4 Apr 2001 Legislative Assembly 251

WEDNESDAY, 4 APRIL 2001

Mr SPEAKER (Hon. R. K. Hollis, Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m.

PRIVILEGE Minister for Transport and Minister for Main Roads; Bus Action Committee Hon. K. R. LINGARD (Beaudesert—NPA) (9.31 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege suddenly arising. Yesterday in the House when talking about school transport I said that the Minister for Transport had rung the Bus Action Committee and said that the president of the committee was not allowed to approach him or his department and that they would not talk to that person again. The minister rose to a point of order and said— The honourable member's statement is untrue, I find it offensive, and I ask for it to be withdrawn. Mr Speaker, you asked me to withdraw and I did. However, that phone call from the minister was made and, unbeknown to the minister, it was taped. I table a tape of that conversation. The tape is clearly the voice of Steve Bredhauer. The conversation, in part, is— It's Steve Bredhauer speaking. Under the circumstances I'm not prepared to have anyone in my ministerial office nor in my department deal with Kim Bax again. The minister has clearly misled the parliament by saying that my statement is untrue. As there is no privileges committee of this parliament at present, Mr Speaker, I ask that when the privileges committee is set up you refer the matter of the minister misleading the House to the committee for consideration.

PRIVILEGE Minister for Transport and Minister for Main Roads; Bus Action Committee Hon. S. D. BREDHAUER (Cook—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Minister for Main Roads) (9.33 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege suddenly arising. The member has answered his own question. He said in parliament yesterday that I refused to have anything to do with the Bus Action Committee. What he has said today proves my point: I did not say that I would not have anything to do with the Bus Action Committee. What was actually in the voice mail message—and the member has also misled the House by claiming it was a secretly taped conversation because it was not; it was a message I left on the voice mail of a mobile phone—was that I would not have anything to do with Kim Bax but that the Bus Action Committee was welcome to continue to contact my office and I would deal with them. Mr LINGARD: I rise to a point of order. Mr SPEAKER: Order! No, we are not having a debate on this. Mr LINGARD: This play on words is obviously a matter that the privileges committee can work out. Quite obviously, I have provided the tape, and I believe that the matter should be referred to the privileges committee. Mr SPEAKER: You have indeed. We are not going to debate the issue.

PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions—

Bicentennial Bikeway Mrs Edmond from 6 petitioners, requesting the House to provide police on bicycle patrols along the Bicentennial Bikeway along Coronation Drive.

Fuel Prices Mr Horan from 37 petitioners, requesting the House to call on the Premier of Queensland, the Honourable Peter Beattie, to immediately establish a royal commission of inquiry with powers to investigate the retail fuel price in the state of Queensland. 252 Ministerial Statement 4 Apr 2001

Car Parking, Brisbane Mr Horan from 84 petitioners, requesting the House to call on the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Cr Jim Soorley, to make parking signage more easily understandable and to allow street parking for business people during non-peak periods.

Child Sex Offenders Mr Horan from 13,929 petitioners, requesting the House to immediately enact legislation to ensure that all convicted child sex offenders receive a mandatory jail sentence and that repeat offenders receive the maximum sentence relevant to the offence, and that ultimate release is conditional on that person having successfully completed sexual rehabilitation programs to such an extent that they are no longer deemed to be a substantial risk of re-offending.

Victims of Crime Dr Kingston from 14 petitioners, requesting the House to introduce a new act or amend an existing act to protect the confidentiality of private counselling records of victims of crime, in particular sexual assault victims, by preventing access to them in both common and criminal law.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Western Cape Communities Coexistence Agreement Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.36 a.m.), by leave: Once again Queensland has taken the lead in the peaceful resolution of native title issues and the advancement of reconciliation in this nation. On 14 March this year, 2001, in Weipa traditional owners from the Aboriginal communities of western Cape York, the Cape York Land Council and the acting Chief Executive of Comalco signed the Western Cape Communities Coexistence Agreement, which resolves substantial elements of the Wik native title claim. I subsequently signed the same agreement on behalf of the people of Queensland. This is a tremendous achievement for Queensland and Australia because it demonstrates how business, the indigenous community and government can work together in coexistence to deliver a certain and positive future. The Western Cape Communities Coexistence Agreement arose from discussions between Comalco and the Cape York Land Council as a means of resolving native title issues surrounding bauxite mining in the area. With the support of the Beattie government in the negotiations, it became clear that there was a large number of tenure and community issues that needed to be resolved and that these were best addressed as part of a comprehensive package. The agreement contains the following— confirmation of the validity of Comalco's operations and native title agreement to expand bauxite mining in the area; recognition of Aboriginal title to traditional lands not used for other purposes; process for normalisation of the township of Weipa, clearing the path for future development; financial payments by Comalco and the state to support community development and resolving compensation for past extinguishment of native title; consent to expansion of the Weipa port facility; and maintenance of public access for recreational use. It is a comprehensive list. This historic agreement leads the nation towards reconciliation by responding comprehensively and constructively to native title interests and shows the rewards which can be gained from that approach. The winners are— Comalco wins because it now has secure access to its vast bauxite deposits into the future. The state of Queensland wins because we will enjoy the benefits of Comalco's future growth in jobs and income, which will be used for the people of Queensland. Indigenous people win by getting recognition of their rights in land and receiving support for the social and economic developments of their communities. I congratulate the Cape York Land Council, their constituent traditional owners and Comalco for working with the state government to resolve longstanding issues affecting land use in the western cape. It shows what native title can really achieve: recognition of traditional interests in land, while providing certainty for business to expand and invest which, in turn, provides jobs and other opportunities for the traditional communities. This shows that, by dealing constructively with 4 Apr 2001 Ministerial Statement 253 native title holders, we can ensure that development can progress in a way which has the acceptance of those affected by that development. This agreement was a fair and just reward for the sustained struggle conducted over the last 40 years by the Wik and other peoples of the area to have their rights to land recognised. Until now, the Western Cape has provided a sorry chapter in the history of development in this state, beginning with the forcible removal of people from Mapoon and the subsequent destruction of the township, including church land and particular church buildings. If the government and Comalco had our time over again, there is no doubt we would have gone about the development of the Western Cape in a more constructive way. This agreement signifies a desire to learn from the mistakes of the past and move forward together for the mutual benefit of traditional owners of the Western Cape, the ongoing Comalco operations and the state of Queensland. On the day of the signing, the member for Cook, Stephen Bredhauer, the Minister for Transport—who represented me personally at the signing, the government as well as himself as the local member—delivered a formal apology from me on behalf of all Queenslanders to the traditional owners of the Mapoon area for the pain and hurt caused by the destruction of their community. I want to read that apology. It states— I apologise on behalf of the people of Queensland to the residents of Mapoon for actions taken between 1950 and 1963 under the laws of the time which resulted in the removal of people from Mapoon and the destruction of property in Mapoon, and I express my sincere regret on behalf of the people of Queensland for the distress and personal hurt caused to the people of Mapoon as a result. I table that apology for the information of the House. One of the important things about life is that if you get it wrong you have to be strong enough to say you are sorry, and then you move on. Both Comalco and my government understand that we must redress the past to lay the foundation for a positive future in the Western Cape. To their credit, the Western Cape communities have demonstrated their willingness to turn the page and engage in constructive negotiations about better arrangements for the future. While many people have contributed to bringing this agreement about, I must single out for praise Richie Ah Mat and Noel Pearson from the Cape York Land Council and the late Terry Palmer, Comalco's chief executive, who sadly passed away only weeks before the finalisation of the agreement. On behalf of all members of the House, I pass on our sympathies to the Palmer family. Terry Palmer was a very distinguished Queenslander and, in the terms of Australian colloquialism, was a great bloke. He was someone I had a lot of time for. He worked very closely with my government. I know that he also worked very closely with the Borbidge government when Comalco moved its headquarters to Queensland. He was someone that all Queenslanders had an enormous amount of time for. I pass on the condolences of all members to his family. It takes tremendous courage and vision to see what lies beyond the jungle of competing interests, and hacking a path through it is never easy. Richie, Noel, Terry and their teams deserve our gratitude for showing us what coexistence can really mean. I also want to thank my staff and the various departmental representatives who were involved in these negotiations. I table a copy of the Western Cape Communities Coexistence Agreement for the records of this parliament. This is the way forward. This is the future.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Child Protection; Drugs Strategy Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.42 a.m.), by leave: Queensland is about to embark on a major child protection initiative to screen out unsuitable people and prevent them working with children. The newly established Commission for Children and Young People, which I will officially launch at a special function here at Parliament House tomorrow, is about to embark on a major promotional campaign. The screening program, to be promoted as the Working with Children Check, will ensure that people seeking work with children in a paid, voluntary or self-employed capacity must undergo a criminal history check. The wellbeing of our children and young people is one of the most pressing issues facing our community, so the message for people working with children in Queensland is clear: paedophiles need not apply. The Commission for Children and Young People is an independent statutory body which the government has established to promote and protect the rights, interests and wellbeing of Queensland's children and young people. It has been set up in response to the Forde inquiry recommendations and an independent review undertaken by John Briton which highlighted the 254 Ministerial Statement 4 Apr 2001 inadequacies of the previous children's commission legislation introduced by the coalition government. Queensland is once again leading the nation in child protection reform. After extensive consultation with the community, we have devised laws that set new standards for people working with children. It is absolutely critical to the successful operation of this commission that the staff of organisations operating with children and young people be of the highest standard. Therefore, employees will be subject to strict screening. It is also important that the community is aware of the new requirements. That is why the government allocated $500,000 in its mid-year budget review to an educational campaign to promote the new laws. The screening process will apply to prospective paid adult employees and volunteers who are not covered by existing legislation and who work with children. This will include people working in out-of-home residential facilities which provide accommodation; school boarding facilities; schools and community groups, including churches, clubs and associations which provide services directed mainly towards children or which conduct activities mainly involving children; child counselling and support services; and private teaching, coaching and tutoring on a commercial basis. The new legislation was proclaimed on 2 February with the Working with Children Check to be introduced on a staged basis from 1 May this year. New employees must be checked from 1 May this year and self-employed people will be covered from 1 February 2002, while volunteers must be checked from 1 May 2002. The screening requirements do not extend to volunteer work that is short term or one off, and I highlight that. We are confident that the new laws will act as a major deterrent to people who have a criminal track record of offences involving children from applying for jobs or positions working with children. The act provides the commission with the power to access a person's complete criminal history, including charges, regardless of when or where they occurred. That power is based on the entirely laudable premise that children and young people are entitled to be cared for in a way that protects them from harm or the risk of harm. Queensland is once again leading the nation in child protection reform. After extensive consultation with the community, we have devised laws that set new standards for people working with children. I thank the Minister for Education for providing Queenslanders with the best in child protection legislation in her former role as the Minister for Families, Youth and Community Care and Minister for Disability Services. As members would be aware, this responsibility has now been transferred to my department. Whilst on the subject of young Queenslanders, I also want to deal with the issue of drugs. There is a strong link between crime and the use and misuse of illegal drugs in our community. Many of these drugs are powerfully addictive and addicts, once hooked, often turn to crime to fund their increasingly expensive habits. It is a nasty, destructive cycle. The best way to break it is to get in early and help people to stop using drugs. Recently, I joined the Prime Minister, John Howard, to announce the Queensland Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative. The initiative is part of the Tough on Drugs program announced by Mr Howard in 1999 and fits in with the Queensland government's Tough on Crime, Tough on the Causes of Crime strategy. The federal government has shown its commitment to this program by agreeing to provide up to $19.5 million over four years to support this important initiative. Drug diversion gives certain people who are caught using drugs the chance to undertake education or treatment aimed at helping them to stop using drugs rather than getting caught up in the criminal justice system. The major element of this initiative will be a police diversion program for offenders caught with minor amounts of cannabis—that is, 50 grams or less—for personal use. Offenders who meet the strict eligibility criteria will be offered an opportunity to attend an authorised assessment and education intervention program to address their cannabis use rather than be charged. Violent offenders and those dealing in drugs will not be eligible. Further treatment services will also be offered to those people who are dependent on cannabis and who would benefit from more intensive treatment. This initiative will be implemented across Queensland from 24 June this year, providing services as close as possible to where people live. The initiatives resulting from this agreement will maximise the opportunities for drug users to break away from drugs and take personal responsibility for their lives. The program will provide many offenders with an incentive to address their drug use early and before incurring a criminal record. The police diversion program will complement the Queensland drug court trial. The Minister for Police and Corrective Services, Tony McGrady, was with me when this initiative was announced by the Prime Minister. The diversion program targets first-time offenders while drug courts provide long-term treatment programs to drug dependent offenders with a serious criminal history. The drug court trial is a Queensland initiative wholly funded by the state government. The state government will review 4 Apr 2001 Ministerial Statement 255 the diversion program within two years to assess whether it should be extended to people arrested for using small amounts of other illegal drugs, as suggested by the Commonwealth. The present enforcement system is not preventing people from using cannabis. In 1998-99, there were more than 13,000 charges for cannabis possession involving 50 grams or less of the drug. Charging people and requiring them to appear in court is not deterring people from smoking cannabis. The 1998 National Drug Strategy household survey found that nearly 18 per cent of people surveyed in Queensland had used cannabis in the previous 12 months. That is more than one in six of every person surveyed. This program is not about legalising or decriminalising cannabis use or giving people an easy escape route from the courts. Possession of cannabis will still be illegal and offenders will be offered one—and only one—chance to seek professional help under this program and have no charge recorded against their names. If they are caught again after taking part in this program, they will not have a second chance.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT State Schools Hon. A. M. BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Minister for Education) (9.50 a.m.), by leave: Queensland has 1,051 state primary schools, and those Queensland primary schools offer some of the best education in the state. Today, principals from Queensland primary schools are gathering in Brisbane to re-launch a national report called Our Future: A report on a survey of Australian government primary school principals. The report was first launched in Sydney in February this year. The report tackles some big national issues such as reviewing national funding and setting national benchmarks. It clearly demonstrates the commitment of primary school principals across the country to providing the best education possible. I congratulate all principals and their staff on the outstanding job that they do. Primary school principals have taken an unprecedented step by uniting nationally to present their views to governments at both state and federal levels across the country. Very early on as Education Minister I met with Mr Tom Hardy, the President of the National Association of Primary Principals. I wish to express my support for the work done by the Australian Government Primary School Principals Association. The early years of schooling are vital to a child's future development. Through the Queensland government's vision for reform, Queensland State Education 2010, we are committed to strengthening that foundation. Many of the concerns raised by the principals were also raised during consultation for the development of the 2010 strategic plan. Through 2010, the government is now working to tackle those issues in partnership with primary schools. That will be done through initiatives such as the $114 million being spent for literacy and numeracy, including reading recovery, key testing programs and more specialist support staff in schools. There will be a boost to information and communication technology, strategies to improve standards of education for indigenous students and students at risk, and additional teachers in classrooms. The Beattie government spends approximately 25 per cent of its total budget on education and has increased recurrent funding to public schools to more than $2.8 billion this year. Interestingly, Queensland also invests more of its gross state product per capita in education than the national average and now has the highest paid school teachers in the country. These are all signs of our commitment. Despite the fact that almost three-quarters of Queensland students attend state schools, they receive only a fraction of the funding from the Commonwealth government. By 2004, the federal government's own estimates show that it will fund Queensland non-state schools to the tune of approximately $740 million, with just $380 million going to state schools. The Howard government and David Kemp are playing a vicious game of division by increasing the divide between private and public school funding. The principals are right to question the national funding arrangements in its report. I am in the process of discussing these issues with my state colleagues. They cannot be resolved in isolation. They require a long-term commitment by state and Commonwealth governments to work cooperatively. The Beattie government is committed to working with the Queensland Primary Principals Association as we strive to improve the status of public education as part of our vision to make Queensland the Smart State. I understand that a copy of the report will be sent to all members of 256 Ministerial Statement 4 Apr 2001 parliament. I urge all members, on both sides of the House, to read the report and give the issues raised their full consideration.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Kerry Ingredients Group Hon. T. A. BARTON (Waterford—ALP) (Minister for State Development) (9.53 a.m.), by leave: Last week I had the pleasure to welcome and open yet another major enterprise in the state which will employ Queenslanders and which aims to grab a greater share of the growing Asian market. The Irish based Kerry Ingredients group has just spent $20 million to establish a new facility at Murarrie that will provide 140 jobs. The Kerry group decision to set up its Australian flagship facility in Queensland puts it in an esteemed gathering of others that have decided to come to Queensland. Over recent years this government has helped to attract a veritable who's who of business to this state. They include companies such as AAPT, Red Hat, Austar, Virgin, DHL, Oracle, Citibank, IBM, Qantas, and Boeing to expand, just to name a few. As a global food ingredients and consumer food group, the Kerry group is a substantial player in the world food scene, supplying more than 80 countries with more than 9,000 products. The company has sales of more than $4.5 billion a year and is ranked in Ireland's top 10 companies. Kerry's decision to come to Queensland marks its determination to grow in the Asia-Pacific region, with the company aiming to triple its Asia-Pacific income to $US500 million by 2005 through acquisitions of established processors and the establishment of new greenfields facilities. This company has invested some $70 million in Australia in recent times and, yes, the Beattie government had a hand in ensuring that the Kerry group established these new operations in this state. The government support remains in confidence, but our commercial advantages of cheaper business costs, skilled work force and location to Asia swung the deal. It was indeed heartening when the company's managing director, Mr Denis Brosnan, acknowledged to the assembled crowd at the opening how he wished he could do business around the world with governments as proactive and partnership oriented as he found the Beattie government to be. Further, the work of the local member, the member for Bulimba, Pat Purcell, was also noted by the company. Kerry will source local raw materials and services estimated to be worth around $5 million to the Queensland economy every year. The new processing facility at Murarrie involves world-class manufacturing of food ingredient blends and servicing to value-added poultry, prepared foods, processed meat, quick-service restaurants, snack foods and bakery ingredient markets. The decision by Kerry underscores the decision by other major companies to come to Queensland to establish food operations. These include Qantas, with its food preparation plant at the Marsden Industrial Estate, which will have the capacity to produce some 20 million meals per year; Berri fruit juices, which is near completion of its new $20.8 million processing plant; and Tropico Fruits, which has a fresh herb manufacturing facility on the Sunshine Coast. The investment by the Kerry group once again highlights the confidence international firms have in doing business not only in Australia but more particularly in Queensland.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Corporations Law Hon. R. J. WELFORD (Everton—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (9.57 a.m.), by leave: Some recent decisions of the High Court cast doubt on the constitutional framework which supported our nation's corporations laws. For some time there has been a pressing need to address these decisions and to change the national scheme for the regulation of corporations, companies and securities—a scheme which first commenced in 1991. I am pleased to advise the House that our government has agreed to participate in the development of a single uniform national corporations law. This decision means that existing companies and those planning to establish in Queensland will continue to operate under the best business laws in Australia, with no advantage to the southern states. 4 Apr 2001 Ministerial Statement 257

Queensland's attractive business environment—less red tape, a low tax regime and sensible industrial relations laws—is attracting new business, such as Virgin Blue and Boeing. To further improve the way business operates, Queensland has long advocated a uniform national approach to laws affecting companies. At the most recent meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General, held in Adelaide on 23 March, I reached agreement with the Commonwealth and other state Attorneys- General to work towards a referral of state corporations law powers to the Commonwealth. The stumbling block had been a guarantee from the Commonwealth that it would not use referred powers to undermine our state's successful industrial relations system. We have now received that guarantee, and it will be written into the national legislation and the intergovernmental agreement which confers our power on the Commonwealth. The agreement contains a number of safeguards for Queensland that address concerns about giving this power to the Commonwealth. The objects clause in the state referral legislation will include a provision to ensure that referred powers are not used to regulate industrial relations. The corporations agreement itself will specifically prohibit the use of the referred powers to regulate industrial relations, the environment or any other agreed matter. Under the corporations agreement, at least three jurisdictions, including the Northern Territory, will be required to vote to approve amendments to the corporations law in areas where approval of the ministerial council is currently required. The corporations agreement will provide that if four states vote to terminate the amendment reference, all states will terminate it. The new corporations act will provide that if any state individually terminates the amendment reference, that state will cease to be part of the scheme. In other words, any state can unilaterally cease to be part of the scheme and withdraw its referral of powers at any time. The refined package of measures protects the interests of our state, gives certainty to the business community and defines more clearly the scope of the state corporations power, which it is proposed to refer to the Commonwealth. It is my intention to introduce a bill into this House as soon as possible so that Queensland can participate in the new scheme and all states can provide business certainty from 1 July this year.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Mount Isa Mines Limited Panel Assessment Study Hon. D. M. WELLS (Murrumba—ALP) (Minister for Environment) (10.00 a.m.), by leave: The panel assessment study into the management of sulfur dioxide at the Mount Isa smelters arises out of the Mount Isa Mines Limited Agreement Amendment Act 1997. The panel commenced its work on 13 February 1998, when the act took effect. Section 20(1) of the agreement requires the panel to meet at least six times per year for its three-year duration and provide an interim report every six months for tabling in parliament. The panel has met this requirement by providing five interim reports to parliament. Since its commencement, the panel has met on 21 occasions and held four public meetings in Mount Isa. Section 20(3) also requires that the panel must report within three years on emission control technologies which would enable Mount Isa Mines Limited to meet ambient air standards for sulfur dioxide in compliance with environmental legislation. The act sets out the matters to be investigated by the panel, and these have been incorporated into the final report. The objective of the panel is to report on best practice environmental management as it applies to sulfur dioxide emissions from the Mount Isa smelters. The findings of the panel must be published, and Mount Isa Mines Limited must consult with me to determine how the panel's recommendations will be included in the company's integrated environmental management system. The panel consisted of 11 members representing the community, business, conservation and relevant areas of technical expertise. The final report provides conclusions on the panel considerations of: options for additional emission control measures at the smelters; the impact of sulfur dioxide emissions on community health, soil chemistry and ecosystems; and community attitudes regarding environmental management at Mount Isa. I have received the report from the panel and referred it to the Environmental Protection Agency for advice. I will respond to the issues raised in the report in due course after consideration of the agency's advice and discussions with Mount Isa Mines Limited. I lay upon the table of the House the final report of the Mount Isa Mines Limited Panel Assessment Study. 258 Ministerial Statement 4 Apr 2001

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Foster Carers Hon. J. C. SPENCE (Mount Gravatt—ALP) (Minister for Families and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Minister for Disability Services) (10.02 a.m.), by leave: Foster families provide an extraordinary service. They provide love, guidance and comfort to children and young people who often have very challenging and difficult behaviours or disabilities. Many of our 1,269 foster families have been involved for a number of years, and recently I had the privilege of meeting some of our foster families at the 2001 Foster Care Excellence Awards. The achievements and qualities of the special people receiving awards this year reflect the commitment of carers. Most have children of their own, yet are also able to meet the special needs of their foster children. Some are caring for indigenous children with special needs, and all have successfully cared for children with very challenging behaviours. I want to take this opportunity to quickly draw attention to some exceptional families. Linda and Gary Creedy and family, from the Ipswich and Logan region, have been carers for over 20 years. Their dedication to the children in their care—whether it be pre-adoption, emergency care, short term or long term—has always been with the children's best interests in mind and with the objective of their safe return to their own family. Carmel and Steve Osborne from the Caboolture and Redcliffe peninsula have been foster carers for 35 years. They have cared for well over 300 children during that time. These children have stayed for varying periods of time, some right through to independence and beyond, but all remain a part of Carmel and Steve's family. Jackie Pallister from Brisbane has been a foster carer to numerous children over a 20-year period. Jackie has been caring for a sibling group of three children who have been in long-term care with Jackie for five years and have recently been successfully reunited with their natural father. It is something that is done voluntarily, and it is probably one of the largest volunteer efforts across the state that often goes unrecognised. Having said that—like any tough job, it is not easy to recruit people, and it is not easy to retain them. The number of foster families has remained stable over the past five years. However, the number of children entering the foster care system increases by approximately 4 per cent each year. We are always looking for new foster carers. Anyone with a strong commitment to helping others can apply to become a foster carer. One of my main objectives is to ensure that this ongoing dedication from foster carers is matched by the department in its support for these carers. We will do this by building on the achievements made throughout 2000. The improvement in the financial support of foster carers is an immediate goal. We will be delivering a 10 per cent increase in the foster carers allowance this year, building on the 4 per cent increase last year. This year, we will also see a doubling in the frequency of the outfitting allowance. This improvement will ensure that an allowance will be provided during every school year and an additional payment available for the year prior to school. Without such dedicated foster carers, the job of trying to meet the needs of these children would be literally impossible. They perform a magnificent service throughout the state and deserve our continued support.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Fisheries Management Hon. H. PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Minister for Primary Industries and Rural Communities) (10.05 a.m.), by leave: As the minister responsible for Queensland fisheries, I will be visiting Cairns this afternoon and Thursday Island tomorrow to meet commercial fishers and Islanders. As far as the Queensland government is concerned, the maintenance of law and order in the Torres Strait is a priority. The purpose of my visit will be to help re-establish dialogue between both parties on fisheries issues. This week, I received an invitation from the Torres Strait Regional Authority chair, Terry Waia, to visit Thursday Island. I have accepted his invitation. Also, I intend to meet with commercial fishing representatives in Cairns. As minister responsible for Queensland fisheries, I am committed to consulting all stakeholders on fisheries issues. I believe that a meeting of the Torres Strait Fisheries Management Committee, which is chaired by the Commonwealth and includes Islander and fishing industry representatives, should be held as soon as possible. The Queensland 4 Apr 2001 Ministerial Statement 259 government, through the Department of Primary Industries, has already urged the Commonwealth to convene the Torres Strait Fisheries Management Committee. The Commonwealth has yet to respond to that request. I have been concerned that federal government representatives planning to visit the Torres Strait later this month do not plan to consult with commercial fishers. I would urge them to consult with both Islanders and fishers. I understand the federal government now has two Fisheries Ministers: Wilson Tuckey, as the junior minister; and Warren Truss, as the senior minister. As we have seen on the Kyoto and greenhouse issue this week, federal ministers promote different points of view and push different agendas. In the interests of all stakeholders on this important issue, it would be useful for both Mr Tuckey and Mr Truss to be involved.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Tourism Industry Hon. M. ROSE (Currumbin—ALP) (Minister for Tourism and Racing and Minister for Fair Trading) (10.08 a.m.), by leave: The biggest challenge facing the Queensland tourism industry is to convert opportunities into sustainable growth and income. The opportunities to grow tourism are very real, with predictions of increasing tourist numbers and infrastructure investment. The challenge for us—as a government, as an industry and as a community—is to make it happen and to make it happen in a sustainable way. Rapid economic growth, along with a large population, proximity to Australia and the progressive removal of travel impediments will make the Asia-Pacific the most exciting inbound market for Queensland tourism. Predictions are that the number of inbound visitors will leap from two million now to 12.4 million in 2020 and the value of inbound tourism will skyrocket from $4.8 billion to more than $15 billion in the same period. Despite the positive outlook, tourism growth is not a sure thing, and we will need to look at what we can do to help the industry reach its potential. We just cannot afford to be complacent, or the opportunities will bypass Queensland. Neither can the industry afford to fragment. In tourism, more than almost any other industry, unity is strength; disunity is destructive. There must be a cooperative approach to marketing. There needs to be widespread consultation with industry members by those authorities with the task of marketing our destinations. To do anything less is to devalue the kick we can get from the marketing dollar. I see the government's role as investing strategically in the industry, bringing together resources and talents and adding value to what the industry is doing for itself. This could be achieved by helping provide the necessary infrastructure through marketing and product development, by helping to grow Queensland's events industry and by providing expertise and a whole-of-government approach to tourism development. Infrastructure investments do not just help the tourism industry; projects deliver employment, skills and security in other industries as well as facilities and lifestyle benefits for residents. As well as bricks and mortar infrastructure, the government plays an important role in bringing tourism-related business here. It is not enough just to bring in tourists; we want to bring businesses here that help grow the industry, generate jobs and strengthen our economy in the long term. Development of events-based tourism is another government priority, with a $1 million a year Regional Events Scheme in the pipeline, as well as continuing support through Queensland Events. The government's commitment to tourism extends across portfolios and is reflected in our investment in expertise to support and guide the growth of the industry. This whole-of-government approach ensures the needs of the industry are acted upon at the highest levels. The government knows that tourism will help provide the jobs, revenue and investment that will sustain Queensland throughout the 21st century.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Murray-Darling Basin Hon. S. ROBERTSON (Stretton—ALP) (Minister for Natural Resources and Minister for Mines) (10.11 a.m.), by leave: I would like to inform the House of a significant step forward in Queensland's management of salinity in its part of the Murray-Darling Basin. At the Murray-Darling 260 Ministerial Statement 4 Apr 2001

Basin Ministerial Council meeting in Sydney on Friday, Queensland committed, for the first time, to participate in the Basin Salinity Management Strategy. In implementing this strategy, Queensland will identify its end of valley salinity targets—a task to be undertaken over the next three years in consultation with the catchment community and with the further development of our scientific knowledge. Queensland's salinity research is recognised as leading edge science which will greatly assist the community in identifying salinity risks and preventive action. I am confident that this proactive approach will prevent the degradation of Queensland's land and waterways and avoid the major problems now evident elsewhere in Australia. Queensland currently contributes only a small level of salt to the basin river system and this will continue over the next 50 years under the Salinity Management Strategy. Accordingly, Queensland's participation in the Basin Salinity Management Strategy will focus on addressing the salinity risks through direct action within the Queensland catchments. If an audit in five years shows that these actions have been insufficient to ensure that Queensland's end of valley salinity targets are being met, then Queensland will join the basin's salinity credit scheme. Queensland's commitment to the Basin Salinity Management Strategy is an example of our support for the basin's Integrated Catchment Management Policy that was endorsed at Friday's ministerial council meeting. It outlines an approach to integrated catchment management that is based on targets for catchment health and progressive evolution of the way communities, institutions and governments work to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. Queensland also recently signed an intergovernmental agreement with the Commonwealth to commit $162 million of joint state-Commonwealth funds to the implementation of the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality over the next seven years. In fact, Queensland was the first state in Australia to sign up to this strategy. My department has already been out in the community via a series of salinity workshops informing land-holders and other stakeholders of the threat that rising salt levels poses to the long term health of our land and water resources. In conclusion, I would like to emphasise that Queensland takes its commitment to address water quality and salinity issues very seriously. The government's commitment to the National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality and to the Murray-Darling Basin Salinity Management Strategy will have multiple environmental and economic benefits—both within Queensland and further downstream in the other Murray-Darling states.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Electrical Safety Hon. G. R. NUTTALL (Sandgate—ALP) (Minister for Industrial Relations) (10.14 a.m.), by leave: As minister for the newly created Department of Industrial Relations, I would like to draw the attention of the House to a critical and independent review now under way into electrical safety in Queensland. This is a review that I hope will help lift Queensland's electrical safety record to the best in the country. The ombudsman recently handed down the first of 10 reports into electrical safety in Queensland and the findings are disturbing. The systems within the Electrical Safety Office and the Division of Workplace Health and Safety have been criticised in the investigation into the death of Nicolas Sokol in an electrical accident in Brisbane three years ago. These systems were not good enough for the Sokol family and they are not good enough for the Queenslanders who expect this government to provide more jobs, fairer jobs and—more importantly—safer jobs. Today I would like to announce that my office has finalised the terms of reference for an external review of both the Electrical Safety Office and the Division of Workplace Health and Safety. These terms of reference have been decided from a series of meetings that I have held with some of the families of electrical accident victims, unions and employer groups, the Workplace Health and Safety board members, community groups, the ombudsman and the coroner. Mr John Crittall will lead and manage the review. Mr Ray Dempsey will assist the review in respect of the Electrical Safety Office. Both persons are eminently qualified. Mr Crittall was chair of the recent Building and Construction Taskforce, whose recommendations are currently being 4 Apr 2001 Ministerial Statement 261 implemented, and Mr Dempsey is the current chair of the Electrical Safety Taskforce. These two nominees have also met with the approval of the ombudsman, the employers and the unions. The review is now under way and I have asked for a report of the recommended strategies to be on my desk before the end of June. But it will not end there. Mr Crittall and Mr Dempsey will be charged with implementing the findings of the report over the next 12 months. In the meantime, the Electrical Safety Office will operate as a stand-alone body within the Department of Industrial Relations while we follow up report recommendations to investigate the overlap between the office and the Division of Workplace Health and Safety. This review will also complement our recent election commitment to appoint at least 12 additional safety inspectors with appropriate electrical qualifications and the current work of the Electrical Safety Taskforce set up by the Labor government 12 months ago to begin to address electrical safety issues. Those recommendations were handed down yesterday and initial findings from the taskforce have shown that Queensland has a high rate of electrical fatalities. Those statistics only make this government more determined that both government and industry need to work harder to find ways to improve safety standards in this state. The Division of Workplace Health and Safety and the Electrical Safety Office have a very important role in ensuring a safe working environment for the people of Queensland, and this review will help us to meet those responsibilities more effectively. As a government, we have to ensure that families can have every confidence that when a loved one leaves home to go to work, he or she will return safely. The Beattie Labor government promised during the election campaign to put people and workplaces first, and I intend to see that policy promptly delivered in the Department of Industrial Relations.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Biotechnology Industry Hon. P. T. LUCAS (Lytton—ALP) (Minister for Innovation and Information Economy) (10.18 a.m.), by leave: On 19 May 1999 the Beattie government announced its $270 million 10- year Queensland Bioindustries Strategy. This strategy supports the development of internationally competitive biotechnology industries in Queensland and aims to assist in making Queensland the hub of biotechnology in the Asia-Pacific region. It has been a priority of the government and of the Premier, who has achieved great success in ensuring Queensland's growth as the Smart State and a new player on the world stage of innovation and new technology. This government is committed to the jobs and the benefits to all Queenslanders that our growth is generating. The government is also committed to ensuring that biotechnology is nurtured within a strong and transparent ethical framework that addresses community concerns and expectations about the biotechnology revolution. The Beattie government is leading Australia in the development of a Biotechnology Code of Ethics to address these concerns. In the absence of a national code of ethical practice, the Queensland government in March last year drafted the Code of Ethical Practice for Biotechnology in Queensland to ensure biotechnology development and advances in Queensland are guided by safe and ethical practices. The code will apply to all biotechnology arms of the Queensland government. It will also apply to all biotechnology organisations funded by the Queensland government and all cooperative research centres in which a Queensland agency is a participating member. Should any organisation breach the code, then state funding to that organisation will immediately come under review and their involvement in any cooperative research agreement suspended. This code was forwarded to stakeholder groups for comment and was circulated widely on Queensland government web sites. More than 50 submissions were received from the biotechnology community, business and industry, environmental and consumer protection groups, bioethicists, government agencies and the public. Public meetings have also been held to allow community input into the final code and to ease concerns Queenslanders may have with aspects of biotechnology revolution. The first of these forums was held in July last year and was opened by the Premier and hosted by the ABC's Robin Williams. This forum, and another held in Emerald in September, were broadcast to an Australiawide audience through ABC's Australia Talks Back radio program. The government also 262 Private Members' Statements 4 Apr 2001 sponsored a series of conferences and seminars run by the Brisbane Institute on the future of biotechnology and the question of ethical practices. The code is now with the Queensland Biotechnology Advisory Council for advice on industrial, social, environmental and ethical issues associated with biotechnology. The terms of reference for the council require it to advise the government on such issues. It will also provide an analysis of community attitudes, concerns and expectations regarding biotechnology and how it can benefit all Queenslanders. This information and analysis will assist in strategic planning by the state government, industry and research sectors. The Queensland Biotechnology Advisory Council will present its findings in the next few months. These findings will then be considered by cabinet. The Beattie government has shown its commitment to securing the best in technological advancement for all Queenslanders. The Smart State is setting the lead for the rest of Australia in many areas of the biotechnology revolution and innovation and the jobs they are bringing to Queensland. We will continue our efforts to ensure that we play our role on the world stage, but Queenslanders can also be assured that our push into new territories, new industries and new jobs will be open, transparent and ethical and will not jeopardise the safety and living standards we all take for granted in this state. Queenslanders have been and will continue to be consulted and included on this and other issues that affect their livelihoods, their families and their future.

PARLIAMENTARY CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE Report Hon. V. P. LESTER (Keppel—NPA) (10.22 a.m.): I lay upon the table of the House pursuant to section 4.7(4) of the Police Service Administration Act 1990 a certified copy of the Register of reports and recommendations made to the minister and ministerial directions 2000, together with a letter dated 12 February 2001 by the Commissioner of the Police Service, Robert Atkinson; a letter by Mr J. P. O'Sullivan and a covering letter from the chairperson of the Criminal Justice Commission, Mr Brendan Butler, SC, dated 14 February 2001 in which Mr Butler reports that he has furnished this material without further comment. I advise that the register was received by the committee on 14 February 2001. It is therefore tabled within a period of 14 sitting days after receipt as prescribed by section 4.7(4) of the act.

NOTICE OF MOTION Drug Strategy Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) (10.23 a.m.): I give notice that I will move— That this House— Supports the introduction of a Queensland strategy for illicit drug use prevention which reduces drug addiction in our communities through coordinated measures that deliver— (a) increased rehabilitation and detoxification facilities and resources; (b) reform to the justice system which focuses on rehabilitation of drug users; (c) enhanced drug education for young people, parents and guardians; (d) properly resourced police and anti-crime agencies to pursue drug producers and suppliers of drugs; (e) tougher sentences for drug traffickers and major drug dealers; and Totally rejects the introduction of injecting rooms or the legalisation of marijuana or other illicit drugs.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Health System Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) (10.24 a.m.): We have already seen a substandard performance by the Labor government with regard to unemployment. Queensland is consistently coming last or second last in the unemployment stakes in Australia. Now we are seeing a substandard performance in Health. To cover up the mistakes that are recurring in Health, we have seen the Minister for Health start to resort to the good old Labor ploy of doctor bashing just to cover up her own shortcomings. Between 1996 and 1998—in just two short years—the then National-Liberal coalition government introduced the groundbreaking Surgery on Time program. In just two years, we set 4 Apr 2001 Private Members' Statements 263 two major targets: firstly, to reduce the wait time for what is called category 1, or urgent elective surgery, so that less than five per cent would wait more than 30 days. We achieved that target in 12 months. Then we set another target for the next 12 months: to reduce the waiting time for category 2 to less than five per cent of long waits. In 10 months we almost achieved that. As I remember, the figure was down to around to 12 per cent or 13 per cent. So in that time, we were able to put in place a whole new system—a new system of preoperative care, a new system of management of surgeries and a new system of the teaching of nurses to work in the operational area. In those two years, we were actually able to do almost 13,000 extra operations. But now the program has stalled. We have unbelievable waiting times for people to be able to see specialists. There has been no progression from the progress made by the National-Liberal coalition government of that time—no progression from those excellent results from the organisation and the management that was put in place to assist and to continually bring down the wait times for surgery and to assist them to bring down the wait time to see a specialist. Time expired.

HIH Insurance Mrs ATTWOOD (Mount Ommaney—ALP) (10.26 a.m.): I am particularly perturbed that there are no safeguards for contributors to the HIH Insurance group. Recently, this firm went into liquidation leaving contributors in the lurch. I have been approached by professionals who over the years have made contributions to this insurance company for protection against malpractice suits. Practitioners such as those people are open slather to those clients who decide that they can make a quick killing. What protection is afforded to professionals if a client decides that they will take a small operator for all they can get? Further anxiety is caused by the fact that their trusted insurance company goes into liquidation and can no longer cover them. The Australian Securities and Investment Commission and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority are monitoring this situation and updating information on the latest developments. It is a bit of a worry when a medical professional, who has been paying insurance premiums for a number of years and who has a current legal case, discovers that they are no longer covered and have absolutely no protection. Where do they turn? Other insurance companies will not cover them because, if by chance they lose, it would be very costly. The insurance industry is a federal government responsibility. It has a duty to ensure that all obligations are met, regardless of whether the insurance company collapses. The reputation of the insurance industry is at stake here. If that means that they can collapse at any time and offer no coverage for new and existing claims, what use are they? Consumers would be better off not paying insurance premiums but saving their money in the event that a client decides to sue them for malpractice. I call on the Howard government to ensure that contributors to the HIH Insurance company are fully protected during this liquidation process.

Rural Poverty Dr KINGSTON (Maryborough—Ind) (10.27 a.m.): I wish to address rural poverty. A 1997 report by the Council of Small Business Organisations titled Jobs in our regions found that the highest proportion of business activity in Australia is small-business activity. In the regions surveyed it was found that small businesses comprised up to 97 per cent of businesses and employed 50 per cent of the private sector work force. Further, the report found that regional small businesses were facing major constraints on their ability to compete and that policies at all three levels of government were not keeping up with the changing pressures on regional small businesses, mainly because of the profound lack of information on this important sector. Members should remember that this report was released before the GST. This report recorded that the Wide Bay region was at that time recording some of the worst performance indicators, with some shires among those with the highest level of unemployment in Australia. In Queensland, the major findings included that one in five Queenslanders now lived below the poverty line; that poverty in Queensland had risen consistently—almost doubling—from 1982 to 1985; in 1995-96, Queensland had the highest 'after housing' poverty rate of 20.2 per cent, or 248,000 people; 274,000 people were living below the poverty line 'before housing'; and the number of single people under 25 in 'after housing' poverty had increased from 15 per cent to 37 per cent. 264 Questions Without Notice 4 Apr 2001

My observations within my electorate lead me to believe that rural poverty has further increased, especially among youth. Thus I recommend that rural poverty should be addressed seriously by the three levels of government, and especially by this House. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for private members' statements has expired.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Prostitution Laws Mr HORAN (10.30 a.m.): In view of the failure of the Premier's preferred brothel legislation and the outrage in many Queensland communities that towns of 25,000 or more are not able to veto brothel applications, I ask: is the Premier now prepared to give local governments complete right of veto over brothel applications so that local communities can have their own say in their social structure rather than having his brothel legislation forced upon them? Mr BEATTIE: I am going on memory here, but if I recall correctly the Local Government Association actually supported our policy and that policy was— Mr Horan interjected. Mr BEATTIE: The Leader of the Opposition should let me finish. The policy was that communities of 25,000 or less should, in fact, have the right to make the decision and the Local Government Association accepted the position in relation to communities with a population of 25,000 or more. Whatever the outcome, the position is this: the Queensland government has brought before this Parliament sensible and constructive laws in relation to the regulation and control of prostitution. Some suggestions have been made on the issue and some public comments have been made by the minister, Tony McGrady, in whom I have a great deal of faith and also by Bill Carter, the head of the Prostitution Licensing Authority. As members know, under the legislation I, as Premier, get to choose the chairman of that authority, and he is my choice. He is a former Supreme Court judge, and he is a family man and a person who understands these issues. I believe that he is doing a good job. He has made some suggestions about minor changes. I have discussed those matters with the minister, Tony McGrady, and I have indicated to him that I am prepared to consider minor changes. Let me make it really clear: I am not prepared to support the opening of the floodgates for those who believe in the total deregulation and decriminalisation of prostitution in an open slather way. That will not happen. I do not support, and nor does the government support, a system that would see the legalisation of streetwalkers. That will not happen. The bottom line is that Bill Carter has said that the legislation is good legislation. Right from the beginning—and I have said this publicly on numerous occasions—I anticipated that this would not only be the toughest legislation in Australia but also that it would require a great deal of compliance. I expected its implementation to be slow because a lot of people who are involved in this area of prostitution in Sydney and Melbourne—the sleazebags who would love to move to Brisbane—cannot get through the door. They will not get through the door because the legislation was designed to keep them out. We do not want them. When we decided to regulate to have small boutique brothels located in industrial areas away from schools and churches, they thought that the floodgates would open as they did in Sydney and Melbourne. It was never designed to do that and it will never do that. Whenever legislation like this is introduced, of course there will be teething problems, but it will work. I am confident that it will work. If there need to be some minor changes, we are prepared to look at them. The member opposite knows as well as I do that some people in local government saw this as an opportunity to be obstructionist. Some people—a small number—saw it that way. The fact is that most sensible councils will work with it. Most councils know that we have a clear mandate— Mr Horan: That's a slur on those people. Mr BEATTIE: No, it is not. There is a clear mandate for us to introduce this legislation.

Queensland Investment Corporation Mr HORAN: I refer the Treasurer to last week's press report that the government-owned Queensland Investment Corporation could be privatised by this cash-strapped government. Can 4 Apr 2001 Questions Without Notice 265 the Treasurer advise the House if any such proposal has been made to his government and if any discussions or negotiations have been held? Can he also advise the House what effect the decline in investment returns has had on the performance of the Queensland Investment Corporation? Does he expect any reduction in this dividend from the QIC to the government? Mr MACKENROTH: I can inform the House that I have had no discussions with anybody in relation to privatising QIC. I can also inform the House that, contrary to a report that I also saw in a throwaway line in a newspaper that said that the government was considering it, the government is not considering privatising the QIC, nor will we privatise the QIC. In relation to the investment returns, at this stage the investment returns on QIC for this year are running under what we had projected. That is as a result of the economy in Australia and, indeed, worldwide. We will not know until the end of the financial year what the total result is for the year, but our investment returns are running on par with other organisations that would have similar investments.

Centenary of Federation Fund Mr TERRY SULLIVAN: I draw the attention of the Premier to the special Centenary of Federation Fund of $1 billion that the Prime Minister announced to principally fund the development of major infrastructure projects to mark the Centenary of Federation in 2001, and I ask: is it correct that the Prime Minister promised to allot $65 million of this special fund for a public transport project in Brisbane? Mr BEATTIE: The answer to the question is yes. Let me look at the history of this. On 13 March 1998 in Brisbane, Mr Howard announced that he had allocated $65 million to a visionary transport project for Brisbane. Mr Howard said that the $1 billion fund was designed to fund principally the development of major infrastructure projects. He said that the projects would mark the federation and leave future generations a lasting, practical memorial of 100 years of the federation. That was the concept behind it. Mr Howard said that the public transport project was precisely the sort of project that the fund was designed to augment. The original light rail project proved to be impractical, but when in London attending the Centenary of Federation event, Mr Howard promised me that the $65 million would be used instead for the inner-northern busway. Those were his words to me. In doing that, Mr Howard was honouring what he had said on 13 March 1998. He said then that Brisbane needed infrastructure, it needed long-term planning and it needed an adequate public transport network. I agree with all of that. He said that he was working very closely with the government of Queensland. That I would like to see! After his promise to me to put $65 million into the busway in June last year, I heard nothing until yesterday. I have written to him several times about this. In my view, this is a very crude misuse of $40 million of the public's money to try to buy Liberal seats in the federal election. That amounts to grand larceny. It is like the last act of the bankrupt gambler who steals to fund one final attempt to win back everything that has been lost. Let us look at how desperate this theft is. The federal government should have set aside $220 million from the national highway system funding for the six-laning of the Bruce Highway between Petrie and Caboolture. I support the work on that road and so does everyone in the government. However, that is core government business. Every time you go to a service station and fill up your tank with petrol, tax goes to the Commonwealth to pay for the work on the Bruce Highway. Why have they short- changed the work on the highway? Why haven't they done it before? They are now pulling the money out of federation funding, which denies public transport for the people of Brisbane. They should have done both projects. I make it clear that I fully support the work on the Bruce Highway and so does the government, but it should have been funded out of taxpayers' money from the petrol excise. The federal government failed to set aside money from the petrol tax income for road funding and has splurged its road funding on other projects. It had the money—it taxed people for it—but it would not put the money into the Bruce Highway. Mr Howard's coalition government has found only $35 million of the $220 million needed to improve this section of the Bruce Highway. It is rightly under huge pressure to do the right thing and its local Liberal members face a backlash at the ballot box. 266 Questions Without Notice 4 Apr 2001

To make up for his shortfall in road funding, Mr Howard has robbed $40 million from the special fund designed to pay for one-off visionary projects such as Brisbane's inner-northern busway. It is, indeed, highway robbery! This has deprived us of the opportunity to get the public transport that we need. Even the RACQ agrees with us.

Cairns Southern Bypass Mr JOHNSON: I ask the Minister for Transport and Minister for Main Roads: is he aware of repeated representations over a number of years by his colleague the member for Mulgrave regarding the urgent need for the Cairns southern bypass to be addressed? If so, why has the minister accused the hardworking member for Mulgrave of not doing his job, and can he explain why his department was instructed not to release details of the funding submission for the bypass to the local federal member to assist in progressing this project? Mr BREDHAUER: I am delighted to answer the question from the member for Gregory in relation to yet another neglected part of Queensland's national highway network. I would have thought a former Minister for Transport and Minister for Main Roads in this House would know that the highway access south of Cairns is a national highway project. We have just had the Premier on his feet talking about how the Prime Minister has stolen $40 million from public transport in south-east Queensland to prop up the national highway budget. Following the remarks of the Premier about the money that has been stolen from public transport in south-east Queensland on the very day we release Transport 2007, our blueprint for improving public transport in Queensland, the member for Gregory gets up and identifies yet another failure of the coalition government in Canberra, yet another failure of John Howard and John Anderson to live up to their responsibilities to the motorists and the taxpayers of Queensland to provide decent funding for the national highway network in Queensland. Mr Johnson interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Gregory! Mr Hobbs interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Warrego! That is my final warning. Mr BREDHAUER: I sat in John Anderson's office in Canberra in December 1998 and he agreed with me that Queensland has the worst national highway network of any state in Australia. Notwithstanding the fact that we had an increase in funding for national highways last year in the federal budget, all that did was restore it to the level it was at in 1996-97 before they cut $620 million from the national highway budget. Mr Johnson interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Gregory will cease interjecting. Mr BREDHAUER: I have made repeated representations to John Anderson to get the problems to the south of Cairns solved, in the same way I have made repeated representations to John Anderson to get the problems of the Douglas arterial solved. Mr Hobbs interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Warrego! That is my final warning. Mr BREDHAUER: I have made repeated representations to get the Gatton bypass fixed, to get the Ipswich motorway fixed and to get the Bruce Highway to the Sunshine Coast fixed, and I have had the support of every member of this side of the House in doing that. It is the Commonwealth government and their lackeys on the other side of the parliament in the National Party who have let down the taxpayers of Queensland and who have let down the motorists of Queensland, who are being ripped off with the fuel excise because they do not get the money back for urgently needed national highway projects in this state. They do not like it, and they particularly do not like it when the Prime Minister pork-barrels a couple of marginal Liberal electorates to the north of Brisbane by stealing the money from public transport that was earmarked for the people of south-east Queensland.

Dairy Industry Mr PURCELL: I refer the Premier to an article in yesterday's Courier-Mail which reports that federal cabinet will next week sign off on an assistance package for dairy farmers struggling in the wake of the Commonwealth deregulation of the national dairy industry, and I ask: does this 4 Apr 2001 Questions Without Notice 267 package in any way resemble the package proposed by Queensland at a meeting of the Agricultural Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand in New Zealand on 9 March? Mr BEATTIE: It is strange that the honourable member should be so perceptive. This is the Henry Palaszczuk package. That is what it is. Every member of this House will not need reminding that some people in the dairy industry are doing it tough at the moment. I have met representatives of the industry on several occasions in an attempt to alleviate that hardship. I have urged them to work closely with Henry Palaszczuk, our minister. I was heartened recently to see the minister take to the Agricultural Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand a proposal that would have seen the industry levy, currently at 11c per litre, extended by another year. It was, in fact, a matter that the minister raised with me, and I agreed that this matter should be pursued. That would have provided an extra $190 million to alleviate the problems currently being experienced by our dairy farmers. Unfortunately, I was just as quickly disappointed to hear that the federal agricultural minister, National Party member Warren Truss, referred the Queensland plan to a committee. Instead of acting immediately, he referred it to a committee. Imagine my surprise when I picked up yesterday's Courier-mail and turned to page 7 and saw the heading 'Further funding for dairy farmers'. I discovered that as early as next week the federal cabinet will endorse the Henry Palaszczuk funding proposal, put up by Henry after consultation with me and taken to the New Zealand meeting. An honourable member interjected. Mr BEATTIE: That is right; Queensland was right in the first place. The Queensland package is now being adopted by the very people who gave it a lukewarm reception in New Zealand, the very people who were the architects of deregulation—the National Party and the Liberal Party—the very people who purport to represent the bush in our federal parliament. Let there be no doubt— Opposition members interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am not going to tolerate this interjecting and asking of further questions during the answers to questions. The ministers are courteous enough to listen to the question. You should be courteous enough to listen to the answer. I am not going to tolerate any more interjections or further questions during the answer. Mr BEATTIE: Let there be no doubt that what federal cabinet will endorse next week will be a Queensland Labor government scheme, and a very good one. Yes, I know that they will tweak it at the edges, they will spin it and they will dress it up so they can claim it as their own, but it will still be a Queensland Labor government initiative. I remind members of the history of this rescue package. Late last year the federal government commissioned a report into the impacts of national dairy deregulation. The federal government refused to respond to the report that it commissioned. So the Queensland government developed a proposal aimed to redress issues raised by the report. Our plan is here. I seek to incorporate it in Hansard. Leave granted. The Queensland package was developed to work in three ways—helping dairy farmers stay in the industry to be viable and grow, ensuring those farmers leaving dairying can do so with dignity and are not forced to sell the family farm, and promoting opportunities for value-adding and new industries in dependent dairy communities. The Queensland plan has five major planks: ¥ an additional $129.3 million to help producers dependent on market milk production; ¥ an extra $20 million for the Dairy Exit Program and removal of the current Federal Government criteria that demands dairy farmers sell their property to be eligible for exit assistance; ¥ an additional $45 million to develop value-adding and new dairy; ¥ extend the ACCC price monitoring to ensure farmers receive a fair price for their milk and consumers pay a fair price, and; ¥ ensure the Federal Government forms a task force to monitor dairy deregulation. I urge all Members to watch next week's package coming out of Canberra and spot the similarities. Mr Speaker, I am very pleased that Queensland dairy farmers will receive the assistance they deserve—it's just a shame it didn't happen sooner. 268 Questions Without Notice 4 Apr 2001

Recreational Fishing Dr KINGSTON: I refer the Minister for Primary Industries to the fact that a recent independent analysis of this government's data revealed that the recreational fishing sector spends over $400 million, utilising some $450 million worth of equipment to go fishing, and recreational fishing returns to the Queensland economy eight times what it takes out. Anglers fishing in nominated stocking impoundments pay a yearly licence fee, and that is a good system. I ask: can the minister inform the House roughly how much revenue this licence fee raises, and how does a genuine restocking group receive from this fund an adequate sum to enable them to have a rapid impact? What scientific data is available to assist them? Mr PALASZCZUK: I thank the honourable member for the question. Of course, the honourable member has certainly raised some very important issues about the recreational fishing sector. The government recognises the importance of the recreational fishing sector and, for the first time ever, we now have a special, dedicated unit within the Queensland Fishery Service to look after recreational fishing. That has never been undertaken by any previous government, but we have now done that. As part of my process of consultation with all sectors of the fishing industry, as minister I keep in very close contact with the members of Sunfish because they form a very integral part of the fishing sector in Queensland. It was this government that, in our last term, introduced stock impoundment fees. The only reason we introduced them was that people who were involved in restocking asked the government to do it and, consequently, we did introduce them. To get to the specific question that the honourable member has raised, the stock impoundment fees are still at a very early stage. Let us just wait until the end of this financial year and then we will have a much clearer picture of how the stock impoundment fees are going. However, I understand that things are going pretty well. The state government also makes quite a contribution towards the restocking of impoundments as well. As far as I am concerned, the scheme is working well. Let us wait until the end of the financial year before we make a final determination. The state government certainly supports the recreational fishing sector in Queensland. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the member for Mansfield, I welcome to the public gallery parents, teachers and students of the Cannon Hill Anglican College in the electorate of Bulimba.

Interest Rates Mr REEVES: I ask the Deputy Premier and Treasurer: is he aware of any actions the Reserve Bank has taken on interest rates today? Can he inform the House of any effects that may have on Queensland? Mr MACKENROTH: I can inform the House that earlier today the Reserve Bank announced a half a percentage point cut in interest rates. This cut will reduce official interest rates from 5.5 per cent to five per cent and should save home owners approximately $48 a month on an average mortgage of $115,000. I applaud the decision and hope that it can provide a kick-start to our national economy, which has been faltering because of the Commonwealth government's economic mismanagement. Five interest rate rises during the past two years combined with the effect of the Howard government's GST have sent the Australian economy into a coma. The December quarter revealed that, for the first time in nine years, Australia had recorded negative growth in national accounts, falling 0.6 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms. Australians are hurting, and the blame lies squarely at the feet of Mr Howard and Mr Costello. Their relentless drive for economic rationalism has left families and small businesses struggling to make ends meet and the economy is suffering from a crisis of confidence. The latest Pulse survey of Queensland businesses published by the Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry indicates that a majority of Queensland businesses experienced a deterioration in business conditions in the December quarter 2000. What were the reasons the respondents gave for weak business conditions? Administration of BAS, high interest rates and a weak construction sector—all issues linked to one factor: the GST! So far we have managed to fare better than most states thanks to the sound economic management of the Beattie government. Our exports are still strong, with the nominal value of Queensland's overseas merchandise exports rising 27.8 per cent in the three-month period ending February 2001 compared with the same period a year earlier. 4 Apr 2001 Questions Without Notice 269

Mr Howard and Mr Costello have desperately tried to blame everyone from the Reserve Bank to the US economy, yet they refuse to admit that it is their GST that is hitting the economy and hitting it hard. Only when they are staring down the barrel of an election defeat are they desperately trying to apply bandaids to the holes in their sinking ship. However, as the Ryan by- election should have shown them, for many Queenslanders it will be a case of too little too late. I should also point out that the member who asked the question has a pecuniary interest in that he is taking out his first home loan today. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before calling the member for Callide, I welcome to the public gallery parents, students and teachers of the Yugumbir State School in the electorate of Logan.

Fireworks Licences Mr SEENEY: I refer the Minister for Natural Resources and Minister for Mines to his press release of 19 March concerning his department's investigations into the fireworks accident which resulted in the death of an 11 year old girl at Bray Park last May and specifically his intention as stated in the press release to 'conduct a formal skills assessment of fireworks operators to determine their competency', and I ask: is he aware that of the 1,000 current fireworks licences in Queensland 800 were issued by his predecessor, Tony McGrady, in the 12-month period leading up to the accident at the Holy Spirit School, and would it not be reasonable to expect that he should have ensured that the skills of fireworks operators were, to use the minister's term, formally assessed to determine their competency before he issued them with those licences? Mr ROBERTSON: I would have thought that the last person to stand on their feet in this parliament would be the honourable member for Callide after his disgraceful Gold Logie performance on Four Corners on Monday night. There he was in a rendition of the great National Party chainsaw massacre putting his chainsaw— Mr JOHNSON: I rise to a point of order. We on this side of the House were reprimanded by you, Mr Speaker, for not doing the right thing. The member for Callide has asked a question. Make the minister answer the question. Mr SPEAKER: The member would be aware of the standing order that ministers can answer questions how they please. The member will resume his seat. Mr LINGARD: I rise to a point of order. That is not true, Mr Speaker, and I have heard you say that many times. However, in relation to standing order 69, the new sessional order is very significant and specific. It states that the answer must be relevant. This is a new sessional order. It has only just been passed, and I ask Mr Speaker to refer to it. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I will decide on relevance. Mr LINGARD: Mr Speaker, I ask you to rule under standing order 69 that the minister was not being specific. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat. I will decide on relevance. Mr ROBERTSON: There are many matters surrounding that tragic incident at Bray Park in May last year. Of course, we are still awaiting the outcome of the coroner's inquiry into that particular incident. Whilst we wait for those recommendations, which will determine the long-term solutions to this issue, we are not sitting idle. We are doing what we can to improve the system of fireworks licensing and competencies. Mr SEENEY: I rise to a point of order. My question was in relation to the issuing of licences. The answer is still not relevant to the question. It is obvious that the minister is in a lot of trouble— Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will not debate the issue. He will have the opportunity to ask further questions. Mr ROBERTSON: Just before the member once again demonstrated his poor manners, I recall mentioning licensing. I was talking about that when he jumped to his feet. I would suggest that if he wants to ask a question he should sit and listen to the answer. As I was explaining to him, we are reviewing the whole system. Part of that review is to ensure that those people with current licences have particular competencies. That is why we are embarking on this process of, if you like, taking a snapshot— Mr Hobbs interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Warrego will cease interjecting. I now warn him under standing order 123A(3). 270 Questions Without Notice 4 Apr 2001

Mr ROBERTSON: We are taking a snapshot of existing licence holders to see what level of knowledge they currently have. Mr Seeney interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I also warn the member for Callide under standing order 123(A). Mr ROBERTSON: The member opposite is just so rude. In the three years he has been here, he has distinguished himself by virtue of the fact that every other member in this place thinks he is the most rude and arrogant member in this place. That was demonstrated very well on Monday night with his Gold Logie performance when he stuck the knife into everyone on his side of politics. Time expired.

Classroom Opening, Atherton State School Mr RODGERS: I address my question to the Minister for Education. I ask: is the minister aware of the curious circumstances surrounding the recent opening of the new facilities at the Atherton State School? Ms BLIGH: I thank the honourable member for his question. The seat of Burdekin is a very welcome addition to this side of the House. I am pleased to see him here. I am very aware of the interesting circumstances surrounding what should have been the standard opening of new classrooms. It seems that it has turned into quite a curious political event. As members would be aware, where a project, whether in education, transport or health, has been funded substantially or wholly from Commonwealth funds, it is the usual practice that a Commonwealth minister or their delegate will open the project. Similarly, where a project has been funded from state funds, a state minister or their delegate will open the project and officiate at the proceedings. On 24 March, two new classrooms which have been fully funded through Commonwealth funds were opened at the Atherton State School. Imagine my surprise to find that the One Nation state member for the seat of Tablelands officially opened the building on behalf of the federal Education Minister. Members might ask themselves, as I did: how does a senior Liberal frontbencher come to delegate his ministerial responsibilities to the One Nation Party? I have to say that I am not surprised that the local member accepted an invitation to open new school facilities in her electorate. Who wouldn't? If I were asked I would do the same thing, and none of my comments reflect on her. However, I am very surprised to find that the member declared in her opening speech that she was opening the building on behalf of Dr David Kemp, the federal Minister for Education. So I say again: how did this cosy little arrangement come about? Mr Schwarten: Why is it so? Ms BLIGH: Why is it so? Mr Mackenroth interjected. Ms BLIGH: The member for Chatsworth says that maybe Santo Santoro was involved in the organisation. However, it should come as little surprise to the member and others to find the hand of Bob Katter at work. It appears that Bob Katter accepted an invitation by Minister Kemp to open the buildings on his behalf. He confirmed these arrangements with the school. At the last minute he cancelled because he had to attend a very significant National Party meeting—a meeting to discuss the relationship of the National Party with the One Nation Party. While he was there discussing that, he was being represented by a member of the One Nation Party. What does it all mean? In what sense does a One Nation Party member represent the federal Liberal government? Are these signs of a closer federal alliance? We all know the sort of trouble that Bob Katter is causing in the National Party. Is this the beginning of Bob Katter problems in the Liberal Party? There is one message, though, that is very clear out of this: if you are a federal Liberal minister, don't delegate to Bob; you never know who will show up in your place.

Drug Strategy Mr QUINN: I refer the Premier to a review of drug education in schools in 1999, which found that Queensland spends only 50c per student, compared with Victoria, which spends $10 per student, and I ask: how does the Premier justify his comments yesterday about being serious 4 Apr 2001 Questions Without Notice 271 about reducing the use of drugs in the community when his government spends the lowest amount by far of all the states on drug education in schools? Mr BEATTIE: As the member well knows, those figures do not include the salaries of teachers. As I understand it they include only consultants. Is that correct? Mr Quinn: They are comparative figures. Mr BEATTIE: Hang on, Bob. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Robina has asked the question. Mr BEATTIE: What he is looking at is only part of the package, because our drug strategy is incorporated into a health and recreation approach generally. In other words, we have done the sensible thing: incorporated drug education into the general education approach by the department. Mr Foley: Very sensible. Mr BEATTIE: It is very sensible. It is a whole-of-education approach. That is where we end up with the full figures. If he pulled out the total allocation of funds— Mr Quinn interjected. Mr BEATTIE: Look, Bob— Mr Quinn: That is where your argument falls down. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Mr BEATTIE: I know that Paul Turner, who used to work for you— Mr Foley interjected. Mr BEATTIE: It is a different one? Okay. Mr Quinn interjected. Mr BEATTIE: It is all right. I understand who is running some of these campaigns in the background. It is all right. I will not pursue it. An honourable member interjected. Mr BEATTIE: No, it is not One Nation, although give it a chance and it might be. The bottom line with all of this is that what the member is referring to is only a small part of the overall package. If he takes the total package of drug education and our approach on drugs, he will find that the expenditure is very comprehensive indeed. It is part of a whole education approach. The member is a former Education Minister. He understands exactly what is going on here. I will talk a little about drugs, since the member raised the issue. This is what we have done in schools. There are police in schools. There are nurses in schools. Wendy Edmond has a program which is putting nurses into schools across the state. That is about having someone in the school to assist young people at a time when they may well be tempted by or offered drugs. It is putting someone there who is in a position to assist them. If we add together police in schools, nurses in schools and the health and physical education curriculum, we see that there is a total, comprehensive strategy in our fight against drugs. I know that, as a parent, the member would share my concern and the government's concern about drugs. If he looks at our strategy generally he will see that we go beyond the schools. We have positive parenting programs. We have drug courts. I made a major ministerial statement this morning which highlighted the partnership we have formed with the Prime Minister to ensure that there are funds available for rehabilitation. We do not have a problem with the motion given notice of by the Leader of the Opposition for tonight's debate because we are doing it all. In fact, let the record show that the motion given notice of by the Leader of the Opposition for debate tonight is all government policy and is all being implemented. We will fight to do everything we can to prevent the spread of drugs and the illegal use of drugs in the community. That means tough penalties. That means sending people to jail. That means doing all the things a government should do. In terms of the member's question, he should look at the total package, not a tiny part of it.

Crime Prevention Week Ms BARRY: Can the Minister for Police and Corrective Services inform the House about Crime Prevention Week? 272 Questions Without Notice 4 Apr 2001

Mr McGRADY: I thank the member for her question. I understand that this is the first question she has asked in this House. In the very short space of time she has been in this place she has asked more questions on this area than has Mr Katter, who has been in the federal House for about 10 years. I think this is a very timely question, because Crime Prevention Week started on Sunday and concludes on Friday of this week. In recent years Crime Prevention Week has had a theme. The theme this year is 'Working together for safer communities'. It is a good theme. This theme is very relevant, because our government has placed a high priority on keeping the community safe in a number of ways. These include building a stronger Police Service, providing secure prison systems and fighting the causes of crime through initiatives such as community renewal, as well as other measures identified and acted on through the Queensland Crime Prevention Task Force. Throughout the state this week, police and community groups will work together to promote different crime prevention initiatives designed to make our community safer. In fact, for each day of this week we have a different theme. On Monday the theme was based on problem solving and partnership policing, which allows crime fighting to take place with the support and assistance of the whole community. On Tuesday we had property security as the theme, focusing on how police officers can work in partnership with the community to improve property security and attempt to prevent crime. Today's focus is traffic and transport safety, which is assisted by programs such as Trainwatch and the Fatal Four campaign. Tomorrow it is all about personal safety, about people feeling safe in our communities. On Friday the focus is on youth and crime prevention. Each day in the different parts of the state there will be events associated with these themes, including displays at shopping centres, presentations at schools, tours of police stations, crime prevention seminars, safety forums and youth debates. The Police Service is promoting Crime Prevention Week activities in the various areas involved, and I urge all members who have not yet participated in this week to do so. I am sure that if they do they will be respected by all members of their community.

Queensland Ambulance Service Mr MALONE: I ask the Minister for Emergency Services: does the Queensland Ambulance Service have an exemption from the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 1997 to allow residue from wash-down plant room floors, vehicles and equipment containing blood, blood products and human fluids to be hosed into stormwater drains or gutters, which in many cases find their way into the state's waterways? Has the minister been briefed on the fact that Queensland Ambulance Service staff attempted to inform their management some 18 months ago about the requirement to comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1994, only to be ignored? Mr REYNOLDS: I welcome the question that the honourable member has put to me today. I say first of all that the Queensland Ambulance Service is an excellent service and is rated as the best ambulance service in Australia today. The ambulance stations I have been to over the last six weeks of my ministry certainly show excellence of service, not only here in the metropolitan area but indeed right across the state of Queensland. I say to the honourable member that I will take up the questions he has put to me today. I am not aware of the exemptions, and I have not been briefed at this time on that matter. If there are concerns with regard to environmental protection, they are concerns that I will take on as the Minister for Emergency Services. Of course, ambulance officers across the state quite often do their job in very traumatic and trying times. I understand that ambulance officers who do that work, which the honourable member has described today, do so as part of the service that they provide, so I will certainly check out the honourable member's question and inform him in due course.

Vocational Education and Training Ms STRUTHERS: I refer the Minister for Employment, Training and Youth to the failure of recent negotiations with Canberra on future funding for vocational education and training, and I ask: can the minister inform the House how this will affect TAFE institutes in Queensland? Mr FOLEY: The refusal by the Commonwealth government to provide adequate funding in the vocational education and training sector will prevent TAFE institutes in Queensland from 4 Apr 2001 Questions Without Notice 273 offering those extra training places that are sorely needed by Queensland students, apprentices, trainees and job seekers. The meeting which we had in Canberra a couple of weeks ago of all ministers for employment and training came to a sorry end, and it did so because of the failure of the Commonwealth government to make any realistic offer with respect to the Australian National Training Authority agreement. The provision of funds for vocational education and training was recognised in the 1990s as being a matter of national significance. It was considered absolutely vital that the Commonwealth should contribute to vocational education and training, because we had a first-world system of university education and a first-world system of secondary and primary education, but our vocational education and training system was in danger of failing to meet the needs of the sunrise industry of Australia as a new economy. It was for that reason that the Australian National Training Authority agreement was set up. And when it was first chaired by the Honourable Kim Beazley, a very great minister in the Hawke and Keating governments, we got somewhere. We saw an enormous boost in the funds available from the Commonwealth to the states through the Australian National Training Authority. Honourable members opposite would do well to stick up for Queensland for a change. When have we heard them take up the case to Dr David Kemp and tell the Commonwealth that its scandalous offer of $20 million in the first year for the whole of Australia, plus $5 million, plus $5 million in subsequent years, is a joke. That offer would not even cope with the population growth, let alone with the needs of putting in place the infrastructure necessary for vocational education and training. Do members know what was provided for in the Prime Minister's statement on innovation with respect to vocational education and training? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! That is because the Commonwealth coalition government does not get it. It does not get the point that if we are to have a new economy and if we are to have skilling for the Australian work force, there must be substantial investment in vocational education and training. Bring back Kim Beazley to the federal government, I say.

St Aubyns Private Hospital Mrs PRATT: I direct a question to the Minister for Health. The minister would possibly be aware of the meeting last night to discuss the future of St Aubyns Private Hospital and its closure. With the continued uncertainty surrounding the closure of St Aubyns and the already long waiting lists at the Kingaroy Base Hospital, I ask: what measures has the minister in hand to address the projected increase in the winter workload at the base hospital in the likely event of the closure? Mrs EDMOND: I am not aware of the meeting, but this has been an ongoing issue. St Aubyns faces an uncertain future—as do many of the small private hospitals around Queensland, unfortunately—because we are simply not seeing any evidence that the Prime Minister's $2.7 billion that has gone into propping up private health insurance is going into those hospitals. Mrs Pratt interjected. Mrs EDMOND: Is the member saying that that is not true? That is not the information I am getting. Some of the major private hospitals have had difficulties and have had to go through massive restructuring to even come to grips with the fact that they are facing continuing rises in expenses due to the Australian dollar—something I cannot control—the importation of pharmaceuticals, consumables and other goods, the costs of the GST and the costs of increased fuel. All of those things are impacting on the private hospitals, just as they are on the public hospitals, and they are struggling with that. I understand that the major hospitals are also struggling. Although they have the size and the ability to cope with this, a lot of the smaller hospitals are in difficulties. I understand that difficulties are being experienced in Townsville and in Rockhampton, and one hospital at Cooroy has closed. These are not matters over which I have any control, nor would it be appropriate for me to use Queensland Health's funds to prop up what are effectively private businesses. In terms of dealing with the number of patients, my understanding is that the patient load has been so low—about four or five patients, which is why those private hospitals are going under—that we can deal with that quite easily in the public health system. We have a stack of little hospitals in the South Burnett area that are underutilised because we simply do not have the patients to put in them. So we do not anticipate any difficulties in dealing with those services. 274 Questions Without Notice 4 Apr 2001

On another note—yesterday I had a call from the shire chair in that area saying what a great move it was to introduce specialist doctors into areas of need. He pointed out that, in the Kingaroy area, almost all of the specialists were overseas specialists, and they had all been ringing up saying how delighted they were about that and thank heavens we have the sense to do it. It will be a boon for all those regional areas. But this issue is outside our control. I ask the member to take this up with the Prime Minister, because he is the one who is wrecking the economy and pouring $2.7 billion each and every year into propping up private health insurance.

Community Cabinet Meetings Mr CUMMINS: I refer the Premier to the successful program of community cabinet meetings, which enabled Queenslanders throughout the state to gain personal access to the first Beattie government, and I ask: will this program continue during the government's second term? Mr BEATTIE: Yes, it will. I thank the member for Kawana, because that was his first question. I understand that his wife is also in the gallery. She is most welcome. Mr Bredhauer interjected. Mr BEATTIE: This is a family government. We are delighted that she has joined us. The member for Kawana saw a community cabinet meeting at first-hand, because we held one on the weekend at Mooloolaba—our 36th since being in government. And in terms of the number of formal delegations made, it was a record. So the people of the Sunshine Coast were delighted to have us there. They were very hospitable, and it was a great community cabinet meeting. I thank the people of the Sunshine Coast for their hospitality. And yes, we will continue those meetings, because that is one of the commitments I gave. I notice, however, that there was some press recently which suggested that the Prime Minister, when he was here in Queensland, was seeking to do something similar. Some members might recall that he held a function at the Greek Club, and he invited leading community groups and a range of other community leaders to be there. There were a number of people from social welfare organisations, and so on. Unlike our community cabinet meetings— Mr Bredhauer interjected. Mr BEATTIE: I know about that, too. Unlike our community cabinet meetings, where anybody can turn up—any ordinary Queenslander— A Government member interjected. Mr BEATTIE: Yes, we do invite the opposition, at no charge. A Government member: Fiona was there. Mr BEATTIE: Yes, Fiona was there; and we treated her with courtesy and respect, as we always do. It is not always reciprocal, but we certainly treat her with courtesy and respect. But I am being a bit uncharitable. I was amused to see that the Prime Minister had gone down this road at the Greek Club. I happened to come across an invitation which said that various Liberal people were extending an invitation to— A Community Lunch with the Prime Minister & His Cabinet Ministers. It was to be held at the Greek Club. The invitation stated— This is an excellent opportunity for you, as a representative of a leading community and/or business group, to meet and discuss policies with the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers. A sandwich lunch with light refreshments will be served. That is very similar to what we do—very modest, frugal and accountable. It continues— Kindly note that this is not a fundraiser, but a $10 per person charge, to offset costs, will apply. At the bottom it says— I wish to pay for ... guests (list of names and organisation attached). People were invited to pay by cheque, Bankcard, Visa, Diners, MasterCard or Amex, and to provide their credit card number. Would members give their credit card numbers to the Liberal Party? That is the real question. I certainly would not give them my credit card—not with the way they run GST and the economy. Joan Sheldon used to run the budget on credit cards, members may recall—'Put it on the Mastercard.' We do not do it here. What a disgrace! Here is the Liberal 4 Apr 2001 Questions Without Notice 275

Party and the Prime Minister saying, 'Come and talk to us. We'll listen to you, but it will cost you $10.' Talk about being out of touch. You have to listen to people for free, guys.

Eulo Police Station Mr HOBBS: I direct my question to the Minister for Police and Corrective Services and refer to the fact that the Eulo Police Station has been unmanned for over 12 months and that the nearest police station is almost an hour's drive away at Cunnamulla. The residents of Eulo and district have recently petitioned the Minister and the Police Commissioner to resolve this matter. I now ask: is it the intention of the department to close the Eulo Police Station and the associated Department of Transport agency, or can he commit to giving a time frame to return the Eulo Police Station to its full staffing complement? Mr McGRADY: I thank the member for the question. In the very short space of time that I have had this portfolio both the commissioner and I have travelled to many parts of this state. The Premier referred a moment ago to the community cabinet meeting that we had in Mooloolaba at the weekend. Almost everywhere I go people are asking the same question. During the recent successful election campaign the government promised that it would increase police numbers by 300 per year during our term. That means almost 900 additional police. It is not my job as the minister to determine where those police officers will go, but it is our job as a government to ensure that we do have sufficient police numbers to man—or person—the various stations right around this state. Everybody I talk to as I travel around appreciates the fact that we are solving this issue. I am not going to make any commitment to the honourable member, but I will say to him that his request, similar to the requests from many other members and indeed community groups, will be considered and if we believe that there is a need for additional resources or new resources in his particular area we will deliver.

Regional Business Assistance Mr McNAMARA: I ask the Minister for State Development: can he explain what business programs are in place to assist regional and innovative businesses in Queensland? Mr BARTON: I thank the member for the question. He is already demonstrating his very firm commitment to regional development in this state and the businesses in his area. Yes, the Beattie government is working for the benefit of the entire state. With the most decentralised state in the nation, this government is putting in substantial efforts and funds to the regions to build the economic platforms in the regional centres. Since July 1998 the Beattie government has provided nearly $19 million through the Queensland Industry Development Scheme—or QIDS—and the Regional Business Development Scheme—RBDS—to more than 900 companies and groups. QIDS was set up to help Queensland companies tackle a rapidly changing competitive global marketplace. QIDS is one way that the Beattie government can help Queensland companies help themselves and boost their markets, while RBDS is a program designed to assist business and regional groups with opportunity identification and development. The scheme is one way that the Beattie government can provide the state's regions with assistance to identify future opportunities and further develop existing industries to boost their local economy. This funding spans the entire state. From Cairns in the far north to Stanthorpe, from Mount Isa in the west to Rocky and Maryborough, QIDS and RBDS are providing firms throughout Queensland's regions with funding to help them grow and boost their markets. In the past 22 months $11.8 million in QIDS funding has been distributed to 590 companies around the state and RBDS funding of more than $7 million has gone to 314 companies. It is important to note that these funding schemes are simply not handouts. What both of these schemes do is target regional companies, innovative companies and organisations that have the best chance of growing and identifying economic opportunities and creating new jobs. It is estimated that the QIDS grants will create some 10,350 jobs, with nearly 3,000 jobs retained, and will increase export sales by $2.8 billion and new capital investment will exceed $1.1 billion over three years. As a result of the RBDS grants, it is projected that 52,765 jobs will be created, with some 252 jobs retained, export sales to increase by $786 million and new capital investment to reach $2.2 billion over the next three years. 276 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001

Some of the successes of these grants include Krome Studios, a software developer based in Palm Beach on the Gold Coast, which is developing a three-dimensional surfing game called WAVES for Playstation II.

Drug Strategy Dr WATSON: In directing my question to the Premier I refer him to his answer yesterday on a question on drugs when he stated— Our strategy has been about ensuring that there are rehabilitation opportunities to break the drug cycle. I ask: following his new-found partnership with the Prime Minister, will he now fund the estimated 600 rehabilitation beds in Queensland hospitals that are needed to properly fight drug addiction? Mr BEATTIE: As we know, the Commonwealth funds NGOs directly as part of the plan. One of the things that we sought to do when we met with the Prime Minister—and the other Premiers from both sides of politics shared my view—was to try to get the funding through the health departments. The reason for that is that health departments, quite frankly, can better ascertain whether those beds should be provided in hospitals, in the community or wherever else they should be provided. The Prime Minister would not do that because clearly there was a desire to get credit for the allocation of Commonwealth funds. Mrs Edmond: They do not even follow our recommendations. Mr BEATTIE: As the Minister for Health just reminded me, they do not even follow our recommendation in relation to priorities for the allocation of the funds. We have not gone out to try to score political points on this issue. I was personally disappointed and I argued the point with the Prime Minister at the meeting as well as privately at the Lodge. I believe it was disappointing but, bearing in mind that the Prime Minister was prepared to allocate funds, I felt it was better and in the interests of Queenslanders that we sit down to try to work with the Prime Minister even though we were unhappy about the process. As the member's quote correctly shows, I am committed to breaking the drugs cycle. I am committed to rehabilitation. I am committed to ways to resolve these issues. Unfortunately, the truth is that some of the old ways do not work. We have tried the old ways. We have tried them for years and they do not work. From time to time I see Bob Aldred and people like him arguing this point publicly. I get on with Bob quite well on a personal level, but he continues to argue the old ways. I just say to the member for Moggill, as I say to Bob Aldred and all of these other people: we have to think of new approaches. We cannot just have agencies arguing out there taking a public position simply to try to force governments into giving them funds. Often that is what happens. It becomes an interest group simply arguing for funds for their organisation. In Bob's case we spend about $600,000 every year. His organisation provides services. That is fine; I do not have a problem with that. But what is important here is not the politics of health or the politics of the drug organisations, what is important here is that we actually get rehabilitation happening. So the answer is, yes, I will be working with the Prime Minister, notwithstanding the flaws in the system that I talked about. Yes, the Health Department is working to ensure, within the limitations of funding, that it provides the best possible service. When I talk about limitations of funding, I am simply saying that this is a burgeoning area. Obviously the drug courts are very expensive. Perhaps they have cost us more than we thought they would, but they are important avenues to deal with this problem. We are committed to them and we are going to continue to work on them. As I spelt out in the election campaign, we are rolling out more of them in other parts of the state. We will continue to do this because of that link between drugs and crime—the 60 to 80 per cent of property crime related to drugs. We will continue to work on this. It is not perfect; we will always have problems, but we are going to do our best. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for questions has expired.

ADDRESS IN REPLY Resumed from 3 April (see p. 236). Mr SPEAKER: Order! Before the member for Darling Downs commences his speech, I point out that this is his first speech and I ask members to offer him the courtesies of the parliament. 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 277

A government member: Where's your horse? Mr SPEAKER: Will whoever made that interjection please refrain. Mr HOPPER (Darling Downs—Ind) (11.31 a.m.): Mr Speaker, it is indeed an honour and a privilege to stand here today as the elected member for Darling Downs. I sincerely thank my constituents for their support and trust, but most of all I wish to thank my wife, Jo-anne, my daughter Jodi, my daughter Amy, and my son, Ben. I love you. I wish to thank my band of loyal workers for their unwavering efforts in the weeks leading up to my election. Having been born in Jandowae and raised on the farm, which I proudly own today, my early schooling was done at Cooranga North, a small country school where, I am proud to say, my three children attend today—a one-teacher school with an active P&C of which I had the honour of being the president for a number of years. Our small community is extremely tight knit through numerous community events and was dairy farming heartland bordering the rich agricultural belt known as the Darling Downs. Our property has been a dairy farm since the 19th century and my children are the fifth generation of Hoppers to milk cows on this property. It saddens me that this coming Saturday almost a 100 years of family tradition will come to an end when the last dairy cow is trucked out. Deregulation of the dairy industry has totally destroyed the most viable source of income for our family farm. Being a ward representative for the Dairy Farmers Cooperative for some three and a half years has given me vast experience and knowledge of the dairy industry, thus enabling me to see the process of destruction that national competition policy and the ensuing dairy deregulation has caused to our farm, farmers and farm families. When the banks foreclose on a farm, the occupants not only lose their property; they lose their livelihood, they lose their home, their pride and everything they have worked for. Mr Speaker, I ask you to try to realise the pain of telling your children that their ponies will have to be sold, not to mention what happens to the family pet—the working dog—who cannot be placed at the time of an eviction. In my dairy ward there were between 30 and 40 dairy farms three years ago. Today there are 13. At this time I am working hard with an ex-dairying family, encouraging and supporting them in an endeavour to give them hope in life. Unfortunately, farmers seem to adopt a sense of failure and shame when they can no longer support their families as they have traditionally. This often leads to self-abuse through alcohol or worse. Families can fall apart quickly when financial ruin hits after years of solid, happy, secure income because of a regulated marketplace. Globalisation has been the most disastrous event ever to hit this great nation that my forebears died to protect. Multinationals and big business are continuing to grow fat at the expense of producers. I acknowledge that we have to compete globally, but not at the expense of our producers. I am afraid that the level playing field is level only at one end. When a farmer harvests a crop or milks a cow, he creates a product—a new product which is then sold. The point I am getting at is that this farmer is part of the productive sector, the wealth creators of our state. With this part of our productive sector being squeezed the way it is, the very source of our state's wealth is being diminished, with the inevitable flow-on result being disaster for the farming industry and subsequently for our state. There are rumblings of staff cuts within the Department of Primary Industries. I shudder at the thought. It is imperative that we keep our DPI staff members employed within the dairy industry. The financial advice and counselling given by Target 10 staff has been an invaluable lifeline to our milk producers. Those staff have built up personal relationships with the farming communities with which they deal and it is absolutely imperative that they stay in this time of great need. I urge Premier Beattie and all other members to please help our dairy industry before it is too late. It is already too late for some. As members are no doubt aware, two of the four shires in my electorate are officially drought declared, and it is imperative that we lobby our federal government for exceptional circumstance assistance urgently. The criteria to achieve this assistance need to be more realistic and softened somewhat. The government's jobs, jobs, jobs policy can be achieved only if we support our productive sector when times are tough. We need incentives for shop owners and small businesses in rural areas. When rural decline hits, our country towns bear the full brunt. During the past 10 years of drought, many shops and small businesses have gone to the wall, and I urge our government to show leniency and support for our rural businesses. Our public servants need to be given incentives, such as higher wages, to transfer to rural areas. We need real policies to get people 278 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 back to the bush—policies that stop the banks demanding higher deposits for people wishing to buy a home in a country town as opposed to one in the city. Mr Speaker, where does the wheat come from that makes your bread, the milk and corn for your cornflakes, the barley for your beer? From the bush, from farms! Tax incentives are vital for rural areas. We need real work for the dole to help employers to source extra, experienced labour. Why not pay an employer to employ someone rather than pay him or her not to work? My property at Cooranga North is bordered by the dingo barrier fence on two sides, running for some three to four kilometres. It is absolutely essential that we find extra funding to maintain this once great icon of Queensland—an icon which protects much of our valuable sheep and cattle lands from the ravages of dingoes and wild dogs but, sadly, an icon that is fast becoming useless. Until my election, I was employed as a dogger for the Wambo Shire, working in the Bell, Cooranga North, Jimbour and Diamondy districts, and this has given me a considerable insight into and knowledge of the habits of the dingo. The ravages of this pest are becoming enormous. On one property alone, they have killed 20 calves and bitten another 14. This means this producer has been unable to sell 34 weaners out of a herd of 100 in this one year. So, Mr Speaker, can you see that the producer has lost one-third of his annual income? I have studied the number of dingoes over the past 15 years. At this time, they are in plague proportions. You might ask why. A lot of it is to do with our federal government's gun laws. The gun is a tool of trade to the man on the land and he must be allowed to carry it with him from sun- up to sundown. On so many occasions recently I have missed being able to shoot a dingo because I had to go home, get the key to the gun cabinet, unlock it, unlock the gun bolt, unlock the ammunition, put it all together, and go back only to find that the dingo had gone. This is just part of our pitiful gun laws that needs to be addressed immediately. If these dingoes ever get into our sheep country in the proportions that they are on my side of the barrier fence, they will wipe out the wool industry in Queensland. The restoration of our barrier fence needs to be given top priority. Another major problem developing on the Darling Downs is law and order. Crime is becoming a major issue and we need more police to patrol and protect our homes and businesses. When I say 'police', I mean police; not revenue raisers—police who are combating crime rather than chasing motorists who have a defective windscreen label or numberplate that is defective because of the shoddy product that is being supplied to our Transport Department and then sold to our motorists. We have to have harsher penalties for home invasion of any kind. We need to be able to protect ourselves and our families without the fear of going to jail because we have inflicted harm on some low-life who has entered our home or business to commit a crime. We need to be able to name juvenile offenders who continually reoffend. This will surely help to deter further offences. At present, they treat the law with contempt. The water pipeline project to bring waste water to the Lockyer Valley and the Darling Downs is a scheme of utmost importance to my electorate. This project would be a first for Brisbane and a wonderful outcome for the environment. However, we must protect the cost to our farmers who will use this waste water rather than having it pumped into our beautiful ocean and polluting our beaches. Bearing in mind the benefits to the environment, I am sure that each Brisbane ratepayer would be prepared to pay an extra $50 in rates to see the project come to fruition. You may say, 'Let the farmer pay,' but the farmers will also be up for major expense at the other end to build ring tanks to hold the water, irrigation and infrastructure to disperse the water as well as paying the annual costs of pumping, et cetera. This needs to be a cooperative effort, as it will benefit Brisbane and the bush. WAMP, or the Water Allegation Management Plan, is a disaster waiting to happen and for many a disaster that has already happened. The past 10 years have been the driest on record for much of the Darling Downs. We are seeing plans made on what has happened over this dry period, but when history repeats itself—which it always does—we may well see three or four floods in one year from our river systems into the Murray-Darling catchment. The point I am making is that the farmer who has been issued a water allocation sets his farming capabilities according to the cash flow that will be produced by the allocation. You cannot then come along and take that allocation away without sending those producers to the wall. WAMP is already proving a disaster to many earthmoving contractors as all dam building and associated works have ceased. They have to make payments on their equipment, let alone feed their families, and they have not turned a wheel for over six months. Surely we must show some compassion for those people. A possible solution to many of those problems would be an immediate announcement to commence the construction of the water pipeline, as that would 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 279 reduce the need for water from parts of our river systems, get the earthmoving contractors back to work and increase productivity from drought-affected farms. Families are the lifeblood of our state and we must fight hard to protect them and to promote family values. I wish to see strong incentives given to help those families who wish to keep one parent at home. Children need the stability of a good family life and if we can achieve this by one parent staying home rather than have the children cared for by others, then so much the better. Please do not get me wrong: I realise that there are many families, including one-parent families, who have no option but to use those facilities. However, I am a firm believer that a solid upbringing in a stable environment leaves a long-lasting impression on our children—an impression that will last them through childhood, adolescence and adulthood and that will feed through to the community creating stability and wealth for our state. Our health is of major importance and in the Darling Downs electorate we need an injection of funds into the Dalby, Jandowae, Crows Nest and Oakey Hospitals. Many of our elderly citizens have to travel to Toowoomba or Brisbane for treatment. This can be traumatic and very wearing. We soon find many older people moving away from their homes, families and friends to be closer to the care facilities that they need. I take my hat off to our rural doctors, nurses and care workers who work tirelessly in our communities, often times having to travel considerable distances. Other services lacking facilities include our small one-teacher schools, and this should not be the case. The workload put on the principals of those schools is enormous. They find themselves overwhelmed by the workload and so move on after only a couple of years. The flow-on result of this continuous change is that the children have to adjust to a new teacher every year or so, sometimes more often. Another factor concerning families in rural areas is that many have no alternative but to use school buses. If they choose to use a private school in the town rather than the state school, they are charged a fee to travel from the state school to the private school. The charge for those buses varies greatly. For parents with a number of children who choose this option, the annual costs are quite prohibitive. When children are being bussed to town, the Transport Department should be responsible for the additional kilometre or so required. I also bring to the attention of the House the need for a second range crossing for Toowoomba. At present, 1,200 trucks per day travel through the centre of the city and up or down a treacherous route, as do many other vehicles that use the same route. It is only a matter of time before a major accident occurs. It is imperative that funding for the proposed second crossing is expedited before a disaster occurs. It could well be a loved one of you or I who is killed—no matter who it is, they will be someone's loved one. Telecommunications is another problem in my electorate, especially in relation to mobile phones. Pressure must be placed on Telstra to improve services in the bush. The mobile phone with which I was issued, although much appreciated, is useless at home and in many parts of my electorate of the Darling Downs as coverage is very scarce and dead spots are everywhere. No doubt mine will be the least-used phone of the 89 that were issued to members of this parliament. Telstra assures me that all I need is a good aerial, but I have not worked out which end of the horse I should put it on! Tree-clearing laws pose a great threat to the livelihood of some producers, especially those who bought land but, because of the drought conditions over the past 10 years, have not had the financial viability to develop their properties, which would include land clearing and the replacement of certain trees with more suitable varieties. Those people must be compensated for the restrictions that are now being imposed on them. The majority of farmers are environmentally friendly, with tree replanting, contour farming, koala corridors and tree line windbreaks being part of their development plans. Farmers must be given every chance to have input into changes of legislation that affect their livelihood. I ask our government to be generous in dealing with the shires within the Darling Downs electorate when it comes to road funding. The shires of Crows Nest, Jondaryan, Rosalie, Wambo and Dalby have extensive road networks to maintain. Droughts followed by flood rains have caused havoc to roads and services. They all need funding injections if they are to have any hope of maintaining the existing infrastructure. One shire is already having to revert some of its previously sealed roads back to gravel as it is unable to maintain the sealed surfaces. An initiative of one of the shires, which I consider should be applauded and followed, is to require that all new homes must be equipped with a large rainwater tank. That would not only promote the saving of 280 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 water but also would help to educate people to be more conservative in water usage. I recommend the plan to all councils. Another matter that is impacting heavily on our farming industry is the impost of the state fuel tax of 8.354c per litre or $83.54 on every 1,000 litres of fuel purchased. One thousand litres of fuel lasts approximately 17.25 hours in a 400 horsepower tractor, which is less than two 10-hour working days. What a great boost to the state economy this windfall must be, and it is just another kick for our farmers as they are going down. The tax is supposedly rebated as part of the diesel fuel rebate scheme, but who is kidding whom? Before the introduction of the tax, we were getting a rebate of some 32.33c per litre on fuel costing 60c to 65c. We are now paying 74.62c plus state tax of 8.354c, making a total of 82.976c, and receiving a rebate of 38.1c. I also point to the ludicrous form that farmers have to fill in to register for the state fuel tax rebate for on-road farm vehicles. I defy fellow members to fill in that form without any bureaucratic coaching, and get it right. Many farmers have given up trying to claim the rebate because of the hassles involved. It is just another bit of paper warfare that the government is winning. The final point I wish to make, and one which may be considered controversial as it will affect many people, is in relation to the dairy industry. Before I purchased our farm, I was employed for nine years in the meat industry and was a member of the very active meatworkers union. During that time I saw what was achieved by the right to strike. Although I realise the disastrous consequences that some strikes have had on the power industry, the airline industry and the wharves to name a few, I think it may come to a point where the Queensland dairy industry must become militant. I dearly love the dairy industry and it grieves me to see it in the parlous state that it is in today. I feel that our dairy farmers have now reached the point where, if they are to achieve an outcome, it will be necessary for them to withhold milk supplies for an extended period. Last year milk was worth 58.9c per litre to the farmer and now it is being sold in the low 30s. Our farmers are going to have to lead and lead they will if they are pushed any further by the ludicrous results of National Competition Policy. I plead for our state government to make our dairy farmers a top priority and put an end to the destruction being imposed on our dairy industry. Yesterday, Pat Purcell, the member for Bulimba, said what a great electorate he has. I invite Mr Purcell to come and look at my precious Darling Downs. In finishing, I pledge my allegiance to the Queen and to this great nation, the Commonwealth of Australia. Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank you and all members for your time. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Fouras): Order! Before calling the member for Kawana, I point out to the House that this is the member's first speech. I ask the House to treat it with the due courtesy that such an occasion warrants. Mr CUMMINS (Kawana—ALP) (11.47 a.m.): It gives me enormous pleasure and it is with great pride that I rise to give my first speech in this House as the first member for Kawana. I assure His Excellency of my constituents' loyalty to the system of government in this state and, indeed, our proud nation. I congratulate the Speaker on his election to his position. I also extend my congratulations to the Premier, his fine and positive cabinet, all Labor members who were returned at the February election and, naturally, to all other new members. It is very pleasing to know that I was favoured by the constituents of the new state seat of Kawana to be their voice in Peter Beattie's Queensland government. In this historic 50th Parliament of Queensland, I intend to serve to the best of my ability all the citizens of my electorate, regardless of their political persuasion, race, colour or religious beliefs. One of the main messages that I and all members on our side of the House heard is that we are here to be strong, positive voices in Peter Beattie's government on behalf of the people in our electorates who demand to be heard. This is one of their basic democratic rights. I sincerely believe that the consultation process adopted by the Labor government embraces the community and gives citizens a chance to put forward their grievances or positive suggestions. Such consultation is well received, appreciated and recognised as a great way of remaining in touch. This was clearly evident on the weekend just passed when both Kawana and Maroochydore electorates hosted the first community cabinet for this term. I thank the Premier, his ministers, advisers, staff and assistants and I can assure them of another warm welcome on their return. I sincerely thank those Sunshine Coast residents who have placed their hopes, expectations and faith in me. This is what I find the most daunting aspect of the new challenge: the expectation that I can bring home the bacon and improve the lives of those not only in our electorate but also of those right across the Sunshine Coast and, indeed, our great state. Let me 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 281 place on the record that I am up to the challenge and that I will not disappoint those people who have put their trust in me to be their voice in this parliament. Firstly, my thanks must go to my loving wife, Donna. I never understood what people meant by 'soul mate' until I met Donna. After proposing to her on bended knee on Warana Beach on a rare rainy, overcast day on the Sunshine Coast, our lives have never been the same. We have shared and experienced both good and bad times, and her ongoing support for me is always greatly appreciated. Just over two years ago God gifted us with a son, whom we called Daniel. I trust Donna and Daniel realise I love them more and more each day. A family's love and support is essential and they are my greatest asset. I remember that much was made of a 'maiden' speech some years ago as it was claimed to be the first by a maiden. I believe that this speech may also be a first. It is obvious that I cannot claim to be a maiden, but I would proudly like to announce to the world, via this House of course, that my wife and I were informed only last week that we will be having an addition to our family in early December. During the nerve-racking post-election stresses, God chose to bless Donna, Daniel and I with another child, something we are greatly appreciative of and looking forward to. Without being accused of any bias, I do truly believe that a problem has arisen with the influx of new members, many of whom are, may I dare say, of the fairer and more attractive sex. The issue of child care within the parliamentary precinct should be seen as a clear and positive reflection of our changing society and not as a difficulty or nuisance. I hope we embrace the challenge and improve child care access and facilities right across our great state. I have no doubt that similar improvements will be implemented after the coming federal election. I do have immense faith in our society and I wish to put on the public record the faith and hope I have in our youth, both now and for the future. The pressures, temptations and even burdens of responsibility that our youth face today can be frightening. There are many negatives that I will not mention here today but that do need addressing. I, like many of my colleagues, do not have all the answers, especially those pertaining to the problems facing our youth, but I have no doubt that we will tackle head-on the issues facing our youth. I believe that communication can go a long way towards finding a cure to many of the concerns and issues we face, and I hope the youth across Queensland and, indeed, Australia realise that we require, we need and we welcome their input and assistance. I know there are some very positive programs under way, and I realise that in coming years more positive and proactive initiatives will be implemented to ensure that our next generation of adults, our future community leaders, will be included in our positive and caring society. There is and always will be faith and trust in the youth in our society. At 38 years of age, I have been fortunate to have had a great deal of contact with the elderly. My electorate of Kawana is made up of a large number of self-funded retirees and pensioners alike. All levels of government—local, state and federal—have a long way to go to improve the lives of our more senior residents. I do not know where in some parts of western society we have gone wrong by not including to the degree we should our elderly family members. Some tribal or more traditional societies are undoubtedly far more thoughtful, respectful and caring of their ageing family and friends. As Australians, we recognise that we are an ageing society, and this is one thing we all have in common: we are all growing older. When we speak of improving family values, this should include our respected elders, who can be and should be a valuable asset to us and not a liability. I have been very fortunate in my upbringing—not one of lavish wealth or fortune, but one of love and respect and support from both my parents, Kevin and Priscilla. They have been the greatest role models one could ask for: hard working, committed, successful, loyal, giving, proud, humble and loving. Obviously, there are many more descriptive words I could use, but I am limited by time. I will always remember my father's and mother's fine work ethic from an early age. Dad rode a pushbike to the North Ipswich railway workshops. On that bike was a small padded seat where normally my elder brother, Brady, or sometimes I would share our family's first and only mechanical means of transportation. I also vividly remember my father often sacrificing his leisure time by working a second job on weekends or even on his holidays, whether it be driving a truck or travelling to Sydney to work in a machine shop in his trade as a fitter and turner. Both Mum and Dad have made huge sacrifices for our family, and I will always be indebted to them. Dad's father, Tom Cummins, was a crane driver in the North Ipswich workshops. He was a proud and well liked man who enjoyed the simple things in life. I can remember Tom and my nanna, Gladys, and their love of the family, both immediate and those distant. Many of the 282 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 people to whom as a child I referred as aunt or uncle were often distant cousins or others who had been unofficially adopted by our clan or who lived under the same roof. I can recall many family gatherings at Liverpool Street, North Ipswich, where my grandmother Gladys was born. It was just down the hill from St Joseph's Primary School, which I attended from grades 4 to 7. Gladys Cummins, who was a proud Maxwell, was born, lived and died in the same home. Flannery's Ulster Hotel in Ipswich also holds a special place in our family's heart. Dan Dempsey was best mates with my grandfather Tom and was also his cousin. Dan's daughter, Norma, my godmother, is still the mine host of this fine establishment along with Dennis Flannery, who was a proud Australian Rugby League Kangaroo, as was Dan Dempsey's father in-law. Both men are true legends. Dad's two brothers, Max, the elder, and Warren, the younger, also learnt their trade in the railway workshops—as did many Queensland residents—realising that, of course, Liverpool Street was within earshot of the 7.20 and 7.30 railway hooter. It will be of great interest to me and many of my family to inspect the North Ipswich railway museum workshop. I will suggest that traditional hooters be continued as a mark of respect to many of the fine railway people right across Queensland and Australia. In 1978 I was fortunate enough to begin my working life at the age of 15 as an apprentice electrician, becoming the third generation North Ipswich railway worker. Like now, jobs were hard to find, especially apprenticeships. That is another reason why I fully support the continued apprenticeship and training programs that the state Labor government has improved and implemented. Tom, my grandfather, had passed away many years before I entered the railways and by this time both Dad and Max, his elder brother, had established careers in the Royal Australian Air Force—careers and lifestyles their families enjoyed. My father proudly served for just under three decades in uniform, retiring as a warrant officer. Max also achieved the same rank within the RAAF, serving over two decades. My Uncle Warren served in the police force and later operated, along with his wife, Noela, a successful small business in Ipswich until recently when he sold his interests. He is now an unpaid political adviser. Many in this House still know Warren as the ringmaster at the Ekka. Also on the RNA board, Warren is proud to call many honourable members on both sides of this House good friends. My brother, Brady, has also served in the Royal Australian Air Force for over two decades and is presently a squadron leader serving in Canberra where he resides with his wife, Angela, and daughters—my two beautiful nieces—Elise and Tegan. I want to mention Angela's parents, Bill and Irene McCrea, both dear family friends. Bill is a proud life member of the Australian Labor Party and yet another former North Ipswich railway workshop man who was always of great assistance to me over many years. To the entire McCrea family: thank you very much. I have always remembered my mother as an intelligent, hardworking, loving and truly devoted person from whom I hope I have inherited some fine traits. She was a Townsville girl who, in her year, was in the top five at scholarship. Mum's family could not afford further education, as was the case for many in those days. My mother put this behind her, went out to work, married my father, had a family, went back to work and continued learning and improving her education through reading and various night courses. Many of us refer to her as a quiz champion because of her proud successes on Pick A Box, Concentration, Tony Barber's Temptation, the forerunner to Sale of the Century, Casino 10 and numerous other quiz competitions. As I said earlier, I am very proud of my family and hope they realise how much I love them. They are the people who made me who I am today. My parents—indeed, most of my family—have always been actively involved in voluntary community work with the Kooringal Aged Care Facility, the local church, St Vincent de Paul and other community organisations. In this the International Year of the Volunteer we should realise that many people receive enormous fulfilment and tremendous benefit by getting in and having a go. When we help someone by becoming a more active community member and getting involved and when we can give to others who may be in need or who may not be as fortunate as ourselves, that is when we can receive many non-financial rewards, which are often more pleasant and beneficial to the soul. The Kawana electorate, and indeed all of the Sunshine Coast, is a rapidly growing area with continuing increases in population. Families and retirees are attracted to our beautiful area for numerous reasons. One is the possibility of more affordable housing. A healthy social fabric relies on security and shelter. Having a roof over our heads provides a family with basic yet vital security. Affordable homes and rentals are essential to enable middle- to low-income families and seniors 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 283 to retain some disposable income with which to enjoy a reasonable standard of living and quality of life. I look forward to working with the Minister for Public Works and Minister for Housing to continue to improve this situation. I sincerely feel that my success in Kawana can be attributed to a number of factors. Firstly, there were the dyed-in-the-wool long-term Labor supporters who, after many losses over the years at various levels of government, never gave up. That included numerous family and friends not associated with the party. Without the benefit of being able to list everyone here, I wish to thank every single person who committed time, effort, money and resources to this our successful election campaign. Having said that, I do, however, need to acknowledge some of my campaign team, including James and Mary Gardner, Mark Lawrence, Leon Bolton, Elizabeth Scott, Len Cooke and of course those members of both the Caloundra and Maroochydore branches. The professionalism and assistance from Labor Party head office was first class. Without it many of us, myself included, would not be here today. To Cameron Milner and the whole team of organisers, assistants, et cetera, I offer my heartfelt thanks, especially to Simon Finn, a true party asset and someone who has been of tremendous assistance to me from before my preselection in November last year until the declaration of the poll. In fact, he is still helping to set up the new Kawana branch. Yes, at this point in time Kawana has a state Labor member but no Labor branch! The Australian Labor Party is a political party that has outlasted and will continue to outlast all other parties. It continues to clearly demonstrate that it is an institution with high principles. This was no more evident than at the recent state election. Following the overwhelming endorsement of our policies, our government now has a vital role to ensure that all people are given every opportunity to reach or achieve their full potential, irrespective of their sex, race, colour, religion or disability. I can proudly say that I believe the Australian Labor Party's greatest assets are its members and supporters. These women and men are the heart and soul of our party and, indeed, our state and nation. It is these people who I hope and trust will continue to assist me and my colleagues to perform to the maximum of our ability and achieve positive results for our communities. We should never stop listening or fail to hear what the people are saying. That is what good government is all about. Labor was overwhelmingly endorsed and returned to the state government benches because it is a positive and progressive government. I sincerely believe that very soon we will see the return of a positive and progressive federal Labor government. The Sunshine Coast and Queensland will have yet another group of strong voices for the people in the next federal Labor government. The people of Queensland and Australia deserve and need to be put before profit. Government is for the people. We are here to provide the necessary services to ensure our community—the people of Queensland—can live, work and survive in a healthy environment. My congratulations go to the new Minister for Environment. I have the utmost confidence in him and his ability to ensure that the excellent work that has been started with a proactive stance in relation to environmental matters will continue. I appreciated the good work and assistance my community and I received from him in his former role as Education Minister. As a former board member of the regional tourist authority, Tourism Sunshine Coast, I have been fortunate to develop a positive rapport with the Minister for Tourism and many within her department. I have the utmost confidence in the Minister for Education when I say that the state government will deliver an education system that will continue to become the flagship for education across the country. As leaders we will be setting the pace and achieving the highest standard in our society. Queensland will indeed be the Smart State. Prior to the successful February election, I served as a councillor on the Caloundra City Council from March 1997 until February this year. I want to mention some of those with whom I worked and gained experience from. Former Mayor Des Dwyer is one of the most respected, caring, fun-loving, good-hearted, honest, loyal—the adjectives are too numerous to continue. However, it is an honour and a privilege to be able to call him a friend. Des was a father figure to many. On the day he announced his retirement, I told him that the City of Caloundra would be worse off. However, every one of us is replaceable. After Des Dwyer retired, Mayor Don Aldous was elected. Many, if not all, of the adjectives I used to describe Des could aptly be used to describe present Mayor Don Aldous. Whilst I have never pretended or professed to be a brain surgeon or Rhodes Scholar, and with all due respect to those who are, I am lucky enough to be able to communicate with people. Yes, I have kissed the Blarney Stone and I have the gift of the gab, but I realise God gave me two ears and one mouth and I will attempt to use them proportionally. I am ready, willing and able 284 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 to attempt to assist the people of my electorate to achieve the best for the community and their families. I cannot and will not try to be someone else. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Fouras): Order! Before calling the honourable member for Thuringowa, I point out that it is the member's first speech. I ask the House to treat it with the courtesy that such occasions deserve. Ms PHILLIPS (Thuringowa—ALP) (12.08 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, I begin by seeking your indulgence to let me acknowledge the inspiration I have received which has resulted in my standing here in the parliament of Queensland delivering my first speech as the member for Thuringowa. My parents, Anita Kerridge and John Phillips, who are sadly no longer alive, provided the primary inspiration and motivation for me to choose a political path. Both my grandfathers were seamen. One worked on the wharves in Melbourne during the waterfront strikes of the 1930s, which crippled workers and badly scarred a generation of families. He was a strong union man who refused to give in to the pressure that was applied for them to accept appalling conditions and return to work. My mother's father was a Scottish seaman who had travelled all over the world from his native Edinburgh before he arrived in Australia. He also became involved in a strike for better conditions which left him without work or a passage home. He found work as a labourer constructing Parliament House in Canberra. He brought his wife and eight children, including my mother, out to a new life in Australia. So both my parents came from backgrounds of working class struggle for survival. They grew up in the Great Depression, when there was never enough to eat, let alone a job for the breadwinner or money for decent housing or the luxury of an education. They met and married, like so many other couples, during the uncertainty of the Second World War, with my father being sent off to fight within days of their marriage. Five years later, when the war ended, they set up home in temporary housing that was hurriedly provided for the thousands of returning servicemen. Not long after I was born we moved to live in a housing commission estate in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, where my parents lived for the next 40 or 50 years of their lives. So I grew up in a community of low working class with issues that still hold true for similar communities today. We went to schools struggling to cope with the huge influx of families moving to outer suburbs. We were socially isolated. There was high juvenile crime and poor community image. We were never proud to tell anyone outside where we came from. There was minimal public transport. My father rode his pushbike many kilometres to link up with a train to take him to his job on the waterfront. My mother stayed at home to care for me, my three sisters and my brother. But both my parents were already teaching me about social justice. I went with my father to political rallies, where we listened to speakers on the back of trucks. My mother was determined that I should continue at school, even though the family could not afford it. Luckily, I won scholarships that allowed me to go right through school and on to university. I and a school friend whose family were refugees from Czechoslovakia were the only two in our entire region who went on to university. My parents inspired me to believe that I could experience a better world. My mother assured me that anything was possible, even for girls. My father showed me that it was possible to struggle out of the stranglehold of poverty and class. During my school education I encountered other people who provided inspiration, in particular one or two Catholic nuns—women who encouraged me to believe that there are no barriers to achieving our dreams. And so I came to live in Townsville in 1969, seeking to set up home in this tropical paradise where I could fulfil these dreams. And there I met up with another remarkable woman, who was an inspiration to me. I first met Joan Innes-Reid when she came bursting into our shop in Shaw's Arcade and said, 'I need you!' At the time she was the only social worker in Townsville, and she had heard that I, newly arrived from 'down south', was also a qualified social worker. Within weeks I had abandoned my retail business and, six months pregnant, joined her as the second social worker at Townsville General Hospital. Joan had come to Townsville from a sheep property in western Victoria via the United States, where she graduated as a social worker in Chicago. The sort of social work she practised would even today be described as radical and cutting edge. We worked as much in the community as in the wards of the hospital, much to the frustration of the hospital administrators, but there just was no-one else to deliver services and programs in the entire community. 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 285

Over the ensuing years Joan was instrumental in establishing just about every community organisation in Townsville, many of which have become institutions. She was also an alderman at the same time, and in 1976 she stood for election as mayor of Townsville, losing the contest to Perc Tucker. Ironically, as head of the council's arts committee she was later instrumental in establishing Townsville's first-class art gallery, which was named after the man who beat her. Joan lobbied for years to persuade James Cook University to commence a social work course. We were eventually successful and Joan became the first field work lecturer there. In 1986 Joan suffered an horrific car accident, which fractured her spine, but with her characteristic determination she rehabilitated herself and showed very little residual disability— probably due to her habit of swimming in the sea near her North Ward home every day until quite recently. Joan influenced the lives of thousands of people in Townsville, not least of all mine. It was her inspiration that persuaded me to graduate from community work into the political sphere. She said to me, 'This is where you can really change policies to reflect people's needs. You can really make a difference.' She followed my campaign closely, collecting all the newspaper cuttings and giving me advice on everything from policies to what I should wear. Very sadly, Joan died just 10 days before I was elected to parliament, but I know that she and my parents were all celebrating. Here in the gallery today I have friends and former colleagues who also contributed to my developing realisation that the only way to true social justice was through taking social action. Anne Brennan's father sat in this House as the member for Toowoomba from 1918 to 1925. I am very proud to welcome her here today. So with all of this powerful inspiration spurring me on, what is it that I hope to achieve for the people of Thuringowa? Thuringowa is a diverse electorate, part of and on the fringe of the greater Townsville region. By 1879 the division of Thuringowa formed a very large triangle from the Burdekin to Rollingstone and west to the ranges past Mingella. The present day electorate is much smaller and was established only in 1990. It had been held, up until this election, by only two members, both of whose names were Ken. Thuringowa has developed its own character and identity. It has some of the same vitality, youth and untapped energy of the outer suburbs of other cities, but it comes with its own unique pride. This helps to make it such an attractive place to live, as many young couples and families are increasingly finding. It now has the highest percentage of population under 25 of any municipality in Queensland, at 38 per cent. It has one of the highest population growth rates in Queensland. More and more people are choosing a relaxed, semi-urban lifestyle among the northern beaches that stretch right up to the Paluma rainforest, along the beautiful Ross River right up to the dam, or in the multitude of new housing developments in the suburbs. However, as the local member my task is to make it an even better place to live for all of the community. During the election campaign, I doorknocked and listened and talked and consulted with people across the broad spectrum of the community. This has helped me to identify what I believe are three priority areas that will be the focus of my endeavours in this, my first term. These are: to give power to those people in the community, particularly families, who have become marginalised by our society so that they can take control of their own lives; to investigate, find and then support ecologically sustainable economic development projects for the electorate that will create employment and viability; and to help to expand people's lives through fun and enjoyment by encouraging diverse arts, leisure, entertainment and sporting pursuits and opportunities for all age groups. I shall expand a little on each of these three priority areas. Many people in our community are not able to fully participate in the wonderful things that are happening around them. They cannot access the 'good life' of Thuringowa. They include people on very low or fixed incomes, some of our senior citizens, people with disabilities and families who are struggling to cope with their everyday existence. In Townsville, as in many cities, the inner suburbs are now home to trendy apartments, boutique shops, great restaurants and leisure and entertainment centres. People on low incomes, especially those who are unemployed, are moving out of their traditional inner-city areas. They are moving to the outer suburbs, where housing costs less but, on the downside, they are then isolated from social infrastructure. I am not talking about the many young families who are choosing to live in the burgeoning new housing estates in Thuringowa, I am referring to those who do not have a choice, who are being pushed out to the margins of society in both a physical and symbolic sense. Increasingly, 286 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 these people are moving either towards the Upper Ross or the northern beaches areas. Once they get there they find unexpected problems. Sadly, these problems are similar to the ones I encountered as a young person growing up in what were then the outer suburbs. One such problem is the lack of public transport and, alternatively, with the escalating price of petrol, the expense of driving into town. Others are the lack of nearby resources and infrastructure, especially for youth, and the social isolation. I am proud to report that this Labor government is not going to let these problems go on for future generations. I am very excited that the Minister for Public Works and Minister for Housing has announced that one of these areas in the Thuringowa electorate, Rasmussen, is to be the location for a Community Renewal Program project. This is a remarkable program that actually changes communities from within. I have asked the minister to begin with a public information/consultation process and then invite community representatives to form a reference group that will develop an action plan which will, in turn, become the blueprint for the complete reforming of that community. I am very pleased that this process has been agreed to by the minister. I look forward to keeping honourable members informed as we embark on this eventful journey. My second priority is to work with stakeholders in Thuringowa to investigate opportunities for economic development. To a very large extent, we are a dormitory community from which those who have work commute. We need to build the community, to create jobs, to become much more self-supporting. And I believe that such development will survive only if it is ecologically sustainable. That means that we must consider the opportunities and threats to the total environment when we are looking at development. Maybe we can explore the possibilities offered by our unique local resources. We have fertile river flats that could perhaps be developed for small crop industries. We are ideally situated to develop new initiatives in partnership with the nearby James Cook University. We can look at developing and supporting small business ventures that will provide opportunities for further local employment. I will be working with others, such as the Department of State Development and the Thuringowa Chamber of Commerce, to identify how this can be achieved. I am sure that we can be innovative, and put the Smart State ideals into practice. And finally, but by no means last, I believe that I can make a difference by encouraging the development of better leisure, art and sporting pursuits, putting more fun and enjoyment into the quality of people's lives. Thuringowa is already proud to be the home of the North Queensland Cowboys and the regional centre for junior Rugby League. We need to expand and encourage other sports and facilities. The jointly funded skateboard facility in Pioneer Park is so well patronised that we now have to build more. We need other activities and events, not only for young people to enjoy but for all age groups. In Thuringowa, we have the magnificent Ross River Dam and, if we were an inland city, we would focus all our attention and resources on that beautiful asset. In our region, however, we are blessed with so many attractions, such as the Strand, the rainforest areas and the islands, that we tend to ignore that fabulous river. I believe that the people of Thuringowa deserve to have this become the focus of leisure and entertainment that is locally accessible to them. We can improve and promote the delightful walking tracks by the river. We can explore developing a first-class rowing course perhaps. We could look at performing arts ventures and venues, or a heritage village to display our fascinating history. I will work with organisations such as the Thuringowa council and the north Queensland water authority to make this possible. I could not conclude this first speech without at least mentioning the bridge across the Ross River at Condon. This will be part of the bypass of Townsville, part of the National Highway system which was declared by the federal government in 1991. Controversy has raged in the local media as to who is responsible for the funding of the bridge. A solution will be found, and I can assure the people of Thuringowa that I have already lobbied very hard, and the Minister for Transport and Minister for Main Roads has agreed to contribute $7.3 million to fast-track what is a federal government project. So I know that we will achieve a satisfactory and successful outcome. On that note, I assure the electors of Thuringowa that I will repay them for the faith that they have placed in me by electing me as their member. I thank them for this, and I commit to being accessible, approachable and hard working. I had a very short election campaign period, having been selected just on Christmas, and a couple of weeks later we were into election mode, with only a three and a half weeks campaign. Like the other four colleagues who were selected at the same time, we went from pre-selection to 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 287 parliament in six weeks. So the entire campaign was compressed into a pressure cooker environment. We could never have won Thuringowa without the marvellous support of a very small but hardworking team—the team of Bill Marklew, who was my campaign manager, David Bell, Leanne Bell, Gerd Johannsmann, Evol Keane, Jeff Clelland, Denise Thompson, Adam Curnock, Linda Toll, Mick Keane, Mary Marklew, Kris Hunter, Robbie Stout, Paul Kelly, Linda Ogilvie, Mary-Anne Clelland, Ginnie Hall, Dalma and Gordon Buckby, Ray Goodmanson and Gary Hallatt—and the support I received from my colleagues Mike Reynolds and Lindy Nelson-Carr and their supporters. I also wish to acknowledge the fantastic support of Emily's List and my mentor, Joan Kirner. There were times when I felt that only Emily's believed that we could actually win Thuringowa for the Labor Party. The financial and emotional support they gave me was phenomenal. I was also spurred on by support from other sources, such as the staff of the Australian Services Union here in Brisbane, especially Julie and Mary-anne, and from other unions and individual members. Finally, I could not have achieved this honour without the love and invaluable moral support of my three wonderful daughters, Rebecca, Melanie and Keinton, and I could never have done it without the divine grace and guidance with which I was blessed. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Fouras): Order! Before calling the honourable member for Ipswich, I note that this will also be this member's first speech. Therefore, I ask members to treat this speech with the respect that convention demands. Ms NOLAN (Ipswich—ALP) (12.26 p.m.): I rise today to speak in support of the Governor's statement of the Beattie government's second term agenda and to make clear both who I am and what contribution I intend to make. People often ask me why I have gone into politics. The answer is simple. It is because I believe. I believe that, together, we as a community are greater than we are as individuals. I believe that, with the guidance of good ideas, the cooperation of good people and the integrity to do what we believe is right, we can make the world a better place. I begin today by thanking the people of Ipswich for the tremendous faith that they have placed in me and their endorsement of the Beattie Labor government. The people of Ipswich are good people. On 17 February, they were encouraged to vote for negativity—for anger, disillusionment and a bitter yearning for the past. They overwhelmingly rejected that call. Ipswich people voted for decency, for a clear plan about a positive future, and they voted to work together rather than to fragment. I will serve the people of Ipswich honestly, always with integrity and to the best of my ability. While I am, I believe, the youngest woman ever elected to the Queensland parliament, many people will know that I have been involved in politics for some years. I have lived in many parts of the world and have worked in politics both here in Queensland and in the Northern Territory. Still, I would never have wanted to go into politics and to represent people anywhere but in Ipswich. I am very proud to say that Ipswich is my home. Like many Ipswich young people, I grew up with a sense of negativity about the place—with a sense that the grass was greener just about anywhere else. As I have grown up, I have well and truly grown out of that view. Ipswich is a complete community. It is not a housing estate or an arbitrary area defined by the Electoral Commissioner's line on a map. It is a community with a brave history, a defined centre and people who identify both with the place and with each other. Ipswich is on the traditional lands of the Jagera, Turrubul, Yuggera and Urapagul people. Many of those people ended up at the Deebing Creek and later Purga missions. Ipswich has a complete class spectrum. It includes wealthy families, many of whom made their money from the mines and associated industries in the last century. It also includes commuters, industrial workers and a new underclass who, in the absence of work, rely on welfare just to get by. It has significant cultural diversity and, I am well aware, it has a range of opinion. I believe that Ipswich is characterised more than anything by its sense of community. People in Ipswich are disproportionately contributing to the community—whether it is by going to the P&C, volunteering at the hospice or caring for someone in need. Our defining characteristic is our commitment to the town and to each other. In these community projects, we are led by people like Hilda des Arts, Rocco de Pierri and Margaret Illingsworth—people who work tirelessly and embody the spirit of community. Ipswich has a history of punching above its weight in political affairs. Well before the previous red-headed representative from Ipswich, we were represented by Dr Cameron, a Health Minister 288 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 in the Menzies government, and by Bill Hayden, a federal Labor leader. Neville Bonner, the first Aboriginal member of the federal parliament, was from Ipswich, and the last two state members for Ipswich have been state treasurers. I believe that that record is no coincidence. Ipswich is a microcosm of Australia as a whole. It is rural and urban, rich and poor. It is largely Anglo-Saxon but diverse, and it is, like all of Australia, in the midst of enormous change. Ipswich was established as a white settlement in 1827 and its limestone was quarried for use in the Moreton Bay penal colony. It was open to free settlement in 1842 and was settled by English, Irish and German free settlers with a significant Welsh contingent mining the coal from Blackstone to the east. The area's traditional industries are coalmining, woollen milling and the railway, with Ipswich being the birthplace of Queensland Rail. My grandfather worked in the railway, moving from Cairns to Ipswich in 1947. The solidarity of railway people is close to my heart and, while I agree that change is inevitable, I will continue to fight for their security. Now the work patterns, if not the social patterns, of Ipswich have changed significantly. More than 30 per cent of Ipswich's workers commute to Brisbane, around 7.4 per cent are unemployed and the big industries are the RAAF base at Amberley, the meatworks at Dinmore and Churchill, state and local government and still, but to a lesser extent, the railway. Ipswich is increasingly becoming a high-tech city with an aerospace industry developing at Amberley and a gas-fired power station at Swanbank. Our future lies in services, tourism and in high-tech industry both in Ipswich and Brisbane. All around Australia there is an increasing divide between the capital cities and the regional and rural parts. While many people want to take the political path of blaming government for the change, it is quite simply fact that first world economies are becoming increasingly service and decreasingly agriculture based—and the services are easier to provide in the cities. Ipswich, being a regional town close to a capital, sits on the hinge of that divide. It must ensure that its links to the growth area—Brisbane—are strong. In Ipswich you can live in a wonderful Queenslander, you can know your neighbours and you can be part of a real community while still accessing the jobs and services of Brisbane. Our economy would be enhanced by improving the link to Brisbane, by more express trains, which would make the commuting more attractive, and—vitally—by fixing the Ipswich Motorway. Every morning on the radio you hear about the traffic built up at the Goodna merge, the slow crawl and occasionally the major accident. Each morning from 7 a.m., the tow trucks wait to pick up the pieces. The Ipswich Motorway is used by 80,000 vehicles every day. It is an absolute disgrace. It is potholed, ugly, congested, dangerous and slow. Traffic is a fact of modern life, but for thousands of workers to sit in traffic every day when they are still 30 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD is not acceptable. It hinders Ipswich's economic development and it affects our quality of life. The Ipswich Motorway is a federal road. In recent months the federal coalition government has spent billions of dollars patching the rural roads used by the occasional farmer. I acknowledge that rural roads are not exactly in a great state, but when we look at the number of people affected by the quality of a road, it is abundantly clear that federal road funding policy is about shoring up shaky National Party electorates much more than it is about genuine need. Again and again we hear about the plight of the bush, but we should realise that when it comes to public infrastructure and quality of life issues it is those in the regional areas and in the urban fringe who often silently miss out. On petrol prices, for instance, it is the low income earners who travel 80 kilometres a day to work in a factory because there is no public transport who really pay. When it comes to providing the public infrastructure for jobs and the services that ensure quality of life, government will always have a legitimate role. While I am the member for Ipswich, I will ensure that that role is fulfilled. In Ipswich the Beattie government is making a big difference. Surrounding suburbs have been transformed by community renewal; for the first time we have a university; we have ensured the future of workers in our meat industry; we are building a rail museum, which will bring jobs and restore our industrial heart; and we are, along with the Ipswich City Council, developing a Smart City. These types of projects must be supported and they must continue. Like many towns in regional Australia, Ipswich has more old people than it does young. Young people leave Ipswich to get an education or to get a job. Each time I have come home 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 289 after living elsewhere, I have found that more of my peers have left. This trend is socially and economically devastating—socially because it leaves older people in the community without the support of families and economically because the spiral of skilled workers leaving and industry locating elsewhere is an interminable one. For me, jobs for young people will be an absolute priority. Young people need to grow up in safe households and in strong communities, with respect for others and the self-respect that comes from knowing you have a future. In Ipswich, a lot has been said about groups of kids who hang around the streets at night. The community has made it clear that harassment of people as they walk down the street and violence are not ever acceptable. Last Thursday night I went out on the streets with Drug Arm to find out for myself just what was going on. To be honest, I found little action. Ipswich's streets have already become quieter as a result of the increased police presence initiated by the Beattie government early in the year. This is a drop in crime that was recorded in today's Queensland Times. However, the long-term solution will not be found through police and courts alone. We need a concerted effort which involves law enforcement, which involves the fantastic, largely voluntary organisations like Drug Arm and Teen Care that are getting to know the kids, which involves parents, and which involves proper support from the Families Department. Some of these kids are coming from backgrounds of serious disadvantage, but we cannot give up. The problems even of the toughest kid cannot be too hard. We need to work together to ensure that all our kids have futures and that our streets are safe. I want to turn now to the political debate. In the public arena, we find ourselves at a time of too few ideas and too much cynicism about politicians and the political process. It falls to all of us, both in the broader community and directly in politics, to lift ourselves from this depressing state. It falls to all of us to look beyond narrow self-interest to the public good, to accept our responsibilities as well as demanding our rights. Already I have heard from those who believe in public housing—indeed, who call themselves socialists—but do not want the Housing Commission in their street. I have heard from those who believe that jobs are the highest priority but do not want industrial development in their backyard and I have heard from those who want special treatment in the education system for their kids. Each case requires a specific judgment, but I want to make it clear that for me it is a matter of principle to act in the interests of the whole community and not just in the interests of the vocal few. I believe that we in politics would be respected more if we ceased to cower from conflict, if we more often stood up and justified what we believe in. If we believe the right answer is no, we should say so. There is nothing people hate more than being fobbed off by a government or a bureaucracy that will not give them a straight answer. Having said that, I concur with the member for Cunningham who recently called for a less partisan political debate. Nothing is clearer than that people are tired of the Dumb and Dumber approach of poll-driven politics. Poll-driven politics turns the political process into a mirror where we simply reflect what we know people want to hear. Used excessively, it removes the capacity for leadership. Our debate must focus on coming up with the best vision or the best solution, not scoring the most points. I want to speak briefly about the diversity that exists within the Ipswich community. On Sunday I attended Ipswich's Link Up Multicultural Festival. It rated right up there with election night as one of the occasions that I have enjoyed most in Ipswich politics. At Link Up there were Aboriginal, Filipina and Armenian dancers as well as groups including one from my old school, Ipswich East. There were hundreds of people there and there was nothing pretentiously middle class or elite about it. It was a down-to-earth representation of Ipswich people and Ipswich culture. I believe that there is, in all of us, a resentment of change and, particularly when times are tough, a resentment of difference. A celebration of that difference is a celebration of the better part of ourselves—of the optimism and good will within us. I want to place on the record my heartfelt commitment to multiculturalism and reconciliation in Ipswich. Recently I was upset by the debate about Lowitja O'Donoghue's acknowledgment that she was not, as she said, 'stolen'. I was upset partly by the political opportunism that followed her comments but more by the fact that in this, like in many areas of politics, we did not seem to be mature enough to have an honest debate about the facts. 290 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001

The point should not be whether Lowitja O'Donoghue was taken away or given up by parents who had little real choice; the point should be to genuinely understand. When we look at the past, whether it is about the practices of Australians in the war, the institutionalisation of orphans or stolen children, we should not try to judge the past by the standards of today. We should not try to divide whole events into a simplistic game played out between forces of pure good and evil. We should try to listen and to sympathetically understand before making our judgment. Without that openness, we cannot learn the lessons of our past. I would like to speak briefly about my background. I was born in the Ipswich General Hospital in 1974, that is, in a public hospital, and to young parents, Rhonda and Denis, both of whom went to university as a result of Gough Whitlam's policy of universal public education. These factors have shaped who I am and what I believe. My parents are here today. It is difficult to explain this fully, but I know the hard times they have experienced and I wish to express my genuine thanks for their hard work, for the opportunities they gave me, for the intellectual rigour that has always surrounded me and for the genuine belief that we can, through Labor values, make the world a better place. In Ipswich we ran a tremendous campaign, including doorknocking around 2,500 houses. The campaign, I believe, was professional but it was also passionate, characterised by a genuine understanding of Ipswich and a desire to ensure the future of its people. I wish to sincerely thank my campaign director, Shayne Neumann, for the support he has shown me over many years, for his almost pathological organisation and for his friendship. To Wayne McDonnell, who is here today, I have been touched by your support for me as a candidate and as a person. I want to thank Andrew Fraser for his professionalism; Margie Doran, who I know will always keep me philosophically honest; Cormac Stagg for his good humour, intellect and patient doorknocking; and David Hamill for his honesty, friendship and support. David is a person of the highest integrity who has taught me always to do what I believe is right. While I will always endeavour to keep those around me separate from public life, I wish to sincerely thank my good friends Alan, Anna and Paul for their faith in me and for their support of my decision. I wish my friends Peter and Annabelle and their new son, Edward, all the best. I will do my best now to stay true to who I am and what I believe in. I will work hard to satisfy the expectations of my friends, those who have supported me and, of course, the people of Ipswich. Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore—NPA) (12.42 p.m.): I pledge my support for the Crown and respect for the Crown's representative, the Governor. I would also like to congratulate all new members and continuing members in this place, because it is indeed an honour when we are chosen by the people to represent them in this place. We come from a range of philosophical backgrounds and beliefs, but I still believe that the majority of people who choose to step into the public arena do so because they believe that they can make a difference, that they see that, in being bold in our community and having values about how to make the community better, it takes a conscious decision to get out there and be part of that process of actively seeking to put your philosophies of bettering the community into practice. I feel honoured to represent the Maroochydore electorate for this my fourth term. In a climate where there is so much cynicism about politics, I am reminded of the enduring words of Abraham Lincoln when he talked about people needing to have a heart to help if they wanted to have a right to criticise. As we know, where there is a lot of cynicism, the challenge is to say to people, 'We must all together be part of that process of making our communities better,' because you do not make your community better by sitting in an armchair. There has never ever been a cynic who has changed the world for the better. So I believe that, although we come from different philosophical beliefs, we are in pursuit of trying to represent our local areas, represent the state and, of course, Australia. This address in reply debate provides us with the opportunity to speak primarily about our electorates. I believe that at the heart of being good members of parliament is keeping our focus first and foremost on our local area. That is a microcosm of the state and the nation. As every member knows, there is nothing more realistic than having a constituent coming up to you in the street or ringing you up or talking to you—with nobody, no staff, in between—if you want to keep in touch with the issues and know what is going on. We all recognise and appreciate that that direct contact with people and listening to people's different issues is part of the accountability of being in this place. 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 291

A few years ago I was a bit disappointed to have passed to me a comment that a political journalist had made about backbenchers. It was not about any backbencher in particular but about the fact that they did not have much work to do. Honourable members interjected. Miss SIMPSON: I hear other members laugh and knock this belief. I was astounded and very disappointed by that comment, because I believe that at the heart of being good members of parliament is first and foremost keeping our finger on the pulse in our electorates, regardless of the amount of work that we may have to do in serving the greater good of the state as parliamentarians through the legislative process or in other means of advocacy on other issues, and to understand what is happening in our electorates and as best as possible, representing those needs regardless of people's political or social backgrounds. Mr Terry Sullivan: That's right. The real politics are out there. Miss SIMPSON: That is correct—listening to the people and knowing what they are saying. At the end of the day, a member can still work very hard in this place and still lose their seat. But that is the choice of the people. I acknowledge that some very hardworking members of parliament have lost their seats. But we accept that this is also part of the democratic process. This Westminster system of government evolved over 700 years to this point. When there are changes of government, we are blessed to see that there is not violence in the streets. In some of our small neighbouring countries there has been a lot of turmoil and a lot of involvement of the military in trying to wrest control of the people's democratic right to control their parliaments. We have a lot of reasons to be grateful for the system of government that we have. It may not be perfect—we should always strive to make it better—but it is still a system that has evolved over those 700 years. This year, in Australia we are celebrating the 100th year of federation—of having a national parliament bringing together the people under a Westminster system of government. It is indeed historic that, as the 50th session of the Queensland Parliament, we are meeting in this place and we will deliberate on issues that affect our constituents. At this point, I would like to acknowledge some of the people who have helped me. I have heard from some Independents criticisms of the party political system. I believe that all parties have to listen to the comments of the people in regard to how to best meet the needs of their constituency. But there is a value in people being joined together in a common task. There is still value in having a party—in my case, I am a member of the National Party, which represents my philosophical direction—and in coming together in a joint effort in order to achieve an outcome. Once again, that is one of the values of the Westminster system. Although there is a role for individuals—obviously, the people choose to elect Independents—I still believe that more can be achieved through a force of numbers, with people going in the same direction. Our challenge is to persuade people to the best course of action and to listen to people's views of what they believe to be the best course of action. As someone said to me, it is not enough to be right; you have to be able to persuade others to the same course of action if you want to be able to achieve that outcome. The power of one is being able to take other people with you. I am grateful to those who have shared the journey along with me over the past eight years as a member of parliament, but longer in campaigning before that. I acknowledge my family, and particularly my father, Gordon, and Norma Simpson and my extended family. I also acknowledge Barney Lawless-Pyne, who has been a great and enduring hard worker, and many, many other people who, although I omit their names, I would still like to recognise. Nobody comes into this place on their own; they come through the help of many volunteers. They come to this place through many people who are outside our direct party structures, and for their help and support I am very grateful. I come back to the point about how important it is for members of parliament—backbenchers and, obviously, ministers—to recognise the work that is done at the local level. That work should never be denigrated by those who have never worked in an electorate office or who have never understood the sorts of concerns that come across our desks. Our electorate officers, secretaries and others—some of us have paid for extra staff members—talk to and help people. They help us to represent our constituents. I pay tribute to my secretary, Betty Ledger, to Dawn James, who has worked for me, and to other people who have helped out over time. I have a great deal of respect for the ladies—and other members may have men working in their offices—who assist as best they can in dealing compassionately with and resolving local issues in the best way possible. 292 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001

I wish to raise some of the local issues affecting the electorate of Maroochydore. Tourism is a very important industry to my electorate. I will be distributing a tourism brochure on the Sunshine Coast to members later. This industry employs a lot of people, especially young people. Obviously youth unemployment is of concern to us. We must try to generate more employment in the tourism industry, which cuts across a wide range of businesses, particularly small businesses. It is important that every opportunity is given to the tourism industry to expand and that we provide an environment where young people and small businesses can flourish through the growth of employment in the local area. Obviously the Sunshine Coast and the electorate of Maroochydore have some natural advantages, with a number of beautiful beaches, and we also have a lot of new and older accommodation sites. That makes selling the message of tourism so much easier. It is with pleasure that I will be distributing this brochure and encouraging members, when they take a break from the 80-hour week that many of us work, to think about going to the Sunshine Coast for their annual holidays. It is a great place. We love it. I know some members and the ministers have been there recently with the community cabinet. Ms Spence: We would like to go back more often. Miss SIMPSON: Yes, you must come back more often. It is a wonderful place and it is not a long drive from Brisbane. We would welcome anyone from any political persuasion who wanted to holiday on the Sunshine Coast. Mr Schwarten: I'll come up there if you come up to the Capricorn Coast for your holidays. Miss SIMPSON: I am sure that I will be up there at some time. Public transport is an issue that affects many communities. Recently, the final report of CAMCOS, the public transport study on the Sunshine Coast, was released by the government. That study was started under the previous coalition government. It is about planning for the future and planning for good public transport. I will be urging the government to commit funds to that project. The first stage will look at bringing an improved bus network online through the development of high-speed dedicated busways. The concept of a rail network is flagged in that report for eventual development. Money will need to be assigned to implement those projects in a staged way to best meet the future growth of the Sunshine Coast and the current needs of the people. We also need better coordination. Although it is not exactly rocket science, there have been incredible difficulties getting the bus companies to coordinate with Queensland Rail to provide a coordinated service between the coast and the railway stations. I urge the government to provide any assistance that it can in this matter. As the new contracts are signed with bus owners, the subject of better coordination should be put on the table and insisted upon. There is no doubt that the building industry on the Sunshine Coast and in many other areas has really hit hard times. I wish to focus on the issue of security of payment, which affects many people. A single operator with a family to support may lose thousands of dollars on a number of different jobs because someone has failed to pay the principal contractor or the principal contractor has failed to pay them. The ramifications of that on the local economy can be horrific. A number of quite significant building company failures have occurred on the Sunshine Coast. I have talked to some of the businesspeople involved. They have employed people as subcontractors and there is no doubt that their track record as businesspeople was good. They were not shoddy with their book work, as some people will try to make out when a subcontractor faces ruin. They were good businesspeople, yet they were stuck with costs worth tens of thousands of dollars because other businesses have gone under—businesses that the BSA had been supposedly keeping an eye on. At the end of the day, that did not do the subbies any good. We require a review of the security of payments system for subcontractors so that people are no longer used as the banking system for those further up the chain who do not have the appropriate finances and bookkeeping practices in place. It has to end. It is a process that has cost many people their homes and, tragically, sometimes has had even worse ramifications. I wish to recognise the new seniors housing project in my local area. I have been very keen on this project, particularly as it affects people with mobility problems. Only so many people can fit into the ground floor of medium-rise accommodation. Disabled access to medium-rise accommodation is of great benefit and will definitely help vulnerable people who are in need. I know that time is short, but I want to mention the need for indoor sporting facilities. The obligation to provide young people with worthwhile activities rests with us as older members of the community. Sometimes some members of the community will criticise young people who say that they have nothing to do. A lot of us may have been self-motivated in finding activities to keep 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 293 ourselves busy. However, I believe that it is the older generation that has let these young people down. There is a need for our generation to be involved with young people by giving them opportunities to get involved in scouts, guides, sporting activities and other community activities and by working hard to provide the facilities that such activities need. There is a need for the provision of indoor sporting facilities not only in Maroochydore town itself but also on the north shore of the Maroochy River. Recently, I raised with the Police Minister—and I will continue to raise—the issue of the improvement of the Sunshine Coast police to population ratio so that we at least have the same ratio as the Gold Coast has. Currently we do not have the same ratio. There needs to be a recognition of the fact that a lot of people come to the Sunshine Coast for holidays. We have a very transient population and a big turnover in population. Issues in the community require a higher police presence, yet we do not have the police numbers to reflect that. That must be addressed and the community is constantly asking for it to be addressed. The north shore of the Maroochy River needs a police beat or a police house. There is also a need for a police station to be built in Coolum itself. While Coolum township is just outside my electorate, it affects my constituency of Mount Coolum, Yaroomba and further south. Other members have mentioned the subject of roads. A lot of money has been spent on the Maroochydore road. That money needed to be spent given that traffic volumes were exceeding the design capacity of the road. There is also a desperate need for the Sunshine Motorway to be upgraded. I will keep mentioning this until we see the money allocated through the budgetary process. I have raised this subject with the Transport Minister. I believe that the plans for the ramps and interchanges on the Sunshine Motorway need to be brought forward. The state should consider putting some funds into the southern access to the motorway to improve the road network, because the local government does not have the capacity to completely fund that road. The southern access road into Maroochydore will carry significant traffic from outside the rating base of the Maroochy Shire Council, from shires further south. Once again, as it is a regional centre, people travel into the heart of Maroochydore. It has been recognised as a regional centre by the state government and there is a need for assistance to make the project come to fruition. I believe that there is a need to expand the provision for counselling and guidance officers in our primary schools. Earlier today mention was made of the lack of funding provided by the state government for drug education in our schools. The state government responded with comments about the services that it was supposedly putting into some of the high schools. There is a desperate need to start those campaigns in our primary schools. The school chaplaincy program is now moving into primary schools on the Sunshine Coast. That is terrific and I support it. I believe that there is a need for the state to provide more counselling and support services in our primary schools. It is heartbreaking to hear some of the stories that teachers tell about how they see problems and they wish they could help, but they are limited in what they can do. This is an area that needs quite a strong focus from government to help the communities at the coalface. Small business obviously is the backbone of employment in our communities. As the GST windfalls come to the state government in the next few years, I will be calling on the state government to give small business a fair go, to reform the tax system at the state level and to roll back some of the taxes that are currently hitting our small businesspeople. They are the ones who are going to create the jobs in this state. They are the ones who are going to employ our young people. While I know that benefits flow from the deals that were done behind closed doors with Virgin Blue Airlines, with the state giving them benefits, I think that those things should be made public and I think that benefits should be provided and concessions given to small business. When we look at the stamp duties they are paying and the costs that they have to incur, cutting red tape is important on one hand. But if the government really wants to send a clear message that it supports small business, there has to be reform of the state taxes that small businesses are paying. I will be going into the other issues more specifically within my portfolio of Health, Tourism and Women's Policy in more detail when I have the opportunity in this parliament and when more time is available to me than here today. There is a need in my own electorate for a public dental service. You would think that Maroochydore would have a public dental service. We had one temporarily when we were in government, but unfortunately the Beattie Labor government took that service away when they got in. I implore them to have some compassion for people who cannot afford public dental 294 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 services and who cannot get to Kawana, Noosa or Nambour to attend their dental services. There is a school dental clinic which is vacant for up to half of the year. It would take only minor modifications to allow people to have direct access to it without having to go through the school grounds. I have put this issue to the government, and I would urge it to use this option so that people can have decent public dental services in Maroochydore. The Maroochydore State High School's renewal program is something that the school has pushed for, particularly since the change in the school leadership, which has given them an opportunity to formulate this plan. I will certainly be supporting their move for renewal funds for this great high school. It is terrific to see a public high school such as this with a great attitude, getting great results and working hard to really lift the profile of their school and also what their students are doing and doing so well in our local communities. I really do wish that school leadership team all the best because they really have been flying the flag high as far as the wonderful things that can be achieved through a local state high school are concerned. Sitting suspended from 1.03 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. Mr MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) (2.30 p.m.): It has been a great honour to serve the people of Mackay for the past five and a half years. I would like to thank them for once again showing faith in me for another term as a member of the Beattie Labor government. Representing Mackay in the Queensland parliament is a great privilege and a responsibility that I do not take lightly. The election result is proof that Mackay people are not fooled by negative sledging or scare campaigns. What they want are positive policies for the future that produce jobs for our young people, care for our families and protect the environment. During the election campaign, I concentrated on presenting a positive plan for Mackay's future. The plan is all about diversifying our economic base to boost jobs but doing this in a way that is environmentally sustainable and protects our lifestyle. The Mackay region and economy is in transition with traditional activities, such as sugar, facing pressure because of world trade. New service industries and tourism need to be encouraged to maintain a strong economy. Mackay is now an established government centre with regional offices and several government departments, including the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Regional offices deal directly with Brisbane, underlining the growing significance of the city as a stand-alone centre for public administration and its independent development. I will continue to work with the people of Mackay to build a prosperous future for the community. The Labor government's plan for Mackay commits in excess of $60 million in funding over three years towards practical local initiatives and economic and social support. I would like to outline some of these initiatives. Unemployment is a curse on any society, and this government is committed to breaking the unemployment cycle. During the next three years, the Beattie Labor government will create 734 jobs in the Mackay region at a cost of $6.9 million. This includes 560 jobs for Mackay people. Since coming to office the Beattie government has delivered 1,573 jobs, at a cost of $13.5 million, to the Mackay region under this program. The Mackay urban area has experienced growth above the state average in the last few years, and with growth comes the need to update existing infrastructure and to build new infrastructure. Over the next three years the Beattie government will commit in excess of $13.7 million to improving our road network. An amount of $4.1 million will be spent towards the construction of the Mackay Harbour Road. This is due for completion in the 2002-03 financial year. As more and more heavy vehicles use this road, it has become the main route to the Mackay Harbour, and over recent years the pavement surface has deteriorated. With growth in excess of nine per cent in the northern beaches area, $9.61 million will be spent towards upgrading the intersections along the Mackay-Bucasia Road, which will no doubt improve the traffic flow and cause fewer delays in people coming to and from the city. These road projects will create jobs. Every $1 million spent on our roads equates to 17 jobs in road building and related industries. The government will also undertake a substantial upgrade of the Mackay Airport. This upgrading will cost $225,000 over the next two years. Work will include an additional 50 car parking spaces and improving security through additional security camera enhancements over public and operational areas of the airport. These initiatives, combined with the runway shoulder strengthening and sealing undertaken last year, will make Mackay a premier tourist destination. Tourism is a great generator of jobs and wealth for the community. To assist in the further development of the industry, the Beattie Labor government is committed to spending up to $38 million on a multipurpose facility. This will include indoor and outdoor areas and will enable us 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 295 to attract more trade exhibitions, conventions and sporting events to the Mackay region. Already we host the Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition. This exhibition is held every two years and injects $15 million into the economy in a very short time. It brings people from overseas and from elsewhere in Australia to our region. What we need to do is welcome these people, make their stay in Mackay a pleasurable one and give them a reason to stay longer or, if they are unable to stay longer, at least come back and explore what the region has to offer. West of Mackay is a unique area which includes the highlands and the Eungella National Park. The Eungella National Park is Queensland's largest rainforest national park spreading over 50,000 hectares with beautiful waterfalls, crystal clear streams and natural rock pools. The park has 25 kilometres of walking trails through a magnificent high country mix of tropical and temperate rainforests. The walks range in length and difficulty from a one kilometre rainforest walk at Broken River to a 16 kilometre round trip taking in the best rainforest and mountain views. There is enormous potential to develop ecotourism opportunities on land adjacent to the Eungella National Park and in the highlands. Last year I established a group called the Mackay Highlands Group, which consists of private sector, local government, government agencies, conservation groups and members of the indigenous community who are all working together looking at ways that we can develop further the fledgling ecotourism market in the Eungella highland area. This work, along with tourist developments that are occurring in the urban area of Mackay, will ensure that Mackay will increase its market share in tourism. To ensure that we have a well-trained workforce, the government is investing heavily in education. Over the next three years, the Beattie government will employ up to 34 extra teachers at a cost of $3.9 million and will also spend over $1.2 million on new or refurbished school facilities. These projects include new classrooms at Marian State School and Beaconsfield State School, there will be new amenity blocks at Mirani State High School, and Mackay North State High School will receive a new special education block. In addition, over $6 million will be spent on upgrading the Mackay State High School and North Mackay State High School under the Building Better Secondary Schools Program. These initiatives have been warmly welcomed by the P&Cs, teachers and the wider school community. Probably the biggest problem facing our community is the challenge of drug availability and the consequences of drug abuse. There is no evidence to suggest that the drug problem in Mackay is any worse than any other regional centre. However, the Mackay community has not been idle and has taken up the challenge to bring about ways in which we can minimise the harmful effects of drug abuse and provide help to people who want to kick the habit. Last year I established the Mackay Drug and Alcohol Partnership Forum. This forum, headed up by Mr Michael Bishop, consists of state government agencies, including the Departments of Families, Police, Queensland Health and Premier and Cabinet, other agencies such as the Mackay City Council's Crime Prevention Partnership as well as some concerned citizens and parents and other community based organisations. It is a great example of how the community and government are coming together in a partnership to tackle a community problem. The forum members believe that to successfully tackle the drug problem you require a four-pronged approach of education, treatment, rehabilitation and enforcement and that it is only through cooperation that we will achieve better outcomes for people with drug-related problems. Already the group has received national recognition for its work. The forum members welcomed the initiative announced during the election campaign of Mackay being allocated 10 rehabilitation beds. The forum will work with the government to look at ways to establish this rehabilitation unit in the context of developing a model for Mackay. I hope that the model they develop for Mackay will be of some use to other centres of a similar size. The establishment of these rehabilitation beds will complement a number of other measures that the government has placed on the agenda to combat drugs and crime. These include the $845,000 family and community support package including parent and adolescent mediation, youth crime prevention grants and capital grants to rebuild community facilities, employ an extra 12 police officers in the Mackay Police District and construct a 24-hour police station in North Mackay, which will increase policing capabilities in the Mackay urban area. In addition to that, the community welcomes the formation of a 15-member elite police flying squad, which will be based in Mackay, to tackle crime hot spots such as drugs and other related issues across our district. With the Beattie government's policy of being tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime, we must ensure that we have adequate court facilities to deal with the case load as a result 296 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 of this policy. We must build new courthouses where there is demand for such a facility and refurbish and extend existing courthouses. During the term of this government, we will extend and refurbish the historic Mackay Court House at a cost of $11.4 million. The Mackay Court House was built in the 1930s under one of my predecessors, the then Premier of Queensland, William Forgan Smith. It is a heritage listed building and is quite a significant landmark in not only Mackay but also Queensland because of its architectural importance. The government will work with the Heritage Council to ensure that the architectural character of this beautiful building is retained. These are just some of the initiatives we announced in our plan for Mackay during the election campaign. Over the next three years we have the opportunity to turn this plan into reality. I am already involving myself in the challenges ahead. As I said earlier in my speech, what the people of Mackay want is positive policies for the future that produce jobs for our young people, care for our families and protect the environment. Education is the key to knowledge and the economic empowerment of people. We must ensure that there are jobs for our children. In regions like Mackay, it is a greater challenge to provide jobs and training for our younger people so that we do not have a drift from regional areas to the capital cities. Therefore, we must further develop the economic base to ensure that there are jobs for future generations. Since October last year, I have been working closely with a company called Adacel Software Technologies together with the Department of State Development, the Mackay campus of the Central Queensland University, secondary schools, both public and private, and the Mackay City Council to lure this technology company to Mackay. The company is headquartered in Melbourne and has been listed on the Stock Exchange for thirteen years. It is a grandfather in the IT world. The company supplies software solutions to industry, including defence, software engineering, transportation, telecommunications, commercial systems, multimedia and aerospace solutions. The company's intention is to initially employ 22 school leavers next year and build the work force from 22 to 220 in five years. It will also encourage mature-age students to apply for positions. It will provide hands-on training to its employees in software design. In addition, the employees will undertake a university degree which will be fully funded by the company. At the end of the traineeship, employees will graduate with a degree in software engineering. This is a great boost to Mackay's economy. It is diversifying the economic base. No doubt there will be opportunities for Adacel to work with the key sectors of industry such as sugar, mining and tourism and their support industries which drive the economy of Mackay. This is all about diversifying our economic base. Attracting a company like Adacel to Mackay will lead to further investment by other IT companies in the Mackay region, creating more jobs for our young people and therefore retaining our youth in the region. There is a lot more work to be done before the company is fully operational. I look forward to working with Adacel, the Department of State Development, the Mackay City Council and educational institutions to ensure that the infrastructure is in place for its commencement in the new year. Whilst Mackay has been successful in attracting an industry from the new economy, we must ensure that the industries that have already provided economic prosperity to Mackay survive well into the future by embracing the new economy. One industry that was at risk was Mackay Abattoirs, which is owned and operated by a subsidiary of Nippon Meat Packers Australia, Thomas Borthwicks. I have worked closely with management and the unions over the last 18 months to ensure that the plant in Mackay remains viable. Last week it was pleasing to see that the company started recruiting for the second shift, which will increase its production from about 700 head a day to about 1,300 head a day. This will create another 100 jobs in the meat processing industry and take employment from around 350 to 450 employees. The company has invested over $10 million in refurbishing the plant, but a number of environmental issues had to be addressed for the long-term viability of the plant. These environmental issues will be addressed in the coming term, and that will be a good outcome for the environment, for the economy and for the community of Mackay. To address these environmental issues we are working with the Mackay City Council, Borthwicks and the sugar industry on a water reuse program which will see the closure of the Mount Bassett Sewage Treatment Plant, which currently services the Mackay urban area, and redirecting effluent to the new Baker's Creek plant, which will be upgraded to a tertiary level of treatment. The effluent from Borthwicks will be treated at the plant and pumped into the Baker's Creek treatment plant. The result will be that effluent from the City of Mackay and Borthwicks treated at the Baker's Creek Sewage Treatment Plant can then be reused for irrigation of canefields in the Baker's Creek-Sandy Creek area. This area is one of the richest agricultural areas in the Mackay region, but with excessive water use in recent years there has been an 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 297 increase in salinity problems. Water reuse from the sewage treatment plant will assist in addressing the salinity problem. The sugar industry has a lot of issues and challenges to confront. I look forward to working with Canegrowers and Mackay Sugar over the next term to ensure that the sugar industry remains a viable export industry for the Mackay region, generating wealth and jobs for the Mackay community. Whilst Borthwicks and Adacel have been able to create new jobs in Mackay, sadly the Pauls milk processing factory in Mackay recently announced the closure of the processing facility with the resultant loss of 22 jobs. The reason Pauls gave for the closure was that milk volumes have decreased by 25 per cent since deregulation. I am currently working with the Department of State Development and a dairy farmer, Mr Scott Cousins, to look at ways of re- establishing a processing plant. Scott saw the challenges with deregulation and decided to cut his ties with Pauls and establish his own milk processing plant at his dairy at Colston Park near Sarina. Scott produces a high quality product called Sarina Fresh Milk. Currently, he is producing about 1,000 litres a day. However, demand far exceeds supply and he would like to increase production. The state is working with him to try to re-establish a processing plant in Mackay to supply the Mackay market. The Mackay city is currently going through a metamorphosis where the city heart has changed from retailing to commercial business. The remaining retailers are experiencing tough times. The city itself is located on the Pioneer River. There is a great opportunity for the city to turn itself around to face the river and start a CBD renewal project which will assist remaining retailers to further develop their business opportunities. I recently participated in a Vision for Mackay Workshop where the city heart revitalisation and the attractiveness of the river were key issues. I look forward to working with the mayor, Julie Boyd, to ensure that we are able to grasp the opportunity and turn the city around to face the river and become one of the great river cities of Queensland. The mayor and I have already had discussions about the possibility of building a boardwalk along the river with the cooperation of the council and state government through the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle program. If the council is successful with its application under this program, it will leave an everlasting beneficial landmark for the people of Mackay. There is another issue I want to comment on which was raised during the election campaign—that is, the Mackay port plan. I want to assure residents of Slade Point and Andergrove that under a Labor government any industrial projects of state significance must undergo an environmental impact assessment, including extensive public consultation, before they are approved. Any new developments like the proposed prilled sulfur storage terminal will only proceed if strict safety and environmental conditions are met. The Mackay Port Authority needs to work through these issues with the community to ensure that the community's concerns are addressed before any development can occur. I want to assure the people of Mackay that I will work for all of them in the years ahead, regardless of how they voted or who they supported in this election. We can often take democracy for granted. The challenge for this parliament is to restore people's faith in the political and democratic processes of government. Australia is the only democracy that was born out of the ballot box rather than through physical conflict, violence, revolution or war. This is something we should all cherish as Australians. As parliamentarians we need to set a good example so that we overcome the cynicism in the community towards these democratic institutions that have been established by our forebears. I congratulate all members of parliament, who have been elected to represent their community. In particular, I welcome the increased female representation in the House, especially the new female Labor members. I congratulate my good friend and neighbour the member for Whitsunday, Jan Jarratt, on her successful election. Jan worked extremely hard over the last 18 months, and she was rewarded for that hard work. She will make an excellent member for Whitsunday and will serve the people of Whitsunday with distinction. I look forward to working with Jan. Together we will be able to do a lot more for our region as part of the Beattie Labor government. I also thank the many booth workers who took time out of their busy lives and from their families to show their support in a most visible way by working for me on election day. I also thank my campaign team for its hard work, dedication and long hours in the months leading up to the election campaign and the campaign proper. I especially mention Wendy Clements, Greg Thompson, Lofty Cathcart, Tanya Gibbons, Christina Bailey, George Hasanakos, Eric Eastman, Gary Highland, Pat Noonan, Frank and Julie-Anne Gilbert, Julie-Anne's family and the Waters family for all the assistance they have given me. I appreciate the effort they put into getting me re-elected as part of the Beattie Labor government. I also thank my electorate 298 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 officers—Deanna Meredith, Pam Jaenke and Kerry Bonaventura—for all the hard work and effort they have put in over the last three years. Last but not least, I thank my mum and dad, my brother Martin and his wife, Helen, my brother Patrick and my sister, Catherine, and her husband, Trevor, for the support they have given to Erin and me. More importantly, I thank Erin, Declan and Liam for the love, patience and support they have given me throughout my term as the member for Mackay. As parliamentarians we put enormous pressures on our family lives. It is about getting the right balance between family, electorate and our role as legislators. Too often our families suffer because of our work. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): Order! Before I call the honourable member for Woodridge, I remind all honourable members that this is the member's first speech and I would ask members to extend to her the courtesies of this House. Mrs DESLEY SCOTT (Woodridge—ALP) (2.49 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, I congratulate you and ask you to convey my congratulations to Mr Speaker on your election to your high offices. I look around this House and observe great diversity in age, gender, experience and background. I cannot help but consider this to be a very healthy outcome for the parliament of Queensland. We are all here with a desire to see our state prosper and enhance the opportunities available to our citizens to work and enjoy ready access to all the services which we as a government would consider desirable. I stand here with a very deep sense of responsibility, having been asked to serve the people of the Woodridge electorate in such a capacity as this. I have over the past 16 years enjoyed my role as support to the member, and find this opportunity to play a more significant part in my community a great challenge. We live in a time of rapid change, and there are many people to whom these changes are a cause of bewilderment. With change comes challenges. Many have seen new technology or corporate restructure destroy their jobs. But along with the challenges there are opportunities. Many parents watch their youngsters develop skills which leave them far behind. Those skills can be the basis of new job opportunities. I represent a wonderful electorate with many contrasts. I have over the years made many friendships there. Although much of my time has been spent tethered to a desk, nonetheless I have shared in the sorrows, challenges and joys of many of my constituents. Some have become familiar voices on the phone, yet I may never have met them face to face. I now look forward to the opportunity to be out meeting people in their homes, working actively with community organisations, schools and departments and hoping that we as a community can continue building a bright future for our next generation. I wish to thank the people of Woodridge, which now encompasses, wholly or in part, the areas of Slacks Creek, Woodridge, Kingston, Logan Central, Marsden and Crestmead. Although the lead-in to this election was difficult and many constituents in my electorate expressed their sorrow at the loss of their new young member, Mike Kaiser, they still placed their trust in our government. I believe much of this trust was directed toward our Premier, Peter Beattie, who gave the voters in Woodridge the strong belief that he and his government had their best interests at heart. I thank the Premier for having faith in my ability to take on such a challenging task. To find myself a candidate just five weeks from a general election presented an almost mind- numbing challenge. I was so very fortunate to have the support of my family, local members in my branches, many regular constituents and friends. My campaign team accomplished in just a few short weeks what would under normal circumstances take many months. I received a great deal of advice and practical assistance from Milton Dick, Craig Emerson, Stewart Dalley, Michael Eborn, Don Wilkie, Bill Burton and my campaign director, Steve Lane. To my campaign office staff, Marilyn Murphy, Gladys Revelo and Kerry and Julie Wishart, along with their helpers: you took over the reins effortlessly and allowed me to get on with the campaigning. Colleen Callaghan and Julie Wishart took gentle care of our elderly residents who required an electoral visitor vote. To our pre-poll and polling booth workers, scrutineers, caterers and an army of branch members and supporters who carried out many tasks large and small: I thank each one of you. You kept the ship afloat, and my small team of advisers who met most mornings made sure the ship stayed on course, heading in the right direction. I am indeed very grateful to each one of you. My thanks also to Sandy Boyd, who has taken on the task of electorate officer. She brings a wealth of experience with her and an empathy which is so important in such a role. 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 299

At this time I would like to pause to pay special tribute to Barry Dodson, who passed away on 8 March. Barry and his wife, We-Woon, have been dear friends for many years, and it was Barry who came out to the railway station early in the morning to hand out election material and took me to meet friends who enjoyed political debate. He was a walking encyclopedia of humour, and we will miss his friendly, cheeky grin and his sharp wit. To my husband, Lee, and sons Glenn, Darren and Neil, along with my lovely daughter-in-law, Kym: you have all given so much moral support and encouragement. Without your love and support I would not have accepted this role. My parents, Keith and Caroline Plumb, who are in the gallery today, raised my brother David and me in the fair city of Toowoomba. My dad owned a radio and small appliance sales and service centre. TV was added many years later. For close to 40 years my dad served his customers with honesty and went way beyond the call of duty. When it came time for him to retire, he literally had to leave town. His customers were never going to leave him. Our home was always filled with friends, laughter and music. Mum is a great cook, and hospitality was synonymous with my family. This week my parents celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, and I thank them for raising us to believe in the importance of caring for others, placing people before material possessions, reaching out a hand to help someone in need and to value honesty, integrity, loyalty and hard work. To them I owe so much. My electorate lies within Logan City, right in the hub of the vibrant south-east corner of our state. It is well-placed, straddling our major highways linking Brisbane to the Gold Coast and the motorway to Ipswich and beyond. However, in many ways Logan City has struggled to define its own identity, often feeling squeezed between our more established and recognised neighbours of Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Logan City does not have a town centre as such. Rather, it has a series of shopping centre hubs and then the city administrative centre, which lies within my electorate. It is here that many state government regional offices have been located. These departments have served the region well. However, many of them have outgrown their office space and struggle to meet the increasing demands upon their staff. Although there are many constituents in my area with high needs, I can report today that there are many positive signs for the future, and my continued plea will be for more participation. The areas of Woodridge and Kingston have been most fortunate to be included in this government's Urban and Community Renewal Programs. Our Minister for Public Works and Minister for Housing, Robert Schwarten, has driven this program with a great deal of enthusiasm, and I am glad to see him continue in that portfolio. I highly commend this government for the vision and the funding which makes this possible, because it not only accomplishes a great deal with the renewal projects but, more importantly, empowers our community to take responsibility and to seek greater involvement in the future. The great strength of community renewal is that it is not merely community consultation, it is the government ceding real decision-making power to the local community. It is about trusting local communities to know what is best for them. My predecessor, Mike Kaiser, was largely responsible for ensuring that we had in place community reference groups which worked through the process of first identifying the problems and then sought practical solutions. Projects which are in various stages of implementation include the Gunya Meta Centre, a meeting place for our indigenous community which will provide recreational and sporting facilities, a workshop area, communal space and a community development worker. Our Aboriginal youth desperately need to discover their rich cultural heritage and feel proud of who they are. Other projects include the employment of a sport and recreational officer, a pilot tenancy support program and juvenile justice management, which will bring together a number of departments and agencies to work for the common goal of reducing youth crime, improving relationships and increasing school retention rates. Poor transport has long been identified as one of the great challenges. Logan has never had an east/west bus service, with the Pacific Highway acting as a giant barrier. Through community renewal, this problem is about to be rectified. A service will soon commence, linking Browns Plains via Woodridge to Springwood. We trust this service will attract regular commuters and will give greater employment opportunities throughout the city. Another innovative transport project will involve three 22-seater community buses traversing several suburban circuits to take residents to our shopping centres and other venues. Other projects which have been in evidence are major street plantings of trees and gardens, the beautification of many parks and, through the urban renewal process, the upgrade of many of our department dwellings. Many residents have expressed their delight in their new home 300 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 improvements, and opportunities for purchase have been taken up by a number of families. A further benefit gained from the housing upgrades has been the work provided under the Community Jobs Plan for young men from BoysTown-LinkUp who have been involved in the construction of new fencing. I wish to mention two other renewal projects. Firstly, Neighbourhood Watch—the Logan project—has greatly increased the participation level in our Neighbourhood Watch groups, and the benefits are not only the decrease in crime and the benefit of a regular forum where residents and police officers are able to exchange information, but also the additional community participation—neighbours reaching out to give a helping hand. Before I address other issues, I wish to mention the Station Road project, which will see funding in the order of $1.7m from state government, Logan City Council and Queensland Transport. This has been a long-awaited project and will see the revitalisation of the Woodridge Railway Station precinct. My electorate, with its many hundreds of public housing dwellings, is both a saviour to some—the wait time for a three-bedroom house is just several months—and a huge challenge to our government, which must provide services to meet the needs of residents. Many agencies and community groups have developed in the region to support the disabled, the abused, the aged, the young, the lonely and many of our diverse cultural groups. Volunteering is alive and well in Logan. Many of our long-time residents have given years of service to their community, and I highly commend them in this the Year of the Volunteer. They are the real heroes of our society. We see them at work in our hospital, the SES, ambulance committee, our community centres, Meals on Wheels, various ethnic support groups, scouting and guiding associations, church welfare groups, cultural and arts groups, sporting organisations, parents and citizens groups and, as previously mentioned, Neighbourhood Watch and our community renewal reference groups. Indeed, there are many in my electorate who give many hundreds of hours to their community every year. I salute them. Given the high density of public housing, one unfortunate by-product seems to be high unemployment. Although a certain percentage of residents may be on disability or age pensions, there are many who are either unemployed or underemployed. The casualisation of our work force has made it difficult for families or individuals to cope with the uncertainty and unpredictability of income. Many of those looking for work have little experience and qualifications, and many unskilled positions have now entirely disappeared. I believe the Premier's mantra of jobs, jobs, jobs must also be mine. I recognise that our local council is establishing a business incubation program. And just last week I visited the state development office in Springwood. This office is very focused towards assisting both new and existing businesses and has a very keen and dedicated staff with a high level of practical business skills. I was interested to hear of their business enterprise unit at the Woodridge State High School, where their 17 students last year learned to set up a company, run a business, manufacture items and set up sales outlets, and they turned in a profit. These students will have gained wonderful practical knowledge and will have a head start in the workplace. Principal Helen Jamieson is enthusiastic about the future, with the school soon to undergo a massive school renewal program, and this business enterprise focus will be greatly expanded. I would like to mention the amazing success of programs run by BoysTown-LinkUp under the leadership of Mr John Perry. Essentially an organisation set up to work with young offenders aged between 17 and 25, following the successful completion of work under the Community Jobs Plan many young men are now in full-time employment. Since my recent election I have been able to visit many of my schools, and I believe they are taking up the challenge to ensure that our youngsters leave school prepared to play an active role in our community. Our primary schools are achieving encouraging results in their literacy programs. I have witnessed bright, happy children in classrooms staffed by very dedicated teachers, with our principals showing a great deal of enthusiasm and hope for the future. I find our high schools running very diverse and innovative programs and focusing on preparing their students to meet a very demanding world. At Kingston College, they have taken a section of the high school for community access learning. There, students who have dropped out of school early are able to upgrade their results. There are also adult education classes in many fields. That centre has been possible due to the vision of Morag Richardson and the principal, Margaret McLean. I commend what they are accomplishing there with a minimum of resources and staff. Similarly, Woodridge and Mabel Park 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 301

State High Schools are both encouraging greater student retention rates by their practical approach and well-directed courses. Mabel Park State High School, with principal Roslyn Parkes, has a group of drama students preparing to travel to Greece in 2002 where, under the direction of drama teacher Alex Shemansky, they will perform the Greek classic Medea. A documentary film is planned for this epic journey. Our schools are giving our children wonderful opportunities. I am pleased to be able to report to this House that the level of crime in my electorate is on the decrease. Yes, we still have a good way to go. However, due to policing at the grassroots level and the high degree of community involvement, we are seeing an improvement. I commend the high level of community interest shown by our police, particularly Senior Sergeant Mike Pearson, the officer in charge at Logan Central, and district officer Superintendent Alex Erwin and Senior Sergeant Stephen Pyne, the officer in charge at Browns Plains. In conclusion, it is my desire to encourage greater participation by my constituents in the many worthwhile programs available in my electorate. Although Logan is a relatively young city, many of its residents have lived there for 20 to 25 years and are proud of their area. There is a great sense of community, and many of these residents play a very active role in the organisations that make up the network of support there. We need to encourage new businesses into the area and to make sure that existing businesses are able to grow and prosper. Our schools are inspiring but always in need of additional resources. The areas of Crestmead and Marsden, which have been included in the Woodridge electorate in the redistribution, require much support and the establishment of more community facilities. I have a passion to see greater emphasis placed on parenting and family support programs. Too many of our families are transient and finding life a battle. We need to offer them a hand up, not a handout. It would please me greatly to see members of our community who are doing okay reaching out to others who are struggling and offering them friendship and support. I wish to see a caring society where everyone is given a fair go. I pledge myself to serve my constituents well and to do all in my power to bring about improvements which will enhance living in the electorate of Woodridge. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): Order! Before I call the honourable member for Clayfield, I remind all honourable members that this will be the member's first speech in this parliament, and I ask honourable members to extend to her the courtesies of this House. Ms LIDDY CLARK (Clayfield—ALP) (3.10 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to dedicate this, my inaugural speech to the House, to the memory of Johnno Mulock. Johnno would have been 40 years old this year. I am aware that some honourable members might never have heard of him. Johnno was an actor, but he certainly was not a famous actor. He never got the big break, never won a Logie let alone an Oscar, never even had a regular gig in Home and Away or Neighbours, but Johnno was respected and admired by all who knew him. He was a total professional, a man who understood the meaning of commitment and perseverance. Like many of his peers, I looked up to him. Johnno grew up in a happy, political household. His father, Ron Mulock, was the Labor Deputy Premier of New South Wales during the Wran government—and I have no need to remind members of the successes Wran achieved with regard to women's welfare, child care, public housing and the much-needed services for migrant women. Perhaps that is why, when announcing my intention to put away my theatrical make-up box and enter the world of politics, Johnno raised his voice above the giggles and snorts to offer me his unbridled support. 'If anyone can do it, you can!', he said. 'Just remain committed to the cause and persevere, Liddy, persevere.' Johnno's words have sustained and supported me from that day to this—commitment and perseverance. How I wish he could be here to share this day. Johnno Mulock was a rare friend. He is truly missed. I miss his wisdom. When I was a working actor I was often interviewed by the press—we are talking TV Week here, not the Bulletin—and I was often teased by my mates for the predictable answer that I always gave to one of their stock questions. 'And what do you feel passionate about, Miss Clark?', a journalist would ask. 'Social justice,' I would reply, 'and Australian Rules football!' Since those heady days, many things have changed in my life, but not those two facts. I am still passionate about social justice and football, only now—with at least one passion—I stand a very good chance of kicking a goal. You see, Mr Deputy Speaker, I have never been a person to sit back and let life happen to me. Show business is a very tough call at the best of times, and I learnt early in my career to fight for what I thought was right and fair. My theatrical record—as an actor, director, casting consultant and vocal coach—proves my need to be totally involved in what I do. But right from the start of 302 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 my theatrical career, there was always another pull. While fellow actors sat backstage and talked about character development and costume fittings, I was usually found pondering the latest union issue. The politics of my profession were of great interest to me and when I decided to go on, shall we say, long service leave, I had the fortune and the privilege of being an adviser to the Arts Minister, the Honourable Matt Foley. Thank you, Matt, for that opportunity. To continue my education for greater things, I moved from arts adviser to industrial officer with the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance. Anthony Lennon, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity. It was a short but very sweet journey, and I learnt a great deal. I think that most people do not want to think of actors as being ordinary, hardworking and decent people, which they are in most cases. That kind of image breaks the illusion. The next time you watch the Logies, try to remember that quite a few of those glittering guests had to borrow money to be there. People are also stupidly fond of asking actors if they have a 'real' job. Believe me, many wish they did. There simply is not enough 'pretend' work to go around. The 'Do you have a real job?' question is one that never ceases to irritate me. Why is it that so many people think acting is nothing more than a hobby? Did you ever notice how people refer to the small handful of very famous, money-in-the-bank actors as lucky? That must mean that the rest of them are unlucky, and when you consider that 90 per cent of our well-trained professional actors are out of work at any given time, I guess they are. When I made my step into 'real' politics, I felt it was a natural progression. I had joined the Labor Party because of its principles, its philosophy, and I believe in the Labor Party philosophy more and more. I also believe in Peter Beattie's Labor government agenda for reform, for a strong and innovative education system and for a state economy built on the industries of the 21st century—a Smart State! I am just a hardworking girl on a mission—a woman who has been given the chance to make a difference in this troubled world and one who is willing to make sacrifices along the way in order to achieve those goals. I never expected to win the seat of Clayfield. No-one thought I would win it. Clayfield had sat snug as a bug in the conservative heartland for over a hundred years. Think about that. Over a hundred years! But although the election was an historic one, I would never lie to myself about why I won the seat. The point is I did, and I am aware of how important it is to prove myself worthy of the people's trust. I will do this by remembering the lessons I have learnt in the past, by being well prepared and well informed, by using my actor's skills as an active listener and by being accessible, by immersing myself in issues of concern—which, as it turns out, takes me out of the theatres and onto the race track. Clayfield is an interesting electorate. It has areas of wealth mixed in with areas of lesser advantage. People in Pinkenba are living in an industrial zone with the problems that proximity brings. However, the local school is still thriving after 126 years. Residents and businesses of Nundah and Wavell Heights are suffering the inconvenience of the cut and cover. The thing about Clayfield, though, is that they all come together at the racecourses and the Albion Park Paceway. The racing industry is a huge employer in the area and, in many ways, is the heart of the electorate. One of the most exciting industrial and trade development precincts in Australia, the Australia TradeCoast, is also in the electorate of Clayfield, located in and around the Brisbane Airport and the port of Brisbane. The Beattie government's aim is to establish this as a global logistics and manufacturing hub for the Asia-Pacific area. The electorate of Clayfield has been very well served by its returning officer for many years—including the two elections that I contested in 1998 and 2001. I would like to pay tribute to Mr Miflin and his staff. When I reflect upon the debt that we, as a community, owe to the Queensland Electoral Commission and to the thousands of workers who give us a fair and impartial electoral process, I am deeply grateful. This is something we tend to, but should never, take for granted. In the parliament and on the hustings we tend to be aware of those things that separate us as parties and individual politicians. These differences are, however, almost trivial when compared with the magnificent fact that we are here because the citizens of our state voted and their votes were fairly counted, and the even greater fact that, in three years, the citizens will vote again and their votes will again be fairly counted, and those of us who are deemed to have lost will take our 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 303 disappointments—pick up our bat and ball, if you like—and, accepting the result, go elsewhere, notwithstanding our keen awareness of our own use-by date! Although democracy may be something that we take for granted, we should never stop praising the people whose integrity makes it possible every three years. One has only to reflect upon those generals and dictators throughout history who have stopped at nothing to hold on to power to know what an extraordinary thing this is. I want to pay tribute to those workers from all parties who, as they hand out how-to-vote cards, engage in good-natured debate; who greet one another warmly each election; who, by scrutineering, also contribute to the integrity of the process; and who also accept the result on each occasion, with its associated joy or disappointment, with good heart. It would be remiss of me, with such a captive audience, not to acknowledge and extend my gratitude to the people who have supported me during the campaign. Barrister-at-law and campaign director extraordinaire, Mr Stephen Keim, and Denise, who welcomed me into their fabulous family with open arms and their humour and intelligence was a very special gift indeed. Cathy—with a 'C'—Kirkness, Jack Hill and their family also opened their hearts and home to me. They are wonderful people and deserve my heartfelt thanks. Hi Anne Louise! A zillion thanks to the team, to the branch members, to Young Labor and to the volunteers. I would also like to pay homage to the custodians of the land where the electorate of Clayfield sits. A huge thankyou to Maureen, Lila, Eunice and April. They held a cleansing fire ceremony at the Clayfield electorate office and I felt—and I still feel—hugely humbled and honoured by the ritual! It certainly was an evening of balance and celebration. To my mum and dad, who probably thought an Oscar would have been more achievable than my standing here today as a member of the Queensland parliament, thank you for your constant love and support. Dad is here today. Unfortunately, my mother could not make it; she is in Sydney undergoing a medical procedure. My sister and brother-in-law are in country Victoria and my brother is somewhere running around running Queensland Tourism. To my adorable cousin Kevin from Sydney and John Woden, who are with the rest of my friends in the gallery—howdy—you all know how important your friendship and love is to me. To my mates south of the border, if anyone asks you if you have ever worked with me—that is after they ask you if you have a real job, of course—tell them that you have met me a few times and that I was quite boring. To Miss Jane, the Clayfield electorate officer, who is also in the gallery today—Jane and I have embarked upon this new journey together and it is fantastic that she is here; her father is almost at peace at Mount Olivet at the moment and she has taken time to come from his bedside to be here today, and Jane, that is fantastic—I adore you; I love you; thank you. I would also like to acknowledge those who have gone before me—the men and women who over the decades have made a commitment to stand in Clayfield. Mention must be made of Brian Sams and Jim Keim and their families who have been tireless supporters of the Labor for Clayfield push, the Labor Party and the fundamental democratic process. Finally, I would like to thank the voters. I will do my best not to disappoint you. As the elected representative for the people of Clayfield and beyond, I will be their conduit to the policy makers. I will uphold the debate and, as a parliamentarian, I will be able to put into practice the Labor tenet of supporting all peoples for social justice and a fair Queensland. Years ago when I lived in Sydney, my actor friends and I used to say that if we were ever down and out, we would move to Queensland, go on the dole and sleep on the beach. It actually made good sense, for you would not want to be down and out in a Melbourne winter. Queensland, as we all know, is beautiful one day and perfect the next. We all thought ourselves very amusing at the time, but there is a thin sliver of fate between a good joke and a bad break. Homelessness, as you know, is no laughing matter. It is a complex problem that all too easily affects people of all ages. I and many other women in the parliament today owe a debt of gratitude that these issues were put on the agenda some 26 years ago. In 1975 Gough Whitlam introduced a homeless persons assistance program to the nation. It ran into trouble as it had not been set up to encompass the needs of women who suffered from domestic violence. Then along comes Queenslander Barbara Wertheim, a feminist involved in the setting up of the Brisbane Women's Centre. Her advice on the best way to establish much-needed women's refuges proved invaluable. 1975—a year when our nation's severe shortage of women in political positions stood out like flared trousers; a year like this year, in effect. Barbara Wertheim was a feminist, not a politician, yet she travelled to Canberra on a regular basis after becoming a member of the 304 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001

International Women's Year secretariat and climbed the stairs over a suburban Chinese takeaway to get to their little headquarters. The year 1975 was a challenging and difficult year for Australian women. It was also International Women's Year, and Gough Whitlam hoped to change attitudes and lessen the areas of discrimination by asking his ministers and Premiers to prepare programs that would help improve the status of women in Australia. But Gough Whitlam's International Women's Year aroused the anger of the press. His top female adviser was advised to 'stand still for a moment and stop wobbling under that T-shirt'. On 1 January the Age newspaper ran a headline that screamed 'Two million dollars for the sheilas'. Underneath this banner in smaller letters were the words, 'Surprisingly, it's not a joke!' The Sunday Telegraph called International Women's Year 'the year of the bird'. Another paper referred to it as the 'big yak-yak', and on subsequent days and weeks and months Gough Whitlam was repeatedly condemned for being wasteful and incompetent. His adviser on women's affairs, Elizabeth Reid, was simply persecuted. 1975—26 short years ago. Recently, I was not surprised to read that during the seventies women involved in the women's movement were more likely to vote Labor than Liberal. Did you know that if we gathered all the world's government ministers in one place, only seven per cent of them would be women and that most of that number would be employed in the social areas of government? Men dominate the areas of finance and decision making—they always have in this country—but in Vietnam a quarter of the seats are occupied by women. Real change is either extremely slow or terrifyingly fast, as shown by the recent state election and the 40 per cent of women who now make up the Labor caucus. As a member of Emily's List, I have worked hard to support women into parliament in Australia, but I do not consider my role to solely campaign for more women in parliament. Although it is a subject I support wholeheartedly—as I have always said, 'A woman's place is in the House!'—I am here to present my position, to promise my commitment to my government and my constituents. As loyal as I am to the sisterhood, I want to make clear my intention of watching over the women and men voters in my area, because only by working together can we successfully build a better community. I would also like to involve the youth of Clayfield, give them a sense of pride about who they are and how much they can improve their environment by taking an interest in where they live. We all want a happy and secure future, but as any good actor will tell you, to achieve that one needs a well-researched rehearsal period. And what about the fun times? There is always Aussie Rules football, of course. Have I transferred my allegiance to the Brisbane Lions? Maybe, maybe not, but I sing— We are the pride of Brisbane town We wear the maroon, blue and gold. Maybe it will depend on whether or not they win the flag. You see, I am on a winning streak myself. My precious free time had better be interesting. Mr Deputy Speaker, thank you for the time given to me today. I am privileged and honoured to be a member of the class of 2001 in this, the sitting of the 50th Queensland Parliament. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): Order! Before I call the honourable member for Lockyer, I would remind all honourable members that this is the member for Lockyer's first speech in this House and, accordingly, I would ask you to extend the courtesies of the House to the honourable member. Mr FLYNN (Lockyer—ONP) (3.26 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, before I launch into my first speech, there are two matters for me to address. Firstly, at the risk of merely echoing the words of those before me, may I pass on my congratulations to the Speaker on his election to such a high and responsible office. Pauline Hanson's One Nation team is acutely aware of the difficult and often controversial nature of matters that face the Speaker. It is most important for his office to not only do the right thing but also be seen to do it. We feel sure that the Speaker will continue along his already demonstrated path of competence and integrity, and we wish him well in his new term of office. At this point I am reminded of a time, about 26 years ago, when I stepped into a court witness box as a police officer for the first time. The difference now, of course, is that instead of facing one judge, I now potentially face 88. One Nation has been vilified in many ways under many guises. However, what our assailants appear to forget is that whether we do or do not make any procedural mistakes, it is not upon these which we are judged. Indeed, if this were the case, there are others in this place who I believe would have been in dire straits. We are judged upon 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 305 our translation of the pain of the people, the things they really want to say but dare not say for fear of reprisal. My first speech—for me as for hundreds of others who have entered this place before—is a matter of great importance. It will, I hope, demonstrate that I have a depth of feeling for the citizens of not only Queensland but also of our great country, Australia, in its entirety. It will also be for me a realisation of what a great honour it is to serve this state in this magnificent place. I believe—in fact, I know—that all of those who embark upon their life of public service here do so filled with the magnitude of the task upon which they embark, driven also by the very best of intentions knowing that they are going to fix the state, the country and, with a bit of good fortune, the world to boot. Deep down we know that this is not reality; nonetheless, we sometimes move forward in the pursuit of our visions of Utopia without pausing for a moment to check our bearings, and frequently we miss the target. I hope that I am able to express Pauline Hanson's One Nation vision of free and equal treatment for all Australians, accepting equal rights and equal responsibilities. We must recognise that our people are our most valuable resource. We must strengthen the roots of their existence by reinforcing traditional family values. Let us not be blinded by academic nonsense about how if it feels good then do it. For too long now have we trodden the path of no values because values discriminate. Discrimination is okay. It is a valuable tool that allows society to judge between what it wants and what it does not want. To ban discrimination is a folly. Simply saying I cannot say what I am saying is discrimination. Many of the ills of society might well be solved by the simple application of discrimination, that is, society policing itself and the use of peer pressure without the need for legislation. This is so often open to misinterpretation. We tend to forget, in our haste to simplify legal terminology, that in doing so we make the law more difficult to interpret. I feel we need our political values and principles to be shared by the people we are supposed to represent. I believe all Australians have a deep concern about education, health, unemployment, crime, rural issues, the environment and general issues created, it seems, by political correctness. I feel that the citizens of Queensland are no different from any other Australians in their desire to shift our concerns from the rights of the accused to those of the victim, whilst recognising the undisputed right of the accused to a fair hearing. We must continue along the path highlighted by another wiser state which recently introduced legislation increasing the rights of property residents and shopkeepers in connection with the protection of life and property, essentially amending the term 'use reasonable force to defend one's property' by removing the word 'reasonable'. What is reasonable? In Queensland it devolves down to what the ordinary person in the street thinks. What it also boils down to is that if you break the law you should not expect reasonable treatment. If you do not like the treatment you receive, do not commit the crime. In the short time allotted to me it is not possible to address the many issues that concern the large number of people who feel that we in One Nation have something to contribute to the debate in this place. However, I will be brief in covering the basics of just a few of the issues. One Nation feels very strongly in the areas of policing and law and order. We need to place more practical emphasis upon the practice of community policing, which has been much heralded along with problem oriented policing and several other catchcries of the year. Community policing is not a new concept—it has been around since Adam was a boy—but it has been manipulated by some with interests other than the cause of justice. You cannot claim to be returning policing to the community whilst at the same time indulging in the anti-community practice of clustering police stations. That may be a cost-saving exercise but it does little if anything to foster community involvement with local police. Clustering is efficient, perhaps, but not effective. We rely upon the judgment of those with little contact with people of recent practical experience. In the main, advisory groups seem to be made up of office workers and other inexperienced but apparently qualified persons. When we ask the opinion of police, our replies frequently come from those who stand subjected to great, unseen pressure to reply as expected. If you want to find out how an assault victim feels, ask the victim, not the doctor. Whilst our penalties must allow for some discretion in their application, we must nonetheless ensure that when a penalty of 10 years is passed, 10 years is served. That is truth in sentencing. Good behaviour might be rewarded with special privileges rather than early release. We do not want bitter in one end, and bitter out the other. 306 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001

Whilst we accept the need to be vigilant for cases of abuse, we must be careful that we do not spare the rod to spoil the child. I know that many here would abhor the use of any physical force during the application of discipline, particularly when applied to children. However, physical discipline can and has been applied with love and justice without crossing the line that borders abuse. I consider that line similar to that which presently divides reasonable and unreasonable force when used in conjunction with self-defence. Not all violence is bad. At the end of the day, if parents are to be held responsible for their children's actions, then they must have the means at their disposal quite literally to enforce their will. Parents or primary care givers—and I refer to persons in school authority—must have true authority returned to them. Regarding health issues, we feel that the emphasis should be on self-reliance. One Nation would support stronger moves towards user pays where this is practical. At the same time, we acknowledge the necessity for a safety net for the security of those less fortunate. We must never lose sight of the fact that health care does not stop on the outskirts of Brisbane. Strong incentives must be offered to health workers to move out to the bush to ensure the provision of equal standards of health care in rural areas. We believe that nursing training should be returned to hospitals, ensuring that qualified members of the profession do not hit the bedside armed with their degrees and good intentions but no patient contact experience. Hospitals are better run along community lines, with close scrutiny on the word 'community'. We have an enormous bureaucracy in hospitals and in health generally where, indirectly, in some cases health decisions are made by lay people—not bad people but lay people nonetheless. Administrative and support staff can almost out reach medical staff. Aged health care is a matter of particular concern. The Chinese, and Asians in general, revere their elderly. We tend to treat them as inconvenient and would rather house them in retirement villages or nursing homes than dare upset the daily balance of our social lives. I rather fancy that this is replicated to some extent in the provision of care, whether in the community or within the institutions of hospitals—the same applies. Aged health care requires particular skills that few of us possess. Specialist skills cost money which we find difficult to allocate in the appropriate areas. To further the aims of self-reliance, One Nation fosters the hope that, where appropriate, funding might be increased for community programs such as Meals on Wheels, home help, community transport, community development, respite care and therapy, and many others. I have had the privilege to serve in some of those community organisations in the Beaudesert area in the past three years. With government support and a very liberal dose of volunteer services, it would considerably ease the eventual burden on taxpayers if those services were encouraged to flourish. A problem in this area is that, even when taking into account the duty of care, we must ensure that we do not encumber volunteers with too many regulations and too much red tape, rendering volunteer tasks so difficult that we end up with no services at all. Small business is the major employer and it is dying. Why? I believe that to a large degree the responsibility lies with our overwhelming affair with big business, particularly multinational companies that swallow up ordinary people in ordinary small businesses, taking the lion's share of their profits overseas. Do federal and state governments really believe that we govern? The reality is that money talks and the multinational companies have more of it than we do. One Nation quite obviously acknowledges the need for international trade, but we must offer primary advantages to our own or we have no right to be here. Monopolies, it seems, are loosely watched, and by fair means or foul the big boys run the show. We must protect Australian businesses offering incentives for the development of new ideas and technology instead of forcing companies to go offshore. We glibly talk of buying Australian, but in reality it is hard to do so. We think that a way of supporting small business and solving at least part of the unemployment problem might be to encourage the hiring of youth as apprentices with large government subsidies of perhaps 75 per cent in the first year, 50 per cent in year 2, reducing to 25 per cent in year 3. We need to look at long-term job prospects—not merely the juggling of figures, particularly on a seasonal basis, and the creation of much vaunted training courses, which in reality do not translate into jobs at the end; they just take people off the dole queue. Although it places additional burdens upon business, at this point I must acknowledge the efforts of government and the unions in achieving full-time status for people who would otherwise have been badly treated as contractors. 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 307

Education has been exploited by fad educationalists. There has been far too much government interference in an education system that has served us very well thus far. We seem to tinker with what works. I say: if it works, don't fix it. There are far too many courses at tertiary level of doubtful value—provided, to a large extent, at taxpayers' expense—and these contribute little to society. We must also recognise that learning starts at home. Children should understand basics before starting school. Incentives might be offered, wherever possible—and, of course, there are always exceptions to the rule—for a parent or a primary care giver to stay at home during the formative years before school, assisting to create the strong foundations necessary to a child's future education. With further reference to our children, I have no doubt whatsoever that again, whilst there are always exceptions to every rule, our children are spending an unacceptable amount of time in alternative care, which in many cases is at taxpayers' expense through government subsidy. If you have children, as a general rule you should pay for them. We have children in care for sometimes 65 hours a week. Why have them? Rural matters are a huge issue, but it is clear that whatever we are doing, it is either not enough, or it is wrong, or both. We cannot eat information technology and we cannot solve our problems by relying upon imports. We must encourage a strong comeback in the rural sector by, in some cases, regulation, or, in the case of the dairy industry, perhaps re-regulation, in order to achieve a viable balance between country and city. Water supply, transport and communication problems threaten the very fabric of our rural communities. The very idea that people should be taxed for collecting water from the sky makes one think that sometime in the not-too-distant future the bean counters might apply some user pays formula to the very air we breathe. Cities cannot absorb all the rural fall-out. We must help now. I believe that farmers do recognise the need for conservation, but in this regard we have used a sledgehammer to crack a nut when we impose such fierce restrictions on the use of freehold land via the much-hated Vegetation Management Act. They do not want to degrade their land through mismanagement, and most would understand that farming methods change with time. We must help the farmers, not whip them. When I originally asked for how long I was permitted to speak the first time, I was somewhat concerned with the reply. Of course, 20 minutes would never be enough to address the ills of the state. Perhaps I might start to wind up by saying that One Nation is driven, in my opinion, by honest, if not old-fashioned, values. These values have not lost their worth simply through the passage of time. We ask to be regarded as patriots, even if most in this place would not agree with how we demonstrate that. I take this opportunity to thank a number of people who have helped in my campaign. To the volunteer workers who manned the booths, folded and delivered flyers I say thankyou, and most especially to Lynn and Harold Schultz. I arrived on their doorstep quite unknown, and they extended the hand of help and friendship to me. To the volunteer workers manning the phones, I say thankyou: your patience was a winner. To Pauline Hanson, I say: I thank you, Pauline. I am happy to share the tasks ahead. Like most here, I would not have had the energy or even perhaps the will to continue to the end without the support of my darling wife of almost three decades, Maggie, who encouraged my ambition to serve the public beyond the Police Service, which I now hope to do even in some small way in this place. To Maggie I extend my thanks and again pledge my unswerving love. From the bottom of my heart I thank the people of Lockyer, who had sufficient faith in One Nation to return another member. I will try my best not to let you down. I cannot pass on this opportunity to thank some government members, particularly the honourable member for Stafford, Mr Terry Sullivan, and the staff of this place, who have unstintingly helped new members from whichever party as well as the new Independents to settle in. My life in the service has prepared me well with a fervent desire to further the course of justice. It gave me some insight into judging character and the ability to engage people with the will to confide and ask for help. Despite some disagreements with the modern face of policing, I will miss the life of assisting people at the coalface and making decisions on the spot which are cheerfully criticised months later with the benefit of hindsight. My son decided to ignore the grumbling complaints of his father, graduating from the New South Wales Police Academy just a few short months ago. I am very proud of his decision to continue serving the cause of justice. Despite my misgivings about child care, my daughter nonetheless has achieved her ambition and 308 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 is about to qualify in that area. I congratulate her on persevering when, like her father, qualifications did not come easily. The Queensland Police Service is chock full of young, eager people champing at the bit to take over from the previous generation. For as long as they are here, the service and, ultimately, the public will be in caring hands. May I take this opportunity of congratulating the present officer in charge of the Beaudesert Police Station, Sergeant Bill Sheehan, on his outstanding achievements in moulding a team of young officers who have been responsible for one of the best clear-up rates in south-east Queensland and, to boot, has earned not only the respect of his officers but also—and this is the jewel in his crown—the respect of the residents of the Beaudesert division. Finally, I need to say that when I was a boy patriotism was something to be proud of, not something to be whispered about and despised. The internationalists would have us believe that there is something vaguely racist about national pride and that we must look to the bigger picture and not be isolationist. Let us be proud that we really have a great people of all races and religions. Let us look to our own backyard, ensuring that this is where we want our children and grandchildren to grow up. Let us once more teach our youth that it is good to be proud of our nation and to believe that it is better than anywhere else in the world, not on racial grounds but because we have the ability to recreate our once great way of life, which we will defend against all comers. We must look to our families. We must look to our work. We must look to our flag. We must face the people and say, 'We love the world, but this is our nation—One Nation.' Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): Order! Before I call the honourable member for Burleigh, I remind all honourable members that this is the member for Burleigh's first speech in this House. I ask you all to extend the usual courtesies to her. Mrs SMITH (Burleigh—ALP) (3.47 p.m.): Since the earliest Queensland elections, conducted over 140 years ago, the people of what is now the electorate of Burleigh have never been represented by a member of the Australian Labor Party. It is therefore with a great deal of pride and satisfaction that I deliver my first speech in this House as the very first Labor member for Burleigh. I can hope only that it takes at least another 140 years for this situation to change. I believe my success in this election is testament to the strength of Premier Beattie's leadership and the acknowledgment by the voters of Burleigh that Labor offers stable and accountable government. I am aware of the responsibilities inherent in my position and will undertake to discharge them faithfully. I look forward to being a part of the momentous occasion of this 50th Parliament in the year of the Centenary of Federation. I would like to acknowledge the Kombumerri people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the electorate of Burleigh is based. We live in a country of many families and I am proud to represent both indigenous and non-indigenous members. My journey to this point in life has not always been smooth but it has helped shape my view of social justice. As a child, I grew up in a single parent family from the age of four. This was during an era in which there was no financial assistance for single parents. My mother, Val Tucker, worked to feed and keep a roof over the head of my younger sister, Vicki, and me. She took employment as a cleaner. In those days, that was the only type of work she could find where she could take her children with her. There certainly were no child-care facilities available. We survived without any of the support structures that are now in place because of her courage and determination. I thank my mother for providing a loving and stable environment during my childhood. It was only later in life that I realised how difficult it was and what an exceptional person she is. As I grew to adulthood and became more aware of the hardships many women faced, my interest in the Labor Party was heightened because it seemed to me to be the only party with a social conscience. I would not be in this place today without the love and support of Robert, my husband of 33 years, who is in the public gallery today. Although Robert is of a generation where husbands do not always understand their spouse's desire to follow a career path outside of the family home, he has always supported my interest in politics, encouraged me to expand my horizons and allowed me the freedom to pursue my ambitions. Robert is the owner of a small business. Despite the demands of his own career, he has been willing to take on a fair share of the household tasks. He is a genius at washing and cooking, although his ironing skills leave something to be desired. My sister, Vicki, has been a constant source of love and support throughout the whole of my life, and I thank her for that. 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 309

I also want to mention my two sons, Justin and Stuart, whom I consider to be my finest achievements. Although they have chosen different paths, I am proud of the fine young men they have become. I thank them for accepting a mother who often followed her dreams even though they may not have understood them at the time. I hope I can contribute to their lives in a positive way now that they are starting their own families. To their partners, Mehi and Tamara, whom I love as if they were my own daughters, I say: thank you for your encouragement. From watching my sons I am constantly aware of the challenges they face in supporting their families, and I know I can bring this knowledge to the discussion table. I want to share an overview of the electorate of Burleigh with the House. However, I will not go into a detailed account of the region and its history because I know that my respected predecessor treated this House to a very thorough account only a few short years ago. The electorate of Burleigh is one of the smallest geographically but has the highest number of enrolled voters in the state. Burleigh stretches from Mermaid Beach in the north to Palm Beach in the south, taking in Miami, Andrews, Stephens, Burleigh Waters, Burleigh Heads and a small part of the newest section of Robina. Burleigh itself is an interesting mix of the beach and the bush, the old and the new, the affluent and those less well off, the young and the elderly. Although covering only 12.5 kilometres of coastline, the electorate is well serviced by seven surf-lifesaving clubs. As with much of the Gold Coast, Burleigh's lifesaving clubs have a long and rich history and make a significant contribution to the community and the lifestyle of the region. With the importance of tourism to the livelihood of the people of Burleigh, I acknowledge the wonderful work done by the many lifesavers in protecting interstate and overseas visitors as well as our own locals. However, beaches are not our only asset. We are blessed with many protected natural areas, such as Burleigh Heads National Park, Fleays Wildlife Park, Tallebudgera Creek and the Burleigh knoll conservation parks. These parks provide not only protection of our environment but also education services as well as beautiful walking trails which entice many visitors each year. Many parts of Burleigh still retain their natural beauty whilst new developments are closely monitored to ensure that they enhance rather than dominate that beauty. I have had many discussions with local community groups on this issue and know that this is as important to them as it is to this government. I will continue to work with them to ensure that outcomes are informed and in the best interests of the wider community. Burleigh residents have a broad range of needs—from the reportedly top two streets in Queensland in terms of property prices to the laid- back qualities of a family-oriented holiday spot. The community groups that serve them reflect these varying needs. The strength in these groups is in their commitment to a broad range of topics. They provide a good forum for such issues to be brought to the attention of the government. In this the International Year of the Volunteer it is reassuring that so many people are prepared to give their time for no financial reward. I am able to say that Burleigh has a proud record of community service, and I pledge to assist them in their work. Although it had been generally accepted that older people were the largest population group of the electorate, census figures now show that a significant proportion is under the age of 30. As this is Youth Week, I make it clear that together with the Beattie government I am committed to recognising the contribution our young people make to our community. This government believes the best way to tackle the increasing challenges facing young Queenslanders is to provide them with real employment opportunities, support youth arts and increase the participation of young people in the political process. One area of concern to me relates to the needs of early school leavers. Research has shown that young people in this group have the greatest difficulty in securing employment and are more likely to become long-term unemployed than are most other groups. There are programs already in place implemented by the Beattie government which assist young unemployed early school leavers with intensive and specialised employment and training assistance. I will work with employers and young people in order to help them access this resource. To also aid in tackling this situation, an alternative schooling program is currently being trialled by school principals of the Gold Coast South district. Students who have experienced difficulty coping with mainstream schooling will learn social skills and the work ethic needed to contribute to the community. I will continue to monitor the outcomes of this program with great interest. Our young people are the leaders of tomorrow. Their enthusiasm for life and what it brings and their concern for others less fortunate than themselves, for the environment and for the future gives me confidence that our great country will be in good hands when I am frail and 310 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 aged—quite some time from now, of course. It is vital that we nurture our youth and provide strong and positive role models. My grandson, Jordan, is only 15 months old. I hope that when he is a young man he finds a world of peace and tolerance, employment and prosperity, a world where concern for our fellow human beings is a priority and not just lip-service. As with all of the Gold Coast, Burleigh's viability relies largely on tourism. Consequently, there are many small businesses in the electorate. Further to this, small business and light industry are, in their own right, a major force in the employment sector. I am quickly becoming educated about the particular issues faced by small business in Burleigh, specifically the challenges faced since the introduction of the GST. I am aware that many of these businesspeople voted Labor for the first time in the expectation that the government will continue to support them. I hope to be able to justify the faith that they have placed in me and the Labor government. I am determined to assist and promote small business in the region wherever possible. As the population rapidly expands in our area, public resources will need to be reassessed and developed to service the requirements of the larger community. We already have the new Varsity Lakes College which, although not located in the Burleigh electorate, has its catchment area of students largely drawn from the electorate. This school demonstrates the commitment of this government both to quality state schooling and to addressing the needs of the growing population in the area. Figures predict that by the year 2005 the population will have grown by many thousands more. This is already being reflected in the growth of the building industry in the Stephens, Andrews and Robina areas, where many new homes are currently being built. I anticipate that my task in this term of government will be to ensure that adequate resources are available to service the Burleigh community. The issues which concern the people of Burleigh and which impact on their lives are as diverse and as intriguing as the people themselves. The wide range of natural resources, the importance of business and the strength of community groups are just some of the facets of this fascinating region. I am on a steep learning curve and expect to continue learning more and more about the electorate, which I am so proud to represent. Finally, I could not have made it this far without the support and encouragement of the members of the Burleigh branch of the Australian Labor Party. They have been there in good times and bad, stuffing envelopes, doing letterbox drops, selling raffle tickets, handing out pamphlets on polling day—many of them for the whole day—and anything else that was asked of them. While they are too numerous to mention personally, I want to specifically thank Mark Whillans and Norm Reidy for their unwavering belief in me. When the going got tough, as it sometimes did, they were always there. I also want to thank my campaign manager, Liz Pommer, whose energy was boundless and her commitment unwavering. I express my gratitude to my former work colleagues at the Centrelink office in Southport. Although of many different political persuasions, they were united in their support of me. For that I feel very special. I realise that my win in Burleigh in this instance was mostly thanks to a strong and positive campaign headed by Peter Beattie. In three years time, however, I will face the polls again and hope that, because of my hard work and commitment to the people of the Burleigh electorate, I will win the seat in my own right, with an increased margin. I thank my parliamentary colleagues for their understanding and support as I undertake my new duties. There is a saying that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but I hope to prove that wrong. When I leave the parliament, I hope I will be remembered as someone who listened to her constituents, achieved outcomes in line with their expectations and in some small way made the world a better place for all. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): Before I call the honourable member for Southport, I remind all honourable members that this is the member's first speech in this parliament and I ask members to extend the courtesies of the House to him. Mr LAWLOR (Southport—ALP) (4.01 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, could you pass on my congratulations to the Speaker on his election to the high office of Speaker of the 50th Queensland Parliament. I also extend my best wishes to the previous member for Southport, Mick Veivers, and his wife, Betty. I wish Mick a long and happy retirement. It gives me great pleasure to make my maiden speech this afternoon. In doing so I am filled with a sense of humility, achievement and satisfaction that I have finally been elected to represent the people of Southport. At the outset I acknowledge the Kombumerri people, the traditional owners of the Southport area. Southport has never been represented by the ALP, so it was quite a leap of faith for the voters to place their trust in me. I can assure them that that trust has not been misplaced. 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 311

This is the fourth time I have stood as the ALP's candidate for Southport, so it has been a long and arduous campaign—I had hair at the beginning—but the foundations for this victory were laid well before I began my quest to win Southport. There are many true believers who worked, prayed and dared to hope for a Labor victory in Southport for over 50 years, and they include my mother and father, Mary and Jim. I am the eldest of five boys, and I have vivid memories of all of us handing out how-to-vote cards for the ALP at various polling booths in the fifties and sixties. It was very unfashionable to be a Labor supporter in Southport in those days, but those experiences gave me a lifelong interest in politics and in social justice, which I believe can best be achieved through the Labor Party. Although Labor politics were not popular, we were happy to be identified as a Labor family and to involve ourselves in charitable and community affairs and issues. I particularly remember the SEQEB strike in the mid-80s, which scarred and in fact destroyed many Queensland families, and I am happy to say that many of those sacked workers remain my friends to this day. I am only sorry that I could not give them more assistance. What a difference half a century makes. At the recent election we obtained over 60 per cent of the two-party preferred vote. I thank each and every one of those voters, many of whom voted Labor for first time. As I said to a friend who admitted to me that he had voted Labor for the first time, 'If you do it often enough, you will get to like it. It could even become habit forming.' I will be working day and night to ensure that the voters of Southport become addicted to voting Labor. There are many people to thank for getting me to this place—of course, my mother and father particularly. Unfortunately, mum passed away several months ago, before the election. She would be so proud and pleased with the result. She worked hard for many years and dared to dream about a victory for all those years. She knew that she was dying, and about two weeks before she died she said to me that she hoped she was going somewhere where she could do me some good. I am sure she has. She certainly deserved this victory. My three children, Ali, Jane and Phil, are the most important people in my life—always encouraging, enthusiastic, willing to work and ever ready to bring me back to earth with a friendly piece of advice or a humorous comment whenever they consider I am taking myself a little too seriously. Ali is a journalist, is presently working in Hong Kong and is known to many members as she worked for several years with the Courier-Mail in Brisbane and in Townsville. One member said to me the other day that she did not think journos were human until she met Ali. That is probably taking it a bit far, but she is certainly a caring, competent, conscientious and happy young lady who has the ability to make everyone around her happy. She came home from Hong Kong for three days, just so she could be involved on election day. Having been heavily involved in previous campaigns, she was not going to risk missing out on a victory party. Jane has been living and working in London for over three years but decided to return home at Christmas to run my campaign office. She knew that this was the last roll of the dice for me, and she threw herself into the campaign. Many days for her began at 4 a.m. with letterboxing and ended at midnight after folding letters or doing similar tasks. I am sure that she would have appreciated a day or even a few hours off, but she would not ask and kept going right up to the completion of scrutineering on election night. Phillip has lived in London for four years but came home for three weeks to work on the campaign. It was great to have him home. Ali says that Phil is my best audience. Not only does he love sixties music; he laughs uproariously at my sixties jokes and sayings. When he arrived home and complained of jet lag I said that I had a cure—a day of letterboxing starting at 4 a.m. the next day. He worked with great enthusiasm. I did not hear another word about the jet lag, so I believe I have discovered a cure. Having the three children home for the victory was priceless, especially given the disappointment of the previous elections. They were quite bewildered and could not really understand that all the effort was unrewarded. They could not understand how anyone could vote against their father, I think, which is blind faith if ever there was such a thing. But from them I got the inspiration and determination. They are what kept me going. Ali was born in Durban in South Africa, where we lived for three years, was educated on the Gold Coast and in Toowoomba and Canberra, and is now living and working in Hong Kong. Jane was born in Brisbane and was educated on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, and has lived and worked in London. Phil was born in Brisbane and was educated on the Gold Coast and in 312 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001

Brisbane, and is now living and working in London. They are citizens of the world, and I am so proud of them. My brothers Patrick, Brian and Gerard and Brian's wife, Simina, have been willing workers and supporters on each campaign. I thank them, as I do the many volunteers and branch members who assisted in a variety of ways, before and on election day and in previous elections. They are too numerous to mention individually, but Terry Callaghan, my campaign manager, deserves my special thanks for his support both prior to and since the election. My special thanks must go to Lindsay Jones and his wife, Norma, who have encouraged me and worked so tirelessly to win Southport over so many years. Thanks go also to Di Farmer and Peter Shooter from the party office—indeed, all the staff from the party office, especially Cameron Milner, who conducted such a brilliant campaign. Partners of Gall Standfield & Smith—Lester Gall, Dennis Standfield and John Smith—were ever tolerant of my absences from the office on campaign duties and, more importantly, are such great friends. Kathy Standard and Victoria Chatterjee were a great help to Jane in the campaign office. Of course, the person the whole 65 members must thank is our leader, Peter Beattie. He is certainly a man of steel. A lesser man would have been disheartened and destroyed by the events of the last six months, but not Peter Beattie. He was convinced, as many of us were, that honesty and hard work would win out, and he governed and campaigned on that basis. The people of Queensland had a chance to assess the Beattie style of government during the first term, and they liked what they saw. They were able to see through the coalition's negative campaign and identify the coalition as a policy-free zone and voted accordingly. That was particularly so on the Gold Coast. Politics on the Gold Coast will never be the same again. Today the ALP holds seven of the nine seats. Most members today will remember the infamous six-pack of coalition members from the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast was safe coalition territory and, as a result, it was completely neglected. It was this neglect, together with Premier Beattie's determination to rectify decades of inaction by coalition members, that led to the results of 17 February 2001. Up until then, Merri Rose, the member for Currumbin, had been fighting a good but lonely fight for the people of the Gold Coast. I am sure Merri will appreciate the additional support she now has in promoting Gold Coast interests. I welcome the Premier's and, indeed, the government's determination to properly recognise and resource the state's second-largest city. The honourable member for Robina is not in the House today, but I remind him that he is a member of an endangered species: Tory members from the Gold Coast. Hopefully, the ALP can push that species to the brink of extinction in the forthcoming Surfers Paradise by-election. Southport, like the Gold Coast itself, is a diverse electorate. It extends from the new mortgage belt suburbs of Parkwood and Arundel in the west to Molendinar, Keebra Park and Southport itself in the south. To the north is working-class Labrador, and the eastern electorate boundary is the Broadwater. The Southport CBD is the business heart of the Gold Coast and includes the courthouse and the Gold Coast Hospital. The older parts of Southport are undergoing a period of urban renewal, with higher density housing replacing the detached housing, larger holiday homes and so on which were such a feature of Southport. There are several state and private schools in the electorate, and the Arundel State School is the largest in the state. This school adjoins the Suntown tip which for many years posed a health risk to the children and teachers at that school due to the dust nuisance and the stench from rotting garbage. I am pleased to say that, with the assistance of the state Labor government and the Gold Coast City Council, I was able to have that tip closed some months ago. Parkwood residents adjoining Smith Street had been promised sound barriers for many years, but they were nothing but hollow promises until I contacted Steve Bredhauer, the Minister for Transport. I am pleased to say that the barriers have now been constructed at a cost of $1.2 million. The Griffith University has a campus in Southport, and it is making great progress in many areas of biotechnology. It is well placed to make a major contribution to Premier Beattie's Smart State, and I will be strongly supporting them in their endeavours. One of the major problems confronting the Gold Coast is traffic congestion. The Gold Coast has a resident population of 410,000, plus at least 50,000 visitors at any time. It is Australia's sixth-largest city and second-largest local authority. A total of 3.7 million tourists spend $2.24 billion per annum in the city. One million-plus international tourists per annum and a total of 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 313 two million passengers pass through Coolangatta Airport, which is Australia's seventh-busiest airport. The Gold Coast has a predicted population of 800,000 by 2030. As one who has lived basically all my life on the Gold Coast, the one consistent thing about population predictions is that they consistently underestimate the rate of growth. The city is choking to death now. What will it be like in 2030? It is predicted that between 1995 and 2011, the population will be up by 51 per cent and that car trips will increase by 67 per cent. The Gold Coast cannot rely on roads and cars alone. The cost is too high in terms of petrol prices, land acquisition and construction costs and, of course, the environmental cost. The answer, I believe, is a public transport system and, specifically, a light rail system similar to the ones that now operate in Orleans and Montpellier in France—cities of similar size to the Gold Coast. The system is fast, comfortable, electric powered, airconditioned and wheelchair accessible. I am pleased to say that the previous Labor government committed $650,000 to fund a feasibility study into a light rail system, the first stage of which would come from the Gold Coast railway at Parkwood, thereby linking the population centres of the Gold Coast by rail to Brisbane and Brisbane Airport. It would also service Griffith University, the Parklands showgrounds complex, the Gold Coast Hospital and medical precinct and the business centres of Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, including the casino and the proposed entertainment and convention centre, which, of course, is another initiative of the Beattie Labor government. It would terminate at the Pacific Fair shopping centre. That would be the first stage. On 10 August 2000, in a letter to the Gold Coast Mayor, Gary Baildon, Premier Beattie said— I am aware that the Gold Coast Light Rail is a key initiative in Council's City Transport Plan and would like to express the State Government's continued support for the plan's implementation. As I mentioned, funds have been committed for a feasibility study, and this is further evidence of the Beattie Labor government's commitment to give the Gold Coast the attention it deserves as Queensland's second-largest city. The project itself will require state, federal and local government and private sector funding. However, if it does not proceed, the city will lose the advantages which made it what it is today. And as mentioned during question time today, it is unfortunate that John Howard has just robbed Queensland of $65 million. Howard just does not get it. I can tell him that he is heading for a train smash, because the people of Queensland will not put up with $65 million being taken out of that project. Gary Baildon, the mayor of the city, made representations to Mr Howard that if he was not going to spend the money on a Brisbane transport system, the money should not be lost to Queensland, but effectively it is. The amazing thing, too, of course, is that coalition members have not said a word about this, just as they let the GST pass. They have not woken up to the fact that the people of Queensland understand that they cannot get out of this by washing their hands and saying that it is a federal issue. The people of Queensland will be waiting for Mr Howard and his government at the next election. Fortunately, so far as the light rail project goes, we will be dealing with a much more reasonable federal Labor government. The Broadwater is the greatest natural asset of Southport, and I have given a commitment to the people of Southport that I will resist any further reclamation or commercial development of the western foreshores. The Broadwater is in danger of being loved to death. It is like Queen Street on weekends, and any reclamation will only exacerbate that problem and add to flooding problems. There are many developers on the Gold Coast who positively salivate at the prospect of utilising public land for commercial purposes. One recent proposal was to relocate the Indy track to the Broadwater. Such a proposal, were it given approval, would be the start of World War III. The Sky Rail, which the member for Currumbin had to deal with, would pale into insignificance. And just because a proposal might seem ridiculous, it does not mean that it will not be pushed by a local authority and, in some cases, approved. The Borbidge government approved the construction on the Spit of a horizon tank, which is apparently used for making films such as Titanic—and given recent electoral results, maybe Mr Borbidge would have made an excellent captain of the Titanic—but it would have looked like an oil refinery on the Spit. It could have been built on appropriately zoned freehold land anywhere, but the attraction was that this was public land. The project was so ill founded and far-fetched that it did not go ahead anyway; but it was approved, so we must remain ever vigilant. 314 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001

It gave me a great deal of satisfaction that I was able to convince the Gold Coast City Council to give some council-owned land to the state government for the extension of the courthouse, which was in danger of being relocated to Robina. That courthouse now boasts three District Court judges and 10 magistrates. And as almost 50 per cent of the work of the Brisbane Supreme Court emanates from the Gold Coast, I believe it is an appropriate time to consider the appointment of a Supreme Court judge to Southport. When asked by a member what I did before I got elected, the response to my answer was, 'Not another bloody lawyer!' Therefore, I feel obliged to explain myself and give a pen picture, as quickly as I can, of my work history and how I became a lawyer. My secondary education was completed as a boarder at Marist Brothers at Ashgrove. Upon matriculation, I worked for the Commonwealth Bank. I enrolled to study economics at the Queensland University but had a great deal of difficulty in getting past the RE and the Regatta—or, as we used to call it, the 'Regretta'—and did not complete my degree. After two years, I worked as a clerk for the Gold Coast City Council. I then went to Port Moresby, where I worked as a customs clerk. Then I worked as a bookkeeper in a small engineering firm in East Brisbane. In 1971, I got married and travelled to Durban in South Africa, where I worked as an accountant in a food franchising company for over two years. My eldest child, Ali, was born in Durban. When we returned to Brisbane, when she was six months old, I got a job as an accountant in an insurance company. I have never obtained any formal qualifications, but I always intended to study to be a solicitor when I could afford it. As most members would appreciate, if they waited until they could afford something, they would never do it. So at the ripe old age of 27, with a wife, three kids and a mortgage I could not jump over, I resigned from my safe job in the insurance company and took a job as an articled clerk at $45 a week and commenced studying law through the Solicitors Board. I could not afford full-time university, and I worked part-time in the Stones Corner Hotel to make ends meet, and so on. Lectures commenced at 7 a.m. or 6 p.m., and there were exams every six months. I was admitted in 1981 and commenced practice as a sole practitioner on the Gold Coast and practised in private practice for about 20 years. What would make a supposedly sane person become a lawyer in these circumstances? I certainly could not recommend the course I took to anyone. The answer is fairly obvious, and a friend put it nicely when he said, 'It's the Irish coming out in you.' By that he meant that the Irish cannot have things going too smoothly; they must subconsciously have drama. Whether it is your marriage, friendships, career or any aspect of your life, you just cannot have things going too smoothly. Fortunately, this propensity for self-destruction can apparently be cured by age. This is evidenced by the fact that I have been involved in the law as an articled clerk and solicitor for 25 years. So do not judge me as just another lawyer. For 10 years after leaving school I travelled and lived in other countries, even though Southport has always been home. I have had various occupations and generally knocked about and been knocked about before becoming a lawyer. As I said at the outset, I thank the people of Southport for placing their trust in me. The support and service of the people of Southport will always be my highest priority. I am proud to take my seat in this Assembly as the first Labor member to represent Southport. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): Order! Before I call the honourable member for Glass House, I remind all honourable members that this is the member for Glass House's first speech in this chamber and I ask members to extend to her the courtesies of the House. Ms MALE (Glass House—ALP) (4.20 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, I offer my sincere congratulations on your election to the position of Deputy Speaker and ask that you pass on my congratulations to the Speaker. I look forward to working with you both to ensure that high standards prevail in the 50th Parliament of Queensland. To be elected to parliament as the representative of the people of Glass House is a great honour and privilege, one which I take seriously. I will represent my electors faithfully and diligently and let them know that it is their commitment to this area which inspires me to be the best representative they have ever had. At the outset, I would like to thank the hardworking members and supporters of the Australian Labor Party whose work was crucial in helping me to win the seat of Glass House for Labor. My thanks go to Stephen Beckett for his tireless work in the dual roles of my campaign manager and federal candidate for the seat of Longman. We have worked together as a team for the past two years, and no-one could have done a finer job. Thanks also to Peter Boyd, Clyde 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 315

Ford, Ann Penny, Jim and Carolyn Duncan, Stephen Schmidt, George Hadgkiss—who is one of our life members—Bob and Jenny Scott and all my Caboolture 'branchies', Gillian Pechey and Ed Gordon and all the Sunshine Coast Hinterland 'branchies' and supporters as well. To the many people who helped letterboxing, staffing the campaign office, the booths and prepolls, people who also offered advice, comfort and camaraderie—thank you. There is nothing quite like a Labor campaign in full swing. Can I also say that the members from the surrounding electorates have provided enormous help and advice. I am sure we will all be working closely together to ensure the best for our electorates as a whole—specifically Carryn Sullivan in Pumicestone, Ken Hayward in Kallangur, Dean Wells in Murrumba and Linda Lavarch in Kurwongbah. Thanks also to my many and varied organisers—Di Farmer, Milton Dick, Lindesay Jones and Cameron Milner. Also to the experienced campaigners like Ann and Ken, Ross, Carmen, Ken, and the two Matts—that is Big Matt and Little Matt. I would not be here today without the support of Labor Forum and its members. Paul Lucas believed in me from the word go and I am grateful for his advice and assistance. To the many union members who supported me through word and deed, I say to you: thankyou. This is a victory for all the workers of Glass House and I will represent them well. I also thank the members of the organisation Emily's List, who have been of tremendous assistance. This is an organisation that provides a range of practical support mechanisms to female candidates, including invaluable advice on campaigning, innovative campaign techniques, financial support and the all-important personal support. Not only did I have the delightful, experienced and talented Rosemary Hume as my mentor, but Joan Kirner took time out of her busy schedule to give me a weekly pep talk. Their support was well and truly appreciated. Thanks to my family—to my wonderful husband, Bill Ferguson, who is in the public gallery today. Bill has always given me his complete support, confidence and love. Bill has always referred to himself as the candidate's handbag, but I can assure this House that he did much more than just carry my personal effects. Bill's complete and utter belief in my ability to be the local member, his excellent advice, his superb political judgment and his large capacity for knowing the right thing to do and say at any given time is unrivalled. To my two beautiful daughters, Jordan and Jetta, who provide the love, laughter and complete cuteness which lifts my day. My brothers and sister, some of who were the original Glass House Young Labor team way back when—thank you for believing in me and thank you for again supporting Labor. I thank my parents, Jim and Joan Male, who have always encouraged me to be the best I can be. As long-time activists and advocates, my parents have always insisted that their children should be encouraged to discuss their ideas and opinions—and with six children, I can tell members that ours was one very noisy dinner table. It was to my eternal pleasure that dad took up the challenge during the election campaign to be the most reliable worker in my campaign office. He was there from early in the morning till late in the day answering phones, talking to people, dealing with issues and making sure that I had something to eat at least once a day—even to the point of sharing his favourite cold spaghetti sandwiches. My mother took control of the home front during the campaign and, as always, without her help and support I would be lost. My mother has always been the solid rock of my life and has provided me with the skills and encouragement, not to mention the values and beliefs, to be a hardworking member of my community. As members know, the seat of Glass House is one of two new seats created in the 1999 redistribution by the Electoral Commission of Queensland. It is indeed a great honour to be the first representative of this new seat. I would like to take some time to explain the make-up of Glass House and some of its outstanding features. The community I represent in Glass House is drawn from a large geographic area—from the communities of central Caboolture, Tullawong and Bellmere, stretching out west to the towns of Wamuran and D'Aguilar, going north to Elimbah, my home town of Beerburrum, Glasshouse Mountains, Beerwah, Landsborough, Mooloolah and Glenview at its most northern extremity. Going west from these centres, Glass House encompasses the communities of Peachester, Mount Mellum, Maleny, Witta, Reesville, Conondale and stops just short of Kenilworth. Some people call it a large electorate; I just call it scenic. I would go so far as to say that Glass House 316 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 represents a microcosm of Queensland. It has the high density, high growth urban aspects of Caboolture coupled with the smaller, more isolated aspects of the rural townships and properties. Being totally unbiased, I would like to say that Glass House is the most picturesque and vibrant electorate in Queensland. We have the mountains after which the seat is named, the amazing rainforests and natural environment, a rich history that includes our Aboriginal heritage and the earliest periods of European settlement and undoubtedly our best asset—the people of Glass House—who come from all walks of life and add their own unique qualities to the seat. I should know—I have lived in Glass House almost my entire life, growing up on a farm at Beerburrum, attending local schools and living the same life as the people there. Glass House boasts some of Queensland's most fertile agricultural and farming lands which support a diverse range of primary industries from pineapples, chokos, strawberries, avocados and other crops to dairy and beef farming, egg production and timber. Each town has its own unique characteristics governed by its location and infrastructure. It is pleasing to me to see the diversity within Glass House and also the fierce loyalty people have to their own towns. I would like to take a moment to review the election result and what it means for the people of Glass House. Straight after the redistribution in 1999, I was preselected by the Labor Party unopposed and I have been campaigning for more than two years now. From the outset I knew it would be a difficult seat to win for the Labor Party. Looking at previous election results and traditional voting patterns, it should have been considered a safe National Party seat. Indeed, the National Party candidate kept telling everyone it was! However, over the past few years the political landscape has changed dramatically and the traditional conservative vote has been especially fractured. I had always considered Glass House to be a signature seat for the 2001 election. If there was going to be change in the mood of the general public, it was going to be felt first in the living rooms of Caboolture, the farming blocks of the Glasshouse Mountains and the coffee shops and cooperative businesses of Maleny. As it turned out, the mood was so strong across the whole of Queensland that Glass House was one of a whole raft of seats which was swept along by the Labor tide. On the primary vote, Labor came first with over 40 per cent, followed by One Nation on just over 20 per cent, followed by the Nationals, Liberals, Greens and the City Country Alliance. For the first time ever, Labor won every single booth. The result in Glass House primarily showed two things. The first was that a lot of people voted Labor for the first time in their lives—and this was reflected in the statewide result—and, secondly, that there is still a section of the community that is disenchanted with the political process. As I said before, Glass House would have been considered a National Party seat in years gone by and the 20 per cent vote for One Nation should be of great concern to the Nationals, as it is of great concern to me. However, my job over the next three years is to show those electors who voted One Nation or CCA that good, strong representation by a Labor member can produce positive outcomes. I will ensure that all voices are heard. For some electors, nothing can solve all their issues, but it is my job to represent them to the best of my ability and I will strive to do that over the next three years. From my doorknocking, I knew there was going to be a large One Nation vote. When I questioned people on why they were voting that way, they invariably said, 'One Nation is saying the things I believe in.' When I questioned them further on One Nation policy and how they were going to fix the problems identified, people invariably could not answer. Unfortunately, that is the problem with One Nation: they have identified problems but do not have the solutions. Once you get past the One Nation rhetoric, there is very little substance to their policies, except some reminiscing about returning to the supposedly good old days of the 1950s—the days of repressed and isolated women, the days of the White Australia Policy and the days when indigenous people were treated like second-class citizens and not even afforded the right to vote. I am part of a government and a party that has the policies and direction to deliver real outcomes for Queensland. Thankfully, an overwhelming majority of Queenslanders believe that, too. In Glass House, almost 60 per cent of people believe the Beattie government has the right agenda to meet their needs. I intend to reward the faith they have put in me and the Beattie Labor government because I passionately believe in getting real outcomes for people. This brings me to the issues that are affecting people in my local area. As I have said, many of the issues that were in play over the past few years were raised with me during my doorknocking and information stalls. One message that came through loud and clear was that people are sick and tired of uncaring, exclusive governments like the current Howard coalition 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 317 government. If I wanted to set people talking, I had only to mention petrol prices, the GST, business activity statements or simply say two words—'John Howard'. I know these are not state issues, but invariably people would say, 'Peter Beattie is doing a great job but that Johnny Howard had better watch out at the next election.' People want a return to inclusive governments—ones that are willing to listen and act in the best interests of the whole community. I believe that the Beattie Labor government had done that in its first term and it was rewarded handsomely at the 17 February poll. I believe a key to that was the very successful community cabinet program throughout the state. During the Beattie Labor government's first term, there were three community cabinets in the Glass House electorate: one at Caboolture, one at Beerwah-Landsborough and one at Maleny. This allowed the people to meet face to face with ministers and their key advisers. It made the political process more open and more real for people, but more importantly produced results in our towns and in regional Queensland. I have adopted a similar approach in Glass House—admittedly on a smaller scale. I am continuing my mobile office program by regularly going to each town and meeting with people. Every week or so I pack up my car with a folding table, chairs, pens, paper, mobile phone—which works in only some of the towns—and possibly most importantly myself and travel to several towns. I advertise the locations of my mobile office in advance so people know where to find me. They know that I am easily accessible and will represent them on all issues. Since Glass House is such a diverse area, the range of issues is equally diverse and in some areas one issue may be important but it may barely rate a mention in another part. For instance, crime is an important issue in Caboolture and Beerwah. Certainly, the new police station at Beerwah has lessened people's concerns about crime in the area but more work and greater cooperation between police and community is needed to fix some of the crime problems there. In Caboolture, I will be continuing to fight for a police beat in the central Caboolture-Tullawong area and more resources for the police, while at the same time supporting the Neighbourhood Watch network in the entire Glass House electorate. The Landsborough Police Station is in need of an upgrade and I will be working with Police Minister McGrady to achieve that. The size of Glass House means that transport and main roads are always hot issues, especially the availability of public transport. Progressing the northern bypass, upgrading the rail system, better bus services, improving the Glass House Mountains Road and identifying long- term solutions for the Landsborough-Maleny Road will be priorities for this term. I was able to achieve a successful result for pedestrian access at the intersection of Glass House Mountains Road at Landsborough, and it was a good example of the community and the state government working together. I would like to thank Transport Minister Steve Bredhauer for his personal involvement in this issue and look forward to working with him in the future. While the transport facilities between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast hinterland towns are improving and will continue to improve, public transport opportunities in the opposite direction are not good. Public transport access from Landsborough, Maleny, Mooloolah and Glenview to Caloundra and other Sunshine Coast centres was an issue raised with me, and I will work with the Caloundra City Council and Queensland Transport to improve access to the coast and to Nambour. In Caboolture, Beerwah and Maleny, youth and family issues have been raised with me on numerous occasions and, in particular, the shortage of respite care and emergency accommodation. I have spoken with Ministers Foley and Spence regarding these issues and will continue to push for improved resources. The one state government service that is available in all Glass House centres, no matter how small or far flung they are, is education. I was able to secure improved facilities for state schools at Beerburrum and Maleny when I was a candidate and I will redouble my efforts to gain extra resources for our schools. As a former schoolteacher, I know how important good-quality facilities and resources are to ensure our children can successfully complete their education and have every opportunity to gain a job. Unemployment is still too high in Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast hinterland and I will be encouraging the Beattie Labor government not only to direct job-creating projects to my area but also to improve training and apprenticeship opportunities. Local job creation is an area that needs more work, and with the Beattie government's emphasis on jobs, jobs, jobs we will be continuing with the new initiatives and continue the focus on creating jobs through traineeships and apprenticeships for all our local people. 318 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001

Caboolture and the hinterland have tended to be overlooked, with the focus being placed on other regional centres and the Sunshine Coast. Infrastructure has not necessarily kept pace with the increasing population. Tourism is an important industry throughout the Glass House electorate, and we need to ensure that money is available to promote the many and varied natural, cultural and family attractions that are in the two shires. When I was the candidate, I think most ministers and ministerial office staff would acknowledge my persistence in raising issues with them. They can expect to hear a lot more from me, because as the member for Glass House I intend to put the government's focus back on the electorate of Glass House. My determination and resolve to improve services for Glass House has hardened over the past two years. Departmental heads in my area may end up cursing my name, but one thing will be certain: they will be delivering better health, education, family, youth, employment, police and transport services to the people of Glass House by the end of this term. If they have not improved, then I would have failed in my duty to the people who elected me and put their faith in me. I do not intend to fail. If it sounds like I am putting the government and public officials on notice, then so be it. It is our job, after all, to improve the lives of all Queenslanders, especially the people of Glass House. The start of a new century—indeed a new millennium—is our opportunity to put past disappointments and divisions behind and work towards a common goal. I do not intend to let that opportunity pass me by. Mr MALONE (Mirani—NPA) (4.38 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, in speaking to the motion for the adoption of the Address in Reply to His Excellency's speech at the opening of the 50th Parliament, I confirm my loyalty to my constituents and to Her Majesty the Queen and to her representative, His Excellency the Governor. Mr Deputy Speaker, I believe that the Governor, Major General Peter Arnison, is an excellent role model. He moves among our community to meet the people and to promote Queensland in a positive light and he also encourages young people to achieve in our community. Mr Deputy Speaker, would you please convey to the Speaker my personal congratulations on his appointment to this most important and honoured office of Speaker of this parliament. There are many challenges before the Speaker of this parliament. Not least of those is supplying the support that members of this parliament need to do their job on behalf of the constituents in their communities. I record my appreciation to the people of the Mirani electorate for the confidence that they have placed in me by electing me to be their representative in this the 50th Parliament of Queensland. As this was the fourth time that I have stood for election, I feel a great deal of personal satisfaction in being able to retain the seat against all odds in the circumstances. I give my personal commitment to the people in my electorate that I will continue to represent them in this parliament to the very best of my ability. As other honourable members have done in the past couple of days, I wish to thank the members of my campaign committee. I particularly thank Kevin O'Reily, Pauline Young and Martin Klibbe. I also record my appreciation to Pat and Pauline Young and their two boys, Robert and Steven, for organising a thankyou barbecue at their home for all supporters and those who handed out my how-to-vote cards on the day of the election. Many people were not able to attend that barbecue because of the difficulty of distance and other commitments, but over 150 people turned up to the function. That was great. I record my very special thanks and great admiration for the work done by my electorate secretary, Karen Farrell, who has been with me for the past seven years. All members of parliament, especially those who have been here for some time, will appreciate the great work that electorate secretaries do within our communities. They are not paid a great amount of money but they do a great deal of support work in our communities. Without the support and good sense of our electorate secretaries, I am sure that most members of this parliament would be less successful in achieving their goals. Many did not survive the election, and that is unfortunate. There were good people in the 49th Parliament. Unfortunately, that is the nature of politics, but the wheel keeps turning. The make-up of this parliament is different to other parliaments and the next parliament will be different again. As I said, time rolls on. A little while ago I was speaking to John Mickel about the life of a politician in the parliament. In the early part of the century, it was not unusual for a politician to serve in this House for 20 or 30 years. I think the average time in parliament currently is somewhere less than two terms. I wonder what the record will show in a few years time. It is 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 319 interesting to see that there are still members in this parliament who have served for a long period. On our side of the House, Vince Lester and Kev Lingard have represented their electorates for a long period. Mike Horan, Vaughan Johnson and all of us in the National Party team have a big job ahead. We do not intend to be cowed by the defeat that we suffered at the election. We will work with our communities and those who have like-minded views as to where we should be going. We will move through our electorates and support those who are hurting and are in need. Small businesspeople, farmers and others are finding it very difficult. I believe that rural and regional communities are basically all of those other than Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, Townsville and Cairns. They are all suffering, and it is not just because of the GST, although that seems to be the favoured way of saying that our federal government has stuffed up badly. I believe that a lot of other issues such as globalisation, national competition policy, the loss of infrastructure and the loss of services in small communities are also to blame. Today another member spoke about the fact that children have to travel out of their towns to get a decent education or to get jobs. A small community can lose a whole generation in this way, and it is very difficult to encourage those young people to come back. I would like to congratulate the Premier and, certainly, the Labor Party on their election victory. We need to recognise the fact that the Labor Party ran a very good campaign and, on a global basis, our campaign was pretty mediocre. The electorate of Mirani stretches in the north from Farleigh, which is a suburb about five or 10 kilometres north of Mackay, south to The Caves, which is about 30 kilometres north of Rockhampton, and out to Moranbah, which is about 250 kilometres to the west. It is not a small electorate and it takes a bit of effort to get around it. It is a very diverse electorate. There is quite a lot of good rainforest country, coastal towns, urban areas, some fairly large grazing properties and, of course, the inland mining communities. It is also the home of the world's largest export coal terminal. Industries include sugar growing, cane growing, milling, refining, coalmining, cattle grazing, dairy farming, processing and fruit and vegetable production. There is quite a bit of secondary industry in the Mackay district and, of course, quite a substantial commerce industry as well. The electorate of Mirani encompasses part or all of the shire councils of Sarina, Nebo, Mirani, Broadsound, Livingstone and, of course, the Mackay City Council. The electorate boundary redistribution resulted in Andergrove and Beaconsfield, which are suburbs of North Mackay, being moved into the Mackay electorate and the electorate of Mirani took on the areas of Planlands and East Mackay. I am very happy and pleased to be able to represent those two new areas. Earlier I mentioned some of the problems facing rural communities. I believe that deregulation has had a fair bit to do with the winding back of and lack of services in some of our rural communities. That affects my constituents to a great extent because a lot of my electorate is made up of very small to fairly small communities. We should think back to the birth of the national competition policy. Those who have been around for a little while would remember that that was a dream of the Keating and Goss eras. We seem to have hung on to it for some reason or another. Unfortunately, the little clause that gives some credence to the public benefit test seems to have been overlooked. A lot of the deregulation that has occurred throughout Queensland, and probably throughout Australia, seems to have taken place without any consideration being given to the public benefit test. There is a huge opportunity for us to get some commonsense and sensibility back into the national competition policy by applying that test. If the dairy industry had been exposed to the public benefit test when it was deregulated, I am sure that some commonsense would have applied and different tracks may have been taken. People feel disadvantaged. They feel disfranchised. As I said, I do not think that that happens only in rural communities. I think that it is happening across the state. People in our communities, whether they are in rural or city communities, want to see their towns prosper. They want to see progress. They want to see things go ahead. Most of all, they want some control over their futures. They want to know that they are a part of the big dream of making this country greater. Somehow or other, we have to include people in our dreams of making this place a better one. We need everybody behind us before we can start marching forward. As a member of the SES for 25 years and a holder of a certificate, I would just like to record my appreciation, support and admiration for the volunteers in our community. This year is the International Year of the Volunteer. Right through every one of our communities and our electorates volunteers work tirelessly with no thought of pay, quite often costing them 320 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 considerable amounts of money out of their own pocket, to make our communities better, whether it is through Meals on Wheels, support in hospital, the SES in the more structured form, our rural fire brigades or surf-lifesaving. The role of the volunteer in our community is mostly unsung and mostly unrecognised. At this time, I would like to record my very great appreciation of all those people who work in our community without thought of any sort of reward and, quite frequently, at great detriment and great expense to themselves. The electorate of Mirani, as I said, is very diverse. The coal ports of Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay are supplied with coal from the coalmines in the hinterland. Obviously, getting the coal from the hinterland to Dalrymple Bay requires a fairly substantial double track rail line. There have been quite a number of issues over a period of time such as lack of support and actually making sure the track is safe. Ongoing concerns have been expressed by the people who work on the rail track in terms of losing some of their most experienced work force. They are concerned that we are moving towards a contractual system in which those people who have been fettlers on the line for many years will lose their jobs to some sort of contractor. Just recently, on 24 March, about 40 kilometres south of Sarina on the coal line a 120- wagon train taking coal from the Blair Athol mine to Dalrymple Bay derailed. More than 30 coal wagons came off the line. It actually occurred at 4.14 a.m. on the Waitara-Wandoo section of the line. It was pretty fortunate that nobody was injured, but it does highlight the priority of making sure the track is well maintained on a continuing basis. These coal trains carry extreme quantities of coal. They travel at 80 kilometres per hour. They are something like three kilometres long and have five engines. The chances of coming off the track because of a lack of track maintenance is very high. Quite often these trains pass each other side by side. Any reduction in the work force on the maintenance of the track is of huge concern to all those drivers and those people taking part in bringing that coal to Hay Point. The public record in this parliament shows that I have spoken frequently on this issue. There are two drivers on the train currently, but an option is being examined to look at driver- only operations so there would be only one driver on that train. I believe that has very serious workplace health and safety implications. I have been very vocal in making sure that that issue has been brought to the notice of the public. Some members will recollect that there is a proposal before the Beattie government to lease out the Dalrymple Bay coal terminal. I understand that that is necessary to balance the budget and there is a need for cash. That is fine. However, I have some real concerns about leasing out a major piece of infrastructure. But there is another problem. The Dalrymple Bay coal terminal is currently being forced to pay local shire council rates and about $500,000 in back rates is in dispute. I ask the government to make sure that the back rates are cleared and paid to the Sarina Shire Council before the terminal is leased out, because if that does not happen we are going to hear a lot about it. The sugar industry in the Mirani electorate is one of the big income earners. I have spoken in this House many times about the difficult times that we have had in the sugar industry from 1998 when there was a huge amount of rain in August, which was unseasonal, to the 2000 season when the cane crop was affected by an orange rust, a rat plague and, on top of that, low prices. In fact, the rust in the variety Q124 is very severe. It has reached the stage where to try to clear the rust some farmers are actually spraying it with milk. Maybe there is a correlation between the dairy industry and the sugar industry here that we need to promote. One of the things that is happening in the sugar industry right now is that CSR, an organisation that has been in the sugar industry in Queensland for 150 years, is in the current climate looking at divesting itself of its sugarmilling assets. This is a real opportunity for growers to buy back the farm. I would implore the Beattie government to look at supporting the growers who are trying to buy back the farm from CSR. It is a huge opportunity. It is a once in a generation opportunity—a once in a lifetime opportunity even—for the Queensland sugar farmers to gain ownership of the assets that rightly belong to them rather than seeing them go to a multinational company that is based offshore or whoever else might have the money to buy the assets off CSR. I would implore those in government to get behind the growers in the CSR mill areas to help them achieve their stated goals of acquiring the assets of CSR. The cattle industry is a big issue in my electorate. It has been very tough over many years for the cattle industry and, fortunately, the prices in the saleyards now are the best they have been for many years. The Primary Industries Department—and certainly Customs—has to be very aware of the foot-and-mouth disease. If the foot-and-mouth disease entered Australia, we may as 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 321 well wipe our cattle industry off the face of the Australia. There is no way that we could control it. It would be an absolute disaster. I also implore those people who are dealing with quarantine and restrictions in terms of imports into Australia to be very, very careful and to be very vigilant. If we lose the beef industry in Australia, it will be a disaster. Wild pigs and other feral animals would carry foot-and-mouth disease right across Australia. There is no way that we would ever be able to control it. In conclusion, I would just like to thank the people of my electorate for re-electing me. I will do the best I possibly can to represent their best interests in this 50th Parliament. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr McNamara): Order! Before I call the member for Gaven, I remind honourable members that this is the member's first speech in this place, and I ask members to extend the usual courtesies. Mr POOLE (Gaven—ALP) (4.58 p.m.): I stand before this House a very humble and proud man. Firstly, Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to convey my congratulations to Mr Speaker on his return to the office of Speaker for this the 50th Parliament. As our Premier has asked us all to do, that is to respect this institution, I can surely speak on behalf of all other politicians from our side of the House, especially for the newly elected members from the Gold Coast, that this will be adhered to. I would especially like to thank Peter Beattie for the strong and determined leadership that he showed us all during the election campaign. It was because of that leadership and grassroots know-how that we are here today. Peter Beattie brought the Gold Coast together during the campaign and showed for the first time that a government actually cared for the region after so many years of neglect in the past. For the first time to my knowledge, the Gold Coast region believes that we actually own our identity; we own our hard-earned sporting events, such as Indy, the surf carnival and, of course, the Gold Coast Marathon, and no-one is trying to take any of it away, as once was the case. It is because these events have been so well catered for and patronised by this government, which has shown its leadership and support and has recognised the importance to the region, that these events have been so successful. This government has also backed the building of the Gold Coast Convention Centre. It is hoped that during those months of low tourist numbers we will still be able to attract others to the Gold Coast for different reasons. The $600,000-plus made available by this government to study the feasibility for the light rail project should also rate a mention. It is no wonder there was such a welcome change in voting patterns which enabled this government to win so many more seats on the Gold Coast. Hopefully we can win Surfers Paradise on 5 May as well. Knowing all members on the Gold Coast as I do, I can say that the region is in good hands. I am delighted to stand in the House today to deliver my maiden speech. I do so, though, cognisant that my election as the inaugural member for Gaven carries with it not only the responsibilities which fall to each and every one of us in this House but also the hopes and aspirations of many people who see my election and the return of the Beattie Labor government as vital to their continued welfare, not only in Gaven but throughout this great state of Queensland. I shall be vigilant in my efforts to put the people of Gaven foremost in my mind in any discussion we have in this House and in my activities on their behalf at all times. I say this deliberately, because I view elements within local government on the Gold Coast with concern because they appear to act driven not by public interest but by self-interest. Please allow me to explain. I was elected with a large swing of some 14 per cent in the seat of Gaven, based as it is on the southern part of the old seat of Albert and the northern part of the old seat of Nerang. This was some four per cent to five per cent above the state swing to Labor. It is my firm belief that those additional votes for me resulted from the stand I took in delivering the long-awaited Helensvale Town Centre so that residents of the north-western suburbs of the Gold Coast could have the same access to retail and commercial services as those enjoyed by the rest of the Gold Coast. After having knocked on many doors during the campaign and attended numerous meetings at which the residents of the area all told me the same story, I am totally convinced that the delay in the approval of this vital centre has resulted from the application of self-interest over public interest. I am a proud member of the Helensvale Residents Association, a large active and well- led community organisation on the Gold Coast. For the past 11 years the president of this organisation with more than 1,000 members has been Mr Philip Gray. Phil is a tireless worker in the community whose pursuit of this issue—and I can see that he is in the public gallery—with 322 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 many other members has gone on for more than six years, which clearly demonstrates that the dealings of certain councillors within the Gold Coast City Council makes a mockery of open and transparent local government and of the principle of public interest being superior to self-interest. The Helensvale Town Centre was defined as a subregional centre with some 40,000 square metres of retail space under the old Albert Shire town plan. That same instrument set Coomera as a regional centre which would allow developers to construct almost unlimited retail space. Former Councillor Colin Kleinschmidt and current councillor and Chairman of the North Planning Committee within the Gold Coast City Council David Power largely drew up that plan. Councillor Power lives at Coomera, where land has been approved for subdivision a short distance from the proposed Coomera Town Centre. Over the past six years, growth in the Helensvale, Gaven and Oxenford areas has been amongst the highest in Australia. The residents in this area are concerned that they are being left behind with little or no infrastructure, with no commercial or retail hub, with poor transport facilities and a host of other disadvantages because of this rapid growth in the region. Many people in this area must shop in other areas, including Southport. They must travel long distances on public transport, taking more than two hours to get there and a further two hours or so to return. Many of these people are elderly and frail and are often too tired to put their shopping away when they return home. However, I am pleased to say that this government has announced that a community health centre will be built in the region. Also, a new primary school is to be built and opened next year in Pacific Pines and a new high school has been opened in Pacific Pines. Of course, a primary school has been opened in Gaven recently. However, this forward planning in meeting the needs of the residents in this area on behalf of the state has not been matched by the growth of commercial, retail and transport services. When one follows the history—or should I say drama—of the efforts of a major developer to construct a sorely needed retail centre at Helensvale, one becomes very concerned about whose interests are being served in this area of the Gold Coast. The first application to construct a shopping centre occurred over six years ago. The application was tied up in the courts for years. The developer has withdrawn it. It knows that once it reapplies it will be opposed and tied up again in costly litigation. It is now working with the council to prepare a proposal that conforms to the Helensvale local area plan, which by the way took three more years to review. This means that the residents of the area have waited six years and are no closer to achieving an outcome than they were three years ago. The local area plan allows for some 40,000 square metres of retail space for the whole town centre, including the existing Helensvale Plaza, which occupies some 5,000 square metres and has applied for another 3,500 square metres. This should leave some 31,500 square metres for the developer, Westfield. But wait, there's more! Councillor Power, for reasons which we well know, considers that 40,000 square metres in total for the town centre site is too big and believes that it should only be 38,000 square metres. He has gone out of his way to interfere and overturn a legitimately constituted council decision which allowed for the planned 40,000 square metres. This can only be regarded as mischievousness to again disrupt the process. This man has also included in the town centre plan the necessity to develop a two-lane underpass under the highway to connect the existing plaza to the new centre. This would cost the developer between an extra $3 million and $5 million. This is totally unnecessary, because a pedestrian underpass already exists between the two areas. It is simply designed to make it harder and financially non-viable—that is, a smaller complex and unnecessary, costly infrastructure. To its credit, the developer has not packed up and gone home. It realises the value of the site. It has the support of the local residents, and it certainly has my support. This development will bring not only shopping convenience to the area but also entertainment facilities, the strong possibility of a library and, most of all, 2,000 initial jobs. These jobs will be created during construction and are vitally needed in today's federally induced downturn. Once constructed, the centre will create almost 1,500 permanent and part-time jobs, bringing between $12 million to $15 million into the local economy annually and into the future. I am determined that this centre will be built and that the opportunities which come with it will benefit all members of my electorate one way or the other. This farce has been allowed to continue for too long and it is time for action. Ridiculous comments made to local newspapers by people associated with the Southport Chamber of Commerce and the councillor for Southport about my being naive and misguided without even consulting me prior to getting headlines have only strengthened my resolve and gained support for me from people in the electorate who did not vote Labor at the last election 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 323 but certainly will vote for Labor at the next election. It is a great pity that my maiden speech has had to contain such negative comments about certain community leaders, but if they took the time to speak with me and forget about their political differences, we could all work together for the good of the Gold Coast. I now turn to the people of my electorate. They are good people. They are people from all different walks of life. After moving from interstate, many people start new lives and careers. Many are shift workers and work in the hospitality industry. As many people who live on the Gold Coast do, they work inhospitable hours. They work weekends and night shifts, struggling to keep their families together on very meagre wages. I represented many of these workers during the past 10 years as a union official with the Australian Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union. I understand how important it is to have a strong award system to protect these workers. I also understand the importance of strong industrial legislation to protect workers' rights. I am proud to be a member of a government which recognises that fact, unlike the federal government's anti- worker legislation orchestrated by Peter Reith. I am also very fond of the Nerang end of my electorate, having moved there almost 15 years ago. Prior to my entry into parliament, I was president of the Nerang branch of the Australian Labor Party. I am very proud to say that two other members of that branch were also elected to parliament—Diane Reilly, who unfortunately cannot be here today, the new member for Mudgeeraba, and Peta-Kaye Croft, the new member for Broadwater. Our youngest member of the branch almost won Surfers Paradise and another member, Victoria Chatterjee, is the candidate for Moncrieff in the next federal election later this year. My three daughters, Rebecca, Melanie and Kate, all attended school in Nerang, and I am very happy to tell this House that the two eldest are now successful small business owners on the Gold Coast, employing several people in the baking industry. Nerang has a small village atmosphere, and I will have my electorate office in the Nerang CBD. The Nerang area has unfortunately been forgotten in recent times. With the help of the local business community we can all help to make it vibrant and to reach its full potential. The Nielsen Road-Alexander Drive overpass is to be widened to alleviate congestion during the peak hour rush. Work should begin shortly. Also, a 24-hour police station in Nerang has been promised, along with extra police numbers. An ambulance station is to be built in the region to help reduce response times to emergency situations. I must also talk about the rural area of my electorate. This is the hinterland region, from Mount Nathan to Upper Coomera. This is a very unique and beautiful area. It has pristine regions, rivers and native flora and fauna. We need to be aware of this region. We need to make sure that the Nerang and Coomera Rivers are protected and that the wildlife in these regions are safe from overdevelopment. We need to find the funds to clean up the rivers. I know that we have wonderful, dedicated people who give up their valuable time to volunteer their efforts to save what we have from carelessness. People such as Sally Spain of the Greens, who also contested the last election, and other people, including Dr Lloyd McGuire and his wife, Irene, Mrs Lynne Ogden and others of the Nerang Community Association ensure that the environment is being carefully monitored. I hope that these people feel free to involve me in their concerns and ideas. It is people such as Phil Gray, the McGuires and Sally Spain who give heart and meaning to Gaven. These people volunteer their time and efforts without the recognition they deserve. In this the Year of the Volunteer I thank them on behalf of all my electors. Finally I thank my campaign team, which most certainly helped me to become a member of this 50th Parliament. My campaign director, Phil Gray—he keeps getting a mention but we all know he well deserves it—his wife, Astra, Keith Duggan and Keith Dando and his family walked the electorate knocking on doors in all kinds of weather to support my election campaign. Without these people the result may have been different. I must also thank the numerous people who turned out on 17 February to hand out how-to- vote cards under difficult conditions. A special thanks goes to my daughter Melanie for the wonderful catering she did to feed the volunteers on the day. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr McNamara): Order! Before I call the member for Pumicestone, I remind honourable members that this is the member's first speech in this place. I ask that members accord the member the usual courtesies. 324 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001

Mrs CARRYN SULLIVAN (Pumicestone—ALP) (5.12 p.m.): I am pleased to stand here today as the elected state member for Pumicestone to support the motion moved by the honourable member for Broadwater and seconded by the honourable member for Burnett. What a great honour and privilege it is to represent the people of the new seat of Pumicestone in this 50th Parliament. I dare say I have gone over this speech in my head 50 times! I understand that the people of Pumicestone have placed great faith in me and I will do my very best to represent them at this level of government. I extend my congratulations to all those members elected on 17 February 2001, in particular to the Speaker. Parliament has indeed made a wise choice, and I look forward to a good working relationship with everyone here for the benefit of all Queenslanders. I acknowledge the members who have already spoken and I congratulate them on the quality of their maiden speeches. Maiden, indeed! As I look around the room I am delighted by the sight of so many women colleagues. For me it is indeed a great occasion, and I am pleased to be here to see it. Because of the importance of these speeches I can guarantee that I will be in this chamber to listen to them all. They will become a most valuable and accurate public record in this place. I am no stranger to Parliament House. It holds many memories for me. Of course, I was sitting in the gallery 11 years ago on 27 March 1990, when my husband of 20 years, Jon, delivered his maiden speech. I acknowledge my husband, who is in the gallery here today, and let members know that he has moved on. He is now the site manager of the Woodford Folk Festival, an event that everyone should see. When I mention my husband the words 'dedicated' and 'hardworking' always spring to mind. I would like to thank Jon, because I would not have made it here without his constant help, support and, of course, lots of patience. His shoes will be hard for me to fill in this place. He takes a size 10! He was one of the most prolific speakers in the House and could deliver a speech off the cuff on any subject with only 10 minutes notice. I am not Jon, but I trust that one day he will be able to say, 'You're doing okay.' While frequenting this place I got to know a number of parliamentarians very well. I must admit that they were all willing to help me when they could, and I need to make special mention of four of them. Dean Wells, Paul Lucas and Mike Kaiser did more than could have been expected whenever I asked. They became familiar with Pumicestone by going out of their way to visit it during the campaign and often sent me information that I could make use of. Dean Wells dramatically changed the outlook of the Bribie Island Primary School by replacing an ancient asbestos roof with a brand spanking new one. The honourable member for Lytton is here with us today, elevated to the ministry with my full support. Mike is not, and I will miss his dedication, his knowledge, his help and his genuine love of politics and the Labor Party. I take this opportunity to wish Mike and his family all the very best for the future. Of course, the fourth parliamentarian is one to whom we on the government side owe a great deal. He led us to victory at this year's state election. And what a stunning victory it was! Premier Peter Beattie: I thank you for helping me to become a member of your Labor government, and I hope that I can become a worthy member of your team. Others must be mentioned in relation to Labor winning Pumicestone. I enjoyed a long and busy campaign and my husband, Jon, and two daughters, Casey and Tai, were very understanding. Without their love and support it would have been difficult to keep focused on the task at hand. I also thank my mother-in-law, Pat, and my sister-in-law, Jan, for the constant positive advice they gave me. I acknowledge my two daughters and Jan, who are also in the gallery today, along with Casey's friend Justin, who learned very quickly that if you hang around the Sullivan household long enough you will get involved in any number of political activities. I applaud the efforts of my campaign team: Bill Allison, Peter Boyd, Clyde Ford and Marilyn Saxby. Between them they did the bulk of the work that I could not do myself and sacrificed their time whenever asked. Julia Hartman provided me with free office space during the entire campaign and her staff were always very helpful. I am indeed privileged to have friends of this calibre. My campaign manager, John Van Leent, kept telling everyone what an easy job he had because everything was always so well organised, but he spent many hours doing those jobs that not many of us wanted. He, like me, discovered that letterboxing could be quite dangerous in 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 325 some parts of Pumicestone, with rather big dogs roaming freely. He finally decided, and wisely so, that any house with big dogs already knew how to vote. Members of John's regular early morning walkers, including Richard and Susan Hetherington, the Sheppard family—Margaret, Tony, Stephanie and Dominique—Dick and Janette Watts, Pal Karsai and Ron Flemming, to name a few, deserve a big thankyou. All the other members of the Bribie Island branch also deserve my gratitude. Those older members, including Doreen Robertson and Trixie Hansen, who wanted to be part of the campaign every step of the way but could not for health reasons, kept my spirits up by remaining positive about Labor's chances of being re-elected. Shirley Keong, who recently had open heart surgery, said on the night of the election when asked by the local media what she thought of the victory, 'I'm so happy. This win has made me forget I'm an invalid.' That summed up the feelings of everyone that night who was involved in the campaign. No-one worked harder than the staff at the ALP state office. To Milton and his team: I thank you for your efforts. Stephen Beckett, our federal Labor candidate for Longman, ensured that we had a steady team of federal Labor shadow spokesmen who kept us informed of relevant federal issues. During the state campaign they initiated a petrol price inquiry and petition. Labor was, and still is, the only party interested in reducing petrol prices to a level that would benefit all Australians. To the many people outside the Labor Party who assisted during the campaign, I give my thanks also. There is an old saying: what goes around comes around, and it is interesting that I met two of the nicest people while campaigning. I was fortunate to meet Carol Burns—of Prisoner fame; she played Frankie in the long-running Australian drama—and her husband, Alan Lawrence, as a result of delivering Meals on Wheels to Carol's parents, who happen to live on Bribie Island. Carol offered to launch my campaign, and I will always be grateful to her. I acknowledge Carol, who is also in the gallery today. After the brilliant maiden speech performed by fellow actor and member for Clayfield, I only wish I had asked Carol to write mine. The local media deserve a mention here, and I am pleased to say that they gave all candidates a fair run. It is one of the few avenues we have to promote our message to the wider electorate. Finally, to my late parents, Keith and Ivy Lill, who would have been very proud had they been able to be here to witness this day—they both instilled in me the values of honesty and hard work, and it is those values that have helped me so far and will continue to help me with the tasks ahead. The electorate of Pumicestone was created for this election by the division of the previous seat of Caboolture, which my husband, Jon, held as the state Labor member from 1989 till 1998. The honours board outside this chamber is sounding a little bit like a law firm, with Sullivan, Sullivan, Sullivan and Sullivan—although not all of us are related. As far as I am aware, we are the first husband and wife team to have served in the Queensland parliament, serving similar areas; although when Jon was first elected, his seat of Glass House covered about 2,600 square kilometres. Pumicestone falls entirely in the Caboolture Shire, and it covers a mere 331 square kilometres—far smaller than Jon's old electorate and some of the existing ones—but it is one of the fastest growing areas in south-east Queensland. Its boundaries extend from Lagoon Creek/Pumicestone Road in the north to include the townships of Toorbul, Donnybrook and Meldale. It follows the coastline south to include Bribie Island and Beachmere. It runs from Ulhman Road across the Bruce Highway to Buchanan Road, crosses Morayfield Road to Walkers Road, and includes Morayfield to the Caboolture River. It follows the railway line back to Lagoon Creek to include a large section of Caboolture East. Within its boundaries lies the peaceful township of Ningi, bordered by Ningi Creek, natural bushland and several estate developments. As a local touring guide suggests, Pumicestone is town and country. It has very diverse environments, from densely populated areas, to laid-back, sprawling, rural lifestyles. In areas such as Toorbul, Meldale and Donnybrook people enjoy an idyllic lifestyle of peace and quiet, barely affected by urban pressure and only an hour away from Brisbane. The residents have a major community of interest with Bribie Island, which is a stone's throw away across the Pumicestone Passage. Yet to travel to Bribie is about a 40-minute hike. Many residents have expressed concern about this, and pressure is mounting to construct a road which is a dedicated road from Pumicestone Road through to the Bribie Island road. This would be beneficial to both areas. Bribie Island is the single biggest populated area in my electorate. Much of the development is concentrated there, with a number of estates under construction both on and just to the west of 326 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 the island. A bridge of less than one kilometre separates Bribie Island from the mainland. In the past, electorate offices—both state and federal—have been located to the west of the Bruce Highway; but now, for the first time, there will be one on the eastern side. Plans are under way for Premier Peter Beattie to officially open the first Pumicestone electorate office on Bribie Island in the near future. Pumicestone Passage, which separates Bribie Island from the mainland, was first recorded by Captain James Cook in 1770 but was not named by him. It was, in fact, Matthew Flinders who gave rise to the name Pumicestone in 1799. The passage is restricted to recreational fishing and is a safe environment for other water and boating activities. Those who live on the island have access to the passage, the ocean beach and to the 20 per cent of land dedicated to national parks. Something for everyone! Beachmere has similar assets; it is a smaller coastal town offering excellent fishing and aquatic activities and is only 45 kilometres from Brisbane. Pumicestone residents have the same needs and desires as the residents of any other electorate. They want to live in a safe environment, have a secure job and expect fair treatment and easy access to high-quality government services. It is a bricks and mortar area with strong emphasis on infrastructure, such as roads, education facilities, affordable housing, health facilities, police and emergency services. It is those needs and desires that I will be lobbying strongly for each day of my first 1,000 days in office. I will be pursuing vigorously all those promises made before the election, especially the police shopfront at Morayfield. There is a crime problem, and the shopfront will go a long way towards curbing it. I am pleased to record my profound gratitude to this government at being selected to the four caucus committees that I am not only passionate about but have some experience with. Roads, environment, local government and tourism were all areas of interest to me when I was a councillor on the Caboolture Shire Council. Even though I did not recontest my division in 1994, I kept abreast of those issues and often became quite vocal, along with other individuals and groups, on matters relating to those areas. These interests I believe will place me in a good position to be able to use the committees to focus on the concerns of Pumicestone residents and get them addressed. At this point, I would like to acknowledge Lynette Devereaux, Caboolture Shire councillor, who has worked with me and the Morayfield community to help implement the state government's Community Renewal Program in that area. And what a wonderful initiative this is. Community renewal is not only restoring pride in Morayfield, it is giving young people an opportunity to gain skills which will assist them in finding permanent jobs. I mentioned that Pumicestone was town and country. That is why I accepted an appointment on the Queensland Rural Council, chaired by the honourable Minister for Primary Industries. I am pleased to say that this council will concentrate on working directly with rural Queenslanders, focusing on positive outcomes for our regions. I am only one of 13 state government MPs on this council, and I am keen to work with the others, particularly those whose electorates border Pumicestone—the honourable members for Glass House and Kurwongbah, Carolyn Male and Linda Lavarch—to advise the chairman, in consultation with rural committees, about concerns and issues affecting them and suggesting strategies and initiatives to benefit them. It is the International Year of the Volunteer, and I wish to place on record my heartfelt thanks to the many individuals and groups within the Pumicestone electorate who give their time, money and effort freely, usually to protect or help someone less fortunate than themselves. I recently attended a local community forum where people were being acknowledged for their voluntary work. One volunteer put it in a nutshell when he said, 'When you work you give your head and your hands; when you volunteer, you give your head, your hands and your heart.' It is hard to single out any one person, but no-one will begrudge me listing those groups with whom I have had direct contact and dealings. These are: Caboolture Drug Awareness Team; Meals on Wheels; Bribie Island Community Arts Centre; Bribie Island Voluntary Community Help; Neighbourhood Watch; Neighbourhood Centre; Bribie Island Safety House; Bribie Island Toc H, Bribie Island branch; Bribie Island Air Sea Rescue; Woorim lifesavers; school P&Cs; senior citizens groups; and service clubs, including the Apex Clubs of Bribie Island and Caboolture, the Crest Club of Bribie Island, the Lioness Clubs of Bribie Island and Beachmere, and the Lions Clubs of Bribie Island, Pumicestone, Beachmere and Morayfield. I look forward to working with these groups to provide benefits to those less fortunate in the Pumicestone electorate. I am certain that the word 'equality' has been mentioned in this chamber before. And with so many new Labor members, I dare say it will be mentioned a lot more. 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 327

I would like to draw honourable members' attention to the plight of a group who are indeed less fortunate than we are. They are foster children. I have friends who were, prior to the GST, foster parents. They are no longer, because of the cost involved, over and above the government subsidy, in caring for those children who are often placed in foster care with nothing—no belongings—and it is left to the foster parents to supply everything. I understand we are a low-tax state and that our population compared with other states is not high. But it is up to us here today to provide these children and others like them with equality of opportunity. As I drive through Pumicestone, I see Jon Sullivan's achievements. Some of them are the result of hard-fought battles, like the Caboolture Hospital, which was promised by the Nationals for 12 years but was finally built under Labor in 1993. Jon successfully lobbied for a new primary school at Banksia Beach and for the Caboolture East fire station and ambulance, and was instrumental in attracting a number of government offices to the area. His fight to get passing lanes on the Bribie Island road is well documented. And if David Hamill were still here, he would remember receiving constant taped footage of hold-ups which people experienced daily on that road. Pumicestone now has a new list of priorities, and I will fight as hard as my husband did to ensure that my constituents get a fair deal for their area. Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (5.30 p.m.): It is indeed a privilege to be returned to this representative role for a further term. I would also congratulate each member here who has been given the privilege and the responsibility to represent our respective communities to government and to take to our communities the various legislative and policy proposals from government for comment. Thanks also must go to those members who have not been returned but who extended a hand of friendship or a word of counsel during the past six years in this parliament. Whilst the decision of your community may have been disappointing, I wish each of you success in the new area of endeavour you have entered. I would like to thank my husband, John, and daughters Wendy, Beccy and Emma for their tireless support and understanding. Prior to each election, I have checked with them that they are comfortable with my nominating and each time, for both local government and state elections, they have supported my involvement in public life. This takes a toll on each member of the family. My thanks to you for your contribution and your sacrifice. You are greatly loved. Thanks to Kitty McDonald, my electorate officer, who has worked over the past six years in providing a compassionate ear and point of contact for my office. People value your demonstrated care. Thanks must also go to Wendy Goobanko, who is a born organiser, and husband Don. Wendy's hard work—not only at election time—is magnificent. As with all members here, the list of people to whom I owe my thanks is great. Included among them are Kitty and Ken, Wendy and Don, Denis and Marilyn, Lloyd and Val and Ben. Each one committed a great deal of time and effort to the campaign. Thanks also to those who contributed financially to the campaign costs, including Peter and Kay, Kerry and Sue, Kerry, Evan and so very many individuals whose support ensured my campaign, though very modest compared to the ALP's in the electorate, was funded. I apologise that not each individual has been named. It would take me longer than my allotted time to name everyone on my list. You are, though, greatly appreciated. Thanks to those individual families who placed signs on their properties. This is a very public form of support and your willingness to be involved in this way is appreciated. The campaign culminates on election day with a great number of volunteers who work at booths, take on scrutineering roles or ferry meals, drinks and other supplies to the booths. Thankyou to each and every one. It is a long day, and at some booths quite demanding. In the evening, we have a meal at a central point to ensure that workers have something before going home. Thanks to Wendy, my daughters and others who helped out there. My thanks must be given to my mum and dad. Dad did not see this election, but I know that he would have been excited at my being returned for a third term. Apart from my immediate family, he was one of my greatest supporters. Mum, thank you for your continued support, advice and love; they are beyond value. The electorate of Gladstone is a diverse, dynamic and interesting one. As a rural, urban and industrial mix we are affected positively and negatively by world markets, commodity prices, industrial climates, environmental conditions and business confidence. The grazing industry is presently enjoying buoyant cattle prices. That inevitably cycles through. I commend the tenacity of our rural families who toil through drought, floods and dairy deregulation. 328 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001

We have a number of major industries established which contribute to our economy— Queensland Alumina, Boyne Smelters, NRG, Orica, Ticor, QCL and a research and development project, Suncor. These and many other small and medium businesses offer reliable work for our community, young and old. Along with industrialisation comes an obligation not only on those companies but also on decision makers in local, state and federal government to ensure that quality of life issues are kept squarely in focus. In my area, one industry has presented the Yarwun community with a range of concerns which, at this time, have not been satisfactorily addressed. I look to this government to genuinely address those concerns. Where industry impacts on communities, government also must carry responsibility for those impacts—be they loss of collateral value of assets, water depletion, reduction in saleability of properties or environmental impacts. To date, no government has been prepared to address these very real issues. In the interim, families affected experience intense stress physically, emotionally and financially for decisions they have no influence on. Again, I call on the government to play its part in solving the problems so caused. Several large industries have been announced and are progressing with greater or lesser speed. TATA Steel, based in India, is working quietly to establish its first overseas business. Comalco/Rio Tinto continue to review their documentation for an alumina refinery, with Aldoga making its announcement during the election campaign of its intention to establish an alumina smelter at Aldoga Industrial Estate. Many are unsure of the motives of Aldoga and the timing of the announcement. The best response to those misgivings is for people in our community to hear more from Aldoga about the progression of this project. It has been very quiet over the past weeks since the election. Just prior to and during the election campaign, the Premier and some ministers came to the electorate of Gladstone and made a plethora of promises. Following the election, I wrote to the Premier seeking a briefing from him as to the timing of the delivery of those promises. This briefing is yet to be given. However, I would reiterate some of those matters. With the proposed growth in our region, it is critical that services are proactively improved to provide an acceptable level for the growth in population. Health, policing, education, emergency services and local government services are just a few of the areas which must be examined with a view to improving the service coverage. The Beattie government has allocated $550,000 for a growth management study. The study is welcome. The results must be made available as soon as possible to federal, state and local governments to ensure a timely provision of services. Promises were made regarding community infrastructure. An amount of $1.2 million has been added to an already allocated $1.2 million for the refurbishment of the PCYC to a multipurpose sport and recreation centre. Both junior and senior sportspeople are heavily involved in sport. From modest beginnings, we have young contestants who went to the recent Olympics. The mature swimming club organised and ran the 2000 Aussie Masters Swimming Competition, and did a great job. This new sporting facility will get much use. An amount of $1.75 million has been allocated for the new Gladstone City Library. It was recently reported that Gladstone had the highest lending rate per capita for local council libraries. The new building is past due and will be warmly welcomed. Approximately $1 million has been allocated for a new wing of the Gladstone Museum and Art Gallery. It was wonderful to welcome Minister Foley to the gallery. In mid-election he opened an exhibition. I would commend Pam Whitlock and her team, both paid and voluntary, including committee chair, Mr Bruce Hunt, who have ensured that the museum and gallery are second to none. This new investment will not only ensure greater diversity of exhibitions but will also offer enhanced opportunities for the many gifted artisans across all cultural sectors to exhibit their work. While we may engage in the war cry 'Jobs, jobs, jobs', the reality is that for the majority of people our sense of self-worth is directly linked to our perception of self and our contribution to the family, to the community and to the nation. At the end of January, Premier Beattie promised funding to create 307 new jobs over the next three years in the Gladstone region, of which 251 will be jobs for young Queenslanders. I take these to be permanent jobs, not just three or six month stints, and thank the Premier for the dignity those jobs will bring 307 people. Many have said to me that they are waiting to see this happen. Personal safety is of prime importance to any region's sense of community. I have written to past and present police ministers calling for increased police numbers at both the Gladstone and Tannum Sands stations. We seem able to get an allocation of, say, four trainees. These arrive 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 329 and four or five other officers who have been awaiting transfer move on, and we effectively mark time. We look forward to an actual increase in policing numbers, and I thank Assistant Commissioner McClelland for the productive meetings held last week. I also thank the previous Police Minister for the allocations that were made for trainees during his time. Funding has been promised for a new police station for Tannum Sands. This has been promised several times and residents are now waiting with expectation. This station needs to be a 24-hour station to cope with the demands of the Boyne-Tannum growth. Only two weeks ago we had a nasty incident where police, caught short numerically, were attacked by a large group of party goers. This was distressing for those police officers involved, and I would commend not only those on duty but also the ones from Gladstone who responded to the incident and a number of officers who were off duty but who responded also. I will continue to make that request until it is acceded to. Education is a focus of all governments, and deservedly so. I commend the promise made of 18 additional teachers for the Gladstone electorate. To the teachers in all of my local schools, I say: thank you for your dedication and hard work. Even during those frustrating days, I hope you can remember that your investment is one with long-term returns. I give thanks to emergency service workers, who turn out at the most traumatic times and provide lifesaving support, comfort and care. I offer my thanks to the SES rural fire services, marine rescue services, surf-lifesaving clubs—indeed, all of those voluntary organisations that turn out during these times of distress. I thank you for your monitoring role, too. The assurance your vigilance provides is beyond value. Funding has been promised for an ambulance station at Mount Larcom and at Boyne Island. Both of those have been promised before, and members of these communities are now looking for action. Additionally, during the election campaign funds were announced for an ambulance residence at Boyne Island. This, too, is a reannouncement and will be validated only by construction. Health and health care issues are also critical to the quality of life enjoyed by a growing community. Gladstone Hospital has enjoyed modernisation, which was well overdue. We now seem to be constantly facing challenges as to the level of services. The closing of beds, the closing of wards, the unavailability of public specialists and, more recently, the reported downgrading of the intensive care unit have people in my community wondering why, in a growing area, services are reducing and are not being improved. When word first came to my office that the ICU was being closed, I wrote to the district manager to seek clarification. She advised me that the unit was remaining open. I was then told by other sources that it had been downgraded. If that is true, the manager was less than honest in her reply. Therefore, I hope the information is wrong. Time will tell. The Minister for Health has stated that she is working towards getting more specialists for rural and regional Queensland, and I wish her every success in that endeavour. I, along with I am sure all members who represent rural and regional areas affected, offer our full support to the minister in her endeavours. Palliative care for those in the final stages of illness is not just an option but a lifeline to remaining at home with those they love. The palliative care unit in the Gladstone Hospital became a reality through the giving by many in the community and the staff of the hospital. The unit is as comfortable and homelike as is possible within the constraints of a sterile environment. I extend thanks to all of those who continue to work in this most demanding area. During the election campaign, the minister came and again announced an additional $50,000 for that unit. That is welcomed, and we offer our gratitude to her. Red Cross in Gladstone is also very involved in the palliative care sector. The people working there are very special indeed; they are encouraging, supportive and accessible to those experiencing critical health needs. When my dad was in hospital down here and the final report was given on his health, the specialist had said that he would need palliative care attention. He said that he would go away and come back with some information. He came back and said that there was no palliative care at Gladstone. Fortunately, living there, I said to him, 'But there is,' and he said, 'No, there isn't.' I was not going to argue with him, because he is a specialist, but we do have a good palliative care service at Gladstone. From that time, even though the surgeon did not realise that there were some services, the peace of mind that I had from knowing that service was available was very intense. 330 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001

2001 is the Year of the Volunteer. No community, no state and no nation would survive without the selfless giving by this mass of men and women of all ages, who give of themselves, their time and abilities to ensure a greater level of comfort to others. Whether the work is in palliative care, aged care, youth work, counselling, emergency services, the characteristics of those volunteers are the same: generosity of spirit, compassion and care. I thank each one; they are too numerous to mention. As a port city, Gladstone has a vibrant commercial and recreational fishing industry. The commercial sector is struggling with the implementation of the east coast trawl management plan. Indeed, I met with a number of family operations and will be approaching the Minister for Primary Industries to request his inclusion in a further meeting. These people have very valid points of concern, are articulate and have the best for the trawl industry at heart. Similarly, our recreational fishers are looking to the Minister for Transport for the dredging of the Boyne River mouth. For those who use the channel, it is seen as a critical matter of safety. To date, the minister has replied that, on the basis of cost, it is not achievable. We will continue to lobby for this work to be done as a matter of safety. Other major road issues are of importance to our electorate, and I have valued the opportunity to talk with the Minister for Transport in the past and hope this dialogue can and will continue. Recently, challenges have been faced by our local RSL club. I appreciated being able to talk to a member of the Premier's staff, who was most concerned on learning of these issues. Subsequently, I rang and then forwarded documentation to the Veterans Affairs Minister for his assistance and support. While Bruce Scott's office did not—at this point, anyway—respond to the specific matters raised with him, Keith Allan, secretary of the branch, has been very happy with the contact made by this federal office to date. Previously, we have debated in this chamber matters affecting our returned servicemen and women. These brave individuals deserve the highest accolades we can give them, the deepest respect we can show them, and the greatest generosity our nation can afford. It is because of their courage and sacrifice we enjoy the freedom that we have today. If the price of freedom is eternal vigilance, my generation and those coming after me must reignite that vigilance. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, some of that freedom so dearly won is being eroded by a plethora of laws. Some of these laws remove our freedoms. However, more often these days, new laws blur the line between rights and responsibilities. Young people in particular, because of this blurring, see themselves with rights while failing to understand, let alone accept, the corresponding responsibilities. It is not the young people's fault necessarily. We have laws that remove the right of parents to reinforce moral absolutes. I am not for one moment condoning abuse in any way, shape or form. I hear so often, though, of caring parents whose distress over a rebellious teenager is increased by the government's offer—that is, the federal government's offer—of monetary assistance to allow the 14 or 15 year old freedom to live in a flat with those who would exploit their youth through drugs, prostitution and crime. The family unit remains the single most powerful force in shaping sound values, morally, spiritually, emotionally and in areas such as work ethics. I commend all of those parents who spend the time necessary to nurture children into responsible adulthood. As other speakers have said this, I have to contradict them: I represent the best area in this state in which to live. I am sorry, but those members who think that their electorate is the best are misinformed. The electorate of Gladstone reflects a diversity of cultures that is as complex as it is interesting. Along with our Aboriginal and Islander cultures, we embrace people from India, the Philippines, Russia—we have a significant White Russian community—Ireland, France, Malta, South Africa and the African continent. Each one weaves a tapestry rich in tradition. They are great people. I again thank the electors of Gladstone for the opportunity to work with them for the next three years. I thank the many people who, prior to the election and since, have expressed their confidence in this work. Such support is of great encouragement. I cannot and will not make promises to them that I cannot be positive about delivering. However, one thing I do promise those in the region is that, to the best of my abilities, I will work for their benefit. I continue to be of the view that, as an Independent, this goal can best be achieved. I thank them for looking past the campaign blitz and seeing the many issues that have been addressed over the last term of this parliament. I look forward to working with each one for a better life for our community generally, our children specifically, and future generations. 4 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 331

Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy—ALP) (5.49 p.m.): On rising to take part in this Address in Reply debate, firstly I congratulate all the new members of parliament on their success on 17 February. In particular, I congratulate the new Labor members who face the huge responsibility of representing the people of their respective electorates. I have read some of the maiden speeches that were made yesterday and listened to those made today, and I have to say that all members have made outstanding contributions. They have been speeches of passion and commitment. The people have chosen well. I can see that they will all be effective members of parliament. They will make the Beattie Labor government a very powerful, long-term government in Queensland. Well done to you all! An honourable member interjected. Mr PEARCE: Definitely. I am a big contender, actually, for the backbench. Being a member of parliament is not an easy task and it is not an easy way of life. There will be plenty of good times, there will be plenty of bad times and there will be plenty of times of disappointment. There will be times when electorate commitments will interfere with personal plans and members' normal way of life, but being a member of parliament is an honour. Members are a part of the history of this great state, so they should enjoy it while they are here. I see a lot of talent on the Labor side of the House. We have a great Premier, a disciplined, hardworking cabinet, and a young, energetic backbench— Mr Briskey interjected. Mr PEARCE:—even Darryl Briskey—from which we could select another two cabinets. There is enough talent in the government to form another two cabinets, which would govern in the same way as our current cabinet does. I wish all members well. I advise them to work hard in their electorates. I will share something that I have learnt in my time: respect the electorate, respect the people, be caring, be genuine and be sincere in your dealings, and members will always be respected for the job that they are doing. This is my fifth term in the parliament, having won the seat of Broadsound in 1989. I went to the most recent election under new boundaries. I tell those who represent small electorates that my electorate now covers 44,000 square kilometres. Mr Seeney: It's good country, too. Mr PEARCE: It is great country. I actually took over some of the area of the member for Callide, and it is going very well now, they tell me. As I said, Fitzroy now encompasses some 44,000 square kilometres and it takes in areas that were once a part of the Callide electorate. In the run-up to the election, I was uncertain how the people of the new rural area would vote. I had been working the area for six to seven months and was able to show the new voters of the Fitzroy electorate that, as a politician, I had a different style. I did not say anything about the former member or the member before him, but— Mr Seeney: I gave you a good reference. Mr PEARCE: I know. I have a different style. I believe in meeting people in their own backyards, which is why I hold regular meetings in some 20 communities. I believe that members of parliament have to be out there talking to people face to face. I bring to the attention of the House—because I am quite proud of it, actually—the fact that in the new areas of Fitzroy, where the Labor Party had received low results in previous elections, we improved quite dramatically with swings varying from 7 per cent to 32 per cent. For example, Baralaba had a swing of 17.8 per cent; Goovigen, 22.7 per cent; Moura, 20.85 per cent; Parkhurst—an area that I picked up from Mr Lester—27 per cent; and The Caves, 32 per cent. I am very proud of that. It was a good result for me. I thank the voters of the Fitzroy electorate for their vote of confidence. I know that Darryl Briskey did his bit out there, passing the message on about the work that we do down here. I thank him for that. I thank the CFMEU and other unions across the electorate for their loyal support. I cannot thank them enough. They know that I am a strong union man with a strong union background and that I am loyal to the unions, and they have shown their loyalty to me. Labor members know that we cannot thank the unions enough for the hard work that they do to get people like me elected. I thank my electorate officer, Sara Barnbaun, who has worked with me for the full time that I have been a member, and our backup staff, Sharon and Trudy. I thank them for the great job 332 Address in Reply 4 Apr 2001 that they do. Sara is an outstanding electorate officer. She is well respected across government departments for the way that she does her job. I thank my wife, Diane, who understands and supports my commitment to the electorate. I am very unfortunate to have three sons, Jamie, Michael and Shane, who are decent and respectable young men who cause no worries to their mum and dad. I now have a daughter-in- law, Shane's wife, who is a gem. She has a social conscience like me, so she's right in as far as I am concerned. There are many issues that affect the Fitzroy electorate that I could spend hours talking about. The 20 minutes that is allotted does not allow me to cover all of them. However, I would like to turn to the issue that I am most passionate about, which is jobs and job security. If we talk about tackling unemployment head on, we must be prepared to make tough decisions. Everything we do in this place must be focused on getting Queenslanders jobs. Unemployment hurts everyone: those without jobs, their families, and businesses that rely on customers who have money and the confidence to spend it. That is what we are lacking in the country at the moment. I am very aware of the Premier's commitment to job creation and the efforts of cabinet ministers in searching for and implementing job creation initiatives. I am a proud member of a Labor government that is strongly focused on jobs, jobs and more jobs. Hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders now have jobs as a result of the policies and commitments of Labor governments. The unemployed have gained skills through job training programs and many have moved on to find full-time employment. The Labor Party in this state was born out of the aspirations of ordinary Queenslanders seeking employment security and job opportunities. Those core principles have remained strong in the thinking of Labor Party members over the past 100 years and they are still strong today. We also believe that in government we can make a difference. As a party we believe that the strategic intervention of government in the economic process can ensure that we move along the path of economic progress without leaving the people behind. Our government's strategy is committed to delivering seven key policy areas: more jobs for Queensland; building Queensland's regions; skilling Queensland, the Smart State; safer and more supportive communities; better quality of life; valuing the environment; and strong government leadership, which we certainly have. Under the leadership of Premier Peter Beattie, Queensland is heading in the right direction. The Premier is working hard and cabinet is focused on achieving outcomes that improve the quality of life and standard of living of all Queenslanders, whether they reside in the cities or rural areas. The government is positive and active, but when it comes to multinationals like BHP there is a much more negative approach. BHP is anti-worker, anti-family and anti-community. It is prepared to use any tactic to erode the quality of life and standard of living for Queenslanders. In the interests of Queensland, and in particular central Queensland, I wish to again put on record the aggressive and greedy behaviour of BHP, which by its actions clearly demonstrates its lack of commitment to the long-term welfare of this state. Just recently, BHP closed two mines—and there was a lot in the media about it—Laelham and Kenmare. By closing those two mines, it froze the use of millions of tonnes of coal. Over 200 jobs were lost. A major economic impact will be felt in Blackwater and there will be other consequences to the central Queensland region. BHP has shut down two mines and walked away from them, leaving behind recoverable coal. That cannot be and is not in the best interests of this state. We only need to look at what BHP is doing in the marketplace to see how committed it is to getting the best result for Queensland. BHP has a strategy to deliberately force down coal prices. This was publicly stated by Rick Gazzard, the general manager of BHP in Queensland. in making that statement, BHP said to the people of Queensland, 'We are deliberately underselling our resources.' That is a calculated strategy to force the Canadians and smaller Australian producers out of the race as market suppliers. While this strategy has been running its course, we have had to suffer massive job losses for permanent employees. We have seen the demise of coalmining communities, with major impacts on small business, health services and schools. Debate, on motion of Mr Pearce, adjourned. 4 Apr 2001 Drug Strategy 333

DRUG STRATEGY Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) (6.00 p.m.): I move— That this House— Supports the introduction of a Queensland strategy for illicit drug use prevention which reduces drug addiction in our communities through coordinated measures that deliver— (a) increased rehabilitation and detoxification facilities and resources; (b) reform to the justice system which focuses on rehabilitation of drug users; (c) enhanced drug education for young people, parents and guardians; (d) properly resourced police and anti-crime agencies to pursue drug producers and suppliers of drugs; (e) tougher sentences for drug traffickers and major drug dealers; and Totally rejects the introduction of injecting rooms or the legalisation of marijuana or other illicit drugs. It really is an honour for me, as the Leader of the Opposition, in introducing this first 6 p.m. debate of the 50th Parliament, to put before this parliament on behalf of the Queensland Nationals what I think is one of the most important subjects for us to consider in a bipartisan way if we have the interests of the young people of Queensland at heart. At the last election the Queensland Nationals, along with the Liberal Party in coalition, put forward a policy called drugs crackdown. That policy, I believe, was probably the most comprehensive, the most caring, the most pragmatic, the most practical, the most compassionate and the toughest drug policy ever seen in Australia. I can say that because I know the work that went into preparing it. A number of us went to seminars throughout Australia. We went to around 23 forums around the state and we listened to people. We found out what the problem was and determined how we could actually solve the particular problem. I think it would be fair to say that my colleagues and I were overwhelmed by the feeling of hopelessness that many communities had about drugs. How could they stop this scourge? How could they do something to protect their children and their families from this? It was through listening to those people and determining what it was they actually wanted that we decided that we would go ahead and put together this $20 million policy which was to be phased in over 10 years. If I heard one comment in all that time that really struck at my heart it was a comment by Marty Bella, the former State of Origin front row forward from Mackay, who was a National Party candidate up there. He stood up in a forum—I think he has three daughters—and he put it very simply. He said, 'I just want it stopped. I've got three kids and I just want it stopped.' That might be oversimplifying the issue, but that is how people around the state feel. I do not think there would be too many of us here, particularly the new members, who have not experienced— Mr Lucas interjected. Mr HORAN: This is a pretty serious topic, and the member for Lytton wants to make a joke of it. This is a serious topic that should be taken seriously. People such as the member for Lytton, me and others who have been in parliament for some time have all experienced good, decent family people coming into our offices with stories about what happened to their family. It does not matter what their job is, what their position in life is or whether they are rich or poor; the drug scourge strikes them all. One thing that is common to most cases is that the families do not realise it is happening. They think it is a case of teenage blues or just some strange thing that is happening. They do not really understand the symptoms until it is too late. Then they see their child in year 12 being carted off to intensive care, a life ruined, the potential to go on to TAFE or university destroyed as they try to come to grips with their addiction. That is what was behind our policy at the last election. The Queensland Nationals want to make a positive contribution to this parliament and to good government in this state over the next three years. We do not want to put our policy in our hip pocket or in the cupboard and wait for three years till the next election. We believe that this is one of the most important issues to be addressed in our society and our community. We have seen the advances in medical science over recent years with the invention of vaccines. All sorts of diseases have been eliminated and we have seen the moves towards getting rid of poverty. But now, in this modern day and age, we have the scourge of drugs. Whether it is marijuana leading on to amphetamines leading on to heroin or some other drug, it destroys families. Drugs destroy the potential of young people and lead to crime. Drugs are probably the greatest scourge that we have in our community today. Behind it all are the get-rich- quick merchants who do not care who they walk over or tread on. As long as they can make a quid out of selling illicit drugs, they do not care whose life they destroy or which society or 334 Drug Strategy 4 Apr 2001 community they destroy; they just carry on regardless. Our No. 1 aim has to be to catch them and lock them up. We have to put behind bars those people who are the major dealers, the medium dealers and even the small dealers. As I said, the policy that the coalition put forward was comprehensive. That is why tonight members from our side will be speaking on matters relating to law enforcement, justice, education and health. I would like to go through some aspects of what we were proposing. Our policy was based on the principle of saying no to drugs. We thought hard and long. We talked to many people about the principle of harm minimisation versus the principle of saying no. We were very impressed by what had happened in Sweden and that government's strict policy of saying no to drugs. There has been a dramatic reduction in the usage of drugs by the teenagers of Sweden. The policy of that government has actually worked. Harm minimisation is really a case of saying, 'It's going to happen anyway, so let's teach people how to do it safely.' What that actually does is reinforce to some people that it is all right to use drugs, because they are being taught how to use needles and how to do this and that. We probably have to face up to this in a fairly hard and what might be described as a cruel way. But what is better for our young people? We on this side of the House strongly believe that the best interests of young people are served by just going out there and saying no to drugs. Drug education can begin in schools—in primary schools and secondary schools. We can teach children so that when they experience peer pressure or are in some other way facing the temptation of drugs they have the knowledge and the discipline to be able to say no. They will be able to do that because they will be basing that decision on fact. Teenagers will not be stumbling into taking drugs with little knowledge of the harm that might come from trying a bit of this or a bit of that when someone suggests that it will make them feel good. From there we moved on to consider issues of caring and compassion. There needs to be a system of rehabilitation for those who fall through the cracks and get involved in drugs. Our efforts in that regard need to be more than doubled. We were proposing to have 1,200 additional rehabilitation beds in place by a set time. We have to ensure that, when someone seeks help from a health facility or a social worker to try to get over their problem, they are not told, 'Come back in a week's time, a fortnight's time or a month's time,' because they might lose that urge to be rehabilitated. That treatment needs to be available virtually immediately. We wanted to bring in the Life Education system, which is outstanding in terms of providing young people with the sort of knowledge and education they need to be able to handle the temptations that will undoubtedly come their way. Importantly, in the area of policing, we were looking at establishing specific drug squads in the various police districts throughout the state, with an additional 300 police officers to be put in place over three years. That was to be an additional 300 officers on top of all the other increases that had already been planned by both the Labor government and by the previous coalition government. That would have been a major improvement in terms of being able to catch those people who actually peddle the drugs. When we look at the crime statistics and see that there has been an eight per cent increase in break and enter crimes in the past 12 months in Queensland and when we realise that 80 per cent of that property crime is being committed by people who need to get money to buy drugs or being committed by people who are indebted to someone who sells them drugs, it is easy to realise the enormous flow-on benefits to our state if we are able to put in place drug squads. This morning I noted that the Premier was fairly trite when he heard we intended to move this motion tonight. I also note that the government will move an amendment which says that our motion is its policy. However, the motion being debated tonight is very serious. I have already mentioned some specifics. The drug crackdown policy, our 33-point plan, involving $210 million over four years was undoubtedly the best drugs policy any Australian state has ever seen. It had specifics and it had initiatives. It is worth while using those initiatives to try to overcome this problem. If we say that our policy is better than the policy of those opposite, we are not going to get anywhere. However, the Queensland National Party believes that this parliament should do something and that it should be bipartisan. We are starting this new term of parliament with a suggestion to try to make things better. Time expired. Mr SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—NPA) (6.10 p.m.): It is my pleasure to second the motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition. In doing so, I will offer a couple of words on the government's amendment, which has just been circulated. We all agree on the basic principles that need to be adopted by the parliament. After reading through the government's amendment, 4 Apr 2001 Drug Strategy 335 there does not seem to be a great deal of difference between what is contained in the amendment and what is contained in the motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition. However, the government knows that, once we start injecting words such as 'supports the Beattie government's Queensland drugs strategic framework', that tends to politicise this issue in the parliament. At the end of the day, the simplest way to get a bipartisan approach is to leave words such as 'the opposition's program' or the 'government's program' out of it and to agree on principles which are important to us all. If anything, that has taken away from the spirit of the debate we are embarking on in the parliament tonight. Following on from what the Leader of the Opposition said, the 'Just say no' to drugs message is very important. In Australia in the last few years we have tended to have an approach to harm minimisation. Perhaps there is a role for harm minimisation, but we need a 'Say no' campaign on drugs. There are quit smoking campaigns. We do not say, 'It will be really good if you reduce from 45 cigarettes to 10 a day.' However, that is something we tend to do. Mrs Edmond interjected. Mr SPRINGBORG: As no doubt the honourable member for Maroochydore will mention, Queensland Health gauges success by maintaining people on a methadone program for 15 years. However, we need a very clear 'Say no' message to drugs. There are issues involved in this which are extremely important. We know that drugs are insidious. We know that drugs are destroying our families. We know that drugs are tearing apart our community in many different ways. We are all concerned about that. However, it is how we go about addressing the issue. It can be addressed by supporting the bipartisan principles which have been outlined in the motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition. To touch on a few particular points, penalties are an issue I am very keen to look further into. We need to look at the issue of life imprisonment for drug traffickers. If there is a concern about that, we need to look no further than the Bracks Labor government in Victoria, which has just moved down this path after recent announcements. That is what we have to do. On the one hand, we need to be compassionate. We need to deal with the victims of drugs to make sure that there are rehabilitation and diversion facilities. They need that support, as do their families and friends. On the other hand, we need to crackdown on those people who peddle in drugs, those people who destroy lives. On the one hand, we need the resources to identify those in need and to assist them through a difficult time whilst, on the other hand, we need to see the people who peddle in human misery and death are no better than history's worse mass murderers and they deserve to go to jail and to stay there. Those people have blood on their hands. They destroy young lives. I turn now to the issue of drug courts. I am very pleased that we have been able to achieve a bipartisan approach to this in Queensland. However, I say to the Attorney-General that there is some room for improvement with regard to that program. Even though I do not know the process of assessment, I believe that some people who are slipping through the system. I think it is a bit too easy in some cases to get onto the program. I have heard stories of defence lawyers saying to their clients, 'Are you on drugs? If not, say you are and then we'll put you up for the drug court program.' There are some issues there that need to be looked at. I have put a deputation request to the minister to talk about these issues. People who have been given orders under the drug court program are allowed to partake in the consumption of alcohol under the program. That weakens their resistance and they then return to drugs. The United States, the home of the drug court program, is much tougher on that. Another extremely important issue that needs to be addressed relates to antisocial behaviour orders. There was a great article in the Courier-Mail in the 'Perspectives' section yesterday by Paul Wilson which referred to the processes of the family services department in this state in dealing with young people on drugs. We have a situation where authorities who are responsible for looking after young people are not prepared to intervene in the lives of young people who are at risk. They do not want to intervene when a young person is hanging around with a pimp and having their life destroyed. That is not good enough. Time expired. Hon. R. J. WELFORD (Everton—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (6.15 p.m.): I move the following amendment— Amend words after 'supports the' to now read— 'Queensland Drug Strategic Framework—a whole-of-Government strategy to break the drugs cycle in our communities through measures such as: 336 Drug Strategy 4 Apr 2001 a. Increased rehabilitation and detoxification facilities and resources b. Reform to the justice system which focuses on rehabilitation of drug users including the Queensland Strategy for Illicit Drug Use Prevention and the Drugs Court trial c. Enhanced prevention programs and drug education d. Properly resourced police and anti-crime agencies to pursue drug producers and suppliers of drugs, including the employment of nearly 1,000 additional police officers over the next three years e. Tough sentences for drug traffickers and major drug dealers f. Rejection of injecting rooms or the legalisation of marijuana or other illicit drugs as effective measures to address illicit drug trafficking and use g. The use of specially trained youth health nurses to work with students and school communities to promote good health and address health issues of concern to Queensland youth such as smoking prevention, alcohol and drug use. h. The Positive Parenting Program or Triple P initiative is an important part of the Government's strengthening families strategy giving parents the tools they need to help them overcome problems, such as drug taking, before they take root.' I take into account the comments of the honourable member opposite and indicate that our government does not want to politicise this issue. A measure of the common ground that has been achieved between the government and members on all sides of the House is the fact that the cameras are not here tonight, because the cameras are here when there is conflict. Regrettably, this issue is not likely to be reported tomorrow. As important as it is, it is less likely that it will get good coverage simply because all members of this parliament recognise the seriousness of the drug issue and are prepared to show some commitment to common ground for it. That is why the amendment proposed by the government as a variation to the motion moved by the opposition adopts all the things the opposition believes is important, such as a statewide strategy, and incorporates all the components contained in the opposition motion, together with a couple of other things which I am sure opposition members will note our government is currently doing and which the previous coalition government had some participation in, particularly parts (g) and (h) of the motion. In any event, our government is determined to do everything it can to prevent the spread of drugs and the illegal use of drugs in our community. We have already put in place an important initiative, an initiative more comprehensive than anything ever before. Beyond the quick-fix, the Queensland Drug Strategic Framework is a comprehensive whole-of-government approach involving all agencies with a role in drug policy development and implementation. It involves a range of approaches such as school drug education, anti-drug prevention and promotion, drug treatment and rehabilitation services and support for families of people with drug problems. We have put into place a total package of measures—new approaches to a problem that reaches all sections of our society. I am pleased that the opposition is supporting these measures by and large, because our government is willing to acknowledge that support in the House tonight. Let me firstly refer to the Queensland Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative. Recently, the Premier announced an agreement with the federal government in which $19.5 million is being provided over four years for this initiative. The major element is a police diversion program for major offenders caught with minor amounts of cannabis—that is, 50 grams or less for personal use. Those offenders who meet the strict eligibility criteria will be offered an opportunity to attend an authorised assessment and education intervention program to address their cannabis use rather than being charged. Violent offenders and those dealing in drugs will not be eligible. Further treatment services will also be provided to those people who are dependent on cannabis and will benefit from more intensive treatment. This initiative will be implemented across Queensland from 24 June this year and will provide services as close as possible to where people live. The aim of this joint state-Commonwealth initiative is to maximise the opportunities for drug users to break away from the use of drugs and to take personal responsibility for their lives. It provides offenders with an incentive to address their drug use early before incurring a criminal record. Our government supports realistic initiatives to break the cycle of drug dependence. We are building on our work in the first term to make sure our police, schools and health services can make a difference. The Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative complements the Queensland drug court trial, an important innovation funded in total by our government. This 30-month trial, which began at Beenleigh, Southport and Ipswich courts in June last year, marks a comprehensive shift in the way the Queensland criminal justice system deals with drug-related crime. The Drug Rehabilitation (Court Diversion) Act 2000 empowered the drug courts to divert offenders from imprisonment by making an intensive drug rehabilitation order. These intensive 4 Apr 2001 Drug Strategy 337 rehabilitation orders imposed by the court are not soft options. Offenders are diverted into residential and non-residential treatment programs and carefully monitored. If they breach a rehabilitation order, they will find themselves back in jail. The drug courts trial aims to reduce the level of drug dependency in the community, reduce the level of criminal activity associated with drug dependency, reduce the health risks to the community associated with drug dependency and reduce pressure on resources in the courts and our prison system. Our government has committed to extending the drug courts trial ultimately to Townsville and Cairns. As I said, this government will do everything it can to prevent the spread of drugs and the illegal use of drugs in our community. We believe that the best way to break the drug cycle is to get in early, and that is why we are providing education, prevention and counselling programs. But we also recognise that a combination of measures is needed. We cannot focus on just one aspect. Our government's illicit market scan project, focusing on pinpointing illicit drug markets within certain geographic areas, the targeting of crime hot spots and the commitment to an additional 1,000 police are all important in breaking the drug cycle. Hon. T. McGRADY (Mount Isa—ALP) (Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister Assisting the Premier on the Carpentaria Minerals Province) (6.21 p.m.): I rise to second the amendment so ably moved by my ministerial colleague. In 1998 the Beattie government committed itself to be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime. It has never deviated from that approach. The government has introduced practical crime-fighting measures, toughened the prison system and introduced a range of commonsense crime prevention initiatives. The Beattie government also delivered on the promises it made. As an example, in the 1998 campaign the government promised 813 more police during its first term in government. We more than delivered on that by actually increasing police numbers by 836. More recently, during the 2001 campaign, we promised to continue our commitment to further lifting police numbers. We plan to lift the numbers from the 7,644 currently serving police officers to 9,100 by 30 June 2005, which will result in an average actual increase of more than 300 officers a year. The coalition has fine words, but let us look at the actions it took when it was in government. The last coalition government promised 695 police but actually increased police numbers by just 437—well short of its target. In fact, despite all of its promises, one of the first actions of the Borbidge government was to cancel the first intake of the police academy. The facts are that the Beattie government is determined to keep its promises. We will continue with our policy of being tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime. More specifically, we are taking action to combat the effects of drugs and drug-related crime in our community. We will continue to fight the scourge of drugs by being tough on drug manufacturers, traffickers and dealers, and we have the means to do this. Amongst our election commitments, which have now been endorsed by cabinet, are plans to develop a state flying squad to target significant increases in crime in certain areas. The squad will be highly mobile and will be flown to any part of the state to boost the police presence and assist local police with investigations. The government also has an impressive record in deploying specialist rapid response squads, which have been highly successful in targeting known crime hot spots, especially in detecting drug offences. In conjunction with the flying squad, we will expand this program, to be known as tactical crime squads, across Queensland, with a focus on drugs and drug-related crimes. We are also exploiting illicit market scan methodology, which helps police to pinpoint drug markets within specific areas. Pilot studies using this methodology were highly successful in focusing detectives on amphetamine markets in some areas around Brisbane. We will expand the illicit market scan to other Queensland cities and towns to further tackle emerging drug problems. The government is also allocating funds to make it easier for police to detect drugs through the introduction of drug detection machines and sniffer dogs for operational police. It is a fact that collecting evidence against offenders is an onerous task for police. The trialling of drug detection machines has already shown great success in this regard, and sniffer dogs are also very successful in combating drug-related crime. In fact, they are an invaluable tool in the detection of illicit substances. In recognition of this fact, drug detection machines and more sniffer dogs will be introduced for operational police for targeted use, particularly in areas known to be frequented or used by drug traffickers. 338 Drug Strategy 4 Apr 2001

On the other side of the equation, in corrective services, action is being taken in our prisons which is tough but still fair. It is estimated that 60 per cent to 70 per cent of offenders have a drug problem when they enter prison. This government is taking a position on drugs in prison by introducing measures such as drug detection machines, sniffer dogs and improved surveillance equipment to keep drugs out of prison. This has been highly successful, with the rate of positive results from drug testing falling from an 18 per cent high under the Borbidge government to less than six per cent in recent times, with some centres recording less than two per cent. We intend to maintain this focus. Mr SEENEY (Callide—NPA) (6.26 p.m.): I rise to support the motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition. I congratulate the member for Toowoomba South on bringing this issue into the parliament. I also find myself basically in agreement with the amendment moved by the government. However, I think it is safe to say that the fine-sounding rhetoric we heard here tonight is the easy part of the battle against drugs. The challenge for the government is not to come in here and repeat oft-used phrases about what it is going to do; it is to deliver some real action out there in the community, to get some runs on the board in terms of a battle against drugs in our community. Suggestions this week that the authorities have lost the war on drugs in many parts of Brisbane should be of huge concern to everyone concerned about our society's future. They should be, and are, of huge concern to all of us who are parents and who know the worry of parenting teenage children. I share the concerns of many about the policy of harm minimisation, which is making no real effort to target the debilitating problem so evidently rife among many sections of our community. The policy of harm minimisation is simply not working. It is not reducing the problem in any way. It is causing huge frustrations to those police officers involved in enforcing our current laws. There is no real commitment in a policy of harm minimisation to achieving an effective, long-term reduction in the problem. In fact, as the government makes no real effort to reduce the problem by pursuing harm minimisation strategies and turning needle exchange programs into needle distribution programs, the trade will undoubtedly continue to grow, as it is certainly in the drug dealers' interests to expand their deadly trade. It should concern every Queenslander that the Brisbane Lord Mayor, Jim Soorley, is leading moves in the Labor Party to weaken laws in relation to drugs, claiming that the battle has been lost. He advocates heroin injecting rooms and believes that the illegality of drugs should be removed in the long term. Brisbane's Lord Mayor has been reported in the media as saying that he is disgusted with the federal government's new anti-drugs campaign. To have any success in the difficult environment, any anti-drugs campaign needs across-the-board support from all levels of government. That is why this parliament should support this motion tonight and why Jim Soorley should be made aware of this parliament's position and urged to rethink his position. In any public place in Brisbane it is not unusual to find the discarded syringes and other signs of the illegal trade that has ruined the lives of so many young people. Increasingly our rural communities are being targeted by drug dealers, who are ruthless in their efforts to recruit new users. I have heard reports in my own electorate of dealers offering heroin starter packs to young people for as little as $5 in an attempt to hook new users, who are then forced into a lifetime of crime to support a habit which they cannot break. I have been trying to help some constituents from my electorate to access help for their daughter, who has become involved in the drug lifestyle. Their story, like so many others, is one of family heartbreak. To listen to their story would break any parent's heart. No-one who has shared such personal details of family disaster and young lives wasted could ever support the surrender option on drugs. The fact that high-profile people in the Labor Party, like Brisbane's Lord Mayor, Jim Soorley, are calling for legalised injecting rooms and decriminalising some drugs is an indictment on the harm minimisation policy that those people have pursued until now. We have developed, and will continue to support, an integrated program covering the six points outlined in this motion. One of those points, point (d), calls for properly resourced police and anti-crime agencies to pursue drug producers and suppliers of drugs. This parliament should wholeheartedly and unanimously support the Queensland Police Service's proactive lead in the fight against illegal drugs, including the crucial area of criminal intelligence. We should be making every resource available to fight against major organised crime, including organised drug-related crime, and we should be strengthening and improving 4 Apr 2001 Drug Strategy 339 school-based policing and the drug and alcohol community education resource programs which are currently available. I will continue to support the major increases in the resources allocated to fight the drug problem. I will continue to support in this parliament major increases in resources being made available to the police officers who are the front line of society's fight against the drug problem. We need to attack the dealers in death with better investigative resources and tougher no- sympathy sentences when they are caught. We need to ensure that enough help is available to assist every user to escape the addictions that are ruining their lives. But most of all, we need to do everything humanly possible to empower every young person to be able to avoid the traps. Time expired. Hon. W. M. EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha—ALP) (Minister for Health and Minister Assisting the Premier on Women's Policy) (6.31 p.m.): Firstly, I will mention some figures for the benefit of the member for Callide, who spoke about the needle availability program. When I became the Minister for Health, I was concerned that, in just two years, there had been a 94 per cent increase in the number of needles being distributed under the previous Health Minister, the current opposition leader. That number continued to increase, but at almost half the rate—about 55 per cent—during my first two years as minister. And in the last year it appears that there has been no increase whatsoever. The Beattie government understands that the type of programs most likely to be useful in preventing the use of drugs are those that also tackle other social problems. That is what the government's four-year drugs strategy Beyond the Quick Fix is all about. Since 1998, the Beattie government has allocated an extra $4.6 million a year for initiatives under our Crime Prevention That Works and Illicit Drugs strategies. We have funded naltrexone and buprenorphine trials; given more money to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service and for more Queensland Health staff in prevention and treatment services; extended the methadone treatment program, which is now the most accessible in the country; worked with licensees to attack binge drinking; provided $1.4 million over four years for a drug and alcohol withdrawal program for 13 to 18 year olds at the Mater Hospital; and given more money to prevention programs, such as 100% In Control, Croc Eisteddfod, Rock Eisteddfod and Rumble in the Jungle. We have funded indigenous alcohol and drug strategies in the cape and the gulf communities, and funded training programs—the best training programs in Australia—for GPs to administer a range of home detoxification treatments and illicit drug early intervention measures. We have also allocated an extra $1.14 million for health assessments, treatment and rehabilitation services for the drug court trial. This includes 59 residential places and 84 outpatient places a year in the non-government sector. The effectiveness of various drug treatments will depend largely on the individual drug users involved and whether they are ready to change. The single most identifying factor in success is whether the persons themselves are ready to change. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. As a government, we accept that there is room for new approaches and new services. I have been made very aware of the gaps in rehabilitation services in our regional areas. So we are going to address those gaps, with 30 extra residential drug rehabilitation beds in regional Queensland and another 20 beds for referrals from the drug courts in Townsville and Cairns. This will complement the existing community and home-based rehabilitation programs that are already available there. The Beattie government's Strengthening Families strategy goes to the heart of our efforts to stop young people from falling into the trap of drug and alcohol abuse. Two of the initiatives in that strategy are the very highly successful youth health nurses in our state high schools and free parenting programs in over 30 sites across the state. I am absolutely delighted to hear that there is now National Party support for these, because other members would remember when the opposition Health spokesperson vocally opposed them. Youth health nurses are working with students, parents and teachers in the school communities across the state on a range of health and lifestyle initiatives. These include smoking prevention and, of course, alcohol and drug abuse prevention. They can pick up on emerging problems and refer young people to specialist services for expert help. They are trusted professionals who are highly regarded in those communities; and anyone who has met them would be very impressed by how enthusiastic, supportive and hardworking they are. The highly in demand positive parenting courses are free of charge to families from 30 centres across Queensland. The Triple P initiative gives parents the tools that they need to help them overcome the problems, such as drug taking, before they take root. We are also expanding these programs because they are so successful. There is a worldwide bank of evidence that 340 Drug Strategy 4 Apr 2001 shows that self-esteem and self-confidence in children and young adults is the key. This is how they will resist negative influences on their lifestyle choices, such as smoking and drug and alcohol abuse, and other harmful measures, such as early pregnancy, and all those other issues that young people face and which can have drastic consequences for them. The government does not have all the answers. I welcome bipartisan support. I offered bipartisan support to the now opposition leader when he was the Health Minister. He rejected it then, but I welcome it now, because we know that this is a difficult issue. Time expired. Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore—NPA) (6.36 p.m.): I acknowledge that, across this parliament, we have bipartisan support for a crackdown on illicit drugs. I believe that there is a lot of genuine concern amongst members in this parliamentary chamber and agreement that there is much in the two motions that is similar. I believe that the real measure of the success of any government is going to be in the reduction of harm in our community, with young people not taking up drugs, losing their lives to drugs or experimenting with drugs; with people being freed from this grip and not finding themselves spiralling down into a life of poverty and crime, disturbing people's comfort in the community as that crime cycle continues. The real measure will be if there is such a reduction. My concern is that significant targets have still not been put in place. I believe that, in any illicit drug strategy, it is necessary to take the words that we all agree upon and provide an implementation strategy whereby a government and a community can measure the success of that strategy; and when talking about significant amounts of funding, to make that funding accountable to the community, so that we know where the drug and alcohol workers are, where the successful programs are, and where the rehabilitation and detoxification services are. Currently, there is not a spread of rehabilitation and detoxification services throughout regional Queensland. There are certainly significant holes. That is why the coalition—and certainly the National Party in this parliament—supports an increase in the number of rehabilitation beds. On the Sunshine Coast—to give an example of just one area—I understand that the number of heroin deaths is similar to the number on the Gold Coast, and there are virtually no detoxification or rehabilitation services. The same situation applies to other regional areas of Queensland; there are no detoxification or rehabilitation services. So we need a program to educate the public about the dangers of drugs and to educate young people about the dangers of uptake. If somebody indicates that they are on drugs and they want to get off drugs, where do they go? Currently, it sometimes takes months and months before people can get into existing rehabilitation centres outside their regions. It is very expensive for them to travel to those centres, and it is very disruptive, particularly for women with young children. So tragically, people give up. The pattern of rehabilitation that has developed in research shows that, unfortunately for the majority, they may not be successful the first time. Once again, if we are to set targets and be serious about these strategies in attacking illicit drug use, we need to consider how to minimise—to reduce—the relapse of people into a drug lifestyle. We need to consider the best practice for reducing the incidence of relapse and ways to provide the appropriate support; because there is no quick pill, there is no quick fix. This is a problem which takes a concerted, coordinated effort. We have heard the Leader of the Opposition talk about that coordinated effort. We believe that, as a compassionate society, we need to have the right blend between justice and mercy so that those who peddle drugs face the full force of the law and that there are more significant penalties to attack those people. Those who want to get free of drugs, who wish to get free of that spiral of death and destruction, should have that opportunity. Currently there are waiting lists, particularly for young people, to access detoxification rehabilitation. One of the areas in which there is a critical lack of facilities is the treatment of polydrug users. There has been a very heavy focus on methadone treatment, which may be appropriate in some cases but is totally inappropriate for polydrug users and amphetamine users, who need a different approach to treatment for their particular addiction. We need a strategic plan—we must be accountable to the community, whose money we are spending on trying to solve these problems—in relation to addressing in particular the amphetamine use in this state. Polydrug use leads to mental health problems. There is something like a 70 per cent overlay between mental health and drug problems in this state. Once again, there is a need to have accountable systems to make sure that people are not flicked from one service to another. 4 Apr 2001 Drug Strategy 341

Unfortunately, that does happen in many of our communities in Queensland, because the relevant agencies have different ways of addressing mental health and drug issues. There is a need for established targets by which the community can measure the success of any program. We urge that such targets be available to the public so that people can see that the drug and alcohol workers are in the community and that they are funded. We need goals against which the community can measure the success of these programs. Parents need to be able to give their children security and hope for the future— Time expired. Mr REEVES (Mansfield—ALP) (6.41 p.m.): It gives me great pleasure to support the amended motion moved by the Attorney-General. The issue of drugs in our community is one which concerns all Queenslanders. It is very complex. One only has to see the movie Traffic, which is showing at the moment, to appreciate how complex the issue is overseas as well as in Australia. The Beattie government, more than any other government, has initiated across the whole of government new approaches and new methods to break the drug cycle. Our Tough on Crime, Tough on the Causes of Crime strategy is one of the most comprehensive approaches to this issue. This government is well aware of the strong links between crime and the use and misuse of illegal drugs. Many people—unfortunately, many young people—become addicted to drugs and turn to crime to fund their increasingly expensive habit. It is a vicious and soul-destroying cycle. The best way to break this cycle is to get in early and help people stop using drugs. The Queensland illicit drug diversion initiative recently announced by the Premier is just one of the important programs initiated by our government. It gives people who are caught using drugs the chance to undertake treatment rather than getting caught up in the criminal justice system. It is not a soft option; it gives them one chance to undergo rehabilitation. The major element of this initiative is a police diversion program for offenders caught with a minor amount of cannabis—50 grams or less—for personal use. Violent offenders and those dealing in drugs are not eligible for these programs. Along with the drug court program, this initiative gives people a chance for rehabilitation and an important opportunity to break the drug cycle. Our whole-of-government approach to the drug issue is an acknowledgment that there is no quick fix. It is an approach based on three key strategies—education, treatment for drug dependency and law enforcement. We start in the schools, where education programs and support staff are available to our young people to provide valuable assistance at a time when they may be tempted by or offered drugs. For those who find themselves in the drug cycle, our diversion approach gives them a second chance before they face tough penalties and jail sentences. The drug court trial at Beenleigh, Ipswich and Southport provides an alternative to prison—a chance for rehabilitation. If the objectives of the drug court trial are achieved, we will see a reduction in both drug dependency and the resources required for jailing offenders. This is an important and valuable program and involves a whole range of people and agencies, including magistrates, the Premier's Department, the Justice Department, Legal Aid Queensland, Queensland Health, the Department of Corrective Services, the Department of Housing, the Department of Families and the Queensland Police Service. There is no question about making the effort; our government is determined to do everything it can to prevent the spread of drugs and the illegal use of drugs. At the same time, it is putting in place the strongest possible measures against those who sell drugs. The justice system already applies tough penalties for those who traffic in drugs. We are committed to more police—a thousand over the next three years—and a range of programs outlined by the Police Minister to target drugs and the crime that drug addiction leads to. The issue of drugs and the problems they cause in our society is one that our government is tackling like no other government before it. The Minister for Health mentioned the Positive Parenting Program that is in place. During the previous parliament, I was happy to have the minister open a Positive Parenting Program in my electorate at the Palmdale Community Health Centre. Parents have told me about the many great benefits from that program. Many schools in my electorate are crying out for an expansion of the School Nurse Program. Why are they crying out for it? Because they know of its success. I am happy to say that one of the biggest schools in my electorate, Mansfield High, will receive the benefits of that program in an expanded admin block. This is a grassroots attack on the drug problem. It is a whole-of- 342 Drug Strategy 4 Apr 2001 government approach, a holistic approach, that needs to be undertaken to tackle the drug problem. There is no quick fix, and I do not think that anyone in this House thinks there is. It is important to adopt a holistic approach rather than use a big stick. I am proud of this government's commitment to ensuring that we tackle the drug problem. I hope that all members will support the amendment moved by the Attorney-General. Hon. K. R. LINGARD (Beaudesert—NPA) (6.46 p.m.): Drug use by our youth has become such a massive problem that we have all been forced to change our preconceived attitudes towards the control of drugs. Those of us who advocated the cold turkey approach many years ago have been forced to accept that some people are so deeply involved in drugs that it is virtually impossible for them to go cold turkey and that they need much more assistance than we ever thought was necessary. It used to be believed that hard decisions by our courts would resolve the problem. Now we know full well that any kid who is involved in drugs has probably spent his last penny and hocked everything that he owns. It is impossible for the courts to impose very strict penalties and stop our kids from taking drugs in that way. Generally, these kids have no money and no possessions whatsoever because they have hocked them. We know how difficult it is to catch drug dealers, with many drugs such as amphetamines and speed being made in backyards. Recently in the media we have seen that it is almost impossible to control the use of drugs in sport. Therefore, as legislators, we must adopt a very comprehensive attitude towards our attack on drugs. Discussions with young people who are involved in the use of drugs reveals many and varied reasons for their involvement in drugs. The strategies that we adopt must cover all aspects. They certainly must involve the initial step of prevention. I find that many politicians tend to go right past that step, because they have a fixation with solving the problem rather than looking at prevention in the first place. We must take a very hard line with drug suppliers. We must also consider how to deal with those who are taking drugs. In this respect, I must admit to a preconceived attitude to places like the drug and alcohol facility Logan House, which was established in the northern part of the Beaudesert Shire amid great controversy. Logan House is an example of the excellent work that has been done by the Drug and Alcohol Foundation. When that facility was established, there were rumours that we would have drug users on the streets. That has not happened, and generally that area has been very well controlled. Similarly, we must deal with the penalties, and then, most importantly, we must introduce rehabilitation programs for the kids. I am concerned that programs such as Life Education have been allowed to flounder, receiving only community assistance. To me, that is evidence of a preconceived idea that we can control drugs through the schools and the parents only. We need all the assistance that we can possibly get out of the community. Life Education was one such program. An amount of $1.5m over three years was put into that program. That funding has been withdrawn by the ALP government and now, of course, Life Education depends solely on community support. I believe that that is a program that the government should support. I refer to an article in the Courier-Mail by Matthew Hart, in which he states— Amphetamine use in Queensland has outstripped that of any other state or territory according to a snapshot of our illicit drug habits. He states further— ... the average purity of methamphetamine seized in Queensland over the past year was second only to that of Western Australia. We really have to work out why that is happening. The article states further— User reports from Brisbane indicate amphetamines are now most likely to be the first drug ever injected. And further— Over the last 12 to 14 months the number of amphetamine-dependent clients has steadily grown, and now make the majority of clients we have. Regardless of whether those figures are the correct figures—and I have quoted from the Courier- Mail—or whether the Health Minister's figures are more correct, it is quite obvious that the problem is increasing. Tonight, the opposition will certainly support the government's amendment. It would be silly if we were to reject that in order to try to support our own. However, I refer to the Positive Parenting Program, because three years ago we put into place a parenting program at Loganholme, which 4 Apr 2001 Drug Strategy 343 was to be an open-shop space where people could walk in and see a user-friendly parenting centre, which had plenty of toys for young kids and where parents could look at the videos and all the booklets that are available. Unfortunately, before that program was set up, those booklets and videos were made available only at Margaret Street. I know that the Families Minister withdrew that program at Loganholme and put that program into libraries around Queensland, saying that the program needed to be spread further around Queensland. Of course, those parenting centres needed to be spread further around Queensland. But if you go into the community, I do not think that you would find any parent who knows that those things are in the libraries. Time expired. Mrs DESLEY SCOTT (Woodridge—ALP) (6.51 p.m.): I wish to commend our government for its commitment to our youth, and in particular to what will be a comprehensive whole-of- government approach to developing drug policy. Many of these initiatives will have a very positive effect on my electorate. I have listened to the outpouring of parents, distraught that their child or children have become caught up in the drug scene and of grandmothers and grandfathers suddenly back to raising a young family again of perhaps three or four children because their daughter is too drug affected to care for her children. These are heartbreaking stories and we hear them all too often. Last week, I spoke at a police community consultative meeting. In the question time following, I heard questions relating to the serious matter of paint sniffing, or chroming, as it is known. Three groups have now formed in Logan City to discuss and talk through strategies to arrest this problem. They will now combine their efforts, and I will welcome discussions with them. Embodied in these seven strategies for action is a comprehensive education program. I have a very passionate interest in seeing the availability of the Triple P program greatly increased in my electorate. Having young parents educated to form meaningful, close relationships with their children from a young age is imperative. The family care nurse providing home visitation is also another element that will play a major role in this initiative. I am also very happy to see the number of school-based youth health nurses increased across the state. I have been pleased to see the Beenleigh court, which serves my electorate, has been one of the courts selected for the drug courts trial. I believe there are many elements of this program, such as the rehabilitation imperative, which will be welcomed by our community and, in particular, parents. Over the years, many a time I have listened to the impassioned plea of parents who have found nowhere suitable for the rehabilitation of their youngsters. The drug scene is an obscene scourge on our society. We need to reclaim our youth, and I believe that these measures will make a difference. I have the greatest respect for the police in my district, particularly the senior officers. They are men and women who really care about our kids, and I believe that they will be involved in a more intensive way to see drug dealers taken out of our society. I am personally acquainted with Mr Bruce Kiehne, who has invented a cheap, simple, retractable needle. He is a long-term resident in Logan City. I believe these will be an added safety measure. I give these strategies my support and believe all parents who have drug-affected kids and the many who fear their kids being preyed upon will welcome this amended motion. To the community members who suffer the effects of drugs by home break-ins and theft, to see a reduction in the number of users in society—they will also applaud these measures. Mr COPELAND (Cunningham—NPA) (6.54 p.m.): It is a sad indictment on our modern society that today's youth is probably the first generation who has no hope of exceeding the expectations or the achievements of their parents. That lack of hope leaves them with a huge self-esteem problem and leads them to being drawn into such things as the horrors of drugs and drug addiction. We must do everything that we possibly can to prevent our young people from falling into the trap of drug addiction and resorting to drugs. We must start with an education program; we must intervene early and let them know that it is not okay to do drugs. For those kids that it is too late for, we must work hard to get them off the drugs. We must provide the facilities and the ability for those kids to get off the drugs where and when they want to get off them. Once we get them off the drugs, we have to keep them off. We have to do everything that we possibly can to keep them off. But most of all, we have to get the pushers off the streets. We 344 Drug Strategy 4 Apr 2001 have to get tough on those people who are peddling death to our kids every day in every street around this state. As the member for Callide said, it is very easy for the government members to sit here and sprout rhetoric, but we must match that rhetoric with action. We have to put all of the good deeds to work, and we must make sure that we do not say that what we have done for the past three years is good enough, because clearly it is not good enough. You do not have to be in Brisbane, you do not have to be on the Gold Coast, you do not have to be in Cairns or Townsville to see what the drug problem is; you can go to virtually any country town, any regional centre, any major provincial city, or any metropolitan area to see what the ravages of drugs are doing to our kids and our society. It is ironic that just this very week senior members of the ALP have been publicly advocating safe injecting rooms to make it easier for our kids to go and inject hard drugs while at the very same time this week, in this parliament, we have seen legislation introduced to make it harder to smoke tobacco and normal cigarettes. What sort of messages are those conflicting points of view sending? It is good to see in this motion that has been moved that there is a clear and unambiguous position not to legalise safe injecting rooms and not to legalise marijuana or any other drug. But what we need to do is have a consistent view right across all parties and from within the senior parts of the Labor Party—whom we have seen this week advocating those things—so that it is clearly a bipartisan attack on drugs and that we will do everything that we possibly can do to take them off our streets. Will this public advocacy by the mayor, for example, lead to a lobby to legalise marijuana? The problems with marijuana are widespread. We have to combat the message that it is okay to try marijuana, that it is a harmless drug, because it is not a harmless drug. Mrs Edmond interjected. Mr COPELAND: It is not a harmless drug; it is exacerbating all sorts of things such as mental illness— Mr Springborg: There are a lot of people in the government who say that it doesn't. Mr COPELAND: That is right. A lot of people within the government and within the Labor Party say that it is okay and that we should be looking at legalising marijuana. I am glad to see in this motion that it is clearly stated that that will not happen. But we have to make sure that the messages coming out are clear and unambiguous: that it is not okay to do marijuana. The psychoses, the mental illness problems that have been exacerbated by the use of marijuana, are quite clear. Miss Simpson interjected. Mr COPELAND: The cancer, as the shadow minister for health reminds me. It affects personality, it affects the ability to deal with life and, for the vast majority of people who go on to use harder drugs, they start with marijuana. It does not necessarily follow that if you use marijuana you will go on to use harder drugs, but the vast majority of people who do go on to use harder drugs started with using marijuana. What message does it send when, on the one hand, we are saying that drugs are bad, drugs kill and drugs are not good and, on the other hand, we have people like the Lord Mayor saying, 'They will kill only if you don't use them where we reckon that it is okay for you to use them'? There must be a multifaceted attack with education, rehabilitation and compassion, and detention and punishment for those people who are pushing the drugs. We have to focus especially on juvenile detoxification and make sure that there are facilities available right across the state so that when a young person gets the urge—no matter whether it is 1 o'clock in the afternoon or 12 o'clock at night—they can access those juvenile detoxification units and get help to address the problem that they have recognised that they have with drugs and not be told, 'Come back in about a month and maybe we will have a place for you,' and be sent away. We also have to have those juvenile detoxification centres right across the state, and not just concentrated in metropolitan Brisbane or on the Gold Coast. Time expired. Amendment agreed to. Motion, as amended, agreed to. 4 Apr 2001 Adjournment 345

ADJOURNMENT Hon. A. M. BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Leader of the House) (7.00 p.m.): I move— That the House do now adjourn.

Hymenachne Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook—NPA) (7.00 p.m.): Hymenachne has become a major problem in many of the wet tropical regions of north Queensland. The plant was introduced for ponded pastures, but in the last four to five years it has spread dramatically into wetland areas. The open areas of wetlands in the Palm and Cattle Creek systems at Ingham have become inundated with hymenachne. There has been very little recognition of the problem that this plant is causing, other than to recognise it as a weed of national significance. Hymenachne is spreading into canefields, blocking up streams and drainage systems, and causing a loss of productivity. The farming community has raised concerns about the rapid spread of this pest. I know that experimental work has been carried out for at least four years on a range of chemicals by an agency within the Department of Natural Resources, yet there is an expectation that landholders and local authorities should apply to the National Registration Authority to register a chemical to combat the spread of hymenachne in waterways using a helicopter. Surely with the responsibility of the Department of Natural Resources, which has agencies to deal with the incursions of feral pests, after at least four years of trial work they should have a greater capacity to deal with the problem. It is ridiculous that a local authority or a group of individuals should have to muster the resources to identify a suitable method of treating areas that are impracticable to control with ground-based equipment. The other option is to have some form of biological control to combat the impact of this pest on waterways and wetlands. Rather than continuing to buy up tracts of land that are being inadequately managed, it would be of a major benefit to national parks and surrounding land- holders if the growing problem of pests was dealt with. Bioactive Round Up combined with 24D seems to be very effective in controlling hymenachne. Those herbicides are cost effective and are relatively safe chemicals to apply, but they need to be registered through the National Registration Authority for wider use with hymenachne. If the spread of this pest is not controlled immediately, it will have a severe impact on the environment in north Queensland. The Environmental Protection Agency can make significant demands with respect to development, which can entail exhaustive and costly planning, yet here we have an environmental disaster and the level of activity to combat the effect or to find a solution has barely received lip-service. It is evident that this government has only a token interest in dealing with the serious effects now occurring with hymenachne in north Queensland. Time expired.

Telephone Call Charges, Dayboro Mrs LAVARCH (Kurwongbah—ALP) (7.03 p.m.): The Australian Communications Authority has recently released the Telecommunications Performance Report 1999-20000. This report draws attention to the significant increase in competition in the local call market over the past year. It indicates that a number of carriage service providers, or CSPs, are offering local calls at rates substantially below Telstra and C&W Optus. In fact, Primus, OneTel, AAPT RSL Com and others have been offering 15c local calls at various stages over the year. This saw Telstra responding with its own 15c neighbourhood call product. In other words, competition is alive and well in the local call market, but this news is cold comfort for the people of Dayboro and surrounding districts. While a 15c local rate is fine for some, Dayboroites would just be happy with a local call charge that is not time costed. This community has been fighting Telstra for some time to get a fair go, but their pleas have thus far fallen on deaf ears. Dayboro may well be where the footpath ends and the country begins, but in reality it is the same distance from the Brisbane CBD as Redcliffe. While Redcliffe residents are charged at the local call rate when phoning Brisbane, Dayboro residents and businesses are time charged for the same call. The Dayboro and District Progress Association has commenced a campaign to make Telstra review the situation. To put the case to Telstra, they recently conducted a survey of local phone 346 Adjournment 4 Apr 2001 charges. This survey revealed that on average private residents spend $106 per month on telephone calls, while businesses spend on average $210 per month. It also showed that 86 per cent of the respondents were with Telstra, four per cent with Optus, six per cent with Primus, three per cent with OneTel, and one per cent were unknown. In the Dayboro district there are 1,080 households and 244 businesses, which means that those CSPs are grossing on average over $100,000 per month from this area. With this buying power, one would think that one of the many CSPs in the local call market would be looking to capitalise on the discontent in Dayboro when it comes to telephone call costs, especially when the progress association survey revealed that 84 per cent of respondents said that they would change their carrier if they could get local call charges to Brisbane. Tonight I join their fight for a better deal. I call on all CSPs operating in the local call market to expand their operations to Dayboro and give those consumers the fair go that they deserve.

National Youth Week Dr WATSON (Moggill—Lib) (7.06 p.m.): Today— Mrs Lavarch: You can speak on competition policy. Dr WATSON: I will leave that for another time. Today I will talk about something that is very important to my electorate and, I think, to all members of this place, which is National Youth Week. As members would know, National Youth Week started last Sunday, 1 April, and will continue till 8 April. The objectives of National Youth Week are threefold. Firstly, it gives young people, particularly those aged between 12 and 25, the opportunity to express their ideas and to raise the views and issues that are of concern to them and the way that they are living their lives. It gives the wider community the opportunity to listen to our younger people and appreciate the positive contribution that younger people make to our society. Thirdly, it promotes a community focused on issues that are of concern to younger people. I am pleased to report to the parliament that last Sunday afternoon a community group in my area, the Kenmore and District Community Centre Association, took the initiative and held a youth leaders' forum. They encouraged youth from a variety of groups in Kenmore and closely related areas to come and talk about the issues that are affecting them. The Kenmore and District Community Centre Association was formed only in 1999. Its objectives were to establish a community centre where the community could meet and to facilitate appropriate community programs to improve neighbourhood life. That is what they were doing last Sunday. They were encouraging youth in the area to come and talk about issues of concern to them, particularly the lack of recreational facilities around the Kenmore area. The lack of recreational facilities, particularly for teenagers, has been an issue for some time, and my area is not unique in that regard. The association wanted to encourage input by the local youth and hear their ideas. The president of the community association, Penny Behan, vice-president Heather Douglas, acting secretary Coral McKillop and Cheryl Bray, who all helped to organise the youth leaders' forum, ought to congratulated. They took the initiative and got a small grant of $500 to help begin a youth program in the area, which I believe will pay enormous dividends in the future. I attended the forum that afternoon for a brief period, because the oldies were invited only for a short time as it was about youth. It was about hearing their ideas and making sure that those ideas were articulated and opportunities were explored on how to address issues of concern. Time expired.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Newsletter Ms BOYLE (Cairns—ALP) (7.09 p.m.): I rise to draw the attention of members of the House to a very positive initiative by a Cairns group in the publication of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Newsletter. I can tell members of this House that it is a very positive and interesting newsletter and, to that extent, the Cairns and District Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation for Women are to be congratulated. It is full colour in its production and yes, of course it is decorated with the designs that we know are typical of indigenous artwork. It is full of news stories on who is doing what and who is going where, particularly stories about successful 4 Apr 2001 Adjournment 347 people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It is also full of pictures and other news about what is going on in the far-north Queensland region. It is such a positive initiative and, yet, one unfortunately that is sorely needed. Too often because of the difficulties that indigenous people have had across our country, particularly in northern Australia, they are spoken of for their problems, for their poverty and for the areas of disadvantage with regard to the problems that are still to be resolved. But this newsletter is not like that. It is about, for example, 15 young students from Yarrabah who are off to the United States. They earned their trip not only by raising money but by performing well at school. It also has an article about the Yarrabah men's group, who have formed to sell the message to other indigenous men about self-respect. They are anti-substance abuse and anti-violence and they have formed a men's health and support group. There are wonderful articles, for example, about individuals such as Dr Latisha Petterson, who is a 31-year-old indigenous woman currently doing her internship at the Cairns Base Hospital. She will graduate with a degree in medicine later this year. She is one of four indigenous doctors in far-north Queensland this year. There is an article about our national Talk Black radio program, a one-hour program hosted by Greg Reid from Bumma Bippera radio in Cairns. There are also pictures of women getting fit in gyms wearing boxing gloves and definitely looking, according to their pictures—Chrissy Deemal and Natalie Hann—as though they are absolutely deserving of respect. Then of course there is an article about Timmy Duggan, one of our Taipans—a famous basketball player—and the only indigenous member of the squad. He spends lots of time in other worthwhile community initiatives. There are lots of indigenous people who should be proud of themselves, and hopefully they will generate an increase in the pride and self-confidence of other indigenous people in far-north Queensland. Time expired.

State Schools, Political Material Hon. K. R. LINGARD (Beaudesert—NPA) (7.12 p.m.): On Thursday, 22 March the member for Robina asked the Minister for Education why she did not stop the Queensland Teachers Union sending out a brochure with the newsletters for all students of those principals who agreed to it. The minister replied by saying— ... this was a pamphlet devised, written and distributed by the Queensland Teachers Union. It sought to distribute the pamphlet through schools. The decision as to whether or not the leaflet would be distributed was a decision made by schools. Then she replied— This is exactly the same set of circumstances that prevailed when David Kemp sought to distribute material ... Maybe that is a very clever answer, and obviously it raised a few laughs within the House. However, I would subtly suggest to the minister and to all government members that if that attitude is allowed to continue, sooner or later we are going to have a real problem within our schools. Here we have newsletters, which are an important part of a school's life. A newsletter is expected to be taken home by the students, and some schools would regard it as compulsory that the newsletter is definitely taken home to all parents. In fact, some students would be disciplined if they did not take it home. Sooner or later we are going to have a political situation in which a school principal may perhaps have an incumbent politician who he believes has not done a great lot of work for the school and a challenger who says that he will do a great lot for the school if elected. What is that principal going to do? Is he going to allow that candidate's brochure to be taken home, pinned to all of the newsletters? Is he going to allow Woolworths to start to advertise through the newsletters and attach to the newsletters these brochures? Whilst the answer of the Minister for Education might have been quite funny, it certainly does not allow the situation to be controlled within the schools. If you were a principal of a school that was making a decision, imagine what you would have to do. You have to go to the P&C association and ask them about each particular brochure. These political brochures supposedly should be allowed to be sent home attached to a newsletter if the principal agrees and if the school agrees. You have to have a staff who are all on side with the political decision to send home a brochure which is political. You are going to have to look at the principal's attitude. You are then going to have to sit down and decide whether the Queensland Teachers Union has 348 Adjournment 4 Apr 2001 supplied all the pamphlets. Someone has to sort them out. Someone has to sit there at the school machine and staple all of these to the newsletter—and do not tell me that that is not going to cost money. That is going to be Education money, and the staples are not going to come from some sort of funding. You are going to have the teachers handing them out and then, more importantly, you are going to have students taking home these political brochures—and remember now that we have many students in our schools who are of voting age; they are over 18. What are you going to say? Are you going to say it is definitely compulsory to take it home? Time expired.

Howard-Costello Government Ms STRUTHERS (Algester—ALP) (7.15 p.m.): Families and businesses are struggling in the face of rising prices for goods and services and rising fuel prices under the mean-spirited policies of the Howard-Costello government. Their mean-spirited decisions are also evident in superannuation policy. I am aware that many mature age people—Stan Myers from my local area is one example—are finding themselves displaced from the work force. Stan and many others are struggling to keep their heads above water. They are unable to gain early access to part of their superannuation funds to re-establish themselves in new work or retrain. Many are forced to seek support through our very good state government employment programs. In 1997 the Howard government tightened the financial hardship criteria in the superannuation industry regulations, making it almost impossible for people to gain early access to part of their superannuation. I am well aware of the importance of a substantial superannuation pool to encourage self-reliance and financial security in retirement, but it does not make good economic sense to withhold a lifeline from people in their middle years. Failure to provide the superannuation lifeline can result in many thousands of people being forced to rely on government benefits well before retirement. Between the financial years 1992-93 and 1994-95 under a federal Labor government, an average of 35,000 people applied to use this lifeline and were granted it. Between July 1997 and June 2000 under the mean-spirited Howard-Costello government, 37,500 applications for early release were lodged, but only 13,961 were granted in that full three-year period. There is good economic sense in the proposal for a lifelong saving system put forward by ACOSS, the Australian Council of Social Services, and I commend ACOSS for the high standard of their policy work. The ACOSS proposal is that at least two-thirds of both compulsory and voluntary savings held within approved lifelong savings accounts be preserved until retirement. The following restrictions would apply to the amount and timing of withdrawals, including things like a $10,000 limit and allowing only one withdrawal per single year. There are many good things in their policy. Additional funds could be withdrawn only on retirement or under hardship and disability rules. My message to the Howard government is: listen to the needs of people and ease their pain now; free up the superannuation access guidelines and give people such as Stan Myers a dignified go at a new start in life.

School Transport Subsidy Scheme Mr WELLINGTON (Nicklin—Ind) (7.18 p.m.): I rise tonight to talk about the difficulties many parents face in obtaining accurate information about the state government's school transport subsidy scheme. This problem continues to cause heartache and significant financial difficulties to many families in my electorate. It appears that the Department of Transport staff, Education Department staff and private bus contractors are working in isolation, to the detriment of many families. For example, in my own electorate there are numerous cases of hardship, which have already been brought to the minister's attention, in which children from the same family are sent to up to three different schools because of different bus transport contracts. It is an absolute disgrace that families are being separated because the school transport system is so inflexible. I cite the case of three children living at Little Yabba. Instead of the three attending the Kenilworth State School, which goes from preschool to grade 10, they are sent to three different schools. This causes great hardship in families where it is usual for the younger children to be looked after while at school by their older brothers or sisters. As well, the parents are running in different directions to tuckshop, sports days, speech nights and many other activities. 4 Apr 2001 Adjournment 349

Three children from the same Palmwoods family who had caught the Palmwoods bus to Chevallum for four years have now been told that the youngest child must travel to Eudlo. This is ridiculous because the family moved to Chevallum, which is 5.1 kilometres away, so they could be close to the school. Instead, the Eudlo school is 5.7 kilometres away. Another example of difficulties caused to a family because of the department's inflexibility is the case of a student who last year went to North Arm State School, a feeder school to the Nambour State High School. The girl was enrolled at Nambour State High School and the mother was told that her daughter was eligible for a bus pass. When school started this year, the girl was given an interim bus pass to travel to Nambour State High School. However, after a full week of attending the school, the mother was told that her daughter now had to go to the Noosa District State High School. Imagine the distress this decision caused. The girl was devastated. After the emotional upheaval of settling in at the new school, the family had to find more money for new uniforms and books, et cetera. There are glaring anomalies in the current school transport system. I urge the Minister for Transport to get the three major entities—the Department of Education, the Transport Department and the private bus operators—to work together to make sure that all school families know exactly what their school transport options are well before the end of a school year. I also urge the minister to ensure that his department maintains this government's focus on the importance of the family unit by ensuring that the system is flexible enough to allow members of the same family to attend the same school.

Centenary of Federation Celebrations Mr BRISKEY (Cleveland—ALP) (7.21 p.m.): Recently I had the pleasure of taking part in the Major Mitchell fourth expedition multi-region project. I acknowledge the presence of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Vaughan Johnson, at that launch. This year Queensland is commemorating the 100th birthday of Australia's nationhood with a program of activities as diverse as the state itself. Queensland's celebrations for the Centenary of Federation will run in a 12-month, 12-region program. While the spotlight will be on regional celebrations month by month, Queenslanders throughout the state will be able to tap into other federation activities during the year. The Centenary of Federation Queensland is a $25 million program with a contribution of $23 million from the Beattie Labor government and further assistance from the National Council of the Centenary of Federation, corporate sponsors and local government. The Beattie Labor government recognises the historical significance of the bush to the development of Australia. Therefore, the Major Mitchell trail project has been funded by a grant of $100,000 through the Queensland Community Assistance Program of Centenary of Federation Queensland. The Trail Steering Committee has traced the trail of Major Mitchell's fourth expedition and marked his campsites throughout his journey from Hebel to Isisford and back to Mungindi. A waterbag relay commenced at Hebel on 1 April and a relay of waterbags will extend through Queensland from New South Wales, stopping at each shire to celebrate and pass the waterbag to the mayor of the next shire at the campsite of the exploration party. Major Mitchell is credited with the invention of the modern-day waterbag. However, it is believed that he borrowed the idea from local Aborigines. It is apt that this icon be employed as a fitting reminder of the relationship of the waterbag to both Aboriginal and European cultures. Modern-day travellers will now be able to follow his route armed with maps and brochures. The trail is marked by easily identifiable signage depicting Mitchell astride his horse looking through his eyeglass. They will be able to experience the thrill of the expedition and gain a greater understanding of the culture and environment in western Queensland. While the Beattie Labor government is proud to have contributed $100,000 to this project, I also acknowledge in this the Year of the Volunteer the many volunteers who made this project the success that it is. I also pay tribute to the more than 3,000 volunteers who have become involved with events and projects throughout Queensland. The contribution of multicultural communities to the development of our nation has been a strong theme of the Centenary of Federation Queensland celebrations. I have had the pleasure of attending several Centenary of Federation Queensland events. It is a pleasure to see Queenslanders coming together to celebrate events that seek to honour our national unity while celebrating regional diversity. 350 Adjournment 4 Apr 2001

Specialist Health Services Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—NPA) (Deputy Leader of the National Party) (7.23 p.m.): In this House yesterday I asked the Minister for Health a question in relation to the retention of the Flying Surgeon based at Longreach. I also made reference to specialist services visiting Emerald in the Central Highlands. Tonight I wish to put on the record the reason why I asked that question. For the government to relocate the Flying Surgeon from Longreach to another centre is totally unacceptable. We will not compromise or negotiate on that fact. I spoke to the minister about this when she was in Longreach a couple of weeks ago. The minister and Dr John Youngman, the Deputy Director-General of Queensland Health, undertook a flying visit around western Queensland to look at health services. It is absolutely paramount that that service be retained in Longreach to service the central west. It is vital to the ongoing viability and continuity of specialist medical services to that part of the state because of the area's disadvantage regarding location. Another issue I want to touch on this evening relates to specialist services in Emerald. Whilst that area is serviced by gynaecologists and gastroenterologists, it is absolutely paramount to allow those private specialists to perform their duties in that area. In relation to women's health not only in Emerald but also in the central west—and Dr Jim Baker has performed a very good service as the Flying Gynaecologist over a long time—it is absolutely paramount to break down the barriers to ensure that these services can be performed by doctors in Central Highlands hospitals. Another topic I wish to touch on is the issue of drugs for patients who visit the Flying Doctor Service at clinics in places like Bedourie and Birdsville. Most of the time drugs are brought in from Mount Isa or Quilpie on the back of a mail truck in hot conditions. That service is totally unacceptable. I ask the Health Minister and the Department of Health to look at this situation. It is one that is critical and paramount to the ongoing delivery of medical services to that part of the world. The Flying Doctor Service needs to be able to prescribe drugs to patients. It is important to revisit that situation to ensure that that service is A1.

Gaming Machines, Keperra Mr WILSON (Ferny Grove—ALP) (7.26 p.m.): The Queensland Gaming Commission has just rejected an application for a gaming machine licence for 35 machines by Indigo Project Pty Ltd at the new $40 million Great Western Shopping Centre at Keperra within my electorate. I welcome the advice from the Office of Gaming Regulation of the commission's decision. I should tell the House that I strongly support the decision. I received many telephone calls and letters last year from local residents and businesses strongly objecting to the application. As an indication of the extent of community opposition to the application, I can confidently say that since the June 1998 election this issue generated more responses from the community than virtually any other issue. Objections raised with me and referred to the Gaming Commission included concerns about the location of a gaming venue in a major shopping centre; the possible adverse impact on the business of local clubs with the addition of an extra gaming venue; the fact that the community already has a sufficient number of gaming machines to satisfy demand; the fact that there should not be more gaming machines in the local area; the fact that there should not be new sites with a significant number of machines; the fact that there was a potential harmful impact upon the ability of existing local clubs to continue their community activities; and, finally, the harmful impact on people from excessive gambling. Many people were impressed with the new shopping centre and with its range of services but were clearly opposed to the application for a gaming machine licence. In formulating a submission on behalf of my constituents, I endeavoured to take into account all points of view. I met with representatives of the applicants and representatives of a number of local clubs, and spoke with local residents about the application. At the end of the day, the local community overwhelmingly opposed the application. I personally was not satisfied that the benefits would outweigh the social and other costs that would flow from the approval of this application. In particular, I did not support the application given that the venue was proposed to be part of a major shopping centre. In reaching this position, I took account of the applicant's assurances that the tavern would be located in a building that was separate from other shopping retail outlets. The commission's decision is a terrific win for local residents, local clubs and small businesses in the suburbs of the north-west of Brisbane, especially those in the electorate of Ferny Grove. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 7.29 p.m.