PROOF ISSN 1322-0330

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Hansard Home Page: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/hansard E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (07) 3406 7314 Fax: (07) 3210 0182

Subject FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-FOURTH PARLIAMENT Page Tuesday, 19 June 2012

ASSENT TO BILL ...... 705 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 12 June 2012, from Her Excellency the Governor advising of assent to a bill...... 705 REPORT ...... 705 Auditor-General ...... 705 Tabled paper: Report to Parliament No. 4 for 2012—Managing employee unplanned absence...... 705 SPEAKER’S STATEMENTS ...... 705 E-petition Fraud ...... 705 Deeral, Mr E ...... 706 Tabled paper: Bound folio of record of service of Mr Eric Deeral...... 706 PRIVILEGE ...... 706 Error in Answer to Question; Newman Government, Achievements ...... 706 PETITIONS ...... 706 TABLED PAPERS ...... 706 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS ...... 709 Commission of Audit ...... 709 Commission of Audit ...... 710 Commission of Audit ...... 711 Skills and Training Task Force ...... 711 Mining Industry, Land Access Framework ...... 712 Tabled paper: Land Access Framework—12-month review, Report of the Land Access Review Panel, February 2012...... 712 Orica Australia, Prosecution ...... 712 Deeral, Mr E ...... 713 ABSENCE OF MINISTER ...... 714 ETHICS COMMITTEE ...... 714 Report ...... 714 Tabled paper: Ethics Committee: Report No. 122—Report on a Right of Reply No. 22...... 714 NOTICE OF MOTION ...... 714 Budget Strategies ...... 714

FS SIMPSON N J LAURIE L J OSMOND SPEAKER CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENT CHIEF HANSARD REPORTER Table of Contents — Tuesday, 19 June 2012

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE ...... 714 Public Service, Jobs ...... 714 Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, Jobs ...... 715 Commission of Audit ...... 715 Local Government, Water Charges ...... 716 State Finances ...... 716 State Finances ...... 717 Royalties for the Regions ...... 718 Infrastructure Projects ...... 718 Public Service, Enterprise Bargaining ...... 719 Queensland Health, Jobs ...... 720 Public Transport, Buses ...... 720 Tabled paper: Extract from the Integrated Regional Transport Plan for South East Queensland...... 721 Gladstone Harbour, Dredging ...... 721 Sports Infrastructure ...... 721 Tabled paper: Media statement by Lindsay Tanner entitled ‘Labor’s $3 Billion Savings Plan’...... 722 Tabled paper: Artist’s impressions of proposed ski jump...... 722 Office of the Adult Guardian, Jobs ...... 722 Nambour, Wild Dog Destruction Officer ...... 722 Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, Jobs ...... 723 Crime and Misconduct Commission ...... 723 SPEAKER’S STATEMENT ...... 724 School Group Tours ...... 724 MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST ...... 724 Newman Government; Commission of Audit ...... 724 Ellis, Ms A; YHES House ...... 725 Gold Coast, Drug Abuse ...... 726 Commission of Audit ...... 727 Ginger, Imports ...... 727 Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, Jobs ...... 728 Glendyne Education and Training Centre ...... 729 Prime Minister’s Economic Forum, Brisbane ...... 730 Redcliffe Electorate, Council Deamalgamation ...... 730 Royalties for the Regions; Uranium Mining ...... 731 Tabled paper: Extract from The Australian, dated 9 March 2009, titled ‘Lawrence Springborg puts uranium on the table in Queensland campaign’...... 732 Scenic Rim, Tourism ...... 732 Agricultural Industry ...... 733 TREASURY (COST OF LIVING) AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL ...... 734 Second Reading ...... 734 CRIMINAL LAW (FALSE EVIDENCE BEFORE PARLIAMENT) AMENDMENT BILL ...... 742 Introduction ...... 742 Tabled paper: Criminal Law (False Evidence Before Parliament) Amendment Bill...... 742 Tabled paper: Criminal Law (False Evidence Before Parliament) Amendment Bill, explanatory notes...... 742 First Reading ...... 743 Referral to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee ...... 743 ANIMAL CARE AND PROTECTION AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL ...... 744 Introduction ...... 744 Tabled paper: Animal Care and Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill...... 744 Tabled paper: Animal Care and Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, explanatory notes...... 744 First Reading ...... 745 Referral to the Agriculture, Resources and Environment Committee ...... 745 SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND WATER (DISTRIBUTION AND RETAIL RESTRUCTURING) AMENDMENT BILL ...... 745 Introduction ...... 745 Tabled paper: South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Amendment Bill...... 745 Tabled paper: South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Amendment Bill, explanatory notes...... 745 First Reading ...... 747 Referral to the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee ...... 747 Portfolio Committee, Reporting Date ...... 747 TREASURY (COST OF LIVING) AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL ...... 747 Second Reading ...... 747 MOTION ...... 771 Budget Strategies ...... 771 Tabled paper: Queensland Commission of Audit: Interim Report, dated June 2012...... 773 Tabled paper: Extract from The Courier-Mail, dated 3 December 2010, titled ‘Sleeman facilities ramped up for skiers’...... 778 Division: Question put—That the amendment be agreed to...... 780 Resolved in the affirmative...... 780 Division: Question put—That the motion, as amended, be agreed to...... 780 Resolved in the affirmative...... 780 Table of Contents — Tuesday, 19 June 2012

COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ...... 781 Portfolio Committees, Reporting Dates ...... 781 TREASURY (COST OF LIVING) AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL ...... 781 Second Reading ...... 781 Consideration in Detail ...... 795 Clauses 1 to 57, as read, agreed to...... 795 Third Reading ...... 795 Long Title ...... 795 MOTION ...... 795 Yeerongpilly Transit Oriented Development ...... 795 ADJOURNMENT ...... 795 Fitzroy River, Water Sports ...... 795 Gold Coast, Light Rail ...... 796 Out of the Box Festival; Pine Rivers, Performing Arts ...... 796 Gladstone Harbour, Water Quality ...... 797 St Paul’s Anglican Men’s Society ...... 797 Fort Lytton National Park ...... 798 Port of Bundaberg ...... 798 Great Barrier Reef ...... 799 Nambour RSL Community Grants; Sunshine Coast Show ...... 799 Kingaroy State High School, Business Lunch ...... 800 ATTENDANCE ...... 800 19 Jun 2012 Legislative Assembly 705 TUESDAY, 19 JUNE 2012

Legislative Assembly The Legislative Assembly met at 9.30 am. Madam Speaker (Hon. Fiona Simpson, Maroochydore) read prayers and took the chair. For the sitting week, Madam Speaker acknowledged the traditional custodians of the land upon which this parliament is assembled.

ASSENT TO BILL Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have to report that I have received from Her Excellency the Governor a letter in respect of assent to a certain bill, the contents of which will be incorporated in the Record of Proceedings. I table the letter for the information of members. The Honourable F. Simpson, MP Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Parliament House George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000 I hereby acquaint the Legislative Assembly that the following Bill, having been passed by the Legislative Assembly and having been presented for the Royal Assent, was assented to in the name of Her Majesty The Queen on the date shown: Date of assent: 12 June 2012 “A Bill for An Act to amend the Industrial Relations Act 1999, the Industrial Relations Regulation 2011 and the Public Service Act 2008 for particular purposes” This Bill is hereby transmitted to the Legislative Assembly, to be numbered and forwarded to the proper Officer for enrolment, in the manner required by law. Yours sincerely Governor 12 June 2012 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 12 June 2012, from Her Excellency the Governor advising of assent to a bill [312].

REPORT

Auditor-General Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have to report that I have received from the Auditor- General a report titled Report to parliament No. 4 for 2012—managing employee unplanned absence. I table the report for the information of members. Tabled paper: Report to Parliament No. 4 for 2012—Managing employee unplanned absence [313].

SPEAKER’S STATEMENTS

E-petition Fraud Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, it has come to my attention that two persons have, in contravention of the conditions of use of an e-petition and possibly with an intention to mislead the Assembly, entered their names on a single e-petition multiple times. One name was entered four times and the other name 17 times on the same e-petition. The persons bearing these names then bragged about their actions on a social media site. The Clerk, acting under my authority, has caused the multiple entries to be deleted from the database and the e-petition will be checked before presentation. The Clerk has also contacted the persons responsible and warned them that their actions may constitute a contempt. I am satisfied at this time with the action taken. However, should these persons attempt to undertake such an action again, I will refer the matter to the Ethics Committee as a breach of privilege and contempt. 706 Tabled Papers 19 Jun 2012

Deeral, Mr E Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, yesterday morning on behalf of the parliament I visited the community of Hope Vale to acknowledge and honour Mr Eric Deeral, who was the first Indigenous person to be elected to an Australian state parliament, representing the seat of Cook in the Queensland parliament from 1974 to 1977. Nearing 80 years of age, it was appropriate that Mr Deeral be recognised for his significant contribution to the advancement of Queensland’s Indigenous community in the company of his family, local community and elders and for this recognition to occur on his country. Mr Deeral was presented with a gift of recognition, which was a bound folio of his record of service to the Queensland parliament. I table a copy of this folio for the public record. Tabled paper: Bound folio of record of service of Mr Eric Deeral [314]. The visit to Hope Vale was facilitated by the parliament’s Indigenous liaison officer and Community Engagement services and was an historic opportunity to recognise our first Indigenous MP. In attendance was the member for Cook; the mayor, deputy mayor and local councillors of Hope Vale; the mayor, deputy mayor and local councillors of the Cook shire; and the Hope Vale chief executive officer. In addition, on behalf of the parliament I sought permission from Mr Deeral to rename the Indigenous Youth Parliament, which is held in the Queensland parliament, in his honour, which was granted. Eric Deeral’s greatest legacy was not limited to his parliamentary service but in the leadership he has demonstrated and inspired in others. Great leaders unlock the potential of people whom they serve—helping them achieve their dreams, to be their best and to claim their destiny for good. Yesterday we recognised such a leader in Mr Deeral.

PRIVILEGE

Error in Answer to Question; Newman Government, Achievements Hon. CKT NEWMAN (Ashgrove—LNP) (Premier) (9.35 am): I wish to advise the House that on 7 June in response to a question without notice from the member for Mount Ommaney about my government’s achievements I stated that we had ‘repealed sustainability declarations’. These amendments I acknowledge have not yet been passed, so I would like to correct the record to state that we have started a process to repeal sustainability declarations and the House is yet to determine the matter. I would like to apologise to the House for any confusion that this may have caused.

PETITIONS

The Clerk presented the following paper petitions, lodged by the honourable members indicated—

Joice, Dr P Mr Costigan, from 519 petitioners, requesting the House to fully restore Dr Paul Joice’s credentials so that he can resume working at Proserpine Hospital [315].

CSG Industry Mr Wellington, from 67 petitioners, requesting the House to place a 12 month moratorium on coal seam gas projects while further scientific tests are carried out to ensure that the coal seam gas industry techniques pose no threat to prime agricultural land, drinking water and human health [316]. The Clerk presented the following e-petition, sponsored by the honourable member indicated—

Dutton Park, Telecommunications Tower Ms Trad, from 423 petitioners, requesting the House to urgently suspend all activity to construct a telecommunications tower at 228 Gladstone Road, Dutton Park until a full and proper consultation can take place with the local community and extensive reviews, particularly regarding health impacts, can be conducted by all levels of Government [317]. Petitions received.

TABLED PAPERS

PAPERS TABLED DURING THE RECESS The Clerk informed the House that the following papers, received during the recess, were tabled on the dates indicated— 8 June 2012— 267 Response from the Minister for Local Government (Mr Crisafulli) to a paper petition (1862-12) presented by the former member for Ferny Grove, Mr Wilson, from 11 petitioners, requesting the House to refer to the Local Government Change Commission the transfer of the Hills District (Arana Hills, Everton Hills, Ferny Hills and Bunya) from the jurisdiction of Moreton Bay Regional Council to the Brisbane City Council 19 Jun 2012 Tabled Papers 707

268 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to an ePetition (1802-11) sponsored by the former member for Kallangur, Ms O’Neill, from 40 petitioners, requesting the House to consider registering the outboard motor and not the boat 269 Education and Innovation Committee: Report No. 2—Queensland Art Gallery Amendment Bill 2012 270 Education and Innovation Committee: Report No. 3—Vocational Education and Training (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2012 271 Response from the Minister for Police and Community Safety (Mr Dempsey) to an ePetition (1850-12) sponsored by the Clerk of the Parliament in accordance with Standing Order 119(4), from 93 petitioners, requesting the House to assist in the funding of security cameras in the Port Douglas central business district to deter violence and assist police in the prosecution of offenders 12 June 2012— 272 Response from the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Mr Seeney) to two paper petitions (1859-12 and 1871-12) presented by Mr Knuth, from 154 and 204 petitioners respectively, requesting the House to call in the development approved by the Tablelands Regional Council to subdivide property located at 50 Tinaroo Falls Dam Road, Kairi 273 Agriculture, Resources and Environment Committee: Report No. 3—Environmental Protection (Greentape Reduction) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 274 Agriculture, Resources and Environment Committee: Report No. 3—Environmental Protection (Greentape Reduction) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012: Submissions received in relation to the inquiry 275 Agriculture, Resources and Environment Committee: Report No. 3—Environmental Protection (Greentape Reduction) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012: Transcript of proceedings, public briefing, No. 1 276 Agriculture, Resources and Environment Committee: Report No. 3—Environmental Protection (Greentape Reduction) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012: Transcript of proceedings, public briefing, No. 2 277 Agriculture, Resources and Environment Committee: Report No. 3—Environmental Protection (Greentape Reduction) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012: Transcript of proceedings, public hearing 278 Agriculture, Resources and Environment Committee: Report No. 3—Environmental Protection (Greentape Reduction) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012: Advice dated 8 February 2012 provided by the former Department of Environment and Resource Management to the Chair of the former Environment, Agriculture, Resources and Energy Committee 13 June 2012— 279 Response from the Treasurer and Minister for Trade (Mr Nicholls) to an ePetition (1792-11) sponsored by the former member for Mt Ommaney, Ms Attwood, from 150 petitioners, requesting the House to take immediate action to improve the performance of insurers and the settlement of insurance claims following a natural disaster event 280 Response from the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines (Mr Cripps) to an ePetition and a paper petition (1766-11 and 1880-12) sponsored by the former member for Maryborough, Mr Foley and the Clerk of the Parliament in accordance with Standing Order 119(3), from 355 and 245 petitioners respectively, requesting the House to increase the buffer zone between urban areas and coal mines or exploration from two kilometres to a minimum of five kilometres 281 Response from the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines (Mr Cripps) to a paper petition (1865-12) presented by the former member for Ipswich West, Mr Wendt, from 236 petitioners, requesting the House to conduct a review of the way in which permits for mining exploration are executed 282 Response from the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines (Mr Cripps) to an ePetition (1805-11) sponsored by Hon Langbroek, from 220 petitioners, requesting the House to consider the permanent closure of the Public Road Reserve from Clifford Street, Surfers Paradise to Fern Street and First Avenue, Broadbeach to ensure the protection of the dunes and beach vegetation and the safety of concerned residents; and to consider alternative measures to improve transit for pedestrians and cyclists 283 Response from the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines (Mr Cripps) to an ePetition (1818-11) sponsored by the former member for Pine Rivers, Ms Male, from 520 petitioners, requesting the House to ask the Minister for Mines and Energy to ensure that no mining applications are granted on any part of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve 14 June 2012— 284 Response from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice (Mr Bleijie) to an ePetition (1778-11) sponsored by the Clerk of the Parliament in accordance with Standing Order 119(4), from 1,711 petitioners, requesting the House to amend the Standard Time Act 1894, or supplement the Act with daylight saving legislation, to ensure Queensland’s time zone is aligned to all Australian eastern states for the full 12 months of the year 285 Response from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice (Mr Bleijie) to an ePetition (1776-11) sponsored by Mr Wellington, from 298 petitioners, requesting the House to restore the Office of the Public Advocate to its original status and identify what additional powers the office needs to enhance its effectiveness 15 June 2012— 286 Response from the Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Mr Seeney) to two paper petitions (1894-12 and 1895-12) presented by the Clerk of the Parliament in accordance with Standing Order 119(3), from 146 and 227 petitioners respectively, requesting the House to prevent the development of extractive industry at 96 McCauleys Land, Sandy Creek 287 Response from the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (Mr Seeney) to an ePetition (1819-11) sponsored by Mrs Miller, from 260 petitioners, requesting the House to reject any applications to address the expansion of waste industries in the New Chum/Dinmore landfill sites from 50,000 tonnes per year to 1,900,000 tonnes per year 288 Response from the Minister for Health (Mr Springborg) to two paper petitions (1872-12 and 1782-11) presented by the former member for Burnett, Mr Messenger and the Clerk of the Parliament in accordance with Standing Order 119(4), from 682 and 86 petitioners respectively, requesting the House to take all necessary steps to ensure that the Childers Hospital is resourced sufficiently 708 Tabled Papers 19 Jun 2012

289 Response from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice (Mr Bleijie) to an ePetition (1844-12) sponsored by the former member for Burnett, Mr Messenger, from 1,940 petitioners, requesting the House to commit to legislate to ensure the State has the toughest laws to enable the banning and punishment of Neo-Nazis and other race hate proponents’ activities 290 Response from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice to two ePetitions (1806-11 and 1861-12) sponsored by the former member for Redcliffe, Ms van Litsenburg, from 144 and 52 petitioners respectively, requesting the House to legislate under the Body Corporate Act to protect non-smoking residents in unit blocks from smoke from adjoining units 291 Response from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice (Mr Bleijie) to a paper petition (1866-12) presented by the former member for South Brisbane, Ms Bligh, from 585 petitioners, requesting the House to prevent the sale of the community centre known as AHIMSA House at 26 Horan Street, West End 292 Response from the Minister for Education Training and Employment (Mr Langbroek) to a paper petition (1858-12) presented by the Hon Springborg, from 583 petitioners, requesting the House to establish Years 11 and 12 at Millmerran State School 293 Response from the Minister for Education, Training and Employment (Mr Langbroek) to a paper petition (1874-12) presented by Mr Johnson, from 288 petitioners, requesting the House to provide funding and facilities for a co-located kindergarten at the Anakie State School and to re-open the children’s day care facility at Sapphire 294 Response from the Minister for Energy and Water Supply (Mr McArdle) to a paper petition (1860-12) presented by Mr Johnson, from 2,190 petitioners, requesting the House to rescind the decision by Sunwater to restrict access and use of the Fairbairn Dam and its facilities, to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy this public asset at their leisure 18 June 2012— 295 Response from the Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection (Mr Powell) to an ePetition (1771-11) sponsored by the former member for Stafford, Mr Hinchliffe, from 49 petitioners, requesting the House to introduce legislation to stop development applications for operating Waste Transfer Stations within a safe distance from hospitals, businesses and residences and areas sensitive to the environment such as waterways 296 Response from the Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection (Mr Powell) to an ePetition (1812-11) sponsored by Mrs Menkens, from 122 petitioners, requesting the House to reject the application in its current form for the Legend International Holdings proposed fertiliser plants and reposition the plants in a more sustainable area away from the waterways that feed Mt Isa and the Gulf Region 297 Response from the Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection (Mr Powell) to a paper petition (1876-12) sponsored by the Clerk of the Parliament in accordance with Standing Order 119(4), from 58 petitioners, requesting the House to purchase the land at Lot 8-48 Alma Road (Alma Park Zoo) for future koala preservation 298 Response from the Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing (Mr Dickson) to an ePetition (1722-11) and a paper petition (1869-12) sponsored by Mr Wellington, from 38 and 93 petitioners respectively, requesting the House to change the way the government manages Fraser Island and require all future decisions in relation to management of the Island to have the supporting agreement of the Butchulla People 299 Response from the Minister for Health (Mr Springborg) to a paper petition (1863-12) presented by Ms Palaszczuk, from 111 petitioners, requesting the House to support Bibles being made available to patients in Queensland public hospitals 300 Response from the Minister for Health (Mr Springborg) to three paper petitions (1873-12, 1892-12 and 1899-12) presented by Mr Wellington, from 178, 420 and 90 petitioners respectively, requesting the House to build a multi-storey car parking facility at the Nambour Hospital 301 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to an ePetition (1800-12) sponsored by the Clerk of the Parliament in accordance with Standing Order 119(4), from 59 petitioners, requesting the House to speed up construction work at the Ferny Grove Railway Station; provide extra temporary parking and commuter bus services during construction; and to finalise arrangements to build the new Ferny Grove Tavern 302 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to an ePetition (1713-11) sponsored by the Clerk of the Parliament in accordance with Standing Order 119(4), from 79 petitioners, requesting the House to guarantee that the 56 official Queensland sleeper cutters are not financially disadvantaged because of changes to Queensland Rail’s procurement system and if they are found to be disadvantaged, the present or future Queensland government fairly compensates those sleeper cutters 303 Response from the Minister Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to an ePetition (1842-12) sponsored by the former member for Springwood, Ms Stone, from 180 petitioners, requesting the House to bring forward the upgrade of the Pacific Motorway between Eight Mile Plains and the Logan Motorway in time for the Commonwealth Games to be hosted by the Gold Coast in 2018 304 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to an ePetition (1851-12) sponsored by the former member for Everton, Mr Watt, from 342 petitioners, requesting the House to provide funding for more bus services in Albany Creek and Eatons Hill to improve access to the Brisbane CBD and surrounding suburbs 305 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to a paper petition (1870-12) presented by the former member for Beaudesert, Mr McLindon, from 629 petitioners, requesting the House to immediately remove the proposed Park Ridge Connector Road from the South East Queensland Regional Plan and the Draft Connecting SEQ 2031 306 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to a paper petition (1864-12) presented by Mr Dowling, from 207 petitioners, requesting the House to allow the Victoria Point Shopping Centre newsagency to provide facilities to top up, register, refund, change expiry dates and cancel Go Cards 307 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to a paper petition (1857-12) presented by Mr Emerson, from 189 petitioners, requesting the House to allow a retailer at Strathpine Westfield to top up, register, refund and change expiry dates on Go Cards 308 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to a paper petition (1877-12) sponsored by the Clerk of the Parliament in accordance with Standing Order 119(4), from 183 petitioners, requesting the House to urgently provide funding to upgrade the Telegraph Road Rail Crossing to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety for local residents 309 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to a paper petition (1878-12) sponsored by the Clerk of the Parliament in accordance with Standing Order 119(4), from 1,994 petitioners, requesting the House to build a new bridge at the John Muntz Causeway to increase safety and alleviate the bridge becoming inoperable during weather events 19 Jun 2012 Ministerial Statements 709

310 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to an ePetition (1849-12) and a paper petition (1879-12) sponsored by Hon McArdle and the Clerk of the Parliament in accordance with Standing Order 119(4), from 1,427 and 76 petitioners respectively, requesting the House to overhaul current motorbike licensing laws and implement tougher regulations to obtain a motorbike licence through QRIDE 311 Response from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Emerson) to a paper petition (1868-12) presented by Hon Emerson, from 206 petitioners, requesting the House to amend the proposed new route for the 673 bus service in Pine Rivers by reinstating services along Sparkes Road and the links to Bray Park Railway Station and Westfield Strathpine STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS The following statutory instruments were tabled by the Clerk— Land Sales Act 1984— 318 Land Sales Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 64 319 Land Sales Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 64, Explanatory Notes Nature Conservation Act 1992— 320 Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 65 321 Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 65, Explanatory Notes Aboriginal Land Act 1991— 322 Aboriginal Land Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 66 323 Aboriginal Land Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 66, Explanatory Notes Aboriginal Land Act 1991— 324 Aboriginal Land Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 67 325 Aboriginal Land Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 67, Explanatory Notes City of Brisbane Act 2010, Local Government Act 2009— 326 Local Government Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 68 327 Local Government Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 68, Explanatory Notes Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994— 328 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 69 Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994— 329 Motor Accident Insurance Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 69, Explanatory Notes Education and Training Legislation Amendment Act 2011— 330 Proclamation commencing certain provisions, No. 70 331 Proclamation commencing certain provisions, No. 70, Explanatory Notes Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2001, Education (General Provisions) Act 2006— 332 Education Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 71 333 Education Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2012, No. 71, Explanatory Notes Civil Liability Act 2003, Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002, Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003— 334 Civil Liability and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 72 335 Civil Liability and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 72, Explanatory Notes Water Act 2000— 336 Water Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 73 337 Water Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 73, Explanatory Notes 338 Water Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2012, No. 73, Regulatory Impact Statement Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000— 339 Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Amendment Regulation, (No. 1) 2012, No. 74 340 Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Amendment Regulation, (No. 1) 2012, No. 74, Explanatory Notes

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Commission of Audit Hon. CKT NEWMAN (Ashgrove—LNP) (Premier) (9.37 am): One of the first actions that my government undertook was to establish an independent Commission of Audit to tell us the real state of Queensland’s finances. We commissioned this audit not only to examine the state’s books but also to help chart our way back to a AAA credit rating. The commission has now released its interim report and it paints a sad picture of government debt and spending that was allowed to get out of control. It shows Queensland has moved from a position of strength just six years ago to a position of weakness today. The bottom line is that Queensland has been living beyond its means and we have ended up with a massive debt. The commission’s report shows that Queensland’s debt could hit $100 billion by 2018- 19. We are facing an interest bill on Labor’s debt of $5.3 billion a year, $115 million a week or $685,000 710 Ministerial Statements 19 Jun 2012 every hour. This interest bill is now the single fastest growing element of government expenses in Queensland. It is billions of dollars that we need to fix our hospitals and our schools, to put more police on our streets and to help lower the cost of living for Queensland families. The commission has recommended some very strong medicine, which we must all take to get Queensland’s finances back on track. In just three months since we have been elected, we have started making these tough decisions and have already identified $186.5 million in savings. But there is a long way to go and a lot more that has to be done. We have to stop living beyond our means and we have to get Labor’s debt— it could be $100 billion—under control. I want to be very clear today, though: it is not all doom and gloom. While the Queensland government’s budget has been left in a diabolical mess thanks to Labor’s mismanagement, there is a lot of upside in the overall economy. There is a distinction that those opposite just do not seem to get. This is a great state full of natural wealth and potential and there are enormous opportunities for a return to prosperity in the future. In agriculture, ABARE is reporting growth in farm gate production. In mining, there is huge expansion potential in the Galilee Basin and for coalmines in the Bowen Basin. We are working to grow tourism’s industry with DestinationQ in Cairns next week to help get the ball rolling. In construction, we are doing everything possible to remove Labor’s roadblocks to major projects so that we provide jobs and activity in this sector. With strong support for these four pillars of our economy, we will also be able to grow other areas such as retail. I know that these are difficult, unsettled times and that there is a long road ahead to fix the state’s finances, but I believe that this state’s prospects are bright and better years are ahead. Over the next few months we will be setting a course for recovery to do everything we can do to clean up the mess we inherited from Labor and get the state’s finances back on track. It will be a tough job but it is a job that my team and I will not shirk away from, and I say to Queenslanders, ‘We will sort out this mess.’ Commission of Audit Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (9.41 am): The independent Commission of Audit handed down its interim report last Friday, 15 June. As the Premier has indicated, it makes for some very sober reading. We always knew that the state’s finances had been mismanaged by successive Labor governments that embarked on a careless debt and deficit binge. Unfortunately, what we knew then was just the tip of the iceberg. Indeed, it is disturbing to report—and the report documents this—that in the last six years the former Labor government embarked on an unsustainable level of spending which has jeopardised the financial position of the state. Labor’s recklessness caused Queensland to go from a position of considerable financial strength to a position of weakness today. The state was living beyond its means prior to the GFC, prior to the cyclones and the summer of floods, and Queenslanders are paying the price. The Newman government was elected with a mandate to fix this state’s finances—for putting Queensland back on track. The problem we now face is that the magnitude of the task is substantially larger than anyone could have imagined. The report details how Labor relied on heroic budget assumptions to mask the size of the underlying structural problems. Between 2005 and 2006, growth in general government expenses outstripped the growth in revenue. The state started spending much more than it was earning. The result was a blow-out in government debt. Public debt interest has been the fastest growing expense of the Queensland government over the last decade, as the Premier announced. So the increase in spending on interest is faster than the increase in spending on health, faster than the increase in spending on education, faster than the increase in spending on law and order. The fastest growing area of expense for the Queensland budget is interest on Labor’s debt. Public debt would continue to grow. The report shows how Queensland’s debt to revenue ratio has risen from just 20 per cent in 2005-06 to more than 100 per cent in 2011-12. In six short years under Labor, our debt to revenue has gone from 20 per cent to over 100 per cent. Under Labor, expenditure grew at unsustainable levels. Public sector expenses grew by an average of 8.7 per cent per annum over a 10-year period. Capital expenditure also expanded rapidly at the same time, as the former government began to borrow to fund its capital projects at a far greater rate leading to the present-day position so that in 2010-11, 96 per cent—you are responsible for it—is now funded by borrowings, by debt. Unfortunately Labor’s legacy of debt and deficit will leave a lasting impact on Queensland’s state finances. Total government interest expenses are estimated to be over $3½ billion in 2011-12 and are expected to rise to $5.3 billion in 2015-16. The report says it quite clearly— The State is currently locked into a debilitating cycle of over-expenditure, ever-increasing levels of debt, and crippling increases in debt servicing costs. I did some quick numbers. For a child born in 2000, the state debt per person was $3,814 each. By the time that child can buy his or her first beer in 2018, the debt for that child will be $18,000 per person. That is some indication of the magnitude of the debt that Labor has incurred. Do not forget that our population has gone from about 3½ million to 5.3 million in that same period. That is the debt burden that has been left for every Queenslander as a result. 19 Jun 2012 Ministerial Statements 711

We realise the enormity of the task in front of us, but our resolve is to fix Labor’s mess and that resolve will not waver. The report makes a number of recommendations to fix the previous Labor government’s mess. We have already ruled out the idea of imposing a levy on homeowners as it would not be in keeping with our commitment to lower the cost of living. However, all the other recommendations put forward by the commission should responsibly be considered and will be considered by the Newman government. The only way that Queensland will get out of this mess is if the Newman government takes the action that is necessary and has the will to do so. We will, and we do.

Commission of Audit Hon. JW SEENEY (Callide—LNP) (Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning) (9.46 am): Last week and again this morning we heard about the true legacy of the previous Labor government’s failures revealed for all to see in the report of the Commission of Audit. While the report last week revealed the numerous financial failings of Labor that will require severe cutbacks in government spending, these cutbacks will only be one side of this government’s response. Our government will redouble our efforts to boost the income of the state by growing the four economic pillars which underpin our state’s economy. The department of state development will lead that effort to reverse the decline in state income at the same time as across government we move to put an end to the waste and the excessive spending of our predecessors. Unlike the Labor government that got Queensland into this financial mess, we understand that we need to earn money to pay for the services that Queenslanders need rather than just continuing to borrow it in ever-increasing amounts. We on this side of the House understand that to spend money we need to earn it first. The best way to increase what our state earns is to do more of what earns us money and to do it better. In dealing with Labor’s terrible legacy, we will focus on growing the business of Queensland. We will focus on growing and strengthening the four pillars of our economy just as we promised the people of Queensland we would. In the resources industry, in agriculture, in tourism and in construction we will remove the constraints built up over the decades of Labor rule and we will encourage investment and encourage growth. We will maximise the comparative advantage that our industries have in the world markets rather than continuing to strangle our industries with an ever-growing burden of regulation and restriction. We will protect our precious environment and we will protect our economic future at the same time. We will ensure that our legislative processes and our regulation are outcome focused and that they are aimed at achieving the balanced business environment Queensland needs to attract investment to our state. Already my department and the office of the Coordinator-General have begun that work. We have overhauled the approvals process for major projects and we freed up the logjam of application that was Labor’s legacy. We have rejected unrealistic and undeliverable projects like the overoptimistic Abbot Point port expansion and the six railway proposals across the Galilee Basin that were associated with it. We rejected them because they were undeliverable and unrealistic. We will now focus instead on deliverable projects that are responsible and that represent balanced, incremental growth for our export industries that we need to grow and prosper. Similarly, we are reforming the planning process to encourage investment in our tourism, housing and construction industries. We are reforming the state planning legislation and the state planning policies to focus on growing the four pillars of our economy. We are advancing statutory regional planning and reviewing a range of land and water use issues to give our agricultural industries the confidence that they need to invest and to grow. My department will be focusing on creating a business environment in Queensland where existing businesses can grow and invest and where new businesses can invest with confidence. We will seek to identify the constraints on that investment and work with other departments and other ministers to ensure that those constraints are removed so that our economy can grow. It is that growth and the new investment that it brings to Queensland’s economy that will be the long-term solution to the horrific financial mess that was Labor’s legacy to Queensland—a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.

Skills and Training Task Force Hon. JH LANGBROEK (Surfers Paradise—LNP) (Minister for Education, Training and Employment) (9.50 am): As the Minister for Education, Training and Employment, I am pleased to announce the establishment of the Skills and Training Task Force. As many on this side will be aware, one of our key election commitments was to establish a Queensland Skills and Training Task Force to assist in revitalising the Queensland TAFE system. Unlike the previous government, the Newman government is committed to honouring its election commitments. I am pleased to inform the House that we have established the Queensland Skills and Training Task Force and fulfilled this commitment. This government is committed to the two fours—growing a four-pillar economy through focusing on resources, construction, agriculture and tourism and reducing unemployment in Queensland to four per cent over the next six years. Strengthening our vocational education and training—or VET—sector is a key part of delivering on these commitments. 712 Ministerial Statements 19 Jun 2012

In partnership with industry and with full consultation with the necessary stakeholders, this task force will provide advice and make recommendations to both myself and the Assistant Minister for Technical and Further Education on the actions needed to improve the operations and outcomes of Queensland’s VET sector. The task force will review the role and function of all statutory bodies that contribute to the VET sector in Queensland to ensure they are aligned and fulfil their role in meeting Queensland’s economic and employment objectives. The task force will consider the future strategic direction of TAFE, including the appropriate role for TAFE in supporting the four-pillar economy, with consideration given to the roles played by registered training organisations and schools; the current offerings and outputs of TAFE and the quality of those offerings and outputs; the level and nature of industry involvement in setting the direction of TAFE; and the operational efficiency of TAFE, including asset management, workforce management, organisational structures and operating systems. This government will reform and revamp skills and training in Queensland by addressing skill shortages by focusing training on jobs outcomes; reforming the current training pathways with the aim of increasing completion rates; improving the match between training and job outcomes for individuals, employers and industry; transforming VET investment to support demand-driven training; and establishing the right governance structure of the VET system to ensure accountability, value for money and long-term cooperation between industry and government. This task force will deliver the changes that the VET sector has been crying out for and I look forward to updating the House on the progress of this commitment. Mining Industry, Land Access Framework Hon. AP CRIPPS (Hinchinbrook—LNP) (Minister for Natural Resources and Mines) (9.53 am): Today I want to update the House on the Newman LNP government’s ongoing efforts to create transparent and respectful relationships between resource companies and landholders across Queensland. The resources sector will play a critical role in Queensland’s much needed economic recovery, but its strong growth must be balanced with the need to protect the interests of landholders, local communities and the environment. The former state Labor government failed to ensure the orderly development of the coal seam gas sector within a modern regulatory framework which is set to grow over the next decade. As a result, many stakeholders have a low level of confidence in existing government processes to protect their interests and there is much work to be done across the resources sector to achieve its social licence to operate. The LNP government recognises the need to act on this issue given the concerns surrounding rapid resources development, particularly in areas such as the Darling Downs and in Central Queensland. Already the Newman LNP government has fulfilled 100-day commitments to establish the GasFields Commission to oversee the relationship between landowners and CSG companies and to boost transparency in the industry by making agreements between gas companies and landholders publicly available. The Newman government is also moving forward with the development of statutory regional plans for the Darling Downs and in Central Queensland. Today I am pleased to take another important step in building a transparent and respectful relationship between all resource sector participants and landholders by tabling the recommendations of the independent review into land access arrangements, and I table that report. Tabled paper: Land Access Framework—12-month review, Report of the Land Access Review Panel, February 2012 [341]. The review panel, chaired by Dr David Watson, made 12 recommendations to strengthen and improve the land access framework introduced in late 2010. The panel recommended the implementation of a new dispute resolution process, the development of a standard conduct and compensation agreement and a review of the scope of compensatable effects of resource developments to clearly articulate what a landholder should be compensated for. The full land access review panel report will be available on the Department of Natural Resources and Mines website from today and stakeholders are encouraged to provide direct comment to the Department of Natural Resources and Mines within 30 days. As Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, I am committed to workable land access laws that protect the rights of both landholders and resource companies and I look forward to making further announcements to the House in this critical area after the public consultation period has closed. Orica Australia, Prosecution Hon. AC POWELL (Glass House—LNP) (Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection) (9.55 am): The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection has commenced a prosecution against Orica Australia. Orica Australia operates a chemical manufacturing facility at Yarwun, five kilometres outside Gladstone, producing ammonium nitrate and sodium cyanide for the mining industry. In March 2012 the department became aware of allegations that on multiple occasions Orica had discharged effluent water containing cyanide in excess of permitted levels. The department immediately commenced an investigation into this concerning allegation. I wish to be clear on one matter: there are no indications at this point of actual environmental harm and certainly no threat to human health. The charges relate to breaching environmental conditions—conditions that are safeguards to protect the 19 Jun 2012 Ministerial Statements 713 environment and protect water quality. However, my department takes particular interest in any behaviour that may affect the Gladstone Harbour environment or may pose a risk to the Great Barrier Reef. I was deeply concerned by the allegations and of Orica’s previous history of noncompliance. As such, I requested a meeting with Orica’s managing director and CEO on 26 April this year and outlined to them my views on the seriousness of this alleged offending. Since I commenced as minister I have ensured that the department has been proactive in its dealings with Orica and ensuring that Orica’s site is compliant. On 3 May 2012 the department obtained a court order from the Planning and Environment Court requiring Orica to undertake an audit of the plant and its procedures. On 8 June 2012 the department commenced a prosecution in the Gladstone Magistrates Court against Orica. Orica has been charged with 279 offences of wilfully contravening a development condition of a development approval in contravention of section 435(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The alleged offending conduct includes releasing contaminants in excess of licence limits, failing to notify the department upon becoming aware of contraventions and failing to test for contaminants prior to releasing effluent. I advise the House that unfortunately Orica had previously been the subject of multiple statutory enforcement tools and a previous conviction. There is also another prosecution currently before the court for releasing contaminants to water. This behaviour will not be tolerated. In the latest instance, it is alleged that Orica was aware of the licence conditions but elected to ignore some of the requirements for an extended period. My charter from the Premier is clear: as Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection I will do everything I can to facilitate growth, restore business confidence through streamlining environmental approval processes and remove green tape. However, equally, the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and this government will take action against companies that abuse the privilege to operate within our state and we will continue to protect our iconic environmental assets such as the Great Barrier Reef.

Deeral, Mr E

Madam SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Communities for one minute. Hon. TE DAVIS (Aspley—LNP) (Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services) (9.59 am): It gives me great pleasure to echo the Speaker’s announcement that the Queensland Indigenous youth parliament will officially be renamed the Eric Deeral Indigenous youth parliament. I am also pleased to inform the House that on 28 June Mr Deeral will be travelling from Hope Vale, where he was visited by the Speaker yesterday, to speak to the participants at this year’s youth parliament. Many members would be aware that the vibrant and exciting Indigenous youth parliament and the opportunities it offers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth across the state are important. It is a forum not only to explore the workings of our great democracy but also to celebrate cultural identity and to have robust debates surrounding issues faced by young people in our communities. This year is made even more special by the fact that Mr Deeral, an extraordinary and aspiring role model to young Indigenous people, will be present to see the program in action. Eric Deeral was the first Indigenous person to be elected to an Australian state parliament, representing the seat of Cook in the Queensland parliament from 1974 to 1977. Born at Hope Vale Lutheran mission in 1932, Eric Deeral was evacuated to Woorabinda during World War II and was educated at the Woorabinda central school. He left school at the age of 13 and held down various jobs as a labourer, bush worker and stockman. In 1957 Eric became the chairman of the Hope Vale mission community council and then a liaison officer with the Queensland Aboriginal affairs department. He was appointed as a consultant to the Queensland minister for Aboriginal affairs in 1973. In the 1974 election, 10 years after his elders and the elders of the surrounding Cape York and Torres Strait communities had met at Palm Island and selected him to stand as a candidate for parliament, he defeated six other candidates to win the state electorate of Cook representing the National Party. This was a significant achievement in itself given that this was considered to be a very safe Labor seat. In closing, can I say that Eric Deeral was a strong advocate for marginalised Aboriginal Australians but made it clear he represented all members of his electorate. He sought to improve roads for the far north, to facilitate growth in tourism and other industries and also ensured improvements were made to schools and access to medical treatment. He identified first and foremost as a Queenslander, given his ancestors had lived in the Cook electorate for over 20,000 years. I look forward to sharing this very special occasion with Mr Deeral and the enthusiastic and passionate representatives of the first Eric Deeral youth parliament. 714 Questions Without Notice 19 Jun 2012

ABSENCE OF MINISTER Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (Manager of Government Business) (10.02 am): I wish to advise the House that the Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts is absent from the House this week. Minister Bates is leading a delegation of life sciences stakeholders to represent Queensland at the BIO 2012 conference in Boston. Minister Emerson has been appointed Acting Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts during her absence.

ETHICS COMMITTEE

Report Dr DOUGLAS (Gaven—LNP) (10.02 am): I table report No. 122 of the Ethics Committee titled Report on a right of reply No. 22. I commend the report and the committee’s recommendations to the House. Tabled paper: Ethics Committee: Report No. 122—Report on a Right of Reply No. 22 [342].

NOTICE OF MOTION

Budget Strategies Mr PITT (Mulgrave—ALP) (10.03 am): I give notice that I will move— That this House acknowledges the budget strategies of Queensland state governments from 1998 to February 2012 that: • invested in necessary infrastructure • expanded essential services • cushioned the impact of the global financial crisis • supported the rural sector through historic drought, and • rebuilt communities and jobs following an unprecedented and costly sequence of natural disasters all without the need for forced redundancies or cutbacks to front-line jobs and services.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Madam SPEAKER: Question time will now begin but will finish at 11.03 am. Public Service, Jobs Ms PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Leader of the Opposition) (10.03 am): My question is to the Premier. Last year the Premier pledged no cutbacks to the Public Service if the LNP won government. Before the election the Treasurer claimed that he had discovered $5.7 billion in savings. Now that the Costello audit has revealed that the only way the LNP can achieve its savings is to sack public servants, has the Premier misled the people of Queensland? Mr NEWMAN: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. Firstly, to deal with the assertion in the question regarding $5.7 billion of promises, it is in fact around $3 billion and it is contained in our comprehensive document. I urge the opposition to read it sometime because it is a great blueprint to take Queensland forward. Due to the dire financial mess in which Labor left this state we have to make some very, very difficult decisions. Thanks to Labor’s mismanagement, we have actually run out of options, and the Commission of Audit has really exposed the stark truths—the things that they carpeted over and the way they tried to put spac filler over the cracks that they had created. The simple fact is that between the 2005-06 financial year and 2007-08, employee expenses jumped by 40 per cent and on a full-time equivalent basis Public Service numbers increased by 40 per cent since June 2000—40 per cent! I want to protect as many public sector jobs as I can, but Labor have employed—if you do the math—20,000 more public servants than the people of Queensland can currently afford. Labor was paying those 20,000 public servants by borrowing, by incurring debt and they also borrowed to keep the lights on. Those 20,000 public servants all have families to look after— they have mouths to feed—and we are going to fight as hard as we can to save those jobs. We have a terrible job in front of us to get this state’s finances back on track. The only thing that was growing more quickly than employee expenses under the Labor Party was of course debt—that is D-E-B-T, debt. They might want to know that they are the ones responsible for that outcome. 19 Jun 2012 Questions Without Notice 715

One of the things I need to say today is regarding the issue of current pay negotiations. I say this because I hear some unions obviously standing up for their members, and it is their right to do that. The more people ultimately ask us in terms of a pay rise, the more difficult it is for us to protect those jobs. At the extreme end of the spectrum, if they want a great big pay rise—something that is basically unrealistic—that will cost jobs. So I urge the unions to work with us. We are fair dinkum people. We will work with them. We want to protect jobs, but we have to get the budget back into balance. We have to actually sort those problems out. It would be unforgivable if we swept this under the carpet in the same way that those opposite did for so many years. Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, Jobs Ms PALASZCZUK: My question is to the Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services. I refer to a Brisbane Times article detailing the jobs of 229 people in the minister’s department whose positions may not be renewed, including 63 jobs directly relating to child safety, and I ask: will the minister explain how many of these jobs are considered front-line positions and what impact the loss of any of these positions will have on the case loads and effectiveness of child safety officers? Ms DAVIS: I thank the honourable member for the question. The staff list that the member is referring to from the Brisbane Times article is one which all government departments would receive in order to determine which temporary contracts would be up for renewal. Those lists would be available whether we were looking at an EMP or whether it was prior to the new government coming in. What I can tell you is that I have had discussions with my department to ensure that those positions that are listed as temporary contracts that are up for renewal that relate to direct front-line services will be retained, will be re-offered. I said that in the article; it is there in black and white. I think that the real issue here that needs to be addressed is why we are having to look at these temporary contracts anyway. The fact of the matter is that we are looking at a massive debt here in Queensland, a massive debt that was granted to us courtesy of the previous Labor government and was left to the LNP to fix, and that is what we are attempting to do. We are looking at a range of different things in order to address this escalating debt up to $100 billion and my department has a role to play in that. I have spoken to my department and I have indicated that I wish to see any positions that would be deemed important to front-line services to be identified and explained to me. They are simply a list of temporary contracts that are looking to be renewed and in the context of the current financial position that we are in there will be some decisions made on those 200 positions, whether the contract will not be renewed. Further to that, the Premier has just mentioned that we have 20,000 public servants more than the state can afford. That is 20,000 people that were left languishing on temporary contracts while the opposition was in government without having the certainty about whether their position would be ongoing. What we are doing as a government is looking at those positions when the contract comes to its end to determine whether that position is necessary for us to continue to deliver the front-line services that we have committed to providing the people of Queensland. The answer to your question is that front-line service positions will be offered and we will look forward to delivering the front-line services that the people of Queensland believe we should. Commission of Audit Mr SHORTEN: My question without notice is to the Premier. What will the government’s response to the interim report of the independent Commission of Audit mean to Queenslanders? Mr NEWMAN: One of the first things that we did as a new government was to commission this independent report on our state’s finances as a baseline for the work that we will be doing over the next few years to get this state back on track. What we have seen in the interim report of the Commission of Audit is the first sketch, if I can put it that way, of the true state of Queensland’s financial position. It outlines what we need to do to get our finances back on track, to reduce government debt and spending and to chart a course back to a AAA credit rating. The sketch we have seen is a very sad picture of the waste and ineptitude and the poor and reckless financial management of those opposite and their former colleagues. Mr PITT: I rise to a point of order under standing order 231 in terms of anticipation of debate of the notice of motion before the House regarding the former government’s approach to budget strategies in Queensland. I ask you for a ruling on that matter. Madam SPEAKER: In regard to the rule of anticipation, the notice of motion refers to the previous budget strategies of other state governments and there are issues around anticipation. I refer you to the notice of motion and ask for you to avoid breaching the anticipation rule. Mr NEWMAN: Fair enough. It is clear, though, that what we have seen today is a political tactic from the Labor Party because they do not want to talk about the past. They do not want to talk about the past when the galleries are full of members of the public and the media. They do not want to talk about 716 Questions Without Notice 19 Jun 2012 what they did, but let us talk about what we are going to do. We are going to focus on cutting the debt. We are going to do that by, firstly, getting the budget back into surplus. We are going to cut wasteful and frivolous expenditure. We are going to make the tough decisions that those opposite never had the intestinal fortitude to make. We are not going to have all the mindless ongoing reports, inquiries and investigations. The cabinet will make decisions. The government will get on with the job of governing and not waste money on more consultancies. We are going to cut travel and consultancies. Opposition members interjected. Mr NEWMAN: Look, Madam Speaker, they are interjecting because they hate it when they know that we know what we are doing and, frankly, they never did. They had no clue. They had not an idea what they were doing. We have a great Treasurer here. Don’t they wish they had someone instead of that guy—what was his name? Andrew Fraser. What did Alan Jones say about Andrew Fraser? I better not say it in here; it is probably unparliamentary. We want to protect those jobs, but the sad fact is that there are 20,000 public servants more than this state can afford. I say to people wondering about their job security that we will do everything we can to protect their jobs. But if they are wondering who is the guilty party who has left them in limbo, I can tell them that it is the Australian Labor Party, who have no idea whatsoever how to run a budget let alone bake a cake or do anything practical in this world. Local Government, Water Charges Mr MULHERIN: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Local Government. I refer the minister to the comments yesterday of the Minister for Energy and Water Supply that councils should forgo part of their income from water to help meet the LNP’s election commitments. Will the minister advise whether local councils have the capacity to shoulder the financial burden of delivering the LNP’s election commitment to cut household water bills by $80 a year? Mr CRISAFULLI: Can I truly thank the member for the question. I have sat here waiting, and in this my eighth question time I have finally been asked a question about local government. And is it about empowering local government? Is it about unwinding the mess that was created—about deamalgamation? No, it was not about that. The closest those opposite can come to asking a question about local government is to ask a question which relates to water. I am delighted to begin the process. Opposition members interjected. Mr CRISAFULLI: It is important. It is very important. Madam SPEAKER: There are too many interjections from my left. Mr CRISAFULLI: As I go across the state speaking to local councils I encounter a pretty common theme. It does not matter where the council is—it does not matter if they are big or small, if they are city or regional—they say one common thing, and that is, ‘Finally, someone who is turning up. Finally, someone who actually wants to work with us. Finally, someone who does not stand up and say, “You can do it my way or the highway”.’ We will empower local government. What I feel as I go around is a genuine willingness to work with us. Local government understands that, just like the state, they need to look at opportunities to find savings. They need to look at opportunities to ease the squeeze on families. Why? Because as I look opposite I see a group of people who caused financial mayhem in this state, who absolutely butchered local government, who butchered working families and who had no interest in empowering this level of government. I say to local councils: we stand ready to work with you; we will deliver with you. Mr Newman: It’s a partnership. Mr CRISAFULLI: A partnership, heaven forbid! I take the interjection from the member for Ashgrove. It is a partnership—you know, the kind of relationship where you do not say, ‘Hey guys, this is how you are going to do it; otherwise we’ll shoot you.’ We will have the sort of relationship whereby we work with them. Finally, the goodwill that exists between this government and local councils will deliver for all Queenslanders. State Finances Mr BOOTHMAN: My question without notice is to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer please inform the House of any new information that has come to light regarding the state of Queensland’s finances? Is he aware of any alternative policies? Mr NICHOLLS: I thank the member for Albert for his question. I know he is vitally interested in the state’s finances. I congratulate him on his first question in the House as well. There is some new information that has come to light in regard to the state of Queensland’s finances. As members who have been paying attention will know, the independent Commission of Audit released its interim report on Friday, 15 June. It is headed by the Hon. Peter Costello, who is joined by Professor Sandra Harding and Dr Doug McTaggart. All three are respected for their understanding of finances—something that the former government had no credibility on. 19 Jun 2012 Questions Without Notice 717

The report outlines a sad and sorry tale of Labor’s economic vandalism of this great state. The facts and figures contained in the report about the things that we will experience in the future are clear and unambiguous. Queensland’s fiscal deficit in 2011-12 will be $6.3 billion, projected to rise in 2012-13 to $9.5 billion. Without urgent corrective action, if the policies of the past five years are continued, the fiscal deficit would have been $19.7 billion. Mr PITT: I rise to a point of order under standing order 231 in terms of anticipation. I ask for a ruling. Madam SPEAKER: I have given some latitude also to non-government members in relation to their questions, which have flown pretty close to the anticipation rule. I refer to previous rulings in this regard. The anticipation rule is not meant to close down all debate. There is some discretion in regard to the application of the anticipation rule. If the rule was unfettered, the simple expediency of giving a notice of motion a subject matter would preclude less or equal proceedings such as questions. I am going to allow the Treasurer to answer the question, but I remind members on both sides, in regard to this debate, that we can argue about budget positions, policies or financial statements. However, I ask the Treasurer to answer the question without anticipating the debate tonight, but understanding that there has been latitude provided to both sides. Mr NICHOLLS: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I was aware of the motion and was, in fact, trying to talk about the future rather than the policies of the failed Labor government. In that vein, I will continue by saying that the current projections show that, should those failed policies have continued, debt would reach $64 billion this year, $92 billion in 2015-16 and a shocking $100 billion by 2018-19. The loss of the AAA credit rating also means that we are paying, on average, $100 million a year more than any other state in Australia. In fact, as I have said in this place before, the cost to Queensland of our borrowings is actually higher than the cost of Tasmania’s. That gives an indication of just how good it is! What does the shadow Treasurer, the member for Mulgrave, say? What is his alternative policy? What does he believe is the result of the previous government’s decisions? He calls it a sound economic position. I ask members: does that sound like Monty Python’s dead parrot sketch? We have an economy that is going into debt and going into deficit, and he says, ‘Don’t worry, it’s in a sound economic position. Don’t worry, guv’nor, that’s your Norwegian Blue for you. That’s just what he does. It’s not dead, guv’nor; it’s just resting. It’s clapped out after a big night squawking and it’s just having a rest. We didn’t waste $100 billion; we were making some prudent investments.’ The alternative is a joke. Under Labor, the past was a joke. Only the Newman government will deliver a future of fiscal certainty for this state. State Finances Mr PITT: My question is to the Premier. I refer to the Treasurer’s statements about a fiscal deficit of $10 billion in 2012-13 to justify decisions to fund LNP commitments, as outlined on page 39 of the Costello audit. Will the Premier explain why the Treasurer has failed to acknowledge the impact of natural disasters on the fiscal deficit in that year? Mr STEVENS: Madam Speaker, under the previous ruling on standing order 231 on anticipation the Leader of Opposition Business is now referring to a matter that previously occurred in the effects of that global financial position. Madam SPEAKER: The notice of motion that was moved this morning was very broad-ranging, covering many topics. Therefore, if we were to have a very strict and narrow application of the rule of anticipation, there would not be much debate. I am going to allow discretion in the application of the rule of anticipation. However, I remind both sides that they have both flown close to the wind in this regard. I remind the House of the notice of motion that was moved this morning in regard to budget strategies of Queensland state governments from 1998 to February 2012. I allow the minister to answer the question. Mr NEWMAN: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Firstly, in relation to the impact of the natural disasters, they are clearly covered in this Commission of Audit report. I urge members opposite to read the report, because the report covers the shame of their financial ineptitude. It covers their poor and reckless financial management. It very clearly shows that the debt that has mounted up because of their poor and reckless financial management occurred before the cyclone and before the floods. It makes it very clear, because the bottom line is that the problem that Queensland faces is recurrent expenditure. This is not about dollops of dough to fix up the roads; it is about the fact that we have too many people working in the Queensland Public Service. That is why today I had the guts—I might say—to come in here and tell the truth. No Labor Premier would come in here and tell the truth. No Labor Premier would even dare to say that the numbers were too high and that we had to make cuts. For the benefit of the geniuses opposite, I tell them that that is what I have done today. In relation to the timing of Commonwealth payments, it would be interesting to investigate who signed off on this—and I must talk about the previous financial year if I am to answer the question. If they do not want me to answer it, I will sit down. If they think I am anticipating debate, I will sit down. Are they happy? 718 Questions Without Notice 19 Jun 2012

Mr Pitt: The question is about fiscal deficit. Mr NEWMAN: From the interjections I am hearing, I think they want me to talk on. Here is what has happened: there has been a fiddle, a Labor dodge. Wayne Swan needs to report a surplus next financial year, so he is giving us a big dollop of dough this year so our deficit will be less by about $1 billion. However, next year, when we do the work and have to spend the money, our deficit will be worse. Who cooked up that deal? Was that Andrew Fraser, Anna Bligh, Wayne Swan, Julia Gillard? They said, ‘Look, we’ll do this and it’ll help you out because you’ll have a lower deficit in the lead-up to an election. You’ll be able say it’s only about $1.8 billion’—if my memory serves me correctly. They said, ‘That’s okay, Wayne. We love it because you’ll be able to report a surplus the following year.’ It is another Labor sham. Why do these people come into this place and ask such silly questions when they are so transparently obvious in the deceptions that they try to pull? Anybody with half a brain can see that. Anybody in this state who has finished year 12 can pick up this report—and I urge Queenslanders to do that—and find out what has really gone on. The people opposite have taken us into a financial canyon. They did it. They have taken us into the abyss through their poor and reckless financial management. Nothing that they can do or say to try to muck around with the rules will prevent Queenslanders from knowing the truth. Royalties for the Regions Mr MALONE: My question without notice is to the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning. Can the Deputy Premier update the House on the delivery of promises made during the recent state election by the Newman government with regard to royalties for regions? Mr SEENEY: I thank the member for Mirani for the question. For many years now, the member for Mirani and other members who represent regional Queensland have stood in this place and talked repeatedly about the need for the benefits of the royalties that are paid to the Queensland government to be returned to the regions where those royalties are generated. A whole range of members who understand country towns and country people and who represent country towns and country people have made the case in this parliament that there needs to be a provision within the state budget to ensure that those royalties are returned to the regions. About the middle of last year we started to formalise that into a policy. We took to the people of Queensland a clear election policy based around a three-pronged approach to return the royalties that our state earns—some of the royalties that our state earns; I wish we could have them all—to the regions where those royalties are generated. We talked about a Roads to Resources program that would allocate $285 million over the first four years, growing to $100 million annually, to build roads in the resource regions. We promised a Resource Community Building Fund, committing $170 million over four years and growing once again to $100 million, to ensure that those resource communities could grow and be viable country towns. We talked about the flood plain security program, guaranteeing $40 million over four years and leveraging a similar amount from the Commonwealth and $20 million from local government, to take the fund to $100 million to do something about flood plain security for the country towns that had suffered flooding. It was an election promise, it was part of our election platform that we took to the people of Queensland. So it was with some surprise this morning when looking through the press clippings that my eye was caught by a piece in the Mount Isa paper headed ‘Royal demand’—a demand from the member for Mount Isa who suddenly has discovered the issue. I quote from that article, which states— Mr Katter is holding a statewide press conference in Brisbane this morning to call on the Queensland Government to implement a “Royalties for Regions” program ... The member for Mount Isa is about five years behind the game. He is at least 12 months behind the game, because it was the middle of last year—it was July last year—that I tabled in this House the first tranche of our policy to do that. He is well behind the game, because since the election our government has started to implement the policy that we promised and we will continue to implement that policy in the months ahead. (Time expired) Infrastructure Projects Ms TRAD: My question without notice is to the Premier. I note the Premier’s attendance on Saturday at the Northern Busway community day, which I also attended. Could the Premier please outline how many more ribbon-cutting and photograph opportunities he is planning on for infrastructure projects delivered by Labor? Opposition members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Order! I warn members on my left. I call the Premier. 19 Jun 2012 Questions Without Notice 719

Mr NEWMAN: I thank the member for South Brisbane for her question. The first thing I want to say relates to a matter of protocol and the way this government will conduct itself. I have actually spoken to Her Excellency the Governor and said that we want to get back to the way things were done in the past. When major infrastructure projects are opened, they should be opened by the Governor. That is my view. The Premier can be there and the minister can be there, but the Governor will be conducting those openings where possible. That is what we tried to do with the busway. Opposition members interjected. Mr NEWMAN: They do not like the answers. I do not know why they ask the questions if they do not want to listen to the answers. Why ask questions when they do not want to hear the answers? We know what people who do that are like. In relation to this busway, I should let the honourable member know that it probably would not have happened without the strong cooperation of my team at the time at the Brisbane City Council. I remember—the Treasurer to my left was the then local councillor—doing the launch of things like the EIS with then Premier Peter Beattie in a local park at Windsor. It was at the park in the middle of the divided part of Lutwyche Road next to the Windsor School of Arts. I was there for a number of the important announcements where we said we would be taking Airport Link and the Northern Busway forward. The thing about Peter Beattie is that he actually knew that working with the BCC was the right way to go. Sadly, he lost his way and later on he crunched councils in the way the Minister for Local Government referred to earlier. At that time, then Premier Peter Beattie knew that cooperation was the order of the day. The BCC had a strong role in making the Northern Busway and Airport Link a reality. Indeed, that is the way this government will conduct itself. I hope that answers the question of the member for South Brisbane. I believe that, where possible, the Governor should open these projects. Finally, for the benefit of all members—some members were there on the weekend—I point out that I do not know why the member for South Brisbane did not have the generosity to acknowledge my generosity of spirit when I gave my speech on the weekend. Who did I acknowledge? I acknowledged then Premier Peter Beattie for making the decision to proceed with the project. Public Service, Enterprise Bargaining Mr GULLEY: My question without notice is to the Premier. Can the Premier update the House on the enterprise bargaining negotiations for public sector employees and the impact of the financial position of Queensland on this important process? Mr NEWMAN: I thank the member for his question. As members would be aware, the recent findings of the Commission of Audit confirm that this great state of Queensland is indeed in a dire financial mess as a result of the former Labor government’s waste and mismanagement. We have simply run out of options. This means that we must make some very difficult decisions. The Commission of Audit has found the stark truths about Labor’s lack of financial restraint which has pushed the state into this diabolical financial position—indeed, the blackest of all black abysses. We found that in the period 2005-06 to 2007-08 employee expenses jumped by 40 per cent. On a full-time equivalent basis, Public Service numbers have increased by 40 per cent since June 2000. These numbers are simply unsustainable. I want to protect as many jobs as I can, but the fact is that Labor employed 20,000 more personnel on a full-time basis than this state and its taxpayers—its mums and dads, its hardworking people—could afford. Labor was paying these 20,000 people with debt. I make that point again: thanks to Labor’s mismanagement of the state’s finances and borrowing to pay wages, we now have 20,000 public sector roles that this state government and its people cannot afford. It would not surprise the House to know that those positions were being funded through debt—D-E-B-T. Queenslanders should know that a higher wages outcome will ultimately mean fewer jobs. It is a simple equation. I say again in relation to the EBA: if people want higher and higher wages at a time when inflation is 1.6 per cent nationally and 1.3 per cent in Queensland—if they are saying that an increase of 2.2, 2.5 or 2.7 per cent is not enough—then those people will price jobs out of the Queensland Public Service. We are going to work with the unions. I have stressed before that we will work with the public sector unions and we will look to reduce staff through attrition to balance the books. It involves having what is called a managerial prerogative—that is, the ability to move people around. We need to be able to fill a vacancy in, say, Cairns and not have too many people in Townsville or vice versa. We urge the unions to work with us so that we can manage that properly. As the minister said earlier, we want to protect front-line service delivery, and we will do that. The final point I make is that this week Fairfax Media group is sacking 1,900 people and we hear that, sadly, News Corporation is going to do the same thing if not this week then it is believed it will be announced next week. Thousands of jobs are to go. The news organisations know that they have to balance their books. We in the Queensland government have to do the same thing. We will work with the unions and employees to deliver an appropriate outcome. 720 Questions Without Notice 19 Jun 2012

Queensland Health, Jobs Mrs MILLER: My question is to the Minister for Health. Will the minister explain how front-line positions in his portfolio are safe from the LNP’s cost cutting when at least three nursing positions will be axed at Emerald Hospital from 1 July 2012, including cardiac, immunisation and palliative-care nurses? Mr SPRINGBORG: The Premier and the Treasurer have outlined today the very serious parlous financial situation that the previous Labor government got this state into over its period of administration, and that matter is going to be more broadly debated in this place later today. All I can say to the honourable member who raised the question is that quite clearly I indicated and wrote to my director- general only a few weeks ago saying that all front-line positions were quarantined from the process of reductions that would come through natural attrition. I also say this today: something needs to be done in Queensland to balance our budget and something needs to be done in Queensland to bring the state of our budget back in line so that we can preserve front-line positions. Front-line positions for me are much sacrosanct, and I will undertake to look at the individual issues that have been raised by the honourable member here today. Indeed, if this member had not been in a government that had presided over a $300 million blow- out in the cost of running the Health payroll over the last 2½ years, an additional 3,000 staff could have been employed in Queensland. Indeed, if you look at the biggest growth cost in Queensland of $6 billion in interest on our debt, that is 60,000 front-line staff in the state of Queensland. That is the relativity of these particular figures. Indeed, if you look at what the previous government did in Queensland, we have already seen a voluntary separation program within the department of health that saw over 800 people taken out of the corporate office. So they had a realisation themselves that something needed to be done to address the issue of expansion of the public sector in the state of Queensland. That is the reality that we are very much dealing with. We also need to deal with the reality, if you look across our districts in the state of Queensland, of where those districts in the last 12 months or so have been well and truly over their staff establishment of 1,500 or more. I have indicated clearly to them that they are going to have to use growth to manage back within their establishment. If you look back to what happened in the last full year of the Labor government, they were $300 million over in their Health budget. So they kept going back to Treasury and tipping more and more money into it. Indeed, when I took over the Health portfolio in early April, it was about $120 million over and guess what? The former government would have felt that they could go back and ask for more money from Treasury to top it up. Well those days are over. We have to manage our establishment within budget to deliver, and front-line services are going to be preserved within that particular parameter. (Time expired) Public Transport, Buses Dr DAVIS: My question without notice is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. Can the minister please update the House on bus service enhancements on the north side of Brisbane? Mr EMERSON: I thank the honourable member for his question. It was great to see him and many other members, including the Premier and the Treasurer, there at the weekend for the opening of the Northern Busway. But it was even better on Monday to see those 2,000 additional weekly services start to service the north side. This is a great initiative because what it means is that if you are travelling in that area you could almost throw away your timetable because these services come so frequently that you can just turn up and go. I remind the House what the Premier said earlier. He was there and, as he told our opponents across the chamber, he acknowledged the great work that Peter Beattie did at the time. He got it wrong later, but Peter Beattie and council worked together, along with the Treasurer when he was a councillor. But I have to confess, Premier, that there was one person we did not credit on the day. Mr Newman: Who was that? Mr EMERSON: We saw today how Labor does not like to mention that period—those dark days—between 1998 and 2012. They do not want to remember that time. They will rewrite history. But there was one person whom we should have credited, and that is the former transport and main roads minister, my good friend the member for Gregory. The great thing about that is that in 1997—outside the dark, dim days that Labor wants to forget between 1998 and 2012—the vision of the then transport and main roads minister, the member for Gregory, was busways. I can see them over there shaking their heads, rejecting that. Just for the education of the House— Opposition members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Order! There are too many interjections from my left. I call the minister. Mr EMERSON: They do not want to hear the truth. They do not want to hear about the period between 1998 and 2012. They do not want to hear about 1997. For the education of the House, I will table the Integrated Regional Transport Plan for South East Queensland. Whose name is on the 19 Jun 2012 Questions Without Notice 721 foreword? The then minister for transport and main roads, the member for Gregory. There he is. When I turn to the document, what do I see? Busways, busways, busways—all mentioned by the then minister for transport and main roads. I am very happy to table that document. Tabled paper: Extract from the Integrated Regional Transport Plan for South East Queensland [343]. Talking about partnerships with council, it was great to see the announcement today by the Lord Mayor about the overpasses on Robinson Road and Telegraph Road. What a great result. It was something that Labor failed to do. It was great to be out during the campaign with the now member for Nudgee, who, along with the member for Sandgate, were arguing for them at forums. They were arguing for something that Labor failed to deliver year in year out because Labor would not work with council. This government will work with council to get great results for Queenslanders. Gladstone Harbour, Dredging Mrs CUNNINGHAM: My question without notice is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. James Cook University last week released a study which shows that the effects of the dredging plume extends up to 35 kilometres and not the one or two kilometres asserted by the Gladstone Ports Corporation. Can the minister give confidence to my community that in considering this matter the minister will consult the report writers, the commercial and recreational fishing industry and the electorate and not just accept the response provided to him by the Gladstone Ports Corporation? Mr McVEIGH: I thank the member for Gladstone for this important question and I appreciate and acknowledge her passion on issues to do with the Gladstone port. I thank the member for drawing the attention of the House to the release of that report in recent days which my department is in the process of getting access and detail on. I draw the attention of the House to a range of issues raised in the member’s question and, in particular, I draw the attention of the House to comments that the Premier has made recently in relation to the Gladstone Ports Corporation and its future management and operation. I draw the attention of the House to comments that have been made by my colleague the Minister for Environment in relation to the Gladstone port and those as well from the Deputy Premier. The simple fact of the matter is that there have been, as the member would know, a number of studies commissioned including those commissioned by fishermen themselves in the Gladstone region. Certainly my department has studied those reports and awaits further updates and it reflects upon the fact that those reports are in many cases very similar to my department’s own finding. In terms of the issues though in the question, as I said, they are to do with environmental issues, they are to do with planning issues and they are to do with the management of the Gladstone port itself. In my Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, it is my role and my intention to continue to focus on providing support and advice from my expert officers to my fellow ministers and, in particular, to continue to serve the fishermen of Queensland, including the fishermen of Gladstone who have been doing it fairly tough under the former Labor government. In short, my answer to the question is: most certainly I will be taking note of the report referred to from James Cook University, just as we have of those commissioned by local fishermen, just as we have of any other substantive information that is offered—and some of that has come from the Gladstone Ports Corporation—but certainly not depending wholly and solely on one source of advice. Sports Infrastructure Mr MINNIKIN: My question without notice is to the Minister for National Parks, Sports and Racing. Can the minister please inform the House of the approach taken by the former government in relation to the funding and ongoing maintenance of sporting infrastructure? How will the new LNP government’s approach differ? Mr DICKSON: I thank the member for Chatsworth for the question because this is very important to the people of Queensland. Last Sunday I cancelled a project to the value of $6.1 million to build a winter Olympic ski jump in Queensland. This project was to be funded by the federal government to the value of $3.5 million and by the state government to the value of $2.6 million—and remember that this is all borrowed money. This ski jump was going to be 36 metres in height—or 10 storeys—come with its own elevator and be seven lanes wide. It did not have an appropriate business plan. It was put forward by a government which did not understand finances. We have all heard where the Labor government went wrong and why we are in the situation we are in today of having $100 billion worth of debt. Opposition members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Order! There is too much noise in the chamber and the minister is not taking the interjections. Mr DICKSON: This is a very serious matter. This is the tip of the iceberg. I need to go back to the genesis of this project, which goes back to 2005. I uncovered that in 2007 the newly elected federal government deemed this project important enough that Lindsay Tanner, the most financially literate 722 Questions Without Notice 19 Jun 2012

Labor minister in recent history, cancelled the project calling it a waste. But in 2010 the federal Labor government reactivated it with the help of those opposite. I have a document here from Mr Tanner that I would like to table and also a picture of the ski jump. I think all members need to remember that for posterity. Tabled paper: Media statement by Lindsay Tanner entitled ‘Labor’s $3 Billion Savings Plan’ [345]. Tabled paper: Artist’s impressions of proposed ski jump [344]. The LNP government has great alternatives for the people of Townsville. We have a business plan and we will deliver. It is a project called Get in the Game. We are going to deliver 40,000 grants of up to $150 for underprivileged children in this state so that they can get involved in sport—not build a ski jump. We are going to deliver 200 grants of $10,000 so that infrastructure and equipment can be brought into play for these young people. We are going to deliver 80 grants of $100,000 so that clubs can get infrastructure which the people of Queensland really need. The federal government and the local Labor government cannot be trusted with finances. That is why we have a $100 billion debt today. Remember that this is borrowed money. Somebody has to pay it back some time, and the LNP government is taking responsibility for the Labor government’s actions. We have to fix your problems. You should hang your heads in shame.

Office of the Adult Guardian, Jobs Mr BYRNE: My question is to the Attorney-General. Will the Attorney-General advise whether staff within the office of the Adult Guardian responsible for protecting the interests of vulnerable adults with impaired decision making are in fact front-line positions? And will he rule out job cuts to these staff? Mr BLEIJIE: I thank the member for the question. To understand what the problem is in Queensland, particularly in this realm of guardianship, and for the member’s benefit, let me outline that in Queensland we have the Public Advocate, we have the Adult Guardian and we have the Public Trustee. When one has capacity troubles, people call in the Public Trustee and the Adult Guardian and then the Public Advocate does systemic reviews of all of it to make sure government systems in agencies are appropriate. What the member should have included in his question was that the Labor Party had allowed the Adult Guardian to have an acting appointed arrangement for many, many months, if not years. If the member were serious about people with capacity problems in Queensland, perhaps the previous government should have made a permanent appointment to the Adult Guardian rather than an acting arrangement. What the Liberal National Party has already done—and we have issued an expression of interest—is fill the role of Adult Guardian to a permanent position so that those with capacity problems across Queensland can have confidence in the system. The person acting in that arrangement will go back to their substantive position. What we are also doing, for the member’s benefit, is when we talk about the Office of the Public Advocate, which has somewhat of an oversight role, we are going to reinstate the powers of the Public Advocate to make sure Queenslanders have confidence in the system. What the Labor Party was going to do with the Public Advocate was amalgamate it into one agency. It has responsibility of oversight. How can you move a body with oversight responsibilities into the same office? Are they going to have imaginary Chinese walls? Are they going to tap on the glass next door and ask, ‘What sort of system are you operating there, bad person?’ No. The Liberal National Party will make sure that the Office of the Public Advocate is a stand-alone office in the State Law Building, where it currently is. We will save some $250,000 by not moving the Office of the Public Advocate out of the State Law Building. The office of the Adult Guardian is contained in the Brisbane Magistrates Court. We will house them in the State Law Building at a saving of $250,000. I can tell the honourable member that there are real problems in the Adult Guardian system. Two positions have become vacant but I have said that until we have a permanent placement for the Adult Guardian to assist in getting that office back on track those positions should not be filled. I have expressions of interest in my office which I am reviewing. Executive Council and I will appoint the best person for that job to make sure that in consultation we have the best guardianship system that Queenslanders deserve and expect.

Nambour, Wild Dog Destruction Officer Mr WELLINGTON: My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The state government is a significant landholder in the Sunshine Coast region, with land ranging from national parks to vacant crown land in the Mary Valley. I thank the minister for having one of the state’s five wild dog destruction officers operate out of the Nambour office, and I ask: when will the wild dog officer commence work and what will the person’s duties include? 19 Jun 2012 Questions Without Notice 723

Mr McVEIGH: I thank the member for Nicklin for his question, because he is right: wild dogs are out of control right across the state not only in Western Queensland and south-west Queensland where we would expect the problem to exist given the outcome of recent good seasons and continued wild dog and dingo problems but also, as the member reflects, in periurban regions like the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Agriculture, as the Premier and the LNP team have so very clearly said in recent months, will be reinstated as one of the four pillars of the Queensland economy going forward. Agriculture in that sense will play a big role in returning the state to where it should be given the significant problems we are combating now and the $100 billion debt that the Labor Party has left as a sad legacy for our state. Local farmers and graziers have approached me—they certainly approached the Premier and me at Beef Week recently—directly outlining to us the concerns they have in rural industries such as the sheep and cattle industries. Local councils have similarly approached us outlining the problems in periurban regions such as the member for Nicklin’s local environment. We were proud—and are proud—to announce wild dog destruction officers, and, as the name suggests, they will be fair dinkum people involved in the fair dinkum task of combating this problem on the ground. Yes, one of those will be permanently based in Nambour, as the local member has acknowledged, and we are currently in the recruitment process for that position. I expect that position to be appointed in the coming weeks, and I very much look forward to informing the member for Nicklin about that and the detail in which the local dog destruction officer will operate. He or she will operate in close consultation with local landholders— a bit of a partnership, if you like. He or she will operate with local wild dog committees in areas right across the state— Mr Rickuss: With local government, too? Mr Cripps: So consultation? Mr McVEIGH: And, strangely enough, they will operate in close consultation and partnership with—you guessed it—local government. Local government, as we know, needs all the help it can get. I am very pleased to share with the House that I have had those sorts of discussions with the member for Gregory, the member for Warrego, the member for Southern Downs, the member for Condamine, the member for Nanango and more recently the member for Beaudesert and today the member for Nicklin. (Time expired) Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, Jobs Mrs SCOTT: My question without notice is to the Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services. Will the minister explain why the government has failed to renew contracts for Child Safety staff in regional Queensland, including 10 in Central Queensland and more than 20 in South- West Queensland, and what impact these job losses will have on services and the local communities in these areas? Ms DAVIS: I thank the honourable member for her question. I think in my last answer I indicated that front-line positions would be preserved—they will be quarantined—and I stand by that commitment. If the member has particular examples that she wishes to share with me, then I am happy to take that information on board. But it is my understanding and my direction to my department that those front-line services will be preserved. Again, this challenging task of getting the state back on track has been made a whole lot more difficult thanks to the tight financial constraints that we have inherited from the previous Labor government. The state’s finances were in such a precarious position, as outlined in last week’s release of the Costello report, that we were borrowing to pay public sector wages. The LNP government is about focusing on and revitalising front-line services for Queensland, and that includes a range across my department in both Child Safety and Disability Services. I say to the honourable member that it is very important to me that front-line services are preserved. As I have stated publicly, I will be monitoring that to ensure Queenslanders get those front-line services they require and are calling out for. Crime and Misconduct Commission Mr STEWART: My question without notice is to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice. What action does the government propose to ensure the Crime and Misconduct Commission is able to fulfil its proper functions free from political interference? Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you have two minutes. Mr BLEIJIE: I thank the member for Sunnybank for his question. The LNP went to this election with a clear commitment to restore accountability in government, and that is a commitment that we on this side of the House hold dear to our hearts. Recently the Premier, the Deputy Premier and I have said that we will look at and review the functions of the CMC to ensure it is used to its best ability. In terms of prudent financial management, we have to ensure that the $50 million that goes to the CMC is being used wisely, to go after the biggest criminals in Queensland. However, we have seen, particularly from 724 Matters of Public Interest 19 Jun 2012 the Labor Party, a complete abuse of process and of its crime-fighting functions in the state of Queensland. We have seen the Labor Party refer matter after matter after matter to the Crime and Misconduct Commission, and it is shameful. During the election campaign—an election campaign by Labor which Queenslanders overwhelmingly rejected—we took the fundamental view that the CMC should be as free from political interference as possible. Let us look at some of the things that happened during the election campaign. The former Premier said— Right now all I have is questions. I don’t have enough evidence. Another quote reads— Ms Bligh refused to apologise for Labor’s concerted attacks on her opponent’s integrity despite the Crime and Misconduct Commission clearing Campbell Newman. It gets better! Anthony Chisholm from the Labor Party said— By going hard in targeting Campbell Newman we managed to get the swing down to 10 per cent. That comment was made after the election. So there had been a clear and direct attempt to pervert the course of justice in attacking the Premier and his family. Who was behind it? The member for South Brisbane! I have here a photo of Anna Bligh with a very smiling member for South Brisbane. So as members of the Labor Party were distancing themselves from Anna Bligh and from that dirty campaign, the member for South Brisbane was cuddling up to the person who was responsible for it. She should be ashamed! (Time expired) Madam SPEAKER: The time for questions has expired.

SPEAKER’S STATEMENT

School Group Tours Madam SPEAKER: Before matters of public interest, I want to acknowledge the school groups visiting today. We have St Peter’s Catholic Primary School from Caboolture in the electorate of Pumicestone, Faith Lutheran College from the electorate of Redlands, and Bundaberg West State School in the electorate of Bundaberg.

MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST

Newman Government; Commission of Audit Ms PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Leader of the Opposition) (11.04 am): As each week passes, the people of Queensland see with greater clarity the low quality of government being delivered by the LNP. Last Friday we saw further evidence of an arrogant government willing to break promises, mislead voters and talk down our state if it scores it cheap political points. On Friday we saw the LNP’s political mate Peter Costello try his hardest—but fail—to reveal a budget black hole of Labor’s making. Any reading of the Costello audit shows that the only black hole belongs to the LNP. It is the missing $5.7 billion in savings the Premier and his Treasurer swore before the election they had identified. If our state’s credit rating is under threat, it is because the LNP still has not detailed where those savings will come from. All we know is that the Costello audit states in black and white that some of those savings will come from the sacking of government workers. That is despite the Premier saying last year that he saw no need for cuts to government jobs and that public servants should welcome an LNP government. Little did voters know that he was already planning sackings and that public servants had everything to fear, especially the loss of their jobs. At 9.30 this morning we saw an answer to a question on notice tabled by the Premier which clearly outlines 37,000 temporary jobs here in Queensland. On top of that, there are another 18,000 casual jobs. So what we know is that potentially 55,000 jobs are clearly at risk under this new government. In this place I previously recounted how more than a decade ago Mr Costello was labelled ‘mean and tricky’ by his own federal Liberal president. Shane Stone may be pleased to know that Mr Costello has lost neither of those qualities. In fact, he has found a perfect fit right here in Queensland in the form of this mean and tricky LNP government. Audits have been conducted in other states and at the federal level when conservative governments have come to power. They have been very predictable: they have all blamed previous Labor governments. We saw it in Victoria, we saw it in New South Wales and now we are seeing it quite clearly here in Queensland. They have all given cover to the permanent agenda of the conservatives of slashing jobs and cutting services. And Mr Costello’s audit is no different. 19 Jun 2012 Matters of Public Interest 725

Let me make it very clear: it is no different from what happened in New South Wales and what happened in Victoria. The only difference is that the LNP government could not help itself and just had to have a former Liberal Party politician head up the audit. Queensland taxpayers are forking out $13,200 a month for Mr Costello to work maybe four days out of 30, if we are lucky! The audit would have been credible if Mr Costello had not been involved. Most of the audits interstate have been headed by independent experts with some authority. This audit in Queensland—let there be no mistake—is a blatant political exercise. From the moment he was announced as leading the audit, Mr Costello was seen very clearly as a hired political gun. How else would the Premier have been able to preview its findings three weeks ago by saying—

I’m very sure that when you hear the initial report of the Costello review that we will hear ... some very unpalatable truths. So much for an independent audit! It was written by Mr Costello to fit the template set by the LNP. There was only one way Mr Costello could find any way to attack Labor through the audit and that was to rig the basis on which he assessed the previous government’s record. His findings are based on two very flawed assumptions. First, he assumed that whatever government was elected in March they would have done nothing to address debt or spending. In other words, they would have taken their hands off the wheel and just sat back. That was never going to happen. The second flawed assumption used by Mr Costello was to claim that the next five years would be identical to the previous five. In other words, he judged outlays against the background of a repeat of the global financial crisis and the worst sequence of natural disasters to hit our state. Despite those massive setbacks, Labor’s strategy would have returned the budget to surplus in 2014-15. The pathway to a surplus was detailed in Treasury’s midyear review in December 2011. In other words, Labor’s strategy is and always was on track for a surplus. It is now easy to see why Mr Costello never became Prime Minister. Being mean and tricky is second nature to him, just as it is to the government. It is curious to note how the Premier and his ministers have been quick to condemn Labor’s budget strategy. Their speed in doing so is rivalled only by the speed at which they thrust themselves in front of cameras at the opening of major infrastructure projects Labor undertook through the very same budget strategy. A case in point was last Saturday when the Premier and his transport minister were seen slapping each other on the back at the open day for the new Northern Busway. And for what? Cutting a ribbon! That was the sum total of their involvement in the project. The Premier cannot have it both ways. He cannot go around the state criticising Labor’s budget strategy but then grin for the cameras at the events celebrating projects delivered under the strategy.

Ellis, Ms A; YHES House Mr MOLHOEK (Southport—LNP) (11.11 am): It gives me great pleasure to rise today to take this opportunity to recognise the work of an outstanding woman and tireless worker in the Southport community. Ten years ago community champion Anne Ellis started working for YHES House in Southport and has dedicated her life to helping our kids—those who are struggling and those who may not make it without a helping hand. Anne Ellis is inspirational. Her desire to support those in difficult situations is an example to us all. Over the past two decades the Gold Coast region has had one of the fastest growing populations in Queensland, with a high percentage of young people, especially in Southport, Nerang and the northern Gold Coast region. Rapid growth has also occurred in the western corridor without appropriate support services. The incidence of mental, emotional and sexual health problems including self-harm, suicide, domestic violence, the problematic use of alcohol and other drugs, sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies continues to increase in the Gold Coast’s youth population. According to the Gold Coast City Council’s key social statistics report of April 2012, there are over 2,000 homeless people on the Gold Coast on any given night. That figure represents 8½ per cent of all homeless people in Queensland. The level of homelessness on the Gold Coast is particularly high compared with that of other parts of Queensland. The average rate of homelessness for Australia is 53 people for every 10,000 people. In Brisbane, it is typically 45 people per 10,000 people. On the Gold Coast the rate is 77 people per 10,000 people, which is significantly higher than the rate in Brisbane and 12 per cent higher than the Queensland state average. Children as young as 13 seek refuge on the streets of the Gold Coast some nights. While people may have trouble finding them, they are there— behind office buildings, in rundown factories, under bridges and in abandoned houses. YHES House, based in Southport, is a non-profit organisation led by Anne Ellis that provides free support services that respond to the needs of these homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged youth and young parents. Anne and her team—people like Tamsyn Hall, Georgina, Karen, Sandy and Faye— have a passion for helping young people to reach their potential and are particularly concerned for those who are more vulnerable, those on the fringes, of whom many have complex issues and who typically need some extra support to make it through the difficult challenges and transitions that they face. 726 Matters of Public Interest 19 Jun 2012

According to Anne, support given at the right time can make all the difference to a young person and help ensure that they have the best opportunity to make positive life choices. Every week Anne and her team provide support to Queenslanders and young adults who want to get their lives back on track. YHES House is like a safe haven where they can get support, break the cycle of homelessness and abuse, and help to make positive choices so that they can have a better tomorrow. Anne Ellis is a hero of my community. I rise today to recognise and applaud her and the YHES House team for their hard work and real commitment to making a difference in the lives of so many in Southport and the northern Gold Coast. Gold Coast, Drug Abuse Dr DOUGLAS (Gaven—LNP) (11.15 am): Not a day goes by when we do not see seemingly mindless acts of random violence occurring in situations where everyday Queenslanders are enjoying themselves. Alcohol is associated with most of the incidents but, increasingly, the offenders and the victims are multidrug affected. It is not only the increase in amphetamine use in the 20- to 29-age group that is giving the police greater problems. A group of major drugs is also creating a long-term problem for Queenslanders if only because of the consequences of the violent assaults that occur because of the taking of these drugs. On Monday of this week in the Gold Coast Bulletin it was reported that a 29-year-old man was stabbed at Shooters nightclub at 3.45 am. The offender ran off and is being hunted. A day earlier, a 27- year-old in Southport was stabbed, punched and robbed by two members who ran off. As the Law, Justice and Safety Committee report in 2009 stated, it is well known that alcohol is a major influence on violence between persons. What is not known and has not been appreciated is the growing problem of violent perpetrators being increasingly identified as being more dangerous and more potentially a problem by virtue of the intermix of drugs—mainly illicit but also some prescribed medications—in their systems simultaneously. Anecdotally, it has always been noted that the behaviour of amphetamine affected offenders when either restrained or attempting to be restrained shows that their strength is one of 10 tigers. What is now clear is that there is evidence that the offenders are multidrug affected offenders and we all need to plan around this. Various theories abound, but the hallucinogenic effect of drugs, combined with significant sympathetic nervous system effects, are thought to be paramount when combined with the consumption of alcohol. To be fair, the Law, Justice and Safety Committee’s recommendation in 2009, when looking into alcohol related violence, also said that the committee should look at drugs later on, but that did not eventuate. The time has come. Whilst between 2007 and 2010 ecstasy use declined, the use of other illicit drugs has taken place and the number of people drinking at risky levels has increased significantly at the same time. Males are more common drug users—an 80 to 20 ratio of drug arrests—and are even more prevalent in cocaine use arrests. With regard to offender profiles, during the 1999 to 2010 period high proportions of adult male police detainees tested positive to drugs when recorded by monitoring. This information is critical, because there is a competing argument for greater drug relaxation including decriminalisation and, tragically, almost a lack of appreciation of the almost unbelievable growth of the legally obtained and illicitly obtained prescribed medication including morphine equivalents—mainly oxycodone but also fentanyl and morphine itself. Oxycodone is the precursor ingredient for ‘hillbilly’ heroin and is being diverted—possibly in 50 per cent of cases; in extreme volumes—to those not in need but who are dependent on it or who are using it for recreational purposes. We have moved well on from the cannabis affected dope heads—chronic use, smoking hydroponically grown dope leading to a dull drug haze, a user affected, slowed psychomotive retarded and cognitive declined patient—with a significant number developing psychosis that is both drug and consumption related. The violence resulting from this is a different problem but must be seen as a separate issue. The major area that is being impacted by combined drug and alcohol related violence is the so-called silent one: it is that of domestic violence. It appears to be caused by more than alcohol alone, but it may be lower in percentage only because alcohol abuse is much greater in total numbers and has a wider demographic. It may be that drug and alcohol related violence may be more insidious, more violent, more harmful and potentially even more difficult to control. It is well established in ATSI patients. So what drugs are they using? Ecstasy, speed powder, ice, cocaine, ketamine, GHB, LSD, mushrooms, mephedrone, cannabis, tobacco in huge doses, prescribed medication and energy drinks including Red Bull and a variety of others. In the most recent review by Sheena Arora et al of the National Drug and Alcohol Centre, from face-to-face interviews with 693 users, of whom nearly 50 per cent are tertiary educated, with a mean age of 24 and an income of $566, only four per cent are currently in drug treatment and only four per cent have a previous drug history. Eighty-two per cent used other drugs with ecstasy; 34 per cent were bingeing on alcohol and drugs; and 22 per cent drank more alcohol than usual when they took ecstasy. But there are plenty of good signs that we can actually do something. Sixty-four per cent are driving under the influence of alcohol and could be picked up and 56 per cent realised they were taking the wrong thing. We need to do something about this problem. It is a significant problem affecting our community. 19 Jun 2012 Matters of Public Interest 727

Commission of Audit Mr PITT (Mulgrave—ALP) (11.20 am): The Commission of Audit handed down last week confirms that the budget position as outlined by Treasury prior to the election was correct. What the Commission of Audit also confirms is that the LNP still has not released any confirmation by Treasury of their election costings. The question for the Treasurer is: what does he have to hide? It might be that in chapter 11 the report details how the Treasurer misled Queenslanders two days before the election. He told us that the LNP’s three per cent wages expense cap would not involve forced redundancies or cuts to front-line services. The report details that if the overall increase in employee expenses is to be held to three per cent, any wage settlements in excess of three per cent must be offset by commensurate downsizing of the workforce and savings generated from the three per cent cap on employee expenses will be used to offset the cost of the government’s other election commitments. It then says that application of current growth funding for health, education and communities would be inconsistent with the government’s policy of a three per cent cap on employee expenses. The claims made by the LNP that the public service is too large are disputed by the report where it shows that Queensland has the same proportion of public servants per person as the other decentralised, fast-growing state of Western Australia. Further, it says that Labor’s voluntary separation program will have primarily reduced the rest of the public service category, as it was focused primarily on back-office administration. It clearly says over two-thirds of jobs delivered by Labor were in Health and Education with the majority being front-line jobs. This means that the LNP in their jobs purge to fund election promises will cut front-line health, education and community staff relative to increases in population. About a decade ago, former Liberal Party president Shane Stone suggested then Treasurer Peter Costello was mean and tricky. And the LNP have politically shaped this into a mean and tricky report. The Commission of Audit lists the developments since January that led to revised figures in the Treasury May 2012 forward estimates update. While the cover letter of the Commission of Audit says the previous government built in unrealistically optimistic budget assumptions, the report then proceeds to attack Treasury’s May 2012 update, which occurred after the election, stating that the commission has a number of significant concerns with key assumptions and forecasts underlying the Treasury May 2012 forward estimates. It is worth noting that, as detailed in the report, transfer duty increased by 25 per cent per annum from 2000-01 to 2005-06. In this context it is politically random to attack Treasury’s May 2012 forecast of a return to 14 per cent annual growth in transfer duty as the economy gathers pace. While the LNP talk down the economy in order to blame Labor for their financial incompetence, the ABS detailed that state final demand was 7.8 per cent over the year to March. This strongest year to March quarter result since 2006 was underpinned by the strongest household consumption growth since the December quarter 2007. The two famous GFC skeptics, the Treasurer and the member for Southern Downs, denied the existence of the global financial crisis and the need to act and now they seek to deny an economic recovery. The Treasurer has been telling us of a $10 billion fiscal deficit in 2012-13, another mean and tricky statement. As set out in the report, this figure is artificially inflated by over $3 billion from natural disaster costs not offset by Commonwealth payments in that year. Moreover, the standard of a fiscal balance is used by none of the Treasurer’s conservative colleagues in Victoria, New South Wales or WA. The Commonwealth government uses this measure, but alongside net debt. You will not hear the Treasurer talk about Queensland’s net debt being $24.92 billion at the midyear review. You will only hear him talk about gross debt of $100 billion based on some dreamed-up scenario six years into the future. And another Costello prediction is that economic circumstances in the next five years would be a carbon copy of the past five, complete with another GFC and catastrophic natural disasters. I doubt Treasury would forecast this and I know the Bureau of Meteorology long-term forecasts are not that long term. The bottom line is that the Costello audit could find no Labor black hole. It clearly shows Labor and the LNP with a projected return to a budget surplus in 2014-15—essentially the same fiscal strategy. Unfortunately for all Queenslanders, Shane Stone was on the money all those years ago. Costello’s involvement in this report means it has been tainted politically and it is full of mean and tricky assumptions that perfectly suit the purposes of a mean and tricky government. Ginger, Imports Mr BENNETT (Burnett—LNP) (11.24 am): I rise to share with the House a very important analysis currently being conducted by Biosecurity Australia. Biosecurity Australia has given the Australian ginger industry 60 days to respond to an import risk analysis into the importation of fresh ginger from Fiji. This is more pressure on our local farmers. It appears that the report compiled by Biosecurity Australia has been poorly drafted using loose science and a lack of references. The problem we have is that the report clearly undervalues many of the insect pests and diseases that could be contained in imported soils. The draft IRA recommends the introduction of fresh ginger into Australia with risk management for just one pest, the yam scale. This is not acceptable for the industry and to the host crops that pests and diseases may impact upon. Because of the irregular, angular shape and tight 728 Matters of Public Interest 19 Jun 2012 crevices of the ginger rhizome it is virtually impossible to completely remove all the soil. This raises the issue that many pests and diseases of concern are contained within the imported soils. Another assumption which reflects the lack of understanding of the everyday reality is that the report dismisses the risks that consumers could potentially plant rhizomes purchased from retail outlets. The IRA states— ... as this pathway cannot be effectively regulated. It is expected that the volumes of ginger diverted to growing purposes by consumers would be small. To assume consumers are not going to intentionally or unintentionally plant or dispose of unused imported ginger rhizomes by planting them, throwing them into compost heaps or into local rubbish depots is unrealistic and naive. It must be remembered that the proposal is to import a product that is a planting material and anyone can simply buy imported ginger and plant it. The IRA assesses the consequence to native species as not discernible on the basis that there is no information available. Surely the precautionary approach should apply. If there is no information available then the risk must be rated as high until the necessary research can be conducted. However, a properly conducted IRA would have at least attempted to provide some scientific assessment by disclosing the risks. Many of the pests and diseases present in Fiji are of concern to the Australian environment and the ginger industry and they are also a serious risk to other crops in Queensland. Crops like banana, citrus, sweet potato, pineapple and nursery plants could be affected. The ginger industry is self-sufficient and producing fresh ginger for the Australian market. My purpose in raising this issue is to alert the House to the serious risks to the environment, the ginger industry and a range of major rural industries and backyard gardeners in Australia by the importation and introduction of fresh ginger from Fiji. We need to consider the impacts on our local farmers. We need to consider our agricultural needs into the future and the need for sensible decision making. During the 1960s seeds were imported from Thailand that introduced bacteria and as a result certain areas in Queensland are no longer farmable for plants like ginger. Any notable increases in ginger production and importation from nations such as Fiji will have a strong impact on Australia’s ginger industry in the coming years. Demand for fresh product is increasing and I seek to have that demand provided by Queensland farmers. Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, Jobs Mrs SCOTT (Woodridge—ALP) (11.27 am): ‘No gift bestowed upon us is so precious as children. They are the hope of the future.’ This quote from former US politician James E Faust manages to convey in a few words why protection of children should be one of the most important considerations of government. That is why I was so disappointed to read the Brisbane Times article this morning which tells of jobs being cut in child safety. Child safety workers in Emerald have had a worrying time wondering about the fate of their jobs. After years of working with the child safety workers in my area of Woodridge and getting to know the people who do these jobs I am sure their greatest concern is not for themselves, but for the vulnerable children they work so hard to protect. According to the Brisbane Times article, an Excel document prepared by the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services outlines 229 positions on a list of temporary engagements where current arrangements are not being renewed. So right across the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, the department that is supposed to care for some of the most vulnerable people in Queensland, 229 jobs are being cut. According to the interim report of the Commission of Audit at page 7, much of the previous Labor government’s increased expenditure was directed at policy objectives including Child Safety Services. Further on in the report, at page 107, it was acknowledged that the substantial increase in per capita spending by the previous government reflected a number of policy objectives by government to expand levels of service delivery. Those include introducing a prep year into schooling; significantly increasing child safety services; increasing hospital bed numbers; substantially increasing wages and conditions for doctors, nurses and clinical staff; increasing public transport infrastructure and services; and increasing effort in disability services. I would love to know which of those services the LNP would not have provided had it been in government. At page 137 of the interim report it was acknowledged that in January 2004 the Crime and Misconduct Commission released its final report on abuse in foster care, Protecting children: an inquiry into abuse of children in foster care, and the government implementation of that report fundamentally changed the child protection system in Queensland. There was a significant investment in new structures for child safety, including the appointment of additional child safety officers. Those child safety officers need to know that they will be able to continue to provide those services to the vulnerable children who rely on them for their safety and care. I refer to the answer to a question without notice from the Leader of the Opposition, given this morning by the Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, in reference to people in her department on temporary contracts. Her response seemed to indicate that the way of dealing with the uncertainty of whether temporary contracts will be renewed is to end this uncertainty by decisively 19 Jun 2012 Matters of Public Interest 729 ending the contracts. I think a better way to end the uncertainty would be to guarantee jobs for front-line officers. However, I would also urge consideration being given to guaranteeing the jobs of support staff who back up the front-line officers. If the front-line officers are being taken offline to carry out the administrative tasks previously undertaken by support staff, they are not looking after our children. The government has been less than honest about the public sector job situation in Queensland. As the audit report itself states at page 104— As a proportion of the population, the Queensland public sector (4.5%) is similar to Western Australia (4.5%) ... It also notes that, except for Health, the increases in all other functions relative to the year 2000 are broadly in line with population growth. I urge the minister to stop playing political football with Queensland’s most vulnerable people. Glendyne Education and Training Centre Mrs MADDERN (Maryborough—LNP) (11.32 am): Anyone who is related to or knows a schoolteacher, particularly a high school teacher, will know about the frustration that teachers feel each time they have to suspend a student for inappropriate behaviour. In most instances this ends with the student free to roam the streets, which is something they much prefer to being in school. The end result is that the inappropriate behaviour is almost encouraged by the punishment itself. However, teachers have no option: to keep the student in the classroom disadvantages the remaining students because they have to put up with disruptive and sometimes dangerous behaviour. In most areas there is no real alternative for state schools in terms of referring suspended or expelled students. However, in the Maryborough electorate there is such a facility: the Glendyne special assistance school. This is a not-for-profit registered school and training centre, supported by Queensland Baptist Care. The school caters for some 120 referrals, the vast majority of which come from state high schools in Hervey Bay and Maryborough. The school program focuses on individual support for the students, particularly in the areas of mental health, drug addiction and building relationships. There is special one-on-one support in the areas of literacy and numeracy, as many students come to the school with little or no skill in those areas. School classes are kept small, at between seven and 12 students per class. School hours are reduced and sporting activities are an important part of the education process. The school follows the national curriculum in years 8-10 and delivers VET courses providing hands-on training to senior students. Students are supported by a principal, 11 teachers, seven youth workers, two tutors, one counsellor, one canteen operator and administration and ground staff. A bus service collects students from the surrounding areas, and breakfast and lunch are provided at a minimal cost. Approximately 80 per cent of students who come to the school have not had breakfast. The school has had extremely good outcomes, with 85 per cent of students either going on to further education or finding work. That is a much superior outcome to the normal situation, where such students would be left to roam the streets, often ending up in the justice system. I commend the principal, Dale Hansen, and his team of dedicated staff for the outstanding results they have achieved. However, the work that those people carry out is limited by the amount of funding they receive. They are not allowed—nor would it serve any purpose—to levy fees on students because generally the students come from families from a very low socioeconomic background that have no capacity to pay. The total recurrent funding received from the federal and state governments is in the order of $10,200 per student, yet the actual cost per student is $20,400 because of the need for a much higher ratio of teachers to students and the need for counsellors and youth workers to assist students through issues of drug and alcohol abuse, sex abuse, building relationships, mental health issues, et cetera. That leaves the organisation to be supported by community groups such as the Baptist church and fundraising activities. As a community and as a government, we need to take a serious look at the model that the Glendyne school provides for disengaged students. More schools of this type located throughout various parts of Queensland would give teachers the opportunity to refer students they can no longer keep in their own classes. Keeping those students off the streets and out of the juvenile justice system, and in a large number of cases enabling them to achieve employment, surely would save the taxpayer a significant amount. At least some of that saving should be redirected to supporting and increasing the number of facilities of this type. The community faces a second issue, which relates to why students are becoming so disengaged. In a discussion on this issue, the principal of Glendyne, Mr Hansen, told me that at least one factor in the disengagement of so many students relates to the fact that there is welfare support for them—often in terms of youth allowances, living-away-from-home allowances or student allowances— but there is no link between actual attendance at school and the payment of the allowance. In light of the prevailing economic climate, the very limited number of jobs in the area and often the incapacity of students to travel to other areas for work, there is no incentive for the students to attend either the regular schooling system or the Glendyne system. Add to this often very dysfunctional family backgrounds and it is not surprising that there are so many disengaged youths of school age. 730 Matters of Public Interest 19 Jun 2012

I strongly urge the community and this House to review the current funding model for this type of facility with a view to supporting and putting in place additional schools of this type to provide a referral option for students who are disengaged from and can no longer be catered for in the normal school system. (Time expired)

Prime Minister’s Economic Forum, Brisbane Mr MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (11.37 am): Last week I attended the Prime Minister’s economic forum in Brisbane. The forum was well attended by federal government representatives and business, community and union leaders. However, it was not attended by the Premier or any representative of this government. I think an economic forum in Brisbane would be a perfect opportunity for the Premier or his Treasurer to sell the Queensland economy to business leaders. It is a pity that the Premier missed a great chance to spruik the Queensland economy to national business leaders. There was an audience waiting for the Premier to talk about what a great place Queensland is to invest, but he missed it. Next month the Treasurer is flying to China, Japan and the US to spruik the Queensland economy. I would have thought that an economic forum in Brisbane would be a cheaper and more convenient platform for the new government, but they could not find the time to attend. The sessions I attended at the Prime Minister’s economic forum covered building the workforce, skilling and education, and competition and deregulation reform. There was consensus at the forum on the need for industry and all levels of government to take responsibility for improving training and skills for the workforce. The Prime Minister announced at the end of the forum the government’s intention to move on lowering the corporate tax rate funded from identified offsets in business related spending or taxation. It was decided that better incentives for employment service providers to locate regionally are required. Another outcome was for more options to be provided for training people on income support to improve productivity in the economy. It was agreed that Australia needs to increase access to developing markets with further work leading into the upcoming Australia in the Asian Century white paper. It seems that the Premier and the Treasurer are too scared to turn up and discuss any real issues. They are too busy talking down the Queensland economy. It is little wonder the Treasurer is paying Peter Costello to do this in his first budget. The economic forum framed new grounds for economic confidence and new ideas for reform. We heard from business leaders about the need to bolster economic confidence, to appreciate our strengths, to forge together to build confidence and to recognise that our glass is more than half full. The business community understands the importance of optimism when talking about the economy, but the Newman government does not. The continued talking down of the Queensland economy by the Premier and the Treasurer, with inane catchphrases such as ‘a power dive into the abyss’, will only have a detrimental effect on the Queensland economy. This is combined with the Costello interim audit last week, delivering predictable findings enabling the Newman government to break more of its election promises, to cut more government jobs and front-line services and to lift taxes, fees and charges. The ongoing negativity combined with the government’s ongoing efforts to sack government workers and contract investment in Queensland regions will only harm our state’s prospects and cost even more jobs. If rating agencies have concerns and are looking at downgrading Queensland’s credit rating, it is directly related to this negativity and it is the Premier’s fault.

Redcliffe Electorate, Council Deamalgamation Mr DRISCOLL (Redcliffe—LNP) (11.42 am): I wish to talk in the House today about the possible deamalgamation of the Redcliffe council, which was foreshadowed throughout the election campaign and which this government has committed to considering for all councils across Queensland through the independently appointed Boundaries Commissioner process. It is worth considering the lead-up to this amalgamation process by the former Labor government back in July 2007. It was done under the banner of what it called the Local Government Reform Commission. I would certainly consider a reform commission that delivered the results that this one did across Queensland to be absolutely abysmal and not unlike the rest of the record of the former Labor government and its standards of delivery for Queensland that we have been hearing about day in and day out. In my part of the world—in Redcliffe—this amalgamation gutted the community. It ripped out the heart of the community and destroyed the confidence that that community had in its local government. We have done many polls over the past couple of years and these indicate that there is a strong mood for change and a desire to look at getting back what was the Redcliffe city council. I applaud the work of the local government minister and I am very pleased that our government is finally going to give the people of Queensland, and those in my area of Redcliffe, the confidence that an independently appointed Boundaries Commissioner will look at the mess that the former Labor government created. 19 Jun 2012 Matters of Public Interest 731

It is very interesting—and ironic, I suppose—that it was indeed on the Ides of March when we saw these councils across Queensland destroyed by the former Labor government. That was the date of the election—15 March 2008. Those members of this House who are well read—obviously, I am referring to those on the government side of the House—would realise that Julius Caesar was slaughtered on the floor of the senate— Ms TRAD: I rise to a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I find that remark offensive and I ask for it to be withdrawn. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Robinson): I did not hear any personal reference to the member. If there was any personal reference to the member then I would instruct the member speaking—please take your seat member for South Brisbane until I have finished—to ensure that he does not create any inference that is personally offensive to the member. I did not hear any offensive material attributed to the member. I will take your point of order if you still want to make it. Ms TRAD: There was an imputation and a reference to every member on this side of the House. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no point of order. I remind the member about frivolous points of order. The member will apologise to the chair. Ms TRAD: I apologise, Mr Deputy Speaker. Mr DRISCOLL: I will continue with the record that is the shame of the Labor Party. As we saw this morning, when we talk about its record those opposite do not like to be held to account, whether it be related to financial matters or indeed the travesty that was this council amalgamation process. It was thrust upon the people of Redcliffe and the people of Queensland. I understand that it is a legacy that the now Labor opposition, the ‘Magnificent Seven’ as they call themselves, do not want to own. What were the results of this amalgamation process? On the ground in Redcliffe today we have two councillors left to represent the entirety of what was the Redcliffe city council. That is two councillors out of 12 councillors who make up the Moreton Bay Regional Council. Those in this House who can count—and they can determine who they are themselves or can ask for a bit of help later—would realise that two out of 12 just does not cut it as far as making sure there is strong representation. Redcliffe city council was a very iconic entity. It was an iconic entity due to the fact that Redcliffe was the first settlement city in Queensland. It certainly has a proud financial history and I will quote references made by the Queensland Treasury Corporation. It identified Redcliffe city council as ‘one of the strongest and most sustainable local governments in Queensland’. It is time, and this government in its wisdom will make sure, that the people of Redcliffe have their say, have their voice heard and are not railroaded like the former Labor government did in forcing its view. There will be an independent process. I look forward to playing a strong part on the ground in Redcliffe and working with the minister and within our government to ensure that justice is served for the people of Redcliffe when it comes to looking at the deamalgamation process.

Royalties for the Regions; Uranium Mining Mr KATTER (Mount Isa—KAP) (11.47 am): I rise today to inform the House of two issues critical to helping Queensland get its budget back on track. This week I will be tabling a bill for the government to consider regarding royalties for the regions. I acknowledge the government committed to such a scheme during the election. I look forward to cooperating with it for the scheme’s speedy implementation. Queensland is in a budgetary crisis. I fully support the government’s decision to scale back on wasteful spending such as the cutting of the climate change office. But there is more to do than that. The regions represent Queensland’s road to prosperity. We cannot afford to neglect this goose that is laying our golden eggs. This is why the government must redirect funding into building profitable industries in the regions. The royalties for the regions scheme will do just that—that is, direct 20 per cent of mining royalties back into the regions that generated them. It will deliver two per cent of mining royalties to trade training and apprenticeships. A scheme based on a successful Western Australian model would see $700 million redirected from building a building for politicians in Brisbane to building prosperity in regional Queensland. This scheme will help to ensure that mines waiting for power can open. It will get the undeveloped agricultural sector in North Queensland going. It will boost the government’s bottom line. It will ensure Aussies are trained and ready to fill mining jobs so that we do not need any foreign workers. To expand on this, towns such as Moranbah, Mackay, Mount Isa and Gladstone are desperately in need of infrastructure such as housing, land, water and sewerage to accommodate this boom and to help them prosper in this boom period of mining. That is what is so desperately needed to be done with those funds. 732 Matters of Public Interest 19 Jun 2012

The next issue I would like to raise is uranium. In line with this, Queensland must also open uranium mining in the regions. Our state has over $20 billion of uranium reserves which are sitting wasted while other states are taking advantage of the massive growth in global demand for nuclear power. The only reason these reserves are off limits is Labor’s decision to put Green preferences before the good of Queensland. Uranium mining will open a new multibillion dollar export industry in Queensland. It will create jobs and bring in a new royalty revenue stream which the government desperately needs to pay down debt. Uranium mining will also reinvigorate Queensland’s copper mining sector, which will cease to operate unless new resources are found and exploited. I table a news report for the benefit of the House which shows that the LNP previously supported the development of uranium mining in Queensland and I call on the government to overturn Labor’s ban and to open Queensland up for business. Tabled paper: Extract from The Australian, dated 9 March 2009, titled ‘Lawrence Springborg puts uranium on the table in Queensland campaign’ [346]. To expand on this, Australia has the world’s largest supply of low-cost uranium, with around one- third of known deposits. Queensland alone has known uranium reserves of over 50,000 tonnes, potentially worth $20 billion. Global demand for uranium has risen sharply and is likely to increase by more than 42 per cent over the next five years. These facts provide Queensland with the opportunity to develop a multibillion dollar export industry and generate a new royalty revenue stream—something we should be seriously considering. The Queensland Resources Council estimates that the state’s silver, copper and zinc deposits will be exhausted in the next 13 years unless further exploration is undertaken to unlock new reserves. As large copper deposits are often found with uranium, the Queensland Resources Council recommends removing bans to stimulate new mining activity. This will provide new opportunities for Queensland to take advantage of the resources boom and reinvigorate its production of copper and other minerals. The Australian Uranium Association has estimated that the creation of an export uranium industry will create another 2,600 jobs in Queensland. These jobs represent future employment and opportunity for Queensland families. Nuclear power is carbon free and much cheaper than renewable energy. We may not see it in our time in Australia, but the 2008 British white paper on nuclear energy found that it was approximately 166 times more cost efficient than wind power at reducing carbon emissions. A report commissioned for the Australian Uranium Association has estimated that uranium mining in Queensland could reduce global carbon emissions by 120 million tonnes by 2030. Uranium mining represents the single best way Queensland can help reduce global carbon emissions without the unwanted nasty carbon tax. Uranium mining has found increasing support from all sides of politics. In 2007 the federal Labor government overturned its ban on new mines and last year agreed to sell uranium to India. The Australian Workers Union has also called for Queensland to lift its ban on uranium mining. (Time expired) Scenic Rim, Tourism Mr KRAUSE (Beaudesert—LNP) (11.52 am): I rise to bring to the attention of the House the importance of the tourism industry to my electorate. On Friday, 8 June I met with several local tourism operators—all small businesses—from the Beaudesert electorate. While I am talking about tourism in my electorate, I am going to refer to the electorate as the Scenic Rim—the name adopted for the local council, the Scenic Rim Regional Council, and, much earlier than the forced amalgamations of Labor in 2008, the name bestowed upon this spectacular part of Queensland by the Beaudesert and Boonah shire councils. These tourism operators were meeting to discuss how tourism in the Scenic Rim should be advanced and, in particular, how the DestinationQ conference, which will be held in Cairns next week, can help mould the future of tourism in the Scenic Rim. There was palpable excitement in the room at the prospect of a state-wide approach to tourism—and, in particular, tourism in regional areas outside of the Cairns and Gold Coast paradigm—being developed from the ground up. It has been a long time since tourism operators of all types and all stakeholders in the industry have had the opportunity to come together in one place to put together an all-encompassing approach to tourism in this state. I congratulate the Minister for Tourism and Small Business for the enthusiasm with which she has taken up the challenge to ensure that tourism is a growth industry for Queensland. Tourism is a key part of the future of the Scenic Rim, along with our agricultural industries and other residential and industrial developments. While I mention agriculture and tourism together, I must point out the terrific festival which will take place in the Scenic Rim in the week commencing 24 June. ‘Eat Local Week’, sponsored by the Scenic Rim Regional Council, is, as the council says, ‘a wide range of workshops, tours, food tastings, dinners and activities for everyone to enjoy’. Cooking classes, compost workshops, edible garden tours, food tastings and dinners—there is something for everybody interested in food in this week. I invite the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines to attend. It starts in Beechmont in the east and finishes at Aratula in the west and will showcase the best of the Scenic Rim’s 19 Jun 2012 Matters of Public Interest 733 food and its agricultural industries. It is events like this which will grow from local events to major events, attracting visitors from all parts of Queensland and overseas if the conditions are right. DestinationQ is a forum to grow and promote ‘Destination Scenic Rim’. The jewel in the crown of Scenic Rim tourism is Tamborine Mountain, a spectacular mountain top community which overlooks the Gold Coast and the Pacific Ocean to the east and the spectacular hills and valleys of the Scenic Rim and ranges to the west. Whether it is businesses such as Cedar Creek vineyards, the Polish Place, DeliVino, Sugar N Spice, Witches Falls Winery, Thunderbird Park, the national parks which nestle the community—in fact, Queensland’s first national park is on Tamborine Mountain—or the array of recreational activities which can be undertaken on the mountain, such as hang-gliding into the valleys below towards Canungra and Beaudesert, Tamborine Mountain thrives on tourism. There is much work to do at DestinationQ to grow ‘Destination Scenic Rim’. Scenic Rim tourism ventures are generally within an hour and a half drive from Brisbane. However, in comparison to areas such as the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, there is unfortunately much work to do in ensuring that tourism consumers, from both Queensland and overseas, know about how much this region has to offer. DestinationQ is a terrific opportunity for Scenic Rim tourism businesses to have input into their own future. It is a forum where they can put in place the building blocks for their own future. The Scenic Rim is in itself a region which has a little bit of everything in Queensland. I look forward to working with all of the tourism businesses on Tamborine Mountain and in the wider Scenic Rim region to advance this key part of the economic future of our region. Agricultural Industry Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—LNP) (11.56 am): On 24 March this year we witnessed the changing of the guard, thank God. The LNP government came to power on the back of a four-pillar policy. One of those policies was agriculture. I want to talk about the importance of this portfolio area and what agriculture means to Queensland. I congratulate the new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon. John McVeigh, on the way he has taken the baton in this portfolio area and covered this great state to date. I also put on record the work that the former minister did in relation to the areas of wild dog control—I know that was a difficult area for him—and ticks. But I do want to say one thing here today: the wild dog issue is out of control in this state. The minister has put in place five wild dog coordinators to assist local government and other agricultural bodies right across the state, in conjunction with AgForce and other agri-political groups, in bringing about the redemption of the cattle industry and the sheep industry because we have seen the demise of these two great industries. Western Queensland was once the home of the sheep. It no longer is and many of our western shires today only have about 50,000 to 100,000 sheep. Mr Stevens: None in Richmond. Mr JOHNSON: Yes. The Leader of the House, the member for Mermaid Beach, is a Richmond boy himself. I am a Quilpie boy. I know how many sheep were shorn in those places and what it meant not only to the economy of those western towns like the Deputy Premier was talking about this morning but also to the economy of Queensland and to the economy of Australia. What we have witnessed here in the last number of years is the absolute decimation of agriculture. When I say ‘decimation’, I talk about the live cattle export industry out of North Queensland. We saw the federal government pull the rug out from under the live cattle export industry in their panic because some lame-brained idiot in the media wanted to do a job on our cattle men and women by closing down the export of live cattle to Indonesia. Mr Deputy Speaker, do you realise how many people went to the wall over that? Some people could not meet their interest and redemption payments of $300,000 and $400,000 as they fell due just before June last year. What happened? They have gone to the wall because of irresponsible, lame- brained idiots in Canberra who could not see their way clear to address a situation of business. In terms of business, the most important things this government will do during this term, the next term and the term after that are make certain that agriculture thrives in this state—the cattle industry and the wool industry—and train young people in agriculture industries. Just this week the minister visited Emerald Agricultural College and Longreach Pastoral College. What great facilities they are—training young men and women to go forward in the pastoral and agricultural industries, not only in this state but also in the Northern Territory or wherever they want to work in these great industries that made Australia great. I say to Minister McVeigh today: keep up the good work and drive the agenda in relation to agriculture because it is vitally important to the ongoing welfare, wellbeing and profitability of this great state. I want every member in this House to know that when mining or some other industry collapses it will be agriculture that keeps carrying the baton. We should always remember the words of great American President Abraham Lincoln when he said, ‘If you see grass growing in the streets of the cities 734 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 it will be because other industries have failed. The only time grass will be removed from the streets of the cities is when agriculture has been successful in making the economies of the state and the nation successful, fruitful and viable again.’ It is agriculture that will redeem the situation. Live cattle exports are vitally important to our economy. Our wool industry is vitally important. That is why it is so very important that we address the issue of ticks, which are costing this state’s producers $30 million a year. I urge every Queenslander and every business to get on board with Queensland agriculture. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The time for matters of public interest has expired.

TREASURY (COST OF LIVING) AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading Resumed from 7 June (see p. 698), on motion of Mr Nicholls— That the bill be now read a second time. Mr DILLAWAY (Bulimba—LNP) (12.02 pm), continuing: The measures in the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 will bring cost-of-living relief to residents of Bulimba who suffered from those endless increases in taxes, fees and charges under the former Labor government. This bill also starts to deliver on a reduction to red tape that has been burdening small business, in particular our real estate industry. We will bring back the principal place of residence stamp duty concession, saving Queensland families up to $7,000 on the price of their home. This measure will help the many real estate agents across the electorate of Bulimba who have done it tough under Labor and will also reinvigorate activity in our lagging local property sector. Every resident of Bulimba will benefit from the freezing of electricity tariff 11 which will save them on average $120 a year—a stark contrast to the $700 average increase the same families were hit with by Labor over the past five years. It is unfortunate, however, that our delivery of a reduction in electricity costs in the family budget in Bulimba will be somewhat undone by federal Labor’s toxic carbon tax, which will start to hurt Queenslanders in less than two weeks time. This bill will deliver on our commitment to show the full impact of federal Labor’s carbon tax on people’s electricity bills. This measure is a must to ensure federal Labor remains accountable to the people of Bulimba and Queensland. The Newman LNP government will increase the payroll tax exemption from $1 million to $1.1 million—the first step in our commitment to increase the exemption to $1.6 million over six years. This new payroll tax exemption threshold will mean that approximately 1,200 small and medium employers—the engine rooms across this great state—who would otherwise be paying payroll tax in 2012-13 will not be liable. What a fantastic initiative compared to the non-existent, antibusiness approach the people across the room had during the election and over the past 14 years. This bill will also deliver on our commitment to provide even further relief to small business across the state. We all know that small business has been doing it tough through increased charges and red tape. It was a central theme during the election and it was raised with me many times every day by the many hardworking small business owners across the Bulimba electorate. It is well known that excessive red tape is a major source of frustration for small businesses and of course impacts on their profitability. I welcome the establishment of the Office of Best Practice Regulation. It is an important part of our government’s commitment to cutting red tape by 20 per cent. Importantly for our real estate industry, this bill will introduce measures to scrap the ridiculous sustainability declaration that nobody used anyway. What a waste. It was not sustainable at all. The Newman LNP government is committed to making it easier for Bulimba and Queensland families to balance their household budgets, and this bill starts to address that need. Unlike the previous Labor government, the Newman LNP government will deliver real cost-of-living relief and red-tape reduction for thousands of families and businesses across Queensland. As a government, we will grow a strong four-pillar economy and we will get Queensland back on track. I commend this bill to the House. Mr GULLEY (Murrumba—LNP) (12.05 pm): I rise to speak in support of the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. Battlers are always better off under Labor. Battlers are always better off under Labor. Mr Rickuss: Who said that? Mr GULLEY: They are clearly not my words, member for Lockyer, but now that I have your attention— Mr Gibson: It was pretty awkward there for a moment. 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 735

Mr GULLEY: They are clearly not my words but they were spoken publicly during the campaign. They were words spoken at a public forum on the north side of Brisbane in February this year. They were words spoken at a public forum by a former ALP member of this House. During this speech I would like to explore this fallacy. This bill has been declared urgent pursuant to standing order 137. I would like to add that this bill is urgent in order to deliver real cost-of-living savings to the good people of Murrumba who are now worse off after 20 years under Labor. Unlike the members of the ALP, we on this side of the House recognise that battlers were suffering from increased cost-of-living expenses and that urgent steps need to be taken to address cost-of-living issues. At the last election, we on this side of parliament went to the electorate—in my case to the electorate of Murrumba—with a plan, a pledge. I am very proud to have signed the LNP pledge to reduce the cost of living, grow a four-pillar economy, revitalise front-line services, deliver better infrastructure and better planning, and restore accountability for government. I now speak in support of this bill to deliver the pledge that I gave during the state election. Firstly, I would like to talk about reinstating the principal place of residence concession rate of transfer duty for the family home. This concession was taken away from Queenslanders by the previous Labor government on 1 August 2011. I am proud that a Campbell Newman government will reinstate the concession rate of transfer duty and deliver real cost-of-living savings of up to $7,000 to Queensland families. Battlers were worse off under Labor. Secondly, I support payroll tax relief for small and medium businesses by amending the payroll tax exemption threshold. I support the competitiveness of Queensland employers, who will now be able to employ more staff. I am proud to support any measure to create and maintain more jobs. Battlers were worse off under Labor. Thirdly, I would like to support the measures in this bill to reduce the cost of electricity. I applaud the step to freeze tariff 11 and give the minister the power to regulate energy network charges for 2012- 13. I will leave increased electricity charges with regard to the carbon tax for other commentators. During my maiden speech I spoke of a pensioner who said that they went to bed at 6.30 at night during winter because they struggled to pay their electricity bills. Again, battlers were worse off under Labor. Fourthly, I want to support the establishment of a new office within the Queensland Competition Authority—that is, the Office of Best Practice Regulation. With my training in accounting, I understand governance. I understand accountability. I believe in open and accountable reporting. I know that good governance gives rise to good outcomes. Good governance is based on organisations seeking to be of best practice, and best practice gives rise to good outcomes. The battlers were worse off under Labor. Fifthly, let us talk about one of the clearest examples of regulation for regulation’s sake— regulation that achieved almost zero outcomes and only served to push up the cost of living for the good people of Queensland and Murrumba. I am talking about sustainability declarations. I support the commitment given by Campbell Newman to get Queensland back on track by reducing real estate red tape by scrapping sustainability declarations. Again, battlers were clearly worse off under Labor. Let us go on a history lesson of waste. Let us go on a journey of waste—a slow-motion train smash of high cost of living that has been coming for a decade. A decade ago the Queensland Labor government started to live beyond its means. Did it choose to be honest with Queenslanders and the people of the Murrumba electorate? No! It chose to raid the dividends of government owned corporations. Who can forget the cash raid of the electricity companies and—surprise, surprise—who is now paying higher electricity prices? The battlers. Mr Rickuss: The whole system collapsed. Mr GULLEY: Correct. We should also consider that the ALP continued to live beyond its means and was happy to count the billions of dollars of income from the QIC as operating income. But, alas, the winds of the stock market changed and the losses of the Queensland Investment Corporation under Labor were then treated as off balance sheet. Again, here our Labor government’s honesty with the good people of Queensland was not there. It was not honest that it was spending more than it was earning. It then said, ‘Let’s put it on the credit card!’ But what did the government do when the credit card got maxed out? It blamed the GFC for its own mismanagement. Instead of owning up to the public— Mr Rickuss: They went to payday lenders. Mr GULLEY: Yes, it did. It said, ‘Let’s go and hock the family silver.’ There was no change in its ability to control its lust to spend money. But at last the credit card provider was not happy and had to increase state government charges. This decade-long deception came to an end. The music stopped. There were no chairs left to hide its lust of spending, and the slow-moving train smash arrived at the 2012 state election. 736 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012

I support this legislation. I refute the statement that battlers are better off under Labor. Clearly, the good people of Murrumba and Queensland are better off with a can-do government under Campbell Newman. Mr Rickuss interjected. Mr GULLEY: Yes; I take that interjection. I support the minister in getting Queensland back on track. I commend this bill to the House. Mr YOUNG (Keppel—LNP) (12.13 pm): I rise to speak in support of the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. I had the pleasure of attending the Central Queensland carbon footprint forum in early 2011. The study was a snapshot of Central Queensland companies affected by the introduction of the carbon tax. The main company reviewed was Stanwell Power Station. Stanwell has four 365-megawatt generators producing 1,460 megawatts of power each year. Stanwell is a coal fired power station that burns through about 3.7 million tonnes of coal each year. It emits generally about seven million tonnes of CO2 per year. From 1 July 2012 the federal Labor government will introduce a carbon tax priced at $23 per tonne of CO2—carbon dioxide. The introduction of a carbon tax significantly decreases the carrying value of Stanwell’s operating sites and will add considerable operating costs comparable to the company’s fuel costs. The seven million tonnes of CO2 emitted from 1 July will cost Stanwell Power Station $161 million per year. The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme regards Stanwell as one of the more efficient coal fired power stations in Australia. However, the cost of producing electricity in Queensland will jump by 43 per cent. The estimated costs of this carbon tax to each household will increase by approximately $317 per household per year. The Rockhampton Regional Council, as part of that study, will have to pass on a staggering $3.5 million to the ratepayers of Rockhampton. According to research carried out by the University of Queensland commissioned by the Fitzroy Basin Association, a leading Rockhampton transport company noted in that study will now have a financial impost of $500,000 which it will pass on to its customers, ultimately affecting households in Rockhampton. How does one quantify the financial costs of those firms that are trade exposed and compete with offshore companies that may not be subject to a similar carbon pricing scheme? A quick flyover of Central Queensland would indicate that the major employers there are those that are deemed trade exposed. Coalmining and allied industries that service the mining sector will be faced with a staggering financial cost of this carbon tax, and what are the employment implications from this toxic tax? I have pensioners in my electorate of Keppel using photovoltaic garden lights that they bring into their house each afternoon in order to save money on power bills. Pensioners are struggling with the cost of living, rates, medical and household insurance and now power. These are very real concerns for those who have made it through the hard times and are now doing it tough again all because of Labor’s financial mismanagement. Under the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 the LNP government will freeze tariff prices for one year to ease the financial burden of the introduction of the carbon tax. The freezing of tariff 11 will save the people in my electorate of Keppel on average $120. The LNP will also deliver on its commitment to show the full costing and the financial impact of federal Labor’s toxic carbon tax on people’s electricity bills. The LNP strongly opposes the introduction of the carbon tax because it will have significant impacts on people’s cost of living. Only an LNP government will address the cost of living for Queenslanders by cutting red tape, cutting waste and growing a four- pillar economy. In 2008 Western Australia—another mining-rich state—went to an election. At that point Western Australia was carrying no state debt. Sadly, in 2008 Queensland had in forward estimates a debt of $62 billion. This was prior to the global financial crisis, prior to Cyclone Yasi and prior to the Brisbane floods. In what can only be described as a fire sale of state assets as a veiled attempt to maintain the state’s credit rating, the worst decisions were made. One of these was the sale of Forestry Plantations Queensland. This magnificent asset was sold for $605 million prior to carrying out an asset and liability audit. The audit after the sale was finalised delivered a finding that Forestry Plantations Queensland was worth $1.1 billion. The Bligh government had sold Forestry Plantations Queensland $405 million too cheap! Now, after the interim Costello report, Queensland is staring down the barrel of almost $92 billion of debt by 2015-16. The interest just to service this state debt will be our fastest-growing expense. The Bligh-Beattie government created unsustainable growth and gross debt. General government and gross debt has grown tenfold in the last five years. So when the good people of Gracemere, west of Rockhampton, phoned me declaring the need for a high school, I informed them that we could build two high schools each week for the state debt interest repayments alone. Queenslanders are struggling—struggling because of the rising cost of living due to the former Treasurer’s total lack of financial mismanagement. The honourable Minister for Health recently announced that the Health payroll debacle will now cost the state $1.2 billion to rectify. What health 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 737 outcomes could be achieved for the many people who walk through my door every day, such as those who are on the waiting list to get on to the waiting list for elective surgery? How do you tell someone you have known all of your life that there is a waiting list for 12 months just for a consultation—just to see the surgeon—let alone making it onto the list for actual surgery? Many years ago Queensland Health was the envy of the Western World. How can it be that areas like Rockhampton and Gladstone, surrounded by rivers of mineral wealth and now coal seam gas, are in the middle of a state that went broke? We are not Greece; no-one is going to bail us out. The federal government is not going to come to our rescue. They are going down the same path as Queensland under Labor. Only an LNP government—the people with real-life skills, real management know-how— are going to get Queensland back on track. I urge Queenslanders to be patient and to get behind us as we travel down that rocky road to recovery. Mrs SCOTT (Woodridge—ALP) (12.21 pm): I am happy to rise to speak on this bill today, the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. As I have sat and listened to speakers from across the chamber I perceive there are several elements missing from many of the speeches. I do not wish to deny that the last few years were rough for our government. However, very rarely have I heard acknowledgement of a global economic downturn the like of which we have never witnessed before, followed by the most disastrous floods in living memory which were followed by a massive cyclone. If that is the boom they believe we went bust in, it staggers me. Then there is the myth of the lack of infrastructure and the waste. Every time I drive the new gateway to the airport and cross the Gateway Bridge I am grateful for our Labor government. Mr Watts: Up to Toowoomba? Mrs SCOTT: The member opposite should have asked the federal government in the previous couple of terms. It gave no commitment and nothing. Every time I take my aged mother and grandkids to Roma Street Parkland or South Bank, I am grateful for our Labor government—or to GoMA or when I hear of the new hospitals being built right up through our regions and down to the Gold Coast, where the magnificent Gold Coast teaching hospital is situated and light rail transit system has been built, or as I travelled west on Friday on the newly opened Ipswich Motorway. I am grateful for our Labor government when I use our busways, such as the Northern Busway, which has just been opened. Then there are the many world-class sporting facilities built by Labor. In fact, the ministers will be kept very busy for several years opening all of the infrastructure projects presently underway commissioned by Labor, all of which have kept workers in Queensland in jobs. The members opposite have always ridiculed our Smart State policy, but a visit to the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology or many other major centres of research such as the Queensland Institute of Medical Research will give them an idea of some of the great facilities and world-class research being conducted there. And, yes, Chuck Feeney made remarkable contributions to our research in Queensland, but our government made that one of our priorities and attracted many world-class scientists to Queensland. I could keep listing major projects. However while we in Logan City have many things to be grateful for—such as our pedestrian bridge between our Mabel Park schools to ensure the safety of our students, our bus station which is being built at the moment, our metro sports centre or our three rugby union fields with fantastic clubhouse opened just a couple of weeks ago by the minister—it is in programs for the marginalised or those needing assistance, such as helping out families, jobs programs and so many support services, where we have truly shone. And then there are the advances in education and early childhood education. As the member representing the Woodridge electorate, I do have in my electorate a high number of people on fixed low incomes, many on aged pensions, disability support and carers pensions, and also those on unemployment benefits. However, with concessions offered, it is often those who work part time in low-paid jobs who find life even more difficult. So any assistance to relieve the cost of living is welcomed. However, recent reports of cuts to front-line staff in many important human services I find appalling. This will not only hurt those workers who have lost jobs and those who will in the future lose their jobs but will also put extreme pressure on those who remain and will reduce services to many vulnerable people. While the reinstatement of transfer duty concessions for homes will assist some in the housing market and stimulate the industry, and increasing the payroll tax exemption threshold will hopefully provide some additional jobs, I wish to address the tariff 11 price freeze. During the past 12 months the Woodridge electorate has had a stark reminder of the huge task of keeping the lights on in the south- east. For weeks we had Energex trucks lined up along our roads, increasing the height of poles and adding additional powerlines. Prior to that we had an upgrade of our substation. This work cost several millions of dollars and is in answer to the large building developments in both residential and industrial estates. With large developments planned for Yarrabilba, Park Ridge and Flagstone, the Logan area is set for a huge increase in population. So the need for increased power generation and 738 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 distribution is going to continue. We need to pay for those increases, so power will continue to be an issue, as it is in other states. I will be interested in future initiatives to bring down the cost of electricity to householders. I would like to bring to the attention of the House an innovative manufacturing business in Logan, Kaon Electric, which has devised a fuse saver which has the ability to prevent up to 80 per cent of callouts in storms by ensuring continuity of supply. If the power is interrupted by a surge of power, as often is the case, it is immediately reconnected, often remaining intact. Only if it then disconnects a second time is a maintenance team required. In rural areas in particular and the outer metropolitan area, the fuse saver provides the ability for electricity companies to make significant savings in maintenance costs, not to mention cutting down on the exposure to dangerous conditions for the maintenance teams, who are often out in terrible weather restoring power. Innovation can play a major role in cutting down the cost of providing energy, and Kaon is a great example of that. The freezing of tariff 11 will give temporary reprieve for some customers. However, many households, such as those with pools, electric hot-water systems and air conditioners, will find their power bills will increase due to being on other tariffs which are being increased and increased substantially. It is long-lasting solutions that need to be found. I note that this bill is being debated before the Queensland Competition Authority reports. We await that report. Whilst this bill is not about the registration of vehicles, it would be remiss of me not to mention some of the calls that came to my office during the election campaign. The LNP TV ads during the election campaign were responsible for some of the residents in Logan coming to the conclusion that they would only have to pay the third-party insurance component of their registration. Puzzled, I took notice of the TV ad the next time I was in front of a TV and I believe there was a short pause in the voiceover whereby people could think they were being offered over $300 in savings on their registration alone. There was a pause before a mention of electricity and possibly water. Mr McArdle: Table your policy document and the cost-of-living component of that. Mrs SCOTT: No, I am sorry. So it shows how easily people can be misinformed. And, of course, all those with utes and other work vehicles, as well as those with motorbikes, were left out of the equation. It now appears that, rather than a reduction in registration, drivers will find possibly a similar increase due to an increase in the third-party insurance component. Our former government produced a booklet called Every dollar counts which I have handed out by the hundreds to my constituents. It is very popular. It outlines many of the rebates and subsidies available that I have found are not always known. The Labor government added several new subsidies for eligible residents, such as those on life support with oxygen concentrators or kidney dialysis, and also for those who require air conditioning for certain medical conditions. These were very real reductions in the cost of living to a very needy sector, and it is hoped that there will be no reduction in any items in this booklet. I believe that many voters will be let down by the cost-of-living reductions they were promised prior to the election. Remember the directive from the LNP to Queenslanders to take their electricity bills with them to the ballot box? Despite high expectations, they may in fact find their costs in electricity and water will have increased. Now we find the government calling on local councils to carry the load for them. The councils have themselves just gone through an election. I am sure that if the councils could have they would have offered a reduction in water bills as an election commitment. The opposition will be monitoring this, with the now government having made such emphatic promises during the election campaign. While this bill may be a disappointment, I hear members say that this is but the beginning. We will be supporting this bill and awaiting the next chapter in cost relief as promised. Hon. SL DICKSON (Buderim—LNP) (Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing) (12.32 pm): I rise to contribute to the debate on the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. In the lead-up to the last election, the LNP made a number of commitments in relation to easing the burden the Labor state government had forced upon the people of Queensland. Included was a commitment to reinstate the transfer duty home concession—the previous transfer duty rate structure and previous ceiling of $550,000 for the reducing rebate in respect of the transfer duty concession for transactions entered into on or after 1 July 2012 for first home owners. We also committed to increasing the payroll tax exemption threshold from $1 million to $1.1 million from the same date. Our commitment to freeze the regulated standard residential retail electricity tariff, tariff 11, at 2011-12 levels for one year from 1 July 2012 was in direct response to the shambles created by the previous Beattie-Bligh government with its ill-conceived plans to reform the power industry in Queensland. They were the same so-called reforms about which the former Premier said that no-one would pay a cent more for electricity. We all know the outcome of that promise. Power bills went through the roof under the Labor government. Regrettably, though, despite our efforts and commitment, electricity bills will continue to rise from 1 July. They will rise because of Labor’s carbon tax. Because of that, another of our commitments as outlined within this bill is to include the cost of the Commonwealth government’s carbon tax and to display carbon price impacts on electricity bills. 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 739

Queenslanders are very hardworking people. Those of us fortunate enough to have a job get up every morning and go to work. We carry out our duties, get paid and go home to our families. Along the way we pay our taxes. Most reasonable people understand that for our society to function and for government to provide things like services and infrastructure, taxes are a necessary evil. What the people of my electorate tell me is that they do not understand or accept the requirement to pay unreasonable and ill-conceived taxes such as the carbon tax. I am constantly being told by constituents about the fear they are experiencing with the looming spectre of the carbon tax. Queenslanders will never accept the notion that you can cool the planet from an office block in Canberra by making us pay this horrendous carbon tax. This Labor government’s carbon tax will affect most aspects of our lives. A few months ago, when I was shadow minister for energy and water utilities, I saw a list of the alleged top 50 polluters. There are 13 electricity companies in the top 16 polluters. Indeed, 17 electricity companies are among the alleged top 50, which also includes a few gas companies. This can-do government has made a decision to let the people of Queensland know exactly the extent of the impact of this Labor tax on their lives. Enter section 55GA of this bill. Section 55GA will make it a condition for a retail authority, where a retail entity sells electricity to a residential customer, to include a prescribed statement relating to carbon and renewable energy target cost information in the customer’s electricity bill. In the near future, power bills across my electorate—indeed across all of Queensland—will show what Labor’s carbon tax adds to the cost of electricity. It will be there in black and white for everyone in the world to see. I have heard opposition members during this debate praise the Gillard government for the family assistance handouts detailed in the federal budget that supposedly offset some of the impacts of the carbon tax. What those opposite do not say, and clearly do not understand the implications of, is that the handouts are being funded from borrowed money. I will say that again: borrowed money. That is why we have the $100 billion debt in this state. Labor is borrowing money from overseas to fund a compensation package in order to offset its carbon tax—a tax it has collected not one cent from yet. In trying to justify the carbon tax and associated extra costs to the community, the member for Rockhampton stated during this debate— I hate to inform this House that climate change is real, is accelerating and is largely caused by humans, and carbon dioxide is a significant component of the problem. I am curious as to where the member takes his advice from in respect to climate change and the carbon tax. I bet he listens to advice from people like Professor Ross Garnaut. The need for this LNP government to introduce legislation such as section 55GA of this bill arises from advice given to the federal Labor government directly by Ross Garnaut. According to Ross Garnaut, the science is settled on the issue of climate change and how we humans are responsible for it. Because of that advice we have the carbon tax. Because of the carbon tax we will have higher electricity prices. Ross Garnaut’s position has been to give advice to the federal government advocating a carbon tax based upon his belief that that will reduce pollution in the atmosphere. I have previously spoken about Ross Garnaut’s credentials as far as pollution is concerned. He is the former chairman of PNG based mining company Lihir Gold. This is the same Lihir Gold that has reportedly dumped up to 89 million tonnes of cyanide tailings on the ocean floor around Lihir Island. Dr Gregg Brunskill of the Australian Institute for Marine Science has said that coral, fish and other animals are all affected by deep sea tailings. He said that the Lihir waste already covers 60 square kilometres of the ocean floor. When questioned about this on ABC, Ross Garnaut said— There are genuine dilemmas in resources development anywhere, including in poor developing countries. Mining inevitably generates waste and tailings. The disposal of waste and tailings inevitably involves disruption of the natural environment ... What a guy! The man who Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan have allowed to dictate policy to the government on carbon pricing as a means to address climate change presided over the activities of Lihir Gold, a serial polluter. I wonder in the lead-up to the election how much time the new member for Rockhampton spent campaigning on the virtues of the carbon tax? I suggest he spent absolutely zero time and effort campaigning on that platform, because he knows just how toxic the Labor carbon tax is. I am sure that it was not talked about in his electorate. However, this issue is not just about energy prices. Last weekend, the Sunshine Coast council agreed that the cost of taking rubbish to the tip and charges for roadside wheelie-bin services had to increase. Can members guess why the council is facing this significant increase in charges? It is the carbon tax, which makes up nearly half of the increase of those tip fees. From 1 July, roadside wheelie-bin services will increase by 9.2 per cent. It will cost an extra 14.3 per cent to take a trailer load of rubbish to the tip. A large load of domestic waste will cost a staggering 18 per cent more. During the debate, the member for Rockhampton said— This government will ultimately be held to account for the profligate promises made regarding the day-to-day cost-of-living pressures confronted by working Queenslanders. I assume those would be the increases in day-to-day cost-of-living pressures from disastrous Labor policies such as the reform to the electricity industry and disastrous Labor policies such as the reform to water supply across South-East Queensland. In the end, Labor’s water reform saw South-East 740 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012

Queensland water supply being run by 11 separate entities. Labor’s water reform gave Queenslanders the Traveston Dam, which saw 494 families tossed out of their homes and $700 million wasted, which now has to be paid for. Those would be the same increases to the cost of living arising from Labor’s reform that gave us the rusting pile of scrap metal that masquerades as a desalination plant on the Gold Coast and which now has to be paid for. Those would be the same increases to the cost of living that gave us the expensive western corridor membrane recycling plants that never provided drinking water and now have to be paid for. The Health payroll debacle takes Labor’s financial management to a new level. That shambles has made the leap from hundreds of millions of wasted dollars to the realm of one billion-plus of wasted dollars. My colleague the Minister for Health has received a report regarding the mismanagement of this portfolio by the former Labor government. The report estimates that the cost of the Health payroll system will hit $1.253 billion. Mr Rickuss: How much was that? Mr DICKSON: $1.253 billion. Isn’t that scary? However, we should bear in mind that that number will not be the total cost. That $1.253 billion does not include all the money already spent. It does not include the cost of the reports, studies and analyses from outside Queensland Health, including those considered by the former Labor government cabinet. It does not include the cost of the upgrade or the reimplementation of a system that will be necessary when licensed support ends in 2014-15. More than 1,000 staff are required to support the system and the cost of that will be more than $664 million over the next five years. Did the former government tell Queenslanders about that? Absolutely not, even though it knew because 56 per cent of the basic operating costs were unfunded in its last budget. The system is a shambles. Even today the system is incapable of calculating correctly an employee’s basic leave entitlements. There are 130 manual workarounds, 570 known computer problems within the system and few avenues available to correct them. Every fortnight, 200,000 manual processes are required to file by hand 92,000 forms. The former member for Rockhampton and minister for public works made an on-air bet with former 4BC presenter Michael Smith, insisting that the Health payroll system was not at fault. The bet was for one year’s salary. It seems Rob Schwarten owes Michael Smith a big pile of money because, as I have said, the report identifies 570 known computer problems within the system. I could go on and on about the litany of past policies of former Labor governments that have brought nothing but financial grief to all Queenslanders. If wasting money was an Olympic event, the former Labor cabinet would have won gold, silver and bronze. Sadly, all of those disasters have to be paid for and, ultimately, will add to the cost of living for all Queenslanders. During the debate, as I see from Hansard, the new member for Rockhampton told some of our government members to go and read a book. I would suggest that he goes and reads a few budget papers and reform bills from the previous Labor government. He will not like what he reads, but hopefully it may enlighten him and the rest of the opposition as to the real reasons for the current cost-of-living pressures being experienced in Queensland. Those reasons have Labor’s fingerprints and DNA all over them. Mr WATTS (Toowoomba North—LNP) (12.45 pm): I rise to speak in favour of the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill to amend the Building Act 1975, the Carers (Recognition) Act 2008, the Duties Act 2001, the Electricity Act 1994, the Payroll Tax Act 1971, the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 and the Queensland Competition Authority Act 1997. I have been listening to the debate. The member for Woodridge spoke about people in her electorate who are on pensions and the wonderful things that the previous Labor government had done. I would be interested to know what would happen if she went back to her electorate and told people on pensions and people on fixed incomes that, while she spoke, Queensland had to borrow $140,000 to pay the debt that her government racked up. We are at the stage of borrowing money at $10,000 a minute. Every minute, Queensland has to find $10,000. Where does the Queensland government get its money from? It gets its money from the people of Queensland. This bill will try to bring some relief to the people of Queensland who are suffering under the burden of $85 billion worth of debt. Mrs Miller: No. They’re suffering because you’re going to throw them out of their housing department homes. Mr WATTS: I will take the interjection regarding social housing. Social housing is in so much trouble because of the waste of the Labor government. Mrs Miller interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Robinson): Order! The member on my left. Mrs Miller: We didn’t send the letter out. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The House will come to order. Mrs Miller: People are crying because of the letter you sent. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The member for Bundamba will cease interjecting. 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 741

Mr WATTS: People certainly are crying about their public housing situation and the situation they find themselves in. All around Queensland people are crying about the situation they find themselves in, which is that we need $10,000 a minute to meet the financial obligations that you racked up. That is right: you! The Labor Party racked up the debt and left us with rack and ruin. Now, after debt, destruction and incompetent management, it hands it over to us. And we will fix it. We have a positive vision for Queensland. We have a vision for rebuilding Queensland. We will look to the four pillars of our economy and we will get Queensland back on track. I digress, so let me get back to the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. Let us have a look at the proposed reinstatement of the transfer duty concession that Labor took away. Imagine you are a nurse in a hospital and you excitedly find that you have been given a promotion and a transfer to another hospital. You have applied for the job and you are really excited about it. You are going to have to relocate. So you go home and talk to the rest of your family about this great promotional opportunity and how your income is going to increase. You sit down and start doing the hard maths. Under Labor what would you find? You would find that you would have to pay an additional $7,000 in tax to take the promotion. A government member: Why? Mr WATTS: That is what those opposite did. They took away the transfer duty concession for a person’s private home. So police officers who got transferred and teachers who got transferred were affected. The people of Queensland who tried to better their lives by taking promotions and moving around were forced to suffer the burden of an additional $7,000 in tax to buy a house every time they moved. Mr Ruthenberg: Beating up the working families. Mr WATTS: Beating up the working families. What did that do to the real estate market? Let us take my home town of Toowoomba as an example. I have spoken to a lot of real estate agents in my home town of Toowoomba and a lot of them are suffering very badly because—guess what?—people are not moving house. Why are they not moving house? Does anybody here enjoy paying increased taxes? I do not see anybody indicating that they enjoy paying increased taxes. What did we find under Labor? We found that if we wanted to move house we had to pay increased taxes. It would cost an additional $7,000. Guess what? So we do not move. What does that do to the Treasury of Queensland? We do not get the small amount of tax that we might have otherwise got. Why is the budget in deficit? Because those opposite only know how to waste money— $85 billion worth; $14 million a day. There it is. We have to borrow it to keep on going. What did we get? We talked about some great infrastructure. You need to drive west my friends. The seven of you need to get in your Tarago and come west with me. I will drive you down the Warrego Highway and I will take you up the range crossing as it stands now. What you will find is that not much of that $85 billion has been spent on the road between here and Toowoomba, I can assure you of that. Mr Costigan: Or Mackay and Proserpine. Mr WATTS: Yes, there are plenty of roads in regional Queensland that have suffered as you have racked up the debt on wonderful pieces of infrastructure— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Robinson): Order! The member for Toowoomba North will address his comments through the chair. Mr WATTS: As Labor went around racking up debt, what did we find? Infrastructure was not being built where it was needed—that is, in regional Queensland. Roads, ports or railway lines—things that would make us more productive and generate income—were not being built. What did we find? I do not know whether it is a tourist attraction or what it is off the coast, but is there anybody here from the coast who can tell me whether people are coming to study the desalination plant at Tugun? No-one is drinking any water out of it. Where does the water come from? It comes out of Hinze Dam. Who built that? That is right, that would have been before Labor’s time. That was useful infrastructure that delivered water to the people of the coast. What do we see now? Some $1.1 billion worth of infrastructure has created an interesting tourist attraction at best. Let me keep going. One of the things that this bill talks about is the establishment of the Office of Best Practice Regulation. This is a key area for me. In my area we have a lot of industry. We have a lot of small businesses. We have a lot of businesses that would like to grow. Guess what? They do not like paying tax. What restricts them? When they get to a certain size they all of a sudden get hit with payroll tax. Mr Ruthenberg: A disincentive. Mr WATTS: A disincentive to employ; that is absolutely correct. I am sure if the Treasurer could do more he would. But with the situation we have inherited this is what we are offering small business. It will make a big difference. It will make a difference in ensuring that red tape is removed and regulation disappears. That combined with the changes to payroll tax and we will see small businesses start to grow and thrive again, I am sure. I commend the establishment of the office. I look forward to us taking away the red tape, the green tape and the unnecessary regulations that are strangling small business. 742 Criminal Law (False Evidence Before Parliament) Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012

A government member interjected. Mr WATTS: That is it, definitely. What else is there? The member for Woodridge spoke about people on fixed incomes and pensions. As I mentioned before, $140,000 is borrowed to try to pay the interest on Labor’s debt. These people she speaks of have faced average electricity price increases of $700 over the last five years. Members of the Labor Party are always talking about social justice and always talking about helping the working-class person. I ask them: do they think that a $700 increase over five years for a basic necessity like electricity to run a pensioner’s fridge or to keep them warm in winter is helping their cost of living? I think not. By freezing this tariff we will help pensioners meet their obligations to balance their budgets. We understand that for people to balance their budgets we need to lower costs for people. We need to give them an opportunity to increase their wages. I will explain it slowly for those who might not follow me. They can increase their wages by getting a promotion. That can happen only if, when they take the promotion, they do not have to pay an additional $7,000 tax because they had to move house. They can balance their budget by saving money on electricity. That is what we are offering. We are offering the opportunity to save some money on electricity. Again, I am sure it would be more if we did not inherit $85 billion worth of debt—$10,000 worth of debt a minute. I commend this bill to the House. As I have listened to this debate I have noticed that those in the Labor Party still do not get it. Queenslanders have entrusted the LNP to deliver on its commitments and have given us an overwhelming mandate to get this state back on track. We need to urgently address the cost-of-living pressures for everyday Queenslanders, and this bill will do just that. I congratulate the Treasurer on the bill and the people of Toowoomba will thank him for it. Mrs OSTAPOVITCH (Stretton—LNP) (12.57 pm): I rise to speak on an issue that was fundamental to my election to this place. That is our promise to introduce this bill and continue to fight to keep the cost-of-living pressures down for all Queenslanders. I would like to use my time to draw members’ attention to my own electorate of Stretton and give members some personal examples I encountered as I discussed this issue with locals within my community. The fact is that, prior to my election, under the previous Labor government the people of Stretton were struggling with the increases to costs of everyday living. Basics like paying for electricity or the cost of running a car seemed to be getting harder. The prospects of young adults being able to afford a home or start a small business were becoming more and more daunting. Last winter I remember meeting with a group of elderly pensioners who would not turn on the heater due to the impact on their rising power bills. We have elderly people who were so terrified of Labor power bills that they would sit in a cold house freezing because they were too scared to put on the heater. There was even a couple who would bring in their garden solar lights at night so they could avoid turning on the lights. It was a very bad situation. Now electricity bills are not going up by $20 or $30 a quarter; they are going up by hundreds of dollars. It is these kinds of increases that are hurting our vulnerable people. These vulnerable people in our community—our elderly and our families—are on tight budgets. These budgets have been blown out by cost increases. To say that these people did not know what hit them would be an understatement. It is these vulnerable people who have been working hard making ends meet who are most affected. They have been budgeting carefully. For years they have set aside roughly the same amount of money each week for food, for transport, for petrol, for electricity and so forth. But over the last few years the increases have spiralled out of control. Some of these vulnerable people are going into debt just to keep the lights on. Some members of my community just cannot keep up and they are now turning to alternative sources for assistance such as charities. I have done a great deal of charity and community work in my life, and I applaud charities for all their hard work, but I am concerned to hear that charities such as the Salvos, the Tribe of Judah and others have all been reporting more and more people coming to them for food parcels. Times are tough and we as a government should not let charities bear the burden of past failures if we can do something about it. Sitting suspended from 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm. Debate, on motion of Mrs Ostapovitch, adjourned. CRIMINAL LAW (FALSE EVIDENCE BEFORE PARLIAMENT) AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction Hon. JP BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (2.30 pm): I present a bill for an act to amend the Criminal Code and the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001 for particular purposes. I table the bill and the explanatory notes. I nominate the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee to consider the bill. Tabled paper: Criminal Law (False Evidence Before Parliament) Amendment Bill [347]. Tabled paper: Criminal Law (False Evidence Before Parliament) Amendment Bill, explanatory notes [348]. 19 Jun 2012 Criminal Law (False Evidence Before Parliament) Amendment Bill 743

I am pleased to introduce the Criminal Law (False Evidence Before Parliament) Amendment Bill 2012. The bill fulfils the Queensland government’s pre-election pledge that within our first 100 days of forming government we would make it, once again, illegal to lie to parliament—that is, that we would re- enact repealed section 57 of the Criminal Code which contained the offence of false evidence before parliament. As per the government’s pre-election commitment, the drafting of these amendments commenced within the first 30 days of forming government. This government has been clear in giving to the people of Queensland an undertaking to restore accountability in government. This is a central part of our action plan in government. This bill contributes to restoring accountability in government. The Queensland community expects its parliamentarians to act responsibly and with the highest of integrity. This bill reintroduces the criminal offence of giving false evidence to parliament or its committees. Knowingly giving false evidence before the parliament or one of its committees is conduct cutting to the heart of parliamentary privilege and is conduct deserving of criminal sanction. This government has pressed to restore this offence which was repealed under the previous administration. Our commitment to reintroduce this offence means that, by allowing the courts to deal with this conduct, issues of cronyism and political interference are addressed. Further, the criminal justice system is better equipped to judge the veracity of an accused’s evidence while ensuring the accused is afforded full procedural fairness. The reintroduction of section 57 into the Criminal Code can only serve to enhance the reputation of our parliament. I will briefly address the specific amendments. The bill amends the Criminal Code to reintroduce the repealed section 57 (False evidence before Parliament), with amendment, to make it an offence to knowingly give false evidence to parliament or its committees. A maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment applies. It is acknowledged that there is a tension between an offence like section 57 and the parliamentary privilege of freedom of speech. The offence contemplated by section 57 cannot be prosecuted effectively if evidence cannot be brought before a court of the parliamentary proceeding in which the allegedly false evidence was given. As the elements of the offence occur during the debates or proceedings of the Assembly, use of the evidence would on its face breach the law with respect to parliamentary privilege. The amendment expressly deals with this tension. New section 57 makes it clear that parliamentary privilege of freedom of speech and debate is abrogated to the extent necessary to prosecute the person for the offence. The new provision clarifies that the offence applies to members of parliament as well as non-members. Further, a complementary amendment to the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001 is included. This amendment is made to ensure consistency of operation within the Parliament of Queensland Act by making it plain that answers given before the Legislative Assembly are treated in the same way as answers given before a committee in terms of their admissibility in a criminal proceeding or a proceeding before the Assembly or its committees. The Legislative Assembly will retain the right to decide whether particular conduct should be dealt with as a contempt of parliament or whether it should be prosecuted under the new offence. The bill signifies the government’s intention to bring back accountability in government. This bill reinstates the criminal offence of giving false evidence to parliament or its committees. These amendments will ensure accountability is restored to this place. I commend the bill to the House.

First Reading Hon. JP BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (2.34 pm): I move—

That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time.

Referral to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mrs Cunningham): Order! In accordance with standing order 131, the bill is now referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee. 744 Animal Care and Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012

ANIMAL CARE AND PROTECTION AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction Hon. JJ McVEIGH (Toowoomba South—LNP) (Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) (2.35 pm): I present a bill for an act to amend the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 to ensure animal welfare obligations apply to acts done under Aboriginal tradition or Torres Strait Islander custom, and to make consequential amendments to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land and Other Matters) Act 1984, the Aurukun and Mornington Shire Leases Act 1978 and the Nature Conservation Act 1992. I table the bill and the explanatory notes. I nominate the Agriculture, Resources and Environment Committee to consider the bill. Tabled paper: Animal Care and Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill [349]. Tabled paper: Animal Care and Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, explanatory notes [350]. The main purpose of this bill is to ensure that animal welfare obligations under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 apply to dealings with animals under Aboriginal tradition or Torres Strait Islander custom. Queensland is the only Australian jurisdiction with animal welfare legislation that expressly exempts from its application dealings with animals according to Aboriginal tradition or Islander custom. In its first 100-day action plan, the government promised to amend the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 to bring Queensland in line with other states. The Animal Care and Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 delivers on that commitment. Over 10 years ago parliament passed the bill that became the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. The act included an exemption for dealings with animals according to tradition or custom. The act allowed regulations to be made that would impose conditions on the way those dealings were conducted and so strike a balance between the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and community expectations on animal welfare. However, no regulations were ever made under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 to impose conditions on how animals could be dealt with under tradition or custom. For at least 10 years, animal welfare interest groups and others, including some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, have voiced concerns about the cruelty of some hunting of sea turtles and dugongs and the immunity from prosecution for animal cruelty that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are afforded by the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 if they are hunting in accordance with tradition or custom. Recent media reports of methods used by some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to hunt dugongs and turtles have again raised concern that the current exemption is too easily exploited by some rogue hunters who have no regard for animal welfare. This bill will do what the existing exemption failed to achieve. It will establish a balance between the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in maintaining their traditional and customary practices and the expectations of the broader community, including many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, for whom animal cruelty is unacceptable. The bill will amend the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 to remove the exemption that prevents animal welfare obligations under that act from applying to acts done or omissions made under Aboriginal tradition and Torres Strait Islander custom. While community concern has been focused on allegations of cruel methods of hunting sea turtles and dugongs, the repeal of the existing exemption will apply to dealings with all animals under Aboriginal tradition or Islander custom, bringing Queensland in line with the animal welfare legislation in other states. The bill will also amend the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 to ensure that an authorisation under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 to deal with animals according to tradition or custom is not a defence to prosecution under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. The bill will also amend the Nature Conservation Act 1992, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land and Other Matters) Act 1984 and the Aurukun and Mornington Shire Leases Act 1978. Each of these acts currently allows Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons to undertake traditional or customary hunting of turtles and dugongs without being subject to animal welfare obligations under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. The bill will make hunting under these acts subject to the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. The government recognises the entitlement of traditional owners to hunt dugongs and turtles for non-commercial use under the Native Title Act 1993. The bill will not extinguish native title rights to hunt nor will it rescind any other hunting rights. The bill will, however, regulate how hunting rights are 19 Jun 2012 South-East Qld Water (Distribution & Retail Restructuring) A’ment Bill 745 exercised. Animals will need to be killed in a way that causes as little pain as is reasonable. This is comparable to the existing requirement under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 that pest or feral animals must be controlled in a way that causes as little pain as is reasonable. The government recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been working to ensure that turtle and dugong hunting in their area is sustainable and does not jeopardise efforts to protect and recover populations. It is important that this work continues and that implementation of any changes required to hunting methods is similarly community driven. The government will encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to work with scientists, animal welfare groups and others to agree on hunting practices that respect tradition and custom and that do not cause unreasonable pain. I commend the bill to the House. First Reading Hon. JJ McVEIGH (Toowoomba South—LNP) (Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) (2.41 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time. Referral to the Agriculture, Resources and Environment Committee Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mrs Cunningham): Order! In accordance with standing order 131, the bill is now referred to the Agriculture, Resources and Environment Committee.

SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND WATER (DISTRIBUTION AND RETAIL RESTRUCTURING) AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction

South-East Qld Water (Distribution & Retail Restructuring) A’ment Bill Hon. MF McARDLE (Caloundra—LNP) (Minister for Energy and Water Supply) (2.42 pm): I present a bill for an act to amend the South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Act 2009 for particular purposes. I table the bill and the explanatory notes. I nominate the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee to consider the bill. Tabled paper: South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Amendment Bill [351]. Tabled paper: South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Amendment Bill, explanatory notes [352]. The South-East Queensland Water (Distribution Retail and Restructuring) Amendment Bill 2012 removes the special industrial relations measures—in particular, the workforce frameworks—that were mandated by the former government. These mandatory frameworks apply to council employees who transferred to the South-East Queensland distributor-retailers and for those Allconnex Water employees transferring back to the Gold Coast, Logan and Redland City councils. The removal of the two workforce frameworks will enable the water businesses to manage their workforces in the same way as any other organisation. On 1 July 2010, the then Queensland government created new council owned businesses— distributor-retailers—in SEQ to own and operate the distribution networks and sewage treatment plants and deliver water and wastewater services to households and businesses within South-East Queensland. The distributor-retailers are Unitywater, owned by Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Moreton Bay Regional Council; Queensland Urban Utilities, owned by Brisbane City Council, Ipswich City Council, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Somerset Regional Council; and Allconnex, owned by Gold Coast City Council, Logan City Council and Redland City Council. In addition to establishing the three distributor-retailers, the SEQ Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Act 2009 transferred assets, liabilities and employees to the distributor-retailers. The act also provided for certain industrial protections for the transferring staff by putting in place the ability to make a Staff Support Framework—that is, the 2009 Workforce Framework. The 2009 Workforce Framework applies to staff transferred from councils to the three distributor-retailers—Queensland Urban Utilities, Unitywater and Allconnex. In August 2011, the three participating councils of Allconnex—Gold Coast, Logan and Redland— decided to withdraw from Allconnex and re-establish council owned and operated water businesses. Earlier this year, amendments to the act provided for the dissolution of Allconnex and the re- 746 South-East Qld Water (Distribution & Retail Restructuring) A’ment Bill 19 Jun 2012 establishment of the council water businesses to be operational from 1 July 2012. These amendments provided for the transfer of assets, liabilities and employees from Allconnex to the three council water businesses. As was the case for the transfer of council employees in the original water reform process, the act provided for certain industrial protections for staff transferring from Allconnex back to councils. The act put in place the ability for the relevant minister to make a Retransfer Staff Support Framework—the 2012 Workforce Framework. The 2012 Workforce Framework was approved by the then minister on 17 February 2012 to have retrospective effect and commence on 16 December 2011. The 2012 Workforce Framework expires on 30 June 2015 or three years from when an affected employee transfers to a relevant council. These frameworks imposed measures that exceeded the ordinary industrial relations regime that generally would have applied to council employees. The frameworks, among other things, imposed lengthy job security obligations, additional moving and travelling allowances and salary maintenance. These measures placed upon the water businesses represent an unnecessary cost to business which ultimately is passed on to household water bills. Removal of these frameworks will give the water businesses greater flexibility in managing their staff and ultimately lower staffing costs. More importantly, it rightly makes the employer the decision maker in its business affairs. Ultimately it will remain up to councils as to how they use the flexibility given back to them under this bill. In particular, the bill proposes to terminate the operation of the 2009 Workforce Framework at the end of 30 June 2012 which currently applies to Queensland Urban Utilities and Unitywater; to revoke the 2012 Workforce Framework coming into effect in relation to employees transferring from Allconnex back to the withdrawn councils of Gold Coast, Logan and Redland; and deeming provisions to ensure the Local Government (Operations) Regulation 2010 operates as intended so that staff of Allconnex will transfer back to the withdrawn councils with their long service leave entitlements preserved. I stress that, while the former state government’s mandated 2009 and 2012 frameworks are being removed, employees still have the protection of the enterprise bargaining arrangements. Unions and employees of Queensland Urban Utilities had their enterprise bargaining agreement negotiated and certified late last year. The Queensland Urban Utilities enterprise bargaining agreement provides for no forced redundancies in Queensland Urban Utilities until 30 June 2013. This ultimately provides the same protection against forced redundancies contained in the 2009 Workforce Framework, which is repealed by this bill. Unitywater’s enterprise bargaining agreement was certified early this year. However, the agreement does not provide for no forced redundancies as these provisions were contained in the 2009 Workforce Framework. The removal of the 2009 Workforce Framework will provide Unitywater with an opportunity to reconsider its enterprise bargaining agreement in light of the removal of the framework. Allconnex employees in the Gold Coast, Logan and Redland areas are currently covered by relevant council enterprise bargaining agreements. After their transfer back to the councils, they will be covered by the enterprise bargaining agreement for the council where they work or by their contracts if the enterprise bargaining agreement does not apply. Employees being transferred from Allconnex also have a level of protection as all of the relevant council enterprise bargaining agreements seek to ensure that redundancy is a measure of last resort, exhausting other methods such as retraining, redeployment and voluntary separation payments. The government is committed to good-faith bargaining, and these measures place industrial relations back on a level playing field with any business developing an enterprise bargaining agreement in consultation with employees and unions. The government has shown how determined we are to get the state back on track. We believe it is possible to properly reward staff through enterprise bargaining while also ensuring financial sustainability for these water service providers. The South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Amendment Bill 2012 proposes to terminate the 2009 workforce framework at 30 June 2012, 12 months earlier than planned, and effectively deem the 2012 workforce framework, which was approved on 18 February 2012 by the previous government, not to have ever been in effect. The government has committed to handing back control to councils. The removal of these frameworks will enable the council owners to strategically plan and grow their water business to meet customer needs, and one customer need in particular is price relief. Queenslanders are facing increasing costs of living and family budgets are under severe strain. The government is committed to easing the cost of living for families. The government has already announced the merger of the bulk- water entities to reduce cost of supply. This action is only one part of the broader work program being undertaken to assess and deliver least-cost water services to customers. The removal of the workforce frameworks is another step in the government’s planned approach to let the water businesses focus on customer service delivery and customer bills. The government wants to work with councils in a joint effort to reduce household water bills. For example, I have been advised that it is estimated that Unitywater would make a proposed saving of $2.8 million as a result of the removal of the 2009 workforce framework by not having to pay those costs for the 2012-13 financial year. I commend this bill to the House. 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 747

First Reading Hon. MF McARDLE (Caloundra—LNP) (Minister for Energy and Water Supply) (2.51 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time. Referral to the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mrs Cunningham): Order! In accordance with standing order 131, the bill is now referred to the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee. Portfolio Committee, Reporting Date Hon. MF McARDLE (Caloundra—LNP) (Minister for Energy and Water Supply) (2.51 pm), by leave, without notice: I move— That under the provisions of standing order 136, the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee report to the House on the South-East Queensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Amendment Bill 2012 by Monday, 2 July 2012. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

TREASURY (COST OF LIVING) AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading Resumed from p. 742, on motion of Mr Nicholls—

That the bill be now read a second time. Mrs OSTAPOVITCH (Stretton—LNP) (2.52 pm), continuing: The Labor Party across this country reminds me of the arrogant French monarchy just before the French Revolution when the people cried, ‘We have no bread to eat,’ and Queen Marie Antoinette said, ‘Then let them eat cake.’ Likewise, we have a Rolls Royce NBN but no relief for working families who earn just a little too much to get any assistance. So out of touch was that government and likewise our Labor governments past and still present in Canberra that they still have not heard the message from their people. People do not need handouts to pay for bad policy; they need a government that keeps everyday costs down for all Queenslanders. They do not need a government that throws money at people for votes; they need a government with solutions. They do not need bandaid solutions that leave a generation of Queenslanders to pay the bill; they need a strong and resolute government. Under Labor, Queenslanders just kept paying the higher cost of living, with no plan and no end to the cost rises in sight. Now, after the burden our state has been living with under state Labor, we will soon have the killer python—that is, federal Labor’s toxic carbon tax. I know that our Treasurer is deeply concerned with this toxic carbon tax. His department believes that this carbon tax will cost Queensland $148 million next financial year, and that figure could rise to almost $200 million by 2015-16. Queensland Treasury modelling has also found that gross state product could take a hit of up to $9.6 billion, up to 21,000 jobs could be lost and real wages could be reduced by $2,900 by 2020. That means that Labor’s toxic carbon tax will have a more pronounced effect in Queensland than in any other state in Australia. When will Labor learn? Mr Abbott was right when he said that it is going to be a python squeeze rather than a cobra strike. This Labor tax is absolutely going to put the squeeze on Queensland’s economic growth, reduce standards of living for everyday Queenslanders, increase electricity prices and significantly harm our state budget. Labor knows it, Queenslanders know it and Australians know it. That is why we have started straightaway to deliver on our commitments to reduce the cost of living for Queenslanders. We will show the full impact of federal Labor’s toxic carbon tax on people’s electricity bills. We will freeze electricity tariff 11, saving our community an average of $120 a year. We will introduce stamp duty concessions, saving Queensland families up to $7,000 on the price of their home. We will also deliver on our commitment to provide relief to small businesses across the state. This is the can-do policy team that took the steps that were absolutely crucial to reduce the cost of living 748 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 for Queenslanders. All LNP candidates signed the pledge to decrease the cost of living for families by reducing waste. We promised to give families and the elderly some hope of relief, and now I am proud to be in the chamber to be delivering on those promises. I commend this bill to the House. Mrs FRECKLINGTON (Nanango—LNP) (2.56 pm): I rise to support the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. The bill encompasses measures that will lower the cost of living for all Queenslanders. This bill is essential and will bring a lower cost of living in particular to the residents of the Nanango electorate, who are sick of the rising cost of living and the incredibly steep hill of rising taxes and charges that were forced upon them under the previous Labor government. Under the previous Labor government administration, the cost of living spiralled out of control. As I go around my electorate speaking to mums and dads, business owners and retirees I find that this is the No. 1 issue raised with me. It was why the people of Queensland gave the LNP this mandate, as we want to make it easier for all Queenslanders to balance their budgets. The Newman LNP government will deliver cost-of-living relief and red-tape reduction for families and businesses. Throughout Queensland red tape, fees, levies and charges drain approximately $7 billion out of our business economy each year. I support the introduction of this bill, which will reinstate the transfer duty home concession and the previous transfer duty rate structure; increase the payroll tax exemption threshold from $1 million to $1.1 million; freeze tariff 11, the standard residential retail electricity tariff, and display carbon price impacts on electricity bills; facilitate the establishment of the Office of Best Practice Regulation within the Queensland Competition Authority; and remove the requirements to prepare and provide sustainability declarations prior to the sale of residential dwellings. In my role as Assistant Minister for Finance, Administration and Regulatory Reform, I had the opportunity to read the Treasury incoming government brief. As the Treasurer has mentioned on numerous occasions, he was mortified to read this brief—as was I—which stated that Queensland’s fiscal position and outlook are unsustainable and that restoration must be an urgent priority for this term of government. We have inherited a debt-ridden state, with a debt that is now blowing out to $1 billion. We now know that the Commission of Audit has discovered that the general government gross debt has grown ten-fold in the past five years. Total government gross debt would reach $10 billion by 2018-19 if something were not done to stem this flow. Interest is now our fastest growing expense, and since 2005- 06 expenses have outstripped revenue. Our capital program is almost entirely funded from borrowings. All of this occurred at the same time that Queenslanders were suffering from the increased cost of living. Thank goodness for the incoming Newman government—a government that has received the overwhelming mandate to urgently address cost-of-living pressures for all Queenslanders. On the first available date, the Treasurer did the right thing to ease the cost of living by introducing this bill into this House. I thank the Treasurer and, trust me, so do the people of the Nanango electorate for it is about time that the people of my electorate get some relief instead of another tax, charge or fee. This bill contains amendments to the Queensland Competition Authority Act 1997 to facilitate the establishment of the Office of Best Practice Regulation within the QCA. The responsibilities of the OBPR will include to review and report on regulatory impact statements by government departments for both primary and subordinate legislation; to review the existing stock of our legislation; to publish annual reports of departmental performance against regulatory burden benchmarks; and, at the discretion of the ministers, to undertake in-depth principles based investigations on matters relating to industry, productivity or best practice regulation. Onerous red tape and regulation is a constraint on all business growth, productivity and investment. We must review the regulations currently in place to identify where outdated, onerous and unwarranted regulation can be cut to save business and government both time and money. The Productivity Commission reports that Queensland has over 70,000 pages of regulation, making Queensland the highest and most regulated state in all of Australia. Our Premier has made a commitment to establish the OBPR within the first 100 days of government. I have been given the role of working with the Treasurer to establish this office. Importantly, this office is to cut regulation by 20 per cent within the first term of our government. It is also essential that we liaise with business and industry to ensure that both government and stakeholders are on the same page in relation to what is considered excessive, unreasonable or costly regulation. New members like myself would ask how the state could rack up such a debt. The answer could be with disastrous spending. It is also difficult to imagine the incredible decision making without any stopgaps or balances—decisions like wasting $600 million on the failed Traveston Dam project or $1.1 billion on the Tugun desalination plant or the Health debacle, which I am now told has blown out to approximately $1.235 billion. There is also the introduction of a smart card licence system, meaning the cost of drivers’ licences will double from $73.70 to $152.50. The establishment of the OBPR will enable ministers to direct the QCA to review and report on regulatory impact statements prepared by those departments for new primary and subordinate legislation. This will allow new regulation to be developed in accordance with best practice principles 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 749 and will ensure that any regulatory burdens imposed on business or the communities are not only appropriate but are justified. Simply, it will prevent the creation of unnecessary red tape and debt that the people of Queensland have given us a mandate to get rid of. The reduction of red tape will not only help small business but midsize and big business. To give an example, there is a business that has been operating for approximately seven years currently employing 25 people, including three apprentices and trainees and three juniors. The compliance red- tape cost based on the federal government’s business cost calculator is some $356,000 per annum and an estimated 35.54 hours per week just to undertake compliance activities. A major supermarket chain has quoted to me that the compliance costs of duplicate regulation—as they trade across borders—is the cost of approximately one extra staff member per week working 38 hours per week. At the other end of the scale, a Kingaroy builder who employs five people and numerous subbies quotes that compliance regulation costs him approximately five hours per week. The cost of red tape and regulation to business is simply prohibitive. To get the state back on track, we need to ensure that the Queensland economy is productive and competitive. By utilising the Office of Best Practice Regulation we can provide independent advice and recommendations that will help the government achieve this goal. Effective and efficient regulation is a key component of a competitive, well-functioning economy. Regulatory reform will improve competitiveness and the productivity of our economy. In relation to the payroll tax exemption threshold changes, the Newman government wants to work with business and encourage growth. It wants to see business prosper, employ more people and grow their business without strangling them with rising taxes and charges. The LNP blueprint for Queensland small business provides a policy commitment to provide payroll tax relief available for all Queensland businesses. The bill amends the Payroll Tax Act 1971 and allows for the first incremental threshold change from $1 million to $1.1 million, meaning that the benefit of the payroll tax deduction will be extended. The deduction currently cuts out when the employer’s payroll reaches $5 million. The changes mean the deduction will now cut out at $5.5 million. This section of the bill allows for approximately 90 per cent of our state’s employers—that is Queensland employers—who will not be subject to paying a payroll tax. That means a saving to approximately 1,200 employers, meaning more employers can employ more people, giving opportunities to many residents of my electorate. The bill is the first step in our commitment to increasing this threshold to $1.6 million over six years. The bill also extends to changes in the home concession. Unbelievably, mid last year when the Queensland people were really suffering under the weight of the rising cost-of-living pressures, the Labor government removed the home concession effective from 31 July 2011. Thankfully, the amendment to the Duties Act 2001 rights this wrong. When this change occurred let me explain what happened to all of the small businesses and all of the buyers and sellers of real estate within the Nanango electorate. Their business stopped. In my then position as a local solicitor I was inundated with calls of outrage. I recall taking a call from Jane Erkens from Nanango Real Estate saying that if this change came in, her business would stop. This story was the same for every single real estate agent I spoke to. I doubt there was one real estate agent in Queensland who voted for Labor in this previous election. We will introduce the stamp duty concession, saving Queensland families up to $7,000 on the price of their home. Not only will this save them that amount, but it will allow them to buy again or get back into the market. As members from the real world would realise, $7,000 can make or break a family desperately trying to purchase their home or to get out of the vicious rental cycle. This reinstatement brings relief to small business such as the local conveyancer or law firm, local real estate agents and all associated businesses such as valuers, maintenance persons right down to the local carpet cleaner. They are real Queenslanders who are out there trying to earn a living and, in some cases, fighting to stay afloat so that they can continue to employ staff. This bill delivers on the LNP’s promise to lower the cost of living for families and this bill will back up the government’s plan to boost activity within the housing market. Under Labor, the average Queensland family saw $700 added to their household power bills over the past five years, despite Labor’s promise that nobody would be worse off under the Bligh government’s electricity reform. Like every person in my electorate, Beryl Virgo, a wonderful resident of my electorate, needs this relief. She needs relief from the rising cost of electricity. She needs to feel comfortable to be able to turn on her heater in winter and her air conditioner in summer. The Newman government will freeze the standard domestic tariff 11 and help cut the cost of electricity bills. This bill will provide savings of around $120 per annum compared with prices under the previous Labor government. We will also give consumers transparency in electricity pricing. We will make sure electricity bills display the impact of the federal government’s toxic carbon tax and the cost of the green energy schemes on families’ cost of living. By ensuring that the impact on householders’ cost of living is included on every electricity bill, families will be able to determine whether the federal government’s compensation is sufficient. This information will be open and transparent—consistent with the approach 750 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 now taken in New South Wales. Queenslanders need to know what they are paying for. This ridiculous carbon tax will increase our cost of living every time we turn on a light and every time we open the fridge. The effect on businesses will be disastrous. In relation to the sustainability declaration, for all my time in business this would have to be one of the most ridiculous pieces of red-tape regulation and time-wasting ever introduced into our lives. The cost-of-living bill will amend the Building Act and Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act to make the required changes that will mean that, effective immediately on the bill receiving royal assent, the sustainability declarations will be null and void—not required—including for those houses that are on the market. Can I say this is not a minute before time. The declaration never did anything in relation to sustainability issues. A blank piece of paper contains about as much weight as this declaration. More often than not, this form was signed on the bottom and not even filled in. I recall talking to a young couple from Crows Nest who were trying to sell their home. This young couple were struggling as it was and the extra burden of completing this form was simply too much. It was just simple, useless red tape. When I was talking to local real estate agents, like Jackie Allery in Kingaroy, Mark and Tim from Toogoolawah and David and Viviene from Esk, they all said that sellers already highlight the energy sustainability issues as this is what sells property and buyers will pay more for these features. They said they did not need a government to stretch into their lives and weigh them down with more red tape. Enough is enough. People are not simple and they understand that investing in energy and water efficiency not only improves the value of their home but it makes it cheaper to live in. I also wonder about the cost to the state to administer the enforcing of the $200 fine per person for those people who apparently were going to fail to complete this piece of paper. This bill will help get small businesses back to what they do best: focusing on running their business, creating new local jobs and, in turn, helping to lower the cost of living for all consumers, an essential element of our government’s commitment to the people of Queensland. The cost of living is a big issue for a great many Queenslander. No matter where you go or who you talk to, whether it be the local farmer, the local real estate agent, a cafe owner, a builder, nurses, teachers or truck drivers, no member of this parliament could have missed the message that the cost of living is affecting everyone’s daily life. From talking to my colleagues this is a consistent message across our state that has stemmed from an attitudinal problem: an assumption by the previous government over the past 20 years that somehow all the little costs on people really did not matter. But all these little costs have added a cost burden on families that is now becoming impossible to bear. They are struggling with an increasing financial burden and the continued challenge of making ends meet, especially people on fixed incomes and people with growing families. The cost of supporting these families inevitably grows. With this bill the Newman government will ease the costs of living to Queenslanders. We need to stop the spiralling costs and help ease the pressure on family budgets so that they can afford the little extras such as new school shoes, a family holiday or a trip to the movies. We will help business cut through the red tape that is holding them back. We will be a government that has a positive attitude towards business and works with them rather than against them to help them succeed. I commend this bill to the House. Hon. GW ELMES (Noosa—LNP) (Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier) (3.11 pm): I rise to speak in support of the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 on behalf of the constituents of Noosa. The Newman LNP government faces stiff challenges on many fronts. All ministers look into the mirror each morning and remind themselves that they are now looking at the person who is responsible. I urge all Queenslanders to read the interim report of the Queensland Commission of Audit. The quickest glance will be a shock, as the report sets out the parlous condition of this state’s finances. It is essential that the community understands the issues fully as it is a journey of recovery that we need to be taking together. While we on this side of the House are now the government and we are responsible for fixing Labor’s disasters, we need the people of Queensland to come with us and they can only do that from a position of knowledge and understanding. The Newman LNP government has been elected in its own right with a humbling mandate. It has not snuck into government because Queenslanders have finally recognised in great number just how bad a Labor government—the Bligh Labor government they elected in 2009—had become. They elected the Newman LNP government to get Queensland back on track, to implement our range of policies which we made everyone aware of during the elongated election campaign—both the overly long official campaign and the synthetic campaign which Labor started the day Campbell Newman was made leader of the Liberal National Party. No-one can say that they did not know what we would do in government. Every Queenslander knows the can-do track record of the member for Ashgrove. Those policies, those commitments, are on the LNP website still today for all to see. When introducing this bill the Treasurer was correct when he said— The Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 amends legislation to give effect to a number of the government’s election commitments, as we have spoken about earlier today. Specifically, it reinstates the transfer duty home concession; it increases the payroll tax exemption threshold; it freezes the tariff 11 electricity tariff prices for one year; it also facilitates the establishment of the Office of Best Practice Regulation; and it removes the requirement for sustainability declarations 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 751

In one stroke of the legislative pen the Treasurer has reversed the Bligh Labor government’s tax slug on the family home. Remember that was the one that was dressed up as an initiative to stimulate the building industry and benefit first home buyers. Then Treasurer Andrew Fraser smiled his way through the introduction as the pretend friend of the first home buyer while simultaneously smashing their parents’ investment in the family home and slipping his grasping paw into the family’s accumulated wealth and transferring it to Victorians and others. This bill will amend the Duties Act 2001 to reinstate the transfer duty home concession, the previous transfer duty rate structure and the previous phasing point of $550,000 for the reducing rebate for the transfer duty first home concession for transactions entered into on or after 1 July 2012. It gives effect to the Newman LNP commitment to save homeowners up to $7,000—an additional Bligh-Fraser tax on the purchase of the family home. We on this side of the House understand the cost-of-living pressures on householders. We understand that the Bligh Labor government added about $700 a year to household electricity bills while it squandered billions in reckless borrowed spending on capital projects and unsustainable recurrent expenditures. Those rises were on the back of Labor’s solemn commitment that no-one would be worse off under Labor’s electricity privatisation program. That is why this bill will amend the Electricity Act 1994 to freeze tariff 11, the standard regulated residential electricity tariff, at 2011-12 prices for one year from 1 July 2012. Regrettably, however, there will be an increase in the household cost of electricity and this comes courtesy of federal Labor’s carbon tax. This tax slug is courtesy of the Gillard Labor government, the self-proclaimed champion of working families. I am reminded of the adage ‘with friends like these who needs enemies’. As the Bligh Labor government stumbled from one crisis of its own making to the next crisis of its own making, all semblance of coherent rational thinking deserted it. What better example could there be of this muddle-headed thinking than the total confusion between trying to create some environmental benefit and the effect of the sustainability declaration on the residential housing market. It is difficult to imagine a more stupid policy decision by the former government than this one, and we have legions of choices to take into consideration for that award. It is very pleasing to see that this bill will amend the Building Act 1975 and the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 to remove the requirements to prepare and provide a sustainability declaration prior to the sale of a residential dwelling. I know for a fact that my constituents in Noosa, whether a seller of a residential dwelling or a real estate agent involved in the transaction, will be cheering loudly and adding another toast to this government when celebrating the sale of the property. In addition to meeting the first tranche of our promises on the cost-of-living pressures, this bill also amends the Payroll Tax Act 1971 to increase the exemption threshold from $1 million to $1.1 million from 1 July 2012 and there is a range of those to come as the years roll on. The key employing group in Australia is small business. The key to sustainable employment growth in Queensland is small business. We will be doing all we can to give a hand up to small business. This measure is the first step to fulfilling that promise. The second step is also in this bill. It will also amend the Queensland Competition Authority Act 1997 to facilitate the establishment of an Office of Best Practice Regulation within the Queensland Competition Authority. No doubt the member for Nanango and Assistant Minister for Finance, Administration and Regulatory Reform who we just heard from will welcome this weapon in her arsenal as she attacks the red-tape cholesterol that is clogging the arteries of business, in particular small business. I am sure that this office will drive genuine, long-lasting and effective reform through all sectors. There are many more boxes to be ticked. Rest assured, we will tick them. We will tick each and every one of them until our promises are delivered. I hope that those opposite, who created the chaos that we on this side of the House are systematically repairing, will not have the sheer gall to oppose this bill or any part of it. At the same time as we are trying to get the Queensland economy back on track, we are trying to restore Queenslanders’ faith in democratic government. I invite members opposite to join us in this bipartisan quest by showing genuine remorse for what they collectively have done and support every measure, which is essential to rebuild trust and the economy. Mr SHUTTLEWORTH (Ferny Grove—LNP) (3.19 pm): I rise to speak to the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 and the importance of the passage of this bill through the House in a manner that will allow the Campbell Newman government to deliver on our election promises to the people of Queensland and the people of Ferny Grove. A linchpin of our commitment to the people of Queensland and my commitment to the people of Ferny Grove was to address their cost of living that, under Labor, escalated at levels well beyond traditional indices of CPI. Constantly we hear from those opposite that their appalling decisions to tax at every turn were a result of the GFC and, therefore, beyond their control. Their decisions to relentlessly impose costs upon all families—be it through increased water and electricity charges, the removal of the fuel subsidy or the removal of the stamp duty concession on the primary place of residence—were all blamed on the global financial crisis. Certainly I am not about to refute the fact that the GFC occurred. However, I question 752 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 how it is that the very term ‘global’ seemed to escape those further along this side of the House. Continuously they lay blame at the feet of the GFC for the downgrade of our credit rating. They blame the GFC and use it as justification for the increased taxes that have occurred, all during the mining and resources boom. How is it that other jurisdictions within Australia, and ironically within the same globe, that have also suffered the effects of the GFC have managed to retain their credit ratings and how is it that they have per capita debt levels far lower than those of Queensland? I would suggest significant contributors to the environment that necessitated the relentless pursuit of tax revenue were the inability of the former administration to rein in its waste and to effectively manage projects and, unfortunately, the difficulty it faced in paying back the interest after our AAA credit rating was lost. In fact, recently we heard that this is the state’s fastest growing expenditure item. Like most Queenslanders, I was appalled to learn during the last sittings that the debacle of the Health payroll system is now set to cost Queensland taxpayers in excess of $1 billion and, more alarmingly, the downgrade of our credit rating is costing us $700 million per year in additional interest payments. While that may well fund the blow-out in the cost of the new Children’s Hospital or, indeed, pay for the repairs of a flawed payroll system, it could also build us new schools, maintain dilapidated public housing or employ new police and teachers. At times throughout its governance, the previous administration was a little delusional. For example, on 28 September 2005, when questioned by Phil Reeves about electricity competition, former Premier Mr Beattie said— If people live in largely the south-east corner, the first choice they will have is that they can leave the current system with Energex and they can go out and become part of the brave new world of choice, which I think will charge up to $150 a year less.

... They will be able to decide whether they go into the new system or not. If they do, they are likely to pay up to $150 a year less.

... In other words, 1.2 million Queenslanders will be able to access $150 roughly a year. I ask members present today: how many Queenslanders do you think are paying $150 less for electricity? Mr Beattie went on to say— One fact is certain: we have the fairest and strongest system in Australia and that will not change. This is a great day for Queensland electricity consumers. They will pay less. I have here a few figures that would seem to indicate that that is nowhere near the case. On 19 June 2007, under the ministerial guidance of my predecessor, electricity prices increased by 11.37 per cent; on 7 February 2008, a further seven per cent; on 9 June 2009, 11.82 per cent; on 28 May 2010, 13.29 per cent; and on 31 May last year, 6.6 per cent. My maths would have that total 50.08 per cent. Mr Newman: What was inflation? Mr SHUTTLEWORTH: I am glad the Premier interjected. Throughout that same period of time, the CPI increase was a measly 23.9 per cent. By anyone’s reckoning, that increase is very hard to justify. It brings into focus the stark contrast between the over-taxing policies of the previous administration and the benefits apparent to all Queenslanders as a result of the cost-saving measures forming part of this cost-of-living bill. By freezing tariff 11, families will save an average of $120 per annum. Now I will review another area of cost saving: motor vehicle registration. In 2006 in the electorate of Ferny Grove there were 14,238 dwellings and almost 25,500 motor vehicles. It is clear that the decision by the LNP Newman government to hold the registration on family motor vehicles will be warmly welcomed by all. To reflect again on the contrast between the previous administration’s continual hikes in registration and the LNP’s cost-saving measures, I reflect upon 1983, when I first registered my V6 LH Torana in New South Wales. Back then, registration charges in Queensland were significantly cheaper than in New South Wales. The table included in this month’s QPL Post shows that if I had registered my car in May of this year I would have been $161.30 better off in New South Wales and $265.70 better off in Victoria. We have fallen a long way behind on the cost-of-living affordability scale. What has happened to our low-cost, low-taxing state of Queensland? Public transport costs are another significant contributor to the cost of living. Whilst it is clearly not a component of this bill, it is worthy of mention to highlight yet another area where the proactive and positive actions of the LNP government are delivering real benefit to the people of Ferny Grove. We have brought to an end the skyrocketing fare structure that we all endured under the taxing regime of Labor through halving the planned increases and providing free transport to go card users on their 10th and subsequent journeys each week. Another example of the benefits of the bill is evidenced in a review of stamp duty on the primary place of residence. A little over a year ago, on 13 March 2011, the then Treasurer, Mr Fraser, described stamp duty as a relic and an inefficient tax. He went on to say that it would be at the top of his hit list at the federal tax summit later that same year and he hoped that within five years the tax would be abolished. Just 94 days later, on 15 June 2011, Mr Fraser announced a decision to double the stamp duty for homeowners who change their principal place of residence. 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 753

Within the electorate of Ferny Grove there are plenty of small business operators in the real estate sector. To say that of late times have been a little tough for them would be a massive understatement. The removal of the concession on stamp duty was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and since the announcement of this initiative agents have enthusiastically and regularly checked with me to reconfirm our commitment to remove that impediment on their business. It seems that they are nervous and thought that perhaps this commitment would be rescinded. I can understand their wariness. After all, it was about this far into the term of the 53rd Parliament when things began to get quite flaky, when assets we were promised would remain ours were sold, when the fuel subsidy we were promised would remain went and when the commitments and promises made prior to the 2009 election were struck off, never to be delivered. Can I say to those small businesses throughout the Ferny Grove electorate that are eagerly awaiting the delivery of our pre-election commitments to watch this space. The removal of the sustainability declaration and the reinstatement of the stamp duty concession on a primary place of residence are just days away. Clearly, those on the far end of this side of this House have no idea how to manage finances. This is evident through waste such as the Health payroll system, Traveston Dam, the Children’s Hospital and the desalination plant. They revert to the only idea they have, the only solution they ever turn to—that is, to increase taxes. Incompetence and a lack of project management capability, which automatically translate into additional taxes under the Labor regime, have thankfully been brought to an abrupt end. This cost-of- living bill, introduced well within the first 100 days of an invigorated and highly competent Newman-led LNP government—will deliver on one of the five totems—one of our core pledges to our communities, that we will lower the cost of living. Families like Paul and Anne’s from Arana Hills who, with their three children in tow, met with the now Premier and me at a listening post during the campaign highlighted their disappointment with the Labor government and how it seemed to have lost touch with the Aussie battler. Paul and Anne had over many years made the decision that Anne would remain at home to raise their children and provide them with the stable and nurturing environment they desired. Over the past year, with the cost of living spiralling out of control, they simply could not make ends meet. They reluctantly made the decision to have Anne return to the workforce, undertaking shelf packing of an evening. They were devastated that, in their minds, Labor’s own mismanagement and waste had now placed additional burdens on their family and forced them to compromise their child’s wellbeing. They were bitterly disappointed that their youngest child could not be afforded the same nurturing environment as had their two elder children. That is their perception of their situation. While those a little further along this side of the House might quip at their situation, this is a direct and tangible example of how Labor’s mismanagement is costing Queensland families through higher prices and compromised standards of living. Conversely, this bill will see a huge number of small businesses throughout the Ferny Grove electorate and the state of Queensland experience significant savings through the increased payroll tax exemption thresholds. It will see many families save up to $7,000 through the reinstatement of the concession for stamp duty on a primary place of residence. The tariff 11 freeze will deliver significant savings to every Queensland family. Small businesses will benefit from the removal of a significant red- tape burden in the form of the removal of the sustainability declaration. I applaud the Treasurer and the Premier on the drafting of this bill and congratulate them on their insight and demonstrable understanding of the cost-of-living pressures being felt throughout this state. This bill will restore business confidence and significantly reduce the costs of living for most Queensland families. It seems to me that within this government’s first 100 days Queensland really is on the way to getting back on track. We are showing the people of Queensland that this can-do Newman government is one that would make any Nike marketer justifiably proud, as we just do it. Hon. AC POWELL (Glass House—LNP) (Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection) (3.33 pm): It is my pleasure to make a very brief contribution to the debate on the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. I have to say from the outset— Mr Nicholls interjected. Mr POWELL: That was long enough, was it, Treasurer? Mr Nicholls: Hope it’s a good one. Mr POWELL: It is going to be a good one because this is good news. It is wonderful to be part of a new government with a new mandate and introducing a bill that is not about adding taxes for people, adding red tape for people but actually about making it easier for people to put money into their own pocket, to put money into savings, to pay for their kids’ education and to put food on their tables. What is more, we are removing red tape in the process. It is wonderful to be part of a cabinet and a team that is 754 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 bringing forward legislation that is about saving Queenslanders money, saving Queenslanders from the burden of unnecessary red tape and delivering real outcomes for businesses, individuals and families across this state. As speakers before me have noted, there are a number of aspects to this bill. It amends the Duties Act to reinstate the transfer duty home concession. It amends the Payroll Tax Act to increase the exemption threshold from $1 million to $1.1 million. It amends the Electricity Act to freeze the regulated standard residential retail electricity tariff—tariff 11 as we commonly know it. It also amends the Building Act and the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act regarding the sustainability declaration. I also note that it facilitates the establishment of the Office of Best Practice Regulation. That in itself is an exciting move that will see this government make sure that the regulation we introduce and approve is of the highest quality possible. A lot of speakers have spoken on each of the aspects of the bill, but I want to particularly focus on the Payroll Tax Act amendments, and possibly from a slightly different perspective from other speakers. The businesses in my electorate that are suffering the most under the Payroll Tax Act provisions are actually agricultural businesses. In my neck of the woods we have a number of strawberry farmers. Because of the very nature of their businesses, they end up having to pay payroll tax because of the high casual employment rates they have at the time of picking and packing. The Treasurer met some of the strawberry growers in my electorate when he visited Palmwoods a year ago. This was the issue that they raised with the Treasurer. It is fantastic to be able to report back to them now that we are making amendments that will make it easier for them in the long term to operate their businesses. The great incentive for them is that, due to the payroll tax threshold increasing to $1.1 million—and it goes from there—it frees them up to expand their businesses, to employ more casual employees to pick and pack their strawberries each year and to ensure that there is more Queensland product in our markets and we are not having to import strawberries from other states like Victoria or further afield. That would mean that it is Queensland produce in our stores, that Queensland businesses are getting their feet on the ground and that Queenslanders are being employed. I think this is a wonderful initiative. I look forward to us taking this initiative further and removing further disincentives for businesses, particularly successful businesses and, particularly in my patch, agricultural businesses. This is one of a raft of changes we are making to deliver on our policy of driving down the costs of living for individuals, for families and for businesses around this state. I will use this opportunity to briefly mention that one of those changes is the removal of the waste levy. Effective 1 July this year, that levy will be zeroed out for each waste stream other than regulated waste. Mr Cripps: Perverse. Mr POWELL: It is a perverse levy. It is a tax by another name. Again, it is a disincentive for businesses, a disincentive for the recycling industry and a disincentive for local governments. All of the local governments that we spoke to were talking about the higher administrative costs that were going to be imposed as part of this levy. We spoke to those in the recycling industry who demonstrated to us that it would be cheaper for them to import timber from South-East Asian forests than to recycle timber poles from Energex, Ergon or the railways. It is wonderful to be the minister who introduces that regulatory change to take effect as of 1 July this year and to come back later in the year and remove the head of power within the act itself, the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act, to ensure that the levy is gone. I also note that we are making changes with regard to such things as public transport. Again, that is a big issue in my electorate. I have a number of residents in my electorate who, like me prior to coming into this position, use the opportunity availed to them by the north coast rail line to commute from places such as Palmwoods, Landsborough and the Glasshouse Mountains to stations further south such as Caboolture and then onto Brisbane. I am ecstatic that my colleague the Minister for Transport and Main Roads is addressing some of these cost-of-living elements through his halving of the fare increases over the coming years from 15 per cent to 7½ per cent. I am further pleased to note that we are reintroducing the free travel after nine trips. These are extraordinary outcomes for people, particularly for people from my home town of Palmwoods, who are going to be saving significant amounts of money. It will be savings in the order of $600 to $900 a year to travel from a place like Palmwoods into the Brisbane CBD. That is real money. There are people I know in my community who will be able to use that money to make sure their kids can participate in sport or to make sure their kids get a new pair of shoes to go to school. As I said when I started, it is fantastic to be part of a government that has a mandate and a policy that is about driving down the cost of living for Queenslanders. It is exciting to be able to contribute to this debate on the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. Hon. AP CRIPPS (Hinchinbrook—LNP) (Minister for Natural Resources and Mines) (3.39 pm): I rise to make a contribution to the debate and to support the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill and to congratulate the Treasurer, the member for Clayfield, for moving quickly to introduce measures to deliver cost-of-living relief for many Queenslanders. The LNP 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 755 committed to doing everything that we could to address the pressure that the rising cost of living was having on Queensland households, and this bill demonstrates that the LNP is determined to deliver on that commitment. Under the Beattie and Bligh Labor governments, the cost of living for households and the cost of doing business in this state spiralled out of control. Speaking to many people in my electorate of Hinchinbrook, I have heard the stories particularly from families and, most concerningly, from pensioners about the power bills, the rates notices, the healthcare costs, the fuel bills, the registration costs and the grocery bills that keep increasing and increasing. As much as possible, governments at all levels, including local councils and federal governments, need to do what they can to bring these spiralling costs of living under control. I recognise as far as local councils are concerned that their finances are constrained, in many cases, for historical reasons, outside of the control of current council administrations. Yet, as a local MP, the increases in rate notices are a real worry for people, particularly those on low and fixed incomes. As far as the Gillard Labor government are concerned, they have an opportunity to spare households and businesses a huge cost-of-living and cost-of-doing-business increase, and I call on them to do so today—abandon the carbon tax. The carbon tax will destroy jobs and it will be a huge blow to the competitiveness of Australian industries including Queensland’s four economic pillars— agriculture, construction, tourism and resources. The impact of the carbon tax in Queensland will also be felt in manufacturing and value-adding enterprises and in the road transport industry due to the increased costs of electricity and fuel, which are the major inputs into these enterprises. Mr Johnson: We could save 8.354c a litre. Mr CRIPPS: Who did that? I take the interjection from the member for Gregory, who said that we have an extra 9c a litre fuel tax on the costs of operating road transport vehicles in this state thanks to a broken promise from those who now sit opposite. There is less than two weeks until the introduction of the carbon tax. The Bligh Labor government was and the Labor opposition now is in cahoots with the Gillard Labor government on the carbon tax. Labor in Queensland is in bed with Labor in Canberra on the carbon tax. It hangs around their neck like an anchor. Here in Queensland the Newman LNP government has acted to honour our commitments on the cost of living. In my electorate of Hinchinbrook this will be particularly welcome given the cost-of-living pressures experienced by a lot of my constituents following Cyclone Yasi and the enormous task people are facing rebuilding their lives and the infrastructure that supports them on a daily basis. People in my electorate have been suffering. They have suffered firstly through a natural disaster and now they are suffering from the fallout of that natural disaster. Tourism has been drastically affected not only because motels, roads and resorts have been physically destroyed and need to be rebuilt but also because visitors have simply stopped holidaying in the region, affecting the incomes of tourist operators. Individuals and businesses of all types have been significantly affected by increases in insurance premiums—another cost-of-living issue—most acutely felt in areas impacted by the recent natural disaster. This bill offers some relief on the cost-of-living and cost-of-doing-business issues that Queenslanders desperately need. The bill proposes to freeze the domestic electricity tariff, tariff 11, for a period of one year from 1 July 2012. It will reinstate the principal place of residence stamp duty concession for homebuyers so that Queenslanders are not slugged up to an extra $7,000 when purchasing their family home. It will increase the payroll tax exemption threshold from $1 million to $1.1 million from 1 July this year as part of our commitment to increasing the threshold by $100,000 a year for the next six years. It will abolish the requirement for a sustainability declaration when selling a residential dwelling—one of the most ridiculous and utterly useless pieces of green tape introduced by the Bligh Labor government. I was appalled when the Bligh Labor government removed the principal place of residence stamp duty concession from 1 August last year. In doing so, they increased the cost to families looking to buy a home. Homebuyers have since been slugged with up to an extra $7,000 in stamp duty, which undermined an already fragile housing market. This bill amends the Duties Act to reinstate the concession for homebuyers. From 1 July this year families purchasing a home will save money under the new LNP government in Queensland. Families will have more of an incentive to enter the property market for the first time. The Queensland property market and construction industry will be given a much needed shot in the arm. Prior to the election the LNP promised we would do this and we are sticking to our word because we are committed to cutting the cost of living in this state. 756 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012

There is an amendment in this bill to the Payroll Tax Act which proposes to increase the exemption threshold from $1 million to $1.1 million. This initiative will be another shot in the arm that the economy desperately needs, particularly the small business sector in Queensland. Small businesses have been suffering in current economic conditions. In honouring this election commitment, the LNP is offering small businesses a helping hand that they so desperately need. This will be particularly beneficial for small businesses in my electorate of Hinchinbrook, as they struggle to rebuild after the cyclone last year. Mr Johnson: Where is Hinchinbrook? Mr CRIPPS: It is in North Queensland. I take the interjection from the member for Gregory. The electorate of Hinchinbrook stretches from the Bohle River in the south on the northern side of the great city of Townsville to north along the Wet Tropics coast to the South Johnstone River at Innisfail. It is certainly 300 kilometres of the most beautiful coastline and country that you will come across in the great state of Queensland. But, as I was saying before I was waylaid by the member for Gregory, the people of my electorate are struggling to rebuild after the cyclone, and small businesses in particular will benefit from the increase in the payroll tax exemption, because the cost of re-employing staff as they get back on their feet and recommence trading as normal has been significant. After the devastation of Cyclone Yasi, businesses in the Hinchinbrook area need all the help they can get. I am delighted quite frankly to be part of an LNP government committed to lowering the costs of doing business in this state—a long overdue measure to try to relieve the payroll tax burden on small businesses in Queensland, particularly when they are doing it tough. Across Queensland, it is expected that in the 2012-13 financial year approximately 1,200 employers who would normally be liable for payroll tax will now be exempt as of 1 July, saving small businesses about $40 million. A government member: Good for Queensland. Mr CRIPPS: Absolutely good for Queensland. After many years of crying out for recognition and suffering under the Beattie and Bligh Labor governments, small businesses have been provided with some relief by the Newman LNP government. This bill also amends the Electricity Act to freeze the regulated standard retail electricity tariff, or tariff 11, at 2011-12 prices for the next financial year. Electricity consumers will benefit through these cost-of-living savings on their quarterly electricity bill. The amendments in this bill will also provide for electricity retailers to be required to display the cost of the Gillard Labor government’s carbon tax and green energy schemes on household electricity bills. This is a positive step forward for price transparency. From 1 July, Queensland electricity consumers will know exactly what they are paying for. From 1 July, Queenslanders will know exactly what the Gillard Labor government’s carbon tax is costing them. They will be able to see in black and white on their bills the extent of Labor’s folly. The former state Labor government made a promise to the people of Queensland that electricity prices would not increase after the electricity industry was deregulated. But what happened? We had increase after increase after increase, pushing an essential service like electricity to the point of being unaffordable for some of the most vulnerable people in our community like families and pensioners. The delivery of an affordable, secure supply of electricity is one of the most important responsibilities of a state government. The Bligh Labor government failed miserably in delivering this. The freezing of tariff 11 electricity prices for a year will be welcomed with open arms by long-suffering Queenslanders. In North Queensland in particular, in the hot tropical summers air conditioning becomes an essential service for many people, particularly the aged and the unwell who are still living in their own homes. North Queensland already pays more for its electricity in the form of additional transmission charges, so the spiralling costs of electricity have been felt particularly hard in the north. This is unacceptable and this small concession is important for North Queensland. The bill removes the requirement for sustainability declarations to be completed by Queenslanders wishing to sell a residential property. The LNP committed to reducing red tape during the election campaign. The LNP committed to reducing green tape. We are delivering on that commitment, and we are starting here with the silliest, the most ridiculous and the most useless piece of green tape conceived by the former Bligh Labor government—the sustainability declaration. The bill amends the Building Act and the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act so there will be no need for sellers and real estate agents to provide sustainability declarations to prospective residential property buyers. This measure will mean home sellers can forget about this unnecessary paperwork. They can put this excessive burden behind them. Repealing the sustainability declaration will not mean buyers are unable to take sustainability features into account when they are buying homes and it will not prevent sellers from disclosing these features if they chose to do so. What the removal of the sustainability declaration will do is abolish this totally unnecessary item of paperwork and do away with a totally useless step in the home-buying and home-selling process. What is even better is that 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 757

Queenslanders will no longer be threatened with a $200 fine for failing to complete this pointless piece of paperwork. This is another step towards streamlining the process of buying and selling property and another saving for the people of Queensland through the provisions of this bill. The passing of the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill will see the people of Queensland realise several cost-of-living benefits. The LNP knows that many Queenslanders are struggling and trying hard to make ends meet. We intend to keep working hard to relieve the financial pressure burdening Queenslanders. I congratulate the Treasurer on these worthwhile initiatives and thank him on behalf of my electorate for delivering on his promises. Mr KNUTH (Dalrymple—KAP) (3.52 pm): In speaking to the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012, I note that under ‘Policy Objectives’ the explanatory notes state— The Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 ... amends legislation to implement a number of election commitments. Specifically, the Bill amends the: • Duties Act 2001 to reinstate the transfer duty home concession, the previous transfer duty rate structure and previous phasing-out point of $550,000 for the reducing rebate for the transfer duty first home concession for transactions entered into on or after 1 July 2012 ... This is a good measure. I believe it was a bad move by the previous government to remove the transfer duty concession. I believe another bad move by the then government was the sale of our profitable assets, which goes against their fundamental principles. We are talking about homebuyers— working-class people and average battlers—and we need to back them and support them in every way we possibly can to ensure they can purchase their first home. As the saying goes, your home is your castle, and I believe the reinstatement of this transfer duty concession is a good measure. The other day I talked to a family at a shopping centre in Charters Towers who recently bought a home. They said that, after paying stamp duty and all those who had their hand out for their cut, it amounted to $13,000. I think that is criminal when we are talking about people trying to buy a home. They pay a massive cost and then they are hit with $13,000 to provide to Treasury coffers. So I feel this is a good move by the government. I believe another good move is the amendment to the Payroll Tax Act 1971 to increase the exemption threshold from $1 million to $1.1 million from 1 July 2012. Well before this announcement was made it was the KAP’s policy to increase it to $1.5 million, because small business is the backbone of this country. If every small business could employ one employee, we would be able to solve our unemployment problems right across this country. I feel this is a good start and a good step in the right direction. This bill also amends the Electricity Act 1994 to freeze the regulated standard residential retail electricity tariff—tariff 11—at 2011-12 prices, plus the cost of the Commonwealth government’s carbon tax, for one year from 1 July 2012 and to display carbon price impacts on electricity bills. This is good, too, because this is about looking after the battlers of this state and the battlers of each individual member’s electorate. Madam Deputy Speaker, you would know as you knock on people’s doors or go to supermarkets in your electorate—all the different places where you meet your constituents—that there are a lot of people who are doing it tough. Any support that can reduce the cost of electricity is a step in the right direction. I have heard many LNP members pointing the finger at the previous state government over the increase in electricity prices and the cost of living, but it was the LNP that supported the government in the privatisation of the retail arm of our energy sector through the Energy Assets (Restructuring and Disposal) Bill 2006, which brought in full retail competition. This legislation privatised the retail arm of our energy sector but also enabled the Competition and Consumer Commission to set the price benchmark. So the LNP can get up here and point the finger— Mr Johnson: You were a member, too, Shane. Did you stand up in the party room? Mr KNUTH: That is right and they supported it. They are pointing the finger—and they have a good reason to point the finger—but they voted to support this price rise. Not only that, the LNP is having a go at the Gillard government about the carbon tax. I oppose the carbon tax through and through, but the LNP supported the Labor government in passing the cost of the carbon tax to the consumer rather than to the big energy companies. This was also supported by the LNP. We can get up there and point the finger and say, ‘You did this and that,’ but they voted for it. Privatisation is not a good thing for this state and country. I know that the LNP has already agreed to sell the remaining shares of QR National. As a result of the privatisation of QR National, we have no rail freight service from Charters Towers to Mount Isa. It is all bulk freight—support for the mining companies. This is what it is all about: supporting the big companies. The LNP can get up there and point the finger—and rightly so, as they have a good point—but they were also responsible for the privatisation of the retail arm of the energy sector. Likewise, they supported passing the cost of Julia Gillard’s carbon tax to the consumer and not to the big energy companies. 758 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012

This bill also amends the Building Act 1975 and the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 to remove the requirements to prepare and provide sustainability declarations prior to the sale of a residential dwelling. This is a good move in removing this red tape, especially when people are selling their homes. This was also a great burden on real estate agents. This is red tape and there is no doubt that I fully support this move. This is a good bill and I commend it to the House. Mr BOOTHMAN (Albert—LNP) (3.59 pm): The crippling costs of living are stifling households ability to stay afloat. The Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill is one that I urge this House to accept immediately, and I say this with the utmost conviction, because it is the wish of the electors of Albert—the individuals who have given me the opportunity to represent them in this parliament. Furthermore, failure to act on such an important bill will only create additional stress on Queenslanders. I want to highlight some of the major issues causing grief to the Albert electorate. In my maiden speech I spoke of the diversity within Albert. This is an electorate which is home to a large mix of construction, industrial, mining, semirural and entertainment industries. Albert is the construction corridor of South-East Queensland which relies heavily on the income of the construction and manufacturing industries. In recent years the construction industry has faced considerable hardship. Incomes have almost ground to a halt. Tradies in the Albert electorate are now forced to travel far and wide to find employment. Every morning we are witness to tradies travelling further afield to find employment, placing even greater demands on their limited incomes. On 1 August 2011 the previous government introduced the Building Boost strategy. This was a complete and utter failure. I want to paraphrase the Queensland Treasurer, the Hon. Tim Nicholls, who said that ‘the former government has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars writing to residents in New South Wales and Victoria and over $1.4 million in advertising a program that so far has failed to meet a 50 per cent uptake rate’. Once again, the Queensland taxpayer is forced to pick up the tab for the incompetence of those former government members who now warm the seats on the small opposition benches. To pay for its ineptitude, the previous government once again hit homeowners by removing stamp duty concessions on the family home. Again, the previous government showed its utter contempt for the average family and their ability to gain the great Australian dream—homeownership. In many circumstances the family home is the only way many families can build their wealth for future retirement needs. During the election campaign I had the honour to speak to thousands of Albert residents who provided me with their views on how the cost of living is hurting them. I want to take this opportunity to loosely paraphrase one Albert resident—a gentleman who has been in the concreting industry all of his adult life. He said to me, ‘I have always voted Labor. I felt the Labor Party was for the worker, but not anymore. They have lost their way. They have abandoned us. The building industry is dead. Every day is a struggle to find employment. We are slugged with increases in our power bills, our water costs and other charges.’ This came from an individual who has honestly felt betrayed by a conviction he held his life to. Pensioners—individuals who have worked hard all of their lives—are suffering from these spiralling cost-of-living increases. During the campaign I had the privilege to speak to multiple elderly pensioners who unreservedly informed me that life has never been so tough. To prove this, the QCOSS website states— Our findings continue to show that many low income households are still unable to afford even the basic standards of living. Low-income households continue to spend a greater share of income on the essentials like food, rent, electricity and transport whilst at the same time the cost of these essential items is rising much faster than the consumer price index. These unsustainable cost-of-living increases are a direct result of the previous government’s inability to manage the fiscal budget and its inability to properly plan for the future. Let us look closely at Traveston Dam. In 2007 the previous government purchased 478 properties at a cost of $445 million. The current land value is less than $220 million. The rusting and cracking Tugun desalination plant—a white elephant—has cost the Queensland taxpayer $1.2 billion. This feels like a game show with no winners. But there is still more! The Wyaralong Dam cost $350 million and all it is is a pond because the previous Labor government shelved plans to connect it to the water grid. The Health payroll saga has cost Queenslanders $412 million. Most importantly, former Premier Peter Beattie promised in this parliament that power prices would not rise after he deregulated the market and former Premier Anna Bligh promised that she was not going to sell any assets. To the people of Albert and Queensland, this is why the cost of living is increasing rapidly. Your money has been flushed away as a result of political disaster after political disaster. Furthermore, on a local level, the previous government wasted almost $1 million on repairs to the John Muntz Causeway. These repairs failed their first test—the 2012 floods. This causeway should have been replaced 10 years ago with a more suitable structure. Again, it is a failure to plan ahead. The billions wasted by the previous government could have been used for something useful. 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 759

This is a good example. I have a school in my electorate that has a toilet block. This school does not actually have any toilets in that toilet block. However, I can tell honourable members that, to this day, they can go to that toilet block and plug in their laptop. They will get free internet because there are data connections in the toilet block but no toilets in the toilet block. There is plumbing in there. This issue has caused enormous anguish with the local principal in that school. They want facilities for their schools. The schools in my electorate are desperate for money. The amount of money that the previous government actually wasted has placed a heavy burden on our students. The steep increases in the cost of living and the implementation of the carbon tax are creating an enormous uncertainty in our domestic economy. This continued pain is a blight on all Queenslanders. It destroys disposable incomes, which in turn limits the growth of our domestic economy. I wholeheartedly support the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. It is about making a real difference for the Albert residents and the people of Queensland as a whole. I say freeze tariff 11 prices, inform Queenslanders on their power bills about the real cost of the carbon tax, create jobs by increasing the payroll threshold, cut red tape and get Queenslanders back into work. The cost-of-living increases affect not only the hip pocket of Queenslanders but also our entire domestic economy. We need this bill to be passed to ensure the future growth of our economy and to ease the costs for residents. Mr COX (Thuringowa—LNP) (4.11 pm): I rise today to speak in support of the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. It is not the seven people from the Labor Party sitting opposite whom I blame directly today for our rising cost of living; it is the Labor Party itself with its left- wing ideologies and its method of implementation—its attitude in general of spending the people’s taxes in a way that is not accountable. This only illustrates the folly of social engineering which results in the destruction rather than the creation of wealth. It is clear that Labor could not get the basics right and, as a result, has put this state into a complete nosedive. The people of Queensland sent out a loud and clear message to Labor at the state election that they are looking to the LNP government to pull up the plane and prevent the inevitable crash we were heading for. Many voters in my electorate of Thuringowa who normally vote Labor realised that the Labor Party failed to look after its own people and forgot what it once stood for. They realised that the Labor Party will continue to ignore its traditional base until it changes that ideology. Exit polls painted a clear picture that cost-of-living pressures played a crucial role in the Queensland election. As we are all aware, Labor cannot get the basics right. As a result, the cost-of-living expenses have continued to spiral out of control. We all feel the pinch every day, whether it is when paying the grocery bill at the checkout or paying those endless bills that appear in the letterbox. Pensioners and the unemployed are amongst those feeling the effects of spiralling cost-of-living expenses. We constantly hear from front-line charity organisations such as the Salvation Army and Lifeline that many people are struggling to clothe and feed their families. Many are also struggling to make ends meet and to pay their bills on time. Before those opposite start complaining that we are the problem now and we plan to cut jobs, they should understand that if we in government do not turn around immediately and stop this waste and rein in the debt, the situation faced by these types of charities will only get worse. Why is that? Because of the Bligh government’s cost-of-living increases! Late last year the Queensland Council of Social Service released its annual poverty statement, which showed that household essentials such as power, petrol, water, car registration and bus fares had risen faster than increases in the CPI over the past five years. The report showed that 480,000 Queenslanders are living near or on the poverty line. I am sure that, since the report was released in October late last year, that number has increased even further. The report also revealed a massive jump in the need for community support, with an increase of seven per cent in just one year. Just like every other Queenslander, I ask myself: where did things go so terribly wrong for Queensland? Queensland used to enjoy a AAA rating. Thanks to Labor, our state lost that rating and it could take up to a decade to get that AAA rating back if we make some hard decisions now. Queensland is one of the most expensive states in which to own and operate a car—also thanks to Labor. Driver’s licence fees have significantly jumped over the past few years thanks to Labor. Power bills have continued to rise. Once again, we can thank Labor. With the imminent introduction of the carbon tax, which those seven across the floor seem to support, we are looking at another hike in electricity bills, with a new report revealing bills may go up by as much as 18 per cent. The people of Thuringowa, both individuals and business owners, tell me that they do not want this tax, which has no benefit to them but will result in them incurring yet another cost. Queensland used to be a prosperous state and it used to have one of the highest growth rates. Why has that changed? Because of inefficiencies, wastage and spending beyond our means. The full extent of Labor’s economic mismanagement finally emerged last week with the release of the independent Commission of Audit. The report revealed the full details of the Bligh government’s lack of fiscal discipline and predicts that the state debt will hit $100 billion in 2018-19 unless urgent action is 760 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 taken by the Newman government. This is money that could have been better spent on vital infrastructure such as roads, hospitals and schools and on delivering front-line services. Instead, the money will be spent on paying off Labor’s huge debt. The report clearly showed that Labor relied on unrealistic budget assumptions to mask the extent of underlying structural problems. The opening paragraph of the report says it all: that the Labor government embarked on an unsustainable level of spending which has jeopardised Queensland’s financial position. In a nutshell, the previous government lived beyond its means. There were budget overruns in Health, Education and Communities. We owe it to the people of Queensland and the residents of Thuringowa to fix this mess. The Newman government, on the other hand, will make the tough decisions to reduce state debt and regain that AAA rating. One step in helping to regain the state’s AAA credit rating and helping to ease the burden of the rising cost of living is the introduction of this Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. This bill will amend legislation to provide for the government’s election commitments, which include increasing the payroll tax exemption threshold, freezing tariff 11 electricity prices for one year and reinstating the principal place of residence concessional rate of transfer duty for the purchase of a person’s home. These amendments to legislation will go towards delivering on our promises to lower the cost of living. The bill also addresses the stress that has been put on small and medium-sized businesses during the years of mismanagement by the Labor government. During my time of campaigning in my electorate of Thuringowa the one issue that was raised by small business owners time and time again was the adverse effects of the payroll tax. The bill aims to provide relief for small and medium-sized businesses by amending the Payroll Tax Act 1971 to increase the payroll tax exemption threshold from $1 million to $1.1 million so that employers with payrolls of up to $1.1 million will effectively be exempt from the payroll tax. This will also benefit businesses with payrolls between $1.1 million and $5.5 million, which will be entitled to a deduction or an increase in their existing deduction. Speaking for my electorate of Thuringowa, the main issue that residents raised with me not only during the campaign but also since becoming the member for Thuringowa is still the rising cost of living and expenses. During the 20 years of mismanagement of the Labor government in Queensland the cost of electricity, water, petrol, car registration, licences and public transport has increased significantly. The Newman government is committed to doing all it can to reduce the pressure of living expenses on individuals and families. We will reduce water bills, reform electricity prices and freeze the cost of car registration in our first term of government, saving the average family $250 to $330 a year. While some may think this is a small amount, it can go towards new school shoes, a week’s food bill, school fees or maybe just tickets to see the Cowboys. We now have to ensure that we maintain front-line services for the people of Thuringowa until we level out that spiral downwards and ensure those most vulnerable in our community are looked after. I understand some people are feeling anxious about the future—even their jobs—but the state of the state’s coffers is that if we do not rein in the spending currently going to the areas that have been funded on borrowed money we will not be looking at job cuts but cuts in basic services to our community. We need to support those looking at having to change and help their transition with training or support. I believe that this bill, the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, will go a long way towards honouring that commitment and reducing the cost of living. Hon. JP BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (4.20 pm): It is my pleasure to speak this afternoon to the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. The reason that it gives me an immense amount of pleasure to speak to this bill is that it is providing real cost relief for Queensland families, something which the average Queenslander has not had for many, many years. It is great that as a new government we can come into this place and talk about taxation relief because I would hazard a guess that the last time a bill was debated on taxation relief was probably between 1996 to 1998 when the last conservative government was in power in Queensland. All we have debated in the last 14 years in particular have been higher taxes, higher charges, higher rates and higher registrations. Those opposite stopped using the word ‘tax’ and replaced it with ‘levy’ so we then debated bills in this place about levies. So it is great that we can actually talk about taxation relief. I would say that the members of the Australian Labor Party would not know what it meant because they have never debated an actual bill that gave relief to Queenslanders in the 14 years they have served in this place. What an opportune time to afford the average Queenslander this cost-of-living relief that is burdening them. There has been one thing on the shoulders and the minds of Queenslanders for the last 14 or so years and that has been the Labor Party. The Labor Party has got in the way of business and the individual in Queensland. It has not let businesses thrive, nor sought investment opportunities. It has not created an environment to attract businesses to Queensland. Queensland used to be a place of opportunity, a place where business would want to invest. We used to stand up and say people from down south were moving here in their droves to be a part of Queensland and our economy. Those days have gone. But it is not over. Although the Treasurer and the government members will talk about the 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 761

Commission of Audit in great length, particularly this week, it is important for business to understand that all is not lost, that they now have a government that is on their side. They have a government that is on the side of the working class people in Queensland. They have a government that will drive down cost- of-living pressures. At the 2012 election Queenslanders wanted that change and voted for it. It is great to see that a government with a new Premier in only its first 100 days can be in this place debating bills in relation to taxation relief in Queensland, a sight the Labor Party would not know if it fell in front of them or hit them in the head. All those opposite could do was— Mr Johnson: Create the taxes! Mr BLEIJIE: I will take the interjection from the member for Gregory. The reason they had to create taxes is that they created unsustainable debt. The only way they could pay the debt was to increase taxes. They could not manage the economy. They could not create an opportunity for investment in Queensland where businesses and foreign investors would want to come. Queensland used to be the land of opportunity. This bill, aptly named the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, amends the Duties Act. I was once a lawyer. Mr Johnson: You are still a lawyer! Mr BLEIJIE: I am the first law officer. I guess I am still in the field. Government members interjected. Mr BLEIJIE: I have heard before all the jokes about lawyers. I am not practising any more, but there was a time when I did. I note that there are many lawyers in the chamber now with the new field of MPs. There was a time when I practised in this area. Prior to the global financial crisis I saw property transactions involving people who could ill-afford a loan but wanted to live the Australian dream of owning their own home and they wanted to own a home in Queensland. One of the only things that gave them the capacity to own their own home and live the Australian dream, which we on this side of the House want people to aspire to—we want people to be successful in their ventures and their personal lives—was the stamp duty concession. Just as things were looking bright in terms of the economy, investment and resources the Labor Party smacked them down right where it hurt and got rid of the concessional rate of stamp duty. That was the only thing that was getting a lot of people across the line in terms of living their dream of owning their own home in Queensland. I remember the Treasurer at the time, Andrew Fraser, the former member for Mount Coot-tha—incidentally, don’t we have a good member for Mount Coot-tha now!—said that it brings us in line with other states. Why would the former government aspire to be one of the highest taxing states in Australia? Wouldn’t we want Queensland to be one of the lowest taxing states where people would want to move to and invest in? That is the state we should aspire to be. But no, they wanted to be like every other state. They were looking at the New South Wales economy under the Labor Party at the time. I can see them sitting in the back room there looking at the basket-case that was the New South Wales economy and saying, ‘Let us aspire to be just like New South Wales’. That is where they were heading. That is where Queensland would have headed had we not had a change of government in the March 2012 election. We would have headed to the basket-case economy as was the case when the New South Wales Labor Party had that reign for so long. It is great that Queenslanders who are investing in Queensland and moving into a principal place of residence are afforded the opportunity to claim a concessional rate of stamp duty on their property. We are not talking about the first home owner grant here, we are talking about the transfer duty. There are different ranges of the transfer duty. If it is an investment property you do not get the concession. If it is a principal place of residence, under the old system you received a concession as long as you moved into it within 12 months. The Labor Party got rid of it so every Queenslander would be paying the same tax as an investor coming into Queensland would pay. It gave no incentive for people who wanted to upgrade because they were taxed to do that. If a person wanted to seek a job somewhere else and they wanted to buy another property in Queensland the former Labor government taxed them for that. This bill will reintroduce that concessional rate of stamp duty. We think, as does industry, that it will provide an invigoration in terms of investment opportunities in Queensland. It should never been taken off, but as the member for Gregory said before, all the Labor Party knew was the word ‘tax’. They did know a second word, member for Gregory, and that was ‘increase’. For the last 14 years that is all we ever heard from the Labor Party. If they could not tax it they called it a levy. If they could not call it a levy they increased the tax on something else. That is all they ever did. I turn to payroll tax. For years, business has been crying out about payroll tax. The state needs taxes. We are not denying that fact. If we are to provide police, teachers, nurses, judges, lawyers and so on, we need taxes. We are not denying that. We have to recognise the fact that, if you keep on increasing taxes, you can get to a point where the economy will come crashing down because people can no longer afford to pay them. It does not matter how much the state taxes a person, if they cannot afford it the state will not get the tax. We say to Queensland business, particularly small to medium- sized enterprises, that the government will offer incentives in terms of payroll tax relief, that is, we will increase the threshold from $1 million to $1.1 million in the first year, going up to $1.6 million after the 762 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 sixth year. Of course, that relief falls within our theme of reducing unemployment by four per cent in six years. That is a realistic target. We did not rush into the election and say, ‘Folks, vote for us and in three years the unemployment rate will be down.’ It is a very conservative and realistic estimate that we will be able to achieve in six years. It is not a short-term bandaid solution. The payroll tax reforms will give 5,000 businesses immediate relief. Members opposite have failed and always will fail to understand that the more business has in its pocket, the more people it can employ. Consequently, the unemployment rate will reduce. Not only will the unemployment rate reduce but also people will be working and will be able to afford to feed their families. That is what it all means. Until members opposite get into the sphere of working out that small business runs the Queensland economy and keeps people employed, they will never hit the mark with the answers. Mr Newman interjected. Mr BLEIJIE: I take the Premier’s interjection. They do not understand; they never have and they never will. Over many years in Queensland we have seen Socialist and Bolshevik governments and those opposite are no different. They just spend, spend, spend and tax, tax, tax. Of course, in 2005-06 we had the situation in Queensland where expenditure was here and revenue was higher than the expenditure. But come 2011, under the Treasurership of Andrew Fraser and prior to that Anna Bligh, state expenditure was way up here and revenue was here. This morning, the Premier said that, from reading the Commission of Audit document, it does not take a rocket scientist to understand that we have a problem. We have a problem when expenditure is here and revenue is here. Who fills the void? How is the void filled? According to the Australian Labor Party, it is filled by the taxpayer, but the taxpayer cannot afford to fill that void anymore. We want business to invest in Queensland so that small business can once again run and thrive within the huge cog of wheels that is the state economy. Small business is the engine of the economy. It is the oil that keeps the cogs working. We want to free up business. We want to invest in the oil, so that the cogs can turn once again. When business is paying less tax, it is employing more people. The Labor Party will then say, ‘But your revenue will be lost.’ It does not understand that that is a short-term view of the world. It does not understand that, by having more people employed, we are working towards getting our AAA credit rating back. If we have low unemployment in Queensland, people will want to come here. We want government ministers to have knocking on their doors people from right around Australia saying, ‘We’re from Western Australia and we’re from South Australia, and we are here to invest in Queensland.’ We are telling businesses right across Australia that we would enjoy the opportunity to talk to them. We want to talk to businesses from other states and territories so that they invest in Queensland and increase employment rates for Queenslanders. This bill contains relief for business under the Duties Act, it contains payroll tax relief and it contains relief from increasing electricity charges. From my office I listened to the speech of the member for Woodridge. She said, ‘How dare Liberal National Party members of the former parliament tell people that they should bring their electricity bills to the ballot box.’ Many of us in the former parliament also said, ‘Bring your water bills to the ballot box.’ We asked Queenslanders to bring their electricity and water bills to the ballot box to remind them, day in and day out, of the grief and burden that the Queensland Labor Party caused to the Queenslanders who could least afford to pay for increasing cost- of-living pressures. I remember when Peter Beattie stood in this place and said, ‘We’re doing all this stuff in the electricity industry, but don’t fear, there’s no threat and no-one will be worse off.’ However, across Queensland we have seen a $700 increase in people’s electricity accounts. We are pleased that this bill will freeze the regulated standard retail electricity tariff 11 at 2011-12 prices. I turn to the evil great big new tax, the carbon tax. We opposed it when it was announced. The federal coalition has opposed it. Mr Newman: We oppose it now. Mr BLEIJIE: I take that interjection. What we see at a federal level is exactly what we have seen at a state level for the past 10 or so years. The only way for federal Labor to get out of the problems created by its financial mismanagement and its incompetence is to tax, tax, tax. We should be living in a world where we look at taxation relief. The Labor Party talks about ‘tax’ and ‘increase’. Those are the two words in its vocabulary. We talk about ‘taxation’ and ‘relief’. We understand that taxation is important, but we also understand that in particular situations we have to offer relief to get the cogs in the economy moving. Therefore, it is great that Queenslanders will see the dreaded evil great big new tax, the carbon tax, mentioned on their electricity bills. I live in a world of optimism. I hope that those seven little mice opposite will talk to their federal colleagues and keep campaigning against the carbon tax. Mr Johnson: And tell them what it’s going to do to Queensland. Mr BLEIJIE: They should tell them what is going to do. A government member: Stand up for Queensland. 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 763

Mr BLEIJIE: They should stand up for Queensland. I call on the member for Rockhampton—the ghost of Schwarto’s past—to stand up and be louder than the former member for Rockhampton. I call on him to have a say. If there is one thing that his constituents will admire about him it will be if he takes a stand on the carbon tax where the former member for Rockhampton did not. I call on the member for South Brisbane and the member for Bundamba. Recently I visited the electorate of Bundamba, where there is lots of industry. During the campaign I visited one particular industrial estate, the name of which I cannot recall, that was having problems with people hooning from about midnight on a Friday and Saturday nights. Those industries in the electorate of the member for Bundamba will be hit by the carbon tax. It will not just hit the businesses; it will hit the employees. I call on the member for Bundamba to stand up against this great big new tax. How time flies when you are having fun. I have only three minutes to go and I have not even covered the detail of the sustainability declarations yet. Ms Trad: It’s the sound of your own voice. Mr BLEIJIE: I would like to take that interjection. What was it? A government member: She said you have a great voice! Mr BLEIJIE: I think the interjection was something along the lines of, ‘He likes to hear the sound of his own voice.’ I can tell the member for South Brisbane that the constituents of South Brisbane like what we say in the bill. The constituents of South Brisbane like what every member of the Liberal National Party says about the cost of living. If there is one thing that they will not get out of those opposite, it is taxation relief. If there is one thing that they will not get out of those opposite it is talk about how Labor will ease their cost-of-living pressures. We on this side of the parliament are proud to stand up and talk about this issue for 20 minutes. We are proud to talk about taxation relief, which is something that Queenslanders have not heard from the member for South Brisbane’s party for a long time. Never can the member for South Brisbane stand in this place and say, ‘I was only elected in 2012 but under Anna Bligh it was terrible, it was terrible.’ Tomorrow I will table the photo that I mentioned this morning, showing Anna Bligh campaigning for the member for South Brisbane during the state election. I need not remind the member for South Brisbane of her policy position in the Labor Party. She was a senior member of the Labor Party. She had direct responsibility for the taxation— Honourable members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Ruthenberg): Order! Mr BLEIJIE: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I will turn to the sustainability declarations, which I mentioned before I went off track. I have said in this place before—and I hate to say, ‘We told you so,’ but we told you so—we told the Labor Party what would happen and it has happened. We told them that industry would hate it and real estate agents would hate it. We told them it would be a lemon because people have to provide it but not fill it out if they do not know the answers. I sold my investment property to my brother. I rang him up and said, ‘I have to provide this ridiculous form to you. I am not filling it out because I don’t know. I assume that the half flush on the left-hand side of the dual-flush toilet is more sustainable than the right-hand side full flush. I assume the down lights I have in the house are a little less sustainable than fluoros, but if you want fluoros go ahead and put them in.’ We trust Queenslanders to be able to make those decisions for themselves. They do not need government intervention. They do not need the government to tell them that fans in a house are probably more sustainable than split-cycle air conditioners. We will stick up for Queenslanders. I call on those in the Labor Party to always stick up for Queenslanders and be different from those who were in power for the last 14 years. Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—LNP) (4.40 pm): It is going to be a hard act to follow the Attorney. What a fine contribution it was. Mrs Miller: Entertain us, darling. Mr JOHNSON: I will. I will give you all the entertainment you want, Jo. I will give you the whole lot—the full bottle and not the half bottle. Ms Trad interjected. Mr JOHNSON: The same will be applicable to the member for South Brisbane. The Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill is a great piece of legislation. The people of Queensland say, ‘Thank you very much, Tim Nicholls. We have been waiting for this for a long, long time.’ I have to tell members what has been going on. As the Attorney just said, over a long period this state has been taxed into oblivion. When I say oblivion, it is not only tax that has been a problem but there is another cost-of-living pressure that nobody has even calculated. That is the running down of this state’s infrastructure. In terms of infrastructure, this great state has over 10,000 kilometres of railway line and over 30,000 kilometres of main roads plus state controlled roads plus private roads. What we have seen over recent years is a lot of local governments in rural and regional Queensland, and here in the south-east 764 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 corner too, having to let their road infrastructure deteriorate and run down because there has been no suitable funding to upgrade or maintain that infrastructure. The most important artery in our state is our road infrastructure. In the Bjelke-Petersen days the government maintained and upgraded some 1,200 kilometres of road a year. Under Goss that fell back to about 300 or 400 kilometres a year. Under our government from 1996 to 1998 we built it back up to around 600 kilometres a year. It has come back again under the previous government. We have seen a boost in road infrastructure in South-East Queensland, and yes they needed it. They needed it because it had run down. There has been a population explosion in the south-east. I heard one of the ministers say today that it is estimated that our population will be around five million in a few years. We have a policy on decentralisation. It is not about South-East Queensland. It is about inviting people to live in rural and regional Queensland—the engine room of Queensland. Right up the coast we have magnificent places to live. We have wonderful towns and cities right across our state—places like Kingaroy, Dalby, Roma, Charleville— A government member: Longreach. Mr JOHNSON: Longreach—yes I will take that one—Barcaldine, Emerald, Blackall, Cloncurry, Charters Towers, Biloela, Moranbah, Blackwater. With the exception of Blackwater, all of those towns have really good social infrastructure. When I say social infrastructure I mean that in these places mothers can give birth to their infants, their children can go to grade 12 at high school and they are great places to live. They are places that we should be encouraging people to move to because the employment and quality of life are there. That is what rural and regional Queensland has to offer the people of this state. Do members know what it has not got to offer? It does not have the associated road infrastructure that people living in those regions need. We have seen that deterioration in road infrastructure. If we look at the Warrego Highway we find that two-thirds of Queensland’s cattle that descend on the south- east corner from the north-west, the west and central west are transported on that highway. They are going to processing plants like JBS at Dinmore, Teys Bros at Beenleigh and Beef City and other feedlots on the Downs. Those processing plants get the processed cattle or finished cattle from feedlots. But how do they get them to their processing plants? They get there on the back of road trains and B-doubles on our deteriorating road infrastructure. They do not come down on the back of Queensland Rail trains. We saw cattle train operations virtually grind to a halt under the former Labor government because they did not have the vision and the understanding of how we could get that volume of cattle long distances without putting them onto our already overtaxed and deteriorating road system. What have we got now? We have the situation in this state where it is catch-up time. I remember when I was the minister for transport many years ago and Joseph Elu was the chairman of Seisia at the tip of Cape York. Joseph said to me and Bruce Wilson, the director-general of transport at the time, ‘It is now catch-up time.’ I said, ‘What do you mean, Joseph?’ He said, ‘It is catch-up for Cape York.’ I said, ‘It is not only catch-up time for Cape York, Joseph, it is catch-up time for the whole of Queensland that has been left wanting under a Labor government for the last six years.’ I have to say that the same thing is happening now in the federal sphere. Last week at a forum in Brisbane the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Mr Glenn Stevens, said that if we are to pick up our quality of life and the fruits of the harvest in this country we have to increase productivity. Don’t you love it. That is coming from the Governor of the Reserve Bank. I think it is fantastic. But how are we going to pick up productivity when all the infrastructure associated with productivity is deteriorating and the high tax regime from the federal and the former state government is crippling productivity in this state? I congratulate the Premier and Treasurer and this government for making things happen. We had the Commission of Audit conducted by Peter Costello, Professor Sandra Harding and Dr Doug McTaggart. Those three magnificent, intelligent people have shown us exactly the state we are in. I have always been taught to buy what you need not what you want. Under Labor they bought what they wanted not what they needed. They forgot about taking the people with them. The only way we can get the productivity that the Governor of the Reserve Bank is talking about in this state is to create growth through employment. I heard the Attorney say that we need to get small business going. How are we going to do that? One of the platforms is a part of this legislation we are debating today. The new payroll tax exemption threshold will mean that approximately 1,200 employers in this state who would otherwise be paying payroll tax in 2012-13 will not be liable to pay that payroll tax. What does that mean? It means more profits for their small business. It means a greater margin for them. I have always been taught that one man’s success is another man’s gain. We must help people promote and develop their profitability in business. Not everybody wants to be a businessperson. Not everybody wants to go out there and be successful. But those who do are the ones who are enhancing the quality of life of other people who want to own their own homes. When we 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 765 talk about owning one’s own home, what have we done there? Homebuyers will once again benefit from a lower transfer duty. What a magnificent outcome that $7,000 saving is going to be for people who want to buy their own home. That is what it is all about. It is all about our young people. As I stand here today I am very proud to say that I have three adult children and four grandchildren. That is what it is about. It is about the young people of this state. I see members right around this chamber who have children. We have some young members in this House too and what a great mix it is, because they are the people who are going to take Queensland forward under the LNP banner for a lot of years to come, and thank the Lord for that. Coming back to this piece of legislation, it is vitally important that this bill provides payroll tax relief for medium and small sized businesses by amending the Payroll Tax Act 1971, which the Treasurer referred to in his introductory speech. The changes that will apply to the payroll tax thresholds on 1 July 2012 are something that the people of Queensland have been dreaming of for a long, long time. These provisions are going to help take this state forward and rebuild this state. The growth that we will witness in this state will be because of sane, responsible policies that will correct the problem. That great American industrialist Harvey Firestone, the man who invented the inner pneumatic tube, once said, ‘You don’t fix a problem by throwing money at it; you fix a problem by throwing brains at it.’ That is precisely what this government is doing—finding out the best ways to address the issues through proper management structures and through proper economic development policies. That is precisely what we are going to do and the people of Queensland are going to benefit from that. There is only one thing I will say to the Treasurer, the Premier and the government: I think we have to put ourselves on notice that these policies that we are implementing are going to encourage more people to want to migrate to this great state to take advantage of the productivity that these great policies are going to create. We saw that happen with former coalition and conservative governments in this state, and I can assure you, Mr Deputy Speaker, that it will happen again. With our four-pillar policy of tourism, construction, mining and agriculture, this state can only go one way and that is up. We have a great population of young people. We have a great population of intellectual people who want to work in professional fields. We also have a policy where we are going to train people in trade skills which is so vitally important and is precisely what is needed—that is, for those young people, both young men and young women, to have the opportunity to take advantage of what is on offer in this great state. For too long we have seen everything enveloped around the south-east. When I talk about the south-east, let’s talk about the cattle industry for a moment. For every head of cattle that is shipped out of western or north-western areas and goes through a processing plant at Dinmore or at Beenleigh or anywhere else on the coast, it is providing jobs for three people each day. This is the multiplier effect. Just think about the flow-on effects of that at a place like Dinmore, where they are killing about 2,500 head of cattle each day. In the electorate of the member for Bundamba, in the electorate of the member for Ipswich and in other electorates, for every head of cattle there are three people who produce and transport the cattle or whatever other goods to the south-east corner or to the eastern seaboard. This is the multiplier effect. It is the productivity of a few that is making this happen. I have always said in this House that the minority provide for the majority. We who live in rural and regional Queensland are the minority. That is one thing that I believe is going to be very substantial and very profitable for the people of rural and regional Queensland. We heard the Deputy Premier talk about royalties to the regions in the House this morning in answer to a question without notice. This again is going to drive the cost of living down for some people. Our hospital situation is out of control and we need to do better in our schools with education. The greatest export we have had in the bush in recent years—and I am sad to say this—has been our young people. We have had to send them away to educate them at boarding schools on the coast or in the south-east or on the north coast at Townsville, Charters Towers, Cairns, Rocky or wherever. Unfortunately a lot of those kids do not go home. Out of my three, I am happy to say that I have my two daughters back in the far west. But at the end of the day being able to go home is not applicable to everybody. I think the most important thing is that we make certain that we have policies that are going to give our young people the opportunity to be able to live and have a quality of life and work and earn a good living in rural and regional Queensland or even here in Brisbane or in Townsville or Cairns, our larger regional cities. It is about equality. We have not seen equality in this state in recent years. Look at our Indigenous people in the Far North. Look at Palm Island. I was on the former Premier’s parliamentary select committee that undertook an investigation into Palm Island and I saw the price of goods there and what the people had to pay. The member for Townsville is not in the House this evening, but the member for Townsville has spoken to me about this. I think many people will have witnessed how these people are being ripped off because of the poor management strategies that have been put in place by former administrations that have deprived these people of a fair go. That is what this government is about. We 766 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 are about the workers. We are always about the workers and we will continue to be about the workers. Whether you are millionaire or a bagman, we will look after you. That is precisely what the policies of the LNP will do. Look at our hospital situation. We have seen the deterioration right across Western Queensland and in rural and regional Queensland over the last few years. Mothers cannot give birth to their infants in some of our country hospitals— Mr Newman: Like Emerald. Mr JOHNSON: They can, Premier. I take the interjection of the Premier. In Emerald there are over 600 births a year— Opposition members interjected. Mr JOHNSON: Hang on a second. That is a very valid point. Opposition members interjected. Mr JOHNSON: I seek your protection, Mr Deputy Speaker. I need to be protected. Mr Hobbs: I’ll protect you, mate. Mr JOHNSON: My mate will protect me. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Ruthenberg): Order! Member for Gregory. Mr JOHNSON: Now I will give them the facts. I thank the Premier for the interjection. There are over 600 births a year at Emerald. Currently there are only 400 because of the problems associated with indemnity insurance, the lack of GPs and the operation of the health system, and a lot of mums have had to go to Mackay or Rocky or somewhere else. A lot of them are miners’ partners or wives. These women cannot have their infants in some of our country hospitals, and they do not have the backup support of a mother or a sister or an aunty or a friend because they come from interstate. Mr Newman: They don’t get it, do they? Mr JOHNSON: That is right, Premier. They are the mob who created this problem. In my electorate of Gregory, which covers some 380,000 square kilometres, there are two hospitals where mothers can give birth to their infants. That is an absolute disgrace in 2012. Here we are talking about the rights of the family and the family unit. All this is doing is creating an environment that is going to drive the family unit apart. I believe that our policies will redeem that situation. I know Laurie Springborg, as the Minister for Health, will make certain that that does happen. Every minister in our government to date has identified ways and means to save money, to drive the cost of living down and, at the same time, to create productivity that is going to enhance the lives of people who live right across the state. In the couple of minutes I have left—time goes quickly here; can I get an extension or not?—I make this point: here we are on the eve of the mining tax as such and what an impost that is going to be on the people who live in rural and regional Queensland, people who live in hut type operations in my electorate—people who are living in camps in places like Blackwater and Moranbah, which is not in my electorate, but they are springing up everywhere. Again, this is about the disintegration of the family unit. The family unit is the most sacred thing that we have in our lives. It is absolutely paramount that we try to keep the family unit together regardless of where they live. If we can get low-cost housing into those places and secure land where they can build and get away from this native title stupidity, I believe we are going to address a lot of the problems we are seeing that are a scourge on our community and our society today. There are a lot of good things in this legislation. I want to touch very briefly on the cost of electricity to consumers in rural and regional Queensland. I know a small business in the far west whose power bill in the last quarter of last year was $5,000 but their power bill in the first quarter of this year was—are you ready for it?—$10,000. It has doubled—$10,000. That is applicable right across Western Queensland. It is an absolute scourge on small business. It is to the detriment of the productivity of companies and individuals. As I have said, a lot of these people are young people having a go. All I can say is: thank God we now have an LNP government in Queensland. The Treasurer, the Premier, the cabinet and the government will determine the future of this state by driving the agenda in a responsible way and taking Queensland into the 21st century, making it a place that Queenslanders can be proud of and that Australia will be proud of because they will all want to live here when we are finished with it. Mr BERRY (Ipswich—LNP) (5.00 pm): I rise to speak to the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012, which contains significant measures by the LNP Newman government to start out on the journey of restoring Queenslanders’ faith in government. Before I talk about the measures that I believe are important to Queenslanders, I thank the member for Gregory and the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice for their awe-inspiring rendition of what this government is doing for Queenslanders. Quite frankly, one of the factors which caused me to get involved in politics was the absolutely disgraceful legislation that was being passed for which everybody, particularly the legal profession, had to bear the cost. I am talking about PAMDA, sustainability declarations and so on—myriad green and red tape. It is a rocky road. 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 767

The interim report of the Queensland Commission of Audit, released on Friday, indicated that we have a $4.9 billion operating deficit. That is a huge figure by anybody’s standards. Everybody has heard about how our fiscal deficit is equal to that of New South Wales and Victoria. It is shameful how, in a state as prosperous as Queensland, hardworking Queenslanders now have to foot the bill and pay it back. This will be generational, because you cannot kill the sacred cow. The debt repayment has to be done slowly and deliberately. It is a huge debt to sustain. This bill will operate on many fronts. It contains something for everybody—at least in the short term. The bill delivers on one of the promises the Premier made on the campaign trail. The sustainability declaration is a document which is purposeless in its outcome. The freezing of tariff 11 is a bold step, particularly after the delivery of the interim report on Friday. I will speak briefly about reinstating the homeowner’s subsidy because the removal of that subsidy has distorted the property market. It caused a freezing up of business, of people wanting to invest, of young people going into homes because of supply and demand. Carbon tax disclosure is the essence of what will be happening over the next 18 months or so. The federal government will be held accountable for the impact of the tax. When I was circulating throughout Ipswich in campaigning before the election I found that the topic that was most important to Ipswichians was the carbon tax. A government member: ‘Ipswichians’? Mr BERRY: It is a new word; it has ‘Ian’ on the end, you see. The carbon tax was the factor that influenced everybody the most. People did not consider whether I was running for council or for state or federal government; Labor voters came up and told me that what concerned them the most was the carbon tax. That is something that I think the federal government has lost sight of. I do not think it realises how important it is for Queenslanders and Australians, particularly people who live in Ipswich. The member for Gregory mentioned the transport operators in his electorate. Nolan’s transport is on the top 100 list. I do not know what they are going to do with the carbon tax—how their business can become more efficient in order to absorb the carbon tax. It is difficult to say. I have been to a lecture given by BDO Kendalls about how this works. It is so complex. How small and medium businesses— leave aside the large ones—are going to cope with this I have no idea, but they are very concerned. The sustainability declaration is a retrograde and ridiculous legislative measure. As a lawyer I can say that nobody had any idea what it was for. Its purpose was unknown. People did not know how to calculate the information upon which the— Mr Bleijie: It was to appease the Greens. Mr BERRY: There you go: the Greens again. The difficulty with that document is that you are trying to encourage people to declare how efficient is the home they are selling—not that I think many people place any relevance on whether in fact the light globes glow or whether you have to open the windows in summer or close the windows in winter or whether there is an air conditioner. What people are really concerned about—young people, battlers, anybody who wants to buy a home—is price and location. That has been known for quite some time. Yet we have this declaration that nobody knows about. People attempt to fill it out, but if they do not fill it out or do not fill it out correctly they can get a fine of up to $2,000. What was the government thinking? People who are selling a home could be up for a $2,000 fine. The sustainability declaration imposed upon vendors and vendors’ agents the obligation to fill out the form. Of course, there are people out there who do not use agents. They have to sit down and do the best they can to try to measure how sustainable is the house that is to be placed on the market. Queenslanders were dismayed that the Labor government abolished the homeowner subsidy. The Labor Party could have imposed a means test or put a cap on capital value. It could have dealt with this in lots of ways. If this was a philosophical decision and was not based on economics, it could have protected the battlers. They are the battlers who were the heartland of the Labor vote and who deserted Labor in droves. The reality is that those battlers have now voted for an LNP conservative government. It is incredible that they should do that. The reason they did that was that they lost confidence in the Labor Party and the direction in which it was going. For people trying to break into the housing market it was difficult enough to save for a deposit. People who were clever and prosperous would have a larger deposit and avoid paying mortgage insurance. People were doing those things at the time the subsidy was abolished, but not anymore. Once people have taken all of those steps and saved all of that money, they face the imposition of a further $7,000 to save up for. It is very, very difficult indeed. It was once the case that moving into a new home was exciting. To own a little bit of Queensland was a dream. It still is a dream for most of us. Abolishing the subsidy was a retrograde step. It distorted the market, simply for the reason that once the subsidy was abolished people withdrew. There were vendors wanting to sell but the demand for the house had reduced. But things have changed. Since the announcement by the government that this legislation would be introduced quickly, vibrancy has come back into the marketplace. People are now looking forward to having that saving again. 768 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012

There is a certain buoyancy about the economy, certainly in Ipswich. There are people looking forward—looking forward to an LNP government getting on with business. The action that has been taken in the first 100 days is incredible. There has been an uplifting of people’s enterprise and we are looking forward to getting on and hopefully extinguishing this debt, although that will obviously take many years, if not generations. It is the battlers who have suffered the most. It is the men and women of Labor’s heartland who have in fact deserted it in droves. But now we know why all of these things happened. It was not philosophically based; it was based an on economic landscape—a landscape where the Labor government had been mortgaging Queensland to the hilt and beyond. The level of Queensland’s debt beggars belief. I do not know if members remember, but during the election campaign then Premier Bligh was asked what Queensland’s debt was and she did not know. Either she knew and was not prepared to tell Queenslanders what they were entitled to know or she did not know. It is for Queenslanders to decide the credibility of the former Premier. On election day I clearly remember speaking with a lady who had just walked past the federal member for Blair and avoided taking a handout from him—but we will talk about the carbon tax in more detail later. This lady said to me, ‘Half of my income goes on accommodation. The other half I live on.’ I said that the LNP could deliver for her a freeze on electricity tariff 11. Car registration did not really concern her. The subsidy did not really concern her. One thing she was really concerned about was the carbon tax. The fact is that we are going to save money for this lady and others in Queensland and they will know what the carbon tax is going to cost them so they can offset that against whatever payment they get from the federal government. That will give them a better idea as to how they will be voting in 18 months time. There were many stories like that throughout the campaign. It really is a huge concern to Queenslanders. She felt betrayed and she said that she had lost confidence in where the Labor Party was going. The reality of life is that it is refreshing to be a part of a government with a fresh and vibrant agenda. Mr PUCCI (Logan—LNP) (5.11 pm): I am pleased today to rise to speak in support of the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. As promised, this bill will deliver a number of LNP promises made during the election campaign aimed at lowering the cost of living for families. Because the former Labor government could not get the basics right, Queenslanders are facing spiralling costs of living and family budgets are under severe strain. There was no forward planning; there was just growing government waste, such as the $600 million on the failed Traveston Crossing Dam, over $1 billion on the unused Tugun desalination plant and $350 million on the Wyaralong Dam, which is not even connected to the South-East Queensland water grid! Let us not forget the $7 billion spent on that water grid. Then there is the failed Queensland Health payroll system that will cost more than $1.2 billion to fix and continues to be of financial and emotional distress for thousands of front-line Health staff. Of course, let us not forget accountability and how a fake prince can help himself to $16 million of taxpayers’ money from the Health system. These blunders—this incompetence—are costing Queenslanders over $100 million a week to pay back. In terms of my electorate, what could we do with $100 million a week? Why are there suburbs in my electorate with little or no transportation at all? There are families and children in my electorate who cannot get to places to do things and, as a result, crime rates are spiralling out of control in some areas because people are locked up in communities built without proper infrastructure, without proper spending. Places like Flagstone, Greenbank and Logan Village have no transportation. There are places with no sporting facilities. How many sporting facilities could we build with $100 million a week? How many could we have? How many multicultural centres could we have, given the cultural diversity in Logan? How many of those could we have with $100 million? Where did the money go? Where is it? It is definitely not in Logan, I can tell members that! Why do people in Logan drive on roads like the Mount Lindesay Highway with promises on the never-never that it will be fixed, but it never comes? Why are they driving on roads like Camp Cable Road, which people are afraid to drive on for fear of being killed? The money was not coming to Logan. Where did the money go? What could we do with $100 million a week? Water bills and electricity bills have skyrocketed. Queensland is now the most expensive state in which to own a car, with the cost of vehicle registrations and drivers’ licences practically doubled. Last year alone public transport costs increased by 20 per cent. Despite all of these increases in revenue the former Bligh Labor government still kept climbing further and further into debt. It is costing us $100 million a week. I am sure everybody remembers the previous Labor government’s electricity privatisation and the promise that no-one—no family—would be worse off. Since that promise, the average Queensland family has had approximately $700 per annum added to their household power bill. I know a young mother in Park Ridge—Kylie—who has personally told me of her struggle to provide for her children because of the rising price of electricity. But true to our election promise, this bill will provide the ability for the government to freeze electricity tariff 11 at this year’s prices, plus the cost of the federal government’s carbon tax, for 2012-13. The bill also includes the government’s commitment for retailers to display the cost of the federal government’s carbon price and the renewable energy target on household electricity bills from 1 July 2012. 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 769

The tired former Labor government, in its desperate attempt to raise revenue to cover its wasteful blunders, abolished the principal place of residence concessional rate of stamp duty. I cannot tell members how many doors I knocked on during the election campaign where people asked me about this concession and how many people came up to me when I was standing by the roadside who asked me about this concession. They were telling me that they could not afford to buy a house. They could not afford to put a down payment on a house. Where has the money gone? This change slugged homebuyers with up to $7,000—all to feed the coffers of the wasteful, inept previous Bligh government. No long-term good economic planning appeared to be involved in this decision. It devalued existing homeowners’ properties and made home purchasing in Queensland less affordable. This bill reverses that decision and, again, delivers on our promise to lower the cost of living for families by saving up to $7,000 for homebuyers. This assistance may be the extra boost for couples like Jermain and Sarena, a young couple I met in Browns Plains, to now be able to finally afford a deposit for a home. This bill also removes the requirement to prepare and provide a sustainability declaration prior to the sale of residential dwellings. What a joke that was! Can members believe that members of the previous government actually tried to do this because they thought the people wanted it? They are not living in my world, I can tell members that. This is part of the government’s commitment to reduce waste and red tape—in this case, green tape. The sustainability declaration was a pointless document which, in real life, was very rarely completed in full, and nor was it required to be. It was really just a waste of paper. Encouraging businesses to grow and employ more people is part of the LNP government’s proper economic management plan to get Queensland back on track. Small business is the backbone of our economy and needs less red tape and regulation to allow them to get on with the job of running their businesses. This bill delivers on another promise—to increase the payroll tax exemption from $1 million to $1.6 million, freeing more cash for employers to utilise in their business, which could include expansion and employing more staff or even just retaining staff. This part of the bill will aid in growing and strengthening our economy as well as aid in our target to lower the unemployment rate. This bill also includes amendments to the Queensland Competition Authority Act, allowing the establishment of the Office of Best Practice Regulation under the Queensland Competition Authority. Under the direction of the minister, the authority will then be allowed to investigate and report on any matter relating to competition, industry, productivity or best practice regulation; to review and report on regulatory assessment statements; and to review and report on existing legislation. This is real support to grow our economy. This cost-of-living bill makes a number of amendments that will all have a positive impact on families struggling with the escalating costs of living. I am proud to support this bill and I commend it to the House. Mr RUTHENBERG (Kallangur—LNP) (5.20 pm): I rise to speak in favour of the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. I support the bill and recognise the five objectives. I also thank the cabinet for bringing this legislation forward to the House as early as it has. Any help that we in the LNP government can bring to families and businesses of my electorate will be gratefully received. The reinstatement of the transfer duty concession for the sale of the family home will be good news for families, real estate agents and tradies in my electorate. The increase in the payroll tax threshold will be good news for employment, and companies will now be able to plan for growth again. The freezing of electricity tariff 11 for 12 months will be greatly appreciated by the families in my electorate. The establishment of the Office of Best Practice Regulation is a wise and welcome measure and I believe it will deliver efficiency and effectiveness at a time it is desperately needed. The killing off of the ill-conceived sustainability declaration that must be produced prior to the sale of a residential dwelling not only is welcome but also is an example of a type of silly red tape that was killing business across Queensland. This measure should be welcomed by Labor and the Greens as a common-sense and much needed approach. In the 18 months leading up to the 24 March election I knocked on the doors of approximately 14,000 homes and walked into over 400 businesses. I am firmly of the belief that the overwhelming majority of people and business owners had completely lost confidence in the then Labor state government. Most of the people to whom I spoke were hurting financially due to the ever-increasing taxes, fees, levies and charges coming from government and quasi-government agencies. Family budgets were being squeezed harder than most people were able to remember and more were starting to get weary of the pressure they felt. My electorate is substantially residential. I have no CBD and no major shopping centres and approximately 80 per cent of the people who go to work in my electorate leave the electorate to do so. My electorate is in the fastest growing area of Queensland right now, and the projections are that this will continue. I am keenly interested in developing a viable economic base within my electorate and will work with the other MPs in my region, the ministers and the council to this effect. Essentially, Labor has taken our region for granted for the last 20 years. We now suffer from a serious deficit in social and transport infrastructure. I have already started lobbying several ministers in regard to my community’s needs. 770 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012

One of the real pressure points, like many communities in Queensland, was the damage to infrastructure following the January 2011 floods. A vital piece of infrastructure was damaged during the flood, that being the northbound lanes of the AJ Wyllie Bridge. This bridge was damaged beyond economic repair. This fact was established in March of 2011. The two remaining lanes of the bridge were reconfigured to a two-lane bridge. Prior to the flood, approximately 28,000 cars used that bridge every day. After the flood approximately 21,000 cars use it. This reduction in traffic has had a serious impact on the businesses in Petrie, Lawnton, Narangba and Kallangur due to the reduced drive-by traffic. I know of at least eight businesses that have suffered to the point of closure due to this reduced trade. Prior to this flood event businesses and families were already starting to feel the pinch due to the irresponsible financial position of the former Labor government. This event, however, really hurt businesses in my community. There are only three crossings over the North Pine River, and AJ Wyllie Bridge is a vital part of that infrastructure. Unfortunately, even with the best efforts of the member for Pine Rivers and me to press the then Labor government to mitigate the impact on our community and get the bridge built, the former government decided to ignore the needs of our communities, and work to build a replacement bridge was only announced—guess when? Just prior to the 24 March election—over 13 months after it was declared unrepairable! Unfortunately— Mr Watts: Was it funding? Mr RUTHENBERG: No, funding was available. Unfortunately, more than most communities in Queensland, my community has felt the impact of Labor’s economic legacy of complete ruin and reckless disregard for business and families. Business is where income is generated, but it appears the former government could not see this. A case in point is the $1.25 billion for a payroll system that was supposed to cost $40 million. Are you kidding me? I oversaw and project managed very large application software projects all over the world and never have I seen such an unbelievable abuse of customer-vendor relationship, nor have I ever seen the level of unaccountability that the former Labor government displayed and allowed in this matter. It is simply unacceptable. With Greece still on the edge of economic oblivion, Spain dancing with the same devil, Italy treading lightly and keeping its head low and Germany distracted with trying to hold the EU together, now more than ever we must encourage economic stability in Queensland, and this bill will go a long way towards doing that. In my electorate most of the business is small retail business. I want to relay to the House some of their experiences as they have relayed them to me. There is a servo owner in my electorate. The servo has been there for over 40 years. Sales are down 28 per cent. Why? Because the tradies are not coming in! Why are the tradies not coming in? Because there are no houses being built; there is no industry for them to be employed in! They are not coming in to buy fuel and, consequently, they are not buying chocolate bars, Cokes and meat pies. There is a drainer who is now doing fly-in fly-out work because he cannot find work anywhere else. He wants to be with his family but has no choice if he wants to provide an income for his family. Why? Because the building industry stalled! Mechanics are saying that people are skipping services because they cannot afford it. This poor guy is working his tail off. His wife is in the business working with him but they have not paid themselves for over four months now. People are hurting. The owner of the tyre shop has had to put off all his casuals and go back to working full time after semi-retiring because that is the only way he knew how to keep his head above water. How about the golf shop owner who was looking at moving after his lease was up because he just could not keep the doors open much longer? The real estate agent office lost over a third of their staff and were working for very little just to stay in the game. The two butcher shops could not make ends meet and eventually had to close. The baker who had been in business for over 27 years had to close one of the shops and put off several people because she simply could not keep the doors open any longer. And that was through no fault of her own, through no fault of anything she had done. How about the newsagents who had to shut their doors after 20 years because customers were no longer buying magazines and ancillary items? There is also the professional services company that, for the first time in 12 years, had fewer than seven consultants on the road with no prospect for keeping five of them on the road for another three months. There is also the solicitor who had to take an extended overdraft, lay off staff and reduce office space to keep the doors open. Business in this state had stalled under Labor. It seems that the former government just did not get that it is business that generates income from which people are paid and taxes are withdrawn. Without a strong business base, our community suffers. I am proud that this LNP government gets that and that our Premier and cabinet are pushing forward with our plan for a four-pillar economy. We will create the environment in which business can once again have confidence to invest, employ and grow. Only then will we see this great state once again be the powerhouse it has the potential to be. This bill will go a long way to helping these people. The reinstatement of the transfer duty home concession for family homes will help real estate agents in my area, as people will once again consider upgrading or downgrading their primary residence. The amount of $7,000 will go a long way towards home renovations that are often needed 19 Jun 2012 Motion 771 when you move into a new home. I relayed to this House in my maiden speech that my wife and I had lived in 26 homes on three continents. I can tell members that $7,000 goes towards hooking up phones, putting in new curtains, putting down new carpet and painting. Guess where you get all that from? You get all that from local businesses. You bring tradies in and they come and help. It helps the whole economy. Guess what Labor did when it got rid of that? It said to tradies, ‘Pfft, you don’t matter anymore.’ It is simply unacceptable that they were treated with such complete and absolute disregard. Debate, on motion of Mr Ruthenberg, adjourned.

MOTION

Budget Strategies Mr PITT (Mulgrave—ALP) (5.30 pm): I move— That this House acknowledges the budget strategies of Queensland state governments from 1998 to February 2012 that: • invested in necessary infrastructure • expanded essential services • cushioned the impact of the global financial crisis • supported the rural sector through historic drought, and • rebuilt communities and jobs following an unprecedented and costly sequence of natural disasters all without the need for forced redundancies or cutbacks to front-line jobs and services. It is Labor that has delivered jobs for Queenslanders and built the modern diversified economy and infrastructure we all enjoy today. It is clear that the LNP does not see what I am about to list as priorities of government. We see them as achievements in building a modern Queensland. The Costello audit interim report highlighted Labor’s spending on the following: introducing a prep year into schooling; significantly increasing child safety and funding for disability services; increasing hospital bed numbers; substantially increasing wages and conditions for doctors, nurses and clinical staff; and increasing public transport and infrastructure services. The list of Labor’s achievements does not stop there. Major infrastructure investment has occurred in the following areas: the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan; the upgrade of the electricity distribution network, following the recommendations of the Somerville Review; the upgrade of the water infrastructure network; and the ‘more beds for Queensland’ hospital rebuilding and expansion program. The report also mentions that spending on health has more than tripled in the 10 years to 2010-11 and that expenditure in housing and communities almost doubled between 2005-06 and 2010-11—more than double the growth rate of the previous five years. These are investments in social services and infrastructure that we make no apologies for. When it comes to the growth of the Public Service, the Commission of Audit report found exactly what we had said was happening: that we were providing more front-line staff, including teachers, nurses, doctors and police. To quote the report, and as derided by the Premier this morning, on a full- time equivalent basis Public Service numbers have increased by 40 per cent since June 2000. Almost half of this increase was in Health, with the next largest contributor being Education. The Premier has told us that we need to have a more sustainable Public Service. However, the report details that, as a proportion of the population, the Queensland public sector is similar to that of the other fast-growing decentralised state of Western Australia—both 4.5 per cent. The report has also found that Labor was successfully managing the number of non-front-line positions. The voluntary separation program will have primarily reduced the rest of the Public Service category, as the program excluded front-line services and was focused on back-office administration and support functions. We in the Labor party can be proud of what we have helped deliver: 11,151 new teacher and teacher aides; 3,850 extra police—a 57 per cent increase higher than population growth; 14,300 additional nurses; and in the last four years, 5,000 extra doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. We increased infrastructure spending from $1,241 per person in 1997-98 to $3,172 per person over the last financial year, maintaining the largest infrastructure spend per person of any state in the nation; supported the creation of 740,000 jobs across the Queensland economy with over two-thirds of these full-time jobs; and oversaw the largest fall in unemployment in the nation from a peak of 10 per cent, when the LNP were last in government, down to 5.5 per cent. We acknowledge that when we left office the gross debt across the entire government was $64 billion, which included GOC debt which is serviced by commercial revenues, not taxpayers. We made no secret of that. Equally, it has to be acknowledged that Labor provided over $54 billion in infrastructure over the last four years, including once-in-a-generation projects such as the Gateway Bridge duplication; supported the establishment of a Queensland LNG industry supporting $45 billion of investment and 18,000 jobs; locked Queensland in as the second largest private investment destination as assessed by Deloitte Access Economics, with the second largest pipeline of future investment; and locked in strong economic growth with state final demand at 7.8 per cent over the year to March. This is the strongest year to March quarter result since 2006 underpinned by the strongest household 772 Motion 19 Jun 2012 consumption growth since the December quarter 2007. We also provided an increase in concessions of 53 per cent since 2007-08 to support vulnerable members of society to meet the cost of living and increased the participation rate of children attending kindergarten from 29 per cent to 44 per cent. Most importantly, and singled out in the Commission of Audit interim report, we maintained a building program through the financial crisis that kept over 100,000 Queenslanders in jobs. As quoted by the Commission of Audit in its interim report, ratings agency Standard & Poor’s at the time said— The state’s capital program is substantial. Given the significant decline in operating revenue as a result of a weakening economic environment and the state’s commitment to its large capital program, Queensland’s balance sheet is unlikely to remain consistent with a ‘AAA’ rating. We make no apologies for avoiding the same mistakes as the last LNP government, which cut infrastructure spending during an economic downturn and let unemployment hit 10 per cent across the state in 1997. These are the levels reached in the United States during the global financial crisis. In fact, this is why strictly adhering to a fiscal balance of including net infrastructure spending in the operating balance is impractical. It is a blunt measure that does not factor in broader economic circumstances. The Commission of Audit interim report again decided to selectively quote Standard & Poor’s, this time from a report last year at page 30 where it states— Queensland’s budgetary performance is the weakest of all the Australian States. What the report failed to mention was this quote from Standard & Poor’s in the same report— We consider limited budgetary flexibility as a credit weakness of all Australian states, including Queensland. This is because most of the tax and revenue options rest with the Commonwealth, not the states and territories. This same report continues— Queensland’s financial management is excellent, in our view. ... An upgrade in the medium-to-long term is possible once the structural improvements introduced by the Queensland government begin to be reflected in the state’s budgetary performance and debt burden. ... much of Queensland’s capital expenditure is due to generational rebuilds, the state’s rising population or is a result of the 2011 natural disasters ... Hard-hit by natural disasters over the past year, the Australian state of Queensland remains a strongly rated government entity on a globally comparable basis. And what was the title of this research update? Ratings on state of Queensland affirmed on strong financial management; outlook stable. It says that if it were not for the GFC, and in particular the natural disasters, Queensland is in pretty good shape. And that is how we left it when we lost government. Of course, that is not what you will hear from the Premier or the Treasurer or this trumped- up so-called independent Commission of Audit. This is not to imply that Labor would not have taken any measures in government to pay down debt and reduce expenditure. For example, at the last midyear review Labor locked in $737 million in net savings—that is, savings after new spending. The LNP opposed all the measures Labor took to restore the budget position over the last term of government. To soften the impact of the GFC, Labor governments at state and federal level put in place stimulus measures, whereas the LNP were GFC skeptics—brushing over the global impacts of this crisis that saw rioting in the streets and deaths, unemployment levels of around 25 per cent, the school week in some US states reduced to just four days and local police services completely shut down. In Australia we did not see the full impact of this crisis because we acted and we acted early. These things did not happen here because Labor took the tough decisions to build vital and necessary infrastructure to keep pace with a growing population and to keep people in jobs. These are just some of the achievements that we in the Labor party are proud of. While delivering all of these priorities we kept Queensland’s No.1 tax status. We all remember at the last budget the Treasurer’s statements that Queensland did not have a competitive tax environment for businesses and that taxes and charges are out of control. An independent report by Pitcher Partners confirmed last year that, on tax competitiveness for a start-up operation, the significant gap set by the Queensland government is not being narrowed by the other states. We maintained the lowest transfer duty of all mainland states in Australia, the highest payroll tax threshold and lowest rate, and the lowest rate of duty on general insurance in the nation—taxation $440 below the national average. This was confirmed in the Commission of Audit report, which states that Queensland is a low-taxing state. The Commission of Audit has also refuted the claims made by the LNP that Labor somehow went bust in a boom and squandered rivers of gold, where it outlines that revenue growth from property and mining was offset by weakness in other taxes and GST. Despite knowing the true budget position of the state, the Treasurer then drafted a set of election costings that proposed a series of tax cuts and new expenditure worth over $4 billion on their own count. Compare that with Labor, which ran very lean and announced election promises totalling $1.8 billion with $745 million of this funded from existing initiatives. As the economic recovery underway in Queensland gathers strength, it is the LNP that is the biggest financial risk to 19 Jun 2012 Motion 773

Queensland by proposing to cut Queensland jobs to fund its promises. It is time for the Treasurer to reveal to Queenslanders what Treasury really told him about the cost of the LNP’s election commitments. He should table the incoming brief. Labor’s record is a proud one. The current debate about apportioning blame for the debt does nothing but trash Queensland’s economy and talk down investor confidence. The debate should now be about how we continue to manage our investment in much needed social infrastructure into the future and how we continue to fund it as a federation. Mrs SCOTT (Woodridge—ALP) (5.39 pm): I rise to second the motion moved by the Leader of Opposition Business and member for Mulgrave. Labor has a strong record of building infrastructure and protecting jobs, particularly in regional Queensland. We created 100,000 jobs during the global financial crisis. At a time when every government around the world was abandoning their infrastructure projects, we stuck to ours to keep people in jobs across Queensland and it worked. Historically, Queensland’s average unemployment rate has been 7.2 per cent. Under the last conservative government it was 9.8 per cent. At the election, after the global financial crisis and the natural disasters that thumped our state, it sat at 5.5 per cent. We protected jobs, unlike this government that, after being in power for only three months, has ripped jobs and services out of regional Queensland. The predictable findings of the interim audit of state finances by Peter Costello has given the Newman government an excuse for thousands of job cuts and the potential sacking of permanent public servants. However, how many jobs will be cut is unclear with the government failing to provide a firm and final answer on how many of its own workers it plans to sack to fund its election promises. In parliament today the Premier suggested 20,000 jobs would go; previously the Premier mentioned 41,000 temporary and contract workers would go; and, in an answer to a question on notice, the Premier refers to 55,000 temporary and casual employees. All we know is that regional Queensland will be hit hard by the LNP’s jobs purge and the erosion of services. Already Premier Newman has failed to rule out sacking of contract teachers despite his claims of protecting front-line service standards. Since the election we have seen staff and services cut at regional hospitals in Cairns and Townsville. Also we have seen the real possibility of job losses in the regions if Ergon and Energex are merged. The government will not say how many of RoadTek’s 2,500 staff and contractors across the state will be cut from work centres as part of another Newman government jobs purge. Yesterday, the local government minister confirmed that there will be job losses in QBuild across the regions. Despite this government’s stripping of jobs, services and infrastructure from regional Queensland, it is still happy to officially open and take credit for infrastructure programs that were funded and built by the previous Queensland Labor government. The previous Labor government had a strong record on delivering the infrastructure and community services needed for the growing regions across Queensland. More than 58 per cent of the $15 billion building program in last year’s budget, supporting 93,000 jobs, was spent outside Brisbane: $1.04 billion was spent on infrastructure in the Far North, $887 million in Northern Queensland, $741.5 million on the Darling Downs and $650 million in the Mackay region. Capital expenditure per person was higher in every region outside of the south east, with the highest spending per person in the south west and central west. That expenditure kept people in jobs in regional communities, building legacy pieces of infrastructure and services across regional Queensland. That infrastructure included the Cairns, Townsville and Mackay hospital redevelopments; Mackay’s single biggest road project, the $148 million Forgan Bridge; $121 million worth of work at the Port of Gladstone’s RG Tanna Coal Terminal; $101.7 million spent on the Mount Isa rail line; $101.6 million spent on the Townsville Marine Precinct; the $40 million Fursden Creek Bridge project; and $26.6 million to upgrade the Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE in Cairns. As well as maintaining our infrastructure program while steering Queensland through the GFC, the previous Labor government rebuilt after the summer of floods in 2010-11 and a number of cyclones that hit the Queensland coast dating back six years, including Yasi, Larry and Ului. We supported productivity and innovation in agriculture through a decade of drought followed by three years of consecutive flooding, to emerge with an agricultural industry in Queensland where most sectors are booming, including cotton, sugar cane and wool. Those are just some examples of the billions of dollars worth of infrastructure built and services provided by the previous Labor government that would never have been delivered by the Newman government. (Time expired) Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (5.44 pm): I move— That all words after ‘2012’ be deleted and the following words inserted: ‘have jeopardised the financial position of the State and this House note the Commission of Audit’s Interim Report and its recommendations.’ For posterity’s sake, I table the interim Commission of Audit report, so that all people who look at the record of parliament can have a clear understanding of the diabolical financial situation in which the Labor Party left Queensland. Tabled paper: Queensland Commission of Audit: Interim Report, dated June 2012 [353]. 774 Motion 19 Jun 2012

A number of issues have been raised during the debate, but let us deal with what the report itself says. The introductory statement is signed. I know the members opposite have been very conscious of who is on this committee. It is signed by Peter Costello, the Treasurer who was responsible for two upgrades to Australia’s credit rating following the grim reaper himself, Paul Keating, who was responsible for two downgrades to Australia’s credit rating. Keating was the man who delivered the l-a- w law tax cuts, but failed to deliver; he was the man who saw more businesses go broke than any other Treasurer in Australia’s history. Peter Costello delivered the biggest tax cuts in Australia’s history and the biggest financial reform in Australia’s history. That incredibly biased operative of the LNP, Professor Sandra Harding, has also signed the report. It states, ‘It is disturbing to report—’ Opposition members interjected. Mr NICHOLLS: They do not like it. The report states— It is disturbing to report that, in recent years, the Government of Queensland embarked on an unsustainable level of spending which has jeopardised the financial position of the State. But wait, there’s more, although it is not just a set of steak knives. The report states— Urgent fiscal repair is necessary just to stabilise debt which will continue growing in the absence of corrective measures. After that, the State will need a very large program of debt repayment to recover its AAA rating. That is signed by Peter Costello, Professor Sandra Harding and Dr Doug McTaggart, the person whom the Labor Party appointed to head up the Queensland Investment Corporation—$60 billion funds under management. What would they know compared to the economic geniuses on the other side of the room? What did the economic geniuses on the other side deliver us? A gross debt of $64 billion in 2011- 12, $95 billion by 2015-16 and $100 billion by 2018-19. They never said that in any of their forward reports, did they? There is not a word of that, yet we have it all detailed in the independent Commission of Audit report. It is all there, chapter and verse. Mr Stevens: Keating only got to $96 billion of debt. Mr NICHOLLS: Exactly, I take the interjection from the Manager of Government Business. Even Paul Keating achieved only $96 billion of debt and that was for all of Australia. The operating deficit is scheduled to be $2.8 billion. If you use a fiscal balance—that is, the true cost, including the investment in capital—where would we be if the previous government had remained in power? Under its recommendations, next year we would be at $9.8 billion. Under the former government, debt would continue to increase. I heard some commentary about capital investment by the former government and how wise that capital investment was. I thought I would tickle my memory a little about some of that wise capital expenditure. I thought I would refresh my memory. At the stage when we knew about it, it would include $220 million—now it is $1.2 billion—to fix the bungled Health payroll system. What about the money that was wisely spent on the $108 million clean coal ZeroGen program, which was another good capital investment! Mr Stevens: Traveston Dam. Mr NICHOLLS: Exactly. What about the $600 million wasted on the Traveston Dam? The poor old then Deputy Premier had to go and sell it around the place. We had dams without pipes, we had pipes without dams and we have debt going through the roof. An independent commission has condemned the former government’s failure to manage the finances. We will fix it. Only the LNP can fix it. If it were left to the Labor Party, we would be in the red for a long time to come. Hon. BS FLEGG (Moggill—LNP) (Minister for Housing and Public Works) (5.49 pm): When I heard the Leader of Opposition Business move this motion this morning I shook my head and adjusted my hearing aid. All I could see was the Seinfeld episode with George Costanza running across the living room with his pants down around his ankles saying, ‘Vandelay! Vandelay!’, not just because the Leader of Opposition Business looked and sounded just that ridiculous but because George’s ‘Vandelay’ was also a complete and utter fabrication as is the assertion that the Leader of Opposition Business has put forward for us to debate today. On 24 March the people of Queensland said that they did not want that lot as their latex salesmen. I wonder what sort of loss it would take for the ALP team opposite—the remnant opposition— to learn and break the habit of defending the absolutely indefensible? They have ended up with seven members. Would they have learnt if they had five members or four members? Even if they got to zero they would only learn because they would not be here to say something as stupid as they have said today. It took a zero return for General Custer to learn what happened at the Little Big Horn, and this lot are no smarter. The history is writ and everybody in this state knows it except those seven individuals sitting opposite. I am very pleased to second the amendment moved by the Treasurer. Those opposite claim that they had a strategy. What happened when the drought broke? They had no infrastructure. They had no budget strategy. What happened when the issue at Bundaberg Hospital erupted? They had no budget strategy. They did not have the health infrastructure. What happened when we lost our AAA credit rating? Where was the budget strategy then? 19 Jun 2012 Motion 775

There are records of proceedings in this parliament—and for their education I invite those opposite to have a look at a couple of entries—that show what I mean. On 16 July 2008 at the Estimates Committee B hearing I warned the then Treasurer, Mr Fraser, that there was a slowdown and that he would need to deal with the loss of revenue. His answer was ‘no there is not’. On the same day, 16 July 2008, I warned the then Treasurer that, from his own estimates, he was threatening the AAA credit rating. I asked him what level of debt his government could sustain without losing our AAA credit rating. Do you know what his answer was? It was— We believe that the ... program we have put forward is sustainable. More to the point, as I mentioned earlier, the budget is forecast to operate in surplus. The piece de resistance was the year before on 10 July 2007 when the then Labor Treasurer was none other than Anna Bligh. I said to Anna Bligh in the estimates committee hearing that the general— Mr Crandon: She’s left. Dr FLEGG: She got sacked; she has not left. I said that the general government sector borrowing was set to rise from $3.2 billion in 2006-07 to $19 billion in 2010-11. This is before the GFC and before the natural disasters. I went on to say— That gives a combined borrowing of $51 billion. Minister Bligh, can you identify anything in your forward estimates where you plan to repay any of these borrowings? She was happy to receive the questions and said— For each and every one of the nine years we have been in government it has been the practice of the government to pay down debt ... But she went on to say— We have unashamedly borrowed to a level we think is responsible and we are able to service that debt. We are very comfortable with that program. The Commission of Audit interim report says it all: $100 billion in debt for a state government, not a federal government, with an annual budget of only $42 billion. They are an embarrassment. Mrs MILLER (Bundamba—ALP) (5.54 pm): May I say that it is very difficult to follow the Minister for Housing when yesterday and today he has been sending out thousands of letters. He will go down in the history of this parliament as the cruelest minister for housing we have ever had in this state. Tens of thousands of pensioners and others in this state are crying because of your letters. You need to absolutely apologise to the people. Dr Flegg interjected. Mrs MILLER: You apologise. Madam SPEAKER: Order! Will the member resume her seat. I ask the member to refer to others by their appropriate titles and not by the word ‘you’. I call the member. Mrs MILLER: I referred to the Minister for Housing and Public Works, the minister with a heart of stone. I would now like to talk about Labor’s achievements in relation to health. It is not hard to find our achievements in that document— Honourable members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: I call the member. Mrs MILLER: Thank you, Madam Speaker, for your protection from the unruly people over the other side. The Commission of Audit in fact highlights Labor’s spending on increasing hospital bed numbers—tick; increasing wages and conditions substantially for doctors, nurses and clinical staff—tick; constructing and redeveloping hospitals, including on the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, Ipswich and Far North Queensland, to the tune of $1.9 billion—tick. The report states at page 9 that ‘major infrastructure investment has occurred in the more beds for hospitals rebuilding and expansion program’—tick. The report also mentions that spending on health has more than tripled in 10 years to 2010-11—tick. Further, the report outlines that since June 2000 almost half of the increase in Public Service growth of 28,633 was in Health—tick. There was a bigger tick from patients in public hospitals who appreciate this increase in expenditure. We in the Labor Party are proud of what we delivered in relation to health. We delivered 14,300 additional nurses since 1998 which is equivalent to every man, woman and child in Nambour. We commenced construction of the Gold Coast University Hospital, the Queensland Children’s Hospital and early works are underway at the Sunshine Coast Hospital. We are proud in the Labor Party— Honourable members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume her seat. I call the member. Mrs MILLER: Thank you once again for your protection from those unruly members over there. We are proud of delivering the 5,000 extra doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. We delivered upgrades to the Cairns Hospital and secured an additional health service. We expanded the Townsville Hospital, the Yeppoon Hospital which I visited last week, the Rockhampton Hospital which I visited last 776 Motion 19 Jun 2012 week, the Bundaberg Hospital which I have visited regularly, the Prince Charles Hospital, the Mount Isa Hospital, the Robina Hospital, the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the Ipswich Hospital. Labor also delivered the Goodna Health Centre in my electorate, school based nurses, the child health clinic at Springfield and preventative health measures. We also hoped to have developed in the future the Springfield Mater Hospital. Minister, I hope you will be able to deliver that in the future. The government is the grim reaper of the economy. There they go—all gloom and doom. Look at them. They have their black capes on and their hoods over their heads. The reaper is in their hands as they slash Public Service jobs, cut services and throw out the most disadvantaged in housing commission homes. How low can you go? Shame, shame, shame! Talking about TV episodes, do you know what your TV show is? The Tudors. Off with their heads, as the reaper goes—off with their heads! Madam SPEAKER: Order! Will the member resume her seat. I ask the member to direct her comments through the chair and cease referring to others by the term ‘you’. Mrs MILLER: Thank you, Madam Speaker. What I was going to say was that their particular knowledge about TV shows does not obviously extend to The Tudors. Can I also say that the government members do not care. And do members know why they do not care? Because they have private health insurance and they run off to the nearest private hospital. That is what they do. Instead of having stethoscopes in hospitals, do members know what they do? They rip out their iPhone and they get on the calculator. So instead of having stethoscopes, they have the calculators going or perhaps they have an abacus instead of a syringe or a budget book instead of a thermometer— Mr McArdle: Madam Speaker— Madam SPEAKER: Order! The member’s time has expired. Mrs MILLER: Shame, shame, shame! Madam SPEAKER: Order! The member’s time has expired. Mr McArdle: Madam Speaker, your protection, please. Madam SPEAKER: I call the Minister for Energy and Water Supply. Hon. MF McARDLE (Caloundra—LNP) (Minister for Energy and Water Supply) (6.00 pm): I am not quite certain who is contesting the leadership over there, but I thought the member for Bundamba was putting on a very good show there for a couple of seconds. I start by making this one point: I think the member raised the issue of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. I am yet to see a brick on that site. Mrs Miller interjected. Mr McARDLE: They pulled the funding for that about four years ago. I think the member just said, ‘Wait and see what happens.’ That is exactly right, because the health minister on this side of the House is going to deliver that hospital on time and on budget, and we are going to have the best health service right across the Sunshine State. What a load of rubbish! We are now facing $100 billion worth of debt in this state because of that mob over there—the remnants of a government that was bereft of any concept except to put it on the credit card, put it on the tick, run it up, because they knew their time was coming. Now we have an LNP government, and I tell the people of Queensland right now that the LNP is going to save this state and build for the future like no other government in this state has. It is about time the former Labor government—the Labor rump, I should say—accepted the fact that it was liable and the members opposite are now liable and will always be liable for the perilous state of our budget. Three of their members sat around the cabinet table for a number of years making the decisions that drove this state into almighty debt. Let us get down to tintacks. Between 2004-05 and 2011-12 the CPI increased by 21.2 per cent. Public transport costs went up by over 50 per cent in that same period—the management of a Labor government. Electricity prices went up by 60 per cent—the management of a Labor government. Gas went up by 67 per cent—the management of a Labor government. Motor vehicle registration went up by something like 70 per cent and state water charges increased by over 100 per cent. The CPI went up by 21.2 per cent. And they claim they are proud of their record when they drove people to scrimp and save to meet their daily living expenses. Let us talk about water. We have a debt of over $9 billion on the water grid and the water itself— $9 billion on the tick. The LNP government is now working to make certain that we get out of this mire, that we get out of the mess delivered by the Labor government. It will take us a long time to do so, but we are going to do it. The debt on Energex, Ergon and Powerlink went from $6.1 billion in 2005-06 to $12.6 billion in 2010-11. It has doubled. That is the legacy of a Labor government. That is the legacy of a government bereft of any planning, of any understanding of moving forward and making certain that we get not only the infrastructure we need but also the balance sheet to go with it. The interest paid on that debt between 2005-06 and 2010-11 jumped from $327.5 million to $807 million. That amounted to $252 per 19 Jun 2012 Motion 777 customer right across this state. We are paying interest on the debt because this government could not get it under control. We will continue to pay the debt until we get in a position where that $100 billion is no longer of consequence and we can move forward together. I make this other point very quickly as I know the health minister will touch upon the payroll debacle. We touch upon the financial consideration that occurred because of the debacle, but the cost to Queenslanders is also the emotional anguish of those doctors and nurses. This is more of the Labor Party strategy of not doing the basics—not even getting the basics right. Honourable members interjected. Mr McARDLE: They drove people almost to bankruptcy because of sheer incompetence. Madam SPEAKER: Order! There are too many interjections across the chamber. Mr Cripps interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member on my right. I call the minister. Mr McARDLE: We could spend all day debating the debacle of the Labor Party and still need time for two more weeks of debate because it is so long, so extensive. At the end of the day the LNP government will make it right, will make it better, and the ALP will be consigned to history. (Time expired) Ms TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (6.06 pm): It gives me great pleasure to rise tonight and speak in support of the opposition’s motion. It is particularly rewarding to follow the member for Caloundra, who was also the lead counsel, I understand, for Mal Brough in his legal deliberations currently. I understand how infrastructure can transform communities. I understand this personally having watched South Brisbane be transformed throughout my lifetime—a community that has been modernised thanks to major infrastructure projects delivered by successive Labor governments. From the construction of the Goodwill and Kurilpa bridges to our world-class busways that have modernised public transport in the southern and northern suburbs of our city, from our nationally acclaimed cultural and recreational facilities including the Gallery of Modern Art and the State Library to the vibrant South Bank precinct, Labor has transformed this city. But beyond South Brisbane, in every corner of this state, Labor has commissioned, built and delivered major infrastructure, connecting and strengthening regional communities. The Tugun bypass, the Sunshine Motorway, the Forgan Bridge project in Mackay, the cruise ship terminal in Cairns—all commissioned, all built, all delivered by Labor. Government members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume her seat. There are too many interjections from the back of the chamber. I ask members to cease their interjections. I call the member. Ms TRAD: This type of investment is the hallmark of great Labor governments. Indeed, this is what Labor does. During times of economic downturn, when people need us to keep the economy going, we invest in major projects—projects built to serve Queenslanders generation in, generation out. Did this generate some debt? Absolutely. And was it fully disclosed? Absolutely. Government members interjected. Ms TRAD: When you renovate your house, you borrow to build. This is certainly what councils have done. Government members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume her seat. I call the member. Ms TRAD: This is also what councils have done across this state to build infrastructure. When Queensland Labor Premier William Forgan Smith took office during the Great Depression in 1932, the national unemployment rate was at a record high of 30 per cent. So what did Forgan Smith do? Did he cut spending? No. Did he slash jobs? No. This forward-thinking, determined Labor Premier embarked on an ambitious capital works agenda, commissioning iconic projects including the construction of the Story Bridge, the upgrade of the Mackay Harbour and the development of Somerset Dam, just to name a few. What was the result of these investments? In 1938, Smith was praised for delivering the lowest unemployment rate in Australia. So when the Labor government was faced with the biggest global financial crisis since the Great Depression, Labor again made a choice—the choice to invest in communities right across Queensland, to keep people in jobs and to keep local economies alive. We continued to build bridges, hospitals, busways. We built for Queensland’s future. When Queensland was then hit by the worst natural disasters in our history, Labor again chose to build and employ— rebuilding roads, repairing our rail network. What the Costello political audit suggests is that we should have cut jobs during the GFC—that we should have closed down building sites, that we should have not recruited nurses, teachers and police officers—and that we should have left Queensland in the rubble after the worst natural disasters in our recorded history. I am proud to say that Labor did no such thing. 778 Motion 19 Jun 2012

Those opposite have the gall to come into this House and complain about debt after the Premier and Treasurer left the Brisbane City Council with a revenue-to-debt ratio expected to peak at 150 per cent. Even if we used the Commission of Audit’s absurdly negative forecast for Queensland, the state’s revenue-to-debt ratio peak is still lower than that of the Brisbane City Council. Those opposite have the gall to come into this House and complain about debt after spending years lobbying successive Labor governments to build infrastructure or to fund council to build infrastructure. ‘Give council money to rebuild the CityCat terminals,’ the then Lord Mayor, now Premier, demanded. ‘Build me a stadium,’ the member for Kawana demanded. While we are on the subject of sports infrastructure, let us revisit comments made by the member for Buderim earlier today in relation to the aerial ski facility. What the member for Buderim unwittingly revealed this morning is that it was the Howard-Costello government that originally pursued and approved the aerial ski facility—a fact confirmed in the Courier-Mail article at the time. I table the article for the benefit of the House. Tabled paper: Extract from The Courier-Mail, dated 3 December 2010, titled ‘Sleeman facilities ramped up for skiers’ [354]. So ‘old mate’ Costello would not put a cent into the Bruce Highway but he was happy to allocate millions to an aerial ski facility. I am proud to stand in this House as a member of the Australian Labor Party—a party that has always built Queensland, a party that has always created jobs first. (Time expired) Hon. LJ SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—LNP) (Minister for Health) (6.11 pm): For the last half an hour or so we have heard all about this socialist nirvana—the socialist nirvana which the people of Queensland rewarded the Labor Party for on 24 March by turfing it out of office because they did not believe it. They just did not believe its figures and they just did not believe in its failed history of administration in Queensland: the mere fact that the Labor Party when in office continued to spend beyond its means, the mere fact that it continued to build up one of the biggest debts—indeed, the biggest debt—of any Australian state in the history of this nation. As the Treasurer said earlier, it is fast approaching and indeed set to go beyond the level of debt which was clocked up by Paul Keating. The simple reality is: you cannot live and spend beyond your means. We have heard a lot from honourable members opposite about this socialist nirvana, which we must have all missed—about what they did and how it was all because of the global financial crisis and all of those sorts of things. What we did not hear from honourable members opposite was that between 2000 and 2008 the Labor government in Queensland got $33 billion in unforeseen revenue which it just frittered away. What the shadow Treasurer did not tell us was that in 2008 Standard and Poor’s gave evidence to the Senate financial affairs committee that Queensland was in danger of losing its AAA credit rating if it did not contain its expenditure versus its income and its borrowings versus its assets. And guess what? It lost our AAA credit rating, and it was on the path to that well and truly before anyone had even heard the term ‘global financial crisis’, which happened several months after that. Indeed, the crossover point happened in 2005-06, when the mob opposite really broke the nexus between expenditure and revenue. It does not matter how those opposite seek to reconstruct it, they cannot get away from those facts. Earlier we heard from the honourable member for Bundamba about this health utopia that Labor delivered for the people of Queensland. She was listing things and giving them ticks. What about the waiting list to get on the waiting list? Cross! What about ambulance ramping? Cross! What about bed block in our hospitals? Cross! What about hospital bypass? Cross! What about elective surgery waiting lists? Cross! What about the fake Tahitian prince? Cross! What about Dr Patel? Another cross! What about Gordon Nuttall? Another cross! And that is before we get to the payroll debacle—$300 million in the last 2½ years over and above what it should have cost. Today we have heard lots of bleating from honourable members opposite about potential job losses. That $300 million could have gone to employing 3,000 extra nurses. Guess how much will be spent on the Health payroll going forward? Another $800 million. With that we could employ another 8,000 nurses in Queensland. This mob purports to be so prudent when it comes to financial management, but 60 per cent of the future costs of running this payroll debacle in Queensland were not even factored into the budget forward estimates. So we have to borrow money or find money somewhere else just to run the payroll—a bit more debt, but that is okay; we can have more debt! Whilst we are talking about debt, let us look at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. The honourable member for Bundamba believes that expenditure equals services, that the more you spend the better service you get. So let us budget just less than $1 billion for a Queensland Children’s Hospital, but if we can deliver the same thing for a billion and a half, it must be a better hospital! So those opposite when in government budgeted less than $1 billion and now it will cost $1.5 billion. There will be no more beds, just more debt—just more costs. That is the legacy of Labor in Queensland over and over again. Is it any wonder that the people of Queensland decided that they had had enough of this fake socialist utopia—this health nirvana that never existed, that did not give them the benefit, that did not give them their cataract operation on time, that did not fix their hip and so on? What about the winding 19 Jun 2012 Motion 779 back of the Flying Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in Queensland under Labor? I have made a very strong commitment on behalf of the LNP that we will not only double its hours from 400 to 800 but we will take it to 1,000 hours. That is the difference between us and those opposite. (Time expired) Mr BYRNE (Rockhampton—ALP) (6.17 pm): I rise to support the motion moved by the Manager of Opposition Business. As someone with a bit of a thirst for military history, I am familiar with the saying that history is written by the victors, but after listening to tonight’s debate I can say that the Liberal National Party has taken this to a whole new level. We have seen history being rewritten by the Newman government. If you listen to government members you may think that nothing good happened during the period of recent Labor governments. But as all sensible people know, that is patently untrue. When you look at the major state responsibilities such as education, transport and community services, you see that the previous Labor government had a strong record of delivering improved services and vital infrastructure. Labor’s policies helped provide and protect jobs during the most challenging of economic times. The GFC never happened, if you believe the LNP. And what would they have done if they had been in government at the time, when private sector confidence had virtually collapsed? One thing is for sure: they would not have kept Queensland working. The workers of this state have been able to retain their jobs and provide for their families because of the tough decisions that were made by Labor governments in recent years. And unlike the new government, previous Labor governments were not focused solely on South- East Queensland. We made sure the regions were looked after as well. Let us take this financial year’s Capital Works Program for example. In my area of Central Queensland the average capital expenditure per person in 2011-12 is $4,585—well above South-East Queensland’s average of $2,849. In North and Far North Queensland the average spend per person is more than $3,700 in each region—again, more than in the south-east—while in the north-west the average is $6,139. But in case there are claims of pork-barrelling, let us look at the two areas represented predominantly by LNP members in this chamber—central-western Queensland and south-western Queensland. In the central west the average spend is more than $10,000 per person while in the south- west it is over $11,000. In fact, more than 58 per cent of all infrastructure spending this year—the funding planned before the LNP started cutting projects and jobs—was due to be spent outside the Brisbane statistical division. Labor has always supported our regions, and Central Queensland is no exception. It was Labor that laid the groundwork for the LNG industry which is now proceeding at substantial pace on Curtis Island at Gladstone. This industry is developing because Labor governments put in place the appropriate policies and legislation to allow it to thrive. This is an industry that will deliver a new era of prosperity for Queensland, delivering 18,000 new jobs, $45 billion worth of new private investment and $750 million each and every year in new revenues for this state. There has been plenty of other new infrastructure built in Central Queensland over the last 14 years, and I pay tribute to the hard work and the representation of the previous members for Rockhampton, Keppel and Fitzroy in securing these projects. The list is long but includes the redevelopment of the Rockhampton Hospital, the construction of the Yeppoon Hospital, the redevelopment of the Rockhampton river bank, the upgrade of facilities at Rockhampton Showgrounds, the construction of new aquatic centres in Rockhampton and of course significant upgrades to schools throughout the entire region. Labor’s support for the regions extends beyond my patch in Central Queensland. Labor delivered numerous infrastructure and transport projects throughout regional Queensland in recent years such as the new bridge at Innisfail, the upgrades of Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville, new traffic bridges in Mackay, the Bundaberg ring-road, the Darra to Springfield rail line and upgrades to both the Pacific Motorway and rail infrastructure on the Gold Coast. And then there is the extra social infrastructure that Labor has delivered. Labor added an extra year of schooling, providing all teachers with the classrooms needed to deliver prep year, and improved education in Queensland schools. Labor provided a massive boost to the support provided for people with disabilities and their families. We had started rolling out, in conjunction with the federal government, the plan to provide every Queensland child with access to a kindergarten. Every time Queenslanders drive over a new bridge built by Labor or receive in-home support for their disabled child or their aged relative or send their child to school, they will be reminded of the extra services provided by Labor governments. The LNP’s constant blame game is wearing thin and it shows that it is more interested in gloating than governing. Hon. JW SEENEY (Callide—LNP) (Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning) (6.22 pm): For the best part of the last hour the parliament has been treated to one of the greatest displays of self-delusion that anyone in Queensland politics has ever seen. The power of the human mind to self-delude is unlimited, especially if you are an ALP member in Queensland politics today. In face of all of the evidence from all of the sources, the ALP—the Labor Party remnant—can still come into this parliament and seek to indulge in self-delusion. The report that was delivered by the Commission of Audit is profound in the message that it delivers to every 780 Motion 19 Jun 2012

Queenslander, and that message cannot be ignored. But that is not the only source of information that is available to Queenslanders who want to consider this question. When the LNP was elected and received briefing notes from Treasury, the first thing that the Treasury briefing note said was that the state’s financial situation was unsustainable—eerily similar to the words that were used by the Commission of Audit when it examined the situation. But the greatest message of all was delivered by the people of Queensland—the people of Queensland who had the chance to vote, who took their water bills and their power bills with them to the ballot box and who voted in that great democratic tradition to pass their judgement on the sustainability of the financial management of the former Labor government. Despite that massive landslide—the biggest landslide in Australia’s political history—the message is still denied by those who sit opposite. They still deny the reality. I said on the first day this parliament met that if members of the Labor Party wanted to regain any credibility the first thing they should do is come in here, stand up and apologise to the people of Queensland—acknowledge the extent of their failures and apologise to the people who would bear the burden of those failures not just for a day or a week or a year but for generations to come. Generations of Queenslanders will bear the brunt of the crazy financial management that the former government indulged in. Tonight we heard from the member for South Brisbane the sort of nonsense socialist philosophy that drove that government—the sort of socialist philosophy that says that all you have to do is spend and run up debt and that is a good thing. There are a couple of things that we on this side of the House—that we on this side of politics—know inherently and instinctively that the Labor Party has never learned. Firstly, if you want to spend money, you have to earn it. You have to earn it first. The other thing that it has never learned is that if you incur debt sooner or later you have to pay it back. That is what debt is. It is a responsibility to pay it back. Those two concepts were completely missing from the previous Labor government, completely missing from any financial management that it applied to the assets of Queenslanders and completely missing from any contribution that we heard in the parliament here tonight. The people of Queensland know full well the record of the Labor government, and no self- deluded debate in this parliament will change that record. The legacy that the former Labor government left will be long remembered, and it should be long remembered. Generations of students who study public administration will study the Beattie-Bligh government’s record as a record of failure—a record of failure that has been recognised by everybody in Queensland and everyone who has looked at the financial situation, a record of failure that has been recognised by everybody but the small group of people who come into this parliament tonight with this self-delusional motion. What a shame it is to see this parliament reduced to this—to see this parliament reduced to debating such a nonsense motion. Given all of the challenges that face Queenslanders, this self-delusion is the best that those opposite can do! (Time expired) Division: Question put—That the amendment be agreed to. AYES, 75—Barton, Bennett, Berry, Bleijie, Boothman, Cavallucci, Choat, Costigan, Cox, Crandon, Cripps, Crisafulli, Cunningham, Davies, T Davis, Dempsey, Dickson, Dillaway, Dowling, Driscoll, Elmes, Emerson, Flegg, France, Frecklington, Gibson, Grant, Grimwade, Gulley, Hart, Hathaway, Hobbs, Holswich, Johnson, Judge, Kaye, Kempton, King, Knuth, Krause, Langbroek, Latter, Maddern, Malone, Mander, McArdle, McVeigh, Millard, Minnikin, Molhoek, Newman, Nicholls, Ostapovitch, Pucci, Rice, Rickuss, Robinson, Ruthenberg, Seeney, Shorten, Shuttleworth, Sorensen, Springborg, Stevens, Stewart, Stuckey, Symes, Trout, Walker, Watts, Wellington, Woodforth, Young. Tellers: Menkens, Smith NOES, 7—Byrne, Mulherin, Palaszczuk, Pitt, Trad. Tellers: Miller, Scott Resolved in the affirmative. Madam SPEAKER: For any future divisions on this issue, the bells will ring for one minute. Division: Question put—That the motion, as amended, be agreed to. AYES, 75—Barton, Bennett, Berry, Bleijie, Boothman, Cavallucci, Choat, Costigan, Cox, Crandon, Cripps, Crisafulli, Cunningham, Davies, T Davis, Dempsey, Dickson, Dillaway, Dowling, Driscoll, Elmes, Emerson, Flegg, France, Frecklington, Gibson, Grant, Grimwade, Gulley, Hart, Hathaway, Hobbs, Holswich, Johnson, Judge, Kaye, Kempton, King, Knuth, Krause, Langbroek, Latter, Maddern, Malone, Mander, McArdle, McVeigh, Millard, Minnikin, Molhoek, Newman, Nicholls, Ostapovitch, Pucci, Rice, Rickuss, Robinson, Ruthenberg, Seeney, Shorten, Shuttleworth, Sorensen, Springborg, Stevens, Stewart, Stuckey, Symes, Trout, Walker, Watts, Wellington, Woodforth, Young. Tellers: Menkens, Smith NOES, 7—Byrne, Mulherin, Palaszczuk, Pitt, Trad. Tellers: Miller, Scott Resolved in the affirmative. Motion, as agreed— That this House acknowledges the budget strategies of Queensland state governments from 1998 to February 2012 have jeopardised the financial position of the State and this House note the Commission of Audit’s Interim Report and its recommendations. 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 781

COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Portfolio Committees, Reporting Dates Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (Manager of Government Business) (6.38 pm), by leave: I advise the House that the Committee of the Legislative Assembly has today, in accordance with standing order 136(2), agreed that committee reports in respect of the Criminal Law (False Evidence Before Parliament) Amendment Bill and the Animal Care and Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill are to be tabled by the committees considering those bills by 2 July 2012. Sitting suspended from 6.38 pm to 7.40 pm.

TREASURY (COST OF LIVING) AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading Resumed from p. 771, on motion of Mr Nicholls— That the bill be now read a second time. Mr RUTHENBERG (Kallangur—LNP) (7.40 pm), continuing: This bill will go a long way towards helping the people I spoke about. The reinstatement of the transfer duty home concession for family homes will help real estate agencies in my electorate as people will again consider upgrading or downgrading their homes. That will go right throughout the economy. It will go right throughout the local economy. It will be good for tradies and for local business. The extension of the payroll tax threshold by $100,000 per year for six years to a cap of $1.6 million will provide an incentive to many businesses to again consider growth strategies. One business in my electorate has told me that this has been an issue for him. Due to the cutthroat nature of his business, the income possibility that could be generated with extra positions simply was not there to consider expanding to take a whack on payroll tax. He is now considering his strategic plan with an eye to slowly expand as the threshold increases. As I previously explained, in my electorate there is not an awful lot of employment, and this extension of the payroll tax would be great for my electorate. This would be a great incentive to give to small and medium-sized businesses an opportunity to grow without hitting their bottom line. That money goes straight back into the business and straight back into the local economy. This is good news as we strive to provide the economic platform that businesses need to ensure their current positions are secure and their future growth plans can again be considered in favourable conditions. A strong consideration for me in supporting this bill was the impact of the provision to freeze the regulated standard residential retail electrical tariff—tariff 11—at 2011-12 prices for one year from 1 July 2012. Do honourable members remember the baker I spoke about earlier in my speech who had stores that had been in operation for 20-plus years and who ended up having to shut one of those down and people lost their jobs? Do they know why this provision would be good for that organisation? It would be good because when times are tough and people need to tighten their household budgets they cannot go out to restaurants or buy fancy stuff anymore. Typically they would go past a service station and they would pick up some chocolate bars. When they go to pick up the bread from the baker in the morning they would buy a hot cross bun, a doughnut or a cream bun. That baker found that those things were not being bought anymore because there just was not any money in the budget. Now, those families might just consider buying a cream bun again, and the economy goes around and the local jobs are maintained and the businesses are back in business. Maybe this little reprieve in the household budget will go some way towards giving those family budgets a little bit of space. That is the theory. With the federal government pushing ahead with the introduction of the carbon tax at a per tonne rate that is almost double the highest rates in Europe, the impact on my electorate will be devastating. Any gains we can get for families from this bill will be swallowed up by the reckless abandon of the Labor federal government in introducing this insidious tax. Yet again Labor is turning its back on the working family. Yet again the working family has to rely on the LNP to dig them out of Labor’s hole. I call on the Prime Minister to do the right thing and rescind the legislation—what more accurately should have been called the ‘economic wrecking ball bill’. It seems that Labor’s DNA does not allow for middle-of-the-road solutions or policies. It also seems that the current federal government is more interested in appearing to be green than actually delivering sustainable green solutions. The Labor government cannot put money into the green economy if it does not have a reasonable business base from which it gets that money. In my electorate businesses are bracing for further tightening and hard times. I fully expect that, without any sort of common sense coming from the federal government, more businesses will close. It is for this reason that I am glad that this bill will result in the cost of the carbon tax being shown on electricity bills. Let us let the community judge this. Let us let the community talk. Let us let the community see what this insidious tax will actually deliver to the folks, which is absolutely nothing. It will wreck our economy. It will drive jobs overseas and it will do nothing for our economy. 782 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012

A focus on the reduction of the red tape and endless forms that business is required to use and fill in is most welcome and overdue, and I congratulate the Treasurer. Many business owners I visited said the same thing when I asked them, ‘What is the one thing you would change if the LNP was in government?’ Almost every time the reply was, ‘Let us get on with business and get out of our road and stop making us deal with red tape.’ I have a developer in my electorate who has been fighting red tape for seven years. For every year longer that he hangs on to that property it costs him more to get that property on the market. Red tape is killing us. I welcome efforts to achieve a streamlined regulatory and legislative framework that allows relevant and up-to-date outcomes while allowing innovation and measured risk by businesses for an anticipated and fair reward for the risk they have taken. This bill is part of our commitment to the people of Queensland and, as promised, we are delivering. This bill will continue to help the working families and the businesses employing them and it will continue the journey we have started to get Queensland back on track. Hon. MF McARDLE (Caloundra—LNP) (Minister for Energy and Water Supply) (7.46 pm): I want to make a short contribution to the debate on the bill before the House, the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. When the shadow Treasurer stood in the House about a fortnight ago he made a comment that the bill had not been before a committee for assessment. I remind the member that this bill actually comprised a package of cost-of-living initiatives that we put to the biggest committee in this state and that is the state electorate. We put it to two to three million people and they had had weeks and months to scrutinise the content of the package to ascertain whether it was right for them or whether they were going to support it. Perhaps if the Labor Party had spent more time in compiling a similar package as opposed to slinging the dirtiest, filthiest campaign in this state’s history, they would have had a better chance of achieving something more than seven seats in this House. I think I am right in that the Labor Party did put one item on the agenda and that, I believe, was the registration of motor vehicles. However, they never took the time to consider the impact of what they had done over 12 years to the lives of Queenslanders. They had never considered the cost-of-living initiatives that we put together to try to assist the mums and dads, the children and grandchildren to gain a better outcome on a day-to-day basis. They sat in the mud and the filth and they made that their mantra. On 24 March the Queensland electorate endorsed our cost-of-living initiatives. That committee said, ‘This is the way we want to go,’ and there was no doubt that they said to the LNP government and to the Treasurer and the Premier, ‘Put this through the House as quickly as possible to give us some relief from the incredible burden we were under from the Labor government.’ That is why we did it. Queensland wanted it. Queensland rejected the Labor government. In fact, they said to the Labor government, ‘Enough is enough. We have had enough. It is time for you to go’. It is intriguing in regard to the issue of power that when one goes back to September 2005 I can recall Peter Beattie sitting where the Treasurer is sitting now making comments, followed soon after by Anna Bligh, about full retail competition in the electricity industry. Premier Beattie made this statement in Hansard on that day— We estimate that the vast majority will be better off, with greater competition driving down prices. It is anticipated that the bill saving for most households could be $150 or more a year. They were predicting back in 2005 that there would be a household saving of $150 per year. He then goes on to make this statement— The evidence shows that no Queenslanders will be worse off with full retail competition in the domestic electricity market. The sad thing is that I think he believed that statement. I think he honestly believed that that was going to be the case. It is an unmitigated disaster that unfolded right across this state before the people of Queensland. On the same day Anna Bligh made this statement— Today’s changes will allow many domestic customers to make savings on their energy bills. She then said— Reliable, affordable and sustainable energy services are critical to Queensland’s economic and social wellbeing. Most importantly, it does not matter where you live, nobody—not one Queenslander—will be worse off under the government’s proposal. In 2005 both Premier Beattie and the future Premier Bligh, one hand on heart, one on Bible, said there would be savings; that this would be a bonus to every Queensland household. But let us look at the history of this matter. In 2007-08 power prices were up 11.6 per cent; in 2008-09 they were up 5.83 per cent; in 2009-10 they were up 13.29 per cent; and in 2011-12 they were up 6.6 per cent. Over five years that is an increase of 59.49 per cent in power bills. By my calculation that does not quite equate to a saving of $150. Everybody in this chamber knows families, including their own, who are finding it harder every day to make ends meet with power prices going up on a regular basis. What astounds me is that when we sat in this House and the now Deputy Premier used to quiz Minister Robertson about the QCA and the cost-of-living increases by way of power, he would try to wash his hands of it, a bit like Pontius Pilate, and say, ‘No, it is all their fault, all their problem. We are clean. We have given the QCA the power to make a determination.’ We in the LNP did not accept that as an excuse. We did not accept the fact that the QCA had total and almighty power to make a determination as to what should be the future direction of power in this state. Without detracting from the men who 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 783 comprise the QCA, the Newman government, almost immediately upon gaining power, put in place an interdepartmental committee to make certain that we were going to get a future direction in power prices in Queensland that would result in better and fairer returns for the people in this state who work day in and day out. Equally, we put in place an independent review panel comprised of Messrs Faulkner, Rennie and Bellas to oversee the network charges component of the cost levers driving up power. For 12 years this Labor government had done nothing across a range of initiatives. For five years, when they had the power to look after the people in this state on the issue of electricity, they did nothing. The Newman government was elected on 24 March 2012 and within a matter of weeks we had put in train a process that was going to look holus-bolus at every component of the industry in this state on electricity and report to the government by January 2013 on how we could make it fairer and better. More importantly, we did one thing that the Labor government never did: we froze tariff 11. We made a commitment to the people of this state that we were going to freeze tariff 11. The distinction between ourselves and the Labor Party is that we actually kept our promise. There are those in this House who can remember 2009 when the asset sale promise was broken by the Labor government. That is the distinction that allowed the people of Queensland on 24 March to say, ‘You have got to go’. Mr Langbroek: What year was it? Mr McARDLE: 2012, my good friend. In 2012 they put in place a government that was going to deliver for them. The member for Woodridge made the comment in her contribution that she believed freezing tariff 11 was a temporary reprieve. Of course it is, but we have also made a commitment that we would do more than that, and we are going to do more than that, as opposed to sitting on our hands like the last Labor government did. It did absolutely nothing. She also made the comment that they wanted long-lasting reform. What worries me is that the member sat for many years in this House under a Labor government that did nothing to assist the battlers in Woodridge, the battlers in Bundamba, the battlers right across the state in trying to help them balance their budget and meet ongoing costs. I think that the worst betrayal is how the Labor government and the Labor rump opposition can sit in this House and support the carbon tax after doing nothing for years and never once raising a voice, a murmur, a dissent, an octave to indicate that they opposed the carbon tax. Mr Johnson: People did in the election, though. Mr McARDLE: Quite right, member for Gregory. I will take the interjection. The people in this state had had enough. They know that the carbon tax will increase the cost of their power bills. They know it will increase the cost of every consumable across this state. The Labor rump should hang their heads in shame in 2012 and years beyond and apologise for that. There is perhaps one thing that the LNP should have done better. I cannot rationalise how we can fund 22 support staff for seven Labor members. It is the most over-funded opposition I have ever heard of, matched only by the laziness with which they conduct their business. The laziest, most over-funded, over-staffed opposition in the history of this state—a ratio of three to one. What a mob of bludgers. In January 2013 a report will be delivered to the government that will drive a new path for the delivery of electricity prices in this state, something the Labor government did not have the intestinal fortitude to do, nor did they have the commonsense to realise that they are on a slippery slope to destruction. The LNP government will get this state back on track. Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (7.58 pm): Mr Deputy Speaker, I recognise your very competent adjudication of this House and I acknowledge your wonderful expertise as a former president of the Queensland Law Society. You give a wonderfully balanced position on these matters. Having said all of those wonderful and friendly things to you, I rise to speak to the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. Mr Nicholls interjected. Mr STEVENS: I take the interjection from the Treasurer, who mentioned that I was seeking support from the chair because I am unashamed of the fact that we believe it is very important that we discuss all of the matters of vital interest to the electorate stemming from the fact that the previous Labor government let down the people of Queensland enormously. It will take a long time for this government to resurrect our AAA credit rating. In terms of the cost of living, we need to look after pensioners, the working class, the families—the people who the Labor Party forgot, even though it purports to represent them—so that they can afford to pay their bills for everything from electricity and fuel through to water. It does not matter where we look, the Labor Party imposed a terrible regime on the state. In the years ahead it will be up to the LNP government to right that wrong. That will take quite a few years. Probably it will not be done completely in the first term of this government. We will need more terms to address the very sad situation, which the Treasurer has taken great pains to outline through the audit commission’s report, of $100 billion worth of debt. As the member for Caloundra correctly says, it is $100,000 million worth of debt. Mr Nicholls: How much? Mr STEVENS: It is $100,000 million. None of us can comprehend that figure. Because of that, unfortunately, there will be hard times ahead for us as a government in trying to deliver an economy that can give back to Queenslanders their entitlement to the best way of life in Australia. We are the best 784 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 state. I have no doubt that our tourism, our resources, our agriculture and our construction industries— the pillars driving the economic forces of Queensland—are the best in Australia. That is why I live here. Happily, in my view I live in the best corner of Queensland, on the Gold Coast. That is my personal view on the matter. The member for Clayfield is shaking his head. I understand why he shakes his head. Within the Clayfield electorate there are two magnificent racecourses and I relate greatly— Mr Nicholls: Three with Albion Park. Mr STEVENS: I take that interjection; Clayfield has three racecourses. We have a big job ahead of us. This cost-of-living bill is a major step forward in taking us, as a state and a government responsible for the direction of the state, forward to right the wrongs of the past—that is, at least since 1998, although most would say since 1989. Later in my speech I will delve further into 1989. Since 1989, Labor engaged in its profligate spending ways with its bankcard mentality of ‘don’t worry about the downside; just keep putting it on the bankcard and we’ll worry about the rest of it later’. That caught up with them in March this year. Queenslanders said, ‘Hey, we don’t want you and your financial irrationality anymore. We don’t want you spending our money with no capacity whatsoever to plan for the future. We don’t want all of our money going into interest repayments like a high interest rate bankcard.’ The Treasurer will tell us that he does not want to pay those high interest rates, but he is forced to because of the actions of the previous Labor governments. No-one—not even those on the other side—would argue with the fact that the Treasurer has to pay those very high interest rates because of the actions of the previous Labor governments. That is unfair, because Queenslanders do not deserve that sort of financial irresponsibility. We had the best GST receipts, through the mining industry we had the best resource receipts and we had the best property industry receipts. We had a wonderful boom from 2001 right through to the GFC in 2008. But those guys opposite blew it all. Earlier, the health minister mentioned a figure of $33 billion of extra money, above and beyond what was normally expected, generated through those magnificent booms, but it was blown as though it was easy money. They took the attitude, ‘I have won lotto and I will spend it plus some more.’ However, the state is not broke. That would be an overstatement of the worst kind and it would send the worst message that the liquidators were in Queensland. That is not correct. We own the best state. All 4.5 million Queenslanders own the best state and we will go forward with the proper manipulation of policies that are financially prudent and that will put us back on track to being the best place in Australia to live. That is how it was for many years under the National Party and Liberal Party coalition, but then the mob on that side of the House took us down the typical Labor track of financial irresponsibility. That is in its DNA. It has happened in all the states. I remember it well in Victoria. In Western Australia, Carmen Lawrence presided over that situation. At the federal level we had the Keating years and everything that led to them. We have seen a terrible scenario of financial irresponsibility by Labor governments and it was repeated in Queensland because it is part of Labor’s DNA. Our state was led by a very charismatic character, Peter Beattie. Prior to him we had Wayne Goss. After Peter Beattie we had Anna Bligh, who led us down the horrible path of debt on debt on debt. In March this year we reached the situation where the people of Queensland said, ‘We’ve had enough of debt on debt on debt.’ They rejected the Labor government to the embarrassing point the members opposite now find themselves in. I find it very sad to look across the House and see a netball team of seven members of the once-proud Labor Party, which has its roots in Barcaldine where the Tree of Knowledge stood so proudly. In this House there are seven Labor Party members left. That is an embarrassment to the Labor Party. I find it difficult to believe that the members opposite do not find it embarrassing. I know that the father of the Leader of the Opposition, the wing attack for the netball team, would be very disappointed that there are only seven Labor members in this House because the state was led into oblivion by a Labor Party confused, lost in direction and financially irresponsible, which is what led to the asset sales. This is all about Labor’s financial irresponsibility, which led it to make moves that were unacceptable to its own constituency. That is why we have only seven ‘netballers’ leading the attack against the government. An opposition is an important part of the Westminster system. It is this paucity of members that leads the opposition to the government, but that is what the people of Queensland said was appropriate. There is no arguing with the decision-making process that occurred at the March election. The people said, ‘We are over Labor completely.’ I think a ‘sorry day’ would be appropriate for the Labor Party. We need a day where they can say ‘sorry’ for bankrupting Queensland, ‘sorry’ for losing our AAA credit rating, ‘sorry’ for this incredible burden of $18,000 for every child born in 2001—I think that was the figure that was mentioned today. When those children are 18, they will not be able to afford to buy a beer. That is the poor scenario that the Labor government has led our state into. I would like to move to some particular areas of the cost-of-living bill that try to redress the situation that the Labor Party led us to. Queenslanders are crying out for leadership and the Campbell Newman-led LNP is providing that leadership to lead us out of the abyss that is their financial mess. In that way we can go forward and their children and their children’s children will not have to live with this incredible debt. 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 785

I hark back to previous Labor experiences in the federal parliament. If we go back and look at financial mismanagement we have the wonderful Keating-Hawke years that led to $96 billion in debt for Australia. It took John Howard, a conservative Prime Minister, 10 years to pay off that $96 billion of debt. I have a question for our Treasurer. I ask the Treasurer: how many years will it be before we can pay off Queensland’s $100 billion worth of debt? This Queensland debt is greater than what Hawke and Keating accumulated for the whole of Australia back in the horrible years to 1996. It is a total embarrassment particularly when we consider that we have probably been through Queensland’s best years in the last 50 years when it comes to the resource and property booms and GST income. I come from the Gold Coast and the member for Surfers Paradise would know that I have seen a few booms on the Gold Coast. But I have never seen a boom last longer than the seven wonderful years we had on the Gold Coast from 2001 to 2008. The results of those boom years just evaporated. We now have a problem. I have a disabled pensioner brother who has complained to me about his water bill, which I will mention in a moment. He has an air conditioner because he has a very hot house, but he will not turn his air conditioner on other than during the very hottest times of the day—he will not turn it on at night—because of his power bills. The power bills that he pays as a disabled pensioner are solely due to the bad planning of the mob on the other side of the House. They had the illustrious crew of Goss, Beattie and Bligh. The initials are GBB. I have just remembered that that is a horrible drug. Mrs Miller interjected. Mr STEVENS: I was close. Thank you very much, member for Bundamba, I was close. I knew it was a horrible drug that people in the electorate got addicted to for the best part of 20 years. We are rid of that horrible dependency on those irresponsible financial operators. Now we are down to the hard yards for the Campbell Newman government of restoring some reality. I do not believe it is all doom and gloom as the member for Bundamba painted in her speech earlier. I believe that the Campbell Newman led government, ably assisted by the Treasurer, will make that transition. We are not paying it all off in one night. The financial position of this wonderful state will gradually be restored and we will regain our AAA credit rating. We probably will not get it back in the three years prior to the next period of judgement by the people of Queensland, but I would assume that within six years the Treasurer will have no excuse not to have us back with a AAA credit rating. I am totally confident that within six years the Treasurer will have us back as a AAA credit rated state and financial entity and therefore our borrowings in the markets throughout the world will be at a level we can afford. The matters that affect people like my pensioner brother and the battlers that those on the other side of the House are supposed to represent are important. Electricity prices have gone through the roof. The promises from former Premier Beattie that there would be the replacement of ageing infrastructure and all of the rest of it were not delivered. We have heard in countless speeches members refer to the promise that nobody would be disadvantaged by privatisation. We cannot say lies in this House but we can say total deceit. We cannot say they were lies because it is not parliamentary language but we can say there was total deceit. There was total deceit of this House. They inflicted the pain on the battlers of Queensland—the people they claim to represent, which is a furphy. Electricity bills, gas bills and all major unavoidable bills went through the roof under Labor. Those issues are at the very heart of why there is only a netball team left representing the Labor Party—the once famous Labor Party that is now almost an irrelevance. The Katter party has two members and there are two Independents which makes four members. That is over 50 per cent of the Labor Party members left in this House. That is an absolute disgrace to the Labor Party, their forebears and the people they represent. I take the wind-up from the Leader of the Opposition. She is indicating that this diatribe of mine is very painful for them to hear. They would not like to hear any further how they have misled the people of Queensland and they have sold out on their constituency. Water charges are one of the main pains that they inflicted on the people of Queensland. I was very well aware of water issues through my experience in local government. What the Labor government did as far back as a good fellow called Wayne Goss, who had a wonderful advisor called Kevin Rudd, who had a great assistant called John Mickel, was get rid of the Wolffdene Dam project. It was in the Albert shire which is an area I represented many years ago. The decision was made for purely political expedience. It had nothing to do with good planning or nothing to do with financial responsibility. It was all about getting Fred James up in the seat of Beaudesert. It was Kev Lingard’s seat and he won the seat anyway. The fact is that we lost the Wolffdene Dam because of the Labor Party’s poor planning. I have a little bit of history about Wolffdene Dam. It was on target to be built before Wivenhoe Dam. The 1974 flood—I cannot remember it, I was too young; some of my peers tell me—was a very big flood. The fact was that the government at the time wisely decided to build Wivenhoe before Wolffdene Dam to cater for the rapidly growing South-East Queensland population. We had 15,000 people a year 786 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 moving into the Gold Coast area and that resulted in a huge demand for water. It was as obvious as the nose on your face that that demand would not stop. We are talking about the 1970s. It has not stopped and now it is 2012. We still have mass migration to the Gold Coast and the south-east region. We have seen Logan grow like Topsy. The terrible planning of the previous government in relation to water and all the other cost implications for the average person out there has led to the situation where we have major financial hurdles to address. The Treasurer will do that. More importantly, it has led to the fact that there are seven pitiful members of the Labor Party left in this House. Ms PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Leader of the Opposition) (8.18 pm): I rise to support the position on the bill as set out by the Manager of Opposition Business. When the global financial crisis hit, Labor took the tough decision but the right decision to stand up for jobs and continue our infrastructure program. While jobs were being lost in record numbers around the world, we stood up for local workers and continued our investment. In the face of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and in the wake of the worst natural disasters in our history, Labor continued to invest in our building program—that supported jobs and created infrastructure that will benefit our communities and support economic growth for years to come. But we can always do more for people, and the Labor opposition is interested in supporting real support for Queenslanders. When I look at the title of this bill, we note that it is the cost-of-living bill. This was a very important issue, an issue that the government went to the election on and championed that they would improve the cost of living for Queenslanders. But what they did not do when they went to the election was tell Queenslanders that thousands upon thousands of jobs were going to be cut— thousands of jobs were going to be axed. What we heard today in this House was very clear. When questioned, the Premier said categorically that around 20,000 jobs are going to go. We also heard today—we finally found out—from the Premier the breakdown of the jobs in the Public Service. Let us go through them briefly. There are 37,374 temporary jobs in the Public Service. My challenge to the government tonight is: is the government going to keep these 37,000 temporary jobs? And where are the majority of these jobs? 13,774 are in Education and Training and 14,000 are in Health. Not only do we have temporary jobs; we have casual jobs. Over 18,000 casual jobs are listed here—18,000. So when you talk about priorities, when you talk about promises, no-one in Queensland heard before the election that these jobs— people’s jobs—were on the chopping block. No-one heard this. Mr Choat interjected. Ms PALASZCZUK: No. You went to the election and you did not say you were going to cost people their jobs. So it is going to be very hard for people to pay their bills, put fuel in their car, pay for their mortgage, to do all these other things if you do not have a job. There is nothing more important to people than jobs. We are starting to see it. People are coming up to us day after day, week after week, telling us that they are concerned about their jobs. Government members interjected. Ms PALASZCZUK: You are laughing and you are dismissing it, but they will be coming to your electorate offices and they will be confronting you about this. There is nothing more important than a job to a person. What will the Labor Party stand up for? I will tell you what the seven members of the Labor Party will stand up for in this place—jobs, jobs and jobs. That is our commitment. We will stand up for jobs. Government members interjected. Ms PALASZCZUK: You can laugh about it, and I see the Deputy Premier over there smirking, smirking like Peter Costello. There is nothing more important to a family than to have a family member with a job. You will hear it. You will see them marching in the streets. The teachers are coming here tomorrow. They will be here at Parliament House and they are not happy. Unfortunately, my voice is going on me tonight but I have a lot more to say. I seek leave to have the remainder of my speech incorporated in the Record of Proceedings and my office has provided a copy to the Speaker. Leave granted. Opposition will support this Bill The Opposition supports moves to assist families with the cost of living. But the LNP’s design of these changes and the forced lack of Committee scrutiny of the legislation means that many families will be left short-changed. Key issues raised in debate: The Leader of Opposition Business set out a range of areas where the design of the package raised more questions than it answered and where some people will actually be left worse off. We have seen throughout this debate, several important elements of this legislation discussed. 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 787

Electricity: The issue of the government’s approach to electricity costs is the clearest example of where examination of this legislation by Committee would have been beneficial. The commitment of the LNP Government to address electricity prices for Queenslanders was very clear—they promised “savings of around $120 a year on power bills compared with Labor”. Despite this clear commitment, the Opposition is seriously concerned that the decision announced by the Government will not deliver this outcome. In freezing Tariff 11 for 12 months, the Government has not made comparisons with the pricing reforms that were set to be in place for the new financial year under the previous Government. What this means is that for many average families they will not receive the benefits that the LNP promised and, in fact, some families may well be worse off. These issues have been raised in the public debate and in this House and; I ask the Minister to table comparisons between the Government’s decision and the pricing reforms that he shelved. I ask the Minister to clearly explain who will be better off and who will be harmed. It is particularly important that the Minister table this information in the House, as the legislation was not referred to the Committee for proper analysis and scrutiny. I also ask the Minister to explain what will occur after the 12 month period and what guarantees can he make that the so called savings this year will not simply be recouped the following years? In addition, I ask the Minister to explain the cost increases for many in south-east Queensland, particularly those with electric hot water systems or swimming pools. Stamp Duty Changes Another aspect of this decision that has not been fully explored is its impact on the housing construction sector. As we know, the construction industry is struggling, not only in Queensland, but across the nation. And housing construction, in particular, was hard hit by the international economic downturn and is still facing further challenges. That is why the former Labor government introduced the Building Boost—to help stimulate activity in housing construction. The Building Boost helped save jobs in the construction sector by stimulating building activity. It was targeted at the construction of houses, not merely the sale of houses. In Labor tradition, it was targeted to support construction jobs. In fact, the NSW Liberal Government acknowledged the importance of targeting construction of new homes. The NSW announced—just last week in their budget speech—a building boost program that contained the targeting of construction of new homes, similar to the Queensland scheme. The new Queensland Government should join their NSW colleagues and recognise that the targeting of the building boost to the construction of new homes was the correct priority for the previous Government. 3rd Party support: The Building Boost was supported by stakeholders such as the Housing Industry Association, the Property Council and the Master Builders Association—as they all knew, first-hand, what impact the economic downturn was having on their industry. For example, Master Builders Association made the statement on 14 June 2011 that: “A new $140 million ‘Building Boost’ grant scheme, announced today as part of the state government’s 2011-2012 State Budget, is a kick start measure desperately needed by Queensland’s building industry, according to Master Builders, Queensland’s peak body for housing and construction. Master Builders Executive Director, Graham Cuthbert, said Master Builders welcomes the decision to introduce a $10,000 incentive for all consumers building a new home in Queensland. “By announcing this new grant as part of the 2011-2012 State Budget, the government is recognising the vital role the building industry plays as a key driver of Queensland’s economy.” [end quote] Madam Speaker, the LNP Government has unfortunately not allowed this important bill to go to Committee. The LNP has denied proper review of the legislation by the Parliament and has denied community and industry stakeholders a voice in the review. So in the absence of a Committee hearing, that should be part of the legislative process, the Opposition undertook to provide an avenue for stakeholders and the community to have input. The view of the industry from when the Building Boost was introduced has been reinforced in the past few weeks by the Housing Industry Association as part of the Opposition’s consultations on this Bill. The HIA advised that: “The home building industry in Queensland is in a parlous state with activity down around 40% from pre-GFC levels and little sign of improvement in the short term. “It was against this background that HIA strongly supported the Bligh Government’s Building Boost. “While HIA would have preferred to see stimulus measures continuing only for new home building, we do support the restoration of the principal place of residence stamp duty concessions in the belief that it might encourage more activity in the established housing market with a positive spin-off for new home building among trade-up buyers.” As the HIA points out, the reintroduction of this concession is hoped to have some positive impacts on the established housing market. The Opposition has concerns though, that this could result in negative impacts on the number of new homes being built. So I have some further questions for the Treasurer: Has the government done any modelling on the impact of this policy on the number of new homes that will be built in Queensland? What modelling has been done on the budget costs of these changes? 788 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012

Will he release the modelling on these questions to this House? What support is the government providing to workers and businesses in the housing construction sector? There is a very real prospect that as a result of these changes to the stamp duty concession, people are more likely to move into established homes than they are into new homes. This could potentially have a devastating impact on housing construction at a time when it is already struggling. I am sure the industry would appreciate the government’s explanation about the impacts of these changes on this sector, and whether it has fully thought through the longer-term repercussions of this move. No Scrutiny: The Premier, Treasurer and the Government have a particular responsibility to table in the House their modelling and budget calculations in this debate because they have denied this legislation the proper scrutiny and the appropriate consideration. Declaring the bill urgent and refusing to send it to Committee was a tactic to deny proper scrutiny and deny the public the chance to contribute through public debate. This bill was introduced and declared urgent on the first real sitting day of this Parliament—over a month ago. In that time, Committees have met, considered a wide variety of legislation, held public hearings and delivered Committee reports to try to improve legislation. But not this Bill. The LNP refused to allow scrutiny, even though it could have been sent to a Committee and back again by now. Even more troubling for the LNP’s approach to the House and legislative scrutiny, is that this Bill is yet to be completed. The LNP had an entire week of Parliament when the Bill could have come on for debate—but they held it back. Then we had a second full sitting week where the LNP chose to shelve this Bill, choosing instead to prioritise drastic changes to Industrial Relations. How ironic that the ‘urgent’ Cost of Living bill was sidelined by legislation that will deny workers’ pay and conditions. That does nothing but increase the cost of living pressures on working Queenslanders and their families. In Conclusion: As we have set out, the Opposition supports moves to assist with the cost of living, but we have concerns that particular elements of the proposed changes will end up hurting the very people this Bill intends to support. I have summarised a range of areas where the Opposition are concerned about the effect the Government’s changes could have on Queenslanders—especially the changes to stamp duty and the particularities of the proposed changes to electricity tariffs. Underlying all the Government’s rhetoric about improving the cost of living for Queenslanders is one, crucial question that the LNP refuse to answer … How does it help workers to meet the cost of living by taking away their jobs? This Government has no credibility on cost of living when: They are already breaking election commitments that affect cost of living They are threatening the livelihoods of thousands of workers in the public sector. If the Government was serious about reducing cost of living, they would use all the available resources of this Parliament to ensure the best possible legislation and the best outcomes for Queenslanders. I urge them to do so in the future. Mr KING (Cairns—LNP) (8.23 pm): What an honour it is to follow the cool, calm and collected delivery of the member for Mermaid Beach! If any electorate in Queensland is in desperate need of the relief that the Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 will provide, it is Cairns. The unemployment rate across Far North Queensland is hovering at one of the state’s highest at 9.1 per cent. Small businesses in particular are struggling to stay afloat, or are closing down. And so it is with strong conviction that I fully support the Treasurer’s bill because it delivers on our pledge to reduce the financial burden on families and businesses in Cairns. Those Labor members opposite are in denial about their woeful financial legacy. So I take this opportunity to remind them what advice our government received on the Sunday morning after the election on 24 March. The Premier, the Deputy Premier and the Treasurer sat down at a boardroom table in the government’s Executive Building on George Street to receive a detailed briefing about the Queensland economy from senior Treasury officials. The Treasurer recalled in parliament that he turned to the very first page of the document he was handed, prepared for the incoming government by those independent Treasury officials. The Treasurer read the following sentence at the top of the first page— Queensland’s fiscal position and outlook is unsustainable and restoration is an urgent priority for this term of government. Those are not our words. That is not political spin to shift blame. That was the fiscal position of our state as identified by independent Treasury officials. Mr Choat: Appointed by Labor. Mr KING: I take the interjection—appointed by Labor. I stand here bemused but not surprised that those Labor members opposite are still incapable—they are incapable—of accepting blame for the mess that they have left this state in. It is clear that Labor lost their way and, like characters in Alice in Wonderland, they have yet to resurface from their fall down the rabbit hole. With apologies to Ronald Reagan, the former Labor government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: ‘If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving it, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidise it.’ The Newman government on the other hand is determined to steer Queensland away from the path of financial oblivion and back on track to becoming this nation’s economic 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 789 powerhouse, a place where people want to live and invest, to start businesses and raise their families. It is my sincere belief that Cairns and Far North Queensland can and will play a leading role in achieving this exciting objective. On the very first full day of normal business in this House, we took action to ease the cost-of-living pressures on Queensland families, and today I am proud to stand up in parliament to talk about the positive impacts that this bill will have on the people of Cairns and Far North Queensland. But first, to provide a contrast, I must make mention of the member for Mulgrave’s attitude to the cost-of-living pressures on Far North Queensland families. It is a slight disappointment that the member for Mulgrave is not in the House at this time but— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Berry): Order! As I understand, you cannot refer in your speech to whether somebody is absent. Mr KING: The Labor Party are on record as supporting the building of a $240 million Cairns entertainment precinct. The Labor Party supported a $240 million white elephant in Cairns, rivalling only the magnificent but thankfully scrapped ski jump in its ridiculousness. To prove just how delusional the Labor Party’s attitude to the cost of living and the economy really is— Opposition members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Member for Cairns. Mr KING: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. The Labor Party’s attitude to the cost of living can be summed up by what one of their members had to say in this House about this $240 million monolith. In June 2010, at the height of the Cairns economy’s pain, the Labor Party said that the proposed $240 million cultural precinct could be big and grand enough to house a concert from the world’s biggest band, U2. This was a 1,000-seat theatre but still the Labor Party insisted that it was a fantastic thing that could house U2. The Labor Party said in this House— Maybe we will see headline Australian bands like AC/DC or international artists such as U2 or Pink ... hold a major concert in Cairns as well. What was the very dry response from the Cairns Convention Centre manager to this claim by the Labor Party to their excuse and support for spending $240 million? The owner of the convention centre said, ‘It’s quite obvious that U2 won’t play at a 1,000-seat venue.’ Mrs Frecklington: That’s common sense. Mr KING: That is the type of twisted logic that those opposite once used to run this state, and still they use it in this House in their pitiful defence of their shameful record. Despite the Labor Party’s bizarre claims and support for this $240 million white elephant, the former Labor government promised to fund one-third of the cost, supposedly and magically by selling the old Supreme Court site in Brisbane. With Cairns Regional Council expected to fund its own third of this $240 million project, the fact is that this would have contributed to a minimum six per cent council rate rise—six per cent as a minimum at a time when the people of Cairns are struggling more than those in any other city in Queensland. But that is, of course, the Labor way. That is what the Labor Party offered up as economic salvation to the people of Cairns. It offered up a minimum six per cent rate rise for ratepayers in Cairns. It is clear from what we saw on 24 March that the Labor Party failed to recognise the financial pressure that its failed attempt at government brought to so many families. Those of us on this side of the House see it differently. We know that families are hurting and businesses are struggling. We know that you cannot keep spending and spending while borrowing and borrowing just to pay wages and keep the lights on. We know that the measures in this bill will bring cost-of-living relief to the residents of Cairns and other areas of Queensland who have suffered for so long from endless rising taxes, fees, charges and regulation under the former Labor government. The freeze on the domestic electricity supply tariff—tariff 11—will put a cap on soaring electricity bills for struggling families. The LNP will also deliver on our commitment to show the full impact of federal Labor’s toxic carbon tax on people’s electricity bills. The people of Queensland have a right to know exactly what the real cost of living will be as a result of this toxic tax. This bill reinstates the transfer duty home concession, which will help families save up to $7,000 on the cost of their home. This bill also gives Queenslanders a fair go by providing working families a hand up to bring their dreams of owning their own home closer. Homebuyers will also benefit from the scrapping of the cost burden and inconvenience of sustainability declarations. I am particularly keen to see the positive flow-on effect of this aspect of the legislation in terms of the struggling property sector in the Cairns region. In terms of small business, this bill marks the beginning of our six-year plan to ease the burden of payroll tax, one of the biggest gripes that I received during the election campaign from small business owners. These measures will help 1,200 employers across Queensland in the first year alone. Thousands more employers will benefit in years to come, by the time we lift that exemption to $1.6 million. This is particularly exciting and relevant to businesses in Far North Queensland. Small business owners have been on their knees for a number of years under the former Labor government, 790 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 and this bill delivers on our commitment to reduce the cost to them of employing staff. During a visit to a Cairns paint shop during the election campaign, the Premier and I met with the owner, who said that our policy to reduce the burden of payroll tax would enable him to employ two extra staff members. This move to ease the burden of payroll tax provides tangible positive outcomes for the people of Cairns and all of Queensland. Easing the cost of living for families is a key part of our commitment to bring much needed confidence back to the Cairns and Queensland economies. I commend the bill to the House. Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (8.33 pm), in reply: I thank all members of the House for their contribution to the debate since this bill was introduced. I particularly acknowledge those members on this side of the House who have made their contributions in support of the bill. Mr Seeney: You have enjoyed the debate. Mr NICHOLLS: I have enjoyed the debate. I have listened to parts of it; I have not been able to listen to all of it. I guess the enthusiasm shown by members on this side to speak in support of the bill reflects their concern for their constituents and highlights the work they did in the lead-up to being elected to this place. Some of the comments made by members were very interesting. The member for Mount Coot-tha made comments in relation to real estate agents, of whom one said in relation to the principal place of residence concession, ‘We need encouragement from the government, not discouragement. To a person or family buying their own home, this is a huge disadvantage.’ Another real estate agent said, ‘It won’t bring the state government more money. It will bring in less. It will slow down the market, result in fewer transactions and, therefore, increase the budget deficit rather than decrease it.’ The member for Mundingburra, the Minister for Local Government, talked about people in his electorate struggling to pay the bills—from truck drivers to nurses to double-income families with grown- up children. Across-the-board, he heard heartbreaking comments such as, ‘We don’t make ends meet anymore,’ and, ‘We eat less meat to pay the electricity bills.’ And as he said, most memorably, there was the elderly widow who told him that she does not turn on her lights at night because of her electricity cost. The member for Beaudesert spoke about the Dennis family in his electorate whose electricity bill increased from approximately $10,000 to $16,000 a quarter. We heard about the vegetable processor whose electricity bill went to $25,000 a month, increasing costs and coming straight out of the bottom line of the business—a business that employs people in that part of the world. The member for Broadwater retold the story of speaking with a lady who lives in Labrador. Her husband works two jobs and she works full time as they try to raise their three kids. The lady was nearly in tears talking about the sacrifices that she and her husband have made in order to bring up those three kids and meet the costs being imposed on them. The member for Chatsworth paid visits to many small and medium-sized businesses throughout his electorate, around Tingalpa and many other industrial and small manufacturing areas—talking to people at Uncle Bobs Bakery at Belmont, Fancee Fruit at Carindale, the WineGum Cafe at Gumdale and Brisbane Metal Products at the Tingalpa light industrial precinct—and spoke about the benefits they saw coming as a result of the work we are putting in through this cost-of-living bill. The member for Currumbin made it abundantly clear in her contribution that the biggest issue hitting households across her electorate and the No. 1 issue of concern to the residents of Currumbin was the cost of living. That was highlighted in a survey she carried out across her electorate in 2010. I remember that survey and I remember the work that the member for Currumbin did in making sure that her residents’ views and feelings were well known as a result of taking that survey across her whole electorate. I mention the member for Morayfield, whom I campaigned with and who is himself a small business person. We spent some time in his electorate and I met a number of his constituents—small business people who were doing it tough, families who were doing it tough. These were people who generally did not look for a hand-out from government, who really did not want anything to do with government most of the time; they just want to be able to get on and lead their lives, raise their families and do what Queenslanders do with minimal interference from the dead hand of government. He told a story about doorknocking the electorate and approaching a house whose door was opened by a middle- aged lady who was stunned to see him standing there. It was the first time in 20 years that she had been canvassed by someone, asking for her vote and asking to represent her in that seat. The member for Nanango earlier this afternoon indicated what would happen to small businesses in her electorate as a result of the introduction of the cost-of-living bill. I listened with interest to the dissertation of the member for Mermaid Beach a little while ago and heard about some of the impacts the bill will have on the people of Mermaid Beach. So I have listened to speeches by members from across the state. I just heard the member for Cairns mention the impacts of changes in the cost of living in his electorate, which has been doing it tough for some years as a result of the downturn in the tourism industry. 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 791

I thank all of those members who went out and did the hard yards—who were not hard-hearted, who did not close their ears to the concerns of their constituents, who went out and campaigned and brought information back to the LNP parliamentary team and who were part of the success that occurred on 24 March as a result of that hard work, as a result of talking to people, as a result of not losing touch with their constituents and making sure they knew what the major issues were. We also heard from members of the opposition. Some of them spoke about how they have now felt sorry for people in their electorates and how they were really doing the right thing, but not once did we hear the words, ‘We’re sorry for what we did to you.’ Not once did we hear them say, ‘We’re sorry we took the fuel subsidy away from you and didn’t tell you about it.’ Not once did we hear them say, ‘We’re sorry we got it wrong on the electricity rationalisation program and we mucked it up which led to increasing electricity costs.’ Mrs Miller: Are you sorry you’re going to sack all the public servants? When are you going to say sorry for sacking public servants—and you didn’t tell them, either? Mr NICHOLLS: Not once did we hear them say to the people of South-East Queensland, ‘We’re sorry your water bill has gone through the roof and that things are getting more expensive.’ Mrs Miller: No, he’s never said sorry. No, you didn’t tell them, either. Mr NICHOLLS: Not once did we hear from the members opposite, ‘We’re sorry about the ever- increasing cost of public transport’—the thing that makes a difference to people, whether it is getting to work or going to a job interview or going to school. Not once did we hear them say sorry about those sorts of things that occurred on the former Labor government’s watch, while it was in charge and while it had the decision-making power. Not once did we hear one word that says, ‘We got it wrong all the way through.’ Mrs Miller: Say sorry for sacking the temporary public servants. Go on! While you’re at it, go on! Say sorry. Mr NICHOLLS: All we heard was a litany of excuses—a litany of excuses and a litany of complaint. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Berry): Order! Members, if you are going to interject, please return to your proper seat. Mr NICHOLLS: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I have heard those opposite talk about employment and about jobs. What did they achieve in that period of time when debt flew through the ceiling, when all of those expenses were added to the cost burden of ordinary families to pay for their failed employment programs? What was their promise before the last election? It was for 100,000 breadwinners’ jobs. What did they deliver over that period of time? They did not deliver 100,000 breadwinners’ jobs; they delivered only 50,000 of those jobs over three years—less than the average annual rate of growth that had occurred each year in the prior 10 years. They got nothing more than was already going to happen anyway in terms of jobs growth. And where did most of that growth take place? It all took place here in the Queensland Public Service, and that is the great shame of what they did. They ploughed more and more people into the public sector. We on this side know that a real job is in the private sector—a sustainable job based on the hard work and thrift of small and medium-sized businesses that are the backbone of Queensland, not ongoing jobs in the public sector that cannot be afforded over time. That is the cruel hoax of what those opposite have done— Mrs Miller: Yeah, you sack them! Mr NICHOLLS:—because they made a promise yet again—another promise that cannot be kept, because those people the now opposition and the then government put on cannot continue to be paid by the taxpayers of Queensland. They did their best. They got rid of the fuel subsidy. They sold the assets. They got rid of Queensland Motorways and the Gateway Bridge. They put on more and more taxes. Four years ago they increased by 0.5 per cent a temporary levy on land tax which is still sitting there. They got rid of the principal place of residence concession. So they whacked on as many taxes as they could. But, as Margaret Thatcher says, the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money, and they ran out of it. Having run out of it—that was not enough for them—they went out and borrowed! They borrowed more money to keep doing it! They only need to look at this report—and I take members to chapter 6 of the report—to see exactly the impact on Public Service employment. Mrs Miller: Oh, yeah—the new bible. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I was fairly clear: if you are going to interject, return to your own seat. Are you prepared to return to your own chair? Mrs Miller: I will in due course. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: All right. You have been warned. The member for Bundamba is now warned pursuant to— Mrs Miller: Yeah, you better find the right standing order! Government members interjected. 792 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012

Mr NICHOLLS: Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the House do eject the member for Bundamba. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member has been warned. I will take advice from the clerks at the table. Member for Bundamba, you have been warned under standing order 253A. I call the Treasurer. Mr NICHOLLS: As I was saying, the problem with the other side and the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money, and the other side ran out of other people’s money. Having run out of other people’s money—having increased fees, taxes and charges; having put their hands in the pockets of long-suffering Queenslanders, and they were long-suffering for a long period of time—they went out and continued to borrow even more. What was the result of that borrowing? It was more and more debt. As a result, the state of Queensland is fronting a potential $100 billion debt by 2018-19 and a $5.3 billion interest payment. Who pays that bill? Who pays that $5.3 billion? Is it the good comrades over at the trades and labour hall who racked it all up? Are they the ones putting their hands in their pockets? Is it the members of the Health Services Union who are paid $280,000 a year to drive around in their Mercedes? Is that what they are talking about? Is it the members of the union movement who got appointed to all of those boards and sat on them for so long and enjoyed the good life lying around the place? Is it any of them who are going to be paying that bill? No. The people who under Labor were going to be paying the bill were ordinary taxpayers and ordinary businesses struggling to earn a buck—no friends of favour, no Tammany Hall mates, no special deals done, just people out there working hard every day trying to do the right thing. That is why this bill is so important and that is why we on this side, unlike those on the other side, are keeping our promise to deliver on cost-of-living savings. I heard members say, ‘What can you do about jobs?’ The first thing we can do about jobs—if members opposite had looked at the bill they would know—is reduce the rate of payroll tax. So what are we doing? We are reducing the rate of payroll tax. It will now be the case that 90 per cent of businesses in Queensland will not be paying payroll tax. That is how people go about getting a job—not by using the old Labor socialist way of sticking your hand into businesspeople’s pockets all of the time and making it harder to employ people but by making it easier to employ people. By doing that, a business that employs 18 people will now be able to employ 20 people without paying additional payroll tax. That is a pretty good result. We talk about how we can make it better. We talk about not having the stifling hand of stupid regulation. Who came up with the sustainability declaration? Who came up with that genius idea? Government members: Stirling Hinchliffe! Mr NICHOLLS: Who? Government members: Stirling Hinchliffe! Mr NICHOLLS: ‘The ghost of Stafford past’ came up with the sustainability declaration. Would that have got through an Office of Best Practice Regulation? What do members think? No way! We are going to stop the Labor geniuses who turned up with sustainability declarations—a form that, firstly, no- one could read and, secondly, no-one wanted to fill in and, thirdly, no-one paid any attention to anyway! It sounds like an ad put together by the member for South Brisbane in an election campaign: no-one wants to read it, no-one cares about it and it does not work anyway! That is what we are going to do. We are going to restore confidence for families and households. How are we doing that? The Minister for Energy and Water Supply showed how we are going to do that. We are going to freeze tariff 11 for the first time. We will stop the bills going through the roof for 2012-13 and then we will look at the process and ask, ‘How can we have a process that delivers a better outcome for consumers in the future?’ We are not going to stand up here as former Premier Beattie and former Deputy Premier Bligh did and say, ‘We guarantee this will happen to you,’ without any explanation. We are going to look at it. We are going to do it sensibly and in the meantime we will give people cost-of-living relief through their electricity bills. Importantly, how else are we going to restore confidence? What is the single biggest investment that most people make? It is an investment in their own home. We are going to make that easier by reinstating the principal place of residence concession. All night tonight I have been signing letters to people who have been asking me, ‘What a fantastic thing. When are you going to do it?’, and I have been saying to them, ‘On 1 July it is coming back in. Get ready to go.’ That is the thing that families are looking for; that is the thing that real estate agents and that vendors are looking for—that sign of hope, a sign that this is not a government that always puts its hands ever deeper in their pocket, because that is all they got from 20 long years of Labor. We have heard another couple of well known and tried whinges by— Mr Stevens: Professional. Mr NICHOLLS:—the professional over there from South Brisbane whose stock in trade is to whinge and discombobulate. We had the member for South Brisbane regaling us with her version of ‘Labornomics’ about how things were good. The ‘Labornomics’ member for South Brisbane came through with some things. First of all she thinks the carbon tax is good. She thinks the carbon tax is not going to add more than $2.44 to the cost of living and that everyone should go down on bended knee to her comrades in Canberra and say, ‘Thank you very much. Thank you very much for the carbon tax.’ I 19 Jun 2012 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 793 have news for the member for South Brisbane. The carbon tax is coming and so are the voters of Queensland. Anthony Chisholm is ringing the member for South Brisbane and saying, ‘Gee, you did such a great job in the state campaign. How about coming and giving us a bit of a hand on the federal campaign?’ Mr Stevens: Please do! Make a recommendation! Mr NICHOLLS: Let me get the phone number. I am going to hand it over. Tell us how well that works. Soon we will have the old team back together—Bruce Hawker, Anthony Chisholm and the member for South Brisbane. Where is the Minister for Sport and Racing? I want to get some money on this action! This is good stuff! I ask the member for South Brisbane: what is this carbon tax really going to mean to the people of Queensland? Again, she should have a look at this report because it details it. The Treasury said $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion. The best case scenario is another $200 million worse and the worst case scenario is another $1.4 billion worse. That is $3 billion more as a result of her mates in Canberra putting in a carbon tax that they promised not to introduce. In another example of ‘Labornomics’ she says, ‘It doesn’t matter. It’s only going on to businesses. They’ll be able to pay for it.’ What an employment prospect that would be! Let’s put more costs and more expenses on businesses so they can employ more people! That is more ‘Labornomics’ from the member for South Brisbane. I turn to another comment from the member for South Brisbane that any attempt to reduce the cost of living must be well thought out and considered. I have to ask how would they know because we have not actually ever seen one. Whether it would be well thought out and well considered by the former government is unknown to anyone. It is a comment the truth of which we cannot tell because they never even tried it. The only thing that happened in the last election was that, belatedly, those opposite thought, ‘We’ll try and cut the cost of car registration.’ Who came up with that idea first? Did we come up with that idea first? Did we go out and say it? Of course we did and then they came along and said, ‘Now we’re going to try to do it as well.’ There were no costings around it and no idea where it was going to come from. The only cost saving—I am struggling to even think of one cost saving that the other side came up with. I suppose there is fewer of them; that is a cost saving somewhere along the line. Here we have the member for South Brisbane again—there was something good to come out of it; I knew there would be—saying, ‘The economy this LNP government inherited indeed had a level of debt.’ There we go, hallelujah! That is a blinding glimpse of the obvious from the member for South Brisbane. She went on, ‘But this debt kept our heads above water during the worst global financial crisis in 80 years and it made sure that we could recover from the worst natural disasters in Queensland’s recorded history.’ It is inconceivable that the member could actually believe that the rapid accumulation of debt at the rate that they accumulated it was as a result simply of the natural disasters and the global financial crisis and not as a result of their poor financial management. When we see that employee expenses grew at an average of nearly nine per cent per annum in the decade from 2000 to 2011 it puts a lie to the statement made by the member for South Brisbane. It was not just in the last couple of— Mr PITT: I rise to a point of order. That language is unparliamentary—using the word ‘lie’. Mr NICHOLLS: I will withdraw. The fact that employee expenses grew at an average of 8.7 per cent between 2000— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Berry): Order! The member for Mulgrave—the honourable the Treasurer will just take a seat for the moment—had you finished? Mr PITT: Yes. Mr NICHOLLS: If it is worth listening to I will respond to it, but most of it has not been. Employee expenses grew at an average of nine per cent per annum between 2000 and 2010 and that bells the cat in terms of what those opposite are saying about it being attributable to either the GFC or the floods and cyclones. We saw a 170 per cent increase in the capital spending before Queensland’s credit downgrade. They do not understand that it was their spending before the credit downgrade that led to the credit downgrade. That is exactly what occurred. That occurred well before the floods and the cyclones. In 2011-12, 96 per cent of that capital spending is financed by debt, not by free cash flows as it had been in the first half of the decade and as it had been traditionally by Queensland under the fiscal principles that had been in place. Many things have been said in relation to this bill by the member for South Brisbane and I have certainly outlined some of those. There are a couple of other comments made by the member for South Brisbane about infrastructure that I do want to mention. She talks about infrastructure and says that she is proud to stand here and say that it was the Bligh-Fraser government that produced the biggest infrastructure program in this nation year in, year out. What did it deliver? The Queensland Children’s Hospital at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion, more than double the initial cost estimate of $690 million. Members might be interested to know that the incremental benefit from this project is 83 new beds at a cost of $17.7 million each. That is good spending! Well done! Cost benefit analysis: $17.7 million and all 794 Treasury (Cost of Living) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 19 Jun 2012 they can do is continue to throw money at it. They do not ask, ‘How can we deliver it smarter?’, or, ‘How can we deliver the service better?’ The old Labor socialist measure is, ‘How much of other people’s money can we spend to deliver the service?’ Opposition members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Members on my left! Mr NICHOLLS: Rather than saying, ‘Well, at $17.7 million a bed we would be better off getting maybe five or six more beds out of it,’ they just want to keep spending more and more and more. There is also the land bank at Traveston Dam that the Deputy Premier is now having to deal with, Wyaralong Dam which is not connected to the grid and a spending trend which, if left unchecked, would have resulted in $19.7 billion worth of deficit under this government. There were a number of questions raised by a number of people, and I want to deal with a couple of them. I will deal firstly with questions from the member for Gladstone. I listened to her speech and her comments quite carefully in the last sitting week and I have had a quick word with her. She asked a couple of good questions about tariff 11 and what happens after the freeze. I think that is a very sensible question. Member for Gladstone, we have formed an interdepartmental committee made up of the chief executives of both Treasury and the Department of Energy and Water Supply and some other people as the minister has indicated to view the price path for electricity going forward. We are giving immediate relief to families now, as we promised, and we are putting in place a review process that ensures we do not slavishly adopt what comes out of either the companies themselves or any other recommendations. The results of that process will be made known once that interdepartmental committee—made up of people who have experience in government and in electricity generation, transmission and retail—has provided that to us. We will be working our way through that. The member for Gladstone quite sensibly asked about the Office of Best Practice Regulation being part of the QCA and whether this another process. Yes, it is another process, but it is a process that is designed to stop bad regulations coming through. It is modelled on a process in Victoria and at the Commonwealth level that aims to act as a gatekeeper to stop bad regulations getting through in the first place. It will not slow down the process of legislation and the resolution of matters, but it will stop bad regulation like the sustainability declaration and it will also clearly identify the costs of new regulations when they are brought in. The idea is not to have no regulation; the idea is to have good regulation. That is what the Office of Best Practice Regulation will do. The member for Gladstone also asked about Energex network charges and how that would go through. Under this legislation, the minister has been given the power to give a direction to Energex in relation to the network charges. Whilst we freeze tariffs here, we also have to give a direction to Energex further back down the line as they put their costs through to the retailers. That information has been provided to retailers and that is how we will go about making those changes all the way through. I hope that answers the questions of the member for Gladstone, which I thought were quite proper and sensible questions to ask in the debate. I note her concern about some of the people in her electorate who are struggling in that very variable economy that we see in regional Queensland. There were a number of questions from the member for Mulgrave in relation to the PPR concession, payroll tax and others. A couple were raised by the member for Rockhampton and by the members for Bundamba and Mackay. In terms of some of those things, I inform the member for Mulgrave that the cost of the commitment in relation to the reinstatement of the PPR concession was actually completely detailed in our statement of costings. It is laid out there in black and white for him to read. The cost was estimated at $247 million in 2012-13, $260 million in 2013-14 and $272 million in 2014-15. It is variable. It depends on the revenue receipts in that year. That is the costing that has been put in place. That was the costing we went to the election with and that is the costing that we will be taking through. The member for Mulgrave also asked what impact the reinstatement of the concession will have on the housing construction sector. I would have to say to him that the reinstatement of a $7,000 concession in the housing sector will have an immediate benefit for people who are buying houses and then seeking to renovate them or for those people wanting to buy a new home. It adds to activity in the market which adds to those sorts of issues. In relation to the payroll tax, the member for Mulgrave asked about the number of people affected. Ninety per cent of employers will not be liable to pay payroll tax once this bill is passed. He asked a number of other questions in terms of employment. Treasury modelling is that the initiative will be a positive for employment, and we estimate that it will be worth $40 million in 2012-13 in terms of employment prospects all the way through. Many of the other questions the member for Mulgrave asked are answered in the costings document that we put out. In relation to the Queensland Competition Authority proposals, obviously the Queensland Competition Authority made recommendations. Some went up, some were below the margin on the way through. No-one will be worse off with a freeze. Obviously a freeze is just that. If it were not for the carbon tax, people would have been better off by about $190. Mr Pitt: The Household Assistance Package has to be taken into consideration. 19 Jun 2012 Adjournment 795

Mr NICHOLLS: Member for Mulgrave, we are talking about the cost of something. If the Commonwealth government wants to impose a tax and then give someone some money for a tax so they do not have to pay it, that is its responsibility. Our responsibility is to make it clear how much people get. Not everyone gets the Household Assistance Package but everyone pays the carbon tax. In conclusion, I thank everyone for their contribution to the debate. I think it has been a worthwhile debate. I am very pleased to be introducing the first bill of the Newman LNP government. I conclude by saying that I am sorry I forgot to thank my family in my address-in-reply. Ever since I have paid a price that is very high! I record my thanks to my wife, my mum and dad and my kids for all their help during the election campaign. Question put—That the bill be now read a second time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a second time. Consideration in Detail Clauses 1 to 57, as read, agreed to. Third Reading Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (9.06 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a third time. Question put—That the bill be now read a third time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a third time. Long Title Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (9.07 pm): I move— That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Question put—That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

MOTION

Yeerongpilly Transit Oriented Development Hon. JW SEENEY (Callide—LNP) (Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning) (9.07 pm), by leave, without notice: I move— That under section 66 of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 the House ratify the State Planning Regulatory Provisions of the Yeerongpilly Transit Oriented Development that was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on 13 December 2011. This is a procedural motion. The State Planning Regulatory Provision was tabled in the House by the previous government but was required to be ratified. It was not ratified. I seek to correct that error tonight and I commend the motion to the House. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (Manager of Government Business) (9.09 pm): I move— That the House do now adjourn. Fitzroy River, Water Sports Mr BYRNE (Rockhampton—ALP) (9.09 pm): I rise to bring to the attention of the House the existence of an incredible watercraft venue located in Rockhampton above the Fitzroy River barrage. Without question, the Fitzroy River provides one of the most spectacular locations for still-water water sports in Queensland. In recent years the location has hosted many events. The Fitzroy River played host to both the Australian and Canadian rowing teams, which used the river as preparatory training for major competitions. The New Zealand and Australian kayak teams have also used the location for training. 796 Adjournment 19 Jun 2012

Last Christmas I received the T-shirt; stencilled across the back was the term ‘Boat Bitch’. As a young woman my bride was a national champion and an Australian rowing representative. In recent years she has returned to the sport as both a masters competitor and a coach, hence my T-shirt reflecting her and her crew’s expectations of my support. On the weekend of 23 and 24 June, the Fitzroy will host the Central Queensland Schools Championship Regatta. Approximately 340 students will compete. They come from many central Queensland schools such as the Cathedral College, Rockhampton Grammar School, Rockhampton Girls Grammar, Emmaus College and North Rockhampton State High School. Within the sport the male to female ratio is 50 to 50. All told, 21 schools from across the state are expected to compete. In recent years the Fitzroy has hosted major regattas, including the Australian Masters Rowing Championships in 2005 and 2009 as well as the Queensland Schools Rowing Championships in 2006, 2008 and 2011. The Fitzroy is a unique location boasting excellent still-water rowing conditions and the ability to row upstream for at least 40 kilometres. If any members of this House are interested in a quick 80-kilometre row, just give me a call. The Central Queensland Schools Championship will be run entirely by members and supporters of the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club, which was formed only in September 2006. In Central Queensland, interest in rowing is growing rapidly. On 23 and 24 June I will be there, with my T-shirt, and I invite all members to visit Central Queensland and join me at this fantastic youth sporting event. Gold Coast, Light Rail Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (9.11 pm): I rise to speak on the light rail proposal that terminates in my electorate of Mermaid Beach, just in front of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre at Broadbeach. I have been inundated with senior community members demanding that the project be aborted. I am here to confirm that the birth of the light rail will be on time and on budget and it will have a pain-free delivery. The pain will start after the birth, when taxpayers are forced to stump up the extra funds that will be required to support this public transport option. The history of the light rail goes back a long way to the mayoral days of Gary Baildon, when the Gold Coast City senior planner of transport, Mr Rodney Grose, drove this project, in company with the CEO of the Gold Coast Bulletin, Mr Roy Miller. They put the light rail option on the agenda. The federal Howard government funded a $1.25 million dollar study that was supported by the federal Gold Coast members for the electorates of Moncrieff and Mcpherson, to see how the light rail would address the issues of public transport on the Gold Coast. I have never supported this option as the most financially prudent option for public transport on the Gold Coast. Quite clearly, this option was very limited in terms of movement numbers, it was very limited in terms of the number of people it would serve and it was what the Labor Party called an ‘iconic project’ to try to gain votes on the Gold Coast. However, on the Gold Coast the LNP achieved a perfect score. We have 10 out of 10 LNP members representing the Gold Coast, so their strategy around the light rail project did not work. We have written the contracts, we have written the cheques and there is no going back from the Gold Coast light rail as a major project. It is a $1.6 billion project on the Gold Coast. There is no opportunity to revisit the matter. We look forward to the opening of the light rail to provide transport from the Gold Coast University Hospital and the university itself down to Pacific Fair at Broadbeach, which is the end point of the rail line. I assure people that any long-term proposal for extending the light rail will be extremely limited. We have to live with the project that we now have on our back doorstep. We will enjoy it to the best of our capacities and we will utilise it to the best of our capacities. Out of the Box Festival; Pine Rivers, Performing Arts Mr HOLSWICH (Pine Rivers—LNP) (9.14 pm): Tonight I rise to talk about two fantastic events that I was privileged to attend last week. Last Tuesday at QPAC I was honoured to represent the Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts at the launch of the Out of the Box Festival for children. The festival is a unique event and is the only festival in Australia that is dedicated to children under the age of eight. This year marked the 20th year of the festival and the program for the year was built on the key principles of literary, artistic and cultural literacy. As a parent of primary school aged children, I have a personal appreciation of events such as this that open up opportunities for our children to experience the arts in an age-appropriate manner. Last Thursday I was at Dayboro State School when the children and teachers returned from an excursion to the festival. Both students and teachers were glowing in their assessments of the festival. On a more local level, last Saturday I attended the annual Seniors Concert of the Pine Rivers Brass Band. As someone who first picked up a trombone at the age of eight and for many years was a member of brass bands, it was a pleasure to hear such good quality brass band music in my own electorate and to see this band continuing to provide good quality concerts for some very appreciative 19 Jun 2012 Adjournment 797 local seniors. Like the Out of the Box Festival, this year the Pine Rivers Brass Band celebrates 20 years. I congratulate President Ruth Voysey and the band on 20 years of service through music to our community. I make no secret of my passion for the arts and, in particular, for local community performing arts organisations. Having grown up performing in bands, in choirs and in some very amateur musical theatre productions, I have a deep appreciation of the value of those activities, particularly for our children and youth. That is why I am pleased to support great local organisations in my electorate such as the Pine Rivers Brass Band, Act 1 Theatre and the Pine Rivers Musical Association. I cannot wait to see what superstars in the making are performing in the Pine Rivers Musical Association’s production of Oliver later this year. These small, local organisations and activities provide a great opportunity for our children to develop their confidence and self-esteem and provide great opportunities for performers to develop strong friendships and networks with like-minded people. They give great opportunities for budding superstars to learn their trade. I am proud to be part of a government that is encouraging and resourcing the arts at a grassroots level, knowing that this will ultimately lay an even stronger platform for developing world-class performers, performances and exhibitions well into Queensland’s future. Gladstone Harbour, Water Quality Mrs CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (9.17 pm): Last week the James Cook University released a study that, in part, plotted the dredging plume from harbour dredging. That report concluded the plume ran up to 35 kilometres and not the one or two kilometres claimed by the dredging proponent. The report has reignited community comment in Gladstone. Fuelling the fire are comments in an article in the Morning Bulletin of 8 June, attributed to the former chair of the Gladstone Ports Corporation in reply to statements made by the Premier. On 7 June this year in parliament the Premier stated— After meeting with the fishermen in Gladstone, I am very concerned about what has gone on there and the way the whole environment issue has been handled. The former chairman is said to have pointed the finger at gas and coal companies, suggesting they were responsible for environmental mismanagement in the region. The quote attributed to the former chair is this— If you want to see if there has been environmental mismanagement in the harbour, you should speak to the coal and gas companies. My question is this: has the port or other entities been aware of mismanagement and covered up that mismanagement? In reality, the Gladstone Ports Corporation has been the entity carrying out the vast majority of the activity in the harbour. They sanction it, they carry it out or they are involved in the approval process for it. Has there been a cover-up by any entities in relation to damage to the harbour, whether it is from dredging or previously? If the LNG or coal industries have mismanaged the harbour, how long has it been going on for? Coal has been exported out of Gladstone for donkey’s years and yet we have the chairman of the board saying, ‘If you want to see whether there has been environmental mismanagement in the harbour, not on Curtis Island and not on mainland, you should speak to the coal and gas companies.’ Mr Brusasco may not be the chairman of the board anymore, but if he or others have information about Gladstone harbour that is contrary to all of the rhetoric by the former government that it was being handled appropriately, environmentally sustainably, well, responsibly, openly and accountably then it must be made public. The people of my community and indeed the people of Queensland need to know because it has been held up as a bastion of environmental management. If there is mismanagement, own up! St Paul’s Anglican Men’s Society Mr BERRY (Ipswich—LNP) (9.20 pm): On Saturday, 9 June 2012 I had the privilege of attending the St Paul’s Anglican Men’s Society’s quarterly breakfast at the St Paul’s Parish Centre in Ipswich. It was great for me to meet with local church members to tell my story and tell them a little about myself. I can assure members here today that I did that with humility. I am told that St Paul’s Anglican Church is the second oldest Anglican Church in Queensland and is home to the first pipe organ to ever arrive in Queensland from London. It was installed in 1860. However, it is the work of the Anglican Men’s Society, like many community groups in my electorate, that does our city of Ipswich proud. The St Paul’s Anglican Men’s Society is a strong branch of members of the St Paul’s parish. It aims to allow parishioners to practise their faith and contribute to the community through brotherhood. Parishioners donated heavily their time, money and clothing during the dreaded 2011 Queensland floods under the guidance of the Reverend Mathew Jones. It plays an active role in all support networks for members in the Ipswich community. 798 Adjournment 19 Jun 2012

The Anglican Men’s Society also has strong links with local schools, in particular the West Moreton Anglican College in Karrabin. The Anglican Men’s Society has an extensive and strong history of supporting not only the local Ipswich community but also the broader Australian community. During the Second World War the Anglican Men’s Society established a hostel for local service personnel and troops in transit, and also provided meals and entertainment to the servicemen. In fact, parishioner Mavis Parkinson, a great Queenslander from St Paul’s, served as a missionary to Papua New Guinea from 1937 to 1942. Mavis Parkinson was killed by invading Japanese forces in 1942 and is to this day remembered throughout Ipswich and the local community. I would like to personally acknowledge and thank the current chairman of the Anglican Men’s Society, York McFadzean, and secretary Andy Brodersen for giving me the warmest of welcomes. I look forward to attending another St Paul’s Anglican Men’s Society function in the very near future.

Fort Lytton National Park Mr SYMES (Lytton—LNP) The (9.23 pm): I rise tonight to speak about a great piece of Queensland history in Brisbane. Fort Lytton National Park is a great showcase of Queensland’s great military history. The site was used in the past for army training, as a defence point during World War II and obviously as a fort. I had the pleasure on the Queen’s birthday long weekend to attend the cannon firing and the History Alive event with local councillor for the Doboy ward, Ryan Murphy. The site includes the original cannon, which supposedly dates back to the battle of Waterloo. That is why the Wynnum foreshore is now called Waterloo Bay. It is a great bay. I urge all Queenslanders and fellow MPs to check out this great piece of Queensland history. I want to thank the organiser of the event, Brian Rough, for a great event to mark the Queen’s birthday celebrations. I look forward to being in attendance next year.

Port of Bundaberg Mr BENNETT (Burnett—LNP) (9.24 pm): I rise to share with the House the opportunities for the Burnett electorate with the future expansion of the port of Bundaberg. I thank the member for Bundaberg, Jack Dempsey, for his continued support and advocacy for this great asset in the Bundaberg area. The port of Bundaberg, located at the head of the Burnett River, plays an important role in the prosperity of the Wide Bay region and has done so for over 50 years. It is essential in linking the regionally significant sugar industry to export and domestic markets. The port of Bundaberg is positioned to play an even greater role with the potential expansion in export and import trades and the further expansion of the marine industry and world-class marina, tourist and residential developments. The port is strategically located with potentially significant export mineral and timber resources within its immediate hinterland. Its close proximity to significant LNG and coal expansion projects in South-East Queensland also make it a good proposition for the import of bulk goods such as LNG pipelines, large machine components and fuel, which could be stored at the port’s currently mothballed bulk fuel storage facility. Being south of the cyclone belt and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, with safe and easy access to Australia’s shipping channels, as well as the availability of large areas of land and quay lines for port facilities, the port of Bundaberg offers a great opportunity to expand and increase the prosperity of the Wide Bay region and Queensland as a whole. The port of Bundaberg is also ideally positioned to become a major hub for the marine industry. The port of Gladstone’s proximity to the Gladstone port, the availability of large areas of land with easy access to deepwater berths and port channel infrastructure at very competitive prices make it highly attractive to boat-building and maintenance industries. The Bundaberg region has traditionally provided a strong manufacturing and trade based labour force, and the development of the marine industry in Bundaberg would be a good fit. The development of the marine industry could also facilitate the development of a naval presence in Bundaberg. The port of Bundaberg has been the most popular first port of call for international yachts for almost a decade. It offers safe and easy access by sea to first-class marina and boat harbour facilities, beautiful river and ocean outlooks and a pristine marine environment on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island. These are some of the reasons the port of Bundaberg’s plans for a future marina and commercial, tourist and residential development are likely to attract significant investment and employment opportunities to the region. In 2009 the port of Bundaberg became part of the Gladstone Ports Corporation Ltd, and it is looking to maximise its operations as a port. The people of the Burnett and Bundaberg are looking forward to the continued expansion and expanded opportunities with the new board of the Gladstone Ports Corporation Ltd and its chair. I reiterate to the board that the Bundaberg port is now open and ready for business. We have the room, we have the location and we are the first deepwater port north of Brisbane. 19 Jun 2012 Adjournment 799

Great Barrier Reef

Ms TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (9.27 pm): The Great Barrier Reef is one of the great wonders of nature. The benefits that flow from the inheritance of such an important international natural asset are not only environmental but economic as well. Two million tourists visit each year, generating in excess of $5 billion annually and around 50,000 Queensland jobs in tourism alone.

As members would know, the recently released UNESCO draft monitoring report raised serious concerns about the future of the reef. The report did, however, commend the previous Labor government’s Reef Water Quality Protection Plan for making real progress towards reducing chemical run-off. UNESCO even went as far as to recommend that funding for the plan be maintained.

This call for action fell on deaf ears, with the Treasurer last week announcing that included in his $186.5 million of spending cuts was an item within the Department of Premier and Cabinet titled ‘Reef Water Quality’. These three simple words translate to a half a million dollar cut to the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan secretariat, which prepares the annual ‘report card’ on the reef’s health and provides the coordination and leadership necessary to protect its World Heritage status.

Only two weeks ago, both the Premier and the environment minister stood up in this House and applauded the water quality plan as a success, assuring UNESCO and the people of Queensland that it would continue. All the while, behind the scenes, away from the cameras, they were slashing funding and cutting resources. The Premier has since defended his decision by claiming the cut was actually an underspend. Whatever way you spin it, the decision still means fewer resources are available to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

One would think that, with the massive expansion of development occurring in Far North Queensland and Central Queensland, those opposite would understand that the Great Barrier Reef needs more resources and protection, not less. Sadly, this LNP government has a habit of cutting funding without consideration and without looking at any of the necessary evidence, although ignoring scientific evidence is not a surprising move coming from a government with a climate change sceptic as an environment minister.

Queenslanders and the rest of the world are right to ask if this Newman government has any interest whatsoever in protecting the Great Barrier Reef. The truth is that those opposite talk up their commitment but their actions show that they cannot be trusted to safeguard the reef for Queenslanders today and into the future.

Nambour RSL Community Grants; Sunshine Coast Show

Mr WELLINGTON (Nicklin—Ind) (9.30 pm): Last week my wife and I had the pleasure of attending the Nambour RSL community benefit grants presentation where the club handed over $50,000 to community organisations. I understand this grant brought the club’s total gifts to our community for this year to over $350,000. This is in addition to the $200,000 that the club has provided to the state government for its distribution during the year through the government’s community benefit grants scheme. The grant funds were divided between the following 19 organisations: the Nambour State Emergency Service Support Group Association, $1,785; the Nambour Little Athletics Centre, $3,127; SCAIP, a community arts organisation, $4,986; the Sonshine Sanctuary Association, $2,355; the Palmwoods State School P&C Association, $4,785; the Sunshine Coast Railway Modellers Society, $5,000; the Sunshine Coast Christian Broadcasters Association, $1,100; the Yandina Rugby League Club, $4,973; the Palmwoods Cricket Club, $4,290; the Nambour Special School P&C, $5,000; the Palmwoods Community Kindergarten and Pre-School Association, $4,500; Suncoast Christian Care, $4,935; Maroochy Waterwatch, $1,573; the Nambour Community Preschool and Kindergarten, $2,530; 2nd Nambour Scout Group, $2,260; the Sunshine Coast Darts Club, $1,000; the Nambour Badminton Club, $405; the Mapleton Community Library, $1,400; and the Yandina State School P&C, $1,693. On behalf of all of the people who have benefited from the Nambour RSL grants, not just this year but in previous years, I say thank you to the Nambour RSL for caring for our community. Other members may not be aware that Madam Speaker officially opened the 107th Sunshine Coast show last Friday. Well done, Madam Speaker. We were very proud of your official opening and your speech. I just say to everyone who was involved in organising the show that we are very proud of their efforts, especially Councillor Jenny McKay, who has been chairman of the Sunshine Coast show committee for quite some time. We believe that she does a wonderful job, not just as a local councillor but also as chairman of this committee. To her and her volunteers, well done and I wish them all the best for next year. 800 Attendance 19 Jun 2012

Kingaroy State High School, Business Lunch Mrs FRECKLINGTON (Nanango—LNP) (9.32 pm): On Friday, 1 June I had the pleasure of attending the Kingaroy State High School annual ‘business lunch’. The lunch has been held each year for the past 10 years to mark Education Week and provides a great opportunity to showcase the school and the achievements of the students, staff and partners of the school to the broader Kingaroy community. It is also an opportunity for the school community to thank local businesses for their ongoing support of the school. In particular, I would like to mention Ken Mills of Ken Mills Toyota for his support of the school’s instrumental music program and Swickers, pork processors, for their donation over a period of three years of $10,000, enabling the school to purchase new sports uniforms. There were more than 30 participants at the lunch and they were all thanked for their support. The service was of a very high quality. The food was amazing and absolutely delicious. It was prepared by the catering operations students and served by the students studying hospitality studies. There were over 30 students involved in the preparation of the lunch. This event enables the students to be assessed for their vocational education role in the school. During the lunch, we learnt of many of the recent school highlights. One of which was that stage 1 of the Performing Arts Complex is nearing completion. This has been a long-term project for the school and the community and one which has required the building of important partnerships between the P&C, the South Burnett Regional Council and the education department. This will be a remarkable venue, not just for the students of Kingaroy State High School but for the entire community. We were also told on the day that 76.4 per cent of the students achieved an overall position of 1 to 15, which is well above the state average. Seventy students are involved in the Active Citizens Program this year, and students and staff have an opportunity of visiting Japan during the upcoming June-July school holidays. The school has secured regional arts development funding for visiting author James Moloney, a popular author of teen fiction, to work with our year 8s and year 11s on creative writing. I would also like to mention that a member of this House was a previous past student. Steven Davies, the member for Capalaba, is a previous student of this school. I commend the Kingaroy State High School for providing the opportunity for the broader community to learn more about the school. It is through events such as these that we truly do encourage and strengthen community links to ensure that our young people are cared for, nurtured and encouraged throughout their time at school and well beyond. Question put—That the House do now adjourn. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 9.35 pm.

ATTENDANCE Barton, Bennett, Berry, Bleijie, Boothman, Byrne, Cavallucci, Choat, Costigan, Cox, Crandon, Cripps, Crisafulli, Cunningham, Davies, C. Davis, T. Davis, Dempsey, Dickson, Dillaway, Douglas, Dowling, Driscoll, Elmes, Emerson, Flegg, France, Frecklington, Gibson, Grant, Grimwade, Gulley, Hart, Hathaway, Hobbs, Holswich, Johnson, Judge, Katter, Kaye, Kempton, King, Knuth, Krause, Langbroek, Latter, Maddern, Malone, Mander, McArdle, McVeigh, Menkens, Millard, Miller, Minnikin, Molhoek, Mulherin, Newman, Nicholls, Ostapovitch, Palaszczuk, Pitt, Powell, Pucci, Rickuss, Rice, Robinson, Ruthenberg, Scott, Seeney, Shorten, Shuttleworth, Simpson, Smith, Sorensen, Springborg, Stevens, Stewart, Stuckey, Symes, Trad, Trout, Walker, Watts, Wellington, Woodforth, Young