19 May 1998 Statutory Instruments 1279

TUESDAY, 19 MAY 1998 politically motivated taxpayer funded advertising being used solely to promote the National and Liberal Parties and request instead that the money go toward (a) improving funding for TAFE Mr SPEAKER (Hon. N. J. Turner, Nicklin) to give young people an opportunity to gain read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. important skills training; (b) increasing resources to improve the police presence in Queensland towns and communities; and (c) improving health PRIVILEGE services to reduce accident and emergency Courier-Mail Report on Member for waiting times and ballooning waiting lists in our Thuringowa public hospitals. Mr McELLIGOTT (Thuringowa) Petitions received. (9.30 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege. In last Saturday's Courier-Mail, in his column Peter PAPER TABLED DURING RECESS Morley reported that in the Parliamentary Annexe lift I confided to Premier Rob Borbidge that I The Clerk announced that the following could not wait to walk away from my political paper was tabled during the recess— career. That is not a big deal in the overall 15 May 1998— scheme of things. But the fact is that that Marine Incidents Annual Report 1997. statement is simply not true. I did share a lift with the Premier on last Tuesday, and the conversation went along the lines of my STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS suggesting that, in the privacy of that lift, he In accordance with the schedule circulated might confide in me the date of the coming State by the Clerk to members in the Chamber, the election. His response to that was that, if he did following documents were tabled— that, we could perhaps pool our resources and Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control Act make a lot of money. We had a laugh about it, and 1966— that was the end of the conversation. Agricultural Chemicals Distribution Control My point of privilege is that the Courier-Mail Regulation 1998, No. 135 report is completely untrue, and it indicates that Apiaries Act 1982— either Peter Morley invented the story or the Apiaries Regulation 1998, No. 136 current Premier of this State is a liar. Brands Act 1915— Brands Regulation 1998, No. 137 PETITIONS City of Brisbane Act 1924— The Clerk announced the receipt of the City of Brisbane Amendment Regulation following petitions— (No. 1) 1998, No. 132 Civil Justice Reform Act 1998— Sherwood Police Station Proclamation—certain provisions of the Act commence 1 July 1998, No. 122 From Mr Beanland (3,146 petitioners) Consumer Credit (Queensland) Act 1994— requesting the House to ensure the Sherwood Police Station remains fully staffed, open and Consumer Credit Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 1998, No. 125 operational 24 hours every day. Exotic Diseases in Animals Act 1981— Exotic Diseases in Animals Regulation Howard Smith Wharf Site 1998, No. 138 From Mr Beattie (39 petitioners) Integrated Planning Act 1997— requesting the House to withdraw the Howard Integrated Planning Amendment Regulation Smith wharf site from sale until such time as either (No. 1) 1998, No. 133 an agreement with the Brisbane City Council is Justices Act 1886— reached or an amendment to the development Traffic Amendment Regulation (No. 1) control plan has been gazetted allowing for 1998, No. 134 approximately half the site to remain publicly accessible open space. Local Government Act 1993— Local Government Finance Amendment Standard (No. 1) 1998, No. 142 Political Advertising Magistrates Courts Act 1921— From Mr Beattie (95 petitioners) Magistrates Courts Amendment Rule requesting the House to immediately cease (No. 1) 1998, No. 124 1280 Overseas Visit 19 May 1998

Mines Regulation Act 1964— Response from the Deputy Premier, Treasurer Mines Regulation (Exemption) Order (No. 1) and Minister for The Arts (Mrs Sheldon) to a 1998, No. 131 report of the Public Accounts Committee entitled State Government Grant Funding Supplied to 99 Nature Conservation Act 1992— FM Community Radio Association Inc.; and Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Amendment Regulation (No. 4) 1998, Response from the Attorney-General and No. 130 Minister for Justice (Mr Beanland) to a report of the Public Accounts Committee entitled State Optometrists Act 1974— Government Grant Funding Supplied to 99 FM Optometrists Amendment By-law (No. 1) Community Radio Association Inc. 1998, No. 121 Petroleum Products Subsidy Act 1965— Petroleum Products Subsidy Regulation RESPONSE TO PETITION 1998, No. 120 The Clerk laid on the table of the House the Police Service Administration Act 1990— following response to petition received by the Police Service Administration Amendment Clerk since the last sitting day of the Legislative Regulation (No. 1) 1998, No. 127 Assembly, 14 May 1998— Powers of Attorney Act 1998— Proclamation—certain provisions of the Act commence on the date of assent and Land, Mrs I. McInally 1 June 1998, No. 123 Primary Producers' Organisation and Marketing Minister for Mines and Energy Act 1926— May 1998 Primary Producers' Organisation and I refer to your letter dated 23 April 1998 attaching Marketing (Queensland Cane Growers' Organisation) Amendment Regulation Petition 4917A requesting Mrs McInally's land be (No. 2) 1998, No. 139 excised from QCL's Mining Lease 3631. Property Law Act 1974— I have previously received this same Petition on Property Law Amendment Regulation 6 March 1998 and replied to the Principal (No. 1) 1998, No. 143 Petitioner, Mrs T Derrington. A copy of this letter is attached for your information. Racing Venues Development Act 1982— Racing Venues (Trustees of the Albion Applications for renewal of Mining Leases 3629, Park Paceway) Rule 1998, No. 128 3630, 3631 & 7629 have been made by Queensland Cement Limited, and there are a Statutory Instruments Act 1992— number of actions to be completed before the Statutory Instruments Amendment Department of Mines and Energy can make any Regulation (No. 1) 1998, No. 119 recommendations on the lease renewals. The Storage Liens Act 1973— Mineral Resources Act 1989 requires that before a mining lease is renewed, compensation is to be Storage Liens Regulation 1998, No. 126 determined between the landholder and the Timber Utilisation and Marketing Act 1987— applicant. I have been advised that Mrs McInally Timber Utilisation and Marketing Regulation has appealed the Mining Warden's determination 1998, No. 140 to the Land Court. Traffic Act 1949— In regard to having Mrs McInally's land removed Traffic Amendment Regulation (No. 1) from the mining lease, under section 309 of the 1998, No. 134 Mineral Resources Act 1989 the holder of a University of Southern Queensland Act 1989— mining lease may apply to me to surrender or partially surrender a mining lease. If Mrs McInally University of Southern Queensland wishes to pursue this option further it would be (Statutes Repeal) Statute 1998, No. 129 appropriate for her to discuss the matter with Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995— Queensland Cement Limited. Workplace Health and Safety (Falls from Heights) Amendment Advisory Standard Notice 1998, No. 141. OVERSEAS VISIT Report RESPONSES TO PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE REPORTS Hon. D. J. SLACK (Burnett—Minister for Economic Development and Trade and Minister The Clerk laid upon the table of the House Assisting the Premier) (9.34 a.m.): I table my the following responses to parliamentary report on a mission to the United Arab Emirates committee reports— and Brunei from 6 to 15 March. 19 May 1998 Ministerial Statement 1281

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT directed preferences to Australians Against Multiculturalism Further Immigration ahead of the Liberal Party at the last Federal election. Does he want me to Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers table the how-to-vote card? Paradise—Premier) (9.35 a.m.), by leave: I am pleased today to inform the House of the QEAMAP is a public statement of this coalition Government's total commitment to Government's commitment to the continuing multiculturalism and our adoption of a new policy development of Queensland as a cohesive and inclusive multicultural society. It is also a very for management of cultural diversity in practical framework for implementing that Queensland. commitment through Government services and Opposition members interjected. programs. The release of the QEAMAP brings to Mr SPEAKER: Order! a conclusion the process initiated by the Review Mr BORBIDGE: Members of the Labor of Ethnic Affairs in Queensland, which was tabled Party seem to have forgotten that they directed in Parliament last year. After a period when the preferences to Australians Against Further review was open to public comment, the Immigration in Queensland in the Federal seat of Government decided to implement in principle Fisher at the last election. They seem to have most of its recommendations. The policy aims to ensure the fair and equitable delivery of services, forgotten about that. That group is far more racist the promotion of positive and cohesive and far more Right Wing than any others that community relations and the productive use of have come along in the recent past. That is Queensland's cultural and language resources. typical of the blatant hypocrisy of members opposite. The former Bureau of Ethnic Affairs is now the Office of Ethnic and Multicultural Affairs in the Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Premier will Department of the Premier and Cabinet, and continue his ministerial statement. most of the service delivery functions of the Mr BORBIDGE: Mr Speaker, I am sorry. I former bureau are now in the process of being was provoked. devolved to appropriate agencies. As well as the The main implications of the new policy are review and the creation of the new office, its that each Government agency will now be headquarters will now move from Yungaba to the required to consider multicultural issues at the city. planning stages of all their activity and decision I would like to just instance a number of the making. The new policy, the Queensland Ethnic Government's achievements in ethnic affairs and Multicultural Affairs Policy—QEAMAP— including the following— demonstrates the Government's commitment to development of cultural diversity in the arts managing the issues of cultural diversity in the policy and access and equity in vocational interests of all Queenslanders. education and training. Opposition members interjected. That was not done under Labor. The Mr BORBIDGE: I would have thought that achievements continue— that would have received bipartisan support. But recognition of the contribution of members here we are trying to do something—— of the ethnic communities to the Mr Robertson interjected. development of ethnic and multicultural affairs. Twenty-one awards have been Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for presented for multicultural services and a Sunnybank! corporate award made for organisations who Mr BORBIDGE: Here we are trying to do make significant contributions to something in respect of multicultural policy, and multicultural services; the honourable member for Sunnybank is initiation of a requirement that the Office of attacking it. We can circulate to the electors of Ethnic and Multicultural Affairs be consulted Sunnybank what the honourable member is by any Queensland Government agency opposing. wishing to make a significant appointment to QEAMAP is a public statement of this boards and committees so that suitable Government's commitment to the continuing candidates from the Register of Multicultural development—— Advisers might also be considered for those appointments; and Mr Elder interjected. development and implementation of a Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for successful pilot community relations project Capalaba! with the Gold Coast and Ipswich councils, Mr BORBIDGE: The Deputy Leader of aimed at trialling ways to improve community the Opposition is the deputy leader of a party that relations at a local level. 1282 Ministerial Statement 19 May 1998

That was not done under Labor. As a result both thoroughbred racing will receive 76% of the councils have now established community racing industry distributions from the TAB, relations committees within their councils. From harness 14.5%, and greyhounds 9.5%. The this a new implementation phase of the project agreement, once documentation is signed, will has been established to promote the community be effective from 1 July this year. It will remain in relations manual to local governments place for 15 years. This structural and financial throughout Queensland. agreement brings the industry one step closer to The achievements also include— self-management. As I have said for some time, it is essential for the three codes to work together development and issue of a Model to ensure their continuing viability. Language Services Strategy, which is a resource package to assist Government I take this opportunity to commend the agencies improve the effectiveness of their industry and its leaders on their monumental approaches to multilingual communication; achievements to date. The intercode agreement also includes product and program fees for on review of provision of interpreter services and offcourse wagering revenue, oncourse within the Magistrates Courts and ways to product fees, tax rates, joint venture profits and improve access to legal aid; an industry payment timetable. This exceptional grants and subsidies to ethnic community package is in addition to other one-off payments organisations; and benefits covered in the heads of agreement, training programs through the Queensland which include— Centre for Cross Cultural Development the debt moratorium on principal and provided to more than 2,000 participants; interest payments; direct community housing assistance worth forgiveness of Racing Development Fund $6.5m to a number of ethnic community debt; groups, including Australian South Sea Islanders, the Spanish speaking and the a lump sum payment to the industry of Hmong communities; $10m; establishment of the Bilateral Business benefit of a tax cut of about $3.7m; Export Development Scheme which 25% interest in non-wagering businesses; provides assistance to bilateral chambers of payment of the balance in the RDF; commerce to undertake overseas trade missions; and transfer of racecourse titles and other RDF- owned assets facilities at the former bureau centre at Yungaba for use by ethnic communities, payment from TAB reserves for the including provision of rent-free office space purchase of Deagon and Caloundra to 17 ethnic community organisations. properties; and The record speaks for itself: this Office of Racing administration operations to Government has well demonstrated its be funded from consolidated revenue. commitment to multiculturalism. This intercode agreement forms one of the final aspects of Stage 1 of the TAB privatisation process. I reiterate what I said in Parliament on 4 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT March this year: the proposed privatisation has Queensland Racing Industry important implications for the Queensland racing Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest— industry and its future. Negotiations between the Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Government and the racing industry have Minister for Racing) (9.40 a.m.), by leave: I am secured agreements that will provide significant pleased to be able to announce that the benefits to stakeholders in Queensland racing. Queensland racing industry has reached another KPMG management consultants are expected to milestone. Thoroughbred, harness and hand down a strategic plan for the racing industry greyhound racing codes, after months of on 1 July, which I believe will launch the industry sensitive negotiations, have agreed on a post- into a new, more commercial era. The strategic TAB-privatisation financial and structural package plan should ensure the QRI makes the most out for the industry. The deal was struck finally last of this "golden" opportunity, giving it a greater Friday night, after several hours of deliberations level of autonomy and control—more than ever by racing chiefs. before. The package includes the annual On privatisation, the Queensland Racing distribution of dividends to each code. As part of Industry can look forward to an increase in annual the privatisation financial agreement, funding for the industry, including— 19 May 1998 Ministerial Statement 1283

the net level of funding boosted to an more stringent and unacceptable had the estimated $103m; Queensland Government not taken the stance it forgiveness of the $31m debt; did and fought for a better outcome. Had the Commonwealth stepped in as it threatened, or an estimated 23% increase in Queensland had there been a Labor government in racing funding over the preprivatisation Queensland, the result would have been even levels; and more unpalatable laws than we now have. post-privatisation level of funding to be Mr BARTON: I rise to a point of order. The received by the QRI equates to an Minister is offensive inasmuch as he says that the estimated 41% of net wagering revenue in Labor Government would have brought in even Queensland. tougher gun laws. That is not correct. We gave This is a significant window of opportunity him a bipartisan approach. He is being political for the Queensland racing industry. For the first and dishonest. time the industry will be able to determine its own Mr COOPER: Had it not been for the destiny. Queensland Government, the compromises gained from the Commonwealth to protect the MINISTERIAL STATEMENT integrity of responsible firearm owners would not have been achieved. Gun Laws Queensland's tenacity in seeking to Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest— accommodate shooters' interests and injecting Minister for Police and Corrective Services and as much balance as possible during negotiations Minister for Racing) (9.44 a.m.), by leave: and since has resulted in the best legislation we Following the Port Arthur massacre, drastic could have hoped for under extremely difficult changes to gun laws were imposed on all State circumstances. For example, Queensland has Governments by the Federal Government, done away with the 28-day cooling-off period for creating a most difficult challenge for me and the current licence holders in a streamlining of the Queensland Government. I have said from day process sought by the Queensland Police one of the national gun laws debate that it was of Service. This has been achieved without diluting fundamental importance that any new laws be the necessary checks and balances required of logical, workable and practical. I understand and those who obtain a licence or a permit to acquire believe that the vast majority of shooters are a firearm. The cooling-off period remains for first- decent and honest. It was a fundamental time licence applicants. requirement that any new laws recognise and protect their legitimate interests, be they firearm Other changes to regulations have also owners who have firearms for a sporting interest, helped police with the administration of the laws. as an occupational need, as a collector or for any With the full support of the Minister for Natural other reasonable and justifiable purpose. The Resources, we are also providing Crown land on Queensland Government has always recognised which new shooting ranges will be established to and acknowledged that any proposals which cater for the increasing numbers of licensed were not reasonable would be met with hostility, shooters. I also acknowledge the Department of and consequently some degree of non- Sport and its Minister for their contribution to compliance. facilities for gun, rifle and pistol clubs. The legitimate interests of firearm owners There are those who seek to woo gun were pursued with vigour by myself and the owners for purely political purposes. I have a clear Queensland Government against a mind-set in message for gun owners: do not risk tougher Canberra that was determined to impose its will gun laws by registering a so-called protest vote should Queensland not fall into line. It would which could result in electing a Labor have been easier to cut and run and let Canberra Government by default. As the people of have its way, but instead we stood and fought for Queensland know only too well, elections are a better deal in which to a large degree we about choice. We can choose from a range of prevailed. To date, firearm owners have done people with varying ideas, and we can consider their best to comply with the laws and we ourselves lucky to be able to do so. However, the acknowledge the huge sacrifices they have coalition is the only practical choice to allow the made. fight to continue for the interests of firearm Shooters and gun owners have a legitimate owners and shooters through improvements and right to pursue their hobby, sport, occupation or refinements to the current laws. The coalition has recreation. The gun law regime forced on always supported legitimate, honest gun owners. Queenslanders from Canberra would have been We will never walk away from them. 1284 Ministerial Statement 19 May 1998

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Indonesia Red Tape Reduction Awards Hon. D. J. SLACK (Burnett—Minister for Hon. B. W. DAVIDSON (Noosa— Economic Development and Trade and Minister Minister for Tourism, Small Business and Assisting the Premier) (9.47 a.m.), by leave: I Industry) (9.49 a.m.), by leave: I have previously would like to take the opportunity to update the made honourable members aware of my efforts in House on the situation in Indonesia and the cooperation with my Cabinet colleagues to cut actions being taken by the Queensland red tape across Government. Cabinet set itself a Government to ensure the safety of its personnel collective goal of cutting red tape to give overseas. The Queensland Government is acting businesspeople more time for business and take on the advice of the Australian Government in less of their time in Government compliance. In these proceedings. Above all else, highest the driving seat of this effort has been my Red priority is being given to the safety of the Tape Reduction Task Force. individuals concerned and we have instructed The task force, which is made up of our commissioner to take every action necessary experienced, dedicated businesspeople, has to carry out this priority. helped the Government immeasurably in fixing I am pleased to inform the House that Mr Mal the things which make Government difficult to Lane, the Queensland representative to Central deal with. Together we have adopted the motto Java, in coordination with the central Government that "Government should be easy to do business authorities, has managed the evacuation of four with" and we have delivered on that commitment. of the five Queensland teachers and their But delivering on that promise has not been easy. dependants from Central Java to Australia over the weekend. Mr Lane's own family also was When I jointly opened the Government's evacuated during the weekend. Together with new streamlined business licensing scheme, the remaining Queensland teacher and SmartLicence, with the Premier and Treasurer in dependants, Mr Lane will return to Australia this April, I noted that these efforts have required an week. The Central Java authorities understand historic change in the mind-set and culture of the need for these people to leave Indonesia at many in Government departments and agencies. the present time and have greatly assisted Mr We realise that it has taken a great deal of work by Lane by facilitating appropriate exit visas and dedicated people in Queensland's Public supplying police escorts to the Yoghakarta Service to produce the changes to date. airport. To recognise this hard work and dedication, The Queensland Trade and Investment the Premier and I instituted the Red Tape Office in Semarang will remain closed for the time Reduction Awards. The nominations for the inaugural awards closed on 4 May. The awards being. The Economic Development and Trade will identify and encourage those public sector Department is continuing to place a high priority agencies and individual officers within agencies on the long-term relationship which exists whose innovative and effective practices have between Queensland and Indonesia. led to improved services and relations with the At this time, the Queensland Commissioner Queensland business sector. The awards are to Jakarta, Mr Heath McMichael, and the Jakarta open to all Queensland State public sector representative of the Department of Public agencies and their employees, with a separate Works and Housing, Mr Darryl Thom, will remain in category for Commonwealth and local Jakarta to maintain Queensland's official government agencies. presence in Indonesia. Both are under Prominent Queensland businesspeople instructions to place their personal safety as their were approached to participate in the judging top priority and to report daily on the panel for the awards. The panel of John Dawson, developments which are occurring in Indonesia. Betty Byrne Henderson, Lynette Lane, Faye The Jakarta office remains open; however, locally Barker, Shane O'Reilly, Ken Porter, Graham engaged staff are remaining with their families at Heilbronn, David Clare and Gary Smith have home. The Jakarta office and the department's made their selections and the winners will be Indonesia secretariat are in close consultation announced at a presentation luncheon on 25 with the Federal authorities to assist any May. I see this as an invaluable way of letting Queenslanders who require help. Through business know that within the Public Service, these arrangements, the department will there are officers who are committed to continue to monitor developments as they occur professionalism and excellence in their work and in Indonesia and provide assistance to that the coalition is making a serious attempt to Queensland business. change the negative, overly bureaucratic 19 May 1998 Ministerial Statement 1285 cultures that can exist in areas of the public the Department of Environment on the basis that sector. it did not provide a clear indication of the tasks The awards are designed to reward those that the council would have to carry out to ensure individuals who do achieve the highest standards compliance with the relevant licence condition. in their work and to encourage others to follow This condition states— their example. There will be five award "Notwithstanding any other condition categories, including Administrative of this environmental authority no release of Improvement, Regulatory Reform, Customer contaminants from the licensed place is to Service and Other Government which will be cause a noxious or offensive odour beyond open to both agencies and individuals as well as the boundaries of the licensed place." a special award for agencies to be known as the On 2 April 1997, the BCC also submitted an Business Choice award. application to the department requesting an The other important goal of the awards is to amendment to the odour conditions to reflect a raise the profile of innovative service delivery commitment to best practice odour management methods so that the achievements of one as the basis for compliance. The department was agency in slashing red tape can be applied of the opinion that the BCC must first define across the Government. In other words, the "best practice" and demonstrate a commitment to awards will provide a forum for departments and achieving it. agencies to exchange practical solutions to The council sought a departmental review of business-related problems and promote a whole- both decisions, but both were confirmed. The of-Government approach to better, stronger council also made an application for a stay of the business relations. original decision, and this was first heard in the One of this Government's central aims has Planning and Environment Court on 24 April been to improve the business climate in 1998, when an interim stay for a week was Queensland. All of us in this House know that granted provided that the Brisbane City Council business people have voiced their concerns at agreed to implement measures to minimise the unnecessary costs, the avoidable frustration environmental harm until the matter was fully and wasted time that has been caused by their heard. dealings with public sector agencies. I believe The matter was again heard on 1 May 1998, that the coalition Government has achieved but a final order has not yet been handed down. significant success in reducing this cost and Departmental officers understand that the final waste, and now it is time to thank the people who court order will direct the Brisbane City Council to have contributed to that effort. I urge all members comply with conditions to implement interim of this House to get behind the Red Tape measures and will put in place a process to seek Reduction Awards scheduled for Monday of next agreement on technical matters before the week. hearing scheduled for 27 July. The department has engaged Queen's Counsel, who has met with complainants in the area and also with expert MINISTERIAL STATEMENT consultants to receive advice on conditions set Rochedale Landfill by the department. Program notices submitted Hon. B. G. LITTLEPROUD (Western under the Environmental Protection Act by the Downs—Minister for Environment) (9.53 a.m.), Brisbane City Council have also been refused: by leave: On 5 March 1998, I advised the House two regarding excessive noise on 17 and 27 April 1998, and on 22 April 1998 with regard to odour. that the Brisbane City Council's Rochedale The opinion supported by Crown law was that landfill has been the subject of numerous they were not submitted in accordance with the complaints from residents in the area. At the time Act. I called upon the Lord Mayor, Councillor Jim Soorley, to take urgent action to alleviate This matter has dragged on and on, mainly environmental problems caused by the operation because of the procrastination and recalcitrance of the landfill. of the Brisbane City Council which, one would imagine, is supported by the Lord Mayor. The I have to report to the House that the issue Department of Environment, meanwhile, can has been the subject of protracted discussions only await the court's direction. and court action but has still not been resolved by the Brisbane City Council or the landfill While the Lord Mayor likes to publicly operators, Pacific Waste Management. A profess a total commitment to environmental program notice submitted under the matters, his performance in relation to the Environmental Protection Act by the Brisbane Rochedale landfill shows that it is a case of "Do City Council on 17 March 1997 was refused by what I say, not what I do." 1286 Ministerial Statement 19 May 1998

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT comply with the same legislation that governs WorkCover WorkCover and the self-insurer's employees remain eligible for the same entitlements as other Hon. S. SANTORO (Clayfield—Minister workers under the Act. WorkCover will be for Training and Industrial Relations) (9.56 a.m.), available in an advisory capacity and will also play by leave: I am pleased to be able to inform the a watchdog role, carrying out regular audits of the House that the WorkCover Queensland Board self-insurer's systems and claims management to has issued the Local Government Association of ensure the protection of workers. Queensland with a licence under the WorkCover Queensland Act to self-insure, making it the first Clearly, self-insurance under this self-insurer to operate in Queensland. The Government's reforms is designed to protect LGAQ will be able to insure its own members for injured workers by ensuring that only those workers compensation from 1 June 1998. The employers with the necessary financial and LGAQ's venture into self-insurance affects 122 human resources are allowed to assume individual councils, four joint councils and one responsibility for the provision of workers council-owned company. Employers in the compensation insurance for their work force. LGAQ are major WorkCover policyholders, with combined estimated annual insurance premiums MINISTERIAL STATEMENT of about $16m. Australian Labor Party Self-insurance for large employers was a recommendation of Mr Jim Kennedy's 1996 Hon. V. G. JOHNSON (Gregory— inquiry into workers compensation and related Minister for Transport and Main Roads) matters in Queensland. As a result, the self- (9.59 a.m.), by leave: I believe that most people insurance option was introduced on 1 July 1997. would have been surprised to read in the Self-insurance introduces elements of Courier-Mail of 30 January 1998 that the Lord competition and flexibility to the workers Mayor of Brisbane had been ordered to appear compensation market but does not mean before Labor's State administrative committee to privatisation. explain why he was exercising his mandate to govern the City of Brisbane. However, no-one in WorkCover Queensland has also recently this House should be surprised at this behaviour; granted self-insurance approval to the CSR this is normal. It probably happens all the time to group of companies and is currently considering Mr Beattie. This example should act as a timely other applications for self-insurance licences. reminder that "the ALP is nothing more than the The CSR group of companies is Queensland's political arm of the union movement". first private sector enterprise to take on its own insurance against workplace injuries and will also The public could be forgiven for thinking administer its own workers compensation from that the ALP members they elect to Parliament 1 June. CSR has been a major WorkCover are accountable to them. The truth is that they policyholder, with 3,800 full-time workers and an are accountable to the union leadership, which estimated annual workers compensation keeps them on an extremely short leash. The premium of approximately $3.7m. The self- union leadership created the ALP to implement insurance licence applies to all CSR operations in its policies and, as we see in this case, the union Queensland, covering industries from leadership still owns the ALP lock, stock and construction to sugar, from timber to aluminium. barrel. Self-insurance is an option available to What had the Lord Mayor done that required those employers who are capable of meeting the him to be brought to heel by the management strictest financial, human resource and systems committee—that group of faceless men, those requirements. An employer, being a single patriarchs of the union movement who decide employer or a group of related bodies corporate, Labor Party policy in this State? Why, he was must have at least 500 full-time workers and net guilty of implementing Labor policy—its policy, its tangible assets of at least $100m in order to National Competition Policy—which it had qualify for self-insurance. A self-insurer must also developed and ordered the Goss Labor lodge an unconditional bank guarantee, or cash Government to make law only three short years deposit, for the greater of $5m or 150% of the ago. self-insurer's estimated claims liability and also Mr Hamill will remember that these were the take out a contract of reinsurance for an unlimited reforms that he demanded of the Lord Mayor in amount in excess of the self-insurer's chosen the Brisbane City Council Public Transport level of liability for each event that may happen Reform Package, which he and the Lord Mayor during the period of reinsurance. This chosen signed in late 1994. Surely Mr Hamill and Mr Elder level of liability must be not less than $300,000 jumped to the Lord Mayor's defence. Maybe they and not more than $1m. A self-insurer must did not. They are sitting there grinning, so maybe 19 May 1998 Members' Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee 1287 they did not. They were just too scared of MEMBERS' ETHICS AND upsetting their all-powerful union masters. I PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES suppose that if I had been hit over the nose with COMMITTEE a rolled up newspaper by the ALP administrative Citizen's Right of Reply committee as often as Mr Elder and Mr Hamill have, I might not be inclined to speak up either. Mr FITZGERALD (Lockyer—Leader of Government Business) (10.04 a.m.): I move— Mr Hamill interjected. "(1) That this House notes Report No. 18 of Mr JOHNSON: Silence that man, Mr the Members' Ethics and Parliamentary Speaker. In truth, calling the Lord Mayor before Privileges Committee and the the all-powerful administrative committee was recommendations of the committee nothing more than a sham designed to fool the that a reply by a citizen be incorporated hard-working drivers of the Brisbane City Council into Hansard under the citizen's right- into believing that the Lord Mayor is a rogue, of-reply resolution; and when in fact all he is doing is implementing an (2) That the House adopt the committee's agreement that he made with that champion of recommendations." economic rationalism, Mr Hamill. No better proof Motion agreed to. of this can be found than in the actions of the Lord Mayor. Response by Ms Tracey Jackson to remarks made by the member for Mount Gravatt on 19 The Lord Mayor now employs Mr Bill Upton, and 21 november 1997 1 the former Federal public servant imported to On 19 and 21 November 1997, the Member for Queensland by Mr Hamill specifically to craft the Mount Gravatt, Ms Judy Spence MLA, made Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act comments which were adverse to my 1994. The same public servant whose legislative professional reputation. handiwork drove the bus industry in this State The Member stated that I: took a week to into turmoil and forced numerous small but respond to her 29 October telephone call; effective bus operators out of business is now refused to discuss a case with her; informed her that I was not employed to speak to Opposition casting his economic rationalist eye over the bus Members of Parliament; was unprofessional and drivers. It is little wonder they are concerned. unhelpful and that I insinuated the Member was a Who was the boffin behind the Lord Mayor's liar. reforms? Why, it was none other than our I was out of my office until around 6.00 pm on 29 resident Rhodes scholar, Mr Hamill—the man October, interstate on 30 and 31 October, and who would be Treasurer so that he can pick up unable to contact the Member at Parliament where he left off. House on 3 November. I spoke to the Member on 4 November at which time I explained the While it appears impossible to dissuade the reasons for the delay in responding to her ALP from the economic rationalist agenda, I have telephone call. offered the Lord Mayor a revised agreement, one It is departmental policy that authorisation must that I am happy to report he readily accepted. As be obtained from the Minister's office before an a result of this new heads of agreement, the officer may speak to either a politician or the Brisbane City Council will receive an enhanced media. When I spoke to the Member on 4 November, I advised her that I had not received funding package, which in the current year is notification from the Minister's office and was $2.16m more than he would have received therefore not authorised to speak to her under the ALP agreement. Additional funding is concerning the case about which she was also provided for in future years. In addition, the inquiring. fanciful Labor requirement that the Brisbane City Even with authorisation to talk to the Member, it bus fleet achieve 30% productivity would have been inappropriate for me to discuss improvements by the end of 1997 was scrapped the details of a case with her as it was the and replaced by a minimum 20% reduction in subject of an ongoing investigation, a search costs per kilometre to be achieved during the warrant had been executed and further next five years. enforcement action was possible. I did not advise the Member that I was not This Government has put a realistic goal for employed to speak to Opposition Members of efficiencies to the Brisbane City Council but, Parliament. unfortunately, it is not always possible to shield I believe that at all times I have acted workers from the hidden agendas of the Labor appropriately in dealing with this matter. Party. What the people of Queensland should 1 Statement agreed to by Ms Jackson and the remember is that this example again proves that Members' Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges this coalition Government is the real workers Committee in accordance with the Resolution of Government. the Queensland Legislative Assembly on 18 October 1995, reintroduced on 11 October 1996. 1288 Members' Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee 19 May 1998

APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL I take this opportunity on behalf of myself APPROPRIATION BILL and my committee to express sincere Remaining Stages; Cognate Debate appreciation to the committee secretariat staff: Deputy Clerk Neil Laurie, our first research Mr FITZGERALD (Lockyer—Leader of director, who continues to take an interest in our Government Business) (10.04 a.m.): I move— affairs and has played a very big role in the report "That so much of Standing and tabled today; our research director, Kerryn Sessional Orders be suspended to enable Newton; senior research officer David the Appropriation Bill and the Appropriation Thannhauser; and our executive assistant Tania (Parliament) Bill to be treated as cognate Jackman. These people are dedicated secretariat Bills for their remaining stages— staff and we express our sincere thanks and appreciation to them for their efforts. I commend (a) one question being put in regard to the the report to the House. second reading; (b) the consideration of the Bills together in Committee of the Whole House; MEMBERS' ETHICS AND PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES (c) one question being put for the COMMITTEE Committee's report stage; and Report (d) one question being put for the third reading and titles." Ms WARWICK (Barron River) (10.07 a.m.): I lay upon the table of the House Report No. 21 Motion agreed to. of the Members' Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee: Part A, Report on a Draft Code of Conduct for Members of the SCRUTINY OF LEGISLATION Queensland Legislative Assembly; and Part B, a COMMITTEE Draft Code of Ethical Conduct for Members of the Report Queensland Legislative Assembly. Mr ELLIOTT (Cunningham) (10.05 a.m.): I I place on record my sincere and very lay upon the table of the House the Scrutiny of genuine thanks to the members of my committee Legislation Committee's Alert Digest No. 5 of for the bipartisan way in which they have 1998. I commend the report to the House and operated. This report has been constantly move that it be printed. interrupted by numerous referrals to our Ordered to be printed. committee, so it gives me great pleasure and a sense of relief to table this report. I would like to point out that this report is a draft report, with LEGAL, CONSTITUTIONAL AND eight weeks allowed for consultation, so there is ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE an opportunity for people to have input. I think I can say without being contradicted that the Report Members' Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Mrs GAMIN (Burleigh) (10.05 a.m.): I lay Committee has been one of the hardest working upon the table of the House the Legal, committees of this Parliament, with some 20 Constitutional and Administrative Review reports already tabled. Committee's interim report relating to the I take this opportunity to thank previous consolidation of the Queensland Constitution. members of this committee: Merri Rose, the The report includes consultation drafts of and member for Currumbin; Lawrence Springborg, explanatory notes to the committee's the member for Warwick; and Mark Rowell, the Constitution of Queensland Act 1998 in member for Hinchinbrook. I also thank the current reprinted form and its adjunct Parliament of members of the committee, along with the Queensland Bill 1998. The report also explains research staff, who have worked long and how the committee went about the consolidation tirelessly. I mention research director Neil Laurie, of the Constitution. senior research officer Meg Hoban and executive This is an interim report because the assistant Sandy Musch. committee now seeks public input into this very important exercise by calling for submissions on its proposed legislation. Once public NOTICE OF MOTION submissions are received, the committee intends Unemployment to make any appropriate modifications to the Bills Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader and present them to the Legislative Assembly for of the Opposition) (10.09 a.m.): I give notice that I their adoption. will move— 19 May 1998 Private Members' Statements 1289

"That this Parliament deplores the "the scandal over ministerial expenses ... record of the National-Liberal Coalition the resignation of two ministers, and the which shows it has made no progress at all in sacking from Cabinet of a third, the power finding jobs for Queensland's 150,000 crisis and Mrs Sheldon's unfortunate unemployed, a figure which the Premier sabotage 'theory' relating to that ..." said was unacceptable in his Contract With There is a choice in this election: a Labor Queensland three years ago; and, further, is Government or a One Nation/National/Liberal appalled that the Treasurer is on record as Party coalition. saying unemployment will get worse and fall a full percentage point behind the national Time expired. average if the National-Liberal Coalition is re- elected to Government, throwing a further Member for Mundingburra 9,300 Queenslanders out of work by June next year." Mr TANTI (Mundingburra) (10.11 a.m.): I refer to an article in the Townsville Bulletin of last Saturday, 16 May 1998, in which the Leader of PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS the Opposition, Peter Beattie, was quoted as Government Performance stating— Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader "I haven't heard the member for of the Opposition) (10.09 a.m.): If the Premier Mundingburra make a speech in Parliament calls an election today, the issues are clear. The that's positive for the last 12 months." issues should be jobs and job security, bearing in I checked the Hansard record and found out that mind that the Treasurer now says that if the up to 28 April I had made 85 positive coalition is re-elected there will be an extra 9,300 speeches—yes, Mr Speaker: 85 positive unemployed over the next 12 months. The other speeches. Let us compare that record with that issues are education, health and law and order. of the member for Townsville, Mr Geoff Let us talk about education. There are Smith—alias "the Phantom"—who had made 13 almost 400 fewer teachers than were promised speeches. The member for Thuringowa, the by this Government. We have a school system resurrected dinosaur—off again, on again—Mr which has divided Queensland kids between the Ken McElligott, made only nine speeches. haves and the have-nots. Let us look at crime. Let me show the House how positive the Crime rates have risen. Violent crime is up by outlook is for the Leader of the Opposition and 21%. Property crime is up 14%. In relation to the Labor in the Townsville region. I will quote the police to population ratio, there are only 19 police headings of a number of newspaper articles, the for every 10,000 Queenslanders, despite a first of which states "Pressure mounts over promise that that situation would be improved. Kehoe. Come clean Mooney". Positive! The They talk tough on crime, but they have not second article is headed "Mayor denies Kehoe delivered. link—Not my numbers man". Positive! The third is Let us talk about health. A record 12,000 headed "Tanti alleges unholy alliance". The patients are waiting longer than medically fourth states "Karen Ehrmann quits". Positive! acceptable times for surgery. They have little The fifth states "Vote scandal—Second person chance of a speedy operation if this Government charged". The sixth states "Vote scandal—I did it is re-elected. The budget for hospital services is for ALP—Tanti". Positive! rising by only 0.001%. This Government has a Mr SCHWARTEN: I rise to a point of special hospital tax that will rip $23.4m out of order. Mr Speaker, I do not need any instruction hospitals' recurrent budgets—the budgets that on how to read. I am quite capable of reading. I do fund operations—to pay for the rebuilding not need a reading lesson from that clown. program. Instead of funding hospitals Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of adequately, they are wasting money on self- order. promotion. They are more interested in self- promotion than health promotion. Mr TANTI: The seventh article is headed "Vote scandal—Beattie pledges it won't happen Let us talk about honesty and integrity. again". Positive! What a hypocrite is the Leader They have broken their contract with of the Opposition! An eighth article is headed Queenslanders. There are over 100 broken "Battle bares ugly underbelly". I have said many promises. Let us see what the Premier's local positive things in this Chamber about Townsville. newspaper says about him. It states— There is a $170m new hospital, a new police "... there will be horrors from earlier this year academy and 28 new police, $11.5m for the to play down"— basketball/convention centre—— on the Premier's part— Time expired. 1290 Private Members' Statements 19 May 1998

Federal Police Investigation, Liberal brand-spanking new school at Coowonga and Party $68,000 in funding to upgrade the Cawarral Hall. Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—Deputy We now have some 22 police officers on the Leader of the Opposition) (10.13 a.m.): Last Capricorn Coast. We will soon have a 24-hour week in the Parliament I revealed a trail of intrigue police station. We have had the road widened leading to Liberal headquarters and the between Rockhampton and Emu Park. We have involvement of very senior Liberals in the Parer had an enormous amount of work done on the affair. The interest of the Australian Federal road between Yeppoon and Rockhampton. I Police in this matter continues to grow. In understand that future work on that road will particular, the Federal Police are interested in the mean that it will have double lanes each way. That midnight shredding of documents by staff of will make it much better for the public. Also, the Liberal Party headquarters only hours before road between Byfield and Yeppoon has been they interviewed the State Liberal Director, Greg completed. We have funding commitments for Goebel. But an even more tangled web of the Coorooman Creek road. deception is also being unravelled by the Federal A new $1m police launch is about to be Police investigators. delivered. That will be terrific in fighting crime and Apart from interviewing Parer and Goebel so on. We have a new Fisheries Patrol boat. We about the directions to Liberal candidates to use have assisted the coastguard in the provision of Senator Parer's office as a resource centre, boats. We have had extensions to the Yeppoon Federal Police are also investigating the Court House, which the Premier opened. We involvement of a number of Federal Liberal have secured a commitment that there will be no members in Queensland. I repeat: not one but a further sand mining at Byfield. number! But more significantly, I understand from Time expired. my source that the Federal Police are also about to talk to Liberal members of this Parliament, and even members of this Cabinet. Yes, there is a Public Housing Tenants, Thuringowa stench of corruption, but it surrounds the Liberal Electorate Party in this State, and that stench is—— Mr McELLIGOTT (Thuringowa) Government members interjected. (10.17 a.m.): I regret that I have to raise in the House today what I regard as one of the worst Mr ELDER: I remind members opposite examples of penny pinching and straight-out that the Premier is the only leader in this State bloody-mindedness in my 15 years in this place. I who has one of his team being investigated by had hoped to resolve it by communication with the CJC over the misuse of public funds—his the Minister for Public Works and Housing, but former deputy. There is only one leader in this that has proven impossible and so I raise the State who currently has an investigation in place issue today. for the misuse of public funds, and that is with the former deputy leader of the National Party. Only On 14 July 1997, tenants of departmental one leader in this State has a member of his team houses received a letter signed by John Nelson, under investigation. In the very near future, there Director, Statewide Operations. The letter will be a few more. Tony Fitzgerald's hand may commenced— not be on the net, but a few big fish on the other "I am writing to you to let you know side of the Parliament are about to be caught. about some changes to the way your rent Time expired. will be worked out. The changes will apply from 23 July 1997." One of the items mentioned in the letter and in Keppel Electorate an accompanying newsletter was excess water Hon. V. P. LESTER (Keppel) charges. The newsletter explained that if the (10.15 a.m.): I am very happy to be able to report tenant incurred excess water charges he or she to the Parliament that beach restoration work at would be billed for them. I have no objections to Kinka Beach has been completed. It is terrific to that policy. However, tenants in Thuringowa be able to make that announcement. I will now be subsequently received accounts from the concentrating my work on Keppel Sands Beach department for the period 18 July 1996 to 22 to augment what has been done at Kinka Beach. July 1997. We have to remember that Mr I thank the Government very much for what it has Nelson's letter talked about the changes being done. I congratulate the engineers on the effective from 23 July 1997. None of the tenants excellent work they have done. This has been a received any warning that they were using water great step forward. at a rate likely to incur excess water charges. In addition, in the Keppel electorate we The Minister has acknowledged that have had a new police station built at Emu Park, a warning letters were issued by the Thuringowa 19 May 1998 Private Members' Statements 1291

Council and sent to the department in Brisbane moment the outfall into the bay is doing nothing in October 1996, December 1996 and March but causing problems and, of course, the same 1997, but they were never distributed to tenants. thing is happening on the Gold Coast. It would be Unlike the rest of us, the department's tenants in so much better if we were able to use that waste Thuringowa did not receive any warning, but they water to grow crops and so on. I am delighted at later received accounts which they had no the commitment that has been given by the new reason to expect. I wrote to the Minister in Minister for Natural Resources. November 1997 and subsequently, asking that under the circumstances the charges be waived and the policy implemented from 23 July 1997, Mr J. Paff as suggested by the department's letter. The Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba) Minister has refused, despite acknowledging that (10.21 a.m.): The One Nation candidate in the the department has always absorbed excess seat of Ipswich West is ex-police sergeant Jack water charges in the past and that the three Paff. In a judgment handed down by Justice council warning letters had not been sent to the Derrington in the Supreme Court, Paff, formerly tenants. These tenants are now being of the Ipswich Traffic Branch, was described as "a threatened with eviction because those excess liar, a fabricator, a coward, a trespasser and an water charges have not been paid. assailant". It all came about when two people, Time expired. Abdul and Rose Ann Maulud, rented a property from Paff in Ipswich in June some years ago. He illegally broke and entered their home and took a Standard Gauge Rail Line to Moree; black and white TV, a fridge and other furniture. Methane Technology On 23 June of that year, this police officer Mr ELLIOTT (Cunningham) (10.19 a.m.): I stole a colour TV, and since that date he has take this opportunity to thank my colleague the stolen a wedding ring that was also the property Honourable Vaughan Johnson for his decision to of Mrs Maulud. The same day, the Mauluds support the commitment to ensuring that a reported to the Torwood Police Station what had standard gauge rail line is built down to Moree, happened. Some hours later the colour including a line to Goondiwindi, thus ensuring television was recovered and returned to the that this thriving border town is not excluded from couple, but no charges on either the break and the added prosperity that such a terminal would enter or the stolen television were ever bring, particularly with regard to its status as a recorded. That year, when Mrs Maulud was in the trucking centre. home on her own, clutching a small child, this I also take this opportunity to congratulate same "kind" police sergeant once again broke the Premier on this Government's commitment to and entered the premises and threatened the aid in the development of alternative energy woman that if she and her husband did not technology—particularly the future development vacate the premises he would call on some of his of methane technology—and produce clean cronies to have them beaten up. He then power while at the same time overcoming in part smashed some furniture, turned off the electricity the problem of ocean outfall. I urge all those and gas, and chained up the downstairs section officers within his department to give their of the property. unqualified support to the pursuit of a focused Paff was recently apprehended trespassing research process by Mr Keith Nix. I know that Mr on the grounds of the Borallon prison. When Andrew Gormley will not allow external pressures challenged by a security perimeter guard, he said to be exerted in any detrimental way as he shares that he did not have any identification on him but my enthusiasm for discovering the truth in regard that he had the authority to be there as he was to to the accepted values used in the previous be the next Minister for Police and Corrective studies. I believe that history will judge any Services in a coalition Government. This fellow undermining of this research very harshly. All should be disendorsed. He is a public disgrace thinking Queenslanders look to us to investigate and does not deserve to be a candidate for any the potential of this technology without fear or party in this Parliament. I am calling on Mrs favour. Hanson today to take immediate steps to ensure I thank also the Minister for Natural that his endorsement is withdrawn forthwith. He Resources, who has gone on record as having is a thug, he is a convicted criminal and he is a an interest in the use of waste water from the disgrace to his former profession. coastal belt, in particular Brisbane, and taking that water back up onto the Darling Downs to use for irrigation. That has the tremendous potential to Small Business; Job Creation ensure that we, the driest continent on earth, are Mr STEPHAN (Gympie) (10.23 a.m.): I ask in fact able to fully utilise this resource. At the the question here this morning: who creates 1292 Private Members' Statements 19 May 1998 jobs? If honourable members want an answer to tougher gun laws. That is not Labor's position. that particular question, they should consider the We will honour the national agreement, even if fact that, since the recession back in 1991, the Minister and the Nationals want to run away almost 80% of new jobs have been created by from what they did; it was their agreement and it small businesses. Over the same period, big was their legislation. They are running scared of business was steadily shedding jobs. It is a pity Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party. We will play that the ABS cannot bring estimates into play the straight bat; we will play straight down the because its latest chart relates to 1996, but this middle, because we do believe in truth in political detail is still worth examining. advertising, even if the Nationals and the Liberals do not. This morning this Minister proved that, to When we look at these statistics, we see achieve electoral advantage, he is prepared to what small business has done over that period. tell blatant lies. Small businesses employing between 1 and 20 people created a very high number of jobs—605,000 between 1995 and 1996. For the Law and Order, Redlands Electorate same period, medium-sized businesses employing between 21 and 200 people Mr HEGARTY (Redlands) (10.27 a.m.): contributed 297,000 jobs. This gives us an Some positive aspects of the coalition's indication of where the jobs are coming from and continuing fight for law and order initiatives have what business is doing. been of benefit to my electorate. One particular issue is the provision of a one-vehicle barge to What is the position in 1998? Indications are be stationed at Redland Bay at a cost of $1m. that, on the one hand, business investment in This will provide the police in that particular area capital expenditure has dropped but, on the with access to the southern Moreton Bay islands, other hand, private consumption has increased. which are part of my electorate. That area suffers Exports to Asia will be reduced owing to the from a lack of attention because of its distance Asian crisis. However, we may be able to and the difficulty at present of getting the types compensate for that with exports to other of vehicles that we need over there by regular countries as a result of the falling Australian commercial transport. dollar, which will make our prices lower. Other initiatives, of course, are in the other Time expired. part of my electorate, Shailer Park, which is covered by the Logan police district—in particular, the Slacks Creek Police Station. In that particular area, the efforts of the police have Police Minister; Gun Laws already been significant. We have had a 30% Mr BARTON (Waterford) (10.25 a.m.): This reduction in assaults, we have had a 15% morning we saw a disgraceful performance from reduction in break and enters, and the incidence the Minister for Police in a ministerial statement of car theft and vandalism is also down. on the issue of gun laws. The Minister claimed According to recent reports in the Courier-Mail, that Labor would have enacted tougher gun that reduction may be as significant as 50%. That laws. Those claims are blatant untruths. He area is also benefiting from extra equipment, knows that Labor was committed to a policy of no more cars and crime prevention change to gun laws. That was one on which we partnerships—the new initiative that has been were very public prior to the events of Port launched in Logan City. Juvenile conferencing is Arthur. We had to step outside our party's policy also having an impact on that particular part of the of no change to support the Minister's legislation. electorate. Labor gave bipartisan support to his legislation My electorate is covered by both the consistent with the national agreement Wynnum police district and the Logan police negotiated by him and demanded of his district. Both of those areas have received Liberal/National Federal Government following additional police in contrast to the period when the Port Arthur events. The Minister is trying to Labor was in Government and both of those rewrite history. It demonstrates how scared he areas suffered a reduction in police numbers. and the National Party are of One Nation. He is There were 25 fewer police in Logan when the trying to shift responsibility to Labor for what he Labor Party was in Government and six fewer in did himself. the Wynnum police district. We are building on This morning the Minister repeated claims those numbers and we are well on track to that were made yesterday on ABC radio by the achieve the 2,780 extra police by the year 2005. National Party State Director, Ken Crooke, in That is a clear indication of our commitment to which Mr Crooke said that if Labor were elected at reduce crime. the imminent State election it would enact even Time expired. 19 May 1998 Questions Without Notice 1293

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE 1993, when the Government faced a 1998 State Election financial crunch, Beattie wanted to put a petrol tax on the agenda as a way of Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader maintaining Government services that faced of the Opposition) (10.30 a.m.): I refer the the axe." Treasurer to her comments on ABC radio last Friday when she admitted that to provide further infrastructure and services to a growing One Nation Party; Asian University Queensland she faced two choices—either raise Students taxes or sell off more of Queensland's $56 billion worth of assets. For the information of the Mr BEATTIE: I refer the Minister for House, I table a transcript of the Treasurer's Education to the article in last Thursday's Straits comments. In particular, the Treasurer identified Times in Singapore which reports on the assets such as— Queensland Liberal Party's— "The TAB, Bank of Queensland, the Government members interjected. electricity industry which is valued on the Mr BEATTIE: I am not surprised that the books at something like $15 billion ..." Premier does not care about trade. Trade is not a I ask: which assets, including the electricity laughing matter, Mr Premier, because it concerns industry, does the Treasurer intend to sell off if jobs. I refer to the article in last Thursday's Straits she is returned to Government after the election Times in Singapore which reports on the or which taxes will she increase? Queensland Liberal Party's shameful decision to Mrs SHELDON: What the Leader of the give preferences to Pauline Hanson's One Opposition did was selectively quote from the Nation Party at the State election. I also refer to transcript. If he reads further he will find that I also the fact that accompanying this article on the said that at present this Government had no same page is an advertisement for the University intention of doing that. May I also say that I find of Southern Queensland and its degree that the Leader of the Opposition puts himself in courses. I table a copy of that advertisement. I ask a very difficult position, because he is on record the Minister for Education: how can he hope to as saying that he would put in a fuel tax to pay for attract more foreign students to our universities his spending. I would like to quote David Fagan— when Queensland's international reputation is taking a battering from bad publicity as a result of Mr HAMILL: I rise to a point of order. The the Liberal Party's decision to align itself with Treasurer is clearly misleading the House. I would Pauline Hanson and her anti-Asian policies? have thought that the Treasurer would know that it would be unconstitutional for any State Mr T. B. Sullivan interjected. Government to put in a fuel tax. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I now warn the Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of honourable member for Chermside under order. Standing Order 123A for persistent interjecting. Mr BEATTIE: I rise to a point of order. The Mr QUINN: Our universities actively market Treasurer's comments are untrue, they are their wares overseas, and have done for a unconstitutional, and I seek that they be number of years. The Government has been withdrawn. I find them offensive and untrue. instrumental in putting in place a plan to Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable coordinate the activities of the universities in member has found the comments offensive and concert with the Department of Economic Trade has asked the Honourable the Treasurer to and Development. We are quite confident that withdraw them. many of the negatives in the marketplace concerning education in Queensland can be Mrs SHELDON: I withdraw them if he addressed through those sorts of marketing finds them offensive, but they are in Hansard. activities. We have allocated additional funds May I also quote from an article dealing with petrol over the next couple of years to put in place a tax by David Fagan in the Australian in which the marketing manager and to provide expert following appears— assistance to the universities to better market "... but until a deal was brokered yesterday their wares overseas. At the moment the Queensland motorists looked like having to numbers of Asian students coming into our pay an extra 8 cents a litre because they universities is standing up quite well. I am quite don't currently pay any tax. In thundering confident that, given the high quality of the about this, Beattie should remember his education services that our universities provide, own position while a disaffected Queensland can compete successfully with backbencher in the Goss Government. In other universities in Australia and overseas. 1294 Questions Without Notice 19 May 1998

Integrity of Election Process continue. They are contradicting one another. Mr MITCHELL: I ask the Premier: can he Who is right and who is wrong? advise the House of any further developments If the Leader of the Opposition proves to be that threaten the integrity of the forthcoming right, I suspect that it could only ever be on the State election? basis that he stops the rigging by stopping the Mr BORBIDGE: Last week I referred in voting, because that is how he did it. He stopped this place to dead Labor cats falling out of trees all the vote rigging by stopping the voting. That is over Townsville. I am able to advise the House the tactic employed by the Leader of the today that they are still dropping. A few of the Opposition when Ms Ehrmann had to be dead cats are doing somersaults on the way replaced by the sitting member. Mr McElligott down. Those that are not doing somersaults are won the job without a preselection process. If guilty of putting out contradictions. It is all starting Labor does not have voting it does not have vote to look very suspicious. Quite clearly, what the rigging. That is normal process for the Labor antics seem to be pointing to is that Labor's dead Party—no votes, no rigging. Labor will not have cat plague is not restricted to the north. phantoms wandering across Townsville's electoral borders depending upon which Some very real questions with very real member of the Left needs their vote at a significance for the Statewide reputation of the particular time. Labor can stop that sort of Labor Party are emerging from this very smelly, moonlighting in its tracks by stopping the voting. expanding episode of vote rigging in Townsville, which was described— But there have been other contradictions. One of the clearest concerns is that the new Mr SCHWARTEN: I rise to a point of candidate—or the old candidate—the member order. I must confess that the dead cats were at for Thuringowa, has now expressed two totally 128 Main Street, Rockhampton last night when contradictory views on the whole issue. This is our family pet Holly was run over. what he said on television last Tuesday night— Mr SPEAKER: Order! If there are any "No. I had no direct knowledge of what further frivolous points of order from the was going on. I've heard the same sorts of honourable member for Rockhampton I will pull rumours as everybody else." his claws. Contrast that with the very frank expression of his Mr BORBIDGE: This episode was concerns to the Townsville Bulletin of December described by the Leader of the Opposition on 1996, when he seemed to know a great deal prime time TV as "a normal democratic process". about it. The story of 6 December 1996 starts— Mr Tanti interjected. "Member for Thuringowa Ken Mr BORBIDGE: As the honourable McElligott says Labor had at least two years member for Mundingburra suggests, in the warning of the storm which has engulfed the words of the famous quote of the Leader of the party as a result of last week's pre-selection Opposition, "It won't happen again." Perhaps ballots for the seats of Thuringowa and when the Leader of the Opposition said that it Townsville. was normal democratic process he really meant it, Mr McElligott said it was common because vote rigging might be normal process in knowledge the returning officer for the the Labor Party. I happen to have here that ballot to determine Townsville's delegates famous headline from the Townsville Daily to attend the 1994 State conference had Bulletin which says, "It will never happen again." submitted a report to the party organisation That will go down in history with such quotes as, critical of some aspects of the poll." "No child will live in poverty", or "Life wasn't Mr Fouras: So? meant to be easy." The story in the Townsville Daily Bulletin commences with these words— Mr BORBIDGE: The article states— "It is understood some of the concerns "Opposition Leader Peter Beattie has about the ballot—topped by Karen promised there will be no repeat of the sort of electoral fraud scandal racking the ALP in Ehrmann—related to the high number of Townsville." postal votes with about 90 members unable to cast a normal vote." However, the next paragraph reads— Those were the words of the honourable "But prominent local party member member for Thuringowa. James O'Donnell said the rorts would Mr Fouras: So? continue." Mr BORBIDGE: He told one story in 1996 The Leader of the Opposition said the rorts and another story last week. And the former would stop and Mr O'Donnell said they would Speaker of this House—like his leader, Mr 19 May 1998 Questions Without Notice 1295

Beattie—says, "So what? Doesn't matter." In The fact is that the Labor Party in Townsville other words, the concern was that—— has been a cesspit since the Davies affair, since Mr FOURAS: I rise to a point of order. I find before the Mundingburra by-election of 1996, those words "So what? Doesn't matter" untrue that is, for two years plus—major, ongoing, week and offensive and ask that they be withdrawn. in and week out. Turmoil in Labor! Mr Johnson: You said it. As the Townsville Bulletin said in a backgrounder at the weekend— Mr FOURAS: That is not what I said at all. "Ugly things slithered out when Labor's Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable 1996 preselection battle turned the party member for Ashgrove has found those remarks upside down. offensive and has asked the Premier to withdraw. Townsville saw another side of the Mr BORBIDGE: He said, "So what?" I will party that talks so much about solidarity and withdraw the second part, but the honourable social justice. member said, "So what?" We all heard it. The comrades have instead been Mr FOURAS: I rise to a point of order. preoccupied with egos, grasping for power, Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Premier will and stabbing each other in the back." resume his seat. A very accurate assessment! But what we are Mr FOURAS: There was nothing asked to believe is that the parliamentary leader inconsistent with the statements Mr McElligott of the Australian Labor Party, to whom Townsville made. That is what I was saying. There was is crucial, was not paying any attention—did not nothing inconsistent at all. know what was going on; it was all part of the Mr BORBIDGE: There might be a bit of normal democratic process. If that is the normal vote rigging in Ashgrove, too. I am pretty sure democratic process in the Labor Party, where the that it is not restricted only to Townsville. We Leader of the Opposition can say that it does not know certain allegations in respect of matter, it is unimportant, and deny the Greenslopes. importance of it, and when we are talking about the preselection process in a marginal seat that Opposition members interjected. may determine the composition of the future Mr BORBIDGE: Would Opposition Government of Queensland, then I believe that members like me to start canvassing certain Mr O'Donnell in Townsville has the situation allegations in respect of Greenslopes? summed up very well indeed. In other words, the concern was that Miss Ehrmann, now facing charges in relation to Legal Care Australia rigging her preselection, also rigged an earlier intra-party vote for a trip to Brisbane. Mr McElligott Mr ELDER: I refer the Treasurer to the goes on in the Townsville Bulletin story to give a $1.5m in payroll tax advances she paid Legal pretty fair impersonation of a person who knew Care Australia to establish its worldwide exactly what the 1996 preselection row was all headquarters in Brisbane and to train and then about. employ 1,000 Queenslanders by the year 2000, and I ask: has the company repaid in full the There was another whole array of $1.5m, as the Treasurer promised it would, contradictions in the coverage of the Courier-Mail following the collapse of Legal Care's training yesterday, where unnamed party sources have program last month, and what steps has the claimed that "ALP heavyweights" had threatened Treasurer taken to recover the $100,000 in to expel senior party members for discussing Queensland Training and Industrial Relations "allegations of fraud and pre-election funding that William Angliss 2000 said it received skulduggery". As well, the Courier-Mail reports from the State Government as part of the Legal that party officials alleged— Care deal? "Opposition Leader Peter Beattie, Mrs SHELDON: All moneys that the Deputy Opposition Leader Jim Elder, ALP Government did advance to Legal Care have President Don Brown, and Townsville MP been repaid in full. That was the deal that was Geoff Smith had asked Miss Ehrmann at signed before any moneys went across. I think it least five times to pull the pin—ahead of the is a great pity that this is yet another company that charges that were ultimately laid." had a former Labor adviser as a member of its The story goes on to report the Opposition advance team coming into this State, who Leader doing one of his Sergeant Schultz advised us—— impersonations: he knew nothing. Mr Elder: What? 1296 Questions Without Notice 19 May 1998

Mrs SHELDON: Yes, one Mr Kempenich. income to pay the debt. The Opposition Leader The member should be very careful. I can assure now says— the member that the Government investigated "It really is shortsighted to restrict debt this very fully. We made sure that every penny funding of infrastructure to only those that would be advanced was signed for so that it projects which can provide cash returns to would have to come back. We had an insurance cover interest payments. bond guarantee so that, in case that did not occur, we could call in the money. I think that There are opportunities to increase the some of these people need better advisers net worth of the State by building assets when they come into this State. funded by debt." Mr ELDER: I rise to a point of order. The Mr Hamill: What's wrong with that? question was also: did the Treasurer recover the Mr BORBIDGE: This shift in Labor rhetoric money from William Angliss? is a very loud warning bell to the people of Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of Queensland. It is the Indonesian model. It is the order. model we are seeing in Asia. Mr HAMILL: I rise to a point of order. The model is not an Indonesian model; it is his Labor Party Policy on Social Commission of Audit model. Infrastructure Funding Mr CARROLL: I ask the Premier: can he Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of order. The honourable member will resume his advise the House of the impact of the seat. Opposition's policy position of borrowing to fund social infrastructure? Mr BORBIDGE: The fact is—— Mr BORBIDGE: Mr Speaker, in reply to Mr Hamill interjected. the honourable member—— Mr SPEAKER: Order! I now warn the Mr Elder interjected. honourable member for Ipswich under Standing Mr BORBIDGE: I will take the honourable Order 123A for persistent interjecting. member's interjection. I should have mentioned Mr BORBIDGE: If the honourable in my last answer a letter to the editor in this member who did away with over 8,000 railway morning's Townsville Bulletin headed "Apology jobs in Queensland Rail had his way, the please", which stated— Government of Queensland would be making "RE: Karen Ehrmann allegations. As a some of the same mistakes as some of our Asian family we have always supported Terry neighbours. I will explain. The shift in Labor Gillman and believed in him. We feel this rhetoric is a very loud warning indeed to the entire affair could have been avoided if Terry people of this State. It shows that Labor has had been listened to. I now call on Mr Peter learnt nothing. The fact is that Labor never Beattie to publicly apologise to Terry and all adhered to the trilogy. It is genetically incapable honest Labor Party supporters. of doing so. J Gillman, Let us consider the record. As to the first Dudley Court, branch—no new taxes—gambling taxes in this Mundingburra." State doubled. They doubled under Labor to half a billion dollars a year, built on new taxes. Just Of course, that was the unsuccessful candidate because the pokies were new does not in the vote rigging which the Leader of the somehow discount the fact that the regime Opposition is so keen to protect. But if they have engaged substantial new revenue and new taxes any more interjections, Opposition members for this Government. As to full actuarial should feel free to make them. funding—what a farce; what a record! The big Questions in relation to the Labor Party three public liability funds in this State are the policy on debt go to the very heart of the truism public sector super schemes, the workers that the Australian Labor Party is incapable of compensation scheme and third-party insurance. sound economic management. The Leader of Two out of the three funds were in trouble after the Opposition has signalled that a cornerstone Labor. Two out of three! They had been as of his economic management policy for the State sound as bells for 30 years of conservative of Queensland would be a borrowing binge—a Government, under the combined care of debt binge. What the Opposition Leader has said National and Liberal Parties, but they were in is that Queensland Labor no longer subscribes trouble under Labor after just six years. A $400m to the trilogy—the trilogy of no new taxes, full unfunded liability in respect of workers funding of long-term liabilities and borrowing only compensation—that was Labor's respect for the for infrastructure projects which can generate second leg of the trilogy. It wilfully ignored 19 May 1998 Questions Without Notice 1297 warning after warning after warning about the rate spend in excess of $600m in Health alone, as of common law claims in particular. No wonder the part of a fully funded $4.8 billion Capital Works honourable member opposite sits in silence with Program. Under the coalition, where has the his head in his lap. A $400m unfunded State sourced money for Health? liability—that was his record. If he were a Mr Mackenroth interjected. company director, he would have been up on charges. Labor left the third-party scheme on the Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable member brink of significant, long-term problems as well. who presided over the HOME scheme managed So there go two branches of the trilogy: say one to secure for Queensland the first adverse report thing, do another, try to fool all of the people all of Queensland had ever received from Standard & the time. Poor's. The first adverse report that Queensland had ever had from Standard & Poor's was The third leg is, of course, debt. What a received under the honourable member who hypocritical mockery Labor made of that! On the presided over the HOME scheme. The only one hand it had the holier-than-thou rhetoric, the adverse report Queensland ever had from trilogy; on the other hand it had the HOME Standard & Poor's occurred under Labor, under scheme. Home Ownership Made Easy is what it their HOME scheme, presided over by their was meant to stand for; "Home Ownership Made former Deputy Premier and their former Minister Excruciating" was the reality. It was an for Local Government. excruciating home ownership scheme built on Mr MACKENROTH: I rise to a point of debt, on borrowings. Year after year, hundreds of order. The Budget papers delivered last week millions of dollars were allocated per Labor show that the scheme has made a profit. I told Budget when, even after Labor's first Budget them that would happen. was delivered, HOME was on the nose as an economic idea and on the nose with its victims. Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of Ultimately, of course, it was a billion-dollar-plus order. disaster. Mr BORBIDGE: I am talking about what we Now we have the Leader of the Opposition inherited. I thank the honourable member for his reaffirming what we already know: Labor's endorsement of our ability to clean out the commitment to the trilogy was just rhetoric. He stables. I thank the honourable member for his would borrow to fund social infrastructure, so that glowing endorsement of honourable members the kids of today would be paying for the schools on this side of the House. of today tomorrow when they become taxpayers. Unlike Labor, this year the $600m in the The same would apply to hospitals, police capital works program for Health is part of a totally stations, fire stations and ambulance stations. funded $4.8 billion Capital Works Program. The net-debt-free status of this State would be Under the National/Liberal coalition where has steadily eroded. Under Labor, Queensland the State-sourced money for Health come from? would become in the nineties what all recent From consolidated revenue, not out of the air, Labor Governments in this country have unlike the unfunded promises of the Leader of become. That is what the Opposition Leader has the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the in store for Queensland. Opposition. It is all in the Budget documents. If we need any better example, let us Opposition members interjected. consider his record as Minister for Health. In that Mr BORBIDGE: The credibility of the relatively short period in office, Labor racked up honourable members who interject speaks for about $1.2 billion of unfunded capital works itself. promises in the Health portfolio alone. Under the stewardship of the Leader of the Opposition, a $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion long-term capital works Boeing program in Health became a $2.4 billion program, Mr HAMILL: I refer the Minister for with about half of that totally, absolutely, Economic Development and Trade to the front- hopelessly unfunded. Who led the charge in the page report in this week's Business Queensland unfunded promises stakes? The member for which reveals that his Government paid Boeing Brisbane Central and his deputy, the member for almost $10m—— Capalaba! Promises of new projects just poured Mr Borbidge: Are you going to knock out. It did not matter about money. This Boeing? Government is meeting those promises. Mr HAMILL: Mr Speaker, I crave your This financial year, this Government spent protection. The Premier who has misled the over half a billion dollars on capital works in the House time and time again is trying to interrupt Health portfolio alone. Next financial year, we will my question. 1298 Questions Without Notice 19 May 1998

Mr SPEAKER: Order! The House will financially dependent upon this incentives come to order. Enough of this! package for future operations in this State. In Mr HAMILL: I refer the Minister for addition, processes are in place for the State to Economic Development and Trade to the front- recover all moneys advanced in the event that page report in this week's Business Queensland job creation targets are not met. Therefore, which reveals—— taxpayers' money is not at risk. As stated at the time of the original announcement, the Mr Borbidge: "Not justified", you said. Government investment package for Boeing was Mr HAMILL: He cannot help himself, Mr money well spent and, in terms of spin-off Speaker. developments, the sky is the limit. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Order on both The Labor Opposition has the hypocrisy to sides of the Chamber! Am I understood? I call the question the Boeing deal, which will provide jobs honourable member for Ipswich. for Queenslanders. This Government has Mr HAMILL: I refer to the front-page report nothing to be ashamed of. That deal was done in this week's Business Queensland which for the benefit of the economic development of reveals that the Government paid Boeing almost the State. As I have said, it will attract and $10m to establish its Australian headquarters in generate substantial numbers of jobs. The Brisbane. I ask: will the Minister table any cost- relevant information was put into the Budget benefit analysis that the Government carried out papers, indicating that this Government operates before giving Boeing that taxpayer-funded in a transparent manner. handout? What are the components of that multi- Let us have a look at what happened under million dollar grant? In particular, does it include Labor. Since 1990, economic programs totalling any payroll tax advances? $35m plus were similarly sponsored by Labor Mr SLACK: For the benefit of the when it was in Government and a similar amount members of the House, I point out that an could have been sponsored under DBIRD incentive grant was negotiated with Boeing. It is programs. Given that these arrangements were based on a certain level of job creation in commercial in confidence arrangements, I am not Queensland up to the year 2002. Although the prepared to list those companies involved, as formula for the calculation of that package is Labor was not prepared to list the companies confidential, it should be pointed out that, by involved when it was in office. This Government international and Australian standards, the has been more forthright and up front on such package was well below current benchmarks for issues than Labor was ever prepared to be when incentives for a project of this size. It was also in it was in office. line with the usual conservative Queensland I am surprised that the members opposite Government practice in the calculation of would question this deal when they consider the incentives. economic and flow-on benefits that will accrue to The Government is satisfied that the Queensland. This Government will continue to company is most likely to provide to Queensland make these sorts of arrangements for the benefit much greater economic benefit, both directly and of all Queenslanders. indirectly, than the conservative levels that were nominated in its agreement with the company. For one thing, Boeing is one of three bidders for Debt Funding of Infrastructure a $1.5 billion early warning surveillance contract Ms WARWICK: I refer the Deputy Premier with the Australian Government. Should Boeing and Treasurer to comments by the Leader of the be successful, and the bulk of the work is Opposition, Mr Beattie, in the Australian Financial performed in Queensland, the job creation in Review that he would consider a deficit Budget Queensland by Boeing and its subcontractors and that he has "never accepted black and white; will be significant. It is also known that the there are always shades of grey." I refer also to successful bidder will be the frontrunner for $10 comments by the Leader of the Opposition that it billion worth of similar work to be commissioned in really is short-sighted to restrict debt funding of the Asia-Pacific region. Similarly, planned infrastructure to only those projects which can privatisations by the RAAF at Amberley will provide cash returns to cover interest payments. I provide an opportunity for Boeing to take over ask: can the Treasurer inform the House as to facilities and staff there, which will create how the Leader of the Opposition's recipe of significant critical mass in the avionics, debt and deficits would wreck the State's telecommunications and aircraft maintenance finances? sectors of the State. Mrs SHELDON: I thank the honourable In relation to risk, Boeing is now one of the member for Barron River for her question. I know world's largest companies and is in no way that she is vitally interested in the fact that the 19 May 1998 Questions Without Notice 1299 good running of the economy of this State be so unfortunate to again have a Labor means that jobs flow to every electorate, Government, it is going to increase taxes. particularly to areas of far-north Queensland. I I say to Queenslanders that they cannot know that this State Government handles the trust Labor and, when it comes to handling this economy very well. Last week, the Federal State's economy, they cannot risk having Treasurer stated that Queensland remains in the another Labor Government. Labor has the runs strongest financial position of all the States and on the board: it bankrupted Victoria, South that, in fact, the Queensland Government is the Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. It is only jurisdiction that has financial assets doing a pretty good job of doing the same thing exceeding financial liabilities. That is ringing in New South Wales at the moment and it endorsement indeed. The Federal Treasurer bankrupted Australia federally. Everyone can see stated also that that position reflects in part this very clearly that Labor cannot handle running the Government's policy of not borrowing for economy. recurrent expenditure, restricting infrastructure borrowings to projects able to service debt and However, the views of the Leader of the fully funding employer liabilities. Opposition on borrowing for social infrastructure are directly opposite to those espoused by the We have heard already the state in which former Labor Treasurer and which Labor the Labor Party left the Workers Compensation espoused when it was in Government. The Fund—$400m in the red. The members member for Cairns had been stinging in his attack opposite seem to be very fond of red ink. on any plan that involved borrowing for social Obviously, the current befuddled Leader of the infrastructure. In relation to Government Opposition has no regard for this assessment of spending, he has stated in this place— debt servicing, or even the warning of his own former Labor Treasurer, the member for "It can get away with it for a few years, Cairns—whom I see is not in the Chamber—that but in the end the dog runs out of chain, debt is debt is debt. We also know that, when and the Government will hit the wall as Labor was in power, part of its trilogy of financial Governments in other States have found management was no borrowing for social capital out—in Victoria, for instance." assets that could not generate income to service Labor's former Treasurer stated further— the debt. However, the current Leader of the "That is what this is called: the Victorian Opposition has also dispensed with that stance. disease—spend today, pay tomorrow, make We have heard in this place that the Leader the kids pay. But eventually that day will of the Opposition was intent on bringing in a fuel come." tax to pay for his promises. If Labor achieves No wonder the Leader of the Opposition does office, he will certainly have to do that to pay for not want to hear this. If he came to Government, the promises that he is making now. So we can this is the legacy that he would leave really see what he thinks of keeping Queensland. The Leader of the Opposition has a Queensland's low tax status. recipe for debt and deficit; if he attained Mr Elder interjected. Government, he would bankrupt our State. Mrs SHELDON: I know that the Leader of I remind the House of what Labor's current the Opposition is embarrassed about his shadow Treasurer, the member for Ipswich, comments in relation to a fuel tax, but they are on thinks about running Government on bankcard the record. I know that the member for Capalaba and borrowing for social infrastructure. supports a fuel tax, too. Mr McGrady interjected. In recent times, even the former Labor Mrs SHELDON: I know that the member is Treasurer has waned in his support for this very not here. He most probably ran out of the sound economic trilogy, which he supported Chamber because he knows that, in relation to when he was in Government. He stated— the policies espoused by his leader, he said, "It is bad politics. It is bad economics." The member "Let me say this: Governments that stated that that was an irresponsible fiscal path increase taxes to fund increased and that it was a formula for ultimate insolvency expenditure are the honest and honourable for the State. Still the confused Leader of the Governments. They are saying to the Opposition reckons that that is exactly what we community that certain additional spending should do in this State. The member for Brisbane is desirable, but the flip side is increased Central wants to run this State on bankcard. The taxes." member for Brisbane Central, the Leader of the Obviously, Labor is trying to soften up the Opposition, has a plan and that plan is a recipe for electorate because, if Queensland should ever the ultimate destruction of Queensland's pre- 1300 Questions Without Notice 19 May 1998 eminent financial position. The Leader of the thank the member for Yeronga for reinforcing this Opposition stated— point yet again in the House this morning. He did "It is very short-sighted to restrict debt it last week; he has done it again today. He must funding for infrastructure to only those be at the top of the class in the Opposition. Labor projects which can provide cash returns to must think he is as brilliant as the member for cover interest payments." Chermside was last week when he put his foot in it. The Labor Party must be very worried, because I think the Government's record speaks for this is the position that the Leader of the Opposition is on record as stating. Obviously, itself. Certainly public servants had media training that is Labor's financial manifesto for this State: from time to time under the Labor Party in borrowing and debt. No Queenslanders can risk Government. I am sure it is ongoing in every that. department. Senior public servants have had media training from time to time. I say again: I am indebted to the member for Yeronga for his Political Advertising contribution to reinforcing that the Labor Party is soft on crime and soft on the causes of crime. Mr FOLEY: I refer the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice to the taxpayer-funded advertising campaign on crime issues HOME Scheme commissioned by the Justice Department last Mr J. N. GOSS: As the Minister for Public September. In particular, I table the draft Works and Housing is aware, a number of my questions and answers prepared by PR constituents have been financially devastated by consultants at taxpayers' expense for the the ill-founded Home Ownership Made Easy department to handle media inquiries about the scheme of the former Labor Government. Can $350,000 Stage 2 of the campaign. I ask: if the the Minister indicate to the House the total losses Minister was not feeling guilty about misusing suffered by the State of Queensland and the taxpayers' money to fund this blatant political total number of people whose dreams of home propaganda campaign, why were departmental ownership have been shattered? officers schooled in answering such questions as, "Isn't this another example of the Queensland Dr WATSON: I thank the member for Government misusing taxpayers' money for Aspley for his question. I recognise that when we political purposes?", and, "Isn't this campaign were in Opposition the member raised this issue really intended to bolster the electoral standing on a number of occasions in this place and of the Attorney-General following the elsewhere. While the Labor Party was continuing parliamentary vote of no confidence?" with the scheme, the member for Aspley was concerned about home owners in his area and Mr BEANLAND: I am indebted to the elsewhere across Queensland and continually member for Yeronga for his questions in this highlighted problems with the scheme. House because once again he has highlighted The problem with the Home Ownership that the Labor Party voted against the second Made Easy scheme was that it was a case of and third readings of the Criminal Code Labor Party ideology overriding commonsense. It legislation and voted against the second and was a sad story because the would-be victors third readings of the juvenile justice legislation. under this scheme became the victims. The The Labor Party voted against those Bills. It dream of hundreds of hard-working wanted to ensure that serious violent offenders Queenslanders of owning their own houses, with did not go to jail. It wanted to ensure that jail was a a little Government help, turned into a nightmare. last resort for serious violent offenders. When we tried to change that, Labor voted against the As of 30 April this year, some $17.3m has proposals. had to be written off by the Department of Public Works and Housing—$17.3m which was wasted Last week the member for Yeronga asked by the previous Government. That situation is me a question about five or six billboards we had continuing, and I will speak about that in a in Brisbane some time ago and which were in fact moment. going to appear in other parts of the State. These billboards would have gone up and probably no- Mr Mackenroth: The Premier said "a one would have paid much attention to them, billion". because they were to be at the side of roads. Dr WATSON: He was talking about the Sure, people driving past would have seen them, assets; we are talking about the income stream. but we would never have got the publicity that we The honourable member does not understand have now got around Queensland, highlighting that at all. There is a difference between asset that the Labor Party is soft on crime. These based and income and expenses, and he should billboards highlight that Labor is soft on crime. I know that. This is not just a question of dollars 19 May 1998 Questions Without Notice 1301 and cents. That $17.3m represents 1,000 whether the tender process for this contract was Queenslanders whose hopes and aspirations for manipulated, and has he established whether a home ownership have turned to despair. departmental employee involved in writing the I will go through some of the HOME scheme tender specification is now working for the losses. These losses are also across Labor successful tenderer? electorates and occurred in the month of March. Dr WATSON: I think the question I was In the month of March alone we had to write off asked last week was actually quite specific. It was $361,857, which included Eagleby for $10,484, a question of whether or not there was a memo Rochedale for $4,699 and Burpengary for on 13 February concerning some particular $15,821. Those amounts are from individual issues. I said at the time that I could not recall that. cases, where the houses have been Mr Mackenroth: You didn't say that. repossessed and so on; they are cases where people have lost and the department has had to Dr WATSON: I did. If the honourable write off the debt. It goes on with Caboolture, member looks at the Hansard he will see that I $11,021; Deception Bay, $11,403; Deception said that I could not recall it. I also said that I would Bay, $2,997; Toowoomba, $3,947; Morayfield, have gone a particular way in asking for advice. I $2,859; and Kuraby, $9,962. I could go on and asked my office whether there was a memo from on. CITEC on 13 February. Guess what? There was not one. Then I said, "It's not in my office. Maybe These are the kinds of things that are it's at CITEC." I asked CITEC whether it had a happening—not just every now and again but memo from 13 February. The answer was, "No." virtually every day. Every week the department In addition, they said, "Maybe it was on an email." recommends to me to approve the sale of They went briefly through their emails and found repossessed houses and look at other situations no such memo. If the member opposite in which we have to write off debts. This is what produces the documents, we will look at them. destroyed the aspirations of the people whom Labor was supposed to be helping. The home ownership scheme was Labor Government's Management of unworkable from the start. Not only was it Queensland Health unworkable, Labor simply failed to recognise the Mr MALONE: I ask the Minister for Health: danger signals, with rising debt levels for would he please outline the former individuals and rising repayment levels. It refused Government's financial management of the to do anything about it. Then these people were Health portfolio and particularly Labor's caught with high interest rates. Do honourable stewardship of Queensland Health's recurrent members remember the high interest rates—the and capital works budgets? Labor-induced interest rates, the interest rates Mr HORAN: On a day on which we are induced by Paul "the recession we had to have" going over all of the financial disasters and Keating? This was all supported by Labor Party messes left behind by the previous Labor management. They all supported it and this is Government, it gives me great pleasure once what we ended up having. again to drive the nail into its coffin just a bit HOME was meant to stand for "home further. I do not think there could ever have been ownership made easy". I have another a bigger mess than the financial messes left interpretation. It is "home ownership behind by the two former Health Ministers, the mismanagement entirely" by the Labor Party. It member for Brisbane Central and the member for always was and always will be. Capalaba. Mr Borbidge: The Dodgy Brothers. Public Works and Housing Department Mr HORAN: The Dodgy Brothers. This Computer Purchase was the previous Labor Government that left us Mr MACKENROTH: I refer the Minister for with the $400m black hole in workers Public Works and Housing to the question I compensation and a $240m underlying debt in asked last week and to the February memo that the overall Budget that we had to fund. Over and the Minister received from the Government's over again, they left debt after debt. What was it computer agency, CITEC, advising him that it was in relation to hospitals? not involved in a joint tender for the supply and Mr Grice: What was the overrun? installation of personal computers and file servers Mr HORAN: It was about $120m. We had to his department because CITEC was aware that an overrun left behind by Mr Beattie of about the tender had been set up to be awarded to a $54m. We had the unfunded workers specific company. I ask: what steps has the compensation. Then we had the unfunded Minister taken in the past week to investigate enterprise bargain. The year before, the previous 1302 Questions Without Notice 19 May 1998

Health Minister, Mr Elder, had to get his budget he is going to pay for it. He is going to shut down topped up by $48m as an emergency fix-up so some of the hospital redevelopment to pay for that he could pay for some of the overruns and his social borrowing. the unpaid accounts. However, in addition there was still a $24m shortfall which he could not pay and which was passed on to us. What did we Proposed Rhino Sanctuary, North cop? A $24m debt, which we are paying off at Queensland $8m a year! That $8m a year would have been Mr GIBBS: I refer the Minister for Tourism handy for doing a bit more so that the success we to his support for the project to establish in north are having in reducing waiting times could have Queensland a sanctuary for black and white been even more spectacular. rhinos as a conservation measure to save these We had a massive problem in the recurrent endangered animals, and I ask: why has he budget. But worse than that, we had a $1.2 ignored the advice of his Government's billion black hole in the capital works program. Environment Department which warned his The real tragedy was that, as they left department in a 3 February memo last year that Government and as Mr Beattie traipsed around "there would be no significant conservation gain" the State promising another $40m here and from the project because its primary aim was another $80m there, knowing full well that it was commercial purposes such as "tourism, sale of not funded, he came back to Brisbane—this the progeny and the sale of cropped rhino really epitomises the way Labor went about horn"? Is the Minister aware that the commercial business—and tried to switch $34m out of the sale of rhino horn is prohibited by international capital rebuilding fund, which are one-off treaty? How can he continue to support this project when experts say that the demand in Asia moneys, to cover up some of the black hole that he was about to leave, because he knew that as a for rhino horn is the root cause of rhinos being result of Mundingburra he was about to go. poached to near extinction? Mr DAVIDSON: I have seen that letter If there is anything fundamental to running from the Department of Environment. The matter budgets, running one's pay packet, paying off has never been raised or discussed with me. The one's house and so on, it is that capital funds are Opposition conducted an information search on capital funds and one does not use capital funds my files in the department last week or the week to cover recurrent expenditure. What would that before. That letter was brought to my attention. have meant? It would have meant that all of the Those issues have never been raised with me. unpaid accounts and bills that he paid off with Those issues are not referred to in the pre- that $34m would have been ongoing—year after feasibility study. The letter is not from a year—and yet again there would not be enough proponent, it is from an officer of the Department money unless he closed down some more of Environment in Cairns. As I said, none of those hospitals to pay for that. The $34m shortfall issues has ever been raised with me and they are probably would have closed down the not referred to in the pre-feasibility study. Maryborough, Caboolture and Bundaberg Hospitals. No doubt that was the idea behind the While on my feet, I wish to advise the House scheme. of the behaviour in the past week or so of the Opposition spokesperson for Tourism. He was In addition, when the previous Health not in the House last Thursday when the Minister was in trouble with his capital works and Treasurer brought down the biggest and best when he knew that he could not get anywhere Budget of all time for the State of Queensland; and that he had a $1.2 billion debt, he even got he was missing. As we read in the Courier-Mail on ministerial advice from his department about how Saturday, he was unavailable for comment on the he could borrow funds from the QTC to set up Government's tourism policies and to respond to commercial enterprises; he did not have the the Government's tourism budget. He was money to fund most of those things. He was unavailable. I think he was otherwise engaged. looking for commercial funds from the QTC for another eight car parks, laundries, a hotel and The member tried a little trick in the shopping complex at the Royal Brisbane Hospital newspaper today. I see that Mr Atkins is upstairs; I and possibly at the PA Hospital. He was going to will see him later. The member suggested that I use Government money to fund private have not been attending functions in my capacity enterprise to run little hotels, shops and so on. as the Minister for Tourism. He referred to the AFTA awards night on the Gold Coast on about 8 When the Leader of the Opposition talks May. The Opposition spokesperson attended about his beloved petrol tax which has been dear that function. I was unavailable to attend because to his heart for so long and when he talks about I was at a family function; it was my niece's 18th borrowing for social infrastructure, we know his birthday. The member for Albert was there track record: he loves doing that. We know how representing me as the Minister and the 19 May 1998 Matters of Public Interest 1303

Government. I understand from the member for letter. It has never been raised with me. It is not in Albert that an apology was—— the pre-feasibility study. I do not know why that Mr Elder: Were you at a restaurant in person wrote that letter. Noosa? Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for questions has expired. Mr DAVIDSON: I will come to that one, too, if the member likes. I understand that an apology was expressed on my behalf. As to the PRIVILEGE Marriott Hotel function last week—— Liberal Party Campaign Workers Mr GIBBS: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of Ms SPENCE (Mount Gravatt) (11.30 a.m.): order. Unfortunately for the member for Albert, I rise on a matter of privilege suddenly arising. he attended that function and nobody knew he This morning Liberal Party campaign workers was there, because they actually referred to my have been pressuring elderly people in my female partner as the "member for Albert". He electorate of Mount Gravatt to perjure obviously has a huge recognition problem in his themselves by fraudulently completing electoral electorate. visitor application forms. My office has received at Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of least a dozen complaints from people who have order. The member will resume his seat. been distressed by these approaches. I have Mr DAVIDSON: Is that the female partner? checked with the Electoral Commissioner, Mr Someone who was at that function told me that Des O'Shea, who has advised that these the member had a boarder in his room upstairs. approaches by the Liberal Party effectively compromise the electoral process in that electors In relation to the Marriott function last Friday are being asked to fraudulently declare that they night that the member referred to—it was one of are unable to vote at a designated polling booth his little tricks; I know the games he gets up to—I on the day of the election when no date has yet had a very busy day last Friday. On Friday been established. Mr Speaker, I ask that you morning at 9.30 I was in my electorate launching consider whether or not this is a gross example of the Noosa TAFE college with my colleague Mr electoral fraud and is a breach of privilege of this Santoro. At 12 o'clock I was at the convention Parliament. centre addressing 200 tourism delegates at a conference on behalf of the Tourism Council of Australia. At 3.30 in the afternoon I opened Oz Electronics at Ipswich for Max Rose and his PRIVILEGE partners. At 7 o'clock I was in Boonah with Mr FitzGerald opening a tourism information centre. Ms L. Friis Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers I had an understanding with the Marriott that Paradise—Premier) (11.31 a.m.): I rise on a if I was able to get back in time I would attend that matter of privilege suddenly arising. Last week in function for a short time—just to drop in and have this place the honourable member for a few words and a drink. I had a very busy day and Sunnybank made reference to a document with was unable to get to the Marriott. I went to the regard to the member for Mansfield and the restaurant at Noosa that the member tried—the Liberal Party candidate for Mount Gravatt, which Boathouse Restaurant. The member should ring was alleged to be fraudulent. I now table a the owner up. Two journalists from the Courier- statutory declaration from Lynne Friis, who was Mail pumped about five restaurant owners in alleged to have authorised this document, Noosa about the issue raised and they finally got indicating that she did nothing of the kind and on to the Boathouse and Pierre. It is over the that the document used by the honourable road from my house. So much for the rumours member is fraudulent. that the member spreads around! The member raised it. He knows about it. One of his advisers, Mr Lynch, approached the Premier's senior MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST media adviser making that claim. If the member Mr S. Medley wants to know about that, he should ring the Boathouse Restaurant in Noosa. Mr CAMPBELL (Bundaberg) (11.31 a.m.): In the State of Origin battle next Mr ELDER: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of Friday night, Queenslanders will put their bodies order. I did not know the name of the restaurant, on the line for the honour of Queensland to and I am not sure what the Minister is accused of defeat the cockroaches of New South Wales. doing. But I am interested in knowing. Thousands of Queenslanders will be cheering Mr DAVIDSON: In conclusion—in relation and supporting the Queensland maroons to be to the rhino issue, I have seen a copy of the victorious over the New South Wales blues. 1304 Matters of Public Interest 19 May 1998

There is another Queenslander who did Following was the line up with doctors, more than put his body on the line for counsellors and psychiatrists. Queensland. He put his life on the line not once It was a great come down from my but twice as being a concerned and noble citizen previous station, however I just wanted to of Queensland. Steve Medley of Bundaberg, a get well. former Bundaberg branch manager of Metway and business centre manager from My family had suffered enough." Rockhampton to Gympie, has been described as Mr Medley was diagnosed with post-traumatic a hero when last year he played an integral part in stress disorder. He had eight months off work foiling a $600,000 extortion attempt on Metway and returned to work acting in jobs such as a Bank. He served well beyond his job description teller. However, last week Metway dropped the and put his life on the line for his employer, the bombshell. This brave Queenslander was staff for whom he was responsible and also his advised in an interview that, due to the Suncorp- family. Metway merger, he will not be getting an area On 25 February last year he arrived at work, manager's job in the new structure, that he will opened his mail and discovered an extortion not be getting any job in Suncorp-Metway, that demand for $600,000 in used notes. The threat no job is available anywhere for him. Mr Medley was that he should not tell anyone as his family was told that he would be made redundant. and staff members would be in danger. After Metway's timing is incredible! Mr Medley has speaking with senior Metway officials, he been offered a pittance in redundancy. In his contacted police and was requested to act as an own words— intermediary in the extortion demand. Steve "... I am still on medication, the trial of the Medley's wife, Colleen, and his children were accused had not even occurred and I am not spirited away and placed under police guard. The yet fully rehabilitated. extortionist who had Mr Medley's mobile phone number made several demands, requiring him to Doctors and counsellors are drive to Gympie under police surveillance, return flabbergasted at not only the insensitivity to Bundaberg and then fly to Brisbane. He waited but the destruction this decision will cause. for further instructions from the extortionist at the My family unit has been through Brisbane Airport as the sting was to be arranged enough already and now the counsellors at the Aspley Motor Inn. However, Steve Medley state in all likelihood, I will relapse. was able to recognise the voice of the My family will be economically extortionist from numerous telephone disadvantaged because the redundancy is a conversations and he nominated to the police mere pittance. Their father will now go on the person whom he believed was responsible. the dole or sickness benefits. An arrest was later made. ... This trauma has taken its toll on Steve Medley. Basically, he has had a breakdown. An Facing death in the line of duty is active and confident bank manager started to something few people are trained to handle. look over his shoulder; he could not sleep, he I have faced it now so many times I was overwrought—nervous—and his family was expect to be treated with a little more twice taken to a safe house. In an interview with consideration, not thrown on the scrap heap Danielle Cronin of the Bundaberg News Mail, to wither and fade away." Steve Medley stated— Steve Medley has played a caring and "The extortion passed with an arrest responsible role in the Bundaberg community. and I was ready to resume my life—this was He is a dedicated member of Crime Stoppers, is not to be. active in Western Suburbs football and sports The trauma set in and my life became a club, serves on the Bundaberg Port Authority misery. and above all is a good family man. This is not the way that a leading Queensland financial ... institution should act. I believe that compassion I couldn't face work and felt I had to stay should be shown to Mr Medley. I asked the and protect my family. Treasurer to intervene and show some I stayed awake all night and compassion for Mr Medley. In a letter, I said— investigated every outside noise. "Mr Medley has proven to be a very I finally cracked as I felt I had nowhere to loyal and dedicated Staff member and go. showed an act of bravery above the call of duty. I then had a spell in the mental health unit of the base hospital. ... 19 May 1998 Matters of Public Interest 1305

On two occasions he put his life at risk, I urge honourable members not to forget and that of his family, as a concerned and the Steve Medleys of Queensland. I ask all noble citizen. honourable members to join with me and request Because of his actions, above the call the Treasurer to intercede and ensure that Steve of duty, he did suffer a breakdown ... Medley and his family are looked after as true Queenslanders. We must ensure that he Now the m anagement of receives a fair go after his brave and noble acts Metway/Suncorp has rewarded this loyalty, on behalf of Queensland. this bravery, with retrenchment— unemployment. What a way to reward a hero! Health Queensland has greater character than Hon. M. J. HORAN (Toowoomba this—there are some things above South—Minister for Health) (11.41 a.m.): I wish to economic rationalism and profit and that is place on record the significant improvements to loyalty and compassion and real concern." the Queensland health system which have been I ask in this House that Queenslanders show put in place under this coalition State that compassion. There are times when chief Government. When the Borbidge/Sheldon executive officers of merged or failing companies coalition State Government came to office in early are given millions in redundancy, yet just a mere 1996 we pledged to get the health system right pittance is offered to this man. I believe we and to restore public confidence in the system. should be showing that compassion, that concern. But once again, it demonstrates that After six long years of Labor neglect, which the victims of crimes are the ones who really had seen hospital wards closed, elective surgery suffer. They are the ones who in many ways pay waiting lists spiral out of control, hospital and the ultimate price for those crimes. I believe we capital works budget blow-outs and dismal staff should show some leadership today and ensure morale, the coalition was given the task of that we do something for Steve Medley. cleaning up the Labor mess. We had to get our hospitals right again and restore staff and public However, not all people of Bundaberg have confidence in this great system. Today I am the same character as Steve Medley. One that delighted to say that many improvements have comes to mind—and I think I should mention it been made over the past two years and we look today—is Sandy Warren. Sandy Warren has forward to continuing these improvements on played a part in all the devilish aspects of the behalf of all Queenslanders, no matter where Liberals conniving in Mundingburra. He played they live. an integral part in having the Liberals elected in that area to the demise of Labor. Sandy Warren One of the first tasks this incoming has always played that part. He has gone against Government had to undertake was putting in Labor as a Democrat, as a Liberal and as an place a decent and proper administration system. Independent a couple of times. That is the only We did that immediately by getting rid of one thing he has done. He succeeded once in entire level of bureaucracy, the regional health toppling Labor—I will grant that—but he has also authority system. This action saved the shown himself to be one of the biggest losers in Government and the Health Department about the history of Queensland State politics. $13m that could be put back into real things such However, it has happened before. It has been as allowing people to have operations and shown that he was paid by, and was in bed with, a providing additional nursing and medical staff. company director by the name of Don Creevey of We now have in Queensland a marvellous Creevey Real Estate. He got away with social system of 39 health districts, each with its own security fraud. This is the way they operate. In district manager and district health council, which 1989 it was shown that he was receiving a provides genuine community input into the way disability allowance while acting for Don Creevey. we deliver health services in this State. I will table all these papers, but the court case The next step to be undertaken by this could not proceed because the employer had to Government was to fix up the financial mess left be called to certify his records. The employer behind by the Labor Party. We paid out the could not be found. He still operates the Budget overruns, we paid the unfunded EB, we company named Don Creevey Real Estate but paid the unfunded workers compensation the prosecution could not find him. He went into increase and we put together a responsible hiding. That is how Sandy Warren got away with budget. The budget delivered extra services, social security fraud. That is the way the Liberal treatment for more in-patients and outpatients Party and its workers operate. That is one type of and dramatically reduced the waiting times for person that we have in Queensland. elective surgery. 1306 Matters of Public Interest 19 May 1998

More importantly, as well as increasing all This has been an amazing achievement by the those services, for the first time in four years we staff and those involved in the organisation, were able to bring down a budget that was not in management and direction of the Health need of crisis funding. In other words, we met our Department. Under Labor, some 49% of patients budget targets. These measures give the staff of were waiting longer than 30 days. In other words, Queensland Health great confidence, because only 51% of people were having their operations they know that they now have a system that is on time. We now have a situation where 98% of well administered, well managed and financially people have their operations on time. It should sound. The staff can work within parameters be the first priority of any free public hospital which are similar to those of any sound business. system that urgent elective surgery is done on They can have confidence that Queensland time. We are the first Government to have ever Health will deliver services to the people for achieved this result. whom they care. That is one of the main reasons We now turn our attention to Category 2— for the return of morale and confidence to the semi-urgent surgery—where, under Labor, some people involved in Queensland Health. 44% of people were waiting for more than the I would like to speak about some of the recommended 90 days for operations. This major achievements implemented by this Government has reduced that figure for long Government over the past two years. I refer waits to 22%. We are on track to gaining our particularly to the elective surgery waiting lists. target of less than 5%. We will achieve this target. Very few Governments in this nation have been This means that 78% of all Category 2 patients game to come forward with public targets about now get their operations on time in Queensland. what they want to achieve with waiting lists. The This figure compares with only 58% under Labor. Labor Government in New South Wales said that This is an improvement of 20% on top of what it was going to cut waiting lists in half, but the this Government has already achieved in relation number of people on those lists has now to Category 1. doubled. In the last financial year, Labor in New As part of this strategy the Government South Wales had a $240m budget overrun. allocated $43m in the current budget for The Queensland Government has put in a Category 2 lists. This is recurrent funding which program of Surgery on Time. It is a well- will go on forever. We also had one-off funding researched and well-organised program. It is which was directed to bringing down the long aimed at reducing the waiting time for elective waiting list which was left behind by Labor. surgery. Waiting time is an important The real proof of the pudding is how many consideration for people needing an operation. extra operations have occurred. This figure was The true litmus test of a good, efficient system is difficult to ascertain last financial year because performing operations on time. Large numbers of Labor left behind no data on this matter. Our best people want to have operations as a result of estimates indicate around 6,000. This year, improved confidence in the system. We have because we have data to refer to, we know that one of the best waiting list arrangements in we are doing 7,500 extra operations. Some Australia and perhaps in the world. 13,500 more Queenslanders have had elective We inherited a system which did not even surgery under this Government than would have have a plan to address waiting lists. There was no had an operation under Labor. This is the result specific funding aimed at Category 1 or Category of the magnificent system which we have 2 lists. There was no data on a hospital by introduced. It is financially sound, well structured, hospital basis. There was no data on a specialist well organised and it has worked. I cannot praise by specialist basis. This Government put all those too highly the staff who have achieved these things in place in the short space of about three results. and a half months so that on 1 July 1996 we I would like to refer to this year's budget. I commenced Surgery on Time. This Government have already mentioned to the House that the had inherited the worst waiting times in Australia budget is financially responsible. It is easy for for urgent elective surgery. This was the some people to come in within budget—they just Category 1 situation, where an operation should stop working. We have set increased productivity take place within 30 days. We have been able to targets and increased activity which the districts turn those worst-in-Australia figures around to have to meet. At the same time, the districts must the stage where we now have the best figures in meet their budgets. The districts have been able Australia. to increase the number of people treated and By November 1996 we had achieved a less increase the number of in-patients and than 5% long wait target. We have held it at that outpatients serviced. figure every month ever since that time. It By our actions in the past two years, and currently stands at something just under 2%. with the assistance of this year's budget, we have 19 May 1998 Matters of Public Interest 1307 been able to fund about 1,400 extra health every single year. We are putting more workers at places such as Hervey Bay, the QE II community mental health staff out in the field so Hospital in Brisbane, Cairns, Nambour and that we can actually have a proper three-pronged Townsville. At the Kirwan Women's Hospital in approach to mental health. Not only that, we are Townsville we have put in place extra quarantining the money so that it does not get obstetricians and have extended the perinatal spent on budget blow-outs, such as happened unit to about 30 cots. We have put in intensive under Labor. We have lifted immunisation from care cots. This provides north Queensland with the worst rates in Australia to the best. Let us not one of the best services for mothers and their risk anything by going back to Labor. premature babies that one could find anywhere Time expired. in regional Queensland. We have also cleaned up the capital works program. We found the $1.2 billion black hole Maryborough Electorate that we had to fund. It was important that we Mr DOLLIN (Maryborough) (11.51 a.m.): funded it, because there was an expectation The public health system in Maryborough has throughout the length and breadth of this State been through some rough times under this that people would get the hospitals that they Government—despite anything that the Minister desperately need, or the hospitals that had been has had to say this morning. And this has been cruelly "funded" by the previous two Labor further highlighted by speculation of the possible Health Ministers, who knew that there was no closure of the intensive care unit at the cash in the tin. We put in the money. We Maryborough Base Hospital. The Minister has currently have 125 projects throughout spoken with me and guaranteed me that the Queensland, either completed or substantially Maryborough Hospital would continue to have an under way, including major projects that are intensive care unit at a reduced rate to meet under way, from the half-billion-dollar project at Maryborough's needs. He also said that some the Herston complex to small hospitals ICU staff would be transferred to the Hervey Bay throughout the rural parts of the State. Just last intensive care unit. So apparently we are going to week, we saw one of those major hospitals share the unit. We will have more cars running up completed at Toowoomba and opened. and down the road than the three lanes will carry. I am still concerned, however, as the chairman of Across the length and breadth of this State the Fraser Coast District Health Council has over the next few months and the next two years, indicated that future plans include that all major hospital after hospital and community centre after surgery will be conducted at the Hervey Bay community centre will be opened as this massive Hospital with day surgery only at Maryborough. rebuilding program—bigger than the Olympic Games construction—is well and truly under way. This, along with plans to reduce the number Once again, like Surgery on Time, it took the of operating theatres at Maryborough from three organisation, the drive and the sound financial to two, is not in line with the Minister's promise, arrangements of this coalition Government to given over and over again to me and to the actually make these things happen. constituents of Maryborough, to maintain all existing services, equipment and staff at the I have in my possession a briefing that one Maryborough Hospital. Since this Government of the previous Health Ministers, Mr Elder, had at has come to power, Maryborough health services the Estimates hearings in 1994-95. He had in his have been under continual threat. The Minister briefing eight or nine places that were supposed keeps backing away from his cast-iron to have been built that year but were not even guarantees. We have had a lot of promises of a started, and nothing had been spent on them: $17.5m redevelopment of the hospital, but to the Thursday Island community centre, the date we have a half-finished car park for the staff Toowoomba Hospital, the Toowoomba and a $3.5m contract for a mental health unit and community centre, the Rockhampton community palliative care. That is all we have seen of the health centre, the Cunnamulla community health $17.5m. centre, the Prince Charles Hospital Jacaranda Village, the Emerald Hospital and the Barcaldine In 1996, this Government was left about Hospital. All of them were seriously $7m to complete Stage 2 of Labor's underfunded, and not even built. redevelopment plans, which would have been finished by September 1997. Labor had The achievements of the coalition completed the refurbishment of the community Government continue. We have increased health centre, costing more than $2m. This mental health funding by a massive amount over Government froze all capital works and is yet to the past two years, and we are actually delivering start Stage 2: the upgrade of operating theatres staff to new acute mental health wards around and airconditioning. He has fixed the fences and the State. We are opening two or three of those mucked around with the caravan parks and so on, 1308 Matters of Public Interest 19 May 1998 but he has left nothing for the real issues. People The Minister's explanation to me last week are dying in the heat up there. that Maryborough would lose some of its ICU staff On 17 June 1997, the Minister was reported and retain a reduced intensive care unit was not in the Fraser Coast Chronicle as saying that the what he promised me or the citizens of Maryborough Hospital would lose its high-risk Maryborough nearly a year ago. In spite of all the birthing unit to Hervey Bay. The Minister also Minister's reassurances, I am still very concerned conceded that Maryborough would lose 175 staff that the Maryborough Hospital will lose many of to the bay. Under pressure from Maryborough its services and staff and that Maryborough citizens and his own party supporters, he gave citizens will have to travel to Hervey Bay for the people of Maryborough an ironclad services that they have every right to access at guarantee that all existing services at the their Maryborough Hospital. Maryborough Hospital would be maintained. Also of great concern to the district is that On 8 July, a leaked document indicated that local building companies are being passed over during a major reconstruction, operating theatres in the tendering process for many Government would close and other services would be taken jobs. I have received several complaints that they over by Hervey Bay. Some of those items were are not even being given the opportunity to being looked at as permanent arrangements. tender. In December 1997, a local building Thankfully, under pressure from a 7,500-citizen company complained to me that it had not seen petition, local businesses and hospital staff, the the tender for the second stage redevelopment Minister turned around and promised for the of the Maryborough Base Hospital advertised second time that all staff and services would be and asked me to investigate. As a result, I wrote maintained at the Maryborough Hospital. to the Honourable Minister for Health on 19 Maryborough citizens now thought their hospital December 1997 requesting a list of the was safe. tenderers, amounts tendered and dates of the tender advertising. More than three months later, Then came a leaked Government the Minister responded. I quote in part from that redevelopment plan for the hospital, which letter dated 27 March 1998— planned operating cuts from $24m to $9m in Maryborough's budget. I note that, this time, "I am advised that tenders for the there will not be a budget for Maryborough; it will second stage early works package of this be a Fraser Coast budget, so we will not know project were invited on 10 November 1997 what we are getting. This shook the city's from a select list of five local firms, of which confidence in this Minister, who tried to fob off tenders were received from the following: the document as a Labor document when it was Cordukes Limited, R & L Gread Builders Pty clearly dated September 1997, with costs Limited and Forester Parker Constructions expressed in 1 June 1996 dollars. It was clearly Pty Ltd—following evaluation of these this Government's plan. Again the Minister gave a offers in accordance with the State guarantee that the plan would not be purchasing policy, the lowest conforming implemented—a plan that would have cut the tender by Cordukes Limited was accepted staff at the Maryborough Hospital by 60%. We on 8 December 1997." have already had a cut there, but I cannot find out I am informed that none of these builders are what the percentage is. local firms, as the Minister has stated. He has not Thankfully, in another turnaround, the provided me with all the tenders or the amounts Minister finally has admitted vital stress testing tendered, and he has not indicated when or if the and other medical equipment had been tenders were advertised. I asked three real local transferred to Hervey Bay and new equipment building contractors if they had been invited to would be purchased for Maryborough. I thank the tender on this project and if they recognised the Minister. He brought back part of that three firms in the Minister's letter as local firms. equipment—a stress-testing machine—just last Their responses were virtually the same. I quote week. in part from one— While the Minister promised that "Thank you for your fax received today. Maryborough would retain 120 beds, male and Unfortunately our firm was not given any female surgical patients are being placed in the opportunity to tender on the work at maternity ward beds and in the children's ward. Maryborough Hospital. None of the firms in This would be acceptable if the hospital was the Minister's letter dated 27 March can be overcrowded, but not when there are 40 empty classified as Wide Bay region local firms. Our beds locked up. We have had S2 locked up for firm is very short of work especially civil work some months while wards are converted to and would appreciate any assistance in maternity wards and children's wards. gaining additional Government projects into our region." 19 May 1998 Matters of Public Interest 1309

None of the so-called local firms were recognised stacking and vote rigging in Townsville and was by any of the companies I contacted. They were incapable of exercising any intellectual rigour in not invited to tender and did not see the tenders relation to this publication. advertised. Having responded to Labor's four miserable The Minister has been promising a $17.5m points in the publication in an answer to a redevelopment for two and a half years now, and question on notice last week, I thought it might all we have to date is a half-finished $600,000 car be useful to advise the House of the progress park for the staff and a tender let for $3.5m for a that has been made since February 1996. At the mental health unit and a morgue. And local election three years ago, the National and Liberal contractors have not had a look-in at the Parties promised to provide a safer and more tendering process. This is a disgraceful state of secure community for all Queenslanders. I am affairs considering the huge unemployment pleased to report that we have gone a long way problem in the Wide Bay. The local companies do towards achieving those goals. I am amazed that not want any special favours, just a chance to the Labor Party has attempted to thwart our quote fair and square when tendering. efforts to get tough on crime and get tough with With the highest unemployment in Australia, criminals. Whenever Labor had the opportunity Maryborough needs every possible job it can to stand up for the people of Queensland, it let get. I ask this Government to give some them down. Labor has consistently given a clear consideration to Maryborough in all the tendering signal to criminals in this State that an ALP processes and in every job opportunity there is. Government will be soft on crime. In Maryborough we are getting close to Great Labor was never prepared to take the hard Depression unemployment figures. Why we are decisions to do everything possible to combat passed over for these tenders, I do not know. crime. Mr Speaker, let me recite Labor's abysmal They would create a lot of work in Maryborough. record. Labor opposed both the second and Local firms were capable of doing them, but they third readings of the Juvenile Justice Legislation did not get the opportunity to even tender on Bill on 6 and 7 August 1996. Labor opposed them. And to build a car park—there would be a both the second and third readings of the dozen companies in Maryborough that would be Criminal Law Amendment Bill, that is, the Criminal capable of doing that. They could knock out a Code amendments, on 20 and 26 March 1997. couple of trees, flatten the land, put a bit of Labor endeavoured to gut the Penalties and bitumen on the ground and mark out a few white Sentences (Serious Violent Offenders) Bill by squares. That would have been a fairly simple voting to maintain prison as a last resort on 26 job. I think even I could have done that. I put it to March 1997. It does not matter how much Labor the Minister to be a bit fair dinkum in members yell and scream, their actions speak Maryborough. We are talking about $8.5m, after louder than words. However, I suppose they hearing $17.5m for months. He had $7m of ours were relying on assurances from the honourable before he started. All that he has added is member for Yeronga that what he was asking approximately $1m, and nothing is happening. them to do was perfectly acceptable. Unfortunately for them, the honourable member was wrong once again. I advise members Justice Portfolio opposite to treat with caution anything the Hon. D. E. BEANLAND (Indooroopilly— shadow Attorney-General tells them or they will Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) wear his advice around their necks like an (12 p.m.): While perusing the fiction section of electoral albatross. I am sure that it will not be long the Parliamentary Library recently, I came across a before the member for Lytton and the publication titled "100 Broken Promises". Its honourable member for Kurwongbah come to introduction was signed "Peter Beattie, Leader the same conclusion. of the Opposition". It was authorised by Mike I thought it would be useful to advise the Kaiser of 16 Peel Street, South Brisbane. I Opposition just what their blind faith in the quickly realised that the Leader of the Opposition honourable member for Yeronga has caused had taken up where his previous efforts, "In the them to do. Among other things, Labor has Arena" and "The Year of the Dangerous Ones", opposed the abolition of a criminal's right to sue had left off. However, my principal concern was victims; the trebling of sentences for child abuse that he would again propel himself onto the silver and paedophilia; a new offence of torture; the screen in another award-winning performance as doubling of sentences for home invasion; an actor, a role he fulfils with considerably more increased civil sentences for serious violent aptitude than he does that of potential Premier. offenders; community youth conferencing for "100 Broken Promises" is nothing more than a juveniles, to enable them to apologise and make work of pure fantasy, just like his previous efforts. restitution to victims; parents being required by Clearly the ALP exhausted itself with its branch judges to attend court with their children; life 1310 Matters of Public Interest 19 May 1998 sentences for juveniles who commit heinous without the cost of transporting defendants from violent crimes such as rape and murder; and the the centre to the court. doubling of community service orders for young In a bold initiative to reduce legal costs and offenders. That is a shameful catalogue and streamline, simplify and modernise Queensland's reinforces the widely held community view that court system, we have made substantial progress Labor is soft on crime. It cannot deny this and in implementing uniform civil procedure court must explain its appalling record to the people of rules. These measures, to be in place by the end Queensland. Labor's is a shabby record. Labor of 1998, will ultimately see a reduction in court members should be ashamed of themselves. forms from 700 to 70, facilities for the electronic The honourable member for Yeronga has lodgment of court documents and speedier court led his colleagues up the garden path once processes. That was a first for Australia and will again. Once again they have cast their vote for apply to all three levels of the courts—Supreme, the criminals ahead of decent Queenslanders. District and Magistrates. We have now embarked This Government is proud of its record and we on a process of consultation for the introduction are more than willing to match it against the of criminal practice rules to update forms and pathetic performance of the Labor Party any day. procedures introduced nearly 100 years ago. The simple fact remains that the Labor The Alternative Dispute Resolution Branch has Government stood by and did nothing during been expanded to regional areas, increasing the more than six years in office. Labor's slap-on-the- access of Queenslanders to non-adversarial wrist policies were abject failures. Under Labor, justice. Both the Legal Aid Office and the Anti- criminals treated the law with contempt knowing Discrimination Commission have been that the then Government would do nothing to restructured, resulting in efficiently running and pull them into line. successful State operations. Mrs Bird: I think you should campaign in During the term of the Government so far, my electorate. the magistracy and judiciary have seen additional appointments, allowing more efficient processing Mr BEANLAND: Neither the member for of cases through courts. Two additional Yeronga nor his predecessor, the honourable magistrates have been appointed, as have three member for Murrumba, were willing to tackle or additional District Court judges, including a capable of tackling this issue. They sidestepped resident judge in Beenleigh and two additional it and did absolutely nothing to combat crime. Supreme Court judges, including a far northern They are now about to reap the electoral rewards judge in Cairns. New courthouses are being built for their inactivity. I thank the honourable member throughout the State, while money is being for Whitsunday for inviting me into her electorate spent on modernising and upgrading others. to tell the people of Whitsunday how soft Labor is Rockhampton, Gladstone, Southport, Gympie, on crime and the causes of crime. Bundaberg, Cleveland, the southern districts Labor's term in office represents over six and Yeppoon are all receiving either new or years of lost opportunities. Faced with this substantially renovated courthouses. The Courts degree of paralysis, my task in February 1996 Modernisation Project will extend up-to-date was clear: to get the wheels of the Justice technology through the courts system. Of major portfolio moving again and to tackle the problems significance is the announcement of the that Labor had so assiduously avoided. Since construction of a new Magistrates Courts that time, much has been accomplished. As I complex in Queensland Place in Brisbane. indicated earlier, we have made significant In regard to consumer affairs, the Consumer legislative achievements. The major pieces of Credit Code was introduced on 1 November criminal justice legislation—the Criminal Code, 1996 to regulate the activities of financial the Juvenile Justice Act and the Penalties and institutions and give consumers greater rights to Sentences Act—have all been amended to disclosure of information about interest rates, increase penalties for violent crimes and to loans and advertising. Legislation has clarified ensure that criminals serve appropriate penalties. and tightened the prohibition on invoice fraud, a Other legislation that has been amended perennial problem costing Queensland includes the Powers of Attorney Act to permit businesses thousands of dollars annually. The people to make health care directives for times fair trading legislation also introduced a when they are incapable of making their own prohibition on fraudulent pyramid selling decisions, and succession legislation schemes. A mandatory cot standard was overcoming anomalies in the law. Other implemented to ensure the safety of legislative changes include the successful Queensland babies from design and provision of video links between the Arthur manufacturing faults and inadequacies. Several Gorrie Correctional Centre and the Brisbane dangerous children's toys such as the Court House to enable bail hearings to proceed "dartslinger", "Magic Bombs" and marijuana swap 19 May 1998 Matters of Public Interest 1311 cards were banned. Primary producers facing in particular, in Hervey Bay and Maryborough. So economic hardship received statutory assistance under the care of that man who handles the truth by way of the introduction of a right to apply to so carelessly—and the Minister is known for the court for a moratorium against the that—the system has gone backwards. repossession or sale of their farming equipment. A gentleman took his wife to Maryborough Queensland cooperatives were also aided by Hospital because there were no intensive care legislation that will allow them to compete facilities at the Hervey Bay Hospital. He had a look interstate and overseas as modern business around the hospital and said, "Mr Horan said entities. this", and, "Mr Horan said that", because he was a A regional services program has been supporter of Mr Horan. The staff said to him, "But implemented throughout Queensland Mr Horan is a liar." I mean no disrespect to the Consumer Affairs offices to provide regional Chair; that is exactly what the staff said. So this centres with "head office" capabilities to service gentleman had a look around the wards and local communities. Queensland's births, deaths found them chock-a-block full of Hervey Bay and marriages records system has been updated people. He asked, "How can this be?" He could and computerised, with the office relocating to not work that out. His wife was sent back to the new and improved premises. The Office of Hervey Bay Hospital, so the gentleman posed Consumer Affairs has also implemented a range the same questions at that hospital and he of interactive consumer education programs for received exactly the same answer. The staff at school children through the eco-consumer kit the Hervey Bay hospital said, "Mr Horan will look and CP-2 CD-ROM, promoting consumer rights you in the eye and tell you a deliberate untruth." and marketplace skills. These are but a few of the That is the reputation that the Minister for Health, highlights of our program over the past two years. who aspires to be the leader of the push Labor should hang its head in shame for its opposite, has throughout the length and breadth failures. It offered nothing and still offers nothing of Queensland. I throw that information to the for those interested in seeing an effective and members opposite so that they will not go around efficient justice system. We have the runs on the their own electorates skiting about a god with board while Labor has been comprehensively feet of clay. run out. I turn now to the water scheme for Hervey Time expired. Bay, because it is a matter that has been occupying the minds of the people in Hervey Bay and causing them great worry and concern. Hervey Bay Electorate Recently, the people of Hervey Bay were down Mr NUNN (Hervey Bay) (12.10 p.m.): to 100 days of water supply. That occurred simply Primarily, in this debate I want to speak about because they do not have a reliable, dual- water, but I have been waylaid by the sourced water supply to provide for their needs. performance of the mealy-mouthed Minister for They do not have a safe water supply and they Health, who dared to speak about the funding of do not have a reliable water supply. the health system in Queensland. I beg to remind For years I have been promoting the idea honourable members, including those opposite that there should be that dual source of water, who are sleeping through the proceedings, that only to be knocked back and virtually ignored. when Labor came to power in 1989 Queensland However, the present Hervey Bay City Council Health had a debt of $700m—a debt left by the commissioned John Wilson and Partners to former National Party Government. Queensland compile a report relating to the Hervey Bay water people were suffering and, indeed, dying supply, its future water supply source options because of that debt. Labor was paying off that and a strategy report. I am very pleased to say debt at $70m a year. That is $70m worth of that those consultants have picked up the very services that could have been put into the things that I have been saying for the past six hospitals of Queensland. It would have been years, and that is that if Hervey Bay does not $70m worth of care that people would have had, have an ample water supply, if it does not have a but which they were denied by an uncaring secure and safe water supply, then the coalition, especially that National Party lot, before expansion and growth that occurred between Labor came to power. 1989 and 1995 will never come about again. It was interesting to hear the Minister talk Industry wants to know two things when it comes about waiting lists. For his information—and I can to a town: whether the town can supply a reliable speak only about the hospitals in my own source of electricity and a reliable water source. If area—when Labor left power in 1995, in the a town cannot supply those services, it might just Wide Bay regional area the waiting list for general as well get out of the industry race altogether. surgery was nil, nought, nothing. There are now Hervey Bay can supply the electricity but, at waiting lists for general surgery in Wide Bay and, present, it cannot supply the water. 1312 Matters of Public Interest 19 May 1998

The consultants investigated this matter of the Minister. I believe that the commonsense water supply very thoroughly and came up with a thing for the Minister to do is to take note of this set of options, which I would like to bring to the report and give to the City of Hervey Bay the notice of the House. Options 2 and 2A figure in reliable water source that it requires. The cost of the recommendations. Option 2 advises the the work involved is $38,975,000 and, amortised council to construct both the two-metre raising of over a period, will not amount to a great deal of Lenthalls Dam and the Mary River transfer money. I believe that that work would attract a scheme together initially. The report states— 40% subsidy from Government resources. It "System design for both proposed would certainly put Hervey Bay on the route to Options 1 and 2 has been carried out for further growth. both 20 and 30 year planning periods. The Over the past few days, it was interesting to 20 year planning period design forms a first watch Dr Watson. He can be compared with A. A. stage of the 30 year planning period design, Milne's Eeyore—he constantly has his tail caught in most areas." in a prickle bush. He turned up in Hervey Bay to The report then refers to Option 2A, which fits announce the building of a State Government with Option 2, and states— office block and said, "It is our idea; it is our good idea." If it was such a good idea now, why was it "The additional available water at included in Mrs Sheldon's freeze on Labor's Burrum Weir No. 1 due to the 2 m raising of capital—— Lenthalls Dam is all pumped to Howard WTP,"— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Laming): Order! The honourable member will refer to other water treatment plant— members by their correct title. "by a pump station and raw water main of Mr NUNN: If it was such a good idea, why MDMM capacity 36ML/d. The Howard WTP was it included in the Treasurer's capital works is progressively upgraded to 36 ML/d, as freeze? I will tell members why. It was included for would be the Howard clear water pump that very reason: it was a good idea, because it station and clear water rising mains towards would do something about unemployment in a Takura reservoirs. No upgrading of place that has 20% unemployment, and because Burgowan WTP is proposed until 2020, it was a Labor idea. That is the very reason that it when the Mary River transfer scheme is was axed and the parsimonious and mean- upgraded to meet the requirement of the 30 spirited Treasurer was the sole—— year planning period. In the early years, the Burgowan WTP would be operated as a Mr Stoneman: Don't be so sour in your peaking plant, being operated primarily at valedictory. full capacity during the hotter months of the Mr NUNN: I would have thought that year and often not operated at other times." somebody who was slinking out of this place with The recommendations that arise out of that his tail between his legs and wearing platform report are, in part, that the council does the soles so that it would not drag on the ground following— would have very little to say about other people's valedictories. Tiger Smith had a lot to say about "Adopts Option 2 (immediate raising of the member and his inability to feed his shearers. Lenthalls Dam and immediate construction They had to go to town before they started. Tiger of the Mary River Transfer Scheme) of this Smith is still alive and kicking in Hervey Bay and report for the next stage of augmentation of he is still talking about the member. I think that he Council's water supply sources; will continue for some considerable period of ... time. Adopts Sub-Option A as the preferred Time expired. means of the raw and clear water distribution and treatment plant upgrading, subject to the final resolution of all source strategy Police, Corrective Services and Racing issues; Portfolio ... Hon. T. R. COOPER (Crows Nest— Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Adopts this report and forward it on to Minister for Racing) (12.20 p.m.): Over the next the DNR for approval as a planning report." few weeks we can be assured of several things. Labor has committed itself to both of those The people of Queensland will be subjected to things. Through the media, I have asked the the rantings of members opposite on crime rates, Minister for Natural Resources to back Labor's police numbers, jail security and their ideas for commitment and to adopt a bipartisan position on crime prevention. Queenslanders will also be this matter. So far, I have had no response from subjected to blatant propaganda designed to 19 May 1998 Matters of Public Interest 1313 strike fear into the hearts of women, children, the release a crime prevention strategy that was elderly and the vulnerable from a party that carbon copy of that produced many, many believes that Queenslanders need only 29 extra months earlier by the coalition. I thank Labor for police officers every three years to keep them its glowing endorsement of the coalition's crime safe. prevention strategy. Labor will promise the moon, earth and stars Our crime prevention partnerships are in the area of law and order, while its record listening carefully to local concerns on issues as indicates that what it really has in mind are police diverse as parenting, drug and alcohol abuse, numbers that will return our police to population supporting victims of crime, violence against ratio to the 1979 level. Failing to impress in this women, protecting and encouraging young area, Labor will attack a corrective services people, and renewing local communities through system where the prison population has doubled urban design. Problems are being addressed and yet the escape rate is still way better than the with a whole-of-Government approach to each 251 escapes and absconds that occurred on issue in recognition of the fact that complex horseback and almost every other imaginable social problems need wide-ranging support to way in Labor's final three years. The police and produce long-term results. corrective services portfolio is a serious and Members of each partnership are working difficult one. I take considerable pride in the fact hard in each community to reduce crime, with that more has been achieved in just over two constant support from this Government and extra years of coalition governance than in six years of muscle when needed from departments such as hard Labor. Families, Youth and Community Care; Health; I will keep it simple for the benefit of Public Works and Housing; Police and Corrective members opposite. We have 450 more police in Services; and Education. just over two years. That is 15 times more than Complementing these partnerships is the the 29 Labor provided in its last term of ever-expanding school-based constables government. We have more police in each of the program. Twenty-two schools across eight regions and a staffing plan ahead of Queensland are being serviced by 12 constables schedule to provide 800 extra police and 400 specially trained to work with students, teachers, civilians by August next year. We have new parents and other community members and to police stations and more than 120 extra vehicles educate students in crime prevention and law to transport the hundreds of extra police available and order. to patrol the streets. We have a police to population ratio nearing 1 to 516, compared with Already we are responding to community the legacy of the nation's worst average of 1 to concerns with new penalties for hooning, 525 left by Labor. I find it harder and harder to be introduced to punish repeat offenders who have humble about the dramatic increase in police thumbed their noses at previous fines and numbers, but the members opposite keep penalties. The new penalty of $240 with two raising the issue. That is quite a surprise demerit points is already acting as a much more considering that its failure in this area is perhaps effective deterrent to inconsiderate motorists the biggest black spot on its pathetic law and who enjoy disturbing the peace and putting order record. pedestrians and the general public at risk. Confiscation of vehicles is to follow. Just last Let us start from the top. I ask the member weekend, fines were handed out in trouble spots for Brisbane Central whether he would like to such as the Esplanade at Surfers Paradise and give back the 70 extra police provided to the on the Gold Coast Highway. That is a clear sign Metro North region and return to the bad old days that this Government is responding with real where numbers actually decreased by 111. I action, not just talk. Other initiatives are targeting wonder if the other half of the "Dodgy Brothers", ongoing and deep-seated social problems such the member for Capalaba, would also like to as domestic violence and recognising resultant return to the days of hard Labor when the Metro issues such as homelessness and drug abuse. South region police strength was slashed by 24 The coalition also took on the gun regime officers. Would he return the 86 extra police forced on Queenslanders by Canberra. Our gun provided by the coalition? I doubt it! Does the laws would have been far more stringent and Opposition really believe that Queenslanders are unacceptable had the Queensland Government so forgetful that they cannot recall that Labor's not taken the stand it did and fought for a better "get tough on crime" approach actually called for outcome. Had the Commonwealth Government citizens to get tough because there were not enough police to help them? stepped in as threatened, the result would have undoubtedly been even more unpalatable than I fear that short-term memory loss is endemic the current legislative package. If it were not for in the members opposite, as they also saw fit to the Queensland Government, the compromises 1314 Appropriation Bills 19 May 1998 gained from the Commonwealth to protect the network, the security audit proactive support integrity of firearm owners would not exist. It group, amendments to the Corrective Services would have been easier to cut and run and let Act aimed at making it tougher to smuggle drugs Canberra have its way, but instead we stood and and other contraband into jails, biometric fought for a better deal, and in large measure we scanning, extra searches and random urinalysis. prevailed. This is a far cry from the head-in-the-sand A coalition State Government is the only approach adopted by the previous Government. practical choice to allow the fight to continue We have provided Hummer armoured perimeter against Canberra for the interests of firearm vehicles to protect staff and the public from the owners and shooters through improvements and threat of prisoners attempting to escape. refinements of the current laws. Examples of this In short, this Government has done more in are the recent amendment to waive the 28-day the area of upgrading jail security in six months cooling-off period for current licensees than Labor did in six years. Labor owes this purchasing or acquiring additional firearms and Government and the people of Queensland an the coalition Government's commitment to apology for leaving the corrections system in an shooters to provide Crown land for the abominable mess. Its hypocrisy is breathtaking establishment of new rifle ranges to cater for and we were once again left to clean up the increases in club membership. mess. The coalition has been able to deliver on The coalition makes no apology for getting another front where Labor failed dismally. After tough on the minority of prisoners who spoil it for two failed and half-hearted attempts by members the rest. The disappointing element is that opposite, the people of Queensland have their members opposite knew full well the turmoil they rights and the rights and responsibilities of police were leaving behind when they skulked away spelled out clearly. In response to community from office in February 1996. That they would concerns and operational needs of police, the take joy in watching as this Government dealt with Police Powers and Responsibilities Act has been the problems that result from gross neglect is an introduced and proclaimed. It effectively puts indictment of Labor's principles. Why anyone police and criminals on a level playing field. would even consider returning Labor to office is I ask the members opposite what the $1.5 beyond comprehension. billion spent on policing in the Labor I have just enough time to acknowledge the Government's final three Budgets produced for member for Burdekin, who was to speak in this Queensland. Can they boast the establishment debate. I acknowledge the work he has done in of a State Traffic Task Force that has delivered the areas of corrections and law and order. Queensland its lowest road toll since 1961? Can The coalition's record stands for everyone they match the coalition's $76m capital works to see. The positive achievement of the last two program in just two years—providing extra police years has been extraordinary. If we look at stations, watchhouses, equipment and better Labor's record we see destruction—a soul- working conditions for police, massive increases destroying, morale sapping operation. in police numbers and better training for officers? Queenslanders should compare that with the Can they boast the establishment of a positive, proactive crime prevention methods Queensland Crime Commission to fight that this Government has adopted right organised and major crime and paedophilia? No, throughout our short time in office. No-one has a they cannot. better record. Labor will never achieve a record Members opposite have discovered to their like ours. We look forward to continuing a very eternal embarrassment that finding anything positive crime prevention strategy with massive plausible about which to criticise the coalition's increases in police numbers—the sort of thing performance in policing is an almost impossible that is sending Labor members mad. task. They also have a hide criticising the Time expired. Government's performance in corrections, considering Labor's appalling record. Labor, which ignored prisons in the six years it was in APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL Government and ignored the need to plan for the APPROPRIATION BILL future, now seems to have a renewed interest in prisons. Second Reading (Cognate Debate) Unlike members opposite, the coalition has Resumed from 14 May (see p. 1225). tackled the problems in corrections head on and Mr SPEAKER: Order! Due to the is planning for the present and the future. This importance of the Leader of the Opposition's planning includes massive security upgrades, response to the Budget and the presence of the the establishment of a proactive intelligence print and TV media, I propose to allow the 19 May 1998 Appropriation Bills 1315 honourable Leader of the Opposition to position of any State, province or Territory in the continue his speech through to its conclusion or world. Whether the national economy was until the hour's debate has expired and then the booming or in recession, whether the national luncheon adjournment will be from 1.30 till 3 unemployment rate was 8% or 12%, p.m., if the honourable Leader of the Opposition Queensland's rate was almost inevitably better. so desires. Now we have a Premier and a Treasurer who want Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—Leader Queenslanders to be just like them—mediocre. of the Opposition) (12.31 p.m.): Last Thursday Many businesspeople say that the the Treasurer delivered a Budget that by her own Borbidge/Sheldon Government has turned the admission is a failure. Buried among all of the leading State into the lagging State. economic rhetoric and misdirected big spending Remember the so-called contract with the of last Thursday's Budget was the promise—and, people of Queensland that the Treasurer and yes, Mr Speaker, it was a promise—by the Premier trumpeted? Remember they said that Treasurer that under a coalition Government 150,000 unemployed was just not acceptable. unemployment will rise to 8.75%. That means They said, "If we fail, throw us out." How does the that if the coalition is re-elected to Government Treasurer rate 160,000 unemployed? Under the the 150,000 Queenslanders currently coalition's contract with Queensland, they have unemployed will be joined by a further 9,300 failed. Why do they not press the ejector button people in the next 12 months. In other words, themselves? They have failed the people of this is as good as it gets. If this Government is re- Queensland. The Nationals and Liberals have elected, unemployment will only get worse. been in charge of this State for 34 of the past 40 This disgraceful failure comes despite years. They cannot get it right and they will never Treasurer Sheldon selling $1.461 billion in get it right. They are not up to the job and they assets to balance the Budget. Tragically for those never will be up to the job. This Government Queenslanders who have been tossed by this does not care. This Treasurer is bereft of any Government onto the jobless scrap heap, higher ideas to attack unemployment. unemployment is likely to be the only promise that the Borbidge/Sheldon Government will keep Having given up on the jobless, one could if it is re-elected in the coming weeks. It says be excused for thinking that the Treasurer may something about the wrong priorities of this actually do something in her Budget for the Treasurer that she can announce a Budget that average family, the aged, the sick, the young and promises to increase unemployment and then the workers. But that is a forlorn hope. The spend $100,000 in a grotesque display of self- Budget contains nothing for average congratulations in TV, radio and newspaper ads. Queenslanders. Sure, if one happens to be the Sultan of Brunei one gets a land tax cut and I can hear the Treasurer's spin doctors one's cabin cruiser will cost less to register. If one scurrying away to the media gallery, turning happens to be an international financier, one can pages in this fraud of a Budget and pointing to the Asian economic crisis as the reason for the cash in on Queenslanders' generosity by rise in unemployment. How is it that just two days grabbing a slice of the TAB, the Government car before the Sheldon sham Federal Treasurer fleet, Government buildings, a couple of prisons and the rest of Suncorp-Metway. But what about Costello was able to point to falling national the battlers in Beenleigh and the schoolchildren unemployment despite the Asian crisis? The State Treasurer says that Queensland's of Cairns? What about the home carers of Holland economic structure is not crumbling. Maybe Park and the miners of Moranbah? Where are the Queensland migration is rocketing. Not so, say all Budget goodies for the teachers of Tewantin and the economic forecasters! In fact, the forecasters the police officers of Pomona? say that the migration rate is less than half of what This Budget underlines the clear difference it was just three years ago. What is the answer? between the National/Liberal coalition and a Why is Queensland going to suffer a blow-out in Beattie Labor Government. The Nationals and unemployment when the rest of Australia will ride Liberals—and this is the issue they said they out the Asian economic crisis? Put simply, the stood for—have no employment strategy. They answer is that the Borbidge/Sheldon do not even have an employment Minister. They Government is not up to running the State and have set a target of worse unemployment. What never will be. In particular, Treasurer Sheldon is sort of Government sets a target that not up to the task of being Treasurer. The acknowledges that unemployment will rise? It is a business community of Queensland cringes at Government that does not deserve to be re- the thought of another term of "Sheldonomics". elected and it is a Government that will be thrown Under a Labor Government, we were the out by the people of Queensland when we go to leading State, with the strongest financial the polls. 1316 Appropriation Bills 19 May 1998

Let us talk about what we will do. We have a all of the construction jobs contained in the strategy to create employment and we have Budget to deliver 64,600 jobs. The grim reality is already released 32 New Directions Statements that this Government has never succeeded in that set out our plans. I table those 32 New getting anywhere near its target. Directions Statements and plans for the In 1995-96 this Government froze capital information of the people of Queensland so that works projects for six months, which cost nearly they know what direction our Government will 5,000 jobs. In 1996-97 Government bumbling follow. We will also have an employment Minister and incompetence cost 5,300 unemployed to implement our strategies, to ensure that jobs Queenslanders a job. Those jobs would have are created and to bring down unemployment. been created by capital works worth nearly half a We have a goal to reduce unemployment to billion dollars on which this Government failed to 5% within three to five years. I know that deliver. That total of more than $400m included achieving that target will not be easy, especially 178 capital works projects that failed to achieve with the worsening Asian economic crisis. We will their budget spending last year. A further $80m need the help of a Federal Government. But in in public and community housing construction order to get Queensland moving again, we are was not proceeded with. It was simply determined to set ourselves the highest realistic abandoned. The Budget papers show that once target and achieve it. We believe that everyone again project spending worth hundreds of should have the opportunity of achieving a job millions of dollars has not materialised. and the dignity that goes with a job. The departmental statistics on page 116 of It comes down to this: in the coming weeks, Budget Paper No. 2 show that the Government will Queenslanders vote for a One failed to deliver $359m of planned capital works. Nation/National/Liberal coalition Government Using the Government's own 1997 Budget which says that it can deliver only more formula for calculating the number of full-time unemployment, or will Queenslanders vote for a jobs that this amount of money would have Labor Government which aims to slash created, the coalition's incompetence means that unemployment to 5%? The awful reality of 3,952 Queenslanders have been stuck on the Treasurer Sheldon's Budget unemployment dole queues during the past 12 months instead promise is that, from the National/Liberal of working on Government projects. It means that coalition's record, 8.75% will almost certainly be nearly 4,000 Queensland families have suffered conservative. Right from the start this inept, the indignity of being on the dole, and this bumbling, incompetent Government has failed to Government does not care. It means that the deliver jobs. hopes and dreams that nearly 4,000 Queensland families had of building a future, buying a car, Remember how in the Premier's contract paying for a home or just giving their kids a better with Queensland he promised a $70m jobs plan future had to be put on hold. It means that all of to create 9,500 new jobs? Remember that us are paying in one way or another for this commitment? The Nationals and Liberals have Government's gross incompetence. Those never delivered. The jobs plan is buried in the families pay dearly. The rest of us pay because too-hard basket, with promises about freedom of we are not getting the Government facilities and information legislation, truth in political services that would have been delivered if the advertising, honesty and accountability. Government had been up to the job, and it is not Remember this is the Premier who will go down in up to the job and it never will be up to the job. the history of this State as being unable to define the meaning of "truth". He does not know what The areas in which this Government failed "truth" means? most dramatically are—and honourable members opposite should listen to these service areas— How ironic that the figure of 9,500 jobs is public order and safety, $69m underspent; almost identical to the number of jobs that this health, $38m underspent; education, $14m Government is now promising to destroy! The underspent; housing and community amenities, Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that $124m underspent; fuel and energy, $59m this Government's term of dithering and underspent; mining, manufacturing and bumbling has seen job creation slow to only construction, $24m underspent; recreation and 91,600 in 26 months, while in the final 26 months culture, $29m; and social security and welfare, of the Labor Government we created 124,900 $2m underspent. How many businesses which new jobs. That is one third more than the measly were relying on those 3,952 pay packets each total that the coalition cheers about. But most week are now struggling thanks to this importantly, the Budget target of 8.75% Government's incompetence? That is a unemployed relies on the Government disgraceful indictment on this Government's completing its Capital Works Program. So there is bumbling and incompetence, and it does not an underlying problem: it is relying on completing deserve to be re-elected. 19 May 1998 Appropriation Bills 1317

It is a tragedy for the economy, which was In Townsville in north Queensland, not given the kick-start that this work would have spending has been chopped by $51m from provided. Yet last year the Premier promised that $358m to $307m. That is 670 jobs lost from the Government had learnt its lesson. Listen to Government capital works alone. People living in this. The Premier told us in last year's Budget that the Mackay region are losing 400 jobs because this would "never happen again". He said it was spending is down $30m from $263m to $233m. essential that the capital works budgets of each On the Darling Downs, 361 jobs will disappear department should be—and these are the because Government spending is down $27m Premier's words—"properly monitored to ensure from $216m to $189m. Worst hit of all is Cairns optimal outcomes are achieved for the people of and far-north Queensland. They are already in Queensland". The Premier said that that is why strife because of the downturn in tourism caused he was personally taking charge of the by the Asian economic crisis. Let us look at what monitoring process and was setting up the capital this Government thinks of Cairns and far-north works monitoring system in his department at a Queensland. This region will lose 1,044 jobs cost of $700,000. because the Government is slashing capital works spending, which is down $78m from The Premier has completely failed to do his $377m to $299m. This Government's track duty and in the process has misspent a further record on capital works spending is nothing short $700,000. Remember what he said in his of appalling. It can allocate big dollops of money contract with the people of Queensland? What to projects; however, it cannot ensure that the did he say? "If we fail, then kick us out." In a very money is spent on the works that it promises. short number of days the people of Queensland will have the opportunity to kick them out. This is Labor made this point last year when we said a huge failure on the Premier's part. The Premier that over $400m of the 1996-97 project deserves a kick of similar magnitude. No excuses allocations had not been spent and were carried are left to this Government. No more promises over into the following year's new spending can be made on delivering capital works projects. figures. The Treasurer and the Premier strenuously denied this at the time, saying that In the coming year, the Capital Works total carryovers last year were about $160m, and Program is designed to deliver 64,600 jobs members should remember that figure. But the instead of this year's 46,821. This year the latest Budget papers put the lie to this Government has failed to deliver 8.44% of those Government's claims of efficient management of jobs. I have a message for Queenslanders: if you capital works. They contained a revised figure of vote for the One Nation/Liberal/National Party how much was actually spent on capital works in coalition at this election and they once again fail 1996-97, and it is interesting to look at the figure. to deliver 8.44% of the Capital Works Program, Was it $160m? Honourable members should look 5,452 jobs will not be delivered in the coming at what it said. The final figure was $3.629 billion, year. That is what will happen. A vote for the One a $370m shortfall on its 1996-97 Budget figure of Nation/Liberal/National Party coalition means a $3.999 billion. In other words, it was around job crisis in which the Treasurer promises that $400m, as we said it was. 9,300 jobs will go. That was the Treasurer's promise. We were much closer to the mark than the Premier and the Treasurer were willing to admit. Mr Elder: They laugh about it. This year's Budget papers report a net carryover of $185m for the financial year just ended. We Mr BEATTIE: And Government members have gone through the same process that we laugh about it because they do not care about undertook last year and found underspent the unemployed; they have no compassion and allocations for specific projects totalling at least they have no heart for the unemployed. $340m, much of which has been carried over into But it is not just the 9,300 jobs that will go; the new spending figures for those projects in about 5,500 more jobs will go if the Government 1998-99. We simply have a rerun of the failure of lives up to its record. Regional Queensland last year. centres will bear a huge amount of this pain. Let Will we be proved right again or will the us look at what it means for regional Queensland. Government this time manage to spray the loose Those centres will lose their share of the 9,300 money into any nook and cranny to make it look jobs that the Treasurer is forecasting will as though it spent what it promised if it is disappear. They will lose jobs because funding fortunate enough to be re-elected, which it will for capital works projects is not spent. Regions not be? The Budget papers show that Treasurer based on centres such as Mackay, Townsville, Sheldon promised to slash capital works Cairns and Toowoomba will lose jobs because spending by $500m in the 1999-2000 year. That capital works funding has been slashed by a total is before taking account of any changes in public of $196m. enterprise investment, which makes up around 1318 Appropriation Bills 19 May 1998 half of all capital works. The irony is that, for the the Education budget suffered a real decline in period when economic growth is forecast to be at spending. That is what this Government thinks its lowest, the coalition will be withdrawing about education. substantial levels of spending from the State Under Labor, education was given a high economy if it is re-elected. This numbers priority, accounting for 27% of total Budget first/people last economic madness means that, spending. Under my Government it will be given despite a massive increase in spending over the same high priority. Under the Nationals and three coalition Budgets, the unemployment rate Liberals the Education budget share has fallen to in Queensland will be even higher when Mr 24.5% thanks to Treasurer Sheldon and Minister Borbidge and Treasurer Sheldon leave office Quinn. Only 815 of the Treasurer's promised than it was when they entered office. I have 1,022 teachers were delivered last year. The previously stated that Labor's target is to slash Budget paper shows that the number of full-time the unemployment rate to around 5% within teachers has fallen by a total of 118 against last three to five years of taking office. year's Budget in the primary, pre-school, special I think it is absolutely essential that we aim to and distant education areas. reduce unemployment to 5% as an intermediate Labor will increase funding to education goal. Labor will be announcing its strategic jobs because one of our most fundamental beliefs is plans during the election campaign. Let me make that all children and all people must have the it clear that neither I nor any of my Ministers will opportunity of achieving their full potential. This ever shirk our responsibility of ensuring that all is only possible with a properly resourced Queenslanders have a chance to get a job and to education system. That is why Labor will fund it keep that job. Let me emphasise that we have properly. I know that three senior officers of the been telling Queenslanders for nearly two years Education Department briefed the shadow how we will get Queensland moving again and Minister for Education yesterday. I also know that drive the State boldly into the next millennium. the Minister is claiming an error in calculating After listening to what people want from teacher numbers in the past. I acknowledge that. Government, we have shown in the 32 New But the fact remains that the Government did not Direction statements that I tabled earlier that we employ the number of teachers it promised in the have learnt from our mistakes and have Budget. The Treasurer continues to use a figure developed imaginative policies to make life even for teacher numbers which she knows is wrong. If better for all Queenslanders. the Education Minister has proved anything, it is We have a vision for the future of that he simply cannot count. Queensland. My challenge to the Premier today Let us move on to health because the same is this: in this election campaign let us have picture emerges in health. After a $65m budget debates about the issues that will take blow-out for hospital services last year, this Queensland into the next century. There is our Government has only budgeted an additional vision for the future. The Premier has none. The $2m for hospital services. Spending is rising from major emphasis of our 32 New Direction $1.975 billion to $1.977 billion. That is an statements, and the major emphasis of my increase of a minuscule 0.1%. Where is the Government, will be jobs, jobs, jobs and job money when it comes to health? The hospital security. running costs will be flat when the Budget papers The Treasurer has been a fair-weather friend clearly show that the demand for services will be when it comes to the unemployed. When the 3.4% higher than the actual demand in the unemployment rate falls the Treasurer is quick to financial year just ending. In anyone's language claim credit. When the rate rises the Treasurer is that is a real cut in hospital funding, a fact that nowhere to be seen. The Treasurer is well known Treasurer Sheldon and Health Minister Horan for insisting that she must deliver the good news. should be ashamed to admit. Perhaps that is why Treasurer Sheldon is so No wonder that under this Government a rarely seen in public. A decent Treasurer is record 12,000 Queensland patients are now generally interested in the welfare of the citizens waiting longer than is medically acceptable for an all the time and not just when it suits her political operation. This ridiculous outcome is a direct profile. result of the Borbidge Government's capitulation This Budget is littered with further failures to John Howard over the Medicare agreement. and deceptions by the Treasurer. Only days The Premier was quoted before the Premiers' before delivering her Budget, Treasurer Sheldon Conference as saying that the demand for health told Parliament, "There will be no cuts to any services was growing at rates of up to 7%; yet he budgets of any departments." But her Budget accepted a deal which provided only 2.4% more papers show otherwise. After taking into account in Commonwealth health funding. What a sell-out inflation and enterprise bargaining adjustments, when it came to the Medicare agreement! 19 May 1998 Appropriation Bills 1319

That will not help the patients waiting longer spending initiatives the State Government has for medically acceptable operations in abandoned child care responsibilities entirely to Queensland's 10 major hospitals. The list has the private market, which means that families will grown under this Government from 32% to 35%. be hardest hit in Queensland regions where On top of this, the Borbidge/Sheldon there are no private providers. There are no Government's hospital capital works tax will rip out private providers in many regional areas of this $23.5m from hospitals' recurrent funding which State. This just does not fit with the Treasurer's should be spent on reducing those record own claims that child care is one of the most waiting lists. That is where the money should be important findings in the Queensland Women's spent. Labor will return to a properly financed Survey. If it was one of the important issues in the health system because another of our survey, why did not the Treasurer fund it fundamental beliefs is that everyone is entitled to appropriately? the healthiest life possible. Domestic violence has been overlooked The coalition is forecasting a higher rate of despite it, too, being rated as one of the crime, leading to higher prison numbers. The foremost concerns of Queensland women. The Budget shows that the Government failed to only new money for domestic violence in the carry out work worth $9m on the new SEQ male Budget is through the Department of Justice, prison. Still on law and order: the Government which will provide just $60,000 to try to find only performed 12% of the work planned for a volunteers to help those seeking protective new Brisbane watch-house and arrest courts. All orders. in all, the Government failed to carry out nearly On page 35 of Budget Paper No. 2 the one quarter of the work that it said it would on Treasurer points out that the home and buildings needed to enhance public order and community care program supports the frail, aged safety. This Government just does not deliver. and younger people with disabilities as well as Those opposite talk big about delivering on law carers of people in these groups to prevent or and order and public safety but they do not postpone the need for residential care. But then deliver. The reality is that they are soft on crime. she cuts funding by nearly $2m. There has been a $40m cut to TAFE with Tourism, our second biggest industry, is another 138 teachers and support staff being suffering because of the Asian economic crisis. pushed out of the system. TAFE is already at Labor has promised a $10m rescue package to breaking point and this Government has done market Queensland tourism at home and abroad. even worse than it did last year. The Government claims it has delivered a $4.25m Child care spending has also been cut by boost. But the Australasian Tourism Property 7%. After the 1997 Budget the headline was that Daily News is not fooled. It has revealed the truth: child care funding had been slashed by 8% the Government has actually slashed funding by despite a promise by the Minister that there almost $4m. That is what it has done to tourism. would be no cuts. The previous Labor The list goes on. Government put in place a five-year plan for new And to top it all off, this Treasurer has forced child care initiatives, but under the coalition there departments to fund the substantial costs of year has been a continuing slide in State funding for a 2000 compliance to overcome the millennium sector now being ravaged by the $820m cuts in bug out of their own budgets. So they will have Federal Government funding. At a time when the even less to spend on services than I have Federal coalition Government has removed the indicated. There is no extra funding for operational subsidy almost entirely from the child departmental year 2000 compliance in the care sector, the State coalition Government has Budget, and Labor is being flooded with presided over a 43% drop in child care complaints across the public sector that expenditure over the past two Budgets—from departments such as Health will need to dig up $28m in 1996-97 to only $16m in 1998-99. This $34m for this area alone. is nothing short of a disgrace. This is a go-for-broke Budget built on mud This occurs at a time when many parents are and straw. This Government has jackhammered having to give up work to care for their children the solid financial foundations created by because child care fees exceed a day's pay, or previous Governments, selling Queensland's they have to find cheaper, less satisfactory assets to buy its votes. That is what it is about. It is arrangements. The $7m drop in capital works a patchwork Budget with small sprinklings of cash spending in this Budget signals that there will be to paper over cracks in its administration caused no more spending on capital works for by three Budgets of mismanagement and community-based child care provided by church neglect. There is nothing in it for families, the groups, local government authorities and poor, the disabled or the jobless. It is a Budget of incorporated parent groups. With no new wrong priorities—spending up big on glamour 1320 Appropriation Bills 19 May 1998 projects, when funding for services is being resurgence, with seasonally adjusted dwelling squeezed tighter. It is a Budget that is moving approvals in Queensland falling by 3.4% over the away from basics. It is moving away from basic 12 months to March 1998. In short, I hope that services. we do not have to rely on a housing boom and Claims of Queensland being the "economic higher population growth to stave off the engine room" and of its above average negative effects of Asia. performance are attempts to mimic the rhetoric of The Treasurer freely admits that the Budget previous Governments without delivering the is funded by one-off revenue. Yet two years ago, economic performance to back it up. Access on entering Government, the Treasurer lectured Economics forecasts for next year have us on the evils of relying on one-off sources Queensland running third in economic growth because it could not be sustained in future years. behind Western Australia and New South Wales. The Treasurer argued that one-off funding from Where are the great days when Queensland was asset sales, trust funds or corporatisation the leading State? Under Labor, Queensland payments should be excluded from the Budget was the leading State. balance and, using that method, asserted that A graph in the Treasurer's own Budget in Labor had left her with a $185m "underlying Brief document shows on page 18 that economic deficit". growth this year of 4.4% is still well below the The Treasurer told Parliament on 16 May average Queensland growth rate of nearly 6%. 1996 that the "effects of a deficit budget" were So the growth rate is down compared with the that— average. "Queensland would lose its AAA credit Mr Hamill: And going down further. rating ... a loss of confidence in Mr BEATTIE: Indeed. Similarly, while Queensland's financial strength would employment growth is occurring, it is not strong occur, and the cost of the QTC's $19 billion compared with recent Queensland experience debt would increase significantly. The under Labor. general result would be a total loss of The graph on page 20 of the Budget in Brief business confidence." document shows that in only one of its three Those were the Treasurer's words. That was two years has the coalition even come close to the years ago, almost to the day. Later that year, employment growth that was consistently Treasurer Sheldon introduced her first Budget delivered under Labor. The economic forecasts with an Infrastructure Rejuvenation Package for future years show an even worse funded from one-off sources. She said at the performance than the mediocre outcomes that time— have so far been delivered. Economic growth is "The consistent use of one-off funds forecast to drop from 4.4% this year to 3.75% only for one-off spending is now enshrined next year, and 3.5% the year after that, that is, as a basic principle of coalition economic 1999-2000. Access Economics, however, strategy." predict that Asia will have a greater impact two years out, with Queensland likely to grow at only We certainly saw that. We can accept that as a 2.6%. The Treasurer expects lower growth for principle. We have made a similar commitment in private consumption, housing, business relation to debt funding of one-off development investment, exports and wages. Employment of essential infrastructure. But this year's Budget growth will also fall to around the national papers identify the final year of the rejuvenation average. package as costing $766m, whereas we have identified one-off revenues of more than $1.6 I note that these forecasts rely heavily on a billion. If the rejuvenation package represents resurgence in dwelling investment, sparked by one-off infrastructure spending, with other absorption of the current oversupply in housing, spending being recurrent capital works, then it is and the consequent growth in house prices clear that Treasurer Sheldon has raised more leading to more investor interest in housing. than $800m in one-off revenues to pay for They are also based on population growth of 2%, recurrent expenditure. That is the road to which is higher than the current population economic destruction for this State. That is why growth and higher than the 1.7% rate forecast by both the Federal Treasury and Access we are raising it. That is why we will not wear it. Economics. Other forecasters are predicting that That is the way they run Indonesia. the housing oversupply will persist, however, Using her logic of May 1996, Treasurer and while inflation remains low as forecast, Sheldon has delivered Queensland an effective housing is unlikely to be drawing a lot of investor deficit of over $800m, with all the consequences interest. We are also concerned that dwelling to the AAA credit rating and a loss of confidence construction is tapering away after a brief in our financial strength and in the business 19 May 1998 Appropriation Bills 1321 community that go with it. In any Budget one has Let us be clear: Labor opposes the $100m to $200m in one-off revenue to play with, privatisation of our essential State assets. The and Labor could easily identify one-off only way that the electricity industry will stay in infrastructure spending of at least that level that public ownership is if Labor is re-elected to could justify use of those funds in our last Government in the next few weeks. Budget. It seems Treasurer Sheldon has now In 1996 when Labor had to defend its "enshrined in coalition economic strategy" the financial legacy from the unsubstantiated attacks sale of public assets to prop up recurrent of the Treasurer, we pointed out that the GFS spending. That is the underlying economic surplus was over $1 billion; in fact, it turned out to management of this State. That is the way that be $1.4 billion. The Treasurer responded in this Government wants to run Queensland. I will Parliament. She said— say it again: it seems that Treasurer Sheldon has now "enshrined in coalition economic strategy" "There is no mysterious billion-dollar the sale of public assets to prop up recurrent surplus available to the State Government to spending. That is what she will do with it. spend." She said that figure contained "$750m in On 4QR radio on Friday, Treasurer Sheldon superannuation provisions which cannot be explained to listeners how she had $56 billion of touched" because that would amount to "raiding assets at her disposal and how she planned to people's superannuation funds". Do honourable "put that money into providing services"—not members remember those words? It is just one-off infrastructure, but services as well. appropriate to ask at this point: what has That is financial lunacy. One simply cannot pay for happened to that "untouchable" $1.4 billion recurrent services out of asset sell-offs. That is surplus? According to the Budget papers, it has why Peter Costello measures his deficit net of asset sales. If he included his privatisation turned into a surplus of only $213m. So, by proceeds, the surplus that he announced last Treasurer Sheldon's own logic, she has not only week would have been $18 billion, not $2.7 raided the family silver, she has also raided billion. people's private savings in superannuation by delivering a Budget that is not fully funded and In the same interview, the Treasurer unsustainable. promised to keep on selling State assets—not all The Treasurer accused the previous of them, but some of them. She mentioned Government of raiding hollow logs. One thing we specifically these—and these are her words— never did was transfer $83.6m from QTC "... the TAB, the Bank of Queensland, the reserves, as she did this year. Last year the electricity industry which is valued on the Treasurer reefed $55m from Queensland books at something like $15 billion ..." Treasury Holdings dividends to pay off some of the Sunshine Motorway debt. Do honourable The Treasurer has been hinting at it for months, members remember the Sunshine Motorway but let no-one be in any doubt now that the debt? The remaining $136m now resides with coalition will privatise the electricity industry as Main Roads, pushing its total debt to above soon as it gets the chance to do so. Hopefully, $600m and incurring additional interest of $9m that will be many years away after we win this each year. That is the Treasurer's legacy to State election. Queensland, just to look after her own The Treasurer just cannot wait to get her electorate. hands on all that cash, because it will mean that The $1.6 billion in one-off revenue this year she can continue to cut land tax. But I ask the is made up of the sale of Suncorp-Metway Treasurer: what happens to the people holdings, prisons and other buildings and cars, employed in the electricity industry? What $1.359 billion; the sale of the race wagering happens to all those 6,000 hardworking licence, $120m; transfers of surplus trust funds, Queenslanders who are providing essential $6.5m; and a corporatisation payment of $48.7m services to our State when the Treasurer sells from Queensland Rail. On page 60, the Budget their jobs out from under them? No-one's job is papers refer to a $157m loss from the safe under Treasurer Sheldon, and for what replacement of franchise fees that this reason? Why is no-one's job safe? Just to cover Government negotiated with the up her incapacity to properly balance her Budget! Commonwealth. It is not made clear how this loss Let me make it very clear. In this election occurred, or whether it will happen again next campaign, job security will clearly be an issue. year. Six months ago and again last week, we The Premier will not be running away from the raised in Parliament our concern that issue of job security, because no-one's job in Queensland was receiving only 19.6% of the Queensland will be safe while this Premier and extra fuel tax collected by the Commonwealth Treasurer are in the offices that they hold. when this State accounts for 22.5% of national 1322 Appropriation Bills 19 May 1998 fuel consumption. Let us talk about a fuel tax. been disfranchised. That fall is on top of a 25% The effect of that is that petrol distributors are cut in National Highway funding compared with paying the Commonwealth 8.1c a litre, whereas Labor's forward estimates. Those Nationals who the Commonwealth is returning only just over 7c are supposed to be representing the bush have a litre to the State Treasury. sat by and watched while their Liberal mates in Mr Hamill: What a great deal! Canberra have slashed $220m from National Highway funding from the forecast spending that Mr BEATTIE: What a great Treasurer this Labor had budgeted for this year. Instead of is! spending the $895m forecast for 1998-99, they The State has to pay the missing 1 cent per have provided only $675m to national highways litre from our own Treasury to ensure distributors around the country, while still increasing fuel do not increase petrol prices. I will say that again: excise collections in line with the CPI and growth the State has to pay the missing 1 cent per litre in consumption. from our own Treasury to ensure distributors do As a result, the hundreds of thousands of not increase petrol prices. What sort of a deal was Queenslanders who regularly use the Bruce, that, Treasurer? We have calculated that the full- year cost of this massive stuff-up by the Warrego, Landsborough and Cunningham Treasurer is $75m. How many teachers, police Highways will continue to endure the and nurses could be employed with $75m? Mr substandard and, in many areas, unsafe Speaker, let me tell you that that is a lot of nurses, condition of those roads for some years to come. police and teachers. That decision will cost people's lives. It is not good enough to be short-changed as this The Treasurer has now had two Treasurer has allowed Queensland to be short- opportunities to set our minds at rest, to point out changed. where we might have got our numbers wrong, and to assure us that the problem is in hand. I This Government has no commitment to the asked her a question in this House to give her development of our regional economies. My the opportunity to set the record straight. But six Government will. For two years now, the coalition months ago the Treasurer said that the State has been promising a rural and regional shares would be reviewed in early 1998. development strategy document as part of its The Federal Budget papers are still using questionable "State Strategic Plan". It has still the original 19.6% share agreed to last year, failed to materialise. All it can come up with is a even for next year's estimated distributions. Last four-year $20m slush fund called the Regional week the Treasurer told us that it would all be Community Development Program. The sorted out in six months. But can Queensland Government has no vision. It has no commitment afford to wait any longer? While the Treasurer to work with the regional communities to ensure dithers, Queenslanders are subsidising a hidden growth throughout our State. Labor will provide a fuel tax of 1 cent per litre. Yes, there is a fuel tax. cohesive, comprehensive, regional economic The Treasurer's Government introduced it. development strategy. Meanwhile, New South Wales and Western This Budget is a wasted opportunity to use Australia are each getting around $40m more tax policy to create jobs. Payroll tax collections back from the Commonwealth than is paid in extra are going to rise by 3.6% over the year just fuel excise in those States. What a deal! The ending. That is another $42m that Queensland Treasurer is basically subsidising New South employers will have to fork out to the Wales and Western Australia. Government. How is that going to create any The Treasurer owes Queensland taxpayers more jobs? The only major tax cut is a $22m cut to a detailed explanation of what sort of deal she land tax collections. However, that cut will not has committed this State to, how she plans to create one new job. The coalition's taxing policy solve the problem and when. Today I give the is anti-job. This week's Business Queensland Treasurer a warning: that will be an issue in the quoted a real estate director as saying the tax cut State election campaign. was a "boon for property investors"—not to the In a State as big and decentralised as tenants, such as retailers, who actually employ Queensland, roads play a central role in everyday people, but to the investors themselves. Where economic life. Although Treasurer Sheldon is the incentive for small business? Where are the claims that roads funding has increased forgotten small businesspeople in this State? dramatically, the Budget papers show that Where is the incentive to help small business? practically every region outside south-east The coalition has betrayed small business. That Queensland has suffered a fall in funding for real estate director said, "This will add value to the transport infrastructure. So much for all the property because the less it costs the owner, the National Party members of Parliament! They have better the return." Clearly, this tax cut will not go 19 May 1998 Appropriation Bills 1323 into cheaper rents for property tenants. It is going What does this refusal to deliver on straight into the pockets of property investors to promises mean to people with disabilities? To boost their investment return. illustrate what it means in real, human terms, I will This appallingly uncaring Budget starves tell members about a lady who lives at Stafford. I disabled Queenslanders and feeds investors know this lady's name, but I will not embarrass her and absentee foreign speculators. The by revealing it. She is paralysed and restricted to Government will not fund disability services a wheelchair. She lives in public housing, but she properly; it will just look after a few mates who are has no personal support services. In other words, landowners. A few rich landowners will get a she has been left to fend for herself. When she $22m windfall in a year from land tax cuts while wants to go to the toilet, she cannot manage by the additional funding needed by people with herself so she has to wheel herself two blocks disabilities has been restricted to about only $7m across Stafford in a wheelchair to the Catholic a year. What a miserable, mean, pathetic Budget. social welfare office and hope that there will be Disability groups have highlighted a growing someone there to help her when she arrives. funding crisis of unmet needs and a bleak future She has had a submission in for 12 months for for many Queenslanders with a disability and their personal support, but all she has received is 200 families. A wealthy foreign company speculating emergency hours, which are nearly exhausted. When it comes down to the effect of the on Queensland land, which would have paid Borbidge/Sheldon Government's incompetence, $2,500 a year tax under the Labor Government, will now pay only $315 a year. But if one suffers that is the sort of price being paid by individual from a disability, this Government does not care. Queenslanders, and it is not good enough. That is why one of the major commitments my The National/Liberal coalition has failed to Government will deliver is in the area of disability deliver its election promise of $34m in additional services. funding for people with a disability for the third Under this Government, the price is just too year in a row. My side of the House looked to that high for Queenslanders to pay. It is time to disability funding, because we know it is needed. It should be above politics. There are people in remember that the Premier promised to abide by pain and distress, who need those funds. This a contract with Queenslanders. It is time to Government refused to fund them. Now it is remember that the crucial clause in that contract promising only a total of $29.2m over a four-year was the invitation to all Queenslanders, if he failed, to throw him out. He has had a term of period or just over $7m a year for people with Government. Hardly a week has gone by without disabilities. I say to the Treasurer that that is his Government failing. It has lurched from crisis pathetic and mean. That is the only way in which to crisis. It is now time for Queenslanders to do one can describe it. The Government is also what Mr Borbidge said: it is time to throw him out. planning to spend only $900,000 on new respite centres—the same amount that will be spent on Sitting suspended from 1.22 p.m. to 3 p.m. landscaping at the Basil Stafford centre. That will At 2 p.m., a proclamation was issued by His give members some idea of the Government's Excellency the Governor dissolving the priorities. Parliament.

R. G. GILES, ACTING GOVERNMENT PRINTER, QUEENSLAND—1998