been out there for a will be nominated to represent their few years, thinking that they are fat enough organisations on that major body. However, I and sending them off. Most beef producers was a bit disquieted when I heard the Minister are looking carefully at what they produce and say, “I must emphasise, however, that these how they can better it to meet the demands of two members”—that is on the Queensland the market. That is most important. Livestock and Meat Authority—”will sit on the authority for their particular knowledge and A few years ago, we suffered a setback experience, not as representatives of the when our daughter married a vegetarian. To nominating body.” It made me think of the us as meat producers, that was something representatives of the UGA and the CU who different to come to grips with. It was are on the Minister’s Tick Advisory Committee. interesting that on the last occasion on which They obviously do not represent their producer he was at our place and we had cattle in our bodies. It seems to me that the whole yards, he went down to help. We were question of ticks is defined not by which thinking that he was getting more along the organisation people belong to—— track to eating beef. However, a bullock that was ready to go to market broke its shoulder Mr Casey: They were nominated by their and had to be destroyed. It was a rather bodies, and I accepted the bodies’ messy business. Unfortunately, I think that our nominations. son-in-law will remain a vegetarian forever. Legislative Assembly 4877 7 October 1993

Mrs McCAULEY: I know. However, they are licensed, they will be licensed to slaughter are representing the area from which they only kangaroos or only beef. There is a big come, be it a clean area or a tick area. distinction between meat for human Mr Casey: They are not a consumption and pet meat. I hope that he management advisory group; they’re an elucidates that matter in his reply. I believe advisory group. there is a big distinction. I do not necessarily want to eat the same meat that I feed to my Mrs McCAULEY: I know they are. I have animals, and I would hate to think that both the same concerns as the member for were being processed in the one place. Western Downs, who mentioned last night about the abridged minutes coming from the On the whole, this legislation is welcome. Tick Advisory Committee. People throughout I believe that the sale of red meat through the Taroom and South Burnett areas have corner stores will lead to an increase in the raised concerns with me about the people on consumption of red meat. The recent the committee and what they are looking at. advertisements advising women that the They are certainly not representative of the CU consumption of red meat contributes greatly and the UGA; they represent the people who to the iron intake that they need on a daily come from the tick areas and not the people basis will lead to an increase in the who come from the clean areas. That is a bit consumption of red meat. That is important. I unfortunate. welcome this legislation and I am happy with it. Mr Casey: It’s the responsibility of the industry body, surely? Mr STONEMAN (Burdekin) (5.18 p.m.): I am very pleased to follow a red-blooded Mrs McCAULEY: Yes. women in this debate. In common with her, I Mr Casey: I would like you to help to get must say that I am a traditionalist when it some more interested in it. comes to eating meat. I am not into game Mrs McCAULEY: I think that more will meat. On the other hand, I recognise and become interested, as long as they do not believe that it is a forward step that people be leave it too late. There is much disquiet at given the opportunity—particularly visitors to present, and that will no doubt gather steam. Australia and more particularly to Queensland—to be able to sample some of I believe that the accreditation of the the other meats. Recently, in Cairns, the various premises which process meat, to shadow Minister, the member for Callide and I ensure the wholesomeness and the species went to a restaurant which served crocodile integrity of the meat, as the Minister said, is meat. I inadvertently ate a crocodile sausage. important. I would not like to think that I was I must say that I had only one bite of it. It eating something that was not what I thought definitely did not appeal to me. However, it was. I would hate to be thinking that I was others at the restaurant were enjoying those eating beef and it was really kangaroo. sausages. That is fair enough. In common Mr Stoneman: I think you would notice. with the member for Callide, I am not Mrs McCAULEY: I advise the particularly venturesome in that sense. honourable member that I would never I endorse the remarks of the shadow willingly or knowingly eat camel, buffalo, Minister, who has put the Opposition case kangaroo, crocodile, venison or any of those very well in respect of the Bill. However, I types of meat. would like to reinforce a few concerns that I Mr Welford: Why? have and also to make a couple of points about the industry. I can claim, like the Mrs McCAULEY: Because I am not previous speaker, to have a fair understanding venturesome in that way and I have no desire of the meat industry. Many members on this to know what crocodile tastes like. I will stick to side have been part and parcel of the meat beef, chicken and fish. industry for many years. I have been involved Mr Horan: You are not a yuppie? in the industry for many years. Beef producers Mrs McCAULEY: No. are really about one thing: producing a quality product and putting that quality product on as Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Chair agrees many plates as possible. Of course, they are with the honourable member. about making a living, surviving and providing Mrs McCAULEY: I was rather disquieted for their families but, at the end of the day, to read that the Minister said that there is no their survival and the benefits that they derive distinction drawn in this Bill between meat for from their labours, which are very extensive, human consumption and meat for pet meat. I depend on their producing a quality product. presume that, when various slaughterhouses That is the ultimate test. 7 October 1993 4878 Legislative Assembly

Any mechanism that provides an the butcher shop, the other outlets and, opportunity for a producer to have additional ultimately, the consumer. outlets in order to gain additional sales and to Change is part of modern business. By provide additional opportunities for the sale of way of interjection, I made the point to the beef is to be commended. I have long member for Callide that, recently, I was in New believed that red meat has suffered because South Wales. I walked into a butcher shop in of the lack of capacity in some instances for it my old home town in the central west of New to be accessed on a broader base. South Wales. I had not been into that shop Last night, I spoke by telephone with for many years. The fellow who served me Councillor Peter Black, the Chairman of the was a fellow with whom I had played cricket Dalrymple Shire. He was part of the original many years ago. I could not believe that there team that advised the Minister on some of the was sawdust on the floor of that shop—exactly measures that we are now putting into effect. the same as the old butcher shops about Peter and I were not speaking about matters which Mrs McCauley spoke. It even had a related to this Bill. He shares some wooden block. It was exactly the butcher shop grandchildren with me. His son and my that Mrs McCauley, the member for Callide, daughter are married, and they have and I knew when we were much younger. produced some marvellous children. They are That evoked many memories. also producing beef during a pretty severe I asked the butcher about that sawdust. drought. Peter made the point that he was He said that the only qualification was that a very proud of the work that the committee did butcher must maintain that sawdust and and the fact that these measures are largely wooden block in a hygienic manner. That coming to fruition. He was delighted that, while reminded me of the story of the astronaut who I was speaking to him on the telephone, the once had lunch here. He was getting on in shadow Minister was in the House speaking to years. He said that one thing that the US the Bill and virtually endorsing the broad thrust space administration did was promise never to and intent of this legislation with which he had count; that if a person was fit enough, he or so much to do originally. Peter Black she was good enough to be an astronaut. epitomises a particular type of primary The New South Wales legislation in respect to producer of whom we are seeing more and butcher shops says, “If it is clean enough, we more. He is a base primary producer, because do not mind what medium of cleanliness you he produces beef for market. He also has a use, as long as the consumer is happy and it number of butcher shops. One might say that meets the regulatory requirements.” I was he has a foot in both camps. He has no most surprised to find sawdust on the floor of concerns about the impact of this Bill on that butcher shop. I did not think that butcher primary producers or butchers. I believe that shops such as that still existed. There are that will generally be the case in the industry. certainly no butcher shops in Queensland like However, there are some problems. The that. member for Toowoomba South indicated Mr SPEAKER: Order! That is the second some concerns within the butcher shop beeper that has gone off in the last half-hour. community. In common with most members, I It is not quite good enough. I am not sure have a considerable number of butcher shops what I can do about it. in my electorate. They are located in towns in the lower Burdekin and in Townsville City. Mr STONEMAN: I do apologise, Mr Originally, some concerns about this Speaker. I switched it off earlier in the day, but legislation were expressed by that community. I forgot that I had turned it back on. I believe that butchers should be like most I was talking about quality control and other small businessmen. They must be some of the relevant concerns that have been forward thinking. They must be prepared to expressed in this Chamber. The butcher shop change or get out of the industry. They must structure is very much the same as that of the be prepared to adapt to the times. They dairy industry. The dairy industry and dairy cannot continue to live in a world that does farmers have the most stringent range of not change. Although it is often difficult, we requirements in the production of milk—the must all adapt. There will be some sad stories, steam processes, cleanliness and everything just as there are every day of the week in else. But once that milk is sold to the various every business. But we should try to outlets, it is effectively kept at the whim of the accommodate all those people in the owner of the corner store or the commercial community who are involved. That includes outlet. Therefore, the goodwill at the everyone from the producer to the abattoir, consumer level is really based upon the capacity of the last point of sale. Over the Legislative Assembly 4879 7 October 1993 years, the dairy industry has accommodated Mr STONEMAN: That is right, although I this situation. It has changed from bottles to have some concerns about it. I am speaking cartons and adopted all sorts of marketing from experience, and I have no hesitation in tools. Although this certainly involved some saying that. The concerns about quality additional costs, the industry has managed to control at that level are baseless. Wherever survive, and I believe that we are all better one goes in this State one can talk to people served because of it. I believe also that, in this who have had experience with meat in hot instance, we will be better served by the weather and meat that has been kept in principles and integrity of the intent of this Bill. suspicious circumstances. Red meat is not like People do not seem to understand that fish, pork or ham. People can be trapped into meat is one of the most forgiving of all foods. eating some of those products when they are Red meat is an amazing commodity. People off. But there is not that problem with red are worried about whether or not it might be meat. One can even be poisoned by eating rancid or might go off. That is a lot of rot. the humble potato. Mr Welford: That’s a pun! It is a fact of life that one can skim off the outside fur that grows on meat in coldrooms if Mr STONEMAN: If the honourable it does not have a good cover of fat. One of member likes that joke, I am happy to take the great support process in the feedlot that interjection. One of the first things that industry is that it puts an even coating of fat one notices about meat that is off is its smell. on the meat and it is able to be hung for two, Even if it passes that test, the smell wafts out three or more weeks. The fact of the matter is when the meat is cooked. If it gets past those that the quality of the meat underneath does two tests—and usually it does not—the third not deteriorate if it is kept at an even test is the taste test. temperature, even though one might skim off Mr Davidson: Before all that, you can a bit of the fat. In my experience, when we did see it before you buy it. not have beef that had a full cover of fat, one Mr STONEMAN: Exactly. The point is that could cut off meat where the blackness had meat is incredibly forgiving. I have seen developed after it had been hanging in the people eating meat after they have had to cut coldroom for a few weeks, and have perfectly away virtually six inches of flesh to get to meat acceptable and hygienic meat underneath. As that was reasonable enough to eat. I have I say, meat is a particularly forgiving seen that on numerous occasions. In fact, in commodity. My colleague Mr Davidson said the mustering camps, in desperation I have that meat is subject to a number of tests: virtually had to do the same thing myself. people can see it, they can smell it, they can People do not get sick from eating red meat. I smell it again when it starts to cook and then ask members if they know of anyone who has they can taste it. After going through those been poisoned by eating red meat that has test processes, I have yet to find anyone who gone off. Quite frankly, that does not happen. has become ill from eating meat. In many parts of Europe, red meat is hung Mr Lingard interjected. until it is virtually rotten. In the good old Mr STONEMAN: That is all right. I know days—not so long ago—we had cool safes that the member for Beaudesert has lived a that hung under the trees. In some of the pretty dainty life, but we beef producers have highlands of New South Wales, a carcass is had to battle through pretty hard times. hung out all winter. The processes that are involved in the Mr Vaughan: What about feral pigs? marketing chain of beef need to be Mr STONEMAN: I am not into feral pigs. I recognised. As I said earlier, the production of have the same thoughts on them as does the beef is really about getting a high quality and member for Callide. I am not going to touch increasingly better quality item on the any of that stuff. The point that I am making is consumer’s plate. If the consumer is not that meat is a particularly forgiving commodity. happy, at the end of the day the beef People do not get sick or poisoned from producer is not going to make any money. We eating bad meat, because all those natural have to consider the chain of events, which testing processes take place first. Increasingly, involves the mustering and the selection of the requirement is that meat be aged. I have beef. The member for Callide talked about the had a lot to do with those processes. Over the increasing professionalism of beef producers years, I have killed my own beef. in recognising the breeding strains of cattle Mr Welford: This is an argument in and the types of cattle that are compatible favour of the Bill, isn’t it? with the landscape and the types of soil. However, the carriage of beef is also part of 7 October 1993 4880 Legislative Assembly the chain. Before coming into this House, and such a tenuous operation that we are seeing after I sold my beef property, I was inveigled changes to it. But a vital part of the primary by the then chairman of the meat authority, industries chain is the maintenance of small Bill Mahoney, into the introduction of live butcher shops so that their owners can go to weight, wet curfew selling into this State. In the saleyards, buy 4, 5, 10 or 15 bodies and fact, the current chairman of the meat provide a competitive base in making sure Authority, Dr Wythes, was one of the people in that all butchers put a quality product on the the DPI in those days with whom I was plate. Otherwise the big consumer outlets will involved. We discovered that an important gain the upper hand. I believe that that component in producing good quality meat is competition could be enhanced. It should be the way in which the cattle were presented in preserved in this Bill. the saleyard. If the cattle had less bruising I am sure that, because butchers are and were not stressed, they provided good survivors—they have had to be, as all small quality meat. My judgment always was that businesspeople have to be—they will be the best bullock to kill was the one that was innovative and flexible. Otherwise they will not lying under a tree chewing his cud, because survive. When I first mooted the introduction he was not stirred up and unsettled. If he was of this type of Bill a long time ago to my local shot where he lay, the result would be a butcher at Giru, he was aghast at the perfect product. The same principle applies to suggestion. However, he thought about it and abattoirs. then said to me, “I have changed my mind. I Mr FitzGerald: So you put it in the back am all for it now because I can see that it will of the neighbour’s paddock. improve my throughput and capacity to outlet Mr STONEMAN: That comment brings to beef.” That is what this Bill is all about. There mind a story that my father told years ago, may be butchers in other areas of the State and it is worth while telling it now. The who are of a somewhat different opinion to neighbours were killing a beast. The next door the butchers in my area, and members have neighbour heard about it and he called a to speak for the areas that they represent and stock inspector because he suspected that the experiences of butchers in those areas. the neighbours were killing the wrong beast. I say again that the butcher shop and the The stock inspector went to the property and butchers themselves are integral to the whole said, “Can we have a look at the hide?” The process. Woe betide the industry, the neighbour said “No, I am sorry.” The stock consumer and the whole process if we ever inspector said, “Why not?” The neighbour have a situation in which the butcher is put at said, “We always eat the hide first.” I think that risk by legislation and, more particularly, the member for Lockyer was alluding to a regulation that screws butchers down to such similar situation. an extent that they cannot continue to The fact of the matter is that the less operate. If that occurs, the big companies will stress that is applied to the animal during its take over, we will not have the quality control carriage to the saleyard, the better the beef is and the consumer contact that the butcher going to be. If there is less bruising, the provides, we will not have that extra selvage, or the fat, is not trimmed, and it competition in the saleyards and, most hangs better in the coldroom. There is less particularly, we will not have one of the best wastage and, at the end of the day, everyone advocates one could ever have for the selling makes more money. of red meat, the family corner butcher. He is the person who is at the front line, and is In the few minutes that are available to someone who we must make sure is not hurt. me, I want to stress the importance of butchers, because I would not want anyone to Time expired. think that I believe that butchers should sit Mr QUINN (Merrimac) (5.38 p.m.): At the back and cop it. They are an extremely outset, I acknowledge that the shadow important component of the beef industry, Minister has outlined the Opposition’s major and they play an important part in the chain concerns and opinions about the Meat from the farm to the plate. The butcher is the Industry Bill. All I want to do is outline some of public image of meat presentation. They are the concerns that the butchers in my the people who are the experts at the cutting electorate have conveyed to me since the edge of sales. They are also the people who, discussion paper was produced by the in a saleyard, provide a competitive process Minister’s department. that maintains a stable price structure, which is It is fair to say that the smaller suburban vital. I am not against big abattoir companies; butchers see the introduction of the sale of we have to have them. Unfortunately, it is prepacked fresh meat by general stores, small Legislative Assembly 4881 7 October 1993 corner shops and small supermarkets as availability. In my electorate some butchers another attack on their livelihood. I have been are open seven days a week, with late night around to all of my butchers my shopping on Thursday evenings, so availability electorate—and I have 10—and each of them is not an important issue to consumers and has the same opinion about the Bill. For many butchers in my electorate. There is plenty of of these butchers, business conditions are opportunity to shop seven days a week, and tough enough at present, and it is a constant late night shopping. Changes in eating habits, battle to keep their doors open and staff fully evidenced by the increase in demand for fast employed, so they regard any action that may food, such as McDonalds or prepared pre- reduce their sales as a direct threat to their frozen food such as TV dinners, have also led survival. to a reduction of red meat sales through Mr Casey: You obviously have been traditional outlets. Our eating habits show no telling them the wrong story. sign of reverting to past practices. The fast food producers indicate that all predictions are Mr QUINN: No, I never said that I told that sales of fast food will continue to rise, them a story. I gave the discussion paper to thus adding to the woes of the retail butchers. them, I sent the Bill to them and I am outlining to the Minister their opinions. I have never Under this legislation, administration costs expressed an opinion, and I am expressing are expected to rise, which will ultimately be the butchers’ opinions to the Minister so that reflected in the retail price of meat to he can address those concerns in his reply. consumers, especially in the smaller butcheries. The larger supermarket chains will As those butchers see it, the crux of the be able to cut costs significantly under this matter is a concern that in corner shops meat legislation by moving towards a centralised will not be stored under hygienic conditions, meat processing arrangement, thus further and that butchers, because of their disadvantaging the small suburban butchery. investment in specialised plant and equipment, are being penalised unfairly. I It is for these reasons that I would urge believe that in Brisbane and provincial cities, the Minister to respond to the concerns I have we will not see small suburban butchers raised and to give serious thought to installing the necessary packaging equipment accepting the amendments which will be in order to supply fresh meat to their local proposed in the committee stage of the Bill. corner shops or supermarkets. I think that if The amendments will give some balance to they are distributing to only half a dozen or so the legislation by requiring a shop selling small shops in their areas, the investment prepackaged meat to be accredited as a required for such a small return simply will not hygienic retailer of fresh meat. This will do justify that investment. Those shops that wish much to allay the concerns of butchers in my to sell fresh meat—the small corner shops— electorate. will be supplied by larger, better resourced Mr JOHNSON (Gregory) (5.42 p.m.): I will butchers who are able to take advantage of speak for only a short while on this Bill. I have the changes that this legislation will bring. certain reservations about it, and our shadow They will be operating on a much larger scale spokesman, the member for Barambah, has than the small corner butchers. Many covered many aspects of this legislation. I will suburban butchers in small shopping centres speak of the country butcher shops or the based around a large supermarket currently butcher shops in my electorate. That is what I without an in-house butchery may very well be want to address primarily tonight. The family the biggest losers under this legislation. butcher shop, the local butcher shop or the These small shopping centres invariably butcher shop in general has been a very have one shop of each type—one butcher, important part of every district. I believe that, one supermarket, one greengrocer, one in this legislation, we are about protecting bakery, etc. The introduction of fresh meat those butcher shops. sales into the supermarket will naturally lead to I have reservations about a lot of the a drop in turnover for the butcher. Even if he supermarkets or corner stores that can sell supplies the meat to the supermarket, he will meat. I know the criteria for butcher shops are not be able to sustain his profit level. It is a very stringent. They have to meet criteria for fallacy to suggest that allowing fresh meat health conditions, hygiene and what have sales in corner shops will increase you. It is absolutely paramount that these consumption levels of red meat. corner stores where these outlets will be The consumer’s decision on whether to available to the general public be subjected to purchase red meat is a health and lifestyle the same type of inspection that butcher issue and not heavily dependent on universal 7 October 1993 4882 Legislative Assembly shops are subjected to. I hope that that will be up the vintage of those prices. He tells me it the case. was 1918 and the price for meat was around If there is a corner store around the back 8c. I was not around in 1918, but in the fifties of town somewhere, or even in a big town, I when I was in the shearing sheds we were hope inspectors will go out of their way to find paying six pence a pound, so there certainly that place and check that facility. As the had not been inflation. We enjoyed a special member for Burdekin just made mention, the price—— country butcher or the local butcher shop in Mr Johnson: It was still six pence a the past has always provided that contact pound. service with the consumer. That has been one Mr LAMING: Still six pence a pound, the part of the industry that we could see go out member for Gregory reminds me. I was in his the back door with this legislation. electorate in the fifties. I do not know whether Country slaughter houses, in recent the honourable member was in his times, have been upgraded to meet with the electorate—— Department of Primary Industries slaughter Mr Johnson: I certainly was. standards. I believe that butchers right throughout the length and breadth of this Mr LAMING: I acknowledge that State have upheld the criteria that they have interjection. It was a great place in and around been subjected to by the Department of Longreach where I worked. Primary Industries. To get back to the meat industry—we I am very fearful that, in the long term, were able to select, from 15 000 or 20 000 this legislation might be detrimental to sheep, the one that we would send to the butchers in general. They are business kitchen. I have never enjoyed mutton as much people. I am speaking of the butchers in my as I did in the shearing shed. As a matter of electorate. It is absolutely paramount that they fact, some of those western cooks were able be allowed to continue and to practise their to cook a leg of mutton that was more tender business dealings in the way that they have than the gravy. become accustomed to. I hope and trust that An honourable member interjected. we will not see a demise of butcher shops in Mr LAMING: No, this is true. The Bill does rural parts of the State and at the same time I recognise new trends in marketing, not only in hope that this will not be the start of the big the meat industry but also in various other bloke getting bigger and the small fellow industries. The world is changing rapidly and falling by the way. legislation has to be changed to keep pace. I I will closely monitor the situation in my believe it will open new opportunities for own electorate. I know that butchers in that people in the meat industry, and butchers in area do have reservations. I will be checking particular. I know some butchers are already the situation to make sure that they get arranging their affairs in such a way that they treated fairly and squarely and that the people will be able to take advantage of the Bill when who do have outlets do have access to the it becomes law. facility for selling meat to the general public. I Some remarks have been made in the trust that they will be subjected to the same speeches before mine as to whether it will inspections. result in an increase in consumption. I heard Mr LAMING (Mooloolah) (5.46 p.m.): It the member for Merrimac suggest that it will gives me pleasure to rise to speak to the Meat not. I have heard others, particularly those Industry Bill. One reason is that my father was from country electorates, say that it will result a professional butcher. He was the youngest in increased consumption. Having been high grade butcher in Victoria. No-one had got involved in marketing in various areas, I to that stage at an earlier age than he did, suggest that if something is more readily and he was very successful. It is a shame that available it will usually sell more. I suggest also he is not with us today. He would given me that there will be an incremental increase in some advice as to what to say about this Bill. I red meat sales, although I do not think it will have looked at it fairly closely and I have be very much. I do agree with the member for listened with interest to speakers on both Merrimac that eating these days is social and sides. it is cultural, and that people decide to eat red Some interesting points have been put meat or white meat, or vegetarian, for reasons forward. I was particularly interested in the other than that it is easy to get. remarks of the member for Bundaberg when Mr Johnson: It is the best meat you can he was referring to the prices for meat. I did get. question him afterwards because I did not pick Legislative Assembly 4883 7 October 1993

Mr LAMING: Of course it is. It is very move with the changes. As I said, some good food and I do not let a day go by when I butchers have already positioned themselves. do not have some red meat. Last weekend, one of the leading butchers in The main objective of this Bill, according my electorate opened a brand-new shop only to my reading of the preamble, is 100 metres from my electorate office. wholesomeness. I believe that Although he is looking forward to changes in wholesomeness is a thoroughly good the industry—and I hope that he will be able objective of a Bill that has anything to do with to take advantage of them—he has some food, and we must consider, at all times when concerns. One is that the expectations that we are dealing with legislation concerning small butcher shops must meet and maintain food, that it is the benefit of the customers in terms of equipment, hygiene and which must be paramount. We must also cleanliness should be extended to those consider the producers, the handlers, the people who will ultimately sell meat, people who work in the industry, and the sometimes in competition with the small butchers themselves. In this case, these butcher shops or with their colleagues and products will be flowing into other outlets and sometimes as an extension to their own they must be considered, too. businesses. It is within the realm and the role of Government to ensure that that happens The main emphasis must be on benefit with respect to both hygiene and cleanliness. to customers. We must have an orderly market for all of our goods. The market for The other issue is service. One cannot perishables must be even more orderly, beat the service that has traditionally been because they do not have an indefinite shelf given by the family butcher. That service will life. Even frozen meat has a life span. It is not be available at the corner stores. It is very important to have regulation—not certainly not available in the supermarkets. In overregulation, but enough for an orderly modern society, one of the little things that we market for the benefit of customers. are losing is the ability to know the merchants in one’s community by name and to get good Wholesomeness, of course, equals advice. I urge the Minister to consider the hygiene. That is the aspect about which amendment that will be moved at the Governments should be mainly concerned. Committee stage and perhaps give it his Governments have certain responsibilities, support. The small butcher shops, the family one of which is health. With respect to butcher shops, will face competition. They will food—health can be safeguarded by making feel the pinch. I know that “level playing field” sure that hygiene is adequately covered. is a much-used phrase. I do not think that it Unfortunately, the Bill is not very specific on exists anywhere in the world. that. I have read through it a few times. I have also read the Minister’s second-reading Mr Springborg interjected. speech and the notes that go with it. I have Mr LAMING: I am told by my colleague some concerns. I assume that some of those beside me that it is a pipedream. However, aspects will be addressed in the regulations. that concept could be taken into account in I have looked at the Food Act, and I do the Bill. The Government should make sure not believe that that Act is adequate to cover that those corner stores do not have an the extension of fresh meat into shops such advantage that the small butcher shops do as corner stores. I have some concern in that not enjoy. The small butcher shops provide regard. We should ensure that the compass employment in the regional areas. The of the Bill goes right through not only to the departure of the small butcher shops will result processors but also to the customers. With in a shift in employment to the cities, where respect to that, an amendment will be put the central butchering places will be located, forward in the Committee stage. I hope that with only the shops in the regional areas. The the Minister considers that amendment in the employment aspect should be considered. spirit in which it is put forward. It deserves One other aspect of the small butcher consideration to extend the cover of the Bill shops is that they have always been a place right through to the final outlet so that the where housewives in the older days, and, customers have protection at the point at these days, husbands who do the shopping, which the meat comes into their hands. It is could get very good advice on the cuts of the customers about which we should think meat, how to use them and how to cook most of all. them. If the small butcher shops ultimately go, I have spoken to butchers in my that service will not be available at the corner electorate. They can see that times are stores. It certainly is not available at the changing, and they are quite prepared to supermarkets. If that service goes, the world 7 October 1993 4884 Legislative Assembly will be a sorrier place. I reiterate that the I suggest that the National Party Minister should consider the amendment that members of the so-called coalition ought to will be put forward at the Committee stage. I talk to the Liberals, who parade themselves as will listen for the Minister’s response to that. the great supporters of small business. If we Sitting suspended from 5.57 to 7.30 p.m. adopt the course suggested by the Liberals, we will choke off many small businesses in this Hon. E. D. CASEY (Mackay—Minister for State. We will make progressive butchers Primary Industries) (7.30 p.m.), in reply: Prior suffer rather than giving them the opportunity to the dinner adjournment, I was about to to extend their influence in their suburb, in close what has been during my long their little shopping boutiques or wherever they experience in this place one of the most might be. The amendment that the Liberals painful, tedious, boring and repetitious intend to move would represent a heavier debates in which I have ever participated. I legislative burden on small businesspeople. must draw attention to the fact that, initially, We are moving away from that. A number of the speaking list went around and the legislative amendments have been members who wanted to contribute were considered by this Parliament to move away noted. However, after that, not one, not two, from a licence for this and a licence for that, but seven or eight additional speakers from the meat police, the milk police, the egg police the Opposition decided to place their names and whatever. We are making it much simpler on the list. Perhaps those additional for the customer and the businessperson to Opposition speakers were not here last night, interact. We cannot, under any circumstances, but they said exactly the same—— support the amendment proposed by the Mr Springborg interjected. Liberals. If there is a division on that Mr CASEY: It is irrelevant whether they amendment, we sincerely hope that the put their names down yesterday or not. Those National Party will have enough sense to vote members said exactly the same thing as did with the Government. the other Opposition speakers who I want to make a few comments to save contributed last night. Those additional time and further repetition at the Committee speakers certainly did not make for an stage. Some people see some great hidden outstanding debate. mystery in the policy council for the meat However, I pay tribute to the Opposition industry, which is proposed under this spokesperson for Primary Industries. He said it legislation. A policy council has been working all on behalf of the Opposition. He indicated in the sugar industry for two years. A policy that, in the main, there is strong support for council has been working in the dairy industry the Bill. Government members who for 18 months and in the grain industry for a contributed to the debate spoke about topics similar period. There are proposals to establish additional to those to which I referred when I policy councils for the egg and fishing introduced the Bill. The second Opposition industries. An interim policy council for the speaker, Mr Connor, usually contributes fishing industry is already being formulated. As nothing to the debates in this place, and he soon as this legislation is passed, we will exceeded his usual effort last night. establish the meat industry policy council so that it will be able to make very quick As the debate wore on and we heard the determinations on policy issues and advise repetitious comments about butcher shops the Government on the regulations that have and corner stores, we started to discover that to be put in place if we want the Bill to be there is great division in the Opposition over operative from 1 January next year. corner stores being able to sell packaged meat. Most Opposition speakers were very Policy councils have been one of the supportive of that proposal. They recognise great successes of the Goss Government. that that flexibility is desired by the people of The member for Bundaberg gave us a good Queensland and by the industry, particularly historical rundown of the progressive primary the production side of the industry. The other industry legislation that has been enacted in people who desire that flexibility are most of this State. There is no question that, in the smart, sensible and progressive butchers, respect of primary industry legislation, this who see it as an opportunity to further extend Government has already been as innovative their market for meat sales and to work in as the Ryan and Theodore Governments in conjunction with corner stores. Everybody can the late 1910s and early 1920s. One of the see the benefits of that proposal, with the Ministers for Primary Industries of those exception of most of the Liberal Party Governments was a former member for speakers. Mackay, the late William Forgan Smith. I am proud to follow in his footsteps in another Legislative Assembly 4885 7 October 1993

Labor Government in another era to Last night, I indicated to the Opposition modernise the structure of our rural industries spokesman, and I indicate to him again for the benefit not only of producers but also publicly in this chamber, that I will consult with of all people. him on those regulations before we bring That is why the policy council includes them into place so that he understands on representatives from all sectors of industry— behalf of the Opposition that there are no from the paddock to the plate—including the hidden agendas; that there is just sound, workers. Wherever those meat workers are sensible legislative framework to cover all the located—in Wynnum, Ipswich, Mackay or various things that have to be done and set Townsville—they live and work in those areas up by the regulations. and contribute their skills to this great industry. The old story has been repeated by Those workers are just as entitled to have several members opposite about a need to input to the industry as are the producers on have on the council a representative of the their properties, who have also committed all consumer of meat. I hope that every member of their assets and lifestyles to contribute to of that council is a consumer of meat. What the meat industry. No Labor Government we need, more than anything else, are people worth its salt would set up a structure such as who understand the different sections of the a policy council without giving workers the industry. We argued about this matter when opportunity to have input. the dairy industry legislation was introduced. I turn to the comments by several The Opposition knows full well the members opposite who criticised industry Government’s intent in this matter. How do we leaders not being allowed to participate as pick a consumer? The person whom the dairy directors of the corporations that are to be set industry selected to represent consumers up under this legislation. There is a very under that legislation was a director of one of simple philosophy behind that. Those people Australia’s leading dairy co-operatives, which have to operate a commercial entity. We do was later based in Sydney. To have that not want people to be in a position in which person as a consumer was ridiculous. they have to take decisions that compromise I have answered a number of small their own commercial operations. We do want matters that were brought forward either by people on those bodies who have experience way of interjection or in another fashion as we and knowledge of the industry and who can proceeded through the debate. Mention was contribute to those forums. Those elected made of the expenses of the tribunal. representatives can advance the views of their Members opposite were concerned that we constituent bodies around the policy council will have four organisations. Previously, there table. I had the greatest fight of all time with was no tribunal. If the corner butcher is the sugar industry over the same issue. This aggrieved by certain trading practices, he can was a die-in-a-ditch battle that they were going appeal to the tribunal. There was no provision to fight. Now, Mr Bonnano and a number of for that in the 1965 meat legislation. We are other people in the sugar industry say that this putting it in the Act so that everybody in the was one of the best provisions of the new industry who is aggrieved can follow the Sugar Industry Act. They are pleased that we matter through. We are not putting four did not allow industry leaders to be directors of bodies in the place of one, as somebody those bodies. suggested. We already have five abattoir I am mainly focusing on the points raised boards and the Livestock and Meat Authority by the honourable member for Barambah. I of Queensland. We are reducing the number thank him for outlining some of the concerns of bodies to four, which will work very well. that are still held. I have touched on those Honourable members opposite were matters. One thing of which I want to assure concerned at the way in which the abattoir the honourable member is this: once the board will be constituted. It will be totally free legislation is passed by this House, an of political interference from the Government. enormous amount of hard work will still have The members will be selected in a proper to be done. I hope to set up the policy council selection process. as soon as possible so that it can contribute to Those are the major points that required setting up the regulatory framework, which will an explanation by me. However, I am happy provide for the way in which meat products will to answer any questions at the Committee be separated and ensure that a relevant stage. quality assurance program applies to each category. Motion agreed to. 7 October 1993 4886 Legislative Assembly

Committee the standard of accreditation and the degree Hon. E. D. Casey (Mackay—Minister for of scrutiny that it believes is necessary for a Primary Industries) in charge of the Bill. corner store. If the authority believes that nothing is required, that is fair enough. If the Clauses 1 to 7, as read, agreed to. authority believes that all it needs is a Clause 8— particular type of fridge or a particular Mr CONNOR (7.45 p.m.): I move the temperature in the fridge, that is fine. But we following amendment— are saying that a level of scrutiny is required, because the existing legislation does not “At page 17, lines 10 to 11— provide it. omit proposed paragraph (b).” I ask the Minister to show me any This clause deals with the meaning of meat legislation which covers that area. This Bill processing. We propose to remove paragraph exempts corner stores. What other legislation (6) (b), which limits to the shop door of a meat will specifically deal with the refrigeration of packaging factory the extent of the scrutiny of fresh meat, whether it be prepacked or not? this Bill. In other words, once the product Mr CASEY: I will say it again—and I do leaves the front door of the factory that not want to have to repeat myself: the whole prepackages it, it is no longer under the system is reliant on giving the butcher the scrutiny of this Bill. opportunity, in conjunction with his corner In the second-reading debate, I dealt with store, to have a further outlet that is available the matter in great detail, but I did not say that after hours or on weekends. Because the this Bill, quite rightly, has harsh penalties for meat is packed and sealed in a butcher shop, people who do the wrong thing when it is packed and sealed in an accredited processing meat. We are moving away from a premises, and it goes from there to the corner regulatory approach to a code or a more self- store. It is a bit like the Coca-Cola cabinets in regulatory approach, which I fully support. which sporting bodies and other organisations Because of that, the Bill needs to provide keep their cold drinks. The whole process is heavy penalties for breaches of its provisions. carried out under the auspices of the Food That is exactly what this Bill provides. Act. If the temperature of a refrigerator in a However, the heavier penalties do not apply to corner store is not low enough—or whatever the shops that are selling the prepackaged the member for Nerang regards as a meat. They will only be liable to penalty under problem—the proprietor of that store will suffer the Food Act and the Health Act when they the consequences. Taking out those words— are picked up by inspectors, and will be as proposed by the Opposition—would defeat subject to only minor penalties. There will be the purpose of what we are trying to do in the temptation for operators not to refrigerate the corner stores and how we are trying to accredit meat as well as they could, or to extend the them. That does not make sense. shelf life of the meat. Adequate penalties are Mrs GAMIN: We are not really talking not provided in those instances. about Coca-Cola cabinets. I believe that those I believe that the Minister will be back in hygiene provisions need to be more carefully this place in the near future to amend this considered. The Minister should be informed legislation to take those shops into of the concerns from small suburban butchers consideration or, alternatively, to put about the provision which will allow the sale of something in the Food Act to deal with prepacked meat from premises other than refrigeration of meat. I cannot find anything in registered butcher shops. In planning to the Food Act specifically relating to meat and I increase the number of outlets for red meat cannot find anything dealing with refrigeration. sales throughout Queensland, the Minister is I know that the Food Act does not come basing this on a quality assurance program for under the Minister’s responsibility, but it needs the beef industry. It will be based on an to be looked at. Unlike the member for accreditation program and a certification of Burdekin, I do not believe that people have butcher shops. But if this amendment is not nothing to fear from rotten meat. accepted, although the sight of a butcher I make it clear again that this amendment working away at a tree stump chopping block will not stop corner stores, or any store, from is now a rarity, it looks as though the selling fresh prepackaged meat. All we are traditional butcher may become as extinct as asking is that those stores come under the the home delivery baker or milkman. scrutiny of this Act and that the store be Mr Casey: You do not really believe that, accredited. As a result of that, under the do you? subordinate legislation, the authority will set Legislative Assembly 4887 7 October 1993

Mrs GAMIN: Of course I do. I helped to I am saying that the housewives of defeat a similar proposal when it was being Queensland are very well served by their retail considered by the former National Party family butchers. They can choose their cuts Government. At that time, I was not satisfied carefully, and they can buy in specific that small butchers would be protected and quantities to suit their family needs. Most that standards of hygiene would be housewives will tell members that buying maintained. I am still not satisfied on this prepackaged meat is not an economy. Meat point. Small butchers are concerned about the in convenience store fridges will probably finish effects of such far-reaching changes, and not up being a commercial failure because just on their livelihood. They also fear that the consumers will find that the variety of cuts is strict standard of hygiene that they are now too limited and the quantities are unsuitable. forced to maintain will not be upheld, that My major concern is the effect that this refrigeration could possibly be inadequate and legislation will have on the viability of many that use-by dates will not be followed. small businesses, not just in my electorate but If this amendment is not accepted, the throughout Queensland. We will see the big new system will allow the sale of fresh meat operations take over. It will be the death of from a wide variety of outlets. Research done many small butchers who have provided by the CSIRO meat research laboratory excellent service to their patrons but will be showed that some general stores would have very badly served by this section of the problems with temperature control and legislation. storage conditions that could allow the meat Mr CONNOR: I am open to any to deteriorate. A survey by the Brisbane City suggestion in relation to this, because I might Council that was published in May this year be wrong. The Minister has his advisers in the indicated that some small business operators lobby. All I am asking is this: can the Minister of fast food outlets are not aware of proper please explain to me where the refrigeration of food handling and storage. meat is covered in the Food Act, the Health Having said that, there are certainly small Act or another piece of legislation? supermarkets or large general stores that Mr CASEY: It is very simple. As a believe that they could cope with the perishable food, it is covered by the provisions necessary refrigeration and would welcome of the food hygiene regulations of the Health this legislation. Obviously, some butcher Act. shops, looking ahead to the passing of this legislation, have positioned themselves to Mr CONNOR: I went through that, but I take advantage of the changes and have could not find anything dealing with aligned themselves with a small supermarket refrigeration and temperatures. Is it in or a large corner or suburban store. Other schedules? butcher shops will not be able to compete, Mr Casey: It is under the regulations. and many of these will gradually take on more Mr CONNOR: It is under the regulations? delicatessen lines in order to survive. But the In that case, I will accept the Minister’s advice. simple fact remains that, of the 14 butcher shops in my electorate, many are struggling Mrs GAMIN: My real concern is that the for a living, and some are only holding on hygiene provisions under which butcher shops because they are family concerns. This operate are very severe and very strict. We legislation will cause far-reaching changes have great comfort in the fact that they are and, in the next three or four years, will cause operating properly. The Opposition is the family butcher shop to undergo further concerned that the inspections under the significant change in appearance and service Health Act will not be nearly as rigorous or to the public. adequate as they are now. I know that the Health Act does not come within the Minister’s Frozen meat has been sold in corner portfolio, but that is the basic thrust of this stores for some years. Retail butchers can, if amendment. they wish, trade seven days a week, and some of them do. But the big packaging Mr CASEY: At the outset of this debate monopolies will gradually take over the whole on the clauses, I indicated that I would save process—from the breaking down of the discussion on this particular matter until carcasses to the preparation and packaging of later. But I realise that the honourable meats. The whole system of licensing or member for Burleigh was not in the Chamber registering butcher shops will be abolished during the major debate earlier today or and replaced with a system of certification or yesterday. Consequently, she was very accreditation based on quality assurance. I fortunate, because she missed all the tedious am not questioning this quality assurance, but repetition in relation to this very subject. 7 October 1993 4888 Legislative Assembly

Clause 8 of the Bill determines the end of the export industry which will definitely help processing. The honourable member for Queensland. Nerang wants to remove the designation in so Of course, we are looking at other game far as it operates in corner stores, cabinets or meats. Who would have thought a few years wherever. It might not necessarily be a Coca- ago that we would be farming such things as Cola refrigerator. Someone in a shop might emu and crocodiles? I have a very successful install an open type of refrigerator like those in emu farm in my own electorate at the supermarkets. Cherbourg Aboriginal community. The people Members have spoken about butcher in that community were given a one-off permit shops that have chopping blocks and sawdust to take 300 birds from the wild, and they have on the floor. When members go into developed an emu-farming industry. Crocodile supermarkets such as Coles or Woolworths, farming has also become more popular. It is they will not even see a butcher. They will see quite reasonable to expect that, in the people refilling the cabinets with prepackaged medium term, we could be farming meat. That is the way that people like to shop kangaroos. We already know that kangaroos these days. One cannot deny consumers their are attracted to country that is improved by rights in that regard. the provision of water. If it becomes a viable Amendment negatived. industry, what we are seeing now might be the foundations of a whole new industry for Clause 8, as read, agreed to. Queensland. Clauses 9 to 11, as read, agreed to. However, one point that concerns people Clause 12— who see kangaroo meat on menus in Mr PERRETT (8 p.m.): I would like to restaurants is that the kangaroos are shot and raise some queries about the wholesomeness handled in a positive way. I believe that the of meat. I commend the Minister for legislating animal has to be bled within a certain time of in this particular Bill for the sale of game shooting; it has to be delivered to the meats. However, I am a little concerned about processing works within a certain time; and the wholesomeness of field-shot animals. I that there are only particular cuts that are indicated to the Minister that I would give him allowed to be used. I ask the Minister if he the opportunity to place on the record the would care to place on the record, just to regulations that will be applying to the satisfy me and other members of this kangaroo industry, because the kangaroo Committee, what is envisaged in that regard. industry is one that I feel has much potential As I pointed out during the second-reading to bring in export dollars not only for western debate, this legislation lacks many of the Queensland but also for the whole of basics. To me, it is a bit like a house that is Queensland. How wonderful it would be to half built. We have the foundations and the develop a new industry for western framework, but we still do not know what the Queensland, which is suffering horrendously walls or the windows are going to look like, or from the rural recession and continuing what colour the roof is going to be. drought. The Minister offered to discuss fully the Recently, I had the opportunity of going regulations with me when they were to China at the invitation of the mayor of formulated, and I certainly appreciate that. Chung Yang city with a group of people from However, I am wondering whether the MInister the Australasian Game Meat Company from would place on the record the standard of Victoria. We were successful in negotiating a wholesomeness of the field-shot animals. deal with a meat factory—that is what the Mr CASEY: I can assure the member Chinese call abattoirs—in that city to send that the rest of the building will be of over a container load of chilled kangaroo architectural splendour in the framework of the meat, which will initially come from Victoria. I regulations which we will set out. During the believe that they are going to mince it up and course of the debate, the honourable member put it in some form of sausage. They are very for Mulgrave contributed considerably on this impressed by the fact that kangaroo meat is point in regard to kangaroo and other meats. high-protein, low-cholesterol, red meat, which The point is that until the passage of this they believe is quite affordable. The Chinese legislation, we would not be able to consider apparently like that game taste, and they exporting these meats from Queensland for believe that kangaroo meat will be a real human consumption on an accreditation winner. It is hoped that that trial shipment of basis. However, one could export these meats one container load will develop into quite an from New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. We have not been able to do it in this Legislative Assembly 4889 7 October 1993

State because the previous legislation would going to be an interfering body at all. It is not not allow it. Under this legislation, we are going to make determinations on a day-to-day allowing that to occur so that Queenslanders basis. They are the functions and can be supplied with kangaroo meat from responsibilities of those two bodies, which will Queensland. all be clearly spelt out in the Act. A number of people in this State are Clause 18, as read, agreed to. talking seriously to me and to members of my Clause 19— department about raising kangaroos as stock on a property. However, they are going to Mr PERRETT (8.09 p.m.): This clause have to have pretty good fences. They want refers to the composition of the Queensland to go ahead with that proposal. What will Livestock and Meat Industry Policy Council, simply happen is that people who are involved and it is one of the clauses that concerns the in the harvesting of kangaroos for the Opposition greatly. We know that the Minister production of meat will have to be accredited is continuing with the agenda—he has set it also. They, and even the shooters, will have to already with other policy councils—and that it undertake successfully a course set up by the is his desire to chair that policy council. The authority and pass the necessary Opposition believes that those councils would requirements on accreditation. They will be be better served by an independent chairman. allowed to use only approved vehicles and Obviously, the Minister could have some part equipment, and they will use QLMA tags. So in the appointment of that independent those control measures will be set out in the chairman, but the Opposition believes that, regulations. because of the way the Department of Primary Industries has been restructured, the Clause 12, as read, agreed to. Minister is a very busy man. The Opposition Clauses 13 to 17, as read, agreed to. wonders how much attention the Minister can Clause 18— give to chairing all of those policy councils, which he is so doing. Mr PERRETT (8.07 p.m.): Clause 18 refers to the functions of the Queensland The other point that concerns the Livestock and Meat Industry Policy Council. Opposition is the make-up of the council itself. Upon reading that clause, it appears to The Opposition knows that the Minister has contain watchdog provisions for the role of the argued the case to put an AMIEU policy council. That is the correct role for the representative on that particular body, but it policy council. I believe that the policy council cannot support the fact that there is no should be in place to set out the policy for the consumer representative on that body. I know authority and the Queensland Abattoir that from time to time the Minister gives the Corporation. However, I am concerned tongue-in-cheek reply that all the members of because I do not see any provision for costs policy councils are consumers. contained in that clause. Obviously, there will I believe that without consumers, we do be costs involved with the policy council. What not have any use for an industry. The is the Minister proposing in that regard? Does consumers in Queensland are a very he propose that those costs will come out of important part of the local meat industry, the budget allocated for that particular area, or whether it be beef, mutton, pork, chicken, or does he believe that he can pick up the tab game meats. Without consumers, there is no through the Department of Primary Industries? industry. That is the reason we feel very Mr CASEY: The costs will operate— and, strongly that there should be a consumer incidentally, costs are not contained in representative on that particular body. legislation—in exactly the same way as they I indicated in my speech during the do for the other policy councils. They will be second-reading debate that we would be met by the Department of Primary Industries. opposing this clause on that basis. We hope The other point that I make quite clearly—I that the Minister’s desire to chair that body made it previously and I have made it publicly without a consumer representative will, for the to industry bodies and organisations—is that sake of the industry, work out. the policy council is an advisory body only to I put it on record that a coalition the Minister. It is the means by which the Government will change that provision. We Minister and all sectors of the industry—as I have no desire to chair this particular policy called it previously, from the paddock to the council, or any other policy council, and, plate—can have regular discourse on the therefore, we are opposing this clause. matters moving ahead in the industry. It also relates to what is going to be needed for the Mr CASEY: The honourable member Queensland Abattoir Corporation, but it is not wants to have an independent chairman on 7 October 1993 4890 Legislative Assembly the policy council and queries whether I I would agree with those who interjected should be the chairman. I can assure him I from this side. The fact of the matter is that it am very, very independent in the way in which is important that the interests of the I chair these policy councils—there is no consumer—Mr and Mrs Stringbag, whatever question about it—and I will continue to do so. you like—are represented and referred back How more direct can it be than for from the plate to the paddock, whose interests representatives of industry to talk to are represented by the United Graziers Government through the responsible Minister? Association. That is the way in which policy councils are set I pay a tribute to the industry spokesmen, up. That is the way in which we meet on a to the meat industry people, and to the very regular basis. people who work in the abattoirs, but the fact For the sake of the members opposite of the matter is that it is from the little calf in who want to criticise the lack of a consumer the paddock to the end plate that we are representative, we have two representatives of really talking about. The plate is not the United Graziers Association, two members recognised in this legislation, as the member of the Cattlemen’s Union, and members of the for Barambah has indicated on a couple of Livestock and Meat Authority of Queensland, occasions. I think that is a tragedy. We hear the Queensland Pork Producers Organisation, the Minister for Rural Communities—and one the Queensland Chicken Meat Council, the has to laugh occasionally about it—talk about Queensland Meat Exporters Association, the the battler. What we are really talking about is Queensland Domestic Meatworks Industry the average person; the person who goes into Council, the Queensland Retail Traders and the shop and buys their bit of steak, buys their Shopkeepers Association, Meat and Allied few chops or their sausages or whatever it Trades Federation of Australia, the Retailers might be. Association of Queensland, the Australasian There are valid consumer organisations. Meat Industry Employees Union, the The member for Springwood, the Minister for Australian Game Meat Producers Association, Heritage, has been a great advocate of the Commonwealth Department of Primary consumers’ rights over the years. She has Industries and Energy—because we are such talked about the need to recognise the a major export industry—and the Queensland consumer, but where is she in this debate? Department of Primary Industries. She is now saying that the consumer does not If we cannot get somebody as a count. consumer who has a steak now and again I pay tribute to the value of much of this and knows what they are talking about, we will Bill. I think that the Minister would have to have to start eating our hats. agree with that, as would the people who Mr STONEMAN: I would just like to take helped and supported him in bringing it to this up on behalf of the consumers. I note the fruition. What I am saying is that he needs to mirth of people such as the member for also recognise that, at the end of the day, the Thuringowa. In fact, they are denigrating the consumer is everybody and is represented by consumers of this State. We have had this valid organisations that should be on this debate with the Minister before and I know policy committee. that he will not accept it, but the fact of the I totally support the member for matter is—and I have been a member of the Barambah. He is spot on when he says that United Graziers Association—that beef there will be an election in two years and a bit production in this State is, at the end of the at the absolute maximum—I think the day, about the quality of the product that is Government will go early because it is in produced in the paddock and the end product trouble. When the member for Barambah that gets on to the plate of the consumer. becomes a Minister, I will have great pleasure I go back to the United Graziers in supporting him from the Treasury benches Association, the Cattlemen’s Union, and all in the amendment that we will move to give the other bodies that have to represent the the consumers of this State a bit of a go interests of their members, put the views of because they are the people who are missing their members at conferences, and protect out. I think there is a tremendous amount of their vested interests. Sure, they are good in this Bill, but it is just a pity that the consumers—we are all consumers—but the Minister has demeaned it by not fact of the matter is that in this situation they acknowledging the force of the arguments do not have a specific charter to represent the that we are putting. end consumer. Mr PERRETT: I guess the Minister remembers the PAC, the Pastoral Advisory Legislative Assembly 4891 7 October 1993

Council, which was a tremendous tool in industry. For the first time in all of those years, advising Ministers for Primary Industries on I feel as though I am wasting my time matters that concerned rural industry. That because the Minister treats the committee council fell apart because the Minister did not with absolute disdain.” With some of the good have time to attend meetings. that the Minister has done in the Bill—— It amazes me that he had no time to Mr Cooper interjected. attend meetings for a very worthwhile and Mr Nuttall interjected. credible body made up of rural industry leaders right around Queensland that were The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr the full bottle on just about any primary Bredhauer): Order! The Committee will come industry matter. They were experts in their to order. The member for Crows Nest and the field. What a tremendous opportunity this member for Sandgate will come to order. Minister let slip through his fingers because he Mr STONEMAN: I hope that I had time did not have time to attend meetings. They out during that exchange. When the Minister never met, yet he has time to chair these puts himself into the legislation, having policy councils. exhibited a disdain for such a committee It amazes me that we have three which worked so well over the years and which departments, Primary Industries, Water did so much for the industry, he makes a Resources and Forestry, all combined into one mockery of such committees and department. It is getting bigger and bigger organisations. After years and years of service and the Minister is getting more and more at great costs to themselves, those people are work to do. We just wonder what the real thrown onto the scrap heap. I support the Labor agenda is for primary industries in this member for Barambah in this instance. That State. I think it rates very lowly. We heard Pat the Minister could be the chairman of the Weller from Griffith University speaking to the committee makes a mockery of that Queensland Farmers Federation conference, committee. which the Minister opened this week, saying Quite frankly, as Pat Weller said, the that the Labor Party can live without rural Minister, along with the rest of the Queensland. I certainly think that when one Government members, has an absolute sees legislation like this that indicates just contempt for the primary producers of this exactly what is in the melting pot. Further on in State simply because he feels that he does the legislation, the same criteria apply to the not need them. People do not judge whether Abattoir Corporation. I will not go through the a person is Labor, Liberal or the man in the same arguments again. I say now that the moon. They judge on performance. Their Opposition is not in favour of that clause, judgment is that the Minister, in respect of his either. The Opposition has no alternative to consultative processes, has failed and that opposing the clause. this Government is failing. That is why we are Mr HOBBS: The position of Chairman of seeing the change in the polls. It is a great the Queensland Livestock and Meat Industry disappointment to me that much of the good Policy Council is obviously very important. The of the Bill has been demeaned by this clause. person in charge of that would need to be Mr CASEY: There are a few comments to forward thinking and innovative and have an which I ought to reply. I remind this in-depth knowledge of the industry and Committee, particularly members of the marketing expertise. Can the Minister tell us Opposition, of the way in which selections whether he considers himself to be such a were made by them when they were in person? Government. They would write to the Mr STONEMAN: The member for organisations, such as those organisations Barambah has reminded me of one of the that I have listed tonight that would participate members of the Pastoral Advisory Committee, in the policy council of the meat industry in who shall remain nameless in this debate Queensland, and say, “Send a list of three because I know the Government’s attitude in names of people and we will pick the one respect of retribution. One day, I met him at whom we want.” Who got up? Stewie the the airport. He said, “I have been on the Stooge, on every occasion! He would get Pastoral Advisory Committee and worked with around, lick the boots and do exactly what the seven Ministers. One of the things that most Government wanted. He would follow exactly impressed me over the years was that I felt the Government’s intent. that I never wasted my time in coming to the Mr Stoneman interjected. meetings. I was listened to. I had an input and The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! I believed that I was doing something for the 7 October 1993 4892 Legislative Assembly

The member for Burdekin will cease who interjects should pull on his Willoughby interjecting. spurs—— Mr CASEY: The member for Burdekin Mr Cooper: Trip through R. M. Williams. was one of those former Ministers who did Mr STONEMAN: He can put the R. M. those sorts of things. The Government is Williams on. But it will not wear any more. The giving organisations the opportunity to send a people have woken up. They know that the person along. We are not saying that Minister is a fake. The important thing to organisations can send along only the person understand is that the Minister is casting that the Government wants. Talking of aspersions on members of the Pastoral persons who have expressed interest in the Advisory Committee. That committee was to old Pastoral Advisory Committee—Mr advise the Minister about matters relating to Stoneman should ask whoever that person is the pastoral industry. There was no point in who thought that he was demeaned, and it other people, such as unionists, being must have been some time ago that he members of that committee. It was about the expressed those feelings, why he did not specifics of the pastoral industry as it related resign, why he did not back out. I will tell the to the production of beef and wool in this honourable member why. That person and a State. It was not about all of the other things number of others wanted to participate in the that were happening. committee just for the nice trip to Brisbane every now and again. That is the reason why That person whom the Minister is trying to they served on the committee. denigrate said that the committee was able to bring matters before the Minister, before the The Pastoral Advisory Committee department and before the Government to represented only one group in the beef make sure that the Minister was aware of what industry. The committees that the was happening in the industry and was aware Government is putting in place represent the of the concerns and the problems at the chain right through the industry—the people coalface of the industry. The committee was who are interested in the industry and in the able to make sure that the Minister of the day income it provides not only for the pastoralists knew and understood those things. That was but also for the transport operators, for the always a prime part of that operation. railway workers, for the meatworkers, for the people in the insurance houses and This Minister has chucked that out. He commerce houses in Brisbane, for the has said that the Government is not interested wharfies, for the exporters, for the shippers, for in it. He did not even attend the meetings. the retailers, for the wholesalers and for Sometimes, apparently, he used to float past everybody else along the chain—the whole and say, “Hello.” He denigrates the input that box and dice. They all have a role to play in those people had by saying that they wanted this industry. They are therefore included. a free trip to Brisbane in an aeroplane. For God’s sake, those people probably had many My final point relates to something that problems on their own properties. They were was mentioned earlier by the honourable giving their time and energy to the whole member for Burdekin in the debate when he industry. The industry notes loudly and clearly said that nobody could be harmed by meat, that this Minister treated with contempt not that people could get rotten meat and eat so- only the Pastoral Advisory Committee but also called bad meat. I remind him that, in January the industry. That is a sad reflection on the this year in the United States, Ecoli-infected attitude of the Government. meat in one incident killed three people and put 400 in hospital. As the member for Barambah said, that reflection has been recognised by Pat Weller. Mr STONEMAN: The Minister has taken On the day that the Minister attended that me totally out of context, and he knows that. I meeting, he said, “The Goss Government said that meat is the most forgiving does not need the pastoral industry; it does commodity of all. That is what I said. It is, and not need rural Queensland; and you can all the Minister knows it. go jump in the lake.” That is basically what the Mr Cooper: They don’t know. Minister said. It is sad that he made that Mr STONEMAN: They do not know it. comment during the debate on a Bill that has That is the problem. They have no so much capacity to do good things for the understanding. industry. Mr Casey interjected. Mr HOBBS: I endorse the words of the member for Burdekin. I make one further very Mr STONEMAN: The Honourable Minister important point. It is a question that I raised but that the Minister did not answer earlier. I Legislative Assembly 4893 7 October 1993 ask the Minister: does he wish to be chairman Mr PERRETT (8.40 p.m.): Clause 30 of the policy council? What qualifications does relates to membership of the authority. Once he have to lead that council? again, we note that there is no consumer The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! representative on that body. My query relates The question is—— to clause 30 (6) which states— Mr Cooper interjected. “An appointment of the chairperson must state whether the chairperson is Mr Stoneman interjected. also to be the Authority’s chief executive The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! I officer.” warn the member for Crows Nest and the I find that a little bit extraordinary. The member for Burdekin under Standing Order Queensland Livestock and Meat Authority will 123A. The Chairman of the Committee was represent the livestock interests of speaking, and I do not like being interrupted. Queensland—and they are very extensive Mr HOBBS: I raise another very valid interests. We know that the livestock industry point. This will be one of the most important is the most diversified industry in the State. As policy bodies for Queensland’s largest rural I mentioned in my second-reading speech, industry. The Minister will appoint someone as the intensive livestock industries have chairman, and obviously he wants that tremendous value-adding capacity and also position to be held by himself. Ultimately, the create employment for many people. Minister may not hold that position; it might be However, this clause seems to indicate that an held by somebody else. It is well known industry the size of our livestock industry is not throughout the length and breadth of worth a full-time chairperson and a full-time Queensland that the Labor Party does not chief executive officer. I ask the Minister to have many people who have a great depth of clarify what is meant by the words, “an knowledge of the rural industry. That is a appointment . . . must state whether the simple fact. What will happen? As I said, this chairperson is also to be the Authority’s chief will be one of the most important policy bodies executive officer”. for the largest rural industry in Queensland. Mr CASEY: We must take into account The Minister may appoint to that position that the legislation is structured as it is somebody who does not have the relevant because that circumstance exists, and there qualifications. I ask the Minister again: should will be a transition period. The Government the Minister of the day, just because he holds has flexibility in the matter. that position, lead that policy council? Mr STONEMAN: Clearly, the clause Question—That clause 19 as read stand identifies almost all the people who justifiably part of the Bill—put; and the Committee should be recognised on the authority. divided— However, I refer back to the old days when AYES, 44—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bennett, Bird, there was a representative who was able to Braddy, Budd, Burns, Casey, Clark, D’Arcy, De speak wholly and solely on behalf of the end Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Fenlon, Foley, Gibbs, users—the people eating the meat. There is Hayward, Hollis, Mackenroth, McElligott, McGrady, no such recognition in this clause. Obviously Milliner, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Power, Purcell, Pyke, Robertson, Robson, Rose, Smith, Spence, there will be a meat processor, a union Sullivan J. H., Sullivan T. B., Szczerbanik, Vaughan, representative, a representative of the UGA Warner, Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: Pitt, and the Cattlemen’s Union and so on, but Livingstone consumers are ignored totally. I cannot NOES, 31—Beanland, Connor, Cooper, Davidson, understand why the Minister or the Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, Gilmore, Grice, Healy, Government would do that. The Government Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Lingard, Littleproud, has ignored the consumers, and we are all McCauley, Mitchell, Perrett, Quinn, Randell, Rowell, consumers. It is all very well to use the Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, Stephan, Stoneman, hackneyed phrase, “We are all consumers.” Turner, Veivers, Watson Tellers: Springborg, Laming Quite frankly, it does not wear because of that Resolved in the affirmative. anomaly. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! I Clause 30, as read, agreed to. remind honourable members that, for all Clause 31, as read, agreed to. future divisions on this Bill, the bells will be Clause 32— rung for two minutes’ duration. Mr PERRETT (8.44 p.m.): This clause Clauses 20 to 29, as read, agreed to. relates to the selection of members for Clause 30— appointment. Subclause 4 (c) states that the 7 October 1993 4894 Legislative Assembly following persons are not eligible to be on the Mr CASEY: I will be brief because I feel authority— that there is more important business to be “A chairperson, deputy chairperson dealt with. I have previously explained the or chief executive officer (regardless of position clearly. Honourable members the title by which the person is known) of opposite have seen the intent of the an organisation representing livestock legislation in previous legislation. producers or persons engaged in meat I am, however, obliged to refer to a processing.” couple of points that were made by the That concerns the Opposition greatly. It is an member for Barambah, who spoke of the area in which we have a lot of difficulty. We terrible things that the Government might do know well that in any producer organisation it in allocating jobs for the boys. I need not is usually the people with the most knowledge remind members opposite—but I would like of the industry who rise to the top. Recently, my own colleagues to know—that, when we we debated the Dairy Industry Bill, so the came to Government, the chairperson of the Minister should know that the cream always Livestock and Meat Authority in Queensland rises to the top. However, he has completely was none other than the State treasurer of the neglected that theory by barring the people National Party of Queensland. with the most expertise from serving on the Mr Littleproud interjected. authority. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr This is Queensland’s supreme authority Bredhauer): Order! The member for Western looking after the livestock industries of this Downs is not at a football match. The State, yet the people who are the pick of the Committee will be treated with respect. I have crop and who have the expertise are barred already warned two members of the from serving on it. If honourable members Committee under Standing Order 123A. I am consider people of the calibre of Larry Acton, about to start warning a few others. Kerry Martin and Hazel Marland, who Mr STONEMAN: The Minister has gone represent the cattle industry, they will realise beyond the bounds of propriety in talking that there must be other able people about individuals. Perhaps he could mention representing other organisations who are the failed candidate for Flinders, Mr barred from being represented on the Robertson, who is on the railway authority. authority. What about the failed member for Keppel, Mr The Minister might say that those Schwarten? The Minister must be careful organisations can put forward nominations. I when he throws that sort of mud. The National do not know whether he has in mind that it Party always selected Queenslanders to head would be jobs for the boys—whether after they up the departments. This Government is have served their time as leaders of their riddled with Mexicans from failed organisation they receive a pat on the back administrations in the south who do not know and are put out to pasture by being which way the railways run or how the nominated onto the meat authority. I hope departments run. They are academics and that is not the case. The leaders of those failures from the south who have come up organisations are the ones who are in touch here. with the many problems that the industry Mr Elliott interjected. encounters from time to time. A new challenge arises almost every day. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! The member for Cunningham will cease The Minister is debarring those people interjecting. from representing the industries that have elected them to those positions. I feel very Mr Elliott interjected. disappointed about that. I cannot understand The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! I that the industry organisations have accepted warn the member for Cunningham under the proposition. I imagine that there has been Standing Order 123A. some sort of trade-off. The Minister has Mr STONEMAN: These people are certainly dug his heels in on this matter. If coming up here and advising the there were not some sort of interference, it Government, which knows little better, about would be almost automatic that those wrecking our economy. The Minister should be organisations have representation on that extremely careful about making those sorts of authority. The Opposition is very disappointed accusations. The person whom the Minister is about the matter and will be opposing the trying to denigrate, namely, the chairman of clause. the Queensland Livestock and Meat Authority, was the general manager of Queensland’s Legislative Assembly 4895 7 October 1993 very own pastoral house, Queensland Primary Mr HOBBS: This issue is very important. Producers. Recently, the Premier was The Minister raised this issue. upbraiding companies for not putting Mr Veivers interjected. Queenslanders on a particular board. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! I Mr Veivers interjected. warn the member for Southport under The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! Standing Order 123A. The member for Southport will cease Mr HOBBS: Members are talking about interjecting. appointments to committees. The Minister Mr STONEMAN: This Government is raised a point about the previous chairman of taking on board people who do not live in this the LMAQ. State, have no understanding of this State Mr Veivers interjected. and no connection with this State other than that they are Labor Party cronies. This Minister The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! I is trying to denigrate someone who was born have already warned the member for in Longreach, lived his whole life in Southport under Standing Order 123A. I warn Queensland and gave his all for the pastoral him again under Standing Order 123A and house of which he was the general manager. ask him to leave the Chamber. I will not have Who else would be better suited to be the reflections cast upon the rulings of the Chair. chairman of the Livestock and Meat Mr VEIVERS: I rise to a point of order. Authority? Failed Labor candidates are filling The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! jobs right across this State. And this Minister There is no point of order. I have asked the has the hide to talk about cronies! member to leave the Chamber. I shall make a speech on this subject at a Mr VEIVERS: I did not make a reflection later date, because it would need to be made on the Chair. in 50 parts. I could not fit everything that I would like to say into one 20-minute speech. It The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! would take me about three days to talk about There is no point of order. I have warned the the way in which the Labor Party in this State member for Southport under Standing Order has denigrated people who have served this 123A, and I have asked him to leave the State so well, and has brought in people from Chamber. I call the member for Warrego. other States who have no understanding or Whereupon the honourable member for interest in this State other than being here Southport withdrew from the Chamber. amongst their Labor cronies and serving the Mr HOBBS: The simple facts of the party of the day. matter are that the Minister has raised an Mr HOBBS: The Minister’s comment issue that members were not debating. He about the chairman of the LMAQ was started this, and that goes to the crux of the uncalled for. It was four years before the problem. The Minister must understand that Minister woke up to the position that that people who know the industry—whether it be fellow held, and the Minister was very happy a rural industry, small business or with the work that he was doing. This Minister whatever—are generally people who have left millions of dollars lying around in the spent some time in that particular industry. cupboard. This is the Minister about whom the Quite frankly, the Minister is excluding the best worst report was written by any Auditor- brains and expertise that this country can General in Queensland’s history. He is now provide. Why on earth would the Minister do trying to tell us that we are wrong. that? Surely, there must be an option to select The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! I them if that is the Minister’s wish. Why exclude remind honourable members that this clause them? is about the selection for appointment to the Mr FitzGerald interjected. Queensland Livestock and Meat Authority, not Mr HOBBS: That is true, but why do we about other boards or issues raised in other have to exclude them? It is a bit like having a debates. Members will confine their remarks to football team and having two of the best this clause. Members of the Committee are players sitting on the sideline. The Olympic getting out of control. I have already had to Games will be held in Sydney in the year warn three members under Standing Order 2000. Why on earth would we have 5 or 10 of 123A. Members on both sides of the our best athletes sitting on the sideline or Chamber will respect the decorum of the carrying the oranges? People with the Committee. necessary expertise—people who have been there and done that—should not be excluded. 7 October 1993 4896 Legislative Assembly

As to the chairman of the LMAQ—the Clark, Comben, D’Arcy, De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Minister has really brought home to us the Fenlon, Foley, Gibbs, Hayward, Hollis, Mackenroth, philosophy behind the way in which he wants McElligott, McGrady, Milliner, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, to structure this legislation. It is in our best Pearce, Power, Purcell, Pyke, Robertson, Robson, Rose, Smith, Spence, Sullivan J. H., Sullivan T. B., interests to look after the whole industry. We Szczerbanik, Vaughan, Warner, Welford, Wells, must do the best that we can for that industry. Woodgate Tellers: Pitt, Livingstone Unless we can open up those appointments, NOES, 30—Beanland, Connor, Cooper, Davidson, that will not happen. Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, Gilmore, Grice, Healy, Mr CASEY: There is only one thing that I Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Lingard, Littleproud, want to reply to in relation to this matter. It was McCauley, Mitchell, Perrett, Quinn, Randell, Rowell, perhaps prompted by the comments of the Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, Stephan, Stoneman, member for Burdekin, who cast great Turner, Watson Tellers: Springborg, Laming aspersions on our Government because we Resolved in the affirmative. have brought people from across the border Clause 33— to do certain things for this State. The member said that we should not do that. I Mr PERRETT (9.05 p.m.): Clause 33 (3) remind members that the honourable member states— for Burdekin was born in Wellington in New “The Governor in Council may South Wales. He is a cockroach. remove a member from office if the Mr STONEMAN: And proud of it! But I member— have seen the light, and I am now a (a) engages in misbehaviour; or maroon—and proud of that, too. I was elected . . . by the people of my electorate to represent them in this Chamber. It does not matter (c) is incompetent.” where I was born. The fact of the matter is I find it pretty extraordinary that those that I did not come here at the invitation of a sorts of wishy-washy clauses should be written Government with an agenda. What the into such important legislation. What actually member for Warrego said is spot-on. This defines “misbehaviour”? If somebody has one Government is selective. I can think of one or two drinks at a Christmas party or the like particular member of the rural community and makes a bit of a galah of himself, does whom the Labor Party is quite happy to trot that constitute misbehaviour? out every time it needs a bit of what it calls The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr credibility in assessing things such as the Bredhauer): Order! Would members in the closure of railway lines. It is okay for the head Chamber who wish to have conversations of a particular organisation to give the Labor please have them outside? Party credibility on those occasions. Mr PERRETT: Thank you, Mr Temporary As the member for Warrego said, the Chairman. I think that this clause is pretty Government does not have to accept the open-ended. I ask the Minister to define what advice of those people, but at least it could he would envisage as “misbehaviour”, use their expertise and representative focus. because obviously he will have to remove But no, the Government does not want that. these members of the meat authority from In the case of rail closures, it suited the their positions. Also, what would he regard as Minister to drag in someone to speak for the “incompetence”? whole of the State. What is the difference between the policy of advising on the closure Mr CASEY: The terms mean exactly what of rail lines and excluding the head of an they say—matters of misbehaviour or matters organisation in a situation such as this? What of incompetence. In fact, “misbehaviour” was is the difference between that circumstance, in clearly spelt out in the 1965 Act under which which we have a quasi rubber-stamp the previous Government operated for a long organisation trying to back and fill and give the time. I feel quite sure that if members Government some credibility when it talks opposite knew that a member of an authority about closing railway lines, and what this was misbehaving, or was seen to be Government is seeking to do by excluding incompetent, they would want that conduct to those people under this clause? be stopped very promptly. Question—That clause 32 as read stand Clause 33, as read, agreed to. part of the Bill—put; and the Committee Clauses 34 to 36, as read, agreed to. divided— Clause 37— AYES, 47—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bennett, Bird, Braddy, Briskey, Budd, Burns, Campbell, Casey, Mr PERRETT (9.07 p.m.): Clause 37 (1) (a) relates to the disclosure of interests. Legislative Assembly 4897 7 October 1993

Clause 37 (2) refers to “nature of the interest”. What has simply happened is that every I wonder what the Minister has in mind in time the chicken meat processors wanted to regard to that clause. put pressure on the producers, they would Mr CASEY: I think that this clause spells stay away from the tribunal meeting. In that out quite clearly why, under the previous way nobody could get a hearing. It saves the Government, we had Ministers who got into problem where there might be stalemate. severe trouble in one way or another. If there Clause 126, as read, agreed to. is a misunderstanding in regard to pecuniary Clauses 127 to 135, as read, agreed to. interests, or if people are looking after themselves through their office and are Clause 136— making additional profit, surely that speaks for Mr PERRETT (9.11 p.m.): Clause 136 (2) itself. If I have to spell it out, I will do so. Quite (c) relates to the functions and powers of the simply, if a member of an authority, for Abattoir Corporation. We are talking about instance, is a beef producer, and there are one of the functions as to trade in livestock matters before that particular authority relating meat and other meat processing products. to cattle in general, there is no reason why he In subclause (3), we see that the Abattoir cannot speak, act and be a member of an Corporation may trade in livestock and meat authority and not have to declare his only with the Minister’s written approval. I just pecuniary interests. However, if there is a wonder if the Minister can explain the reason specific problem that relates to his property, why they have to go to him to get written his own assets or activities, then surely he approval to trade in what I would regard as a must declare his pecuniary interests and leave fairly normal procedure? the room. Mr CASEY: The honourable member for Clause 37, as read, agreed to. Western Downs gave a very good summation Clauses 38 to 125, as read, agreed to. of some aspects of this during his speech in Clause 126— the second-reading debate. The members of the previous Government, if they went back Mr PERRETT (9.09 p.m.): Once again, I into the history of that provision, would see, seek the clarification of a clause. Clause know and understand where, on so many 126 (3) states— occasions, various manipulative people within “If the Tribunal is formed by 2 the meat trade deliberately caused problems members, the decision of the chairperson to the public abattoirs and service abattoirs in is to be the decision of the Tribunal if Queensland. there is a disagreement.” It was during the debate this afternoon I find that subclause a little extraordinary. that I indicated to the member for Western If there is a disagreement with a tribunal of Downs correctly that we had to get that two people, and if the chairman has the throughput— casting vote, what is the use of having a Mr Littleproud: Last night. tribunal? Cannot the chairman determine the dispute and save having that tribunal? Mr CASEY: Last night. It was during his speech that he said that it was necessary to Mr CASEY: The tribunal sets up a fair get that throughput. If there are manipulative and democratic way by which matters can be practices going on, the only way in which they judged. However, it often happens that when can be overcome is for the power and people who are selected from an industry authority to be there for the abattoirs to trade represent completely opposite points of view, in beef cattle or in livestock in order to make there may be times when they reach a sure that that throughput is able to be stalemate. Rather than having that occur, the achieved. chairman can make the decision and matters can move on. I recognise that this is a very sensitive point. I recognise as well, and so does the This subclause sets up a democratic system. Government, that it is a major policy that has When I took over responsibility for the to be determined. When those powers have Department of Primary Industries, I discovered been put in place, the Minister would then that the Chicken Meat Authority had its own give the direction if it became necessary. tribunal and that there was a silly section in the legislation that required the I sincerely hope we do not have to do representatives of both sides of the story to be this. I hope that under the Abattoirs present to form a quorum. Corporation our service abattoirs in Queensland are operated in a very sensible way and are not subjected to any 7 October 1993 4898 Legislative Assembly manipulative practices at all. Should it be by the Bjelke-Petersen Government in 1987, necessary, the power is there, the ability is there would have to be a referendum. I hardly there, although I believe it would be used only think it is necessary that we go to a as a major policy weapon as a result of a referendum to appoint the chief executive discussion that has taken place in policy officer of the Abattoir Corporation. council meetings. Clause 142, as read, agreed to. Mr LITTLEPROUD: I want to make clear Clauses 143 to 184, as read, agreed to. my stance during the debate yesterday. I was responding to some comments made by the Schedules 1 and 2, as read, agreed to. member for Bundaberg, who mentioned that Bill reported, without amendment. one of the powers given would be for the service works management to go out and buy cattle. Third Reading I acknowledge that there are and have Bill, on motion of Mr Casey, by leave, been problems from time to time in keeping read a third time. the service works out of financial problems. I did signal then and I will signal now that I have STOCK AMENDMENT BILL some concerns and I am not totally convinced that what the Minister is proposing will work. I Second Reading need more clarification on it. I just want to Debate resumed from 11 May (see make it clear that I was not being totally p. 2606). supportive. I realise that we have problems in Mr PERRETT (Barambah) (9.20 p.m.): In making sure that they remain financial. the past couple of days, the Minister and I Mr PERRETT: I have just one more seem to have been working overtime. I note question to the Minister. Are the meat that we will debate the Estimates for the processors entirely happy with this clause? Department of Primary Industries tomorrow. Mr CASEY: The honourable member When it is all over, the Minister and I should would have to go and ask the meat have a drink together and soothe our throats. processors about that. The Government has promoted the Mr PERRETT: Yes. I would have thought legislation as a move forward in freeing that in negotiating this legislation the Minister primary industry from regulation. Everyone on should have been out there talking to the this side of the House is in favour of reducing processors, as he obviously has done, and the impact of regulations on producers and also with all the other groups that have a everyone else involved in primary production. I vested interest in this legislation. I expect that do not know of one farmer who does not hate he knows the answer and can give it to me the endless paperwork that keeps him away here tonight. from productive endeavour. It is also true that the Labor Government has done more than Clause 136, as read, agreed to. any other to increase the regulatory burden on Clauses 137 to 141, as read, agreed to. farmers and anyone else involved in business. Clause 142— There is nothing that farmers dislike more than having to sit down at night, after a hard day’s Mr PERRETT (9.17 p.m.): Clause 142 work in the field, to do paperwork, particularly if relates to the composition of the Abattoir it is imposed on them by some form of Corporation. In subclause (2), once again we Government regulation. see that the chief executive officer is to be appointed on the nomination of the Abattoir If these changes end up bringing real Corporation. I think that this clause appears to benefits to rural industry, we welcome them. be somewhat in conflict with clause 143 (1) or The Opposition will not oppose the passage of 143 (3). I would like the Minister to explain that the legislation, but I want to put on record the to me. Opposition’s misgivings about some aspects of it. Changes to the permit system for moving Mr CASEY: It is quite a simple stock are long overdue, and we recognise that explanation, actually. Section 14 of the fact. Stock owners and their representative Constitution Act 1967 says that the organisations have been talking about freeing appointment of any public officer holder has to up the system and have been blaming be by the Governor in Council. It is a public previous Governments for overregulation of abattoir corporation. stock movements in Queensland. Let me If we wanted to take out that provision, hasten to say that regulation was necessary because of alteration of the Constitution Act for disease control purposes. We have all Legislative Assembly 4899 7 October 1993 heard of BTEC and the success of that For most stock movements in future, the program. stock inspector will have no oversight function Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Power): and will handle no paperwork. Most of the Order! There are too many conversations in time, documentation will consist of a duplicate the room. waybill, with the copies held by the sender and the receiver of the stock. In most cases, that Mr PERRETT: BTEC was an initiative of will probably work well. However, a great many the former National Party Government and producers think that it plays right into the was a cooperative and lengthy program to rid hands of those involved in stealing cattle. The Queensland of the dreaded cattle diseases of new system will take most of the risk out of brucellosis and tuberculosis. That scheme cost thieves moving stolen cattle. the beef and dairy industries and the Government vast amounts of money but was Stock thieves know as well as anyone necessary to maintain our extensive export else that an effective Stock Squad is a thing markets, particularly for beef, as well as to of the past in Queensland. This Labor provide a healthy and wholesome product for Government dispersed much of the expertise Australian consumers. that it inherited and refuses to listen to pleas for an effective effort in that area. Stock theft Some form of regulation of stock is often just another responsibility for hard- movements was vital to the success of BTEC pressed local police throughout the State. and also for the control and spread of cattle They must do the best they can without ticks. I will say more about that later. But there specialised training or equipment. They are were problems for producers. Often, they unsure about their jurisdiction when, for might have wanted to truck stock 5 miles or 10 example, they suspect that stock have been miles up the road but had to drive 50 miles, taken into another police region. Stock 60 miles or even further to pick up the permit. policing is regionalised, but stock stealing is If no stock inspector was around, it might have not. We need a return to the days when been necessary to go to the local police experienced police in a specialist squad had station for a permit. That was another positive the run of the State in chasing down a serious initiative of past Governments—to allow police problem for the cattle industry. to issue permits in the absence of a stock inspector. However, there was a lot of The Government will boast that it has inconvenience. The latter system of reduced numbers in the Stock Squad by only concessional permits and property waybills one, to 24. What it will not talk about is the helped to solve some of the problems, but it ban on overtime for police in the Stock Squad. was not the whole answer. The permits only Police can be close to pinching a cattle thief covered movements between the home but must give up the chase because overtime property and designated points such as is banned. I know that some police do work in saleyards, abattoirs or properties under the their own time, but as a society we cannot same ownership. expect them to do that all the time. The simple fact is that the Government, with a city On the face of it, the proposals in this Bill agenda, could not care less about stock theft. are a big advance. The producer groups have It could not give a fig about losses by farmers studied them and offered general support. and graziers. After all, most Labor people However, that support is qualified in some agree with the description that Tom Burns quarters by fears related to stock stealing. The hung on country people before his publicity- stock inspector is basically removed from the driven new job of “Goss’s Ambassador to the process. We acknowledge the wish of the Bush”. He called producers, “The National department that stock inspectors be relieved Party’s cowboy cronies”, and that is how the of a paperwork burden, and that is necessary Labor Party really looks on the farmers and as their numbers continue to decline. The the graziers of this State. individual workload is already too great, as stock inspectors are becoming an endangered The Labor Government simply refuses to species themselves under this Minister’s believe that there is a problem worth solving. policies. It is one of the real tragedies of this There is a problem. The legislation has the Labor Government that there are no longer potential to make it worse because there will enough stockies to perform a range of vital be less chance of tracing stolen stock. In functions, particularly in respect of disease 1991-92, there were 308 reported stock control. We have seen that highlighted again offences. Only 116 were cleaned up, and I recently with the outbreak of anthrax in central would venture to say that the result was rarely Queensland. satisfactory to the victims of the theft, but I will get to that shortly. I believe that, last year, 7 October 1993 4900 Legislative Assembly there was action on about 450 cases, but that of their crimes. If we are to reduce one would be the tip of the iceberg. element of risk to stock thieves, I believe that If the Government wants to free up we should increase others. If that were done, I regulation—and we agree with that—it should would have no problem at all with this element also take proper action on the consequences. of the legislation. In this case, there is a real possibility that the Earlier in my speech, I indicated that I consequences will include making life easier would say something about the control and for the stock thieves. I can imagine cattle spread of cattle ticks in relation to stock duffers rubbing their hands in glee at the movements across the tick line. It is pleasing thought of the Bill becoming law and getting that the Bill maintains the status quo in that their grubby hands on their very own permit regard. We all know the huge cost burden that book. It will be made so easy for them. Just ticks impose upon the Queensland beef and imagine—and one does not have to be very dairy industries. We know, too, that the tick smart to do so—how a duffer could steal line runs almost diagonally across Queensland stock, take them to the property of an from north west to south east, east of that line accomplice where they could be cross- being the tick-infested area of the State. We branded with the brand of that property. Then also know of the ongoing battle over past they could be pastured in the back paddock years to prevent the spread of ticks further out of sight until the brand heals, and then west. So it is extremely important that the they could be transported to market, quoting Minister ensure that the Department of only the new cross-brand. All of this would be Primary Industries is funded sufficiently to legal in the eyes of the unsuspecting. With so provide adequate clearing dips and enough few stock inspectors these days and an stock inspectors at strategic crossing points to underresourced Stock Squad, more often police the countless number of movements than not they would probably get away with it. across that line. I ask the Minister to seek increased The Minister has expressed a desire to rid action by the Government against that activity. that area of Queensland south of the It makes good sense to make up for the Townsville-Mount Isa railway line of cattle ticks. loophole by making life impossible for those If he can achieve that, the cattle industry will who exploit it. As I have said, there should be erect a statue of him and will probably position extra police resources, but that is only the it next to one of those other old bulls at the start. Victims are constantly outraged by the entrance to Australia’s beef capital— attitude that the courts take to stock theft, and Rockhampton. In fact, I will personally so are the police who have worked so hard to organise the erection of that monument, and I bring those people to court. It must be totally know that every cattleman will salute it each demoralising for the police to see those time he drives past. people walk away laughing. They see thieves Mrs McCauley interjected. given a tap on the wrist. Thieves are sometimes ordered to make restitution. They Mr PERRETT: Even my colleague the are sometimes fined. They sometimes have a member for Callide will salute it. But even the conviction recorded against their names—but Minister will recognise the difficulties of that only sometimes. Rarely are they sent to gaol. task. Success would mean nothing short of a Of course, there is every temptation to miraculous breakthrough in tick eradication reoffend because they know that they can technology. It is important that we have proper front as a cleanskin with no criminal record to policing of tick movements across that line. be taken into account if they face sentencing. In that regard, I take this opportunity to I have heard suggestions—and I agree warn the Minister about any relaxation of the with them—that stock theft cases should be law in any way. At present, a proposal is being heard by a special magistrate or judge with floated to allow tick-infested cattle to cross that particular expertise in those matters. I believe line and travel through tick-free or clean that the Government should legislate for stiffer country on their way to slaughter. Last night, sentences in stock theft cases. Stock thieves my colleague the member for Western Downs must be treated as the unprincipled criminals referred to that proposal. However, there are that they are. If that takes a lead from the two sides to that argument. The supporters will Government, so be it. I also believe that any talk about the chemical residue problems that fines resulting from stock theft convictions can result from constant dipping for tick ought to be increased and added to the control, the danger to consumers’ health and funding for a properly resourced Stock Squad. the possible loss of export markets. The The same squad could also be the recipient of opponents will talk of the spread of ticks and equipment used by stock thieves in the course Legislative Assembly 4901 7 October 1993 ramifications for the Queensland cattle levels of expertise, and it would be a tragedy if industry as a whole. that expertise were to be lost in any New South Wales has some very amalgamation. stringent rules—and justifiably so—in regard to The AI centre at Wacol has played an the movement of Queensland cattle into that integral part in the huge productivity gains State. The Opposition believes that there made by the dairy industry in Australia, and should be no relaxation in any way of current particularly in Queensland. Honourable rules. There is no way that we should risk our members might be interested to know that the current relationship with New South Wales. If centre provides well over one-quarter of the that State closed the border gates to market for AI in the Australian dairy industry. Queensland cattle, it would deprive our That market amounts to more than a million producers of a valuable store market and doses a year, and is growing steadily. The reduce prices significantly—$30 to $40 a potential for further growth can be seen in the head, I believe. It would also deprive our fact that more than two-thirds of the dairy producers of a means of survival in times of heifers calved each year result from artificial drought. Right now, there are thousands of insemination. No wonder Victorian Artificial Queensland cattle on agistment in New South Breeders are hot to trot and get their hands Wales. I think it is very silly to put at risk that on the Queensland operation. market and that source of fodder supply for It is not surprising, when we consider the our cattle in times of drought. The Minister has beneficial effects on milk production which a tiger by the tail on this one. If he allows ticky have flowed largely from AI and the cattle to travel through clean areas, I can companion program of herd recording, that we assure him that many producers in the tick- see a move by privateers into this lucrative free area will not be at all receptive to the idea market. Forty years ago, production from and will become very angry. recorded cows in Queensland was only 1 209 I turn now to the deregulation of the litres per year compared with 2 281 from artificial breeding industry. It is no secret in the Victorian stock. In 1990, however, the average industry what is behind the repeal of the Queensland production per cow had risen to Artificial Breeding of Stock Act 1979. It is to 4 076 litres—only 56 litres behind the Victorian facilitate the move by the private operation average for annual production. Victorian Artificial Breeders into the AI has been a boon in finding the right Queensland dairy cattle breeding market. In genetics for Queensland’s subtropical July, the Minister issued a media release conditions, and also in producing higher- laying the groundwork for the move by the protein milk. Although AI and other activities Government out of its responsibilities to the undertaken at Wacol are not solely dairy industry in particular. As I understand it, responsible for high productivity, they do play the plan is for Victorian Artificial Breeders to an absolutely vital role. Dairy producers have obtain the semen stocks and goodwill of the access to the semen from the very best of present Department of Primary Industries sires—bulls of proven performance and Artificial Breeding Centre at Wacol. A service pedigree to which they otherwise would not to the dairy industry would then be centred on have had access or could not have afforded. Victorian Artificial Breeders’ Victorian operation. The dairy industry is very proud of its record, and so it should be, because it has The Opposition will not automatically made great gains in terms of production and oppose privatisation of any service currently efficiency. Much of the success can be provided by the Government. However, we will attributed directly to the Wacol Artificial always seek real assurances that privatisation Breeding Centre. It is a centre of which the will not be against the best interests of Queensland livestock breeding industry has Queenslanders. For instance, will Queensland been very proud. When the Minister replies to dairy farmers have access to the semen from this debate, I would like him to address a the best bulls, or will they have to take second number of questions. Most importantly, I want place to Victorians? assurances from the Minister that the State’s The Wacol centre was set up by the dairymen will not suffer in any way from the coalition Government to fill a very real need, changes that this amendment makes particularly in the dairy industry. Over the possible. Will all the current services provided years, it has provided a cost-effective and by the Wacol centre be maintained? How will reliable service to the industry as it has worked the Minister ensure that the same effort will be to increase productivity to the present very made to maintain excellent services such as high levels. Staff have developed very high the bull teams and the custom-frozen embryo 7 October 1993 4902 Legislative Assembly services? Will services maintain the speed and for Australia. We all recognise the ability of reliability provided by the staff at Wacol? I Australians in the livestock breeding industry. remind the Minister that the artificial breeding It appears that, no matter what we do, we services provided by Wacol have been very seem to be able to improve performance and closely integrated with the herd recording production. When we look back at the history system, which is so important to the dairy of our other Australian breed, the Australian industry. What will happen if Victorian Artificial Illawarra Shorthorn, and the success that it Breeders is handed a stranglehold on the has experienced over the years, we live in industry? hope that some day this breed will be able to I turn now to the AFS program. The AFS, match its performance in the tropical areas. of course, is a breed of cattle derived from We know that British bred dairy cattle, cattle crossing Friesians and Sahiwals. Of course, which have been traditionally bred for the the name “AFS” is derived from Australian cooler or temperate climates, do not always Friesian Sahiwal. produce as well in the tropical climates. Mr Stoneman: Dr Des Dowling was the The Minister has put the “for sale” sign prime motivator at Rainsby in north up. Even though this legislation was Queensland. Do you realise that? He did a introduced into this House some months ago, great deal of work. it is being debated tonight, and it is relevant that I indicate my sadness to see this Mr PERRETT: I take on board the particular breed go. It has been 30 years in its comment of my colleague the member for developmental program and we are now Burdekin. seeing the end of it. I believe that there is a I was really taken aback when I saw in a Fijian buyer. The Minister might be able to recent edition of the Dairy Farmer newspaper elaborate on what response has been what amounted to a “for sale” sign for the AFS received to that “for sale” notice that appeared project. In fact, I cut out that article, in the Australian Dairy Farmer newspaper. I photocopied it and wrote the words “for sale” have heard that a Fijian buyer was coming to at the top of it. In effect, that is what the article make an inspection. says. It stated— Mr Casey: I will only be talking about “Offers have been invited by the things relevant to the Bill. Department of Primary Industries for its Mr PERRETT: I take the opportunity to Australian Friesian Sahiwal (AFS) project. put it on the record. The Minister will have to The assets up for offer include AFS reveal all. We know that he does not like semen, AFS embryos, livestock including maintaining research programs. We know that purebred AFS breeding stock, the AFS he has got rid of most of the experienced Appendix 3 heifers, the Sahiwal breeding staff. We know also that there are more to go. herd and all AFS livestock, a milk This Minister will go down in history as the entitlement and agricultural equipment.” Minister who wrecked the Department of Further on, the article states that Mr Roly Primary Industries. Actions such as these Nieper—— indicate how he is going about it. Mr CASEY: I rise to a point of order. Mr Stoneman: Shame! Madam Deputy Speaker, I draw your attention Mr PERRETT: It is a shame that those to the fact that this Bill was presented to the types of things happen. Some honourable House on 11 May of this year—some six members will be aware that Wacol provides months before the advertisement to which the important services to the pork industry in member now refers. That advertisement has Queensland, especially through boar testing nothing to do with this legislation. and performance recording. That activity has Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms Power): to a certain extent lived off the cattle side of Order! There is no point of order. things, and there must be real concerns about the effects on the pork industry of closing Mr PERRETT: I was taken aback, Wacol. because the article stated that Mr Nieper of the DPI said that 30 countries in the Asia- If the Wacol facility is closed to many of Pacific, American and African regions have the other excellent programs that are taking now introduced AFS stock. Those regions place, it would not surprise me if, next week, constitute major dairy industry growth areas. I we saw a similar advertisement in the am very saddened to see the department newspaper putting all the pork research up for shedding that breed, because I felt that it had sale. This money hungry Minister—I know that a great possibility to earn many export dollars he has been starved for funding for his department, and I will have the opportunity to Legislative Assembly 4903 7 October 1993 talk about that in his Estimates tomorrow— the failure of two recent attempts by the seems to be grabbing at every dollar that he Minister to interfere with basic commodities. can. We just have to wonder about the future Inept meddling with the bread industry has of the pork industry. worked against the best interests of the Mr Stoneman: Do you realise that in consuming public and the smaller family 1972 the member for Burdekin became an owned baking industry. Not far into accredited artificial inseminator at Wacol and deregulation, we already have consumers that is all going to be lost? paying a lot more for bread, and being denied as much choice of product as they once Mr PERRETT: I congratulate my enjoyed. The small bakers, of course, have honourable colleague. been largely swallowed up by the big three. Some honourable members will be aware Big business has been the outright winner. of the report commissioned by the That puts the lie to Labor’s stated Government into the whole Wacol structure. commitment to the little battler. We hope that That report was commissioned in the wake of that will not happen in the artificial breeding the report on the DPI by the Public Sector industry, forcing undue cost onto the users of Management Commission. Given the utter that industry. failure of most of the PSMC’s activities, I Unfortunately, we are seeing the same believe that we should be very careful of the thing happen in the milk distribution sector. recommendations in the Wacol report. I do We have seen vast increases in milk prices. In not want to go into too much detail, but there some of the more isolated towns, prices have are a lot of worrying recommendations in that gone through the roof. Some people receive report. There are contradictions on pork no deliveries at all. Recently, I encountered an research. On the one hand, there is old lady at Goomeri in my electorate who did confirmation of a community service obligation not have transport to the shop to buy fresh and, on the other, a call for the virtual milk. She is resorting to using powdered milk. privatisation of that research. There is a call to That is an instance of what can happen as a abandon research into goat breeding. result of deregulation. I am also very concerned at the I remind the House of my comments recommendation for total cost recovery on tick about monopoly control of milk distribution fever work. That research and extension is and the Minister’s response when the House absolutely vital to the cattle industry in debated the Dairy Industry Bill on 20 May this Queensland. The vaccines produced are vital year. I warned of the dangers that financial to our beef industry, and the Government power would be used to dominate the vendor would do a great disservice to producers by licence auctions. The Minister passed the imposing the full cost on them. Labor would whole thing off as a joke. I recall that he do well to remember that a successful beef mentioned B-doubles delivering milk around industry able to compete effectively on Nerang and Mackay. We now know the results domestic and world markets provides real of those auctions. There are some very angry benefits to the whole of the State economy. and disappointed people who relied on the We talked about that during the debate on Minister’s assurances. Significant segments of the legislation that we have just finished the distribution system are now in monopoly dealing with in this Chamber. hands. The Minister failed to deliver on those The recommendations in that report are assurances. Perhaps that was his intention all most worrying. However, I want to return to the along. For the sake of Queensland’s great Minister’s plans to privatise the artificial livestock industries, let us hope that the same breeding services to the dairy industry. Any thing does not happen in this instance. monopoly trader has the ability, if he wishes, Mr PITT (Mulgrave) (9.48 p.m.): It is with to manipulate the market that he dominates. I great pleasure that I rise to speak to another believe that the Government has a real piece of legislation brought before the House responsibility to protect the people whom it which will be of great benefit to primary helps to expose to market domination. I would industries in Queensland. The Bill has two like some proper assurances that Queensland parts. The first part deals with the movement dairy farmers and pork producers will not lose of stock, and controlling that movement of out of this repeal. stock to prevent diseases in herds. The I realise that some industry leaders are second part of the Bill, on which I will right behind the change, and they may have concentrate, basically deregulates the artificial good reason to be. For that reason, we will not breeding industry and, in so doing, repeals the oppose the passage of this repealing Artificial Breeding of Stock Act 1979. The legislation. However, I remind the House of result of that is that there will be increased 7 October 1993 4904 Legislative Assembly competition for that service. The privately Artificial breeding centres, including owned artificial breeding centres no doubt will Queensland’s own Wacol AB Centre, are develop in due course, and that competition in trouble in the face of increasing will be of benefit to the industry, helping pressure from imported dairy semen. Queensland maintain the high standards that Feelings within the dairy semen- it has already set through such establishments supply industry are that instead of as the one at Wacol. competing with each other for market The legislation will allow the cattle industry share, the three remaining Australian to acquire some degree of control over the centres—Wacol, VAB and genetics program. This probably resulted from Riverina—should be working together to a PSMC recommendation that was made in a compete against semen imports. report delivered in 1992 entitled “Wacol Of the current 800,000 doses of Review”. The Department of Primary Industries dairy bull semen sold in Australia, more will continue to play a role. It will provide than 300,000 doses (32pc) are now support for genetic herd improvement through imported.” the usual research process and its extension services. However, I think everyone Therein lies the problem. If we are not careful, understands that it is now time for the industry the quantity of those imports will grow. The to take control of the other side of the only way to combat that is to beat our operation, that is, the commercial side. The competition, not by excluding that competition ownership of superior dairy genetics and the but by ensuring that the home product is of a delivery of artificial breeding services to the superior quality. industry in Queensland will be moved into In February this year, an article in the industry hands to ensure that there is Queensland Dairyfarmer stated— continuing livestock improvement at an “State president Pat Rowley said the internationally competitive rate. It is very QDO saw the need for the supply of important to talk about being competitive Australian dairy semen to be when it comes to this sort of thing. rationalised.” A lot of the product that is coming into Mr Rowley was also quoted as saying— this country is inferior. Although it may be cheaper, it is also inferior. If we are to maintain “Wacol’s future is presently under the necessary edge, we must ensure that the review, and it appears it will be winding material produced in this State, and the down as a dairy breeding centre.” process itself, are of the highest quality. This That is not what will happen. If that centre falls legislation also ensures that dairy farmers in into industry hands, it can be enhanced. As a Queensland and, indeed, in other States of result, it can continue to play a significant role Australia who value very highly the genetics at in the Australian industry. Mr Rowley said Wacol can be assured of continuity of the also— program and the sales and service quality that “Unless we as farmers help to hold has already been developed. the Australian dairy genetics industry in The Australian Dairy Farmers Federation good shape, it will be quickly knocked out has supported the development of a by importers. cooperatively owned artificial breeding service. One-third of the semen sold in It should be noted that, over the past decade, Australia today is imported and a lot of it dairying genetics in this State have is rubbish; except for a top few bulls it contributed 40 per cent of the industry’s does not match the cheaper Australian productivity improvement. That is a significant semen for quality and price.” boost to the industry. I am sure that this legislation will ensure that the excellent Mr Rowley said— contribution that has been made by genetics “As a group of farmers who have in Queensland will continue. benefited greatly from improved genetics I refer to the editorial in the Queensland in recent years, we don’t want to lose Dairyfarmer on 18 October 1992. Under the ground.” heading “Cooperation is essential”, it stated— I fully endorse those comments. This piece of “The Queensland dairy industry legislation is all about maintaining our needs to involve itself more heavily in the competitive edge and putting the industry into ownership and future direction of the hands of the people who have the most to Australia’s diary-bull breeding sector. gain from it—the people who have the greatest interest in the industry. Legislative Assembly 4905 7 October 1993

Artificial breeding services began in stresses very heavily the quality assurance Queensland in the 1950s. Recently, services side of the process itself. Importantly, the new have been operating from four different legislation is aimed at striking a balance locations. As I said before, the Wacol A.B. between maximising our genetic Centre produces, stores and distributes advancements and market penetration while semen from dairy cattle, beef cattle and pigs. maintaining sufficient protection for interstate It is the base for the development of new users of these services. Our continuing technologies in artificial breeding. The centre emphasis will remain on quality which, as I has long been Australia’s leading semen said, has been a hallmark of the Government. exporter. An artificial breeding export centre at Through the deregulation of Ormiston, which supplies semen for countries Queensland’s artificial breeding industry, the that have special health requirements, genetic progress of our base stock will be performs a valuable role. The artificial enhanced. The competition that will arise from breeding centre at Biloela was established to the introduction of private enterprise genetic meet the growing demand for beef cattle breeding programs will assist in that respect. I semen in central Queensland. Our beef herd understand that the export of bovine semen is bringing to this State much-needed export from Queensland was worth $1.5m in 1991- dollars. It seems to be in good condition. 92. With an average growth rate of 150 per Recently, there was an anthrax scare. We cent over the past four years, it is obvious that must be careful to protect our important there is great potential for Queensland to cash resource, namely, the quality of our stock. in on that particular process. At this stage, Other services available from the Wacol Queensland accounts for 57 per cent of herd improvement laboratories include a Australia’s total bovine semen exports. It is an customer collection service. Its main activities excellent market share, but there is no reason are the processing of semen collected on why, with greater industry input, we cannot farms by private vets. The centre at Wacol has improve it. been recognised as Australia’s leading semen These amendments, which will enhance exporter. This puts Queensland in an excellent beef productivity and the use of artificial position. It has enhanced our worldwide breeding technologies in Queensland, have reputation as a source of reliable herd- been welcomed by the industry. It is important improving sires, particularly in tropically to maintain export and interstate accreditation adapted breeds, which the member for schemes to ensure that that quality is Barambah mentioned. We must guard maintained. Already, a number of private jealously that hard-earned reputation. operators have shown interest in and become As I pointed out, the industry recognises involved in developing centres to take the need to modernise the legislative advantage of these changes. They have read framework to keep up with and enhance the the winds of change. They should be new technological developments in artificial encouraged by Government and other breeding and the livestock industry. That is participants in the industry. what has been happening in this State in the This amendment Bill does not mean that past two or three years. Industries themselves, the industry will simply have to work harder; it in conjunction with a sympathetic is a matter of industry in Queensland working Government, have been putting into place smarter. The end result will be more dollars in new structures, programs and processes that the back pockets of beef producers in this are taking those industries into the next State. The Bill deserves the support of all century. Moves in other States create a sense members who have a genuine interest in the of urgency for Queensland. We have seen development of Queensland’s livestock some partial deregulation nationally, and the industry. adoption of more uniform standards and controls has taken place. Queensland must Mr GILMORE (Tablelands) (9.59 p.m.): At not just maintain its competitiveness, it must the outset, I state that I support the legislation forge ahead to set industry and trade in so far as it resolves a longstanding problem benchmarks. This piece of legislation will assist that has been evident in my electorate, in that respect. particularly in respect of the movement of bobby calves. The amendment to this In order to maintain our credibility legislation is long overdue. I am pleased that it nationally and internationally, it is essential has finally come into the House. The that we in Queensland conform with minimum movement of bobby calves in my electorate health standards ratified by the animal health has been a matter of grave concern to dairy committee. Each piece of legislation farmers in the industry simply because the old introduced into this House by this Minister 7 October 1993 4906 Legislative Assembly permit system was inadequate and that farmer was also charged, prosecuted and inappropriate. Bobby calves can be put in a found guilty. pen of 5, 10 or 15. In the past, depending on The third case involved a calf-run the day and the calf run operator, who might operator who had an arrangement with the have a contract with one, two, three or five stock inspector for the local rules to continue butchers and might be delivering them to until such time as appropriate arrangements different venues, it was almost impossible to could be made. That personal arrangement get an appropriate arrangement with the was to last for some weeks. In the interim, my permit, because the farmer was usually not constituent continued to go about his there when the calf run operator arrived. It was business and was ultimately prosecuted for for that reason that, in the past, there has failure to provide appropriate documentation. been a set of local rules which were clearly not It was inappropriate for that officer to do that. in accordance with the law, but it functioned reasonably well with goodwill on all sides. It The fourth case is one which requires a continued to function well until, unfortunately, little more explanation. It was thrown out of there was a breakdown in the system which court ultimately, and it reflected very poorly on led to the strict enforcement of the official the department, the officer involved and the rules. From that time on, more and more Stock Squad. I would just like to explain what conflict occurred between the Minister’s occurred. One of my constituents, a farmer of department and my constituents. longstanding and good repute in the community, was a member of the Friesian There have been major problems with the club on the Atherton Tablelands—a very administration of the permits system in my proud and competent club. People who are electorate. I want to place on record the proud of their animals and proud of the work difficulties that we have had, the reasons for that they do are members of that club, which them and my disgust at some of the things occasionally holds in-club shows at the that have happened to some of my farmer Malanda showground. My constituent had constituents. Recently, four of my farmer recently purchased from Victoria a number of constituents were prosecuted by the Friesian cows which he determined to show at department in respect of permit issues. I this Friesian club. Late one afternoon, he would like to canvass the circumstances of attended the DPI office in Malanda and he those prosecutions and have them placed on spoke with the regional stock inspector, the the record of the Parliament. local stock inspector and the regional The first one arose out of a situation in veterinary officer. The regional veterinary which a farmer, having come into some officer indicated that he was refusing to offer a serious conflict with the local stock inspector permit to this person for this purpose because over a period, in an act of frustration drew a he believed that there was insufficient pig on his permit and wrote on the bottom, documentation in respect of EBL tests for the “The stock inspector is a pig.” He then signed stock which had come from Victoria. My it and handed it in. He was, therefore, charged farmer constituent went back home, got the with defacing an official document. I have to documentation, spoke to the agent and the inform the House that I believe that that type person from whom he purchased the cattle in of charge is something one would have Victoria, and went back to Malanda to expected to be made during the time of Oliver produce the required documentation. Cromwell and the Roundheads. I certainly Regrettably, he returned to the office after would not have expected it to occur in 1993 in 5 o’clock in the afternoon and both officers Australia and, more particularly, in had departed for the day. He could not find Queensland. Of course, the charge stuck them, so he went to the Malanda Police because it was a legitimate charge under the Station to have a permit issued on the basis law. Although some uncomplimentary things of the information that he had provided. The were said about the charge by the magistrate, police station at that time was unmanned. he certainly had to fine the offender. He then went to the Yungaburra Police The second charge arose out of defacing Station which was, in fact, the police station an official document. Another of my farmer which normally served his property, and there constituents, in a fit of frustration with the was nothing wrong with that. The police officer in question wrote on the document, officer, having viewed the documents, was “The stock is inspector is a bastard.” He then satisfied that the permit was in order, and he signed it and handed it in. Let me say that the issued the permit. The next morning at farmers to whom I have referred were correct daylight, my constituent took his cattle to the on both counts. The fact of the matter is that Malanda showground for the Friesian Cattle Club show. He took the trouble to quarantine Legislative Assembly 4907 7 October 1993 his cattle personally at the showground to not have access to a permit. They have a ensure that there were no problems. The club problem demonstrating the legitimacy of the had its show, and he took his stock home. stock movement and, therefore, being paid by Nothing more was heard of it until he was their insurance company for stock killed should summonsed by the Stock Squad for providing they come into conflict with a semitrailer or any misleading information to a police officer, that other motor vehicle. I wanted particularly to being the officer at Yungaburra, in order to bring that to the Minister’s attention so that he obtain a permit. might consider it and possibly do something In this case, it was alleged to have been about it. It is a very important issue in my an illegal permit. When the case went to the electorate because many of my dairy farmers Magistrates Court, the magistrate was are taking their cattle across roads on a particularly critical of the administration of the regular basis and there is going to be more department, and he threw out the charges, conflict between them and moving motor simply because EBL is not, and has not been, vehicles, particularly heavy vehicles, and a notifiable disease in respect of permits. The possibly humans in the tablelands region. farmer did his upmost to obtain an appropriate Having said those things, I congratulate permit; there were no problems with TB or the Minister on that part of the legislation that brucellosis; and the policeman at Yungaburra changes the need for permits so that the was quite properly convinced that the permit actual occupier of the land does not have to was in order, so the farmer was found not fill out the waybill. The owner of the cattle can guilty. do that, that is, the calf run operator, provided As the people who provide government he buys the calves. I think that is an excellent to the people of Queensland, it is important move, and it will certainly take much of the that we try very hard to provide appropriately heat, if not all of the heat, out of the business for our people and not persecute them to the of moving bobby calves in the Atherton point where they simply can no longer not Tableland region. express their frustration. It is my belief that the Mr LIVINGSTONE (Ipswich West) (10.10 Minister should have taken some pre-emptive p.m.): I rise in support of the Stock action earlier than he did. Of course, the Amendment Bill 1993. It reflects two major Minister is au fait with this matter because I policy initiatives in terms of self-regulation in have contacted him about it, and he was kind the livestock industries. The first relates to the enough to respond. I suggest that he was documentation and procedures associated somewhat concerned about the actions of his with the regulatory control of livestock officers. movements to prevent the spread of stock This legislation also has one unintended diseases. consequence which probably has not come to This amendment Bill represents the most the attention of the Minister. In a previous significant rationalisation of livestock disease debate in this place, I raised the subject of the control measurers in Queensland in 80 years. need for dairy creeps in the tablelands area to The freeing up has come about after allow dairy herds to cross from one side of widespread consultation and support from main roads to the other without conflict industry, and is a direct result of the successful between them and moving vehicles. That eradication of three major stock diseases, problem has not been resolved, so dairy cattle brucellosis, tuberculosis and pleuro- still have to cross those roads. In the past, pneumonia. insurance companies have accepted a stock The Minister should be congratulated on movement permit as a demonstration of the his involvement in such a comprehensive legitimacy of the stock movement and, consultation program, something this industry therefore, stock killed on the side of the road has not always been used to in the past. and which were insured were paid for by the insurance companies. Mr Perrett: Oh, rubbish! Under this legislation, there is no longer Mr LIVINGSTONE: I can understand the the need for permits unless farmers are taking members opposite being sensitive. One of the stock to a quarantine area for disease control. reasons our Minister is well respected in the So we have a situation in which there will no bush is he has not employed party hacks. All longer be permits issued for the movement of the people have been employed on a—— stock from one side of the road to the other. Mr Perrett: What have you been Therefore, a conundrum exists for those dairy drinking? farmers who do not have access to creeps, Mr LIVINGSTONE: The member for have to shift their stock across roads and do Barambah actually reminds me of an artificially 7 October 1993 4908 Legislative Assembly inseminated cow. He knows something weird contribution the cattle industry makes to this and wonderful is happening to him, but he state's economy. has not been able to work out how it all The Goss Government recognises that happened. contributions such as these are the The overall objective of this new system is mainstream of many of the State's regional to dramatically reduce the regulatory burden and rural communities. With this in mind, the involved in moving livestock. The Bill removes Government is determined to work with the the need for a permit for 90 per cent of stock industry to design policies that will ensure that movements, and replaces the existing stock rural industries achieve their full potential. I waybills with a more effective waybill system. support the Bill. In 1992, over half a million head of cattle Mr LITTLEPROUD (Western Downs) passed through the clearing dips in (10.16 p.m.): I have three matters to raise Queensland, and this year that number has during the debate on the Stock Amendment doubled as a result of the drought, and this in Bill. I note that the intent of the Bill has no way accounts for the number of stock that already been canvassed by various members. are moved throughout Queensland. First of all, I make the point that one of In the six months to June, 700 000 head the ideas of having stock permits is to prevent of cattle crossed the border into New South stock stealing. I want to bring to the attention Wales alone. That does not include stock of the House one particular instance that was moved into the Northern Territory and Western successfully dealt with by the courts, mainly Australia. In future, owners intending to move because of the documentation that is livestock will now require stock permits only necessary for the movement of stock. It when there are significant disease occurred in the Dalby district, where a chap implications, such as moving stock from a had sold what he knew to be a sound beast. cattle tick infected area to a tick free area. In He was amazed later on to receive the vast majority of situations, producers, documentation saying that it had been stock agents and livestock carriers will be able condemned because of a defect. to move livestock without any requirement to When I say that the beast had been contact a stock inspector for a stock permit. condemned because of a defect, it can This will save both industry and Government happen that a beast might have a broken limb time, money and resources while increasing or a lump under the skin or a cancerous eye. efficiencies in stock movement throughout Beasts are sold at the owner’s risk. It seems Queensland and demonstrates the Goss that because of the documentation that is Government's commitment to letting primary available this bloke was able to trace who producers get on with the business of bought it and where it had gone. In fact, the operating efficiently in the market place. person involved was brought before the courts This Goss Labor Government recognises and found guilty of falsifying documentation that a strong primary industry sector is vital for for the condemnation of stock. I think the the prosperity of Queensland, and the beef game was that he would take a sound beast industry plays a very critical role in that being sold at the owner’s risk, but fill out false prosperity. In 1992-93 alone, beef production documentation saying that it was diseased was worth $1.6 billion to this State. On the and then take a quarter off of the beast for hoof we have 14 719 beef production himself. It was a nice little bit of money on the enterprises, with a State herd estimated at 9.7 side. million head. The story gets worse, however, because Beef produced in 1992-93 has been the chap who brought the charges believed estimated at 747 000 tonnes with a further 7 there was more to it than that. The police 100 tonnes of veal. This accounted for 16 per continued the investigation. He was cent of Queensland's total exports. It should subsequently picked up by the Fraud Squad be noted that the average growth of beef and found guilty of something like 10 cases of exports over the past three years has been 12 fraud, so many charges of uttering and found per cent. Yearling sales have also been very guilty of misappropriation of something like good. Exports are estimated at 431 000 $10,000 or $12,000 worth of meat. At the tonnes which, in dollar terms, is worth meatworks, he was taking a few pounds off approximately one billion dollars to this State. every carcass for himself and not crediting the I spoke early of the vital role of a strong full weight of the beast to the owner. primary industry. From the figures I have just Members have already heard comments referred to, it can been seen what a vital from some of my colleagues, including the member for Crows Nest, about the leniency Legislative Assembly 4909 7 October 1993 being extended by the courts and how people Mr LITTLEPROUD: I note that. The in the stock industry are worried about it. In member for Barambah, the shadow Minister this case, the bloke had already been found for Primary Industries, spoke about the guilty of falsifying documentation. When he concerns of the people who rear stock in the went before the court again, the magistrate tick-free area. I dwelt on the same issues was made aware of that. He was ordered to when I spoke yesterday in the debate on the pay $8,000 restitution, put on a good Meat Industry Bill. behaviour bond and no conviction recorded. It I want to add a couple of things to that. is worth pointing out to honourable members People in the tick-free area are not the only that this is a form of stock stealing that could ones who are concerned about the proposal become a real problem. It is important that the to move the tick-infested cattle down to the correct documentation for the movement of meatworks in the clean country. It has also stock remains in place. I do not believe that started to play on the minds of the people in this Bill puts it at a risk, and the fact that we the sheep industry. I am advised that, if can detect some bloke who has been using people take from a tick-infested area sheep the system to his own advantage, not when with more than two months’ wool on them, the beef is on the hoof, but in fact when it those sheep must be dipped before they go goes through the processing stages, shows its into New South Wales. That poses a real worth. problem for sheep breeders and the people Having put that on the record, I also want buying and selling sheep interstate. to put it on record that I have asked the Worse still, I am told that the only Minister for Justice to have that case Government dip on the border that can reviewed. He may have that case reviewed. I handle sheep is at Wallangarra. That is a long wrote to him about a month ago and, true to way away from the sheep country, out in the form, I have had no acknowledgment of the south west, where the member for Warrego receipt of that letter. I hope that it will be dealt would have a great interest. The ramifications with. of that proposal by the Tick Advisory The other reason for stock permits is Committee to move about 40 000 to 80 000 disease control. That has already been head of cattle per year to the meatworks in mentioned by various members. We can talk the clean country of Queensland are now about things like anthrax and foot-and-mouth flowing to the sheep industry with respect to disease, but I am interested mostly in the sheep that have more than two months’ wool cattle tick. Yesterday, in the debate on the on them. I understand that the United Meat Industry Bill, I spoke to the Minister Graziers Association is now aware of the about a letter I had written to him suggesting problems that that poses for the sheep that he put some funds towards his election industry. More pressure will be brought to promise of moving the tick line up to the bear. Something must be done about it. Mount Isa-Townsville line by the year 2000. I It gives more credence to my argument want to report to the House that today I that, the sooner we can push that tick line received an answer from the Minister. I further north, at least to the Rockhampton- suggest to the member for Barambah that this Longreach line, the sooner we will overcome is worth noting. The Minister has recognised the problem. It is only cattle up to the our suggestion that resulted from our meeting Rockhampton line that come to the with the graziers that we should start at the meatworks in the south east. The rest will tick line and move west to the Great Dividing automatically go into Rockhampton, Bowen or Range and up through the Taroom Shire and Townsville. We do not have to clean up all of the Bauhinia Shire because there are lots of Queensland to overcome the problem that the properties already in that area that, through Tick Advisory Committee is experiencing. If we the good work of the DPI and the property clean up the land to the central line, we will be owners, are free of ticks. It would be easy to right. get good value for money by getting large areas of the country cleaned up. The Minister The last thing that I want to speak about has written back saying that a pilot scheme will tonight is another story that needs to be operate in the Taroom Shire this year, with 60 clarified or dismissed by the Minister. I am per cent of the funding coming from the DPI informed by some people who are concerned and 40 per cent coming from the industry. It is about the same issue that, currently, the Tick a step in the right direction. I acknowledge the Advisory Committee is undertaking an decision that was made. economic feasibility study into the worth of maintaining the tick line. The sorts of Mr Perrett: The best initiative to come comments that automatically come to mind from the Minister for a long time. 7 October 1993 4910 Legislative Assembly from people who breed cattle in the tick-free constituents directed towards public servants area and also from my constituents are that of this State who are carrying out their duties there is too much to lose if we abandon the is nothing short of disgraceful. We must tick line. I know that it costs a fair bit of money recognise that public servants are human to maintain that line every year, but the beings and that they have frailties, foibles and benefits are enormous for those of us in the human personalities, as do the farmers. Of clean parts of Queensland. course, Mr Gilmore would say that, in a clash The member for Barambah talked about position, the public servant is all wrong and the value that is added to cattle moving into the person on the land is an angel. Mr New South Wales from store sales in Roma if Gilmore, the member for Tablelands—— they already come from clean, tick-free Mr Bredhauer: Try that with a policeman country. It is about $30 to $40 per head, when you get pulled up and see how you go. depending on the classification and size of the Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: Exactly. Perhaps he beast. Bearing in mind that $80m worth of should do it. Mr Gilmore reaffirmed those stock is sold every year through the Roma statements. Those statements should not sale yards as store sales, and most of those properly be directed at public servants. If are going to the southern States, when one those statements are to be made, they adds $30 to $40 per beast, it works out to be should, more properly, be directed at the an enormous amount of money. The Minister politicians who give those public servants the might indicate to the House whether that is on Acts with which they work. In that case, it the agenda of the DPI or the Tick Advisory might have been more appropriate for those Committee. There is a fear in the community constituents of Mr Gilmore to have written, and a story going around. I notice that the “The Minister is a pig” or, “The Minister is a Minister is nodding. I take it that that is the bastard.” If Mr Gilmore were to reach his negative. It would be nice if the Minister would golden hour on the ministerial benches, as he state that in his reply. believes that he will, those epithets would With those few comments, I note that the undoubtedly be true. Until then, it is member for Barambah has indicated the disgraceful that he should stand in this place stance of the Opposition. We support the Bill. and not only condone but also affirm those Improvements will be made with regard to the kinds of comments from his constituents ease of movement of stock. I wanted to signal directed at public servants. It is with great the worth of the documentation for the sadness that I take up that issue. movement of stock with regard to The Opposition spokesman, Mr Perrett, prosecutions for stock stealing, as in the case spoke about the fact that he believes—and he that I instanced. The other matter is that the said it in the newspapers, also—that the new ramifications of the proposal of the Tick system could well lead to an increased Advisory Committee to move the cattle incidence of stock stealing. He mentioned the through the clean country now flow on to the cattle duffers getting hold of the waybill book. sheep industry. It has wider ramifications than The reality of any system that we implement is were first thought. that somebody will find a way to abuse it. Mr J. H. SULLIVAN (Caboolture) (10.25 From the experience of one of my p.m.): It is with pleasure that I join the debate constituents, which I will not relate, “It ain’t too this evening to support the Stock Amendment difficult to flog them under the current system, Bill 1993. Before I come to that, I would like to anyway, if one puts one’s mind to it.” This say how sad I am tonight to have heard the system is about disease control; it is not about words from the member for Tablelands a theft. Theft comes under the Criminal Code, moment ago. We all recognise that public and prosecutors rely on the waybill servants in this State are required by the descriptions in order to get prosecutions. I do people of this State to conscientiously carry not condone the leniency of a sentence out the responsibilities that we give them because a judge or magistrate decides that through legislation. That is what the people of the person is under stress, that he is in bad Queensland require of their public servants. financial shape and he that has never been That is what we as a Government require of caught before. I believe that is a lunacy. Steps our public servants. It ought to be what the are being taken to amend that. Stock stealing, members of the Opposition require of the despite its folklore status in Australia, due to public servants in this State. Harry Redford—— For Mr Gilmore to stand in this place and Mr Johnson interjected. to condone—not only to condone but also to Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I disagree with what affirm—terms of abuse used by his the honourable member says. The Australian Legislative Assembly 4911 7 October 1993 culture lionises the larrikin. Stock stealing has Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I am a hard act to been one of those larrikin activities that have follow, but I have no doubt that the Opposition been lionised—the same as Ned Kelly. It is a will try and will do so with some vigour. I have failing in the Australian character. noticed that the member for Gregory has Mr Johnson: Do you condone it? been taking notes, which is the way it should be. It is good that somebody is actually taking Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: No, I do not. I do not notes about what I am saying and will reply to condone it. I believe that we should come my speech. That makes a nice change from down as hard as we can on those people. people reading out prepared speeches. This system will assist. It will not make it harder; it will assist. Before the honourable Mr FitzGerald: You’re filibustering. You member opens his trap, let me tell him that, haven’t got anything to say. for the first time, the waybill is required to Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: Precisely, I am contain the name of the owner. Previously, filibustering. As I indicated to Mrs McCauley, I that was not specifically required. It is now wanted to use up about five minutes before required specifically. The date of making this point: I believe the Minister has movement—— brought a great amendment to this House. It Mr Johnson: Did you ever fill one out? will lessen the paperwork burden on the honest and decent farmers. It will not open Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: The honourable the way for stock thieving. The Opposition has member should hold his horses. The date of indicated that it will not oppose this Bill. If the movement must be stated on the waybill. That Opposition believed sincerely that this Bill was not previously required. The tick status of would open the way for stock thieving, I the property of origin and destination is believe that it would have opposed it. It will not required to be noted. That was not previously be easier to steal stock under this legislation, done. That has more to do with health. The and the Opposition will support it. I, too, telephone number of the person in charge is support the Bill. required. Previously, the form required only his name. A more accurate description will be Mrs McCAULEY (Callide) (10.33 p.m.): given. Previously, when people filled in the This Bill, by removing the need for a stock forms, they wrote, “cattle, male”. Now they permit in 90 per cent of stock movements, as must write, “Hereford bulls”. People who sign the Minister stated in his second-reading the waybill must state by what authority they speech, means that it will be a lot easier for are signing it. cattle thieves to move cattle quickly out of an area and to markets that are often far away All of those things will be used by from the scene of the crime. On 17 August prosecutors, who rely on waybills to identify this year at a meeting in Taroom, which had stock in cases. It seems to me that, rather 100-plus people in attendance, the issue of than making it more difficult to obtain a stock stealing and the ridiculous penalties for conviction, we are moving towards a situation that offence were canvassed very widely. That in which we will get a conviction. Mr Perrett felt meeting was prompted by a stock stealing that the Stock Amendment Bill should contain case in the Taroom area, which was heard in everything that is required to look after the Toowoomba. The witnesses were not notified stealing aspect of stock. If we take that sort of when the case was coming up, and a couple logic to its nth degree—and the member for of the major players, one of whom was the Barambah tried to do that, because he spoke owner of some of the stolen cattle, were about eggs, bread and milk in his simply told to keep a few weeks clear. Only speech—perhaps the State of Queensland one person, the wife of one of the graziers should be governed by one Act. We could whose cattle were stolen, was given the actual have one Act and one Minister to administer date of the hearing. it. The hearing was supposedly to be held Mrs Sheldon: We’ve got one act, and it’s on a Thursday. However, on the you. Wednesday—the day before—the offender Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I take the interjection pleaded guilty to the offences, was from the member for Caloundra, even though subsequently fined a fairly nominal amount she was not in her correct seat. It needs to be and had no conviction recorded against him. placed on record that she regards me as a Key witnesses did not even get the chance to class act. I thank her for the singular honour appear before the magistrate. Consequently, that she gives me. he did not hear their side of the story and they Mrs Woodgate: And a hard act to follow. in turn were refused a copy of the transcript of the proceedings. In a letter to one of the cattle 7 October 1993 4912 Legislative Assembly owners, the Deputy Premier, Tom Burns, People in the Taroom/Theodore area are stated— understandably angry over that case, because “The Crown Prosecutor elected to the stealing offences were not a one-off event drop the charges because he believed it but apparently had been going on for many would be difficult to gain convictions, the years. The agent who handled 330 head of costs would be prohibitive and the final cattle for the offender over the previous five judgment would be little different because years must also stand indicted for not paying closer attention to brands, and so must the the evidence relating to earlier one and only meatworks which was involved in alleged offences was in relation to dealing with the cattle sent in by the offender. old stock permit—considered to be In that 330 head, over five years, there were insufficient some 26 different brands. The agent was the owners of the stock had not certainly slack. previously been aware they were This was not an isolated incident. A stolen similar case occurred in the Gayndah area of key witnesses were unable to attend my electorate. The owners of Santa Gertrudis the hearing property wrote to me—— the costs to the Crown of adjourning Mr Johnson: Good cattle. the hearing and paying for witnesses Mrs McCAULEY: Yes, if one likes them to reattend would be high, and like that. The owners of that property stated in the witness had no prior convictions.” a letter to me— It is quite patently wrong for the Deputy “My husband and I were the victims Premier to say that the key witnesses were of the crime discussed. Thirteen of our unable to attend the hearing. The key cattle were stolen, rebranded and sent to witnesses were ready and waiting, but were the meatworks. not told about the hearing until it was too late. The young man who did this was in a It was physically impossible to travel from their position of trust in a cottage on our property to Toowoomba with the short period property. He and accomplices stole these of prior notice that they were given. When cattle at a time they knew we would be they did find out, they were given only a few away from the property. hours’ notice, and it just simply was not physically possible to get there in time. Key When confronted by the Stock witnesses were dead keen to attend that Squad, he confessed to everything. hearing, but did not get the chance to do so At the Gayndah Courthouse on June and put their side of the story. 28 there was no conviction recorded and When the owner of the cattle complained no community service ordered. A about the leniency of the sentence, the condition of his probation is that he make Deputy Premier responded by saying in the restitution to the Court in six months of letter— the amount he received from the meatworks for nine of the cattle. He was “. . . I understand that the Judge took into not ordered to sell anything he has account the lack of previous convictions, purchased with the proceeds. a doctor’s report concerning the defendant suffering stress, and the fact The Court made no decision about that the defendant had financial the other four animals sold to a local difficulties.” property owner . . . ” For goodness’ sake, everyone is stressed out The original owners have not been there. They are all suffering financial compensated for those stolen cattle and it difficulties, and they are all under stress. That also seems that the accomplices have not is no excuse for stealing a neighbour’s cattle. been charged. The woman goes on to make the point— This was backed up by a letter from the Justice Minister to me after he refused to “ . . . we will be lucky to see the money for launch an appeal against the lightness of the nine of our stolen cattle a year after the sentence. He said that Dr Chris Alroe from event and most probably paid for by Rockhampton, a psychiatrist, testified on the Social Security cheques.” offender’s behalf, and he subsequently Certainly, the people who are the victims of received a lighter sentence than he may these crimes believe that the penalties are not otherwise have received. severe enough and that the judiciary is not treating the matter as seriously as it should. Legislative Assembly 4913 7 October 1993

Certain motions were put to the meeting entered into in cases concerning stock in Taroom to which I referred earlier. It was stealing without the agreement of the person chaired by the Taroom Shire Chairman Bill from whom the stock was stolen. Again, that Copeland and attended by so many was unanimous, because the people who lose interested people, including the Opposition the cattle seem to have no rights at all, as the spokesman, Mr Perrett, and me. Although I woman from Gayndah said in her letter. have given these resolutions to the Minister in The meeting felt strongly that there was a writing, I want to go through them and need for judges and magistrates to have mention them briefly, because they are very competence in this particular area of theft, important. The first one was— and that led to a motion that the meeting “That this meeting press the endorses the concept that producer groups Government to have mandatory liaise with the legal system on matters recording of convictions for stock theft pertaining to the theft of stock. We believe where guilt is admitted or proven.” that there is a need for education of the That was passed unanimously. One judiciary in this regard in that the stealing of a policeman commented to me that, if no cow is not like the stealing of a television set, conviction is recorded and if a person moves as I have said in this place once before. The from the Taroom area to the Rockhampton cow will reproduce each year. Therefore, there area and he is caught stock stealing again, is a loss of potential income for the farmer. when his record is examined he technically The next resolution was that more does not have a record. He is, quite literally, a significant penalties be applied to people cleanskin. If no conviction is recorded, even found guilty of stock stealing, which was the though he admits his guilt, he will always be a crux of the matter. That resolution was passed cleanskin. That is wrong. I believe it is unanimously. important that there should be mandatory The Justice Minister, in his reply to my recording of convictions for stock theft so that letter, stated— offenders do have a record. “The law relating to the misuse of Mr Casey: You’re really talking about the stealing of animals does not really require Criminal Code; you’re not talking about the tightening as it appears as though both Stock Act. the offences created by the section and Mrs McCAULEY: Luckily, the relevant the punishments provided are more than Minister is present in the Chamber, and that is adequate to deal with the evil of stock fortunate. This is the Stock Act, and it is stock stealing.” we are talking about. Therefore we must educate the judiciary to The second resolution reads— impose those punishments. “That there be an immediate The other area of concern which the suspension of concessional permits for Minister mentioned in his second-reading convicted persons (for a time limit as speech concerns the movement of stock from decreed by the judge).” tick-infected areas to clean or tick-free areas. That was also passed unanimously because Permits will still be required for such cattle people felt that thieves should find it difficult to movements, although I believe that there are move stock easily. That is a concern held moves afoot through some members of the about the legislation being debated. A freeing- Tick Control Advisory Committee which could up of the permits will make it easy for thieves well threaten those areas which, by a lot of to move stolen stock. diligent effort and vigilance, are tick-free areas. Rather than, as the Minister canvassed last The third resolution reads— year, an expansion of the tick-free area to the “That a person convicted of stock Mount Isa line, there could be a grave threat stealing have all equipment used in that to the integrity of the existing tick-free area if offence confiscated.” the Minister takes the advice of the Tick Although that resolution was not unanimous, it Control Advisory Committee and allows ticky was nevertheless carried by the meeting. A cattle to move through the clean areas without person who is caught fishing illegally has his being dipped. vehicle, his boat and all his fishing tackle The member for Western Downs taken from him. Why not apply that provision canvassed this issue in his speech just prior to to stock stealing? mine, so I will simply address a few points Another resolution was that plea from notes that I took at a meeting that was bargaining or dropping of charges not be held at the Wandoan Golf Club on 21 May 7 October 1993 4914 Legislative Assembly concerning the movement of ticky cattle whether to market or to the abattoirs, was through clean areas to the meatworks. The itemised on the permits. meeting was attended by about 140 people But the legislation before the House is and was chaired by Jim Tyrell, the vice- taking us back in time. The member for president of the South-East Graziers Caboolture said that details on permits at this Association. Four members of the Tick Control time do not have to be filled out in their Advisory Committee, Brian Littleproud and I entirety. I have news for him. He said that the were present. owner of cattle does not have to put his name Trevor Reed, the DPI member on the on the permit. He most definitely does. The advisory committee, made it quite clear that honourable member said that the date does the proposal to truck ticky cattle through clean not have to be on the permit. It most definitely areas without dipping did not come from the has to be. He said that the status, type, DPI but was being driven by the advisory description and sex of the animals were not committee. A series of questions were asked required; but that has to be included. I cannot of the panel. The one question which did not see where the honourable member is coming receive an answer was: how many of the from. Apparently he does not understand how 600 000 cattle dipped in the past eight years to fill out a stock permit. had suffered any residue problems? That is Mr Perrett: I bet that he hasn’t filled out the crux of the mater. I still have not received too many. an answer to that question. Mr JOHNSON: I bet that he has not filled Even though committee member, Paul out any. He went on to say that this proposal Wright, forcefully told the meeting that in his will lessen the paperwork and the chance of opinion the maintenance of the tick line is stock stealing. Tell me more! It might lessen unsustainable if the industry is put at risk by a the paperwork for stock inspectors, but I do chemical residue problem, motions against not know that that will help them. They are supporting such a proposal were carried by a bogged down in paperwork at the moment. large majority. Obviously, that committee The Government has introduced programs member is not representing the majority of the that have bogged down every department. It members of the Cattlemen’s Union. is a full time job filling out the paperwork. The final matter raised was why none of The legislation will not lessen the chance the industry representatives on the Tick of stock stealing; it will increase the chance of Control Advisory Committee were from clean stock stealing. If somebody is going to lift areas, and how that inequitable situation cattle from an area that is completely divorced could be addressed. It would seem that this from any other area where those cattle might matter will be taken up with the Minister in an go, say from the south to the north of the effort to have the situation changed. If the State, a lift of 400 or 500 kilometres can be Tick Control Advisory Committee or a member carried out by road overnight. That person can of that committee is working on a report on fill out the permit himself. Once the lift has the cost of maintenance of the tick-free area, I been completed, the cattle can remain on that want to know about it, and I suspect that a lot property for up to six or eight months. After of other people do also. If Paul Wright thinks that time, the cattle can be sold through a that such action is in the best interests of the different set of saleyards to the ones in which cattle industry in this State, I hope that the they would normally be sold, or be taken Minister will enlighten Mr Wright about that. straight to an abattoir to be slaughtered. Stock Mr JOHNSON (Gregory) (10.45 p.m.): inspectors will not be on hand to police those This is a draconian piece of legislation. That is shipments. why the Minister was hoping that he would Mr Perrett: There are no inspectors left. beat me to the call. Some time ago, the Department of Primary Industries introduced Mr JOHNSON: That is right. I will return to to Queensland a permit system called that in a moment. The police have had the concessional permits. At that time, I had matter taken out of their hands. Under the old reservations about the concessional permit system, when animals were transferred from system, the reason being that owners of cattle one district to another, if there was no who had those permits in their possession concessional permit, at least the stock could write out a permit at their leisure inspector or the police knew that the shipment whenever a lift of livestock was to occur. The was taking place. If the lift was on, the police important thing about those concessional would hand the permits to the stock inspectors permits that was in favour of the authorities in the relevant district and they would know was that the destination of the animals, what the shipment was. With this legislation, there will be open slather. If all the would-be Legislative Assembly 4915 7 October 1993

Captain Starlights are not sharpening their “Stock inspectors will be freed up spurs tonight, they certainly will have them from administrative work. They will also ready tomorrow. By tomorrow, they will know play a key role in monitoring compliance about this legislation all around Queensland. I and checking the effectiveness of the assure honourable members that dishonest new self-regulatory systems.” people will take full advantage of the Those stock inspectors will have a full-time job legislation. wondering where the cattle or sheep are Recently, I addressed this issue with a going. This will mean extra work for stock member of the Stock Squad in the central inspectors and the Stock Squad, because the west. He was horrified to think that such a crooks in the industry will be running rampant. piece of legislation was coming before the Hon. E. D. CASEY (Mackay—Minister for House. When I explained to him the content Primary Industries) (10.54 p.m.), in reply: I of the legislation, he said that he thought that thank honourable members who contributed we were going back in time. That is exactly to this debate. Unfortunately, the debate got what we are doing. out of hand. It was counter to the old Bible Mr Fenlon: That is your explanation. He story about the best wine being kept till last, simply had a little bit of a problem with it. because members got the worst in the last Mr JOHNSON: I do not have a problem contribution. with it at all. Mr FitzGerald: You are on now! Mr Fenlon: Was it your explanation, or Mr CASEY: The member should not did he read it? laugh at his own jokes. It does not do him Mr JOHNSON: What does the member much good. It is pretty obvious that, if the for Greenslopes know about this piece of member for Gregory did not have a copy of legislation? He does not know too much about my second-reading speech, he would not anything in this place. If I were him, I would have been able to make a contribution to this shut up for a moment. By way of interjection, debate. He certainly did not base his the member for Barambah said that contribution on the Bill. He indicated that he Queensland has a lack of stock inspectors. has not actually read the Bill. The one real concern of people in the industry The important aspect of this legislation is is the shortage of stock inspectors and that it is wanted by industry. It was the experienced people who will check and police industry’s desire to free up the movement of the movement of cattle that are being shipped cattle. For the benefit of those members who to markets, abattoirs or wherever. But there spoke to this Bill, I point out that the Stock Act will not be enough people in the field to relates mainly to the control of diseases and control the illegal movement of cattle. With infections in cattle. A number of members fewer inspectors, it will be easier for those who referred to the tick eradication campaign that are not so truthful to take advantage of this this Government is prepared to implement in legislation. this State. Sure, it is a bold and courageous It will also be very easy to move cattle measure, but it must be started. I think that from ticky areas to clean areas. This legislation the member for Western Downs indicated his will create open slather for people to steal support for it. Cattle ticks are costing the stock. If people take cattle overnight from ticky industry more than $100m a year. This country to the south, nobody will know about Government is determined to do something it, especially if it takes place in a buffer zone. about that. It is easy to ridicule others—as There is not a damn thing that we can do if some National Party members from various people put a mob of cattle together, walk parts of the State have done—but the point is them through a buffer zone to a clean place that people within the industry are determined and truck them away overnight. This is a very to help this Government eradicate cattle ticks serious situation. The Stock Squad throughout in Queensland. We must start somewhere. the State is depleted. Stock inspection services are at their lowest ebb ever. This Recently, I spoke with the Director- situation has been further aggravated by a General of Livestock from Indonesia. It has piece of draconian legislation that will invite taken that country 100 years to eradicate foot- corruption and dishonesty into what has been and-mouth disease. Because that fellow an honest way to transport cattle to market or completed the final eradication drive, he was slaughter. awarded a medal by his country. At some stage, somebody in that country had a vision In his second-reading speech, the and was prepared to carry out that most Minister said— important work. As a result, Australia now has 7 October 1993 4916 Legislative Assembly a tremendous buffer to prevent the spread of Mrs SHELDON (Caloundra—Leader of foot-and-mouth disease from the north. the Liberal Party) (11.01 p.m.): These revenue Australia does not have a problem with foot- measures are the central plank in the Budget and-mouth disease, and that buffer will ensure drawn up and delivered by the Keating of that it does not reach our shores. Queensland who, by the way, is not present at Today, on behalf of the Government, I the moment. That is not Queensland’s version looked after the South African Ambassador at of the world’s greatest Treasurer but the a luncheon. Of course, part of our discussion northern equivalent of the man responsible for related to primary industries in South Africa the diabolical mess causing chaos today in generally. That country has awful problems Canberra. In Canberra, Keating created a with foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis, lemon of a Budget with his demands that necessitated the iniquitous rise in the cost of tuberculosis and many other diseases that we leaded petrol and the heavy burden placed on do not have in this continent. When the struggling Queensland wine industry, addressing problems within industries, it is among other measures. I see that the important to have a determination. This Goss Treasurer is so uninterested in this Bill that he Government has that determination to has the Minister for Primary Industries sitting in continue with the tick eradication campaign. I on his behalf. In Brisbane, our erstwhile am confident that we can do something about Treasurer created his lemon in secret—— it. Mr T. B. Sullivan: He is out for a minute, Many members, particularly those and you know it. opposite, spoke about stock squads, justice Mrs SHELDON: He has had all night to and the courts. Those things have nothing be ready the same as I. It includes an absurd whatsoever to do with the Bill. I thank the new debits tax to slug Queenslanders almost honourable members for Mulgrave, Ipswich as hard and as regularly as the Federal fuel West and Caboolture. As they have moved tax. around the State with me, looking at some of the problems and challenges that exist within Mr Beattie: Where were you? the industry, those members of my committee Mrs SHELDON: Why do not Government obviously learned their lessons well. members listen a little? Inspired in a twisted Those are the major comments that I sort of way, the Treasurer went on to create would like to make. The Bill is well supported another yoke for the coal and power industries and the industrial sector in general with his by industry throughout Queensland. This coal royalty that will act as a strong Government is very proud of that. The disincentive for local investment, employment honourable member for Tablelands might like and production that places the wine tax in the to take the honourable member for Gregory in shade. hand, because the member for Tablelands clearly said how well this Bill was going to be In Canberra, Keating created an omnibus received by primary producers in his electorate Bill in an effort to ram his disgusting measures because of the things that it will do for them. through Parliament in the most speedy and secretive way. In Brisbane, his northern Motion agreed to. admirer here followed suit once again and created this somewhat smarmy piece, again, of omnibus legislation to lump all his creative Committee accounting measures into one money- Clauses 1 to 10, as read, agreed to. grabbing unit. In common with the Keating of Schedules 1 and 2, as read, agreed to. Canberra, our Treasurer has treated the need for public scrutiny of his handiwork with Bill reported, without amendment. disdain. Tonight, he has jumped his Bill to the top of the list with the shortest possible notice. Third Reading I am sure that his only regret is that the many- faceted tales of intrigue that were concocted Bill, on motion of Mr Casey, by leave, to hide the ugly spots on the face of the Hyde read a third time. creature began to fade before the Revenue Laws Amendment Bill reached centre stage. REVENUE LAWS AMENDMENT BILL The Treasurer says that the Second Reading Government’s proposed amendments are Debated resumed from 16 September designed to ensure that anomalies and (see p. 4448). inequities of existing taxes are removed, and to ensure that concessions are provided only Legislative Assembly 4917 7 October 1993 where they can be justified according to need. 750 200 to 666 300 in the four years from May I add that that is bunkum. Over the past December 1989 to December 1992. few weeks, the public of Queensland have Unlike the Labor Government, on behalf heard more of the anomalies and inequities in of the coalition I have acted to propose the the statements of the Treasurer than those he obliteration of payroll tax in Queensland as a claims to have adequately addressed. measure to boost business and employment Queenslanders expect their Government in this Sunshine State. It is a fact that funds to address, on their behalf, anomalies and from—— inequities in taxes, but I suspect no-one in this Mr De Lacy: Why don’t you abolish all State with more than three months’ the taxes while you are at it? experience of the Goss Government would be naive enough to expect anomalies to be Mrs SHELDON: What a ridiculous eradicated without paying more at the end of comment from a Treasurer of this State. That the day. Of course, in every case, the base of is really even beneath him. It is a fact that the tax will be broadened. This Government funds from the $753m sale of the Gladstone always removes inequity by penalising those Power Station can be converted directly into who previously did not attract the tax rather long-term jobs through a phasing out of this than exempting those who are unfairly and iniquitous and inappropriate tax. Such a move adversely impacted by that tax. would re-establish the business advantage Queensland once held through the elimination The Treasurer says that one of the key of death duties. This would be far more measures of this Bill is the closure of an effective as a private enterprise alternative to avenue of avoidance in payroll tax. As a the failed public sector job schemes of this result, from 1 January 1994, payroll tax will Labor Government. Labor’s knee-jerk naturally be extended to apply to fringe knocking of the idea has come as no surprise. benefits other than car park benefits. The Personal attacks from the Premier are Labor’s Treasurer argues that the payment of simplistic answer to the shortcomings in the remuneration in kind instead of cash is a direct 1993-94 Budget which ignores the crying attempt by employers and employees alike to need for new jobs in the private sector. minimise payroll taxable obligations, thus eroding the Government’s revenue base. He Government members interjected. implied that there is something immoral and Mrs SHELDON: I really would not mind, unjust about business attempting to work seeing that it is now 11.10 at night when the within the law to maximise their own wellbeing Treasurer has finally sought to bring in this and that, may I add, of their employees, and major revenue Bill, if I had some interjections their ability to sustain economic activity and from the Labor side of the House that I could create long- term sustainable jobs to the at least take up—if there was some wit and benefit of all Queenslanders. some basis. Instead, I get the moronic The Opposition in this House has a very utterings from the braying mob on the different view of business, its place in society Government side of the House and I ask and the regressive impact on business of honourable members opposite not to mind if I payroll tax. While the Government persecutes do not take them up. business and inflates payroll tax, the As I have said, our Treasurer has taken Opposition proposes measures to actually his admiration for Mr Keating too far. Unlike assist business and reduce regressive taxes the Commonwealth or the other States, which where possible. In the current economic are the victims of Labor’s expenditure, environment in our State, payroll tax is the Queensland does not need this desperate single most regressive influence imposed by campaign to clean up its balance sheet. It Government. Unlike other States whose does need urgent efforts to create long-term economies were driven onto the rocks by jobs. Unfortunately, the Government does not failed Labor Governments, Queensland’s have the intestinal fortitude or vision problem is not mounting debt and financial necessary to tackle anything more substantial insolvency; it is unemployment, and this tax, than Queensland’s historically minuscule level which has been expanded by our Labor of State debt. Queenslanders should not be Government, is a tax on jobs. It is nothing saddled with a tax on jobs when there is more nothing less than a massive disincentive clearly an alternative. to employment in this State. It is little wonder Once they are available, funds from the that the Australian Bureau of Statistics has sale of the Gladstone power station could be documented a fall in employment in the used, and would be able to cut payroll tax in Queensland private sector of 48 900 from half as an intermediary step. I really despair 7 October 1993 4918 Legislative Assembly that it seems that the Goss Government four years on the back of growth driven by the cannot organise something as basic as an very factor that it blames for the jobs asset sale without placing the whole process crisis—interstate migration. in jeopardy by using the opportunity to find Through his outrageous and over-the-top more tax revenue from the private sector. funding for public sector ventures at any However, I will come to that later. expense, the Treasurer has demonstrated an In the past three years, the Goss interesting point that will not be lost on Government has increased bureaucratic Queenslanders. For his stated target of salaries and administration by $368.6m a 43 600 jobs, the Treasurer can find and spend year, but cumulative bureaucratic cuts of just an incredible $77,981 a job. Imagine how $277m a year for three years would be many more jobs would be created if that sufficient to pay for the final step, the money went directly to employers through complete removal of payroll tax. So to employment-linked initiatives such as the compensate for the $832m-worth of payroll removal of payroll tax. tax sucked out of Queensland businesses Queenslanders want positive proposals to each year by Queensland Labor, $753m from address unemployment. They do not want a the power station sale could be set aside to moribund Government that is obsessed with cut payroll tax virtually in half for two years. In the problems of other Governments. If the the meantime, savings could be identified Government removes the ability of a company within the bloated Labor bureaucracy sufficient to offer a competitive and financially attractive to completely remove payroll tax in year three. salary package, then it will be to the detriment The cuts to the bureaucracy would be offset to of all concerned. Employers will not want to a large degree when public sector incur the administrative costs of structuring the contributions to payroll tax and natural package and, therefore, employees will not be increases in revenue from other sources were able to receive the benefits of the package. taken into account. The Government calls its payroll tax hike a Labor may be too proud to attack move to protect the tax base. What about unemployment by following a coalition protecting business? What about protecting proposal, but as an alternative it could the ability of businesses to allocate their endeavour to stimulate business by cutting resources as they choose without undue electricity prices. interference in that decision by the Government? Instead of concentrating its Mr Welford: Ah! efforts on measures that will suck money from Mrs SHELDON: I know that the member the private sector in order to fund waste and for Greenslopes does not want electricity extravagance in the public sector, how about prices to be cut at all. He would rather charge at least allowing business to get on with the poor old average working Queenslander business? more for his power, and I believe that that is The Treasurer also stated that by what is intended. protecting the payroll tax base through this An honourable member interjected. measure, Queensland is better placed to maintain Australia's most competitive pay roll Mrs SHELDON: I apologise. I do not tax regime. I have made it plain that I do not know how I could make that mistake. I must understand how an increase in payroll tax apologise to Mr Fenlon for that. I do not know could possibly be perceived as a maintenance how I could possibly get him confused with Mr of a competitive tax regime. I have made it Welford, that bucket tipper extraordinaire. The plain tonight that, in relation to payroll tax, Welford Labor Party! What an insult to Mr Queensland is a long way from being the low- Fenlon! tax State that it could be. The Treasurer often The Government had an opportunity to tries to make favourable comparisons. do something about long-term unemployment However, regardless of any comparison, an in this Budget, and it blew it. This Government increase in tax is an impediment on the ability actually increased payroll tax at a time when of business to do business, and this costs jobs Queensland unemployment was climbing to and adversely affects the welfare of the record levels. But Labor's much-vaunted people of Queensland. spending spree this year did not come about I move on from one of the low points of as a result of years of good management. It is the Treasurer's Budget to one of the low merely the product of lucky management. This points in the Government's sorry record of is the lucky Government. It inherited a full broken promises about accountability and bank book and it has been carried along for openness. The Government's bank account Legislative Assembly 4919 7 October 1993 debits tax has become aptly known by its out by the end of the year. Supermarket acronym, that is, the BAD tax. Cheque duty is operators can vouch for the fact that the use to be abolished by this Government, but only of plastic cards by the public is growing at a because the use of cheques by the public has spectacular rate. The operator of one large diminished. I am sure that the public can supermarket which has attached to it a variety appreciate the Treasurer's quandary as he sat store told me that from making up 4 per cent down to ponder this question. What is the of transactions at his store a year ago, debit point of a high-taxing Government like this card use has skyrocketed and now comprises one targeting an outmoded milch cow? I am 30 per cent of his business. Another operator sure that the Treasurer thought long and hard who runs a smaller grocery supermarket said over many weeks while he was raiding the that the upsurge in debit card use has lead to ATM on many occasions to buy himself many that percentage of business in his store rising hot cups of very black coffee while he sought from 2 per cent to 25 per cent. an answer. But there it was, as plain as the Against this background, the Treasurer plastic card in his hand—the perfect way in tried manfully to mislead the people of which to hit thousands of Queenslanders with Queensland, the media and the coalition a 10c increase on every transaction. So through his vague Budget papers and whether it is Westpac's Advantage Saver, the conflicting comments. First of all, the Treasurer Commonwealth's Streamline account, ANZ's claimed that the debits tax increase merely Access account or the National's Flexi replaced stamp duty on cheques, but there account, Queenslanders will now pay more was never any stamp duty on EFTPOS every time they use their cards. transactions, payment orders or bank charges. Mr Nuttall: That is not right. His comments on ABC radio only further Mrs SHELDON: Indeed, it is right. That confused the issue. has come from every bank in the State. How The Treasurer’s said— the hell would the member for Sandgate "There are some transactions that know? Every bank in this State has confirmed come in that weren't previously taxed this and verified exactly what I have said. All the 10 cents. It is true there are some Government is doing is broadening the impact transactions which will pay the 10 cents of what was cheque stamp duty to every which didn't previously pay it. There's no single transaction from just about any new tax on transactions. It is revenue account. In the past, there was no cheque neutral." stamp duty on EFTPOS, no cheque stamp duty on cash debits, no cheque stamp duty In the course of five minutes, the Treasurer on bank charges and no cheque stamp duty contradicted himself about five times. He tried on payment orders. Yet these have all gone to obfuscate and fudge this tax increase, up 10c a transaction under this hike. The which means an extra 10c cost to millions of Government was hoping that no-one would EFTPOS, cheque, cash and other notice. The shameful result of this tax by transactions. stealth is an extra financial burden for almost This Government never hesitates to bag every Queenslander. the banks for their charges, but now they are If people use a plastic card attached to slapping a new increase in the debits tax on one of these common accounts to pay for these charges, which the banks will be forced groceries, petrol, school books or uniforms, or to collect. This increase would never have if they simply withdraw money from an come to light if I had not written to ask for EFTPOS facility, they will pay an extra 10c a clarification of the increase in the debits tax. transaction. In fact, every time the bank No doubt the Treasurer was hoping that the imposes its bank charges on the account, the public would blame the banks for the higher transaction will be recognised by this greedy charges that he has imposed. Government and a tax of 10c will be imposed Mr De Lacy: Hey, hey! It was in the each time. This is another blatant tax grab Budget papers. and it is definitely not revenue neutral, as the Mrs SHELDON: Read your own Budget Treasurer has tried on many occasions to papers and see where all this is spelt out. claim. Mr De Lacy: I can tell you. Finally, the Treasurer admitted on radio that this measure—this supposedly revenue Mrs SHELDON: Show me the page. neutral tax—would raise an extra $2m, but if Mr De Lacy: Page 24 of Budget Paper one asks any supermarket operator, one will No. 2. be told that that figure will undoubtedly blow 7 October 1993 4920 Legislative Assembly

Mrs SHELDON: I have read page 24 very I could not agree more, and I am sure that well. Those little details just escaped him. most Queenslanders could not agree more. The Treasurer tried to hide this increase, Another important change in cheque but he was caught out. Even the Courier-Mail duties is the removal of the exemptions of the took note of the Treasurer’s grudging non-trading bank cheque transactions. Prior to admission. Yesterday’s editorial in the Courier- the commencement of the deregulation of the Mail’ stated— Australian financial markets in accordance with “Stamp Duty—not a tax in this the recommendations of the Campbell Government’s lexicon, by the way—has Committee report and the Martin Group, been removed from cheques. In its place Australia had two primary categories of is a transaction tax, announced in the banks—trading banks and savings banks. State Budget, so Treasurer Keith De Lacy Federal Government control of the operation would like to be understood, by an of those institutions was so tight that it could enactment of the Fraser Government. control virtually all operations of the respective Don’t blame us, the line goes, blame the banks. federal Liberals from an era now long Importantly, that control extended to gone. The effect of the Treasurer’s which types of accounts could be operated by readiness to benefit his revenue from this which type of bank. Trading banks could eventuality, however, is that operate trading accounts, which were Queenslanders will soon be paying a designed to facilitate trading activity, that is, to varying scale of charges for using plastic encourage business activity. Those accounts money. Since virtually everyone uses were mostly cheque accounts. Savings banks credit cards on accounts upon which could offer only savings accounts. Savings cheques can be drawn—the accounts were designed to encourage people Government’s rationale for the charges— to put money in the bank and leave it there. virtually everyone will be paying the State They were not permitted to offer a cheque Government for discretionary spending. facility on those accounts. When the This is a state consumption tax by any legislation was first applied in respect to other name.” cheque duty, it was applied only to trading Is it not a consumption tax; it is a services tax, bank cheque accounts, as they were the only is it not? cheque accounts at that stage. The Treasurer is trying to get it in under Since deregulation commenced in 1982- anything else. So from the Government and 83, the distinction between trading banks and from the Treasurer, who really bagged the savings banks has been largely removed, as coalition’s goods and services tax, we have a has the Federal Government’s control of the surreptitious services tax, but there is no banks’ activities. That means that there are no corresponding benefit to taxpayers of longer the restrictions on the accounts that Queensland. The editorial continued— can be offered by banks, and hence savings accounts, etc., can now be transacted by “Mr De Lacy takes pains to assert cheque. Those cheque transactions were that it is not a new tax. The paying public exempt from the duty, but, under this devious, might well take the opposite view.” tax-seeking Labor Government, they now I will bet the Treasurer that the paying public most certainly will attract the debit tax. The does take the opposite view, whatever Government says— justification the Treasurer might want to put on “The repeal of cheque duty would it. rationalise two taxes in the one area Mr De Lacy interjected. through the retention of the more Mr T. B. Sullivan: That’s an interjection significant and more modern tax.” worth taking. Take that interjection. What a simple, patronising excuse for a Mrs SHELDON: Oh, my God, it is not you further broadening of the revenue base! again, is it? I thought that they had canned However, in common with the the honourable member somewhere and put newspapers and the public, the banking and him away in a dark room. I draw to the the non-banking financial institutions have not attention of the House another editorial in the been conned by the Treasurer’s fudging. They Courier-Mail, on Tuesday of this week, in know that it is a major new cost for thousands which it was stated— of Queenslanders who have accounts with a “If it moves tax it, is no longer cheque facility either with a bank, building sensible politics.” society or credit union. The fact is that, every time people with an account that allows the Legislative Assembly 4921 7 October 1993 use of cheques, whether they utilise them or pay more and more when they buy their not, use their plastic card, they will pay this tax homes in the future. increase. If a new home buyer’s first principal place The list of speakers lining up against the of residence is valued at more than $160,000, Treasurer is really quite impressive. For that home buyer will no longer qualify for the example, Phillip Elliott, the Chief Executive of first home buyers concession on stamp duty. the Credit Union Association, said on ABC That is what the State Government has radio— Queenslanders believe is the mansion tax. It “This will broaden the base of the is blatantly misleading and a slur on average bank accounts debit tax. For hundreds of Queensland home buyers. A $160,000 home thousands of Queenslanders it would may be higher than the cost of an average represent a massive additional taxing by home now, but it is still far below the amount the Queensland Government in relation needed to buy any sort of mansion. It is more to their transactions with financial a shack tax than a mansion tax. What about institutions.” the future? That cut to concessions is not indexed and, in only a few short years, David Thorpe, Chief Executive Officer of $160,000 will be the cost of a very basic, the Queensland Association of Permanent below-average price home. The Government Building Societies, stated— is not only ripping off current Queensland “Building societies have not had to home buyers with that cut to concessions; it is pay stamp duty on cheques. The ripping off a generation of Queensland home increase of this state tax will have to buyers to come. either be borne by the building societies The principal place of residence or passed on to the customer. Financial concession has been scrapped for homes institutions must have accounts with worth over $250,000—another cash grab by banks, all funds go through banks, so it the State Government. In fact, the entire would in fact represent a double taxing. It structure of the State Government stamp duty would represent a proportional increase should be reviewed in the light of the of great magnitude . . . And cause a exploding cost of homes in many areas of great deal of anxiety for those on lower Queensland. Stamp duty thresholds should incomes and fixed incomes.” be raised instead of concessions being cut. Similarly, Paul O’Shea, of Financial Between 1988 and 1993, many house prices Counselling Services, told ABC radio— have doubled. The State Government has “Even though the bank accounts dragged in $140m more in stamp duty in debit tax has been imposed before on 1992-93 compared with 1991-92. That is cheques, it would not be imposed on $86m more than Budget expectations. That cash withdrawals. He (Mr de Lacy) has represents a 141 per cent increase in the not explained how it works on automatic stamp duty bill on the average house in the payments and authorised payments. past five years. Many of these combined accounts In 1988, for example, the average have operated with a cheque account Gladstone house would have cost $50,000, facility. So what’s going to happen is a and the owner would have paid the State large number of payments, authorised Government $975 in stamp duty. However, in withdrawals . . . which were hitherto not 1993, that same house would cost $99,000, affected, are now going to be affected.” and the new owner would be hit with a $2,350 stamp duty bill. That is a $1,375 increase in The Treasurer used to be known for his ability the stamp duty bill levied by the State to cloud and obscure an issue, and that is Government on that same house in just five what he attempted but failed to do on this years. So, as house prices rise with inflation issue. and property booms, so does the I now turn to some of the other provisions Government’s tax take. That is the true story of the Bill, firstly, stamp duty. At a time when of the Treasurer’s bracket creep tax plan, the only real economic growth in Queensland which is costing Queenslanders millions more, is coming from the housing sector and while he pretends to be in favour of low taxes. population growth, the Government has taken Those are the hidden taxes to the average the shortsighted step of whacking new tax Queenslander. Those are the taxes, like the increases on the home buyer. The changes to debit tax increase, which the average stamp duty on homes introduced in this Queenslander does not know that he or she is omnibus legislation mean that a growing paying. number of Queenslanders will be forced to 7 October 1993 4922 Legislative Assembly

That is the Treasurer’s true deceit. That is Mr De Lacy: You are talking about a five- the Treasurer’s real plan. “No new taxes”, he year average. cries, while, all the time, hitting Queensland Mrs SHELDON: I am talking about the individuals and businesses with more and history of land tax. The averaging process was more taxes, taking more and more from their phased out as annual valuations were fast-diminishing pay packets—that is, if they progressively introduced from 1985 and, by are lucky enough to have one. If the State 1989, all of Queensland was covered by Government were being honest about low tax, annual valuations. The conservative it would increase the thresholds for stamp duty Government, in a reasonable response to the to take into account at least a percentage of possibility of large one-off increases in the rise in house values. That is more than property values, included a provision where just an attack on the individual Queensland the maximum increase in the land tax payable home buyer and house buyer; it is an attack was 50 per cent of the previous valuation, until on one of the only areas of the Queensland the land tax component reached the value of economy which are growing. the property as determined by the Valuer The population-driven housing market General. This meant that landowners were not has largely weathered Labor’s recession and, sacrificed to the taxman just because their instead of encouragement, all the Treasurer property went through a major upward can do is slap more taxes and charges on the fluctuation in value. industry. The Treasurer always resorts to Although most property valuations now bleeding an industry dry of taxes rather than coincide with the Valuer General’s valuations, offering incentives and assistance. Those there are significant parcels of land which changes to stamp duty are just another of the would still benefit from the 50 per cent Treasurer’s desperate attempts to suck in limitation. Significantly, these would be found more funds for his blow-out spending on in centres such as Cairns, the Treasurer’s own bureaucracy. electorate. Unfortunately, the Treasurer has I know that the Treasurer always tries to once again seen some gold at the bottom of portray me and the coalition as negative. No the garden, and immediately rushed in to get doubt, he is negative. In this case, I would like his hands on it, regardless of the cost to to offer small congratulations on his efforts in Queenslanders. The removal of the 50 per at least getting one thing right. On land tax, cent provision under this Act, via the repeal of he has simplified the qualification the Land Tax Adjustment Act 1989, will mean requirements for land tax concessions. That significant financial hardship for many was not a bad move, as they are now based Queenslanders, both now and in the future. on a land usage criteria. The removal of the The Treasurer has said that landowners difficult and cumbersome provisions under adversely affected by the repeal this financial 11A and 11AA in the previous Act is a year will be offered interest-free payments by welcome move, and those who previously instalments, but I must emphasise the catch: benefited under those concessions would only on their request. I doubt many land- almost certainly benefit through the new holders will hear us discussing the need for rebates. such an application to be made at 11.30 at However, unfortunately, that is just about night in this Chamber. where the good news on land tax ends. Mr Beattie: No, 11.33. Previously, land tax was applied to the value of a property as calculated over a five-year Mrs SHELDON: I thank the member for average. This was originally introduced in Brisbane Central. If the Treasurer was fair response to the rapid valuation increases dinkum and was really concerned about the which were experienced in the 1980s as a ramifications of these changes, he would be result of the fluctuating property prices during taking steps to properly inform land-holders of the various booms. This averaging process this right, fleeting though it might be. eliminated the boom-and-bust cycle for land These changes will impact on many tax, which would have unfairly burdened land- landowners. For example, if a person’s land is holders with huge tax increases one year, only rezoned from Rural to Residential A, the value to see their property values slump the next. will immediately rise—in most cases, Mr De Lacy: That is not right. significantly. This increase will now mean, with the repealing of the Land Tax Adjustment Act Mrs SHELDON: Of course it is right. Has 1989, that Queensland landowners whose the Treasurer really listened to what I have properties are rezoned could face massive said? land tax hikes. Legislative Assembly 4923 7 October 1993

What about those who have absolutely Headlines on the Gold Coast are no control over their property values? What screaming about a chronic shortage of tourist about those who own property at the accommodation. The State Government has Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, Cairns or made hotel construction uneconomic. This Logan City? These areas are growing information is taken from a very independent extremely swiftly, and rapid residential study; they are not my words. The Horwarth development is occurring. They are the areas, and Horwarth study showed that a new 300- along with others, which are often caught in bed Gold Coast hotel would have to pay the boom-and-bust cycle of the property almost $18m in taxes over 10 years before it market. Usually they have no control over could return its first profit. Of that these property fluctuations. Yet now, with this unacceptable tax load, 42.9 per cent would go Treasurer holding out his hands for more and straight into the burgeoning tax collection more tax dollars, they will be hit with massive coffers of the State Government. land tax bill increases every time there is a The study shows hotels have great boom cycle. Many will not be able to afford capacity to create jobs, but they are being the bills, having lived in the same house for driven out of business by Labor. We cannot years without taking part in any property afford to so badly mistreat an industry that speculation or search for profits. Yet they will spends 38 per cent of its revenue on staff and still be hit. related costs. The hotel industry will not find For example, in tourist areas such as the value in the Treasurer’s move to protect the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and Cairns, a tax base by broadening payroll tax. They will person can own a property at a certain value, find nothing but disincentive in such a only to have someone buy all the land around proposal. them and develop a top-class resort. This In the Gold Coast Bulletin, a director of would significantly increase the value of that construction consultants Rider Hunt, Alan person’s property without providing any real Midwood, warned that room occupancy rates benefit to them. So, the land tax on that on the Gold Coast had climbed by 6 per cent property will go through the roof, without any in the past year to 69.4 per cent. Mr Midwood immediate financial gain to the owners, unless said that, although new hotels were needed they sell up. This is a callous change to the urgently, there were none on the drawing Land Act, and it will hurt many Queensland board. I need not reiterate that my proposal to property owners unnecessarily. wipe out payroll tax within three years would Mr De Lacy: That’s rubbish—utter be just the sort of stimulus needed by the rubbish. hospitality industry in this State. Mrs SHELDON: The Treasurer might A vital point in my arguments about the explain in his reply why it is utter rubbish. regressive nature of the employment and Mr De Lacy: I will. investment policies and taxes of this Government was highlighted by the release Mrs SHELDON: It will be interesting to this week of the ANZ job ad statistics for hear his explanation. September. I have made significant proposals At the beginning of my speech, I referred about vital changes in the tax structure of this to the most serious problem facing State and I feel that my points and proposals Queensland today—unemployment. Labor are heavily underlined by the ANZ findings. Government greed for tax revenue is creating Members should note that, unlike other increasing problems for a wide range of vital measures, the ANZ series is not so readily Queensland industries, problems that will only affected by the Treasurer’s favourite defence be exacerbated by measures such as the on unemployment, that being the hordes of BAD tax and the Government’s irresponsible Mexicans he sees coming across the State treatment of payroll tax. For example, high boundary to throw themselves onto our job taxes in this State have been revealed as a queues. It should be remembered that this prime cause of falling private investment in series is based on the number of job Queensland tourism. As you would be aware, advertisements—which is a measure of the Mr Deputy Speaker, an authoritative study by capacity of employers to offer work—rather chartered accountants Horwarth and Horwarth than the ferocity with which others seek it. For has laid bare the smothering extent of the that reason, I consider its findings an eloquent Labor tax burden on tourism and hospitality. expression of the state of play in the In this State, Labor taxes are the difference Queensland economy. between viability and insolvency. The ANZ series found that— 7 October 1993 4924 Legislative Assembly

The national average increase in job and re-work this regressive revenue package advertisements, seasonally adjusted, was to get his foot off the neck of Queensland 4 per cent in September. industry. This year, the Treasurer is relying on The number of Queensland growth in Queensland of 3.8 per cent and a advertisements fell by 0.5 per cent. This fall in unemployment to 10.1 per cent. is the worst performance of all States. The Treasurer himself forecast the drop in Queensland was the only State to record growth from 5.4 per cent last year, but I am negative growth. now concerned that he did not anticipate Western Australia increased 9.6 per cent. entering October with 172 200 people in the Victoria increased 9 per cent. Queensland job queues. The need for employment prospects to improve is an The annual percentage change for important part in the Treasurer's Budget Queensland was 5.6 per cent. This also forecast, but already we are a third of the way was the worst performance of any State. through the year and the stubborn trend Victoria increased by 31.3 per cent. toward increasing unemployment remains. Western Australia increased by 41.2 per cent. In recent weeks, the Queensland job market has featured all over the media, and Even on trend estimates, Queensland the news has not been good. We have seen lags behind the rest of the country with reported the loss of 400 jobs at the House of just a 0.5 per cent increase in the series. Jenyns, 104 jobs lost at MIM and another 64 Mr De Lacy: Have you found something at Queensland Nickel's mine. This is a trend negative about Queensland? You’ve been that should be addressed and accounted for searching. by the State Government, not merely wished Mrs SHELDON: The unfortunate statistics away. If the Treasurer does not want to that I am citing are real figures which the reconsider his forecasts, I am afraid he will Treasurer would rather not know about. have to sit by as his Budget forecasts slowly die the death of a dozen monthly cuts. Mr De Lacy: Where do they get them from? Is it not a shame to see the way that the Government continues on its determined Mrs SHELDON: Is the Treasurer now campaign against the interests of private saying that the ANZ job statistics are wrong? It enterprise in this State when it claims to is incredible—everyone is wrong but the acknowledge the importance of the private Treasurer. All the independent bureaus, banks sector as, and I quote the Treasurer, “the and bodies are wrong, but the Treasurer—the engine of sustainable growth”. What genius of this State—is always right. hypocrisy! Members would also be aware that today The latest new tax slug to be unearthed, the Bureau of Statistics official unemployment hidden away in this Budget, is the insidious statistics for Queensland were released. They item I referred to in my opening remarks when demonstrated the paucity of Labor thought on I sought the most obvious local equivalent to the State’s serious unemployment problem. A the Federal Labor Party's wine tax. Heavy new month ago, the Treasurer told ABC radio’s coal royalties in Queensland are yet another Late Edition program that he “would re-work Labor threat to jobs and private investment in the Budget figures in the wake of the abysmal many of our largest resource ventures. But I employment figures for August”. In the same am told tonight that this particular grab for breath, he tried to play down those vital dollars is hidden away from this revenue Bill figures by declaring them a blip—an anomaly under some other obscure piece of legislation. in the system. Later, I am sorry to say, the The revenue grab of the coal tax represents Treasurer withdrew the clear commitment he another failed cover-up by the No. 1 northern had given. Keating groupie, the Treasurer. It is not It is now clear that the August figure of acceptable for him to try to duck discussion of 11.2 per cent, which showed that Australia’s the coal tax by tucking it away, because it is largest increase in unemployment occurred in clear that this tax has many serious this State, was not a blip, nor an anomaly. ramifications for the future flow of revenue to The Treasurer has been caught out again. this Government and the future prospects for Today, I called on the Treasurer to live up to private investment and jobs growth in our his earlier promise and re-work the State. Government’s rosy Budget estimates of In closing, I call on the Treasurer to make activity to be created by an anticipated fall in clear the timetable on which this matter will unemployment this year. He should go further pass before the House so that members are Legislative Assembly 4925 7 October 1993 free to have their say on it. Tonight this The effect of the Treasurer's decision to Queensland version of a Keating omnibus Bill create a monster Bill for our consideration is to carries with it all the serious ramifications of deny adequate debate and the opportunity for Government changes to its central revenue the Opposition to endorse various measures raising taxes and charges. Like the chaos among the many that are presented. In Keating's omnibus created in Canberra, keeping with the philosophies of open tonight's debate is far from satisfactory. The government, such a Bill should not appear. It major revenue raising initiatives of the is disappointing to see the dead hand of Paul Queensland Government are being rammed Keating on the shoulder of Queensland through the Parliament in the dead of night businesses and job seekers, and now the again. When I conclude, I suppose that the hand of the Treasurer in their hip pockets. House will adjourn and we will not finish the Unfortunately, this omnibus Bill has been Bill. I give my speech and we all go to presented by the Treasurer to this House. We bed—such is democracy! It is a result of the need the opportunity to discuss each of these Leader of the House’s interpretation of the major revenue Bills separately and in detail, so word “democracy”. He does not even know the Opposition has absolutely no alternative how to spell it, let alone what it means. other than to vote against this Bill. Debate, on motion of Mr Fenlon, adjourned. The House adjourned at 11.46 p.m.