Legislative Assembly 10165 15 November 1994

TUESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 1994 Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I have to advise the House that the following papers were tabled during the recess in accordance with the details provided on the Daily Mr SPEAKER (Hon. J. Fouras, Ashgrove) Program circulated to members in the read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. Chamber— 31 October 1994— ASSENT TO BILLS Annual Reports for 1993-94— Mr SPEAKER: Honourable members, I Queensland Treasury have to inform the House that I have received Building and Construction Industry from Her Excellency the Governor a letter in Portable Long Service Leave Board respect of assent to certain Bills, the contents of 1 November 1994— which will be incorporated in the records of the Queensland Government Superannuation Parliament— Schemes—Annual Reports for 1993-94 GOVERNMENT HOUSE, (Incorporating the Annual Reports of the BRISBANE. Government Superannuation Office (Qld), 10th November, 1994 Board of Trustees of the State Public Sector Superannuation Scheme, Board of Dear Mr Speaker, Trustees of the Government Officers' I hereby acquaint the Legislative Assembly Superannuation Scheme, and the State that the following Bills, having been passed by Service Superannuation Board) the Legislative Assembly and having been 3 November 1994— presented for the Royal Assent, were assented to in the name of Her Majesty on 4th November, Annual Reports for 1993-94— 1994: Board of Architects of Queensland "A Bill for an Act to appropriate certain Queensland Treasury Corporation: amounts to services for the financial year Accounts and Controlled Entities 1993-94" 4 November 1994— "A Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Annual Reports for 1993-94— Justice Act 1989" Department of Primary Industries "A Bill for an Act to amend the Industrial Timber Research and Development Relations Act 1990" Advisory Council of Queensland "A Bill for an Act to provide for the Queensland Egg Industry incorporation of certain entities of the Management Authority: Hen Quota Roman Catholic Church and for related Committee—Annual Report for the purposes" year ended 24 June 1994 "A Bill for an Act to provide for the Golden 7 November 1994— Casket Lottery Corporation and the Annual Reports for 1993-94— conduct and administration of lotteries, and for other purposes" Nominal Defendant (Queensland) "A Bill for an Act about agricultural Board of Senior Secondary School colleges" Studies Queensland "A Bill for an Act about the naming of 8 November 1994— places" Queensland Fish Management "A Bill for an Act to amend the Credit Act Authority—Annual Report for 1993-94 1987" 9 November 1994— "A Bill for an Act to amend the Liquor Act Annual Reports for 1993-94— 1992, and for another purpose" Parliamentary Service Commission Yours sincerely, Queensland Industry Development (Sgd) Leneen Forde Corporation—Government Schemes Division—Venture Capital Fund Governor 10 November 1994— Annual Reports for 1993-94— PAPERS TABLED DURING RECESS Royal Brisbane Hospital Research Foundation 15 November 1994 10166 Legislative Assembly

Chiropractors and Osteopaths Board Department of Justice and Attorney- of Queensland General Dental Board of Queensland Electoral Commission of Queensland Dental Technicians and Dental Gateway Bridge Company Limited Prosthetists Board of Queensland Gladstone Port Authority Occupational Therapists Board of Legal Aid Commission Queensland Local Government Grants Optometrists Board of Queensland Commission Pharmacy Board of Queensland Logan Motorway Company Limited Physiotherapists Board of Mackay Port Authority Queensland Mediator of the Retail Shop Lease Podiatrists Board of Queensland Mediation Panel Speech Pathologists Board of Nurses Registration Board of Queensland Queensland Department of Minerals and Office of Local Government Energy—Audited Financial Commissioner Statements for 1993-94 Perpetual Trustees Australia Limited Queensland Coal Board—Audited Financial Statements for 1993-94 Port of Brisbane Authority Department of Minerals and Energy Ports Corporation of Queensland State Gas Pipeline—Financial Public Trustee of Queensland Accounts for 1993-94 Queensland Art Gallery Board of 11 November 1994— Trustees Annual Reports for 1993-94— Queensland Building Services Emerald Rural Training School Board Authority Longreach Rural Training School Queensland Department of Housing, Board Local Government and Planning Lower Burdekin Rural Training School Queensland Department of Transport Board Queensland Electricity Commission South Queensland Rural Training Queensland Emergency Services School Board Queensland Law Reform Commission Greyhound Racing Control Board of Queensland Local Government Queensland Superannuation Board Office of the Co-ordinator General Queensland Museum Board of Trustees of the Albion Park Paceway Trustees Queensland Harness Racing Board Queensland Nursing Council Erratum—Building and Construction Queensland Performing Arts Trust Industry Portable Long Service Leave Queensland Rail Board Annual Report for 1993-94 Queensland Small Business Trustees of the Willows Corporation Paceway—Report for the period 1 July 1993 to 22 November 1993 Queensland Tertiary Education Foundation 14 November 1994— Rental Bond Authority Annual Reports for 1993-94— Rockhampton Port Authority Bundaberg Port Authority Sunshine Motorway Company Limited Cairns Port Authority Tertiary Entrance Procedures Chairman of the Retail Shop Lease Authority Tribunal Townsville Port Authority Department of Business, Industry and Regional Development Trustees of the Local Governments Debt Redemption Fund Legislative Assembly 10167 15 November 1994

Criminal Justice Commission—Report on Industrial Relations Act— an Investigation Conducted by the Industrial Relations Amendment Regulation Honourable R H Matthews QC into the (No. 1) 1994, No. 389 Improper Disposal of Liquid Waste in South-east Queensland. Volume II: Lang Park Trust Act— Transportation and Disposal. Proclamation—the provisions of the Act that are not in force commence 28 October 1994, No. 377 PETITIONS Mineral Resources Act— The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— Mineral Resources Amendment Regulation (No. 8) 1994, No. 394 Fishing and Recreation, National Parks Motor Vehicles Safety Act— From Mr Malone (91 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will withdraw Motor Vehicles Safety Regulation 1994, and amend current legislation so as to provide for No. 382 continued public access to waters in national Motor Vehicles Safety Amendment Act— parks for fishing and recreation. Proclamation—the provisions of the Act that are not in force commence 28 October Penalties and Sentences; Juvenile 1994, No. 381 Offenders National Parks and Wildlife Act— From Mr Malone (756 signatories) praying National Parks Amendment Regulation that effective penalties be introduced for repeat (No. 3) 1994, No. 390 offenders and that costs, equal to damage Nursing Act— caused in the perpetration of any crime, be paid by the parents of juvenile offenders. Nursing Amendment By-law (No. 4) 1994, No. 385 Recreation Areas Management Act— Cannabis Recreation Areas Management Amendment From Mr Purcell (109 signatories) praying Regulation (No. 2) 1994, No. 391 that the statutory prohibition on the production and usage of cannabis be continued. Retail Shop Leases Act— Proclamation—the provisions of the Act that are not in force commence 28 October Pacific Highway, Palm Beach 1994, No. 386 From Mrs Gamin (90 signatories) praying Retail Shop Leases Regulation 1994, that an embankment or sound barrier be No. 387 constructed behind properties in Japonica Drive, Palm Beach which back onto the Pacific Highway Supreme Court Act— before any works are undertaken to four-lane the Solicitors’ Admission Rules Amendment highway in this vicinity. Regulation (No. 1) 1994, No. 393 Petitions received. Transport Infrastructure Act and Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act— Proclamation—the provisions of the Acts STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS which are not in force commence In accordance with the schedule circulated 7 November 1994, No. 378 by the Clerk to members in the Chamber, the Transport Infrastructure Act— following documents were tabled— Transport Infrastructure (Candidate GOC District Courts Act— Port Authorities) Transitional Amendment Districts Courts Amendment Rules (No. 1) Regulation (No. 1) 1994, No. 388 1994, No. 384 Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Freedom of Information Act— Act— Freedom of Information Amendment Transport Operations (Passenger Regulation (No. 1) 1994, No. 383 Transport) Interim Standard 1994, No. 380 Government Owned Corporations Act— Transport Operations (Passenger Government Owned Corporations Transport) Regulation 1994, No. 379 Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 1994, Workplace Health and Safety Act— No. 392 15 November 1994 10168 Legislative Assembly

Workplace Health and Safety (Code of The Silver Plains property contains a Practice for Recreational Diving at a spectacular tropical wilderness area which Workplace) Revision Notice (No. 1) 1994, contains a significant dune system, spectacular No. 395 gorges, gallery rainforest along the rivers and Workplace Health and Safety (Codes of streams that flow from the upland rainforests of Practice Approval) Amendment Notice the McIlwraith Range across the coastal plain to a (No. 4) 1994, No. 396. near pristine coastline. A national park for the area was first PAPERS proposed by the National Parks and Wildlife The following papers were laid on the Service in the 1970s. However, in 1986 the table— national park proposal which included Silver Plains and the rainforests of the McIlwraith Range (a) Minister for Transport and Minister was discontinued as a matter of policy by the Assisting the Premier on Economic and then National Party Government. Trade Development (Mr Hamill)— Silver Plains is on the east coast of Cape Board of Inquiry Report on the York Peninsula adjacent to Rokeby National Park circumstances and possible causes of a collision between two freight trains near and a timber reserve at McIlwraith Range and Beerburrum on 28 July 1994 other Crown lands. It is the Government's intention to incorporate these areas into the total (b) Minister for Housing, Local Government package. Silver Plains, the timber reserve at and Planning (Mr Mackenroth)— McIlwraith Range and the dedication of several Deed executed on 9 September 1994 by parcels of vacant Crown land will create an area of Baptapp Pty Ltd, MEPC Australia Ltd and almost 300 000 hectares for nature the Council of the Shire of Redland in conservation. It is intended that the vast majority accordance with 59(3) of the Local of the 300 000 hectares will become national Government (Capalaba Central Shopping park. Centre Zoning) Act In addition to those already outlined, Silver (c) Minister for Employment, Training and Plains contains important conservation values, Industrial Relations (Mr Foley)— including— President of the Industrial Court in respect of the Industrial Court, the Industrial one of the highest concentrations of Relations Commission and the Industrial regionally restricted birds found anywhere in Registrar’s Office, Queensland—Annual Australia, including the black palm cockatoo, Report for 1993-94. the cassowary and the eclectus parrot; at least 92 rare and threatened plant MINISTERIAL STATEMENT species; Silver Plains rainforests, which form a vital corridor for the north/south movement of migratory Hon. W. K. GOSS (Logan—Premier and species, including various bird, fruit bat and Minister for Economic and Trade Development) butterfly species, such as the Torres Strait (10.05 a.m.), by leave: Two weeks ago, I pigeon, red-bellied pitta and buff-breasted announced the purchase of the Silver Plains paradise kingfisher; property for $4.5m from American property 72 per cent of the total number of plant developer Richard Rand and the Princess Charlotte Bay Pastoral Company. families in Australia, which is very high for an area that size in Australia; An Opposition member: What a lot of money! a particularly rich orchid flora, with over 16 per cent of the entire Australian orchid flora Mr W. K. GOSS: The honourable occurring there; and member might like to ask a question about it. the habitat of at least 56 animal species that The Government acquired the 202 000 are endemic to the Cape York Peninsula hectare Silver Plains property because of the biogeographic region, while at least 16 area's outstanding environmental values. The species of plants are found only in the Government is determined that the majority of McIlwraith Range. this land should become a national park for all Queenslanders. The area is also culturally significant to Aboriginal people, especially the Umpila, Lama Legislative Assembly 10169 15 November 1994

Lama, Kaanju and Ayaputhu people. The pay particular tribute to those who were critically Government will respect existing mining interests injured last Tuesday when a fireball engulfed in the area and will ensure that the environment them at Bells Creek Road in the Sunshine Coast is protected to the maximum possible extent. hinterland. Four of the eight rural volunteer The Government will recognise the interests of firefighters who were injured remain in the Royal Aboriginal people and of the holders of current Brisbane Hospital. mineral exploration permits in the area. As part of A central achievement of last week was the the settlement, the vendor will retain limited speed and scale of the response that was rights to grazing and small-scale ecotourism for mounted by all of the parties. Air support was five years. The cost share envisaged is: provided by fixed and rotary wing aircraft of Queensland Government, $2.5m; Federal Queensland Emergency Services—— Government, $2m. Mr Perrett interjected. The extent to which Aboriginal aspirations in the area can be met will depend in large part on Mr De LACY: A lot more than members the willingness of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait opposite ever did. Islander Commission to agree to a request for Air support was provided by fixed and rotary part-funding of the acquisition. The request is for wing aircraft of Queensland Emergency Services $1m. The Government has received a with helicopter support from the Gold Coast and commitment from the ATSIC Regional Council for Sunshine Coast rescue services. Coordination Cape York Peninsula for this funding. This will was such that every request for ground support, allow the Government to dedicate certain areas fire surveillance—— of importance to Aboriginal people as Aboriginal land under the Queensland Aboriginal Land Act. Mr Perrett interjected. The Queensland Government has held Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member preliminary discussions with the Federal Minister for Barambah under Standing Order 123A. for Environment, Sport and Territories, Senator Mr De LACY:—casualty evacuation, John Faulkner, about a $1m contribution from his transport and water bombing was met. portfolio. Those discussions are continuing. This Coordination between those flights also acquisition provides an excellent opportunity to maintained search and rescue services follow on from the successful cooperation throughout the fires. between the two Governments in the acquisition of Starcke holdings. The Queensland Ambulance Service was extensively involved in supporting fire The rainforests of McIlwraith Range and the operations. Ambulance staff treated more than dune system, gallery rainforests, rivers and 100 firefighters and residents for burns, streams that flow across the coastal plain and the respiration difficulties and other injuries and near pristine coast of Silver Plains will form the played an integral role in assisting with basis of a world-class national park. evacuations and in assisting with communications and evacuations. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT In short, the speed and scale of the response to the fires ensured that a major Response to Bushfires tragedy was averted. This reflects major Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— developments in the level of fire protection Treasurer) (10.10 a.m.), by leave: For several within Queensland during the past five years. It days last week, fierce bushfires fanned by strong was only a little more than a month ago that my winds threatened lives and property in south- colleague the Deputy Premier and Minister for east Queensland. Throughout the week, more Emergency Services reported to this House on than 1 000 rural, urban and volunteer firefighters, the Bushfire Audit Report that was supported by more than 570 State Emergency commissioned by the Government in January Service volunteers, responded to more than 900 following the New South Wales bushfires. He fires across the State. As Acting Minister for outlined then some of the deficiencies in fire Emergency Services, I place on record the State management programs and contingency Government's appreciation and admiration for planning on the part of many local government the courage, tenacity and endurance of these authorities and concerns regarding rural people, as well as the police, the ambulance residential developments and subdivisions officers and the counter-disaster committees. I bordering on national parks. 15 November 1994 10170 Legislative Assembly

Since the Goss Government came to including the fire service levies that are being power—and this might be worth listening processed at the present time. These levies are to—there have been enormous improvements in expected to provide an additional $2.6m to resourcing support for rural fire services in support rural firefighters throughout Queensland, and I ask honourable members to Queensland. bear this in mind when contemplating the critical, churlish statements emanating from the It is obvious there is a continuing risk of Opposition, and in particular the Deputy Coalition further fires in the coming months. All Leader. Since 1989, the Rural Fire Division Queenslanders have a role to play in fire risk budget has increased by $3.7m—an increase of minimisation or in developing the capacity to 203 per cent. effectively respond to emergencies. For its part, Cabinet yesterday further considered the Mr Littleproud: Where's all the money Queensland Bushfire Strategies Report and gone? committed to further increase resources, both capital and recurrent, to rural fire services. Details Mr De LACY: I am about to inform the will be announced in the near future. House about that. The budget for 1994-95 is a record $5.38m. Before the election of the Goss In conclusion, by any measure the response Government, rural fire brigades could expect a to the fire threat last week by Queensland six-year delay in the supply of major equipment. Emergency Services was nothing short of remarkable, and the Queensland Government is Mr Littleproud interjected. determined to ensure that its capacity to respond Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member is continually enhanced. for Western Downs under Standing Order 123A. Ministerial statements are ministerial statements. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Mr De LACY: The delay for rural firefighting appliances has been reduced to 16 months, with virtually no delay in the supply of Queensland Rail Annual Report general equipment. Before the election of the Hon. D. J. HAMILL (Ipswich—Minister for Goss Government, the Rural Fire Board had no Transport and Minister Assisting the Premier on new vehicles in the rural firefighting fleet. At the Economic and Trade Development) (10.15 a.m.), end of this financial year, 120 new appliances will by leave: Queensland Rail's annual report, which be in service throughout rural fire brigades. has been tabled in the House, is yet another Before the election of the Goss Government, success story from the implementation of the rural firefighters were required to purchase their Goss Government's policies. It clearly documents own protective clothing. By the end of 1994-95, the transformation of Queensland Rail's financial almost 14 000 sets of free issue protective position from a $133m loss in 1989-90 to a clothing will have been distributed. Before the $101m surplus in 1993-94 on a cash basis. This election of the Goss Government, there was no great improvement in Queensland Rail's rural fire radio network, and radios that were operating and financial performance since available were generally second-hand or citizen reforms began five years ago represents a saving band. A network is now operational and a 75 per of $426m for Queensland taxpayers over that cent subsidy is provided for new communication period. equipment. I seek leave to table and have incorporated Mr Borbidge interjected. in Hansard details of Queensland Rail's financial Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the Leader of performance seen over the last five years. the Opposition under Standing Order 123A. Leave granted. Mr De LACY: During the past two years, 228 new units have been distributed. Honourable members would also be aware that there are a number of major initiatives Legislative Assembly 10171 15 November 1994

QUEENSLAND RAIL CASH COMPARISON STATEMENT

Dollars (in Millions) 120 101.1 80 73.4 SURPLUS 40 8.0 (DEFICIT) 0

-40

-80 Total Cash Benefit - $425.5 million -120 -109.4 -133.5 -160 1989/90 1990/91 1991/92 1992/93 1993/94 Year

Mr HAMILL: Our railway system is now 1993-94 saw Queensland Rail set new freight more productive, efficient and financially sound records of 83.5 million tonnes of coal and and it is being equipped to face the challenges minerals and 1.48 million tonnes of sugar, and its both operationally and financially of the passenger services were also a feature with a twenty-first century. The 1993-94 results, which record 520 939 passengers on the Kuranda line have received an unqualified audit report from at Cairns and the receipt of tourism awards for its the Auditor-General, show that QR has now new Spirit of the Outback service and the completed the transition from cash accounting to Gulflander train. accrual accounting. While QR recorded an The vastly improved performance of QR has accrual based operating loss of $2.9m in 1993- enabled major investment to proceed on the 94, in comparative terms the 1993-94 results main North Coast line, the Townsville-Mount Isa show an improvement in performance of $34.8m line, the standard gauge link to the port of over 1992-93. Brisbane, in passenger services, including the While changes to the accounting treatment Gold Coast link and Brisbane CBD and in of capital grants and the quantum of depreciation workshop and depot redevelopment. It is a makes year-to-year comparisons difficult, there winning formula that will take Queensland Rail can be no doubt that Queensland's crippling into the next century and beyond. I am sure all drought has had a significant and detrimental members will join with me in congratulating the effect on Queensland Rail's performance. It is Queensland Rail board, management and staff estimated that the drought this year has cost QR on their contributions to this result. at least $20m through reduced grain haulage alone. However, Queensland Rail has kept faith with rural producers and has provided a range of QUESTIONS UPON NOTICE services such as moving fodder, molasses, 1. Ambulance Station, Kuranda water, foodstuffs and other goods free and at Dr CLARK asked the Deputy Premier, reduced freight rates in order to alleviate some of Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for the hardship caused by the drought. Rural Communities and Consumer Affairs— Queensland Rail's long-term growth trends "What progress has been made in the are very strong, as can be seen by the $185m acquisition of land and subsequent increase in revenue since 1990, during which construction of an ambulance station for time costs have been reduced by $26m, labour Kuranda?" productivity has increased by 56 per cent and asset productivity has increased by 53 per cent. Mr De LACY: On behalf of the Deputy Premier and Minister for Emergency Services, I 15 November 1994 10172 Legislative Assembly seek leave to have the answer tabled and Dr CLARK asked the Minister for incorporated in Hansard. Education— Leave granted. "(1) What action is his department taking with respect to school security in I thank the Member for Barron River for this response to the occurrence of fires question about the Kuranda ambulance station. and vandalism in schools? Provision of an ambulance station in Kuranda is (2) What action has his department taken included in the Queensland Ambulance Service's following a recent fire at Smithfield High capital works program for this financial year. School?" Together with the Member for Barron River and Mr COMBEN: I seek leave to table my representatives of the Local Ambulance answer and have it incorporated in Hansard. Committee, Tom Burns, the Minister for Emergency Services recently inspected two Leave granted. possible sites for the new centre. (1) The Department of Education is very aware of The Minister for Emergency Services accepted the incidence of fires, vandalism, break and the advice from the Honourable Member and that enter, and theft in schools. of the LAC regarding the preferred site. The department is following a security strategy A parcel of more than 1.7 hectares has been which is being developed from recommendations bought by the QAS for $160,000 and settlement made in a consultant's report. occurred in September. The major areas of the security strategy are the Discussion on specifications and design are introduction of Schoolwatch throughout the being finalized between Q-Build and the QAS. state, the production and distribution to every school of the School Security Handbook, and Tenders will be called and should close by the appropriate improvements to the physical end of January next year. security at schools. Construction is expected to be completed by By the middle of October, 326 government and May 1995. 81 non-government schools had attended The anticipated construction project should cost Schoolwatch induction meetings in many areas somewhere around $300,000. of the state. At least one apprehension of an While I'm talking about ambulance services in offender by police as a result of a Schoolwatch the Far North, I might mention the latest on the phone call has been confirmed. More than 70 new Cairns QAS centre. calls to the special Schoolwatch number have been received since its inception. Like the Kuranda centre, the plans for the new Cairns QAS facility have been subject to The School Security Handbook has been extensive local consultation. generally well received. The intention of the handbook is to provide school administrators The site works have been completed as a with a ready reference to effective security separate contract. management practices, in order to reduce the Q-Build is preparing plans and tenders were vulnerability and attractiveness of their schools called in the press on Saturday 22 October 1994 to thieves, vandals and arsonists. and closed on 14 November. The physical security needs of schools vary The new centre is scheduled for completion prior according to the level of threat in a particular to the end of the financial year. area. The department is presently deciding on The new Cairns QAS centre will contain provision the optimum level of physical security for for 12 ambulance vehicles. different threat levels. An assessment of the resources required to provide every school with In addition to being the main QAS centre, the an optimum level of physical security will be facility will also house joint fire and ambulance included in the Strategic Capital Needs communications facilities, public education and Assessment Project, which is currently under training rooms. way. Provision will also be made for any future A very important part of physical security is decision to co-locate fire, counter disaster electronic security. To date in excess of 350 services and ambulance services on the site. schools have official electronic security systems, the majority of which have been fully 2. Smithfield High School; government funded. The Department of Education meets the ongoing costs of monitoring School Security official electronic security systems. The Administrative Services Department meets the Legislative Assembly 10173 15 November 1994

costs of the maintenance of official electronic and the school is now occupying the rooms once security systems. more. Between 1989 and the present more than 730 Electronic security worth approximately $6,000 offenders have been apprehended in schools as is being installed in the school as part of a result of the operation of electronic security improved security for the school. In addition to systems. A number of fires have been detected this, ceiling fire breaks are also being introduced and extinguished, preventing potential property to the school to reduce damage in case of fire. loss estimated at more than $7.5 million. The QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE potential property loss prevented through the early detection of break and enter offences and Toxic Liquid Waste recovery of property is estimated in excess of Mr BORBIDGE: In directing a question to $500,000. the Minister for Environment and Heritage, I refer (2) The Department of Education, in conjunction to the CJC report on toxic liquid waste and the with the Administrative Services Department, comments by Mr Matthews that for two years the follows a standard pattern of activities after fires Minister and her director-general denied their in schools. Q-Build immediately make the area responsibility for management of the issue while safe and arrange for a prompt demolition and the Minister engaged in a running battle with her cleanup as required. Officers from the regional colleague the Minister for Health and his education office immediately consult with the director-general. I ask: did the Minister ever bring school affected concerning matters such as the this conflict to the attention of the Premier and/or school's immediate need for emergency the Cabinet and, if not, why not? accommodation, longer term accommodation options, and the minimising of disruption to Ms ROBSON: The decision of the PSMC students, staff, and general school routine. to actually relocate the responsibility for waste Where emergency accommodation is required, management is a decision which I believe Q-Build always act with all possible speed to probably was not made easily. It has been, as the bring suitable buildings on site and provide report has indicated, a fairly diverse area across a replacement furniture as required. range of departments with a range of responsibilities. Officers from the Resource Replacement Scheme in the Department of Education's central When it was determined by the PSMC that office always contact the school, and whenever my department should pick up responsibility for possible, visit in person within 24 hours. The aim that area, we immediately started work on a waste of this contact is to assist the school in management strategy and we started work on identifying and assessing the resources which the environmental protection legislation which is have been damaged or destroyed, and to assist currently before the House. I believe that those the school to assemble their claim for two pieces of legislation and regulation will compensation as quickly and efficiently as certainly address the nature of the concerns that possible. were raised. In the case of major fires involving large scale In the report from the CJC that was tabled loss of resources, the school is encouraged to yesterday, which last night I was able to read submit a part claim as quickly as possible, word for word, I can see the indications there that enabling the department to provide an interim over decades there was obviously a knowledge payment in the shortest possible time after the of this. I might point out that, when he was fire. The system is designed with the aim of Environment Minister, the Opposition Leader assisting schools to obtain the proper certainly did nothing to try to rectify this problem. compensation as quickly as possible, thus This Government did something about it. As allowing necessary resources to be replaced as soon as we came into Government, we started to a matter of urgency. Interim payment cheques put in place a range of pieces of legislation which are generally drawn in as little as three days would address the problems of neglect of the following receipt of part claim details from the environment in this State that had been going on school. for decades, and most especially under the With regard to the fire at Smithfield State High leadership of members of the opposition parties. School, which occurred on 29 September 1994, the procedures I have outlined were followed. I believe that the comments that have been Considerable liaison between the school, made in the CJC report are the sorts of regional office, and central office has occurred. comments that we probably would have expected. We perhaps did not understand the I am informed that Q-Build has in fact already extent of that particular problem. However, we restored the music block which was affected, had still taken the appropriate action to rectify it. 15 November 1994 10174 Legislative Assembly

In my view, that legislation will solve the problems designed to encourage Australian general for the future and put good preventive practitioners to establish their practices in mechanisms in place. regional areas. That meant of course that, as the reduced reliance occurred with temporary resident doctors, there would be a shift away Toxic Liquid Waste from doctors practising or wanting to practise in Mr BORBIDGE: In directing a further Sydney and Melbourne towards rural and remote question to the Minister for Environment and parts of Queensland. Heritage, I refer to her admission yesterday that While the Queensland public sector has she had no idea of the extent of improper been progressively reducing its reliance on dumping of liquid waste and no knowledge of temporary resident doctors, anecdotally at least the level of awareness of her department in the private sector has not had the same success. respect of this issue. I ask: why did she, over the More importantly, I believe, private sector bulk more than two year period that she has been billing clinics in some regional areas are Minister, fail to seek the advice of her department threatening to close if they cannot continue to in respect of this important issue? employ temporary resident doctors. Many Ms ROBSON: In answer to the previous proprietors of these clinics have stated that they question, I have just indicated that we were are unable to attract suitably qualified Australian aware of a problem. We were aware of a problem general practitioners to fill vacancies within their because of the nature of the requests that we establishment. received from the community to look into these At the very least, as I said before, there is issues, and my department in fact looked into anecdotal evidence to support the fact that those issues. I have also indicated that, when I doctors have not been able to move from became the Minister responsible, we Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to rural and immediately started—and the Minister prior to me remote parts of Queensland. So it has become had already begun to look at this—to look at increasingly evident to me that the implementing a piece of legislation which would Commonwealth strategies designed to enable us to collapse the legislation that was on encourage Australian general practitioners into the books, which as a result of the former regional areas of Queensland have simply not Government was literally ineffective, and put in worked. It has become difficult for me to continue place a new piece of legislation which would in to advocate for a reduction in temporary resident fact solve the problems for the future. I believe doctors. I am of the firm belief that, if we are to that that is what we have done. That is the way achieve the wholesale redistribution of general we are going in the future. We have learnt some practitioners in Australia, the Commonwealth lessons from the past and taken them on board. I needs to adopt a more interventionist policy and believe we have done something which is approach such as the geographical meaningful and long lasting. apportionment of provider numbers. As I said, if genuine redistributive strategies such as this National Policies for Supply of Doctors cannot be pursued, we certainly need to re-examine quickly the limits on entry for Mr PITT: I ask the Minister for Health: can temporary resident doctors and to ascertain what he outline to the House what steps are being will be required. taken to ensure that Queensland is not discriminated against in the formulation of I have taken the opportunity to write to the national policies designed to meet the need for Federal Health Minister, Dr Carmen Lawrence, an adequate supply of doctors for rural and pointing out these issues as they affect regional Queensland? Queensland. I have written to every other Health Minister in Australia regarding these issues as Mr HAYWARD: In April 1992, Health they affect Queensland and inquired as to Ministers from all Australian jurisdictions agreed whether they affect other States. I have to develop strategies to address the advocated in that letter to Dr Lawrence that the maldistribution of general practitioners in Commonwealth firstly provide us with some data Australia. As part of the overall aim to rectify to see whether or not the scheme has problems associated with that maldistribution of worked—as I said, anecdotally it does not appear general practitioners, I agreed to reduce to have worked—but I have advocated for the Queensland's reliance on temporary resident Commonwealth to either adopt a more doctors in areas where the proportion of general interventionist approach to effect the practitioners per capita was above the agreed redistribution of general practitioners within benchmarks. However, I think my initial support Australia, particularly in rural and remote parts of for these strategies assumed the effectiveness Queensland, or that they instigate an amnesty of Commonwealth policies. Those policies were on the reduction of temporary resident doctors in Legislative Assembly 10175 15 November 1994

Queensland until the current policies for work cent; so the honourable member got that bit force redistribution are reviewed. right. The honourable member then went on to Labour Force Statistics say that only Tasmania was worse than Queensland in job creation over the year. Let us Mr PITT: In directing a question to the have a look at the year. In Queensland, the figure Treasurer, I refer to the release last week of the was plus 5.3 per cent; New South Wales, plus labour force statistics for October and the 3.3 per cent; Victoria, plus 2.9 per cent; South reported comment of the Leader of the Liberal Australia, plus 2.5 per cent; Western Australia, Party, "Queensland's job creation is stagnating plus 4.1 per cent; and Tasmania, plus 2.4 per and the future does not look good." I ask: can cent. Again, the honourable member got that bit the Treasurer inform the House if there are any right. The rest of Australia averaged 2.9 per cent. figures to support this claim? I repeat that the figure in Queensland was plus Mr De LACY: The question is: did the 5.3 per cent. Leader of the Liberal Party really say that? Did The honourable member made another she really say what was reported? It begs the claim, namely, that this indicates a dramatic slide question: where does the Leader of the Liberal in job growth over the last four months. During Party get her statistics from or, secondly, how the last four months in Queensland, 26 000 jobs does she interpret those statistics? I think the were created, representing an increase of 1.8 next question is: when she deliberately per cent. If one multiplies that by three—and the misinterprets black and white figures, why would honourable member may have some difficulty the media bother running such rubbish? doing that—the figure is 5.4 per cent over the The Deputy Leader of the Coalition is year. Queensland is substantially in front of the reported to have said last week that Queensland rest of Australia once again. So I put it to the was falling behind the rest of Australia in job honourable member—and I believe that every growth. She said, "Queensland's job creation is member on this side of the House stagnating." I will now give the real figures—and I understands—that when the Leader of the get my figures from the official print-out from the Liberal Party starts talking statistics, she is always Australian Bureau of Statistics. wrong; pay no attention to her. But I would have Mr Johnson interjected. to say to the media: how they would ever print such palpable nonsense, I do not know. They Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member would never get away with that nonsense in the for Gregory under Standing Order 123A. Canberra press gallery, I can assure them. Mr De LACY: This is Queensland falling behind the rest of Australia! There is nothing selective about this. The ABS says that, in the Liquid Toxic Waste Management Report last 12 months to the end of October, there was Mrs SHELDON: In directing a question to 73 300 new jobs created in Queensland, which the Minister for Environment and Heritage, I refer is an increase of 5.3 per cent. The increase for to the conclusion of—— the rest of Australia was 2.9 per cent. The Leader Mr De Lacy interjected. of the Liberal Party's interpretation of this is that Queensland is falling behind the rest of Australia. Mrs SHELDON: Mr Speaker, do I have to She goes on to say that the figures showed that put up with that interruption by the Treasurer? only Tasmania was worse than Queensland in job How about a warning under Standing Order 124? creation over the past month. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the Treasurer Let us have a look at the past month. The for interjecting. The member will ask her increase in jobs in the past month in Queensland question. was 0.3 per cent; in New South Wales, minus Mrs SHELDON: I refer to the conclusions 0.4; and in Victoria, zero—no increase, no of Mr Matthews in relation to the report on liquid minus. In South Australia the figure was minus toxic waste management in which he declares 0.2 per cent. that he will not launch prosecutions because Mr Connor: Are you using seasonally Ministers had created the problem, and I ask: adjusted figures or real figures? having been criticised in this extraordinary fashion by the CJC, and having denied her Mr De LACY: These are the real figures. In responsibility for the issue, according to Mr Western Australia the figure was plus 1.1 per Matthews, will the Minister abide by the cent. So one could have said that Western Westminster tradition and resign? Australia outperformed Queensland in that one month. The figure in Tasmania was minus 0.6 per Ms ROBSON: I am not going to dignify 15 November 1994 10176 Legislative Assembly that question with an answer, except to say, Mr LIVINGSTONE: I ask the Minister for "No." Education: is he aware of recent claims by the Liberal Party hierarchy that State Government departments have used regionalisation as a Liquid Toxic Waste Management Report means of increasing their bureaucracy, and can Mrs SHELDON: In directing a second the Minister tell the House what the staffing question to the Minister for Environment and changes have been in the Education Heritage, I refer to a report titled "Economic Department? Analysis of the Hazardous Waste Management Mr COMBEN: I can indeed tell the House Industry in South East Queensland" produced what the staffing changes have been. by the Chemical Hazard and Emergency Regionalisation has not been a case of bloating Management Unit, which I raised in public debate the bureaucracy—as my opposite number would in April 1993. Given that in April 1993 the have us believe. Minister suppressed that report from publication, and noting her claim at a media conference Mr Borbidge: I remember you. You used yesterday that she has not discussed waste to be the Environment Minister. dumping with her department, even though she Mr SPEAKER: Order! That is enough. said this morning that she had—I think she had The Minister will answer the question. better get her facts straight—does the Minister Mr COMBEN: I am proudly the former now deny knowledge of this report's existence, Environment Minister. We cleaned up the dirt and why has she not acted upon it? that was left by the former Government. If I can Ms ROBSON: The honourable Deputy return to regionalisation—the record that existed Leader of the Coalition has raved and ranted prior to us taking Government shows that just about these claims of toxic dumps and chemical after we took over Government in 1990, there waste dumps all around this State. On each were some 906 staff at central office in Education occasion, as the Treasurer has just done, we House at 30 Mary Street, Brisbane. Today, there have been able to produce facts to totally are 625. We have literally emptied four floors of debunk what the member has been claiming. For that building. There was a bloated bureaucracy a start, she does not know which Minister is there. I cannot even tell the House what those responsible for what—whether it is the Health 281 people were actually doing in central office Minister, the Minister responsible for the DPI, or at that time. whatever. Mr Quinn interjected. Opposition members interjected. Mr COMBEN: I take that interjection in Mr SPEAKER: Order! I cannot hear the relation to regionalisation. In the 11 educational Minister's answer. regional offices around the State there were 736 Ms ROBSON: The reality of life is that staff. Today, the number is 532. That means that whenever there has been a legitimate scare in we have reduced central office by 281, and we the community, this Government has addressed have reduced the regional office numbers by it. Whenever there has been a threat or a 204. Where have they gone? For a start, the problem, we have addressed it. When there has number of non-teaching staff in our State been a report that requires action, we have schools has increased by 231 since 1990 to a actioned it. In the case of Mr Matthews' total of 1 559. If members opposite want to say report—he has made no recommendations for that those people are not teachers, that they are prosecution, very largely because the laws that non-teaching staff in schools, fine; they should were in place when we came into Government go to each of the schools in their electorates, did not enable prosecution. They were laws that because they will ask for more administrative were administered by Mr Borbidge, prior to us staff. Those people are doing a range of tasks gaining Government, which were so weak and so that are relevant and essential to learning and to ineffective that in order to mount a prosecution our students. to get a very small penalty we had to undertake a We have also assigned 235 staff to the 44 large expenditure. However, that is behind us. school support centres located throughout the We have moved on into a new era. In the past we State. Again, the staff are on the ground and in certainly have addressed the problems of which the classrooms supporting teachers and we are aware, and we will continue to do that. students. It is a pity that my opposite number and other members of the Opposition do not look at the facts instead of making gross Regionalisation; Education Department generalisations. Staffing

Cairns Port Authority Legislative Assembly 10177 15 November 1994

Mr LIVINGSTONE: I ask the Minister for additional arrivals directly into Cairns from Kansai Tourism, Sport and Racing: can he inform the Airport as a result of the excellent relationship House about the passenger figures outlined in that this Government has with the tourist the annual report of the Cairns Port Authority? operators in Japan. I might add that I am told that Mr GIBBS: The Cairns Port Authority is something that the Leader of the National deserves the heartiest congratulations for a Party never had when he was the Minister for marvellous year of operation. I include in that the Tourism. This again shows and proves beyond Far North Queensland Promotional Bureau and, any doubt this Government's dedication not only of course, the Queensland Tourist and Travel to the tourist industry but also to the creation of Corporation. The figures recorded at the Cairns jobs, jobs and more jobs for Queenslanders. International Airport this year have been nothing short of outstanding. In fact, they are quite staggering. The report shows that something like Department of Environment Pollution 2.75 million international and domestic Report passengers have passed through the Cairns Mr SLACK: In directing a question to airport this year. That translates to 1.26 million Minister for Environment and Heritage, I refer to international visitors and 1.49 million domestic another damning report—other than the CJC passengers. That now makes the Cairns airport report—prepared by the Department of the fastest growing, of course, among the top six Environment in December 1992, which warned airports in Australia. But more importantly, I that there were no visits to premises licensed to guess, are the very marvellous tourism figures deal with water pollution materials between revealed not only by that report but also by the 1989—when members opposite gained QTTC, the Bureau of Tourism Research and the office—and June 1992; routine compliance ABS. auditing in south-east Queensland is almost non- Today, it is fitting to compare the record of existent; the Environment Department licensing this Government with the record of the National section received $6m in fees for licences to Party when it departed office in 1989 in order to handle hazardous material but did not police really glean the commitment of this Government, these licences; and claims that the new as the Treasurer said only a few minutes ago, to environment legislation would improve the job creation in Queensland. For example, for the situation were "simply fallacious". year ending December 1989, the number of I ask: in view of that damning report which international passengers in Cairns—and this is foreshadowed the CJC report and which the international passengers arriving and holidaying Minister had in 1992, why did she fail to act to in Cairns—was 212 648. At the end of December correct the situation then and how could she say 1993—under the Goss Government, with its yesterday that she had no knowledge of the commitment to job creation—the figure was a situation exposed in the CJC report? staggering 651 437. That is double the amount of growth that was experienced when the Ms ROBSON: Once again, the National Party was in office. But it becomes even honourable member is stringing together a more important—— whole series of irrelevant facts. Let me comment on the follow-up report, which the member has Mr Borbidge: During the airline strike. very clearly chosen to ignore. Mr GIBBS: We can give members Mr Slack interjected. opposite the airline figures. What a wonderful question! Let me tell the member about the Ms ROBSON: Come on, tell the whole airlines. When the National Party departed office truth for a change. in 1989, international aircraft movements or Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member arrivals at the Cairns airport were 3 144. At the for Barambah under Standing Order 123A. end of December 1993, the figure was a Mr Veivers: Barambah? staggering 8 808. I will repeat that figure—8 808. Of course, that equates to jobs—jobs being Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am sorry, the created in the tourist industry; jobs being created member for Burnett. in the Cairns area. Ms ROBSON: The member for Burnett is Mr Hamill: They were international flights, an expert in giving half-truths and half-facts. As weren't they? he well knows, there was an interdepartmental report that highlighted some of the problems to Mr GIBBS: I take the Minister's interjection. which he alluded. Of course, he has not They were international flights. That does not bothered to give any of the positive information take into account the domestic arrivals. Of in that report, which was acted on by my course, it does not take into account the department. It was followed up within a year by a 15 November 1994 10178 Legislative Assembly second report, which, in fact, said that we had Ms ROBSON: They are easily amused. addressed all of those problems, as the member This is a very serious subject and I take it very knows very well, but very much chooses to seriously. I think that is an indication of how ignore. That was the time when I was having seriously members opposite take damage to the conversations with my department in terms of the environment. They certainly contributed to it sorts of issues that have been raised in the CJC quite significantly in the past, but we do not report and, I will reiterate, that was the time at intend to do that. I reiterate that we have taken which we started work on a waste management action to correct any anomalies of the past. strategy for Queensland and we started meaningful work and consultation on an environmental protection Act so that in the future Police Liaison Officer Scheme that sort of activity would not occur. Mr BREDHAUER: I ask the Minister for The member for Burnett knows very well Police and Minister for Corrective Services: what that when he was elected to this Parliament in is the status of the expansion of the Aboriginal 1986 he was a member of a Government that did and Torres Strait Islander police liaison officer absolutely nothing. He is as guilty as the rest of scheme as foreshadowed in this year's Budget? them for not doing any of the things that he is Mr BRADDY: The Aboriginal and Torres now suggesting that we should do. Strait Islander police liaison officer scheme has been one of the great successes in law enforcement in the years of our Government. It is Breaches of Anti-pollution Laws a scheme that, prior to the commencement of Mr SLACK: I refer to the assertions of the this Budget, initially led to 47 liaison officers Minister for Environment and Heritage yesterday being appointed. Our Government instituted this that while she had suspicions, she knew nothing scheme and we are very proud of it. It has been that was going on in relation to breaches of very successful. anti-pollution laws and her backflip today when Mr Connor: Who instituted it? she said that she was aware of such problems, and I ask: how often did she make inquires to her Mr BRADDY: It certainly was not there director-general, Craig Emerson, and what was under the honourable member's Government, I his advice? On how many occasions did she raise can assure him of that. In relation to the those concerns with the Premier or Cabinet? expansion of the number of officers, a further 47 What action did she direct to be taken? will be employed this year. The selection process has already commenced. We believe that after Ms ROBSON: In relation to the nature of training the new officers will be on duty in 1995. my conversations with my director-general, which Initially, this process of expansion was to supply are daily—during most weeks we have just about some officers to south-east Queensland, and 27 a daily communication in terms of the issues and of the new officers will operate in the problems confronting our department—those metropolitan area. However, in addition, 20 of are routine discussions; they are not necessarily the new officers will be used to expand the triggered by any form of drama that may be scheme in the rural and regional areas of happening out in community, although if that Queensland. does occur, we take special action. We have an ongoing communication about the nature of the I would particularly thank the member for running of our department—— Cook for his support. As he travelled widely and Mr Horan interjected. frequently through the peninsula region of this State, he lobbied hard for the expansion to Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member include towns outside Cairns, Atherton, Innisfail for Toowoomba South under Standing Order and Mareeba—places where we previously 123A. appointed Aboriginal police liaison officers. We Ms ROBSON:—and the actions we are have agreed to place two new officers at taking, as well as, of course, what we are doing Mossman and two at Normanton, and we believe for the future. Again, I say that the sort of the that that will be a great advance. It is interesting to action that we have taken is positive. It has been note the welcome that that announcement has based on the history of mistakes made by the received from the Aboriginal and Islander people opposite when they were in community at Mossman, which was reported in Government. We are not making those mistakes. the Port Douglas and Mossman Gazette of 13 We have been very careful and we will go October 1994. carefully into the future. This scheme has been welcomed greatly by Opposition members interjected. communities throughout Queensland. It has been complimented greatly by police throughout the State who have assured me that this is one of Legislative Assembly 10179 15 November 1994 the most successful crime prevention schemes that has been implemented in this State in recent years. I believe that when those new officers are Toxic Waste stationed in north Queensland and far-north Mr LINGARD: I direct a question to the Queensland in places such as Mossman and Minister for Environment and Heritage. The Normanton, and also in places such as Ayr, Leader of the Opposition and the shadow Charters Towers and Mackay, those communities Minister for Environment referred to the period will find them as successful as do the when the Minister was in conflict with the Minister communities that have already benefited from for Health about the toxic liquid waste issue. I the appointment of those officers. ask: why did the Minister fail to outline her concerns to the Cabinet or to the Premier?

Arts Touring Program for Regional Ms ROBSON: I have never been in Queensland conflict with the Minister for Health about this issue. I do not know where the member has dug Mr BREDHAUER: I refer the Minister for up this one. As I alluded earlier, we had a Justice and Attorney-General and Minister for the recommendation from the PSMC that the Arts to the considerable interest in country areas responsibility be passed over to my department. generated by the Queensland Government's At that time, we accepted the recommendation, support for the arts, and I ask: can he advise the and the Department of Health, my department, House of the arts touring program for regional my colleague and I determined how that would Queensland? happen. That was a process which we Mr WELLS: Last week in Townsville, I undertook. As I said at that time, we began the launched the largest performing arts touring process of putting together a waste program in the history of Australia. That management strategy, which is the way to handle performing arts touring program will involve 400 these problems. It is what we have done and it is artists and 38 000 kilometres of travel in a $2m what we are doing for the future. program extending over 30 weeks involving 143 There is no conflict. I do not know where the performances in 40 regional centres. member got that one. He has misquoted Mr Among the organisations that will be Matthews' report. I suggest that he go back and involved will be the Philharmonic Orchestra, the read the words more carefully. Queensland Ballet, the Expressions Dance Tertiary Places Company, La Boite Theatre, Dance North, the Mr LINGARD: I direct a question to the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Premier. The previous Government made a Queensland Theatre Company and the Lyric commitment to fund 1 500 extra first-year Opera. As a result, the people of regional university places from the State's consolidated Queensland will have the opportunity to see the revenue. In his first Budget, the Premier cut that same performing companies as the people of commitment to 800 extra first-year places. In his Brisbane see in the Queensland Performing Arts second and subsequent Budgets, he cut that Centre. funding for first-year students completely. So in That amount of $2m helps, but what is going the Premier's five years of Government, and as a to sustain this level of activity is coordination. result of his decisions, 5 300 Queensland This Government has established the Arts students have missed out on a place at Regional Touring Service, which will ensure that university. I ask: how does he feel about this? the times that touring companies are going to be Mr W. K. GOSS: How do I feel about it? in town will be known well in advance. Tickets can This has really been a blistering question time then be sold, economies of scale can be from the Opposition. The tacticians are in top obtained, facilities can be shared and equipment gear again! can be standardised and prepared. So the costs As to the situation in relation to tertiary of touring will go down and the profits of touring, places—I do not have the precise figure with me through box office takings in the regions, will go but, as I recall it, we are funding somewhere up. That will mean that more touring can be between 2 000 and 2 500 tertiary places. undertaken. Mr Lingard: Not first-year students. As a result, the flow-on will be that, next year, I will be able to announce a five-year touring Mr W. K. GOSS: As I understand the grid. That five-year touring plan will give effect to situation—and I do not have the precise this Government's belief that the performing arts figure—this Government is funding between should be the possession not just of the people 2 000 and 2 500 tertiary places. of Brisbane but of all Queenslanders. Mr Elliott interjected. 15 November 1994 10180 Legislative Assembly

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member views of the member for Gregory and his support for Cunningham under Standing Order 123A. for the member for Surfers Paradise." Mr W. K. GOSS: Furthermore, this We are going to continue to work against Government has shown its commitment to the joint position of the member for Surfers tertiary education by allocating funds throughout Paradise and the member for Gregory. We are the State to deliver campuses to regional going to keep going to places such as Queensland—to areas such as the Sunshine Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay, Coast, Gladstone and Bundaberg. In terms of Townsville, Cairns and the Sunshine Coast education in Rockhampton—I refer to the because we believe that students in rural and extension to campuses in Mackay and Cairns. regional communities should have greater Mr Borbidge: What about the Gold Coast? access to tertiary places. We believe that the Gold Coast is being catered for. If all that the Mr W. K. GOSS: I suggest that the Opposition cares about is the Gold Coast, it does member look at the association of Griffith not deserve to be in Government. University with the Gold Coast and Bond University. In case the Leader of the Opposition Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for does not realise it, I point out that there are both questions with or without notice has expired. public and private extensions of universities on the Gold Coast. Here I am talking to the MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST Opposition—in particular to the National Party members—about what this Labor Government Sunshine Coast has done to put university campuses into Mrs SHELDON (Caloundra—Leader of country Queensland and what does the Leader the Liberal Party) (11 a.m.): The Sunshine Coast of the Opposition say? He says, "What about the has been one of the many areas of Queensland Gold Coast?" That is typical of why the National which has suffered under this Labor Party is going nowhere. That is why this Government. The Sunshine Coast, one of the Government is going to go to Burdekin, Mirani fastest growing regions in Australia, has been left and other electorates such as those and take behind in favour of pork-barrelling by the Labor them back. Government in areas where it has Labor seats. Mr Cooper interjected. We heard the Treasurer, during his once-a- Mr SPEAKER: I warn the member for term visit to the Sunshine Coast, state that, Crows Nest under Standing Order 123A. because there were no Labor members on the Sunshine Coast, it received less funding from Mr W. K. GOSS: We have a Leader of the the Labor Government. We have seen the National Party from Surfers Paradise, and we are recent actions of the Premier, who only ever going to hammer that home throughout visits the region officially when there is an Queensland. We are going to go to every one of election in the wind, and we have read his those centres in far-north Queensland where the promises in the papers about what this State Government has put money into establishing Government will provide for the Sunshine Coast. campuses—such as in Mackay, in Bundaberg, in It is time that I reminded this House of just how Gladstone and on the Sunshine Coast—and we this State Labor Government has failed the are going to say, "We are giving country students people of the Sunshine Coast. a go." There is not enough money for the Mr Stephan interjected. Caloundra Hospital to properly fulfil its role as an Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for acute community hospital. There are myriad Gympie has been warned under Standing Order stories of people being forced to travel to 123A. Nambour for routine emergency assistance, or to Mr W. K. GOSS: We are giving country see specialists who are unavailable at Caloundra. students tertiary opportunities. What did the Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is too much National Party say when we spoke about this audible conversation in the Chamber. proudly in the Queensland Parliament? We will Mrs SHELDON: Nambour Hospital is say to country people, "Do you know what the already at 100 per cent bed capacity and has National Party said in Parliament? They said, been allowed to fall behind due to this 'What about the Gold Coast?'" Government's mismanagement. Two years ago, If that is supported by the member for the Caloundra Hospital received a day surgery Gregory, we will be out there in Longreach telling funded by $500,000 from the Federal those people that all he is concerned about is Government. However, it now needs money for tertiary places on the Gold Coast. We are going specialist services in orthopaedics, eye surgery, to say to the people in Longreach, "We reject the urinary tract surgery and gynaecology services. Legislative Assembly 10181 15 November 1994

Caloundra lost its obstetric wards so that the Queensland Economic Development nursery could be made into day surgery recovery Scheme—QEDS—gave out $2.88m in grants rooms, and the resources to adequately supply last year to Queensland companies to nursing staff and resources for operations and encourage export development. However, out post-operative procedures are nowhere to be of that $2.88m, the Sunshine Coast received found. And still our elderly patients must travel to only a pitiful $51,500, or 1.8 per cent of the total. Nambour from Caloundra for day surgery Out of 79 grants, the Sunshine Coast received procedures, and there are excessive waiting lists only two. While I am sure the two Sunshine Coast at Caloundra Hospital for dental procedures. firms which received the grants were happy, There was no funding in the 1994-95 there are hundreds more Sunshine Coast firms Budget for expansions to the Caloundra which have been ignored. Hospital. In fact, there seems to be no major The Sunshine Coast has the potential to be funding at all for the Caloundra Hospital in this a base for clean, high-tech industries, particularly Budget. With Nambour Hospital running at 100 with the development of the university, but the per cent capacity, it is vital that Caloundra State Government has almost entirely ignored Hospital is expanded to meet the needs of such the region. And what about the Sunshine Coast a fast-growing area. housing industry? The Sunshine Coast relies on In the State Budget for 1994-95, the the housing industry. It is essential to the Sunshine Coast received less than 1 per cent of livelihood of tens of thousands of coast the total capital works budget. The Sunshine residents, and it is essential to the overall Coast received only $27.8m out of $3.4 billion in economy of the coast. Yet the State Government capital works funding from the State has failed the coast housing industry as well. Government. There was virtually no new funding Sunshine Coast home buyers are facing the in this Budget for capital works on the Sunshine collapse of home settlement deals, and the Coast. The $9.9m for the Nambour Hospital was coast's real estate industry is being hit severely actually just a carry-on from the previous financial by massive mismanagement in the Titles Office. year, as is the $556,000 for the Nambour Day Sunshine Coast solicitors and real estate agents Surgery Unit. have contacted me complaining of a breakdown In fact, out of that $27.8m, only $5.4m in the land titles system in Queensland. The actually accounts for new projects on the State Labor Government has presided over the Sunshine Coast. And the only roadworks in this greatest backlog in Queensland Titles Office Budget for the entire Sunshine Coast is the transactions in history. $2.4m allocation for overtaking lanes in the And while the Titles Office debacle is bad Noosa Shire, and $2m to finish off Stage 2 of the enough, the lack of real infrastructure and motorway. Labor scrapped the approved $14m incentive to business and industry has left the upgrade to Caloundra Road, despite the fact that Sunshine Coast extremely vulnerable to the Caloundra Road is still the main access to the city fluctuations in the housing industry. The and areas further north, and will be the only free Sunshine Coast in particular will suffer from the access to the city when the private toll road from downturn which has been forecast by all the the Bruce Highway is built. major experts, but ignored by the State Labor Far from providing a proper alternative to the Government. This means a loss of jobs for private toll road, the State Government is Sunshine Coast families. allowing Caloundra Road to deteriorate even The Premier and Treasurer have allowed further. This is the same tactic that it used with Queensland's small-business sector to rot the Sunshine Motorway, which has seen the through high taxes, charges, fees and rivers of David Low Way fall into disrepair under Labor. red tape. This Government has relied on growth And it means another broken promise. After in the housing sector as the base for almost all gaining the good PR for approving the $14m economic growth in the State for the past five Caloundra Road upgrade, it is allowed to slip off years. For 1993-94, the latest Treasury figures the budgeted priority list. show that housing, at 0.7 per cent, came just When it comes to funding grants for the behind Government spending, at 0.8 per cent, Sunshine Coast's beleaguered small-business and general consumption as the major sector, the State Government again treats the contributor to State economic growth. Housing region with contempt. The Sunshine Coast was contributed seven times as much to the State's given less than 2 per cent of Queensland economy as equipment, which is the major Government export grants under Labor. Figures prerequisite for growth in infrastructure and released by the Department of Business, industry. Industry and Regional The BIS Shrapnel report showed that the Development—DBIRD—showed that the Queensland housing sector would drop 16 per 15 November 1994 10182 Legislative Assembly cent next year, the biggest drop in the country. have barely kept pace with student enrolments, That report followed the report by the Indicative and have been soaked up by an explosion in Planning Council that Queensland's housing administration and paper work, the need for commencements would drop by 11 per cent this teachers to act as social welfare counsellors, and financial year and 19 per cent in 1995-96. This is the lack of teachers and teacher aides to properly particularly bad news for the Sunshine Coast, cater for the integration of disabled students into which has relied so heavily on the housing sector general classrooms. While integration is a in the past five years. High interest rates and positive move, the State Government has failed oversupply will hit our housing industry hard. Mr to live up to its promises to provide the Speaker, could you please do something about necessary increase in teachers and resources, the noise level? and so teachers, students, and disabled An honourable member: It's upstairs. students are all suffering. Mrs SHELDON: It is certainly coming from Although we have finally received a somewhere. university—and it is welcome—the Education Minister has admitted that it is already $4m Mr Hollis: It's all in your mind. behind schedule. We see more mismanagement Mrs SHELDON: No, it is not. The from this Government and more let-downs for the backbenchers have been carrying on with coast. In Noosa, and across the Sunshine Coast, chatter and rubbish ever since I started. funding for road upgrading and maintenance has When it comes to vital infrastructure, the dried up under Labor. In Maroochydore, roads Government has even ruled out a rail link from are falling apart because of this lack of the hinterland to the coast near the new maintenance and because of the Government's toll on the Sunshine Motorway, which is forcing university, despite the Government already up to 75 per cent of heavy vehicles onto local owning most of the corridor of land for the roads which are paid for by the councils. railway. The Minister for Transport has ruled out the rail spur from Landsborough station which And while on the subject of roads—surely would have been linked to a station near one of the finest examples of this Government's Corbould Park, run north to the new university, Scrooge-like hypocrisy is Stage 2 of the and then link up with the main line further north. Sunshine Motorway. Here we have a brand new This would have provided far more efficient and freeway linking Maroochydore to just south of pollution-free transport for Sunshine Coast Noosa, and yet anyone wishing to use this road residents, who obviously are not of any to travel from Noosa to the coast airport importance to the Government given the level of cannot—— chatting in this House. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): The people of the Sunshine Coast have Order! Honourable members, there is far too already suffered from this Government's failure to much audible conversation in the Chamber. properly fund and resource rural fire brigades. Mrs SHELDON: Thank you, Mr Deputy Sunshine Coast rural fire brigade officers are Speaker. currently in hospital suffering horrific burns injuries because of this Government's failure to Similarly, those people travelling to the provide proper vehicles, clothing and airport from south of the Maroochy River get hit equipment—even two-way radios. with a $1.50 toll, and local residents are also crippled by this toll. Let us look at some of the details of where Mr CAMPBELL: I rise to a point of order. this State Labor Government has failed the Mr Deputy Speaker, you made a comment about people of the Sunshine Coast. In Noosa, the people have been promised a hospital. The the level of noise in the Chamber, but I believe State Government has not delivered. In Noosa, that most of that noise is coming from the public the State Government also promised the gallery, and should not reflect on honourable construction of the Eenie Creek Road between members. east and west Noosa, which would have greatly Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I thank eased congestion from Stage 2 of the Sunshine the honourable member. Motorway. Labor once again failed to deliver. Mrs SHELDON: That is right; tens of In Noosa and on the Sunshine Coast in millions of dollars, and the Government will not general, school children are suffering through a allow road access from one of Australia's No. 1 lack of speech therapists, guidance officers and tourist destinations to the local airport along its support teachers. In Caloundra, in common with new motorway. This is purely so that it can try to the rest of the coast, schools are bursting at the squeeze a few more dollars out of this motorway seams through inadequate future planning by white elephant. this Government. Increased teacher numbers Legislative Assembly 10183 15 November 1994

When it comes to police numbers, the really believe in the power of prayer? Let us look Sunshine Coast has only half the State average at that party's track record. per head of population. And then we have the Mrs SHELDON: I rise to a point of order. saga of the Water Police. For five years, the Labor Government has been promising Water Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! What is Police for the Sunshine Coast, and for five years the honourable member's point of order? the people of the coast have waited. There are Government members interjected. still no Water Police and we still have empty Mrs SHELDON: Mr Deputy Speaker, I am promises. trying to get to it, but the interjections from your In my own survey of the people of the own backbenchers will not allow me to do so. My Caloundra electorate regarding the transport point of order is that I find the comments by the system, to which I received almost 200 replies, l member untrue and offensive, and I ask her to found great dissatisfaction with the existing withdraw them. They were untrue and offensive. public transport system and little hope that the Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There is Government, through its so-called consultation no point of order. The Deputy Leader of the process, would improve matters any. Twelve Coalition will resume her seat. points were given to me by my constituents, including deficiencies in transport for the elderly. Ms POWER: It must be hurting! The level of female parliamentary representation in the Time expired. Liberal Party has never been higher than 10 per cent. If one considers the performance of the Coalition's Policy on Women Deputy Leader of the Coalition, who constitutes that 10 per cent figure in Queensland, it is Ms POWER (Mansfield) (11.10 a.m.): We evident that the Liberal Party does not have now have the truth behind the refusal of the much hope. coalition to release its policy statement. Who shared that with us—none other than the Deputy On previous occasions I have made Leader of the Coalition, the member for speeches in this Chamber about the power of Caloundra. Can members believe it? The language. When sitting on the back bench, one coalition refuses to release its policy statement hears a lot of comments which do not go on the because this Government has run out of good record but which are fairly indicative of the ideas and the coalition does not want to reveal its attitude of members of the coalition. I have policies in case we steal them. What a laugh! listened to them on the radio at various times. Juvenile as it may seem and laughable as it is, They say, "I am not a racist, but . . .", and then go can members opposite be serious? I can only say on to dig their own graves. Male coalition to the poor, misguided member that she should members say, "I am not sexist, but . . ." They say, just wait, for the best is yet to come with respect "I like women, actually." Many male coalition to the policies and reforms offered by this members are married to women. What poor, Government. misguided women they must be to enter into that arrangement! Another snide comment that is Today, I wish to concentrate on one area in often made by male coalition members when particular. Just because the coalition has not female Government members are speaking is, released its policies does not mean that one "Who wrote this?", as though the poor woman cannot guess at the thrust of those policies by could not write her own speech. Their attack is considering statements made by members relentless. opposite on or off the record. The election of a coalition Government would be a nightmare for I have perused some of the comments women in this State—something too scary to be made by coalition members in this place. In contemplated. It is no secret that the coalition question time, a member can ask a Minister believes that no need exists for special programs almost anything, and the Minister might be for women. The coalition does not believe that obliged to answer. In a question to the Minister certain matters must be addressed in order to for Family Services, the member for Western create equity for women in society. Recently, the Downs asked— leading lights in the Liberal Party declared that "Is it true that five women at the same that party would implement no special centre have been medically examined and mechanisms to ensure that women can enter found to have lost their virginity and that a Parliament. Does the Liberal Party think that one staff member has been sacked?" merely wiggles one's nose like Samantha in That question says a lot about the type of mind Bewitched to ensure that women attain equal that the member has and the level at which he representation? Does that occur by some form of views women. It is a disgrace that the member for osmosis, or do members of the Liberal Party Western Downs used question time to ask such 15 November 1994 10184 Legislative Assembly a question. Members opposite have attacked the issues is equal to if not better than that of Minister for Family Services at other times. I am Governments in the other States. pleased that the Minister is in the Chamber to be In addition to the Women's Policy Unit, this reminded of those attacks. How dare Ms Warner Government has established the Women's actually support groups in the community that Health Policy Unit and the Domestic Violence support women! That is like a sin. A female Policy Unit, and the list goes on. This Minister who is interested in women-only groups Government has introduced specific programs in the community must be guilty of a crime! Such for women's health and for women in business comments illustrate the attitude of coalition and industry. We are seeing an increasing members towards women only groups. In awareness of women's issues in business, another enlightened moment, the member for industry and regional development. We have Western Downs stated— also seen women taking their rightful place in the "The ALP, and others, for years have decision-making process. Under this pursued a plan to get more women back into Government, the first female director-general the work force. was appointed. As well, the first female Supreme They claimed that Australia was wasting Court master, District Court judge and industrial latent productivity by having too many commissioner were appointed. There is a mothers not in the work force. women's adviser to the Premier. We now have female police inspectors. It would be remiss of The downside of this proposal is the me not to mention that the first woman Governor loss of quality in the home and motherhood of Queensland was also appointed under this competing with working hours." Government. Ms Warner interjected. As I have mentioned previously in this Ms POWER: I am proud to say that I am. House, the Budget statement is a Those comments by the member for Western comprehensive document that illustrates the Downs say something about his attitude to commitment of this Government to women. It women—their only place is in the home, barefoot paints a profile of women and builds on that by and pregnant. Members of the coalition are anti- committing money to programs across various child care. A little bird told me that included in departments to meet the needs of women. It is their policy on women is a proposal to counsel no secret that the coalition believes that no need women on how to be good mothers. There is no exists for special programs for women. similar proposal to counsel men on how to be Education has been one of the most good fathers. Obviously the coalition does not important aspects of this Government's policy on believe that men should acknowledge their women. There is no greater opportunity to caring role in the family. The list goes on. facilitate social justice than in education. The An Opposition member: How do you profile that I mentioned earlier outlines the fact know? You haven't seen the policies. that in Queensland the education retention rate Ms POWER: I am quite happy to see the for girls has increased from 60.7 per cent in 1986 coalition's policies any time. My purpose today is to 86.8 per cent in 1993. to point out that the behaviour and language of I have undertaken many speaking members opposite indicate the nature of their engagements. Wherever I go, I find that many policies. They have repeatedly attacked women- women do not actually understand the concept only health centres and the Women's Policy Unit. of women's equity. Once we have had a I would hazard a guess that such agencies would discussion about that topic, it is surprising how be scrapped under any policy offered by the much they understand. coalition. Time expired. On the other hand, the record of this Government is quite significant. This Labor Government has actually consulted with women. Scout Visit to Lotus Glen Correctional It has researched and drawn up a comprehensive Centre women's policy document. When the Minister for Mr COOPER (Crows Nest) (11.21 a.m.): Family Services and the Premier-elect launched Eleven days ago, on 4 November, I issued a the women's policy in 1989, it was extremely well media statement that revealed that a group of received. Various functions were held to launch children had been taken on a tour of the Lotus the policy, and enormous support for it was Glen Correctional Centre in far-north offered by women right across the State. Ninety- Queensland and that during that visit they had nine per cent of that 1989 policy document has been subjected to vile abuse by and gross now been implemented in part if not totally. The obscenities from hardened thugs. I issued that record of this Government on women's policy statement after being contacted by concerned Legislative Assembly 10185 15 November 1994 prison officers who were both amazed and "The visitors did not go past B Block disgusted that an insensitive gaol management Movement Control Area." had allowed these children to be exposed to this However, Mr McElligott virtually gave the game shocking abuse. In part, my statement read— away with his point 5, which reads— "I'm informed by prison sources that, "The visitors did not hear 99% of what almost unbelievably, this conducted tour was shouted out to them by certain took the children past the B3 high security inmates." exercise yard. While passing, some of these disgusting creeps shouted out utterly That confirms at least that some inmates did obscene remarks to the children making shout out something to the children. According what were described to me as vile threats to the director-general, this simply did not and sick suggestions." happen, yet his principal ally in this affair admits that it did, then tries to suggest that the children My statement did contain one inadvertent were either deaf or that the low-life scum were error in that I identified this group of children as shouting out in timid, restrained voices. I being Mareeba district brownies and cubs. I have contend that whatever was shouted must have been subsequently informed that they were boy been so vile that the best defence Mr McElligott and girl scouts from Mareeba. I have since could muster was a claim that 99 per cent could received a letter from Mrs Ann Fletcher, the State not be heard. Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association, disassociating her association from this visit, and I The second document I tabled is a letter accept her point. However, these children were dated 2 November to the general manager of the aged as young as 10, and it is simply a cop-out gaol and signed by Ms Linda Green, the first- for gaol authorities to quibble over whether or class dog handler at the gaol. It makes not they were scouts, cubs, brownies or girl distressing reading, but I believe it must be guides. The point is that they were young quoted. In deference to the Deputy Speaker, I children, whatever their title. will not use the actual words. It should be noted that that letter was written on the day of the This visit was conducted by a prison officer, incident and two days before my statement. I ask Mr B. W. McElligott, who later wrote a report on the question: was Mr Hamburger aware of it when the matter. That report was nothing more than a he denied that incident? Headed, "Re Behaviour self-serving litany of distortions and outright lies, of Prisoners Within Unit B3", it reads— and I will prove that claim later. "Whilst rostered on duty 2.00- The day after I issued my statement, the 10.00 p.m. on the above date, I was Director-General of the Corrective Services standing outside the stores talking to two Commission, Mr Keith Hamburger, was quoted in prisoners. At approximately 4.55 p.m. a the Courier-Mail as dismissing my claims. The group of small children from the Scout relevant section of that statement reads— Association were having a look through the "Mr Hamburger said the six boys and centre, as they were walking from B Block one girl had been taken to the gardens area, toward the main store, distinctly from this the admissions and recreation areas and unit came the disgusting comments to were addressed by a prisoner on his these little children such as"—— involvement in youth programmes. At no I am quoting here. In deference to Mr Deputy time were they near cells or living areas of Speaker, I will not use the words— the prisoners." " 'Come here little boy' "— That statement was also a lie. Whether it was made knowingly or unknowingly is the only and I will leave those words out—— question. If it was made knowingly, then Mr " 'Come over here' "— Hamburger should be sacked. If it was made and I will leave those words out. I will then leave unknowingly, then he should be called upon to the first words out when the threat was made— account for accepting the words of liars who were desperate to cover up this sordid exercise and " '. . . when you come in here.' " who knew that their director-general would be a The statement also makes the point— more than willing participant in that cover-up. "The little girl in this group was very Since I made that statement, concerned and shocked by these comments and upset." honest officers have provided me with relevant documentation, which I table. The first is a Who would not be? report headed, "To All Concerned Officers. According to Mr McElligott's memo, points 3 Scouts Visit to the Centre", and signed by the and 4 state— accompanying officer, Mr McElligott. It lists 10 points, including point 7, which reads— 15 November 1994 10186 Legislative Assembly

"The visitors left the centre excited and Hamburger was a shabby, self-serving lie for no better off than when they came in." other reason than to protect and cover up an The memo also states— insensitive and incompetent Lotus Glen gaol management. I stress again that these "The visitors did not leave this centre in documents were all prepared and submitted to tears or upset." gaol management before I made my statement He stresses again in point 6— and before Mr Hamburger flatly rejected it. "The visitors were not affected by the Somebody told lies—either Mr Hamburger visit to this centre in any way." or whoever provided Mr Hamburger with the information he used. It is simply not good Demonstrably, this memo was nothing more enough that the Corrective Services than a pack of lies concocted by Mr McElligott to Commission has, in senior management protect himself as he had been the tour guide positions, people who are prepared to go to this and presumably accepted by gaol management disgraceful extent to save themselves any and the director-general as an accurate version embarrassment. I call on the Minister to table all of events. The vastly different versions of the the reports on this matter supplied to Mr incident given by Mr McElligott and Ms Green Hamburger and for an investigation—an might have been dismissed as one person's independent and open investigation—to be word against another until further documents are made into the reasons Mr Hamburger made his considered. plainly and obviously untrue statement. A series of three reports addressed to the I want to know, for example, how Mr gaol's general manager were submitted by an Hamburger could make a statement to the acting senior correctional officer, Mr T. R. Payne. Courier-Mail on 4 November that at no time did Significantly, these reports are dated 3 the children go near cells or living areas when the November—the day before my statement and day before three prisoners had been sentenced the flat denial of it by Mr Hamburger. Again I ask to seven days separate confinement and that the the question: was Mr Hamburger aware of these covering letters to the gaol general manager reports when he sought to deny my statement? stated that they had been in B Block—that is the These reports deal with three prisoners in B rough section—for 20 minutes. I want to know Block at the time of the visit. They all have the also how Mr Hamburger could deny that same covering letter and only differ in the name obscenities were shouted at the children when of the prisoner. These prisoners are Phillip reports already had been submitted to the gaol's Anthony Natera, Abiu Samuel Saub and Darren general manager saying that this had actually Mark Dostal. The letter reads in part— happened. "I was rostered on duty as the 2.00 to B Block at Lotus Glen houses some of the 10.00 senior of B Block on Wednesday the most hardened criminals in the system. As we 2nd of November 1994 when the following know, no gaol is a Sunday school picnic. incident occurred. On Tuesday the centre Nevertheless, it is outrageous that young received some visitors in the form of boy children should have been exposed to the and girl scouts from Mareeba. They entered depraved obscenities of these inmates. In her B Block at approximately 4.35 pm with Mr letter to the gaol management, dog handler McElligott. They left the block at Green made the very valid point— approximately 4.55 pm. While on their way "But really to bring scouts through to the main store they (the scouts) were here, to me is not the correct way to do victims of some verbal abuse from inmates in things, scouts is about life skills, team work, Unit B3 as witnessed by dog handler Green. how to survive in the bush, not to have a The report from dog handler Green tour through a prison and have verbal sexual stipulates what was spoken." abuse yelled at them." Attached to each of those three letters that I It would seem that these children also have tabled is a Form 1 Breach of Discipline Form learned another lesson that day, that some for each prisoner and, also in each case, a record adults in positions of authority and trust will resort of interview. All three were found guilty and all to outright lies if their inappropriate behaviour is three received the significant penalty of seven exposed. Hopefully, these children will also days separate confinement. One of them actually appreciate that there are decent and honest admitted guilt in his interview, while the two people who were so ashamed and so disgusted others claimed they had simply whistled at the by the incident and its attempted cover-up that children. they were prepared to put their own careers at These documents all prove one important risk by leaking documents to me. I have no doubt fact—the public denial of my statement by Mr that the first response of the Corrective Services Legislative Assembly 10187 15 November 1994

Commission to my revelations will be panic The administration of health services has which, in turn, will lead to evasions, possibly come under the jurisdiction of the Peninsula and more lies, and a ruthless witch-hunt to find the Torres Strait Regional Health Authority, with culprits who leaked the documents. Sadly, I have services being provided through the cape health no confidence that there will be any frank sector and the Torres Strait health sector, as well admission that the director-general's denial of my as by the Cairns sector in relation to Laura, Hope statement was simply untrue. Vale, Wujal Wujal, the Douglas Shire and the No journalist in this State can now have any tableland sector covering the Gulf of Carpentaria. confidence whatsoever in Mr Hamburger, or the The northern region of health covers services in Minister for that matter, if he has peddled a pack Normanton and Karumba. of lies to try and dismiss my statements when the Additionally, and for the first time, this response to my revelation about the Government has sought to provide a meaningful administration of Corrective Services is a flat role for local communities in the determination denial. I do want to make it very clear that I am and delivery of health services, particularly as certainly not asserting that the Minister has ever they affect the culturally distinct Aboriginal and knowingly lied when he has made statements Torres Strait and Island communities. Health based on information supplied by Mr Hamburger, action groups have been established but if I were him I would be extremely cautious throughout the Cook electorate, offering an about accepting advice from that source in the opportunity for people to play an up-front role in future without any verification. decision making about the future of health The Corrective Services Commission is a law services in their area. The Torres Strait Health unto itself, and its record of open, honest and Council has provided an opportunity for the competent administration is dismal. I will not direct involvement of Torres Strait Islanders in forget, for example, that Mr Hamburger was given the administration of health services in that area, an official reprimand by the commission board including the northern peninsula area. Recently, over his inept handling of the events leading up work has begun on the establishment of a cape to the mass escape of seven prisoners from the health council, providing the very same Wacol gaol in 1991. Neither will I forget that this opportunities for Aborigines from communities was never reported and that it had to be leaked. throughout Cape York Peninsula. I am pleased to see that the State Government is not just Time expired. supporting the establishment of this organisation but is proposing to help fund its operations. Cook Electorate Health Services Our efforts to improve health services do Mr BREDHAUER (Cook) (11.31 a.m.): On not stop there. Throughout the health spectrum a number of occasions in the past, I have risen in new initiatives are being forged by the this Chamber to advise members of Parliament Government, the health authorities, health about the considerable achievements of the workers and communities in an attempt to Goss Labor Government during my term as the provide better health and a higher standard of member for Cook in the area of health services in living for people throughout the electorate. In the Cook electorate. It is my view that our primary health care, in preventative health, in Government has a proud record of increasing specialist services, in human and financial resources across the range of health services, resources and in capital works, the Government and whilst I appreciate that demands are growing has a multi-strand approach to addressing the at such a rate that pressure continues on the health needs of people who live in the rural and Health budget, I believe recognition needs to be remote areas that I represent. given to the remarkable advances that have In the Torres Strait sector, for example, we been made, particularly in the Cook electorate. are involved in a range of programs, including When we came to Government and I was alcohol and drug-related programs, such as the elected as the member for Cook, the Youth Drug Offensive, the Rock Eisteddfod, the organisation of health administration included Torres Strait Safe Drinking Project, the Torres hospital boards, the then Department of Strait Alcohol and Drug Strategy and the Alcohol Community Services, the Aboriginal Health and Drug Offensive Workshops. We have Program, a range of dental services, school Outreach allied health services, with social health staff and other community and Aboriginal worker services, a child development unit, and Torres Strait Islander organisations. Since podiatry visits and an eye health program, a that time, we have moved to recognise that the nutrition project, the Gadin Kaikai Blo Umi (Our Cook electorate is a distinct area with unique Garden Food), the Mobile Women's Health Unit, problems that require creative thinking and including breast and cervical services, HIV and innovative solutions. AIDS services coordinated by the Allied Health Sexual Health Service, the Torres Strait Diabetes 15 November 1994 10188 Legislative Assembly

Project community lifestyle screening conducted Murray Island, Yorke Island, Coconut Island and on all outer islands, the Healthy Ageing Dauan, as well as Seisia, New Mapoon and Program—known as 60 and Better—and the Umagico in the northern peninsula area. A nutrition program Lighten Up. primary health-care centre is under construction The Torres Strait Sector Integrated Services on Horn Island, and additional accommodation Plan is an attempt by all Government and non- for health workers is being constructed at Government services which have an effect on Bamaga. The forward program will see a the health status of Torres Strait Islanders to community health centre on Thursday Island, the develop a plan to ensure efficient use of all complete redevelopment of the Thursday Island limited resources in a coordinated manner. In the Hospital and new facilities at Badu and Malu cape sector, the public health team delivers Kiwai. services from Weipa, including a health In the cape health sector, new primary promotion officer, nutritionist, nutrition health health-care centres are under construction at worker and sexual health worker. Further in the Lockhart River, Aurukun, Mapoona, Injinoo, cape health sector, health worker numbers have Napranum, Pormpurraw and Kowanyama. A been increased from 19 to 31 over the last five community health centre is also under years. Five senior health worker positions have construction at Cooktown, with negotiations been established, and health workers in sexual under way in relation to facilities in Coen. In the health and nutrition have been appointed. Cairns sector, new clinics have been opened at The visiting specialist services throughout Laura, and one is under construction at Wujal the Cook electorate have been expanded Wujal. A major redevelopment program has been significantly on those services that existed under undertaken for the Mossman Hospital, and I am the previous Government. In the cape health currently working with the Alexandra Bay Health sector, visiting specialists currently include an Action Group, the Peninsula and Torres Strait obstetrician, psychiatrist, women's health doctor, Regional Health Authority and the Minister for paediatrician, physician, thoracic physician and Health over the future needs for health services ophthalmologist. In addition to this, significantly in that area. increased services have been delivered at the A new community health centre has also Weipa Hospital, including obstetrics with low-risk been opened at Normanton, and I have been birthing, being offered for the first time at a discussing and corresponding about the health hospital in the peninsula, and regular needs of people in Karumba with the Minister as gynaecological surgery. In the surgical area, a recently as a fortnight ago. The cape health general surgeon and orthopaedic surgeons visit sector is also recognising the significance of the regularly and conduct minor surgery, and an State Government's decision to support the allied health social worker and physiotherapist resourcing of out-stations in Cape York services are available through the Weipa Peninsula, and moves are under way to manage Hospital. the delivery of health services to out-stations. In the Torres Strait sector, visiting I could go on at considerably greater length specialists, including rheumatology, thoracic about the achievements that we have made in physician, ENT, general physician, paediatrician, health services in the Cook electorate, because I ophthalmologist, optometry, psychiatrist, know that for most of my constituents it has been orthopaedic surgeon, dermatologist, general a sad reality that under the National Party surgeon, gynaecologist and cardiologist, provide Government health standards were neglected services to the population of 8 000 in that sector. and allowed to continue to decline. Only this Further in this sector, patients are regularly flown Government has made a concerted effort to or ferried in from the outer islands and the improve health. The measures which we have northern peninsula area to Thursday Island to undertaken still have not arrested the poor state visit these specialists and some, notably the of health of many people in remote areas, ophthalmologist, travel to the outer islands. particularly Aborigines and Torres Strait Resources have also been increased to Islanders. What they have done, though, is to provide additional services, and as an example, provide the foundation for steady growth in the funding for the cape health sector has risen standards of living and in good health of the from $4.1m in 1991-92 to $5.8m in 1994-95, people of the Cook electorate. We understand representing an increase of over 25 per cent in that health matters cannot be dealt with in four Budgets. This excludes capital works which, isolation and that general community in itself, has been a major and notable area of development, housing and water supplies—just achievement. In the Torres Strait health sector, as examples—play a critical role in the general new facilities for primary health care have been health of the community. That is why decisions opened at Saibai, St Pauls, Stephen Island, such as the allocation of nearly $2m in State funds to assist the Croydon water supply, which Legislative Assembly 10189 15 November 1994 was made by the Minister for Primary Industries I table material relating to auditor's statements last week, are so important. and copies of the coordinator's reports for 1992-- The Government remains committed to 93 and 1993-94. The curious thing is that community involvement, particularly by statements attached to recent auditor's reports Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, in the show two levels of income for 1994. One set, delivery of their health services and to continuing dated 8 August 1994, shows an income for that our efforts which will build on those features I year of $330,999.31. Another set of papers have highlighted in this speech so that the long- dated 15 August 1994 shows 1994 income as term prognosis for my constituents is better $432,322. That means that the corporation's health, not just for themselves but for their income for the two years was somewhere children and for future generations. between $560,000 and $660,000. Just how actual income in one year can have that I pay a tribute to the health workers and the discrepancy escapes me, but it highlights one of health administrators throughout the Cook the reasons why there needs to be a thorough, electorate who have worked very hard and, at independent investigation of the affairs of that times, under difficult circumstances to provide organisation. the front-line services in the health area for my constituents. I have nothing but admiration for If one uses the higher combined figure of them. Over my five years as a member, I have income for 1993 and 1994, that sum comprised tried to work with them to bring their needs to the $281,733 from ATSIC as an operating grant attention of the Government, and I am under the provisions of the Aboriginal deaths in extraordinarily pleased that, under two Health custody report; $304,046 from ATSIC as capital Ministers, namely, the member for Thuringowa, grants, comprising $59,000 in 1993 and Mr McElligott, when he was the Minister, and the $244,732 in 1994—a mammoth increase; and current Health Minister, Ken Hayward, we have $74,673 from the Queensland Department of made so many remarkable achievements in my Family Services. That electorate. The Goss Government and myself as sum—$660,000—represents a substantial the member for Cook remain committed to the amount of money for an organisation of about important principle of improving health for future five full-time staff. generations of people in rural and remote areas. Now let us look at what was its output in terms of results. In her annual report for 1994, dated 9 August, Link-Up (Qld) coordinator, Ms Funding of Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Beverley Johnson, stated— Corporation "The successes for the year have been Mr LITTLEPROUD (Western Downs) the book launch, new staff and most (11.41 a.m.): Today I wish to outline what importantly, six successful reunions." appears to be an extravagant use of taxpayers' funds to achieve very limited results. Members In the previous year, 1993, the organisation may be aware of an organisation known as the chalked up seven reunions. That is a total of 13 Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation, based at 8 family reunions in two years. On a cost-benefit Gillingham Street, Buranda. The aim of this analysis basis, it works out at $51,000 per organisation is to research and bring together, reunion—$51,000! That is based on total grants where requested, Aboriginal children and their made available to Link-Up (Qld) but, in both natural parents. It assists Aboriginal people who, years, it had substantial unexpended grants. In through destitution and helplessness, need 1993, unexpended grants totalled $92,805, and assistance to obtain information that may be in 1994 unused grants totalled $101,322. Those available relating to their family history and unexpended funds were retained by the community. organisation and, as I will outline shortly, prompted consideration of ways and means by While such aims are entirely worthy, the which they could be spent so future funding achievements of this organisation represent very allocations would not be jeopardised. questionable value for money in terms of its results. There is also grave concern about its Before doing that, however, I would invite priorities with claims that part Aboriginals have members' consideration of the performance of been discriminated against because one of their Link-Up in comparison with another organisation, parents happened to be white. called Jigsaw Queensland Incorporated. This organisation, which has similar aims, caters for all Link-Up (Qld) is funded by Federal and Australians, regardless of their racial background. State Governments, through ATSIC and the In 1993, Jigsaw received slightly more than Department of Family Services respectively. In $5,000 in financial assistance from the the past two years it has received a total of more Department of Family Services. The balance of than $660,000 in grants from these two sources. its funds came from private donations, fund- 15 November 1994 10190 Legislative Assembly raising, etc. However, while it enjoys only a small procedures in relation to petty cash call on the public purse, its results leave those of documents. Link-Up well and truly in the shade. Since the I submit that even those comments by the adoption legislation change in 1991, Jigsaw has auditors, combined with the poor performance of processed 753 reunions, and it provided the the organisation in terms of its output, justify a service for both Aboriginal and white Australians. more thorough audit and cost-benefit analysis. It survives on a fraction of the public funding available to Link-Up (Qld). It even survives on a I mentioned earlier the totals of grants fraction of what Link-Up (Qld) has left over each received and not expended. In 1994, the sum year. If Jigsaw had access to half of what Link-Up left over was $101,322.41, comprising has left over, it would represent a nine or ten-fold $97,229.15 of ATSIC funding and $4,093.26 increase in public funding for that organisation. from the Family Services Department. Information passed to me indicates that the The point I make is that it is time the Family coordinator has indicated to the board that these Services Minister, Ms Warner, instituted an funds had to be expended in three months or independent audit and thorough cost-benefit the organisation's funding for next year could be analysis of the Link-Up organisation. Its auditors jeopardised. Consequently, it was suggested are Edwards, Newman and Partners of East that $25,000 be set aside for a possible reunion Brisbane. In a letter to the chairperson of Link-Up in the United Kingdom. This would have involved attached to its audit opinion this year, the firm flying the mother to the UK accompanied by an drew attention to improper minute procedures as assistant, a member of the organisation. My only well as some aspects of cash payment controls. comment in this regard would be to question the In regard to the organisation's minutes, the allocation, which seems exorbitantly high for a auditors noted— return trip for two people to the UK. "The minutes for July to November Secondly, there were two recent trips to were missing and that for each meeting, the Sydney. The first was the annual general chairman of the meeting had not signed the meeting of Link-Up (NSW), which was attended minutes to confirm a true and accurate by the coordinator, one staff member and two record of the meeting." board members. The second was a Link-Up It pointed out that its review of the minutes (NSW) conference held at Darling Harbour which, revealed a summary of matters discussed which, I understand, was attended by six in some cases, made it difficult to determine representatives including the coordinator, one precisely what decision had been made. The staff member and four board members. auditors recommended that the minutes properly Considering the auditor's comment that no record all resolutions and brief details of names appeared on travel or accommodation discussions that took place and that they be vouchers, the organisation seems somewhat shy signed off by the chairperson as a true and about indicating just how much travel is occurring correct record. and by whom. In relation to cash payments, while noting a I notice also that attendance at annual high standard of substantiation and coding general meetings of Link-Up is usually confined accuracy, the auditors pointed out that internal to five or six people, mainly the existing office controls could be further refined by attention to bearers. It sounds more like a meeting of the the following: secret society. The point is, when only five or six 1. Airfare and accommodation dockets attend annual general meetings of Link-Up (Qld) should have the name of the travellers Aboriginal Corporation, why is it necessary for thereon, to serve as an internal control on four members of this organisation to visit New travel validity. South Wales for its annual general meeting down there when there is no direct affiliation? 2. The travel allowance account should contain only travel allowances paid to staff as There are other concerns, honourable part of their wage. Other travel expenses, members, which have been passed on to me by which are substantiated by actual travel those who are familiar with the operations of Link- dockets, should be allocated to a travel Up (Qld). The organisation reputedly has some expense account. 900 case files, but apparently 150 of these cannot be found. At the last AGM, discussion 3. Questions as to whether there was a centred on the methodology being utilised by reconciliation of actual expenses in the the group's coordinator within Link-Up. While franking account, where some payments staffing has settled down, it was plagued with appeared to be part payments. frequent resignations in the early stages. I 4. The need for enhanced verification understand these included the resignation of a treasurer who was not allowed to see the Legislative Assembly 10191 15 November 1994 organisation's books and a former president who costs for users of Government services. The never signed any cheques in a 12-month period. Government's micro-economic reform agenda Questions have also been raised over part assists Queensland's transport service providers of the organisation's premises which are rented in supplying more outwardly focused and market- to a male person for $100 per week, with such responsive transport services. Transport rent being shown as "donations" in the financial organisations such as Queensland Rail and report. It is interesting to note also, from the Queensland's port authorities are key transport minutes of its annual general meeting of 4 service providers, having a great impact on other August 1993, that Link-Up (Qld) utilised the industries. services of chartered accountants, namely Mr As the costs of transport are an integral part Ken and Don Hayward. I understand this is no of the cost which must be borne by our longer the case, but it is interesting advice, to say manufacturing, mining and primary industries, the least, where income in the form of rent is high or excessive transport costs may undermine shown as "donations". I think members would the domestic and international competitiveness agree that, considering the high level of public of our industrial base. Now more than ever, our funding involved with this organisation, a transport linkages to the world—our roads, rail thorough investigation of its operations is and ports—must be as cost effective and warranted. efficient as possible to ensure that transport Before my time runs out I would add that I costs do not negate the price competitiveness of mentioned discrimination. One young lady went our exports. Integration is fundamental to our to this organisation for assistance to track her success. Port development, rail improvements, father. Her mother, an Aboriginal, had road building and traffic planning, including unfortunately died in custody. When the passenger transport, are all planned to meet organisation learned that the father was, in fact, a community demands, including the need for white man, it refused to assist. employment-generating economic growth. The overriding objective of corporatisation is to improve Queensland's overall economic Queensland Ports performance and to achieve specific social Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central) objectives. This is to be achieved through the (11.50 a.m.): Today, I wish to talk about the more efficient, effective and accountable benefits that have accrued since the State operation of the Government's GOEs— Government decided to corporatise its ports. Government owned enterprises. Corporatisation Before doing so, I advise the House that in involves changing the conditions under which October I was privileged to have had the Government owned enterprises operate so that opportunity to inspect the ports of Osaka in they are placed as far as practicable on a Japan and Shanghai in China as part of a commercial basis in a competitive environment parliamentary trade delegation led by the and at arm's length from Government. The Honourable Jim Elder, and also last week to Government retains ownership and continues to inspect the port of Karumba in north Queensland provide broad directives, for example, in the as part of a Department of Transport visit to the setting of key performance targets, and explicitly Gulf of Carpentaria region. Those inspections funding community service obligations imposed have been invaluable in broadening my on the GOE, which it should. knowledge of ports. Substantial reform of the State's port system On 3 November, I had the honour to was undertaken following the ports review represent the Transport Minister, David Hamill, conducted by Queensland Transport in 1990. In and address the Ports Corporation of May 1993, Cabinet approved the timetable for Queensland dinner at the Parkroyal Hotel. At that the corporatisation of major GOEs, which dinner, I found strong support for the provided for the corporatisation of the Port of corporatisation of Queensland ports from port Brisbane Authority, the Gladstone Port Authority users who, of course, are the pivotal group. It is and the Ports Corporation of Queensland to be worth remembering that, since the election of completed by July. In April, Cabinet approved the Goss Government in 1989, change has been the corporatisation charters for the Port of occurring on many fronts, and nowhere is this Brisbane Authority, the Gladstone Port Authority more evident than in the transport industry. and the Ports Corporation of Queensland. They The Queensland Government is acutely require the port authorities to focus on aware of the need for Australian industries to be commercial performance as well as their more competitive in world markets. The State's traditional trade maximisation role. all-encompassing approach to industry reform On 1 July 1994, the Ports Authority of strives for increased efficiency and reduced Queensland, the Port of Brisbane Authority and 15 November 1994 10192 Legislative Assembly the Port of Gladstone Authority were changing how we do business but also we are corporatised under the Government's changing the skills of our work force to ensure corporatisation policy. One of the most that we have the best port operations in significant outcomes of the reform and Australia. The people who will benefit ultimately corporatisation of the port authorities is expected from these skills will be the port users. to be the improved provision and utilisation of The Queensland Government has port infrastructure to meet the State's future corporatised the Ports Corporation of demands on port services. In relation to port Queensland to help it operate more infrastructure projects, the port authorities will be autonomously and commercially in an required to adopt appropriate project evaluation increasingly competitive arena. The Government processes and targeted rates of return to ensure will monitor closely the corporation's that capital investment decisions are made in a performance in that regard. In addition, the manner consistent with private practice. The corporation has reduced its own charges in requirements to meet commercial rate of return Queensland ports—specifically, pilotage and targets on both new projects and the total conservancy charges—to further assist the applicable asset base will be phased in over time competitiveness of our ports and their users. to allow for the maintenance of long-term That is also helpful, but we accept that more is contracts. Furthermore, to prevent port users required. Whatever further reductions that can from essentially again paying for the assets that be provided by the Government in the way of they have funded already, the charters reductions in pilotage and conservancy charges recommended that user-funded assets be in the future will assist Queensland and the excluded from the asset base when determining nation generally, and that will prove our rate of return calculations. commitment to assisting the competitiveness of The Government has stressed that it will Australian producers. honour all existing contracts with port users and We have also reformed industrial relations in emphasises that improved efficiency and not our ports. The Queensland Department of price rises will provide the ability to achieve Transport and the Australian Maritime Officers commercially acceptable rates of return in the Union have jointly achieved the first and most long term. The Ports Corporation of significant enterprise development agreement in Queensland, which comprises the ports of Hay the Queensland public service. The agreement, Point, Abbot Point, Lucinda, Mourilyan, Cape which covers regional harbour masters, marine Flattery, Weipa, Thursday Island, Karumba— as I pilots and boat crews employed by Queensland said, I visited that port last week—and Quintell Transport, will provide a major boost to Beach, is now exposed to market forces. As a productivity and marine operations in this State. result, it needs to increase efficiency and to The agreement is expected to facilitate overall reduce costs. productivity benefits in excess of $113m to the However, the improvement through State in each year of its three-year term. Major corporatisation is only one facet by which the improvements in productivity have been made Government is trying to improve our ports. The possible by marine operations staff agreeing to Government has also given a commitment in undertake functions outside their previously principle to reducing pilotage and conservancy demarcated areas. The productivity benefits charges to better reflect the cost of service under the agreement include 13 initiatives, each provision, which will result in a direct benefit to of which has clear performance indicators to port users by reducing overall port charges. ensure that targets are achieved. Recently, Transport Minister, David Hamill, I will briefly mention one of the initiatives. signed an agreement with the Singapore Port Under the agreement, regional harbour masters Authority that allows State Government marine and pilots are committed to a higher level of risk pilots to receive the latest practical training. That management and enhanced bridge-team agreement will enable 30 of our pilots to undergo management skills, which will allow them to an intensive six-day course, which will cost the implement a program of reduced under-keel Queensland Government a total of $395,000. clearance. This program will also allow greater Recently, the Port of Singapore purchased a loading of vessels, particularly bulk carriers. The million-dollar pilot training simulator, which will be benefits for shippers and ship owners are used extensively during the training program. substantial, as well as deferring the need for new The simulation unit is one of the most infrastructure in some ports. sophisticated training facilities in the world, providing simulated exercises covering most of The most significant party to benefit from the eventualities that could be faced by a marine the combined impact of these reforms and pilot in any port or on any type of vessel. The decisions will be, as I mentioned earlier, the point that I want to make is that we are not only shippers. Our ports recognise the importance of Legislative Assembly 10193 15 November 1994 trade maximisation rather than simply profit liquid waste in south-east Queensland. That maximisation—and I stress that is fundamental to report is a damning indictment on this Goss the strategy that is being implemented and, of Labor Government's administration and course, it will be fundamental to its success. It is implementation of waste management policies. often a point that is missed in debates and I The report identified the widespread abuse of emphasise it in this place today. It is this existing legislation, ranging from the falsification approach which has significant economic of waste samples to allegations that public benefits at both State and national levels— officials provided information to protect operators something which I would hope all members of from investigation. this House would support. The report identified confused lines of It appears that this strategy is working. The responsibilities and laws split between too many Ports Corporation of Queensland is expected to departments as the key reasons for the poor announce an increased profit for the 1993-94 performance in policing waste issues and for the financial year and strong growth in trade through significant environmental problems which have its ports. However, a challenge remains for all of occurred as a result. This Bill really does not us. The dynamic environment in which we address that issue. The report exposes the operate, the manner in which we examine and extensive administrative weaknesses of the evaluate our own future economic direction and Department of Environment and Heritage and the effect that the rest of the world has on our the inept strategic processes adopted by the wellbeing demands that we must have strategies bungling Public Sector Management in place to meet those challenges now and in the Commission. Instead of applying itself to future. In Queensland, we have taken an administering the legislation, there were reviews, integrated approach, which has involved the internal assessments and bureaucratic building of infrastructure and the provision of a procedures. network between roads, rail and ports. We have At the senior levels of the department, there tackled the problems of industrial reform and is too much involvement in Labor politics and economic reform and have altered our strategies. factional wheeling and dealing, with not enough As I said before, this is about trade maximisation, time, thought and care directed to environmental not simply profit maximisation. I believe we have administration. It is impossible for the head of a taken the right approach to ensuring that we department, Dr Craig Emerson, and the former have efficient and effective ports, and the Director-General of Cabinet, Mr Kevin Rudd, to success of the corporation is proof of that. Let be plotting and planning their future me conclude my remarks by saying today that parliamentary careers and still have their hearts when I was in north Queensland last week and minds on doing administrative and policy looking at Karumba, and also at Normanton, it work. The results within Environment and was good to see the progress that the port of Heritage are a reflection of the commitment of Dr Karumba has made. Emerson to the political sphere of life. Time expired. The House will know that the former Director-General of Cabinet, Mr Rudd, has won ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BILL Labor Party endorsement to stand as the candidate of the Right faction—I emphasise "the Second Reading Right faction"—for the Federal seat of Griffith. Debate resumed from 9 September (see p. The Director-General of the Department of 9540). Environment and Heritage, Mr Emerson—or Dr Mr SLACK (Burnett) (12 noon): For Emerson, as he likes to be known—who is also in several reasons, we are disappointed that this Bill the Right faction sought a Federal electorate, is being debated at this time. One reason is that too. He was not so lucky, as the only one the CJC report, which I will refer to later, was available was the new seat of Longman, which is released only yesterday. Another of the tipped to be anti-Labor. That is why he is not Opposition's objections is that we have before going; otherwise he would be seeking to us 37 amendments to this Bill, which were represent a Federal electorate. circulated this morning. We believe that, in The tragedy for Queenslanders is that this fairness, honourable members should have Goss Labor Government did not proceed with more time to digest those amendments before the reform process begun by the previous we debate this Bill. Government. In fact, the Labor Government As I said, for several reasons the Opposition derailed it. I see the Minister shaking her head. I believes that this Bill should have been suggest that she look at the history of the withdrawn. It is before the House in the shadow Parliament and at the activities of the former of the CJC report into the improper disposal of National Party Government in 1989. Under the 15 November 1994 10194 Legislative Assembly proposal of the former Government, waste responsibility will remain spread over several management would have been centralised Government departments, overseen by the through amendments to the Health Act. This Department of Environment and Heritage." would have led to draft legislation before the Honourable members, especially those who change of Government. It is a fact that the then have not read the report of Justice Matthews, Health Minister took a proposal before Cabinet in should take note that he concluded— April 1989 to effect legislation. That was put together by the departments in a few months. It "The new system may in fact lead to the was going to be reflected in legislation as early as development of a slightly more complex September of that year. charade than that which was necessary to avoid the system currently in use." Yet when this Government came to power, it brought out a Green Paper on this legislation and That is a damning indictment. then procrastinated. In 1992, the PSMC In view of this report, the legislation should recommended that it be transferred from Health, be withdrawn so that the department and the and so on. So five years down the track, we Government can consider its content, finally have some legislation that Justice conclusions and recommendations. As I said Matthews questions. However, as I said, the before, the commissioner has some reservations Goss Labor Government recommended the about this legislation's effectiveness. What is process of a Green Paper, followed by one of the more, he highlighted the problem of the attitude dreaded Public Sector Management of public officials towards prosecution, which will Commission reviews. That review recommended be a key component of regulations that are yet to the transfer of the responsibility for waste come before the House. management from the Department of Health to It is important that parliamentarians have time the DEH. I reiterated that statement to make the to study the report, and probably more important point that we did have this issue under control. that the Minister and her departmental officers The acceptance of that recommendation led are given the time to read and absorb it. I noticed to two years of internal bickering between the that this morning the Minister said that she had then Minister for Health, Mr McElligott, and the read the report as late as last night, even though then Minister for Environment and Heritage, Mr she knew that this Bill would be before the Comben—so at least the Minister can say that House today. The Minister should not deny that she does not have responsibility for this issue; it she said she read it last night, because yesterday rests with Mr Comben—and their senior she said that she had not read it. As late as last bureaucrats, with neither department accepting evening, the Minister admitted that she had not responsibility. That is born out in the Matthews read the report because she had been in report. Cabinet all day, and further confessed that she This is scandalous. Honourable members was unaware of how much her department knew opposite should listen to what has happened to about illegal waste dumping. the administration of the Executive Government. This confession is the hallmark of an This shows that it has no political will to do the incompetent Minister and department. The hard work and to make the hard decisions. It media knew that the CJC report was being shows that the Premier has insufficient clout to released yesterday. Surely the department and sort out a dispute between two warring the Minister knew it was being released, and departments and their respective Ministers about surely they could have done some work to find an issue as sensitive and important as waste out something about the illegal dumping. It is management. clear that it is all too hard. The Premier should The Premier and his Government have look at giving the member for Brisbane Central, been fiddling around with this issue for five Mr Beattie, a go. I notice that Peter is still in the years, spending vast sums of money but Chamber. At least the member wants to be a achieving little except a bureaucratic mess and Minister. He may have the guts to sweep out not enforcing the pollution laws of this State. In some of the senior political officials who occupy light of the CJC report, and given what was said the top jobs and administer the legislation over in that report about the Environmental Protection which he would have jurisdiction. Bill, this Bill should be withdrawn from Parliament It does not make sense to proceed with this for a total reassessment. legislation if a thorough and expensive inquiry In a media statement attached to the report, has taken place and its recommendations are not Commissioner Matthews, QC, warned that this considered. It is hardly fair to say that they can be Bill— considered overnight. For this reason, after ". . . could fail to improve the current system, careful consideration, we are of the strong view despite the increased chance of that the legislation should be withdrawn and prosecution for environmental offences, as reconsidered by the department. In arriving at Legislative Assembly 10195 15 November 1994 this decision, we are mindful of, and we have also police. When this Bill was introduced, the taken on board, the words of the Labor Lord Minister mentioned that there would be 130 or Mayor of Brisbane, Jim Soorley. This morning's 135 green police. We have now had the Courier-Mail reported that— announcement by Cabinet yesterday—damage ". . . he feared dumping could continue in control at its best—that there will be 170 or 175 the city's sewer system because of serious green police to enforce this Act. As I said earlier, deficiencies in State Government unless the attitude changes, what will we achieve legislation." out of it all? The fees are included in the environmental protection regulation, which is not That is what the Labor Lord Mayor of Brisbane part of the Bill, but it is to be hoped that the said. This is not the first report that has damned Minister is as good as her word and does have a this Government. I will mention this point again look at the environmental fees. later. For the benefit of the House, I will quote The Bill comes before the House following what the Minister said on 10 November at hours, days and nights of toil undertaken by Longreach on ABC radio when talking to Tom stakeholders and departmental officers to Harwood. She stated— prepare a model within certain parameters set by the Government that would provide for "What we're looking at with some of the ecologically sustainable development. The rural communities and the rural councils is stakeholders included industry, local that there may in fact be a problem with them government, conservation groups and the and I have no doubt that there are. There community. This legislation applies to all have been some good illustrations of that Queenslanders—individuals, business, industry, come in to us where the cost of collecting State and local government. It is a partnership. It may not be worth while. Now in those cases, is the most raked-over Bill to come before the and we've said this to them, this is a draft. House. The Government and the stakeholders We will be talking to them, and quite clearly, have wrestled over the concept, the principles we don't want to cause any economic and policies for months and months. Whilst the disbenefit to the community at large, via rate consultative process has been exhaustive, the rise, so we are looking at those as separate downside is that the long lead time in issues." implementing the Bill created uncertainty for When the Minister replies to this debate, I would those businesses wanting to plan environmental expect that she will outline what she is strategies. envisaging in respect to that statement made at The CJC report of Justice Matthews will Longreach. create further uncertainty. As I said before, the I would like to quote just another dozen Bill should be withdrawn for reconsideration. This words on the regulation. They were included in Bill provides the framework, the system and the the Courier-Mail editorial of 3 November. It model upon which rests the path to ecologically stated— sustainable development. It involves major "When is a tax not a tax? When it's a regulatory changes which will impact on levy, silly." economic activity and environmental management of business and industry in The Treasurer should have regard to that Queensland. It is important environmental statement when he refers to no new taxes in legislation, as well as being pervasive legislation Queensland or taxes not exceeding the level of in terms of the extent of its application. This can the CPI. The Treasurer has had a very cunning be determined by the fact that under the current way of getting around that issue, but it is not so environmental Acts some 1 200 Queensland cunning now because it is becoming apparent to businesses are licensed, but this legislation will everybody in the community that, although it initially involve between 8 000 and 10 000 makes many pious claims, this Government is businesses. The department has identified close busily extracting every cent and every dollar it to 100 industries and activities which require can from the pockets of the average citizen licences and approvals under the new through charges. legislation. At this point of time, it seems that the The regime of annual fees to be imposed is stakeholders are prepared to give this legislation absolutely unbelievable. It is clear that this a fair go, that is, if the licences and the fees are Government is going to use exorbitant fees as a adjusted. The Confederation of Industry said in a tool to make business comply instead of sound press statement— laws which are policed and prosecutions "Industry has been generally happy launched against abusers. The regime of fees is with the consultation process and should be just a money grab to pay for the 130 or so green happy with the outcomes." 15 November 1994 10196 Legislative Assembly

It must be said that that was before the release of That was not long after the original report, of the draft fees that industry would have to pay. course, and one wonders why. After that, as the Minister well knows—although Ms Robson: Quote it accurately, then. she may disclaim this, as well—there was a major outcry. I will state on record in this place that the Mr SLACK: I am quoting from the Minister is very effective at disclaiming newspaper report. I will table it; I have no problem knowledge of matters that she should know with that. It continues— about. "Greens convenor Drew Hutton, in Local government, which has new evidence at the inquiry on Thursday, responsibilities under this Bill, has also claimed Mr Chaloupka's follow-up report was commended the Government for the a whitewash. Mr Hutton yesterday consultative process, saying— questioned Mr Chaloupka in evidence at the inquiry about 'improvements' in his follow-up "The Bill represents a major step report regarding licences and whether all towards the implementation of the principles licences to discharge waste were now valid. of ecologically sustainable development." Mr Chaloupka: I'd need some time to check That, too, was before it saw the cost and the that. damning CJC report. It must be said, however, Mr Chaloupka could not tell Mr Hutton that there are stakeholders—and that includes how many additional Environment industry and local government—who are Department officers had been employed for apprehensive about certain aspects of the the licensing system. legislation, and I will mention that later. It would be quite wrong to think that stakeholders are Mr Hutton: Then how do you know a enthusiastic about the legislation. There are, 'comprehensive compliance auditing despite the costs, private misgivings. programme' has been set up? This Bill repeals some 22 environmental Mr Chaloupka: We put together a Acts relating to water, air and noise and the State programme, but I'm not sure if it's actually environment. The environment program started . . ." evaluation report of 1992 stated— Mr Chaloupka wrote the report; one would think "The environment program needs re- he would know all about it. The newspaper report engineering. It has decayed so far that just continues— mere tinkering will not improve program "Mr Chaloupka said he did not know performance. The program needs extensive about Environment Department inquiries rebuilding and the adopting of more modern regarding water licences, nor could he management practices." comment on lead levels in petrol being I know that the Minister disclaimed that report this higher than in other states. morning in question time. She said that there He 'suspected' the department had not was a follow-up report and that that suddenly conducted research into ambient pollution made everything good. Although the Minister levels which would be required in the area of did not say that the report was not accurate, she tradeable pollution rights. accused me of being selective in my Mr Hutton: I put it to you that not much representation of that report in the question that I has changed (within the department). asked this morning. Mr Chaloupka: I don't agree with that It is interesting to note from the Courier-Mail appraisal." report the testimony of one of the authors of the second report when he was questioned by Drew What would one expect him to say? The article Hutton over that report. He claimed that he was concludes— not pressured to write the report. That press "Retired Supreme Court judge Harry report states— Matthews, QC, adjourned the inquiry "Mr Chaloupka denied he had been indefinitely." pressured by Environment Minister Molly I am quite happy to table that document. Robson or department director-general Ms Robson: You are very good at Craig Emerson in producing the second, slamming good, hardworking officers. follow-up report. Mr SLACK: I am not slamming good, He said Mr Emerson had asked him to hardworking officers at all. I am not attempting to do the follow-up, a normal procedure, a little slam hardworking officers. I am just drawing to the earlier than usual to check whether attention of the House the anomalies and the performance had improved." erroneous statements that the Minister made to Legislative Assembly 10197 15 November 1994 the House in defending her management of the the lack of an adequate enforcement will Environment and Heritage portfolio, which is and the lack of monitoring and investigative indefensible. support for compliance auditing. This legislation does the rebuilding within The monitoring workforce complain the parameters set by the Government. It makes about the recalcitrant nature of the good sense to put under umbrella legislation the inspectorate, senior management environmental matters of clean air, clean water leadership and the quality of the licence and noise abatement. It will make for more construction. The licence issuance efficient monitoring and management practices workforce complain about lack of any for departmental officers and for industry management support and guidance." compliance. According to reported market However, yesterday the Minister said research— publicly—as she did in the House today—that "The Queensland community she did not know anything about these problems considers air, water and noise pollution as that have developed within her department. important urban environmental problems. According to the report—a routine external Water pollution is recognised as a major audit by the Queensland Auditor-General in environmental concern in provincial and 1992—there were a number of serious rural centres." deficiencies in the licensed transactions and it In the past, the Government has been identified a lack of proper internal control reticent in monitoring the three pollution control procedures. It went on to say— Acts. A number of activities are occurring in "Licences are often carelessly issued Queensland which should not be permitted but without conditions. For instance, in which continue by virtue of this Government's December 1992, 32 water licences were weak approach or non-existent approach to renewed without conditions attached, pollution control. Over the past five years, instructing the licensee to refer to environmental legislation which has sounded conditions attached the previous year—it is good, such as the Contaminated Land Act, has questionable whether these are complete." been passed; however, the implementation has fallen far short of an efficient operation. It is to be Summing up the three subsystems of hoped that this legislation will be better licensing, monitoring and environmental administered and complied with than the Act it assessment, the report said that the past replaces. When referring to the licensing program performance was of contradictory subsystem, the environmental program purposes, obscure service, vague information evaluation report of 1992, which I do not believe and tenuous outcomes. These three has been in any way discredited, stated— subsystems are essential elements of this legislation and it is to be hoped that the "Compliance auditing and monitoring Government does a better job than it has done have not only been decoupled but have under the previous Acts. both been down-graded over the last 3 years in terms of resource inputs and It should be noted that, in a flurry of activity program recognition in direct contradiction beginning in January of this year, the to explicit Government and departmental Government reviewed the licensing conditions policy intent. of the 196 sewerage treatment plants in Queensland. The findings were that 159 council, There can be little question that the 22 private and four State Government plants had licensing subsystem is falling apart at the not complied with licensing conditions, while 11 seams and is now only recognisable as just plants were taking steps to ensure compliance. licence issuance straining an already under- This activity may have been brought on because resourced licence issuance workforce—the the Greens applied for the data under the only client product is the licence and so the Freedom of Information Act. licence issuance workforce becomes the brunt of both internal and external I turn to the 1992 internal report. Had Drew discontent with system performance." Hutton not obtained a copy of that report—he was known to be giving it to the CJC; the Incidentally, as I said in question time this Government was aware of it and the Minister morning, this Government was collecting $6m became aware of that—I doubt if we would have from those licences. The report continues— that second report in the system, and it certainly "The inspectorate workforce are would never have been made public. Members disillusioned and have often complained should forgive me for being cynical about it, but I bitterly about the poor equality of licence believe that to be true. It must be remembered, construction (conditions, fees, guidelines), of course, that the events Mr Matthews has 15 November 1994 10198 Legislative Assembly highlighted in his report would give justification environmentally accountable and to my making that statement. responsible to the Parliament and the It must be remembered of course that the people of Queensland." Greens and the Conservation Council are not What rhetoric. The policy document continues— slow to criticise when criticism is due and valid. "The establishment of an The Queensland Conservation Council Environmental Ombudsman in Queensland Chairman, Professor Ian Lowe, said that the Goss will be a first for Australia and demonstrates Government's performance was very poor. In the importance which will be placed on fact, Queensland scored a "D" in what was called environmental protection by a Goss Labor a "Damning Report Card" on environmental Government." protection as rated by the Worldwide Fund for Nature. The only solace for the Government was Have honourable members heard it all before? that the majority of the States scored the same This so-called unique initiative has turned out to rating, with the Commonwealth coming in with a be window-dressing and image-building rhetoric. "C". It had no substance. As I said before, the Conservation Council is The attention of the House should be drawn not slow to criticise and the previous anti-Labor to the urgent need for restructuring of Government got its fair share of stick, but in the environmental administration. The actuality is that eyes of the council the environmental record of in the area of environmental protection, outside this Labor Government is "no better than its of image building, there have not been National Party precedents". The Conservation substantial advances. In Labor's pollution control Council's coordinator described the attitude of policies, the leading initiative was establishing a the Premier and his Government as "appalling" State Pollution Control Commission with the and he accused them of wasting funds and expertise to combat the problems environmentalists' time. The Government has caused by present apathy. The commission will brought this down on its own head. It ignored its have control over all anti-pollution legislation in environmental policy promises of 1989. It is no Queensland and will work independently of the wonder the Greens are looking to give their Government of the day to fulfil its charter of preferences to the anti-Labor forces—the minimising environmental damage from pollution. coalition. In light of the record of this Where does Dr Lesley Clark now stand on these Government, it is no wonder. The Greens are not commitments that were given before the silly; they have seen what has taken place; they election? She supposedly is an environmentalist know the performance of this Government. looking for environmental support in her An environmental disaster which this electorate. I predict she will not be here after the Government has tried to hide is a stockpile of next election because she has not honoured highly dangerous chemicals stored recklessly at these commitments. The document went on— the DPI research station at Mutdapilly, 20 "A Labor Government will properly staff kilometres from Ipswich. In this instance it is a and resource the State Pollution Authority case of the physician "Heal thyself". to ensure proper protection from noise, air Prior to 1989 this Government produced a and water pollution. Staff will be allowed to raft of environmental policies. These included a specialise." coastal protection strategy— nothing of What rhetoric! Where is it? If we believed all the substance has been done there— and pollution hype coming from Labor, it was costed; it was control policies. As part of these policies Labor affordable. It fell to the more important matter of promised an environmental ombudsman. It was image building, such as shutting down Fraser billed as Labor's unique initiative. I am pleased to Island. Labor did not do what it said it was going see that the Premier is in the room because he to do, did it? Labor attended to the issues that made many speeches promising the were easy, such as the resiting of the Redbank ombudsman. The Premier might tell the people radioactive dump to a National Party electorate of Queensland why he did not fulfil his promise. where there are great fears that toxins from the The policy document stated— radioactive material could leach into the aquifers "There is an urgent need for extensive and ultimately the artesian basin. Labor promised restructuring of Queensland's "a greatly improved Clean Waters Act under environmental administration. which prosecutions can be launched by individuals and local authorities as well as the As part of that restructuring the State Pollution Control Commission". I am sure all establishment of a parliamentary honourable members have heard this before. commissioner for the environment (Environmental Ombudsman) will ensure As well, there were to be substantially Government administration will be increased penalties for polluters and a user-pays Legislative Assembly 10199 15 November 1994 system where the dumper pays for the cost of the Premier likes to get up here and mislead and treatment of the waste. This was all just humbug. imply—not quite lie; but he is very much on the Events have proved it. Until this legislation, the sticky paper, to quote somebody who was a outcome of Labor's much vaunted and costed member of this House ages ago—that the area of anti-pollution policies has been what? It has been McIlwraith Range was included and purchased as zilch! Worse still, as shown by the environment part of the lease that was held by Mr Rand. That is program evaluation report, existing legislation not the case. When I looked at the pricing compliance was poor. It does not matter how the structure of the particular property and the Minister, the Premier or any Government number of cattle it would run, on the advice of old members try to distance themselves from that hands in the area and people in the industry I report, it is there for all to read. It was genuinely found that the carrying capacity of that particular put together by highly respected officers of the property would be about 6 000 head. department. Labor is obsessed with image and A Government member: You wouldn't image-making, not practical outcomes. Funding have a clue. for conservation and environment under Labor has more than doubled; it is up by 120 per cent Mr SLACK: Who was the knowledgeable over five years. The money has gone on glamour fellow who made that brilliant interjection? The projects such as national parks acquisitions. This value of land to be used for cattle purposes in morning we heard the Premier referring to the that area is $120 to $150 per head. Therefore, acquisition of Silver Plains. He was a little bit 6 000 head of cattle multiplied by $120 to $150 deflated compared to what he was the other day comes to about $900,000. I admit that Silver because he suddenly started to realise that it was Plains has some particular attributes, even to the not worth the sort of money that he was paying cattle industry. It does get a little more for it. He also realised that people are beginning rainfall—being on the east coast and having a to understand that the money is not being range behind it—and certain improvements have allocated for the management of these parks that been made to it. As a matter of fact, Mr Rand has the Government is acquiring. I have no objection probably put as many improvements on Silver to the acquisition of parks and I have no Plains as has any other land-holder in Cape York. objection to the fact that there are areas within So, to a degree, that must be recognised and Silver Plains that are environmentally worth incorporated in the price. But even if that is preserving and putting within the national park incorporated in the price, it does not come to estate, much more so than Starcke, despite all $4.5m. the hype and glamour attached to Starcke. Incidentally, those improvements were part However, from my investigations the of the requirement for freeholding from this Government was very rash with the amount of Government, which never took place. Even with money it paid for it and the Government has those improvements, the land is still carrying been very misleading in what it has told the 6 000 head. So one cannot nominally apply the public about it. When it was in Government, the valuation that this Government does in its National Party first refused any application on the valuation assessment, because money has to be part of Mr Rand to freehold and subsequently made on the 6 000 head of cattle. Some people there was an agreement to allow for freeholding say to me, "That is fine. That is great. But this in the future provided that certain conditions particular property would be used by developers were met. to develop resorts and all that sort of thing." That Dr Clark: Exactly. You would have sold it is not on in this economic climate. People in that off. area have no interest in that because of the cost structure and the failure of other resorts. The Mr SLACK: No, we did not sell it off. It was values that existed for properties in the eighties not sold off by us. That is another misleading do not exist in that area, nor do people with the statement the Premier has made. He is trying to entrepreneurial skills necessary to promote imply that the Queensland Government of the property sales in that area involving exorbitant day sold Silver Plains to Mr Rand. That is a amounts of money. The reality is that that deliberate untruth. Silver Plains was bought from property came back to a cattle property valuation. the Tipperary Land Company, which in turn Therefore, a price of $4.5m is just not on. One bought it from a Mrs Wassel. It was not sold by could go to that area and buy the Esmerelda the coalition Government. A lease was involved property for $4.5m—and it has 10 000 head of and that lease was bought by the respective cattle! Mr Rand got a very generous deal. He was land-holders at the time. That is the same as with given five years to take his cattle off the land. any other leasehold land in Queensland. Government members claim that we did all What about this often talked about, much the wrong things; that we gave concessions to vaunted McIlwraith Range? It was taken out as a entrepreneurs and other people. They should timber reserve ages and ages ago. In spite of that 15 November 1994 10200 Legislative Assembly have a look at their own backyards. What money It must be said that there is a need for the has been set aside for the management of that Government and the department to understand particular property? I would love to hear the the practical application of the regulations. At Minister tell us that, because the people of that present, there are regulations snowballing area are interested in this—and in other national everywhere, contributing to a negativism that is parks. But that is getting away from this Bill. not economically healthy. In the private sector, However, Government members interjected and everything is getting too hard to do, too hard to said that I did not know what I was talking about. achieve, too hard to succeed and too restrictive Caring for the parks and caring for and about to make progress. the environment did not provide picture A gentleman from my electorate rang me the opportunities, so such practical things were other day. He said that he agrees with the basis given low priority. In fact, conservation and of the legislation, and he agrees that we need to environment is in a similar position to that of protect our environment. He knows that he has a police, health, education, family services, primary part to play and that he should pay some fee industries and lands—to name but a few—and towards that. But he is a small operator. He once that is failure to deliver practical services and had seven people employed in his business. He outcomes. This Labor Government has turned in now has himself, an office girl and an apprentice. a very poor environmental report card. When it He said, "This charge for my little business is comes to pollution control, one only has to look going to be $650, the same as a business that is at the damning CJC report released yesterday. employing a lot more people than I am This Government is all about images assisted by employing." He said, "I would not mind the its media machine. When it gets down to the charge so much if it was the only one, but there nitty-gritty, this Government has been found to are many others. A workplace health and safety be wanting in the past, and there is nothing to inspector came to see me some time ago. He suggest that it will be different with this new had charges. I asked him what I am going to get legislation. This view is supported by for that. He outlined a list of benefits that I would Commissioner Matthews, QC, in his report into obtain by paying the charges. But it did not the improper disposal of liquid waste in south- happen that way. I did not get the benefits. The east Queensland. same thing is going to happen with this The object of this Bill is— situation." Then he asked, "Why do we need the two inspectors?" He said, "One comes around ". . . to protect Queensland's environment and looks at us doing one thing, and the same while allowing for development that one could do exactly the same thing as this improves the total quality of life, both now legislation is doing, and it is double the cost to and in the future, in a way that maintains the me." He said, "At the end of the day, not just ecological process on which life depends through this fee but through the problems that (ecologically sustainable development)." are coming out of all the charges and the This is a very skilfully crafted goal drawn from regulations, I am just losing hope, and it could be words on heaps of butcher's paper. There is not the final death knell to my little business." There one person in the world who could object to are many people like that out there. They have such a worthy goal. It is the perfect motherhood rung Opposition members, and no doubt they statement. The path whereby this goal is to be have contacted Government members. They achieved is to be done in four phases: phase 1, have all asked, "Why should we have to pay establishing the state of the environment and these fees to the extent that we have to pay defining environmental objectives; phase 2, them? Sure, we recognise that people who developing effective environmental strategies; pollute should have to pay, but we do not pollute phase 3, implementing environmental strategies much. It should be a community responsibility." and integrating them into efficient resource This is the reaction from people. management; and phase 4, ensuring What about the amount of money that is accountability of environmental strategies. The coming in through those fees? It must be borne most important is phase 2, that is, developing in mind that the Government is collecting $6m effective environmental strategies. This refers to from the old licensing fees. One must question environmental protection policies, which are to the figures the Minister has come up with so far take the form of subordinate legislation and will as what is received from licence fees. Figures provide issue-specific standards and criteria for from various sources, including the Minister's particular environmental problems. At this point, own department, have been bandied about and the regulations are in draft form and, as I said many of them conflict with one another. I do not before, the fee structure in the environmental believe that the Government really knows what it protection regulation is causing much heartache. will get out of this, except that it believes that it Legislative Assembly 10201 15 November 1994 will probably get much more than it is making There is also a personal obligation on all public. employees of a company to notify the senior Statistics show that enthusiasm to invest in management of breaches of the legislation. Queensland is not strong. Plenty of statistics Management must immediately notify the indicate that investment in Queensland is behind administering authority of all relevant details. the eight ball, particularly in comparison with the Information cannot be withheld on the grounds other States. People must have confidence to that it might tend to incriminate or lead to a invest. This legislation has a much wider prosecution. coverage than its predecessors. Its application Unlike the present situation, applications for will increase by some 600 per cent to 800 per new licences will need to be advertised and any cent. It will regulate any business that carries out interested party, including competitors, special activities of any nature which potentially impact interest groups and members of the public on the environment. Many of these will be small generally, can make submissions in respect of businesses, and it must be remembered that, the application which the administering authority according to the Small Business Corporation, 97 is bound to take into consideration in arriving at per cent of businesses in Queensland are small its decision. Further, any of the interested parties businesses. The extent of the net can be will be able to appeal against the authority's determined by the interpretation of the words decision if not satisfied. "contaminant", "noise" and "waste". The impacts Under this Bill, only "suitable persons" will will include odours, heat, light, energy, be licensed. The administering authority will be electromagnetic radiation and even visual able to refuse a person a licence if it considers amenity. One has to understand the nature of the applicant is not a suitable person to receive people in small business, that is, they like doing one. In the case of companies, this decision can their own thing. That is why they are in small be made after investigation of the personal business. Many small businesses are families history of any of the company's present or past and many earn less than the award wage. management. Although they recognise the need for environmental protection, there is apprehension Simply having a licence does not mean that about the Bill. the licensee's environmental strategies are acceptable. There is no automatic protection if The Government needs to have a good one merely complies with the conditions of an understanding and appreciation of the situation environmental licence. The licensee will need in implementing the Bill. In the business and also to comply with the general environmental industry sectors, particularly small business, duty and any relevant environment protection there is a lot of stress. The change, involving policies and environmental management rigid licensing and compliance, adds to the stress programs. I might just say that although the level. Honourable members opposite cannot tell gentleman from the department has assured us me it does not. That is why some of the members that that will not be the case, the legislation does opposite are in this place and are not involved in not actually provide for that. There is, naturally, small business. confusion about the intent of the legislation. The environmental management chapter While those assurances may be given, that is and the investigation and enforcement chapter cold comfort to the people who may read the provide the nuts and bolts of licensing. This legislation in its strict form and who are entitled to establishes the environment industry. It is come to the view that what I have just said is pervasive, bureaucratic and enforcing. Only time applicable. In her reply, the Minister needs to will tell if it works. What is clear is that there will be give some assurances that what I have just said a substantial bureaucracy to handle the will not be the case or that it is not the intention of processes and the red tape will be extensive. It the Bill. I am afraid to say that that is the way the will be another department that has extensive Bill is worded and that is the way we have to information about business. interpret it. The Bill imposes a general environmental Furthermore, a licence can be changed at duty on every person not to carry out any activity any time. The Bill provides for the amending of that causes, or is likely to cause, environmental licence conditions where the nature of the harm unless the person takes all reasonable business changes, or if at the time the measures to prevent or minimise the harm. That administering authority considers it "necessary or is all-encompassing and a fundamental change desirable". Businesses must consider the from existing legislation, which regulates specific licences as an investment. Failure to pay fees by activities but leaves other businesses largely the due date results in automatic revocation and unaffected. The onus is on the businesses to be there is no right of reinstatement. accountable for their environmental practices. 15 November 1994 10202 Legislative Assembly

Compliance is an essential element of the that interim arrangements should apply before Bill. If small business is unhappy with the present the axe falls, and they should be included in this level of red tape, those small businesses Bill. involved with an industry that impacts on the We note that the Local Government environment will have to add the requirement to Association supports the inclusion of submit an annual statutory declaration as to the conference provisions as a means of resolving extent of compliance. disputes in a non-judicial forum. Until now—that The Bill provides for substantial fines and is, until we found out how this Government has can exceed $1m higher than most fines under hoodwinked the community, hoodwinked the corporations, taxation and trade practices laws. It Opposition and hoodwinked the is often put to me that that is not so bad, stakeholders—there has been goodwill towards provided that the money that is paid in licence these environmental laws, as everyone fees goes to the Environment and Heritage understands that it is about quality of life. The last Department for the policing of the Act. I would thing that anyone would want, however, is that it like an assurance from the Minister that it will be should emerge as an impediment or barrier to used for that purpose. The Bill will encourage, in people wanting to go into or expand their the first instance, greater care about the impact businesses. Just recently on the ABC's of some industry activities on the environment. In Newsday program, a person rang saying that he the second instance, if there is not compliance, had been a business proprietor for 10 years in the Bill makes company executives personally the manufacturing business. He said— liable. "I found the attitude and the forms and I now refer to what are perceived to be the the taxation and all the other bureaucratic weaknesses of the Bill. The first is that this Bill is involvement just so much that I just shut the not prescriptive enough. The Bill sets out the doors and walked away." framework under which the environment industry This Government has a bureaucratic culture, and will operate; it does not provide the policy it must be careful that in enforcing the law it is substance. As I said before, policy will be set out done equitably. in regulations. For the benefit of the member for Barron River, I repeat, "Policy will be set out in The third weakness is the cost implications regulations." These will be put before the for local government in doing the hard House, but it is impossible to amend them. It is environmental jobs for the State Government. very difficult to amend regulations, if not The Murgon Shire Council, which is a small shire impossible. That is a major weakness of the Bill. council, indicated to me that the cost to that council would be $50,500. I do not think that As a general comment, under Labor, Murgon would be representative of the average Executive Government has become more and in size and fees that it would collect; it would more powerful. The Goss Labor Government is a probably be below the average. If that figure is Government of regulation and press releases. multiplied by 100, the total is over $5m, which, There is too much reliance on regulations. incidentally, does not tally with what the Minister Policies relating to the environment should have has been saying. As the House knows, councils been included either in this Bill or, failing that, in a will take on the responsibility for environmental Bill at a later date. The member for Brisbane monitoring and policing of industries from new Central has let go to his head the statement that I motor trade business to concrete batching made when he interjected that he should be the plants, from metal and wood fabrication factories Minister in charge of this department. to commercial printing operations. There is no Whilst we have not seen the policies in the doubt that councils will be doing a lot more regulations, it could be that there is more power environmental work under the Act. in the regulations than there is in the Act. There It must be said that the State Government needs to be more power put into the Act with has provided $500,000 to fund local respect to policy, thus ensuring that the Government implementation of the devolution of regulations are subsidiary to the Act. That is the environmental management responsibilities. It is important point. As I said before, there is an $1.5m over three years. Already we are being increasing trend to put too much power into the told that a number of difficult environmental regulatory structure. activities are not being processed by the The second weakness is its impact on small Government because they fall in the too-difficult business. There is no doubt that, as a result of basket. The department has opted for the easy this Bill, operating costs will increase. As a starter, way out and it is awaiting the gazettal of this Bill the minimum licence fee will range from about so the assessment of the impact of the activity $300 to $650. With respect to the suspension or can be shoved off to local government. cancellation of licences, the Opposition believes Legislative Assembly 10203 15 November 1994

Given the liability provisions contained in the conscious in the way they run their businesses. Bill, local government is truly treading into the We believe that, with goodwill on all sides, we unknown in terms of the requirements for can improve our quality of life and make headway administration and complaint management, towards achieving ecologically sustainable associated costs, resources and training of development. officers. We are concerned about the cost of the The Opposition is of the view that, in the new responsibilities on small councils, in light of the CJC report into the improper disposal particular those which have little fat in their of liquid waste in south-east Queensland, this Bill budgets. If honourable members look at the should be withdrawn and reassessed. economies of scale, they will see that small councils and small businesses will be A Government member: Why? disadvantaged under this Bill. Small shires Mr SLACK: I have been speaking about without much industry will still need to have that for ages. The wise, sensible and practical trained staff, and there could well be a financial approach is for it to be withdrawn. However, this loss. On the other hand, larger shires with Government is not about sensible, practical greater diversity could benefit. We are advised approaches; it is into images. that this should not happen, and we hope that is Ms Robson: Delay, delay, delay, delay. the case. Mr SLACK: That is what this Government Finally, a number of industries—mining and has been doing for years. The day after the primary industries—are concerned about the presentation of the CJC report, it is going to rush inclusion of third-party injunctions in the Bill. the Bill through. Labor's own Lord Mayor These industries, whilst supporting the Bill, are questions the Bill, yet this Government puts this not at all happy with this aspect. They also Bill at the top of the list, issues 37 amendments recognise the legitimate concern of the public to that the Opposition has not had the time to look be involved in the protection of the environment. at, and wants to rush it through. They argue that existing third-party provisions in current legislation, such as in the Local Mr FitzGerald: Forty. Government (Planning and Environment) Act Mr SLACK: I thank the honourable 1990, and the Mineral Resources Act, are more member for that. The Government issues 40 than adequate. They also maintain that the amendments, nobody has had time to look at extended provisions were unnecessary, would them, and then says that it is a proper erode confidence, damage Queensland's assessment of the Bill that is on the table. reputation as a good place in which to invest and, We have seen glossy images of the Minister ultimately, would stifle development. smiling in unmanaged national parks while It must be said that this sector was hidden toxic waste pollutes our waterways. That somewhat taken back by the late inclusion of has been the Minister's image all the way third-party injunctions in the Bill after it had been along—glossy, smiling photographs of her in left out of the first 20 drafts. The Government's national park areas or where there are defence is that filters, which are probably the koalas—but when this issue of toxic waste subject of more regulations, will reduce the risk comes to light, the Minister ducks for cover. Her of vexatious complaints being given actionable consistency is unbelievable. Yesterday, she only status. That is a matter which the Government will had suspicions. Today, she does a backflip. She have to keep under review and have the courage read the report last night and she has now to make the necessary amendments if nuisance, become aware that it can be demonstrated quite vindictive or extreme complaints are damaging easily that she should have had more than the important partnership of the community, suspicions. It has been demonstrated quite industry and Government caring for the easily that she had a responsibility as the Minister environment. That is the point. We will have to to know all about this issue. When the Minister watch the effects of those particular provisions. put her mind into gear, she became aware that The Government needs to watch the effects and there was a 1992 report saying exactly what the we as an Opposition need to watch the effects. Opposition has been saying and confirming what It is very important that we all keep a we all knew, that is, that the Minister and her balanced approach. For example, according to director-general have not been handling the the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Queensland's department competently. So today, she had to industries spent almost $60m on environmental own up. Now, this Bill is before the House when protection, making Queensland the leader in the Mr Matthews, in that CJC report, which the Australian sector in revenue terms. So industries Minister claims to have read, questions its have not been shirking their responsibilities in structure. He has said that much of the same general. Apart from those cowboys out there, structure will exist in this Bill as now exists, which the majority have been environmentally led to the adverse finding in that CJC report. 15 November 1994 10204 Legislative Assembly

The administration of the State's laws under she sees fit to reject Harry Matthew's claim the Goss Labor Government has been a farce the new legislation won't work." and a charade. Academic procedures and Yet this morning she says that she has bureaucratic requirements have taken the place conversations with her director-general every of commonsense and practical outputs. The final day about the matter. I know for a fact that the report card for this Goss Labor Government's director-general has received countless letters management of the environment and the about this particular subject that Harry Matthews administration of the environmental legislation investigated. So in no way, shape or form can the has been published after the exam was set by Minister dodge the issue by simply saying that the environmental watchdog, the she did not know. As I said before, she realised environmentalists and the Greens. If those that and that was the reason for her backflip environmentalists and Greens had not jumped today. Rod Henshaw said further— up and down, people such as Brian Fox had not come forward and Drew Hutton had not made his "How does she know it will work if she contribution, we would never have had the CJC has been in the dark on this lot?" report and this Government would have Community voices are raising concerns continued the charade of telling people that about this Bill, and it should be withdrawn, everything is under control. The Minister knew reassessed by the department and reintroduced that everything was not under control and the next week. In the meantime, the Opposition director-general knew that everything was not suggests to the Minister that she reads the under control, and if they try to say otherwise, current environmental legislation relating to clean they are admitting to complete incompetence, or water and air and enforces it. It is quite obvious blindness, or both. that the Government has no intention or desire The result is complete and utter failure. It is to enforce the Acts that are already in place. The so bad, it must not be repeated. That means that, Minister can dismiss those Acts as much as she quite simply, this Bill must be withdrawn. This likes as not having teeth, but that CJC report that Goss Government should not be allowed to was so damning said that departmental officers proceed to another level when it cannot were not even looking at the licensing administer the existing legislation. It cannot apply requirements or attempting to enforce them. the controls it has now. That was demonstrated Those cowboys out there knew that. They knew amply in the 1992 report that the Minister has that they could do what they liked. The Minister tried to denigrate and distance herself from, but was culpable in not ensuring that action was which she cannot. The Minister would do well to taken to curtail their activities. eat more humble pie, withdraw the Bill and reassess it. However, the Opposition will not In conclusion, I take the opportunity to thank hold its breath: humility is not one of the the Minister for the courtesy extended to the hallmarks of the Goss Labor Government. Opposition, for the briefing provided by her senior departmental staff and for the answers on This morning, Rod Henshaw spoke about policy matters pertaining to this important and toxic waste and said— far-reaching Bill. I commend the officers for their ". . . it is a hell of a hit list Harry Matthews has knowledge and professionalism. They were put together. One thing is for certain prepared to brief the Opposition when they were though, Molly Robson might as well go back requested, and I thank the Minister for that. to the drawing board with this new However, before I conclude, I make one environment Bill that she's come up with. It other point in respect of this Bill. It has taken this is not worth the paper it is printed on. It can't Government five years to introduce this Bill after be." the Opposition, when it was in Government, was That was what Rod Henshaw said this preparing legislation to put before the morning. Government members do not like to Parliament. Five years down the track, when hear that. Rod Henshaw stated further— there has been so much input into this Bill, the Government still has not been able to draft it "And besides, how does Molly Robson effectively to the extent that it has only the one know the Bill has been drafted adequately? authority issuing licenses or imposing She claims it was yesterday. Her environmental fees on people for their particular performance yesterday was less than activities. I refer to the feedlotters, for argument's convincing. She basically said she didn't sake. I am sure that, later, one of the speakers know what was going on with this stuff that from the Opposition will say that they are already Harry Matthews talked about because she paying the DPI over $2,000. Now, they will have didn't need to see, she didn't need to ask, to pay another $2,500 to the Department of she didn't ask her departmental people yet Environment and Heritage. These departments Legislative Assembly 10205 15 November 1994 under the Goss Labor Government's whom I represent, I wish to congratulate the administration have been so efficient that, after Honourable the Minister and all who participated five years, they have not even resolved that in the preparation of this Bill. issue, streamlined their operations and The residents of Mount Ommaney consider determined what responsibilities each their environment to be of vital importance. The department will have. Five years down the track, Mount Ommaney electorate enjoys a peace and the Government has not sorted out that little safety which is the envy of many other areas of mechanical problem. For two years, the Brisbane, and includes pockets of untouched Department of Environment and Heritage and bushland and tranquil Brisbane River views. the Department of Health have wrangled and Many of the residents of our community are vitally argued. That is contained in the Matthews report. and vigorously involved in initiatives to preserve Those Government members who have not read and enhance our quality of life. Of course, this it—and I suspect every one of you, with a couple includes initiatives to protect our environment of possible exceptions, and I ask them to put up and our natural and historical heritage. their hands—— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): My office is aware that all schools in the Order! The honourable member will address his electorate are engaged in environmental remarks through the Chair. projects which teach our children and young people the importance of environmental issues Mr SLACK: Mr Deputy Speaker, I while teaching methods of protecting and apologise for not addressing those Government preserving our environment. A number of members through the Chair. I say to them, community groups exist in Mount Ommaney and through the Chair, that they should hang their are actively involved in campaigns to protect our heads in shame for their environmental record riverfront bushland, to preserve the amenity of since they have been in Government, particularly our suburbs or to improve the conditions under in relation to the commitments that they gave which residents live. In the past, poor town before they came into Government. Their noble planning requirements have short-changed Premier said, "We are going to have an residents in relation to public space, or placed ombudsman." That is in print. Labor members residents in conflict with business and light said, "We are going to do all these things. Those industry or other developments. nasty Nationals; they were terrible. They did not police any of this, and all of these things I mention the Save Our Riverfront Bushland happened." What happened when they came to Group, which had a big win in 1992. It was very power? Nothing. Environmentalists have said successful in triggering action by the Lord Mayor, that, since Labor came to power, things have Jim Soorley, and the Brisbane City Council to win become worse. However, the worst thing back from Australian Housing and Land, the Government members did, which is unforgivable, developers of the Centenary suburbs, a valuable is that they pretended that they were doing so stretch of land on the Brisbane River, that is, the much, yet did nothing. They let things bank of the Brisbane River at Westlake. This area deteriorate. will now be preserved for posterity as bushland for the amenity of local residents and all Now, the big salvation is going to be this Bill. Queenslanders. It was a big win. We are all eagerly awaiting it. Our Labor Mayor, Jim Soorley, says that the Bill should be I acknowledge also the efforts of another withdrawn. For once, the Opposition supports community group, Corinda Residents Against Jim Soorley. This Bill should be withdrawn for at Pollution, who are fighting hard to improve the least a week for the Government members to amenity of their suburb. I particularly wish to read what Matthews wrote, because none of acknowledge the efforts of Lord Mayor Jim them really know what he wrote. If they are going Soorley. Regularly, when I speak to new to be genuine in introducing legislation into this residents both from interstate and overseas, I House that will affect the lives of many discover that they are astonished to find in place Queenslanders, and affect the pockets of most in Brisbane recycling programs, reafforestation Queenslanders, they should be more programs, vegetation protection legislation and responsible in their attitude, rather than adopting programs to buy back our bushland. the flippant manner in which they are handling And I endorse the Lord Mayor's call for the this legislation. cessation of the dredging of the Brisbane River. Sitting suspended from 1 to 2.30 p.m. Mount Ommaney residents living near the Brisbane River at Sherwood, Corinda and the Mr PYKE (Mount Ommaney) (2.30 p.m.): I Centenary suburbs believe that dredging of the rise to speak in support of the Environmental Brisbane River causes erosion of the riverbanks, Protection Bill which is now before the House. pollution of the river, noise pollution and danger On behalf of the residents of Mount Ommaney, 15 November 1994 10206 Legislative Assembly to small craft. I share the views of the residents Upon request from the Department, on river dredging, and I call on the Minister to Queensland Cement Limited have been implement a program to phase out the dredging forwarding daily chart recordings of their of the Brisbane River. stack emissions. These recordings have The Bill before the House has a number of indicated emission levels approaching important points that will be of vital interest to licence limits. However, the Department is of Mount Ommaney residents and all the opinion that the licence limits do not Queenslanders. I specifically address the issue reflect the standards that are acceptable to of my residents' concerns about pollution today's community and amendments to that caused by the Darra cement plant of QCL. Mount licence will need to be negotiated. Ommaney residents at Oxley, Seventeen Mile New emission recording devices and Rocks and all Centenary suburbs are worried alarms will be installed into equipment at the about the possible pollution caused by QCL's Plant by September 1994. This will enable plant at Darra, primarily by smokestack emissions, corrective action to be taken to avoid major noise and dust. I share their concerns. pollution events. My office regularly monitors the Department Queensland Cement Limited's licence of Environment and Heritage's oversighting of will be reviewed as part of the company's QCL's plant at Darra, and wants to ensure that presentation of its Environmental very high standards of pollution controls are in Management Plan due for release this place at QCL and are maintained for the safety month. and amenity of residents. I acknowledge the Departmental officers have recently activities of QCL at Darra and I applaud the met with Queensland Cement Limited community involvement demonstrated by the management to discuss these issues and to interested corporate citizen that QCL is within my ensure there is no misunderstanding of the local community. I acknowledge also the Department's requirements. Queensland Government's objective, which I share, to increase the provision of jobs for all I trust this information will be helpful to Queenslanders. No-one to whom I have spoken you in responding to your constituents." wishes to see any business or industry shut As to environmental management down and fellow Queenslanders losing their programs—the Environmental Protection Bill jobs. before this House heavily emphasises This is where the Environmental Protection self-regulation. One tool provided by the Bill before the House promises the resolution of legislation which assists self-regulation is the issues of importance to my community, such as environmental management program, or EMP. the issue of QCL's continued operation in a The proposed EMP will be unique in Australia. Its locality becoming almost completely surrounded main role is to assist enterprises that cannot meet by new suburbs, thousands of Mount Ommaney the standards imposed by the legislation to move families and new residents. Many of those to compliance without being prosecuted. Having residents are attracted from overseas to an approved EMP removes the chance of Queensland because of our education programs prosecution for the activity covered by the EMP. and our clean skies. As well as protecting from prosecution, an I will read a recent letter from the Honourable EMP can allow some enterprises at the forefront the Minister for Environment and Heritage to me of environmental operations to write their own regarding QCL. It states— licence by preparing an EMP covering their operations. Such an EMP can provide greater "Dear Mr Pyke operational certainty by ensuring that the I refer to your letter dated 20 June substantive part of a licence is written by the 1994 in which you request that officers of enterprise rather than by the administering the Department of Environment and authority. EMPs are approved by the Heritage inspect the Queensland Cement Queensland Department of Environment and Limited Plant at Darra to ensure that Heritage, other State Government pollution guidelines are being observed. departments—if they are responsible for the At the outset, let me say officers of the activity; for example, the Department of Minerals Department of Environment and Heritage and Energy will be responsible for mining—or are aware of recent complaints concerning local governments. emissions from this Plant. These emissions Once an EMP is approved, it becomes a have been more evident in recent weeks legally binding document on both the enterprise due to colder atmospheric conditions. and the administering authority. The enterprise, in exchange for undertaking to reach certain Legislative Assembly 10207 15 November 1994 standards in a certain time, receives protection Environment Division, three actions have from enforcement action for the area covered by recently been successfully prosecuted, five set the EMP for the life of the EMP. EMPs can be down for hearing and 12 investigations are under prepared under four different circumstances—as way. The Environmental Protection Act provides a condition of a licence, as a way of meeting new maximum fines of $1.25m for corporations and standards, as a method of protecting the $250,000 or five years' imprisonment for enterprise from prosecution after breach of the individuals for acts of wilful, serious pollution. Act, or as a method of protecting the enterprise Make no mistake: under this Government, from prosecution before breach of the Act. polluters will be prosecuted. Queenslanders want a cleaner As an environmental police force, the new environment. That is what this Bill promises—a staff will be responsible for prosecuting polluters, cleaner environment for all Queenslanders, now for on-the-spot fines, show-cause notices, and in the future. I am proud to speak to this Bill injunctions to cease activities and innovative and proud to serve on the backbench committee punishments such as community service and of the Minister for Environment and Heritage. remediation orders. Funding for some of the new The Environmental Protection Act will staff will come from existing budgets and some replace the Noise Abatement, Clean Air, Clean from new licence fees on environmentally Waters and State Environment Acts and the litter relevant activities throughout the State. I legislation, and it will be enforced. The Premier endorse this tough new stance, as will residents has said recently that he will close businesses of the Mount Ommaney electorate. not meeting our Government's tough, new My office acknowledges that small business environmental standards. The Premier has noted is Australia's and Queensland's largest employer that our community does not accept group. No Queenslander wants to see environmental damage as a reasonable trade-off businesses stopped. This Bill provides a number for corporate profitability. Business has to accept of useful mechanisms to enable industry, its environmental responsibility. businesses and communities to work together Yesterday, State Cabinet approved the towards a better "fit" and cleaner, quieter establishment of a green army of more than 170 suburbs. This is good news for Mount Ommaney new environmental police to clean up and good news for Queensland. Queensland. An Australia-wide recruitment drive In conclusion, I reiterate my thanks on behalf will be launched later this month to attract of the community I represent to our Government, applicants for 114 new permanent positions this the Minister for Environment and her staff. I financial year, and 60 in 1995-96. Yesterday, the acknowledge the substantial contribution to the Minister said that 142 staff would be employed to cleaning up of our environment by local implement the Environmental Protection Bill and governments in Queensland. In particular, I 32 staff will be employed to implement the reiterate my commendation to Lord Mayor Jim soon-to-be-released Waste Management Soorley and the Brisbane City Council on Strategy. receiving acknowledgment by the CJC report The Minister said that the green army was into liquid waste dumping. Former Supreme the latest initiative in the Government's strategy Court Justice, Mr Harry Matthews, QC, noted that to clean up Queensland. In 1990, the new Goss Lord Mayor Soorley's administration leads Government started rewriting all of Queensland's Queensland with regard to waste management. outdated environment legislation. In 1992, a Congratulations, Lord Mayor Soorley. I also Green Paper on the proposed Environmental acknowledge the efforts of Councillors Les Protection Act was released, and the first drafts Bryant, ALP, Inala, Christine Watson, Liberal, of the Bill were written in June 1993. In March last Jamboree, and June O'Connell, Liberal, Walter year, work was started on Queensland's first Taylor, in cooperating with my office on comprehensive waste management strategy, environmental and amenity issues for the which is favourably acknowledged by the CJC betterment of the residents of Mount Ommaney. report released yesterday and which provides a The environment is too precious for politics. We solution to the issues identified in the liquid must all cooperate in preserving our natural waste inquiry. heritage. I support this Bill. The Goss Government has also turned Mr BORBIDGE (Surfers Paradise— around the culture of non-enforcement which Leader of the Opposition) (2.44 p.m.): In rising existed under the previous Government. In the this afternoon to support the contribution of the past year, more than 175 prosecutions under honourable member for Burnett, I state clearly conservation and environment laws were that the Opposition cannot support this initiated. Of those prosecutions, 65 have been legislation in its current form. If this Government successful and more than 90 are pending. In the were fair dinkum about its commitment to the 15 November 1994 10208 Legislative Assembly environment—and we now know that it is not—it that the previous Government had developed would withdraw this legislation and go back to the draft legislation and that a draft Bill was received drawing board, go back to scratch and, as retired from parliamentary counsel on 28 September Supreme Court judge Harry Matthews said 1989. I think that is roughly the time, in all yesterday, develop legislation that will work. This modesty, during which I had a brief sojourn as Government must also heed the warnings of the Minister for Environment under the previous Lord Mayor, Councillor Soorley, who on Anna Government. Where did it go from there? On 27 Reynolds program this morning said that this Bill February 1990, we find in evidence presented to would not deal with the problem of liquid and Mr Matthews that the Minister for Health toxic waste. approved the preparation of a Green Paper Yesterday, after almost one year of hearings relative to the management of hazardous waste. and submissions, the CJC gave this legislation That Green Paper was subsequently issued for the thumbs down. I refer in particular to a media public comment. Then on 7 November 1990, the release attached to the report. It states— Minister for Health gave approval to proceed with the proposed amendments. On 13 February "Mr Matthews warned that the recently 1991, the Minister agreed with a proposal by the introduced Environment Protection Bill Deputy Premier that responsibility for waste could fail to improve the current system, management be reviewed by the Public Sector despite the increased chance of Management Commission. prosecution for environmental offences, as responsibility will remain spread over several Then we had that white knight of public Government departments, overseen by the administration, the PSMC, coming into the act, Department of Environment and Heritage." coming to the rescue. Almost six months later, the Machinery of Government Committee It went on— accepted a PSMC recommendation in principle "While activities not previously that waste management be taken over regulated or prohibited may become subject exclusively by the Department of Environment to criminal penalty under the Environment and Heritage. In more than a two-year period, Protection Bill, Mr Matthews said that what action did we get? None, nothing, zero, Queensland had shown a reluctance to zilch—not one thing, just bureaucracy, just red prosecute environmental breaches in the tape, just bureaucrats and Ministers fighting over past. control, and the waste dumping continued If prosecution becomes a rarity, then unchecked while the Government talked about the legislation, no matter how strong in how tough it was and how committed it was to the appearance, may become a facade and the environment. community may find that it has in fact Then we have the period from February become a haven for polluters who are driven 1992 till today. That period can be best summed from other jurisdictions." up by Mr Matthews' conclusion— Mr Matthews then said— "One is left with the conclusion that "The new system may in fact lead to the after the transfer of responsibility from development of a slightly more complex Health to Environment and Heritage in charade than that which was necessary to February 1992, many words have been said avoid the system currently in use." and written but little has been done in the The comments of retired Supreme Court field to oversee or monitor the generation judge Harry Matthews make compelling reading. and disposal of liquid waste." They are an indictment of this Government. They Those are not my words and not the words of the are an indictment of the Labor Party, which for shadow Minister but the words of Mr Matthews. some time has set itself up as the political Does not that passage of Mr Matthews' report conscience of the environment. When it came to sum up this Government? Does it not tell one the test, when it came to the crunch, Labor failed about the lack of substance that permeates and failed dismally. Let me take some time to everything that this Government does? This consider the Matthews report in detail. In his Government believes that, as long as it looks report, Mr Matthews identified confused lines of pretty, the substance does not matter. This responsibility and laws split between too many Government tries to look good, it preens itself departments as key reasons for poor before the media, it says much, it writes a great performance in policing waste issues and the deal, but when it comes to delivery it is always significant environmental problems which have missing in action. occurred as a result. Mr Bennett interjected. Take the evidence contained on page 101 as an example. That evidence establishes clearly Legislative Assembly 10209 15 November 1994

Mr BORBIDGE: Nothing, nothing! Like That is just a snapshot of the effects this Bill the honourable member for Gladstone, who is and its regulations will have on local authorities. interjecting—an empty and sinking vessel. The effect on business, especially business Mr BENNETT: I rise to a point of order. operating in rural and regional areas, will be even greater. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): Mr Johnson interjected. Order! There is no point of order. The member will resume his seat. Mr BORBIDGE: As the honourable member for Gregory reminds me, they are on the Mr BORBIDGE: Thank you, Mr Deputy bones of their backsides right now. Speaker, for protecting me from the ravages of the honourable member opposite. The blind eye A Government member interjected. turned by the Goss Government on major acts of Mr BORBIDGE: I will come to the environmental pollution is but the latest and honourable member in a minute. All this makes a cruelest hoax this Government has pulled on the mockery of this Government's commitment to the environment movement. It is the very reason why bush—the much publicised impact statement environmental groups have become allegedly accompanying Cabinet submissions, disillusioned with Labor to the point where they the apologies and so forth. They simply do not are no longer assured of their electoral support. work. They are, as Mr Matthews has pointed out, This Environment Protection Bill is the latest just words—arrogant words, like those used by hoax. The Opposition has no confidence that the Premier in Townsville last week when this legislation will do anything to address what it confronted with community outrage over the aims to address. We have no confidence in the imposition of the fees. On that occasion, the ability of the Minister to oversee this Bill and we Premier said, "Oh, well, too bad. Somebody's are opposed outright to the range of charges got to pay the Bill, and it's not going to be me." which will be imposed on business and That is the arrogant attitude of the leader of the councils—charges which will bankrupt business Labor Party in this State. and lead to rate rises in rural and regional If further evidence were needed as to why councils; rate rises which will in turn be passed this Bill should have been withdrawn, it has come on to ratepayers. from the performance of the Minister over the Government members interjected. past week. Faced with a rail-cuts and Mr BORBIDGE: This is, of course, as are performance dividend type revolt, she clearly the inane interjections that come from opposite, moved herself into the well-rehearsed backflip mode. On ABC Radio in Longreach last week, not unexpected, given the Goss Government's the Minister played to the audience, saying— repeated attacks on rural and regional Queenslanders. Let us consider in part the "What we're looking at with some of the effects on councils and some estimates from rural communities is that there may in fact be rural and regional councils of the impact of this a problem with them and I have no doubt legislation. Richmond Shire estimates the impact that there are. Now in those cases, we've to be about $22,000; Belyando Shire, $30,000; said this to them, this is a draft." and Peak Downs Shire, $40,000. Local That is what the Minister said on ABC Radio in authorities in the electorate of the member for Longreach. Presumably, today the Parliament is Barambah estimate that they will face new taxes debating a draft. of between $50,000 and $100,000 each year. Mr Stoneman: Never let the truth get in The cost to ratepayers in Toowoomba will be in the way. the vicinity of $25,000 per year, while the mayor estimates that the cost to Toowoomba business Mr BORBIDGE: Never let the truth get in will be about $500,000. The Cooloola Shire the way. We have a Bill, already in this House, Council estimates that the new taxes will be ready for debate, referred to in Longreach as a $115,000. The Nebo Shire Council estimates draft. Then, little less than 24 hours later, a the cost at $28,000 plus an administrator to spokesman for the Minister moved to clear up collect the tax. The Broadsound Shire Council the confusion. The spokesman is quoted as estimates the cost at between $30,000 and saying that there was no backflip—how could we get confused—and that plans to impose the fees $36,000, while the effect on the Mirani Shire Council will be about $30,000. That is the Goss on business and councils would remain, no Government's latest gift to local authorities in doubt after the Minister had left Longreach. The Queensland in the middle of the worst drought in spokesman said that she was, after three years of recorded history. It is a new regime of taxation by consultation, moving into another phase of consultation over the fees. What a joke! stealth. 15 November 1994 10210 Legislative Assembly

There is more to come. Yesterday, under The Opposition supports sensible pressure, we saw an extraordinary performance environment policies. We have made significant from the Minister. We had a Minister who, in steps towards developing an environment and setting out to justify the imposition of new taxes conservation policy which we believe will be as a result of this legislation, was stumbling badly warmly embraced by sensible-minded in addressing the findings of Mr Matthews. Not conservationists. We have acknowledged the only had she not read the report, not only did mistakes of the past and set out to build a she not know about illegal dumping of toxic platform which will allow business and the waste, but she had "no knowledge of the level of environment to co-exist and prosper. We have awareness" of her department over this issue. done this by listening and by tapping into the Let us tune into the press conference for a significant respect for the environment which moment. The Minister stated— exists at the grassroots level of both the National "In terms of the amount of liquid waste and Liberal Parties. However, we are not that is being dumped I certainly didn't have prepared to allow this Bill to be railroaded that knowledge." through this Parliament while we remain unconvinced that it is the way to go, while it is set She went on to say— to bankrupt business and lead to rate rises in "In terms of the level of awareness of rural and regional local authorities or while a cloud my department . . . I have no knowledge of in the form of yesterday's CJC report hangs over their level of awareness . . . I will have to it. question that as a result of this report. We need time to consider the implications of . . . the Matthews report, time to reflect on its recommendations and time to build those I've never had a conversation with the recommendations into a comprehensive mayor of Brisbane about the problems that response that will stand the test of time. The have been alerted to in this report. findings of the CJC report have shocked or . . . should have shocked everyone. The Minister Those issues have not been brought has already admitted that she did not know the to me as an individual." extent of the problem. She has also admitted that she is unaware of exactly what her Mr Grice: Was that the Minister? department knew. If this is the case, how can we Mr BORBIDGE: This is what the Minister with any confidence be assured that the answer said. She continued— lies in this Bill, or to quote the Minister, in this draft that we are debating today? Surely the "I'm not saying I've been kept in the Minister needs to know how big the problem is dark . . . I've never asked that question of before she is in a position to identify the steps them, and specifically I need to read the she needs to take to solve it. report and see what indication is made. We have before us today a Minister who did . . . not know that a problem existed, who did not I certainly had an understanding that care, now telling us that she has the answers. We there were problems in that area, that we have a Minister who, in the Chamber today, is were working on legislation to overcome asking us to trust her. I am sorry, but we do not them, that my department had a focus on trust the Minister. We do not trust her tax regime; trying to address the anomalies there." we do not trust her administration of her Those are the words of the Minister in her press department; we do not trust her competence; conference yesterday. So where does the and we do not trust her ability to remain a Minister Minster stand? One minute she knows, the next of the Crown. minute she does not. The question is: does she What we have before us is a further example care? The answer is, "No!" The answer is that she of five years of toxic mismanagement by the has failed in her Ministerial responsibilities. If the Goss Labor Government in respect of Premier had any backbone, he would remove environmental issues. For this reason, this her from the position she currently holds but legislation should be withdrawn. The benefit of does not deserve. Mr Matthews' contribution in the CJC report Mr Littleproud: He can get rid of Anne yesterday should be taken on board. This Warner. What's the difference? Government should get the legislation right, and when it has got it right it should bring it back into Mr BORBIDGE: There are a few who the House, preferably with a competent Minister should go, but I think the Minister opposite is in charge of it. leading the race at the moment. Legislative Assembly 10211 15 November 1994

Mr Johnson: She is also a member of a about the environment after the pathetic record Government that said we'd have no new taxes. of this bunch of environmental vandals? What's this? Mr LITTLEPROUD: I rise to a point of Mr BORBIDGE: As my friend the member order. I remind the Chair of the Noise Abatement for Gregory reminds me, the Minister is also a Act. I believe the honourable member is a bit member of a Government that said, "No new over the top. taxes." What we have here—at the worst Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): possible time for local authorities and the Order! business community—is a proposal to introduce a tax regime to fund the green police in a Mr WELFORD: I shall take the honourable department that has increased its staff member's point of order. He is right. The establishment by something like 900 people—a previous Government did nothing about noise 148 per cent increase in terms of personnel. abatement, either. It is one of the many things it did nothing about. Let me get down to the issue Mr Ardill interjected. in question—an issue that Mr Borbidge tried to fill Mr BORBIDGE: I am absolutely his 20 minutes with, but only succeeded in doing fascinated. It will be interesting as we go into the so with a bit of help from Mr Ardill and his marginal electorates around Queensland and we interjections. If it was not for that, Mr Borbidge start talking to businesses and saying, "This is would not have used up his full 20 minutes, your local Labor member who voted in the because he had nothing to say. He did nothing Queensland Parliament for the tax regime being when he was Environment Minister. He was imposed by the fraudulent Premier who hopeless. promised no new taxes." Mr Bennett: He's leaving. Mr Ardill interjected. Mr WELFORD: And run out of the Mr BORBIDGE: I might even go into the Chamber he might well do. The rest of the honourable member's electorate. We will go into Opposition members might as well follow him Maryborough and Hervey Bay. now that they have given him moral support for Mr Nunn interjected. that pathetic effort. The performance of this lot was pathetic when they were in Government. Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable member can explain to his business people and his local I have heard people say that this authorities why he has dudded them, just as this Government should have done more in five Government has dudded the environmental years. Members opposite were in office for 32 movement in this shabby and shameful years while the culture about which Mr Matthews administration of the environmental laws in reported was developing. Cultures do not Queensland. develop overnight. Opposition members: Hear, hear! Mr Veivers: That's where you came from. Mr WELFORD (Everton) (3.03 p.m.): Mr WELFORD: What culture is the "Hear, hear!" they say to the former failed member into? Agriculture is the only culture he Minister for the Environment. It was not a bad would know about. Mr Matthews' report says— performance to shore up his leadership. "The mixture of advisory and Government members could not be happier that enforcement functions often carried out in the member for Surfers Paradise shores up his the field of environmental issues may leadership with the backbenchers on his side of contribute to an ambivalence towards the House. There is nothing we would like more prosecution as the officials have an than to go to the next election with Mr Borbidge obligation to facilitate the development of going to the electorate campaigning on his business and may develop a tolerance environmental record. Come on Rob! Bring on towards the failings of industry. Lowe the election, because we cannot wait to see what referred me to a study by Grabosky in a book the electorate's response is going to be to this Of Manners Gentle which spoke of the shabby lot on their environmental record. Queensland attitude towards prosecution." Yes, the budget for the Department of That book was written before we ever came to Environment has increased to $158m from office, of course. something less than $20m or $30m when Mr Bredhauer: About 1986. Opposition members were in Government. Yes, the budget has provided for an increase in staff Mr WELFORD: That is right. The report from 300 to 1 500 to protect Queensland's continues— environment. Why would we not do something "In 1986, Grabosky said that according to officials in Queensland"— 15 November 1994 10212 Legislative Assembly this was when the National Party was in office— Mr Veivers: How are you going to police "prosecution is not used unless it is obvious it? that the transgressor set out to flout the law Mr WELFORD: The honourable member and caused a significant environmental for Southport asks me how we are going to problem." police it. I am going to tell him how we are going As we now well know, it was not even used then, to police it. Let me refer to an article in the because there were not any prosecutions. The Townsville Bulletin in October last year. report continues— Mr Veivers: You're a genius! "This attitude would seem to decrease Mr WELFORD: Thank you very much. I the chance of prosecution becoming an take that interjection. The article states that, effective tool in securing compliance by the according to a report released by the Economic bulk of the industrial community. Planning and Advisory Council, a Federal Organisational cultures need to be Government agency, as many as 80 per cent of addressed if new statutory instruments are Australians would be willing to pay more tax to to be used effectively." increase Government spending on areas such as This morning on the radio, I heard Matthew the environment, hospitals, education and Franklin from the Courier-Mail commenting on police. the issue of what this Government has done in There is nothing more sure than that the five years. When this Government came to office, people of this State are prepared to pay to the public sector was moribund. It was a disgrace. protect their environment. If honourable It was incapable of responding in any members ask any of the young people in the department, let alone the Department of gallery, any of the people in my electorate and Environment, which had been chronically and any of the people in the National Party drastically underfunded for decades. This electorates throughout the State—including out Government, through the Public Sector in the bush, where the Surfers Paradise souffle Management Commission, undertook a review of tried to recover some ground by constantly all departments. It might be within the time frame referring to his concern for regional of journalists to say that they must have their Queensland—they will find that the people of stories in within 24 hours, but one does not Queensland are prepared to pay to protect their reorganise departments of Government and an environment. They know that they are already entire Government administration in 24 hours. paying. What they are paying for? They are One does not even do that in one or two years. paying for the previous Government's Quite predictably, Opposition members say that environmental vandalism. They are paying they will not acknowledge the extent of the already for the clean-up costs. Why are they change that has occurred in the public service of paying for it? They are paying for it because this this State in five years. For example, they will not bunch of ignoramuses, this mob of negligent acknowledge that even in the Department of environmental vandals, did nothing for 32 years. Environment—— I am not using what the previous Opposition members interjected. Government failed to do as any excuse for this Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Government, because that is what this Bill is Honourable members have had a fair go. The about. This Bill has been three years in the Chair asks for a bit of decorum. making, precisely because we have consulted the people of Queensland about what they want. Mr WELFORD: I am not surprised that What they want is this Bill, because it provides Opposition members bite when a bit of truth is protection—protection that the previous told about them, because they cannot live it Government never gave. The Government down. Their belated awareness of liquid waste received 147 submissions on this Bill, including management issues was not even in existence 53 from industry, 24 from community and when this inquiry started. Where was the National conservation groups, 18 from local government, Party? Where were Mr Borbidge and Mr Slack 20 from State Government agencies, three from when all this was allegedly going on? They were other Government agencies, nine from other nowhere to be seen. institutions, and another 20 from individuals and I pay tribute to Drew Hutton for taking the others. initiative and bringing this to the attention of the The Queensland Confederation of Criminal Justice Commission. I pay him that Industry—the people whom members opposite tribute, because this will give this Government purport to be representing when they stand up and the community the impetus they need to do in this House and complain about licence what has to be done. But Opposition members fees—have been in on the act. The system of do not want to fund it. licence fees was proposed by a fee structure Legislative Assembly 10213 15 November 1994 committee that was established by the Minister in the Authorities may become quite 1993. The proposition that our Government has ineffective at controlling inappropriate been doing nothing about this matter is a behaviour." nonsense, because members of the Opposition That is talking about the potential scenario even know as well as we do that for two years the after the Bill is put into effect. However, on page waste management strategy has been in the 121 the report states— making, consultation on this Bill has been in the making and the Licence Fee Committee has "I see a benefit in ensuring that Local been holding consultations throughout the Authorities are included in the system of State to establish a system of licensing that will control to ensure that they play a part in ensure that the management of waste is better eliminating fraudulent practices by controlled and the transport of waste is better generators"— controlled through a proper licensing and fee that is, waste generators— system. The committee comprised "or transporters. This is best shown at the representatives of the Queensland moment by the BCC testing material and Confederation of Industry, the Metal Trades classifying it on reception at Willawong." Industry Association, the State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Queensland Small The final paragraph of the conclusions chapter Business Corporation, the Local Government says— Association of Queensland, the Department of "In order to prevent wholesale Business and Regional Development, the dumping of liquid waste there must be well Brisbane City Council, the Australian Institute of drafted laws, sufficient resources, a co- Environmental Health, the Queensland ordinated approach to management of the Conservation Council, the unions, and the problem and, above all, the will to take action Treasury. Everyone has been in on this act. in protection of the long term public Mr Veivers: How come Jim Soorley interest." doesn't want it? Let us look at those conditions. The will to Mr WELFORD: Jim Soorley does want it. take action has been proved. It is a will that never Jim Soorley supports the environment and the existed under the previous Government and Environmental Protection Bill. Any suggestion which this legislation now makes manifest under by the honourable member to the contrary is just our Government. Secondly, the coordinated ridiculous. approach to the management of the problem is something that is being directly addressed by Let me just go back for a moment to the the Minister's waste management strategy, the question of liquid waste, because although it is draft of which is now out for public discussion. not directly related to this Bill, it is certainly one of Thirdly, the laws need to be well drafted and the policies in terms of our waste management these laws, if I may say so, are amongst the best strategy that will come out of the passing of this laws and provide for the best practice in Bill. environmental protection in the country. That I will quote again from the report. Yesterday, has been acknowledged by people outside the when Mr Matthews issued the report relating to Government. the disposal of liquid waste and the illegal As Drew Hutton, the convenor of the disposal of that waste, he pointed to the problem Greens, has said, this Bill is an essential first step of the culture that had been years in the making in turning around the enormous problems that under the previous Government. That culture we have with air and water pollution in this State. included a failure to communicate between The only way to ensure that we do not poison departments. We acknowledge that. I do not ourselves with our own wastes is for polluters to think anyone on this side of the House denies pay for the right to pollute and, if necessary, pass that departments do, from time to time, perform those costs on to the consumer. Then regulatory poorly when it comes to communicating and authorities have to ensure that everybody sticks coordinating their work. One of the issues raised to the rules. Nobody in the Opposition disputes was the integration of effort amongst levels of that. Presumably nobody disputes that we have Government and between Government to have protection against illegal disposal of departments. But there is a measure of waste. No-one in the Opposition—not the equivocation in the report. For example, at page Leader of the Opposition or Mr Slack, who is the 120 the report states— Opposition representative on this issue—denies "Because of the failure of that we should have laws which are enforced. communication which I saw occurring even On 10 January this year Mr Slack, the within Local Authorities and between Local Opposition Environment spokesperson, was Authorities and Government Departments, 15 November 1994 10214 Legislative Assembly reported in the Bundaberg News Mail as saying Mr Nunn interjected. that the State Government had to provide the Mr WELFORD: Who knows what they resources to enforce its Environmental had. Whatever they had, they did nothing about Protection Bill. Doug Slack said that all the tough it, and never enforced the Acts. As the report legislation in the world is useless unless the says, for a generation the Acts were never Government is willing to provide the necessary enforced. resources to ensure that it will be enforced. Finally, let me turn to this question of cost. Let us talk about those resources, because The Opposition has raised this issue and, that is what the licensing system is all about. That presumably, it is an issue on which it now seeks is what the fees under the licensing system are to strike down the most advanced environmental designed to provide—at least another 100 staff protection legislation in the country. The in the Department of Environment to ensure that Opposition wants to avoid anyone taking right throughout Queensland the laws relating to responsibility for the cost of enforcement. If the the legal disposal of waste are enforced. But Opposition does not want a licensing fee where do we find the Opposition spokesman? system, then I invite the Leader of the Where do we find the Leader of the Opposition? Opposition and Mr Slack, the Opposition They are running for cover. spokesman for the Environment, to identify The Leader of the Opposition says that he which of his front bench colleagues want funding wants the law enforced but he does not want to in their electorate redirected to meet the cost of pay for it. In a press release, the Leader of the ensuring compliance. Opposition said that small business is already Time expired. paying its share of State taxes, fees and local Mrs McCAULEY (Callide) (3.23 p.m.): government charges. He wants the law to be Thank goodness that the honourable member enforced. He cynically criticises the Government has now finished. This legislation contains some over a report that he says is damaging to the good parts, but it also has some very bad parts. Government, but he does not want to enforce One of the things that I object to is the fact that the law himself. What is more, he does not even so much of the really important stuff will come in want the law. as subordinate legislation by way of regulations. Today, the Leader of the Opposition stood We do not really know what is going to be in that up in this place and said that the Opposition is subordinate legislation and in the regulations, going to oppose this Bill. Why is it going to and they are going to be a major part of this oppose it? Because it does not have the legislation. I think that the whole process has courage of its convictions! The Opposition does degenerated into a charade, which shows the not care about the environment. It could not care Minister's lack of competence. It confirms that the less. The Opposition would like another 10 Department of Environment and Heritage is a reports like this CJC report to come out while it is department without direction, without discipline in Opposition. It could not care if toxic waste was or even a modicum of sound commonsense. spread from one end of the State to the other. It This department has had an increase in staff of would suit the Opposition because it would be 158 per cent since 1989—from 613 staff to able to belt the Government over the head with 1 585 staff. Does that extra staffing make the such a report. That is political cynicism at its department more competent? No way! absolute worst. This legislation has been three years in the Although the Leader of the Opposition making. The public consultation has been a quoted selectively from the report, one farce. We have seen so in the Courier-Mail. I paragraph that he did not quote that appears on know from the small-business people who have page 119 stated— been ringing my office that they knew nothing "The fact that improvements are now about the proposed fees that are to be levied. being made is to be commended." Members of local government are writing to me and saying, "Because of the short time that we That is what the report says. It states further— have had to consider this legislation"—that "However, it is a matter of regret that a indicates that the consultation process is an generation after environmental legislation absolute and utter farce. How many local first came to prominence, official action is veterinary clinics in Government electorates only now being taken." know that it is going to cost them $550, which Mr Matthews is saying that, for a generation, this they did not ever have to pay before, and $400 if mob opposite, who had a Clean Waters Act, who they have an incinerator to burn animals or dead had the Noise Abatement Bill, who had limp animal parts? wristed—— Mr McElligott: Who should pay for it? Legislative Assembly 10215 15 November 1994

Mrs McCAULEY: They have never had to knows of anyone who will travel 40 kilometres pay for it before. What are they actually paying one way to dump his or her rubbish. I do not for—that is what we would like to know. It seems know of anybody who will do that. They will put it to me that this is just an extra tax at a time when on the side of the road first, but they are not we are fighting to keep things such as veterinary going to travel 40 kilometres to do it. That is the clinics in rural areas. There is not a lot of work for problem that we have in rural electorates. In them, but we are fighting like hell to keep them electorates the size of the Banana Shire, which there. The Government is putting an extra comprises some 16 500 square kilometres, it is charge on them and saying, "Pay up or else." impractical to try to put these costs on to the local They will be like the businessman who rang me authority. and said, "This is the final straw. I am going to Two local governments in my electorate give it away." This legislation is the final straw that have given me their opinion of this Bill and how it breaks the camel's back. How can the will affect them. The first one is from the Government expect people in country areas, Mundubbera Shire Council, which states in its who are struggling already, to absorb these sorts letter— of extra costs? "The schedule of fees proposed From a local government point of view, this makes no provision for fees to be based on legislation is a disaster. As the Opposition the quantities of potential harmful wastes Leader said, if local government is to carry much produced on site. of the brunt for the responsibility of collecting as well as paying for this proposed—— The proposed fees will be a major cost imposition on small business, who in many Honourable members interjected. instances will not be able to absorb the Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): added burden. Also there are no provisions Order! The House will come to order. The Chair which provide incentives for businesses has been tolerant all afternoon. From now on, who are prepared to put in an extra effort." the Chair shall start naming members if they do I think that is an important point. There is no not respect the authority of the Chair and the rebate incentive to get people to perform. There decorum of the House. is nothing to say, "Righto, if do you this well and Mrs McCAULEY: For this proposed new properly, you may well be eligible for a rebate at tier of protection and monitoring, the the end of the year." Surely to goodness the Government should have been able to negotiate carrot and stick trick still works. It would work in through that situation over the more than three this case, and I am disappointed that the Minister years that it has been at it. I quite agree with what has not thought to put this incentive in the Mr Borbidge said. While the LGAQ supports this legislation. The council goes on to state that it will Bill, it also raises a question, and it continues to need extra staff, and it states also— hold fundamental concerns, regarding the "The fees and levels of control seem to resource implications for member councils and better reflect the situations likely to arise in their potential exposure to claims for Brisbane or the Gold Coast, but are not compensation and liability attaching to some of indicative of the problems experienced, or their devolved activities. That is the nub of the likely to be experienced in Mundubbera." problem facing local government—the legal liability as well as the enormous cost to local That is part of the problem. We cannot government through the fees that the impose the one set of ideas across-the-board Department of Environment and Heritage is because local government is very diverse. There going to levy. is a major difference between what suits a large local authority and what suits smaller ones. The There has not been a cooperative attitude letter goes on to state— between levels of government as there should have been. Rather, it has been dictatorial, big "Fees for rubbish dumps are the same brother stuff. The State Government has been no matter the size of the tip eg Brisbane, saying to local authorities, "This is what we have Bundaberg, Mundubbera." decided you will do." It shows how out of touch How ridiculous that Brisbane should pay the this department is. Apparently, when officers same cost for its rubbish dumps as does from the department were told that the levy on Mundubbera, which would be lucky to have council rubbish dumps was going to be an 1 500 people. The letter states further— exorbitant cost in areas such as in my own shire, which has 12 landfill sites in an area of 16 500 "Sewerage treatment plants fit into square kilometres, they said, "What a good thing categories for 0 - 100 people, then 100 to that will be. We will rationalise the rubbish 5000 people. Again it is suggested that the dumps." I do not know whether the Minister 15 November 1994 10216 Legislative Assembly

fees should be set purely on discharge councils. But this is all of no account to the rates to create an incentive." Minister. The letter concludes by stating— The percentage of fees to rates and "Given the limited time available to charges for local government within the Callide consider this proposed legislation it is electorate for the various shires is as follows: difficult to provide a more in depth appraisal Monto Shire, 5.43 per cent; Biggenden, 5.37 of it." per cent; Gayndah, 3.04 per cent; Eidsvold 3.03 per cent; Bauhinia, 2.4 per cent; Banana, 1.89 That speaks for itself. Local government has not per cent; and Mundubbera, 1.56 per cent. So we been consulted sufficiently. The charge per are not talking about small amounts. I believe that annum of my own shire, the Banana Shire the greatest percentage will be in the Etheridge Council, will be approximately $107,000 a year, Shire, which will pay about 16 per cent. The which is only the annual licence fee. On top of Brisbane City Council has the lowest charges. that will be the cost of an extra person to be The urban shires are not complaining nearly as employed, which will be a minimum of $35,000; a much about this, but it certainly is a problem just possible vehicle cost; extra cost which will be the same. incurred in discharge fees for sewerage; waste disposal levies based on the weight of refuse Earlier, somebody raised the problems that buried; and extra cost because operational have arisen in recent times with water and standards will be tighter. And that is in a small sewage treatment plants being run by local shire such as the Banana Shire. It is simply not government in this State. That member said that good enough. This licensing system is unfair. many of them do not fulfil the criteria and For example, the fee for the Gladstone City guidelines. I believe that the problems being Council will be about $45,000 per annum. It has encountered in relation to the improper fulfilment of those guidelines and the incorrect treatment only one landfill site, one water treatment plant, of the water in some cases in this area can be and so on. That will be far less than the $107,000 sourced directly to this Government's cutting of that the little Banana Shire will have to pay. The the subsidy, which was 40 per cent for water and fee for Brisbane City Council's 1.5 million people sewage treatment. It is now about 15 to 20 per will be less than that of the small Murgon Shire, cent. I believe that it can be sourced directly to which has a population of 4 700. This is that. absolutely and totally inequitable. Mr Bredhauer: What about the Rural By far the greatest impact, in terms of the Communities Water Supply and Sewerage proportion of rates and charges represented by Scheme? the new fees, is on rural councils covering the dispersed areas of the State. Those councils Mrs McCAULEY: That is a great scheme. I typically have no urban centre of population have no complaints about that. This is separate greater than 1 500 people. For those councils, and different. The honourable member would the fee will amount to some 3.8 per cent of rates find that, if he looked at the figures, since this and charges levied. In comparison, in Government cut that 40 per cent subsidy, local metropolitan and provincial areas the fees will authorities are getting further and further behind represent approximately 0.1 per cent to 0.2 per the eight ball. They need that 40 per cent cent of council rates and charges. The estimates subsidy. They will not get it if they continue to do not include indirect costs to local have a Labor Government in this State. government. I understand that the Minister's For example, Waggamba Shire has amendments may mean that these charges on estimated that the various private quarries local government will not be proceeded with, but supplying the council throughout the shire will it is a matter that needs to be fully canvassed for face a total charge of some $65,000. These its total ineptness and ignorance of the impact charges will need to be paid by the council, that these proposals will have on local either directly to maintain the supply source, or in government. It was noticeable that, within one the price of materials. There are many other rural day of the problems about the fees blowing up, councils which are in exactly the same boat. They the running on this matter was taken from the get their road-making materials from Minister and given into the hands of the Office of privately-owned quarry sites. the Cabinet. The Premier made a judgment about the Minister's ability, which was backed up The rural councils facing the most adverse by people across the State. Her department's impacts of these licence fees have no capacity to absorb the charges and also have a very limited estimates were out by a factor of six or seven in rates base. In addition, the effects of the drought relation to local government. The Minister is further exacerbate the problems faced by these constantly being poorly briefed, and lacks sound Legislative Assembly 10217 15 November 1994 knowledge of her department's activities. I for Mrs McCAULEY: Thank you, Mr Deputy one find that most disappointing. Speaker. The member for Gladstone is such a This now leads me to talk about industry and lightweight that I am surprised that he does not small business. I would like to comment on these float away when he takes his boots off; he has areas. Again, the sheer incompetence of the nothing between his ears to weigh him down. As department in this area is breathtaking. It has no I was saying, the Government has had five years concept of what its proposals will mean to to clean up the Gladstone Power Station industry and small business. I understand that emissions. there has been no consultation at all between Mr BENNETT: I rise to a point of order. I the Department of Environment and Heritage find those remarks by the honourable member and the DPI. I find that absolutely astounding for for Callide offensive, and I ask for them to be its arrogance. withdrawn. The Department of Environment and Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I would Heritage has shown a complete inability to see ask the honourable member to withdraw the agriculture as in any way important to remarks. environmental issues. As a representative of a Mrs McCAULEY: Mr Deputy Speaker, I large agricultural sector, I ask, "How dare they?" It am happy to withdraw those remarks. is quite wrong. This is an important area and it is one where the problems will arise again and I wait and I wait. Five years is snail's pace again, although I understand that the Minister when it comes to cleaning up things that the has given a written assurance that there will be Government made such a song and dance about no triple dipping in relation to levies on industries when it was in Opposition. It made a dreadful such as feedlots, nor will there be a double set of song and dance about the power emissions from standards. I hope that those assurances stand the Gladstone Power Station. Five years on, we up. are no better off. The Government flogged off the power station and said, "It's not our problem Feedlots already have industry standards any more; it is somebody else's. That is too bad." and DPI standards. Now they will have That is the attitude of this Government. It leaves a Department of Environment and Heritage lot to be desired. standards. This is not good. This Government thinks that it can control the environment by Mr BREDHAUER (Cook) (3.38 p.m.): The standing on small business. It does not have to honourable member who has just resumed her do it that way. It is wrong to even think about it. seat has a hide to call anyone in this House a lightweight. The Environmental Protection Bill is Finally, I was interested to read in the paper one of the most important reforms of a letter from the member for Gladstone. environmental issues ever addressed in Originally, he said that it was dreadful that the Queensland. I find it quite astonishing that emissions from the Gladstone Power Station members such as the member for Callide can would take the paint off one's car. But somebody stand up in here and openly own up to the fact obviously gave him a kick in the rear end and told that over 32 years they presided over a regime of him that he better make it clear that that did not environmental vandalism in this State. Their happen under the Goss Government. So the rationale was: if it moves shoot it; if it does not, member for Gladstone then produced a letter burn it down. They then have the hide to criticise that said, "No, that didn't happen under the Goss us for taking a few years—five years—to get Government." The Goss Government has had around to fixing up all of the mess that they spent five years to fix that problem. Has it fixed it? No, it 32 years creating. We have had five years in has not. The member for Gladstone is a Government. Progressively over those five lightweight. years, we have been addressing one by one Mr BENNETT: I rise to a point of order. those environmental issues. The honourable member for Callide well knows The member for Callide complained about the environmental mess that the former the fact that there has been inadequate Government caused at the Gladstone Power consultation with local government and with Station and that the Goss Government is industry about this Bill. Where has she been for rectifying the situation. the past two and a half years? Where was she at Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There is the end of 1991 when the Green Paper was no point of order. The honourable member is issued? Where was the member over the using the provisions of the Standing Orders as a intervening three years from the end of 1991 debating point. That is against the provisions of until the end of 1994 when we were putting this the Standing Orders. I now warn the honourable legislation together? This is a very important member for Gladstone. environmental reform. This is something that had to be consulted with local government. This is 15 November 1994 10218 Legislative Assembly something that had to be worked through with The member for Burnett wants to have industry. It is a problem that we identified when environmental protection legislation but he does we came into Government at the end of 1989. not want to pay for it. From where does the In our first two years in Government, we member propose to conjure up the money? All of addressed a whole range of issues. In 1991, we the members opposite who commented in the set about the task. last 24 hours on the CJC report came in here and said that we must have comprehensive Mr Elliott: You formed 103 committees; legislation to address the problems that have that's what you did. been identified. Matthews said himself in Mr BREDHAUER: The honourable yesterday's report that was brought down— member interjected, and what a priceless "In order to prevent wholesale interjection it was. I always thought that dumping of liquid waste there must be well Cunningham's Gap was a drive through the drafted laws, sufficient resources"— mountains. We have been moving to address all of the environmental issues that have been I emphasise "sufficient resources"— bequeathed to us by the previous Government. "a co-ordinated approach to management of This Minister, more than any other Minister, has the problem and, above all, the will to take seen through the process of drafting the action in protection of the long term public Environmental Protection Bill. It is the height of interest." hypocrisy for people such as the member for There it is. It is in the Bill. Where do members Burnett to come in here today and criticise this opposite propose we get the resources from? Bill. This is the man who has a new-found Perhaps the member for Gregory would like to coalition with the Queensland Greens and their nominate which school in Gregory will close convenor, Drew Hutton. I will inform the House of down so that we can divert some resources from what the now deputy convenor of the the Education Department across to Queensland Greens, Drew Hutton, said about Environment and Heritage. Perhaps the member this topic, and I reiterate the words of the for Cunningham would like to nominate from member for Everton. Mr Hutton stated— which police station he would like to have a "This Bill is an essential first step in couple of police officers taken. Where do turning around the enormous problems with members opposite think money in Government air and water pollution that we have in this comes from? They held the Treasury benches in State. this State for 32 years. Do members opposite The only way to ensure that we don't think that we can manufacture money to pay for poison ourselves with our own wastes is for the implementation of the Bill? Of course we polluters to pay for the right to pollute and, if cannot! We have to raise fees in order to provide necessary, pass those costs on to the the necessary resources to implement the Bill. consumer. Then regulatory authorities have Mr Ardill: Haven't you heard about the to ensure that everybody sticks to the brown paper bags? rules." Mr BREDHAUER: We have all heard Where is the member for Burnett's coalition with about the brown paper bags but, fortunately, the Greens now? What did the member for since we have come to Government they have Burnett say on this topic? The Bundaberg News dried up. Mail of 3 November 1994 states— The important thing to remember is that if we "Member for Burnett and Opposition do not fund it by a licensing system, if we do not Environment spokesman Doug Slack said have a system of fees so that the user pays—or the legislation was drafted 'without any should I say so that the polluter pays—then we apparent regard for . . . the cost to business have to obtain the resources from somewhere and local authorities'." else. Members opposite should nominate the It should be noted that there is no mention of the priority that they want to see reduced in its cost to the environment. Mr Slack stated funding so that we can provide the extra money further— for the environmental police who will help us to implement this legislation. "But the Goss Government's user-pays mentality has been given full rein through a Mr Welford: Mr Johnson is nominating the proposed range of licence fees and other funds for the roads in his electorate. charges." Mr BREDHAUER: Maybe we could take it That is what the member for Burnett had to say. out of the funding for roads in the electorate of Where is his coalition with Drew Hutton and the the member for Gregory; maybe we could take it Queensland Greens now? out of a whole range of things from the electorates of those Opposition members who Legislative Assembly 10219 15 November 1994 are complaining about it. We need the resources As I said, members opposite have been to implement the legislation. Without those telling porkers to the local government resources, the legislation will be just another authorities in their electorates. The Local toothless tiger, like every pollution control under Government Association of Queensland has the previous Government, because it did not been not much better. Recently, I had have the will. The attitude of the previous representatives of the local authority in Government was, "If it gets in the road of Etheridge say to me that they understood that business, do not prosecute." We are saying that under this regime they would have to pay 200 business has a responsibility, industry has a times the $700 licensing fee for each of the responsibility, the Government has a borrow pits from which they obtain gravel. responsibility and the people of Queensland Nothing could be further from the truth. have a responsibility to the environment of this Mr Santoro: You'll be right. You've only State. We are prepared to put up. What do got 10 minutes to go. members opposite propose? Who do they think should pay for it? Members opposite are Mr BREDHAUER: I will probably take all criticising us for having a system of fees. I 10 of them. challenge them to tell us who should pay for it. I want to refer briefly to the third-party rights For 32 years under the previous provided by the Environmental Protection Bill. In Government, people got off scot-free. When this 1989, the Premier and the then spokesperson Government sets about trying to address the on the Environment gave an election issue, all members opposite can do is moan and commitment to amend relevant legislation to give carp. The Opposition Leader—the leader of the legal standing to community groups and "Paradise Party", as it has now become—was individuals in relation to environmental matters. formerly the Environment Minister. What did he As I mentioned earlier, Queensland has a history do when he was the Environment Minister? He of not enforcing environmental legislation, did nothing! What did the member for primarily due to the previous Government's Cunningham do when he was the Environment policy and an attitude that prosecutions were not Minister to firm up pollution control laws? good for business. Business has pointed out Nothing! How many prosecutions occurred that the effect is the opposite—that the cowboys under pollution control laws while the member for are encouraged and responsible industry is Cunningham was the Environment Minister? I will penalised because they have invested in bet that it was zero, to quote the Leader of the equipment to ensure compliance. Industry has Opposition—— repeatedly said that without a guarantee of adequate enforcement they will not support the Mr Welford: Zilch. environmental protection legislation. Mr BREDHAUER: Zilch, none, absolutely Under the justice system in Queensland, a none. Here we are implementing legislation that person can bring an action only if he or she is has teeth and that will be backed up by the personally disadvantaged. This disadvantage necessary resources, but all members opposite normally has to be of a financial nature or can do is whinge, moan, carp and knock. personal injury. Therefore, where environment The people of Queensland have read this groups or a member of the public wish to take report. They have seen the press coverage on court action, they are required to show a financial this report, and they want the situation cleaned interest in the matter or show standing. In most up. I am not denying that this report contains cases, they cannot prove a financial interest; criticism of the Government, and so it should, their interest is usually scientific or ethical. To because the problem needs to be cleaned up. A overcome this restriction on standing before the problem exists, and that problem needs to be courts, public interest legislation such as the cleaned up. Members opposite did not do it for Environmental Protection Bill allows any person, 32 years, and now they have the hide to come in irrespective of whether they have suffered here and criticise us because we want to put a personal damage, the right to be heard in court regime in place that will finally address the on some matters. problem. The Bill allows for any person to lodge I want to highlight the fact that members submissions on a new licence—a licence opposite have been telling porkers to local amendment to significantly increase emissions or governments. an Environmental Management Program that will take longer than three years to reach Mr Elliott: He's going to croak. compliance. Having lodged a submission, the Mr BREDHAUER: The member for person may seek internal review of the decision. Cunningham wishes! I have news for him—I am If they are still unsatisfied, they can take the going to be around for a while yet. matter to appeal in the Planning and 15 November 1994 10220 Legislative Assembly

Environment Court. This is the most laboured want to hand something of value to my speech I have ever given. grandchildren and their grandchildren. A farmer Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): has to take the long view of what his land can Order! Under the provisions of the Standing produce. As one who competes in world Orders, if the honourable member is having markets, I know we can survive only by offering difficulty with his voice, he can call upon another produce of far better quality than the subsidised member to deliver the speech for him. garbage the multinationals are pouring into this country. I also know that we can hang onto our Mr BREDHAUER: It is all right, Mr Deputy export markets only by beating the same Speaker. The process is almost identical to the subsidised garbage on quality rather than price. town planning process, and the Environmental Protection Bill allows that if there are cases on I have long supported the "clean green" the same application—for example, a concrete campaign built up around our pastoral and batching plant seeking a town planning approval agricultural industries, and if the concepts and an environmental protection licence to embedded in this Bill help to do that, then I am in operate—the cases can be heard together to favour. I want to emphasise "concepts", because save everyone time and money. some details of this legislation—and the way the Government wants to use it as a revenue There is provision for third party source—are not acceptable. prosecutions. Any person can instigate a criminal prosecution. This is similar to the Noise I totally reject the iniquitous taxing regime Abatement Act and is consistent with the most which the Bill allows for, and which draft recent Queensland legislation. This means that if regulations prove the Government is determined a law is being broken, such as a sawmill not to implement. I also totally reject the notion that meeting its licence conditions, any person can third parties should have any legal rights to attempt to prosecute in court. No-one has ever intervene in applications for licences or done this under the Noise Abatement Act authorities. It is a straight invitation to the anti- because of cost and difficulty, and it is unlikely farm extremists who we all know hang around the that it will happen under this Bill. fringes of the legitimate environmental movement. There are injunctive rights which allow a third party to apply for a court order which requires a Queenslanders are entitled to question the person to do something, or perhaps not to do Government's motives in introducing this something, if there is or is threatened to be a legislation. They are entitled to ask what the breach of the law, and there are conditions under Government's priorities are here—protection of which those injunctions can occur. The court can the natural environment from undue also require a security for costs if it wishes. This is disturbance, the raising of revenue to support to prevent someone bringing an action to more bureaucracy, or Labor's old fashioned hunt financially damage someone else. The result of for votes? these "filters" is to ensure only genuine cases When we call the revenue grab under this will be heard. Bill taxes, the Government becomes sensitive. However, I am lost for any other description. No Third party rights exist in New South Wales, service is to be delivered to the people forced to South Australia and Tasmania, whilst they do not contribute to the Goss Government's coffers, so in Victoria and Western Australia. The Australian we are certainly not talking about fee for service. Capital Territory plans to include third party We are talking about a tax, pure and simple. It is injunctions in its new pollution control legislation. just a tax, disguised by a Government which likes I will finish on those few notes. I am just glad to boast about no new taxes. that my voice lasted long enough to get out the The regime of new taxes associated with points that I needed to make. this legislation poses a significant threat to the Mr PERRETT (Barambah) (3.53 p.m.): viability of the livestock industries in this State. Rural and regional Queensland is dealt with very There are onerous new taxes set to impose harshly indeed by this Bill. I believe something burdens on livestock sectors from farmers to which could have been worthwhile has been processors—as one industry leader put it, from fatally flawed by the Government's greed for new conception to consumption. Taxes will be sources of taxation. Instead of earning praise for imposed directly on farmers engaging in sensible measures to protect our natural intensive husbandry operations from feedlots to environment, the Government is justly earning piggeries to broiler farms. The same farmers will the vilification of rural and regional Queensland. indirectly face more taxes through the tax-added As a farmer, I support the concept of the costs of feed suppliers, saleyards operators, and sustainable use of our natural resources to transport operators. The processing end of the ensure we can produce well into the future. I industry faces new taxes on the varied Legislative Assembly 10221 15 November 1994 operations of abattoirs, rendering plants and times what a shareholder does per beast. The smallgoods factories. State Government, through payroll tax, will make I want to spend a little time on the new taxes four or five times, depending on how labour- the processing industry faces because they are intensive the particular meatworks is. very obvious, very onerous, and they will be On top of what the meatworks is already reflected directly in lower returns to producers. paying, this Labor Government wants to impose Meatworks have little capacity to pass added a new round of taxes. There is a $5,220 tax for a costs on to consumers. We should all be clear on meatworks. There is a $6,020 tax for a rendering that. Prices for our food producing industries are, plant. There is a $3,500 tax for the smallgoods for the most part, set by world markets over which line. If the meatworks treats animal skins, there is we have very little influence. Cost increases can a $4,740 tax. If the meatworks has stand-by rarely be passed on in the form of higher prices power, there is another $3,000 tax for the since the Labor Government in Canberra is ever generator plant. All meatworks have a mechanical willing to let subsidised overseas producers workshop, so we can add another $500 tax. A flood our markets with their opportunity reasonably small meatworks will use better than 1 surpluses. For proof of that honourable million litres of water in a day's operations, so we members need look no further than the can add a tax of at least $4,750 for effluent Australian pork industry, which the Federal treatment. That adds up to $27,730 for the bare Government has decimated simply by standing minimum of the most obvious new taxes the back and watching as heavily subsidised Government intends to impose on every Canadian suppliers rape our markets. The meatworks in this State. Federal Government proposes the same thing This is just the green tax, and it is imposed for chicken meat, and our local producers will on top of the raft of other taxes and charges I suffer there as well. mentioned a moment ago. The return to Labor's policy of short-changing Australian meatworks shareholders is certainly no more producers is dangerous brinkmanship. There is a than a dollar per beast now, so the very real risk that Australian consumers could be consequences of the new green taxes can be left at the mercy of foreign suppliers in terms of readily imagined. As I said before, to stay in both quantity of produce supplied and the price business the meatworks will have to pass the demanded. The kindest interpretation of Labor's added costs back to producers in the form of policy is that the academic policy-makers have lower saleyard returns. not yet woken up that there are substantial I want to spend a moment looking at the barriers to re-entry for producers driven out of effect of this legislation on feedlots. Specifically, I business. A piggery, a broiler farm or a feedlot want to look at the implications on the small to driven out of business by ideologically driven medium feedlots, often on farms, rather than the trade policies or predatory taxing regimes cannot giant operations run by multinational readily be put back into production in the short or corporations. I am talking about the livestock medium terms. producer who has a small operation aimed at If the meat industry—beef, lamb, pork and finishing his own and perhaps a neighbour's chicken—attempted to raise prices high enough cattle. It might have as few as 50 head and as to cover cost increases, there is every chance many as 1 000. These small intensive feeding that subsidised overseas competitors would be operations are in many ways the backbone of the here in a flash to undercut them and put them cattle industry in so many parts of this State. out of business. That is the reality of Labor's tariff They provide the stock for many small policy. For that reason, the poor old farmer will meatworks, like Swickers in my own electorate. cop it in the neck once again. The processing They provide the stock that allows a small industry will simply bid lower prices in the meatworks to provide greatly needed local saleyards because it knows exactly what it can employment—often for farmers who need to charge for the processed animal. work off-farm to keep the family farm going. The The processing industry is already saddled small feedlot is very much a drought survival with massive burdens of State and Federal taxes measure for a great many producers. Ironically, and reporting requirements. It does not need this legislation, which is supposed to be about another impost. An incomplete list of just the protecting the environment, will put at risk the most obvious State and Federal charges runs to small feedlots that assist in environmental better than a page, and means that the protection. They do that because a large number meatworks shareholder makes far less out of a of small feedlots have less impact on the beast than does the Government. It is generally environment than does a single large-scale accepted in the industry that the Australian Meat feedlot. But these small feedlots are now under and Livestock Corporation will make six or seven threat. 15 November 1994 10222 Legislative Assembly

I have said that abattoirs or slaughterhouses extra taxes from a livestock industry that in many parts of the State rely on small contributes very little to pollution in this State. opportunity feedlots and small-scale piggeries Before I leave new taxes on primary for their stock. Many of these small-scale production, I have to point out a few other taxes intensive livestock operations are barely marginal that Labor members might not like their economic propositions, but with this Bill the constituents to know about, because they will Government will make them even more marginal. impact directly on household budgets. For a They are already paying onerous fees to the start, there is the $3,800 a year to be imposed on Department of Primary Industries and to local vegetable washing equipment. That will add to governments supposedly for environmental the retail price of every root vegetable that finds management. its way onto our tables. Food processing, I have been given figures prepared by the including bottling and canning, will attract a beef industry on the basis of a small feedlot with new—additional—tax of $4,400 a year. Milk a capacity of 51 head, and there are plenty of processing, including the manufacture of dairy them around. The cost of readily identifiable products, will be taxed at $4,100 a year. Oilseeds charges by all three levels of government already processing—the production of those healthy oils amounts to $12.99 per beast. I might add that the Health Minister wants us all to use instead of that cost is for the second and later years of fat—will be hit with a $3,740 a year tax. Even the operation. Costs are higher in the first poor old suburban fish shop is to be looted by year—$24.51 per beast—because of start-up the Goss Government. There is to be a $2,840 a charges to Government bodies and local year tax on seafood processing, including the authorities. Of the total take, the State removal of scales, gills, intestines and shells, Government already gets $250 a year, but it filleting, chilling, freezing and packing. Nothing wants more. Put another $200 on top of that, as escapes the most thorough pickpockets this the draft regulations propose, and a lot of these State has ever known. I believe it is reasonable to operations will become uneconomic to operate. expect the Government to fund its essential Not only will the individual producer be the loser; operations from normal revenue sources, so, too, will the local abattoir or slaughterhouse including existing State and Commonwealth when stock have to be purchased further afield. taxes. Some smaller slaughter and processing Mr Johnson: How do you reckon the operations will have to close if they lose local business people in Springwood will like this? supply. The meatworkers employed there will lose their jobs, and the local economy will suffer Mr PERRETT: I reckon that the business even further. I have made the point that small people in Springwood will be appalled when they feedlots are often used as a drought survival learn of the effects that this is going to have. This measure. They reduce grazing pressure on is not going to affect only business people. As I droughted country, but this greedy Labor have pointed out, it is also going to affect Government wants to discourage them. consumers. I believe that is what concerns most Queenslanders very greatly indeed. Intensive production is not limited to the beef industry, nor is the Labor Government's The business of total cost recovery, which is taxation intention. A piggery capable of holding central to Labor's thinking, has gotten totally out more than 1 000 head will attract an annual green of hand. In spite of massive increases in cost tax of $2,500, in addition to already onerous recovery in all sorts of areas, we have seen not a State and Federal taxes and charges. Poultry cent's reduction in the tax take. Now, Labor has farmers—no matter how large or how small—will taken the easy way out and decided to tax the have their pockets picked to the tune of $200 on innocent in order to police those who might be a once-only basis—so far. I will have more to say guilty. What the Government should do is set the on that point later. standards for pollution and then monitor compliance. Where breaches are detected, All the intensive livestock industries rely action should be taken against the guilty heavily on prepared stockfeeds, and the Labor party—not against the innocent, as this Bill does. Government does not miss them there, either. What we are seeing is the systematic looting of The draft regulations call for a slug on anyone the State by a Government without the first idea grinding, milling, separating or sizing agricultural of how to manage anything. products. For the very small operator there is a once-only charge of $200—so far. The normal I know that most honourable members have operator will pay an annual tax of $400. It will have grave concerns about the new green taxes on to be recovered in some way, and that will be by local government. I know the Minister has said way of added cost to the livestock fattener. The the taxes on councils are just a Government is set to extract millions of dollars in misunderstanding, but they are in print for everyone to see. The Minister is simply not to be Legislative Assembly 10223 15 November 1994 believed until the regulations have been add industries to the green tax list or to increase approved by this Parliament. Those on this side the taxes on industries already there. By putting of the House will be permitted to express their the classifications and the charges into concerns, and I intend to outline the severe regulations, the Government of the day can pick impact on councils and ratepayers in my own industries or activities off one at a time—divide area. and conquer! Labor cannot be trusted not to do Every council in Barambah faces new taxes that, so even groups who think they have of up to $100,000 each year to fund the Goss escaped the tax net should think again. They Government's 180 new green police. A council have escaped only until the Labor Goss providing a rubbish collection service faces an Government decides it needs a bit more annual tax of $2,800 just because it provides the revenue. Then the axe will fall. service, and $350 per year for each vehicle used There is every possibility that the taxes in garbage collection. It will also have to pay a imposed here will actually work against sensible yearly tax of $4,750 for each tip it operates. environmental management. A small meatworks Those particular taxes work directly against like Swickers in Kingaroy will pay taxes of at least protection of the environment because they $12,000 a year—directly attributable to this impose a substantial cost penalty on good refuse legislation. I have identified that much already, so management. there is sure to be even more. Larger works will Councils will also be taxed on their be up for a great deal more, and that is money workshops, the quarries they use for road repair that will no longer be available for things such as materials, their water treatment plants and their plant upgrading, which well-run businesses do all sewerage plants. Wondai council estimates an the time. It would make more sense to me to added ratepayer burden of $70,000; Murgon is allow industry to spend money on upgrades than up for more than $50,000 extra; and Esk, in filling the Government's coffers. $67,000. Kingaroy Shire Council tells me that it The Goss Government's green tax must could be up for an additional $100,000, and it result in industries all over the State spending has already identified an extra $80,500 in new less than they had planned on continuing plant taxes for the services it provides to residents. improvements that would lead to improved Wondai council is on record as saying that it may environmental performance. The bottom line is have to increase rates by as much as 9 per cent that less efficient, older plant will make breaches just to meet the Goss Labor Government's of the law and the accompanying fines just about newest tax grab. Councils are already battling to inevitable. The Goss Government's greed for a pay for the valuable services they provide, so the quick tax dollar will probably end up causing even only alternative to rate rises will be service cuts more harm than before. and staff retrenchments. The same thing applies to local government. Rural communities all over Queensland are I have already mentioned how much the Goss very angry at the Goss Government, since the Government's official pickpockets will be lifting burden of these new taxes falls from local government in my area. I have also disproportionately on them. A small tip in indicated that at least one shire has already done Barambah attracts exactly the same tax as the sums on the rate increases necessary to Brisbane's one giant tip at Rochedale— $4,750. cope with the new taxes. It has come up with an 8 Brisbane City's water treatment works, serving per cent to 9 per cent rate rise if it is to maintain hundreds of thousands of people, attract the services at current levels, and that sort of figure same tax as Proston's—serving only a few probably applies all over rural Queensland. It hundred. The injustice is that Brisbane can would be a great tragedy if councils, faced with spread fees like that over hundreds of the inability of their ratepayers to cope, had to thousands of ratepayers. A rural shire can spread shut down facilities like local tips. In that case, the burden only to a few thousand. there is a real danger that people would simply The Government conned well-meaning dispose of waste indiscriminately and thus harm people all over the State into supporting this the environment. legislation—because they had no idea it was to That is the sort of stark choice this be principally a vehicle for tax-raising powers. Government gives rural councils, and it is When they saw the details, few early supporters unacceptable. Does the Labor Government were happy, and they will continue to be care? Not a bit! After all, Labor's members of unhappy after the Government uses its numbers Parliament are concentrated in Brisbane and to force the Bill through the House. They know near-Brisbane areas, where the individual they have been asked to sign an open cheque in burden from the new taxes will be felt the least. legislation providing irresistible temptation for a We should all remember that the major attempts Government with sticky fingers. It is too easy to at revenue grabbing and cost cutting have all 15 November 1994 10224 Legislative Assembly been aimed at rural Queensland. Wayne Goss The Act clearly defines executive officers as had to back off and apologise over planned rail those managers who are concerned or take part line closures and the grab for funds collected by in a corporation's management. Because of its ambulance committees. I can promise the Labor broad definition, everyone who has a Government that it will have an even bigger fight management role in a corporation should be on its hands this time. aware that they have a responsibility to see that Mrs ROSE (Currumbin) (4.13 p.m.): I am activities comply with the Act. This also applies to pleased to be able to speak in support of the Government. Whether they be Commonwealth, Environmental Protection Bill 1994. The Bill Queensland or local government executive provides Queensland's first effective pollution officers, executive officers who have a control laws and emphasises a cooperation with management role also have to bear the same industry to prevent pollution. It will replace the responsibility as a private sector executive existing ineffectual laws covering air, noise and officer. Boards of directors are also considered to water pollution. It also addresses other be directly involved in a management capacity. environmental issues such as waste However, the Act does provide for defence management, land contamination, vehicle mechanisms for an executive officer if he or she emissions, ozone layer depletion, odours, can prove that, although they were in a position smoke and industrial chemicals. It focuses on to influence the conduct of the corporation in streamlining the development approval process relation to the offence, they had, in fact, taken all to encourage development and job creation. reasonable steps to ensure that the corporation This Bill not only replaces outdated and complied with the provision. Another defence ineffective legislation but also provides may be that the officer was not in a position to Queenslanders with a sense of direction and influence the conduct of the corporation in hope in their endeavours not only to maintain relation to the offence. and protect our sensitive environment but also to The Department of Environment and provide a cleaner and safer environment in which Heritage's enforcement guidelines outline what to live and work. Clear guidelines and effective is considered to be executive officer liability. This mechanisms are an integral part of this Bill which liability is otherwise termed in the guidelines as a will go a long way to ensuring that strategies will linking test. The linking test is defined in the be implemented. guidelines as— All too often we have seen well-thought-out ". . . the administering authority will institute and well-planned strategies disappear into thin proceedings under the executive officer air because of inadequate implementation liability provision only where evidence links a measures and improper enforcement director or manager with the corporation's mechanisms. That is not the case with this Bill. illegal activity. That linkage needs to show An emphasis has been placed on enforcement an intent to cause environmental harm or mechanisms as is evident in clause 182 through that the action or omission was of a the executive officer liability provision under negligent nature in that the appropriate which executive officers of corporations are corporate structures and programs were not required to ensure that their corporation in place." complies with the Act. This provision provides In other words, the executive officer will not be that where a corporation is found to have liable for an offence unless there is evidence of a committed an offence, its executive officers can failure to rectify a systematic problem, if he or she also be found to have breached the Act. The gives a wilful direction or if there is evidence of reason for this is that fining a corporation might reckless negligence. not necessarily punish those who carried out the offence. It has been all too easy when Prosecution would also be inappropriate corporations have faced heavy penalties to plead where the executive officer took all reasonable ignorance of any knowledge of breaches under steps to ensure that the corporation would not the old Clean Air and Clean Waters Acts. breach the Act. This would, of course, encourage corporations to have environmental In cases where a corporation has been management systems in place and to ensure that found to be in breach of the Act, then the all staff were informed and educated on the executive officer or executive officers, as the systems. case may be, can be found to have committed an offence for failing to ensure that the corporation The administering authority will take into complies with the Act. The penalties for this account a corporation's level of documentation range from a $600 fine for minor infringements to and procedures. When a breach occurs, the a maximum of $250,000 or five years' administering authority will also take into imprisonment for serious and wilful breaches. consideration the level of cooperation the Legislative Assembly 10225 15 November 1994 corporation gives in laying out the facts of how The duty to notify under section 37 requires the breach occurred. It then evaluates the that anyone who is aware of an activity which is severity of the breach and determines the level causing environmental harm must notify of environmental damage, including the short someone of that harm. That applies not only to a and long-term effects. Obviously, the level of knowledge that someone else is undertaking an documentation provided by the corporation activity that causes environmental harm but also it improves its case of defence in that it has shown applies to one's self. If a person—say, an due diligence. The Queensland Department of employee—is directed to carry out an activity Environment and Heritage has issued a which he or she knows is detrimental to the guideline for due diligence which is available to environment, that person has a duty to notify corporations and companies. either his or her employer or the administering The discipline of self-regulation which authority. When the employer is notified, the corporations impose on themselves will benefit responsibility of notifying the administering them in the event that they have to appear authority is then passed on to the employer. It is before the administering authority on an alleged an offence not to notify unless the breach of the Act. environmental harm was authorised under an environmental protection policy, an I will now move on to community environmental management program, an responsibility and the role that the community is environmental protection order, an expected to play in ensuring that sound environmental authority, or under an emergency environmental management practices are being direction. adhered to. The Bill establishes the view that all To encourage people to report or disclose Queenslanders have a responsibility to protect an activity that would cause environmental harm the environment. This is supported by two or damage, the authority cannot use information specific provisions in the Bill: the general against the person who has made such report or environmental duty under clause 36 and the disclosure. This emphasis on encouraging duty to notify under clause 37. people to report or disclose an activity is more The general environmental duty requires desirable than prosecuting people or that no Queenslander can carry out any activity companies. It focuses on minimising unless that person takes all reasonable and environmental harm, which is far more important practicable measures to prevent or minimise than seeking prosecution. environmental harm. This provision recognises A number of provisions in this Bill have that everything we do has some impact on the already been implemented in other Australian environment but, equally, we can minimise that States. The general environmental duty is similar impact if we think about what we are doing. All to legislation in South Australia and Victoria. The human activities are detrimental to the advantage that the Queensland Bill has is that it environment to some extent, but as long as a incorporates provisions that are already proven in person takes all reasonable and practicable other States. measures, then that is all that is required of any Queenslander. This provision ensures that all The people of the Currumbin electorate Queenslanders are responsible for the welcome this Bill, which is the result of extensive environment. and intensive community consultation. Contrary to the bleatings of Opposition members, the In making decisions regarding whether the feedback that I have received not only from duty has been complied with, several issues interest groups but also from individuals on the must be considered. These are, firstly, the consultation process is that it has been very nature of the harm or potential harm; secondly, worthwhile. They are pleased with the the sensitivity of the receiving environment; development of the legislation and they have thirdly, the current state of technical knowledge confidence in it. Contrary to the ravings of the relating to the activity; fourthly, the likelihood of member for Surfers Paradise, southern Gold success in reducing the harm; and, fifthly, the Coasters have confidence in the competence financial implications of taking action to reduce and the ability of the Minister for Environment the harm. This provision is an educative provision and Heritage. and, as such, no offence arises if the duty is breached. However, it does have a technical I would like to take this opportunity to usage as it is a defence to other offences. For congratulate the Minister, her staff and officers of example, a charge of causing serious the Department of Environment and Heritage environmental harm could be defended by who have put hundreds of hours into the framing stating that the general environmental duty had of the Environmental Protection Bill. I commend been complied with. the Bill to the House. 15 November 1994 10226 Legislative Assembly

Mr SANTORO (Clayfield—Deputy Leader for waste management be reviewed by the of the Liberal Party) (4.26 p.m.): I join with the Public Sector Management Commission." shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage I will break there for a minute just to emphasise and other colleagues on the Opposition side of the modus operandi of this Government. the House in opposing this Bill. We do so not Government members say, what did we do about because we on this side of the House do not it? Five years ago they picked up the draft Bill that value the environment and the necessity to was prepared by the then National Party preserve it for us and for the use and enjoyment Government and put it through one review after of future generations but because the exercise another—review after review, committee after and debate that are occurring today are a cynical committee—which is the hallmark of this reaction by the Minister and the Government to Government's modus operandi. the most damning report of the CJC, which was released yesterday, titled—for those Mr Slack: And after five years they stuffed Government members who have not heard it up. about it let alone read it—Report on an Mr SANTORO: I take that interjection. Investigation Conducted by the Honourable R H After five years, they come into Parliament with Matthews QC into the Improper Disposal of this botch of an effort that really means nothing Liquid Waste in South-East Queensland. to anybody in this State. Government members That report shows that this Government and have a great opportunity to do something its Ministers are environmental vandals of the meaningful with environmental laws, and they are worst kind. They have abrogated their statutory botching it. responsibilities and have elevated the meaning I will continue quoting from the report. It of unaccountability to new heights. states— Mr Livingstone: What did you do when "On 2 July 1991, the machinery of you were in Government? government committee"— Mr SANTORO: I take the interjection from another committee— the honourable member. He asked what we did "accepted a Public Sector Management about it. I am going to answer the honourable Commission recommendation in principle member by quoting directly from the report and that waste management responsibilities by showing not only what the previous National exercised by the Queensland Health Party Government did in relation to the very Department under the Health Act be legitimate environmental concerns of undertaken by the Department of Queenslanders but also by proving the point that Environment and Heritage." I have just made, that is, that environmental vandals of the kind that sit on the Government That is the damning evidence for those side today have never sat in this place before. Government members and for the two Ministers who have held responsibilities for the portfolio. I will quote what the evidence before the The report states further— inquiry shows. Honourable members who have been asking Opposition members in this place "Some time shortly after these what did we do about it should listen very changes, the Waste Management Unit carefully to this instrumental piece of evidence. I within the Health Department was will quote directly from the report, which states— disbanded. No further action on the proposed hazardous waste legislation was "A draft bill was prepared and was taken by the Queensland Health received from Parliamentary Counsel on 28 Department after this decision was made. September 1989." The transfer of responsibility to the That is when the previous Government had a Bill Department of Environment and Heritage in this place. The report goes on to state— has not been finalised to date. I understand "On 27 February 1990, the Minister for that negotiations are continuing between Health approved the preparation of a green the two Departments on the matter of the paper relative to the management of transfer of resources." hazardous waste. Subsequently, a green We heard that disgraceful litany from the inquiry. paper was issued for public comment. On 7 It is on that evidence that the expressed good November 1990, the Minister for Health intentions of this Government lay hanged. It is gave approval to proceed with the proposed because of that type of evidence, which is not amendments. On 13 February 1991, the being denied, and cannot be denied by the Minister for Health agreed with a proposal by Minister and by members opposite, that this the Deputy Premier that the responsibility Government's mealy-mouthed statements in Legislative Assembly 10227 15 November 1994 relation to its commitment to genuine Mr Slack: They won't even accept a week environmental law are not believable. to get it ready after five years. I have just read a disgraceful litany of Mr SANTORO: That is right. In a spirit of ministerial unaccountability and incompetence. true bipartisanship, the Opposition was trying to As I said, the blame for this undignified mess be helpful in relation to the difficult issues that clearly lies with the Ministers who have been this legislation seeks to address. We have a responsible for the administration and updating report that makes some very direct comments on of Queensland's environmental laws. These the Environmental Protection Bill. It says that the Ministers have clearly, utterly and miserably failed Bill makes no attempt to centralise Queensland in looking after the environmental interests of environmental bureaucracy, which will remain Queensland. The report found also that the spread over several Government departments, current environmental laws simply do not work but which will be overseen and audited by the and are dysfunctional in every sense of the word. DEH. That is a clear criticism of where this Bill The report suggested that we should have a before us today is heading in an administrative massive overhaul of the environmental laws of sense. It is heading towards a real administrative the State. mess. It is this sort of mess which the Opposition What do we have before us today? We have was happy to advise the Government on. I am not an Environmental Protection Bill which has not saying that to score a cheap point. taken within its ambit the findings and Mr Slack: After five years they have to recommendations of the very damaging CJC introduce 40 amendments to the Bill. report from which I have quoted. The Minister and the Government should have taken the Mr SANTORO: That is right; 40 advice of the Opposition, the media, the political amendments. Members opposite ask, "If the commentators, the conservation movement of Opposition is so concerned about the Queensland, Drew Hutton, the Lord Mayor of environment, why is it opposing the Bill?" I will tell Brisbane and many others and delayed the members opposite why. Firstly, the Bill is introduction of this Bill so that suitable fundamentally flawed in terms of the other amendments and perhaps a total redrafting of processes of government. The Government is the Bill could have been considered. That would not prepared to take into consideration have been the sensible thing for the Minister and recommendations, views and conclusions as the Goss Labor Government to do in light of the important as those which are in this report. The findings of the damning CJC report. But, no, the other reason is that the 40 amendments expose Minister and the Government are eager to the contempt that this Government has for the convey to the public the impression that workings of this Parliament. The Government has something is being done about the brought in 40 amendments to a Bill which is environmental vandalism that has flourished already one of the most complex pieces of under the stewardship of the Minister and the legislation. There are clauses, chapters and God Government. When it has been demonstrated only knows what sorts of provisions in the that the legislation is a failure, it is not just good legislation. enough for the Minister to say that the Bill can be Mr Robertson: You haven't read it? amended at a later stage, as I heard her saying on Mr SANTORO: I take the interjection from radio this morning or yesterday afternoon. As the the honourable member. As I go through the honourable member for Burnett said earlier in detail in a moment—and I will stop taking this debate, the Minister should get it right the insensible interjections such as that from the first time. honourable member—I will prove that we have This debate is a sham exercise that seeks to read it. Members opposite have nothing other camouflage the embarrassment which the than contempt for this Parliament when they Government is feeling as a result of the findings come into this place, as complex as the of the CJC report. It is no use for the Minister to legislation is, and say, "Let's bring on the debate say that all of the problems that the CJC report straight after question time and let's consider 40 uncovered were created prior to 1989 under the amendments in the time that we have available." former non-Labor Government. The Minister and It is a facade and a contemptible treatment of this her Government have had up to five years to get Parliament. it right and to prove their green credentials. As As the CJC inquiry clearly showed, there is a the honourable member for Burnett clearly said need for legislation to reduce private polluters' before—and I will translate his statements into opportunities to damage the environment and more temperate language—the Government has improve enforcement and deterrent capabilities. utterly and totally botched it. Such legislation should encourage all Government agencies to take responsibility for 15 November 1994 10228 Legislative Assembly the protection of the environment, to promote a provisions and the judicial implications. When we system of best practice and equity between the see the QCCI supporting the principles of the private and public sector industries and legislation such as this before us today, it is emphasise greater local government planning on another indication of just how far we have come major environmental issues with the appropriate in this State. It just goes to show what tools and resources. This legislation should be tremendous goodwill there is in this State simple and workable in nature so that the towards the Minister's good intentions. community, Government agencies and the Unfortunately, the Minister does not want to private sector can readily achieve their embrace all of that goodwill and make a true fist of stewardship agreements. it. Unfortunately, as I have said, the Bill before Industry concern about this issue is that us is complex, bureaucratic and often internally similar legislation in other States has not resulted inconsistent. An appropriate system of self- in third party and the public interest test being regulation will be needed if industry is to have regularly involved in injunction proceedings. The confidence in this approach to environmental only consolation given to the Queensland control without the overemphasis on Chamber of Commerce and Industry is that the administrative oversighting. Unfortunately, the Premier claims that he will keep a close eye on Bill before us takes a ham-fisted approach, rather these matters and, if there is any evidence of than one which relies on a steady, hands-on abuse of the third-party provisions, he will move approach by the Ministers responsible for the to review the relevant section of the Act. We Act. Although this legislation does provide a commend the Premier for giving that assurance, consolidation of other environmental Acts and and we look forward to seeing that assurance strengthens the powers, responsibilities and come into practice if necessary. penalties mechanisms, there is a range of legal Clive Bubb commented also that this Bill is and social/environmental issues which make it only a framework and that the real substance of difficult in many of the provisions it contains. the new rules will be contained in standards The community needs to have confidence which are yet to be released. Until these that under the legislation the Government will standards are in place, the impact of this take action against Government agencies which legislation on the Queensland community will not do not comply with the pollution legislation under be fully known, and therefore the need for the citizens' right to enforce pollution laws. To vigilance is greater than ever. apply the philosophy of the "Government knows Other concerns expressed by the business best" test will make the citizens' enforcement sector relate to the additional costs and delays to rights a legislative mockery each time the test is investment plans and projects resulting from applied. The classic illustration of the two third party rights; the coloured licensing competing interests applying to this test was the proposal, which will affect financial opportunities recent Gladstone Power Station pollution of business who may perceive it as high risk; the problem which made the Government's disclosure of commercial information on intentions in relation to this issue look idiotic. licensees and the register which may benefit There has been much criticism by small other competing firms. business about the charges in this I am happy to say that there is strong environmental protection legislation which will support for a two-tiered licensing system, have a significant impact on their profit margins. involving both a system of accrediting licence Often small businesses already pay fees to holders, who choose to self-monitor their authorities and other Government agencies environmental performance and furnish the DEH which overview pollution and health control authority with regular audit reports, or the measures, and this new legislation and fees are alternative as proposed by the Bill. However, the seen as an additional burden on the struggling legislation does not provide any avenue for a business sector. licensee to seek fair and reasonable My colleague the Shadow Minister for compensation for recovery of costs incurred in Business, Industry and Regional Development, Government investigation where the licensee Ray Connor, recently emphasised this problem, has complied with the provisions of the Act. I and I am sure that he will say plenty more about hope that the Minister is listening to this. What I the impact of this legislation on small business am saying to her and to her advisers is that when he makes his contribution. Recently, Clive people have approached the Opposition with a Bubb, the General Manager of the Queensland view to having us raise these issues, receive Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who is answers and, if necessary, reassurances from supportive of the Environmental Protection Bill, the Minister. raised concerns about the third-party injunction Legislative Assembly 10229 15 November 1994

There is no time limit for internal reviews of As I mentioned earlier, this legislation has decisions within the Bill. The Bill fails to provide 151 pages comprising 240 clauses, 583 any legal protection for information voluntarily subclauses, eight chapters—some of which are disclosed. As all members would appreciate, divided into parts containing divisions and recent court cases act as a severe deterrent to subdivisions—a dictionary of over 75 terms, as voluntary disclosure. The DEH is proposing that well as miscellaneous definitions and three licence fees be determined on a pay-for-use schedules which combine to ensure that the Bill basis. If industry does not receive any is very complex to anyone who is not familiar with environmental monitoring services from DEH the bureaucratic newspeak. There are many during a fiscal year, then I would suggest that a technical clauses that I could go through. I note rebate or a discount should be offered back to that Government members are very silent, industry. I ask the Minister to respond to those because by now they realise that I have actually concerns of industry. read this Bill. I am running out of time because I Recently in a Courier-Mail article, Mr Drew made the mistake of taking too many very stupid Hutton was quoted on the issue of competing interjections from Government members, and I legislation on environmental control and cannot run through all of the various regulation. Specifically mentioned by Mr Hutton inconsistencies and idiosyncrasies within this was the Mineral Resources Act and possible Bill. However, I hope that members will allow me internal Government agreements or to cite a couple of examples. The Bill contains no understandings on environmental protection reference to section 5 of the Penalties and and enforcement regulations. I wonder how Sentences Act, which deals with the terms of many other informal agreements or overriding penalty units. Clause 15A of the Bill says that legislation exists about which the Government noise is an environmental nuisance, but clause has not informed this Parliament. The 230 says that despite clause 15 environmental Minister—whom I can see is listening very nuisance noise is not an environmental issue. I intently to the very intelligent contributions by challenge Government members who have read members of the coalition—may wish to inform the the Bill to explain that inconsistency. Can they House of the relevant facts in relation to that explain it? Of course they cannot, because they issue. have not read the Bill. Marine pollution is another issue not Chapter 2 of the Bill sets out an extremely addressed in the legislation. The State expensive bureaucratic and time-consuming Government has adopted parts of the prevention range of legislative processes. Clause 36 (1), of pollution from ships referred to as MARPOL, regarding a general environmental duty, may be and according to Transport Minister David Hamill legally impossible to achieve. A breach of clause that will be included in another new piece of 21 (3) does not give rise to a civil right or remedy. legislation. I thought that the intent of the Government members claim to be in favour of Environmental Protection Bill was to amalgamate civil rights and civil liberties, and yet that basic all environmental issues under the umbrella of right is denied under that clause. Chapter 3 one piece of legislation. As my leader Mrs references powers to Executive Council to Sheldon said recently, the Government appears create offences by regulation which attract to be pandering to a range of internal and $24,000 fines. I suggest that that sort of external vested interests. I believe that Mrs determination should be made by Parliaments Sheldon was correct when she made that such as this. I could go on and on. For example, statement. clause 201 of the legislation does not contain any provision for appeal to the Court of Appeal Even Ian Hodgett, a solicitor and the on matters of law and fact from the Planning and immediate past president of the Environmental Environment Court. I have heard Government Law Association, believes that several clauses of members state that people can appeal against the Bill are generally vague and would not be decisions of the bureaucracy to the Planning and effective without the prescription of detailed Environment Court, but they cannot go beyond standards and industry practices. The operation that court and invoke the other civil rights which of the Bill in relation to other legislation—for they currently enjoy. I think that is a disgrace. example, the Contaminated Land Act—is confusing. Mr Hodgett believes that the Bill It is with heavy heart and after very careful contains too many discretionary capabilities consideration of the Bill before us that the reserved for the administering authority and Opposition has decided to oppose it. We does not give balance of environmental oppose this legislation because we believe that it protection and economic consideration which makes a mockery of the Government's good are inherent in the concept of sustainable intentions—and we credit it with good development. intentions—particularly the way in which it has been slammed through the Parliament and in 15 November 1994 10230 Legislative Assembly view of the damning CJC report. That report We need only to consider the previous studies places a moral obligation on the Government to mentioned in the CJC report on this extremely forestall the passage of this Bill, because it made important issue of environmental protection that so many references to this legislation. If the the previous coalition Government chose to Government took those references on board, it ignore for its 32 years in Government. could make further improvements to the I will refer to the CJC report, because it legislation before us. highlights certain facts. In 1978, the then Time expired. Government was presented with the Report on Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): Waste Disposal Study of Brisbane and the near Order! I call the member for Sunnybank. Brisbane area; in 1982 it was presented with the report prepared by Sinclair Knight and Partners Mr T. B. Sullivan: Sense at last! for the Coordinator-General's Department on the Mr ROBERTSON (Sunnybank) disposal of liquid waste; and in 1985 it was (4.46 p.m.): I take that interjection, and I thank presented with a Study of Industrial Liquid Waste the member for Chermside. and Hazardous Toxic Waste in South East The Environmental Protection Bill Queensland. It is therefore laughable that the represents a milestone in legislative protection Leader of the Opposition, a former Minister for for the environment in Queensland. It is being the Environment, should attack this Government debated at a time when community focus on the over this issue. Instead, he should be in here disposal of waste, in particular liquid waste, has apologising to the people of Queensland for his been heightened by the release only yesterday own dismal performance in this area. of the CJC report into the improper disposal of In speaking to this Bill, I wish to concentrate liquid waste in south-east Queensland. Clearly, on the role of the Environmental Protection Act existing laws in relation to this important issue in waste management and in particular the draft have not served Queensland particularly well waste management strategy. In referring to the over the years. That is evident from the Opposition's dismal failures in the area of dealing observations contained in the CJC report. with waste disposal, it is appropriate to recall a However, I believe this Chamber would have fourth report that is not mentioned in the CJC been better served during this debate by report on the events surrounding the hazardous focusing on the provisions contained in the waste investigations at Kingston, which current Bill to determine the appropriateness of commenced in 1987 under the previous National its strategy to deal with the problems associated Party Government. with, for example, waste disposal. Mrs Sheldon: What's your record? I, too, have read the Bill in some detail. I want Mr ROBERTSON: The member for to respond to some of the comments by the Caloundra should listen to this, because she was member for Clayfield. He claimed that someone not a member of this House at that stage and she from the Environmental Law Association has said is about to get an education on her coalition that some provisions of this Bill are vague. The colleagues. problem with the research by the member for Clayfield is that he is obviously referring to a Mr Slack, the Opposition spokesperson on package prepared by the Parliamentary Library a the Environment, has made much of claiming couple of months ago which quoted an article that this Government has taken too long to act on released some months earlier. Since that time, the issue of disposal of liquid waste, but any we have had the publication of the draft waste delay by this Government pales into management discussion paper and the waste insignificance against Mr Slack's National Party management strategy. The member for Clayfield colleagues and in particular the former Premier, obviously has not read that strategy, because if Mr Cooper, in relation to the Kingston incident. he had he would be aware of the detailed Mr D'Arcy: And Mr Ahern. provisions contained in it, which he conveniently Mr ROBERTSON: I will take that ignored when presenting his argument. interjection—and Mr Ahern. Instead of a detailed analysis of the Mr D'Arcy interjected. provisions of this Bill, the Opposition has adopted the tactic of using this debate to Mr ROBERTSON: That is right, and we apportion blame on the Government for the are just about to find out the full history, Mr findings of the CJC. This is unfortunate and of D'Arcy. course grossly inaccurate, because any fair and Mr Deputy Speaker, allow me to quote from objective reading of the CJC report would the summary report of the Review and determine that the coalition fell well short of Investigation of Hazardous Waste Management doing anything to deal with this important issue. Investigations at Kingston Logan City—a report Legislative Assembly 10231 15 November 1994 prepared for the then Minister for Police and evidence of widespread waste disposal Emergency Services in May 1990 by activities around Mt Taylor . . ." Envirotest—Health, Environment and Workplace The critical section of this report over which they Pty Ltd (Qld). This report records— will hang from the highest tree states— "In March and April 1987, complaints by "The Kingston Task Force approach Diamond Street residents about acid sludge attempted to dominate the issue by use of a material on their properties and related high profile 'emergency response' co- health concerns became the catalyst for a ordinator and team backed by media long series of investigations and public activities. Its close alignment with its political actions. Eventually, in January 1989, the mentor, Mr Cooper, then Minister for State Government established the Kingston Administrative Services"—— Task Force as an emergency response . . ." An Opposition member interjected. It took the previous Government two years to establish an emergency—and I repeat Mr ROBERTSON: The honourable "emergency"—response to this incident. The member should just listen; I will remind him. The report states that the task force's plan to remove report continues— the waste from Diamond Street— " . . . made it difficult to distinguish between "foundered because the Logan City Council its investigative role and the political would not accept treated wastes and agenda." maintained the need for regional landfill to The report continues— dispose of such wastes. Poor planning by "It is apparent from available the State Government had caused the documentation that the Task Force Co- 'bottleneck'." Ordinator exercised exceptional power and The report continues— access at ministerial level and within the "There was no scientific attempt to Public Service Sector. Furthermore, it is design, compile or coordinate individual difficult to separate the Co-ordinator from clinical and medical evaluations with waste Ministerial decisions and active disposal areas and environmental testing". implementation of policy even to the extent of imposing it, for example, against the In assessing the work performed by the task decision of Logan City Council." force, the report stated at page 5— It further states— "Much of the work is difficult to interpret because of the piecemeal implementation "In some cases, there is evidence that of investigations from early 1987 until the the Kingston Task Force attempted to end of 1989." intimidate residents, isolate and victimise critics. State facilities and resources were The report's conclusions state— used to pursue these objectives. Even "The Kingston investigations have Government control of media response to followed a crisis management approach Kingston type hazards was proposed. The taking the form of a series of ad-hoc Logan City Council was blamed and engineering investigations, scientific test threatened for refusing to provide a local and self selected clinical investigations. disposal site rather than waiting for a long Records of clinical results were not overdue regional landfill site to replace maintained in a central database or by the Willawong." State Health Department." The conclusions end— That is an issue that I will come back to, given the "It is our opinion that the political mode outrageous claims by the members of the of operation of a Kingston style task force Opposition that somehow they had the answer should never be permitted to resolve to it based on the then Health Act. community health complaints from chemical The conclusions continue— exposure." "Environmental testing of the Mt Taylor Finally, the report states— area was somewhat convoluted and 'ad- "The Kingston Task Force evolved as a hoc'." political response only after years of State It continues— inaction over waste disposal problems. Why "It is clear that the Kingston Task Force the Queensland State Government allowed failed to acknowledge the basis of public the Kingston problem to develop and concerns by residents despite sufficient persist needs more detailed discussion. Kingston is symptomatic of the neglect and 15 November 1994 10232 Legislative Assembly

irresponsible management of hazardous recent newspaper articles as if they were articles chemicals effecting land use. For years, the of faith. On the basis of this morning's Courier- State Government and its agencies had Mail he claims that the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, failed to act." Jim Soorley, does not support this legislation. That is the report on the Opposition's response That is not true. Unlike the Opposition to hazardous waste management in this State up spokesperson, before I speak in this House I until as late as 1989. Unfortunately, the make sure that I know what I am talking about. Opposition spokesman is too rude to stay in the That is why I have here a copy of the media House and listen to a bit of history on how release from the Lord Mayor which, for the sake pathetic the mob opposite really were. of accuracy in this debate, I will read into Hansard so that we do not hear any more of this The record of the former National Party nonsense from the other side. I have here the Government has been neatly packaged in one media statement from Brisbane's Lord Mayor, Jim report highlighting the neglect, the gross delays, Soorley, dated 14 November titled "BCC the knee-jerk reactions, the intimidation of Approach to Liquid Waste Vindicated". That ordinary people, the sloppy research and, of release states— course, the ongoing confusion about the separation of powers and the threats meted out "The Brisbane City Council's proactive to local authorities as a means to disguise their approach to identify and monitor generators own miserable failures. I am wondering if of liquid waste has been supported by the members of the Opposition actually know what results of the Criminal Justice Commission's the separation of powers means now, five years investigations released today. on. The CJC said that the Brisbane City Today, the National Party comes in here Council has had to operate through bluff daring to criticise this Government for bringing due to the inadequacy of State Government into this House a most important Bill which has legislation. been designed to fix the gross neglect of the It is clear from the report that local previous Government so aptly described in the government needs the adequate tools to Kingston report. But that is all they had to say prevent damage to our environment. during this debate. In what could be described as We need tougher laws and stiffer yet another defining moment for the Opposition penalties to ensure that we discourage to explain to the public what its environmental waste generators from trying to defraud the policies are, we have heard nothing. We heard system. nothing from the Opposition spokesperson on Environment and only an oblique reference from The Sewerage and Water Supply the Opposition Leader to the fact that the Act"— Opposition in fact had an environmental policy. It and that is the Act that this is referring to— is obviously one of these policies that they are "that we currently operate under imposes a too embarrassed to tell anyone about. Perhaps it maximum penalty of $2400. is where Vince Lester's policy of flogging can be found—in their policy on how to deal with difficult This is no penalty. It just encourages environmental groups. All we have heard from environmental vandalism. the Opposition has been a rather pathetic attack We need stiffer penalties in line with on the Government based on the CJC's report. the State Government's Environmental From the Leader of the Opposition we Protection Legislation which carries a heard reference to a Bill that was being prepared maximum penalty of $1.25 million and two if only they had not been swept from power in years jail. 1989. Well, where is it Mr Borbidge? Was it a Bill Councils need a system that ensures that adopted the same approach that was so all hazardous waste generators are licensed. devastatingly destroyed in the Kingston report The State Government is currently as grossly inadequate? I remind honourable working on a Waste Management Policy that members what that report found about the then we hope will give us the power we need to Department of Health failing to keep accurate keep waste generators under control. This records on the health problems of the people in policy must be implemented as a matter of Kingston. It is the same report which highlighted urgency. the gross lack of resources and professionalism that then existed in the Department of Health. This must also be supported by sufficient resources to finalise the policy and The Opposition Spokesperson for enforce it." Environment, continuing his love affair with sections of the media, quoted at length from Legislative Assembly 10233 15 November 1994

It is clear, therefore, that the Lord Mayor supports pollution, fencing and barriers and other controls this Bill. There can be no other interpretation of at landfill sites—then, in the absence of other that media release. solutions, that local authority, in the public A Government member: Unless you are interest and in the interests of the environment, Doug Slack. must surely question its own ongoing viability as a service provider to the community—free from Mr ROBERTSON: Unless, of course, you sentimental pronouncements about how long it are Doug Slack. It is clear that the Lord Mayor's has been in existence. comments related to the inadequacy of current legislation and not the Bill currently before the The draft waste management strategy House. To suggest otherwise is dishonest and adopts the guiding principles of avoid, reduce, deceitful and is typical of the quality of the reuse, reprocess, reclaim, treat and dispose; put contributions we have come to expect from simply, a cradle-to-grave approach. These senior Opposition spokespersons. guiding principles, which are echoed continually throughout the waste management strategy, Mr T. B. Sullivan: And he supports what represent a fundamental challenge for all this Government is doing to try to overcome sections of the community, including industry, to those problems. rethink how they go about their business. And Mr ROBERTSON: Indeed. The reference that is where the solutions to the problems to the comments by the Lord Mayor gives me an outlined in the CJC report can, to a large degree, opportunity to speak about Brisbane's waste be found. It is little surprise that, given the disposal services. It is fair to say that in Brisbane Brisbane City Council's commitment to these the means of waste disposal has undergone principles of waste management, the CJC inquiry radical changes over the past five years and, in made positive comments in relation to the particular, during the time of the administration of strategies employed in Brisbane. the Brisbane City Council by Lord Mayor Jim I am proud to say that Brisbane provides an Soorley. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said example to the rest of Queensland, if not for the remainder of Queensland, although some Australia, of how a commitment to waste local authorities have adopted some measures to reduction, avoidance and management can work deal with waste through recycling schemes and with the support and commitment of the the like. community. Waste management had historically However, the same commitment to reducing been one of the major environmental problems the waste stream and the amount of waste in Brisbane. Up to 1991, residents of the city dumped in landfills, and the design and produced more waste than in any other capital operation of secure landfills now operational in city of Australia—on average, 1.6 tonnes of Brisbane is not mirrored in other local authorities. waste per year per person. Over the period from I recently had the opportunity to inspect Pacific 1982 to 1991, the city's waste stream increased Waste Management's landfill site at Rochedale by 50 per cent, even though the population and speak with senior management about their remained static. If the council had allowed this operations. One of the issues that was raised trend to continue, Brisbane would have was the fact that due to Brisbane's size and rating produced 1.57 million tonnes of waste per year base, the ability to finance and operate such a by the year 2010. waste disposal facility is made that much more In 1991, the Soorley administration— easy. Indeed, the draft waste management having been swept to power—set itself a target strategy recognises that the design, of a 50 per cent reduction in waste going to construction and operation of waste collection landfill by the year 2000. To meet this ambitious facilities are costly for all local authorities. This target, the council introduced wide-ranging would appear to be one of the important issues initiatives to recycle waste—not the that must be addressed by Government and local mealy-mouthed bottle-oh system that the authorities if this waste management strategy is Liberals tried—reduce it at its source and reuse it to be successfully introduced. This, of course, is for productive purposes. Some of the initiatives one of the issues that does not receive enough introduced included kerb-side recycling, a public attention in the current debates about composting program, recycling stations, tip local authority amalgamations. Surely, if a local vouchers, public education, including a home authority is unable to resource directly or recycling guide, industrial waste initiatives, indirectly, via contracting out or leasing, a safe, concrete and tyre recycling programs and landfill secure waste disposal system for the gas recycling—to name but a few of the community—a system that provides services programs introduced in Brisbane since 1991. In such as recycling and other waste minimisation less than three years, the amount of waste going strategies; a system that ensures the control of to landfills had been reduced by 23 per cent—a leachates, gas control, visual, noise and air significant achievement which far outstripped 15 November 1994 10234 Legislative Assembly waste reduction rates in all other Australian cities. strategies and integrating them into effective The success of the waste reduction strategy resource management; and ensuring the serves as a model for the rest of Queensland, accountability of environmental strategies are all not necessarily in terms of other local authorities worthwhile. The details of these objectives are copying Brisbane's waste reduction and disposal also worthy and would be supported by, I program but, at the very least, in educating the believe, almost every member in this House, if public and involving the public in the programs. not all. Objectives such as waste management, It is worth placing on record that the draft prevention and minimisation and promoting waste management strategy has not been environmental responsibility smack of some prepared in response to the investigations by common sense. Unfortunately, the Environment the CJC. In fact, the preparation of the strategy Minister has failed to live up to her own Bill's commenced some six months before the CJC objectives and has sold out her responsibility as announced its public inquiry. What this, of the State's chief environmental officer. course, suggests is that this Government had This week, the CJC released its report on already recognised the importance of the issues the improper disposal of liquid waste in south- that were to be the subject of the CJC inquiry east Queensland, and it is a damning indictment and, unlike Opposition members when they of this Government and this Minister. The were in Government, actually did something commission's findings on this Bill cast a shadow about it. over the intent of the Government and raise As a result of the initiatives by this serious questions about whether the Government—an initiative for which both the Department of Environment and Heritage is Minister for the Environment and her department working to fulfil its responsibilities—or first to deserve far more recognition and praise than cover up the political failings of the Labor either the Opposition or the media are prepared Government. The CJC report exposes the to give—Queensland now has comprehensive Environmental Protection Bill as a fraud. Under legislation, a discussion paper and a draft the circumstances, the Labor Government's strategy on waste management that is brave, decision to proceed with this debate is an insult progressive and comprehensive and which has to Queenslanders. Against the costly advice of been well received in the community. I am proud our leading watchdog on crime and corruption, to support this Bill and have no hesitation in Premier Goss and his Labor mates proceed saying so publicly. today with the implementation of laws that are transparently ineffective. Time expired. The CJC makes it absolutely clear that this Mrs SHELDON (Caloundra—Leader of Bill will not fulfil the role for which it was allegedly the Liberal Party) (5.06 p.m.): What a load of commissioned. I say "allegedly", because the twaddle we have just heard from down the back CJC is similarly adamant that the administrators of of the Chamber! From the outset, I would like to waste laws in this State have a clear state that I support—— understanding of the laws and their meaning. Mr ROBERTSON: I rise to a point of Given this knowledge and the task of fixing order. I find that grossly offensive and ask that it current problems, it stretches credibility to be withdrawn. believe that Queensland's senior environmental Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): bureaucrats are so incompetent as to produce Order! The member's point of order is in relation laws that will not work. Years down the track, this to a statement made by the Deputy Leader of the new legislation is no answer. It paves the way for Coalition? the same old dangerous practices, but with a new Bill as window-dressing. Mr ROBERTSON: Yes. I find it grossly offensive and ask that it be withdrawn. To quote the press release of the Criminal Justice Commission, released on 14 Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! There is November— no point of order. The member will resume his seat. ". . . the new system may in fact lead to the development of a slightly more complex Mrs SHELDON: At the outset, I would like charade than that which was necessary to to state that I support the basic environmental avoid the system currently in use." principles of this Bill. In fact, I believe every member of the coalition would support the basic That is a scandal—thousands of hours of hard principles listed in the objects of the Act. The work by public servants, tens or even hundreds principles of establishing the state of the of thousands of taxpayers' dollars spent, and we environment and defining environmental are presented with a Bill guaranteed not to do objectives; developing effective environmental the job! Heads must roll, and the first should be strategies; implementing environmental the head of the Minister. She is the one who Legislative Assembly 10235 15 November 1994 determined the parameters for the new Bill, and dearly. Even a Bill said to protect the after all this time and money she is the one who environment, a laudable concept, must, under a presented the Bill to Cabinet and now presents Labor Government, involve another grab into the the Bill to us and to the people of Queensland. pockets of small businesses in this State. As if There is a hidden agenda at work in this small business has not been hit enough by this proposed legislation, and the Minister for Government, it is hit yet again, and with no Environment and Heritage is controlling it. The consultation. report says that Queensland has shown a For a Government which crows so much reluctance to prosecute environmental breaches about financial responsibility, the question has to and warns that there are serious flaws in the be asked why it has to resort to bleeding small legislative, administrative and regulatory regime business dry every time it looks like it needs a proposed in this Bill. It says that despite an few extra bucks. increased chance of prosecution for If that is not bad enough, we now hear the environmental offences, responsibility for waste Minister has decided that, while business must management will be spread across too many cop these fees in the neck, Government Government departments. Page 120 of the authorities may now gain an exemption from the report states— fees. Queensland Chamber of Commerce and "It is clear that the current intention is Industry General Manager, Clive Bubb, summed for DEH to administer this Act, rather than up the duplicity of this Government by stating— create an independent environmental "If the rules are to be changed for local protection body. Such decisions are policy government on the grounds that some ones for the Government, but it should also councils will find it hard to pay the licence be recognised that the past has not shown fees, Minister Robson should also any adequate regulation of the liquid waste acknowledge that many small businesses disposal industry when it was left to are in the same boat and should be given Government Departments. Such the same concessions." Departments are subject to diverse pressures, particularly when responsibility is Dog kennel owner Keith Kirkpatrick was quoted given to one Department to oversee other in the Courier-Mail as saying— Departments and where there are Ministers "What will I get for my money?" of varying seniority in charge of those In the same article, auto mechanic Archie Harding Departments. It would seem that Mining and stated— Transport are regarded as senior Ministries while Environment and Heritage is "It's just a joke the way these bureaucrats considered a junior Ministry." dream up schemes to take money from honest workers." We must ask ourselves what the Honourable R. H. Matthews, QC, is saying on I notice that the Minister is not terribly interested behalf of the CJC when he writes those words. in the impact of the legislation on small business; He is saying that in this State the enforcement of she has turned her back and walked off. environmental law is subject to interference by The bad news for all the small businesses Ministers. He makes it clear that either the that will be hit by this new fee under Labor is: you Environment Minister is overruled on matters of had better get used to it. The Minister's answer environmental law by her senior colleagues, or to this total failure by her department to do its job chooses to subvert the responsibilities of her is to turn around and whack a tax on small department according to their wishes. The business. Whatever happened to accepting the Government's failure to address the obvious in blame for one's own failures? This Labor its legislation is simple confirmation that for all its Government has made an art form out of pointing lofty rhetoric, Labor learned nothing from the the finger at everyone else while failing to pull its Fitzgerald inquiry when it comes to the own proverbial finger out and do what it was separation of powers. Its lack of compliance with elected to do. its own legislation and political manipulation of This Government hits small business every the public service are well known and growing chance it can get. I do not know how many times I more commonplace every day and every year. am going to have to say this before it starts One thing has remained constant over the getting through the thick heads of those past five years of Labor: almost every Bill opposite, but small business is the lifeblood of presented to this House has meant more taxes, this State. Obviously, the Minister is unaware of fees and charges for Queenslanders. That is that fact; she looks quite perplexed. It is the base because it seems almost every Bill that this upon which this State's economy rests, and it is Government brings in costs Queenslanders the State's greatest employer. It is about time 15 November 1994 10236 Legislative Assembly those opposite pulled their collective heads out The PCBs are in electrical capacitors, weighing a of the sand and realised that they are killing small total of 110 tonnes, and they have sat in a business in Queensland with this never-ending warehouse since 1992. stream of new taxes, fees and charges, and In this House, the Minister has implied that mountains and mountains of red tape. the chemicals are merely waiting for new In fact, Molly Robson has some gall to be technology to be introduced. But in a nearby even sitting there as Environment Minister today. suburb, there is a major chemical treatment After the debacle in her Springwood electorate facility operated by a company that has been where, as Environment Minister, she presided processing PCBs from capacitors in Brisbane for over the Cabinet approval of a toll road which will two years. That facility is fully licensed by the carve a scar through the middle of a koala habitat, Department of Environment and Heritage to it is amazing that she can still call herself the process PCBs and capacitors. Its opening was Minister for the Environment. But, I suppose, attended by the Minister, and its operators what else can a so-called Minister for the estimate that they have processed up to 1 000 Environment do, after all, but propose the tonnes of noxious waste since they first began. construction of new environmentally unfriendly Much of the total was made up of PCBs. The freeways through the middle of koala habitats, Minister for Environment and Heritage was parks and open space farming areas? The ignorant of the facts on this facility and its Minister has no credibility, and her slavish capacity. She misrepresented them both in this devotion to keeping faith with her factional House and, in addition, she implied that the masters to the detriment of her responsibilities as department would act to have the chemicals this State's Environment Minister is well destroyed the moment suitable technology was documented. available. In fact, neither the operator of the Brisbane plant nor another in Perth have been Springwood is not the only area to suffer asked to inspect the Rocklea chemicals or to under this Government when it comes to Molly quote on their destruction. In reality, the Rocklea Robson's environmental mismanagement. My containers are under the control of interstate own area of the Sunshine Coast has also electricity authorities. Sheer laziness on the part suffered from this State Government's of the Minister and her department is the only preference for hot air rather than action. Up to explanation for the continued existence of these three years ago, reports of massive dumping of containers in Queensland. toxic waste, which I brought to the Minister's attention in April 1993, were being ignored by These containers should not be here in the the Government, when even a limited response first place. We cannot allow Brisbane to become would have been sufficient to stop the dumping ground for waste from interstate, environmental disasters such as the poisoning of and yet that is the likely outcome unless the the Maroochy River. It was the Government's Rocklea containers are moved. BCD own Chemical Hazard and Emergency Technologies, which operates the Sumner Park Management Unit that unearthed the dangers plant, is fulfilling an important role dealing with posed by toxic waste dumping three years ago, noxious waste from inside Queensland, but I but its findings were kept secret. believe Queenslanders would have grave concerns about any major expansion. Last year, I raised the fact that 10 million cubic metres of toxic waste was sitting in storage The fear of Queensland becoming a toxic across Queensland, even in my own electorate drain for the whole of Australia and even New at Caloundra and elsewhere on the Sunshine Zealand is well founded. In its report, the CJC Coast. At that time, I accused the Government of expressed its concern that ineffective legislation doing nothing about unscrupulous operators here in Queensland was making us an attractive destination for interstate polluters. That is an dumping toxic waste in streams and rivers. extremely worrying comment. But at the same Instead of admitting the truth, the Government time our Government seems to be actively kept sitting on its hands. As a consequence, we promoting this sort of trade. were left open to potential disasters and serious environmental degradation such as occurred in On 4 November, a press release from the the Maroochy River incident. The whole sorry Australian and New Zealand Environment and saga of this Bill is typical of this incompetent Conservation Council's National Advisory Body Minister. She is all at sea on toxic waste and she announced that a consultative public meeting on is right out of her depth. the disposal of PCBs would be held at the Queensland University of Technology on Out at Rocklea, for example, Queensland is 1 December. That meeting, which will be still stuck with six containers full of deadly PCBs addressed by representatives of BCD from interstate, more than two years after they Technologies, follows endorsement by were off-loaded from a ship en route to France. Legislative Assembly 10237 15 November 1994

Australian and New Zealand Environment cost the Sunshine Coast, and the Maroochy Ministers of plans to develop a strategy to deal River in particular, dearly. with PCBs and other dangerous toxic waste. I For these reasons, I fear for the future of note that this release got no further than one or such fragile ecosystems as the Pumicestone two of the small suburban papers in Brisbane. It Passage in my own electorate of Caloundra. This was not circulated to the major papers or TV vital and sensitive ecosystem must be protected, stations and so the Minister's cover-up policy on yet we have an Environment Minister who is last toxic waste was set to continue. I wonder how in the ministerial pecking order and who has many Queenslanders would agree with our State shown time and time again that she is becoming the toxic drain for the rest of the incompetent. She has failed to protect country. I wonder whether anyone would accept Queensland from massive toxic waste dumping. waste coming here from New Zealand. We are She says that she did not even know it was going unlikely to find out while the Minister continues on, despite the fact that she was told by others to hide her proposals and misrepresent the truth and me. about toxic waste dumping in such a blatant manner. Areas such as the Pumicestone Passage must be protected, and I have no faith in the In conclusion, I would like to touch on how Minister's ability to protect them when she is this Minister's inadequacies have affected the beholden to every other Minister in the Cabinet. standard of living on the Sunshine Coast. In the That is right: everyone from the Minister for last two years there have been two major poison Transport to the Minister for Mines and Energy is spills into the Maroochy River. The CJC report higher up the Premier's pecking order than the shows that Molly Robson and her department Environment Minister, so she has little chance of have been negligent in their failure to deal really protecting the environment when some of properly with toxic waste over the same period. the worst culprits are her own ministerial Had the State Government tackled the problem colleagues. head-on back when it was first notified, or even when I raised it in April last year, the poisoning of While I am speaking about the Sunshine the Maroochy River may have been prevented. Coast and the Environment Minister's lack of The CJC report highlights that the Environment influence in the Cabinet, I must mention the Minister has, for the last two years, refused to act Transport Minister's rejection of the rail spur from on policing the dumping of toxic waste into rivers the hinterland to the coast. This rail spur, apart and streams. The Minister has admitted that her from providing essential public transport links, department still does not know where the poison would also provide a clean and efficient method that infected the Maroochy River came from. of transport—public transport—which would be virtually pollution free. Of course, instead the The CJC also found that the Minister did not short-sighted Minister for Transport has knocked have the inclination to prosecute offenders who back the proposal and the people of the had dumped toxic waste illegally. The Maroochy Sunshine Coast must continue to use cars owing River poisoning may have been prevented had to the total lack of decent public transport on the Molly Robson done her job and fought to protect Sunshine Coast. The lack of the rail spur will lead the environment from illegal toxic waste to the eventual construction of more and more dumping. The Maroochy River, its ecosystem, roads and the destruction of more and more of and the many businesses that rely on the river for the local environment. their survival may have suffered needlessly because of Molly Robson's inaction. One of the The Sunshine Coast also suffers from a lack biggest problems with the clean-up of and of proper sewerage facilities, particularly in areas investigation into the Maroochy River poisoning such as Landsborough. Again, that adds to the was that the Departments of Environment, pollution problems in the region. Currently, I am Primary Industries and Lands all passed the buck looking at the possibility of the location of a on who had responsibility to deal with the treatment plant that will service Landsborough disaster. and Beerwah. There has been a suggestion that, owing to the lack of space, it should go on the Under the Environmental Protection Bill border of Ewen Maddock Dam. However, I think presented to the Parliament today nothing has that that raises grave concerns. I have spoken to changed, with the Environment and Heritage the Minister for Primary Industries about this Department devolving responsibility back to the matter, and he has agreed to swap land if suitable departments and the local authorities. The land can be found so that we may be able to Minister cannot be trusted on protecting the establish a sewerage system somewhere that will environment. Her absolute incompetence, and not even have the possibility of affecting areas her department's lack of action in policing toxic waste dumping in the past five years may have such as the Ewen Maddock Dam. 15 November 1994 10238 Legislative Assembly

I will continue to fight for the protection of In 1992, a Green Paper on the areas such as the Pumicestone Passage and the Environmental Protection Bill was released, while Maroochy River, which are unique in their own the first draft of the Bill was released in 1993. In right, and which have been hung out to dry by March last year, work began on Queensland's Minister Robson. first comprehensive waste management strategy It is a shame that the coalition, as it had which, together with air, water and noise hoped to, cannot support this Bill, but the management strategies, will become Government has no-one to blame but itself and environmental protection polices under the its Environment Minister, who has proved so Environmental Protection Bill. inept, and who has presided over the drafting of These EPPs will have the status of legislation which is so totally inadequate. Not subordinate legislation under the Act, specifying only can the coalition not support this Bill, but if such things as air and water quality standards, the Minister has any credibility to retain, she noise limits and proper practices for managing would resign and hand over her portfolio to wastes. The extensive consultation with someone who might handle it better. industry, local government and the community was, of necessity, time consuming and the total Dr CLARK (Barron River) (5.23 p.m.): I rewrite of legislation after 32 years of National welcome the opportunity to take part in this Party neglect of the environment is not debate today on the Environmental Protection something that can be done overnight. Bill because it represents an historic turning point in environmental management in The stark contrast between the philosophy Queensland. of the Labor Government and that of the National and Liberal Parties on the environment is clearly The legacy of the National Party is plain to evident when we examine the underlying see in the CJC report on illegal dumping of toxic principles of this and other environmental waste. The National Party never had a waste legislation of the Labor Government. management strategy because that would have Fundamental is the principle of ecologically eaten into the profits of its business friends. The sustainable development. That means party that complains about criminals getting a slap protecting the environment while allowing for on the wrist was quite happy to fine development that improves the total quality of life environmental criminals a few hundred dollars for both now and in the future in a way that maintains polluting our air and water—that is if it ever the ecological processes upon which life managed to bring a prosecution case before the depends. Contrast that principle with the court. "development at any cost" guiding philosophy of I believe that the coalition should stand the Nationals in which environment was never condemned for its blatant misrepresentation of more than an afterthought or, should I say, after retired Justice Matthews' report with respect to profits. this legislation. I would also like to add that I am The second principle I want to talk about is personally disappointed by the performance of that of environmental stewardship, which means the Deputy Leader of the Coalition, who resorted looking after the environment for ourselves, our to the most abysmal and disappointing personal families and our friends. It means care of the abuse of the Minister and point scoring. I really environment by all who share it, holding it in trust had hoped that—— for future generations. Contrast this approach Mr Cooper interjected. with that of the Nationals who, for 32 years, let Dr CLARK: I am talking about personal their mates make money out of the environment abuse. I am not getting personal. with no concern about tomorrow or our quality of life. The only sense of responsibility the Mr Cooper: She is not even here to Nationals ever had was to big corporations and defend herself. their profits. They were the only recipients of Dr CLARK: I am referring to her personal National Party caring and sharing. abuse. Some people such as Drew Hutton would Mr Stoneman: In five years you have have the public believe that the legislation we are done nothing. debating today is a direct result of the CJC inquiry. However, Drew Hutton knows only too Dr CLARK: The member does not like it, well that that is not the truth. He knows that it is does he? The Environmental Protection Bill totally false because he has been involved in the enshrines these two principles of ESD and consultations with respect to this legislation that stewardship. For the first time ever in began in 1990 when this Government started Queensland, legislation actually imposes a rewriting all of Queensland's outdated and general environmental duty on all inadequate environmental legislation. Queenslanders that requires them not to carry out any activity that causes or is likely to cause Legislative Assembly 10239 15 November 1994 environmental harm. That is a principle which, I However, the National Party does not yet notice, is not supported by the coalition. seem to understand that people are actually Coupled with this principle is a duty to report any willing to pay for a cleaner environment. Having environmental harm about which people become said that, the Minister has indicated already that aware. Those principles illustrate the nature of the schedule of fees is a draft and that changes the fundamental cultural change which is will be made, if necessary. Negotiations are occurring under Labor, and which is necessary if continuing with local government. the environment is to be managed properly and I have an understanding of small business. I protected. am on the Business Minister's committee. I have If Drew Hutton and the Greens have been a close relationship with small businesses in my fooled into thinking that the Nationals have electorate, and we are going to be making changed, they should spend more time in this sensible, balanced decisions. Under the House listening to the coalition confirm its Nationals, we need to remember that polluting philosophy again and again in debate after companies had a free ride and Queensland was a debate. The principles of ESD and stewardship haven for polluters escaping fees and charges in that underpin this Government's legislation will southern States that were imposed by be abandoned if the Nationals return to responsible Governments. Obviously, nothing Government and it will be business—big has changed in their thinking. business—as usual. The Greens and those who care about the The means of putting this Government's environment should never forget that the principles into practice highlights yet another National Party and the Liberal Party are locked fundamental difference between it and the into delivering to a particular constituency, that is, Nationals. This legislation relies on the principle those who have money and who want to make of polluter pays, that is, those people and more and those who have land and who want to companies polluting our environment should be use it for profit regardless of the cost to the the ones to pay to get it cleaned up and environment. protected. The Nationals have always been The balance that the Labor Government is willing to subsidise big business while we, the intent on achieving between development and community, pay to clean up the mess that they the environment would be destroyed under a left behind. The screams from the coalition coalition Government, which would put members to the proposed licence fees that will developers and big business back into the box help pay for a cleaner environment revealed their seat. The Greens should also remember that this true colours. The coalition has stated Government's cooperative approach to meeting categorically that it is going to oppose licence the legitimate aspirations of Aboriginal people for fees, and the comments from individual involvement in national park management will be members opposite reported in the media show a thing of the past if the Nationals are returned to clearly that, as far as they are concerned, power in Queensland. environmental protection is okay, so long as it does not cost business any money. The stand of The Starcke and Silver Plains properties in the coalition on this legislation might just herald Cape York would never have been bought by the end of the love affair, Mr Slack, between the the Nationals. Under the Nationals, land Greens and the National Party. acquisition that might in any way benefit Aboriginal people or extend the national estate Desiree Mahoney, the State spokesperson will be stopped dead in its tracks—absolutely for the Greens, had this to say in a letter to the dead. Drew Hutton may be interested to know Chronicle in Toowoomba— that the far-north Greens today stated in a letter "The Queensland Greens strongly to the Cairns Post that they will not be directing support the State Government's inclusion in their preferences to the National Party, as he the Environmental Protection Bill of might wish. In Barron River, the Greens will be increased licence fees." appropriately assessing candidates on their Drew Hutton himself has said— policies and/or environmental records. "This Bill is an essential first step in Mr Pitt: Will I get them in Mulgrave? turning around the enormous problem with Dr CLARK: I think that the Greens will be air and water pollution that we have in this directing them appropriately in Mulgrave, too. State. The people of Barron River know my record The only way to ensure that we don't on the environment. I credit Green voters with poison ourselves with our own wastes is for the intelligence to know how to use their polluters to pay for the right to pollute." preferences for the environment. At the last election, I received more than 50 per cent of 15 November 1994 10240 Legislative Assembly those preferences, and I do not see any reason offences and maximum penalties associated why I could not expect the same again. with the new Environmental Protection Bill, 1994: Returning to the issue of prosecuting the S.37 Failure to notify environmental dumpers of waste—is it any wonder that harm—$6000 committed officers were discouraged in their S.39 Level 1 environmentally relevant efforts to prosecute people when the totally activities not licensed—$24000 inadequate National Party legislation made it virtually impossible to succeed in court no matter S.53 Failure to notify disposal by how good the evidence? Notwithstanding that licensee—$3000 situation, we have turned around the past culture S.54 No notice of ceasing to carry out of non-enforcement. In the past year, more than licensed activity—$3000 175 prosecutions were initiated under S.58 Refusal of application for the transfer of conservation and environment laws in licence—Cancellation or suspension of Queensland. Of these prosecutions, 65 have licence been successful and more than 90 are pending. Recently, in the Environment Division, three S.69 Offence to contravene condition of actions were successfully prosecuted, five were licence—$12,000 or imprisonment for 2 set down for hearing and 12 investigations are years under way, including an investigation into the S.71 Failure to carry out Environmental dumping of thousands of litres of oil along roads audit—$6000 on a cane farm in my electorate, which seriously S.72 Failure to carry out Environmental polluted adjacent wetlands and creeks. investigation—$6000 The other factor that discouraged S.94 No annual return for Environmental departmental officers in the past was the Management Program—$6000 disgracefully low fines that were handed out by the courts. The penalties set under National S.95 Non-compliance with program— $99900 Party legislation were never meant to act as a (Wilfully contravene); $50100 (non- deterrent. The latest successful prosecutions wilfully contravene) resulted in fines of a mere $750 and $500 S.97 No notice of disposal by holder of respectively—the cost of a good lunch for some EMP—$3000 (Failure to give written big businesses. No wonder they thumbed their notice for the disposal of place or noses at departmental efforts to call them to business); $3000 (Failure to give written account. notice for the disposal of place or Contrast this with penalties under the business to administering authority) Environmental Protection Bill, which provides for S.98 Failure to notify of ceasing activity by maximum fines of $1.25m for wilful, serious holder of EMP—$3000 pollution by corporations, and $250,000 or five S.107 Power of Court to make order pending years' imprisonment for individuals. What was the decision on application—$180000 or maximum fine for individuals under the National imprisonment for 2 years Party's legislation? A mere $24,000! A total of 61 separate offences are listed in this Bill. These S.111 Offence for non-compliance with offences range from the provision of false, EPO—$120000 or 2 years imprisonment misleading and incomplete documents—and this (Wilfully contravene); $99900 (non- is designed to catch waste companies that falsify wilfully contravene) manifests to hide illegal dumping, as uncovered S.112 Failure to notify of business disposal by the CJC inquiry—failure to carry out with EPO—$3000 (written notice of environmental audits or investigations and failure existence of program); $3000 (written to notify environmental harm right through to notice of disposal to administering wilful, serious pollution. authority) I seek leave to have incorporated in Hansard S.113 Failure to notify of ceasing to carry out a summary of maximum penalties associated with activity—$3000 the Bill as they relate to individuals to S.119 Offences of causing serious demonstrate clearly to members the strength of environmental harm—$249900 or 5 this new legislation. years imprisonment (wilfully and Leave granted. unlawfully); $99900 (unlawfully only) PENALTIES LIST S.120 Offences of causing material The following table sets out the section numbers, environmental harm—$99900 or 2 years imprisonment (wilfully and unlawfully); $50100 (unlawfully) Legislative Assembly 10241 15 November 1994

S.122 Offence of causing environmental S.172 Obstruction of authorised nuisance—$50100 (wilful and unlawful); persons—$6000 $9900 (unlawfully) S.173 Impersonation of authorised S.123 Offences of contravention of person—$3000 environmental protection policies— S.174 Attempts to commit offences—Half the Wilful Contravention: $99900 (class 1 offence penalty environmental offence); $50100 (class 2 environmental offence); $5100 (class S.182 Executive Officers must ensure 3 environmental offence); Non-wilful corporation complies with Act—The Contravention: $50100 (class 1 penalty of an individual that has environmental offence); $5100 (class 2 contravened the provision environmental offence); $3000 (class 3 S.193 Restraint of contraventions of Act environmental offence) etc—$180000 or 2 year imprisonment S.124 Offence of releasing prescribed S.194 Power of Court to make order pending contaminant—$5100 determination of proceedings—$180000 S.125 Offence to place contaminant where S.219 Regulations—$5100 (max) environmental harm or nuisance may be Dr CLARK: Importantly, the Bill extends caused—$5100 criminal liability to include lenders, liquidators and S.126 Offence of interfering with monitoring trustees in addition to corporations and equipment—$5100 employees. But prosecution, cancellation or suspension of licences are not the only means of S.150 Additional powers of police officers on enforcing environmental standards under this later investigation—Seizure of property legislation. Under the Bill, other enforcement S.157 Failure of authorised person to return measures available to an administering authority identity card—$3000 include infringement notices and environmental S.158 Failure to give information to protection orders. administering authority—$3000 Infringement notices are used as an S.159 Failure to comply with signal—$3000 effective means of dealing with those breaches of the Act which, although reasonably common, S.160 Failure to comply with requirements are rarely serious enough to require court action. about vehicles—$3000 (Entry or The kinds of breaches that could be penalised boarding of vehicles); $3000 (General by using infringement notices are littering or powers for places and vehicles) excessive noise. A notice is served because an S.161 Failure to help authorised person: offence apparently has been committed, but emergency—$6000 payment of the fine does not lead to the S.162 Failure to help authorised person: other recording of a criminal conviction. Non-payment cases—$6000 of the fine is not dealt with by way of criminal sanctions but is recoverable as a civil debt, which S.163 Failure to give name and address, etc—$3000 (Powers to require name is appropriate for that type of offence. On the and address); $3000 (Incorrect name other hand, though, if a person does elect to and address) have the matter heard, proceedings are instituted in the criminal jurisdiction of the S.164 Failure to answer questions—$3000 Magistrates Court. S.165 Failure to produce document—$3000 Environmental protection orders—EPOs— S.166 Non-compliance with noise abatement are the administrative equivalent of a court direction—$600 injunction. They are designed to be used where S.167 Offence to interfere with locked etc more cooperative approaches, such as property—$6000 environmental management plans, have failed. An EPO takes two forms. It requires the person S.168 Failure to comply with authorised or corporation issued with the EPO to either person's direction in cease an action or undertake an action. The EPO emergency—$6000 has been developed to allow a fast and effective S.169 Offence in relation to release of response to environmental harm to ensure that contaminant in emergency—$6000 an environmental rather than a legal solution to a S.170 False, misleading or incomplete problem is found. The failure to comply with an documents—$5100 EPO may lead to a maximum penalty of $100,000 for individuals or $500,000 for S.171 False or misleading information—$5100 corporations, so it is unlikely that the provisions will be ignored. 15 November 1994 10242 Legislative Assembly

Once an EPO has been served, the Government are in stark contrast, because the recipient has 30 days in which to appeal to the coalition does not support third-party rights. Planning and Environment Court against the Mr Slack: We did not say that. decision to issue the EPO or the provisions of it. However, importantly, during the time between Dr CLARK: It was made very clear in the the issuing of the EPO and the court hearing, debate that there will be no support for this the EPO stands and must be complied with element from the coalition. The Green Party unless the court orders otherwise. knows what the coalition's feelings on this issue are, given the lobbying that the coalition Where the issue of an EPO would lead to received from the agricultural industry. the closure of a business, we consider that it is preferable that a neutral third party assist in Enforcement requires adequate resources, deciding the issue. In such cases, a court and this is where the so-called "green army" of injunction can be used. Under the new more than 170 new environment police comes legislation, with the provision for industry- into play. An Australia-wide recruitment drive will initiated environmental management programs, be launched later this month to attract applicants breaches of licence conditions will be treated for 114 new permanent positions this financial most seriously. Breaches can lead to the year, with 60 more in 1995-96. Of these, 142 will cancellation of a licence, the prosecution of the be employed to implement this legislation and offender, the issuing of an environmental will be responsible for prosecuting polluters and protection order or, for more minor offences, the issuing on-the-spot fines, show-cause notices, issuing of an infringement notice. injunctions to cease activities and removal orders. Cancelling or suspending a licence is potentially the strongest penalty that an However, enforcement is not their only task. administering authority can invoke, as the The engagement of new environmental staff will penalty may have the effect of closing the also enable the finalisation of air, water, noise licensee's operations. Therefore, the and waste policies and industry guidelines; allow administering authority will take this step only development of a comprehensive Statewide when serious environmental harm has arisen licensing database; the provision of an advisory from the breach of the licence condition, or when service to local government, industry and the continual lower level breaches causing community; improved after-hours complaint environmental harm have occurred, despite investigation services; and compliance having been previously issued with infringement monitoring of all licence holders. The remaining notices. 32 officers will be appointed to implement the new waste management strategy. I am pleased to In the interests of natural justice, licensees note that some 72 per cent of staff will be based may still seek to have the decision reviewed by a outside Brisbane in the regions. The far-north court if they believe they have grounds for region will get a boost of 13 new officers. appeal. I consider that to be a very fair approach for businesses. A vitally important part of the I would like to take this opportunity to enforcement provisions of this Bill is the commend the work of Lindsay Delzoppo, the inclusion of third party or public rights to appeal senior officer within the Environment Division, against the issuing of new licences or the and his team in Cairns, whose professionalism amending of licences that would result in and dedication to a cleaner environment is increased pollution, or appeal against the unparalleled. approval of an environmental management Mr Stoneman interjected. program that would take longer than three years Dr CLARK: As the member opposite to reach compliance. knows, unlike him, I do not need anyone else to Injunctive rights are also provided, so that a write my speeches. I know how much the work of third party can apply for a court order which these officers will be enhanced with the addition requires a person to do something or not to do of more staff, and I look forward to seeing the something. This will have the same effect as an results of their efforts. environmental protection order. The inclusion of Concern has been raised by retired Justice third-party rights in this legislation meets an Matthews and members opposite about the election promise to the environment movement devolution of power to local authorities. In the and adds to those rights already available to the time remaining to me, I would like to mention that third party under the Local Government matter briefly. I find Mr Matthews' comments on (Planning and Environment) Act, which have the role of local government to be quite been used successfully. I note that this is contradictory. On the one hand, he seems to another area where the coalition and the support the centralisation of all power with one independent body, the so-called EPA, yet he Legislative Assembly 10243 15 November 1994 also recognises the vital role that local authorities Mr COOPER (Crows Nest) (5.43 p.m.): I must play. He says on page 121 of his report— want to respond to the last words of the member "I see a benefit in ensuring that Local for Barron River. She claimed that this Authorities are included in the system of Government has the will to prosecute all people control to ensure that they play a part in who breach environmental laws, yet that is the eliminating fraudulent practices by basis of retired Justice Matthews' criticism. He generators or transporters. This is best stated in his report that this Government has not shown at the moment by the BCC testing had the will to implement the existing legislation, material and classifying it on reception at so why on earth would it implement this Willawong." legislation? Mr Matthews stated further that this legislation is far too complex, that it is unworkable That is exactly the type of role that our waste and that it fails completely to improve the existing management strategy proposes for local system, which the Government has failed to government, and it will be resourced and enforce in any event. supported to carry out that role. The Government will not fool anyone with I personally believe that activities with a local this legislation. It is yet another example of the environmental impact are best dealt with by local usual rhetoric and public relations exercise in authorities themselves within the framework of which this Government engages. In the opinion the Bill rather than some remote, centralised of the coalition, this Government is not serious bureaucratic body in Brisbane. The Nationals will about protecting the environment. This never support an independent environmental legislation is another example of the usual protection authority, despite the urgings of the rhetoric that we hear on so many issues, be it law Green Party and Drew Hutton, because they and order, health, education or Government know that local authorities will never wear it. In services. Now we are seeing more of the same today's Courier-Mail, Greg Hallam, the Executive with the environment, which is a very important Director of the Local Government Association, issue to the people of this State and one to said that the EPA is not required and that it will which this Government pays mere lip-service. simply create another group of unanswerable This Government is simply not fair dinkum. Mr bureaucrats costing more money. I do not Matthews saw clean through this Government. believe that an EPA is needed, because this He said it like it is. That is the basis of our legislation gives departmental officers all the opposition to this legislation. powers and resources they need to introduce a comprehensive management regime for Every coalition member and every person in Queensland. my electorate considers the environment to be an extremely important issue, and so it should The final paragraph of retired Justice be. If this Government is to be fair dinkum and Matthews' report states— really show that it cares about the "In order to prevent wholesale environment—whether it be the issue of land dumping of liquid waste there must be well care, soil conservation, clean air, clean water or drafted laws, sufficient resources, a co- the environment generally—let us see some firm ordinated approach to management of the action. This Government has had five years in problem and, above all, the will to take action which to take some positive action, but its record in protection of the long term public is absolutely abysmal. We are sick and tired of interest." this Government's lack of action. We are sick and That sums up precisely the view of the tired of the talk and the rhetoric. Government. We have a well-drafted law that we Unfortunately, when it comes to explaining are debating here today. It is properly resourced the intent of this Bill and when a little bit of with $6m annually and 175 new staff. A criticism is expressed—as will be expressed in coordinated approach to management will finally relation to any legislation—the Minister ducks for be possible when we replace the five piecemeal, cover and says, "It is only a draft; don't worry uncoordinated Acts inherited by this about it." The Minister was saying that the Government with the Environmental Protection legislation was only a draft right up until the time Act and environmental protection regulations. that it hit the Parliament. The Minister cannot Finally, we have the will to take action against dodge criticism; she cannot duck for cover just polluters—something the National Party never because she is confronted with some criticism of had and never will have. the legislation. The Minister is supposed to I congratulate the Minister and her staff on all explain the legislation and ensure that the of the work that has gone into this fine piece of people are aware of the impact that it will have. legislation. I support the Bill. Of course, this legislation will have a massive impact. On the basis of cost alone, this legislation 15 November 1994 10244 Legislative Assembly must have a massive impact, especially on small right, it would not need a fraction of the money businesses, the rural community and local that it currently requires to implement its policies councils, which means ratepayers—all of those effectively. people who have copped an horrific belting over I want to outline some of the costs that the last five to 10 years through shocking councils in my electorate have estimated they will drought and recession. The imposition of yet face under this legislation. Local councils will another massive burden on those people will bear the brunt of the fees imposed under this result in the loss of many jobs and the legislation, not to mention small businesses and destruction of many businesses. The rural primary producers. Under this legislation, Government is approaching this issue in the one will have to pay $550 for the privilege of wrong manner. I believe that all members are being classed as a commercial primary producer. aware of the need to protect our environment, It seems to me to be incredible to be lumping but this Government has been exposed for what those sorts of imposts on people who have it is. Hopefully, the Government will learn from faced such horrors in recent times. On its this legislation. If legislation such as this is to be estimates, the Council of the Shire of Esk will be implemented, it must be equitable across-the- up for almost $68,000 under this legislation. board. The Rosalie Shire Council will be up for My own electorate council discussed this $86,100. That includes a proposed annual legislation in Oakey on Saturday. It certainly licence fee of $700 for the screening and supports the preservation of the environment, as crushing of road building material. Of course, that most other people do. However, the council fee will be due every year. On 1 January next cannot support this Bill in its current form. It year when these imposts start to hit around the believes that the legislation is grossly unfair. The countryside, the Government will realise what a council is opposing it on the basis of cost and huge mistake it has made. The proposed annual affordability. The council is acutely aware of the licence fee for the council workshop is $500; the inequitable impact of the massive penalties that proposed fee for six water supplies is $9,500, have been so gleefully outlined by the member and so the list goes on. Even if the fees remain at for Barron River. that level, the council will have to increase its Every person in this State derives benefit general rates by 7 per cent. Any increase in rates from the improvement and the protection of our next financial year will impact severely on the environment. However, the cost of such primary producers of that shire, who have had protection must be shared equally by all rather little or no income for the last four years. than falling upon a few, especially those—— It is all very well for Government members to Mr Stoneman: It's balance, isn't it? rattle off all the fees and penalties that will be Mr COOPER: There has to be a balance; imposed under this legislation, but the poor there has to be equity across-the-board. Every beggars out there definitely cannot afford such man, woman and child, every dog, cat and pet imposts. This Government does not realise what and everything that breathes the air of this State it is doing; it does not realise the impact that this derives benefit from environmental protection. legislation will have. This Government will merely Therefore, every person must contribute. But it add to the hardship that it has created. The is unfair that some should have to contribute in Rosalie Shire Council states— such a massively expensive manner. "It is incomprehensible to us that any Some very useful educational programs on Government would consider introducing a the environment that have been run through Bill which is going to have a substantial schools and other places have directed the financial impact on business and Local attention of people to the importance of looking Government at a time when unemployment after the environment. We do not disagree with figures are alarmingly high and the that philosophy in any way, shape or form. devastating effects of the long drought However, this legislation represents a not-so- could put our fragile economy back into subtle confidence trick on the people that I am recession." certain will boomerang on the Minister and all of The Government should think hard. This is what her so-called supporters. This legislation is a it is doing. The Crows Nest Shire Council glaring example of deceit and deception that has estimates that it will cost $64,360 for the shire resulted in what really is a green tax. It is certainly alone—that does not include all small a grab for money by a very greedy and voracious businesses, rural enterprises and every other Government. This Government cannot control its enterprise in the shires across the State. The own spending, and more often than not it fees for small business in drought-affected areas allocates money to the wrong priorities. If the will also be a severe impost on these struggling Government were to get its spending priorities small businesses, yet the Government blindly Legislative Assembly 10245 15 November 1994 goes ahead. Jondaryan Shire estimates that it will "Reaction reaching the LGA and cost $27,270. As a matter of interest, the Mayor opposition from councils around the State of Jondaryan Shire, Councillor Peter Taylor, is and small business indicates it could cause a also the chairman of EDROC, the Eastern Downs bigger stink than those created over the Regional Organisation of Councils, which performance dividend and the involves nine shires. That organisation has also Government's ill-fated rail cuts." written to the Minister—a bit late, I guess—to I hope that the Government does not forget express its outrage over proposals for those. It should not forget the performance environmental taxes and the so-called green dividend that nearly brought it unstuck. Do police. Government members remember that Bill Mr Stoneman: Mr Cooper, do you think Ludwig—their mate—had to come in and tell they were consulted at all? them where to get off? Where is Bill now? I wish Mr COOPER: No, to this Government the he was around to come and bash some sense word "consultation" means to inform and into the Government again, because this is proceed regardless. That is exactly what this mob another example of the Government crucifying does. That is what this Government calls the people, just as it did with its ill-thought-out "consultation." I do not think people will be attempts to cut Queensland Rail. fooled by it any longer. An article in the The Government does remember that Toowoomba Chronicle states— mistake. It remembers the endless plethora of ". . . (EDROC) meeting directed chairman Cr mistakes that it has made, where it has had to Peter Taylor to draft a strongly worded letter back off and back off. The only reason this condemning the proposals in the mistake has not yet come to light is because the Environmental Protection Bill and calling for Government has used so much deceit and so much deception. It has tried to fool the people a rethink. again. Fortunately, however, it will not fool the Cr Taylor said the schedule of charges people all of the time. Once this starts to bite and amounted to millions of dollars of new taxes once the message gets out in the public—once in the region. this legislation has been rammed through on the While EDROC agreed polluters had to force of the Government's numbers—is when correct problems and pay for damage the Government will find out. The weeks and caused, the wider community should not be months ahead will be when the Government caught in the net. sees what an enormous mistake it has made. 'The formation of the new bureaucracy Again, it is a question of the Government in Queensland now known as the going about things the wrong way. It seems to environmental police is not an efficient and think that it has a monopoly on some of these just way to undertake pollution control,' Cr issues. It seems to think that it can tell people Taylor said. exactly what to do. It likes to ram legislation down people's necks. That does not work; it will always The impact of these charges upon the come back and catch up with the Government, business community and industry as well as whose members should not forget that the local government and finally the ratepayers people will have their say at the ballot box next and taxpayers of Queensland will be year and, gee, I look forward to that. insurmountable for many. This legislation could cost local government 'The additional charges . . . will mean alone anything up to $20m in the first year, and some businesses will go out of production.' that does not include those costs incurred as far Mr Taylor said in difficult times, as well as small business, etc., is concerned. as the worst drought on record, Downs The conclusion of the LGA's report states— communities could not pay the cost." "The Local Government Association of I wish to refer to another article about the Queensland still has major concerns over Local Government Association in the Cairns Post the potential impact the legislation will have of 7 November . I hope that the member for on Queensland's Local Governments." Barron River is taking note of this. This comes These are the sorts of matters that the straight from her own backyard. It says that the Government did not take into account in its Local Government Association sees red on the so-called consultation process. Obviously, the new green levy. The imposts will start to hit on 1 Local Government Association is not happy with January. I do not know when the election will be, the level of consultation. but this is going to be hot on the Government's tail all the way up to and during the election. That Mr Stoneman: What about the impact article states— 15 November 1994 10246 Legislative Assembly study they did on rural communities? They Doug McIver, said that his council alone faced couldn't have done it again this time either. fees of more than $25,000. The list goes on. Mr COOPER: The Government has not There is a $200 approval fee for saleyards and a done it on this legislation, because rural $1,580 annual fee for domestic water supply and communities are only just starting to realise what treatment works. The list continues. There is also impact it will have. In answer to the interjection a $7,920 fee for the operation of sewerage from the member for Burdekin—there are so treatment works. So members whose electorates many people out there who do not know the contain a few of those things will know what to tell costs and imposts this legislation will bring. I their constituents the fees will be. thank the member for Barron River for all the If a primary producer on a property wanted, documentation she has tabled. The Opposition with his own machine, his own plant, his own time will provide that information to constituents in our and his own costs, to construct a 5 000 cubic electorates and let them know what this metre dam to conserve his own water he would Government will do to them, because those have to give the Government $200 for the people do not know yet what will happen. pleasure of doing that. I am not kidding. There is As I said, the Local Government Association also a $200 annual fee on a shooting range, for in particular is concerned with the resourcing heaven's sake. implications, the liability and compensation This is nothing but a massive grab for provisions contained in the Bill. The report's money, it is a massive tax grab. The tragedy of it conclusion goes on to say— all is that it is under the guise of doing something "Unfortunately this means that the for the environment. However, it is going to have Local Government Association of the reverse effect on the environment. Some of Queensland is unable to endorse the Bill these shires, once they receive the bills for until these matters are resolved." rubbish dumps, etc., will actually close down some rubbish dumps and cause even greater The Government made no effort to resolve these pollution because they simply will not be able to matters prior to coming in here and ramming this afford what this Government is charging them. legislation through. That is the stupidity of it. The consultation level has not been adequate. This The Mayor of Redcliffe, Councillor Barry legislation, which is path finding and certainly all- Bolton, slammed the State Government's new embracing, is certainly going to affect every environmental tax and said that Brisbane person in this State one way or the other, yet the Councillor David Hinchliffe misrepresented the level of consultation has been abysmal. The feeling of local councils toward the new tax. He conclusion of the Local Government Association said that the first he knew about the tax—this is report goes on to say— so much for consultation—was what he read in the Courier-Mail on Wednesday, 2 November. "This Association does, however, He also said that he fully supports the stance of remain committed to the management of the Local Government Association. He said— Queensland's environment in a spirit of partnership and cooperation with the State "The Council's official position has not Government." been defined because until this time it has had no knowledge of the proposed tax." Of course, all of us have those very laudable wishes and we will continue to have them. This is going back 10 days ago. That is how crazy However, we would like to see things done in the it is to ram this legislation through in such a way. right way. Mayor Bolton goes on to say— Bundaberg City—the member for "I will be fighting this new tax on Bundaberg is not in the Chamber— Burnett— businesses and local Councils all the way. I the member for Burnett is in the Chamber— am totally disgusted by the proposition Gayndah, Mundubbera, Monto, Eidsvold, Kolan, which is yet another imposition by the State Isis, Miriam Vale and Perry have all had recent Government on Local Authorities." discussions on this matter and all of these local So the Government has done it again. It has the authorities have been given the roles of councils all stirred up. The councils hated the licensing those industries and so on. They are Government's guts from the time it tried to the ones that will have to licence all of these impose other taxes on them earlier this year, as people, including local food processors, well as attempting to tear up all their railway lines. mechanical and electrical workshops, service The councils are not impressed that the stations and land developments. Licence fees Government has done it again. have been set by the Department of Some other charges imposed under the Bill Environment and Heritage at $200 and upwards. will be $2 800 for the collection of rubbish—and The Mayor of the Mundubbera Shire, Councillor that is just for the service—and then another Legislative Assembly 10247 15 November 1994

$350 for each vehicle used in the collection of converts to the environmental cause on the garbage. There will also be a $4,750 fee for each Opposition benches. tip that a council operates. As I said before, with Mr SPRINGBORG: I rise to a point of tips costing this much money, councils will have order. Mr Deputy Speaker, I draw your attention to close down some tips because they will not be to the State of the House. able to afford them. That then leads to an increased pollution problem. That is the way it is Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Palaszczuk): going to be. Order! There is a quorum. Because of the massive costs being Mr ARDILL: As I said, I am pleased to see imposed, people will be encouraged to dump the new-found converts to the environmental indiscriminately. This Government is not cause on the Opposition benches. I wish I could encouraging people to look after the confidently expect their worthwhile support of environment. It has gone the other way. It has the environment and sustainable development. taken the other track—and it is the worst track to No-one will hold his or her breath waiting. For the take—of soaking the money out of people as Liberal and National Parties to change their much as possible and to hell with what it is trying position where they will support these issues to achieve in the long term, that is, looking after rather than play politics with them will be a long the environment. That is where we stand. The time coming. Opposition stands very strongly together with Unlike the Liberals and Nationals, I support the people of this State. As to all the schoolkids Drew Hutton's contention, outlined on page 113 who really want to genuinely look after the of Mr Matthews' report, that the full environment—we know darned well that this environmental cost of products which have Government is more interested in soaking them hazardous waste as a by-product must be and taking money from them. factored into the market price of these goods. Do Sitting suspended from 6.01 to 7.30 p.m. members opposite—or the few who are Mr ARDILL (Archerfield) (7.30 p.m.): This there—agree with me? I am waiting to hear from Bill will usher in a new era in protection of the them. Do they support Drew Hutton's contention environment in Queensland. It will bring to a that the full environmental cost of products which close the Bjelke-Petersen era of uncontrolled have hazardous waste as a by-product must be development which began with the philosophy factored into the market price of those goods? of the bulldozer and the ball and chain and had Does the Opposition support that? I do, and I its roots in the hellish factories and sweatshops make no bones about it. of the industrial revolution. The criticism of this It requires quite a deal of effrontery for the Bill by Opposition members, such as the member Leader and Deputy Leader of the Coalition to for Crows Nest, that it will not work and/or is not rise up in righteous wrath in this House to criticise needed because the Government is not the first Minister who has been willing and able to enforcing the present legislation, merely tackle the brown environmental issues at an indicates their ignorance and previous lack of Executive level. The Minister deserves support interest in environmental protection. Without this for what she has done and is doing. That is no Bill we cannot have a proper system for criticism of Pat Comben, whose name will be protection of the environment. remembered for centuries for what he achieved The problems exposed by the Honourable in three years in Government—and umpteen in Harry Matthews, QC, far from nullifying the Bill, Opposition—for the green environment in clearly point to the need for this legislation. Queensland and for setting up from a vacuum Unless the provisions are put in place, there is no the structure on which Molly Robson can build. way that the proper disposal of waste can be Prior to Pat Comben, we had a series of controlled and can ensue. Unless the quantity of disastrous Ministers of the ilk of Martin Tenni, material being generated and created in Geoff Muntz, Brian Austin—— industrial concerns can be established and Mr Bredhauer: Bob Borbidge, Tony identified, there is no way that proper disposal Elliott. methods can be enforced on unwilling Mr ARDILL: Yes, Bob Borbidge. I am not transporters. That is the message of the Matthews report, but this Bill predates that report quite sure about the member for Beaudesert. and, in fact, is mentioned in the report. Let me tell members about Martin Tenni. I hope that the member for Callide is listening I have been a member of the practical somewhere to this speech. She mentioned environmental movement for 30 years since powerhouses earlier today. 1964, so I have seen the activity and lack of In the time of Martin Tenni in the activity that has brought about the need for this environmental chair, the National Party decided Bill. Still, I am pleased to see the new-found 15 November 1994 10248 Legislative Assembly to build a powerhouse in provincial Queensland, treatment in February 1992 from the Health but it did not want to have to conform to what Department. Since that time, discussion and were then the normal pollution standards drafting has taken place. Many matters had to be imposed on industry. The QEC—the electricity investigated and considered for the first time. authority—asked for a 50 per cent lower standard The Bill is not just about disposal of waste; it than what was generally imposed and what was in is about limiting the generation of waste. It brings the regulations. The Air Pollution Council of the together air pollution, noise pollution, water day would agree to a 25 per cent reduction pollution and various other controls, which will despite the misgivings of some members of that look after the environment of our time and the council, and argument ensued. It went back and centuries to come. It looks at the industries forth between the Air Pollution Council, which creating the waste, the transporters, the was staffed by very good officers at that time, the treatment, disposal and reuse and regeneration QEC and the Minister. The Minister eventually of waste materials and land which has to be overruled the committee—the Air Pollution detoxified. I know quite a bit about land which Council—and the QEC and set the figure at 75 has to be detoxified, having the Willawong waste per cent, or at twice the level of pollution which treatment plant in my electorate and being on the the QEC had asked for. That was the ilk of Gurulmundi committee. It certainly exercises my National Party members who became Ministers in this House. thoughts. Then there was Brian Austin, whose The Bill before us involved considerable knowledge of the environment extended to consultation during 1993 and went before the during what season not to eat zucchinis, and little Minister's committee in December 1993. About else—and thereby hangs another tale. There 150 public submissions were received and I have was Rob Borbidge—the "Paradise kid"—whose the document that was put out at that particular three months in the job produced absolutely time inviting public consultation. nothing, just as his period as Minister for Industry Mr J. H. Sullivan: They even travelled to produced nothing except a few extra panel Mount Isa to talk to people, didn't they? beaters in the State. Mr ARDILL: They went all over the place. Mr Lingard: Come on, Len. You still drive Approximately 150 public submissions were that old Holden. received and considered by the department, Mr ARDILL: That is right. There was also with about one-third of those coming from Geoff Muntz, whose perambulations to Rio, or industry. So it is futile for members opposite to somewhere else in Brazil—I cannot remember claim that no consultation took place with the exactly where—to oppose the heritage listing in people who are going to be placed under the Queensland probably put Queensland on the controls. It was made clear that licensing would world stage in a manner that no-one would envy. be at a cost. That cost has to be covered from Geoff Muntz supported development of those generating waste products and from fines commercial activities in national parks and on those who do not conform. The public expect brought the Liberals, under their last legitimate no less; they expect this Government to act to leader, Angus Innes, on the last sitting day reduce pollution problems and to discourage before Christmas 1988, into temporary alliance polluters. with the Labor Party to oppose and oppose and The Opposition is saying the same, but they oppose that particular Bill all day. Yet with all are trying to delay the Bill. We see a dichotomy. those famous names in their background, We can only suspect that their motives are to members opposite stand up in this Chamber and curry favour with both sides—the criticise our Minister and even ask for her environmentalists by criticising the time taken resignation. What a joke! They should just think and the unscrupulous industrialist by stopping or back on some of the people that they threw up in delaying the Bill. They will not succeed in either this Chamber. tack. Mr J. H. Sullivan: "Threw up" being Mr MITCHELL (Charters Towers) close to the truth. (7.42 p.m.): I must say that I am grateful for the Mr ARDILL: I think it is very appropriate. All opportunity to rise and tackle one of the most the talk of withdrawing the Bill because the damaging and ill-conceived Bills to be introduced Matthews report is opposed to it is the greatest in this House during my time in Parliament. As an amount of hot air generated in this Chamber Environmental Protection Bill it would be since the days of the unlamented Minister presumed that the intention of such legislation Muntz. This Bill has been a long time in the would obviously be to protect the environment. pipeline. The Department of Environment and The conclusions of builders, meatworkers, Heritage took over supervision of waste sportsmen and women, farmers, fishermen, Legislative Assembly 10249 15 November 1994 miners, food manufacturers, craftsmen and which is Wednesday, but I feel it is far too late women, mechanics, stonemasons, stockfeed considering that the Government is trying to rush producers, tyre manufacturers and dealers, the Bill through today. timber millers, painters, printers, chemical coal The State Government believes there is a and petroleum operations, utility providers, ship price to pay for a cleaner environment. The and boat builders, funeral directors, vets, pet problem is that the ultimate price that rural shop owners, hospital administrators, business and councils will be forced to pay will be recreational groups, community groups, and their future. The Government's idea of a cleaner local councils, to name just a few, are that the environment is to clean out country Queensland effect of the Bill will be quite the opposite. Their business and local councils. I suppose members concern is directed at the intention of the opposite think that it makes sense that the fewer Government to impose green taxes on businesses there are the less waste commercial and community operations that it management is required. It seems to be heading believes may have an adverse effect on the that way out in the rural communities. Every environment. How scaling fish is detrimental to piece of legislation we get before this House the environment is beyond me, or why indoor seems to impose cost upon cost for a lot of our cricket clubs have to be hit with a tax because of small businesses and local councils. some supposed environmental impact is, apparently, clear only to members opposite. The Bill, with its poorly hidden intention to tax and its limp approach to environmental If the Government persists with the protection, is fundamentally flawed. The Minister regulations in the Schedule of this Bill it will crush admitted on radio last week that the reason many businesses and councils, lessening the Queensland was having to impose massive number of operations they could tax and charges was because every other State did so. effectively counteracting their desperate tax grab Well, that is really great, but, as the journalist and doing nothing to deter environmental interviewing her pointed out, Queensland hazards. should not follow blindly the rest of Australia with Waste management has been a great the "Johnny does it, so why can't I?" mentality. concern to metropolitan and rural Queensland Every bit of legislation that comes up in this inflamed by the ruthless and misdirected aims of House seems to be introduced because New the Goss Government. This compelling South Wales or Victoria has done it and we have environmental issue has been distorted by a to go ahead and do it. By all estimations, the Labor Government hell-bent on filling Treasury Government's track record for original thoughts coffers with the proceeds of indirect taxation, on environment policy has been anything but such as the green taxes being proposed here. overwhelming over the years. The withdrawal of the Bill would have been the If local councils in my electorate are taxed on first step toward a sincere attempt to tackle some waste management services and community serious environmental concerns. As obligations at an estimated average rate of Commissioner Matthews, on handing down the $30,000 per year, then they are not going to be results of the report into waste management able to absorb such a tax burden. It will have to yesterday points out, to persist with the Bill be passed on to the individual ratepayer. Once would only add to the charade. It is not news to again, it is the taxpayer who pays, be it a anyone in this House that regional Queensland business person ratepayer, or a business person is struggling with the present level of and a ratepayer in which case he or she can Government imposts, taxes, charges, levies, expect to pay more than one green tax that starts and/or fees on top of the ever-present problems at $200 and could exceed $15,000. of drought and isolation. An honourable member: How much is However, it was news to them last week that per ratepayer? when the Minister said that the Bill was only a draft and that further consultation would be Mr MITCHELL: It works out to an extra needed with rural groups. This Bill is by no $60 to $100 for most of my electorate per means a draft, of course, as it was introduced into ratepayer per year. the House two months ago in order to enable it The Bill should reflect a solid, fair and to be forced through this week. On top of that, knowledgeable approach to environmental further consultation is a farce. After three years of protection, but the Minister admitted that the supposed consultation, the Government finds user-pays principle behind taxing businesses that it still does not think that it has finished. and councils would not be to deter Meanwhile, the Cattlemen's Union and the local environmentally unfriendly practices but to councils are wondering when the consultation simply sift money from business activity and will start. The Minister mentioned that she would ultimately individuals who may or may not have meetings with local authorities tomorrow, adversely affect the environment. This two bob 15 November 1994 10250 Legislative Assembly each way approach is pitiful. The Government was like when he was in Government. I see that would reap the windfall of the tax, introduce a Bill he has had a hair cut; it should have been a little that disguises that fact, and, last and least, hope lower. that somewhere along the line, somehow, this Let us look closely at the three areas by Bill just might do something for the environment. which one judges how serious a Government is Mr BEATTIE (Brisbane Central) about the environment. Let us look at (7.48 p.m.): I rise tonight to support the prosecutions for breaches of the provisions of Environmental Protection Bill 1994, in particular the Clean Air Act, Clean Waters Act and Noise Part 4, which provides for special environmental Abatement Act. They are three fairly clear protection provisions for certain noise. In doing indicators of how serious a Government is about so, let me say that in my electorate of Brisbane the environment. Let us talk about clean air and Central noise is a quality-of-life issue. I receive look at the track record of the National Party. regular complaints about noise from hotels, Over a period of 26 years, that is, between 1963 private dwellings, industrial sites—a whole range and 1989, how many successful prosecutions of areas. do members think took place under the National I am delighted with the provisions in Part 4 Party? Mr Deputy Speaker, I will tell you because I and other clauses of the Bill that I believe are can see that you are keenly interested: there long overdue—and I congratulate the Minister for were seven successful prosecutions by the their introduction—including the devolution of National Party and the Liberal Party in powers to local government, which, again, is long Government between 1963 and 1989—a total of overdue. The buck has been passed from local 26 years. If that is not pathetic, I do not know government to the State Government on noise what is. issues over a long period. My constituents are Mr J. H. Sullivan interjected. sick of it and I am sick of it. I am delighted to note Mr BEATTIE: It is pretty pathetic, that is that this Bill provides in a very clear way for the right. But let me finish. On top of that appalling devolution of powers to local government. track record, let me refer to the fines. Here is a Twenty areas are covered by those provisions whopper—$50; here is an exciting one—$50 and I will come back to them a little later. I think plus $22 court costs; here is a really big they are very sound provisions. one—$500. But that is not all. Let us look at the I will start my substantive contribution by level of interference by the National Party looking at the track record of the National Party. Ministry. That gives a real indication of what was One really has to have a sense of humour in happening. I will refer to a particular case. A politics. To come in here and hear the National complaint was served on a certain Party talking about being greener than company—and it is a little time ago, 1983, so I will green—— not mention the company now because it is Mr J. H. Sullivan: That's not a sense of history—for an alleged breach of section 26, that humour; it's a sense of the ridiculous. is, failure to comply with the prescribed standards. The matter went before the Tully Mr BEATTIE: It is a sense of the ridiculous Magistrates Court on 23 February 1983, but was indeed. They are suddenly passionate greenies. later withdrawn. Those tear-'em-down, rip-it-out, kick-it-to-death people are suddenly passionate greenies. When Mr Bredhauer: I'm glad you didn't tell us did they become passionate greenies? When whose case it was. they went into Opposition. That is when they Mr BEATTIE: I did not mention the name became concerned about the environment. only for the benefit of the member. It was later They became concerned about the environment withdrawn by the Minister, Mr Hewitt. when they lost the last election. That is when Mr J. H. Sullivan: Isn't that interfering in they became concerned about the environment. the court? They will lose their interest in the environment in the year 2090 because, by then, they will have a Mr BEATTIE: I take that interjection. The likelihood of winning an election. That is when Government had an opportunity, but what did it they will lose their interest again. do? It interfered. When there was a legitimate opportunity for prosecution, the Government Mr Elliott interjected. interfered and the matter was withdrawn. Mr BEATTIE: The member could not tell But that is not all. In 1988, a certain company me anything. Let me have a look at their track was charged with failure to comply with an Order record. Let us look at three areas. in Council prohibiting the use of fuel oil Mr Elliott interjected. containing more than 0.02 per cent lead. The Mr BEATTIE: The member can get complaint was issued. The Air Pollution Council excited, but let us look at the details of what it then reconsidered the matter and resolved that Legislative Assembly 10251 15 November 1994 the complaint should be withdrawn. The Minister, "Caring about the environment has Mr Muntz, approved the withdrawal, which been taken over by radical, vocal minority occurred on 5 December 1988. So what do we groups tagging themselves as have here? Not only do we have a lack of conservationists. These groups became prosecutions, but also when the stage was dictatorial once they established their reached at which there was an opportunity to influence, using blocks of votes to scare prosecute, the previous Government interfered. weak-kneed politicians into halting large- Mr Ardill: How do you think the officers scale development projects, wasting felt? thousands of potential jobs. Not only have these groups misused political muscle, they Mr BEATTIE: I take that interjection. How do not represent the interests of the would members feel if they were legitimate, majority of our community, no matter how concerned, honest and hard-working employees noble they claim their intentions are." of the department? They would feel pretty unhappy. They would be disillusioned and I have to say that if that is a policy, I will walk depressed, because they would know that even to Bourke in my you-know-what's. That is the if they did their job properly, there would be attitude that the Liberals have to environmental political interference to stop the prosecution issues. Indeed, we get these sorts of stupid going its full course. comments such as Mr Borbidge's in Parliament in 1989 when he said that he supported logging on Let me move on. I have dealt with only one Fraser Island; he could not understand why aspect, that of clean air. Let me move on to clean Fraser Island was not logged. We had comments water, which is another important issue. Between by Mark Stoneman—an intellectual giant of this 1971 and 1989—a total of 18 years—there were Parliament—who attacked Janet Holmes a Court no successful prosecutions by the previous over the sale of the 470 000 hectare Diamantina Government under the Clean Waters Act; not Lakes cattle station in western Queensland for one. It did not even get hot. It did not even get national park. According to Mr Stoneman, it was warm. It did not even get into a trot. almost a criminal activity. He is totally opposed to Mr Pearce: What happened to the Dee national parks. He said that it was a criminal River in that time? activity. Mr BEATTIE: I will not go into that. Let me Mr Slack interjected. move on to the third category, that of noise—a Mr BEATTIE: The member would not matter in which I have a particular interest. agree with that, either. He should not sit there Between 1978 and 1989—11 years—there wagging his finger. Let me move on. Mr were five successful prosecutions by the Littleproud raised the question in the Western previous Government. Five prosecutions in 11 Star— years! I can say that in my electorate the previous Government could have had that in a week. That "Why is this colony of koalas so is pathetic. Not only did we have very few important?" prosecutions in these sensitive areas, but also The list goes on. political interference. I will give members another I intend to refer to specific provisions of the illustration, and again I will not mention the Bill, but I have to say that anybody who thinks company. This occurred in 1987. The occupier that the National Party has a credible record in was charged with breaching the conditions of a this area has to be kidding. The Nationals can noise abatement licence. The occupier was fined come in here pretending that they are wolves in $300 and $335.25 in costs. The authorisation to sheep's clothing, but they are not fooling prosecute was refused by the Minister, Mr anybody. Austin. It took the next Minister, Mr Ahern, to do something about it. That is typical of what used to Mr J. H. Sullivan: Sheep in sheep's happen under the National Party Government. I clothing. could go on all night about its track record, but it Mr BEATTIE: That would be about speaks for itself. right—sheep in sheep's clothing. There was Mr Ardill: Don't forget the Liberals. actually an interesting article in the Bulletin on 13 July 1983, which quoted Mr Slack as saying that Mr BEATTIE: I have not forgotten the he sees no reason why logging could not Liberal Party. In fact, I want to deal briefly with the resume in the listed rainforests although it was Liberals' Queensland First policy. On 24 April banned by the Hawke Government in 1988. I can 1992—fairly recently—this is what they had to understand why the member is interjecting. He is say about the environment generally. This is how a supporter of logging in rainforests. I was not committed these people really are. The policy going to use that article, but the member states— 15 November 1994 10252 Legislative Assembly interjected and, as he would understand, I could exemptions to specific provisions. The not restrain myself. provisions meant nothing. Importantly, this Let me move on to the provisions of the Bill. legislation has no exemptions. The old Noise As some people have indicated, the Abatement Act was also too narrow in its scope. Environmental Protection Bill is an enabling Earlier, I mentioned the noise EPPs. I want piece of legislation. It provides for the to deal briefly with their structure. There are four development of issue-specific strategies matters in particular to which I wish to refer. One through subordinate legislation known as EPPs. of the most important things is setting targets. In They will set standards for a quality environment future, there will be an assessment of what the and will provide a framework for achieving it. That noise level in a particular suburban area is, and a is important, because it is a collective effort. Each determination will be made as to whether that EPP will be developed through two rounds of level is acceptable. The problem in suburban public consultation to ensure that the strategies areas is the creep factor. Over time, noise are practical, environmentally effective and gradually increases. I am not talking about the economically efficient. An EPP is subordinate Opposition; I am talking about the gradual legislation and effect is given through approval increase in noise levels, which is called the creep by the Governor in Council within seven years. I factor. stress this, because this overcomes a number of For example, in 1980 noise would be at a problems which the Opposition spokesman certain level. Over time, that noise level ignored earlier. Within seven years of the increases as various activities are approved. So commencement of an EPP, it must be reviewed the noise level in a community gradually creeps and, indeed, where there are particular up and becomes unacceptable. In setting the arrangements with companies, it will be reviewed targets for the noise EPPs, environmental on a yearly basis. Obviously, if the plan that has issues, values issues and noise limits—and that been submitted is not being adhered to, under is important—will be looked at to protect the this legislation that would be a matter which the quality of life of residents in a suburban area. department could enforce. There will be a determination of what the values I am delighted to note that the first EPPs will for a suburban area are in terms of noise control, address the management of air and water quality and then a standard will be set. and noise and waste management, which are As to performance—there are a number of fundamental principles. As to noise—as I other issues, such as attainment, that is, how to indicated initially, I am particularly pleased with achieve those targets. That is something that will this legislation. If we look at the Noise Abatement be worked through. Performance includes Act, which my constituents and the whole of monitoring and reporting. As I said before, there Queensland have had to put up with for the past will be an assessment every seven years. For few years, we find weaknesses. Firstly, under the example, when an industrial business is given a old legislation there were no noise limits. It was licence—and I referred to this in passing complaint oriented. Under Part 4 of the Bill, it will before—every year that business will have to still be complaint oriented in relation to domestic measure its noise level and, if there is a problem, matters, because the powers have been put into submit a plan to reduce the noise. If it has the hands of the police. However, in the submitted a plan and it is not complying with it, it industrial area there will be specific limits. can be prosecuted under the Act. That is not Mr Deputy Speaker, as you would unreasonable. A business would be set a understand, in an electorate such as mine in three-year target in which to do something about which there tends to be a blurring between a problem, with which it would have to comply. If it residential, industrial and commercial uses, there did not meet those targets and monitor the have to be specific limits. That is why this situation adequately, it would be required to legislation is a significant improvement on the old report to the department. If that did not work, it Noise Abatement Act. More importantly, one could be prosecuted. could have driven half a dozen semitrailers and a As to devolution—I am pleased to see that couple of trains through the old Noise 20 categories have been referred to local Abatement Act. The problem was that, although authorities. Local authorities have been given there were specific provisions, there were the power to deal with them. Complaints arising widespread exemptions to them. from noise, dust and other emissions often result The strength of this legislation—and I from town planning decisions giving congratulate the Minister for this—is that there inappropriate locations, no buffer zones, or will be no exemptions under the new Act. My incompatible land uses in an existing nearby constituents are delighted about that, because area. The problem has been that local authorities they were infuriated that the old legislation had have been in charge of land use, whereas the Legislative Assembly 10253 15 November 1994 responsibility for noise monitoring has been certain irony in the fact that the member for shared between local authorities and the Brisbane Central has made all of these department. We cannot expect the department statements about the previous Government to necessarily solve the problem if the land use is when, within 20 minutes, we will see a television determined by the council. show which I am sure will show the deception Importantly, through the devolution of and the dishonesty of this Goss ALP powers, local authorities can have control of the Government. I have no doubt that this program management of things such as agricultural will show how deceptive and dishonest the activities, extractive activities, timber and wood Government has been, even though it rode to product manufacturing, printing operations, non- power on the back of accountability which, over metallic mineral production operations, fabricated five years, it has never practised. metal product operations, miscellaneous In this legislation, we are seeing the true manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail value of socialism—the Government will have trading, industrial operations, transport and control over public land without ownership. The maritime, community infrastructure, recreation public will control the land without having and sports facilities and miscellaneous activities. ownership at all. Whether it be through this The responsibility for all of those areas has been Environmental Protection Bill or through devolved to local authorities, which will then have NRMs—natural resource management—and the to manage them. sustainable use of land, the Government will give In a noise-sensitive area—and these are the to the public the control of land without sorts of environmental values that are ownership of it, which I believe is the true basis of assessed—normal domestic activities, socialism. As George Orwell predicted, the particularly sleep between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., is bureaucrats will become all powerful. They will regarded as occurring in a noise-sensitive time. impose upon the people their values and those people will not be able to exist because the In my electorate, that would be greeted with Government will beat them out of existence, as some degree of enthusiasm. We have had has happened under socialism in many other people dumping loads of dirt and gravel in parts of the world. Bishop Street in Kelvin Grove outside those hours. We have had all sorts of breaches. Certain The proposed Environmental Protection people think that they can operate— and it is Act will impose upon all local councils and mainly in industrial areas, but to some extent in businesses in Queensland yet another Labor commercial areas—24 hours a day, seven days a Government tax. The Bill before the House has week without any regard whatsoever for the been severely criticised by the independent neighbours. That determination of 10 p.m. to 7 authority of the Criminal Justice Commission in a.m. as noise-sensitive time is very important. relation to the actual ability of the legislation to effectively protect the environment. This Bill is The important issue here is getting being presented to the House after five years of compatible uses so that we do not get a concrete Labor administration, and the quality of the Bill batching plant right next to a school, a hospital, a has been rightly criticised by the Criminal Justice nursing home—and I have plenty of those in my Commission. Regardless of what the Minister electorate—a passive recreation area, a play area says, no Minister would like to introduce or a park. It is all about determining the legislation in the light of the recent problems that appropriate use of land and getting the local this Bill has encountered, whether it be criticism authorities to exercise the power to manage by Mr Matthews or criticism by the public. This those noisy commercial and industrial activities Minister and this department must take so that the quality of life of my constituents—and responsibility, because they have not done a that of the people who live in suburbia across good job. Regardless of the excuses, the Brisbane and throughout the rest of the Minister has failed to implement this Bill with State—is protected and guaranteed. public acceptance or acceptance by groups such This legislation is long overdue. My as the CJC. constituents are delighted about it. I could speak This Government has had five years in which for the next three days about this legislation, to present quality environmental legislation to because there is no more important issue in my the Parliament. During that time, the Government electorate than doing something about noise. has turned a blind eye to the dumping of toxic Finally, we are going to end up with no more waste throughout the State. Although everyone buck-passing between the councils and the will admit that perhaps policing of the dumping of State Government. toxic waste was not done well previously and that Time expired. perhaps it should have been done better previously, this Government cannot claim that it Mr LINGARD (Beaudesert—Deputy has done it well in the last five years; nor can the Leader of the Opposition) (8.09 p.m.): I find a 15 November 1994 10254 Legislative Assembly

Government claim to have presented this Bill in Local councils will have to collect the the correct manner given that there is no public fees. support for it and given the criticisms by the CJC. 'Although local government supports The Minister has not been able to overcome that the concept of new environment protection problem, and she must accept responsibility for legislation' "— that. as does the Opposition, and we have never There exist in this legislation some serious resiled from that position— flaws which will prevent the protection of the environment, which is the very reason for the Bill. " 'we have very strong concerns over the Of foremost concern to me is the imposition of a proposed level of fees and the burden they new tax which will supposedly fund the will place on councils and small business,' protection of the environment. I refer to a said Cr Fraser. '. . . we believe the comment by Councillor Fraser quoted in a recent Government has gone too far with its edition of the Gold Coast Bulletin. The article proposed level of fees to the point where it stated— has the smell of a money-grabbing exercise. "The State Government's new 'The legislation is potentially good, but Environmental Protection Bill 'smells of a well and truly flawed in its execution.' " money-grabbing exercise' with local That is quite obvious when one considers certain councils and small business to be hit hard by fees which in the last 24 hours have been the high level of fees it proposes, says dropped from $3,800 to approximately $200 or Beaudesert Mayor Michael Fraser. $300. Some of the fees that have been released The legislation, which is before to local government are completely irrational and Parliament"—— completely beyond anyone's comprehension. As Councillor Fraser says, the whole Bill smells of Mr Ardill: What has he got to fear? a money-grabbing exercise. Mr LINGARD: Because he is from the This Labor Government came to power on Local Government Association and from south- the promise of no new taxes, yet the life span of east Queensland, and he has had a lot to do with that particular promise has come to an end. The SEQ 2001, as the member for Archerfield is Goss Labor Government has come up with the aware. The article continued— term "levy" in continual attempts to cover up the "The legislation, which is before hidden agenda of increased and additional Parliament, includes a schedule of taxes. In reality, it is not a levy which is proposed environmental licence fees covering a wide in this instance but clearly a tax which will further range of activities from sawmilling to service inhibit business growth in the State. Honourable stations, boarding kennels and council members will have seen many comments in utilities. recent editions of newspapers—newspapers Councils will be required to pay licence which might be seen as even being partial fees to the State Government for each towards the ALP Government—which have refuse tip and water treatment plant they criticised the Minister for even suggesting that operate, as well as many other council this is a levy and not a tax. It is clearly a tax. activities from January 1. The user-pays concept has been pushed They also will have to pay approval fees one step further into the realm of outright tax. to the Government for all roadworks carried Under EPL, the user is not paying to obtain a out in their areas, including regular service in return; the user is paying to fund the maintenance. everyday operations of a Government department to provide a bureaucracy—a Uniform statewide fees designed to bureaucracy which has continually been the recover councils' costs are being set failure of socialism and which will bring this according to the level of environmental risk. Government down. Eventually, the people will Councillor Fraser said the proposals begin to see that we have a massive bureaucracy could cost Beaudesert Shire Council more developing, whether it be in the Education than $70,000 a year and hit small Department, in the Health Department or in the businesses in the shire to the tune of some Police Service. Although the Government has $100,000 annually. spent money, it has established a bloated These figures did not include fees bureaucracy which has meant that the money medium and large industries would be has not got down to the service level. This required to pay to the Department of legislation is yet another example of that. Environment and Heritage, he said. Under the Goss Labor Government, taxpayers are having to pay for Government Legislative Assembly 10255 15 November 1994 three times. Firstly, they pay for the whole level of funding that has been allocated to the machine of Government through regular taxes. Department of Environment and the increase in They pay again to access the community personnel, criticism has still been levelled at the services provided by the Government that department over the last 48 hours not only by society naturally expects to receive from the public but also by Mr Matthews. Government. Now under this Labor Government, Despite substantial resource increases, taxpayers are being forced to underwrite the during the life of this Government the functions and administration of individual department has become a shambles. The CJC departments. The Treasurer's three-tier tax report into illegal liquid waste dumping lays the system is now complete. But what is the Goss failure of the department to adequately monitor Government doing with the billions in taxes that it and control pollution squarely at the feet of the raises from Queenslanders every year if ordinary Minister. The Minister has admitted that she does Queenslanders are being forced to pay and pay not know what her department is doing. As we as again for Government services that should be an Opposition have continually tried to point out, provided for by their tax dollar? This is the height the Westminster system does not seem to be in of deceit from this Goss Labor Government. operation under this Government. What are the Under such circumstances, starting a responsibilities of Ministers under this particular business in Queensland will become an Government? Over the past five years, it has unattractive proposal with a multitude of become clear that the Minister does not have any Government charges and bureaucratic criteria to direct responsibility for her department. Is this meet. A small-business operator in rural the only Government that allows a Minister to run Queensland already has half a dozen layers of willy-nilly? Is that what this Government has Government inspections on his operation: the developed? Is that accountability? Is that the local government health inspector; the State white horse of accountability on which the Labor Government health inspector; the State Party rode into Government? Government workplace health and safety Responsibility not just for the management inspector; the Department of Primary Industries of the department but also for the protection of inspector; and now the environment inspector. the community and the environment stops at the This is a bureaucracy completely and utterly out Minister's desk. After a plethora of internal and of control and a bureaucracy which the independent reviews, including a review by the backbench members of the Government clearly PSMC and a 1992 report which underlined the cannot control. They can see it happening, they department's unwillingness to prosecute know it is happening, yet over and over again polluters, there has been no corresponding they allow this type of legislation and this type of improvement in the department's performance. It control to be passed through this Parliament. is indicative yet again of the Goss Labor The impediments to business in Queensland are Government's big-spending programs, yet total growing steadily under the Labor Government. failure to administer the budget and manage the Businesses will have to pay for the right to be delivery of services—services it has not policed by an environmental police force which delivered in education, services it has not will become a bureaucracy unto itself. delivered in health and services it has not The other difficulty is working out exactly delivered in law and order. That is why the how many people are involved. The fact that Department of Environment and Heritage can be funding to the Department of Environment and added to the long list of Labor Government Heritage has increased by a staggering 160 per administrative botch-ups. cent approximately and personnel have tripled It is of further concern that the Government from 613 to around 1 600 is a further indictment does not want to play the game of environmental of the Minister's mismanagement of her portfolio. protection on a level playing field with private I believe that she should come clean and state enterprise businesses. It was proposed that the exactly the extent of the increase to the staffing Government would apply the same measures to levels of her department. Given this massive public and private sector business operations, increase in resources and in the light of stinging yet recent comments from the Minister for condemnation of the Minister's performance by Environment and Heritage have indicated that the CJC, the question has to be asked as to this may not be the case. whether the Minister is fit to manage this department, which has grown beyond all control. Under the proposed Act, the established judicial premise of innocence before guilt is Regardless of what the Minister says, I being taken away. Fines through the green tax would say to Government members and to the will be imposed on all businesses that use the Minister that she has not done this particular job resources of air and water. Under this legislation, well. Any Government member would be all users of the resources of air and water are disappointed to note that, despite the increased 15 November 1994 10256 Legislative Assembly being duly fined as polluters before they are legislation. If the Goss Government's rural impact even found guilty of any actual pollution. statement had been effective in stopping or The real impact of such a tax cum fine will be amending legislation damaging to rural visible in the rural areas of Queensland. Rural communities, Cabinet should not have approved Queensland is suffering under the effects of the the legislation in the first instance. The fact that worst drought in history, yet the Labor the system did not work shows that either it is Government sees fit to introduce another tax. No totally flawed or the Goss Government does not consultation with rural or primary industry groups have the commitment to making it work. has occurred in this instance. It was originally Rural communities have been sold a dud. intended to licence all primary producers under The whole rural impact statement system was a the proposed environmental protection politically motivated stunt from the start that has legislation. The consideration of such a proposal failed yet another major test. In the first instance provides evidence that the raising of revenue we saw the Office of Rural Communities not was very highly placed on the agenda when making enough statements about the effect of all consideration was being given to the functions of this legislation on the rural communities. Now of the legislation. The attack on the rural sector in we see this special Cabinet system unable to this time of drought and general downturn is stop this sort of legislation or to say that there contemptible. Rural industry groups are still must be consultation with the rural communities. waiting for the Department of Environment and The environmental protection legislation is a Heritage to consult with them on the proposed flagrant revenue-raising exercise enmeshed with legislation. an overhaul of existing environmental laws. It is The subject of additional licensing impacts patently obvious that it will have crippling financial heavily upon the current licensing of rural implications for drought-hit rural areas and will industries, which is administered by the impact on small business across the State. It Department of Primary Industries. No demonstrates yet again that the wellbeing of rural consultation with the DPI by the Department of communities under the Goss Government is Environment and Heritage has taken place. The expedient when it comes to a blind rush for DPI is integral to the current licensing of rural revenue. I call on the Premier to reveal whether a industries, but no consultation with the DPI has rural impact statement was submitted to Cabinet occurred. This is a totally unacceptable situation. in advance of the environmental protection Despite certain assurances that there would be legislation being tabled. If one was prepared, Mr no duplication of licences and extensive Goss and the Minister should tell us whether it consultation on fee levels, no such consultation argued against the imposition of blanket green has occurred. levies in rural areas and, if it did, why did Cabinet Many primary producers will suffer under the ignore it? proposed legislation through double and triple Mr LAMING (Mooloolah) (8.27 p.m.): I rise dipping by this Government—a Government to speak on the Environmental Protection Bill that, in such time of drought, wants to take and 1994 in the knowledge that this is one of the take from primary producers. It is uncovering its most significant pieces of legislation to come real rural policy objectives. The new annual before the House this year. All Queenslanders green tax which will apply to feedlots and recognise the importance of the environmental piggeries will confront such producers with three debate and therefore look forward to this debate lots of fees that they will have to pay to this Labor resulting in a better environment for all of us. This Government— three lots of fees to this Labor legislation was originally intended to achieve a Government in this time of drought because, better environmental outcome in Queensland. under the proposed legislation, these primary With this particular Bill, it appears that the producers are deemed as polluters. What has Government has followed a reasonable happened to innocence before guilt? Cattle consultation process—a process which I producers involved in feedlotting already pay for thoroughly support. industry accreditation, which covers On the other hand, it should be noted that environmental management, and a licence fee to this Bill is merely a framework of legislation and the Department of Primary Industries. They also that much of the real substance will be contained pay fees to their local government. in the regulations which are yet to be seen in this The other great concern that I have is that House. Therefore, it is not until these standards the Goss Government's system of rural impact and other regulations are in place that the full statements in Cabinet submissions has been a impact of this legislation, particularly on business, spectacular flop that has not stopped the will become apparent. Government riding roughshod over rural In other debates I have mentioned my communities with its environmental protection concern about the overlapping and sometimes Legislative Assembly 10257 15 November 1994 interfering by the different levels of government went to nearby countries that did not have such in other levels. The environment, however, strict environmental standards, once again we should be seen in a slightly different light. I would be losing the industry from Australia, believe there is a role for all levels of government losing the jobs from Australia, importing the and the community to ensure that we live in an products back into Australia from those other environmentally attractive State, country and countries, and the environment would still be world. And so it is with this legislation that we suffering. This is something that has to be must really look at the international stage as we addressed, of course, at an international forum conduct ourselves in our homes, in our so as not to suffer both the environmental and businesses, on our farms and even on the ocean the economic disadvantages of doing the right in an environmentally acceptable manner. thing by our environment at home. Similarly, I The particular area of overlapping would like the Minister to reassure me on this responsibility which is brought into the open in matter. this Bill is that local authorities will be expected to I mentioned earlier the responsibility being be the vanguard in the policing of the regulations on local authorities to police the new regulations. when they become available. Although I I am aware that many councils are very concerned sometimes despair at the amount of formerly about having the extra responsibility and the State Government responsibilities that are odium that goes with enforcing it, and not being dumped in the lap of local authorities, I believe compensated for the cost of policing those that with responsibility for environmental matters regulations. I table a copy of a letter to the possibly local government is the most Premier from the Caloundra City Council appropriate body to police such regulations in reiterating precisely such a concern. the local areas. Perhaps the Minister would like to outline It will be important, of course, to ensure that the research that is being done to indicate the each area has to maintain a similar standard to standard fees which I believe are going to be another. I have had discussions with a person common throughout Queensland and whether involved in the docking, painting and indeed these fees and charges are going to maintenance of medium-sized boats. He is cover the costs incurred by council in properly concerned that, if the requirements on him enforcing these standards. Of course, if the operating in the Maroochy Shire are tighter than standards are not enforced properly and evenly those on a boat maintenance company working throughout Queensland, we will be running into perhaps in Brisbane, the Gold Coast or Cairns, all sorts of problems. I do agree that the State he would suffer an unfair disadvantage in the should set the fees, because if councils were commercial market. It is a very expensive allowed to drop their fees in some sort of business to dry dock and clean, paint, repair and competitive manner for this service it could be maintain the hulls of large vessels and slight that standards might also drop in a similar changes in the requirements of different local manner. authorities could be very significant on industry I was advised at a briefing with officers from competitiveness. I would like an assurance from the department that it would be the department's the Minister today that these requirements will be responsibility to police councils. This would be in common throughout Queensland. the area particularly of rubbish dumps and the One should also extend this requirement to effluent from sewage treatment works. One larger industries interstate so that the might well ask who will police the Government. introduction of desirable environmental The State Government has shown scant regard standards in Queensland does not cause for council regulations in the past, and it would industry or its clientele to go to another State. I therefore be a requirement on the officers of believe that we would lose in two ways if this DEH to police other Government departments. I were to happen. Firstly, we would lose the would like some assurance as to how this would, business and the jobs and, because the in practice, work to ensure that the Government environment does not recognise State does not become the biggest threat to the boundaries, we could still suffer the environment. disadvantages of pollution coming to I was also pleased to learn at the briefing that Queensland via either air or the sea. there would be no requirement on existing I do not believe that I would be overstating businesses to advertise their activities before the case if I was to say that the same analogy getting a licence. I would like this to be confirmed should be addressed on an international scale. If by the Minister tonight. I have a further concern we in Australia decided to have common but in these difficult times, particularly in relation to strict environmental standards for our businesses in the west in drought-affected areas businesses, only to find that industry and jobs that might be enduring some hardship, as to 15 November 1994 10258 Legislative Assembly whether there is going to be some allowance, Mr LAMING: I do not believe the particularly for existing businesses, under the interjections that have been made so far are provisions of this legislation. worthy of being handled. I need to ensure that all I believe it is very important at this time that local government areas have the facilities to deal the implementation of what appears on the with toxic wastes and waste oil. I am sure that surface to be a very good piece of legislation many local authority areas do not have the facility, does not result in a closing down of some and this is something that the State Government businesses that are on the brink of failure due to must be involved in to assist those local the drought and other economic considerations. authorities that do not have this facility. The A local metal fabricator contacted me as late as matter of oil pollution at sea and marine toilet this morning pointing out what appear to be discharge will be the subject of subsequent glaring irregularities in the parity of charges legislation in this House, and I will comment on between businesses of various sizes. those at that time. There has been some discussion about I turn now briefly to the subject of noise third-party injunctions, and it is very difficult to pollution. In common with all members, I have comment on these until the regulations come received many complaints regarding noise. This into effect. I understand that these provisions in is probably brought about by the fact that people other States have not resulted in wholesale are living closer together, and there are many injunctions against industry. I believe it is going more things that make noise these days than to be a great responsibility on the Government to there were years ago. Things such as exhaust find the balance between valid concerns about fans in places such as hospitals can continue at possibly polluting activities, not only of business what appear to be low levels during the day, but but also of the Government itself and at night, as they continue, they become quite councils—to find the balance between that annoying. The noise of airconditioners and pool concern and the ability for business and industry filters is also in this category. There is also noise to proceed without unnecessary inconvenience, from construction sites, and those who are particularly of a vexatious manner. engaged in the activity quite often have earmuffs and are oblivious to the noise that they are I would like to spend a few moments talking causing because they are part of the cause. But about pollution in general. The legislation seems for those living nearby, such noises often start to relate particularly to water, air and noise. As far very early in the morning and can be most as water pollution is concerned—this is annoying. something that is very visible, and it affects different people in different ways, depending on Another form of nuisance pollution is that of their proximity to and interest in water and water smell. I have had occasional complaints regarding activities. A particular concern that I have at the smells, even from restaurants. The smell that moment is the possible effluent discharge into might be most enticing to the diners or the Mooloolah River from a proposed sewerage passers-by can become quite obnoxious and plant to service the town of Landsborough. Ten annoying to those who live next door. I would like years ago, I was a member of a council—the the Minister to advise me whether this type of Landsborough Shire Council—which worked nuisance is covered in this Bill. very hard to terminate the discharge of treated One of the brighter sides of noise and smell effluent into the Mooloolah River from the pollution is that when the activity is ceased the Kawana sewage treatment works. That was pollution is then eradicated. Unfortunately, that is effected after the expenditure of a great deal of not the case with land, water and air pollution, money by the council, its ratepayers and the which can build up over a long period. Even after developing company. I believe it would be the cause is suspended, the pollution remains to retrograde 10 years later to reintroduce effluent either gradually dissipate, or it may even require disposal—even though it was treated to a physical eradication. secondary level—into the upper Mooloolah The only one of these that I have not yet River. spoken about in detail is air pollution. One of the Mr Pearce interjected. more common causes of this sort of pollution Mr LAMING: I believe the day has come which takes place on the Sunshine Coast is that we should be able, particularly for the smoke pollution from the burning of logs that are servicing of smaller townships, to find alternative dozed up into wind rows by developers in new methods of disposal. estates. I believe this is an area that should be looked at. Perhaps the Minister could explain Mr Gibbs: Don't take interjections. You what measures might be coming in the can't handle them. regulations to keep this nuisance down to a Legislative Assembly 10259 15 November 1994 minimum while recognising the requirement on That is the sort of concern that I raised earlier developers to clear in selected areas. in relation to international standards and national I would like to spend a few minutes talking competitiveness. I am told that lead was removed about a particular area of air pollution. It is from petrol for one reason and one reason only, probably the one that is best known to all of us and that was the dry catalytic converters became and is a cause of concern throughout the world, clogged very quickly with lead particles and that is, air pollution that is found in and around stopped working. cities, for which the motor car is largely blamed. In Unleaded petrol, I am told, is much more some areas, it has reached a dreadful level and is dangerous than leaded petrol. More than half a described as smog. It is this very worrying form of litre of unleaded petrol is not petrol. It is actually a pollution that has resulted in a massive change in brew of aromatics. The aromatics that replace the automotive industry. I refer, of course, to the lead are Dimethylbenzene, Mesitylene, Toluene, replacement of leaded fuels with the unleaded Xylene and Benzene. All of them are declared variety. I would like to make a few comments on carcinogens and will cause leukaemia and other this, and I would like the Minister to advise cancer-related illnesses. I will quote from one whether she has heard of these concerns about authority, a Dr Warren, who was the adviser to the unleaded fuel and whether the department has Government at the time and warned against made any detailed investigations on the matter. unleaded petrol and was ignored. He says— It appears that some people believe that "In fact, this stuff appears to be so unleaded fuel is more of a pollutant in the air than dangerous, potentially lethal, that I urge you leaded fuel. My reading tells me that lead is in not to use it in any car not fitted with a fuel to enable the use of high octane petrol so catalytic converter, don't use it in your that we can have more efficient engines. Lead, mower, chainsaw, whipper snipper, or any when burnt in the engine, is subjected to 2 000 outboard motor and don't wash parts in it to 3 000 degrees and is actually baked like a and if any gets on your skin wash it off house brick. When the particles are emitted from immediately. Avoid the fumes when the exhaust, the lead falls to the ground within refuelling and don't allow anyone near the 10 to 12 feet because it is heavier than air. The exhaust, particularly when the exhaust baked particles have been tested with various system is cold. Remember that catalytic acids, and particularly stomach acid, which converters don't work until they reach some apparently has no dissolving effects on the 400 degrees." baked lead. Also, it cannot be absorbed into the Roger Perry, a professor of environmental lungs—unlike lead dust, which does not come control at London's Imperial College, has from motor exhausts. conducted tests that show that unleaded petrol Graphs from 1933 until 1985 show a steady used in cars without catalytic converters decline in blood lead levels, yet lead began to be produces a great quantity of volatile organic added to petrol in 1925 and peaked in 1970. compounds that can be directly linked to cancer. One would have thought that the lead levels in Recently in Britain the National Society for Clean blood would have risen in proportion, but they Air has removed all support for ULP. did not even hiccup on the graph. When Information from America shows that the Germany reduced lead in its petrol, again there average car fitted with anti-pollution gear—both was no reduction in the lead level in blood American and imports—is clean for only samples taken. Tests done on a little island off approximately one year. After that time, the gear the coast of Scotland without a single deteriorates rapidly unless completely renewed. combustion engine show a much higher lead Even a single backfire while a mechanic is tuning level in the population than in tests taken in the the car will destroy the catalytic converter. The centre of London. Much the same results were average lifespan of a converter is about 50 000 found when New Guinea highlanders were kilometres. After that it needs replacing. ULP compared with people in Melbourne. The actual actually costs more to make so the cost to the decreases in lead levels have been traced to the country is greater and it uses more oil and reduced use of pewter, a lead-based alloy, the creates more pollution because the gradual reduction of lead solder in our cans of manufacturers have to make the aromatics as processed food and the replacement of lead in well. I will table the list of sources of this lead water pipes that contain our drinking water. information. I believe it is something that the By the way, the manufacturers of Asian source Minister should ask her department to follow up canned food still use lead solder in a number of and I will be interested to hear what that research their products and there are still plenty of lead discovers. pipes around. To return to the Bill, it appears in principle to be well intentioned, but the impact on councils 15 November 1994 10260 Legislative Assembly and small business of licence fees and their the smaller the business is. A one-man panel possible uneven impact on different-sized beating/spray-painting shop will find $650 a great enterprises and its not taking into account deal of money. That might be more profit than possible hardships saps my support for this that business makes in the whole year. Most of legislation, which appears to need considerable the smaller spray painters and panel beaters work re-writing. purely for wages. They have just bought I will be looking very closely at the themselves a job. In many of the smaller rural and regulations as they come to the Parliament to regional centres, it will simply force those small ensure that their effect on the environment in spray painters and panel beaters to close down. Queensland lives up to the claims and But that same $650 will be charged on a expectations of the Minister, without proving to multimillion-dollar spray-painting panel beating be a death knell to many struggling businesses. shop that may be servicing a major section of Brisbane. The $650 might not even add up to Mr CONNOR (Nerang) (8.45 p.m.): I rise to one month's electricity bill. So, from a small speak to the environment protection legislation, business and a rural and regional point of view, it but before I do, I would like to make it clear that, is totally unfair. It is a very regressive tax that does like most responsible businesses in not take into consideration capacity to pay and Queensland, I believe that an appropriate level of the viability of the individual business. environmental safeguards needs to be in place. What my speech will be addressing is how it Mr Szczerbanik: Would you spray two- should be implemented and why many aspects pack out in the open? of the current proposals are inappropriate. Mr CONNOR: That is a very inane As I see it, there are two very distinct interjection. We are talking about a business. We aspects to pollution, the actual polluting itself are talking about the effect on small businesses, and the potential for it. This Government's record for which the honourable member obviously has on dealing with the actual polluting is woeful, and no care or consideration. There are plenty of the CJC in its recently released report quite small spray-painting panel beaters within his clearly shows that that is where the problem lies. electorate who are going to be closed down as a However, this piece of legislation and the result of this legislation. From a small business associated regulations are approaching it from and rural and regional point of view, it will impact the other angle altogether, and that is from the far more heavily, because, by necessity, those potential for pollution, by requiring selected businesses are smaller in those regions. industries to pay a green levy. I will quote from the editorial of the most Whichever way one looks at it, the green current Business Queensland, dated 7 levy is purely a new tax; Government members November 1994, which states— can call it what they like. What we have, according "Available funds should be redirected to the Government, is a levy to fund an army of from elsewhere within the system and surely new public servants with the responsibility of under a truly disciplined approach, auditing firms for compliance with environmental companies could be encouraged to be guidelines. I do not believe that industry has any more environmentally friendly through a problems with proper safeguards for the system of rebates on existing taxes and environment and for those safeguards to be charges rather than simply creating a whole policed. What industry does have a problem with new regime of fees . . ." is the way that this is being funded. Industry is not saying that suitable environmental As I understand it, every business that falls safeguards should not be in place. It is simply within the net—and reading the proposed saying that to use the argument of a user-pay regulations, it strikes me that every second charge to pay for this service is totally unfair and business in Queensland will fall within that quite fallacious. They are saying— net—will have to pay quite substantial licence "Business without question pays fees each year. For instance, spray painter/panel more"— beaters will have to pay $650. In return, that business will be assured of one audit each year tax on a per capita basis— of their environmental safeguards. Effectively, "thanks to the likes of payroll tax and stamp that $650 is to pay for one audit and its duty." administration. Industry is saying, "Have your environmental I believe that it could be done much more safeguards, but don't try and use it as an excuse cheaply than that, but let us look at it from that to bring in a new taxes." User fees in this perspective. Firstly, that $650 will impact on the circumstance are inappropriate and indefensible. business, irrespective of its size. The tax, It is the old question of the carrot or the stick. If because it is at a base rate, will fall more heavily the Government wants to provide incentives to Legislative Assembly 10261 15 November 1994 business to deal with the environment, then it the business impact and, secondly, the regional should provide incentives by lowering its taxes and rural aspects of it. The Minister herself rather than imposing penalties through additional backed that up when, on 10 November this year, taxes. on ABC Radio National she had this to say— I will move on to relate more specifically how "We have had some feedback from the issue will impact on small business and organisations in the rural sector that they regional and rural areas. As I said earlier, by weren't aware, they weren't consulted and necessity, many of the businesses in rural and we've gone into a phase now of further regional areas that will be affected by this consultation with those sectors to ensure legislation are very small. I would like to paint the that they are aware of what we are proposing picture of a very typical small business in a and to listen to their concerns about it." regional or rural setting. The small town has a So from the Minister's own lips only five days service station with an associated garage. It may ago, she admitted that the rural communities had even have a separate wheel alignment or tyre not been properly consulted. This is quite clear selling operation and will quite often have a small from the legislation. It does not take into truck, tractor or car operation associated with it. consideration the ramifications to the rural and That business will also do services and, quite regional areas of Queensland, especially the often, spray-painting, panel beating and other small-business sectors. jobs. This is a very typical operation in a small, regional town. It is also a very typical family style Ms Robson: That was the draft that we of business. It is also quite normal to have a sent out for comment. That is what it was for. number of different corporate structures for the Mr CONNOR: The Minister said herself on very different sections of the business and for Radio National that the rural communities had not all of it to be in the same location. However, in come back to her saying that they had not been real terms it is still the same business. consulted properly. That was five days ago, and That small business, which may be only that is probably why 40 amendments to the marginally viable, may cease to be viable with legislation have been dropped on the table taxes of this type. As I put to the officers from the today. Areas outside south-east Queensland, Department of Environment and Heritage, how where different considerations have to be would they deal with a business of that type in considered, had not been consulted properly regard to the licensing fees? Assuming that about the legislation. there were two or three different companies with By the same token, the department had two or three different business names, but still three years to consult with supposedly all the generally operating as one business, would the stakeholders, yet one of the areas that is going department require a separate licence for each to be most affected had, effectively, no operation? Although the officers from the consultation at all. That has come from the Department of Environment and Heritage—and I Minister's own lips. However, according to the thank them very much for the briefing that they Minister, just five days of consultation on these gave us—felt that the small-business people areas of concern is enough to allow this should not have to pay for a multitude of legislation to be passed. licences, or that they should not need to, during Ms Robson: No, it is a regulation; it's not the briefing session the officers could not going through tonight. explain how they would go about ensuring that they did not have to pay multiple licence fees. Mr CONNOR: This legislation gives the power for those regulations to be put in place. I remind the House that this is just one more The Minister has already made major tax that these businesses will pay. They will still modifications by way of those amendments that be paying land tax, workers' compensation, local have been placed on the table today. The council fees, workplace registration, licences to Minister has made major changes by way of the be a motor trader, fuel tax, sales tax and a amendments that she put before the House multitude of industry-specific taxes and user today that give consideration to different fees. They are all simply adding each month to locations and many other sorts of things, and we the cost of doing business. So this small have absolutely no time to consult with the operation in a small community that, by community on those amendments. We have no necessity, has to be diverse in its operations to idea whether those amendments will satisfy or remain viable is forced to pay perhaps as much as even go near satisfying the problems in rural and a couple of thousand dollars, or maybe even regional areas. more in some instances, to be able to comply fully with the licensing requirements. It is totally On ABC radio this morning, the Minister also unfair. One wonders about the capacity of those said that this legislation may have problems, but who framed this legislation to understand, firstly, the Government will put it in place anyway and 15 November 1994 10262 Legislative Assembly that, if it needs amendments in the future, the fee itself. Small businesses, especially of the Minister will introduce those amendments later. type that will fall within this net, are simply In other words, the legislation is a dog, but the incapable of having the necessary office and Government will fix it later. That is what the clerical personnel. Many small-business Minister is saying; that is what she said this operators in the affected industries are so small morning and that is the way in which this whole that they do not even have offices. They have Bill has been handled. This legislation is being neither the inclination nor perhaps even the rushed through when it has not really taken into capacity to spend a great deal of time filling out consideration the CJC report nor the regional, useless forms just to keep the bureaucracy rural or small-business concerns. happy. The CJC, the supposed independent They then see the proposed regulations arbiter, has stated quite clearly that this that have been distributed with the schedule of legislation will not have the intended fees. The first question I put to the Minister is: consequences that the Minister is stating it will how have these green fees—these new taxes, have, nor will it achieve what the Green Paper user charges, or whatever the Minister likes to and all the consultation was trying to achieve. call them—been determined? On what basis One then has to ask, "Why is the Government have they been rated? Are they based on any rushing this Bill through?" One only needs to sort of track record? Has the Minister travelled consider that, according to the Minister, 170 or interstate and investigated how these charges 180 new staff members—which, I understand, is are made interstate? Has the Minister looked at what she said on the radio this morning—are in the potential for differential rating in different the process of being recruited. One then has to areas because of the variations in the ask, "Where would the money come from for environment within Queensland? Has the their wages and all the other operating costs Minister considered the fact that Queensland is needed to employ the 170 or 180 people if this far more decentralised than other States? Has legislation was not passed?" This legislation is the Minister made a direct grab from other States the money stream for it, and that is why it is being and not taken that into consideration? If one forced through—purely to give the Minister the looks at the fees contained in the legislation, one money stream so that she can employ this small sees that there is not a proper graduation of army of green police. One has to ask, "Where charges from area to area or for a particular size of would the money come from otherwise?" business, yet there should be. The Minister Basically, the Government would be forced to cannot tell me that every panel beater/spray introduce a separate Appropriation Bill or painter in Queensland has the same potential for whatever to get that money. That is what this Bill pollution as a panel beater/spray painter is all about: purely to provide the money to pay somewhere else. That is quite simply not the for the green police, irrespective of the fact that case. Yet there is no capacity in the proposed the legislation will not do the job that it is regulations, as circulated, to allow for this. So intended to do. The machinery has to be put in where did the data come from and on what was it place; the green army is on its way and someone based? That is quite clearly unfair, inappropriate has to pay for it irrespective of the fact that the and does not take into account the Queensland legislation is not going to do what it is supposed environment. to do and irrespective the fact that it is going to I cannot come to grips with what the Minister have dire consequences for small business, is trying to achieve by having a standard set of especially in regional and rural communities. licences without any form of graduation. The bottom line is that the Government is Obviously, these sorts of considerations are going to bulldoze this legislation through purely simply not there. Let us look at what the so that it becomes a revenue earner. That is its Government is going to charge. I note that an motivation for pushing it through. The engineer or mechanical workshop, including Government knows that this Bill is a farce and a boilers and mechanical machine manufacturers, sham. The Government knows that it will not do will be charged $500 per year. Metal finishers, what it is supposed to do, that it has to find the spray painters and panel beaters will be charged money from somewhere, and so it will push the $650. Manufacturers or fabricators of wood legislation through anyway purely so that it can product—for example, carpenters or cabinet have the revenue stream. Not only is this tax makers—will be charged $550 per year. unfair in that it is a direct cost to business, Interestingly—and I would like the Minister especially in the rural and regional areas, but also to explain this—the regulations that were the cost to the individual small businesses to circulated mentioned the chemical treatment of administer this legislation will be horrendous. In timber, including wood preservation by many cases, the cost to small businesses in chemicals, that is, copper, chromium, arsenic and administering it will be greater than the licence so on. The Bill does not give a particular size for a Legislative Assembly 10263 15 November 1994 business. It is irrespective of size. Does wood Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South) preservation by chemicals include French (9.05 p.m.): I rise to join in this debate on the polishers and varnishers? Do honourable Environmental Protection Bill. I note the members know how much that is? That is $2,360 comments earlier in the debate by our shadow per year, irrespective of the size of the business. Minister that the Opposition has a very realistic Mr Szczerbanik: We're talking about the and practical approach towards the environment Koppers logs. and the protection of it. Mr CONNOR: The member mentioned Given the circumstances surrounding this Koppers logs. That is the question I am asking of Bill, that is, its coming into the House the day the Minister. The Bill specifically includes the after the CJC criticism—and with 40 chemical treatment of timber, irrespective of the amendments—there is just no way that we can size of the business. The chemical treatment of support the legislation when it is put through in timber includes varnishing, French polishing and such a dishevelled state. The CJC has criticised so on. There is no scaling; it is a flat $2,360. So is this Bill, saying that it will mean only that there will the member saying that varnishing and be a more sophisticated mechanism of getting lacquering do not involve the chemical treatment away with pollution. If the Government and of timber? I would like the Minister to reiterate department were not able to look after this area that. under previous legislation, certainly they will not be able to do so under this Bill, regardless of how Mr FitzGerald: I can't find that under the much tax revenue it raises and how many green definitions. police are put out in the field. Mr CONNOR: Neither can I. I cannot find This is really another money-raising that in any of the definitions of the regulations. exercise. It is another grab for money. It is all So will the French polishers and varnishers be about getting more taxation revenue for the paying almost $2,500 per year? I do not think that Goss Government. The amount of income that people understand that that might be more profit this Government brings in is ever increasing, as is than some of those one-man operations make in the lack of services and facilities that we receive a whole year. They will pay $2,360 for rubbing a for that money. The Treasurer keeps talking bit of French polish onto some furniture. That is about the balanced Budget. There are billions of absolutely crazy. I would implore the Minister to dollars extra coming in, but in nearly every single explain to the House what is going on, whether department within the Government we are this is the case and whether she is prepared to seeing less and less in terms of real services change the regulations. given to the people. People everywhere all over The sawmilling and woodchipping the State, no matter what department they are operations will have to pay $550 per year. Do dealing with, are asking, "Where is all the money commercial printers create much pollution? They going to?" How responsible is it to be raising all of will pay $300 per year. The dismantlers of this extra revenue from taxpayers without giving automotive and mechanical equipment, that is, people value for money or service? I have no car wreckers, will pay $500 per year, purely for doubt that that is what we will see under this dismantling a few old cars. Ship or boat repairers legislation. will pay $650. Do honourable members have any The estimates of the numbers of green idea how small most of those operators who do police have varied. There have been estimates boat repairs are? Most of them live from day to of 130, 150 and 170. There will be green police day or week to week. How can they afford $650 to monitor the councils. There will be green on top of all of the other taxes, charges and rents police to monitor the green police employed by that they have to pay? A lot of small operators will the councils. We will end up with about two levels simply walk away. Alternatively, they will do it all of green police. Then we will have a whole host on the sly and they will not pay any tax at all. Then of bureaucrats to administer that, and then a few the Government will not get anything from them. reviews, efficiency standards and meetings to Crematoriums will pay $400 per year. Lastly, see how it is going. Before we know it, we will for keeping animals for commercial purposes, have a huge host of bureaucracy. But will the that is, veterinary surgeries, kennels and environment be any better off for it? Will catteries, there will be a fee of $550 per year. businesses be any more cooperative than they The cattery and the kennel where my dogs and are at present? That is the real test. Will this cats stay are way out in the wilderness. I cannot legislation have a real, genuine and practical see how they create a great deal of pollution. effect? At the same time, will this reward the great Anyway, they are caught in the net as well. It just majority of businesses who have gone to shows how absolutely unfair and what sort of a enormous lengths and expense to put in place farce this legislation really is. systems that protect the environment and to ensure that they do not pollute? 15 November 1994 10264 Legislative Assembly

There is absolutely no mention of any sort of moment. They are all running at a loss due to the incentive. Businesses and industries in cost of grain during the drought. For piggeries of Toowoomba have spent tens of thousands of more than 1 000 pigs—and the average 100-sow dollars on the recycling and cleaning of water. piggery would have more than 1 000 pigs—there The pecan nut factory, for example, has put in will be a charge of $2,200. During this drought, equipment to cleanse water so that it can be given the cost of grain, most piggeries would used for the cooling towers at other factories probably just be breaking even. In order to try to within the towns, particularly those processing find that $2,200, they will probably have to sell in ice cream. The yeast factory in the city has the vicinity of $20,000 to $30,000 worth of pigs. cleansed its water to the extent that it can be At present, those operators are probably running used to help out with the drought at Gatton on on only 2 per cent or 3 per cent profit on their farming properties. These people are talking to gross sales, if that. How can they afford to sell each other and they are trying to minimise their another $20,000 worth of product? They will pollution. They are working in conjunction with probably have to build more sheds or extend the Toowoomba City Council. But now they will existing sheds or employ more people, but they all be penalised. It does not matter whether they cannot even afford to do that because they are have a perfect track record or how much money, not making a profit. research and effort they have put into the process; they will all be slugged by this new Will those operators get value for money for green tax. their $2,200? If they have good effluent dams—and all modern piggeries now have good Most of these organisations are paying trade effluent dams and ways of treating the smell and waste fees and all sorts of fees to the council or the waste; it is part of their modern management to various Government departments. In the case process—what will they get for their $2,200? If of Toowoomba, businesses are able to discharge the water into the sewerage system one goes into a shop and buys something, one and are charged according to what they gets some value for money or a service for one's money. But what will those operators get for discharge. If what they discharge is not cleansed $2,200? It will just be wasted money. A green to a particular standard, the discharge fee is substantial. But if they are able to get that water policeman might turn up on the place once a year down to a cleaner level through the money that or once every two years—they would be lucky if they have invested and through recycling, then they saw someone—but it will just be a the charge is substantially reduced. It has been straight-out loss of money to them. Those estimated in Toowoomba that the cost to the operators will have to cut back on one of their council will be in the order of $25,000. That may other activities or employ someone for two or not seem much in the totality of that council's three weeks fewer a year and try to do a bit more budget, but the real cost will be felt by the themselves. hundreds, if not thousands, of businesses in the This legislation also affects the extractive city. The estimated cost is at least a half a million and mining industries. Every quarry will be dollars. slugged. Every organisation that is involved in I wanted to go through some of the activities screenings and washings and so forth will be that will be taxed, because I think this is the real, slugged by around $4,000 or more—$5,000 in hidden part of this Bill. This Bill provides a head one case. As a result of this legislation, the price of power to provide for regulation and for of every building product will increase— charges and costs. I know that the Minister has concrete driveways, roadworks, subdivisions, said that this schedule is a draft, but it gives an houses. There will be a flow-on effect idea of the breadth of industries and businesses everywhere. that will be caught in this net. It gives an idea of The food-processing industry, where we are the size of the charge or levy. People say that it is trying to encourage businesses to get involved not much per week, but everybody who runs a in value-adding their products, does not escape business knows that, when these bills come in, these charges. The beverage-manufacturing they have to find the money to pay them. If and food-processing industries will be affected. businesses have to pay $500 or $2,500, the Organisations in Toowoomba such as Weis money has to be found that week. Not only that, Fruitos or the broccoli-producing industries on those businesses have to make extra money to the Darling Downs that package cut broccoli and cover the expense. export it overseas are certain to be affected by Members should consider the agricultural this legislation. This will represent just another activities that will be charged with this levy. For charge, and somehow or other those feedlots, there is a suggested charge of $2,500. organisations have to find the money. They will I do not know how they would find that at the not get any value for money, but they will Legislative Assembly 10265 15 November 1994 probably have to find the money by cutting Metal foundries is another area that will be another few jobs. affected. I suppose that the Southern Cross That aspect must be taken into account Foundry will be slugged with $4,000 or $5,000 when considering these imposts: what will be the or more. The green tax also covers abrasive effect on employment? We hear small-business blasting, drum reconditioning, metal finishing operators talk continually about the imposts of such as spray painting and powder coating. I can fees, charges, levies and taxes. It is not only the see the motor industry being slugged. Anyone monetary value that upsets small-business who does pinstriping on cars or who is involved operators; it is also the impost imposed upon in spray painting or painting in any form—no them by the various organisations that charge matter what they have, no matter how much these particular fees and levies. One has only to bunding they have, no matter how many traps consider what occurred with the regional health they have, no matter how much recycled water authorities. There are about 30 bureaucrats in they use, whether they get tankers in to take it each authority. It is not so much the cost of the away and do everything correctly—will be hit by wages, the cars, the meetings, the mobile this tax. phones and so on, but those 30 bureaucrats There is one item that I particularly want to also have to justify their existence, and it is the highlight, and it again involves the building trade. burden that they place on hospitals or the I refer to the manufacturing or fabricating of wood community health centres to fill out products. Organisations such as carpentry and demographics and fill out this and fill out that with cabinet-making plants, timber truss plants and seven days' notice. That is what we will see businesses involved in the preparation of under this legislation. We will see a whole new prefabricated homes will all be hit by these fees. bureaucracy established. We will see the green Chemical treatment businesses, including wood police administering themselves. We will end up preservation, sawmilling and wood chipping—we with three or four tiers of green police, and so it have a number of sawmills in the city—will also be will go on. hit by this fee. I turn back to some of the organisations and The one that I think is a beauty is commercial businesses that will be slugged by the green tax. printing. I would not know how many commercial The meat-processing and milk-processing printers are located in Toowoomba. I can think industries will be affected. I suppose that the straight off of about 12, but when one considers Queensco dairy organisation in Toowoomba and all the small places that are doing small amounts the Pixie ice-cream factory will have to find of printing, there are probably tens and tens of another $4,100. How will they find that money? them. They will be hit by a $300 fee—just Will they pass it on to the consumer? Sugar another cost for the printing operators and refineries and all vegetable oil and oilseed- people involved in supplying stationery and processing businesses will also be affected. advertising material throughout the city. I turn again to industries aligned with the The list also covers the storage of petroleum building industry. Clay and ceramics and chemical products and tanning and curing, manufacturers will be subject to this tax. There so that will affect the tannery in the town. are brickworks in Toowoomba. Any place that Stockfeed manufacturing is an interesting one, makes bricks, tiles, pipes or pottery goods will be particularly in a time of drought and when people affected. There is an organisation in the city that are struggling on the land. Will people who are produces tiles and slate tiles for export overseas. doing their own milling on feedlots be hit again? Suddenly, that organisation will have to find in Will people doing their own milling on dairy farms the vicinity of $5,000, as well as filling out and large piggeries be hit by the additional innumerable forms. Another area that will be stockfeed levy as well as being slugged for affected is concrete batching and any industry operating a piggery or a feedlot? associated with concrete production such as the Tyre retreading is another industry that is mixing of cement, rock, aggregate and other subject to this tax. As well, everyone involved in similar materials. What about plants that are construction and demolition and maintenance or involved in the building industry that are renovation of premises and properties and roads producing tilt-up concrete or other new will be subject to this tax. No doubt land innovations aimed at reducing the costs of the development costs will increase. At this stage, building industry? They will all be slugged with the draft does not show any costs, but I suppose this new green tax and will have to put up with a that will increase. At a time when young people visit—if they are lucky—from the green are struggling because they cannot get their land policeman in his green uniform. They will also titles through for eight or 12 weeks and they have to fill out innumerable forms. have to pay another $150 per week rent for another 10 or 12 weeks, then when they go to 15 November 1994 10266 Legislative Assembly get their house it has gone up by another sporting venues and so on. It is only a matter of $1,000. That is another example of what this time before they, too, will be caught in the net. Government is costing the people of this State. This Bill has come to the House amidst a Before considering putting in dams on a tremendous amount of controversy about the farm or a property, one has to go through this CJC report. We must take notice of that report process of obtaining a licence and paying levies. when it says that it is most likely that, under this When one considers wholesale and retail trading Bill, the sorts of things that have been found by activities, it becomes evident that this is a very the CJC to be happening under this Government odious tax. It just shows the unlimited and the previous Government are most likely to possibilities of the impact of this legislation. We continue but in a more sophisticated form. That all know what will happen. Once this comes in, sort of criticism shows that we are obviously once the head of power is there, once the dealing with a Bill that is simply not going to work. regulations are there, once they find they need This Bill has such enormous power. This back- more money, these taxes just go up and up and door taxation system will cost small business and up. industry so much money. I wonder how the mechanics of this State Until about a week ago, nobody had really feel about the fact that the service, repair and been aware of the possible ramifications and maintenance of vehicles is also subject to this what the extent of these costs were going to be. tax, and that is not limited to engine tuning and It is only now that business is waking up to what radiator repair and panel beating but including will happen under this legislation. It is just plain those, so it covers almost anything. If one takes stupidity and it is not correct to be putting this Bill the wheel off a car, one is probably going to have through the House when it is under the shadow to pay $500. If one washes cars, one will of that very substantial and honest CJC criticism. probably have to pay $500. Will the Government The Minister has foreshadowed 40 amendments slug the boy scouts who wash cars on to this Bill, which was tabled in this House just Saturdays? It just goes on and on and on. This two weeks ago. That shows the bad preparation legislation is open-ended. It virtually covers of this legislation. Also, the criticism that is arising anybody involved with the service, repair and from businesses now that they know what the maintenance of vehicles. We all know what will costs of these various taxes and levies will be is happen once the bean counters get all those another indication that the Bill is being rushed areas in their sights and once the regulations through. It is poorly prepared legislation. We have gone through and they need a bit more have been told by experts that it is not going to money to balance the Goss Government Budget work. What is the point of pushing through a Bill and to keep putting hundreds of millions into the that is not going to fix a situation that is currently coffers to keep providing those services. the subject of such substantial criticism? The keeping of animals is an interesting Next year, as we get into the election, the area. The previous speaker referred to that business people who create the jobs of this matter. The green tax covers veterinary clinics, State are going to realise the extent of this Bill, aviaries and kennels. I am patron of a club in the effects it will have on their businesses, how Toowoomba that is involved with the keeping of many jobs will be lost, the bureaucracy, the birds and poultry and so forth. Most of those added administration and costs and the fact that people are working-class folk. They engage in it is a punitive system. There is absolutely what is a family hobby, and they are all mindful of nothing in this system to encourage those keeping their aviaries clean. Many of them have people who spent tens or hundreds of had those aviaries passed down to them from thousands of dollars to put in place mechanisms their parents or grandparents. They are to comply with all the current regulations. What mentioned here; they get an honorary mention. do they get slugged for this? For all the good So I suppose if one has chooks in the backyard work that they have done in looking after the or an aviary or a veterinary clinic, one is up for at environment, they basically get a $4,000 or least $550. $5,000 bill per year. What has been the point of When considering the breadth and scope of all the work they have done? Absolutely nothing! this Bill, one area that will need to be considered There is no incentive in this for people. There is is sports facilities. Although at this stage this draft no such thing as a reducing cost, no such thing regulation shows that there is no charge there, I as a no-claim or no-fine dividend; there is no think we can all see it coming. They are all listed reward at all. There is nothing at all in this Bill to here. They are ready; it is only a matter of a reward those people who, through their own regulation. The list includes indoor sports business and at their own expense, have been centres, private commercial swimming pools, doing so much for the environment. Legislative Assembly 10267 15 November 1994

I join with our shadow Minister and my penalised if they did not do it. We cannot blame colleagues in stating again that we cannot people today for what might have happened in support this Bill while it is in the shadow of the the past. We can say that today we are far more criticism that has come from the CJC, because of enlightened and we are probably more able to the poor preparation, the 40 foreshadowed avoid the problems which arose as a result of amendments and the staggering costs that are practices in the past. Certainly, I do not think that associated with this. those practices which have caused Time expired. environmental harm or destitution have been overly widespread. I still think that the majority of Mr SPRINGBORG (Warwick) (9.25 p.m.): people conducted themselves in a very mature In rising to participate in the debate on the and considerate way. Environmental Protection Bill 1994, I would like to make a few general comments relevant to In talking about the overall management of environmental protection matters in my our environment, I would first of all like to turn to electorate as they relate to the management of the issue of national parks management. This is national parks. I would also like to comment on an issue of concern which came up in my the management of this Environmental electorate only recently. I would like to mention Protection Bill after it comes into effect no doubt the issue of resourcing. If one considers the later on in the year. resources being made available through the schedule of fees for this Bill and compares that In my opening comments I would just like to with the resources which have been made say that I think there are very few people who available for our national parks, one would see a could genuinely disagree with the sentiments very interesting paradox. I am talking particularly contained in the Bill and in the Explanatory Notes about fire management in the Girraween National associated with the Bill. I think that all honest Park. I raised this subject in this Parliament not Queenslanders and all honest Australians would too long ago. What is happening there is an have to agree with the concept of absolute, unmitigated disgrace. It is a wonderful environmentally sustainable development and national park—and the rangers there do a very would also agree that we have very many good job under difficult circumstances. However, interesting challenges ahead of us as we head I think to preserve the biodiversity in that national into the twenty-first century. There is no doubt park for our future, to make sure that we can about that when one looks back at what has manage it as properly as we possibly can, we happened in Australia over the past 200 years of need to put a lot more resources in there. European civilisation and also prior to that with 40 000 or maybe 40 000 plus years of Aboriginal One example I would like to cite is the habitation. practice of placing speed bumps across the tracks. That actually precluded fire fighters from There certainly have been a great many being able to access many of the areas in that environmental changes in Australia, and many of national park which required substantial those have been made and exacted by resources to stop a fire which was heading off in humanity. Many others have been the face of 50 or 60-knot wind. One can imagine environmental; we are just not quite sure how the difficulties which were faced by the fire many of those may be environmental. The fighters. I think that is a very important problem of drought that we are currently experiencing leads environmental management in this State which me to think that maybe this is the start of some needs to be fixed. We claim to have 4 per cent or sort of change in our weather patterns which is 5 per cent of the State as national parks, but in going to cause a lot more problems for this many cases we do not do a very good job in country. Perhaps we are coming to the end of a preserving the ones that we have. 1 000-year cycle or a 200-year cycle or a 5 000- year cycle. If that is the case, we will have to I am not one who comes into this place and change a lot of our management practices. No makes criticisms without a great deal of thought doubt we have done that in the past and no and without a great deal of consideration. This is doubt we will do that in the future. a national park and some of the problems which actually came to a head there as a result of these It is interesting to note that, when one gets fires show that it really behoves the department up and criticises former Governments in this to take a very serious look at itself and its fire House, what might not seem acceptable today management strategies. We need to make the was actually acceptable 30, 40 or 50 years ago park far more accessible for fire fighters who have and in many cases was condoned by the to go in there in times of disaster, because a authorities. If one considers the issue of land stitch in time really does save nine. If we can get clearing, the Lands Department actually in there and control burn, and if we are able to encouraged people to go out and clear as much stop the fires or at least minimise the fires which of their land as they possibly could—they were are moving across the national park, that will 15 November 1994 10268 Legislative Assembly preserve a lot more of the animals and plants in when I read the schedule of fees and thought that national park. If we burn every few years and about how it was going to impact on my make sure that there is not a fuel build-up which electorate, particularly on many of the will lead to a fire that will leap 30 feet in the air, businesses and local authorities, during this time then we will reduce that impact. There have been of drought. many places that have not been burnt for 20 or As to aquaculture—most of these issues 30 years. That is not only a fault of what has have been touched on during the course of happened here, but it is something that has today's debate. However, I have a person in my been going on for a long time. It is certainly within electorate who grows fish fingerlings, many of the ambit of environmental protection in this which go into the Government's program of State overall. I am raising this for the restocking many of the impoundments around consideration of the Minister, because I believe the State, as well as to many fishing clubs that are that the Minister really must take this on board. I stocking the inland rivers and streams. Under the refer to the way that we manage public national parks in this State. current schedule of fees, which have not been amended to this date, an area of under one I turn now to the Environmental Protection hectare would attract an annual licence fee of Bill and the specifics of the schedule of fees, $500. An area under 10 hectares and over one which we have had placed before us in the past hectare would attract an annual licence fee of couple of weeks. $2,700; and with over 10 hectares of pond area, Mr FitzGerald: They're only a draft. we would be looking at $3,300. For the life of Mr SPRINGBORG: They certainly are. me, I cannot see the environmental impact that that particular person in my electorate is having. Mr FitzGerald: They're only a draft. They He runs a very good and very professional could go up and down. That is just the first bid. business. I would imagine that he would get very Mr SPRINGBORG: The honourable little for his $3,300. member for Lockyer makes a very relevant point. Mr Elliott: He's probably feeding half the I am very loath to make comments on matters that birds in the area. I have not researched. I am sure that it is very much like the dividend that was going to be Mr SPRINGBORG: There is no doubt placed on Treasury borrowings, as well as the about that, because he has complained to me proposed railway closures. I have no doubt that about some of the birds that he is feeding, what the honourable member says is right. I including many of the cormorants that flock believe that, as a result of public pressure, we will around there. Tortoises walk into his dams and see changes to this draft schedule of fees. attack many of his fingerlings, to the extent that he has to put up galvanised iron and those sorts Honourable members interjected. of barriers to keep the tortoises out. When he Mr SPRINGBORG: Mr Speaker, I ask for drains the dams to access the fingerlings, he your protection from members on both sides of sees what has been going on, because he might the House. harvest only 10 per cent, 20 per cent or 30 per Mr SPEAKER: Order! I assure the cent of the small fry that he has actually put in there. honourable member that he has it. Mr SPRINGBORG: I want to make some As to the vegetable washing issue—I have been assured that that has been dealt with. That relevant points about the draft schedule of fees is a very welcome move, because that would and some of the latest amendments to that have affected Wickhams Farms in my electorate, schedule of fees. I would like to talk about how it which is a major processor of vegetables. It is going to impact on local authorities. I shall also washes vegetables for the market, as well as mention some of their concerns. Many local providing chipping and boutique potatoes and manufacturers and business people have also pumpkin for the restaurant industry. raised concerns with me. It is interesting to note that many Government members come in here As to the meat processing industry, in my and say, "The Opposition stirred all this up." I did electorate I have Hancocks abattoir—the not stir it up at all. I was contacted by local Killarney abattoir—which is a major domestic authorities who said, "Look, are you aware that abattoir. It is probably one of the biggest in this is the draft schedule of fees? Are you aware Australia. It employs many hundreds of people. that this is what we could quite conceivably be Through them and Wickhams, anybody who facing when this new Bill goes through the wants to get a job in Killarney can get one. I am House and when the schedule of fees comes very fortunate to have those people in my into being in the form of subordinate legislation electorate. They will be faced with paying an which is going to follow?" I was quite shocked annual licence fee of $5,220. I do not believe that if someone sat around there with inspectors Legislative Assembly 10269 15 November 1994 all day, every day, all year, that would make them has spoken to me and my father about how run their show much better. They abide by all difficult it is to function as a small country butcher. current guidelines. They run a very professional He is selling meat to Goondiwindi, and he organisation situated just on the south-eastern supplies other retailers around the area. Yet he is outskirts of the town. saying that it is very difficult to maintain his Warwick Bacon, which is the major employer current staff, and he does not want to lay them in Warwick for the export meat industry, will be off. He is going to be exempted from one part of faced with a slug of $5,220 under the current this legislation. However, because he has a schedule of fees. Dairy Fields, which is the rendering operation, he will have to pay $6,020. former Warwick Dairy Co-op, will be faced with a That is grossly unfair. His plant certainly has not $4,100 fee. For the life of me, I cannot see what done any damage. This is another aspect that a $4,100 annual licence fee is going to do that is does deserve the consideration of the Minister. not already being done. I walked through there I turn to the issue of fuel depots. Earlier last year. The place was spick and span. There today, Allora Independent Fuel was given to me did not seem to be any problems. I believe that as an example. The proprietor will have to pay a the Government is barking up the wrong tree levy of $20,540, but I doubt very much that he is with many of these things. able to afford that. He certainly stores more than Mr Stephan: I think it might be paying the 300 000 litres of fuel at his depot. That $20,540 salaries of a lot of people. would employ one person. We must consider these sorts of charges. When these fees finally Mr SPRINGBORG: I believe that it is come back from Parliamentary Counsel, one going to create some jobs. I have no doubt that, must consider the impact that they will have on probably as a result of the Bill and some of the employment in these particular cases. To my way green police, we will see some practices that of thinking, that $20,540 is not going to be spent have occurred in the past stamped out. I am still a on policing that person's operation. One would bit sceptical about that. But what I see are 170 almost have to station a green policeman there green police around the State who will be for six months. If one looks at possibly paying a sucking many millions of dollars out of those green policeman $40,000 per year, the businesses and industries that are doing it very independent fuel business will be paying tough as a result of the drought. When there is $20,540, or almost half the wage of a green not a drought, many of them are running on the policeman. I do not think it is going get anything bones of their backsides anyway, and yet they for that and probably it is going to be forced to lay are going to be slugged with these sorts of fees. off a staff member as a result. Those are the People involved in sheet metal works will impacts that we need to consider. face a $400 fee. As to sawmilling—production of The Bill impacts also on local authorities. over 1 000 tonnes attracts a fee of around $800. Much has been made in this place during the My electorate contains many sawmillers. Many of course of today's debate about the effect that it them are small sawmillers who may not be will have on water treatment, sewage, gravel pits producing hundreds of thousands of cubic and all of those sorts of council operations. In metres of timber a year, but they are employing relation to the three local authorities in my five, six or seven people. Many of them are electorate to which I have spoken—and these supplying timber to Melbourne for the housing are the ballpark figures currently given the draft industry. They are very important employers. A schedule of fees—the Inglewood Shire, which fee of $800, when many of them are finding it has a general rate base annually of $600,000, at hard to survive, will certainly impact very this stage will pay $82,384 in levies. If one was to adversely on them. pass that on in general rates, it would be about a I acknowledge that one must be processing 15 per cent rate increase. If we were to put it over 200 tonnes of meat a year to be hit with the through the cleansing charges, it would add to $4,100 fee. However, I cite the example of Mr up to a 100 per cent increase in cleansing Bryan Smith in Inglewood. His is a family butchery charges. One does need to consider the that has existed for many decades. He has a number of small rubbish tips that those councils small slaughterhouse. He would not attract that operate and the impact that that would have on $4,100 levy. However, he has a rendering plant, the councils, particularly those with small rate which was installed at his own expense, to make bases. The Stanthorpe Shire Council has a meat meal, render tallow and those sorts of population base of just over 10 000 people. things. It is on a back road. I drive past there Under the current schedule of fees it is going to regularly because it is on the road to one of our cost the council $48,000 per year. Warwick has a properties. I do not see any particular problem population in the vicinity of 25 000 people—it with it. It has never done any harm. However, that may be a little higher. At this stage, its ballpark fellow is going to be faced with a $6,020 slug. He figure is $135,000. 15 November 1994 10270 Legislative Assembly

I hope that, after consideration of the points to ministerial council meetings and got involved that have been put to the Minister in this in all that has gone on over the past couple of Parliament and outside in the protests that have decades in relation to protecting the been occurring in the past week, we will see a far environment. We looked at the Montreal protocol more sensible schedule of fees brought into this and other similar issues. Parliament. If we have to have such fees I take exception here tonight to the way in imposed on those particular shires, they should which the members of ALP have tried the paint be imposed on a per head of population basis. themselves onto the high moral ground, as For example, if a shire such as Inglewood, which though they were the only people who had any has a general rate base of $600,000, has to fork interest in the environment. If Government out $82,000 it just would not be able to afford it. members wander around and have a good look At this moment, councils are finding it difficult at what goes on they will discover that the enough to collect their rates, let alone being enormous number of people who work, live and slugged with those extra fees further down the have been brought up on the land right from the track. That is something the Minister has to word go have a real concern about the long-term consider. goals, aims, ambitions and sustainability of those For the life of me, I cannot believe how farms. When it is all said and done, if we do not these sorts of levies, these draft fees, can be protect that land, there will be nothing to pass trotted out, because they do not take into onto our children. consideration the logistics of servicing those My family has been involved in the place shires. We have many facilities, many small where we live since 1856. They leased it in 1856 rubbish tips, that have to service those entire in partnership with other people. They bought it shires. To come along and say that a shire is in 1863 and we have been there ever since. going to have to pay $4,750 per rubbish tip is Obviously, all of the people in my family who absolutely ludicrous. have been involved in it have had a very real Even though I am very happy to support attachment to that land and have a feeling for it. I many of the broad principles of the Bill, I would take exception that people would try to paint us like to express some concerns about what might as not being interested in it. We have buildings happen in the future under the environmental that are probably as old as any of the buildings in protection policies that are going to come before this State. We have done a hell of a lot of work the Parliament in the form of subordinate and put our money where our mouth is, without legislation. That is one of the problems with any help from anyone, to protect those debating a Bill such as this. We do not know what buildings. I wanted to paint that scenario before I the situation is going to be. What impact is it start to make some comments about this Bill. going to have on irrigation pumps. What impact is As I said by way of interjection to the it going to have on hail cannons? What impact member for Brisbane Central when he was might it have on many other farming practices speaking, the members opposite were very long that one might deem at this moment to be on the environment when they were on the exempt or that one might deem to escape some Opposition benches. I ask: what exactly has the of the impact of this legislation? Government done in the five years since it has The Opposition will adopt a watching brief taken the Treasury benches? It had an excellent and I think that will be a very commonsense opportunity, being given a Treasury that was in approach, because in the future a lot will come good order. It was not as if it could not afford to out of this legislation that will cause a do something. considerable amount of concern—there will be Where were the Government members many good things, but there will be a lot of areas when we supporting the d'Oliveira methane of great concern to many Queenslanders. process? Everyone had great fun talking about Mr ELLIOTT (Cunningham) (9.45 p.m.): In Horvath cars and trying to ridicule the whole rising to take part in the debate on the process. I tell the House that at this time the Environmental Protection Bill tonight, I will make d'Oliveira methane process has run the gauntlet a few points. I am a strong advocate of of the chemical engineering department of the environmental protection, land care, soil University of Queensland under the auspices of conservation, heritage conservation, organic Professor Paul Greenfield through Uniquest. It farming and various other activities that are very now has the imprimatur of that chemical much near and dear to me. I have been involved engineering department. They have proved the in all of those areas. When I was the Minister for process in theory, and that is first step. It was only National Parks, I acted for the then Minister for a miserable $28,000, but it took some near north the Environment and worked with some of the coast businesspeople to put up the money. The people who now work for this Minister. We went real problems of the environment relate to ocean Legislative Assembly 10271 15 November 1994 outfall, doing something about sewage, doing members are blinkered. They are like that horse something about all of the waste that we concern that won the Melbourne Cup. They wear ourselves about, doing something about the blinkers; they have tunnel vision. They have their Murray/Darling system and trying to solve the heads straight down. Certainly, they can see a bit problem of the various sewage plants along the to the left, but they do not see much to the right. length of the tributaries of the Murray/Darling However, they generally see only what they want system. Obviously, we have some of those to see ahead of them. As such, they have plants on the Darling Downs. Those towns' ignored all the technology that is available. sewage plants are contributing to the problems There are other projects emerging. Right of the Murray/Darling system. If Government now, a group on the Darling Downs are working members were so keen on the environment and on another process to handle sewage. That so keen do something about solving the real group is using bacterial processes, and it problems, for a miserable $28,000 they had the believes that it also has made a breakthrough. opportunity to spend some money on the Why are not Government members putting their d'Oliveira process. That process uses the money where their mouths are? They are all talk. sewage that is less related to industrial waste and They are full of committees and full of doing more related to human waste, which perhaps is things that cost other people money. going to be a lot easier to handle than Luggage Point. That leads me to my next point. It concerns me greatly that instead of Government members It concerns me that the Government has not doing what they should be doing and tackling taken any real interest in the process. It has not the real issues of the day and the problems that put up any money, and it has been up to private we have in this State, they are tinkering around enterprise to take it through its first stage, that is, the margins with Mickey Mouse ideas. We just through Uniquest. The next stage is to build a had the example given to us by the member for pilot program in the laboratory, and that is going Warwick where, under this legislation, it is going to cost a heap of money. It could even cost as to cost a little family operation in his electorate much as half a million dollars. However, having $20,000. That operation distributes fuel proved in theory that D'Oliveira's various throughout the farming areas. We can see them; calculations and the process that he was putting they are right next to the road. If they spilt a drop forward is feasible from a scientific viewpoint, of diesel fuel, somebody will come right down on surely to goodness one would expect to see top of them. Everyone drives past that operation some interest from a Minister who is supposedly every day. They have a service station, and they involved and supposedly interested in the sell fuel right beside the road. People can see environment. the whole operation from a bus or from a high When I saw the Minister interviewed last vehicle as they go past. It is right beside the night on the 7.30 Report and heard her say that highway. To suggest that that operation needs she did not ask these various questions about to spend $20,000 to prove that it is capable of toxic waste and its problems, I wondered how running such an operation without endangering much interest she had in the environment. the environment is nothing short of ludicrous. It Unfortunately, I cannot help drawing that is just a grab for more money. In fact, it is a tax. conclusion. So I challenge Government Yet the members of the Labor Party were the members to take a collective interest in one of people who were going to come to power our most real problems. For argument's sake, claiming that there were going to be no new take the member for Currumbin, who lives in an taxes. They told porky pies, which is what they area where there are massive problems with are very good at. I have to say that they tell large sewerage. What to do with the increasing numbers of them. effluent problem in the whole of that Gold Coast I am most concerned about this legislation area—or the whole south-eastern corner; go because, together with some local authorities in anywhere one likes from one end of it to the my electorate, I have done some calculations. other—is a very real and very emotional problem. For example, take Waggamba Shire. This is the Mr Nunn: I challenge you to remember the real nub of the issue. All of these local $900,000 you gave to the Hervey Bay City authorities—and no doubt the local authorities in Council for an ocean outfall into the Great Sandy the electorate of my colleague the member for Straits. What do you reckon about that? Gregory were treated in the same manner—— Mr ELLIOTT: I take that interjection, Mr Johnson: Diamantina. because the member has to realise that this Mr ELLIOTT: Exactly. That is right. process has come on stream and it has come to Waggamba Shire is quite a large shire. It has a the attention of the public only since 1990, or very small population base because the town of 1991. What I am saying is that Government Goondiwindi is not included in that shire; it has its 15 November 1994 10272 Legislative Assembly own town council. As such, the Waggamba Shire go in those dumps at all. Unfortunately, some has calculated that this legislation is going to cost people do it now when they have a dump only it at least $50,000. That shire has a rate base of three miles away from the town. So there needs 2 000-odd people. The councillors of that shire to be an education process. had no idea that this was going to occur. Right up Environmentalists understand that this is a to the last moment, they were told that this was very real problem and that the Government must going to be handed over to them. There was no not close down those dumps because it is better suggestion to representatives of the shire who to have the rubbish contained where we can see were involved in negotiations—although there what is going on and where we can carry out may well have been to the leaders of the Local tests to ensure that there are no problems with it, Government Association—that the Government than to have people dumping stuff all along the was talking in terms of anything like the amount road. Surely some Government members are of money that it is talking about. practical enough to realise that that must be a Where is the equity when Waggamba has a better proposition than to do something along dump at Talwood, Bungunya and Toobeah? The the lines they are talking about. Government does not seem to take any interest These rural shires have massive problems in these funny little places where real people try with this legislation, let alone private enterprise. to live and eke out an existence. The shearers Government members should go to Toowoomba around the local area live in these towns. Those and other country towns and look at all of those are the people whom the Government is small operators who operate within them. It is not supposed to represent, but it has forgotten unusual for one bloke to do the spray-painting, them. The member for Hervey Bay in particular so he has to have a licence for spray-painting. He should hang his head in shame. He is a former has another operation where he does worker—a bloke who used to be involved in the mechanical work in a different shed. He fixes union movement. Look at him now; he runs away brakes and he is the local fuel supplier, so he from it. He does not want to know about it. He probably has a fuel dump somewhere, and he has no interest in the workers of this State any has a bowser next to the road where he sells the more. Unfortunately, this is what is happening. fuel. Honestly, Government members are totally In regard to the Waggamba Shire, the impractical. people in that shire are going to have to pay Members opposite have no idea of the $4,750 for each and every one of those dumps. problems that they will create for people out in When representatives of that shire brought up the bush. They have already taken virtually this issue with the Department of Environment everything away from those people. Are and Heritage, it said, "That is easy. All you do is members opposite not satisfied with taking away centralise your dumps. Bring it all to a central the services from those towns—the DPI, the dump." Some of these dumps are 200 stock inspectors and the courthouses? Not only kilometres apart. What is it going to cost to move is the Government not satisfied with doing that; all of this stuff 200 kilometres? It is all very well for but it is now also persecuting these people by those members who live in a radius of 20 square bringing in this legislation. Government members kilometres or 30 square kilometres. They should should hang their heads in shame. All go out into the areas that the members for Government members are a party to this Gregory and Warrego represent, or out to the decision, which they have not thought through. outer areas of my electorate. Members who represent small electorates do not have the I would be surprised if the honourable same problems. They have no understanding of member for Fitzroy, Mr Pearce, did not know how things work. To centralise the dumps is not about the problems in those sorts of towns. practical. Surely he will stand up and be counted and will not let the Government get away with this The sensible people in the Green legislation. I am amazed that somebody who lives movement have understood and recognised this in such an area does not understand the problem. They are equally as incensed with the problems that those people are experiencing. decision that the Government is making in respect of this matter as are members of the In relation to feedlots, a licence is gained Opposition. If we have these dumps, the through the DPI. At Jondaryan, there was quite a Government is going to say, "Righto, you are all court case about this issue. That was all based on going to have to bring your rubbish over here. environmental concerns—odour problems, You are going to have to drive 20 kilometres, 30 separation distances and all of those factors kilometres, 50 kilometres, or however many which are taken into account in this Bill. If we are kilometres it is." What is going to happen is that going to have a licence which stipulates people are going to throw out their rubbish along environmental conditions, why would we not say, the side of the road. That rubbish is not going to "That is fair enough." Once they pass that test, Legislative Assembly 10273 15 November 1994 why should they have to pass another one? its hat on. The Government could hardly say that Quality assurance will cost them more money. it is proud of that. Mr Johnson: A de facto tax. Mr Welford: Population growth; massive infrastructure; business is booming. Why Mr ELLIOTT: That is right; it is another de wouldn't taxes go up? facto tax, as my colleague the member for Gregory said. Now the Government is going to Mr STEPHAN: The population has not triple dip them. We have heard of double- grown by 50 per cent. The population growth in dipping—and some members opposite are right the past four years is about the same as it has into that—but triple dipping is the last straw in been in the past 10 years. The Government relation to feedlots. I have never advocated civil cannot say, "The population is growing, so we disobedience and the non-payment of taxes. have to tax you more." That argument is way off These people will jack up on the Government track. and will not pay this tax, because there is no The member for Barron River said that the justice in it. They cannot afford to pay it. It is National Party complained because a business morally and absolutely wrong in every way. I am which causes pollution has to pay to clean it up. ashamed that this Parliament would bring down Again, the member is wrong. The National Party legislation that would attack these people when is not complaining about the fact that those who they are down on their knees. The Government cause pollution will have to clean it up. We are is attacking people in drought-stricken areas and saying that the revenue raised by the crucifying them. I hope the Government is proud Government is well above the cost of cleaning up of itself. the environment. Members on the Government Mr STEPHAN (Gympie) (10.04 p.m.): It side do not appear to understand what this gives me a great deal of pleasure to join in this legislation means for the environment. I will make debate this evening and to voice the concerns a comment along those lines later on. that have been echoed on this side of the The member for Archerfield, who is in the House, and particularly the concerns of my Chamber, rose in righteous wrath claiming that constituents. I can assure the House that my members of the National Party have less feeling constituents are not very complimentary of the for the environment than do Government Government at all. members. Honourable members on this side of Before I raise those concerns, I would like to the House have forgotten more about the address a couple of the comments made by environment than the honourable member for some of the speakers from the Government side. Archerfield has ever learned. Those comments indicate that members Mr Ardill: You just don't know. opposite do not have their feet on the ground Mr STEPHAN: We do know about the and are not in touch with reality in relation to the environment. environment. For example, the member for Mr Ardill: Do you know what I've been Everton commented that people in rural areas involved in? are quite happy to pay the licence fees. I invite the honourable member to visit my area in Mr STEPHAN: The honourable member particular, or any other area along the coast, and might be involved in a lot of other things, but he ask those people whether they are keen to pay certainly does not understand this Bill and its the licence fees. The honourable member for effect on the environment. Everton is sitting and laughing with the Minister Mr Ardill: You don't know what positions I at the present time, but I can assure him that my have held or anything. constituents are not laughing about this aspect Mr STEPHAN: I am not speaking about of the legislation. any other positions that the honourable member Mr Welford: They support the Bill. has held. A lot of other members of this House Mr STEPHAN: The honourable member have held positions in various sectors of industry might support the Bill. and the work force. But we are talking about the environment and how the Government does not Mr Welford: They do. understand the impact of this legislation on it. Mr STEPHAN: I do not support the Bill. As Honourable members opposite should not has been stated, the Government is using this underestimate the knowledge of members on legislation as a vehicle to bring in more taxation. this side of the House. When we look at the history of this Government The member for Brisbane Central had many over the past four years, we see that it has complaints about noise. Most members in this increased its taxation take by more than 50 per House would receive many complaints about cent. We can hardly say that that is a very noise, its effect on households, and so on. I reasonable record for the Government to hang 15 November 1994 10274 Legislative Assembly notice that noise is not considered an an unfair imposition, especially as a number were environmental nuisance in the Bill. Despite strictly regulated already. proposed section 15 of the Bill, noise is not . . . considered an environmental nuisance. Again, the member is quite correct in what he was Environment and Heritage Minister saying, but he was off track in relation to this Molly Robson has said the fees were not a legislation. revenue raising exercise. The member for Cunningham spoke about She said the fees would pay for new the understanding that members of this side of staff, the development of new policies and the House have in relation to the environment. guidelines and the monitoring and policing Most members on this side of House owe their of the Environmental Protection Act." livelihood to the opportunity that they had in the However, one local business person made the past to clear some of the land. Some years ago, comment—and it is echoed by many we had to clear some of the land for our others—that he believes that the licence fee is a existence, something which is frowned upon blatant money grab. People who have rung my now. Today, people think that if they knock a tree office and people whom I see in the street have down they have to plant another one. When we repeated the sentiment that this licence fee is were clearing for production purposes, more nothing more than a blatant money grab. The young seedlings would come up than were ever article continues that the general manager of knocked down. If it were not for our making sure Suncoast Gold Macadamias commented that that we did not get regrowth from those fallen under the present draft guidelines food trees, we would not have been able to work the processing operations could be slugged by land. Those are some of the unrealistic more than $4,000. I do not know whether that is comments made by Government members. I am correct or not, but the Minister has certainly been sure that every member supports the concept of very coy about releasing the precise amounts ecologically sustainable development with a view that will be involved. The Minister gives the to preserving our environment for future impression that she is trying to keep that generations. information under wraps for as long as possible. I want to outline to the House the comments The article continues— being made about this legislation by some " 'I believe our operation here, and the members of the community. I will quote from Macadamia industry in general, is very some of the comments that have been reported environmentally sound,' Mr Zummo said. in the local press in the last few days. One article stated— . . . "Cooloola businesses are strongly He said businesses should be opposed to the State Government's encouraged to implement safe environmental licence fee scheme. environmental procedures. Businesses contacted by The Gympie 'Instead of putting in place this Times this week said the fee was environmental levy, the Government should be giving encouragement to businesses with good environmental records . . .' " In short, Mr Zummo believes that the Government should encourage those who are doing the right thing or who are wanting to do the right thing and help those who are not. The approach being adopted by the Government will not attract support from industry; it will in fact have the opposite effect. I turn now to the fishing industry. One of the larger employers in that industry commented that the fishing industry at Tin Can Bay is likely to be hit hard by the licence fee. The same article to which I referred earlier stated that commercial seafood processing would be required to pay more than $2,800. The article stated further— "Vern Lee of Lee Fishing Company at Tin Can Bay said yesterday the fee was unreasonable. . . . Legislative Assembly 10275 15 November 1994

'The only thing that goes back is the Let us consider the magnitude of some of juices from the products and that's not the proposed fees as they relate to local going to harm anything . . . councils. The Cooloola Shire Council will be 'I believe businesses should be expected to pay $115,000 per year. The levies monitored alright because if we don't have a to be paid by some of the councils will be about clean environment, we lose our product. one-quarter of the rate revenue that they currently collect. The Government should not be . . . proud of that fact. The imposition of those levies 'Business has got enough taxes as it is will certainly not lead to better production and . . . we've got taxes on taxes now— it's . . . they will not do anything at all for the crazy'. environment. A number of businesses contacted Piggery keeping, poultry farming and through the week had received no formal aquaculture are covered by the proposed fee. word from the State Government whether The amount to be imposed varies from $2,500 to they would be required to pay an annual $500 to $2,500 again, depending on the fee." industry concerned. Vegetable washing will That matter is of concern. We have this attract a fee of over $3,000. Meat processing, legislation, but we have to wait for the regulations milk processing, and smoking, drying and curing to come forward, and the regulations can be activities are covered, as are vegetable oil and adjusted at the whim and fancy of the relevant oilseed processing. The charges for those Minister. industries range from $2,000 to $5,000. Clay and ceramics manufacture is also affected by the Another article carried the heading, "Price to proposed fee. Some of those organisations pay for environment". That article stated that the operate strictly on a hobby basis, and perhaps total licence fees to be collected in Queensland they will not have to pay the levy, but if their will be in the order of $7m per year. About $5m of business increases they will certainly be that total will be fees collected by the State attracting a very substantial levy. Government through licensed environmentally relevant activities, and local government is The proposed levy does not miss any supposed to collect about $2m per year in industry. The manufacturing of wood and wood licence fees from business and will also be products is covered, as are wholesale and retail responsible for monitoring its own activities. trading activities. Another area that is covered is Once again, this is tax on tax. People are paying the keeping of animals for commercial purposes. rates to local government and then an additional What does "commercial purposes" actually tax in the form of licence fees. The Government mean? Does it mean three cats and a dog or four can hardly claim that this is a reasonable dogs, or whatever it might be? Are people who approach, and it can hardly claim that this show their dogs considered to be running a proposal will win friends and attract the support of commercial operation when young pups are sold the third tier of Government. for enough to pay the cost of injections and other requirements that they must meet? There is a fairly substantial meat processing and feedlot enterprise in Queensland. A very I have just been picking out bits and pieces substantial number of carcasses are being of the Bill about which I see major repercussions. handled each day. The existing fees and It is a Bill that we are certainly not particularly charges can range from $500 for small on-farm proud of. I cannot help but conclude by again feedlots to more than $5,000 for commercial mentioning that part of the legislation. The Bill operators. There are more than 30 feedlots before the House, under the heading "Advisory operating in the Kilkivan Shire, the area covered committees", states— by the electorate of my colleague the member for "215. (1) The Minister may establish as Barambah. Each one of those feedlots will be many advisory committees as the Minister feeling the pinch because of this proposed levy. considers appropriate for the administration The abattoir operation at East Deep Creek of this Act. would attract a fee of around $4,500. The (2) An advisory committee has the manager of that operation, Terry Nolan, said that functions the Minister decides. the fees were excessive given the many (3) A member of an advisory committee regulations and fees that the operations have to is entitled to be paid the fees and adhere to currently. He stated further— allowances decided by the Governor in "Considering all the other licences and Council." fees we've got to pay already . . . it is That is a very open cheque being given to the certainly unjust." Minister and to the Governor in Council, and the 15 November 1994 10276 Legislative Assembly

Government is expecting the good taxpayers of (b) the release of the contaminant will the State of Queensland to keep on paying the or may cause environmental harm." bill. Those taxpayers are running very short of I will not continue to read the clause. I ask the patience about having to meet this requirement. Minister to advise me of an activity that does not Mr FITZGERALD (Lockyer) (10.22 p.m.): have some potential to damage or contaminate At the outset I would like to make a few general the environment. That clause means that we are statements. I totally support the assertion that we giving the Government the right to make need environmental protection legislation. I regulations to cover any activity. The list that has agree with the Leader of the Opposition when been provided to us to which I referred he said that this Bill is flawed and that it should be before—the draft schedule—lists all activities. taken away, redrafted and brought back in its Previous speakers on this side of the House corrected form. In the meantime, the present have mentioned them, so I will not go into detail legislation we have in this State, such as the because I do not want to be accused of tedious Clean Waters Act, the Clean Air Act, the Noise repetition. Those activities cover farming; Abatement Act and other relevant environmental agricultural activity; extractive industries; food legislation, should stand and should be processing; refining; base metal production enforced. It should be enforced by this operations; all the construction activities; Government that has backed away from miscellaneous manufacturing activities; and enforcing it. It has tried to pander to the paper and paper products manufacture and environmentalists by saying, "We are bringing in printing. There is also all the industrial the Environmental Protection Act and we will operations, transport and recreational and enforce the new Act." sporting activities. It mentions almost everything. The Minister has used the catchcry, "The I have a simple question for the Minister. A polluter pays." I believe that the polluter should number of fields are covered under "Extractive pay; I totally agree with that. When the Activities And Mining", and the Minister Opposition first looked at this legislation when it recommends levies. In this Bill, is beekeeping was introduced a couple of weeks ago, we considered an extractive industry or not? I know thought that there were many good points in it. the Minister used beekeeping as an example of However, basically it was the Government saying, an extractive industry in a press conference at "Trust us." There were some concerns raised by one stage. I do not know whether the some members, such as, "What is meant by beekeepers are going to be stung by the this?" and, "What is meant by other relevant Minister as well. sections in the legislation?" The next thing we This Bill is the first major piece of legislation found was that a draft copy of the combined the Minister has had before this House. schedules for the administration of the environmental protection legislation had been Ms Robson: No, it's not. distributed, I understand, to the local authorities Mr FITZGERALD: It is the first major throughout Queensland by the Local piece. This really is a very important piece of Government Association of Queensland. We legislation. It covers the environment, which is read the list of the schedule there and most the heart of the Minister's portfolio. The fact that members, if not all members, of the Opposition she has failed in this legislation means that she were horrified to think that the Government was has failed as a Minister. Not only do we get the going to philosophically not make the polluter Bill in here— and it is the Minister's Bill—but also pay but make those who conform with the there are 40 amendments to come before the environmental legislation pay, irrespective of House tonight. whether they are polluting or not. That horrified the Opposition. Mr Stoneman: But it is not the first bungle the Minister has brought before the House. We then looked at the definition in the Bill. The relevant clause is clause 38, which talks Mr FITZGERALD: I am not going to be about environmentally relevant activities. It vindictive towards the Minister; I am trying to give states— her credit where credit is due. The draft schedule of fees that will be charged under this legislation "An activity may be prescribed by is an absolute disaster. That is what the regulation as an environmentally relevant Opposition is opposed to—a new green tax. As I activity if the Governor in Council is said before, we do not mind the polluter paying, satisfied— but those people who conform with the (a) a contaminant will or may be standards that the legislation sets out normally released into the environment when should be exempt from paying fees. Under the the activity is carried out; and old system, if somebody had a potentially polluting industry, they might have to go to some Legislative Assembly 10277 15 November 1994 considerable cost to conform to those emission motorists go out there and pollute the standards and regulations that the Government atmosphere with carbon monoxide, carbon imposed, but they do not expect to be slugged a dioxide and all the other pollutants that petrol tax on top of that. It is expected that if the pours out. But there is no mention of that in this standards are not met, inspectors come around Bill; the Government let that escape. and there could be a warning or a caution if it is What about smoking? People smoke. Okay, only a minor breach. If it is a major breach, the they pay a tax, but that goes to consolidated polluter can expect to be taken off to a revenue. It is supposed to go to the Health Magistrates Court and then fined and, if budget, but we know that most of it does not. necessary, closed down if he cannot conform to That is a different tax. People who are polluting the standards that society lays down. the atmosphere must pay a green tax. However, Under this legislation the Government is a smoker does not have to pay a green tax. That going to make the polluters pay a tax whether is a relevant environmental activity, and it could they conform or not. That is going to have an easily be deemed as such. impact upon business and on all life activities. What about burning off? We know that the This legislation means people are going to pay Minister's department carries out burning off twice. Not only do they have to pay to conform, activity. Some people believe that burning off is to upgrade machinery, equipment, emission polluting the atmosphere. In this global warming controls or whatever the case may be, but they atmosphere that we are living in, there is no then pay the green tax to pay the police. I do not doubt that people consider that burning off is know of any other industry where we have to turn contaminating the atmosphere. What about around and pay for the policeman. It would be rubbish along the sides of our roads? That is a like driving your car and having to pay a police tax great pollution of our environment. What about for the policeman. We pay for that in our general the glass bottles along the side of the road? Who tax. Society and our community pays general is going to pay to police that and clean it up? Or is taxes to pay for the policing of the laws of this the Government going to let those people land, and that is the way it should be. escape? It is not going to worry about them, so it When considering the clause I was speaking will pick on somebody who is carrying out a about before—and I am not speaking specifically business activity. This legislation is flawed. It is to the clause, just the Bill in general—the wide-ranging legislation that can cover Minister lists those activities that are considered everything. We would trust the Government if it relevant at this stage. However, some people was responsible, but we have seen the draft consider transmission lines across their property schedule of fees. I believe this is an ambit claim. to be pollution. They think that is polluting the According to the draft schedule of fees, the atmosphere—that that is setting up vegetable washing process drew a fee of $3,800 electromagnetic forces. Some people consider per annum. I fully acknowledge that vegetable that to be pollution of their environment—some washing is potentially a polluting activity. I also people are very passionate about it. Some believe that farmers who pollute waterways people believe that farmers who put a boom should be policed very vigorously. That definitely spray behind their tractor or carry out aerial needs to be enforced more strictly. According to spraying are polluting the atmosphere. It is not the schedule of fees, a farmer has to pay a fee if mentioned in the schedule, but that is where it he has a vegetable processing plant on his could go. The Minister could easily say, "We will property. Not many farmers fall into this category. charge every farmer a green tax to ensure that However, this introduces another tax of $4,440 nobody is polluting the environment." So, per annum. A fellow who washes his carrots and therefore, we will have another tax. I can see it as has a machine for processing them—and there a potential tax on farmers because that is a are a couple around—would have to pay $8,240 dangerous, hazardous operation. per year in taxes on a small farm, providing he has What about motorists? Virtually everyone in a capacity of over 1 000 tonnes a year, which is this society is either a motorist or a beneficiary of not very much. being able to travel on public or private transport. The last page of this draft schedule of fees The regular car that burns petrol is polluting the refers to the keeping of animals for commercial environment. We all know that. But are we paying purposes, including the operation of a kennel, a green tax? No! We pay a petrol tax, which goes aviary or veterinary clinic. The keeping of animals into consolidated revenue. I am talking about a might mean that somebody has half a dozen green tax to pay for the policing of environmental steers in a back paddock, and they are for issues. That is what this is all about—creating a commercial purposes, because the farmer hopes source of funds so that we can better enforce to make something from them at sale. According environmental legislation in this State. We to the draft schedule of fees, that fellow would 15 November 1994 10278 Legislative Assembly have to pay a fee of $550 per annum. I have protecting the people they look after. Local been told that is something like $10.57 per government is the form of government that is week. A person who has a veterinary clinic must closest to the people, and it will have to pay this pay that very same amount. tax. An old gentleman was concerned about this I believe that the Minister will have to do a report when he first heard about it, and he monumental backflip on this issue as well. I contacted me. He said that he had 13 understand that the vegetable washers have dachshund dogs at his place. He lives on obtained an agreement from the Minister that the acreage, he is a widowed pensioner, and he annual fee of $3,800 for a vegetable washing receives a pension of $161.65 per week. He plant has been reduced to $200 for new made inquiries of the department and was told activities. I have that on good authority. I have that this fee would be enforced by the shire seen a letter—not under the Minister's hand, but council. He made inquiries with the council, but it from an officer of the Queensland Fruit and knew nothing about this at that stage. He worked Vegetable Growers Association—to the effect out that he will have to pay $550 per annum, that the fee is now going to be $200. So I which he calculates at $10.57 per week, out of suggest that everybody who is under pressure his pension to keep his 13 dogs, because the puts pressure on the Minister to do a great council considers 13 dogs as a commercial backflip. When the Minister does that beautiful operation. I believe that the council's limit is 10 or backflip, we will all hold up our cards and say that 12 dogs and that anything over that is regarded it was Olympic standard, because we are going to as a commercial operation. So that old pensioner see a monumental backflip. Otherwise, the with 13 dachshunds will have to pay that licence Premier will have a problem on his hands, fee. It is absolutely ridiculous. It is just as well he because the Opposition is going to sell this to does not have a couple of steers on his property the electorate as loss of jobs, loss of jobs, loss of as well, otherwise he would have to pay even jobs; a new tax, a new tax. It is going to affect more. It is absolutely ridiculous that these fees every electorate from Currumbin to the tip of should have to be paid. Cape York and beyond to the seat of Cook. All Government members will have to live with what This Government talks about jobs, jobs, they supported in their caucus room. jobs. I assure honourable members that this is a new tax. It is going to cost jobs, jobs, jobs. One One of the beauties of being in Government has only to talk to business people, who are very is that one has some say in what legislation concerned about jobs and the impact that this will comes into this House. If the Minister gets it in have on them. Various members have spoken because maybe the Leader of the House said, about the smaller operators in country areas. "The Premier wants this in. It has got to go They are the ones who will be least able to afford through"—maybe that was said, and this. The small spray-painters and small service Government members all toed the line. Some station operators are covered by this. In country members would be a little uncomfortable about areas it is very difficult to make money during a that. drought. This is another tax that people in those Mr Stephan: We'll make them wear it, too. areas will be faced with. As the member for Mr FITZGERALD: Whether they live in Cunningham said, not only is the Government Kurwongbah, Barron River or Thuringowa, they taking all the services out of the country, now it is will all have to wear it. It is all right to say, "We want really hitting them with another new tax. to protect the environment", but can I understand that shire councils, the third tier Government members tell me how these taxes of government, are going to have to pay this that will be imposed are going to assist the environmental tax. I know that the draft report environment in any way whatsoever, when we was sent out to councils to see what impact it have seen definite proof that this Government would have on them. The Gatton Shire Council has backed away from enforcing environmental calculated that this is going to cost $84,000 per legislation? Tonight in the debate we have annum. The Laidley Shire Council has estimated heard examples brought out of where this that it will have to pay just under Government has backed away from enforcing the $40,000—$39,370. The Boonah Shire Council legislation. When I talk to any of the business informed me that it will have to pay $60,848 per people who will be affected by this legislation, annum. When one considers the small tax bases they say to me, "I believe that we should have that those councils have, one realises that that strict environmental laws." They all accept that. will be an enormous tax. Government members Maybe some of them find it very difficult but they cannot tell me that those councils—the third tier will accept that we have to have them. They do of government— are not interested in cutting not see why they should have to pay this down pollution, protecting their environment and tax—and they are calling it a tax—when they Legislative Assembly 10279 15 November 1994 comply with the environmental laws that are of people who initially believed the Government imposed on them by this State. I believe that the but ultimately knew that they were misled by the Government has made a massive miscalculation. legislation that the Minister brought before this With regard to the drafting of the Bill, I make House, and through her letters—— some criticism of the Bill that was presented to Ms Robson: Do you support it? this House and tabled. There are no lines down the side of the pages to tell us the line on each Mr STONEMAN: The Minister asks: did I page that we are referring to. Forty amendments support it? I remind the Minister that in that will be moved. It will be difficult to interpret "on particular instance—I take her interjection, Mr page 16, lines 21 to 24" when one has to count Speaker—— the lines down from the top of the page. I Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am glad the understand that amended copies of the Bill are member said that, because I was going to remind available, but this was the Bill that was introduced him that it is the Environmental Protection Bill and presented by the Minister to this House. that we are debating. However, since he asked One cannot even follow it for the 40 so nicely, I will give him some leeway. amendments unless one has an amended Bill with the lines down the side of the page. I know Mr STONEMAN: Out of deference to the that the lines down the side do not become part Minister who interjected—— of the Act, but they assist one when reading the Mr Cooper: She interjected. Bill. Mr STONEMAN: Yes, she interjected. I would like to comment later on one of the Out of deference to the Minister—and I thank her amendments. for that interjection—I point out that, during the Time expired. debate on that particular Bill, I asked her about the capacity of fishermen to continue fishing in Mr STONEMAN (Burdekin) (10.42 p.m.): I the national parks. join in this debate tonight very briefly to assist in the opposition to this Bill. As previous speakers Ms Robson: You did not. Hang on. You on this side of the House have indicated, not did not. You tell porkies. only is the legislation flawed but also it is based Mr STONEMAN: I am prepared to make on unbelievably shallow premises and, of time available to the Minister so that she can ask course, no consultation whatsoever. Earlier questions by way of interjection. If the Minister tonight, I heard the Opposition Leader talking would like to formally stand up and ask me a about an interview that the Minister did on question about this, I am happy to respond, Longreach radio. I also heard that interview in because there are 10 000 fishermen in north Townsville, during which she talked about—— Queensland and probably 700 000 or 800 000 in Mr Cooper: Is this the draft Bill? this State who are constantly reminded by her pitiful letters to the editor that she is misleading Mr STONEMAN: Exactly—the draft Bill. this Parliament and the people of this State. I will The Minister talked about it now being out there leave that aside. for consultation and the Government's wanting Mr Stephan interjected. feedback. Plainly, deception is the basis of the Government's attack in this area. For the Minister Mr STONEMAN: I was talked into to say that the Bill is out there for consultation accepting that. The fisheries fiasco is something when the Bill was before the House only three or that I think the Minister—— four days ago is, quite frankly, deceitful. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I think that that I would have to say to the Minister that I am interjection gave the member enough latitude severely disappointed. She has either fallen into and that is the end of it. the trap of being misled by her well-meaning but Mr STONEMAN: I was not going to raise poorly advised department or she is subject to that; the Minister provoked me. We could go direction by the Premier. If we look at the back over the foxtail palm affair, but in the context television tonight, I think that in this instance the of this particular debate it can be said that the ABC has put its finger on it. It indicated quite Minister did not carry out her responsibilities. clearly that the Minister is there in the puppet Throughout this debate on the Environmental sense. I think that is sad, because underneath all Protection Bill, the Minister's only defence has of this she is basically a decent person. But we been that it was all somehow the fault of the have to look at what has gone before—at the National Party. The speakers on the Government recent bungles, if I can use that expression. side are bringing up the same old hardy annuals. I refer to the fisheries fiasco. If the Minister The point I wish to raise tonight—and I will talks to anyone in my electorate, the thousands be brief—is that, if the Minister was sincere in presenting this Bill, why did she and the Cabinet 15 November 1994 10280 Legislative Assembly not put in place those processes that apparently information and bad advice. She has been given apply under a new directive of the Government out-of-touch information to suggest that this is a and the Cabinet that consideration must be levy, not a tax, and that, in any case, these given to the impact of this type of legislation on people should be charged even though they rural communities? We have heard the have spent thousands of dollars in gaining protestations of the Deputy Premier, who I accreditation. understand is still away, and the protestations of Mr Grice: The Minister is not even the Premier and other Ministers. listening. I allude again to the fisheries legislation, Mr STONEMAN: The member for among others, but particularly in this instance the Broadwater is correct, the Minister is not Nature Conservation Act and that section which listening. In fact, she is pretending not to listen. relates to fishing in national parks. Supposedly, The Minister is on a learning curve because the there is a process within the Cabinet structure only advice that she has received previously has whereby the impact on rural communities is been from those out-of-touch bureaucrats. I am assessed as an automatic part of the Cabinet sure that they are decent people, but they are process. I have to ask the Minister: where did out of touch with the real world. They are out of those processes take place? Where in this touch with how difficult it is to survive in the instance, the Environmental Protection Bill, did business environment. As the member for Crows the Minister and the Cabinet undertake a scrutiny Nest said earlier, they are out of touch with trying and investigation of those processes that would to achieve the balance between the necessary impact on rural communities? One would have to environmental safeguards that we all must assume that "rural communities" means all of the embrace and the capacity of business people to rural communities throughout this State, or is the survive. The Minister does not know the Government talking about only the rural difference between her responsibilities as a communities in the south-east corner of Minister for the whole of this State and the Queensland? I suspect that it is. There have bureaucratic advice that she is getting. Quite been protestations across-the-board, particularly frankly, it is not only damning— by the Deputy Premier, Mr Burns, that there is now a process in place that allows for the scrutiny Mr Grice: It's very sad. of all legislation to ensure that it does not impact Mr STONEMAN: I agree with the member, adversely on rural communities. I ask the it is sad. So I must say that, under these Minister: where was this scrutiny undertaken? circumstances, one must wonder where is this How could the departmental officers even all-powerful Cabinet committee that scrutinises all get this onto the table? How could they get it legislation to make sure that it does not impact onto the departmental table, much less the upon rural communities. Previously, 800 000 Cabinet table? How did it get through caucus, fisherman plus a few throughout this State were which comprises these sleepy ladies and embraced by the Minister's madness under the gentlemen opposite? How could they have ever nature conservation legislation, which swept up allowed this to go through? We have heard all national parks. There was no scrutiny of the speakers on the Opposition side of the House impact on rural communities as a result of that enunciate how enormous the impact on rural legislation and, once again, under this communities will be. legislation, rural communities are affected. In my own community I talked to the local I ask the Minister: did she check what the printer. I said, "Do you realise there is going to be impact of this legislation would be on the Winton a Molly robbery undertaken in this area whereby Shire? Did she check what impact the legislation the Minister for the Environment is going to fine was going to have on the Longreach Shire, or you $300 a year for being a printer?" He said, the Ilfracombe Shire, or the Boulia Shire, or the "That cannot be so. I have just gone through the Diamantina Shire and all of those people who live process and spent several thousands of dollars in those areas? Did she check what impact this in being accredited as being environmentally legislation was going have on the small sensitive and understanding all the rules and community, for instance, in the Diamantina regulations. This cannot apply to me." However, Shire—and I think the member for Gregory will tell under this legislation, he is going to be charged me—of about 180 people. $300. He is a little guy who is trying to battle Mr Johnson: About 200. along and survive, yet he is going to be levied an Mr STONEMAN: The shire has about 180 impost of $300 a year. I must say that, of course, people. There is going to be an impost of this is not a tax, it is a levy. It has nothing to do $30,000 on them. Did the Minister, through the with a tax. It happens to be something new. The Cabinet committee, which the Deputy Premier Minister does not have the practical knowledge says is in place, check what the impact this to understand that she has been given false Legislative Assembly 10281 15 November 1994 legislation was going to have on those people? operation, according to the schedule he is going Did the Minister check what impact the legislation to be levied $500 a year. was going to have on the Burdekin Shire? For Mr Johnson: If he does the brakes, he the benefit of the Parliament, I note that the has another $500. Minister is shaking her head in feigned exasperation. Did she check with those rural Mr STONEMAN: Exactly, if he turns out communities? the brake drum. The Minister would not know what turning out a brake drum meant. She would Mr Turner: I don't think so. say, "That sounds reasonable, let them cop that Mr STONEMAN: I take that interjection one." She would not know. Unfortunately, from the member for Nicklin. I do not think so, neither would any member of caucus—except either. I have heard members of this Cabinet the member for Thuringowa, who is almost constantly saying, "We have a process in place prepared to cross the floor. They would say, that ensures that rural communities throughout "This sounds logical." this State will not be disadvantaged. Every piece I would have to say that one of the most of legislation and every decision of this ludicrous issues in this whole process is that Government is going to have to be checked for relating to waste management. People are fined its impact on rural communities." I ask the for being involved in the process of managing Minister: what about the panel beater in my waste. They not only have to pay $1,200 or electorate, or the panel beater in Townsville, in $1,500 to be operators in waste management Wulguru, in Stuart, in Cluden, in Murray or in but also on top of the registration and associated Douglas? What about those guys who are trying costs for every vehicle that they own, according to make a living? According to the Minister's to the schedule, they have to pay $350 for every schedule, every year they are going to get a bill vehicle that they want to use to control the waste for $550. What about the people in the management of the community. The Minister Burdekin—in Home Hill, in Ayr, in Brandon, in should be rewarding those people. She should Clare, in Gumlu or in Guthalungra? be saying, "Provided you keep your operations Mr Turner: Maybe it's more of a donation. up to scratch, provided you are sensible, realistic Mr STONEMAN: As the member for and provided that you accept the Nicklin said, maybe the Minister considers that it responsibilities"— which they do—"you should is not a levy, it is more of a donation. However, not be fined." However, this is a fine of $350 for those people know that it is a tax, nothing more every vehicle. and nothing less. What about the people who As the member for Crows Nest said earlier are breeders of cats, of dogs, of canaries or tonight, those local authorities that might have whatever? They are going to have to cop an two or three dumps—and local authorities in my impost of over $500. electorate have rubbish dumps at Clare, Millaroo, Mr Stephan interjected. Dalbeg, Gumlu, Ayr, Home Hill, Brandon and Giru; I could go on and on—each one of those Mr STONEMAN: Exactly. I must say that dumps is going to attract, and I cannot recall the the vets and those people who look after cats, figure offhand, but I think that it is about $1,200 canaries—the whole bit—are probably the most per dump. environmentally sensitive people that one could come across. In fact, a number of vets and their An honourable member interjected. families in the lower Burdekin area are extremely Mr STONEMAN: It is $3,000. What about sensitive to the environment. However, they are hospitals? They will be charged $4,000-odd, going to have to pay a $550 a year levy—not a regardless of whether they are big or small. In our tax—for being environmentally sensitive and, areas, hospitals are quite small. coincidentally, for being vets. Mr Grice: It's more than that; it's over The Deputy Premier says, "Go out and save $3,000. a cat, or save a pet, or look after that", yet this Mr STONEMAN: The member for Minister is going to fine people for even being Broadwater is right. involved. I would have to say that I find this whole thing totally iniquitous. This so-called scrutiny of The Minister is not listening; she is the impact of legislation and regulations on rural embarrassed. The impact on the community at communities is an absolute and total farce, and large is enormous. There has been no one which this Minister is probably foremost in consideration of the financial impact that flows on abrogating. through the business sector. We must remember that we have all got to live and work I turn now to some other people who will be together. There has been no assessment of the affected by this legislation. Regardless of impact on rural communities, which was whether a garage operator conducts a backyard something that the Government promised to do. 15 November 1994 10282 Legislative Assembly

This Minister has shown no understanding of the everything else in general. However, Mr realities and practicalities of the impact of this Speaker, I can assure you that businesses will legislation on the communities and individuals not take this sitting down. throughout Queensland. I suggest that the best In western and other parts of rural thing the Minister could do is sack her Queensland, businesses are trying to create department and resign. employment and trying to keep their businesses Mr JOHNSON (Gregory) (11.02 p.m.): I operational and viable. But all this will do is drive rise to speak to the Environmental Protection the slipper into already reeling enterprises. This Bill. This legislation imposes a tax on the triers of Minister and this Government will be responsible this State. All of the previous speakers on this for more unemployment and possibly even more side of the House referred to the Environmental bankruptcies. Protection Act. I ask: what is it protecting? Not a Mr Grice: She won't listen. damned thing! All it is doing is driving the boot further into business, which is already reeling Mr JOHNSON: No, the Minister does not because of the economic burdens and want to listen. Radio 4QL covers most of this restrictions put on it by Federal and State State. The other day I heard the Minister saying, Governments. "It is only a draft." The Minister is in the draft—they will draft her clean out the backdoor Mr Stoneman: It's protecting bureaucrats. tomorrow. I can assure the Speaker that Mr JOHNSON: Yes, it is protecting the fat everybody in Queensland knows exactly what cats. the Minister said during that 10-minute interview The rural sector and all other sectors outside on 4QL, and the whole of Queensland knows the south-east corner will be paying for what the what she is about. people in the south-east corner take for granted Mr Grice: She won't listen. all the time. Chemical merchants will be losers, as Mr JOHNSON: No, the Minister does not will garages, contractors, panel beaters, fuel have to listen. We have talked about pollution. I depots, road transport operators, feedlots, will give the Minister all of the pollution that the piggeries—and the list goes on and on. she wants. I will give the House an example of Mr SPEAKER: Order! I have been this Government's cost cutting. Class A fuel has present at three different times during this been used in the power stations at Bedourie, debate. I have heard this list read time after time. Birdsville and Windorah. This legislation will send It is starting to become a bit tedious for the Chair. the price of fuel in western Queensland clean There is a Standing Order that states that tedious through the roof. Those power stations are now repetition should not be allowed in debate in this using a light fuel oil that is some 20 cents per litre Chamber. I suggest that honourable members cheaper than anything else. As I said, because of should not read through a list ad nauseam. I have the cheapness of this fuel, these powerhouses heard that list read out 10 times already. and the little towns that they service are just one Mr JOHNSON: I remind the Minister that big cloud of black smoke and pollution. This we are not addressing the environment but what Minister, who thinks that she is cutting back on this piece of legislation will do to it. Under this pollution, and this Government, of which she is a legislation, the cowboy element will run rampant. member, are creating pollution. The fair dinkum people who will abide by and These people are doing it pretty tough at uphold the law are the ones who will be the best of times. The last time that I was in penalised. The Minister does not know that. She Birdsville, fuel was 93 cents per litre. With this stated that she has consulted people right sort of legislation, fuel will be $1 per litre in those across the community—local government, places, because fuel depots that store over business and so on. The Minister has not 300 000 litres, as do all of the western depots, consulted anybody. will be paying $20,400 a year, which is a lot of The people in this State are trying to provide money. a service and employment and are trying to keep Mr Stoneman: How often do you think their businesses viable and operational. In the Minister will go out there? relation to small business and local Mr JOHNSON: The Minister has not got authorities—the list goes on and on; and the the guts to go out there. I will give honourable Speaker just said that he has heard it 100 times members the mail—they will give her some if she tonight, but the Minister does not want to hear does go out there. They are sick and tired of the about it. The Minister for Environment and rip-off merchants on the other side of the House. Heritage is talking to the Minister for Family Recently, the Government was at Longreach for Services and Aboriginal and Islander Affairs. a rural Cabinet meeting. The Government gave They are having a laugh and a joke about about $20m to western people and people in Legislative Assembly 10283 15 November 1994 rural and remote Queensland for road funding afternoon, the Government tried to close down and so on. Yet it will now cost $24.04m over one-third of the State's railways. It has cut the three years to implement this program—$4.78m guts out of ambulance services. in 1994-95, $10.13m in 1995-96, and $9.13m in Mr Cooper: And a performance tax for the 1996-97. The Minister says that that is the councils. estimated cost to Government of the implementation. It will not cost the Government Mr JOHNSON: Yes. Labor's AWU anything to implement the legislation; the users heavyweight mate, Bill Ludwig—— will pay the cost. The local authorities will have to Mr SPEAKER: Order! I remind the pass the costs on to the ratepayers, and the member that we are debating the Environmental same will apply to business, which will have to Protection Bill and not rural communities. I ask pass on the cost to their customers. The list goes him to return to the contents of the Bill. on and on. Mr JOHNSON: I am aware that we are This will not cost the Government a bent debating the Environmental Protection Bill, but I razoo, but it will cost the people of Queensland want to once more remind Government members everything. As I said a moment ago, what we are that they will not have to worry about the people about is trying to create employment and viability who live in rural and remote Queensland, so as to get this State up and operational. The because those people will not be there after this Government criticises and knocks, as it has done Government has finished with them. This all day and for the past five years. It has knocked Government has driven the slipper in pretty hard. a success story of 32 years of conservative Everybody on the conservative side of the administration in this State. Every question time, House will remind all Government members right the Treasurer tells us that there are no new up to the 1995 State election of exactly what taxes. I will be damned if this is not a new tax on they have done to the people of this State in the every man, woman and child in this State. last five years. I say to the Government members Mr Stoneman: It's a tax spelt l-e-v-y. who were grinning, laughing and carrying on earlier that this situation is critical. Mr JOHNSON: It is a tax levy. Mr Cooper: They don't give a damn. Mr Szczerbanik: Are there many sheep in Longreach? Mr JOHNSON: They do not care one bit. The honourable member for Crows Nest said that Mr JOHNSON: I will take that interjection they do not give a damn, and he is right. from the fool from Albert. That was a ridiculous thing for him to say. Does he care about the All of those who have had anything to do people in that part of the world, not only in with the bush are conservationists and Longreach but right around rural Queensland? environmentalists. We have been responsible These people are suffering from the problems of for the land in the past, and we understand it drought and rural recession and yet the member fully. This Bill will serve merely to drive the good says something like that. I will give him a bellyful if people underground, and the cowboys will ride he wants one. free as they have under every other piece of legislation that this Government has introduced. What about the Jericho Shire? The Those who do not give a twopenny damn about legislation will cost it $27,460. The Minister for what happens to the environment or anything Transport, who controls the railways in this State, else—the backyard fellows—will run rampant. wants to take the running men out of Alpha. That is exactly what has happened in the past, There are 104 kids at the school there, and 52 of and it will happen again. the kids at that school come from railway families—50 per cent of those kids. This Mr Grice: The Minister has left now. She Government does not give a damn about the doesn't want to know. bush. It does not give a damn about the railway Mr JOHNSON: No, she does not want to people, the councils, or the local people. It does know about it. I can assure the Minister that this is not care; it does not understand. The houses of not a draft Bill; it is a piece of legislation that she those 13 running men from Alpha will have only a introduced into the House. Her minders are no fire-sale value. I bet that Queensland Rail, the doubt well aware of the ramifications of this Queensland Government, Mrs Robson or legislation. I can assure the House that the anyone else on the Government side of the people of Queensland know what the Chamber will not help those people relocate into ramifications of this legislation will be. I can assure a house equal to that which they have in Alpha. the House that every coalition member will be As a previous speaker mentioned this telling the people of Queensland exactly what this will mean to each and every one of them. The people who are trying to achieve out there will be the prime losers. I do not make any 15 November 1994 10284 Legislative Assembly excuses at all to Government members. They instead of debating the mere principles, now we can laugh and grin all they like, but this is a very are debating the realities of the charges. Didn't dangerous piece of legislation. It is detrimental to the dust fly when my colleagues from the various the economic and general wellbeing of this parts of rural Queensland were contacted by the State, and I urge the Government to throw it out local councils and by commercial people, who are the door. now very much aware of the sorts of impacts that Mr LITTLEPROUD (Western Downs) this legislation will have on them! (11.15 p.m.): In rising to make a contribution to We are not against the need to protect the the debate on the Environmental Protection Bill, environment. Our opposition is to the I state at the outset that I have listened since 12 incompetent performance of this Minister in o'clock today when the member for Burnett led failing to implement the legislation that has been the debate on behalf of the Opposition and was in place under this Government for the last five scathing in his attack on the Minister. Since then, years. After a scathing attack from retired Justice all my honourable colleagues have launched an Matthews, the Government expects us to accept all-out attack against the Minister for her the sort of legislation it is putting before us now. incompetence. After watching the 7.30 Report The reality is that the practitioners of the world tonight, it is evident to me that we have done her know what this legislation will cost them, and they a great injustice. The 7.30 Report put the blame know that they cannot afford it. back where it belongs—in the Premier's office. I want to make a comment, and it relates not The Minister is just a puppet. This legislation has only to Environment and Heritage matters. all been developed in the Premier's office. In These people in the Government are very strong fact, one wonders what the department is even on words. They excel in the hyperbole; they are doing with this legislation. great on reports; they are great on PR, and they Mr Cooper: No wonder she's not here are great on mission statements; but when it gets now. She may as well not be here. down to making something work and Mr LITTLEPROUD: No wonder the understanding what goes on, they are hopeless. Minister has gone. We owe her an apology. It is This is just another hopeless situation, except in not her fault at all; she is just a patsy. In fact, she this case the Government has tripped over makes the Minister for Family Services look like a before it started. It should never have put the champion! schedule out among the people of Queensland before we debated the Bill. Thank goodness for So the Premier of Queensland had to make the people of Queensland! That is why we are another big apology to the people of opposing this legislation. The Minister is still Queensland. He has made a horrible mess of this missing, because she knows she is the patsy. again, but he is prepared to sit back in his office The Premier is the one who should take the and swan away and let one of his ladies in the blame. He is hiding away and skulking in his room Cabinet come into this Chamber and take all this preparing his apology, and the Minister is now abuse all day even though it is his fault. No-one outside, probably a bit upset because she has better than a person very close to the ALP and copped a fair caning all afternoon from my very close to ALP machinations, Paul Reynolds, learned colleagues. appeared on the 7.30 Report tonight claiming it is the Premier's legislation. It is now clear that this Mr Speaker, I noted that you gave a ruling legislation has all been developed in the earlier that you do not want members to quote Premier's office. In fact, Mrs Warner does not lists of the proposed fees, so I will summarise the deserve all the blame she gets either, because sorts of things that I have heard this afternoon. the Native Title (Queensland) Bill was also Mr SPEAKER: I appreciate that. developed in the Premier's office, but he is a Mr LITTLEPROUD: I am always most good'un! He makes a mistake but lets someone considerate of your feelings, Mr Speaker. That is else take the fall. My apologies to the Minister, why I rarely leave this Chamber. even though she is not in the Chamber tonight. My colleagues in the local authorities in my The events leading up to this debate were electorate are extremely concerned about the quite unprecedented. The Bill has been laying impact this will have on their budgets. As the on the table for quite some time, and my learned member for Callide pointed out, there are lots of colleague from Burnett has been working people out there who through the council rate feverishly to consult with many people on its system will be innocent victims. They will be ramifications. Normally, we debate the Bill and asked to make a contribution to pay for a refuse then the schedules and the regulations are tip when they are 60, 70 or 80 miles away from tabled. However, in this case the Premier made that tip. In other words, people will be forced to another big mistake. He let these people bring pay something towards the green police when out the schedule of the charges, and of course they are not even going to use them. Legislative Assembly 10285 15 November 1994

Another matter that has been pointed out even come near us." Yet the Minister would have quite correctly is that people will not go along and the people of Queensland believe that she was pay for those rubbish tips, so the council will talking to all the people out there, all the end close them down. As a result, people will go to a producers, and all the other people who are little gully or a melon hole to dispose of their going to cop this levy. She wants us to believe rubbish. That is exactly the type of activity that that there was full consultation. If she did not do the Government is trying to prevent, but it is it, the Premier probably did not do it, either. The exactly the type of activity that this legislation will Premier is away, hiding, and this Minister has to encourage. Of course, the Minister is now back take it. She is pretty brave about it; I will give her in the Chamber, and she is laughing about all this that. She is pretty brave, or brazen—one of the practicality. Strong on words, strong on mission two. She is copping it on behalf of the Premier. statements—— Anyway, the feedlotters are not very happy. Ms Warner interjected. From talking to some of the shopkeepers in Mr LITTLEPROUD: The Minister for my electorate I have been informed that they Family Services should keep quiet. She has recognise that there is a need to make sure that made enough mistakes today, accusing me of the environment is protected and they agree that assimilation. She is in one hell of a mess. I hope I polluters should pay—and I would agree with can get some questions up to her tomorrow. that. However, one chap made a statement that I thought was worth repeating. He wanted an The next thing I want to talk about is the assurance from the Minister—and she may give it commercial people out there. As has already in reply on behalf of the Premier—that any been said tonight, there are many people out money collected from these levies will in fact be there who are really battling to keep going. All of locked very tightly into the budget of the a sudden, they get a bill for another $500. It does Department of Environment and Heritage. This not sound too much, it is only $10 a week for the chap is a veterinarian and he recognises that he bloke who is running the service station or the has the capacity to put some sort of cocktail garages, or the steel fabrication or storing a few down the sink that could be damaging to the chemicals or waste management, that sort of water resources, etc. He is prepared to pay his thing; they will all cop it. Even though the share, but he wants a guarantee from the Minister is speaking on behalf of the Premier, Minister that any money he pays will not be put she made the absurd statement, "They get into a hollow log that is laid in consolidated something like $800 for a fat beast and they can revenue. The Minister can shake her head, but afford to pay such and such." She would not she should stand up later on and use words on even understand the inputs that go into buying a behalf of the Premier. She should tell us what is beast to put the feed in. She thinks that going to happen. something off $700 is not very much. She does not know what the profit level is. Of course the Ms Robson: It's not a levy. Minister for Family Services and Aboriginal and Mr LITTLEPROUD: I take the Islander Affairs, who is now beside the Minister in interjection. The Minister is speaking on behalf of charge of the Bill, has shown ignorance in her the Premier. She said that it is not a levy. A own portfolio and now she pretends to know minute ago she said that it is not a tax; now she something about the environment. says that it is not a levy. I am talking about the I was talking about cattle. It has already been money she is going to take off people. She will said properly by my learned colleague from charge this veterinarian $500 a year, and he Barambah that the feedlots are getting a triple wants a guarantee from the Minister that any whammy. A double whammy was bad enough, money that he pays will stay wholly and solely but because this Minister's department could not within that fund and will not be milked off. get together with the DPI, she is going to now Mr Cooper: Answer the question. impose her own levy on the feedlots. Mr LITTLEPROUD: She will not answer it An Opposition member interjected. now and I doubt if she will answer it later on. Mr LITTLEPROUD: Well, the Premier is Mr Cooper interjected. usurping Mr Casey. It is quite ridiculous. I was Mr LITTLEPROUD: She will not even interested to speak to the National President of give that guarantee. AFLA—the Australian Feedlotters Association—who was reacting to a comment Mr SPEAKER: Order! Would the member made by the Minister that she had consulted for Crows Nest like to make a speech? widely with the Queensland Farmers Federation. Mr Cooper: I did before. I want to tell the Minister that the President of the Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Standing AFLA said to me, "No way in the world did QFF Order says that the member cannot make a speak on behalf of the feedlotters; they did not 15 November 1994 10286 Legislative Assembly second one, so I suggest he let Mr Littleproud The maximum penalty is 165 penalty points or do it for the time being. $99,900. What is the Minister going to do to the Mr LITTLEPROUD: Let Hansard record old garage proprietor if he does not do the right that the member for Crows Nest was pressing the thing? Is the Minister going to charge him that Minister for some sort of assurance that I was also much? How would he get it, for a start? Is the pressing for. She was not willing to give an Minister joking—$99,900? assurance that any money raised and collected Mr Davidson: The petrol station wouldn't by the Department of Environment and Heritage be worth that much. would in fact stay within that department and not Mr HOBBS: He could buy the whole be used in consolidated revenue. No guarantee station for that, for God's sake. What is the came forward. Minister doing? Why is she trying to penalise and In summation, I want to finish by saying that I terrorise these people out there who are in small reiterate the apology we owe this Minister. This business? They cannot survive even now. Is the Minister has been set up as a patsy by her Minister crazy—$99,900? Mr R.H. Matthews, QC, Premier. The Premier should apologise once continues— again to the people of Queensland. He is a bit of "Prosecution for environmental a wimp because he has let the lady take the fall offences is only one tool in a package of for one hell of a mess that he has put on the mechanisms to ensure compliance which people of Queensland. The Opposition is should be available to officials. However, it completely right in backing all the people of has use in addressing inappropriate and Queensland. This piece of legislation cannot ineffective practices and it must be work because the Government's record for the recognised that potential exists for new last five years and the piece of legislation the complex penalty provisions to be Minister introduced, with all the panache in the ineffective . . ." world and all the PR and all the mission statements, have not been worth a tinker's cuss. Basically, he is really saying that what the Minister is putting together is not worth a tinker's cuss, as Mr HOBBS (Warrego) (11.26 p.m.): It is my somebody else mentioned. As well as that, I pleasure tonight to speak to the Bill before the thought, "Well, what is it going to cost? What will House. Since the Minister introduced the Bill, it this cost Queenslanders?” I looked up the has certainly caused a lot of consternation Explanatory Notes, which state— throughout the whole of Queensland. One interesting point that I read in the Minister's "The estimated cost of implementation second-reading speech was— of this legislation during the rest of the financial year is $4.78m in 1994-95, ". . . which reflects the Government's $10.13m in 1995-96 and $9.13m in 1996- commitment to economic and regulatory 97." reform while providing the mechanisms to help Queensland achieve its stated goal of An Opposition member interjected. ecologically sustainable development." Mr HOBBS: Well, it does not. This is only They are words, and words only. When we look the starting price. There are absolutely millions of at exactly what is being achieved out of all of this dollars here that have been spent in this charade and what we can expect in Queensland, we see that otherwise could have been to give people a that they are very hollow words indeed. I was very hand in small business, schools, hospitals or interested to read the report of the inquiry whatever. conducted by the Honourable R.H. Matthews, One of the interesting things that I looked at who made a couple of very important points. He was the effect on local shire councils. Of course, said— this has been mentioned tonight, but I "An Environmental Protection Bill was particularly wish to refer to Tambo Shire Council. introduced into Parliament on 9 September It is looking at a minimum cost of probably 1994 and the nature of this legislation $23,290, and that does not include the extra means that activities not previously quarry areas that it operates. It is looking at the regulated or prohibited may become subject best part of $150 per resident of the town. What to criminal penalty." is the Government trying to do? Things are bad enough in the bush, and this Government is just So I had a bit of a look to see exactly what that screwing those people to death. In relation to type of penalty could be. I noticed that the waste transportation— thank heavens we do not Environmental Protection Bill talks about have many night carts left, because there would offences of causing material environmental harm be a charge over and above that again. and it provides that a person must not wilfully or unlawfully cause material environmental harm. Mr Cooper: At 350 bucks a cart. Legislative Assembly 10287 15 November 1994

Mr HOBBS: That is right. Would that station. There are many other small service include the pie, or what? The costs are stations, including the Mungallala garage and absolutely horrific. suchlike. They are all facing charges similar to this Mr Grice: They call it a drought tax out one. I really do not see a necessity to place this there. impediment upon them. Mr HOBBS: The member for Broadwater The legislation also refers to commercial says that it should be a drought tax. printing, including but not limited to stationery, magazines, newspapers and advertising material. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Bredhauer): No doubt the Albert and Logan Times in the Order! If the member for Broadwater wishes to Minister's electorate would have to pay that interject, he should do so from his correct place. particular amount. I notice that the Minister is Mr HOBBS: I was rather intrigued to relate talking to another Minister and is not interested in these costs to some of the industries that we are this. Perhaps she should send a telegram to the trying to get going in my area. One of the big people at the Albert and Logan Times to tell ones in the Charleville region comes particularly them that they are also in for a $300 charge. to mind. They have been trying very hard to get a Mr Grice interjected. cannery, an abattoir or a meat processing plant going. A lot of work has been put into this, and a Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I have lot of money has been provided by Government. suggested that the member for Broadwater not We are very thankful for all the research, the interject from other than his correct place. I now development of plans, and so on. However, I warn the member for Broadwater. notice that there is a charge on that as well. The Mr HOBBS: I just wanted to point out a legislation refers to food processing, including couple of very important points. the bottling or canning of foodstuff—$4,440. But it also refers to meat processing, including Mr Grice interjected. slaughter of animals for commercial purposes for Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I now the production of meat and all meat warn the member for Broadwater under Standing products—$5,220. Order 123A. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The Mr HOBBS: In this world there are times Speaker has recently made a ruling about all the when we really have to be able to do things lists that have been read out by each member of ourselves. In the past, a person's home was his the Opposition in succession. castle. Some people have the ability to cut their own wood and to build their own homes. Often, Mr Rowell interjected. when travelling around the country, one sees old Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The sawmills. Some people in those areas will proudly member for Hinchinbrook will not interject while I say, "I cut the timber for my home from that am making a ruling. The honourable member for sawmill." The legislation also refers to sawmilling Warrego should not be tedious or repetitious in and woodchipping, including sawing, cutting, his debate. chipping—$550. So this Government is going to Mr HOBBS: I do not think the cannery in slug the old fellow who wants to try to build a Charleville has been referred to in relation to the home for his family. What is this Government cost. I believe that there are some genuine trying to do? relationships between the charges that we are Mr Nunn interjected. considering and the particular instances within Mr HOBBS: Does the honourable my electorate. I am pointing out one of these. member think that is reasonable? Does he not Mr Borbidge: The electorate of Cook think that people have enough on their hands would be badly affected, wouldn't it? without having to face extra costs? If people cannot build their own homes without having Big Mr HOBBS: There is no doubt about that. I Brother looking over their shoulder with a hand in will probably cover some of those areas later. their pocket at the same time, it is pretty weak. Other members may have spoken about these issues, but I have not. This is very important to The legislation also refers to helicopter my electorate, and I believe that it is important landing charges in relation to sites not being part that this House hears some of my concerns. of an aerodrome. I wonder whether there will be a $200 charge for the helicopter landing pad near Many charges are associated with local Parliament House. Will there be a $200 charge garages—anything from $500 to $550 or $650. I when helicopters land there to pick up people? I suggest that most of the garages would come doubt it! under the big one of about $3,820. We have the Rick Kennedys of the world in the local service There is also a reference to the storage of material. It has been well publicised in recent 15 November 1994 10288 Legislative Assembly times that molasses has been in pretty short against a target of 35 for 1993-94. As part of supply; it has been hard to get. There is also a a three year $1.5M program, Local charge on molasses storage. Most of the shires Governments and Aboriginal and Torres in western Queensland took the initiative years Strait Islander Councils were allocated ago. They built storages to supply molasses to $0.53M for training and infrastructure local graziers and farmers. But what is this activities for the proposed devolution of Government going to do? It is going to put a pollution control responsibilities." further charge on that! Another section of the Budget papers states— This Government really must look at what it is "Funding of $0.2M was expended on doing. I do not believe that it knows what it is enhanced air quality monitoring at new sites doing. That is typical of what this Government in South East Queensland. After significant has done. It does not listen. All it does is increase negotiations with industry, the lead level in charges. I ask honourable members to think of super grade petrol was reduced by 25% the cost to Queenslanders of the with a target of a further reduction of 30% by implementation of this provision alone. Would the end of 1995." that money that is being spent on the implementation of this legislation not be far The Budget papers also state— better put into the issues that most affect "A draft Waste Management Strategy Queensland, such as health, education and to provide a framework for the minimisation, things like that? management and disposal of municipal, Mr Rowell: Four and a half million dollars, I industrial and hazardous waste has been believe, is the cost of implementing this. developed and released for public comment. Additional funding of $0.2M was Mr HOBBS: That is the first year alone; provided for the Recycling Grants Scheme then it grows considerably beyond that. It is a to include composting and $0.5M was huge amount of money. I will not labour the allocated to industry as part of a three year point. Many members have made some very valid program for establishment of a Recycling points about this legislation. I just want to voice Industry Incentive scheme." my concern that the Minister is doing the wrong thing. The Government is doing the wrong thing. It goes onto to make some forecasts for the I hope that the Government sees its way clear to outlook for 1994-95. It is important, because it is not continuing with this legislation. It should put it all part of the program of what the Government is on hold and have another look at it. But with the doing in terms of environmental protection. The way it is at present, we really cannot agree to it. I Budget paper continues— hope that the Minister will see some sense and "Additional funding of up to $4.8M is withdraw the legislation. available for the implementation of the Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook) (11.38 p.m.): Environmental Protection Legislation, In rising to speak to this legislation, I point out scheduled to commence on 1 January that the Opposition has made it quite clear that it 1995. The legislation will introduce a new is not against the Environmental Protection Bill licensing scheme for industry, which will be as such, but some of the principles that are based on the user-pays principle. involved in it. We realise that there is probably no Complementary Air, Water and Noise alternative other than to make the generators of Environmental Protection policies (EPPs) waste responsible for the safe disposal of that are to be prepared by January 1995, with a waste. That is a very important issue, because waste policy by July 1995. Local the cost of disposing of waste and the Governments will be allocated a further technology that is involved is quite substantial. $0.5M to assist in the devolution of environmental management I believe that the Budget papers mention responsibilities. certain aspects that are relevant to this legislation. According to the 1993-94 figures, Funding of $1M is allocated for the $15.7m was spent on the Wet Tropics finalisation and implementation of the Waste Management Authority. The Budget papers Management Strategy. A Waste Tracking state— Manifest Scheme is to be implemented by January 1995, together with continued "Funding . . . was spent on the support for Local Government recycling and development of the Environmental composting schemes ($0.2M) and the Protection Legislation, Environmental Recycling Industry Incentive Scheme Protection Policies for air, water and noise ($0.5M). An additional $0.46M is allocated and major public and industry consultation for Contaminated Land Issues." programs. Thirty-one Environmental Management Guidelines were prepared Legislative Assembly 10289 15 November 1994

It is important to relay my sentiments to the water. We have a promising future in that area. It Minister about what I really think about the level is just a matter of trying to come to terms with the of expenditure on waste management in the practicalities and getting over the problems that Budget. I think it is particularly low. I think what is are associated with biological treatment, which required is that Governments work in primarily involves micro-organisms that consume consultation with industry to provide the best organic toxins or pollutants and convert them to options available for the disposal of waste. When usable or benign compounds. Composting of we see $200,000 lots and $500,000 lots—small organic waste is a biological process that reduces lots such as that—and we draw a comparison with waste volume and produces material recyclable what is given to the Wet Tropics Management as garden mulch or fertiliser. That is one process Authority, I think it is pretty poorly resourced that can be used to dispose of scraps from the when one considers the importance in the future kitchen. It could probably also be used for a large of getting rid of a range of products that could be range of organic material. As I have said, bacteria detrimental to the environment. I do not believe also eat hydrocarbons. The compost is also used enough emphasis is being placed on finding as a medium for biofiltration by bacteria which can solutions to overcome those problems. break down toxic chemicals in gases as they are For instance, I would like to speak about the passed through layers of the compost. One recycling process, which is pretty damned European biofiltration process, called Bioton, is important. It has the potential to reduce the being used to treat gases produced in sewage, dumping of considerable amounts of waste, and in the plastics, paint, chemical, perfume, probably as much as 20 per cent or 30 per cent. pharmaceutical and food industries. Biofiltration That is quite substantial. One of the problems is more economical than incineration or chemical that we face in north Queensland when extraction when waste chemicals are in large transporting that recycled material down to volumes but low concentrations. Brisbane is that we have a massive freight cost. In Biological treatment is also highly suited to the past I have spoken to the Minister about the waste waters containing organic material, such as need to try to arrange for some low priority for effluent ponds of meatworks and fruit processing loading of railway wagons. I do not think the plants. Bacteria can be developed to consume Minister is listening, but that is the way the whole specific compounds or specific types of waste. debate has gone. It is important that we have a Worms also have a role to play in the treatment of cheap method of transport down to the southern organic waste from households, restaurants and areas where the recyclable material can be made food manufacturers. At present they are being into useful products. developed at a relatively minor level, but there is Of course, a major manufacturer of cartons potential for large scale development. Those are has taken over the old Bulimba Power House. He the areas that I believe Governments can will need substantial amounts of cardboard and certainly assist in by getting programs together that type of material with which to make cartons. It that can find some of the solutions that are so is a pity that we do not look at initiatives to badly needed to dispose of a large range of our overcome a range of problems associated with waste. waste management. I will now refer to what councils are being I would like the refer to projects such as the charged, because this is extremely important. Plasma Arc and also the Neutralysis Plant, which There is a great deal of confusion among in their own right were not terribly successful. councils about exactly what will happen with the They certainly looked very promising at one charges for domestic water supply treatment stage but, of course, there was a lack of funding works and the operation of sewage treatment and other Government resources that they plants. When it comes to waste management—I required to help them a little over the hump so will come back to that—the councils are uncertain they could make a success out of those about what constitutes a storage area. Very often initiatives. I think Government should in some there is a range of bins—those large, bulk way be assisting private enterprises that are bins—around the district. In my area, they are willing to put together programs of dispensing distributed so that people do not throw their with waste dumping by making some useful waste into creeks and streams, thus material out of waste. contaminating them and fouling them up. The councils have provided those bulk bins. I would We have seen recently the use of like some clarification from the Minister, if she is biomediation, which uses bacteria to eat listening, as to what will happen in relation to bulk hydrocarbons. Small trials were carried out with bins. Will the councils be charged something like the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound $2,000? The Minister is not listening, but I will in Alaska. Bacteria has been discovered that is continue to try. Of course, we will have charges capable of removing radioactive material from relating to waste management, with a transport 15 November 1994 10290 Legislative Assembly cost of $2,800 and $350-odd for each additional Certainly, it is a very progressive organisation, vehicle. It is important that we resolve this very but that is an additional cost that it will have to contentious issue, that is, the cost to councils, bear. However, many other small organisations because the councils have to pass that on to have ponds of around 1 to 10 hectares that will their ratepayers. If there is uncertainty, it will be attract this environmental tax of some $2,700. difficult for them to budget initially until they get For them, that is going to be quite an imposition. the feel of this charge—this is the environmental I turn to food processing. I have noticed tax—that has now been imposed on them. that, under this legislation, sugar mills will attract I know that there are a lot of businesses in some $10,160 in tax. With four mills in my my part of the world that are very concerned electorate, that is going to add up to over about this environmental tax—these levies that $40,000. are now going to be imposed. I refer to the An honourable member interjected. service, maintenance and repair industry, which is quite substantial. Not only do the operators Mr ROWELL: The thing about the sugar deal with the ordinary cars and so on around the industry is that, at the end of the day, there is a district but also they deal with major machinery sharing of the profits. There is ownership such as bulldozers, cane harvesters and haul-out between the grower and the miller right up to the equipment for which very specialised facilities are point of marketing. This impost impacts on the needed in order to carry out the repair work. Of division of sugar moneys. It has an impact on the course, under this legislation, where the banding division of sugar moneys—the actual cost to of brakes and clutch components and that sort of each individual portion of the industry. It is just an work is occurring, there will be a $500 cost. added burden for the sugar millers. I turn to agricultural activities. It is I turn to basic metal products operations. unfortunate that the Minister is not listening to Close to the northern section of my electorate, what I have to say because I would like a there is a quite substantial foundry. Under this response. It is important to the people in my legislation, it could be paying up to $16,000. At electorate that they understand fully what this present, the operators of that foundry are very legislation is all about and what this tax is going to concerned about a range of charges that this do to them. I have to raise the question of Government is imposing on them, and this might burning cane. Will there be any charge for be the nail in the coffin that would make them pull burning cane? Technically, that activity pollutes out completely. I think the impact that that will the atmosphere. It is something that has have is underestimated. Some 250 people work happened over a long period. The sugar industry at that foundry. It cannot get reasonable has been very responsible in going to green concessions on electricity, and a whole raft of cane harvesting, but the whole point is that, other issues are impacting upon it. The operators because of climatic conditions in certain have had better offers from other States and it is areas—and I refer to areas such as the Burdekin, highly likely that, at some time in the future, they and I would like to confer with the member for could decide to pull out. Burdekin about this because growers in his Miscellaneous manufacturing activities is an electorate grow big crops—it is necessary for all-encompassing type of definition, and I think it burning operations to continue in those areas. I covers just about everything that moves. My would like some indication from the Minister as to electorate also has timber product whether that burning operation will come within manufacturers, and this includes sawmills. There the ambit of these charges. The Minister is are many sawmills in the electorate, and a new nodding her head. It is not on. pine plantation sawmill is coming on stream. Ms Robson: Shaking. Under this legislation, that sawmill will be slugged another $550. As I said, it will be a major mill. It will Mr ROWELL: Shaking, nodding—it is not have the capacity of sawing up to about 50 000 on. I thank the Minister. cubic metres per annum. I think that it will have a Ms Robson: Shaking is "No." substantial benefit to north Queensland and also Mr ROWELL: Fine. my part of the world, my electorate of Hinchinbrook, in that it will provide timber and I have a range of aquaculture industries in create jobs. my electorate, particularly in the northern section of the electorate. At present, one very large In referring to the operations of chemical, organisation has 60 hectares of ponds. It will be coal, and petroleum products, under this attracting quite a substantial fee. I have the range legislation if there are storage tanks of a certain of fees here and I think that, because it is over 10 capacity, those operations are going to be hectares of ponds, the fee will be in the proximity slugged $20,540. Those operations are very of $3,200. That is quite a substantial amount. important components of the cane industry because the sugar industry is a very big user of Legislative Assembly 10291 15 November 1994 diesel fuel. If those operations are going to be On the issue of fees, many of the slugged $20,000, they are going to have to pass businesses that the Government is wanting to hit it on to the consumers. That definitely does are already paying sizeable fees. However, there affect the sugar growers. It means that, in the is also the issue of equity that the Parliament competitive world market arena in which the must consider. Take the proposed $300 levy on sugar industry deals with 85 per cent or more of printers. Under the draft regulations, the little its crop, at a time of low prices—which can bloke with a small-town printer's shop pays the happen at any stage because of the volatility of same amount as does the local newspaper the industry—it could certainly mean that there is company—a $300 levy. There is no comparison going to be 1c a litre or whatever added into the in the amount of printing work that these two actual price of fuel to pay for the storage of this operations would undertake. People involved in fuel. I would just like to raise this issue with the waste management are also going to be Minister: will there be a double billing with, say, slugged, but where this legislation is really up the fuel stored in Brisbane? That storage centre that creek is that ratepayers, who are paying for a stores fuel that is unloaded off ships will be hit better system of management, are going to see with a tax. When that fuel is delivered to the something like $350 for every waste transport various distributors in the regional areas, they will vehicle used by people who are contracted to do also be slugged. So we really have a tax on a tax. that, on top of a $2,800 fee. Those costs are To a certain degree, it is a component that passed on to the ratepayers. We are trying to generates itself, and I think that it is going to be achieve a better system of waste management, quite detrimental to these very vital export yet the very people who are providing those industries. services are going to find that there is an extra The same thing applies to the wheat level of Government tax on top of that. The fee industry and to all of those other major structure for a range of businesses, including agricultural industries that are substantial users of aquaculturalists, local government road builders fuel. The effect of this tax on the tax must have and so on, will be compulsory regardless of an impact on the actual price of fuel. On a whether people have gone to great lengths to number of occasions, that fuel may be moved. do the right thing and not pollute. We have also heard about molasses storage. What is of grave concern is that small Time expired. businesses are already subject to many Government taxes and licences, and the Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore) Government has failed to spend that money on (11.59 p.m.): I think we should dub this Bill environmental policing. The fact that ratepayers "Molly's protection racket"—the protection that will also be paying an extra tax on local the Government offers people while it belts them government services is a concern. In a shire such around the ears. The Environmental Protection as Maroochy, it will cost ratepayers tens of Bill as it stands is not a Bill that will bring about thousands of extra dollars. greater environmental protection, and the proposed levies are not a green tax; they are a It is proposed that hospitals will also pay an greed tax. The Minister misleads the Parliament annual fee of $4,100. I imagine that, if they have when she says that this Bill is about polluter pays. an incinerator and other processes on site, they I do not think that anyone has a problem with will have to pay tax on those. As we know, they polluters being made to pay for their damage. are already struggling to meet the demands However, what Environment Minister Robson is upon their services without having to pay a proposing is to slug a range of businesses, even double tax back to the Government. if they are the cleanest and most environmentally Mr Horan: Just close a few more beds to friendly businesses. That is not polluter pays. pay the $4,000. Under this scheme, the Goss Labor Miss SIMPSON: That is right. All of those Government proposes to raise millions of dollars additional charges are costing people beds and from Queensland businesses, and there is no hospitals. There are people dying on our waiting guarantee that the money is going to be spent lists, and all the Government wants to do is tax effectively to overcome the Government's people. There is also a $500 fee for the service, negligence over the last few years in policing repair and maintenance of vehicles, including problems such as toxic waste dumping. In fact, engine tuning, radiator repair and panel beating. on this matter, in the inquiry findings of the Even if these businesses have been doing the Honourable R. H. Matthews, QC, he is of the right thing, they will still be hit with this tax. opinion that this legislation may even make the Vets, kennels and people who are keeping processes of environmental control a more pets for commercial purposes will face a $550 complex charade. fee. A pet shop has just opened in my area and would face a charge for keeping animals for 15 November 1994 10292 Legislative Assembly commercial purposes. I imagine that a $550 fee using one of those water supplies. It is just would be an incredible shock for a new business. absurd, because one water supply will not be There is a fee for waste storage of $2,000. We enough. Additionally, when they were drawing have only to think of the number of collection the line around this little settlement, they went so points that can be within the radius of a dump close to the back door that they have the line that is used by a council. It just goes on and on. It between the back door of one of these places is incredible to think that, even if people are and the barbecue, which is equivalent to the doing the right thing, the taxes will still be distance from where I am sitting to where the imposed. honourable member for Thuringowa, Mr The implication of the power that this Bill is McElligott, is sitting. On the other hand, they talk giving Molly Robson to implement draconian, about trying to stop fires. non-polluter pays taxes is quite frightening. We Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Bredhauer): want to see the environment protected. We want Order! The Bill before the House is the to see polluters pay for their damage, but the Environmental Protection Bill. It has nothing to Government should not slug the people who do with the gazettal of national parks. I suggest have not polluted. The Government should not that the member come back to the Bill before the slug people in the community and pass on the House. cost to ratepayers, saying that it is being done for Mr LESTER: Thank you very much, Mr their own good when the money is really Deputy Speaker. This is all about protection, of intended for administration costs. I support the which there is none for small business. coalition's call for this Bill to be withdrawn. We need better legislation in order to clean up the Why is it that meatworks that employ so act of this Government. This is really a model for a many people—and we have two excellent greed tax, not for a green tax. meatworks in the electorate of Keppel—are going to be slugged with two separate bills of Hon. V. P. LESTER (Keppel) $5,220 and $6,000, and so on? That will all (12.04 a.m.): The mind has to boggle. All the mount up. Our hospitals will have to pay a tax of Labor Party wants to do is belt the hell out of $4,100, plus all of the other incidentals. We are small business. That is what it is about. It does going to slug our hospitals with these sorts of not care about small business. The Government taxes when we have women who cannot even has brought in this incredible tax that will send be stitched up with the right sorts of stitches at yet more small businesses to the wall. Some the moment, because there is not enough $24.4m over the next three years will be thieved money to look after people in our hospitals. from the small business people of this State. Women with dead babies inside them are not That is what it is about. The Government does able to get treatment. That is the sort of thing that not care about small business at all. It wants to is going on at the moment. Yet here we are trying belt small business. It is about time that the to slug these hospitals. The money could be people of Queensland woke up to what this spent in a better way. Government is doing. For construction, renovation and so on, a Can honourable members imagine seeing a fee of $200 will be payable. The farmers and vets great number of environmental police? And this face a fee of $500. For God's sake, are the will only be the start. From there, the farmers not hard up enough at the moment Government will bring in new rules, regulations without all of these extra taxes? People will be and more cost. More small businesses will go out charged $200 just for using their power boats for the door. Does this Government not realise that sport. Commercial seafood operations will pay small business employs—or used to employ—61 $3,000. I have never ever heard the likes of such per cent of the work force? If we do not have an incredible situation in our Parliament. And this people working, we do not have people paying on top of all of the other bills that our small taxes, and our nation will go down the gurgler business people have been given over time and even quicker than it is at present. are continuing to be given! What about the shire health inspectors? I I will not repeat what most of the other would have thought that they could do the job. members have said at this late hour, but I want to Some people in the environmental policing say that this Government stands totally movement can be difficult to get along with. condemned for its lack of support and ethics and There is a small place in the electorate of Keppel for its downright attack on small business. The called Five Rocks. There is a national park to be Government should get off their backs and leave gazetted around that very small settlement. So them alone. difficult are some of the environmental officers there that there are two water supplies that they Hon. M. J. ROBSON (Springwood— need, and they are trying to stop these people Minister for Environment and Heritage) (12.09 a.m.), in reply: This has certainly been a Legislative Assembly 10293 15 November 1994 long and repetitive debate. It is rather Ms ROBSON: I read that report last night disappointing that we have not touched on more word for word. than a couple of areas in the Bill and that we Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Bredhauer): specifically focused on areas such as licensing, Order! I suggest to all members of the which is a part of the regulation. Opposition that if they wish to interject they Mr FitzGerald: Government members should do so from their correct places. spoke and no-one mentioned it. Ms ROBSON: I went through that report, Ms ROBSON: Yes, but it was repetitive. and I examined issue by issue the points that had Members opposite all had the same notes, which been raised with me. I have listened today to the was a shame, because it is a very interesting Bill. quotes that have been given in question time There were areas that members opposite could and also in this debate. Members opposite have have explored. It is a Bill that we have worked misused the quotes. They have dropped words hard on. I think it offers a lot to the community. I out of the middle of sentences and changed think the Opposition has ignored the benefits their context. If members opposite are going to that will come to communities from the Bill. As have a debate, why do they not do it relevantly usual, it has focused on the negatives. I am so that we can actually talk about what that report disappointed with the debate from the says? There are criticisms in that report of Opposition. However, I do not know why I members opposite in Government and of us in expected anything different. Government. I accept that, but I also point out I would like to thank the members of the that we have done something about it. We have Government who have joined in the debate, moved on, and that process commenced two or because they took the trouble to use the three years ago when we started consultation on briefings that they were given. We offered those this Bill. Members opposite need to recognise briefing notes to the Opposition in the hope that that some positives are being proposed in this we would help it to understand the Bill a bit better legislation. so that it could contribute more meaningfully to Australia as a nation has made a meaningful what would be a debate rather than just commitment to strategies related to the screaming and yelling across the Chamber and reduction of greenhouse gases and to hurling personal abuse at me and at anyone else, ecologically sustainable development. We have in particular my officers. I have a great deal of an InterGovernmental Agreement on the respect for my officers. They have worked hard Environment, to which all States bar one are and long on this Bill and they have undertaken signatory, which talks about the very things that very meaningful and relevant consultations. this Bill actually addresses. The community wants As I said, Government members did their a cleaner environment. There is no doubt about homework and took the trouble to ask questions that. of my staff and of myself before we came in here. Mr Johnson: Who in the community wants I thank them for their contribution, because the it? issues that they raised are very important. They Ms ROBSON: The member should read are issues that need to be on the public record, the papers. The community wants a cleaner because the public needs to know what this Bill environment, which is exactly what the coalition is really all about and not the load of has been arguing. Matthews' report says that we misinformation that is being fed as an do not want our environment dirtied with rubbish overreaction to what is perceived to be in the Bill. being dumped into sewers. Members opposite The whole notion of postponing this Bill should make up their minds as to which debate amazes me. It was claimed that that should be they are going to follow. Either they want a done simply because a report has been released cleaner environment or they do not, but the which talks about an issue—that is, waste community at large wants it. That is what my mail management—which is dealt with in any event tells me; that is what people I talk to tell me. That through the strategies that we are putting in is what is happening around the world. I hate to place via this Bill. I cannot quite work out the drag members opposite screaming into the schizophrenic logic of saying that, because of nineties, but the reality of life is that that report, we should put this Bill off and not environmental protection and intergenerational debate it for another week or until next year or equity—where we leave something for the future something. This Bill is needed desperately. We and learn to live off the interest and stop mucking have seen the evidence of that in Mr Matthews' around with the capital and ruining it—are report. We realised a couple of years ago that this essential. That is what this Bill will help us to strategy—— achieve. An Opposition member interjected. I think it is a shame that members opposite do not support polluter pays, because to me that 15 November 1994 10294 Legislative Assembly is a far more focused way of saying to any that members not interject from seats other than organisation or industry that wishes to use the their own. I am about to start warning members. environment and discharge material into the air or Ms ROBSON: Members opposite really water, onto land or make a lot of noise that it will need to settle down and start being real. What I have to pay a licence fee to do it. It is a licence have proposed is a draft. Do members opposite fee; make no mistake about it. It might be not want me to be fair and put it out to collected by local government—there will be consultation? That is what I have tried to do. some 5 000 licences issued through local Members opposite claimed that that was a government—or it might be collected by the weakness on my part. I have actually said, "This is State Government, as currently occurs. Believe the proposal from the fee structure committee. It me, people will not be copping a licence unless has been through Cabinet as a draft proposal. they are polluters or potential polluters. This is Put it out and get some comment on it." If not designed, as has been suggested by various members opposite do not want me to do that, if speakers, to be a broad-cast type of licence fee. they call me weak because I actually meaningfully It is very focused; it is very specific. consult with the community and then What will be proposed through the accommodate where there are real causes for regulations that will be part of this Bill is that the accommodation— such as if there is hardship—I current draft fee structure—which has been am quite happy to stop that, but it will be on the recommended through a fee structure recommendation of members opposite, not me. committee which was based in industry and the My way of doing things is to actually go out there community and which put up recommendations and consult. If in fact something is not to me as to what that fee structure would understood and if it needs to be rectified, we are be—reflects what is happening in other States. prepared to listen, but if members opposite want Literally, the additional licensing that is coming to call that arrangement off and just leave it to me on-stream is only bringing us into line with what is to set them, I will do it, and then I will take happening elsewhere. responsibility for it and members opposite can What we are trying to avoid—and I would hurl abuse as much as they like. If members have thought this was fairly obvious—is opposite believe that being fair is not Queensland being a haven for polluters. People appreciated in the community, they are wrong can come to Queensland and dump waste in our again. sewers because there is no licensing fee, Basically, what we are trying to do with this because there has not been historically a regime Bill is send a very clear signal out to industry, and of tracking these people down with waste particularly those industries with a potential to manifests and with the sort of docket system we pollute; that is, that such activity will no longer are talking of putting in place. We have focused continue in this State. Secondly, we want a on the people who are polluting under national disincentive so that, if they do pursue the path of standards as well as under our own. I do not pollution, whether it is wilful or accidental, the know how much more focused or fair we can be. penalties are very meaningful. We do not want to Members opposite have referred to a broad- prosecute, but we will prosecute. If in fact an based tax which everyone has to pay. That is not industry does pollute, there is a cost attached. It what this is about. If members opposite had read is a taxpayer cost. Members should understand the legislation, they would have understood that one thing. The recent fish kill caused by the that is the case. endosulphin that was released into the rivers in Mr Littleproud: Everyone's rates are the north and into Petrie and Paynter Creek took going to go up. my department 10 months of time and effort to prosecute. It cost over $150,000 to actually Ms ROBSON: Again, the member has not formulate a prosecution—which is something the done his homework on that. He should talk to former Government never did—to actually send some of his councils that have actually talked to out a message which said that we are serious me and actually understand what this is about. about it. We have successfully mounted nine They understand, for example, that if they prosecutions in the last year. There are another operate a number of facilities of a similar kind, 20 in the pipeline. We have gotten serious about they pay one fee. They understand that because prosecution. All I can obtain as a maximum they have been part of the consultation. penalty for those fish kills in the north is $12,000 Members opposite, typically, have talked to one return. That is the great disincentive that or two people and they have taken an under- members opposite built into that Act, but that is informed or an ill-informed view. being fixed, and we are moving on. Mr Horan interjected. I wanted to address some of the comments Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! The that the Leader of the Opposition made about member for Toowoomba South! I have asked this marvellous Bill that he has been flashing Legislative Assembly 10295 15 November 1994 around. I would like to explain to the House offering and what is going through this exactly what it is, because it is not a miracle Bill. It Parliament at the moment with what was was claimed to be the saviour of the environment proposed in eight pitiful pages according to Mr which was proposed by Mr Borbidge—he has Borbidge's regime. I think one of the biggest claimed credit for it today, anyhow—in his period problems with what was proposed was that the as Environment Minister from September to local authority shall, at the request of the December 1989. It was not an environment director-general, provide to the director-general protection Bill, nor was it a waste management information related to any hazardous waste Bill. It consisted of eight pages containing 13 generated, stored or carried or disposed of amendments to two existing Acts, the Health Act within its area. and the Food Act. By contrast, our Bill contains Did the member have any idea how much 150 pages and detailed environmental policies. I work would actually be involved in this? For a will cite an example of the 13 amendments in Mr start, local governments have had to put in an Borbidge's wonderful saviour legislation. It incredible amount of work to survey all of defined "dispose of"—and we are talking about industry. The member is worrying about the disposing of waste here—to include to bury, impost we are putting on local governments and dump, destroy by any means whatsoever or the licensing fee. But the local governments disperse into the environment. That has always keep that fee. They charge the licensing fee; been the case. The 13 amendments contained they keep it. That money does not come to the no reference to modern waste State Government. It is an absolute nonsense to management—and this is 1989 we are talking propose, the way that the member proposed about—but merely a perpetuation of the old, today, that this Bill was somehow the saviour of outdated, rejected methods of burying, the environment. As I have said, that proposed dumping, destroying or releasing into the fee licence structure was put to me by a fee environment. How can the Opposition call that an structure committee which was very well Environmental Protection Bill? How can they call comprised from right across the sectors. it anything? The 13 amendments made no reference to a philosophy of modern waste Mr Cooper: Oh, great! management or the hierarchy contained in our Ms ROBSON: The honourable member waste management strategy of avoidance of might say, "Oh, great!", but it is important that we waste, reductions of waste, recycling, reuse, do consult. That is a very important part of the safe treatment and, finally, safe disposal. Mr process that the Opposition did not undertake. Borbidge's unlucky 13 amendments do contain a Out of approximately 140 approval and licence definition of "waste", however that definition fees that were recommended, only five relate excludes refuse or residue resulting from directly to the rural sector. Mr Lester raised a lot ordinary domestic use of premises or of alarms about abattoirs, but he should know pathological waste. How would Ace Waste fit in that they are already licensed. This is not a new with that? It is ridiculous for the Opposition to licence. He should know that. claim that it had a meaningful piece of legislation. Mr FitzGerald: It's a tax. Mr Borbidge: All under the one roof. Ms ROBSON: Look, there is no tax; it is a Ms ROBSON: Come on, the Opposition licensing fee. Abattoirs are already licensed. did not have an Environment Department. Give An Opposition member interjected. me a break. Following on from the finding of the CJC liquid waste inquiry, which referred to Mr SPEAKER: Order! I suggest that the problems going back 10 years, Mr Borbidge's 13 Minister be allowed to continue her statement. amendments included no indication at all that Ms ROBSON: There was an issue raised grease trap waste would be regulated or that about duplication of the DPI licensing process on mine wastes would be covered. So the which we have, of course, consulted. I will just tell Opposition has been complaining today that honourable members what DPI licensing fees there is too much reliance on regulations under are. the new Environmental Protection Bill. This is a An Opposition member interjected. madness. These 13 marvellous amendments included one and a half pages of a total of eight Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Minister will pages of regulation-making ability. In other resume her seat. Honourable members, I think words, there were no details but there was the that the debate has been continuing for some ability for the director-general to make time. We are entitled to hear the Minister and I regulations on the storage of any substances, intend to listen to her. I will not allow constant packaging of hazardous substances, first aid or interjections. record-keeping. I do not think that we can Ms ROBSON: The DPI licence fees cover meaningfully compare what this Government is the employment of specialists stock inspectors 15 November 1994 10296 Legislative Assembly who are responsible for environmental impact partial information. It reflects on him as well as assessment work when feedlots are being everybody else. Also, he has certainly done his established, but primarily, after that, for animal best to reflect on my Director-General over a welfare and livestock management issues. Fees period of time. That report comments on all the that we are proposing for DEH will be for the issues raised and indicates the progress that has employment of pollution inspectors to cover the been made. cost of on-site inspections and the monitoring of There has been systematic progress made environmental impacts. Duplication will be in the Department of Environment. Just over the minimised. DPI inspectors are livestock last two or three years it has been strengthened, specialists, and I would hope that that is the way the funding has been increased, the legislation the Opposition would want them to stay. DEH has been brought forward and we are now at the inspectors are pollution experts and that is the stage when we are about to be able to implement way I want them to stay. that. I think that is extremely significant. We have We have talked about the proposed fees had a lot of support from the community. In fact, I structure but the bottom line is that the total might just read a little extract of a release that we licence fees that are expected to be collected in got today from the Local Government this State are in the order of $7m per annum. As Association of Queensland. I would assume that a comparison, when talking about other States, honourable members would be interested in in New South Wales total licence fees collected what Greg Hallam has to say. That release are in the order of $25m—that is against $7m states— proposed in Queensland—and in Victoria, $12m "The Local Government Association of per annum. So I think we can get some sort of Queensland Executive Director, Greg relativity about how much people are prepared to Hallam, has said that Councils are opposed commit themselves in terms of their environment to the creation of an Environmental in other States. I am not saying it is a one-to-one Protection Agency as recommended by the comparison, I am just giving a bit of information CJC. about how much those fees are. An Opposition member: It doesn't add We support the State Government's up. proposed Environmental Protection Legislation which is currently before the Ms ROBSON: Well, it does add up. I just Parliament. It is light years in front of the idea cannot ignore my Opposition number's of an Environmental Protection Agency reference to Mr Chaloupka's report. I just think which would be a green clone of the CJC. that was really low. Mr Chaloupka wrote a report We don't need Elliott Nesses in the as a result of a routine departmental exercise. undergrowth to achieve positive The honourable member should probably know environmental outcomes in Queensland,' that the Financial Administration and Audit Act said Mr Hallam." requires that an audit be done. He presented a report, which was written in December 1992. Further on he says—— That was a report to the Director-General, which Mr Borbidge: Tell us about the levy. is the correct process. It highlighted some Ms ROBSON: I am reading what is in this historical problems in the department going back media release. It continues— over a long period of time, if the honourable member recalls—but he did not bother to say "He said, 'Molly Robson and the State that. I wonder whether the figure of 20 years Government are on the right track with their comes to his mind? As a routine response, what new legislation. We need to give it a chance happened when that report came—and I have to work before contemplating an EPA. After explained this to the honourable member all, the new legislation has not even been before—was that the Director-General acted on passed, let alone acted on, and yet the report, which is appropriate. He is required to judgement is presumptuously being passed do that, and he did it. on it.' " Mr Slack: Another one. Mr Hallam said— Ms ROBSON: No, in October of 1993. " 'Unfortunately all of the good work The honourable member is talking ten months done in partnership between the State past. In October 1993, Mr Chaloupka wrote Government and Local Government over another report. This report updates that one and the past few years, such as the toxic waste comments on the points and issues he raised. at Gurrulmundi, and the new strategy for Honourable members have read this, obviously, transport and storage of hazardous waste because we have discussed it before. It is very materials, have been ignored or swept unfair of the member to incorrectly represent under the carpet in the CJC review.' " Legislative Assembly 10297 15 November 1994

Mr Hallam further comments— Lingard, Littleproud, McCauley, Mitchell, Perrett, "The Greens need to be seen for what Quinn, Rowell, Santoro, Simpson, Slack, Stephan, they are: a political party and not some Stoneman, Turner, Watson Tellers: Springborg, independent and impartial body. It is all right Laming to have a million ways of spending everyone Resolved in the affirmative. else's money, when you have never had to raise the revenue yourselves,' said Mr Remaining Stages; Allocation of Time- Hallam." limit Order Mr Borbidge: Tell us what he said about Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH your levy. (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) Ms ROBSON: He supports it. Quite (12.39 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I move— clearly, he has given some qualification to that, "That under the provisions of Standing which we have acknowledged. I have also Order 273, the Environmental Protection acknowledged that in this place. I believe the Bill be declared an urgent Bill and that the member is barking up the wrong tree. following time limits apply to enable the Bill The CJC report seems to have been a to be passed through its remaining stages at principal focus of Opposition members' debate this day's sitting: tonight. The final paragraph of the report Report from Committee of the Whole states— by 1.10 a.m. "In order to prevent wholesale dumping of liquid waste there must be well Third Reading by 1.15 a.m. drafted laws, sufficient resources, a co- Title by 1.20 a.m. ordinated approach to management of the problem and, above all, the will to take action At the times so specified, Mr Speaker in protection of the long term public or the Chairman, as the case may be, shall interest." put all remaining questions necessary to pass the Bill, including clauses en bloc and What has been presented to the House any amendments to be moved by the through this debate and this Government is a Minister in charge of the Bill, without further piece of legislation that will meet those amendment or debate." requirements and, in my view, will happily meet the requirements of the community. It will give us Mr FITZGERALD (Lockyer) (12.40 a.m.): I a cleaner environment and will leave something wish to speak to this motion. for future generations that is not polluted or Mr SPEAKER: Order! I require a uncontrollable and which will not cost billions of seconder if this motion is to be debated. The dollars for future generations to clean up. That is Minister for Environment and Heritage will a fairly substantial gift that this Government is second it. going to give to the public of Queensland. The legislation will be enforced. In my view, that was Mr FITZGERALD: I will not waste the time the only real qualification that Mr Matthews made. of this House, except to say that had the Leader He had concerns that, based on Queensland's of the House consulted with me as Leader of history from a long time ago, enforcement was Opposition Business, I would have assured him not a tool that was used. That will change in the that there would be no filibustering on the future. I am very happy to recommend this Bill. debate on the clauses. I cannot speak to the Question—That the Bill be now read a clauses, but I would like to point out that there second time—put; and the House divided— are two technical problems in this legislation. If it is passed in its present form, the Minister will be AYES, 46—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bennett, Braddy, back in the House with an amendment. I do not Bredhauer, Briskey, Budd, Casey, Clark, D’Arcy, want to use up the time of the House. It is wrong Davies, De Lacy, Dollin, Elder, Fenlon, Foley, Gibbs, that the Government is applying this gag. I Goss W. K., Hayward, Hollis, Mackenroth, McElligott, assured all our members that there would be no McGrady, Milliner, Nunn, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, further divisions. We want to go to bed. We have Purcell, Pyke, Robertson, Robson, Rose, Smith, all had our say. Now the Leader of the House Spence, Sullivan J. H., Sullivan T. B., Szczerbanik, wants to put on a gag without even asking Vaughan, Warner, Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: Opposition members whether they could assist Pitt, Livingstone him. NOES, 31—Beanland, Borbidge, Connor, Cooper, Mr SLACK (Burnett) (12.41 a.m.): This Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, Goss J. N., move by the Government is quite disgraceful in Grice, Healy, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Lester, view of the situation before the House at the 15 November 1994 10298 Legislative Assembly moment. The Opposition spokesperson honourable members that for further divisions correctly indicated to the Government what the during the Committee stage of this Bill, the bells Opposition's position was. We had no intention will ring for two minutes. to filibuster on the amendments or the clauses at the Committee stage. We must bear in mind that this is one of the most important pieces of Committee environmental legislation that this Government Hon. M. J. Robson (Springwood—Minister has brought before the House. Each member of for Environment and Heritage) in charge of the this House was entitled to speak to this Bill. legislation. The Premier should accept that, Clause 1, as read, agreed to. because he is the champion of open and accountable government in this State. But what Clause 2— do we see here? There are 40 amendments to Ms ROBSON (12.48 a.m.): I move the this Bill. I acknowledge that some of them are following amendment— technical amendments that will not take a lot of "At page 14, after line 7— time. insert— Mr W. K. Goss interjected. '(2) However, section 222 and Mr SLACK: What did the Premier say? Schedule 3 (so far as they relate to the Mr Borbidge: Put it in your column in the amendment of the Wet Tropics World Sunday Mail. Heritage Protection and Management Act Mr SLACK: Because a journalist in the 1993) commence, or are taken to have Sunday Mail is prepared to stand up and say what commenced, on 1 November 1994.'." this Government is about, the Premier does not Amendment agreed to. like it. Government members make pious claims Clause 2, as amended, agreed to. about open and accountable government, doing the right thing and saying to the people that they Clause 3, as read, agreed to. are going to do the right thing. Then they come Clause 4— into this Chamber and, in half an hour, want to Ms ROBSON (12.49 a.m.): I move the put through 40 amendments. That is what this following amendment— Government is proposing to do, without even asking Opposition members what their situation "At page 15, line 8, 'before the is. The Government has to be condemned for dictionary'— the position that it has taken on this Bill. Every omit, insert— environmentalist who does not already know the 'at the end of this Act'." hypocrisy that is coming out of this Government will know after this debate. Amendment agreed to. Question—That the motion be agreed Clause 4, as amended, agreed to. to—put; and the House divided— Clauses 5 and 6, as read, agreed to. AYES, 46—Ardill, Barton, Beattie, Bennett, Braddy, Clause 7— Bredhauer, Briskey, Budd, Casey, Clark, D’Arcy, Ms ROBSON (12:50 a.m.): I move the Davies, De Lacy, Dollin, Elder, Fenlon, Foley, Gibbs, following amendment— Goss W. K., Hayward, Hollis, Mackenroth, McElligott, "At page 16, lines 21 to 24— McGrady, Milliner, Nunn, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Purcell, Pyke, Robertson, Robson, Rose, Smith, omit, insert— Spence, Sullivan J. H., Sullivan T. B., Szczerbanik, 'Definitions—dictionary Vaughan, Warner, Welford, Wells, Woodgate Tellers: '7. The dictionary in Schedule 4 Pitt, Livingstone defines particular words used in this Act.1'. NOES, 33—Beanland, Borbidge, Connor, Cooper, 1In some Acts, definitions are contained in a Davidson, Elliott, FitzGerald, Gamin, Goss J. N., dictionary that appears as the last Schedule Grice, Healy, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Lester, and forms part of the Act—Acts Lingard, Littleproud, McCauley, Malone, Mitchell, Interpretation Act 1954 section 14." Perrett, Quinn, Rowell, Santoro, Simpson, Slack, Stephan, Stoneman, Turner, Veivers, Watson Tellers: Mr FITZGERALD: I know that the Springborg, Laming draftsman has omitted to include in the Bill that Resolved in the affirmative. was originally put before the House the dictionary as a schedule. We have been through The CHAIRMAN: Order! I advise this in one other piece of legislation where, I think, I moved in this House that the dictionary Legislative Assembly 10299 15 November 1994 become a schedule. So, the Minister has had to I raise this matter in a broad sense in respect of amended the legislation to bring that in. I believe fines that are imposed in this Bill, this fine being that it always should be a schedule. one of them. Could the Minister explain to the While we are talking about the dictionary Committee just what is to become of those fines? being a schedule, I ask: why on earth do we have Are they going to be credited to the Department a dictionary at the back as a schedule when we of Environment and Heritage? As the Minister have definitions within the legislation? Key would accept, there are quite extensive and definitions are in one of the clauses later on, hefty fines involved. Do the fines go into which I cannot talk to now, and then we have a consolidated revenue? dictionary of other definitions about other Ms ROBSON: My understanding is that it matters stuck as a schedule at the back of the goes into consolidated revenue, as is the normal Act. Surely all of the definitions and the relevant process. dictionary should be put together in one place. Mr SLACK: Taking that the need is there Why did the Minister put it in two different for the fines to provide some of the finance sections of the legislation? towards the administration of the policing of this Ms ROBSON: My understanding is that legislation, it is not unreasonable to expect that that is the way the parliamentary draftsman wants those fines be applied to that administration. Is to do it. there some recognition or offsetting within Mr FITZGERALD: The Minister is in consolidated revenue for that money to be charge of the Bill. credited to other areas? Ms ROBSON: I actually support it. I think Ms ROBSON: Certainly, that question is that it is quite a good way to go. It is not an relevant. In terms of local government, that would unusual practice to find references at the back of be the case, but in terms of State Government the legislation, and I think that it is the way that fines, it goes through to consolidated revenue. legislation is going. I find it quite comfortable. I do Mr SLACK: In other words, it is a not know what the member's problem is. It is straight-out tax? indexed at the front to indicate where it is. I do Ms ROBSON: No, it is a fine. not see a problem with it. Amendment agreed to. Amendment agreed to. Clause 25, as amended, agreed to. Clause 7, as amended, agreed to. Clauses 26 to 44, as read, agreed to. Clauses 8 to 24, as read, agreed to. Clause 45— Clause 25— Ms ROBSON (12.54 a.m.): I move the Ms ROBSON (12.52 a.m.): I move the following amendment— following amendment— "At page 33, line 15, after 'authority'— "At page 24, lines 5 to 9— insert— omit, insert— 'in the form approved by the chief '(3) An environmental protection policy executive'." may make provision about anything about Amendment agreed to. which a regulation may be made under this Clause 45, as amended, agreed to. Act, and, in particular— Clause 46, as read, agreed to. (a) prescribing offences for contraventions of the policy; and Clause 47— (b) fixing a maximum penalty of a fine Ms ROBSON (12.55 a.m.): I move the of not more than 40 penalty units following amendment— for the contravention.'." At page 35, line 5— Mr SLACK: I wish to inquire of the Minister omit, insert— relative to fines. '(a) issue a provisional licence in the Ms ROBSON: Sorry, what is the member form approved by the chief referring to? executive; and Mr SLACK: Relevant to the fine that is (b) insert it in the appropriate register; mentioned at the bottom of clause 25 (3), which and'." states— Mr FITZGERALD: I believe that there is a ". . . fixing a maximum penalty of a fine of not drafting error here. I point out that the more than 40 penalty units for the amendment moved by the Minister is at clause contravention." 47 (2) (a) at page 35, line 5—it does not say to 15 November 1994 10300 Legislative Assembly where—"omit, insert—". When we look back to environmental authorities, for the applicant's the amendment that we have just passed, which activities. was an amendment to clause 25, we had— '(3) This Act applies to the application "At page 24 , lines 5 to 9— and the environmental authority with all omit, insert—" necessary changes and any changes prescribed by regulation.'." Looking at this insertion, we have an "(a)" and a "(b)". My copy of the Bill has no lines down the Amendment agreed to. side, but I believe that it should be, "omit at page New clause 60A, as read, agreed to. 35, lines 5 to 6 inclusive." Both of those lines Clauses 61 to 71, as read, agreed to. have to be deleted because the Minister is inserting a new (a) and a new (b) instead. Every Clause 72— time we have a deletion, we delete a line and we Ms ROBSON (12.58 a.m.): I move the have a dash. That means to the end of the Bill, following amendment— unless we have a pull-up point. I believe that "At page 50, line 8, 'may require'— "lines 5 to 6" should be definitely there because I believe that the Minister is talking out lines 5 and omit, insert— 6 because the Minister is putting in an (a) and a 'requires'." (b), taking over that (a) and (b) and, in that clause, Amendment agreed to. leaving (c) stand. For clause 47 (2) there will be a new (a), a new (b), and (c) will remain. So the Clause 72, as amended, agreed to. Minister has only omitted line 5. I had to count Clauses 73 to 82, as read, agreed to. down the lines in my copy of the Bill. The Minister Clause 83— should have a look at what she did in regard to amendment No. 4, which is in relation to clause Ms ROBSON (12.59 a.m.): I move the 25. It definitely has to be "lines 5 to 6", and of following amendment— course that is inclusive. "At page 55, lines 12 to 15— Ms ROBSON: My advice is that the Clerk omit, insert— will reletter these to (d). That is as I understand 'Fee for consideration of draft program the process. '83. A person or public authority that Mr FITZGERALD: So, in other words, we submits a draft environmental management are only taking out "(a)". We are putting an (a), (b) program to an administering authority for and then a (c) and a (d)? approval must pay the authority the fee Ms ROBSON: That is correct. prescribed by regulation.'." Mr FITZGERALD: I thank the Minister Amendment agreed to. very much for the explanation. Clause 83, as amended, agreed to. Amendment agreed to. Clauses 84 to 85, as read, agreed to. Clause 47, as amended, agreed to. Clause 86— Clauses 48 to 59, as read agreed to. Ms ROBSON (12.59 a.m.): I move the Clause 60, as read, agreed to. following amendment— Insertion of new clause— "At page 56, line 18, after Ms ROBSON (12.58 a.m.) I move the 'environmental'— following amendment— insert— "At page 45, after line 14— 'management'." insert— Amendment agreed to. 'Single applications and environmental Clause 86, as amended, agreed to. authorities Clauses 87 to 111, as read, agreed to. '60A.(1) The administering authority Clause 112— may accept a single application for an environmental authority from an applicant for Ms ROBSON (12.59 a.m.): I move the different activities carried out by the following amendment— applicant or activities carried out by the "At page 68, line 6, 'program'— applicant at different places. omit, insert— '(2) If the administering authority grants 'order'." the application, it may grant a single environmental authority, or 2 or more Amendment agreed to. Legislative Assembly 10301 15 November 1994

Clause 112, as amended, agreed to. Amendments agreed to. Clause 113, as read, agreed to. Clause 155, as amended, agreed to. Clause 114— Clause 156— Ms ROBSON (1 a.m.): I move the Ms ROBSON (1.03 a.m.): I move the following amendment— following amendment— "At page 69, line 19— "At page 96, line 1, 'Inspector'— omit, insert— omit, insert— 'activity; and'." 'Authorised person'." Amendment agreed to. Amendment agreed to. Clause 114, as amended, agreed to. Clause 156, as amended, agreed to. Clauses 115 to 126, as read, agreed to. Clauses 157 to 175, as read, agreed to. Clause 127— Clause 176— Ms ROBSON (1 a.m.): I move the following Ms ROBSON (1.04 a.m.): I move the amendment— following amendment— "At page 75, line 15, '3'— "At page 104, line 24, 'Inspector'— omit, insert— omit, insert— '4'." 'Authorised person'." Amendment agreed to. Amendment agreed to. Clause 127, as amended, agreed to. Clause 176, as amended, agreed to. Clauses 128 to 133, as read, agreed to. Clauses 177 and 178, as read, agreed to. Clause 134— Clause 179— Ms ROBSON (1.01 a.m.): I move the Ms ROBSON (1.04 a.m.): I move the following amendment— following amendment— "At page 79, line 6, 'INSPECTORS'— "At page 106, line 12, '4'— omit, insert— omit, insert— 'AUTHORISED PERSONS'." '5'." Amendment agreed to. Amendment agreed to. Clause 134, as amended, agreed to. Clause 179, as amended, agreed to. Clauses 135 to 142, as read, agreed to. Clauses 180 to 194, as read, agreed to. Clause 143— Clause 195— Ms ROBSON (1.02 a.m.): I move the Ms ROBSON (1.05 a.m.): I move the following amendment— following amendments— "At page 87, line 10, 'INSPECTORS'— "At page 118, line 14 '5'— omit, insert— omit, insert— 'AUTHORISED PERSONS'." '6'. Amendment agreed to. At page 119, after line 10— Clause 143, as amended, agreed to. insert— Clauses 144 to 154, as read, agreed to. '(3A) However, subsection (3) (a) does Clause 155— not authorise a local government to make a local law prescribing a fee for something for Ms ROBSON (1.03 a.m.): I move the which a fee is prescribed by regulation.'." following amendments— Amendments agreed to. "At page 94, line 1,'INSPECTORS'— Clause 195, as amended, agreed to. omit, insert— Clauses 196 to 217, as read, agreed to. 'AUTHORISED PERSONS'. Clause 218— At page 95, line 27, 'Inspector'— Ms ROBSON (1.05 a.m.): I move the omit, insert— following amendment— 'Authorised person'." "At page 129, line 9,'6'— 15 November 1994 10302 Legislative Assembly

omit, insert— the repeal of the Clean Air Act 1963 or '7'." Clean Waters Act 1971. Amendment agreed to. '(3C) For section 67 (Annual licence fee and return), the anniversary day for the Clause 218, as amended, agreed to. licence is 31 March 1995. Clauses 219 to 220, as read, agreed to. '(3D) Section 212 (1) (a) (Register) Clause 221— does not apply to the licence.'. Ms ROBSON (1.06 a.m.): I move the At page 133, line 15, 'some'— following amendment— omit." "At page 132, line 1, '7'— omit, insert— Mr SLACK: On this clause, I would like to make a point in relation to the statement made by '8'." the member for Sunnybank in the House today Amendment agreed to. in respect of the position of the Lord Mayor of Clause 221, as amended, agreed to. Brisbane and his quote in the Courier-Mail. He questioned my position when I said that the Lord Clause 222— Mayor of Brisbane took the position that this Bill Ms ROBSON (1.06 a.m.): I move the should be held over. I stand by that position, following amendment— because that was my understanding and the "At page 132, lines 7 to 9— information that was given to me as far as the Lord Mayor's statement on radio yesterday is omit, insert— concerned. He indicated on radio—and this is my 'Acts amended advice—that this Bill should be held over based '222. The Acts mentioned in Schedule on retired Justice Matthews' report and based on 3 are amended as specified in the deficiencies in the Bill. I stand by that, and that Schedule.'." was the advice that was given to me. I would take issue with the member for Sunnybank on that Amendment agreed to. matter. Clause 222, as amended, agreed to. Ms ROBSON: That is fine, but the Lord Clauses 223 and 224, as read, agreed to. Mayor of Brisbane has not contacted me to ask Clause 225— that the Bill be held over. I assume by his silence that he is quite happy with it. Ms ROBSON (1.07 a.m.): I move the following amendments— Amendments agreed to. "At page 133, lines 6 to 9— Clause 225, as amended, agreed to. omit, insert— Clause 226— '225. (1) A licence issued under the Ms ROBSON (1.09 a.m.): I move the Clean Air Act 1963 or Clean Waters following amendment— Act 1971, and in force immediately before the commencing day, continues in force as "At page 133, line 25, 'some'— if it were issued under this Act until omit." whichever is the earlier of the following— Amendment agreed to. (a) the first applicable day; Clause 226, as amended, agreed to. (b) it is cancelled by written notice given to the licensee by the administering Clauses 227 to 231, as read, agreed to. authority.'. Clause 232— At page 133, line 13, 'environmentally Ms ROBSON (1.09 a.m.): I move the relevant'— following amendment— omit. "At page 135, line 9, 'some'— At page 133, after line 14— omit." insert— Amendment agreed to. '(3A) The licence is subject to the same conditions that applied to it immediately Clause 232, as amended, agreed to. before the commencing day. Clause 233, as read, agreed to. '(3B) Subsection (3A) applies despite Clause 234— Legislative Assembly 10303 15 November 1994

Ms ROBSON (1.09 a.m.): I move the This Bill replaces 20-year-old legislation following amendment— which was drafted when Queensland wineries "At page 136, after line 5— were few and far between. Today the wine industry in Queensland has 39 producers, and insert— this new legislation will lay the foundation for the '(c) a licence, permit, pipeline licence, industry to maximise its potential. The legislation primary licence, secondary licence has been developed over the last 18 months in or special prospecting authority consultation with all sectors of the wine and granted under the Petroleum liquor industries and reflects a positive (Submerged Lands) Act 1982.'." movement towards the promotion of a viable Amendment agreed to. industry which includes its potential in the tourism market. This legislation will be a dramatic Clause 234, as amended, agreed to. move from what was essentially a piece of Clause 235— agricultural legislation to one of development within the framework of both the wine and Ms ROBSON (1.10 a.m.): I move the tourism industries. The Act which it is replacing following amendments— also had the development of the industry as its "At page 136, line 21, '9 months'— object but contained no specific development omit, insert— criteria. '1 year'. The present Wine Industry Act provides a convoluted entry system to the industry and has At page 136, line 30, 'some'— various classes of vignerons tied to criteria such omit." as acreage under cultivation and amounts of Amendments agreed to. wine able to be sold from the cellar door. The proposed Act ensures that entry to the industry Clause 235, as amended, agreed to. is simplified and that a licence may be approved Clauses 236 to 240, Schedules 1 to 3, as long as the licensee sells wine made from fruit Figure, Dictionary, and the Minister's remaining grown in Queensland by that person or just amendments as circulated, agreed to. made in the State by that person. This will allow Bill reported, with amendments. for different operations to take place such as someone wishing to grow grapes and send them away to be made into wine and then returned for Third Reading sale or for the purest approach of growing and Bill, on motion of Ms Robson, by leave, read making the wine at the same premises. a third time. The Bill authorises a licensee to sell what is termed "licensee's wine". This is wine that has been made for the licensee from grapes/fruit WINE INDUSTRY BILL grown by the licensee, or wine that has been Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba— Minister made by the licensee from grapes/fruit grown for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (1.11 a.m.), by anywhere. This definition, and the authority leave, without notice: I move— conferred by the Bill on the strength of the definition, ensures that only operators who are "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill participating in the industry in an active and for an Act about Queensland's wine value-adding way can be licensed under this industry." proposed Act and enjoy the exemption from Motion agreed to. assessable licence fees afforded by it. Any other sale of wine is merely retailing, contributing nothing to the wine industry as such. It is not First Reading relevant to this Bill and is more appropriately Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and addressed by the Liquor Act 1992. This will see Bill, on motion of Mr Gibbs, read a first time. the end of the practice known as "clean skinning" where wines are brought into the State already bottled with no Queensland content and Second Reading sold as a licensee's own product. If licensees Hon. R. J. GIBBS (Bundamba— Minister want to continue this practice, I am putting them for Tourism, Sport and Racing) (1.11 a.m.): I on notice that they will need a liquor licence move— which will attract the appropriate licence fees and "That the Bill be now read a second that they will no longer be allowed to bring the time." Queensland wine industry into disrepute through such predatory practices. 15 November 1994 10304 Legislative Assembly

The Bill will provide for the sale of wine in licensee makes a secondary product. Wine is a closed containers for consumption on or off the secondary product that has already been made premises. This allows patrons to consume the by someone else. The Bill therefore has no wine they have purchased in the congenial restriction on a licensee who makes wine surrounds of a restaurant or bistro should the sourcing grapes but does, through a percentage producer have the local authority's approval for to be set by regulation, restrict the level of wine such a facility. The producer will also be given the that can be blended from other sources. opportunity of charging for tasting of samples if The Bill contains a regulation making power they so wish. The Bill will also provide for to require certain particulars to appear on the promotional permits to be approved so that label. These particulars will be finalised in licensees or groups of licensees can sell their consultation with the Australian Wine and Brandy wine on special occasions away from their winery. Corporation to ensure that Queensland does not There will be no cost for such permits. Producers clash with national standards. Trading hours for will be able to have more than one premises wineries will now become consistent with the registered so that they may have a cellar-door Liquor Act 1992 and will provide for greater operation detached from the winery in areas flexibility for licensees who have previously been were they consider their product could be well locked into hours between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. promoted. All decisions made under the proposed Provision will also be made for a wine Wine Industry Act will now be appealable to the industry policy council to be established which Liquor Appeals Tribunal, and the relevant will report to me on various matters which will be sections of the Liquor Act will provide the prescribed by regulation. This Government will parameters required for the conduct of any continue to refrain from imposing an assessable appeals. The Liquor Act will also provide parallel licence fee on Queensland wine industry legislation in terms of powers of investigators and licensees, requiring each licensee to pay a set various other administrative provisions. annual fee of approximately $300. Assessable licence fees of 10 per cent or 14 per cent would The Bill contains a mandatory review clause place an unfair financial burden on Queensland for five years after its commencement. This will wine industry licensees, whose counterparts in enable an assessment of the impact of the other States enjoy such exemptions. This is yet legislation of the industry and will ensure another tangible method of assistance given to a consistency with other States, particularly taking growing industry by the Queensland into consideration the licence fee situation at that Government. time. In line with contemporary community and I would take this opportunity to thank Government concerns in relation to the representatives of the Queensland wine industry minimisation of harm from alcohol use, the Act for the input, cooperation and patience they recognises that, despite the wine industry's have afforded during the review of the Wine unique place in the liquor industry, it is still Industry Act. In particular, I would express concerned with the sale and supply of liquor. appreciation to Mr John Black, a former senator Because of this, it is considered that licensees for Queensland, who has shown great must be subject to the same scrutiny and have leadership of the task force appointed to review similar obligations and responsibilities to those this legislation, and I would also like to thank the under the Liquor Act 1992. The Act contains member for Warwick, Mr Springborg, for his several provisions that address these issues. interest in this Bill and the further development Applicants for a licence must demonstrate that of the wine industry. they are suitable people to hold the licence, This legislation will put the Queensland wine having regard to an understanding of the industry on the map and by ensuring a review obligations under the proposed Act and their some years after its commencement the character and standing. The provisions Government will be able to continue to provide a contained within the Liquor Act 1992 that deal consistent approach for an industry which not with the sale and supply of liquor to minors and only has great potential for the connoisseur but I intoxicated persons have been adapted to the am sure will bring more tourists to the expanding Bill. wine-producing areas of Queensland. The Bill contains a provision allowing I commend the Bill to the House. licensees to blend wine from other sources with Debate, on motion of Mr FitzGerald, the wine they have made, and the percentage adjourned. that can be so blended is to be set by regulation. This is a separate issue to the sourcing of grapes and needed to be addressed separately. Grapes ACTS INTERPRETATION (STATE or other fruit are raw materials from which the COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES) AMENDMENT BILL Legislative Assembly 10305 15 November 1994

Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Treasurer) (1.22 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL move— (No. 2) "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— for an Act to amend the Acts Interpretation Treasurer) (1.25 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I Act 1954 about the State's powers, in move— particular its power to carry out commercial "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill activities, and for other purposes." for an Act to amend the Financial Institutions Motion agreed to. Code." Motion agreed to. First Reading Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and First Reading Bill, on motion of Mr De Lacy, read a first time. Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and Bill, on motion of Mr De Lacy, read a first time. Second Reading Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— Second Reading Treasurer) (1.23 a.m.): I move— Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— "That the Bill be now read a second Treasurer) (1.26 a.m.): I move— time." "That the Bill be now read a second The Bill proposes amendments to the Acts time." Interpretation Act 1954, with the objective of The Bill addresses amendments to the confirming that State Government departments Financial Institutions Code set out in section 30 have authority to undertake commercial activities. of the Financial Institutions (Queensland) Act A number of Government departments 1992 to give effect to the agreed interface enter into commercial contracts and supply between the financial institutions legislation and goods and services to the public in full or partial the corporations law and also to facilitate the competition with the private sector as an adjunct implementation of the Australian Stock to their core activities. Aside from all commercial Exchange Limited's clearing house electronic aspects, many of these activities provide a public subregister system—CHESS. good that is not available elsewhere. Examples The proposals for the rationalisation of the include the sale of educational material to South interface between the financial institutions East Asian countries by the Department of legislation and the corporations law were Education and international client services adopted earlier this year by the Ministerial provided by the Department of Primary Councils for Financial Institutions— MINFIN—and Industries. Companies and Securities— MINCO. To date, there has usually been no specific The amendments clarify the application of statutory authority for undertaking these the corporations law to financial institutions activities. The Bill provides a statutory basis for regulated and supervised under the financial departments and their business units to carry out institutions legislation. The Australian Stock commercial activities. In so doing, it provides Exchange Limited has developed a mechanisms to facilitate the efficient system—CHESS—for the electronic settlement management of Government business by of securities transactions and electronic confirming that a Minister may undertake registration of transfers of securities, with the commercial activities on behalf of the State, and corporations law having been amended to give by providing a statutory basis for delegations of legislative support to CHESS. authority to departments and their business units. Some provisions of the financial institutions legislation would, if not amended, prevent listed The passage of this legislation will provide a financial institutions, for example, building solid basis for the commercial activities carried societies, from allowing their securities to out by departments and will help ensure that the become CHESS-approved. Accordingly, these Government achieves maximum value for obstacles are being removed. taxpayers' money. I commend the Bill to the House. Although other amendments were made to the financial institutions legislation by this Debate, on motion of Mr FitzGerald, Parliament in June 1994, this Bill deals with a adjourned. specialised area of the law which, because of the complexity associated with the interface with the corporations law, warrants separate 15 November 1994 10306 Legislative Assembly consideration by Parliament in a discrete development of a more efficient national market amendment Bill. for securitised products. There has been extensive consultation In recognition of the shortcomings of the between the Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation and in anticipation of its eventual Governments on this matter. There has also repeal, the industry has taken it upon itself to been consultation with the Australian Financial modify its programs outside the State legislation. Institutions Commission—AFIC—and various Treasury has been liaising with the industry on State supervisory authorities and industry. this issue. To allow the active participants a I commend the Bill to the House. sufficient period to restructure their operations, the legislation provides for the expiry of the Act Debate, on motion of Mr Fitzgerald, at the end of three years or earlier if the Act is no adjourned. longer relevant to the schemes. The proposed legislation repeals TREASURY LEGISLATION AMENDMENT immediately those provisions which are deemed BILL (No. 2) to be unnecessary and retains only those Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— provisions which are required to enable the Treasurer) (1.28 a.m.), by leave, without notice: I various secondary mortgage market schemes move— currently operating under the Act to wind down or move outside the Act. "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill for an Act to amend certain Acts The Bill also addresses certain technical administered by the Treasurer." problems associated with the giving of guarantees under Part 7 of the Cooperative Motion agreed to. Housing Societies Act 1958. Currently, a limitation exists on the maximum liability First Reading subsisting under guarantees executed under Part 7. Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and Bill, on motion of Mr De Lacy, read a first time. Legal advice has recently been obtained which indicates that the present provisions should be viewed as referring to the total Second Reading potential liability in respect of all outstanding Hon. K. E. De LACY (Cairns— guarantees issued under the Act without taking Treasurer) (1.29 a.m.): I move— into account the actual liability which may arise should any guarantee ever be called upon. The "That the Bill be now read a second granting of Government guarantees is central to time." the operation of this Act. This Bill makes provision for amendments to The Act itself is out of date in a number of various legislation administered by Treasury. respects, and it is the Government's intention to Firstly, the repeal of the Mortgages (Secondary introduce new legislation in the near future which Market) Act is consistent with the addresses the current needs of the cooperative recommendation of the Report of the Committee housing society industry. In particular, the new of Inquiry into Financial Institutions and Related legislation will make provision for the use of Processes in the State of Queensland—the prudential and other standards as part of Brady committee report—and subsequent updated supervisory practices and functions. proposals of the Special Premiers Conference However, in the interim period, the Bill provides Working Group on Non-bank Financial for the repeal of the limitation imposed by section Institutions. The committee also recommended 60 (1). This limit was set in 1958 and has never that there should be transitional arrangements in been adjusted. order not to disadvantage existing and proposed issues of securities as a result of the repeal of the The Bill also provides for validation of Act. particular guarantees to overcome the possible effects of the impediment posed by the The Brady committee argued that the presence of the limit, even though no guarantee inherent complexity of secondary mortgage has ever needed to be enforced in the course of market schemes makes it very difficult to legislate the Act's history from 1958 to the present day. In adequately for a prescriptive framework to addition, the Bill removes a legal doubt that a govern the creditworthiness of issuers and rezoning of part of the Townsville casino site, securities in the market. The working group which was approved by the Governor in Council noted that secondary mortgage markets were in 1987, was valid and that commercial not separately regulated in most jurisdictions and development on that land is not contrary to the recommended that State-based regulatory Breakwater Island Casino Agreement. legislation should be repealed to enable the Legislative Assembly 10307 15 November 1994

Finally, minor amendments to the Land Tax Just how wide is the power to simply enter Act 1915, the Motor Accident Insurance Act land when urgent action is required in the 1994 and the Financial Administration and Audit interests of public health and safety, for Act 1977 have also been included in this Bill example, to seize a dog that has bitten rather than in the Statute Law (Miscellaneous someone. Provisions) Bill (No. 2) 1994. The new powers are tailored to meet the specific I commend the Bill to the House. needs of local governments while retaining Debate, on motion of Mr FitzGerald, appropriate measures to protect the rights of the adjourned. individual against unwarranted entry. I seek leave to incorporate in Hansard the remainder of my notes outlining the relevant LOCAL GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT provisions of the Bill. BILL Leave granted. Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth—Minister for Housing, Local The powers reflect the manner in which the Government and Planning) (1.33 a.m.), by leave, law in this area has evolved over the last year. without notice: I move— They have been developed as a result of discussions and comments received in recent "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill months from a range of organisations on draft for an Act to amend the Local Government proposals to change the existing laws. Because Act 1993." of the complexities and many different Motion agreed to. circumstances that warrant the need for council staff to enter properties, further refinements may need to be made once these have been fully First Reading tested. Some of the specific needs of local Bill and Explanatory Notes presented and governments have been addressed by Bill, on motion of Mr Mackenroth, read a first time. broadening the existing categories of entry. New categories have also been created. Each of the categories of entry in the Bill are explained. Second Reading The Act currently permits local government Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH employees and agents to enter private land or (Chatsworth—Minister for Housing, Local structures for local government purposes. Such Government and Planning) (1.34 a.m.): I move— purposes include the provision and maintenance "That the Bill be now read a second of infrastructure. For example, water supply or time." sewerage mains on private land. Before entry The Bill amends the Local Government Act can occur, the agreement of the owner and 1993 in two major ways. Firstly, the Bill addresses occupier of the land has to be obtained. In the some concerns that have arisen in relation to the absence of agreement, a local government must power of local governments to enter private land apply for an order issued by a magistrates court. or structures to exercise their jurisdiction. The Bill Entry for local government purposes will be also deals with a number of miscellaneous issues retained in the Act. However, the Bill recognises that flow from the new powers of entry or which that in some circumstances a local government have come to light since the Act commenced. should not have to obtain the agreement of the The Bill provides local governments with broader owner and occupier to enter land. For example, powers of entry. to inspect, operate, maintain, remove or replace Since the commencement of the existing infrastructure as part of its routine operations. provisions, local governments have This will greatly assist access by local encountered difficulties in their practical government to its facilities. The Bill protects the application, for instance— rights of the individual by placing conditions on the entry to structures used for residential The need to obtain the consent of both the purposes. The agreement of the owner and owner and occupier to gain access to occupier is still needed or an order must be inspect council infrastructure on private obtained from a magistrates court. property, to assess an application for approval or monitor action taken under an The Bill also retains the provisions allowing approval. entry for local government purposes if an urgent situation exists. For example, where public The time it can take to obtain an order from a health and safety is at stake. However, these magistrate in a remote area to gain access provisions have been reworked to clarify their when the consent of the owner and use. occupier has not been received. 15 November 1994 10308 Legislative Assembly

Another existing category of entry deals magistrate may also mean applications for with the right of entry where an owner or occupier warrants are made using these provisions. has failed to perform work required under a lawful Another new category of entry by direction given by the local government. An authorised persons is for monitoring example would be a notice under a local law to authorisations and notices and processing clear an overgrown allotment. If the owner or applications. A large part of the regulatory occupier fails to carry out the work in the time responsibilities of local governments involves specified in the notice, employees or agents of consideration of applications for approval of the local government may enter and perform the various activities on land. The outcome of these work. The Bill makes it clear the local applications is usually some form of government may take this action without any authorisation which allows an activity to begin or further need to obtain agreement from the owner continue. The role of a local government can also and occupier. However, the powers may not be extend to monitoring compliance with the exercised in relation to a structure used for authorisation or the conditions attached to it. residential purposes unless the owner and occupier agree or an order has been obtained The Bill recognises the broad regulatory from a magistrates court. jurisdiction of local governments in the new monitoring powers. It provides for an authorised The Bill also introduces some new person to enter a place without restriction at any categories of entry to assist local governments reasonable time during the day provided the in the exercise of their jurisdiction. These powers place is not being used for residential purposes. deal with investigation of offences, monitoring If it is used for residential purposes, the authorisations and approved inspection authorised person may not enter unless programs. The new powers have been largely accompanied by the occupier. However, there modelled on those introduced in other legislation are some exceptions from this rule. For example, for regulatory officers of the State Government. if the occupier was incapacitated. Some added Because of the responsibility attached to the flexibility in the exercise of these powers has use of these powers, the Bill provides they may been provided through entry to a place at night. only be exercised by authorised persons. Entry for this purpose can occur if the occupier Authorised persons will be required to carry an requests that it be at night or it is a public place identity card which is to be produced when that is open to the public at the time of entry. The exercising the new powers. An obvious example monitoring powers can also be used as an would be if the authorised person believed alternative to some of the powers for someone had committed an infringement notice investigating offences. offence and proposed to issue that person an on the spot fine. Another category of power relates to an approved inspection program. Such a program The existing provisions of the Act dealing must be approved by council resolution and with infringement notice offences have been permits authorised persons to enter places to retained. These provisions have not yet monitor compliance with a Local Government Act commenced pending the finalisation of a or an aspect of a Local Government Act. The regulation under the Justices Act 1886. Local purpose of this power is to enable reasonably governments have indicated the current large scale inspection programs to be provisions of the Act restrict the effective undertaken if the public is given prior notice of enforcement of laws—particularly gathering the program in a newspaper. An approved evidence when investigating offences. inspection program does not permit entry by an The Bill now contains a specific head of authorised person to a place used for residential power for authorised persons to enter a place to purposes. investigate whether an offence is being Another concern for local governments is committed. These powers of entry can only be how to deal with dangerous dogs. An example utilised with the agreement of the occupier of the brought to my attention involved an attack by a place or under a warrant issued by a magistrates dog on a lady in her own yard. The dog returned court. to its owner's property and was unable to be The Bill also contains provisions outlining seized by the council because the owner would the process for obtaining a warrant to investigate not permit entry onto the property. I believe there an offence. A new initiative is the ability for an is a special need for local governments to deal authorised person to apply to a magistrate for a with these situations in the interests of the wider warrant by phone, fax, radio or another form of community. This Bill allows local governments to communication. A warrant may be sought on an introduce powers of entry into their local laws to urgent basis if evidence which could lead to a seize dangerous dogs. On that basis, the conviction could be removed from the property. powers can be tailored to meet the needs of each The remoteness of a local government from a local government and its community. For instance, a local law could provide that an Legislative Assembly 10309 15 November 1994

authorised person may enter a structure used for rates than the last financial year. The Bill puts residential purposes if that is where the dog this matter beyond doubt providing a council with happens to be at the time of entry. Each local this power. government would have to spell out any Two sunset clauses in the Act are also proposed power and the community would have being extended. The first relates to the the chance to comment as a result of advertising provisions requiring local governments to control the proposed local law. levee banks within their areas. These provisions The Government is conscious of the were due to expire on 25 March 1995. The responsibility to protect the rights of individuals expectation was the proposed natural resource and for this reason a sunset clause of two years management legislation would have been has been placed on this power. During that time implemented to replace these provisions by that the Government will monitor how it is being time. However, the Department of Primary exercised by local governments. I would also Industries has advised it will not be possible to mention that if an authorised person does any meet this deadline and requested the Act be damage in the course of exercising any of these amended to change the expiry date until 31 powers, the Bill enables a person to claim March 1997. compensation for the damage. The second sunset clause relates to a Members would appreciate the nature and regulation making power that facilitates scope of the powers of entry in this Bill are transitional arrangements needed as a result of extensive and many are new to local the repeal of the Local Government Act 1936. governments in Queensland. There are also a Such regulations may apply up until 25 March number of administrative procedures which need 1995. A Local Government (Transitional) to be put in place for local governments to Regulation (No. 2) 1994 has been made to comply with the Bill. For example, councils have preserve provisions from the 1936 Act. The to consider which employees to appoint as regulation deals with matters such as licensed authorised persons, arrange for the preparation gates, impounding of animals, cattle feedlots of identity cards and determine if training is and prescribed infringement notices. Some of necessary before the appointments are made. these provisions need to be retained beyond 25 For these reasons the powers of entry will March 1995. For example, cattle feedlots are to commence by proclamation. be regulated in the proposed new planning In my opening remarks I indicated there are legislation. An extension of the sunset clause other miscellaneous matters dealt with in the Bill. will enable these provisions to be preserved until These matters are contained in two schedules. this occurs. In addition, it is likely all local The first schedule details the consequential governments will not have local laws in place to amendments to the Act brought about by the deal with the impounding of animals by March changes to the powers of entry. The second next year. Extension of the regulation making schedule in the Bill contains amendments which power for transitional arrangements by a further clarify or expand certain provisions, correct 12 months from 25 March 1995 would enable minor errors and extend dates in certain sunset these provisions to be further preserved until clauses. The amendments in the second alternative arrangements are in place. schedule will commence on royal assent. I will The provisions of the Bill have been fully briefly comment on a number of these discussed with the Local Government amendments. Association which supports the proposals as an Action has been taken to provide councils improvement on the existing law. However, the with the opportunity to advertise local law association feels these provisions could require policies at the same time the proposed local law further refinement in the light of practical is put on public display. As the policies contain experience. I believe all members will agree that most of the detail, it could be of more interest to this Bill contains a number of important the public to see all the council's proposals on a provisions which will enable local governments to particular subject advertised at the same time. more effectively ensure the good rule and government of their areas. Because of technical difficulties encountered by some local governments in Mr MACKENROTH: I commend the Bill to calculating interest on overdue rates on daily the House. rests, the Bill allows interest to be calculated in Debate, on motion of Mr FitzGerald, any way so long as the amount is equal to or less adjourned. than the interest that would have been payable if calculated on daily rests. Questions have been raised in the past as to whether or not a local STATUTE LAW (MISCELLANEOUS government can introduce rate capping and PROVISIONS) BILL (No. 2) ensure that a ratepayer does not pay any more 15 November 1994 10310 Legislative Assembly

Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH improve the statute book by removing "dead (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) (1.35 a.m.), wood". Many Acts have long been redundant by leave, without notice: I move— but have not been repealed. Among them are "That leave be granted to bring in a Bill some relics of Queensland's past. Some for an Act to make various amendments of examples are the Distillation of Colonial Brandy Queensland statute law and to repeal for Fortifying Wine Act 1866, the Pacific Island certain Acts." Labourers Act 1880, the Pacific Islanders' Employers Compensation Act 1885, the Motion agreed to. Chinese Immigration Restriction Act 1888 and the Cook District Representation Act 1875. First Reading The Pacific Island Labourers Act 1880 was Bill presented and, on motion of Mr an attempt to prevent some of the abuses that Mackenroth, read a first time. had occurred in the employment of Polynesians, while the Pacific Islanders' Employers Compensation Act 1885 provided for the Second Reading assessment and payment of compensation to Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH employers of labourers. The Chinese (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) (1.36 a.m.): I Immigration Restriction Act 1888, which is also move— repealed, was passed after a conference of the colonies discussed the best way of protecting "That the Bill be now read a second Australia from "an incursion of Chinese". At that time." time, the encroachment of large numbers of The Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Chinese was considered undesirable. Bill (No. 2) 1994 has the same format and The Cook District Representation Act 1875 objective as other Statute Law (Miscellaneous gave the population centred on Cooktown Provisions) Acts. It makes minor amendments to representation in Parliament. Customs receipts the statute law of Queensland and repeals Acts for Cooktown exceeded receipts from all which have no further purpose. The Queensland ports other than Brisbane, and amendments are concise and non-controversial. Parliament did not wish to tax the people without The Bill has five clauses and 10 schedules. giving them representation. Amendments are in Schedules 1 and 2 and Part 1 of Schedule 3. Repeals are in Part 2 of Thirdly, the Bill repeals many amending Acts Schedule 3 and Schedules 4 to 8. The whose purpose has ended. This is the first stage amendments and repeals in Schedule 3 are to in repealing all unnecessary amending Acts Acts with uncommenced provisions which have enacted before 1 July 1994. Amending Acts become redundant. enacted on or after 1 July 1994 are automatically repealed under Section 22C of the Acts Schedule 9 repeals one imperial Act and Interpretation Act 1954. Repealing earlier five New South Wales Acts. Only four New South amending Acts complements the effect of that Wales Acts still apply in Queensland, all of which provision. Among amending Acts being are under review. Schedule 10 declares a repealed is the Legal Practitioners Amendment number of Acts, whose repeal does not end their Act 1905. This Act allowed women to practise as effect, to be laws. Nearly 630 obsolete and a solicitor, barrister or conveyancer the same as exhausted Acts are being repealed. This will men. Anti-discrimination legislation makes this bring the number of Acts repealed in the last five Act unnecessary. years to more than 1 600. All amendments and repeals take effect on the date of assent, unless Finally, the Bill includes amendments that another day for commencement is stated. are minor and non-controversial. These amendments would not necessarily warrant The Bill continues the important process of separate amending Bills. This Bill provides a improving the Queensland statute book in three convenient way of making these amendments to ways. Firstly, it makes further improvements to make the best use of Parliament's time. the Acts Interpretation Act 1954, the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 and the Reprints Act I commend the Bill to the House. 1992. These Acts are central to the orderly Debate, on motion of Mr FitzGerald, management of Queensland's statute book. The adjourned. amendment of these Acts will help in the ongoing process of modernising the Queensland statute book. ADJOURNMENT Secondly, it continues the process of Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH identifying and repealing Acts that are obsolete (Chatsworth—Leader of the House) (1.41 a.m.): I or no longer required. Repeal of these Acts will move— Legislative Assembly 10311 15 November 1994

"That the House do now adjourn." firefighters believe that there was a breakdown in administration. They expressed concern to me about lack of equipment and the breakdown of Bushfires safety equipment. Many people were using their Hon. N. J. TURNER (Nicklin) (1.41 a.m.): own mobile phones and two-way radios. They Tonight I intend to talk about the devastating had little or no contact with other groups. They fires that affected much of the north coast region were all working on different bands and it was in recent weeks and in particular vast areas of my impossible to keep contact with other fighters electorate of Nicklin, especially in the who were fighting the fires at the time. That is Glasshouse Mountains and Beerwah areas. The unacceptable practice. Many were also using cost in dollar terms, without mentioning the their own four-wheel-drive vehicles and tractors. I injuries and possible loss of lives, will run into believe the Government should consider some hundreds of millions of dollars. The loss of form of recompense for those people for the millable timber from the State forests has been cost of their phones and the use of their own conservatively estimated at in excess of $50m. equipment, especially when they knocked it When one adds the loss of homes, sheds, around over four or five days. It behoves the equipment, crops and fruit trees that have been Government to do something to help them. destroyed, one becomes aware of the Mr Braddy had indicated how much the magnitude of this disaster. Government is doing and is prepared to do for I travelled to the Glasshouse area during the rural fire brigades. Today, I was talking to a fire fires and talked to rural fire brigade people brigade in my area. They need an additional fighting those fires. I take my hat off to those vehicle. They did not have one destroyed. They people. Without their courage, commitment and have looked at two old vehicles, one a 1961 dedication, it would be fair comment to say that Landrover and a 1935 Bedford truck. That is hundreds of homes would have been lost and nearly 60 years old. They are not suitable. They possibly many lives. got in touch with the department to order a new Many lessons need to be learnt from these vehicle and they were advised that they have to fires and the first thing that the Minister for go onto a priority list. That is reasonable enough. Emergency Services should do is convene a They were advised that the department holds meeting of all people involved in the fires, orders from some 60 brigades and a vehicle will especially the local fire fighters with local be made available to them in approximately two knowledge and listen to and act upon the advice and a half years' time. I do not think that that is of those people to see that we never have a good enough. I think we have to look at funding repeat of those fires in the north coast region or these brigades. I am one who believes that in anywhere else in Queensland. those rural residential areas it is necessary—— The first lesson that must be learnt is that Mr Mackenroth: It was six years when you controlled burning must take place in State were in Government. We've got it down to two forests, national parks and other areas where and a half. there is a serious build-up of combustible Mr TURNER: We are not in Government material. The Minister should be aware of the now. I am talking about the problems. I am not adverse effect on the environment and native playing politics like the Minister is on this flora and fauna resulting from those severe fires. particular issue. I am trying to be constructive if He should also be aware that some minority the Minister wants to talk about it some other community groups have captured the ear of time. As to the firefighters who have been hurt—I Government and are opposed to cool fire believe that compensation should be paid burning, or what one could call controlled because those people were risking their lives to burning, during periods of low fire risk as a means protect Government and private property. of averting these devastating, major bushfires. Tremendous damage occurred on Bribie Given the massive Queensland bushfire damage Island—loss of kangaroos, emus and lizards. It is to native flora and fauna including endangered shocking to see the amount of devastation and species, as well as lost timber resources, the damage that has taken place. Minister should acknowledge that the I am running out of time rapidly, but there opponents of cool fire burning must now bear a was one other issue that I would like to raise. It heavy responsibility for much of the concerns a couple, Kevin and Jean Hankie, who environmental devastation we have witnessed in have had problems in Nambour with a recent weeks. development that has taken place there and with There is also a very real concern among local the shire council. I seek leave to table that rural fire brigades that their local experience is particular document because they have asked being overlooked by the people charged with me to table it in the Parliament. overseeing the operations. Many of these Leave granted. 15 November 1994 10312 Legislative Assembly

the same access to general practitioners as Shortage of Medical Practitioners in people living in the larger cities. Regional Queensland The Minister sympathises with these Mr DAVIES (Mundingburra) (1.46 a.m.): A concerns and, in fact, he has called for a review couple of weeks ago I called on the Queensland of the two-year-old agreement that has limited Minister for Health to hold immediate talks with the supply of doctors to rural and regional areas the Federal Government over the supply of by reducing the number of overseas-trained medical practitioners in regional Queensland. I doctors allowed to work in Australia. Mr Hayward have to acknowledge the support that I have has written to the Federal and State Health received from the Minister and other members Ministers as well as the Rural Doctors Association from north Queensland on this particular issue. seeking their backing for his call for a rethink of the 1992 agreement, saying that it has failed to I pointed out to the Minister that achieve the desired outcomes of addressing the Queenslanders—particularly those living in the maldistribution of general practitioners in north of the State—are getting a raw deal out of a Australia. labour agreement negotiated with the Commonwealth Government and the Australian The Minister is to be commended for raising Medical Association. That labour agreement the issue because the supply of doctors to rural emanated from a Health Minister's conference in and regional areas, particularly private April 1992, and it effectively restricts the practitioners, is a matter of great importance. The appointment of overseas-trained doctors to lack of sufficient private general practitioners in certain areas of the State on the assumption that non-metropolitan areas is placing an Australian-trained general practitioners would unnecessary strain on the resources of public move out of the over-supplied metropolitan sector doctors who, in some cases, have to bear cities, especially Sydney and Melbourne, to the full load for the community. regional areas. That agreement has been in The problem is particularly pronounced in place for over two years now and, quite frankly, it centres west of the Great Dividing Range, but has not delivered the results that it was intended even major provincial cities on the coast such as to produce. The people in regional Queensland, Townsville cannot attract sufficient doctors to quite simply, are not any better off. If anything, I meet the community's general practitioner would have to say that we are going backwards. needs. Whatever the original intent of the 1992 I would be willing to support that agreement agreement, and regardless of the good faith in if it actually achieved the objective of shifting which it was signed, the simple fact is that it has doctors out of the larger cities. It has not been not worked. It is no good continuing on the able to do that, and the time has now come to current basis. The agreement was based on the examine different options. I have urged the premise that, as the number of overseas-trained Minister for Health in Queensland, Mr Ken doctors was reduced, there would be an Hayward, to approach his Federal counterpart, Dr increase in the number of Australian-trained Carmen Lawrence, to revisit the agreement and doctors who would have to move to rural and explore more interventionist strategies such as regional areas to fill the void. Unfortunately, that restricting the provision of provider numbers in appears not to have happened and rural large cities, so that doctors would have to move Queenslanders and public sector doctors are to regional areas if they wanted to access beginning to bear the brunt of the agreement's Medicare rebates. I do not have any problem failure. making that suggestion because, quite frankly, it In the Townsville Bulletin this morning this is the taxpayer who pays for those people to get crisis was highlighted by an article headed "Baby their education and to get their medical degrees. dies, doctor crisis blamed". The other night a lady Although I realise that strategies such as took her child to a 24-hour medical centre in the limiting the supply of provider numbers will not middle of the night but, because of the lack of be adopted overnight, it is necessary in the doctors, that centre now closes at 11 o'clock and meantime that the Government be more flexible does not open until 7 a.m. The person did not with its rules on allowing overseas-trained have money to take the baby by taxi to the doctors to practise in regional areas. I have raised general hospital. The baby was dead before the this issue with the Minister for Health in morning. Queensland, Mr Ken Hayward, and we both This is something that Dr Carmen Lawrence agree that it is essential that an adequate supply has to address as a matter of urgency. There are of doctors is guaranteed for non-metropolitan plenty of doctors in Townsville and in other areas areas. It is time that the Commonwealth who have come from overseas on temporary Government reviewed its current policies to visas. They have been allowed to stay for two ensure people from regional Queensland enjoy years, but now they have to go. Time expired. Legislative Assembly 10313 15 November 1994

12 months, she should be listening to the Labor Politics in Pine Rivers community's views. Even in the local newspapers she advertises a slogan of "Working Mr SANTORO (Clayfield—Deputy Leader for You", yet in regard to this issue she is doing of the Liberal Party) (1.51 a.m.): Tonight, I want to anything but working for the community. talk about how, once again, the Australian Labor Party and its politicians have shown their callous A developer has submitted plans to convert disregard for not just individuals in the the wildlife sanctuary, which has been community but, indeed, for the community itself. established for over 28 years, into a 56-lot housing estate with a minimum land size of 1 250 Last month, we heard a vicious and square metres. That is right in the middle of a unprovoked attack on a female councillor on the park/residential area adjacent to where Mrs Pine Rivers Shire Council. That attack, which Woodgate lives, where the minimum land size is came from the member for Everton, was based 6 000 square metres. Both she and the Minister on a political dislike simply because the lady in question outpolled the favoured Labor claim that the development applications, as the candidate at the last local government elections. Minister said— No credence was given to the councillor's ". . . are such that they adequately protect personal or emotional circumstances, nor was those features identified as being of some any consideration given to how many personal significance." sacrifices are made by the dedicated and If the Minister and the member for conscientious councillor, who is a mother of two. Kurwongbah believe that the destruction of a This councillor, acting incoherently while lake, the removal of significant trees, including suffering a state of depression caused by koala habitats, the demolition of buildings and medical trauma, dietary constraints, motherhood infrastructure, and the construction of houses and parental duties, and a fervent wish to serve along a river bank—all of which will effectively the community, displayed a common symptom destroy a significant wildlife habitat and among women who turn 40. This is something reserve—is "adequate" protection, then they she would never have dreamed of doing under have a warped idea of what protection means. normal circumstances, and it is a similar condition The fact that a local councillor, who is to that suffered by another very prominent Labor diligently working with and on behalf of the local personality a few years ago. community, happened to oppose Mrs Woodgate After committing the offence, the councillor at the last election provides sufficient reason for immediately realised what was happening to her members opposite to display their real, narrow- and is undergoing medical treatment. The minded and short-sighted approach to the general community has been extremely community and to consultation. I understand that supportive, understanding and forgiving of the a petition was raised for locals to indicate their situation, but not so Mr Welford. He sees a support for the protection of the sanctuary, and political opportunity and, in this very House, in a the Pine Rivers Shire Council, to its credit, is cowardly fashion he attacks a medically sick forwarding a submission to the ROSS committee individual for some cheap political points. I have with a project that will not only preserve the news for Mr Welford. I am pleased to say that his habitat but will also significantly develop the site political ploy has backfired on him and he has into a regional complex. It is proposed to actually lost points in the community for his incorporate nature trails, massive revegetation callous disregard of an individual's feelings under works, environment educational facilities and an such circumstances. Score one for the adventure playground. At the same time, it will community who understands, and zip for the provide a home for wildlife and conservation cowardly politician who attacks in a forum where groups in the region. By the way, that petition, he knows there is currently a very limited right of which was only for locals, attracted in excess of reply. 2 300 signatories, who came from not just Pine Rivers Shire but right around the Brisbane The next example of Labor antics is region. provided by an uncontrollable urge by some members of this Government to attack past Where the Labor antics intervene is that the political foes at all costs, even to the detriment of Minister, ably supported by the local member, the community. During the past sitting week, we has categorically rejected the proposal from the heard a question from the member for Pine Rivers Shire Council before he has even Kurwongbah directed to the Minister for Lands had the courtesy to hear what it had to say. regarding the possible purchase of the Bunya Political bias intervened and in no way was any Wildlife Sanctuary under ROSS. I would have credit given to what could be created in the thought that as far as Mrs Woodgate was sanctuary area, nor was any support given to the concerned, with an election pending in the next local community just because the newly elected mayor happens to be an ex-National Party 15 November 1994 10314 Legislative Assembly

Minister and the local divisional councillor is an did not relent. Members must remember that ex-Liberal candidate. Bill's threat of April 1984 was in the dark days of What we have seen in those two examples the National Party Government. is the ineptitude of the Labor politicians where, Finally, National Party Minister Austin because of personal bias, they reject any organised a meeting with the director of proposal supported by a person not of their psychiatric services, Dr P. Tucker, but Bill was left political persuasion. That is exactly what gives all dissatisfied with this meeting. It was not until the politicians a bad image. No wonder we get Goss Labor Government came to power that Bill labelled with "all politicians are the same". The Bulbrook received access to the file, and Bill has general public can see the merit in a proposal, expressed his thanks. What has caused the but the narrow-minded political views of a few most distress to the Bulbrooks over the previous prevent the gathering of the support required for cover-up about Tim's death was the literary something worth while. In those cases, score two actions of Dr Paul Curson, alias Dr Morris Towers. points for the community, because they have On 20 November 1988, the Bulbrooks were seen those Government members for what they delivered a cruel blow by Dr Morris Towers in his are. medical column under the title, "Mental homes in I join with the Pine Rivers Shire community conflict". The article stated— in supporting worthwhile projects such as the "One doctor recalled the case of preservation of and the opposition to the re- Timothy Bulbrook. Timothy indicated to a development of the Bunya Sanctuary land, and I member of the nursing staff that he would join the community in condemning Mr Welford for put his head on the railway line if he was his unprovoked, vicious and heartless attack on sent home again. I thought this was very Councillor Henderson. odd. I instructed the nursing staff to tell Timothy not to worry. If he did not want to go Mr T. Bulbrook home on leave, we would not force him to go." Mr BENNETT (Gladstone) (1.56 a.m.): On 5 August 1981, the life of a Gladstone man, Bill The article states further— Bulbrook, changed forever when his son, "Later the nursing staff recorded in Timothy Bulbrook, tragically died when he their daybook, 'Timothy Bulbrook said he committed suicide by placing his head under a would put his head on the railway line if he train near the Gailes Railway Station. At the time, was not sent home on leave.' I was shocked Tim, who was 16 years old and a patient at the to this day. I wonder what Timmy's fateful last Wolston Park Hospital, had been diagnosed with message really was. The cover-up had schizophrenia. Just before his death, Tim had begun." returned from holidays with his family at Gladstone. On the evening of 4 August 1981, Following Bill's relentless pursuit of medical Tim absconded from the facility and returned the justice, on 8 August 1993 in the Sunday Mail Dr following morning. He made several threats, Morris Towers wrote— recorded by three nursing staff, that he would "The Sunday Mail's medical columnist commit suicide if he was not allowed to go home Dr Morris Towers—that's me, folks—faces a to Gladstone within two weeks. That was contrary disciplinary hearing by the Queensland to the report of the treating doctor, a Dr Paul Medical Board next week following bizarre Curson, who goes by the pen name of Dr Morris allegations claiming a breach of medical Towers in the Sunday Mail, who claimed and confidence. The complaint arises in relation recorded the opposite, that he had been to a 1988 newspaper story I wrote informed that Tim would commit suicide if he was describing events in and around the death sent home. of a Rockhampton boy"— Tim was reported missing at about 1.50 p.m. and his death was recorded by the train driver at he got that wrong; Tim was a Gladstone boy— 1.33 p.m. Under the veil of secrecy of the "whose head was severed by a train in 1981 previous National Party administration, Tim's on the tracks adjacent to the Wolston Park father, Bill, tried in vain to get Tim's medical Hospital. Why the boy's father should records concerning the incident, which the then launch such a complaint now following a Health Minister refused to release. In the direct request of me in 1988 for information meantime, Bill's health deteriorated. He had and assistance as the Sunday Mail's medical developed a life-threatening aneurism which columnist remains something of a mystery. It could be controlled only by medication. was a difficult story to write even in 1988 Frustrated by the lack of access to his son's because unbeknown to the boy's father at medical files, Bill refused to continue to take his the time of his request, I was the junior of medication if the Health Minister, Brian Austin, Legislative Assembly 10315 15 November 1994

three doctors looking after his son on the It must be remembered that the association ward at the Wolston Park Hospital." is a community-based and funded organisation. All I can conclude is that either Dr Curson Its existence is dependent upon parents and has been trying to cover up, or he has a other community-minded people who share the same concern for children's safety. The only complete lack of sensitivity. I hope that by my direct State Government funding received by the putting this topic on the public record, Bill and his association comes in the form of an $8,500 family can finish their grieving process. Bill has annual grant. Indirect assistance comes from the paid a high price in health, career and money, but Queensland Police Service, which provides one I admire him for his pursuit of justice. I can full-time liaison officer who is required to perform confidently add that, had Labor been in power various intrastate and interstate security checks earlier, this veil of secrecy would have been lifted for applicants to the program. In addition to earlier. I table the press releases and the nurses' ascertaining the suitability of these applicants, and doctor's report pertaining to that incident. the liaison officer performs administrative functions, attends Safety House general Safety House meetings and is involved in the marketing of the program to the broader community. Mr HEALY (Toowoomba North) (2.01 a.m.): Today, I wish to commend to the I understand also that the Queensland House the tremendous work being done in this Safety House Association has in the past been State by the Safety House Association of occupying at no charge some police-owned Queensland. As most members know, Safety facilities. The growth of Safety House is House plays a vital part in the safety of thousands indicative of the fact that there are now 252 of children throughout Queensland each day. I working committees throughout Queensland. am prompted to highlight this organisation There are approximately 500 schools involved, following a successful seminar which took place around 3 000 volunteer committee members in Toowoomba recently where the Toowoomba and, most importantly, over 16 000 Safety regional committee brought together Houses throughout the State. Last year, Safety representatives from the association in Brisbane, House was used 89 times for a variety of local school liaison committee members, the reasons. Apart from the expected reasons of police, including the State Liaison Officer, children being approached, there have been Sergeant Kerry Butler, principals and interested instances of children escaping domestic people to discuss the future direction of Safety violence, children escaping flashers, escaping House in Queensland and to view the latest harassment and bullying, escaping people who material available to local committees. are loitering and acting in a suspicious manner, and even things such as children being lost, It is unfortunate that in this day and age we missing a bus, or something as simple as being need to set up Safety Houses. I am reminded of attacked by a savage dog or even a magpie. the speech made by my colleague the member for Toowoomba South in his address to that The fact that Safety House is used other seminar. He reflected that, when he was a boy than for violence or molestation-type incidents is growing up in Brisbane attending a Catholic a tremendous vote of confidence in the program. school, the only danger in walking the The deterrent effect of the scheme is not able to 10-kilometre or so trek from school to home was be quantified, but it is a very strong point in its the State school kids who were waiting to have a favour. For example, in Toowoomba there are go at him. Luckily he was big enough and ugly nearly 500 Safety Houses, with 10 committees enough to look after himself. and over 20 schools involved. Each time a child uses a Safety House, it succeeds in alleviating In 1994, the situation is perhaps a little some of the trauma that the child feels when different, but not a lot. Today, no child is totally confronted with an unsafe situation. safe from the clutches of some deviate or child molester who takes his pleasure from stalking One of the interesting points to come out of and even trying to abduct small children on their the recent seminar in Toowoomba was the fact way to and from school. The Safety House that Queensland's fine record in the procedure Program, which was established in Queensland of Safety House is likely to be considered in the in 1984, aims to ensure that, if children pass a likelihood that a national body is to be Safety House whilst in transit to and from school established. In the past, other States have had each day, and if a situation arises that makes their version of Safety House in one form or them feel threatened or unsafe, they can seek another—some successful, some not so—but out assistance at a house displaying the yellow the fact that consideration is being given to a and black "Safety House" sign. It is, in fact, the uniform, nationwide body, and hopefully based last line of defence for some children. on the Queensland model, is well overdue. 15 November 1994 10316 Legislative Assembly

I am pleased to hear that the situation that Most importantly, those organisations have arose last year in relation to the time-consuming also received money under the Community delays that occurred in the checking of Safety Development Program for junior coaching. In House has been partially rectified. I thank the particular, I want to comment on the Sandgate Minister for Police for his response to my RSL, because it is one of the clubs in my representation to him on this matter. electorate that has been fortunate enough to I should not have to remind the Government receive poker machines. As a that Safety House protects Queensland kids community-minded organisation it, together with every day. I should not have to remind the the Sandgate/Redcliffe Cricket Club and other Government that urgent consideration needs to associated organisations, is looking at a major be given to extra funding for preventive plan at a park called Albury Oval. Albury Oval was programs. The cost to Government and the named after one of the councillors in the old community could be enormous if programs such Shire of Sandgate. Over time, Albury Oval has as Safety House did not exist. Sadly, I have to, not necessarily fallen into a state of disrepair. and I will, remind the Government that prevention They still play A-grade cricket there, but the area should be a priority and not an afterthought. needs a major facelift. The organisations Recreation and Sports Funding, concerned are not only looking at that major Sandgate facelift but also at building a long-term, major Mr NUTTALL (Sandgate) (2.06 a.m.): sporting-type complex. There have been some Tonight I wish to comment on funding programs public meetings and a lot of community within my electorate administered by the consultation. There is still a long way to go. Some Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing. I feasibility studies are currently under way. This is particularly want to cover three of the programs. important for my area. The first is the Community Sports Development In the past, Sandgate has always been Program. The other one is the Queensland regarded as a retirement area, but there has Facilities Development Scheme, and the third been a lot of rejuvenation there. Younger one is the 1994 Youth Services Development families are moving back into the electorate. All of Grant. my schools have certainly experienced a growth Since 1 January last year, the total funding in enrolments. It is pleasing to see that younger in my electorate from those three programs has families are moving back into the area, and that been in excess of some $58,600. That certainly organisations in my electorate are recognising has greatly benefited a number of sporting and that and are trying to provide facilities. community groups within my electorate. Some of those organisations which have benefited from The Curlew Park Sports Association also the funding, particularly in relation to the received a major grant under the Queensland Community Sports Development Program, have Facilities Development Scheme. We have been included the Sandgate Swimming Club, which is developing an old dump site. Some of the one of the oldest swimming clubs in Brisbane. I grandstand seats were from the old Frank Burke am proud to say that I am the patron of that Stand at Lang Park. We have managed to swimming club. acquire some of those. A lot of trees have been planted. Now we have been able to receive a Mr Mackenroth: They made a good choice, too. You've got a bronze medal, too, grant to construct some dressing sheds, haven't you? showers and some canteen facilities for the benefit of the youth in the electorate. I want to Mr NUTTALL: I hold a bronze medallion. thank the Minister concerned for his support in The Sandgate Swimming Club's money has relation to those organisations within my been used in particular in relation to coaching electorate. delivery and the provision of certain equipment. The Bracken Ridge and Districts Aquatic Club Motion agreed to. has also received money for athletics The House adjourned at 2.10 a.m. development. Again, that aquatic club is in one (Wednesday). of the fastest growing areas within my electorate. Actually, it is one of the rarities in that the aquatic club uses one of the State school's pools as its home. The Brighton Bowls Club has also been fortunate enough—for those people who are interested in bowls—to receive some funding under the program.