18 Mar 2004 Legislative Assembly 19 THURSDAY, 18 MARCH 2004 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. R. K. Hollis, Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. COMMISSION TO ADMINISTER OATH Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have to report that Her Excellency the Governor has been pleased to issue a commission under the public seal of the state authorising me to administer the oath or affirmation of allegiance and of office to such members as might hereafter present themselves to be sworn. I now ask the Clerk to read the commission to the House. The Clerk read the commission. GOVERNOR'S OPENING SPEECH Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have to report that Her Excellency the Governor on Wednesday, 17 March 2004 delivered a speech to parliament, of which for greater accuracy I have obtained a copy. I presume honourable members will take the speech as read? Honourable members: Hear, hear! AUDITOR-GENERAL'S REPORT Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have to report that today I received from the Auditor- General a report entitled Audit report No. 5, 2003-04: Results of audits performed for 2002-03 on local governments, and I table the said report. HANSARD Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, you will notice that Hansard reporters are on the floor of the House today. This is part of a trial that is being conducted to see whether having Hansard reporters on the floor for the first two hours of proceedings will assist in picking up all parts of members' statements made during this time, including interjections. As it is a trial, I would appreciate receiving any comments from members about this trial. NOTE-TAKING IN GALLERY Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, it has long been the practice to prohibit note-taking in the galleries of the House. This practice, originating in very early times, was probably designed to prevent a number of varying records of what was said or done in the House. In modern times, this rule appears anachronistic and unjustifiable, especially given that the Assembly's proceedings are now broadcast to the world at large. I advise that I have instructed that note-taking no longer be prohibited in the galleries. Restrictions on unauthorised photography or filming, displaying signs or banners and disorderly conduct such as interjecting or applauding are justifiable and will continue to be prohibited, as they risk bringing disorder or disruption to proceedings. FLAGS IN CHAMBER Mr SPEAKER: Order! Honourable members, in the last parliament the issue of flags in the House was raised. I undertook to investigate the issue in full and report back to the House in due course. I investigated this issue in the context of (a) the practice in other Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions, (b) established flag etiquette and (c) the physical configuration of the Legislative Assembly chamber and its close environment, such as the main entrance. In respect of the practice in other jurisdictions, it is clear there are varying practices. It seems that on some occasions much is determined by the physical configuration of the relevant chamber. In one jurisdiction, the Australian, Territory, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are flown. In other jurisdictions no flag is shown and this has never been raised as an issue. As members are 20 Motion of Condolence 18 Mar 2004 aware, a flag should only be displayed in the manner befitting the emblem. If flags are flown inside a building, they must be mounted in a particular way, on a horizontal surface or on a staff. Taking into account these matters and the physical restraints of the chamber and its entrances, I am not convinced it is practical to display flags in the chamber in an appropriate and safe way. In terms of desk flags, I have come to the very firm view that desk flags of any nature should not be displayed in the chamber during its normal sittings. I take this view for a number of reasons, including that I do not wish to see flags used as protests, I do not want different flags displayed in the chamber which may lead to an apparent or perceived division in the chamber, I do not wish to be placed in the position of ruling what different flags should or should not be displayed on individual members' desks, and I do not want to see the issue of flags trivialised. In my view, using a desk flag to send any word of message—even a message as well meaning as support for the flag—is no different to protest banners or badges being banned from the chamber. Finally, I stress to members that as a passionate lover of flags and a committed vexillologist I have found this issue very difficult. It is a type of decision that will always stir different emotions and beliefs, but I trust that members will understand my reasons and accept the decision. COURT OF APPEAL, DEFAMATION CASE Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise the House that I have engaged counsel to seek leave to appear on my behalf as amicus curiae, or friend of the court, at a matter scheduled to be heard in the Court of Appeal later this month. The appeal is from a ruling in a defamation case on a point of law only. But at its heart lay issues concerning the powers, rights and immunities of this House. My only purpose in briefing counsel is to ensure that the powers, rights and immunities of this House are upheld appropriately. RESOLUTION OF ASSEMBLY Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise the House that on 1 December 2003 I received advice from the Speaker of the House of Representatives that a resolution of this House that I had forwarded had been received and tabled in the House of Representatives. I table the Speaker's letters. OVERSEAS VISIT Report Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise the House that on 9 January 2004, the Clerk received a travel report from the former member for Keppel the Hon. Vince Lester. I table the report. MOTION OF CONDOLENCE Death of Mr A. M. Wilson Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.41 a.m.), by leave: I move— 1. That this House desires to place on record its appreciation of the services rendered to this state by the late, Alexander McLachlan Wilson, a former member of the Parliament of Queensland. 2. That Mr Speaker be requested to convey to the family of the deceased gentleman the above resolution, together with an expression of the sympathy and sorrow of the members of the Parliament of Queensland, for the loss they have sustained. Mr Alexander McLachlan Wilson was born on 11 December 1920 in Rockhampton. Alec was educated at the Stuart Creek State School. Alec married Sybil Corney on 8 May 1946, later having three sons and four daughters. Prior to his election as a member of this House in 1977, Alec was employed in a variety of occupations, including as a carpenter, railway wagon builder, meatworker, locomotive fireman, and a trade union official and organiser for the Townsville Building Workers Industrial Union. Alec was to then pursue a parliamentary career, taking with him a wealth of experience in local industries that would provide him with the ability to serve his electorate for the duration of his parliamentary career. Alec's parliamentary career began when he was elected as the member for Townsville South on 12 November 1977. Once in parliament, he wasted no time in demonstrating his support and commitment to serving the people of Townsville South. In his maiden speech, 18 Mar 2004 Motion of Condolence 21 Alec drew attention to the local industries and resources of Townsville. He highlighted the need for improved water infrastructure, including the need for a dam to service the Burdekin area, and improved roads and educational facilities for the Townsville South electorate. During his parliamentary career, Alec served as the opposition spokesperson on works and workers compensation, northern development and maritime services, transport and main roads, and works and water resources. Alec was also a member of the Parliamentary Buildings Committee and a member of the opposition party committees on transport, works and housing, industrial relations and transport. Alec held his seat until the 1986 state election. Alec's funeral service was held at the Lakes Chapel, Townsville on 5 March 2004. I take this opportunity to extend my sympathy and that of this House to his family—to his wife, Sybil, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A large part of his electorate is now represented by the Minister for Child Safety, who will no doubt make a contribution in a minute. I knew Alec well. When I was party secretary I experienced a number of educational exchanges and a number of incidents that were beneficial to both of us. I think they led to both of us being better people. Alec was a colourful individual. No-one who knew him or met him or had any understanding of him was left in any doubt about his views on any subject at any time. For that reason, I had a sneaking admiration for his forthrightness. If I were to think of one word, 'forthrightness' is the exact word that would describe my view about him. He did represent an important constituency. I think if one spent any time with him, as a number of ministers did—I know Mike Reynolds, Tony McGrady and Robert Schwarten will be saying something—one would know that he had very strong views about representing working Queenslanders. For that he should be acknowledged and tribute should be paid to him.