1 May 1997 Ministerial Statement 1201

THURSDAY, 1 MAY 1997 Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Mr Johnson)—

Government responses to Parliamentary Travelsafe Committee Reports— Mr SPEAKER (Hon. N. J. Turner, Nicklin) Report No. 18—Queensland’s Road Toll: read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. An Overview Report No. 19—Queensland’s Road Toll: Drink Driving (Part 1). PRIVILEGE Queensland Events Corporation MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) (9.31 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege. In Queensland Credit Ratings reply to question on notice No. 124 to the Hon. J. M. SHELDON (Caloundra— Minister for Tourism, Small Business and Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Industry requesting funding details on grants The Arts) (9.33 a.m.), by leave: Queensland's provided to the Queensland Events outstanding financial and economic strength Corporation, the Minister stated that the once again has been confirmed by the three funding details would not be provided as it was leading international credit rating agencies: commercial in confidence, so the details of Moody's Investors Service, IBCA Limited and Government grants will not be given to this Standard & Poor's. Parliament or the public. This is not true and Mr De Lacy interjected. the Minister has misled the House. I shall refer this matter to you, Mr Speaker, for your Mrs SHELDON: These are independent consideration. economic advisers, and I notice that the honourable member relied on them extensively when he was the Treasurer. Each PETITIONS agency has recently undertaken a review of The Clerk announced the receipt of the the financial and economic position and following petitions— management of Queensland and has returned a vote of total confidence by reaffirming the highest quality credit ratings for Euthanasia Queensland. Most recently, IBCA yesterday From Mrs Edmond (9 petitioners) released a comprehensive report on requesting the House to enact legislation Queensland's financial and economic affairs which permits medical aid in dying to be legally and assigned a long-term local currency rating available to those of us who are suffering an of AAA, with a foreign currency rating of AA. In incurable illness and who resolutely request reaching this conclusion, IBCA stated— such assistance. "The strong financial record, economic dynamism and high net worth of the State suggest that the foreign Warrego River currency rating is constrained only by the From Mr Hobbs (49 petitioners) (Commonwealth's) sovereign ceiling; requesting the House to provide sufficient Queensland's debt is prudently funding to the Murweh Shire Council for the administered"; and purpose of removing the vegetation and silt build-up in the Warrego River. "The government has a clear policy to keep tax rates lower than in other States." Toowoomba-Dirranbandi-Hebel Coach I note also that IBCA has stated that the high Service level of population growth in Queensland is From Mr Hobbs (331 petitioners) related to the better economic and financial requesting the House to provide some form of conditions of the State and, therefore, the relief to enable the Toowoomba-Dirranbandi- expectation of better job prospects. Hebel coach service to be maintained. IBCA's high opinions of Queensland's Petitions received. financial and economic management are not isolated. IBCA's commendations follow similar announcements made last week by both PAPERS Moody's and Standard & Poor's. Moody's The following papers were laid on the reaffirmed its long-standing confidence in table— Queensland by assigning a long-term local 1202 Ministerial Statement 1 May 1997 currency rating of AAA and a foreign currency which is passed on to the clients of the rating of AA2. In making its announcement Queensland Treasury Corporation and, last week, Moody's indicated that the State's ultimately, to the people of Queensland. This strong credit ratings "are based on the State's benefit has resulted in Queensland Treasury sound financial condition, prudent financial Corporation paper currently trading at some management, diversified economy and low 4.1 basis points below New South Wales, indebtedness." Moody's report stated— generating savings to the State's borrowers of "Queensland has a pro-business some $20m per annum. economic environment made possible by I am proud to announce the recognition the Government's strong fiscal and of this coalition Government's enviable financial position." financial management policies as reflected in As published in the Courier-Mail last the ratings ascribed by the independent credit Friday, 25 April 1997, Standard & Poor's also rating agencies. has affirmed Queensland's AAA long-term local currency rating and AA long-term foreign MINISTERIAL STATEMENT currency rating. It is pleasing to note Standard & Poor's statement— Teacher Aides Pay Rise; Queensland ". . . the local currency ratings of the Teachers Union Government of Queensland reflects its Hon. R. J. QUINN (Merrimac—Minister very low debt levels, its continued financial for Education) (9.39 a.m.), by leave: It gives strength and flexibility and the positive me great pleasure to advise the House that outlook for the State's economy." more than 10,000 teacher aides in State Standard & Poor's commented further— schools are now in line for a pay rise following successful negotiations between Education ". . . the latest information indicates the Queensland and the Australian Liquor total state sector is continuing to maintain Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union. a strong financial position in fiscal 1997 The union's executive has agreed to with a significant negative net borrowing recommend that members accept the requirement expected." Government's offer of a 12.5% increase over For the benefit of members, international three years and will seek endorsement of the representatives from these ratings agencies deal through a Statewide ballot this month. visit Queensland approximately every 12 The Government welcomes yesterday's months in order to carry out extensive, breakthrough and commends the union for its independent reviews of Queensland's constructive approach to negotiations. A underlying, financial and economic position. successful ballot will guarantee that the first These reviews then form the basis upon which instalment of 4% is backdated to 1 April 1997. the agencies assess and announce their credit The constructive approach to negotiations ratings of the State. adopted by both Education Queensland and The review carried out by agency the ALHMWU stands in stark contrast to that representatives includes an analysis of key adopted by the Queensland Teachers Union— strategic issues, economic performance and the only major union which has not reached outlook, State budgetary strategy, financial agreement with Education Queensland. The balance sheet data, Commonwealth/State QTU has already cost its members more than financial relations, liability management and $11m in lost wages and pay increases and, if other Government initiatives such as it presses ahead with rolling strikes this month, Competition Policy and Government Trading its total losses could easily top $18m in very Enterprises. quick time. That is money which it will never be This vote of total confidence in able to recover; it will be gone forever, Queensland's financial and economic strength because any pay rise can only be backdated quite clearly stems from the prudent financial to the first day of the month in which the management policies and practices which agreement is reached. were introduced by previous coalition Our teachers deserve a pay rise and they Governments and which are being applied by deserve it now, but our best efforts are being the current Government. The advantage of thwarted at every turn by the QTU. Education being assigned such high-quality credit ratings Queensland is more than willing to negotiate is that Queensland is a highly regarded in good faith, but this Government will not participant in both international and domestic cave in to industrial threats, because that financial markets. This in turn results in a lower would only encourage more strikes, more cost of debt for Queensland, the benefit of often. 1 May 1997 Ministerial Statement 1203

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Singapore International Trade and Film and Television Industry; Cloud 9 Industry Fair Screen Entertainment Hon. D. J. SLACK (Burnett—Minister Hon. B. W. DAVIDSON (Noosa— for Economic Development and Trade and Minister for Tourism, Small Business and Minister Assisting the Premier) (9.40 a.m.), by Industry) (9.42 a.m.), by leave: It is my great leave: On many occasions in this House I pleasure to inform the House today of recent have had the pleasure of announcing the developments in my negotiations to fast-track achievements of Queensland companies on Queensland's ambitions for a world-class film the world stage. Once again I have the and television production and multimedia opportunity to speak about the success of our industry. At the International Television locally grown firms at an international trade Festival in Cannes, southern France, last fair—this time at the Singapore International week, Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment, one of Trade and Industry Fair '97, which was Europe's largest independent production organised by the Singapore Chinese Chamber houses, announced that it had entered into a of Commerce and Industry, the most powerful joint venture with a Queensland businessman ethnic Chamber of Commerce in Singapore. to establish an Australian subsidiary. Cloud 9's More than $80m in direct and projected sales agreement with John Lynch of Bug Apple over the next 12 months is expected from the Pictures Pty Ltd has been formed with a view participation of Queensland companies and to completing a minimum of three Australian productions each year. This Australian industry bodies at this fair. This is to the credit subsidiary of Cloud 9 will be based in of the Singapore Business Association of Queensland. Queensland and the South East Asia secretariat in my Department of Economic This announcement is particularly Development and Trade. pleasing to me as I have, for many months now, played a significant role in securing this Queensland firms that participated proposed opportunity for Queensland. I have included a number of private companies met with Mr Lynch, a Queenslander, on many involved in legal and business consulting, occasions in the last six or seven months. In education and tourism, the Sunshine Coast that time I have also met with Mr Thompson Economic Development Board and Gold from Cloud 9 Screen Entertainment three Coast Combined Chambers of Commerce. times. In fact, I hosted a lunch at my brother's More than 300 business inquiries were Noosaville restaurant for Mr Thompson and Mr received during the show. In addition, Lynch late last year to discuss the journalists from the Television Corporation of establishment of Cloud 9's productions in Singapore will make a visit to Queensland as a Queensland. I was advised yesterday by Mr direct result of our participation. We expect Lynch that Mr Thompson will visit Queensland further investment in major tourism in the middle of this month to hold further infrastructure projects on the Gold Coast and meetings with me and with members of the central Queensland. Singapore is a high- Queensland Government. I hope to growth market with high incomes. It is also a commence more detailed negotiations with Mr springboard into other Asian markets. It is Thompson and Cloud 9 at this time. therefore gratifying to see the success of Apart from its own production plans, a regional Queensland business groups in distribution arm of Cloud 9, Cumulus, also targeting this area. intends to source local television product for In fact, the Gold Coast Combined export around the world. In particular, Cloud 9 Chambers of Commerce estimate that more has its sights set on major emerging television than $10m worth of business will be generated markets such as China. Cloud 9 chairman, Mr from inquiries received at the exhibition for the Ray Thompson, was quoted in Business Gold Coast for the next 12 months. This Queensland this week as saying that the new includes an inbound mission from the company would act as a beachhead for Cloud Singapore film and television industry 9's planned thrust into Asia/Pacific markets. Mr scheduled for later this month. This is an Thompson said— excellent result from a trade fair, and I "We have been looking at Australia commend the work of my department, the for at least a year. It has a great pool of Singapore Business Association of talent." Queensland and Queensland exporters. He added— 1204 Ministerial Statement 1 May 1997

"So what we are interested in doing Minister of this Government to ensuring a is to tie up Australian writers, producers whole-of-Government approach to the and talent, as well as joint venture enormous opportunities presented by the partners such as Village Roadshow, Cloud 9 proposal. Warner Bros, Fox and conventional broadcasters, to tap into the obvious niche for a boutique production and MINISTERIAL STATEMENT distribution company." Trade Mission from New Hampshire As the Minister responsible for Hon. B. W. DAVIDSON (Noosa— development of the IT and T industry, and as Minister for Tourism, Small Business and the member for Noosa, most important of all Industry) (9.46 a.m.), by leave: It is my for me is that Cloud 9's interest in Queensland pleasure to inform honourable members that could mean the establishment of a on Tuesday night I hosted a reception for multimillion-dollar film animation studio in my delegates from a trade mission from the State electorate of Noosa. The initial project for this of New Hampshire in the United States. This studio would be a 26-part animated television reception rounded off the group's five-day visit series for Australian and international markets. to Brisbane and south-east Queensland. This series is the brainchild of John Lynch, and it is as a result of his search for partners in this During their visit, the delegates toured a venture that Cloud 9 was introduced to number of important Queensland Government Queensland. The beauty of this proposal is facilities and met with several Government that it would use and develop some of agencies. They were also treated to some of Queensland's exceptional animating talent. the magnificent sights and tourist attractions The success of this project, and the which this State has to offer. The delegation development of the animation studio, would met with a number of Queensland businesses, provide Queensland with a facility which would and I understand that several promising establish Queensland's credentials as a base opportunities for joint ventures were identified. for animated film and television production. Among the delegation there were representatives of a wide range of firms, Cloud 9's venture into Queensland and including manufacturers of high-tech the proposed animation studio at Noosa is an equipment, information technology extremely important and timely step in the companies, advertising and promotion creation of Queensland as a base for companies and others. Officers from my television and film production. Our industry is department will be identifying further already worth more than $100m. The potential possibilities for cooperation between New is considerable. With the production and Hampshire and Queensland business. distribution industries worldwide turning their attention to the massive potential of the At the reception on Tuesday night, the Asia/Pacific markets, we have significant delegation had the opportunity to explore opportunities to position Queensland as a business opportunities with me and with my major base for production and post- colleagues the Minister for Economic production. As Cloud 9's Ray Thompson Development and Trade, Doug Slack, and the said— Minister for Public Works and Housing, David Watson. They told us that this is the first "The industry is entering a golden dedicated trade delegation from America to age—not unlike Hollywood in the early Queensland since 1988. 1900's. New technologies mean there is a greater demand than ever before for I think there is a message here. One of more and more film and television the first things I remember about the Goss product." Labor Government is how it shut down the The Cloud 9 proposal complements the Queensland Government office in the United Silicon Studios Training Centre, which will train States and crowed about how smart it was for doing it. Following that closure, and for the rest Queenslanders to drive this industry into the of its time in Government, not one American next millennium. With the presence of such trade delegation saw fit to come here. But companies as the Australian Film and now, this Government has re-established the Television Academy, Oscar winner Peter Queensland office in America. We are Frampton and his make-up company and establishing offices in strategic locations in John Cox's Creature Creations all here in Asia. Queensland, the coalition Government is ensuring that Queensland is a major force in The message being sent to business this world growth. I am totally committed as a people around the world is clear: there is a 1 May 1997 Ministerial Statement 1205 new Government in Queensland—a business- MINISTERIAL STATEMENT minded Government; a Government which Queensland TAB recognises the potential of foreign investment to promote economic growth and real benefits Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest— to Queensland and all Queenslanders; a Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Government which is committed to the Minister for Racing) (9.50 a.m.), by leave: The future of the Queensland TAB is one of the development of its industries and economy; most important financial and structural issues and a Government committed to business and faced by the Queensland racing industry in its job growth. It is clear that, after a year in history. The TAB, and the industry that relies Government, the coalition has shown the on it, are at a crossroad. world that Queensland is open for business again. However, this is not cause for panic or alarm, as the panic merchants or the sky-is- falling brigade would have it. This Government is determined to methodically and meticulously MINISTERIAL STATEMENT go through the options for the TAB in Land Court partnership with the racing industry and to ensure that any decision relating to the TAB's Hon. H. W. T. HOBBS (Warrego— future must preserve the financial viability and Minister for Natural Resources) (9.48 a.m.), by wellbeing of the racing sector. leave: Honourable members may recall that The Macquarie Bank report identified and on 12 November 1996 I informed the House analysed many factors that impact on the of a review of the Land Court and its powers, TAB's outlook. Macquarie reviewed turnover rules and procedures. Today I wish to update projections for the Queensland TAB, which the House on progress made in implementing have remained flat for some considerable the review's recommendations. Since time, leaving little room for growth in prize November 1996, a number of steps have money distributions or Racing Development been taken. Firstly, a steering committee has Fund disbursements. Macquarie recognised been appointed to oversee implementation. that the TAB faced the prospect of greater The committee membership includes a senior competition from increasingly deregulated partner from a major Queensland law firm, Bill wagering systems interstate and that inaction Loughnan, as well as the president of the could consequently lead to the very real court, John Trickett, and a representative of possibility of an erosion in turnover. It the Department of Natural Resources, Deputy considered the impact of rapidly evolving new Director-General Jim Varghese. technologies such as pay TV, Internet gambling products, telephone betting and A private consultant experienced in court interactive betting which are challenging the administration, Kent Maddock from Sagacity traditional gambling and wagering markets Consulting, has been employed to provide the and creating a completely new industry steering committee with a wide perspective in landscape. The Macquarie analysis concluded order to frame the necessary legislation and that privatisation was the preferred option that ensure its acceptance across all relevant would give the TAB the flexibility and capacity sectors. Secondly, two additional members to compete effectively in a more sharply have been recently appointed to the court on competitive national market. a temporary basis to assist with the backlog of Any downturn in TAB revenue stream has some 1,000 cases. These appointees are the potential to damage the racing industry as former Land Court member Charles Henry a whole. Profit from Queensland's wagering Carter and former Surveyor General Dr Neil system is critically important to sustaining a Divett. healthy and growing racing industry, as well as Finally, a pilot study is being conducted preserving the substantial contribution of the on the use of alternative dispute resolution, or racing industry to the State economy and jobs. mediation, in appropriate cases as occurs in It was and is crystal clear to this Government Supreme and District Courts. While legislation that to sit back and not give serious will be necessary to ensure formal adoption of consideration to every possible TAB option alternative dispute resolution, initial would be to the detriment of the industry. indications—given the current legislative Having received the Macquarie report, the Government has decided to establish a restrictions—are encouraging. This alternative working party to address the structural and dispute or mediation method should also ownership issues the report raises. expedite the clearance of the backlog. Consultation with, and formulation of, a 1206 Overseas Visit 1 May 1997

Queensland racing industry response to any Matters of Privilege structural changes to the TAB and its Speaker's Statements relationship with the industry is crucial, and vehemently supported by me as Racing Motions of Condolence Minister. Petitions To that end, a consultant of the industry's Statutory Instruments choosing will be engaged to represent the Ministerial Statements interests of the entire racing industry in Queensland and define industry views on a Ministerial Notices of Motion variety of issues. This consultant is expected Any other Government Business to be appointed by the industry within days. Personal Explanations The consultant will set up project teams in each of the three codes of racing, and all Reports stakeholders will be assured of an opportunity Question Time to submit their views either through their (b) 10.30 am to Adjournment of the control bodies or directly to the industry House— adviser. Draft terms of reference have been formulated and agreed with racing control Government Business." bodies, including but not limited to the most Motion agreed to. effective method for the industry to interface on a commercial basis with a restructured TAB, the industry structure best suited to OVERSEAS VISIT maximise long-term financial viability of the Report racing sector, the revenue distribution system Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader within the industry, the sources of revenue for of the Opposition) (9.55 a.m.): I table a report the racing industry, the production and delivery on four days of meetings and inspections that of wagering product, community service I undertook recently in Papua New Guinea, obligations, industry education strategies for accompanied for two of those days by the the issues involved and commercial decision shadow Minister for Minerals, Energy and making in the racing industry. Regional Development, Tony McGrady, who As I outlined earlier, the State unfortunately had to return early because of Government has set up a meticulous process flooding in north-west Queensland. With the to examine the TAB's future and it is a process number of full-time jobs in Queensland having that should not and will not be rushed despite decreased by 23,000 in the past year, it is New South Wales announcing its intention to essential for the Opposition to do all in its float its TAB. A time frame of three months power to help increase job opportunities for has been set for an industry and across- Queenslanders. Government recommendation on the We spent two days inspecting the Kutubu Queensland TAB's future, a time frame that I oil and gas fields operated by Chevron and believe is necessary if we are to have diligent received briefings on the proposal to build a and intelligent consideration of the matter in 2,575 kilometre gas pipeline from there to partnership with the industry. Gladstone via Townsville. The availability of large supplies of clean, cheap gas has the ADDITIONAL SITTING DAY potential to attract major industries to Townsville, Gladstone, Bowen, Cairns and Mr FITZGERALD (Lockyer—Leader of other centres on the pipeline route, creating Government Business) (9.54 a.m.), by leave, several thousand new jobs for the State. The without notice: I move— pipeline will enable projects such as the "That pursuant to Standing Order Comalco refinery and Korea Zinc to become No. 26, the House will meet for the reality. I offer bipartisan support in ensuring despatch of business, in addition to the that the pipeline is established for what will be days agreed to pursuant to the Sessional a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an exciting Order of 2 April 1996, at 9.30am on visionary venture. I point out that despite the Friday, 2 May 1997 on which day the recent unrest in Papua New Guinea, the routine of business shall be as follows— massive Chevron operation was not affected (a) 9.30 am to 10.30 am— in any way. I have prepared a detailed report on my visit, which I hope will be of interest to Prayers Queensland importers, exporters and Messages from the Governor investors. 1 May 1997 Tilt Train 1207

NOTICE OF MOTION the work or estimates of revenue and costs for Actions of Treasurer; Economy the work. Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader Queensland Rail has summarised the of the Opposition) (9.56 a.m.): I give notice impact of the tilt train on the community, that I will move— economy and the environment as follows: a reduction in road damage because of the shift "That this House censures the from road to rail, reduction in the social cost of Treasurer for her incompetent accidents caused by buses and cars, management of the Queensland employment generation, both direct and economy since she delivered her indirect from manufacturing and engineering September Budget, in that— works and the procurement of the there has been no employment components. growth in Queensland; One cannot help noticing the number of the number of full time jobs has cars travelling with only one person in the fallen by 26,200; vehicle. That in itself gives a lot of cause for the rate of unemployment has concern, not to mention the amount of become the worst in mainland damage that it does to the roadway itself. Australia; From my point of view, currently the trip from Gympie to Brisbane takes three hours. youth unemployment has increased However, with the introduction of the tilt train, from 26/8% to 34.1%; the time taken to make that trip will be monthly retail sales have dipped and reduced to a little bit over two hours. That only just recovered to September reduction in time will make Gympie seem less levels; remote from Brisbane. It enables people—in growth in new vehicle registrations is this particular case, those people who live in only half the national rate; Gympie, but they could live in Maryborough or Bundaberg—to be able to travel to Brisbane dwelling unit approvals have grown at and return on the same day, whether that is to only half the national trend; do shopping or for other purposes. December quarter public capital We must also remember that the road expenditure is 20% less than 12 surfaces just cannot continue to take the months earlier, reflecting this current amount of traffic without increasing the Government's abject failures to work and the amount of expenditure that is deliver its capital works budget; and spent on them. For that particular reason, we the QCCI measure of business need this tilt train. confidence has fallen by 20%." Time expired. Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich) TILT TRAIN (10.01 a.m.): In seconding the motion moved Public Works Committee Report by the member for Gympie, I want to endorse the findings of the committee as they appear Mr STEPHAN (Gympie) (9.58 a.m.): I in the preface to the report, which state— move— "The committee supports the tilt train "That this House takes note of the project for two main reasons. First, it sees Public Works Committee report No. 35." the project as being a good solution to This report deals with the tilt train. It is the improved quality on the Brisbane to first report to be debated in this House. The Rockhampton service. Second, it views committee's role is to scrutinise the the employment created and the potential Government's Capital Works Program. That for high technology rail exports generated can occur at any stage, from planning to by the project as worthwhile completion. The committee may determine to achievements." conduct an inquiry, and it has done that. In saying that, I would like to sound one note When investigating a work, the committee of disappointment that in the presentation of considers the stated purpose of the work and the report, it would seem that those very the apparent suitability of the work for the positive aspects of the project were not given purpose; the necessity for, and the advisability the emphasis that I believe they could have of, the work; value for money achieved, or received. The report makes a number of likely to be achieved, by the work; and recommendations—worthy though they may revenue produced by, and recurrent costs of, be—suggesting that perhaps some aspects of 1208 Tilt Train 1 May 1997 the project had not been researched properly to take this opportunity to say a few words before it had been adopted. about the tilt train project report, which has I think it is important that we review the been tabled in the House. As the report says benefits of this project and put those at the very beginning, the committee supports recommendations in their proper context. For the project for two main reasons. Firstly and example, we are dealing with a major most obviously, it will improve the rail service infrastructure project with a long economic life. between Rockhampton and Brisbane. The 12 cars that are being purchased at a Secondly, through the building of the train price of $72m will serve the public of itself and the subsequent upgrade of the line, Queensland for 30 years to 35 years. They will many employment opportunities have been provide substantial benefits to those travelling created already, particularly at Walkers in along the Brisbane-Rockhampton corridor, Maryborough. slashing two and a half hours in travel time I would like to comment on a couple of from those travelling to Rockhampton and an issues contained in the report. One of the hour and a half to Bundaberg. The project will recommendations in the report is that also generate 1,000 jobs. Queensland Rail undertake a review of all A very important aspect of this project, railway stations along the north coast line and one that I know the committee touched between Brisbane and Rockhampton to upon, was the very significant strategic assess their suitability to accommodate the advantage that Queensland industry gained in new tilt train service, that public consultation having this contract awarded. That is one of form part of Queensland Rail's review process the very proud aspects of this project, and one and that where Queensland Rail finds stations which I had great pride in announcing as the to be substandard, the Minister for Transport then Minister for Transport when the project allocate funding to upgrade those was initiated. The successful consortium, EDI substandard stations that are located along and a Queensland manufacturer based in the line. Maryborough in association with Hitachi and I know that probably that last particular Itochu, ensured that the potential for supply to recommendation started a few alarm bells South East Asia was secured by Queensland ringing within Queensland Rail. Obviously, a lot industry. One of the great advantages that we of stations along that line need upgrading, have is that our narrow gauge system is similar and I suppose to do the lot would cost many, to narrow gauge systems that operate many millions of dollars, which I assume would elsewhere in South East Asia. not be in the forthcoming budget for that Before I took this project to Cabinet, there project, nor possibly in budgets after that. was extensive work done in looking at its However, the committee is saying that it is economic and social impacts. I think it is those stations where the train is going to stop important that members understand that and take on passengers and have large 174,000 people travel in that corridor on the numbers of people disembarking that need to existing service. Contrary to the implication in be upgraded to ensure the comfort of those the report, it is not a totally new service; it is an passengers. For example, the committee had upgrade of an existing service in that corridor. the opportunity of inspecting the station at Maryborough West. At that particular station, The project was consistent with the Labor the waiting room is very small, it is very hot in Government's program to upgrade long- summer, there is no shelter on the outside of distance rail passenger transport. We the building where passengers can get on and upgraded the Queenslander, we upgraded the off the train and, of course, when it rains Sunlander, we initiated the new Spirit of the people get wet. Outback service, we initiated the Heritage Train project, we initiated the tilt train That is only one example of the need to project—a clear commitment to regional upgrade stations along that line. The Queensland, a clear commitment to upgrading committee was also told that at that station the rail infrastructure in this State and there is no public telephone and that if providing high-quality passenger services to passengers want to arrange transportation the people of Queensland. It is in that context back to Maryborough, they have to ask the that the tilt train project is such a good one. staff at the station if they can use the mobile phone. Those are the sorts of things that Time expired. Queensland Rail needs to take into Mr HEALY (Toowoomba North) consideration as part of the report. Of course, (10.04 a.m.): As a member of the that sort of nonsense was also happening at Parliamentary Public Works Committee, I want Toowoomba when Queensland Rail decided 1 May 1997 Tilt Train 1209 to let the Westlander stop at a station that was committing ourselves to the Heritage Train located five kilometres outside the city and project, I was a little disappointed to hear passengers were forced to find their way to the during the course of my recent travels that the city. Thankfully, after I had made operations of the Queenslander will be wound representations to the Transport Minister, that back, that the Queenslander will make only situation was changed. 40-odd trips, and that the Queenslander itself The point I want to make is that it is all will not run as the Queenslander. If that is the very well to provide a faster and more efficient case, that is a very big disappointment to train service between Brisbane and those people who use the services of Rockhampton, but we will only encourage Queensland Rail between Brisbane, Townsville people to use that service if the passenger and Cairns. facilities at the stations along the line are of a The Queenslander has a role to play in suitable standard. In terms of safety, the train the provision of services. It does not matter if will be travelling at speeds faster than a Queensland Rail doubles the number of trips normal train, and therefore level crossings are that the Sunlander makes; in terms of another issue that the committee has enhancing tourist opportunities in this State, encouraged Queensland Rail to take note of the Queenslander has a role to play. To see and perhaps consider upgrading in the future. the role of the Queenslander wound back—if that is the case, and the Minister can confirm Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—Deputy that for me at any stage—would be a bitter Leader of the Opposition) (10.07 a.m.): In blow to regional and rural Queensland and a common with the member for Ipswich, I too bitter blow to Government electorates. was a little disappointed after reading the preface, seeing the endorsement of the In terms of tilt train technology—that has project and then reading the report because given Walkers the opportunity to move into the the report does not reflect that sentiment. investment market overseas, which is a Simply, what was needed on the main line growing market for tilt train technology, was a significant upgrade. After 30 years of particularly South East Asia. I again endorse very little money being spent on that particular the commitment to seeing that Walkers has piece of infrastructure, what was needed was the opportunity to continue with that. an opportunity to enhance public transport One thing that the Minister should now options and the links between regional look at is derailments in the system—a subject centres. on which, so far, I have left him alone. In the The tilt train was the opportunity to do that first quarter of this year there were 22 and to take technology in Queensland into the derailments. If derailments continue at the next century. Importantly, the flow-on benefits current level, we will have the highest number were job opportunities—and that was of derailments on record. I recall that when he recognised in the report—particularly for EDI was in Opposition, the Minister came into the and for Walkers in Maryborough. Walkers in House time and time again and pilloried us Maryborough have 850 employees, many of about derailments. I can tell the Minister that it whom were involved with the tilt train tender is worth looking at his record because—— and many of whom are involved in leading- Time expired. edge technology. I say to the Government Mr RADKE (Greenslopes) (10.10 a.m.): that it needs to nurture and continue the On rising to speak to the committee report, I involvement of Walkers in terms of providing thank Walkers for its development of home- railway rolling stock. grown technology. On our inspection we saw a Mr Johnson: We're doing that. piece of equipment specifically designed and developed in Australia, which is the cradle that Mr ELDER: I know, but they are sitting there waiting. To date I have said nothing, but will conduct the electricity from the overhead they are sitting there waiting. This Government cable directly into the locomotive of the tilt should make a commitment to them for the train. That change in technology will reduce long term. I appreciate the Minister indicating the amount of space that the equipment takes that he will be making that commitment to up in the train itself and was a brilliant, home- them. I think that is a worthwhile commitment grown development. I thank Walkers for the innovations that they have implemented in this and one that is needed in Queensland. field. Since rolling stock has a life of about 30 However, after the amount of money that years, it has been a great endeavour by was needed on the main line for the tilt train Walkers and Queensland Rail to develop the project, after the upgrade of the Sunlander most appropriate and the newest technology and the Spirit of the Outback, and after to last that life span. 1210 Private Members' Statements 1 May 1997

Turning to recommendation 7, the students visiting Australia from Japan, committee is concerned at the number of level Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the crossings that will not be upgraded, especially Philippines and Taiwan. There have been falls since tilt trains travel at much greater speeds. of up to 30% in overseas student numbers As there are no lights or warnings at the from Japan, which is one of the major sources crossings, I hope that drivers will take the time of overseas students. The drop is down by to look for speeding trains, because we do not 7.5%. From the Philippines the drop in student need more fatalities at level crossings. I numbers is 39%. Senior education providers commend the report to the House. are attributing this to the prominent coverage Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) Pauline Hanson is receiving in the Asian press (10.12 a.m.): I add my congratulations to the and also the lack of position taken by the Public Works Committee on its coverage of Prime Minister, the Premier and the Deputy practical aspects of the tilt train project. One Premier in relation to sending a clear message aspect that has been covered has been to Asian students that it is safe to come to substandard railway stations, especially in Australia. Wide Bay. Despite having a $100m-plus tilt I urge the Premier and the Deputy train using one particular station, the platform Premier to follow the advice of the former is so low that moveable stairs will have to be President of the Liberal Party, Paul used so that passengers can get onto the Everingham, who said that our political leaders train. must stand up to Pauline Hanson and her We must look at timetabling for the tilt views. We are losing jobs in universities and train, an issue also raised by the committee. private education institutions such as "The There should be a daily service from Office" Business Academy, the Lorraine Martin Bundaberg to Brisbane to cover Bundaberg, College and Shafston House International Maryborough and Gympie. The train could School, and it is affecting our trade leave very early from Bundaberg and get to opportunities. Brisbane—— In this country we need politicians who are Mr Nunn: And Hervey Bay. prepared to stand up for Australia and stand up for Queensland. However, what do we Mr CAMPBELL: And Hervey Bay. The have? We have the Premier in conflict with the train could provide a daily service. I have Prime Minister, both raising doubts about each received very strong community support for other's integrity and ability to tell the truth! this proposal, especially from senior citizens Even Andrew Robb yesterday said that the and pensioners who would be able to travel to Premier was having difficulty telling the truth. Brisbane in one day for medical and specialist This sort of conflict between the Liberals and treatment. I also support and thank the the Nationals at a State and Commonwealth members of the committee who raised the level is damaging Australian trade and it is safety aspect of level crossings. All level damaging Queensland. Frankly, it is about crossings should be protected by boom gates. time that they all grew up. What do we have Finally, the workers at Walkers of from the Premier? The Premier is trying to Maryborough have provided very high quality blame everyone else for his own disability! I workmanship in the construction of the high- agree with the Prime Minister that the Premier technology tilt train, and I congratulate them. It should finally do some hard work. is only through the good work of ordinary Time expired. workers that we can implement this high technology. Motion agreed to. Chisholm Catholic College Mr HEGARTY (Redlands) (10.16 a.m.): Last week I had the pleasure and privilege of PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS representing the Education Minister at the Overseas Students; State and opening of Stages 2 and 3 of the building Commonwealth Relations program at Chisholm Catholic College at Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader Cornubia in my electorate. The college is of the Opposition) (10.14 a.m.): Recently situated in a beautiful and peaceful acreage released statistics by the Department of setting and the new heritage-style building, Immigration show that the number of student together with Stage 1, complement the visas issued in the first quarter of 1997 is lower landscape perfectly. than the number issued last year and that The Queensland Government made a there is a significant drop in the number of financial contribution to the latest stages of the 1 May 1997 Private Members' Statements 1211 building program, providing $1.269m for Stage achievements in this area. Here is an 2 and $600,000 for Stage 3. The opening and achievement: in the December quarter blessing was conducted by Bishop Michael manufacturing exports in the State were 7.2% Putney. Representatives from Catholic below those for the same quarter in 1995. In Education and other Federal and local other words, the Minister has rolled back the government representatives were in economy in the most important sector, the attendance. manufacturing sector. Chisholm Catholic College is a new When the QCCI supports the Opposition's catholic high school. It first opened in 1992 policy approach and condemns the with only 60 Year 8 students and eight staff. Government for inaction in the business From that small start the school has now community, the Government should start to nearly 650 students in Years 8 to 12. In 1996, worry; the alarm bells should be ringing. the inaugural Year 8 students graduated from However, the Government continues to scrap Year 12. The courses offered by Chisholm business programs. The Government has Catholic College are very wide ranging and wound back business programs to the point include vocational training. Indeed, the where one of the most fundamental programs catering for the opening ceremony was done that supported the manufacturing sector, the by the college hospitality students. NIES scheme, the National Industry Extension The Queensland Government is Service, which $16m spent on it in our last continuing its commitment towards funding of year of Government, has had $4m spent on it non-Government schools. This school is one to date. That is it! The Minister's budget is of the beneficiaries of the record $184m that is $4m and he wonders why he is having being ploughed into the non-Government problems in employment generation and he sector. wonders why he is having problems receiving support from the business community. The Caroline Chisholm, after whom the school reason is that he has wound back all of the was named, was a pioneer woman in colonial programs that those sectors have relied on to Australia. She was the wife of a British Army give them the opportunities to get into officer. In 1838, after service in India, she overseas markets. arrived in this country. She is best remembered for her supportive role for Time expired. unprotected women and her assistance to migrants coming to the colony in the early days. FIA World Cup Australia Safari Time expired. Ms WARWICK (Barron River) (10.20 a.m.): I take great pleasure in informing the House of another great event won for Economy Queensland by the Minister for Tourism, Small Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—Deputy Business and Industry. That is good news for Leader of the Opposition) (10.18 a.m.): We Queensland. Last month, the Minister joined heard from the Treasurer today that rating the Premier to announce that Queensland agencies had given Queensland a AAA rating. would be the home base for the FIA World Does that not prove just how sound a Budget Cup Australian Safari for the next six years. and how sound an economy the Goss Securing this leg of the World Cup Safari Government left this Government? The only will bring Queensland extensive international thing that the rating agency did not touch on coverage and generate tourism dollars right was unemployment. One only has to look at across Queensland. This is a major coup for unemployment in the business sector to see Queensland. We have beaten off the how far the Government has pulled back the combined efforts of Victoria and South economy in the State. The most important Australia to win this event and prove that sector is the manufacturing sector, where we Queensland is well and truly the best location have seen employment fall by 11,800, or for a broad range of events of any State in 6.4%, since February 1996. Do members Australia. recall February 1996? Since the coalition has The 1997 World Cup Australian Safari will come to Government, employment in the be held in August. It will start in Cairns, travel manufacturing sector has fallen by almost through the tropical north into the Northern 12,000. Territory, then back across the border into Turning to exports in the manufacturing western Queensland, through the Channel sector—backbenchers who receive written Country, and will end 12 days later on the speeches have gone on about the Minister's Gold Coast. It is a 7,500 kilometre moving 1212 Private Members' Statements 1 May 1997 postcard of some of the most spectacular and offered; laws relating to drug use in diverse landscape in the world. Queensland; recognition of substances; self- This event will showcase Queensland's esteem, assertion and the ability to deal with two major coastal holiday destinations as well peer group pressure; and the danger of taking as the outback and rural attractions to millions prescribed drugs without medical approval. of television viewers across 33 countries. This The former Government allocated $1.5m announcement is evidence of the success of for a five-year program, and this Government the Minister's efforts to re-energise the abandoned the Say No to Drugs Program in Queensland Events Corporation. It will pay last year's State Budget. The important part of enormous dividends for the people of that program is that it was designed to provide Queensland. For example, the FIA World Cup curriculum materials for use in all schools the Australian Safari will inject nearly $15m into length and breadth of Queensland. I admit Cairns, the Gold Coast and rural communities. that the Government has redirected some Around 300 participants, organisers and resources to life education, which is a media will travel the route, accompanied along worthwhile program, but the problem with that the way by as many as 2,000 international program is that it does not access all students. spectators. And, most importantly, this event Time expired. will lift Queensland's profile as a world-class adventure tourism destination. I commend this success to the House and congratulate the Queensland Food Project Minister and the QEC on all its hard work. Mr HEALY (Toowoomba North) Time expired. (10.24 a.m.): Despite the rhetoric from the member for Capalaba earlier this morning, in realising the importance of export markets to Say No to Drugs Program the Queensland and Australian economies, Mr BREDHAUER (Cook) (10.22 a.m.): the House will be pleased to hear that this This week in the media, concern has been Government is helping a Darling Downs raised about the very serious issue of drug use company develop new processed vegetable in Queensland schools. It will therefore come products for Asian markets. as a surprise to most members of the The Minister for Tourism, Small Business Parliament that last year this Government and Industry, Bruce Davidson, through his abandoned the $1.5m, five-year Say No to Department's Queensland Food Project, is Drugs Program. The whole program was working with Annand Robinson of Toowoomba defunded in last year's State Budget. to assess the potential to establish tofu, In 1994, the former Government adzuki bean and eda-mame bean industries in launched its Drug Education in Schools policy the State. Annand Robinson is concentrating to feature issues such as the prevention and on breeding food varieties suitable for Asian cessation of smoking, alcohol use, including markets, developing appropriate production binge drinking and drink driving, marijuana and harvesting systems and keeping raw use, and prescribed and over-the-counter material costs internationally competitive. drugs. We had a range of initiatives that Through the Queensland Food Project, produced videos such as Every Move You the Government has provided the company Make, which was designed for parents of with a $32,500 grant for the promotion and preschool and lower primary school children to targeted marketing of its products in selected help resource them to educate their children; Asian markets. In addition, specialists working Let's Face It, an education resource to teach within the Queensland Food Project have also lower secondary school students about the provided Annand Robinson with technical and dangers of cannabis; and Thrills Without Spills, managerial advice, supplied in-depth research a program arguing against the practice of on selected Asian markets and arranged binge drinking in senior students. introductions to potential buyers. The Say No to Drugs Program was For those in the House who are not designed to provide curriculum materials that aware, tofu is also known as bean curd. It is would access all students from Years 4 to 12 gaining popularity as a health food in Australia right across the State, including rural and and other Western nations, as well as being a remote areas, to provide a focus on the part of the diet of many people in Asia. Adzuki physical and social effects of legal and illegal beans are used in confectionery manufacture drug use and abuse; education about the in Japan. Eda-mame beans are eaten partially moderate use of legal substances; recognition cooked from their green shell as a snack in of circumstances in which drug use may be Japan and Korea. Annand Robinson propose 1 May 1997 Private Members' Statements 1213 to establish a food-processing facility and have consideration is being given to providing up to already sold 600 tonnes of tofu beans and 50 25 spaces on the eastern side of the station, tonnes of adzuki beans for processing trials, albeit on an allotment with limited access. earning over $400,000. Recently, at my invitation, the Minister A major outcome of the Annand had an opportunity to personally witness the Robinson/Queensland Food Project extent of the parking difficulties at Northgate partnership has been the setting up of a high- station. On behalf of my constituents, I urge quality tofu growing, primary processing and him to ensure that adequate funding and advanced processing industry in this State. A attention is given to providing a solution to this $1.5m tofu processing plant has recently been problem. opened in Brisbane by King International to process these new tofu varieties. Annand Robinson plans to establish a food-grade Gatton College processing facility of its own, and negotiations Mr FITZGERALD (Lockyer—Leader of are continuing to develop adzuki bean and Government Business) (10.28 a.m.): I take the eda-mame bean processing plants in opportunity to advise the House that 1997 Queensland. marks the centenary of the Gatton College, Time expired. which is now part of the University of Queensland. There is one former old boy of the college in the Chamber, the member for Northgate Railway Station Cairns. He graduated; I attended for a short time. Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee) (10.26 a.m.): I wish to raise a matter of concern to my A Government member interjected. constituents in the suburb of Northgate. Due Mr FITZGERALD: And the Speaker as to improvements in rail services, Northgate well. Railway Station has become a popular transit Mr Hamill: What did you do there? point for workers and shoppers travelling to the nearby Toombul Shoppingtown or the city. Mr FITZGERALD: I did a short part of a diploma. I congratulate the college. There are The station is currently serviced by 230 some concerns with the University of parking bays which have 24-hour video Queensland with regard to the changes that camera surveillance and security fencing. are occurring in the administration of the However, this number of parking bays is not college. Naturally, that change occurred sufficient to cater for the up to 360 vehicles because of the change of administration at that park each week day in and around the the university. existing parking facilities. The consequent overflow of vehicles onto neighbouring streets The local community is concerned about is causing unnecessary annoyance, safety which students will be at the Gatton College in hazards and inconvenience to local residents. the ongoing years. They are very worried Police reports also show that the number of about which lecturers will be there, because vehicles being stolen from outside the secure the courses do change. The employees who station car parks is on the increase. In my support the lecturers and the students are very view, additional parking facilities need to be concerned about their jobs. In turn, the college provided in the industrial area on the southern supports the local towns of Laidley, Forest Hill and eastern side of the station. This would and Gatton. These small towns are dependent enable easy access off Toombul Road and on the universities and can be impacted would ease the difficulties being experienced greatly by the decisions of a university senate, by residents of Northgate West. Queensland for example, to rationalise courses or shift Rail has failed to adequately respond to the courses to other campuses. challenges presented to it. I welcome the announcement that natural In April and May last year, I suggested resources, veterinary science and agricultural the purchase of three vacant properties in science are intended to be based at Gatton. I Holland Street. This was rejected on the basis hope that is implemented in the very near of cost and a mistaken belief that more future. It is important that the traditional towns parking needs to be provided on the of Gatton, Laidley and Forest Hill be supported residential side of the station. In an answer to and not be detrimentally impacted by a question I recently put to the Minister for decisions of this university. Main Roads and Transport, Queensland Rail's I have a long tradition with the college. position was reiterated. However, there was a Not only did we live next door to it but also my small but inadequate concession that mother was the first woman live-in employee 1214 Questions Without Notice 1 May 1997 at the college. She went there as a 21-year- principles espoused by Mr Mitchell of the old girl, married a local farmer next door and, Courier-Mail, they will have to be reported to as a result, the FitzGerald family continued in the CJC and the Ombudsman if they indulge the area. I have an affinity with the college. in such unjournalistic ethics and practices. Not only did I go there; I also know a lot of the All I can say is that if the Leader of the lecturers there. I congratulate the college on Opposition wants to support newspaper its centenary. editorials that support the High Court, support Time expired. judicial activism, support the Wik decision, support the treachery of the Labor Party in respect of native title; if the Labor Party wants QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE to support newspapers that from time to time Premier's Comments on Media take anti-Queensland action—— Reports Mr Schwarten: Bizarre! Mr BEATTIE (10.30 a.m.): I refer the Mr BORBIDGE: The member would Premier to his comments in the Parliament know all about bizarre. He defines the term yesterday where he said— "bizarre"! Can I just say to the Leader of the ". . . when I do want an accurate Opposition that he should not take too much assessment of what is happening in notice of what appears in the Courier-Mail; Queensland politics I increasingly turn to most Queenslanders do not. the Sydney Morning Herald . . ." Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the Premier. I ask: how can the Premier not agree that the Mr BEATTIE: You got it right, Mr Sydney Morning Herald deserves a gold Speaker. I have always been impressed with Walkley Award for its accurate portrayal of his your judgment! political performance when it described his attacks on the High Court as "wild and Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the ignorant", his proposal for a new constitutional honourable Leader of the Opposition. court as "bizarre" and his suggestion that the High Court judges be removed by citizen Wik Decision petitions as "dangerous nonsense"? Mr BEATTIE: I refer the Premier to his An honourable member interjected. claims to the media on Tuesday night after a Mr BORBIDGE: Wait for the answer! I meeting at Parliament House that "every peak notice that the aggrieved and upset editor of industry group in Queensland" had the Courier-Mail, Mr Chris Mitchell, because he unanimously endorsed his position on Wik and took exception to me in this place yesterday not the Prime Minister's. I ask the Premier: raising certain matters in regard to a line of how can he justify his blatant inquiry that the Courier-Mail was pursuing, misrepresentation of industry leaders, who managed to trawl through every newspaper have repudiated his claim in today's Australian that he could find anywhere in Australia that Financial Review, including MTIA head Paul had been critical of the Queensland Fennelly, who said "We gave no Government on any issue. It is also interesting endorsements in any form but simply that when the Leader of the Opposition wants supported the Premier's call for further some inspiration for a question, he reads the consultation", and Mining Council head Courier-Mail. Michael Pinnock, who indicated that he did not I understand that, like the Leader of the support the Premier's one-point plan for Opposition, Mr Mitchell from the Courier-Mail is extinguishment? I table for the information of concerned about this particular leak that might the House that report in the Australian have embarrassed his newspaper, and as a Financial Review headed "Miners edge away result has decided to report the whole incident from Borbidge". What sort of leader is the to the Ombudsman and the CJC. All I can say Premier that he will deliberately distort the truth to Mr Mitchell is that I intend to be very much and betray the trust of industry to prop up his like a good newspaper editor and very much discredited position on Wik? like a journalist, and I will have to say that I Mr BORBIDGE: The Leader of the cannot disclose my sources. Having said that, Opposition talks about people being I am sure that other members of the press discredited on Wik! The Leader of the gallery will be most upset that we will not be Opposition was part of a Government that able to background brief or leak to them on promised Queenslanders that pastoral leases any information in respect of Government extinguish native title, and as soon as the proposals in the future because, under the going got rough he did the ultimate political 1 May 1997 Questions Without Notice 1215 dingo act and betrayed the people who in report that appeared in that newspaper this Government he said he was supporting. That morning. is the attitude of the Leader of the Opposition; that is the attitude of Labor members opposite. We make no apologies for arguing Australian Federal Police that a deal is a deal, even when the deal was Investigations into Preselection Vote done by the Labor Party. The Labor Party did Rigging the deal and it reneged on it. It has sold out Mr TANTI: I ask the Premier: could he and it has betrayed Queenslanders. In respect advise the House if he is aware of the action of the Leader of the Opposition, I will come to taken by the Australian Federal Police in that particular—— respect of possible vote rigging in Mr Beattie: Tell the truth. preselections for the next State election? Mr BORBIDGE: Take a Valium! Mr BORBIDGE: We would not read it in the Courier-Mail, would we? The matter raised I wish to read out a statement from Mr by the honourable member for Mundingburra Michael Pinnock of the Queensland Mining is particularly serious because it relates to Council which in my view accurately reflects Federal Police investigations in regard to what I said following my press conference preselection processes for the Labor Party, following the meeting with industry leaders. which claims to be the alternative Government Mr Palaszczuk: What's the date? of this State, and in my view they raise very Mr BORBIDGE: 30 April 1997. It serious questions about the way the Labor states— Party is conducting its internal affairs. "Native title/Wik What we have seen is the Labor Party for some time having some difficulty with my The Queensland mining industry has colleague the member for Mundingburra. They not been given any details sufficient at keep underestimating him, and they have this time to judge the merit or otherwise of been having the dogfight to end all dogfights the so-called 10 point plan. We can make in respect of preselection. We read in the no judgements unless and until we have Townsville Bulletin on 30 April— considerable detail about the proposals. We therefore support the Premier's "The meatworkers union has position to date"— threatened to split from the ALP if one of its former officials is not retained as a I will repeat it— preselection candidate for Mundingburra, "We therefore support the Premier's party sources claim." position to date of not agreeing to the Today's Townsville Bulletin goes on to say— proposals put"— "Anger is brewing among Townsville those are the words of Mr Pinnock— Labor Party members over a decision to "and to reserve judgement until such time uphold the endorsement of a as we have a clear understanding of the Mundingburra preselection candidate who issues and the proposed resolutions. was found guilty of disloyalty. At this time"—— The claim came from a Labor Party Mr Hamill: That's not your one-point source who said many members thought plan. it was a joke that former meatworkers union official Russell Carr only got a slap Mr BORBIDGE: The Opposition asked on the wrist for handing out how-to-vote the question; it can listen to the answer. The cards for the Queensland Greens at the statement continues— 1995 state election. "At this time, what we have heard . . . raises more questions than it answers and we will seek detailed proposals from the Australian Labor Party Queensland Federal Government through our national secretary Mike Kaiser could not be negotiating team." contacted for comment . . . That is totally consistent with remarks that I . . . have made. I have also been advised this Meanwhile, the source backed morning by my office that the Queensland comments made by another Labor Party Mining Council has today written to the source in yesterday's Townsville Bulletin Australian Financial Review disputing the that the meatworkers union had 1216 Questions Without Notice 1 May 1997

threatened to split from the party if Mr Mr Livingstone: Was it the Courier- Carr lost the right to run for preselection. Mail? The source said there was no doubt Mr BORBIDGE: No, not the Courier- that the Australasian Meat Industry Mail. If it is the National Party, it would be in Employees Union had 'blackmailed' the the Courier-Mail; if it is the Labor Party, it disputes tribunal by threatening to would not be. Agent Nathan said—— disaffiliate from the ALP if Mr Carr was Mr T. B. Sullivan interjected. disendorsed." Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for But, more importantly, this is from the Leader Chermside! of the Opposition who talks about corruption, about sleazy deals for mates and about going Mr BORBIDGE: They are a noisy lot. back to the past. Let us have a look at the The article continues— process that Mr Beattie is presiding over. The "Agent Nathan said the Federal article states— Police were concerned about 10 entries in "The Commonwealth director of the electoral roll. public prosecutions is considering charges Last year's state preselection battles against 10 people associated with the for the seats of Thuringowa and Labor Party's bitter state preselection Townsville threw the Labor Party into an battles. uproar, with claims of dirty tricks on both Federal Agent Mark Nathan of the sides." Australian Federal Police said yesterday We have an Australian Federal Police his office had forwarded to the prosecutor investigation into forging and uttering in the names of 10 people who could be respect of the preselection process to involved in voting roll irregularities. determine who may be sitting in this 'It's over with the director of public Parliament. That is a pretty serious allegation. prosecutions for a decision,' Agent The Leader of the Opposition takes every Nathan said. chance that he can, in concert with the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, to rise and make all 'It's (regarding)' "—— sorts of allegations and comments about the Mr Elder interjected. integrity of honourable members on this side of the House when he is presiding over a Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable preselection cesspit which is so bad that, member does like to hear about it, does he? because Labor Party sources have lodged Mr Beattie is the man who says that he complaints, there has to be an Australian believes in principles and integrity. When is he Federal Police investigation. The matter is now going to do something about the corruption in with the Director of Public Prosecutions. his own party? It is about time that the Leader of the Mr BEATTIE: I rise on a point of order. I Opposition showed a bit of leadership with am happy to answer the Premier's question. regard to the tawdry tactics that are being Mr SPEAKER: There will be no employed by his party and his supporters in answering questions. respect of the candidates that he wants to be Mr BEATTIE: No-one will stand in the sitting beside him in this place. way and they will not try to rort the jury like the Premier did with Carruthers where he pulled Closure of Union Mining him out. He is his mate; he pulled Carruthers out and rorted it. Mr McGRADY: I refer the Minister for Mines and Energy to the decision by Union Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will Mining to close its goldmining operations in resume his seat. There is no point of order. Georgetown, throwing 40 Queenslanders out Mr Elder interjected. of work. I refer the Minister also to the Mr Schwarten interjected. company statement which cited his freeze on mining leases because of Wik as a major Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the factor, saying— member for Capalaba under 123A and I warn the honourable member for Rockhampton "The freeze by the Queensland under 123A. Government was sufficient to do serious short term harm to the project. In the Mr BORBIDGE: I am only quoting what company's opinion, the Queensland is in the newspaper. Government should have followed 1 May 1997 Questions Without Notice 1217

Western Australia's leadership and Mr Beattie: Why did you do it? introduced compliance with the Native Mr GILMORE: If the honourable Title Act . . ." member wants me to take the time to tell him, I ask: when is the Minister going to accept that I am happy to do that. The economy of this his Government's freeze on leases was nation and the economy of this State—— irresponsible, has thrown the mining industry Mr McGrady: Your freeze threw 40 into turmoil and has cost many Queenslanders blokes on the dole. their jobs? Mr GILMORE: I genuinely thank the Mr GILMORE: In respect of the issue of honourable member for the question, because mining titles—they simply must be processed it is an important matter for the people in far- in the proper way. If they come out north Queensland and one that I think needs unqualified—as I was saying, the validity of to be canvassed in this place. It is a matter of title, whether it be land title or mining title, some serious regret to the Government, and underwrites our whole economy. The owners particularly to me, if action taken for whatever of those titles must be able to take that title to reason causes disruption or unhappiness in lending institutions, put it on the table and say, the mining industry. Nobody wants to see "This is an unqualified mining lease or a land people lose their jobs; nobody wants to see lease which I happen to own" and that has mines close down for one reason or another. underwritten—— Mr Bredhauer: Your freeze brought Mr Gibbs: Drop the statesman facade; them to their knees. get into it—be yourself. Mr GILMORE: If the honourable Mr GILMORE: My boy, when I want the member would like to be quiet for just a dog to bark I will shake the chain. moment, I will answer the question. After the Wik decision of 23 December I am aware of what has been happening 1996, there was a period of concern and there up at Georgetown with Union Mining. It has remains a period of concern—a period of been an ongoing saga for some time. My grave concern—right across this country in department and I have worked together to do respect of the validity of titles which were absolutely everything possible to ensure that issued not only by the honourable member for the appropriate actions were taken by my Mount Isa after 1994 but also those which are department at every possible opportunity. currently coming up for both renewal and In the statement to which the member for issue. Our Government took a very serious Mount Isa referred, mention was made that view of the prospect of my signing or there were some concerns late last year about recommending to the Governor in Council the the issue of mining leases. The answer to that issue of invalid or potentially invalid mining question, of course, is that there was some leases. I was not going to take part in that, tardiness on behalf of the company in respect and neither was this Government. The of the EMOS provisions of those leases. I statement to which the honourable member make no apology to this Parliament or to referred was not really a cry from the heart of a anybody else in respect of ensuring that person and his employers who have been environmental compliance of the mining desperately affected by native title and the industry is up to speed. We had to insist that implications of the Wik decision. the EMOS provisions of those leases that Over the past few weeks we have heard were coming up for grant were appropriate nothing from the Opposition side to support and in place and, of course, that the amount our Premier, who has been in Canberra on of money that was set aside—I understand innumerable occasions putting forward the that in this case it was $50,000—was lodged argument that we must have certainty of title in respect of the rehabilitation bonds. Owing to in this State. That is why we have carried such the tardiness of Union Mining itself in putting a vigorous argument to John Howard and his those things in place, all of those things took Government in Canberra in respect of native some time. title and the outcomes of native title. We then come to the issue of native title. Mr McGrady interjected. I have said it before in this place and I will say again: it is my responsibility as the Minister for Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Mines to issue unqualified legal title. There are Mount Isa! two departments in this place—the Mr GILMORE: For a period we were Department of Lands and the Department of unable to issue title with absolute certainty. My Mines—which are responsible for issuing land department has now undertaken—and I and mining title. understand that the Lands Department has 1218 Questions Without Notice 1 May 1997 undertaken—a risk management profile of all Mr BORBIDGE: Don't give up your day land titles in this State whereby we might be job! It says— able to proceed with certainty with the issue of ". . . plus more to be confirmed . . . Cost: title to minimise the effect on Government and $85—includes food, drinks, entertainment to maximise the benefit to industry. We have undertaken that and are now proceeding (All proceeds to the Hinchinbrook along those lines. Legal Fighting Fund)." Let me assure members that we are Opposition members: Hear, hear! looking forward with some anticipation to the Mr BORBIDGE: I notice the "Hear, day when members opposite actually stand up hears" opposite. I wonder whether the "Hear, for Queensland and actually support our hears" opposite who attended laughed till they position to ensure that there will be no more split when they tried to explain how their Labor failures such as Union Mining in Georgetown, Government gave the major approvals for the so that we will know that we can issue project. The major approvals granted under unqualified title and miners can gain the Goss Labor Government covered activities unqualified title and therefore continue with such as marina, access channel, breakwaters, their mining operations. public boat ramp, breakwater construction, An Opposition member interjected. dredging and mangrove removal, tree clearing and discharges for dewatering the marina Mr GILMORE: I would be delighted to basin. I wonder: was it a night to remember know what the honourable member's answer when these two had to explain their positions, would have been to the issue of invalid mining compared with that of the former Premier, Mr titles in this State. Goss, and other former Ministers who supported the project? They might also have Oyster Point Development liked to explain to those in the southern environment movement that the development Mr SPRINGBORG: I refer the Premier is not on World Heritage listed Hinchinbrook to the Oyster Point project being developed Island, as they continually claim, but on the near Cardwell on the Hinchinbrook Passage, mainland near the town of Cardwell. and I ask: is the Premier aware of a dinner last For our part, this Government is ensuring night to raise funds to continue legal challenges against the development? that the project complies with the deed of agreement and is working with the Mr BORBIDGE: I am aware of this Commonwealth to minimise environmental particular flier that has been going around the impact. But honourable members opposite ridges—"A Night To Remember seem to have very selective memories. They Forever"—which states— spent $30,000 of taxpayers' money saying "Have the stars wait upon you why they supported the project. They put an advertisement in that illustrious newspaper, Dine in elegance the Courier-Mail, on 23 November 1994 under Be provoked, entertained the heading "Premier of Queensland" which Laugh till you split stated— And Help Save World Heritage "We have been concerned to ensure that the Port Hinchinbrook Resort has The Hinchinbrook Dinner". minimal impact on the environment, An Opposition member: What's because of our determination to protect wrong with that? the coastline. Mr BORBIDGE: I will tell the honourable . . . member in a minute. The flier states further— The approvals included the removal "Celebrity guests & waiters include: of a small area of mangroves, something . . . the Federal Government was fully aware of. The order issued by the Federal Phillip Adams . . . Peter Beattie . . . Environment Minister on November 15, Margaret Reynolds . . . John Woodley . . . which halted work on the project, applied Hinchinbrook activist Margaret to the removal of these mangroves. Thorsborne . . . State Opposition Senator Faulkner said he took his action environment spokesperson Rod because of his concern about the effect Welford"—— of the mangrove removal on the seagrass Opposition members interjected. beds in the World Heritage area. 1 May 1997 Questions Without Notice 1219

No such concern had been "Environment Minister John Faulkner mentioned by anyone during the 10 had betrayed the Queensland months of detailed consultation during government by halting work on the $100 which the issue of mangrove removal was million Oyster Point tourist resort in the specifically discussed. state's north, Premier Wayne Goss said . . . yesterday." The handling of this project raises Another article stated— serious issues for Federal-State relations, "The Queensland Premier, Mr Goss, tourism and the environment. There is yesterday accused the federal Minister for also concern about the impact of investor the Environment, Senator Faulkner, of confidence. caving in to environmentalists and . . . reneging on a development agreement after Canberra ordered work to halt on a We have not and will not approve controversial north Queensland resort any project unless it meets the strictest project." environmental standards." It goes on and on and on. Those were the words of the Labor Party. What we see is the absolute duplicity of Mr Welford: Hear, hear! members of the Labor Party. They signed the Mr BORBIDGE: The member signed agreement. They defended the agreement. the deal. We have followed that agreement to the letter What did the then Premier, the member of the law. Then they fronted up last night to for Logan, say when we asked about try to raise money for those people who will taxpayers' money being spent on this stop it, when the former Premier said that if particular advertisement? He said that— this project is stopped it will send an ominous ". . . $30,000-odd—or whatever it sign to the international investment community cost—on an advertisement that has put and to the tourism industry. real pressure on the Federal Government Members opposite can grin all they like, and focuses attention on the issues in but what we have seen from the Leader of the defence of this State"— Opposition is that he has dumped the project, was well worth while. He went on to say— he has dumped the stand of the member for Logan, he has betrayed the publicly stated "What we are talking about here is a position of the Government of which he was a $5 billion to $6 billion industry—not Port Minister and, in the process, the Leader of the Hinchinbrook; a $5 billion to $6 billion Opposition—who gets up in this place and industry . . . that employs about 140 000 talks about the creation of jobs—has dumped people, an industry that has grown in jobs, he has dumped investment, he has leaps and bounds under this dumped Cardwell and he has completely sold Government"— out the people of north Queensland. The and on he went. He said— hypocrisy and double standards of the Leader "I make no apology whatsoever for of the Opposition and honourable members defending one of our biggest and fastest- opposite speak for themselves. I hope that growing industries." they had a good dinner because, in terms of Labor's reputation, for the people of north He said also— Queensland and the people of Cardwell it may "We are going to stand up and fight well have been the last supper. for Queensland. If Opposition members want to knock that . . . then they (are) condemned." Government Performance Then there were the press reports. One report Mr ELDER: I refer the Deputy Premier stated— and Treasurer to Liberal Party sources who claim in the media that voters are feeling "Queensland's Premier, Mr Goss, disenchanted with this Government because it said that if Mr Williams did quit the project has not spent enough time on the real issues it would send an ominous message to such as job creation, youth unemployment, other developers throughout Australia." small business and families, and I ask: when is Then an article in the Daily News in Warwick— she going to show some leadership and begin a paper which I read as an alternative to the to address the real issues for the forgotten Courier-Mail—headed "Premier says Faulkner people who have been overlooked and has betrayed Qld" stated— spurned by her incompetent Government? 1220 Questions Without Notice 1 May 1997

Mrs SHELDON: I thank the honourable Mr SANTORO: I wish to thank the member for his hollow rhetoric. I would like to honourable member for his very insightful put in place—— question, because it will enable me to point Mr Elder interjected. out, as a follow-up to the answer that the Honourable Deputy Premier just gave to the Mrs SHELDON: Names? What rubbish! Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the woeful Once the Leader of the Opposition has record of the Labor Party in relation to looking stopped his hyena tactics, I will continue. May after the training interests of small business. I add that similar sources from the Leader of Perhaps one need not look beyond the the Opposition's own party do not applaud his Commission of Audit, which this Government stand on Wik, whatever that may be, and are put in place shortly after it came to power, to seriously concerned that he is not standing up determine precisely what was the performance for the interests of Queenslanders, that he is and record of the Labor Party in Government selling out this State, that he is playing politics in relation to training. and that he considers his political position to When one reads the very unfavourable be more important than that of the standing of findings of the Audit Commission report, one Queensland. It is about time he started to finds that it is absolutely woeful—— defend his State, because people know that he is a worthless bag of political hot air. Mr Braddy: What have you done? I refer members of the Opposition to the Mr SANTORO: I will tell the honourable February 1997 Yellow Pages Small Business member what we have done if he will just Index, which revealed an improvement in listen. Queensland business conditions over the Let me bring to the attention of the House three months to January 1997 and reflected and the public of Queensland what the the coalition's policies of providing jobs and member for Kedron did not do and what his economic development. It said confidence in fellow former Ministers did not do. In 1995, business prospects over the next 12 months Queensland had the lowest expenditure of improved during the three months to January any State or Territory on training—$237 per 1997. A net balance of 38% of respondents person. The national average was $306. The anticipate improved prospects compared with proportion of VET recurrent expenditure, which 31% in the three months to October 1996. was competitively tendered, was the lowest of This was the largest improvement of all States. any State—1%. The participation rates for rural I am quoting from the Yellow Pages Small communities, 8.8%, and remote communities, Business Index. Moreover, Queensland and 9.6%—those communities that the members New South Wales were the only States to opposite said in a mealy-mouthed way that record an improvement in prospects. It said they wanted to look after— were less than the that perceptions of the Queensland economy Queensland and the national average of a year from now are extremely positive, with 11.7% and 11.2% respectively. Although 45% of respondents anticipating an Queensland's youth participation rate across improvement in conditions, the highest of all the 15 to 19 age group was the highest of all States. Respondents reported improved sales States and Territories at 24.7%—and we and employment during the period, with acknowledge that—the participation rate for Queensland firms reporting better than the 20 to 24 age group was second-lowest at national results in both of those categories. 12.8% and below the national average of This State grew 0.25% of all jobs in this nation 16.9%. I could go on quoting from the report during the past 14 months. That was due to of the Commission of Audit to further illustrate the policies of this coalition Government. Very repeatedly in this place just how woeful was obviously, the member opposite is dealing in the performance of former Minister Edmond, political rhetoric and not really trying to look former Minister Warburton, former Minister after the interests of Queenslanders by telling Vaughan, former Minister Foley—not just in them what the truth really is. relation to workers' compensation where we had to take some fairly urgent action to fix up their mess but also in relation to training. Training Initiatives The honourable members opposite may Mr CARROLL: I ask the honourable have thought that we were going to let them Minister for Training and Industrial Relations: off scot-free in terms of training. I have been will he inform the House as to this out there doing the job that they obviously Government's initiatives in encouraging and were not keen to do. We will tell the story enhancing proper training for Queensland about training and just how woeful is the workers for Queensland's small businesses. record of the Labor Party and those four 1 May 1997 Questions Without Notice 1221

Ministers whom I mentioned. The honourable ask what this Government has done to help member for Kedron asked what we were doing small business when that is the legacy of their about it. If he had been listening to what I said performance and, more importantly, their about training yesterday and the day before woeful lack of performance. and previously in the Parliament, and if he was The coalition's small business training a fair man—which, judging by his interjection, advisory committee is made up of committee he is not—he would have to acknowledge that members from right across-the-board— we have done an enormous amount for Brisbane, Loganholme, Toowoomba, Kumbia, training. Rockhampton and Townsville. That again When we came into power Queensland underlines the importance that this had a TAFE system that was comatose. Governments places not only on small Industry and small business input did not exist. business but also the needs and aspirations of In order to give the community and in regional Queensland. I conclude by particular the small business community a recognising the members of that committee: voice in the running of the premier training Gail Havig, from the real estate industry; Pippa institution in Queensland, TAFE Queensland, Smith, from the hospitality industry; Gary a half billion dollar-plus business, the first step Breakwell, from the building industry; Niven that we took was to reconstitute the small Hancock, from rural industry; Allan Davies, who business community advisory committees. We is an executive director in business; Tracey did not reappoint the academics, the minority Anderson, the Manager of the Better Business groups, the unions and the majority of Centre; Keith Kerslake, the principal policy bureaucrats to those committees. We went officer for TQ; Russell Bushby, from the into the community and asked those who furnishing industry; Claire Burchgart, from the need to use the training products of the TAFE engineering, product manufacture and retailer, system and the training system in Queensland Marji's Ceramics; Baden Waldron, from the generally what input they wanted. They said, automotive and retail industry—— "We want some input, because under the Mr SPEAKER: Order! This is not a previous administration we had none." Across- telephone directory. the-board, for campuses, colleges and institutes, we appointed community advisory Mr SANTORO: I am about to finish, Mr committees, which were genuinely Speaker. representative of the interests the TAFE As I was saying—Bill Watson, from the colleges and institutes across Queensland are business and travel industry; David Milstein, meant to be serving. That was the first step we from Enterprise Development for Retail, and took towards small business input into the Henry Hinz from the forest industry. They are running of Queensland's premier and leading the people who are having input into training training institution. and they are making a real contribution, which The other step we took was to appoint a the honourable member and his Government small business training advisory committee, never allowed them to make. which I know has an enormous amount of support on this side of House, particularly from Mr R. Williams my colleague the Honourable Minister for Small Business. Again we stayed away from Mr PALASZCZUK: I refer the Minister bureaucrats, academics and other minority for Natural Resources to the attempt by his groups. We recognised clearly the lack of regional ministerial policy adviser, Rod culture that developed under the Labor Williams, to force Coorparoo real estate agent Government in relation to small business Mr Reg Lee to reimburse him for a $130 traffic training. Honourable members may be fine incurred by Williams whilst driving between interested to know that a survey Charleville and Brisbane on the weekend of commissioned by the State Government of 26-27 October last year, and I ask: what action 504 small-business operators throughout has the Minister taken to discipline Williams for Queensland found that 71.5% of businesses demanding that Mr Lee's real estate firm pay do not spend money on formal training for his traffic fine, or does the Minister condone employees, that only 8% undertake training for Williams' actions because he was simply employees and only 16.1% employ following Treasurer Sheldon's example of how apprentices. When we talk about the record of to get out of paying a speeding fine? the Labor Party, particularly in relation to small Mr HOBBS: I thank the honourable business, that is the record. It is an absolute member for the question. I am not aware of hide and an absolute cheek for the any speeding fine that Mr Williams has honourable member for Capalaba to rise and received or that any other people have 1222 Questions Without Notice 1 May 1997 received. I think that the member is jumping to Violence Group at Maroochydore. I would not conclusions. He has to remember that mind if Anne Warner did it honestly, but she is members on the Government side are not like going out there and taking the operational members opposite: Government members funds of community groups, money which is would not get down into the gutter to ask that not allowed to be paid unless those groups type of question in this House. get very special permission. Unfortunately, it is the group that is to blame, not Anne Warner. So in she goes and she has her fingers in the Social and Community Services Award till. Having been warned about the Domestic Miss SIMPSON: I refer the Minister for Violence Group, I now find her with her fingers Families, Youth and Community Care to the in the till with the advocacy groups. many community organisations across the As many people realise, nearly $20m is State that face impossible cutbacks in service paid by the Federal Government for advocacy. because of increased wage costs as a result The advocacy groups—the people whom we of the Social and Community Services Award, saw here on Tuesday night and who are or the SACS Award, and I ask: what is the working for either the Federal Government or Government doing to help these community the State Government—are supposed to organisations? support the individuals in our State, or the Mr LINGARD: Following a resolution by individuals in our country. Clearly, those the House and also the Government's groups are running a political campaign. commitment, this department and this Clearly, they are coming in behind the State Government have moved to cover the SACS Government, and the person who is in there Award as it affects community organisations. as a consultant is Anne Warner. If members In December last year, we posted out the wanted to know about the work of Anne first amount of money. Today, there will also Warner, they should have looked up at the be a letter sent out, as well as a letter sent out gallery last Tuesday night. Who led the to all members of this House, which I hope clapping? Who led the cheering? Who led the they will receive tomorrow, telling them of the advocacy group which supposedly clapped for amount of money that community the shadow Minister? No-one other than the organisations in their electorates will receive. previous Minister, Anne Warner! I hope that That money will cover the period from 26 July she did not get paid for last Tuesday night. last year to the end of February, which is the first commitment that many of these organisations have to face if they are to cover IndyCarnival award rates, award wages, penalty rates, Mr GIBBS: I refer the Minister for special allowances and also vehicle Tourism, Small Business and Industry to allowances. media comments by Sunbelt co-administrator I have also been given special permission Susan Carter that it was "not an unreasonable by the Treasury to announce that this scenario to make" that Indy may be forced by Government will cover the SACS Award as it receivers to surrender the $400,000 affects community groups in the future. It is sponsorship payments that it received from necessary to release that information simply Sunbelt, and I ask: is it also true that in so that we can now liaise with community addition to the Sunbelt failure, an American groups and find out exactly what we need to firm known as MCI erected substantial do for them to assist them. It would be very advertising signage at the Gold Coast Indy but easy if every community group was able to now is either refusing or is unable to pay? If send back to me something that states so, what further losses will be incurred for last honestly exactly how much it costs for that month's Gold Coast IndyCarnival? group to cover the SACS Award. One of the Mr DAVIDSON: I am not aware of the unfortunate things is that if I handed out a MCI deal. As those members of this House bucketful of money, I would have everyone on who bother to involve themselves in the Indy the highest award rate and I would have all of car race would appreciate, there are 175 the voluntary people on permanent corporate sponsors to the event. I do not get employment. involved in the day-to-day operations of the That is the sort of thing I get when I see a management of the Indy. It has never been special consultant called A. Warner—the Anne my intention do so. In the past, one of the Warner who was a previous Minister for Family great failures of the Indy was that Ministers of Services. Already, I have caught Anne Warner the previous failed Labor Government put their with her fingers in the till at the Domestic fingers into the management of the Indy on a 1 May 1997 Questions Without Notice 1223 day-to-day basis. That is why it incurred such regard it as the biggest and best event in great losses over the years. Queensland of all time. The interest in the Mr Gibbs: No-one defaulted. event from corporate sponsors is enormous. Mr DAVIDSON: I have the facts for the As for MCI—from day to day, in the real member for Bundamba and I will go through world, there will always be corporate people them for him in a minute if he likes. Obviously, who battle through the fluctuations of good the agreement that was struck between the times and bad times in business. There will previous Minister for Tourism, Mr Burns, and always be those sorts of people. the Government representatives and MCI is a Mr Gibbs: Like Sunbelt. deal that this Government has stuck by. The Government does not have any involvement Mr DAVIDSON: The member should or any say in the management of the Indy. check out Sunbelt's finances. He should go Once and for all, I have to make that clear to and check out who financed Sunbelt. He the member. The chairman of the board, Mr would find that Suncorp was involved. Many Shepherd—— big corporate institutions were involved in Sunbelt. They are as disappointed as we are Mr GIBBS: I rise to a point of order. The that Sunbelt has not been able to honour its reality is that under the current administration commitments to them. and structure of the Indy, at the end of the day the Minister is the person who takes In relation to MCI—let me say once again overall responsibility. that I will take a briefing. This morning, I presented the member for Bundamba with the Mr SPEAKER: Order! We are not briefing that I promised yesterday I would get debating the issue. from the chairman of the board. In relation to Mr GIBBS: The Minister has a MCI, I will check with the chairman of the responsibility for that board to report to him board, Mr Shepherd, after question time and I and to keep him up to date about events that will be happy to advise the member for are taking place. Bundamba tomorrow. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Mr Gibbs interjected. Mr DAVIDSON: Let me ask the Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member for Bundamba: did he take member for Bundamba under Standing Order responsibility for the $19.7m loss in 1991? Did 123A. he take responsibility for the $15.5m loss in 1992? Did he take responsibility for the $16.4m loss in 1993? Did he take Employment responsibility for the accumulated loss up until Mr HAMILL: I refer the Treasurer to the 1993 of $50.7m? Let me ask him: what about Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force 1995? It is recorded in Hansard. The member statistics for Queensland which show that in 12 started off by saying that the event would cost months of the Borbidge/Sheldon Government $8.1m or $8.2m that year and that he would the number of Queenslanders employed in not contribute any more funds over and above full-time jobs has fallen from 1,149,300 in that. It got up to $8.6m, then it was $8.7m, March 1996 to 1,137,700 in March 1997, a and then it got up to $8.9m. At the end of the reduction of 11,600 full-time jobs. There are day, the Indy cost the taxpayers of this State now more than 70,000 Queenslanders under $10.2m, and it recorded a $1.2m loss. Did the the age of 25 who are looking for work but member take responsibility for that? He made cannot find it, an increase of 14% over last those statements in the Parliament. He misled year. Queensland's seasonally adjusted the Parliament. Did he take responsibility for unemployment rate has increased by almost that? No, did the member did not! He flicked it one full percentage point from 9% to 9.9%. I back to the board. The member should not ask the Treasurer: when will she accept that forget that for one moment. her employment policies are an abject failure The Opposition has failed to find one and finally do something to create real jobs for issue with Indy. We are talking about a $20m Queenslanders? event, an $8.5m contribution by corporate Mrs SHELDON: It is possible that if the sponsors from around the State, the country Labor Party supported what the State coalition and the world. I can tell members that, after is trying to do on the Wik decision to create the success of this year's event, I have been certainty of land tenure, there would be jobs approached by many other corporate for our people. sponsors who want to be involved in the 1998 event. They want to be involved because they Mr Hamill interjected. 1224 Questions Without Notice 1 May 1997

Mrs SHELDON: All the Opposition is Australian Bureau of Statistics figures for doing is selling the State down the line like it March this year. usually does. Let us get a few of the real facts. Mrs SHELDON: The honourable Mr Hamill interjected. member misquoted me. I will repeat what I Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the said. honourable member for Ipswich for persistent Mr HAMILL: I ask for the comments of interjection. the Treasurer to be withdrawn. Mrs SHELDON: In the 12 months Mrs SHELDON: No. I will repeat what I ended March 1997, the Queensland labour said. force grew by 36,500. May I add, Queensland Mr SPEAKER: The honourable had a very high participation rate, as the member has found some remark offensive. He member would know if he bothered to tell the has asked the Treasurer to withdraw. I ask her truth. to withdraw now. Mr Hamill interjected Mrs SHELDON: Of course I will Mrs SHELDON: The honourable withdraw if you, Mr Speaker, ask it. However, I member asked the question, but he is am very concerned that the honourable obviously not interested in the answer; he member finds the truth offensive. never is. However, the rest of the House may I will repeat what I said to the honourable be. member. If Queensland had the participation In the last 12 months, there was 52,000 rate of New South Wales, our trend net immigration into the State and, on unemployment rate would be around 6.9% average, 75% of those people were rather than 9.9%. Those were my words; I am looking—— quoting directly. There was no Mr Hamill interjected. misrepresentation on my part, just more Mrs SHELDON: These are ABS misrepresentation on the honourable statistics, which the honourable member was member's part. quoting. Of those people, 75% were looking Queensland has now recorded stronger for a job. That puts a great strain on the job than national annual employment growth in resources of any State and, indeed, if we had each of the past 11 months. Since the the same participation rate as New South coalition Government assumed office in Wales—and these are independent February 1996, 22,900 jobs have been statistics—our trend unemployment rate would created in Queensland trend terms. be approximately 6.9% rather than 9.5%. That Throughout Australia, about 97,600 jobs were is the truth of the matter. created in those 14 months. Therefore, Queensland generated almost one in every Mr HAMILL: I rise to a point of order. four new jobs created in Australia over the 14 The Treasurer is misleading the House. month period. Without the strong boost in Mrs SHELDON: These are independent employment growth in Queensland, the figures. national job employment situation would be Mr HAMILL: The Treasurer is very weak. Let us hear a few positive facts and misleading the House. The trend not the constant bagging of Queensland that unemployment figure in Queensland is 9.9%. we hear from members of the Opposition, Mr SPEAKER: Order! We are not including the continual bagging by the shadow debating the issue. There is no point of order. Treasurer. Mrs SHELDON: Obviously the member thinks that he knows better than the ABS, but Hospital Projects, Noosa and Robina I would expect him to believe that. Mr GRICE: Will the Minister for Health Mr HAMILL: I rise to a point of order. inform the House of the status of the new Mr SPEAKER: I called the honourable Noosa and Robina public hospital projects? member's first point of order out of order. The Mr HORAN: Once again, the coalition honourable member insists on taking points of Government is delivering. One of our election order. I will listen to the point of order now. promises was to build new public hospitals at Mr HAMILL: I find the implication that I Robina on the Gold Coast and Noosa on the have been endeavouring to mislead the Sunshine Coast. House offensive. The figures I quoted are the Mr T. B. Sullivan interjected. 1 May 1997 Cooperatives Bill 1225

Mr HORAN: Today I am pleased to year and there will be more next year, unlike announce the short lists for those hospitals, the Leader of the Opposition, who tried to take after some 24 organisations responded. $34m from Health funding for 1995-96. He Mr T. B. Sullivan interjected. could not spend the money. He tried to cover up his black hole of recurrent funding with Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the $34m, or 17% of the Health budget. He could member for Chermside for persistent not spend that money, that is how short he interjection under Standing Order 123A. was. Once again, however, the coalition Mr HORAN: The Robina hospital short Government is delivering. list is: the Sisters of Charity, the Sisters of I congratulate and thank the very Mercy, Health Care of Australia, Australian successful health care organisations that put Hospital Care and Ramsay Health Care. The in applications to provide public hospital Noosa hospital short list is: the Wesley services at the Robina and Noosa hospitals. Hospital/Noosa District Community Hospital We look forward to an outstanding result and Consortium, the Sisters of Charity, the Sisters outstanding service for the people of the Gold of Mercy and Health Care of Australia. The Coast and the Sunshine Coast. coalition Government is getting on with the job of delivering more of our promises. These Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for outstanding organisations have been questions has expired. shortlisted to provide us with the detail and the design for eventual selection in COOPERATIVES BILL September/October of this year. Hon. D. E. BEANLAND (Indooroopilly— What would Labor have done? On 10 Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) October the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, (11.30 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I Mr Jim Elder, said that Labor would stop the move— Robina hospital. He said that the State Opposition would abandon plans for a full- "That leave be granted to bring in a scale hospital at Robina if it won the next Bill for an Act to provide for the formation, election. The Labor Party did not want to build registration and management of a hospital at Noosa, so we have to tell the cooperatives, and for related purposes." people of the Sunshine Coast, where there is Motion agreed to. massive growth, that Labor would stop the building of any hospital. Fortunately, this Government is starting that project and we will First Reading deliver on that promise until well after the Year Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and 2000. Even on the Gold Coast, which has a Bill, on motion of Mr Beanland, read a first permanent population of over 500,000 and a time. couple of hundred thousand tourists, the Labor Party is opposed to the Robina hospital. The member for Currumbin does not even Second Reading know where she stood. She opposed it in the Hon. D. E. BEANLAND (Indooroopilly— Parliament and then told the press that she Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) did not oppose it. A day later, the Deputy (11.31 a.m.): I move— Leader of her party said—— "That the Bill be now read a second Mrs ROSE: I rise to a point of order. I time." have not opposed the building of a hospital at Over some years the cooperatives Robina in this place. I find the remark industry has approached Government voicing offensive and I ask the Minister to withdraw it. concerns that the present legislation governing Mr HORAN: I take back the remark. The cooperatives in Queensland is outdated and Gold Coast Bulletin of 27 July stated that Gold needs to be radically updated to incorporate Coast based member of Parliament Merri modern commercial practices. The Rose questioned the need for a second public cooperatives industry is extremely significant to hospital at Robina. Of course, Jim Elder has Queensland financially, since there are in set us straight; he said that his party would not excess of 175 cooperatives with an annual build one. Fortunately, we won the election turnover of $1.4 billion and assets exceeding and the hospital will be built. We will give $900m. something to the public. There has been extensive consultation in This is further proof that the Government the development of this Bill, and the is delivering $295m worth of capital works this consultation draft of the Bill was circulated to 1226 Cooperatives Bill 1 May 1997 registered cooperatives, legal and accounting registration and management of cooperatives professional bodies, legal practitioners in Queensland. Part 1 requires that any group specialising in cooperatives law, peak industry forming a cooperative abide by the bodies, consumer groups, other States and cooperative principles of voluntary association, Territories and other Queensland Government open membership, democratic control, departments. The Bill has received member economic participation, autonomy overwhelming support from all interest groups and independence, cooperation amongst affected. Wherever possible, consistent with cooperatives and concern for the community. the adoption of core provisions, submissions Part 1 also provides that the Bill is to be made by industry groups arising out of the construed, where there is doubt as to consultation process have been incorporated interpretation, so as to promote cooperative in the Bill. principles. Part 1 also specifies those A problem was identified some years ago provisions of the Corporations Law relating to as to the lack of consistency between the fundraising which will not apply to cooperatives cooperatives legislation of the States and pursuant to the inter-governmental Territories, and a working party of the Standing agreement. Committee of Attorneys-General was established to address this problem. In Part 2 deals with the formation of October 1996, SCAG agreed that the best cooperatives, associations and federations of way of achieving substantially uniform cooperatives. A cooperative may be a trading cooperatives legislation throughout Australia or a non-trading cooperative depending upon was to have an inter-Government agreement its rules. A trading cooperative gives returns or incorporating core legislative provisions which distributions on share capital; a non-trading would be consistent across all jurisdictions, cooperative does not give returns or distributions on share capital, other than the and would apply to all interstate and intrastate nominal value of shares (if any) on a winding- trade by cooperatives. up. Currently the Corporations Law has applied to cooperatives who have members or Non-trading cooperatives are traditionally issue securities across State/Territory borders. non-profit organisations; by contrast, trading However, in October 1996 the Ministerial cooperatives exist for the purpose of Council for Corporations approved a resolution maximising the financial position of members exempting cooperatives from the fundraising through the services offered. Necessarily, provisions of the Corporations Law. Each therefore, different disclosure regimes apply to State and Territory is to sign the Consistent each type of cooperative in relation to Cooperatives Laws Agreement (the fundraising activities. agreement) under which each jurisdiction Part 3 removes existing restrictions on the agrees to enact cooperatives legislation legal capacity and powers of cooperatives containing the agreed core consistent currently constrained by their own individual provisions. rules. General powers similar to those relating Provided Queensland enacts the core to the capacity of a natural person are consistent provisions, Queensland is free to conferred on cooperatives, so that the enact additional provisions tailored to situation of cooperatives is assimilated to that Queensland's circumstances, which has of corporations under the Corporations Law. occurred in this Bill. The template legislation Part 4 deals with membership of for this national scheme has been enacted by cooperatives, and provides for a grievance Victoria in the form of the Cooperatives Act procedure in relation to disputes under the 1996. This Bill is modelled on that legislation. rules of the cooperative. Applications may also This Bill repeals the Primary Producers' be made to the Supreme Court to hear and Cooperative Associations Act 1923, and the determine disputes. Part 4 provides remedies Cooperative and Other Societies Act 1967, for oppressive conduct of the affairs of the and incorporates the core consistent cooperatives, and provides for statutory provisions of the national legislative scheme derivative actions. under the inter-governmental agreement. It is Part 5 provides that the rules of a contemplated that all jurisdictions should have cooperative constitute a contract between the their cooperatives legislation incorporating the cooperative and each member; it also core consistent provisions in effect by July provides for the alteration and registration of 1997. these rules. Part 6 legislates to retain the This is a large and comprehensive Bill principle of active member control of dealing with every aspect of the formation, cooperatives. The cooperative principle of 1 May 1997 Cooperatives Bill 1227 member economic participation necessitates Corporations Law in satisfaction of the the requirement for active membership. cooperative's liabilities upon a winding-up. If a Only members actively participating in the subordinated debt is to be used to raise cooperative may control the cooperative. additional bank funding or to give comfort in Central to this proposition is the principle of existing bank arrangements, the subordinated one member one vote. Part 6 enacts debt must be for a minimum period of seven provisions to assist cooperatives to manage years in accordance with the Reserve Bank takeover risks. If a member's whereabouts are definition of subordinated debt. Where, unknown to the cooperative or the member however, a subordinated debt is to be used to has not fulfilled the active membership raise additional funding from other financial obligations under the rules for a period of institutions, which are regulated under the three years (or less, if so provided by the rules) Financial Institutions Code, or where the the board must cancel the member's subordinated debt is to be used to give membership (although the board can defer comfort in existing arrangements with financial cancellation for up to one year), and must institutions, requirements similar to those repay any outstanding amount due to the applicable to the Reserve Bank standard for member. However, if repayment would subordinated debt apply, but the relevant adversely affect the cooperative's financial minimum period is a shorter period, namely, position, the board may convert the amount five years. into a deposit or debenture. Part 10 provides that a cooperative may Part 7 provides for the issue of shares, obtain finance and accommodation, which the disclosure of beneficial and non-beneficial includes leasing or borrowing of money by any interests in shares, and the procedures for means, or give security for the repayment of transferring and repurchasing shares. The money only as provided for by its rules and in interface arrangements with the Corporations accordance with the relevant regulation made Law require that shares may not be held by under this legislation. The registrar may give a non-members. Part 8 provides that voting cooperative directions as to obtaining, rights attach to membership, and not to repaying or refinancing of financial shareholding. accommodation. Part 10 provides for a Part 9 relates to the management and deposit to be taken by a cooperative, provided administration of cooperatives. It provides for it currently has a deposit-taking power. New the election of directors, and includes provision cooperatives will not be empowered to accept for independent directors to be elected. It also deposits, having regard to the application of regulates the duties and responsibilities of the Financial Institutions (Queensland) Code. directors, and the keeping and auditing of Cooperatives may obtain financial accounts, registers, records and returns. accommodation by way of debentures from Part 10 provides cooperatives with a more both non-members and members, and extensive range of mechanisms than is different regimes will apply in respect of each. currently available for determining the optimal Part 10 also provides for the registration of capital structure to best service the needs of charges, and matters relating to the the members. This should ensure that appointment of receivers and other controllers cooperatives remain competitive with other of property of cooperatives. forms of incorporation. Debentures and subordinated debt are to be available to Part 11, which is restricted to trading cooperatives, provides for disclosure members and non-members. Subordinated requirements in relation to relevant interests in debt is a hybrid debt equity instrument, and the voting rights or shares of members. A may be treated as a form of equity provided it "relevant interest" is not to exceed 20% of the is appropriately structured. Current practice nominal value of the issued share capital of requires subordinated debt to be held for a the cooperative. minimum of five years. The debt must be subordinated to all other unsecured creditors Part 12 allows two or more cooperatives and rank before the claims of all member to consolidate all or any of their assets, shareholders of the cooperative on a winding- liabilities and undertakings by way of a merger up. The debt must not be redeemable at the or a transfer of engagements. It also enables initiative of the lender without the prior consent a cooperative to change its legal status so of the registrar. that, for example, it could become a The debt is capable of being treated as corporation under the Corporations Law. Part property of the cooperative to be applied 12 also provides for winding up and the according to normal principles under the appointment of administrators. 1228 Mount Isa Mines Limited Agreement Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

Part 13 provides for arrangements and This Bill will immensely improve the legal reconstructions. position of cooperatives in Queensland by Part 14 recognises the separate rendering the requirements regarding registration and operation of interstate and disclosure and fundraising much less onerous international cooperative organisations in and by facilitating trading by cooperatives Queensland and allows Queensland across State boundaries. These reforms cooperatives to undertake business interstate. represent a dramatic advance on the present Queensland legislation governing This may take the form of recruiting members cooperatives. I commend the Bill to the or issuing securities across State or Territory House. borders without the restrictions formerly imposed by the Corporations Law. Part 14 Debate, on motion of Ms Spence, provides for the concept of a "foreign adjourned. cooperative", which may be either: (a) a participating cooperative which is a MOUNT ISA MINES LIMITED cooperative registered under AGREEMENT AMENDMENT BILL cooperatives legislation enacted by a Hon. T. J. G. GILMORE (Tablelands— participating jurisdiction in Minister for Mines and Energy) (11.43 a.m.), accordance with the inter- by leave, without notice: I move— Governmental agreement; or "That leave be granted to bring in a (b) a non-participating cooperative which Bill for an Act to amend the Mount Isa operates under the laws of another Mines Limited Agreement Act 1985." jurisdiction. Motion agreed to. Participating cooperatives may be registered by the registrar upon the production of a certificate from the registrar of a participating First Reading State. Non-participating cooperatives may be Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and registered if they satisfy the registrar that they Bill, on motion of Mr Gilmore, read a first time. comply with the cooperative principles as embodied in the provisions of this Bill. Part 14 also allows Queensland cooperatives and Second Reading foreign cooperatives to consolidate all or any Hon. T. J. G. GILMORE (Tablelands— of their assets, liabilities and undertakings by Minister for Mines and Energy) (11.44 a.m.): I way of a merger or a transfer of engagements. move— Part 15 enhances the registrar's power to "That the Bill be now read a second undertake investigations and enforcement and time." to ensure that the interests of cooperatives, Mining at Mount Isa commenced shortly their members and the public generally are after silver-lead-zinc ores were discovered protected. Part 15 provides for the supervision there in 1923. The mine survived low metal and inspection of cooperatives and the prices, the harsh dry climate, isolation and holding of inquiries into cooperatives. The unwillingness of Australians to invest in the provisions regarding powers conferred on project. inspectors under this Bill have modified the Mr Welford: And massive subsidies. Victorian template legislation to conform to the greatest extent possible, while retaining core Mr GILMORE: Would the member like consistency, with the inspectors' powers found me to close it down? I appreciate the in other Queensland consumer legislation. interjection. Part 16 confers specific functions on the Mr Welford: Keep going. registrar as chief executive. It also appoints a Mr GILMORE: In that case, I ask the deputy registrar and assistant registrars as member to be a little less inane with his necessary for the purposes of the Act. interjections. Mount Isa Mines Limited not only continued to grow, but over the next 60 years Part 17 provides for offences, including it became the biggest single mine producer of that of providing false and misleading both lead and silver in the world, and was in statements, and also provides for civil the top 10 in both zinc and copper. remedies and injunctive relief. In 1985, the Queensland Government Part 18 deals with general administrative recognised the importance of Mount Isa's details of the operation of the scheme. mining and smelting operations to the State 1 May 1997 Mount Isa Mines Limited Agreement Amendment Bill 1229 economy by passing the Mount Isa Mines of the new agreement attached to the Bill Limited Agreement Act. The Bill now before shows that MIM has agreed to operate its the House will amend the MIM Agreement Act smelters under the same conditions as those to ratify a variation to the existing agreement. in its current environmental licence, issued by The variation to the existing agreement will the Department of Environment. The facilitate one of the largest investments in the amendment will remove the threat of having to Queensland mining industry in recent years, to close the smelters and put several hundred establish a major new industry in the north jobs at risk should some event cause the west, and to take a quantum step in reducing WMC acid plant to be unable to accept all the the overall level of atmospheric emissions. smelter gases. Such an event may be a hiatus in transport arrangements or a temporary More than $1.5 billion is to be invested in change in market conditions. It would not be the north west Queensland mineral province expected to be anything other than transitory. by two of Australia's largest mining companies, The amendment also requires MIM to Mount Isa Mines Limited and Western Mining participate in a panel assessment study of the Corporation. MIM is planning to develop its environmental, health and social effects of the Enterprise copper deposit and to supply smelter gases. The results of this panel smelter gases to WMC which will use these assessment study will be published and gases in the largest sulphuric acid plant in the incorporated into the integrated environmental world. This project will be built at Mount Isa. The sulphuric acid will be used to make high management system that the new agreement analysis fertilisers from the immense requires MIM to develop for the smelters. phosphate rock deposits at Duchess and from Those who have been criticising this ammonia, made from natural gas, that will be proposed amendment Bill in the media and piped 840 kilometres from south-west elsewhere have shown ignorance of the Queensland. principles of ecologically sustainable development and the procedures in the This integrated development will bring Environmental Protection Act. The sulphuric economic benefits to the region and to acid plant will vastly improve the sustainability Queensland, but it will also bring significant of the smelting operations at Mount Isa and benefits to the environment. The scrubbing of will reduce gaseous emissions by up to 80%. the gases from the copper smelter and the sulphuric acid plant will result in an 80% The Environmental Protection Act requires reduction in sulphur dioxide released from the the consideration of 10 standard criteria when two smelters at Mount Isa and an even deciding the conditions of a licence. These greater reduction in particulate matter released standard criteria include Commonwealth and to the atmosphere. The ISASMELT State standards, any environmental developments will enhance existing assessment or report, the character of the environmental controls resulting from the environment that could be affected, best improved smelter efficiency that the practice environmental management, financial ISASMELT technology has provided in the last implications, and the public interest. The couple of years and the sophisticated air licence is issued for the life of the project, but quality control system that MIM has operated may be amended if the project changes or a for almost 20 years to protect the population new environmental protection policy is of Mount Isa from unacceptable exposure to introduced. The conditions in the present MIM sulphur dioxide. smelter licence meet these criteria. In particular, the ambient air quality standards Because of the huge investment and the used are those of the United States unusual cooperation of companies that are Environmental Protection Agency—standards traditionally rivals in the mining industry, MIM that have been thoroughly reviewed over a sought to vary its existing agreement with the period of years and reauthorised in 1996. State Government. The main purpose of the These standards are considered to represent variation is to reduce the risk that MIM's best practice and are more practical than the smelters could be shut down if the WMC stringent air quality goals that the Australian sulphuric acid plant were unable on occasion, National Health and Medical Research Council for some external reason, to accept the is aiming for. The National Health and Medical smelter gases. An amendment to the MIM Research Council goal for one hour average Agreement Act is required to give the new concentration is currently met for more than agreement force of law. 99.5% of the time in Mount Isa, and quite MIM is not seeking any reduction of its clearly this situation will improve even further environmental responsibilities. An examination under the proposed developments. 1230 Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996 1 May 1997

The Environmental Protection Act also HEALTH (DRUGS AND POISONS) provides natural justice to a company that REGULATION 1996 would be adversely affected by a new Disallowance of Statutory Instrument environmental protection policy or a national environmental protection measure. If Mrs EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha) necessary, the licence conditions would be (11.50 a.m.): I move— reviewed against all the standard criteria to "That Sections 68, 164, 176 and 263 decide whether the licence conditions should of the Health (Drugs and Poisons) be changed. If the conditions were changed Regulation 1996, No. 414, Gazetted on and if the new requirements were not 20 December 1996 and tabled in the practicable, the company may submit an Parliament on 28 January 1997 be environmental management program. The disallowed." program sets out how the company will reduce I move this disallowance motion to the environmental harm or move towards the poisons regulation today because of my standard. It would take into account the risk of serious concerns at the wilful and ignorant environmental harm and best practice. The actions of the Minister. He dangerously put at length of the program would usually relate to risk the lives of people living in rural areas who the capital investment involved. would have been at risk through receiving insufficient medication or, in isolated areas, no It is worth noting that the proposed medication—and this is a Health Minister! This amendment to the MIM Agreement Act will regulation says everything about the not exclude the operations at Mount Isa from procedures of this arrogant and sadly out-of- the Environmental Protection Act, with the touch Minister. These regulations were exception of the ambient air quality limits. introduced because the Minister wanted to Mr Welford: Precisely. curry favour with a narrow sectional interest without regard for the people seeking health Mr GILMORE: Would the member like care and services—the people for whom he to interject now? should feel responsible. He possibly said yes Mr Welford: That is the only point of to it without consulting anyone in his concern. department. As usual, he was trying to appease the audience to whom he was Mr GILMORE: Would the member like speaking at that time; he certainly ignored all to interject? He can tell us all about it. He can of the advice from nurses and remote area tell us all how dreadful it is. I am sure that the health workers. honourable member for Mount Isa will be rather pleased when we tell the folks in Mount Certainly, there was no stampede of Isa about the way the member is dealing with doctors or pharmacists rushing to rural areas to take over the role of dispenser that directors this matter! of nurses have been forced to assume Mr Welford: Oh, get on with it. because of a lack of those facilities. The effect Mr GILMORE: It is okay; I have all day. was to strip nurses, particularly those in rural areas, of the ability to administer medication to Despite retaining the existing legal limits, the patients. I will read a typical letter, this one is panel assessment study and the integrated from a resident of Baralaba. I hasten to say environmental management system required that this does not affect people in Brisbane under the new agreement will result in and the south-east corner of Queensland, but continual improvement of the environment only those people represented largely by the performance at Mount Isa. National Party—in fact, I think almost entirely The other effect of this Bill is to remove by the National Party. It states— any possibility of a new agreement, approved "As a resident of Baralaba I am by regulation under the MIM Agreement Act, alarmed to be informed that legislation from amending this Act or another Act. This is has been passed for the Health (Drugs to comply with the recommendations of a and Poisons) Regulations 1996 which recent review of legislation containing potential prevents access to medications for most Henry VIII clauses by the Scrutiny of residents. Legislation Committee. I commend the Bill to The hospital pharmacy has always the House. supplied all prescriptions that the doctor Debate, on motion of Mr McGrady, has written in this town because:- adjourned. (a) There is no chemist within 60 km. 1 May 1997 Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996 1231

(b) The town is not serviced by a maternity section at QE II Hospital—great Pharmacist. idea; it is just that the doctors at QE II knew (c) There is no public transport and in nothing about it. So the Minister in his some cases no private transport. misleading way said, "It will take pressure off Logan and Mater." The only problem is that (d) There is no daily transport. Logan's maternity wing had been half-closed (e) The town is isolated and can be cut all year because of the funding problems and off in times of flood. the Mater is still reeling from its budget cuts. (f) Baralaba has a large aged What about Townsville? The Minister went population. up there and said, "The redevelopment is (g) A number of residents are illiterate proceeding" and the next week announced a (Due to age or eyesight) new greenfield site. Last week in the glossy brochure on Health achievements, we find the This latest service cut has the Townsville redevelopment—— potential to cause huge health, social and financial problems. I am told that I can be Mr FitzGerald: Stick to the point. given a (3) day supply and given a Mrs EDMOND: I am getting to the point prescription to have filled the best way I that the Minister constantly misleads the can! The people who have put this people; he is misleading the people across the legislation together have little respect for electorate on his work. The Townsville rural areas. We do not have the services development is back as one of his of the City and request that you achievements. The promised public hospitals reconsider the administrative decision of to Noosa and Robina now are getting private the Health (Drugs and Poisons) hospitals and yet people are expected to take Regulation of 1996 and the implications him seriously on Health. So it is with this for nurses. regulation. We are always told to finish a These regulations are a classic example course of antibiotics—if we are given a of an arrogant Minister who has, more than three day supply and have no way of ever in the history of Queensland, centralised having the prescription filled to complete health care and the advice he receives in the course—in a year or so we could have some good strains of uncontrollable Brisbane and has ignored the needs and infections around." wishes of people across Queensland. This super centralised system, which is the How true— Minister's own brainchild, has seen Health "Our local hospital has provided a reduced to a budget-driven—not care-driven— great service to our community and we process with record bed closures, restricted have always relied upon a quality 24 hour specialist services and limits to surgeries such service. Please have an amendment that only after local protests was Gympie made to this legislation to allow our Hospital directed to treat patients from outside hospital to continue to dispense our the area of its notional budget quota zone. medication." Mr FitzGerald: This is not bash-the- That letter was typical of many, many letters I Minister time. This is a motion moved for the received from rural and remote areas across disallowance of a regulation. Queensland. It is no wonder people in rural Mrs EDMOND: I am explaining why I areas are turning away from the National Party am withdrawing the disallowance motion. I when they have this fool of a Minister treating gave notice of it in the first place because of them so contemptuously. the job threats to the CEOs of the hospitals. By the time the Minister got back to his They have had to be more concerned about department, the phones were running hot covering up problems than speaking out and from country hospitals complaining about the drawing to the attention of the Minister the regulations. The poor CEO, Dr Stable, was as problems that his regulations have produced usual left to clear up the mess, and the for those hospitals and the patients whom Minister promptly blamed the departmental they are caring for. But after months of staff and disowned the regulations. I am denying the fact that these poisons reliably informed by senior people in the regulations caused major problems for rural department who are now used to this and remote health care, with serious performance that Dr Stable ran around saying, implications for people with diabetes, blood "Oh no, he's done it again", just as he did with pressure problems and infections, the Minister his announcement on the opening of the has finally gained some sense. After months 1232 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997 of saying that every health worker and critic Government was going to deny people access was wrong, the Minister saw the light only to fishing in all national parks. when I indicated that I would move this Let me just outline for the benefit of disallowance motion. honourable members the true history of what I welcome this belated surge of the law was. I see Mr Stoneman in the commonsense and, because of that and the Chamber. subsequent changes made to the regulations Mr Stoneman: You ask the thousands in keeping with my motion, I now seek leave of of fishermen what they thought of the law. the House to withdraw the notice of disallowance motion standing in my name. Mr WELFORD: Mr Stoneman was one of the miscreants who told lies to fishermen Leave granted. and recreational fishers in northern Queensland by falsely claiming that the previous Government was about denying NATURE CONSERVATION them the right to fish in national parks. That AMENDMENT BILL was false and misleading. It is typical of the Second Reading reputation which Mr Stoneman has developed in his electorate and in this Parliament. He is Resumed from 4 December 1996 (see habitually incapable of telling the truth. Prior to p. 4876). 1992, national parks fishing was governed by Mr ARDILL (Archerfield) (12 noon): This the Fauna Conservation Act—— Bill before the House seeks to remove the Mr STONEMAN: I rise to a point of sunset clause in the environment Bill that order. I find the words of the honourable corrected a mistake made by the previous member offensive and ask that they be National Party Government which prohibited withdrawn. fishing in national parks throughout Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Laming): Queensland. The Labor Government took the Order! The member for Burdekin finds those opportunity to correct that mistake and to comments offensive. consider the issue of fishing within national parks. It inserted a sunset clause to the effect Mr WELFORD: Yes, I withdraw. It is just that those national parks which had not been a pity that, in representations that he made to approved for fishing in the interim period would his electorate and the people of north eventually revert to that situation and fishing Queensland in relation to this matter during would be prohibited as at the year 2000. the election campaign or in the run-up to the election campaign, he was unable to tell the There was quite an outcry at the time, but truth. The truth was that, under the national we were seeking to regularise a situation that parks and wildlife legislation and the Fauna then occurred despite the laws passed— Conservation Act, which preceded the nature whether intentionally or inadvertently—by the conservation legislation that the previous previous National Party Government to prohibit Labor Government introduced, fishing in fishing. Quite frankly, I cannot see that this is national parks had been prohibited for years. It any improvement on the existing situation at was prohibited for years under the law of the all, because in the interim we have allowed Government of which Mr Stoneman was a fishing in all national parks. The whole matter Cabinet member. That was not uncommon in can then be assessed and considered in the past. As members would well know, the plenty of time for the operation of the sunset Fitzgerald inquiry well and truly demonstrated clause. I do not believe that it is a major issue, this. While Mr Stoneman and his cohorts were but it certainly is a heavy-handed approach to members of the Cabinet of the Government of a situation which is not urgent or imminent. the State, they stood by while laws were Mr WELFORD (Everton) (12.01 p.m.): routinely breached and contravened, not only The Opposition is not raising any objection to in the police force but in a whole range of this amending legislation in relation to an ways. One of them happened to be fishing in amendment to the Nature Conservation Act. national parks, which was prohibited under The issue of fishing in national parks was a their laws and which they never, ever controversial issue before the Mundingburra enforced. by-election. It was made controversial as a The former Labor Government introduced result of false and misleading statements a Nature Conservation Act which, in that made by various members of the now respect, reflected and mirrored the existing Government in northern Queensland laws that the previous Government had never purporting to suggest that the previous Labor enforced. However, the difference between us 1 May 1997 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1233 and the previous Government was that we whether, in certain circumstances, the zoning were alerted to, and became aware of, the of various fishing areas might be more anomaly in the Nature Conservation Bill that appropriately changed. The Department of we had presented to the Parliament. Before Primary Industries also assisted the that Bill ever became law and before it ever Department of Environment at that time in prohibited anyone from fishing in national assessing the conservation values and fishing parks—contrary to the dishonest assertions by activities in streams and national parks the member opposite—we introduced an between Cape Palmerston and Cape York, amendment, pending a proper assessment of covering some 2,000 kilometres of coastline. where it was appropriate or inappropriate to In the course of that assessment, it was first fish in national parks, to allow fishing in suggested that some 17 streams and national parks. When that amendment was estuaries within national parks were such that introduced, that was the first time that the fishing should not generally be permitted. member for Burdekin had ever heard of the All the proposed amendment does—as prohibition on fishing in national parks. It was an attempt by the Government to offer a sop the first time it came to his notice. Instead of to the Sunfish fishing lobby—is to remove the going out and telling people the truth, that is, sunset clause which, in reality, would have had that our amendment facilitated, for the first no practical effect once the review that we had time under Queensland law, the legitimate undertaken was finalised. To suggest that that right to fish in national parks, he went out and review would not have been finalised and told an untruth. He went out and deliberately management plans could not have been in misled people by suggesting that our law place by the year 2000 is absolutely ludicrous. would stop people from fishing in national parks. I look forward to hearing him in this The date of 31 December 1999 was Parliament recant the dishonesty that he chosen simply to ensure that by that time a perpetrated in making those false proper process was in place to protect the representations. resources of national parks and to ensure that, where fishing could be allowed, it would be Section 57 of the Nature Conservation Act allowed. Although Sunfish representatives restricted the taking of cultural or natural were involved in the consultation process that resources of a protected area except under we had established, they were fed the false licence or regulation. Under previous lines by the member for Burdekin and others legislation, as-of-right fishing in national parks in the National Party. They went to the was therefore prohibited. Our amendments to Mundingburra by-election criticising our the 1992 Nature Conservation Act, which were Government for what they believed mistakenly introduced in 1994, effectively allowed fishing to be an attempt to ban fishing in national in all national parks subject only to size limits, parks. If we were ever intending to ban fishing bag limits and species restrictions under the in national parks, we would have done so by Fisheries Act 1994. An area would be leaving the Nature Conservation Bill as it was. restricted only by making a regulation to give If we had intended to ban fishing in national effect to a management plan for a particular parks, we would not have introduced—prior to national park. The Nature Conservation Act the Act taking effect—the amendments that specifically provides for the preparation of allowed the fishing to occur. A proper management plans in national parks. Those consultation process was put in place to management plans might, among other ensure that an assessment would be things, regulate the taking of any cultural or undertaken. natural resources, including fish, from a national park. Mr Stoneman: You were found out and appropriately dealt with. We introduced amendments which did the direct opposite to what members of the Mr WELFORD: I look forward to the Government—then in Opposition—were offering of the member for Burdekin and the claiming would happen. Our amendments advice that he will give to Sunfish and other allowed fishing in all national parks. In the representative bodies when his own meantime, we established a consultation Government ultimately realises that we cannot process involving peak fishing groups to have fishing in every national park in identify areas in which a substantial and Queensland. The Minister has already established pattern of fishing presently exists indicated that at least some of the 17 streams and to assess the conservation values of and estuaries to which I have referred, which those areas. This was aimed at determining in were identified when we were in which parks the fishing resource was capable Government—— of being fished in an unfettered way and Mr Stoneman: That is a different issue. 1234 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

Mr WELFORD: It is not a different unfettered tourism and recreation but primarily issue. It is precisely where we were heading. national parks should be regarded as a This legislation will demonstrate that this sanctuary for the protection of native plants Government will come around precisely to the and wildlife. That is a worldwide paradigm shift position to which we were heading. It was our in regard to how the management of national amendments that protected the interim rights parks is conducted. They are no longer just of fishers to fish in national parks, contrary to recreational parks for tourism developers or the dishonesty of the member for Burdekin. In hunters of any kind, including fishing. The fact, our 1994 amendment expanded the reality is that the primary and cardinal principle rights of individuals to fish in national parks, of protection in national parks, as outlined in but the sunset clause removing the specific section 17 of the Nature Conservation Act, is identification of fishable parks was interpreted to provide to the greatest possible extent the mistakenly as ultimately leading to a total permanent preservation of the area's natural prohibition at the end of 1999. That is false. condition and the protection of the area's The honourable member knows it is false. His cultural resources and values, to present and Government will end up with exactly the same protect the area's cultural and natural result that we would have reached had that resources and their values and to ensure that the only use of the area is nature-based and consultation process proceeded. The reason ecologically sustainable. I unequivocally that the sunset clause could be in place, and the reason it could still be left there, quite commit this side of the House, the Opposition, frankly, is that the clause that we added to those principles. I unequivocally commit the allowing fishing in national parks will be Opposition, the Labor Party, to the principle superseded—will be of no use, superfluous, that the human enjoyment of national parks is pointless—once the management plans for to be encouraged, but only in the context in the national parks are in place. which the first priority is to ensure the protection of non-human species in their Mr Stoneman: What a funny attitude natural habitat. The reality is that no other you have. species is allowed to be taken, captured or Mr WELFORD: That is something that I hunted in national parks as a right, except would not expect someone like the member under licence or permission under a for Burdekin to understand. management plan. It is difficult, if not impossible, to identify an argument that would In reality, the intention of our legislation make an exception for fish. However, the was to allow fishing in suitable areas. That, as proposed amendment in so far as it goes is I understand from my discussions with the unobjectionable to us in that it only removes a Minister, Mr Littleproud, is precisely what will sunset clause that would have become happen. In certain areas, fishing will be obsolete in any event once the management allowed under regulated arrangements; in plans were put in place. The Minister advises other areas, fishing will not be allowed where it me that he is in the process of finalising either would threaten the resource or otherwise arrangements or management plans that will, impact adversely on the ecological in fact, restrict fishing in national parks to some sustainability of the national parks. I remain 17 or 19—— concerned that the National Party and Mr Littleproud: Regulation. individual members of the National Party, such as the member for Burdekin and the member Mr WELFORD: I note the interjection for Hinchinbrook, simply do not understand from the Minister; he is planning a regulation what is the fundamental principle underlying that restricts fishing in national parks to some national parks. 19-odd national parks. I look forward to scrutinising that regulation and, in particular, Mr Rowell: What would you understand scrutinising the process by which the about national parks? identification of those places has been Mr WELFORD: I hear the member for undertaken. I say unequivocally that our party Hinchinbrook interjecting. He might as well is not opposed to the appropriate recreational stand there with his ignorant mate, the use of national parks or fishing in national member for Burdekin, and be a party to the parks, and I give that unequivocal undertaking lies they told to their electorates prior to the to Sunfish. As we did when we were in Mundingburra by-election. They do not accept Government, we will at all times invite them to the clear, worldwide shift in approach to be part of any consultation to ensure that national park management. These days, parks fishing can occur in those areas where fishing are regarded not merely as resources for can be sustainably undertaken. I trust that that human consumption to be plundered for is the proper process and the proper basis on 1 May 1997 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1235 which the Minister will be identifying the represent in his media defence of his national parks in which fishing will continue to action—the fact that the Premier has done be allowed. that is to my mind a clear indication that the It was never our intention to totally prohibit Premier and the National Party Government fishing in national parks, given that it had a have learned nothing from their time in long-standing history of common practice and Opposition. Their attitude to World Heritage acceptance in the Queensland community. areas remains as it was when they sent Mr However, it must be acknowledged that Muntz travelling to every airport in the world national parks only cover less than 4% of the trying to track down and destroy attempts to entire State. I think there is an argument that, declare World Heritage areas in Queensland, if anywhere is a sanctuary for all species, that in particular the Wet Tropics of northern minuscule 4% of the State ought to be one. Queensland. Perhaps we should be—as a modern mature I dare say that had the Labor society, as the dominant species in the Government not had the opportunity to put ecosystem on which we depend—at least Fraser Island and the Great Sandy Region on mature to enough to say that, if nowhere else, the agenda for World Heritage listing, they perhaps national parks ought to be the one would still not be listed to this very day. The place where all species, including fish, are people who in this debate go out of their way protected. I believe that ultimately that may be to defend their dishonesty about their position the position to which the Queensland on fishing in national parks prior to the community comes, as we as a society Mundingburra by-election—people such as the continue to scour away at the natural resource member for Hinchinbrook and the member for on which all life support systems depend. For Burdekin—are the very same people who the time being, we accept, as the current simply do not recognise World Heritage in any Government does, that recreational fishing in shape or form. To this very day they do not national parks has a long-standing history. To recognise it. They do not recognise that there prohibit it absolutely overnight is not is any appropriate mechanism under the appropriate, is not the current Government's United Nations Convention for the Protection intention and was never our intention. of Important Cultural and Natural Heritage of However, in the context of fishing in areas the World to be identified and preserved as of important conservation value, I cannot pass such. If those members had their way, Fraser up the opportunity to comment upon the Island would be just another picnic park to proposed fishing festival at the northern end of which everyone could go and do what they Fraser Island. As members of the Parliament damned well liked. That is their attitude to the would know, when Labor was in Government it environment. That is the embarrassment of arranged for the Toyota fishing classic, as it is certain members of the National Party whom known this year, to be held on Fraser Island the beleaguered Minister for Environment but moved to those areas where the must carry, along with the burden that he commission of inquiry into the conservation carries as "Minister for trying to protect the and management of Fraser Island identified environment". He has a portfolio in a as appropriate for more intensive use. The Government that has no serious or genuine Premier has overridden the Environment interest in protecting the environment. Minister, trampled on the Environment The Premier stands condemned for his Minister's portfolio responsibilities and any attitude and his approach to Fraser Island. respect that he had for the Environment The Premier has no regard for the important Minister's exercise of those responsibilities, natural and cultural values of Fraser Island's and directed by executive fiat that fishing be northern region, specifically identified by allowed north of Eurong on Fraser Island up to Commissioner Fitzgerald. The opening of the Ngkala Rocks in the Orchid Beach area in airport to provide what is, in effect, a $250,000 direct breach of the management guidelines taxpayer-funded subsidy to a private that Commissioner Fitzgerald recommended in developer who wants to build a further respect of the nature zone of that area. development—as answers to questions on As to the prospect that thousands of notice have now revealed—is an absolutely fishers in hundreds of four-wheel drives will scandalous situation. It runs in direct conflict congregate in one area to conduct intensive with the obligations that this State fishing in one part of Fraser Island, which Government has to protect the World Heritage Commissioner Fitzgerald identified specifically values of Fraser Island. as a nature zone, not an intensive use zone, Just as the Premier does not have a as the Premier has falsely purported to sincere or genuine regard for the World 1236 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

Heritage values of Fraser Island, nor does he to fishing in national parks, which is going to have a regard for the World Heritage values of be restricted by the Minister anyhow—unless, Hinchinbrook or the Great Barrier Reef Marine of course, the National Party gets to him and Park adjacent to the Oyster Point throttles him like it has over a range of other development. This morning during question issues, or unless it nobbles him like it has time the Premier's outburst was an absolute nobbled him on other issues. The end result is disgrace. The Premier traipsed off to Canberra that fishing in national parks will be allowed but to try to put pressure on the Federal Minister allowed in those areas where it can be to remove the protections of the Federal sustained ecologically. The Opposition Government's World Heritage legislation that supports that proposal. If that is what the protects those World Heritage values. The Minister is putting forward, he has my support Premier's behaviour demonstrated that he 100%, because it is the only support that he does not want World Heritage values on seems to be getting from anywhere. I will give Hinchinbrook protected. him support on that. Mr LITTLEPROUD: I rise to a point of Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook) order. Mr Deputy Speaker, I seek a ruling from (12.28 p.m.): After listening to that waffle, I you as to whether or not the Leader of the think that the Opposition Environment Opposition is straying a long way away from spokesman must be bathing in the glory of the Bill before the House. last night as "A Night to Remember Forever". Mr WELFORD: I thank the honourable It was very interesting to see the list of people member for the premature promotion. who were invited along to that event. It is certainly no commendation of Governments in Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Laming): general that those members opposite have Order! The Chair has been fairly lenient. I think twisted and turned since they were in those specific items are not in order in the Government. People do not really know in debate on this Bill. what direction they are going. First, the Mr WELFORD: Mr Deputy Speaker, I Opposition supported Port Hinchinbrook, and respect your ruling, but it was a provocation by now it is dead set against it. the Premier that was too good—— Mr Welford: I never supported it. Government members interjected. Mr ROWELL: The member did not, but Mr WELFORD: Yes, I am talking about he was in a Government that supported it. the Premier's statement this morning. The That is the whole point of it. The member does Environment Minister has been silenced on not know what he is doing. He is a joke. that issue. He has been silenced on anything Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I to do with World Heritage. Whether it is suggested to the previous speaker that he Hinchinbrook, the Great Barrier Reef, Fraser stay on the Bill and, to be consistent, I ask the Island—it does not matter what it is—the member for Hinchinbrook to do the same. Environment Minister is a lame duck. When it comes to protecting World Heritage, he is an Mr ROWELL: I will do that. impotent Minister. I feel sorry for him; he is a In September 1994 an amendment to the pleasant enough fellow, but he is impotent. Nature Conservation Act was enacted by the That is the burden that he will have to bear. previous Labor Government. Section 62(4) of He is Minister "Little to be proud of". He will that Act allowed fishing to take place in simply have to pass on the legacy of his time national parks as specified in regulations of as a Minister in a Government that would 1994, while section 62(5) determined that never support him to achieve any of the things recreational fishing was to cease on 31 that he or his department might from time to December 1999. That is what it said in the time genuinely feel ought to be supported or, regulations; it was to cease on 31 December in the case of World Heritage values, 1999. protected. Mr Welford: That is not what it said. I will wind up my speech by saying simply Mr ROWELL: The member must not be that the Opposition has no objection to this able to read. That is what it says. amendment. It has no significant effect on fishing in national parks. No doubt the Mr Welford: You are a dill. members of the Government will get up and Mr ROWELL: And I return the say, "There we are. We have done our job compliment to the honourable member. What and delivered on our promise to Sunfish." The he knows about national parks and nature reality is that this amendment does not matter conservation could be written on the back of a zilch. It does not make one iota of difference postage stamp with a four inch brush. 1 May 1997 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1237

Mr Welford interjected. regulatory impact statement is required under Mr ROWELL: It is a fact. Sooner or the Statutory Instruments Act and no later, the light will dawn on people as to the additional impost will be placed on the extent that the member knows about community or any specific group as a result of conservation and about his involvement in it. the changes that are being made. There will The Opposition will twist and turn any way it be a wide acceptance of the amendment with sees fit so that it can grab some political the communities that strongly objected to the motivation out of what it is portraying at the ultimate closure of recreational fishing in time. The Labor Party does not really know national parks. Meetings were held with what it portrays because it varies from one day Sunfish, the peak recreational fishing body, to the next or from one position to the and the Queensland Fish Management another, depending on what it sees to be Authority. Sunfish was totally supportive of advantageous. having the sunset clause removed. The 1994 amendment created enormous A consequential amendment to the 1996 uproar in many areas throughout north Bill is to be moved by the Minister at the Queensland as over a long period many Committee stage to allow the catching of bait people had not been impeded or restricted in national parks. Many fishermen know of locations that have provided them with bait for when fishing in these areas. Streams up and their fishing excursions. It is appropriate that down the Hinchinbrook Channel, for instance, they should also be able to carry out this past in which locals had fished all their lives, were practice as it is recognised as a legitimate part now to be denied them by the 1994 of recreational fishing. amendment of the previous Government. Rallies along the coast were attended by No live introduced bait will be allowed in boating and fishing enthusiasts demonstrating national parks as predatory fish and disease against the unpopular amendment. could be a threat to the indigenous species. It Community people turned out in large is necessary to determine what type of numbers to state their displeasure with this organism can be used as bait as there is a initiative. The member for Burdekin was also need to specifically contain the terminology of present. There were major processions along "bait" to invertebrate species. This will include the highway of almost one kilometre long. worms, yabbies, prawns and pipis, and Many hundreds of people in the Ingham exclude the vertebrates such as frogs and district demonstrated against the unpopular lizards which could cause a problem if their prospect that they may not be able to fish in numbers multiplied. Of course, in north national parks by the end of December 1999. I Queensland it is always very popular to use attended a meeting at the Townsville the barra frog when barramundi fishing. I hope Entertainment Centre where over 2,000 that the Minister will take note of that and that people were up in arms over the commonsense will prevail if the necessity Government's intention to stop all fishing in arises. The barra frog is a popular source of national parks by the turn of the century. bait for barramundi fishermen. The current Premier, when he was the Recreational fishermen have the option of Leader of the Opposition, issued an bringing non-living bait into national parks if unequivocal statement in September 1994 they have no access to live bait in the area. If and again prior to the Mundingburra by- the national parks are not quarantined from election that, should the coalition be the introduction of species, there could be an successful and win Government, the adverse effect on the general ecology of the legislation would be repealed in favour of parks. I believe that that is quite a sensible recreational fishing to continue after the proposal and I have no problem with it. sunset date stipulated by the Labor legislation. However, we must bring commonsense into Consultation took place with recreational the equation. Very often bait can be caught in fishing groups to determine a course of action. nearby streams and, so long as the species Those groups were very representative and I are similar to those in the national park, I do not think that the Government missed any believe that there will be no problem of groups that had a major input into the process introducing disease or unwanted species. whereby fishing would be able to be resumed Areas such as the Hinchinbrook Channel after the year 2000. It was necessary to are renowned for the mud crab Scylla serrata. amend the Nature Conservation Act with this As the Act presently stands, the collection of Bill and nature conservation amendment crabs is not permitted, but there is little doubt regulations were drafted to repeal the sunset that this is not adhered to as many people are clause from the Act and the regulations. No involved in catching this sought-after seafood. 1238 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

The mud crab is the only species of crab Mr Stoneman: Welford Station. generally found in national park areas such as Mr ROWELL: Yes, that is right. There the Hinchinbrook Channel, as other types of are instances where tame fish have been crab such as the spanner crab and blue taken due to their unsuspecting nature after swimmers inhabit deeper waters in sandier many years of a close relationship with human areas. beings. While this has angered many people, The Fisheries Act has provision to control it should serve as a warning to the architects the catch. Surveillance carried out by the of the previous legislation that some Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers ensures mechanism was necessary to prevent this that habitats are monitored in a manner that is from happening. appropriate and that they are regulated by It should also be noted that, where law. Currently, the regulations allow fish to be management plans are being evolved such as taken from all national parks until the year the Hinchinbrook Island Management Plan, 2000. should change be contemplated with streams This really demonstrates that the previous for scientific reasons or otherwise full Government and the legislators were not consultation must occur with the stakeholders. aware that there are many national parks There will be a severe backlash from the locals where, under adverse conditions, streams dry if decisions are made without the involvement up in certain periods of the year. Drought of people who enjoy recreational activities in conditions can be a major factor with stream the areas in question. A pragmatic view must flows and, as a consequence, these streams be adopted by the Department of are reduced to a chain of waterholes for Environment. Many people are getting extended periods of time. If droughts are annoyed that more notice is taken of minority severe, many of these waterholes dry up to groups than of the average person in the the extent that aquatic life could be street. vulnerable. In these instances, it is not The cutting down of coconuts on islands unreasonable that restrictions should be was a purist and unrepresentative view placed on these streams to allow the survival asserted by people who believed they had the of fish stocks and, in some cases, perhaps the right to dictate their direction on how the world survival of a species under adverse conditions. should be. It will never be easy to bring about In an amendment to the nature a change to activities adopted in the past, but regulations, the Minister has decided to list the a more pragmatic process would be more in national parks in which fishing can be carried step with the aspirations of people affected. out. These parks will be subject to the There will be a requirement for some Fisheries Act 1994. The 19 national parks localities within national parks to be reserved listed are popular fishing destinations. It is for scientific purposes. Only seven areas have proposed to list the following national parks been declared. Entry into these areas for any under the nature conservation regulations: purpose will require a permit. The cardinal Bladensburg, Cape Upstart, Diamantina, principle of preserving values in national parks Eurimbula, Lakefield, Lumholtz, West Hill, goes back to legislation over 20 years ago. It Bowling Green Bay, Conway, Dryander, Great was always intended that these areas would Sandy Region, Lawn Hill, Sundown, Cape be set aside to maintain an ecologically Palmerston, Currawinya, Edmund Kennedy, sustainable base for the natural values of the Hinchinbrook, Lochern and Welford. I do not particular areas. However, it was also intended think that they named a national park after the that people would have access to these parks, honourable member; I think it is just an where a range of activities could be carried out accident. in a manner that would not destroy the values Mr Welford: You probably don't even of the area. know where it is. Mr Welford: You are starting to sound Mr ROWELL: Does the honourable like me. member? Mr ROWELL: No, I am not. We are Mr Welford: Yes. being pragmatic. We are trying to bring Mr ROWELL: Good. Currently there are forward a view that is consistent with the no constraints on people who fish in the values of parks. national parks under the former Government's Mr Welford: You ought to read your legislation. own speech instead of reading mine. A Government member: There's a Mr ROWELL: I do not read the good fishing hole near Blackall. honourable member's. They are a waste of 1 May 1997 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1239 time. They have no value. They are a load of uses us as a whipping boy. That is what it hypocrisy. The Opposition is renowned for it. It really is all about. All Opposition members are does not know where it is going; it is lost. concerned about is preserving something that Mr Welford: You are getting lost. Get is far away from the south-east corner, back to your prepared speech. something they have nothing to do with. They do not want to be involved in the economic Mr ROWELL: Opposition members are development of the area; they just want to the ones who are getting lost. They will twist lock the area up, throw the key away and and turn and do anything that suits the promote protests. They simply twist and turn: if political view of the time. Recreational fishing they see that it is popular to support in these parks should not be seen to be an development, off they go and support it; if in activity that would endanger the values of two years' time it is not politically popular, they parks. do not support it. Mr Welford: Hear, hear! The Opposition paid $30,000 for an Mr ROWELL: He agrees. That is advertisement in the Courier-Mail in support of excellent. Those who administered the the Port Hinchinbrook development. Next legislation that applied before the introduction minute, Opposition members are going to of the Nature Conservation Act had the ability nights out opposing that development. I do to restrict activities that were detrimental to the not know what they do when they go to those best interests of a national park. Our national nights out, but from what they say when they parks, the much heralded World Heritage and come back and speak in the Chamber, one forest reserves of north Queensland, have the wonders what really happened. ability to attract tourists from around the world. Mrs Wilson interjected. They should have the ability to provide job opportunities for people and be earning Mr ROWELL: It is the party with the valuable income for the State. Does the stars. member agree with that? Mr Welford: Are you arguing that Mr Welford: Well, if it's tourism, yes. whatever Government is in office should let north Queensland go down the same track as Mr ROWELL: The member agrees if it is south-east Queensland has gone in terms of for tourism. Does he agree if it is for the damage to the environment? Is that what recreational values? It is essential that this you are saying? resource, which now covers 4% of the State, is maintained and administered in a manner so Mr ROWELL: We are not doing that. that its values are preserved for hundreds of Over the hundreds of years of civilisation in years to come. this country, north Queenslanders have preserved the environment particularly well. Mr Welford: Hear, hear! That is why we have the quality of Mr ROWELL: Good; we agree on that. environment we have. We do not need the Never at any time in the history of civilisation member to come up and tell us how to run the have we had the ability to have such an show; we are quite competent to do it impact on the environment. Management of ourselves. We are quite competent to carry any resource requires an awareness of the out the things that we do in north Queensland. effect the use and access to the resource is having on its future. Mr Welford: No, you're not. The challenge before us with Mr ROWELL: In other words—and I will environmental issues is how we manage these get this into the papers in north Queensland— unique areas of the State. There is a small, the shadow Minister for Environment does not vocal group which wants the area locked up know a damned thing about the environment. and the key thrown away. I do not subscribe to He is of the opinion that north Queenslanders that theory. are—— Mr Welford: There's a small group that Mr Welford: No, I said, "You are not wants to flog it all off, too. competent to determine what's going to damage the environment in north Mr ROWELL: No. A very big group in Queensland." north Queensland is very interested in making sure that those values are preserved. After all, Mr ROWELL: That is the honourable we have done it for a long period of time. member's view. I am losing my voice, so I When I come down here I see what has think I had better conclude my speech. happened to the south-east corner; the Mrs ROSE (Currumbin) (12.46 p.m.): It is Opposition goes up to north Queensland and a pleasure to rise and speak to the Nature 1240 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

Conservation Amendment Bill 1996, which took when it was in Government. Labor repeals subsection 62(5) of the Nature wanted to ensure that there were future fish Conservation Act 1992. Some 882,200 stocks that could be enjoyed. I ask: is the Queenslanders over the age of five years Minister going to ensure the future claim to have fished for recreation during the management and protection of depleted fish 1995-96 period. That is 882,200 reasons why stocks and sensitive fish habitats? sensible recreational fishing in national parks It is essential that fish stocks and habitats was to continue under a Labor Government, be managed and protected from interference whether or not this sunset clause was other than essential management practices. removed. A Labor Government wanted to Fish in national parks are unique in that they ensure that there would be plentiful fish stocks move through the national park, having bred so that those 882,200 Queenslanders could elsewhere. That is why their management and still be catching fish at the turn of the century. protection is so vital and why it is so important As a matter of fact, by the year 2000, there will to balance the needs of the natural probably be somewhere around one million environment and habitats and the needs of Queenslanders wanting to pursue fishing. the fishing enthusiast. Some proven effective The reason for the amendment by the ways of managing the stocks and habitats is Labor Government in 1994 was to protect the by establishing bag and size limits and rights of fishing enthusiasts, not just for now restocking. But another effective alternative is but for the future, so that when they go on a catch and release program. I understand their annual fishing holiday in five or 10 years' from my colleague the honourable Robert time, there will still be fish for them to catch. Schwarten, the shadow Minister for Primary Whether or not this sunset clause is removed, Industries, that the catch and release program fishing would have continued in an ecologically has been very successful in the marlin sustainable way in national parks. For the life industry, with almost 100% of black marlin of me, I cannot understand why it has been so caught off Cairns being tagged and released. difficult for members on the Government side Perhaps a catch and release program could of the House to comprehend that. The be given more serious consideration as a removal of the sunset clause is a Clayton's management plan in our national parks. removal. When it comes to reassuring Members may be interested to know that recreational fishing enthusiasts about the a catch and release scheme has proven very future of fishing in national parks, the successful in Yellowstone National Park in the statements by the Premier and by the Minister USA. Members might also be interested to that fishing in National parks will be prohibited know that Yellowstone was the first national after 31 December 1999 was a selective park in the USA and was declared a national interpretation for political purposes. The park in 1872. Under the Yellowstone catch previous Government set up a committee and release program, the fish are caught, comprising Government officers from the removed from the hook and placed back into Department of Environment and Heritage, the their natural environment. In a report in Queensland Fisheries Management Authority, Parkwatch, it is stated that although some of the QCFO, the recreational fishing sector and the fish are protected only through size and conservation organisations to develop a bag limits, there have been significant discussion paper to look at the management increases in size and population of those fish of habitats and depleting fish stocks. protected under the catch and release The committee looked at reports from scheme. It is also reported that although the regional groups and scientific experts with the scheme met with some initial opposition, express purpose of looking to the future anglers have been happy with the outcomes protection and sustainability of fish stocks and because of the size and the population of the habitats. The committee identified not only fish. those national park areas where fishing had With the increase in fish came an traditionally occurred and would continue but increase in other wildlife, particularly bird life, also places where fishing was not appropriate which is equally important to users of national because of the need to preserve the biological parks. I know that my own sons use a catch values of the park estates. and release system—they catch them, they Most people accept that management of take them off the hook and they return them our fish stocks is essential. The Labor to the water—but partly because it is pretty Government had the support of many hard to find someone at home who is representatives of social and recreational prepared to clean and fillet them! One day fishing organisations in the approach that it one of my sons brought home his very prized 1 May 1997 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1241 catch, which was a 65-centimetre flathead he regulations. The amendment concerns the had caught in the Tweed. I do not think one type of bait that can be used for fishing other can catch anything that size in Currumbin than just fish. Because of an anomaly Creek, or I have never seen it, but down at the between the Fisheries Act and the Nature Tweed River they can catch some pretty big Conservation Act, we have had to clarify the fish. regulations to ensure that species such as Mr Ardill: I have seen a groper caught in invertebrates are legally able to be caught in Currumbin Creek. national parks. The legislation covers a number of issues. They are basically Mrs ROSE: That big? housekeeping matters such as I mentioned Ongoing environmental concerns about earlier. The overall intent of the Act is retained. the practice of recreational fishing in national The provision for the catching of crabs, which parks cannot be ignored. There are still unique previously did not come under the habitats and threatened habitats along the classification of "fish", is now being coast and inland which are of high incorporated as well so that the thousands of conservation value. They need to be recreational fishermen will legally be able to identified, scientifically assessed and enjoy the pleasure of catching crabs. protected. There is going to be increasing The number of national parks that will be pressure on our fishing stocks and habitats, covered in the regulations has been and the Government cannot abrogate its increased, and I understand that some of responsibility to ensure that adequate them have been deleted. As the Opposition management plans are put in place to protect spokesman mentioned, there is an ongoing our recreational fishing industry for the future. monitoring program which was initiated by the Mr HEGARTY (Redlands) (12.53 p.m.): former Labor Environment Minister. It is really It is a pleasure to take part in the debate on a matter of looking at how the fish stocks in the Nature Conservation Amendment Bill those parks are progressing. There may from 1996. The amendment Bill is essentially a time to time be a requirement that those parks housekeeping task to tidy up some anomalies or parts of those parks be closed if fish stocks in the existing Act and to facilitate decline to a point at which there is a possibility amendments to the regulations. The two of them becoming extinct. We will be clauses of section 62 of the Act are about monitoring that. That is just another aspect of allowing the catching of invertebrates for bait, the regulations that will be addressed by this and the other is to make provision for ongoing amendment. recreational fishing in national parks beyond As to the other aspect of the Bill, the the year 2000. The good news about this sunset clause—I could not really understand legislation is that there will be no cost to the why the Opposition spokesperson and the community. We are forging ahead and tidying other Opposition speakers were so worried up the Acts introduced by the Labor about that. We are removing that clause Government—not to say that members through this legislation. If at any time things opposite would not have done it themselves get out of hand in a park, remedies can be had they been in office—so that we can tackle introduced through the management program. the hard legislation not only in the So the removal of this clause now does not environment and conservation areas but also prevent us at some future point in time in other areas. reintroducing a similar provision. It is all about A couple of the speakers from the management. The former Government used Opposition questioned the logic of removing a the term "sunset clause"—in other words, it sunset clause at this stage. In my opinion, it is was going to wipe it out entirely. At the end of really a matter of taking the opportunity to do 1999, it would have had to revoke that part of so while the Act is being amended. Why revisit the legislation. We are merely doing that a it, why come back to it in a few years' time? little bit ahead of time, so what is the The decision has been made. It was argument? acknowledged by members opposite that Mr Welford: Exactly. That is why we are recreational fishing was always intended to go not opposing it. beyond the year 2000, so we might as well get Mr HEGARTY: I take the interjection. this matter out of the way now. The member acknowledges that; I am not The regulation is being amended to allow disputing that. But I just wonder why he and a people to take non-living bait into national couple of the other Opposition speakers made parks and to allow them to catch bait in the a big thing of it. national parks if it is prescribed in the Mr Welford: When? Was that today? 1242 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

Mr HEGARTY: Yes. Proposed section 62(5)(a) establishes the Mr Ardill: We said it's irrelevant. current situation which allows only recreational fishing—not commercial or other types of Mr HEGARTY: The member for similar activities. Proposed section 62(5)(b) Archerfield himself raised it. Is he claiming that classifies what I mentioned before, that is, that he said the sunset clause is irrelevant? He in prescribed, endangered, vulnerable or rare fact asked why we are amending it. species under the Nature Conservation Act Mr Ardill: No. I said, "Why are you cannot be taken for the purposes of fishing. putting this Bill into the House, because it's That is the difference between using bait and irrelevant." catching animals. Even though they may be Mr HEGARTY: The honourable fish, under the earlier subsection, if they are member has had his speaking time. Obviously endangered, vulnerable or rare species, they he did not articulate that point, or I might have will be excluded from the rights set out in been making copious notes in preparation for subsection (5)(b). my own contribution. Proposed section 62(5)(c) provides a I must draw the attention of the House capacity for the regulations to specify certain back to the important matter of the national species that may not be taken. Those species parks and the cardinal principle. The member would be prescribed. Proposed section 62(6) is for Hinchinbrook touched on this point. We are designed to cater for situations in national all about maintaining that very important parks, which includes Aboriginal and Torres aspect of conservation. The Opposition Strait Islander land, and fishing may be spokesman suggested that because the parks prohibited. The authority to fish is not as of are national parks we should protect all right, particularly where public safety may be animals, including fish. I certainly go along with involved—bushfires, for example—or other the principle that he is espousing. But as the situations where it would not be wise for the Labor Party actually included recreational public to go into national parks under the fishing in parks when it was in Government, authority of this Act. There is a provision there the member was really contradicting himself. I to prevent them from doing so. wondered why he raised that matter when he Proposed section 62(7) provides for the was unequivocally supporting these definitions of national parks and prescribed amendments, but—— places. This is to reduce the repetition and Mr Welford: I explained that at the end, unnecessary bulk. Of course the last section if you had listened. 65(5), the one we spoke about, provides for the removal of the sunset clause. That section Mr HEGARTY: Obviously I was taking will be omitted completely. further notes at that point, too. I thank the member for making it clearer. This amendment to this Act demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the preservation Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.30 p.m. of one of our greatest assets—our natural Mr HEGARTY: Continuing my speech heritage—and ensures that the 10 million or from before lunch, I would now like to cover so visitor days that are spent in our national the relevant sections that are being amended. parks each year are maintained and that The proposed section 62(4)(a) gives a person those parks are kept in as pristine and natural permission to fish in a national park which is, a condition as possible for the enjoyment of all of course, the situation presently. But, as Queenslanders and visitors from throughout mentioned earlier, we have now also Australia and across the world. That does not prescribed which national parks people will be miss the point that, whilst we are primarily allowed to fish in, whereas before it was an all- worrying about the preservation and protection encompassing right to do so in all of the of our national parks, there is also an State's national parks. economic benefit to the State and to the Proposed section 62(4)(b) allows the region by doing so. taking of bait, but it restricts that to For example, the wet tropics world invertebrate animals such as worms, yabbies, heritage area generates three-quarters of a prawns, pipis, etc., which come under that billion dollars a year. Nearly $180,000 of that is category. At the same time, proposed in general expenditure and so on. subsection (5)(b) maintains the protection of Accommodation takes up another $260m and those vertebrates which form the major the flow-on benefits come to an all-over figure species in the national park by not allowing of around three-quarters of a billion dollars them or any other prescribed or endangered annually. That is a significant amount and species to be used as bait. represents a sizeable income to the State. By 1 May 1997 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1243 the way, half of the people included in the Mr Rowell: I am awake to you. estimated 3.4 million visitor days were from Mr BEATTIE: I am delighted to hear that tourist region. I commend the that he is awake today. With a bit of luck, he amendments to the House as they will allow might even listen today and understand, Rip the continued use of our national parks in a fit Van Winkle, exactly what happened. He might and proper manner. now understand what finally happened all Mr BEATTIE (Leader of the those years ago so Rip Van Winkle can Opposition—Brisbane Central) (2.35 p.m.): actually get out and tell people that he is This Bill is but a further example of the sheer awake. hypocrisy, blatant dishonesty and laziness this Mr FitzGerald: The sandman is getting Government is capable of, having perfected the message. the art through six years in Opposition. Let me explain. In 1992 Pat Comben, the then Mr BEATTIE: The sandman has not Environment Minister, introduced and passed caught up with him. The Leader of the House through this House ground-breaking is right. I am delighted to hear he agrees with environment legislation in the form of the me. Nature Conservation Act. The passing of that Mr FitzGerald: You're the sandman. Act involved several parliamentary days of Mr BEATTIE: That is the most activity debate and months of consultation with both that I have seen out of the honourable key stakeholders and the broader community. member in the eight years I have been in the Contained within that Act was a section House. He ought to be careful; we may have removing two extractive activities from our to call an ambulance. national parks. Fishing was one and The members for Burdekin and commercial bee keeping was the other. The Hinchinbrook shook themselves awake, could debate raged for hour after hour and, apart not understand what was going on, had not from a few queries from the then Opposition, grasped what had happened two years before there was not a beep of protest—not a and simplistically interpreted the 31 December squeak, zilch! The lights were on but obviously 1999 sunset clause as Molly Robson banning no-one was home. The Bill was passed, recreational fishing. Nothing could be further subordinate legislation went into preparation from the truth. Is the member opposite and come September 1994 when full awake? Nothing could be further from the proclamation was about to occur, the then truth. Molly Robson had for the first time in Environment Minister, Molly Robson, realised Queensland history made fishing in national that further time was required to fully explain parks legal. That is what she did. That is right. the impact that the removal of these two Prior to that September 1994 amendment activities would cause. Further time was anybody fishing in a national park was doing it needed to give industry, Government, illegally. They were doing it illegally prior to associations and individuals time to readjust what Molly Robson did. That mob opposite their activities to accommodate these turned a blind eye to it for 32 years. What changes. The Minister introduced an these two members opposite lacked in brains amendment to allow fishing in national parks and intellect they more than made up for in to continue for a further five years. In that sheer, political, rat cunning. They saw an time, further consultation would have allowed opportunity to run a cheap political line in north these issues to have been addressed and Queensland with Sunfish, and run it they did. resolved to the satisfaction of all. "Molly Robson is going to ban fishing in Nothing could have been fairer or more national parks" became the catchcry. There sensible, but not for the Nationals. Oh no, the was nothing complicated; they kept it lights came on at last. The member for simple—typical National Party style—nothing Burdekin and the member for Hinchinbrook intellectual, nothing bright; just keep it simple; shook themselves awake, could not the National Party can understand it only that understand what was going on, had not way. There was no mention of Pat Comben, grasped what had happened two years before no mention of the 1992 Nature Conservation and simplistically interpreted the 31 December Act and no mention of a five year legal 1999 sunset clause—— breathing space to allow changes to be Mr Rowell: Did you gag the debate or made—just an ill-informed, politically not? motivated, pathetic bloody-minded campaign of lies, ignorance and misinformation. Mr BEATTIE: Is the honourable member awake today? A Government member interjected. 1244 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

Mr BEATTIE: The member may well He was not listening, but I congratulate the squeal. He has a guilty conscience about his Minister on going down the road of the behaviour, and so he should. But good luck to negotiations which we started. What duplicity! him. He whipped up the locals, ran What crass hypocrisy! motorcades and roadblocks and did precious After months of attacking Minister Robson little for civic mindedness or community and the Goss Government for trying to solve leadership. Members of the Sunfish the matter, this Government has now adopted organisation behaved little better. While they the very same strategy lock, stock and barrel. entered into negotiations to determine what Where is the member for Hinchinbrook now? solutions were at hand and what changes He has disappeared. Do we have him out needed to be made, they played a far there attacking his Government for doing what different role in their public pronouncements we did? No, we do not. He has left the on the issue. Their press releases matched Chamber in shame, and so he should. He has those of the National Party. Strange about gone to hang his head outside. No, I am glad that! Behind closed doors they worked closely to see that he has finally returned. He can with Department of Environment officers to hang his head in shame in here as well as he resolve this matter. But they did everything in did outside. their power outside these negotiations to mislead their membership on this issue. As a The only exception is the dropping of a measure of good faith in these negotiations, date, and that is the sole substance of this Bill. Minister Robson allowed fishing on every That is right; this Government is now going national park in Queensland for this five-year back to it constituency and beating its chest period. with an enormous amount of pride that it is Even this was not enough for Messrs now delivering on its promise. The reality is that the outcome will be exactly the same as Rowell and Stoneman. They whipped this Labor would have delivered—and we would issue right through to the Mundingburra by- election where, incidentally, they fell flat on have delivered much earlier than this their faces with a pathetic roll-up to a public Government will. Both hypocrites are here rally at which this issue was prominently now. I am delighted to have them in the canvassed. By then the more responsible Chamber to hear a bit of home truth. sections of the fishing community were seeing Mrs Bird: Elmer Fudd. through their deception and lies. By this time Mr BEATTIE: Elmer Fudd; that is right. work had progressed to the stage at which Good heavens! I do not know what will fishing interests had identified where fishing happen to Australian-Chinese relations after had occurred—in which streams and in which his forthcoming visit. national parks—and scientists had identified which streams in which national parks were Labor would have resolved the matter well vital to the viability of those parks and needed inside the five-year limit, so this amendment is to be kept sacrosanct. All that was needed an absolute joke. It is just another example of was a distillation of these two sets of data and this Government pulling the wool over the then alterations of certain parts of these parks eyes of its constituency. Again I say good luck to tenure that would allow fishing, such as to it. If that is the patronising way in which it marine parks or conservation parks. conducts its politics, it is welcome to it. I can Unfortunately, a change of Government hardly wait for the press release that will prevented this being finalised. As with virtually accompany the passage of this Bill. I can see all environmental initiatives, the Goss Labor it now: Government delivers on national park Government initiated this work, and it lapsed fishing promise. What a joke! Behind the into a twilight zone of nothingness under this scenes the Government continues to Minister. implement Labor's policy. If it was not so pathetic, it would be hilarious. Until this Bill appeared—which did nothing more than remove a date from the Act—we In relation to the issue of nature heard of little progress on the negotiations with conservation—it would be remiss of me if I did Sunfish. Now we hear that the Minister is not make some comments in relation to Port actually intending to proceed with these Hinchinbrook. I notice that the Premier is not negotiations. Well, whoopee! That is right; he participating in this debate. That is a shame. intends to continue identifying those parts of This morning he sought to highlight my those national parks in which fishing has attendance at a dinner last night. I am occurred for years and change their tenure to delighted that he did that, because he has allow this fishing to continue. This has been able to give me the sort of profile on this surprised the Minister. I congratulate him on it. issue which, without his assistance, I would not 1 May 1997 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1245 have been able to achieve. I want to put on Mr Welford: Worsened! public record my gratitude and appreciation to Mr BEATTIE: I am sorry; it has the Premier. I want to read into the record worsened under this Government. what I said last night so that there is no misunderstanding whatsoever. I will read Mr FitzGerald: You were right the first exactly what my speech notes were. I said time. this— Mr BEATTIE: No. I said that "When I entered politics I clearly unemployment has improved. The member understood I would be a servant of the can take it whatever way he wants to; it still people. But I never really anticipated it means the same thing. Under this would extend to serving drinks. Government there have been 23,000 fewer Nevertheless, here I am—and I must say jobs. That is what has disappeared. If the it makes a change from Parliament." member wants me to go through his Government's record, I would be happy to do After listening to the Premier's hypocrisy today, that. However, I know that Mr Speaker would I re-emphasise that. I said— want me to stick to this Bill, and I will. I "I accepted this invitation after much continued— thought for very good reasons. "We, too, have grave concerns about The Port Hinchinbrook development the crippling effects on society of has been with us now for some unemployment. We, too, believe that considerable time and has a somewhat there is a place for considered, well- chequered history. planned, environmentally-sensitive It had its genesis in the irresponsible developments along our coastline. boom days of the eighties when it was But for us the crunch came when the known as Oyster Point and the site was Premier of the State took Mr Williams to razed to the ground by a company called Canberra to meet with the Prime Minister Tekin. and Senator Hill, the Federal Environment As was the case with many Minister and gained their support to lift the development firms at that time they World Heritage proclamations— passed into receivership and the proclamations that had been put in place development with approvals from the then by the then Labor Federal Environment National Party Government was inherited Minister John Faulkner. by the Goss Government." We could not and will not support the I was interested to hear the Premier gloss over degradation of World Heritage values the role of the Bjelke-Petersen Governments wherever they might be"— in all that. I said— even if the Premier of Queensland is prepared to. I continued— "The site lay dormant until Keith Williams acquired the site and its "For Labor, protection of World development approvals." Heritage values is our bottom line. Those approvals were approved by the For us, it is a line in the sand. National Party. I continued— Without these proclamations, we will "The Goss Government, faced with now be critically analysing each move for increasing unemployment levels and a any World Heritage impacts. wish to kickstart development gave the Our other concern is whether this project its support and further approvals State Government can be trusted to and the rest is now well known history. appoint a truly independent monitor on Since I became Opposition Leader the project." the project has caused us considerable Mr Welford: Not likely! angst both individually and collectively as Mr BEATTIE: That is exactly right. I an Opposition. said— We, too, have grave concerns about "Its track record to date has been the crippling effects on society of less than impressive. unemployment." The only true independent monitor I might add that this situation has improved for this project will come from the ranks of dramatically under this Government. I said— organisations like the Queensland "We, too, believe that there is a Conservation Council and to do this you place for considered"—— need to be properly resourced. 1246 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

Now while I have no control over the Even Mr Williams would not have any State's purse strings"— problem with an appropriate monitor. He would yet— not stand very high in public opinion if he said that he did not want his project to be "the only way you are going to raise this appropriately monitored. No-one in the finance is through functions like tonight's community, Mr Williams or the Premier could and I take great pleasure in playing a role argue with that. I have been about making here tonight. certain that there are appropriate monitors. But enough talk—there are glasses Mr FitzGerald: When did you write your to fill, tables to clear and dishes to speech? You wrote it this morning. wash—with environmentally-friendly suds, I trust." Mr BEATTIE: The member's problem is that I delivered it last night. A large number of My support for last night's dinner is very people were present and they heard me consistent with my position. I have no deliver it last night. I do not need to rewrite hesitation in putting it on the parliamentary what I said last night. My position is very clear. record today. I am delighted with the Premier's We have a Premier who has egg all over his criticism of me and my colleague the face. Environment shadow Minister for attending last night's dinner, because he has given our Mr FitzGerald interjected. attendance the sort of prominence that I Mr BEATTIE: Listen Ginger Meggs, I hoped it would get. When I arrived there last would not get too carried away. night, I looked around. There was only a My position on this issue is clear; the smattering of journalists, but a very full hall. I Labor Party's position on this is clear. It has said to Rod, "Darn! Here we are, trying to sell been consistent right from the beginning. It is our policy, and there is not enough media absolutely consistent. attention here." I was really upset about that. But I need not have worried, because Rob Mr FitzGerald: Not with Wayne Goss. came to the rescue. I really am very grateful Mr BEATTIE: I will take the interjection, for his assistance. I know it will be given because the honourable member is wrong: it prominence on television tonight. He will send has been absolutely consistent. There are no to the public a clear message about exactly difficulties whatsoever. where we stand. I come back to what I said I am absolutely delighted with the before, which is very simple: there is no assistance that the Premier has given me on independent monitor of this project. Last this matter. I want to say thank you to Premier night's dinner was to raise funds for that Borbidge, because without his assistance on monitoring role to be put in place. I am this matter our position would not have delighted to see that that eye will be cast over received the sort of prominence it is about to that project. Everyone in Queensland will receive. agree that every project in a World Heritage area such as this needs to have—— Ms WARWICK (Barron River) (2.53 p.m.): I rise today to support the Mr Gilmore: It is not a World Heritage amendments to the Nature Conservation Act area. 1992. I am very pleased that members Mr BEATTIE: I am talking about the opposite will support those amendments. We general area. Such projects need to have at least are putting into place—— appropriate monitoring. Mr Fouras: Reasonable positions get Mr FitzGerald: It is not in a World reasonable responses. Heritage area. Ms WARWICK: Of course—the Minister Mr BEATTIE: I did not say that. I was for Environment is a very reasonable man who talking about a World Heritage area. The is very committed to the environment, as are honourable member should not take every the rest of us. interjection from the idiot behind—— What I was about to say before I was Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Laming): interrupted was that the members opposite Order! say that they were going to do this and that Mr BEATTIE: With respect, the they never intended that 1999 would be the honourable member should not take any end. At least we are doing our homework and interjection from the Honourable Minister, our housekeeping and making sure that the because he was not listening to what I was sunset clause is abolished. The Act originally saying. did not allow for any fishing in national parks; 1 May 1997 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1247 however, in September 1994 it was amended important for our economy. It is very important to effectively allow recreational fishing in most that we maintain the integrity of our national national parks with the sunset clause that I parks and protected areas. referred to, which specified an expiry date of 31 December 1999. Consistent with the protection of natural and cultural values, the Department of While in Opposition, the National/Liberal Environment, through the Queensland coalition made a commitment. The Premier, National Parks and Wildlife Service, aims to then Opposition Leader, made a provide a diverse range of quality nature- commitment— based recreational opportunities right across ". . . to repeal that part of the State Labor the State so that the widest possible cross- Government's Nature Conservation Act, section of the community is able to experience which seeks to prohibit recreational fishing and appreciate the values of those parts of in national parks by the year 2000 and to Queensland. I would like to digress slightly and remove all ambiguity in respect of the give a special vote of thanks to national park previous legislation." rangers. Last year, with the Minister for In order to honour those commitments that we Environment, I had the opportunity to visit made then and also because commonsense several national parks in the cape region of dictates that we do, we are introducing these north Queensland. I was very impressed with amendments to the Nature Conservation Act. the dedication of the rangers and their The coalition is very aware of the fact that families. I believe that our national parks are in national parks are specifically places where we good hands. I would like to see more can observe and enjoy our national resources provided. I know that the Minister is environment and cultural heritage. They also very aware of that. provide opportunities for other compatible The prime value of national parks and activities, such as environmental education, similar protected areas lies in their recreation and tourism. That is something of conservation of Queensland's unique natural which we in north Queensland are fairly and cultural heritage. They also have mindful. National parks protect outstanding immense appeal to visitors, because of their areas of Cape York, tropical and subtropical outstanding quality, integrity and diversity. rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Another speaker pointed out that, through Island, the Central Highlands, the Channel education and tourism, they do contribute Country; in fact, all of the 13 biogeographical significantly to our economy. For example, a areas of Queensland. The total area of recent study estimated that the total regional national parks in Queensland is approximately value of tourism relating to the Wet Tropics 6,418,952 hectares, which is approximately World Heritage area as being $753m a year. 4% of the State. That work, carried out by an economist, Sally At present recreational fishing can take Driml, found that the World Heritage area place in all categories of protected areas, generated $179m in direct expenditure and except those specified "scientific", where one additional expenditure and accommodation of requires a permit for entry. Only seven such $264m, with the flow-on or the multiplier effect areas have been declared. National parks are taking the figure to the $753m that I afforded strict protection under the Nature mentioned. Apart from the conservation Conservation Act, and rightly so. Activities that benefits and the economic contributions at may have a significant impact on the natural regional and State levels, our national parks and cultural activities in national parks are and cultural treasures help to protect carefully managed to protect the quality and Queensland and make it one of the most the integrity of those areas in order to maintain attractive and livable areas in Australia. They their value for conservation and their appeal also help to preserve our distinctive character. for visitors, which is very important in an area Currently, fishing is permitted in all where tourism is high on the agenda. national parks in Queensland. That is not National parks and other protected areas always appropriate. Many parks do not provide are popular venues for local recreation and opportunities for fishing and a significant feature prominently as tourism destinations. number of those do not even have streams, Preliminary estimates by the Department of for example, the majority of inland parks in the Environment suggest that each year between Great Barrier Reef. Some parks have streams 8 million and 10 million visitor days are spent that stop flowing during dry periods and where in Queensland's protected areas. I would like fish survive in isolated waterholes. As another to make a special point of mentioning north speaker pointed out, there is also a case for Queensland and how the tourism dollar is very restricting fishing to certain streams and 1248 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997 waterholes and maintaining some locations as forget. I refer to fisheries and national parks. no-fishing areas. We are very aware of that. Often we regard nature conservation in terms So it is proposed to amend the nature of flora, fauna and land. It is very important conservation regulation in order to list those that we realise that when we talk about nature parks or parts of those parks in which conservation, we are talking about the whole recreational fishing may occur. Of course, then environment. the requirements of the Fisheries Act would In 1994, in Australasian Science, the apply. CSIRO and the Australian National Parks and In times of drought, in relation to some Wildlife Service stated that they estimated that waterholes in western parks, there would there were 3,600 species of fish and perhaps be a need to restrict fishing. I think thousands of species of molluscs in this the member for Hinchinbrook pointed out the country; 850 species of bird of which 70% 19 national parks that have been identified as occurred naturally only in Australia; 146 or primary areas in which recreational fishing 52% of the world's 280 marsupials, including currently occurs. We are going to list those two of the world's three monotremes; 700 parks in a schedule to the nature conservation species of reptiles of which 88% occur regulation. I will not mention those again, as nowhere else; and that 94% of our frog they have been mentioned already. species occur nowhere else. In other words, Of course, the present unrestrained we have a great responsibility to the world to capacity for allowing recreational fishing in ensure that our nature conservation legislation national parks has led to some undesirable will ensure the protection and the sustainability situations. For example, some pools are used of all of these animals. by park visitors for swimming or they are areas As the CSIRO and the Australian National adjacent to high recreational use areas. In Parks and Wildlife Service stated in some locations the fish populations have Australasian Science, in the past 200 years become used to the tourists and have about 100 species of higher plants have become quite tame. That has become a bit of become extinct and at least 209 higher plant a problem because people are catching them. species are endangered, with a further 784 That problem occurs in the Mossman Gorge, being vulnerable. About 20 species of which is an area fairly close to me. That is mammals have been lost, most in the past 40 something that also has to be looked at. Many to 50 years, and 38 species of mammals are people are justifiably concerned about the endangered or vulnerable. One mainland bird, removal of those fish. This amending the paradise parrot, is extinct. Five birds from legislation will allow recreational fishing, bait Norfolk Island are extinct, as are the Kangaroo collecting and recreational crabbing to take Island emu and the King Island emu. Fifteen place in those national parks that are specified bird species are endangered or vulnerable. in the Nature Conservation Regulation 1992 Eighty-eight species of invertebrates are on an indefinite basis. extinct. This Government is totally committed to Mr Elliott interjected. maintaining the integrity of our natural environment. I think we have made that clear. Mr CAMPBELL: I will take that We recognise the importance of our natural interjection, because that is information environment both for now and for the future. supplied by the CSIRO. I would take their However, we recognise the rights of other figures as being pretty close to the mark. people. I think "balance" is the key word: we In relation to that information, I have two can live in harmony with the recreational fisher things to say: we have a large and varied people as well as with other people. I think selection of flora and fauna, and the present that as long as we ensure that programs are system is not working. I believe that we have put in place—and I know that the Minister is to really question how we are going to handle doing this and we are very aware of that nature conservation. I think that is very fact—we can all live together and ensure important. For example, in 1997, Australia ecological sustainability. I would like to approved kangaroo quotas of 4,353,800. Just commend these amendments to the House over two million of those kangaroos were and to congratulate the Minister on this located in Queensland. I am concerned that initiative. the land-holder gets very little to no financial Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) return from that cull. The previous year, the (3.03 p.m.): I rise to speak to this amendment quota was 1,610,000. That indicates to me to the Nature Conservation Act because it that Queensland should effectively be getting relates to two aspects of nature that we often a return on a cull of approximately 2 million 1 May 1997 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1249 kangaroos so that we can ensure that the Mr Johnson: Clem, do you realise that people in rural areas will survive financially. the kangaroo population in this country since We still have rural poverty and many of white man settled here has increased by our native animals and plants are still being about 100 times? lost, yet we stick to farming the traditional Mr CAMPBELL: Yes, and that is a animals that were introduced to this country. I good point. refer to sheep and cattle, and also to grain. It Mr Johnson: Do you know why? has to be realised that we have to allow the Because of man-made waterways. people who own the land upon which our native animals and plants live to get some Mr CAMPBELL: Yes, and the financial return from them. Government should be making money out of those kangaroos. Mr Elliott: They could in fact be farmed Mr Johnson We are. probably quite successfully. Mr CAMPBELL: No, we are not. With Mr CAMPBELL: This is the ridiculous all the money that is being put into research aspect of it. During a trade mission to America, into sheep and cattle production, why is the I was told that at Sacramento there were four same money not going into researching the million emus. utilisation of kangaroo products? Where is the Mr Littleproud: In America? optimum processing plant for kangaroos? What is the optimum way of tanning kangaroo Mr CAMPBELL: In America, yet here hides and using kangaroo by-products? Let us we cannot even get a viable emu industry off put some time and effort into researching such the ground because of our outdated, narrow- things. Kangaroo numbers have increased to minded and, I have to say, in many cases the extent that they are now a pest. Why are ignorant nature conservation programs. we not making money out of the 2 million Mr Littleproud: The emu industry has kangaroos that are culled in Queensland every collapsed in America now. Unfortunately, they year? It is about time that we looked at the have let some of those emus loose, and they issue and thought about whether or not we are worse than road runners. could make more money out of a kangaroo Mr CAMPBELL: They are a pest in and emu industry than a sheep and cattle America now. industry, if we ran it effectively. Rural Queensland has always relied on Mr Stoneman: They are like the introduced industries. The 1947 census shows possums in New Zealand. that 40% of the Queensland population lived Mr CAMPBELL: And the possums in in rural areas. In 1991 that figure had dropped New Zealand. While people in America were to 20%. All I am saying is that the present trying to develop an emu industry, which we system is not working because the could not, we imported ostriches. If we put environment is being degraded, nature research into learning how to effectively conservation is being downgraded and people market emus and all the products that can be are still poor. I believe that it is time that we made from emus, we could make farming a looked at doing things differently. Thirty per more viable industry for those people in the cent of 75.5 million hectares of non-arid west. I think it is time we looked at that. grazing land and 25% of 84 million hectares of In relation to cropping—10,000 hectares arid grazing land have been affected by on the Darling Downs has been retired from obvious erosion or vegetation degradation. cultivation. For one tonne of grain that is Those statistics are from the DPI's 1984 produced, 12 tonnes of topsoil is washed booklet, Losing Ground. away. That means that, to make a 680 gram Mr Johnson Do you know why, Clem? loaf of bread, it takes seven kilograms of soil. It's because it won't bloody well rain! 90% of Queensland's cropping land is affected Mr CAMPBELL: That is the real point: it by erosion and at this stage less than 50% is will not rain and the animals that have been protected by soil conservation measures. introduced are not the most suitable ones for In relation to grazing, where we rely on our environment. Perhaps we should look to the hard-hoofed sheep and cattle that do see whether we can get an optimum mix of immense damage to our environment sheep, cattle, emus, kangaroos and other compared to kangaroos that are soft hoofed, it animals. is estimated that 30% of 75,500,000 hectares In 1989 black cockatoos were a pest in of non-arid grazing land—— many grain areas. In one area alone, 800 1250 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997 black cockatoos were killed. At that time, those Mr CAMPBELL: He does not agree cockatoos were worth between $2,000 and with it. I am merely saying that we should look $5,000 each on the black market. The 800 at the sustainable production of flora and cockatoos that were killed in 1989 were worth fauna. As happens all along the coast, if there $24m. Those birds could have been harvested is a demand for something, in the long run it in an humane way and they could have been will be farmed. Many areas of the fishing sold, but the Commonwealth and State industry will end up relying on aquaculture for legislation does not allow that to happen. The prawns, fish and other seafood. situation is made worse by the fact that pest When we look at innovations in nature birds are not shot but are poisoned. Poison is conservation, we really must look at things that non-specific, so it kills not only the pest birds have not been accepted in the past. Perhaps but also other animals. We condone such there are ways that we can do it better in the systems because our native fauna are pests. future. It concerns me that although we have It would be better if those birds were trapped such rural impoverishment and degradation of by licensed trappers and sold, which would the environment, we have not looked at the take the pressure off a lot of other economic exploitation of fauna and flora in a endangered species that are sold on the black proper way. market. Legally trapped black cockatoos would replace fauna that is illegally sold. An honourable member: In a It is about time we looked at nature sustainable way. conservation in terms of properly utilising our Mr CAMPBELL: Yes, in a sustainable fauna and flora and ensuring that people can way. We must be prepared to look at how we get a return from the native fauna and flora on are going to protect our fauna and flora, their properties. One of the problems is that because often Governments do not have the many of our native animals are pests. I cannot money or are not prepared to use its understand why, after 100 years as a nation, resources to do that. we generally still do not accept kangaroo as a We have to make certain how we will basic meat. implement protection and also sustainable Mr Johnson: Because it tastes awful. production. We have to look at new ways of Mr CAMPBELL: No, it is all right. doing it. I said that because I am concerned about what has happened in the wool and Mr Johnson: Have you eaten it? beef industries and about how many people Mr CAMPBELL: If the meat is have gone bankrupt or have not been able to processed and cooked properly, it is not too survive. I believe in these other methods of bad. We need to look at ways of developing a utilising our native fauna and flora. Had we sustainable yield which can give a return to the given backup to those people and put as people on whose properties most of our fauna much into those industries—the emu or and flora is found. We do not know the kangaroo industries—as we gave in the past chemical properties of many species of plants to the wool and—— which could be enormously useful. We simply Mr Woolmer: Koalas. cut those plants down. Mr CAMPBELL: Koala bears is another Mr Stoneman: You should mention the example. On Flinders Island, National Parks word "fish" occasionally so you can relate this wanted to kill 2,000 koalas. to the Bill, otherwise the Acting Speaker could get crabby. Mr Woolmer: Would you have agreed Mr CAMPBELL: I am really concerned with that? about the birds in the national parks which eat Mr CAMPBELL: I would have agreed fish, because they compete with the anglers that they could have gone to other parts of whom we are now letting into national parks! I Australia where there were eucalyptus trees or, must compliment the Minister for buying back if necessary, they could have been sold a lot of land in northern Queensland to protect overseas and the money could have been put the gliders. It interests me that if people knew towards further development. More eucalyptus what the sustainable numbers of the gliders trees would be grown if people knew they were and if property owners knew that they could make money out of koalas—but that could make money out of the gliders, they cannot be done. would not bother thinking about sugar. Mr Springborg: The solution to the Mr Woolmer: Shadow Minister, do you conservation problem was to put a disease agree with that? into them. 1 May 1997 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1251

Mr Veivers: Your shadow Minister I wish to read from the following notes needs some valium. and research I did at the time, which states— Mr CAMPBELL: That is all right. I think "Environment Minister Ms Molly the member will find that the public will say Robson is claiming no amendment is there is something wrong when we have to kill required but advice from Parliamentary 2,000 koalas, and that that is the only way to Counsel states: reduce numbers. 'Unless the act is amended before At some stage, I believe that the Minister then . . . from 31 December 1999 . . . will have to get a lot of people to look at fishing will be allowed in National different ways to protect all those different Parks in only very limited circumstances." species, especially the endangered ones. If we are going down the path we are now, we That is what was read loudly and clearly in will lose more species of animals and more particular by recreational fishermen. I will species of plants that are unique to Australia. address the way in which they organised We will have to bite the bullet and find ways to themselves in a moment. protect them. Much confidence prevailed in the Mr STONEMAN (Burdekin) (3.23 p.m.): Opposition shadow Ministry at the time, and I follow what the honourable member for that has continued right through to this day. Bundaberg said. I make the comment that he Today sees the fulfilment of the commitment spoke a great deal of commonsense— by the then Opposition Leader and now something that will obviously strike fear into Premier to proceed with this amendment, the hearts of his colleagues who purport to which is being overseen by the Minister for have some understanding of the reality of Environment. The reason for that confidence nature and its conservation. I compliment him was that we saw the reality of the situation. on his forthright comments. In a lot of places I turn to a letter from the then Minister for he was a bit astray, but I will not get into that. I Environment and Heritage, Ms Robson, dated think he had a go, and that is very good. It is 1993 and addressed to Sunfish, Margate. It all about understanding some of the basic states— principles of the reality of nature conservation. "I refer to your letter dated 5 October I wish to dwell a little on the amendment 1993 in regard to the Government's policy in support of the Minister. Members might on recreational fishing in national parks. recall that I introduced the original legislation in In the past, recreational fishing has the form of a private member's Bill in 1994 been permitted on a small number of following the furore that was created by the national parks in Queensland where, Government of the day. Unlike the Leader of historically, such fishing has occurred over the Opposition and the spokesman on a considerable period prior to the Environment, I will not dwell on personalities. declaration of the park. However, the former Government's arrogance However, fishing is not an activity that not only led it to misread public opinion but conforms with the principles for which a also created a great deal of anger and angst national park is set aside. across a wide area of this State. . . . The former Government also refused to accept the realities of the effect of ambiguity 'The cardinal principle to be and uncertainty in any section of an Act, observed in the management of particularly in an area that impacted on National Parks shall be the recreational fishing. It was unable to recognise permanent preservation, to the that. It had the arrogance of a lot of numbers. greatest possible extent, of their That really signalled the beginning of the end natural condition.' " of the former Minister's infamous reign in that Further on, Ms Robson said— portfolio. "It is my intention, in the preparation Today it has been suggested that there of the Nature Conservation Regulation was a lot of misunderstanding about the 1994"— sunset clause in the Act which is being and my copy is very hard to read— removed today and which was so upsetting to "to . . . that fishing has formerly been everyone. There have been claims that that permitted to occur on a small number of was misunderstood; that it was never really the parks and to provide a schedule in the intent to ban fishing. regulation listing those parks (or parts of 1252 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

parks) on which recreational fishing may The Nature Conservation Act 1992 continue for a specified number of years." does not allow commercial or recreational I emphasise: "may continue for a specified fishing on national parks or national parks number of years". (scientific). However, that use is permitted on conservation parks and resource She went on— parks." "The Nature Conservation Act 1992 Further down, the document states— provides for a wider range of protected "In order to provide time in which to areas than presently exists under the resolve the existing situation, it was National Parks and Wildlife Act 1975 and decided to insert an amendment in the the Fauna Conservation Act 1974. The Nature Conservation Bill 1994 to allow for management principles for conservation a resolution period. Consequently, an parks and resources reserves under the amendment to section 57 of the Nature new Act do not"— Conservation Act 1992 has been inserted include recreational or commercial fishing. She to allow recreational fishing to occur until concludes— 31 December 1999 on those parks or parts of parks prescribed by regulation. "I trust this information will be helpful to the members of your Council." During the five year period of grace, the Department of Environment and I wish to quote from a further briefing which I Heritage will also examine whether it is have had in my possession for some time. It appropriate to vary the status of certain came via our colleague Mr Davidson, the existing parks or the estuarine boundaries Minister for Tourism. The ministerial briefing to of others to enable fishing to continue in Ms Robson states— the longer term. It is envisaged that any "Fishing is not considered an such adjustment to the status of parks or acceptable activity to occur on a national parts of parks would only occur in isolated park, this being one of the two categories instances and if there was broad of protected area under the Nature community support for such action. Conservation Act 1992 which provide the The ultimate objective is to achieve highest level of natural resource the intent of the Nature Conservation Act protection in the State. The only form of 1992, but in a way that is least disruptive resource extraction normally allowed on to recreational and commercial fishers." national parks is for scientific research." Quite clearly, the intent of the It states further— Government and the intent as prescribed and acknowledged by the Parliamentary Counsel "The management principles for the in that Act was to cease the fishing in all but two areas of highest protection, national the most minute of areas in national parks park and national park (scientific), across this State as from 31 December 1999. preclude all forms of recreational and The fishermen saw that clearly, the Opposition commercial fishing." saw that clearly, and yet to this very day we Mr FitzGerald: Is that in accordance have these statements from the Opposition with what the Leader of the Opposition said a that, no, they did not really mean that at all. few minutes ago? Everything I have read confirms, underlines Mr STONEMAN: I was accused earlier and supports the assertion that I continue to make. It was as clear as day what was going by one of the honourable members opposite to happen. of lying, scheming and conniving. These are not my words. These are briefs and letters Unfortunately, the member for from the Minister of the day. This is what the Thuringowa is not in the Chamber. I would like Labor Party was about when it provided the to again compliment him, as I did publicly infamous sunset clause that it is now claiming when we both addressed a meeting in the really did not matter. Members of the Townsville Entertainment Centre. A newspaper Opposition should ask those 820,000 article relating to that meeting stated— fishermen what they thought. They voted all "Mr McElligott, who drew praise from right. (the) Member for Burdekin . . . for 'having The summary to the paper states— the guts to front the meeting', told the crowd he believed the blanket ban on "Along with all other forms of fishing in National Parks would not be resource extraction, fishing is not an imposed. acceptable use of national parks. . . . 1 May 1997 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1253

He said it was clear a compromise out fishing from that date is absolutely wrong. had to be reached, and believed the best That was the clear intention. I am pleased that compromise was to . . . allow fishing in at least some commonsense is prevailing in areas where it had traditionally taken that there will not be opposition to the place." passage of this amendment. The penny has Mr McElligott said that it was the biggest at last dropped. There were queues of motor protest he had seen in 20 years. He cars miles long. People could read what was acknowledged that they got it wrong. At least going on. I reiterate my absolute conviction he fronted up. The then Minister would not that the need to wipe this out is paramount, front up to the thousands of fishermen there and it needs to be done well ahead of time so that night. I believe that the Labor Party will be that people can plan. diminished when Mr McElligott leaves the I have a number of other concerns. I ask Parliament, because in many areas—including the Minister to apprise the House and me Health—he brought some commonsense on particularly of the position in relation to those occasions when he could read the tea leaves concerns. The first is the taking of live bait on appropriately. The same cannot be said for to national parks. Barramundi is one of the the Government as a whole, as it was then. favourite fish in season around my area. Kids go out and collect the little barra frogs from In introducing my private member's Bill, I underneath the leaves. They are a naturally made the point in the second-reading speech occurring animal in the region. The kids catch that the purpose of the amendment was, the little frogs and put them in a bottle and firstly, to allow the continuation of the then they take them out in the boats. They are traditional activity of fishing in certain streams one example of the attractive bait available. contained within national parks in Queensland You could almost eat those little guys yourself, of other than protected species and, secondly, to remove any ambiguity in respect of private they look so nice! That is the example that or commercial investment in respect of fishing comes to mind. There may well be others. We and associated activities in those national need to make sure that, in resolving one parks. It is not just about fishing that so many problem, we do not create another problem people were concerned. They had invested in that has a capacity to again upset the fishing boats, trailers, four-wheel drives and other community. equipment that depended entirely on their I do not believe that fishermen should be capacity to access national parks within beyond regulation or beyond control or reasonable reach of their homes. In some anything like that, and neither do the instances, they had even built homes in those fishermen themselves. They acknowledge that localities. the resource has to be managed appropriately. On that point, I must say that it I used in my second-reading speech the concerns me that there is still a management example of the small fishing township of of tidal streams where they happen to also be Jerona. It is entirely surrounded by a national part of a general area of a national park. It is park. One can access it only by travelling on a my long-held view—and it is a view I continue road through the national park, and yet there to hold and promulgate—that tidal streams in is freehold land there. The capacity of Jerona particular should not be managed by National residents to fish and to continue to fish would Parks or by the Department of Environment. have been entirely wiped out as from the end That should be the responsibility of Fisheries. of December 1999. Those people were In many cases the fish are, if you like, under justifiably affronted. They did not believe that several sets of controls. In tidal areas they any Government would bring in legislation to could be in a national park in one instance, unilaterally wipe out fishing and be so purist in they could swim into an area controlled by the its approach to conservation as all of the Fisheries Department in another instance as letters and briefings from the then Minister they move towards the mouth of the river, and illustrated. I could go through them word for then they can swim out into the bay and be word. Every single component of the letter and under the control of the Marine Parks Authority the briefing to which I have referred talks and then on to wherever else. I do not think it about wiping out fishing as an activity relating is appropriate that there be so many levels of to national parks. control. With all due respect, I do not believe For the Leader of the Opposition, for the the expertise exists within the department for spokesman on the Environment and for this. It is duplication of which we should all be anyone else—with the exception of the aware. In my view, we should allow the member for Bundaberg—to assert that there management of tidal creeks in particular to be was an intention to do other than to just wipe consolidated within the Fisheries Department. 1254 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

I have done my fishing mostly on the House that that will be taken care of in the Lake Eyre catchment, not in national parks but development of regulations. We know that on private land, but I know that there are there are some circumstances that need enormous waterholes in some national parks special consideration in the way we spell them in inland areas. I believe that that is a different out. kettle of fish, because in many national parks While I am talking about regulations, I one has to access vast areas and there are should say that quite a number of people four-wheel drives involved and there are all have referred to the fact that there are 220 sorts of other controls. So perhaps there it is a parks in Queensland. It is the intention that different situation—in fact, I am sure it is a fishing be allowed in about 19 of those and different situation. But in the tidal coastal regulations to that effect will be enacted in the areas, it is not. I take this opportunity to very near future once this Bill is proclaimed. emphasise the point that we need to look very They will spell out quite clearly all those things closely at the reality of duplication and the including bait, places, species and other sorts need to have consistency of management of conditions that must be taken into that is not inconsistent with the overall consideration. management of our environment in a sustainable way. But I think it does mean that Mr Stoneman: Can I just interrupt? I people know they are working with one think it is worthwhile noting that many of those department, one set of rules, and the closures parks wouldn't have the capacity for fishing are all appropriately managed—they are able anyway because they don't have appropriate to be managed anyway—and I think the streams. I think people need to understand fishermen would find that a great deal easier that. to deal with. I seek the Minister's interpretation Mr LITTLEPROUD: That is correct, yes. of situations such as the barra frogs, as they The member for Barron River also pointed out are called locally, and a number of other that there are some remote parts of matters. Queensland that do have wonderful fishing spots and the next possible fishing spot could I would like to have gone into a little bit be a couple of hundred miles away. It is just about the kangaroo area but the passage of ridiculous that we should stop those people this particular amendment is near and dear to who live in those remote parts of Queensland my heart. I commend the Minister and support from having some sort of access to fishing. the Government. I am pleased that this House as a whole has at long last come to its senses It is noted that everyone is in support of and realised how ridiculous the maintenance the Bill. I accept that and I am pleased about of this clause would have been. My electorate it but I would like to make some comments. has one of the highest boating levels in This Bill does more than just remove the Australia and it is very largely directed towards sunset clause that we have been arguing fishing in national park areas. The fishermen in about. Of course, it also allows for the taking my area will be delighted. It is the fulfilment of of bait; that is something quite new. Later on, I a promise by the coalition and I am delighted will be introducing an amendment which to support it. covers the taking of bait within national parks, and quite specific conditions will apply to that. Hon. B. G. LITTLEPROUD (Western Of course it also allows for the taking of mud Downs—Minister for Environment) (3.41 p.m.), crabs within parks listed in the regulations. in reply: I thank all those members who have There was some misunderstanding because, taken part in the debate, which was very wide under the Fisheries Act, fishing means taking ranging. The member for Bundaberg did not fish and crabs; in this Nature Conservation Act, even drop a line in the water, yet we were we had to spell that out in more detail. I have talking about fishing. It was still a pretty chosen to mention mud crabs in the legislation interesting sort of contribution. because we believe that the only species that I will firstly refer to the last speaker, the those people who fish in estuaries take is mud member for Burdekin, because he addressed crab. But if a case can be put forward later on this matter through a private member's Bill in for spanner crab, we will look at it. In this the life of the last Parliament and, of course, it instance, we have included only mud crabs. fell off the ship. Once we gained Government, The spokesman for the Opposition took it was able to be brought forward again under quite some time to develop a case, saying my stewardship. Mr Stoneman has taken a that there was never any need for this piece of great interest in it and he raised one point legislation, that it was always intended that the which I would like to address. He talked about Goss Government would continue to allow the bait issue and I can inform him and the fishing in national parks after 31 December 1 May 1997 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1255

1999. I think that argument was supported by arrangements around Eurong did not work. the Leader of the Opposition as well, but it There were personality problems there. To was debunked extremely well by the member claim that it was completely against the for Burdekin and other members. I would also Fitzgerald report and the Great Sandy like to point out that I listened with intent to management plan and that we were ignoring that debate. Some honourable members all those things by allowing fishing back up claimed that, with the development of park there is quite false, because the fishing takes management plans, it would be possible to place off the beach and the beach is a put specific clauses in those management recreation area. So it is quite allowable under plans whereby they would control fishing in both plans. To say that we have ignored all national parks. I have to tell honourable the advice of the Fitzgerald report and the members that, when I was briefed on what Great Sandy management plan is another was going on within the department, I was told weak excuse. We make no apology for that there were 220 national parks in allowing that to continue and to be relocated Queensland and that each one had to have to where it is. its own management plan developed. I said, I would also like comment on some of the "That sounds pretty good. That is theoretical. other speakers' contributions. They obviously Yes, it is the right way to go about it." I asked, have a pretty strong interest in their own "How many have we got?" They said, "We areas. I noticed the urge for fishing seems to have developed about five. We have another be stronger among those members whose 10 on the go." I said, "How many can you do electorates are along the coast, where there in a year"? They said, "No more than 10." If are more opportunities. I thank them all for one does a bit of division based on that, one spelling out the fallacy of the argument that finds it would take about 22 years to get all the was being put forward by the Opposition in an plans developed. effort to defend itself in this case. They have Today the Leader of the Opposition taken the trouble to read the Act very claimed that there was "no need to worry". He carefully—and I will not read it again. We all added. "At the end of that five-year period listened intently to the words quoted from ending on 31 December 1999 all the park letters coming from the former Minister Molly management plans would have been in place Robson that completely dispelled the case put so the fishing in national parks would have forward by the Opposition. been under control." I can tell him that, on the In closing I will comment on the practicalities of what is happening in the contribution from the Leader of the Opposition department in developing these plans, that who came in once again with a prepared text. was not possible. We have lots and lots of Honourable members will remember he came park plans still to be developed. in yesterday with a prepared text to talk about At a subsequent date, I will come back the Bill we debated yesterday, which was all into the House with some further amendments about performance. In this case, it was all to this Act, one of them suggesting that we about damage control because the question streamline the process for the development of asked this morning about his attendance and park plans. We might try to put together some that of other members of the Labor Party at a sort of discussion paper, after discussing the dinner last night to raise money for matter with the key interest holders, put that Hinchinbrook caught them out and showed out and count those as the first round of their hypocrisy. His contribution was more negotiations and consultations, and then about trying to score some runs and get some develop the plan from that. The way it is going words on the public record rather than make now, it is quite unworkable. The excuse that much of a contribution to this debate. there was no need for us to bring this piece of I do accept that people are supportive of legislation in because the fishing would have this Bill. I ask honourable members also to been looked after under those park plans is a support the amendment that I intend to move very weak excuse. in Committee. Mention was also made about Fraser Island. The Chair allowed a pretty wide-ranging Motion agreed to. debate. The fishing competition on Fraser Island is long established; it has always been Committee there. It is a catch and release program and, true, it used to be up around Orchid Beach; it Hon. B. G. Littleproud (Western Downs— is also true that it did go down to Eurong, but I Minister for Environment) in charge of the Bill. can tell honourable members that the Clause 1, as read, agreed to. 1256 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

Insertion of new clause— (c) a mud crab (Scylla serrata) in a Mr LITTLEPROUD (3.48 p.m.): I prescribed place. move— '(5) However, subsection (4) does not "At page 4, after line 4— authorise a person to take— insert— (a) an animal for a commercial purpose; or 'Commencement (b) an animal prescribed under this '1A. This Act commences on a day to Act as threatened or rare wildlife; be fixed by proclamation.'." or Mr WELFORD: The amendment is self- (c) an animal prescribed under a explanatory but I would like the Minister to regulation for this paragraph. indicate how he intends to fix the date for proclamation. Is it related to when he is '(6) Also, subsection (4) does not, in bringing in the regulation? What is the basis itself, authorise a person to for fixing the commencement as the enter a prescribed place. proclamation date rather than date of assent? '(7) In this section— That is really the question I am asking. "national park" includes a national park Mr LITTLEPROUD: I am advised that (Aboriginal land) or national park the proclamation and the assent day will (Torres Strait Islander land). coincide. Once the regulation is passed the Bill "prescribed place" means a national park, will come into force, and I suppose there will or part of a national park, prescribed be a proclamation. under a regulation for subsection Mr WELFORD: I understand. So it is (4)(a), (b) or (c).'.'. related to the regulation? 1 Section 15 (Management of protected Mr Littleproud: Yes. areas)" Mr WELFORD: So the idea is to table Mr WELFORD: I want to mention briefly the regulation, gazette it and then, this amendment, which inserts new sections 4 presumably at or around the date of gazettal, and 5, partly because this is a late you will proclaim these amendments as well. I amendment and it has been difficult for us to understand that. consult widely in relation to it. In a sense it does extend the right to extract native wildlife Mr LITTLEPROUD: I will be keen to to crabs and other bait. Although I see some have the regulations finished as quickly as force in the Minister's point about possible, because it is contingent upon this discouraging—not encouraging—bringing live coming into force, and then that will apply. exotic bait into national parks, I believe that I Amendment agreed to. should flag my reservation about the taking of New clause 1A, as read, agreed to. crabs. Clause 2, as read, agreed to. I note the Minister's point in his reply about how, under the Fisheries Act, the taking Clause 3— of fish and crabs is effectively treated as Mr LITTLEPROUD (3.51 p.m.): I move fishing for the purposes of the definition in that the following amendment— Act. However, it was my understanding that, in "At page 4, lines 9 and 10— essence, the primary concern of recreational fishers—and not just the lobby members but omit, insert— recreational fishers generally—was to have the '3. Section 62(4) and (5)— opportunity to go to some of the coastal ''omit, insert— national parks and fish as part of a holiday. It was my understanding that that really was '(4) Despite subsection (1) and 1 about fishing for fish and not actually crabbing section 15 , but subject to the conditions as well. prescribed under a regulation, a person may take— There is another factor that I believe needs to be carefully considered, that is, fish (a) a fish in a prescribed place; or populations. This is a generalisation which (b) an invertebrate animal in a may well not be justified in every case, prescribed place for use as bait depending on how intensively some areas are to take fish under paragraph (a); fished. However, I believe that, in general or terms, it can be said that fish populations are 1 May 1997 Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 1257 often greater and more resilient to fishing than Mr LITTLEPROUD: The member's are crab populations. Increasingly, I believe it comments are of concern and well founded. I is becoming more and more difficult to find will give him some reassurance by saying, first places where one can actually catch crabs, of all, that I believe that the definition of because crab populations are not maintained "recreational fishing" in many people's eyes as easily as fish populations. If we are not includes taking crabs and bait as well as careful about allowing crabbing in national angling. That being the case, there is a parks—which I understand has not been a variation there between the member's common practice anyhow—then there is a understanding and the interpretation that we much greater risk to crab communities in are providing. However, within the regulations national parks than there is to fish there will be such things as the number of fish communities as a result of occasional that can be caught and the species that can recreational fishing. be taken in various parts. We can do the same thing in terms of how many crabs can I am not going to divide the Committee be taken. We also have the Fisheries Act on this issue. However, having received this which comes into play, and officers are out amendment at this late stage, I do raise there monitoring what is happening. concerns about it. I do have reservations about it. If I were to be technically pure, I As I said, I believe that the member's probably should divide the Committee on this, concerns are well founded. However, I believe because there has been no evidence in the procedures that we are going to put in presented by the Minister or, more particularly, place. When we produce the regulations, it will in the general information available that would be interesting to see whether the member satisfy us that it is safe to allow, in effect, open believes that we have addressed the problem slather crab potting in those parks which properly. I know where the member is coming presumably the Minister is going to prescribe from. It is only responsible that we, the for fishing. It may be that some parks are custodians of the national parks, should go appropriate to prescribe for fishing in a through these sorts of things. I believe that we regulation but may not have crab populations have the capacity to handle it within the capable of sustaining crab potting in the same regulations. parks. So I urge a great deal of caution about Mr WELFORD: I note the Minister's that. comments and thank him for them. I would My understanding is that the just reiterate that I am not sure what assessments that were previously done—and arrangements Fisheries have for their current presumably carried on as part of the program assessments. I know that the Queensland that the Minister is putting in place to identify Fisheries Management Authority does parks that can be fished—were essentially research on fish stocks in various marine confined to the capacity for fishing to occur. I locations. I am not sure whether its current understand that assessment did not extend to monitoring extends to all the national parks the capacity for crabbing to occur. Obviously, that the Minister proposes to prescribe. the Minister has been persuaded to add However, I simply make the point that that crabbing only because, under another Act, monitoring certainly is necessary the moment crabbing and fishing are treated under the that the regulation comes into play. The same definition, not because the Minister has methodology of that monitoring ought to be been satisfied that crab populations in those an open and accountable process. The allegedly 19 parks are going to be able to be reporting outcomes also should be open and harvested sustainably. accountable so that all the community, including those people whom, quite frankly, That is a matter of great concern to me the Minister is trying to regulate, are aware of given that, to the extent that the Minister and I the impacts that their activities are having on a agree on anything, we do hopefully agree on month-to-month or year-to-year basis. the fact that whatever activity occurs must be Amendment agreed to. sustainable. I trust that the monitoring that will be put in place—about which other members Clause 3, as amended, agreed to. of the Government have spoken—will be such Bill reported, with amendments. as to assure the Minister and the department, and that there will be some form of public reporting of the outcomes of those monitoring Third Reading assessments to satisfy us that what is being Bill, on motion of Mr Littleproud, by leave, allowed is, in fact, sustainable. read a third time. 1258 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION overseen the development of a range of Issues AMENDMENT BILL Papers that underpin the policy directions in the Bill. That working group includes Hon. T. J. G. GILMORE (Tablelands— representatives of the Local Government Minister for Mines and Energy) (4.01 p.m.), by Association and the Brisbane City Council. leave, without notice: I move— Principles in the Bill have also been debated in "That leave be granted to bring in a workshops with council representatives and Bill for an Act to amend legislation about copies of the draft legislative proposals were local government, and for other provided to the local governments most affected for comment. purposes." I would also like to acknowledge the Motion agreed to. assistance of the Local Government Association and the Brisbane City Council in assisting with the refinement of the draft First Reading legislation. Further evidence of the partnership Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and approach was the announcement last month by Bill, on motion of Mr Gilmore, read a first time. the Treasurer and the Minister for Local Government and Planning of a $150 million financial incentive package for councils to Second Reading assist in the implementation of the NCP reforms. Details of the package are set out in a Hon. T. J. G. GILMORE (Tablelands— communique that was signed off by the Minister for Mines and Energy) (4.01 p.m.): I Queensland Government, the Local move— Government Association and the Brisbane City "That the Bill be now read a second Council. time." The Bill reflects a pragmatic approach to how the NCP reforms will apply to local It gives me great pleasure on behalf of government. It focuses the reform effort where the Minister for Local Government and it will offer the potential for the most Planning to introduce this Bill. The main benefits—that is, on the significant business purpose of the Bill is to deal with a number of activities of the larger urban councils. The Bill very important issues relating to National also recognises the autonomy enjoyed by the Competition Policy (NCP) and the Council of local government system in Queensland and Australian Government (COAG) urban water largely leaves the decision on whether or not to reforms. The NCP reforms are being implement any reforms in the hands of individual implemented throughout Australia to generate councils. a more productive and stronger economy. The As honourable members may recall, the ultimate aim is to create higher living State Government issued a policy statement on standards and real sustainable jobs in the NCP and local Government last July. The private and public sectors. The reforms cannot statement identified seventeen councils as having significant business activities which be ignored by Queensland because other needed to be assessed for the application of parts of Australia will use them to gain a the competitive neutrality reforms. These competitive advantage and attract new trade reforms are corporatisation, commercialisation and investment away from this State. To and full cost pricing. Application of the reforms ignore the reforms would also jeopardise the only has to be considered if the benefits to the receipt by the State Government of over $2.3 community outweigh the costs. billion from the Commonwealth for Significant business activities were implementing NCP—$1.57 billion in additional defined in the policy statement as those which financial assistance grants and a further $756 have annual current expenditure in excess of $5 million in competition dividends. million in 1992/93 terms (classified as type 1 or type 2 activities depending on their size). The Given the size of the speech, I seek leave relevant activities are garbage, water and to have the rest of the speech incorporated in sewerage services and Brisbane's public Hansard. transport service. Leave granted. Legislation was enacted last November to It would also be inappropriate for those in prepare the way for consideration of the public office to ignore the NCP reforms when competitive neutrality reforms, by having the they are simply a set of tools which can be seventeen councils undertake public benefit used to look at ways of getting better value for assessments of their significant business money and to improve the quality of services to activities. This Bill continues the reform the community. The Queensland Government directions by requiring the seventeen councils has adopted a partnership approach in the to make decisions on the assessments which application of NCP to local government. A are currently underway. Reports on these State/local government NCP working group has assessments are to be completed by 30 June 1 May 1997 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 1259

1997, although this deadline may be extended Some Government businesses enjoy by the Minister for up to three months. Councils advantages as there is no requirement to pay will however, have the final say in deciding taxes or dividends and they have access to whether or not to adopt the recommendations cheaper sources of finance. On the other hand, in their public benefit assessment reports. their ability to compete on an equal footing Because of this discretion, it's important that could be hampered by having to meet a range the decision-making process is transparent and of public sector accountability requirements accountable. The Bill therefore requires that do not apply to the private sector. councils to give public notice of their Competitive neutrality requires the removal of assessment reports and make a copy available the advantages and disadvantages where it is for public inspection. A council which appropriate. It also makes the true costs and subsequently resolves to apply any of the level of performance of Government businesses recommended reforms will be required to transparent. More informed decision making can include a timetable for implementation in its lead to improved productivity, better services resolution. and lower prices to consumers. Unless otherwise agreed to by the Full cost pricing is the least complex of Minister, the approved reforms must be the three reform options and basically involves implemented by 1 July 1998. However, the Bill a Government business activity charging prices does allow for sequential implementation. For for goods and services which take account of example, a council might implement full cost the full cost of service delivery. One of those pricing by 1 July 1998 and commercialisation costs is an estimate of the taxes that would be one year later. If a council resolves not to apply paid to the State and Commonwealth any of the recommended reforms, it will need to Governments if the activity was not part of a justify its decision by providing a statement of local government. The recognition of these tax reasons in its resolution. After all, a public estimates does not involve a transfer of funds benefit assessment report will only recommend to the State or Commonwealth Government. reforms if the benefits to the community Full cost pricing also requires that prices outweigh any costs. In addition, a council that charged take account of any funds advantage a chooses not to implement any of the reforms council's business activity enjoys over the recommended in a report will be required to private sector if the State guarantees the undertake a fresh public benefit assessment of repayment of the activity's debt. However, the significant business activity within three taking into account such advantages and any years. identified disadvantages does not mean that The Bill also requires councils to identify prices have to rise. Councils can still subsidise any business activities that grow large enough goods and services, but the subsidies need to in the future to qualify as type 1 or 2 business be costed and publicly reported. These activities. The identification of these new type 1 subsidies are called community service or 2 activities will be based on thresholds which obligations. In effect they are activities that are are equivalent to the amounts published in the being undertaken for non-commercial reasons. July 1996 policy statement, adjusted for An example would be pensioner discounts. movements in the cost of living and changes to Commercialisation is the next step up in accounting systems. The Local Government the reform process. It involves the Association and the Brisbane City Council will implementation of full cost pricing in a more be consulted before the thresholds are set for rigorous way and includes a number of other each financial year. Councils will be required to elements. Unlike corporatisation, which I will assess new type 1 and 2 activities in the same discuss later, commercialisation does not mean way that the seventeen councils are currently the creation of a separate legal entity with a assessing their significant business activities. board of directors. Rather, commercialisation The Bill also allows councils to "self involves a business activity being operated as select" their business activities that are below far as possible on a commercial basis while the type 1 and 2 thresholds and carry out a remaining legally part of the council's public benefit assessment to decide whether or operations. The four principles of not to apply one of the reform options. The commercialisation are set out in the Bill. They main part of the Bill sets out the framework for are clarity of objectives; management autonomy applying the competitive neutrality reforms of and authority; accountability for performance corporatisation, commercialisation and full cost and competitive neutrality. The Bill requires a pricing to significant business activities. The council which has resolved to commercialise a corporatisation provisions are largely based on business activity to establish a commercial the Government Owned Corporations Act business unit in accordance with the timetable 1993, adapted for the local government for implementation set out in its resolution. context. It is important for efficient resource A council's corporate plan must also allocation that Government business outline the objectives of each of its commercial enterprises operate without any significant business units and the nature and scope of their advantages or disadvantages as a result of activities. Commercial business units must have Government ownership—that is, they operate an annual performance plan that forms part of on a "competitively neutral" basis. the council's operational plan. That performance 1260 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

plan could set out matters such as how the their business activities are corporatised. Tax unit's business objectives are to be achieved, equivalents are simply paid to the owner its community service obligations, financial and council. The Commonwealth has not yet put in non financial targets and the customer service place a similar arrangement for local standards to be met. The council must also be Government business activities. Even though provided with an annual statement on the State Government owned corporations are performance of each commercial business units. exempt from Commonwealth taxes provided an Commercialisation involves a full tax appropriate tax equivalent regime exists. The equivalents regime rather than the simple tax Queensland Government has made a number of estimates that apply under full cost pricing. Tax representations to progress this issue and will equivalents will need to be accounted for by continue to take all possible steps to bring it to the commercial business unit to its parent a successful conclusion. The absence of an council in accordance with a tax equivalents agreement from the Commonwealth on its taxes manual which will be issued by the Treasurer will be a serious impediment to those councils and tabled in Parliament. Again because a considering corporatisation of their significant commercial business unit is legally part of a business activities. In the meantime, the Bill council's operations, no additional taxes will be recognises that corporatised corporations may paid to the State or Commonwealth be liable for Commonwealth taxes but is Governments. The tax equivalents are retained structured to enable a tax equivalents regime to by the council. These arrangements, which also be applied. mirror those at the State level, are necessary to Corporatisation also involves the payment satisfy the Commonwealth that the tax of debt guarantee fees to the parent council. equivalents regime is soundly based. The Bill sets out a staged process for A council will also need to take account of corporatisation involving:- any advantage a commercial business unit a local government proposing that a part enjoys over the private sector because the of its significant business activity be State guarantees the repayment of its debt. acquired by a corporatised corporation; Prices set by a commercial business unit should the nomination of that part as a candidate also be made on a full cost price basis although LGOC or a candidate subsidiary of an the council could subsidise prices by treating LGOC; the subsidy as a community service obligation. Corporatisation of a business activity would be the preparation and approval of a the most significant reform that might be corporatisation charter for the candidate implemented by a council under NCP. It LGOC; involves the implementation of full cost pricing the establishment of a significant business and restructuring the activity so that it operates entity as a separate legal entity to acquire on a commercial basis as a separate legal entity the relevant part of the significant with a board of directors. However, the council business activity once it becomes a still retains ownership of the new statutory corporatised corporation; and corporation. They are called corporatised the significant business entity becoming a corporations in the Bill. Corporatised entities corporatised corporation. can be either Local Government Owned Corporations (LGOCs) or subsidiaries of It has been necessary to provide for the fourth LGOCS. With an LGOC, the council is the step to ensure that the transfer of the business shareholder whilst it is the lgoc that is the assets from the council to the corporation is shareholder of the subsidiary. The four recognised for tax purposes. principles of corporatisation are similar to those Two models for the exercise of the for commercialisation. The main differences are powers of shareholder are provided in the Bill of degree, rather than substance: for LGOCS—either the full council as the corporatisation is a more rigorous and shareholder, or two councillors acting as the commercially focused reform process and delegates of the council. The first option therefore requires a more extensive application reflects the current local government context of the broad principles. where all councillors are accountable to the The Bill also provides for the imposition of electors for the activities of the council. The a full tax equivalents regime and the issuing of a second option provides for maximum tax manual. Under the manual, provision will be separation of the business activity from the made for the lodgment and assessment of council and mirrors the arrangement at the State returns, rulings by an independent tax assessor level. Both options have been provided to give appointed by the Treasurer, and objections and councils flexibility in the corporatisation of their appeals. However, because a separate legal significant business activities. entity is involved, the tax equivalents regime is The success or otherwise of dependent on the exemption of corporatised corporatisation depends to a large extent on business activities from Commonwealth and the professional skills, experience and State taxes. The Queensland Government has commitment of the LGOC's (or its subsidiary's) already legislated to provide that councils will board of directors. The Bill therefore sets out a not be required to pay additional State taxes if process for the selection of directors to ensure 1 May 1997 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 1261

the board has an appropriate range of skills and would set out the corporatised corporation's experience to achieve commercial success. At financial and non-financial performance targets the State level, shareholding Ministers are not for the year and matters dealing with the appointed as directors of Government owned community service obligations it must deliver. corporations in order to minimise the potential The statements can also include information on for conflicts of interest. However, the Bill borrowings, dividend policies, asset disposals, provides scope for councillors and council information to be given to shareholders, employees to be directors of an LGOC, including quarterly and annual reports. provided that such appointments are based on As to the powers that may be exercised merit and are subject to certain checks and by a corporatised corporation, the Bill provides balances. For instance, no such appointments that the council may by resolution delegate any can be made to a subsidiary of an LGOC. In of its own powers that it believes are necessary effect, greater separation and a more or convenient to facilitate the corporatised commercial focus can be achieved by a council corporation carrying on its business activities. creating only one LGOC as a holding company This provision has a sunset clause attached and and having fully commercially focused boards will expire on 1 July 1999. on the subsidiaries. The LGOC would monitor the performance of its subsidiaries and have A number of Acts will need to be amended input into their strategic direction. to facilitate the day to day operation of corporatised corporations. The Bill therefore The checks and balances for councillors permits corporatised corporations to be and council employees as directors of LGOCs established whilst identification of all the include - relevant provisions occurs and discussions are restrictions on their number and a phasing held with local government on how to deal with out of their membership on boards other each one. than where there is a pure holding Given the complexities of the NCP company LGOC; initiatives and the fact councils are on a steep a requirement that such directors must act learning curve with the new reforms, the Bill in the best interests of the LGOC when only provides councils with a statutory model attending board meetings; and for the corporatisation of their significant business activities. Consideration will be given making sure that a minimum number of the to providing a company model further down the directors of an LGOC are not councillors, track. A company model offers a number of council employees or employees of the advantages including the replacement of certain LGOC. prescriptive legislative requirements by the Whether or not councillors or council corporations law regime, which is a more employees acting as directors is an appropriate flexible and commercially recognised set of approach in the long term will be reviewed on arrangements. Generally, company model the basis of how this system operates over the corporations would operate in an environment next few years. The Bill specifically provides more akin to that applying to private sector that the Minister must carry out such a review. firms. It is worth noting that while both models As part of this review, the desirability of having are available at the State level, there are councillors potentially fulfilling both the roles of currently no State owned company delegate shareholders and LGOC directors will corporations. also be assessed. The Bill also provides scope for joint Once a corporatised corporation is council ownership of LGOCs to facilitate established, the board of directors is cooperative arrangements where appropriate. responsible for the operation of the new However, no provision has been made at this corporation, meeting the financial and non time for joint ownership of corporatised financial performance targets and delivering the corporations with the private sector or the community service obligations set by its State Government. This mirrors the situation at shareholders. Overarching control by the the State level. Expanding the scope for joint council will be largely exercised through the arrangements can be considered at a later date corporate plan of the LGOC, its statement of once the initial corporatisation framework has corporate intent and various reporting been bedded down. mechanisms. Reserve powers also exist to Although the Bill establishes the intervene in special circumstances but they framework for the competitive neutrality have to be exercised in an open and reforms, the detail (especially in respect of full transparent way. The corporate plan must cost pricing and commercialisation) will be set extend for at least three years and would set out in the Local Government Finance Standards out the nature of the business activities to be and Regulations made under the City of undertaken along with an assessment of the Brisbane Act 1924. Consultation will occur with corporation's operational environment, its the State/local government working group, the proposed capital works and other major Local Government Association and the initiatives. The statement of corporate intent Brisbane City council On the development of must be consistent with the corporate plan and this subordinate legislation. 1262 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

The final point I would make on these The Bill also contains amendments to the reforms is that the Bill also amends a number of Local Government Act to apply particular other Acts dealing with public sector features of the 1994 COAG water resource accountability requirements. For example, the policy. These relate to pricing of urban water as Whistleblowers Protection Act 1994, Public well as enhanced transparency in the financial sector Ethics Act 1994, Freedom of Information reporting of local government water operations. Act 1992. The water resource policy assumed increased The proposed amendments follow those significance with the adoption by COAG in April made to facilitate the operation of statutory 1995 of the agreement to implement NCP and corporations set up under the Government related reforms. In effect, the agreement tied Owned Corporations Act 1993. The Bill also successful implementation of the water contains a mechanism to extend the resource policy to the receipt of increased competitive neutrality reforms to council payments from the Commonwealth in the form business activities that are not defined as of financial assistance grants and competition significant—that is, they are not of a size to be dividends. classed as type 1 or 2 activities. A code of Those with even a short memory will recall competitive conduct will be developed to it was a Labor Government in Canberra and provide for the application of full cost pricing to another Labor Government in Queensland that these type 3 business activities including signed us up for these reforms. They are now adjustments to take account of the advantages trying to back away from their decisions. Well and disadvantages of their local Government this Government has the commitment and the ownership. But again in determining the prices ability to adapt those reforms and make them for goods and services, a council will have the work for Queensland. Consistent with our final responsibility for price setting—as long as approach to the implementation of NCP, the any pricing subsidy is treated as a community focus of the water reform requirements is again service obligation. on those local governments whose water and The Bill requires any type 3 business sewerage services are of such a scale as to activities to be listed in a council's annual report offer meaningful benefits from being reformed. along with reasons for the decision on whether These are the water supply and sewerage or not to apply the code. Type 3 activities are operations of the seventeen local governments those business activities of a local government with type 1 and 2 business activities. The undertaken in direct competition with the reform framework addresses water charging private sector which are above an expenditure and other practices within the water industry threshold to be set by regulation. Certain works that can contribute to unsustainable natural on State-controlled and local government roads resource use. These include service delivery are also included as type 3 business activities. inefficiencies and inequitable charging Adoption of the code will largely be voluntary, practices. The framework embraces pricing as foreshadowed in the July 1996 policy reform based on the principles of consumption statement. The only area where the code will be based pricing and full cost recovery, as well as mandatory is in relation to three categories of greater transparency in subsidies and cross- roadworks. They are - subsidies. The focus of reform is on more responsible stewardship of water resources and if a council submits an offer to undertake a more commercial approach to the work on State-controlled roads in management of water services. response to a publicly advertised invitation; A number of reforms are applied in the Bill. The first is a requirement for the affected local if a council submits a competitive 'in- governments to conduct an assessment of the house' tender for any of its own road costs and benefits of charging for water by construction or maintenance works which two-part tariff. A two part tariff is made up of it has put out to competitive tender; or charges for access and charges for the volume where a council submits a competitive tender of water consumed. In effect, water meters for roadworks called for by another local would need to be installed to apply a two part government. tariff. The Bill requires the affected local governments to conduct an assessment by 31 The code will be applied through December 1998 to determine whether it is cost- amendments to be made later this year to the effective to charge by two-part tariff. It should Local Government Finance Standards and be noted more than two thirds of these councils Regulations made under the City of Brisbane already have water meters in place. Act. The State/local government working group, the Local Government Association and Consistent with the approach taken on the the Brisbane City council will be consulted on competitive neutrality reforms, local the development of this subordinate governments will have the discretion to decide Legislation. Councils are required to make a whether or not to apply a two-part tariff if an decision on whether or not to apply the code assessment report so recommends. If a two by July 1998. However, in relation to work on part tariff is applied, implementation must be State-controlled roads, the code will apply from completed by 1 July 2000. However, if a local 1 January 1998. government chooses not to implement such a 1 May 1997 Local Government Legislation Amendment Bill 1263

recommendation, a fresh assessment and report concurrently by councils. However, both must be prepared within three years. Councils reviews must be complete and appropriate whose water supply and sewerage services changes in place by 1 July 1999. grow to become type 1 or 2 activities after the commencement of the Bill will also be required The Bill provides that councils must to conduct similar assessments. review any proposed local laws and local law policies for possible anti competitive Other provisions of the Bill relate to the provisions. If an anti competitive provision is application of full cost recovery and identified, the council must then carry out a consumption based charging. In addition, the public interest test of the provision and have a Bill requires greater financial transparency in report prepared. In effect the same process as relation to subsidies and cross-subsidies. Local being applied to existing local laws must be Governments with type 1 or 2 water supply and followed. Similarly, the final decision on an anti sewerage activities must have strategies in competitive provision identified in a report rests place to meet these requirements and have in the hands of the council. commenced implementation by 31 December 1998. The requirements are to be fully To streamline the review process, the Bill implemented by 1 July 2000. Those councils also allows a council to undertake its public that apply the competitive neutrality reforms interest test at the same time the proposed under NCP to their sewerage and water supply local law or local law policy is put on public activities will automatically comply with these display under the current law making process. aspects of the coag reform agenda. In accordance with the Competition Principles Agreement, any anti competitive provisions that The last element of the NCP reforms dealt are retained in local laws or local law policies with in this Bill is the requirement for all must again be reviewed within 10 years to legislation restricting competition to be ensure that it is still within the public interest to reviewed. The guiding principle is that retain them. legislation should not restrict competition unless the benefits of the restriction to the The final point I would make on the community as a whole outweigh the costs, and provisions of the Bill is that further amendments the objectives of the legislation can only be will be necessary in due course. As already achieved by restricting competition. In the flagged, the company model for corporatisation application of this principle to local and joint ventures with the State Government Government, the Bill defines and deals with the and the private sector need to be considered. existing local laws and local law policies of Further amendments will also arise as councils councils and proposed local laws and policies. implement the reforms and come up with better practical ways to achieve the desired For existing local laws and policies, the outcomes. Additional amendments will also be Bill basically provides that by 31 July 1997 the necessary once the new Queensland seventeen councils with type 1 and 2 business Competition Authority (QCA) becomes activities must identify likely anti competitive operational. For instance, it is proposed that the provisions. This list may be refined by 31 QCA would have an oversight role of the December 1997 to remove any provisions a integrity of the complaints system that councils council believes after more detailed with type 3 activities will need to have in place. consideration is not an anti competitive In summary, this Bill deals with some very provision. All other councils must identify sensitive and important issues for the possible anti competitive provisions in their community. National competition policy is an local laws and local law policies by 31 emotional term and many people have tried to December 1997. Councils must then carry out a use the NCP reforms to frighten the general public interest test and have a report prepared public and further their own interests, not the on whether or not the provision should be least of all, the Leader of the Opposition. retained, repealed or amended. Anti competitive provisions can be retained if they are in the The bottom line is that the NCP reforms public interest. In keeping with the approach are simply a set of tools to drive each adopted for the assessments that must occur taxpayer's dollar a little further and improve before applying the competitive neutrality and services for the community. The State two part tariff reforms, the final decision on the Government will provide $150m to councils to report about an anti competitive provision is left help carry out the various public benefit in the hands of the council. assessments and to implement only those reforms where the benefits outweigh any costs. A simple process to repeal or amend The final decision on whether to introduce existing local laws and local law policies with various reforms is also left in the hands of each anti competitive provisions has also been council, as long as it is done in an open and provided in the Bill. The process follows the transparent way. I commend the Bill to the one already laid down in the Local Government House. Act to repeal redundant provisions in local laws. In fact the review of anti competitive and Debate, on motion of Mr Mackenroth, redundant provisions can be carried out adjourned. 1264 Mental Health Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

MENTAL HEALTH AMENDMENT BILL be of unsound mind and those found to be Hon. M. J. HORAN (Toowoomba unfit for trial, and to provide for the effective South—Minister for Health) (4.03 p.m.), by treatment and security of patients in the least leave, without notice: I move— restrictive way, while taking account of the safety of the patient and other people. I would "That so much of the Standing emphasise that these amendments confirm Orders be suspended as would otherwise practices which have been in place for several prevent the immediate presentation to the years, owing to different interpretations of the House of a Bill for an Act to amend the legislation by previous Mental Health Tribunal Mental Health Act 1974 and the passing judges. The Bill establishes a procedure which of such Bill through all its stages in one follows a finding of unsoundness of mind. It day." places an obligation on the Mental Health Motion agreed to. Tribunal to order a person who has been found to have been of unsound mind to be detained as a restricted patient in a security First Reading patient's hospital or some other hospital. The Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and person will be considered to be in legal Bill, on motion of Mr Horan, read a first time. custody from the time the order is made. The order will be lawful authority for all police officers and health service employees to Second Reading detain the person under the order, including Hon. M. J. HORAN (Toowoomba while the patient is being conveyed to the South—Minister for Health) (4.04 p.m.): I hospital after the hearing. move— The Bill provides for the Mental Health "That the Bill be now read a second Tribunal to make an order granting the person time." leave of absence from hospital in certain Mental health is an area where the last circumstances where it can be satisfied that it ten years have seen significant advances in is safe to do so. The power to grant leave will clinical practices and also in community apply to a person whom the Mental Health attitudes and expectations. This Government Tribunal has found to be of unsound mind or has established a Ten Year Mental Health unfit to stand trial. Strategy for Queensland 1996 to further The effect of the order for leave will be progress this development. Unfortunately the limited to the period until the patient is Mental Health Act 1974 is an outdated and reviewed by a Patient Review Tribunal. The cumbersome piece of legislation which is Patient Review Tribunal has a role in the difficult to interpret and no longer reflects review of a person's detention under the modern mental health practice. Accordingly, I Mental Health Act. The Patient Review have approved an extensive review of the Tribunal's power to make a decision in relation Mental Health Act. As part of that, new mental to leave of absence will not be affected. The health legislation is currently under test for the granting of leave is the same for development. both the Mental Health Tribunal and the The Mental Health Tribunal has, since its Patient Review Tribunal, that is, that the inception, provided a cost effective and patient can be released having regard to the efficient way of dealing with certain issues. interests of the patient's own welfare and the These include determining whether the mental protection of other persons. There is no condition of a person has clearly affected their obligation on the tribunal to grant leave, and ability to control their actions and know what where it is not appropriate, or the tribunal is they were doing. The amendments proposed not satisfied that the patient can be safely by this Bill address two areas of ambiguity granted leave of absence, the person will be which have been identified by the current detained in the hospital on the order of the presiding judge of the tribunal. The ambiguity Mental Health Tribunal. relates to the lawful detention of a person Leave granted by the Mental Health following a finding of the tribunal. The issues Tribunal will take effect immediately, and the are therefore of such significance that it is not person will be able to leave the court. The an option to wait until the new legislation is order will contain conditions including, for introduced. example, the name of the mental health The primary objective of this Bill is to service responsible for providing continuing reinstate effective practices of previous Mental care and treatment and an appointment date Health Tribunals in relation to people found to within seven days of the hearing. Where leave 1 May 1997 Mental Health Amendment Bill 1265 is granted, the provisions ensure that the Tribunals since that time. It is also clear that patient is effectively linked to a mental health once that question is raised, that intention service. In accordance with the Act, the person must be validated. will be considered to be in the custody of the The Bill also clarifies the leave-granting hospital administrator while on leave of authorities of the Mental Health Tribunal to absence. facilitate the granting of leave of absence to The Bill provides for the person's leave to those patients detained under the Act who are be revoked if, at some time, it becomes more considered able and more appropriately suited appropriate that they receive their treatment to ongoing treatment within the community. It as an in-patient for a period. The Bill is important to recognise that the Act not only establishes who is empowered to revoke the deals with the involuntary detention of persons leave. A definition of a "prescribed person" is who have allegedly committed offences, included, and means the hospital sometimes of an extremely serious nature, administrator of the hospital stated in the order and been found of unsound mind but also or another hospital to which the patient is with patients who, because of mental illness, transferred, the designated medical are considered to be of danger to themselves. practitioner for the patient, or the Director of These latter patients who may have been Mental Health. This ensures that appropriate suicidal or repeatedly inflicted harm to action can be taken to bring the patient back themselves, or even by their illness are at risk to hospital and detain them there if the of harm from others in the community, may circumstances require such action. quickly and readily respond to modern treatments that were unknown at the time of Because the Act has previously been drafting the Act in 1974. Therefore, it is interpreted in a different way, it is necessary to inappropriate that these patients be detained validate all previous orders of the tribunal with longer than absolutely necessary and that respect to the detention of, or the granting of their ongoing treatment be normalised as leave of absence to, persons that the tribunal quickly as possible through other community- found to be of unsound mind. The Bill based practices, for example, an integrated validates the orders of the Mental Health mental health scheme, private psychiatric Tribunal, and validates the action of all police sessions, or community mental health officers, hospital staff, or other mental health sessions. service staff to detain a patient under the order of the Mental Health Tribunal, including Modern psychiatric treatment recognises the circumstances in which reasonable force the benefit of early normalisation of a mentally may have been needed to take the person to ill patient to the workplace, lifestyle and home hospital. The validation expires on the day the life and all the support that is thereby given. amendment comes into effect. This Bill will This Bill recognises the need for this granting therefore restore practices which have of leave to be conditional to allow the previously proved to be safe, humane and continuation and monitoring of appropriate effective in dealing with persons suffering from treatment regimes. a mental illness who come into contact with I am sure all other members have had the criminal justice system. experiences similar to mine where constituents have called deeply concerned about a child I commend the Bill to the House. with a mental illness. I have one such Mrs EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha) constituent, who is now in his 20s, and who is (4.10 p.m.): In speaking to the Mental Health a schizophrenic and a drug addict. He is Amendment Bill 1997, I wish to make it clear always fine when stabilised in hospital on from the outset that the Opposition will not be medication, but on release he stops taking the opposing the legislation. It accepts that, in the medication because he feels great and does face of the advice given by Crown law not think he needs it. Then he gets ripped off regarding the current Act, there could be some his sickness benefits by his so-called friends ambiguity regarding the authority of the and ends up committing offences to pay for Mental Health Tribunal not only to make a his renewed illicit drug dependency. However, finding about the need for involuntary because he voluntarily sought admission and detention but also to effect that detention. It is treatment, there was no compulsory program clear from subsequent provisions in the 1974 to maintain his treatment on discharge. His Act that effecting that detention was the clear most recent admission was for his own intention of the Act, and its validity would protection following another stay in the watch- appear to have been accepted and house. Hopefully, his next leave will be unquestioned by the various Mental Health supervised and controlled. 1266 Mental Health Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

Within the parameters of this Bill, new The Minister asks us to trust him, but how section 34A relates to leave of absence for can we? Remember, he was not going to patients detained as restricted patients. It close hospital beds, doctors were not going to allows for patients to be granted leave of have holidays at Christmas so they could absence, even quite extended leave of operate on patients, no wards would close, absence, while imposing controls and there would be 549 more nurses and 200 conditions on that leave but at the same time extra beds. He simply ran around and retaining the responsibility for that patient and promised everything to every group going. the monitoring of that patient's treatment and However, the reality was quite different. A wellbeing. record number of beds have been closed, there are fewer permanent nurses than ever One of my major concerns is for those before, category 2 and 3 waiting lists have patients who have committed serious ballooned to nearly double, the Minister has offences, including murder, and who have insufficient funds to pay for round 26 been found unfit to plead at a trial because of enterprise bargaining negotiations, and morale unsound mind. I am sure that no-one on in the department is at an all-time low. The either side of the House would wish to provide Minister has proven to be the most dishonest such people with an excuse or an opportunity and incompetent person I have ever seen in to put forward the ambiguities of the legislation public life. as an argument for their release from It gives me no pleasure to say that. detention or for departmental staff to be liable However, it makes it very difficult for me to for compensation. It is for that reason and that accept his word on problem legislation such as reason alone that I have accepted the this Bill. Yesterday, his performance on Anna arguments put by the Minister and the Reynolds' program was breathtaking in its departmental advisers for retrospective arrogance and deceit. There was Health legislation and, indeed, the need to ensure Rights Commissioner Ian Siggins pointing the the passage of this Bill in a single day of finger personally at the Minister's attempted sitting. I do so reluctantly and wish to stress cover-up of Baillie Henderson and the Minister that reluctance on record. sat there denying it—denying there was even In doing so, I also wish to place on record a problem, even though I understand that my disappointment that, although the Minister when he was in Opposition he received was first alerted to the problem in November repeated complaints about it. There was no 1996, I was only informed, firstly, that there evidence of compassion for the abused was urgent mental health legislation on patients or the staff who had the courage to Monday of this week; secondly, the nature of speak out in defence of those helpless that legislation on Tuesday night; and, thirdly, individuals. received a briefing on Wednesday afternoon— The Minister is paid a big salary to be the yesterday. The Minister had months to let us Minister. For that salary he is expected to take know and chose yesterday. So the Opposition, responsibility and to provide accountability. If with little time to consult more widely on this, he cannot accept that, then he should give will reluctantly agree to the Bill, even though the job to someone else and stop being a the process is highly irregular. However, I fear wuss. As a result of this arrogance and that, given the track record of this Minister, discourtesy, I must apologise for not being there will be a glitch in this rushed Bill and we able to follow my usual routine and consult will have to come back to this place to debate with the many mental health professionals, an amendment to it. The Opposition would carers and consumers to whom I would usually have welcomed a process whereby we could have spoken. Indeed, even consultation with have been taken into confidence some time the Labor caucus was severely limited owing ago to see whether this Bill in this time frame to a lack of precise advice. Therefore, I must is necessary. accept the ministerial office's advice that there has been consultation with a representative As a spokesperson, I have never group, the Queensland Mental Health behaved like the Minister did in Opposition Consumers Group, and that this group has and broken the confidentiality of a briefing so supported these amendments. I would have that groups can stir up against a matter. I give preferred much more to consult with the the assurance that neither I nor the Opposition various groups myself, for we all know that would do so in the future. We intend to lift the there can be shades of support, questions to health debate beyond the intellectual be asked and points to be clarified. However, banalities that the Minister served up when in having accepted the need for urgent Opposition. clarification and amendments, I reiterate that 1 May 1997 Mental Health Amendment Bill 1267 the Opposition will support these has callously played word games and amendments. dissembled, saying that the centre would not Mental illness is a truly distressing illness close but would move to the Logan Hospital. for both the patient and the patient's family, The Logan Hospital unit is a completely with a long history of mystery and stigma and different operation. It will be in an acute fear attached to it. My concern at the haste hospital and was planned as part of the 10- with which this legislation is being rushed year mental health strategy as an extra facility, especially when, with the 15 beds at Barrett, through and the lack of consultation is 10 beds at Logan and 12 beds at RBH—all reinforced further by experience of the families operational—the State would still be 11 beds of mentally ill adolescents in that decisions short of the recognised necessary minimum of have been made, again without any 48. consultation, and without any good or rational reason. I refer to the planned closure of The disappointment of those families Queensland's only—and I repeat only— unfortunate enough to be affected by this functioning specialist adolescent mental health closure is palpable and it reinforces for me the unit, the Barrett Centre. dangers of the Minister's arrogance and lack of preparedness to consult with those most Although the Government's 10-year involved: the carers, the families and, of mental health strategy—another direct copy of course, the patients. The Minister has learnt Labor initiatives—indicates clearly the need for the media hype and the rhetoric. He has 48 adolescent mental health beds across this poached the strategies and plagiarised the State, what is this Minister doing? He has booklets, but he has not grasped a basic borrowed Labor policy and claimed that he understanding of the hardship and heartbreak would make mental health a priority and involved for both the mentally ill teenagers and instantly open beds, such as the 12-bed their families. I keep hoping against hope that adolescent unit at the RBH. Of course, more he will learn to have some compassion and to than a year later it is still not open. Indeed, listen to those people, too. under Labor it was built, funded and planned to open in July 1996. According to the media, In closing, I again place on record my it may open—may open—in July 1997. This concerns that the Minister does not consult Minister said that it would not take him six with the most important people in health care: months to staff and open it. He was quite the professionals, the carers, the patients and right. It did not. It has taken him 18 months to their families. I wish I had confidence that do exactly that. Luckily, it was built by Labor. If these concerns were a paramount part of the it was not, it would still be on the planning floor Minister's action in this legislation, but I cannot with all the Government's other capital works be confident of this when I look at his record. promises that are running scandalously behind However, the Opposition will accept the advice schedule. given by the Minister's office and Crown law as to the urgent need to end any ambiguity in The Barrett adolescent unit has a proven this legislation as described. The Opposition track record of dealing with seriously disturbed supports the amendments. young people who have been through the mill already of acute care hospitals and private Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga) psychiatrists. Many of them—most of them— (4.22 p.m.): The amendments give effect to are suicidal and have survived suicide practices which have been long standing. The attempts. They have a desperate need for a Government believes that it is necessary to more stable environment of medium-term make the amendments in order to relieve legal hospitalisation and rehabilitation with ambiguity. Accordingly, for the reasons given recreation facilities around them. Because of by the shadow Minister, the Opposition will their suicidal and self-harming problems, they support the Bill. are hospitalised to protect them from In his second-reading speech, the themselves. With youth suicide recognised as Minister observed that the Mental Health a national crisis in health and, indeed, a Tribunal has provided a cost effective and national shame, why would the Minister close efficient way of dealing with certain issues. He a centre that has a successful history in concluded his speech with a reference to— preventing suicide? ". . . practices which have previously However, in answer to a question on proved to be safe, humane and effective notice asked as a result of patients and in dealing with persons suffering from a parents being informed that the unit will close mental illness who come into contact with by the end of this calendar year, the Minister the criminal justice system." 1268 Mental Health Amendment Bill 1 May 1997

The question that arises is whether those fairest system for carrying out the difficult tasks practices are just. which it has to carry out. I urge the Minister to During the course of the debate on the approach the question with an open mind amendments to the Criminal Code, I raised and, in particular, to address issues of concern problems that have been experienced in to victims of crime so that their voice can be relation to the findings of the Mental Health heard and given appropriate weight in the Tribunal and, in particular, the concerns of the course of the policy debate on the issue of the family of a victim of homicide arising from a future of the Mental Health Tribunal. recent case. That case illustrates the central Mr J. H. SULLIVAN (Caboolture) policy that underlies the Mental Health (4.28 p.m.): While I do not propose to speak Tribunal, namely, that the tribunal makes at great length on this Bill, I am a little determinations of both fact and law. In every concerned about the fact that we are trying to other jurisdiction in Australia, questions of fact pass the legislation off as the consequence of are determined by a jury and questions of law an ambiguity. The Bill contains one of the are determined by a judge. In that way, the most severe cases of retrospectivity that I community can have some confidence that have seen in nine years in Parliament. It is a questions of fact relating to unsoundness of 23-year retrospectivity to cure what may or mind with respect to a criminal offence have may not be the illegal detention of people and been made by 12 citizens just and true. It the illegal assault of people. The new places a very great burden upon the Mental presiding judge of the tribunal is concerned Health Tribunal for a Supreme Court justice to that the ability to do what was always clearly assume responsibility for both questions of law the intention of Parliament may not be what and questions of fact. Perhaps for that reason, Parliament in fact enacted in 1974. That no other jurisdiction has followed the shows that that body can make mistakes experiment that Queensland embarked on when drafting legislation, which can lead to some years ago. problems. We have standards that should be I say this not in the belief that the followed and I plead for those standards to be question is an easy one, nor in the belief that followed on all occasions. I make a number of the answer is necessarily obvious. I am statements in the Chamber in relation to mindful of the fact that the current Attorney- legislation along those lines. General, the Honourable Denver Beanland, is In a sense, there are things in the Bill that looking at the matter, no doubt in consultation the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee, of with the Minister for Health. However, I draw which I am a member, would have taken issue attention to it in this debate because I suspect with. I have learnt in the last few minutes that that the ambiguity in the legislation arises from the Minister's staff consulted with the staff of the novel nature of the tribunal we are dealing the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee over the with. fact that they intended to pass the Bill through It may be that, notwithstanding the cost- all its stages in one day. Our staff have, in effective, efficient and humane practices that fact, prepared a memorandum for the have been observed, the experiment of using chairman, which I have not yet seen, in a Mental Health Tribunal to determine relation to issues that they see arising. questions of unsoundness of mind and fitness to plead as opposed to the more traditional We need to be careful about being glib. I divisions of responsibility between judge and do not think we need to apologise for repairing jury will pass into the dustbin of history. I do mistakes made in the past, particularly as in not know the answer to that question, but I do this instance we have very good reasons for not believe that the experiment in Queensland doing so. We need to be honest with has been so clear-cut as to mean that this ourselves and with the public we serve. To tribunal structure is set in concrete. Indeed, if it write this off as being ambiguous is not proper. were so one might have expected other Perhaps this supports the Minister's jurisdictions to have followed Queensland's assertion of ambiguity, but I have said on a example, but that has not happened. number of occasions that, if one wants three In the course of his review of the Mental opinions, one need ask only two lawyers. The Health Act, I encourage the Minister, together fact that previous presiding judges and the with the Attorney-General, to consult widely current presiding judge have a different view is with mental health professionals, the legal not so unusual. However, I think we need to community, victims of crime groups and all be up front when we have these sorts of interested citizens to see whether the system problems. On the face of it, a 23-year of the Mental Health Tribunal is the best and retrospectivity is pretty horrendous. 1 May 1997 Mental Health Amendment Bill 1269

I say not on behalf but as a member of Queensland is one of the few, if only, the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee that I jurisdictions in the world that has the system of appreciate the Minister allowing our staff to a Mental Health Tribunal. I know that the have a look at this urgent Bill before it was consultation on that new mental health introduced into the Chamber. That was a legislation has been under way for about four positive step. Perhaps the Leader of years—three years under the previous Government Business might suggest to the Government and about one year under ours. I Premier that another positive step might be to will undertake to look at that aspect to see change the Parliamentary Committees Act to whether that consultation has taken place. I allow our committee to report on urgent Bills presume it would have. From memory, the list passed through all stages when there has not of people consulted over the four years during been an opportunity to do so in the Alert the terms of the two Governments is Digest. Having made those few comments, I extensive. Also, the role of the Mental Health and other members of the Opposition are Tribunal is being examined by Queensland happy to support the Bill. Health and the Department of Justice as part Hon. M. J. HORAN (Toowoomba of the new mental health legislation. I can give South—Minister for Health) (4.32 p.m.), in an assurance to the honourable member that reply: At the outset, I thank the Opposition for that is being looked at. its understanding of the particular and unique I will return to a number of issues that need for this Bill to be passed this afternoon were brought forward by the Opposition Health and for indicating its support. Understandably, spokesperson, the member for Mount Coot- the member for Caboolture voiced his tha. Again, I thank the Opposition for its concerns about the retrospective nature of the understanding of the need for this Bill to go Bill as it deals with the tribunal, which has through. The honourable member had been in place since 1984. concerns about major crime and for All honourable members would departmental and police staff, and that was understand some of the serious problems that one of the reasons why she agreed to this Bill could occur in trying to effect the normal going straight through. passage of a Bill such as this one—for It is important to point out that the example, it could take some days before it preparation of this legislation was not rushed, was debated in the House. Ultimately, we as the Opposition implied. The Opposition have to keep in mind the safety of the would have seen from the material that we community we serve. provided to it that the legal opinions on this I indicate to the member for Caboolture legislation have been going to and fro that the next meeting of the tribunal is on between the department and Crown law either 17 or 19 May, so it was very important based upon the interpretations made by the to have this Bill passed and to provide that judge. It was not a very simple matter; it was retrospectivity not only for the orders that have extremely serious, technical and complicated. been effected over that time but also for those people, be they employees of the health The final piece of correspondence service, police and other people involved in regarding opinions on those judgments was in the carrying out of those orders—— March. Here we are, on the first day of May, with this Bill in place. Members said that they Mr McElligott interjected. got to look at the Bill and the Explanatory Mr HORAN: Yes, I guess the Notes only this week; I am sure that they can honourable member would be covered by comprehend that there was no suspicion of that, too. any member in any way. The seriousness of The member for Yeronga spoke very what may have eventuated from any part of seriously about the reasons why we have a this matter being in the public arena really Mental Health Tribunal. He compared the meant that it had to be done very justness of the process with things such as professionally. For that reason, we provided cost-effectiveness, being safe and humane the Opposition spokesperson, the Bills and other terms used in the second-reading committee and other members of this House speech. He spoke about the decisions made with a briefing. in a court of law—that facts are decided by a The Opposition spokesperson spoke jury and the law is decided by a judge—and about beds and nurses, and accused us of he encouraged consultation in the production closing beds and reducing nursing numbers. I of the mental health legislation that we hope return to the point that when we came into will come before the House shortly. Government we reopened wards that the 1270 Mental Health Amendment Bill 1 May 1997 former Government closed when they were Government, there were no cashable 100% occupied. That is what it did. savings—nothing—to pay for that round. It makes good management sense, if There was absolutely nothing. Some $22m hospitals are running millions of dollars over was required. There was no cash. There was budget—as they were under Labor—to run no tin with $22m in it; there was nothing. them properly so that perhaps the occupancy Mrs Edmond interjected. rate can be not 60% but about 85% or 90%, Mr HORAN: We had a budget overrun just like it is in a lot of larger and busy of $54m. We had to fund the overrun of $54m hospitals, and make better use of staff and and the $24m deficit left by the previous budget. In that way, not only can they stay Health Minister. Yet the Opposition has the within budget but also they can spend more hide to talk about the funding of EB 2. We money on things such as ambulatory services, have put in place in EB 2—and it has been day palliative care, day rehabilitation, more signed off by all the unions and has been renal dialysis, and more services in intensive through the Industrial Relations Commission— care. a system of funding so that those funds will be We are about running things properly, not provided by Treasury and a minimal amount of closing down wards with 100% occupancy like benchmark savings. Labor did at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, not The member also talked about morale. I closing down or virtually destroying good can tell her that, based on the hospitals such as the QE II. I think the correspondence that comes into the Health Opposition has lost all credibility in that Department across the State, I am confident argument. The sorts of irrational arguments in asserting that Queensland Health has once the Opposition uses is that we should run again returned to being one family where they wards at about 60% occupancy and pour know what they are on about. We have millions of dollars down the drain on funding eliminated one entire level of bureaucracy. We staff to resource empty beds—unless we are have District Health Councils in place. People to go out and hit people on the head with a know what they are about. We have some hammer, make them sick and drag them in to good clinical leaders within the department try to fill the beds. People can only come in who know what they are doing and have some when they get sick. experience within Health. One only has to look This morning, the Opposition brought up at the results of the health summit to see that. the issue of the maternity ward at the Logan The member mentioned the Baillie Hospital. Have a look at the good practices at Henderson Hospital and the Health Rights places such as the Mater Private and the Commission and comments that I made on Mater Public Mothers. There can be four the Anna Reynolds show. The one thing that wards open there. However, the mothers can we are ensuring, particularly in the case of the have their babies only when they decide to Baillie Henderson matter, and the one thing arrive. If only two wards can be filled up with that should happen—if the member wants to mothers, why have two other wards full of staff talk about justice and she wants to talk about standing around waiting for some mothers to fairness—is that fairness must be shown to turn up? It is just absolutely ridiculous. At everybody on all sides. Any investigation that places such as the Logan Hospital, every occurs on a one-sided basis with a mother has a bed. predetermined motive to get certain people or The Opposition spoke about categories 2 close places down is not just to all sides. We and 3, but it did not mention the success we have stood firm on the basis that if there were have had on waiting times for category 1 in any rotten apples at Baillie Henderson taking Queensland from being the worst State Hospital—and I know the staff of that hospital in Australia under members opposite to being have the same view—we wanted them the best State in Australia now. We now turn weeded out. our attention to the very difficult and We referred the Health Rights demanding task of attacking category Commission report immediately to the CJC. 2—something Labor never had the political We were the ones who provided for the Health courage, ability or skills to ever do. Rights Advisory Council investigation of the Members opposite mentioned that the process and a whole lot of other processes to Government did not have the money to fund occur, and I tabled the whole lot in this the second round of enterprise bargaining. House—some 13 documents in all, including What absolute rubbish! When we came into an overview by Dr Peter Brennan of how well Government and we had to fund the final the process had been handled and whether or round of EB 1 developed by the former not we were addressing all of those 1 May 1997 Justice and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1271 recommendations within the Health Rights unit can open. As the member herself would Commission report itself. There is one thing understand, there are no directors for that has to happen in the Health Rights subspecialties such as adolescent psychiatry. Commission. We are determined to support There are very, very few of those around in the Health Rights Commission, and we are Australia. It is absolutely important to have the determined to see that it is fair and that it is proper professional care—to have the director fair to both sides—fair to the patients and fair appointed before the staff can be recruited. to the staff, because there are always two I have summarised the particular points sides to everything. that the Opposition has raised. As I said, I give The member then referred to an assurance that we will look at the matter of consultation. She said that she wanted the the Mental Health Tribunal, because it is fairly Government to consult with all the consumer unique to the Queensland jurisdiction. Once groups. She would have seen from the again, I sincerely thank the Opposition for its Explanatory Notes that consultation has assistance in this very delicate and serious occurred with groups such as the Consumer matter in allowing this legislation to go through Health Advisory Group, Crown law and the today. tribunal itself. Even the member herself would Motion agreed to. understand that if consultation of the type she described was to have taken place to overcome these particular problems brought Committee about by a judge's different opinions, the Clauses 1 to 7, as read, agreed to. problems would have spread all over the world Bill reported, without amendment. like a bushfire and the very reasons we have had to bring this Bill into the House and seek the assistance of the Opposition in bringing it Third Reading through would have been totally negated. The Bill, on motion of Mr Horan, read a third member mentioned the haste with which the time. legislation has been introduced, but the final advice from Crown law was received in March 1997 and we had to follow that through. JUSTICE AND OTHER LEGISLATION The matter of the Barrett centre was (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) BILL raised by the member. She should be aware Second Reading that what is going to be developed at Logan Resumed from 26 March (see p. 878). will be a purpose-built adolescent unit— purpose built so that it can provide the very Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga) best of physical facilities. It will mean that for (4.47 p.m.): This is an unusual Bill. It ranges the first time in Queensland, certainly in the over 27 different statutes and includes two south-east corner, there will be an adolescent Schedules. It is scarcely a miscellaneous unit on the south side of the river. On the provisions Bill. It rather more resembles a north side of the river will be the adolescent random frolic through the statute book unit at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, so there involving both minor and major questions of will be two purpose-built areas. The member policy en route. It ranges, for example, from claimed that the unit at the Royal Brisbane the Native Title Act through various pieces of Hospital would have been opened in 1996. Transport legislation into the portfolio of the What with? There were no funds. That hospital Premier in the Statutory Instruments Act, and was millions of dollars over budget when we even within the Justice portfolio, which gives the Bill its name, we see fully 18 pages came to Government. The former Government devoted to the Public Trustee Act had a hospital budget that had blown out by millions, it had no money for enterprise amendment; so that it does give rise to bargaining, it had no money for the mess in concern as to the convention about the proper workers' compensation for which it was use of miscellaneous provisions Bills. responsible and for which it hit the Health I draw the attention of the House to Alert Department with another $12m bill. We had all Digest No. 4 of the all-party Scrutiny of that financial mess, and the member reckons Legislation Committee, which observed that— the unit was funded! There was no money "By convention, amendments there to pay for it. So we put the money into introduced to various Acts through the budget for this year, for 1996-97. A very 'miscellaneous provisions' bills deal only eminent director has now been obtained and with minor, technical or inconsequential the balance of the staff recruited so that the matters." 1272 Justice and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1 May 1997

That report noted that the provisions of the I will deal with a number of this cavalcade legislation contained in the Bill led the of issues that the House has to address. With committee to form the view that the respect to the amendments to the Criminal amendment in question was not Code, the Opposition welcomes the reform of inconsequential and should therefore not have the law concerning the contamination of been incorporated into a Bill dealing with goods and the hoax contamination of goods. miscellaneous provisions but, rather, into a The recent experience of the Arnotts biscuits substantive Bill. The Opposition will be moving alleged poisoning and the public alarm that a number of amendments to this Bill which I was created in that area demonstrates the have circulated in the Chamber. But I do draw importance of keeping our laws up to date in the attention of the Parliament to this this area. disturbing trend on the part of the Government Another amendment to the Criminal towards abusing the convention concerned Code, which the Bill advances, concerns the with miscellaneous provisions Bills. examination of accused persons in custody. If the Government of the day wants the This, I understand, has been requested by the cooperation of the Opposition with respect to Queensland Police Service so that its officers dealing with a range of machinery provisions may have appropriate authority to call on through miscellaneous provisions legislation, it others to assist in searching prisoners, should be careful not to abuse the convention particularly for those police officers working in in the way that it has done in this Bill. In the rural and remote parts of the State. For legislation that was presented before the example, I understand that, where a male House and that was debated before police officer in a remote area has occasion to Christmas, the Opposition noted that the arrest a female person, it has been the provisions there relating to the Cremation Act practice for the male officer to have his wife were far from minor or inconsequential and did carry out the examination of the accused involve a significant issue of controversy in that person in custody, particularly so as to ensure industry. I accept that the Minister for Justice that such a person does not have in their and Attorney-General was not aware on that possession anything which could endanger occasion that the particular amendments to that person's safety or be used for an escape. the Cremation Act would lead to controversy The amendment is designed to regularise that and I accept that he put them before the practice. Parliament in good faith. But on that occasion I do, however, draw to the attention of the the Opposition warned that its cooperation Attorney the wording that appears in that required an observance by the Government of provision which authorises the person assisting the proper approach to this convention. the police officer in a form of words that is It is, therefore, disappointing to see that expressed as "acting at the direction of a that convention has not been adhered to in police officer". I ask the Attorney in his reply to this Bill and, indeed, the all-party Scrutiny of the second-reading debate to make it plain on Legislation Committee has also come to that the record that the use of the term "direction" view. Notwithstanding a degree of provocation, there is not intended to give rise to any form of the Opposition will, however, be supporting the civil conscription, that is to say, that the Bill, but we will be moving a number of authority which is being conferred is authority amendments that are set out in the material but is not in the same character as a lawful which I have circulated in the Chamber. direction of a police officer, non-compliance The retrospective character of some of with which would give rise to the commission the legislation set out in this Bill gives cause of an offence. for concern. I understand that the Attorney I also make the point that the Opposition may, in due course, move some amendments would normally look very askance at any at the Committee stage to address that. I piecemeal changes to police powers. It is welcome that course of action, because the unsatisfactory to have an incremental matters set out by the Scrutiny of Legislation approach to police powers because the Committee with regard to retrospectivity— situation can arise where police powers are particularly concerning traffic matters, the use increased a little bit here and a little bit there of photographic detection devices, the Motor until one finds that the accretion of power has Accident Insurance Act and so on—are very resulted in a substantive shift in the balance legitimate concerns. They are the sorts of between police and citizen. It is for that reason errors that can arise when one simply sweeps that the Criminal Justice Commission a swag of unrelated amendments into a large undertook a comprehensive review of the piece of legislation. provisions relating to police powers and that 1 May 1997 Justice and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1273 issue should be dealt with in a comprehensive National Front Party as a reaction to public way. On this occasion, I understand there is a concern about immigrants from north Africa. particular problem which is sought to be That inflaming of racial divisions between addressed. I ask the Attorney to give an sections of our community is something to assurance to the House that the which all honourable members of this Government's approach to police powers will Parliament should be strongly opposed. The not be permitted to slip into the tendency of message from Pauline Hanson and her allowing incremental increases in police strangely named One Nation Party is a powers. message which leads ultimately to divisions With respect to the amendments to the within the community—divisions between Evidence Act, the provisions set out reform to Aboriginal Australians and non-Aboriginal the proof of incorporation. On its face, this is a Australians, and divisions between Australians sensible reform; however, there is provision in of Anglo-Celtic descent and Australians of the legislation for the ordering of costs. I Asian descent. It is perhaps understandable in sound a note of caution in this regard in that an age of economic uncertainty, when people the ordering of costs against a defendant in find it tough to obtain job security, that some these circumstances could set a dangerous in the community look to a scapegoat. One precedent. We should never allow a situation sees people such as Pauline Hanson to develop in the criminal courts where providing the ill-informed with a scapegoat in defendants are effectively obliged to admit the form of Aboriginal people or in the form of elements of the offence with which they are Asian immigrants. This crude scapegoating is charged merely to avoid a costs burden. This the enemy of reason. It is the enemy of a free provision is argued by the Government to be and open society. The crude scapegoating largely a technical matter so as to avoid that has been observed in the conduct of unnecessary cost and delay. However, I sound Pauline Hanson and the One Nation Party a note of caution, for it should not be thought must be challenged. It is a blight upon that any provision authorising the awarding of Australian civilisation. It should be attacked by costs against defendants in criminal all people who genuinely believe in an proceedings should be lightly entered into. Australia in which citizens are free. The amendment of the Native Title My attention was drawn recently to the (Queensland) Act 1993 is designed to ensure Boyer Lectures of 1992 of the historian that the status quo may continue with respect Geoffrey Bolton, when he quoted Australia's to the acquisition for public purposes under first Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton, in the State's compulsory acquisitions legislation speaking of the Australian people as a free until suitable amendments are made to the people with keen insight and active reason. Acquisition of Land Act 1967. In this respect it Those words said by our first Prime Minister ring true today. We should, as a people, use is important to remind ourselves that these that keen insight and active reason to take up compulsory acquisition powers of the Crown the cudgels of debate and debunk these should be exercised only for a public purpose. myths put about by Pauline Hanson and the In the course of the wide-ranging and One Nation Party. It is not always easy to sometimes ill-informed debate on native title, argue the case for tolerance in the face of there has been a tendency amongst some to angry intolerance. It is not always easy to try to argue that the compulsory acquisition powers plumb the depths as to why there is economic of the State should be used to acquire land, insecurity with related social insecurity. It is that is, native title land, for private purposes to much easier to point the finger and blame confer upon other parties, for example, one's neighbour. But the blame of one's pastoral leaseholders. It would be quite wrong neighbour is never a good approach. At the in principle for the use of State compulsory end of the day we must live with each other as acquisition powers that are intended for public good neighbours. The disturbing feature of the purposes to be used for private purposes. The attention given to Pauline Hanson and the reason that the law cloaks the Crown with One Nation Party is the flight from the good these extraordinary powers is that their neighbour principle that has underpinned so exercise is said to be justified for a public much of what is valuable about Australian purpose. citizenship and about being a member of the In this respect, it is disappointing to note Australian community. the hysterical debate whipped up by Pauline I turn to the amendments in the Bill of the Hanson and the One Nation Party around the Public Trustee Act. These amendments are issue of native title. I noted with concern the lengthy and significant. It is surprising to see emergence in the south of France of the them in a miscellaneous provisions legislation. 1274 Justice and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1 May 1997

The amendments have given rise to concern applied positively and appropriately for the on the part of the Scrutiny of Legislation promotion of the richness of Queensland Committee with regard to the powers of culture and for the advancement of natural inspectors to enter premises. For that reason I history and the other topics of importance to foreshadow that the Opposition will be moving the museum. amendments to give effect to the It is significant to note that a meeting of recommendations of the all-party Scrutiny of curators at the Queensland Museum on 27 Legislation Committee with regard to evidence March 1997 showed, I believe, considerable of consent with respect to entry. Also, the courage in drawing attention to their grave Opposition will be moving amendments so as concern regarding ethical considerations to ensure that, where entry is sought by an associated with the commercial jewellery inspector into a dwelling house, such entry display. They expressed concern that the may be obtained only by consent of the display appeared to be in breach of the occupier or by warrant. That amendment is Museums Australia code of ethics accepted by necessary because the legislation is drafted in all member museums. On 10 April of this year, such a way as to allow entry into a person's when the matter was reported in the Courier- place of business where it is said to be open Mail, I wrote to the Minister for The Arts urging for business. However, the facts of life are that many people operate their businesses from the conduct of a full investigation and public report regarding this matter. I have not yet their dwelling houses, and the law should not received a substantive reply, although I permit an inspector entry into a dwelling house received an acknowledgment to my letter. I unless there is the consent of the occupier or have written also to the Chair of the there is an entry authorised by warrant. The Queensland Museum Board of Trustees, Mr role of a trustee is a very special one. As the Trevor Steel, on 14 and 15 April and have name suggests, a trustee stands in a position received a reply dated 16 April, which of trust for a beneficiary or for a charitable or addresses part but not all of the issues statutory purpose. concerning the duty of this trustee and how The exercise of the powers that are set that duty was carried out. out in this legislation for inspectors are said to I note that Ms Tobias has resigned as a be justified on the grounds of the need to trustee of the museum, but the matter simply ensure that trustees carry out their duty in a cannot be left to lie there, for this case gives proper way. In that respect I note, for rise to some serious questions about the duty example, the current controversy about the of trustees of the museum and, indeed, other exercise of the duties of the trustee of one of important cultural assets. It is important that the Queensland Museum Board of Trustees, the museum be a place used for public Ms Josephine Tobias. I table correspondence benefit, not for private profit. It is by no means between me and the Minister for The Arts clear on the material whether the trustee in regarding this matter and also correspondence question declared to the board her interest as between me and the Chair of the Queensland an employee or agent of Susan Peacock Museum Board of Trustees, together with a Jewellery prior to making the referral of the copy of a calendar of events from the exhibition to the museum. It is also by no Queensland Museum. means clear how one is to reconcile the report The issue concerning the conduct of the in the Courier-Mail of 10 April of Ms Tobias' trustee in this case goes to whether there was comments that she was not involved with the a conflict of interest. In short, the trustee, Ms exhibition and handled only the interstate Josephine Tobias, is the functions coordinator displays for Susan Peacock with the tabled and marketing manager for Susan Peacock written advice of the Chair of Queensland Jewellery. In that regard, Ms Tobias' role was Museum Board of Trustees dated 16 April that as a trustee on the Queensland Museum the exhibition was, in fact, referred to the Board of Trustees. Trustees have a duty to museum by Josephine Tobias herself. This is ensure that they act in accordance with their a serious matter. I publicly urge the Minister for duty as trustees and not for the pursuit of any The Arts to do what I urged her to do in my private interest of their own in the exercise of letter of 10 April, namely, to carry out a full their responsibilities. This is very important, investigation and give a public report because a major cultural asset such as the concerning this matter. This matter should be Queensland Museum is entrusted to a board presented to the Parliament, for the duty of of trustees because it is desirable that there trustees of the Queensland Museum is set out be representatives of the community who can in the Queensland Museum Act 1970 of this ensure that such a valuable cultural asset is Parliament. 1 May 1997 Justice and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1275

One of the most disturbing features of this Museum curators have carried out their duties case is the brochure by the museum which to examine the Museums Australia code of holds out to the community in its calendar of ethics and have made their views known that events the jewellery exhibition in question, they regarded the display as appearing to be namely, Black Star Sapphire Jewellery in breach of the Museums Australia code of Designs, as if it appeared to be an exhibition ethics. of the Queensland Museum. Yet, following the It is even more disturbing that such an raising of public concerns on the part of the apparent breach of the code of ethics should curators and the Opposition concerning this occur at a time when there have been 41 job matter, the chair of the board of trustees, Mr losses at the Queensland Museum. It is a Steel, describes it as a product launch of the matter of great concern that the Arts policies above collection. Trustees are expected to of this Government have resulted in a situation carry out their duties in accordance with the where 12 attendants have been offered trust conferred upon them. It is not to be voluntary early retirements and a further 29 expected that the museum or any of our other interpretation officers have had their positions great cultural assets are there for the private terminated with the cold comfort that they profits of the trustees or the trustees' could apply for positions as visitor service employers. The museum and our other officers on 25% less pay. To an outside cultural assets are there for the benefit of the observer, one sees the workers of the Queensland people. The fact that this Queensland Museum losing jobs left, right and exhibition was permitted to go ahead gives centre and a trustee involved in a situation rise to the very real need for some clear where the great cultural asset of the museum guidelines to ensure that there is no repetition was applied for the commercial benefit of the of this incident. In particular, as there is trustee's employer. It hardly needs to be said increasing pressure upon public sector that such a situation gives rise to a great deal agencies to raise funds in the commercial of public concern and must not be swept environment, the duty of trustees becomes under the carpet. more complex, but nonetheless of critical importance. It is precisely when there is I turn to the amendment of the Statutory complexity that it is important that there be Instruments Act that is set out in the Bill before clear guidelines governing the carrying out of the House. The Bill amends the Statutory the duty of trust on the part of trustees. Sadly, Instruments Act by deleting the time period 1 the Minister for The Arts has not done what July 1997 and inserting where appropriate the the Opposition asked her to do, that is, carry new time period of 1 July 2000. Such an out a full investigation and make a public amendment will extend the period by three report on this matter. In the public interest I years, which will enable a comprehensive and now urge her to do so and to report as a considered review of subordinate legislation. matter of urgency to this Parliament so that What a joke! We have a Government which the matter can be properly aired. claims to be the representative of those who It is not good enough for there simply to would cut red tape, a Government that sets be a resignation and for this matter to be itself up as the champion of small business swept under the carpet. The Government of fighting against bureaucratic red tape, yet the day has a responsibility to ensure that the what does it do to the program that is designed to cut red tape, namely, the program duty of trustees is carried out properly and fairly. We do not want to see the Arts requiring systematic review of regulations administration in this State return to the days affecting business? Does the Government of Allen and Judith Callaghan. We want to see apply resources to ensure that the job- Arts administration carried out by trustees generating capacities of small business can be charged with their statutory responsibilities and enhanced? acting in accordance with their duty, namely, Mr J. H. Sullivan: No! to act in the public interest for the people of Mr FOLEY: No. The Government Queensland. extends the period by three years to put the I should say that this may never have task of cutting red tape on the never-never seen the light of day but for the courageous plan. stand taken by the curators at the Queensland Museum in passing their unanimous resolution Mr J. H. Sullivan: Roll out the red and enabling the great disinfectant of sunlight tape. to be cast upon this matter. They are to be Mr FOLEY: Yes, indeed. I thank the congratulated and I am sure that it cannot honourable member for Caboolture. This is an have been easy for them. The Queensland extraordinary admission of defeat by this 1276 Justice and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1 May 1997

Government. I foreshadow that the Opposition just too hard? No, they try to squirrel it away in will be moving an amendment to give them the back of a miscellaneous provisions piece not three years but one year. If this of legislation among 26 other amendments in Government is fair dinkum about the task of the hope that no-one will notice. I can assure cutting red tape for small business and for the Ministers that the people of Queensland industry generally, then it will vote for the will notice their manifest unwillingness to Opposition amendment. confront the serious business of Government There can be only one reason why the and ensure that red tape is cut. That is now Government wishes to put off the dreadful day apparent for all to see. with respect to the Statutory Instruments Act, The failure of the Government with and that is that it is not serious about the respect to the review of statutory instruments process of business regulation review. The will be a hallmark of its approach to the task of Government is not serious about the task of job generation. We hear much of the need to actually reviewing all of that regulation. How stimulate small business by getting often have we heard members of this Government off its back. We hear much of the Government complain about what they promise from Federal and State Liberals that describe as excessive regulation by Labor they are the party which will complete the Governments? Yet when they have the difficult tasks of reforming the law to achieve chance to do something about it, what do they appropriate regulations that do not do? They run from the task. They put off the unnecessarily burden business. However, the task of reviewing it by three years. It is quite reality is otherwise. It is just too hard, so they disgraceful and unsatisfactory. give it to the poor old Attorney-General to carry One wonders who is the Minister the flak in an omnibus Bill that they put before responsible for this Act. Why has the poor old the House. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice been I turn to a happier topic. The put in the position of having to come into the amendments to the Succession Act provide Parliament and carry the can for this? Who is for a better deal for step-children with regard to the responsible Minister? Who is the Minister testators family maintenance and inheritance. who is dodging responsibility for this task? This is of great importance in a community There are a number of candidates, but it is the where step families are many. The law needs Premier. The Premier carries responsibility for to keep up to date with ensuring that step- the Statutory Instruments Act. I wonder why children are properly provided for in the laws the poor old Attorney-General has to carry the governing succession. I welcome the can for it. On so many occasions we have amendments introduced in that respect. seen it. When it comes to an attack on the Similarly, I welcome the amendment to CJC, the Premier asks the Attorney-General to the WorkCover Queensland Act which clarifies go out and do his dirty work for him. the application of the statute to children who There once was a time back in the annals perform unpaid work under programs arranged of history when the Liberal Party in this State under the Juvenile Justice Act. If programs used to actually go through the motions of such as that introduced by the Labor standing up to the National Party. There was Government to get young offenders to remove even a time when the Liberal Party sought to graffiti from buildings or public property which go out into the business community and hold they have vandalised are to work, it is itself out as the champion of business. That important that there be appropriate workers' must have been a long time ago because in compensation cover to ensure that those relation to the Statutory Instruments Act, the children are properly covered if injured. This is Liberals are happily rolling over and allowing a sensible amendment and the Opposition themselves to cop the flak in the Chamber for welcomes it. the failure of the Government to carry out its In conclusion, the Opposition will not task of setting about business regulation oppose this Bill merely for the sake of review. opposing it. It will move the amendments that This is an admission of defeat of I have foreshadowed. However, I give fair monumental proportions. One scratches one's warning to the Government that its departure head to ask, "Just where has the public from the conventions regarding miscellaneous debate been?" Have we seen a press release provisions legislation will rebound against it. from the Premier or from the various economic The Parliament works through convention and Ministers responsible for industry saying that cooperation, and if it becomes a practice of they have put their hands up and they are this Government to use miscellaneous finding the task of business regulation review provisions Bills to put through provisions which 1 May 1997 Justice and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1277 are contentious in the hope that they will have been told by both police officers and simply slip by unnoticed, it will evoke a very members of the public that orders made under different reaction from the Opposition. the Peace and Good Behaviour Act are, in Mr ROBERTS (Nudgee) (5.34 p.m.): I fact, useless in some circumstances. will flag only a couple of issues in relation to Mr Lucas: They are not worth the paper the Bill; firstly, the point about these Bills being they are written on. predominantly necessary to deal with minor Mr ROBERTS: That is the sort of and technical amendments. I note that the comment that I have heard from both police shadow Minister has dealt with that issue quite officers and constituents, that those bonds are extensively. In fact, in his second-reading not worth the paper that they are written on. It speech, on four or five occasions the Minister is difficult to get enforcement orders and, once stressed that that is all the Bill is intended to they have been breached, it is difficult to get deal with—minor and technical matters. I think anything constructive done. that it has been quite adequately outlined to date that that is not a true reflection of the Bill. It is one thing to deal with instances of There are, in fact, some significant intimidatory behaviour between individuals and amendments which should have been in that case, if the Act was applied sensibly, it incorporated into a more substantive Bill. may have some use; however, it is another thing to try to deal with threats of action which To give a couple of examples: firstly, the may lead to serious injury for a particular provisions relating to the Criminal Code individual. People in these situations are regarding the searching of people in custody. caught in quite a difficult situation. Recently an In my examination of these provisions, quite instance was brought to my attention where a significant questions are raised about who can particular individual was being threatened by a now be compelled to conduct a search at the family member. The person firstly went to the direction of a police officer and the age of the police and was told that the only avenue that person who may be compelled to do so. they could suggest was a good behaviour When one looks at the provision, it clearly bond. The person also approached the local states that it is at the direction of the officer hospital in relation to the Mental Health Act concerned. The provision states "any male or and was told that because the person was not any female". In his response, I would like the mentally ill there was no assistance that could Minister to address the issue as to whether be derived from that Act. any male or any female includes juveniles. If that is the case, we have a significant problem The particular problem that I am trying to in the way in which this provision has been draw to the Minister's attention is that in some worded. circumstances where threats or violent behaviour are occurring, particularly where The other matter of significance relates to there is a strong likelihood that that behaviour the use of speed cameras and the extension may lead to serious injury, good behaviour of their use to enable unregistered and bond legislation does not really do much to uninsured vehicles to be detected in the help the victims. Although it would be a very course of their use. While I do not have a difficult issue to address, we need to put our particular problem with that, I do believe that minds to the fact that there may need to be that intended use was not widely canvassed some other form of intervention by way of within the community during the quite provision under an Act which can deal with extensive discussion on the use of speed such situations. I simply flag that for the cameras. Due to the significant impact that Minister to see whether that is a matter which this would have, I believe that it should have could be addressed in some future review of been canvassed. For that reason, the the Act. Opposition's amendment which says that the provision should take place from the date of Mr J. H. SULLIVAN (Caboolture) assent is quite a reasonable one. (5.40 p.m.): I am pleased to participate in this debate for a number of reasons. Many of the In relation to the Peace and Good things mentioned by my colleague the Behaviour Act, I note and welcome the member for Nudgee were things that I may amendments which enable the reference to have mentioned myself, so I will leave those to mediation of conduct which is adversely the end of my contribution so as not to seem affecting a person's rights to enjoy their own so repetitious of the issues that he has raised. property. However, there is an issue that I An issue that concerns me quite a deal relates would like the Minister to consider. I think most to the amendments to the Associations members in this place have been confronted Incorporation Act that appear in Part 2 of this by neighbourhood disputes of varying kinds. I Bill. The effect of these amendments is to 1278 Justice and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1 May 1997 prevent people who have been convicted on but that it is not doing so under these indictment or convicted having been charged provisions. I echo those comments. summarily and then sentenced to However, I return to the Act being imprisonment from serving on the boards of amended, which is the Statutory Instruments management of many committees or Act. Part 7 of that Act deals with the staged incorporated associations in particular. automatic expiry of subordinate legislation. In a lot of senses, those are very sensible The purposes of the Act are laid out in section provisions. I think that each and every one of 53—for example, relieving the regulatory us can think of a number of types of offenders burden and ensuring that legislation is relevant whom we would not like to see associated with in all the circumstances. Section 53(c) is to a number of incorporated associations. It is otherwise ensure that part of the Queensland not being glib or facetious to say, for example, statute book consisting of subordinate that we would not like to see a person who legislation is of the highest standard. Section had been convicted of paedophilia serving on 54 states— many of our youth organisations' boards of "Subordinate legislation expires on management. the 10th anniversary of the day of its In my view, these provisions are drawn a making . . ." bit widely. I am not sure that people who have That Act was passed by this House in 1992, been to prison and who have paid their debt five years ago. At the time of its passage, to society, as it is called, and who have been some transitional provisions were provided subsequently released should in all senses under Part 10. The transitional provision, continue to pay. I know that one eminent legal section 61, is the provision being amended by person in this State has said of offenders on a this Act. It states— number of occasions that they are bastards and they deserve everything they have "If, apart from this section, coming to them. I notice a couple of smiles. I subordinate legislation would expire under think that person is known to some of us. this Act before 1 July 1997, the legislation However, we need to be a little cautious. expires on 1 July 1997." With respect to people who have served a That means that any legislation that had term of imprisonment, I wonder whether their become 10 years old from the date of assent rights to operate on the board of management in 1992 to 1 July this year—roughly a five-year of an association set up to look at prisoners' period—would have that five-year period rights are being overly squashed. It would before which automatic expiry came into seem that there are other remedies for them. place. So if subordinate legislation became 10 These organisations could register as years old in, say 1993, Governments would be companies. I wonder whether that is given another four years in which to deal with necessarily so. I wonder whether people who that regulation before it had to expire. have made a mistake, who have gone to Governments are now getting another prison and who have been rehabilitated need three years. For example, that would mean to be embarrassed, for example, when that a regulation that became 10 years old in somebody says to them at their local school P 1993 will be 17 years old before the expiry that & C, "Why don't you join the committee?" the Government is proposing takes effect. I These are things that we do not need to be am sure that honourable members will agree pushing on people. that it is unlikely that the regulation makers of Although I accept that there will be a that time, as wise as they were 17 years ago, number of occasions when we would like to were drafting regulations of the highest quality. see people excluded from certain That would come under object (c) for the organisations because of the type of offence staged repeal of subordinate legislation. that they may have committed, I wonder The Statutory Instruments Act provides whether the clause is a little too broad. I hope within it a mechanism by which subordinate that we might be able to revisit that issue at legislation may be extended. Section 56 some future time. states that subordinate legislation can be I wish to spend a little time speaking extended for a couple of reasons. The first is about a matter raised by the shadow Attorney- that replacement legislation is being drafted General, that is, the amendments to Part 20 and would be available to be tabled in the of the Statutory Instruments Act. The shadow Parliament prior to the expiry of the extension Attorney-General spoke of the fact that the period. The second is that it is not proposed to Government purported to provide for the be replaced after the expiry of the extension needs of business and to remove red tape, period. A third provision deals with legislation 1 May 1997 Justice and Other Legislation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 1279 that is substantially uniform or complementary colleague the member for Lytton for that to legislation of the Commonwealth or another particularly insightful interjection. State. There is a bit of a killer in that provision The next thing I wanted to talk about was in that it can be extended under that provision Part 22, which relates to the extension of the for only a single year—not the three years the ability of cameras to be used to detect the Minister is proposing by changing the conduct of offences. On the surface of it, legislation. these provisions seem quite reasonable. We What is the mischief that we are looking have in place legislation, and commencing to save here? My understanding is that there today people can be fined for both speeding if are in the vicinity of 200 sets of regulations that offence is detected by a speed camera or that will fall foul of this provision. That means running through red lights if that offence is that, in the next three years, there will be detected by a red-light camera. some 200 sets of regulations that would Mr Lucas: Do you know if the Treasurer otherwise expire. There are 150 weeks and has registered her car? 200 sets of regulations—it is not hard to a do little mathematics. Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I do not know whether the Treasurer has registered her car, I wonder whether the Minister has not but if she has not, no doubt Mr Kaiser will been just a little extraordinarily generous in provide the appropriate bumper sticker! relation to extending it for three years. In other States of Australia, staged expiry takes place On the surface of the amendments to the on a seven-year cycle. In terms of the Traffic Act in Part 22, what we have is an workload placed on regulators in this State, 10 ability for the police to be able to issue an years was generous in the first instance. Now infringement notice when a car detected we are extending it beyond that. speeding or a car detected running a red light is also found to be unregistered. I think that is I am not at all happy that, when one quite fair and reasonable. I do not think that reads the Statutory Instruments Act, one sees anybody here would object to that. After some that Parliamentary Counsel is required to give consideration of the issue, I also do not think the administering department or agency six that people would generally object to people months' notice of the automatic expiry of an being breached for unregistered motor instrument. Six months' notice of the vehicles. What is happening here, of course, is automatic expiry of the instrument means that something a little bit more than the incidental at the time that this legislation was drafted fining of people. These provisions create the there was a great deal of consultation with the circumstances whereby it will be possible for Parliamentary Counsel and others and that it the authorities to use red-light cameras and was considered that only six months were speed cameras—to recalibrate them as they needed in order to review and replace a must—to detect simply motor vehicles that are regulation, but the Minister is offering three unregistered. years. One has to ask oneself: why is three years necessary? I think that what the shadow What circumstance we could have is for Attorney has suggested in terms of an the police to announce, as they do quite extension by a single year is more than regularly, that in the next period of time they generous. I think that this Parliament owes it are going to blitz a certain offence. It might be to the people of Queensland to maintain the speeding; it might be drink-driving; it might be standards that have been established through kids riding bicycles without helmets. It may well the Statutory Instruments Act on staged be that they have decided to have a blitz on repeal of subordinate legislation. I do not think people driving unregistered motor cars. I think it is good enough for us to say to the people we would all think that was a reasonable thing of Queensland, as we are doing, "Look, sorry, for the police to do. But do we think it is folks, we have not been able to do the work reasonable for the police to be able to set up that we thought we would be able to do, so we cameras on the side of a road in our are going to take another three years about it electorates and photograph every vehicle and you can forget about a statute book of travelling along that road, sort through the the highest order." photographs on the night shift and determine which vehicles have been registered and Mr Lucas: Sir Robert Muldoon all over which of them have not been registered and again—the regulators. send out notices? The answer to that is: I do Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: "Piggy" Muldoon not know if we think it is reasonable, but we the regulator. May he rest in peace, and may certainly could find out. The way we could find all his ideas rest along with him. I thank my out is the way we found out about it when we 1280 Actions of Treasurer; Economy 1 May 1997 talked about red-light cameras and when we we as members of Parliament ought to be talked about speed cameras. able to be confident that the material therein is In fact, I understand that speed cameras not stuff that we need to get terribly worried were the subject of a report by a committee of about. The second are what were called this Parliament which went out and consulted omnibus Bills. Omnibus Bills relate to widely with people and found out what people amendments in relation to a particular thought about it. The committee members portfolio. So a Health omnibus Bill would found out what the RACQ thought; they found amend Acts only within the Health portfolio out what the motor industry thought; they and a Justice omnibus Bill would amend Acts found out what safety organisations thought; only within the Justice portfolio. What we have they made some recommendations and here is an example of this trend that I think is ultimately this Parliament brought forward worrying, in that when some other legislation and speed cameras have been departments understand that the Justice introduced into the State—it was not without Minister has an omnibus Bill coming forward some controversy, but the process of we have, in this case, the Transport consulting with the community was Department wanting to tag on several of its undertaken. The community wanted to consult own—— on this issue and the community wanted to Mr Lucas: It didn't want to miss the bus. consult on the issue of red-light cameras, and Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: The Transport I think that the community would like to consult Department did not want to miss the bus. on the issue of whether cameras are going to be able to be set up to detect any other single As I was saying, the Transport Department wanted to add several of its own offence. It is not just about this extension by minor amendments to the Bill. So in terms of one. This is called bracket creep. This week it the standards that I stand in this place and is this particular offence; next week it will be beg the Government to adhere to time after another one. If we start to do these sorts of time after time—unfortunately without much things without consultation, then I think we are success, I might add, because although this going down a very wrong path. I wanted to Government went to the people in 1995 voice my concern in respect of that particular pledging to raise parliamentary standards, it is amendment. I do not think the community of not doing so—— this State will thank us for it. Time expired. As I said, the honourable member for Nudgee commenced his contribution with Debate, on motion of Mr Lucas, some of the things that I was going to say adjourned. tonight. The first was the issue of the content of miscellaneous provisions legislation. In his ACTIONS OF TREASURER; ECONOMY second-reading speech, the Minister indicated Mr BEATTIE (Leader of the that there are conventions relating to what Opposition—Brisbane Central) (6 p.m.): I should be and should not be included in move— miscellaneous provisions Bills. I think he accurately stated the convention: it is matters "That this House censures the of a minor, machinery or inconsequential Treasurer for her incompetent nature. Within the content of this Bill, I believe management of the Queensland there are several issues of some import, and I economy since she delivered her believe that in that respect they do not have a September Budget, in that— place in a miscellaneous provisions Bill. there has been no employment I also detect in this particular Bill a growth in Queensland; worrying trend amongst departments. There the number of full time jobs has are two types of miscellaneous provisions Bills fallen by 26,200; that have grown to be presented in this the rate of unemployment has Parliament over some time. The first was become the worst in mainland called the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Australia; Provisions) Bill, which drew minor machinery amendments from a wide range of youth unemployment has increased departments, which was generally done once from 26/8% to 34.1%; every six months. They are quite substantial monthly retail sales have dipped and Bills—we have had them amending up to 400 only just recovered to September statutes at times—but they are minor Bills, and levels; 1 May 1997 Actions of Treasurer; Economy 1281

growth in new vehicle registrations is slippery Premier who simply cannot be only half the national rate; believed. He uses untruths as a weapon to get dwelling unit approvals have grown at out of the political mire. His persistent only half the national trend; allegations of "judicial theft", that people are having their property taken away from them, is December quarter public capital simply wrong. The Treasurer knows that, as expenditure is 20% less than 12 well. months earlier, reflecting this Government's abject failures to The High Court decision on Wik reaffirmed deliver its capital works budget; and the existing rights of leaseholders. The people who might lose their existing interest in the the QCCI measure of business land are the citizens of Queensland who, confidence has fallen by 20%." through the State, retain an interest in all land The Treasurer of this State has lost the leased by the Crown. If the National Party confidence of business and should lose the agenda of freeholding all leases succeeds, the confidence of this House, though it is people of Queensland will lose what the interesting that she has not even bothered to pastoralists win. Not only that; we will also turn up for this debate tonight. That is typical have to pay the compensation bill for of her arrogant approach to not only this extinguishing native title by freeholding the Parliament but also the people of land. The Premier's position and his Queensland. outrageous rhetoric are designed to protect Her economic management of the State the National Party from disaffection in the has been appalling. Even the QCCI, not noted bush which comes from the realisation that the for its Labor leanings, has declared the coalition parties are not up to it. economy as "stalled". There is no economic Tonight, for the information of the House, leadership from this National/Liberal I table the 10-point plan released today by the Government; there is no clear economic Prime Minister, Mr Howard. I point out to the direction or strategy document. This has not House that nowhere in that document does it gone unnoticed by the business community, say that there should be a freeholding of which does not know where the Government leases as a resolution in any manner, shape stands and which has lost confidence in the or form in relation to this Wik issue. I repeat: Government. This Government is not standing nowhere does it say that. I hope the gallery will up for Queensland on resolving issues like take note of that, because that is the native title, it is standing up for the narrow nonsense that has been perpetrated by the paranoia of the National Party and, to quote Premier. the Premier, "Stuff the rest of them." I point out that Queensland has suffered It is this attitude which caused Union economically as a result of the Wik debate Mining to close down its goldmines in north and it suffered economically because of a loss Queensland and sack 40 workers. The of confidence from the business community politically motivated freeze on leases pushed it and the people with whom we do trade to the wall. We did not see the Treasurer because of the hyped-up campaign being sticking up for business when Union Mining pursued by the Premier and a number of his was screaming for the freeze to be lifted. The Ministers. That hyped-up, politically motivated mining and tourism industries, two of the three campaign has contributed to a significant biggest industries in our State, do not support economic loss for this State. The Treasurer, the wholesale extinguishment of native title, Joan Sheldon, has refused to indicate her despite the Premier trying to have us believe position. There is clearly a split between the otherwise and trying to put words in their Liberal Party in Queensland and the Federal mouths. He misled us again—and those Liberal Party. That crack will not be covered by industries, as well. the Premier refusing to even attend this Where in Mr Borbidge's one-point plan is debate in the Parliament tonight. The Deputy the point of view of two of our three largest Premier should be explaining to industries? Where is it accommodated? Queenslanders why she and the Premier have Nowhere! What has the Treasurer done to sold out to the Commonwealth and refused to ensure that the interests of all Queenslanders pursue a 100% compensation payment for are reflected in the Government's position on Queensland. She should explain why she has native title? To use the words of retiring Liberal taken that course. Party secretary Andrew Robb, Mr Borbidge is The Treasurer betrayed the people of running fast and loose on this issue. More and Queensland on taxation. She broke her more Queenslanders know that we have a promise of no new or increased taxes and 1282 Actions of Treasurer; Economy 1 May 1997 charges and will probably do so again in the are okay. That is why she has not been too forthcoming Budget, which is why the by- worried about arresting the drift in capital works election has been called and will be held spending in which departments are $414m before the Budget is brought down. The behind where they should have been by this Treasurer has betrayed our young stage of the financial year. I predict that this unemployed. In her election launch speech, coming Budget will report an increase in she promised to spend $70m on a job capital works spending, but that will only have creation program for just under 10,000 young been achieved by rolling over the Queenslanders. That promise has underspending of this year into the next year. disappeared into the ether and the number of The headlines no doubt will say "Record young unemployed has skyrocketed by 14% capital works spending", but that will be only to now be 70,600. More than 70,000 because the money has not been spent. It is Queenslanders under the age of 25 are simply phantom money being reannounced looking for work but cannot find a job and the and reannounced. I warn the gallery to watch Treasurer refuses to keep her promise to the reannouncements. As I said, they will make a contribution. really be phantom capital works—projects There are substantial sectors of the which add to the economy only what has been Queensland economy which are suffering very taken away before. depressed conditions. What is the Treasurer I predict that the 27 May Budget will doing about it? She is ducking for cover. She report a healthy surplus, because the will not even debate the issue in the Government has received revenue windfalls Parliament. Where has the Treasurer been in through its unnecessary new and increased the months since her Budget? She has been taxes and its higher than forecast receipts in to Paris twice; she has made a couple of trips stamp duty and payroll tax. These revenues to New York; she has made a couple of good will be higher than forecast because, news press statements on the arts and according to QUT economist Marc Robinson, women; and she has periodically trotted out the Government did not factor in its own some statistics on sluggish growth in housing growth estimates in the revenue forecasts it and expectations of employment growth and presented. Even if it does not achieve its she thinks that everyone should be happy with growth forecast of 4%, which is looking the state of the economy. increasingly unlikely, it will still get more An Opposition member: She must revenue than it budgeted for. The outrageous like Paris in the spring. $259m allocated to the Treasurer's Advance Mr BEATTIE: She does like Paris in the Account will also not be fully spent and it will spring, the summer, the winter—in any have a balance of around $130m at the end season. The overwhelming evidence of the of the year. range of economic statistics is that The Premier himself said publicly that Queensland is struggling. The leading State there is slack in the system, so the has become the lagging State. We are falling Government could do what Jeff Kennett did behind the rest of the nation. and cut taxes. That is what we would be doing Let us take employment growth. "We are if we were in Government. But this leading the nation in employment growth," Government will not see any tax cuts, apart claims the Treasurer. What do the statistics from a reduction in land tax and another say? Total seasonally adjusted employment in piddling adjustment to payroll tax. I predict that September was 1,542,700; in March, it was the Treasurer will blame Canberra for funding 1,537,400—5,300 fewer jobs than six months cuts and impose more tax increases. Why else ago. Full-time employment has fallen even would it call the Kurwongbah by-election three more—a 26,600 reduction over the last six days before the Budget? The Treasurer, in all months as workers were pushed out of career aspects of her faulty administration, deserves jobs into part-time positions. While the censure of this House. employment in the nation has increased by If my Government was in office now, we 3.2% over the last six months, we are going would have a clear Budget plan which would backwards. Every other mainland State has be generating jobs. It would be an registered employment growth over the last six employment Budget; it would be a Budget to months, but we are going backwards. And the impress and encourage business to invest; it Treasurer has the gall to claim that we are would be a family Budget to protect leading the nation! Queensland families against the ravages of The Treasurer is sitting back on her job insecurity and the ravages that this haunches in the misguided belief that things Government has brought upon them by 1 May 1997 Actions of Treasurer; Economy 1283 increased unemployment. On 27 May, my some parts of Queensland, particularly in Government would produce a very positive regional areas. Many of the problems with the Budget which would be about job generation, Government's Capital Works Program—its tackling in particular youth unemployment. We inability to get the job done—can be traced would use the surplus amounts of money to right back to the first couple months of that encourage job generation schemes to do freeze. The firms out there in Queensland that something about youth unemployment. were ready to go have been forced to lay off My Government would have a record staff, move interstate and move off shore—to capital works budget because the money move their businesses around. Key personnel would be there to achieve that. Out of that in departments within Government were record capital works budget we would hounded out of positions or their departments generate jobs across the State. We would use were restructured out from under them. There the surplus amount of money that this was no-one left behind the wheel of the Government will have to create employment Capital Works Program across departments in and to encourage the business community to this State. It is little wonder that it has been invest in trade activities not only in out of control ever since. It has simply been Queensland but also overseas. spinning and spinning out of control. Time expired. This Government was going to create jobs. This Government was not going to Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—Deputy increase taxes and charges, nor introduce—if I Leader of the Opposition) (6.10 p.m.): I rise to can recall—any new taxes. This Government second the motion. Let us examine just what claimed that it had a contract with the Treasurer has contributed to this State Queensland. Time and time again this over the past 14 months, and particularly to Government has breached that imaginary the economy. contract with Queensland. No single person Mr Hamill: About as much as she's has breached that contract more often or contributed to the debate so far tonight. more regularly than did the Treasurer of this Mr ELDER: Basically zip! The whole of State. In last year's Budget there were seven Queensland remembers that the first thing she new or increased taxes and charges. Although did was to abolish the toll on the Sunshine some of them have fallen by the wayside over Motorway—to force Queenslanders to the past 12 months, the Treasurer has made it subsidise residents on the Sunshine Coast to plain enough that there will be a raft of new scratch her own back in order to pork-barrel breaches of that contract in this Budget ahead her own electorate and to look after her own of us. That is not just the responsibility of the interests. She then spent four months trying to Treasurer. The responsibility does not lie hide the real cost of that decision. When the directly with her. However, members will recall figures were finally dragged out of her—and I that, just six weeks before this year's Budget is mean dragged out of her—they showed that to be presented to this Parliament, the the total cost to Queensland taxpayers was a Treasurer has managed to spend two weeks whopping $400m. They showed that we would in Europe. As the Opposition Leader said, it is be paying into the next millennium for the not the first time that she has taken the Paris feathering of her own nest. option. Not only did the Treasurer impose this The people of Queensland would no new tax burden on all Queenslanders, she doubt be relieved to think that the Treasurer is also threw the Sunshine Coast toll workers not behind the wheel, but they are entitled to onto the unemployment scrap heap. That is know who is behind the wheel. They are something that she has continued to do for entitled to know where she has been and what Queenslanders in this State—no care, no she has been doing. They are entitled to compassion, and not even the courtesy, in this expect more from the Treasurer of case, of talking to them. The Treasurer used Queensland. It is simply not feasible, and I all of her arrogance to treat those ordinary could not contemplate that the member for Queenslanders with sheer contempt. It was a Cairns, the former Treasurer, would spend two disgraceful episode which clearly showed the weeks away overseas during the most critical Treasurer's true feelings for ordinary working and crucial period, that is, working towards the people in this State. presentation of any Budget. Another of the Treasurer's first acts in Mr Hamill: Where is she tonight? Government was to impose the now infamous Mr ELDER: Where is she indeed? But freeze on capital works across Queensland. then again, the former Treasurer knew what The effects of this freeze are still being felt in was going on within Treasury, outside Treasury 1284 Actions of Treasurer; Economy 1 May 1997 and the departments and within the economy AAA with a foreign currency rating of AA. In as a whole in Queensland. reaching this conclusion, IBCA stated— What Queensland needs is leadership. "The strong financial record, The Premier continues to demonstrate his economic dynamism and high net worth total inability to provide real leadership. All he of the State suggest that the foreign is able to do is divide the community to seek currency rating is constrained only by the to further his own narrow political interests. The (Commonwealth's) sovereign ceiling. Treasurer deserves to be censured for her . . . pathetic unwillingness to stand up to what has Queensland's debt is prudently been described today in this Parliament as a administered"— wild, ignorant and bizarre Premier. She deserves to be censured for the appalling and— economic performance of this Government "The government has a clear policy through her own actions. She deserves to be to keep tax rates lower than in other censured for the outrageous decisions over States." the Sunshine Motorway and for imposing the The IBCA also stated that the high level capital works freeze. She deserves to be of population growth in Queensland is related censured for her constant breaches of that so- to the better economic and financial conditions called contract with Queensland. But most of all, she deserves to be censured for her of this State and, therefore, the expectation of arrogance and contempt and the way that she better job projects. IBCA's support was echoed continually demonstrates that to the people of by Moody's and Standard & Poor's. Moody's Queensland. also assigned a long-term local currency rating of AAA and a foreign currency rating of AA 2. Time expired. Moody's report stated— Mr CARROLL (Mansfield) (6.15 p.m.): "Queensland has a pro-business Members have just witnessed another economic environment made possible by demonstration of theatrics from the Keating the Government's strong fiscal and school of rude speech, gross and pessimistic financial position." exaggeration and impolite insinuation. If that is Standard & Poor's also affirmed Queensland's all that Labor can deliver in this State, then AAA long-term currency rating and AA long- this Government has nothing to fear in the term foreign currency rating. Standard & coming Queensland general election. Those Poor's commented further that— opposite miss the point; they twist the facts ". . . the latest information indicates the and spread baseless fear and pessimism. total state sector is continuing to maintain Such conduct is hardly likely to endear those a strong financial position in fiscal year opposite to the electors of Queensland when they have to face the next election. Labor's 1997 with a significant negative net borrowing requirement expected." empty rhetoric is devoid of any positive policies. I appeal to honourable members to Representatives from those ratings show their repugnance of this motion before agencies visit Queensland approximately them tonight by rejecting it. every 12 months in order to carry out an extensive independent review of this State's The truth is that Queensland's economic underlying financial position. What they have strength has been confirmed by three leading found since the first coalition State Budget, international credit rating agencies, namely, contrary to the claims of the Opposition, is an Moody's Investors Service, IBCA Limited and economy on the move under excellent Standard & Poor's. Each agency has reviewed management from the Treasurer and this the financial and economic position and coalition Government. Those are independent management of Queensland since the judges, not political agencies. They just tell the coalition's September Budget. Each one has facts, and the facts are that Queensland's not only confirmed Queensland's standing but financial management under this coalition specifically supported the coalition's Budget Government is No. 1 in Australia. Our Deputy initiatives and our sound economic Premier, Treasurer and leader of the party of management. They have confirmed high- friends of Queensland business, the Liberal quality credit ratings for Queensland. Party, is doing fine work. There is no factual Yesterday, IBCA released a basis for the scurrilous attack attempted by the comprehensive report on Queensland's Opposition this evening. financial and economic affairs and it has I turn now to some facts on this assigned a long-term local currency rating of Government's employment creation and the 1 May 1997 Actions of Treasurer; Economy 1285 positive economic outlook for Queensland. basket case, has an unemployment rate These facts will dismiss the claims of the worse than ours. At 9.9%, the State has a Opposition. In the 12 months ended March tragedy of enormous proportions. It is a social 1997, the Queensland labour force grew by tragedy and a critical issue to be addressed, 36,500, or 2.2%, with employment rising by particularly in relation to young 21,400, or 1.4%. The rate of unemployment is Queenslanders. In March this year, linked to strong labour force growth driven Queensland had 11,600 fewer full-time jobs mainly by longstanding growth in net interstate than in March 1996; 5,300 fewer jobs in March and overseas migration. For example, in 1995- than when the Treasurer brought down the 96 alone, more than 52,000 net migrants Budget last September. If we consider full-time moved into Queensland, many seeking work. employment, the picture is even more Consequently, Queensland's labour market depressing with 26,600 fewer full-time jobs in has to create enough jobs to meet the March this year than when the Treasurer requirements of those migrants as well as brought down the September Budget last Queensland school leavers and year. The rate of employment growth across Queenslanders re-entering the work force after Australia in the last six months was a positive an absence. 3.2%; in Queensland it was negative. This Treasurer and this Government have put Queensland also has had the highest Queensland in reverse. growth rate in job vacancies in the past 12 months for Australia. The Queensland figures A look at the record shows that it is little compared favourably with Tasmania, for wonder why we are in reverse: first, the capital example, which recorded an increase of works freeze and then the incompetent 44.9%; Victoria, a decrease of 23.4%; and management of Government's Capital Works New South Wales, a decrease of 14.6%. Program. Let us remember how important is the Government's Capital Works Program. The Time expired. State Government contributes to 40% of the Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich) building and construction activity in this State. (6.20 p.m.): It was most illuminating to hear Given the appalling performance of Ministers the member for Mansfield compare responsible for that capital works delivery, it is Queensland with Tasmania, because he is little wonder that we have seen unemployment comparing the two economic basket cases in rising month after month. Australia today. Is that not the very tragedy The Government's own agencies tell the that brings on this debate this evening? The same story. In its economic outlook in April this perpetrator of our poor economic performance year, the Queensland Treasury Corporation, in does not have even the common decency to the Treasurer's own portfolio, said that, over come in here and face the music and to the last three quarters, public investment address the House in defence of her abysmal detracted from growth. The Queensland performance as Treasurer. That is the sort of Treasury was pointing the finger at this performance that people have come to expect Treasurer and this Government and their from the honourable member for Caloundra. abysmal performance in delivering public The arrogance that she displays in the face of investment. Only last year, the Treasurer, the any criticism is the same arrogance that keeps member for Caloundra, was hopping up at the her away from this debate. It is little wonder Conservative Club luncheon in Brisbane that Queensland is facing a crisis of saying that the coalition would make sure that confidence. When the Treasurer does not the entire capital works budget each year was have confidence in even her own ability to in fact spent. She did not do that last year; come in here to defend these charges, how she carried over $200m of capitals works does she expect that her friends outside can moneys at the height of her spending freeze. keep their heads up high when they look at That figure represents schools, hospitals and the performance of the Treasurer and her other facilities that were not delivered. This Government? year looks like it will be no exception. We have unemployment increasing, jobs I table and seek to have incorporated the growth declining and a Treasurer who is more performance of this Government in capital prepared to believe her own press releases works spending as at the end of February this than the cold, hard facts. Unemployment in year. Queensland is the worst in mainland Australia. Yes, Mr Carroll, only Tasmania, the other Leave granted. 1286 Actions of Treasurer; Economy 1 May 1997

CAPITAL WORKS EXPENDITURE FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FUND 8 MONTHS TO FEBRUARY 1997 ($ MILLION) CAPITAL Expenditure Expenditure SHOULD (UNDER)/OVER BUDGET TO FEB 97 TO FEB 97 HAVE SPENT SPENDING $ million % $ million $ million $ million Economic Dev & Trade 0.4 68.9% 0.3 0.3 0.0 Education 242.6 48.0% 116.4 161.6 -45.1 Environment 36.9 38.1% 14.1 24.6 -10.5 Emergency Services 2.8 15.1% 0.4 1.9 -1.4 Families Youth & Comm Care 17.5 30.3% 5.3 11.7 -6.4 Health 253.5 34.5% 87.5 168.8 -81.4 Justice 44.5 7.0% 3.1 29.6 -26.5 Legislative Assembly 1.2 70.8% 0.8 0.8 0.1 Main Roads 845.8 61.3% 518.5 563.3 -44.8 Mines & Energy 3.9 51.9% 2.0 2.6 -0.6 Natural Resources 114.8 40.1% 46.0 76.5 -30.4 Police 36.0 45.9% 16.5 24.0 -7.5 Premier & Cabinet 10.9 38.3% 4.2 7.3 -3.1 Primary Industries, Fisheries & Forestry" 18.2 37.4% 6.8 12.1 -5.3 Public Works & Housing 377.1 42.9% 161.8 251.1 -89.4 Qld Corrective Services Commission 93.6 40.3% 37.7 62.3 -24.6 Training & Industrial Relations 57.2 48.5% 27.7 38.1 -10.4 Transport 42.0 12.5% 5.3 28.0 -22.7 Treasury 26.5 87.8% 23.3 17.6 5.6 TOTAL 2225.5 48.6% 1081.6 1482.2 -400.6

Note: Portfolios not included due to no Capital Budget: Local Govt & Planning; Tourism Industry & Small Business. Total separately calculated, not additive. Source: Qld State Budget 1996-97, Budget Paper No 2 & Answer to Question on Notice No. 217, 25/3/97

Mr HAMILL: That table shows that, with here this evening, but Queenslanders will two-thirds of the year behind us, less than 50 remember. per cent of the capital works budget has been Time expired. delivered. The worst offenders were the Public Works and Housing portfolio, which is $90m Mr HARPER (Mount Ommaney) behind; Health which is over $80m behind; (6.25 p.m.): It is a pleasure to rise tonight in Transport and Main Roads which is $68m this debate to show that once again members behind, and Education which is over $45m opposite are trying to mislead not only this behind. Yesterday in this House, the Premier House but also the public. How quickly they hopped up and tried to defend the miserable forget their own record and where they left performance of his Government when he things when they went out of Government. tabled details of the capital works approvals for Once again, they drag in more lies. They April this year. He boasted in that document of referred to the Sunshine Motorway tollway spending over $176m in April. To deliver the being in the Treasurer's electorate. It has been Government's $4 billion Capital Works pointed out to them so many times that that is Program, his Government should be spending not correct, yet they cannot accept it. Of at the rate of $330m per month—twice the course, we are used to them not being able to rate that his Government is achieving. It is little see that. Their leader is laughing now. They wonder that the business community has cannot even take out a map and work out written it off, that confidence is sagging and where it is. Perhaps we should provide them that economic activity is flagging, because this with an electorate map so that they can figure is a Government that simply does not deliver. out their way when they travel up the coast It thinks that, because it announces a you- and see that it is not in the Treasurer's beaut Capital Works Program, that program electorate. Of course, that only serves to will deliver itself. It does not. The Government remind us of Labor's broken promises on that has to spend the money to deliver the facilities very issue. When they came into Government, to provide the economic growth to deliver the they were promising to do away with that jobs. That is exactly what this Treasurer is not particular toll; of course, it was one of their first doing. That is why the Opposition has taken broken promises. The people of the Sunshine the initiative this evening to censure the Coast have never forgotten that and I am sure Treasurer's abysmal performance, because it that they never will. is Queenslanders who are hurting out there. Let us examine some of the facts behind The Treasurer cannot be bothered to come in tonight's motion. Firstly, Labor's assertion that 1 May 1997 Actions of Treasurer; Economy 1287 dwelling unit approvals have grown at only half to help people who are seeking to buy houses the national trend is totally incorrect. Growth in or seeking to improve their houses. Those Queensland dwelling unit approvals is measures have contributed to the ongoing significantly higher than the national trend. recovery of the industry. The coalition The latest March 1997 building approval data Government is creating a climate of economic shows trend dwelling approvals have risen growth in the State, which is translating into 12% since September 1996 compared with jobs for Queenslanders. The March quarter 8.6% nationally, which seems to me to be a Access Economics Property Investment better than average performance. The truth is Monitor shows a 46.3% increase in that dwelling investment in Queensland has Queensland investment during the quarter. troughed, with growth expected through 1997. Nationally, the figure is 29.4%. Investment in However, our friends opposite once again are Queensland including projects under trying to talk things down for their own sake, construction, committed, under consideration for their own benefit. That shows how much and possible totalled $26 billion during the they really care about Queensland; they care quarter, exceeded only by investment in the about only their own self-interest. largest State, New South Wales, of $38 billion. The indicative planning council for the Queensland has the highest proportion of housing industry has forecast Queensland projects under construction in terms of value, dwelling commencements to rise 2.1% to with 34% of its projects in that category 32,000 in 1996-97 and a further 12.5% to compared with 29% nationally. Further, 36,000 in 1997-98. Each year Queensland Queensland has the highest proportion of dwelling commencements are forecast to projects under construction or committed, account for more than 25% of total Australian followed by Victoria. Around half, $13.2 billion, dwelling commencements. Do we hear our of Queensland's property investment is either friends opposite promoting that? Of course under construction or committed. Queensland not! That would not help their own self-interest. investment is almost double its share of The latest September quarter 1996 national output and is by far the best result of Queensland State Accounts indicate that any State. dwelling investments increased 2.7% on a Time expired. trend basis during the quarter. Dwelling Hon. P. J. BRADDY (Kedron) investment has now contributed to (6.30 p.m.): The absence of the Treasurer in Queensland GSP growth for the past two this debate has been noted, and it is indeed a quarters. Conditions remain conducive for a disgraceful fact. The clear inference to be continued improvement in dwelling drawn from her absence is that the Treasurer construction over the coming months: housing cannot defend her position. affordability has improved; house price growth remains subdued and competition in the There is one important statistic that home lending market continues to exert should be drawn to the attention of the House, downward pressure on interest rates. That is and it is one which I think demonstrates above all good news for people looking for homes. In all why the Treasurer is not here. The Minister addition, Queensland Treasury now expects for Economic Development and Trade is growth in non-dwelling construction in 1996-97 present in the House. I thought that at least to be stronger than the Budget forecast of he would participate in an important debate around 6%. The March quarter HIA survey about the economy and trade. However, he is found that builders in Queensland, Western not participating. Not one Minister in this Australia and South Australia were more Government intends to participate in this confident than their counterparts in other debate. The reason is that they cannot defend States about future sales. The Federal their conduct. All the good figures that were Queensland Development Report by Alan referred to by the previous speakers generally Midwood states that the number of units related to Queensland over a long period. under construction on the Gold Coast is now Nothing has been done by this Government greater than the peak level of the 1989 boom, which encourages them, but many things which is good news for the construction have been done which have served to industry. discourage them. The coalition Government increased the The figure to which I refer as being most mortgage stamp duty exemption for first home important is the figure reflecting growth in this buyers from $70,000 to $100,000 and State. In Labor's last term in office, introduced a duty exemption of $100,000 for Queensland's average growth rate was 4.4%. refinancing a principal place of residence from During the last year of Labor's term in office, 1 July 1996. Those measures were designed that growth rate was 5%. Of course, that figure 1288 Actions of Treasurer; Economy 1 May 1997 relates to the managing of the whole less in the far-north construction sector. In the economy, both the public and private sectors. northern region, which is partly represented by Under the coalition, for the six months to the member for Burdekin, there has been a December 1996 the annualised growth rate 39% cut of almost $5m. These are moneys was 1.9%—far below the 4.4% average of that are directly voted by this Government. Labor's last term and significantly even further Wide Bay/Burnett has had a 46% cut. below the 5% of the last year of Labor's term Fitzroy/central west region takes the prize for in office. This Government has presided over a the cuts with a 75% cut in the construction and disastrous deceleration of growth in this State. acquisition component of the Housing budget. The number of long-term unemployed Where this Government has had the people since the coalition came to office is opportunity to make a direct input, it has 26,400. We have an incompetent failed. In terms of the long-term unemployed, Government which, for political reasons, set it has cut all the training programs. about freezing the Capital Works Program in Time expired. this State—probably the single most significant factor in the deceleration of growth and the Mr STONEMAN (Burdekin) (6.35 p.m.): loss of confidence in this State. It gives me pleasure to oppose the motion and to support the Government. I must say Recently, I attended the Master Builders that the management of the economy is not a Association annual dinner at which the statistical process; it is a whole-of-Government spokesman for the Master Builders process. It is not just about dollars and Association, in the main speech of the night, selective statistics, such as those parroted by took the Government to task for its freeze on the previous speaker. the Capital Works Program. The spokesman said that whilst any new Government is The Government, and particularly the entitled to review is predecessor's Capital Premier and the Treasurer, had to lead the Works Program, it was not entitled to behave economy out of the downward spiral which it in a way which effectively abolished, for a long was in under the previous Government. The period, any progress in relation to capital performance of the economy has to be judged works. on the base at which this Government took over; the legacy left to it by the Labor The ABS figures for the December quarter Government. The Labor Government had show that public fixed capital expenditure was taken down the best economy in this nation by 20% down on the same quarter in 1995. Over using subterfuge and loony Left expenditure that period, employment in the Queensland on trendy issues. It was right into that. All the construction industry fell by almost 1%, and lawyers opposite had their little trendy projects. there are now in Queensland 13,600 This Government had to stop that. construction workers looking for a job. It is certainly no coincidence that the Mr Stephan interjected. unemployment rate has now risen to such an Mr STONEMAN: Exactly. That upset extent—one of the worst figures in comparison the whole applecart. with any other State in Australia. In fact, Let us look at the ALP legacy. One of Queensland's unemployment rate is the worst them was low morale in the Public Service. All in mainland Australia. public servants in this State were beside There are some departments in which this themselves. There was uncertainty in Government has an obligation to spend business. People did not know where they money. As my colleague the shadow were. Today we have seen some of that Treasurer said, the Queensland construction uncertainty about issues raised such as those industry relies on the Government for 40% of relating to the Nature Conservation its funding, and this Government has failed. Amendment Bill. There was just so much Let us look at the construction and acquisition uncertainty, subterfuge, lies and deceit. There component of the Housing budget. This year, was no sense of direction from this it is $55m, or 27% less than in Labor's last Government—from the previous Government. Budget. Let us look at some of the regions. I Mr Schwarten: You got it right the first note that the member for Burdekin is going to time. participate in this debate. In relation to construction and acquisition in the Housing Mr STONEMAN: What a mirthful little budget, let us have a look at the far north and chap the member is. Under the failed Goss the northern region. Public housing investment Government, in respect of development in the far north has been cut by 58% issues, there was no sense of direction compared to the previous year. That is $8.8m whatsoever. Just look at the messages that 1 May 1997 Actions of Treasurer; Economy 1289 were sent out in respect of the Oyster Point the House tonight, and so the Premier's office development. Again, that was raised today. In boy has been sent along to run the errand. It terms of the policy of the previous is interesting to follow the member for Government, there was no sense of continuity. Burdekin—who once sat on this side of the In part, the previous Government supported it. House and should be sitting here now—and Then as soon as the Government changed, hear him proclaim about rural Queensland. the now Leader of the Opposition and his What did we hear tonight? Nothing about rural Environment spokesman do not know what Queensland and nothing about primary the issues were, do not have a clue, and industries! The honourable member used to oppose what was previously their own a property near Hughenden where his Government's policy. They had no idea main claim to fame was that he used to feed whatsoever. That was the trend throughout his shearers tough old rams. The honourable those six terrible years when, like a fish member epitomises the way that the hooked on a line, the previous Government Government treats primary producers in the toyed with the community and went on with its State. own loony projects. If one looks at the shambles of this As to hospitals—they will be the millstone pakapoo ticket of a document that the around the neck of the Leader of the Government sent to the people of Opposition forever. When Mr Beattie was Queensland, seven lines are devoted to Health Minister, he toyed with dollars, with primary producers. The Government—the rhetoric—with all sorts of notations and great hero of Queensland primary producers— tricks—and with the $30m-odd that the could manage only seven lines. The Minister for Health mentioned again today. Government has committed $1 billion to water When the Leader of the Opposition was infrastructure—a Labor program. The Health Minister, he tried to create the illusion Government has committed $10m to drought of management with subterfuge, with tricks relief. and with mirrors. None of that worked in the Mr Stoneman: You tore up the railway community. However, it left a feeling of lines—took away the infrastructure. flatness that this Government has had to pick up. Mr SCHWARTEN: Absolutely; $1.5 billion. The honourable member should go The other thing that is interesting to note back and read it. is that, under the previous Government, at the A Government member: I can't Ministry level there was a demonstrable lack of swallow that one. practicality. This Government has had to correct all of those anomalies, bring back a Mr SCHWARTEN: Members opposite sense of direction and bring back should eat it if they cannot swallow it. The consolidation and good order, which has been Government is going to spend $10m on the hallmark of the economic development of drought relief. The Labor Government spent this State over generations. This Government $40m a year on drought relief and the Federal knew where the previous Government had Labor Government spent $600m on drought spent money, but it had to find out about all relief. What do we get from this Government? the promises that had been made. Up and A miserable $10m! That is how much down the coast of this State, the previous members opposite care about the poor old Government made promises and left people starved cockies. It is no wonder that the high and dry. This Government had to address member for Burdekin used to feed them those issues. boiled ram! I am the first to admit that times are hard. The oil and tyre tax was a lovely little Right across this nation these are very difficult initiative which the Government put on the times for the economy. This Government has backs of rural people, and it was so well had to get the ship back on an even keel and received by the good people of the bush. get things moving again. It has had to lift the When the honourable member for Hervey Bay morale of the Public Service so that it and I travelled in rural Queensland, not one understands where it is going. The Opposition person was singing the Government's praises. can recite statistics until it is blue in the face, The fact of the matter is that members but the fact of the matter is that—— opposite have taken the bush vote for granted. They have not done a solitary thing Time expired. for primary industries in the State and that is Mr SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton) why they have absolutely nothing to say. (6.40 p.m.): I notice that the Treasurer is not in Mr Stoneman interjected. 1290 Actions of Treasurer; Economy 1 May 1997

Mr SCHWARTEN: Get some help, Mrs WILSON (Mulgrave) (6.45 p.m.): In man! The honourable member should take opposing the motion I must state to the some tablets or something because he just honourable member for Ipswich, following his barrages on with the same old nonsense. words yesterday, that I certainly feel no shame Turning to unemployment, how would the about the performance of this Government's honourable member like to be a kid in Capital Works Program. The coalition Longreach with a 1 in 10 chance of not having Government has fine-tuned capital works a job? In the member's area it is the same allocations—— deal. In the Burnett area, Joh's old area, a kid Opposition members interjected. is lucky to get a job at all because 2 out of 10 Mrs WILSON: Members opposite people do not have jobs. What is the should just listen. For many months the Government doing about that? Tonight, not coalition Government has fine-tuned capital one Minister proclaimed what the Government is doing for the people in the bush. works allocations in its efforts to meet its ambitious $4 billion Capital Works Program, What about the Treasurer's famous which is 10% larger than Labor's last capital unification of QIDC and Suncorp, which works budget handed down in 1995. The effectively sold off the bush bank and took commitments that we have made will be met, away the access that bush people had to a unlike the hot-air commitments made by the bank that listened to them? The merged bank people opposite. This boost to the overall has been swallowed up by another financial Capital Works Program has been reflected in a institution. If Government members talk to 24% increase in State capital expenditure in primary producers in the State, they will hear the December quarter of 1996 compared with exactly what people think about that move. It a year earlier. Action has been taken to is no wonder that the Government is on the improve fund allocations and they include an nose with people. A producer from the improved monthly monitoring and reporting member's area recently rang me to tell me regime for capital expenditure by Treasury and what a raw deal she is now getting since the the Department of Premier and Cabinet to rural bank has been taken away. identify potential under-expense as early as We do not hear much about the selling possible so that funds can be reallocated—— off of abattoirs, even though the price of meat An Opposition member interjected. in the State will go up as a result of the Government getting out of the service killing Mrs WILSON: The member should industry and leaving it to multinational listen, because I have not finished—and the companies. There has not been one mention reallocation of capital funding not required in of that. And where will the meat be the the current year to those departments with the dearest? In regional Queensland where we capacity to bring forward projects within the cannot get access to proper kill rates! The approved three-year Capital Works Program. Government certainly has a lot to be proud of! Of course, it is granted that floods and It is no wonder that the formerly wet weather across the vast areas of the west passionate defender of the bush did not and in the north have delayed some projects. mention anything west of the Great Divide. It is The situation with Wik has also impacted on no wonder that the Government is scurrying State capital expenditures. For instance, about trying to make issues out of the Wik recently I referred to the social tragedy of decision, because it has nothing positive to displaced persons in Cairns. The displaced say to the people who used to flock to it. My persons program was held up for a short while advice to Government members, especially while the Wik native title issue was members of the National Party who come from determined, but it is now on track. When in the leafy suburbs of Brisbane, is to go to the Government, the Labor Party totally ignored bush and find their traditional roots. They that issue for six years. The Government has should talk to the people who used to support got that program on track and those people them, because those people are not will be cared for. supporting them any longer. The Government An Opposition member: Ha, Ha! has abandoned the bush. Mrs WILSON: That is exactly right. The Mr De Lacy: The only extra thing that Opposition does not like to hear it, but it is a they have given them is hysteria. fact. Mr SCHWARTEN: Yes, and something The coalition Government will not be a to laugh at, I suppose. Turning to the party to the Labor lie perpetrated on electricity industry—— Queenslanders year after year. Labor Time expired. allegedly put up large sums for capital works 1 May 1997 Actions of Treasurer; Economy 1291 then, when it got political brownie points for its 351.2 person years of employment. I am hollow generosity, it failed, in some years by apprised that the Executive Council approvals significant margins, to meet the targets. The for capital works spending in April totalled member opposite might as well listen to this $176.346m, which was fully funded, because it involves him: I remember when amounting to 1,679 person years of Labor promised a community health centre to employment. The Premier also advised the be built in my electorate. I have seen a House that during the first quarter of this photograph in the newspaper of the calendar year, submissions to the Executive honourable member and the previous Council approving capital works spending have member for Mulgrave, with a story stating that generated almost 7,000 person years of that centre would be ready last year. However, employment. not a thing was done. No plans were drawn up How does this compare with Labor? In and no money was allocated. When in 1992-93, Labor underspent its alleged $3 Government the Opposition spent $500,000 billion capital works budget by a whopping on useless land—— $411m, or 12.5%. In fact, in the first three Mr Elder: You have been pork-barrelling alleged $3 billion-plus capital works budgets, about that ever since. Labor underspent allocations by almost Mrs WILSON: There will be no more $900m—by $242.2m in 1991-92, by porkies about that. That centre is now on track $411.04m in 1992-93 and by $227.821m in at a good location where people can access it. 1993-94. It is there, it is on track and we are delivering. Time expired. Hundreds of millions of dollars in base funding Mr NUNN (Hervey Bay) (6.50 p.m.): were carried over and hundreds of millions of Interestingly, the Treasurer is not here tonight dollars were never spent by the former to defend herself against the subject of this Government. The previous Government's motion. I am not surprised, because she theme song was Promises, because it did not would find it extremely hard to defend some of intend to keep any. the things she has done, not the least of In light of this debate, it is appropriate to which was when—and we have to go back a educate honourable members opposite about little in time—she bought a toll road. That was the performance of the Government a nice little toy for her and her coffee circle compared with the performance of the mates. She spent $200m of Queenslanders' previous Labor Government. As the Premier money and, as has been noted before, that has said, we have heard the Opposition will grow to $400m by the time we have paid criticise this Government over capital works for it. programs. However, one should compare the An Opposition member: What a record of this Government with that of Labor shame! members opposite. As the Premier has said in relation to the Department of Education, April Mr NUNN: It was an ugly act. That was saw $47.3m approved for projects such as the one of those things which is making her shrink Tannum Sands State High School and the away into non-existence—and she is Kuranda State High School. In Mulgrave we noticeable by her absence tonight. have forward tracked a preschool which will be The Treasurer does not know a great deal opening in the middle of this year, and a about Queensland. In particular, she does not primary school. We have promised and we know much about Hervey Bay. I know she has have delivered, because we saw what was been there, but all she did was stand on the needed. This expenditure, which is all balcony of a local hotel, wave her nose at the approved and all funded, will generate some sea and then leave. She knew nothing about 533.6 person years of employment. In the the place when she arrived; she knew nothing Department of Health, April saw a total of about the place when she left. $62.9m approved which will provide funding The purchase of that toll road and the for the Redlands Hospital redevelopment $400m that it is eating up could have been program and, of course, some $100,000-plus better spent. For just a fraction of that money, has been injected into the Cairns Base the Treasurer could have properly staffed the Hospital—a hospital that was forgotten by the new Hervey Bay Hospital. Honourable members opposite. This expenditure, which is members would remember the new Hervey again all funded, will generate some 580.9 Bay Hospital because it is the one that the person years of employment. National Party opposed through the then In the Main Roads Department, a total of shadow Minister for Health. He opposed the $43.778m has been approved, generating Bill. The members opposite could have staffed 1292 Grievances 1 May 1997 it properly with just a fraction of that money. Mr NUNN: Core or not, he did not keep But no fear, it was in a Labor electorate and it; he has not done it so far. Not only that, but they did not want it. Hervey Bay was the the money could have paid for the $300,000 fastest-growing place in Queensland at the that the Treasurer spent on a glossy magazine time, because the Labor Party had brought the other weekend telling porkies. She was not about a climate which encouraged private content with claiming the Hervey Bay Hospital investment. Everybody in the area knew that in the Budget papers, she was not content and, by and large, we were congratulated on with claiming the new police station in the what we had done. Budget papers; she had to claim it in a But look at it now: Hervey Bay is shrinking; magazine. That hospital was half finished by there is no development—nothing. It all the time this Government came to power. started after the Treasurer bought the toll road Not content with spending $300,000, the and the State Government office block for Government then spent $500,000 on spy which we were about to call tenders. It was to holes for cameras to be installed in Ministers' cost over $200m, and if it had gone offices. Next they will be recording the very ahead—we were just about ready to do the utterances of people who come to see the job—it would have been full of public servants Minister. All in all, the Treasurer has been a working and buying houses in Hervey Bay and dismal failure. I do not know how any contributing to the local economy of an area Government members could bring themselves which now has the largest unemployment rate to vote against the motion. in Queensland. Question—That the motion be agreed That is a disgrace! It is also a disgrace to—put; and the House divided— that the Treasurer is not in the Chamber AYES, 42—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bird, Bligh, tonight to hear this. She might have learnt a Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, Campbell, D'Arcy, little about Hervey Bay after my speech De Lacy, Dollin, Edmond, Elder, Foley, Fouras, tonight, but she did not front up. She does not Gibbs, Goss W. K., Hamill, Hayward, Hollis, Lucas, have the courage to defend what she has McElligott, McGrady, Mackenroth, Milliner, Mulherin, been made to do by her Under Treasurer. Nunn, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Purcell, Honourable members would recall that the Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Smith, Spence, Under Treasurer is the fellow who says that we Sullivan J. H., Welford, Wells. Tellers: Roberts, Sullivan T. B. have to have a pool of unemployed. If he were handing out medals for success stories in NOES, 43—Baumann, Beanland, Borbidge, Connor, the unemployment stakes, he would hang a Cooper, Cunningham, Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, Gilmore, Goss J. N., Grice, Harper, Healy, brace of them on her. She would make Hegarty, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Laming, Lester, Goering look like a vacant block! Lingard, Littleproud, Malone, Mitchell, Perrett, Quinn, A fraction of that money could have also Radke, Rowell, Santoro, Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, gone to providing the 66 extra police promised Stephan, Stoneman, Tanti, Veivers, Warwick, by the Police Minister for the Maryborough Watson, Wilson, Woolmer. Tellers: Springborg, police district of which Hervey Bay is a part. Carroll Mr Elder: How many? Pair: McCauley, Livingstone Mr NUNN: He promised 66. Guess what Resolved in the negative. we have so far! Mr Elder: How many? GRIEVANCES Mr NUNN: None so far. We still have Caboolture Hospital some promises. God knows how many of Mr J. H. SULLIVAN (Caboolture) them will be funded positions—probably none (7.01 p.m.): It is now 9 o'clock in the morning at all. on the last day of a Tory Government in the On top of that, part of that money could United Kingdom! have also gone towards the $10m that the The Minister for Health, "Honest Mike" Premier promised on the run as he swept Horan, is up to his old tricks again. I read in through Hervey Bay and touted for votes. He this week's edition of the Caboolture News was going to give $10m for the management newspaper an article titled "Minister rejects of Fraser Island. Where is that? Gobbled up hospital claims". Let us have a quiet look at by the $200m buy-out of the toll road for Mrs what those claims were that he is rejecting. I Sheldon and her mates to play with! have exposed this Minister on a couple of Mr Elder: Is that one of the core election occasions before, and on each occasion the promises? Minister has indicated to the public that I have 1 May 1997 Grievances 1293 been lying, that I do not know what I am While I welcome the ongoing planning for talking about and that I should check my facts. integrated transport systems in this State, I Subsequently, he has gone ahead and done believe we also need to change the precisely what I have exposed that he was AUSTROADS standards to take cyclists' needs going to do, but there has never been a shred into account. I have talked with Sunshine of an apology from this Minister; just more Coast bicycle users, and they tell me that not name-calling, as he has done this time. all so-called bicycle paths are suitable for A memorandum has come into my bicycles travelling at 50 km/h nor are the possession that says a number of things roadways safe, having varying road verges about what this Government is planning to do and some shocking surfaces. For example, at the Caboolture Hospital. The first thing I those of us who drive cars should look next said that the Minister has denied is that the time at the way road verges narrow to only a hospital will not be ready for occupancy till the few millimetres coming into signalised year 2000. The memorandum, which I plan to intersections. We should also look at the table, states— amount of room available to cyclists on roundabouts. It is quite horrific, yet this is quite "Our target date for the completion of legal under the current road standards contract documentation is 31 December because cyclists are not really considered. 1997." Mr T. B. Sullivan: Are you going to It then goes on to say that the targeted come to the Travelsafe forum? construction time for the project has been revised from 24 months to approximately 21 Miss SIMPSON: I have actually sent it months. I presume there would be some a submission. period in between the two events, and I think I believe that regional integrated transport that the year 2000 is a good estimate of when planning has to tackle these issues. There are the hospital could be occupied. The Minister thousands of Queenslanders who ride bicycles said that there would be no reduction in floor for sport and as a form of transport, and I space at the hospital. believe there are thousands more wanting to Mr T. B. Sullivan: Was it true? join them when it is safe. Cycling corridors Mr J. H. SULLIVAN: I do not know would also be a wonderful boon for tourism. that it was true, because this memorandum that I have from the architect states— Mr M. Wilkins; Health Services "In order to find savings a reduction Mrs BIRD (Whitsunday) (7.05 p.m.): in the building size in the order of 600 sq Mark Wilkins is a wheelchair-bound young m has been considered." man who became a paraplegic after a The Minister might say that there is not going workplace accident. He lives on a pension in a to be one, but unless we see the original plan housing commission unit. Except for a few and the revised plan, it is going to be very friends, he is quite alone. In January, Mark difficult for us to comment on that. He says applied for a new wheelchair. On 16 April, there is no loss of—— three months later, his social worker received Time expired. verbal advice that the wheelchair would not be available until the next financial year—they had run out of money. Bicycle Safety On contacting Home and Community Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore) Care Mackay, I was advised that the order was (7.03 p.m.): On behalf of Sunshine Coast placed on a high priority list on 22 February bicycle users, I will continue to fight for a and that the chair had been ordered from the change in road and bicycle path standards to Rockhampton Home Medical Centre. I then allow cyclists safe transport corridors. I often contacted the centre inquiring as to the say a prayer when I see cyclists using the whereabouts of Mark's chair. By this time Mark roads because, unfortunately, it is still so had suffered many falls and was becoming dangerous due to poor road designs of the desperate. The wheels on his old chair had past and continuing problems with the road snapped and he was unable to get about standards of the present. I am one of the without assistance from his friends. After many many Queenslanders who would use a bicycle inquiries I was advised by letter that the chair for transport and for fun if it was safe. Unlike had been ordered on 17 April—yes, the day I braver cyclists, I am too worried that I will end had commenced my inquiries—and that the up accidentally on someone's bullbar. chair delivery date was a further six to eight 1294 Grievances 1 May 1997 weeks away—surprise, surprise, into the new Estimates are that we will see around financial year. 1,500 athletes every year at the Australian Mark has become so frustrated that he triathlon championships and more than has been forced to join the rims of the wheels 20,000 spectators. This influx of people will of his chair together with yards and yards of have a very positive impact on the Sunshine masking tape because this Government's Coast region, not only economically but also in health service is starved of funds. What sort of terms of the development of the local tourism health service do we have that takes six industry, self-image and community pride. months to deliver high-priority wheelchairs? Such events put a city or a region on the world What sort of health service do we have under stage. This is a great win for the Sunshine which young paraplegics are forced to use Coast and a great win for Queensland. wheelchairs held together with masking tape? What sort of society are we living in when this Mr T. Barsby State Government treats the disabled as third- class citizens? When will this paraplegic get his Mr NUTTALL (Sandgate) (7.09 p.m.): wheelchair? I wish the Minister would respond This evening I would like to pay tribute to an and respond quickly. I thought the Treasurer's outstanding Queenslander and a true living freeze was on capital works, but it is clear that legend, Trevor Barsby, who has hung up his health services are also frozen well into the representative bat after helping Queensland next financial year. win the Sheffield Shield for the second time and having scored more than 6,000 Sheffield Shield runs and played in 100 Shield games. Triathlons Trevor Barsby is synonymous with Queensland Mr LAMING (Mooloolah) (7.07 p.m.): It cricket, both on the field in his role as opening was a great pleasure for my wife and I to batsman for the Queensland Bulls and off the attend the Mooloolaba triathlon on Sunday, field in his role as hero, mentor and educator 20 April. Despite the rain, it was a wonderful of Queensland's young aspiring cricketers. event. In fact, among the hundreds of Trevor Barsby resides with his family in my competitors, the Taiwanese team was in electorate and has had a long and attendance. I believe they intend to train on distinguished association with the the Sunshine Coast leading up to the Sydney Sandgate/Redcliffe Cricket Association, having Olympics. first joined the club to play in the under-18 side It is my great pleasure to also inform the during the 1978-79 season. Trevor Barsby's House that triathlon, one of the world's fastest commitment to assisting junior players learn growing sports, will make Queensland its the skills of the game is widely known and Australian home. Just two weeks ago the applauded. Trevor regularly conducts training Minister for Tourism, Small Business and schools for school-age players during school Industry announced that the Queensland holidays. In fact, the last school holidays saw a Events Corporation had secured the Australian contingent of juniors attend the Barsby triathlon championships for Queensland's Training School at the Albury Oval at Deagon. Sunshine Coast for the next four years. This is Trevor Barsby's commitment to cricket a major coup. In the year 2000, triathlon will does not lie solely with the bat. He has held make its debut as an Olympic sport. Currently, various executive positions within his local club Queenslanders are the very best triathletes in and has played an important role in the the world. With Queensland now the home formation of the Sandgate/Redcliffe Cricket base for this growing sport, we can expect that Club's junior committee. He was elected the eyes of the triathlon world will be on our president of the committee at its inaugural State over the coming years. meeting in 1991 and has overseen the Triathlon has more potential than virtually establishment of a sound junior base playing any other sport in Australia. Through this at the club's headquarters. Government's involvement with Triathlon While Trevor will no longer be playing Australia, we can expect these championships representative cricket, he has decided to to become one of the major events on our continue to play with his local club and to sporting calendar. This latest event joins a coach and teach aspiring youngsters the skills number of other world-class triathlon events in of the great game. Trevor Barsby can truly be the region: the Noosa triathlon, the described as a living cricket legend. On behalf Mooloolaba triathlon, the Noosa corporate of the people of my electorate and his many triathlon, the St George grand prix series and thousands of fans, both young and old, I a host of smaller events. congratulate Trevor Barsby on his contribution 1 May 1997 Grievances 1295 to Queensland cricket and for the hope he The Enterprise Commissioner and the gives the many young Queenslanders who Employment Advocate will operate in a aspire to be just like him. I ask that his record dynamic new system and it is appropriate that of statistics be incorporated in Hansard. individuals from the broadest possible arena Leave granted. be given an opportunity to apply for the positions. Consequently, the Government has Sheffield Shield career: advertised nationwide. In the interim and so Matches 100 that the legislation can commence to operate Inn 181 effectively, the Governor has approved the NO 7 appointment of an Acting Enterprise Runs 6052 Commissioner and an Acting Employment HS 165 50 28 Advocate. QIRC Commissioner Mr Robin 100 13 Bechly has been appointed Acting Enterprise Average 34.78 Commissioner. Mr Bechly has extensive industrial relations experience having served First class career as Personnel and Industrial Relations Matches 111 Manager for Castlemaine Perkins in Brisbane Inn 200 from 1977 to 1990. NO 7 Runs 6913 Time expired. HS 165 50 35 100 15 Tilt Train Average 35.81 Mr ARDILL (Archerfield) (7.13 p.m.): I support most of the findings of the Public Queensland Workplace Relations Act Works Committee report into the tilt train project which was initiated by David Hamill and Mr HARPER (Mount Ommaney) the very effective CEO of Queensland Rail, (7.11 p.m.): The Queensland Workplace Vince O'Rourke. The tilt train is a natural Relations Act 1997, an historic piece of progression of upgrading of rolling stock by legislation that will reform Queensland's Queensland Rail over the 132 years of its industrial relations system, was proclaimed on existence. The major advantage that Thursday, 27 March. The legislation Queensland will gain, other than improving the establishes two new positions that are of great lot of ordinary folk in the Rockhampton importance to the success of the reformed corridor, is that we will be well placed to industrial relations system: the Enterprise manufacture and export a commodity that will Commissioner and the Employment Advocate. be in demand in our part of the world. The Enterprise Commissioner will be a member of the Queensland Industrial Where the PWC goes off the rails is in Relations Commission, or QIRC, and will have expecting this particular project to produce a the role of determining whether applications financial return of interest and amortisation of for Queensland workplace agreements should capital costs. Would the committee expect a be approved. State school, a new hospital, extra lanes on a highway or the police to pay their way, or the The Employment Advocate will have the Army to make a profit on military operations? role of providing advice and assistance to Of course not! Then why does anyone expect employers—especially those in small public transport to pay its way? If it is doing its business—and employees on QWAs, freedom job in the public interest, it should not and of association provisions and any associated cannot make a profit unless it is serving the award or statutory entitlement issues. The most affluent section of the tourism market. Employment Advocate will be able to accept QWAs filed at any one of 19 existing regional This is a commuter train serving the department offices throughout Queensland people of Queensland and it is an upgrade of and will also provide support to the Enterprise the existing service. It is the duty of Commissioner in approving QWAs. Employers Government to provide essential services and and employees have access to the full range it is the duty of Treasury to raise and fund the of employment advocate services at any of capital works for those services. The users those offices. Additionally, the Employment should pay what they can towards the cost of Advocate will have the role of investigating operations, but it should not be an amount and initiating enforcement action for any which renders an essential service impossible alleged contraventions of freedom of for the patrons to use. As well as the association provisions or QWAs. economic cost of capital and operations, the 1296 Grievances 1 May 1997 needs of the public and the demands of the The people of Cairns and north natural environment should have more than Queensland are very appreciative of this and equal priority. There is no doubt that the decisions concerning the refurbishment of Queensland Rail can offer sufficient evidence the Cairns Base Hospital and the provision of that these tilt trains will provide an extra health services in the area. They are now improvement on the present ICE trains which able to feel a sense of security, knowing full will be replaced, and will therefore carry at well that they are covered by an efficient, least the same number of local commuters. effective and accessible health system. Honourable members should consider Families can be assured that they will be able these facts. There is no doubt that the tilt to visit their loved ones needing rehabilitation trains will carry out a community service locally rather than having to travel spasmodically at great expense. Constant obligation. The trains to be replaced will be access—— used to provide additional services, which are also needed. Rail has a much lesser effect on Time expired. the environment than do road and air services. Time expired. Nundah Bottleneck; Morningside TAFE Mr T. B. SULLIVAN (Chermside) Cairns Base Hospital Redevelopment (7.17 p.m.): Tonight in this Parliament I will cite two examples from which the people of Mrs WILSON (Mulgrave) (7.15 p.m.): I Queensland, particularly the constituents of rise today to thank this Government for its the Clayfield electorate, will be able to see decision to allocate an extra $5m in funding clearly that the member for Clayfield promises for the Cairns Base Hospital redevelopment. a great deal but delivers very little. In an article $3.2m will be used to establish a 12-bed in today's Northern News about the Nundah rehabilitation unit that will be used for the bottleneck, the Minister is quoted as saying— treatment of young brain-damaged patients, long-term stroke patients and spinal injury "I have always been strongly in patients. The remaining $1.8m will be injected favour of the cut-and-cover option. My support for that option remains into the clinical services building, which will undiminished." provide extra facilities and space for oncology and haematology specialties. This facility will Let us examine his lie about undiminished also include a long overdue hydrotherapy support. As one of the 18 Cabinet Ministers, pool. the member for Clayfield could have delivered on his promise to the residents, the business This is the rehabilitation unit that was people and the motorists of Brisbane's inner promised by the former Labor Government but northern suburbs by one simple action. In the was never received, and the parents and roads implementation plan update of mid- patients in the north suffered as a result 1996, he could have and should have because they had to travel south for included the full funding of the announcement treatment. For six and a half years under the made by the former Minister, Jim Elder, on 18 Labor Government, the community of Cairns December 1995. But the member for Clayfield and the surrounding districts was deprived of a failed and, instead, the money went to rehabilitation unit and patients had to be National Party electorates out west and to referred to Brisbane or, in one case I know of, Liberal seats on the Sunshine Coast. Mr to Victoria, or they received little more than Santoro promised his support and he was in a maintenance care at home and, position to deliver; but he failed the people in consequently, their healing suffered. Unlike his own electorate. He is a political eunuch the situation under Labor, it is good to see who promises everything but delivers almost that the present Minister, Mike Horan, has nothing. finally listened to the people and is willing to follow through with his commitment. The second thing is that in this "Year of Training" about which the Minister has made The extra funding for the Cairns Base so many ministerial statements, he has again Hospital and the construction of the health failed by his actions. A constituent came to my centres at Smithfield and Edmonton reinforce electorate office today and I will briefly tell the the Minister's commitment to the provision of House something of what happened. I will effective health services in the far north of table some letters for the information of the Queensland. To this point, the Cairns Base House. If the member for Clayfield tries to Hospital has received $105m in funding for the seek revenge on the student or teacher redevelopment—$35m more than was involved, we will pursue him in this place and provided by the former Labor Government. elsewhere. 1 May 1997 Grievances 1297

The constituent called in on behalf of her such as a national Aboriginal championship, son. She has rung the executive director's and events designed to have a wide family office at the Morningside TAFE, but her calls appeal. At the same time, the structure of the were not even returned. The student's teacher organising body is also being examined with a is trying her hardest, but the administration view to streamlining its structure. Also receiving returns his letters unopened. I will tell close attention is a recommendation that other honourable members what is contained in the complementary events be held in conjunction letter. Conditions have worsened enormously with the rodeo to broaden its appeal. With this this year. Students are without their basic Government's help, the Mount Isa Rodeo has materials; they put in requests but they are the potential to become an internationally rejected. The teacher's workload is absolutely recognised event which can bring significant outlandish. There are two classes running in economic benefits to Mount Isa and the north- different rooms at the one time and the west region of the State, attracting national teacher is supposed to be in both classrooms. corporate sponsorship and worldwide Many classes have been cancelled this year exposure. and subjects have been left out of their Another event to benefit from the timetable, but students have still been assistance of the Minister is the Charters expected to pay for them. The administration Towers Country Music Festival, which is to be says that it is handling it adequately, but held this weekend, starting tomorrow nothing is happening. The student has been afternoon and carrying right through until charged $876.90 for materials and use of Sunday night. rooms which have not been delivered. Time expired. Time expired.

Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo Conservatorium of Music Building, South Bank Mr MITCHELL (Charters Towers) (7.19 p.m.): Tonight it is my pleasure to inform Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) the House that a Government grant of $6,500 (7.20 p.m.): Quite often there are competitions is helping to raise the profile of the Mount Isa for architecturally inspired homes and Rotary Rodeo in the world arena. This funding, buildings, and awards are presented. We have provided through the Department of Tourism, stately, significant buildings of distinction that Small Business and Industry's AusIndustry enhance our environment. The Forgan Smith program, has subsidised the cost of an Building at the St Lucia university is one such enterprise development diagnostic plan by the building. However, tonight I want to outline a National Centre for Studies in Travel and blight on the South Bank skyline—a building Tourism on behalf of the Mount Isa Rodeo that is stark, bland and plonked out of place in Inc. The purpose of the diagnostic plan has the middle of South Bank. It is an obnoxious been to carry out an assessment of the eyesore on a tropical setting. It is a building current structure and focus of the Mount Isa that is out of place and spoils the whole Rodeo. This assessment has helped the character of South Bank. organisation develop plans to boost the I want to draw the attention of honourable rodeo's profile and provide a world-class event members to that building, which is the Griffith of great significance in this region. University Conservatorium of Music at South The Minister for Tourism, Small Business Bank. It is an ugly building. It is a building that and Industry, Bruce Davidson, informs me that spoils South Bank. The whole perspective of the diagnostic plan prepared for this event South Bank was a paradise in the middle of provides a clear analysis of the rodeo's long- Brisbane, where we had trees, low buildings term direction, with emphasis on the and enhancements against a backdrop. It is management, aesthetics, marketing, an ugly building, and I just want to let production and finance of future events. One everyone know about this tonight. I invite of the key findings of the diagnostic plan was people to have a look at what I believe is a the need to employ the services of a full-time blob—the ugliest building in Queensland. I am management professional to market and sure that they will agree with me. We should coordinate the rodeo. This person is now on ask: why was that architect ever paid for board and is already examining the designing that building, and what was the recommendations detailed in the assessment process through all the authorities that allowed of the Mount Isa Rodeo. These include the such an ugly building that spoils the beauty of possibility of upgrading the rodeo arena to South Bank? It should never have been international standard, introducing new events, created over there. 1298 Grievances 1 May 1997

Chapter 5, Model Criminal Code "Dear Mr Borbidge, Mr CARROLL (Mansfield) (7.22 p.m.): I During the July 1995 Election the alert Queenslanders to the danger of allowing National/Liberal Coalition published it's Chapter 5 on sexual offences against the 'Families and Carers Initiatives and Policy' person of the SCAG model Criminal Code to document stating their plans for 'Families be accepted in other States. Queensland Carers and Seniors' if they won the 1995 soundly rejected that 1996 model in March State election. this year with our Criminal Code Amendment In this document the Coalition Act, but it could come back to haunt us by promised:- coming across the border. The disgust and anger of the public has been shown in their 1. to 'provide an additional $34 million reaction to press coverage in the eastern per year over three years to assist Queenslanders with disabilities'; States of Australia to recent radio and television interviews in which I participated. 2. that 'the Coalition will address the inequities suffered by Carers who The Australian Christian Coalition has look after disabled people in the received in excess of 6,000 phone calls from home by increasing services and the people all across this country, including all number of respite centres available'; parts of Queensland, objecting to that model. In all those phone calls, only four people 3. to 'provide funding to non- vaguely thought that they had heard government organisation(s) who something about this thing. It apparently was provide respite care and support designed to sneak up on us. I congratulate services to people with disabilities'. the Australian Christian Coalition on its work in Mr Lingard has been advising the publicising this dreadful piece of drafting. community and members of parliament I spoke at a meeting held here at that the Government has allocated Parliament House on 15 April. That meeting 'substantial new funding of $26.8 million was organised in 24 hours and attracted 200 over three years to disability services'. pastors, church leaders, businessmen and Even if this were true it is still some concerned citizens. That initiative has been $75 million short of your election promise, followed up by other meetings. Indeed, one outlined above. last night was well attended by care givers, In fact, when the budget papers are workers and parents of intellectually disabled analysed, one finds that very little new people who were shocked at the contents of money has been allocated as most of the that model, which proposes to decrease the $26.8 million had been already committed age of consent and would facilitate or approve by the previous Government. A detailed incest between a man and his daughter aged analysis shows that in the twelve months 16 years, as well as a sexual relationship since your Government assumed office between a 12-year-old boy and his 10-year-old there has been only $3 million of sister. That is disgraceful stuff. It also proposes additional funds made available from the to substantially reduce protection of disabled State, of which only $1.7 million is people from sexual assault. Outrage has been recurrent. expressed in every State as letters and faxes have poured in. The Government's own budget papers show a 1995/96 budget to Time expired. 1996/97 estimate increase of just over $13 million, most of which had been pre- committed. Unmet Needs Campaign The Unmet Needs Campaign is Mr DOLLIN (Maryborough) (7.24 p.m.): committed to getting a better deal for the In mid February the Unmet Needs Campaign thousands of Queenslander's with Committee wrote to the Premier, the Treasurer disabilities and their families living in our and the Minister for Families urging them to communities in critical and urgent need of prioritise the unmet needs of people with ongoing supports." disabilities in the 1997-98 Budget. Reference Time expired. was made to the coalition's pre-election promises and the failure of the Government to deliver on its commitments to people with JAL Gold Coast Marathon disabilities and their families. The letter Mrs GAMIN (Burleigh) (7.26 p.m.): Last reads— month the Minister for Tourism, Small 1 May 1997 Grievances 1299

Business and Industry made an 13,500 competitors at this year's marathon. announcement which caused great He says that establishing the event on the excitement in the athletics world. I have great world calendar will not be an overnight pleasure in providing the House with some exercise but that he is determined to see it details of the Minister's and the Queensland take its place as one of the world's great Events Corporation's efforts to develop the athletics events. JAL Gold Coast Marathon to rival the world- Time expired. famous Boston and London Marathons. Imagine the excitement felt by athletes when it was announced that the Queensland State Government Land, Moorooka Government would offer a cash bonus Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga) incentive of $500,000—that is half a million (7.28 p.m.): Moorooka residents are up in dollars—for a new world record and $50,000 arms over the possible sale of the Department for a new course record. This is one of the of Primary Industries forestry site at Evans richest cash bonuses in the world—higher than Road to EGR Plastics for the purpose of that offered in both London and Boston. The erecting a plastics factory. I urge the result will be that we are sure to see the Government not to sell this land, as it is a world's best marathon runners here in most valuable buffer zone between local Queensland for the JAL Gold Coast Marathon. residents and nearby heavy industry with its Gert Thys, the South African runner who attendant problems of noise and fumes. The ran the third-fastest time in the world last year, forestry centre also plays a vital role in timber has already confirmed that he will be here on research and has potential to develop in the the Gold Coast going for the record, and the area of forestry education. event itself will be lifted to an even higher Today I went with a delegation of plane. The overall prize money makes the Moorooka residents to speak with Primary Gold Coast Marathon now the richest in Industries Minister, Trevor Perrett, about this Australia, and the boost in international matter. The delegation consisted of the entrants is sure to make it the most president of the Moorooka District Residents competitive. Association, Ms Barbara Ravenswood, local The emphasis of this whole exercise is, of resident Ms Joan McGrath and Ms Shirley course, to leverage tourism growth off the Holland, a resident of Nettleton Crescent next event. Queensland Events Corporation figures to the forestry centre. The delegation set out show the JAL Marathon was the sole reason to the Minister their concerns over the need for for 15,931 people visiting the Gold Coast last a buffer zone to protect the amenity of the year. The economic impact of the event, local community and their scepticism about based solely on the spending by interstate claims by the company of hundreds of jobs to and international visitors to the event, was be generated by the project. I thank the estimated at $4.95m. The four races of last Minister for his willingness to speak with the year's event and scenic pictures of the Gold delegation. Coast were telecast to an estimated audience Time expired. of 35 million people in Japan alone—that is $14.87m worth of promotional value. The Motion agreed to. Minister has told me he hopes to see up to The House adjourned at 7.30 p.m.