Legislative Assembly 84 6 March 1990 NOTE: There could be differences between this document and the official printed Hansard, Vol. 314 TUESDAY, 6 MARCH 1990 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove), read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. PARLIAMENTARY SERVICE COMMISSION Appointment of Members Mr SPEAKER: I wish to advise honourable members that pursuant to section 6 of the Parliamentary Service Commission Act 1988 the Parliamentary Service Commission comprises seven members of the Legislative Assembly. The membership shall include Mr C. B. Campbell, MLA, Chairman of Committees; the Honourable T. K. Mackenroth, MLA, Leader of the House; Mr K. R. Lingard, MLA, who has been nominated by the honourable Leader of the Opposition; and myself. Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) (10.01 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— "That Mr K. W. Smyth, MLA, Mrs D. E. McCauley, MLA, and Mr J. A. M. Innes, MLA, be appointed as members of the Parliamentary Service Commission." Motion agreed to. VACANCY IN SENATE OF COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have to report that His Excellency the Governor has been informed by the President of the Senate of the resignation of Senator John Owen Stone, as follows— "President of the Senate Parliament House Canberra 1 March 1990 His Excellency the Hon. Sir Walter Campbell, AC, QC Governor of Queensland Government House BRISBANE QLD 4000 Your Excellency, Pursuant to the provisions of section 21 of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution, I notify Your Excellency that a vacancy has happened in the representation of the State of Queensland through the resignation of Senator John Owen Stone on this day. Yours sincerely, (signed) Kerry W. Sibraa President of the Senate" In pursuance of the provisions of Standing Order No. 331—Casual Vacancy in the Senate—I propose to summon honourable members to meet in the Legislative Assembly Chamber on Tuesday, 20 March 1990, at 7.30 p.m., for the purpose of electing a senator. Legislative Assembly 85 6 March 1990 QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENTARY HANDBOOK AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS; PHOTOGRAPHS Mr SPEAKER: I have to inform honourable members that official photographs for the Queensland Parliamentary Handbook will be taken today from 12 noon to 4 p.m in room 504. In addition, photographs for identification cards will be taken today from 11 a.m. in room 514. PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— Brisbane Limited Rail Service From Mr Hamill (34 signatories) praying for talks with the New South Wales Government to retain the Brisbane Limited rail service. Inclusion of Florence Bay in Magnetic Island National Park From Mr Comben (53 signatories) praying that Florence Bay be included entirely in the Magnetic Island national park. Proposed Marinas at Wynnum and Tingalpa Creeks From Mr Burns (60 signatories) praying for rejection of marina proposals at Wynnum and Tingalpa Creeks. Daylight-saving From Mr Ardill (235 signatories) praying that summer daylight-saving continue on a permanent basis. Burnett Heads Harbour Housing Development From Mr Campbell (505 signatories) praying that the land fill for housing development in Burnett Heads Harbour area not proceed. Teaching of Vietnamese Language in Primary and Secondary Courses From Mr Palaszczuk (123 signatories) praying for the introduction of the study of the Vietnamese language in primary and secondary courses where there are sufficient numbers of students willing to study that language. Study of Transport Needs in South-east Queensland From Mr McLean (1 456 signatories) praying for a major study of transport needs in south-east Queensland and that no action be taken on the proposed bridge from Teneriffe to Bulimba or adjacent suburbs. Petitions received. PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed— Reports--- Department of Works for the year ended 30 June 1989 Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1989 Nominal Defendant (Queensland) for the year ended 30 June 1989 The Commissioner of Land Tax for the year ended 30 June 1989 Legislative Assembly 86 6 March 1990 Golden Casket Art Union Office for the year ended 30 June 1989 State Service Superannuation Board for the year ended 30 June 1989 Queensland Treasury Corporation for the year ended 30 June 1989 Council of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research for the year ended 30 June 1989 Queensland Health and Medical Services for the year ended 30 June 1989. The following papers were laid on the table--- Financial Statements of the Trustees of the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Fund for the year ended 30 June 1989. Proclamations under the Forestry Act 1959-1987 Orders in Council under--- Harbours Act 1955-1989 Education and Charitable Institutions Act 1861-1967 State Service Superannuation Act 1972-1989 Superannuation (Government and Other Employees) Ac t 1988 Queensland Nickel Agreement Act 1970-1988 Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982-1989 Forestry Act 1959-1987 Primary Producers’ Co-operative Associations Act 1923-1989 Primary Producers’ Organisation and Marketing Act 1926-1989 Health Act 1937-1989 Nursing Studies Act 1976-1984 Racing and Betting Act 1980-1989 Racing Venues Development Act 1982-1988 Liquor Act 1912-1989 Regulations under--- Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1979-1988 Pawnbrokers Act 1984-1985 Hawkers Act 1984-1985 Second-hand Dealers and Collectors Act 1984-1985 State Transport Act 1960-1985 Professional Engineers Act 1988 Liquor Act 1912-1989 Health Act 1937-1989 Hospitals Act 1936-1988 Primary Producers’ Organisation and Marketing Act 1926-1989 and the Wheat Pool Act 1920-1989 By-laws under--- Railways Act 1914-1985 Harbours Act 1955-1989 Chiropractic Manipulative Therapists Act 1979-1987 Dental Act 1971-1987 Optometrists Act 1974-1989 Rules under--- Casino Control Act 1982 Legislative Assembly 87 6 March 1990 Soccer Football Pools Act 1976-1982 Reports--- Royal Children’s Hospitals Board and the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation for the year ended 30 June 1989 Dental Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1989 The Medical Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1989 Nurses Registration Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1989 Optometrists Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1989 Physiotherapists Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1989 Podiatrists Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1989 Psychologists Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1989 Central Queensland Racing Association for the year ended 30 June 1989 North Queensland Racing Association for the year ended 30 June 1989 Rockhampton Jockey Club for the year ended 30 June 1989 Greyhound Racing Control Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1989 Queensland Harness Racing Board for the year ended 30 June 1989 Totaliser Administration Board of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1989 Trustees of the Bowen Racecourse for the year ended 30 June 1989 Audit Report of the Willows Harness Racing Club for the six months ended 31 December 1989 Audit Report of the Trustees of the Willows Paceway for the year ended 30 June 1989. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE Appointment of Members Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) (10.10 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— "That pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No. 22 the Standing Orders Committee for the present Parliament consists of the following members— Mr Speaker, Mr Goss, Mr Burns, Mr Mackenroth, Mr Cooper, Mr Borbidge and Mr Innes." Motion agreed to. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Proposed Inquiry into Sports Funding Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Wolston—Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (10.12 a.m.), by leave: I wish to inform the House about a serious matter that was recently brought to my attention. It would appear that, under the previous National Party administration, some malpractices were allowed to develop in the making of claims for grants and subsidies under the Encouragement to Sport Scheme, which is now administered by my department. Apparently as far back as 1982, one major youth organisation has been rorting claims and, consequently, has wrongfully and deceitfully applied for and received tens of thousands of dollars. An extensive investigation which is being carried out into that Legislative Assembly 88 6 March 1990 organisation, including its branches throughout the State, will not be completed for some months. However, even at this stage it is almost certain that criminal charges will be laid against a number of people. As soon as the situation was brought to my attention steps were taken to tighten up procedures within the limits of current guidelines and the structure of the scheme. Those steps include— (1) the creation of a database for the management of sporting subsidies with audit control which ensure that subsidy is paid on legitimate and eligible claims and that maximum subsidies are not exceeded; (2) strengthening of auditing provisions to ensure compliance with the guidelines; and (3) random checks to verify income details with individual coaches. I have also conferred with some of my Cabinet colleagues. As a result, last Wednesday the Auditor- General's Office commenced an investigation into all organisations that have benefited under the scheme in the past, which will be a lengthy exercise. However, on information supplied to me, I have reason to believe that some other bodies may also have been taking advantage of the National Party Government's loose and incompetent administration. The blame lies fairly and squarely at their feet and is another reason why they are now sitting in Opposition. In this context I should point out that, some time ago, my Cabinet colleague the Honourable the Minister for Police and Emergency Services raised this very matter in this Parliament, but obviously the previous Government did nothing about it.