Queensland

Parliamentary Debates [Hansard]

Legislative Assembly

TUESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 1987

Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy

Papers 27 October 1987 3421 TUESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 1987

Mr SPEAKER (Hon. K. R. Lingard, Fassifem) read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m.

REPORT OF PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY COMMITTEE Mr SPEAKER: I have to report that I have received the report of the Parliamentary Library Committee for the year ended 30 June 1987. Ordered to be printed.

PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— Firearm Licences From Mr Henderson (21 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland wiU take action to ensure that strict mles apply to apphcations for firearm hcences. Cenfral Place Development From Mr Beanland (20 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will ensure that the Brisbane City Council's town-planning processes wiU prevaU especiaUy in relation to the proposed 107-storey (Central Place development. Confrols on Use of Ffrearms From Mr Beanland (191 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will take action to ensure the implementation of stricter controls on the use of firearms. Disposal of Sewage Effluent off Sunshine Coast Beaches From Mr Ahern (6 000 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will ensure that there will be no disposal of sewage effluent off the Sunshine Coast beaches. Petitions received.

PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed— Reports— Queensland Science and Technology Council for the year ended 30 June 1987 Department of Works for the year ended 30 June 1987 Queensland Housing Commission for the year ended 30 June 1987 Builders' Registration Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1987 Bundaberg Harbour Board for the year ended 30 June 1987 Films Board of Review for the year ended 30 June 1987 Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation for the year ended 30 June 1987 Raine Island Corporation for the year ended 30 June 1987. The foUowing papers were laid on the table— Orders in Council under— Logan Motorway Agreement Act 1987 Health Act 1937-1987 3422 27 October 1987 Ministerial Statement

Urban Public Passenger Transport Act 1984 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982-1984 Harbours Act 1955-1982 (Canals Act 1958-1987 Regulations under— Health Act 1937-1987 Traffic Act 1949-1985 State Transport Act 1960-1985 Motor Vehicle Driving Instmction School Act 1969-1985 Motor Vehicles Control Act 1975-1985 Tow-Tmck Act 1973-1985 Motor Vehicles Safety Act 1980-1985 (Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Act 1984 Irrigation Act 1922-1986 By-laws under the Harbours Act 1955-1982 Report of the North Brisbane Hospitals Board for the year ended 30 June 1987 (A) Proposal by the Govemor in CouncU to revoke the setting apart and declaration as State Forest under the Forestry Act 1959-1984 of:— (a) All that part of State Forest 60, parish of Rundle described as Area "A" as shown on plan FTY 1140 prepared by the Department of Mapping and Surveying and deposited in the Office of the (Conservator of Forests and containing an area of about 2 980 hectares,—and (b) All that part of State Forest 154, parishes of Brigalow, BuUi, Vignoles, Waggaba, Westem Creek, WUkie and Yandilla described as Area "A" as shown on plan FTY 1492 prepared by the Department of Mapping and Surveying and deposited in the Office of the Conservator of Forests and containing an area of about 331 hectares,—and (c) All that part of State Forest 34, parishes of Qemant and St Giles contained within stations 2-3-4-5 on Plan WG317 deposited in the Office of the Department of Mapping and Surveying and containing an area of 1.566 hectares,—and (d) All those parts of State Forest 29, parishes of Barranga, Blackboy, Davy, Dromedary, Fairfield, GoomaUy, Waratah and Wooroona described as Areas "A", "B" and "C" as shown on Plan FTY 1490 prepared by the Department of Mapping and Surveying and deposited in the Office of the Conservator of Forests and containing in total an area of about 11 150 hectares. (B) A brief explanation of the Proposals.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Rail Tank Car Explosion, Cairns Hon. B. D. AUSTIN (Nicklin—Minister for Mines and Energy and Minister for the Arts) (10.08 a.m.), by leave: Honourable members wiU recaU that a massive explosion occurted at (Caims on Monday, 17 August 1987, involving a rail tank car of liquid petroleum gas at the depot of Gas Corporation of Queensland Limited. Extensive dams^e occurted to company property and to adjoining residential and industrial properties. Twenty-eight people were injured, of whom 26 sustained bums caused by the boUing liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE) when the rail tanker burst. One victim, a Ministerial Statement 27 October 1987 3423 71 year-old man, died three days later from the effects of bums to more than 80 per cent of his body. The accident has been thoroughly investigated by the Chief Gas Examiner of my Department of Mines under the provisions of the Gas Act 1965-1985, and a detaUed report has been submitted to me. I understand that a coronial inquiry will be held in Caims to establish the cause of death of the victim of the accident. It is almost certain that the Chief Gas Examiner will be called to give evidence before the inquiry and to produce a copy of his report. I have therefore decided that it would be improper for me to release the report prior to the coroner's inquest. However, I am able to inform the House of the essential findings of the investigation and to assure honourable members that steps have been taken, and every necessary step will be taken, to ensure that such a disaster could not happen again. The rail tank car owned by Boral Gas (Qld) Pty Ltd contained about 22 tonnes of commercial-grade liquid petroleum gas when it was delivered to the rail siding in the company's depot at Bunda Street, (Caims, in the aftemoon of Monday, 17 August. During normal preparations for unloading, a substantial leak occurted, probably from a burst hose on the top of the tanker. The resultant gas cloud was ignited by the pilot light of a gas hot-water system in one of the adjoining houses, and the tank car was engulfed in flames. The pressure inside the tank car increased to the point where the pressure rehef valve operated and the vertical jet also ignited. Nine minutes after the initial ignition, while firemen were attempting to moderate the heat from the buming gas, the tank car mptured at one end, releasing its contents and causing a boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion. The remaining section of the tank car was propelled like a rocket across Bunda Street, coming to rest some 109 metres away. Other pieces of the tank car and fittings were thrown in aU directions up to 300 metres away. Miraculously, no person was injured by the flying debris, but extensive damage was done to adjoining properties, including the Caims brewery, a hotel and two houses. While the investigation has established the most probable source of the initial leak of gas, the exact cause is unknown. However, several contributing factors were also identified and some action has already been taken to eliminate them as potential sources in the future. It was clearly established that valves inside the tank car designed to shut off automatically in the event of a msh of liquid—excess flow valves—failed to operate. Immediate action was taken by Boral Gas (Qld) Pty Ltd to inspect other rail tank cars as they arrived at the company's terminal at Pinkenba and to replace any suspect valves. The fire protection system on the site, although complying with statutory requfrements, was clearly deficient in the circumstances. All bulk LPG loading and unloading sites will be required to include a deluge fire protection system. Of prime concem to my Department of Mines is the question of the adequacy or otherwise of the statutory requirement covering such installations, in this case principally standards or codes published by the Standards Association of Australia. Subject to any relevant findingso f the coroner's inquest, it is proposed to review the relevant codes or standards through the appropriate committee, on which my Department of Mines is represented. As could be expected, the (Caims gas explosion has aroused considerable concem among statutory authorities and others interested in safety. It is my intention, therefore, to make the findings of our investigations known as soon as possible and as widely as possible. Finally, I must pay tribute to the efforts of the emergency services and others whose selfless regard for the safety of others above their own undoubtedly contributed to the relatively low incidence of injury. 3424 27 October 1987 Ministerial Statement MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Transfer of Basic Nurse Education to Colleges of Advanced Education Hon. L. W. POWELL (Isis—Minister for Education) (10.12 a.m.), by leave: The issue of the transfer of basic nurse education to colleges of advanced education has been the subject of considerable debate for the past few years, and more particularly in recent weeks. The debate is not, from the Queensland Govemment's point of view, about whether or not it should be transferted from hospitals to colleges. It is State Govemment policy that the training should be transferted to colleges. Contrary to what the honourable member for Murmmba alleged in this Parhament recently, I am not opposed to the transfer of nurse education to coUeges of advanced education. In fact, with my backing, the colleges are prepared to undertake basic nurse education at any time when funding is properly provided. In general terms, the State Govemment is opposed to being required by the Commonwealth to carry the major share of fiinding unless, as has been argued by the Commonwealth, there is some saving in the health budget to meet the cost. This has not been shown to be the case. Contrary to the statement in the Courier-Mail editorial last week, it is not I who has rejected the Commonwealth's argument that the transfer would bring savings to the State's health budget. That is hardly in my brief as Education Minister. Successive Ministers for Health or Treasury officials have not been able to identify the supposed savings. Other States, I am advised, have funded the transfer through their health budjgets; but New South Wales, for example, received a Medicare rebate of $ 1,039m—five times more than (Queensland's, but with only twice the population. A Government member: That can't be right. Mr POWELL: That was stated in the Federal Budget papers. It is no wonder that that State has seen fit to completely fund the transfer itself from its health budget because, I am led to believe, it could not wear the Commonwealth deal. It must be said that the Commonwealth Govemment put up its proposed so-called agreement for the transfer of basic nurse education in 1984 without consultation with State Ministers for Education. Despite repeated submissions from aU States, the Commonwealth has refused to reconsider the basic elements or level of its offer. Other States have accepted it reluctantly, with strong and valid reservations, which they have indicated to me and which they still hold. The member for Murmmba might like to know that one State Labor Minister said at an Australian Education Council meeting, "We have been sold a pup." All State Ministers agreed. I am opposed, in particular, to funds for college-based basic nurse education coming from the State education budget—a proposition I find, as Education Minister, to be against the principle and spirit of the 1973 agreement under which the Federal Govem­ ment took from the States complete responsibility for the funding of hi^er education. Only on 22 September, the Federal Minister for Employment, Education and Training, Mr Dawkins, spoke of what the Federal Govemment had supposedly achieved since it "assumed full financial responsibihty for higher education in Austraha". Of course, nursing training was not then a higher-education responsibility; but, now that it is proposed that it should be, the Federal Govemment has forced a dangerous precedent upon other States, but not upon this one, under which it pays only a minor share of the cost of college-based basic nurse education. For aU other professions the Common­ wealth to date has accepted its responsibility and pays the full cost. From this point of view, one would expect officials of the Queensland Nurses Union such as Mr Drabble and Mr Jones to put aside their Labor sympathies—whatever faction, or fraction, they belong to—and put the case to Canberra that its members should not be treated as second-class professionals when it comes to higher-education funding, instead of simply attacking the State Govemment. Federal Health Minister Blewett and the member for Murmmba aUege that this State Govemment has wasted the smaU contribution offered by the Commonwealth and that it has gone to other States. Federal Budget papers do not back up those charges. The 1985-86 Commonwealth Budget papers show that $105,000 was available to Queensland for this purpose, with the qualification— "... as artangements have yet to be finalised and agreements entered into no commitment to the provision of the amount indicated is implied." Ministerial Statement 27 October 1987 3425

The following year's Budget papers reveal that no such expenditure was incurred. For 1986-87, $620,000 was provided for Queensland, again with a quahfication— "As allocation to the States is not yet determined, no commitment to the provision of the amount indicated is imphed." The total provision for aU States was $7.4m, but actual expenditure is revealed at only $7,242m, with Queensland and New South Wales not receiving any funds. The latest Federal Budget papers show $ 1.269m notionally allocated to Queensland, to provide a Commonwealth contribution towards about 1 500 places. Mr Scott: Shouldn't this be tabled? It's awfiil stuff. Mr POWELL: It is clear that Opposition members do not want to know the facts. The cost of the difference would be more than $4m in recurtent funding, which the Commonwealth expects the State to provide, along with $7,000 a student place in capital funding—aU totalling $14.5m for 1987-88. Certainly the current State education budget cannot provide that sort of fiinding even if we did wish to go outside the principle of the 1973 agreement on funding for higher education. Cabinet considered that matter last week and I submitted that, if funding could be justified and provided through the health budget, I was eager to see early inplementation of basic nurse education in Queensland coUeges of advanced education. (Cabinet decided that, since such funding was not possible, we reaffirm our earlier decision to effect the transfer of nurse education from hospitals to colleges of advanced education at such time as the Commonwealth provides fUU funding, as it does for the preparation of every other professional group. Nurses deserve better than to be treated as second-class citizens by the Federal Labor Govemment!

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Consumer Complaints about Robert Boyde Mcintosh Hon. V. P. LESTER (Peak Downs—Minister for Employment, SmaU Business and Industrial Affairs) (10.18 a.m.), by leave: Unfortunately, I have reason to name a highly unethical and unreliable trader operating in Brisbane. He is Mr Robert Boyde Mcintosh trading as New Style Marketing and Mcintosh Roofing Service of 19 AUambie Street, The Gap. Mr Mcintosh advertises his business as a roofing and cladding operation. The Consumer Affairs Bureau informs me that it has been processing consumer complaints about Mr Mcintosh for 18 years, and the complaints stUl keep arriving. The complaints deal with the failure to do the work agreed to and failure to retum deposits after consumers have cancelled their contracts owing to the lack of work. I would urge consumers not to deal with this trader. Mr Mcintosh has a previous bad record of complaints dating to when he was the principal of Roof-Aid and Roof Guard Roofing Services (Qld). Consumers may weU have bitter memories of these two companies from the 1970s. The bureau has found Mr Mcintosh to be entirely unco-operative when dealing with consumer complaints. This is despite four convictions under the Consumer Affairs Act for failing to supply information. He also consistently endeavours to circumvent the Door to Door (Sales) Act in his dealings with consumers. I have no hesitation in advising consumers—and I ask it to be done publicly—to steer well clear of Mr Mcintosh.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Fire Aboard Reef Link II Hon. M. J. TENNI (Barton River—Minister for Water Resources and Maritime Services) (10.21 a.m.): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement. Mr Goss: How long is that? 3426 27 October 1987 Ministerial Statement Mr TENNI: It is one that the Opposition member should listen to very carefully. I hope that all honourable members will, because it is a very important matter. Leave granted. Mr TENNI: I wish to advise the House of the results of the investigation by the Marine Board of Queensland into the fire aboard the fast tourist passenger catamaran vessel, Reef Link II, which occurted off Townsville on Sunday, 5 July. As honourable members are aware, all 55 passengers and eight crew members were safely rescued after fire severely damaged the $2.7m vessel approximately 2.4 kilometres off the Townsville Harbour. Following the fire, the Marine Board undertook a searching inquiry which established that the fire was caused by distillate fuel in the bilge of the starboard engine room coming into contact with that engine's flywheel.I t appears that most of this fuel, probably in excess of 800 litres, entered the bilge while repairs were being undertaken in the starboard engine room on the previous night. Some of the fuel ignited after being sprayed onto the turbo-chargers and exhaust system. The resulting fire also led to the melting and/or ignition of overhead electrical cables in the starboard engine room. The Marine Board found evidence that repeated short circuits travelled back along the electrical cable wire into the passenger decks of the vessel, progressively destroying the PVC insulation and setting fire to adjacent combustible material. The board found that the master and crew fully accepted their primary responsibility for the safety of the passengers and deployed all necessary safety gear, raised all necessary alarms and saw to it that all passengers were safely rescued without loss of life or injury. However, the board is very seriously concemed that the following facts became evident during its investigation— (1) The vessel was allowed to put to sea with a significant quantity of free fuel in the bilge and with one of its two main fire and bilge pumps inoperable. (2) There is evidence to show that the crew members had had no training whatsoever in the operation of any of the fire-fighting appliances or other safety equipment on Reef Link II. Mr De Lacy: This is a cover-up by your department. Mr TENNI: There is no cover-up. This is a Marine Board inquiry. Suggestions made by Opposition members of a cover-up are a terrible indictment on the Marine Board, which is a very good organisation. The Marine Board also found— (3) None of the crew members were trained in the use of life-rafts. (4) Crew member Matthew Fallon, although instmcted in all facets of engine and auxiliary operation and the use of appropriate check-lists, did not understand his responsibilities as the "efficient crew member". He discovered the phrase, and its application to him, two days after the fire. (5) The crew of Reef Link II had at no time since the vessel's delivery conducted any fire or emergency drills. The crew last practised emergency driUs three months before the fire on Reef Link I, which is a different size of vessel with different controls and equipment. There is no cover-up here, Mr Speaker. I am telling the tmth of what the inquiry found. The Marine Board's final finding of fact was— (6) Although no time-scales are available, it appears the master allowed a con­ siderable time to elapse before ordering fire hoses mn out. Furthermore, he did not request the efficient crew member to activate the fire pump on his behalf He stated he attempted to open the fire pump sea suction valve on the starboard side, when the port side valve would have been more appropriate. Ministerial Statement 27 October 1987 3427 Finally, he shut down the port engine when it alone was requfred to operate the only available fire pump. Mr Speaker, it should be noted that the NQEA delivery crew offered to spend time training the master and crew when the vessel arrived in Townsville on completion of its delivery voyage from Caims, but its offer was declined. The board understands the vessel put to sea on its first passenger-carrying, com­ mercially scheduled passage the day foUowing its delivery to owners in TownsviUe. The Marine Board is of the opinion that the master, Henry Hubert Webster, displayed faUure of duty and/or want of skiU, and beheves his actions constitute nusconduct under the meaning of the Act. This failure of duty and/or want of skiU appears to make up the causes of the fire and subsequent extensive damage to the vessel, resulting in grave risk to the life of passengers and crew. The management practices of the owner, Mr Doug Tarca—in particular, the failure to ensure crew-training in the operation of life-saving and fire apphances and the conduct of regular emergency driUs—appear to have been less than adequate. The Marine Board also found that the shore-based engineer displayed faUure of duty in not ensuring that the condition of the vessel and its equipment were in a fit state to proceed to sea. Even engineers on shore are not capable of doing the job at times. Contrary to the completely misleading statements made by the member for TownsviUe East in this House recently, the board found that there is no evidence avaUable to suggest that the vessel was not constmcted and equipped in accordance with the requirements of the board for the service for which it was intended. However, incidents of this nature do point the way to improvements in buUding practices, and this case is no exception. Some of these improvements are included in the section of this report, which I now seek leave to table. Leave granted. Mr TENNI: I also draw the attention of honourable members to the detailed list of recommendations which have been or wiU be undertaken as a result of this most searching inquiry. Among the significant recommendations are the following— (1) A mandatory briefing to all passengers before departure on key safety requfre­ ments including the location and use of life-jackets, the use of emergency exits and the assembly points for life-rafts. That is similar to what happens when a person boards an aircraft. (2) The mandatory requirement for the owners to undertake weekly crew-training drills dealing with the safe evacuation of their vessels in an emergency. (3) The arming and disarming procedures for engine room fire-smothering gas systems to be detailed by clearly visible notices adjacent to the equipment. (4) The "efficient crew member" to be a specific and nominated person or any one of a number of nominated persons for each vessel. (5) The operation of engine room vent dampers, devices which close off the vent to stop air getting to a fire, be made simple and easy. (6) The use of fire-retardant materials in passenger-carrying areas and the control station to be investigated and implemented whenever practicable. (7) Engine controls should be mn in fireproof materials, or, faihng that, an emergency engine stop be provided at the fire-control station. (8) An operational manual for the vessel containing all necessary information relating to the normal operation of the vessel, emergency procedures, damage control and maintenance procedures for fire control and safety equipment to be maintained on board at all times. 3428 27 October 1987 Questions Upon Notice Furthermore, I will be requesting that the Marine Board reconsider its earlier decision not to require the carrying of an engineer on fast passenger catamaran vessels. This will remove any doubt whatsoever about the State Govemment's determination to maintain a high standard of marine safety on our tourist vessels. It is not my wish to prejudice in any way further action which the board has now taken against the master of the Reef Link II. The board has written to the master advising him of the charge of misconduct and offering him the option of a formal investigation or, as an altemative, the voluntary surtender of his master's grade 4 certificate of competency for a period of three months from the date of the board's handing down its findings. In conclusion, I wish to place on record the confidence of this Govemment in the abUity and efficiency of the Marine Board. Despite the very unfair criticism by the ALP in recent weeks, the board has done an excellent job with this inquiry, which wiU result in an even higher standard of marine safety on our fast tourist passenger catamaran vessels. Whereupon the honourable member laid on the table the document referred to.

QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE

1. New South Wales Government, Power to Intervene in Running of Private Schools Mr FITZGERALD asked the Minister for Education— "Is he aware of recent calls by the New South Wales Liberal Opposition spokesman on education, Dr MetheraU, that the New South Wales Govemment should be given a reserve power to intervene in the mnning of private schools under certain circumstances and, if so, whether the Minister believes that he, as Queensland Minister, also needs such powers?" Mr POWELL: Yes, I am aware that the New South Wales Liberal Opposition Education spokesman has advocated ministerial powers which would enable the New South Wales Govemment to intervene in the mnning of private schools. Let me say that I am totally opposed to Govemments interfering in the mnning of private schools. If a parent is concemed with any aspect of the mnning of private schools, he or she can— (a) discuss the matter with the principal and/or (b) withdraw the child from the school and/or (c) take legal action. The interests of private school students are protected under common law. I oppose vehemently any calls from the Liberal Party in New South Wales, or anywhere else for that matter, to erode, in any way, the independence of private schools. The Liberal Party puiports to support non-Govemment schools, yet in practice it seems to work to decrease their independence. In Queensland we have a Liberal Opposition Education spokesman who, as Queens­ land Teachers Union president in 1981, advocated strongly that "public monies should not be provided to private schools or school systems". Indeed he stated that "millions of dollars of public money is directed to these schools to prop them up". More recently, in 1984, the same member stated— "The private school lobby wants money and can deliver votes. The Govemment"— at the time he was talking about the Federal Govemment— "wants political power and can dehver money to keep it. There is little room for integrity, honour, equity, rational economics and principled idealism when the greed for money or power is so predominant." Questions Upon Notice 27 October 1987 3429

It is about time that the Liberal Party in New South Wales, and in Queensland, for that matter, decided whether or not it supports non-Govemment education. One thing is for certain: the Queensland National Party places action before words by fiiUy supporting the tme independence of non-Govemment schools in this State, and wiU continue to do so.

2. Medicare Disbursements, Discrimination against Queensland Mr ALISON asked the Premier and Treasurer— "(1) Will he give details of the more glaring examples of discrimination against Queenslanders by the Hawke Federal Govemment in relation to tax reimbursements and grants, including the shortfall in Medicare in 1987-88? (2) How much per capita does this amount represent to Queenslanders in lost revenue? (3) If Queenslanders had received this amount in 1987-88, wiU this not further enhance Queensland's reputation as being a low-tax State and is there any legal avenue open for our Govemment to try to protect Queenslanders and seek redress against this shocking discrimination handed out to our State of Queensland?" Sfr JOH BJELKE-PETERSEN: (1 to 3) In its 1987-88 Budget, the Commonwealth has continued its blatant policy of discrimination against Queensland in regard to Federal funding. This is particularly so in regard to tertiary education, roads, housing, general purpose capital grants and Medicare funding. In these five areas alone, the extent of the underfunding for 1987-88 is as follows— • tertiary education—$43m • housing assistance—$13m • bicentennial roads—$46m • general purpose capital—$20m • Medicare—$116m. In summary, in these five areas, Queensland will be underfunded by $238m this year relative to other States. From these figures, it is obvious how a State such as New South Wales, facing an imminent election, was able to bring down a free-spending, pork-bartelling State Budget, while Queensland was forced to impose severe financial restraint. If Queensland had received additional funding of $238m this year, it would obviously have been able to maintain an increased level of spending in vital areas such as education, health and police, or altematively to make tax reductions which would have further enhanced its position as a low-tax State. The only real avenue left to redress this blatant and deliberate discrimination against Queensland and to lift the economic prospects of aU Australians is through the baUot- box.

3. Mud Crabs Mr ALISON asked the Minister for Primary Industries— "With reference to the mud crab industry in The Straits area between Eraser Island and the mainland, in particular, and to the serious concem at the apparent decline in numbers of mud crabs in (Queensland's waters generally, as well as to the research by the Fisheries Research Branch of his department into the reasons for this decline and to identifying the major areas of breeding of the mud crab— (1) What has this research uncovered to date in terms of arriving at the reasons for this decline in numbers and also to identifying the major breeding areas? 3430 27 October 1987 Questions Upon Notice

(2) What has been done, and what is proposed to be done, as a result of this research to conserve the numbers of mud crabs in Queensland's waters and what should be done to improve the situation? (3) What progress has been made in any negotiations with the New South Wales Govemment seeking supplementary management programmes in New South Wales involving size hmits or the taking of female crabs to discourage Ulegal trading across the border?" Mr HARPER: I thank the honourable member for his question. I appreciate the opportunity to put this matter of the mud crab industry into perspective. Because of the importance of it, I have a rather lengthy and detaUed answer for the honourable member. I seek leave to table the answer and have it incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. Whereupon the honourable member laid on the table the following document— (1) There is no accurate long-term data available to conclusively indicate a significant decline in mud crab population density in Sandy Straits in particular or generally throughout Queensland. There have been studies published with respect to mud crabs in Queensland in 1980, 1982 and 1984. One such project involving Moreton Bay between 1974 and 1981 showed that as recreational and commercial fishing pressure increased the numbers of legal sized males fell dramatically. Over this same period the number of undersized males remained the same. This suggested that fishing pressure could reduce the number of mature crabs but did not affect maintenance of the population. Mud crab population densities in Sandy Straits were last studied in 1980. It was apparent then that recreational and commercial fishing pressure was increasing rapidly but that the density of mature crabs was high. Even though the catch by individual fishermen has declined in recent times it is likely that the combined catch of aU fishermen both recreational and commercial has remained stable. Other mud crab fishing areas in Queensland have experienced simUar "apparent" declines as total fishing effort is increased. While this major increase in fishing effort is the most likely cause of present "apparent" declines it is possible that the unusual weather pattems in recent years have affected the movement of mud crab larvae from offshore spawning sites to mangrove nurseries. Female mud crabs normally travel up to 40 nautical miles off shore to release their eggs. Although juvenile mud crabs depend heavily on the nursery habitat provided by mangrove swamps there have not been major changes in mud crab habitat along the Queensland coast which would have a significant effect on population size. (2) The controls on the taking of mud crabs in Queensland are designed to recognise the best biological and practical knowledge avaUable. We have a 15 cm size Umit and have legislation which does not allow the taking of female crabs. Mud crabs take about 20-27 months from hatching to reach their 15 cm limit at which our scientific evidence shows that they are mature. The yield from a male crab bigger than 15 cm was also 44% greater than from 13 cm crabs which is the New South Wales minimum. It is claimed sometimes that adult crabs compete with juvenile and sub-adults for food and thus reduce our harvest, particularly of male crabs. Research does not support this position. Crabs tend to live in age class groups and be segregated in space and thus are not considered to provide this competition. Further our recent work has shown us that mature females migrate to sea to breed and this in turn further reduces competition. Present legislation on both size and sex appears to be biologically sound. With regard to regulations a limit of 50 crab pots exists for commercial fishermen and 4 pots for recreational fishermen. Since 1984 a total freeze has been placed on the licensing of any additional primary commercial vessels and existing vessels have been limited by special endorsement. This further restricts the number of such vessels which are licensed to take crabs. In August this year a total freeze was placed on the licensing of any additional tender boats or small dinghies which commercial fishermen may use in association with their main fishing vessel. Also a ban was implemented on the meating of crabs on board vessels to prevent persons circumventing other regulations and I requested the Queensland Fish Management Author­ ity to place before me a total management package for the fishery. This involves a number of measures including a bag limit on recreational fishermen, banning the use of crab hooks by commercial and recreational fishermen, an increase in penalties for the taking of female Questions Upon Notice 27 October 1987 3431

and undersized crabs from the present maximum of $1,000 and investigations into the use of tangle nets. The desirability of closing certain areas to crabbing on a seasonal basis and the declaration of additional habitat reserves through the State are also in this package. There is already one area of Queensland at Eurimbula Creek south of Gladstone in which a total closure for taking of mud crabs applies. I will take appropriate action on this draft management package when appropriate discussion is complete. (3) The major areas of dispute between Queensland and New South Wales relates to the protection of female mud crabs. The difference between State legislation allows unscru­ pulous fisherment o sell female mud crabs fromQueenslan d to New South Wales providing they are wider than 13 cm across the shell. There is a major study of the mud crab being carried out in New South Wales on both the biology and management of the mud crab and the Minister has indicated to me that any changes recommended as a result of this study will be implemented. I would emphasize that the protection of our mud crab, together with our other important fisheries relies heavily on everybody involved taking their share of responsibility for management. It is important that every person who goes crabbing recognizes that the rules we have are biologically and practically correct. It is not sensible to take female crabs or undersize males if we wish to preserve the fishery.

4. Port Petersen Mr SHERLOCK asked the Minister for Water Resources and Maritime Services— "With reference to the public announcement that Port Petersen will provide facilities for all types of goods as well as coal— Will the port be controlled by a port authority or directly by his department?" Mr TENNI: The development of the new central Queensland port is only in the early investigatory stage, with the initial emphasis being given to the selection of the best location to meet the requirements for a deep-water port for very large bulk carriers. Consideration will be given to the method of control of the port at a later stage, and honourable members will be kept informed as decisions are made.

5. Establishment of Prison at Borallon Mr SHERLOCK asked the Minister for Cortective Services, Administrative Services and Valuation— "With reference to the siting of a prison at Borallon— (1) What are the requirements, regulations and criteria for establishing a maximum security prison? (2) What are the details of plans and tenders for constmction of a prison at Borallon? (3) Has an environmental impact study been completed by his department in relation to the Borallon site? (4) What is the minimum area of land required for a maximum security prison of this type? (5) Is he prepared to table copies of any documents. Proclamations, Orders in Council or Notices of Resumption relating to the BoraUon site? (6) Are there any plans for the Govemment to acquire any further lands adjoining, or in the vicinity of, the proposed maximum security prison site at Borallon, in addition to that required by the Prisons Department?" Mr POWELL: On behalf of the Minister for Cortective Services, Administrative Services and Valuation, the answer is as follows— (1) I am not sure as to the precise nature of the information the honourable member is seeking. I would refer him, however, to the Prisons Act 1958-1974 and the regulations thereunder, which provide relevant data in this regard. Broadly, a maximum-security prison must provide secure and humane facilities for the containment of the inmates. 3432 27 October 1987 Questions Upon Notice

It should be located in an area that services the greatest need of the Prisons Department and has the capacity to meet the staffing and housing requirements. (2) This would be a matter for my coUeague the Honourable the Minister for Works and Housing. The Works Department is the constmcting authority. (3) Not by my department. (4) It is generaUy accepted that approximately 20 hectares is the minimum area of land required for the establishment of a maximum/medium security prison. It is always the aim of my department, however, to acquire a much larger area so as to enable the prison to be constmcted in such a manner that wiU cause minimum inconvenience to any residents in the immediate locality. An ideal total size is approximately 100 hectares. (5) My colleague the Honourable the Minister for Works and Housing may be able to assist in this regard. (6) I understand it may be necessary to acquire an additional small amount of land to improve access to the prison site. I am unaware of any proposals by the Govemment to purchase additional land for other purposes. However, the honourable member may care to seek the advice of the Honourable the Minister for Works and Housing in this regard.

6. Apprenticeships in Queensland Mrs McCAULEY asked the Minister for Employment, SmaU Business and Industrial Affairs— "(1) What recent initiatives have been undertaken by him to increase the number of apprenticeships in Queensland? (2) How effective have these initiatives been?" Mr LESTER: (1 and 2) My department has undertaken several recent initiatives to increase the number of apprentices and trainees. Two employer doorknock campaigns, in which employers are contacted by my officers on a face-to-face basis, have been held this year, one in Febmary and one in October. A total of 111 apprenticeship and traineeship positions have been generated as a result of the Febmary doorknock. The present doorknock campaign is still under way. A temporary field promotion team was established to call on employers in the metal, automotive, hospitality and building trades over the past year to explain the advantages of training an apprentice or trainee. In excess of 4 000 employers have been visited, from whom a total of 586 positive responses have been identified, and I am confident that the majority of these employers will be convinced that additional appren­ ticeship and traineeship places are necessary in their environment. An important new initiative is the regionalisation of the field services branch of the Industry and Commerce Training Commission. The branch has been reorganised into four regions, each with its own district supervisor. This will aUow more apprenticeship and traineeship matters to be resolved locally. That has been needed for a long time. My department has introduced traineeships and new apprenticeships in all of these areas. As at 1 October 1987, 1 363 traineeships had commenced in Queensland in 20 categories and, proportionally, Queensland has the highest number of trainees in the private sector of any State. Recently introduced apprenticeships include green-keeping, automotive mechanics (fuel injection) and carpentry (formwork). The traditional block release system for apprentices is being made far more flexible in the trades of carpentry and joinery, with split blocks, and fitting and tuming and sheet metal, with day release at selected colleges on a pilot basis. For some years the block release system has been causing employers difficulty, and the Government is now addressing that problem. Questions Upon Notice 27 October 1987 3433

The annual intake of apprentices is approximately 5 000, and as at 30 June there were 18 301 apprentices in training in Queensland. These initiatives attest to the Govemment's commitment to provide every oppor­ tunity for young Queenslanders to obtain an apprenticeship or traineeship. I thank the honourable member for her interest in matters relating to apprenticeships, particularly in Biloela and the surtounding districts.

7. Vaginal Examination of Women under Anaesthetic Mrs McCAULEY asked the Minister for Health and Environment— "With reference to a report in The Courier-Mail on 18 September regarding the Royal Hobart Hospital and the University of Tasmania Medical School and a 20-year-old practice in which anaesthetised women have been unknowingly examined vaginally by medical students— (1) Is this practice being carried on in Queensland? (2) If so, what are his views on such a practice continuing in Queensland?" Mr AHERN: (1 and 2) I personally condemn this type of practice for whatever motives. Certainly, all patients in all hospitals should be able to tmst that whUe they are in the hands of medical practitioners their personal privacy is sacrosanct. It is policy, I understand, in Queensland that no operation or procedure is carried out on any patient without his or her knowledge or without prior approval, and I tmst that this situation will be maintained.

8. Report of Working Party on Tertiary Enfrance Mr SCHUNTNER asked the Minister for Education— "With reference to his answer to my question on notice on 27 August that he had not, at that date, received a copy of the report reviewing tertiary entrance and to his statements that he was presented with a copy of the report on 9 September— (1) Was a copy of the report delivered to his office before his meeting with Board of Secondary Schools Studies officials on 9 September? (2) If so, when was it delivered? (3) Prior to the meeting on 9 September when he said he was presented with a copy of the report, was there any communication to his office referring to the delivery of the report to his office and himself? (4) If so, what communication occurred?" Mr POWELL: (1 to 4) I have answered this question on a previous occasion. I refer the honourable member to the answer given to the honourable member for Ipswich West on 16 September 1987 regarding the report Tertiary Entrance in Queensland^A Review.

9. Teachers, Employment; Number Graduating Mr SCHUNTNER asked the Minister for Education— "With reference to the number of qualified teachers seeking, or likely to seek, employment— (1) How many qualified teachers are curtently seeking teaching positions with his department in (a) pre-schools, (b) primary schools, (c) secondary schools and (d) special schools? (2) What are the estimated numbers of teachers graduating from teacher- training institutions at the end of 1987 for teaching in (a) pre-schools, (b) primary schools, (c) secondary schools and (d) special schools?" 3434 27 October 1987 Questions Upon Notice Mr POWELL: (1) The vague nature of this question precludes giving a definitive answer. Teacher applications for employment are received on an ongoing basis throughout the year, with a sharp increase being experienced during the fourth term of the school year. Many apphcations are for teaching positions in specific centres where there are few vacancies, such as on the Gold Coast. Similarly, a significant number of applications are made by primary teachers, for example, in centres where there are vacancies for secondary mathematics teachers only. For the above reasons, and because the number of applications held changes on a daily basis, it is not particularly meaningful to provide figures at a specific point in time. (2) The estimated number of teachers graduating at the end of 1987 is as follows— Pre-school teachers — 182 Primary teachers — 844 Secondary teachers — 1057 Special education teachers — 37

10. Removal of Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse Mr STONEMAN asked the Minister for Justice and Attomey-General— "With reference to my recent question in relation to the clandestine foray by Senator Evans against the heritage of this State wherein the Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse in my electorate was stolen with the help of a naval vessel— (1) What steps has he taken following his answer to me in this House on the matter? (2) Are there any constitutional precedents that Senator Evans might have used in aiding and abetting this scurrilous act? (3) Does he believe the people of New South Wales would either condone such an act or be comfortable with temporary possession of the lighthouse if they were to be made aware of the full implications of this continuing anti-Queensland thmst?" Mr CLAUSON: (1 to 3) In order that honourable members might properly appreciate the gravity of the actions of Senator Evans in stealing the Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse, it is necessary to relate some history. The lighthouse was erected in approximately 1873 by the then Queensland Depart­ ment of Marine and was operated by the Queensland Govemment until Federation was achieved. Under section 69 of the Commonwealth Constitution it was provided that on a date to be proclaimed by the Govemor-General certain State departments would be transferted to the Commonwealth Govemment. Included in these departments were "lighthouses, lightships, beacons and buoys". Section 85 of the Constitution went on to provide a mechanism for the transfer to and vesting in the Commonwealth of the property of the State used exclusively in connection with any department transferted. No proclamation to bring these provisions into effect was made, notwithstanding that in 1911 the Commonwealth enacted a Lighthouses Act and assumed practical respon­ sibility for the administration of aU lighthouses. Discussions then commenced between the Commonwealth and Queensland in relation to regularising the transfer to the Commonwealth of the land on which all lighthouses were situated. These discussions continued until in the financial agreement of 1927 provision was made for a payment to Queensland of a sum of £348,395 in respect of all property transferred to the Commonwealth from Queensland as a result of Federation, including the land used for lighthouses. Notwithstanding the payment and receipt of this money, the process to legally transfer the land under the law of Queensland from title in the name of Queensland to title in the name of the Common­ wealth of Australia has never been completed. Discussions have been continuing over the years between agencies of the Commonwealth Govemment and of the Queensland Govemment to regularise this position and, as recently as 31 August 1987, the Land Questions Upon Notice 27 October 1987 3435 Administration Commission wrote to the Australian Govemment Solicitor in relation to the matter generally. The Queensland Govemment has always been desirous of regularising the position in relation to the ownership of lighthouses and the land on which they are situated, but has been unsuccessful, owing to the Commonwealth's unwilhngness to foUow appropriate legal mechanisms to transfer title. The situation is thus that in law, on the advice available to the Queensland Govemment, lighthouses such as (Cape Bowling Green stiU remain the property of the Queensland Govemment, even though for practical purposes the Commonwealth has administered them since Federation. The actions of the Commonwealth in relation to (Cape Bowhng Green Lighthouse, however, are doubly reprehensible when one considers the methods of the Commonwealth in removing it and the reasons for its removal. Firstly, the armed forces have had their neutral position abused to intervene in a matter between the Commonwealth and the States. This foUows the use by the same Commonwealth Minister, Senator Gareth Evans, of the air force against Tasmania in the Franklin River dispute. Apparently the armed forces are no longer there to protect Australia from armed invasion, but rather are to be used as a weapon to suppress the interests of the States to the advantage of the Commonwealth. The chiefs of the armed forces should inform the Commonwealth Govemment that they exist to protect aU Australians and not merely those who follow the Labor cause. Secondly, the whole exercise was conducted with great stealth in order to avoid the opposition which occurted from local citizens when a similar attempt was made to remove the Pine Islet Lighthouse from Mackay in 1986. Because of the desire of Mackay residents to retain in the Mackay region a vital part of their history, this attempt was abandoned. Senator Evans apparently insisted that cloak-and-dagger tactics should be used for the next attempt so that the will of the people could be avoided. Thirdly, the purpose of the removal was to rebuild the lighthouse at the National Maritime Museum to be situated at Darling Harbour in Sydney. The only problem with this is that there is as yet no legislation to establish this so-caUed Australian National Maritime Museum as the legislation lapsed on 5 June 1987 and the Commonwealth Govemment has not yet determined whether it will ever proceed with that legislation again. The National Maritime Museum project forms part of the grandiose re-election scheme which the Labor Party is mnning to try to have the Unsworth Govemment re­ elected in New South Wales. The whole scheme is surtounded with controversy, including the dealing with various proposed casino-operators, the building of a monorail by the Labor Party's special mate Sir Peter Abeles, and the actions of that infamous man of the Botany land scandals, Laurie Brereton. The stealing of a lighthouse from Queensland to assist in this desperate gamble for re-election is probably not surprising from a Commonwealth Govemment with the same mates as the Wran/Unsworth machine in New South Wales. Of course, the back-door actions of Senator Evans mn counter to official assurances from Senator Ryan in her capacity as Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Commonwealth/State Relations. In a letter she forwarded to the Honourable the Premier on 24 August 1987, she referred to assurances from the former Commonwealth Minister for Arts, Heritage and Environment, Mr Barry Cohen—another victim of the faction deals for which the Labor Party is famous—and specifically repeated that— "Mr Cohen pointed out that while it was intended that the Australian National Maritime Museum be empowered to acquire preserve and present maritime historical material there was to be no intmsion into historical material. There was to be no intmsion into State powers or implied jurisdiction over States internal waters." So much for official assurances from this Commonwealth Govemment! I am certain all people in both New South Wales and Queensland will condemn the scurrilous underhand abuse of the armed forces by Senator Evans and the 3436 27 October 1987 Questions Upon Notice Commonwealth to steal property from Queensland and to use it to attempt to prop up the cormpt and failing Unsworth regime.

11. Remote Commercial Television Service Mr STONEMAN asked the Minister for Industry and Technology— "With reference to the recentiy announced sale of Q-Net and the continuing need for a range of services such a concept has to extend many benefits into mral and remote areas and to the expectation of many people that a Remote Commercial Television Service was shortly to come to fruition— (1) What is the curtent position relating to the possibility of RCTS, given recent broadcasting policy decisions? (2) Is there a possibility that a national beam service might eventuate? (3) What would be the most likely programming/broadcasting centre? (4) Are there any additional costs attached to a national beam as against a spot beam service? (5) What are the implications for Queensland, given the above? (6) Is there either a commitment from, or a capacity within, the new owners of Q-Net to provide a locally programmed service that would meet satisfactory financial and social pre-requisites?" Mr McKECHNIE: (1 to 6) I would like to thank the honourable member for his interest and hard work in encouraging the use of Q-Net and the establishment of Remote Commercial Television Service (RCTS) in Queensland. The Queensland Govemment took an option on a 30-watt transponder in early 1984. Consequentiy, Q-Net and the possibility of RCTS were bom as an initiative of the State Govemment before the Federal Govemment established its R(CTS policy in 1985. State Cabinet agreed that a consortium of Queensland regional television-broad­ casters (QSTV) share our transponder. QSTV later withdrew from this artangement, but it still had firm intentions of proceeding with providing a remote commercial television service until recent changes to Federal Govemment broadcasting policy rendered impos­ sible its chances of providing a commercially viable service. The Australian Broadcasting Tribunal called QSTV to the table last Thursday to obtain a firm commitment date for commencement of the service, otherwise the licence would be revoked. Both the Premier and I realised that a revocation of the licence would put the provision of remote commercial television in Queensland at risk. We both made representations to the Honourable Gareth Evans, QC, Minister for Transport and Communications, asking him to support a request to the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal for a stay of execution. This was successful, and a deferral to 6 November 1987 has been granted. Remote commercial television cannot be commercially viable under the Federal Govemment's new policies which allow aggregation. However, ICOM Satellite Services, the Parry company which is purchasing Q-Net, has provided a unique opportunity worth serious consideration. It can provide a more economical service linked with Q-Net traffic. Their offer is dependent upon assistance from both the Federal Govemment and the Queensland Govemment, as well as agreement for ICOM to purchase the existing RCTS licence by 6 November. I cannot stress too much the seriousness of the situation. The remote commercial television licence for south-east Australia has already been surtendered, and the central beam has not got off the ground. I understand that, despite a $2m subsidy from the Westem Australian Govemment, the westem beam could be in trouble. Questions Upon Notice 27 October 1987 3437 If remote commercial television fails, the following situation could develop— (1) People living in isolated areas would receive mainly Sydney-derived programs with no local content. (2) Satellite dishes would cost TV viewers more money, because they would have to be larger. (3) If the major networks covered remote areas from Sydney, the ABC would probably do the same. (4) If the above scenario develops, Aussat would only have use for six 30-watt transponders, leaving another six unused. This could destroy the viability of Aussat, which would be a disaster for Australian telecommunications. The purchasers of Q-Net, and the State Govemment, have agreed on a memorandum of understanding in regard to the sale of Q-Net. Both sides are hoping that the actual contract can be finalised quickly. Assuming this happens, we are hopeful of being able to make further positive suggestions to the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal and the Federal Govemment by the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal's deadhne of 6 November. I cannot stress too strongly that the non-viability of remote commercial television is largely a result of recent changes to Australian Govemment television broadcasting mles. However, I want to work through a solution to the problem with all concemed, including the Federal Govemment. In the interest of saving time, I now table a more complete history of the background of efforts to promote remote commercial television in Queensland. Whereupon the honourable member laid the document on the table.

12. Influx of Overseas Tourists to Queensland during Expo Mr VEIVERS asked the Minister for Tourism, National Parks and Sport— "With reference to the Bi-centennial celebrations in 1988 which are expected dramatically to increase overseas tourist numbers to Australia— As there is a severe shortage of accommodation in Sydney and in New South Wales in general, is the Queensland tourist industry prepared to accommodate the huge influx of overseas tourists expected into Queensland during Expo in 1988?" Mr MUNTZ: As usual, the honourable member, together with his Gold Coast colleagues, takes every opportunity to promote tourism—and that includes accommo­ dation on the Gold Coast. He has always done that, whether it has been in his private business or in this House. And why should he not, when Queensland has one of the world's greatest products to promote and sell and tell the world about? The bicentennial events are spread throughout 1988 and throughout Queensland. It is therefore believed that the tourist industry will be able to cater for the demand that will be associated with those events. However, during the Expo period of May to October, it is anticipated that there will be some times when accommodation will be in very short supply in Brisbane and south-east Queensland, particularly during school holiday periods. Recognising that fact, the Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation has been active in co-ordinating and attempting to mobilise as much accommodation as possible throughout the greater south-east Queensland area of Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Ipswich and Toowoomba. During Expo 88, the usual range of Sunlover holidays and airline/coach package holidays will be available through the Queensland Govemment Travel Centre. Many hotels, motels and apartments will also be offering the additional option of taking bookings through the motel chains, such as Flag and Homestead, or through the toU- free network. In addition, the QTT(C has established a home hosting program to provide visitors—particularly overseas visitors—with the opportunity for cultural exchange and first-hand experience of the Queensland way of life. Brisbane home-owners have been 3438 27 October 1987 Questions Upon Notice approached to open their homes, providing accommodation on a bed-and-breakfast basis. The Expo authority has also established a transportation committee to plan and co­ ordinate visitor access to the Expo site. With specific reference to the overseas visitors expected into Queensland during Expo in 1988, experience has shown that a large proportion of the inbound market for special events such as Expo is heavily dominated by packages—especially the large influx of Japanese visitors expected. Those professional and long-established wholesalers have already secured room allotments for thefr programs. However, during the Commonwealth Games period, the situation occurted in which the industry and the community in general felt that Brisbane would be fully booked for the games and therefore many people avoided visiting Brisbane. In fact, there were plenty of accommodation vacancies right through the games, and those rooms remained unsold—a situation that was repeated in Westem Australia for the America's Cup. This is a situation that obviously should not be repeated for Expo. To this end, the QTTC has established an Expo bed bank which provides a mechanism whereby accommodation houses can sell, at very short notice, any rooms not used in the wholesale aUotment system. The aim of the bed bank is therefore to maximise the availability and sale of accommodation in south-east Queensland during the Expo period. The Labor Govemment in New South Wales recently brought down the findings of its tourism task force, and I note the headaches it suggests for the Premier and the Minister for Tourism, both smiling away in its foreword. Those smiles must have disappeared in the chapter dealing with "The Importance of Sydney to State Tourism". The specific issues were pin-pointed—and I quote— "The shortage of accommodation; the limited capacity of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport; the lack of coach facilities". It goes on to point out the shortage of accommodation within aU categories, that is to say, international-standard hotels, budget accommodation and serviced apartments. Again, I have to say that the problems are easily solved. The Australian Govemment must review its airline policies on inbound traffic. Qantas just cannot handle it. We are getting screams from our overseas offices along the lines, "I just want to come to Australia for a holiday, but I can't get an airhne seat." And, when they do get a seat, they have to fly to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, not northem Australia where they want to hohday. The Queensland Govemment knows that it has to work for the tourism benefits— and it sure does not mind that; but, let the inbound market fly to Queensland direct. It is a bit tough when we know the standards in Queensland have risen steadily to meet the twentieth century standards—and New South Wales is still living in the days of Captain Cook. I can only suggest that its tourism "captain", Mike Cleary, wiU notice the downhill slide very painfully.

13. Tertiary Course in Tourism Mr VEIVERS asked the Minister for Tourism, National Parks and Sport— "With reference to the fact that Australia's first tertiary course on tourism will be accepting its first students at the James Cook University of North Queensland in March 1988— How and when wUl the tourist industry benefit from this type of training?" Mr MUNTZ: Once again Queensland has created a first for Australia and is leading the world. It always has done so in education and tourism, and now it is a combination of both. The Centre for Studies in Travel and Tourism at the James Cook University is a new and exciting project for the industry, both in Queensland and Australiawide. The first intake of students will be in March 1988 to commence a four-year degree course. Questions Upon Notice 27 October 1987 3439 with studies in travel and tourism, economics, commerce, management and organisational studies. The degree program will be aimed at tuming out graduates who will be future leaders for the industry. The first graduates will move into industry at the end of 1991. However, in the interim, the research activities of the centre, which are already well under way, will provide a much-needed resource for the industry on an ongoing basis. The centre is capable of accepting commissioned work in such areas as project feasibility, planning studies, development strategies, education, marine science and the impact of the tourism industry with the environment, to name but a few. The centre is quite unique, even in world terms, as it has been set up with the objectivity and autonomy of a university, but with the backing of the south Pacific tourism industry.

14. Elecfricity Supply, Coconut Island Mr SCOTT asked the Minister for Northem Development and Community Services— "(1) When will electric power be available to the residents of Coconut Island from the solar generating station under constmction at that community? (2) How many houses is it anticipated will be supplied from the powerhouse? (3) What will be the wattage of the largest electrical appliance which will be able to be used by householders on Coconut Island and, to be specific, will the normal domestic four-hotplate-with-oven electric stoves be able to be used as well as other common household appliances such as toasters, kettles and vacuum cleaners? (4) Are individual houses to be metered? (5) Will the scale of tariffs applicable on Coconut Island relate to those applying at isolated mainland centres?" Mr KATTER: (1) A delay of two years was experienced whilst waiting for the Federal Govemment's promised contribution to the operation on Coconut Island. Mr Scoti: Nonsense! You promised this before the last election. Mr KATTER: It is not nonsense at all. I have the documentary evidence consisting of the letters that went backwards and forwards between the Govemment and the Federal Minister during a period of two years. It became rapidly apparent that, once again, the Federal Govemment had made promises that it would not keep. It was similar to its promises of self-management, which have caused all the trouble in the Torres Strait at present. I would appreciate it if the State representative for the area would obtain some satisfaction from his Federal colleagues and his extremely lazy Federal member of Parliament, who has done nothing for the Tortes Strait islands. Yesterday, discussions were held with the company, Westinghouse, on the electri­ fication of all of the Torres Strait islands. The Govemment feels confident that, with a large enough contract, through negotiation, it can reduce the price of the photovoltaic cells to $2. Yesterday afternoon, I advised the honourable member of that. The Gov­ emment expects—and the company advised it yesterday—that the switch-on will be on time arnd will be about the middle of next month. I invite the honourable member to attend the opening. (2) All of Coconut Island, including the store, will be serviced by electricity. Officers of my department feel that there will be adequate electricity supplied for that purpose. (3) All of the electrical appliances that are available in a normal domestic home will be available. Solar hot water will be utilised, and it is hoped that gas stoves will be used instead of electric stoves. Mr Scott: Why not electric stoves? 3440 27 October 1987 Matters of Public Interest Mr KATTER: I will answer the honourable member's question because it is quite a reasonable one. The reason is that at the present moment photovoltaic cells have to be bought at a cost of between $8 and $12. In conclusion, I inform the House that officers of my department feel that, as the next couple of years go by, those photovoltaic cells will be able to be purchased at a cost of $2 each. Electricity will be able to be provided a lot cheaper at that stage. Mr Speaker, I ask to be aUowed to answer the remaining parts of the question at the next day of sitting. Mr SPEAKER: Orderi The questions remaining unanswered will appear on the Notices of Questions paper for tomortow.

MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST Fraudulent Transactions by Westworld Property Holdings Pty Ltd and Mr James Remar Hon. N. E. LEE (Yeronga) (11.02 a.m.): Firstly, let me say that I am deeply conscious of the privilege that is given to members of raising matters of public interest. I gave considerable thought to this matter before deciding to bring it to the attention of the House. I believe that a company, Westworld Property Holdings Pty Ltd, owned by a Mr James Remar, who recently changed his name from Remo, has deliberately set about to defraud its creditors. One of many is Mr Ray Zahl, goveming director of Barradine Pty Ltd. As I will not have time to read all of the Chief Justice's findings, I wiU be seeking leave to table papers and have them incorporated in Hansard, to prove beyond doubt that Mr Remar, or Remo, has set about to defraud creditors. Although by devious and shifty means he has possibly stayed almost within the law, morally the man is a crook, a thief, and should be put out of business. If the man in the street defrauded or stole money to the tune of $100,000, as occurted in Mr Zahl's case, which is $50,000 plus costs, he would be behind bars; but under our company laws, this Remar/Remo character, by wilfully shifting moneys from company to company—aU of which he is a director and has under his control—is allowed to defraud his creditors and transfer some $720,000 from Westworld Property Holdings Pty Ltd, to PMA Marketing Pty Ltd, which now owns the Fairfield Gardens shopping complex. Remar/Remo had Westworld Property Holdings Pty Ltd placed into liquidation by Remar himself I would now like to give a short summary of transactions between Westworld Property Holdings Pty Ltd and Ray Zahl Auto Refinishers, 52 Evesham Street, Moorooka. Mr Zahl is the owner of a panel shop now situated at the above address—or I should say his bank is the owner. In 1985, he had a six-year lease for his business on the Fairfield industrial estate, which was Tickles. A company called Westworld Property Holdings Pty Ltd was to buy the complex for development. It had been passed by the Brisbane City CouncU for a shopping complex. Ray Zahl, director and owner of Barradine Pty Ltd, was the only tenant who had a long lease. Others had breaker clauses of three months. The Fairfield industrial estate tried to evict Ray Zahl by trying to force him to have a new lease with a breaker clause in it, which he naturally did not want. Ray Zahl took it to court and won. His solicitor, N. R. Barbi, advised him to put a caveat over the sale of the property to protect his lease. Westworld Property Holdings Pty Ltd did not want someone there with a six-year lease. Westworld Property Holdings approached Ray Zahl to come to an agreement dated 28 June 1985 whereby Westworld Property Holdings Pty Ltd would pay Ray Zahl $50,000 upon signing the agreement and $50,000 on or before 31 October 1985 by way of compensation for surtender of the caveat and the lease on the premises. The agreement was signed and stamped by the solicitor for Westworld Property Holdings Pty Ltd as stated in a letter dated 28 June 1985, at which time Ray Zahl received the first $50,000. Matters of Public Interest 27 October 1987 3441

At his own cost, Mr Zahl moved out of the panel shop and took the settlement letter from Westworld to his bank to secure finance to purchase the Moorooka property. When Mr Zahl moved to Moorooka he surrendered the keys of the vacated Fairfield premises to the solicitor and requested the final $50,000, but received no reply. Six weeks later he received a reply from Mr Remar—who had changed his name from Remo—in the form of a signed affidavit stating that he did not give his solicitor permission to sign on his behalf for the $100,000. The matter went to court and the judge said that it seemed that the solicitor might not have had the permission to sign for Remar, and a trial was set. During the time that elapsed before the trial, Mr Remar took $720,000 out of the bank account of Westworld Property Holdings Pty Ltd, that being profit from the sale of the Fairfield industrial estate, and deposited it into another of his companies, called PMA Marketing Pty Ltd. He also had Westworld put into liquidation. Ray Zahl still had to go to court to find out who owed him the final $50,000. At that time that was 23 months ago, but from today it is a total of two years four months ago. In his judgment handed down on 15 May 1987, the Chief Justice found that Westworld was to pay Ray Zahl and said that be believed the solicitor did have the authority to sign on behalf of Westworld Property Holdings Pty Ltd. Mr Zahl said that because of the way in which the law works he had to pay the costs of his own solicitor, Mr Barbi, as weU as the costs of the second defendants' solicitors—Remar's ex-solicitors— Rylands and Hilmer, who Remar said did not have permission to sign on his behalf, a total of $30,000. The judgment found that Westworld Property Holdings Pty Ltd was liable for payment of full court costs plus interest along with the final $50,000 as agreed by the letter of 28 June 1985. However, Mr Zahl must now incur further legal costs to prove preferential payment from Westworld Property Holdings Pty Ltd, which is in liquidation. The liquidator that has been appointed. Ahem, Betar and Cranstoun, is not moving quickly because there is no money in it. I believe that Mr Remar told the liquidator in no uncertain terms that it will not get any funds out of Westworld. Although he has lived in my area for 30 years, Mr Zahl is now having to seU his home and his car in order to pay the solicitor's costs. His solicitor has told him that it will cost approximately another $20,000 to go to court again to prove preferential payment. This he cannot afford. In fact, he faces bankmptcy. He has lost $80,000 altogether. I feel that Mr Remar's company has behaved fraudulently by removing money from one company to another in order to avoid paying its just and legal debt to Mr Ray Zahl. I call on the Minister for Justice, the Honourable P. J. Clauson, to instmct the Commissioner for Corporate Affairs to apply the full force of the law to this man Remar, or Remo, so that further innocent creditors do not become bankmpt. I make a plea to the Minister to ask the liquidators to move quickly in this case. I now ask leave to table and have incorporated in Hansard certain papers, which I have already shown to you, Mr Speaker. Leave granted. Whereupon the honourable member laid on the table the following documents. N. R. BARBI Solicitor Cameron Building Telephone: 52 4668 354 Brunswick Street, 52 4669 Fortitude Valley, Q. 4006 52 4660 PO. Box 461, After Hours: 358 1713 Fortitude Valley 4006 Our Reference NRB:JK 530-84 Your Reference 3442 27 October 1987 Matters of Public Interest

1st July, 1985 The Directors, Barradine Pty. Ltd., 7 Sydney Street, FAIRHELD. QLD 4103 Dear Sir, RE: Fairfield Industrial Complex I confirm settlement of this matter and I enclose a copy of the letter tendered at setUement setting out the terms of the setUement. I enclose my trust account cheque in the sum of $50,000.00 as part payment. You will note that you must continue to pay the rental and outgoings until the 31st October, 1985. On that date you will vacate the premises in exchange for the sum of $50,000.00. Yours faithfully, N. R. Barbi N. R. BARBI Solicitor Cameron Building, Telephone: 52 4668 354 Brunswick Street, 52 4669 Fortitude Valley, Q. 4006 52 4660 P.O. Box 461, After Hours: 358 1713 Fortitude Valley 4006 Our Reference NRB:AB 530-84 Your Reference 28th June, 1985 Messrs. Rylands & Hilmer, Solicitors, 441 Ipswich Road, ANNERLEY 4103 and Messrs. J.W.K. Young & Co., Solicitors, A.M.P. Place, 10 Eagle Street, BRISBANE 4000 Dear Sirs, Re: My Client—BARRADINE PTY. LTD.—FAIRHELD INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX PTY. LTD. I advise that I act on behalf of Barradine Pty. Ltd. and I understand that you act on behalf of the purchasers of the complex of which my client is the Lessee. Ortain Orders were made on the 3rd April, 1985 in the Supreme Court whereby a Lease was to be granted to my client for a period of three years with a further option period for three years. My client is agreeable to withdrawing the Caveat, registered number H584180, and surrendering its interests in the lease on the 31st October, 1985 on certain terms and conditions as follows:— 1. My client is to deliver a stamped request to withdraw caveat to your client or its financier on even date. 2. My client will surrender its interests in the lease on the 31st October, 1985 and vacate the premises on that date. 3. My client has liberty to remove all its plant and equipment and chattels from the premises when it vacates. Messrs. Rylands & Hilmer and Messrs. J. W. K. Young & Co. (cont.) 4. My client will not insist upon registration of the lease, provided that it has notice from your client that it recognises my client's term of occupation from the 28th June, 1985 to the 31st October, 1985. 5. My client will discharge its obligations pursuant to the lease for that term or for such term as it occupies the premises, inclusive of rental and outgoings. Matters of Public Interest 27 October 1987 3443

6. Your client wUl accept the surrender of the lease on the 31st October, 1985 without any further claim or demand. 7. Your client is to make payment to my Trust Account by bank cheque of an amount of Fifty Thousand DoUars ($50,000.00) on even date. 8. Your client is to make a further payment of the sum of $50,000.(X) by bank cheque to my Trust Account on the 31st October, 1985 or such earlier date that my client vacates and in exchange for possession of the premises. 9. My client wiU be at liberty to vacate the premises at any earUer date that the 31st October, 1985 and Westworld Property Holdings Pty. Ltd. wiU make payment to it of the aforementioned amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) when it does so vacate and the lease will at that time be of no further force and effect. My cUent requires the execution of the copy of this letter by both SoUcitors as an acknowledgement of the terms and conditions and as an acknowledgement that the terms and conditions are accepted by the cUent of the respective solicitors. Yours faithfully, N. R. BARBI The above terms and conditions are acknowledged Enc. (Signed) Date: 28/6/85 N. R. BARBI Solicitor P.O. Box 461, Telephone: 52 4668 Fortitude Valley Q 4006 After Hours: 358 1713 Our Reference PDG:EG: 530B/84 Your Reference 19th December, 1985 Mr R. Zahl, 7 Sydney Street, Fairfield 4103 Dear Sir, RE: Barradine Pty. Ltd. -v- Westworid Property Holdings Pty. Ltd. I enclose herewith photocopy of Order made by Master Weld on the 6th December, 1985, together with Notice of Appeal which was heard by the Honourable Mr. Justice Kelly on the 19th instant. Mr. Boughen of Counsel appeared on your behalf The Judge made the following Orders:— 1. Appeal allowed 2. Master's Order of the 6th December, 1985 set aside 3. Defendant granted unconditional leave to defend the action 4. Costs of the Application and Appeal from Master to be reserved to trial Judge. Basically, Kelly J. held that Barradine Pty. Ltd. should not have been given Judgment on the 6th December, 1985 and that the matter should proceed to trial. The Judge gave Barradine Pty. Ltd. leave to join a further defendant, namely the firm of Solicitors, Rylands & Hilmer of which Mr. Hilmer is a partner. Accordingly, Mr. Boughen is preparing such amended documents on your behalf this afternoon. You wiU appreciate that I have incurred substantial costs to date and I now request that you place me in funds to the extent of $1,000.00. I enclose herewith my Trust Account Authority for execution and retum to my office. Yours faithfully, N.R. BARBI, PER: Mr. Peter Van De Graaff ORDER Filed on behalf of the Plaintiff N.R. Barbi, Solicitor, 354 Bmnswick St, Fortitude Valley. 4006 3444 27 October 1987 Matters of Public Interest

Tel: 52 4668 PVDG:JK Between: BARRADINE PTY. LTD. Plaintiff and: WESTWORLD PROPERTY HOLDINGS PTY. LTD. Defendant BEFORE MASTER WELD THIS SIXTH DAY OF DECEMBER, 1985. The Defendant having appeared to the Writ of Summons herein, and the Plaintiff having applied for Summary Judgment, under Order 18 rule 1; AND UPON HEARING Mr Boughen of Counsel for the Plaintiff and Mr Richard Douglas of Counsel for the Defendant, AND UPON READING the Summons and Affidavit of Noel Ronald Barbi both filed herein on the 28th day of November, 1985 and the Affidavit of Noel Ronald Barbi, swom the fifth day of December, 1985, and filed herein this day by leave. IT IS THIS DAY ADJUDGED pursuant to the Order of Master Weld that the Plaintiff do recover against the Defendant, Westworld Property Holdings Pty. Ltd. FIFIT THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) with costs of the action, including the application and reserved costs to be taxed, together with interest, being interest from the 1st day of November, 1985 to the 11th day of December, 1985, in the amount of NINE HUNDRED AND TWELVE DOLLARS SIXTY-SIX CENTS ($912.66). (Signed) Deputy Registrar APPEAL CARTER CAPNER & CO., Solicitors, T. & G. Building, 141 Queen St., Brisbane. TOWN AGENTS FOR: JAMES CARTER & CO., Solicitors, 9 Short St., Southport. IN THE SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND No. 3610 of 1985 Between BARRADINE PTY. LTD. Plaintiff and WESTWORLD PROPERTY HOLDINGS PTY. LTD. Defendant TAKE NOTICE that the Chamber Judge will be moved by way of appeal on the 19th day of December 1985 or so soon thereafter as Counsel can be heard, by Counsel on behalf of the abovenamed defendant for an order that the judgment of Master Weld given on 6th December, 1985 whereby it was adjudged that judgment be entered for the plaintiff against the defendant for FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($50,000.00) together with interest in the sum of NINE HUNDRED AND TWELVE DOLLARS AND SIXTY SIX CENTS ($912.66) and costs including reserved costs, may be set aside and that in lieu thereof it be ordered that the defendant have unconditional leave to defend the action and that the costs of the application by the plaintiff for summary judgment be reserved costs in the action and that the plaintiff may be ordered to pay the defendant's costs of this appeal to be taxed. AND TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the grounds of this appeal are:— 1. That the Master erred in law and fact in finding that Messrs. Rylands and HUmer, solicitors, or any representative thereof, had ostensible or apparent authority to contractually bind the defendant to pay tiie sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000.00) to the plaintiff in relation to the plaintiffs alleged interest in the land referred to in the special indorsement of the Writ of Summons initiating the action; 2. That the Master erred in law in finding that the issue of the authority of Messrs. Rylands and Hilmer, or any representative thereof, was not a triable issue in respect of which the defendant should have been granted unconditional leave to defend; 3. The further ground not argued before the Master that Messrs. Rylands and HUmer, or any representative thereof, had no authority from the defendant to execute any memorandum in writing in respect of the alleged agreement to pay the sum of ONE Matters of Public Interest 27 October 1987 3445

HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($100,000.00) in relation to the plaintiffs aUeged interest in the said land and in the premises a further triable issue is raised namely the absence of a sufficient memorandum in writing in relation to the acquiring of the interest in land as required by Section 59 of the Property Law Act 1974 (as amended). DATED this Thirteenth day of December, 1985. CARTER, CAPNER AND CO. Town Agents for the Solicitors for the Defendant TO: The plaintiff AND TO: Its solicitor, N.R. Barbi, 354 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane in the State of Queensland. In the Supreme Court of Queensland No. 3610 of 1985 Between: BARRADINE PTY. LTD. Plaintiff and WESTWORLD PROPERTY HOLDINGS PTY. LTD. First Defendant and RYLANDS & HILMER (a firm) Second Defendants JUDGMENT—THE CHIEF JUSTICE Delivered the fifteenth day of May, 1987. On 18th October, 1984 the first defendant Westworid Property Holdings Pty. Ltd. ("Westworld") entered into a contract as purchaser from Fairfield Industrial Complex Pty. Ltd. for the purchase of land constituting with its improvements an industrial complex at Fairfield, Brisbane, for the sum of $2,768,000.00, having paid a deposit of $125,000.00. The date for completion was 28th February, 1985. The contract of sale was conditional upon Westworld obtaining written Town Planning Consent from the Brisbane City CouncU on or before 31st December, 1984, for a retail shopping complex. By a "Deed of Variation of Contract" dated 16th April, 1985. Westworld and the vendor Fairfield Industrial Complex Pty. Ltd. agreed to extend the date for completion of the contract of sale to 28th June, 1985, Westworld waiving it reliance upon the condition to which I have just referred. The purchase price was varied by increasing it to $2,870,000.(X). In the circumstances referred to, the contract became an unconditional contract. By contract dated 29th April, 1985 Westworld resold Uie complex at Fairfield for $3,525,000.00 to Barry Williams and Associates Pty. Ltd. ("Barry Williams"). The contract provided for vacant possession to be given and taken of the whole complex. The improvements on the complex were described as warehouse and industrial storage buUdings. The improvements were subject to a number of tenancies. The plaintiff in this matter, Barradine Pty. Ltd. ("Barradine") was a tenant of part of the complex under an agreement for lease for three years with an option for a further period of three years. Barradine lodged a caveat against dealings with the land the subject of the two agreements for sale, having become aware that the sale to Barry Williams provided for vacant possession. Under its contract Barry WUliams was to have vacant possession on or before 16th September, 1985. Barradine instituted proceedings for specific performance of the subject agreement for lease obtaining an order the details of which need not concem us. Barry Williams became aware of the caveat and it became a matter of urgency for Westworld to seek some agreement with Barradine to terminate the Barradine lease. Raymond John Zahl, a director of Barradine, gave evidence of negotiations which Barradine had with a man named Little acting on behalf of Westworld. Mr. Zahl said Little approached him towards the middle of 1985 with a view to arranging the surrender of his lease. He said that he had discussions with Little whom he informed that Barradine wanted $100,000.00 to agree to the surrender of the lease. Mr. Zahl said in effect that he would put the matter of formalising an agreement whereby Barradine would receive $100,000.00 in the hands of his solicitor Mr. Noel Barbi. He said that he told Mr. Barbi that he was settiing on $100,000.00 and would leave it to Mr. Barbi to do the "fairest thing by both parties". Mr. Barbi was telephoned by John Robert Hilmer, a member of Rylands and Hilmer (a firm), the second defendant, as I find, as a result of instructions given to him by David James Remar, a director of Westworld. Mr. HUmer told Mr. Barbi that on instructions received by him from his client, his client would pay to Mr. Barbi's client the sum of $100,000.00 of which $50,000.00 was to be paid on 28th June, 1985 and a second sum of $50,000.00 was to be paid when, as agreed, the premises were vacated by Barradine but that Barradine was to be at liberty to remain in the premises until 31st October, 1985 3446 27 October 1987 Matters of Public Interest

subject to payment of rent and other normal outgoings provided for in its lease but that Barradine was free to vacate earlier than 31st October, 1985. Mr. HUmer had received such instructions as I find from Mr. Remar after some discussion between him and Mr. Remar. Mr. Barry Williams who gave evidence and who is a director of the company Barry WiUiams had agreed to the arrangement whereby Barradine might remain in possession untU 31st October, 1985. In exchange for the said payments amounting to $100,000.00 Barradine was to provide a duly executed withdrawal of its caveat. Mr. Barbi drew up a letter embodying the following terms agreed upon between him and Mr. Hilmer: "28th June, 1985 Messrs. Rylands & Hilmer, Solicitors, 441 Ipswich Road, Annerley 4103 and Messrs. J. W. K. Young &. Co., Solicitors, A.M.P. Place, 10 Eagle Street, Brisbane 4000 Dear Sirs, Re: My Client—Barradine Pty. Ltd.—FAIRHELD INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX PTY. LTD. I advise that I act on behalf of Barradine Pty. Ltd. and I understand that you act on behalf of the purchasers of the complex of which my client is the Lessee. Certain Orders were made on the 3rd April, 1985 in the Supreme Court whereby a Lease was to be granted to my client for a period of three years with a further option period for three years. My client is agreeable to withdrawing the Caveat, registered number H584180, and surrendering its interests in the lease on the 31st October, 1985 on certain terms and conditions as follows:— 1. My client is to deliver a stamped request to withdraw caveat to your client or its financier on even date. 2. My client will surrender its interests in the lease on the 31st October, 1985 and vacate the premises on that date. 3. My client has liberty to remove all its plant and equipment and chattels from the premises when it vacates. 4. My client will not insist upon registration of the lease, provided that it has notice from your client that it recognises my client's terms of occupation from the 28th June, 1985 to the 31st October, 1985. 5. My client will discharge its obligations pursuant to the lease for that term or for such term as it occupies that premises, inclusive of rental and outgoings. 6. Your client will accept the surrender of the lease on the 31st October, 1985 without any further claim or demand. 7. Your client is to make payment to my Trust Account by bank cheque of an amount of Fifty Thousand dollars ($50,000.00) on even date. 8. Your client is to make a further payment of the sum of $50,000.00 by bank cheque to my Trust Account on the 31st October, 1985 or such earlier date that my client vacates and in exchange for possession of the premises. 9. My client will be at liberty to vacate the premises at any earlier date that the 31st October, 1985 and Westworld Property Holdings Pty. Ltd. wiU make payment to it of the aforementioned amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) when it does so vacate and the lease will at that time be of no further force and effect. My client requires the execution of the copy of this letter by both Solicitors as an acknowlegement of the terms and conditions and as an acknowlegement that the terms and conditions are accepted by the client of the respective solicitors. Yours faithfully, N. R. BARBI" Matters of Public Interest 27 October 1987 3447

The terms and conditions therein contained were endorsed as acknowledged at the end of that letter and signed by both solicitors. Barradine was duly paid the first sum of $50,000.00 provided for. Barradine vacated its premises in the industrial complex by 31 October, 1985 and instructed its solicitors to forward the keys to the then owner. Westworld has failed to pay the second sum of $50,(X)0.00 agreed upon between the parties. Barradine commenced proceedings to recover the sum of $50,000.00 by specially endorsed writ issued on 4th November, 1985. On 4th December, 1985 Remar swore an affidavit in summary judgment proceedings taken by Barradine which touched upon a number of matters. In the first place he stated that he had instructed Little to approach Barradine to see whether it would surrender its leasehold interest and remove the caveat in retum for some payment. He said that Little informed him that a sum of $100,000.00 "was canvassed" by representatives of Barradine whereupon he informed LitUe to cease discussions with Barradine. He said that he telephoned Barradine's solicitor requesting an appointment to discuss the matter but that an appointment was refused. He said he then spoke to Mr. Hilmer and instmcted him on behalf of Westworld that he should deal with Barradine or its solicitors with a view to removing the caveat and surrendering the lease and that a sum of $50,000.00 was to be offered in retum for the same. He said that he further instmcted Hilmer that he could negotiate up to a sum of $70,000.00 but no more. In the affidavit he further said that he did not have a conversation with Barradine or Barradine's solicitor in which he indicated that Messrs. Rylands and HUmer would be negotiating on behalf of Westworld with respect to payment for the removal of the caveat and surrender of the lease. He said that at no time did Westworld give any express instmctions or authority to Tylands and Hilmer to enter into any agreement with Barradine, including the exhibited agreement (this is a reference to the letter dated 28th June, 1985 set out above) to the effect of a payment to the plaintiff of the total sum of $100,000.00. He said further that on the "transaction proceeding to completion" he assumed that Mr. HUmer had successfully negotiated with Barradine in the range "previously the subject of my instmctions to him". The affidavit thus raised the issue of Rylands and Hilmer's authority to act in purporting to bind Westworld by the terms contained in the letter of 28th June, 1985. Not unexpectedly Barradine then joined Rylands and Hilmer as a defendant claiming damages for breach of warranty of authority. I had little difficulty in coming to the conclusion that Mr. Remar was a completely unreliable witness. An examination of his evidence in detaU demonstrates that he has chopped and changed on a number of occasions, at times completely contradicting evidence earlier given by him. This assisted me in the matter of concluding that Mr. Hilmer should be believed. I am also quite satisfied that Mr. Zahl's evidence was acceptable in particular insofar as it touched upon Little's negotiating with him on behalf of Barradine. There was a suggestion that a man named Bentley negotiated on behalf of Westworld. Remar seemed to me to try to hide behind Bentley and to claim ignorance of any steps Bentley might have taken to bind Westworld in an agreement with Barradine. He said that he instmcted Bentley to speak to Hilmer but Mr. Hilmer makes no mention of this. He said that he had given Bentley no specific instmctions: that specific instmctions to Bentley would not be necessary. This might have been of particular importance in the matter had HUmer said that he had any of the numerous conversations which Remar said that Bentley had with him. However, I reject Remar's evidence to that effect. Mr. Barry Williams gave evidence of a conversation which he had on 25th June, 1985 with Remar in which Remar referred to Westworld's having to pay a sum of $100,000 to Barradine. This is in clear conflict with Remar's statement in his affidavit that he was not aware that Westworld would be paying any more than $50,000.00 to $70,000.00 to Barradine. Mr. Hilmer said that he had had a conversation with a Mr. Young a solicitor for Barry Williams two weeks before 28th June, 1985. Mr. Young informed him of a searcfl disclosing the caveat. He said he told Remar that Barradine had a caveat and that Mr. Young wanted it withdrawn. He said that Remar could not understand the need to withdraw the caveat because Barradine's lease was to continue. He said that he told Remar it was essential to have withdrawal of the caveat and that Remar said to him "What shall I do?" He said he told Remar that he or one of his people should go and see Barradine and negotiate the matter. He said that shortly afterwards Remar rang him and said that Barradine wanted $100,000.00 to surrender its lease and that he, Hilmer, said to Remar that that seemed a lot of money; that Remar said "He is having a go at us. He has been put up to this by Barbi". Remar said that he would ring Mr. Barbi to see whether he could get the matter sorted out. Mr. Hilmer said that he might do so but that Mr. Barbi might not speak to him "because of the ethical mles in these things". The evidence shows that Mr. Barbi in fact would not discuss the matter with Remar. Indeed, Mr. Barbi's evidence of the matter supports that of Mr. HUmer as one 3448 27 October 1987 Matters of Public Interest

might expect in the circumstances. Remar subsequently rang Mr. HUmer again. He said something to Remar of the possibility of getting some form of time payment of the money. Remar said that Zahl had told him that he wanted some money immediately. Mr. Hilmer advised him to go back to Zahl to see whether $50,000.00 could be paid on settlement and the remaining $50,000.00, say, seven days before the premises were due to be vacated. He said to Remar that it was probably not a good idea to pay the second $50,000.00 before the premises were vacated. He said that Remar shortly afterwards rang him and said that "His people had done a deal with Barradine"; that $100,000.00 was the agreed sum, $50,000.00 to be paid on settlement and the second sum of $50,000.00 to be paid when the premises were vacated; that Barradine was at liberty to remain in the premises until 31st October 1985 "if they paid the rent and the other normal outgoings that were contained in the lease" but that if Barradine wanted to go earUer then 31st October, 1985 they were free to do so. He said that Remar then instmcted him to make contact with Barbi to formaUse arrangements to ensure that setUement could take place. This evidence is consistent with what was said by Mr. Zahl and I accept it. In the result I would find that Westworld agreed with Barradine according to these terms and that Mr. Barbi and Mr. HUmer enbodied them each within his own authority in the letter referred to above and that the contents of that letter were fully in accord with what had been agreed. In those circumstances, of course, the plaintiffs claim against Rylands and HUmer is not sustained and the claim against Westworld is sustained. Westworld went into liquidation in October, 1986 nearly a year after these proceedings were commenced. The liquidator indicated that they did not propose being present at or taking part in the hearing of this matter. The plaintiff sought leave to continue the proceedings against Westworld and I gave such leave. I therefore propose giving judgment to the plaintiff against Westworld in the sum of $50,000.00 with interest pursuant to the Common Law Practice Act at the rate of 15.5 per centum per annum from 31st October, 1985 to the date of judgment. I order that the case against Rylands and Hilmer (a firm) be dismissed with costs including reserved costs against the plaintiff to be taxed. I order that the defendant Westworld Property Holdings Pty. Ltd. pay the plaintiffs costs including reserved costs of the action to be taxed and that it pay to the plaintiff the costs hereby ordered to be paid by the plaintiff to the defendant Rylands and HUmer (a firm). I was requested not to make orders as to costs in these terms but rather to make a direct order whereby Westworld would pay the costs of the defendants Rylands and Hilmer (a firm). It was argued that in non-jury trials where a plaintiff proceeds against two defendants, one of whom is successful and the other unsuccessful, the proper method of disposing of the question of costs is to order the unsuccessful defendant to pay the successful defendant's costs rather than to follow the circuitous form of a BuUock order; that this wiU free the plaintiff from the risk of the unsuccessful defendant being insolvent and that the dfrect order is the proper form of order to make. This was in accord with the decision of Philp J. in Priest v. Whitney & Houston (No. 2) 1961 Q.W.N.4. In that matter Philp J. relied upon a dictum of Sir George Jessel M.R. in Rudow v. Great Britain Mutual Life Assurance Society [1881] 17 Ch.D. 600 at p. 607, 608 which was said to be approved in Holden v. Black (1905) 2 C.L.R. 768 at 786. This decision seems to put some hmitations upon the very wide discretion given to trial judges on questions of costs. One must be careful to avoid so circumscribing the discretion with mles as to render it not a discretion at all. Holden v. Black (supra) went no further than to decide that under present practice it is not necessary to have recourse to the circuitous proceeding of a Bullock order (see at p. 786). The case concemed the duty of an administrator of an intestate estate to invest and secure the shares of next of kin who are infants, a duty analogous to the obligation to pay next to kin who are sui juris. It was held that sureties to an administration bond were entitled to enforce this duty by action against the administrator as principal debtor, and the next of kin as creditors, in the same way as in the case of other sureties for payment of money, when the time for payment has arrived. It was further held that in such a case the infants' costs of such action should be paid by the plaintiffs, with or without an order that they be recovered over against the administrator. The High Court there held that the proper order to be made in the circumstances of the case was that the defendant administratrix pay the infant defendants' costs of the action. The statement by Jessel M.R. was criticised in Mayer v. Harte [1960] 1 W.L.R. 770 by SeUers and Willmer L.JJ. Willmer L.J. referred to Rudow's case and also to Sanderson v. Blyth Theatre Co. [1903] 2 K.B. 533. It is from the name of the plaintiff in the latter case that the term "Sanderson Order" originated, being a direct order as distinct from the circuitous Bullock order. It was in Sanderson that Stirling L.J. stated that the practice laid down by Jessel M.R. Matters of Public Interest 27 October 1987 3449

in Rudow's case ought to be adhered to wherever practical. WiUmer L.J. said that he found it impossible to extract from those cases any inflexible principle which requfres that a judge must necessarily direct that a successful defendant shaU recover costs direct from an unsuccessful defendant and that any such principle would be contrary to the decision of the House of Lords in Donald Campbell and Co. Ltd. v. Pollak (1927) A.C. 732 whereby it was laid down "once and for all" that costs are in the absolute and unfettered discretion of the Court, subject only to the requirement that the discretion must be judicially exercised. Statements to similar effect have been made by the Full Court of this Court in Wyatt v. Albert Shire Council (Appeal No. 100 of 1986) in the judgement as yet unreported, deUvered on 30th October, 1986. In Queensland O. 91 of the Supreme Court Rules regulates the disposition of costs in the Supreme Court. Rule 1 of that Order provides that costs of and incident to all proceedings in the Court shaU be in the discretion of the Court or Judge. The mle contains the proviso that when any cause, matter or issue is tried with a jury, the costs shaU follow the event unless the Judge by whom it is tried, or the Court, shall for good cause otherwise order. Rule 3 provides that when several issues, whether of fact or law, are raised upon a claim or counter­ claim, the costs of the several issues respectively, both in law and fact, shall unless otherwise ordered, follow the event. These mles by their very terms, bestow a wide discretion as to costs on the trial Judge. In Sanderson's case as was pointed out by Willmer L.J. in Mayer v. Harte (supra) the decision was to the effect that the Court has jurisdiction either to order an unsuccessful defendant to pay a successful defendant's costs direct, or to order the plaintiff to pay the successful defendant's costs and add them to the costs which the unsuccessful defendant is ordered to pay to the plaintiff and Romer L.J., who gave the leading judgement, made it clear that the matter is one for the discretion of the Court. SeUers L.J. in Mayer v. Harte at p. 781 pointed out that in Sanderson's case the main dispute on appeal was whether there was jurisdiction in the Court to order payment at aU by an unsuccessful defendant of the costs of the successful defendant and that Romer L.J. remarked to the effect that such an order is constantly made in the Chancery Division. At p. 782 Sellers L.J. referred to Rudow's case and pointed out that the main contest was whether only a circuitous type of order could be made rather than a direct order. He said further: "In the course of the argument Jessel M.R. made the observation to which my Lord has referred in his judgement as a strong pronouncement. But it is significant, in my view, that the matter of insolvency of one of the parties affecting the other is referred to as a consequence of the order, and so indeed it can be, if that order can be made, a matter to be taken into consideration". He went on to point out that the judgement of Stirling L.J. in Sanderson's case does not treat the statement by Jessel M.R. as establishing a principle of law or an obUgation which it is imperative for a Judge to invoke and that he would regard it as a guide not a mle particularly after the pronouncement of the House of Lords in Donald Campbell and Co. Ltd. v. Pollak (supra). In this case I can see no reason why the defendant Rylands and Hilmer (a firm) should be made to depend upon the result of the winding up of Westworld before recovering its costs or any of them. It is the plaintiff, in my view, which should pay those costs. Rylands and Hilmer had no choice in the matter; on the facts as I have found them, the plaintiffs claim was clearly to be resisted. It depended upon statements made by Remar in the affidavit to which I have referred after the action had been commenced. The evidence given by Mr. Barbi in the trial was in no sense contradictory of evidence given by Mr. Hilmer. Mr. Barbi's evidence in this context related to events which occurred before the action commenced. According to the evidence given by Mr. Zahl the plaintiff had reached an agreement with Westworld's agent Little. Generally it seemed to me that a good deal of evidence led on behalf of the plaintiff was consistent with that given by Mr. Hilmer. A letter of 11th December, 1986 written by Mr. Barbi to Remar made it plain enough that it was anticipated that Remar was likely to change his story so far as Hilmer's authority to act was concemed. By this I mean his authority to take up with Mr. Barbi the matter of confirming in writing the agreement which had already been reached between the plaintiff and Westworld. I have thought it appropriate to make the above observations in explanation of the way in which I have exercised my discretion on the matter of costs. Mr LEE: I draw attention to the fact that in his judgment the Chief Justice said he had little difficulty in coming to the conclusion that Mr Remar, or Remo, was a completely unreliable witness and that Mr Zahl's evidence was acceptable. By obtaining

77193—113 3450 27 October 1987 Matters of Public Interest a council permit, Remar picked up a profit of $655,000. That was done on a deposit of $125,000. They are not bad pickings, are they? Yet this man was happy to defraud his creditors. Although he may be working within the law, I say that morally this man is unjust. Mr White interjected. Mr LEE: As the member for Redcliffe said, he is a crook. I ask for justice so that Mr Zahl and other creditors may not in the future be placed in these circumstances. Institute of Public Affairs Report on Queensland Budget Mr HOBBS (Wartego) (11.11 a.m.): Today I wish to expand on the report of the Institute of Public Affairs State policy unit. That unit is based in Westem Australia and is a well-respected organisation. It puts a lot of time and effort into the research on detail that it requires. For Queenslanders, the important aspect of the report is that the Queensland Budget was proved to be the most economically responsible of all the State and Commonwealth Budgets. Even the Opposition in this place had difficulty in finding any real fault with the State Budget. When various members on the other side of the House had the chance to debate the Budget in full, they took their time talking of all sorts of things that were totally irrelevant to the Queensland Budget. When one looks closely at the Budget papers prepared by the Premier and Treasurer, one finds that the real issues of responsible economic and financial management are there for all to see, so it is not surprising that members of the Opposition spoke of irrelevancies. If someone wishes to go through a Budget of any State, I do not doubt that he could put a higher priority on some items of expenditure than on others. However, the underlying factor is the overall package and the vision of what the State's situation may be many years ahead. Mr Hayward interjected. Mr HOBBS: If the honourable member listens, he may leam something. This brings me to the point that the responsibility of long-term economic planning is not being addressed by the majority of Australian States. However, the worst offender is the Federal Govemment, which has not come to grips with the need to reduce the growth of expenditure and the relative burden on the tax-payer. In Queensland, expenditure restraint has been addressed, with a 1.1 per cent real fall in total outlays, lower taxation and a 1.5 per cent real fall in tax revenue. Mr Hayward: Do you know who wrote the IPA report? Mr HOBBS: Never mind about who wrote the IPA report. The facts and figures are there. The institute makes other comments with regard to other States. It is all there in black and white for everyone to see. New South Wales wins the lemon award. It had the least restrained of all the 1987-88 State Govemment Budgets. It lifted recurtent outiays by a massive 10.6 per cent, that is, 3.3 per cent in real terms. These figures cannot be changed. In New South Wales that was an increase in taxation revenue of $403m, or $71 per head of population. Westem Australia's tax revenue increased by 10.4 per cent, or $61 per capita. That follows a 25 per cent increase last year. South Australia, another Labor State, also tries to substitute socialistic philosophies for sound economic management. That State has a real tax increase of 4 per cent, or an increased tax take of $75 per head of population. The institute also takes note that in Queensland expenditure from Tmst and Special Funds is down approximately 13 per cent in real terms, implying a substantial reduction in Queensland's public sector borrowing requirements. Again, this is in contrast to other States. The facts are there for everyone to see. Matters of Public Interest 27 October 1987 3451

How long can State and Commonwealth Govemments continue with deficit funding? The position of the Commonwealth Govemment with its borrowings, and with a foreign debt of $118 bilhon, or $7m for every man, woman and child in this nation, is to be condemned. The Federal Govemment claims that it is not responsible for aU of that debt. However, it must be remembered that business must go on and that business people will try to obtain funds at the best interest rates available and will borrow off shore if Australia's banking system is not competitive. It is the Federal Govemment that needs to have a good, close look at its policies to encourage Australian business to be able to use fully the banking system available to it. For the second year in succession the Queensland Govemment has been recognised by a respected organisation as having the right policies for these difficult economic times. Mr Burreket: And rightly so, too. Mr HOBBS: That is dead right. Queensland is the leader in the field when it comes to reducing the tax burden on the Australian people. It is a shame that the other States and the Commonwealth do not follow the Queensland philosophy of keeping as much money as possible in the pockets of Australians, which, in tum, allows them to spend their money as they choose rather than have Big Brother spend it for them. I will demonstrate the increasing tax burden for 1987-88 which the various State Labor Govemments have placed on the people whom they are supposed to represent. The people of the various States have elected these Labor Govemments for various reasons. Mr Burreket: Fools, aren't they? Mr HOBBS: That is quite right. However, honourable members can be assured that one of the reasons could not be their financial management, when one considers what these other States are doing to their people financially, thus placing the future of Australia in jeopardy. Mr Hayward interjected. Mr Burreket: They don't like it, do they? Mr HOBBS: No. Members of the Opposition are being hurt; they are being stung. New South Wales is increasing the tax burden by $71 per capita; Victoria, by $69 per capita; Westem Australia, by $61 per capita; South Australia, by $75 per capita; and the Commonwealth by a massive $340 per capita. And guess what? Queensland is increasing the tax burden by a low $26 per capita. Anyone would realise that the Queensland figure is very low. Mr Borbidge: Who got the lemon award again? Mr HOBBS: New South Wales got that award. People just over the border should be smarter than that, but they are not. When one considers these increases in taxation by Govemments, one does wonder where they wiU end. I cite the example of the massive increase in the Commonwealth tax take. I believe that that will blow out even further in light of the stock exchange shake-out that honourable members have witnessed during the past couple of weeks. Try as it may, the Federal Govemment did not go anywhere near balancing its Budget. In fact, it was one of Paul Keating's card tricks in which he was caught dealing from the bottom of the pack. I refer to the recent balance of payment figures which show Australia to be in a much worse position owing to a manipulation of figures set up to make the Budget look better than it was. Mr Burreket: Dreadful. 3452 27 October 1987 Matters of Public Interest

Mr HOBBS: It is dreadful. It is clear to me, and no doubt it is clear to the majority of Australians, that interest rates and inflation will almost certainly be pushed up, which, in tum, will put more pressure on Australia's extemal debt. Mr Keating would do well to remember that it will not be the paper-company barons who underwrite Australia's economic recovery; rather, it will be those involved in export commodities, exporting something of real worth, not pieces of paper and lOUs. The Queensland Govemment is making a positive effort to ease on its residents the burden of Govemment spending. In fact, Queenslanders pay the lowest amount of tax per head of people in all the Australian States. Mr Davis: That's not tme. Mr HOBBS: It is tme. Queensland has no liquor tax, no petroleum tax, no tobacco tax and no financial institutions duty tax. Mr Burreket: It's the best-managed State in Australia. Mr HOBBS: It is the best-managed State in Australia. Our socialist neighbours just over the border are forced to pay $352.16 more in State taxes than their counterparts in Queensland. The same applies to Victoria, where people pay $350 more than their counterparts in Queensland, and to South Austraha, where they pay $221.32 more than their counterparts in Queensland. I will go a bit further and compare some of the taxes that Queensland does have in common with some sociahst States. It is found that Queensland is taking less in taxes. I refer to pay-roll tax. Queensland will collect, on average, $200 per head in pay­ roll tax, whereas Victoria will collect $310 and New South Wales will collect $307. The pay-roll tax rates in Victoria and New South Wales are much higher than the pay-roll tax rate in Queensland. Govemment members often hear criticism from the Opposition benches about the pay-roll tax rates in Queensland. Although no-one looks forward to paying any taxes at aU, the Queensland Govemment pay-roll tax rates are considerably less than those in the other States. Mr Burreket: Do you think the Labor Party could mn a pie cart at a profit? Mr HOBBS: I doubt whether the members of the Labor Party could mn a pie cart at a profit. The pay-roll tax figures to which I have just referted show the mbbish that members of the Opposition go on with when they are desperate for a subject to speak about. They do not have the facts to support their claims. The same can be said in regard to land tax. The people in other States are being ripped off by being charged two or three times the amount that is charged in Queensland. To sum up my remarks on the Budget and the tax comparison between the States— one can clearly see that Queensland comes out with the blue ribbon in first place. I consider myself privileged to live in this great State with its great future. Townsville/Thuringowa Water Board Mr McELLIGOTT (Thuringowa) (11.21 a.m.): The residents of the twin cities of Townsville and Thuringowa have been shocked by the Govemment's intmsion into the affairs of the Townsville/Thuringowa Water Board. The residents cannot understand why the Govemment, which established the joint water board, would now want to restmcture the board so soon after it was set up, especially at a time when the board is well situated to solve the region's very serious water supply problems. Matters of Public Interest 27 October 1987 3453 The only conclusion that people can draw is that the National Party is determined to undermine the very popular Labor-controlled city council at the local authority elections to be held in March next year. In this regard, Messrs Tenni, Katter and Burteket have been remarkably inept. The vast majority of residents are heartily sick of the political grandstanding of this trio and, quite frankly, they have already guaranteed the re-election of the Labor council in Townsville. All three have eamed a reputation for harbouring a deep-seated dislike of Townsville. That hatred is, of course, political and is aimed at the Labor council. They would prefer to see Townsville suffer from a depressed economy, just as long as that can be made to reflect on the council. The member for Townsville is irrelevant in all this, but the people of Townsville and Thuringowa have the right to expect more from the Minister for Northem Development and the Minister for Water Resources, both of whom have a responsibility to work for the progress and development of both cities. Townsville and Thuringowa have always suffered from water shortages, which successive councils have attempted, within the financial capacity of their rate-payers, to resolve. As a result, over time weirs have been built on the the Ross River, the pipeline to Mount Spec has been constmcted, the duplication of the Mount Spec pipeline has occurred, and Ross River Dam Stages 1 and 2 and the Burdekin pipeline have been constmcted. Public opinion is that the Burdekin Dam should have been built 50 years ago and all of these interim schemes avoided. That was not to be, and debates have raged over the years about how to guarantee Townsville and Thuringowa a reliable and adequate water supply. In these debates the Townsville City Council, as the water supply authority prior to the establishment of the joint water board, leaned heavily on the Queensland Water Resources Commission and the State Treasury for advice and support. The faUure of Messrs Katter and Tenni to accept that point, and their refusal to support their public servants, is deplorable. Stage 1 of Ross River Dam was designed, and its constmction supervised, by the commission. When the decision had to be made to proceed with Stage 2, again the advice to proceed came from the commission, with the unequivocal support of the then Minister, John Goleby. The altemative to Stage 2 was a large pipeline to the Burdekin, at that time estimated to cost $48m. The capital cost differential, plus standing charges which the State would have imposed, led the commission to recommend the implementation of Stage 2—a recommendation which the council had no option but to accept. Mr Katter showed his ignorance and political bias by suggesting in Monday's Courier- Mail that the cost of Stage 2—which he said would be $30m—had been wasted. He described the second stage of the Ross River Dam as "useless". Mr Katter stated— "... the people involved (in approving the Ross River project) should have been sacked eight months ago." It is a tragedy that John Goleby is not here to respond to that ridiculous suggestion. Mr Katter does not understand that the capacity of Stage 2 means that the pipe size, pump size, pumping costs, etc., are now substantially less for the proposed pipeline, thereby reducing the cost from the $50m-odd that I referted to earlier to less than $15m. Mr Katter is equally ignorant in claiming that the benefits of the extra work will be lost through evaporation. It is not proposed to use Burdekin water to keep the Ross River Dam full. It will be used as an insurance policy to introduce water when and if Ross River Dam levels drop below safe levels. It will be obvious to everyone—except apparently Mr Katter—that the substantially greater storage capacity of Stage 2 will mean the number of times that insurance policy will have to be drawn on wiU be drastically reduced. The performance of the Minister for Water Resources in all this has been pathetic. Mr Tenni has the unfortunate habit of opening his mouth without first seeking the assistance of the brain. In these circumstances he has often made statements without the benefit of advice from his department. 3454 27 October 1987 Matters of Public Interest

Mr TENNI: I rise to a point of order. The statement by the honourable member is not cortect. As I feel that it is a slur on me, I ask him to withdraw it and to tell the tmth to the people of Queensland. Mr McELLIGOTT: I withdraw it. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Orderi For some time I have been hstening to the exchange between the honourable member for Thuringowa and the Minister. It is beginning to cause me some concem. I beheve that the member for Thuringowa should refer to the Minister by his proper titie. I suggest that the Minister might hke to make a statement on this matter tomorrow. Mr McELLIGOTT: The Minister's actions have resulted in confusion and most of the ill feehng generated between himself and the joint water board. The charges that the Govemment is seeking to impose for the use of Burdekin water include, among other things, recoupment of the State's contribution to the Burdekin Dam waU itself, the Ravenswood road and the restoration of the Clare Weir, as well as the enhancement of the Haughton River channels to provide the extra capacity for Townsville. It is to the board's credit that it has fought hard to have these charges reduced. Surely that is the board's responsibility. Even more cynical was Mr Tenni's disgraceful behaviour over Federal funding of the Burdekin pipeline. As the Minister for Water Resources, he had the right and the responsibility to determine this State's priorities; but to then try to make some sort of political capital out of the Federal Govemment's refusal to fund the pipeline is hypocritical in the extreme. Fortunately, despite Mr Tenni's efforts, the pipehne will be built. State Treasury has approved a loan of $l0.5m plus a 30 per cent subsidy amounting to $4.5m, and tenders have been let for the pipehne and for pumping equipment. The pipeline will be ready to receive Burdekin water from the Haughton River in March or April next year. Speaking of thd Haughton River—honourable members should be aware of the inefficiency of the Water Resources Minister in his efforts to get water to the water- starved cane-farmers of Gim. Burdekin water was to be lifted out of the Burdekin River at the Clare Weir by pumps and travel via a network of channels and pipes to the Haughton River, from where it was to be used to provide water to the Gim farmers. However, as the pumps will not be available until next year, temporary pumps were brought from Bundaberg at considerable cost. The concrete pipes were condemned, so a temporary diversion was built around them, again at considerable expense. All of that was done to try to get emergency supplies to Gim to save the sugar crop; but the temporary pipes were too small, the water reached Gim only last week, and the crop is lost. I make this confident prediction: when the pipeline to Townsville is complete and if the dry spell continues, necessitating the use of Burdekin water, that water will not be available in the Haughton River. Unlike the water board, which has performed creditably all the way through, there are question marks over the performance of the Minister for Water Resources. What does the Govemment now propose to do to reward the board for its dUigence and its competence? It has decided to restmcture the board, effectively to get rid of the chairman. Alderman Brian Dobinson. Alderman Dobinson has been a very effective chairman. As well as grappling with the inconsistencies of Mr Tenni, Alderman Dobinson has had the responsibility of managing the ever-reducing water supply, and he has done that remarkably well. The people of Townsville and Thuringowa demand to know what is going on. Where is the move coming from to restmcture the joint water board? At last Thursday's meeting of the TownsviUe City Council, the National Party member for Townsville and Independent alderman, Tony Burteket, said that secret submissions were received by the (iovemment, which triggered a ministerial meeting to discuss the future of the water board. Alderman Burteket said that he was called into the meeting. Isn't this whole thing just a bit infantile? Matters of Public Interest 27 October 1987 3455 Mr BURREKET: I rise to a point of order. I never said that secret meetings were held. The media referred to them as secret meetings; I was quite open about the meetings. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! At this stage I do not think that there has been any personal reflection. There is no point of order. Mr McELLIGOTT: The joint water board was established with the total agreement of the Townsville and Thuringowa councils and the Govemment. Just last week the chairman and the deputy chairman, the Mayor of Thuringowa, Alderman Dan Gleeson, issued a joint statement declaring their confidence in the stmcture of the board and their faith in its future. I understand that those two persons are making personal representations to the Government for it to leave the board alone. I just cannot believe that the Queensland Govemment has not more important things to do than to receive secret submissions requiring meetings behind closed doors just to get rid of the chairman of a country water board. Perhaps if the Minister involved had spent less time playing politics, there would not have been the shambles over the supply of water to Gim. Mr Tenni is a poor loser. At the outset he proposed to charge the rate-payers of TownsvUle and Thuringowa for the cost of the Burdekin Dam waU itself, which was, of course, fully funded by the Commonwealth. The board forced Cabinet to overtum that decision, thereby reducing water headworks charges from $35 per megalitre to $18 per megalitre. Since that day Mr Tenni has been pursuing the political assassination of Alderman Dobinson. Mr Tenni has abused the good reputation of the board and its chairman, calling at various times for some or all of their resignations. It should be a source of embartassment to the Minister that all of the time he has been playing these games Treasury has given its stamp of approval to the board by approving its application for loan funds and subsidy. Honourable members have witnessed the public humiliation of Mr Katter, who said that the pipeline would not be built until the Federal Govemment agreed to provide funds. That statement was made after—and I emphasise "after"—tenders were called and awarded, after pre-start conferences, after materials had been ordered, after Tubemakers had started on the pipeline and after the announcement of a sod-tuming ceremony had been made. My message to the Govemment today is: leave it alone. Time expired. Gazettal of National Park on Bribie Island; Comments by Member for Windsor Mr NEWTON (Glass House) (11.31 a.m.): In this House on Tuesday evening, 13 October, during the Adjoumment debate, the honourable member for Windsor made a number of false, unfounded and totally irresponsible remarks against myself and certain other respectable and responsible people of my electorate. By making those attacks, the honourable member for Windsor has once again indicated to the world at large his total lack of understanding of the administrative process that gives effect to the decisions of this Parliament and ensures the responsible mnning of the State. In launching that provocative and unjustified attack, the honourable member mentioned four matters which, I might add, can easily be explained; and I will proceed to do that shortly. It is indisputable that the electorate of Glass House is progressing and benefiting from the policies of this National Party Govemment, as indeed is the whole of the State. The only time that this progress looks like going backwards, and when jobs and opportunities are likely to be lost, is when the member for Windsor's socialist mates in Canberra elect to stick their noses in where they are neither wanted nor welcome. Why does the honourable member not direct his energies to convincing his mates down south that lost jobs and opportunities are not progress; that it pays to leave well alone; and that abuse of power and breach of agreement are not standard procedures in administration? 3456 27 October 1987 Matters of Public Interest I will now get back to the specific matters raised. The gazettal of the national park on Bribie Island will be finalised in approximately four months. Arrangements for the TumbuU brothers are finahsed. However, the settlement is nowhere near the figures stated by the honourable member for Windsor. Exaggerations of this nature can do nothing but detract from his argument and further erode his credibility, if that is at all possible. The TumbuU brothers considered that they had a case. It was determined that they did, and the settlement arrangements were appropriate and reasonable. Secondly, the honourable member dealt with Dux Creek developments. That project has been in the pipeline for 10 years. The area in question at Bribie Island was cleared quite correctly and totally legally in a very short space of time, simply because such an area cannot be reclaimed and drained piecemeal. Vercorp became actively involved in the existing Solander Lake estate late in 1983 and immediately embarked upon a massive tree and overall flora-plantingprogam , which ultimately led to Endeavour Drive in the Solander Lake estate being named as the most attractive street within the Caboolture Shire in 1985. This sought-after award went to Solander Lake Esplanade in 1986 and again in 1987. The estate, including its landscaping and overall appearance, is maintained by the company, and on this issue it would be a leader in conservation and care throughout the entire State of Queensland. Vercorp secured a special lease on the 150 hectare Dux Creek area from the Land Administration Commission. One of the stringent conditions set was that the company prepare an environmental impact study involving every possible aspect of the proposed development. The company also acquired the existing lease held by Bunny Industries on the south bank of Dux Creek. Many months of painstaking work was undertaken with the recognised experts in the various disciplines prior to the start of a massive study and investigation in July 1984 at the hydraulics laboratory of the Department of Harbours and Marine at Deagon. In the main, this study dealt with the complexities of hydraulics and the overall effect of this proposed development particularly on the Pumicestone Passage and adjacent waterways. The cost of this environmental impact study was close to $500,000. On 17 June 1987 a public meeting was caUed by the Bribie Island rate-payers' association at the Bribie Island school. Some time during that meeting the honourable member for Windsor stormed in, having just arrived from Maryborough. His behaviour, when he stood up to address the meeting, has been described as maniacal. Shouting and waving his arms about, he stated that Vercorp had acted Ulegally. Mr Comben interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Order! Does the honourable member for Windsor wish to raise a point of order? Mr COMBEN: Yes. I do not mind what allegations the honourable member makes about my motives, etc., but I must ask for a withdrawal of the statement that I waved my arms and became maniacal. It was nothing like it. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I suggest that the member for Glass House may have made a personal reflection against the member for Windsor. In all faimess, I ask the honourable member to withdraw that statement. Mr NEWTON: I withdraw that statement. The member for Windsor stated that Vercorp had acted illegally and that it did not have the cortect permits, etc. The chairman of the Caboolture Shire CouncU then stood up, produced a piece of paper and stated that Vercorp had the necessary permits and had in no way acted illegaUy. The honourable member then mumbled something about not knowing what had happened to his research and that he must have been given the wrong information. He took no further part in the meeting and retreated to the verandah to consult with some of his friends. Matters of Public Interest 27 October 1987 3457 All documentation conceming the Solander estate has been on the public record for more than two years, and copies have been placed in the (Caboolture library and the Bribie Island library. It should be noted well that, owing to Vercorp's care of the existing Solander estate and subsequent sales, bringing vital money into the local economy, no fewer than 30 people will be employed in the medium to long term. Curtently, with contractors included, some 40 people have employment. The bottom line is that Vercorp has done absolutely nothing wrong legaUy or morally in the initial development of the Dux Creek area and wiU continue to be totaUy responsible, backed up by its unblemished record. To not carry out present and fiiture development within the legitimate constraints of the Department of Harbours and Marine, the Caboolture Shire Council and the many statutory bodies involved would be totally counter-productive, and would lead this dynamic all-Queensland company to be accused of irtesponsibility, a tag it would not wear. I tum now to the matter of the Coonowrin national park. The honourable member has simply rewritten the meaning of the word "licence". He has blown the matter way out of proportion, giving it a notoriety that it does not deserve—and, I believe, all in the interest of promoting himself Stated simply, there was a minor encroachment on a national park, but the matter was handled totally within the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service and was satisfactorily resolved. The National Parks and Wildlife Service is to be commended on the way the matter was handled. To suggest that there was any input over and above that of the service is absolute rot. Finally, I tum to the (Caboolture Aero Club. Three years ago the Caboolture Aero Club operated from a privately owned field closer to town, which was consumed by subdivision development resulting in action by the club members seeking altemative sites. In response to a request from the aero club, the Caboolture Shire Council applied for release of part of a reserve north east of the town for use as an airfield. All initial negotiations were made to the Land Administration Commission by the council as tmstees for the land. Normal consent use application required the aero club to advertise, which resulted in 28 objections. If those objections are evaluated on the basis of one for each family, the number of objections being lodged is reduced to 12 out of approximately 54 000 people who live in the shire. At no stage during the application process was any expert advice, as claimed by the honourable member, submitted stating that the site was unsuitable owing to the flight path being over the Caboolture High School. Who is the alleged expert and why is Caboolture airfield any different from most other airfields situated in built-up areas that have flight paths over populous areas which include schools? Letters of support for the Caboolture Aero Club have been received from every local service club, plus the Caboolture High School that the honourable member claims is under threat. The Queensland Museum completed an extensive report on the impact of the airfield, which concludes favourably on the airfield constmction. Although the initial application was between the aero club, the councU and the Land Administration Commission, without my involvement, I am pleased now to be able to offer support for this very important development which, apart from its sporting use, will be a major entrance for new businesses and tourism for the Caboolture/Bribie Island area. The new airport will also relieve some of the air traffic congestion experienced at major Brisbane airports. My campaign office during the last State election was supplied by a member of the National Party in Caboolture—a normally accepted procedure by a stalwart member of the party—not by Garry Poole, as stated by the honourable member for Windsor, who should get his facts right before making claims that would result in legal processes if not made under parliamentary privilege. I refuse to resort to the cowardly actions and the name-calling in which the member for Windsor indulged in this Chamber. I can assure the honourable member that the 3458 27 October 1987 Matters of Public Interest people mentioned in his speech have not taken kindly to his comments. His attacks on me are totally without provocation and reason. I am serving the people in the electorate of Glass House to the very best of my ability, with honesty and integrity. National Park at Bayfield Mr COMBEN (Windsor) (11.41 a.m.): It is not worth commenting on the speech made by the honourable member for Glass House, which was the longest contribution that he has ever made in this House. It confirms again that, in some places in this State, the people have the best members that money can buy. The people of Queensland deserve to be told the tmth Mr NEWTON: I rise to a point of order. I take objection to that statement made by the honourable member for Windsor. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Order! The honourable member for Windsor did not mention personally the member for Glass House. I do not think that a point of order has been made out. Mr COMBEN: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. As I was saying, the people of Queensland deserve to be told the tmth about how they are curtently govemed. The story of delay, filibuster, incompetence, deceit and cronyism connected with the 20-year-old proposal for a major national park at Bayfield near Yeppoon is an eye-opener. A Government member interjected. Mr COMBEN: Yes. It is a desirable state of affairs compared with govemment in Queensland today. On 4 October 1980, a former national parks director, while referring to the Rockhampton region, stated to the National Resources Convention at Armidale— "No other similarly industrialised or populated part of the eastem Australian coastline has less land reserved for nature conservation and recreation." He went on to state— "The recreational values of this coastal region are extensive. Future recreation demands are likely to be high from Rockhampton and other inland towns and from southem Queensland." By 1982, the proposal had firmed to the extent that Dr Saunders, in a letter to the Shire Clerk of the Livingstone Shire Council, was able to state that "the Service does have a major national park proposal between Water Park Creek and the Shoalwater Bay Army Reserve". I table a copy of that letter with its statement that "this proposed national park is important not only for nature conservation but also to provide future recreation opportunities for the people of Rockhampton, Yeppoon and the general region". Whereupon the honourable member laid the document on the table. Mr COMBEN: The letter also states— "The Bayfield area represents the only opportunity along the Capricom Coast for such use and an altemative to the sophisticated tourist development near Yeppoon." The Govemment was therefore aware of and interested in the proposal. A major element of the election platform of Mr Denis Hinton, the member for Broadsound, was the declaration of the Bayfield national park proposal. Only a few weeks ago, Mr Hinton was able to announce in his local press that a majority of the Govemment were supporting the declaration of the park proposal. How bitter those words must now be in the light of the revelations of the past six days! Matters of Public Interest 27 October 1987 3459

Last Thursday night I saw on ABC television the revelation that two-thirds of the proposed 13 000 hectare site was to be made an environmental park and tmsteeship of the area was to be given to Mr Iwasaki. The foUowing day the Courier-Mail reported that senior Govemment sources confirmed that "Sir Joh recently submitted to (Cabinet a proposal for Mr Iwasaki to manage an 'environmental park' dfrectly north of his Yeppoon resort". In that article. Sir Joh denied that Iwasaki was to manage the area but confirmed that he "did not want a national park in the area because it would lock up the area". By Sunday, the statements had changed again. Sir Joh was quoted in the Sunday Mail as saying it was— "... vital that Iwasaki's expertise and manpower be used to manage the land which was now subject to major bushfires, littering and other unauthorised activities. 'As I have pointed out, the whole area is under one big fire blanket,' he said. 'The only way to get to the land is through Mr Iwasaki's place on his private road and he has very generously offered to build a bridge over a creek to aUow public access.'" Sir Joh also admits that he has been "working on this for the last two years". It is clear that he has been working in collusion with Mr Iwasaki for two years to circumvent the provisions of the "Iwasaki Act" and the Foreign Investment Review Board. Not only has he been colluding with Mr Iwasaki but he has also been working on secret deals, the full details of which were and still are unknown to his (Cabinet colleagues or his back-benchers on the Govemment side of the House. Mr R. J. Gibbs: Do you think he had a "yen" for it? Mr COMBEN: There would certainly be a yen involved if the Premier was in on it. Cabinet approved, by decision No. 52382 of 31 August 1987, a submission and two recommendations of the Premier. These were (1) that the recommendation for an environmental park (in the Bayfield area) be approved; and (2) if required for port access purposes, land in that area is to be made available in the future. In the Premier's submission, no mention was made of any tmsteeship of the park being given to Mr Iwasaki. The first that the majority of members of the Cabinet knew about the tmsteeship was when they, like other Queenslanders, saw it on the Thursday night ABC news. It is amazing that nothing has been heard from the Govemment about this approval. On that Thursday night I was in Yeppoon for the fight of the decade, a public debate between Mr Hinton and myself over environmental issues in Broadsound. At the beginning of his public address Mr Hinton stated— "In my efforts to have the Bayfield proposal made a national park I have the full support of a majority of the Cabinet and especially Ministers such as Mr Muntz, Mr Ahem, the Deputy Premier and Mines Minister Austin. Mr Gunn and Mr Ahem are both unequivocally committed to the declaration. I am authorised to state that these leaders will declare the national park in 9 months." This view of the position of key (Cabinet Ministers has been confirmed since in the media. Mr Hinton stated also— "I see a backbench revolt over the Premier's statement. It is unacceptable to me and central Queensland and I stand by that." What does this sorry tale tell us about Govemment in Queensland today? Firstly, it shows us that there is a want of honesty at all levels in the (Cabinet. Sir Joh, by his 3460 27 October 1987 Matters of Public Interest own admission, stated that he and he alone had been working on the project for two years; yet he did not inform his colleagues of that fact. His (Cabinet colleagues supported the 31 August decision to declare an environmental park, but told no-one of their decision and disowned both the decision and the Premier when the issue became public. When the rat pack manoeuvres for a new leader, polite conventions such as (Cabinet solidarity are quickly forgotten. Secondly, it shows a Premier prepared to scheme and use a legal device and sham to circumvent Foreign Investment Review Board prohibitions on the acquisition of further land by the Iwasaki Sangyo company. Mr De Lacy: They have been doing it for 20 years. Mr COMBEN: In actual fact, they have been doing it for 30 years. Those orders were issued by Mr John Howard, then Federal Treasurer, on 30 July 1978 and 23 January 1980. This circumvention by means of tmsteeship provisions smacks of cronyism of the worst kind. Why is the Premier, by his silence, wiUing to mislead his Cabinet? What is the full extent of two years of negotiations between the Premier and Mr Iwasaki? Why did he attend the Iwasaki resort the day before he introduced this year's State Budget? Why is it so essential for Mr Iwasaki to be in control of that land when any other developer would be more that content with a major national park on the doorstep of his resort? What are the benefits to the Premier and to Mr Iwasaki? Entrepreneurs do not just offer to put in major roads, bridges, walking tracks and trails unless there is a clearly foreseeable profit or benefit. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Order! The Chair is concemed about the honourable member's reflection on the veracity of any member of Cabinet in respect of personal involvement. He should direct his remarks away from that topic, or I will have to deal with him. Mr COMBEN: I am, of course, concentrating on Mr Iwasaki, and to that extent I say that the benefit of this deal is, in part, effective sole use and control of the Bayfield land by Mr Iwasaki. The Premier can state it is public land, but access will be via Iwasaki's tourist resort, and to many people this will be a deterrent. Subtle use of signs and restrictions will deter others. The area wiU become an exclusive enclave for the rich tourists visiting Mr Iwasaki. Thirdly, nepotism in the form of a Mr Lester Folker—who just happens to be the son-in-law of the Premier—being a director of the Iwasaki company may also be a factor in this decision. Fourthly, there is the matter of contempt for the environmental needs of the State and for the recreational needs of the region of central Queensland. So in this decision-making process we find secrecy, deceit, cronyism, nepotism and contempt. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member for Windsor is making references to honourable members of this Chamber and is using words that I consider to be unparliamentary. He will withdraw those last words that he used, including the words " nepotism", "deceit", and so on. If he is referring to Ministers, he will withdraw those words. Mr COMBEN: I have to withdraw the words "secrecy", "deceit", "cronyism", "nepotism" and "contempt"; is that correct? Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: In the interests of parliamentary decomm, I believe those words should be withdrawn. Mr COMBEN: I withdraw the five words that I used there. The Cabinet, which has never worked any better than a two-bob watch, now has two bob each way in its decisions. The members of Cabinet voted for the environmental Matters of Public Interest 27 October 1987 3461 park but disowned the decision when it was made public. But I put it to this House that there is still something sinister going on. This moming the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin revealed details of an intemational airport to be built at the (Capricom Iwasaki resort. The report revealed that the proposal is for a 3 000 metre landing strip equal to those of international airports and capable of providing landing facilities for wide-bodied aircraft up to Boeing 767 standard. Whilst feasibility studies are presently being carried out, if the proposal goes ahead it will mean that Rockhampton will not be used as a terminal for intemational tourists; they will fly straight to the Iwasaki resort. The end result will be that Mr Iwasaki will control his 8 000 hectares of resort, have an intemational mnway available and will control the large area of land between his resort Time expired. Proposed World Heritage Listing of North Queensland Rainforest Areas Mr MENZEL (Mulgrave) (11.52 a.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker Mr Vaughan: Keep it clean. Mr MENZEL: The honourable member need not worry about that. I rise to tell the House, the people of Queensland and, for that matter, Australia of the massive fraud and the deceit that the Federal Govemment has engaged in with regard to the boundaries of the proposed World Heritage listing and also the fraud that leading members of the conservation movement are engaged in. Before I do that, I wish to congratulate the member for Glass House on his excellent speech. He did members opposite like a dinner. It is no secret that the conservation foundation drew up the boundaries for the Federal Govemment's proposed World Heritage listing. There is no doubt about that. Mr Scott: They are only the indicative boundaries. The boundaries have not been finalised. Mr MENZEL: The boundaries have been finalised. Although the Federal Govem­ ment says that it is prepared to consider changes to the boundaries, they have certainly been drawn up. Mr Scott: Who told you this? Mr MENZEL: Senator Richardson has said it and it has been on the news. The boundaries were not drawn up by the public service. Federal (Cabinet, Barry Cohen, who was sacked from the Federal Cabinet, or the mthless Senator Richardson, who thinks that he can treat the people of north Queensland as he treats members of the Labor Party machine in New South Wales. Mr Scott: Did you see the way some of them treated him—or tried to? Mr MENZEL: Who is that? Mr Scott: Are you proud of your supporters up there? Mr MENZEL: They are not in my electorate. They are in the electorate of the honourable member's colleague, so he should ask him. Obviously those people voted for the member for Mourilyan, who got a very good majority in that electorate. He is the one who should be thinking about this matter. Mr Gately interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): I ask the honourable member for Mulgrave to address the Chair. 3462 27 October 1987 Matters of Public Interest Mr MENZEL: The member for Curmmbin said that those people had leamt from the BuUders Labourers Federation, which is probably right. Obviously the Federal Labor Govemment has been bribed or otherwise influenced by the conservation movement. The funny part is—it is not funny; it is a serious fraud— that those who drew the boundaries made sure that their properties were not included in the proposed World Heritage area. They made sure that their properties were not included in the boundaries that they themselves set. Those people sold a pup to the Federal Govemment. Knowingly or unknowingly, the Federal Govemment accepted those boundaries. I understand that, since then, some of the members of the conservation movement who hve at Cow Bay have apparently asked that their land be included in the proposed listing. I think that has occurted only because of the public outcry. After deliberately leaving their land outside the area, now they have decided Mr De Lacy: You are not talking about Rosemary HiU, are you? Mr MENZEL: I will get on to Rosemary later on. She is obviously a friend of the honourable member for (Caims. The Federal Govemment has issued false maps on the Daintree area to conceal some blatant and glaring mistakes. Mr Scott: Is that a reference to the Boigu Island voters? Mr MENZEL: What is the honourable member talking about? Mr Scott: That was a terrible thing to say about those two women. Mr MENZEL: I did not cast a slur on anybody; I made a few points about what people were doing and should not have been doing. False maps of the Daintree area were issued. I wiU table a map which I call map 1, which is the proper up-to-date map. That map reveals about 1 200 subdivisions. Senator Richardson claimed that only about 12 to 15 land-owners in the Daintree area would be affected. In fact 1 200 land-owners will be affected. Mr Scott: Twelve hundred in the Daintree area? Mr MENZEL: They are one or two-hectare blocks. The map which I will table shows that clearly. Senator Richardson is obviously a fraud who has misled the people of north Queensland, as he has been doing to the New South Wales ALP machine for years. Rex Jackson, a former ALP Cabinet Minister in New South Wales, who is now in prison, probably did far less than Senator RichaMson has done to the people of north Queensland. The second map that I will table is the map that the Federal Govemment claimed to be the real map. It is an out-of-date map. It has obviously been used deliberately by the heritage commission or the Federal (Government to totally misrepresent the tme position in relation to the boundaries. Mr Scott interjected. Mr MENZEL: The honourable member for Cook can read what is written on this map, because, as I have said, I wUl table it. The greenies—particularly those up in the Daintree region—say that a unique rainforest goes right down to the sea. On the second map that I will table the area that does in fact go down to the sea is owned by the greenies. When the boundaries were drawn up the greenies made sure that that area was not included. Mr Gately: Shame on them! Mr MENZEL: Shame, indeed! It is unfortunate that such misleading should occur. Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3463 The land owned by a number of people was excluded from World Heritage listing. Some of the land-owners whose land was excluded are Price, Rykers, Norton, Hans and Lyn Nievwenhauzer, Tmelove, Gray, M. A. Stannard and P. Long, Simon Fell and Mason. Because of the public outcry, some of those people have applied to be included in the World Heritage listing. How hypocritical can they be! They did that either because of the public outcry or as part of a well-rehearsed scenario to back up Senator Richardson by saying, "Some people have even applied to have their land included in the World Heritage listing." I can tell honourable members that many more people are applying to get out of World Heritage listing than are applying to get into it. It demonstrates the dictatorial and Hitler-like attitude of the Federal Govemment when it talks about open govemment. One of the members of the Opposition mentioned Rosemary Hill. I understand that yesterday she offered her land for inclusion in the World Heritage listing. Rosemary Hill still has a sawmill on her property. I would be interested to know what she will do with that sawmill. Leading conservationists are trying to shut down everyone else's sawmill and the timber industry, yet they have them on their own properties. How hypocritical can people be? If people are not prepared to practise what they preach, they should not preach at all. Mr EATON: I rise to a point of order. That has been checked out with the Forestry Department. It is a limited licence to cut the timber on the property that was going to be bumt or left to rot. That is all. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Row): Order! The honourable member has made an explanation but there is no reflection on anyone. There is no point of order. Mr MENZEL: The question I ask is: what funds were given to the Labor Party candidate for Leichhardt and to the Hawke Govemment by the conservation movement? Did it raise funds for the Labor Party to get its own way? The Federal Govemment was obviously concemed about the vote for the Democrats and tried to win back some of the greenie vote. Thousands of jobs will be lost through the World Heritage listing. The Federal Govemment talks about increasing employment for the tourist industry, but the tourist industry in far-north Queensland, in places such as (Caims, is booming and has been for the past few years, long before there was any talk of World Heritage listing. How hypocritical can the Federal Govemment be? Whereupon the honourable member laid on the table the documents referred to. At 12.02 p.m.. In accordance with the provisions of the Sessional Order, the House went into Committee of Supply.

SUPPLY Estimates—Seventh and Eighth Allotted Days Estimates-in-Chief, 1987-88 Works and Housing Department of Works Hon. I. J. GIBBS (Albert—Minister for Works and Housing) (12.02 p.m.): I move— "That $171,432,000 be granted for 'Department of Works'." The total amount appropriated to the Department of Works is $5.7m, or 3.4 per cent, more than that expended in 1986-87, and that is due mainly to higher costs and additional usage of electricity, telephones and cleaning services as well as the provision of these services to new buildings. My departmental Estimates were last debated in September 1985, and it is appropriate to review activities since then. 3464 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) In initiating the debate, let me say that honourable members will note that in both areas within the Estimates there have been a number of changes in the scope of work undertaken since the Estimates were last debated. For instance. Loan Funds allocated to the Department of Works increased from $210.3m in 1985-86 to $221.6m in 1986- 87. The winding-down of the Special Major (Capital Works Program resulted in spending on public buildings of $378.9m for 1986-87. The financial year 1986-87 proved to be a year of record assistance to home-seekers through the Queensland Housing Commission in terms of numbers of people helped overaU into homes. New initiatives were also undertaken to provide such assistance, and I wiU be referring to the commission's operations in more detail later. I wUl now provide detaUs of the activities of the Works Department and the Queensland Housing Commission over the period that has elapsed since the last Estimates debate for my portfoho. The amount expended by the Department of Works on public buildings during the two years 1985-86 and 1986-87 decreased from $433.6m in 1985- 86 to $378.9m in 1986-87, a decrease of $5.4m. The decrease in expenditure has occurred through the winding-up of the Special (Capital Works Program, of which $203m was initially allocated to my department. Referring to this program, let me state what an outstanding success it has been with the infusion of funds boosting the (Capital Works Program over a IVi year period and providing as it has new and improved schools, other educational facilities, police facilities, Govemment office buildings and housing for (Crown employees. Also included in the overall expenditure was an amount of $45.4m which the Commonwealth Govemment made avaUable in 1986-87 for projects at primary schools, special education, high schools and coUeges of technical and further education. This amount represents a decreased Commonwealth Govemment allocation of 17.9 per cent on the previous allocation of $55.3m made available in 1985-86, and once again highlights the severe and unfair funding restrictions imposed by the Commonwealth on the State of Queensland. As in previous years, the major portion of funds available continues to be spent on educational establishments, and I am sure that all members in this Chamber will support such a program. In the two financial years under review, $421.7m was expended, representing 51.9 per cent of the total buUdings expenditure. This has been a remarkable achievement by the Govemment to ensure that our young Queenslanders are provided with the best- possible school housing throughout the State. As well, significant amounts were spent for the provision of new social welfare facilities and the upgrading of existing premises throughout the State. Expenditure totalled $llm on Govemment hospitals and institutions, $ 15.2m on prisons, $9.3m on child- care centres and $4.4m on community services projects for Aboriginal establishments. Expenditure on police stations was $30.Im. A pemsal of the annual report of the Director-General of Works that I tabled today wiU show the diversity of functions of the Department of Works. Its activities range from the maintenance and preservation of State Govemment buildings, including schools, to the planning, constmction, fumishing and equipping of new Govemment buUdings. Other activities include payment for rented accommodation for Govemment departments when required, providing services such as security and cleaning, payment of local authority charges, electricity and gas where applicable, grants towards local authority swimming- pools used by schoolchildren, interest grants to non-State schools and payment of subsidies to State school organisations and showground societies for improvements to schools and showgrounds. It is the overall responsibility of my department to provide the maximum economic building accommodation possible with the available finance. It also maintains and preserves the Govemment's capital assets, which are increasing year by year with the Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3465 constmction of new buildings required to meet the continuing expansion taking place in this State. Now I come to the Department of Works' role in education, which continues to receive top priority by the Govemment. For example, a new type of design has been developed for high schools resulting in a new flexible design, providing better facilities for high school students at no extra cost to the tax-payer. Costs have been contained to those of current high schools and have been achieved largely through computer analysis to select the best options available to meet fiiture needs in our high schools. The first high school to be built to the new design for which tenders will be called in November 1987 wUl be at Bribie Island, with the opening planned for the commencement of the 1989 school year. Mr Newton: Hear, hear! Mr I. J. GIBBS: I note the pleasure of the member for Glass House. With the continued growth of the State and the development of new areas, my department is continuing its concentration of effort to ensure that adequate classroom accommodation is available at the commencement of each school year. Owing to time limitations and funding restrictions, it is not possible to provide permanent accommodation in all instances. To fulfil requirements it is sometimes necessary to provide prefabricated modular buildings to meet the needs throughout the State. Since my department's Estimates were last debated, 17 new or replacement primary schools have been erected in various areas throughout the State—at Bokarina, Gilston, and Kurwongbah, just to name a few. This significant number is a positive reflection of the Government's Special Major Capital Works Program to which I have already referted. An additional five primary schools at Whiterock via Caims, Eagleby, Alexandra Bay, RossviUe and Mount Fox are being constmcted for the commencement of the 1988 school year. Centres of distance education were provided at Longreach and Charters Towers. These centres will cater particularly for home-based leamers throughout their pre-school, primary and early secondary school years. This clearly indicates the importance the Govemment places on ensuring that every young Queenslander is provided with a sound education, irrespective of where he lives. During the same period, new high schools were provided at ColhnsviUe, Coombabah, Kawana, Pine Park, Pioneer, Redbank Plains, Runcom and Thuringowa. An additional two high schools at Wellington Point and Toogoolawah are being constmcted for the commencement of the 1988 school year. My department is constmcting four replacement schools in the Torres Strait at Stephen Island, Yam Island, Wartaber Island and Yorke Island. On completion of those projects, 10 of the 14 outer-island schools will then have had replaced facilities. The constmction of pre-school facilities throughout the State has continued. During the 1986-87 financial year constmction commenced on seven units at seven centres. In addition, 10 early-education centres have been provided in areas where the anticipated enrolment does not wartant the establishment of a pre-school facility. Senior colleges were constmcted at Alexandra Hills and Hervey Bay during the period under review. The senior college offers on a single campus full-time and part- time courses that lead to either further education at universities, coUeges and institutions of advanced education and colleges of TAFE, or to vocations in industry and commerce. The prototype Roma Middle School was completed and commenced operations at the beginning of the 1987 school year. That school will afford students the facilities to undertake upper primary school years and junior-level studies on the one site and will provide a core facilities zone comprising administration, library, resource centre, computer facility, large shelter and canteen. In addition, a specialised facility zone will have provision for music/performing arts, home economics and commerce. 3466 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) A total of 15 new special education facilities, including new and replacement schools at Darling Point, Eight Mile Plains, Pine Rivers and Red Hill, have been provided in the period under review. In addition, a special education pre-school was erected at Norville in Bundaberg. In relation to technical and further education—expansion of facilities at Bundaberg, Caims, Kangaroo Point, Mackay, Maryborough and Yeronga was undertaken. In addition, catering and hospitality facilities have been provided at colleges at Coolangatta, Caims and the Sunshine Coast. All in all, that is an excellent record that we can be proud of Another important role in my department's building program is the provision of new courthouse facilities and police stations. During the period under review, new courthouses have been completed at Beenleigh, Toogoolawah, Coolangatta and Noosa. In recognition of the climatic extremes experienced in northern and westem areas of the State, air-conditioning has been installed in 15 country courthouses and planning is proceeding for the provision of that facility at Innisfail in 1987-88. A major component of the police program in 1986-87 was the purchase and refurbishment of the old Gordon and Gotch building at Alderley for the establishment of a new Queensland police depot. Stage 1. The new complex houses the emergency squad, task force, mobile patrols, traffic accident investigation squad, radio and electronics section, transport section, allied trades and police stores. Continued expansion of facilities has occurred throughout the State with eight new police stations having been constmcted. Constmction is proceeding to provide new stations at Forest HiU, Mount Isa, Rockhampton North and Rosewood. A new district headquarters at Maroochydore is scheduled for completion early in 1988. I tum now to the expenditure on Govemment hospitals and institutions. The third stage of the redevelopment of the Rockhampton North nursing home has been completed. The Eventide home at Charters Towers is presently undergoing comprehensive redevelopment in the form of a three-stage program similar to that which was recently completed at the Eventide home, Sandgate. Stage 1 is under constmction and will provide nursing home facilities, 77 beds, dining room, nurses station, bathrooms, unit stores and services, treatment room and nine waiting areas. The nursing home will provide a residential environment for both male and female patients who have varying degrees of physical and mental disabilities. Residential facilities for the intellectually handicapped have been provided at Mount Gravatt, Nambour and Northgate. A health services centre has been provided at Mount Isa in premises acquired from Telecom. Land has been acquired in Cannonvale and Glendon, and a property has been purchased at Maroochydore to provide community health facilities, whilst the old dental therapist training centre in Townsville is being upgraded to provide a community health centre. Remodelling of the alcohol and dmg dependence facility at the Biala detoxification centre in Brisbane has been completed. In youth welfare and guidance, the John Oxley Youth Centre at Wacol has been completed and provides accommodation for 30 juveniles. The building and setting reflects the care taken to provide an environment which, whilst being secure, will reduce the "institutional" feel and complement rehabilitation progress. FacUities at the Sir Leslie Wilson Youth Centre at Windsor have been upgraded, and improvements are in progress at the Wooloowin Warilda Receiving and Assessment Centre. Child-care facilities are being provided throughout the State, with financial assistance from the Commonwealth Govemment. To date, nine centres have been provided. Additional centres are in the process of being provided at Carole Park, Kingaroy, Mansfield, Morayfield, Rockhampton, Strathpine, WooUoongabba, Toowoomba West, Graceville, Nerang, Miami, Musgrave Hill, Labrador and Mackay. March of this year saw the implementation of yet another positive State Govemment initiative in the form of the Queensland Neighbourhood Centre Program aimed at Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3467 providing local communities with leased premises from which accessible services and activities could be provided for members of families. These neighbourhood centres are based on concepts of building neighbourliness and community spirit, of providing self-help and control by people over their own lives and community development. To date, centres have been provided at Ingham, Mount Isa and Nambour. During 1987-88 additional centres will be provided at Caims, Caboolture, Emerald, Gympie, Hervey Bay, Inala, Leichhardt, Murgon, New Farm, Stanthorpe, Strathpine, Tara, Toowoomba and Upper Ross at Townsville. Now I come to the sometimes vexed situation of providing new prison facihties in this State. In the period under review, the prison staff college at Wacol, and a minimum- security prison farm and female block at Townsville have been completed. In addition, a remand and protection unit is to be provided at TownsvUle, and planning in this regard is in hand. As honourable members will no doubt be aware, the State Govemment has already started work on two new prisons and has plans for a third prison, near Ipswich. I will refer to those again in outlining the capital works program. In the meantime, I would point out that the Govemment is firmly committed to this constmction program and will not be deterred by any protest groups or campaigns. I am sure those honourable members opposite who represent the Ipswich area wiU be pleased to hear that reaffirmation. I wish to thank the honourable member for Wolston, Mr Bob Gibbs, who is the Opposition spokesman on my portfolio, and the honourable member for Ipswich West, Mr David Underwood, for their practical support by voice and by action of the prison at that site. I am certain that they realise the advantage that will be provided to the area. In the circumstances, their support is very much appreciated. The Department of Works is actively involved in the constmction and improvement of facilities at recreation and fitness camps. Accommodation for 120 people was completed at the Perseverance Dam fitness camp. Facilities include kitchen, dining, recreation and ablution blocks. Recreation halls at Currimundi and Yeppoon have been completed with planning in hand for a similar facility at Seaforth. FacUities at the Christmas Creek recreation camp have been upgraded. In the ever-continuing program of primary industries research, regional veterinary laboratories comprising specialised laboratory, administration area and computer rooms to facilitate research into animal diseases have been completed at Rockhampton and Toowoomba. Constmction of an arid zone research institute at Longreach is well under way. The role of this new institute is to investigate the unique conditions of the arid region of Queensland with respect to the cattle and sheep industries, with the objective of developing a range of services with the Department of Primary Industries to assist primary producers. The institute, comprising both a laboratory building and a supporting administration building, will be air-conditioned and equipped with the most up-to-date technology and is expected to be in operation in early 1988. In addition, a grazing property in the vicinity, Rosebank, of some 6 795 hectares, has been acquired for field trials to support the intended program of research. Construction programs have been continued to provide accommodation for Govemment employees. Of special note was the official opening in early 1986 of the Govemment Precinct development, incorporating my Department of Works' State Works Centre and the renovated historical buildings, Harris Terrace and The Mansions. The State Works Centre, which houses the bulk of the head office staff, is a fine example of Govemment office accommodation and indeed achieved recognition for its architectural qualities. The centre was deliberately designed to harmonise with, and not overwhelm, historic buildings in the area, and is enhanced with extensive landscaping, terraces and courtyards. Later in 1986, a statue of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was 3468 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) unveiled in Queen's Place, the forecourt area of the public plaza bounded by George and Alice Streets, the State Works Centre and The Mansions. Under the Special Capital Major Works Program initiative, the 27-storey Education House in Mary Street, Brisbane, was completed and occupied by the Department of Education. Similarly, the David Longland Building, a 10-storey stmcture in George Street, Brisbane, has been completed and provides accommodation for the State Superannuation Board and other departments. At WooUoongabba, the Sunmap Centre has been completed and occupied by the Department of Mapping and Surveying. In regional centres, Govemment office buildings have been provided at Bundaberg, Caims and Townsville. The refurbishing and air- conditioning of the Anzac Square Complex is completed, except for work on lifts and minor other works. Relocation of the Mines Department from Mineral House to accommodation in the Queensland Minerals and Energy Centre was effected. Work is well advanced on the constmction of a major new office building at 100 Mary Street. This building, which adjoins the State Health Building, will be connected at three levels to allow ready access between various sections of the Department of Health, and, in addition, will accommodate Health Department Staff, the Department of Forestry and the Auditor-General's Department. Replanning of the Executive Building, Transport House, Mineral House and Railway IB and IC buildings is continuing. I am sure that all members will applaud the works that have been carried out on Queensland's historical buildings. My department is continuing with the ongoing program of restoration and renovation of Govemment buildings of historical significance. As mentioned earlier, the renovation of The Mansions and Harris Terrace in George Street has been completed, the latter building being occupied by loyal societies and various Govemment committees. Stonework repair on the General Post Office on behalf of the Commonwealth Govemment has been completed, whilst repair work is continuing on the Old Treasury Building. Restoration of the Old Govemment Printery complex in Brisbane has commenced, and it is anticipated that the William Street building, to house a printing museum, will be completed prior to World Expo commencing in April 1988. Regarding other Govemment buildings—a five-storey technical services building for the Forestry Department at Indooroopilly has been completed. Other projects for the Forestry Department include a subdistrict headquarters at Blackbutt and extensions to the subdistrict office at Beerbumim. These are presently under constmction. Information centres for the National Parks and Wildlife Service have been provided at Gympie and at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. Also at Burleigh Heads, an office laboratory complex has been provided at Fleay's Fauna Reserve. As part of the ongoing program to provide regional facilities for the Transport Department, a combined regional office and motor vehicle inspection centre has been completed at TownsvUle. Extensions to the motor vehicle inspection centre at Bundaberg are under way. To facilitate the extension of activities of the Queensland Museum, an area in the Townsville Great Barrier Reef Wonderland complex has been fitted out to serve as the north Queensland branch of the museum. The floriculture building in the old Toowoomba Showgrounds has been prepared to house Cobb and Co. exhibits. The old Queen Alexandra Home at Coorparoo, previously occupied by the Division of Technical and Further Education, has been renovated to provide a community centre. Medical aid posts for the Department of Community Services have been erected at Badu, Kuluin and Mabuiag, together with administration buildings at Lockhart River and Edward River. Staff housing has been provided at three centres. Under constmction are slaughterhouses at Doomadgee, Edward River and Lockhart River, whUst a solar energy plant, as a pilot scheme for electricity generation, is under way at Coconut Island. The Queensland Cultural Centre has proved to be a tremendous success with the public. Stage 3 of the centre, the Queensland Museum, was officially opened on 2 October Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3469 1986. This seven-level complex includes a lower floor of preparation and treatment areas, three levels of display areas and two levels of administration, curatorial and collection storage areas. The three display levels are staggered on either side of a communication core, an arrangement which provides visitors with glimpses of displays on other levels attracting them to look further. The displays feature audio-visual aids and hands-on computer equipment to supplement the museum's collection material. The museum has enjoyed unprecedented patronage since the opening, with attendances well in excess of those forecast. The installation of the pipe organ has been completed in the concert hall of the Performing Arts Complex. Positioned high in the rear stage wall of the concert hall, with pipes ranging in size from approximately 10 metres high to less than 50 millimetres, the organ forms a spectacular backdrop to the stage. A contract has been let for the manufacture and installation of a flying and support system for stage scenery in the concert hall, which when installed will greatly enhance the versatility and usage of the concert hall and the Performing Arts Complex by providing another avenue for the presentation of drama, musical and light opera productions. Work on Stage 4 of the centre, the State Library, is proceeding on schedule, with the building completed in September this year. Work is now proceeding on the equipping and fumishing, which is anticipated to be completed by April 1988. This four-level stmcture is U-shaped in plan around a large courtyard on the riverbank. Each level faces onto the courtyard and is stepped back with reading terraces outside the public area. The new complex is connected to the other buildings at the centre, allowing access to all facilities. We have continued to upgrade, improve and provide new housing for Govemment employees. As part of the Special Major Capital Works Program initiative, funds to the extent of $15.6m were provided for residential accommodation, creating substantial job opportunities and resulting in a total of some 150 residences being erected throughout the State to provide accommodation for police, teachers and public servants generally. During the period under review, investigations have been ongoing into the development of new Govemment residential standards to achieve a more cost-effective unit that is more in line with community standards. To this end, four brick or block, and three timber designs have been produced. Generally speaking, it is proposed to constmct brick/ block residences in those towns where bricks or blocks are available and when soil conditions permit, with timber residences being constmcted in other situations. Development of a new modified design for twin dwelling units is ongoing and prototypes are presently being constmcted for evaluation. It is anticipated that a submission will be made to the Housing Advisory Committee in March next year for ratification of the new standards. Previously I referted to the Special Major Capital Works Program. This $600m program, now completed, was, as I mentioned earlier, extremely successful and created in excess of 12 000 man-years of employment directly, as well as providing a large number of essential facilities. During the last State election campaign, a commitment was given to maintain the momentum of the original program by the introduction of a new $400m Special Capital Works Program as a special supplement to the initial $600m program. My Department of Works has a significant role in this additional major Capital Works Program schedule for completion during the 1988-89 financial year, by being required to constmct five major projects comprising three prisons, a new pohce headquarters and Stage 1 of a new Govemment Chemical Laboratory. Constmction has commenced on two new prisons, one designated HM Prison Far North Queensland at Chewko near Mareeba, the other being the Brisbane Industrial Prison at Wacol. Constmction of the remaining prison will be at Borallon in the Shire of Moreton, south-east Queensland. Planning is well advanced for the constmction of a new headquarters for the Police Department in Brisbane, and it is anticipated that constmction will commence later this 3470 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) year. Also, as part of this program, a number of new police stations and residences will be provided throughout the State. New facUities for the Govemment Chemical Laboratory at Nathan are presently being constmcted, with an anticipated completion date scheduled for late 1988. Part of the fiinding aUocation under this program is dfrected towards new Govemment office accommodation in Brisbane and, to this end, a six-storey office building designed as the Executive Building Annexe is presently under constmction on part of the old Govemment Printery building site in George Street. To achieve completion of this program by the required time, my department wUl, in the main, utilise altemative delivery systems to the traditional methods of constmction. This approach was used successfully for major projects such as office buildings and high schools provided under the initial program. Now I come to what is undoubtedly the highlight of 1988. With opening day on 30 April next year, now only six months away, constmction activities on the Expo site are well advanced. Included in the major milestones that have been achieved to date is a project in which my Department of Works has had a total involvement. I refer to the Queensland pavilion. The first stage in the constmction of the host State pavihon for World Expo 88 was completed last June at a cost of $3.2m. This 5 000 square metre pavilion features the largest space-frame roof ever lifted in one exercise in the southem hemisphere. As part of the constmction of the pavilion under Stage 1, raU tracks to carry the mass people mover system through the ground floor have been installed. The second stage, at an estimated cost of $ 1.7m, will involve the fit-out of various areas of the pavilion, including work on the public entry and queueing foyer, the ride- through theatres, display and reception areas and provision of administration and staff facilities and amenities, together with extensive VIP and trade promotional areas. The Queensland pavilion will be a major centre at World Expo 88, one of which aU Queensland can justifiably be proud and one which will help promote the future of our State. This concludes my review of the activities of my Department of Works and I now tum to Housing, the other part of my portfolio. While I must address my remarks to the financial management of the Queensland Housing Commission's budget for the financial year, I take the opportunity of reminding honourable members of the role the commission plays in providing housing throughout the State for those on low to moderate incomes. 1987 is the Intemational Year of Shelter for the Homeless, and I will be speaking about this important intemational year and the program that has been undertaken in respect to that year. But, before doing so, I would point out that, in this the Intemational Year of Shelter for the Homeless, the commission has achieved a record in the amount of help it has provided for home-seekers. For example, almost 2 000 rental units were provided by the commission during 1986-87. When we add in the commission's home- ownership scheme, approximately 5 500 dwellings were provided for the year—another record. Through this program, we saw the reduction of the wait-list for rental housing tenants for the year as a whole. But I would add that the second half of the 1986-87 financial year saw that list once again on the increase, a product of the nationwide factors that affected both home-ownership and investment in the private rental market. To ensure that those most in need of public housing receive assistance, the commission's policy of income-based rents continues. This policy encourages those no longer in need to move to private rental accommodation or home-ownership. Over 6 000 tenancy placements were made during 1986-87. If vacancies did not occur, many of these families would now be homeless. Home-ownership remains the desire of the majority of Australians and, throughout its history, the Queensland Housing Commission has offered that opportunity to many thousands of home-seekers. At 30 June 1987, there were 35 879 loan accounts. Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3471

The Queensland Housing Commission operates three schemes aimed at promoting home-ownership. Under the interest subsidy scheme, a borrower's repayment is equal to 25 per cent of gross income. The difference between this amount and interest at the Commonwealth Savings Bank home loan interest rate is subsidy. Repayment of the loan commences when the monthly payments exceed the required interest. The maximum loan available is $45,000. Those eligible under the interest subsidy scheme can also qualify for a second loan to assist with the deposit gap. The amount available depends on the borrower's capacity to service additional payments. The commercial scheme provides loan finance at commercial interest rates for those who do not qualify under the interest subsidy scheme and who have difficulty obtaining finance from other sources. For 1987-88, $140m has been earmarked for advances to borrowers under the Queensland Housing Commission fund and the Home Purchase Assistance Account. It should be noted that the $140m was an amount determined on expected demand at the commencement of the financial year. Applicant numbers are increasing steadily and as such this amount may very well be exceeded. This should illustrate the extent to which this Govemment, through the Housing Commission, is helping low to moderate income eamers to achieve their dream of home-ownership. There is no doubt that the commission's interest subsidy home ownership scheme has been the means of providing home- ownership for many who would otherwise have been renting public housing. I tum now to the commission's land acquisition and constmction program. Honourable members would all be aware that the demand for public housing continues to increase in all States. In Queensland, this demand has been contained, until quite recently, by the commission's responsible and innovative approach to the provision of community acceptable housing. The second half of the 1986-87 financial year, however, witnessed increasing demand because of the national housing crisis induced by high interest rates and anti-investment policies of the Commonwealth Govemment. This financial year, more than 2 000 dwelling units comprising houses, apartments, townhouses and pensioner units will be provided in metropolitan and country areas throughout Queensland. Many of these dwellings will be acquired through the commission's new house/land package scheme, which has been readily accepted by the State's housing industry. The industry was invited to submit house/land packages and some 300 submissions were received. The aim of the scheme is to provide even more diversity in the design and location of the commission's rental housing stock by acquiring projects which have been designed for the commercial market and which, at the same time, meet the commission's requirements. The commission also continues to diversify its own housing styles. As a result of the acceptances of the Moreton Village cluster housing project, the commission is now developing further cluster housing throughout Queensland. The project clearly demonstrated that private, attractive detached houses could be provided on smaller than average blocks of land. The economic viability of this concept has since been realised by private developers. Funds available during 1987-88 for the constmction and purchase of public housing and the purchase and development of land total $103m. Honourable members should appreciate that housing is a high priority and a fundamental community need. In addition, it is a most effective stimulus to economic growth and job creation. Authoritative research has determined that primary expenditure in the housing sector is the highest job multiplier of any industry and directly impacts upon the region where expenditure occurs. Queensland's economy will benefit by some $400m as a result of the commission's 1987-88 expenditure on home-ownership and rental programs and the resulting flow-on effects created. Also, during 1987-88 the commission will spend $15m on the maintenance of properties and $ 19.8m on the payment of rates to local authorities. Of the commission's estimated 1987-88 budget of $384.5m, the Commonwealth wiU provide $119.2m by way of grants and loans. The State's contribution wUl be a record $265.3m, which is a most creditable 69 per cent of 3472 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) the required funding. This is indeed a clear illustration of this Govemment's strong commitment to housing in this State. I shall now take the opportunity to advise honourable members of the funds allocated to Queensland for 1987-88 under the 1984 Commonwealth/State Housing Agreement— $m Untied grants 77.545 Crisis accommodation program 2.553 Mortgage and Rent Relief Scheme 4.132 Local govemment and community housing program . . 1.969 Rental assistance for pensioners 7.396 Rental assistance for Aboriginals 15.186 Total $108.781 I now tum to the specific purpose programs administered by the commission. The crisis accommodation program is administered in conjunction with the supported accommodation assistance program. Funds allocated under this program are used to purchase, renovate and improve properties used for crisis accommodation which are leased to community organisations to provide accommodation and support those suffering a crisis situation. Several programs of assistance operate under the Mortgage and Rent Relief Scheme. Mortgage relief is provided in the form of an interest-free loan of up to $4,000 repayable over six years to pay arrears and subsidise monthly instalments for six months. Continued high interest rates during 1986-87 caused considerable demand for relief throughout the State. In all, 736 cases were approved involving a total sum of $2.1 m. Bond guarantees are available for any person over 18 years of age to lease accommodation in the private market. Rent subsidy is also given to famUies in distress. Community organisations and local authorities that wish to provide emergency accommodation may receive a bond guarantee and rent subsidy to lease private accommodation. Under the crisis accommodation program and the Mortgage and Rent Relief Scheme, housing is purchased or constmcted for use by organisations involved in the care of homeless youths, adults and famihes in crisis. As at 30 June 1987, Queensland had 336 crisis housing residences, which is a 95 per cent increase on two years earlier. On a trial basis, the commission is funding two organisations to provide a Home Management Advisory Service. The aim of the service is to provide long-term education in the home for families having difficulty complying with general community standards. Areas to be addressed are house and property care, hygiene, budgeting, economic purchasing and other family problems. In many instances, education by guidance has proved a more effective method of teaching people to cope with their problems than hand-outs. In the long term, teaching people to be responsible citizens should reduce the incidence of the social problems faced today. The local govemment and community housing program was first introduced in 1984-85. Its aim is to involve local authorities and community organisations in the provision of long-term rental accommodation to low income eamers and to promote greater tenant participation. The sum of $ 1,969m has been allocated for this program for 1987-88. Funds provided for pensioner units under the Commonwealth/State Housing Agreement will be supplemented from other sources, and approximately $11.5m wiU be devoted to constmction of 377 units throughout Queensland. When completed, 3 826 units will be available. In addition to the pensioner unit program, the commission will again build, from home-ownership funds, aged pensioner units for sale. These units are in great demand by those persons who do not qualify for commission rental units and do not have Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3473 sufficient money to meet the high cost of accommodation available in the private sector. The units are sold at cost and resale is restricted by the State Housing Act to eligible pensioners. Assistance for Aboriginal housing has increased to $ 15.186m this year. As honourable members would be aware, provision of Aboriginal housing is the responsibility of the Department of Community Services. The commission, while extending its services in various directions, has been vigorously pursuing economies of operation. I suggest that honourable members examine the commission's 1986-87 annual report, which has been tabled, and note that administration costs accounted for only 4 per cent of total expenditure; that is, for every $1 the commission spent last financial year, only 4c went towards administration. Enhanced organisational efficiency and effectiveness, and reduced cost stmctures through an ongoing commitment to advanced technology, has aUowed the commission to deal with an increasing workload and, I might add, a rapidly changing environment, with no increase in staff establishment. For 1987-88 the commission has budgeted to contain expenditure in this most critical area, while at the same time expanding its major service delivery programs of home-ownership and public rental housing. This is what efficiency is all about and what the present Govemment has achieved through the Housing Commission—efficient and effective delivery, at the lowest unit cost, of programs that address positively the housing needs facing Queenslanders on low to moderate incomes. At the outset of this section dealing with housing, I mentioned that this year is the Intemational Year of Shelter for the Homeless. I have mentioned the steps that the Govemment has already taken to address the problems of the home-seeker. In addition, the Queensland Govemment, through the Housing Commission, has been involved, together with the other levels of Govemment and community organisations, in this important intemational event. 1 take the opportunity to inform the Committee of the aims of the Intemational Year of Shelter for the Homeless. lYSH is being co-ordinated at Commonwealth and State levels by the national secretariat comprising representatives from Commonwealth and State housing authorities and the national committee of non-Govemment organisations. The aim of the intemational year in Australia is to encourage Govemment and community organisations to document projects that demonstrate the effectiveness of current housing programs. Major projects undertaken in Queensland include— • The production of a video by the Queensland Housing Commission showing how social and economic development has led to changes in public housing since 1945. • A demonstration project involving the Queensland Housing Commission and the 139 Club, which is a Brisbane-based organisation which provides counselling for welfare recipients in the 20 to 45-year age group, in the constmction of a drop-in centre. The centre will be administered by the 139 Club and will provide recreational activities and counselling in such areas as health, dmg and alcohol education and legal services. • The Department of Family and Youth Services conducting a major research study into the extent and nature of youth homelessness in Queensland. Finally, on the Housing part of my portfolio, let me assure honourable members that the commission will continue to provide vital housing services to Queenslanders who are on low to moderate incomes and in need of assistance. That is the basic aim of the commission's operations. In concluding my review, I express my appreciation to the staff and employees of the Works Department and the Housing Commission for their efficiency and loyalty. I particularly thank the former Director-General of Works, Mr Ivan Harrison, who resigned 3474 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) this year after 40 years' service in the department. He made a great contribution to this State. He should be congratulated and thanked for the marvellous service that he has given to Queensland. He is succeeded by Mr John Bellert, who was formerly Director of Administration and Finance. I congratulate Mr Bellert on his appointment to this most important position. I would also like to mention the Commissioner of Housing, Mr Stewart Hall, who is retiring this year. I thank him for the job that he has done in the Housing Commission to bring about the scale of economies, efficiency and, indeed, the very well organised stmcture that is continuing to create new targets and new horizons in Queensland. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Alison): Order! I desire to inform honourable members that, on the Vote proposed, I will allow a full discussion on all of the Minister's departmental Estimates, Consolidated Revenue, Tmst and Special Funds, and Loan Fund. For the information of honourable members, I point out that the administrative acts of the department are open to debate, but the necessity for legislation and matters involving legislation cannot be discussed in Committee of Supply. Mr R. J. GIBBS (Wolston) (12.52 p.m.): Investment in housing not only fulfils a vital social need but it is also a major plank of economic growth. Housing has the capacity to expand its activity and create new job opportunities inside and outside the industry. Housing has the greatest employment/income multiplier of any goods-producing industry in Australia. Therefore, investment in housing is one of the most effective ways to create short-term and flow-on employment. The housing sector is a major employer of skilled, semiskilled and unskilled labour in the economy. For each million dollars spent on housing, around 60 full-time jobs are generated each year. Over 70 per cent of housing materials are domestically produced by a large number of manufacturing firms. Therefore, increased housing investment does not spill over into import spending. In short, the jobs and income generated by residential building remain in Australia. Benefits to workers in other industries result from the way in which the housing dollar is spent. Building workers' wages take only a small percentage of each dollar spent. By contrast, 71c from each dollar is used to buy buUding materials and services. For example, spending $100m on home-building creates $7.6m worth of demand for sawmill products such as timber beams and floorboards. This provides jobs for workers in the sawmill industry. The same amount of housing expenditure also involves buying $5m worth of clay products such as bricks, tiles and pipes, which creates more employment in that industry. Other secondary industries sharing the benefits include wholesaling, cement and concrete, metal, joinery, iron and steel, paints and plastics and minerals. The services sector also benefits from substantial housing expenditure. Almost $8m is spent on transport services as a result of the above investment. A further $8m is filtered into banking, financial and other business services, which provide employment for real estate agents, finance-lenders,solicitors , surveyors, architects, etc. Recent research undertaken by the CSIRO shows that expenditure on housing generates more jobs per million dollars than on any other industry. The direct and indirect employment effects cover a wide range of industries, as I have previously mentioned. The combined $195m invested by the States and the Commonwealth in housing programs during 1986-87 will create, through direct, indirect and flow-on effects, some 105 000 jobs distributed throughout the economy. That follows on from over 90 000 jobs in 1984-85 and 100 000 in 1985-86. It is appropriate to mention that the majority of those jobs have been generated by the initiatives that have been displayed by the Federal Labor Government. This moming in this Chamber it saddened me to witness, on a number of occasions, the cheap political point-scoring in which the Minister indulged by criticising the very excellent work that is presentiy being done by the Hawke Labor Govemment. For example, the Federal Government has played a major role. I refer to the very recent action taken by the Federal Labor Govemment in reintroducing Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3475 negative gearing on the purchase of property, which the Opposition applauds. It is a very concerted campaign by the Federal Labor Govemment to reduce interest rates. This moming, I was interested to hear the slanderous point made by a Govemment member conceming the collapse of the stock-market. It simply does not matter at this stage who would be in Govemment federally; this country does not control intemational economies. It is also interesting to note that, recently, when the Federal Labor Govemment was accepting responsibility to reduce interest rates, the Queensland Govemment did not accept its responsibilities in regulating the interest rate being charged by building societies. I acknowledge that a fairly responsible attitude was taken by the majority of building societies in this State. However, at the same time, when building societies reduced interest rates for new home-buyers, they should have led the way and shown a very positive attitude by reducing the interest rates for people who had current loans from them. Recently, when the Commonwealth/States Housing Agreement was renegotiated, the Federal CJovemment came to the party by allowing the States to nominate loan council funds for housing projects, which was very welcome. As the Minister mentioned, 1987 is the Intemational Year of Shelter for the Homeless and a year for positive effort in housing. In Queensland, the problems of homelessness are significant and they are growing alarmingly. More than 30 000 families in this State— a disgusting figure—or approximately 70 000 Queenslanders, have been identified as homeless, inadequately housed or unable to afford adequate shelter, leading to severe housing-related poverty. The need to increase our existing effort in housing and to introduce new approaches wherever possible is essential, simply to sustain the present level of services. If our housing effort is to meet the needs of poorer Queenslanders, it must not faU behind in 1987. Housing is more than shelter; it is a package of opportunities and the focus of people's personal lives. Adequate, affordable and well-located housing means stability, security and access to jobs, education and service. Poorly housed people suffer social, psychological and health problems, which often lead to the need for more expensive welfare services. I have mentioned that there needs to be an in-depth look at new proposals. On behalf of the Labor Party, I will announce today a number of new proposals that will be initiated by a Labor Govemment when it is elected in Queensland in 1989. One of the first.things that the Labor Party will do is to participate in joint ventures in rental housing with the private sector. Those joint ventures will involve private-sector investors and builders participating in the financing and constmction of rental dwellings for the Queensland Housing Commission. Under joint ventures, the mixing of public and private funds would mean that, for no additional Commonwealth outlay, public housing constmction in Queensland wiU be increased by over 30 per cent. Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.30 p.m. Mr R. J. GIBBS: Prior to the luncheon recess, I was referring to a number of proposals that the Labor Party would certainly introduce in Queensland when it is elected. For a joint venture of the kind I mentioned previously to be successful, the Federal Labor Govemment would need to recognise the private sector financial element, as distinct from public sector bortowing, and it would also have to allow for application of a 4 per cent depreciation allowance for new rental dwellings. The second proposal that will be part of the Labor Party's policies at the next election applies to rental housing tmsts. These involve private investors' purchase of units in a rental tmst and funds raised in that way being used to build new private rental dwellings. Investors in these private units tmsts will receive a 3 per cent tax-free retum, plus an allowance for inflation. That would amount to a current year retum of 11 per cent tax-free, which any investor would find extremely attractive. Dwellings would be built in areas in which rental housing is needed and could then be rented on the open market. 3476 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) At no direct cost to the Federal Govemment's Budget strategy, 4 000 units of private rental housing could be provided, and 17 000 jobs. I reiterate the figure of 17 000 jobs that could be created in the first year of operation of rental housing tmsts. I am aware that this proposal has been considered by my colleagues in State Labor Govemments elsewhere. I think it is appropriate for me to say that co-operation from the Federal Govemment in developing this proposal has been relatively fair. At the present time, there is one major bugbear. In order to facilitate the successful launching of rental housing tmsts, the Federal Labor Govemment would again have to provide total exemption from section 160ZM of the capital gains tax legislation to approved rental housing tmsts. This moming, I heard the Minister speak about what his Govemment has done. It brought to my attention the parlous situation of many low income eamers in Queensland. I refer to figures that indicate capital city median rents and rent-to-income ratios for the selected pensioners and beneficiaries. The deplorable state of the game at present is that a supporting parent who lives in Brisbane with two children and cams a basic income will pay 45 per cent of his pension in order to keep a roof over their heads in the form of private rental accommodation. An unemployed couple with two children who receive the appropriate income for that margin are at present paying 50 per cent of their wages for rent each week. Population increases in general have an effect on the housing problem, but fiirther pressure is exerted on available housing due to changes in household formation. Young people are leaving the family home earlier, marrying later—or not at all—and are postponing child-raising. Housing undemtilisation results from the growing number of middle-aged and elderly couples who live for longer periods in houses that were designed to accommodate larger families, and by younger single people and childless couples who find accommodation in family-sized housing. The greater rate of household formation and the resultant size of the household increases demand for housing. Trends in household formation in Queensland and Australia indicate the need for continued high levels of funding for housing and the development of innovative housing policy, with particular emphasis on consideration of the type of housing that will be required. Those two factors I have outlined are innovative necessities. The effects of an ageing population on public housing demand cannot be overlooked. Growth in that sector of the population aged over 60 years will be large during the next few decades. Mr Newton: We need more money for housing. Mr R. J. GIBBS: I know that members on the Govemment side of the Chamber, although young in body, are extremely old in their minds. Austrahan Bureau of Statistics projections indicate that the aged population, as a proportion of the total population, will grow from an actual 12.6 per cent in 1984 to 20.2 per cent in the year 2021. These percentages correspond to absolute figures of 174 700 aged persons in 1984 and 489 900 in 2021. By 1991 the number of aged persons will already have increased by 22 per cent over the 1984 figure, representing an absolute increase of some 39 300 people. The fact is that Queensland has experienced greater population growth than the other States due to both higher natural increase and net gains through migration. The overall effects of these have been to increase demands for housing and place greater pressure on existing housing stock. Increases in rents have resulted, with the largest impact being felt by people on low incomes. This has led to increased demand for public housing which, despite—and I acknowledge this point—reasonably large building programs and increased allocations, has caused a rise in the size of the waiting-lists. Demand for rental support is high and can be expected to grow further. At present the aged pension category is the largest group of all pension/benefit recipients, comprising 39 per cent of the total. Over the last decade this proportion has remained stable, but it can be expected to rise as the population of Queensland ages. Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3477 The effects will be felt on housing demand, both private and public, in terms of— the type of housing demanded, that is, the size and special features and modifications required for aged persons to live in the general community; the locations demanded, that is, the proximity of housing to community facilities and support services; and demand for family housing, as undemtilisation of family housing by aged couples or singles produces a reduction in the availability of such housing for young couples about to enter the child-raising stage of the family life-cycle. Pension and benefit recipients account for more than 20 per cent of the Queensland population. Information obtained from the Department of Social Security on housing tenure by type of pension shows that a minority own their own home. Of those persons renting, the larger proportion do so in the private rental market, not in the commission area. The potential need for public rental housing is enormous. Any changes in the private rental market, for example, rent increases of the magnitude experienced over the past year, could see a greatly increased waiting-list for Queensland Govemment housing stock and a dramatically higher number of applicants for rental support and bond assistance. Existing demand for public housing and projections based on past growth can only give the lower bound for total demand. If there is one area in which this Govemment has been totally negligent, it is in the provision of suitable housing for disabled persons. Along with other members of this Chamber, I have lost track of the number of times that I have been required to make representations to the Minister or to the Housing Commission because of problems experienced by disabled people moving into Govemment housing. Today I want to announce a very positive program by the Labor Party specifically designed for those people in the community who are disabled. Some key provisions of my party's new housing policy are that public housing income eligibility limits and Housing Commission rent levels will take account of the reduced disposable income of disabled persons which results from the extra disability- related costs that they incur. The Labor Party will ensure that public housing assistance is available to single disabled people who live with a carer, whether or not the carer is income-eligible. It will ensure also that designs for public rental housing with the basic accessibility features required by disabled people are developed to enable a stock of this mobility housing to be built up by the Queensland Housing Commission. It will ensure also that designs for public rental housing with the basic accessibility features required by disabled people are developed to enable a stock of this mobility housing to be built up by the Queensland Housing Commission. It will ensure that the increased costs associated with purchasing wheelchair-modified housing will be taken into account when setting the level of purchase assistance available to disabled home purchase applicants, and it will ensure that priority home loans, refinancing or purchase assistance will be arranged where a household with a disabled member risks the loss of its existing home due to the disability. I was quite unimpressed with the Minister's report this moming because I believe it paints a false picture of the activities of the Housing Commission. It paints a totally false picture of a Govemment which supposedly should care about people but does not. To show what I am talking about, I will finish on the following note. The Minister's endorsement in the Sunday Mail of 8 March carries the headline "Minister Welcomes $1000 First Home Breakthrough". The article states— "Four major Queensland corporations have combined to launch an innovative scheme ..." The article mentions the scheme, which provides for an initial deposit of $1,000, as being part of an overall requirement for a 5 per cent deposit for a home purchased through L. J. Hooker, Custom Credit, Metropolitan Permanent Building Society and Stockland Pty Limited. The article also states— "The homes—from compact two bedrooms to spacious five bedroom designs offer total fixed prices from $47,950." 3478 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) I am told that that figure is now close to $50,000. The article continues— "An additional incentive for aspiring first home owners is a $1200 bonus in the form of a $100 monthly reduction on the mortgage during the first 12 months of ownership." Whom do they think they are fooling? All honourable members have been around long enough to know that people are not given something for nothing. There is no way in the world that those finance companies are giving anything to the poor people who are suckered into this scheme through L. J. Hooker. Nobody is given $1,200 for nothing. I have worked out the figures. If the 5 per cent deposit that purchasers are required to put up is deducted from the $50,000 for the home, the bortowings become $47,500. The arithmetic shows that the repayments required on a $47,500 loan are approximately $600 per month. Of course, if that $100 per month that buyers are supposedly getting for nothing is subtracted, the monthly repayments are reduced to $500. The fact is that the take-home pay of most Queenslanders is less than $300 per week. Based on the normal calculation of repayments at 25 per cent of wages, their total repayment each month should be only in the $300 bracket. However, these people will have to pay $500 and $600 per month. What stinks about this scheme is that the repayments are based on gross wages, which is exactly what the Housing Commission does. The repayments should be calculated on net take-home pay. For that to be done is wrong. It is morally incortect. I believe that it shows that the (jrovemment has a lack of compassion. The Minister stands condemned for endorsing this scheme. He will be responsible for the heart-break that will be felt by the people who will not be able to afford to repay the loans and will be forced out into the streets through no fault of their own. Time expired. Mr BOOTH (Warwick) (2.43 p.m.): It is with pleasure that I join in the debate. The Minister, who has acquired this portfolio only fairly recently, has straightened out a lot of things in the department. I certainly do not go along with the comments of the member for Wolston, who said that some of the things in the report were false. I thought that the report was clear and concise; I had no difficulty in reading it. I agree with the comments by the member for Wolston that anything that helps to put some life into the housing market is well worth while and benefits a lot of Queenslanders and Australians. It benefits not only those who acquire houses but also those who deal in the materials that go in them and the building-contractors. So I agree with the member for Wolston on one point, but certainly not on the others. I wish to congratulate the Minister because I think he has straightened out a few things and made the department mn more smoothly. It is not my intention to speak at length on this subject, but the Builders Registration Board needed a broom put through it to clean it up and give it a new look. Mr R. J. Gibbs: And he put Claudie Wharton in charge of it. Mr BOOTH: I would say that, since the member for Albert has been the Minister, things have been much better. I do not know whether Mr Wharton will hold that position for an indefinite time, but his logic, ability and experience have proved to be well worth while. I make no apologies whatever for his appointment. Mr Davis: You're really trying to impress us with that. Mr BOOTH: I am not trying to impress the honourable member; I am just telhng him. If he is impressed, so much the better, but at this stage I am simply telhng him. I do not want to dweU at length on that matter. However, I thought I would mention it at this stage in case I forgot to do it later, because one thing that caused me a great deal of trouble was the shenanigans of the Builders Registration Board. I am pleased Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3479 that the board can now provide clear, concise answers to queries that it receives and that some headway can be made. In tuming to the allocation of funds and the way in which those funds will be spent throughout the year, I am pleased to see that a major proportion of the funds will again be spent on education establishments throughout the State. The education of young people is, perhaps, the most important project of this Government, because it ensures the future of Queensland. One of my greatest concems, as a member representing a mral area, is that many young people, when they finish high school, have to leave country areas to find employment. That is of great concem not only to members representing country areas but also to society as a whole. However, in some instances it just cannot be avoided. I will not criticise any particular political party in this regard. Probably honourable members want decentralisation wherever possible, and this Govemment has tried to achieve that. However, sometimes it is not possible. Where it is not possible, probably the best thing the Govemment can do is ensure that the education that young people are given is of the highest-possible standard. That is the aim of the Govemment, and that is why the Works Department has given of its best in allocating a major proportion of its funds to the education sector. The drift from country areas to the cities is occurring throughout Australia and, indeed, throughout the world. It is something that all honourable members should be concerned about, and I know that honourable members are concemed about it. But that does not provide the solution. The only solution to the problem lies in upgrading education in country areas. I pay tribute to the Queensland Government for its efforts in decentralising the operations of many departments by providing officers and research facilities to many of the towns and smaller cities in this State. That provides employment opportunities for numerous young people. During my time as a member of Parliament the matter of employment for young people in country areas has always been a problem. In a number of Govemment departments, particularly the Department of Primary Industries, departmental officers assist in the decentralisation process. Decentrahsation increases the possibihty of industries starting up. If the population of a particular country area is too small, industry might decide that setting up in that area would not be viable. If, however, country areas have a sufficient population and a good labour-force, industry is much more inclined to give thought to decentralising and starting up in those areas. The need for some of our young country people to seek employment in more highly populated areas has to be accepted. However, it is very heartening that young country people are now being educated in the best-possible manner and in the best-possible surroundings. While I have been a member of Parliament, I have had to seek assistance from time to time in the upgrading of facilities in high schools, primary schools and early-education centres. I have not always had immediate success; however, I have had success. I can report that the schools in my electorate are in fairly good condition. One or two minor matters might require attention, but nothing substantial needs to be done. During the past two financial years a total of $421.7m has been spent on providing accommodation for education facilities. The Queensland Govemment is continuing to build new primary schools, new special-education centres and new pre-school centres throughout the State. I am sure many honourable members can well recall the time in this State when it was a privilege rather than a right of a young person to have a high- school education. That was prior to 1957 when the Labor Govemment was in control of this State. It is quite tme to say that a high-school education was a privilege in those times. A large number of people missed out on a secondary-school education, and many of them have regretted that. I am one of those people. Mr Davis: You are not blaming the Labor Govemment, are you? Mr BOOTH: Yes, I am blaming the Labor Govemment. 3480 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

Mr Davis: Come off it. Mr BOOTH: It did very littie about it. Mr Davis: You didn't have the brains to do it. Mr BOOTH: I have the brains to debate most matters with the honourable member for Brisbane Central—if that is any consolation to him.

Mr Davis interjected. Mr BOOTH: There were not many opportunities or possibilities. The Labor Govemment did very little about the matter, and that is why it has taken so long to have the schools rebuilt or brought back up to the required standard. In addition, many new schools have had to be built. Mr Davis: Don't blame the Labor Govemment for your shortcomings. Mr BOOTH: I was not blaming the Labor Govemment for my shortcomings; I do not know whether I have any shortcomings. Although I am quite happy to take on the honourable member for Brisbane Central any time he likes, I do not want to waste my time with that prattle. There is no centre of population in Queensland in which secondary education is not being provided. As the Minister pointed out in his speech, the Works Department has expanded the operations of technical and further education by providing additional facilities at Bundaberg, Caims, Kangaroo Point, Mackay, Maryborough and Yeronga. Recently a great deal has been heard about the growth of the tourist industry in Queensland. Tourism in Queensland is one of the State's biggest income-eamers, par­ ticularly in relation to tourists from Europe, Japan and the United States. From Port Douglas in far north Queensland to the southem border of the State, Queensland has experienced a tremendous growth in the number of holiday visitors. With that growth there has been a cortesponding increase in first-class accommodation and in employment opportunities. In order to cater for these visitors, the services that are accepted as normal on the intemational scene must be provided, and that involves a better standard of catering and other hospitality services. I notice that the Minister made mention of the fact that these training facilities are being provided at TAFE coUeges at (Caims, the Sunshine Coast and Coolangatta. At the moment these are Queensland's major tourist centres, but, as more tourists arrive in Queensland, there will be a greater demand for visits to and stop-overs at Queensland's country areas, such as the Darling Downs and Longreach. I would like to see such courses extended to the TAFE college in Warwick and to other colleges in city areas. The constmction of the TAFE college at Warwick is fairly close to completion. I would like to see training courses in tourism provided at that college. Mr De Lacy: They could use the dairy factory; it has certainly become redundant. Mr BOOTH: That is not my idea, and I agree with the honourable member for Cairns that the dairy should not be made redundant or closed down. I am very worried about reports that have been written about it, and I am on side with the honourable member for Caims on that issue. Mr Davis: Don't blame that on the Labor Govemment. Mr BOOTH: I do not want to go back to the Labor Govemment. I am trying to look ahead. In the TAFE college at Warwick I would like to see some courses designed to help the agricultural industry. Mr Vaughan: This is not an education debate. Mr BOOTH: I wish to talk about it. The constmction of the TAFE college in Warwick has almost been completed, and the Works Department has control of the Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3481 funds. I am suggesting that the courses at the Warwick college are expanded to include courses in agriculture, because throughout the time that I have been involved in the agricultural industry certain changes have occurted and are occurring. One of the changes relates to the care of animals in very intensive surroundings. I doubt that many Queenslanders have the educational qualifications to work in that area. There is some land available and a great deal could be done to assist the industry. A principal has yet to be appointed to the college and not much more can be said until that occurs. If one looks through the speech that the Minister made to this Chamber, one can see the diversity of areas covered by the Works Department. This is something that has stmck me. Some areas covered by the Works Department are small and would not be regarded as being of great moment, but they are beneficial to my electorate and to other country electorates. One of them is the subsidy that is provided to showground societies for making improvements to showgrounds. If the subsidies had not been provided, many country show societies would have closed down long ago. The subsidies should be maintained, because from time to time when there is a big crowd at any of the show- society grounds—on Saturday there was a fairly big crowd at the Warwick rodeo which was held on the show-society ground—the facilities provided by the subsidies are very much appreciated. I tum now to the restoration of historic buildings. There was a time when members would get up in this Chamber and say that the Govemment had done nothing towards the restoration of historic buildings. They would say, "You have done nothing about restoration." I say to the honourable member for South Brisbane that I do not think it is tme that the Govemment has done nothing about the restoration of historic buildings. The Govemment has restored the buildings that it thinks it can use. It is important to do that. If the restoration of buildings is not considered carefully, a lot of money will be spent on restoration and the ongoing mnning costs will be prohibitive. To date, I think that the restoration of historic buildings has been excellent. Although I do not want to deal specifically with Parliament House, I point out that some members thought that the restoration work would be done badly. After the building was restored, they thought that in about six months' time blemishes would be found. The restoration work has been completed for a few years and it has stood up very well. Perhaps the restorers had an excellent building on which to work. Mr Lee: An excellent Minister at the time, too. Mr BOOTH: There was nothing wrong with the Minister. However, I think that the work being carried out now under the present Minister is of a high standard. I have had an opportunity to inspect the old Govemment Printery. Although the restoration work appears to be fairly difficult, I am quite sure that when restoration of the building is completed, everyone will be proud of it. One can say that restoration work on the building is proceeding satisfactorily. Earlier I referred to the money that is spent on educational buildings. This moming the Minister said that some of the department's money has been spent on schools in the far-flung parts of the State, including the Tortes Strait schools. That proves that the Govemment is trying to look after ever>'one. The Minister should be commended for that. I have heard criticism that early education centres are not worth while and that Queensland would be better without them. I do not share that view. There are several early education centres in my electorate. The people involved are very happy with them. When it is not possible to have a pre-school established in an area, I think that the establishment of an early education centre is the way to go. I wish that there were more such centres in my electorate. However, under the present guide-lines, a number of places do not qualify, so there is not very much that can be done about that. The development of nursing homes has continued. Reference has been made to Rockhampton and a number of other areas in which nursing-home beds have been provided. The Warwick community is grateful for the number of nursing-home beds

77193—114 3482 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) that it has. However, they would like to have more. At the moment it appears that the requirement for nursing-home beds is just about holding, so probably it is not necessary to have any more. One never knows when the stage will be reached at which more beds wiU be required. The siting of new prisons is a vexed matter with which the Minister for Works and Housing and the Minister for Cortective Services have had to deal. It is easy for a person to say, "We do not want a prison. We do not want it here. We do not want it at A; we do not want it at B; and we do not want it at X." However, a prison must be located somewhere. One has to consider the abUity of relatives to visit prisoners. A maximum security prison or a large prison should not be located too far from a major city. Some of the emotionalism associated with the siting of prisons has got out of hand. I was glad to hear the Minister say that constmction of a prison at the site that he selected would go ahead. Queensland does not want to be in a position in which it has a lack of prison accommodation or prison accommodation that is substandard. Whether people are in prison or not, they are entitled to accommodation of a reasonable standard. The recreation camp at Leslie Dam, which is in my electorate, is excellent. It is one of the larger inland camps. Mr Davis: You have worked very hard for that Leslie Dam, and so have I, particularly Stage 2. Mr BOOTH: I do not know about the honourable member, but I have certainly worked hard for the recreation camp. A number of objectives that we did not think would be fulfilled have in fact been achieved. The area now has an excellent oval and a few other facilities that were badly needed. I am pleased to be associated with that project. Many people try to obtain loans through the Housing Commission. As much as possible should be done to provide funding for housing. There is no reason why we should adopt a defeatist attitude. On examination it appears that people who apply for housing loans would have great difficulty in meeting the repayments. However, if they manage to obtain a loan, it is marvellous how many of them succeed in meeting the repayments. Very few people lose their homes. It is a tragedy if a person's home has to be repossessed. If we err at all, we should err on the side of being flexible and generous. Not for one moment should we adopt a defeatist attitude. I tum now to staffing within the Works Department. Recently, a number of retrenchments have occurred within that department. Although I am quite happy with the majority of the work that is done by tender, I often get a little bit worried when staff numbers in country areas get too low. When that occurs, if there is a leaking tap, a loose sheet of iron or something of that nature in a school or other Govemment building, it is often difficult to find anyone to carry out the necessary repairs. I would like the Minister to give a little bit of thought to staffing in country areas so that sufficient numbers of staff are available to undertake urgent repairs. Often, small sections of schools or buildings require painting that is really not of a sufficient magnitude to warrant calling tenders. Therefore, a painter should always be on hand at those locations. I have not covered aU of the matters in the report, neither did I intend to. However, in relation to the Housing Commission—I say a word of thanks and gratitude to Mr Stewart Hall. He has been an excellent officer; he has always been accessible and available to talk to people. If he says, "I will ring you back.", he does so. I congratulate Mr BeUert on his promotion. He is easy to approach, and I am sure that all honourable members welcome his appointment. I thank the Minister for his efforts during the first year of his administration of this portfolio. I have not heard many complaints from either Govemment members or Opposition members about the way in which he has managed it. It has been a pleasure to take part in this Estimates debate. Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3483

Ms WARNER (South Brisbane) (3.03 p.m.): In common with the Minister, I intend to commence my remarks by reading from the report of the Queensland Housing Commission. Almost all of the Minister's comments were taken virtually verbatim from that report. Page 1 of that report—the introduction—shows a number of mental somersaults. First of all, it states that there is an increased demand for public housing. In the fifth paragraph it claims that, because of the increasing need for people to have homes and because of high interest rates and the difficulty of home-ownership, there has been a call for the expansion of the public rental sector. The report goes on to describe what is called the myth of increased spending on public housing. It is not a myth; it is a reahty. The fact of life is that more money has been spent on public housing. What does the word "myth" really mean? It does not make much sense grammatically in that report. Perhaps the Minister could explain what is meant by the "myth" of public housing, when all honourable members know that public housing is a reality. If the Minister means that the myth is that public housing would do some good, I would disagree. That would not be a myth. In fact, the report is committed in some part to providing public housing—one would hope—and certainly the collections of funds from the Common­ wealth Govemment for the purposes of doing so. The other aspect that has come out traditionally in reports of the Queensland Housing Commission—and this year's is no exception—is that the Housing Commission maintains its high priority for the need for home-ownership. It has allocated the bulk of its funds to that program on the grounds that the way to house Queenslanders is to put them in their own homes. Of course, many people would agree with that. However, it is very difficult for people, even under the (Queensland Housing Commission scheme, to obtain their own house. In last year's Budget, the Queensland Housing Commission allocated to the home- ownership subsidy scheme a sum of $ 18m which has not been taken up. It has not been taken up not because people do not need housing but because people cannot afford the housing. They cannot afford the scheme or the loans. The loans are made available up to the level of $45,000. As my colleague the member for Wolston pointed out, it is very difficult for the average worker to repay such a loan. The Queensland Housing Commission does not really subsidise the interest rate; it simply maintains it as a lower level, so that people have to pay more at a later stage in their lives. The Govemment is not giving anything away with that scheme. I retum to the $18m that has lapsed. That means that the Govemment assessed that $18m worth of loans were available but there was no demand for them. The Govemment miscalculated the demand. It miscalculated what people were able to take up. The reason why people are not taking up the housing options is not that they do not want houses; it is poverty. Poverty is the real reason. Recently, in a report introduced by Bradbury, Vipond and Rossiter titled State Differences in Housing 1985, it was shown that Queensland has the highest proportion of income units living in poverty both before and after paying for housing. Mr Lee: The Labor Govemment. Ms WARNER: I am talking about Queensland. Mr Elliott interjected. Ms WARNER: I am telling the honourable member how the figures compare with those for the rest of Australia. The figure for people living in poverty, before paying for housing, is 14.6 per cent. The figure after paying for housing is 13.1 per cent. Those figures are 2 and 3 per cent respectively above the national average. 3484 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) Can the honourable member tell me what is going on? Is the Federal Government not coming to the party when every other State can secure better figures in terms of the number of people who are in poverty than Queensland has? Something has to be wrong. The other reason is that honourable members know that the economic indices for Queensland are very poor. Queensland has the highest unemployment rate in Australia, and the lowest wages. Under those circumstances, it is not surprising that people are not able to avail themselves of home-ownership schemes, even with the assistance of the Queensland Housing Commission. Does the Minister agree that the Queensland Housing Commission has an overall responsibility to house Queenslanders? I would like a straight answer to that question. From reading the report, it seems to me that that is not immediately available. Instead of the $18m being used to provide much-needed public housing that would go to the people who cannot afford to take out a loan, cannot afford to make the repayments and who are on the waiting-list, it goes into lapsed appropriations, which is completely unacceptable. The Queensland Housing Commission seems to be stuck in a groove, in which it simply asserts that people want private home-ownership and does nothing to look at other priorities when that position is not being taken up. The figures show that the community votes with its feet. An allocation of $ 18m has lapsed. It is left over. What is the excuse for the $5.7m that has lapsed in the erection of housing? That must be misbudgeting and mismanagement. The Minister demonstrated in his report that housing is needed. However, an amount of $5.7m has lapsed. Could the Minister explain what has happened? Maybe that amount will be rolled over. If it is going to be rolled over, the Minister should commit those funds accordingly. Even if the amount is rolled over, it means that the Minister has miscalculated for last year. If the Minister has miscalculated for last year, he has deprived Queenslanders of homes in 1986 and in 1987. The position of homelessness in this State is appaUing. The figures are very hazy because the Queensland Housing Commission does not worry about statistics on such matters. Those figures are simply not available through any Govemment source. However, articles appear in newspapers all the time about the number of people who are homeless. Altogether, for one reason or another, $30m has lapsed. Can the Minister explain? The Minister cannot claim—as the Minister for Education did the other day—that the Commonwealth did not provide the funds. The fact of life is that the Commonwealth Govemment makes funds available to the States through the Commonwealth/States Housing Agreement. Those funds are stated, and everyone knows what they are. Those funds have increased both in nominal terms and as a proportion of total funds allocated to each of the States. Queensland now receives 15.5 per cent in the 1987-88 allocations. The level of funding is known in May, long before the State Budget is prepared. The Minister cannot claim that he does not know what the funds are, because they are stated in an agreement. Everyone knows how much the Commonwealth is offering, because the amounts are fixed. Furthermore, the funds are not provided at the end of the year after Queensland has made its allocation; they are made on a month-by-month basis, so that the State Government knows exactly how much money it has at any given time under the scheme. So do not let me hear that excuse being offered—and that is all it would be. Opposition members could quite clearly demonstrate that the State Govemment does know what its level of funds for housing would be. Other explanations are required to show why this $30m has lapsed and been returned—in part, anyway—to consolidated revenue. The fact of life is that the Commonwealth/States Housing Agreement provides a certain amount of money to Queensland. That money has to be used for housing. If $30m is allocated over and above what is actually used, what happens to the money? It is very difficult to know how much Commonwealth money may or may not be entailed in that amount of $30m. I reiterate what has been said by the honourable member for Murmmba on a number of occasions. The honourable member has pointed out that lapsed appropriations always represent incompetent planning or incompetent execution by Ministers. It is quite Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3485 clear from the debate on the Housing Estimates that what he has been saying is absolutely tme. If the Minister has some lame-duck excuses for why he has not properly used the moneys allocated to his department, let us hear them; but do not let us have any fob- off or any misrepresentation about Commonwealth funding, or that the Commonwealth has not come across, because that kind of statement is not credible and is totally unbelievable. The loss of $30m—and that is what it is; it is a loss to the Queensland public of money for housing during 1986 and 1987—represents a loss of money that is very much needed. The annual report of the Queensland Housing Commission states that a crisis in housing exists; yet, for some reason the Minister does not have to spend $30m that has been made available for housing. The reason is that the Queensland Govemment does not know how to balance its Budget. It underspends, which indicates that Queensland's Budget is not balanced; that it is an unbalanced Budget. Another matter I wish to mention is that the annual report of the Queensland Housing Commission, as it is presented, completely misrepresents what the real figures and real needs are for housing in this State. The reason is partly because the Minister is too miserly to put any money into collecting the statistics and partly because the Housing Commission wait-lists are artificially restricted. A number of people are not on that list for various reasons. For a start, contrary to the Commonwealth/States Housing Agreement, Housing Commission homes are not made available to single people. I point out that those people suffer homelessness in the same way as anybody else in the community does. That is an outrage. Those people cannot even get on the list even though they apply. They are not eligible. Another way of keeping the wait-list artificially small is by not providing facilities for disabled people. They go on the list and find later that the accommodation that is offered to them is not acceptable. Then they have to take themselves off the list. No provision has been made for the Queensland Housing Commission to approach non-English speaking people to tell them what is available through the Housing Commission. A whole range of people are just completely disregarded and ignored by the Queensland Housing Commission. The commission says that the waiting-lists are not really too high. But every member in this Chamber would know that on a number of occasions he or she has been approached by people who are absolutely desperate for housing. I suggest that the main disincentive for people not wanting to go on the Queensland Housing Commission's waiting-list is that in the community there is the impression, the understanding and the knowledge that people who live in Housing Commission accommodation are treated as though they are in institutions and are the recipients of welfare. They are treated as people who do not really have any rights of their own. Tenants are required to sign a four-page tenancy agreement which binds the tenant. The commission does not sign it. I do not know what the commission's obligations or responsibilities are because the commission and the Minister never state what they are. The Labor Party does not know whether the Minister has any guide-lines or internal secrets. Maybe he does. If he does, he should bring them forward so that they can be looked at and some public scmtiny can be given to what is going on in the commission. In fact, there is no stated policy by the Queensland Housing Commission of what its practices are. On 10 September this year approximately 70 public tenants met to discuss the public policy of the Queensland Housing Commission. Invitations were sent to the Minister and to the Commissioner of Housing, and both refused to attend. The people at that meeting wanted the Queensland Housing Commission to immediately publish a public policy relating to transfers, eligibility, visiting rights, rent arrears, privacy issues, maintenance and repairs. All those matters are treated in such an arbitrary fashion by the commission that no tenant knows what the commission is likely to do with a request. I can see the public servant who is advising the Minister shaking his head, but that is the fact of life and that is what is understood by any group of people who talk to Queensland Housing Commission employees. 3486 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) Mr Borbidge: Hang around. Ms WARNER: Is this going to be published? Mr Borbidge: I will put you right. Ms WARNER: The member has guide-lines? Mr Borbidge: I will put you on the right track. Ms WARNER: I am glad that the member has some guide-lines. Does the Queensland Housing Commission allow for transfers? Last week I received a call from a person who said that his accommodation was not suitable for his family and that he wanted a transfer. The call was put through to the Queensland Housing Commission and a commission official said, "We do not think that that family deserves to have a transfer because we have had some complaints about them, and they don't hang their washing on the line properly." I think that that kind of discretionary power that officials have is arbitrary and leads to a lot of confusion about the commission's public policy. The public policy needs to be stated in a document so that tenants know what it is. At the moment they remain ignorant, confused and fearful of the wildly varying implementation of Queensland Housing Commission guide-lines or activities. That situation is open to abuse. People who are in trouble with the Housing Commission traditionally ring their local member to try to get him or her to intercede on their behalf I have no objection to doing that, but the problem is that one does suspect that some members of this Chamber would have greater sway with the Queensland Housing Commission than others. That is a public utility being grossly slanted in a particular way. I would imagine that honourable members opposite would have much more sway with the Queensland Housing Commission than I would have. That is unfair. That is undemocratic. It is not open and decent govemment. It is in fact the sort of situation which could, and perhaps does, lead to graft and cormption. The tenants' meeting also called for an independent appeal stmcture to rationalise the policies of the commission so that faimess and rationality could be seen by all. At the moment the commission is like a secret service. Nobody knows what is going on in the commission. I wish to reiterate some of the points that I made earlier about the fact that the Minister has stuffed up the way that the allocation of money has been made—perhaps I should say that he has completely mismanaged the funds—by allowing $10m to go unspent and give examples of what appears to be patronage towards some people and victimisation of others. I will give the Committee the following example, that of a woman who is a mother of three children—one of whom is blind—and expecting another and who is persuaded by a male administrator of the Queensland Housing Commission to relinquish her tenancy in order to rid herself of a violent and possessive de facto husband. She moves into a refuge, has her fourth child and awaits Queensland Housing Commission approval of another house, this time of four bedrooms, to accommodate her family. There is only one school in Brisbane that her daughter can attend. Nine months after her initial move and three refuges later she is desperate and facing total homelessness. The Queensland Housing Commission has lost her file three times, procrastinated in the completion of her transfer arrangements, disputed her claim for a three-bedroomed house, saying that the teenage daughter can share with the new baby, and questioned her repeatedly about her relationship with the estranged de facto. She arrived at my office and divulged all sorts of information about her personal life to me because she is used to being asked about her personal life by the snoops in the Queensland Housing Commission. Then, literally begging for help for somebody in a desperate situation, my office rang the Queensland Housing Commission and euphemistically engaged in advocacy and representation on her part. In fact, what my Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3487 office is doing is asking for favours, because that woman has no rights—no rights at all—in the system that the Minister is mnning, and that is a disgrace. She cannot know what to expect. The Opposition has constantly been asking the Minister and the Govemment to be more sensitive in the allocation of Queensland Housing Commission houses. The annual report of the commission itself says— "Finally, there has to be a better community awareness of the need for pubhc housing and acceptance of the people it houses." Why would the community in Queensland accept the people in Queensland Housing Commission houses when the Govemment itself treats them like second-class citizens and like recipients of welfare, getting hand-outs from a supposedly bountiful benefactor who acts like some sort of Dickensian director of a workhouse? That is the image that comes across to the people living in those conditions and that is the sort of situation that they are in. The list of problems goes on. It is known that people do not get transfers unless they can suck up to somebody really important, that people who make complaints will not be treated properly, that quite normal activities such as having children, grandchildren or relatives staying overnight will be treated by the Queensland Housing Commission with suspicion and that tenants may very well be evicted for having other people on the premises. There is also the practice that is engendered within the commission of asking one tenant to spy and tell on another tenant. That is a sordid and sick kind of artangement that gives tenants no rights and the commission no obligations. People living in Queensland Housing Commission homes feel as if, and are made to feel as if, they are at the bottom of the heap and asking for charity. Mr ELLIOTT (Cunningham) (3.23 p.m.): Firstly I wish for a couple of minutes to reply to some of the points made by the member for South Brisbane. I am amazed that she spent most of her time castigating the Queensland Housing Commission and talking about poverty and problems in housing when she is a member of the ALP, whose Federal colleagues at the moment are destroying every last vestige of credibility that they may have ever had in pretending to stand up for, and look after, the working people of this nation. It is absolutely unbelievable that she could come in here this aftemoon and do that Ms Warner: Do what? Mr ELLIOTT: Castigate the Queensland Housing Commission for what is going on at the Federal level. The Federal Govemment has absolutely sold out its birthright. It has forgotten those whom it is supposed to represent. Private rental accommodation in this nation has been absolutely cast aside. Mr FitzGerald: Negative gearing. Mr ELLIOTT: That's right. It is quite unbelievable that the Federal Govemment could do such a thing when it purports to support those people and is supposed to be looking after their interests. What has it done? Mr Borbidge: Capital gains tax. Mr ELLIOTT: As the member for Surfers Paradise so rightly says, the Federal Labor Govemment introduced a capital gains tax. The introduction of a capital gains tax and negative gearing caused an absolute drought in housing rental accommodation. It has now been recognised even by the Federal Govemment, evidenced by the fact that it reintroduced negative gearing, that it in fact made a horrendous mistake. 3488 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) I do not suggest for one moment that the previous speaker is not cortect when she says that some people are living in poverty. Honourable members witness it every day. However, I found it quite unbelievable that throughout her speech she castigated the Queensland Housing Commission, which is trying to do its best in providing accom­ modation for people, yet she did not acknowledge the unbelievable attitude that has been adopted by the Federal Govemment. When one lumps together the capital gains tax and the high interest rates over the last few years, one finds a disaster of the highest proportions which not only pushed investors out of rental accommodation but also pushed home-owners out of their own homes. The Federal Govemment was responsible for providing housing loan assistance to first home buyers. Later, through high interest rates, it totally destroyed those first home buyers and other people who had purchased homes. In my electorate, particularly on the fringes of Toowoomba in areas such as Kingsthorpe, which experienced tremendous new growth and development, countiess dozens of people had to walk out of their homes. People had to give up their homes; they literally walked out of them because they could not afford to meet their housing loan repayments. I find it absolutely unbelieveable that a Govemment that is supposed to support the workers could possibly impose such a disaster on its own supporters. I tum from throwing brickbats to sounding a few positive notes. I thank the Works Department for the provision of facilities in the various electorates of this State. In my own electorate, the Oakey State High School, the Oakey State School and other schools have done reasonably well over the last few years. The Oakey State High School had received facilities such as a library, an admin­ istration centre and, under the previous Minister, a music education area. That school has been provided with some excellent facilities which have certainly enhanced its overall standard. However, the Oakey State High School is still experiencing growth, and I ask the Minister and his advisers to consider the provision of additional science facilities in particular. In addition, I ask that consideration be given to the very real safety problem which exists at the Oakey State High School. The Warrego Highway goes right past the area where children are picked up after school. The Minister and I have discussed the problem. However, because of the very great danger that exists, I ask him to bear in mind the possibility of providing an area off the highway in which buses can tum. It is not only a problem in my electorate; it is also a problem in many other electorates. The safety of children is a very real concem. It has perhaps not been given high enough priority. After all, the safety of children Mr Vaughan: Whose fault is that? Mr ELLIOTT: If the honourable member looks Mr Vaughan: It is this Govemment's fault. Mr ELLIOTT: I will take that interjection. I am alluding to something which I consider to be a problem; otherwise I would not be referring to it. Possibly a higher priority should be given to it than to some of the other things that money is being spent on. After all, it goes without saying that safety is paramount in children's lives. I refer now to the Queensland pavilion at Expo. The State Government is putting $16m into the establishment of that pavilion. This will give Queensland an opportunity to show overseas visitors just what Queensland has to offer. It will be a shop window and will bring people to (Queensland and point them in the right direction by showing them what Queensland has to offer. Then they will be referred to private enterprise or to Govemment agencies—whichever organisation is involved. In that way this Govem­ ment will more than recoup the expenditure on that pavilion. Over the years to come this will have enormous ramifications for Queensland's trade and its potential to trade with the Pacific rim countries and other countries throughout the whole world. The decision to establish the pavilion is something that this Govemment can be justifiably Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3489 proud of I am pleased that this Govemment made that decision and that I was in Cabinet at the time it was made. Sydney and Melboume were offered the same opportunity, but they were both too chicken to take it on. Now that looks as though Expo will be a roaring success, everyone else wants to get on the bandwagon. Expo should have been above politics. The Commonwealth Games was one time during the whole of my political experience when politics was put aside. At that time the Eraser Govemment was in office and there was a Labor administration in the Brisbane City Council. All of those people co-operated and, as a result, the Commonwealth Games was a great success. It is regrettable that, when there are Govemments of differing political colours, the same lines cannot be adopted for Expo as were followed for the Commonwealth Games. Fortunately it is starting to come together. Attitudes are better than they were. It is regrettable that people play politics when there are matters of that magnitude at stake. I refer now to the matter of early education units raised by the member for Warwick in his speech. I wholeheartedly support those statements by my colleague. What he said is very tme. I have found those units to be very successful in my electorate. As the honourable member stated, it would be great if full pre-school facilities with an adequate number of staff could be established in all areas, but the early education units have been very successful and very popular with the people in my electorate. I wish to support the continued institution of the units within Queensland because they have been very worth while. I refer now to the showground subsidies and support the work that is done by the Lands Department and the Works Department in the provision of those subsidies. Mr Vaughan interjected. Mr ELLIOTT: Unlike some of the members opposite, who make a lot of noise but do not put their money where their mouth is, people in a community raise the money by doing something worth while and are then able to get a little support through the showgrounds subsidies. It helps enormously, particularly in terms of morale. It encourages people in the area to do more for their showgrounds. Mr Davis interjected. Mr ELLIOTT: I am surprised at the old babbling brook, of all people—the member for Brisbane Central—who has a background going back to a relationship with the early settlers on the Darling Downs. His Aunt Gladys would want his mouth washed out with soap for having the temerity to say something that is detrimental to show societies. As I am sure that there are many other members who would like to take part in this debate, I conclude my remarks. Mr BEANLAND (Toowong) (3.36 p.m.): I am very pleased to rise in this very important debate on the Estimates of the Minister for Works and Housing. Having listened to members of the Labor Party today, one would think that they had some magic formula to cure the housing problems in this country. The only reason Australia has housing problems is that we have failed to create sufficient wealth. The only way to get people properly housed right across the board is through the creation of wealth for the community generally, not just for a select few. Before the recent share-market crash and other problems that have occurted in the last week or two, a select few people in this nation have been creating wealth. Wealth has been created largely through paper-shuffling, not through the genuine ways in which wealth should be created. Probably the tmest words ever spoken Mr Vaughan: You are talking about wealth in a State that has the lowest wages. Mr BEANLAND: I can understand why members of the Labor Party get upset; they hate to hear the tmth of the matter. They hate to hear how the Labor Party has for several years supported the very, very wealthy, the multibillionaires in this society, 3490 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) and not looked after the middle class or the poor people in this country. Not at all! Since the stock-market crash in the last day or two, their very wealthy friends have suddenly bumt their fingers. I have noticed that members of the Labor Party have tried very quickly to shuffle aside the wealth inquiry and said, "We are not going to have a wealth inquiry after all. That was just something we were talking about at the time." The tmest words ever spoken by members of the Labor Party were when they called this country a banana republic. A banana republic is a place where a handful of rich persons get richer and the middle class become the new poor. That is certainly what is happening in this nation. The real reason Australia has such a high standard of home-ownership is that over many, many years Australians have had a high standard of living. The middle class were the people who created wealth right throughout this nation. The middle class of this society, not just a handful of weaUhy friends of the Labor Party, make Australia what it is today. When a person talks about housing and building more homes in this nation, he needs to clearly understand what he is talking about. If a larger percentage of the people in this country are to own their own homes, more wealth must be created and generated right across the broad spectmm of society, not just for a handful of people. The other important area for which the Minister has responsibility is the Works portfolio. He is responsible for the building programs throughout this State, which have an enormous effect on the Queensland economy. Once again I cannot help noticing the extensive buUding program that the Govemment will undertake this financial year. That is good and well, but one raises a number of questions when one goes through the Estimates of expenditure for the Works and Housing portfolio. In view of the Minister's past performance, perhaps I should not have been as surprised as I was that the Minister did not refer to one or two of these matters. If one looks at page 137 of the Estimates of Expenditure from the Loan Fund, it is clear that the Govemment has in fact placed under the heading of "Public Buildings" the item of "Other Buildings—$26m". No explanations are given for that. Under the heading of "Special Allocations" it is clear that the educational buildings are to receive a sum of $110.9m from the Loan Fund. Under the heading "Public Buildings", the following items are listed: court houses, $1.4m; police stations, $3.4m; Govemment hospitals and institutions, $6.5m; family services homes, $4.6m; primary industries, $4.9m; prisons, $22.2m; and other buildings, $26m. Perhaps that is the Minister's new slush fund of the Loan Fund. Perhaps it is a contingency. In some of these documents one comes across the term "contingency". That sum of $26m is the largest item under "Public Buildings", but no explanation has been given for it. It is not covered by some sort of schools appropriation, because that is already listed. Perhaps it is a special allocation. The Minister might be expecting a ministerial reshuffle and is assuming perhaps that Ministers will be unhappy with their new ministerial offices. Perhaps that is where the funds will be spent in this particular Budget. Perhaps it is for some other reason which the Minister is trying to hide. In fact, 38 per cent of the total public buildings Vote of $69m is covered by that $26m. I ask the Minister to come clean and inform honourable members as to what that particular allocation is all about. Last year, a significant sum of money was also included. I understand that there is a cost overmn in the Executive Building with the refurbishing and remodelling that is taking place there. Perhaps this amount will go towards paying for some of the differences there. Because Queensland does not have a public accounts committee or an Upper House, this Chamber alone views and passes Votes. An explanation should be provided. Surely that is not too much to ask of the Minister. In fact, an explanation should have been given at the outset. Mr Borbidge: It is subject to the Auditor-General. Mr Veivers: What about the Auditor-General? Mr BEANLAND: I am pleased that Government members have interjected in relation to the Auditor-General. I intend to explain to those National Party members Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3491 who need an explanation on these matters what the Auditor-General's role is. I am pleased to give National Party members a helping hand in that regard. I tum now to the (Cabinet budget committee and ask where the Minister was when that committee was being discussed. A section of the policy statement on public sector reform, which was contained in the Premier's Budget Speech, refers to one of the recommendations of the Savage committee, namely, the appointment of a Cabinet budget committee comprising three Ministers nominated by the Premier and chaired by one of them. When Cabinet discussed that committee, the Treasury and the Treasurer clearly won the day. Of course, the Premier is also the Treasurer. To use a term that I am sure all honourable members will understand, the recommendation got the chop. In his Budget Speech the Premier said— "A number of difficulties have been identified with this recommendation which were not addressed by the Committee. The Committee's recommendation really dealt with a concept and did not give sufficient weight to the process of consultation that now occurs." The policy decision was— "No action be taken to establish a formal Cabinet Budget Committee in favour of improvements to existing consultative processes." What a whitewash that is! Treasury was concemed to ensure that its wings would not be clipped in regard to Budget allocations. The Treasury and the Treasurer—who also happens to be the Premier—won the day. The Treasury did not want an input from Ministers. It did not want pesky Ministers annoying it with their ideas, views and political input. Because there was no political input from the Ministers, all honourable members have witnessed disasters in the Budget. Perhaps their input would not have made much difference, anyway. However, I would like to think that the Ministers could at least have had some effect on the Budget and could have rectified some of the blatant political errors that have occurred and have since had to be rectified very embarassingly in the public's eye. All honourable members know what those errors were. Clearly, the State Government wanted to continue along present lines by ensuring that the Treasurer and the Treasury have sole responsibility. They did not want to lose their grip on this area. The consultative process has, of course, always been one of those processes that involves the Treasurer and the Treasury. Ministers have always complained that their points of view do not get across. This is a great opportunity for Ministers to have an input into that exercise. However, lo and behold! it all got the chop. The Minister tells us that he likes to stand up and be counted on all sorts of issues. Earlier in the year, when he got rid of the Builders Registration Board, he indicated that that was the way to go and that he was a man of decision-making. However, when it comes to the cmnch, honourable members see what happens. I refer to efficiency auditing, which is an area in which I can talk about the Auditor-General. Of course, the department is largely efficient, as most Govemment departments are. However, some areas will be inefficient. In every large organisation, whether it be in the public service, large corporations or whatever, there are areas that are inefficient. Surely the Minister will not attempt to tell the Chamber or the community that every sector of the public service within his portfolio is efficient and cannot be improved? What a lot of hog-wash that would be. Contrary to the recommendation about efficiency auditing in the Savage committee report, the CJovemment said, "No, we won't go ahead with this. There is considerable opposition to it, and it might clash in some way with ministerial and permanent head accountability." It is sad that people do not recognise the difference between ministerial and permanent head accountability, the present role of the Auditor-General and the role of efficiency auditing within Govemment operations. Queensland has no public accounts committee, no Upper House and no public estimates committee to make detailed investigations. All it has is this Chamber to go through and discuss the Budget documents. 3492 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

All honourable members know the role of the Auditor-General. He is there for compliance auditing. He ensures that the funds that are spent are properly authorised and appropriated, that they have the signature of the Minister or his permanent head on them and that the funds are spent in a proper manner. It is not the Auditor-General's responsibility to trace the funds to ensure that they are spent efficiently and effectively. That is the role of a public accounts committee or efficiency auditing, as the Savage committee report clearly indicates. Of course, the Treasurer and the Treasury were not content with giving the recommendation the chop. They recollected that a small efficiency auditing section had been operating for a number of years within the Treasury Department, and they considered that this was a wonderful opportunity to give that unit the chop as well. It was transferted to some small bureau within the Premier's Department where it would have no real effect at all—out of sight, out of mind and, hopefully, forgotten about. Therefore, efficiency auditing has not seen the light of day, either. Earlier I mentioned the important role in the economic strategy of this State that the department plays in all walks of life by way of the huge sums that it spends through the building program and through housing. The Savage committee report contains a section that deals with an economic strategy unit. It calls for the establishment of such a unit to be responsible to the Premier and Cabinet but separate from the Treasury Department. That was a great opportunity for the Minister and his department to have a greater input into the economic operations of this State. However, that interfered with the Treasurer's and Treasury Department's powers, and it got the chop. It went out the door. That ensured that there was no independent economic input into the Govemment, to enable Ministers to have an altemative input on economic strategy, and no alternative viewpoint. However, there are altemative viewpoints. If economics was a straightforward subject, thousands of economists would not be in the community eaming a living from it. There would be one wise person who would be able to solve aU our problems. This is a very diverse area and one in which a need exists for various economic viewpoints to be coming into govemment. That has not happened; it is not going to happen because that proposed strategy unit, which was to be established and attached to the Premier's Department, has not been set up. The Minister could have had wonderful input into that unit, had he supported it. However, he was done over in the Cabinet. He probably did not stand up to the Premier, and down he went. He then totally went along with Treasury's viewpoint and allowed Treasury to have total say in this very important area. The Savage committee report and policy guide-lines refer to enhancing budgeting and budget managment in the Minister's department. The Estimates debate is a golden opportunity for the Minister to inform the Parliament of what he has done to implement those guide-lines. I can well understand how the Minister would have trouble grappling with all these recommendations and policy guide-lines. It is all too hard, and he does not want to have anything to do with it. It is easier to just quietly go along with whatever the Premier and Treasurer or the Treasury Department say. For the Minister's edification, I refer to page 35 of the Budget Speech. Although the Minister probably has not looked at this document, reference is made to the need for enhancing the "budgeting and budget management processes within Line Departments." I ask the Minister what he and his department have done to adopt those recommendations in his areas of responsibility, which are most important. Sir Ernest Savage and members of his committee did not spend months in preparing this document to have it cast aside and to have Ministers say, "Oh, that is a load of mbbish. We are not interested in that. We disagree with that. We know best." How often have honourable members heard that? Earlier in the year, the Minister said it. Clearly, he should inform the Parliament about the processes he has implemented in relation to the Savage committee recommendations to improve efficiency and to improve the management of the budgeting processes in areas that are his responsibility. I cite the appalling performance by the Minister in relation to the Builders Registration Board. Every week, I wait to hear the Minister come forward with his reasons for putting Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3493 his foot in his mouth at the time the board was abolished. Perhaps it "seemed like a good idea at the time", to use that Labor Party phrase. People in the wider community now call a Clayton's sacking a Gibbs' sacking, or refer to it as "doing a Gibbs" when there is talk about sacking a board or a group. People say, "Are you 'doing a Gibbs'?" It has become a matter of grave concem to every member of the Parliament that this matter should be fully explained. The Estimates debate provides the Minister with a golden opportunity to explain to the Parliament just what was the real reason behind the abolition of the Builders Registration Board earlier in the year, and why it occurred in such an unusual fashion. Of course, the Minister found—to his hortor, naturally—that he did not have the power to proceed with that abolition because legislation had not been prepared and introduced. That was the Minister's desire and the Govemment's aim at that time. Why was legislation not introduced? Why were those actions not carried out? It was found that it was illegal to sack the board. The sacking of the board members was not valid and, of course, honourable members have heard nothing more about it since. I believe that it does nothing for the Minister or this Parliament to have that matter hanging over the Govemment's head. In conclusion, I make the point that in my electorate, the Taringa Criminal Investigation Branch should be supplied with hot water. When I look through all this wonderful expenditure by the Govemment, I realise that there are very many small matters of Govemment expenditure that are overlooked. No doubt the Queensland Govemment is going throu^ the building syndrome in which major projects are to the fore; yet, items that cost a few hundred dollars or a couple of thousand dollars are overlooked time after time. I have made a number of representations in relation to the need for hot water to be supplied to the Taringa CIB, but the issue is fobbed off completely. I say this because there is a great need for hot water in police stations. I cannot understand why all police stations—but particularly CI Branches that deal with a wide range of people, including dmg victims, in various locations including bush areas—are not supplied with hot water. One would have thought that it would be absolutely necessary for police officers, who deal with all sections of the community, to be able to wash in hot water and clean themselves up. Much of the dirt and filth that gets on them during the course of carrying out their duties can then be washed away to enable them to carry on with their other duties for the rest of the day. At the moment many of them have to take time off to wash up at home or elsewhere. I appeal to the Minister to investigate not only the Taringa Criminal Investigation Branch but also the many other police stations in the State that do not have hot water, something which I would have thought was a very basic and fundamental requirement in police stations in Queensland. Mr BORBIDGE (Surfers Paradise) (3.56 p.m.): In supporting the Minister's pres­ entation of the Estimates before the Committee this aftemoon, it is appropriate for me to acknowledge the comments made by the Premier in his Budget Speech when he said that if Loan Council cuts were allowed to stand, the Govemment's capital works program for schools, public buildings and the hke would have to be reduced by some $ 112.2m. When the very difficult circumstances that existed at the time of the framing of the Budget are considered, it will be seen that the criticism being directed in this Estimates debate really appears rather shallow. In fact, there has been very little criticism of substance from members of the official Opposition or those of the secondary opposition. In that regard I refer to the remarks made by the honourable member for Toowong, who has just resumed his seat. The Govemment rightly rejected the option of cutting the capital works program, which it has maintained as a high priority this financial year by supplementing the normal works program from consolidated revenue to the extent of $220.1 m, compared with $ 125.4m last financial year, and by the implementation of the $400m Special 3494 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) Capital Works Program as a follow-on from the previous $600m program, honouring the Govemment's commitment during the 1986 election campaign. Significantly, this continued priority for capital works has been achieved by reducing overall Govemment expenditure and not increasing taxes or bortowings. The Department of Works wiU have a total consolidated revenue aUocation of $171.4m compared with $ 165.7m the previous year. In addition, the department will have a Loan Fund allocation of $214.5m, an allocation of $25.4m within the Cultural Capital Development Fund and an amount of $ 10.9m for the Queensland pavihon at World Expo 88, which I commend to honourable members on both sides of the Chamber. Recently I had the opportunity of inspecting that pavilion. I believe that it will be the highlight of Expo. It is a superb facility. I am sure that, when honourable members have the opportunity of inspecting it, they will acknowledge that it will retum to this State many, many times over the relatively modest, by overall expenditure terms, allocation that has been made to it by the State Govemment. In the presentation of his Estimates, the Minister mentioned that the Govemment is building two new prisons and that a third is being planned. I take this opportunity to comment briefly on the two prisons that are under constmction, one at Wacol and one near Mareeba, and the third to be built west of Ipswich. This represents a commitment of some $70m by the Government. I welcome the assurance of the Minister, which I believe was also welcomed by the Opposition earlier today, that these projects will not be deterred by protest groups or anti-prison campaigns. The location of a new prison always presents considerable difficulties for Govemment. Everyone agrees that more prisons are required, but no-one wants them nearby. They have to be located in the centres of population, not only for family visiting rights but also to counteract staffing problems. They also require access to the criminal justice system, courts of law and the like. Opposition members interjected. Mr BORBIDGE: If honourable members opposite who are getting so excited would listen, I will certainly be able to enlighten them. Mr I. J. Gibbs: Mr Vaughan said we could build one at Zillmere. Mr BORBIDGE: I have noted the comment of the Minister that the member for Nudgee says that one could be constmcted at Zillmere. The Minister is an honourable man and I have to accept that his advice is correct. Experience has shown that, when prisons are established in more remote areas, staff turnover has been as high as one third, resulting in higher costs for recmiting, training and locating new prison officers. It also creates difficulties for the families of prisoners which, irrespective of our feelings towards the need for punishment, is the accepted humanitarian attitude and leads to improved prisoner rehabilitation. The recent television program Out of Sight, Out of Mind investigated the state of various gaols in Queensland. While it is fair to say that Boggo Road received some criticism, overall Queensland's gaols appeared to be considerably better than those in the southem States. When the three new gaols come into operation, Boggo Road will be utilised for remand prisoners. So within the year the standard of gaol accommodation in Queensland should be well ahead of that in the other States. This in tum may attract some criticism. Many people believe that prisons should maintain harsh conditions to punish those who commit offences against the community; but it is also a fact that money being spent on the new prisons will result in extremely efficient security systems, which will make escape much more difficult. Mr Davis: Is it fair to say that we are getting a better class of prisoner—stock­ brokers, share-brokers and supporters of the National Party in your electorate? Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3495

Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable member opposite suggests that Queensland is getting a better class of prisoner. He may know more people who have gone to gaol in recent times than I do. I understand that people living in close proximity to the proposed new maximum security gaol at Sandy (Creek, north west of Ipswich, do not hke the idea, but experience has shown that if—I emphasise "if—a prisoner breaks out, he invariably puts as much distance between the gaol and himself as possible. I am pleased that the honourable members opposite who represent the Ipswich area acknowledge that the prisons also bring new benefits to a region. They have in fact responded in a fair, reasonable and responsible manner. Aside from those people employed during constmction, there will also be a number of prison staff moving into the area to be near work. New jobs will be created locally and many other anciUary supplies will be purchased from the area. Following the demise of some West Moreton mines and the intemational slump in the coal trade, the new prison will provide a boost to the Ipswich economy. While I am talking about the Department of Works, I also take this opportunity to place on record my appreciation of the services of the recently retired Director-General, Mr Ivan Harrison, and I wish him well in his retirement. I also extend my best wishes to his successor, Mr John Bellert. I do have some comments to make in respect of the Housing Commission. I share the concem expressed by the honourable member for Cunningham at the denigration of the commission by the member for South Brisbane who, I regret, is no longer in the Chamber. Mr Davis: Why didn't you teU her? Mr BORBIDGE: I did. By way of interjection I invited the honourable member for South Brisbane to hang around, but she decided to leave after she had spoken, so I am forced to defend the Housing (Commission against her tactics. I consider the Housing Commission in Queensland to be the best Govemment housing authority in Australia. It is interesting to look at figures that have come through within the last couple of hours. They are preliminary estimates from the Federal Government relating to the waiting-lists for public housing authorities across Australia. Let us have a look at the record and let us see the hypocrisy of the Labor Party in this Chamber revealed for what it is. I will examine the record of members of the Labor Party who occupy the Treasury benches in Parliaments of this nation. The Australian figures overall indicate that, over the last 12 months, v. aiting-lists have increased by 4.8 per cent. That is an overaU increase. I will now examine the figures State by State. New South Wales has experienced an increase in Housing Commission waiting-lists of 5.8 per cent. South Australia—under the Govemment of Premier Bannon—has experienced an increase in its waiting-lists of 12.2 per cent. Westem Australia—under the Labor Govemment of Premier Burke—has experienced an increase in its waiting-lists of some 20.5 per cent. Queensland has experienced a reduction in its waiting-lists of 1.2 per cent. That has been achieved in extremely difficult times, and at a time when this country is facing a rental accommodation crisis. I will analyse those figures in more detail. South Australia, which has 8.6 per cent of Australia's population, has 27.5 per cent of the national wait-hst for Housing Commission accommodation. Queensland, which has 16.4 per cent of the Australian population, has 5.7 per cent of the national wait-list for Housing Commission accommodation. Mr Davis: Figures! You can do anything with figures. 3496 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) Mr BORBIDGE: These figures are preliminary Federal Govemment figures Mr Yewdale: You bodgied them. Mr BORBIDGE: I repeat that these figures are preliminary Federal Government figures. I can well understand the sensitivity of members of the Opposition, because once again their colours are shown and their credibility is found to be wanting. The reduction in the Queensland waiting-list for Housing Commission accommo­ dation has been achieved at a time when this State still has not received its just funding entitiement under the Commonwealth/States Housing Agreement. This State is still underfunded in regard to housing, and I understand that that will be the case until 1991. So it makes Queensland's performance appear very, very good indeed, and it makes the criticism that has emanated from the Opposition appear very, very shallow and very, very hollow. This State prides itself on the fact that it has one of the highest rates of home- ownership anywhere in the world. Press reports reveal that, according to the Housing Industry Association, sales of new homes in Queensland increased by 33 per cent in August—an increase of 33 per cent, compared with a national increase of 14 per cent. In the last financial year the Housing Commission recorded a record achievement in terms of the provision of accommodation. Some 2 000 rental units and some 5 500 dwellings, including rentals and homes purchased under the home-ownership scheme, have been provided. I emphasise again that that has been achieved despite considerable adversity and against the national trend. Although there has been some increase in the second half of the financial year, this Govemment has contained the wait-list in this State. It needs to be remembered, and surely all honourable members realise, that Australia is undergoing a crisis in rental accommodation. Why? I will examine the reasons. The reasons include record high interest rates and negative gearing, which was reinstated only recently by the Federal Budget, and capital gains taxes. A whole range of taxation devices and mechanisms implemented by the Labor Party have successfully chased away private investment in rental accommodation. The politics of envy have prevailed. All this talk of wealth inquiries and wealth taxes is just systematic Mr Lifrleproud: No talk of Orwell, is there? Mr BORBIDGE: No. It has been suggested that the Labor Party wanted to have an inquiry into wealth before it made it extinct. I think there is probably some merit in that suggestion. Mr Davis interjected. Mr BORBIDGE: The Opposition Whip is showing his intelligence; he is not very bright! For example, in my own electorate of Surfers Paradise, where there was a great deal of private rental accommodation, it now cannot be found because investors are not putting their money into something that the Labor Party has done everything in its power to encourage. As a result people cannot find rental accommodation. The Labor Govemment did not think about that when it introduced a capital gains tax and fiddled around with negative gearing and those other measures that were so close to the Labor Party's philosophical commitment. As a result the littie people have suffered and this whole nation is experiencing a dramatic shortage in housing accommodation. In the Melboume Age of Tuesday, 20 October 1987, an article headed "State Housing in crisis, says report", stated— "Victoria's public housing was in a crisis with a third of the stock mn-down and inadequate, a Ministry of Housing discussion paper says. Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3497

The estate improvement strategy paper, released yesterday, says one-third of the state's 52,000 public housing units were about 30 years old and needed major up-grading." Queensland's record compared with that for the rest of Australia is very good and very sound. I commend the Minister on the innovation whereby pensioners who do not own their own home now have the opportunity to buy a unit through the Queensland Housing Commission under the Pensioner Unit Purchase Scheme. Approved pensioners are being offered units at a cost of $40,000 and a block of 12 recently completed units at 31 Browne Street, New Farm is the second to be built under the scheme. All the units are one-bedroom brick residences set in landscaped gardens. The scheme was introduced to assist pensioners who, because of their limited means, were unable to purchase such property on the private market. Mr Newton: They are very good. I have some in my electorate. Mr BORBIDGE: As the honourable member for Glass House has stated, he is well aware of the success of this scheme and how much it means to pensioners. I hope that, as finances permit, this very valuable innovation by the Govemment through the Queensland Housing Commission will be expanded. Mr Davis: Why are you stopping them coming down to "Sufferers Paradise"? I asked you that before. Mr BORBIDGE: I am speechless. The interjection is so inane that it is difficult to know how to respond to it. I can only say to the Opposition Whip that he continually shows his incredible ignorance of the problems on the Gold Coast and in my electorate. Time and time again I have issued an invitation to him to come down to my electorate as my guest in the vain and forlom hope that he may leam something. Unfortunately, he has never taken up that opportunity. In a debate such as this it is appropriate to pay tribute to one of this State's most prominent public servants. I refer to Mr Stewart HaU, the Commissioner of Housing who will be retiring later this year. He has given a life-time's service to the people of this State. We wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement. He leaves the Queensland Housing Commission in fine form. I consider it to be the finest pubhc housing authority in Australia. During difficult times, with very tight financial restrictions, the fact that Queensland has been able to contain its housing waiting-list, implement new schemes and innovations and have a record year in the provision of housing is due considerably to the efforts of Mr Hall and his staff. Mr PREST (Port Curtis) (4.14 p.m.): I have great pleasure in taking part in the debate on the Minister's Estimates. I join with previous speakers in expressing my appreciation for the work done by officers of the Queensland Housing (Commission, particularly Stewart Hall, and members of the Works Department. During the years that I have been a member of this Assembly I have had a very friendly relationship with those officers. At all times I have received fair consideration of any matter that I have had to take not only to officers of the Queensland Housing Commission but also to officers of the Works Department. I read in a Queensland Teachers Journal that three schools in this State do not have an adequate toilet system. One of those schools is Bracewell State School, which is in my area. Looking back through the records, I find that the school has been promised a new toilet block for quite some time. However, it was to be made available only when water was found on the property or nearby. Bracewell is virtually on the coast. It is only two months till the Bicentenary of this great country of ours, yet the small school at Bracewell is still using toilets that would have been appropriate when Captain Cook landed in Queensland. Young children in this State still have to use outdated types of toilets. As the Bracewell school is very small, the cost of providing 3498 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) adequate toilet facilities would be very small. Today I made inquiries and was told that water has been found on the property. The only reason that the facilities have not been constmcted is that an allocation has not been made. Queensland must be in dire straits if sufficient finance cannot be found to build a small toilet block at Bracewell State School. I ask the Minister to give serious consideration to finding some money from somewhere to complete the job. The children of Bracewell State School would treat the project as a magnificent gift for the Bicentenary year. Yesterday I was told by the Queensland Housing Commission that it does not believe that it is necessary to install flyscreensan d car ports, especially in older homes. I believe that car ports are now being included in the design of new houses. These days, everyone has some sort of vehicle, whether it is a flash car or an old bomb. I think that the Housing Commission is a littie behind the times in not providing car ports and flyscreens. Some areas of Gladstone are infested with sand-flies or mosquitoes. In those areas, flyscreens are not a luxury but a necessity. As I said, in the past the Housing Commission has built homes in the areas of the city that are most infected by mosquitoes and sand-flies. Mr Lee: I thought you fixed the mosquitoes up when you were the Mayor up there? Mr PREST: On most occasions I do not suppose that the honourable member would feel the mosquitoes biting. If a blood sample was taken from the mosquito that bit the honourable member, it would be booked for being over the limit. Flyscreens are necessary. The Housing Commission should consider their installation not in all areas but in those areas in which there is a high incidence of sand-flies and mosquitoes. Each case should be treated on its merits. I have made an inspection of Rosebery House, which is a youth shelter. Although I do not know whether it is the responsibility of the Housing Commission, I believe that it bought the house for use as a youth shelter. It would look much nicer if some maintenance were carried out on it. A considerable amount of work had to be done on that building, and a coat of paint would not do it any harm. From time to time there is a great demand for Housing Commission accommodation in the city of Gladstone. In the past, people on high wages have paid high rentals. When they lose their jobs, they find that they are unable to meet the rentals that are being asked for private accommodation. Because of wages cut-backs or unemployment, problems are created within famihes, which often leads to separation. At that point in time, people are advised to apply for Housing Commission accommodation, which is without doubt the cheapest accommodation that is available for people who are the recipients of benefits. Small families—for example, a mother and a child, or small two-parent families—are often unable to obtain Housing Commission accommodation, because there are no small units or flats available. The Housing Commission should consider the provision of more accommodation, namely, more small units in the city, for small families. At present, a fair number of homes or units are available for purchase at very reasonable prices. However, I would rather see the commission make provision for building units that would cater for people in need, instead of its being forced to lay off 200 or 300 public works employees. The records that are available in regard to the numbers of people requiring Housing Commission accommodation could be misleading. Often, people seeking Housing Commission accommodation over the counter are told, "There is a long list of people waiting on priority. Your chances of getting a house would be pretty slim." Those people then tum away. On other occasions they are told, "There is a long list of people ahead of you. You must be an applicant for one or two months before you would even be considered." Although those people are in great need of accommodation, they often turn away and seek altemative accommodation which, on many occasions, they cannot afford. The Minister should consider the numbers of people who are waiting for Housing Commission accommodation in Gladstone. If he agrees that a great need exists, next Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3499 year's Budget should provide for additional Housing Commission accommodation in my electorate. In the past, because of the projects that have taken place, the electorate has been well served with Housing Commission homes. However, some of those homes have been allocated to some of the major companies, and because of the reduced number of workers that those companies are employing, quite a few of those homes are left vacant. People who are in need of accommodation cannot believe that the houses that have been allocated to QAL, the power authority or QEC are left vacant and that nothing can be done by the Housing Commission to regain control over them. At every tum in the road, the commission should be looking to see whether some of those houses can be taken from the companies who have them on guaranteed rental so that they can be used by the ordinary person. A problem that exists today is that the price of homes is beyond the average family. In May, the Real Estate Institute of Australia claimed that 27 per cent of the income of the average family is now required for mortgage payments. The Housing Commission has a different figure. It claims that about 25 per cent of gross pay is taken up by repayments. Because of that, many people are having problems. Earlier, Mr Elliott spoke about the problems that beset people who are purchasing houses. He blamed the Federal Government for those problems. However, on 11 May 1987 I read that about 100 houses had been repossessed in or near Brisbane while Suncorp tried to find new buyers for them. The report stated that other bodies such as the Metropolitan Permanent Building Society and the Queensland Housing Commission had just as many repossessed houses on their books. The Queensland Housing Commission was also having problems. Another report stated that more than one-third of people buying Queensland Housing Commission homes were behind with their monthly repayments. That report was made recently. The report continued— "The Housing Minister, Mr Gibbs, yesterday told Parliament that 12,865 of the 36,000 loans were in arrears. Of this number, 4482 were more than one month behind, and 553 more than four months in arrears." Referring to the Opposition spokesman, Mr Bob Gibbs, another report states— "... it was alarming that more than one-third of borrowers using the scheme were in arrears and that hundreds of families had been forced to walk out of their homes because of heavy repayments. 'This year 126 families walked out of the Housing Commission homes they were buying,' Mr Gibbs said. 'It is within the power of the State Govemment to ease the problems being placed on low income families using this scheme. Borrowers now pay 25 percent of their income in loan repayments regardless of the interest rates charged. 'This should immediately be reduced to at least 20 percent so that low income eamers have a chance to buy their family homes and keep their families together.' " Repayments on home loans increase when people receive an increase in income. The monthly repayment is based on the gross pay, not the take-home pay. A problem arises because of that, and people cannot receive any relief from it. A person may receive $20, $30 or $40 extra a week in the pay packet, but when tax is taken out he takes home very little. Mr Newton: You can't do anything about that. Mr PREST: I did not hear that. Mr Newton: The tax package. Mr PREST: The honourable member is a grazier, like Mr Elliott, who stated in the Chamber the other day that he does not pay tax. He receives income from his parliamentary salary and mns a property, business or a farm, like the honourable 3500 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) member, yet he is able to juggle the figures and not pay tax. The honourable member should not worry about Bob Hawke. If there were more people like the average workers on the Opposition side of the Chamber who pay their full dues, better retums would be coming to the State and not so many people would be whinging. One of my concems is that, although those people buying Housing Commission houses receive an increase in their gross income, they receive very little, because their repayments are increased. The problem starts when those people are committed to paying $400 a month and find that, because of an increase in their wages—due to overtime and what have you—and without taking into consideration the amount of tax deducted, the Housing Commission makes certain that they pay higher monthly repayments. The commission's view is that by making them pay an increased payment each month, it will have the houses paid off more quickly. That is so; but, unfortunately, when these people go into their homes, they are fully committed. By increasing the monthly repayments, the Housing Commission is taking away any opportunity that these young families have of getting on their feet and being able to buy a little extra to put into the house to create a home that is acceptable to the average family. That is one thing the Minister should look into. If a prescribed payment is to be made, it should be kept at a specified amount for a considerable time, and not be subject to increases in the income of the purchaser. The people of my electorate were very pleased that during the last week or so, Mr Vince Lester opened the new music block at the Gladstone State High School. A newspaper report states— "Mr Lester was in Gladstone for the opening of the State high school's new $325,000 music block, when he declared the holiday for a date to be set." That was a major contribution. The report goes on to state— "Funding for the music block was made available through the Federal Govemment." I express my thanks not only to the Minister for Employment, Small Business and Industrial Affairs for opening the block, but also for the work that was done in having it constmcted. In particular, however, I express my gratitude to the Federal Govemment for again showing that it is very interested in the education of the children of this State by making available the $325,000 for the music block at the Gladstone State High School. That block will be able to accommodate in excess of 200 pupils. Honourable members should not forget that instmmental music is very popular in schools. I am very pleased to say that music students from the Gladstone State High School will be in Brisbane this week to compete against other school bands. Those students will be visiting Parliament House on Friday moming. Another matter I am concemed about is the Builders Registration Board. I have a letter that was handed to me two days ago. I have not yet passed it to the Minister. The letter concems a home that was built by a builder in Gladstone. After faults appeared in the home, the Builders Registration Board took notice of a complaint and had cosmetic work carried out by the builder in March 1986. I point out to the Committee that the work was no doubt only of a cosmetic nature, because the faults continued to appear. Cracks have widened, and so on. After many more letters have been sent by the lady who owns the home to the Builders Registration Board, the board has now told the lady that there is nothing further that it can do for her because the cracks that are appearing seem to be outside the control of the board. Although the board's position is unaltered on this matter, it expressed the hope that the builder and the lady may be able to come to some agreement. I will pass that correspondence on to the Minister because if the complaint was made within the prescribed time and is covered, the Builders Registration Board should make certain that these minor faults—as described by the board in the first instance—are rectified and the cosmetic work made permanent, to give the lady concemed satisfaction. Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3501

Mr STEPHAN (Gympie) (4.35 p.m.): It gives me much pleasure to join in this debate this aftemoon and to support the Minister in the work that he is doing in the very important areas of Works and Housing. After listening to the previous speaker as well as to other members opposite, I cannot help mentioning that so far in the debate they have displayed a very distinct lack of enthusiasm and drive. I just wonder whether that lack of enthusiasm has not carried through into their own party, bearing in mind the friction within it at the moment. They are not too sure who they are supporting and who their leader is. Mr FitzGerald: Their heart is certainly not in it. Mr STEPHAN: Their heart is certainly not in giving support to their leader, as can be seen from time to time in various newspaper reports. The Opposition's lack of enthusiasm is obvious. For example, Mr Prest, who has just resumed his seat, spoke about a problem with the Builders Registration Board. I wonder how many letters he has written to bring the matter to the attention of the board or the Minister. Has he just stood up in this place and made a comment about it in passing, as it were, thinking that that is all he needs to do? Members on this side of the Chamber notice those matters. Mr PREST: I rise to a point of order. In regard to the incident that I was talking about—I have letters here from the Builders Registration Board dating back to 7 March 1986, so the board knows aU about it. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Campbell): Order! There is no point of order. Mr STEPHAN: The honourable member has a guilty conscience. My remarks at least brought him to life. Other Govemment members who have spoken previously in this debate are also members of the Minister's committee. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to say that I am also a member of the Minister's committee. I am pleased to serve on it. That gives me an opportunity to keep in touch with the building program of the State and to become actively involved in what is going on. I have become much more aware, as has already been stated in detail, of the bread and butter issues of the State. In my own electorate I have noticed how such issues are so very important. For example, some of the ways in which the Housing Commission and the Works Department are of tremendous help go almost unnoticed. I refer in particular to the assistance given to show societies. Going back 10 years or longer, show societies were having viability problems. However, the subsidies that are available to those societies, such as the 40 per cent subsidy on capital improvements, have greatly helped their viability. The Gympie show society is not the least of those that have been assisted in that way. In the last 12 months, a $24,500 subsidy was provided for the making of improve­ ments to that show society's grounds. Improvements were carried out to those buildings which house caged birds, poultry and pigeons, and to the lighting of the grounds. Machinery alley was sealed with bitumen. I would like to highlight that type of assistance and thank the Minister very much for it. I now refer to pensioner units. Although pensioner units are built by the Housing Commission, just recently the Widgee Shire Council received allocations for the erection of such units. The commission has made funding available for the erection of those units in various parts of the shire. In a combined effort, the commission and the Widgee Shire Council have endeavoured to give assistance to those people who are in great need. Whether it be in the provision of pensioner units or commission houses, that is one area in which there is a great necessity for something to be done, and I guess that it is one area in which the end of the tunnel will never be reached. 3502 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

I know it has been mentioned that there is a waiting-list. That is so, but I would be very concemed if the commission had empty houses waiting to be occupied by an eligible person such as a deserted wife or some other person who has had to leave a home for one reason or another. I would like to think that the commission keeps up fairly well with the demand, but I venture the thought that it would be very, very difficult to meet that demand totally. While I am speaking about the Housing Commission, I wish to mention the interest subsidised home loan scheme, which has proved to be an enormous plus. The amount of the maximum loan has been increased from $37,500 to $45,000. The income-geared scheme, which sets loan payments at a quarter of the bortower's gross monthly income, has been a tremendous success. In less than five years it has provided approximately 15 000 homes throughout the State to low and moderate income families to help them into their own homes. Sometimes that activity of the Housing Commission is ignored. Of course, it does supply houses for rent, but I believe it is the aim and objective of every person to own his own home. This subsidy to eligible persons enables them to own their own homes and to look after their own property. They are in a position to do that far more effectively and efficiently. Mr Wells: Not enough of them. Mr STEPHAN: There never are enough of them, but the point is that it is a step in the right direction. In this context I should look at interest rates and the amounts that have to be repaid on loans. Who is responsible for that? If the honourable member's friends in Canberra would like to give a bit of assistance in this regard—he was down there at one stage—they would bring down interest rates to a more sensible and reasonable level, one that can be afforded by the community. To be eligible for Housing Commission interest subsidy loans, borrowers must not already own a home, the loan must be for a family home, bortowers must have a proven record of regular savings and the family's chief bread-winner must not eam more than $440 per week. 1 should mention the constmction of some buildings that has occurred under the Minister's portfolio. Recently in Gympie a National Parks and Wildlife Service infor­ mation office was opened, about which the Minister commented in the presentation of his Estimates. The cost of that was $191,000. That building fits in very weU with its surroundings and the local citizens are justly proud of it. New teaching blocks have been constmcted for the Education Department. That department has many buildings con­ stmcted for its use so that it can keep pace with the demand for education. At Jones Hill a $200,000 teaching block has been constmcted for use in this growth area. For a long time that area had only a one-teacher school. It is now three times that size and is growing very rapidly indeed. For a long time Rainbow Beach had no school, but about 12 months ago, at a cost of more than $114,000, a primary school was built there. It will not be very long before that building will not be large enough to cater for the number of people who live in the area and who wish to have their children educated locally. Those honourable members who have visited that area will realise why it needs a school and why in the future its size will have to be increased. The Works Department has worked on many other outstanding one-off projects, including the world-class Queensland Cultural Centre and the Govemment Precinct development, which encompasses the Works Department's own home, the State Works Centre. The Queensland Cultural Centre and the State Works Centre are buildings of which Queenslanders can be very proud. They are greatly admired. As honourable members have already heard, the highlight of the State Capital Works Programs during the last 12 months and in the coming 12 months must surely be the constmction of the Expo site, particularly the Queensland pavihon. Queenslanders look forward to Expo with a great deal of enthusiasm and pride. Expo will provide Queensland with the opportunity to show the rest of the world what it has to offer. During the six months from April to October next year the eyes of the world will be on the Queensland Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3503 pavilion, which will be able to promote various parts of Queensland and what Queensland stands for. Honourable members have already heard a great deal about the benefits to tourism from Expo both in Queensland and throughout Australia. However, Expo has far wider ranging implications for this State in terms of trade and investment activity. A few years ago it was my privilege to attend the Expo held at Kobe in Japan. Attending an Expo is an uplifting experience. It cannot really be appreciated, until one actually has the opportunity of attending an Expo, that one, two or three days is not sufficient to be able to take in all of the displays. I am sure that overseas visitors to Expo will be keen to come back again and be part of this very progressive State and this very progressive country. As I have said, the Queensland pavilion will provide this State with a chance to make an impact on intemational visitors. From what I have seen, the State Works Department effort in that direction will ensure that the most is made of that opportunity. As a member of the minister's works committee, I was given a guided tour of the Expo site and the host pavilion only a month ago. That tour highlighted to me the potential of Expo and what will be available at the Queensland pavilion. As the Minister has informed the Committee, with just on seven months to go, the constmction and fit-out of the pavilion is on schedule. From time to time the comment is made that constmction is behind schedule and that time is mnning short. However, it is progressing very well, which honourable members will be able to see if they look over towards the Expo site from the Parliamentary Annexe. The Queensland pavilion already stands out as a fine-looking building. I am sure that it will prove to be one of the most popular attractions during the entire six months. During my tour of the Expo site I was particularly impressed by the computerised people-mover system, which will ferry up to 50 000 visitors a day through the giant theatres in the display complex and in the Queensland pavilion. The joumey promises to be an exciting audio-visual experience. Work on that project is being carried out by a Queensland constmction company, Watkins Pacific. It was designed by well-known architect Mr Robin Gibson. I extend my compliments to Watkins Pacific and Mr Gibson. Many of my constituents have already told me that they intend to visit Expo a number of times. I believe that the need to attend Expo on a number of occasions should be emphasised by all honourable members to their constituents. Mr Davis: Have you bought a season ticket? Mr STEPHAN: Yes, I have bought a season ticket. I hope that the member for Brisbane Central will do the same because the site might even be in his electorate. It is certainly a beautiful area. Ihope that the honourable member is as proud of it as other Queenslanders are. Expo 88 will not be just for the benefit of the residents of the capital city; it will be for the benefit of all Queenslanders. I congratulate the New South Wales Govemment on its decision to be represented at Expo. It is gratifying to see the very strong commitments made by overseas countries to Expo and the vast number of countries who will be displaying their projects and programs. The Queensland pavilion will provide this State with an exciting venue to display its many different aspects. Expo will be used as a venue and will promote and play host to the fine countries that will attend. In addition the Queensland pavilion will provide extensive facilities for functions and will promote the State Govemment and Queensland. The six months of Expo wiU be an exciting time for this State and the Works Department is to be congratulated for its involvement in the establishment of the Queensland pavilion. I urge all honourable members on both sides of the Chamber to support this event and make the most of the opportunity to introduce Queensland to the rest of the world. When looking through the Estimates of Works and Housing, it is interesting to see the wide range of activities which they cover. So many are part and parcel of this 3504 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) Government's everyday programs. One that I take particular note of is the funding for TAFE colleges. Last year $24m was made available and this year another $24m has been provided for TAFE funding. Gympie has had its name down for the constmction of a TAFE college and I hope that in the next triennium, with the support of the Federal Govemment, this program will come to fhiition. That would be of very real assistance to the active practical educational program. I conclude my remarks by thanking the Minister and the officers of his departments for their assistance. Mr Ivan Harrison, who retired recently, left a mark on the State of Queensland through his work in the Works Department. I extend congratulations to John Bellert on his promotion to Director-General of Works. He has been in the Works Department for a long time and before that was secretary to the Minister for Works and Housing. I know that he will do a particularly finejo b in this position. The assistance of Mr Stewie Hall was always readily available and given with a great deal of enthusiasm. I thank him and his department for their willing assistance. I thank Mr Brian Ferris, the Minister's secretary, and his staff. My office is in touch with the Minister's office very regularly and it is never too much trouble for them to assist and answer queries from Penny, who is at the office in Gympie all the time, and from me on the occasions I am present. I thank the Minister for his assistance and look forward to another 12 months of positive contributions from him and his staff. Mr De LACCY (Caims) (4.54 p.m.): Mr Temporary Chairman, may I say at the outset that you fill that prestigious chair with great distinction. As everyone in this Chamber knows, (Caims is where the action is. It is where everything is happening. Caims is the focus of Queensland's intemational tourism effort and is currently undergoing an incredible development boom with intemational hotels and resorts springing up like mushrooms. However, as I will stress in the strongest possible terms in my contribution to the Tourism Estimates debate on Thursday, tourism is not all glory for the locals. There are many highly undesirable side-effects which affect the ordinary bloke, the long-term resident, those on fixed incomes and pensions, the workers and so on. I will detail this more comprehensively on Thursday, but today I wish to refer to one aspect of the portfolio of Works and Housing, and that is housing. Caims is suffering from a crisis of disastrous dimensions in low-cost accommodation. There simply is no housing available for low income eamers. The situation has got out of hand. There are a number of reasons for this. Caims is suffering, along with the rest of Australia, from macro-economic influences, such as the prevailing high interest rates, the abolition of negative gearing, an increase in speculative buying by overseas investors and, to a certain extent, the stock-market boom which has directed investment away from housing constmction and into stocks and shares. The latter is rapidly cortecting itself, interest rates are coming down and negative gearing has been reintroduced. On the subject of overseas investment, let me say that I support absolutely Treasurer Keating's move to restrict substantially foreign acquisitions of developed residential real estate in Australia. The Minister for Local Government has said that the restriction on overseas investment will prevent investment on the Gold Coast and in other areas. If the investment is being made only in established accommodation, it is investment that Queensland can well do without. My only criticism of Mr Keating's action is that it did not go far enough. Foreign investment guide-lines should ensure that all investment is in the public interest—that is, the local interest as well as the national interest. However, the major reason for the acute shortage of low-cost housing in Caims is the development boom. The price of real estate has gone through the roof Low income earners are being forced out. On top of that, a great deal of inner-city low-cost accommodation is being demolished to make way for tourist accommodation or associated infrastmcture. Simply, no longer are there flats or houses for rent. Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3505 Saturday's Cairns Post comprises 82 pages, 48 of which are devoted exclusively to advertisements flogging everything from real estate to the kitchen sink; while there were only 20 column centimetres advertising homes to let and wanted—half of which were houses wanted—and only three lousy centimetres advertising rooms to let and wanted. By way of comparison, 40 column centimetres—a whole column—advertised escort agencies, that is, girls for rent. There are more girls for rent in Caims than there are flats and houses for rent. That is terrible. This is the dark side of the tourism boom—the realities faced by many people and, I might say, a major problem for me as the member for the area. More than half of the people who telephone or visit my office have housing-related problems. Many people are desperate, and I mean desperate. They are being hurled out of their present accommodation, usually because it is about to be demolished, and they have nowhere to go. An unfumished, one-bedroom flat costs $100 a week; a cabin in a caravan park, $90. How can a supporting mother on a pension afford to pay that? Homelessness in Caims is chronic. Welfare agencies cannot cope. There are 100 people a day lining up for breakfast at a soup kitchen arrangement in Munro Martin Park. I understand that 200 people a day receive free meals at Ozanam House, which is mn by the St Vincent de Paul Society. People are sleeping in the city dump, in parks and concrete culverts. Some people came to my office and expressed bittemess because the Cairns City Council removed the 4-foot culverts from the esplanade in front of the hospital. They said that the Caims City Council was being heartless because that was their home. Shelter is the most fundamental of all human needs. Many families have all sorts of psychological and emotional problems, but unless they can be placed in a home so that they have a roof over their heads, there is absolutely no way that the other problems can be addressed. My point is that Cairns is bearing the bmnt of the tourist boom. All honourable members would agree that tourism is absolutely necessary for our economy, both at a national and State level. It creates wealth, it creates employment, and it helps to overcome the balance of our trade deficit. However, for those national and State benefits. Cairns is paying a very heavy price. Everyone gets the honey, but it is only Cairns that gets the stings. The State Government has supported, fostered and claimed credit for the tourism boom. It therefore has a very heavy responsibility—an obligation—to mitigate the undesirable effects of the boom. The simplest and most fundamental way of doing this is by the constmction of rental accommodation—low cost housing, and heaps of it. At present, the Queensland Housing Commission in Caims has 643 applications for housing and 77 for pensioner accommodation on the books. Hundreds more are not listed because of the hopelessness of it all. There are 67 accommodation units and 16 pensioner units presently under constmction. At present, the wait-list is anything up to four years. On these figures, it could blow out to ten years. As the accommodation situation in Caims has deteriorated—and this real deterioration has only set in in the last six months—so has the tum-over in Housing Commission homes. This was inevitable. Because of the lack of altemative accommodation, people on the wait-list have been less likely to drop out, and people currently in homes are less likely to vacate them. In other words, the change-over has been virtually reduced to nil. It is a critical situation. My plea to the State Govemment is to declare Caims a priority area, because of the reasons that I have outlined. Caims needs 200 accommodation units instantly and a further 200 next year. I am certainly not overstating the case. There is also another way of alleviating this problem, but the Govemment would have to be fair dinkum. The private sector should be co-opted to the cause. The so- called market forces are meeting the challenge of the tourist industry, but they are failing dismally to respond to the human and welfare needs so created. Developers will do anything—pay any price—to get a piece of the development action around Caims. So, instead of prostituting ourselves to their inexorable march. 3506 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) we should say, "Right. You want to build 200 intemational-class accommodation rooms on the esplanade. As a condition of approval we want you to also build, say, 100 low- cost rooms on the other side of the railway line—either hostel or unit/condominium- type—not as a charity, but on a cost-recovery basis." I am perfectly serious about this. I am aware that some people claim that hostel accommodation creates its own slum situation. However, many elderly people—particularly elderly men—live in hostel-type accommodation in Caims. They have rooms to themselves with common bathrooms and toilets. They hve very satisfactorily and pay something like $45 or $50 per week. That is the class of accommodation that is going under the hammer at the forefront of the tourist boom—the development boom—which is taking place in Caims. The Govemment has been intervening in development decisions for years. Ministerial rezonings have become the norm rather than the exception. However, those rezonings have been carried out mostly to assist the developers; to remove the burden of restrictions and conditions imposed by local councils to address local problems. In doing so, the Govemment has contributed in a tangible way to the creation of the housing problems that I have outlined. There is real human suffering and tragedy taking place in Caims at present. I am certain that it is far worse than that existing anywhere else in Queensland. The Govemment has a responsibihty to take urgent remedial action. At the risk of overstating the case, there are so many people in Caims for whom I can do absolutely nothing. Those people are acting out a real human tragedy. People who have nowhere to go at night come into my office. They are referted to the welfare agencies. However, those agencies cannot get rid of their existing incumbents because they cannot provide housing for them. The welfare agencies are blocked up. It is really a grave situation. Because it is in the forefront of the tourism boom, Caims is contributing to the solution of our State and national problems. All honourable members support the tourism boom, but it is incumbent upon this State and the State Govemment to ameliorate some of those very real problems that have been created. Another major issue relating to the Minister's portfolio that is curtently occupying the minds of people in Caims is the disposal of our heritage and State Govemment facilities. I refer specifically to the police station/courthouse complex and the railway station complex. The railway land is being flogged right around the world. An advertisement in Australian Airlines' in-flight magazine proclaims "The Search is Over". I saw the same advertisement in the Bulletin magazine and I understand that it has been placed in a number of intemational magazines, including Japanese magazines. There is something obscene about an advertisement being placed in journals throughout the world featuring the faces of two old, out-of-touch, southem-based Queensland politicians selling off an integral part of Caims for reasons not properly specified—just vague, titillating references to a multitude of glamorous uses such as a theme park and tourist attractions, movie theatres, public car park and so on. The advertisement states— "Cairns shares the same time-zone as Japan and is set to become the new Hawaii." The people of Caims do not want it to become the new Hawaii. However, that is on the agenda. The people of Cairns resent that kind of advertisement being placed selling Caims to overseas people. Mr Eaton: They teU me that they have already done a deal with an overseas company with that development. Mr De LACY: I will take that matter up further on Thursday when I am talking about tourism. What offends the people of (Caims is that the wheeling and dealing is taking place and deals are being done without consultation with them. Those things are very important. There has been no real consultation with the people of Caims. Some secret negotiations have taken place with the Cairns City Council about the railway, but that is more to do with traffic flows and so on than about the uses to which the land Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3507 will be put. I, as the member for Caims, certainly have not been privy to any negotiations, discussions, consultation or whatever. Does the Minister know that the Cairns Central Business District Association is bitterly opposed to the establishment of a new shopping centre so close to town? A new shopping centre is one of the uses that is being promised in those intemational advertisements. On 7 July 1987, in the Cairns Post an article stated— "... the Caims Central City Business Association has expressed concem that a shopping development on the land could threaten the viability of the city's existing retail businesses." Mr Austin: Why aren't you at a factional meeting? Everybody else is. Mr De LACY: The Minister should be at a factional meeting. His party has more problems than the Labor Party has. Does the Minister for Works know that the chamber of commerce believes that the closing off of the Aplin Street access into Caims will create traffic chaos? Again, I refer to an article in the Cairns Post on 26 August quoting the President of the chamber of commerce, Mr McPherson, and titled "Traffic chaos fear". In relation to access into Cairns, I mention that Cairns has been treated very shabbily indeed. Constmction of the southem access road into the industrial estate has still not been commenced. Mr Austin interjected. Mr De LACY: If I could only incorporate that into my speech, I would; but it seems to be highly irrelevant to what I am talking about. Constmction of the southem access road into the industrial estate has been promised, but it has not been commenced. The traffic problems on the south side of Cairns are reaching disaster proportions, and now the (Government is proposing to block off one of the existing accesses in its mindless pursuit of the almighty dollar. The other victim of this wheeling and dealing could be the heritage of Caims itself The Minister's Government has quite correctly identified that the present police station and courthouse facilities are inadequate. For some time, I have been making representations about them. I could not agree more with the assessment made by the Minister. The watchhouse facilities are totally inadequate and are really a disgrace. The pohce station is not big enough, and the courthouse is neither big enough nor designed in such a way as to fully meet the judicial needs of a modem society, particularly when District Court and Supreme Court sessions—and sometimes Family Court sessions—coincide with routine Magistrates Court sittings. What does the Govemment propose to do? In the old days, the Govemment would either expand the facilities or constmct new facilities. Now, because of the tourism boom and increased real estate prices in Caims, members of the Govemment propose to flog off the whole precinct to a developer and do some sort of a deal which involves constmction of a new complex on Govemment land out on Mulgrave Road. Nobody really knows what is going on. I hope that the Minister does, and that he will tell us in his concluding speech. The last people who would know what is going on are the people of Cairns—those who will be vitally affected by the decisions that are made. For instance, do people want the central police station and courthouse located outside the central business district? Cairns would be the only city in the world where the courthouse is not in the city centre. The whole legal network in town which services the court system would be thrown into chaos. Really, three buildings are involved. The police station, with the attached watchhouse, is a building of relatively recent vintage, which is located on an extremely valuable block of land fronting the esplanade; but, as far as I am concemed—and I think that I speak on behalf of most of the people—it has no heritage value. However, the other two buildings—the one that houses the Clerk of the Court on the comer of Shields and 3508 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) Abbott Streets, and the Magistrates Court, which is set back from Abbott Street and fronted by those beautiful tropical gardens—are a different kettle of fish. I know that I speak on behalf of the overwhelming majority of the citizens of Caims when I say that these two marvellous, dignified old buildings are simply not for sale. They are part of the heritage of Caims. Unfortunately, Caims—unlike Townsville, for example—does not have a great number of grand old Govemment buildings because Cairns was always an outpost; it was never the administrative centre. The people of Cairns therefore cherish very much those buildings that do exist, and none more so than the courthouse complex. To demolish these would be a violation of the heritage of Cairns and would cause unprecedented community outrage. Even the Caims Chamber of Commerce, which is not known for its trendy attitude or for the conservation attitude of its members, moved a motion which "opposed absolutely any scheme which incorporates demolition, or alteration, of the Cairns Court House building and its precincts". John McKenzie's Radio 4CA Talkback Show took 413 phone calls in half an hour on Monday, 27 July 1987—407 of which were in favour of preserving the courthouse! Representatives of the Cairns branch of the National Tmst of Queensland collected 7 000 signatures on a petition within a couple of days. I know that the Minister is aware of the campaign in Caims to establish an art gallery. Just as a sweetener for selling off the railway would be the relocation of the marshalling yards, then the sweetener for selling off the police station would be the donation of the courthouse to the people of Caims as a regional art gallery. If the Minister threw that in, he would not know what he might get away with. In terms of new police station and courthouse facilities, I urge the Minister to investigate the possibility of having these included in the new complex—whatever that complex will be—that is to be constmcted on the railway station estate. This is close enough to be still classified as the central business district. I cannot support their relocation out along Mulgrave Road. It is simply too far out of town. Mr FRASER (Springwood) (5.14 p.m.): It is my pleasure to speak in this Estimates debate on the matter of housing. I will speak more particularly about the Queensland Housing Commission. Just as an aside—the Labor members must be having a faction meeting outside, because not many members of the Opposition are present in the Chamber. It makes one wonder what faction the absent members are in. The Housing Commission has a remarkable record of achievement in helping people into homes, of innovation and efficiency and, most importantly, of providing a caring service that helps meet one of the basic needs in today's society, that is, a roof over the heads of many of those people in need. Let me put this into perspective. Today, while we in this Chamber talk about what needs to be done for housing, the commission's staff are out there actually doing it and putting people into homes that are very much needed, and taking them away from the strain of not having a roof over their head. Let us suppose that this is an average week for the Housing Commission. That being the case, during this week it can be expected that the Housing Commission in Queensland will find rental housing within its rental stock for some 120 families or pensioners, which is a very remarkable achievement for an average week. So, today, while we are debating, among other things, what should be done to help people into housing, the Queensland Housing Commission can expect to help about 25 family or pensioner applicants into commission rental housing. That demonstrates the quality of the staff of the Queensland Housing Commission. At this point, I personally commend the Commissioner of Housing, Mr Stewart Hall, for the remarkable job that he has done over the years in controlling the Queensland Housing Commission. To enable this rental housing program to continue to expand, this year the commission will have an average weekly spending of $2m on the purchase and constmction of housing and on the development of land for that housing. That means that the Queensland Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3509

Housing Commission, compared with developers in the private sector, is one of the largest developers of housing and land in Queensland. That spending does not include the average weekly spending of $300,000 to maintain those homes and the existing homes that the commission already owns. To give the Committee an idea of the size of the commission—in my local authority area the commission owns a number of homes and every half year it pays, by way of service charges, some $1.4m in rates alone to the Logan City Council. I think that equates to approximately 2 300 homes. However, I stand corrected on the exact figure. Of course, that is just part of the picture. Each week on average the Queensland Housing Commission wiU lend close to $3m to help lower income eamers into their own homes, or, to put it another way, today, while these Estimates are being debated, the commission can expect to lend more than half a million dollars to help realise the dream of home-ownership for more families. Each week of the year the commission can expect to place some 70 borrowers into a home of their own. There are also other ways in which the Queensland Housing Commission is assisting people with housing matters. One of those particular matters is the rental income supplement whereby people in a rental property, not necessarily a Housing Commission property, who have trouble with their rent have a mechanism by which they can apply to the (Queensland Housing Commission for rental support while their income or their family numbers are at a certain level. Take for instance the crisis accommodation scheme that the commission operates. In that scheme, which I have previously mentioned, the commission, using funding provided from both State and Commonwealth Government sources, helps provide people with short-term housing assistance until they are able to get out of their immediate difficulties. The scheme helps them get back on their feet by giving them the basic security of a roof over their head. Young people, older people, and people who are stmggling to make a go of it are all helped by the Queensland Housing (Commission. They need help right now and they are getting it through a scheme which combines both Government and community endeavour. By the end of June this year the commission had a total of 336 crisis housing residences operating throughout the State. That is almost double the number that it provided through this scheme just two years earlier. I wish to make particular mention of the good work of the community organisations that are involved with the crisis accommodation scheme. Some 70 church, community and local govemment bodies are actively engaged in this operation. The commission provides the housing; these bodies are responsible for the administration of the centres. Too often today one hears just the negative news about how society fails to care for those who are down on their luck or the less fortunate in our community. This scheme rebuts that notion. It shows that there is within the community a well of concem for such people. This scheme is successfully drawing from that source to provide assistance where it is much needed. I wish to convey my congratulations to both the Govemment and the various community bodies throughout Queensland that are involved in this very worthy scheme. I have mentioned the vital role that the Queensland Housing Commission is playing in areas such as rental and home-ownership. It has also played a very positive role in helping people who have faced difficulties with home-ownership. It has done this through its mortgage relief scheme, which is jointly funded by both the State and Federal Govemments. During the 1986-87 financial year it has provided assistance to a total of more than 700 home-buyers who faced difficulties with repayments. The number is large, but that is not surprising, given the hardships that were foistered on home-buyers, and are still being felt by them, by the high level of interest rates on home loans that was brought about by the actions of the Federal Govemment. Of course, that is one of the main reasons why there has been such a failure rate in the State of Queensland with first home buyers. That shows in the statistics. In total that assistance to home-buyers amounted to more than $2m during the 1986-87 financial year. 3510 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

In closing I wish to thank the Minister, the Commissioner of Housing and also the Director-General of Works for the very large amount of works undertaken in my electorate in the years since these Estimates were last debated in this Chamber. The Housing Commission has a very large number of properties sprinkled through Rochedale South. That is providing much-needed accommodation for the residents of my electorate and of Logan City as a whole. My electorate has seen the constmction of seven very well-built and very modem schools. Because of the large growth within the Springwood electorate, 42 per cent of the population are under the age of 20 years. Mr Newton: They all vote National Party, too. Mr FRASER: For me to be standing here and speaking to this debate, the majority of them must have voted for me. Mr Comben: Across the State only 31 per cent voted for you. Mr FRASER: I say very clearly to the honourable member for Windsor that, even though there were two National Party candidates in the Springwood electorate at the last election, we out-polled the Labor Party. Mr Comben: Your personal vote is the lowest vote that has sent anyone back here. It was the lowest percentage. You got 29 per cent of the vote and you are still a member. Mr FRASER: I got what percentage of the vote? Mr Comben: Twenty-nine per cent. Mr FRASER: What is the honourable member saying? Is he speaking about the percentage at the declaration of the poll? Mr Comben: No. Mr FRASER: Is he speaking about the vote on election day? There were two National Party candidates. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Campbell): Order! I ask the honourable member for Springwood to retum to the Estimates under debate. Mr FRASER: I am sorry. I was trying to elicit some information from the honourable member. I apologise for not going through the Chair. I have never taken out the figures quoted by the member for Windsor. 1 say very clearly to him that I will not deny them. That is not a bad percentage of the vote. The main thing is that, when the numbers went up on the board, I had the most votes. When it got back to a two-party race, that is National and Labor, out of 20 000 votes I beat the colleague of the member for Windsor by 2 500 votes. The honourable member for Windsor should be more concemed about the final figure. Mr Comben: Less than one in three people voted for you; that is the tmth. Mr FRASER: One in every three people may have voted for me. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! I ask the member for Springwood to return to the Estimates under debate and not to speak about the last election. Mr FRASER: I apologise. I was answering the interjection. However, I take your advice and I will not take any more interjections. As I was saying, the electorate of Springwood has a very young population. The National Party Govemment has played its part and has had erected in the area seven very good schools. I have made a request of the Minister to which he has acceded. One of the schools in my electorate has operated for 10 years without an administration building. Barring any major upsets with funding, it is planned to go ahead with the constmction of an Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3511 administration building in this financial year. That shows the commitment by the National Party Govemment to the youth of Queensland and to their education. In conclusion, I support the Minister in his presentation of the Works and Housing Estimates. Mr WELLS (Murmmba) (5.26 p.m.): Mr Temporary Chairman, may I begin by saying that this is the first occasion on which I have spoken when you have been acting in your position as Temporary Chairman. I congratulate you on your accession to that high station. The dignity of your position suits you as weU as you suit it. I wish you a long and enjoyable term in that position and in further higher offices in this Parliament. The way in which the funds of Queensland tax-payers are expended is a matter of distributive justice. Justice ought not only be done but also be seen to be done. The Department of Works distributes a tremendous amount of the funds belonging to the tax-payers of Queensland. In the last financialyea r the appropriation account for the Works Department stood at $430,176,200. The capital assets of the Queensland Govemment—capital assets which were generated largely by the Department of Works—are larger than those of any other institution in Queensland. The State Govemment is the biggest landlord in the State. It is cmcial, therefore, that such an apparatus should be administered not only justly but also manifestly justly. I am about to make some critical remarks about the system by which public works are approved and undertaken in this State. Some of my criticisms will be severe, but I ask the Minister and his public service advisers in the lobby to recognise that my criticisms are not of them but of the administrative stmcture that they have inherited. In fact, since the accession of the Minister to his present portfolio, significant procedures in this area have been cleaned up. Unfortunately, the Minister has inherited an admin­ istrative stmcture that is incredibly prone to abuse. The administrative stmcture for the achievement of public works in Queensland is quite unlike that of any of the other States or of the Commonwealth. It is a stmcture geared not for a great department of State but for a squalid gravy train. I will describe why that is so and I will advise the Minister of a course of action that would remedy the situation and ensure that, as far as public works in Queensland are concemed, justice could be seen to be done. All problems start with the fact that in Queensland, unlike elsewhere, all money for capital works for departments is, with few exceptions, pooled in the Department of Works, particularly in the big-spending Departments of Health, Education, Justice, Police and Corrective Services. Much of the time of departmental officers is taken up with designing strategies to get Works Department approval for their projects. Departments' procedures include the completion of the document The Development of Forward Works, which is a list of works five years in advance, updated each year as a rolling program. In other words, the departments that I have mentioned work out their claims several years in advance and present them to the Department of Works. Each year the Co-ordinator-General writes to the departments and asks them to advise the Works Department of their priorities as regards building requirements. The departments then advise the Works Department of their requirements and the Works Department then advises the respective departments as to what their allocation will be. The priorities which the departments deliver to the Department of Works are formulated technically and rationally on the basis of demographic criteria, on the basis of need, on the basis of population, what is going on in the particular area and what requirement will be called for. For example, if the application is from the Education Department in respect of schools, the list of which areas need schools will be determined on the basis of population changes and the needs of specific areas. Departmental priorities are then assessed by the Works Department. The depart­ mental claims are, of course, in the nature of ambit claims. They are larger than the 3512 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) funds avaUable to meet them. The claims then have to be fitted by the Works Department into what is avaUable. This is the first point where there is a need for legislative reform, because the criteria according to which the claims are fitted in have never been spelt out. Imagine if three departments submit claims for public works of $20m each and there is only $30m available in the kitty. How are the competing claims of these departments assessed? Mr FitzGerald: Have you ever heard of Cabinet? Have you ever heard of Executive Council? Have you ever heard of a Government? Mr WELLS: I thank the honourable member for Lockyer, but I wUl retum to Cabinet in a littie while. At this stage. Cabinet does not come into the point that I am making because the assessment is carried out in the department. However, the guide­ lines for the way in which the assessment is carried out are not available and it is all done out of public view. I mention this because this is not the case elsewhere. This is not by far the most objectionable part of the procedure. The part of the procedure referred to by the honourable member for Lockyer is the most objectionable part; the calling of tenders and the letting of contracts. I will quote section 86 of the Treasurer's Instmctions, which states— "Approval to incur liability for expenditure under contracts. (1) Subject to the Act, any other Act or law or these Instmctions, liability for expenditure with respect to any contract to be let shall not be incurred without the approval first had and obtained in accordance with authority granted by or under any Act, or— (a) of the Govemor in Council; or (b) where the value or estimated value of the contract does not exceed $100,000, of the Minister of the department; or (c) where the value or estimated value of the contract does not exceed $40,000, of the accountable officer or an approved officer or employee." In other words, up to the sum of $40,000 contracts are approved by the permanent head; between $40,000 and $100,000 contracts are approved by the Minister; and above $100,000 contracts are routinely approved by Cabinet. This is an unusual system. It puts a tremendous amount of discretion as to the letting of contracts, particularly individual contracts Mr Lee: Why? What is unusual about that? Mr WELLS: If the honourable member for Yeronga will give me a moment, I will tell him. It puts a tremendous amount of discretion as to the letting of contracts into the hands of Cabinet. This is not how it is done elsewhere. In other places it is done according to rational, pre-established criteria. Cabinet is deciding all big contracts. Up to a certain point the Minister can determine who will get a particular contract or he can be rolled in Cabinet. Quite possibly the Minister can go into Cabinet with a recommendation from his department that a particular contract should be let and he might get rolled by another Minister who might have a mate who would prefer to have the contract. I will not list how this system has been abused in the past. I am attacking the stmcture and not individuals or occasions. I am suggesting that it is dangerous to put temptation in the way of people who are known to have a propensity to succumb to it. In other places, for example in Canberra, the system is quite different. Unlike here, where all the relevant funds are voted to the Works Department, specific departments are voted capital funds. The department then puts up a proposal which goes to the Finance Department. From the Finance Department it goes to the Public Works Committee, which is a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament. In other words, it is a bipartisan committee. If there were such a committee in this place, even the Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3513 honourable member for Yeronga might have an input into what was happening, instead of the whole thing going on behind closed doors, subject to the political discretion, or lack of it, of Cabinet. The recommendations of the Pubhc Works Committee are then presented at the Estimates debate and approval is granted to departments, through the Estimates, to spend from their own funds. It is not a question of the Ministry going to the one-stop shop of the Works Department for political patronage. It is a question of going through a procedure which takes it out of the hands of those who have a vested interest and puts it into the hands of a public vehicle, acting on the basis of publicly known and publicly defensible criteria. There is no political influence whatsoever on the committee's decision. Furthermore, funds are not concentrated into one department. Each department has its own capital funds and, in order to obtain approval for a building project or a major public works project, that department has to go through the procedure that I have described. In Queensland, however, the centralisation of public works funds in one department means that it is a one-stop shop for political interference. If a Ministry wished to use the Department of Works as a gravy train, it could use it as a gravy train, and in the past that has happened. The Queensland procedure is wide open to political abuse. For example, if the Minister for Education went to Cabinet with a proposal that there should be a certain number of schools in specific locations, he could get rolled in Cabinet, by people who had other vested interests on such questions as which schools were going to be built, on who the contractors were going to be, on who the subcontractors were going to be, on the constmction format Mr FitzGerald: Come off it! What about the tendering procedure? Mr WELLS: So that decisions made on rational and technical grounds could be upset in Cabinet, not by the relevant Minister who at least has been advised by experts but by a coterie of uninformed amateurs motivated by vested interests. The honourable member for Lockyer says that there is a tendering procedure. Let me tell honourable members about that tendering procedure. For contracts of less than $40,000, the department decides the tenders. Above that level, there is all this political, discretion. Quite obviously, if the discretion of vested interests is available, it could happen something like this: somebody could come in with an extremely low contract price. It may be an unrealistically low contract price. The department might think that the contract price is unrealistically low and recommend against the acceptance of that tender. Nevertheless, the Minister might direct that that tender be accepted because he knew the particular person, and the contract would be taken on. Mr Eaton: The Govemment contractors have gone broke. Mr WELLS: I thank the honourable member. Furthermore, with the tendering procedure, the Minister for Works and Housing or any other Minister can interfere at any level. I ask the honourable member for Lockyer: would he be prepared to have that discretion vested in the Labor Party front bench? I note that the honourable member is unable to answer my question. The Opposition is not prepared to have that discretion vested in the National Party front bench. In the interests of justice, what is needed is legislation that takes that power out of the hands of politically vested interests altogether. It is important to note that Queensland has no legislation covering the procedures of the Department of Works. No set procedures are laid down. It is not possible to discuss rationally in this Chamber any set principles or known public procedures that have to be followed. If any honourable member chooses to deny that proposition, let him, in his own time, stand up and argue the matter. I move now to asset management. As to asset management—Queensland is in an unusual situation.

77193—115 3514 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

Mr Eaton: Don't use too many figures or you will bamboozle them. They won't be able to understand it. Mr WELLS: I thank the honourable member. As there is no legislation goveming procedures in the department, Cabinet has de facto control of even quite detailed aspects of operations. There is no statement of the priorities that are adhered to by (Cabinet. I invite the honourable member for Yeronga, in his subsequent speech, to tell us what those priorities are. If he says there are some priorities, he should tell us what they are. If he reckons that there is open govemment, let us see it. Tell us the details. The honourable member does not know the details and he does not have a clue. I move on to asset management. As I said earlier, the Queensland Govemment is the biggest land-owner in the State. It is also the biggest landlord in the State. Despite those facts, no register of the assets of the Department of Works is kept. The Department of Works does not even know what assets it has. That matter needs to be remedied by a review. Mr Hayward: How can they make a decision about asset replacement? Mr WELLS: The honourable member for Caboolture has asked me, "How can they make a decision about asset replacement?" I was about to deal with that matter. I refer honourable members to the most recent report of the South Australian Public Accounts Committee on asset replacement. South Australia has a register of aU the assets of that State. The committee discusses not only hospitals, schools, police stations and other public buildings but also roads, bridges and all publicly funded, publicly owned assets. That register also sets out how long assets will last and when they will need to be replaced. In this State we have no idea of when our assets are going to be replaced; we have no idea of the diminishing value of those assets; and we have no idea of what resources wiU have to be set aside in subsequent Budgets for maintenance as distinct from new capital works. That information is not available. It does not appear in the public accounts. What does appear in the public accounts is the Auditor-General's review. The Auditor- General can determine that a certain amount of money has been voted for a particular project and that a certain amount of money has been expended on that project. It is not possible for the Auditor-General to determine whether or not that money has been spent effectively. Mr Comben: Or efficiently. Mr WELLS: Or efficiently. It is not possible for the Auditor-General to determine whether that expenditure was the most useful kind of expenditure from the options that were available. It is not possible for the Auditor-General to go beyond the black figures and determine whether the interests of Queenslanders are being served by a particular expenditure. To a certain extent, that could be done by the sort of public works committees that exist in other States but not in Queensland. It can be done in (Canberta, Victoria and South Austraha, but it cannot be done in Queensland. Government members interjected. Mr WELLS: Govemment members are capable of shouting and interjecting. I regret that Hansard will not contain every foolish interjection that those members have made. Some of their interjections were even too stupid to reply to. In Canberta, Victoria and South Australia, the public works committees put on public record the necessity for particular public works, whereas here in Queensland it all goes on behind closed doors. Govemment members, one after the other, have bleated their gratitude to the Minister for the works that have been carried out in their electorates. However, they do Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3515 not know how those works came to pass; they do not know whether they might be cut off tomortow; they do not know whether anything that was said in their applications had any effect; and they have no idea of the criteria according to which those works were approved, allotted or constmcted. I draw the attention of honourable members to the need for legislative reform, which may very weU be one of the first projects of a State Labor Govemment. Criteria as to the basis upon which public works are allotted must be publicly available to all interested parties. Hearings as to the determination of public works must be pubhc, and patronage should not be possible. I invite the Minister to ask his departmental officers for a review that would provide him with guide-lines according to which such legislation could be introduced. If the Minister did so, he would make a name for himself in history as a reforming Minister and as a man who guaranteed that none of his successors was able to use the department that he had left them for purposes other than the interests of Queensland. I conclude where I began, by saying that justice not only needs to be done but also needs to be seen to be done. The criteria that I have suggested would guarantee that, as far as the Works Department is concemed, Queensland has a Govemment of laws and not of men who have politically vested interests. Mr VEIVERS (Southport) (5.44 p.m.): I have great pleasure in rising to support the departmental Estimates of the Honourable the Minister for Works and Housing. I congratulate him on the way in which he has handled his important portfoho, which provides the bricks and mortar for the operations of the public service and the housing of hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders. It was interesting to hear the honourable member for Murmmba, Mr Deane WeUs, telling us how we should be spending our money. Mr Wells: It is not your money. How long has it been your money? Mr VEIVERS: When that honourable gentleman was in the Federal House on its public accounts committee, the estimates for the new Parliament House escalated from $400m to over $ 1,000m. So much for his credibUity! As the new boy in the Chamber, naturally I have had to tread very cautiously as 1 leam the ropes, but I must say that I have received the greatest possible assistance from Ivan Gibbs and all the other Ministers when I have required any advice from them. I have leamed very quickly that being a member of this Chamber is certainly a very demanding and full-time job. A Government member: He gave you a tie. Mr VEIVERS: The honourable member is correct. He did give me a tie. It is a job requiring the patience of a saint, the stamina of a bull and the gentleness of a lamb. Of course, on occasions I embrace aU of those quahties. There are times when one has to hand it out to some of the unmly blokes on the other side of the Chamber when they get a bit out of hand. Mr Stephan: You have to be very disciplined. Mr VEIVERS: I am trying to be. It is good to see that the honourable member for Wolston is back in the Chamber. I hope that he voted the right man in. I believe that the outsider was Mr Braddy. I hope the honourable member put some money on him. Mr R. J. Gibbs: I came in to see how much damage you suffered in those Manly scmms. Mr VEIVERS: As the honourable member can see—none. However, I have not come here to be vindictive in any way, so I would ask the honourable members opposite to listen to what I have to say, because they may leam 3516 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) something. The first thing I would mention is that I am sure the Gold Coast region has the most astute and pohtically aware people that one could find anywhere in Australia. Take a look at the artay of talent we have gathered together in the six seats that the National Party holds, stretching from the border to the Minister's electorate of Albert. This is the best six-pack to be found in this nation and one that even "Bondy" would be happy to market. Mr WeUs: How much do you seU for? Mr VEIVERS: I will not go into that. What is more, honourable members should look at the development that has occurred as a result of that representation. In my own electorate, which was so ably represented by the late Doug Jennings, we have seen new schools and new hospital facilities; so let me say that I believe the Minister and his Works Department have done a tremendous job. An honourable member interjected. Mr VEIVERS: Well, we only needed so many hospitals. I come next to the important topic of housing. It had always been my understanding that the Australian Labor Party was formed and existed on the basis of helping the worker and those on lower incomes; but we must seriously question if there is any tmth in that supposition whatsoever, for there has never been any indication of protecting the worker by Mr Hawke and his band of sociahsts in Canberra. Let us look at the housing industry in this State. For the past couple of years we have seen what virtually amounts to a campaign by the Labor Party to bring about the destmction of the housing industry. Before honourable members opposite lose their cool—and I think they might have—in their defence of feUow comrades down south, let me point out to them that it was the Hawke Govemment's policies that directly resulted in high interest rates for home-buyers, and it was the Hawke Labor Govemment that told the people they had to leam to live with them. Naturally, many people, particularly young people starting out in married life and wanting their own home, just could not afford to pay those rates. If members doubt that the effect of those high interest rates was so drastic, they should take a look at the Queensland Housing Commission's waiting-list for rental property, which has increased by nearly 20 per cent in the past nine months. Figures do not lie, and those figuresar e a clear indictment of what has happened to the great Australian dream of home- ownership. Mr Stephan: You must admit that, since Hawke has been in there, we have a lot of poor people. Mr VEIVERS: As the honourable member for Gympie points out, we have had a lot of poor people, and while Hawke is there we will have many more. The housing crisis extends throughout the State. The Gold Coast is no exception, with a housing waiting-list of 1 266, which, incidentally, is much higher than the State ratio per head of population. That would have been bad enough by itself, but the Hawke Labor Govemment compounded the damage by bringing in tax moves that served most effectively to scare investment out of the housing market, in particular the private rental market. I refer to the quarantining of negative gearing and, of course, the capital gains tax moves. Let me make it quite clear to honourable members—particuarly those on the Opposition side of the Chamber—that what I am saying about these moves, such as high interest rate levels, negative gearing and capital gains taxes, is that they are not new. Govemment members have fought hard and long against these retrograde policies of the Hawke Govemment. Govemment members have issued wamings and have sought to remove barriers to home-seekers. We on the Government side of the Chamber Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3517 recognised members of the Hawke Labor Govemment for what they were—promoters of homelessness. So much for the Labor Party looking after the workers! I am happy to say that at long last some move has been made towards lower interest rates. Athough, in my opinion, the rates are stiU too high, I am hoping that they will fall even further. Mr R. J. Gibbs: What would you do about that? Mr VEIVERS: I would hope that they will keep going down. With the crisis in the stock-market, no-one can predict what the situation will be in months, let alone weeks. What a back-flip by the Federal Labor Govemment on the subject of negative gearing! For two years, the ALP wreckers in Canberra clung steadfastly to their Leftist ideology despite warnings of the practical consequences of this doctrinaire approach to economic planning. What was observed was the drying up of investment in the private rental market. What the Federal Govemment forgot—in its msh to appease the Left of its ranks— was that the private rental market relies heavUy on investment activity. For many years, the rationale of investment in this market has been the recognition that even though rents may bring a small retum, there was always the offsetting of negative gearing and the benefit of capital gains. Then, ovemight, so to speak, the reasons for investors keeping their money in this market disappeared, thanks to the so-called vision and foresight of the Canberra Labor Govemment. Now, with the benefit of hindsight and urging from many quarters—plenty of it, I might add—including people such as the New South Wales Labor Govemment which is due to go to the polls shortly, the Canberra gums have at least, and at last, reversed their decision on negative gearing. Mr Hawke, in fact, admitted earlier this year that the negative gearing situation, which his Govemment had created, had been responsible for housing rents rising by about 25 per cent across the nation. I am hopeful that we have passed the worst that this Federal Labor Govemment can inflict upon the housing industry and upon the home-seeker. The forecasts are for improved housing activity, with housing commencements in Queensland expected to rise by 14 per cent this financial year compared with the increase recorded during the last financial year. In many ways, Queensland is showing the lead in the upswing of the national housing industry. In the August quarter of this year, Queensland's new dwelling approvals were up by 33 per cent on the same period last year. That was a better performance than that of any other State. In fact the nation as a whole showed a one per cent decline when the same two quarters were compared. August home sales figures put Queensland to the forefront once again. Sales of new homes in Queensland in August this year were up by 33 per cent on the previous month. That figure represents an increase of one-third, which is not bad. This increase must be compared with a 14 per cent increase nationally. A great achievement! By those figures alone, Queensland is doing very well. No-one on the Opposition side of the Chamber will tell me anything different. On the commercial front, the Gold Coast is still booming and here, in Brisbane, the skyline is still dotted with a multitude of cranes as more hotels and commercial offices are built. Mr R. J. Gibbs: Is this your mn for leadership? Mr VEIVERS: I will have to serve a bit more of an apprenticeship before I do that. Honourable members can only wait and see what effect the stock-market collapse has on Queensland's future prosperity; but I doubt very much if they will see this Govemment mshing to prop up a commercial bank with tax-payers' money as the Westem Australian Labor Govemment did this week. 3518 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

I repeat what I said at the beginning, Mr Temporary Chairman; that it was my belief that the Labor Party was the friend and ally of the worker. If that is a friend, then who needs enemies? Mrs HARVEY (Greenslopes) (5.54 p.m.): It is with pleasure that I join in this Estimates debate. I have had quite an extensive association with the Department of Works and the Housing Commission through representations I have made on behalf of the Greenslopes electorate. I am very happy to say that our relationship has been a very happy and profitable one for the electorate of Greenslopes. When I became member for the electorate of Greenslopes some four years ago, for 17 years prior to that the electorate had been represented by the Liberal Party. Over at least the last eight or 10 years of that period virtually nothing had been done in the area. I guess that I had to make pretty much a pest of myself to the Department of Works and the Housing Commission, and in the process I guess I strained a lot of friendships. Nevertheless, results were obtained, and they are now there to be seen. The cobwebs in the Greenslopes electorate have been removed, and thanks to the efforts of the Works Department and the Housing Commission the electorate is now at least respectable. It is not exactiy as it should be, but at least it is well on the way to being an electorate that shows some care and concem and that shows some improvement, growth and development through its tangibles such as buildings and schools and, because of the Housing Commission, housing commission units. I mention that, because I think it is of great interest to the people in the Greenslopes electorate. I cite as an example the restoration of the Queen Alexandra Home. WeU over $400,000 has been spent on that building. The work that has been carried out on it is a great credit to this Govemment. The work has been done as well as it could be under the circumstances. Millions of dollars could be spent on that building and it would still not be finished. However, the restoration was done as economically as possible and stUl the results have been very, very good. I believe that everyone in the area is very happy with it. That building does not cater only for the people of Greenslopes. On Wednesdays people from the north side come to a little glee club that has formed naturally. People come from all over the place—Wynnum, Cleveland and (Capalaba—to use that centre. It is not limited to a small section of the population. In fact, in the preceding week there was a quUting display, to which people came by bus from Kingaroy, Bundaberg, Toowoomba and Gladstone. It was a most appropriate function to hold in a heritage building. I am sure that the Department of Works would have been proud of the appreciative comments that were made by those people from various parts of Queensland about the way in which that building has tumed out. Today we have started putting the 100-year-old tiles back into the front of the building. Again, that has been organised by the Minister's department and again it should be a great credit to the department. Many projects have taken place in the electorate. Recently the Minister opened the new tuck-shop at the Coorparoo primary school. A school that is 111 years old was a little bit overdue for a tuck-shop. It should be remembered that the school is on the comer of Old Cleveland and Cavendish Roads, which, until recently, had the highest death rate of any intersection in Queensland. To have a school with no tuck-shop right smack bang on that intersection was a very serious defect indeed. The chUdren, teachers and parents are extremely grateful that they now have a lovely new tuck-shop which the Minister opened. On that occasion the Minister carried out a very extensive inspection tour of the school and he approved extensive painting of the building. He has outiined a three-year program for painting the buUding, carpeting it where it is drastically needed and installing new fumiture. A building as old as the Coorparoo primary school is indeed a heritage building in its own right, and yet if it is not maintained great problems can arise, as was the situation with that school. Something constmctive is well on the way to being done there. I am very grateful to the Minister that at times when extra funds have been needed, but they have not been allocated in advance, he has still managed to find those funds Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3519 to get the jobs done or to keep them going. I do thank the Minister for that because I know that in this economic climate it is not easy to find an extra $20,000 here or $30,000 there. Yet at times those moneys are absolutely critical if a school is to be brought up to the standard that it really should achieve. As a former teacher, I believe that the environment for a school, for a class room, for children and teachers is extremely important in the entire leaming process, and if that environment is not maintained then a serious leaming problem will occur. Sitting suspended from 6 to 7.30 p.m. Mrs HARVEY: I shall outline the many areas of assistance provided by the Works Department to the Greenslopes electorate. I cite the example of the recently constmcted excellent music block at the Coorparoo State High School. That block was much needed by the CAD school of excellence in music. Recently the Deputy Premier and I performed the official opening of the block. It will be a great boon to the school in that students will no longer have to drag heavy kettle dmms and other heavy musical equipment across the grounds from the school hall back to the actual school block as they previously had to with every parade and musical performance. As well as being a more comfortable facility, it saves teaching time that was previously lost. The Minister for Education was of great assistance in this regard. He came out to inspect the problem and gave his very substantial support for the provision of the music block. The standard of the building provided is very, very high. It is an excellent piece of work that could not be faulted anywhere. The landscaping that went with it has made it a lovely environment in which to sit or to perform. I move on to other areas that will need looking at in the near future. Over a long period of time some of the other schools have suffered from what I caU the city malaise. For a long time many people thought that, because of the dechning numbers in these sorts of areas, these schools should be left at the bottom of the list of work to be performed. A school that came into my electorate after the last redistribution is the Camp Hill State School, which needs a great amount of work such as painting and tidying up and perhaps a bit of softening by way of landscaping. I ask the Minister to consider what is a big problem at that school. Over the last school holidays a builder dumped tmck load upon tmck load of shale onto the sports oval. Unfortunately the Works Department regulations do not allow for the sending in of tmcks, bobcats, backhoes or whatever is needed there to pick up all this terrible mess. The children mn across these large mounds of shale—there is no soil in them; they are just huge mounds of shale—and tend to fall over and hurt themselves. The problem needs to be solved somehow. It is not the fault of anybody at the school; it is just that someone has taken advantage of the oval when nobody has been around. I am not speaking of a small amount of dirt; it is an enormous amount. I have considered the idea of covering the shale with topsoU and asking the parents to get a free tree under the Brisbane City Council scheme. However, the cost of topsoil was prohibitive to the p. and c. association. I would greatly appreciate it if someone from the Works Department could assist in this matter, which is a bit of an unusual problem. Mr Davis: It is one for the Education Department. Mrs HARVEY: I have tried that but unfortunately the problem does not fall within the guide-lines of any department. The problem will have to be solved in some way or other. I have made representations on behalf of the Wellers Hill State School, which is also a recent addition to my electorate through the last redistribution. For many years it has needed a covered walkway, which I know is not a major priority on the Works Department's list. Mr Davis: You are criticising a former member. 3520 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

Mrs HARVEY: I do not mention names; there is no need to. That school needs a walkway because there is such a big distance between the administration building and the main school buildings. That need has to be addressed. It is not like many schools that have their buildings a few steps apart; it has a huge gap. In the poor weather during the summer months, getting from one block to another can be very uncomfortable. Recentiy, Greenslopes State School had its cracked swimming-pool repaired and upgraded. The school is very happy about that. I am very happy that for the start of the swimming season the children now have a pool that is safe and, I suppose, a great deal more sanitary now that the cracks have been eliminated. Much of the house-keeping in my electorate has been done with the assistance of the Works Department. I tum now to other matters of importance. The subject of heritage has been extremely well addressed. It is integrally bound up with tourism. When one preserves or restores a building, one is also providing a tourist facility. The George Street Festival that was held recently was a great tribute to the work of the department. I could not believe the number of people who queued up outside the doors of Parliament House. I thank the Speaker for allowing the public to have access to Parliament House. All day long people were lined up from the doors at the front of Parliament House right across the road, around the comer and up Alice Street. People queued up all day non-stop. That demonstrates how keen people were to see this building. Mr Davis: Do you agree that this building should be open at the week-end? Mrs HARVEY: I do not know whether the Govemment could afford to employ staff at the week-end to supervise. After aU, along with everybody else, the Govemment is supposed to be tightening its belt. If it was possible, I would certainly support Parliament House being open to the public at the week-end. However, I would not be agitating for it because I am aware that the Government, along with everyone else, is trying to make money stretch further and pay bills. I have noticed that in this complex the natural pot plants have been replaced by artificial ones. I suppose that is an effort to save money. So I would not be one to ask for anything extra at this stage. That is a bit of a luxury that may be able to be considered in future when times are not so tough. The George Street Festival demonstrated the fact that people are interested in the restoration of this building. People are interested not only because it is Parliament House but also because of the way in which it was restored. The entire George Street precinct is a credit to this Govemment. People went on to the Mansions and were delighted with what they saw there. Moming teas were served in the area. There was a great deal of activity in the area of the Mansions. The people then moved on to Harris Tertace, which has been very weU restored and is a very attractive building. Subsequently the people moved on to the Govemment Printery, which is in the process of restoration, and of course includes a new building at the back. I am very happy to be a member of the committee associated with the preservation and restoration of the Government Printery. On many occasions I have visited it. I have been down into the dark, bleak basement on a couple of occasions, too. Mr Katter: I think it's tme to say that you were responsible for the preservation of the Govemment Printery. Mrs HARVEY: I thank the Minister. As I said, I have inspected the building. I hope that in the long term it ends up being something like the Argyle Arts Centre in The Rocks area in Sydney. That centre is open to the public. It was never a pretty building like the Mansions; it was always a Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3521 very functional type of building. If the public could have freedom of movement in the Govemment Printery, it would be of great interest to tourists. It would be a great asset to Brisbane because the city has little to offer the tourist. Every opportunity should be taken to use our heritage as the hub of tourist operations in Brisbane. The Queensland Museum is also a credit to the department. Since the museum was opened in October 1986, a record number of people have passed through it. I have been through the museum myself It is a delightful open-area building. I must admit that I was very fond of the old museum. I used to take my children there at least twice a year every year from when they were about two years of age until such time as they attained an age when they did not need to be taken. We had virtually memorised every display in the old museum. I would be very happy to see that old building put to very good use, as I believe is being planned. The new museum is a much better venue. It is nice to have a place which has an open area with well-lit displays. People feel free to move about because it is a more airy building. Most members of the community do not really understand or appreciate the number of areas in which this department is involved. The department plays a role in the payment of local authority charges, electricity and gas where applicable. It supplies grants towards local authority swimming-pools. Every summer people from the community and schoolchildren crowd to the local swimming-pool. I am sure that they do not realise that the Works Department also plays a role in those swimming-pools. Interest grants are provided to non-State schools and subsidies are paid to State school organisations and showground societies for improvements. A block of pensioner units is being built in one of the suburbs in the Greenslopes electorate that will be of the same standard as the blocks that have been built in past years in other suburbs within the electorate. I congratulate the department on the standard of those units. I am in close communication with the pensioners in those pensioner units and they are all extremely happy. Their environment, which is heavily treed and very well landscaped, is one in which they are happy to live. 1 have many requests of the Minister for Works and Housing and I feel it is my job to always be asking for more. I say to my school principals that, when they stop asking for things for their schools, it means that they have stopped being interested in their schools. The same applies to a member of Parliament. When a member of Parliament stops asking for things from the Ministers and their departments, it means that he or she has stopped doing the job. At the risk of being thought of as a pest and a nag, I continue along that path, because there will always be things that my decorate needs. The only way for an electorate to move forward is to constantly strive for improvement. The Minister's department is the key to making sure that an electorate is well serviced, well looked after and meets the needs of the community. I thank the Minister very sincerely on behalf of the Greenslopes electorate and all the people in it for his willingness to listen to my constant requests and to negotiate a position that is to the benefit of the electorate and able to be complied with by his department. I know that it is not always easy for him and that things occur in the electorate that have to be attended to but which have not been organised in advance to enable the Minister to make funding available. Somewhere along the line he has to make provision for it. I appreciate that he listens to those requests and, even if they are not dealt with immediately, I know that eventually they will be dealt with. All the parents of children in the schools and all the people using the facilities in the Greenslopes electorate understand that those facilities and improvements have been won through effort rather than simply appearing out of nowhere. They are grateful and are appreciative of the fact that the changes can be seen and are tangible. When one looks at the role of this department in Expo and the Queensland pavilion, the Queensland Cultural Centre and many other buildings around the city of Brisbane— and that is besides the rest of the State—one can see how strong a role this department plays in ensuring that the people's needs are catered for. 3522 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

Once again, I thank the Minister for his co-operation and congratulate him on his Estimates. Mr SMYTH (Bowen) (7.44 p.m.): I rise to speak on the Estimates in relation to housing in Queensland, or the lack of it. I bring to the notice of this Chamber the fact that one of the Minister's annual reports which was tabled today, was not received by me until 2 o'clock. I had no real time to study the report and I am sure that the same applies to most other members of this Chamber. The point was made that the Minister read from the commissioner's report. The speech was not prepared by the Minister; he read only from the commissioner's report. The question that must be asked is: does the Minister understand his portfolio? Mr I. J. GIBBS: I rise to a point of order. I did not read from the report. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Prest): Order! I ask the honourable member to accept the Minister's denial. Mr SMYTH: I accept it. Mr Davis: He didn't read from the report; he got somebody from the department to make it up from the report. Mr SMYTH: I thank the member for Brisbane Central. The commissioner's role, as outlined in the report, is to administer benefits and concessions attaching to State housing and to give sympathetic consideration to bortowers, purchasers and tenants who demonstrate their bona fides notwithstanding difficulties through illness, unemployment and other causes beyond their control. That may be the role of the commissioner, but it is most certainly not the role of the Queensland Govemment. People in my electorate and in other parts of Queensland have evidence that that is not so. The majority of people in need of assistance in this State are not aware of the housing allocation system that is operated by the State Govemment. They need a simple solution to satisfy their needs. As to the availability of crisis accommodation in this State—page 6 of the report of the Queensland Housing Commission states that the number of crisis houses available has increased by 95 per cent. The Queensland Govemment's attitude appears to be that people must be practically destitute before they qualify for assistance from the Queensland Housing Commission. The report notes that crisis accommodation is in fact administered by church and community organisations. The Queensland Govemment has passed on its responsibilities to church, community and other bodies. The Govemment is not shouldering its responsibilities. A 95 per cent increase in crisis accommodation is indicative of the fact that the Queensland Housing Commission has failed to provide for people in need. The Gov­ emment has failed to recognise that long-term housing should be provided as of right. Rather, it has encouraged a situation in which people receive assistance only when they are destitute. Today, Govemment members again passed the proverbial buck onto the Federal Govemment. They said that people are experiencing difficulties in Queensland because of high interest rates. In 1986, of all mortgage defaults Australiawide, 49.5 per cent came from Queensland. A review of the First Home Owners Scheme data base since its inception has not revealed any significant difference between the essential characteristics of the First Home Owners Scheme applicants in Queensland and those in other States, which might explain the higher mortgage default rate in this State. Advice received from building societies operating in Queensland indicates that it is not interest rate increases that are forcing people from their homes; marriage break­ downs, unemployment and unexpected pregnancies have all contributed. However, there are two specific items that do explain the higher rate of mortgage default in Queensland. The first is Queensland's lack of economic performance in the past two years. While it Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3523 has one of the highest population and labour force growth rates, its performance in a number of other areas has generally been weU below that of the other States. Business capital spending has been weak. Building commencements have declined markedly, and the unemployment level has consistently been higher than the national average. Queens­ land also experienced a rapid increase in bankmptcies throughout 1986-87, to a total of 1 766 bankmptcies in this State. The second contributing factor to the higher default rate relates to the Queensland Govemment's administration of the Mortgage and Rent Relief Scheme. That scheme, which was in part federaUy funded to the tune of $2,104,105 in 1986-87, provides assistance to those people who are facing short-term difficulty in meeting mortgage and rental payments. Of those States that place a limit of assistance under that scheme, Queensland is the lowest at $4,000. I compliment the Govemment because, although during 1984-85 it charged interest on that assistance, it has now seen its way clear to drop that interest. When one considers the low level of wages in Queensland together with the other factors that I have mentioned, one can disregard the comments that were made by Mr Veivers in regard to interest rates being too high. That fact has not been highlighted by the people concemed. The bulk of Queensland Govemment funds for housing are directed towards home- ownership. The main scheme is the Interest Subsidy Loan Scheme. The Housing Commission provides loans to bortowers, who pay 25 per cent of their gross income at interest rates of between 13.5 per cent and 15.5 per cent. Where that amount is insufficient to cover repayments, the Queensland Housing Commission subsidises the difference. However, that is a false subsidy. In common with all State housing authorities, the Queensland Housing Commission receives the bulk of its funds in the form of direct grants or subsidised Loan Council funds at 4.5 per cent. To the extent that borrowers' repayments, at 25 per cent of their income, are equivalent to or greater than those required on loans of 4.5 per cent interest, those borrowers subsidise the Queensland Housing Commission's operations. A profit accmes to the Queensland Housing Commission from its home-ownership Interest Subsidy Loan Scheme. The maximum loan available from the Queensland Housing Commission is $45,000. Even allowing for generally lower house prices in Queensland, that amount wiU access only the very bottom end of the market. To take advantage of this, private developers build dwellings to fit the cost. Those Queensland Housing Commission home-ownership estates offer the very minimum in household facilities and are invariably built in the poorest locations, on the periphery of the city and far from community facihties. An inspection of a Housing Commission home in Queensland reveals that the bare essentials are provided—bare floors, no curtains, very limited kitchen cupboards and no facihties in bedrooms for cupboards. When a person moves into a Housing Commission home in (Queensland, he is faced with having to go to hire-purchase companies to purchase additional fumishings so that he can live in that dwelling. Figures recently released in Parliament show that there are curtently 36 000 people receiving assistance from the Queensland Housing Commission's home purchase assistance scheme. Of that number, 12 865, or 36 per cent, are in artears. During 1985-86, 31 Queensland Housing Commission bortowers voluntarily surtendered their homes. By March 1987, that figure had risen to 126. Even with extensive Govemment subsidy, the viabihty of home-ownership is cmmbling. If that figure has changed, I stand corrected; but I understand that that is the curtent figure. As well as the interest subsidy scheme, the Housing Commission operates a second loan scheme, basically to bridge any deposit gap, and a commmercial rate lending scheme. The whole framework acts to place aspiring home-owners in the low-income brackets into as much debt as necessary to secure a home. One of the more insidious sides to public housing in Queensland is the degree of contempt with which tenants are held by the Queensland Housing Commission. In its 3524 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

1984-85 annual report, the commission labelled tenants as cheats. The Commissioner of Housing's reply to a request to attend a recent public information day for the Queensland Housing Commission tenants was, "I receive many such requests, and all are refused." Earlier, I noted that the annual report stated that the Housing Commission in Queensland was a caring authority. I will read a letter that I forwarded to the Honourable Minister regarding a constituent of mine in the Bowen area. It stated— "Dear Mr. Gibbs, I am writing on behalf of Mr. John Doyle of Bowen, whose niece Gail Davies is a paraplegic living on her own in Townsville. Ms. Davies is in receipt of an invalid pension for intellectually handicapped with a mobility aUowance. Would you consider having Ms Davies instaUed in a Housing Commission Home in Bowen which has been built for the aged to enable her to use her wheelchair. Ms. Davies needs family support and her closest family reside in Bowen. As stated above she is intellectually handicapped and I consider it would be beneficial to have family support in this case. Ms. Davies could attend a sheltered workshop in Bowen. I look forward to receiving your favourable reply to this request." The Honourable the Minister replied— "Dear Mr Smyth, I refer to your letter of 21 July, 1987 on behalf of Mr J. Doyle of Bowen regarding accommodation in Bowen for his niece, Ms. G. Davies who curtently resides in Townsville. Ms Davies can be considered for 1-bedroom accommodation only. The only 1-bedroom accommodation which the Commission has in Bowen are Pensioner Units. To be eligible for a Pensioner Unit apphcants must be over 50 years of age and receive a pension which includes Supplementary (Rent) Assistance. If Ms Davies meets the eligibility criteria for a Pensioner Unit she would have to find private accommodation in Bowen before she could be included on the Bowen waiting list. The necessary application and accompanying forms can be obtained at the Magistrates Courts Office. If she is not eligible for a Pensioner Unit I regret the Commission could only hst her for a 1-bedroom welfare apartment in TownsviUe." That shows the lack of consideration that the State Govemment has for people in need in Queensland. Strict guide-lines exist as to the provision of accommodation. The Govemment is not tuning in to the needs of the people of Queensland. There are many people like Ms Davies in this State. The State Govemment does not allow for single people to be accommodated in Housing Commission dwellings. In mining towns that have a housing shortage, single people cannot find accommodation, so they are forced to live in caravan parks. In the town of Moranbah, in my electorate, the mining companies rent a large percentage of the Housing Commission homes provided in that community. Because of the downturn in employment at the coal mines, a number of Housing Commission houses are vacant. Mining companies have vacant Housing Commission homes, yet people in need are living in caravan parks. The State Govemment refers to itself as a Govemment that is concemed with the family unit. The Queensland Housing Commission has failed to publicly disclose information regarding many of its schemes. Its refusal to provide information is especially prevalent in the rental program. In this instance, many anomalies have been aUowed to occur which would be completely unacceptable in a responsible, private rental market. I refer to the appalling lack of information on basic rights and responsibilities, such as Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3525 transfers from one location to another, ehgibility of applicants, maintenance of dweUings, and upkeep in tenancy agreements. Queensland Housing Commission tenancy agreements are signed only by the tenant. The agreement contains four pages of conditions to which the tenant must agree. The Queensland Housing Commission is not required to sign the contract. These tenancy agreements, which the annual report would have honourable members believe are so fair-minded, do not in any sense speU out the obligations of the commission as a landlord. The issues of privacy and civil liberties must also be raised. The situation exists in which field officers of the QHC act as "bed-sitters", in a sense. There have been many reports of invasion of privacy that have been brought to my attention. These reports include such outrageous activities by officers of the commission—inspired by the Govemment, 1 am sure—such as sitting in cars at night to observe whether single mothers entertain male visitors or whether men's clothing is being hung out on washing- lines in those dweUings. The system under which tenants are charged 25 per cent of the gross household income is outrageous. In my electorate, I know of a family that pays $157 a week for a Housing Commission home. The home has no kitchen cupboards in it, except undemeath the sink. No floor-coveringsar e provided, yet the rent is $157 a week. The father in the household has a permanent position and the mother works as a casual employee. They have two young sons who receive unemployment benefits. This Govemment sees its responsibility as taxing the unemployed people who hve in Housing Commission houses. Govemment members talk about being fair and just! Mr Newton: Oh, come on! Mr SMYTH: The honourable member for Glass House cannot deny that. I momentarily forgot the honourable member's electorate because I have not seen him very much. What I have said is a fact. The State Govemment taxes unemployed people. The Queensland Housing Commission should be a caring and compassionate authority but, under the National Party Govemment, it is impossible for departmental officers to exercise the concern that is shown in Labor States. The issues I have highlighted—such as crisis housing, the home-ownership scheme, and inadequate facilities provided in QHC dwellings—definitely need to be looked into by the Minister. Invasion of tenants' privacy is something that cannot be excused. I am sure that if the Honourable Minister were to carry out his portfolio in the way that Queensland people expect him to, a great change would occur next year. Mr HYND (Nerang) (8.04 p.m.): In speaking to these Estimates, I feel it is necessary to comphment the Department of Works and the Housing Commission for their efforts in assisting to provide accommodation for many sections of our community. I must also commend the Minister, the Honourable Ivan Gibbs, for his direction of the Department of Works and the Housing Commission down the path of modem-day housing. Today, there is no such thing as the "typical" Housing Commission house. During the past 50 years the Australian housing scene has changed from a landlord- and-tenant situation to the present-day home-ownership scene in which every man's house is his castle. In the post-war years of the late 1940s, when the urgent need for housing dictated the large-scale development of both land and buildings, there was a noticeable uniformity about Housing Commission buildings. During that time the needs were predominantly uniform, and the commission was building to meet the requirements of the family group. The timber and/or fibro three or four-bedroom houses adequately met those demands. That was a period when Housing Commission homes followed one of only three or four basic designs, depending upon a person's ability to repay a Housing Commission loan. That style of housing was available on concrete stumps with battens filling the 3526 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) bottom level or, altematively, a single-storey dwelling according to the contours of the ground on which the building was to be erected. During that time there were entire streets of identical houses with the only difference being a mirror reverse of the floor plan. Because of the need to fill a demand within the hmits of a controlled and restricted budget, a total lack of design and individuality existed. Multi-storey units provided by the Housing Commission equally lacked design, these units being littie more than square boxes. However, times have changed and buUdings for today's market are far removed from those of days gone by. In fact, it has become increasingly difficuU to identify Housing Commission buildings today. The reason is the variety of housing of high-quality constmction and the spread of commission housing throughout the community. The needs of today's housing have changed. Although families have changed in size, the need for accommodation stiU exists, and with many cases of single-parent famUies more brick homes are being designed and constmcted, hence minimising the cost of maintenance. At the opposite end of the scale is an ageing population, for which there is a need for only a single-bedroom unit. This has led to vUla-style accommodation with small garden areas and community facilities. Many factors have led to the development of medium-density housing projects such as townhouse apartments and attached housing for families, with each residence having its own private area of land and with common open space being provided in addition. A direct result of this medium-density housing program, and one which has generally been appreciated by local authorities, has been the increased use of community facilities. In many cases, particularly in larger cities, the medium-density developments have constituted and promoted the urban revival. These projects have helped reverse the drift to suburbia which has been a characteristic of development in recent decades. The suburbia drift took people away from areas which had already been supplied with services such as roads, water, sewerage, electricity and schools. As a result, a community investment was being considerably undemsed in many cases. The commission's innovative program has amounted to more than just a recycling of land; it has been a search also for the provision of high-quality housing of pleasant design in serviced areas and at an economic cost to the community. This recychng of land is doing a great job of upgrading the environment in the urban regions. The Queensland Housing Commission has closely examined and implemented many ways of better use of land for housing. The latest step in this direction has been the use of cluster housing. This attractive style of housing for families in close proximity has been demonstrated in the Moreton Village project at Wynnum, where groups or clusters of houses were located in a scheme aimed at showing how traditional housing could make better use of smaller areas of land to enable the land component in housing costs to be reduced. Since the introduction of cluster housing, the Queensland Housing Commission has introduced yet another program to provide for greater variety in design of housing and in its location. I refer, of course, to the commission's new house/land package scheme under which builders are invited to tender for projects using their own housing design and locating these projects on their own land. This innovation has increased both the efficiency and the aesthetics of today's Housing Commission homes. Credit must be given to it for a large injection of both capital and jobs into the State's housing industry. During the 1987-88 financial year under this scheme approximately 1 000 residences will be constmcted for the Housing Commission. Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3527

It is indeed my pleasure to commend the Minister, the Queensland Housing Commission and the Govemment for their new-look, high-quahty and acceptable housing accommodation to suit all ages of the community. Hon. N. E. LEE (Yeronga) (8.11 p.m.): It is with great pleasure that I join in the debate tonight. I believe that the new Minister has taken over at a very difficult period indeed. The amount of money made available has been cut back, which makes this a bad year. The Federal Govemment has reduced by 13 per cent the amount it has made available to (Queensland. That is a reduction of more than $10m. If inflation is taken into account, it is more like a $20m reduction. Therefore, the Minister and his admin­ istrators will have a very difficult year. If $20m is taken out of any Budget, it is very difficult to solve the problems raised by members. Mr Newton: We would have more housing if we had the money. Mr LEE: I will speak about housing in a minute. Although $20m does not sound like much money, it is a fair whack to take out of a Budget. Today the demands of members of Parliament are no less than they were yesterday; in fact, they could be even greater than they were a few years ago. As I held this portfolio for three years, I am sure I speak with great experience on the fact that the demands of the members of this Chamber do not cease at any time. The demands are constant. Members are for ever wanting more for their electorate. Of course, that is their right. Nevertheless, there is a certain amount of money, and it can go only so far. When the Budget is cut back by this amount of money, it is very difficult to keep members happy and make ends meet. Until a member becomes a Minister of the Crown, he cannot realise the demands that members of Parliament place upon Ministers. Perhaps having junior Ministers or some similar scheme would be a good idea. Mr Davis: Mr Lee Mr LEE: I ask the member for Brisbane Central not to start. He would be a junior, junior, junior Minister. He would be way back in the rear. It is very easy for members to want more buildings. Of course, each and every year, the Govemment of the day has to erect more buildings because the demands are there. However, once a building is constmcted, it has to be maintained. For instance, it has to be painted. Mr Mackenroth: With knowledge like that, you should have been a Minister. Mr LEE: "Should have been"? I was. That is much more than the member for Chatsworth has been or ever will be. If he wants to make it great in the Sunshine State, he should look at my inside coat pocket. "Make it Great in the Sunshine State" will be there for ever. It will stick for evermore. Mr Mackenroth: It is about time you had that suit dry-cleaned. Mr LEE: This is the suit that I had about 10 years ago. Unlike the member for Chatsworth, I cannot afford a new suit every year. An Opposition member interjected. Mr LEE: This suit is a Freedman's, all the way from the Valley. I believe that we make it great in the Sunshine State, which is Queensland. Government members interjected. Mr LEE: I ask honourable members to interject one at a time. I do not mind taking interjections, but I am having difficulty deciding which one to take. Mr Stephan: Did you draw that one yourself? Mr LEE: No way in the world. 3528 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

Mr Milliner: Would you table that suit? Mr LEE: No, this is the only coat I have. Fair go! I am not like members of the ALP who have a coat for every day of the week. I have to make this coat last. I congratulate the Minister who, despite all the cut-backs, has been able to help me by having the schools in the Yeronga electorate painted and repaired. Not much is needed in the older parts of my electorate. However, painting, repairs and maintenance of schools was needed and that has been done and done very weU. I draw the attention of the Minister to the Norm Lee Cultural Centre at Yeronga State High School, which badly needs painting. I hope that the Minister will see that it gets painted in the very near future. In addition, I ask the Minister to ensure that when it is painted the painters do not splash any paint on the Norm Lee sign because it would be a shame to obhterate that in any shape or form. Mr Hinton: It's a bit like your suit; it's getting a bit tattered. Mr LEE: If the member for Broadsound can do what I have done during my time as a member of Parliament, he can put his name at the top. He has got a lot to leam yet. The honourable member is just a young chick in this Parliament; he might be a good chick. I do not know whether he is good or bad yet; I have not made up my mind about him. Nevertheless, the honourable member should stop, listen and look for a while, like his friend Michael Veivers, who did not make his maiden speech for three months. He was being paid for nothing. However, he stopped, looked and listened. The honourable member should remember the saying: a still tongue, a wise head. Now I have lost my place Mr Stephan: You should keep your finger on the place. Mr LEE: Unlike Govemment members, I write my own speeches. They might not be as good, but I write them myself The Moorooka Police Station badly needs painting A Government member: Moorooka? Mr LEE: Moorooka is one of the best suburbs in Queensland and it is in the best electorate in Queensland—Yeronga. It is the tail-end Charhe; it gets everything last. However, if one does the right thing, now and again one gets pushed up the list. It is up here for thinking, down there for dancing and the honourable member knows where it is for romancing. As I was saying, the Moorooka Police Station badly needs painting, particularly on the inside. This is the first occasion that the Minister has heard about this issue. This is a short-cut that many members of the ALP take. They do not bother writing letters. They make a speech in this Parliament and the requests are written down by the Minister's advisers in the lobby. I have adopted that idea. I hope that the Minister takes notice and attends to these requests. They are only minor matters that will not take much out of the Budget. The representations that I have made for my electorate over the last 24 years show that I do not ask for things unless they are definitely necessary. The last election was fought on new boundaries. Seven additional seats were created. For some reason, under the old boundaries I had 15 000 constituents but under the new boundaries—after the seven new seats were created—the number went from 15 000 to 22 000. I do not know whether for every new member there were another 1 000 constituents Mr Innes: It was all quality you got, too. Mr LEE: I do not doubt that. It could have been quality, but I lost a lot of quality to Leisha Harvey. No doubt she would not have won the seat if she had not taken that area from me, because I had farmed it particularly well as a conservative politician, not as a member of the ALP. She won the seat and received the fmits of my efforts in that Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3529 area. As long as a member of the ALP does not win that seat, I will not be particularly worried. I was amazed after the redistribution to find that for every new member of Parliament I received an extra 1 000 constituents. There is something wrong with the redistribution, but I will not worry about it. Mr Stephan: There might be a few more people in Queensland. Mr LEE: There would have to be. With an increase in the number of voters in my electorate from 15 000 to 22 000, it is logical that there are more people in Queensland. Even the honourable member for Gympie could figure that out. Graceville State School is contained in the new area that I received, and I was quite shocked when I inspected the school. As I was Minister for Works and Housing for three years, I take some responsibility for it. I had never inspected the school. I thank the present Minister for Works and Housing, because he has informed me that there are plans for upgrading that school and that the work will commence this year. I thank the Minister very sincerely, because he has a very good understanding of the problems in that school. I have seen the plans and they are very good. They are much better than the plans that were put forward under the five-year plan. The new plans under the Works and Housing portfolio, not under the Education portfolio, are much better and the parents of the children at Graceville State School will be very thankful for the Minister's efforts. In addition, the teachers and students of the Graceville State School will have opportunities equal to those of other teachers and students in other schools of the same quality in other parts of Yeronga. This is very important to me and to those students and teachers who have suffered under very difficult conditions over many years. Some 12 months after I acquired this area the problem will be fixed. I will not be unreasonable about this. As long as the buildings are constmcted, I am not asking that the Minister name the building after me, as was done at the Moorooka State School, the Yeronga State High School or the Yeronga State School and I will not object, of course, if the Minister wishes to name the building after me; but, nevertheless, even if he does not, I will still be very grateful. The Works Department has been very fortunate to have top men on its executive over many years; members such as Keith Houston, Ivan Harrison and now my very good friend, John Bellert, who was my private secretary during my time as Minister. He nows holds his new position as the Director-General of Works. Mr R. J. Gibbs: He has gone up the ladder while you are slipping down. Mr LEE: That is a fact. He is getting more pay now than I am. I do not begmdge him that because he will do a good job. He will do a good job for whichever Govemment or Minister is in office. The honourable member for Wolston would not be worth his salt in that position. He could not eam a cmst, no matter which department he was put into. John Bellert will certainly eam more than his keep in that position and will be a very good executive. Sir William Knox: The kiss of death. Mr LEE: It has nothing to do with the kiss of death. I take this opportunity to wish Ivan Harrison good health and a very happy retirement. A Government member interjected. Mr LEE: I have not got the wrong fellow. I believe he has lowered his golf handicap by approximately 50 per cent. That shows members what retirement can do if one is young and fit enough. I wish John Bellert all the very best. I can assure the Minister that John Bellert will not let him down. I trained him tough and hard—long hours, hard work—and he knows what it is to be able to take it. He is a good administrator. Mr R. J. Gibbs: They reckon you were one of the greatest bludgers ever. 3530 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

Mr LEE: Perhaps the others might have carried me. I would not know what a bludger is. The honourble member knows very well what a bludger is. He has been a bludger all his life. He bludges off the workers—everybody. Today he made a speech about the poor Housing Commission people. But he is the bloke who bludges off the lot of them. He is a professional bludger. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Prest): Order! Mr LEE: Surely I am not being sat down. Mr Temporary Chairman, I was talking through you. What more can I do? I was provoked by the honourable member. Again I am in trouble. Mr Stephan: You have lost your place again? Mr LEE: I have, too. I keep getting away from my copious notes. Unlike Govemment members, I do not read my speeches. They must get away from reading their speeches. The member for Broadsound is ready to read his speech. That is not as good as referring to notes, as I do. I referred to John Bellert. As I said, he had to keep me out of trouble for many years during the time that I was Minister for Works and Housing. I wish John good luck. I believe that the hard work that he had done over the years has been rewarded. Today, the officers of the Queensland Housing Commission were abused right and left by the members of the ALP, who are the very ones who want socialism to be introduced. They want to help the no-hoper and others who want something for nothing all the time. Sfr William Knox: They are always against the little capitalist. Mr LEE: The honourable member is correct. As I said, the officers of the Queensland Housing Commission have been abused right and left by the ALP. Of course, the Queensland Housing Commission has been blessed with good commissioners. Whilst I might have picked two of them, they nevertheless were partic­ ularly good commissioners. They have proved that beyond doubt. I refer to George Campbell, Norm Hitchins and the present Commissioner, Stewart HaU, who at that time was Norm's deputy and who will retire in the near future. I believe that Stewart Hall has been an extremely good commissioner. As many members of the ALP said today, he has always been courteous and helped them. I wish him well in his retirement. I hope that he has a most enjoyable time and that, like Ivan Harrison, he lowers his golf handicap, plays good bowls or whatever. I wish Stewart good luck. He has been not only a good commissioner but also a very good friend of mine. Mr Palaszczuk: Are you resigning or something? Mr LEE: Why am I resigning? Why do I have to resign? I will belt the tripe out of the honourble member if he comes into Yeronga. He ought to watch out. The member for Murmmba, Mr Wells, deliberately set out to degrade the Works Department and the Queensland Housing Commission. He said that the tendering system had been fiddled with. The tendering system has not been fiddled with. The day that anyone fiddles with the tendering system is the day that the Govemment comes unstuck. The honourable member said that the Minister had his fingers in the till. That is absolute garbage. I was going to say that it was a lie, but I cannot say that. Mr Beard: It is a good thing you didn't say it. Mr LEE: I am glad that I did not say that it was a lie. Mr Innes: What was the word you were going to use? Mr LEE: I was going to say that it was a deliberate lie. Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3531

Mr Innes: But you cannot say that. Mr LEE: I cannot say that. Of course I cannot. An honourable member: It is unparliamentary. Mr LEE: That is right; it is unparliamentary. I meant to say that it was an untmth. The head of the department is responsible for tenders up to $40,000; the Minister is responsible for tenders between $40,000 and $100,000; and over that sum the matter goes to Cabinet. As Mr Wells said, he has no tmst in them. He does not want anybody to be able to tum around and make up his mind. He believes that, if the head of a department cannot make up his mind, he should not be there and he should be sacked. 1 believe that one can take cognisance of the head of a department. As I said, Mr John Bellert is a very good person. I was going to relate an interesting story about my very dear friend Mr George Campbell, the former Commissioner of Housing. However, I believe that my time wiU expire before I have that opportunity. One day in the future I will teU that story, because I believe that it is very interesting. Mr Campbell changed the style of the Housing Commission housing. Housing Commission houses were once built on stilts. I said to him, "We have got to bring them down." Time expired. Mr HINTON (Broadsound) (8.31 p.m.): As the honourable member for Yeronga has done so eloquently, I too congratulate the Minister, his department and his staff. I particularly mention the two people with whom I have had deahngs, namely, Mr Brian Ferris and Mr John Bellert, who have both been most co-operative. I appreciate that co-operation and the courtesy that was shown to me by the Minister. I congratulate the Minister on the exceptionally good job that he has done, particularly when one considers that this year's Budget allocation increased by only 3.4 per cent in dollar terms on last year's figure. The honourable member for Bowen complained that insufficient funds have been provided for housing within the Housing Commission. That has occurred because the Federal Govemment has reduced Queensland's aUocation by $684m this year, which of course has to come off all sectors. The Works Department certainly has to suffer its share of the cuts. Under the circumstances, and with approximately 9 per cent inflation, an increase of 3.4 per cent is a pretty good effort. It reflects well on the State Govemment. That is, of course, some $684m expenditure for the year. Of that figure, about 69 per cent is provided out of State funds. It is hypocritical of Opposition members to talk about the shortage of funds to this State. There is no doubt that the Federal Govemment has set out on a course of trying to destroy State services by reducing Federal funding. That has been done by every conceivable means. In the portfolio of the Minister for Main Roads, the Federal Govemment has, through the Cameron report, devised means by which Queensland's allocations can be reduced. Queensland is being discriminated against. That is an important fact that the public recognises. Under those circumstances, the Works Depart­ ment and the Housing Commission are to be congratulated on their efforts. The honourable member for Bowen also mentioned compassion. However, he failed to recognise that, this year, 35 875 loan accounts were opened. Approximately 2 000 new dwellings in the form of houses, townhouses and pensioner units were built. That accommodation is provided for people on low incomes, so that they can exist in the extremely difficult times that have been brought upon them by the Federal Govemment. I was pleased to hear the honourable member for Yeronga recognise these facts and that his Liberal Party colleagues support his views. Earher the honourable member for Nundah reminded me that the Premier does not recognise me. In case other honourable members do not recognise me—my electorate is Broadsound. Sir William Knox: He now knows that. 3532 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

Mr HINTON: That is quite right. The Premier has come to realise that 1 am not just a nick in the green wall, that the seat of Broadsound exists, and that I am the member for Broadsound. Mr Innes: The Premier said to me that it wasn't Broadsound, it was Loudsound. Mr HINTON: Be that as it may, I am very pleased that the Minister has recognised the importance of Broadsound in central Queensland. He has been very generous as far as my electorate is concemed. I claimed the other day—and I never heard anybody argue with me—that since I became the member, Broadsound has had $28m of State funds expended in it. No other member in the Chamber could claim to match that record. The Works and Housing portfolio has made a major contribution in that area. Mr Randell: It has had very good representation. Mr HINTON: I thank the honourable member. I add that the member for Mirani has assisted me in that regard, because Middlemount and Dysart were once in his electorate. Middlemount has received a new high school; one of only three in Queensland. The member for Mirani played a major role in the provision of the high school for that town. I congratulate him on the efforts that he made. I assure honourable members that when I attended the p. and c. meeting about three weeks ago, the first questions the people present asked me were, "Where's Jimmy? How is Jimmy getting along?" I was pleased to say that he is doing an excellent job in his new electorate and is very well liked by and very well endeared to the people of that area. At present the Yeppoon High School has a new library complex nearing completion at a cost of $370,000. That complex is doing an enormous amount to alleviate the overcrowding in that school that I found when I arrived there after replacing the Independent member, Lindsay Hartwig. The new library is freeing up two class rooms and is a great asset to the school. It is certainly appreciated. The Govemment is also embarking on the constmction of a $400,000 multipurpose building at that school that will serve as an all-purpose building and also a sporting arena. This beautiful building will incorporate a music room. I wish to pay tribute to the builders of the project, Andrews Constmctions of Yeppoon. That company has made a great financial contribution towards the project out of its own pocket. At least $20,000 has been donated towards that building. In this Chamber I wish to pay recognition to that donation. The building will also contain an Olympic-size basketball court, which will help the p. and c. to pay for the building by renting that court. Through the assistance of Mr Gibbs and his department, the Govemment is providing the biggest and best haU on the Capricom Coast. I am proud to be associated with that development. Through the basketbaU association, that hall will be self-funding. Many school halls become an albatross around the necks of p. and c. associations because they cannot afford the commitments. However, through the efforts of the principal, John Greig, the p. and c. association, the Minister and his department, the Govemment is providing a self-funding hall, which will be an asset to the school and a great asset to the community. I am pleased that on Saturday week the Minister for Employment, Mr Lester, and I are opening a new oval at the primary school at Yeppoon. It is called the "Doc" Boon Oval after one of the foremost citizens of the area. I am proud to be associated with that, because the first thing that I achieved when I was a candidate canvassing that area was the provision of the underground pipes, which cost $5,000. Again I thank the Minister for his assistance at that time. I wish to thank the Minister for Main Roads for the provision of an enormous amount of fill for the school oval. A four-lane highway is being constmcted around The Bluff at Yeppoon. A tremendous amount of fill from that constmction was donated to the school by the Main Roads Department, which helped form the oval. It is now a Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3533 beautiful oval and a tremendous asset to the school. I thank both Ministers for their assistance. The member for Yeronga mentioned the painting and upgrading of the schools in his area. I am happy to say that I have found most of the schools in my electorate in very good shape indeed. When I have approached the department, or Bob Pickard at the regional office in Rockhampton, I have always received tremendous co-operation in getting those little things done. When I became the member for Broadsound, I did find two schools that were in fairly poor condition and in need of repair. One was Famborough and the other was Marlborough. In both cases, the schools have now been painted inside and outside and have been upgraded substantially. They are a matter of pride and pleasure to the community. I am pleased to be associated with that effort. I might also add that for the Marlborough school, I am co-operating with the Department of Works and the Livingstone Shire Council to provide a swimming-pool which will also be a great asset—not only to the school, but also to the community as a whole. Marlborough is a small centre. Summer temperatures are fairly high. The children will now have a pool in which to swim. I congratulate the pool committee, the p. and c. association, the Livingstone Shire, and also the Department of Works in that regard. I tum now to refer to Dysart, which is a mining town located on the other side of my electorate. Company towns are fairly well provided for in as much as many of the facilities are provided by the company. The main company in that area is Utah. I am very pleased that since I became the member for Broadsound, constmction has commenced to provide a new police residence in the town. I will put in a plug and say that I believe that the staffing level of police officers in Dysart is too low. Presently, there are two officers. The staffing level needs to be upgraded, particularly in a situation in which one officer is on leave. At times, only one officer is available to service 5 000 people in the town. I think it is important to upgrade staffing at the Dysart police station to the level of three officers. I believe that when the new residence is constmcted, the job of providing police in that town will be made considerably easier. The Dysart High School is extremely well appointed. I am very pleased that, with the assistance of the Minister and officers of his department, a new covered area is being provided. I ask honourable members to bear in mind that summer temperatures in the area are often in the low forties. I am sure honourable members can appreciate that heat is quite a problem. A major covered area will be a great asset to the school. Next year, the program includes the constmction of a new library. Try as they may, at this stage, the members of the p. and c. association cannot think of another thing that is needed for the school. No doubt they will dream up something sooner or later, but at this stage all the requirements of the school from a constmction point of view for the population of the area are certainly being met in the budgets. I do thank the Ministers responsible. The Govemment is providing an extra building for the primary school. Store sheds have already been provided and painting has already been done. These works have made the primary school in Dysart a very attractive and useful public utility and one of which the community is certainly proud. I did mention in relation to Middlemount that my friend Jim Randell had given me enormous assistance in obtaining $lm for the new high school. An amenities block has been provided, along with two new general leaming areas. An administration block has also been constmcted. Housing is also required for the new teaching staff who have been appointed to the school. A headmaster's residence is also under constmction in addition to two twin dwellings, as they are called, which each accommodate four teachers. A house will also be leased from CapCoal. As far as housing and education facihties are concemed, my electorate is doing very well, in both primary and high school areas. 3534 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) When I was first elected as the member for Broadsound, pre-school education was a matter for concem. I found that in Yeppoon—the major centre of my electorate— approximately 65 children of pre-school age had no pre-school facilities. I am very pleased to inform the Committee that with help from both the Minister for Education and the Minister for Works, a new pre-school is being planned for Yeppoon. A temporary pre-school has been set up at the Famborough school, which is approximately three or four minutes' drive from town. Thirty pupils attend at that school. It is hoped that constmction of the new pre-school will be commenced by the end of this year. In the area of pre-school education, my electorate is doing very weU. The whole of my electorate—except for the remote mral areas—will be very well catered for as far as pre­ school education is concemed. The small centre of Byfield will be the site for the establishment of an early education unit at a cost of $90,000. Byfield is half an hour's drive from the major centre, Yeppoon, and there are sufficient numbers of young children in that area in need of early education. My electorate is doing very well. I know that the residents of Byfield are very pleased with the early education facilities. The honourable member for Bowen spoke about pensioner units. I endorse his remarks—at least on the need for pensioner units. I am also pleased to announce that tenders are now being called in Yeppoon for Friday, 13 November. Perhaps that is a bad day for it. On that date, tenders wiU close for the constmction of eight new pensioner units in WiUiam Street, Yeppoon, at a cost of approximately $320,000. That will alleviate some of the problems confronting the aged people there who are on limited incomes. Mr Comben: Is Mr Newton asleep or sick? Mr HINTON: I have known my friend BUI for a long time. I have been on quite a few trips with him. I can inform the honourable member that when Mr Newton's eyes close he is listening the hardest. The honourable member for Windsor wants to be very careful about what he says because the honourable member for Glass House never misses a beat and he can always repeat what has been said. I have never caught him out yet, so I have a lot of faith in him. Recently the member for Windsor visited Yeppoon to have a debate with me on environmental matters. For a bloke who had nothing to offer to the people, he did not do a bad job. As I pointed out to him in that debate, he is a member of the permanent Opposition and only members of the Govemment can provide the services as they can easily get the ear of the Minister. They, of course, are the most effective members. That was a bit of a shock to the honourable member, but by the end of the evening I believe that he did concede that there could be some tmth in what I said. Sir William Knox: Would you like to thank them for the tie? Mr HINTON: It is a very nice tie. I have seen members of the Opposition wearing a similar tie. I do not know whether they reaUy warrant such a tie as this, but I am certainly very proud to wear this Govemment tie. I will retum to speaking about Yeppoon, because I will not allow my bearded friend to distract me. Two further sites for pensioner units in Yeppoon are at Hutton Street and Rockhampton Road. There is no doubt that the number of pensioner units in Yeppoon wiU be increased, because a real need exists there for those people who are on fixed incomes and who are finding that the cost of inflation over the years has become a problem. One further area of Works and Housing constmction that has occurred in recent years, and of which I am particularly proud, is the Etna Creek prison. Recently I was very pleased to open the fieldfest day out there and to observe the work that people from the prison do in the community. It is not a maximum security prison. The work that those prisoners do in that community is a great credit to them. At the fieldfestther e were thousands of people and some 150 agricultural sites that were set up by the prisoners, who worked for 25 000 to 30 000 hours to do so. That is a great credit to them. In Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3535 addition to the prisoners being rehabilitated by being involved in the community, the result of their work was a great asset to the community. The prison is a stmcture, established by the Works Department, of which we can be proud. I know that some gaols are problem gaols, but the Etna Creek prison in my electorate is a source of pride in my electorate. With those words, I again congratulate the Minister for the job that he is doing. 1 again thank him very much for the co-operation that he has given me and the courtesies that he has shown to me. I appreciate it very much. I certainly look forward to further great works in my electorate. Mr PALASZCZUK (Archerfield) (8.49 p.m.): It gives me great pleasure to join in this debate. All honourable members would of course be aware that my electorate contains the greatest number of Housing Commission homes of any electorate. Therefore I feel it pertinent that I express to the Committee my points of view in relation to Works and Housing policy. The leafy suburbs of Inala and Acacia Ridge are jewels in the crown of the Queensland Housing Commission. That is a fact of which I am very proud. I am also pleased that over the last three years I have established an excellent working relationship with the staff of the Queensland Housing Commission, not only employees who work at the Inala office in my electorate but those in the city as well. I have found the officers of the department always very helpful and, might I add, tactful in their approach to a variety of very difficult problems. I have nothing but praise for the men who are employed in the Works Department, for they are the ones up front who have to face the abuse of tenants and school- administrators for the shortage of manpower that is becoming more evident day by day. I would like to know whatever happened to the three-monthly inspections of Queensland Housing Commission dwellings by officers of the department. Those were the days when policy was based on prevention rather than the ad hoc arrangement in operation at present. Madam Chair, in the short time I have available in the debate tonight I intend to touch on four points that I consider very relevant to my electorate. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mrs Harvey): Order! I remind the member that the correct title is "Madam Chairman". Mr PALASZCZUK: Thank you. Madam Chairman. The first point to which I wish to refer is the department's change in direction in housing constmction. With a new Minister, quite obviously there had to be a shift in some policy areas. I applaud the Minister for one of his initiatives, which I outline. Just recently I watched with interest a new Queensland Housing Commission development of seven detached homes being constmcted in, the suburb of Durack. The Govemment's policy of a social mix between Queensland Housing Commission homes and private homes is one that I totally endorse. Of course, it has always been Australian Labor Party policy and I am very, very pleased to see that the National Party is now falling into line. Mr Lee: Garbage! Absolute garbage! Mr PALASZCZUK: Unlike members of the Liberal Party, we in the ALP welcome the constmction "of Queensland Housing Commission homes in well-established suburbs. To emphasise the difference between the Liberal Party and the Australian Labor Party, I shall quote from an article in the Satellite dated 9 October in which a Liberal Party member said— "Rental tenants, whether higher or lower income eamers, frequently do not show the same standards of care for their premises because they have not got a stake in the premises. 3536 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

One of the best examples I can use is when you see a shabby garden with a gleaming car or motorcycle in the driveway." What an indictment! It is snobbery and class superiority at its very worst. I consider people who object to the building of Queensland Housing Commission homes in their areas to be snobs who do not want ordinary people living near them. They do not realise that the commission has a regard for the area and adopts a policy of constmcting homes that blend in with the environment. Mrs Nelson: That is outdated socialism at its worst. Mr PALASZCZUK: I am quoting National Party policy now. The designs of the new homes are in keeping with those of the established homes. I understand that even the fencing will be in tune with the local environment. There are provisions for a car port and a storeroom in each home. Comments I have received from local residents have been very positive and very supportive. I am sure there will be a queue a mile long for tenancy of those homes. I might add that Durack and Inala will be enhanced. This leads me to an area of concem in Acacia Ridge, which is at the other end of my electorate. I want to mention specifically the parcel of Queensland Housing Com­ mission land bordering Watson Road that, for over a year, has been fully developed with roads, kerbing and channelling, footpaths, survey pegs, drainage, water and electricity. Time and again constituents comment to me that the estate will never come to fmition. When I made the commission aware of this land in the 1985 debate on the Works and Housing Estimates and in a subsequent speech, I pointed out that the area is ideal for pensioner units and attached and detached houses. I certainly hope that tonight the Minister will indicate that he will not miss the golden opportunity to constmct an estate that could be unique. I would also like an answer from the Minister about when constmction will begin at this estate. I was told that constmction would commence in August. It is now October and there is absolutely no evidence at all of any constmction. The second matter to which I wish to draw the attention of the Committee is the acute shortage of pensioner accommodation in both Inala and Acacia Ridge. The waiting- time for pensioner accommodation in Inala is more than four years. In Acacia Ridge the sky is the limit as there are no pensioner units there at all. Almost daily I am approached by pensioners in my electorate and from outside my electorate who find the upkeep of their homes too much for them. They would love to move into pensioner accommodation. If that were to occur, more two and three-bedroom homes would become available to young families. Most pensioners prefer to live in the suburb that has been home to them for a long period. I cite the instances of Inala and Acacia Ridge. Both suburbs were commenced in the very early 1950s. Therefore, one does not need to be a Rhodes Scholar to reahse that the early residents of those suburbs have aged. This is the section of the population in my electorate who would dearly love to move into pensioner accommodation, provided that it is situated in the same suburb. Whenever I attend pensioner functions, that is the topic of conversation that is always raised. One has only to look at the success of the two blocks of pensioner accommodation that have been built in Crake Street and Osprey Street, Inala. The Crake Street block is the envy of the pensioner population of Inala. I must admit that a great deal of diplomacy on my part is required whenever I am called on to adjudicate on a dispute involving the ladies. On the other hand, the block in Osprey Street is tenanted by single men, single ladies and some married couples. This mixed block has proved to be an outstanding success. I point out to the Minister that there are blocks of land available in Inala for pensioner-unit constmction. There are two large blocks at the Inala Civic Centre. One large block is situated at the Skylark Street shopping centre. Two more are situated in Swallow Street. There is also the land that I referted to previously in the Gemstone Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3537 Estate in Watson Street. All blocks are suitable for pensioner accommodation. Bus stops are located nearby and the units are all within easy walking distance of shops. They are perfect for pensioner accommodation. I hope that the Minister and his department will take a long, hard look at these blocks and put them to good use. The third matter that I raise concems the intrigues involving a simple pathway at a local primary school in my electorate. At the Inala State School a rather absurd situation has arisen over the sudden mysterious appearance of a 5.3 metre pathway. If the situation were not as serious as it appears to be, it would be laughable. For the benefit of all honourable members, I will outline the events that have occurred over the past few months. As a matter of fact, I will go back to the very beginning. The sorry saga commenced when the Works Department placed a demountable class room on its present site. After any medium to heavy rain, the area in the immediate vicinity of the steps of the demountable class room becomes a quagmire. Naturally enough, the children and teachers had to devise some method of getting around the muddied area. The first solution that was offered and acted upon was the use of a high- gloss painted door positioned across the mud. That did not work, for obvious reasons. The second solution was the positioning of two planks across the area. That also did not work, for obvious reasons. Meanwhile, the parents and citizens association applied to the Works Department for the constmction of a 5.3 metre pathway. That would have solved all the problems. Approval was granted, but no starting date was fixed. Then, because of the budgetary cuts introduced this year, it became painfully obvious that the path would not be constmcted. Therefore, two week-ends ago the mysterious pathway that I referred to earlier appeared. It was constmcted by a schoolteacher and a few of the parents of children at the school at no cost at all to the department. I have inspected the path and found it to be professionally constmcted, aesthetically appealing and an asset to the school. However, on Monday, 19 October, all hell broke loose at Inala State School. On Tuesday, 20 October, the following notice appeared on the school notice-board which pointed out the ludicrous situation that the school became involved in over the constmction of a 5.3 metre path. I quote the note from the principal, which states— "Just a note on the pathway. While there is no doubt something needed to be done and the path is indeed an asset, I must point out that any such work done in the school should come through me and advice sought from the Works Department. If this is not done and should a child suffer an accident as a result of any unauthorised work being carried out the liability rests with the person who has caused such accident to occur. Works are quite within their rights to dismantle any such unauthorised constmctions. BUT, please if you feel such urges do me the courtesy of talking to me about it first. This type or work MUST first come to me..." 1 understand that the pathway is to be removed by the Works Department and the school is to return to the old situation of kids walking through mud. Mr Scott: That is scandalous. I think the Minister should look into that. Mr PALASZCZUK: I certainly hope he will. The final matter I wish to raise is one that has been of grave concern to me ever since I became a member of Parliament. I refer to the very high incidence of school vandalism. I consider that this Govemment's policy in relation to school vandalism is a total disgrace. All honourable members know that I have been calling on the Govemment to supply security guards with dogs for schools in high-risk areas. The provision of after- hours security would ensure that such important community resources as schools would be protected from the misfits who take pleasure in destroying valuable buildings and equipment. Mr Scott: Would there be somebody on the other side of the Chamber who is capable of that work? 3538 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) Mr PALASZCZUK: Does the honourable member for Cook really wish me to go into that point? If I have time I will go into it later on. It appears to me that the State Govemment's ad hoc policy of replacing rather than prevention is at the core of this problem. It is because of this Government's attitude that the community is witnessing an unholy alliance or an evil empire between the social misfits who do the damage and the socially irtesponsible State Govemment that lets them get away with it. The State Govemment would rather use tax-payers' money to repair and replace damaged buildings and equipment than take steps to halt the spread of vandalism. It is evident that the State Govemment has totally abdicated not only its respon­ sibility to supply necessary equipment to schools, but also its responsibUity to these vital community resources. The stock, standard answer given by the Govemment has always been that it is too expensive to supply security guards to each school in Queensland. It is my considered opinion that, with the present high cost of vandalism to the Queensland tax-payers, such an assertion by the State Govemment is complete nonsense. The Govemment does not take into account the social cost to the community when facilities supplied through the hard work of parents are damaged or destroyed. Not every school is a target for vandals, and in my opinion it is only necessary for high-risk schools to have the protection of security guards. It is obvious that a school at Aubum River is less likely to be vandalised than a school in the Yeronga electorate. It is about time that schools situated in perceived high-risk areas received the protection that such important community resources deserve. In conclusion, I pay a tribute to one man in my electorate who has organised a lone vigil against the vandals in my area. Bill Gordon is one Inala resident who has taken on a lonely vigil to help prevent school vandalism in his area. Several times every night Bill Gordon and his German shepherd walk to the Serviceton South State School, which is attended by his children, to keep a look-out for vandals. Vandalism at the Serviceton South State School is virtually non-existent now, thanks very much to the efforts of Bill Gordon. I endorse totally the idea of security guards with dogs patroUing schools in high-risk areas to protect our much-needed resources. Mr BERGHOFER (Toowoomba South) (9.06 p.m.): It is my pleasure to speak to the Estimates of the Minister for Works and Housing. As a relatively new member of State Parliament who is not new to local govemment, I certainly deem it an honour to participate in this debate. Over the years I have been involved with various members. I am on the committee chaired by the Honourable the Minister, Mr Ivan Gibbs. I worked with him when he was Minister for Mines and Energy. Prior to that, I worked with Mr Claude Wharton. In some instances, Toowoomba has been fortunate; in other instances, Toowoomba has not been so fortunate. I congratulate the Minister on the work that he is doing, but I have some criticisms to level. Like other areas, Toowoomba has missed out. Tonight honourable members have heard a great deal about housing and other matters. The Minister referred to some of the schools that have been built. I believe that, since the last Works Estimates debate, 17 new primary schools and nine new high schools have been built. I am sure that they were welcomed by many people. On 3 December the new pre-school at Darling Heights will be opened. The Glenvale pre-school wiU be opened on 14 November. Those are just some of the projects that have been undertaken in Toowoomba. Because of cut-backs in subsidies, the Harristown school swimming-pool project will be affected. The work done by the parents and citizens associations deserves great credit. However, planning and subsidies are still needed from the department. Because of the cut-back in subsidies and a shortage of money, those schools will be further down the line with funding for their swimming-pools. The constmction of the swimming-pool at the Middle Ridge School will most likely be delayed. The oval at the Gabbinbar State School is ready to be constmcted. The cost of that project will be paid partly by the p. and c. association and partly from a subsidy Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3539 from the department. I thank the Minister for that. The Glenvale school is considering the building of a new oval. A similar funding problem is being experienced with that project. The constmction of a new watchhouse has been put on the loan program. The police station is very old and needs updating. I would say that it is at least 50 years old. In that time I do not think that it has had much more than a coat of paint. The delays at the TAFE college have been disappointing. Those delays were brought about mainly by the Federal Govemment. The college is located in the electorate of the member for Toowomba North, Mr McPhie. A great deal of work has been done at the Baillie Henderson Hospital. The community is very grateful for the work that has been done there, but the general hospital has missed out very badly. The area serviced by the general hospital is very large because it includes the Darling Downs. Toowoomba has missed out very badly with the funding provided to the general hospital. Toowoomba is the capital of the Darling Downs and the hospital serves a very large area. The people of Toowoomba were looking forward to the provision of a lot more funding so that some work could be done. The primary industries in north Toowoomba are coming along quite well. It is a great centre in the whole of Queensland. A lot of money has been spent in that area. The Cobb and Co. museum is in the electorate of Toowoomba North. About $850,000 was spent on that project. I believe that the Cobb and Co. collection that will be housed at the museum will be opened in the next few weeks. Tonight I have heard a lot of criticism levelled at the Queensland Housing Com­ mission. Had it not been for the Queensland Housing Commission, I am sure that many people would not now have a home. The Housing Commission has tried to help the little person during times of high interest rates. Not everybody wants a Housing Commission home built beside his residence. On the other hand. Housing Commission houses should not be built in clusters, as they once were, thereby creating slums. The Queensland Housing Commission is doing a finejo b with the funds that it has available. Mr Beard: They are good-quality houses. Mr BERGHOFER: They are houses that I built myself years ago. I built houses for the Queensland Housing Commission that were up on stumps and made from chamfer board. These days Housing Commission homes are brick veneer with tUed roofs. They certainly look a lot better than commission houses used to look. Mr Lee: Who brought that idea in? Norm Lee. Mr BERGHOFER: I thank the honourable member for that. In relation to subsidies—Toowoomba is very proud of its showgrounds. Their upgrading would not have occurted without State Govemment subsidies. MiUions of dollars has been spent on the racecourse. Although that is not the responsibility of the Minister for Works, I simply mention that as something else that has occurred in Toowoomba. Mr Lee: It is the largest horse-training centre in Queensland. I know that from experience. Mr BERGHOFER: The honourable member has 600 or 700 horses in training. I believe that one of them may be training in Toowooma, which has been a great centre for the Queensland racing industry. Greyhound-racing is also very well patronised in Toowoomba. It is subsidised through the show society. The Minister has been criticised about gaols. The honourable member for Lockyer might not appreciate the fact that application has been made for a gaol in the Helidon area. Toowoomba needs decentralisation and jobs. These are the sorts of things that create jobs and opportunities for our work-force. Too many projects are being undertaken 3540 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) in the cities. In common with other provincial cities, Toowoomba pays a lot of taxes. Those taxes go to the Federal Govemment in Canberta and they do not come back. The same thing happens with the State Govemment; the taxes are put back into the major cities but not the provincial cities, which provide a large proportion of those taxes. Many problems have been associated with the Builders Registration Board, and I believe that the Minister is gradually sorting them out. He has been the meat in the sandwich, with the buUder on one end and the owner on the other. I am not saying that the builder is always right or wrong or that the owner is always right or wrong. However, some people are very difficult to deal with and someone must arbitrate between them. That has happened with the Builders Registration Board. I am honoured to have been a member of the Minister's committee, which undertook a tour of the Expo site a few weeks ago. It was interesting to see what is happening over there and how much responsibility is being placed upon the Department of Works. The Queensland pavUion will be a great credit to Queensland. The Premier and this Govemment must be congratulated on obtaining Expo for Queensland. It will really put Queensland and Australia on the map. However, it all costs money. It is aU very weU for people to sit on the fence, to criticise and say what should and should not be done. However, the electorate of Toowoomba South appreciates the work that has been done by the Department of Works. I look forward to more money being spent in that electorate. One of the schools has benefited quite weU, but the general hospital needs many millions of dollars to be spent on it. It has in excess of 500 beds, and some of its facilities are quite old. I wish the Minister well in his portfolio and look forward to working with him in the future. Mr EATON (Mourilyan) (9.15 p.m.): Firstly, I wish to compliment the Minister and the department for the things that they have provided for my electorate over the years, despite the fact that I had to fight a long time for them. I hope that one day the Minister takes the opportunity to visit the electorate and inspect the work that has been carried out. I refer in particular to the Innisfail State High School. For many years, 1 000 students attended that school and it did not have a decent library. The library was spread over about four different rooms. In the wet weather from which Innisfail is known to suffer, the students were unable to take advantage of a suitable library. When it was wet, they were unable to go outside and play. Because the library would take only 28 students at one time, the others had to sit in a shed. With over 1 000 students at the school, honourable members can imagine the problems that occurred. Today, the school has a beautiful library, as well as a new manual arts block. I compliment the Govemment and the department for providing those facilities. Much work stUl needs to be done at the other major school in Innisfail, the police station and the other facilities that the Minister's departments have to service. I am certain that the Govemment will get around to that eventually. I hope that fortune smiles and the work is carried out sooner than is anticipated at present. I assure the Government that I will lend any assistance I can in any work that needs to be carried out in Innisfail. One of the problems encountered in Innisfail was in relation to the air-conditioning of the courthouse. The Govemment tried to maintain the buildings in their natural state. The courthouse is an old building. I believe that it may come under the auspices of the National Tmst, which had to be taken into consideration when the work was performed. I recognise that those things must be looked at when the Govemment is dealing with public servants in a very hot, tropical climate. It has to be aware of the conditions in which the public servants work. I wish to raise a matter that may require the Govemment and the Minister to show a bit of initiative and courage. The Works Department is supervising the constmction Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3541 of the Johnstone TAFE CoUege that is being buUt at Innisfail. I receive many inquiries from people who wish to take advantage of the facilities that that college wiU offer, and also from qualified tradesmen who would like to teach at the coUege. Another area of concem for the local community, including the shire councU, the chamber of commerce and other community organisations at InnisfaU, is accommodation for the students once the college is completed. InnisfaU is geographicaUy central for Babinda, Deeral, part of the Tableland and as far down as Cardwell. Many of the students will be day students, but those students who live on the perimeter of the area will need accommodation during the week. A large area is available for the constmction of the TAFE coUege. To avoid involving private enterprise, the department could build motel-type accommodation with facilities for training students in the hospitality industry. Those facUities could be used for training as well as providing the service necessary for the live-in students at the TAFE college. The facilities would not need to be flash. They could be built at a reasonable cost and leased out until the Govemment decided whether it wanted to sell them to private enterprise. In the meantime, a facihty would be provided that would be an asset to the department as weU as to the college and its staff. The Govemment has to take those points into consideration. It will require a little bit of initiative and courage for the Govemment to take that step. I know that the local shire council, the chamber of commerce and the people in the area would support the Govemment if it decided to look further into the matter. I tum now to housing, which is another area with which I am pleased. I do not believe that there is an honourable member who has spoken in the Chamber today who has not pointed out the need for more housing in his electorate. I noted that the honourable member for Caims cited figures on housing. I have had people from Caims ring my office to see if I could get them accommodation in Innisfail. They are prepared to transfer from Caims to Innisfail if they can obtain decent, suitable accommodation. I know that it is perhaps asking too much of the Minister and the department to try to rectify this problem throughout the State in a short time. However, I think that the Minister has to look at getting the priorities right, because at the moment in north Queensland a great deal of development is taking place. In electorates such as Caims, Barron River and Hinchinbrook, projects such as aquaculture and mining are attracting more and more workers. The population is beginning to increase, which is imposing a burden on accommodation facilities. In previous years, people have renovated cane-cutters' cottages or barracks and similar accommodation. Whereas many of those facilities are quite comfortable, some of them are now below standard. In industries that are particularly labour-intensive, the Minister will find that the work-force is not particularly interested in the more expensive accommodation that is available. In Innisfail, a person would be flat out getting a decent place for $100 a week. If a labourer has to pay $100 a week out of his wages for rent, he will not have much left to live on. One could say that his existence would be almost that of a fringe-dweller because that would be the only kind of accommodation he could afford. It is essential that adequate housing should be provided. Recently, the Minister made a statement to the effect that a duplex and three new houses would be constmcted in the Innisfail area. Of course, that action is very much appreciated, but there is still a long waiting-list in many other towns. I am not asking the Minister to scrap other areas of the State and only look after my electorate. However, bearing in mind the progress that is being made in north Queensland, the Govemment will have to start looking to attempts to cater for the population. I know that this present State Govemment will want the State to expand. If the Govemment wants to encourage that expansion, it will have to provide the necessary facilities that will act as an incentive for people to come to north Queensland. A working man who has a small family— Mr Randell: You won't support us in trying to get money from the Commonwealth. Mr EATON: The honourable member should not worry; Opposition members are supporting the Govemment to try to get all that it can. 3542 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

Mr Randell: No, you're not. Mr EATON: Well, I started to mention before some of the things that have been provided by money supplied by the Commonwealth Govemment. The Minister and his departmental officers can verify that the Federal Govemment paid for the pensioner units that were built under the auspices of the local council. If it is at all possible, I would hke the Minister to take the opportunity when he is in north Queensland to have a look at Ravenshoe. The Herberton Shire Council did a great job in setting up the land that had to be terraced. The shire council called tenders and accepted a very low price for the job. It was therefore able to do a little bit more than had been originally expected because the tender was lower. The Minister ought to see the way in which the Herberton Shire Council has catered for the pensioners who hve in that area. Those long-term residents of the area are able to remain among their friends. In many smaller, mral communities, many elderly people and pensioners have to leave the community because none of the essential services such as hospitals and other facilities that people need at a later stage in life are provided. In Ravenshoe, all those needs have been catered for. The people are able to live among their friends and can spend the latter years of their lives in the company they desire. I have mentioned the development that is taking place in north Queensland—not only in my electorate, but also in all the other electorates in north Queensland. All State representatives from north Queensland are trying to do the same as I am: they all want more work to be done on the schools and they also want bigger and better schools. I know that the Minister will do the best that he can. I certainly hope that that progress continues in this State. Because of events taking place on stock exchanges—events that have been hitting the news a lot lately—a number of question-marks will have to be put on applications and on the future development of many areas. I simply hope that the stock-market problems can be overcome and that the situation is not as serious as it was expected to be. I hope also that the Govemment can carry on, because the services provided by the Department of Works and the Housing Commission are most important. The Minister's portfolio covers a very wide field. I know that on many occasions the Minister has been annoyed by other Ministers. Sometimes friction is created when each department presents Estimates for projects that have to be carried out. The Minister sometimes has to say, "Well, I can do it if the Department of Education or some other department will release fiinds." The difficulty is that those other departments expect the Department of Works to find the money to carry out these projects. Consequentiy, people in the community have to do without some services. I will leave that problem in the hands of the Minister because he would probably know best how to handle that matter with help from his advisers. I also wish to mention the role of the Queensland Housing Commission in providing people with an opportunity to purchase their homes through that agency. I know that the Housing Commission does quite a good job. I have asked the Minister for Lands a question on that subject, and hopefully I will receive an answer tomorrow. If my memory serves me correctly, the figures that have been just released indicate that the average cost of a house in Queensland is about $57,000. The Govemment, either through the Lands Department or through the Housing Commission, if it takes the land over from the Lands Department, could provide long-term leasehold residential land. Even at the cheapest interest rate, land development costs $130 per $1,000, or at 15 per cent, which is the interest rate that most people are paying, it would cost $150 for every $1,000. The average price of a residential block in Queensland is more than $20,000. For the development cost of a block, which is $4,000, together with the cost of the survey fee and the first year's rent in advance, which would be $200 to $300— which totals a lot less than $5,000—many families would be able to go ahead and purchase their own land. If $15,000 can be knocked off the cost of a block, one can imagine the savings in interest alone. Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3543

Today most blocks of land sell for more than $25,000. Some time this week in my area the (Jovemment will be releasing blocks of land for auction, with the reserve on the cheapest block being $24,000. Members know that I am not exaggerating. I have figures from all around the State, including places as far apart as Emerald and Sandgate. All of the blocks in those areas were sold in the high $20,000 mark. It can be seen that I am not exaggerating when I say that the average price of a block of residential land in Queensland is $20,000. Some far-flung mral blocks auctioned for virtually their low improvement cost, plus $100 to $150 annual rental, have also to be taken into consideration. People will not move out into such areas to buy freehold land. At the moment the wealthy are being catered for, because 10 per cent will be knocked off the price if the purchaser can pay cash for a block in fee simple sold at auction. If the purchaser wants to buy on terms, the price is reduced or increased accordingly. For a 10-year term I think the interest rate is about 15 per cent. For seven- year and three-year terms the interest rates vary accordingly. The problem associated with the high cost of residential land can be overcome. As I said before, at an interest rate of 13 per cent—and I do not know of anybody bortowing money at that rate— $130 per $1,000 in interest would be saved, and over a long period that would amount to quite a lot. Instead of a person paying $170,000 for a $35,000 home by the time he has paid it off over 35 years, because his money wiU not be going down the drain in interest, he will save money. With the little bit of money that he can save he wUl be able to provide the home comforts that are so necessary for rearing a family today. Hon. I. J. GIBBS (Albert—Minister for Works and Housing) (9.28 p.m.): I thank all honourable members for their comments today. In particular, I refer to the comments made by the Opposition spokesman, the honourable member for Wolston, Mr Bob Gibbs, who, overall, was very constmctive. Throughout, there was mention of negative gearing, interest rates and all sorts of things. We know that, to a degree, tax deductability has been reintroduced for negative gearing. It is a pity that it was abolished in the first place. As I am sure all honourable members would admit, its abolition was an enormous impediment to private enterprise that has caused a tremendous gap in the availability of rental housing, which the Govemment and private enterprise have had to bridge. However, with interest rates on the way down and settling at a reasonable level, and with the reintroduction of the tax deductability for negative gearing, I hope that that gap will be bridged. Building societies, of course, play a very big part. That was mentioned by the honourable member for Wolston. He also spoke about the new proposals for private enterprise to join hands with Govemment. He also spoke about rental housing and tmsts. He spoke about the very high proportion of wages—up to 50 per cent—paid in rent. The Housing Commission tries to keep it at 25 per cent, which seems to work fairly well. The honourable member also spoke about housing for the disabled. That is a very real problem. Some attempt has been made to provide quite a lot of housing for the disabled. I am not up to date with the results of the L.J. Hooker scheme, but I believe there has been some success. As I remember it, one of the main features of that scheme is that, if anybody failed in his repayments, L.J. Hooker bought the house back; it was not repossessed and sold by auction. In other words, there is a recycling. That is a very strong point with that Hooker scheme. However, I will make some inquiries about how it has worked. I would be interested to leam of the real results. It has had time to get into the system and, therefore, the rate of success could be determined. Because I think it would be interesting to both the honourable member and me, I will take that matter up. Joint ventures between private enterprise and Govemment cost more money. Queensland has retained its existing financing methods and the Housing Commission has remained viable. I think the member for Wolston was quoting the South Australian experience and using some of the bases that have been implemented in that State. 3544 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates)

However, the South Australian organisation is in a lot of trouble and this year looks like heading for an overaU loss of $8m. That loss wiU roll over into next year and wiU be pretty bad for that State. Although some of those schemes sound good, in the end result, based on success, the Queensland system is better. The commission is showing a loss in rents but not in its other operations; so overall it is coming out even or better, whereas South Australia appears to be going down the drain. Because anything of that nature is worth investigating to see if it will work, I will check on that to see if South Australia has a proven record in joint ventures. All State authorities are negotiating with the Commonwealth for additional funds for the deinstitutionalisation of disabled persons. It is hoped that more can be achieved in that line. I thank the honourable member for Wolston for his productive and constmctive comments. I can assure him that they will be taken into account. The member for Warwick, Mr Des Booth, is chairman of my committee and, before that, was a member of Mr Wharton's committee. He spoke about the Builders Registration Board, schools and education, tourist industry training, the importance of the showground subsidy and the need for restoration work. I inform him that catering, hospitality and mral studies will be included in the courses available at the new Warwick TAFE. To be able to provide that sort of training in such an area is a forward move that will provide young people with the chance to be trained to fill a local need and also to be better equipped to find a job in Brisbane, on the Gold Coast, at (Caims or wherever else there is enormous growth in the tourist industry. The member for South Brisbane, Ms Wamer, spoke about the Housing Commission, its budget and a loan not taken up. That loan was not taken up because of the state of the market, interest rates at that time and the problem with negative gearing. $ 18m was to be borrowed at market rates. The commission has not missed out on anything. Because of high interest rates, at the time the need did not exist. Therefore, the money was not bortowed. The commission had a record year of completion and purchases of almost 2 000 units. Of course, funds roll over and large commitments go forward to the 1987-88 Budget. There is an appeal system upwards within the commission and representations by members can be considered by the Ombudsman. Investigations have shown that 76 per cent of tenants are satisfied. Basically, that answers a speech that contained very little substance. The member for Cunningham, Mr Elliott, spoke about Expo and the showground subsidy. All over Queensland, shows are becoming more important. That subsidy is a tremendous help in the expansion of showgrounds and to provide better facilities, which are very important for the display of the State's produce. I have noted Mr Elliott's representations for science facilities for the Oakey State High School. That matter will receive consideration in the 1988-89 financialyear , subject of course to sufficient funds being available. In regard to the provision of space to enable buses to tum around outside the Oakey State High School, but off the Warrego Highway— the department has agreed to make land available for that purpose and is waiting on the council's acceptance of its offer. It has been advised that there are not sufficient funds available to allow constmction at this stage. However, the offer will remain open. The next speaker was the honourable member for Toowong, Mr Beanland, who is the other opposition spokesman. He certainly sounded like it. It was rather strange that a man of his supposed potential would make a speech of the nature that he did. In fact, one was quite shocked, because one expected better from a person of his standing. He has been a member of the council Mr R. J. Gibbs: He's hopeless. Mr I. J. GIBBS: Yes, he is hopeless. There is no doubt about that. I think that he proved that today. Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3545 The remarks of the honourable member for Toowong were mostly cheap, unwar­ ranted and uncalled for. He talked about slush funds and $26m being allotted just to "other buildings". He talked about Budget input, the BuUders Registration Board and the inefficiency of a department. I suppose that in all big organisations there are some inefficiencies. However, they are minor inefficiencies. No matter how hard one works, there will always be some inefficiencies. However, if one can be as spot-on as possible and if everybody works hard to be efficient and to be cost-effective, one has achieved an enormous amount. Of course, because he has been a member of the Brisbane City Council, Mr Beanland may be judging other people on himself I suppose he would know aU about slush funds. He would be an expert on them. Having heard his speech today, I can only say that that council must have been glad to get rid of him. He would know all about inefficiencies and slush funds. I think that he proved today the tmth of the old saying that empty vessels make the most sound. He sounded like a 44-gallon dmm. The honourable member for Toowong sought an explanation of the meaning of the term "other buildings" used in the Budget papers relating to the Estimates of my department. In recognition of his relatively recent election as a member of this Parliament, I will take the time to explain that the term means precisely what it says. Many of the larger arms of Govemment have their own Votes such as loans to State schools, courthouses and so on. The "other buildings" Vote embraces all of the remainder. For example, some of the major items included in the $26m allocation to which the honourable member referted are Blackbutt—new forestry headquarters; Spring Hill Weights and Measures—new facility; public service housing; Govemment office accommodation; and land. These are typical examples of "other building" projects. In addition, in response to the honourable member's reference to the Taringa Police Station, it is advised that the installation of a hot-water system for showers is presently under consideration, bearing in mind the future of that police station. I do not think that the Liberal Party spokesman contributed very much to the debate. I am sure that members of the Liberal Party would be very disappointed if they ever took the time to read his speech. The member for Surfers Paradise, Rob Borbidge, spoke with knowledge because he is a very active member of my committee. I thank him for his contribution and for his continued work on my committee. The honourable member for Port Curtis, Mr Prest, talked about the Bracewell school and wanted the Housing Commission to provide car ports and insect screens on older homes. That is a very good thought; but, because of the cost, it cannot be achieved. If some houses were done, the lot would have to be done. Although it is a good thought, 1 do not think that it is practical. Many older homes have hopper windows, and it is almost impossible to put screens on them and try to maintain them. People can put those on at their own cost, if they wish. There is a waiting-list for houses in Gladstone, as there is in many other places. The honourable member referred to the Builders Registration Board and a letter of March 1986 which was received at Gladstone. My department will be happy to have another look at that matter for him to see whether something can be sorted out. It sounds like a tough problem, but my department will have another look at it to see what can be achieved. In regard to the Bracewell State School, today the Queensland Water Resources Commission advised that a source of water has been found in a test bore on the road reserve south of the school. The water is only suitable for toilets and not for drinking, but the test flow is satisfactory. Documentation for a transportable toUet block wiU be prepared this financial year and commencement of the project will be subject to the availability of funds. The honourable member has a vahd point. When I first became a member of Parliament I had a few similar situations in my own electorate, and this Govemment should be working hard on a program to annihUate that kind of operation

77193—116 3546 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) throughout the State as soon as possible. This kind of situation is unacceptable and can be overcome in the 1980s. I, as Minister, am doing my best to overcome this problem. The honourable member for Gympie, Mr Stephan, is one of the members of my committee. He is a very good member and works very hard. I appreciate his efforts. He referted to the Widgee Shire and the joint effort regarding homes for aged persons. The Govemment is very pleased with the efforts of various councils throughout the State. There is not a great deal of money to go around, but it is great when a councU implements such a project. I know the Widgee Shire Council well and it will do an excellent job. I appreciate the representations made by the honourable member for Gympie on that matter. I tum now to the establishment of a TAFE college at Gympie. Sites for a TAFE college are still being investigated and the constmction of Stage 1 of the proposed college is planned for 1989. The honourable member for (Caims, Mr De Lacy, referted to many matters. (Caims has grown despite the negative attitude displayed by him. He talked about negative gearing. An enormous number of jobs is generated by tourist projects, and Caims is going through a boom period, like the one the Gold Coast has experienced for years. I have the same problems as the honourable member for Caims in my electorate and do not have enough houses. Hundreds of people in the Gold Coast area are waiting for Housing Commission houses and I do not see how this problem can be overcome. Because of the cost of land, houses will have to be established out on the fringes, and if land is bought at an enormous cost, not many houses will be built. That will not serve the purpose that the Housing Commission is trying to achieve. I know that the honourable member appreciates that position, and the Govemment wiU do its best to do whatever it can. The disposal of railway land is not a matter for my department and no decision has been taken on the site for the replacement of the police station or courthouse. The Govemment is well aware of the historical significance of the buildings and they will be retained. The Govemment has made that statement quite clearly and has written to the council and other organisations. The Queensland Housing Commission is purchasing houses, units and so on that are suitable for public housing, and it has purchased many satisfactory units in (Caims. That is one of the successes that the Queensland Housing Commission has had in that area. In addition, with the limit on available funds, constmction programs are being increased and the problem of the need for housing is recognised. In 1987-88 approximately 100 living units will be provided. This Govemment will do its best to try to overcome this problem. It is an enormous battle, and the Gold Coast and Caims are two places in Australia where people wish to live. This Govemment cannot cater for all-comers. The honourable member has more than his fair share of people living in the bush in his electorate who would also like a house, but they do not work. There are many genuine people, and this Govemment has to try to look after them. Huan Fraser, who represents the electorate of Springwood, is also a member of my committee. I appreciate his efforts. I have a tremendous committee that is composed of very productive people who do their job very well. Huan Fraser referted to the growth in the Springwood and Logan areas. In addition to being a member of the Assembly, he is Deputy Mayor of the Logan City Council. Earher I heard an honourable member pick on Mr Fraser because of the percentage of the vote that Mr Fraser received at the election. Members of the Opposition ought to look only at the percentage of the vote that the ALP did not get. I do not know how much it was, but at the end of the day it was less than 40 per cent. Three conservative people stood for election. Huan Fraser topped the poll as far as the conservative side was concemed. He won the election fair and square by a large margin. Because he operates and works in a proper and constmctive way, he wiU represent the electorate of Springwood for ever or for as long as he hkes to stay there. Mr Wells spent most of his time tonight judging other people by his own standards. That was the basis of his speech. I inform the honourable member that the Govemment Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3547 is elected to do a job and it will do its job despite what the honourable member had to say. One must accept that it takes many different types to make up a group in this Chamber. Sometimes I wonder how fussy people are when they vote for people hke the honourable member. Even by Opposition standards, the member for Murmmba has to be on the bottom mng. The member for Southport, Mick Veivers, is well known and liked by everybody. For a new boy, he made an excellent speech in the debate. Of course, in a very short time, Mick Veivers is the second Veivers to be a member of this Assembly. Tom Veivers, a former member of this Assembly, is a friend of mine and a likeable person. I hke his family. Tom was out of his depth in this place. He never really hit the front hne. I am pleased to see Mick doing a great job. I think he is liked by everybody. He has a sense of humour and I think that he will work fairly with everyone in the system. Mrs Leisha Harvey, who represents the electorate of CJreenslopes, is the first National Party member to represent that electorate. It is healthy and coming along well. The honourable member has taken a tremendous interest in schools. A highlight for her representation has been her efforts with Queen Alexandra House. Last Saturday night I attended a ball there and inspected the restoration work. The people who attended the function had a marvellous time. Leisha Harvey's efforts will be regarded for a long time as a feather in her cap. Mr R. J. Gibbs: They tell me that Mr Hewitt was the doorman. Mr I. J. GIBBS: He did not even make that. He was not even out in the street. I do not think that he will ever get there. Bob Bone was there and he was driving the coach with two percheron horses. He was wearing a top hat and his Drizabone. He did a tremendous job and added to the character of the function. Mrs Leisha Harvey and her committee should be congratulated on all their efforts. The function would not have been a success without her determination. Queen Alexandra House will always remain a monument to Leisha Harvey and her activities. Reference was made to the George Street Festival and to the visits made by people to this Parliament House. Recently the Parliament House in Canberra was opened to the public. What a marvellous place it is. I think that 30 000 people tumed up there. I am told that of the 300 000 people who tumed up in George Street, 100 000 visitors went through this building during the George Street Festival. That proves that there is a need for such a festival. I hope that next year two George Street Festivals will be held during the Bicentenary and Expo. It will be possible to open the Parliament House building on two occasions. The George Street Festival was enjoyed by people of all political persuasions. It was a marvellous exercise and achieved a wonderful result. I have noted Mrs Harvey's representations in regard to the painting and landscaping needs of the Camp Hill State School. Those matters will receive funding consideration in the future, depending on the finance available. The shale that was dumped on the school oval was apparently arranged by a former principal of the school. I wiU ask my department's engineers to consider ways of eliminating that problem. In relation to the Wellers Hill State School—my department's architects are presently working on plans for a covered walkway between the administration block and the main school building. I expect to be in a position to approve funds for that project during the current financial year. The electorate of the honourable member for Bowen, Mr Smyth, contains many people in need. The honourable member mentioned borrowings of money at 4.5 per cent and claimed that this Govemment was cheating and being dishonest. I do not believe that the honourable member's speech was well researched. He must have guessed many of the figures that he quoted. As a matter of fact, if the honourable member was inside a bam and he fired a shotgun, he probably would not even hit a wall. The State Govemment obtains revenue from several sources. It has intemal funds and Commonwealth 3548 27 October 1987 Supply (Estimates) funds. Certainly the Commonwealth loan is obtained at 4.5 per cent, but it is a mix of money. Some of it relates to commercial borrowings that come out at between 8.5 and 9 per cent. That is how far off target Mr Smyth was. If he remains in this Chamber a little longer, he will leam many more things. The honourable member also mentioned transfers and the unavailabUity of houses in mining areas. As the honourable member who represents Gladstone, Mr Prest, knows, many of the houses that are avaUable are under contract and agreement with the major companies. Until such time as they are released by those companies, nothing can be done with them because the Govemment would be breaking its agreement with the companies. The honourable member for Nerang, Mr Tom Hynd, who is also a member of my committee and a fairly new member of this Assembly, has done an excellent job. He spoke about a wide range of projects that are under way. He is doing a good job in his electorate and has just about got matters in order. I tum now to the honourable Norm Lee, the member for Yeronga and former Minister. It is a pleasure to be able to look after matters in his electorate in a fair manner. All honourable members who were members of this Assembly when Norm Lee was a Minister were treated fairly and squarely. He always considered matters seriously and did an excellent job. The State Govemment has approved the painting of the Norm Lee Cultural Centre, which has his name hatched upon the front. I promise that the honourable member's name wiU not be annihilated. If the name becomes dull, I assure the honourable member that it wiU be redone to ensure that it does not disappear over a period. His name will remain there for a long time as a monument to the hard work that he did and the improvements that he made within the Works and Housing portfolio in this State. I appreciate the honourable member's comments about John Bellert, Ivan Harrison and Stewart Hall. I know that his remarks were sincere and that he had a very close relationship with those people. The Moorooka Police Station needs painting. Intemal painting of that station has been noted for future approval. This Govemment will do its best to achieve that. Mr Lee also mentioned the GraceviUe State School and stated that staged development will be carried out at that school. I am pleased to say that, yesterday, I approved the constmction of a new tuck-shop and bulk store at that school. That represents another stage of development for that school, which wiU bring it up to the standard that one expects in the eighties. In relation to the Yeronga State High School—I will be asking my district manager to fumish me with a report and estimate on the extemal painting of that school, taking particular care to emphasise the need to avoid splashing signs. That painting will be approved, it will be undertaken, and the honourable member wUl be proud of it when it is finished. The honourable member for Broadsound, Denis Hinton, made a great contribution to the debate. He is a man who, in the short time that he has been in Parhament representing his electorate, has taken a keen interest in all activities in the public life of his electorate, including the hall at the school to which he referted. He put much work into getting that haU constmcted. When it is constucted, the credit will go to Denis Hinton for a job well done. I hope that within the next few days that work wiU be completed. The department will be sending an officer from Brisbane to assist the local people so that that work can be completed as soon as possible. Mr Hinton mentioned pensioner units. He has taken a particular interest in aged people and their accommodation. It is interesting to hear that he has been to the Etna Creek prison. If the community can become involved in those types of organisations, it helps with community spirit. The honourable member for Archerfield, Mr Palaszczuk, made a weU thought out speech which contained much grit. Supply (Estimates) 27 October 1987 3549 Mr Scott: What about his path? He's worried about it. Mr I. J. GIBBS: The department will look after his path. It has taken that on board. He will finish up with a path there one way or another. I am pleased to accept that criticism. I will fix that problem up for him. The honourable member spoke about the provision of more Housing Commission houses. An estate has been there for a couple of years. The honourable member is after some more pensioner units, as most people are. The Govemment has to spread them all over the State. However, I will keep that in mind and do my best. It is pleasing to know that the honourable member welcomes development in that area. The honourable member spoke about vandalism. I believe that he oversimplified the problem. It is an enormous problem that creates enormous cost. One would almost have to be Mandrake the Magician to pick out which schools were going to be targeted and to be there at the right time. The Govemment is looking seriously at the problem. It has not got the answer, but I do not think that any other State in Australia has the answer. At Acacia Ridge, in the 1987-88 program, the Govemment will build 20 two- bedroom homes, 10 three-bedroom homes and some cluster housing. It is already working on the problem. I can assure the Chamber that the honourable member for Toowoomba South, Clive Berghofer, who is the Mayor of Toowoomba and one of my committee members, has a great contribution to make in his own quiet way. He is one of the most successful members in this State. Nobody in the Opposition wants to underestimate Clive Berghofer and his ability. I appreciate his being a member of my committee. He has taken an interest in all things. Being the Mayor of Toowoomba, he views the system from two angles. I believe that together we will achieve an enormous amount. A proposition was put forward to site a gaol at Helidon. Reahsing the amount of work and the other things that the project would create in the area, we considered the proposal seriously. However, it was rejected because it just was not the right area in which to build a prison. As all honourable members know, the prison is to be built near Ipswich. It will be successful there. The subsidy for the showground at Toowoomba is most important. The councU and the people of Toowoomba have co-operated to create the new showground. I tum now to the honourable member for Mourilyan, Bill Eaton, who certainly has a good grip on his shadow portfolio. He spoke about the library at the school and other things. The Govemment attempts to be fair right across the board. It provides facilities on an even basis. I thank the honourable member for his comments. The Johnstone College of Technical and Further Education was also mentioned by the honourable member for Mourilyan in the context of establishing other operations, such as motels. That area of activity does not come within my portfolio, but the opportunity may be taken up by private enterprise to achieve what the honourable member had in mind. It may be possible to use the young trainees in an overall catering and hospitality situation. The honourable member for Mourilyan also mentioned that problems associated with the provision of adequate housing link electorates such as Caims and Barron River. It is tme that an overall shortage of housing exists in those areas. However, people may be willing to go out into fringe areas that lie within driving distance of a major centre, and some results in providing adequate accommodation may be able to be achieved. There is no doubt that north Queensland is presently experiencing an enormous growth pattem. One thing can be said with certainty—that is, the growth pattem is not going to stop. North Queensland is a marvellous place. It is one of the major tourism areas that will stimulate growth and benefit Queensland. The private accommodation sector should be able to supply a share of the necessary housing facilities, now that negative gearing is back and interest rates are on the way 3550 27 October 1987 Marine Parks Act Amendment Bill down. It is possible that private enterprise will be able to assist in overcoming the shortage of housing. I thank all honourable members for the contributions they have made. I assure all those who participated in the debate that I will take on board all of their comments, including the criticisms—irrespective of whether they are straight-out criticism or constmctive criticism. I will analyse the contents of the contributions that have been made and determine whether any of the suggestions can be taken up. I thank particularly the members of my committee for the contribution that they have made to the debate. At 10.03 p.m.. The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mrs Harvey): Order! Under the provisions of the Sessional Order agreed to by the House on 16 September, I shall now put the questions for the Vote under consideration and the balance remaining unvoted for Works and Housing. The questions for the foUowing Votes were put, and agreed to— Works and Housing— $ Department of Works 171,432,000 Balance of Vote (Tmst and Special Funds, and Loan Fund) 688,324,000 Progress reported.

MARINE PARKS ACT AMENDMENT BILL Hon. G. H. MUNTZ (Whitsunday—Minister for Tourism, National Parks and Sport) (10.05 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill to amend the Marine Parks Act 1982 in certain particulars." Motion agreed to. First Reading Bill presented and, on motion of Mr Muntz, read a first time. Second Reading Hon. G. H. MUNTZ (Whitsunday—Minister for Tourism, National Parks and Sport) (10.06 p.m.): I move— "That the Bill be now read a second time." I am pleased to be able to present this Bill, which will amend the Marine Parks Act 1982 with respect to two principal matters: firstly, responsibility for administration of marine parks will be transferted from the Co-ordinator-General to the Minister for Tourism, National Parks and Sport and to the Director of the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service; secondly, the amendments will simplify the process of declaring marine parks. Queensland has always been at the forefront of marine and estuarine conservation. The first marine area given protected status in Australia was Green Island in 1938, an area of great importance to tourism. Heron Island and nearby Wistari Reef have similarly been protected for many years. There are some important intertidal areas reserved as national parks, such as Hinchinbrook Channel, which was set aside in 1968. I pay tribute also to the record of our fisheries management agencies in protecting very extensive areas under various categories of fisheries reservations administered by my colleague the Honourable the Minister for Primary Industries. A recent publication listing all marine and estuarine protected areas in Australia showed that over 94 per cent of such areas were within or adjacent to Queensland. If the Great Barrier Reef is excluded, Queensland still has around 40 per cent of all such Marine Parks Act Amendment Bill 27 October 1987 3551 protected areas in Australia. The Great Barrier Reef is, without question, the most important of these areas and is of great significance for its wildlife, its fisheries,an d its value to the tourist industry. Let me expand briefly upon the matter of tourism, which, of course, also comes within my ministerial portfolio. The Great Barrier Reef is a growth area for tourism in Queensland, and a major attraction for overseas tourists. Visitation to the reef is projected to more than double by the year 2000. It has been demonstrated that it makes good sense for the management of marine parks to be linked with the management of the national park islands, which are also a major conservation and tourist resource, and to also build upon the links between marine parks, national parks and tourism. Ministerial responsibility for the Marine Parks Act was passed to my portfolio last year, and the amendments now proposed to the Act wiU consolidate the role of the National Parks and Wildlife Service in marine parks administration. Honourable members will be aware that there are well-established arrangements in place between Queensland and the Commonwealth in relation to the management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. These arrangements date back to 1979 when the Honourable the Premier and the then Prime Minister agreed that day-to-day management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park would be undertaken by the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service and that a ministerial council would be established comprising Commonwealth and State Ministers to co-ordinate policy between the Govemments. The ministerial council has since met annually, and has played an important role in ensuring consistency of policy and in resolving some of the complex issues connected with the management of our offshore areas. Queensland is working towards declaration of a series of marine parks along its coastline and around its islands which will protect the important areas between high and low water marks which are often subject to the highest density of use. These areas are, of course, not within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Queensland marine parks will also extend some distance to sea over State waters within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to provide an overlap of mirror zonings and allow co-ordinated and effective management. The Marine Parks Act 1982, when it was first introduced, brought the Queensland legislation into line with some of the concepts applied in Commonwealth legislation applying to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. In particular, it meant that marine parks were to be areas managed for multiple use, not necessarily areas of complete protection. The fact that an area is made marine park does not mean that fishing or sheU- coUecting or other uses are mled out. The intention is to allow all reasonable uses to continue, but to achieve long-term conservation objectives and to minimise conflicts of use. This is done through the preparation of zoning plans, along the hues of town plans, which allow certain things to be done in some zones but not in others, and attempts to group compatible uses together and separate incompatible ones. In any particular zone there are things that can be done without any restriction, things that a permit is needed for, and things that are prohibited. I must say that, when first introduced, this will not be the easiest system of management for marine park users to understand. It will have its advantages and its disadvantages. When the Whitsunday area in my own electorate was being zoned recently, there was an impression amongst many of my constituents that the introduction of a marine park would restrict fishing by resort guests and others, but in most areas this was not to be the case. The zoning approach has been adopted as a means of providing for the multiple use of areas whilst at the same time providing them with a measure of protection. It is progressively being refined. A great deal of effort goes into seeking the co-operation of marine park users, both in informing them about zoning and the objectives of marine 3552 27 October 1987 Films (Censorship and Review) Acts Amendment Bill park management and in seeking their input to the zoning process. In marine park management, enforcement takes very much a second place to liaison and education. The development of a zoning plan is a lengthy process involving calling for public submissions, preparation of a draft plan and then a final plan. Consequently, the Bill contains amendments which will allow the declaration of an area as marine park to proceed separately from the introduction of a zoning plan. This will bring the Queensland procedures into line with those of the Commonwealth, and allow a park to be declared soon after public submissions have been received—although preparation of the zoning plan may take a somewhat longer period. Other amendments contained in the Bill increase penalties for marine park offences to bring them into line with those provided in the Commonwealth legislation applying to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. I commend the Bill to the House. Debate, on motion of Mr Mackenroth, adjoumed.

FILMS (CENSORSHIP AND REVIEW) ACTS AMENDMENT BILL Hon. G. H. MUNTZ (Whitsunday—Minister for Tourism, National Parks and Sport) (10.11 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— "That leave be granted to bring in a BiU to amend the Censorship of Films Act 1947-1984 and the FUms Review Act 1974-1984 each in certain particulars." Motion agreed to. First Reading Bill presented and, on motion of Mr Muntz, read a first time. Second Reading Hon. G. H. MUNTZ (Whitsunday—Minister for Tourism, National Parks and Sport) (10.12 p.m.): I move— "That the Bill be now read a second time." The State's film censorship laws were last amended in 1984, when jurisdiction over video cassette tapes and video discs was added to the former laws goveming classification and exhibition of cinematograph films in picture theatres. Experience with the 1984 legislation has shown a need to enact some amendments to the existing laws in certain areas. The principal aims of the Bill are— (a) to strengthen the laws goveming rental of videotapes to the general public; (b) to ehminate legal loopholes that are hindering unintentionally the law enforcement capacity of the two principal Acts; (c) to enable prosecution action for alleged offences to proceed smoothly by improving the evidentiary provisions; (d) to clear up doubts raised with respect to the legality under Queensland law of certain decisions made by the Commonwealth Film Censorship Board and Films Board of Review in carrying out the functions and duties of "Censor" and "Appeal Censor" respectively, under the Commonwealth/State censorship agreement; and (e) to generally streamline the administrative provisions of the Acts. In practice, the aims and objectives of the Govemment's video legislation have generally been successful. The video distribution industry, wholesale and retail, now knows what it can and cannot trade in, public confidence in the system of classification ratings has risen and the interests of families, particularly the welfare of children and teenagers, have been protected—firstly, by eradicating explicit hard-core pomography Films (Onsorship and Review) Acts Amendment Bill 27 October 1987 3553 from rental outlets and, secondly, by the action taken by the State FUms Board of Review in prohibiting objectionable films and videotapes. The introduction of registration for all distributors and exhibitors operating in Queensland has gone smoothly. It is important to note that the films and videos are examined by the Queensland board after they have been approved and classified by the Commonwealth censor under the much looser national standards for classification. Clearly, there is too much violence, horror and sadistic kilhng portrayed in today's M and R-rated movies. There are also some depictions of sexual activity that ought to be curtailed. Other westem cultures are concemed enough to tighten their censorship standards and so should Australia. Instead of leading the way with appropriate controls, we are now the prime dumping ground for cheap and nasty video movies from around the world. The video distribution industry has to bear a good deal of the blame for this situation. There are some distributors who obviously believe that, even if first-class movies are available, then second, third or fourth-rate titles from overseas can still be pushed onto the Australian market-place. There is no question of any moral conscience being exercised, even by some of the major video distribution companies. Profit is the only motive. Consequently, there is an abundance of violent and horrific films, inaptly referted to as "action movies", which are simply vehicles for lengthy depictions of mindless slaughter and mayhem. Such movies emphasise an array of behavioural extremes produced with the aid of modem special-effects technology which heightens the impact upon the viewing audience. Any family-minded man or woman who searches through tiie mire of video library shelves for good family entertainment will know exactly what 1 mean. When the Commonwealth, State and Territories censorship Ministers meet in December, I intend to raise the question of whether the standards adopted by the censor, particularly with regard to the M and R ratings, could be tightened so as to be more in keeping with public opinion—that is, of course, if the Federal Attomey-General, Mr Lionel Bowen, does not again postpone the meeting to a later date. It seems to me that he lacks the intestinal fortitude to face his State counterparts until the release of the report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Video Material which replaced the Senate select committee back in March 1985. It concems me, as indeed it should every member of this House, that the proper fomm for discussion of uniform censorship laws, which are, after all. State jurisdictions, has been suspended since 1984, despite requests for meetings to resolve pressing matters from the States' viewpoint. It is also inconceivable that a permanent appointment to the cmcial position of chief censor has not been made following the resignation of Mrs Janet Strickland in August 1986. Surely the administration of the nation's film classification authority deserves better attention than it is currently receiving from Mr Bowen. I had expected to attend a meeting of censorship Ministers before finalising the Bill now before this Chamber, but the proposed amendments can stiU proceed because they deal mainly with provisions which refer to point-of-sale controls, not to the uniform classification provisions. In practice, some problems have arisen in the law-enforcement provisions which require further legislative attention. The majority of video distributors, wholesale or retail, have complied with the law. However, some breaches have been detected by the police force and the relevant offence provisions under the two principal Acts have been tested in the Magistrates Courts. An anomaly exists with the definition of the operative term "distribute" in that the present definition excludes jurisdiction over the availability of certain categories of iUegal video cassette tapes for hire in video rental outlets, whether by open display on shelves or under the counter. Consequently, these particular offence provisions are applicable only when hiring of the video tapes in question has actually transpired and evidence 3554 27 October 1987 Adjoumment thereto can be presented to the court confirming details of each individual rental transaction. This legal loophole is hindering the effectiveness of the powers available to members of the police force to search for and seize videotapes from premises where illegal video-hiring is suspected. Clause 5 of the Bill provides for a widened definition of "distribute", placing greater emphasis on the element of hiring. Further strengthening of the evidentiary provisions is contained in clause 12 of the BiU, deeming proof of one illegal sale or hiring by a distributor at a particular time to be evidence that any other illegal films or videotapes located at the same premises within 24 hours of that time were also held in possession for sale or hire. There is also a need to clear up doubts raised with respect to the legality under Queensland law of certain decisions made by the Commonwealth Film Censorship Board and Films Board of Review in carrying out the functions and duties of "Censor" and "Appeal Censor" respectively under the Commonwealth/State censorship agreement. Clause 11 of the Bill addresses this matter by extending the period covered by the savings and transitional section until the 1987 Amendment Act comes into effect. This means that in practice the decisions of the Commonwealth authorities under the ACT ordinance shall also be decisions for the purposes of the Queensland Censorship of Films Act. Nothing" with regard to the classification ratings of any film or videotape will be changed; it is simply a matter of validating the decisions made under Commonwealth law which were not properly reflected in terms of the provisions of the State Act. Part III of the Bill refers to amendments to the FUms Review Act which are necessary owing to certain provisions in that Act that correspond in principle to the Censorship of Films Act. In summary, the proposed BiU is not aimed at altering the policy direction or guiding principles of the existing legislation. It is simply a matter of improving the effectiveness of the offence provisions and the supporting evidentiary aid sections in both Acts to ensure that the principal objectives of the laws are able to be met. I commend the Bill to the House. Debate, on motion of Mr Mackenroth, adjoumed.

ADJOURNMENT Hon. L. W. POWELL (Isis—Leader of the House) (10.20 p.m.): I move— "That the House do now adjoum." Ffre on Reef Link II Mr SMITH (Townsville East) (10.20 p.m.): Tonight I wish to place on record some of the reasons which caused me to reject out of hand the major elements of the statement made by the Minister for Water Resources and Maritime Services and the accompanying Marine Board report conceming the fire on the catamaran Reef Link II. There is no sustainable evidence that 800 litres or more of fuel remained in the starboard bilge when the vessel put to sea. In fact, the quantity was 50 litres or less; a quantity unlikely to cause any significant problem, and there was no alarm that that quantity was present. The notion that fuel ignited after being sprayed onto the turbo- charger can be contradicted by the experience of the crew. The fact is that diesel fuel needs a temperature in excess of 65 degrees centigrade to fume and any diesel in the bilge would, owing to the temperature of the sea and the excellent conductivity of the aluminium hull, be around 25 degrees centigrade. Owing to the short time that the vessel was in operation prior to the fire and the light load on the engines, the turbo-chargers in the exhaust would have had insufficient time to reach a temperature capable of igniting any free fuel. One of the reasons for using diesel fuel is that it is not as highly volatile as petrol. Adjoumment 27 October 1987 3555

Contrary to the report, the vessel used idling revolutions of 800 rpm in Ross Creek and later, after clearing the harbour, it used 1 700 rpm. The large engines are govemed to operate at a maximum of 1 800 rpm, so they could not possibly have been operating at 2 300 rpm as claimed in the report. I submit that the most probable cause of the fire was failure of the electrical system. It should be noted that the crew and witnesses thought that the initial smell and colour of the fire was consistent with that given off by plastic, rather than the odour and colour of diesel fire, which certainly did occur when the fire took hold. It is an unfortunate design error that the fire-alarm triggering system consisted of fire or heat sensors rather than smoke sensors, although there is certainly a good case for having both. The practical effect was that after a crew member reported the smoke to the skipper, the fire alarm was still not activated and there was no indication of the fire in the wheelhouse. Another matter of great concem is that the engine control circuits were not fireproofed and cables carrying 415 volts and 240 volts AC power were in the same cable ducts as 24 volt and 12 volt DC circuits used for control, communications, navigation and other purposes. In a shore installation covered by the Standards Association of Australia codes all those cables will have to be rated at the highest level, that is the 415 volt rating. It is unclear if all the cables met that standard. Another cardinal principle of electrical power distribution is that some intermptable device, for example a circuit-breaker, should be located as near as is practicable to the source of the power supply, be it a mains supply, an altemator or a storage battery. It is quite clear that that principle was not fully adhered to and that the circuit-breaker for the port side, a 110 kVa generating unit, was in fact located on the starboard side. That meant that if a short circuit occurred between the altemator and the circuit-breaker, the protective devices would not operate and the short circuit would continue to provide more than adequate energy in the form of heat to ignite combustible material. The fact is that the placement and correct rating of circuit-breakers and fuses, etc., is vitally important if protection is to be effective. From my experience in the electrical industry, most tradesmen, and frequently even more-qualified people, do not fully understand the importance of protective circuit grading. To sum up and put it simply, if insulation is correct and protective devices are properly graded, a firefro m an electrical fault is a remote possibility. Criticism relating to the crew's use of the fire pumps has been made. It does not seem to be understood that a main engine had to be in operation to power a pump. The criticism is invalid because (a) the electrical circuit required to operate a solenoid to engage the pump from the main drive had already failed, and (b) the electrical power had failed and it was not possible to disengage the shaft propellor drive from the engine. Keeping the engine in operation merely meant that the vessel continued to move to no purpose, except to considerably endanger the crew and passengers. The skipper quite correctly shut down the starboard engine to allow the evacuation of the passengers and crew. No mention has been made of the need for an entirely separate fire-fighting appliance. Surely that and the security of the ship's control system must be areas for prime attention in any future constmction of passenger vessels. I would also like to point out that while the main engines had inbuilt fire protection, the engine driving the altemator did not. Owing to the placement of the engines, they should be properly protected. The situation demands an open inquiry, and that possibility should not be inhibited by the master's capacity or otherwise to pay. Justice should not be available only if it can be paid for. The crew are a proud crew, confident in the ability and commitment of each other. They stand damned by this report. The many shortcomings in the design and execution of the building project should be open to full public scmtiny, not to damn the designer or builders but to make certain that similar disasters do not occur in the future. 3556 27 October 1987 Adjoumment

Gold Coast Monorail Mr HYND (Nerang) (10.26 p.m.): During the past 30 years, the Gold Coast has changed from a popular beach resort to an intemational tourist destination with the population explosion taking the number of residents from 80 000 to 250 000. While this increase is dramatic in terms of static population, during the same period tourist and resident populations combined peaked at 120 000 in 1957, and now, 30 years later, have jointly reached 830 000 at peak times. This volume of people has been responsible for the need to research various types of people-movers. The State Govemment accepted an offer by the West German SNV group to undertake a feasibility study into the application of the H-bahn monorail system on the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast has become Austraha's leading tourist destination with the finest beaches and hotel complexes of intemational standard. Australia's economic position is becoming more and more dependent upon intemational tourism, with the current number of tourists regularly exceeding 2 million per annum and with a projected figure of 5 million by the year 2000. Transportation of that number of people has placed an enormous strain on the transportation infrastmcture. The Gold Coast traffic problem is at its worst at the northem end of the Gold Coast between the Spit and Broadbeach, with delays in peak periods reaching an intolerable level. During peak periods, joumeys which would normally take seven to 10 minutes by road now take up to between 40 and 50 minutes—thus the Gold Coast has a major people-moving problem. Many transport options have been considered for the Gold Coast, from underground rail systems to extra taxis and buses. The cost of extra right of way through resumption and demolition is totally prohibitive. Extra buses and taxis would only add to the traffic congestion. The monorail system would partly alleviate this people-moving problem insofar as many tourists and some locals would use the system to travel around the Gold Coast area. Some of the advantages are that a monorail avoids existing ground-level traffic and is fully automatic, providing 24-hour-per-day operation. The monorail's high capacity and quick availability makes it a linchpin in our future transportation needs. Above aU, it is quick and clean and creates no pollution. It is readily accessible and not only integrates weU with the existing planned stmctures but also enhances the city by its ability to carry all electric lighting and services within the boxed beam of the H-bahn system. The H-bahn system consists of fully automatic cabins suspended from a fixedbea m guideway and each carriage travels at 60 kilometres per hour, carrying 47 people in a quiet poUution-free environment with a smooth quality ride. The SNV study concluded that the monorail system is physically feasible and would be a viable proposition. A Govemment survey revealed that 77.5 per cent of those who responded to the survey were completely in favour of this style of people transportation. Many argue that the system should be extended, with the service traveUing the length of the Gold Coast. Personally, I believe that future extensions of the monorail should connect with the proposed electrification of the rail link to Nerang and Robina. I cannot overemphasise the necessity for the Gold Coast to establish an efficient people-moving transport system. This Govemment and the local authority must plan for the future and ensure the movement of the people and the tourist traffic that wiU visit the Gold Coast between now and the year 2000. It will be too late if the area becomes overcrowded and no preparations have been made for the future. Proposed Fairfield Library Ms WARNER (South Brisbane) (10.30 p.m.): I rise to speak about the Brisbane City Council's proposal for a new library in the ward of Fairfield. The proposal is iU thought out and badly funded. It is proposed to locate the new library in the Fairfield Adjoumment 27 October 1987 3557 Gardens shopping complex which, as honourable members would be aware, is mn by a firm called PMA Developments. The honourable member for Yeronga mentioned it this moming and used the term "crooks". I am in possession of a memorandum from the department of recreation and health, which argues against the establishment of a new library at Fairfield partly on the grounds of costs and also on a logistics basis. A library already exists at Annerley. If the city council proposes to locate two libraries in that area, the department of recreation and health argues that each library would be disadvantaged by the presence of the other; that the Annerley library would necessarily be mn down as a result; and that the Fairfield library could not be brought up to a standard that would compensate for the loss of the Annerley library, because there is simply not the space in the Fairfield Gardens shopping complex to accommodate it. The document that I have is fairly comprehensive and states that the altemative of opening both libraries would increase overheads, operating expenses and staff costs. As well, increased funding for annual book acquisitions, cataloguing and other technical and support staff at the library would be necessary if existing libraries were not to be further disadvantaged. Basically, the document opposes that proposal. In fact, no aUocation has been made within the city council's Budget for the Fairfield library, but the proposal appears suddenly to be going ahead. The recommendations that were made by the city librarian indicate a similar objection: the logistics of having a library in the Fairfield Gardens shopping centre cannot be justified. The costs involved do not support the proposal. It appears that the city council is using the proposal of a library at Fairfield as a cheap pork-barrelling exercise. One wonders why the city council would do that and possibly disadvantage the Annerley ward. I hesitate to suggest it, but I think that one of the reasons is that there seems to be a fairly firm and close relationship between the local alderman in Fairfield, Alderman Rose, and PMA Developments. Mr Rose has an office in the Annerley shopping centre, presumably as some sort of pay-back or something for that office. Mr Scott: It is a bit of back-scratching going on. Ms WARNER: I hesitate to use those words, because that may not be the case. If it is not the case, the city council and Alderman Rose would have to explain why the proposal is being considered. That fact has not been adequately explained. The figure that has been mentioned in relation to the proposal, namely, $40,000, would set up the library, but that is aU that it would do. It would not manage to maintain the library or any of its facilities, and it would severely disadvantage the Annerley library by splitting the resources in two. Instead of people being able to go to one library and have an adequate facUity, they would have to go between the two, which are 1 kilometre apart. Apparently one of the other guide-lines is that, to be effective, hbraries should be at least 5 kilometres apart. However, here the city councU is proposing that a library be set up 1 kilometre away and is not properly investigating the fiinding. It seems hke a fairly cheap election stunt for the approaching city council election. That is one possible altemative. Time expired. Comments by Mr R. J. Hawke on Ausfralia's Becoming a Republic Mr GATELY (Curmmbin) (10.35 p.m.): I rise tonight to highlight to the nation the sheer hypocrisy of one Robert J. Hawke, Prime Minister of this nation. Mr Campbell: Ha, ha! Mr GATELY: Yes, and well the honourable member might laugh. 3558 27 October 1987 Adjoumment

In an article in the Age of 22 October, Mr Hawke is reported as having said to the Irish Parhament—and he repeated it outside the Parliament at a television station- that he believed that Australia would eventually move to become a republic. The article stated— "He said it was not urgent and would not be during his prime ministership but 'it wiU come, and I think probably come in my lifetime'." That is the most hypocritical comment that I have ever heard from a Prime Minister of this nation. Mr De Lacy: What about Rabuka? Mr GATELY: I will talk about that later. I come to the point that I raised in this House on 26 Febmary when I gave some indication of a comment made by Robert J. Hawke as President of the ACTU. In the Australian Financial Review of 25 March 1971, he is reported as follows— "I have never made any secret of the fact, in fact I have asserted it proudly, that I am a socialist. I believe that ultimately the welfare of the people of Australia is best going to be served when the means of production, distribution and exchange are removed from private ownership and are owned by the people. Because I believe there is an incompatibility ultimately between the pursuit of a private profit motive and the pursuit of the public good. That is my belief but I am also a democrat"— my God, I don't think he tells the tmth— "and I understand that at this stage, the Australian people have not been prepared to democratically make the decision to have a socialist society. Now I accept that fact and as far as I have an educative role or time for it, I will try and change it." Change it, indeed! Then I read some other articles about the methods adopted by the Fabian Society. One article states— "Their work has intensified in the last 25 years, through the trade union movement, the education system, the 'greenie' movement, and the arbitration system." The article states that the trade unions have kept up a war in recent times, not so much to further the interests of their members, but to dismpt and to weaken the economy— for example, grain shipments being held up and abattoirs being interfered with, such as happened in the Mudjinberri dispute. The education system has been interfered with, and the radical greenie movement seems to concentrate upon areas in which economic growth is most critical and most promising—for example, sand-mining in north Queens­ land or uranium mining in South Australia. The article continues— "They hold up projects of vital economic worth to Australia for spurious environmental reasons or on false land rights issues." One could talk about a number of issues. There is centrahsation of all credit and banking, centralisation of the means of communication and transport and bringing all factories and farms under Govemment control. God help Australia if the Federal Govemment does that! Honourable members saw that the ACTU could not even mn Bourke's store in Melboume. So what sort of credibility does Mr Hawke have for saying that about this nation? He did not have the guts to say it in Australia; he said it in Ireland. What did he do at the CHOGM conference? He tried to manipulate the mind of none other than the Queen of England. Mr CAMPBELL: I rise to a point of order. I believe that the honourable member is quoting directiy from a League of Rights document. Would he please table it? Adjoumment 27 October 1987 3559

Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. Mr GATELY: It is not a League of Rights document. It hurts Opposition members when a few facts are presented. Since unions in both Australia and England have mined most of the means of production in their countries, let me tum now to some of the things that they have set about doing in an attempt to destroy the economy of this nation. Recently, a British economic joumal compared Australia's current economic performance with the perform­ ance of 15 other countries, including North America, Europe and Japan during the last 12 months. Australia's inflation rate was two to three times higher than that of any other country listed, which, of itself, is an indictment. Amendments to Education Act Mr SCHUNTNER (Mount Coot-tha) (10.41 p.m.): On 8 September, I spoke about the urgent need for responsible and competent leadership in education at the political level in Queensland. In 30 years of close involvement with education, I have never previously observed such low morale, such cynicism, such suspicion as are now evident among educationists. I fully understand why this situation has occurred. The performance and devious actions of the Govemment in its thmst to change the control stmctures of Queensland's education have brought this about. Approximately three years ago, Education 2000 was generated. Discussions commenced at the political level and at a senior departmental level in a shroud of secrecy. Soon after that, a document was produced with a series of so-called options. However, there was great cynicism about these options because the wording of them was, "It is proposed". The wording, "It is proposed", was used at the start of each of those so-called options. They were clearly proposals and intentions rather than options. Soon after a major expression of concem was raised by the community, the Bassett committee was established. It considered 987 submissions from the public. Recommendations made by that committee were generally well received. Some hope was bom among educationists that common sense might prevail. However, the way in which those recommendations were just ignored for months by the Govemment generated a new round of suspicion and mistmst. This further suspicion and mistmst was shown to be justified, when on April Fool's Day this year the Education Act and Another Act Amendment BiU was presented. After further outcry, an announcement was made through the Sunday press that the school plans were to be scrapped. However, 12 hours later, a consultative committee was said to be established with a view to rewriting the Bill for further presentation to the Parliament. Now another version is about to be presented to this Parliament. Mr Beard: They were the three wise versions. Mr SCHUNTNER: The honourable member is right. The BiU that wiU be presented is generating even more discontent. Very briefly, I wish to mention the process involved in the appointment of Dr Peter Botsman to the Course Accreditation Council. Many people—and I am one of them—regard it as grossly improper for somebody to be appointed to a position that does not even exist. The legislation necessary to create that position is not even before this Parliament. Perhaps a position is going to be created as a kind of a holding position for Dr Botsman to be appointed to. On Thursday of last week, following some public comments that I made on this matter, in which I expressed the disenchantment that people feel over this move. Executive Council did not proceed with Dr Botsman's appointment. I predict that this Thursday another attempt could well be made to slide this appointment through. Time will tell. Another reason for the level of mistmst that has developed in recent months and years is the way in which this Govemment can be seen to evade so blatantly the 3560 27 October 1987 Adjoumment answering of questions. This moming's question regarding delivery of a report to the Minister's office is a perfect example. Mr Powell: It is exactiy the same question as the one asked by Mr Underwood. Mr SCHUNTNER: I ask the Minister to listen carefully. In the answer to that question, the Minister advised me to have a look at the question asked by the honourable member for Ipswich West on 16 September. That question made no reference to the "dehvery" of the report, which is what I was on about. I state that despite the Minister's statement that he had not received the tertiary review report on 27 August, it had been delivered to his office weeks before—in fact, early in August—along with the letter of transmittal. The only conclusion that can be drawn is that the Minister deliberately or unwittingly misled this House, and I shall regard the absence of any further statement which answers explicitly and precisely this moming's question as proof of the correctness of that conclusion. Gatton Water Supply Mr FITZGERALD (Lockyer) (10.45 p.m.): I wish to raise a matter that has not been raised by me for some time, although members opposite are well aware of my interest in it, namely, the water supply for the township of Gatton. I will touch upon the problems of supplying water to the Shire of Gatton. I am happy to report to the House that at present a detaUed investigation is taking place at Govemment level and shire council level on methods of supplying water to the township of Gatton that will incorporate, of necessity, supply of water to other areas in the vicinity. They are the Esk Shire at Lowood, the Moreton Shire, the Laidley Shire and also the Queensland Agricultural College. I place on record my appreciation of the way in which the officers of the Department of Local Govemment, the officers of the Co-ordinator General's Department, local shire council officers and councillors are constmctively going about this task of working out the best scheme to supply an altemative water supply to Gatton. Members of this House may not be aware that the township of Gatton draws its water supply from underground sources in the vicinity of the town. The quality of the water can be described only as absolutely shocking. It is unsuitable for a lot of domestic use. In fact, its best use probably is for fire-fighting purposes and for flushing down toilets. Apart from that, its domestic uses are very, very limited. Because of the water's high salt content it certainly does not make a reasonable cup of tea. I would like to go on record as saying that two altemative schemes have been investigated thoroughly. One of those schemes involved a 61-kilometre pipeline from the Mount Crosby reservoir, in conjunction with the Moreton Shire, the Laidley Shire and the Gatton Shire, to take water to Gatton. A second scheme has since evolved, and the prospect of drawing water from the Brisbane River near the township of Lowood has been considered. That route is approximately 34 kilometres long. Although it would not supply water to Moreton Shire, it would supply water to parts of the Esk Shire, the Laidley Shire, the Queensland Agricultural College and Gatton. From the analyses that have been conducted so far, it would appear that the costs of supplying water by both routes are almost identical. However, recently I attended a Gatton Shire Council meeting to answer questions and to make suggestions to the councillors when they were deliberating on which particular scheme they would prefer. I made clear my position that I believed in the long mn the Lowood altemative would be by far the better scheme. I point out that in both cases the water supply would be drawn from the Brisbane River. The Mount Crosby scheme would utilise the Brisbane City CouncU treatment plant, but the Lowood scheme would make it necessary to constmct a larger treatment plant at Lowood in conjunction with the Esk Shire Council. Both water schemes would Adjoumment 27 October 1987 3561 use water from the Wivenhoe Dam, so the water requirement would be exactly the same. The reason why I am supporting strongly the Lowood scheme is that although the capital cost is approximately the same for both schemes, I believe that the smaller separate scheme would give the Gatton Shire Council independence, would not involve the Moreton Shire and would leave Gatton with an independent, free-standing scheme that would be beneficial to the townspeople. In that event the council would be able to determine at what rate it wished to pump; it would have much more flexibility and much more independence in any future planning; and the shires that were involved could decide between them whether to increase the capacity of the treatment plant or the amount of water that could be supplied. Another reason is that the route from Lowood is a lot shorter. As I said, the capital cost would be similar but the ongoing pumping costs for the Lowood scheme would be substantially less. Once the capital costs are repaid, whether that be in 15 or 20 years' time, the residents of the Gatton Shire will be very grateful to the planners of today who insisted on installing a system that was a lot cheaper to mn than the altemative scheme. It is for these reasons that I believe the scheme will go ahead. I am very grateful to the officers of the Department of Local Govemment and the various shires for their spirit of co-operation. I know that the tax burden on the residents of the shires concemed will be great, but I am very hopeful that the Govemment will realise this and provide a generous interest subsidy that may make the scheme feasible. I believe that there is no altemative to providing a water supply for Gatton. The present system has failed. There in insufficient supply. The quality is terrible. If an altemative is not found, that will be to the great detriment of the people of the Gatton Shire. Motion agreed to. The House adjoumed at 10.51 p.m.