17 Mar 1998 Petitions 321

TUESDAY, 17 MARCH 1998 PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions—

Mr SPEAKER (Hon. N. J. Turner, Nicklin) read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. Paedophilia From Mrs Bird (299 petitioners) requesting the House to act immediately to ASSENT TO BILLS establish a royal commission into paedophilia and Assent to the following Bills reported by Mr sexual assault against children. Speaker— Tobacco Products (Prevention of Supply to Home Help, Ipswich Children) Bill; From Mr Hamill (296 petitioners) Griffith University Bill; requesting the House and the Minister for Health Queensland University of Technology Bill; to restore the provision of Home Help services to those Ipswich residents who are experiencing Central Queensland University Bill; hardship as a result of cuts to service provision University of Queensland Bill; and further increase the allocation of funds for University of Southern Queensland Bill; the provision of such services in order that the needs of those requiring these services can be Eagle Farm Racecourse Bill; properly met. Law Courts and State Buildings Protective Security Amendment Bill; Police Resources, Wynnum Offshore Minerals Bill; From Mr Lucas (1,158 petitioners) Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing requesting the House to call on the Police Project Agreement Bill. Minister, the Honourable T. R. Cooper, MLA, to allocate sufficient police resources to the Wynnum Police District to bring its police to PARLIAMENTARY SCHOOL population ratio up to at least the average rate for RESOURCES PROJECT the rest of Queensland and, further, to ensure DOCUMENTARY that at night there is a minimum of two uniformed Mr SPEAKER: Order! I wish to advise police cars operating within the Wynnum district honourable members that photographers will be of the Wynnum Police District (i.e. Wynnum, in the Chamber and around the parliamentary Manly and Lota). precinct today and Wednesday and Thursday of this week as part of a documentary produced by the Parliament for a parliamentary school Kennedy Development Road resources project. From Mr Mitchell (1,465 petitioners) requesting the House to consider the implementation of a program to upgrade and seal PRIVILEGE the Kennedy Development Road between Infrastructure Property Group Hughenden and The Lynd by 2007. Mr BARTON (Waterford) (9.33 a.m.): I rise on a matter privilege. On the last sitting day, Publication of Names of Criminals 5 March, in answering a question about shonky From Mrs Wilson (12 petitioners) payments to the Infrastructure Property Group requesting the House to uphold the public associated with the development of the Surat demand that there be no withholding from Basin/Dawson Valley project, the Minister for publication the names of perpetrators convicted Economic Development and Trade and Minister of heinous crimes, regardless whosoever Assisting the Premier promised to table commits the crimes and regardless of the reason. documents providing advice on the outrageous fees of up to $2.2m received from KPMG. Those documents have not been tabled. Mr Speaker, I Cairns City Council request that you consider referring this matter to From Mrs Wilson (2,056 petitioners) the Members' Ethics and Parliamentary requesting the House to investigate the Cairns Privileges Committee, and I will put that request City Council and their management of our water in writing. resources, including an investigation into the 322 Ministerial Statement 17 Mar 1998 impact studies that were carried out prior to Newstead House Trust Act 1939— imposing drastic cuts. We respectfully request a Newstead House Board of Trustees fair water allocation and a reasonable excess (Appointment) Order 1998 charge that suits our climate shifts from wet to State Financial Institutions and Metway Merger dry. Facilitation Act 1996— State Financial Institutions and Metway Ms V. Arnold; Ms J. Leahy Merger Facilitation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1998, No. 31 From Mrs Wilson (2,344 petitioners) requesting the House to order a new inquest Sugar Industry Act 1991— into the deaths of Vicki Serina Arnold and Julie- Sugar Industry (Mill Peak Adjustments) Anne Margaret Leahy following the current Amendment Guideline (No. 1) 1998, No. 33. reinvestigation being carried out by Mr Carl Mengler and Mr Frank O'Gorman, appointed by RESPONSES TO PARLIAMENTARY the Police Minister, the Honourable Russell COMMITTEE REPORTS Cooper, MLA. The Clerk laid on the table of the House the Petitions received. following responses to parliamentary committee reports— PAPER TABLED DURING RECESS Interim response from the Minister for Transport The Clerk announced that the following and Main Roads (Mr Johnson) to a report of the Public Works Committee entitled Construction of paper was tabled during the recess— a standard gauge rail line to Fisherman Islands; 9 March 1998— and Corrigendum to Travelsafe Committee Interim response from the Minister for Transport Report No. 22—Compulsory BAC Testing. and Main Roads (Mr Johnson) to a report of the Travelsafe Committee entitled Brisbane's Citytrain Network—Part One—Safety of the Rail STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS System and Infrastructure. In accordance with the schedule circulated by the Clerk to members in the Chamber, the following documents were tabled— PAPER Auctioneers and Agents Act 1971— The following paper was laid on the table— Auctioneers and Agents (Exemptions) Minister for Environment (Mr Littleproud)— Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 1998, Draft strategy for managing air quality in No. 32 South East Queensland. Auctioneers and Agents (Exemptions) Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 1998, No. 34 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Business Names Act 1962— Interim Regional Forest Management Business Names Regulation 1998, No. 35 Agreement Justices Act 1886— Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers Motor Accident Insurance Legislation Paradise—Premier) (9.37 a.m.), by leave: I inform Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1998, honourable members that yesterday, on behalf No. 30 of Queensland, I signed an historic agreement that will protect both conservation values and Lotteries Act 1997— timber industry interests in the forests of south- Lotteries Amendment Rule (No. 1) 1998, east Queensland. The agreement is historic No. 38 because it achieves critical balance between the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994— natural environment and the legitimate demands Motor Accident Insurance Legislation of Queensland's economy and the right of Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1998, Queenslanders to benefit from the use of natural No. 30 resources. At the outset I pay tribute to Dr Aila Nature Conservation Act 1992— Keto of the Australian Rainforest Conservation Nature Conservation Legislation Society and Rod McInnes of the Queensland Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1998, Timber Board for their leadership and No. 36 commitment in the process of reaching this Nature Conservation (Protected Plants in agreement. Trade) Amendment Conservation Plan The Interim Forest Management Agreement (No. 1) 1998, No. 37 will facilitate the South East Queensland 17 Mar 1998 Ministerial Statement 323

Regional Forest Agreement process that will Here we have a prime example of the establish a forest reserve system that will provide Government truly getting on with the job. That certainty to native forest based industries and, at job in this instance is to provide an historic overall the same time, protect high conservation value framework that will benefit Queensland and areas. The agreement has been achieved Queenslanders as well as create the basis for a through unprecedented cooperation between truly sustainable and high value-adding industry the Commonwealth and State Governments and on which we can build long-term employment particularly, as I have mentioned, between the and a far better skills base. timber industry and the conservation movement. Boral Timber and the Australian Rainforest I emphasise that both the Commonwealth and Conservation Society in their joint statement State Governments have a commitment that no yesterday offered their congratulations to the mills will be forced to close and that no jobs will Government for its willingness to seriously be lost. consider a joint stakeholder proposal involving The spirit of cooperation that has attended both industry and conservation groups. They the discussions that led to this historic said that the interim agreement incorporates the agreement is no more plainly expressed than in essential elements of their proposal. The State the fact that yesterday Boral Timber and the Government is proud of this agreement and just Australian Rainforest Conservation Society as proud of the manner in which it was issued a joint statement. The statement noted negotiated by all parties to the deal. We firmly that on 4 February this year Boral Timber and the believe that this is the way of the future where Australian Rainforest Conservation Society management and development of our rich reached an agreement believed to be the first of resources are concerned. its kind in Australia. Under that agreement Boral Timber agreed to forgo access to some traditional supply areas because of their high MINISTERIAL STATEMENT conservation value and, in exchange, to exploit Brisbane Light Rail Project alternative areas to maintain log volumes. The Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers statement continued— Paradise—Premier) (9.41 a.m.), by leave: On 25 "This exercise has demonstrated the November 1997, I informed the House that very real capacity for former protagonists to Cabinet had endorsed the Brisbane light rail work constructively together to find project, an initiative that will create during the workable solutions." construction phase alone approximately 3,000 The MOU provides for a jointly and equally jobs. At that time I also informed the House that funded $20m forest industry development and the success of the project was substantially adjustment package. This will be over two years dependent on the obtaining of Federation and will be reviewed if the need to do so Funding from the Commonwealth Government. becomes apparent. I am happy to report that the The project will cost around $210m, with the great majority of potentially affected sawmills are Commonwealth being asked to contribute $60m. comfortable with the arrangements subject to the I am pleased to inform the House that last Friday provision of assistance measures to offset the the Prime Minister pledged $65m from the impacts. Further negotiations are under way to Federation Fund for the Briztram project. The resolve remaining difficulties. green light provided by the Prime Minister will Under the agreement, detailed guidelines enable the calling of expressions of interest by 1 will be further developed for the four other May. This will ensure that Brisbane will have a assistance components outlined in the MOU: fully functioning light rail system for the inner city interim assistance to timber industry firms by the centenary of Federation year 2001. adversely affected financially by these Since I last addressed the House on this arrangements; industry development of a more project a tremendous amount of work has taken competitive timber processing industry place by the light rail task force, which has the job producing and marketing high value-added of driving this development forward. Briztram will goods; business exit plans to assist firms exiting require capital infusions from the the industry; worker assistance, which includes Commonwealth, the State Government, the BCC the Commonwealth's labour adjustment package and the successful private sector consortium that to provide workers in the industry with retraining, has the task of building and operating the redeployment, relocation and redundancy; and system. To ensure that this is achieved in the community development assistance, including tight time frames required for Federation social impact management strategies and Funding, a lot of work has been fast-tracked and facilitation of community-led development the active cooperation of a number of key strategies. stakeholders required. 324 Ministerial Statement 17 Mar 1998

Since 24 November 1997, the following key stakeholders has also been facilitated by a tasks have commenced: a probity auditor was stakeholder reference group with appointed, in this instance from Ernst and representatives of the University of Queensland, Young, to oversee the study and the Queensland University of Technology, Royal expressions of interest tendering process so Brisbane Hospital, South Bank, the Urban that procedural fairness of selection processes is Renewal Task Force and the Brisbane guaranteed and that competitive bidding occurs. Development Association. All these and many A probity plan has been prepared and approved more initiatives, including engineering studies of by the task force. In January, PPK Environment the Victoria Bridge and tram turning movements, and Infrastructure Pty Ltd was appointed to have been undertaken so that expressions of complete a planning and review of environmental interest can be called for Briztram on 1 May. factors study. The study will consider the overall As honourable members would appreciate, planning and design of Briztram including— much more work has to be done. Particularly traffic impacts; important at this juncture is clearly articulating to noise and vibration impacts; interested and affected residents the implications of various route options as well as air quality; how the system will operate. I am aware that there safety; were some concerns by residents of Highgate urban design and visual impacts, including Hill and Dutton Park about the tight time frames overhead wires; for consultation, and after I received representations from the honourable member for community impacts, with particular emphasis South Brisbane I immediately extended the on the West End area; consultation period to 3 April. It is imperative that heritage impacts; the community be fully involved and informed environmental impacts; about all aspects of the project as it is only with their active support that this innovative and construction impacts; and exciting infrastructure initiative will be successful. light rail operational efficiency. I do wish to emphasise that the route options Already PPK has released preferred routes for exposed for public comment are just that, public comment, and before expressions of namely, route options. There is a three-stage interest are called, detailed planning work will consultation process planned and we are not yet have taken place on those routes, stops, various through the first stage of this process. impacts and system specifications. Also in Also, I have been more than a little January, Veitch Lister Consulting was disappointed and quite surprised by the public commissioned to develop a demand forecasting comments on Briztram over the past week by the model. This firm will develop an integrated Lord Mayor. From day one the Brisbane City transport model of likely demand for Briztram, Council has been consulted on this project. In including patronage for the various route options fact, the council has been represented on the currently being considered. Then, last month, task force, the selection committee for the Booz Allen and Hamilton were engaged to carry consultants who are carrying out the work on the out a financial analysis study, which will provide alternative tram routes and associated social and detailed advice on the various financial impacts of environmental impacts and various other the proposal, including options for ownership technical working groups. In addition, the and management. This will provide information to council, through Councillor Maureen Hayes, has the Government on funding implications and met regularly with key State Government officers assist in the preparation of expressions of and has been given unlimited access to the interest documentation for potential bidders. A consultants carrying out various tasks on this travel demand survey will soon be undertaken by project. A.C. Nielsen to assist in determining the demand I was therefore somewhat surprised that the for the service and the acceptability of likely fare Lord Mayor suddenly, and just days before the structures. An Internet site has been established joint opening of the project office last Friday, and to facilitate feedback a toll free number has came out attacking the project. In fact, the been provided. council was asked last December to nominate In December, more than 40,000 pamphlets how they wished to be involved in the project were distributed both by letterboxing and and to indicate how this could be best achieved. through the local press to all areas covered by To date, the council has not responded. To the proposed route. The task force has suggest that the $65m provided by the advertised in local papers to keep residents Commonwealth could be better used on other informed of all progress on this project. Input by transport projects, including the City-Valley 17 Mar 1998 Ministerial Statement 325 bypass, which has not even had an impact system. I take this opportunity of thanking the assessment study completed, is nonsense. The Leader of the Opposition for his support for this reality is that the State was very lucky to get any project, as evidenced by Hansard of 25 money from the Commonwealth and the only November last year, and for at least showing reason that it did was that the Briztram project more manners than the Lord Mayor as well in was the type of visionary infrastructure initiative attending the opening of the project office. which grabbed the attention of the Prime It is interesting that while the Leader of the Minister and all others who assessed it. Opposition and the member for South Brisbane This represents the largest single had the manners to show up, that courtesy was contribution of Commonwealth money into a conspicuously absent so far as all of the invited Queensland public transport project since the Labor Party councillors were concerned. Not one Gold Coast rail link. The reality is that this infusion turned up—not Tim Quinn, who represents the of Commonwealth funds is a boost for public West End area; not David Hinchliffe, who transport and does not represent any diminution represents the city centre, not Maureen Hayes, of funds at a State level for any other public who is the transport chairperson, and certainly transport project. Light rail was envisaged in the not the Lord Mayor. Integrated Regional Transport Plan for south- The Briztram project means too much for east Queensland, and while it was not expected Brisbane in terms of public transport, tourism, that Brisbane would have a tram system as early inner-city renewal, retailing and job creation to as it is going to, it could not have been assumed become the plaything of the Lord Mayor. It is a that we would get a $65m boost from the visionary initiative. It is intended to tap into the Commonwealth to fast-track the project. The fact heritage and spirit of this great city. It is intended is that Government is doing everything to improve not just the public transport system of envisaged in the IRTP, and this is an extra Brisbane but the very nature and ambience of component which is designed to complement the city itself. All people of goodwill in this State the other projects. This is not a one-off proposal want this project to succeed, and I am pleased to which ignores other key initiatives such as the inform the House that this Government is getting inner northern and western busways. It is aimed on with the job and is committed to providing a at complementing and improving them. Briztram world-class transport system for Brisbane, which will be a catalyst for development of a seamless is without any doubt, and without much intermodal transport system in Brisbane and the assistance from the Lord Mayor, a world-class south east. city. Let me emphasise this critical point: the success of Briztram is dependent on the integration of all modes of public transport in MINISTERIAL STATEMENT terms of ticketing and in terms of service Power Blackouts coordination. It is wrong and misleading for the Hon. J. M. SHELDON (Caloundra— Lord Mayor to come out and suggest that this Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for The project will be superimposed on other transport Arts) (9.50 a.m.), by leave: I believe it is important modes. If one wanted to apply the same sort of to make some statements to set the record logic the Lord Mayor has used, one could point straight in regard to comments made by me at the out that the Integrated Regional Transport Plan Liberal national convention on the recent power did not nominate any priority or time frame for an blackout in Queensland. inner-city bypass. That does not mean that anybody should come out bucketing such a Mr Welford interjected. proposal, but on the other hand I would suggest Mr SPEAKER: Order! There will be no- that it is hypocritical for him to apply such one in the honourable member's seat in a inconsistent and transparently partisan logic to minute. the Briztram project. Mrs SHELDON: There has been a For a man who supported, and in fact, predictably hysterical and inaccurate response thoroughly investigated the feasibility of a light by the ALP and the leadership of the electrical rail network for Brisbane in 1993 as part of the unions to my comments. There has also been a Better Cities Program and who subsequently re- threat of legal action by the unions against me endorsed it after his widely publicised and less over my comments. Therefore, I will be limiting than successful overseas junket last year, the my comments on this issue to this statement Lord Mayor's recent statements are today. disappointing and myopic and show that he is I must say I find the prospect of legal action prepared to recklessly jeopardise the right of the by the union, and the support of such action by citizens of Brisbane to a world-class transport the ALP, unbelievably hypocritical. Both the ALP 326 Ministerial Statement 17 Mar 1998 and the electricity union have attacked the Mrs SHELDON: Mr Speaker, I am finding Government and me personally for several it incredibly difficult to make this ministerial weeks. These attacks have often been statement, due to the rabble opposite. extremely vicious and extremely personal. They Mr SPEAKER: Order! The House will have also been, almost without exception, based come to order while the Minister makes her on lies. They have lied about the $850m having ministerial statement. any impact on maintenance at the power stations. They have lied and misrepresented my Mrs SHELDON: I repeat that I have great comments in regard to a radio interview on the respect for the individuals who worked around day of the power blackouts. They have lied about the clock to get the power back on line. They Labor's stripping of billions of dollars out of the have been, and should continue to be, highly electricity corporations while they were in commended. However, I have no respect for a power—lies which include their failure to union leadership which is willing to run a political recognise that the $850m taken from the campaign based on lies against me and this industry by the coalition Government was used Government. I do not believe the people of to boost hospital funding by $340m, provide Queensland will have any respect for that union $96m for busways and high-occupancy vehicle leadership either if it uses my comments as an lanes on the Pacific Motorway, deliver more than excuse for industrial action. There could be no $60m towards the expansion of our prison more cynical or irresponsible action by a union system, $26m towards the airconditioning of than to use power blackouts to run a political schools, and various other sums for training, campaign on behalf of the ALP. roads, water and police. In conclusion, I wish to restate that no These lies also include their failure to own incoming Government has done more to provide up to the $3 billion Labor sucked out of the for Queensland's future electrical needs than the electricity industry from 1991-92 to 1995-96. Borbidge/Sheldon coalition Government. This includes $1.4 billion, $1 billion of which Contrary to Labor's policy vacuum, we have put former Labor Treasurer Keith De Lacy gave to in train plans which will see the commissioning of Paul Keating to pay off his Government's debt in five new power stations. Our policies have also the lead-up to a Federal election. These lies are led to a reduction in electricity prices. We have even being repeated in paid advertising by the initiated a direct cut of 5% for commercial and ALP, yet at no time have I initiated legal action industrial users, and there will be further cuts for over these lies. At no time have I adopted the business and domestic users as competition bully-boy tactics of the ALP or the unions in within the industry brings lower prices. taking this political debate into the courts. These The recent blackouts were of extreme are political actions. These are the actions of a concern to me and the Government, and I feel a union running a political campaign. great deal of sympathy for all those who suffered The comments I made at a leaders forum, as a result of the power cuts. These are the facts. following a question from the moderator, were The rest is nothing more than a political beat-up nothing more than my personal views on and yet another example of the ALP and the opinions which have been widely expressed unions screaming hysterical and hypocritical lies throughout the community since four power to cover their own inadequacies. stations went down at once. They were made in If my suspicions of top level union context with other comments stating clearly that involvement in the recent power crisis are the Government's and the electricity companies' unfounded or incorrect, as the union says they views were that there had been malfunctions in are, then I withdraw them. If the simultaneous four generators. Are the Labor and union failure of the four major generators is a freak inspired political correctness police, who are coincidence, then it would be equally just and fair happy to attack me viciously in the media, now for the Labor Party and its union mates to willing to use the courts to stamp out genuine withdraw their biased comments regarding the political debate and the public comments of role of the Government and its Ministers. politicians? The unions have run a political Surely their political advertising is similarly campaign against me and I have the right, in our misguided and unfounded. Their comments in vibrant democracy, to respond. I will not be the media over the past few weeks, preying on brought down by threats and political thuggery. the rightful concern of the people of I wish to state that I have great respect for Queensland, must be equally as scurrilous as my the individuals who worked around the clock to comments allegedly are. In that light, I believe it is get the power back on line. now time for both sides to withdraw their Opposition members interjected. acrimonious comments and focus on the real 17 Mar 1998 Ministerial Statement 327 issues of maintaining Queensland as the Brisbane South—$1.4m greatest State in Australia. Central—$1m Mr BEATTIE: I rise to a point of order. The Central West—$0.1m Treasurer has refused to apologise to Mackay—$0.17m Queensland electricity workers. The real Northern—$2.3m question is: is she going to apologise? Peninsular—$0.96m Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of South Coast—$0.53m order. The Leader of the Opposition will resume South West—$0.2m his seat. Sunshine Coast—$6m West Moreton—$2m Wide Bay—$0.4m MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Casemix supplementation—$5m Queensland Health As a result of Labor's 1994-95 financial Hon. M. J. HORAN (Toowoomba Health mismanagement, the 1995-96 State South—Minister for Health) (10 a.m.), by leave: I Labor Budget required a massive wish today to outline to this House the current supplementation of $48m, which included— satisfactory Statewide performance of Queensland Health—a performance $15.4m to cover significant increases in measurement which involves stringent financial unpaid accounts and a decrease in management practices and accountability, prepayments; significant improvements in the reduction of $10.7m for unplanned labour costs unable elective surgery waiting times across to be absorbed; Queensland, as well as record levels of patient activity. $17.5m for unfunded increased staff costs; and The coalition's back-to-basics emphasis to health care has now seen more people treated, $4.4m for increases in other non-labour and elective surgery waiting times have been costs. vastly improved, while hospital and community But the Queensland Health financial situation health services across the State have been was to significantly worsen during 1995-96 as boosted. It is worth noting that these the now Leader of the Opposition became improvements have been achieved whilst Labor's Health Minister, presiding over a huge maintaining strict financial guidelines and blow-out in hospital budgets. For example, the processes—something completely lacking following hospitals had overruns in their under the six years of Labor's time in office. recurrent base budgets in 1995-96, including— At the last State Budget I announced that, for the first time in three years, the Queensland Princess Alexandra Hospital—$17.8m Health budget did not require Treasury Townsville—$10.5m supplementation to cover budget overruns. Royal Brisbane—$9.3m Today I have been advised that Queensland Prince Charles—$5.7m Health's financial position is currently on track to Royal Children's—$5m balance at 30 June 1998 and that no Mater—$4.9m supplementation will be required for this year as Toowoomba—$4.2m well. My advice is that currently our financial Rockhampton—$2.8m position this financial year is comparable to last Sunshine Coast—$1m year's and is, at this point, marginally under Redcliffe/Caboolture—$1m budget. Bayside—$666,000 Nothing better contrasts the performance of Logan/Beaudesert—$641,000 the Borbidge/Sheldon coalition Government QE II—$628,000 with its Labor predecessor than in the Mt Isa—$526,000 management of recurrent hospital budgets. For Gympie—$382,000 example, in 1994-95 Labor, under the Health West Moreton—$318,000 stewardship of the now Deputy Leader of the Charters Towers—$316,000 Opposition, a staggering $24m in budget Bundaberg—$234,000 overruns was left—a debt still being repaid by Roma—$203,000 Queensland taxpayers at the rate of $8m per Cape York—$167,000 year over three years. This is money which Royal Women's—$149,000 should have been spent on providing extra Central Highlands—$145,000 health services to all Queenslanders, rather than Gladstone—$145,000 to service inherited Labor debt. For the Tablelands—$109,000 information of this House, this $24m of debt Fraser Coast—$66,000 included— Southern Downs—$61,000 328 Ministerial Statement 17 Mar 1998

When the coalition came to office in early Surgery On Time strategy. For example, by 30 1996, we were immediately faced with Labor's June we expect to have completed an extra financial health crisis. Treasury supplementation 6,000 elective surgery procedures this financial was once again required to cover Labor's Health year compared with last year. Total elective black hole, with $75m required immediately procedures for the 1997-98 year should because of— increase to approximately 67,500—an increase Recurrent hospital budget overruns—$41m of 9.7%. This increase comes on top of a surgery throughput increase of 3,416 operations, that is, Unfunded enterprise bargaining up 6.2% during 1996—the coalition's first year in savings—$22.7m Government. Unfunded workers compensation The Borbidge/Sheldon coalition State payments—$11m Government has made enormous quality Also, along with spiralling recurrent hospital improvements to Queensland's public hospitals. budget overruns, the previous Labor State The coalition is committed to ensuring these Government also managed to blow out the improvements continue, so that all Health capital works budget by a massive Queenslanders, no matter where they live, can $1.2 billion through unfunded hospitals' have access to a first-class public health system redevelopment commitments. In contrast, the which provides a quality back-to-basics approach 1997-98 recurrent Health budget is on track and to health care. will be balanced, just as it was under the coalition in the 1996-97 financial year. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Another key indicator of the improvements Police Resources the coalition has been able to bring to Queensland Health has been the major Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest— improvement made to reducing elective surgery 10.07 a.m.), by leave: This Government is proud waiting times across Queensland. In 1995, under of its record of putting more police on the Labor, Queensland had the longest surgery beat—where the people want them. By the end waiting times in Australia. For example, in 1995, of 1998 the Queensland Police Service will have while the now Leader of the Opposition was a sworn strength of almost 7,000 officers—about Health Minister, 49% of all Category 1 patients 640 more than when we came to Government in waited outside the clinically acceptable time of 30 February 1996. days for their surgery. This equates to one in Opposition members interjected. every two of the most critical surgery patients Mr COOPER: That is 640 more than that waiting outside the acceptable time. The lot opposite provided. coalition's Surgery On Time program, introduced on 1 July 1996 to Queensland's 10 major tertiary Those extra police have been allocated hospitals, was able in just six months to reduce right across the State. During this year, about the long-wait Category 1 percentage to under 850 recruits will either complete or start their 5%—down from Labor's all-time high of 49%. training at the Oxley or Townsville campuses of Within six months Queensland had gone from the QPS Academy. Six hundred and twenty-one having the longest Category 1 waiting times to officers are expected to graduate during this now having the best. This outstanding result has year, with another 229 who start their training been maintained, with the Category 1 long-wait towards the end of the year due for induction in figure now just 2.5%. early 1999. The coalition's three-year, $76m staffing Similarly, the coalition has this financial year plan for 800 additional police and 400 civilians by concentrated on reducing Category 2 elective August next year is bearing fruit. Police surgery waiting times. Under Labor in 1995, the strengths in districts right across the State are Category 2 long-wait figure was 44%. Under the being boosted. This is a far cry from the appalling coalition this has now been reduced to an all-time Queensland low of 31%, with the expectation Labor administration which could not deliver that a Statewide Category 2 long-wait result of even one extra officer a month between 1993 less than 5% will be reached by 30 June 1998. and 1996 at a time when it spent—or rather During January, Rockhampton Hospital became misspent—a massive $1.5 billion on policing. the first Queensland hospital to reach the 5% Between 1993 and 1995, police numbers Category 2 target. actually fell by 79—a betrayal of the people during a period of high population growth and Elective surgery activity continues to spiralling crime rates. A measly 29 extra police increase markedly—a signal that our public were put on the beat in the final three years of hospitals have become more efficient under the the Goss regime. 17 Mar 1998 Ministerial Statement 329

Last month I attended an induction of 33 taking part in a Queensland trial of the National "retreads"—officers with previous experience Pollutant Inventory. The trial in south-east either in this State or other policing jurisdictions. Queensland is being undertaken by the They came from New South Wales, Victoria, New Department of Environment in conjunction with Zealand, Tasmania, the Royal Canadian Mounted the Commonwealth, local government, industry Police, South Africa, Hong Kong, England, and environment groups to demonstrate the Canada, South Australia, Ireland, the Australian mechanics of gathering the necessary data and Federal Police and the Northern Territory. They to test the presentation of the data using the had one thing in common: the need to be part of Internet. what is rapidly being transformed into the most This is the first comprehensive trial of a accountable, most efficient and most effective national pollutant inventory that will report on police service in the country. Those officers are discharges of substances to air, water and land to now on the beat at Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, be conducted in Australia. Participation in the trial Rockhampton, Gympie, Redcliffe, Gold Coast, is entirely voluntary and has relied heavily on the Logan, Toowoomba, Metro South and Metro support of industry in particular. The State North. coalition Government believes strongly in Another 164 recruits will be inducted on 24 cooperating with industry on environmental April as the training program gets into full swing. matters. More can be achieved over time with this From this graduation, the far northern region will approach than can be achieved by coming in get 22 new police, northern 15, central 10, north over the top with requirements that ignore social coast 19, metro south 23, metro north 29, and economic consequences. This has been southern 20 and the south eastern region 26 demonstrated by our inclusion of industry new officers. Acceleration of the civilianisation groups on the Environment Protection Council program this financial year has given the QPS that I established when we came to Government. another 200 positions. This frees up desk- The council also includes representatives from bound officers for operational duties. The local government, conservation groups and the coalition bettered the less than 10 extra police a department. It has proven to be an ideal forum, year average during the shameful 1993-96 saving the angst that can result from debate period, with 160 additional officers in our first full through the media. financial year. We also recognised the overbearing nature And there is more to come. Communities of many aspects of the Environmental Protection and police districts right across the State will Act that we inherited from the Labor continue to benefit. There will be more police on Government. Industry disputes neither the need the streets, more officers involving themselves in for such an Act, nor the need to prosecute those community policing and a safer environment for who do the wrong thing. Industry accepts the the people. We are also properly resourcing need for regulations, but stresses the need for police, with new powers to come into effect in the costs of implementing them to be fair and April, more sophisticated equipment, more reasonable. That is why we have introduced a boats, new aircraft and more vehicles to reduce model incentive licensing scheme with licence response times. Only recently I approved the fees reduced relative to the degree of purchase of another 52 new police cars for compliance, and further reductions for small allocation in seven police regions. business. Following a review by independent While more police will help in the fight consultants, we have also been able to change against crime, it is equally important that we focus 13 categories of activity from Level 1 to Level 2 on crime prevention. To this end, the coalition is so they operate with an approval rather than a developing new strategies to complement our licence, with a subsequent saving for 2,500 groundbreaking crime prevention partnerships businesses estimated at $1.5m. Labor has said which are being piloted in eight areas across the that it will repeal this provision. State. At Sunday's function I was pleased to receive acknowledgment from the Queensland MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Director of the Metal Trades Industry Association, Mr Paul Fennelly, of the consultative approach National Pollutant Inventory Trial taken by the coalition Government and me on Hon. B. G. LITTLEPROUD (Western these issues. The National Pollutant Inventory Downs—Minister for Environment) (10.10 a.m.), will have benefits for industry: reporting may by leave: On Sunday, I joined my Commonwealth identify inefficient manufacturing processes; it counterpart, Senator Robert Hill, at the Brisbane may also assist in management practices by Convention and Exhibition Centre for the documenting environmental improvements; and, presentation of certificates to businesspeople in estimating emissions—or resource losses— 330 Overseas Visit 17 Mar 1998 reporting may identify areas for savings. There assisted the committee with its inquiries. The can also be benefits for Government in providing committee appreciates the effort involved in a focus for identifying environmental planning making submissions and appearing before the and management issues. There are also benefits committee. I thank my fellow committee to the community: satisfying the community members—Bill D'Arcy, Graham Healy, Pat expectation of a right to know, and perhaps Purcell, Ted Radke and Geoff Smith—for their increasing the understanding of how day-to-day support and assistance. I also thank the domestic activities can impact on the local committee staff—Les Dunn, Rob McBride and environment. Maureen Barnes—for their assistance. I The Queensland Government supports the commend the reports to the House. National Pollutant Inventory and will implement the inventory as set out in the National OVERSEAS VISIT Environment Protection Council measure. Some in the conservation movement have claimed that Report the measure does not go far enough. They do Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) not recognise that acceptance by industry of the (10.16 a.m.): I lay upon the table of the House a inventory as it is initially one giant step for which report of my recent visit to Zimbabwe to study the industry should be congratulated. There is also successful policies and legislation in relation to industry acceptance that the number of the sustainable use of wildlife. The 1975 emissions on the inventory will be increased over Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Act provided private time. It should be noted that Labor would ignore land-holders with the right to use wildlife on a the consultation that has already been sustainable basis. Since that time, the area of undertaken and would impose a much wider land with wildlife has been doubled. Today the inventory of potential pollutants immediately if it Wildlife Producers Association has 800 won Government. The close cooperation with members. Thirty-six black communities are business established by the trial will be used as a involved in wildlife management projects. blueprint for the future extension of the National Ranches and farms that were struggling both Pollutant Inventory throughout Queensland. economically and ecologically when raising cattle are now, with the introduction of wildlife enterprises, more financially secure and the SCRUTINY OF LEGISLATION habitats have substantially improved. COMMITTEE For over 100 years, we have persisted with Reports traditional livestock and cropping enterprises. Mr ELLIOTT (Cunningham) (10.14 a.m.): I We have a small, dwindling rural population, an lay upon the table of the House the Scrutiny of impoverished rural sector, continuing reliance on Legislation Committee's Alert Digest No. 2 of Government support, continuing degradation of 1988, and a report on the Justice Legislation the environment, serious depletion of aquifers (Variation of Fees) Regulation 1997. I commend and a continuing loss of the nation's biodiversity. those reports to the House. It is necessary to evaluate alternative rural I would like to thank very briefly our staff. I industries. The commercial utilisation of wildlife in thank also Mr Neil Laurie, the Clerk Assistant and other countries has proven to be successful in providing profitable enterprises on an Clerk of Committees, who worked on those environmentally sustainable basis while reports over the weekend to make possible their conserving biodiversity. I could not table this tabling today. In particular, I thank Cassandra, report without commenting on the rhino issue. who worked until 12.30 a.m. to finish the Alert Digest. We are very appreciative of the work of Only time will tell if a rhino sanctuary in north those people and for the fact that the Clerk of Queensland would be successful; however, the Committees made available officers of other concept that that would protect one of the committees to assist us. world's endangered species was met with scepticism—and why not? In Australia in 1988, our major wildlife, the kangaroo, had a PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE commercial harvest quota of over 4 million Reports animals. Less than half the potential meat available was processed for use. Mr STEPHAN (Gympie) (10.15 a.m.): I lay upon the table the Public Works Committee's Mr SPEAKER: Order! Is this a report or an reports on its inquiry into the operations of Q- address in reply? Build and its inquiry into the construction of a Mr CAMPBELL: It is a report. The replacement watch-house and arrest courts in question that the African wildlife managers ask is Brisbane. I would like to thank all those who have this: how can Australia afford to waste millions of 17 Mar 1998 Private Members' Statements 331 kilograms of kangaroo meat, yet imply to us that misled the people of Queensland. The review of we are incompetent to look after our rhinos? the QFRA was completed on 30 June 1997, so the Treasurer had been aware of the report for eight months. At page 23 the report NOTICES OF MOTION recommends—and here it is—that property Deputy Premier and Treasurer owners be slugged an increase of 5% on the Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader State fire levy to raise an extra $7.5m. On pages of the Opposition) (10.18 a.m.): I give notice that 31, 32 and 43 it recommends a $10 levy on the I will move— State's 2,117,000 motor vehicles from 1998-99 to raise at least $21m. So the Deputy Premier is "That this Parliament calls on the either completely incompetent or she has Treasurer to apologise to the workers at deliberately been untruthful. There is a third Swanbank, Tarong, Stanwell and Callide option: she could well be incompetent and power stations for the untrue and baseless untruthful. allegation that sabotage may have been responsible for Queensland's power The Treasurer has also shown that her word blackouts rather than the massive job cuts cannot be trusted on taxes. She promised no and lack of maintenance caused by the new or increased taxes in her first Budget, but $850m she stole from the industry in her introduced seven. Now she has been caught out last Budget." about more plans for an increased tax and a new tax. I warn Queenslanders now that the Premier and Treasurer are being deceitful by hiding this Disallowance of the Environmental increase from them until after the election. The Protection Air Policy 1997 and entire report is summed up in a two-sentence Environmental Protection Regulation conclusion which says that increased funding 1998 such as the new car tax is essential. That is in that Mr WELFORD (Everton) (10.19 a.m.): I document. "If you can't tell the truth, you can't give notice that tomorrow I will move— run Queensland". This arrogant Deputy Premier, "That the Environmental Protection who this morning refused to apologise to (Air) Policy 1997 (Subordinate Legislation Queensland power workers for her insult, is not 1997 No. 468) made under the fit to hold the office. Environmental Protection Act 1994 tabled Time expired. on 3 March 1998 be disallowed." I also give notice that tomorrow I will move— Shailer Park State High School "That the Environmental Protection Mr HEGARTY (Redlands) (10.21 a.m.): I Regulation 1998 (Subordinate Legislation would like to bring to the attention of the House 1998 No. 29) made under the the successful achievement of a schoolboy Environmental Protection Act 1994 tabled indoor soccer team from my electorate. The on 3 March 1998 be disallowed." under 16 indoor soccer team from Shailer Park State High School recently won the Queensland PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Futsal Club title for its age group. The side consisted of Brad Ashe, Shane Barnes, Terry Tax Increases Berryman, Steven Epps, Scott Lenton, Adam Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader Matestic, Matt Clarke, James Hodson and Peter of the Opposition) (10.19 a.m.): On 4 March this Gordon. The team successfully made its way year I asked the Deputy Premier in Parliament to through to the finals by defeating several confirm that two of the options being considered metropolitan teams. to deal with massive deficits being faced by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority, the The final match was against the Boleros QFRA, are a new $10 tax on all Queensland from The Gap. In this hard-fought match the motor vehicles to raise $20m as well as an Boleros led by three goals to one with only five increase in the State fire levy. The Deputy minutes remaining. In the final three minutes Premier answered— however, goals scored by Berryman, Ashe and Barnes turned the tide and secured the match. "There is no such tax, levy or any other This effort is the latest of the continuing thing that one might want to call it even achievements from Shailer Park State High being contemplated. Again, the member is School. Designated a school of excellence in misinformed." sport, the school's curriculum provides for I will demonstrate to the Deputy Premier just students to undertake sport as part of their how well informed I am and how much she has studies towards their Senior certificate. 332 Private Members' Statements 17 Mar 1998

An indoor sporting complex is currently North Queensland Economic being constructed adjacent to the Shailer Park Development Board State High School to provide indoor courts for Mr TANTI (Mundingburra) (10.25 a.m.): I basketball, volleyball and, of course, indoor inform the House that a grant from the soccer. The Cornubia Leisure Centre is a joint Queensland Government will enable work to initiative of the Logan City Council and the State continue on important development projects in Government through a grant from the north Queensland. The Minister for Tourism, department of sport. This community facility will Small Business and Industry has approved the be of great assistance to residents in the western grant of $51,000 to the North Queensland part of my electorate, particularly the local Economic Development Board. These funds will schools such as Shailer Park State High School. I be used to employ a project officer whose time am confident that the successes achieved in the will be devoted to priority development projects sports arena by schools such as Shailer Park in north Queensland. Major projects on which State High School will be further enhanced by the north Queensland project officer will work the provision of this much-needed facility. include the identification of agricultural opportunities and developments of sports Attorney-General tourism. The project officer will also work with Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga) other regional agencies on key projects such as (10.23 a.m.): Today is the feast day of St Patrick. the increasing utilisation of the Townsville airport It is also the 209th day on which Queensland has for international freight services and water had to endure an Attorney-General who lacks the infrastructure task force projects. confidence of the Parliament and, hence, the There is no doubt that the funding that this independence necessary for the proper Government is providing for this project officer administration of justice in this State. St Patrick initiative will help to achieve positive drove the snakes out of Ireland in less time than it developments for the north Queensland region. is taking for this Parliament to get rid of an The funds are being provided through to Attorney-General in whom it has no confidence. Regional Business Development Scheme. The Is it any wonder that ordinary RBDS is specifically designed to help broaden Queenslanders are moved to cynicism about the economic horizons in regional areas through political institutions when a bearer of high the identification of new investment or of the office—the first law officer of the Crown— enhancement of existing development. behaves in such arrogant disregard for the The scheme's emphasis is on projects institution of Parliament? If the local bowls club which will boost employment. The RBDS voted no confidence in a club office bearer, program has already been highly successful in would that person not resign? The tragedy is that regional Queensland. However, I am pleased to the Liberals are driving parliamentary standards learn that further improvements have been below the level expected by ordinary citizens in introduced by Minister Davidson which will make the conduct of any organisation, let alone one the RBDS program even more effective. I believe with sovereign power to make laws. that the Minister for Tourism, Small Business and When the office of Attorney-General is Industry should be commended not only for tainted, the damage flows on to other Ministries introducing the Regional Business Development in their approach to court cases and to Scheme initiative but for the improvements he legislation. Consider, for example, the hapless has initiated for this scheme. case of the new Minister for Families, Youth and Community Care, who recently condemned her own department for launching an appeal. Laidley State School Consider the position of the patron saint of the Mr BREDHAUER (Cook) (10.27 a.m.): Irish. No doubt the patron saint of the Irish would The people of Laidley are confused and angry, be dismayed at the wake of devastation caused and they know that this Government is not up to by this Attorney-General to jurists of Irish the job of running education in Queensland. The decent—to Connolly, to Ryan and most recently sorry saga of the new site for the Laidley State to Fitzgerald. The sad irony for Queensland School has been one long succession of justice is that Tony Fitzgerald is going while contradictions. On 22 July last year, the Minister Denver Beanland is staying. The Government will announced that three schools in Laidley would continue to be tainted until there is a close and a new school would be built to coincidence between the confidence of the accommodate the students. Last week the Crown in its first law officer and the confidence of Minister did another of his famous backflips the Parliament in the Attorney-General. announcing that, instead of building a new Time expired. school, the old Laidley North State School would 17 Mar 1998 Questions Without Notice 333 be upgraded with some additional facilities to Queensland's power industry workers for her accommodate all of the school's needs. On 31 outrageous slander? October the Minister said— Mrs SHELDON: I draw the attention of "The site for the new school has not the Leader of the Opposition to my ministerial yet been secured but a preferred site has statement, in which I said— been established. There will be discussions "There has also been a threat of legal with the community ..." action by the unions against me over my Then he wrote to them again on 16 December comments. Therefore, I will be limiting my and said— comments on this issue to this statement "There will not be consultation with the today." local community"— I shall answer all questions in a similar mode. that is another backflip— "on options for the site for the new Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority school ..." Trust Fund In the same letter the Minister said— Mr BEATTIE: You can run, but you can't "However, now that land is secured, hide. advice on the site layout ... will be Mr Fouras interjected. welcome." Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member That was then contradicted by the member for for Ashgrove under Standing Order 123A. Lockyer, who wrote to them on 8 January saying— Mr BEATTIE: I refer the Treasurer to her assurance in Parliament on 4 March that the "I am advised by the Director of Government was not considering a new $10 tax Strategic Planning and Policy ... that the on all Queensland motor vehicles to raise $20m decision to purchase land adjacent to the to bail out the growing deficit in the Queensland Laidley North State School has not received Fire and Rescue Authority Trust Fund, and approval at this stage." specifically to her claim that "there is no such tax, The Minister for Education promised that he levy or any other thing that one might call it even would build a school on a flood-free site in being contemplated". For the information of the Laidley. He then contradicted that; he House, I now table the consultancy report to the contradicted advice that had been received Government outlining the financial position and earlier by the Education Department which said funding options for the QFRA, which on page 34 that the Laidley North site was not suitable outlines the recommended new $10 tax, and I because it was flood prone and it had deficient ask: why has she deliberately misled Parliament buildings. That is yet another contradiction and about her secret plan to slug all Queensland yet another backflip by this Minister. Then the motorists a new $10 tax to pay for her financial Minister's office asked the principals to do a mismanagement? This is the report. survey of what the parents wanted. Do Mrs SHELDON: I am well aware that the honourable members know what the survey Leader of the Opposition wants to introduce a showed? It showed that 72% of parents did not petrol tax. He is on record as saying that he will. want the Laidley North site. Ignoring them, the As I said previously, the Government has no Minister went ahead and approved that site. intention of introducing any such levy or tax. If Time expired. that report was prepared by the board of the fire services or whoever, so be it. I have not seen it. The Government has no intentions of QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE introducing any such levy. Electricity Industry Mr BEATTIE (10.29 a.m.): I refer the Treasurer to her excuse that her comments Medicare Agreement blaming union sabotage for the recent power Mr MITCHELL: I ask: could the Premier blackouts were "a personal view". As she is one please outline to the House the consequences of the two shareholding Ministers for the of the former Labor Government's hastily corporatised electricity industry and, therefore, cobbled together 1993 Medicare Agreement under the Westminster system her personal view with the Commonwealth and also advise is the Government's view, I ask: what evidence members of the accuracy of recent statements will she table today to support her claims, or will by the Leader of the Opposition relating to the she do the decent thing and apologise to ongoing Medicare negotiations? 334 Questions Without Notice 17 Mar 1998

Mr BORBIDGE: Some of the comments Australia—also fails to recognise the fact that made last week by the Leader of the Opposition these incentive payments he is referring to are in respect of Medicare were again blatantly one-off payments. They will be here today and untruthful, and today I welcome the opportunity gone tomorrow. What this Government is to state the facts. Last week the Leader of the seeking is what the previous Labor Government Opposition was running around town claiming could not secure, and that is a fair, equitable and that Queensland is losing $2m per week lasting deal which will deliver to Queenslanders because the State Government was yet to sign the Commonwealth assistance that they are the next Medicare Agreement. The Leader of entitled to. the Opposition either did not know what he was talking about or, once again, he was indulging in While I am on the subject of health care, I being fast and loose with the truth, in respect of commend to the House this Government's which he now has a well-established track record. record, which has seen Labor's shameful legacy—that of the Leader of the Opposition and As the former Minister for Health, the the Deputy Leader of the Opposition—of the Leader of the Opposition should know that the longest waiting lists in Australia replaced with a current Medicare Agreement does not expire proud record of the shortest Category 1 and until 30 June. How can we be losing money Category 2 waiting lists in the country. Over the when the agreement that he signed in life of the current Medicare Agreement, Government does not expire until 30 June Queenslanders lost—this was what Labor did to 1998? But it is worse than that. Back in 1993 the Queensland—$360m, or $72m a year in Federal former Labor Government signed Queensland assistance grants which went to New South up to the worst Medicare deal in Australia—the Wales and Victoria at the expense of worst—and we are still paying for it. That is part of Queensland. Queensland also lost another the reason why the Treasurer, the Minister for $180m over the life of the existing agreement Health and I have been negotiating with the because other States, in particular New South Prime Minister, the Federal Minister for Health Wales and Victoria, received additional funding in and the Federal Treasurer. respect of aged care, the pharmaceutical benefits scheme and the medical benefits Mrs Edmond: $270m—your record. scheme at the expense of Queenslanders. Mr BORBIDGE: The member opposite, The existing Medicare Agreement was not along with her mate who used to be the representative of Queensland's population, our Attorney-General and who talks about principles in this place, bankrupted the workers growth rates, our ageing population rates and the needs of rural people. The other Australian compensation scheme. I will now tell the House States were able to negotiate a better deal with what they did in respect of Medicare. the Commonwealth because they held out and Queensland Labor's attempts to protect negotiated, unlike Queensland, which rushed Paul Keating's political hide cost Queensland down to Canberra and signed up without public hospitals $180m. The related negotiation. That is exactly what the Leader of pickpocketing of the State's financial assistance the Opposition is now calling on us to do—to grants jacked up the annual cost to repeat the mistakes that Labor made during the Queenslanders to $72m in each and every year negotiations with respect to the former Medicare since. That was their record. They were not only Agreement. good at bankrupting the workers compensation scheme; they signed up to a shabby deal that The existing Medicare Agreement does not has cost us $72m each and every year since in expire until 30 June 1998. Queensland is not respect of FAGs and other losses under the losing any money due to a new agreement not Medicare Agreement. being finalised. Negotiations are continuing on the new agreement. Labor has absolutely no Together with the Minister for Health and credibility on this issue. When in Government, the Treasurer we will continue to push for a fair Labor signed up quickly when it thought it was Medicare deal for the people of Queensland. helping Paul Keating's 1993 re-election chances Unlike the Leader of the Opposition and Labor, and forsook winning a fair and equitable funding the coalition will not sell out the people of share for Queensland. It sold out Queensland to Queensland to look after its mates in the run-up help Paul Keating, and it is saying that we should to an election campaign, as did the previous do the same thing. The credentials and the Labor Government in 1993. The Leader of the record of the Leader of the Opposition, the Opposition, the failed Health Minister—the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the other Health Minister who presided over the longest failed Health Ministers in the former Labor waiting times for public hospital surgery in Government speak for themselves. 17 Mar 1998 Questions Without Notice 335

Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority "Whoever is doing this is bound to be Mr ELDER: I refer the Minister for found out and published." Emergency Services to the review of the What is the significance of that? The change of financial position of the Queensland Fire and address moved her from the seat of Rescue Authority, which forecasts a $6.2m Mundingburra to the seat of Townsville and deficit in 1998-99 and an $8.6m deficit in 1999- enabled her to vote in the 1996 preselection in 2000, and which says that this blowout is partly Townsville. The story goes on. According to the due to the higher wage rates and increased Townsville Bulletin, another woman said that she salary costs of the firefighters, and I ask: why has had rented accommodation for the last four years the Minister failed to persuade the Treasurer to and did not know of Ms O'Shea and a couple of provide extra money from the Consolidated other people who were nominated as having Fund to pay for his $5.5m election promise to lived at that address. When confronted with the increase firefighter numbers and bring salary allegation, she said— levels up to interstate standards, and why is he "I don't know anything about them ... now considering new and increased taxes to fill That's Labor's problem. I'm not guilty of the Budget black hole created by his election anything." promises which he claimed were fully funded? Who is? Mr VEIVERS: To reiterate what the Treasurer has told members of the Opposition, In recent months, the Leader of the the board of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Opposition has been vocal on the issue of Authority is looking at ways and means of corruption. He talks of corrupt Governments, but funding the fire service. As yet it has not made he turns his back on corruption in his own any recommendations to the Treasurer or to me. I political party. He turns his back on the mounting will let the Opposition know if and when it does. evidence coming out of Townsville that the Labor Party, presided over by the member for Brisbane Central, is a corrupt cesspit. He turns Corruption within Queensland Politics his back on the mounting evidence of vote rigging and branch stacking. Mr TANTI: I ask the Premier: can he advise the House of the latest developments in respect The Townsville story gets more interesting. of allegations of corruption within Queensland The latest revelations involve the party's politics? Magnetic Island branch. It appears that two party members are being expelled for allowing Pauline Mr Welford: What have you been up to Hanson to stay at their block of holiday units. The now? island's ALP branch president has written to ALP Mr BORBIDGE: When the time comes for State Secretary Mike Kaiser claiming that they political confession, the Leader of the infringed party rules and should be expelled. Opposition had better book a priest for a week. In addition to their heinous crime of renting Over recent weeks, the cesspit of Labor politics accommodation to Ms Hanson, an ALP member, in Townsville has become even more interesting. Mr Casey, has been a naughty boy because he Honourable members will be aware that there called local greenie Jeremy Tager from the North have been ongoing investigations into the Labor Queensland Conservation Council a "Peter Pan Party's alleged rigging of preselections in the from Never Never Land". One cannot do that in State seats of Townsville and Thuringowa. After the Labor Party. Mr Casey admitted that he said revelations were made in this place by the that and claimed that his expulsion from the ALP honourable member for Mundingburra, we have had more to do with silencing him over his heard public denials by three members support for the Government's efforts to get the implicated in those allegations. This is about vote Nelly Bay project up and running. Mr Casey, a rigging. It is about the integrity of a political party. good old-style Labor member—on St Patrick's It is about the integrity of the Legislative day—said— Assembly itself and who may come here. Those allegations of corruption go to the cornerstone of "I have always supported the Labor the democratic system of government. Party, but I do not support the green element and the looney left which have Let us examine what people are saying in taken control of the Labor Party here in Townsville. A Ms O'Shea from Kirwan said that Townsville." she did not even know that she was a member of the Labor Party. She said— It gets better. The Thuringowa candidate, Karen Ehrman, has changed her name. Her "All I know is that I was put down living surname used to be spelt with two n's, but now it at an address at which I never lived." has only one. Her excuse was that although its She continued— usual spelling is with two n's, it was such a 336 Questions Without Notice 17 Mar 1998 problem that she found it easier to be an m-a-n. this today by saying that the privatisation of We all know that to get Labor Party preselection electricity assets is not the policy of the current in Queensland, one has to be an m-a-n. Government, as a shareholding Minister will she Mr ARDILL: I rise to a point of order. I have guarantee that she will not sell off the electricity news for the Premier: my replacement for the industry if her Government is re-elected? seat of Archerfield, elected the day before Mrs SHELDON: I reiterate the words of yesterday, is a woman. the Premier that the policy of the current Mr SPEAKER: Order! The House will Government is not to privatise any existing come to order. She is a lot better looking than electricity assets. the present member. Mr BORBIDGE: We all know that he was Category 2 Elective Surgery Waiting pushed. Perhaps for Karen Ehrman the benefit Times of having two names is that under Mr Beattie's Mr CARROLL: I direct a question to the rules she may be eligible to enrol twice for ALP Minister for Health. Over the past year the preselection. National/Liberal coalition Government has The editorial in today's Townsville Bulletin concentrated on reducing the Category 2 said it all. Under the heading "Labor's sad slide", elective surgery waiting times. I ask: could the it states— Minister inform the House of the latest "Democracy is a wonderful thing, and improvements in Queensland's surgery waiting the Westminster system is probably the times and how that current position contrasts best example of it ... but for it to work it relies with that of Labor while it was in office? completely on a strong and cohesive Mr HORAN: I thank the honourable opposition which provides a credible member for his question. Today, I think that it is alternative to the government. Sadly, in our once again important to state the vast region at least, this is not the case. Instead, improvement that has been brought to waiting in what was the birthplace of the labour times in the Queensland public hospital system movement of Australia, we are watching by the coalition Government. I would like to tell what looks suspiciously like the death the House just once more the targets and what throes of a political ideology, and it is a very has been achieved. worrying sight. At the beginning of the 1996-97 financial ... year, we put in place Surgery on Time, which The echoes of the dismissal of Ken involved the 10 major hospitals in this State. We Davies are still reverberating around the announced publicly that we had set a target to party rooms and seem to be affecting their reduce the waiting times for Category 1 elective thinking. Karen Ehrman"— surgery to less than 5%. We were the only Government in Australia that was prepared to with one "n"— publicly put on the record the targets that we "has changed her name but nothing else, wanted to achieve. Those targets were achieved Mike Reynolds is caught in a timewarp of within six months and, for the 15 months since conflicting ideologies, while Ken McElligott then, we have kept the waiting times for and Geoff Smith simply go through the Category 1 elective surgery at the 10 major motions until retirement day." hospitals at less than 5%. Members should The Leader of the Opposition talks about compare that figure with the figure of 49% for standards, integrity, leadership and political long waits, which is the situation that existed corruption; it is about time that the Leader of the under the previous Health Minister, Mr Beattie. Opposition started to demonstrate some political So in terms of waiting times for elective surgery, integrity in cleaning up the cesspit of corruption Queensland went from the worst in Australia to that is the Labor Party in Townsville. the best in Australia. The next target that we set, which was a most difficult target and one that no other State Electricity Industry in Australia has been prepared to have a go at, Mr HAMILL: I refer the Treasurer to her was to reduce the waiting times for Category 2, or public comments as a shareholding Minister in semi-urgent elective surgery, also to less than the electricity industry that the recent power 5%. That is, we wanted to reduce it from the 44% blackouts "might be a good argument for selling" that it was under Labor to less than 5% under this the industry, and I ask: as the Minister for Mines Government by 30 June this year. We are well on and Energy has stressed that privatisation is not track to achieving that. At the moment, that rate on the agenda and the Premier has confirmed stands at 31%. As I told the House this morning, 17 Mar 1998 Questions Without Notice 337 the Rockhampton Hospital has already achieved Labor Government thought about elective that target. surgery for people! It is important to realise that we are achieving However, it is interesting to note that Mr a reduction in waiting times. I would like to quote Beattie, in his 100 days of wandering around, from a very eminent source regarding waiting looking around, consulting and talking to people, times as opposed to waiting lists. This source, really did not take any notice of that; he just used which appears in this document I have here, the $9,000 program that good old Mick Reid had states— put in place for him. The performance of the "It's misleading to just count those previous Labor Government was absolutely waiting for surgery because that includes shameful and disgraceful. In six years, it did not everyone who is going to be treated today, put in place a plan for elective surgery. In six tomorrow, this week and next week. Given years, it neglected those Queenslanders who that this is non-urgent surgery, such a wait is had been waiting under the worst waiting time likely to be clinically appropriate. conditions in Australia. Within two years, this coalition Government has taken Queensland ... from being the worst State in Australia in relation However, one measure of the quality of to Category 1 surgery waiting times to the best of service we provide is the length of time any State in Australia, and it is well on the way to people have to wait for that service and achieving that same result with Category 2 whether that is outside the bounds of what surgery waiting times. is determined by specialists as clinically acceptable and appropriate." Mr ELDER: I rise to a point of order. The Minister can end debate on this issue today by The source goes on to state— tabling the lists in Parliament. Of course, he will "Of course I'm concerned about waiting not; he takes them to Cabinet to seek the lists, but what I am most concerned about is secrecy provisions. waiting times—when people are forced to Mr SPEAKER: The member will resume wait too long." his seat. There is no point of order. That source was the previous Health Mr HORAN: Once again we have provided Minister, Mr Beattie, and it is contained in the publicly the figures in Parliament. I will give them second edition of the Future for Queensland once again: 49% under Labor and less then Health, which was the good old 100 days of 5%—— wandering around and listening. So there we have on the record that the important thing is Mr ELDER: I rise to a point of order. I now waiting times. This Government is the first challenge the Minister to table the list in Government to attack waiting times and to bring Parliament outlining the exact numbers of down that time. When people are waiting for an people on waiting lists in Queensland. elective surgery procedure and they will be Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will attending one of the 10 major hospitals in resume his seat. I do not see the Minister Surgery on Time to undergo that procedure, quoting directly from any list. There is no point of they know with confidence that they have a less order. than 5% chance that they will not have a long wait—down from 49% under the previous Labor Mr HORAN: Category 1 waiting time is less Government. than 5%. Currently, Category 2 waiting time is 31%. As the former Health Minister, Mr Beattie, What happened under the previous says, waiting time is what it is all about. When a Government? For example, what happened person is waiting for an operation, that person under Mr Elder during his term as Health wants to know that it will get done on time. This Minister? We had from him a little $9,000 Government is gradually doing that with Category package to a consultant to try to fix waiting 2 procedures and it is on the way to achieving its lists—$9,000 paid to the good old Labor mate in target. New South Wales, Mick Reid, who is now working for the Carr Government. He was paid Most important are the absolute numbers. $9,000 to wander up to Queensland for one This year, 6,000 extra Queenslanders will get an week—actually, six and a half days. There was elective surgery procedure compared with the $7,800 for that, plus air fares, accommodation number of people who underwent those and $77 in taxis and incidentals. So under one of procedures the previous year. In that previous the former Health Ministers, Mr Elder, we had a year, we also undertook 3,400 extra operations $9,000 program. That is how much the previous throughout Queensland. Those 6,000 people Labor Government thought about waiting lists are saying, "Thank goodness there is a coalition and waiting times! That is how much the previous Government in Queensland." 338 Questions Without Notice 17 Mar 1998

Electricity Tariffs coalition Government and of extra resources Mr PALASZCZUK: I refer the Minister for being provided to Queensland police? Mines and Energy to the 5% reduction in Mr COOPER: I thank the honourable electricity tariffs for commercial and industrial member for Redlands for his question and consumers, and I ask: why does this 5% price congratulate him on his knowledge of the Police reduction not apply to power used to operate capital works program, because it is massive and irrigation machinery on farming land? How does a it does need to be spelt out. This morning, as National Party Minister tell farmers who grow food usual, I pointed out the massive increase in that they do not qualify for cheaper power police numbers that has taken place across the because he does not believe that growing food State in the past couple of years and the for a living is a commercial activity? projections for the future, be they civilians or new police going into Redcliffe and many other Mr GILMORE: I thank the honourable places. Those opposite know of those member for the question. The answer is simple. It projections and are very pleased with them, I has been published and it is well understood and know. We know full well that as we increase known. I am sorry that, obviously, the member police numbers we must also increase cannot read the documentation. associated capital works—numbers of police The farmers in this State can indeed take vehicles and so on. That is exactly what we are advantage of these tariff reductions provided doing. The improvements are in line with the they are already on commercial or industrial tariffs increase in population through urban expansion or at a later time expand their businesses to the and complement our crime prevention policies. point at which they become commercial or Recently the Attorney-General and Minister industrial businesses. That was the basis of the for Justice and I unveiled the model for the new decision, and that is the simple answer. Farmers city watch-house, worth $28m. When Labor was who have come on to commercial and industrial in office the city watch-house was described as tariffs will receive the advantage of the 5% being of a Third World standard, but Labor did reduction. nothing about it. This Government has knocked However, might I just say that as part of the down the old building, knocked down the old new market developments that we are currently Australia Post building, and construction of the putting in place, which will begin on 29 March, at new building is already under way. Even back in that time all of our major commercial users will be the 1970s the Brisbane Water Police wanted to able to become contestable. As a result, they will move from under the bridge, and now they are clearly get cheaper prices. Those contractual moving up to Whyte Island. That, too, has been arrangements are already in place. We know that, done by the Borbidge/Sheldon Government. in terms of new job creation and new industrial That is something Labor could and should have benefits, there are going to be some significant done but, again, simply did not do. benefits for major industry in this State. That A lot of other projects are under way. I comes from cheaper energy prices. mention the new police station and watch-house Mr Welford: How do you know that? at Gladstone. The sod was turned the other day at that location. That project is something Labor Mr GILMORE: My dear boy, as further did not even talk about, but it is now under way. I tranches of contestability come about, in turn also mention the new police division small business—commercial and industrial and headquarters at Toowong, the new district others—will become competitive in the headquarters for Toowoomba, the new station marketplace. They will get even further benefit for Caloundra and the new watch-house and from the new electricity market, as will Mr and Mrs police station for Cleveland. Queenslander, at the time of contestability. Mrs EDMOND: I rise to a point of order. When the franchises go away, contestability The Minister is misleading the House. The new comes on line for those persons. Everybody in police station is not at Toowong. This Queensland will be able to take advantage of the Government has closed Toowong. It is at new electricity market that this Government has Indooroopilly. put in place. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member will resume her seat. Police Capital Works Program Mr COOPER: The division is called Mr HEGARTY: I ask the Minister for Police Toowong. The honourable member needs to and Corrective Services and Minister for Racing: get it right. can he inform the House of the massive Police I mention the new police station and watch- capital works program undertaken by the house for Emerald, brand new stations at Palm 17 Mar 1998 Questions Without Notice 339

Beach, which we already know about, and know we will complete it. Everyone at Cleveland Centenary, and also a new divisional knows just where the credit should go. Labor headquarters at Clayfield. The list goes on and could have built it; it had six years to do it. It the list will continue to grow. missed out again. The honourable member for The coalition Government has provided Cleveland failed. new planes. It has also provided new police boats at Brisbane, Yeppoon, Cairns, Hervey Bay Minister for Emergency Services; and the Gold Coast. Just recently at the Gold Datafund Coast we joined with the Minister for Emergency Services to provide a new ambulance/water Mr WELLS: My question is to the Minister police combined service. That has never for Emergency Services. I refer to the Minister's previously been done in the Commonwealth. It is embarrassment over his personal involvement in a very new and very good concept and it is a the jelly bean scandal involving a $2 Gold Coast good use of taxpayers' funds. company and the State Emergency Service. I table legal advice on the matter received by his Mr Robertson: Where is my police department on 22 December 1997 from station? solicitors Gilshenan and Luton, who advise that, Mr COOPER: The honourable member "Datafund has breached the Collections Act, the has not got a boat. What does he want a boat for? Trade Practices Act, its agreement with the SES I will whisper to the honourable member later. Is and has failed to pay the SES any money from he whispering in my ear? the sale of the jelly beans." I ask: since his I mention that 52 new police cars have department was advised in December to terminate the contract and/or prosecute already been allocated across seven regions. They are welcome because they will aid in Datafund for these breaches, why did the improving police response times, which is exactly Minister not immediately withdraw his written what people want. endorsement for these jelly beans, which are still on sale right across this State? An interesting thing I noticed just recently Mr VEIVERS: It is moments like these you was the member for Cleveland claiming credit for need Minties. I am advised that the Office of the new police station at Cleveland. He put out Consumer Affairs has corresponded with these funny little newsletters. No-one believes Datafund. I will be guided by Consumer Affairs the honourable member. Everyone down there is laughing at him. He ought to hear them laugh. I and the SES Volunteer Support Unit was at Cleveland the other day and people I Incorporated, which the agreement is with, as to spoke with told me that he claimed credit. I said what further action should be taken. Until those credit for what? The newsletter stated, "For three discussions have been finalised, it would be years Darryl has battled against delays and inappropriate of me to make any further broken promises", and, "Recently he achieved a comment. major victory." Does the House know what his major victory DPI/Hungry Jack's Promotion was? In 1991-92 he got it listed as a little minor Mr RADKE: Would the Minister for Primary works project. He got it slipped into the line, then Industries explain to Parliament what his went down to try to fool the people of Cleveland. department expects to achieve for Queensland I can tell him: they are not going to be fooled by from the new joint marketing arrangements with this. He did a little bit of planning so he could try Hungry Jack's? to fool people that things were actually Mr ROWELL: I thank the member for happening. There was absolute minimal Greenslopes for that very good question. What is expenditure. It was all a smokescreen. It was all happening with primary industries is something done with smoke and mirrors. Everyone knows all the Parliament should be aware of. This that. Guess what? The land acquisition took initiative is a promotion of Hungry Jack's and DPI. place in 1996-97 and guess who bought it? The It is an industry matter that I think Hungry Jack's coalition bought the land and now the planning has taken on board. and construction is for 1997-98. Guess who is going to build it? Mr Hamill: Do the burgers taste better? Mr Robertson: You promised a police Mr ROWELL: I have something for the station; you haven't delivered. honourable member later. There are 36 Hungry Jack's stores from Cairns to Lismore. For a very Mr COOPER: We are already building it. modest investment, some 500,000 tray liners are No-one believes this tripe. I have heard from being provided which give a wealth of the honourable member for Cleveland before. I information about primary industries. They talk 340 Questions Without Notice 17 Mar 1998 about the $5.5 billion that primary industries puts Mr Barton: Why are you hiding the into the economy and the $4.9 billion worth of document? exports. They also mention the 107,000 people Mr SLACK: There is nothing whatsoever employed and speak of the protection of the to hide. land for future generations, which is extremely important. The whole purpose of this promotion Mr Barton: Table it all. is to inform people about primary industries. It Mr SLACK: There is absolutely nothing to dispels that cargo cult notion that products all hide. The position was duly advertised and the come off the shelf or from a carton. team was put together. The group is a Hungry Jack's promotions operation consultancy group. An arrangement was made manager, Mr Les Mason, said the promotion with that particular group upon the advice of would strengthen the relationship between the Crown law. A probity officer is attached to the customers and primary industries. Really, the whole exercise. The process itself was brochure provides something that is extremely overviewed. The payment was overviewed by important to the operation, because it talks about Price Waterhouse. There is a report from Price primary industries—where the bread comes Waterhouse, and I have sought advice from my from, where the tomatoes come from, where the department in respect to the tabling of the Price meat comes from, and where the cheese comes Waterhouse advice in relation to this particular from. We are not leaving out members of the issue. Opposition, because there is a colouring-in In respect to Thursday's statement to the section they can fill out. Honourable members Parliament, which the honourable member should go down to Hungry Jack's, have their questions—what I said at that time was that I was burgers and see what primary industries is all quite prepared to table the report, but I did not about. They forgot about it when they were in have it to table at that moment. In the meantime I Government and we are going to remind them have sought advice from my department in with this very nice little brochure that we put respect to the sensitivity of this issue. The advice together. that I have received is that, given the commercial sensitivities and the current stage of the negotiations in relation to this project, it would be Surat Basin/Dawson Valley neither proper nor appropriate for me to table the Development; Infrastructure Property KPMG report at this time. However, when it is Group appropriate, I would be prepared to table the Mr BARTON: I refer the Minister for report. In the meantime, I can quote from the Economic Development and Trade and Minister report, which states— Assisting the Premier to the contract between "... the overall fee payable to IPG, using the his department and the Infrastructure Property fee basis we see as appropriate, would Group which allows payment to the company, at therefore be in the range of $2.395 million the Minister's discretion, of $2.2m in success and $3.8 million. fees relating to the Surat Basin/Dawson Valley The fee sought by IPG falls below the development. I also refer to a subsequent lower end of the range and we therefore Courier-Mail article quoting a senior Government consider the proposed fee to be source as saying that the company has already reasonable." been paid $1m in return for an agreement covering water infrastructure and will be paid Once again, this demonstrates the more for future agreements covering power, coal Government's commitment to responsible and rail contracts, and I ask: why is the Minister expenditure of public moneys. wasting millions of dollars of taxpayers' money Let us not be negative about this whole hiring private consultants to do the work that he process. We are talking about a $3 billion has an entire department to do? investment in Queensland infrastructure and the Mr SLACK: I must admit that I cannot development of coalmines. What did members thank the honourable member for the question. I opposite do about it? Nothing! That resource refer to the statement that he made under was out there. We took an initiative as a privilege this morning. To me, that was a Government that members opposite were not scurrilous attack on the integrity of the people prepared to take. We took an innovative initiative. involved in this project, particularly the We put together an appropriate team. The independent group. I assure members opposite integrity of this process is beyond reproach. and other members of this House that the Mr Elder interjected. position in relation to the consultancy was duly Mr SLACK: The Deputy Leader of the advertised—— Opposition went to Bundaberg and started 17 Mar 1998 Questions Without Notice 341 saying around that community that I should take a $70m that the Labor Government in Queensland position in support of a proposal that was put in had to front up with. I am talking about freight rail by a group for a port and a rail line. In other words, figures, which were continually revised upwards. the member is suggesting that I should take a In 1991 there were 14 freight train movements position of compromise. Where is his integrity? per day. In December, that figure was increased He wants me to compromise the position and to 26 movements per day. According to the corrupt the position. I have a responsibility in this 1992 impact assessment study, the figure exercise, and that responsibility is an overall role miraculously increased to 42 a day. That was an to ensure the integrity of the process and to amazing performance by the former Transport ensure an outcome for jobs in Queensland and Minister in the middle of the worst drought in for people in Queensland. living memory. We hardly got a grain train from Mr Barton: You're covering up. the downs, but the figure increased to 42. That is a nice how-do-you-do, is it not? Talk about Mr SLACK: You should remember that fudging figures! The member for Ipswich hopes when you are making scurrilous attacks on the to be the next Treasurer. What a sad day that integrity of the people involved in it. You should would be. Opposition members blame the apologise to that group and withdraw the Treasurer for financial mismanagement, but the statements that you made this morning. Treasurer certainly has the figures balanced, and Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Honourable they will continue to be balanced. the Minister will refer to honourable members as According to my inquiries in November the honourable members for whatever 1997, grain traffic was moving again and the electorates they represent, not "you". economy was performing strongly. There were Mr SLACK: I assure this House that, at the about 20 train movements per day, with the appropriate time, when the sensitivities have possibility of a maximum of 10 additional train been dealt with and the Crown law advice has movements per day during the grain season. been received, I will be quite prepared to table Sadly, only one of those movements a week is that document. made on the standard gauge link. I mentioned 10 days ago in this House that one of the trains on the standard gauge link was a rust runner. Fisherman Islands Rail Link Mr LUCAS: I rise to a point of order. Is the Mr BAUMANN: I ask the Minister for standard gauge link that the Minister is decrying Transport and Main Roads: in view of the findings the one that he spoke about last Monday outlined in the Public Works Committee's report fortnight at the Port of Brisbane Corporation and on the construction of the standard gauge rail then at the marine pilots association? line to Fisherman Islands, could he comment on the committee's findings concerning the Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of handling of the impact assessment study for that order. The member will resume his seat. project? Mr JOHNSON: I gave the member credit Mr JOHNSON: The honourable member for having more sense than that. I cannot believe for Albert is as interested in this project as I am, in his point of order. However, I will deal with the common with other members on both sides of member directly. The point is that the member the House. The impact assessment study has forgotten what we have done on that railway created a lot of discontent amongst residents line. He knows the situation. I intend to quote the living along the corridor of that standard gauge man whom the member succeeded—one of the railway line. The local community went to court elder statesmen in the Labor Party—in relation to over this very matter. Who was the architect of what he had to say about this matter. If I were the the project at the time? It was the architect of member for Lytton, I would sit down, sit back and Labor mismanagement in Transport: my very rest awhile while I give him a bit more. good friend from Ipswich, the Honourable David As to Mr Hamill's attitude to the Department Hamill, the former Minister for Transport. of Housing and Local Government—I refer to a Again, it comes back to one thing: this letter written by the then Director-General of Government has a record on consultation, and Local Government and Housing, Mr Dick we are proud of that record. If Opposition Persson, to the then Director-General of members are interested, I will give them a lesson Transport, Mr Geoffrey Stevenson. The letter in what it is all about. However, I want to talk about states— a couple of other things today. "... it is disappointing to see that resumption The impact assessment study was pivotal to notices have already been issued before gaining approval and $30m from the Keating the terms of reference for the IAS have Government. However, it said nothing about the been finalised. It is the belief of this 342 Questions Without Notice 17 Mar 1998

Department that this will have negative Labor for some of the projects that it put in place. effects on the credibility of the consultation He referred to the $600m upgrade of the process and the eventual IAS in the eyes of northern railway line. I support that project totally. general public." That is a very productive, fruitful, worthwhile That is a reference to Labor's consultation project. I believe that everybody in this House process: it again rode roughshod over the and State supports that. public. Returning to consultation—in Townsville, When the South East Brisbane Progress the Townsville City Council has announced its Association appealed to the Supreme Court for new town plan, which incorporates the old north judicial review, the court found that its ability to yard and some of the south yard for residential undertake such a review was limited. However, purposes. Last week in Townsville, I met with on 5 November 1993, Justice Derrington union representatives of Queensland Rail. They pointed out that— are saddened to think that the Labor Party has that policy. I do not know whether that "The court can only make a ruling on announcement is a demonstration of a vendetta the process by which an authority reaches between Mooney and Reynolds. However, I will an executive decision and cannot rule on say to my friends in Townsville that the coalition the correctness of the evidence which the has spent $8m on the railway yards in Townsville authority uses to make the decision." South. They are there for the long haul. I will be On 20 November 1993, in answering a returning to talk to the shop stewards on the question from the current Leader of the floor. If they do not believe me, I will be taking my Opposition, Mr Hamill stated— Premier with me. He will back me up. "Mr Justice Derrington threw it out, As to the consultation of the former indicating quite clearly that the applicants Government—it is zilch. did not have a case on any of the grounds on which they sought a review of the decision." Appointment of Industrial Commissioners The fact is that the then Minister did have a good case but the court was not empowered to hear it. Mr BRADDY: I refer the Minister for That is a powerful lesson for the community: do Training and Industrial Relations to his recent not listen to what the ALP says; just watch what appointment without fanfare of Caboolture the ALP does. magistrate Brian Blades to the State Industrial Commission to replace Robert Bougoure, who, I return to the comments of my friend the at the time of that appointment, was not due to member for Lytton. I refer to a letter from the retire for two months. Both Commissioner Honourable Tom Burns, former Deputy Premier Bougoure and Commissioner Blades are working and one of Labor's senior statesmen. A memo to today. I refer also to his recent statement that the then Minister for Transport on 3 October industrial action has dropped 40% in 1991 states— Queensland and to his Government's earlier "Because a number of the issues decision not to reappoint Commissioner Ray being raised by the community relate to Dempsey because of claims that there was planning, infrastructure co-ordination and insufficient workload. impact assessment I am happy to make I ask: why are the people of Queensland available personnel from my Department paying for an extra industrial commissioner for who have planning and community two months? Is the Minister making that consultation skills to work with your officials appointment now in order to avoid the if you think this would be of assistance." restrictions that would apply to him and his Labor disregarded Tom Burns—he would not Government during an election campaign when know! the coalition would be a caretaker Government The freight rail action group is full of some because the position would have become vacant very professional people and citizens of the at the predicted time of the election? community who were treated with total contempt Mr SANTORO: The honourable member by Labor. Some members on the opposite side for Kedron and so-called shadow Minister for the of the House know and support what I am saying portfolio for which I have responsibility in this and what this Government was trying to achieve place again demonstrates how ill-informed he is when it was in Opposition. Certainly, the Labor and what a lazy attitude by the honourable Party cannot brag about consultation. member produces in this place. In Saturday's Courier-Mail, David Hamill was Turning to the merit of the appointment of quoted as saying that I could not give credit to former magistrate Mr Blades, the honourable 17 Mar 1998 Matters of Public Interest 343 member would be aware that there has been a Members opposite should not try to magistrate in the industrial relations jurisdiction, politicise the commission or to criticise that fine which is now the responsibility of the Industrial bunch of people at the commission who are Relations Commission, for many years. Since the administering laws that are supported by the industrial relations jurisdiction was created in this majority of Queenslanders and who are State, it has been the practice of Governments to supported—— appoint magistrates. Mr BRADDY: I rise to a point of order. I The expiration of the term of Commissioner make no criticism and I made no criticism of any of Bougoure was drawing near. In the interest of the commissioners. The Minister is deliberately the smooth operation of the Industrial Relations misconstruing what I said. It is false and Commission, the Government decided to inaccurate and I ask that it be withdrawn. proceed with an appointment that would enable Mr SANTORO: If the honourable member the new commissioner to benefit from the wishes that I withdraw, I will do so. How sensitive experience of the old one. If the honourable is he? member is suggesting that this Government is circumventing due process, he has not Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for produced one skerrick of information other than questions has now expired. to highlight the very valid contents of the ministerial statement that I made. It is obviously the envy of all honourable members opposite MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST that, under the coalition Government, its Labor in Government industrial relations policy, its workers compensation policies and all the policies for Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader which I am responsible in terms of carriage in this of the Opposition) (11.29 a.m.): Labor is ready to place, industrial disputation in Queensland has get Queensland moving again. My Government declined. I thought that the honourable member will be the Government that drives Queensland would have the grace to congratulate the into the next century and we will press the Government on that achievement, which totally accelerator to the floor as soon as we are negates the scaremongering tactics adopted by elected. For more than two years we have been those who say, particularly prior to elections, that, constructing an exciting, innovative policy if a Government of this political colour was framework based on the well-tried Labor values elected, industrial disputation would increase. of equity, care and compassion but styled to meet the demands of the 21st century and Members opposite are embarrassed by the geared to getting Queensland moving again. fact that their traditional allies in the community, members of the union movement, do not feel On the day after Labor is elected to any need to support them through one of the Government I will take a series of actions that will very few tools available to them to embarrass a ensure that my Government, when it takes office Government, that is, industrial disputation. That later that week, is ready to tackle immediately the is not done for two reasons. Firstly, our laws are massive economic and social problems and fair. They represent a level playing field. They are challenges that are looming for this State. By the administered by an independent umpire called time my Government is sworn in, we will be ready the Industrial Relations Commission, the to establish a structure of Government that will reputation of which the honourable member respond to the needs of all Queenslanders and opposite seeks to besmirch. The people of of business. I will be taking this immediate action Queensland, including those in the union to respond to the message that I have received movement, are happy with our industrial relations loud and clear from Queenslanders across the laws. Secondly, the reason the union movement length and breadth of this State for the more will not mount any attacks of a political nature on than two years that I have been listening to them this Government—and members opposite can as Labor Leader. try to change that if they wish, but in the lead-up Overwhelmingly, the people have told me to the next election we will boast how peaceful that they are worried about employment. If they the industrial relations record of this State has are young and unemployed, they fear that they been—is that the politics of confrontationist will never find work. If they are 40-plus and unionism in this State and across Australia are unemployed, they fear that they will never work finished. Union members know that ordinary again. If they have a job, they fear that they may Queenslanders and Australians will not cop a not have it next month or next year. Unlike the return to the dark ages of industrial relations that coalition Government, I will appoint a Minister for Mr Braddy, the honourable member for Kedron, Employment whose job will be to focus right from and Mr Beattie and all other members opposite the start on the need to get Queenslanders, will reintroduce into this State and nation. especially our young people, back to work. 344 Matters of Public Interest 17 Mar 1998

Immediate action will also be taken to create helpful. This concept of swapping key public the new Department of State Development, servants for a short period—perhaps three whose first and foremost task will be to work with months or six months—will be an invaluable tool me to encourage investment in this State to get in increasing our skills and expertise and, as I told Queensland moving again. The Department of the House at our last sitting, I have agreed with State Development will be charged with starting the Prime Minister of Taiwan that we will do economic expansion and attracting major job- likewise with them. creating projects to Queensland. It will work Under my Government, Queensland will closely with me as Premier and Minister for aggressively and actively pursue our interests Economic and Trade Development. We plan a overseas, especially in the Asian region which, 21st century approach to supporting and because of compatible time zones, is the best nurturing Queensland industry which will include place for us to do business. I will also personally strategic investments in infrastructure; better pursue this aggressive strategy in Europe and training for entrepreneurs and workers alike; and the United States. My visits to the United States, more interactive policy development for Japan, India, Indonesia and, most recently, emerging industry sectors. I point particularly to Taiwan as Opposition Leader have cemented the communications and information area in excellent relations and good contacts which I will which Labor will push Queensland to the use to increase trade for Queensland. forefront of a sector that will be vital in the next 25 years. The 27 New Directions statements that Labor has released contain a strong focus on Since I first announced that we would getting Queensland moving again. Some of the establish a Department of State Development, I initiatives involve carefully costed plans to— have received widespread and enthusiastic support from business for an initiative that they extend the tilt train from Rockhampton to tell me has been long overdue in this State. I Cairns, creating 1,000 direct and indirect point to one example: a statement released by jobs along the way—and I am delighted with the General Manager of the Queensland the positive response that I have received Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Clive from one end of Queensland to the other to Bubb, on 24 April 1997 in which he said that this positive initiative of my Government; business welcomed my promise to give the provide at least an extra 24,480 proposed new department the clout to get apprenticeships, traineeships and job things done. He said— placements in the first three years, and "We share the goals of reducing restore the dignity and importance of unemployment and attracting business apprenticeships in Queensland; investment to Queensland. establish partnerships for growth with key industry sectors which are best placed to The Chamber believes the creation of a add value to Queensland's resources; single powerful economic development agency could do much to boost business develop a land use and infrastructure plan confidence in Queensland as a business to map out the development of essential State." services over the next decade; Mr Bubb was far from alone in his assessment of overhaul regulatory and approval processes the impact of our decision. I believe that we have to ensure that they are clear, concise and a lot to gain from the means used by the State of timely; South Carolina in the USA to attract big business ensure that tax reform results in a simple to that State. In 1996 I visited South Carolina, and fair system of taxation which maintains which until fairly recently had been regarded as a Queensland's competitive position as the branch office State. It has developed a low-tax State; streamlined, professional, hard-edged respond to the Asian downturn in a administrative set-up and the Governor of the comprehensive manner, including special State is personally involved on a day-to-day basis travel grants to exporters to maintain links with all that goes into encouraging new business with affected trading partners and a $10m to that State. It has succeeded in luring major boost to tourism promotion interstate and international companies to locate corporate overseas; headquarters in that State. start a trade cadetship scheme to In fact, I told them in South Carolina that I strengthen ties with our trading partners by would very much like to arrange for a couple of giving young Queenslanders six months' key officers to come to Queensland, because experience in Queensland's overseas their input at an early stage would be very offices; 17 Mar 1998 Matters of Public Interest 345

make use of Premier's offices in key is reflected in our policies, is a Government that locations; will not intrude unnecessarily on the day-to-day increase investment in public housing to lives of Queenslanders but a Government that push demand for new housing back up will take on those activities that will help towards the historical average and also Queenslanders enjoy a better life and lifestyle house Queenslanders who are entitled to and, most importantly, will ensure a strong be housed in that way; economy. pursue efficiency and effectiveness in In conclusion, as I said, my Government will those areas which impact on the make a difference. This Government is not up to international cost-competitiveness of the job. It will never be up to the job no matter business, while rigorously applying the how long an opportunity it has to govern. public benefit test to any proposed change Frankly, Queensland deserves better. to ensure that jobs and economic and social stability are not squandered—and I am Department of Families, Youth and delighted that at the ALP national Community Care conference I was able to achieve an amendment to that effect in our national Mr HEALY (Toowoomba North) policy; (11.39 a.m.): During the past two years, under a coalition Government, the Department of remove impediments to the granting and Families, Youth and Community Care has logged renewal of mining leases and ensure that up numerous achievements of which it can be only bona fide native title claims are very, very proud. It can also claim to be leading registered; and Australia in the development and implementation maintain commitment to rural research of many initiatives relating to the provision of programs, with particular emphasis on value- improved care and services to the community. added processes which can expand The department is committed to providing employment and export income. quality services designed to meet the priority Queenslanders want to be assured that needs of clients. In particular, it is committed to they have a Government that can take advantage supporting families, protecting children from of opportunities, that will govern wisely and fairly abuse and neglect, providing quality alternative for all and that they can be comfortable with and care where necessary, and strengthening the proud of. They want a Government that will make capacity of non-Government organisations to be a difference. My Government will make a effective partners in child protection and family difference. Labor is ready to govern. Our policies support. To achieve these objectives, over the are in tune with what Queenslanders want and past two years the department has initiated a Queensland will be a better place under a State number of important programs. Labor Government. In the current budget, almost $2m has been It was more than 12 months ago that we allocated to establish family support services started releasing our New Directions statements across Queensland under the Family Support on major policy areas so that everyone would Worker Program. So far, 37 services have been know exactly what we plan to do but, more approved and funding is also available for importantly, so that they could be involved in the another two. Family support workers relate policy formulation and consultation process. We closely with departmental area officers in have gone out and consulted Queenslanders providing assistance and support to families from Brisbane to Cape York about our New before problems become insurmountable. The Directions statements. That is the sort of aim of the program is to strengthen the capacity inclusive Government that Queenslanders want. of families and communities to meet and to move That is the sort of inclusive Government that we through crises in a positive manner. will give to Queenslanders after the election. The department is currently evaluating a No political leader, no politician and no pilot program involving the reorganisation of political party has all of the answers. We have aspects of the Shared Family Care Program travelled the State, talking with community through which alternative care is arranged for representatives, professional groups and children who need to be removed from the family ordinary Queenslanders about what they want home for varying periods for protective reasons. from Government. This process has ensured that Four pilot programs have been established to we have policies that are attuned to the wishes of undertake the transfer of responsibility for Queenslanders and are not hatched in some recruiting, training and undertaking support for back room by a few men and women in suits. care providers from the department to the What Queenslanders want most of all, and what community sector. The pilot programs are in 346 Matters of Public Interest 17 Mar 1998

Cairns, Maryborough, the Roma/Charleville area young people themselves from throughout the and in Logan City. State, community groups of many kinds and The transfer is being piloted because it is other Government departments. felt that local community groups are in a better The findings from these consultations have position to attract care providers and to provide been used to formulate a Statement on Youth support services; the reorganisation will give Affairs, which has just been published. This departmental staff more time to concentrate on statement sets a framework for future providing child-care protection services; and Government policy directions and program local area office staff have limited capacity to priorities relating to young Queenslanders, with adequately support and train care providers in an particular emphasis on early intervention where ongoing manner. The evaluation of the pilot young people may be experiencing problems in programs will be completed by December of this their lives. The Statement on Youth Affairs is an year. important document which will provide the basis An initiative of which this Government can for consultation and planning by the Government be very proud, and which is definitely a first in and the community in developing responses for Australia, was the appointment of a Children's young people in the future. Commissioner, with the official responsibility for During the past two years the department representing Queensland children. Since its has also undertaken a comprehensive review of establishment, the commission has performed the Domestic Violence (Family Protection) Act an important role which has obviously been 1989. There has already been extensive welcomed by the community. consultation, but because of the importance of Total State Government expenditure on this issue, the Minister has extended the services to people with a disability has increased consultation period. I congratulate her on the from an estimated $242.8m in 1995-96 to an decision that she has made in relation to this actual $548.2m in 1997-98. That is a total piece of legislation. It is vital that we get it right. increase of $305.4m. This represents a One of the first decisions that she made as the significant achievement beyond the 1995 new Minister was to extend the consultation election promise of the coalition to increase period so that we can receive more information spending on disability programs by $34m per from the various interest groups right around the year for three years. State. That is being done to make sure that we get the legislation right and so that, when we Mr T. B. Sullivan interjected. bring it into the Parliament, people in the Mr HEALY: The member for Chermside community can be confident that we have done can go on about this all he likes, but the figures the right thing by them. prove that those services are there and that During the coming weeks, departmental disability funding has increased. staff will again be consulting with rural and In addition, the Minister for Families, Youth regional centres right throughout the State. and Community Care secured $2.5m in the mid- Consultations will also be conducted with year review to further address unmet needs. agencies reflecting the interests of Aboriginal Under its policy of providing choice, the and Torres Strait Islander communities, those relocation of people with a disability from from non-English speaking backgrounds, elderly Challinor, the Basil Stafford Centre and the people and people with disabilities. In separate disabled persons ward at Maryborough has been initiatives, services for people affected by a major priority for the department. Under a domestic violence have been expanded to $2.6m package, which was approved by Cabinet include an Elder Abuse Prevention Unit and a last year, some Basil Stafford Centre residents Children and Domestic Violence Prevention who choose to are being relocated to public Service. Funding for domestic violence services housing in suitable locations with appropriate administered by the department includes: support, while others will benefit from the $100,000 recurrent funding for the Men's extensive refurbishment of the centre. Domestic Violence Telephone Counselling With the Challinor Centre at Ipswich having Service; $150,000 recurrent funding for face-to- been sold to the University of Queensland, face counselling for men; $50,000 to upgrade similar arrangements are under way to relocate all perpetrator programs; and $120,000 for two pilot Challinor residents. They are expected to move Child Witnesses of Domestic Violence Programs before the end of August this year. During the in central Queensland. past year, the department has undertaken In the 1997-98 Budget, $13.2m was extensive consultation to determine the issues allocated over three years to help organisations that are of greatest importance to young people funded by the department which faced and their families. This consultation involved increased costs through the introduction of the 17 Mar 1998 Matters of Public Interest 347

Social and Community Services, or SACS, petition which meant that it was not in a form that Award. This Federal award, created by the allowed it to be presented formally to the House. Australian Industrial Relations Commission in However, surely the Premier and, at least, 1996, currently covers about 400 community Minister Slack had a moral obligation to inform the organisations in Queensland, of which around House of that expression of the views of those 240 receive funding from the Department of 7,500 residents. Apparently, the Premier and Families, Youth and Community Care. The the Minister for Trade and Economic creation of the SACS Award meant that many Development did not think so, because the community organisations faced significant cost House has never been informed of the increases. However, this coalition Government is existence of the petition. For the information of providing extra funding to enable these groups the House, I table the petition. I do so today so to meet their increased costs and to continue to that we are informed about the views of 7,500 provide services to thousands of Queenslanders residents who support the Coonarr port. in need. I want to address another important issue At the beginning of 1997, the Indigenous that relates to a person who trades off the image Advisory Council was established within the of being a nice, ordinary bloke—the member for department as the Government's peak advisory Mundingburra. If one believes the PR blurb of body on all indigenous issues. The council, the member for Mundingburra, he is the which is chaired by Mr Neville Bonner, AO, and personification of purity. He is the bloke who consists of indigenous people from all parts of rides a bike around the streets, the bloke who the State, provides the Government with advice wears a kilt occasionally, the bloke who pats small on indigenous policy issues. Amongst its kids on the head in shopping centres. The image important responsibilities, the council monitors that he portrays in Townsville is of a nice bloke the implementation of recommendations of the who is above politics. Not for him the dirt and Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in innuendo—at least that is what he tells the Custody. As one of its strategies to reduce Townsville media. deaths in custody, during 1997 funding was approved for the establishment of diversionary However, as all honourable members in this centres in Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton House can attest, the member for Mundingburra to address the issue of public drunkenness. loves nothing better than to toss buckets of These centres provide facilities to enable political slime given to him by his political masters, inebriated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander the Premier and the Treasurer. The member for people who are at risk to themselves or others to Mundingburra is more than a bike rider; he is a sober up. peddler of falsehoods and a muck-raker who makes his Federal Liberal mate Don Randall look This Government is a leader in issues like an amateur. If there are any lingering doubts relating to families, youth and the greater about the veracity of the member for community. Our track record over the past two Mundingburra, surely they must have been years proves our commitment to the people of swept away following his most recent effort in the Queensland. The department of Families, Youth House just two weeks ago. Those unfortunate and Community Care successfully meets the enough to be present at his post-dinner needs and requests of thousands of people performance will recall the relish with which the across this State through the dedication and member for Mundingburra blatantly commitment of its staff and officers— misrepresented, fabricated and slandered his Queenslanders helping Queenslanders to live a way through a speech written for him by the better and a more fulfilled life. backroom bovver boys and girls of the National Party. That performance should have come as no Port Facilities, Coonarr; Member for surprise, given his involvement in the sleazy Mundingburra backroom deals in the run-up to the 1996 Mundingburra poll. Let there be no doubt that Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—Deputy the member for Mundingburra was involved. Leader of the Opposition) (11.49 a.m.): I begin by redressing the complete disregard shown to I turn to the facts. Two people face possible 7,500 Queenslanders by the Premier and the criminal charges as a result of stating that they Minister for Trade and Economic Development. made deals with the honourable member for In December 1997 the Premier was presented Mundingburra and the former Liberal Party State with a petition from 7,500 residents of director. The first is Sandy Warren, a colourful Bundaberg and Burnett Shire by the Mayor of character who pushed a wheelbarrow around Bundaberg, Nita Cunningham. The petition during the Mundingburra poll. The second is Mr supported the development of coal port facilities Warren's Gold Coast based offsider, Peter at Coonarr. There was a fault in the drafting of the Yeomans. According to Warren and Yeomans, 348 Matters of Public Interest 17 Mar 1998 they made secret sleazy deals with the Liberals. the preselection process in another Townsville They said that they were told to slip in by the side seat. Bearing in mind that the member for door to attend meetings. Their claims of electoral Mundingburra has no friends in the Australian fraud, which is a very serious offence, should not Labor Party, nor is he likely to, one must ask be ignored. The other people involved are the where he gets his information from. As I have honourable member for Mundingburra and the said before, his speech was probably written in former Liberal director, who deny that anything the backroom by the bovver boys and girls of the happened. However, I ask the simple question: National Party. A disgusting campaign of smear why would two members of the public give and innuendo has been run. Almost every week themselves up and face jail terms if there was no we read some new and juicy piece of gossip from secret deal? Where was the honourable member a supposedly reliable source. Who are those when those meetings occurred? According to sources? Why are they so reliable and how it is Warren and Yeomans, he was there. He was that they seem to know every move that the there when the deal was done, yet his constant Federal Police make? They claim to know what defence is that he did not know what was going different individuals are saying to the Federal on. He tried to pretend that all the dirty work was Police and what actions are being taken. They done by others, but there can be no doubt that even seem to know what individuals involved in he was there. the investigations are thinking. No regard is being paid to individual rights and individuals are Earlier this year the CJC said that it was unable to investigate this matter because it did being denied natural justice. They are given no not involve a public official. I am now informed opportunity to reply to vague allegations from that, after interviewing Warren and Yeomans, the supposedly reliable sources. They are being CJC is having a much closer look at the matter tried and convicted in the media without and so it should, because the member for recourse to proper procedures. If there has been Mundingburra is a public official and he gained any illegality in relation to this matter, those involved should suffer the full force of the law. benefit through what Warren and Yeomans say However, in our civilised society, only when were fraudulent means. If there is corruption in proper procedures have been followed in the Townsville, then there is corruption in the courts is someone proved guilty of an offence. A electoral process and the member for constant stream of anonymously sourced gossip Mundingburra was elected by corrupt practices. does not mean that someone is guilty of Admissions by Yeomans and Warren are direct something. evidence of that corruption and that direct evidence implicates the member for There is another twist in this very disturbing Mundingburra in the sleazy deal. Therefore, the tale. All the information from Townsville that I member for Mundingburra was elected by false have received suggests that even before we and corrupt practices. read each new revelation in the Townsville Bulletin, the powers within the Liberal Party are In any case, on election day the people of aware of what is happening. If that is true, it is Townsville will not forget the name Tanti. The even greater cause for concern. What about due name Tanti will be remembered for the man who process? Why is the Liberal Party so aware of stayed in Brisbane when Townsville was struck what is going on? It is not unreasonable to ask by floods this year, despite the fact that his son how and why it is being kept so well informed. flew home, the Opposition Leader and the member for Townsville managed to get there and I understand that this matter is being the Premier managed to get there. The name considered by the Federal Director of Public Tanti will be remembered for the occasion when Prosecutions. The director has an obligation to the member used a parking space reserved for give this matter prompt and full consideration, disabled. He said that he did not see the and then act to either issue charges or clear the disabled parking sign. And then there was the individuals whose cases have been referred to time soon after the election when the member him. The DPP should not become a pawn in a for Mundingburra visited the Goondiwindi show. dirty, sleazy political campaign run by the Liberals According to the Goondiwindi Argus, a reporter and now being engaged in by the Premier, was gobsmacked when the member for whose actions today clearly demonstrate that he Mundingburra said that he saw Parliament as a is quite prepared to get into the gutter with the three-year university course. I assure the member for Mundingburra and use this issue for member for Mundingburra that it will not be three political purposes. The DPP should not allow years and he will not be graduating with honours. itself to become a pawn in what is a disgusting, sleazy political issue. The targets of this rumour I turn now to the issue that was raised by the campaign should not have their reputations member for Mundingburra in his latest mud- constantly besmirched in the media and they slinging effort, which was his allegation relating to should not have to put up with a sewer rat from 17 Mar 1998 Matters of Public Interest 349

Townsville using parliamentary privilege to Queensland actually dropped. I have a graph that peddle untruths as he desperately tries to save I am quite happy to table that shows that his own political salary. between 1993 and 1994, police numbers Honourable members should make no dropped. That is most significant when the mistake: the member for Mundingburra is no nice population of Queensland, particularly in some ordinary bloke. He knew all about the dirty deals areas, was growing quite rapidly. That had a that were done in Mundingburra and he is now terrible effect. willing to be a participant in what is a very dirty, Mr Livingstone interjected. sleazy campaign. Mr LAMING: I can hear the member for I understand that the CJC is now Ipswich West interjecting. Perhaps he does not investigating the revelations of Warren and want to hear that, during that time, police Yeomans and quite clearly the member for numbers dropped by 79. On the Gold Coast, at a Mundingburra was up to his neck in those sleazy time when crimes against property in that region deals. He knew about them, because he was increased by 12%, police numbers decreased by there. He was there because Warren and 12%. So members could imagine that people in Yeomans said he was there. If he was not there, that area were fairly concerned about that matter. he would have risen to a point of order by now. In my own area on the Sunshine Coast, police The direct evidence of Warren and Yeomans is numbers dropped by 7% while crimes against that the member for Mundingburra and his people increased by a massive 55% and crimes Liberal Party mates were there doing a sleazy against property increased by 41%—all at a time deal with Warren and Yeomans to do over when police numbers were going down. Mooney. The member has been up to his neck in this since day one. The CJC can now One could ask: is this just an academic appropriately investigate the matter, because the situation? Are we just talking about numbers or is member has benefited from the process. I say to this a real situation? The Maroochy Shire Council the honourable member for Mundingburra: at the wrote to the previous Police Minister to point out end of the day, you will get yours. that the ratio of police officers to population on the Sunshine Coast was one officer for every 974 people compared with an average Police Resources throughout the State of one officer for every 467 Mr LAMING (Mooloolah) (11.59 a.m.): It people. So it is quite clear that, although police gives me great pleasure to speak briefly about a numbers throughout the State were down, the subject that is very dear to my heart, and that is situation was particularly bad in the growing areas the roles of a State Government and, particularly, of the State, and particularly on the Sunshine one of those roles. Of course, the most Coast. important role of a State Government is service delivery to the community. Services to be The police officers themselves were moved provided include important things such as to express concern, and it is not often that police officers come out publicly and express such education, health and law and order. Today, I concerns. However, in 1992 an article in the would like to speak about law and order and, Sunshine Coast Daily stated— more specifically, the issue of police numbers. During the last Parliament, I was a member "Police spoke out about severe of the then Opposition's law and order task force, understaffing of police stations at of which the current Attorney-General, the weekends, an overload of offenders in current Minister for Environment, the current watchhouses, and a need for more stations Police Minister and the member for Broadwater to be manned around the clock." were also members. We travelled throughout this In that article, the superintendent for that area State and listened to the concerns that the stated that— people had about law and order issues. One of the most often repeated concerns was that of "... a lack of manpower during weekends police numbers. I decided to take a particular was a major problem on the Sunshine Coast interest in police numbers, not just in terms of and was frustrating senior police." the reactive role played by police in responding That was very bad. The ultimate insult occurred to people who have an urgent requirement for one weekend in 1995. Police in Caloundra police to attend but also in terms of having police received a rude shock when they returned from a on the ground where they will discourage people call-out to discover that their station had been becoming involved in unlawful activities. broken into. That must have been very Between 1993 and 1995 when the coalition embarrassing for them and, of course, for the was in Opposition, police numbers in Government. 350 Matters of Public Interest 17 Mar 1998

What was the response from the previous Throughout the service, police officers Government to those charges? I refer to Hansard were very, very concerned about what was going in which the then Minister stated— on. Of course, when the coalition came into "We in the Government are proud of power it did not take very long for the problem to what we have done in five years." be rectified. I refer to an article in the Courier-Mail headed "Cabinet orders police boost". It states— Proud indeed when police numbers were going down and nothing was in place to turn around "Police numbers will increase by 750 that situation! Back in 1995—and this was when over the next two years under a $61 million the coalition Government had come to power but first step in the State Government's plan to there was still the residue of the policies of the have 9100 operational officers by 2005." previous Government—the current Police Obviously, these things take time. The issue is Minister, Mr Cooper, did not waste any time not just about police numbers, it is also about identifying the problem and addressing it. He having the necessary resources. However, I was said that the Sunshine Coast would need 135 very pleased, and so were other Government police on top of the June 1995 figure to reach members, to see this issue addressed. From the Statewide police to population ratio of one time to time, the coalition's commitment was officer for every 521 people. At that time, repeated. However, there was still a police Opposition spokesman, Paul Braddy, said that it numbers problem on the Sunshine Coast. I was not the Minister's job to decide where police made inquiries and I am very pleased that I was go. However, when there seems to be a able to work with such a cooperative Police malapportionment of police, the matter should Minister who allowed me to speak to the be considered. commissioner and other senior officers to Mr Livingstone interjected. investigate how the police model actually works. That was quite an interesting exercise. Mr LAMING: I can hear the interjections from the member for Ipswich West. If he would Before I refer to that model, members might just be quiet for a little while, he will learn be interested in seeing this diagram that shows something about the allocation of police. There the difference between the coalition's is a complex model, and I will refer to it shortly. commitment to police numbers in the future However, for the member's information I am quite compared with the commitment made by the happy to table this piece of paper. It is an article previous Government. I will table that. The police from the March 1995 edition of the Queensland model is quite a complex document and it takes Police Journal, titled "Staffing! Does anyone in issues such as total population, youth, ATSI really know what is going on?" During all of those population, tourists, urban population and all years that that mob opposite was in power, they sorts of offences, including traffic offences and were mucking about and the police officers DVAs. The model relies very heavily on figures themselves did not even know what was going supplied by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. on. The article states— I do not have time to go into that model; it is "What is difficult to understand is how very complicated. However, the proposal I put the Service allowed themselves to fall so far forward on behalf of the growth areas of the below the funded strength as we have seen State—the Sunshine Coast and the Gold during 1994 and well into 1995." Coast—was that that growth had to be recognised. In the past, the growth rate in those The police could see what was going on and areas had not been recognised. placed an article about the situation in the Police Journal for all to see. Last week, I was at the Police Academy at Oxley. On that day, I met all the 19 graduates. I There was also frustration in my area. I refer am very pleased to say that 14 of those to an article in the local paper headed "Police graduates are going to the Sunshine Coast. I plan crisis talks". It states— would like to commend the Minister, the "Sunshine Coast police will hold a mass department and the academy for that. The police meeting early next month in an have been doing a great job. My area is getting unprecedented attempt to highlight staffing the numbers that it deserves. I would like to shortages. remind the House that I will be working into the next year on this issue because I believe that the The Police Union's regional executive growth areas in this State, particularly the member ... said politicians and local VIPs Sunshine Coast, need even more police. would be invited to the meeting to hear first- hand accounts of the staffing problem." Time expired. 17 Mar 1998 Matters of Public Interest 351

Water Supply, Hervey Bay Security of supply of water to Hervey Bay Mr NUNN (Hervey Bay) (12.10 p.m.): requires two reliable sources, and these are an There is an urgent need to secure a safe and allocation of water from the Mary River and an reliable water supply for the City of Hervey Bay. increase in the storage capacity of Lenthalls At present, the city's sole source of supply is Dam. Any water engineer can and will confirm dams on the Burrum River, which has a limited that schemes that rely predominantly on one catchment and there is very little scope to source are far less secure than ones that rely on increase storage capacity on the river. Water two or more sources. I recognise that there are restrictions are presently in force and have been demands from other sources seeking water from so for nearly three months. Lenthalls Dam the Mary. Notable amongst these is the Mary dropped to 39% of its capacity in January this River irrigation scheme; however, my inquiries to year. A small back-up supply, known as the the department reveal that, with the raising of the Cassava Dam, is down to 10% of its capacity, but level of the Borumba Dam, which is the back-up this source yields a maximum of only two to the Mary River irrigation scheme, there will be megalitres per day. water available in excess of the requirements of that scheme. A very senior officer of the When honourable members understand department has informed me that Hervey Bay that the city uses an average of 21 megalitres a would have access to that excess. day, they will also understand the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need to solve the The council has already spent $200,000 on problem. An interim solution proposed the an environmental impact statement, and raising of the wall at Lenthalls Dam by six metres. planning documents and environmental impact This action was rejected by the people as it reports which support this submission have would have caused more problems than it been submitted. A favourable decision on the solved. The Wongi waterholes would have been two-scheme proposal would secure water for flooded, as would a large area of agricultural land, Hervey Bay beyond the year 2030, and that and the Burrum River would have had very decision must be made now. limited flow, causing ecological problems in the I have pursued the matter of an allocation of river which in turn would affect the fish habitat. water for Hervey Bay from the Mary since the late The river already has a severe silting and erosion 1980s and I am passionate in my belief that this problem, which would not be helped by a six- issue is as important to the future growth of the metre raising of the dam wall. A two-metre raising city and the wellbeing of its people as was the of the wall is now proposed and it is considered issue of the building of Hervey Bay's new that this level will not cause the problems which I hospital. I was right about the hospital and I am have mentioned. At the same time, the capacity right about this. of the dam will increase significantly. National Party Ministers have a curious When considering the problem, one has to predilection to support that which will not benefit remember that Hervey Bay now has a population Hervey Bay. The now failed Minister for Health of 43,000 people and is growing at the rate of opposed the building of the new Hervey Bay 6.7% per annum. Projections see that Hospital and the Treasurer, Joan Sheldon, froze population growing to over 80,000 by the year the building of a State office block, while the 2011. We must remember that Hervey Bay has Premier, the Minister for Tourism and the Minister grown from 18,000 to 43,000 in the last 12 for Environment all combined to attack the years. source on which Hervey Bay's whale watch One of the borders of the City of Hervey industry was founded. It is thought now, Bay is the Mary River and the city has a right to an however, that in the new Minister for Natural allocation from this source, as has every other Resources there may be someone who will town and city on that river. I have been informed determine the issue on its merits, and I intend to that the group developing the water area have further discussion with him on this matter. management plan for the Mary could be ready to The Hervey Bay City Council is not just a take submissions by the end of April and could user of water, it is a conservator of water. It have a management plan in place in two and a recognises that water is a scarce commodity and half years. Given that the planning for this added our most valuable asset. The Hervey Bay City supply must wait two and a half years to begin, it Council has become the yardstick for best is reasonable to suggest that the new sources of practice in water management and is putting its supply will not be available for four to five years. money into more and more innovative schemes Hervey Bay simply cannot wait that long. The city to conserve water. The council recently won a council has made submissions to the department national award for innovation in local government and I believe has broached the matter with the for its Eli Creek effluent reuse scheme, where Minister. 100% of effluent from the sewage treatment 352 Matters of Public Interest 17 Mar 1998 plant is returned for use as irrigation for what agriculture. The council has produced a were previously marginal dry cane farms. The trial document as an application for funding for a scheme at the Pulgul Sewage Treatment Plant stormwater harvesting pilot scheme. It is a presently re-uses approximately 80% of effluent, proposal of great moment and I table it for the and development work is going on to ensure that benefit of all members, because it is applicable to 100% is re-used as irrigation. towns and cities in rural outback Queensland, as I wish to give credit to Hervey Bay city well as coastal cities. councils both past and present. The Pulgul Not only can the water thus harvested be scheme came about when, in the late 1980s, the used for agriculture but, if the technology can National Party Government of the day granted produce safe-to-use water from tertiary treated $900,000 to dump sewage effluent into Hervey effluent, the demands on our rivers also may be Bay. The council of the day, of which I was a reduced. It is true that many other councils are member, said, "No fear. Give us the money and consulting the experts at Hervey Bay City we will put more with it and distribute the effluent Council regarding methods of saving water, but it on to a cane farm, which we will buy." The next should also be seen as compelling information council finished that scheme and the then mayor for all members of this Parliament, and I issue a Fred Kleinschmidt chaired the committee which, standing invitation to all members to come to after negotiation with various stakeholders, investigate this forward-thinking scheme. breathed life into the Eli Creek scheme, which Mr Ardill: It provides a lesson for Brisbane. will be environmentally friendly and of enormous benefit to canefarmers. Mr NUNN: The honourable member for Archerfield says that it is a lesson for Brisbane. It The ratepayers, and indeed the whole of is a lesson for Brisbane—it shows that rural and Queensland and Australia, will benefit and due regional Queensland can show the boys in the recognition should be given to Fred big cities something—but it is a lesson for every Kleinschmidt and his father, Fred Snr, who did a city and shire in Australia and every country in the lot of the work. Council staff past and present, world. The council will provide an officer to take including the former water engineer Ross people who come to view this scheme on a tour Anderson, who designed the first scheme, of inspection and to explain the scheme to them. should also be congratulated. The present I welcome any member who comes to look at this council, under Mayor Bill Brennan, assisted by scheme. water engineer Tim Waldron, must also be recognised and congratulated not only on In summary, what is needed as an urgent finishing the scheme but also on continuing to priority is a safe, reliable and secure water supply investigate more innovative ways to harvest and for the City of Hervey Bay available from two conserve water. All of the people I have sources, and financial backing from both State mentioned will take their place amongst the and Federal Governments to assist the Hervey greats when water conservation is being spoken Bay City Council in its endeavours to pioneer the about. stormwater harvesting scheme. Hervey Bay already leads the State in water re-use. It is not Last year Hervey Bay City Council won a fair that the ratepayers of Hervey Bay carry the special commendation from the Department of burden of water reform for the State. They Natural Resources for its Waterwise activities, already have a lot to carry. I ask the Minister to which included a primary school Waterwise reward the Hervey Bay City Council and its education scheme where every child in Hervey ratepayers for their initiative by immediately Bay received special classes in this subject. setting aside $1.5m to establish a pilot Additional Waterwise activities included rebates stormwater harvesting system in Hervey Bay. Not for ratepayers who installed water-saving devices only will that be a boost to our city, but also quite and the training of local plumbers in specialist probably long-term economic benefits to this techniques to save water. Hervey Bay City State will accrue. I must say that I have had Council is now widely accepted as being the extensive talks with the shadow Minister for leader in water demand management and Natural Resources, who in turn has had leakage control. Many other local authorities extensive talks with the Hervey Bay City Council, seek advice and assistance from council in these and he is committed to helping them to fund this matters. pilot scheme. Recently, council staff have proposed a stormwater harvesting scheme costing $1.5m to trial for Queensland. If proved successful, this Capricornia Connect proposal could have a major financial benefit for Hon. V. P. LESTER (Keppel) Australia by reducing the cost of stormwater (12.20 p.m.): I thank the Premier very much for infrastructure and providing additional water for visiting central Queensland on two occasions in 17 Mar 1998 Matters of Public Interest 353 recent weeks. One of the issues that he looked days, and we should be able to beam that at when he was there some two weeks ago was technology into the lounge rooms of people no the Networking the Nation project. On a local matter where they live in whatever part of level, a project which is being organised and Australia. Another outcome will be cooperative proposed through the Central Queensland engagement in key strategic sub-projects in the University is Capricornia Connect. Networking sectors of business, education, health, the Nation is the Commonwealth Government's Government services and social and cultural five-year, $250m Regional Telecommunications development. Infrastructure Fund. It aims to bridge the gaps in Capricornia Connect has been structured in telecommunications services, access and costs the following way to give overall direction, between urban and non-urban Australia. It is a planning, support, communication and financial pretty good project and, quite frankly, we need accountability across the region. A core project to get behind it. Queensland has been allocated will provide the enabling mechanisms for basic $53.1m of this funding over five years. community awareness, public Internet access The Faculty of Informatics and points, education, sharing of expertise, Communication Outreach Taskforce, chaired by communication and learning across a number of Dr Shirley Gregor, was formed to progress centres referred to as hubs—the hub and spoke matters related to community outreach, including type system. As well, a number of subprojects, applied research projects for the new faculty of which could function independently, will benefit informatics and communication at Central enormously from being part of a relationship with Queensland University. The task force has the core project. responded to this fund with a coordinated It is expected that the overall financial application for the central Queensland region for control will be through the Central Queensland Networking the Nation. University, with separate accounts for the core The task force believes that it is in the projects and each subproject. These interests of the central Queensland region that a subprojects are: infrastructure, business, coordinated application for funding be education, health, Government services and presented. As a result, the Capricornia Connect information, and social and quality of life. As to project has developed as a large umbrella the funding—the Capricornia Connect project is application which brings together communities seeking $2.6m for the core enabling project, across central and western Queensland. The $7m for the network infrastructure subproject application represents a cooperative effort and an estimated $2m for the other subprojects. between community groups, governments at all The applicants are expected to demonstrate levels, industry and a major regional university. their commitment by making some contribution Significant community consultation has to the cost of the project. The project proposal occurred, and this has resulted in very wide has committed staff time in the order of $72,000 community support. That is really great. The per year and office space, furniture and electricity model will also provide mechanisms for in the order of $20,000. Staff in the outreach cooperation in other areas and regional and project task force will willingly give their time to economic planning, education, health, business the project because of the opportunities for and socio-cultural activities. applied research that it represents as well as the The goals of this project include: increased value of the project to the community. As to time technology-related skills, knowledge and lines—the applications for the next round of expertise in central and western Queensland; funding have closed for consideration by the increased economic development and board on 31 March. A decision on a successful employment opportunities; increased equity of applicant is expected in May. access to information and services; and various This particular project of the Central types of interconnectivity, social activities and so Queensland University is really important. on. As to the outcomes—these are expected to Indeed, the Central Queensland University is an include the provision of basic training and extraordinarily progressive university. At the support to enable the use of the networks; moment it is introducing four semesters per year. increased community awareness and the use of In addition, it has become very global. This telecommunications networks; increased public situation applies within Australia as well as access to networks; improved speed—and that overseas, with campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, is very important—of links in networks, where Perth and Asian countries. Inquiries are being appropriate; and ongoing planning to enable made in a number of countries throughout the strategic use to be made of the electronic world. I do believe that the university will be able networks. There is no reason that we cannot do to provide services that are equal to and no this. We have very modern technology these doubt better than those provided to many other 354 Matters of Public Interest 17 Mar 1998 parts of the world, and it is quickly being known as CEDA—on the need for improvements recognised for that. It is the fastest-growing along the whole of the Pacific Highway. CEDA regional university in Australia. For that reason it has produced an information paper that makes has been very purposeful. The university has the point that world-class linkages between out been able to obtain a lot of community support cities are arguably more important than any other from the very basic fact that it has introduced a Government reform or expenditure. It points out consultative process with the community. In fact, the role of major roads in the economic it has many open days. When new professors development of regions and says that these come on the scene, they often give a public roads should not be designed simply to cater for lecture to anybody in Rockhampton who wants today's requirements; they need to be built with to listen to them. I believe that the Central the future in mind. Queensland University also has the best This is especially relevant to the section of multicultural day in Queensland, and this is the highway between Brisbane and the Gold particularly well recognised. Coast. It serves a number of functions: it is a I also want to comment on the Premier's visit business link between Queensland's two largest to the Livingstone Shire. Representations were centres as well as servicing the growing number made in a very sincere, diplomatic and forceful of communities in between; it is a link between way to obtain an additional water infrastructure families living all the way along the corridor; and it program. The reason for this is very simple. is one of Queensland's most important tourism Particularly during hot weather, and with an links. These, and many other factors, convinced increasing population in the district, the water us that in building the Pacific Motorway we need supply from one particular weir at Yeppoon does to build the most advanced, safest road possible. come under pressure from time to time. If we saw better ways to do things, we Therefore, we need to augment our water supply considered them; if we thought they would result program. This is going to cost several millions of in a better road, we included them. dollars. I congratulate the Livingstone Shire for Over the past two years much has occurred. moving ahead with its water supply program. Not only have we found better ways to build the Rather than relying solely on the water supply at road; we have also listened to what the people Water Park Creek, it is actually looking at want. Wherever feasible, we have tried to accessing water from the mountains in a bid to accommodate those requirements. The ensure an adequate water supply program for improvements to the original plans have come the entire community. I congratulate the about in a number of ways. Firstly, we have been Livingstone Shire on the very excellent in constant communication with local presentation that it put forward to the Premier communities and the general public. As a result, when he visited that area recently. we now have a solution that takes into account In addition, the Premier opened the new what the people think and what they want. As a extensions to the courthouse. That was also result, the original scope of the project has been pretty good news for the community. All who broadened to include many improvements, attended that function witnessed the opening of mainly in the following areas: traffic management one of the most modern courthouses in all of and safety; community linkages; and provision regional Queensland. I understand that the for future requirements, including transit lanes. Premier will be returning to the district in the not- I turn now to traffic management and safety. too-distant future. The Pacific Motorway between Logan and Time expired. Nerang is one of the most heavily trafficked inter- urban arterial routes in Australia. Any incident on the highway can quickly lead to congestion and MINISTERIAL STATEMENT corresponding road user delay. Whatever the Pacific Motorway cause of the incident, the effects are the same: Hon. V. G. JOHNSON (Gregory— road user delays, frustration and reduced road Minister for Transport and Main Roads) safety. We have included world-class traffic (12.30 p.m.), by leave: Last week the Premier management techniques to avoid delays. We will and I announced the final designs of the Pacific maintain speed through the construction sites at Motorway project, which has undergone 80 km/h, not 60 km/h. That represents a significant scope changes since it was first significant saving in both time and money for approved in April 1996. As it turned out, the motorway users. timing of the announcement was interesting. As to community linkages—during the Just a few days before, I had addressed a preparation of the impact management plan and conference arranged by the Committee for subsequent detailed design, it became clear that Economic Development of Australia—better communities were concerned about their ability 17 Mar 1998 South Bank Corporation Amendment Bill 355 to readily cross the motorway and have safe nation's exports. More than 18% of access to families, friends, schools, shops and Queensland's work force—or around 108,000 other facilities on the other side and to have people—are employed in the rural sector. That is ready access to and from the high-speed Pacific almost one in five Queenslanders. Eighty-seven Motorway. The outcome of that consultation was per cent of the State's 1.7 million square additional motorway crossings and improved kilometres is devoted to primary industries. grade-separated interchanges. The service road The opening of Primary Industries Week network will mean that local traffic will not need to took place in Brisbane's Queen Street Mall, with enter the motorway to make local trips. displays by almost every major primary industry in Significant improvements have been made at the Queensland, including sugar, horticulture, junction of the Logan Motorway, Beenleigh, livestock, grain, fisheries, dairy and forestry. Oxenford, Helensvale, the Gold Coast Highway More than 40 events are being held throughout and Nerang interchanges over and above the Queensland in regional centres this week to original concept. celebrate Primary Industries Week. Highlights I turn now to the provisions for future have included an open day at the DPI's Bribie requirements, including transit lanes. In mid Island Aquaculture Centre, which attracted more 1997, more than a year after the Pacific Motorway than 15,000 people on Sunday; school visits by project was approved, the Integrated Regional DPI staff and farmers to 720 primary school Transport Plan for south-east Queensland was children in Emerald; and Statewide ABC radio completed and released. The IRTP broadcasts featuring primary industries. Displays recommended transit lanes between Brisbane and open days have also been held at Cairns, and Logan. All in all, these and other Townsville, Ayr, Bowen, Rockhampton and improvements that have now been integrated Longreach. Nobody could have missed the into the Pacific Motorway plans will ensure that primary industries feature in the Courier-Mail the motorway will carry south-east Queensland today. Another similar feature will appear in the well into the next century. The Pacific Motorway Courier-Mail next Tuesday. is a road designed not just for today but also for Primary Industries Week also emphasises the future. It is a road that takes into account what the enormous contribution that primary the community wants, as well as best-practice industries make to the lifestyle of every construction and operation methods from Queenslander. Few people anywhere in the around the world. It is a road that will save lives world have access to the fresh, high-quality, low- and cut the cost of accidents to the community cost fruit, vegetables, seafood and meat along this section of the highway—currently products that we in Queensland take for granted estimated to be in excess of $20m per year. It is a every day of the week. This coalition road that will allow the Gold Coast to reach its full Government has clearly demonstrated its potential in terms of domestic tourism and allow commitment to the development of a stronger the communities between there and Brisbane and even more profitable and diverse primary access to the services and facilities that they industry sector. It will continue to expand and need. The Pacific Motorway will be a road of underpin this State's economic growth for which all Queenslanders can be proud. I look generations to come. This will be achieved forward to its opening in two years, in March through increased emphasis on the 2000. development of new products, new markets, value adding, leading-edge research and MINISTERIAL STATEMENT innovative marketing and production techniques and technology. Most importantly, growth in Primary Industries Week primary industries will be achieved by this Hon. M. H. ROWELL (Hinchinbrook— Government and the industry working closely Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and together as partners to ensure that we have an Forestry) (12.34 p.m.), by leave: Yesterday I had even more successful future. the pleasure of opening Primary Industries Week, a week devoted to increasing community SOUTH BANK CORPORATION awareness and understanding about this vital AMENDMENT BILL industry sector. The saying "A good year in the country means a good year in the city" certainly Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers holds true in Queensland. Primary industries Paradise—Premier) (12.38 p.m.), by leave, make an enormous contribution to the without notice: I move— Queensland economy. In fact, our food and fibre "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill industries contribute a staggering $5.5 billion for an Act to amend the South Bank annually to Queensland's economy. They make Corporation Act 1989." up 36% of the State's exports and 21% of the Motion agreed to. 356 Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition (Queensland) Bill 17 Mar 1998

First Reading also providing the corporation with further land to Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and host free entertainment. Buskers, outdoor Bill, on motion of Mr Borbidge, read a first time. concerts and additional picnic areas are planned by the corporation as free entertainment to the public. Second Reading The master plan addresses the critical issue Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers of car parking in and around the corporation area Paradise—Premier) (12.39 p.m.): I move— which will enhance the precinct's ease of access. "That the Bill be now read a second Public transport access will also be greatly time." improved with development centring on a new traffic and busway. The highlights of this I am pleased to bring before this House this development are, in summary— Bill which amends the South Bank Corporation Act. As all members will appreciate, South Bank A new pedestrian/cyclist bridge linking has become an integral part of the life of the City South Bank with the city near Alice Street. of Brisbane and is a showcase of urban renewal. The southern footpath on the Victoria The site has metamorphosed from a dilapidated Bridge will also be covered, providing all fish market into the incredibly successful Expo weather access to pedestrians and cyclists. 88 site and is now providing for public and The closure and/or realignment of some residential amenities in the heart of our city. The streets within the area, enabling further expansion of the cultural precinct and the commercial, retail and parkland building of the exhibition and convention centre development. Grey Street will be recreated have brought new life into the west end of the as the avenue linking Vulture and city and have made the southern approaches to Melbourne Streets and allowing easy entry the city a vista of world-class distinction. to South Bank's new heart. A shady access The purpose of this Bill is to empower the lane will be created between the avenue corporation to continue the development of and the Brisbane River which will become South Bank in accordance with the master plan the new park lane and providing another which South Bank Corporation's architects street for retail and entertainment launched in June 1997. The new master plan will opportunities. On-street parking and new create development sites totalling 52,000 underground car parks will add up to 2,000 square metres and includes a new underground car parking spaces. car park, pedestrian and cyclist bridge, arbour Further access to the area by public and new square, various new buildings, transport includes a new dedicated busway landscaping and parklands enhancement. and two new bus and train interchanges. Preliminary works such as clearing have begun; New riverfront moorings will also increase however, major works are scheduled to ferry and private boat access. commence at the end of April. Commercial growth in the area will be My Government has committed $67m, of increased with the development of four- which $28m will be recouped through land sales. storey linear buildings located along the All major infrastructure is expected to be in place avenue housing a diverse mix of cafes, by December 1999. The works envisage links to retail, entertainment and commercial uses the city and river and, in particular, a pedestrian whilst along the western side of the area and bikeway bridge link from the corporation area commercial towers of 8 to 10 storeys are to the city side of the river. Provision has also anticipated. been made for additional open parkland for family recreation and a pedestrian/cyclist loop circling Completion of the planned works will mean the area. that South Bank will greet the new century as the new hub of social, cultural and recreational life for The anticipated works to the area will Brisbane and south-east Queensland. I encourage 24 hour per day usage of the site with commend the Bill to the House. further such facilities as cinemas, cafes, bars and restaurants. The IMAX theatre will be completed Debate, on motion of Mr Beattie, adjourned. by December 1998 and promises to lure both families and younger people to the site. The proposed development will create a safe TRANS-TASMAN MUTUAL environment for young families and children to RECOGNITION (QUEENSLAND) BILL enjoy. The traffic free and parkland areas will Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers provide an additional 12,000 square metres of Paradise—Premier) (12.44 p.m.), by leave, parkland and recreational areas for families whilst without notice: I move— 17 Mar 1998 Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition (Queensland) Bill 357

"That leave be granted to bring in a Bill The Trans-Tasman MRA is designed to for an Act to adopt the Trans-Tasman Mutual promote free trade in goods and services Recognition Act 1997 (Cwlth) and for other between Australia and New Zealand through the purposes." mutual recognition of regulatory standards for Motion agreed to. goods and occupations in both countries. The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement is an extension of the Australian Mutual First Reading Recognition Agreement. The Trans-Tasman MRA builds on the success of the Australian Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and MRA, extending the scheme to the market for Bill, on motion of Mr Borbidge, read a first time. goods and services between Australia and New Zealand and benefiting the people of both countries, especially those in Queensland. Second Reading The success of the Australian MRA is a Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers strong indication that the implementation of the Paradise—Premier) (12.45 p.m.): I move— Trans-Tasman MRA will benefit all jurisdictions "That the Bill be now read a second by— time." expanding the market in goods and labour In July 1990, the Commonwealth between Australia and New Zealand; Government established an agreement between increasing the competitiveness of the Australia and New Zealand for the reduction of market; trade barriers between the two countries. The minimising regulatory impediments to free Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic trade in goods and labour between Australia Relations Trade Agreement, known as CER, and New Zealand; sought to develop a single market focus for increasing consumer choice in the market; Australia and New Zealand and to widen opportunities for trading within forums such as decreasing compliance costs to business APEC. and industry; In May 1992, Australian Heads of increasing mobility of people in registered Government signed a Mutual Recognition occupations to practise in other jurisdictions Agreement, or MRA, which was designed to with a minimum of regulatory impost; and establish a national economy free of trade and providing greater opportunities for Australia occupational barriers between States and and New Zealand to enhance their Territories. This agreement was underpinned by influence internationally through bodies legislation which sought to ensure that there such as the APEC forum. would be free trade between the States and that Queensland, because of its close proximity there would be no discrimination on the grounds to New Zealand, is well placed to take maximum of residence, as is provided by sections 92 and advantage in relation to expanded trade 117 of the Commonwealth Constitution. opportunities. The Trans-Tasman MRA In December 1992 the Queensland legislation will implement two mutual recognition Parliament gave effect to the MRA by passing principles about freedom of trade in goods and mutual recognition legislation. Consistent with services. The first principle is that, if goods may the original intention of CER, part of the MRA be legally sold in Australia, the goods may be provided for an extension of the scheme to sold in New Zealand and vice versa. The second include New Zealand. In April 1995 negotiations principle is that, if a person is registered to commenced with New Zealand to establish the practise an occupation in Australia, he or she will Trans-Tasman MRA. The framework used for the be entitled to practise an equivalent occupation negotiations was the existing Australian MRA in New Zealand and vice versa. These principles with appropriate enhancements to reflect the are underpinned by the premise that the existing trans-Tasman nature of the scheme. Following regulatory standards regarding goods and these extensive negotiations between the occupations in one participating jurisdiction Commonwealth, States and the New Zealand should satisfy public expectations across all Government, the Trans-Tasman Mutual participating jurisdictions. Recognition Arrangement was signed by the As far as possible, the scheme established Australian Heads of Government at the Council under the Trans-Tasman MRA is consistent with of Australian Governments on 14 June 1996, the scheme established under the Australian and by the Prime Minister of New Zealand on 9 MRA. Importantly, the scheme will not affect the July 1996. operation of Queensland laws regulating— 358 Subcontractors' Charges Amendment Bill 17 Mar 1998

the manner of sale of goods; The Commonwealth legislation was enacted the transportation, storage or handling of on 7 December 1997. The Bill that I have goods, if the laws are directed at protecting introduced today adopts the Commonwealth health and safety or preventing legislation, making Queensland a participating environmental pollution; or jurisdiction. The Queensland Bill adopts the Commonwealth Act for a period of five years, the inspection of goods, if the inspection is which is consistent with the length of the not a prerequisite to sale, and the laws are adoption period for the Australian MRA. directed at protecting health and safety or Queensland, as a participating jurisdiction, will preventing environmental pollution. then review the Trans-Tasman MRA and the Further, laws which mutual recognition might Australian MRA simultaneously every five years. unintentionally affect—including laws relating to In conclusion, the Trans-Tasman MRA is a customs controls and tariffs, intellectual property simple, low cost and low maintenance and trademarks, taxation and other specified mechanism to overcome unnecessary regulatory international conventions—are the subject of an impediments to trade between Australia and New exclusion from the scheme. Zealand. The Trans-Tasman MRA will benefit consumers, business and service providers by Laws which the jurisdictions deem not reducing or eliminating regulatory impediments desirable to include in the scheme—including to trade in goods and the mobility of registered laws relating to quarantine and endangered occupations between both Australia and New species, firearms, fireworks, gaming machines, Zealand. The potential exists for significant indecent or pornographic material, ozone benefits to accrue to Queensland and to all protection, the registration of agricultural and Queenslanders who make use of this veterinary chemicals and high-risk foods—are arrangement. also the subject of a permanent exemption from the scheme. I commend the Bill to the House. Certain regulatory sectors, such as Debate, on motion of Mr Beattie, adjourned. therapeutic goods, hazardous substances, and industrial chemicals and dangerous goods are SUBCONTRACTORS' CHARGES provided with a special exemption for a period of AMENDMENT BILL 12 months in order to enable jurisdictions to address differences in regulatory standards. The Hon. D. J. H. WATSON (Moggill— scheme has a temporary exemption mechanism Minister for Public Works and Housing) which participating parties can use to unilaterally (12.53 p.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— ban the sale of goods in their jurisdiction to "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill protect public health and safety or prevent for an Act to amend the Subcontractors' environmental pollution. The Trans-Tasman MRA Charges Act 1974." does not apply to medical practitioners who are Motion agreed to. dealt with under an existing reciprocal agreement. As stated before, the Trans-Tasman Mutual First Reading Recognition Arrangement is to be given effect Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and through a legislative scheme which includes an Bill, on motion of Dr Watson, read a first time. Australian component and a New Zealand component. The New Zealand component was given effect to by legislation on 20 August 1997. Second Reading The Australian component of the scheme Hon. D. J. H. WATSON (Moggill— requires that the Commonwealth, the States and Minister for Public Works and Housing) the Territories enact legislation. (12.54 p.m.): I move— The jurisdiction leading the implementation "That the Bill be now read a second of the Trans-Tasman MRA in Australia is New time." South Wales. The Trans-Tasman Mutual The Subcontractors' Charges Act 1974 Recognition (New South Wales) Act was enacted allows a statutory charge to be claimed by on 25 November 1997. The New South Wales building industry subcontractors against money legislation refers the power to the payable by an employer to the contractor who Commonwealth to legislate under section engaged the subcontractor. The Act has not 51(xxvii) of the Commonwealth Constitution for been substantially amended since 1976. the passage of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Following the Commission of Inquiry into Recognition legislation. Security of Payment within the Building and 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 359

Construction Industry, approval was given for the POLICE AND OTHER LEGISLATION formation of an implementation steering (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) BILL committee to consider specific initiatives to Second Reading enhance security of payment for subcontractors. The committee comprises representatives of 11 Resumed from 5 March (see p. 268). industry groups and Government. In October Mr BARTON (Waterford) (2.30 p.m.): This 1997, the committee delivered its report Bill amends a number of Acts of the Parliament. Securing our Industry's Future, which included The Opposition agrees with most of the changes recommendations for amendment of the proposed in the Bill and will not oppose it in an Subcontractors' Charges Act. overall sense. However, we have concerns about several of the clauses and, dependent on The Bill now before Parliament incorporates the Minister's answers to matters that we will those recommendations of the committee which raise, both in his response to our address and in can proceed prior to enactment of the wider his response to questions in the Committee reforms proposed in the committee's report. The stage, we may find it necessary to oppose Bill is presented as a forerunner to the wider several of those clauses. reforms which I intend to bring to the House as soon as practicable. In the main, the Opposition accepts that most of the proposed amendments are desirable The Subcontractors' Charges Amendment and necessary. We have supported the central Bill expands the application of the Act to enable thrust of amendments to improve police powers subcontractors to claim a charge not only on because they were sensible and necessary money payable under the contract between amendments, and because of our commitment contractor and employer but also on security for to ensuring that the Police Service has the the performance of a contractor's obligations to powers that it needs to address the policing the employer. However, security may only be problems currently existing in Queensland and utilised where other moneys payable are not to give them the powers that are needed for the sufficient, and is subject to the prior rights of the future. holder of the security to access the security. Although the Act currently allows claims against Many of the amendments that the retention money held by an employer, it has not Opposition proposed in October of last year permitted charges against security given instead were accepted. This support from the of retention money. These claims will now be Opposition was enhanced by the fact that on the permitted. issue of police powers a high degree of bipartisanship was demonstrated by the Minister, The Bill expands the categories of persons his staff and the members of the Queensland entitled to claim a charge under the Act to Police Service who were directly involved in the include manufacturers of project specific process. Again, I thank the Minister, his staff and materials and suppliers of labour. The Bill makes those officers of the Police Service who have provision for partial withdrawal of a claim by a been involved in briefing my colleagues and subcontractor and partial acceptance of liability myself with regard to the Bill. It is for this reason by a contractor. These provisions should that I must say that I am sad about some of the facilitate settlement of claims under the Act. statements that have been made in the media The Bill also contains measures to better and in the Parliament, including this morning, by protect head contractors by requiring the Minister. He has sought to claim all credit for subcontractors claiming a charge to make a the improved police powers and has claimed that statutory declaration about the correctness of during its six years in office the previous Labor claims. The Bill clarifies a number of provisions Government did not address the issue of police which have been unclear or uncertain in their powers. The Minister knows the truth, as do the interpretation. Taken as a whole, the public and the stakeholders—— amendments will provide a reasonable balance Mr Livingstone: The Minister has never between the interests of employers, contractors worried about the truth in the past. and subcontractors, and represent an important Mr BARTON: That is probably a fair first step in implementing security of payment comment. The public and stakeholders know the reforms in the building industry. I commend the truth about the lengthy process involved in the Bill to the House. consideration of police powers by the Criminal Debate, on motion of Mr Mackenroth, Justice Commission and the Parliamentary adjourned. Criminal Justice Committee. They also know about the January 1996 decision by the Cabinet Sitting suspended from 12.57 p.m. to of the Labor Government to amend police 2.30 p.m. powers in a way that was virtually mirrored by 360 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998 most of the changes achieved by the Minister in of the proposed changes are clearly sensible October of last year with, I again stress very reforms that we support. Because of the wide- strongly, very solid cooperation from the Labor ranging nature of the Bill, it is appropriate that my Opposition. I repeat what I said at that time, colleagues and I comment on many of the because it is important: the only unnecessary current police issues that concern us and we will delay occurred in the period between January do that as appropriate. However, I will not seek to 1996 and October 1997 when the Minister comment on every clause or detail in the Bill. I will further reviewed the position. The package was refer only to those issues that I consider to be ready to proceed in January 1996. Sadly, it is the most significant, where it is important that we now apparent that the Minister caused the delay either put issues to the Minister or place on the so that he could claim ownership of the package public record our views on important and rather than share credit for the reforms with the sensitive issues. Labor Party, as the public would very clearly have Having looked closely at clause 7 over the seen that the hard yards had actually been won past 24 hours, the Opposition has some by the Goss Labor Government. potential concerns about the clause, which gives It also disturbs the Opposition that the the Police Commissioner a discretion to exempt Minister continues to perpetrate the myth about notification of certain misconduct related to police numbers, which were greatly improved alleged contravention of the Anti-Discrimination under Labor despite having inherited from him in Act 1991. On this issue, the Minister's comments 1989 a Police Service with major problems. The in response and his answers in the Committee Minister makes big promises but actually delivers stage of the debate will determine the little. Despite that, the Opposition will again Opposition's position. We are sympathetic to the cooperate on all amendments as they impact on problem, and I say that very openly. We police powers. appreciate that there can be problems when Government members interjected. mandatory reporting is in place. We would certainly like to see the resolution of the problem Mr BARTON: I accept the interjection, but that the Police Service has, but we are unsure I think that is important. Unless the Scrutiny of whether clause 7 is the way to do it. Rather than Legislation Committee finds that there is a real providing the exemptions that are proposed, an problem in the legislation when it has a chance to alternative solution may be for the Police Service examine it closely, it is certainly the intention of to make use of counsellors who are not sworn the Opposition to cooperate fully with all police officers, as I know has occurred in another amendments as they relate to police powers. Government department that had the same The members of the Police Service, and problem. particularly those officers in the field who do the very tough job that society expects of them, I say very openly that the Opposition is deserve our support and I assure them that they concerned about a possible weakening of the have that support. In October I stated that if we Fitzgerald reforms. We are concerned that this were to find that we had not got it right, we may be the thin end of the wedge. We are also should come back into the Parliament and make concerned that because this clause is a potential further changes to the legislation. I am aware that double-edged sword, in serious cases the victim as the Police Service has developed the may feel so intimidated by what has occurred and regulations and responsibilities code and so fearful of having to return to work in the same planned for its coming into force from 6 environment that they do not make a complaint April—several short weeks away—some when in reality they should have done so. weaknesses and errors have been found that Offenders, particularly serious offenders, need have in part—and only in part—made this Bill to be disciplined. I ask the Minister for more detail necessary. I am not being critical when I say that. on the extent of the difficulty that is seen to be We all appreciate that changes to police powers caused by the restrictive reporting problem that is a living issue and adjustments may need to be currently exists. Could the Minister provide more made. The Opposition will cooperate on all of detail on just how bad the problem is and why those issues and will not oppose the this change is needed? In the case of serious amendments. infringements, as opposed to trivial ones, will counsellors be required to encourage aggrieved The legislation seeks to amend some other persons to make complaints or reports? Acts. We agree strongly with most of those changes. However, we will raise some concerns, I am concerned that the amendment will and, as I have already stated, we may find it mean not only that trivial matters may be necessary—and I stress "may"—to oppose unreported but also that some serious matters several changes, depending on the responses may be unreported. I ask the Minister: what is the that we receive from the Minister. However, most current extent of the trivial matters that must be 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 361 reported? Again I stress that the Opposition period, experience may show that people are wants to cooperate in this matter. We accept that being charged for passing on photographs, there is a problem that needs to be resolved, but transcripts or information that is not offensive and we feel that we need more detail than we that it was reasonable for them to pass on those currently have. Again I make no criticism of the things. people who briefed my colleagues and I on the I believe that, if I read the Minister's second- issue; it is simply that we looked closely at the reading speech correctly, this clause is all about issue in the past 24 hours before forming any stopping that offensive material from being final opinions on the Bill. distributed. The Opposition supports that. Clause 9 relates to conditions that may be However, it would hate circumstances to arise in imposed by the commissioner on the release of which reasonable people who have passed on information. It is the Opposition's intention to reasonable evidence to others may find support this clause. Nonetheless, it has a view themselves charged with an offence. The that needs to be considered. It is my Opposition accepts that what is sought to be understanding that the penalty will be applied achieved is desirable to be achieved. However, it only to the person to whom the information is just feels uneasy about the clause, as it appears released on conditions. I question whether the to potentially have too hard an edge to it. The penalty will be applied to those to whom it is Opposition does not want to change the clause passed and to those who make use of it. I must so that the people who are dealing with the say that many media people and some politicians offensive material get off the hook. That is not have expressed concern to me about this matter. the Opposition's intention at all. I understand that it is only the person to whom Clause 22 relates to the Criminal Code. I the information has been given directly by the have already nicknamed this clause the "Neil Police Service who is committing the offence, Roberts" clause. Over a long period, in this but I want to clear up that issue. I certainly would Parliament and certainly in meetings of the Labor like to have from the Minister in this Parliament, if Party, Neil Roberts, the member for Nudgee, has it is possible, an undertaking that that is very been very firm in his view on the need for such clearly the case. an offence relating to road rage. Certainly, the Clause 13 relates to unlawful possession of first part of clause 22 relates to an offence of prescribed articles. The Opposition understands entering a person's car. This morning I read an why this clause has been inserted in this Bill. It article in the Courier-Mail about a person who appears to be a solution to a problem that we all yesterday was the first person to be prosecuted know exists. The Opposition is also sickened by in the courts under a provision that was recently reports of photographs of victims or transcripts of inserted into the Criminal Code. Some comment hearings being distributed by criminals, including has been expressed as to whether this clause in some people who are currently in the prison this Bill could impinge on that section in the system. The Opposition accepts that that Criminal Code. Again, I make the point that when practice needs to be stamped out. In recent one hits such issues first thing on a Tuesday times, I have had passed on to me some morning and when one is tied up with question examples of that. Frankly, it is sickening that time and other matters, it is very difficult to get some people want to hold that sort of material across this clause, to seek advice, or to consult and distribute it to others or show it to others as with others. I believe that we need to look closely some sort of badge of courage. at this clause during the Committee stage. In its The Opposition knows what this clause will report, the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee achieve. However, it has some concerns about seemed to be saying that there is the potential whether it is too restrictive in terms of passing on for some conflict between clause 22 and what is information or material that is not unreasonable to already in the Criminal Code, and that it may other people. From the brief chance that I have require some adjustment. had to look at the report of the Scrutiny of In principle, the Opposition agrees fully with Legislation Committee, which was tabled this what is intended to be achieved from this clause. morning, I see that it has expressed some similar It should be an offence for someone to enter a concerns. The Opposition is appreciative that person's car, even if that person does not the clause as it stands covers the needs of indulge in any other form of criminal activity. I defendants in trials and appeals and the need for think that we would all know people who have their lawyers to be able to have this material even had drunks crawl into their cars and go to sleep. if they are not holding it. However, the Sometimes they leave little calling cards that Opposition simply asks whether there is some people did not really need. The Opposition also halfway point that can be reached that does not accepts the need to address the issue of people stop the problem from being addressed. Over a entering another person's car to engage in 362 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998 criminal activity. In common with many people, I licences unless they have a very, very good have had my car broken into and some reason for that. One of the reasons that is given expensive contents stolen. The police are then in the Explanatory Notes seems to be tied up in trying to find material that is never seen reasonable, that is where a person lives in again. The Opposition accepts that the stiff northern New South Wales or at the Tweed, is a penalty proposed in that clause is necessary. In member of a shooting club on the Gold Coast relation to the maximum penalty, in and regularly shoots at that club. It would be circumstances where violence or threatened reasonable for that person to hold a Queensland violence or damage occurs, there needs to be licence—provided, of course, that that person that level of penalty. has not been banned from holding a licence in another State. That seems to be the crunch We need to address and stamp out this point; it is intended not to be overly restrictive problem of road rage before it becomes the but to stop jurisdiction hopping by people who problem that it is in the United States of America. cannot qualify for licences in their own State and Everybody's observation is that the problem is who are seeking licences in this State. I hope increasing. Every person to whom I speak seems that this is one of the areas upon which all of the to have had some bad experience with road States are agreed. We do not want people rage. Although it was a long time ago, I got a seeking to jurisdiction hop and seeking to smack in the mouth through the window of a car circumvent what has been a genuine refusal for when I objected to a bloke who nearly T-boned why they are inappropriate people to hold a me when he did not give me right of way. It is a weapons licence. As I have stated already, the problem that is not emerging; it is a problem that Opposition accepts that that was the original is well and truly here, but could get a lot worse. intent of the changes to the Weapons Act in The Opposition supports the strong intent of 1996. that clause and supports it as it is written in this Bill. However, the Opposition would like the I turn to clause 31, which relates to Attorney-General to consider the first part of the possession of a knife in a public place. The clause to see if the Scrutiny of Legislation Opposition supports this amendment. We Committee is correct in its assessment of it. accept that it is potentially controversial. We also understand the concerns of those people who Clause 24 relates to the Environmental have knives, including penknives and Swiss Protection Act and the requirement for a person Army knives, for legitimate reasons. For many to give a name and address to a police officer. people, possession of knives has been part of a The Opposition believes that this clause is way of life. That would include Mr Speaker here necessary. Obviously, there was an oversight in this Parliament. He has his own knife and he when that power was transferred to the has always carried it. It is not just Mr Speaker; Environmental Protection Act from the old Noise many other people that I know—they tend to Abatement Act 1978. It is my observation that belong to the older generations, even the police need this power. Noisy parties are an generation before Mr Speaker—have increasing problem—at least they are in my traditionally carried these knives, and people electorate and other people tell me that they have nothing to fear from those people. These have the same problem. It seems to be one of people have a legitimate reason to have knives, those issues that police are being called upon whether it be cleaning fingernails, cleaning pipes continuously to address. They have great or whittling wood, and I do not think we should difficulties because the parties also seem to be be standing on those people. I understand that becoming more outrageous. It is not just that that is not the intent, but we do have to accept there seems to be more parties but the people at that knives in society is a real and increasing parties seem to play at a much greater intensity, problem. and sometimes parties turn into riots. So when The collection of confiscated knives of the police go to a party to attempt to close it down or Police Service is, quite frankly, frightening. attempt to quieten the people down, or if they Machetes, flick-knives and even sharpened see someone who is just roaring his or her hi-fi at screwdrivers can be dangerous weapons. With too many decibels, this clause should assist increasing violence, young people with knives them to find out whom they are dealing with. The are a danger to themselves as well as to others. Opposition believes that the police certainly Carrying dangerous, large knives around seems need this power. to be an increasing trend and it needs to be Clause 28 provides some limitations on stamped out. Sadly, it seems to be considered weapons licensing. It is the Opposition's cool now to have a large knife. We need to get intention to support this clause. It does not want the message through that Crocodile Dundee is a interstate people holding Queensland weapons fictional movie character, not a real person. 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 363

Knives and alcohol do not mix, particularly in that, had that provision not been inserted, I nightclubs. It is so easy for a simple incident to would have sought to amend the Bill. While not escalate into a fight. A bump, a spilt drink, seeking to ban all knives in society—we do have somebody chatting up somebody else's to accept that some people have a legitimate girlfriend, and an angry drunk with a knife can too reason to have a knife, and that must be easily get the red mist before their eyes and use supported—certainly they do not belong in the knife before they realise what they are doing. nightclubs. If recent events do not convince us all of this, The Opposition also strongly supports the then we will be very hard to convince. I mention provision which makes it clear that self-defence is as an example the tragic death of an American not a reasonable excuse to possess a knife in a sailor in Brisbane several weeks ago and the public place. If we did not include this provision, death around that time of a man in my electorate. many young people could legitimately have a I understand that the knife used in the second machete in their baggy shorts and claim this incident I mention was only three inches long. It defence, ultimately with the potential for tragic is not just large knives that are dangerous; some results. smaller knives can also be dangerous. I also mention the tragic death, under different I also refer to clause 44, which seeks to circumstances, of a young Queenslander who amend the Weapons Act of 1990. It is claimed was a police officer in Sydney. Society cannot that this amendment only formalises the existing afford to lose such great young people making a compensation process for weapons historically great contribution. I am sure we all felt that loss. prohibited under the financial agreement between the State and the Commonwealth. I I applaud the use of metal detectors in must say that, at face value, that is what it appears nightclubs. My observation is that some to do and I hope that it does no more than that. nightclubs are screening for knives very well, but This amendment deletes section 179(2) of the I am concerned about reports I am receiving that Weapons Act, which states that compensation is some are not. In these instances, the detectors payable only for category C and D weapons, and tend to be another accessory that some effectively inserts compensation under the bouncers twirl on their fingers, rather than National Firearms Program Implementation Act actually use to scrutinise patrons. I would prefer a 1996 and the National Firearms Program walk-through detector, such as the one in the Implementation Act 1997. Again, this is an area foyer of the Annexe here in this Parliament. that we started to have a close look at only over Mr Cooper: And at the airport. the weekend. I was able to obtain a copy of those two pieces of Federal legislation only today to Mr BARTON: They are also in use at airports. I prefer that type of detector, because consider exactly what they do mean. everybody has to walk through. If people do not The Minister provided very limited detail on have anything on them, they will go straight this provision in the Explanatory Notes and in his through cleanly. There will be fewer hold-ups second-reading speech. I have been led to and the clubs will be much more secure. I do believe that it does not have any retrospective applaud the voluntary code that has been impact. That is clearly something about which I worked out to that extent. I genuinely hope it urge this Minister to advise the Parliament, to works and I call on all the nightclub operators to give a clear indication of whether or not it does make sure it does, because we cannot afford to provide retrospectivity for some action that has have another knifing. Frankly, I think it may get to already been taken. the point where whoever is in Government may Every Queensland taxpayer, indeed every have to legislate to toughen up the metal Australian taxpayer, has a close personal financial detector provisions if some nightclubs do not commitment to this buyback scheme. The make sure they comply with the code. scheme was not funded through normal revenue I understand this amendment will ensure measures; each and every one of us paid for this that patrons of a nightclub cannot take a knife in. by way of a special levy added to our Medicare It is no longer a question of saying, "I've got a levy. Those who owned firearms helped to pay to blade that's less than 80 centimetres long." That buy them back and those of us who did not own is gone, but people in a nightclub who have a firearms paid to remove those considered by the legitimate reason to possess a knife will not be united Federal and State Governments to be prevented from doing so. It may be the cook who unacceptable. I must stress that that group is serving some food; it may be the electrician included the National/Liberal coalition who is repairing some equipment that has failed. Government of Queensland as part of a national That is sensible. That is something the program. Opposition also applauds. I did indicate publicly Subsequently—this is one area where I am before it was absolutely clear what was in the Bill critical—we have seen this Minister and many of 364 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998 his colleagues in Government make outrageous This was made even worse by the lack of public statements, claiming that it was not them clear guidelines when the process began. The who did this. They have blamed either Prime guidelines were loose and hopelessly Minister John Howard, a Liberal colleague, or, in inadequate. They were changed a number of an outrageous denial of the realities, the Labor times on the run in reaction to problems as they Party. It was not us; it was the State Government. emerged. The goalposts continued to be shifted The National/Liberal coalition Government of in mid game. Some people were allowed to score Queensland brought forward the legislation. The points and received significant payments, while Minister's denials of responsibility and attempts others who rolled up a matter of days or weeks to blame Labor for his program and his legislation later were refused when they tried to put forward are outrageous. The Labor Opposition gave the exactly the same sorts of proposals as those that Minister a commitment to bipartisan action on this had already been paid for in the guns buyback most difficult problem because we knew it was program. necessary following the national shock at the events of Port Arthur. The Queensland guns buyback scheme has been a shambles from start to finish, with the Something we know is that we would not problem being at its worst in its early months have received from the Queensland Nationals before people had any idea of how to come to the same type of bipartisan approach had Labor grips with it. It got so bad in May 1977 that a still been the Government in Queensland. The moratorium was put in place to stop dealers from Minister's credibility on this issue is in tatters and turning up with weapons parts and large his recent statements will not fool the majority of quantities of weapons. There is also no doubt voters of Queensland. This is part of why we are that many of the parts were being deliberately entitled to be suspicious about the motives manufactured after the buyback began, to be behind this particular amendment. sold to the buyback scheme at a higher price The Weapons Act currently clearly states than the manufacturing cost. This was a blatant that compensation is payable only for—I stress rip-off of public funds provided through the "only"—category C or D weapons. Under this Medicare levy by you, me and everybody else. Minister's mismanagement of the weapons Large quantities of weapons were being brought buyback scheme in Queensland, payments went in by dealers, not at one go but in parcels on much further than that. I am suspicious that this different dates. amendment may be about formalising some of In one case, a dealer—and I will name this those payments, which the Minister was ultimately responsible for, and which went particular dealer—David Auger, attempted to beyond the current provisions of the hand in 40 shotguns on 24 May and was Queensland Act which he now seeks to change. refused. This was at about the time that the moratorium was put in place. He then went out When the guns buyback scheme was put and came back with 15 of those same shotguns into place, the public was of the belief it was all that had been refused to be taken from him as a about removing self-loading firearms—self- dealer. He then put them on his private shooter's loading light firearms such as .22s, self-loading licence and was paid for them. Technically, this shotguns and self-loading military-style firearms met the guidelines but, as it has been put to me such as SLRs, SSKs and SKSs. The public was by the Police Service, it had a whiff about it. Who told that there would not be payment for owned the shotguns, his dealership or himself accessories for these firearms, or for parts and personally? That is an example of what can occur components, which is what section 179(2) of the when we have horribly sloppy guidelines, such Weapons Act currently provides. This is what has as those that existed at that point in time. been applied to individual members of the public. The public also understood that it did not But that is only one example of what apply to category R machine guns, which have occurred. There are others. Individuals were been banned for many, many decades. I allowed to hand in and be paid for five or 10 SLR understand that, for 60 years, machine guns magazines. Some people were; others were not. have not been available to the community. Apart Weapons parts in bundles of 10 or 20 which from some held by collectors, and a few held were suspected of being manufactured simply illegally, they have not been out in the for the buyback scheme were allowed to be community. But this is not what happened in the handed in and paid for because it was not worth guns buyback, particularly for dealers and, in pursuing whether or not they were genuine particular, for some dealers who are seen to be parts. Plastic moulds for making components close to the National Party and those dealers were handed in, and $1,200 was paid for them. who were either on the valuation panel or who The owner claimed that they were worth $2,500 were closely associated with the members of the each, and the valuations committee agreed with valuation panel. him. But $1,200 was actually paid, and that was 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 365

$1,200 too much, as they were not even program not come along and given the weapons parts. They were engineering manufacturer full value for them. components used to manufacture weapons Another dealer got $1m in one bite for a parts, not even critical components like barrels or large number of Daiwu shotguns that he had bolts. I am talking about plastic bits. Other plastic imported and simply could not sell because components were valued by plastics experts. nobody wanted to buy them. Again, that was a One expert said that they were worth $96 each, straight commercial transaction. He imported and another said that they were worth $5 each. them. He was advertising Daiwu shotguns. No- But they were accepted, and the owners were one wanted Daiwu shotguns, so he had a shed paid $96 each for the components. full of those things—$1m worth. Suddenly he One of the best stings was the attempted got a windfall of $1m for them, whereas hand-in of plastic components for AR15 self- otherwise he would have gone broke, because loading rifles—17,000 plastic guards for AR15s. he was selling shotguns of such poor quality that The owner claimed $145 each for them. That nobody wanted them. amounts to about $2.5m, but only 300 were There is a category for machine guns in the accepted. When I was briefed, they were federal guidelines, that is, Category R weapons. accepted, but there was still some haggling Machine guns have been banned from being going on. They were non-genuine, did not available to the public for over 60 years. They include a crucial aluminium component and, were not covered by the Queensland Weapons when tested, they melted as soon as they were Act. Section 179 (2) says that only Category C used. What are they? Clearly, someone with a and D weapons could be paid for. The Act is very plastic injection moulding capacity is out there clear. There was no capacity to pay for machine throwing a few cents worth of plastic into a mould guns, and certainly not for machine gun parts. and then turning up and claiming $145 a piece. However, they did accept machine guns and And they were manufacturing them after the they did pay for them. They also paid for machine guns buyback scheme began. So that was better gun parts. These are weapons that the public than owning a mint—in terms of printing had no right to hold, and any that were held were money—if one could get away with it. It appears being held illegally. It would have been fair to me that they may not have got away with their enough to provide an amnesty to encourage the planned sting, but they may in fact have been owners of those machine guns to hand them in, paid enough out of the scheme to certainly make but that is not what I am talking about. Payment it worth their time and effort. So I ask: were they was made to remove from the community items paid? Will they be paid? Because even 300 that were illegal, if the community had them. represents a $43,500 sting and, if accepted, They accepted and paid for—and I ask members 17,000 would be $2,465,000 for useless bits of to listen to this because this gets really plastic. interesting—machine guns up to half inch In another case, 25 model 1300 Winchester calibre, Hispano cannons, and 40 millimetre rifles which were suspected of having been Bofors guns—the sort of things that they put on imported for compensation purposes only were light warships and use to shoot down aircraft. accepted and paid for because it was irrelevant As an aside, reports received subsequent whether or not they were imported for that to my being briefed on this indicate that they also purpose after the program began. They met the took in at least one M60 machine gun—still used guidelines, and the dealer involved pocketed by the Australian Army today—which I the public funds, which gave him a profit on the understand cannot be accounted for. It cannot transaction for bringing them in. Many of the be confirmed that it was destroyed, and it may be guns handed in had been purchased by dealers back out there somewhere in the community. It is sales tax exempt, yet they received the full retail a weapon that I used when I was in the former valuation price. This was of no interest to the Citizen Military Forces. It is an awesome weapon. guns buyback program. It was not considered to This was done on the basis that the Federal be a guns compensation issue. This is a legislation allows for payment of compensation question of who paid the taxation on it. for machine guns. One manufacturer received $300,000 for If this amendment in relation to clause 44 is rifle barrels. They were manufactured for a firm all about providing retrospective approval for which had collapsed and gone out of business. It these actions and the purchase of machine-gun was providing rifle barrels to a gun manufacturer. parts from dealers, then this Minister should tell It collapsed. It lost its market. Effectively, these this Parliament today that that is the effect of barrels were no more than scrap metal. But this what his amendment means and that that is his would have been a straight commercial loss for intent, because we need to know that before we that business had the Santa Claus gun buyback make a decision as a Parliament. He should also 366 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998 tell this Parliament that this will allow the guns that were never available to the public. Queensland guns buyback program to pay for Along came the guns buyback program with a the semitrailer loads of parts, including machine- big bucket of money, and they were purchased. gun parts, that dealers deliver to the program, That was a gift from the public of $300,000 for a the price of which they are disputing. To date, pile of rusty scrap metal. The public is entitled to have they been paid? If so, on what basis have know how that could occur. they been paid? If they have not been settled to It is apparent that the transaction did have a date, will the amendments before us today allow for such payments? lot to do with who presented them and his actions to force agreement. The person involved The Minister also needs to tell this was none other than the chairman of the Parliament on what legal basis Category R Queensland guns buyback scheme's valuation machine guns, machine-gun parts and large panel, Bill Nioa. I am briefed that representatives numbers of gun parts were paid for in of the Queensland guns buyback program wrote Queensland. They do not appear to be covered to him seeking for him to prove the value of the effectively under the current legislation. It may be items and raised whether the proposed that they are covered by section 179(6), which transaction met the rules. An indication was states that a regulation may also provide for given to Mr Nioa that payment may have been compensation for loss of business in made at only scrap metal value. Bill Nioa then circumstances specified in the regulation. It may threatened to resign as head of the valuations be covered by section 71 of the Weapons panel. He claimed that the transaction was within Regulation 1996. However, both the Act and the the rules and demanded payment. He claimed to regulation are silent on the payment of gun parts. have incurred costs and that he would lose those In my view, that would not explain the blatant rip- costs if the transaction did not proceed. offs of public funds that have occurred all ready. Apparently, he claims to have paid $24 each for If those provisions do cover those them, which resulted in a mark-up of $36 each, or circumstances, there is no need for this a windfall of $181,800. amendment as provided for in clause 44. If they are already covered, what is clause 44 all about? I understand that he did meet with various The Minister should explain in this Parliament police officers about that particular issue when why this amendment is necessary. His he threatened to resign. I am also briefed that Bill Explanatory Notes and his second-reading Nioa then wrote to Minister Cooper threatening speech provide no real detail as to why this to resign. I understand that he also provided a action is proposed. draft media release that would have embarrassed the Police Minister and the Government. I However, that is not the greatest outrage understand that Minister Cooper then told the and waste of public funds. The guns buyback Police Service to fix it. I understand that a scheme purchased 5,050 Owen machine-gun discussion then took place, which involved Bill magazines at a cost of $60 each, that is, a and Robert Nioa, with senior police at which it payment of $303,000. The true value of those was agreed that the transaction was in line with magazines was 6c each, or $3,030. It was the guidelines and agreed on a price of $60 claimed that the market value of an Owen each. The Police Service was not happy with that machine-gun magazine was $90. But how can transaction. It took steps to ensure that it could there be a market value that is legitimate for an never occur again. That resulted in a meeting in illegal weapon in the hands of a member of the Canberra on 29 May 1997, which resulted in new public? $90 each was claimed; $60 each was rules that became effective on 16 June 1997, paid. The person who presented them received commonly known as the "commercially viable 100 times more than was paid for them in 1990. rule". When I read the Queensland legislation They were part of a consignment of 68,000 that and regulations, I still do not know how that sum were purchased from Aussale, the Federal could have been paid under the Queensland Government body that was disposing of surplus law, regardless of what was agreed to in to requirement weapons from Australia's Canberra, which, of course, was necessary Defence Forces. That was in 1990. At that time, because the Federal Government had to release they were purchased for their scrap metal value. funds. However, they should have be paid in Apparently, the intent of the purchaser was to Queensland in line with Queensland law, which, sell them offshore with the outdated Owen guns from my interpretation, appears to indicate very with which they came. However, the purchaser clearly that there was no power to make such did not want all the magazines. I understand that payments. a dealer from Victoria, Mr A. Warwick, got left with 68,000 of them. I am briefed that a condition of The Federal Government was severely the sale by Aussale was that they could be sold embarrassed by this: purchasing back its own only offshore. Those are magazines for machine scrap metal at highly inflated values. The Federal 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 367 legislation allows for payment for Category R issue at that point. However, the Minister needs machine guns. In the case of dealers, it allows for to give some serious answers. If this amendment payment for machine-gun parts. The State validates payments that have not been made in legislation and regulations do not. Section 71 of accordance with the current Queensland law, the Queensland regulations allows for loss of then the Opposition may have very real problems business. That has been interpreted as meaning in supporting clause 44. that "parts" are a part of "loss of business" for a I move to clause 71, which extends the dealer. The Commonwealth authorities agreed application of move-on powers to automatic teller with that, but it is drawing a longbow to interpret machines. The Opposition agreed in October this legislation in that way, as the Act is in conflict last year to the placement of move-on powers in with that interpretation. The Act has force over the legislation; it did not oppose them. We also and above the regulations. That is another support the extension of the application of reason that the Minister should tell this move-on powers to areas near automatic teller Parliament that that is why he is seeking to machines. In our view there is a demonstrated replace that part of the Act with the Federal Acts. need. I have seen videotapes of the problems The Minister should also tell this Parliament why near automatic teller machines in the Ipswich he intervened to help ensure that the transaction mall. While I would expect this particular mall to that I spoke about before—the purchase of 550 ultimately be a notified area once the processes Owen machine guns—went ahead to Bill Nioa's are completed, I am also aware of the broader benefit. The Minister has had ample opportunity problem near many automatic teller machines in to consider this issue. I raised it in the Parliament other parts of the State. In fact, I am aware of at in a private member's statement on 9 October least one savage assault and robbery near last year. I placed a question on notice— automatic teller machines in City Road, question No. 1317—to the Minister about the Beenleigh, which is only a matter of several letter he received from Bill Nioa on 19 November hundred yards from my own electorate office. 1997, which he answered on 19 December Other people around the State have also 1997. It is important to note that part of the advised me that it is a problem in their area. Minister's answer was this— Most people now have no choice but to use "An extensive search has not located ATMs. Pays are deposited directly into accounts any letter from Mr Nioa referred to in the as an employment condition. ATMs are a way of question." life. Some are very badly placed. However, He did not deny that such a letter was received individual members of the public should not have by him. He simply said, "I can't find it." Members to be frightened of robbery or assault when of this Parliament are entitled to see that letter. If drawing out money whether it is for the purpose the Minister still cannot find it, he should confirm of simply going shopping or a night out because its existence and the basics of what it said. That is young louts are hanging around in a threatening important to this Parliament in the context of this manner. We also know of the emerging problem proposed amendment, clause 44, as it may in which people stand near automatic teller provide retrospective approval for the action in machines, watch people put their pin numbers in making that payment to Bill Nioa. and then steal bags or wallets so they can steal When briefed, I was requested not to make the particular credit card or Bankcard and then strip out accounts. The Opposition will support public the details of the then current operational this amendment, particularly because of the issue of an investigation into some aspects of concern about assaults and robberies, as we that transaction that went to whether the Owen believe it is a logical extension of the move-on machine-gun magazines were owned by Bill Nioa powers that were put into the Police Powers and or whether he was acting as an agent. I Responsibilities Act in October. understand that that investigation is ongoing. Although there is more that I could say, I will I have already mentioned some aspects of respect that request, because it is an ongoing the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee's report. operation. I have concentrated on the abuse of By the time we get to the Committee stage no the guns buyback system as it is relevant to this doubt we will all have had a good chance to look proposed amendment, clause 44. If I did not precisely at what that committee has said. We raise these issues, I would not be accepting my may need to address seriously some of the responsibilities as a member of this Parliament or points that it has made. my duty to the public of Queensland for their In closing, I say that I support the clauses funds. My information came from a police briefing that I have not referred to at all. I support the at which I was accompanied by two staff members great bulk of those amendments that I have whose notes are also able to verify what I have referred to in this debate. I would like to be able provided today to this Parliament. I will leave that to support clause 7 and clause 44, but I do not 368 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998 believe that it is clear that the Opposition can information publication, Borbidge and Sheldon's support those two clauses at this point. It will very 100 Broken Promises, that I tabled in this House much depend on whether the Minister is the last time we met. The whole booklet makes prepared to give certain indications. Clause 7 is for fascinating reading but, on this occasion, I will possibly a little more straightforward than clause simply draw honourable members' attention to 44, which is certainly controversial. Clause 7 is broken promise No. 7 which reads— simply about an administrative matter, although "Over the next decade a we do believe it could have some deeper National/Liberal Coalition Government will ramifications. We await the Minister's reply and employ an additional 2,780 police." his answers to our questions in Committee. I do stress once again that the Minister needs to That is what Mr Borbidge said. He made this explain precisely what is involved with clause 44. promise at the campaign launch in July 1995. I believe he should explain to this Parliament just Nearly three years later, the sad reality is that the what his role was in the purchase of Owen Government is well behind its own schedule. In machine-gun parts from Bill Nioa. order to fulfil this promise, the Borbidge Government would need an additional 278 Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader police per year. Last year there were only 150 of the Opposition) (3.22 p.m.): I rise to participate additional police; this year there are only 250. in this debate on the Police and Other Judged by its own standards, it is 28% below Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. I target at this stage. Another broken promise! "If welcome the introduction of this Bill so that we you can't tell the truth, you can't run can have a genuine debate on police and other Queensland." The Borbidge Government is just related issues in the State of Queensland. That not up to it. No matter how long it had, it would is because the Borbidge Government has talked never be up to it. It simply does not have the endlessly about the issues, especially about how ability or the intrinsic skills to run Government. many police we have and where those police are located. The Government has talked tough on It cannot help itself. The Government is law and order. That is all that it has done—talked. once again pursuing wrong priorities. This is a Government of wrong priorities. This It is a little bit like the prisons. This Minister Government will go down in the history of this talked about being tough on prisons, but the State as being a Government of wrong priorities. prisoners whom he has not let out the back door Instead of looking to the causes of crime and have managed to find their way out the front considering the most effective ways of door. Talk about a revolving door policy! The combating crime, this Government has been Minister was the one who was going to get tough pursuing a mean-minded $14.5m vendetta on prisons. Talk about a tear-up of the contract against the Criminal Justice Commission to try to with the people of Queensland! cover up the scandals of the Mundingburra by- Mr Cooper interjected. election. That is what it has been about—an Mr BEATTIE: He talks about being tough attempt to cover up the corrupt practices that on prisons and look at him squeal. The ones took place in that by-election in the whom he did not let out the back door under his Mundingburra seat in Townsville. Honourable members should not think we have heard the early release policy to ease overcrowding went out over the wall—out the front. That is some sort end of that; we have seen only the beginning of of policy that he had! Talk about being tough on the coalition's corruption. prisons; he has to be kidding! The CJC is the people's watchdog. It was set up by the previous Labor Government in Mr Cooper interjected. response to the recommendations of the Mr BEATTIE: Can the Minister tell us Fitzgerald inquiry. People still remember the where Brendon Abbott is? If the Minister is so reasons why we had to have the Fitzgerald effective, he should tell us where Brendon inquiry in the first place. Are we going to be Abbott is. He does not know, because that is the forced to do it all again, and why not? We have way he runs prisons. Prisoners are all over the the same old Nationals and the same old place. He let them out willy-nilly. corruption. We saw the sensitivities of the For all its talk, are we really any better off Premier this morning, and so he should be under this Government? The answer is: no. sensitive. The same old Nationals, the same old People do not feel any safer in their homes, corruption! They learnt nothing in the time that despite all the promises. That is because all the they were in Opposition. They returned to law and order promises, like so many other Government to pursue the same old corrupt coalition promises, have been broken. It is a practices. Government that is not up to the job. I refer the Ordinary Queenslanders are expecting Minister to the law and order section of the sensible approaches to law and order 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 369 issues—approaches that will work. This proposal today is overwhelming. The Minister Government persists with a multimillion-dollar could take some leadership from his revenge campaign. This embarrassing backbenchers, who are enthusiastic in their spectacle—the Borbidge Government versus support. the CJC—has so far cost Queenslanders at least The task force will include specialists in $14.5m. That is a lot of police; that is a lot of crime prevention as well as representatives of police resources. That is a lot of school teachers, victims associations, members of the business a lot of money for education and a lot of money community and youth representatives. We will for health. It is a lot of money that could have give representatives of victims associations and been used for job generation. It is again a case of those associations themselves an opportunity to wrong priorities. It is just not good enough. have a direct say in tackling the causes of crime. Instead of trying to settle old scores using And so they should have that say; that is long other people's money, which is what this overdue. Government has done, my Government will take Labor's emphasis is primarily on crime a much more positive approach. This is what we prevention—being tough on the causes of crime will do. Labor will implement a responsible and as well as being tough on crime itself. If people coordinated anti-crime strategy that is tough on have broken the law, they should feel the full crime and which targets the causes of crime. That force of it. However, we should try to prevent is what is important. We will target the causes of crime happening in the first place. I am reminded crime. We will be tough on the causes of crime. of the story of a Queenslander I met who had That is the way to provide a meaningful solution been assaulted and who had lost partial sight in to the problem of crime—being tough on the one eye. The people who committed that causes of crime. offence were sent to jail. That woman said to me We have been prepared in this Parliament that, although she was appreciative that those to support tough legislation when it comes to people had gone through the criminal justice crime and criminals. That is only part of the system, she would have preferred to have her equation. This Government deals with only part sight back. In other words, she would have of the problem. It does not get to the causes of preferred that the offence did not happen in the crime. That is where a Government has to be first place. tough as well. I would have thought that this Anyone in this Chamber who thinks about it Minister would have been supporting the policy I would agree that our approach is sensible and released only recently—a New Directions intelligent. We have to be tough on the causes Statement, one of our many policies—being of crime to make certain that crime does not tough on the causes of crime. I have heard not happen in the first place, or at least to minimise it one word from him. It was a positive policy that I as much as is humanly possible. We do not want thought he would have supported. to be caught in a spiral where we always have to Recently, Labor launched a $35m a year be reactive. We want to reach the sources of crime prevention strategy, which represents a crime before the effect of crime reaches us. To concerted effort to initiate long-term approaches do this, Labor will provide $3.1m per year to to reduce crime in our community. As part of that ensure that initiatives such as the Positive strategy we will strengthen the police presence Parenting Program, otherwise known as PPP, is on the streets. We will also respond to calls from available to the Queensland public. the public for new and intelligent ways of PPP was a nationally recognised Labor combating crime. To do this, a Labor initiative designed for parents who have Government will establish a task force on crime concerns about their children's behaviour or prevention. Labor will show leadership in taking development and who want practical the politics out of crime. Labor's crime prevention suggestions about what they can do. In other task force will operate under the direction of the words, we will help parents and give them some Premier. In other words, I will make certain that support when they need it. Unfortunately, PPP this crime prevention task force works, because it was immediately dumped by the coalition will operate under my direction and will be Government when it came to power over two accountable to me. I will make certain that we get years ago. outcomes. Initially, the task force will be given a three-year term to implement crime prevention Today, the Minister needs to explain to activities across all areas of Government. Queensland parents and the Parliament why he scrapped that program. As part of this debate Mr Grice: Don't you trust Tom Barton? today, he needs to explain why the coalition Mr BEATTIE: I am delighted to hear the Government dumped PPP. Parents want and are support from the Government backbench for my entitled to know why he did that. That program proposal. I put on record that its support of my was working and was accepted by experts 370 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998 around the world as a program that would work, the State; I have already pledged publicly to but this Government scrapped it. Today, this implement these urban renewal strategies—we Minister needs to explain to the House and the saw a drop in crime of around 60%. That was a people of Queensland the reasons for scrapping significant drop in crime. it. Again, I cannot understand why this Government members pursued wrong Government has moved away from urban priorities right from the word go. Instead of renewal strategies. Today, this Minister should putting in place funding to help families to help explain to the Parliament why his Government of themselves—and that is what this is about—they wrong priorities has moved away from urban dropped the program without a second thought. renewal strategies, because they are They came out with rhetoric about getting tough, fundamentally important to fighting crime. They but they delivered nothing. restore in communities a sense of self-respect, a We must also look at ways of beating the commitment to one's suburb and some self- causes of crime among our school-age children. esteem. Anyone who has read anything about Anti-violence and anti-bullying activities in crime will know that restoring self-esteem is schools are essential in efforts to tackle the early fundamental in tackling crime and its causes. signs of crime. There is growing evidence to That is why urban renewal strategies are confirm that bullying has a detrimental effect on important and need to be funded effectively. children and that that detrimental effect can lead That is why I have given a commitment that my to antisocial and criminal behaviour. Individual Government will properly fund urban renewal schools are currently running excellent programs strategies all the way from Brisbane to Cairns. in this area, but to be effective we need to They are a key weapon in tackling crime. I cannot implement Statewide programs. We cannot do understand why this Government has moved these things on a piecemeal basis. away from urban renewal strategies. In addition, Labor will introduce a youth I know that law and order will be a key crime prevention grants scheme. We will allocate election issue—and so it should be—but today I $1m per year for grants to support innovative warn the Minister that, when it comes to the issue juvenile crime prevention initiatives to be run by of law and order, I will be broadening the debate community-based agencies which have during this election campaign to include policies developed programs and resources that have that actually work, not just the hot rhetoric that we not been tried previously in Queensland. We will get from this Minister, who talks about "warm also look at ways of curtailing violence in pubs, bodies" whenever we speak about police clubs and other public places. Labor will tighten numbers. The bottom line is that the debate up licensing law enforcement and evaluate needs to be widened to include tackling the current closing times for nightclubs. We will also causes of crime. Any debate that does not deal target inappropriate management practices of with tackling the causes of crime is not dealing licensed premises and we will update industry realistically with the issue. codes of conduct. That is why when we look at this Labor is serious about crime and we are Government's record on law and order—and let serious about our commitment to bring about a us look at it—we see why it has been one of the safer and more secure Queensland. We are well major failures and major breaches of the aware that people are sick and tired of crime Premier's contract with Queensland. I remind being used as a political football. That is why we members that the Premier said— have come up with positive and constructive "If we fail, then throw us out. That's our policies to deal with it. Sure, to combat crime our contract with Queensland." community must have effective police, court and prison systems and they need to be resourced That was what Premier Borbidge said at the properly. But just as importantly we need to be National Party campaign launch in 1995 when he serious about tackling the causes of crime. was Leader of the Opposition. Very shortly, the Unless Governments do that, we will fail. That is people of Queensland will get that opportunity to why this Government is failing when it comes to throw out this Government which has not tackling crime. delivered—this Government of wrong priorities. Labor in Government will be both Let us look at its law and order record. determined and sensible about how we tackle Promise No. 1 was to construct a police crime. That is why urban renewal strategies are station at Sunnybank. The Minister said that. going to be a key part of our approach. We Government action? None! Promise No. 2 was to should not forget that in the suburb of Riverview, construct police stations at Buderim and Coolum. where we introduced our urban renewal Government action? None! Promise No. 3 was to strategy—and a number are planned for around construct a police station in North Mackay. 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 371

Government action? None! Promise No. 4 was for a sensible review for laws that will work. that a coalition Government would reverse People know my position in relation to this issue. Labor's "revolving door prisons policy". I demonstrated it in the Parliamentary Criminal Government action? The ones that the Justice Committee, which subsequently went to Government did not let out the back door went caucus and we determined a position in relation out the front door and over the fence! During this to the law which was subject to review. I am election campaign there will be one question— waiting for the review and again I give the Minister the Minister can try to avoid it—and that is: where this commitment: when it comes to that review, is Brendon Abbott? Brendon Abbott signifies we will give bipartisan support to a sensible exactly what is wrong with this Government's process and a sensible outcome. prisons policy. The Government has failed when it comes Promise No. 5 was the establishment of a to law and order. It is a Government of wrong crime prevention coordination and resource priorities, a Government that is not up to the job centre, a commitment that was given by the then and a Government that will never be up to the job Opposition. On 21 July 1995, the coalition regardless of how long it stays in office. Frankly, released its crime prevention and victim support Queensland deserves better and, after the next policy. Government action? None! Promise No. 6 election, it will get better with the election of a was that a prisoner who escapes from secure Labor Government. custody will know that when caught their Hon. D. M. WELLS (Murrumba) remaining sentence will be immediately doubled. (3.42 p.m.): The honourable Leader of the Government action? None! Promise No. 7 was Opposition has just told the House that the that over the next decade a National/Liberal Government needs to be tough not only on coalition Government would employ an additional crime but also on the causes of crime. I would 2,780 extra police. Government action? As I said add that the Government needs to be tough on before, it is well behind schedule. To meet that the causes of corruption. In recent times, we target, an additional 278 officers would have to have seen a welter of reports that have stated be employed per year. Last year only 150 that this, that or the other department needs to officers were employed and this year only 250 become more entrepreneurial and needs to take officers were employed. At this stage, the a more business-oriented approach. Down that Government is 28% under target, as I mentioned track lies danger. Down that track lies the earlier. possibility of shonky deals and shabby Promise No. 8 was a re-emphasis on the arrangements. Further still down that track lies principles of community policing. Government the inevitability of corruption that will require action? It has failed to proceed with police beats police powers that we are not even thinking in Rockhampton, Cairns and Townsville and about today. It will require police powers that will shopfronts—such as the one proposed for need to be so sophisticated that the most Moorooka—that were committed by Labor in ingenious and most carefully thought out plans office. And the list goes on. Promise No. 9 was can be foiled when undertaken by people of an the introduction of a charter of victims' rights, to undesirable nature. We are not so far down that care for the victims of crime and their families. track that such measures would need to be That was a coalition justice policy issued in July taken. However, the welter of reports that we are 1995. Government action? No work at all has seeing which recommend that departments been done on the charter! Promise No. 10 was become more entrepreneurial, take a more to bring Queensland's two privatised jails back business-like approach and get more in touch under Government control, which Premier with business, are leading us in the direction of Borbidge promised in the Gold Coast Bulletin on that difficult and dangerous scenario. 30 April 1995. Government action? Privatised I shall give the House an illustration of what jails are still in private hands! happens in those circumstances. I table a Promise No. 11 was the review of number of documents which illustrate the point. prostitution laws. Government action? None! The On 23 September 1997, a $2 company called Minister for Police and Corrective Services Datafund succeeded in getting the Queensland promised a review into the issue of prostitution Government to sign on for a rather dubious law on 25 July 1997. In fact, he has promised that fundraising venture involving the sale of so- review and an outcome on a number of called SES confectionary. In fact, the SES was to occasions. Prostitution law reform is a serious get precious little out of this agreement. It was to and difficult issue. My electorate of Brisbane get $60,000 a year out of a multi-million dollar a Central includes New Farm and other affected year fundraising enterprise, or 10c per packet areas and I know how difficult it is. I have given sold. A couple of weeks ago I suggested to the Minister a public offer of bipartisan support Parliament that it was 20c per packet sold. I 372 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998 overestimated Datafund's generosity, but now I Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There is have a copy of the agreement, which I have no point of order. tabled. Mr Fouras interjected. The signatories to the agreement were the Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I cannot two shareholders of Datafund, Michael Fox and yell loudly enough, so I want some order. The Kevin Dent, and signatories for the Queensland member for Murrumba will continue. Government were members of the State Emergency Service Volunteer Support Unit Mr WELLS: I understand that the Incorporated. chairman of the committee, Ken Cullum, who was formerly a director of the SES, was rather Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr J. N. Goss): surprised to receive a letter on 22 December Order! The member will come back to the Bill. 1997 from Gilshenan and Luton saying, "We Mr WELLS: As I earlier indicated to the confirm your request for advice concerning House, recently we have seen a welter of reports continued breaches of the agreement ..." He that have indicated that the Government should told colleagues that he had made no such become more entrepreneurial. I point out the request for advice. danger of those reports, because that path leads Mr VEIVERS: I rise to a point of order. to a partnership between Government and This has nothing to do the Bill that the private enterprise in all sorts of dealings. As one Honourable Mr Cooper has introduced. The goes down that track, one gets into the realm of member for Murrumba is talking about Gilshenan shady dealings. As one goes further down the and Luton and jelly beans. It has nothing to do track, one gets into the realm of corruption. Once with the Bill. there, one requires police powers of the kind that we saw during the Fitzgerald era. One Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The requires the powers of commissions of inquiry member will come back to the items in the Bill. and effective Star Chambers in order to clean up The shadow Minister had a wide-ranging the State. It is desirable to avoid going down that discussion, but members who are speaking to path. Therefore, it is desirable to nip it in the bud. the Bill will stay on the Bill. As I have said, the scenario that I am now Mr FOLEY: I rise to a point of order. I draw describing is not that far down the track, but it is the attention of the House to the breadth of indeed down the track. matters that are amended by the legislation. The The members of the volunteer support unit legislation amends not only the Police Service were, in fact, to be the fall guys in the operation. Administration Act but also the Criminal Code in They were the ones who were later to be relation to matters of alleged offences against exposed to legal liability as a result of the stuff- property which is of the kind described by my ups by the Minister and his departmental officers. colleague the member for Murrumba. It also From the beginning, the members of the amends the Crime Commission Act. Accordingly, volunteer support unit were sidelined. In fact, the Mr Deputy Speaker, I ask that you not rule the group had no meetings until December, when it member for Murrumba out of order in any way, was necessary for the department's solicitors to because the Government itself has brought on a explain to them that they were in a situation of very wide-ranging Bill which amends a series of potential legal liability. Acts before the Parliament. Mr VEIVERS: I rise to a point of order. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: The member This has nothing to do with the Bill currently will stick to the Bill. before the House. He is getting away with Mr WELLS: With respect to the murder. Honourable Minister, if he wishes to cover this Mr WELLS: Speaking to that point of matter up because he has some fear of matters order, I have explained the relevance of the which involve this path towards corruption being scenario of that I am describing. The relevance, exposed, he should go on the way he is. which is directly relevant to police powers, is this: Mr VEIVERS: I rise to a point of order. one needs to be tough on the causes of crime This has nothing to with a cover-up and it has and one needs to be tough on the causes of nothing to do with the Bill that is being debated corruption. Through this legislation we are in the House. Mr Deputy Speaker, I cannot amending the Police Powers and believe that you are allowing this to happen. This Responsibilities Act. is unbelievable. Mr VEIVERS: I rise to a point of order. If Mr WELLS: The Minister can deny a the honourable member thinks that there is cover-up as much as he likes. He can stand in corruption, he should report outside the House this House and say that it has nothing to do with a that there is corruption. cover-up, but why is he stopping the Parliament 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 373 from hearing the record of what occurred on this canvassing the possibility that SES volunteers particular occasion? If the Minister thinks that it should be used for the purposes of distributing has nothing to do with law and order—— the sweets. Mr VEIVERS: I rise to a point of order. I am The main issue in early December was the quite happy to hear what the honourable shadow model SES flood boat—the canister in which the Minister has to say, but not during a debate on lollies were to be contained. On 14 December, this Bill because it has nothing to do with the Carter Green wrote to the department's solicitors matter. telling them that it was too late for the department Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The to object to the wording on the canister because member will come back to the Bill. the department had already seen the words and had raised no objection. Apparently, they Mr WELLS: Mr Deputy Speaker, I regret thought that because a few days before they had that you are being troubled with this matter while been magnanimous enough to agree to take out you are suffering from laryngitis. I merely submit the words "sanctioned by the Queensland to you that I am speaking to a wide-ranging Bill. Department of Consumer Affairs" from the My remarks are relevant to the Criminal Code, to material on the boat and that the Department of the Crime Commission and to the preliminary Consumer Affairs had no grounds for delaying sections of the Bill. My remarks are generally them. relevant in the way that I have described to the whole question of the prevention of corruption. If Datafund did not bother to wait for the honourable Minister wants to say that what I Consumer Affairs approval. The lollies were am now saying to the House has nothing to do already being sold and the boat canisters were with the prevention of corruption, then let him go already in place. Members should have a close outside the House and say that, because he will look at them. If they did, they would see a couple expose his true colours. The Minister just does of smiling faces of people in SES uniforms with not want to know, nor does he want the people the caption, "We are unpaid volunteers". Those of Queensland to know—— smiling faces belong to a full-time, paid SES trainer and the executive secretary to one of the Mr Veivers interjected. senior executives of the Department of Mr WELLS: The Honourable the Minister Emergency Services. There were 30,000 other does not want the people of Queensland to people with a better claim to be volunteers than know that there was an agreement in place those two, but never mind. between his department and Datafund that was going to enable—— Mr VEIVERS: I rise to a point of order. Mr Deputy Speaker, as the relevant Minister, I say Mr GRICE: I rise to a point of order. This that the member has had the opportunity to matter already has currency in this House. There debate this matter with me, if he so wished. This have been at least two questions put to a matter is not relevant to the current Bill. Mr Minister in charge of a completely different Deputy Speaker, I seek your advice to do portfolio, indicating that it is not connected with something about it. the Bill before the House. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Laming): Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Continue. Order! I have only just resumed the chair. Mr WELLS: Thank you, Mr Deputy However, just on the few words that I have heard, Speaker. The agreement set out that Datafund I find it difficult to relate the member's remarks to was going to be able to use the SES emblem the Bill. I would like the member to advise me. and logo on containers, packages and identity Otherwise, please go back to the Bill. tags and that the SES had to pay Datafund—yes, Mr WELLS: Mr Deputy Speaker, I am members heard that right; the SES had to pay speaking of a false representation. Datafund—$1,000 for the design and layout for the containers and for the lolly bags. It contained Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: That is not in a schedule 3, which was supposed to be about order. the collection rights of subdistributors, but it was Mr WELLS: This Bill contains an not competed by the time the thing was signed. amendment to the Criminal Code, and I am Apparently, later Datafund regarded this as a speaking about false representation. blank cheque to enable them to put up the price Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I fail to see the of the lollies to their own subdistributors and to connection with the Bill. I ask the member to write a blank cheque to themselves. It would be return to the general provisions of the Bill or interesting to know what legal advice, if any, the resume his seat. department received prior to having this agreement signed. By 3 December last year, Mr WELLS: Mr Deputy Speaker, I am Carter Green, solicitors for Datafund, were referring specifically to those aspects of the 374 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998

Criminal Code that are amended and referring to representations. There were false those aspects of the Criminal Code that need to representations involved in this particular be amended and those that will need to be exercise. amended if this Government is not very careful Mr VEIVERS: I rise to a point of order. and allows crime and corruption to get out of hand. I would like to continue to refer to this Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I have particular instance of false representation. It is already ruled on that matter. It is my ruling that the only a very small—— member is straying too far from the matters that ought to be under consideration in this Bill. Mr VEIVERS: I rise to a point of order. Mr WELLS: Mr Deputy Speaker, I ask you Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I do not see for your indulgence in this way: I am sure that you that that is in order in this debate. would not want the chair to be complicit in a Mr FOLEY: I rise to a point of order. Mr cover-up. Deputy Speaker, may I draw your attention to the Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I ask the extremely broad range of Acts that are sought to member to resume his seat. I call the member for be amended by this Bill before the House? As Burleigh. the member for Murrumba said, it amends the Criminal Code, it amends the Police Powers and Mrs GAMIN (Burleigh) (3.58 p.m.): Mr Responsibilities Act and it amends the Crime Deputy Speaker, I assure you that you will not Commission legislation, which deals—— have a problem with my address to the House. I intend to confine myself to the topics covered by Mr Veivers interjected. the Bill. The topics I intend to cover are good Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! order amendments, road rage and unlawful entry Mr FOLEY: Thank you, Mr Deputy of a vehicle, move-on powers from auto tellers Speaker. and the control of persons in watch-houses. Mr Veivers interjected. Mr Fouras interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I warn chair will not tolerate all of these interjections in the member for Ashgrove under Standing Order the middle of a point of order. I ask the member 123A. I will not tolerate these interjections across for Yeronga to state his point of order, but briefly. the Chamber. Mr FOLEY: My point of order briefly stated Mrs GAMIN: The Police and Other is this: the proper and correct approach to take in Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1998 determining the breadth of relevance is to have suggests changes that will significantly improve regard to the breadth of matters that this Bill the safety of Queenslanders on our roads and at amends. It is an extremely broad Bill that amends automatic teller machines and improve the the very matters that are central to what the management of the State's watch-houses. member for Murrumba is discussing, including These amendments are just some of the offences against property. changes this Government is supporting to Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I reiterate to provide police with a sensible framework to work the member for Murrumba that he must return to with in protecting the community. the provisions of the Bill. Most of us would be aware of the growing Mr WELLS: I refer to those provisions of incidence of road rage here in Queensland and the Bill that relate to the amendment of the overseas. While it is currently an offence to enter Criminal Code. I refer also to the recent raft of a dwelling, this Bill will make it an offence to amendments that were introduced to the unlawfully enter another person's vehicle and to Criminal Code. That raft of amendments—which unlawfully enter another person's vehicle with this Government introduced and which it the intent of committing an offence. The first purported was a Criminal Code but which was offence gives police the authority to deal with not; it was only just a series of amendments to people who have entered a vehicle but have the Criminal Code—such as those that were caused no damage or, for a range of reasons, introduced by Attorney-General Clauson in have taken no property. The second offence 1988, was not a complete and not a full Criminal targets those people who enter another Code. Many matters were omitted from that person's vehicle with the intent of committing an review of the Criminal Code. One of the areas indictable offence, such as rape or abduction. that the amendments to the Criminal Code that It is a sad fact that people are leaving their the Attorney-General, who does not have the vehicles to threaten others. Reaching through a confidence of the House, failed to address with a car window or entering the vehicle of another sufficient degree of precision and with any driver is a disturbing practice increasingly being adequacy was the matter relating to false adopted by drivers on Queensland roads. In 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 375 recent years a man was beaten to death with a Police will also be able to give a direction to lump of wood and a number of serious injuries move on to people who cause apprehension or have been inflicted in incidents sparked by road behave in a disorderly, offensive, threatening or rage. Motorists need to be encouraged to indecent manner, or who have been disturbing control themselves on our roads. the peace. These move-on powers will only This new law and the accompanying affect those members of society who are out to penalties will act as a strong deterrent to those cause trouble. Law-abiding citizens have nothing people who refuse to be tolerant, patient and to fear. They will be better protected by the courteous on our roads. Queensland has changes to the legislation. The move will enable recently recorded the lowest road toll in 31 years. people to make financial transactions in a public One of the areas police targeted during this place without fear of being harassed by thugs. period was dangerous driving. Road rage The Government is committed to protecting the certainly has the effect of distracting drivers from rights of Queenslanders and to helping police taking due care and attention and puts other address the behaviour of a minority of innocent drivers at risk. troublemakers. Offences such as carjacking and road rage Another amendment included in this were almost unheard of until a few years ago. legislation will give police as custodians of watch- While it previously fell into the "only in America" houses the appropriate authority to effectively category, more and more of these offences are manage prisoners in watch-houses. This now occurring in Queensland. The new law will Government has taken great heed of make this type of behaviour illegal and will recommendations stemming from the royal complement the recent toughening of the commission into deaths in custody. Proposed Criminal Code, which introduced penalties of changes to the Act give police the authority to imprisonment of between 3 and 14 years for give directions that are in the best interests of other offences associated with road rage. the safety and welfare of any persons in a watch- The new legislation is also cracking down on house. They also give police a clear authority to potential troublemakers who gather around give directions if a person in custody is causing a automatic teller machines and intimidate people disruption. Police will be able to transfer into handing over money they have just prisoners to diversionary centres, authorised withdrawn. People have a right to feel safe when carers or another watch-house for security and withdrawing money and will be better protected safety reasons. under this proposal. Police reports of incidents, Police currently rely upon common law and including attacks and robberies of innocent community acceptance of their duties. This Bill people, at ATMs have prompted this move. clarifies their authorities in watch-houses, giving People are feeling vulnerable, and this police proper prisoner management tools to Government believes people have the right to minimise the chance of harm coming to either feel safe at all times. police or prisoners. The amendments in this Bill As well as making people hand over money, typify the commonsense approach of this some people have been loitering around Government to law and order. We are getting machines, seeing what PIN number is being tough on crime and maintaining our commitment used and then robbing people of their cards and to helping police protect the people of then their money. This amendment aims to stop Queensland. these crimes before they happen. Present laws Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga) do not provide police with the option of taking (4.08 p.m.): Today is the 50th anniversary of the preventive action. The proposed changes to the bashing of Fred Paterson, former communist legislation will give police the power to move member of this Parliament and barrister. On people away from ATMs if they suspect they St Patrick's Day in 1948, an incident occurred on intend intimidating those using the machines. the railway bridge just down from Trades Hall The Police Powers and Responsibilities where, in public view, a police officer bashed Act, being proclaimed next month, gives police Fred Paterson on the head. That incident 50 the power to move on people in certain years ago is something from which we should circumstances from schools, child-care centres, learn. I have to say that that incident occurred railway stations, shops, licensed premises and under a Labor Government. That incident other notified areas to be determined on echoes through Queensland history as an application by local authorities and only after example of police action that was unaccountable, consultation with interest groups. Directions will where a great injustice was done and where the be given to people obstructing, hindering or exercise of the right of peaceful protest was impeding other members of the public. cruelly struck down by the wrongful use of force, 376 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998 and that wrongful use was not exposed to the policing learned as a result of the Fitzgerald rule of law as it should have been. report, but which goes further. It embraces Fifty years has passed since that day, but issues of positive parenting for children from an there is no room for complacency. We have early age and embraces the need for urban today an apparatus of laws in the Police Service renewal, so that the social and economic Administration Act and in the Criminal Justice Act foundations are strong and do not give rise to which, one hopes, would prevent such an circumstances in which crime breeds. incident from ever occurring again. However, That crime prevention policy includes those who fail to learn the lessons of history will provision for greater assistance for victims of be doomed to repeat its mistakes. crime so that the cycle of crime and violence can Fred Paterson, as a member of this be broken. That policy provides specifically for Parliament, as a member of a political party, the greater support for the victims of domestic only communist ever elected to this Parliament, violence so that assistance can be given to help and as a barrister who fought for the civil rights of those victims avoid circumstances in which people in this State, is someone whom we further crime and injury occur. It is very important should remember in Queensland history on an that there be an attack on the causes of crime. occasion such as this. It is significant that we Sadly, from this Government, one has heard far come to debate the Police and Other Legislation too often the rhetoric of law and order without (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill on this day. The the detailed hard work necessary to attack the events of St Patrick's Day 1948 are events that social and economic causes of crime, in particular should be studied by students of Queensland unemployment and poverty. history, by all those who care about the rule of I turn to a matter which represents the law and by all those who care about ensuring that earnest desire of a number of the residents of my police power is exercised in a truly accountable own electorate of Yeronga, and in particular—— way. Mr Cooper: Police Beat. It is never good enough to assume that errors and problems which have occurred in the Mr FOLEY: I thank the Minister for his past will simply fade away with the passage of acknowledgment of the importance of the need time. We must be vigilant, and it is important that for a Police Beat shopfront facility at the Moorvale we have the provisions in the Police Service shopping centre at Moorooka. I spoke a moment Administration Act and in related legislation to ago of the importance of community policing, of combat corruption, to ensure that the exercise of the need to build partnerships between the police power is accountable and, in that way, to community and the Police Service if we are to be protect that which is valuable about a free serious in combating crime. society. Mr Cooper: You should have got them Police still are called at times when there are while you were there. peaceful protests. That occurs as much today as Mr FOLEY: I hear what the Honourable it ever did in the past. In 1948, during the great the Minister says. I am mindful also that such a railway strike in this State, there was an response after two years in Government enormous depth of feeling surrounding the becomes less and less convincing. I am mindful strike and the conflict between the railway moreover—to be fair to the Minister—that the workers and the Government of the time. It is all impetus that gave rise to this concern on the part the more important at times when community of local businesses and local community emotions run deep that we should adhere firmly residents occurred as a result of a dreadful to the principles of a free society, and those Bonnie and Clyde style shoot-out in the principles depend upon the Police Service Moorvale shopping centre during Christmas being accountable for its actions and being there 1995, shortly before the previous Government to uphold the rule of law for all citizens, rich or lost office. I believe that incident shocked many poor, whatever their political or industrial beliefs people in Moorooka. There was a loss of may be. innocence and a sense of the need to ensure a Let me turn to the ways in which the police presence and a need to ensure the combating of crime can be undertaken. I refer in physical manifestation of cooperation between this respect to the speech given by the Leader police and community in that shopping centre. It of the Opposition a short while ago, in which he continues to be a matter of concern to the stressed the need to attack the causes of crime Moorooka District Residents Association and to rather than simply focusing upon its local traders. I do urge the Minister and officers of consequences. It is for that reason that the Labor the Queensland Police Service to give serious Party has embraced a crime prevention strategy consideration to progressing that. I ask the which builds upon the lessons of community Minister if he would inform the House as to 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 377 progress on that matter, because this is the very number of other people. We certainly will benefit sort of thing that would give concrete example to from having that additional crop available to our the principles which the Minister has espoused rural producers. in arguing for better community policing. Mr Roberts: None of your recent The police officers at the Annerley station relatives, though. and the Moorooka station in my electorate are Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: As the member for hardworking police officers who deliver a fine Nudgee says, none of my recent relatives has service. However, it is clear that, over a couple of been growing the crop. years, the local residents of Moorooka and, in particular, the local businesses have now I am concerned that we will not be operating expressed their wish for this facility. There is a on a scale that is sufficient to prove the viability of golden opportunity available to the Minister and the crop. There is a lot of negativity out there in the Police Service to improve community the community to the effect that, because of the policing. I strenuously urge the Minister and the costs of manufacturing, this venture will not be Queensland Police Service to take this profitable. There are costs of tooling up to opportunity to improve community policing. manufacture. However, if things go as I believe they will go, it will not be too long before Mr J. H. SULLIVAN (Caboolture) members in this Parliament are dressed in suits (4.16 p.m.): I rise to speak to the legislation made of hemp fibre and are wearing shirts and before the House and, in particular, to support ties made of hemp fibre. That is a very sturdy one aspect of the legislation, namely, the material. Most of us have a pair of blue jeans in changes to the Drugs Misuse Act that are our wardrobe. I am sure that members would be evident in clause 19 and which will allow aware that jeans were made of hemp before experimental trials of commercial hemp growing denim was ever considered. The original Levi in Queensland. I commend the Government for Strauss jeans were made from hemp. I support taking this action. If Government members care what the Minister is doing in those trials. I believe to check, they will find that I have spoken publicly that the Government is on the right path, and on this issue. I believe that, for too long, we in more strength to the Minister's arm in pursuing Queensland have been missing out on a golden that. opportunity. I turn now to police. I was much drawn to a My interest in this matter was first raised letter that the Minister caused to be printed in upon viewing an ABC television program titled A this morning's Sunshine Coast Daily, which Billion Dollar Crop. I was most surprised to learn referred to police numbers in the north coast about the beneficial uses of industrial hemp district. I believe there is a misprint in that article, which that program indicated. In particular, I was which states— interested to learn that hempseed oil is one of "... 14 of 19 first year constables who will the best things that can be used in lowering graduate from the Oxley Police Academy cholesterol levels in people. If this were to come next month will be stationed on the to fruition, we may in fact be a healthier nation. Honourable members will look at my increasing Sunshine Coast." girth and say that perhaps I need to be a bit I sincerely hope that more than 19 officers will worried about my cholesterol levels, too. graduate in April. I thought the number was closer to 150. Mr Woolmer interjected. Mr Cooper: 164. You're getting 19 in the Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: The member for north coast region, 14 running out of Springwood was gesticulating. He has nothing to Maroochydore, 62 by the end of June. gesticulate about in my direction in relation to that. Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I thank the Minister for that clarification. The Minister's letter goes on Mr McElligott: A man of ample girth. to say that the north coast region has been Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: Yes, he is a man of boosted by an 81 extra police in the region. ample girth. Mr Cooper: That is 62 uniformed sworn There is a range of very, very worthwhile officers, 19 civilians. products that can come from industrial hemp. I Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: Yes. The Minister is believe that, as indicated by that television impressing me by the fact that he obviously read program, one particular manufacturer of nylon the letter before he signed it. He is repeating the may have had a lot to do with the banning of details in the letter. That is good. The north coast hemp crops in the first instance. I understand region is made up of a number of districts. One of that my grandfather grew hemp as a crop in New those districts forms part of my electorate, that is, South Wales prior to World War II, as did a the Redcliffe district. In March 1995, prior to the 378 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998

1995 election, Mr Cooper told us that we Heaven knows that the Government does not needed an extra 100 police in our district. get a lot of adverse editorialising in the Sunshine Mr Cooper: They're on the way; hang on. Coast Daily. The Minister's letter was written to defend against that sort of comment. Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I will get to their being on the way. I attended a Sunshine Coast community I do not believe that the Minister's actions meeting at Caloundra in relation to the police are as laudable as he would have us believe. powers legislation. I did not hear from many Nearly three years after he told us that we people who believed that something other than required an extra 100 police officers in just one more police on the street was needed for of the districts of the region, he told us that he policing. The people want police on the street. has provided 81 extra operational police in the The Minister needs to be able to provide them. In region. I am quite prepared to say that I would my view, he is not doing that. When I speak to love some more police officers in my region. I the people of Caboolture about police would love to be able to say to the people who numbers—as I will be doing shortly, because I come into my office increasingly regularly that, on feel quite certain that another little exercise will any night of the week and at any time on that be undertaken reasonably soon—I will be saying night, there will be three police cars on the road to the Minister that he told us in March 1995 that servicing the Deception Bay/Bribie we needed an extra 100 in one district and that Island/Caboolture area. There are not. Most since then he has been able to provide 81 for regularly, there are two. Quite often, there is only the whole region. I do not think that that is a good one. That area is far too large to be policed by record at all. one or two cars at night. I believe that the time Although it is not necessarily in my has now arrived when we can consider seriously electorate, I have a little bit of overlap with the the prospect of the Bribie Island Police Station railway towns in the railway corridor between being increased to levels to enable it to operate Caboolture and the coast. A number of incidents on a 24-hour basis. Bribie Island's population is have occurred recently in the township of currently about 14,000. We have a rapidly Beerburrum that would indicate that, if the growing population on the mainland. Obviously, Minister had a moment, he could consider if we increase the Bribie Island strength to allow a beefing up police presence in the railway towns 24-hour police station, we would also have to area. Perhaps there is an opportunity for him to increase its area of operation and, consequently, consider the establishment of a new police reduce the area that the Caboolture Police station in that area. That would not be to the Station is servicing. I believe that we need to do benefit of me but to the benefit of a member of that. his own Government and certainly to the benefit Returning to the Minister's letter in the of the people who live in that area. The police Sunshine Coast Daily this morning, the second officers at the Landsborough Police Station are last paragraph was the one that gave me cause very efficient and hard-working, but the area that for a wry smile. It stated— they are given to cover is reaching a stage at which it is beyond their ability to do so to the "The number of police positions to be satisfaction of the people whom they serve. I allocated to the North Coast Region in the think the Minister should consider that. future will be dependent on factors pertaining at the time." I would also like to see some action taken in That is the "que sera sera" clause—whatever will relation to the township of Beachmere. I do not be, will be—or the "don't you worry about that" have a great deal of detail, but I know that prior to clause. The factors pertaining at the time are the Goss Government's leaving, the Police factors that are within the Minister's control. Service was making some inquiries of real estate Obviously the Minister will not be committing agents in the area in relation to the renting of a crimes. However, he has given the people of this residential property. I believe that that was a State certain commitments. He has made certain preliminary investigation in relation to the statements about police numbers in this State. establishment of a Police Beat type operation— All I can say about the Minister's commitments is which were trialled in Toowoomba and have that they are nothing more than the movie The since spread—and for which I and the community Commitments: pure fiction. What my of Beachmere have been calling a number of electorate—and, I suggest, a great many other years. I wonder whether it would be possible for electorates of members of this Parliament— that aspect of my electorate to be considered needs from the Minister is real action. The again for the benefit of those people at Minister's letter to the newspaper was written to Beachmere who are looking for some defend his position against an adverse editorial. protections. 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 379

I would like to make one last comment—and public place—should also have the capacity to this will make me uncharacteristically brief in my call on the police to have people moved on. I put contribution today. Recently a number of people that issue once again to the Minister because, if have come to see me regarding their contacts we are talking about giving people some with police in the area. Their complaints tend to protection by legislating to provide these be not that the police are not serving them in powers, we should also start to look at giving the terms of handling issues for them but that the police move-on powers to protect people in their progress of the investigation or the detail of what own homes. is being done on their behalf is not being The other issue I want to comment on is that conveyed to them. There is a problem with of road rage. I made a speech on the issue of communication. I believe that the problem road rage in this House on 7 October in which I regarding communication is simply as a result of called on the Government to examine the laws police numbers not being up to the which, as I understand it, have now been passed requirements of the workload. by the New South Wales Parliament. I welcome People who are interacting with police the road rage provisions in this legislation. because they have perhaps suffered a burglary However, I believe that, as with the move-on need to be fully acquainted with the way in which power, this law needs to be extended. There are the police action on their behalf is going. When many situations in which people are threatened they are not, they tend to believe that the police by other individuals whilst in their car. This law will are doing nothing. If one person in the go a long way to at least providing some legal community believes that the police are doing basis for dealing with them. There are also many nothing, one can bet that they will tell 20 others, other situations in which people are threatened those 20 will tell another 20 and they will tell by aggressive drivers and under current law it is another 20 each, and so on it will go until there is very difficult to prosecute them. a popular view that the police are not interested In New South Wales the law now covers in helping people who have suffered at the three particular offences. Once again, I raise hands of an offender. them in this place in the hope that the I do not believe that to be true. I believe that Government takes some notice of them and the police do want to help people. I believe they examines the possibility of introducing similar would not go into that profession if they did not legislation in Queensland. The first of those want to help people. We need to make it three offences is menacing driving. Examples of possible for them to do that. We are talking about menacing driving include aggressive tailgating. I police numbers. We are talking about the only do not think one person in this House who drives positive thing that we can do to ensure the safety in the City of Brisbane or any other city or of people on the streets of Caboolture, on the populated area would not have been threatened streets of Noosa, on the streets of Charleville, on or intimidated by the aggressive behaviour of the streets of Toowoomba, and that is to provide people who tailgate. It is extremely dangerous them with enough police to ensure that those behaviour and should be dealt with by who would want to commit offences against a appropriate road rage legislation maybe under person or property are effectively dissuaded some other Act. The other offences are driving from doing so. with intent to menace and also predatory driving, Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee) (4.35 p.m.): I which are much more serious offences. want to speak briefly on two matters arising I simply raise that issue to draw to the directly from the Bill and then raise some general attention of the House again the serious nature policing matters that are of interest and concern of the issue of road rage. It is fine for us to deal to my electorate. The first issue on which I want with individuals who use personal or physical to comment is the move-on power. When this violence against a person whilst in their car, but particular power was introduced under a previous we must also address those instances in which Bill last year, I gave it my wholehearted support. people use their vehicles to instigate aggressive In fact, I suggested to the Minister at that time behaviour against other people. that I believed it could be extended. I applaud The more general policing matters that I the proposal to extend the application of move- want to talk about relate to community policing. I on powers to automatic teller machines. have given my wholehearted support to I believe that people in their private community policing. In fact, since I have been residences who are being intimidated, harassed elected, I have campaigned actively in my or feel threatened by the behaviour of an electorate to have community policing initiatives individual—for instance, that person may be on upgraded wherever possible, in particular at the the front footpath causing similar concerns to Banyo Police Station. The advantages of what might be occurring at an ATM or in another community-based policing where officers get out 380 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998 of the stations, get out of their cars and start house. Up until that point, the neighbours had walking around on the beat are that they get to actually moved away from their home and were know not only the local hot spots and trouble living in another property. The lack of knowledge spots but also the shopkeepers, the residents of that officer resulted in them having to remain and the principals of schools who are an away from their home for another full week. I excellent source of information in tracking down simply raise that issue because it illustrates the the perpetrators of those types of crimes that point that, where we do not have officers who cause the most anxiety in the community. The know the local community and the local issues, Bingham report, which I believe was released in we will not get good, effective policing. If that June of last year, called on us to give a greater officer knew the circumstances, that person focus to community policing. would have been out of that home within a day In my view, there needs to be a bit more and the residents who lived next door could evidence from this Government that it is have returned to their home and started to get genuinely committed to community-based on with their lives. policing. I am yet to see that evidence with I will cite one other instance in relation to the respect to my electorate. I recently raised with Banyo Police Station. Again, this is no criticism of the Minister by way of correspondence—and I the individual officers. It is not their fault. The fault did sit with him in the Chamber on our last sitting lies with the system in that a different officer is week—the issue of the Banyo Police Station. stationed there each day. Recently, While the Minister is in the Chamber, I might just schoolchildren were being harassed in the local elaborate a little more as to the particular park. At the time, a constituent rang up the police problems with that station. Currently, a full-time officer to advise him about it. However, the officer is assigned at Banyo between Monday officer did not know where the park was in spite and Friday. Additionally, a serving police officer of the fact that it was less than 100 metres from lives in a house which is attached to that station. the station. A full-time officer, often a different Since I was elected, I have been campaigning officer every day, is stationed at the Banyo Police and raising the issue continually that the officer Station from Monday to Friday. My campaign for a who lives at the station should be the officer who fully fledged police beat will continue. However, works at the station. It would be a simple at the very least the people of Banyo, Nudgee administrative arrangement within the Police and Virginia East, which that stations serves, Service to enable that to occur and there would deserve a full-time officer. be very little cost, if any. One of the problems Mr Cooper: You wrote to me on that. with the current arrangement is that the officer on duty at Banyo is rostered on a daily basis. So in Mr ROBERTS: Yes, I have written to the any one week we could have five different police Minister and I have received an officers rostered at that station. That causes acknowledgment. I acknowledge that we have quite significant difficulties in terms of addressing spoken about that. local crime. Mr Cooper: It's with the commissioner I want to give the Minister two examples. now. Recently, we had quite a serious instance in Mr ROBERTS: I thank the Minister for Banyo in which an individual, who was ultimately taking an interest in it. If we can at least have an taken into care under the Mental Health Act, was officer stationed permanently at that station, that seriously threatening a person's property and, would improve dramatically the policing in that indeed, the lives of the neighbours. That person district. was taken into care for short periods. Those On a number of occasions I have indicated threats resulted in the neighbours moving out of my support for getting police out of their vehicles their property. Separate processes were put in and the stations in which they are based. My place to evict the person from the property which electorate contains three police stations: the ultimately resulted in an immediate eviction order Boondall division headquarters, which is a large being granted. operation, the Toombul Police Beat Shopfront When it came to the serving of that eviction and, as I mentioned earlier, the Banyo Police order, the officer from the Boondall Police Station. I believe that the officers from those Division—and I make no criticism of the individual three locations should be getting out a bit more officer; it is just the circumstances in which we onto the beat in the areas surrounding those found ourselves—had no knowledge at all of the stations. For example, the Zillmere community history of this quite serious offence. When the has enormous problems in relation to break and eviction notice was served, the occupant of the enters and general issues concerning the safety house was able to convince the officer that they of residents in that community. It would not be needed another full week to get out of the too difficult a task for an officer either to walk from 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 381 the base at the Boondall police division or to hop different from the community consultative onto a pushbike and ride around that community councils and other consultative groups so as to get a bit closer to where the action is. established by this Government and the Some young people in the district have told previous one. This is a new initiative that I have me that police cars can be seen coming from been instrumental in putting in place with my about two kilometres away. By the time a police local police and the community. We call them car reaches the scene, they are hiding behind a community/police advisory groups. Currently, we tree in a neighbour's yard. However, a police have established two, one to cover the area of officer on a pushbike can catch offenders before Boondall and Zillmere and the other to cover the they have the chance to get away. I am not suburbs of Banyo, Nudgee, Nudgee Beach and suggesting that all young people are bad; in fact, Virginia East. the overwhelming majority are good. However, The groups work on a similar basis to other the troublemakers are getting away with murder consultative committees in that local residents, simply because in shopping centres they get including shopkeepers and other members of plenty of advance notice when a police car is the community, work in partnership with the heading towards them. police to try to solve some of the local crime Mr Cooper: It makes a lot of sense. issues. A management committee meets approximately every six weeks and public Mr ROBERTS: We should get police meetings are also held on a six-weekly cycle. To officers back on the beat on foot. I thank the date, the Boondall/Zillmere community/police Minister for acknowledging that. We should also advisory group has held three or four public get them back on the beat riding pushbikes. meetings, which were exceptionally well Last year, officers from the Boondall division attended both by senior police officers and local borrowed a couple of pushbikes from the residents. They are now starting to work in Sandgate division. I encouraged them to buy a partnership with the police to achieve some couple of their own, but I do not think that has results. happened. If the Minister has a few extra dollars, I For example, recently we had a drug would appreciate his buying a couple of problem in a local park. Lots of syringes were pushbikes for the officers at Banyo, Toombul found in the park and in gutters and there was a and Boondall. lot of suspicious activity. The community/police The police beat shopfront at the Toombul advisory group, in cooperation with the police, Shopping Town is an excellent example of a letterboxed the area and distributed the new police beat shopfront in a well populated area, form produced by the Police Service—the such as a busy shopping centre. However, I suspect vehicle/suspect person identification believe that the effectiveness of that police beat form—to all the homes neighbouring on the shopfront could be improved dramatically, again park. Hopefully, those people are now in the by getting police officers out of the confines of process of feeding information directly to the the shopping centre and into the surrounding police to try to clean up the drug problem in that community. My understanding is that at the park. moment they are basically confined to patrolling I will give a couple of other minor examples. on foot in and around the car park and the We had quite an annoying problem within the shopping centre. In my view, there are ample Banyo/Nudgee district in that some unlicensed resources for them to be on the beat in the people were riding unregistered motorcycles neighbouring streets in communities such as and causing havoc across the suburb. After Toombul, Nundah and even as far as Northgate, raising that matter with the local which is only about a 5 or 10-minute walk from community/police advisory group and getting a that station. The point I am making is that we have network in place which was able to clearly identify police in areas where there are high crime rates. the perpetrators, we have now almost reduced The crime rates in the areas about which I have that problem after what was virtually a quiet tap on been speaking are increasing. If we can get the shoulder and a quiet talk by the local police those officers on the street a bit more often, that officer. would be a positive initiative that local people The community/police advisory groups in would welcome. those two districts are well established and are I wish to mention briefly another issue in working well. Again, I place on record my which I have been heavily involved in my acknowledgment of the tremendous support electorate, and that is the establishment of that the communities I represent are being given community/police advisory groups. I am not sure by Chief Superintendent Cliff Crawford, whether the Minister is fully aware of what has Inspector Dennis Houston and his officers, happened in that respect. These groups are Senior Constable David Beard and others, who 382 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998 have been regular attendees at these meetings. As I understand it, the Opposition may They have given our communities excellent oppose some of the clauses in the Bill. However, support in establishing those groups and with those few words, I support the Bill. keeping them going. Ms WARWICK (Barron River) (4.50 p.m.): There is one other issue that I wish to raise In speaking in this debate, I will focus my which impacts directly on the ability of the police comments on the provisions of the Bill that relate in my electorate to carry out their duties, and that to the carrying of knives in public, which relates to the boundaries set for Magistrates complements the Government legislation that Courts. It is not one of the Minister's was passed last year and that made it an offence responsibilities to set those boundaries, but he to carry a knife in a licensed venue. This Bill will would be aware that in the Boondall division effectively ban the carrying of knives in public there are three Magistrates Court boundaries. without a reasonable excuse. The boundary that affects my electorate is that To digress slightly, I agree with the between the Sandgate Magistrates Court and comments made by the member for Nudgee on the Brisbane Magistrates Court, which essentially police on bikes. In Cairns, two police officers ride cuts my electorate in half. For minor offences, if mountain bikes around the CBD. My offenders are to be arrested they must be taken understanding is that those bikes were paid for to the Magistrates Court in that area. For by the Cairns City Council. It is an excellent way example, if offenders are arrested in Banyo for for the police to get around and I agree being drunk and disorderly, because of some wholeheartedly with the member. It works very traffic infringement or other behavioural problem well. such as offensive language and so on, they Some concern has been expressed by cannot be taken 10 to 15 minutes down the road people who are in the habit of carrying knives to Sandgate to be charged; they must be taken which they need in order to carry out their daily on a 30 to 40-minute drive, depending on the duties. I understand that knives are a part of traffic, all the way into the city to be charged. everyday life for some Queenslanders and, under these amendments, people who require As the Minister would be aware, at night- knives in order to perform their daily tasks will not time the number of police vehicles on the road be disadvantaged in any way. I am talking about might be reduced to two. In charging a person for people such as canefarmers, chefs, fisher some of these minor offences, a vehicle can be persons and electricians, who will still be able to off the road for up to two hours. However, if carry knives in public, provided that those knives police officers were able to take offenders to are used for their intended purpose, that is, to Sandgate to be charged, those vehicles might enhance occupational duties. There is no need be off the road for only half that time. It is a to be concerned if one is having a picnic on a significant problem for my electorate that we just beach or in a park and a knife is needed to happen to be right on the border of these prepare food. As I have said, many people Magistrates Court district boundaries. already carry knives in public, but they carry them for legitimate reasons. Those people will not in I believe the problem can be addressed. For any way be affected by this legislation. issues such as domestic violence the police are able to charge alleged offenders anywhere. On the other hand, people carry knives in They can be taken either to the Sandgate public without any legitimate reason and some of Magistrates Court or into the city. However, for those people are a menace to the community. other minor offences—and these are the types My electorate of Barron River is the centre of a of offences which cause a lot of dislocation, very busy tourist area. Tourism is obviously a very heartache and fear in communities, particularly important part of our economy and the among elderly people—if the offence was Government, and myself as the local member, must do all in our power to ensure that the committed just a little over the boundary, the police have to take the offender all the way into tourism industry is able to get on with its the city rather than a 10 to 15-minute drive down business without being unduly hampered by any extraneous problems or issues. I am constantly the road. That is a significant issue that I urge the aware of the need to ensure that the tourism Minister to take up with his colleague the Minister industry, the small business sector and the retail for Justice so that something is done about it and sector are as unencumbered as possible in order so that police cars can be on the road a bit to achieve their potential. I never tire of saying quicker than is currently the case. As I indicated, that small business—and I include the tourism that is a significant issue in my electorate that I industry—is the backbone of our economy and have become aware of. It needs to be urgently if, as a State, we want to have economic attended to by the Government. prosperity we must be prepared to assist small 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 383 business in whatever way possible. That is why I resort at Palm Cove, which is a very popular am very pleased with these amendments and, as tourist destination. He wrote— far as I am concerned, they are not before time. "At approximately 12.30pm a person In my electorate I receive quite a lot of who was severely intoxicated entered the phone calls and letters from people who have Resorts main bar. In such a condition, it is witnessed incidents where people are carrying illegal to continue serving alcohol, knives and, although they are not actually doing therefore, on refusal of service this anything with the knives, they are acting in a very particular person became very aggressive menacing way which impacts negatively on and abusive. I took it upon myself to kindly business, tourism or whatever. To quote one escort this person off the property, along example, in February last year I received a letter with his dog. This incident was in front of from the manager of the Smithfield Shopping many international tourists who were trying Centre, which is a fairly big centre. The letter to eat a peaceful lunch and who expressed states— a major concern when approximately 30 minutes later this intoxicated person arrived "As requested, I wish to make formal back at the Resort carrying in his hand a very notice of a concern of mine in relation to long knife. The shock of such a sight what I am led to believe is a discrepancy in created panic amongst many of the Resort's the State legislation." house guests, making them feel very It goes onto say— insecure. The Police were called immediately, but did not arrive in time to "Smithfield Centre currently is being prevent this person stepping into the patronised by members of a motorcycle Resort's bar, being very abusive and gang. Although this in itself is not illegal, stabbing the bar's bench top leaving a their presence and presentation is causing visible indent, before once again leaving concern. A member of this group has a the premises. My immediate concern was baseball bat stuffed down the inside of his jeans and a 'crocodile dundee' knife for all staff and guests within the bar area, strapped to his leg. This person has a but this person then decided to locate his further two knives and two baseball bats dog, therefore continuously walking up and strapped to his Harley Davidson which he down the Palm Cove Esplanade with his knife which was clearly visible to all along the illegally parks prominently in the main beachfront. I must express vividly, that this entrance. This person has intimidated a person was in no condition to carry a shop attendant but as you can appreciate, potentially lethal weapon. no one including myself would consider prosecution for fear of retaliation. Upon the arrival of the Police and during my explanation, this person was The issue as I understand is that it is again approaching the Resort still in not illegal in Queensland to carry knives and possession of the knife, which the Police instruments such as baseball bats in public quickly confiscated, demanded an areas." explanation, before sending him home. To I am very happy to tell the shopping centre my disbelief, the Police informed me that manager that after today, hopefully, it will be Queensland law does not prohibit the illegal for people in shopping centres to carry carrying of knives in public, and to the knives unless they have good reasons for doing disgust of many onlookers, including so. The legislation is aimed at a small number of tourists, were unable to apprehend this troublemakers, but unfortunately in today's person. As I'm sure you are well aware, the society that small number of people cause a lot of current downturn in visitor numbers to this angst to other members of society. We need a area is already a concern, and with incidents change in our culture to understand that it is not occurring like the one which I have just acceptable to walk around carrying a knife, described, Far North Queensland may unless one has a specific reason for using that continue to lose its name as one of knife. Australia's leading Tourist Destinations. As I have mentioned, tourism plays a very As you can appreciate, as a concerned important role in my electorate. Anything that Hotel Operator, these kind of distractions impacts negatively on the tourism industry are not good for any business. Maybe a impacts negatively on the economy of the change to the State law is needed." region. Again I crave the indulgence of the Once again, I am happy to be able to tell that House to read a letter that I received last week resort manager that the Government is enacting from a constituent, the general manager of a changes that will turn that situation around. 384 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998

Last week I witnessed a similar incident. I police intelligence states clearly that the was having dinner at a hotel in Cairns with a friend incidence of those crimes has risen in some of whom I had not seen for a long time. It is a very the suburbs in the Mount Gravatt area. well-known hotel, Dunwoody's, where lots of That is not solely a concern of mine; it is a families go to eat. concern that is shared by Liberal members Mr Schwarten: A nice place? throughout the area. Recently, the Federal Ms WARWICK: It is a very nice spot. My Liberal member for Moreton released his friend is from Canberra and this was her first visit newsletter, the Moreton Report. The first to Cairns. We were enjoying a quiet dinner when sentence of that newsletter stated that the most a scuffle broke out in the bar. The security important issue in our community is crime. So I people took the person involved outside. When am not just doing a Labor or an Opposition beat- the manager came over to apologise to us and I up about the concerns in the Mount Gravatt area questioned what was going on, I was told that the regarding crime; the Federal Liberal member man had produced a knife. This happened in a thinks that it is the major concern in our area. The family hotel. Apart from my friend and I, also Liberal candidate for Sunnybank, Stephen present was a large family group celebrating a Huang, has also repeatedly criticised this birthday. It is not acceptable for families, visitors, Government over the lack of police numbers tourists—for anyone—to have to put up with that because of the increase in the number of home kind of behaviour. It sends the wrong message invasions and break and enters in the to our visitors. Sunnybank region. If the Minister does not want I now turn to the subject of pocket knives, to listen to the Labor members of this Parliament, because concerns have been expressed to me he should listen to the Liberals, who are not supporting him on this police issue. Obviously, by some people who carry them. My husband is they are critical of the Minister's handling of crime one of those people. He has carried a Swiss and police numbers in the Mount Army knife for the past 15 years and I know that Gravatt/Sunnybank region and, indeed, the other people carry utility knives. My whole south side of Brisbane. understanding is that people who carry knives such as Swiss Army knives, utility knives or small My second concern is about young people. pocket knives will not be affected by the I am certainly not one to talk in this Parliament legislation. about the issue of young people and crime, and I I would like to emphasise that this legislation am not one to overstate the problems that we is not directed against law-abiding citizens; it is have with young people in our society. I know directed against those who use thuggery and that the young people I am referring to now are menace to make life unpleasant for the rest of us. certainly in the minority in our community. For the sake of my fellow Queenslanders and However, over the past 12 months in the Mount especially for the sake of my children, the Gravatt area, enormous problems have been children of this State, the families of this State experienced with young people. Youths are out and the law-abiding people of this State, I have on the streets harassing the elderly, the disabled no hesitation in endorsing and supporting the and other young people. In parts of my amendments, which I think are very sensible and electorate, the situation has reached the stage at long overdue. I would like to congratulate the which shops have closed and a maternal and Minister on them. health nurse has refused to go back to her premises because of harassment by young Ms SPENCE (Mount Gravatt) (5 p.m.): I people. It has also reached the stage at which would like to raise some of the concerns I have hairdressers and other service shops have about the lack of police in the Mount Gravatt area. closed because young people have been Over the past 12 months, I have received more outside their shops harassing clients. Young complaints about crime and police issues than I people are drag-racing around the streets of have in my previous eight years as a member of Mount Gravatt, they are drinking and they are Parliament. I think the problems that we face in setting fires in the parks at night-time. This is the Mount Gravatt area broadly break down into really an unprecedented problem in the Mount two categories: a problem with break and enter Gravatt area. I believe that the problem exists and home invasion type crimes and a problem primarily because of the lack of police on the beat relating to youth activities. The fact that the in the Mount Gravatt area. incidence of break and enters and home invasions has increased in the Mount Gravatt In the past, I have written to the Minister electorate was proved to me on my visit to the about this problem. I have also written to the Mount Gravatt police regional headquarters, assistant commissioner of police responsible for where I was shown the intelligence map of break the Mount Gravatt area about it. In the Minister's and enter and home invasion type crimes. The replies to me, he has confirmed that there has 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 385 been no increase in police staffing in this area that those sorts of centres are the real answer to since the Government came to power. In fact, the the youth problems that are experienced in Minister has stated in his letters that he finds it urban areas, particularly in areas such as Mount very difficult maintaining a full complement of Gravatt. Young people are congregating outside police officers in the Mount Gravatt and Holland 7-11 stores, inside our shopping centres and out Park police area. In fact, in the Minister's letter to on the streets at night-time simply because they me of 5 November 1997, he stated that whilst have nothing else to do. every effort is made to keep staffing numbers at I am pleased to report that a re-elected the Holland Park Police Station as near as Labor Government will continue with this policy possible to the full complement, leave transfers of establishing community youth centres. I will be and promotions affect the maintenance of such a fighting very hard to get one in the Mount Gravatt quota. area, because I see those centres as the solution The Minister had a lot to say about police to many of the problems that we experience with numbers before being elected, but since the young people and with crime generally. We really election he has failed the electorate of Mount cannot just keep putting up negative solutions to Gravatt by failing to increase at all the police the problem of crime. Locking people up for numbers within that police division. I believe that longer periods and more often is not solving the the problems experienced in the area with youth crime problem. We have to offer some positive in particular could be solved if we had more solutions. I am pleased to say that the Labor juvenile aid officers. I have no complaints about Party is going to the election with those kinds of the performance of our local police. In fact, I have positive solutions. nothing but praise for their diligence and their Mr SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton) attitude when attending scenes of crime or other (5.08 p.m.): I do not know where the Minister is community incidents. However, there simply are lurking, but there is a particular apology that I not enough police in my area. The Minister and want to make and I want the Minister to be his Government have failed to live up to their pre- present in the Chamber when I make it. I will just election promises to provide increased police leave that matter until he returns. Here is the numbers. Minister now. He is just in time. As I was saying, I A future Labor Government is committed to want to make a particular apology to the Minister, increasing police numbers in Queensland. It is and that is that I cannot join him for breakfast on committed to pursuing policies that will prevent Monday, 23 March 1998 at the Dreamtime crime and it is committed to the whole notion of Centre. One of his supporters in the area, Gwen community policing. Labor sees value in Simpson—who, by the way, is a pretty good Neighbourhood Watch associations and police friend of mine—today sent me a letter starting shopfronts. The police shopfront at Sunnybank, with "Dear supporter", asking me whether I would which is in my electorate, is very successful. I like to raise some money for our colleague Mr have nothing but praise for the two officers who Lester to help him win the next election. I must work there. However, there is a demand for one say that I—— at the new Garden City Shopping Centre. Ms Spence: You must have been Despite the fact that the shopping centre insulted by that. management has offered premises for a police shopfront, I understand that the Minister has Mr SCHWARTEN: Well, after 29 years in decided not to take up that offer and staff such a the Labor Party, it is a bit rich for the Minister to police station. I think it is very disappointing, be approaching me to attend such a function. I considering that the Garden City Shopping immediately rang my father, who has been in the Centre would have to be the largest shopping Labor Party for 50 years, to make sure that he did centre in the State of Queensland, that it does not intercept a letter like this. In fact, he did not not have a police shopfront. I would have get one. I wanted to make sure that they had not thought that the member for Mansfield, in whose mistaken him for a supporter as well. electorate Garden City is located, would have Mrs Gamin: It just shows that the National pursued that during his term. Party will make friends with anybody. I believe also that another failure of this Mr SCHWARTEN: I seems that is what Government is that it has not put forward any National Party members have to do in policies containing proposals to give young Rockhampton. Just the other night the Premier people something to do. Labor had a very good was in town and I bet he wished he had never policy of establishing community youth centres seen Rockhampton. The headline in the paper and, during its last term of Government, on the Friday was that Rockhampton people commenced the $1m youth centres. Under this were going to snub the Premier. The National Government, that program has stalled. I believe Party had sent out 500 invitations and I think 386 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998 about 60 people accepted. The next day the because there was a shortage of hemp rope, and Premier got a hell of a bucketing on the front then after the war the Government brought out page of the paper because the chamber of the flame throwers and burnt it all again. I think commerce said that he should have sacked the there has been a lot of politics associated with it, economic Marco Polo, the Minister for Economic and probably a fair bit of corruption over the Development and Trade, because he was not years, in an attempt to keep it off the market. I am successful in getting the satellite centre for not saying that has occurred in Australia, but Rockhampton. I guess the National Party has certainly the evidence is there that that has been now got to the desperation stakes of having to the case in the United States. It has been kept invite stalwarts such as me to try to make up the off the agenda, but I certainly do not have any numbers. I do apologise to the Minister—it is problem with it. nothing personal against him—but I will not be The issue of road rage is similar to the issue there on that occasion. of knives. It is disgraceful that laws continually Mr Cooper: Send your wife. She is have to be made to tell people to do the right National Party. thing because they cannot behave themselves Mr SCHWARTEN: No, my wife is not in an appropriate manner. There is plenty of National Party. She comes from National Party evidence that road rage is on the increase. stock, but she saw the light many years ago. She Those shocking incidents we saw in the United saw the benefits of getting away from the States five or six years ago are now happening in oppression of the National Party. Australia. The situation really is appalling and it is a fair measure of the way that our society has There are some serious issues being deteriorated in terms of the way we regard our contemplated here today. The issue of knives is fellow human beings. I guess we can take some one. The Minister was recently in Rockhampton comfort from passing laws about knives and and a few people there were interested in about road rage today, but the reality is that, until whether they would be able to carry their tools of we get to a society that is less polarised, less trade which happen to be knives to and from marginalised and far more inclusive—— work sites and so on. I think this is the sort of absurd thing that some of these mad, Right Wing Ms Spence: And has fewer traffic people come out with when we are actually trying problems. to prevent lunatics taking two-foot long knives Mr SCHWARTEN: Fewer traffic problems into nightclubs. They immediately want to turn it would have an impact. While there are divisive into a pocket knife issue. It is just crazy stuff. It is a influences, such as Hanson and others, pushing terrible state of affairs that laws have to be made the racist issue, of course we will have a more to prevent people carting that sort of stuff into polarised society with more violent and angry licensed premises. Nobody in their right mind people who want to take their wrath out on other would suggest that it should be legal to carry people. offensive weapons into nightclubs and I note that the member for Mount Gravatt accordingly I do not think anybody in their right referred to young people and spoke of the broad mind would oppose such legislation. brush that is often applied to them, that all young I note that the gun buyback scheme has people are worse than they were 20, 30 or 50 been discussed here. I thought the carnival was years ago. Even Socrates in his time thought over in that regard, that the bonanza had finished young people were crook, so it seems young and we were not paying any more compensation. people have always been labelled non- Perhaps the Minister might clarify that situation in conformist and more likely to break the law. I do his reply to the second-reading debate because, know one thing for certain: the Howard as he knows, a lot of my constituents are Government's policies will lead to young people interested in that issue. being forced to make a choice between breaking I believe a hemp trial is a sensible the law and starvation, and I do not say that suggestion. When I was the shadow Minister for lightly. I acknowledge that my son Evan is in the Primary Industries, lobby group representatives public gallery. He will be joining the Labor Party, came to see me. I certainly have no objection to a too, and he will not be getting one of those "Dear trial; I think it makes sense. The commodities Supporter" letters. He will vote the right way; I am they produce, from a hardboard sort of timber sure of that. He comes from good stock. He was down to fine clothing, are worth while. The named after his grandfather. history is that the invention of nylon politicised The Howard Government's treatment of the issue and forced hemp production to be young people is quite obscene. A friend of mine banned in the United States. Interestingly is earning $24,000 a year and her daughter has enough, in the Second World War people in the recently left school, having completed senior, United States were made to grow the product and is searching for a job. The daughter is now 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 387 reliant on her mother until she is 25 years of age. Correctional Centre. I thought that, according to I think that is now the cut-off age. This girl gets media reports, it was a bit further advanced than the princely sum of $15 a week from social that. Is this an old document? security. That is not enough to buy her toiletries. Mr Cooper: No, it was 500 grand in that What do honourable members think that kid will first Budget—that is planning and design—the do down the track? I know that this kid will not be usual procedure. Then you carry on the following tempted to break the law; she has a good family. years. By the year 2000 that is to be constructed. What is going to happen in large families where people are very poor and cannot feed Mr SCHWARTEN: So the year 2000 is themselves? Honourable members should think now the date. That does not really differ from the of the times when people could not fend for original plan, because it was always going to be themselves. They would help themselves to the year 2000. somebody else's property in order to survive. Mr Cooper: If we can advance it, we will. That is what Howard is doing to our young Mr SCHWARTEN: Okay. That is all I people, yet we wonder why they are striking back intended to say on these issues. I reiterate that at a society that is so heartless. As I said earlier, the Minister must forgive me for not wanting to we can pass all the rules and laws that we like and put funds into his coffers. bring in regulations to stop people doing this, that and the other but, unless we get back to a Mr Cooper: I normally see you at those more appropriate level of financial support for functions. those people, then we might have to give the Mr SCHWARTEN: Yes, and I would be game away. happy for the Minister to have a cup of coffee I turn to the issue of the Rockhampton with me later. Police Station. I notice that the Minister has put Mr ROBERTSON (Sunnybank) out Police, Corrective Services and Racing (5.21 p.m.): In rising to speak to the Police and Achievements 1997 and listed therein is Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, completion of projects at Ferny Grove, I take this opportunity to remind the Minister Rockhampton, Emerald, Acacia Ridge, Horn about his growing list of broken promises when it Island and Mackay. I do not know about the comes to providing police services in the others, and I do not know what has been done in Sunnybank electorate. I have spoken about this Rockhampton. What project is the Minister matter on a number of occasions in this House, talking about? but it seems that the Minister just refuses to listen. So I thought I would take this opportunity Mr Cooper: Stick around. to go through the history of the performance of Mr SCHWARTEN: I hear the Minister say this Government—or the non-performance of "stick around", and I am pleased to hear him say this Government—when it comes to police that because that is the only response I have got resources in the Sunnybank electorate. from him about my favourite topic up there, the Ms Spence interjected. police station being moved out of the CBD. That is a big issue amongst the traders there. Mr ROBERTSON: The member for Mount Gravatt spoke about the performance of Mr Cooper: You are going to have both. this Government with respect to the south side Mr SCHWARTEN: I understand the of Brisbane. Minister to say that the police station in the CBD Mr Cooper interjected. will be retained, and one will be provided for the Mr ROBERTSON: The Minister says that north side. I do not oppose the north side station we had six years and we did nothing. That is not because, as the Minister would appreciate, the true, and the Minister knows it. The Minister current situation there is hopeless. The facility is an old home that really is past its use-by date. It knows that, in 1992, I was elected to the new needs to be moved further out. I have no seat of Sunnybank. At that election, my Liberal objections to its going to the electorate of opponent said, "Elect the Liberal Party and we Keppel; it makes sense. That is the growth area, will, in the first term of office, build a police station but I do not want to lose the primary presence of in Sunnybank." The Liberal Party did not win that police in the CBD. I thank the Minister for election. In my first term as a member of confirmation that that will not occur and I will make Parliament, I made no such promise. However, I sure that that is known. did achieve a Police Beat shopfront at the Sunnybank shopping centre. At that time the I might be veering off the subject a bit, but Minister said, "What a waste of time." Then we perhaps the Minister might like to deal with had the 1995 election. Of course, up popped another issue in his reply. He mentioned the Liberal candidate again saying, "Elect us and $500,000 to plan the replacement Rockhampton we will build a police station in Sunnybank in our 388 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998 first term of office." At the 1995 election, as the Beat shopfronts going on, and I cannot make a Labor candidate, I said, "We will as well, and we decision until that review is completed." will deliver because we don't make promises, we We cannot expect the shopping centre just get the job done." owners at Sunnybank Hills to put on hold After 1995, what happened? Work started indefinitely the major redevelopment of that on locating a site within the Sunnybank centre while yet another Government review is electorate for that police station. Unfortunately, conducted. So what we have lost in Sunnybank as a result of things that happened in is another opportunity to provide cost-effective Mundingburra, we were unable to fill our term of police resources in my electorate. What a office as a Government. But what happened to all performance from the Minister. He criticised the the work that was going on to locate a police establishment of a Police Beat shopfront in station in Sunnybank when this Minister took Sunnybank in 1995. He promised to build a over? It stopped. Not another word was heard police station, which did not eventuate. He got about it. Then, of course, after lambasting me on the opportunity to establish another Police Beat achieving a Police Beat shopfront at Sunnybank shopfront, after deciding that they are actually a in my first term of office, the Minister had the good thing. He then established a review and let cheek to pop up, as the Minister for Police and that opportunity go by. That is the Minister's Corrective Services, and say, "I think Police Beat record in Sunnybank. That is why that made shopfronts are really good. In fact, it is a policy of No. 1 on the list of 100 broken promises of his my Government to increase the number of Police Government. Beat shopfronts, and that is what I will be doing." I But it gets even worse than that. As the thought, "Fine. I will let the hypocrisy of that Minister informed me, and as I am currently statement go through to the keeper. But I will informing my electorate, we have not even take the Minister at his word and see if we can get benefited from the increase in police numbers another Police Beat shopfront in Sunnybank. If about which the Minister keeps talking. In the Minister is not going to give me a police November last year, I asked the Minister a station"—which he clearly was not going to do in question on notice about the Acacia Ridge the two Budgets that his Government has Police Station. I asked about the staffing levels brought down since coming to office—"I will go there, the police to population ratio, and how along to him and say, 'I have a new shopping many police officers are actually on duty at any centre owner of a regional shopping centre that one particular point in time at Acacia Ridge. I ask is about to be redeveloped. In fact, it is the same members to bear in mind that the former Labor owner of the shopping centre where we have Government made the Acacia Ridge Police the other Police Beat shopfront at Sunnybank. Station a 24-hour, seven days a week station for They are keen to have another Police Beat the first time in its history. shopfront because they have problems with According to the Minister's answer to that vandalism, they have problems with cars being question, there has been absolutely no increase broken into, and they have problems with minor in police numbers at that station since his assaults.' " So I arranged a meeting with the Government took office. The number remains Minister, to which he kindly agreed, and I thank stuck at 26. But it gets worse than that. When I him for that. The shopping centre owner and the asked the Minister how many vacancies are management went along and put their case: currently at that station, he replied that, as of "Yes, Minister, we are happy to provide retail November last year, there were five vacancies. space in the redeveloped centre at no rent. You So the actual number is not 26, it is actually 21. will have to pay only for the electricity. It will Some members might think that I just got lucky; include two car parks to give you access to and that I asked the question at the right time, when from the centre during and after hours." It was all all those vacancies were there, and therefore I laid on—the red carpet treatment. That was in can make this political point. But no, I did not get October last year. lucky. The Minister's answer reveals that, In February this year, we still had not heard throughout 1997, the Acacia Ridge Police whether that proposal was to be accepted. By Station ran with a vacancy rate of six police then, of course, the development had to get officers at any one time. In fact, when I asked the under way. So I phoned up the shopping centre question, the number was only five. But in his owners and asked, "Have you heard back from answer, the Minister said that at any particular the Minister?" They said, "We got a letter just point in time the Acacia Ridge Police Station runs before Christmas saying that the matter was still with an average of six vacancies. being looked into." In fact, just a couple of days Any claim by this Minister that Sunnybank after that inquiry, they got a letter saying, "I would has somehow benefited from the great reforms, like to help you, but there is a review of Police the great increase in police numbers, that he has 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 389 been on about for the past two years is an police station would have been built absolute nonsense. He has been hung by his already." own answer to my question. For the purposes of I do not think that the Minister would agree with this debate, I will mention an interesting issue that view put out by the coalition candidate in that has arisen over the past couple of years. I Sunnybank, because the Minister has been well remember when the Minister was in telling us for the past two years that the coalition Opposition. He used to hammer the previous has increased the budget. I do not think that Government constantly by saying that police anyone on that side of the House would suggest numbers are not keeping up with population for one moment that, when the coalition took growth. Of course, now that he is the Minister, he office in this State, there was some kind of deficit has had a change of heart. He now says that that that required the coalition to reduce programs is not really a relevant statistic to use, that it is a bit and, therefore, cancel initiatives such as the more complex than that. I agree. Sunnybank police station. That is a blatant Years and years ago, when Mr Cooper was untruth and something that I am starting to get the Minister for Emergency Services, he and I used to during this campaign. I have faced it had a discussion about fire services. I before from the Liberals, but now it is disguised understand what he is saying. However, what he behind a different language. I doubt whether the cannot deny is that it does have some relevance, candidate is prepared to say that in the because when areas such as Sunnybank have a mainstream press. I hope my young friend reads population increase of at least 25%—that is this speech, because set out for him is the full during the time that I have been the member, history of the performance of the coalition and that has been only since 1992—with no Government on police issues in my electorate. corresponding increase in police numbers, then Nothing that the Minister has said has population growth does begin to matter. One contradicted one word that I have said, because cannot ignore that type of growth. When one he knows that it is true. starts discussing population increases, one In summary, I will make this prediction: starts discussing the major development of new although it is likely that we will be at an election estates and more opportunities for crime, such after the Government brings down its sweetener as break and enters, to occur. That is the Budget, I know that included in the budget for relevancy of a population increase. I am not the third time will be a police station for saying that the Minister should lock himself into a Sunnybank. I can hear it now: "You re-elect us particular ratio. However, when an area has a and we will build a police station in Sunnybank." population increase of at least 25% and no The only problem is that the third time round, corresponding increase in police numbers, it nobody will believe it. The only party and the only does matter. person who have ever done anything about Of course, we are in the run-up to an police resources in the Sunnybank electorate is election. My opponent has stuck his head up the Labor Government and I as the member for recently on the issue of police. It has taken me a that area. We will hear a lot more about this, bit of time to find out what he has been saying. because, as we all know, "If you can't tell the Because as he is the editor of a newspaper truth, you can't govern Queensland." called the Multicultural Times, I am required to Mr NUTTALL (Sandgate) (5.35 p.m.): I do have a lot of articles translated. I refer to the not intend to discuss the issue of police in translation of a recent article written by this relation to this Bill. The issue that I have some fellow— interest in is that of the growing of industrial "Currently there are goon squad who hemp, which is mentioned in the Bill on page 18, stand out to say that Liberal Party has not Part 5B, "Trial planting of cannabis sativa for fulfilled its election promise to build a police commercial fibre production". People seem to be station in Sunnybank. But I would like to fairly gung-ho about the opportunity of growing know why as a member of the Labor industrial hemp and the potential for that crop to Government, he does not feel shameful as be not just a large revenue raiser for the State in its six years in Government, it had not set but also a new growth industry for the State. I up a police station in this area, and he is now believe that we should approach this with some shifting his fault to our shoulder. degree of caution. I certainly do not believe that Furthermore, if it was not the previous Labor the market exists for the product. I do not believe Government which was like a group of that enough work has been done in relation to prodigals that had caused a hidden deficit of the investigation of the growing of industrial nearly $10 billion, so that the Coalition hemp in the State of Queensland. In fact, it will Government has to cut the budget, the compete with the growing of cotton. 390 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 17 Mar 1998

In 1996, the Parliamentary Criminal Justice Another issue I wish to raise is the carrying Committee investigated this matter and tabled in of knives in public places, and I know that has the Parliament Report No. 37, dated October been canvassed by a number of speakers. I say 1996. The bottom line is that, in its conclusion, to the Minister that I am pleased to see the the PCJC stated— legislation before the House. My concern—and I "The Committee concludes that at this ask the Police Minister to perhaps address this in stage industrial hemp trials should not be his reply—is that, while we have these laws and conducted in Queensland." while we have asked the nightclub industry in particular to put in place metal detectors and Trials have been conducted in a number of those sorts of things to check young people States: Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, New going into nightclubs for the carrying of knives South Wales and Western Australia. Obviously, and other weapons, I cannot find in the Queensland is the last cab off the rank in relation legislation anywhere that provides for that to be to experimental crops of cannabis. We should be actually enforced, where nightclubs can be considering the problems that other States have forced to actually do those checks. experienced in the growing of industrial hemp. In recent times one of the television stations If one examines all the market research, one here in Brisbane did a trial. A number of people will find that the production costs of hemp actually entered these nightclubs and then prohibit it from being economically viable to grow. produced weapons. The bouncers or whoever Since 1970, industrial hemp has been grown in were operating the metal detectors were not Europe. In fact, the growing of industrial hemp is checking everyone; they were doing random declining, despite receiving Government checks. I do not know what the easy answer is. subsidies. Therefore, I approach this initiative Hundreds and hundreds of young and perhaps with some caution. I believe that it could be costly not so young people go into nightclubs, the in terms of Government support and latter wanting to be young again. My concern is Government subsidies. At the end of the day, how everyone is checked as they come through there may be no benefit for the Queensland the door. If people who miss the random checks farmers of that crop or for the people of are getting into nightclubs and are using those Queensland generally. If that crop will be knives, that is evidence that it is no use checking competing with crops such as cotton, which has one in three, one in four or one in two. It is either proven to be a great growth industry in this State all or nothing in my view. and a crop that we seem to grow very successfully in Queensland, I suggest that the I do not believe that the nightclub industry pioneers of the cotton industry would also be or those people involved in running nightclubs treating the introduction of hemp trials with some are genuine or fair dinkum. They want to be self- caution. regulatory, but I do not think that we can trust them. There should be some amendments to The committee actually visited South the legislation to ensure that those people in that Australia in relation to this issue and spoke with industry are forced to ensure that checks are the program manager of that crop in South made on people to prevent the carrying of knives Australia back in June of 1996. The program or weapons into nightclubs. manager cautioned us about the problem of the cost of production of the crop as against other A number of young people in my electorate crops. I do not know whether we as a community in particular to whom I have spoken now have should be all gung-ho on the issue of growing grave concerns about going into town at night industrial hemp. I do not say that I am an expert and enjoying themselves in nightclubs. Their on this issue by any stretch of the imagination, parents are, indeed, very concerned about the but from the limited amount of reading that I have approach that is being taken by nightclub done in terms of my investigative work on the owners. The parents do not believe that they are Parliamentary Criminal Justice Committee and fair dinkum in any way, shape or form in relation to quite obviously from the work that the committee this issue. Despite the best intentions of the has done and in a report that it has tabled—and I legislation, I do not believe it is good enough any know the former Primary Industries Minister was more to leave the detection up to the nightclub keen on the growing of industrial hemp—I would industry; I believe that we have to enshrine urge the current Primary Industries Minister to provisions in legislation to make sure that approach it with some caution. If this Bill before weapons are simply not allowed into nightclubs, the House will allow us to grow industrial hemp, hotels and other areas of entertainment where by all means do so—if there is going to be some people gather to enjoy themselves. benefit to the State, let us do it—but before we In my view, the stabbings and the go down that path let us be very, very careful murders—those tragedies that we have about how we approach that issue. witnessed here in Brisbane over the past couple 17 Mar 1998 Police and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 391 of years—will continue despite the best times. I do not know what the easy answer to that intentions of this legislation unless we force is, but I would think that there should be some nightclub owners to somehow check their sort of directive from the Minister to the Police patrons as they come through the door. Commissioner and his other senior officers to Mr Ardill: What's wrong with airport style look at that issue and see if there are more detectors? people being put on roster in those times. If what the Minister says is true, if there are more police Mr NUTTALL: The member for being sworn in—and I am not one who wants to Archerfield is probably right. Those detectors question the figures that the Minister is might be a little bit expensive, but what cost do quoting—and if there are more police being put we put on the lives of young people going to on roster, why then are there not enough police nightclubs? Anyone going to one of those on Thursday nights, Friday nights and Saturday nightclubs with a knife does so with one nights when there are problems? It begs the intention and one intention only, that is to hurt question. somebody, whether they do it in the nightclub or when they come out of the nightclub when they That is an issue on which I would like to hear are perhaps a bit intoxicated. This provision at the Minister's response in this debate. I simply do least removes the chance that someone will run not believe that the police force in general—and I amok in a nightclub with a knife. They might not am not talking about the senior commissioned kill anyone, but they will certainly be running officers; I am talking about police officers at around slashing people. We have an opportunity stations—is abiding by the spirit of that here in this legislation to say to nightclub owners, agreement in which we gave them the extra 19% "We have given you the chance to regulate it by and said, "Let us have more police on at night." I yourself. You have not seen fit to do that. We are do not believe that they are abiding by the spirit going to force you to do it by way of legislation." I of that agreement, and I think that is encourage the Minister to have a look at that disappointing. before the end of this debate to see if something I know that those people who choose to join can be done in relation to that matter. the Police Service enjoy having a weekend off as Police numbers in terms of having enough much as anyone else does. However, it is the police is an issue that I think every Government nature of their job that they will need to be on grapples with. The question I raise with the duty during the busy times of the week, mainly Police Minister in the debate this evening is that over the weekend. The PCJC receives a number my understanding is that some time ago an of complaints about the way in which police agreement was reached with the Police Union officers handle their duties, for example, whether that a loading of some 19% would be put on they are being overzealous and so on. I have police officers' salaries to give the police force great respect for the law enforcement officers of the flexibility to roster more police officers on this State. In the main, they do a remarkable job. duty for busy periods, basically Thursday night If we look at the present culture of the through to Sunday night inclusive. It seems to Queensland Police Service, we can see the me that that simply is not happening and that the change in that culture since 1989. We have one old roster system is still there. It seems that the of the finest police services in the country. I have majority of police are on roster through the had the opportunity of speaking with police daytime and then, come the weekends, in most commissioners in other jurisdictions around the electorates we have the same old perennial country. Without doubt, the Queensland Police problems in which police are saying, "We have Service is one of the finest. only got one police car or two police cars." Through trial and error we have been able to Despite the best efforts of Governments to give put in place a number of safety nets to ensure the police additional staff and resources, it always that police officers conduct themselves properly seems to me that the police claim—it does not and that the citizens of this State are treated matter who is in Government—that there are accordingly. In addition, if the citizens of this never enough police on duty and there are State have grievances against the police, there never enough cars. I believe that a lot of the are ways in which grievances can be dealt with. problem simply stems from the way rosters are My only criticism of the CJC is that, when it drawn up. investigates police officers, it seems to take an It is quite obvious that we do not need as enormous length of time to conclude its many police on duty from 8 to 4 Monday to investigations. I do not believe that is fair on Thursday as we do on Thursday nights, Friday either the police officers or their families. While nights, Saturdays and Sundays, yet we seem to those investigations are continuing, the careers have this situation in which more police are of those police officers are in limbo. That is not rostered on in the quieter times than the busier good for either their morale or that of the Police 392 Deputy Premier and Treasurer 17 Mar 1998

Service in general. That is a matter of concern to amendment to the Drugs Misuse Act will allow me as a member of the Parliamentary Criminal strictly controlled research plantings of industrial Justice Committee. I have raised this issue with hemp in Queensland. The amendment provides the CJC on several occasions and I will continue for the creation of a regulation which exempts to pursue it, because I believe those sorts of persons from certain provisions of the Act to investigations need to be conducted in a far allow the trial planting of low-level drug content better way. cannabis sativa for research into its suitability as a In conclusion, I ask the Minister to address commercial fibre crop. The regulation will strictly some of the issues I have raised in my speech. I control any trial by placing comprehensive and look forward to his response. stringent conditions on their operation. Mr HEALY (Toowoomba North) However, the proposed amendment in no (5.52 p.m.): I am pleased to support the Police way dilutes the coalition Government's tough and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) stand against illicit drugs. We will continue our Bill. I wish to touch on one area of the Bill referred hard line on the growing, possession, sale or use to by several members, particularly Opposition of high drug content cannabis. Once the Act is members, and to speak a little more about some amended, Queensland will carry out of the concerns raised by my colleague the comprehensive checks on persons who are member for Sandgate in relation to proposed seeking trial authorisations. Anyone who has a Part 5B, the trial planting of cannabis sativa for police record or a conviction anywhere in commercial fibre production. Australia for a drug offence can forget about applying for any authorisation; that person will I can probably see why the member has have no opportunity at all to be involved in the some concerns about this, given his experience industry. As I said before, the industrial hemp with the PCJC investigation. However, I think the used during trial plantings will have a THC drug answer lies in the fact that the legislation content of 0.35% or less. To enable laboratory specifically states— trials into seed characteristics, up to a maximum "The purpose of this part is to enable of 1% THC will be allowed. research to be carried out under controlled Debate, on motion of Mr Healy, adjourned. conditions into the suitability of low-level drug content cannabis sativa as a commercial fibre crop." MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Once the trials are completed, in respect of the Power Blackouts concerns that the member raised about the Hon. J. M. SHELDON (Caloundra— commercial cost, the problems experienced in Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for The other States may very well be experienced in Arts) (5.57 p.m.), by leave: This morning I made a Queensland and it may not be viable. However, statement to this House in which I expressed my this legislation will at least allow the trial to go respect for the workers in the electricity industry ahead. and stated that I was prepared to withdraw Apparently, over 2,000 people from rural comments attributed to me from the weekend's industry are extremely happy to become national Liberal convention if they were wrong. involved in that trial. Those people have The comment I made was: "I've got my own obviously done their homework and, based on private theory that it might have been a bit of the figures, are keen to have a go. In particular, sabotage in the electrical unions." I believe I had people in rural industry who have struggled over clearly stated that my views were directed the years will be given an opportunity to put a towards the union leadership, not the workers. new crop in the ground. They may find it to be I am happy to apologise to the workers of commercially viable. At least we will be giving Swanbank, Tarong, Stanwell and Callide Power them the chance to cash in. This could become a Stations—the same workers whom I praised this lucrative new industry for Queensland. I have morning—if my remarks were incorrectly believed seen a fair bit of statistical information to suggest to be personally directed at them. I hope this now that, given the right conditions and cultivars of puts this issue, which has been blown out of all industrial hemp, perhaps with more research this proportion, properly to rest. could become a lucrative industry for Queensland. DEPUTY PREMIER AND TREASURER Currently, the Drugs Misuse Act 1986 prohibits the growing or possession of hemp Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader cannabis regardless of the tetrahydrocannabinol, of the Opposition) (5.58 p.m.): I move— or THC, content because of the status of "That this Parliament calls on the cannabis sativa as a prohibited drug. This Treasurer to apologise to the workers at 17 Mar 1998 Deputy Premier and Treasurer 393

Swanbank, Tarong, Stanwell and Callide simply to save the leadership of Joan Sheldon power stations for the untrue and baseless and nothing more. allegation that sabotage may have been Members should make no mistake: at the responsible for Queensland's power Liberal Party's national conference on the blackouts rather than the massive job cuts weekend, an experienced politician, and lack of maintenance caused by the Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer Joan $850m she stole from the industry in her Sheldon, deliberately set out to ignite a political last Budget." time bomb. She took an engineered decision In light of the extraordinary statement just that was intended to blow up under made by the Treasurer, I seek leave to amend Queensland's power workers. Unfortunately for that motion by moving— her, she felt the full force of the explosion "That this House censures the herself, and rightly so. This was the act of a Treasurer for her untrue and baseless attack desperate politician who was trying to cling to on Queensland's power workers." power. The Treasurer attacked the very workers who had turned the lights back on. Leave granted. Earlier today the Opposition gave the Mr BEATTIE: The Treasurer has had all Treasurer three opportunities to apologise, but day in which to do the decent and honourable she did not do so. What did she do? In her attack thing and come into this House and apologise. on the power workers this morning, she This morning we sought for the Treasurer to exacerbated her disgraceful and un-Australian behave in an appropriate and dignified way. At behaviour. As I said before, it was only at the the eleventh hour she came in here and eleventh hour, just a few minutes before apologised, but did so because of what has members were due to press her for an apology, been happening today. That is why I have moved because of the pressure on her own leadership, this censure motion of her over her behaviour, that she realised she had no option but to because it is unacceptable. Let us look at what apologise. The apology was not made because it has happened today. was the decent thing to do. I stress the fact that The President of the Liberal Party, Bob the Treasurer made an admission that she had Carroll, has been in constant session with done the wrong thing, but she was pressured members of the Liberal Party in this Chamber all into doing so. In other words, by her apology day. Why has he been in constant contact and tonight she has in fact admitted that the motion discussion with these members of the Liberal that I moved was not just necessary but Party? Because there has been a move and a appropriate. She admitted that from the threat to remove the Deputy Premier as Leader beginning she was wrong. of the Liberal Party! That is what has happened Industrial relations should not be used as today. Bob Carroll appeared at Parliament House election fodder by any political party. The Deputy because he got an urgent call from the Minister Premier sought to sacrifice those workers' for Industrial Relations, Mr Santo Santoro. reputations, integrity and morale for her own Today the Treasurer did not come into the political survival—survival because she knew that House with any degree of dignity or goodwill; her incompetent and bumbling Government has she came into the House to try to save her less than two months before it is put out of office. Liberal leadership. She gave the apology only The Government was responsible for turning out because she was dragged into the House to do the lights in Queensland. The Treasurer knows so and that occurred because, as every member that the Queensland public, through its votes, is of the House knows, the Liberal Party has held ready to turn off the power on the Nationals and secret meetings all day. Members should make the Liberals. The Government has demonstrated no mistake: today there was a challenge to the repeatedly that it is not up to the job. As it has leadership of Joan Sheldon. Had she not come lurched from crisis to crisis—a new one each into the House and given this lukewarm apology, month—the Government has proven to her leadership would have been over. She Queenslanders that it will never be up to the job, would not have been the Leader of the Liberal regardless of how long it is in power. Party or the Deputy Premier of this State. Blame for the power blackout that We have not heard a graceful apology, an Queenslanders suffered last month lies fairly and appropriate apology or an apology with any squarely with the Treasurer. The Treasurer stole degree of meaning or dignity. $850m from the industry in a blatant case of wrong priorities, as the money was used for pork- Mr Bredhauer: No sincerity. barrelling electorates in an attempt to buy votes Mr BEATTIE: Indeed, there was no to keep this rabble in power, instead of keeping sincerity in the apology. The apology was made the power on for Queensland and 394 Deputy Premier and Treasurer 17 Mar 1998

Queenslanders. As a result of having to make is why the Treasurer should be censured, and economies because of that $850m loss, the that is why the Opposition believes that the power generating corporations had to shed 640 Treasurer should be held up to ridicule in the jobs. As a result of that massive job loss, the community. She has behaved in an inappropriate power stations fell 35 years behind in their way. maintenance, and that is why we experienced Indeed, it is fairly clear to all Queenslanders recent problems. The decision to steal $850m that Joan Sheldon is not only not up to the job; from the power industry blew up in the she is also not fit to hold the office of the Deputy Treasurer's face. The Treasurer knew that this Premier of this State, and that is the bottom line. resulted in enormous damage to the That is why I have amended my motion to move Government, the Nationals, the Liberals and to that this House censures the Treasurer for her her personally. Therefore, she tried to put the untrue and baseless attack on Queensland's blame elsewhere and she lied. Let us be very power workers. I stand here, on behalf of the clear that this was a Liberal lie that Joan Sheldon, Opposition, with a degree of pride because we the Treasurer, perpetrated, and, "If you can't tell are defending the reputations of decent the truth, you can't run Queensland." Of course, Queenslanders who work in the power industry. there was no suggestion that the blame lay We will not stand by and watch the Deputy anywhere other than with the Government. That Premier play politics for base purposes. The had been admitted by the Premier, who Treasurer should come back into this House and apologised to Queenslanders for the problems participate in this censure motion. As is typical of for which his Government had been totally the arrogant Treasurer, she has left the House. responsible. She has run away. The truth is that she can run, It had also been made very clear to but she cannot hide. everyone that in three of the four power stations it would have been physically impossible for Mrs Edmond: Where is the Premier? anyone to throw a spanner in the works. There Mr BEATTIE: Where is the Premier? He is was no suggestion and certainly no evidence not here to defend her. The Premier is running that anyone had done anything remotely out of away, too. He will not defend the Treasurer. order at the fourth power station. Indeed, if there Where is Tom Gilmore, the Minister for Mines and was any evidence of sabotage, the Treasurer Energy? He is hiding as well! would have tabled that evidence in the House Mr Hamill: There is not one Minister in this today or she would have supplied details of it debate. during question time when she was asked about her baseless accusation. However, this does not Mr BEATTIE: Where are the Ministers stop the Treasurer—a politician well used to who will stand up for the Treasurer? Not one ignoring the truth for political gain and a Minister is in the Chamber because they all know Treasurer who, at law, would have had a that Joan Sheldon is not up to the job and that responsibility to report any sabotage to the she is not fit to be the Treasurer of this State. It appropriate authority, be it the CJC or the police. was a Liberal lie and the truth is, "If you can't tell She did neither and nor, following my the truth, you can't run Queensland." suggestion this morning, did she provide any Time expired. evidence to the House, not even in her earlier statement, to support her outrageous claim of Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—Deputy sabotage. This is just like her claim that the Leader of the Opposition) (6.08 p.m.): I rise to Government would introduce no new or second the amended motion. I have looked at increased taxes, when she had seven lined up in the apology that the Treasurer gave. She said, the Budget last year. "I've got my own private theory that it might have been a bit of sabotage in the electrical unions." Without a shred of justification, the Deputy Premier launched an attack on a group of Mr Palaszczuk: A bit? Queensland workers who had actually gone out Mr ELDER: Yes, a bit. She says, "Look, I of their way to help the Government out of a hole have nothing against the workers; I directed it by restoring the power as quickly as they were towards the union leadership." Can one imagine able. They are decent, hardworking, thinking the three leaders of the union membership in Queenslanders who came to the aid of their black night gear, sneaking around and Queensland in its time of need. Those people sabotaging the power stations? Can members should be respected and admired by all imagine them rappelling from helicopters? How Queenslanders. However, what do we have? farcical it is when the Treasurer of the State is The second highest officer in this Government dragged into the House to make such an set out to denigrate those workers for purely appalling apology. The Leader of the Opposition base political purposes, and nothing more. That was right: the Treasurer was dragged into the 17 Mar 1998 Deputy Premier and Treasurer 395

House to make that apology because meetings Mr ELDER: My friend would know a little were held and they went on all afternoon. Those bit about it. That is his problem: he cannot tell the meetings were focused on one thing: the truth and, "If you can't tell the truth, you can't run leadership of the Liberal Party. That is the only Queensland." Everyone in this industry knew reason that Bob Carroll was here. what was coming but the Premier, the Minister I reinforce the point that not one Minister and the Treasurer ignored the warnings. Then has entered the debate, although I see that the the Treasurer had the audacity to say that it was Premier has now had to roll himself into the the workers' fault and that they had been House to try to defend his Treasurer. At least, I sabotaging the power stations. It is only because expect that that is what he is up to. I would like of the pressure on the Liberal leadership that the Premier to explain how the power stations today the Treasurer was dragged into this place were sabotaged by the union leadership. How to make an appalling apology: it is not the did they manage to sneak into the power stations workers' fault; it is the union leadership's fault. and sabotage them? There has been no apology. The Treasurer still believes what she said at the Liberal Party More than anyone, apart from perhaps the convention. It is only to save her hide from the Minister for Mines and Energy, the Treasurer member for Clayfield that today the Treasurer should have been aware of the power crisis that came into this place to make that statement. was looming—and had been looming in this The only sabotage has been the State for over 12 months—because the Government's incompetent stewardship of this Treasurer is a shareholding Minister. There are industry. From day one the Treasurer has been only two shareholding Ministers for the arrogant: arrogant in the way in which she treated Government's electricity assets: the Minister and the people of Queensland by taking off the toll the Treasurer. The Treasurer has a special on the $200m tollway in her own electorate; responsibility and, perhaps more importantly, arrogant in the way in which she handled the she has access to regular reports and verbal workers involved and arrogant in the way in which updates from the electricity industry chiefs about she has introduced into this State seven new the condition of that industry. Yet she was taxes and charges and made no apology to the overseeing the stripping of about $2 billion from people of Queensland for misleading them on the industry. Most importantly, she played a that point. This morning, she should have central and pivotal role in the removal of $850m apologised when she had the opportunity, not in of capital from the industry this year. It is this retrospect to be dragged into this place because asset-stripping that has seen the collapse of a her leadership was under pressure. That is the reasonable maintenance program at our power only reason we have seen the Treasurer in the stations. Chamber this evening. Mr Borbidge: Rubbish! Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers Mr ELDER: The Premier says, "Rubbish". Paradise—Premier) (6.13 p.m.): I move the He says, "Look, we were just plain unlucky." The following amendment— Premier drew the analogy that it was like having "Delete all words after 'House' and four flat tyres. Let me tell him that, as the RACQ insert— will tell him, if he does not maintain the car the 'Notes comments made in two tyres will go flat. That is what has happened here: ministerial statements earlier today by the Government asset stripped, the the Deputy Premier and Treasurer in maintenance at the power stations was lacking relation to her withdrawing statements and, at the end of the day, the Government paid on the issue and her apologies to the the price. The Government cannot properly workers involved.' " maintain the power stations by forcing them to cut back staffing levels and then claim innocence Tonight, we have heard more Labor lies. for a series of breakdowns. For months that However, worse than that, we have also heard an backlog of maintenance work has been building absolute and total lack of principle on the part of and the Treasurer's claim that it was the workers' the Leader of the Opposition. This morning, the fault is just plain bunkum. The backlog of 35 Leader of the Opposition got up in this place and years at the Tarong Power Station alone—is that said that the Treasurer should apologise. The the workers' fault? Of course it is not! It is the fault Treasurer apologised and, instead of the Leader of the administration and the fault of the of the Opposition giving her credit, he moved a Government. The Government asset stripped censure motion against her. That is the same and what we see now is the lack of Leader of the Opposition who, when caught out responsibility—— for lying to this Parliament by the Members' Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee, A Government member interjected. until the dying minutes of a parliamentary sitting 396 Deputy Premier and Treasurer 17 Mar 1998 did not apologise to the House for misleading Mr Foley and all the other discredited former the Parliament in respect of the booze bill on the Ministers opposite. gravy train that he got the taxpayers of The Deputy Premier and Treasurer has Queensland to pick up. behaved with great integrity and honesty. In Time and time again, we have heard Labor respect of the comments that she made, she has lies. We just heard it from the Deputy Leader of been prepared to apologise to the workers. She the Opposition. In terms of the $850m and the has done precisely what the Leader of the reorganisation of capital, how they forget! In one Opposition asked her to do this morning. Yet year, the previous Labor Government took out what sort of recognition do we get from this $1.3 billion. It did not use it for school bitter, twisted individual opposite? He moves a airconditioning, it did not use it for roads, it did censure motion! not use it for infrastructure; it gave it to Paul Time expired. Keating so he could repay a debt 10 years ahead Mr HARPER (Mount Ommaney) so that he would look good for the Federal (6.18 p.m.): It is a pleasure to rise in this debate election, which he subsequently lost. to second the amendment to the motion moved In respect of this matter, the fact is quite by the Premier. It is a very important amendment. simple. Earlier today, the Leader of the At the outset, I would like to express my Opposition said that the Treasurer should personal respect and high regard for all of the apologise. The Treasurer apologises, and what electricity workers. They are the people who get happens? The Opposition moves a censure out in all conditions to make sure that we have an motion against her! Tonight in this place, on the electricity supply. I know that well and truly part of the Leader of the Opposition and on the through my own involvement in the electricity part of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition we industry over 30 years. Those workers know that have seen some of the most unethical I have that respect for them. We all know that parliamentary conduct that I have seen in a long, electricity is an essential element for every single long time. They hop up in this Parliament and one of us 24 hours a day, every day of our lives. they perpetuate the Labor lies in respect of the electricity industry. Yet after the six long years I think that it is well and truly necessary to that Labor was in Government, it left this State give the members of the Opposition a history with less generating capacity than it inherited. On lesson. Obviously, after hearing some of the the way through, it took $3 billion out of the things that they have said today, and have reserves of the electricity industry, not for continued to say, they are suffering from infrastructure, not for social infrastructure, but for amnesia and have forgotten their own record recurrent expenditure and to make sure that it when in Government. I will restate what could make a hole in Paul Keating's black hole by happened with the electricity industry under repaying a loan to the Commonwealth 10 years previous Governments before the Labor Party early for the Federal election campaign. came to power in 1989. There was coordinated, correct planning in a consecutive order to bring The fact is that, in a relatively short period, on new power stations when they were needed this Government has addressed the neglect in in a proper manner. the electricity industry—the frightful legacy, the As I have in the past, I remind members of frightful inheritance from the Labor Party. We had the Opposition of the record of previous lies on Eastlink. If we used the tactics employed conservative Governments in this area. Between by the Leader of the Opposition, we should be 1966 and 1969 there was Swanbank A; between censuring the Leader of the Opposition for the 1970 and 1973 there was Swanbank B; between lies that he told to this Parliament about Eastlink. 1976 and 1982 there was the Gladstone Power However, we are used to the Leader of the Station; in 1984 there was the Wivenhoe Opposition being very carefree and loose with pumped storage facility; and between 1984 and the truth. It is interesting to note that he can 1986 there was the Tarong Power Station. What mount this vicious, personal campaign against did the present Opposition do when it was in the Deputy Premier and then ask, "Where is the Government? It sat on its hands! Premier?" I come into this place to defend her, but the members opposite will not even hear me. Mr Livingstone interjected. Mrs Edmond interjected. Mr HARPER: The gentleman from Ipswich West, who wants to interject, should know better Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable member than most, because he comes from a coalmining who interjects left a $400m black hole in workers and power industry town. He knows the compensation. She bankrupted the Workers shameful state that the former Labor Compensation Fund. Maybe we should move a Government left this industry in when it left censure motion against the member, along with office. The only thing it did of its own volition was 17 Mar 1998 Deputy Premier and Treasurer 397 bring in a 37 megawatt station at Barcaldine. I see years and decades the people of Queensland the sneers and sniggers of the Deputy Leader of can rely on decent, proper supply. the Opposition. That is all he can do, because he Any recent lack of supply or any lack of cannot face up to the truth. He does not like the supply which may occur is as a result of the fact facts, because the facts show his former that members opposite sat idly by. They will not Government in a very poor light and he does not admit it, but the facts are there in black and white. like that. It is worth remembering that the Callide They added only 37 megawatts. They could not B and Stanwell stations, which did come on line make the decisions, but now they come in here during Labor's term in Government, had the and censure the Deputy Premier. planning, contracts and start of construction phase under the former coalition Government. Time expired. Those opposite have forgotten that. Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich) (6.23 p.m.): I think it is well worth placing on record what It is interesting to see the progress of the debate this Government started to do as soon as we this evening. It tells us a lot about the came to office, given the seven years of neglect desperation of this Liberal/National Party by those hoodlums opposite who totally Government and about the depths to which it will neglected Queensland's energy needs and stoop to try to excuse the inexcusable. This could not make a decision, except for one 37 Premier has a track record of bending the truth megawatt station. That is all they could do when and of sliding around the facts. He did it here we needed thousands more megawatts of again this evening. His comments were echoed capacity. They just sat idly by and did nothing. by the member for Mount Ommaney, who told a whole range of falsehoods in relation to power Mr Livingstone interjected. generating capacity in this State. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Mr HARPER: I rise to a point of order. I Ipswich West will come to order. find those remarks totally untrue and offensive Mr HARPER: Let us look at what this and I ask that they be withdrawn. Government put in train as soon as it came to Mr HAMILL: For the record, it was the office, because we knew the state of neglect in former Labor Government that was committed to which the place was left. We instituted 300 Eastlink. It was the former Labor Government that megawatts of additional capacity to be on line in brought Collinsville back on line. It was the former March or April of this year, based on the Labor Government that recommissioned refurbishment of Callide A and Collinsville power Callide B. stations. There will be 744 megawatts commissioned from three new peaking stations Mr HARPER: I rise to a point of order. I do between January 1999—— not believe that the member for Ipswich withdrew. Mrs BIRD: I rise to a point of order. The member is misleading the House. His Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable Government when in Opposition worked against member will withdraw. the Collinsville Power Station. It did not work for Mr HAMILL: When all the grandstanding it. of the member for Mount Ommaney is set aside—— Mr HARPER: Seven hundred and forty- four megawatts from three new peaking stations Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable will be commissioned between January 1999 member found the remark offensive, and I ask and January 2000. Interconnection with New you to withdraw. South Wales is proceeding for commissioning by Mr HAMILL: Nothing I said was offensive; 2001. This will provide 500 megawatt import and everything I said was the facts. If there is anything 1,000 megawatt export capability. It is important that he finds offensive then I withdraw, but I do that we be in a position to export south and earn not withdraw the facts. The facts are that this money for this State. Government stands condemned because of its Seven hundred and sixty-six megawatts of support for the indefensible, because of the gas fuelled, combined cycle capacity is being support it is rendering a Treasurer whose planned for construction in Townsville, a place reputation is in tatters. my friend and colleague the member for Over the past few days we have seen the Mundingburra well and truly looks after; 840 real agenda of the Liberal Party. The Liberal Party megawatts at Callide is being investigated by a national convention here in Brisbane started off CS Energy/Shell joint venture, and so the story with the most outrageous and slanderous goes on. It is quite clear that this Government has remarks concerning the next Labor member for looked after Queensland by taking into account Dickson. Just when things got settled down, the its power needs to make sure that over the next Treasurer hopped onto centre stage and started 398 Deputy Premier and Treasurer 17 Mar 1998 casting slurs on power workers in this State. As is (6.29 p.m.): The cynical nature of this debate this so typical of this Treasurer, when she is caught evening is quite clear. out she never has the good grace to admit her Mr Palaszczuk interjected. fault. She did not admit those faults today. If we look at the ministerial statement made this Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member morning, the one the Premier wants us to note, for Inala under Standing Order 123A. we see quite clearly that the Treasurer was not Mr BEANLAND: The Labor Party initially prepared to retract in any way the claims she had wanted an apology. Once it had the apology, it made in relation to power workers. It was all words moved to censure. It is quite clear that this is all like "if my suspicions of top level union about making up for its lack of policies and for the involvement", and so on. We heard no apology. deceit on that side of the Chamber. Tonight, what purports to be an apology is For months on end, day in and day out, all hardly that. The Treasurer said that it is okay, that we have heard about Labor Party policies is a big she apologised to the workers but she has her zero, except talk about a petrol tax and running own private theory: it was sabotage by the up the State debt. Of course, its other policy is a electrical unions. She states that her views were bloodbath for the State Public Service. It is all in directed towards the union leadership. It is not black and white from the Leader of the the union leadership that is in the dock here this Opposition. His cynical nature has been reported evening; it is the Treasurer. Well might she be in in the press day after day. It is no use his sitting the dock, because everyone knows that the there and smiling, because he knows what he problem that beset the power industry was a has in store for the people of this State if he is problem of maintenance. Here are records elected to office. relating to 975 maintenance jobs at Swanbank Seven days ago, on 10 March, the Courier- that have not been done in the past two years. A fortnight before the power went off in the State, Mail carried the headline "State tops nation as there was a second notification out of Swanbank economy takes off". A great deal of that taking- off in this State and a great deal of that about the A1 main steam's stop valve not achievement in this State's economy is attributed working at the Swanbank A Power Station. I table to the Treasurer of this State, Joan Sheldon. It that as well. That is the evidence of a lack of shows confidence in the State, confidence in maintenance. her leadership, confidence in the Treasurer and That is the evidence of a Government confidence in the Government of this State as a running the power industry really to enrich the whole. The figures show a great deal of private Budget. I make this point again: the $850m that investment. This State is leading the nation, with was stolen from the power industry this year was economic growth of 4.5%. That is well in excess not used as the previous Labor Government of what Labor ever achieved in office. used such funds; that is, to retire debt or for new Members of the Labor Party are ashamed of capital formation. Over $400m of that sum was their record, and they have every reason to be put in to prop up the recurrent Budget. That ashamed. It is no wonder that they come into this demonstrates the financial irresponsibility of this Chamber with such a cynical approach. When Government. It was used to fill a hole in the one considers their record, one finds that they Budget. The Treasurer is now hunting around to have every reason to be cynical. They have a try to take more funds from more statutory bodies this year to prop up her Budget. disgraceful record, and they lack credibility. This is simply a smokescreen for their lack of policies That is where the fault lies. It is not with and lack of leadership. In fact, it is a smokescreen power union officials. It is not with workers. The to cover up the shallowness of the Labor Party's fault lies with this Treasurer and her inability to leadership. At the end of the day, this admit a mistake—her arrogance and ill- Government is getting on with the job. preparedness to say "sorry" unreservedly to not only the workers she has defamed but also now A great deal has been said by members of the union officials she continues to defame with the Labor Party about some of the things that her high-handedness and her statement in the they were going to do—or were thinking about Parliament this evening. It is not good enough. doing, as they are so fond of saying. They have Queenslanders ought not to have to put up with talked about Eastlink. Noises have been made this sort of behaviour any more. This Treasurer this evening about power stations. They did not ought to go the same way as her deputy leader, build any in six and a half years, but they were who has already been censured in this place: go, thinking about it. Treasurer; for God's sake, go. Mr FitzGerald: Barcaldine—37 megs. Hon. D. E. BEANLAND (Indooroopilly— Mr BEANLAND: Thirty-seven megawatts Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) at Barcaldine—big deal! The fact is that they did 17 Mar 1998 Deputy Premier and Treasurer 399 nothing for six and a half years, but they were station workers and their unions to sabotage the thinking about it. In fact, they are still thinking State's power stations for political opportunism. about it, and I am sure that the people of this What rubbish! The only act of political State will leave them thinking about it. opportunism was the remarks made by the Instead of getting on with the job, members Treasurer to cover up for her Government's of the Labor Party were milking the electricity failings and her desire to privatise the State's industry. Billions of dollars were milked out of the power industry. electricity industry. At the same time, unlike this The real blame for last month's blackouts Government, they had no foresight, no fortitude lies squarely with this incompetent Government and no vision to get on with it and build power and its two shareholding Ministers, the Treasurer stations. Never mind about all the nonsense they and the Minister for Mines and Energy, who are talk; those are the facts, and they know it. But simply not up to the job. The facts of last month's they hate to think about it, because they know crisis are well known. Four generators at Tarong, that it is true. Tonight they are hiding behind this Stanwell, Swanbank and Gladstone failed, whole debate to deflect attention from the fact resulting in widespread blackouts throughout that they did nothing while in office. Queensland. The reasons for those failures are Let us have a look at what members of the that this Government has ripped $850m out of Labor Party should be doing. They should be the industry and forced the industry to cut costs apologising to the people of Queensland for in maintenance and significantly reduce staff their failures over six and a half years. They levels in the area of maintenance. At the last should be apologising for not building more sitting of Parliament, the Opposition tabled a power generation plants. 76 page report on outstanding maintenance work at Tarong Power Station. The report Mrs Sheldon: Workers compensation. summary indicated that the total backlog in Mr BEANLAND: Of course, that is not to maintenance was 55,760 work hours in 3,829 mention the workers compensation scheme and jobs. This is equivalent to about 35 years' work, the $400m black hole in that sector. Money was with 52% of these jobs overdue. There is no pumped out of the Treasury—$35m—plus doubt that the power stations at Stanwell and $32.5m in forgone revenue, making a total of Swanbank have a similar backlog of $67.5m. Yet all we hear are untruths and deceit maintenance. about Eastlink. The Leader of the Opposition has been caught out deceiving and misleading Because of cost cutting and the reduction the people of Queensland, not just on that but in staff levels, the power industry is deferring on other issues. More than once he has had to maintenance. By deferring maintenance and come into this Chamber and apologise. We saw taking risks, the odds were—and it was bound to that in relation to Eastlink. He was caught out by happen—that the system would fail and the Premier lock, stock and barrel. blackouts would occur, as they did last month. Power industry sources have told me that this Labor Party members have come into this was not an isolated incident. The State power Chamber tonight and tried to beat around the system has come perilously close to multiple people of Queensland and to beat around this plant failures in recent times. Until an actual Government. That is like being beaten by a interconnector with New South Wales occurs or feather. They have added no substance to this additional generating capacity is brought on line, whole debate. And as for the Deputy Leader of or until such time as the Government and the the Opposition, the member for Capalaba—he of industry are prepared to provide basic all people lacks substance. He is too busy doing maintenance of assets in generation, the numbers on his leader. One has only to talk transmission and distribution, then a risk to the to the Labor Party backbench. continuity of supply will continue. Consumers Time expired. can expect little change to the conditions that Mr MULHERIN (Mackay) (6.33 p.m.): What were experienced recently. a joke for the Attorney-General to be telling For the Treasurer to say that the recent members how to behave in this Chamber when blackouts were a result of industrial sabotage this Parliament has no confidence in him! borders on the most ridiculous and absurd As a former power industry worker and a statement ever made by a Queensland State unionist, I take umbrage, on behalf of politician in recent times. Before making her Queensland's power industry workers and their statement, she was well aware of the facts. As a unions, at the Treasurer having the audacity to shareholding Minister, the Treasurer was briefed say in front of the blue-rinse set at her party's by the industry about the multiple failures in leaders forum that the recent power blackouts generating plant. At no stage did the industry were caused by the deliberate actions of power suggest that sabotage was the cause for plant 400 Deputy Premier and Treasurer 17 Mar 1998 failure. Power station managers at Tarong, great elder statesman of the Labor Party said Stanwell, Gladstone and Swanbank are all on about certain unionists, particularly those in the record as saying that the breakdowns at their fire brigade. He called them a bunch of wankers. stations were as a result of mechanical failure. Compared with what the Treasurer said in relation Does the Treasurer want us to believe that to them, I know whose description I would accept power station workers at Gladstone and Stanwell as being more accurate, and that is that of the somehow managed to climb into an inaccessible former Deputy Leader of the Labor Party. area of a boiler under operating conditions and An Opposition member interjected. sabotage a boiler tube with water running Mr SANTORO: Yes, I did have a very through the tube at 900 degrees Celsius? The pleasant lunch with Mr Bob Carroll, the President blue-rinse set at the Liberal Party's leaders forum of the Liberal Party. That lunch was organised a might be that gullible, but the Premier and the week or so ago. It was most enjoyable. Mines and Energy Minister are not. The Premier Undoubtedly, we will do it again. is on record as saying, "But it is not the position of the Government. I am satisfied that, on all the A Liberal Party member in my electorate technical advice given to me, it was a classic received a very interesting package. It was a example of four flat tyres on the motor car at the package of a book called "Political Crossroads", one time." in which Wayne Swan made some very interesting remarks about the Leader of the The Treasurer knows that there was Labor Party in this place. That was dropped into absolutely no basis in truth when she made her the letterbox of a Liberal Party member by statement. Instead of making her unfounded mistake. It was meant to go to the Labor Party remarks to the blue-rinse set, the Treasurer member living next door. The AWU is on the should have congratulated the power station move, ably assisted by the honourable member workers and their families for working around the for Chermside, who is gathering numbers for little clock to restore supply to consumers in the Jimmy sitting opposite. quickest possible time. The Treasurer, by her statements, has completely eroded whatever As members opposite are discussing residual loyalty the coalition might have had with leadership, let us consider whom Mr Swan was the power workers and their families towards this promoting in this book. inept Government. If the Treasurer wants to Mr T. B. Sullivan interjected. restore her credibility with the power workers and their unions, she should apologise unreservedly Mr SANTORO: The Leader of the to them and their unions for her unfounded and Opposition, Mr Beattie, with whom the member for Chermside associates these days, loves to be untrue remarks and say "sorry" to the families of seen with the powerbroker, Mr Swan, who is now those workers for the grief she has caused. She in cahoots with people such as the member for has not yet done this. The power workers are the Chermside. unions. But this arrogant Treasurer will not admit that she is wrong. I urge members opposite to Let us hear what Mr Swan had to say about support the Opposition's motion. By failing to the Leader of the Opposition and what he said in support this motion, members opposite are favour of Mr Elder. Many copies of these books saying that they support the remarks of the are being circulated, because the move is on. In Treasurer and her attack on the power industry relation to Mr Beattie, he said that all three ALP workers and their unions. factions were determined to replace Peter Finally, if the power industry unions Beattie as State Secretary in 1988 and that the proceed with litigation against the Treasurer— factions believed that, under Beattie's and remember that the Treasurer stated in this secretaryship, the existing party organisation House that her comments were nothing more would never work properly. than her personal views—will the Premier give an Mrs Edmond interjected. assurance to the House that any expenses Mr SANTORO: The "mouth from the incurred by the Treasurer in her litigation mount"—she is the other one. As I was saying, defence will not be met by the taxpayers of Mr Swan said that under Beattie there would Queensland? never be party stability, because it was incapable Hon. S. SANTORO (Clayfield—Minister and unwilling to join in a team effort to get the for Training and Industrial Relations) (6.38 p.m.): I Goss Government elected; that there would be was not going to speak in this particular debate, no successful election campaign—and won't because the Treasurer needs no defence they find that out fairly shortly—if the changes against the measly, mealy-mouthed attack by that occurred in the parliamentary wing were not members opposite. When the Treasurer talked subsequently reflected in the organisation under about unionists, I was reminded of what that Beattie; and that behind the scenes Beattie 17 Mar 1998 Deputy Premier and Treasurer 401 resisted moves for his replacement and the This morning I spoke with the Leader of the election of a successor at the July State council. Opposition. I was concerned that the motion that Mr Swan continued to say that the ALP believed he had moved mixed two issues: the apology that the 1988 mid-term campaign to promote and the finances that had been removed from Goss would not work if its carriage was placed in the Budget. Given that in Government the Beattie's hands. Now he is in charge and there is parties on both sides of the House have more than an election in his hands. Mr Swan said removed dollars from the power industry, I felt that, in the end, Beattie had no choice but to that it was unnecessarily diluting the debate. I capitulate and concede that he would not thank the Leader of the Opposition, because he recontest his position, to which he would not agreed that he would amend the motion to deal have been re-elected. with just the apology. Events have overtaken that, however, and we have a number of The last word in this debate could go to the amendments to the motion to consider. former Leader of the Labor Party, the former Premier. In a note written out of utter and total The workers of Swanbank, Tarong, Stanwell frustration with the power industry in this State and Callide power stations—and I would like to he wrote, "Why can't I get a power station? Why include the workers of the Gladstone Power won't the Minister for Industry give me and my Station, because to date they have been omitted Government a new power station? Why do the by both sides—were involved in the power bureaucrats and the Minister place every failure. The Gladstone Power Station had a obstacle in front of this Cabinet and in front of me power outage as well. They deserve better than and refuse to give me a new power station?" an implication that they had some sort of subversive agenda. We started the day seeking Under the Treasurer and the Premier, this an apology, and I believe rightly so. Initially the Government has provided for the long-term comments were withdrawn. The Treasurer did planning and the long-term provision of power in that this morning, but a withdrawal does not this State. Members opposite have nothing to do contain the same sentiments. but to hang their heads in shame at their neglect The Minister for Mines and Energy gave a of the power industry in this State. When they try significant amount of information to all members. I to create smokescreens by discussing know that he sent me a briefing when the power leadership challenges, all members opposite problems occurred. He was concerned to ensure should go to the library and pick up that little that we all had the facts and that we all knew the book called "Political Crossroads", which has basis of the trouble. Indeed, I went over that been dropped into the letterboxes of Labor information at the time that this House was Party members—certainly in my electorate. It debating the motion censuring the Minister for suggests that there are no leadership problems Mines and Energy on the basis that they were on this side of the House. I say to Mr Beattie: the the facts. Perhaps the Treasurer had not leadership problems are on his side of the discussed that information. I notice from the House. His so-called strong man, Mr Swan, is Hansard record that she was missing during the circulating that book with the assistance of the debate on the motion censuring the Minister for honourable member for Chermside, who is a Mines and Energy. A lot of information came out disgrace. that night which showed that the workers were Mr T. B. SULLIVAN: I rise to a point of not responsible. order. That statement is untrue. It was made by Since the apology that the Treasurer has the person who was known as "scumbag given—indeed, she has given an apology— scrotorum" when I came into this Parliament. I ask concern has been expressed that her heart was "scumbag" to withdraw it. not in the apology. Those concerns may have substance. However, an apology was given. In Mr SPEAKER: Order! this arena, that is a significant concession and Mrs CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone) one that can be and should be used to allay the (6.43 p.m.): It is disappointing that we are here fears of the workers in the power industry. tonight debating in many ways what was the Mr Mulherin: What about their union original motion moved this morning. We started leaders? the debate seeking an apology for workers. We Mrs CUNNINGHAM: There was some talk have spent much time debating who started what about the union leaders being involved. I take power stations and who was responsible for what that to mean the Brisbane-based union leaders. I extra power generation. We are here to rebut the do not know whether they were involved. I have slurs cast upon the workers in a number of power seen a circular that was distributed around the stations. We should do that. That is what we area of Brisbane and other places which accused should be concentrating on. the Treasurer of being partly to blame for the 402 Deputy Premier and Treasurer 17 Mar 1998 power industry outages because of the removal here tonight. The Opposition lost its story, so of the dollars and for about eight other reasons. what did it do? It bowled in here and at the death The issue has been politicised. moved a censure motion in the hope of trying to We came here today seeking an apology for trick the Chamber into this new unworkable and the workers. Two statements have been made. unacceptable motion. The Deputy Premier has One was a withdrawal. On the basis that that is all apologised; the story has moved on. The Labor it was, a withdrawal of comments, I indicated to Opposition has lost its face here tonight. It has the Leader of the Opposition that I was prepared lost that issue, so at the death it moved a to support a motion that sought an apology from censure motion to try to take it away. the Treasurer. Prior to our being able to debate Then we get some fanciful, fabricated story that matter, the Treasurer tendered an apology in about leadership challenges simply because the the House. Leader of the Opposition refused to accept an An Opposition member interjected. apology and refused to accept the fact that the issue was slipping through his fingers. So that Mrs CUNNINGHAM: This morning's issue disappeared and we picked up on this motion called on the Treasurer to apologise to other fabricated leadership challenge issue. the workers at Swanbank, Tarong, Stanwell and There is no credence in that, either. When we Callide—and I would like to see Gladstone included. The workers on the ground were not talk about deceit, we can only point the finger at involved. the Labor Opposition. The member for Capalaba is already throwing insults around at the member An Opposition member interjected. for Gladstone. In the past few minutes, we have Mrs CUNNINGHAM: Not on the sites, heard him say that she is as culpable as we are, either. I believe that everybody in all of those etc. That is one of his typical head kicking attacks power stations worked their tails off to get the which he performs when he does not get his power—— own way, and it carries on. Ms Bligh interjected. Let us look at these deceitful fliers that were Mrs CUNNINGHAM: On the sites, yes, circulated. The truth in advertising Bill will stop because they were all involved in re-establishing this sort of trash from hitting the streets. Let us the power supply in this State. I am certainly sorry have a look at them. One says that Treasurer that there was any implied culpability on the part Sheldon ripped $850m out of the Queensland of those people. The Treasurer has apologised electricity industry to balance the State Budget. as well. I hope that the message is passed on to That is not true and the Opposition knows it. That the workers that we do apologise and that the is the sort of deceit that goes into the Treasurer has apologised to them for any letterboxes. What we have here is an Opposition implication of responsibility. that refuses to acknowledge that the Government has done a debt for equity swap in Mr WOOLMER (Springwood) (6.48 p.m.): the electricity industry for the benefit of I enjoy standing in this Chamber. Queenslanders—for capital works for Mr Barton interjected. Queenslanders. It has gone into building roads, Mr SPEAKER: Order! I now warn the schools and hospitals—all of the things that the member for Waterford under Standing Order Opposition could not do when it was in 123A for persistent interjecting. Government. Why? Mr WOOLMER: We have just heard from It has moved this motion because it cannot the member for Gladstone a very well structured face up to the fact that Queensland is the fastest speech which discussed the salient issue, that growing economy in the South-East Asian area. is, that an apology to the workers was sought and We outstrip the rest of the country. We are the an apology was given. The fact is that an apology State that has the jobs growth, and it is this is not being received. What sort of Opposition is Treasurer who has achieved that—not the it that will refuse to accept an apology that is members on the other side of the House. The given in this forum? members opposite just refuse to accept that it Let me put on the record that the Deputy was a good idea to restructure the industry on Premier has apologised; that is the issue here. It gears and ratios. takes a strong and genuine person to do such a It was the honourable member for Mount Isa thing in this arena. The issue has disappeared. who said in this Chamber in 1994— The Labor Party has come in here and has "I am quite happy to state here again— refused to accept the apology. Why is that? and I make no apology"— Effectively, the issue disappeared when the Deputy Premier made a ministerial statement obviously he cannot do it— 17 Mar 1998 Adjournment 403

"to anybody for it—that I believe the AYES, 43—Baumann, Beanland, Borbidge, Connor, Queensland electricity supply industry has a Cooper, Cunningham, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, right and a duty to return a dividend to its Gamin, Gilmore, Goss J. N., Grice, Harper, Healy, shareholders, and those shareholders are Hegarty, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Laming, Lester, Lingard, Littleproud, McCauley, Malone, Perrett, the people of this State." Radke, Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, He took $1.4 billion out of the industry and what Springborg, Stephan, Stoneman, Tanti, Veivers, did he do with it? He gave it to Paul Keating! Warwick, Watson, Wilson, Woolmer. Tellers: Carroll, What did we do with it? We gave it to the people Mitchell of Queensland! He finished by saying— NOES, 43—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bird, Bligh, Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Campbell, D'Arcy, "As with any business, sometimes De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Foley, Fouras, Gibbs, there is a requirement to borrow money." Goss W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Lavarch, Lucas, It was okay for him to do that when he was in McElligott, Mackenroth, Milliner, Mulherin, Nunn, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Purcell, Roberts, Government, but he cannot accept that we can Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Smith, Spence, do it when we are in Government. And why? Sullivan J. H., Welford, Wells. Tellers: Livingstone, Because he does not want to see this State Sullivan T. B. advance! The then Treasurer said exactly the Pair: Quinn, McGrady same thing. He did the same thing and said that a debt to equity ratio of 36% is adequate. After our The numbers being equal, Mr Speaker cast $850m conversion of debt to equity, it was at his vote with the Ayes. 31%—a full 5% less than what it was before, and Resolved in the affirmative. it is still within a very acceptable limit. The people Question—That the motion as amended of Queensland benefit. We oppose the be agreed to—put; and the House divided— Opposition's motion. AYES, 43—Baumann, Beanland, Borbidge, Connor, Question—That the words proposed to Cooper, Cunningham, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, be omitted (Mr Borbidge's amendment) stand Gamin, Gilmore, Goss J. N., Grice, Harper, Healy, part of the question—put; and the House Hegarty, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Laming, Lester, divided— Lingard, Littleproud, McCauley, Malone, Perrett, Radke, Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, In division— Springborg, Stephan, Stoneman, Tanti, Veivers, Warwick, Watson, Wilson, Woolmer. Tellers: Carroll, Mr SPEAKER: Order! Any further Mitchell divisions on this matter will be of two minutes' duration. NOES, 43—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bird, Bligh, Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Campbell, D'Arcy, AYES, 43—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bird, Bligh, De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Foley, Fouras, Gibbs, Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Campbell, D'Arcy, Goss W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Lavarch, Lucas, De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Foley, Fouras, Gibbs, McElligott, Mackenroth, Milliner, Mulherin, Nunn, Goss W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Lavarch, Lucas, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Purcell, Roberts, McElligott, Mackenroth, Milliner, Mulherin, Nunn, Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Smith, Spence, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Purcell, Roberts, Sullivan J. H., Welford, Wells. Tellers: Livingstone, Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Smith, Spence, Sullivan T. B. Sullivan J. H., Welford, Wells. Tellers: Livingstone, Pair: Quinn, McGrady Sullivan T. B. The numbers being equal, Mr Speaker cast NOES, 43—Baumann, Beanland, Borbidge, Connor, his vote with the Ayes. Cooper, Cunningham, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, Gilmore, Goss J. N., Grice, Harper, Healy, Resolved in the affirmative. Hegarty, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Laming, Lester, Lingard, Littleproud, McCauley, Malone, Perrett, Radke, Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, ADJOURNMENT Springborg, Stephan, Stoneman, Tanti, Veivers, Mr FITZGERALD (Lockyer—Leader of Warwick, Watson, Wilson, Woolmer. Tellers: Carroll, Government Business) (7.07 p.m.): I move— Mitchell "That the House do now adjourn." Pair: Quinn, McGrady The numbers being equal, Mr Speaker cast his vote with the Noes. Walkers Limited; Maryborough Hospital Resolved in the negative. Mr DOLLIN (Maryborough) (7.07 p.m.): On 10 February the Premier, Mr Borbidge, and Question—That the words proposed to the Treasurer, Mrs Sheldon, came to be inserted be so inserted—put; and the House Maryborough and announced that Walkers divided— Limited would receive a $132m boost. The 404 Adjournment 17 Mar 1998 headlines read "Walkers wins big rail contract". A Government sets out to convince EDI, a report stated— Queensland company that will be paid with "The Fraser Coast was given an Queensland taxpayers' money, to consider economic boost yesterday when Walkers placing a larger portion of this $132m contract Ltd were awarded a lucrative contract from with Walkers of Maryborough before it is too late. Queensland Rail to build 38 diesel electric Under a Labor Government this contract locomotives." would have been shared amongst engineering Maryborough was ecstatic about this great news. companies of Queensland. At present, we have With unemployment running at 16% and youth Walkers paying off staff, adding to our economic unemployment at 38.8% and rising, this looked woes. For the record, in 1989 Walkers was like a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for employing 320 people. Under Labor, in 1995 our region. Perhaps our ever-increasing dole the work force rose to 880 people. Since this queues would at least be stabilised. The next Government has come to power, a steady day, the Chronicle called for Elder's apology. Mr decline has taken place. The pace of that decline Mahoney, coalition election candidate for is increasing. It is common knowledge that the Maryborough, said that Mr Elder's statement that work force will reduce to about 500 by the end of the bulk of the contract was going to New South June this year if no further orders come to hand. Wales was mischievous, selfish and misleading. This will be a disaster for the region's economy. Mr Mahoney said that the $132m contract for 38 That is the reason I am asking this Government to diesel electric locomotives had not been given to go after EDI for a larger portion of that $132m New South Wales; it had been given to Walkers contract. Limited. This was announced by the Premier, the There is some light at the end of the tunnel. Treasurer and the Minister for Transport. Mr With the election of a Labor Government at the Mahoney said that there will be 300 extra jobs on coming election, Walkers Limited will receive this contract until the year 2001, which gives job contracts for a further two tilt trains by security to Walkers' workers. negotiation, and this, on top of the contract Within a few days of that great under discussion, would be a great help to announcement, Maryborough came off the high Walkers and Maryborough. Unlike the present with a thud when the statement of the Deputy Government, a Labor Government would look Leader of the Opposition proved to be correct. after Queenslanders first, not people in New Clyde Engineering of New South Wales was the South Wales. On top of the $132m contract, 200 successful tenderer and will be doing the major jobs would be created in the upgrading of a line, share of the contract and all of the and the flow-on from that would greatly help job manufacturing, valued at about $100m. Walkers creation. will pick up the remaining $32m to assemble, At the last sitting of the House, I referred the paint and commission, and will employ some 30 Minister for Health to the fact that equipment and to 40 people on this contract, not 300. services were being taken from the Maryborough Let there be no mistake: Maryborough Hospital and being sent to Hervey Bay. As I appreciates winning this small contract, but what stated then, and I now repeat, I begrudge Hervey it does not appreciate are exaggerations and Bay Hospital nothing in the way of equipment downright untruths, especially from the Premier and services. However, I refuse to sit back and and the Treasurer of Queensland. If they cannot allow equipment and services to be stolen from be believed, it is a sorry state of affairs. I remind Maryborough. Either the Minister for Health is Mr Borbidge of his words: "If you can't tell the attempting to deceive the citizens of truth, you can't run Queensland." Maryborough in these matters or he has been The workers at Walkers, the wrongly advised by his staff. businesspeople and the citizens of There is now no shadow of a doubt that day Maryborough find it hard to reconcile that this surgery and stress testing equipment that was Queensland Government has given a New used at the Maryborough Hospital has been South Wales company the lion's share of a transferred to Hervey Bay and is in operation $132m QR contract paid with Queensland there. Maryborough citizens have to travel to taxpayers' money while we have massive Hervey Bay to access the health services utilising unemployment in the Maryborough district and that equipment. The Minister's claim that stress across Queensland—the worst in Australia. testing equipment is in operation at the Surely the Premier and the Treasurer would be Maryborough Hospital is false, as are most other aware that Walkers Limited would have easily statements made by the Minister and his staff handled the total contract at Maryborough. There regarding the transfer of equipment and would have been an extra 300 jobs to the year downgrading of services at the Maryborough 2001. It is still early days. I recommend that this Hospital. 17 Mar 1998 Adjournment 405

On behalf of the citizens of Maryborough, I saw first-hand the understanding, the demand that the Minister replaces day surgery experience and the compassion that he and stress testing equipment taken from the displayed. It is a tragedy that people such as Col Maryborough Hospital as soon as possible. I ask Holden will no longer be dedicated specifically to the Minister to honour his promise to the people helping people who have decided that they have of Maryborough that there will be no had enough and wish to retire from farming, downgrading of services at the hospital. If he grazing or other primary production activities and cannot keep his word, he should not be a move to towns such as Toowoomba. I also have member of the Government. knowledge of this issue through my involvement with Bush Connection in Toowoomba, which does an absolutely fantastic job. People such as Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority Leigh Nevison, a rural counsellor with the Legal Mr ELLIOTT (Cunningham) (7.13 p.m.): Aid Office, help many of those people. Tonight I wish to bring to the attention of the I am concerned that the people from House, the people of Queensland and also the Centrelink will now be expected to look after that people of Australia—because this is in fact a particular problem. I know that some excellent nationwide problem—the many responsibilities people work for Centrelink, because I have met that were exercised by the Queensland Rural many of them as a result of problems that flow Adjustment Authority and similar bodies in other through my electorate office. They are very well States, in relation to the problems experienced meaning and very well qualified people. by people who have had to walk off their However, they do not have the expertise of properties owing to drought, increased interest many of the QRAA people, who have worked rates, commodity prices and various other with the rural producers of this State for many circumstances. decades. It is a tragedy that the Federal A body from the Federal Government took Government has gone down this path. submissions from people all over the State. One I shall be taking a submission to our Federal would think that we could have come up with a leader, the Honourable Tim Fischer. When all is practical solution to the whole issue, because said and done, Mr Fischer is a practical bush practical solutions were submitted by people operator. He is a grassroots politician and I hope from throughout the length and breadth of the that he will understand that what has happened State. I personally know many people who went is not in the best interests of rural people. I have to a lot of trouble to go and see the people who talked privately and quietly to people within were taking those submissions, to try to explain QRAA and they are quite concerned about the to them what actually went on. In fact, I know guidelines that they have to administer and work people from QRAA have indicated that the under. We have to look hard at those guidelines direction that was taken was, in fact, the wrong and try to change them for the better. one. It behoves all of us in this place to look really hard at what has happened, because I believe Time expired. that we are losing experienced people who had the ability to look at a problem, analyse it and Tugun Bypass; Robina-Coolangatta Rail then make a decision not just on financial, Link commonsense and practical grounds. Those Mrs ROSE (Currumbin) (6.18 p.m.): people could make decisions with compassion, Preferred routes for the Tugun bypass and the understanding and an awareness of the social rail link from Robina to Coolangatta have finally aspects and problems that are created by many been released. Almost 40 years after the tragedies. National Party ripped up the old Brisbane to Mr Palaszczuk: A bit like the loss of the Coolangatta rail line, along with many residents of QIDC. the southern Gold Coast I am pleased to see the Mr ELLIOTT: Yes, but I think that the shape of a new public transport system servicing QIDC will re-emerge from within the new entity. I the Gold Coast. Three years after the previous am hopeful that it will do its job properly. Labor Government identified a preferred western route for the Tugun bypass, we are happy to see Mr Palaszczuk interjected. that the coalition Government has identified a Mr ELLIOTT: I do not have time to get similar preferred route for this vital road. involved in that debate. After all the delays, the studies and In the aftermath of the tragic Cooyar floods consultants' reports, I congratulate the residents in which people lost their lives and their homes, I of the southern Gold Coast for their patience, worked first-hand with Colin Holden, whom I have resolve and commitment to a better transport known for as long as I have been in this place. I system to our end of the Gold Coast. The 406 Adjournment 17 Mar 1998 measure of any community is its ability to work environmental effects on the wetlands. That is together, and southern Gold Coast residents why we need action now so that negotiation and have worked together on this very important certainty can replace bluster, grandstanding and issue. Many groups deserve credit for this. uncertainty. The impact studies must commence I know and have supported the efforts of with a good-faith funding commitment from the the Bilinga residents' action group in their drive State Government. for a western bypass, instead of the option of The coalition's 1995 campaign commitment turning the existing Gold Coast highway into an to build the road went nowhere. Instead, $200m eight-lane motorway. This eastern option would of taxpayers' money was spent on removing the have spelled the end of the Bilinga community, toll from the Sunshine Motorway in Mrs because of home resumptions and the social Sheldon's electorate. The coalition has also disaster caused by such a road carving up the been able to find millions of dollars for the community. It is unfortunate that residents were Briztram project in Brisbane. Southern Gold put through the fear and anxiety caused by this Coast residents deserve better. The option, given the preferred western route Government must immediately fund impact identified previously by the Labor Government. studies that give certainty to the residents of the Over the years the Tugun Progress southern Gold Coast from Palm Beach to Association and the Friends of Currumbin have Coolangatta and from Elanora and Currumbin to been tireless campaigners for a bypass west of Tugun. the airport. They have sought to negotiate with and lobby all parties, stakeholders and Townsville Region Governments of all political persuasions in a manner that reflects credit on their Mr TANTI (Mundingburra) (7.22 p.m.): This professionalism. It is a privilege to work with such morning I asked the Premier about the groups in the community for a better transport allegations of corruption in Townsville and system. However, where do we go now? We Thuringowa. I will now talk about the positives in have the preferred routes but those are still only the Townsville region. I shall start by referring to the start of the process of getting our road and an editorial in the Townsville Bulletin titled, rail lines down to the southern end of the coast. "Simply the best". It states— The coalition Government has approved a rail "We seem to have become the flavour route along the western side of the Pacific of the month for politicians in recent times. Highway south of Reedy Creek. Of course, that ... every time you turn around lately there's a will impact on residents living along the highway politician in town. Premier Rob Borbidge route. Many of those residents have been seems to spend more time in Townsville marking time waiting for a decision. Those than in Brisbane, even holding the first ever residents need answers to questions relating to state reception outside Brisbane here last possible home resumptions, the effect of the week. And today, opposition Leader Kim route on the Elanora State School, the location Beazley is here for the second time in a of railway stations, the impact of local roads and fortnight with his front bench. They must all access, and the impact on the Pacific Highway be realising what we've known all itself. along—the twin cities are simply the best The Government cannot take another two place on earth to be." years to come up with answers to those There are so many articles referring to the questions. We need an impact assessment positives in the region that it would be better if I study immediately. We need more detailed referred just to the headlines. They are: "Five- design proposals as soon as possible. Southern year high, Local business leaders confident Gold Coasters need some certainty so that those strong economic growth will continue"; residents who will be most affected can work "Murdoch inspects north hub"; "Forging ahead, through their options. We need an impact Jobs bonanza at zinc site"; "State Government assessment study for the Tugun bypass as well. announces managing contractor for new By choosing the most westerly of the western Townsville hospital", which is worth $170m; bypass routes, the effect of the road on the "North big winner in new Ministry"; "Conventions Cobaki wetlands is increased. By choosing that to draw big dollars", which relates to an $11.5m route, the coalition Government has made the upgrade of the Townsville Entertainment Centre; negotiation task with New South Wales and the a headline relating to more details on the jobs Tweed Shire Council that much more difficult and bonanza; and "Extra 200 Korea zinc jobs much more urgent. Already the Tweed Shire welcome boost for north". The headlines go on Council has slammed Queensland for preferring and on and on: "Major industrial firm to call the western option because of the Townsville home; "Venture flushes out PNG 17 Mar 1998 Adjournment 407 buyers", which is an article about toilets made by Unauthorised Advertising people in my local area; "Banker praises north's Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy) (7.27 p.m.): I rise to acumen"; "Gas plan decision boost for growth" warn businesses to beware of shonky operators and a headline referring to power stations being working in the central Queensland region—in built. fact, in all parts of Queensland—demanding On that matter, and as previously we were payments for unauthorised advertising. The talking about power stations, I can say that Office of Consumer Affairs refers to those already the site works for two peak load power operators as "blowers", because they use the stations are well under way. The article gives phone—or the blower—to initially trap their details as to how they are progressing and when victims. Their mode of operation is simple: they they will be ready. ring up and get the contact details of a staff member at a particular business and then some Other headlines state: "Six-year low for time later they forward an account for an jobless figures", which is more good news; advertisement and demand payment. Their "Power station gets the go-ahead", and again techniques may vary, but all rely on conning that is to do with the base load power station of businesses into believing that they owe money 760 megawatts; "Adding value, campaign to lure for an advertisement in a magazine or a directory industry to source of raw products"; "Rico on the that they have never authorised. rise", which is quite a nice article about a local More often than not the publication, if it is gentleman who has made a liqueur, which is ever printed, is of poor quality and only sufficient going so well that he cannot keep up with the numbers are produced to cover the advertisers. demand. "State honours Karrie" is a headline Hence the distribution is extremely limited. In referring to an absolutely tremendous night in recent days, I have received numerous calls from Townsville. Some 300 or 400 people attended central Queensland businesses, including ones the Sheraton to congratulate Karrie and wish her located in Rockhampton, Blackwater and the the best. Of course, she went on to win the golf Capricorn Coast. Many of those businesspeople tournament the following week. who have contacted me have been pressured The headlines state further: "TAFE vocation into paying for unauthorised ads. Unfortunately, training boost". Santo Santoro, who is the they have already handed over cheques for relevant Minister, is doing a tremendous job in amounts of up to $300, despite being unable to training and industry. We had a flood. Then, of recall ever having authorised the advertisement course, we had the headline, "Damage pay-out for which they have been billed. boost to economy". We seem to win no matter There are a number of publications about what happens. which I am concerned. They include the Rural and Metropolitan News, Journal of Trade and Health Minister Mike Horan is doing a great Commerce, Hilton Publications and the job for Townsville. A brand new neonatal unit has Children's Health and Safety Gazette, to name been opened. When Mike Horan was in but a few. Some of those operators are smart. Opposition, he visited Kirwan and nobody would Several in particular have hit upon an excellent even speak to him. When he opened the means of extracting payments from neonatal unit, everyone was saying honestly how well he had done and how well Townsville unsuspecting businesses. For example, Rural had been looked after. Further proof of that will and Metropolitan News couriers a copy of the be when Townsville gets a brand new hospital magazine to targeted businesses, which then and, hopefully, a medical school. receive a phone call demanding that a cheque be forwarded in the return courier bag, which has Mr T. B. Sullivan interjected. conveniently been delivered with the magazine. Staff are put on the spot and have no time to Mr TANTI: The member does not like to question the advertisement. Most simply pay up. hear the good news. While Mike Horan was in Cheques paid to the publication are being Townsville, a TV link out to the west was rushed through the system so that, even if installed. We experienced the great occasion of businesses realise that something is wrong, it is a mother, who had just had a baby, being able to too late to put a stop to the payment. show the baby to her husband and children through that video link. The headlines continue: It seems that these operators may be taking "Grant puts key projects on fast track"; "Funds legitimate and authorised advertisements from boosted", which refers again to Mike Horan, and other reputable publications, such as local a headline relating to $10,000 being given to the newspapers and union journals, and copying schizophrenia association. them directly into their own magazine. Operators who have been targeting central Queensland in Time expired. recent weeks have been particularly menacing 408 Adjournment 17 Mar 1998 over the phone, threatening legal action if a business does not pay up. Small businesses are easy targets for shonks and they need to ensure that they have good practices in place to weed out the con merchants from the honest operators. I urge business people who receive suspicious phone calls not to make any commitments over the phone. They should not commit to anything until they are sure that the offer is genuine and legitimate. Business people should also never pay up on an invoice if they cannot recall having authorised the advertisement. If they have concerns, they should contact Consumer Affairs. If the publication is legitimate, the operators will not mind business people checking out their credentials before committing themselves to expensive advertising. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 7.30 p.m.