PROOF ISSN 1322-0330

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

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

FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-FOURTH PARLIAMENT

Thursday, 12 September 2013

Subject Page PETITIONS ...... 3021 TABLED PAPERS...... 3021 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS ...... 3021 DestinationQ Forum, Outcomes ...... 3021 Tabled paper: Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games: Destination Q 12-month partnership report: How we are building tourism together...... 3022 Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry, Progress on Implementation of Recommendation ...... 3022 Tabled paper: Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry Final Report—implementation update, August 2013...... 3022 Overseas Trade Mission ...... 3023 Barrett Adolescent Centre ...... 3023 Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy ...... 3024 Native Title; Great Artesian Basin; Murray-Darling Basin ...... 3024 Bushfire Preparedness; Australian Federal Police ...... 3025 Procurement Policy...... 3025 Great Barrier Reef ...... 3026 Sunshine Coast, Innovative Business ...... 3027 MOTION ...... 3027 Amendments to Standing Orders ...... 3027 FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE ...... 3029 Reports ...... 3029 Tabled paper: Finance and Administration Committee: Report No. 32—Annual Report 2012-13. ....3029 Tabled paper: Finance and Administration Committee: Report No. 33—Report on the 12th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Council of Public Accounts Committees...... 3029 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE ...... 3029 Department of Transport and Main Roads ...... 3029

FS SIMPSON NJ LAURIE LJ OSMOND SPEAKER CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENT CHIEF HANSARD REPORTER

Table of Contents – Thursday, 12 September 2013

Gracemere Overpass ...... 3030 Tabled paper: Emails within Department of Transport and Main Roads regarding Gracemere overpass official opening...... 3030 Queensland Plan ...... 3031 Hill, Mr T ...... 3031 Mary Valley Economic Development Strategy ...... 3032 Bell Race Club ...... 3033 Abbott Government, Electricity Industry ...... 3033 Public Transport, Fares...... 3034 BreastScreen Queensland ...... 3035 Public Transport ...... 3035 Bovine Johne’s Disease ...... 3036 Gold Coast Hospital ...... 3037 Attorney-General and Minister for Justice ...... 3037 Gladstone, Community Cabinet ...... 3038 Tourism Industry ...... 3039 Queensland Rail, Safety ...... 3039 Gold Coast Waterways ...... 3040 SPEAKER’S STATEMENT ...... 3041 School Group Tours ...... 3041 STATE DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE ...... 3041 Report, Motion to Take Note ...... 3041 EDUCATION AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE ...... 3045 Report, Motion to Take Note ...... 3045 EDUCATION AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE ...... 3046 Report, Motion to Take Note ...... 3046 TRANSPORT, HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ...... 3047 Report No. 30, Motion to Take Note ...... 3047 COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY ...... 3048 Report No. 9, Motion to Take Note ...... 3048 PARLIAMENTARY CRIME AND MISCONDUCT COMMITTEE ...... 3048 Report, Motion to Take Note ...... 3048 PARLIAMENTARY CRIME AND MISCONDUCT COMMITTEE ...... 3049 Report, Motion to Take Note ...... 3049 MINISTERIAL PAPER ...... 3051 Consolidated Fund Financial Report ...... 3051 Tabled paper: Consolidated Fund Financial Report 2012-13...... 3051 APPROPRIATION BILL (NO. 2) ...... 3051 Message from Governor ...... 3051 Tabled paper: Message, dated 9 September 2013, from Her Excellency the Governor, recommending the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2013...... 3051 Introduction ...... 3051 Tabled paper: Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2013...... 3051 Tabled paper: Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2013, explanatory notes...... 3051 Tabled paper: Document titled ‘Unforseen Expenditure by Year—1999-2000 to 2012-13’...... 3054 First Reading ...... 3054 Referral to the Finance and Administration Committee ...... 3055 Portfolio Committee, Reporting Date ...... 3055 POLICE POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL ...... 3055 Introduction ...... 3055 Tabled paper: Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013...... 3055 Tabled paper: Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, explanatory notes...... 3055 First Reading ...... 3057 Referral to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee ...... 3057 Portfolio Committee, Reporting Date ...... 3057 PARLIAMENT OF QUEENSLAND AMENDMENT BILL ...... 3058 Introduction ...... 3058 Tabled paper: Parliament of Queensland Amendment Bill 2013...... 3058 Tabled paper: Parliament of Queensland Amendment Bill 2013, explanatory notes...... 3058 First Reading ...... 3058 Declared Urgent; Allocation of Time Limit Order ...... 3059 Second Reading ...... 3059 Consideration in Detail...... 3062 Clauses 1 to 3, as read, agreed to...... 3062 Third Reading ...... 3062 Long Title ...... 3062 VACANCY IN SENATE OF COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA ...... 3062 Nomination ...... 3062 Tabled paper: Declaration of qualification and consent for casual vacancy in the Senate, dated 11 September 2013, from Barry James O’Sullivan...... 3062

Table of Contents – Thursday, 12 September 2013

Election of Senator ...... 3062 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 12 September 2013, from Mr Bruce McIver, LNP State President , to the Premier, Hon. Campbell Newman, regarding the nomination of Barry O’Sullivan to fill the Senate vacancy...... 3063 Tabled paper: Letter, dated 12 September 2013, from Mr Barry O’Sullivan to Mr Bruce McIver, LNP State President, regarding the nomination of Barry O’Sullivan to fill the Senate vacancy...... 3063 SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT ...... 3063 CHILD PROTECTION (OFFENDER REPORTING—PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION) AMENDMENT BILL ...... 3063 Introduction ...... 3063 Tabled paper: Child Protection (Offender Reporting—Publication of Information) Amendment Bill 2013...... 3064 Tabled paper: Child Protection (Offender Reporting—Publication of Information) Amendment Bill 2013, explanatory notes...... 3064 First Reading ...... 3064 Referral to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee ...... 3064 PRIVATE MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS ...... 3064 Meridan State College; Fisher Electorate; Community Liquor Permit ...... 3064 Springbrook National Park ...... 3065 Tabled paper: Australian Government: Clean Energy Future—Biodiversity Fund Round 1, Queensland...... 3065 Moon Lantern Festival ...... 3066 Alleged Deliberate Misleading of the House by a Member ...... 3066 Hill, Mr T ...... 3067 Brisbane Broncos; Federal Election ...... 3067 Sandgate Volunteer Marine Rescue, Blessing of the Fleet...... 3068 IGA Tingalpa ...... 3069 Seniors Week ...... 3069 Newman Government, Employment ...... 3070 Maryborough, Open House ...... 3071 Gold Coast University Hospital ...... 3071 Tallebudgera Creek, Surf-Lifesaving ...... 3072 Whitsunday Electorate, Arts Community ...... 3072 Springbrook National Park ...... 3073 Tabled paper: Photograph depicting the revegetation of Pallida, formerly the winery...... 3074 Dairy Industry, Milk Prices ...... 3074 Albert Electorate, Bushfire Preparedness ...... 3074 Home Insurance ...... 3075 Federal Election, Labor Party ...... 3075 Gold Coast Hospital ...... 3076 Tabled paper: Email, dated 12 September 2013, detailing correspondence to Mr Bob McDonald, Chief Governance Officer, Queensland Health, from the member for Gaven, Dr Alex Douglas MP, regarding inquiry into patient safety at Gold Coast Hospital...... 3076 Natural Disasters ...... 3077 Bishop, Mr P ...... 3077 Parliamentary Weight Loss Challenge ...... 3078 Cook Electorate ...... 3079 Northern Gold Coast, Public Transport ...... 3079 Tabled paper: Non-conforming petition regarding public transport services for Jacobs Well and Cabbage Tree Point...... 3080 Caboolture Hospital ...... 3080 Flood Mitigation ...... 3080 Seniors Week; Elder Abuse ...... 3081 Outback Way ...... 3082 ETHICS COMMITTEE ...... 3082 Report ...... 3082 Tabled paper: Ethics Committee: Interim Report No. 136—Proceeding with suspended matters: matter of privilege referred by the Speaker on 25 October 2012 relating to an alleged deliberate misleading of an estimates committee by a chief executive officer; matter of privilege referred by the Speaker on 31 October 2012 relating to an alleged intimidation of a member by a legal firm; and matter of privilege referred by the Speaker on 31 October 2012 relating to an alleged deliberate misleading of the House by a minister or, in the alternative, a chief executive officer of a committee...... 3083 EDUCATION AND CARE SERVICES BILL ...... 3083 Second Reading ...... 3083 Consideration in Detail ...... 3096 Clauses 1 to 269— ...... 3096 Tabled paper: Education and Care Services Bill 2013, explanatory notes for Hon. John-Paul Langbroek’s amendments...... 3097 Clause 1 to 269, as amended, agreed to...... 3097 Schedules 1 and 2— ...... 3097 Schedules 1 and 2, as amended, agreed to...... 3097 Third Reading ...... 3097 Long Title ...... 3097

Table of Contents – Thursday, 12 September 2013

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ...... 3098 Further Answer to Question; Department of Transport and Main Roads ...... 3098 SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT ...... 3098 ADJOURNMENT ...... 3098 Alleged Deliberate Misleading of the House by a Minister ...... 3098 Tabled paper: Invitation to the member for Rockhampton, Mr Bill Byrne MP, to attend the official commissioning of the Gracemere Industrial Access Project on Friday, 24 May 2013...... 3098 Open Data ...... 3099 All Classic Motor Club of Central Queensland ...... 3099 Mulgrave Electorate, Oral Health Services ...... 3100 Tabled paper: Non-conforming petition regarding the establishment of a dental clinic for the residents of Babinda...... 3100 Gatton Hawks Rugby League Club ...... 3101 Tabled paper: Media release, dated 6 September 2013, titled ‘Coalition’s commitment to Toowoomba bypass is rock solid’...... 3101 National Stroke Week ...... 3101 Atherton State High School ...... 3102 Murrumba Electorate; Driscoll, Mr S ...... 3102 Tabled paper: Webpage titled ‘Quest Community eNewspapers, North Lakes Times, 29 August 2013’...... 3102 Gold Coast Cruise Ship Terminal ...... 3103 Tabled paper: Bundle of documents relating to the Broadwater ecological study...... 3103 Zig Zag Young Women’s Resource Centre ...... 3103 ATTENDANCE ...... 3104

12 Sep 2013 Legislative Assembly 3021

THURSDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2013 ______

The Legislative Assembly met at 9.30 am. Madam Speaker (Hon. Fiona Simpson, Maroochydore) read prayers and took the chair.

PETITIONS The Clerk presented the following e-petitions, sponsored by the honourable members indicated—

Kuranda District, Boundary Change

Mr Trout, from 83 petitioners, requesting the House to allow a local government boundary change that will enable Kuranda District to separate from the Mareeba Shire Council [3422].

Fortitude Valley State School, Closure

Ms Palaszczuk, from 483 petitioners, requesting the House to reverse the proposed decision to close and sell the historic Fortitude Valley State School and redirect focus to the rapid continued growth of the school, its surrounding community and the educational needs of inner-city children [3423].

Gold Coast, Rail Service Mr Crandon, from 137 petitioners, requesting the House to provide at least three additional train services on the Gold Coast line for each of the morning and afternoon peak periods [3424].

The following lodged e-petition, sponsored by the Clerk in accordance with Standing Order 119(4), is now closed and presented—

Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve, Mining Applications 507 petitioners, requesting the House to ensure that no mining applications are granted on any part of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve [3425].

Petitions received.

TABLED PAPERS MINISTERIAL PAPERS TABLED BY THE CLERK The following ministerial papers were tabled by the Clerk—

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines (Mr Cripps)— 3426 Report of the Uranium Mining Implementation Committee: Recommencement of uranium mining in Queensland—A best practice framework, March 2013 3427 Government response to the Uranium Mining Implementation Committee titled ‘An action plan to recommence uranium mining in Queensland—Delivering a best practice framework, Implementation strategy 2013-14

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

DestinationQ Forum, Outcomes Hon. CKT NEWMAN (Ashgrove—LNP) (Premier) (9.32 am): In 2012-13 there was a six per cent increase in international visitor numbers to Queensland to more than two million visitors. Visitor nights have increased by 12 per cent to 46 million, and international visitor spend has increased by four per cent to around $4 billion. Interstate holiday-makers have also increased, with an increase of 12 per cent on the Gold Coast closely followed by tropical North Queensland, which showed an increase of 11 per cent. Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast experienced a nine per cent and six per cent increase respectively. This is no accident or fluke but the result of a great partnership that is being developed between the Queensland government and our fantastic tourism industry. I am pleased to report today on the DestinationQ conference held last month. On 27 and 28 August 2013 almost 400 representatives from the tourism industry and government gathered on the Gold Coast for the second annual DestinationQ forum. Over two days these people workshopped the major issues facing the tourism industry and agreed on the strategic

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direction the industry must take to secure its long-term prosperity. The industry has determined its priorities and these will form the basis of a 20-year plan for tourism as set out in a new partnership agreement signed by me, the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, the Hon. Jann Stuckey MP, and Mr Shane O’Reilly, chair of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council on behalf of the industry. The partnership agreement represents the cornerstone of the government’s commitment to working with the tourism industry and to our shared goal to double overnight visitor expenditure by 2020. At our inaugural DestinationQ forum last year in Cairns, industry told us it wanted a genuine partnership where government listened, where government kept its promises and where things actually happened. How novel is that? At this year’s DestinationQ forum, alongside six other ministers, I reported back to industry on progress over the last 12 months. I was pleased to report that what we promised last year was delivered. I am also pleased to say that industry recognises our efforts. Shane O’Reilly, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council chair, has openly reflected on how much we have achieved together since last year. I table the 12-month DestinationQ partnership report for the information of the House. Tabled paper: Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games: Destination Q 12-month partnership report: How we are building tourism together [3428]. I also inform the House that the 20-year plan and the first annual action plan arising from this year’s forum will be finalised before the end of this year. The 20-year vision for tourism and strategic directions identified at the 2013 DestinationQ forum have been submitted as contributions to the Queensland Plan. After a second hugely successful DestinationQ forum, my message to industry is clear: this government is here for you for the long term, but there is only so much that government can do. The tourism industry also needs to take the ball and run with it, and I know that they will do this. On behalf of the government, I thank all the operators who took time away from their businesses to participate in this year’s forum. Their time is a valuable investment in the industry’s future.

Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry, Progress on Implementation of Recommendation Hon. CKT NEWMAN (Ashgrove—LNP) (Premier) (9.35 am): The destruction and loss that recent floods brought to many Queensland families, homes and businesses will not be forgotten by this government. The impact of the most recent floods in early 2013 was a clear reminder that our state will always be subject to climatic extremes. Last Wednesday I met some Bundaberg constituents who are among those who suffered most from the 2013 floods, some extremely inspirational and positive people. They were Tim Hopper, Colin and Simone Dench and their six little kids, local hairdressing business owner Chanel Anderson, and Miguel and Marina Velsco and their family. They are without exception resilient people, recovering well and getting on with it. However, some people will still need ongoing help to get back on track, and we will provide that help wherever we can. For the future, the challenge for government is to plan better, prepare earlier and respond quickly and efficiently to disasters. Since the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry delivered it final report in March 2012, the government has been systematically implementing its 177 recommendations of which 123 relate to state responsibilities. Today I table the Floods Commission of Inquiry implementation update, which details the progress we have made so far in addressing the commission’s recommendations. Tabled paper: Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry Final Report—implementation update, August 2013 [3429]. The report focused on the technical issues that need to be addressed to improve our capacity to withstand natural disasters. That is why work is ongoing on long-term technical studies like the Brisbane River catchment flood study and the Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams optimisation studies. We need to get these studies right so our solutions can stand the test of time. The Minister for Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience has also been working hard on disaster resilience, on betterment of flood-prone infrastructure and structural flood mitigation measures so we can reduce the need for future reconstruction and recovery. We have put in place a streamlined process to ensure that local governments have quick access to the funds that they need to undertake flood mitigation projects. We are focused on funding support and

12 Sep 2013 Ministerial Statements 3023

infrastructure to better enable local communities to take the lead on flood protection. We are also pursuing the $725 million in Commonwealth funds that the previous Labor federal government refused to pay Queensland for flood repairs under the NDRRA. The government remains committed to implementing all of the commission’s recommendations and working with local communities to ensure we are better prepared for future floods.

Overseas Trade Mission Hon. JW SEENEY (Callide—LNP) (Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning) (9.38 am): Last week I led a trade delegation, involving about 20 Queensland businesspeople, to visit India and southern Africa. The mission consisted of over 20 official meetings in eight different cities spread over three different countries as well as a number of various functions and tours. In India our delegation met with a range of major Indian companies that currently have investments in Queensland and other companies that are interested in investing in Queensland in the future. In particular, we spent considerable time with both the Adani corporation and GVK talking about their ongoing investment in the Galilee coal resources and we had an opportunity to inspect some of the operations of both of these companies in India. Each member of the Queensland delegation was left in no doubt that both of these companies are highly sophisticated, well-resourced and experienced developers of world-class infrastructure. There can be no doubt that they have the capacity to develop the Galilee Basin coalmines and to build and operate the associated rail and port facilities to the same world-class standards that our delegation saw at Mundra seaport and Mumbai airport. The election of the Abbott government last weekend and the removal of the carbon tax will expedite the opportunity we have in Queensland to be major suppliers of quality coal to one of the fastest growing economies in the world. In South Africa and Botswana we met with both government ministers and major corporate players in the resources sector. Both South Africa and Botswana are racing to further develop their massive deposits of coal to supply the same Indian and Asian markets that will be critical for Queensland’s future. Interestingly, a significant percentage of the exploration and development work being carried out in Botswana is being done by Australian companies, as our mining services sector are recognised internationally as world leaders. We met with some of those companies operating in Botswana. This trade delegation presented great opportunities to build essential relationships with major potential customers in India and to gain an understanding of the competition we in Queensland will inevitably face in the international investment market in the future. My department is preparing a formal report on the delegation’s trip, and I will table the report in parliament so that all members can be informed of the efforts of our government to secure the economic future of the next generation of Queenslanders.

Barrett Adolescent Centre Hon. LJ SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—LNP) (Minister for Health) (9.41 am): A number of ongoing serious failures in clinical governance and a number of clinical incidents at the Barrett Adolescent Centre at Goodna have been brought to my attention. The incidents occurred over a period of 12 months, despite corrective actions by the West Moreton Hospital and Health Service Board. Today I advise the House that a senior member of the centre’s clinical team has been stood aside by the HHS following allegations of misconduct. Repeated claims of an alleged sexual assault against a minor were not reported to the authorities or to the hospital and health service. These allegations are taken very seriously and hence my statement this morning. The family of the victim of the alleged assault is extremely distressed and has requested that their privacy be protected, and the Queensland Police Service, Crime and Misconduct Commission and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency have been advised. Arrangements have also been made for Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service to provide senior psychiatric support to the Barrett Adolescent Centre during this time. Residents at the Barrett Adolescent Centre will continue to receive the care they need. In some instances that might need to occur in adolescent mental health facilities in other HHSs. I am very disappointed and concerned about the allegations, and I assure members that the government’s response will be thorough.

3024 Ministerial Statements 12 Sep 2013

Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy Hon. JH LANGBROEK (Surfers Paradise—LNP) (Minister for Education, Training and Employment) (9.43 am): As the Minister for Education, Training and Employment, I am, of course, committed to ensuring that all Queenslanders have a quality education. It is a personal commitment of mine to improve outcomes for the 50,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Queensland. I would like to firstly place on the record that this is a commitment very much shared by the Premier, the entire Newman government, and, from what we have already seen, the incoming Abbott government. Tony Abbott has committed to elevating Indigenous matters to the highest level of government, as he will assume responsibility for this important portfolio by transferring Indigenous programs to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Tony Abbott has reached out to thought leaders and leading practitioners to guide his new government. People like ‘Twiggy’ Forrest, Warren Mundine and Noel Pearson all have runs on the board and have demonstrated a willingness to think outside the box when it comes to improving Indigenous education, training and employment outcomes. These are the types of people the Newman government will seek to work with. They share our view that it is only a partnership approach that will create opportunities for Indigenous Queenslanders; that creating opportunities cannot be the business of government alone; that raising the career aspirations of our young Indigenous people requires a concerted effort from the students themselves, their families and communities, including educators and employers. This approach is the cornerstone of Solid partners Solid Futures, the Newman government’s new four-year Indigenous education, training and employment plan released during NAIDOC week in early July. Yesterday I met with Noel Pearson to discuss the work of his Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy. In keeping with the approach of Solid partners Solid futures, I am pleased to announce the 12-month extension of the CYAAA trial until the end of 2014. The trial commenced in 2010 and extends across the schools of three cape communities: Aurukun, Coen and Hope Vale. It uses direct instruction techniques and runs programs that build students’ confidence to move between the Cape and the work and study opportunities of the world at large. An independent report has found that the trial is showing positive signs. I have also heard from senior officers in my department, teachers and principals and Tony Abbott himself, that student behaviour and the quality of the learning environment have been greatly improved. The report also found that some more time is required for the true impact of this initiative to be seen. On this advice, and with the promise of further improvements, the government has taken the view that a 12-month extension is prudent and undertakes to update the House on the continuing progress of the Cape York trial.

Native Title; Great Artesian Basin; Murray-Darling Basin Hon. AP CRIPPS (Hinchinbrook—LNP) (Minister for Natural Resources and Mines) (9.45 am): The election of the Abbott coalition government represents an exciting opportunity for Queensland’s agricultural and resources sector to make the most productive use of this state’s natural resources: land, water and minerals. As Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, I welcome the potential to create a strong partnership with the federal government that will develop a stronger and more prosperous Queensland. The Newman government can now have a constructive conversation on important federal issues that were deliberately ignored by Labor due to politics or indifference. Native title processes impose significant costs and barriers on the creation of jobs and investment in both the resources and agricultural industries. The current system of Native title is not working well for anyone with delays, indecision and conflict the dominant feature of the process. The Queensland government encourages the Abbott government to explore common-sense reforms in this area—where the former Labor government failed dismally—to pursue better outcomes for Indigenous people, local communities and the economy. In May 2013 the Rudd government announced a cut of $22.9 million to the Great Artesian Basin sustainability initiative. The Great Artesian Basin plays a pivotal role in sustaining and developing economies and communities in inland Australia. Water from the GAP supports town water supplies, pastoral and mining activities and natural springs of significant cultural and environmental value. Under the GABSI program, the Queensland and Commonwealth governments have provided

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funding for landholders to rehabilitate uncontrolled bores and replace bore drains with piping. This iconic program is vitally important to Queensland. We will take every opportunity to encourage the Abbott government to recognise the value of this program. Queensland is also seeking a $100 million package to support communities and industries affected by water cutbacks in Queensland under the federal Murray-Darling Basin plan. An intergovernmental agreement is yet to be signed by the Newman government. This includes funds for a structural adjustment package and reform of the Healthy Headwaters Program to reduce red tape and increase take-up by irrigators by encouraging innovative solutions. Last week, in the death throes of the Labor Party’s campaign, it claimed that the coalition had cut funding to this program. Unsurprisingly, this was not the case; it had simply been realigned to the objectives of the basin plan rather than the crass and parochial politics that have been played with this issue by Labor, the Greens and the Independents in Canberra. Thankfully, the Liberal National Coalition has indicated that buyback should be a last resort and that a higher priority should be given to water-efficient infrastructure. Murray-Darling Basin communities will be breathing a sigh of relief this week that a sensible and grown-up government in Canberra will be implementing the Murray-Darling Basin plan. Queensland will be seeking to engage with the Abbott government on all of these matters as a matter of priority.

Bushfire Preparedness; Australian Federal Police Hon. JM DEMPSEY (Bundaberg—LNP) (Minister for Police and Community Safety) (9.49 am): The coalition’s convincing win on Saturday heralds a new dawn for state and federal cooperation. Just like the Newman government, the Abbott government will be getting on with business and getting on with doing the job. Firstly, as we all know, the disaster season is nearly upon us and the bushfire season has already commenced. Many Queenslanders know all too well the kind of support and rebuilding that is required after a flood or a cyclone. I look forward to working with my federal counterparts on a review of the disaster relief payment process and to streamlining a process which has been tied up in federal red tape for far too long. A review of Queensland and federal disaster relief arrangements will help to ensure Queenslanders are able to access funds as quickly as possible, with a minimum of fuss and delay. Another initiative I hope to explore is an increased Australian Federal Police presence in Queensland cities such as Cairns and the Gold Coast. This government is tackling crime and getting serious about law and order, with an additional 300 police last year and a further 267 being recruited above attrition rates this year. However, under Labor the Federal Police presence on the Gold Coast was withdrawn. The Gold Coast is one area in particular where a Federal Police presence would boost our ability to fight illegal gangs and organised crime. Another area requiring enhanced coordination is the Torres Strait Islands. Support from a range of federal agencies such as Customs, the department of immigration and the Australian Federal Police would help reduce the burden on Queensland Police Service officers to both patrol and manage crime. This government is all about making Queensland a great state with great opportunity—the safest state in Australia. I certainly look forward to raising these issues and working with my new counterparts in the 44th Parliament of Australia.

Procurement Policy Hon. TL MANDER (Everton—LNP) (Minister for Housing and Public Works) (9.50 am): The Newman government is taking government procurement from being a back office function and is recognising the contribution it can make not only to Queensland’s bottom line but also to the everyday lives of Queenslanders. The Queensland government currently spends about $11 billion annually on goods and services including capital assets and works. With this magnitude of spend there is enormous potential to deliver savings, and we plan to do that over the next five years—aiming to save between $660 million and $1.3 billion. In transforming the way we do our procurement we plan to eliminate administrative burden, reduce red tape and present government as an attractive customer who is easy to do business with. But to harness these savings and benefits we need to make real changes on the ground in the way we approach our procurement.

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The government’s new Procurement Policy has shifted from taking a prescriptive approach focused on compliance to taking a principles based, outcome focused approach which is flexible and encourages innovation without forgoing accountability. The policy has been reduced from 32 pages to two, with a few additional pages of explanation. The new Queensland Procurement Policy is based on six principles. Principle 1 is that we will drive value for money in our procurement. This is the primary principle of the QPP, reflecting this government’s focus on delivering value-for-money outcomes. Principle 2 is that we will act as one government, working together across agency boundaries to achieve savings and benefits. Principle 3 is that we will strive to be leaders in procurement practice—that we will understand our needs, the market, our suppliers and have the capability to deliver better outcomes. Principle 4 is that we will use our procurement to advance the government’s economic, environmental and social objectives and support the long-term wellbeing of our community. Principle 5 is that we will have the confidence of stakeholders and the community in the government management of procurement. And principle 6 is that we undertake our procurement with integrity, ensuring accountability for our outcomes. The revision of this important whole-of-government policy is a building block in our government’s drive to save millions of dollars, restore accountability at the right levels and achieve much needed cultural changes across the public sector. The journey is just beginning. I am encouraged by the progress made so far and by the level of cooperation by departments across government. The department has already conducted forums in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and on the Gold and Sunshine coasts to explain the new policy to relevant stakeholders, and a seventh forum will be held in Toowoomba next Wednesday. I am happy to be part of that process. The whole-of-government procurement strategy puts us on the right path to deliver great benefits to the government, to suppliers and to the people of Queensland.

Great Barrier Reef Hon. AC POWELL (Glass House—LNP) (Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection) (9.54 am): It gives me enormous pleasure to stand in the House this morning, buoyed by the weekend election result and the win by the coalition. As I said on Tuesday, it will be refreshing to work with a stable and grown-up Tony Abbott led federal government—a government that will make environmental decisions based on science and not opinion polls, a federal government that will be focused on good public policy and not grubby internal green politics. The federal coalition has announced a long-term and practical commitment to environmental protection of the Great Barrier Reef, committing $40 million for the creation of a reef trust as part of its Reef Plan 2050. As acknowledged by a number of third parties, the Newman government has taken decisive action to remedy the poor decisions made by the previous Labor government at the state level, and I am confident that measures outlined in Reef Plan 2050 will significantly complement the Newman government’s reef protection efforts. It is important to remember that it was on Labor’s watch that concerns were first raised over the state of the Great Barrier Reef, and it is a matter of public record that the Australian public and the international community lost confidence in the reef’s management under the former state and federal Labor governments. I intend to work hard with the federal environment minister to restore this confidence. The Newman government has done more to protect the Great Barrier Reef in 18 months than the previous state Labor government did in the previous 20 years. The Newman government has clearly demonstrated our intention to protect the Great Barrier Reef. Aside from significantly scaling back the previous state government’s crazy plans for a multicargo facility at Abbot Point—crazy plans that made no sense from either an economic or an environmental perspective—the Newman government committed to the objectives of the reef water quality plan and allocated $35 million each year for reef initiatives. This government has already successfully entered into best practice management agreements with the grazing and cane industries, working with and not against these industries to help reduce environmental impacts on the reef—real, practical, direct action. The draft Great Barrier Reef Ports Strategy was released late last year and we have established the Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership—real, practical, direct action.

12 Sep 2013 Motion 3027

While we worked hard with the former federal government to deliver a comprehensive federal-state strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef, the measures announced by the coalition will go further. Our federal colleagues share our commitment to protect the reef and the jobs it supports. The reef trust will take a grown-up, strategic approach to conservation of coastal habitat and water quality whilst also adopting a holistic approach to turtle and dugong protection. Queensland is a great state with great opportunity, and those opportunities will only be enhanced now there is certainty at the federal level. I look forward to working with the Abbott coalition government to deliver strong outcomes for Queensland, for the Great Barrier Reef and for this nation.

Sunshine Coast, Innovative Business Hon. IB WALKER (Mansfield—LNP) (Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts) (9.57 am): It gives me great pleasure to update the House on some wonderful developments in innovative business on the Sunshine Coast. The Newman government is a proud supporter of innovation and business growth right across the Sunshine Coast region. By working collaboratively with local organisations like the Innovation Centre at the Sunshine Coast and the University of the Sunshine Coast, we are helping to grow employment and stimulate economic growth in this very important and vibrant region. Just last week I visited both the university and the Innovation Centre. I was amazed to see the growth of the university and to see some particularly innovative developments in both science and engineering on that campus. The Innovation Centre at the university really is a thriving hub. I was pleased to be there to help celebrate the Innovation Centre’s key milestone of reaching 100 start-up clients. It was fantastic to meet the operators of newNRG, an innovative online antiobesity program. NewNRG uses evidence based on science and humorous animation to drive behavioural change. This application has the potential to become a national and quite possibly international success. That has certainly been the case with the Innovation Centre’s success story Future Oceans. This is an innovative business that manufactures underwater acoustic devices that prevent whales, dolphins and porpoises from becoming entangled in nets and commercial fishing gear. The centre has played a vital part in the development of many such businesses. It has created 431 jobs and raised nearly $29 million in investment and grants. The Newman government was pleased to commit further additional funding of $325,000 over three years to the Innovation Centre. The Newman government supports this activity on the Sunshine Coast and looks forward to further activity from the centre.

MOTION

Amendments to Standing Orders Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (Leader of the House) (9.59 am), by leave, without notice: I move— That standing orders 263A and 263B of the Standing Rules and Orders of the Legislative Assembly be amended in accordance with the amendments circulated in my name, effective immediately.

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AMENDMENTS TO STANDING ORDERS

STANDING RULES AND ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

CHAPTER 42 ABSENCE OF MEMBERS 1. Omit Standing Order 263A, insert the following: ‘263A. Notification of absence of member for more than four consecutive sitting days (1) If a member is absent, or intends to be absent, from the Legislative Assembly for more than four consecutive sitting days, the member shall notify the Speaker in writing of their absence or intended absence. The notification must state the length of the absence, the reason for the absence and be supported by a medical certificate or any other evidence that is acceptable to the Speaker. (2) If a member is absent, or intends to be absent, from the Legislative Assembly for more than four sitting days within any period of nine consecutive sitting days, the member shall notify the Speaker in writing of their absence or intended absence. The notification must state the length of the absence, the reason for the absence and be supported by a medical certificate or any other evidence that is acceptable to the Speaker.

3028 Motion 12 Sep 2013

(3) Upon receipt of a written notification by a member in accordance with (1) or (2), the Speaker shall, on the next sitting day, report the member’s absence, or intended absence, to the House.’ 2. Omit Standing Order 263B, insert the following: ‘263B. Leave of absence of member for 12 consecutive sitting days or more (1) The House may, by motion without notice, grant a member a leave of absence from attending the Legislative Assembly for 12 consecutive sitting days or more. The motion must state the length of leave of absence. (2) A member shall be excused from attending sittings of the House, or any committee, so long as they have a leave of absence in accordance with (1). (3) A leave of absence shall cease if the member attends a sitting of the House or any committee before the expiry of the period of leave.’ The amendments provide that a member must provide written notice to the Speaker if they will be absent for a period of more than four consecutive sitting days or for more than four sitting days within any period of nine consecutive sitting days and in both instances to be supported by a medical certificate or any other acceptable evidence. The amendments are in accordance with the recommendations in the CLA report No. 9 tabled yesterday. Ms PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Leader of the Opposition) (10.00 am): The Opposition supports this motion wholeheartedly. Madam Speaker, you may recall that on 3 June I wrote to you about this matter. I think we have the situation now that the public recognises that members of parliament should be turning up to parliament. They should be doing the right thing and representing their constituents. This matter then went to the CLA, where there was wholehearted bipartisan support for this very important issue. We can no longer have the situation in this place where members just come and go or come in for half an hour. We need to make sure that we perform our duties in line with public expectations. That means that we turn up to do our job, we turn up in this House, we perform our duties and we represent the electors we were elected to represent. That is the cornerstone of our democracy and that is the right thing to do. We will be supporting this amendment in a bipartisan way, as it should be. Mrs CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (10.01 am): I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment of this motion. Without being pedantic, and without wishing ill on anybody, I want clarification as the motion is very specific and says, ‘A member must provide.’ In the circumstance where a member is unable personally to provide that because of ill health or accident, will a delegate representing that member be able to equally provide that information? Mr WELLINGTON (Nicklin—Ind) (10.01 am): I also seek clarification from the Manager of Government Business. I note that this motion states specifically— The notification must state the length of the absence, the reason for the absence and be supported by a medical certificate or any other evidence that is acceptable to the Speaker. I simply raise a scenario: what if a member of parliament chooses to go on a world tour? Mr Hopper interjected. Mr WELLINGTON: A world tour. That is right, member for Condamine. Although the government of the day and the Manager of Government Business of the day may be aware of where this member is going and what the member’s agenda is, other members of the House may not be aware of the member’s proposed itinerary and the member’s return to parliament date. My question is: is the government and the Manager of Government Business prepared to support the expansion of the reason for the absence from not just a medical certification but other certification perhaps if the member wants to travel overseas for an extended period of time? Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (Leader of the House) (10.02 am): Certainly, it is the intention of these changes to the standing orders to include matters raised on behalf of a member, which the member for Gladstone raised. This is not to deny any member with legitimate reasons for being absent from the parliament. However, if there are not legitimate reasons for being absent from the parliament, obviously, the member will be trapped by this change to the standing orders. In relation to the member for Nicklin’s thoughts that a member might be travelling overseas on a world tour, if a member wants to go on a world tour—and it is a shame that they would ignore the importance of the 42 parliamentary sitting days to not take notice of that itinerary when they are organising their world tour—and they provided evidence to Madam Speaker in relation to their world tour, that is a matter for the parliament to deliver the appropriate leave of absence on. So if there is a world tour coming up on the member’s agenda, for instance, and the member raised the matter—

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Mr Wellington: Certainly not on mine. Mr STEVENS: I just use the member for Nicklin as an example. If the member reported to Madam Speaker about his upcoming world tour— Mr Wellington: No, I am not. Mr STEVENS: I know that. I am just using the member as an example. If Madam Speaker felt that the reasons the member was going on this world tour at this time were not appropriate, he would come back to the House and then the matter would be discussed in the House. So the member for Nicklin is well and truly covered and anyone else. Mr WELLINGTON: I rise to a point of order. I find those comments offensive. I have no intention of going on a world tour. I was reflecting on a former member and a former minister of the Liberal National Party. Madam SPEAKER: Order! I believe the member finds those comments offensive and I ask that you withdraw. Mr STEVENS: I withdraw. However, further to the matter of proposed world tours by any member, there is legislation coming into the House today, which is a corollary of these changes to the standing orders, that would allow for 12 days of absence instead of 21 days in the sitting year to be the new criteria for a member’s absence from the House—any member. That will be in legislation introduced into the House today. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

Reports Mr DAVIES (Capalaba—LNP) (10.06 am): I lay upon the table of the House report No. 32 of the Finance and Administration Committee. This annual report covers the 2011-12 financial year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who contributed to the work. Tabled paper: Finance and Administration Committee: Report No. 32—Annual Report 2012-13 [3430]. I also lay on the table of the House report No. 33. This report covers the committee’s attendance to the 12th Australasian Council of Public Accounts Committees biennial conference hosted in New South Wales. I commend the reports to the House. Tabled paper: Finance and Administration Committee: Report No. 33—Report on the 12th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Council of Public Accounts Committees [3431].

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Madam SPEAKER: Question time will finish at 11.07 am.

Department of Transport and Main Roads Ms PALASZCZUK (10.07 am): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. How many permanent or contract staff left the employ of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, TransLink or Queensland Rail in 2012 because of the Newman government’s job cuts and who have since been re-employed by these agencies? How much severance pay has been repaid? Mr EMERSON: I thank the member for that question. I am happy to answer what I can and I am happy to provide those details to the member. I can point out the history of TMR under Labor. Let us recall what occurred when the Leader of the Opposition was transport minister. We saw voluntary redundancies. We saw a massive payment out of taxpayers’ money of more than $90 million. What happened in the end? How many people were left in the department? There were more people in the department at the end than there were when it started. This is Labor’s incompetence. This is its mismanagement. This is its inability. And here they come out and complain about what we are doing—complain about us trying to fix the mess that Labor put in place—but under Labor, when the minister was transport minister, we saw $90 million of taxpayers’ money paid out and in the end there were more people in the department.

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What a disgrace. Have we ever heard the now Leader of the Opposition apologise for that debacle? No. We know that time and time again she failed on public transport. She failed on transport. That is just another example of the incompetence of Labor on a whole series of issues. All they were focused on was mismanagement, increasing public transport fares by 15 per cent year after year and increasing car rego by 30 per cent over four years. That is the incompetence we saw. We saw incompetence like ordering trains without any seats and trains that could not fit into tunnels. There was incompetence over and over again. The most damning example from this minister was a redundancy program that saw more people in the department than there was in the beginning with the taxpayers paying out $90 million because of that incompetence. That is the appalling effort we saw. We know that there is going to be example after example, portfolio after portfolio. We have already heard about the payroll debacle. We have seen it in terms of the computer system. We know that minister after minister has inherited these jobs and seen that incompetence. I say to the Leader of the Opposition that when she was transport minister her only achievement was beating Rachel Nolan as the worst transport minister this state has ever seen. That was her achievement.

Gracemere Overpass Ms PALASZCZUK: My next question is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. Given that Robert Schwarten, Brad Carter and Paul Hoolihan played integral roles in the development of the Gracemere overpass project, will the minister now explain to the House why his office insisted that they were uninvited from the project’s opening in May this year? I table the documents. Tabled paper: Emails within Department of Transport and Main Roads regarding Gracemere overpass official opening [3432]. Mr EMERSON: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. Let us talk about the Gracemere overpass. That was an important project in that area. It was a $50 million overpass. We are very keen to make sure that when we open those projects the local member gets invited. Who did we invite? We invited the member for Rockhampton. What was surprising was that there was no RSVP back from him and he did not turn up on the day. It was an extraordinary situation. It was a $50 million project. It was RSVP. We made sure we invited him. Mr BYRNE: I rise to a point of order. The minister is not stating the facts on this matter in relation to the invitations that were issued. Madam SPEAKER: What is your point of order? Mr BYRNE: My point of order is that he is misleading the House in terms of what transpired. Madam SPEAKER: That is not a point of order. Take your seat. I call the minister. Mr EMERSON: Thank you. As I said, the advice I have received is that the member for Rockhampton was invited to the event. It was a major event in his area. It was a $50 million overpass. There was no RSVP. He did not turn up on the day. Who did turn up on the day? The de facto member for Rockhampton, Robbie Schwarten, was there. Mr Newman interjected. Mr EMERSON: The question has to be asked, Premier, why was the puppet master there but not the puppet? That is what you have to worry about. Why was the ventriloquist there but he left the dummy at home? That is what the situation was. It is a disgrace. The advice I have received is that the member was invited and he could not be bothered to turn up to the opening of a $50 million overpass. I was very pleased that the member for Keppel, Bruce Young, was there as my representative. He is a hardworking local member who is determined to deliver for his electorate. He turns up to events like that. The member for Rockhampton could not even be bothered to turn up for that opening. Robbie was there, but the member for Rockhampton was not there. What happened to him? Why could he not turn up? People are asking questions. The member for Rockhampton has been running a story in the local media that he has been hammering us on this issue. I have had 2½ hours of estimates hearings. I have had about eight hours of question time. In that time that he has supposedly been pursuing me on this there has been not one question on it. He tells the local media he is like a dog with a bone. Some dog! Madam SPEAKER: Minister, I would ask you to be careful about unparliamentary language. Mr EMERSON: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is extraordinary to me that the local member would not even turn up to a major opening.

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Queensland Plan Mr CRANDON: My question without notice is to the Premier. Can the Premier please update the House on the progress of the Queensland Plan now that the consultation period has closed? Mr NEWMAN: I am delighted to report that the response we have received to the Queensland Plan proves that the people of this state are full of passion and full of optimism and hope for the future. There is no doubt about that in my mind. There is no doubt that pulling the final plan together will be a very challenging exercise. It is going to need all of us to think outside the square and weigh up the various options and trade-offs. I know that this plan will ultimately set us on a path that will see great positive change for this state. I thank every single member for their support and enthusiasm for the Queensland Plan to date. The scale and scope of the grassroots engagement campaign I believe is unprecedented. We have received a lot of attention from people who do this sort of stuff on a global basis. They have recognised that we are having a real go at this that has not been attempted elsewhere in other jurisdictions. It does build a unique platform for a strong vision for Queensland. Steven Ames in particular is one of these international experts. He believes that it is important to have what he calls direct touches with so many people. That is what we are doing. He has been remarking on the efforts that we have been undertaking. While the final numbers are still to come we know that we have heard from essentially more than 53,000 Queenslanders, including individuals, associations, organisations and groups. The submissions we have received represent that number of people. That is an incredible response. Big or small, state-wide or local, businesses, communities and families have been talking through the issues and engaging on those important matters that will govern Queensland’s future. In large rooms, school halls, backpacker hostels, sports clubs and up the main street people have taken their time to have their say. We now have this great responsibility in Brisbane on 9 and 10 October to shape these diverse ideas so that they can be fed into the final plan. The invitations to the summit went out last week to MPs. People should have got a letter or will get a letter shortly: mayors, a broad spectrum of business, industry, community groups, youth and other eminent Queenslanders. At the summit we will need to craft real outcomes—I stress that: real outcomes—that will be written into the plan. For example, I think we need to make a very clear statement about what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will look like in this state in 30 years time. It has to be right up there with everybody else, no longer accepting the disadvantage that is there today. I am very excited about taking these next important steps for this great plan for Queensland’s future.

Hill, Mr T Mr BYRNE: My question is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. Here is your chance: I refer to RTI documents showing Mr Terry Hill was ranked equal first by a selection panel to fill one of four positions as regional director within the minister’s department and I ask: will the minister advise why Mr Hill’s name was on the list of the four recommended appointees sent to the director-general for approval on 7 June but his name was magically removed from the replacement recommendations sent on 11 June? Mr EMERSON: I am very pleased to finally get a question from the member for Rockhampton on this issue. As I said a bit earlier, he has been talking to his local media about how he has been pursuing this issue endlessly, but in fact at the estimates hearings he had 2½ hours to ask me about it and there was not one question. He has had question time after question time after question time after question time, but has never asked a question on this. He talks to his local media and gets on the local radio station and says, ‘I am pursuing this’, but he does not ask one question of me. He does not ask one question about this. The appointment of regional directors is a matter for the director-general. As the director-general said when he was questioned about this in the estimates hearing, appointments are a matter for the director-general. I think the reality is that the member for Rockhampton is terribly embarrassed by the fact that he did not turn up to the major opening of one of the most important projects in his community— Opposition members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Order, members! There are too many interjections.

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Mr EMERSON: As I said, I suspect that the member for Rockhampton is embarrassed by the fact that he failed to turn up to one of the major openings in his area, the $50 million overpass at Gracemere. The member for Keppel turns up, represents his community and fights for his community. He is a hardworking local member. He is an example of someone from Central Queensland who is delivering for the local electorate and who is working hard. The alternative example is someone who does not even turn up to the major opening in his area. Instead, Robbie Schwarten, his mentor and master, turned up. I make it very clear: the reality is, as the director-general has made perfectly clear— Opposition members interjected. Mr Byrne: Answer the question. Madam SPEAKER: Order, members! I now warn the member for Rockhampton under standing order 253A. There are too many interjections from my left. I call the minister. Mr EMERSON: I make it very clear that the director-general makes decisions regarding regional directors. In terms of Terry Hill, his contract was due to expire at the end of June and it was not renewed, as the director-general made very clear during the estimates hearings. As I have said, the member for Rockhampton has had many opportunities to question me about this. He goes to the local media to say he is pursuing this, but I can tell the House that he has not asked me one question. He does not tell his local media that in all the time he has been pursuing the issue he has not asked the minister one question about it. In the same way, he could not be bothered to turn up to a major event in his electorate. They must be wondering what their local member is doing. Maybe they are even thinking, ‘Bring back Robbie; he was better than this bloke.’ (Time expired)

Mary Valley Economic Development Strategy Mr GIBSON: My question without notice is to the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning. Can the Deputy Premier provide for the House an update on the progress of the Newman government’s Mary Valley Economic Development Strategy? Mr SEENEY: I thank the member for Gympie for the question. I certainly can provide an update. Before I do, I congratulate the member for Gympie for the efforts that he is leading to restore the Mary Valley to some semblance of normality following the horrific impacts of the terrible administration of the Labor government. All members in this House and all Queenslanders will remember the enormous amounts of money that were wasted by the former Labor government on the failed Traveston dam proposal. The former government spent about $450 million acquiring over 450-odd properties in the Mary Valley, but that was only part of the money wasted by the former Labor government on the Traveston dam proposal. Our estimates are that about $650 million to $700 million in total was wasted. Mr Johnson interjected. Mr SEENEY: As the member for Gregory quite rightly points out, families were torn apart and communities were destroyed. The bigger cost was what happened to the communities of the Mary Valley. When we came to government, we understood that in trying to restore the communities of the Mary Valley the important thing was to establish an economic base, to ensure that there are businesses in the Mary Valley that can provide jobs and economic opportunities and to put the properties to market in line with the development of that local economy. Yesterday, I was happy to announce the latest development lease that has been signed in that strategy. We signed a development lease with Mary Valley Chickens Pty Ltd, which plans to build a $7 million poultry farm in the Mary Valley. That will add to the other development opportunities and leases that we have signed with education specialist the Higher Ground Group, Cedar Hill Ferns, three ginger farming operations, a honeybee farm, a farm stay for disabled Queenslanders and their families, Beautanicals Herbs and Seeds and a bed-and-breakfast operation. Altogether, some $17.6 million worth of capital investment is planned for the Mary Valley, that is, $17.6 million worth of capital investment that will be enabled by the development leases that we are entering into, which will potentially create 84 new jobs in the Mary Valley. That is the just the beginning, because the problem that was left by the previous Labor government was so large. Over 450 properties had to be put back to the market. The interest in acquiring those properties is certainly building. On 31 August, some 12 properties were put to the market. Ten of them sold on the day and two have since gone under contract. That indicates that

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there is a growing interest for people to move back to the Mary Valley. There is a growing interest in rebuilding the communities in the Mary Valley to undo the damage done by the former government. The member for Gympie and my department will continue to work with the local authorities and the local communities to rebuild the Mary Valley as one of the most beautiful parts of Queensland. (Time expired)

Bell Race Club Mr HOPPER: My question is to the Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing. In Dalby recently, at a Southern Downs Racing Association meeting, Mr Col Truscott advised Mr Col Bradley, the President of the Bell Race Club, that Bell may lose its second race meeting, which was allocated by the minister in his position as Minister for Racing. Can the minister clarify if this is the case? Mr DICKSON: I thank the member for the question. As we are all aware, when we came to government Racing Queensland and racing within Queensland were on their knees, decimated and destroyed by the former Labor government. We can count on two people in that area: Bob Bentley and Bill Ludwig. At the moment, a commission of inquiry is sorting out that sordid mess. Since coming to power, we have invested $1 million a year into country racing because we know that 30,000 people are employed in that industry. It is one of the biggest employers throughout the state. We are delivering great outcomes, regardless of whether it is for St George, Bell or other towns. Every year, Bell is getting a country race meeting in January. Last year and this year it also held one of our Celebrate country racing meets, which is a fantastic outcome. The population of Bell is roughly 400 people and about 700 or 800 people turned up to the meets. It is just like St George: it had its best race day in 75 years. Bell has had a great outcome as far as racing is concerned. However, we will not stop until we get racing back to a position where it is ahead of New South Wales and Victoria. That is our real challenge. As far as race dates are concerned, we cannot put all races in one particular basket. We are spreading the dates throughout the state of Queensland. That is what the country racing committee decides upon and also the new racing boards that we have put into place. They make proposals, they put those ideas and suggestions forward and they deliver great outcomes. We have given the authority back to the racing industry. In the past, Labor gave it to its union mates and they made a mash of the whole situation here in Queensland. I have been to many racetracks, as have many members of this side of the House, but I cannot get to 133 race clubs throughout Queensland. I would love to attend them all, as I would love to attend our 8,000 sporting groups. However, we are supporting the industry and we are delivering on behalf of the industry. Every year $1 million goes into country racing and that is a shot in the arm. It is a stimulus to country racing. Also, over the past two years we have put $2.5 million a year into the QTIS program, which is another great stimulus. However, when we look for the problem in racing, it all stems back to the other side of the House: the ex-racing minister, their union mates and the people who destroyed the industry. That is why the commission of inquiry is happening right now. I look forward to what comes out of that inquiry. It is a shame it did not get put forward before the federal election, but Labor has been decimated at a federal level and it has been decimated at a state level. On this side of the House, we are here to look after Queensland. We are a grown-up government that cares about this state and cares about creating jobs. That is what we care about.

Abbott Government, Electricity Industry

Mr GRANT: My question is to the Minister for Energy and Water Supply. Can the minister please advise how the incoming coalition federal government can work with the Newman government in implementing real electricity sector reform for businesses and households? Mr McARDLE: I thank the member for the question. It is very impressive to see the Prime Minister-elect out of the blocks from day one implementing his real solutions for all Australians. He is taking the job very seriously. It is sad to say that the federal colleagues of the members opposite have not even chosen their leader. They have not come together to choose the leader whose job it will be to try to hold the Prime Minister-elect to account.

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It was odd to hear Stephen Conroy come out recently and say that the rules for the election of the ALP leader are a farce. Before seven days have passed the old factions in the ALP are at it again at a federal level. The old saying is: ‘If you can’t govern yourself, you can’t govern the country.’ The ALP has learnt nothing from the drubbing of less than seven days ago. It is a bit more than that, colleagues. Nick Champion, the Labor member for the seat of Wakefield in South Australia— Mr Nicholls interjected. Mr McARDLE: As I am told by the Treasurer, he is a wonderful man. He even said he is a champion. He came out recently saying, ‘We should abolish the carbon tax.’ He made that comment. I heard Tony Maher of the CFMEU say in relation to Mr Champion’s comments that this was ‘cheap kindergarten politics; he has walked into it like an amateur’. Who rules the Labor Party? The unions do. Seven days after the election we have the old factions at it again. We have Conroy saying that the way they pick a leader is a farce. Mr Newman: Why would you be a member of the organisation? Mr McARDLE: I take that interjection. Why would you bother signing up? Why would you pay your money to the ALP when the unions run things? The factions are at it again after less than seven days. It is unbelievable. Contrast that to Tony Abbott. On day one, Sunday morning, he was out for a ride getting fit and went into the office to get briefed. He is doing the job. I will be more than happy to work with the new minister for energy and resources. It well may be Ian Macfarlane. If it is, he has a wealth of knowledge in this area. We can work with him to achieve a lot of things for this great state and this great nation. I urge him to review the RET scheme from day one. It is adding an incredible burden to the people of this state, whether they be businesspeople, families, livestock owners or irrigators. In all situations the RET scheme needs to be reviewed. (Time expired)

Public Transport, Fares Mr MULHERIN: My question is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. I refer to the fact that the LNP’s policy of free travel on the TransLink network after nine trips in a week was only supposed to cost $9 million. I ask: how much was expended on this initiative in 2012-13? Will the minister table documents outlining the true cost of this initiative? Mr EMERSON: I am so pleased to take this question from the member opposite. Firstly, I would say to him, ‘Refer to the budget. All the figures are in there. Have a look at the budget.’ Mr Nicholls: The annual report might help. Mr EMERSON: Or the annual report, as the Treasurer said. This initiative is one of the most successful we have had. Let us go back to the bad old days under Labor in terms of public transport; the bad old days when the Leader of the Opposition was transport minister. Let us not forget what their policy was. Their policy was 15 per cent fare increases year after year after year. I saw an extraordinary comment during the week from Robert Dow. Many members may know Robert Dow from RAIL—Back on Track. He was part of the Labor government’s public transport advisory group. He made an extraordinary claim in the Courier-Mail the other day. Let us not forget that Robert Dow was part of the Labor minister’s public transport advisory group. He was at the heart of the government and watching what they were doing. He was seeing these 15 per cent fare increases. He made this extraordinary claim which I think the Leader of the Opposition has to get up and deny because it is so disturbing. Anyone with constituents who use public transport must be worried about this claim. Mr Robert Dow said when talking about Labor’s 15 per cent fare increases— I think that’s been quite a deliberate strategy since 2010, to make it costly in order to control patronage. This is from a guy who was working closely with the then minister and now says that there was a secret plan from Labor to jack up fares to drive people away from public transport. What an extraordinary claim from Robert Dow. I have not seen the now Leader of the Opposition then transport minister get up anywhere in the media and deny the claim that Labor had a policy to deliberately drive away patronage. That is what Robert Dow claimed: that Labor had a secret plan to drive away patronage.

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Why else would they be insistent on putting up fares by 15 per cent year after year? It remains their policy. Let us not forget, if Labor were still in power some of our constituents would be paying $1,000 more a year for public transport. (Time expired)

BreastScreen Queensland Mrs SMITH: My question without notice is to the Minister for Health. I refer the minister to the decision of the Newman government to make a record investment in BreastScreen Queensland, and I ask: is the minister in possession of the latest breast screening data? Mr SPRINGBORG: I thank the honourable member for Mount Ommaney absolutely for her question. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the member for Mount Ommaney for her extraordinary commitment and diligence in her electorate. Only recently she was extremely successful in advocating on behalf of Canossa for a return of the palliative care beds that were taken away by the previous government. Again we have the honourable member for Mount Ommaney talking about important healthcare issues. In this case it is an important healthcare issue for women in Queensland and their families. There is no doubt about it that the Newman government is absolutely committed to expanding breast screening services for Queensland women. We have had a very strong commitment in this area in the time that we have been in government. I can inform the honourable member for Mount Ommaney that in the last financial year we have conducted a record number of breast screens in Queensland— some 232-odd thousand breast screens. We are intending to do more. In actual fact, we have allocated funding for about 238,000 breast screens in the current financial year. I say to the honourable member, the parliament and Queensland women, ‘Please take up the opportunity to have regular breast screening done.’ We have a greater degree of funded capacity than the number of women who have taken up that opportunity. It is extremely important that women at high risk avail themselves of this fantastic service. I look forward to more women taking advantage of that regular screening service. I acknowledge that invitations will be going out to women in the 70 to 74 age group during this financial year. It builds on the commitment of the Newman government, courtesy of the Premier and the Treasurer, to ensure that we see real benefits from the confiscation of the assets of the fake Tahitian prince. We all remember his actions under the previous Labor government in Queensland. One thing the Premier and Treasurer were very keen to do was make sure that the money that we were able to recover from the proceeds of his ill-gotten gains went straight back into Queensland Health services. One such thing was an additional $1 million to provide additional breast screening services for Queensland women. During the course of this year we are also going to roll out further breast screening services on the north side of Brisbane for familial cases. That is for women who are at high risk of breast cancer because of the bracket 2 gene. We want to make sure that we actually detect those cases at an early stage and make sure those women get the security and comfort that they so deserve. (Time expired)

Public Transport Mr PITT: My question without notice is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. I know that the minister has committed to deliver a new public transport fare structure by July 2013 but to date has failed to do so. Will the minister guarantee that his failure to meet his own deadlines will not drive patronage on public transport any lower than the five-year low he delivered in 2012-13? Mr EMERSON: As I said before, I love these dorothy dixers coming from the other side of parliament. They are just great. So I do thank the member for the question. They may have missed the announcement that we made about our latest initiative in terms of trying to deal with the fare issues that we inherited from the previous government, after halving Labor’s planned fare increases of 15 per cent—we kept our election promise. Let’s not forget what Labor’s election promise was. Labor’s election promise was to put fares up again another 15 per cent and another 15 per cent and it would have kept going on and on and on.

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We are committed to not going back to the bad old days of Labor of 15 per cent fare increases. That is our first initiative. Our second initiative was—and, again, this was raised in a Dorothy Dixer earlier—free travel after nine journeys. The reality is that that is a great initiative that many people are going to benefit from. We kept to our election promise. We delivered on that. Again, that is something that the then Labor government derided, complained about and would not do. They were keen on their policy of 15 per cent fare increases every year, year after year. Most recently, as part of our fare review, we have announced that we are bringing forward the off-peak period by half an hour in the morning peak from 1 January. Bringing the off-peak period forward by half an hour means that more people travelling a little bit later to work in that peak period can take advantage of those off-peak fares. Even though I have done media on it, even though we put out a media release about it, clearly the Labor Party and the Manager of Opposition Business ignored that issue, avoided that issue. They could not deal with it because we know that the only policy that Labor are interested in, still, is their 15 per cent fare increases. We still have not seen the Leader of the Opposition get up and explain what we just revealed— that extraordinary claim by Robert Dow. All I heard when the Leader of the Opposition was responding by way of interjection was her saying, ‘I wasn’t the minister at the time in 2010. I wasn’t the minister in 2010.’ Well, I am sorry but she was a minister in 2011. She was a minister then when the policy was being considered in government. She was a minister in the cabinet then, but the reality was—

Ms Palaszczuk: Answer the question. Mr EMERSON: And she does not like to talk about it—that Robert Dow, a member of her public transport advisory group, claimed that they had a deliberate strategy to drive away passengers from public transport, exposing Labor’s secret plan to drive away passengers with their 15 per cent fare increases—an extraordinary claim. Defend it.

(Time expired)

Bovine Johne’s Disease Mr KRAUSE: My question without notice is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Can the minister please outline how the Newman government is continuing to support primary producers affected by bovine Johne’s disease? Dr McVEIGH: I thank the member for his question. The Newman government is continuing to get behind the state’s cattle industry and support them in tackling the impacts of bovine Johne’s disease. We are now providing up to $3 million in additional support for those beef producers who are still grappling with the impacts of BJD on their livestock operations. Previously a $2 million funding package was provided to kick-start our BJD assistance effort. The government has accelerated the funding which will now provide affected producers with immediate access to a pool of up to $5 million. We have listened to producers and industry groups who have been calling for this extra support in recent months and we have responded. We had planned for the extra $3 million to be tipped into the Queensland Cattle Industry Biosecurity Fund, which the Premier and I launched earlier this year, on a dollar for dollar basis once the beef industry biosecurity levy was up and running from mid next year. However, there were long delays in establishing the levy collection mechanism, caused as usual by the previous federal Labor government. The extra funding from the Newman government’s biosecurity fund means there is now scope for more assistance for producers, and I have directed the interim industry advisory committee to review the program’s coverage and its current cap of $50,000. Any funds of the $5 million now available for BJD assistance that remain unspent as at 30 June 2014 will be redirected to the Queensland Cattle Industry Biosecurity Fund as a loan from the government. An industry levy is being established that will underwrite the biosecurity fund that will support our beef industry through any future disease incidents. It is worth noting that at the northern Australian beef industry round table meeting I attended on 26 June this year in Darwin both the Western Australian and Northern Territory governments fully endorsed Queensland’s response and determination to eradicate BJD. I acknowledge the support of AgForce, Brahman breeders, the Cattle Council of Australia and other industry representatives in that regard.

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I am pleased to advise that, of the 170 properties that were originally identified as potentially affected, we are down to just 35. It is still our aim therefore to eradicate BJD from affected properties and maintain Queensland’s protected zone status, which is so very important for our strong reputation in international markets.

Gold Coast Hospital Dr DOUGLAS: My question is to the Minister for Health. Can the minister please provide the parliament an explanation as to why the latest executive appointments of Gold Coast Hospital senior staff and advisers—specifically Jane Hancock, Martin Connor and Will Butcher—did not go through the normal advertising and probity processes? Mr SPRINGBORG: I acknowledge the question from the honourable member for Gaven. What we have is the honourable member for Gaven who continues to run around the Gold Coast and elsewhere making all sorts of allegations and assertions about a whole range of things—a whole range of things where there has been no substantiation and indeed repudiation of matters which he has raised; a range of other issues in areas where, in part, he may have been right on the fringe; and a range of other issues which are continuing to be under review. The honourable member for Gaven needs to consider his impact on the staff and also morale within the health service in general. Whilst it is true that a number of people attended a staff forum only recently, there are many thousands of Queensland Health staff and Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service staff who did not attend that forum and, indeed, there are many letters and notes of support that are coming through for the hospital and health service for what it is actually doing as well. If the honourable member for Gaven has specific assertions and specific matters that he wants to raise, he should put them on notice and we will deal with them. But if he wants to talk about systemic issues, if he wants to talk about overall policy issues, I am more than happy to engage him on that matter. Indeed, only yesterday his office was contacted by staff within the Ethical Standards Unit of Queensland Health, asking him to put forward any further information which may be able to assist us with regard to reviews which are being conducted into certain matters. He actually responded to the person who contacted him by saying, ‘At the outset, may I say I have nothing to offer to the inquiry.’ Well I agree that the honourable member for Gaven has absolutely nothing to offer to the inquiry and he has very little to offer to this parliament. We are conducting a review into certain matters and assertions around clinical safety. We have invited the honourable member to bring that information forward and to add anything, and to date he has not done that. Indeed, if we contrast that to when the matters were actually raised— Dr DOUGLAS: I rise to a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam SPEAKER: What is your point of order, member for Gaven? Dr DOUGLAS: I asked about the three executive appointments. This has nothing to do with it. Madam SPEAKER: Please take your seat. I call the minister. Mr SPRINGBORG: Executive appointments are matters for the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service. The honourable member for Gaven was here when we passed the Hospital and Health Boards Act in the parliament. He stood up the back and praised this government for bringing in local area autonomy with regard to the governance of health care in Queensland, saying that people should be trusted to do that. If he has issues with that, then there are proper processes that he can go through if he wants to make a complaint but that is a matter for them. (Time expired)

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Mr BERRY: My question without notice is to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice. Can the Attorney-General outline how the election of the Abbott government will support the reforms being pursued in his portfolio? Mr BLEIJIE: I thank the member for Ipswich for the question. He knows only too well how important the election of the Abbott government was, firstly, for Australia and, secondly, for the people of Queensland. I thank the member for Ipswich for all the work he did in making sure that an Abbott government was elected in Australia. Like the Prime Minister-elect said on Saturday night

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7 September, ‘Australia is under new management,’ and thank God for that. We look forward to a cooperative relationship, not a confrontational relationship, with the Abbott government in Canberra. Many ministers have spoken, particularly the Premier, the Treasurer and the Deputy Premier, about the relationship and the economic opportunities that exist now for Queensland with an Abbott government. Today we saw that confidence has already risen in the few short days following an Abbott election in Canberra. In the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, I very much look forward to working with the new justice minister and the incoming Attorney-General because there are some major priorities that we need to get on track and that we are at one on. Construction is one of the four pillars of the Queensland economy. I am particularly pleased to say that Tony Abbott and the team are reintroducing the ABCC to cut down on militant union activity on construction sites right around Australia. We acted on this in July this year when we set up our own version of the ABCC. Everyone who tenders for government work now has to make sure that the appropriate protocols, guidelines and workplace relations plans are in place, and that has been well received by industry. We know only too well, and the health minister knows only too well, the problems with militant, thuggish union behaviour on construction sites. The government lost about $7 million on the children’s hospital dispute. The contractor obviously lost more. But the construction guidelines we have introduced make sure that both the employer and the employees are playing fairly. The other issue we look forward to working with the Abbott government on is organised crime and tackling bikies in this country. The Abbott government has not said it is going to take our unexplained wealth powers from us. It has said, ‘We want to work with you to tackle the issues of organised crime and bikie gangs.’ The Labor Party could not stop the boats. How was it going to stop the bikies? The Labor Party said the best way to do it is to take the power off the Commonwealth. The third issue I am particularly looking forward to working with the federal government on is union accountability. The Abbott government has said that it is going to introduce similar union accountabilities like we have. When we talk about union activity, the member for Bundamba says that unions are community associations. I beg to differ. I think the local Scouts group in Bundamba does not spend $120,000 on Facebook marketing like the Together union did. I do not think it spent $131,000— (Time expired)

Gladstone, Community Cabinet Mrs CUNNINGHAM: My question without notice is to the Premier. My community welcomes the community cabinet held recently in Gladstone and the opportunities available to both community members and ministers. I would also like to thank Mrs Lisa Newman for her visits to a number of groups and for her kindness and her interest. As a result of the Premier’s visit, what assistance and infrastructure has been announced? Will Gladstone Regional Council’s community precinct receive any financial consideration? Mr NEWMAN: I thank the member for Gladstone for her question. As I often do, I pay tribute to her hard work in her local community. Unlike other members who at times have masqueraded as Independents and who continue to masquerade as Independents, the member for Gladstone is a true Independent who is passionate on behalf of her community and who works hard without fear or favour. I was delighted to take cabinet and the senior officials of this government to Gladstone a few weeks ago to conduct community deputations on the Sunday afternoon. I was also delighted to talk to some protesting rural firefighters and hear their concerns. We are very much going to take their concerns on board. We had a very productive cabinet meeting there, and I think we made some very significant decisions for the state. To go to the nub of the question, one thing I note with great pride is that as a result of the representations of the honourable member and Mayor Gail Sellers we were able to secure funding from the then Commonwealth coalition and now Commonwealth government of around $12½ million for the Kin Kora roundabout. We will put $12½ million on the table as well. So this $25 million project will now be undertaken. As I have expressed in the media, Tony Abbott has asked specifically what road infrastructure projects we can get going as soon as possible. I hope this is one we can get going as soon as possible. Again, this has only happened because of the representations of the honourable member for Gladstone. In relation to the council’s project, I am afraid I am not able to commit to that today, but we will give it every consideration. We believe that Gladstone—a city that is so important to the economic future of this state, with massive LNG projects and coal expansion projects—is a community that

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needs to be supported in a whole range of ways. I say to the honourable member that she only has to look at the approval details handed down by the Coordinator-General this week to see the massive Arrow LNG terminal project. If the honourable member wishes to have a look at that—indeed, if all honourable members wish to—she will see a range of things that the company will have to do to support the Gladstone community. It is not just about the infrastructure directly for that project, but there will be a range of spin-off benefits for Gladstone. I want to thank the honourable member again for her advocacy. She is a true Independent. I wish other Independents were more independent. (Time expired)

Tourism Industry Mr HART: My question without notice is to the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games. Can the minister please advise the House of any recent news to do with the Queensland tourism industry? Mrs STUCKEY: I thank the honourable member for the question. Like so many sport-loving members in this House, he will be thrilled to hear the breaking news last night that Cricket Australia has announced Brisbane will be hosting the India versus Australia test match for 2014. This is great news for Queensland’s tourism industry. For the very first time since 2003 Australia will host India at our beloved Gabba. Boasting a pitch rated as one of the very best in the world, the Gabba represents a stronghold for the Australian team, which has not lost a test in 25 years. It is an understatement to say that India is passionate about their cricket. We all know that Aussies love their cricket but Indians live for their cricket. Last year Queensland welcomed some 36,000 Indians to Queensland. That was an increase of 20 per cent compared to the year before that. With this test, I think we can safely say that those numbers will increase significantly. Events do play a pivotal role in this government’s goal to double overnight visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020. I am very pleased to further update the House on domestic visitor statistics that were released yesterday by Tourism Research Australia for the year that ended June 2013. What we have seen from these results is that our tourism industry is recharging; it is preparing for another boost. We heard great news from the Premier this morning with regard to those figures. We have seen an increase in domestic visitors to Queensland of five per cent. There has been an overnight spend increase of two per cent and, in dollar terms, that is $6.7 billion. Right across our regions, whether it is the Gold Coast up 12 per cent with a 64 per cent increase on Sydney; whether it is Brisbane, which has been boosted by very significant cultural and sporting events—and I speak of the Bolshoi Ballet and the British and Irish Lions tour—where we saw a nine per cent increase; whether it is the Sunshine Coast, with our impressive drive market figures showing a boost of six per cent; or tropical North Queensland, where our very good friends there have seen an 11 per cent increase in visitors— all of these statistics are a ringing endorsement of what the Newman government is doing to boost tourism in our great state. I congratulate everyone involved in our recent DestinationQ forum, particularly my ministerial colleagues and, of course, the industry with which we work so closely in partnership.

Queensland Rail, Safety Ms TRAD: My question without notice is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. I refer to revelations that the number of red lights run by Queensland Rail trains since March 2012 has risen by a whopping 19.4 per cent, and I ask: will the minister— Mr Rickuss interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Member, please take your seat. I warn the member for Lockyer under standing order 253A. You should know by this time, as a long-serving member in this chamber, to pay respect during questions. I need to hear them and so does the minister as well as the House. I ask the member to start again. Ms TRAD: My question without notice is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. I refer to revelations that the number of red lights run by Queensland Rail trains since March 2012 has risen by 19.4 per cent, and I ask: will the minister confirm if this is a direct result of him prioritising on time running ahead of passenger safety?

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Mr EMERSON: I do appreciate the question from the member for South Brisbane. Let us look at the facts. In our first full year in office there were 43 SPADs, which is what the member was referring to. In the last full year under Labor there were 45. We have cut the number, but we also have more services. So in reality, we have seen a 12 per cent drop in the number of incidents in our first full year in office compared with under Labor and under the Leader of the Opposition. Secondly, the number of rail safety incidents under our government fell by 10 per cent in our first year in office compared with under the Leader of the Opposition. The third fact—and I am glad to hear the member for South Brisbane refer to it—is that we have achieved a 10-year high in rail reliability compared with a three-year low in the last months under the Leader of the Opposition. So we have seen a reduction in SPADs compared with the last full year under Labor, a reduction in rail safety incidents and an increase in rail reliability. They are the facts. I have answered that question. I refer to an issue that was raised earlier, something that does concern me. Earlier in question time the member for Rockhampton claimed that I had misled parliament when I claimed that he had been invited to the Gracemere overpass opening. That is a serious claim and it is a serious concern that he raised that. I then referred to the attendee list. The reason I have the attendee list is because it was part of the RTI that the member for Rockhampton requested and that was delivered to him. If I look at the list and go down the numbers, whose is the fifth name on that list? Mr Bill Byrne MP! Government members: Ah! Mr EMERSON: Colleagues, this is a serious matter because when the member for Rockhampton claimed that I had misled parliament he had in his own hands the evidence that he was on the invitation list. He knew that was the case. It was his RTI; we had delivered the invitation list to him. However, he stood in this parliament and claimed that I had misled parliament when I said that he had been invited. Madam Speaker, I ask that the member for Rockhampton be given the opportunity to explain why he would make such a claim when he knew what the facts were as he had the evidence himself. It is a serious claim to stand in this House and accuse another member of misleading the House when he has the evidence to show that what I said was right. (Time expired) Honourable members interjected. Madam SPEAKER: Order! Before I call the member, I could not see who was interjecting, but I warn members that we must hear the person asking the question. I call the member for Broadwater.

Gold Coast Waterways Miss BARTON: My question is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. Can the minister please inform the House what the Newman government is doing to promote, sustain and enhance the waterways of the Gold Coast? Mr EMERSON: It is my day today! I thank the member for Broadwater for the question. I can say that the member for Broadwater has been so active, so energetic and so enthusiastic in not only working for her electorate but also working to improve the waterways of the Gold Coast and the Broadwater. It was very pleasing to join the member for Broadwater today to announce the release of the Gold Coast Waterways Authority’s 10-year waterways strategy for public comment. Let me remind the House of our election promise that we have fulfilled. Our election promise was to establish a Gold Coast Waterways Authority—and we did that—because we believed that locals should have a say in their local waters on the Gold Coast. We believed that it was far better to have locals at the Gold Coast, rather than in George Street, doing that. So we established the Gold Coast Waterways Authority, chaired by former Gold Coast mayor Gary Baildon, with its new CEO, Hal Morris. It is pleasing to see the waterways authority has now released its draft 10-year strategy for public comment. Some of the initiatives included in that talk about infrastructure for the Gold Coast in terms of what is required, a symposium at the Gold Coast to discuss the most innovative measures in terms of waterway management, additional navigational aids and the dredging program. One issue that many people on the Gold Coast will be particularly interested in is a review of speed limits on the waterways in canals. This is why— Mrs Stuckey: Hear, hear! Mr EMERSON: I take the interjection from the member for Currumbin and Minister for Tourism because I know that she is passionate about our waterways on the Gold Coast as is the Minister for Education and other Gold Coast MPs. This has been an issue that has raised some debate and that is why we established the Gold Coast Waterways Authority with locals from the Gold Coast

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determining their local waterways. It is important for locals to have a say: the community determining the Gold Coast community’s waterways and what can happen. I am very pleased that the issue of speed limits has been looked at. One other initiative that has been talked about in this 10-year waterways strategy is an innovative app. Across government and beyond government in the real world we have seen how many creative, innovative people are out there in terms of what they can do as technology moves on. Let me reiterate. I want to thank all our Gold Coast MPs, but particularly the member for Broadwater for her constant advocacy for the waterways on the Gold Coast. She does do a great job down there, as do our other Gold Coast MPs. I am so pleased that the Gold Coast Waterways Authority is getting on with the job that we gave it to do. Madam SPEAKER: The time for questions has expired.

SPEAKER’S STATEMENT

School Group Tours Madam SPEAKER: I wish to acknowledge schools visiting today: Siena Catholic Primary School in the electorate of Kawana, The Caves State School in the electorate of Keppel and Miami State School in the electorate of Burleigh.

STATE DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE

Report, Motion to Take Note Mr HART (Burleigh—LNP) (11.10 am): I move— That the House take note of report No. 25 of the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee tabled on 31 May 2013. As a member of the committee I was very happy to attend meetings regarding the inquiry into the continued relevance of government land tenure across Queensland. The people of Queensland were very happy to see the government out there consulting about these sorts of issues. This is something that has not been done in the past, and this is a very important issue for all concerned. As we toured around Queensland and consulted on the relevance of state government land tenure, we heard from numerous people about issues such as: enhancing native title, tenure security and investment, uncertainty around rural leases, community reserves and, in particular, tourism leases. Others also gave evidence to our committee on the issue of protected area estates, stock routes, rail corridors, walking trails and renewable energy leases. The inquiry received approximately 108 submissions in total, including from: the Queensland CWA, AgForce Queensland, individual rural landholders, regional councils, the National Parks Association of Queensland, the Queensland Trust for Nature, and Gecko—which is, of course, the Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council Association. The committee undertook a number of public and private meetings in order to compile this response, with hearings being held over the last 12 months across Queensland in places such as Brisbane, Roma, Mackay, Cairns and Rockhampton. We had a bit of a diversionary trip out to Alpha and Emerald and spoke to a number of rural landholders out there. We were on the Gold Coast in September, and then we finished up in Brisbane in February. The government’s forthcoming response is that the government will be looking at rolling term leases under the Land Act 1994, which will provide lessees with increased security of tenure. That is one of the really important themes that came across during these inquiries. People out in rural areas are quite concerned about their tenure moving forward. They are concerned that they have to wait until 80 per cent of their lease is up before they can actually apply for another lease. I know that the government will be looking at that in the future and will move forward with improving conditions for them. They also want to look at the flexible manner in the methods that the government uses to calculate rent. We heard that continuously from the tourism industry, particularly the island tourism industry. They feel that the way rents are calculated and the foreseeable increases are not sustainable for their industry at this point in time. The rents which the government is imposing put them in a difficult situation. The members of the committee took that on board, and we have made recommendations to the government about that.

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We have now seen the government’s response, and I am very happy to report to the House that the government is looking quite favourably on a number of the recommendations that the committee made. I expect that over the next few months we might see some of those responses turning into something in the form of legislation or regulation to maybe help these people out in the future, because it is their lives and their leases that we are talking about here. Some of those people have been on properties out in Western Queensland for hundreds of years, and their leases are just rolling over and rolling over. So with that, I commend the report to the House. Mr YOUNG (Keppel—LNP) (11.14 am): I rise to discuss my role as a member of the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee. Understanding my rural background, I will discuss the rural leasehold aspect of the broad range of land tenure reform. Of all of the inquiries that we have had, without doubt the inquiry into the future and continued relevance of government land tenure across Queensland has been the largest and most important inquiry we have undertaken. The committee worked on the inquiry for 11 months before tabling the final draft, and I want to thank the two chairs, the honourable David Gibson and Ted Malone. The objectives of the inquiry are to ensure that lessees of rural land under the Land Act 1994 are given security, certainty and tenure so that they may invest in the land and build an economy. The many submissions provided the required information, and we travelled widely to be informed so that we could make a sound decision around putting our final draft together on land tenure reform. Rural leasehold land is land over which a term of perpetual lease is issued for agriculture, grazing and pastoral purposes. Approximately 7,700 leases are issued under the Land Act for rural leasehold land. These leases are grouped within a primary production rental category, and across the state they are valued at $4.2 billion. The revenue that they generate for the state is approximately $27 million. One message that came out of the many meetings was that leaseholders had been waiting years to use their land in a more effective way, but have been prevented from doing so because of the inflexibility of leasehold land. One landholder said— Instead of just being allowed to graze, you should be able to develop the land for other purposes. This was repeated by graziers, agribusinesses and peak bodies. There needs to be greater certainty so that these people can develop their land, grow the economy and grow their businesses. But they need to have certainty. How often do you see a family that has been managing the land for more than three generations without having any certainty over long-term planning and without the ability to go to banking institutions to obtain finance on land over which they have no security? This bill is determined to ensure that lessees of rural land have some certainty. This will provide them with a mechanism to move forward. I understand their issues with the Native Title Act, but we need to have that flexibility. We need to have the scope to move forward to overcome those barriers. The main barrier to freehold is the Native Title Act. Very few rural perpetual leases are impacted by native title; however, it is highly likely that native title continues to exist on the majority of rural term leases. One avenue to make the process more attractive and workable is the ILUA, which is the Indigenous Land Use Agreement. Given the need for ILUAs to address native title for the freehold of rural leasehold land, the government may consider the real value of obtaining the agreement of the native title party to make the process less resource intensive for lessees. In practical terms, this means that the lessee may not have the resources to negotiate a registered ILUA, so a statutory Indigenous right-of-access agreement over the granted land would enable native title holders to continue to enjoy their native title rights; however, there may be instances where native title holders do not wish to surrender their native title. Other barriers to freehold leases are survey standards and land cost. The Land Act imposes restrictions on ownership of rural leasehold land, namely, for corporations and aggregations. These are outdated, unnecessarily restrictive and inflexible as policy instruments in today’s business and land management environments. Indigenous corporations are good examples, and we all want to see them moving forward. I enjoyed being a member of the committee in the development of the draft inquiry and I commend the recommendations that we have made. Mr HOLSWICH (Pine Rivers—LNP) (11.18 am): Very early on in the term of this parliament the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee was handed the significant task of conducting this inquiry into government land tenure across Queensland. I think it is fair to say this inquiry highlighted two things: firstly, the important role that our system of parliamentary committees can play in investigating significant and complex issues prior to bills being introduced into the

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parliament—and this is certainly one of the strengths of our committee system—and, secondly, the inquiry itself has highlighted the enormous complexity of government land tenure issues across Queensland. The terms of reference of the inquiry were quite broad and included: ensuring our pastoral and tourism industries are viable into the future; balancing protection of Queensland’s ecological values; ongoing and sustainable resource development; and addressing the needs and aspirations of traditional owners. The nature of public consultation on the inquiries was extensive, with 103 written submissions received and public hearings held in Brisbane, Mackay, Cairns, Rockhampton, Roma, Alpha and the Gold Coast. In its final report the committee made 44 recommendations, a majority of which have been accepted or accepted in part in the government’s response. It is pleasing to note in its response that the government has already commenced the first phase of implementing the response to the committee’s recommendations through reforms to promote greater investment certainty for rural leasehold land. This phase focuses on red-tape reduction in lease renewal processes and sets clear pathways to upgrade from leasehold to freehold. The government’s response also notes that the subsequent phase of implementation will involve changes to the Land Act 1994 and other relevant legislation focusing on investment certainty and sustainable land management, particularly in relation to leases for tourism and other commercial purposes and the management of reserves and roads including stock routes. The response also notes that there will be the development of a smoother approach to native title negotiation. I think it is fair to point out at this stage that issues around native title and Indigenous land use agreements were possibly the most complex issues examined by the committee. Whilst a number of committee recommendations regarding ILUAs were not accepted by the government, there is at least a desire and intention on the part of the government to work with all key stakeholders towards a more streamlined agreement-making process—one where the negotiation and transaction costs are reduced for all parties involved. There is certainly an overwhelming body of evidence to support the need for reforming the ILUA process. As I mentioned earlier, the government has already commenced implementation of some of the accepted recommendations. Several recommendations were made regarding the security of tenure for tourism leases, and it was very pleasing to be in attendance at the DestinationQ tourism conference recently when it was announced that reforms would be made to the Land Act 1994 to maximise the security of leasehold land tenure for tourism operators on offshore islands. These reforms were the establishment of rolling leases for the term lessees; consolidation of adjoining term leases into existing perpetual leases; issuing of 50-year term leases for significant developments with an option for a further 49 years; conversion of existing term leases to perpetual leases where significant development has been completed; and short-term development lease for new significant developments with a legislative guarantee of long-term lease upon completion of development. This is a significant boost for Queensland’s tourism and construction industries and underlines the commitment of this government to a thriving four-pillar economy. In closing, I would like to offer my thanks to my fellow members of the committee, with special mention of our chair, the member for Gympie, and our former chair, the member for Mirani. I also thank our committee staff for the many long days and sleepless weekends they spent helping us throughout this inquiry and in the preparation of the final report. I commend the report to the House. Mr GIBSON (Gympie—LNP) (11.22 am): It is with pleasure that I rise as chair of the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee to commend report No. 25 to the House. I start by thanking the former chair, the member for Mirani, for his great work in the initial phase of this inquiry. As has already been noted, this inquiry took over 11 months. The complexity of the issue of land tenure within the state of Queensland became very evident not only to all members of the committee but also to our research staff. I thank the whole team as well as the former research director, Dr Kathy Munro, for their work in bringing this report together. I reiterate the comments made by the member for Pine Rivers. As someone who came in halfway through this process, if I have any comment it is perhaps that the terms of reference may have been a little too broad. I say that because of the complexity of the issues the committee was required to address. That became evidence particularly with regard to leases for tourism activities and marine harbour leases. When it comes to land reform within the state of Queensland, there are myriad approaches.

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I note the work currently being undertaken by the minister and his department. I commend them for that, because it is not a simple task. If it were, it would have been done and done very quickly. This report highlights that. It highlights the nature of the complexity, but it also highlights the desire across Queensland—from pastoralists through to organisations such as the CWA and show societies—for certainty. They want to know that they can invest and improve upon the facilities that are on the various forms of land tenure. In many, many cases they want to have that land freeholded. We recognise that in the state of Queensland, which is large and geographically diverse, there is much opportunity for people to freehold land. And that will drive economic activity and certainty. As has been alluded to, one of the more complex issues addressed by the committee related to native title. I thank McCullough Robertson, which we engaged to provide further advice to the committee. Native title is an issue that landholders must deal with. It is an issue that government is dealing with. I commend the minister for the approach. The committee made recommendations—it is appropriate that we put forward options—but it is not the requirement of executive government to adopt those recommendations. But I am glad that it has sought the spirit of the outcome we are trying to achieve. It is appropriate that it is seeking and indeed working towards that. I commend the minister for that. The government’s response has been heartening. It is exciting for committees to have opportunities from time to time to look at issues that are not bill related—broad issues for the state of Queensland. I think it is a good process that committees are able to address particular issues before we see any defined position by the government of the day. It enables a much more free-flowing discussion within the committee. It ensures we can work towards— we will not always achieve it—a bipartisan outcome in our committee reports. I wish to thank my deputy chair for his efforts in working towards achieving that. Whilst there was robust discussion at times, it is important to note that we recognised we were doing this on behalf of the parliament. We were not trying to present a government policy position; we were, as directed, reflecting on the issues and, indeed, the feedback we heard from across all of Queensland. It was noted—I think this is something all committees should take on board—that when you have these opportunities sometimes the people of Queensland expect more than the report is going to deliver. There was this expectation that we would be freeholding all of the pastoral leases and that that would be done by about Friday at 4 pm. We have to manage that expectation and we have to ensure we communicate that properly through the whole process so that people understand it is an inquiry that will make recommendations; it is not the government that will be undertaking activities. That being said, all members of the committee can be very proud of their work. I again thank the committee secretariat because without their efforts we would not have had such a detailed report. I finally thank the minister and his staff for their assistance through this process and also for their responses. I commend the report to the House. Mr KATTER (Mount Isa—KAP) (11.27 am): I rise to make a contribution and acknowledge my participation in the committee and its inquiry on the future and continued relevance of government land tenure across Queensland. I am very appreciative of the way the inquiry was conducted by the chair, the member for Gympie, and the former chair, the member for Mirani. There was a good flow of debate and exchange of ideas. I was convinced that things were being done in the best interests of the report and that the best outcomes would be achieved. I will speak about the most relevant points I took out of the report. I think some very good initiatives are contained in the report. Addressing land tenure is a very relevant activity for government because there are some antiquated provisions in the Land Act that need to be addressed. I will start with the issue of the needs and aspirations of Indigenous Queenslanders in terms of an effective model for native title. I do appreciate, as our chair mentioned earlier, that the terms of reference were very broad. That was acknowledged in our discussion, but it did fall well short of the mark in addressing the issue of homeownership, although a recommendation was made to consider that. To me, that issue is paramount to promoting the wellbeing of and benefit to Indigenous Queenslanders. Homeownership is an economic building block of those communities that they have been denied.

The development of advisory and mediation services will be beneficial to resolving ILUAs. They are certainly a burden. The member for Keppel alluded to that earlier. I certainly have had a lot of experience with people dealing with ILUAs. It is a very large impost and usually cost prohibitive. It

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restricts a lot of development, particularly in northern Australia. Recommendation 11 of the report states—

... that the Queensland Government provides support for mediation services to expedite the development of compensation agreements. I think that is an excellent way for the state government to be involved. I hope that that is able to be delivered at some time. In relation to general tenure issues, the committee recommended the introduction of a new type of tenure—a general purpose lease. That is an excellent initiative. There is a very well-known tourism establishment in my electorate that is located on a pastoral lease. For the operators of that establishment to get an ILUA over their property to allow them to continue that tourism activity that employs five or 10 people—I think from memory—is cost prohibitive. The activity just shuts down and everyone loses. So that sort of tenure will open up the doors for those operators to perform that tourism activity on a pastoral lease. That provides tax revenue for the government and it provides jobs. That is a good outcome. So that is an excellent initiative and I commend the government and the committee for it. My great area of interest in this report relates to pastoral leases. Approximately 70 per cent of Queensland is leasehold. The majority of that is pastoral leases. Recommendation 14 of the report states— ... considers a program of incentives to support lessees wishing to convert from term leases to fee simple. The member for Pine Rivers went into a lot of detail on this matter. I agree. If we were having this debate 30 or 40 years ago when a lot of these blocks had not been improved as much as they are now, there would be the ability to carve them up and those unused portions would go into a ballot. But I think that ship has sailed because people have improved these places and there is a lot of capital invested. I think it would be a very difficult road to go down in order to try to allow people to enter the industry like they used to. I think with the paradigm we are in now, recommendation 14 is probably the best way to go to provide security of tenure for people. Recommendation 16 refers to a rental calculation. That is a huge issue. It is very much an antiquated part of the system. I acknowledge that the government is doing work on it. I think it is terrific that this review dealt with that issue. I await with bated breath the outcome of the recommendation. From reading the report I took it that UCVs went up as high as anywhere from 500 per cent to 2,000 per cent. That is a huge burden on people. I think that the living area policies are a cause of tension and debate among the industry. It is a very interesting topic. Usually, I am against corporations being able to get in and take some of those grazing homestead perpetual leases, because that is the avenue for the small guy to enter the industry. It allows space for them. But then there are difficulties with families wanting to expand on leasehold. So that is a good area for debate. (Time expired) Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

EDUCATION AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE

Report, Motion to Take Note Mrs MENKENS (Burdekin—LNP) (11.32 am): I move— That the House take note of report No. 21 of the Education and Innovation Committee tabled on 22 August 2013. This report is the committee’s consideration of the Auditor-General’s report No. 2 for 2012-13 titled Follow up of 2010 audit recommendations. Only one of the audits addressed in the Auditor-General’s report relates to the committee’s portfolio, which is report No. 6 for 2010 titled Using student information to inform teaching and learning. The objective of the 2010 report was to determine whether the former department of education and training had effective and efficient systems to use student data to inform literacy and numeracy teaching and learning. The 2013 follow-up report, which is the subject of this committee’s report, reviewed the extent to which the eight audit recommendations had been implemented by the new Department of Education, Training and Employment. The data that was considered in the audit was both NAPLAN results and school based data, such as the testing and assessment data that schools collected.

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The committee was very pleased to see that, of the eight recommendations, the department has fully implemented six of them. We also found that the remaining two recommendations have been either implemented since the follow-up audit or are in the process of being fully implemented. The 2010 audit of the previous department found that, although the department had good practices and systems to support staff to analyse student data and to use it to inform teaching and learning, these practices were not applied consistently across schools and regions. The follow-up audit certainly noted an improvement in the use of this data. The conclusions in the audit were— The department can now more clearly measure performance and improvement. Teachers and principals are also better equipped to analyse and use the student data to inform literacy and numeracy teaching and learning. The response from the department to the draft Auditor-General’s report was that it was working hard to lift the performance of all the schools. Although student outcomes were not a focus of the audit, the committee hopes that, as a result of the department’s implementation of the recommendations, there will be improved outcomes for students. The Auditor-General’s conclusion that the department had implemented the recommendations was based on the following activities. The first was the introduction of teaching and learning audits from 2010. This requires that all state schools be audited at least every four years and a school data report be provided to school principals at least twice a year. The second was the publication of curriculum units for students in prep to year 10 for English, maths and science and that available resources include templates and examples such as lesson and assessment plans. The third was conducting performance reviews of regional operational plans. This takes place twice a year whereby each region analyses its performance and reports to the department’s executive management. The regional report links to other relevant plans. The fourth was the implementation of a principal supervision and capability development framework whereby supervisors regularly discuss matters such as school performance and a principal’s capabilities and development needs with their supervisors. It is very interesting to note that from 2015 the NAPLAN testing regime will measure performance in science as well as in literacy and numeracy tests. This will provide additional data for schools and teachers to use to inform teaching and learning. I am particularly pleased to see that, because in the context of the assessment inquiry it is becoming evident that success in scientific subjects at senior level is largely determined in the years before senior. Being able to use such data at an early stage in a student’s education has the potential to influence teaching and learning that is, of course, critical to Australia’s economic future. Two recommendations were only partially implemented. One was recommendation 4, which was that the department strengthen existing performance management processes to ensure feedback provided to teachers on their skills, competencies and development needs to implement the school’s curriculum. The follow-up audit certainly found that the department has made much progress towards achieving this recommendation through developing a performance framework for all staff. When the committee contacted the department to inquire when the recommendation would be implemented and, if so, by when the response was that the department acknowledged the introduction of an annual performance review process, which is included in the Great Teachers = Great Results action plan. That action plan indicates that teachers and school leaders would be formally appraised by their supervisor and observed in the classroom. I would particularly like to commend the department for implementing these recommendations. We know that it is committed to delivering the highest level of education to Queensland youth. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

EDUCATION AND INNOVATION COMMITTEE

Report, Motion to Take Note Mrs MENKENS (Burdekin—LNP) (11.38 am): I move— That the House take note of report No. 22 of the Education and Innovation Committee tabled on 22 August 2013. This report outlines the committee’s review of the Auditor-General’s report No. 8 titled Online service delivery. This report details the committee’s consideration of a performance audit that looks at whether the public sector had optimised its use of technology for the delivery of services online. The committee was concerned to learn that, on the whole, it is not. Although some findings of the audit

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were very positive, such as the security of credit card data collected online, there are many areas that required improvement. Improvement in key areas such as the availability of online channels, technology and internet security are likely to result in savings of both time and money, greatly assisting businesses and the people of Queensland. The performance audit examined four government departments and the Brisbane City Council to determine whether the public sector has optimised its use of information technology for the delivery of services online. It considered the availability, accessibility, reliability and security of online services and, of course, the cost effectiveness of this service delivery. The Auditor-General’s report notes that online services can reduce the time taken to complete activities and provide customers with more freedom to undertake activity at different times and locations while significantly reducing the cost of service delivery. The demand for online public sector services as stated in the AG’s report is strong and increasing. The audit found that customer expectations of online service options are not being met. The public sector services that are not provided online cost more to deliver, both for the government and the public, and although credit card data collected through online channels meets security standards, the protection of other personal information provided online is less assured. In 2009, the previous government set a target that 50 per cent of transaction based services will be available online. However, it did not achieve that. At the time that the audit was conducted only 28 per cent were provided online. The audit found that central initiatives have not increased the availability and provision of online services over the past decade, including through the establishment of Smart Service Queensland in 2002. The Queensland Audit Office notes that moving people to online channels will save money, be more efficient and improve the quality of service delivery due to the increased availability of services—that is, services could be available 24 hours a day whereas many services are currently available during standard business hours of 9 am to 5 pm. The committee recommends that the Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts advises the House how the One-Stop Shop Program will address the Auditor-General’s recommendations made in report to parliament No. 8: 2012-13, Online service delivery, and when the program will be fully implemented; whether a whole-of-government channel strategy and department level channel strategies have been developed; whether there has been an increase in the number of services available online and the uptake of these services by business and the public; and of progress made by the external security consultant engaged to develop security documentation and to conduct penetration testing. The committee does look forward to this further information from the minister. In August this year, following the Auditor-General’s report, the Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts launched the Queensland government’s ICT strategy 2013-17 action plan. In this the minister stated that the Queensland government ICT strategy envisages a public sector working more effectively with business to deliver the best possible service at the best possible price to Queensland taxpayers. The action plan is designed to accompany the strategy. It sets out how the government will achieve the vision of a modern ICT environment that is supported by best practice project management. This is an exciting strategy and action plan and certainly shows this government’s commitment to delivering the highest quality ICT service in Queensland and we look forward to its implementation. I have no doubt that this action plan will address many of the findings in the Auditor-General’s report. The committee also expresses its appreciation to the representatives from the Queensland Audit Office, including the Auditor-General, who provided a private briefing on 17 April on this report and also on the previous report No. 21. I acknowledge the efforts of the members of my committee who took a totally bipartisan approach in discussions on both reports tabled. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

TRANSPORT, HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

Report No. 30, Motion to Take Note Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Robinson): Order! With the motion not being moved, in accordance with standing order 71 the notice of motion has lapsed.

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COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Report No. 9, Motion to Take Note Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Robinson): Order! With the motion not being moved, in accordance with standing order 71 the notice of motion has lapsed.

PARLIAMENTARY CRIME AND MISCONDUCT COMMITTEE

Report, Motion to Take Note Mrs CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (11.44 am): I move— That the House take note of report No. 92 of the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee tabled on 11 September 2013. Again I must apologise for tabling the initial report which contained material that should have been redacted and I thank the House for allowing me to replace it with the report I refer to today. The committee received two complaints in early March 2013, one from the senate of the University of Queensland and one from Justice Daubney. Both complaints related to the CMC’s initial draft report on its investigation and reviews of the university in relation to the forced offer of a placement for a student to study medicine above other students who ranked higher. Additionally, Justice Daubney complained about the conduct of the CMC in relation to its consideration of his conduct as a judicial officer in relation to the university’s handling of the misconduct allegations. Section 58 of the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001 limits the CMC in its consideration of the conduct of judges to misconduct which would warrant the judicial officer’s removal from office. There has never been any question of wrongdoing on the part of Justice Daubney. The committee does not see a role for itself in directing the CMC as to the contents of its reports on its investigations. However, in order to consider the complaints the committee requested the Parliamentary Commissioner review the complaints against the initial draft report. His findings, along with the complaints, were provided to the CMC and significant amendments were made to the CMC’s public report. The CMC’s final report we believe is fair and appropriate and the committee has directed the CMC to table that report. This is an appropriate outcome and the committee thanks the CMC for its cooperation in this regard. It is probable that the CMC would have amended the draft report had the university senate provided its comments directly to the CMC. The matter raised by Justice Daubney is more complex. While it is important to protect judicial officers from malicious, baseless and vexatious complaints, that protection should be balanced with appropriate accountability of the conduct of judicial officers in non-judicial roles. When a judicial officer takes up a role in units of public administration their conduct in that role should not be outside the reach of the CMC if their conduct is not in the public interest but falls short of conduct which would warrant their removal from office. The committee recommended amendments to section 58 of the Crime and Misconduct Act to overcome this issue and I commend the report to the House. Mr CRANDON (Coomera—LNP) (11.47 am): I rise to make a short contribution to report No. 92 in relation to a complaint about the CMC investigation into the University of Queensland. The member for Gladstone and chair of the committee has done an exemplary job in discussing this issue. She certainly did an exemplary job in pulling the committee report together within the PCMC. I congratulate her for that, as well as the other members of the committee. I came onto the PCMC quite late in the piece. In the short time I had some involvement in this matter, one of the outstanding areas of concern for me, apart from all those that have already been addressed, is the appropriateness of section 58. I recall having conversations in committee around section 58 issues, certainly from the perspective that I could just imagine an organisation that is perhaps wanting to block some potential for an investigation of itself simply by bringing a judge onto the committee in order to stop that. That is the section 58 effect. I confirm my complete support of the recommendation from the committee that the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice amend section 58 in order to ensure that that cannot occur. Mr KRAUSE (Beaudesert—LNP) (11.49 am): I rise to make some comments about Report No. 92 of the PCMC. Of course, there is a public report of the CMC into an offer made to the then vice chancellor’s daughter to a course at UQ, which will be tabled shortly if it has not been already. That report speaks for itself. Our report touches on other issues in relation to that investigation by the CMC. As previous speakers have noted, there was a recommendation made in that report in relation

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to section 58 of the Crime and Misconduct Act. It presently sets out a specific procedure for investigations about the conduct of judicial officers. In this case, the judicial officer in question was Justice Daubney, who is a member of the UQ Senate. It fairly clearly states that the CMC is limited in its ability to investigate judicial officers, even where they are not acting in a judicial capacity. This is an issue addressed by the recommendation of the report and I urge the Attorney-General and the government to seriously consider the proposed amendment. As the member for Coomera has pointed out, organisations should not be immune from scrutiny by the very fact that they have a judicial officer in their midst. However, of concern to me is the fact that the report also deals with the legal advice that the CMC obtained in relation to section 58. Some months ago, it obtained legal advice from Mr Walter Sofronoff QC, an eminent and distinguished barrister, that informed them in relation to their consideration of section 58. Essentially, the legal advice said that the CMC was acting outside its powers in investigating the UQ matter in the way that it was. To be clear, I have no issue with the fact that the CMC was undertaking the investigation into what occurred at UQ. However, I am very concerned about the fact that the CMC does not seem to follow or abide by the legislation that it is set up under, even when it has obtained legal advice guiding it in relation to that legislation. It seems to have ignored that legal advice and formed its own view, which was confirmed as being incorrect by both the advice of Mr Sofronoff and a subsequent report of the Parliamentary Commissioner, Mr Favell. That report of the Parliamentary Commissioner was referred to in section 4.1 of the committee’s report. Essentially, it states that the CMC was not able to investigate the UQ matter as it was under section 58. That is where our recommendation has come from. However, I also need to make reference to the fact that there is an identified need, both in this report and in the earlier report No. 90 of the PCMC, for the CMC to improve its culture of governance, particularly within the legal support unit, to ensure it is undertaking its role diligently, appropriately and in accordance with the law. The facts set out in this report show that it has not done that. In the initial stages of its investigation of the UQ matter, it has investigated contrary to the provisions of section 58, despite the fact that it was provided with legal advice that said it should not. The CMC rightly expects all public officers to adhere to the rules and regulations that they need to abide by. That is what it enforces and that is what it investigates. The CMC must also do that and it needs to be beyond reproach in this respect. I commend the report to the House and the recommendation contained therein. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

PARLIAMENTARY CRIME AND MISCONDUCT COMMITTEE

Report, Motion to Take Note Mrs CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (11.53 am): I move— That the House take note of report No. 93 of the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee tabled on 11 September 2013. In this report, the committee outlines the CMC’s handling of an investigation into the suspected improper conduct on the part of a former CMC employee. The matter came to the attention of the former committee following a notification from the former chairperson of the CMC, the Hon. Martin Moynihan, in September 2010. The former committee requested the CMC investigate and report to the committee on that matter. In August 2010, I wrote to the chairperson of the CMC to seek an update on the report to the committee. The committee received no response. On behalf of the committee, again I wrote in May 2013. The committee received the CMC’s report on 27 May 2013, two years and eight months after the request. As noted in our report, this time frame was not appropriate and, in the circumstances, not excusable. Additionally, the investigator’s report included information that the committee considers the CMC should have had provided to it as part of the committee’s inquiry into the release and destruction of the Fitzgerald inquiry documents. Of concern to the committee was that it was clear during that inquiry, albeit it was a compressed time frame earlier this year, that we were seeking all information that referred to those matters and to the conduct of Mr Peter Duell and others at the CMC. It was clear that the committee was interested in any material that informed us more clearly about the matters that we were considering. It was only when the committee accessed this investigator’s report

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that it was clear that had information that reflected on the abilities of some in the CMC been taken notice of by the CMC in appointments and promotions, perhaps some of the difficulties faced, which came to light during that inquiry, may have been avoided. Following a summons to the CMC to require a copy of all documents and emails relating to this investigation and report, the matter was referred to the Parliamentary Commissioner. The Parliamentary Commissioner’s report was received as requested by the committee on 30 August 2013 and is included as appendix 4 of the committee’s report. The committee endorses the conclusions of the Parliamentary Commissioner at page 23 of his report, and I paraphrase: the inordinate delay in completing the initial investigation was inappropriate and unacceptable; the delay in reporting to the committee was inappropriate and indefensible; in light of the Crime and Misconduct Act and the protocols that govern the CMC’s handling of section 329 complaints about improper conduct, the report to the committee was wholly inadequate; the CMC should have notified the committee about matters raised in the investigator’s report that were relevant to the committee’s inquiry into the Crime and Misconduct Commission’s release and destruction of Fitzgerald inquiry documents and the CMC’s failure to do so was inappropriate. I commend our committee members who work very hard on some difficult and complex matters: the deputy chair and member for Bundamba, the member for Beaudesert, the member for Coomera, the member for Greenslopes, the member for South Brisbane and the member for Nicklin, in alphabetical order. I also acknowledge the work of the research director, Amanda Honeyman; the principal research officer, Peter Rogers; and our executive assistant, Marion. The committee has worked on some very interesting and complex matters over the years. I certainly commend this report to the House for its consideration.

Mr CRANDON (Coomera—LNP) (11.58 am): Once again I rise to support the chair of the committee in speaking on Report No. 93, Report on the Crime and Misconduct Commission’s handling of suspected improper conduct. I will focus on one area of the report, which is what I regard as the ‘excuses’ section—that is, the excuses for the delays in the proper investigation of these matters. I think it can be fairly said that, after such extended delays following a period when the PCMC chair has written to the CMC looking for updates and further information, to be ignored is absolutely amazing. I point out that the acting chair, Dr Ken Levy, simply passed on the comments from the investigator in his letter of 15 August, in response to a letter from us asking for an overview of where he thinks things went wrong. In the final paragraph under the heading ‘Other duties’ Dr Levy states—

During the extended investigation period in question, the investigator states that there were a range of competing priorities regarding misconduct investigations that unavoidably required his attention. That would suggest that without this particular individual they could not go on with any investigations. Of course, that is an absurd suggestion. In the last sentence of that paragraph Dr Levy makes the statement—

The CMC protocol dictates that internal investigations are classified as highly protected and it removed scope for him— He is referring to the comments of the investigator— to delegate or request assistance from his peers. Given that the CMC was here a long time before he came along and I am sure the CMC will be here for a long time after he departs this mortal coil, I would suggest that perhaps it would have been appropriate for this particular investigator to prioritise this internal matter further up the list. In doing so perhaps he could have put these other competing priorities and duties to his peers for them to take care of. It is all very well for people to look for excuses to try to overcome their inadequacies, I would suggest. I note with interest—and this might be of interest to the member for Gladstone—that the British politician William Gladstone said, ‘Justice delayed is justice denied.’ What he is referring to there is injustice more so than anything else. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Robinson): Order! Member for Coomera, the time for debate of committee reports has expired. Could the member adjourn the debate?

Debate, on motion of Mr Crandon, adjourned.

12 Sep 2013 Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 3051

MINISTERIAL PAPER

Consolidated Fund Financial Report Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (12.02 pm): I table the Consolidated Fund financial report 2012-13. Tabled paper: Consolidated Fund Financial Report 2012-13 [3436].

APPROPRIATION BILL (NO. 2)

Message from Governor Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (12.02 pm): I present a message from Her Excellency the Governor. The Deputy Speaker read the following message— MESSAGE APPROPRIATION BILL (No. 2) 2013 Constitution of Queensland 2001, section 68 I, PENELOPE ANNE WENSLEY AC, Governor, recommend to the Legislative Assembly a Bill intituled— A Bill for an Act authorising the Treasurer to pay an amount from the consolidated fund for Queensland Treasury and Trade for the financial year starting 1 July 2012. (sgd) GOVERNOR Date: 9 SEP 2013 Tabled paper: Message, dated 9 September 2013, from Her Excellency the Governor, recommending the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2013 [3433].

Introduction Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (12.03 pm): I present a bill for an act authorising the Treasurer to pay an amount from the Consolidated Fund for Queensland Treasury and Trade for the financial year starting 1 July 2012. I table the bill and the explanatory notes. I nominate the Finance and Administration Committee to consider the bill. Tabled paper: Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2013 [3434]. Tabled paper: Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2013, explanatory notes [3435]. I present a bill for an act authorising the payment of the amount, as I have stated. The Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2013 provides supplementary appropriation for unforeseen expenditure in 2012-13. Unforeseen expenditure is expenditure from the Consolidated Fund above the amount approved by annual appropriation—that is, by the budget. This is the first time since 2007 that a separate appropriation bill has been introduced for supplementary appropriation. From 2008 the previous government decided to combine supplementary appropriation with the annual appropriation bills introduced on budget day. This practice results in lengthy and unnecessary delay between when the expenditure is incurred and when it is approved by parliament. For example, when I presented the Newman government’s first budget in September last year, the appropriation bills had to include supplementary appropriation for 2010-11—seeking approval for expenditure almost a full year after the financial year in which it was spent, by a different government and from a different parliament. If this approach were to continue, the bill I am introducing today, seeking approval for unforeseen expenditure in 2012-13, would not be presented to parliament until the introduction of the budget in June 2014. The final report of the Independent Commission of Audit raised concerns around this extended delay. In fact, I raised concerns about this and referred the matter to the parliamentary privileges committee when I was in opposition. Obvious changes had been made by the former Labor government to reduce accountability. The concerns around the extended delay are between when the expenditure is incurred and when the parliamentary approval is sought for it. Specifically, the commission stated that the process ‘detracts from proper transparency and accountability, especially the need to provide a reasonable and timely explanation to parliament as to why additional appropriation is required’.

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This government is committed to improving transparency and accountability. By introducing a separate bill for supplementary appropriation, this year and in future years, I am demonstrating this commitment. We are bringing forward the timing of when parliamentary approval is sought to as soon as possible after the end of the financial year in which that expenditure is incurred. In this way, the introduction of the bill can also be aligned to the tabling of the Consolidated Fund financial report, the CFFR, which I tabled a few moments ago. The CFFR, prepared in accordance with the Financial Accountability Act 2009, outlines appropriation from the Consolidated Fund for the previous financial year and provides explanations by agency for variations from the amount approved by annual appropriation. Aligning the introduction of the bill for supplementary appropriation with the tabling of the CFFR provides additional information to enhance parliamentary scrutiny of unforeseen expenditure, further reinforcing our commitment to financial rigour and accountability. The supplementary appropriation for 2010-11 that I had to include with last year’s annual appropriation bills not only sought parliamentary approval for expenditure almost a full year after it was incurred but sought it for the amount of over $9 billion. In stark contrast, supplementary appropriation sought for 2012-13, that I am introducing today, is just $63.445 million and required by a single department. To put that in perspective, that is 0.0014 per cent of the entire appropriation of almost $45 billion for the Queensland government’s fund. That is how much we were out in terms of our appropriation. Compare that to the last full year of Labor incompetence—$9 billion of unforeseen expenditure. Is it any wonder that the books of account for the Queensland government were in such a shabby state? Is it any wonder that under Labor Queensland lost its AAA credit rating? Is it any wonder that debt under Labor was heading towards $100 billion? Is it any wonder that expenses were increasing at twice the rate of revenue? Is it any wonder that Labor left Queensland in such a parlous state when they had such feeble control over their expenditure? Ms Trad interjected. Ms Palaszczuk interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Those on my left will cease interjecting. Mr NICHOLLS: Unlike those opposite who sought to hide the supplementary appropriation of $9 billion in subsequent years and not provide an explanation—and, in fact, as they always did, change the system to hide, to obfuscate, to disguise their failure—I am happy to provide an explanation of the $63 million, the 0.0014 per cent of total expenditure. I am happy to provide the information about the last full term of the Labor government— Ms Palaszczuk interjected. Mr NICHOLLS:—which the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition never provided. I am happy to provide the information within three months of the end of the financial year in which it was spent. Instead of waiting up to 18 months for those bills to go through, we are doing it within three months of the end of the financial year. The only supplementary appropriation— Ms Trad: You’re not doing anything except building a tower for yourself. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Robinson): Order! Those on my left. Mr NICHOLLS: I hear the whine of incompetency coming across the chamber at me from those opposite as they seek to defend the indefensible—their total and utter incompetence. I highlight for those members who are in the House and paying attention yet again what that financial incompetence was. Let’s remember what it was. I will say it again—I have said it once already: they lost the AAA credit rating. Then what did they do? They changed their own Q2 plan—the ultralight plan that they stole from New South Wales. Mike Kaiser stole that plan and brought it up here with him—that doyen of responsible government and parliamentary accountability. I think he might have been a member here once, wasn’t he? Mr Stevens: Yes. Mr NICHOLLS: Yes. I think he might have had to leave once, didn’t he? I remember a former Premier—I think it was the former would-be ‘lord of Forde’—who said, ‘There is no place in the party I lead for someone who is a vote rorter.’ What did the member for South Brisbane’s mentor do? She brought him back and increased his pay by $100,000! That is what the Labor Party did. Not only did they not bail him out but they brought him back—

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Opposition members interjected. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There are too many interjections in the chamber. Mr NICHOLLS: I thought this was going to be dull! What they do is first they turf him out for vote rorting. How many people were living in that house? I cannot remember. How many were there at a house in Seventh Avenue, Coorparoo? I think there were 19 at a house in Seventh Avenue, Coorparoo. So they turf him out. Then they say, ‘He’ll never work for us again.’ Then they bring him back in New South Wales. Then they bring him back up here to Queensland and they pay him $100,000 more. And then he knocks off the plan from Labor in New South Wales and brings it up here and he says, ‘What’s one of our fundamental aims? We will retain the AAA credit rating.’ Then they lose the AAA credit rating and what do they do? They change the plan. ‘We could not reach our own standard’—maybe it was not theirs. Maybe they did not read that part of the plan accurately when they knocked it off from New South Wales. Mr Bleijie: Then promoted Kaiser to the NBN. Mr NICHOLLS: And then put him in a $400,000-a-year job on the NBN so he could go and blame Telstra for the asbestos in the pits! The history of incompetence is beyond almost belief. You would not read a fictitious story better than that one, Mr Deputy Speaker. Let me go back to the appropriation bill—the serious business. Ms Palaszczuk: Are you going to tell us the make-up of the money now? Mr NICHOLLS: And I heard the Leader of the Opposition—she wants more! She said, ‘Are you going to tell us the make-up of the money?’ Leader of the Opposition, you better believe it I am going to tell you the make-up of the money. You just wait until these figures come out—these will rock your socks off. I am actually pleased that I am getting a question from the Leader of the Opposition even if it is only via interjection. The only supplementary appropriation required for 2012-13 is for Queensland Treasury and Trade—that is my department—under the administered items heading, and relates to Treasury’s whole-of-government financial management role. In particular, the amount of $63.445 million is required mainly due to higher than expected superannuation beneficiary and long service leave payments for public sector employees. That is what it was for. We are actually paying out $63 million in long service leave and superannuation entitlements to those beneficiaries, and that is it. So, out of a $45 billion budget, we had long service leave and superannuation—both of which are beyond our control because we cannot tell when people will leave, so we have no say over that— Ms Trad: You sacked them. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The member for South Brisbane will cease interjecting. Mr NICHOLLS:—and we were out by $63 million. Mr Deputy Speaker, let me also point this out to the House: this is the lowest level of unforeseen expenditure in over 15 years, once again demonstrating this government’s commitment to fiscal discipline—something that those opposite never had the gumption or the will to be able to impose. All they had was their union mates getting on the other end of the phone, as the Minister for Police said yesterday, ringing up and saying, ‘No. We don’t like this. Pay us a bit more money. We don’t like this. We need a bit more of sinecure. We need more money being spent. We don’t really want more services being delivered. We don’t want people actually getting in ambulances and going to our hospitals and getting in the door. We don’t want emergency services attending and putting out fires. We don’t want our police and our emergency services personnel’— Mr Dempsey interjected. Mr NICHOLLS: I take the interjection from the Minister for Police—‘having a secure digital wireless network that allows them to talk amongst themselves. Heaven forbid we should have a system that allows the police to talk to the ambulance officers, that allows them to talk to the fire brigade officers, that allows them to talk to the emergency services officers. Heaven forbid under Labor we should have that. That makes too much sense.’ It was too hard for them. We have done it within 18 months of coming to government. I congratulate the police minister for his efforts and that of Commissioner Ian Stewart for the work that they have put in to making sure that happens. I also acknowledge the work of Projects Queensland in my part of government for making sure that we actually do have a secure digital wireless network.

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I also want to acknowledge the work done by the Treasury officials and all ministers and their departments in bringing about this result because this is not the achievement of any one person. This is the achievement of a whole government working together with a common aim to deliver better services for Queenslanders. I said that this is the lowest level of unforeseen expenditure in over 15 years. I thought I might table a document that sets out the figures for those 15 years. I table that document and I will read it into the record. Tabled paper: Document titled ‘Unforseen Expenditure by Year—1999-2000 to 2012-13’ [3437]. By financial year, unforeseen expenditure sought in prior years was: $2.970 billion in 1997-98; $2.24 billion in 1998-99; $327 million in 1999-2000; $295.9 million in 2000-01; $375.9 million in 2001-02; $1.5 billion in 2002-03; $2.3 billion in 2003-04; $77.538 million in 2004-05—I think this must have been Terry Mackenroth’s last year, and that would have been a good year because I think the returns from the stock market were good that year—$1.874 billion in 2005-06, and this is when the rot set in. You can see the rot set in from about 2006. Can anyone remember who became Treasurer in 2006? I think it was the mentor of the member for South Brisbane who became Treasurer in 2006. What was the unforeseen expenditure in 2005-06? $1.8 billion. Then we get to 2006-07, and we remember the Commission of Audit report and we can see where the rot really set in. This is where we saw the big divergence—revenue was still going up, rivers of gold were flowing in, but expenses—whoa! Did they see the former member for South Brisbane coming! Give her the chequebook every day—$3.99 billion in 2006-07. It was $2.152 billion in 2007-08—and this is before the GFC. This is while the rivers of gold were flowing in—coal prices, world record; transfer revenues, world record; land tax went over $1 billion. I remember those years. And they still could not get the figures right. They had not had disasters. I think we had Cyclone Larry—that was about $560 million, if I recall correctly from the budget papers. So it was $3.99 billion in 2006-07; $2.152 billion in 2007-08; $2.957 billion in 2008-09—and that was the year that it was starting to get a bit much even for the then Treasurer, Andrew Fraser, who thought, ‘No. I don’t want to have to explain this, so what I will do is put everything back by a year so no-one will find out until two years after I have actually spent it that I have done so and I will slip it through as an unforeseen expenditure.’ So it was $2.957 billion in 2008-09. Then it was $1.054 billion in 2009-10; and, listen to this one, $9.3 billion in 2010-11—$9.3 billion out of a $40 billion budget, a 25 per cent variance over what they budgeted for in that year. Is it any wonder that the people of Queensland when it came to making a decision on 24 March 2012 said, ‘We have had enough of this mob.’ Not only could they not add up; they could not actually keep a budget. They could not do what every household knows they need to do: maintain their expenditure with their revenues. They kept spending and spending and spending and they incurred more and more debt. As I have said many times, a debt is just a tax on future generations because it always has to be paid. Someone has to pay the piper. In the Labor world they think that can go on forever. As we all know, the problem with socialism is that eventually one day you run out of other people’s money, and that is what happened under the Labor Party. They have not learnt a thing from it. In 2011-12, following the $9 billion blow-out in 2010-11, it was $2.826 billion. As I have demonstrated today, those budget blow-outs will not continue under this government. We are determined to respect the taxpayers’ dollar. We know how hard businesses, large and small, in Queensland work to make a dollar. We know how difficult things can be when you are working seven days a week, when your family is doing the hard yards, when you do not get a guaranteed four weeks off every year and when you have to have salespeople on the floor making sure you are getting product out there. We know how important it is to the businesses of Queensland that their money is husbanded and spent wisely. We are determined to respect the taxpayers’ dollars, properly plan for the future of this great state and ensure that the opportunities abound. With those words, I move that the bill be now read a first time.

First Reading Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (12.21 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time.

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Referral to the Finance and Administration Committee Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Robinson): Order! In accordance with standing order 131, the bill is now referred to the Finance and Administration Committee.

Portfolio Committee, Reporting Date Hon. TJ NICHOLLS (Clayfield—LNP) (Treasurer and Minister for Trade) (12.21 pm), by leave, without notice: I move— That under the provisions of standing order 136 the Finance and Administration Committee report to the House on the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) by 22 October 2013. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

POLICE POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction Hon. JM DEMPSEY (Bundaberg—LNP) (Minister for Police and Community Safety) (12.22 pm): I present a bill for an act to amend the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 and the Evidence Act 1977 for particular purposes. I table the bill and the explanatory notes. I nominate the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee to consider the bill. Tabled paper: Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 [3438]. Tabled paper: Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, explanatory notes [3439]. I am pleased to introduce the Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013. The bill has a number of purposes, including to: • enhance the effectiveness of, and efficiency in, delivering front-line policing services to the Queensland community through blue-tape reduction; • implement an out-of-control event scheme; and • amend the evade police provision to ensure the minimum penalty is 50 penalty units ($5,500) or the equivalent period of 50 days imprisonment is imposed. This bill introduces tough laws to address the increasing occurrence of out-of-control events. The bill aims to minimise the community impact of out-of-control events and ensures police have the necessary powers to respond to or prevent these events from occurring. The bill will also bring those responsible for out-of-control events to account for their actions. The bill supports the government’s commitment to revitalising front-line services through reducing red tape and thereby increasing the capability of the Queensland Police Service to enhance community safety. Furthermore, the bill amends the evade police provision of the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 to ensure that penalties imposed by the courts remain equal with the risk posed by those persons who evade police. The bill inserts the out-of-control event scheme into chapter 2, part 7 of the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000. These events are at the more serious end of the scale of antisocial behaviour. They often involve large groups of people whose conduct results in community members fearing violence to themselves, their families or damage to property. Many participants in these out-of-control events become subject to mob mentality to the point that bottles, fence palings and even bricks have been thrown at our police officers and others in the community. While police officers currently have powers to deal with a riot or an unlawful assembly, the conduct of persons at an out-of-control event may not reach this level of unlawful behaviour. Also, while police officers have powers to deal with breaches of the peace, public nuisance and affray, none of these offences are targeted at persons who organise events which become out of control and are, importantly, frequently undertaken for profit. Parents responsible for either allowing their child to hold the event or contributing to it through inadequate supervision cannot be held accountable under current laws. Furthermore, existing noise abatement and move-on powers are not applicable to all instances of out-of-control events. The most common events which become out of control are those generally referred to as open house parties or Facebook parties. These parties often result in large numbers of people attending, an excessive amount of alcohol consumption or drugs followed by alcohol fuelled violence and other antisocial or criminal conduct.

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The government recognises that, of all the parties that occur, only a small number of events would require the use of this scheme. To ensure the out-of-control event powers are utilised in appropriate circumstances only, the bill requires the use of the powers to be authorised by a police officer of at least the rank of sergeant. The bill requires a sergeant or above to reasonably believe that an out-of-control event is occurring or that an event is likely to become an out-of-control event. In addition, for an event to be an out-of-control event, it must satisfy three criteria: it must be a gathering of 12 or more persons; three or more persons must engage in out-of-control conduct; and the out-of-control conduct must be of such a nature that it would likely cause a person to fear violence to a person or property or cause a person to reasonably believe a person would suffer a substantial interference to the rights or freedoms of a person or passage through or enjoyment of a public place. The bill defines out-of-control conduct as including a number of unacceptable behaviours which typically occur at out-of-control events. These include unlawfully entering or remaining in a place or threatening to enter a place; behaving in a disorderly, offensive, threatening or violent way; unlawfully assaulting or threatening to assault a person; unlawfully destroying or damaging property or threatening to destroy or damage property; wilfully exposing a person’s genitals or doing an indecent act; unlawfully lighting fires or using fireworks; throwing, releasing or placing a thing in a way that endangers, or is likely to endanger, the life, health or safety of a person; or unreasonably obstructing the path of vehicles or pedestrians. The bill enables police officers to prevent out-of-control events from occurring, stopping out-of-control events that are underway, dispersing people involved in out-of-control events, minimising the impact of out-of-control events on public order or safety, and identifying people who organise such events or commit offences during such events under this scheme. To do this, the bill provides powers for police officers to stop a vehicle or enter a place without a warrant. Further, police officers can give a person or a group of people a direction to stop any conduct or to immediately leave the out-of-control event. A police officer can also take any further steps they consider reasonably necessary in the circumstances. The bill creates an offence for a person to organise an event which becomes an out-of-control event. It specifically says that, if a parent allows a child to organise the event, that parent will be liable for the offence. It is important at this point to note that the ‘parties to offences’ provisions found in section 7 of the Criminal Code will also apply to these amendments. By this I mean that any person who helps or procures a child, or an adult for that matter, to have an out-of-control event will be as liable for the offence as if they committed it. The maximum penalty for organising an event that becomes out of control will be 110 penalty units (equivalent to $12,100) or one year’s imprisonment. If the person who organised the event does not reside at the place the event is held or does not have lawful authority to use the place for the event, the maximum penalty increases to 165 penalty units (equivalent to $18,150) or three years imprisonment. The bill provides adequate safeguards by providing a defence for a person who proves they took reasonable steps to prevent the event becoming an out-of-control event. The bill also includes an offence provision for when a person has been refused entry to an event and that person engages in out-of-control conduct, causing the event to become an out-of-control event. In this circumstance, the maximum penalty is 110 penalty units or one year’s imprisonment. A person who contravenes a direction given by a police officer under this scheme commits an offence with a maximum penalty of 110 penalty units, or one year’s imprisonment. The maximum penalty increases to 165 penalty units, or three years imprisonment, if that person contravenes a direction by unlawfully assaulting, or threatening to assault, another person; unlawfully destroying or damaging, or threatening to destroy or damage, property; or throwing, releasing or placing a thing in a way that endangers, or is likely to endanger, the life, health or safety of another person. Out-of-control events impose a heavy burden on police resources and significantly impact on the delivery of police services to the remainder of the community. Resourcing impacts are not limited to the event location but extend to the broader locality as attendees disperse and continue to commit offences and display antisocial behaviour. This includes areas where groups of people recongregate, such as parks and transport hubs. The bill allows a court to make a costs order against an adult, child or parent of a child offender who is found guilty of any of the offences I have mentioned. The costs order is in addition to any penalty to which the person is liable. The court may order the person to pay some or all of the reasonable expenses of the police response to the out-of-control event. If the offender is a child, the court may consider whether the child has the capacity to pay. If the court considers the child does not

Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation 12 Sep 2013 3057 Amendment Bill have the capacity to pay, the court may, on its own initiative or upon an application by the Commissioner of Police, decide to call on the child’s parent to show cause as to why the parent should not pay all or some of the reasonable expenses of the police response. This bill inserts chapter 7, part 7 into the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 as one of the amendments aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the Police Service. Part 7 enables a police officer of at least the rank of inspector to require a financial institution to provide account name or account number details within a stated time period. The requirement for the supply of information is supported by an offence provision in the event of noncompliance with a maximum penalty of 100 penalty units. The offence is balanced with a defence provision. The bill makes a number of other amendments to the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 aimed at enhancing efficiency of police services. For example, the bill extends the duration of a noise abatement period from 12 hours to 96 hours and allows police officers to act on an anonymous noise complaint. The bill removes the requirement for senior officer approval to be sought to take a DNA sample from a person being proceeded against for an indictable offence. The bill enables the Commissioner of Police to use non-government laboratories, in addition to Queensland Health, to analyse DNA samples. The bill will also authorise forensic nurse examiners to perform forensic procedures. The bill amends section 754, ‘Offence for driver of motor vehicle to fail to stop motor vehicle’, to clarify that the only alternative minimum penalty that a court can impose, instead of the 50 penalty unit fine, is 50 days imprisonment to be served wholly in a corrective service facility. This amendment removes other sentencing options such as suspended sentence and probation as alternatives to the minimum penalty of 50 penalty units for evading police. The amendment further clarifies that a court cannot fix a date for parole eligibility or parole release which will reduce the 50 days imprisonment period the person must serve if a court sentences the person to a term of imprisonment. This bill enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of front-line police services to Queenslanders by removing unnecessary red tape and ensuring police officers have the necessary powers to enhance community safety. Additionally, the bill sends a strong and clear message that people who organise out-of-control events or cause events to become out of control will face significant fines and prison terms. Those people will also be made to pay for all or some of the costs of the police response to the events. This includes parents who allow their children to organise these events or contribute to their occurrence through failing to adequately supervise their children. The significant penalties detailed in the bill will deter people from organising these events for monetary gain by removing their ability to profit from such events. This government listens to the Queensland community, who have had enough of these out-of-control events and the resulting alcohol fuelled violence, mob mentality and destruction of property. This government will protect Queenslanders by providing police with the powers to shut down an event which is likely to become an out-of-control event. I commend this bill to the House.

First Reading Hon. JM DEMPSEY (Bundaberg—LNP) (Minister for Police and Community Safety) (12.35 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time. Referral to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Robinson): Order! In accordance with standing order 131, the bill is now referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee. Portfolio Committee, Reporting Date Hon. JM DEMPSEY (Bundaberg—LNP) (Minister for Police and Community Safety) (12.35 pm), by leave, without notice: I move— That under the provisions of standing order 136 the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee reports to the House on the Police Powers and Responsibilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill by 11 November 2013. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

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PARLIAMENT OF QUEENSLAND AMENDMENT BILL

Introduction Hon. JP BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (12.35 pm): I present a bill for an act to amend the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001 for a particular purpose. I table the bill and the explanatory notes.

Tabled paper: Parliament of Queensland Amendment Bill 2013 [3440]. Tabled paper: Parliament of Queensland Amendment Bill 2013, explanatory notes [3441]. I am pleased to introduce the Parliament of Queensland Amendment Bill 2013. The trust between a member of parliament and their constituents should be considered a very important one, and one of the most important duties of a member is to attend the sittings of their parliament so as to participate in its proceedings and give representation to the views and aspirations of their constituents. In recent times in this House, concern has been raised regarding the absences of the member of Redcliffe. While members of parliament cannot be expected to be immune from illness, or other legitimate factors that may prevent them from attending a sitting day, there need to be adequate rules in place to ensure that members reasonably account for their absences. The Committee of the Legislative Assembly has undertaken a review of the current provisions for dealing with the absences of members, and on 11 September 2013 Madam Speaker tabled report No. 9 of the Committee of the Legislative Assembly titled Absence from the House and vacating of seats by members. In this report, the CLA has found that a tightening of the current provisions is required and has recommended that amendments to section 72(1)(m) of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001 and standing orders 263A and 263B should be progressed. The government supports the CLA’s recommendation and this bill proposes to amend the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001, while the amendments to the standing rules and orders were progressed by the Leader of the House earlier today. Section 72 of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001 outlines the circumstances under which a member’s seat becomes automatically vacant. These circumstances include if a member fails to take his or her seat within 21 sitting days after being elected, if a member stops being enrolled on the electoral roll, if a member stops being an Australian citizen, or if a member is convicted of certain offences. Section 72(1)(m) of the act currently provides that a member’s seat becomes automatically vacant if the member is absent without the Assembly’s permission for more than 21 consecutive sitting days, whether over one or more sessions. The government supports the reduction of the number of consecutive sitting days to 12 sitting days and the bill provides for an amendment to section 72(1)(m) accordingly. The bill is not intended to act retrospectively and will only include sitting days for which a member is absent after the bill’s assent. The House agreed to an amendment to standing order 263B earlier today that reflects this change, and standing order 263B now provides a mechanism for the House to grant a member leave of absence up to or beyond 12 consecutive sitting days. As honourable members know, standing order 263A has also been amended to require members to notify the Speaker in writing, and provide a medical certificate or any other evidence that is acceptable to the Speaker, if a member intends to be absent from the Legislative Assembly for more than four consecutive sitting days. These are all sensible reforms, and I commend the bill to the House.

First Reading Hon. JP BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (12.39 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time.

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Declared Urgent; Allocation of Time Limit Order Hon. JP BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (12.39 pm), by leave, without notice: I move— That under the provisions of standing order 137 the Parliament of Queensland Amendment Bill be declared an urgent bill to enable the bill to be passed through all remaining stages at this day’s sitting. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

Second Reading Hon. JP BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (12.40 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a second time. Ms PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Leader of the Opposition) (12.40 pm): As I indicated earlier when the Leader of the House moved the motion this morning, the opposition is in full support. In relation to the Parliament of Queensland Amendment Bill, the opposition will also be supporting the government in relation to this issue. I think that the Attorney summed it up very well when he said that there are high expectations on members of parliament in this House. I made that point very clearly this morning when we looked at the motion of providing a medical certificate when there are absences from the House of more than four sitting days. What we have seen over recent months has been an abuse of process and an abuse of the rights and obligations of this House. It is something that no member of parliament should ever take for granted. To be elected to serve our constituencies and speak on issues relevant to this House is one of the highest honours in Queensland. Unfortunately, in recent times there has been one person in particular who has failed to turn up to this House to perform his duties. As it states very clearly in the policy objective and the reasons for this bill, on 10 September 2013 the CLA tabled its report entitled Absence from the House and vacating of seats by members. The CLA’s report notes the absence of the member for Redcliffe, Mr Scott Driscoll, from the sittings of the Assembly during 2013. It indicated that the government supports the CLA’s recommendation, and to that I add that the opposition supports it, as the opposition supported the recommendations when they went to the CLA on a couple of occasions. I do want to reiterate that in June of this year I wrote to Madam Speaker requesting that consideration be given to amending the standing orders in relation to the attendance in parliament of elected members of the Legislative Assembly. My letter stated that such amendments would set clearer parameters around the permitted absences of members, in line with the expectations upon all other persons whose salaries are paid by the taxpayers of Queensland. Let me make it very clear that openness and transparency should be the hallmark of representative democracy, and members should be required to explain protracted absences at the earliest opportunity. Since the earliest stages of this debacle there has been a lack of leadership on the part of the Premier. If the Premier had acted decisively when questions were first raised about the member, we would not be in this position and we possibly would not be here having this debate. During the member’s protracted leave of absence, I believe—and I think other members of this House would concur—that the people of Redcliffe have not had an effective representative in this parliament. Recently the opposition conducted a town hall meeting in Redcliffe, and a number of people who turned up to that town hall meeting expressed to me their absolute disgust that (a) they had not seen the member for Redcliffe; and (b) the member for Redcliffe was not turning up to this chamber. He is not turning up to take his seat, which is what he was elected to do, and he is not turning up to do his job. People who take taxpayers’ dollars should all be held to the same level of accountability. Imagine the public outcry if public servants went missing in action for months on end, only turned up for duty in the dead of night for half an hour here or there and then disappeared again. It is simply not good enough; the community deserves more. I also want to raise an issue in relation to how this situation arose. We know that Mr Driscoll was elected as an LNP member. We also know that in this parliament the Premier had full confidence in the member for Redcliffe, Mr Scott Driscoll. When the Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked the

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Premier, ‘Does the Premier have full confidence in the member for Redcliffe?’, the Premier responded, ‘Yes, I do. I say again today that I have seen absolutely nothing to disqualify him from representing the people of Redcliffe’— Mr STEVENS: I rise to a point of order. This bill is specifically about amending the legislation in relation to the number of sitting days that a member may be absent. It has nothing to do whatsoever about an individual member. I would ask that the Leader of the Opposition stop taking cheap political shots and return to the bill at hand. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Robinson): Order! The Leader of the Opposition is by and large addressing the issues in the bill. I note in the reading of the bill itself that it actually mentions the matter of the member for Redcliffe and the explanatory notes mention the specific member. I am going to allow the Leader of the Opposition to continue. Ms PALASZCZUK: I will just convey this to the Leader of the House so he is well aware. The explanatory notes say— The CLA’s report notes the absences of the Member for Redcliffe, Mr Scott Driscoll MP, from the sittings of the Assembly during 2013. It is very clear. It is in black and white in the explanatory notes. The Premier expressed his full confidence in the member for Redcliffe. The Premier stood by the member for Redcliffe. The Premier supported the member for Redcliffe. He ran as an LNP member and then when it did not suit you, you cast him adrift. That is what happened. He was hand-picked by the Premier. The Premier said in this House, ‘I have full confidence in the member for Redcliffe.’ And then you found out! For weeks the opposition had been raising the issue. We had asked ministers questions. The ministers all stood by the member for Redcliffe, and then the going got rough. Then the member for Redcliffe was not turning up, and then you cast him adrift once you knew there might be a CMC investigation. Then you thought: We don’t like that! We need to get rid of him! A little bird told me that at a party room meeting it was conveyed that you wanted the member for Redcliffe out of here by October-November. Is that what happened in your LNP party room? You want him out of this House! You want him sacked! You want him booted out! I say to the government: let the CMC do their job in relation to the member for Redcliffe. Do not be judge and jury; let them do their job. As I have said, the opposition is supporting this. It is the right thing to do. The community deserves MPs who can actually perform their duties as members of parliament in this House. There is a member who has consistently failed to turn up and do that duty, and the people of Queensland deserve better. Dr DOUGLAS (Gaven—UAP) (12.48 pm): I support the legislation, but I have some reservations which I wish to detail. Clearly the intention of the bill is to address matters which have led to considerable community angst and the unhappiness of parliamentary members, and that is members not attending to parliament as their duty requires. I do not intend to further discuss matters relating to any member’s behaviour which may or may not have been referred for further inquiry. More specifically, I would urge all members not to raise any matters relating to any member currently referred to the Ethics Committee, since it is not only against standing orders but prejudicial to their case, sub judice, and it may ultimately lead to a reasonable claim of denial of natural justice. As such, none of those things that anyone feels need to be dealt with would be dealt with, but it may be that any member who did so, irrespective of their position—backbencher, executive member or other— would be in contempt of the parliament. Moreover, it could be claimed that there is a reasonable claim of restorative justice. The bill is almost reasonable, but allowing a get-out-of-jail-free card—that is, allowing for any other evidence that is acceptable to the Speaker—implies that potentially the government of the day, in appointing the Speaker, has a greater capacity to dictate who may or may not be denied fair excuse. In general the Speaker does behave impartially in such matters, and it only seems fair that the addition of a discretionary component will allow for exceptional circumstances and possibly other matters that may not allow an individual to reasonably obtain a medical certificate that is satisfactory. As a doctor I know full well the implications of what a doctor states. It is virtually a statutory declaration. As is the norm, most doctors will take the word of the patient—in this case the parliamentarian or their family—and then decide whether what they see, hear and feel fulfils the requirements for making such a declaration. I agree to a 12-day absence before a requirement for certification of illness or otherwise. This is effectively a block of three parliamentary sittings. In simple terms, over eight months of the year a three-month absence could occur without the need for a medical certificate.

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I am aware that many years ago a member took six months leave, lived in London and continued to be paid. No tangible benefit appeared to be gained from that and nothing was changed afterwards. Maybe it was a wrong and maybe it is a wrong now, but as the devil’s advocate I would say that in the past 25 years there have been only two incidents that give satisfactory reason for change. The world is changing, the population is ageing and malignancies are more common. I note the most recent case of the member for Caloundra and the serious illness of the father of the current member for Mulgrave. I do congratulate the member for Caloundra, who is sitting here today, for both his courage and determination and for his steely resolve in returning to parliament. That is a great test of any person’s determination and their will to represent their constituents. Many members may not realise just how hard a task that is. These things say to me that there are circumstances that do necessitate long periods of parliamentary absence and they will include reasons other than strict medical reasons. I say this because we are moving into an era where our children are going to predecease their own parents. This will happen to members of this parliament. In 15 years, dementia will be the most common illness causing disability—and that will happen pretty fast—and the divorce rate continues to rise. It is now over 50 per cent. Some 25 per cent of the public will have a mental illness at some point in their lives. There will be those who may not be able to gain a valid medical certificate. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Gaven, I have been struggling in the last minute to understand how this relates to the bill. I have just given you a bit of latitude, but— Dr DOUGLAS: I am just saying that the reality is that if change is going to occur we should ask a committee to impartially consider the matter and take submissions. We should never act in haste on the basis of extraordinary situations. We should write statute for the majority, not the exceptions. Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (Leader of the House) (12.52 pm): At the outset I would like to make certain that this bill, which will make a major change to legislation in Queensland, is not solely seen as the ‘get Scott Driscoll, member for Redcliffe, bill’. This bill represents a change to current legislation that addresses behaviour that has been highlighted by the member for Redcliffe. I acknowledge that these changes represent the bipartisan recommendation of the CLA—it is comprised of equal numbers of opposition and government members—to make a change to the requirements. In a normal year there are 42 days of parliamentary sitting. It is expected that a parliamentarian doing the job of representing their constituency should be here for those 42 days. That expectation applies to ministers, the Premier—everybody. Members of parliament have a responsibility and a duty to be in this House, debate and pass legislation, discuss matters of importance and ensure our constituencies are represented in the appropriate manner. The current legislation gives leeway for a member to not turn up to parliament for 21 consecutive days. That allows for sickness and other legitimate reasons for absence. We are very appreciative of members who have had sickness who have returned to parliament. During my time in parliament there have been instances of former government members confronting serious depression. They had to be absent in order to deal with that. We were totally supportive of that absence. I assure all members of this House that this legislation will never preclude the House giving appropriate consideration to people’s disabilities at certain times and giving leave to those members. This House will make such a determination, and I am sure members from both sides of parliament will give appropriate leave where necessary. I am not sure about circumstances such as members taking world trips, mentioned earlier by the member for Nicklin, but certainly the House will, on legitimate grounds, always give the appropriate leave that is required. The behaviour of the member for Redcliffe in turning up for an hour just before the expiration of 21 days—that is, in effect, a six-month period of sittings—treats this parliament with total contempt. Rightly, the Leader of the Opposition brought the matter forward to the CLA—a very appropriate move that was—and it was considered by the CLA. It was considered that this reduction in the amount of allowed absence, to 12 days, is reasonable. That is, in effect, a three-month period of absence without requiring the leave of the House. I want to make it very clear that the House can determine that a person requires more consecutive leave than that. There will not be an automatic exclusion from their representative duties; however, it will be a matter for the House to consider. That is exactly where this legislation will take us if—and I hope it is—it is passed here today.

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The conduct of the member for Redcliffe has been the impetus for the reduction in the allowable absence. I do not believe the new provisions will change the behaviour of the member for Redcliffe. Given the legislation will allow 12 consecutive days of leave without approval, I am sure there will be an hour’s attendance by the member for Redcliffe just before midnight on the 12th day such that he will still meet the requirements. However, we are making it tougher for that sort of contempt of parliament, that sort of contempt for the people of Redcliffe, that sort of inappropriate behaviour, to occur. Quite clearly, it sends a loud message from Parliament House that we are not prepared to be treated in that fashion. The people of Redcliffe deserve better. Hon. JP BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (12.57 pm), in reply: I thank all honourable members for their contributions to this debate today. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to. Bill read a second time. Consideration in Detail Clauses 1 to 3, as read, agreed to. Third Reading Hon. JP BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (12.58 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a third time. Question put—That the bill be now read a third time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a third time.

Long Title Hon. JP BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (12.58 pm): I move— That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Question put—That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Motion agreed to. Sitting suspended from 12.59 pm to 2.30 pm.

VACANCY IN SENATE OF COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

Nomination Madam SPEAKER: Honourable members, I advise that this meeting has been summoned for 2.30 pm this day under the provisions of standing order 288 for the purpose of the election of a senator. I note that a quorum of members is present. Before calling for nominations, I remind members that every nomination must be accompanied by a declaration by the nominee of qualification and consent to be nominated and to act if elected. I now call for nominations. Hon. CKT NEWMAN (Ashgrove—LNP) (Premier) (2.30 pm): Madam Speaker, I nominate Barry James O’Sullivan, company director, of Cottesloe Street, Toowoomba, Queensland, for election to hold the place in the Senate rendered vacant through the resignation of Senator Barnaby Joyce. I produce and table Mr O’Sullivan’s declaration of qualification and consent. Tabled paper: Declaration of qualification and consent for casual vacancy in the Senate, dated 11 September 2013, from Barry James O’Sullivan [3442]. Madam SPEAKER: Are there any further nominations? If there are no further nominations, I call the Premier.

Election of Senator Hon. CKT NEWMAN (Ashgrove—LNP) (Premier) (2.30 pm): I move— That Barry James O’Sullivan be elected to hold the place in the Senate of the Parliament of the Commonwealth rendered vacant through the resignation of Senator Barnaby Joyce.

Child Protection (Offender Reporting—Publication of Information) 12 Sep 2013 3063 Amendment Bill

The LNP has confirmed its preselection of Mr O’Sullivan and formally notified that he should be nominated for election to hold a place in the Senate. I therefore have produced Mr O’Sullivan’s declaration of qualification and consent. Mr O’Sullivan has lived and worked all over Queensland as a businessman, farmer and former police detective and is passionate about rural and regional issues. As honourable members are aware, on 8 August 2013 Senator Barnaby Joyce resigned as a senator for the state of Queensland. He was first elected to the Senate in 2004 and in 2010. He was re-elected as an endorsed candidate of the Liberal National Party of Queensland. His resignation in August was necessary to enable him to contest the seat of New England in the House of Representatives at last Saturday’s federal election and we all know that this bid for election to the House of Representatives was successful. On behalf of the Queensland government and this House, I congratulate Barnaby on his election. I also thank him for his years of service to Queensland as a senator representing the state. I know that Barnaby will do a wonderful job serving both the electorate of New England and this nation as a whole. Section 15 of the Australian Constitution requires that, where a senator was the endorsed candidate of a political party when elected to the Senate, the person chosen to fill the vacancy created by that person leaving the Senate before the expiration of their term or any subsequent vacancy must be a member of the same political party. At a meeting in Mackay in May this year the LNP state council selected Mr O’Sullivan as the nominated candidate to fill the Senate vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Barnaby Joyce. This House is duty-bound to appoint the candidate duly nominated by the LNP to this Senate vacancy. However, today, in the public interest of Queenslanders and in the interests of full transparency, the LNP and Mr O’Sullivan have asked this parliament to adjourn the debate of this Senate vacancy. I table letters from the President of the LNP, Mr Bruce McIver, and Mr Barry O’Sullivan.

Tabled paper: Letter, dated 12 September 2013, from Mr Bruce McIver, LNP State President, to the Premier, Hon. Campbell Newman, regarding the nomination of Barry O’Sullivan to fill the Senate vacancy [3443].

Tabled paper: Letter, dated 12 September 2013, from Mr Barry O’Sullivan to Mr Bruce McIver, LNP State President, regarding the nomination of Barry O’Sullivan to fill the Senate vacancy [3444]. The LNP and Mr O’Sullivan are aware that Mr O’Sullivan is presently involved in a Crime and Misconduct Commission investigation. To uphold the integrity of the Senate and to ensure that this chamber makes an informed decision, the LNP and Mr O’Sullivan have asked the parliament to move to adjourn the matter until the CMC has completed its investigation. Madam Speaker, as you are aware, many people get investigated and are cleared by the CMC and, just like in those cases, Mr O’Sullivan is entitled to the presumption of innocence until investigations are concluded. I trust that this House will respect the request of the LNP and Mr O’Sullivan and acknowledge that it sets a strong example of openness and accountability. I look forward to asking the parliament to formally elect Mr O’Sullivan once these issues are resolved. Debate, on motion of Mr Newman, adjourned.

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT Hon. CKT NEWMAN (Ashgrove—LNP) (Premier) (2.35 pm): I move— That in accordance with standing order 290(6) the meeting of the House for the purpose of the election of a Senator be now adjourned until 2.30 pm on Thursday, 17 October 2013. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

CHILD PROTECTION (OFFENDER REPORTING—PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION) AMENDMENT BILL Introduction Mr KNUTH (Dalrymple—KAP) (2.36 pm): I present a bill for an act to amend the Child Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004 and the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003

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to provide for the publication of information about particular offenders. I table the bill and the explanatory notes and I nominate the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee to consider the bill. Tabled paper: Child Protection (Offender Reporting—Publication of Information) Amendment Bill 2013 [3445]. Tabled paper: Child Protection (Offender Reporting—Publication of Information) Amendment Bill 2013, explanatory notes [3446]. The primary objectives of the Child Protection (Offender Reporting—Publication of Information) Amendment Bill 2013 are to create a means by which the information may be disclosed to the community concerning certain categories of reportable offenders, dangerous sexual offenders and other persons considered to be a risk to the lives or sexual safety of other persons. The bill amends the Child Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004 and the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003. These amendments will give the Queensland Police Commissioner the power to publish information on Queensland’s most dangerous and high-risk sex offenders. Concerned members of the community will have access to critical information, enabling them to identify reportable offenders in their neighbourhood or who otherwise have access to children in their care. A ‘reportable offender’ describes a person whom a court sentences for a reportable offence. A reportable offence is an offence which comprises of a sexual or serious element involving a child or an incapable person as listed in schedules 1 and 2 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1978. A reportable offender can also include offenders who come to reside in Queensland from other jurisdictions and persons whom the court has ordered to comply with the act. As well as reportable offenders, this bill will apply to dangerous sexual offenders and other offenders upon the authorisation of the Minister for Police. Growing community outrage at the number of sexual assaults on children committed by known offenders has resulted in increased sentencing. However, it has been widely acknowledged that monitoring and supervision of offenders post release is inadequate and addressing monitoring deficiencies is costly. This has led to the introduction of registration schemes in many jurisdictions, including Queensland. The effectiveness of offender registration schemes will be strengthened by making information on certain offenders available to the community and empowering community members to assist parole services and the Queensland Police Service to monitor sexual offenders post release. This has already been put in place by the West Australian government and has proven to be very, very successful. It was also implemented by the Clinton government when they acknowledged that there was a big problem in the United States of America.

First Reading Mr KNUTH (Dalrymple—KAP) (2.39 pm): I move— That the bill be now read a first time. Question put—That the bill be now read a first time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a first time.

Referral to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Dr Robinson): Order! In accordance with standing order 131, the bill is now referred to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee.

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Meridan State College; Fisher Electorate; Community Liquor Permit Hon. JP BLEIJIE (Kawana—LNP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (2.40 pm): I rise today to congratulate the Kawana community on a win for school safety. Students and parents of Meridan State College will no longer be forced to zigzag busy Parklands Boulevard on their way to school after a community campaign claimed a recent victory. I am delighted that a solution has been gained and the green light given, with AV Jennings funding the missing link in the footpath network around the school. This is a real win for community and school safety which has long been campaigned for by the community. It is a vital safety boost. College director, Julie Kornmann, tells me

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she is over the moon. Motorists too will be over the moon with a new left-hand slip lane from Parklands Boulevard to Meridan Way to reduce traffic snarls. This is a win for people power in a community campaign which I first got behind in opposition. I congratulate Mal Brough on winning in the electorate of Fisher on Saturday. I also congratulate the people of Fisher for showing Peter Slipper the door once and for all. Slipper has snubbed the electorate for far too long. I was surprised to see him show up at a polling booth on Saturday in his last ditch attempt to get votes, if only to see his hopes of another term obliterated at the ballot box. It is only fitting that Slipper will be remembered not only for his scandals but also for fetching the lowest ever result at the polls by an incumbent at a federal election in the history of polling—too little too late. Slipper was missing in action as the local member; too busy travelling the countryside on the taxpayers’ expense. Finally this man’s ticket is up. The free ride is over. Fisher has spoken and the Slipper has sunk. I have no doubt that the people of Fisher will be only too happy to see Slipper off in the back of a taxi as long as they are now no longer paying for it. I look forward to working with the honourable member Mal Brough as my federal counterpart and I again congratulate the people of Fisher for their choice. Recently, as members will remember, we passed legislation in terms of liquor licensing laws and community liquor permits for our local schools. I have the pleasure of telling honourable colleagues today that I recently attended the Siena Catholic College trivia night and the Talara trivia night, which was a Dutch theme that fitted with my background—I had the clogs on. These were the first trivia nights they had had where they were able to sell alcohol as a fundraiser and not have to pay $60 to the state government for liquor licensing fees and fill out nine pages of liquor licensing applications. They were over the moon at not having to have RSA trained P&C workers because ultimately this was about entrusting our community members, entrusting our school principals, entrusting our communities and particularly our P&Cs and P&Fs. It was also great to attend recently the Pacific Lutheran College Ocean Festival. I congratulate all those involved in organising that. It was the first time in many years they were able to sell alcohol at that event without government intervention. And guess what? The opposition said the end of the world would happen. These events happened without a hitch. They went on because we put faith in community leaders.

Springbrook National Park Ms BATES (Mudgeeraba—LNP) (2.44 pm): It is with great thanks that I acknowledge the hard work and commitment of the Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing to expose all elements of the $40 million Springbrook buy-up. Following recent media coverage ARCS has placed an article featuring prominently on rainforest.org.au seeking to argue against such coverage. ARCS claims the government is in breach of the agreement with ARCS for not supplying a $10,000 annual grant. Firstly, the agreement only provides for grants for the first five years of the agreement then requires renegotiation. Despite ARCS’s claims, I am advised it did receive the grant for 2011-12 and it is required to approach the government following the initial five-year period for renegotiation. It has not done so. The mere idea that ARCS is doing anything pro bono as claimed multiple times online is ludicrous. ARCS would receive on average more than $50,000 per annum through various government sources. Dr Keto claims she puts 100 hours per week into the project. She then claims she needs personal accommodation in order to deliver this. This accommodation is supplied at the peppercorn rent rate of $1 for 10 years. Assuming a seven-day week, that is a claimed 14-hour day, each day, Dr Keto claims to spend on the project. It is questionable anyone could deliver on this claimed contribution and it certainly could not be delivered remotely yet she claims to not live on the mountain but in Brisbane. If one does the sums it is painfully obvious that she is either living in Springbrook and doing so on the back of the taxpayers’ generosity or she is exaggerating her contribution. Either way it requires an explanation. So what is it? Does Dr Keto enjoy essentially free housing courtesy of the taxpayer or does she not really put in the hours she says she does? I call on Dr Keto to release the details of who is staying at Springbrook permanently or regularly in ARCS controlled properties in Springbrook National Park and for how long they have done so and what benefit the state is receiving from such generosity. Questions were raised last week regarding a potential conflict of interest with regard to ARCS and its buy-up. Dr Keto claims a conflict cannot exist without benefit and that ARCS receives none. I hold here the Biodiversity Fund round 1 for Queensland for 2011-12, which is three years of funding for $270,000, and I table the document. Tabled paper: Australian Government: Clean Energy Future—Biodiversity Fund Round 1, Queensland [3447].

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Does the exclusive use of public assets in a national park, including 17 state government owned properties, not count as a benefit in Dr Keto’s eyes? Are $1 rents not a benefit when the proceeds of those entities on such agreements flow to ARCS? It is this benefit that is mostly damaging to ARCS’s competition. When other businesses are paying up to $4,000 per month in rent to the state, how are they to compete with businesses with such miniscule overheads? The impact on the Springbrook economy is significant and has been seriously damaging. I look forward to all of the secrets of the buy-up being finally uncovered and those injustices done to the people of Springbrook being undone. As I have said in this House before, I represent the silent majority on Springbrook Mountain, not the vocal minority of the ‘gangrenes’.

Moon Lantern Festival Mr STEWART (Sunnybank—LNP) (2.47 pm): I rise today to draw the attention of the House to the Moon Lantern Festival being held in Sunnybank this Saturday, 14 September. Sunnybank is one of the most multicultural electorates in Queensland. Its diversity is its greatest strength. This is no more evident than when culturally significant festivals bring together a multitude of people from different backgrounds and walks of life. The Moon Lantern Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is the second most important celebration to many multicultural groups after the Lunar New Year. In the Northern Hemisphere the festival celebrates the autumn harvest. Traditionally harvest time has been associated with thanksgiving and is an important opportunity for people and families to come together and start planning their lives for the next year forward. Although this year’s festival falls on 19 September, Sunnybank residents are being treated to an early celebration with the first Moon Lantern Festival being held this Saturday at the Sunnybank Hotel precinct. This event, along with many other events, promises to be an exciting exhibition of colour and culture with concerts, magic shows, acrobatic performances and lantern giveaways. I anticipate the event will attract people from all over Brisbane which in turn will bring more business to our local traders. The Moon Lantern Festival has been held annually in Sunnybank for the past five years and around 8,000 people attend the various festivals each year. In the past this occasion has always been celebrated at the Sunnybank Plaza. However, such has been the popularity of the event that the number of patrons has begun to exceed the capacity of the venue. Moving to the Sunnybank Hotel precinct will enable more people than ever before to be a part of this special celebration. Spectacular events such as the Moon Lantern Festival are a testament to the strength of multiculturalism in the Sunnybank electorate. As a local member I am proud to have such cultural diversity flourish in the community. I wish this festival, along with the many other celebrations in the Sunnybank electorate, every success as organisers make their final preparations for what promises to be a wonderful time for families and for our community.

Alleged Deliberate Misleading of the House by a Member

Hon. SA EMERSON (Indooroopilly—LNP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (2.49 pm): During question time today, I was asked about invitations to the Gracemere industrial access project commissioning event by the Leader of the Opposition, Ms Annastacia Palaszczuk. While answering the question, I indicated that the member for Rockhampton, Mr Bill Byrne, was invited to the event. Mr Byrne then rose on a point of order and claimed I was misleading the House in relation to the invitations. Mr Byrne said— The minister is not stating the facts on this matter in relation to the invitations that were issued. He then said— My point of order is that he is misleading the House in terms of what transpired. On 25 July at the Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee estimates hearing, a list of the invitations was provided to Mr Byrne as part of an RTI and tabled in response to his questions. I believe Mr Byrne’s comments were a deliberate attempt to mislead the House. During question time, I indicated that Mr Byrne’s claims were incorrect and that he should take the opportunity to correct the record. He failed to do so. I believe this is a serious matter. I have now written to the Speaker requesting that she refer it to the parliamentary Ethics Committee for further investigation. I have also included, with that letter, a list of the invitees to the event.

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Hill, Mr T Mr BYRNE (Rockhampton—ALP) (2.51 pm): I intend to further highlight my disgust with this government over the Terry Hill affair. The result has been that Mr Terry Hill, a hardworking apolitical and highly regarded long-serving public servant, has had his reputation trashed, suffered considerable personal embarrassment, financial loss and shame due to the conduct of this government and its minions. For the benefit of members, in the short time available to me I will summarise events. We know a $50 million piece of Labor initiated infrastructure needed to be opened in my electorate. We know that regional officials forwarded all appropriate briefing notes up the food chain for approval. We know the guest invitation list included three names of previous local political figures. Two of those people were directly responsible for the project’s advancement, the previous member for Rockhampton and the ex-mayor. We know the minister’s office unsuccessfully attempted to directly intervene in order to have those names removed. What petty and juvenile conduct! It is the conduct of spiteful children. We know that the member for Keppel, who was asked to represent the minister at the opening, had been fully briefed about the attendees likely to be at the opening. We know that at the opening ceremony the present mayor spontaneously invited the two people mentioned who were responsible for the project to share in the ribbon cutting. A photo of that appeared in the media and it appears that a witch-hunt began. We know that at about the same time Main Roads was engaged in a merit based selection recruitment process for the four state regional director positions, for which there were 39 applicants and that Mr Hill was ranked coequal No. 1 at the completion of the merit based process, and that the appointment was appropriately recommended up the food chain. We know that somewhere and somehow the merit based recommendation was completely prostituted. We know that the department issued a statement at the time suggesting that it had decided to head in a different direction. We know that the Premier received representations, but we do not know how many, when, by whom and what was the content. We know that there is a stench about this department since the Premier’s appointment of Mr Caltabiano. During the estimates hearing, the director-general answered questions. To my mind, he deliberately obscured information. He knew that if he answered fully and truthfully, the next question would have been, ‘Why?’ What really happened here? There are members in this chamber who know Terry and must be hanging their heads in shame at what has occurred to this point. What is the new direction that this Main Roads department is taking when the best candidate has no opportunity? There is a way to go with this saga. The director-general’s position is untenable by any measure, as is the minister’s, which has been again demonstrated in the House today. Terry Hill deserves an apology and compensation from this nasty, poisonous and childish government.

Brisbane Broncos; Federal Election Mrs RICE (Mount Coot-tha—LNP) (2.54 pm): Today I rise to talk about an incredible announcement for the electorate of Mount Coot-tha that will be of enormous benefit to our local community. I am talking about the recent announcement by the Premier and the Minister for Education, Training and Employment to give the Brisbane Broncos access to unused state land on Fulcher Road, allowing the team and its leagues club to remain at their traditional Red Hill home and continuing to supporting our local community. This commitment on behalf of the Newman government is about providing the land needed to keep the Broncos in Brisbane and it gives the Broncos exclusive access to the unused northern part of the Ithaca TAFE campus to build a new sports field and a high-performance training facility. Ultimately, this will set the Brisbane Broncos up for the future, while creating improved community amenity and opportunities for local sporting, charity and community groups. If this was not done now, the Brisbane Broncos have indicated that they may have had to move out of not only their Red Hill home, but also potentially Brisbane. This is a perfect example of government working with the community through a local club to achieve an outcome that is beneficial for everyone. It is not lost on anyone that this is the Broncos 25th year, and while they were not able to make it into the finals this is a significant win and the culmination of a great deal of hard work by the leagues club and the football club. Given the shortage of suitable available green space for sporting activity, this is a win-win for the Brisbane Broncos and

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the local community. I know that members of the leagues club, many of whom live in my electorate, and members of the football club will welcome the announcement as a way of improving the interaction between the club and the community, as well as boosting on-field results.

In the context of supporting the Brisbane Broncos to be one of the best rugby league teams in the country, it is also worth noting that my federal colleague and the member for Brisbane, the honourable Teresa Gambaro MP, made an election commitment of $5 million to kick-start the construction of the new high-performance facility. The building of a new facility and training field that will be accessed by the community will greatly improve the Fulcher Road precinct, which already attracts runners, riders, dog walkers and families every beautiful day in the inner west.

I am committed to keeping the local community, particularly residents, informed and consulted as the building commences, to ensure that the final design features optimise access and green space. I look forward to seeing the progress over the next few years. Given the resounding result in the federal seat of Brisbane on the weekend, I know that Teresa will be pleased to deliver on this commitment for our iconic Broncos and this wonderful new facility in our local area. On that note, I congratulate Teresa on her re-election. I very much look forward to continuing to work with her and our neighbouring colleague, Jane Prentice MP, in serving our inner-west community.

Sandgate Volunteer Marine Rescue, Blessing of the Fleet Ms MILLARD (Sandgate—LNP) (2.56 pm): In my life I have been involved in a good number of blessings, from the blessing of babies at christenings right through to that of this parliament, as have all members. However, this week I had the pleasure of attending the less common blessing of a fleet of marine vessels operated by Sandgate’s Volunteer Marine Rescue. I was honoured to be amongst a number of special guests, including the Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart. We attended the ceremony from an enviable vantage point along the mouth of our beautiful bay. Reverend Holt read from the Bible, our gorgeous Bayside Divas sang a number of songs and a number of our TS Paluma Navy cadets marched to order. Lest any member makes the mistake of thinking that this was merely some quaint or quirky tradition from what was once considered a bayside backwater, I can assure them that that is not the case and that, of course, Sandgate is now the centre of the earth. In large part, the concept of the blessing of the fleet is about offering up wishes of safety and prosperity to our marine and boating enthusiasts at the beginning of the sailing season each year. Given the longstanding tradition amongst baysiders of enjoying our waters for recreational activities, this is far more than a simple quirk. For the interest of members who are history buffs, the Sandgate Yacht Club celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and the blessing of the fleet began as its ceremony to kick-start what has always been a popular sailing season in Moreton Bay and Bramble Bay. In the early 1900s, following an incident of drowning in the bay around Shorncliffe, the yacht club brought together a range of volunteers to run its own rescue service. By 1996, that rescue spirit, which had run continuously over that time and is a testimony to our can-do spirited community, had evolved and became incorporated into what is now Sandgate’s Volunteer Marine Rescue, or the VMR as we commonly know it. The Sandgate VMR is the proud owner of three vessels. The largest vessel is the Energex Sandgate 1, which is capable of navigating the open seas. Sandgate Rescue 2 is smaller, but it is also well equipped for a wide range of ocean and bay activities. The Sandgate 2 is smaller again but it is flexible enough to navigate through our many mangroves and creeks if need be. It is an impressive fleet, indeed, for a volunteer based organisation that relies predominantly on independent fund raising and grants. I hope in the future we are able to support the Sandgate VMR in this valuable community service to the fullest extent possible. I wish all Queensland boaties a wonderful season of recreational sport on our waters, but ask them to please spare a thought for our busy volunteers. I ask everyone to please play safe, read up on the rules and call your nearest VMR or coastguard if someone you know needs help. Finally, if any of my parliamentary colleagues find themselves with a couple of hours to spare this time next spring, come down to our beautiful bayside for the start of the boating season and enjoy firsthand the blessing of the fleet. I can highly recommend it.

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IGA Tingalpa

Mr MINNIKIN (Chatsworth—LNP) (2.59 pm): Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, one of the world’s great retail success stories, tells us, ‘The goal as a company is to have customer service that is not just the best but legendary.’ With this in mind, I am proud to bring to the attention of the House the recent success of one of Chatsworth’s local businesses, IGA Tingalpa.

The business, owned and operated by Gary and Kath Turner and managed by their son Zac, was recently awarded IGA Service Department of the Year at the 2013 IGA Retailer of the Year Awards. This is a truly remarkable achievement, which recognised IGA Tingalpa as providing the pinnacle of customer service out of the 1,500 IGA stores across the country. The award is testament to the store’s ongoing commitment to excellence, as demonstrated in their impeccable merchandising, outstanding customer service and professional store culture.

When it comes to customer service, the staff truly go the extra mile to ensure their customers have a rewarding shopping experience. Regular customers are routinely greeted by name when they visit the store, customers are offered assistance to carry their purchases to their vehicle and elderly customers are offered a ride home with their groceries when necessary.

The store’s recent success is made even more remarkable by the fact that the Turners only purchased the business two years ago. In this short time they have completed a full renovation of the store and developed their outstanding customer service culture to create a welcoming environment for customers.

Recently Kath shared with me her belief that offering outstanding customer service reaps rewards through creating customer advocates—customers who are loyal to your business and share their positive experiences with others. This powerful sentiment encapsulates the store’s retail philosophy which sees customers who are enamoured with the service they receive returning time and time again, often with their friends and family.

But customer service is not a concept reserved for the retail industry. It is my belief that the principles of good customer service are of the utmost importance in all lines of work, not the least politics. While the legislative work we conduct in this House is of the utmost importance, the true essence of being a member of parliament is representation—representation of our constituents, on whose behalf we sit in this chamber. It is a welcome reminder for each and every one of us to reflect on the quality of customer service we offer to each other and every constituent who contacts our office. There is an old saying, ‘If you are not serving a customer, you are serving someone who is.’

I would like to sincerely thank the Turner family and the staff at IGA Tingalpa for their ongoing commitment to delivering the legendary customer service which Sam Walton spoke of. I have no doubt that the store will continue to excel and provide local residents with a rewarding shopping experience. It is my pleasure to commend the outstanding efforts of IGA Tingalpa to the House.

Seniors Week Dr ROBINSON (Cleveland—LNP) (3.02 pm): On behalf of the good people of Cleveland I rise to report to the parliament on a very successful Seniors Week program. Seniors Week is an opportunity for Queenslanders of all ages to join together and celebrate the valuable contributions of senior people. Cleveland has a significant and growing seniors community, with the bay often being a home for those who choose a comfortable and relaxed retirement. The good news, as announced previously, is that the LNP Newman government will invest $125,000 per annum over the next three years in Seniors Week programs across Queensland. Seniors Week is a fantastic opportunity for the Cleveland community to embrace and showcase the everyday contributions senior citizens make to their local community. I wish to commend Tony Christensen and RDCOTA, the Redlands District Council of the Ageing, once again for another fantastic program involving the coordination and collaboratively planning, running and subsidising of Seniors Week events and activities. The Council on the Ageing has once again worked with local community groups in Cleveland and throughout Queensland to: improve community attitudes towards older people and ageing; facilitate community participation and activity by older people, including those from Indigenous and

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culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and enhance community connections and intergenerational relationships. In Cleveland I had the privilege of attending several events associated with Seniors Week even though I was tied up in the House for most of the week. The Redlands U3A held a breakfast function that was well attended and had popular radio presenter Madonna King as its guest speaker. The event was held at the Donald Simpson Over 50s Leisure Centre. Ernie Harrison, the director of the centre, does a fantastic job, together with his team, running a whole range of events for seniors in the Cleveland and broader Redlands. I also had the privilege to attend the Redland City Seniors Week concert on Sunday afternoon. The event was a great showcase of the musical talent among our senior citizens in the Cleveland and Redlands area. The annual seniors walk is also a great event. I usually am involved in that and do the walk. This year, however, I was not able to do it. Many participated in that walk. It went very well. I commend the hard work and effort of the countless seniors groups to conduct and organise events during Seniors Week. It is a fantastic initiative. I commend the LNP Newman government for its commitment to promoting and funding important activities during Seniors Week every year. Newman Government, Employment Mr PITT (Mulgrave—ALP) (3.05 pm): The labour force figures for August released today are yet another indictment on the Newman LNP government. In August Queensland experienced the largest fall in full-time jobs in the nation, with 11,100 full-time jobs lost, seasonally adjusted. Some growth in part-time employment has not been enough to offset this massive fall in full-time jobs. The overall fall in jobs of 5,100 was also the largest fall in jobs in the nation. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has increased from 5.9 per cent in July to six per cent in August. When the Newman government was elected it was just 5.5 per cent. It is on full-time jobs that this Newman government is definitively a ‘no-can-do’ government. Since the LNP government was elected in March 2012 there has been a loss of 8,900 full-time jobs in Queensland. This is the largest fall in full-time jobs over this period anywhere in the nation. That is 8,900 fewer full-time jobs with more than 100,000 additional people living here. That record is nothing short of disgraceful. Members of the Newman government who laugh this off do so at their own peril. While Queensland under this Premier has lost 8,900 full-time jobs and not created a single additional full-time job, the rest of Australia has created 42,700 additional full-time jobs despite the falls in Queensland. That increase in unemployment and fall in full-time jobs is particular to Queensland and has occurred since the election of the Newman government. The participation rate or percentage of people looking for work has also fallen by 1.2 per cent since the election. If the participation rate had not fallen, the unemployment rate would now be in excess of 7½ per cent. Queenslanders are fast growing tired of silly games being played by the point and blame Newman government—a government that is trying to fool Queenslanders into thinking they have grown the economy after slowing it, just as they continue their attempted deception on the unemployment rate. The Treasurer has been crowing all week about a state final demand result of 2.5 per cent trend over the year to June. The Treasurer told the media that it ‘goes to show that the Queensland economy is a stand-out economy’ because of the Newman government. Over the year to the March quarter 2012, this was under a Labor government, state final demand was growing much faster at 8.5 per cent. Growth of 2.5 per cent over the year to June quarter is less than a third of the state final demand growth recorded under the last year of a Queensland Labor government, when the Treasurer was calling the economy a ‘basket case’. Treasury pointed out that the state final demand figures included a fall in dwelling investment of 7.2 per cent and weakening household spending reflecting ‘weaker employment levels, modest wages growth and weakening consumer sentiment’. The saving grace was an increase in business investment over the year of seven per cent. However, this is attributed by Queensland Treasury to ‘three major CSG to LNG projects’—projects which all commenced under the previous Labor government. Never in my time in this parliament have I seen a Treasurer so disconnected from reality. We in the opposition are not talking Queensland down—the Queensland economy down. We are optimistic about the future but we will not talk balderdash and blind propaganda as the Treasurer and Premier do day in and day out.

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Maryborough, Open House Mrs MADDERN (Maryborough—LNP) (3.08 pm): As the first port of entry and the second oldest town in Queensland, Maryborough has a very extensive list of historical locations and well preserved buildings. Again this year Maryborough is extending an invitation to visitors to join us for the Maryborough Open House event on Saturday, 26 October. It is very pleasing to know that Minister Powell will be attending part of this event. The Open House event gives the general public the opportunity to view historical buildings, many of them not normally open to the public, for free. This year there will be some 20 historical buildings to be inspected with walking tours and bus tours. I suspect of great interest to many residents of Maryborough will be the inclusion of the Maryborough Hospital as one of the buildings open to the public. Parts of the building are heritage listed and some of the former nurses of the hospital have done a wonderful job of creating a hospital museum. There are two really interesting events at this year’s Open House event. In a first, an archaeological dig will be held on the original Maryborough township site. The dig will be held over two days and will be carried out by volunteers under the guidance of qualified archaeologist Simon Gall. Maryborough is quite unusual in that the original township site, unlike many other places, is not covered by buildings. This area also has cultural significance for the Butchulla people, as this is the area where the women went to have their babies. This year the bell tower in St Paul’s Anglican Church will be open to the general public for only the third time since it was built in 1887. Not only will the bell tower be open for viewing; members of the public will be taught how to ring the bells. Campanology classes will be held, led by tower captain Ruth Anderson. The nine bells were forged in the Whitechapel foundry in the UK and last year they were sent back to be restored. I was privileged to be present at the blessing of the re-installed bells and to see a group of young children ring the bells. They did a marvellous job. It is one of the rare special features of living in Maryborough, listening to the ringing of the bells on Sundays but especially Easter and Christmas. Early this year the School of Arts building, which houses the Maryborough, Wide Bay and Burnett Historical Society, suffered damage from flooding. Much work has been done not only to rectify the damage but to restore parts of the building to its original style. Many, many hours of work have been put in by volunteers of the society under the capable guidance of Ken Brookes of the National Trust, and I understand that Minister Powell is going to reopen this building as part of the event. So please come and join us. This event is really something very special.

Gold Coast University Hospital Mr MOLHOEK (Southport—LNP) (3.11 pm): It was my great pleasure to represent both the Premier and the health minister at the Gold Coast University Hospital Foundation Annual Gala Extravaganza just a few weeks ago. I particularly want to take this opportunity to congratulate the CEO of the hospital foundation, Kim Sutton; the chair of the foundation, Gary Baildon; and Andrew Meadowcroft, who worked very hard to organise what was an amazing evening. Mr Stevens: Secret squirrel. Mr MOLHOEK: Yes, secret squirrel. The outcome of that evening was that the hospital foundation raised another $70,000 towards support services on the Gold Coast. When the hospital opens we will have everything that we have pushed so hard for: comprehensive health services close to home, the very latest in medical equipment, more hospital beds and more emergency bays. It is particularly great news if you are a local med student like my son David, who will be there as an intern next year. It is an enormous weight off your shoulders if you are about to undergo cancer treatment. Fortunately cancer patients will no longer have to travel to Brisbane for radiotherapy. This project, some $1.76 billion, is absolutely worth every single hard-earned, hard-won penny. We will have $6 million in linear accelerators in the new hospital which will be able to treat up to 60 cancer patients a day. We will also have the best in neonatal intensive care, cardiac surgery for the first time, nuclear medicine and a helipad for trauma response. Our government has remained fully committed to this major infrastructure project. Combined with the private hospital being built next door which will open in 2015, the Gold Coast will now have a healthcare precinct to be proud of. In our current budget, we have allocated a further $151.7 million

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towards its completion and $63.5 million for additional services. This year the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, chaired by Ian Langdon, will receive a record $964 million—a 16½ per cent increase on last year. Since coming to government we have seen significant improvements in the quality of patient care. We have seen waits for crucial cancer diagnostic investigations plummet from over two years to six months, eight out of 10 patients are now seen and treated within four hours of arrival compared with five out of 10 in 2010, and 90 per cent of patients now have their elective surgery within the time frames recommended by their doctors. The move to the new Gold Coast University Hospital will occur later this month. It will involve some 200 staff members, there will be around 320 patients to be moved and the total number of trips to be undertaken over that weekend will be some 210 trips. We are all looking forward with great anticipation to the opening of the new hospital. I commend the health minister on the great work he has done in improving health services in our city.

Tallebudgera Creek, Surf-Lifesaving Mr HART (Burleigh—LNP) (3.14 pm): Surf-lifesavers go back to work next Saturday and they will be manning our beaches for the next six months, taking care of people who are swimming at our beaches and doing a great job about it. It may come as a bit of a surprise to some members in this House, but I am an active lifesaver. Miss Barton interjected. Mr HART: It really should not come as a surprise because I have mentioned in this place several times, member for Broadwater, that I am actively involved with the Pacific Surf Life Saving Club in the middle of Palm Beach. As an active member of a surf club, obviously water safety in my electorate concerns me greatly. I have for some time been concerned about water safety at Tallebudgera Creek. Many members in this place will have visited the Gold Coast over the years, no doubt, and they may well have swum in Tallebudgera Creek, as do thousands and thousands of people every year. Mrs Frecklington: School camps. Mr HART: Yes, school camps. Tallebudgera Creek is guarded by the Neptune Royal Life Saving Club. They are a volunteer organisation and obviously they struggle sometimes to provide the coverage that the Gold Coast deserves. People go swimming on the Gold Coast from six and seven o’clock in the morning in summer, when the sun comes up at four o’clock—they go out swimming and they will swim until almost dark. So in March this year I wrote to the Neptune Royal Life Saving Club and I wrote to Surf Life Saving Queensland and asked them to have a look at whether there was any way that they could extend those hours of coverage at Tallebudgera Creek. Tomorrow morning there will be a gathering—which will include me, Gold Coast City Councillor Daphne McDonald, Neptune Royal Life Saving Club President Clive Newman, Surf Life Saving Queensland Chief Operations Officer George Hill and Surf Life Saving Queensland Gold Coast Regional Manager Eddie Bennet—and we will be announcing, through a collaborative approach, that Tallebudgera Creek will now be guarded from 7.30 in the morning until six at night. So there will be somebody watching all of those people, and the safety of people swimming in Tallebudgera Creek will be greatly increased. There is a very strong inward current when the tide comes in and again when the tide turns. It is quite a dangerous place. Sadly, one person died during the 2012-13 patrol season. In fact, from 1999 to 2013 there were four drownings in Tallebudgera Creek alone, making it the fourth highest drowning black spot in Queensland and the third highest on the Gold Coast. With those few words, we have fixed the problem at Tallebudgera. It only took a couple of letters, a couple of phone calls and a bit of organisation.

Whitsunday Electorate, Arts Community Mr COSTIGAN (Whitsunday—LNP) (3.17 pm): This afternoon, as someone who loves sport, I would like to recognise the arts community that we have in the Mackay-Whitsunday region, particularly after I had the very good fortune of opening not one but two exhibitions in my electorate of Whitsunday over the past couple of months.

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In July, I had the pleasure of opening the annual Arts Whitsunday exhibition at the PCYC at Jubilee Pocket that people in and around Airlie Beach are still raving about. As you can imagine, Madam Deputy Speaker, we have an eclectic mix of artists across the Whitsundays, from Pioneer Bay to Hydeaway Bay. On that note, I applaud the likes of Jennifer Beaumont, Suzie Hancock, Tony Moscato and many others who contributed to a very successful exhibition. I also congratulate Jellena Demartini for her longstanding contribution to this exhibition, specifically as convenor, and wish her well for the future as she embarks on some new endeavours and adventures. It would also be remiss of me not to acknowledge Mark Bell of the Airlie Beach Hotel for sponsoring the opening night. Mark is indeed a respected figure in tourism in the Whitsundays, and I was delighted that he joined me in Mackay as one of my three delegates for this year’s Queensland Plan Summit. More recently, I had the pleasure of also opening the Creative Happenings exhibition at Calen, that wonderful little community in the canefields between Mackay and Proserpine. Thanks to organisers Marie Hayes, who turned 81 on the day, and her two ‘nutters’ as she calls them, Rhonda O’Connor and Di Richter, for putting on a great exhibition that raised much needed funds for the RACQ CQ Rescue Helicopter Service, a service that I support as much as I can. I also acknowledge the artists themselves: Marie, Rhonda and Di, as well as Bronwyn Le Bouitillier, Jenny Patroni, Marcia Rose Dunn, Helen Webster, Dee-Anne Nillson, Betty Moxham, Fiona Abela, Inas Jackson, Joe Faust, Sue Riley-Gee, Lynn Logan, Robyn Stephens and Tina Haughton. Collectively, they showcased some magnificent work that was enjoyed by people from Buthurra to Bloomsbury and from Pindi Pindi to the ‘Pocket’—if you are not familiar with the lingo, that is Cameron’s Pocket. On opening night, as I addressed the large crowd, I lamented the passing of the late Carroll Gannon, well known in the arts community and a former resident of the tiny hamlet of Yalbaroo, north of Calen—a man whom I met as an impressionable young teenager many moons ago when he worked for Community Health in Mackay. Carroll was a talented artist, winning a major prize at the Mackay show only a couple of years ago in fact. Last year I was pleased to visit him at the Proserpine Nursing Home the very day I was there for the opening of the new Crystalbrook wing. Needless to say, there was a big smile on his face as we came through the door. Rest in peace, Carroll or, as the exhibition program said, ‘Paint in peace.’ You will be sorely missed.

Springbrook National Park Ms TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (3.20 pm): Since coming to office, the member for Mudgeeraba has continually sought to diminish and vilify the vital work done to protect Springbrook National Park. For the information of members opposite, Springbrook is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia’s World Heritage area. It is acclaimed for its intrinsic universal environmental values. Indeed, from the words of the member for Mudgeeraba as stated earlier in the chamber today, it is clear that the LNP is moving to abandon Queensland’s commitment to enhancing and preserving this important World Heritage area. Reports in the Courier-Mail over the past week have simply parroted without questioning or investigation the government’s line on this issue, so I rise in this House to put the facts on the table. The member for Mudgeeraba has falsely claimed that there was a secret deal between the former Labor government and the Australian Rainforest Conservation Society, or ARCS, in relation to Springbrook. The deal supposedly included buying $40 million worth of land on the Gold Coast hinterland as part of a plan to expand the national park before handing it over to ARCS. This is complete fiction. The land was purchased by the state and is owned by the state. Recently the member for Mudgeeraba— Government members interjected. Madam DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mrs Cunningham): Order! The member is not taking interjections. I call the member for South Brisbane. Ms TRAD: Recently the member for Mudgeeraba and journalist Des Houghton have referred to a report by Minter Ellison to justify their baseless slander. This is a report that is so heavily qualified and one sided as to not be taken seriously including the qualification that the report was compiled without any discussion with ARCS including President Aila Keto or any other organisation or group. In fact, the report was based solely on documents provided by the government, many of which by the report’s own admission were incomplete. The LNP seems hell-bent on ignoring facts and instead has pushed ahead with a personal and ruthless attack against the President of ARCS, Aila Keto.

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For the record, Dr Keto has been a tireless worker for the environment. She is responsible for writing three successful Queensland World Heritage nominations and she has been awarded a ‘Queensland Great’ in 2005. I table for the benefit of the House evidence of the revegetation work that is currently underway on the property currently known as Pallida, formerly the winery. Tabled paper: Photograph depicting the revegetation of Pallida, formerly the winery [3448]. This work has been so successful that the project won the Queensland iAwards for research and development in 2012, which was presented by the then minister for science and information technology, the Hon. Ros Bates. She says she does not know what is happening but she gave them the iAwards. This is a ridiculous state of affairs. This is an important project. It deserves— (Time expired)

Dairy Industry, Milk Prices Mr KRAUSE (Beaudesert—LNP) (3.23 pm): I rise to speak in the House about the dangers faced by the Queensland dairy industry. There is $240 million of farm investment at risk with less than 500 dairy farmers left in Queensland—a significant decrease over the last few years. Dairy farmers are facing a significant headwind in terms of energy costs, other rising costs and falling revenue. The carbon tax was a big impost on their businesses through refrigeration costs and the increased costs of feed. Hopefully they will get some relief from that shortly with the election of the new federal government last weekend. The other big impost or headwind they are facing is the power of our two retailers, Coles and Woolworths. They are the largest risk to the future viability of the Queensland dairy industry—not only the Queensland dairy industry but the dairy industry across the whole country. Their tight grip on the supply chain is squeezing the life out of all of our dairies which are mostly small, family-run businesses with no industrial protection and which are being exploited to supply milk at $1 per litre. With Coles and Woolworths controlling nearly 80 per cent of the grocery market, controlling access to shelf space and using farmers’ milk purchased below cost price to fill their own-brand milk and with those supermarket brands selling milk at $1 per litre which is undercutting and driving down sales of other brands—the milk that comes from the same farmers—it is clear that the retailers have complete control of the market and are using that dominance to further control the entire supply chain. They set the cost of their milk at $1 per litre, and, if farmers do not take the below cost price offered, retailers can rip branded milk off the shelves in retaliation, whether it is Dairy Farmers for Lion suppliers, Pauls for Parmalat suppliers and so on. Branded milk is the only hope farmers have of making some sort of profit in this market, and yet retailers have the ability to drive this product off the shelves through their up-and-down control of the market. When there is no other brand of milk except the supermarket brands, will it be sold for $1 per litre? I do not think so. We need to have longer term contracts and certainty for our farmers, not one-year contracts which can be ripped up at the insistence of the retailers. There are massive barriers to entry to the dairy industry. Farmers need certainty through longer term supply contracts. They need to be allowed to supply more than one entity—more than one processor. The new federal government needs to take a policy position which ensures the long-term future of the dairy industry so that all of us can have fresh milk into the future. Queenslanders, buy local branded milk. Support your local dairy industry to ensure we have milk for our children and future generations. All federal MPs of all political persuasions need to fix this issue with the competition law where these retailers can control the market from top to bottom, because in the long term if they do not there will be no competition, there will be increases in the price of milk and there will be more profits for retailers at the expense of our dairy farmers.

Albert Electorate, Bushfire Preparedness Mr BOOTHMAN (Albert—LNP) (3.26 pm): The electorate of Albert envelops the northern reaches of the Darlington Range, with rolling forest covered mountain ranges and steep sided valleys that fall gracefully into crystal clear streams that are the foundation of the Pimpama River and tributaries for both the Albert and Coomera rivers. Mr Crandon: No ocean, though. Mr BOOTHMAN: No ocean, but everything flows downhill, member for Coomera. These timeless ranges host another great envy—panoramic views to the Gold Coast, North and South Stradbroke islands and the glorious Pacific Ocean in all its blue tranquillity. These views, no matter how majestic, hide a real danger for those ill-prepared, and that is bushfires. The Albert electorate

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has some very proactive rural fire brigades in Coomera Valley, Ormeau and Cedar Creek. These brigades are manned by very dedicated volunteers who regularly do their upmost to service our community through active intervention projects, education and firefighting. It is wonderful to see these rural firefighting volunteers giving demonstrations at our local school fetes and fairs. These individuals can only do so much to prepare for each bushfire season, and this is where we need to come into play. The Queensland Rural Fire Service’s website has some very valuable information that could make a difference between life and death. I implore all Albert residents to go to this website and download the Prepare.Act.Survive booklet. This booklet contains very useful information to understand fire danger ratings and prepare your property and yourself. Properties which are well prepared are far more likely to survive a bushfire event. I refer to simple tasks such as clearing spaces around the house, removing undergrowth, leaves, tree branches or anything flammable and clearing roof gutters of leaves and sticks. These flammable materials can increase the likelihood of your house catching fire. The booklet can be downloaded from the internet at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au. Prepare.Act.Survive may save your life.

Home Insurance Mr KING (Cairns—LNP) (3.29 pm): The soaring cost of home insurance in Cairns and across North Queensland is a burning issue of great concern to thousands of homeowners in my electorate and right across the region. So many homeowners have seen their premiums double in price in a very short space of time. Despite a high-level federal inquiry into the issue last year that promised action, there has been no relief in sight. After hearing many, many stories of hip pocket pain, hearing about potential investors being forced to look elsewhere to spend their money on new units and homes, I have taken a number of steps to play a role in the battle against rising insurance premiums. I was recently joined in Cairns by the local government, community recovery and resilience minister, David Crisafulli, to announce the state contribution of $500,000 towards a joint flood mitigation project with Cairns Regional Council. This project has been floating around since around 2009. Unfortunately, it has taken four years and the Newman government to join with the council to fund it. The Moody Creek catchment levee and detention basin will reduce or prevent the risk of flooding to an estimated 450 homes in the Cairns electorate. Just a week after that announcement, Minister Crisafulli returned to Cairns to join me on a tour of other flood-prone areas in the Cairns electorate, including a proposed flood mitigation project in the vicinity of Saltwater Creek. I look forward to working with the minister and the council to seek funding for that in the future. These projects, and many like them across the state, are central to the Newman government’s new approach to building resilient communities and getting on the front foot to improve flood mitigation. This is in distinct contrast to the former Labor government’s approach of simply rebuilding the same damaged infrastructure over and over again, year after year, to the same standard without any eye to the future. In addition, I have also convened a meeting in coming weeks here in Brisbane with Suncorp, the major player in the insurance market in Cairns, to discuss potential solutions and a review of their premiums in Cairns. I will also soon write to a range of insurance companies who are currently not involved in the Cairns market calling on them to reconsider their position, take another look at Cairns and encourage them to return to create much needed competition. I also want to commend the Cairns Post for its ongoing ‘stop the rip-off’ campaign that continually highlights this issue and the pain that it causes to so many homeowners in Cairns. Finally, I very much look forward to working with Mayor Bob Manning and the Cairns Regional Council as well as the newly re-elected federal member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, to address this very serious cost-of-living issue.

Federal Election, Labor Party Mrs OSTAPOVITCH (Stretton—LNP) (3.32 pm): I was thrilled to be part of Saturday’s change of government. A majority of 56 per cent shows great confidence in the Queensland LNP government. I say congratulations to Tony Abbott and all the successful candidates and MPs. I also express my heartfelt sorrow to those candidates who did not make it over the line. We live in a democracy, but it is a stain on our democratic process when a good candidate loses merely because of a dirty gutter campaign. To this end, I wish to voice my disgust at the vile campaign run by the ALP and their candidate for Rankin, Jim Chalmers. Three days before the election, when there was no opportunity for the LNP candidate to defend himself, a letter mailed to

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about 50,000 houses, a flyer and a newspaper advertisement insinuated that David Lin was an embezzler and a dishonest person. There was a headline, a quote from a newspaper and the word ‘guilty’ stamped across it but no explanation. I cannot allow these gutter politics to ruin a good man’s reputation to the point of discrediting his reputable law firm that employs eight people whose jobs are now at risk because of this slanderous marketing. Indeed, many members in this parliament will confirm that David Lin is as decent and honest a person as anyone will ever meet. Therefore, I feel obligated to set the record straight in this place as publicly as Mr Chalmers has done to Mr Lin. For the record, the facts are that the charges amounted to $15,000 from three accidental clerical errors made by a staff member from 2005 to 2007 for which Lin, as trustee, took responsibility. David Lin pled guilty to a charge of failing to operate his trust account in a diligent manner as required under the trust accounts. Anyone who employs staff knows that sometimes people make mistakes. It is absurd to think that a solicitor would knowingly place a client’s money into the wrong account. To what purpose would it be of benefit to do so? To this end it must be acknowledged that the Legal Services Commissioner’s comment clearly exonerated Lin from any act of dishonesty by the words, ‘There was no evidence of dishonesty or seeking to obtain a benefit.’ Of course, there would be no story when these facts are known, no opportunity to tear down the reputation of an opponent—an opponent who sent shivers down the spines of the ALP; an opponent who spent 15 months, day after day and night after night, actually meeting constituents who had never met their local member in 12 years; an opponent who had the courage to take hope, reward and opportunity to Labor’s heartland; and an opponent who cared enough to step aside from his legal practice and put his own money into fighting an incompetent Labor government. No LNP member in this chamber will be surprised at these tactics. We certainly have not forgotten the dirty attack on our Premier’s wife and family. Indeed, the ALP tried the same gutter tactic on me, too. It seems the Labor Party are not able to win with good policies or hard work. No, they always resort to smear advertising in the last few days when it is impossible for the innocent to defend themselves. (Time expired)

Gold Coast Hospital Dr DOUGLAS (Gaven—UAP) (3.35 pm): Today in parliament in answer to a question without notice asked by me of the Minister for Health, the minister quoted from a written response that I provided to a person whom I now know to be a governance officer in Queensland Health regarding the investigation of problems at the Gold Coast Hospital. Originally, I was informed he was a doctor. Today I wish to table that written response which is substantially different to what the health minister stated. Tabled paper: Email, dated 12 September 2013, detailing correspondence to Mr Bob McDonald, Chief Governance Officer, Queensland Health, from the member for Gaven, Dr Alex Douglas MP, regarding inquiry into patient safety at Gold Coast Hospital [3449]. If the minister were honest, he would have read my letter, which said that I was very happy to make submissions on those matters if the inquiry was extended to review all serious matters of health care and safety of the hospital. He chose not to divulge the full contents of my letter. I table that letter now because the minister clearly fails to understand what is really going on at the Gold Coast Hospital right now and its serious consequential impacts on patient care, their safety and staff morale. The problem is exacerbated by the imminent move of the whole hospital from the existing site at Southport to the new site at Parklands in what has been described as the most modern major public hospital in Australia. The member for Southport has just given a very airbrushed view of what is occurring and what is to occur at the existing Gold Coast Hospital at Southport and the Gold Coast University Hospital at Parklands respectively. He is not incorrect to say that those services are proposed for delivery. The real issue is that clinical management has degraded to the point at which much of that will not occur. These views are those of 120 specialists who have been trying to get the chair, the CEO and the minister to do something about it, and the vast majority of staff supported this at a meeting nine days ago. I, too, wish the GCH well, but to ignore their reasonable complaints is foolhardy and dangerous. A catastrophic decision was made by the current hospital CEO to disassemble the clinical governance system and not replace it. Simultaneously, the CEO, apparently with the tacit support of the board chair, abruptly decided to destroy the existing organisational structure and, to date, it has not been replaced. This left many very willing and competent staff with no-one to turn to for advice or

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leadership—or the clinical competence to actually do their jobs. This has led to chaos and has done great harm to the hospital and its ability to care properly for patients. I put it to members that it has also led to a situation where those at the top do not know that they do not know. This is the worst of all outcomes. The inquiry must be widened. As I have said, I have included clinical governance, the matters surrounding the dismissal of the medical superintendent, the destruction of the organisational structure, a detailed plan of what they intend to replace it with, an investigation of executive appointments, the medical records department, a review of all hospital mortality and morbidity statistics by an expert and many other things. The minister also needs to be very forthright with what role he has had in implementing, approving and supporting these new clinical management changes at the Gold Coast Hospital. To date, he has not done so and he has left those who are actually in charge in a very difficult state at the time of transition.

Natural Disasters Mr GRIMWADE (Morayfield—LNP) (3.38 pm): Few members in this place would have forgotten the absolute devastation of the January floods on Australia Day this year and, of course, the devastation of the many natural disasters we have suffered in Queensland over the last three or four years. In my electorate the residents of Dale Street in Burpengary certainly have not forgotten. I want to stand in this place today and put a few things on the record with regard to what we are doing as a government to help the poor people of Dale Street, who have suffered and endured enough over the last three to four years. Of course, there have been seven floods in five years that have affected this street. When I was there in January this year helping the residents in the street get through some very tough times, I spoke to people like Shelley Wight, who is absolutely distraught and devastated that, year in and year out, they have suffered these floods and this devastation to their homes. I spoke to Monique Le Bars and Daniel Bugden who, with their family, are again suffering the emotional distress of these floods which continue to devastate not only their street but their lives. I spoke to Brendon and Tanya Lymar, who live on Pamela Street, one street back from Dale Street, with regard to what they have been suffering all these years. After many years of state members and councillors running around saying lots of things while wearing high-visibility vests, nothing has been done to help these people. It gives me pleasure today to stand in this place and announce that this government is doing something to help these people. They have gone through enough, and it is time that this government contributed and helped. Local Councillor Peter Flannery and I have been meeting with local ministers to put a plan together. The council has recently announced a $5.8 million plan to build levees and resume properties. It gives me pleasure to stand in this place today and announce that this government will be contributing $644,000 towards this plan, and I have advised Councillor Flannery of this today. These are tough issues, and this government is making a contribution to get this job done. I cannot give any time frames, but of course work on this project will start immediately. I want to put on the record that as a government I think it is our duty to stand up for these people and to help them out, which is why the minister has been talking a lot about resilience, betterment funds and programs to make our communities more resilient. We intend to support our local communities by building infrastructure that will make Queenslanders less vulnerable. Queensland communities need our help to defend themselves against flooding. We stand ready to help them; I stand ready to help them; and people in Dale Street and those surrounding streets in Burpengary know that they have my full support and commitment. Bishop, Mr P Mr GIBSON (Gympie—LNP) (3.42 pm): I wish to bring to the attention of the House the passing of a Gympie identity, Mr Percy Bishop, a pioneer of the cattle industry, a champion of people with disabilities and an individual with a commitment to conservation. Percy Robert Bishop was born in Gympie on 17 November 1927 to parents William and Margaret. Percy grew up on the family dairy farm at Woolooga along with his brothers Bill and Stan and sister Margaret. On 9 September at the age of 85 years Percy passed away at his home. Percy was well regarded within the Gympie community as a person who was involved in a wide range of activities and one who was always willing to give of his time. His list of achievements are many, but the highlights include: founder and first president of Riding for the Disabled within the Gympie area; board member of the Endeavour Foundation’s Spring Valley Brahman Stud; member of the foundation executive of the Pony Club Association of

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Queensland and last living member of the Queensland Foundation of Pony Clubs; and foundation chairman of the Gympie District Beef Liaison Committee. He was one of the original Brahman stud breeders, and he held stud No. 63 of the registered Brahman breeders, the total in Australia of which is now 5,284. Percy was the patron of the Gympie and District Show Society, he was the chief steward for many years of the beef section at the Gympie show, and he was a life member of all of the above mentioned organisations, which highlights the great esteem in which he was held by our community. It was well known that Percy had a love of Australian stock horses and Brahman cattle. As I have said, he registered his Brahman stud Garglen in 1962 and it is Australian Brahman Breeders Association stud No. 63. He was involved in Brahman breeding for many, many years and is well regarded by the association and those involved in the cattle industry. Percy received a Member of the Order of Australia medal in June 1999 for his services to the cattle industry, conservation and people with disabilities. In January 2001 he went on to receive a Centenary Medal for his services to primary industries and the community. On behalf of the people of Gympie and the members of this House who know Percy or his extended family, we extend our sympathies to his family. We recognise that his life was one well spent with a passion for horses, cattle and rural development and by inspiring young people to achieve what they can achieve in our great land. He will be farewelled at Gympie on Monday, 16 September at 11 am and, appropriately, at the Cattleman’s Bar at the Gympie Showgrounds. Refreshments will be provided as his life is remembered.

Parliamentary Weight Loss Challenge Mr WOODFORTH (Nudgee—LNP) (3.45 pm): I wish to congratulate the member for Cook for putting together the parliamentary weight loss challenge. He has just told me that 50 have registered, and the rest can make sure that they register at the next sitting. As I mentioned in my maiden speech— A government member: What’s your BMI? Mr WOODFORTH: I have not got to my card yet! The federal and all state budgets will be the health budgets within the next 10 to 15 years, so we here, the guardians of the state, need to put the right foot forward and lead the way by example to inspire others. If we do not change our ways, how can we ask the state or nation to? Without change, we need to be thinking about doubling taxes or forever being in debt in the years to come—it is that simple. I know I have spoken numerous times in this House about this subject, and I will continue. A government member interjected. Mr WOODFORTH: Hopefully you will! It is the right thing to do to save this state and this country in the decades to come. To assist the other members, I have put together some tips to help them along. A government member interjected. Mr WOODFORTH: Yes, I’m happy! I have my card here, and it says here that BMI is the measure of adult body fat based on your weight and height. It says 8.5-24.9 is a healthy BMI, but mine came in at 25.2. I am overweight! A government member: It’s wrong! Mr WOODFORTH: This is wrong! So these tips that I have to give you are for myself as well. My 10 tips are: first, don’t be perfect. Eat a few bad meals every single week. It is not about being perfect. Second, eat real food. If you can pick it or kill it, eat it. You only really need to shop from the first two aisles in the supermarkets. Third, avoid fake foods—or, as I like to call them, food-like products. With more additives, preservatives and chemicals in them than you would believe, these can prevent you from your goals. A government member interjected Mr WOODFORTH: You will like No. 5! Fourth, drink water, water, water—keeping flushing the toxins out. You are 70 per cent water. Government members interjected. Mr WOODFORTH: I am not going to finish this because of you! Fifth is alcohol. Go for beer and wines that are additive and preservative free to keep your sanity. Sixth, exercise for 30 minutes a day. Keep the serious sweat up. Get rid of more toxins. Seventh, get a cold press juicer and start

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every day with a fresh green alkalising juice—yum, yum! Eighth, once a month eat nothing—just have water. Let the system rest. You will not die, people. It is okay. Ninth, in the dining room it is not the Last Supper. It is not an all-you-can-eat buffet. Lastly, tenth, eat naked in front of a mirror.

Cook Electorate Mr KEMPTON (Cook—LNP) (3.48 pm): Cook is a complex geographic and diverse demographic electorate which posed challenges when responding to the Queensland Plan. For this reason, and in collaboration with the leaders of my electorate, we decided to undertake a comprehensive values based survey and an intensive two-day workshop to develop our response. The survey was distributed to over 3,000 people and we received 545 responses. The survey identified the top 10 values of Cook residents which included: family, accountability, concern for future generations, respect and community involvement. The second question related to people’s current experiences in the electorate of Cook and included: bureaucracy, confusion and short-term focus. This is a clear indication of the failed policies of the past Labor government. However, community involvement, community engagement and environmental awareness also emerged as a clear indication that my implementation of this government’s mandate for change is clearly working in Cook. The third question related to the community’s aspirations for the future. The top five values included: accountability, community involvement, community engagement and being heard. This sounds like an electorate crying out to be heard. The workshop involved a broad spectrum of leaders, industry and community people and was held over two days in Weipa. I had to limit the numbers as the response was overwhelming. The workshop was facilitated by Dynamic Exchange and was a great success. In the words of Bernard Power— I have been in the Cape for 32 years and have never experienced anything like this. It has been fantastic. The group summarised the top 5 values for my electorate as: being heard, financial stability, community ownership, accountability and community engagement. Then a vision statement was developed which says ‘the Cook electorate is our family and our future’. The group went on to identify 35 major actions in Cook that are currently working well and then listed 45 wishes, which were aligned to the six outcomes of the Queensland Plan. Interestingly enough, an economy that ensures our children inherit a resilient future, strengthening our economic future and achieving sustainable landscapes, and moving focus from ‘me’ to ‘we’ were the most popular. The group identified five goals and set out a clear communication protocol that called for greater communication and engagement in Cape York and far less predetermined consultation. An added and totally unexpected bonus for me was the endorsement of my efforts to date in my electorate on behalf of my government.

Northern Gold Coast, Public Transport Mr CRANDON (Coomera—LNP) (3.50 pm): Members would know of my lobbying efforts in relation to transport infrastructure on the northern Gold Coast. A petition I sponsored relating to additional rail was tabled today. Under Labor, the northern Gold Coast was the most overlooked area in South-East Queensland in terms of transport infrastructure. Bus services had not been reviewed for more than 10 years. We are now on the front foot in that we are looking forward to some changes and some improvement in those bus services to come online in January next year. With fingers crossed, I hope the same thing will be able to be said for the additional train services we petitioned the government for earlier today. As part of the process of asking for additional services and so forth, I also presented to Transport and Main Roads and the assistant minister the need for additional services in Eagleby as well as an extension of existing services in Eagleby to accommodate a retirement village area that currently houses some 400 individuals and will house up to 600 individuals within 15 or 18 months. The areas of Jacobs Well and Cabbage Tree Point have literally no public transport whatsoever. The areas have quite a substantial residential population, some of whom are ageing. They lack transport and, therefore, are unable to get out of the house, to get out into the big, bad world. I have been lobbying the government and in recent times I have had some positive responses from Transport and Main Roads in relation to reviewing that particular service.

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The other night I attended the Jacobs Well Progress Association on completely different matters. Karin Hider of Performance Driving Centre—the ultimate driving experience down on the Gold Coast—presented me with a petition she had put together. I am pleased to advise that there are 250 signatories to that petition. It is self-explanatory in that it simply says, ‘We do not have any transport services and we need those transport services, so please provide us with some transport services.’ I table that non-conforming petition for the consideration of the House. I look forward to a response from the transport minister. Tabled paper: Non-conforming petition regarding public transport services for Jacobs Well and Cabbage Tree Point [3450].

Caboolture Hospital Mrs FRANCE (Pumicestone—LNP) (3.53 pm): I rise today to talk about my fantastic area of Bribie Island and Caboolture. The area I happen to live in is a fantastic area. It is growing extremely quickly at the moment. Development is happening everywhere. If you look out towards the Glasshouse Mountains you will see houses going up everywhere. That is the case also out towards Bribie and through to Caboolture and Morayfield. I would like to talk in particular about Caboolture Hospital. Terrific work is being done there by the staff and fantastic support is being offered by the Metro North Hospital and Health Board. I refer to the very negative pamphlets Labor put out during the federal election campaign. I point out that, in fact, the Caboolture Hospital has actually received 30 new beds—19 secure beds and 11 acute beds; there have been 23 new graduates since April 2012; there is a total of 138 new staff across the mental health areas of Caboolture and Kilcoy; and there have been 40 new full-time equivalents in mental health since April 2012. Also, Caboolture Hospital has received a new mental health facility at a cost of $22.5 million. Last week I had the honour of representing the minister at the opening of the new children’s ward and outpatient clinic and the skills and education centre, at a cost of $19 million. So Caboolture Hospital is certainly doing well and the staff are providing fantastic services. These new additions to our hospital will certainly boost the service and training being delivered there. I congratulate the staff; Caroline Weaver, our executive director; and Dr Paul Alexander for the fantastic work that the Metro North Hospital and Health Board are doing, along with our hospital. There is certainly a strong track record of innovation at the hospital. We are a leader in service delivery. Some great examples are the Holding Hands midwifery led birthing service, which has provided more healthcare choices for women and newborns across the Moreton region. The establishment of a community based location for Holding Hands midwives has certainly seen a number of births being supported by midwifery led services. This has increased throughout the years. The extension of the Ngarrama North Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Maternity Service has been a great addition to our area. There is now also a specialised service for stroke sufferers. This means that people living in the Caboolture region now have access to high-quality specialist services locally. Another recent addition to our area is the Murri Health Group’s Dental Drover. I thank Minister Springborg for organising this for the Murri Health Group. It is fantastic to see this new drover out and about at our schools, helping address the longstanding dental wait list in our communities. I congratulate Jennie Anderson and Anita Kemp of Murri Health Group and their fantastic team on the community services they are providing in our region.

Flood Mitigation Mr HOLSWICH (Pine Rivers—LNP) (3.56 pm): Under the leadership of the Minister for Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience, Queensland is currently undertaking the most ambitious infrastructure plan in a generation by building stronger flood resilience throughout Queensland communities. After too many years of inaction by previous governments, our government is not going to sit idly by and watch communities continue to suffer flood after flood. We are not suggesting that we will ever be able to completely flood-proof communities or the entire state, but I am pleased to be part of a government that is taking flood resilience seriously. It is with great pleasure that I was recently able to announce on behalf of the minister three funding commitments for projects in Dayboro and Laceys Creek that will assist in building a more flood resilient Pine Rivers. These projects are Moreton Bay Regional Council projects and council retains control of the implementation of these projects, but our government is pleased to assist council and our community through significant funding.

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The first of these projects is the McKenzie Street stage 1 drainage upgrade. This project aims to improve stormwater capture within the McKenzie Street road reserve to reduce the incidence of overland flows and flooding through private property and footpaths—in other words, to get rid of stormwater a lot quicker. Project works include construction of a high-capacity stormwater inlet in McKenzie Street, an upgrade of existing stormwater pipes, and installation of a surcharge pit downstream of the affected dwellings. Our government will be contributing $84,000 towards this project. The second project involves construction of a flood levee. This project is located on the outskirts of the Dayboro township, approximately 900 metres from the post office and adjacent to Mount Mee Road. The scope of the project is to construct a levee along a section of Terrors Creek to contain overbank flooding which results in stormwater flows onto Mount Mee Road and into private dwellings. Our government will be contributing $34,340 towards this project. The final project will see the existing culvert pipes under the temporary causeway on Wirth Road at Laceys Creek replaced with eight reinforced concrete box culverts, complete with aprons and cut-off walls. Wirth Road is a single-lane, unsealed rural access road with a number of crossings of Laceys Creek, west of Dayboro. The road is the only access road for 23 farming and residential properties. The proposed betterment site is subject to frequent flooding from heavy rainfall, and the floodway is impassable two or three times a year. This isolates residents, who are unable to leave their properties.

In addition, emergency vehicles and other essential services are unable to access the area, reducing safety for the residents. We are delivering $71,268 towards this betterment project. Our government, through this important funding, is building a more flood-resilient Pine Rivers. I am proud to be part of a government that is delivering much needed infrastructure for the Pine Rivers community.

Seniors Week; Elder Abuse Mr HATHAWAY (Townsville—LNP) (3.59 pm): I wish to acknowledge and pay tribute to the seniors in my community following Seniors Week, which was held across our state both during and following our last sitting. I also take this opportunity to congratulate the two local seniors who were recognised for their dedication to the Townsville community: Aunty Diana Ross and Reginald Bannister. Aunty Diana, a nurse and Indigenous elder, has contributed 28 years as a volunteer to a number of organisations and clubs. Reginald was recognised for his thousands of hours of volunteer time. Despite our increasing awareness of the needs of seniors, I point out that, unfortunately, my city is not immune from elder abuse. Elder abuse is any act within a relationship of trust that results in harm to an older person. It includes emotional, financial and physical abuse and neglect. Recently, my office was made aware of a situation being experienced by an elderly couple living in Townsville. The husband and wife’s son, who was living interstate, suggested that they sell their home and move in with him so that they could save money and would not have to pay rent. After the couple sold their home and sunk all their money into their son’s mortgage, they were put up in the son’s shed. The couple lived in appalling conditions, with no running water, no bathroom and, to top it all off, the shed was rat infested. Owing to the poor living conditions, the husband became ill. The son eventually kicked his parents out. They have now moved back to Townsville and have sought assistance to start to get their life back on track. I refer to another case of abuse of elders. This case study was taken from the Townsville Community Legal Service annual report, highlighting the work of their Seniors Legal and Support Service. A Townsville widow with an only child had two properties: the home she resided in and a rental property, the income of which supplemented her part-pension. Her son was living interstate when he telephoned to say that he had lost his job and that he would like to move his wife and two sons to Townsville and live rent free in her rental property until he found work. She agreed that it would be okay for a short time. A year later, her son had not moved out and she was not receiving any rent. After the son’s family moved in the woman had to apply for a full pension. She was finding it difficult to survive on the pension. She also had to apply for a reverse mortgage to pay off her son’s $10,000 debt and to pay rates and insurances on the properties.

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Unfortunately, such incidents occur all too often in our cities. On average, it is estimated that each year around 27,000 seniors in Queensland will be abused. Those cases that I outlined show that the misuse of trust and abuse can take many forms of emotional, financial, physical or pure and simple neglect. In most cases they go unnoticed by other community or family members and are not reported to the authorities. As community leaders, it is vital we highlight their message—not just one week a year, but every day. Anyone can make the call to the Elders Abuse Helpline, 1300651192.

Outback Way Mr KATTER (Mount Isa—KAP) (4.02 pm): I rise in this House to follow up on a question that I asked the transport minister the other day about the Outback Way. The Outback Highway, or the Outback Way, is a series of roads and dirt tracks linking Winton in Queensland and Laverton in Western Australia. At 2,800 kilometres, it crosses Central Australia, colloquially known as ‘the outback’, passing through Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. It has been proposed to provide an inland route between southern Western Australia and North Queensland as an alternative to National Highway 1 along either coast. The roads that make up the highway are the Great Central Road, Gunbarrel Highway, Lasseter Highway, Stuart Highway, Plenty Highway, Donohue Highway and the Kennedy Developmental Road. Support for the project is strong among the seven local government areas along the highway and elsewhere. In 1998, an Outback Highway feasibility study prepared for Main Roads Western Australia, the Northern Territory Department of Transport and the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads by BSD Consultants Pty Ltd suggested that more than $70 million over 10 years would be needed to bring the highway to a safe standard. Undoubtedly, that figure has increased since then. On 3 September 2012, I was very pleased to hear that the federal LNP member for Maranoa, Bruce Scott, said that, if elected, the coalition government could meet $11 million for three years for a total of $33 million for Australia’s longest shortcut to better transport opportunities through the heart of our vast nation. This was a welcome announcement, which is why I asked the question to the minister as to whether Queensland would be supporting that also. Bruce Scott said further that it is a five-day shortcut that would revolutionise travel and transport within Australia. He stated further— We will pick up where we left off when last in government. This visionary project will cross Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. The alternative route to the Outback Way is 1,600 kilometres longer. The federal government funding will be critical to transform the dirt track into a strategic route. They are the only two major highways east to west of Australia. I believe that the Outback Way is strategically important as it will open up trade links within our nation. The Boulia Shire Council, which is located in my electorate, has an annual rates base of just over $1 million. That council cannot be expected to maintain this vital link. The Donohue Highway must be made a state road so that it can form part of this project. The council believes that the combination of triple-trailer road trains, local traffic and tourist traffic on badly damaged bulldust roads poses an unacceptable safety risk. In April 2013 one of the leading cattle transport companies based in Cloncurry, Curley Cattle Transport Pty Ltd, ordered its drivers to avoid using the Donohue Highway because it was disgraceful and caused untold suspension damage to their vehicles. On average, each road truck is having four to eight tyres damaged at $500 per tyre every time they go along that road. This project presents a great opportunity for this state. It is a nation-building project and must be followed up. (Time expired) Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Watts): Order! The time for private members’ statements has expired. ETHICS COMMITTEE Report Mr CRANDON (Coomera—LNP) (4.06 pm): I lay upon the table of the House the following report of the Ethics Committee: interim report No. 136, titled Proceeding with suspended matters: matter of privilege referred by the Speaker on 25 October 2012 relating to an alleged deliberate misleading of an estimates committee by a chief executive officer; matter of privilege referred by the Speaker on 31 October 2012 relating to an alleged intimidation of a member by a legal firm; and

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matter of privilege referred by the Speaker on 31 October 2012 relating to an alleged deliberate misleading of the House by a minister or, in the alternative, a chief executive officer of a committee. I commend the report to the House. Tabled paper: Ethics Committee: Interim Report No. 136—Proceeding with suspended matters: matter of privilege referred by the Speaker on 25 October 2012 relating to an alleged deliberate misleading of an estimates committee by a chief executive officer; matter of privilege referred by the Speaker on 31 October 2012 relating to an alleged intimidation of a member by a legal firm; and matter of privilege referred by the Speaker on 31 October 2012 relating to an alleged deliberate misleading of the House by a minister or, in the alternative, a chief executive officer of a committee [3451].

EDUCATION AND CARE SERVICES BILL

Second Reading Resumed from 11 September (see p. 3014), on motion of Mr Langbroek— That the bill be now read a second time. Mr DILLAWAY (Bulimba—LNP) (4.07 pm): I rise in the chamber today to contribute briefly to the debate on the Education and Care Services Bill 2013. I congratulate the Minister for Education, Training and Employment on the introduction of this bill to address the confusion that is currently experienced by a number of child-care providers in Queensland who are captured by both the national law and the current Queensland legislation. I would also like to acknowledge the work of the Education and Innovation Committee on the examination of this bill and the report. This bill is a hybrid of the federal legislation and the Queensland Child Care Act 2002, which affects 66 service providers and effectively caters for their unique situations. As we know, Queensland is a large decentralised and diverse state, but the Newman government is a government for all Queenslanders and it is dedicated to looking after our rural and regional areas and communities. The services that are captured by this bill include limited hours care services in receipt of Queensland government funding, Commonwealth based budget funded services not in receipt of the Commonwealth Child Care Benefit scheme, occasional care services and early childhood education and care services that are also disability services under the Disability Services Act 2006. This regulation extends national regulations, but with limited red tape and understanding of rural and remote centres and their needs. It will create consistency across the state, and the 66 providers currently licensed under the CCA will benefit from reduced cost, reduced complexity and red tape. It is vital that we retain high standards of education and care for all Queensland children. As a father of young kids and having worked closely with early childhood centres in the Bulimba electorate over the past 18 months, this is an issue that I am particularly passionate about. I fully understand and advocate the significant role these services play in the development of our future generations and the enormous impact they have on our children’s growth. I strongly believe education is a whole-of-life experience and that is why a few months back I acknowledged this by inviting educators from local early childhood centres to join those from the local primary and secondary schools here at Parliament House for a barbecue dinner with the Minister for Education, Training and Employment. All participants were able to discuss their local issues and opportunities with the minister, but also to network amongst their peer educators to learn more about education services within their local area. By delivering this bill we are ensuring that every child in all parts of Queensland are given optimal opportunity by decreasing complexity for all service providers, especially those in rural and regional Queensland. The unique nature of these services and their operating environment render it unviable to apply national law with the expectation that one size fits all. Instead, this bill comprises a regulatory framework that complements existing national law but also retains elements from the CCA. Having spent a number of years during my youth in the small town of Cecil Plains on the Darling Downs, where one of the 66 providers who will benefit from these changes is located, I am sure the people of this area will benefit from improved services and, most importantly, security that the service now has a long tenure. The vast majority of education and care services in Queensland—and that is approximately 2,500 providers—are regulated under the national law following its commencement on 1 January 2012, including long day care centres, kindergartens, outside school hours care, family day care and pre-prep services. This new framework, with its hybrid approach adopted in the bill, will deliver the greatest benefit for Queensland as it will reduce costs and the regulatory burden for services, returning the focus to the children where it should be. As a result, services will be able to organise their staffing and physical environments to maximise efficiencies while maintaining quality education

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and care. This is consistent with the Newman government’s approach to reducing regulation and burden on services whilst maintaining quality. The modern framework will effectively balance the need to ensure children continue to receive valuable education and care in a safe and supportive environment with a reduction in regulation. The Newman government has already proven its unwavering commitment to Queensland’s youngest learners when we announced in January this year that $60 million in grants would go to early childhood services throughout 2013. This funding will go a long way towards improving facilities, resources and equipment to ensure quality early childhood education for the kids of Queensland. These grants are supported through the National Partnership on Early Childhood Education with the Australian government. I take this opportunity to express my disappointment at the former federal Labor government that extended this valuable partnership by only 18 months earlier this year instead of the expected three years. I commend the Newman government once again for being a government for all Queenslanders and for modernising existing framework to cater for the 66 service providers in Queensland who are tied up by conflicting Commonwealth and state legislation. Early childhood education lays the foundations for our children’s abilities and attitudes towards learning as they grow and become the future of our great state. I congratulate the minister once again for working to ensure these foundations are as strong and as sturdy as possible. I commend the bill to the House. Mrs CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (4.12 pm): I rise to give a short contribution to the Education and Care Services Bill 2013 and commend the minister. I think any efforts that are made by this House and federally towards improvement in education and the stimulation of young children into education is welcome. The proposals in this legislation are in tandem with national scheme legislation. I understand the interplay there. I note that many approvals will move to a one-off approval rather than being renewed on a regular basis. In relation to the service of a person deteriorating or falling below a standard because of their behaviours—maybe not criminal behaviours but because of other behaviours—that perhaps would be maintained with regular review, oversight and checking when it comes to renewals, I ask the minister to clarify how that will be monitored to ensure that good standards are maintained. As other speakers have said, these formative years are critically important, not only in developing children’s brain capacity, their fine and major motor skills but also in developing their attitude towards education. Education in these early years is fun and is the introduction of these little people into the educational stream. I look forward to the minister’s response on that matter. I am sure that there will be processes in place. I cannot imagine that this government would approve a service and then leave it in perpetuity. I would also like to thank those in my electorate who provide wonderful care for young children. There is a lot of regulation in relation to provision of these services, both in the standard of service and the ratio of service providers to the number of children in their care, that has been developed over the years, appropriately, for safety and for other reasons. I would like to place on the record my appreciation and the appreciation of every parent who puts their kids into care. I think it is a big step, when you have got a little baby or a small person, to relinquish that care to an agency other than home. It is a big wrench. Even when my kids were little and it was kindy—so they were four or five before they went in—it was still a wrench to leave them, especially if the little ones reacted and did not want to stay. There are broad reasons why parents have to seek this sort of care of their children. We have to be mindful that some of those reasons are positive and some of those reasons are remedial. I thank those people who provide these services. On an education bill I would also like to say that the Calliope High School site, being a big block of land, would be an ideal place to establish an early childhood centre as contiguous planning on that particular block of land. Perhaps that is a discussion for another time. I again welcome this legislation and thank the minister for his concern for the little ones who are under the care of these agencies and look forward to his response. Mr HOLSWICH (Pine Rivers—LNP) (4.16 pm): I rise to offer a contribution to the debate on the Education and Care Services Bill 2013, which will repeal the Child Care Act 2002. As has been noted by previous speakers, the Child Care Act and regulations were due for review in accordance with Queensland government policy, so this is certainly a timely bill. I am a big fan of common-sense legislation that lessens administrative burdens whilst maintaining high standards in any particular industry, and this bill certainly falls into that category. This bill captures 66 services across Queensland, or two per cent of service providers, services for which the provisions of the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) Act 2011 have

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been considered inappropriate. These services include limited hours care services, some services that cater specifically for children with a disability, such as children with autism, and occasional care services, as well as some services that are fully Commonwealth funded and operate in Indigenous communities. Most of the 66 services are small-scale services servicing regional and remote areas. The elements of the national law that are not considered appropriate relate to staff requirements and staff qualifications, as well as the system of rating and assessing against national standards. I have taken a particular interest in this bill because it will impact, amongst those 66, the AEIOU child-care centre at Bray Park in my electorate. I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the outstanding service delivered by staff at AEIOU Bray Park and I am pleased to see that this bill will provide tangible benefits to their centre, particularly in the area of red-tape reduction and reduced compliance burdens. As stated in the introduction of the committee’s report on this bill, this bill will reduce red tape by adopting the perpetual approval system in line with the national law. This will replace the current requirement to reapply for a licence every three years. It will also reduce the compliance burden for care providers who also operate services under the national law and it will reduce complexities for department officials who regulate services operating under both regulatory frameworks by adopting similar processes and terminology to the national law. I am pleased to see that there has been widespread consultation on the changes proposed in this bill and I note that, given that this only impacts 66 services state-wide, the department has had the opportunity to consult with each and every impacted service. It is also pleasing to note that most respondents during consultation were supportive of the approach being taken by this bill. The changes being made to qualification standards for staff are also important inclusions. These changes recognise the remote nature of many of the services, with some on the list located in parts of Queensland such as Palm Island, Quilpie, Woorabinda, Doomadgee and Surat. It recognises that it is not always possible to staff centres with directors who have the advanced diploma qualification. It also recognises that, if a service were suspended in one of those locations because a director did not have an appropriate level of qualification, it would have serious ramifications for the provision of care in those places. It is not like suburban Bray Park or Strathpine, where there are multiple service providers in a small area. In many instances, those are the only service providers in a region and to suspend their services would cause significant issues for parents who have no other care option available. I also briefly mention the provisions for providers to run temporary services, particularly in the case of significant natural disasters. It is noted that under the national law there is no provision for responding to incidents where services have had to close down due to a natural disaster, but there is still a need and a demand for care to be provided for those children attached to the service that has been forced to close down. Provisions in this bill will allow services to more easily relocate into temporary facilities, to ensure that appropriate levels of care can be maintained during the recovery from a natural disaster. Again, this is a common-sense approach and obviously an important lesson that has been learnt out of Queensland’s recent natural disasters. This bill takes the best of the national law and applies it to that two per cent of services while maintaining flexibility in the way services are operated and delivered for centres such as the AEIOU centre at Bray Park. This bill strikes a balance, takes a common-sense approach and provides additional certainty for the affected services. I commend the minister and his staff for bringing forward this bill and I am pleased to commend the bill to the House. Mr MOLHOEK (Southport—LNP) (4.21 pm): I rise to contribute to the debate on the Education and Care Services Bill 2013. This bill presents huge benefits for those smaller education and care services in regional and rural Queensland that are not provided for under the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) Act or the current Queensland Child Care Act 2002. The changes that will come from this new act represent important reforms for families and young children who will benefit from them. I commend the Minister for Education, Training and Employment for his work on this legislation. I note that 98 per cent of education and care services for children in this state have been regulated through the national law. The remaining two per cent of services, including limited hours care services, services that cater for people with a disability and occasional care services, are regulated under state legislation. Stand-alone services are not regulated under either the state law or the national law. To ensure high-quality care for the 66 services captured under this new legislation, the government decided to adopt a model that keeps the best elements of the old Child Care Act but is consistent with the national law.

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The reduction of the red-tape and compliance burden, particularly for those small service providers in regional communities, will greatly increase the efficiencies of those services. This bill will see a significant reduction in licensing costs for some 2,500 education and care services. Sensible amendments to the Child Care Act will see the reduction of unnecessary red tape and the publication of registers of approved providers and services. These are all changes that will provide tangible benefits for education and care services and the families that rely on them. Under the current legislation, a Queensland service approval must be obtained by an approved provider at each education and care service that they operate. Services currently pay $500 per licence application and a $300 renewal fee every three years. The changes proposed in this bill will mean lower upfront costs for service providers, as well as more manageable licensing fees paid annually. This represents a $300 saving over the same licensing period. The bill also provides for a perpetual approval system, removing even more costs and red tape from the licensing process. Although the onus of the licensing process will be lifted, minimum three-yearly inspections of each service will still ensure quality safety requirements are maintained. In order to bring Queensland into line with national legislation, the bill allows services to seek service or temporary waivers. This common-sense amendment will mean services can apply for a temporary exemption from a particular requirement in the bill or regulation. During our recent natural disasters, education and care services across the state were damaged and, in many cases, the process for the relocation of those services was long and arduous. By allowing for an expedited approval process for relocation, we ensure disruption to child-care services is minimal. During the early disasters of this year, it was my pleasure to spend some time not only in Bundaberg but also travelling through some of the worst hit areas with the Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, Minister Davis. We visited centres in Gin Gin, Gayndah and Mundubbera where the community services staff had done an outstanding job of getting those communities up and running, and getting out there and supporting the families and children in those areas that needed access to those sorts of services. It was great to see the lack of disruption that occurred because of the efficiency of the department and the great work that the department undertook at that time. In his submission to the Education and Innovation Committee, the Acting Commissioner for Children and Young People and Child Guardian strongly supported this proposed legislation. I quote briefly from Acting Commissioner Barry Salmon’s letter to the Education and Innovation Committee. He says— The commission supports the Bill which establishes a new regulatory framework for Queensland education and care (QEC) services administered under the Child Care Act 2002 and makes consequential amendments to the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000 (the Commission’s Act). The amendments to the Commission’s Act will maintain current safeguards and protections for children participating in QEC services by requiring providers and employees to hold a blue card and preserving notification requirements when the Commissioner becomes aware that a QEC service provider or an adult occupant of a home in which stand-alone child care is provided is a disqualified person under the blue card system. As the former assistant minister for child safety, I am pleased to see that this legislation has the support of the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian. I note that during the committee process, the member for Waterford raised the issue of staffing requirements and the differences between those under the national law and under the Child Care Act. Quite rightly, he raised concerns about that. It was pleasing to hear that, even though there is a minor reduction in the level of qualification, there is still a qualification level suitable to meet the needs and the standards that we would require, while being sympathetic to the needs of regional and rural Queensland. Having married into a family that essentially lives out west and in Central Queensland and having spent quite a bit of time in places such as Charleville, Charters Towers, Biloela, Baralaba and Theodore, I can assure the House that that relaxation will be very welcome in many of the communities where they have trouble attracting people with unnecessarily high or onerous qualifications. I am pleased to see the practicalities for those communities being properly met through this legislation and in the considerations that have been made by the committee. It has done an excellent job in addressing those concerns. I feel very comfortable with the recommendations of the committee in that respect. Finally, I want to speak about child safety. Last Friday it was an absolute pleasure to attend the annual White Balloon Day lunch with Minister Davis. We were there as guests of Hetty Johnston. I know that Bravehearts and many other child safety organisations across the state are looking forward to the outcomes of the Carmody inquiry and the hard work that the department is still to do in respect of working through those recommendations. Attending that function last week and reading through the

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committee report on this particular legislation highlighted to me the incredible commitment of the Newman government towards improving the lot of children across the state of Queensland and its practical approach in regard to reducing red tape without watering down any of the safety concerns or the practical issues around the protection of children. Of course, a great example of that sits in some of the earlier legislation that this government has passed and approved in regard to sexual offenders and those who would seek to sell drugs to some of our most vulnerable. I believe the changes contained in this bill are just another reflection of the great work that this government is doing to really support families. They also take into account the diverse nature of the large state of Queensland. The needs of a metropolitan community like Brisbane or even the Gold Coast where we have fully staffed child-care centres and some amazing child-care facilities are different to those of smaller communities in regional Queensland that do not have access to that level of service. This is an important safeguard and an important piece of legislation in meeting the needs and taking into account the needs of those communities. This bill increases the efficiency and quality of smaller and regional education and care services by decreasing red tape. I have touched on that. I am pleased that it also alleviates some of the licensing costs. I believe that this legislation is sensible. I commend the minister on the work that he and the department have done. It provides clear benefits for the service providers and the many families across Queensland. It is my pleasure to stand in the House and commend this bill to the House. Dr DOUGLAS (Gaven—UAP) (4.30 pm): The Education and Care Services Bill 2013 is an important bill for many who are outside the capital cities and are somewhat different to the mainstream in the child-care area. I have no problem with much of what is proposed. We in the PUP and UAP support this legislation. The proposed changes bring about streamlining and cost efficiency. That is a godsend for any business, especially one providing services for families and children. Inherently, these services are critically needed. They have no great profit margin either. Whatever small amount they make is fully recycled back into the provision of greater or better services, primarily for the children whom they serve. I am soon to become a first-time grandfather and really have to admit that it is a wonderful part of life. My daughter is coming home from the United States to live in Sydney. She has told me how important child care is for young parents. She has reinforced a view that we strongly need to understand how seriously young parents view the provision, availability and quality of child care. She says that it is more important than paid parental leave to all young parents. All her friends—many of whom I have spoken to about this—have raised the same issue. I did not realise that child care was such a significant issue among young parents. I wonder whether we all realise how important it is. I think there has been a significant change in this regard. I know it has always been an important issue, but it seems to be highlighted by the fact that under the previous Labor government—and I just discussed this with the member for Mount Coot-tha as I came down to the chamber—there was a terrible fear that because the government had not committed funding beyond another 18 months there was a great dearth or great emptiness beyond that time and that there was going to be either a rationing of services or a significant ratcheting up of the costs mainly to young parents. They budget really carefully, as members could imagine, because they have their mortgages and everything else to pay for. The reality is that they were looking at this much closer than possibly everybody else was. I know that the incoming government has talked about this. Certainly there is a view that they will have a much more expansive view on this. That is one thing. The other thing that people are looking for is dollars. These parents—and there are a lot of them—are having their children a little later. They are little bit more mature. They are probably not as reckless as we were when we were younger. It is not to say that when we were younger we were entirely reckless, but one suddenly matures once one has a family. We need to realise that they are watching exactly how much money is going to be allocated to this. They are budgeting very hard. Any government in Queensland needs to realise how important it is to lobby the federal government to actually ascertain exactly how much they will allocate, when they will allocate it and what they will tell people. They probably need to do that in the next few months because I think the idea of leaving it to the last minute may mean people put off having a child. Remember that in terms of confinement it takes nine months to have a baby. In about a third of cases people have to access assisted methods to achieve a pregnancy.

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I get what people are telling them. I get that people have a view on child care. I have a lot of nephews and nieces who live in the country and they all tell me the same thing. This bill is primarily about rural and remote services. The message is probably the same throughout the nation, but definitely throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales. Child care is probably one of the most important things that young parents and by default we have to consider in the provisioning of services. It is as important as probably anything else that we do. We need to be sympathetic to people’s concerns. We need to be allocating significance funds to make the provision of the service both worthwhile for the parents and children and successful. One needs to look no further than what happened when ABC fell over and the subsequent restructures that had to occur throughout the nation. This is not strictly covered within this bill. When child-care centre operators fall over there are problems, especially if they are a group. G8 is buying everything, not just in the major cities but outside our cities. Someone told me the other day that they have about 5,000 employees. They have a target of 15,000 employees. I think Goodstart has about 15,000 employees. They will be a significant operator in their own right. They will be drawing funds, as they should, because people need to be paid for what they do. As accreditation requirements change and the demands get greater, I am sure the cost will go up relatively. I think what that means is that we need bills like this. We need good legislation. We need to be modifying things as we are going along. We need to be sensitive to what young people are saying. I will be very interested to hear what the member for Mount Coot-tha says in terms of prospects with regard to securing funds and what we might need to do in the longer term. I think it needs to be a coordinated effort. I thank the committee for what they have done. I think the recommendations were good. I think they did an admirable job. It just goes to show how well the committee process works sometimes. This is a quality piece of legislation and will benefit many in rural and remote areas. That is a good thing to see from a government that has a lot of city members. It just goes to show that occasionally they can have a focus outside the city. Miss BARTON (Broadwater—LNP) (4.37 pm): I rise this afternoon in support of the Education and Care Services Bill 2013. This bill is an important reform of the regulatory framework for early childhood education and care services that are regulated under the Child Care Act. This bill has been developed to replace that act. It will help reduce the red-tape burden that services face and will ensure that high standards in early childhood education are maintained right across Queensland. Consistent with the new practice under the national law is the system of perpetual approvals and this represents a significant change from current practice. Currently services are licenced for up to three years and renewal is required triennially. In line with our longstanding whole-of-government approach to cutting red tape and reducing the administrative burden experienced in the private sector, we have adopted the national law approach of perpetual provider and service approvals for operators of the many early childhood education and care services across Queensland that are regulated under this bill. A Queensland approved provider will be able to apply for multiple Queensland service approvals and operate a number of Queensland approved services. Upon granting, the approval is perpetual and the process needs not be repeated. I commend the minister for his dedicated approach to cutting red tape in the Department of Education, Training and Employment. Currently under the Child Care Act there is a requirement that services be monitored on an ongoing basis with a visit for a formal assessment of compliance with the legislation. Currently, when applying for a licence renewal a service is formally assessed for compliance with the legislation. This safeguard will continue to ensure the quality of services is maintained. This is incorporated in the new legislation. This is of course the minimum requirement and generally in practice the monitoring visits generally occur more frequently than is mandated under the legislation. I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the exceptional circumstances service approval, the purpose of which is to ensure that a community does not have to go without an operational early childhood education and care service in times of natural disaster. These services provide a valuable service to their community and in some cases might be the only provider in a regional or rural community, and an act of God should not prevent the provision of quality early child-care services across Queensland. Where required, these services will be able to apply to the chief executive for an exceptional circumstances service approval, and this will allow them to provide their quality services in alternate premises. Of course given our commitment to ensuring safety and suitability of locations, an assessment of the new premises will be conducted.

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A key consideration in the exceptional circumstances service approval is the social and developmental needs of our children, who are our future, and these needs, as well as the safety and wellbeing of children, will be a key factor in the consideration. Stakeholders have supported the inclusion of these provisions. I think all members could agree that, in light of the most recent natural disasters in Queensland and those nearly three years ago, it is incredibly important that we maintain these very important services in our rural and regional communities. Of course this government is genuinely committed to making sure that there are quality services in rural and regional Queensland. I also note the inclusion of a service waiver or a temporary waiver. These excuse the services from complying with particular staffing or physical requirements. This might come into play, for example, if a provider was completing renovations in order to improve their facilities and temporarily could not meet the minimum outdoor space requirements. Where a waiver is required with regard to staffing qualification requirements, this will enable the service to continue its operation without reducing the number of children it educates. Again, I highlight the benefits that this will have for rural and regional communities where they might not have immediate access to qualified staff. Those who are applying for a waiver can do so for a period of up to 12 months. It is granted at the discretion of the chief executive officer and can be withdrawn at any time because it would not be acceptable, particularly with regard to staffing requirements. As I am sure many of my colleagues have already highlighted, it is incredibly important that we have educators with the qualifications required. I am a strong believer in the importance of early childhood education. It was a great pleasure for me to be able to represent the Minister for Education, Training and Employment a couple of months ago at the Labrador C&K child-care centre, where I was able to officially open the new facilities there after they had done a whole series of renovations. It was fantastic to see all of those smiling children. I said in my maiden speech that I believe that a quality education is the greatest gift that you can ever give a child because it really is the foundation stone of life. I was very, very lucky when I was going through early childhood education at kindergarten and preschool that I had a fantastic teacher whose name was Mrs Jane Bourne. I have strong and very fond memories of my time at St Andrew’s preschool at West End. Mr Choat: That was only a couple of years ago! Miss BARTON: As kind as that was, member for Ipswich West, it was more than a couple of years ago. Perhaps for the member for Lytton it was only a few years ago, but it was a few more than that for me. As I said, I believe that a quality early childhood education will help lay the foundation stone. It instilled in me a great love of school. It also helped me as an only child gain some social skills, to make sure that I was able to interact with lots of other children that I might not have had the opportunity to do so as an only child. But also particularly for me that is where I learnt to read and that is where I gained my absolute love of reading. In fact, I am sure that I was the only person at that preschool who was reading the Courier-Mail and the Australian. Mr Choat: Ha, ha! Miss BARTON: It is not that funny. My mother, I think, was incredibly proud of me that I was reading the Australian before the age of five, and it is something that I am indeed incredibly proud of and I am sure Mrs Bourne is very proud of. I commend the minister for bringing this bill to the House and making sure that we offer quality services right across Queensland but also that we particularly support services in rural and regional Queensland with the exceptional circumstances considerations and also the temporary waivers. I think that this is a fantastic bill. It has gone some way to cutting red tape, which is of course something that this whole government has been dedicated to. I look forward to seeing this bill passed. I commend the bill to the House. Mrs RICE (Mount Coot-tha—LNP) (4.44 pm): I rise to make a contribution to the Education and Care Services Bill 2013. At its core the purpose of this bill is to reduce red tape for a specific and important group of early childhood education and care service providers in Queensland. Mr Deputy Speaker, as I am sure you would be aware, an election commitment of the Newman government is to reduce red tape by 20 per cent, and we continue to conscientiously work to deliver on that target for Queenslanders. I commend the Minister for Education, Training and Employment, the Hon. John-Paul Langbroek, for contributing to the delivery of that commitment. This bill seeks to firstly establish a new regulatory framework for services currently under the Child Care Act 2002 that aligns with the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) Act 2011 whilst retaining some elements of the Child Care Act 2002. It will also repeal the Child Care Act

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2002 and make consequential amendments to other legislation. As the minister and my colleagues have established, Queensland has had two very different legislative structures for the early childhood education and care service sector which has resulted in an intricate and confusing regulatory system for providers. I support the Education and Care Services Bill 2013 as its purpose is to reduce the cumbersome red tape and cost for providers who are not covered by the national law. In my electorate of Mount Coot-tha, this change will impact the Jahjumbeen Occasional Child Care Centre at Toowong, which is one of 66 Queensland providers licensed under the current Child Care Act. Jahjumbeen Occasional Child Care Centre provides services to parents who need a hand for a few hours every now and then—they might need time to attend lectures, run errands or attend meetings. The centre provides a different service and is a smaller niche provider, meeting a specific need in our local community, which is quite different to many other full day-care providers regulated by the national law. Due to the unique nature of these services and their operating environment, it is not feasible to apply the national law to these services. As a result, the government has identified an opportunity to replace the Child Care Act and align it with the national law in some aspects at the same time as retaining important elements of the Child Care Act. This is also about retaining a regulatory framework which complements the national law without increasing the regulatory burden on these services. I understand that a range of stakeholders were directly consulted on the proposed legislation, and that was acknowledged by the chair of the Education and Innovation Committee, the honourable member for Burdekin, in her introduction to the committee’s report, and during that consultation support was confirmed for this hybrid approach and the legislation. Legislation like this is common-sense legislation. It is unlike the approach of the former federal government that ripped $1.15 billion out of early childhood in Queensland. They had no plan to fund kindergartens in the forward estimates, which meant that from 31 December 2014 there would be no more funding for kindergartens from the federal government. I am sure that one of the first items of business for the new federal education minister, together with the Minister for Education, Training and Employment, Minister Langbroek, will be making sure that, rather than an 18-month half-baked partnership, Queensland has a three-year partnership to reinstate certainty in the child-care sector. I also understand that another reform high on the agenda in early childhood will be to revisit the national quality framework. I have heard firsthand from providers in my area who are concerned with how onerous the national quality framework is—the reporting and other requirements that must be fulfilled in order to get accreditation under the framework and the additional input costs that those onerous requirements impose on those businesses. While this might all seem like boring, bureaucratic issues, it is incredibly important because this red tape is increasing child-care fees and the cost of living for residents in my electorate. In the Mount Coot-tha electorate, I know that many families rely on the expert care that our wonderful child-care centres provide. Many working families would be significantly impacted if the fees were to increase, and I have heard firsthand from a number of mothers that, if fees were to increase, they would potentially have to quit work because the amount they earn would no longer cover the bills. This government does not want to see that happen to working families. We want the early childhood sector to operate effectively and efficiently and we do not want to see the cost of living increase for Queenslanders. In closing, I very much support the intent of this legislation to reduce red tape for services whilst retaining high standards of education and care for Queensland children. I commend the bill to the House. Mr COSTIGAN (Whitsunday—LNP) (4.49 pm): I rise this afternoon briefly in support of the Education and Care Services Bill 2013. In doing so, I recognise those 66 child-care services across Queensland that are currently exempted from national law. As we have heard, the Education and Care Services Bill 2013 is an important reform of the regulatory framework for early childhood education and care services in the great state of Queensland that will reduce red tape while maintaining high standards for early childhood education and care. On that note, I commend the Minister for Education, Training and Employment, a man who is no stranger to the Whitsundays. In fact, I thank him for coming to Proserpine some weeks ago for the 50th anniversary milestone chalked up by the Proserpine State High School. It was great to have Minister Langbroek there with the school leaders.

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As we have already heard in this debate, the majority of early childhood education and care services are regulated under the national law, which came into effect on 1 January 2012. Approximately 2½ thousand Queensland services are regulated under the national law. However, a range of early childhood education and care services continue to be regulated under Queensland’s Child Care Act 2002. Currently, 66 services continue to be licensed under the CCA, and these include the Scallywags Limited Hours Child Care centre in Cannonvale in the heart of my beloved Whitsundays. Essentially, at present in Queensland we have two very different legislative frameworks which manage services captured by the different pieces of legislation. In order to cut confusion and red tape, the bill has been developed to replace the CCA. The bill seeks to minimise complexity and costs by reducing red tape and minimising costs for providers. The bill aligns with the national law where appropriate while also retaining key elements of the act. It is worth noting that the bulk of these services can be found in Central, North and Far North Queensland, including plenty in Central Queensland, from Barcaldine to Blackwater and Alpha to Aramac—places that the member for Gregory would know like the back of his hand and places where I once operated my own weekly rugby league publication right across the central west. North of the Tropic of Capricorn, in communities with which I am even more familiar, I know there are many places where these services can be found, including a handful across the Mackay-Whitsunday region. I include in this Ilbilbie, the tiny village on the Bruce Highway in the former Broadsound shire and home of the Joey Occasional Child Care service and Eungella, that beautiful mountain top town which is home of Platypus Playcare. I might add that these two communities are strongly represented by my good friend and neighbouring colleague the member for Mirani. Most notably, from my own perspective, I would like to speak about the service in my electorate that stands to benefit the most from this bill, and that is at Cannonvale in the form of the Scallywags Limited Hours Child Care centre. In the heart of the Whitsundays Scallywags has a great name—it reminds me of a few people in this place—particularly among mums and dads living and working in places like Airlie Beach, Flametree, Cannon Valley, Jubilee Pocket and of course Cannonvale. In fact, I was delighted to attend last month’s parade up the new-look main street in Airlie Beach. Scallywags had their own beautifully decorated float, impressing plenty of people who lined up to watch a major event that was part of our local reef festival. As I understand it, the children arrived nice and early. They were very well behaved before the actual procession. I thank their parents, grandparents and carers who got them there nicely decked out for what was a most memorable occasion. I say thanks to people also who decked out the float such as Nah Turnbull, Susan Butler and Heather Price for teaming up for an outstanding effort aided by parents who showed off their artistic talents. I speak of people like Bijou Cotterell, Deborah Robinson, Melody Cross, Clace Brady along with the Scallywags crew themselves. I would also like to acknowledge Rupert King from Crane and Cartage, who gave up his time and truck to ensure Scallywags had a float—and a fine one at that. Anyone who lined the streets on that day would surely agree. The children had a fabulous time. The little ones embraced an ocean theme with some of them coming along as little mermaids, octopus, fish and sharks—you name it, they were all there. I will conclude by saying that Scallywags in my electorate of Whitsundays is a not-for-profit centre that offers flexible child care with qualified and caring staff in a safe and fun environment. I am proud to be part of a government that is supporting Scallywags and similar centres across our great state. That is what this bill does: it supports those services exempted from national law. So this legislation is most sensible and timely in giving these services much needed certainty. I commend the minister for his work in the portfolio—a busy one at that. I also salute his staff, both ministerial and departmental, for their fine work. I commend the bill to the House. Hon. JH LANGBROEK (Surfers Paradise—LNP) (Minister for Education, Training and Employment) (4.54 pm), in reply: I want to thank all members on both sides of the House for their contribution to the Education and Care Services Bill on which we have just concluded debate. I thank the member for Gladstone, the member for Gaven and my assistant minister, who made a contribution. We have heard some interesting perspectives about child care expressed. It is interesting to look at the statistics regarding the services that are covered by this bill. I want to go into the details of some of those because it is an interesting debate that we have had federally, as the member for Mount Coot-tha referred to in her contribution, about the national partnership regarding early childhood and kindergarten services which has led to an 18-month extension for something that was due to expire just a few months ago. We did get an extension til the end of 2014. It is important that, in an area that has traditionally been a federal responsibility, we ensure we have certainty for the parents of Queensland children, who deserve to have these services. It is something that I was at

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great pains to point out to the former federal minister, Kate Ellis, who would speak about the fact that, to her mind using her inner city latte-sipping approach, it was all about planning. The services about which we are speaking here are obviously not about planning; they are about affordability, and that is something that a number of members have brought up in the debate this afternoon. I want to go through some detail about the bill in my summing-up. I thank the opposition for their support for this bill, and I will refer to the contribution of the member for Bundamba a little later. People have spoken about the fact that 66 services are excluded from the national law, and that is because of their unique nature. I do note that it was not all rural members who mentioned some of the services. I have the list of the 66 services. At the risk of incurring the displeasure of the honourable Minister for Natural Resources, who is beside me, I will not read them out as I did regarding a certain list of school closures a couple of weeks ago during question time. I will not do that. It is interesting to see where those services are located and to look at the range of services that are provided. It will give some explanation for members of the House as to why we are changing the way that out-of-scope services are regulated and the process by which this has come about. These services generally operate in regional and remote locations, serving the particular needs of the local community. They are currently regulated under the Child Care Act 2002. The 66 services—and this is interesting—receive a range of Commonwealth and state government funding support. Twenty-one services receive funding under the Commonwealth budget based funded program. Nine of these services also receive funding under the Department of Education, Training and Employment’s remote area Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child-care funding program. Twenty-one services receive funding under the department’s limited hours care funding program. Twelve of these services also offer a kindergarten program, which receives funding under the department’s Queensland kindergarten funding scheme. Seven services receive Queensland government disability funding under the Disability Services Act 2006. Six of these currently receive funding under the department’s kindergarten funding scheme. Some of these services may also receive funding under the Commonwealth government’s Helping Children With Autism package and a number of the programs are AEIOU programs. Four receive funding under the department’s rural children’s centre funding program to deliver mobile child-care services. One service receives funding under the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Community Development Support and Sector Development Program, the Neighbourhood Centre Initiative. Twelve occasional care and seven disability funded services are also eligible for the Commonwealth child-care benefit as CCB approved child-care services. Honourable members can hear that there is a fair bit of diversity in these services and where they are provided. That is something that the government has committed to: ensuring that Queenslanders who are in these locations or who face other challenges if they are not located in those far-flung locations also deserve to have the support of child-care services. That is something that we as a government want to recognise. At the same time we did not want to prescribe onerous regulation for these particular people because of the challenges that they face in providing their services, either because of their clientele or because of where they are located. It is 66 out of 2½ thousand in Queensland. That is, of course, the two per cent issue that a lot of people have spoken about. As the Child Care Act and Regulation are now over 10 years old, and in accordance with Queensland government policy, they are due for review, with the regulation due to expire this year in accordance with the Statutory Instruments Act 1992. During the review it was identified that many elements of the Child Care Act would be retained and some elements of the act required adjustment to align with the national law. Therefore a new regulatory framework for these education and care services has been developed, and the Education and Care Services Bill will repeal the Child Care Act. A new regulation will be made under the bill. This bill is the best approach to regulate these services in the future. It will ensure relative consistency across the sector and minimise variations in the quality of early childhood education and care provided to children in Queensland. The bill also ensures that education and care provided to children in these services aligns with COAG’s national policy objectives for early childhood education and care services, namely, the provision of quality services. This bill helps reduce red tape and minimise costs, including the adoption of perpetual provider and service approvals and the ability to count educators across the service rather than by group. The new requirements for operating a service under the bill and proposed regulation include— and I know many speakers referenced this—perpetual provider approvals and service approvals, removing the need to apply for renewal of a licence every three years. There will be a requirement to

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visit each service at least every three years, but no application process. I want to refer to the inquiry of the member for Gladstone, which was about the inspection schedule. Her concern was if there is a problem at a service, how is it going to be detected? I can assure the honourable member that the bill provides for a minimum of one inspection every three years, in line with current requirements under the Child Care Act, but my department will seek to continue the current practice of annual visits to ensure that services are supported in their compliance. That is something I have seen when we have had community cabinet visits. There are always early childhood workers when I visit regional offices. Those workers are often out there at the particular services working with the providers to assess them and also to make sure that they are doing the things that they should be doing and giving them guidance about the regulation. I just wanted to reassure the member for Gladstone about that particular issue. Currently it is a requirement that the centre director hold a three-year qualification. This will be replaced by a supervisor with a two-year qualification. This change will make it easier for centres to attract and retain staff. I had a discussion with the member for Gregory about some areas in his electorate—and the member for Whitsunday referred as this as well—Ilfracombe, Isisford, Aramac and Muttaburra. If we make the qualification requirements too prescriptive in some of these areas, then it will make it more and more difficult to attract and retain staff. The two-year diploma qualification is the most appropriate qualification for the service types regulated under the bill, which brings me to another issue. There was some discussion about the advanced diploma qualification, and there was a suggestion that perhaps the quality of services would be diminished if people no longer held advanced diplomas. I can advise the House that the Advantaged Diploma in Children’s Services qualification has been removed from the national training package. The relevant units that existed under the former advanced diploma qualification have now been incorporated into the diploma qualification. That is why the bill makes the practical step of removing the requirement for supervisors to hold advanced diplomas. I thought that is something I would clarify for the House as well. The other requirement for operating a service under the bill will be for there to be at least one educator trained in anaphylaxis and asthma management in addition to first aid training. This improves on the current requirement for first aid training and ensures that educators are able to respond to a wider range of incidents. I want to turn now to red-tape reduction. The bill and proposed regulation include a number of red-tape reductions for services without compromising our ability as a department and as a government to regulate services and maintain high standards. The most significant red-tape reduction—a number of members referred to this—is the adoption of perpetual provider approvals and service approvals, removing the need to apply for the renewal of a licence every three years. I have already mentioned that we will visit every service at least once every three years to ensure quality, and this is consistent with current practice. Each service is visited before its application for renewal is approved. The regulation will prescribe the qualifications for educators. As I have already mentioned, this two-year diploma qualification is the most appropriate for the service types regulated under the bill. The regulation will provide for services to count educators across the service rather than by group, giving services more flexibility for their staffing arrangements. There was a query as to why some services are regulated under the national law and some under the Child Care Act. When the national law was developed, it was agreed by jurisdictions that some service types would not be regulated under the national law. I have already referred in detail to the 66 that are contained within Queensland. Importantly, because of the limited number of people affected my department has been able to meet with all of those people, which means that you do not normally get consultation that is so comprehensive. Some exclusions apply generally, such as the exclusion of occasional care services and budget based funded services, to which I have already referred. Other exclusions were specific to particular states, such as the exclusion of limited hours care services funded by the Queensland government. The service types excluded from the national law are generally smaller services located in regional areas. I have referred to those as well. There was a RAS, or regulatory assessment statement, that was released in March 2011. Feedback was sought through peak stakeholder consultation sessions, written submissions and online surveys. The majority of stakeholders supported a new regulatory framework that adopts elements of national law and the Child Care Act 2002. The bill underwent targeted consultation throughout April-May 2013, and consultation drafts of the bill were available for review by affected services, peak sector bodies, other government agencies and key stakeholders. This demonstrates once again that this government

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consults with people who are affected by legislation so that we can ensure we come up with the best possible response for the people who they are serving—the children—but also balancing that out with the need for less red tape if we can, and in this case reducing some charges as well. Stand-alone care services and whether they should be regulated is a topic that is often raised with me. Stand-alone services were not required to be licensed under the Child Care Act 2002. They will not be required to have a Queensland provider or Queensland service approval under the bill. Stand-alone care is an informal care arrangement usually delivered in a person’s home to six children or less, no more than four of whom can be under school age. As there is no licence required, it is not possible to say how many stand-alone carers are operating in Queensland. We do expect minimum requirements from stand-alone carers: they must be an adult; there is a minimum public liability insurance requirement of $10 million; they must not provide education and care to more than six children at a time, with no more than four not yet school age; and they must not provide education and care if the stand-alone carer knows, or ought reasonably to know, that an occupant of the home is a disqualified person under the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000. That brings me to another point. I know the member for Gaven, an upcoming grandfather, expressed concerns about the safety of children. Of course we all share those concerns, but it is important that parents understand exactly where their children are going. Whilst the member was speaking about his own daughter and her peers who are concerned about these child-care services, I note that it is very important that, in their desire to get child-care services, parents make sure they understand to whom they are entrusting their children. There are certain things this government will not necessarily step in to try to regulate. Stand-alone care services in these very small, almost personal situations are not ones this government is seeking to regulate, in the interests of having less red tape. I take the point of the member for Gaven about the increasing demand for child-care services, as more and more families are reliant on two incomes. I have already mentioned in my reply concerns about affordability. I raised these concerns with the former child-care minister, Kate Ellis, who believed it was not necessarily about affordability but about planning and whether there were enough places available. These things certainly happen in some metropolitan areas and we have to be aware of them, but I am not aware of too many councils that do not expedite the planning process where a child-care service is needed, because they want to please their ratepayers and local residents, to make sure they have enough child-care services. People often ask us about transitioning existing services to the new framework. There are comprehensive transitional arrangements to ensure existing services can transfer seamlessly to the new regulatory framework. The transitional arrangements will ensure existing licences are converted into provider and service approvals. The chief executive will issue new Queensland provider and Queensland service approvals for existing services within three months of the commencement of the act. Services can then display these documents at their premises. Services will be required to advise the chief executive or their nominee who will be the contact point for all services regulated under this act. Approved qualifications under the Child Care Act 2002 will be transitioned and recognised under the new legislation. To further support services to transition to the new legislative framework and in recognition of fees already paid under the Child Care Act, the government is considering the waiving of the annual fee for existing services until 1 July 2015. Regular communications will be provided by the Department of Education, Training and Employment in the lead-up to proclamation. Fact sheets will be available on the website of the Office for Early Childhood Education and Care on the passage of the legislation. That brings me to another piece of correspondence I dealt with this week. I received a complaint from a provider about the duplication of resources being provided by both our state office and the relevant federal body. Of course, sometimes there is a duplication because the federal body is doing something similar. I understand that that frustrates people who see that as a waste, but we want to make sure people are given regular communication. We will also make sure training is provided to authorised officers to assist them in transitioning services to the new legislation. I have mentioned red tape and costs. I point out that the change in legislation will not result in increased costs for services. Currently, under the Child Care Act 2002 services must pay a $300 application fee to renew their licence every three years. Under the proposed regulation, providers must pay an annual fee of $100 for each service approval they hold.

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There are some new offences under the new legislation, but penalties carried over from the Child Care Act have not been increased. Counting educators across the service affords services more staffing flexibility than previously provided. As such, there is no anticipated cost to services relating to staffing requirements prescribed by this legislation. Educator qualification and educator-child ratio requirements prescribed under the Child Care Act 2002 will be retained in the regulations to be made under this bill. All services, except school-age- care services, will be required to have 50 per cent of educators holding or actively working towards a diploma level qualification, with the remaining educators required to hold or be actively working towards a certificate III level qualification. Other issues I have dealt with before. I want to deal with the member for Bundamba. I have already noted my thanks to the opposition for supporting the bill. The member did acknowledge that we have taken steps to reduce the burden on services and the regulatory authority. I note that the member referred to the committee’s report, which noted that certain elements will be prescribed in regulation. I reassure the opposition and the House that this is a continuation of practice under the Child Care Act which has been widely accepted by the sector. There are no secrets here. This is something that has been accepted by the sector and is widely accepted practice. I have already acknowledged the Education and Innovation Committee but I want to specifically acknowledge its chair, Rosemary Menkens. The government has made a commitment to provide the committee with a copy of the regulations and the explanatory paper regarding the regulations as well as to provide a briefing should the committee request it. It is common practice to prescribe elements such as qualifications and specific details of operational matters of services in regulation so that these can reflect contemporary practices. I am pleased that members have spoken in support of the revised fees. I note the initial savings in the first year for new entrants to the sector. I have dealt with the amount. It represents a reduction in fees. That is something for us to proclaim: the Newman government delivered a reduction in fees payable in the first year for new providers under this legislation. Isn’t that good news? I have dealt with the issue of qualifications—the advanced diploma and the diploma. The diploma is the most suitable qualification. It actually contains a lot of the elements the advanced diploma had within it. Once again I thank honourable members for their contributions. Early childhood is a very important part of my portfolio. Early childhood was never a DETE responsibility until the last few years—it was actually in Communities—but we have all acknowledged the importance of the early years. In terms of my portfolio budget, early childhood is allocated just over $300 million. We rely on that national partnership with the federal government. I do look forward to sitting down and having a grown-up discussion with whoever Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott puts in charge of the relevant portfolio. The state now provides a lot more of these services and we acknowledge that parents want their children in their early years to be learning, not just playing. In that regard I thank a lot of organisations with which we have partnered such as C&K, with whom I meet quite regularly, and other providers. We have to make sure we provide these services for children throughout Queensland and the nation. The training component of my portfolio is worth about $1.3 billion and the school education component is worth over $8 billion. But early childhood is a very important aspect of education, because we all know the importance of the early years. I am proud to have brought the Education and Care Services Bill to the House. I thank all of the people in my department who deal with these particular issues. They are a hardworking bunch of people. It is my great pleasure to lead the department and the ministry. I look forward to more and more legislation coming before the House as we reform aspects of education. There is no doubt that if we are looking to increase productivity and improve the Queensland economy we need to focus on the education we are providing to our youngest. These children will go on to school, training and employment. Delivering improvements to them will lead to the greatest productivity. We often hear the Premier talking about supercharging the Queensland economy, as well as providing an efficient Public Service. There is no doubt that, in looking at productivity, we need to have pathways for more and more people. That applies also to the far-flung parts of the state— Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. If people in those areas do not receive the services, they will not have access to the same pathway to a good education, leading to productive jobs and lives. Productivity will be reflected by an increasing number of people that we can get into the workforce. Being unable to gain access to early childhood services, even child care, could lead to diminished opportunities for children into the future as they progress through their education.

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That is why it is a great acknowledgement by the government of the challenges that are faced in many parts of Queensland as we increase our participation rate. The other great aspect of increasing productivity is to have pathways and participation—more and more people participating in all of these elements. I like to think that my portfolio is the most positive in the whole government. It is all about our kids. We have heard from members yesterday and this afternoon. I want to thank all of those members for their contributions. We all speak passionately when we are speaking about our children and the children of Queensland. With those words. I commend the bill to the House. Question put—That the bill be now read a second time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a second time.

Consideration in Detail Clauses 1 to 269— Mr LANGBROEK (5.21 pm): I seek leave to move amendments en bloc. Leave granted. Mr LANGBROEK: I move the following amendments— 1 Clause 15 (Matters for deciding if an individual is suitable) Page 21, line 2, ‘operate.’— omit, insert— operate, 2 Clause 50 (Service capacity) Page 43, line 29, ‘excuresion’— omit, insert— excursion 3 Clause 95 (Matters chief executive must consider for service waiver) Page 66, line 23, ‘must’— omit, insert— may 4 Clause 116 (Presence of at least 2 adult staff members) Page 75, lines 24 to 28— omit, insert— (4) An approved provider is taken to comply with subsections (2) and (3)(a) if— (a) 1 of the staff members is at least 18 years of age; and (b) the other staff member is a staff member who is at least 17 years of age and is an educator; and (c) the staff member mentioned in paragraph (a) supervises the staff member mentioned in paragraph (b). (5) An approved provider is taken to comply with subsection (3)(b) if— (a) 1 of the staff members is at least 18 years of age; and (b) the other staff member is a staff member who is at least 17 years of age and is an educator; and (c) the staff member mentioned in paragraph (a) is present at the premises at all times; and (d) the staff member mentioned in paragraph (a) supervises the staff member mentioned in paragraph (b). 5 Clause 220 (Definitions for sdiv 2) Page 145, after line 17— insert— health practitioner means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise a health profession. 6 Clause 221 (Disclosure of URL data to chief executive and central governing bodies by relevant services) Page 147, lines 8 to 12— omit, insert— (1) An authorised person for a relevant service may disclose URL data to the chief executive. (1A) An authorised person for a CGB service may disclose URL data to an authorised officer of the central governing body.

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7 Clause 244 (Regulation-making power) Page 159, line 23, ‘sitting’— omit, insert— setting 8 Clause 244 (Regulation-making power) Page 160, line 3, ‘fitness and propriety’— omit, insert— suitability I table the explanatory notes to my amendments. Tabled paper: Education and Care Services Bill 2013, explanatory notes for Hon. John-Paul Langbroek’s amendments [3452]. Amendments agreed to. Clause 1 to 269, as amended, agreed to. Schedules 1 and 2— Mr LANGBROEK (5.21 pm): I seek leave to move amendments en bloc. Leave granted. Mr LANGBROEK: I move the following amendments— 9 Schedule 1 (Minor and consequential amendments) Page 181, after line 7— insert— 10 Schedule 2, definition education and care service— omit, insert— education and care service means— (a) an approved education and care service under the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland); or (b) a QEC approved service within the meaning of the Education and Care Services Act 2013. 10 Schedule 2 (Dictionary) Page 192, lines 10 to 15— omit. 11 Schedule 2 (Dictionary) Page 195, line 5— omit, insert— (c) who holds a prescribed qualification or is actively working towards a prescribed qualification in the way prescribed under a regulation. Agreements agreed to. Schedules 1 and 2, as amended, agreed to.

Third Reading Hon. JH LANGBROEK (Surfers Paradise—LNP) (Minister for Education, Training and Employment) (5.22 pm): I move— That the bill, as amended, be now read a third time. Question put—That the bill, as amended, be now read a third time. Motion agreed to. Bill read a third time.

Long Title Hon. JH LANGBROEK (Surfers Paradise—LNP) (Minister for Education, Training and Employment) (5.23 pm): I thank my departmental staff as well as my own staff for all their work. I move— That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Question put—That the long title of the bill be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Further Answer to Question; Department of Transport and Main Roads Hon. SA EMERSON (Indooroopilly—LNP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (5.23 pm), by leave: The Leader of the Opposition asked me a question in question time today. I said that I would get back to her with some information. I now do that. The information is that 587 Queensland Rail staff have accepted redundancies and no staff have returned to the workforce. Since March 2012, 1,326 TMR employees have been made redundant, with 24 employees returning to the workforce. No severance was required to be repaid by those 24 returning employees.

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (Leader of the House) (5.24 pm): I move— That the House, at its rising, do adjourn until 9.30 am on Tuesday, 15 October 2013. Question put—That the motion be agreed to. Motion agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (Leader of the House) (5.24 pm): I move— That the House do now adjourn.

Alleged Deliberate Misleading of the House by a Minister Mr BYRNE (Rockhampton—ALP) (5.25 pm): I take this opportunity to respond to the challenge that was laid down to me this morning in this House by the Hon. Scott Emerson MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads. I am forced to use this forum because, although the minister invited me to respond, when I attempted to this morning my request was refused. My first concern is that the honourable minister, in response to questions without notice asked of him in relation to the opening of the Gracemere overpass project, said that I had failed to RSVP to the event. As the member representing the local Rockhampton community I take great umbrage at this allegation, because it reflects adversely on me and my representation of my electorate. The minister is wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. Initially, on receiving the invitation my office accepted. I was very keen to attend to acknowledge the vast amount of money that had been invested in a significant infrastructure project by a previous Labor government. However, the event was to be held at 11 am on a Friday immediately following a parliamentary sittings. Because of sometimes the lateness of sittings on Thursday night and because of the extreme difficulty I have experienced in meeting appointments in Rockhampton on Friday morning owing to the usual flight delays and other responsibilities, it was prudent and appropriate to tender my apology. I knew that my interests would be well represented by the ex-mayor and ex-member. My office advised the department of my inability to attend on 22 May 2013. For the information of the House, I table a copy of the invitation and the notation that I had initially accepted and the notation of the apology tendered. The department has such records. Tabled paper: Invitation to the member for Rockhampton, Mr Bill Byrne MP, to attend the official commissioning of the Gracemere Industrial Access Project on Friday, 24 May 2013 [3453]. But not content I had misled the parliament in saying that I did not respond to the invitation, the minister further exacerbated the situation by saying that I alleged that I was not invited. Let us be very clear: I made no such claim, as the Hansard reflects. The minister got up in this chamber and stated that I alleged that he misled the House by saying that I had not been invited to the opening of the Gracemere overpass. He said that it was a serious allegation. I am well aware of how serious such an allegation or claim that a member has misled the House is. It is a very serious contempt of the parliament. But, in fact, the minister was incorrect. I have never disputed the fact that I was invited to the event. But what, in fact, I alleged was that the minister misled the House when he said on two occasions that I had failed to RSVP. This is a deflection by the minister, who was looking for something—anything—to say other than answering the substantive questions which are: why he sought to uninvite two former politicians to an opening of an event and how Terry Hill was ranked equal first in the selection panel, recommended for the appointment, and not appointed to the job.

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I believe that Minister Emerson has misled the House and should be referred to the Ethics Committee to consider whether he is in contempt of parliament. I advise that I will be writing to Madam Speaker about this matter.

Open Data Mr STEVENS (Mermaid Beach—LNP) (5.28 pm): I rise to acknowledge the fantastic commitment and generosity of time and expertise of industry leaders and community leaders to the Premier’s open data project. As the Assistant Minister to the Premier on e-government I have been overwhelmed by the great assistance and dedication that industry experts have given the government on this important path to be the most open and accountable government that Queenslanders have ever known. We are in an exciting phase of our project, with the 2013 Premier’s Awards for Open Data happening and the concept stage of the apps competition coming to a close on 22 September, with final nominations needing to be in by 31 October 2013. I would like to thank personally the members of my open data advisory group: Neil Glentworth, the Managing Director of Glentworth Pty Ltd; Neil Makepeace; Steve Baxter; Sharon Schoenborn and Charles Shavitz of Microsoft; Rob Cook; Baden Appleyard; Mark Henley of the Queensland Council of Social Service; Geoff Garrett, the Chief Scientist; the representative of the Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Maree Adshead; and departmental officers from many departments who have given many hours to our open data revolution project. Our open data revolution is going great guns and is well on the way to having many data sets from all government departments available, with currently 394 data sets on our open data website. At the Premier’s Open Data Mixer event recently we were privileged to have Dr Rufus Pollock, founder and director of the Open Knowledge Foundation, as guest speaker to address industry stakeholders and government officials. We thank him greatly for his support and sharing of wisdom. The Open Knowledge Foundation is a non-profit organisation founded in 2004 in the UK which is dedicated to promoting open knowledge, open data and open content in all forms including open government data. As an international leader in their field, the development of the Comprehensive Knowledge Archive Network project is the world’s leading open source data portal platform used by data.gov in the US and data.gov.uk in the UK. I would encourage any business, community organisation or groups to become involved with the Premier’s Open Data Awards and submit a concept for an app by 22 September in one of the areas of public transport, social service delivery, economic benefits for Queensland or the omnipotent open wildcard category. There will be $5,000 in prize money for each of the lucky winners from each category and Microsoft has kindly added to this prize with five Nokia Lumia 920s; five Asus Vivtab tablets; one four-month course at Founder Institute for the nominated team founder to attend from February 2014; and a maximum of $60,000 worth of Windows Azure for a maximum period of two years. I thank Microsoft sincerely for their most generous donation to this program. I thank everyone for their support and I look forward to the future ongoing development of the open data revolution.

All Classic Motor Club of Central Queensland Mr YOUNG (Keppel—LNP) (5.31 pm): The All Classic Motor Club of Central Queensland started in 1995 when a group of five Rockhampton British vehicle enthusiasts decided to stage an All British Day show at a sports club ground in Rockhampton. It turned out to be a huge success. Two years later in 1997 they decided to stage a second show—All Classic Day. This was held in the same venue and again entries filled the grounds. Two years later, after spending lunch at Bell Park in the small town of Emu Park, club secretary, at that time Lee Sunderland, came up with the idea to move the show to Bell Park. They did just that and in 1999 the club staged Classics by the Coast for the first time in Bell Park. They have continued to do so every two years since then. Classics by the Coast is now recognised as one of Queensland’s top three show and shine events. Each year the popularity of the event grows rapidly as car enthusiasts from far and wide make their way to Emu Park. There are rows and rows of hot rods, classics, good looking cars and bikes on display. The relaxed atmosphere of the day endears the event to everyone—enthusiasts and visitors alike. There are usually over 300 cars on display which attract several thousand visitors. Entry is a gold coin donation and all proceeds go to local charities. Classics by the Coast is a great day out for the family. As you wander around and look at the displays you can sense the excitement in the air and the constant hum of chatter and delight as enthusiasts admire each other’s vehicles. Lunch is available from one of the many vendors and you

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can throw down a rug and have a picnic as you listen to the music and watch the entertainment, including rock’n’roll dancers. The most recent event included a fashion show. Classics by the Coast is a big highlight in my electorate for many reasons. As well as being an enjoyable day, it brings people from all over to Emu Park to spend the day, which is a great overflow for local businesses. The recent Classics by the Coast was held in March this year and raised over $20,000. With the proceeds they sponsored the Capricorn Coast Rescue Helicopter for $6,000; the Men’s Activity Shed Emu Park for $3,000; the palliative care ward at Rockhampton Base Hospital for $2,000; Meals on Wheels for $2,000; the Country Women’s Association for $2,000; the Jason Rich Foundation for $2,000; and the Royal Flying Doctor Service for $1,000. The club also supports the Rotary club in running the annual Rocky Swap event. I wish to congratulate the All Classics Motor Club for its great success with this ever-growing event. I am already looking forward to the next event in two years time. I want to thank club member and good friend Mick Kennedy for the hard work he does at this event. I judge the hot rods on the day, breaking the rules of politics 101: never judge babies and cars.

Mulgrave Electorate, Oral Health Services Mr PITT (Mulgrave—ALP) (5.34 pm): I table a non-conforming petition presented to my office by Mr David Anning expressing the views of 211 residents of the Babinda area for the establishment of a local dental clinic. Tabled paper: Non-conforming petition regarding the establishment of a dental clinic for the residents of Babinda [3454]. Poor dental health is closely associated with poor physical health generally and with elevated risk of bacterial infection. The people of Babinda have been without a dental service since the last private dentist left four years ago. There is no public outreach service from Cairns and the nearest private practice is in Innisfail. Many residents are on low incomes without private health insurance and are unable to pay the high costs for travel and private dental treatment. The James Cook University Dental Clinic has the capacity to take patients from the wider Cairns region, providing free treatment for those with a health care card and fees for other patients at 50 per cent of those charged in private practice. Unfortunately, the Queensland Health Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme does not cover the cost of getting to the JCU Dental Clinic. Recent reductions to staff and services at the Cairns North Community Health Service, where the public dental clinic is located, have meant longer dental waiting lists and more limited services. While the benefits of fluoridated water to prevent tooth decay is well documented in combination with good diet and regular dental hygiene, the people of Babinda need access to affordable dental treatment. I am not holding my breath that an Abbott federal government will support an expansion of public dental care. What is also clear is that the LNP government is seeking to rapidly reduce its responsibilities for health care and community services. People in Far North Queensland are not unlike other communities in rural and regional Queensland where primary health care services, taken for granted in Brisbane and some large regional centres, are not available at all or are unaffordable for people on low incomes. Both the Premier and the Minister for Health have stated clearly that they are not in the business of providing primary health care—a breathtaking admission of failure. It is a failure of vision and a failure of the state government’s responsibility to ensure a coordinated health system that meets the needs of our communities. I assume the premise of the Premier’s view is that Medicare funds general medical practice services, that general practice is the sum total of all primary health care, and thus primary health care is totally a federal responsibility. This demonstrates the Premier’s ignorance of the experience of people who do not live in the affluent inner city suburbs of Brisbane. In many small communities there are no general practices so people rely on health services provided by Queensland Health. Often where there is a local GP, the fees charged beyond the Medicare schedule are a significant barrier to families on a low income accessing essential health services. Tablelands Safer Communities wrote to me expressing their concerns about the lack of bulk- billing GPs in their region. People are accessing care through the emergency departments of the Mareeba and Atherton hospitals as they cannot afford the co-payments charged by some local GPs. Similarly, residents in my hometown of Gordonvale have also expressed concern that the closest full bulk-billing practice is at Edmonton. Cutting and closing health promotion and chronic disease prevention services are a false economy that will actually increase future health costs and hospital admissions. Minister Springborg’s attempt to palm primary health care services off to Medicare Locals may have had some hope with a supportive federal Labor government, but an Abbott Liberal

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government has already flagged its intention to review Medicare Locals as a prelude to their closure. Our health system must continue to be one that provides health care not just to those who can pay but also to those most in need.

Gatton Hawks Rugby League Club Mr RICKUSS (Lockyer—LNP) (5.37 pm): It is great to get up on this Thursday afternoon and congratulate one of the great footy sides of Queensland—the Gatton Hawks. Last weekend they had a great win. They won the Toowoomba Premiership. They cleaned up the Valley Roosters. They turned them into feather dusters. I say to the members for Toowoomba South and Toowoomba North that it is good to see that the country boys cleaned up the Valley Roosters. They did them like a dinner. The member for Dalrymple will be interested in this. They were down 14-0 at half time and down to 12 players. At the start of the second half, with the five-eighth in the bin for four more minutes, they scored a try to get back into the game. It was 14-6. Valleys had a lead of 20-12, but the Hawks ended up winning the game 32-20. What a win! It was a great game. There was a big crowd. I congratulate Toby Toohill, a local transport operator, who has been involved with the Hawks for a good number of years. He is the president of the club; Aaron Werth, the captain of the club, who I have known since he was a kid playing footy—he is a great young bloke; along with Dom Haak. These blokes are the backbone of the club. A couple of the big front rowers went extremely well. The reserve grade also won. It is coached by a Laidley local boy, Jason Cubit. They had not won a premiership in 24 years, so it was a big weekend. A government member: A good weekend. Mr RICKUSS: It was a good weekend. But there are some strange things happening in the Lockyer Valley. For some reason, people have been attacking Ian Macfarlane, our federal member for Groom, over the second Toowoomba range crossing. This shows the complex issues involved in the range crossing, where $1.5 billion will be spent. The issues are very difficult to understand. Unfortunately, some of the local government people who comment on these sorts of things do not understand the complexities of the issues. Warren Truss released a press release, which I will table. That press release states that this will definitely happen. It will happen. Tabled paper: Media release, dated 6 September 2013, titled ‘Coalition’s commitment to Toowoomba bypass is rock solid’ [3455].

National Stroke Week Miss BARTON (Broadwater—LNP) (5.40 pm): As I am sure all honourable members of this House would know, this week is National Stroke Week. Earlier this week I had the great pleasure of attending the Gold Coast Stroke Support Group’s launch of National Stroke Week on the Gold Coast with the member for Gaven, Dr Alex Douglas, and the ‘Queen of Southport’, Councillor Dawn Crichlow. At the outset, I pay tribute to the coordinator and chairman of the Gold Coast Stroke Support Group, Colin Oxenford, who does a fantastic job of making sure that when families need support and when stroke survivors need support there is someone there. One of the important messages that we took out of that day and this week is that stroke can strike at any time and awareness and prevention are absolutely critical. There are a number of lifestyle risk factors that all honourable members should be aware of. They are things such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity and poor diet as well as other things such as family history. The other important thing to remember is that stroke is a brain attack. There are four signs. One of the things that the National Stroke Association has put out is the FAST test. I remind all honourable members of that test. F is for face: check their face; has their mouth drooped? A is for arms: can they lift them both? S is for speech: is it slurred? And T is for time, which is critical. If you feel that someone you are with is suffering or showing any of those signs, it is absolutely critical to call triple 0. When I spoke at the launch of the National Stroke Week event, one of the things that I was able to share was my family’s personal experience with stroke. Earlier this year, my grandfather had a series of mini strokes. Unfortunately, that led to him not being able to return home. He has significant impairments as a result. I said that one of the great things for my family is knowing now what the signs and symptoms are and what we should be looking out for in ourselves in terms of the risk factors, because obviously there is a potential risk factor for us with a family history. Also, importantly, we now know that someone is there.

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I made a commitment to Colin that I would do all I can to ensure that all honourable members are aware of the great work that the Gold Coast Stoke Support Group do, as well as other members of the Gold Coast. I am sure that my nine colleagues from the Gold Coast will agree that making sure that we can raise awareness of stroke on the Gold Coast is particularly important given that the majority of people who are members of the Gold Coast Stroke Support Group reside in either postcodes 4216 or 4215, in my electorate or the electorate of my neighbour to the south, the member for Southport. I commend stroke awareness to the House.

Atherton State High School Mr KNUTH (Dalrymple—KAP) (5.43 pm): Yesterday I tabled a petition on behalf of the residents of the Atherton Tablelands. The petition is headed ‘Atherton State High School—NO to Independent School Program’. It states— We the residents of Atherton and surrounds wish to draw to the attention of the house the community dissatisfaction with the application for acceptance into the 2014 Independent Public Schools program by the Atherton State High School.

We believe that the Independent Public Schools program has not been running long enough in Queensland to demonstrate to the community that it benefits student outcomes, which is the primary aim of the public education system.

We call on the Minister to acknowledge that community consultation does not automatically imply community support. In light of the Ministers comments in Parliament Estimates Hearing on the 23/7/2013 “I cannot imagine that a principal, knowing that the majority of the community is opposed to becoming an independent public school ... that the principal would go ahead with trying to make an application to do so.” “I would have thought that that school council would be making it pretty clear that there should not be an application.” The petition calls on the minister to withhold approval until the true community attitude has been adequately gauged.

Murrumba Electorate; Driscoll, Mr S Mr GULLEY (Murrumba—LNP) (5.45 pm): I rise to speak on the electorate of Murrumba, a good place. Jobs, jobs, jobs is the subject of the North Lakes Times of Thursday 29 August, which I table. The headline reads— ‘9,000 reasons to spark our optimism

Let’s get to work Murrumba is a great place for employment. If anyone needs more proof that Queensland is open for business, they need only come to Murrumba. Tabled paper: Webpage titled ‘Quest Community eNewspapers, North Lakes Times, 29 August 2013’ [3456]. I thank the Moreton Bay Central Chamber of Commerce for organising a Costco event with Patrick Noone, the managing director of Costco Australia on 27 August. A government member: When will it open? Mr GULLEY: Very soon; early next year. I welcome the retail competition that Costco will bring to our region. I thank the Deputy Premier for the call-in process that accelerated the Costco development. On 31 August the Our Village Foundation Community Challenge was held. As a member of the Redcliffe Kippa-Ring Lions, I supported the ‘Keep Tracey Mobile’ team. Tracey Jackson is a delightful young lady suffering from muscular dystrophy. Funds raised will go towards a suitable vehicle for her. Also on 31 August I participated in the North Lakes eighties-style boot camp, fluoro and all. The camp raised funds for the kids at the Mater Hospital. My daughter Tabitha and I participated and both discovered muscles that we did not know existed. On 9 September, the DBCYP Young Parenting Education Program held a graduation that was organised by Jasmine King. I met some very impressive young ladies who I believe have great futures: Alicia Waddell, Amanda Broadbent, Renee Wall and Stephanie Waddell. I know that Tammy Palfreyman also graduated, but was unable to be present on that day. On 10 September I had the privilege of formerly opening the Saint Benedict’s College at Mango Hill. I acknowledge the Minister for Education, Training and Employment and thank him for the opportunity that that day provided. It is a beautiful school. They have not only great facilities but also great staff. I had the privilege of opening that school alongside Archbishop Mark Coleridge. I congratulate the impressive foundation principal, Claire McLaren, for her school’s successful year so far. I acknowledge the school’s business manager, Steve Pardey, for the work he has done there.

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I refer to Scott Driscoll, the member for Redcliffe. I share the Premier’s frustration that the member is playing games with parliament and with his responsibilities to the good people of Redcliffe. Mr Driscoll, your poor character is on display for all. In society’s eyes, you have lost the right to hold the office of MP. It is now only a matter of time before you cease to wear an MP badge for Redcliffe. To constituents and community groups I say that my door is open to assist you. Listening to the ALP leader this morning, I felt her hypocrisy on the Driscoll matter was disappointing considering the ALP protested the good character of Gordon Nuttall and allowed Robert Poole to represent the electorate of Gaven from Cambodia. Murrumba—a great place.

Gold Coast Cruise Ship Terminal Dr DOUGLAS (Gaven—UAP) (5.48 pm): Tonight I wish to discuss and table the Broadwater master plan project report, which to date has not been available to the public. Tabled paper: Bundle of documents relating to the Broadwater ecological study [3457]. The study is very comprehensive. It was commissioned by the Queensland state government and the Gold Coast City Council in 2011-12. It was obtained under RTI with, as one might expect, considerable difficulty. The report was given to council in September 2012, but never made public. It is the latest and most comprehensive scientific study done to date on the Gold Coast Broadwater and contains cultural and ecological information in the form of habitat data on marine and terrestrial animals, protected species and all things that are covered under council, state and federal laws, as well as those that are related to our international agreements. It includes ecological, hydrographic and geomorphic studies. I will subsequently table the economic study table and give a detailed speech on why the proposed CST— Government members interjected. Dr DOUGLAS: You guys should have done this yourselves. You should be ashamed of yourselves! Madam SPEAKER: Order! Pause the clock. Dr DOUGLAS: There is no economic benefit to the Gold Coast. There is no economic benefit from the CST— Madam SPEAKER: Order! I ask members to cease their interjections. I ask the member with the call to address his comments through the chair and cease using the word ‘you’. Dr DOUGLAS: Thank you for your direction, Madam Speaker. The proposed CST has no economic benefit for the Gold Coast and, moreover, for the state of Queensland. Today I would also like to highlight that the Gold Coast draft waterways plan was released. It basically included a push poll study. It adds nothing to the comprehensive VDM study. What this report clearly shows is not only how much the seagrass has recovered 30 years after the construction of the seaway but also what is there. These seagrass beds are critical to our fish stocks and a variety of things in the Broadwater, including the health of the water itself. They are the primary feedstock for our dugongs, sea turtle and many smaller fish and most of the fish out in the ocean. The beds extend from Moreton Bay to the inlet channel and they are directly opposite the Sundale Bridge. They extend throughout the Broadwater. This represents a significant water habitat. It is very clear why these reports were never made available. They demonstrate what I and others have been saying about the proposed cruise ship terminal. It should not go ahead based on the evidence. The council and the state government know the CST is not feasible at any level so why is it still being supported by both the council and the Campbell Newman government. The VDM study is their own study. Remember this is the fourth major comprehensive scientific study. People on that side of the House do not believe in the science. Why is this State staring down the evidence they commissioned? The ecosystems, including in the Gold Coast Seaway and on Wavebreak Island, are considered highly significant, world quality ecosystems and the northern edge of the Broadwater is already a marine park.

Zig Zag Young Women’s Resource Centre Mr KAYE (Greenslopes—LNP) (5.51 pm): Last week I had the privilege of visiting a great local community organisation at Camp Hill, in my electorate, whose mission it is to improve the lives of young women. Zig Zag Young Women’s Resource Centre has offered support to young women between the ages of 17 to 25 in the inner south for the past 24 years. It is largely funded by the

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department of communities, but also relies on community and local business support to maintain the range of programs and services it offers clients. Zig Zag offers a range of services to at-risk young women, from counselling to resources and a place to meet in addition to medium-term accommodation options of three to six months. The opportunity for counselling and support for victims of sexual violence is an important aspect of the services offered by Zig Zag. Individual counselling and support groups are also offered. This is where young women are encouraged to explore their feelings in a safe environment, while encouraging them to take control of their lives. The provision of supported accommodation for young women in need is a key part of what Zig Zag offers, operating on the premise that every woman is entitled to safe and appropriate housing. In some cases women with as many as two children can be housed in the centre for up to six months at a time. Whilst in the accommodation women are equipped with life skills, job support and counselling help, depending upon the needs presented. A bank of in-house resources kept in an on-site library is another vital aspect of the service Zig Zag offers its clients, with a reference collection of almost 1,500 books, journals, resource kits and audio visual items. Clients are able to borrow from the library but it also provides a valuable resource for professionals and other human services workers. I was impressed by the warm, friendly and professional staff at Zig Zag. Their compassionate approach to young women is a credit to their values and their determination to rebuild lives is an inspiration to us all. With a mission statement that says, ‘A place of healing, support and social action for young women,’ I was certainly very impressed with the work that this organisation does. Zig Zag also works with another vital organisation, the Women’s Legal Service, which also receives support from the Newman government for the important work that it does. I thank the Attorney-General for that support. In my 23 years as a police officer, in my former life, I saw a great deal of harm done to victims of crime, particularly young women. I was thoroughly heartened by the work this worthy community organisation does in rebuilding the lives of some of those victims so that they can live more fulfilled lives in safety. I take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge Kristy, Steph and all the other staff at Zig Zag for their commitment and the important role that they play in our community. I urge all members of this House if the opportunity presents itself to visit Zig Zag, meet the staff and talk about the work that they do. Question put—That the House do now adjourn. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 5.54 pm.

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