5 Apr 2001 Legislative Assembly 351

THURSDAY, 5 APRIL 2001

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

PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions—

Western Ipswich Bypass Mr Livingstone from 197 petitioners, requesting the House to reject all three options of the proposed Western Ipswich Bypass.

State Government Land, Bracken Ridge Mr Nuttall from 403 petitioners, requesting the House to consider the request that the land owned by the State Government at 210 Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge be kept and managed as a bushland reserve.

Spinal Injuries Unit, Townsville General Hospital Mr Rodgers from 1,336 petitioners, requesting the House to provide a 24-26 bed Acute Care Spinal Injuries Unit at the new Townsville General Hospital in Douglas currently under construction.

Left-Hand Drive Vehicles Mrs D. Scott from 233 petitioners, requesting the House to lower the age limit required to register a left-hand drive vehicle.

Mater Children's Hospital Miss Simpson from 50 petitioners, requesting the House to (a) urge that Queensland Health reward efficient performance, rather than limit it, for the high growth population in the southern corridor, (b) argue that Queenslanders have the right to decide where their child is treated without being turned away, (c) decide that the Mater Children’s Hospital not be sent into deficit for meeting the needs of children who present at the door and (d) review the current funding system immediately to remedy this.

PAPERS MINISTERIAL PAPER The following ministerial paper was tabled— Hon. R. J. Welford (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice)— Queensland Law Reform Commission— Report No. 55 Part 2—The Receipt of Evidence by Queensland Courts: The Evidence of Children and Part 2A—Summary of Recommendations.

NOTICE OF MOTION Members of Parliament, Ethical Standards Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.33 a.m.): I give notice that I will move— That this House adopt the Statement of Fundamental Principles, contained in Part 2 of the proposed Code of Ethical Standards for Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, and recommended by the Members' Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee in its report tabled last year. The Statement of Fundamental Principles is consistent with my Government's commitment to constitutional reform, good government and ethical conduct, and consists of the following six important principles— 1. Integrity of the Parliament The public's confidence in the institution of Parliament is essential. Members are to strive at all times to conduct themselves in a manner which will tend to maintain and strengthen the public's trust and confidence in the integrity of Parliament and avoid any action which may diminish its standing, authority or dignity. 2. Primacy of the public interest Members are elected to act in the public interest and make decisions solely in terms of the public interest. Members also have a continuing duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties as they arise, and to take steps to avoid, resolve or disclose any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest. 352 Ministerial Statement 5 Apr 2001

3. Independence of action Parliamentary democracy requires that members make decisions, and be seen to make decisions, in accordance with the public interest and not because they are under any financial obligation or influence. Therefore, members are not to place themselves under any financial obligation to outside individuals or organisations, including the executive government, that might influence them in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities, and must act at all times in accordance with rules set down by the Parliament for outside appointments. 4. Appropriate use of information In the course of their duties members often receive information which is either confidential or prized (that is, not available to the general public). Members are not to misuse any confidential or prized information, particularly for personal gain. 5. Transparency and scrutiny It is vital to parliamentary democracy that the public has confidence in the integrity of the decisionÐmaking process of Parliament. To ensure transparency, public scrutiny and public confidence, it is necessary that each member disclose their pecuniary interests on a continuing and ad hoc basis when the need arises. 6. Appropriate use of entitlements Members are provided certain entitlements to assist them to discharge their duties and responsibilities. Members are to ensure that they comply with any guidelines for the use of these entitlements.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Roma Street Parkland Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.36 a.m.), by leave: There is a big day of celebration planned for Brisbane tomorrow when stage 1 of the $72 million Roma Street Parkland is officially opened by the Minister for Public Works and me. It is an event that I am eagerly looking forward to, because this project has turned a virtual wasteland into the heart and lungs of Brisbane. This has been a tremendous project that has transformed the old railway yards into a beautiful people's place that will be an irresistible magnet to local residents and which will put us on the map internationally. It has been a big project which, at its peak late last year, employed 250 people. Their efforts have created a truly unique asset for present and future generations of Queenslanders. The state government has spent $72 million to develop the Roma Street Parkland on 16 hectares covering the former rail yards and the existing Albert Park in Brisbane's CBD. I urge all members to get out and see the parkland for themselves. It features a spectacular garden containing displays of subtropical foliage and flowers, a massive water wall and other water features and a one hectare lake. There is also a 250 metre pedestrian bridge linking the parkland with the CBD via Albert Street and an activity precinct with provision for a market plaza, as well as future retail and food outlets. Other features include a lookout and bridge crossing the fern gully, a boardwalk linking the Spectacle Garden and Parkland Boulevard and provision for a pedestrian bridge linking the parkland to Petrie Terrace. The Roma Street Parkland is being developed in partnership with the Brisbane City Council by the state government. To give the House some idea of the scope of this project, the transformation of the Roma Street Parkland site has involved the shifting of enough soil to cover the Gabba cricket ground to a height of two metres. This parkland is the largest subtropical garden in a city centre anywhere in the world. Workers have planted 1,200 mature trees, 100,000 shrubs, 1,800 unique species such as grass trees, staghorn and elkhorn, and 350 palms. Close to 300 Queenslanders nominated a name for the new parkland, with Roma Street Parkland or variations being the most popular. Wherever one lives, they can 'virtually' visit a special Roma Street Parkland through a web site—www.romastreetparkland.com— which features a tour of the parkland and an interactive model of the project. The Roma Street Parkland will be officially opened at 10 a.m. tomorrow by the minister and me. On Friday night there will be a concert at the parkland which will feature people such as Christine Anu and George, a local band. This is proof we are delivering on our commitments. For years governments dithered over the redevelopment of the Roma Street Parkland. This government delivered.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Goodwill Games Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.39 a.m.), by leave: Queensland has an enviable and much-deserved reputation for staging big events. The 5 Apr 2001 Ministerial Statement 353

Commonwealth Games in 1982 are still talked about as one of the best and friendliest games ever. World Expo in 1988 was another triumph for the state, and now we are lining up to do it all again with the Goodwill Games in 2001. Indeed, later on this year Queensland and Brisbane will host CHOGM. It is clear that both the Queensland and Australian business communities have great faith in our ability to stage such major events. Yesterday as Premier I represented Queensland at a special event, the 2001 Goodwill Games combined sponsors launch. It was clear from both the number and the quality of sponsors in 2001 Team Goodwill, the collective name given to sponsors of this major international sporting festival, that business is anticipating another Queensland success. They in turn help to make the games successful, because these companies' promotional support of the Goodwill Games will bring greater exposure to Queensland as a major international destination, whether it be for a holiday or for a major event. I have to say: I am impressed by the diverse range of Queensland and national companies sponsoring the games. Their support offers an array of markets for promoting the Goodwill Games, which will translate to further promotion of Brisbane and Queensland, nationally and internationally, in an unprecedented way. With the Goodwill Games set to be broadcast to millions of households around the world, the international exposure for Brisbane will be enormous. In fact, 450 million households worldwide will be able to see the Goodwill Games. Queensland has never before had that level of exposure. From 29 August to 9 September the Goodwill Games will bring more than 1,300 athletes to Brisbane for 12 days of spectacular sporting action across 14 sports. The games will generate 18,000 bed nights in 16 Brisbane hotels. They will create 2,000 jobs and pump $170 million into the local economy. As I said, they will be beamed to 450 million households worldwide. Three minutes of each hour will be devoted to promoting Queensland's attractions. Those broadcasts promoting Queensland's attractions are unprecedented in terms of the level of exposure. Over 3,000 volunteers will be part of the 2001 Goodwill Games. To mark the International Year of the Volunteer, the Queensland government will provide free transport for unpaid workers during the games. While the gods of sport—that is the name given to the athletes on the promotional material—are sure to put on a fantastic show, the world will also be watching Brisbane as it stages its most significant sporting event since the 1982 Commonwealth Games. Most importantly, the announcement of the sponsor family highlights that business is increasingly viewing Queensland as the economic innovator in Australia. The Goodwill Games sponsor family is: Carlton & United, Suncorp Metway, Qantas, Energex, MBF, Val Morgan Cinema Advertising, Queensland Newspapers, Konica, Coca-Cola Amatil, Nordic Sport, Warner Roadshow Home Entertainment, Austereo, Myer Centre, Time Magazine and Sports Illustrated, Who Weekly, Brisbane Airport Corporation, Queensland Rail, Brisbane Marketing and Viewpoint Technologies. The 2001 Goodwill Games is now recognised as the most prestigious sporting event in the world this year. Being associated with such a major event should net enormous rewards for these sponsors. An information kit was prepared to accompany the 2001 Team Goodwill launch, and I table it for the information of the House.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Community Training Partnerships Program Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeerongpilly—ALP) (Minister for Employment, Training and Youth and Minister for the Arts) (9.43 a.m.), by leave: Jobs, jobs, jobs remains this government's top priority. An opposition member: We've heard that before! Mr FOLEY: It is a great pity that when in government the coalition did not listen more to what was being said by us. If it had, it would not have led Queensland into such a sorry mess. To achieve the goal of jobs we need not only to boost— Mr Springborg interjected. Mr FOLEY: I am sure that the economic debate could be enriched by the Springborg school of law, as the justice debate has been, but I would ask the honourable member to restrain his enthusiasm. To achieve the goal of jobs, jobs, jobs, we need not only to boost the skills of the work force to global standards but also to respond to the specific economic needs and strengths of local and regional communities, be they in the Mary Valley, the Gulf of Carpentaria or the Darling Downs. 354 Ministerial Statement 5 Apr 2001

This is essential for the future development of our goal to be the Smart State and, hence, this government's strategy of community training partnerships To ensure that all Queenslanders, not just those living in major centres, can meet the future head on, the government has developed the innovative Community Training Partnerships Program. Funds are available to local communities for studies to pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses and to set up a training plan of attack to meet those challenges. The state government will also consider applications for additional funding to deliver the training identified. The beauty of this initiative is that local communities own the strategies which shape their future. It also means that government, industry and communities work together to solve the problems facing them—problems such as rural youth migration and unemployment, low community esteem, the feeling of having no control over the future, outmoded industries, lack of high-tech infrastructure in rural areas and the tyranny of distance from services and education centres. To date, 32 projects in Queensland communities, from the gulf region to the Gold Coast, have received community training partnerships funding. By the end of this financial year, that number will have reached more than 50. Thanks to a $10,000 grant, the Gulf Savannah Development Corporation is looking at the training needed to take advantage of the tourism opportunities that will open up when the Savannah Way, between Cairns and Karumba, is sealed. The organisation is identifying tourism training requirements as well as the needs of other industries, such as fishing, primary production and mining. People from indigenous communities are among the disadvantaged young job seekers, or those with reduced employment prospects, who will be the focus of the study. The community training partnerships project is looking at ways to help Mary Valley residents, hard hit by changes in the dairy and forestry industries. Through the study a strategy will be developed to diversify the area's economy and increase local employment options. Emerging opportunities in agriculture, horticulture, tourism, retail, food processing and hospitality will be explored. Skills shortfalls and the appropriate training needed to bring locals up to speed to meet the demands are being identified. In the Warwick, Clifton and Cambooya shires, industries that had been the region's backbone were in decline and the technology revolution had passed them by. But after a community training partnerships pilot pinpointed their problems, the provision of additional Queensland government funding has sought to bring the information technology age to these Darling Downs communities. Internet cafes were set up around the shires, and up to 300 local unemployed and underemployed people are now becoming part of the technology revolution and learning how to surf the Net. These communities are taking up the challenge to act locally and think globally, with nearby Warwick now an established Australiawide distribution centre because of its crossroads location. They are looking at the opportunities available for an accessible computer literate work force. In nearby Laidley, in the Lockyer Valley, a community training partnerships program of courses in the town were so successful that local councillors say it has helped the town to lose its 'victim mentality'. It also showed how determined local people were to break into the new economy. More than 100 people enrolled in the computer business and other courses. Places were filled within a day and a half of being advertised and, according to the local council, 'could have been filled 10 times over'. Community training partnerships are playing a key role in fulfilling the Beattie government's promise to make Queensland a Smart State—a state equipped with a skilled work force to secure its growth and prosperity into the new millennium.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Domestic Violence Hon. W. M. EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha—ALP) (Minister for Health and Minister Assisting the Premier on Women's Policy) (9.48 a.m.), by leave: Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury among women of child-bearing age in our society and the single most common trigger of female suicide. Up to 60 per cent of women who are murdered die as a result of a domestic dispute. These stark statistics reinforce the need to continue to try to find ways to address and prevent violence against women, and the Beattie Labor government is taking positive steps to do just that. 5 Apr 2001 Ministerial Statement 355

I would like to outline for the House a major initiative now under way which aims to tackle this problem head on. Under the Beattie government's Crime Prevention That Works Strategy, Queensland Health received $1 million to fund a domestic violence initiative, using the public health system to address the health impacts of violence against women. Currently the initiative is operating on a trial basis at 17 sites around Queensland, where screening for domestic violence is carried out for women attending antenatal clinics or emergency departments at public hospitals, often for other reasons. It gives me great satisfaction to inform the House that the success of this trial means that the initiative will now be expanded to become standard procedure at every public hospital in Queensland by the end of the year. What this means is that women will be asked a few simple questions as part of normal history-taking procedures. Our latest survey of the initiative, involving 3,440 women attending eight locations, found that there was an increase in the proportion of women at antenatal sites who disclosed violence and, most importantly, accepted help. Under this initiative, the public health system acts as a safe point of entry into the specialised services offered by other agencies and also contributes to the secondary prevention of violence by raising awareness within the state's largest work force. It is a sad fact of life that women in abusive relationships very often continue to experience domestic violence during pregnancy and in the months following the birth of a child, with considerable long-term health implications for both them and the child. The evaluation of the domestic violence initiative found 13 per cent of women experiencing violence accepted offers of help at the time they were asked the screening questions. Expansion of domestic violence screening will begin in the northern zone, and negotiations are already under way with a number of new sites, including Ayr and Weipa. The bottom line for all our efforts is to improve the capacity of the health system to better identify the problem of domestic violence among women and to be more capable in our short and long-term responses. Ensuring that screening for domestic violence becomes standard procedure at all public hospital antenatal clinics and emergency departments will make a very real difference to the lives of so many Queensland women.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Small Business Hon. T. A. BARTON (Waterford—ALP) (Minister for State Development) (9.51 a.m.), by leave: This government remains committed to building the state's economic base to ensure the future of Queensland. In its first term, the government was successful in drawing a number of international companies to Queensland to establish operations. Companies including Sir Richard Branson's Virgin, IBM, Citibank and General Electric are just a few of these major companies to open their doors here. And this government will continue its efforts to attract businesses of this calibre, because these companies not only create direct jobs but ensure that more jobs are created through the flow-on effect. It is this flow-on effect that benefits another key component of my ministry and that is small business. The importance of small business is not lost on this government. Small business is the driving force of the Queensland economy. With more than 90 per cent of all business in this state ranked as small business, the Department of State Development is aware of the vital role this sector is to the state's economy. Business support and education has ranked highly and will continue to do so. A range of management workshops and seminars have been developed to assist potential and existing small business owners and operators to develop sound business skills. These workshops and seminars, delivered through our network of 19 State Development centres throughout the state, have been extremely helpful for business. They cover such a range of areas including planning, management of cash and profits, marketing and networking. In the last six months, 356 workshops have been delivered to more than 9,800 participants. To enable Queensland business to operate within the new economy, several projects have been implemented to assist in the areas of e-commerce and e-business. Recently, I had the pleasure to the deliver more than $40,000 to 18 Queensland business women throughout the state as part of the government's scheme to assist women improve their business skills. This scheme recognises the significant contribution women make and will continue to make in the future of Queensland business. 356 Ministerial Statement 5 Apr 2001

Finally, I wish it to be noted that I intend chairing the Small Business Advisory Council which, to date, has been headed by my parliamentary colleague Warren Pitt. Warren has done a fine job, and I thank him for his efforts, but as the Minister for State Development I have decided to take an even more active role in this group and, at every opportunity, I will chair this council. The Queensland Small Business Advisory Council provides a critical link to establishing ongoing and meaningful dialogue with the small business community, and this government will continue its efforts to foster and assist this important sector over the next three years.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Evidence of Child Witnesses Hon. R. J. WELFORD (Everton—ALP) (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) (9.54 a.m.), by leave: This morning, I tabled the Queensland Law Reform Commission's report No. 55, part 2, The receipt of evidence by Queensland courts: the evidence of children. The first part of this report was released last year. This report was prepared over the past three years with input from specialist groups and the general community. The Law Reform Commission's consolidated report, quite rightly, places a strong emphasis on the proper protection of children who have to appear in court as witnesses. It contains 87 recommendations for change. As part of its reference, the commission was asked to review the capacity of the judicial system, both in its criminal and civil aspects, to properly receive the evidence of children. Our government is strongly committed to law reform in these areas and has already implemented many of the recommendations contained in part 1 of the report through the Criminal Law Amendment Act 2000. This included powers to restrict inappropriate cross- examination and to prevent an unrepresented accused from cross-examining a child witness in person. In its consolidated report, the commission notes that its recommendations have three objectives: to preserve, to the greatest extent possible, the integrity of the evidence of a child witness; to limit, to the greatest extent possible, the distress or trauma experienced by a child witness as a result of giving evidence; and to ensure, in a criminal matter, that an accused person against whom evidence is given by a child complainant or other child witness receives a fair trial. These objectives provide a sound foundation to ensure that any law reform we undertake is in the overall interests of the child giving evidence and in the interests of justice. Minimising the distress of child witnesses giving evidence is not simply favouring the rights of a child complainant or witness over an accused. It is fundamental to the effective administration of our system of justice. A distressed child cannot effectively or reliably testify. As a community, we want to ensure that our most vulnerable members, our children, are not disadvantaged, exploited or denied legitimate participation in the justice system because of their youth or inexperience. This Law Reform Commission report recognises that our laws must reflect the difficult circumstances in which children could be placed when required to give evidence before the courts. This particularly applies to children who have been the victims of violence or sexual offences and have to give evidence against their accused. Our courts should provide justice for the whole community, including our children, whose vulnerability can make the courtroom experience intimidating, at the least, or even traumatising. The commission has provided a comprehensive review of the issues affecting children in court. I welcome the report's recommendations and thank the commissioners and the commission secretariat for their fine work and dedication. I will now ensure that my department begins careful consideration of the commission's general scheme for reforming the way children give evidence in Queensland. Copies of the report will be circulated to the offices of all members.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Internet Gambling Hon. M. ROSE (Currumbin—ALP) (Minister for Tourism and Racing and Minister for Fair Trading) (9.57 a.m.), by leave: The federal coalition government's interactive gambling legislation poses a serious threat to the viability of the Queensland racing industry. The legislation—introduced by Communications Minister Senator Richard Alston—will prohibit Australians from accessing interactive wagering services. Senator Alston's legislation will nobble Queensland's racing industry by encouraging Queenslanders to bet with unregulated offshore bookmakers in places such as Vanuatu and Fiji. 5 Apr 2001 Ministerial Statement 357

Product fees paid by the TAB are the lifeblood of the Queensland racing industry, and anything that would harm TAB turnover would seriously injure the Queensland racing industry. It is estimated that over $600 million is already being bet offshore on Australian racing. This means these unscrupulous operators are, literally, stealing from the racing industry in this state. Overseas operators will have the benefit of utilising new technology, such as the Internet, while Australian companies—who pay product fees to the racing industry and taxes to Australian governments—are limited in what they can offer. Senator Alston has handicapped the Australian TABs out of the race, and the Vanuatu bookies have now been installed as red-hot favourites in the race for the Australian wagering dollar. The state racing ministers conference that I hosted wrote to Senator Alston advising of the dangers of banning Australians from wagering on the Internet and the damage it would cause our racing industry. The federal government has failed to grasp the intrinsic difference between wagering and gaming. Interactive, or Internet, wagering is solely another distribution mechanism offering the same services and products as the telephone but, importantly, also as a means of preserving the market share in the face of strong competition from offshore gambling providers. It appears that Senator Alston has taken no notice of the information provided to him by the Australian racing ministers conference to the grave detriment of the Queensland racing industry. The Productivity Commission's report recognised that Internet wagering has not been a major contributor in the rapid growth of internet gambling; rather, it is gaming that is the heart of the problem. Comments made by Senator Alston in regard to racing show his total lack of knowledge and care for Queensland's fourth-largest industry. I would urge the Queensland racing industry to lobby the federal government in a bid to stop this damaging piece of legislation being passed. I note that both the Brisbane Turf Club and the Townsville Turf Club have already supported this stance and are considering their legal options. This is just another example of an uncaring Howard government being tucked away in Canberra and not being aware of the consequences of their legislation on people. I have written, again, to Senator Alston to put forward the case of the Queensland racing industry, which will hopefully lead to a rethink of this legislation.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Landcare Awards Hon. S. ROBERTSON (Stretton—ALP) (Minister for Natural Resources and Minister for Mines) (10.00 a.m.), by leave: Today it is my pleasure to call for nominations for the 2001 State Landcare Awards. The awards focus attention on sustainable natural resource management work being done throughout Queensland. Winners will be announced at the Queensland Landcare Conference in Goondiwindi from July 21 to 24. I will have the honour of presenting some of those awards. The event will be co-hosted by the Border Rivers Catchment Association and the Queensland Landcare and Catchment Management Council with support from Natural Resources staff. Land care as an ethic has thrived over the past 15 years. People from all walks of life, whether they live in the city or the bush, come together with a common purpose—to do battle against threats to our environment. Landcare Australia Ltd is a national non-profit organisation supported by corporate and government sectors to raise the awareness of Landcare and its role in achieving positive landscape change. It has the demonstrated capacity to galvanise community interest and action in terms of sustainable natural resource management. Last year alone, the organisation raised some $15.5 million in revenue via a number of means. The Landcare Awards, which have been held in Queensland every two years since 1991, provide the opportunity to recognise and highlight best practice land care management techniques. This year's theme is the 'Power of One' in recognition of the enormous voluntary work done by members of the 300 land care and catchment groups across the state and to help celebrate the International Year of the Volunteer. Salinity, land degradation, water quality, erosion and nature conservation are some of the issues being tackled on the ground by this army of volunteers. 358 Ministerial Statement 5 Apr 2001

The awards also recognise that decision-making about land care issues should be in the hands of local people who have the knowledge and the experience to take responsibility for planning and implementing a sustainable future. The judges for the state Landcare awards are also locals. They may be farmers, environmentalists, scientists, educationalists, business people or from the media or government areas. Many are using the criteria of their daily lives to judge the nominations, which means that the projects nominated must provide a real benefit for the community. Anyone can nominate for a Landcare award. There are 10 categories: conservation, research, local government, primary producer, media, river care, catchment, education and individual and group awards. The winners receive a $500 cash prize, an award and a trip to Canberra to compete at the national Landcare Awards presentation in 2002. Second placegetters and finalists receive a certificate of commendation highlighting their achievements. The nomination period has begun and extends to 25 May, with judging in June. Entry forms and guidelines for nominations can be obtained from the Landcare Conference Secretariat office in Goondiwindi or from regional coordinators.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Local Government, Management of Complaints Hon. J. I. CUNNINGHAM (Bundaberg—ALP) (Minister for Local Government and Planning) (10.03 a.m.), by leave: An area of deep personal interest for me is ensuring that governments appropriately represent their communities and that people have their issues and concerns addressed fairly and effectively. As Local Government Minister, I receive a significant volume of correspondence from people raising concerns about the actions of their local government and looking to me to intervene on their behalf. Many of the complaints or concerns relate to the day-to-day business and decisions of local government and I have very limited powers of intervention. While I may initiate inquiries with the local government concerned to satisfy myself that appropriate procedures have been followed, there are few occasions when I can actually intervene or direct a local government to take a particular action. My predecessor, the Honourable Terry Mackenroth, released a brochure to explain the role of the Local Government Minister and to outline an appropriate complaint resolution process to try to ensure that people could have their issues resolved without unnecessary delays. Subsequent to the release of this brochure, my Department of Local Government and Planning established a working party consisting of representatives from 14 local governments and the ombudsman's office to consider the introduction of improved local government complaints management practices. A recent survey of 90 local governments found that 83 per cent of those surveyed do not have a complaints policy; 81 per cent of councils do not have a customer charter; 70 per cent do not have a documented complaints handling procedure; 86 per cent record the complaints made to council but 61 per cent of councils do not have a specific procedure outlining how councillors should respond to complainants or their role in the complaints process; counter staff are most likely to handle customer complaints but 30 per cent of councils stated that no staff were trained in that area; over 90 per cent of councils surveyed do not publish complaints data in their annual report or other council publications; and 83 per cent of those councils believed that a complaints management guideline would improve their complaints procedures. Based on these results, my department is presently developing a set of complaints management guidelines to meet the identified needs of councils. My department is also proposing to offer training for local governments in this area if it is required. I see this as an important initiative that will help the people of Queensland in their dealings with local government and make decision-makers more accountable. 5 Apr 2001 Private Members' Statements 359

MINISTRY; PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (10.06 a.m.), by leave: I rise to inform the House that in accordance with the Constitution Act of 1867, on 22 March 2001 the appointment of Mr Neil Stuart Roberts as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education ended. I also inform the House that in accordance with the Constitution Act of 1867, on 23 March 2001 the appointment of Mr Paul Thomas Lucas as Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Sport ended. They did not last long, did they? I inform the House that on 23 March 2001 His Excellency the Governor appointed Paul Thomas Lucas to be Minister for Innovation and Information Economy and that he be a member of the Executive Council of Queensland. I also inform the House that on 23 March 2001 in accordance with the Constitution Act of 1867, His Excellency the Governor, acting by and with the advice of the Executive Council, appointed Jo-Ann Roslyn Miller as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and—he has made a comeback—Neil Stuart Roberts as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Employment, Training and Youth and Minister for the Arts. Honourable members: Hear, hear! Mr BEATTIE: Finally, I inform the House that on 23 March 2001 in accordance with the Acts Interpretation Act 1954, the Constitution Act of 1867 and the Officials in Parliament Act of 1896, His Excellency the Governor, acting by and with the advice of the Executive Council, approved Administrative Arrangements Amendment Order (No. 3) 2001. I lay upon the table of the House copies of the relevant notifications from the Queensland Government Gazette Extraordinary.

OFFICE OF MEMBER FOR GLADSTONE Report of Expenses Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (10.08 a.m.): I lay on the table of the House a report of the expenses of the office of the Independent member for Gladstone for the period ended 31 December 2000.

PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS Recycled Waste Water Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) (10.08 a.m.): If there is one project in Queensland that could deliver some real jobs and economic growth in this state, it is the proposal for the recycling of water from the south-eastern Queensland area to the Lockyer Valley and the Darling Downs. This morning we heard the Minister for Employment talk about various training projects in those areas, but here is something that would deliver real jobs, real construction, real exports and real economic opportunities. Currently, about 150,000 megalitres a year of water is pumped from the Brisbane and Ipswich area into the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay and is the major point source of blue-green algae in Moreton Bay itself. If this water could be recycled and pumped to the Lockyer and to the Darling Downs, it would have an immediate effect of $150 million a year of increased farm gate sales and, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, an immediate effect of $300 million a year extra in economic activity and the jobs that would result from that proposal. When this project was first mooted, the previous coalition government put $100,000 of seed funding into it. Just last year, under the leadership of the Deputy Premier, Mr Elder, a report was prepared by Brown and Roots, the consultants, and that report was supposed to be finished in 10 weeks. I understand that it was delivered in December. With the sudden disappearance of Mr Elder, that report seems to have disappeared as well. It is an important project that needs to be maintained and progressed. As I said, this is one of the most important projects for Queensland and it will deliver real jobs. The coalition government was prepared to put in approximately one-third of the cost of this project. The project is supported by Lord Mayor Jim Soorley and it has the support of Vision 2000 and the support of the City to Soil project in the Lockyer Valley. Here is a chance for the Beattie government to do something, to actually make things happen. Time is running out, and the WAMP is taking away water from those people on the Darling Downs. Time expired. 360 Private Members' Statements 5 Apr 2001

Crime Prevention Week Mrs LAVARCH (Kurwongbah—ALP) (10.10 a.m.): As members are aware, this week is Crime Prevention Week—a week in which crime prevention programs, initiatives and strategies are being showcased across the state. Although this initiative was commenced in 1997 by the QPS, it has been the Beattie Labor government, through its diverse range of programs, that has given true meaning to building safer communities. In Pine Rivers, the concept of Crime Prevention Week has once again been embraced by our Plan Safe Committee. Under the stewardship of Glenys McCarrick, many activities have been organised. This morning, I would like to highlight a couple of these. The Bray Park Community Consultative Committee, chaired by Michelle Howden, in conjunction with the Bray Park Police Beat, hosted a drugs awareness seminar on Tuesday night. This seminar included guest speakers from the police Drug Squad and a clinical nurse consultant from Queensland Health, and it builds on the work being undertaken already by that committee in respect of drugs and alcohol and young people in our community. Another event for the week is a joint initiative of the honourable member for Aspley, Bonny Barry, and me. We are hosting a home safety seminar on Friday morning with the following guest speakers: Mick Polak from the Pine Rivers Home Assist, Home Secure Program; Senior Sergeant Don Dull, from the Queensland Police Community Liaison Branch; and Senior Constable Adam Willmott from the Bray Park Police Beat. It is hoped that many will avail themselves of this opportunity to hear some good tips on improving their home safety to avoid the heartache of loss through theft. Coincidentally, this year's theme is 'Working together for safer communities'. The Pine Rivers community at all levels has been working and will continue to work together to make our community safer. Crime prevention is a high priority for all of us, and I congratulate all involved in this year's event. I also congratulate our Neighbourhood Watch committees, safety house committees, the PCYC, the Pine Rivers Shire Council as well as our local shopping centres for putting up displays.

Flying Foxes Mrs PRATT (Nanango—Ind) (10.12 a.m.): I have received numerous complaints concerning a huge colony of flying foxes that have taken over a residential area, causing unprecedented stress to residents and business owners. Environmental protection officers have been called and have done nothing to find a win-win solution. They have informed the community that the foxes will move on. That does not resolve the here and now, with the stench and the noise. Two people, who have either worked in the area among the dung or live right next to it, have become very ill—one almost to the point of death with what has been termed an unknown virus. While no blame was put directly on the flying foxes, a doctor involved in the treatment of one patient asked if he had been working with animals. The answer was, 'Not really, just living near bats.' I want to know how far we must go before we bring back a modicum of sensibility into this issue. It is necessary to employ reasonable culling methods to keep animals at a sustainable level where they can cohabit happily with humans. I know that we humans are to blame for encroaching on the animals' habitat and that, therefore, we should put up and shut up. But hold on, it does not matter where we build a house; we will be displacing some poor animal, including ants and snails. If the greenies and animal libbers want to continue to live in the manner to which they are accustomed, they have to be realistic. I should have the choice as to where I wish to live. I should also care enough to want to ensure that provision is made for those I displace. In a recent edition of the 7.30 Report, it was reported that flying foxes had taken up residence in the botanical gardens in Melbourne. They are happily defoliating trees that are as old as 100 years. But that is not the worst of it. Now we have the greenies threatening to cull the bats, and the animal libbers marking trees in the park that they intend to destroy in retaliation. How long will it be before humans wake up to the fact that, while we should be responsible for our flora and fauna, we should not be held to ransom by it. Most people who advocate for the protection of roos, flying foxes and galahs, et cetera do not live with and experience them in plague proportions. I strongly advocate sensible culling programs for all animals that cause problems in one way or another. The federal government has 5 Apr 2001 Private Members' Statements 361 introduced a $10 bounty on feral pigs, knowing full well that if foot-and-mouth disease ever gets into this country it will spread like wildfire. Time expired.

Hopewell Hospice Mrs CROFT (Broadwater) (10.14 a.m.): Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of visiting a residential hospice like no other. As I walked into the Hopewell Hospice with my fellow colleagues the member for Mansfield and the member for Mudgeeraba, I understood instantly what such a place aims to achieve. Hopewell Hospice at Hope Island is a unique concept that offers a home- like environment for those who are dealing with life-threatening illnesses. While the hospice offers a professional total management service, the staff also pride themselves on the emotional, mental and spiritual support the centre offers to residents and their families. In addition, Hopewell offers educational courses and training programs to families, volunteers and medical professionals. This unique holistic approach attracts residents and their families from all over Australia and overseas. Hopewell Hospice deserves recognition. Since 1993, 357 people, varying in ages from 17 to 93 years of age, have been comforted through the final stages of their life at Hopewell by trained nurses and volunteers, many of whom reside in the Broadwater electorate. Palliative care is a special kind of care, and in this Year of the Volunteer I would like to thank the many volunteers at Hopewell for their dedication and the invaluable contribution they make to the lives of many families. This facility is a non-denominational charity that is the result of a dream. Founder, Deirdre Hanna, and her husband, Reverend Dr Ian Mavor, realised there was a need to look after young children dealing with grief. So began the idea of Paradise Kids. Paradise Kids is a division of Hopewell that is dedicated to the needs of young children who are experiencing the trauma of separation from their parents through divorce or the death of a parent, a sibling or a friend, or their own life-threatening illness or disability. Paradise Kids recognises the relationship between unsupported and unguided grief and problems that many families and children experience as a consequence, such as behavioural problems, alcoholism and drug abuse. The Paradise Kids program teaches children life skills. Time expired.

Gympie Hospital Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore—NPA) (10.16 a.m.): While the Health Minister arrogantly continues to insult and attack the medical fraternity, saying that all the problems are one sided and ignoring the lack of funding for specialist positions and training in the public system, the community of Gympie just wants her to do her job and fix the problem, with two well-regarded surgeons having resigned from the hospital, other staff on stress leave due to work and management issues, and staff morale diving. The community and staff are worried about the impact that has had upon the health services in this very important region. I have asked the minister to inquire into these problems, but I also implore her to go to Gympie and talk with medical, nursing and ancillary staff to resolve these issues. I table a letter of junior medical staff which outlines their concerns about the unsafe working hours for senior medical staff. Currently, one senior medical officer, who works in a full-time capacity and who is well known for his care, dedication and hard work, works three out of four weekends, is on call seven days a week and provides senior medical cover, obstetric cover and anaesthetics on call. Other issues that have reached boiling point include the fact that public elective endoscopy and colonoscopy services were stopped by the hospital administration because they did not have the funds, not because they did not have the surgeons. That has led to the resignation of at least one of those surgeons. JCCA accredited non-specialist anaesthetists can no longer perform anaesthetics on elective patients but can be called on to do the more complicated emergency anaesthetics despite being denied access to this work on a regular basis. There are people who are wanting to work in this hospital who have been denied access to working in this hospital—people who are qualified. The lack of funding and the poor management issues requires the minister to intervene, to be involved, not to insult the staff who have been calling out for help since last year, who wrote to the minister last year and who have written again 362 Private Members' Statements 5 Apr 2001 this year. This is a serious problem that Gympie wants to see addressed. It is affecting the quality of services, and staff morale is at such a low level. Time expired.

Suncorp-Metway Mr MICKEL (Logan—ALP) (10.19 a.m.): Some time ago, my wife's wallet was stolen and, amongst other things, one of the items— An opposition member: Give it back to her. Mr MICKEL: My friend, if Moses had seen you, you would have come back with another commandment. One of the items taken was her Suncorp-Metway card. Unlike the honourable member opposite, the bank was swift in cancelling the card. The problem was in securing a replacement. I notice that we have managed to secure a few replacements around here. My wife contacted Suncorp-Metway, indicating that she would like a new card with a new PIN number. She was informed that it would take a few days and that it would be available at the collection centre. The collection centre for Suncorp-Metway, much to our surprise and probably to the surprise of a lot of honourable members, is Ballina. Fearing that she had been speaking to a call centre operator who had been educated by the National Party and, therefore, had a limited understanding of how inconvenient this would be, my wife rang again a few days later and was again informed that the collection centre was Ballina. To confirm this fully, my wife received a letter from the bank—this letter here—confirming that she could pick up the card at Ballina. I am told that the bank has an advertising jingle which says, 'the little things that we do'. It was the little things that they do that was driving us crazy. After another attempt we convinced them that Browns Plains was far closer than Ballina and, eventually, the card duly arrived. I hope that this bizarre episode is a one-off for Suncorp-Metway which, under our stewardship, was a good Queensland company. On the other hand, perhaps it is a latent desire by people in Ballina and northern New South Wales to become part of Queensland, which, given the Beattie government's good economic record, is quite understandable. Mr SPEAKER: I call the honourable member for the Darling Downs. Mr Purcell: Giddy-up there, boy!

Dairy Industry Mr HOPPER (Darling Downs—Ind) (10.21 a.m.): Pat, if you were a horse I wouldn't get on you. I wish to speak about the DPI staff, especially those who work in the dairy industry. Our processors, Pauls and Dairy Farmers, contribute towards their wages, and I am sure that they are happy to do so. In the past, DPI staff have helped me personally on my own dairy farm with property plans, cash flows, et cetera. It is a good thing to be able to call on those people. Dairy farmers are in dire straits, and I am sure that everybody knows what is happening in the industry at the moment. The DPI staff help not only with advice. Those people know each farmer personally. Quite often, they find themselves giving personal counselling. At this time I ask our government to make absolutely sure that the funding be kept available to keep those services available to our struggling dairy farmers. Twenty years ago, the standard of milk was nowhere near what it is today. I am speaking about the somatic cell count, which relates to mastitis, fat and protein levels, and temperature and bacteria levels in our product. Due to the tireless work of the target 10 officers, our Queensland dairy farmers now produce a quality product level with or better than most countries in the world. It is imperative that those staff stay. I would even suggest that we hire more to help support our dying dairy industry.

Holy Spirit Northside Hospital Mr TERRY SULLIVAN (Stafford—ALP) (10.23 a.m.): On Monday morning, it was my pleasure to visit, with the member for Aspley and the member for Clayfield, the almost completed 5 Apr 2001 Private Members' Statements 363

Holy Spirit Northside hospital co-located in the Prince Charles Hospital grounds at Chermside. As members would be aware— Mr Lucas: That's the new member for Aspley. Mr TERRY SULLIVAN: The new member for Aspley does get around and visits groups and places in the electorate. As members would be aware, co-location has been successful in a number of areas in Queensland regional centres and in places like the Redlands, Caboolture and Logan. In terms of the major metropolitan hospitals, this is the major co-located hospital and the benefits are enormous to public patients as well as private patients. I thank Peter Reid and Chris Flynn from the Holy Spirit Northside. I also pay tribute to the consortium of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters and the Sisters of Charity who provide this not-for- profit service. There will be no detrimental effect on public health patients. In fact, by providing this facility, patients are going to have a greater choice of private services at the Holy Spirit Northside. Also, some of the specialists, who I have been told are flocking to work at the Holy Spirit Northside, will make their services available to Queensland Health if they are needed. Of course, Queensland Health is also receiving income from the co-location. I pay tribute to Theiss Australia for constructing the hospital on time and on budget. The project will cost $75 million—$50 million for the construction and $25 million for the fitout and equipment. I was very proud to visit the hospital with the new members for Aspley and Clayfield, who have shown a tremendous interest in the residents of the northside. I know that they will achieve great things for their constituents.

SunWater; Water Storage Recreation Areas Mr SEENEY (Callide—NPA) (10.25 a.m.): In regional Queensland, recreation areas associated with dams and water storage areas are very important to a range of local communities, both for local use and tourist attractions. They are currently under the threat of closure. The Minister for Natural Resources is abandoning his responsibility to maintain those areas by using the government-owned corporation SunWater to threaten to close down those recreation areas unless the local authorities take over responsibility for their ownership and maintenance. This is simply unacceptable to communities all over the state. Local authorities are being given no choice but to wear the costs that are rightly the responsibility of the state government. It is not only recreation areas that are involved. At Fairbairn Dam near Emerald, the road across the embankment, which is an important local link road, is threatened with closure. At Biloela, a similar crossing over Callide creek is to be closed to local residents, denying them access to town and to work. This so-called corporate approach by SunWater has reached ridiculous levels at the Callide Dam, where the local fish stocking group, a group of volunteers who give their own time and effort to raise money to stock the dam for recreational fishing purposes, have been threatened with eviction from the site. SunWater's corporate approach has also meant that that group has been charged $300 a megalitre for water that they pump from the dam into an adjacent pond to produce the fingerlings which are put back into the dam. The water is also returned to the dam, yet they are charged 10 times the cost of irrigation water. This is corporatisation gone well and truly mad. The state government has a social responsibility to those communities, and that responsibility cannot be abdicated by the minister's hiding behind the facade of a government-owned corporation called SunWater. SunWater has the responsibility to maintain those publicly owned assets and to make sure that the public has access to them. The government has a responsibility to, if it is necessary, make a community service obligation payment to SunWater to allow this to happen. The minister cannot hide behind the facade of the GOC. Time expired.

Casual Employment Ms BOYLE (Cairns—ALP) (10.27 a.m.): I give recognition, as all honourable members should, to the very good news for casual workers across Queensland today of the decision of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to raise the casual loading from 19 per cent to 23 364 Questions Without Notice 5 Apr 2001 per cent over the next 12 months. Many members would be aware that Cairns, with its large base in tourism and hospitality, has a high rate of casualisation within the work force. It is very hard for many young people, as well as many families, to manage. Therefore, the increases will be greatly welcomed. I note in some of the literature that examples are used of casual workers who have to put up with the uncertainty of maybe as low as 10 hours and as many as 30 hours of work a week. I can inform members that sometimes in Cairns people only work two or three hours a week. That is no way to live. It is far from ideal. At least the penalty for employers employing people on such an erratic work schedule is increased and that is of some comfort to them. Of course, the Queensland Council of Unions says that it is not sufficient comfort, and also that the increase to 23 per cent is not sufficient. Understandably, the Queensland Council of Unions takes the view that flexibility, which is desirable from an employer's point of view, should be more fully compensated because of the tremendous inconvenience and difficulties it creates for casual workers. Predictably, employer groups say that this is too much and any increase in labour is an increase in their bottom line. On this occasion I have to say that that is too bad for the employers, because many casual workers are lowly paid and the gap between the dole and their income is very little. Many of them are young, many of them are searching for full-time work and many of them live this dreadful and unpredictable life where even their food budget is not absolutely secured. I offer my congratulations to Queensland's casual workers. Time expired.

Centenary of Federation Celebrations Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (10.29 a.m.): I rise to pay tribute to the Centenary of Federation committee in Queensland, the Queensland Government and the Calliope Shire Council for organising the first local event in the Centenary of Federation celebrations. I commend the Centenary of Federation committee for its motivation and impetus in arranging the events, the Queensland Government for funding the events and the Calliope Shire Council for organising the first local event. I particularly commend the staff of the Calliope shire who worked above and beyond the call of duty, long hours and under reasonable strain to ensure that the organisation was done properly. It was held at the Millennium Way at Tannum Sands. It was a fire and light show. I attended this event and it was certainly a family affair and was designed for all age groups, with stalls, historical displays and bands of all sorts, including the really noisy ones that the kids love. We all moved well back down the beach while that was on. I commend Jim Harris, who put up his historical display. He has a lot of souvenirs, artefacts and old items of interest, including an old dentist's chair. He offered people the chance to sit in the chair and have their teeth drilled with a foot drill. Nobody accepted. I commend Pauline Cattell of the Boyne Island Theatre Group. She had young people dressed in historical costumes dotted throughout the area. The fire and light show itself initially had a few hiccups, but overall it was an excellent event and everybody enjoyed it. There were a lot of tired young people and adults at the end of the day, but it certainly was a good start to the Centenary of Federation celebration. I again thank all of those involved for their support and their funding. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The time for private members' statements has expired.

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Primary School Education Mr HORAN (10.30 a.m.): I refer the Premier to the concern expressed by the Queensland Association of State School Principals about the needs of primary school education. Given that primary school is the basic building block of the education system and that the state has the major responsibility for funding and directing the primary school system, I ask: what is he prepared to do to bring about the improvement in standards and opportunities that primary school principals say is so urgent and so necessary? Mr BEATTIE: I am aware that yesterday the association of principals presented a number of submissions to the government. But I understand that this is a national campaign, and so it should be. We take seriously our commitment to education. As the member knows, my 5 Apr 2001 Questions Without Notice 365 government is committed to a Smart State, and we are delivering on a Smart State. Under my government we have increased significantly the level of funding for education in terms of the size of the pie. The fourth budget, which the Treasurer and the Cabinet Budget Review Committee are working on at the moment, also recognises the importance of state education and education generally, because we believe in choice and always have. We recognise and respect the position put to us by state school principals. We will continue to work with them to ensure that there is, over a period of time, an increase in the number of teachers. The Leader of the Opposition will recall that during the last state election campaign I gave a commitment that an additional 800 teachers will be employed—and this is beyond growth—during this term. We will deliver on that. We will deliver on that because we value education. I respect the campaign that has started. We will be listening and acting on what has been put to us by those teachers. Firstly, we value their contribution; secondly, we respect their campaign; and, thirdly, we will be working with them. Having said that, it is important that we also highlight that one of the major issues confronting Australian education at the moment is the lack of contribution by the federal government towards state-based education. Let me make it very clear that this government supports choice. I do not want to see one cent taken out of the private school system. We support, for example, the excellent work done by Catholic Education. Catholic Education has been a leader in its area. We have a great deal of respect for that. Catholic Education understands my view and the minister's commitment to it. However, what is happening is that the federal government is not increasing the funding to the state school system in the way that it should be, and the losers are the state school children. Like many people in this House, I am proud of my state school education. I am a graduate of the Atherton State High School, in case the member for Tablelands did not know. Mr Bredhauer interjected. Mr BEATTIE: It is on the honour board. The Minister for Transport is right. I am a graduate of Atherton State School as well—one of the great institutions, I have to say, of this state. We heard a bit about Atherton State High School and Atherton State School yesterday. I am delighted that they are opening new facilities there and I congratulate the member for Tablelands on conducting the opening. It was a big improvement on Bob Katter! I will be campaigning, as will the minister and my government, for a greater share of funding from the Commonwealth to the state school system—not taking it away from the private schools, but ensuring that state schools get a fair go—and we will work with these principals.

Chevron Gas Pipeline Mr HORAN: I ask the Minister for State Development: given the high expectations raised by his government regarding the proposed Chevron pipeline and the rapidly approaching deadline if the $300 million QNI refinery development is to proceed, what is the progress of the pipeline project, and does his government remain committed to it? What action is he taking to ensure that the QNI development proceeds? Mr BARTON: Clearly, the Chevron gas pipeline is very important to Queensland, and this government has been taking every action that it reasonably can to ensure that the proper market capacity is there for that pipeline to proceed. I do have to say that, while we are giving it every bit of support that we can—and I have continued to be in contact with the proponents during the short period of time that I have been the Minister for State Development—we cannot invent a market. That is something that the parties themselves have to do. I noticed some of the reports in the financial press this morning talking about Exxon indicating that they are intending to take a greater role on behalf of the proponents for the proprietors in terms of going out and marketing their product—their gas—to make sure that we can reach the sale quantities that are needed to make the PNG gas pipeline a reality. We are keen to see that pipeline occur because it is crucial to development not just in Gladstone but also, as the Leader of the Opposition mentioned, in Townsville. Queensland Nickel is looking at a proposal to expand the Queensland Nickel facility at Yabulu. I have been dealing directly with Queensland Nickel on that in recent weeks. While they have not gone public, they certainly made some noise in the run down to the election. My understanding is that the requirements of Queensland Nickel from the Queensland state government to make that expansion a reality have been met, but it is now a decision for the 366 Questions Without Notice 5 Apr 2001 board of their company and the board of their parent company as to whether they proceed. It involves an expansion of mining facilities that they have in Western Australia, and the full extent of their expansion in Townsville again will depend on the commercial decisions that are made by them and their parent company, Billiton. They have also indicated to us that, regardless of whether or not the PNG gas pipeline is to occur—and we are still very confident that the market circumstances can be developed by the proponents in conjunction with us to make that gas pipeline a reality—the first stage of the Queensland Nickel expansion would more than likely be required to be coal fired if they are going to, in fact, have that first stage on line in the required time frame as part of their overall expansion, and then subsequent stages to that new expansion would go onto gas as the pipeline arrives. Even if the pipeline were to start today, it would be unlikely that marketable quantities of natural gas from PNG would be ready in time for the expansion of Queensland Nickel. It is unlikely that it would be ready before the pipeline gets there.

Land Clearing Mr TERRY SULLIVAN: I refer the Premier to his warning to Queensland farmers at Winton in February last year that the Commonwealth's biodiversity legislation could well be applied to land clearing in Queensland, and I ask: does he recall the reaction of the federal coalition government and of the state National Party to his warning, and can he tell the House of any announcements by the federal government in relation to the application of its legislation? Mr BEATTIE: I warned in Winton in February last year that the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act could be used by the federal government to stop tree clearing in Queensland. I delivered that warning at a public meeting in Winton when the cabinet was there. Mr Seeney: I remember. Mr BEATTIE: The member opposite was there, and he knows exactly what I did. He knows that is what I did. An honourable member interjected. Mr BEATTIE: That is right; they did. I got attacked by the then Leader of the Opposition, Rob Borbidge. I got attacked all over the place because I could see exactly what Senator Hill was going to do. Yesterday he announced that that is what he was going to do. I read him right from the beginning on this. Mr Seeney: He hasn't done it yet. Mr BEATTIE: Let's see. What I said in Winton is exactly what he set out to do. Let me make it clear: why is Senator Hill attacking the farmers? Why do we have a coalition government in Canberra that is out there attacking the farmers? That coalition government is there only because the National Party supports them. It is only in federal government because the National Party supports them. I have been the only one who has been consistent on this issue right from the beginning. I went out and campaigned against Senator Hill when those opposite were prepared to sit by and say, 'Oh, no, I believe Senator Hill. He'd never do it.' Well, he did. Mr Seeney: He hasn't yet. Mr BEATTIE: He has announced that he is going to. I will continue my campaign and maybe I might finally get the member opposite onside. Maybe he will stand up for farmers for the first time ever. Isn't it a sad day when the only government in Queensland's history that is a friend of the farmers is a Labor Party government? We stand up for the farmers. We stand up for Queensland. Those opposite used to be the farmers' friends. What happened to them all? They ran away. When I stood up for the farmers, those opposite deserted me. I will fight for the farmers. They can run away, as they always do. They can hide behind Senator Hill. However, there is a resolution in this. We want $103 million for Queensland farmers. If Senator Hill is serious, where is the $103 million? As a state government we are putting in place a mechanism for $103 million. We want a fair go for the bush. We are putting our money where our mouth is. My comment to Senator Hill is: 'Where's your money, Senator Hill?' If John Howard and the federal Liberal Party and National Party were serious about land clearing and serious about looking after the farmers, the environment and the land for future farmers, they would give the farmers $103 million through the Queensland government. There is a federal election on. Put 5 Apr 2001 Questions Without Notice 367 your money where your mouth is, Senator Hill and Prime Minister. Let us look after Queensland in the way it should be. We will not move away from protecting the land and looking after our farmers.

Fairbairn Dam Mr JOHNSON: My question is directed to the Minister for Natural Resources and Minister for Mines. The Premier just made mention of a fair go for people in the bush. Try this one for size, Minister. I refer to the decision by SunWater to close part of the picnic facilities at Fairbairn Dam and to off-load costs associated with running recreational areas and to encourage local councils to take over their management. I now ask: as this major recreational facility for the Emerald district was created by the state government, will the minister give an undertaking that these facilities will be maintained for the people of the Central Highlands and not fobbed off to the local council as an additional responsibility without appropriate funding? Mr ROBERTSON: As most members would be aware, as a result of the COAG water reform agenda, SunWater has been established. Mr Seeney interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warned the member yesterday that I would not tolerate interjections during question time. I have warned the member. I now warn the member under standing order 123(A). Mr ROBERTSON: SunWater has been established as a government owned corporation. SunWater was established last year to provide cost-effective services to its customers ranging from raw water supply to water and infrastructure management and consultancy. The Treasurer and I, as the Minister for Natural Resources and Minister for Mines, are shareholding ministers in SunWater. SunWater is charged with developing and managing the state's water infrastructure and bringing it into a regime of professional and commercial operation while recognising the government's ongoing commitment to sectoral price controls. I understand that some users of recreation facilities managed by SunWater are concerned that the public use of these facilities may be restricted or that fees may be imposed by SunWater for their use. I have been assured that SunWater is not considering the closure of picnic areas at its dam sites, including the Fairbairn Dam at Emerald, nor has it suggested that entry fees be charged. The value of these recreational assets to tourists and local governments is well recognised by SunWater. I fully support SunWater and its endeavours to involve local governments and community organisations in the management of these assets. However, even if these organisations do not get involved, SunWater is still fully committed to ensuring the best features of these recreational areas are retained and maintained to the highest standards.

Centenary of Federation Celebrations Mr PURCELL: I refer the Premier to recent Centenary of Federation celebrations in the greater Brisbane region and I ask: what has been the community response to Queensland's celebratory program? Mr BEATTIE: I thank the honourable member for the question. They have been very good. I acknowledge the contribution made today by the member for Gladstone in relation to this issue. She echoed the community response. I thank her for her kind words about the government in relation to the Centenary of Federation. Queenslanders have been keen to participate in Centenary of Federation events which are progressively being held in regions throughout Queensland. As a government we ensured that the celebrations were statewide. Each community put in submissions and I, as the Premier and the relevant minister, approved them. We ensured there was a statewide program so that all Queenslanders could participate in it. During March celebrations focused on the greater Brisbane region. On Saturday night I, along with a number of members of this House, joined hundreds of thousands of people who lined the banks of the Brisbane River for the Federation River of Light Procession. It was a spectacular night of celebration with a flotilla of specially designed boats, barges and other vessels decorated with spectacular fire sculptures representing the multiculturalism of Queensland. The procession ran along a 12 kilometre stretch of the river from Breakfast Creek past the city reaches to finish at Coronation Drive, which is where most of us were. This once in a lifetime event involved 100 decorated boats, 400 sculptures built by schoolchildren for the event—so schoolchildren were involved—2,500 performers and 15,000 lights. There were also 12 368 Questions Without Notice 5 Apr 2001 barges with dance and musical groups from all different origins, reflecting Australia's cultural diversity. This coming Saturday I will be in Ipswich, along with the Minister for the Arts and the local members for Ipswich, Ipswich West and presumably Bundamba, for another significant Centenary of Federation event in Ipswich to launch the first stage of the railway workshops development. The government considers this project so important to the heritage of Ipswich that it has committed $15 million to the workshops project, with Queensland Rail contributing a further $5 million. The railway workshops are the largest single project in Queensland's $110 million Heritage Trails Network. Once completed, the workshops are expected to attract 180,000 visitors and generate more than $2 million annually, as well as create 100 permanent jobs in Ipswich. These are just two of more than 490 projects planned to celebrate the Centenary of Federation in Queensland. I table for the information of the House and the general community the schedule of events planned for Queensland this year together with funding provided through Centenary of Federation Queensland to support those events. I visited the Ipswich railway workshops prior to the election. I have to say that I am impressed with the work that is being done. I understand that the Minister for the Arts and the member for Ipswich West will be there tomorrow. In terms of the heritage trails, which are now the responsibility of the Minister for the Arts, they will link Ipswich to Charleville. These heritage trails will be the biggest boost for country tourism and regional Queensland that Queensland has ever seen. The Ipswich railway workshops are a great starting point.

State Taxation Dr WATSON: I have a question for the Treasurer. I refer to the government's stated intention to significantly modernise the state's taxation legislation. I also refer to the Treasury position before the last election that it would not be appropriate to initiate a major independent review of state taxes and charges in Queensland similar to reviews done in other Labor states. I ask: has the Treasurer reversed the previous Treasurer's intransigent position with respect to a major independent review of state taxes and charges? If not, what arrangements has the Treasurer put in place to meet the government's commitment to significantly modernise the state's taxation legislation other than the already flawed stamp duties rewrite? Mr MACKENROTH: I have had a look at the review done in Victoria of its state taxes. Even if that is what the member for Moggill would like to see in Queensland, I am sure that the majority of small businesses would not. That review proposes to do away with payroll tax, which is paid by large business, and to increase land tax and to levy land tax on everybody. I can tell the member right now that our government does not intend to go down the path of increasing taxes for Queenslanders. If that is what the member opposite proposes, it is no wonder he sits on that side of the House. The Premier quite clearly stated to business before the last election—this undertaking was published—that we would not change the tax base in our state during this term, and that is the government's position.

Buprenorphine Mr REEVES: Can the Minister for Health outline what is the potential of the new drug buprenorphine, announced recently, to— Mr Seeney: How do you spell that? Mr REEVES: I can spell it. What is the potential of buprenorphine, announced recently, to save people from the ravages of heroin addiction, and when will it be available? Mrs EDMOND: I thank the honourable member for the question. I know that he has had a longstanding interest in this issue and has followed its development with keen interest. Mr Springborg: You should have written it down phonetically for him. Mrs EDMOND: He can spell it. I was delighted to see that buprenorphine has received approval to be covered by the pharmaceutical benefits scheme, the PBS. This means that it will be made available in the same way as methadone, under section 100 of the PBS—that is, free to addicts. Buprenorphine appears to be by far the most promising of the new drugs. It does not have some of the real dangers of naltrexone, which members opposite have asked us to waive restrictions on and hand out like sweets. It gives us another weapon to combat and control opioid 5 Apr 2001 Questions Without Notice 369 addiction, but it is not a magic cure. We have to avoid all of the hype and the misinformation that engulfed naltrexone. What this new drug does is expand our treatment options. It will give doctors more choice in selecting a treatment that works best for their individual patients. Buprenorphine works by blocking the action of other opioid drugs and it can be prescribed as either a withdrawal or a maintenance treatment. That is one of the keys to its success. It has been shown to provide for an easier physical withdrawal from heroin, as a maintenance therapy it reduces craving for heroin use and yet it is less likely to cause overdose. It can also be administered on alternate days, rather than daily as for methadone, which means that it is more suitable for people who are continuing to work and have family lives, et cetera. The date at which the drug becomes available through the PBS is a matter for the Commonwealth, but I understand that it is looking at making it available in August. I can assure members that Queensland is taking action to ensure that the drug is widely available when that occurs. This includes training general practitioners and Queensland Health staff. Queensland has the best training program in Australia for general practitioners for dealing with illicit drugs. We will be continuing that because once they have undergone the training the 103 current methadone prescribers will be authorised to prescribe buprenorphine to treat drug dependence. In future the methadone prescribers' training will include buprenorphine. It will also be monitored in the same way as methadone. Having another treatment option strengthens our ability to reduce the health, social and economic harms to individuals and the community from illicit opioid use. Information about Queensland's drug and alcohol services is available by phoning 1800 177 833, or 3236 2414 for Brisbane callers. There has been a lot of talk about the dismissal of harm minimisation. The importance of harm minimisation procedures is to keep the addict and the community safe and well until the addict has come to terms with his or her addiction and tries to cure it.

BoysTown Mr LINGARD: My question is directed to the Minister for Education. As I travel through schools in south-east Queensland I see many examples of 13 or 14 year old students whose family life has broken down completely. They are homeless, they have behaviour problems at school and their parents, teachers and counsellors are desperate for assistance. I also see BoysTown, which has only 10 to 20 students, even though the government pays for and funds 84 student places. Why is the minister allowing taxpayers' money to be wasted? Why is she allowing kids, parents and teachers to cry out for assistance such as that available at BoysTown, and why is she allowing people at the top to hide behind inquiries and reviews? Ms BLIGH: I thank the honourable member for the question. As the honourable member knows, not only as the local member but also as a former minister for family services, I have no ministerial or portfolio responsibility for the funding of BoysTown. That now rests with my colleague the member for Mount Gravatt, but I am happy to deal with the question. Mr LINGARD: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order. I am embarrassed to tell the minister that she is responsible for the education facilities at BoysTown. It is embarrassing to tell her. She has just dropped the number of teachers from 17 to seven. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will not debate the issue. Resume your seat. Ms BLIGH: The issue with BoysTown, as the local member should know, is that the De La Salle Brothers, who run BoysTown, a number of years ago, partly in response to the Forde inquiry, recognised that the way that facility runs is no longer the way they want to run it. They recognise that their expertise is in the area of education, and they are seeking to remodel the program so that they can give their expertise in education to a broader group of families around that corridor rather than to just that small group of young people who might be residing at the facility. I encourage them and applaud them in it, and I am very happy for Education Queensland and the Department of Families to continue working constructively with the De La Salle Brothers, despite the mischievous interventions of the local member, which have never deterred anybody from the necessary reforms. I share the member's concern, however, about the number of young people in our schools who do need more support than they are able to receive from their families. Everybody, I think, understands the importance of family support in the educational outcomes that young people receive. Many of the election commitments we will be putting in place will go some way to 370 Questions Without Notice 5 Apr 2001 providing extra support in schools for teachers, and that will hopefully alleviate some of that. Certainly principals have been talking to me about the same issue, and I look forward to continuing to work with them. What I can say, though, is that we will not be making extravagant, outrageous, unfunded promises, as we saw from the coalition during the election campaign. What did the coalition promise during the recent election campaign? It said that it would put no fewer than 2,700 extra teachers into the system. That would cost them $742 million in teachers' wages. It did not talk about the $432 million it would cost to build the extra classrooms to put them into. It was an extravagant promise of $1.2 billion. I tell the House what it was: it was a great, big, fat, whopping fib. It is the kind of whopper you would have been sent straight to the office for telling if you told it in grade 4. Did coalition members stop telling it? They did not tell it just once; they told it almost every day of the campaign. Unfortunately for them, the education sector recognised it for what it was: a whopper. What we went out and promised were carefully thought through commitments that we can afford and we will deliver.

School Retention Rates Ms PHILLIPS: My question is addressed to the Minister for Education. The Beattie government has a commitment to increase retention rates by 20 per cent in our schools. Can the minister please outline any strategies to meet this goal? Ms BLIGH: I thank the honourable member for her question. I had the good fortune to visit one of the primary schools in her electorate with her recently and I know that she has a very keen concern about the educational needs of young people in her electorate. I look forward to working with her on those. As she indicated, it is a key goal of the Beattie government, as articulated in our Queensland State Education 2010 strategy, to improve the retention rates of young Queenslanders to grade 12 or a grade 12 equivalent qualification. Unfortunately in Queensland we have a current retention rate of around 68 per cent. The OECD average is 88 per cent. We have committed ourselves to ensuring that over the next decade we will do everything in our power to reach that level of retention. It is a pretty tough goal—it is 20 per cent in 10 years—but I think we have to be very serious. If we have any aspiration to be the Smart State we have to seriously commit ourselves to reaching that goal. We have put in place a number of strategies including, firstly, the trial of five alternative schools. These alternative schools were put in place by my predecessor, the Honourable Dean Wells, and I am very happy to inform the House today that the very early signs from the first round of evaluation of those five schools are very, very positive. Students, teachers and their families are reporting a significant improvement in the educational outcomes, and particularly the attendance, of those young people in the school environment. One of the key strategies, however, to boost retention rates over time is strengthening the coordination between our school system and our post-schooling systems. We need to understand that times are changing and that schooling is not as straightforward now as it was for many of us when we were attending. Students today are learning in very diverse environments including TAFE colleges, universities, alternative education sites and secondary colleges. Juggling work and family commitments is a reality for far too many students in our senior system. Currently, a student may complete some studies, work part time or full time and then return to complete further study. This requires flexibility that we do not believe is currently in the system. We want to look at these processes; and to that end, Education Queensland will be conducting a research project titled the senior certificate—a new deal. I am delighted to announce that Education Queensland has secured Mr John Pitman to lead this project. Mr Pitman, as many members would know, brings more than 20 years experience and expertise in this area from his previous work as the director of the Board of Senior Secondary School Studies. The project will run from April this year till mid-2002, and I look forward to receiving the report of Mr Pitman's project for further consideration. As I said, the best investment we can make in the future of the Smart State is to increase the number of young Queenslanders who are finishing year 12 or an equivalent and pursuing other opportunities in higher education or in our workplaces, and it is a challenge that I look forward to tackling head on. 5 Apr 2001 Questions Without Notice 371

Vegetation Legislation Dr KINGSTON: I direct a question to the Minister for Natural Resources and Minister for Mines. I have just been notified that the regional committee to consider the vegetation legislation for the region from Cooloola to Miriam Vale, of which I am happy to be a member, will be held in the near future in Gin Gin. The outcome of these committees is very important to ensure a balanced outcome and an assured future for our farmers. I ask the minister: is there provision for committee members to invite recognised authorities as guest speakers and advisers. For instance, in the district with which I am involved, it is essential that Bill Burrows is present. Bill and his predecessor, Joe Ebersohn, have studied 150 grazed woodland sites in this area, recording what substory has developed under differing grazing pressures and timber treatment. Bill has developed a predictive model which defines the optimum density of trees which should be retained to ensure sustainability. Mr ROBERTSON: I do not have with me the particular details with respect to the member's local group. However, I would be happy to talk with the member further after question time to work through that particular issue. There is certainly no interest on my part in trying to restrict any passing on of knowledge or experience with respect to these groups. In fact, the direction that we have always taken, and which my predecessor has taken, is that we very much value the input of local people, experts and scientists to deal with what is, in fact, a very difficult issue. So by all means, the member for Maryborough should see me after question time and we will work through that issue. This is a very difficult issue. As the Premier has already outlined, the future of retaining important remnant vegetation throughout the state is currently a matter on which we are receiving very little cooperation from the federal government. I take this opportunity to encourage my opposite number, the member for Callide. If he is actually fair dinkum about what he alleges about his core constituency—particularly on Four Corners the other night, as he was wielding the knife on his mates—then I suggest he get onto his senior representative in the federal parliament, the Deputy Prime Minister, to go knocking on the door of the Prime Minister and say, 'John, show Queensland the money.' Because as the Premier pointed out, we are not going to sell out the land-holders and farmers in this state. That is why we have said consistently throughout this whole debate—whether it be my predecessor Rod Welford, the Premier or myself—that the solution to this problem rests with the federal government giving us the money that it promised. In fact, in November last year the Prime Minister wrote to the Premier saying that there was money available, but we have not seen it. Why not? Because the federal government wants to play games; and the games come about as a result of federal Ministers Hill, Truss and Tuckey not being able to speak with one voice! It is absolutely extraordinary that a government cannot speak with one voice on an issue as important as this. That is why it requires the Deputy Prime Minister to get off his butt and actually go and see the Prime Minister and say, 'Give the Queensland government the money that will allow it to go out and talk to the farmers about compensation and allow it to protect the important vegetation that we want protected in Queensland.' Time expired.

Retirement Villages Mrs SMITH: I refer the Minister for Tourism and Racing and Minister for Fair Trading to the Retirement Villages Act 1999, which came into operation on 1 July 2000. It appears to have addressed many of the shortcomings of the previous act. However, there is still a level of discontent being expressed by some retirement village residents that the reforms under the new act did not go far enough. Can the minister please advise what steps are being taken to address this situation? Mrs ROSE: Before I answer the honourable member's question, I acknowledge that this is the first question that the new member for Burleigh has asked in this parliament. I sincerely welcome her as my neighbouring Labor member on the Gold Coast—and indeed I welcome all of the many new Labor members on the Gold Coast. The new Retirement Villages Act has been the product of extensive consultation over an extended period. My colleague the Honourable Judy Spence, when she was the Minister for Fair Trading, established a working party to break an impasse that had arisen when the legislation was previously being developed by the opposition. This working party comprised members from the 372 Questions Without Notice 5 Apr 2001 peak associations representing the interests of residents and operators. Its task was to come up with workable solutions for consideration by government. The working party presented the report after almost six months of deliberations, and this formed the basis for many of the reforms in the new act. Many reforms introduced under the new act were untested and set a new benchmark for legislative reform within the retirement village industry. A commitment was given by Minister Spence at that time to review the act after 12 months. This commitment was reiterated in the House during debate on the bill in November 1999. The new act has generally been well received and has delivered new standards of consumer protection for residents. However, I accept that there are opportunities to finetune the act. It is also fortuitous that New South Wales introduced its new act at the same time. While that act picks up many of the Queensland reforms, it has approached other aspects of industry regulation in a different manner. As such, some of the reforms in that state's legislation may be worthy of further consideration. Protection of our ageing population is an important objective of this government. As Minister for Fair Trading, I will honour the commitment given by my colleague to review the Retirement Villages Act. I have instructed the Office of Fair Trading to commence a review process in July 2001, which will involve extensive consultation with industry, residents and the general community. At the conclusion of this review, I will be introducing amendments to the House that will finalise the delivery by this government of comprehensive legislation to protect Queensland retirement village residents for many years to come.

Dairy Extension Officers Mr ROWELL: In the absence of the Minister for Primary Industries and Rural Communities, I will direct a question to the Premier. I refer to his government's decision to terminate longstanding cost-sharing agreements with the dairy industry under which 16 dairy extension officers were employed throughout regional Queensland's dairying areas, and I ask: how many of these extension officers will be lost or redeployed under the rationalisation, and from which areas? Why is the government cutting services when dairy farmers need assistance to survive the rationalisation program? Mr BEATTIE: Let us be very clear about two things. One: it is not our rationalisation program, it is yours. Mr Rowell interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Hinchinbrook has asked his question. Mr BEATTIE: It is yours. You own it. You did it. You killed it. And now you are running away from it. Mr Rowell interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I warn the member for Hinchinbrook under standing order 123A. Mr BEATTIE: The rationalisation program—in case you missed it—it is yours. Mr Seeney interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I also warn the member for Callide under standing order 123A. Mr BEATTIE: It is yours, it is yours and it is yours. Mr ROWELL: I rise to a point of order. It was not our rationalisation. It was the government's rationalisation. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member has asked the question. He will hear the answer. He has been warned under standing order 123A. I call the Premier. Mr BEATTIE: Mr Speaker, just in case— Mr Horan interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I also warn the Leader of the Opposition under standing order 123A. Mr BEATTIE: Just in case National Party members missed it, it is yours. It is yours and it is yours—every one of you. It is yours. The coalition government in Canberra imposed this rationalisation on the dairy industry. Mr Rowell interjected. 5 Apr 2001 Questions Without Notice 373

Mr BEATTIE: The member should not come in here and try to misrepresent it. Mr Rowell interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I have already warned the member for Hinchinbrook. He will leave the chamber under standing order 123A(3). Whereupon the honourable member for Hinchinbrook withdrew from the Chamber. Mr BEATTIE: When this government came to office in 1998, we introduced a system of protecting the farm gate price. That is exactly what we did. We went about it because we wanted to ensure that dairy farmers were given a fair go and that dairy farmers were in fact protected. We introduced legislation to protect the farm gate price. Every one of you knows that because you supported us. Why did we do it—because we did not want to be part of a national system that destroyed dairy farmers! The only reason that this government was forced—and we were the last government to come in—to sign up to deregulation was that, if we did not, it would have meant that Queensland dairy farmers— Mr Hobbs interjected. Mr SPEAKER: I warn the member for Warrego under standing order 123A. Mr LINGARD: I rise to a point of order. It has always been a policy of this House that all members talk through the Speaker. No member is allowed to say 'you' or 'your'. If they do so, it obviously requires an answer. When we have answered we have been tossed out of this chamber. It has always been a policy that members speak through the Speaker, and I ask what the policy is supposed to be. Mr SPEAKER: It is not a policy. The member will resume his seat. Mr BEATTIE: Mr Speaker, I always address matters through you. As I was saying, the federal government pursued the National Party and the Liberal Party— Mr SEENEY: I rise to a point of order. Mr BEATTIE: Don't you want to hear the truth? Mr SEENEY: I want to hear the answer to the question. The question was about the extension officers. There is a standing order that requires relevance in the answers. Mr SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. Mr SEENEY: The question was about the extension officers. Mr SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. Mr BEATTIE: I can understand the concern of the National Party in this parliament because it has been part of supporting the deregulation of the dairy industry. Not only has it been part of it, without the National Party federally this would never have happened. Mr HORAN: I rise to a point of order. It is time a bit of truth was told in this parliament. The Premier knows that we voted against the deregulation legislation. He knows that; just tell the truth. Mr SPEAKER: That is no point or order. Mr SEENEY: I rise to a point of order. Mr SPEAKER: Is this a frivolous point of order? Mr SEENEY: I find the Premier's assertion that we supported dairy deregulation offensive and I ask that it be withdrawn. Mr SPEAKER: He was not referring to the member personally. Mr BEATTIE: Mr Speaker, they do not like the truth. The National Party was part of the deregulation of the dairy industry. If the National Party had not been part of the federal coalition it would never have happened. National Party members have got the responsibility— Mr Lingard interjected. Mr SPEAKER: I warn the member for Beaudesert under standing order 123A. Mr BEATTIE:The member for Beaudesert is not the Speaker any more; thank heavens for that. As I was saying, every one of the people on the front bench opposite has got the misery of dairy farmers on their hands—every single one of them. The National Party deregulated and they supported it—every single one of them! They should not try to run away from it. They do not like the truth, do they? Mr HORAN: You do not know how to tell the truth. 374 Questions Without Notice 5 Apr 2001

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Is this a point of order? Mr HORAN: I rise to a point of order. I take personal offence at some of those comments that have been made. Let me make— Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will not debate the issue. He will resume his seat. Mr HORAN: I take offence at the remarks made and I ask that they be withdrawn— Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat. Mr HORAN: That we voted against that legislation— Mr SPEAKER: The member will resume his seat. Mr BEATTIE: Let me say it again in case they have missed it: the National Party allowed the deregulation of the dairy industry. If it were not for the National Party the dairy industry would not be deregulated. The National Party cannot move away from its responsibility— Mr HORAN: I rise to a point of order. I ask for that comment—that the National Party allowed it—to be withdrawn, because we voted against it in this House. Mr SPEAKER: The Leader of the Opposition is aware of the standing orders as well as I am. He cannot ask for a withdrawal in these circumstances.

Trade with Korea Ms LIDDY CLARK: I refer the Premier to his well-known commitment to foreign trade and the fact that an increase in trade means an increase in jobs for Queenslanders, and I ask: what is the Premier doing to increase trade with Korea? Mr BEATTIE: I thank the honourable member for her question. What a delightful maiden speech she made yesterday. I have to tell the member: I heard her predecessor's maiden speech, and hers was a big improvement—a significant improvement. Korea is one of our major trading partners. In fact, it is second only to Japan in terms of the value of our exports. Queensland is also experiencing a recovery in the numbers of tourists from Korea and the number of Korean students studying here. So in terms of tourism, in terms of students and in terms of the education sector and trade generally, we are doing well with Korea. Next Tuesday I am due to sign an action plan with our sister-state in Korea, the Kyonggi Province. Indeed, the Governor will be here, and we will be hosting an official lunch for him as well as an official signing. It will activate the memorandum of understanding that established our sister-state relationship. It has taken some time to develop our relationship to this point because of the economic problems that have troubled Asia's leading economies in the intervening years. This signing next Tuesday is testimony to the economic recovery that is taking place throughout Asia—a recovery that my government has never doubted. We have continued our close trading links and maintained trade offices throughout the region. We urged Queensland exporters to maintain their trading relationship with their Asian partners throughout that difficult period on the basis that friends in bad times will be even better friends in good times. So to answer the member's question, next Tuesday I will be signing this memorandum of understanding—or activating this memorandum of understanding—to improve trade with Korea in a number of areas. I indicated to the House earlier in the week and previously that I will be visiting Egypt with a view to increasing the amount of beef exports. I also indicated to the House that we would be encouraging a number of people from the industry to accompany us on that visit. I am happy to advise the House that the following people are considering joining me on that trade visit this month: Larry Acton, the general president of Agforce; Mr John Cox, the managing director of Stanbroke Pastoral Company Pty Ltd; Kevin Seymour, executive chairman of Ariadne Australia Limited; Dennis Scanlan, the livestock manager of Primac Elders; Mr Grant Fitzgerald, Consolidated Meat Group; and Don Mackay, managing director of AA Company Ltd. I anticipate that out of that visit we will build long-term links which will increase the amount of beef exports to Egypt, particularly at this time when there are problems with foot-and-mouth disease. The clean beef and clean primary producers that we have in this state and in this nation will assist us significantly. As the question that was asked of me related to Korea, I should mention that I intend to visit China, Japan and Korea later this year in my capacity as Minister for Trade. I had intended to visit Korea last year, but that visit was rudely cut short by various matters that we all know about. I will 5 Apr 2001 Questions Without Notice 375 be returning to Korea later this year. I have not been able to facilitate an appropriate visit in the meantime. Mr SPEAKER: Before calling the member for Gladstone, could I recognise in the public gallery the parents, students and teachers from Pialba State School in the electorate of Hervey Bay. Mr Beattie: And the St James school from my electorate, I have to add. Mr SPEAKER: We would also like to welcome the students, parents and teachers of the St James State School in the electorate of Brisbane Central.

Rural Fire Brigades, Gladstone Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM: I refer the Minister for Emergency Services to the fact that new maps were released to rural fire brigades in my electorate altering urban and rural boundaries. No consultation with brigades, local governments or constituents was carried out. Upon inquiry, I was advised that the Gladstone urban officer in charge instigated the changed boundaries. I was also advised that the maps were forwarded to brigades as finalised by mistake and that the minister was currently considering the matter. I ask: will the minister give an assurance that full consultation will occur with all stakeholders before any decisions are made? Mr REYNOLDS: I would like to thank the honourable member for Gladstone for her question in regard to a very important issue pertaining not just to Gladstone but to the rest of the state of Queensland as well. First of all, can I say that I will give that assurance that further consultation will take place in regard to any possible change of boundaries affecting both urban and rural fire services in the Gladstone electorate. Can I say that this is a vexed question throughout Queensland because, as members know, the increase of the population in Queensland is about 50,000 people a year. The strains that we have at that interface between urban fire services and rural fire services are well-known to us. I believe that there is a need for a great deal of sensitivity in regard to these matters. We are looking at areas that are levied in terms of urban fire services areas that are controlled by rural fire services or auxiliary fire services, and there is a need for sensitivity in regard to any proposed changes. I have conferred with the Chief Fire Commissioner in regard to this matter and I can give the member for Gladstone an assurance that further consultation will take place. I am aware that consultation has been taking place over the last 12 months and further consultation will take place before I make any decision at all in regard to this matter. I would like to consult with the member for Gladstone in that regard as well. While I am answering this question, I might say that I am aware that the honourable member has an interest in urban fire services and rural fire services. The consultation that we had with her in regard to the Tannum Sands rural fire brigade was good consultation. Indeed, on 5 March this year the truck that was needed for the Tannum Sands rural fire brigade was delivered. That is a good example of the consultation that we need to have in regard to both urban fire services and rural fire services. I would like to keep the member for Gladstone well informed.

Queensland Archives Ms NOLAN: I direct a question to the Minister for Innovation and Information Economy. Can the minister clarify concerns that valuable historical records stored in the archives are threatened by the National Archives' decision to audit and relocate some of their material? Mr LUCAS: I thank the member for her first question in this House. The Queensland government is working closely with the National Archives of Australia to ensure important historical records are not lost with the planned relocation of the national body's Queensland office. There has been a fair bit of concern among the public over media reports of changes proposed for the national archives. Can I make it very clear that this issue relates only to the national archives, not to the Queensland archives administered by the Queensland government. I repeat: the pending closure and relocation of the National Archives of Australia's facility in this state at Cannon Hill should not be confused with any plans that this government has in relation to the Queensland State Archives facility at Runcorn. I note, of course, the national archives are in the electorate of Bulimba, which is well served by the member for Bulimba. This 376 Questions Without Notice 5 Apr 2001 morning, whilst going past the archives while coming into this place I noticed that there is a sign there now saying that the sale is deferred. Queensland State Archives is a state-of-the-art facility currently housing some 37 linear kilometres of Queensland's official cultural and historical records dating as far back as the early 1800s. In fact, it probably has the maiden speech of the member for Callide, because that is where it should be filed. I can assure Queenslanders that the Queensland State Archives has approached the National Archives to ensure that no important records are destroyed. I have also sought a guarantee from the federal Howard government that no historically significant or important documents will be moved out of this state. I sought this assurance as an added guarantee to pledges made already by the federal Minister for the Arts, Peter McGauran, and Sharon Peeley, State Director of the National Archives of Australia, that any changes to the national archives storage logistics would not impact on Queenslanders. I will be intending to hold them to those pledges. Staff from Queensland State Archives within my department are in contact with the National Archives of Australia and have offered to transfer any pre-1901 and other significant records which might be under threat to our own facility. It is worth while noting, of course, that prior to 1901 Australia did not exist as a nation and that there are important Queensland documents in those national archives. It is important that those documents are accessible to people in Queensland from whence they came—very important. So while we have no jurisdiction over the actions of the National Archives, we will continue to work closely with them to ensure important Queensland history is not lost.

Mr S. Stansfield Mr MALONE: I refer the Minister for Emergency Services to an article in the Sunday Mail of 1 April 2001 relating to an ambulance officer of 20 years standing, Stephen Stansfield, who is to be medically retired after being on stress leave for some time and who claims that the Queensland Ambulance Service has mismanaged his rehabilitation, and I ask: will the minister identify if there are other employees within the Queensland Ambulance Service being treated in a similar manner and, if so, what plans does he have to rectify the situation? Does the Queensland Ambulance Service have any legal cases pending against it in respect to stress management and the rehabilitation of officers? Mr REYNOLDS: I thank the honourable member for his question. I am aware of the case, which refers to Officer Stephen Stansfield and which was reported in the Sunday Mail last Sunday. First of all, could I indicate to the honourable member that I did discuss the situation with Mr Stansfield yesterday by telephone. He called my office and I rang him back and discussed certain aspects of his case. Officer Stansfield experienced a psychiatric injury as a result of exposure to the aftermath of a bus accident on the Cunningham Highway on 2 November 1998. Officer Stansfield was debriefed and received counselling as a result of the accident. He commenced WorkCover on 10 June 1999 for his psychiatric condition. After 12 months he received a payout from WorkCover of approximately $29,000 for permanent impairment. Officer Stansfield has since received salary continuance from the Queensland Ambulance Service superannuation scheme. He was also awarded a commissioner's commendation for his role in the incident, along with eight other QAS officers. Although Officer Stansfield has not been able to return to normal operational duties, the QAS has provided him with ongoing counselling, support and rehabilitation opportunities to accommodate his desire to return to work. After 22 months away from normal duties, it was deemed appropriate that his case now be reviewed to determine whether he will be able to return to normal operational duties. The QAS has a sophisticated staff support service known as Priority 1. Officer Stansfield and all of the other officers who were also present at this bus crash have had full access to this and other support measures to help them on their path to recovery. Can I say to the honourable member that, in my discussions with Mr Stansfield yesterday, I arranged for an appointment with the director-general, Mr Michael Kinnane, so as to discuss his personal situation again with him and also then to report back to me as the minister. I am very much aware that, in the excellent work that the Queensland Ambulance Service does, as I indicated in an answer to a question yesterday by the honourable member, it is traumatic work. Quite often the professionalism of the staff of the QAS has to be commended by 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 377 all Queenslanders. They have a very, very high rate of satisfaction—indeed, about 97 per cent—with Queenslanders. As Minister for Emergency Services, can I say to the honourable member today that I am concerned about any member of any division of my department who suffers from stress. We deal with these issues in a most compassionate way. I will be looking at the matters across the service and I can assure him that they will be dealt with compassionately. Mr SPEAKER: Before calling the member for Gaven, can I recognise in the public gallery students, teachers and parents of Toowoomba Junior Grammar, which is in the electorate of the member for Toowoomba South. Honourable members: Hear, hear!

Regional Assistance Mr POOLE: My question is to the Minister for Local Government and Planning. I ask the minister: what is her department doing to ensure the long-term sustainability of rural and regional Queensland communities? Mrs NITA CUNNINGHAM: I thank the honourable member for the question. The member for Gaven is another of our new and very active members of this parliament. I noted with interest that Sir Frank Moore earlier this week was giving frank advice to federal National Party members regarding the need for regional development and enterprise in the bush. They would no doubt be pleased to see this state government developing plans for rural and regional Queensland that address not just financial infrastructure but a whole range of community and government priorities. Last month I was pleased to launch a comprehensive regional plan for the Gulf of Carpentaria. This is just one of a number of state government plans that will provide sustainable outcomes for the rural and regional areas of this great state. The Gulf Regional Development Plan addresses native title strategy, environment, natural resource strategies, employment, education and training initiatives, community services, development and planning, transport, communications and information technology as well as economic development. This plan was endorsed by cabinet and by the Gulf Regional Planning Advisory Committee as the principal strategic framework to guide development and management of the gulf region over the next 20 years. The plan was prepared by key stakeholders and all levels of government as well as communities in the gulf. It will provide essential guidance and advice to regional communities and to all public decision makers on their planning, budgetary infrastructure and resource management responsibilities. The plan is designed to provide the catalyst for future growth and development in that region while ensuring adverse environmental, social and economic impacts are minimised. The gulf region covers a vast area of north-west Queensland along the southern waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria and east to the Northern Territory border. This plan enables the region to speak with a united voice and identify those priorities that the community considers to be of significance both now and in the future. This will allow Commonwealth, state and local governments to act with greater confidence in addressing regional priorities. I congratulate the gulf community and the Regional Planning Advisory Committee on their significant contributions to the development of this plan. The Gulf Regional Development Plan is available to the public and copies can be obtained from the Cairns office of the Department of Local Government and Planning or from local council offices throughout the region. Mr SPEAKER: The time for questions has expired.

ADDRESS IN REPLY Resumed from 4 April (see p.332). Mr PEARCE (Fitzroy—ALP) (11.30 a.m.), continuing: Before the adjournment of the Address in Reply last evening, I was telling the House about BHP's strategy to undersell the state's coal reserves and the impact of low coal prices on jobs and communities across central Queensland. A reality of life is that coal industry job losses have a flow-on impact across the region, hitting hard places like Rockhampton and Mackay through reduced cash flows, which in turn mean less job opportunities for the residents of those cities. Through its silence, the public of Queensland has 378 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001 allowed BHP and other multinationals to move toward a casualised work force and to blatantly attack workers' rights, wages and conditions. That is to the detriment of our children's future. A lot of what I speak about falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government, because coal industry awards are federal awards. However, that does not mean that we as Queenslanders should sit back quietly and allow our fellow Queenslanders to be put on the unemployment scrap heap by multinationals driven by returns for shareholders. BHP has publicly admitted that its core business is coal production. It is not in the business of caring about families or communities. How can that be in the best interests of Queensland? We, as a people, embrace the 12-hour shifts despite the impact on the long-term health of workers, the impact on family relationships and the reduction in job opportunities. We allow mining companies to walk away from recoverable coal reserves and we support them in accessing the easy, low-cost coal reserves of Queensland. We allow it because we do not make an issue out of it, and governments are not forced by public opinion to act. We give a nod of approval when mining companies find a reason to shut down mining operations because the reserves are more costly to recover and more likely to impact on their bottom line. There is no determination by governments to get the balance right so as to ensure the long- term sustainability of efficient coal production in Queensland. When the cheap coal is gone—and we have to face up to this in this state today—the BHPs, Rio Tintos and Anglo-Americans of this world will relocate to other countries, leaving the smaller companies to extract the more difficult-to- access coal reserves. Mining companies are not accountable to anyone; they must become accountable to this state and to this nation. The coal reserves of Queensland belong to the people of Queensland. Governments must ensure that the returns to the people are maximised through fair taxing regimes, security of employment and the stability of towns and regions. The people of Queensland need also to take more seriously the bad-faith behaviour of multinationals. We must realise that the current situation exists because John Howard and his government are in bed with the multinationals. As a people, we are party to a culture of not caring about an issue of national importance until it impacts on us personally. That is a sad situation. We have to start caring more about what is happening around us, and what is happening to our state and our country. What is happening sets the stage for the further undermining of the quality of life for Queenslanders by employers who no longer respect their employees as men and women. To them, they are nothing but names on a computer that can be erased at any time, and they are doing that almost on a daily basis. That is why it is important for mining companies to destroy the collective bargaining power of unions. What coal companies want is a casualised work force on individual contracts. We all know that once an individual signs up, his or her only avenue to future wage increases is through one- on-one negotiations with the company and that future employment is based on performance and personal effectiveness as measured by the company. If BHP effectively moves the rights of its employees to collectively bargain by incorporating strict confidentiality clauses into individual contracts, and if an individual has problems with the boss over wages, working conditions or workplace safety, by the nature of the contracts the union is rendered powerless to assist. Once this is achieved, the balance of power swings irreversibly back to management. No longer is it management versus union; it becomes management versus the individual. We do not have to have a great imagination to see what would result if an individual under a contract fell out of favour with management. Quite simply, he or she would not have a job for too long. By allowing this culture to develop and become entrenched, we must accept responsibility for our failure, for thinking only of ourselves. Because of our lack of interest in the long-term impacts of today's failures, we are responsible for the problems that future generations will be forced to deal with. The federal government must act now to stem the flow of job security and job losses in the coal industry. Support for One Nation and other groups has risen because governments have stood idly by and accepted the globalisation of the world's economy as justification for the insecurity of jobs and local industry. The social and economic costs to the community will be enormous if we allow people's skills and talents to be wasted, to be simply thrown out the gate. As a government, we must remain committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our industry, but we must do this in a way that does not diminish the public benefits of secure employment. Concern about security of employment is becoming more widespread throughout the community and we need to listen. People know that real jobs are not being created. We all know people who have either faced unexpected redundancy or had the long-term security of their jobs taken away. Many of them are still raising families and educating their 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 379 children. We have to start caring about that. Many of those people will never recover financially from the sudden loss of their main source of employment. We have to care about that. We have to start acting to show people that we do care. In central Queensland, we know the impact of job losses. The sudden closure of mines and subsequent sackings can be devastating for families, towns and regional cities. As an elected member in this place, I acknowledge that government cannot interfere with the business and commercial imperatives under which it operates, but at the same time we as a government should not stand aside and watch the decimation of local and regional communities. Everyone is aware of the real meaning of words such as 'restructuring', 'downsizing', 'outsourcing' and 'reorganisation'. They mean that in the long term loyal and stable workers can suddenly find themselves without a job. There is no justice in sudden restructuring or mass sackings. I find it absolutely obscene that BHP's Paul Anderson can be paid a $7.5 million salary and a bonus worth a reported $100 million for getting the price of shares over the $20 mark. This bloke is being rewarded for the scalps of workers made redundant by henchmen like Rick Gazzard, the Queensland manager of BHP Coal. The loss of jobs has a social and economic cost to the community locally and in the regions through the wastage of people's skills and their working potential. We need to act now in the interests of future generations. This is an issue that is important not only to me as the member for Fitzroy but also to my region and to Queensland. The people of Queensland and the people of this nation have to wake up and start saying to the multinationals like BHP, 'Enough is enough.' Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Fouras): Before calling the member for Capalaba, I point out to honourable members that this is the member's first speech. I ask that it be treated with the due conventions of this House. Mr CHOI (Capalaba—ALP) (11.38 a.m.): It is indeed an honour for me to stand here today as an elected member of the parliament of Queensland. I acknowledge the indigenous Australians who are the traditional owners of the land on which the parliament is located and my electorate of Capalaba. I take this opportunity to reaffirm my loyalty to Australia, her democratic system of government and the people of this great nation. My sincere thanks go to the Australian Labor Party for giving me the opportunity to serve my fellow Queenslanders as a member of this House. I inform the House that I regard myself as a product of successive Labor policies. I came to Sydney, Australia, in 1976 at the age of 17, shortly after the Whitlam government abolished the discriminative White Australia Policy. My father enrolled me in a local state school. It was a beautiful school with clean classrooms and stunning playing fields. It was also far better than the school that I attended in Hong Kong, where my father had to take a second job to pay for my school fees. However, I refused to go to that school, because I thought it would be very expensive and I knew that we could not afford it, until my father told me that the school was free. Not long after, I was injured in a football game and I was possibly in need of hospital care. Again I refused to go to the hospital, because I thought it also would be expensive. Again my father told me that the hospital also was free. I found myself asking the question, 'What kind of a country is this that education is free and medical care is also free?' One day I was learning to participate in one of Australia's favourite pastimes—lawnmowing—when a couple of old folks in the neighbourhood stopped to have a chat with me. When I asked them about the schools and the hospitals, they said, 'Son, this is the legacy of Labor policies: believing that education and health are a right for all and not the privilege of a few.' I gave my heart to the Labor Party then. Needless to say, my maiden vote in this country went to the ALP, and I have not looked back since then. I knew that one day I would repay my debt to the ALP, but little did I know it would be in this way 26 years later. I thank the men and women of the Labor Party before me who have fought the battles so that people like me are able to come to this beautiful country and receive free education and medical care. Without them I would not be standing here today. I salute them and I owe them my immense gratitude. His Excellency the Governor of Queensland, in his address during the opening of this parliament, said— There is strength in diversity. With this, our 50th Parliament of Queensland, we see the election of the state's first Chinese-Australian MP, which represents another step toward parliament reflecting the multicultural diversity of Queensland. 380 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001

Chinese Australians have contributed to Australia in so many different ways for over 120 years, and they continue to impact positively on the landscape of our wonderful nation. I am, therefore, extremely privileged to be the first Chinese Australian to be elected as a member of this House. I am humbled by the experience and also by the gravity of my responsibilities. I mentioned earlier that I like to reaffirm my loyalty to Australia. Few people would understand how important it is for me to be regarded as an Australian. Even fewer realise how serious I took the oath some 21 years ago when I was naturalised as a citizen of this country. Born to Chinese parents in the city of Hong Kong at a time when it was still a colony of Britain, my existence was not recognised by the Chinese government and I was, at best, a British subject. I was therefore without identity, without nationality and without a foundation for national pride. I recall a sense of rejection and denial every time I picked up a form which required me to fill in the blank next to the word 'nationality' as I had none. This country accepted me with open arms, gave me a home and an education. Now whenever I have to fill in a form which requires me to put down my nationality, I proudly put down 'Australian' in capital letters. If we can just pause for a moment and ponder about this, most of us would not think twice when we put our nationality on a form. I borrow a popular phrase from a song by a distinguished Australian, Peter Allen, who sang, 'I've been to places that never close down. From New York to Rio and old London town.' This is without doubt the best country in the world. Do we understand how precious it is to be called Australian? Do we realise that some people are prepared to risk their lives just to have a chance to be an Australian and that, sadly to say, some have paid with their lives? As for me, in the year 1980 I was given a new identity, a nationality and a reason for national pride. I am now an Australian—a true blue, dinky-di Aussie. No-one, I thought, will take that away from me. I was wrong. Little more than four years ago I found myself once again searching for my identity. I was told indirectly that too much of my kind would be a problem and that this country was in danger of being swamped by us; I was not really an Aussie as we were supposed to have our own culture; we formed ghettoes and we did not assimilate. Many fair-minded Australians rallied to our defence, but this fight, I said, needed to be fought by me. I agree that we need to have an open and transparent debate about the costs and benefits of immigration to our nation. If we decide that immigration will continue to bring positive changes to the nation, then we should debate the intake level. I think as Australians we should be able to have an open and honest debate about issues of this nature without being branded with names. However, once we decide that immigration is to continue, the qualification for migrants should not, and must not, be based on the colour of their skin, their creed or their religion, but rather the content of their character. A potential good Australian is not determined by the pigment under the skin, but rather the goodness in their heart. As for culture, everybody who comes to Australia introduces culture, with the exception of the indigenous Australians. People sometimes speak as if culture is a dead, non-living thing, but culture is a living organism. It is a living reflection of the people and the land they live on. The culture that somebody is seemingly trying to protect is vastly different to the culture of their parents. Do we know who changed it? They did. So, too, did their parents. We are doing it right now. It has been part and parcel of cultural evolution since the dawn of man. As for religion, men and women of the Christian faith gave up the comfort of their homes, left their loved ones and travelled to lands far away only to live in substandard conditions and risk their lives to do one thing: to spread the gospel that they believed in. Now we bring the unconverted to our doorsteps and they want to keep them out. If Christians—and I am one—believe our God to be all-powerful, everlasting and ever present, why should we be afraid of competition? One of the most precious things that separates us from animals is the ability and the opportunity to choose. It is a God-given right: free will for mankind, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. No-one can take that away from us. You cannot choose if you have no choice. Genuine Christian faith can be spread only by persuasion, not by exclusivity or by imposition. Mr Deputy Speaker, I can go on and on. As you can see, I am passionate about defending myself against oversimplified, stereotypical comments that are neither factual nor accurate. However, standing in this House today on behalf of Asian Australians who love this country, who have contributed so much to the wellbeing of our nation and who have called Australia their home, I once again pledge our undivided loyalty to Australia and the people of this great nation. It is my hope that never again will we have to reaffirm our loyalty to Australia, never again will we have to be questioned about our identity and never again should Australians be divided based on the colour of their skin. 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 381

I notice the presence of foreign press in the gallery. I will make a few comments and I hope that they will be reported accurately in the foreign media. I want to tell the world that, despite some narrow-minded, uninformed and oversimplified comments from certain high-profile politicians, Australians are not racist and, in fact, are very fair-minded people. The supporters of One Nation are mostly people who, in essence, are no different to us. They have their dreams and aspirations, they have their family to raise and job to protect, and they also have fear and apprehension in a changing world that is getting quickly away from us all. They look for leadership and support from the major parties and, frankly, we have failed them, particularly the National Party. The Beattie Labor government can now claim that we represent all Queenslanders—from the bush to the beach. It is therefore my hope that we are able to face up to the challenges and are able to show clear leadership, understanding and compassion to our fellow Australians who have been alienated and marginalised. In her maiden speech two days ago, the honourable member for Aspley, Ms Bonny Barry, gave us an account of her multicultural background. She told us that her multicultural background is, in fact, the strength of her family. I can see that she is immensely proud of the diverse mixture of her heritage, and so she should be. Multiculturalism has brought richness to Australia. Before multiculturalism, a seven-course banquet was a six-pack and a meat pie. Now it is a six-pack and a spring roll. I am so glad that some good things in life do not change. Multiculturalism is not about taking one previous culture into this country lock, stock and barrel, it is about keeping the good and discarding those things that are perhaps incompatible. But only the beholder can make that decision. No-one has the perfect culture. There are parts of my parents' culture that I would not want my children to learn because I know that they have no place in this country. But there are other parts of the Chinese culture that I want not only my children to learn; I would dearly like my fellow Australians to embrace them also, because they are simply good for our nation building. Yesterday in his maiden speech, the honourable member for Lockyer mentioned that the Chinese and most Asians respect their elderly. I am so pleased to hear from one of the One Nation members of the House that Asian culture can contribute positively to the fabric of this nation. Multiculturalism is about being the best of the best. I do not want Australia to be Asianised, whatever that word means. I do not want Australia to be Europeanised, whatever that word means. I definitely do not want Australia to be Americanised, and I know what that word means. I want Australia to develop her own culture and be the envy of the world because she has developed her culture from the best of the best. I want the world to know that we respect the environment because we have learned that from the indigenous culture. I want the world to know that we have a strong sense of justice because we have learned that from the Irish culture. I want the world to know that we are adventurous and innovative because we have learned that from the Anglo-Saxon community. I want the world to know that we value family and respect the elderly because we have learned that from the Greek community. I want the world to know that we are hard workers and entrepreneurs and able to sell ice to Eskimos because we have learned that from the Chinese community and that we look like a million dollars everywhere we go because we learned that from the Italians. I want the world to also know that we have a dry sense of humour and are easygoing and fun loving because we have learned that from nobody else but ourselves. I am very proud of my Chinese heritage. However, after all is said and done, we must realise that we are first and foremost Australian. The fact of the matter is that I am Chinese by birth, Australian by choice and Labor by conviction. I am very proud of all these heritages. I turn now to the electorate of Capalaba. The electorate of Capalaba consists of the suburbs of Capalaba, Alexandra Hills and part of Birkdale. It is the gateway and the commercial hub of the Redlands area. The people of Capalaba are very proud of their environment and their heritage. Redlanders, as we are called, are strongly conscious of environmental issues. On Clean Up Australia Day on 4 March I participated with the locals to clean up Valentine Park. I was impressed by their enthusiasm and determination to ensure that their living environment is well looked after. Since the election I have been invited to numerous schools in my electorate to present badges to students. Nothing is more pleasing to me than to see young children full of energy, full of life and full of enthusiasm. At every school I have been to I have witnessed the strength of our public school system in full and proud display. I witnessed first-hand how hard parents try to support the school to raise money to improve the facilities. This also makes me angry, because I know that our federal government has poured millions of dollars into private schools while the state is left holding the babies of the public school system. I acknowledge that some parents 382 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001 send their children to private schools for a variety of reasons. Some of them have to make great sacrifices to do that, and I applaud them for it. Nevertheless, they have a choice between public and private school. Many people in my electorate do not have the luxury of that choice. That is why we must keep education totally free. We must maintain public education at a high standard if we want to produce a well-educated work force and a Smart State. This federal government has failed to look after the interests of middle-class Australians. Government is supposed to be of the people, by the people and for the people. Unfortunately, Mr Howard's government is a government of the big business, of the wealthy, by the influential and for the powerful. Let us take national competition policy as an example, which breaks the backbone of not only rural Australia but also outer metropolitan areas such as Capalaba. No-one is arguing about the necessity for competition to improve efficiency and to be competitive in a world market. However, the playing fields are not always level and the federal government has simply failed to understand the local implications of its decisions and keeps refusing to readdress the issues. Let us take petrol prices as another example. When petrol prices are going through the roof, all we get is a cold, unemotional explanation that any reduction of prices by the government will easily be offset by the fluctuation of the Australian dollar. Mr Howard must stop treating Australian people with contempt. Australians are smarter than Mr Howard cares to give them credit for. Of course we understand that we are unable to control world oil prices. Of course we understand that petrol prices are also affected by the strength or weakness of our dollar. We know that. All we are asking Mr Howard to do as our leader is to show us that he understands that we are hurting by not adding further burden on the family, by not adding fuel to fire. Is that too much to ask for? But, of course, he would not understand that. When was the last time he filled his own petrol tank and paid for the petrol with his own money? When was the last time he had to skip lunch so that petrol could be put in the car to take the kids to school? Australia does not need smarter leaders or more intelligent leaders; it needs more compassionate leaders. The federal government has become so arrogant and out of touch with the people that it does not deserve to have another chance. I am honoured to be elected by the people of Capalaba. However, I am under no illusions and understand that this is a vote for good Labor policies, good and open Labor government and the personal integrity of the Premier. I promise the people of Capalaba as their member that I will be honest, open, transparent and accessible to them. In conclusion, I thank my campaign manager, Alan Roche, for being there for me; Andrew Soter for believing in me from day one; Warren Christensen for giving me invaluable suggestions; Anastasia Palaszczuk for fishing me out of deep water; Mary North for looking after me beyond the call of duty; the Honourable Con Sciacca, my federal colleague, for his advice; Craig Emerson, also my federal colleague, for his daily encouragement; the Honourable Bob Hawke for his effort to come to Brisbane especially to render me his assistance; Senator Joe Ludwig and the Australian Workers Union for valuable assistance; Peter Low for his phone call which changed my life; and Peter Schmith for the endless hours he put in and his devotion to the company I started 12 years ago. I pay a special tribute to Jim Elder, the member whom I replaced. He was a good member for Capalaba and a good and respected minister. Nothing can take that away from him. To the Premier and the Deputy Premier, I offer my heartfelt thanks for believing in me. It was not an easy call. I can assure them that I will be a member of this government that they can be proud of. To my children Priscilla, Rachel and Claudia: thank you for your understanding and patience. All of you are indeed a godsend. I love you all, and remember to do your homework! To my wife Doris: thank you for standing by me for what I wanted to do, for the tears you have shed for me and for what I have put you through, for your courage to stand up and brave the world when the world has so wrongly turned against us, for the immense spirit of forgiveness which you displayed when politics claimed its first victim—the truth—and for praying with me when I am hanging on only by your love and our faith. You asked me if I will change after I get into politics. I already have: I have changed from someone who has a wife to someone who cherishes his wife, from someone who knew love to someone who lives love, from someone who was married to someone who would want to get married again to the same woman. Doris, I love you. Lastly, as a Christian I thank God for seeing me through some very tough times. I know that I am not here by coincidence. There is a purpose, and I pray that I am worthy of that purpose. I look forward to serving the people of Queensland in a way that is also worthy of their trust. 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 383

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Fouras): Order! Before calling the member for Redlands, I indicate that it is the member's first speech. Members of this House should give it the due courtesies that such an occasion warrants. I now call the honourable member for Redlands. Mr ENGLISH (Redlands—ALP) (11.57 a.m.): There are a few truisms about maiden speeches in political circles. One is that they can be rather boring and the second is that they can come back to haunt you. I am sure that many experienced members of this House could give a few testimonials to this. I hope to avoid the first truism. If I can achieve the second, I aim to make it a good one as opposed to an embarrassing one. I want this maiden speech to set the tone for how I will represent the people of Redlands and contribute to the Beattie government's second term. I owe the people of Redlands a great deal for giving me the privilege to represent them. I think my success in getting elected had a lot to do with Peter Beattie's strong leadership and his down-to-earth approach to the job of Premier. The Labor Party has provided the most credible alternative and we must continue to be vigilant about the standards we set for ourselves. If we fall short of implementing Peter Beattie's reform agenda, then we can be sure that the people will let us know at the next state election. As a new member of this House, I am determined to deliver on Labor's promise to live up to the ethical standards which Peter Beattie has put in place within the ALP and for this House. The team of true believers, volunteers, friends and family who helped me during my campaign worked extremely hard under difficult circumstances at times, and I thank them for their support and commitment to the people of Redlands. We did it without any fancy political stunts, just a straightforward campaign. At this point, I make special mention of my two favourite girls—my wife, Lisa, who is in the gallery, and my daughter, Kelsea. It has been a learning curve for all of us, but I think it is tougher on partners and children than many people are prepared to admit. I have to confess that my two year old daughter Kelsea already understands the rigours of envelope stuffing. I am very lucky to have their love and support and wish to say publicly how much I love them both. The main focus of my campaign was to be an accessible and honest candidate with a fresh and solutions-focused approach to issues. I come to the job with a broad range of life experiences and limited political experience. I do not think the people of Redlands were looking for a genius to represent them in this place—just someone with energy and commonsense who knows the difference between right and wrong. As a former sergeant of police in the Ethical Standards Command, I was able to give the voters the assurance they needed to give me their support, and I thank them for that. I think the fact that I lived in the local area for over 10 years and established a family home there and the fact that I share the same kinds of problems and concerns helped people to overcome some of their cynicism about the political process. I aim to live up to the standards that people are looking for in their local members. I have pledged to be approachable, open and honest about finding solutions for local issues. These are the key values that I will bring to public office. I will not be promising quick fixes just to make myself look good. I will endeavour to get results promptly, but I will not give people unrealistic expectations. Not every decision will be the right one for some people. That is a fact of life. I can assure the people of Redlands that I will be putting forward the views of my electorate to contribute to decisions affecting them. I am committed to taking responsibility for communicating with constituents the reasons behind decisions which impact on my electorate. The voters want decision makers to give them the courtesy of providing the rationale behind decisions made by state government. Equally, they want the courtesy of being able to get their message through if they do not like something. I will make those representations without fear or favour. This is a value that I am hearing from the electorate that we need to see more of in political life. One of the strengths of the Labor team is that we have a policy framework designed to benefit all Queenslanders. Unlike some of our opponents, we provide policies that seek to manage issues in the public interest to come up with balanced solutions for the majority of Queenslanders. By continuing to value the social impact of government policies, the Labor Party has remained relevant to people whether they live in the bush, the city or the regions. A series of pork barrels and ill thought out policy one-liners to win votes during a campaign is something the voting public simply will not wear. I think the election result here in Queensland reinforced this message. I think Redlands has been very astute in asking for a strong, sincere, local voice in state parliament. A lot of people felt that the political process was becoming a hollow attempt to exploit 384 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001 the problems communities are facing. Even traditional conservative voters I met during the campaign told me that Labor was the only option to keep Queensland moving in the right direction. The old maxim that disunity is death was reinforced on 17 February. The voters of Queensland have sent a clear message on this, which reminds me of the Queensland Police Union motto of 'unity is strength'. The major parties have lost support over the past five years by not providing the public with a feeling of ownership about the political process. I think this is at the heart of the disillusionment that people have been feeling in recent years. The Beattie government has been rewarded for taking a more open and inclusive approach to governing to respond to this feeling of disillusionment. I think the Premier's community cabinet approach has helped to restore Queensland's confidence. Even the Prime Minister is now borrowing our community consultation ideas, although I do not expect him to have much success, given his claim that he will not be changing his fundamental policy direction—that is, doing too little too late and making policy backflips a new sport in Canberra. I am very pleased to say that I am part of a political party that has the ability to take a good hard look at itself and its policies and respond in a constructive way to issues facing local communities. The conservative parties, particularly the infighting within the coalition in Queensland, have added to the disillusionment out there. The exploitation of this disillusionment by extreme political parties has damaged Queensland's and the nation's reputation at home and overseas. I think the people of Queensland deserve more than that, and I am proud to be part of a team that values people and a fair go. During the campaign I made three key commitments for the local area. My first key commitment was to be an honest and hard-working member of parliament. The second was that within four weeks I would visit the bay islands and continue my program of listening to residents about issues of local concern. I also made a commitment to have regular community meetings, where I would be available outside of business hours to meet constituents and discuss issues. I have already been to Coochiemudlo, Lamb, Karragarra, Macleay, and Russell Islands, which have a number of very difficult issues with a long history. Residents and volunteer groups have given me a first-hand account of the issues they are facing, and I will continue to work with island residents to find solutions. I look forward to establishing a solid working relationship with island residents. I can announce today that my first community forum will be held on Saturday, 28 April at the Mount Cotton Hall from 9 a.m. to midday. In terms of my commitment to work hard for Redlands, I can honestly say that I have hit the ground running. From the moment I received pre-selection it has been non-stop Redlands in the English household. In the first few weeks I did not have an office or staff, but with the help of a lot of local people, friends and family I was able to make the transition to being the member for Redlands, and I thank everyone for their assistance during this transitional phase. On the Monday after the election I was inundated with requests for advice, assistance and support from the people of the Redlands. The valued assistance of Jo Henderson allowed many of those early inquiries to be managed with minimal delay. There were many people who worked hard to see the Beattie government re-elected and to see the Redlands returned to the Australian Labor Party. I must thank my campaign director, Ken Hughes, and his wife, Kath. Their experienced, guiding hand directed and guided my youthful enthusiasm. Ken's health is not good, but he did not allow these problems to divert him from his work on the campaign. There were many others who assisted throughout the campaign, and I apologise now if I overlook somebody. Rod Carter, Carol Evans, Malcolm and Wendy, Peter and Mary Donald, and Jo and Mark Henderson all contributed to the successful campaign. I thank comrades from Wynnum and members of the Lytton Hall committee, those who staffed the booths and those who provided advice and support behind the scenes. At this point I would also like to say thanks to my ALP organiser, Lindesay Jones, who was always saying, 'Are you with me?' Yes, Lindesay: I'm with you. Another source of advice and counsel was Mr Jack Houston, who is also in the public gallery today. He is a life member of the Australian Labor Party and was a member of this House from 1957 to 1980. Jack, I thought you may have had enough of this place, but I appreciate your making the effort to come here to support me today. Jack was leader of the opposition from 1966 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 385 to 1974. These were the dark, Joh years, when Labor seemed in permanent opposition. Jack's dedication through these difficult years never wavered and I was proud to have him on my team. I did not have a huge profile at the start of the campaign and, as I said previously, limited political experience, so I fell back on my personal experiences and skills. I was born in the Maleny Hospital, and growing up on a dairy farm in a little town called Conondale taught me the value of community. In tough times it was essential for our local community to band together to help each other. During floods and other problems we would always be ready to help our neighbours and they were always ready to assist us if we needed it. This philosophy was very strong in my family home. As anyone who has lived on a farm can attest, children are expected to do their fair share of milking cows, dipping cows and being an all- round dogsbody. My parents, Con and Dee, are also in the public gallery. What they asked of my brothers and me they returned tenfold in love and support. Mum and Dad: I love you both. I also mention my brothers, Neil and Peter. My elder brother, Neil, has embraced community values in his life and work. He is a rescue crewman on the Queensland government Emergency Services rescue helicopter. His dedication and compassion were recently recognised when he received a pride of workmanship award from the Acacia Ridge Rotary Club. I would like to extend my appreciation for the excellent and difficult work performed by all members of the Queensland Emergency Services Helicopter Rescue Service and other rescue services around the state. My younger brother, Peter, has sought to continually improve his knowledge and experience since he graduated from Padua College. He has held a number of jobs, from service station attendant to hotel manager, and he has run his own business. I admire his commitment to self- improvement. I have a confession to make. Growing up just down the road from former premier Mike Ahern in what was then a conservative stronghold—that is, up until the election of my colleague the honourable member for Glass House—led my father to become a strong supporter of the Country Party. I strongly suspect that my parents' votes in the recent state election cancelled each other out. As could be expected with their strong sense of community and family, both of my parents were there on election day helping out. I appreciate and value their ongoing love and support. That brings me back to the Redlands connection. As is the case in many rural and isolated communities, services were limited in Conondale. This is also true of the southern Moreton Bay islands. My parents eventually moved to Brisbane to increase our options for a good education and a job. I later left Craigslea State High School and became an apprentice electrician with SEQEB. I commend the Honourable Minister for Public Works and Minister for Housing, Robert Schwarten, on his strong commitment to Q-Build and I commend the government on the role it is playing in skilling Queenslanders. I know just how much getting a trade can point someone in the right direction. During my time with SEQEB there were some difficult times. The conservative government at the time gave us a really hard time by attacking the safety and employment conditions of the average worker—much like the current Howard government's anti-worker approach led by Minister Reith and now Tony Abbott. It was at this time that I came to appreciate the invaluable role unions play in protecting workers from political thuggery. It inspired me to get out and have a go at a tertiary education. On returning to full-time study at the University of Queensland, I continued to witness the repressive and unethical conduct of the infamous coalition government. Following my graduation, I decided to join the Queensland Police Service. I did my training in the Wynnum district, with a number of months spent at Cleveland, so I had a chance to get a first-hand look at the law and order issues in the area. I then moved on to work in specialist investigative areas. I have seen first-hand the results of crime on our society, our people and particularly our children. I applaud the Honourable Minister for Police and Corrective Services for his commitment to increase police numbers and provide greater resources for them to perform their duties. However, it is important that I highlight, from a police perspective, that our crime problems are not solved by police alone. The Beattie government's visionary whole-of-government attack on the underlying causes of crime will, over time, curb the need for people to turn to crime. Having worked as a police officer in a wide range of investigative areas, I cannot stress enough the importance of a sincere and committed approach to law and order issues. We must not lose sight of the importance of the basics of crime prevention, tackling poverty and unemployment, giving young people a good education, helping families in need, good health care, decent housing and support programs for those less fortunate. 386 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001

At the beginning of the campaign I did not have a huge profile and, as I said previously, I had limited political experience. I then had to rely on the skills and experiences I have acquired over the last 38 years. The key traits which were most beneficial were my honesty and ability to listen to what people had to say. As I travelled around my electorate, I got to see the diversity which makes Redlands such a great place in which to live. I got to hear and see a lot of my constituents' concerns. On the southern Moreton Bay islands, I talked to people about their transport problems. I have observed the escalating transport costs, and I have experienced the difficulty of coordinating activities with a ferry timetable. I have seen, heard and experienced the difficulty in providing a viable police presence on those islands. Along with many other residents, my wife's father and mother have personally experienced the rapid decrease in island land values. The residents of Thornlands, Victoria Point, Redland Bay, Cornubia, Carbrook, Sheldon, Shailer Park and Mount Cotton are suffering with limited and, in some areas, a non-existent public transport system. The commute to Brisbane occurs over roads that are too small to take the volume of traffic, resulting in substantial delays. For those having trouble finding work locally, the only option is to drive out of the electorate to find employment. I will be working hard to try to improve our roads and generate more local employment opportunities. A lot of the issues in Redlands are fundamental, and there are no overnight fixes. But there is a positive way forward in correcting some of the bad planning decisions of the past, and I am determined to work with all parties with a role in finding a way forward. Redlands is well known for its fertile farming land. Our flower farmers exclusively supply Woolworths national retail chain. So wherever honourable members travel in Australia, I urge them to buy flowers from Woolies and support the people of Redlands. I will be speaking to the Minister for Industrial Relations about a supply of red carnations in the near future. I have spoken to small crop farmers and chicken farmers and listened to their concerns about increasing rates and decreasing market prices. I am particularly interested in helping industry in the area explore sustainable industry opportunities with the government. With such a lovely, green and beautiful electorate, it is no surprise that an increasing number of people are moving to the area to retire. The bayside area has a wonderful lifestyle—if one has time to enjoy it. The older residents are currently distressed by the cruel and vindictive policies of the Howard government. In residential aged care, the underfunding to Queensland is a disgrace. In categories 1 to 4 for aged care subsidy, Queensland receives the lowest level of funding of all states. If Queensland received just the national average in aged care subsidy, then an extra $50 million would be paid to Queensland's nursing home providers. This funding inequity is a pretty shabby way to treat our elderly people, and the impact in Redlands has translated into a situation where nursing homes simply cannot cope with the demand for nursing home placements. I think it is extremely important to be up front about how to manage these issues. One of the reasons that I joined the ALP was that I wanted to make a difference. To make a difference, we must value people equally. I think that this is the best theme for managing issues, whether they are big ones or smaller ones. Because if we take our eye off either, the big ones become giants and the smaller ones become big ones. This reminds me of a great Billy Bragg song: from little things big things grow. I would like to follow in the member for Clayfield's footsteps and conclude on a literary note, which I will use as a mission statement for representing Redlands. To paraphrase the character Tom Joad from Steinbeck's classic The Grapes of Wrath— Wherever there are hungry people fighting for food, I will be there; Wherever there are people being beaten up and victimised, I will be there. Wherever there is injustice and hatred, I will be there. I will be there, working to help all people of the Redlands. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): Order! Before I call the member for Callide, I draw to the attention of the House that today we have had visitors who are representatives from the Rats of Tobruk Association attending the 60th world reunion in Brisbane this week, and two of the widows were present in the gallery today. Honourable members: Hear, hear! Mr SEENEY (Callide—NPA) (12.16 p.m.): I am somewhat gratified to have the opportunity to make a small contribution to this Address in Reply. Firstly, I congratulate you, Mr Deputy Speaker, 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 387 on your election to that office, and I ask you to convey my congratulations to the Speaker on his re-election to that high office. I also take this opportunity to congratulate the Premier and his ministers and, indeed, all of the members who make up this Labor government. I am enough of a competitor to acknowledge that we were well and truly beaten. I am enough of a competitor to acknowledge that the Labor Party in Queensland has won a mandate to govern this state for the next three years. I wish the Premier, his ministers and all of those members well in that task. It is a big responsibility, and we will be watching closely to see how they perform with that responsibility. I am proud to be a part of the National Party opposition. No-one wants to be in opposition in this parliament, but we have taken on the role of opposition, and it is one that we will perform with vigour. It is also one that I hope we can use to ensure that the mandate that the people of Queensland have given to this Labor Party government is respected and that the promises that the government has made and the platforms on which it has been elected are well and truly delivered to all Queenslanders. It is gratifying to me personally to be elected for the second time as the member for Callide. To be elected as a member of parliament once is a thrill for us all, as so many of the new members of this parliament have enunciated and described here in their maiden speeches. To be elected a second time carries its own degree of self-satisfaction. To see one's primary vote climb in areas over which one has had responsibility for representing is, I believe, a source of enormous self-satisfaction to those of us who get very little public reward for the jobs that we do. But for every member of parliament, probably the most satisfying thing that we can hope to get from this job is to see reflected in the electoral results an acceptance that the job we have done for particular communities or particular areas of our electorates has been appreciated and that we have been recognised for that over time. I would certainly like to thank all those people who supported me in that endeavour to be elected for a second time as the member for Callide. Callide is a very difficult electorate to represent. It is a very large electorate, not in terms of square kilometres—as the electorates in western Queensland are—but in terms of communities, in terms of diversity and in terms of community of interest. Demographically, Callide probably would be one of the hardest electorates in Queensland for any member to represent adequately. The new electorate boundaries meant that the electorate was extended from its traditional home, if you like, in Biloela south almost to Gympie—about eight kilometres from Gympie. Now it extends from Taroom in the west almost to the coast at Wallaville. It includes about 21 towns and a whole lot of other smaller communities and areas. There are a number of very clear and distinct communities of interest in that area. The area to the north around Biloela and the Callide Valley relates to central Queensland and the regional centre of Rockhampton; the area to the east around the Kolan shire, and to some extent some of the Burnett shires, relate to Bundaberg; the area to the south relates to Maryborough; and the South Burnett is a community all of its own. In fact, the Callide electorate splits the South Burnett community in half. The South Burnett is a very close-knit community, yet the Callide electorate splits it in half. I understand the angst, frustration and the dissatisfaction that that caused a lot of people in the South Burnett. Of course, the area to the west, the Wandoan and Taroom area, relates to the central west and to the regional centre of Roma. It is a very difficult situation when there are, for all intents and purposes, four or five different and distinct communities of interest within the one electorate. Representing a rural electorate is very different to representing a city electorate. I travelled almost 70,000 kilometres last year representing this electorate. I do that gladly. I know what is involved in representing an electorate like Callide. I knew that when I took the job on and I am certainly not mentioning it here today to in any complain about the situation. However, I do so to point out to the people who represent city electorates the huge difference in representing an electorate here in an urban area and representing an electorate such as Callide with so many communities, so much diversity and so many issues in each community. Every town has its school, its hospital and police—has each of those areas of state government interest—and for those people their issue is the most important issue. It is almost three years since I stood here in this House to make my maiden speech. As result of moving offices because of the rearrangement that was necessary after the election, I actually found a copy of my maiden speech. Three years on it was interesting to read my maiden speech. I hope that some of the members who have made their maiden speeches here this week will have that opportunity—to read their maiden speech three years on. 388 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001

It is interesting to look back and realise the innocence that new members of Parliament bring to this place. It was interesting for me to look back at my maiden speech and to read what I said about some of the major issues that were current in my electorate at that time. It is interesting because some of those issues that were identified then are still issues now. I spoke about the fears that the dairy industry had at that time—three years ago. Anyone who has followed Queensland politics of late, and indeed the debate in this House today, will know that the fears of the Queensland dairy industry did not just eventuate, they eventuated much worse than anyone ever imagined they could at that time. I spoke about the pork industry, which at that time was suffering a huge downturn. It is gratifying for me to know today that the pork industry is in a much healthier state than it was then. I think that goes to illustrate the cyclical nature of the industries that make up the economic base of my electorate and so much of the rest of Queensland. I think it is important that decision makers understand the cyclical nature of those industries and it is important that we take a long- term view towards the management of public policy that affects those industries. There can be no greater illustration of that than those two industries and the way that their fortunes have ebbed and flowed over the last three years. I hope that some day historians may reflect upon the difference in those industries in the three years between when I first stood in this place and the debate today. The electorate of Callide and indeed that part of south-east Queensland is still very much an area of small holdings and small businesses. That was another thing that I identified when I first spoke in this House. It is an area of small holdings and small businesses all of which have been unduly impacted on by a series of federal public policy decisions, foremost amongst which would be national competition policy. At times it grieves me to travel through my electorate and to see the economic pain that is being caused to a whole range of small businesspeople, not just small land-holders, but small businesspeople in all of those small communities. I think it is important to realise—and it is quite often forgotten—that all of those areas were settled as a result of government policy. The land structure and the community structures were put in place as part of a deliberate government policy to settle people on the land, to settle people in those areas and to build communities in those areas. Those government policies were not put in place because that was the best economic alternative that was available, they were not put in place because that was the most efficient model to be competitive in a world trade situation. They were put in place to give people a lifestyle; they were put in place to allow people to have a life, to have a job and to run a business. That is clear enough when we look at the land title structure. They started off as soldier settlement blocks in the more southern areas. They were 160-acre blocks. Later, in some of the closer settlement areas in the northern Burnett and into the Callide Valley, they were bigger areas; they were square-mile blocks—640 acre blocks. There was no way that land-holdings of that size could have provided anything more than a living when they were set up. Indeed, if we look at some of the parliamentary debates from the early 1930s when that legislation passed through this House, there was debate even then about whether or not those land-holdings were of sufficient size to constitute a living area for the people who took them up. There is no doubt that the early ones, the smaller ones, were found to be too small. Even the later settlement schemes in the northern part of the electorate were arguably too small when they were set up. Now, 40, 50 and 60 years later, they are hopelessly too small. They are hopelessly unsuited to competition in a free trade situation, in a global economy. They are hopelessly unsuited to that type of economics. Of course, along with those land settlement schemes went all the organised and orderly marketing arrangements that made it possible for those people to make a living. Those orderly marketing schemes were put in place to ensure that those people could make a reasonable living—not so that they could get rich, because they never did; not so that they could become squatters and not so that they could become land barons, because none of them ever did, but so that they could make a reasonable living. As we reach the year 2001, almost without exception every one of those orderly marketing schemes, every one of those arrangements that were put in place to ensure that people who took up those small land holdings were able to make a reasonable living, have been taken away for economically philosophical reasons rather than practical reasons, I would suggest. All of that support has been taken away, yet those communities that were established as a part of government policy are still trying to survive. Those people who make up those communities, who in a very great many cases are third, fourth and fifth generations of families who have made up 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 389 those communities, are still trying to survive in a world in which they were never meant to survive. I think that there needs to be a realisation at all government levels that, if these policy positions are going to be maintained, if this philosophy of economic rationalism and free trade and open competition and survival of the fittest is going to continue to dominate Australian politics, then there needs to be something done in a compassionate way to assist those people who have been trapped in a situation that was brought about by the policy positions of earlier governments. I do not believe that governments at any level can walk away from that responsibility. That extends not just to people on the land but to people who make up the communities right through that area of south-east Queensland—from the Brisbane Valley right up through the Burnett and Mary Valleys. They are all involved in land settlement schemes and they all find themselves in those same situations. In the short time that I have left, I would like to put again on the record some of the issues that are important to the Callide electorate. Without exception, I think the Nathan dam project on the Dawson River is a long-awaited project that is critical to the economic success of the northern part of the Callide electorate. It is important not just for the irrigation development that it will bring to the Dawson River all the way south and well into the electorate of the member for Fitzroy, but it is important for the industrial development of Biloela. The availability of a reliable water supply in that part of Queensland has long been identified as the necessary catalyst for any sort of development. It is regrettable to say that, already in Biloela, we have lost the potential to develop some badly needed secondary industry because we have not had access to that reliable water supply. I hope that, in the term of this government, we can bring this project to some sort of completion. It has gone on now for too long. There is an increasing amount of frustration in central Queensland about the fact that this project has been talked about and talked about for so many years. It would be a tremendous thing if that development could be fast-tracked or brought forward within the term of this government and become a reality. Water issues are certainly important right throughout my electorate, as they are throughout much of rural and regional Queensland. Recently, the Burnett River WAMP was completed. In the Burnett Valley as well there is a crying need for water storage facilities. There is an equivalent amount of frustration over the time that it is taking to have these issues resolved. It is an issue that I have brought up constantly with the previous Minister for Natural Resources, and the new Minister for Natural Resources can be assured that he will be hearing from me on a regular basis about the need to develop the irrigation potential of both the Burnett and the Dawson Valleys. For many of those small land-holders about whom I spoke before and for many of those communities about whom I spoke before, the intensification of agriculture is their only chance for survival. To intensify agriculture, to be able to make the move into the high-cost, high-return, high- input industries, they need an absolutely guaranteed reliable supply of water. They need to be able to take control of as many elements in their production cycle as they can. They simply cannot survive when they are at the mercy of natural rainfall. That is why irrigation development is so important. As the economic conditions change, irrigation development is a lifeline to people who are trapped on small land-holdings, who do not have the size and who do not have the scale of operation to cope with the continually falling terms of trade. There are some opportunities out there for some of the new and developing industries such as horticultural development and other types of high-input, high-return industries. But we need that irrigation development in both the Burnett and the Dawson Valleys. We need an emphasis placed on regional development—to explore every possible opportunity for those small towns and those small communities. I think the community that is probably suffering the most at the moment is the community of Monto. It has been devastated by the deregulation of the dairy industry and devastated by the closure of the Pauls milk factory. I think that it will be a real test of the rhetoric of this government, it will be a real test of its statements about governing for the whole of the state and governing for all Queenslanders; it will be a real test as to how this government handles the situation in Monto and in other communities that have been so badly affected by the dairy deregulation. While, as we saw this morning, it is very opportune for the Premier and other ministers to use this House as a platform to blame each other for being responsible for the dairy deregulation and the rationalisation that has occurred, I think that we have to deal with the results. The time has come to stop blaming each other; the time has come to realise that every level of government has a responsibility to deal with the results of dairy deregulation. I doubt that there is an electorate in the state that has felt the effects of that deregulation and rationalisation more than has the electorate of Callide. 390 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001

I look forward to participating in debates in this parliament, I look forward to playing a vigorous role in the National Party-led opposition and I look forward to ensuring that the mandate that the Beattie government has received from the people of Queensland is managed responsibly and that the government delivers on the promises that it has made in the recent election. Once again, I congratulate every person who has been elected to this parliament. It is indeed an honour to be elected to the state parliament. I look forward to participating in this parliament. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): Order! Before I call the honourable member for Springwood, I would remind all honourable members that this is the first speech in this House of the honourable member for Springwood and I would ask you to extend to her the courtesies that go with her first speech. Ms STONE (Springwood—ALP) (12.36 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, I acknowledge that this parliament meets today on the traditional lands of the Jagera and Turrubul people. I also extend my warmest congratulations to you and the Speaker on your election to the high offices that you hold. I am confident that you will both serve with integrity. I would also like to extend my congratulations to the members of Queensland's government and particularly to the Premier of this state on a monumental election victory. The large mandate given to this Labor government signifies the trust Queenslanders have placed in the leadership of Peter Beattie and the Australian Labor Party. To Her Majesty's opposition, I extend my congratulations and invite you to follow the example set by the Premier, that is, the practice of engagement, inclusion, access and, above all, the development of positive policies. There is no place in this 50th Parliament for negativity, from which the people of Queensland would be the only losers. I extend the invitation for you to contribute to the government's programs and not create an environment that tarnishes this parliament. I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to the people of the Springwood electorate for electing me to represent them in parliament. Their confidence will not be misplaced, as I will work hard to listen and respond to their concerns. It is a great honour to be elected as their voice in government. I am strongly committed to putting Springwood first and ensuring that our local issues are at the forefront of government decision making and policy development. My first memories of Springwood are as a child. Driving back home to the southern suburbs from the Gold Coast every weekend, I would see the signs, 'If you lived in Springwood you would be home in 15 minutes', 'If you lived in Springwood you would be home in 10 minutes, and 'If you lived in Springwood you would be home in 5 minutes.' My response every weekend was, 'I wish we lived in Springwood.' I do not think I surprised any members of my family when I bought a block of land in Springwood in 1980. In 1987, two major events happened in my life: one, I built my home on that block of land at Springwood; and two, I was selected to be an Australia Post pavilion attendant at World Expo 88. After Expo I worked in many post offices in Logan City and the southern suburbs of Brisbane. The Springwood electorate lies in Logan City. It includes the suburbs of Rochedale South, Springwood, Priestdale, Daisy Hill, Slacks Creek, Shailer Park, Loganholme, Cornubia and Logandale Estate. It is also home to some unique bushland, such as the Daisy Hill State Forest and the Springwood Environmental Park. It has two major shopping precincts, Loganholme and Springwood. These major shopping centres, along with smaller suburban centres, house a variety of small businesses—businesses that employ locals and are the backbone of the local community. The electorate is predominantly residential. People have settled on the outskirts of Brisbane to take advantage of fine state and private schools, large allotments offering a family environment, unique bushland and an affordable lifestyle. My vision for the electorate over the next three years is not radical or earth shattering, it is quite simply to make sure the people of Springwood have top billing as the Beattie Labor government rolls out its election commitments. For me, putting Queensland first will always mean putting Springwood first. As well as the bush, it is the outer suburbs such as those of the Springwood electorate that are having basic services and resources slashed at the hands of a mean-spirited federal government. A fine example of this is the federal government's socioeconomic status funding scheme that strips much-needed funding from Queensland schools and places at risk a fair and well-resourced education system for our children. Against the slash and burn mentality of the current federal government, it is refreshing to see strong leadership in the provision of funding by the Beattie government, ensuring the right of any child to access a world-class education. Since coming to office in 1998, this has been consistently 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 391 demonstrated by the Beattie government, nowhere more so than in my electorate of Springwood. This government has delivered an extra $875,00 for Chatswood Hills State School, Kimberley Park State School and Springwood State High School. That money has been used by the schools to improve facilities, including covered walkways, guttering, painting and other general maintenance. A school nurse has been employed at Shailer Park and Springwood State High Schools to provide confidential counselling and support for students. That is a Labor government initiative that comes at a time when students and the community are struggling to deal with youth suicide, youth mental health and eating disorders. I look forward to working with the government to address the needs of an ever-changing society through the development of responsible education policies such as 2010 and New Basics. Those policies aim to have our kids adapt to new economies and new technologies and to achieve cohesive social communities that address the need to maintain a sustainable environment. The people of Springwood want not only a good education curriculum and enhanced learning environments for their children but also a safe and caring community. I will work hard to establish more Neighbourhood Watch groups in the electorate. Through the involvement of the Logan Police Community Consultative Committee, as a community we can continue to tackle crime. I note with anticipation the creation of the Springwood south-east busway interchange proposed for the second half of 2001. This will improve public transport opportunities for the people of Springwood, and will also drastically reduce the travelling time into the city. The construction of the Springwood interchange will provide employment directly and indirectly through the increase of travellers to the Springwood business area. As part of the Springwood interchange a new ramp for motor vehicle access will also be constructed, providing direct access to the business district. This 50th Parliament heralds a new era of participatory democracy. Through the initiatives of the Beattie government, all members of parliament will be better placed to provide the Athenian ideal. Social capital theories that fill public policy discourse around the world are in practice here in Queensland. Community cabinets, regional community consultative forums, taking parliament outside Brisbane and better resources for local members are the building blocks of social capital. The Beattie government has risen to the challenges posed by the most decentralised of Australian states. Queenslanders, who for years were allowed to feel remote from government, are now seeing themselves connected to their government. Government is no longer remote. Springwood was one of the first communities to experience a Beattie government's community cabinet. I will be encouraging the Premier to bring cabinet to Springwood again this term. Those opportunities are fundamental to bridging the divide between constituents and their representatives. I am confident that this grassroots consultation will continue to flourish over the term of this government. The most important role I have is to listen. Throughout the campaign I had the pleasure of meeting many people in the electorate whilst doorknocking, attending meetings and at my mobile offices. Together with flexible office hours, I will continue those activities to ensure that I actively listen to and strongly represent the needs of the people of Springwood. Prior to the election of the Beattie government in 1998, the electors of Springwood were suffering under the burden of increasing unemployment. They were suffering because the then government was unwilling to reach out a hand to help them gain the dignity of employment. It is only as a result of Peter Beattie's passion for creating jobs for Queenslanders that the rates of unemployment have dropped significantly in my electorate. That result would not be possible had we not had a Premier and a government focused on reducing unemployment every single day of the first term. That will be a priority in the second term. I am proud to be part of a government that will deliver on jobs for the people of Springwood. The government's Breaking the Unemployment Cycle program has been highly successful. This program is providing apprenticeships, traineeships and other job opportunities for the people of Springwood. Its success is due largely to the enthusiasm of local businesses. Over the next three years I will continue to work with them in the electorate to ensure that they are kept informed of the assistance available to them to employ additional trainees and apprentices. 392 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001

The Community Jobs Plan is another excellent initiative that has a direct effect on the people of Springwood. A sum of $172,550 is being spent on Springwood people who will perform paid work carrying out improvements at local schools. At the same time as they help school communities, participants will be helping themselves. They will learn new skills that will improve their chances of finding continuing employment. Springwood State High School, Springwood Road State School, Springwood Central State School, Kimberley Park State School and Shailer Park State School will all benefit from these projects. The Community Jobs Plan is currently under way at Springwood State High School and is now in its second week. The plan employs long-term unemployed people or those who are at risk of becoming long-term unemployed. Springwood State High School will be gaining landscaping and some building work, while the participants of the project will be developing their numeracy, literacy and on-the-job skills. The end result of the plan is that the people undertaking the project will gain experience and skills that will give them an added incentive to search and gain employment. I will work hard to ensure further job opportunities such as this are created for the people of Springwood. In total, 227 local unemployed people have been given the opportunity to work and obtain training in the Springwood area. Grants of this type have totalled $688,245 since the initiative started in 1998. That is another successful outcome from the Beattie government's Breaking the Unemployment Cycle. Compare those outcomes with the federal governments Work for the Dole scheme, where participants are not paid or given the same level of training as trainees under the Breaking the Unemployment Cycle program. As a result, only 27 per cent of Work for the Dole participants obtained employment compared with 46 per cent of trainees under State Government initiatives. This government will introduce other strategies to provide jobs for people over the age of 45. Their knowledge and skills are being wasted and we as a community are not gaining the benefit of their talent. The mature workers' wage subsidy and the Mature Age Job Ready Program form the basis for the Beattie government to address unemployment for mature-age workers. The wage subsidy provides a great incentive to employers who need experienced workers. The Mature Age Job Ready Program will assist long-term unemployed mature-age workers to develop their job search skills and information technology skills in order to compete within today's labour market. The Logan Institute of TAFE, Springwood Campus, plays a critical role in the development of vocational education and training. This is vital for the future of our community. I look forward to working with the director, Carol Elliot, in enhancing the role of TAFE in my electorate. I grew up in the southern suburbs of Brisbane and attended public primary schools and a public secondary school. After grade 12 I entered the workforce. I joined Australia Post. While working for Australia Post I decided to study. I completed an Associate Diploma of Business Management at the Mount Gravatt TAFE College. This made me hungry for more study. I went on to complete a Bachelor of Business at the Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point campus, while working full time. I know how hard part-time study is, but I also know how rewarding it can be. I am staunchly committed to ensuring people get the opportunities to study at various levels and at various times throughout their lives, that is, a commitment to life-long learning. I am proud to be a member of a party where women now represent 40 per cent of our caucus. The Labor Party has come a long way in a short time, encouraging women to participate in the party and political life. This did not happen by accident. It is a result of the Labor Party, over the last decade, actively identifying, recruiting and encouraging women to participate. It is also the result of the hard work done by many outstanding women in Emily's List. This Labor government will address what successive governments throughout history have neglected, that is, the issue of wage equity between men and women. Thirty-two years ago a decision was made to grant equal pay to all Australians. Thirty-two years on women in the workforce are still fighting for equal pay. Some Queensland women are earning 11 per cent to 17 per cent less than men doing the same work. Every day I hear from women how there have been large improvements in the workplace. However, there are some industries that are still not getting the message. I look forward to being part of a government that will tackle this issue and will deliver improved wages to Queensland women. To my female colleagues I say congratulations and to my male colleagues I say I look forward to working with you as an equal. 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 393

In this the Year of the Volunteer it would be remiss of me not to mention the wonderful volunteers and organisations in Springwood. The Buddha's Light International Association is a shining example of volunteer achievement. They are a gentle group of volunteers who promote peace, harmony and an inclusive society. Like the Daisy Hill-Loganholme Lions club, of which I am a member, they support many charities and individuals in the community through donations of money, resources and services. I acknowledge the Lions Club members in the public gallery today. The Logan East Neighbourhood Centre has been operational for over seven years through the efforts of volunteers. It provides an effective support and referral service to the eastern suburbs of Logan City. The Springwood electorate has many sporting organisations which, through the mighty efforts of volunteers, are developing our future sporting legends. It is also important to recognise the vital contribution that parents and citizens groups make to the schools of Queensland. As I look around the chamber, I see a parliament that reflects society: females, males, electorate officers, lawyers, farmers, teachers, the mature, the young— Mr Purcell: Labourers. Ms STONE:—labourers and a variety of nationalities. This can be described only as healthy for the development of policies for such a diverse state as Queensland. It is an honour to be a member of the 50th Parliament. It is especially humbling to sit in the House among many people who have provided me with inspiration and courage. To my mentor, the Honourable Judy Spence, I say: thanks for your guidance, encouragement and, most of all, your friendship. To my friend of over 20 years, the Deputy Premier, the Honourable Terry Mackenroth, I say: it is an honour and a privilege to sit alongside you in this parliament. When I met you I do not think either of us would have imagined that we would be in the positions we now hold. Throughout my teenage years I was always interested in politics. It was then that I knew that I wanted to join the Australian Labor Party. As luck would have it, the guest speaker at my grade 12 speech night was the member for Chatsworth, Terry Mackenroth. At the age of 16 I introduced myself to him and asked to join the Australian Labor Party, and I have been a member ever since. I love the Australian Labor Party and I am proud to be a member. One cannot be in the party for 23 years without having many people to thank. I would like to mention a few: the Mackenroth family; the Beierer family; the Birthisel family; former Lord Mayor Bryan Walsh; Claire Moore; Ron Monaghan; Milton Dick; the Carina Heights and Belmont, Mount Gravatt, Macgregor-Robertson and Springwood Central ALP branches; and my union, the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union. To Kris Hanna, the South Australian state member for Mitchell, I say: thankyou for your ongoing support and advice. To Emily's List members: I thank you all for your commitment and support. In particular, I would like to thank the Honourable Joan Kirner for knowing exactly the right time to call. Her motivational chats were the best medicine in stressful times. It takes many devoted and committed people to organise a successful campaign. My thanks go to my campaign team: Les Skelton, David Brennan, Jenny Sams, Laurie Pearcy, Terry Gobert, Paul Inches and Assistant State Secretary Linda Holliday. To Les and David, with whom I spent so many late nights and early mornings, I say: thanks for your support and hard work and for putting up with some of my most uncharitable moments. To my campaign organiser, Mark Ward, I say: thankyou, Mark, for your belief in and commitment to me and also to the campaign. I say thankyou to all the union members, branch members and family and friends who gave up so much of their time to become intimate with the hills, letterboxes and doors of the electorate. To my electorate officers, Jenny Roberts and Michael White, I say: I can assure you that, as a former electorate officer, I know that the next three years will be challenging but also very rewarding. I look forward to building a great team that can make a difference. To all supporters of the campaign team, I say: thankyou. Finally, I acknowledge my family, some of whom are in the public gallery today: my nana, Gwen; my mother, Gloria; Uncle Keith; Colin Llew; Barbara; Chiloh; and Liam. They have given me a great deal of love, support and encouragement throughout the campaign. I have always known the love of an extended family. Regardless of how many letters there were to fold and envelope, nana always had a sandwich, a cold drink and piece of cake waiting for us on our return. 394 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001

During the campaign we were all complaining about having no time to do things like washing and ironing. I overheard a conversation. It went something like this: supporter 1 said, 'I need to go home to do my washing.' Supporter 2 said, 'Just give it to Barbara's mother. It goes out all rolled up in a plastic bag and comes back washed and ironed on pretty little hangers.' Needless to say, I thank my mother for doing my washing. I dedicate this speech to my nephew Steven Stone. Steven, I do not know where you are, but I hope one day we can read this speech together. In conclusion, to the people of Springwood I say that I look forward to working with all of you so that together we can put Springwood first. In the tradition of the new members, I would like to conclude with my theme song— I am woman, hear me roar. Sitting suspended from 12.55 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Fouras): Order! Before calling the member for Albert, I remind members that this is the honourable member's first speech. I ask honourable members to treat it with the customary respect that such an occasion deserves. Ms KEECH (Albert—ALP) (2.30 p.m.): I am honoured to speak in this House for the first time as the member for Albert, the first woman ever to do so. In standing here today, I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which this House of the Queensland people stands. I also respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners and the present indigenous people who call the electorate of Albert home. The magnificent win by Peter Beattie's Labor team nearly seven weeks ago was not only a victory for the Australian Labor Party but also a celebration of strong leadership, unity and integrity. Labor's policy priorities of jobs, health and education are the very same priorities of the working families in my electorate. The people of Albert—and most of them are present in the public gallery today—recognised the fact that Labor has delivered in the area and as a result registered a two-party preferred vote to Labor of 63 per cent. This is even more historic when, for the first time in 114 years, Labor won every booth on primary votes. I say this to the people of Albert: thank you for the trust you have bestowed in me and the Beattie Labor government. I will repay your trust by working hard every day and every night and by giving you a strong voice in government. I place on record my thanks to Cameron Milner, who was my initial organiser but later went on to become the ALP State Secretary and director of the successful election campaign. I am also grateful to Milton Dick, who later filled the role of organiser in Albert. To ALP office staff, particularly Simon Finn for his hard work, encouragement, friendship and support, I say thank you. In addition, I pay tribute to other men who, as great unionists and friends of the Labor Party, contributed to our significant win. To Peter Eather, who is in the gallery, together with his mate and mine, Brett Landers, who letterboxed almost every house several times in Albert, and to Peter Shooter, the former Labor candidate for Albert, who shared so generously his wisdom, energy and friendship over the two years of the campaign: I salute you. To my campaign organiser, Lindesay Jones, who taught me that hard work, Labor values and consistent communication of the government's message is the key to a successful campaign, I thank you and send you best wishes for a speedy recovery. To my campaign manager, Terry Wood, thank you for motivating me to work just a little harder each and every day, for your policy advice and for running such a professional campaign. I learned something else from Terry during the campaign—that is, it really is possible to use a mobile phone whilst riding a motorbike at 100 kilometres per hour down the motorway. To Kathryn, my electorate secretary, thank you very much for coming on board. We are going to make a great partnership. To Premier Peter Beattie, I thank you on behalf of the people of Albert. Your very presence on my campaign encouraged me and my supporters to lift our game. I am also indebted to Mrs Heather Beattie for her support in Albert. I thank the Honourable Anna Bligh and her staff, especially Jackie Trad, for their support and expertise in the Albert campaign. As Leader of the House and member of the Cabinet Budget Review Committee, Anna Bligh is the first woman in any Australian Legislative Assembly to reach such a high position. I am also indebted to the strong assistance of the member for Waterford and the member for Currumbin who, until seven weeks ago, were Albert's nearest Labor neighbours. Being born and raised in Bundaberg, I was brought up in a family which valued hard work, loyalty to family and community service. It was those values which supported my mother when, as 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 395 a young 29 year old woman, my father, Edmund Kirkwood, died. His death left my mother a widow with four children under the age of six and pregnant with her fifth child. Although the years as a single parent were hard for my mother, it was her hope and trust in her Catholic faith, her community and the Australian Labor Party which supported her through those long, lonely years. Paul Keating claimed that it is the Labor Party that makes the political heroes in this country. That was certainly the case in my home. It was a Labor and union household through and through. Being the oldest daughter in the family and before the introduction of TV to Bundaberg, long nights were spent listening to my mother's proud stories of her father, Joseph Walker. I heard of his work of leadership and service as a loyal member of the Labor Party and railway union and as the President of the Bundaberg Trades and Labour Council from 1929 to 1933. I listened to stories of his fight against injustice on the railways. I heard of his vigilance during the Depression in protecting the weak from authorities who sometimes took the law into their own hands. With each story my mother told, I was reminded that the Labor Party—and only the Labor Party—stands for a fair go for all, for equal opportunity and for giving others a helping hand when they need it. To my brothers and sisters, Peter, Paul, Kathryn and Marie, and to their spouses, Ann, Fiona, Ian and Len, and their children, Matthew, Cameron, Lillie, Ben, Claire and Ned: thank you for your friendship and love. To my newest nephew born six days ago in Melbourne, Robert McGregor Kirkwood Jeffrey—what a beautiful name—you are the product of the real love of two families. I know you will have a great life. To my stepfather, Vic Rogers, the only father I have ever known, thank you for your patience with us five children and for the loving kindness you have shown my mother every day. I acknowledge my mother's brother, Kevin Walker, who has travelled by train today from Bundaberg to be here for this historic event. I thank you for your confidence and loving support of me and the campaign. To Kevin's twin brother, Bernie, and his wife, Phil Walker: your generosity and loyalty to the great Australian Labor Party has always been an inspiration to me. Whilst talking about inspiration, I take this opportunity to acknowledge the man behind the woman, my husband of 23 years, Peter Keech, who is in the public gallery today. In the past few days we have heard of the domestic skills of the partners of many members. I can boast that my husband can not only cook, clean, iron and sew; he will even do the shopping! But more than domestic skills, Peter is my strength and my mentor, my inspiration and my best friend. Peter, I am a far better person for knowing you and a far better member. Thank you for your integrity, friendship and love. It is my honour to carry your name into this the 50th Parliament. My promise to you is that I will always do your name and the name of our children proud. The Albert electorate has a long history, having been established in 1887. This was some four years before the Australian Labor Party was formed. Today, Albert stretches from the Logan to the Coomera Rivers—from Eagleby and Beenleigh in the north to Coomera in the south; from Logan Village and Logan Reserve in the west to Jacobs Well and Woongoolba in the east. On their way to the Gold Coast many honourable members may have enjoyed a famous Yatala pie, a drink at the Beenleigh Rum Distillery, an ice-cream at the Pimpama strawberry farm or a visit to the Carlton & United Brewery and rounded it off with a few rides at Dreamworld. My connection with Albert started 20 years ago when my husband, Peter, and I chose to purchase our first home in Beenleigh. We chose this location for the same reason hundreds of young couples each year decide to settle in Albert—cheap but good houses, excellent location and a lifestyle to die for. Albert's greatest strengths are its central location, its potential for industrial and commercial development and its community spirit. However, these strengths can also be its greatest weaknesses. The real estate agents tell us that the real key to attracting customers is the three Ps—position, position and position. If that is the case, then being located south of Brisbane, east of Logan and north of the Gold Coast may not be such an ideal location. When we cast our eyes to Logan we see the well-funded and resourced Logan Hospital. When we look to the Gold Coast we see community infrastructure such as public transport and other services. Then when we look to Brisbane we see, compared to Albert, a great big lolly shop of all a community would ever want. Long before I even accepted the invitation to become Labor's candidate in Albert I asked myself the same question the Leader of the House asked yesterday: why is it so? Why are other adjacent regions powering ahead and achieving so much? Why does Albert seem to miss out every time? 396 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001

It is clear that Albert is at a crossroads in more ways than one. There comes a time in the life of communities such as mine when we are faced with only two choices—submit or fight for survival. I can assure honourable members that we in Albert are used to fighting for everything we get. Our community spirit is our greatest strength and, like the Premier, we love to win. The reason for Albert missing out on all things bright and beautiful is found in the electoral statistics I quoted earlier. One hundred and fourteen years of loyalty to conservative state members of parliament has been repaid not by neglect but something a lot worse, that is, indifference—indifference to addressing the difficult and complex issues such as developing a strategic plan to attract jobs and services to Albert by working in partnership with the three tiers of government, business and local residents. I am angry that the National Party has taken Albert for granted all these years. Our youth have missed out on jobs, our families have missed out on services and our kids have missed out on schools. The last decade has seen unprecedented growth along the costal strip. This will continue as the new eight-lane Pacific Motorway attracts new residential estates and commercial development. Up to now, and despite its growth, Albert has been able to keep its quality lifestyle and its social and cultural opportunities. But growth also brings challenges and responsibilities. For example, the expanded M1 has brought noise problems to residents living alongside it. The constant noise has disrupted family life and destroyed for many their once peaceful homes. I thank the Minister for Main Roads for visiting the home of a resident, Linda Coleman, at Ormeau last year to experience first-hand the conditions her family has to endure. I will be working hard with the minister's department to gain some flexibility in the siting of sound barriers on the highway in an attempt to give families like Linda's relief from the noise. The Yatala enterprise area is one of the most exciting and significant industrial and employment land resources in the whole of south-east Queensland. The 3,000 hectare area of Yatala has the potential to create over 10,000 full-time and permanent jobs in the manufacturing and services sectors. Over the next three years I will be focusing all my energy on working in partnership with business, government and the community to play a leadership role, together with the Minister for State Development, in seeing this project realised. As the new member for Albert, what do I stand for? For the honourable members of this House and the people of Albert, let me place it on record. I stand for social justice and a fair go for all. I stand for real permanent jobs and services developed in partnership. I stand for sustainable development that respects Albert's fragile ecosystem. I will be available, accessible and visible. I was taught as a child that working together brings results, whether it be in the family, at work or in the community. Before 17 February I was a language and learning adviser at Queensland University of Technology, and I welcome members of the staff to the public gallery today. As a QUT delegate for the Australian Services Union, Clerical and Administrative Branch, I know how effective a workplace organised through the union delegate system can be in gaining better working conditions and job security for its members. In fact, I believe that workplace delegates are one of the key strengths of the union movement. My admiration goes to Julie Bignell, state secretary of the ASU, and Mary Anne O'Neil, assistant state secretary, for their leadership in modelling the successes of working and organising collectively and for their focus on energising the delegate system. It is important for the younger generation to be taught, as I was, that it is the union movement which gives our community the standards of living that so many families enjoy and take for granted. To workers I say: join a union. It is good for you. It is good for your family, your community and your nation. Do it today. I am humbled by the support of the many unionists who rallied to win back Albert for Labor. In addition to my own ASU, I am indebted to Dave Harrison from the AMWU; Shirley Mellor and Ron Monaghan from the Miscellaneous Workers Union; Claire Moore from CPSU; Greg Simcoe, Jaimie McHugh and Dave Hanna from the BLF; Hughie Williams and Peter Biagini from the TWU; and Mick Carr and Dave Perry from the mighty MUA. I am deeply honoured that many of these representatives of the Queensland union movement are here today in the public gallery. Just as organised workplaces hold our unions together, it is organisations of volunteers which hold our community together. I want to place on record my appreciation to a resident who knows the value of working in partnership. Senior Sergeant Craig Hintz, officer in charge of Beenleigh Police Station, is a role model I aspire to. His professionalism, cheerfulness and focus on solving police issues by involving the community motivates me to higher levels of service. 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 397

I would now like to mention three of my strongest supporters who, rather than being volunteers, were conscripted to my campaign whether they liked it or not. I speak of my three darling children, James, Joshua and Helen Keech, who are here in the gallery today. They endured with good grace and maturity a home in almost continual campaign mode for almost four and a half years. Yet I am proud to say that never once did they complain about the disruption to their lives because, as they told me, the community needs their mother more than they do. I am humbled that so many of the supporters of Labor in Albert have travelled to the House today. To members of Young Labor, to the Beenleigh-Mount Warren Park and Eagleby Labor branches and to all my friends and supporters: I love you and I thank you. This victory is yours. Your hard work has been richly rewarded. To my mother-in-law, Beverley Keech: thank you for those delicious meals you cooked, which almost makes me look forward to the next election—almost! To the Keech family, Tony, Paul, Christine, Rosemary and Mark, and their spouses and families: I appreciate your unfailing love and support. To Sean Leader, who took his annual holidays so that he could work in my campaign office: your organisational ability contributed so much to the campaign. To Joan Kirner, Molly Robson and Judy Spence from Emily's List: your early money was like yeast. And to Lindy Nelson-Carr as my Emily's mentor: thank you for your time and support. As I look up into the public gallery I realise that although some faces are missing they are looking down from an even higher place. I know that my father-in-law, George Keech, my uncle, Len Walker, and a dear friend of the branch, Heather McLellan, would be very proud of us today. I am excited about Albert's future. I am excited about the prospects for working in partnership to bring jobs, jobs and more jobs to Albert. Having been given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I believe that every opportunity implies an obligation. The electors of Albert can be confident that my focus over the next three years will be clearly on them and their issues. There is much work to be done, but I will not be deterred because, as anybody who knows me is aware, I relish hard work. People's expectations of me may be high, but I can say that my expectations of myself are even higher. I am encouraged by Tennyson's call to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield. Working together, the people of Albert and I will live the life we have imagined. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Fouras): Order! Before calling the member for Noosa, I remind honourable members that this will be the member's first speech, and I ask members to listen to it in the manner in which custom dictates. Mrs MOLLOY (Noosa—ALP) (2.51 p.m.): First, let me say this: thank you to my family, my husband, Ivan—my mentor and guru—you who have guided and encouraged me to be the woman I am today. Without you, I would not be standing here in this place. You are my hero, Ivan. Also, thank you to my three daughters, who have also been the inspiration and reason for my being here today—Honorlee, Melanie and Bonnie. I want to leave with them a world to be proud of, a world in which they will have a future. You, my daughters, know this. Thank you, my darlings, for all the love and joy we share. The others whom I wish to acknowledge and thank are those people who supported me in my political endeavours: Emily's List, Anne Kennedy, Peter Baulch, Pam Lethall, Cheryl Froude, Chrissie Phillips, Lil Ganley, Stephanie and Tony Haslam, Ted, Ray Lower, Sheila Ward and my friends Marie and Bill Turner, Ted Vale, Peter Slade, Dr John Dalton, Ron Reavell and Debra Turner. Others who could not be with me today are Leah and Gary Koch, my sisters and brother, Biddy Anne and John. They are here, nonetheless, in spirit. I acknowledge also my branch members and other supporters and give a huge thanks to my husband's parents, Beryl and Matt Molloy, who helped keep my home together not only during the campaign but throughout my adult life when called upon. There were other friends who also lent a hand, looking after Bonnie when Ivan and I were out on the hustings—Ian and Leanne Treloar, Charlie and Nes Nery. Thanks, guys. And to the Noosa electorate I say: thank you for delivering Noosa to Labor once again. This is now your chance to be meaningfully represented, and I am the woman who will do just that. To the wonderful branch members in the gallery, my friends Duncan and Nes and dearly loved family: welcome to Queensland's 50th Parliament. I am Cate Molloy. I am the newly elected member for Noosa, and I am very proud to be here today—proud to be in this place and very proud to be giving my maiden speech in the Queensland parliament. Firstly, who am I? And what is my background? The second question is 398 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001 rather easier to answer. I was born in Melbourne, the youngest child of Nell and Jim Keating. I come from a happy home life that enriched my life with social values that I hold very dear today—values that will become more apparent the more members get to know me in my time in this place. Thank you, mum and dad. I am extremely proud of you and what you have done for me. Happy 80th birthday, dad. I grew up in Melbourne. I did my primary, secondary and nursing education there, before embarking on a nursing career. I was educated by FCJ nuns, who added yet another dimension to the already rich fabric of my life. I eventually married my husband, a university academic and political scientist. We then spent many years working, travelling and, indeed, living in many parts of Australia and overseas. In the course of that time, we had three glorious daughters and many incredible life experiences. So who do I come to this place as? Yes, I obviously come to this place as the member for Noosa. But who is it that comes with this label? I come to this place with enormous pride in being a mother, a nurse and a surf-lifesaver. But more than that, I come to this place as a humanitarian, a fighter for human rights, an advocate for the environment, a fighter for a fair go for all in our community and equal opportunity for all. In a nutshell, I come to this place as a determined political activist. Now, while I may be currently presenting my maiden speech, unlike others have before me I do not claim to come here as a maiden in that simplistic moralistic sense—heaven forbid! But if we must boast about our sexual credentials as if to gain some sense of moral high ground and, therefore, political advantage, as I have said I come to this place proudly as a mother. But more than that, I come here also as a loving partner in all senses of the word. And I do not shrink from saying that. Political correctness for me can sometimes be no better than intellectual fascism. I love being a woman, looking like a woman and acting as a woman. And above all, I love the opportunity to now come to this place as a mature, sophisticated female of the species determined to do her job. So why have I come to this place? In order to answer this question, it is appropriate for me to first explain a little bit about what I believe in. Unlike those on the other side of this House who seem so preoccupied in promoting a so-called libertarian society in which the rule of social Darwinism is paramount—and by that I mean a society in which the norm is the survival of the economic fittest—in stark ideological contrast, I come to this House steeped in communitarian values—those who believe in championing the interests of the community first and believe in a caring government as an expression of that community. I come to this place as one prepared to champion the notion of good government. I come to condemn privatisation and economic rationalism for their own sake. For those on the other side should take note: efficiency and profit making do not necessarily equate with a community good. Only when benefits are distributed equitably and fairly is the common good actually served. I have come to this place to help keep the light on the hill burning—that ideological beacon of Labor values that all in our community should be able to see and take faith and hope in. Because remember: that beacon represents good and caring government, a government with a social conscience, determined to provide equal opportunity for all—just the kind of government that Peter Beattie now heads and the type of government that I am so extremely proud to be part of today. The second and most obvious reason why I have come to this place is, of course, to represent my electorate, the electorate of Noosa. But I come to represent Noosa for Labor, the party that embraces public-spirited politics—or communitarian values, to use political philosophy terms—and those who value a healthy community and equal opportunity for all above all else. So what is my electorate? Indeed, my Noosa is a curious, enigmatic place. Many would argue that Noosa is a glamour electorate, a tourist capital of the world. It has fine beaches, rainforests and glorious hinterland. It has fine restaurants, five-star accommodation, breathtaking scenery and environment. It has a beautiful climate and, many would argue, more than its share of beautiful people. It is indeed the crown jewel in Queensland's tourist industry, and as a seat and as a community it is also a crown jewel. But it is much, much more than that. It is a complex human community—a tightly knit community made up of people from all walks of life, people who have come from all over the world. It is conservative in some ways but progressive and truly cosmopolitan in others—and probably even more so than Brisbane. Socioeconomically Noosa exists on two levels. It has a glamorous veneer but it also has many people living on the poverty line. It has many families, including single parents, struggling to 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 399 exist. It has its share of high unemployment, crime and drug problems. It has many, many problems tucked away in its back streets like many growing parts of Queensland. Noosa is a community under threat wherein developers want to drive roads through pristine natural environment, a community whose kids need an advocate, a community in which drugs and violence are a reality and a community struggling with traffic snarls. It is a community that cries out for a greater police presence on the streets to protect those who obey the law from those often forced to break it through desperation. It is a society that has to nurture the safety of its own and its visitors. But what is wrong with Noosa, as in many parts of Queensland, cannot be blamed on the Beattie government nor others from our side of politics. In many ways, the issues confronting Noosa are due to years of conservative government neglect. Too easily has the promise of the good life, the glitz and glamour in Noosa blinded so many to its ills. We as a community are more than prepared to address these issues and not shy away from our responsibilities. Others might say Noosa's problems are much to do with globalisation and are repeated everywhere else, but to accept that is to accept simplistic associated myths of a very complex, long and ongoing process. Many of Noosa's issues are indeed just like those everywhere else, but they are more to do with the legacies of the social Darwinist attitudes of our political opponents—those who would encourage the rich while undercutting the safety nets of the poor. So what needs to be done? Labor has done much recently to try to improve the lot of my community. Now it can go one better, for now I am here to directly represent the people of Noosa in a Labor government. I am the community's direct link to the ministers. The Noosa community demonstrates its caring nature by the mushrooming of community groups across the electorate—from the Kin Kin Rural Fire Brigade down to the Coolum Ratepayers Association. The groups cover a broad range of care and concern such as the Landcare program of Pomona, the rural futures centre and the Coolum musos who are running a mentoring program for the local young musicians out of the Coolum-Peregian RSL. We are actively supporting our youth with the great leadership that is Noosa Youth Services. Our surf-lifesaving programs, which are run by local volunteers, are a major supporter of our youngsters. The environment is strongly protected by fabulous groups such as the Sunshine Coast Environment Council and the Noosa Parks Association. We have two of the best local councils in the state—Noosa and Maroochydore. These councils are a clear comment on what direction these communities have chosen to take. There are many more groups who love Noosa, too numerous to mention here today. My aim is to represent them to the best of my ability. So what will I do? I will fight for more employment in my electorate. I will fight for education facilities, better roads and a clean and green environment. I will fight for a safer community and ensure that the functions of community volunteer groups such as surf-lifesaving and other emergency services can be improved. I am determined to improve on Noosa's tourist attractions and take Noosa to the world responsibly. I will fight for law and order and for better health services. Above all, I will fight for social justice. To our aged and the nurses who care for them: I am here to promote you because you need an advocate also. So to conclude, let me say this: for the Premier and my other colleagues in the Labor Party, I have been most happy to deliver Noosa to the ALP and I will work to do my best to keep Noosa firmly Labor. Finally, as I have said, I have come to this place as a woman and I am deeply proud to be here, just like the rest of my female colleagues. Indeed, I agree with the Premier that, because there are so many of us, this place will never be the same again, and indeed it will not. We women are grasping our destinies and are here to promote our electorates' interests and those of Queensland. But in so doing, as nurturers, we shall represent both male and female much more fairly. I have one final suggestion before I close. While we women may appear less—how shall I put it—aggressive in our approach or perhaps less uncouth, please do not underestimate the power of we women who now sit in this place. To paraphrase one of life's all-time greatest males—and I do not mean the Premier this time, but rather Mohammed Ali—while we might look like butterflies, beware all you men, because we can sting like bees! Thank you very much. Dr WATSON (Moggill—Lib) (3.05 p.m.): It gives me pleasure to rise to contribute to the Address in Reply debate of this the 50th Parliament. In doing so, I should first of all pass on my regards and best wishes and that of my constituents to His Excellency the Governor, Major General Arnison and Mrs Arnison. In the time I have been in this place I have had significant 400 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001 interaction with His Excellency in both of my former roles as a minister and as Leader of the Liberal Party. I think he is undoubtedly one of the best Governors we have had in this state. To the Speaker, the member for Redcliffe, I pass on my congratulations on his re-election to that high office. To the Deputy Speaker who is just leaving the chair, the member for Ashgrove, I also pass on my congratulations. The other day—I think it was on Tuesday—the member for Ashgrove made a statement in this place concerning me as the member for Moggill, but he made it in a way which said, 'David is my friend outside of this place,' if I have paraphrased it correctly. That was a very important point, because in fact we are friends outside of this place. One should understand that simply because we are on different sides of the House it does not necessarily mean that we do not have some kind of relationship in other places. It is very important for all of us to understand that when we are elected to this place we are elected to prosecute the views of our constituents and, of course, those of our political parties—the philosophies that we adhere to. There is an expectation on all of us that we do so in a vigorous, rigorous and sometimes fairly vehement way. But the fact that we interact vigorously in this place should not mask the fact that we can have a relationship elsewhere. Therefore, what the member for Ashgrove said was very apt. I have listened to a lot of the maiden speeches, including that of the new member for Noosa. I congratulate her. In a personal, philosophical sense, I disagree strongly with the views that she put forward. In fact, I disagree with the views of a lot of people who have spoken in this debate so far—and those views come from both sides of the House. However, the important thing is that when people are elected, they have a duty to express their viewpoint. In a democracy, the thing that binds the country and the state together is the ability to articulate those various viewpoints in a non-violent fashion and to come to a conclusion as to how we should go forward and how we should develop as a state and as a nation without resorting, as in so many other countries, to less peaceful means. That is the thing that we should always celebrate. We argue vigorously in this place and sometimes it gets a bit personal, but the trick to surviving in a place like this over a long period is to leave the conflicts in the parliament in the chamber and not to take them outside in a personal sense. For those who take them outside in a personal sense, it tends to eat away at them. In fact, I think it causes them a fair bit of discomfort in the longer term. Mr Schwarten: You used to do it. You have been guilty of making personal attacks on people. Dr WATSON: I said that members should not take it outside the chamber. The minister and I have had plenty of repartee across this chamber, but we can still go out and have a drink together. I do not think that is a bad thing. An honourable member interjected. Dr WATSON: No, he will not shout. Mr SCHWARTEN: I rise to a point of order. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Poole): Order! There is no point of order. Dr WATSON: I think that the critical thing, though, is to make sure that, despite the rigorous debate in here, you can actually go outside and have a different interaction with people in another place. I should take a few minutes to thank a number of people who contributed to my campaign. As Leader of the Liberal Party leading up to the last election, I spent most of my time elsewhere in Queensland and not in my electorate. Therefore, the duty of running my election campaign fell to my campaign committee. I would like to thank publicly each and every one of those people for putting in the time and effort and for making it run so smoothly without my presence. It is a credit to their own organisation that they probably ended up sending out more things into my electorate this time without my being there than when I have been around. It probably just goes to show that in election campaigns you should have the candidate somewhere else. I think they did an excellent job. I will not name each and every one of them, but I will name one individual who was a former student of mine at the University of Queensland and who is an up-and-coming young lawyer around town—an associate in a major firm—who I think went beyond the call of duty by actually flying down on the Friday night before the election to hand out how-to-vote cards for me at the 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 401

Indooroopilly State School. He flew down from Port Moresby, he stayed until the Sunday to scrutineer, and then flew back on the Monday. Paul Scarr is an outstanding young man. He is a lawyer, and he is very vigorous. If he at some stage in the future decides to make a move into federal or state politics, he will make the same kind of contribution to the development of Queensland or Australia as he has to the legal profession in this state today. I thank my wife, Shirley, for the amount of work that she has done, and not just in the campaign sense; I think everyone contributes in a campaign. Anyone who has been married and been in politics for a long period, particularly if they have been a leader and a minister in a government, will understand that there is an incredible amount of extra pressure on their family. It is our spouse who ends up having to absorb that pressure. In my case, I have been very fortunate that my wife has, sometimes reluctantly but in most cases with a lot of goodwill, absorbed that pressure. Also, I thank my two sons, Tavis and Devin, for their support over the years. I have been in public life, in either federal or state parliament, for most of their schooling and university life. I think—and I am sure the Premier and others are finding this with their children—when you and your family are in the public spotlight an added pressure is applied to your children, particularly young men, as they grow up. That extra pressure is something that they have to learn to absorb. My wife and I are fairly proud of the way in which they have turned out. Finally, I thank the people of Moggill officially for electing me for the fifth time. I hope to continue to represent them in this place with the vigour with which I have represented them in the past. There are a few issues with respect to the electorate of Moggill that I would like to bring to the attention of the government and the relevant ministers. The other night when I was reading the Address in Reply speech, which was so kindly provided to us by the Speaker, I noted on page five of that speech, in relation to the Queensland Police Service, that the government promised sufficient funds to meet the demand for effective law enforcement into the future. The other day I brought to the parliament's attention issues concerning the police station at Kenmore. Back in 1992, when they closed a lot of suburban police stations and developed this clustering system and some larger centralised stations, I said then, and I repeat it now, that I had major concerns about the reorganisation of the Police Service, particularly the northern division. At the time I said that I thought it was going to fail and that it was going to fail for a very simple reason, and that is that it took away police from the community. When you do that, the community starts to lose its confidence in the police and you do not get as much communication between the local community and the Police Service. Of course, that is exactly what has occurred. When we were in government, I persuaded the then Minister for Police, Russell Cooper, to start to rehabilitate the Kenmore Police Station by at least putting in a police beat. I can say that, when that came in, a young constable, Senior Constable Bob Utz, took over. You could immediately see the impact upon the local community of having a policeman on the ground walking the beat. I cite simple things such as the incidence of graffiti falling away in intensity. In fact, in my first term in parliament graffiti was a major issue and by the time we had the senior constable working on it that kind of issue went away. When it came to certain little cartels—younger people congregating in houses either taking drugs or committing robberies—that constable was able to spend time in the local area to make sure that he was on top of that. People actually gave him information and, in the end, those kinds of things disappeared as major issues. Not too long ago, he was replaced by Senior Constable Cameron Gresham. Cameron has also done a tremendous job in the area. In fact, I should read a letter from one of my Neighbourhood Watch groups that I received in early December last year. At that stage, Senior Constable Gresham was not around—he was being used elsewhere in the northern region—and not doing his police beat work. The letter states— The Kenmore West Neighbourhood Watch is quite concerned about the increase in crime figures since Senior Constable Cameron Gresham duties have taken him away from the Kenmore area. Whilst Senior Constable Gresham was patrolling the Kenmore area, he fully utilised his police training and natural dedication to the job to reduce incidents of crime in the area and obviously it was known within the criminal circle to steer clear of his area. Unfortunately, his new duties, leave little time to carry on the great protection he has provided for Kenmore residents, and we now have the proof of his effectiveness with the crime figures doubling. We understand that resources have to be shared, but, when it comes to the protection of body and property, we are only interested in the bottom line—effective policing, not budgets, not politics. 402 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001

As I said, that letter comes from a Neighbourhood Watch group. I think that it is reflective of most people's attitudes in the community. In October last year, I was somewhat heartened by the fact that the then Police Minister, Tom Barton, indicated that they were looking again at the northern division of the Police Service in Brisbane and that, because of policing issues, they had decided to reopen the Albany Creek Police Station. The Albany Creek Police Station, as part of the Queensland Police Service's ongoing reviews of the northern metropolitan area, had earlier been put into a cluster. I think that they had done the same thing with The Gap Police Station and I think that it may also have been opened. So on 6 October I wrote to the minister requesting that the same kind of consideration that had been given to the people of Albany Creek be given to the people in Kenmore and that the Kenmore Police Station should be opened up. I am actually very disappointed to say that I failed to receive a response from Tom Barton—not even an acknowledgment that I had actually written to him. That surprised me, because I spent three years on a fairly tough Parliamentary Criminal Justice Committee with him and I expected somewhat better from him as a minister. However, since the election I have written to Tony McGrady, the new Police Minister, about the same issues. I am pleased to say that at least he has acknowledged that he has received a copy of the letter. I hope that, in considering these issues, the Police Service would consider quite carefully the points that I have made in this place ever since 1992, because the points that I made then are relevant today. In my opinion, the Police Service is going completely the wrong way in trying to serve the people, at least in the western suburbs of Brisbane. Another issue that affects the people of the Moggill electorate is the ongoing development in the area and the congestion that occurs on the main roads. Two major roads run through the electorate, Moggill Road and Mount Crosby Road. Significant problems occur where Moggill Road enters the Kenmore area. The solution is to build a road that bypasses Kenmore. That has been on the drawing board since the late 1960s. Land has been reserved as a transport corridor since that time. I believe that that option needs to be looked at seriously so that we can deal with the traffic issues around the Kenmore area. In the meantime, people are concerned. In the middle of last year, a public meeting was held which I attended with the local councillor for Pullenvale, Margaret de Wit. About 150 to 200 people turned up to talk about road issues, particularly those relating to the area where Moggill Road passes the Kenmore shopping centre. The minister at the time was good enough to allow Main Roads personnel to come along. We had a very open and quite an interesting meeting that night. It provided an opportunity for the Main Roads personnel to hear first-hand about some of the issues of concern. Most importantly, the community as a whole put together a committee to consider the issues and report back not only to me but also to the Department of Main Roads. The committee has identified a number of major issues associated with the roads running through the Kenmore area. About 14 or 15 people have given up their own time to form that committee, which is chaired by Paul Daly, a local businessman. The good thing about this particular committee is that not only has it gone out and identified a problem with the traffic flow around, for example, the intersection of Kenmore Road and Moggill Road, it has also identified the reasons why the problems exist. In other words, the committee has identified the particular issues associated with the problems. It has also come up with a series of solutions. The community as a whole has not only been looking at the problems and identifying the aspects of the problems that need to be addressed, it has actually put forward a set of possible solutions for handling particular problems. It has done that on seven or eight different issues. I urge the minister and the personnel of Main Roads to take those issues on board. By taking on board the particular concerns of the community and their solutions, perhaps we can at least get a short-term solution to the traffic problems in the area. The community will support that because in essence the solutions will have come from the community. Mr Deputy Speaker—I see that the member for Ashgrove has resumed the chair, and I welcome him back—a final issue that I bring to the attention of the House and that affects my electorate concerns the Brookfield State School. That school was first established a long time ago. In fact, it is 130 years old this year. The school is small, but the area is starting to grow. The preschool was originally what they called an EEC, an early education centre. It is one of about 22 early education centres in the state, and they are now causing some serious concerns. I will reiterate briefly what the concerns are. 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 403

This is a preschool that is not really a preschool. It has a building and some teachers, but it does not really have the facilities that are appropriate to a preschool. The EEC has shortcomings, such as the fact that the building does not have any toilets. Therefore, twice a day the preschool group as a whole has to go to the primary school to use the toilets. Proper supervision of toilet use and hand washing is difficult, particularly in the boys toilets. Those seem to be simple problems, but they can become major problems when preschoolers have to fend for themselves in inappropriate facilities. One of two members of staff have to go with the children or they have to go by themselves. Although those may seem to be simple problems, the solution is to build a new preschool. An opportunity exists now to do something about this situation. Because of the growth in the area, by next year the upper school will require another building to handle the increase in class sizes. My suggestion to the Education Department is simply this: build a preschool and use the old EEC building as a classroom. That would provide extra class space and a new facility for the school. I thank the parliament for listening in quiet attention, which is quite unusual. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Fouras): Order! Before calling the member for Indooroopilly, I point out to the House that it is the member's first speech. I ask all members to listen in the manner that custom dictates. Mr LEE (Indooroopilly—ALP) (3.27 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, may I first congratulate you on your re-election to your office of Chairman of Committees. I would like to begin my first speech in parliament by reaffirming my allegiance to the people of this great state of Queensland and to thank the people of Indooroopilly for giving me this opportunity to serve them in state parliament. There is no greater honour or responsibility for any Queenslander than to serve their local community in state parliament, and it is a duty that I do not undertake lightly. The decisions that we make in this place directly affect the daily lives of each and every Queenslander. I can assure you, Mr Deputy Speaker, that I will work hard as a member of this parliament and that I will always put our local community first. I am determined to be an active community voice in this place and I intend to speak regularly in parliament on behalf of my constituents. I know that local needs are always more important than petty political point scoring. I am committed to undertaking my duties with the degree of dignity that befits this office. I am determined to be a local representative of whom my local community is always proud. I am also determined to take a personal approach to my role as a local member of parliament and to be accessible. That is why I will continue to regularly go door to door to listen to local views. While no-one would suggest that election campaigns are ever easy, my task was made much more enjoyable by the smiling faces which I encountered at doorstep after doorstep. I chatted with literally thousands of people this way, many of whom I can now describe as friends. But I feel that it is my duty to inform the House that the majority of people I spoke with had two messages which they encouraged me to take into this parliament. The first is that they have confidence in the Beattie Labor government, and quite frankly they feel that Peter Beattie is a good bloke. The second message is that they do not believe John Howard is a good bloke. Honestly, considering the GST, the BAS and the price of petrol, you can hardly blame them. I am also determined to make my Indooroopilly electorate office more accessible to the local community than ever before. By this I not only mean ensuring that the Indooroopilly electorate office enters the modern era with the appropriate physical access for the disabled or people with strollers, I also want to ensure that local residents should feel free to drop by my office to have a chat and a cuppa, or even just to say hello. All local residents should feel free to pick up the telephone and call me, knowing that my door will always be open. It is not only a great honour to represent the Indooroopilly electorate in the parliament but it is also a great pleasure and, indeed, a great challenge. For what Indooroopilly lacks in geographical size—the entire electorate covers only around 25 square kilometres—it makes up for in diversity. The Indooroopilly electorate is unique, being the only Brisbane electorate to span the Brisbane River, and includes the suburbs of Chelmer, Graceville and Sherwood on the south side while Indooroopilly, Long Pocket, St Lucia, Ironside, Taringa, Toowong and Fig Tree Pocket are to the north. It is primarily a residential electorate, but it boasts a world-class university in St Lucia. I believe that my first speech in this place is an opportunity to outline my philosophical priorities as a member of parliament. During my election campaign I said that I was determined to put values back into politics. But, in truth, values are never absent from the political process. 404 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001

Everything that we do in this place is influenced by our values. So more accurately I should have said that I wanted to change the values that are dominant in politics. Cicero argued that the values we need in order to serve our community well include a willingness to subordinate our private interests to the public good, a desire to fight against tyranny and corruption and, most importantly, an ambition to reach out for the noblest goal of all—honour for our country as well as for ourselves. In many ways Cicero summarises all that is virtuous in politics, but still his list is not exhaustive. Cicero fails to explain, as Aristotle does, that politics is inherent in human community. Politics is desirable, necessary, ennobling and civilising because it is through politics that humanity achieves collectively what it cannot achieve by individual effort. Through politics we make and implement collective decisions; we solve problems and resolve disputes without resorting to violence or war. With a polity we can soar to great heights, unlike those lesser creatures who are confined to anarchy or tyranny or repression. In the words of the philosopher John Locke, wherever law ends, tyranny begins. Politics is about making decisions for our community not because it is the will of the market or of the rich and, no, not even because it is the will of the educated; politics is about making decisions because they are the will of the people exercised through our democratic processes. The community is angered by the priorities shown by our policy-making elites over the past 20 years. The political elites that are encouraging globalisation are convinced that they are the modernisers of our era and that the trends towards liberalisation, deregulation, privatisation, commercialisation, internationalisation and so on are an inevitable and irreversible force. They are wrong. We have lost more than we have gained by accepting these impositions. We are entitled to experiment, to judge for ourselves and to be different if that is what we want to try. We are entitled to significant regional cross-subsidisation, employment and income security, fiscal equalisation measures, rural marketing schemes, community cohesion, social welfare, and a wide range of policies and unorthodox institutional arrangements. These have, until recently, protected the population from risk, uncertainty, loss and powerlessness. We have politics and policies precisely in order to allow democratic and popular opinion to influence, if not determine, our standards of living. It would be quite wrong in political principle— and intellectually misguided—for politicians and policy makers to imagine that the mature economies of the advanced societies must conform to a textbook model of how an ideal global marketplace might operate. Quite simply, we are entitled as citizens to insulate ourselves from those global forces which we collectively experience as unacceptably destructive of our communities or industries or jobs. We cannot resist all change and we would not wish to. The past was not a utopia and some practices, industries and protections, even if they provided comfort, incomes and solidarity, may on occasions need to be dismantled. But we must always be vigilant to the possibility that inappropriate policies are being thrust upon us in the name of improvement. We need, as a polity, to give ourselves the capacity for judgment concerning which policies really warrant 'reform' and which are worth preserving. The research suggests that there is much more political room to manoeuvre than our mainstream advisers allow. After 25 years of higher than OECD average unemployment, it is surely time for Australia to acknowledge that what microeconomists see as desirable has, in fact, wrought much damage not only in provincial areas but also on the structure and performance of the economy itself. The public sphere can do more to create satisfying employment and living conditions for all people; it need not set them to fend for themselves in an environment where most new jobs are of low quality and most managerial practice degrades citizenship and most reform increases inequalities. We have been bewitched and impoverished by our acceptance of quite abstract doctrines of competitiveness and efficiency, which were always insensitive to democratic opinion and societal coherence. We would all be much richer and safer if we had had full employment for the past quarter century. A figure of 600,000 to 700,000 unemployed have been kept unemployed by a public refusal to use public policy processes to expand industry and by official refusal to manage structural change more in sympathy with the great social experiments and social achievements of Australia's past. The Howard government ought to be ashamed of itself. Hundreds of thousands more feel demoralised by the threat of job loss and by the stresses in their families and communities. I fear that, if we do not address this very understandable and 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 405 recurrent problem—how to limit the destructiveness of economic change—this parliament, our credibility and perhaps the democratic political system itself will be permanently discredited. Our nation's democracy rests upon free and fair elections and equality before the democratic process. But a nation that continues to give credence to the policies of economic rationalism and deregulation will surely put all of that at risk. A society that tolerates persisting inequalities of wealth and a situation where many of the very rich are abundantly renumerated for little work while many are poorly renumerated for strenuous work is a society that not only rejects democracy's fundamental premise of equality but also suggests to working people that their labours are without dignity. As humans, we derive a fundamental dignity and happiness from work. Work not only allows us to satisfy our material needs but also satisfies needs inherent to our human spirit. Indeed, I do not believe that it would be out of place to suggest that the right to work for a fair wage and with fair conditions should be considered a basic human right. Historically, it has been the trade union movement that has sought to protect and promote the fundamental rights of working people to fair wages and safe conditions. We are all familiar with the sheer venom with which the Howard government and often our opponents on the other side of this chamber have sought to limit their ability to do this, but that is a debate for another time. Today I want to speak briefly about working people's only other protection, whether they toil with their brains or their brawn—education. Aside from the gift of life and of love, there is no greater gift that any parent can give to their child than the gift of education. These days it is almost appropriate to follow this government's commitment to 'jobs, jobs, jobs' with the message 'learn, learn, learn'. Nowadays there are virtually no employment opportunities for those who refuse to learn. Sadly, the Howard federal government seems almost ideologically committed to making educational opportunities as limited as possible for all but the wealthiest in our society. Rarely a month goes by without more teaching staff from the University of Queensland in my own electorate being slashed because of federal funding cuts. We are all familiar with the shameful and inequitable way in which the Howard government is determined to allocate funding for schools. The divisive way that the Howard government has run its educational agenda is diametrically opposed to the Beattie government's positive education policies. I am proud to be a part of Education Minister Anna Bligh's education legislation committee, and I look forward to working as a part of this Labor government to increase educational opportunities for all our children. I am also fiercely proud of my electorate's schools, and I would like to speak briefly about them. While the schools of the Indooroopilly electorate share a common zeal for academic excellence and have strong parental support, each school is in its own way unique. The Sherwood State School, for instance, proudly boasts of its wonderful choir and instrumental music program and the commitment that the teachers have to the children. Graceville State School is dedicated to becoming a 'community school'. It is quickly becoming a school that reflects the people in its surrounding community. While the teachers at Graceville State School are exceptional, the school is continually looking for ways that it can utilise the expertise that exists in the surrounding area. Christ the King Primary School is paving the way for quality education initiatives. The school has just started a middle schooling initiative for years 5 to 7. This has been implemented to aid students in the transition from primary to high school. Christ the King Primary School also plays a terrific role in promoting culture. Their Japanese language program continues to excel, and their Waru Dance Troupe plays a vital role in promoting indigenous culture in our community. The Holy Family Primary School is playing a vital role in developing its students' education in the arts. The Holy Family Primary School's arts program has been integrated into each student's education. As recently as Saturday, students from the school participated in the River of Light Festival. Their float showed a great appreciation for Australia's Centenary of Federation celebrations, and it was something that our community can be proud of and is testament to the achievements of this wonderful school. Their high school neighbour Brigidine Secondary College has a long tradition in the inner suburbs of Brisbane and is in the first stage of a major college refurbishment. The college has for the first time had a group of students complete a traineeship program. Not only that, but the girls of the college can also boast a state indoor soccer championship. 406 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001

Just down the road, Indooroopilly State High School has new and enhanced facilities because of this government's Secondary Schools Renewal Program and is well known for the creative way that the curriculum is delivered. To its great credit, Indooroopilly State High School also has university entrance figures that are dramatically above the average. Toowong College is also benefiting from funds from the government's Secondary Schools Renewal Program. The college is particularly proud of its six OP1s last year out of its 78 eligible students. Toowong College is one of just three new multi-path colleges and as a result is providing not only day education but also separate year 10 and senior certificate courses for adult students. St Peter's College currently has a building program under way and, with government assistance, looks forward to new classrooms and a resources centre. The college also boasts 10 students who represent Australia in netball and a St Peter's student has been named captain of the Queensland under 19s netball team. Fig Tree Pocket State School has gone from strength to strength over the past five years. In this short time, its student population has risen dramatically from 280 to 446 children. This is testament to the great facilities and teaching staff that the school has to offer. To cater for this extraordinary growth, the Beattie government has been able to provide Fig Tree Pocket State School with three extra double classrooms over the past three years. It is my intention to help this school continue to grow and enjoy continued success. Ironside State School has always achieved good academic results. The school has a unique take on multiculturalism in that children attending the school come from around 40 different nationalities. Indooroopilly State School is proud of its music program and has a strong swimming club. Most important to it is the involvement of the parent body, and that is what makes the school great. Chelmer's Milperra State High School has a truly remarkable story to tell. The school regularly prepares its students to become Australian citizens. Currently, Milperra has students from over 35 countries speaking over 40 languages. I am proud to say that last year the school prepared 300 Queenslanders to become Australian citizens, an achievement, I am sure, that is unparalleled throughout this state. The Milperra school community knows first-hand, however, the shameful way that the Howard government treats asylum seekers in this country. Currently, there are 22 Milperra students on temporary protection visas. TPVs were introduced by the Howard government in October 1999 and are an absolute shemozzle. Despite many TPV visa holders being declared genuine refugees, their visas remain temporary. They are not eligible for Commonwealth help in finding work or learning English. The Commonwealth appears to be seeking to disgracefully create two classes of refugee. As if this were not enough, more often than not Australia's refugee detention centres resemble modern-day concentration camps rather than the types of places where a civilised government might greet potential future Australians. There is only one thing that upsets me more than John Howard's vision for our new Australians, and that is his opinion of our oldest Australians. It saddens me that our national leader thinks so little of our great nation's heritage that he would deny indigenous Australians an official apology for past injustices. I am fiercely proud that this was not something that the Beattie Labor government shied away from. Were the Prime Minister one-tenth as good a leader as he is a politician, this nation would never have been forced to suffer through the farce that was Pauline Hanson as a national political player. Our political leaders should never exploit ignorance and should be ashamed of the way in which the One Nation question has been allowed to fester and encourage racial division. Pauline Hanson accurately identified the fears of a section of our community and told them who they should blame. I believe our role as representatives is to identify problems and then tell the community how it is that we will seek to solve those problems. It is our duty to promote cooperation, not to incite discord. I acknowledge that my time is fast drawing to a close, but it would be inappropriate for me not to acknowledge my own personal background. I grew up in the Irish farming community of Ballyjamesduff in County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland and migrated to Australia with my family in 1989. This great nation welcomed our entire family—my parents, Sean and Mary, and my sisters, Sinead and Triona, all of whom are in the public gallery today. We were welcomed with open arms. It was in a similar fashion that my family welcomed my sister, Rioghnach, into the world in January 1990. She was an Aussie before the rest of the family, as she regularly likes to remind us. The decision to leave one's homeland and seek a better life on the other side of the world is never easy. I pay tribute to my parents for having the courage to make Australia our home. I thank my parents for the excellent education and happy childhood which they gave me. I also acknowledge my wife, Naomi, who is also in the public gallery, and who today celebrates her 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 407 birthday. Naomi, I thank you for your patience and your understanding. I know that it has not been easy, but nothing in life that is worth doing ever is. We have had many happy times, and I look forward to many more in the future. I conclude by acknowledging some of the people who played a significant role in my standing before this House today. My deepest gratitude goes to the many volunteers who laboured tirelessly on my election campaign. The bottom line is that they are too numerous to mention, but there are some who deserve special credit: Bob, Loretta and the Moore family, the Alexander family, Simon and the Tutt family, Fiona Wright, Andreas Chai, Judy Timms, Elizabeth Kath, Alister Jordan, Ross Brinkworth, David and Judy Sawford, Tony Glad, Marcus Brown, Jade Connor, Marty Mayhew, Bill Cameron, Anna Jamieson, Marco Ostini, Matt Dwyer, Michael Catchpole, Paul Catchlove, Maureen Todhunter and Tim Shipstone. I also thank Geoff Dow, Pat Bishop and John Kane for providing me with the intellectual nourishment that I know will be invaluable to me during my time in this place. I also give my sincere thanks to you, Mr Deputy Speaker Fouras, the member for Ashgrove. Without your encouragement I would not have sought preselection. You have been an inspiration to me since I first joined the Labor Party. My campaign manager, Angela Holden, deserves special praise. From the beginning, she was certain that the people of Indooroopilly wanted a change. Her hardworking example was inspirational to everyone involved with the campaign. Angela, I would not be here without you. My friend Martin Hanson also deserves special praise. His words of wisdom have been important to me over the years, and I am sure that they will be in the future. It is often said that Ireland's greatest export is its people. I will work hard for the people of Indooroopilly to prove that this is indeed so. For the confidence that they vested in me on 17 February, I pledge that I will be the strongest, and the loudest, voice that the electorate of Indooroopilly has ever had. I promise that with God's help I will not let my constituents or this great Labor government down. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Fouras): Order! Before I call the member for Whitsunday, I point out that this is the member's first speech. I ask honourable members to behave in a manner which custom dictates. Ms JARRATT (Whitsunday—ALP) (3.46 p.m.): It is with great pride and a sense of overwhelming responsibility that I rise for the first time in this House to represent the people of Whitsunday. In doing so, I wish to give recognition to the traditional owners of the lands and islands of the Whitsunday region. Through you, Mr Deputy Speaker, I congratulate Mr Speaker on his re-election to the high office of Speaker and wish him and you well on behalf of the people of Whitsunday. I am not the first Labor member for Whitsunday, nor am I the first woman to take this role in the electorate. However, I cannot help but reflect upon the personal significance held for me of joining this parliament at this time. It is sobering to reflect that women did not gain the right to sit in this House until 1918 and that the first female member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland did not take her seat in parliament until 1929. The last 100 years of our state's history have seen women emerge from the mantle of domestic expertise to a position in which we now share an almost equal responsibility with men for the governance of this state. My paternal grandmother was born in 1901, exactly 100 years ago this month. Had she lived to see this day, she would have been very happy and very proud. Her pride would have been for me as both her grand-daughter and as a woman. Were she here today, she would celebrate the achievements of all the women in this House, because what we have achieved she could only dream of. Likewise, my mother, who was raised on an isolated dairy farm and educated by correspondence which ended at the age of 11, would, if she had lived to see this day, shed a tear for her daughter who overcame the obstacles of isolation and gender to aspire to be the voice for a regional community that seeks to provide a better way of life for its children. My grandmother and my mother were women of uncommon courage. I think of them often and pray that I may face my own life challenges with the same sense of purpose and courage that they demonstrated in their lives. I have no doubt that the greatest life challenge for me still lies ahead. On 17 February this year the people of Whitsunday cast their vote and passed to me a fragile chalice containing their hopes for the future, their aspirations and, most importantly, their trust. This is a daunting responsibility but one that I cherish. I place on record my commitment to the people of Whitsunday. I will strive to represent them with fairness, honesty and energy. I will do everything in my power to advance the region's interests and needs. 408 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001

The seat of Whitsunday is notable not just for its reef-fringed islands and fun-in-the-sun resorts; it is a diverse and complex electorate that is nestled within a narrow coastal strip that runs from Bowen in the north to the northern beaches suburbs of Mackay in the south. The southern section of the electorate, where I myself live, is unique in that, while it is part of the city of Mackay, it is a purely residential area. We have no industrial development and only a smattering of low-key commercial facilities. Part of the challenge that lies ahead for this part of the world is to plan for future development in an area that is growing at one of the fastest rates in the state. In the five years from 1991 to 1996, the population of the northern beaches suburbs more than doubled. There are presently around 8,000 people living in this residential haven and, with this area holding the major stock of land around Mackay targeted for future residential development, I do not see this trend of rapid growth dissipating for some time to come. The challenge for both state and local government is to provide the necessary public infrastructure within this community without destroying the relaxed lifestyle. I am pleased to say that the Beattie government has been cognisant of the situation and has acted decisively to provide for the needs of the northern beaches. Funds have been set aside to purchase land for a 24-hour police station and, likewise, we can look forward to the establishment of both ambulance and fire services that will significantly reduce existing response times in emergency situations. In addition, the Labor government has responded to the need for new and expanded education facilities in the northern beaches by providing funds for an upgrade of facilities at Eimeo State School, as well as undertaking a community consultation process aimed at establishing a new high school for the northern beaches that will reflect the specific needs of the local community. I regret that it is too late for my own two sons to attend this local school but I know that, upon opening in 2003, this new high school will become a great community hub for the area and will evolve with a unique northern beaches personality. The one great advantage that I have in representing this part of the electorate is that I will be working closely with my friend and mentor the member for Mackay, Tim Mulherin. Tim has always been readily accessible to the people of the northern beaches. He has been responsible for many of the advances already achieved in the area and he continues to take on the role of quiet achiever who never refuses to take up an issue on behalf of his own constituents or those in neighbouring electorates. I consider myself most fortunate to have a person such as Tim to guide me through the labyrinth of representative responsibility. As we travel north through the electorate of Whitsunday, the landscape is dominated by a sea of green in the form of field upon field of sugarcane. The growing and processing of sugarcane comprises, by both direct and indirect means, a major source of employment in the electorate. For canegrowers, the annual cycle of planting, nurturing and harvesting sugarcane is a way of life that, for many, dates back to the earliest days of settlement in the area. Growing up as I did on a wheat and cattle property, I understand only too well the deep attachment that farmers have to their land and to the lifestyle that can be both life engendering and soul destroying. The year 2000 was a devastating year for many, if not all, canegrowers in the electorate, as a combination of orange rust and low sugar prices left many reeling and struggling to face the future. The Beattie government responded decisively to assist those worst hit by the crisis through its $10 million rescue package. This package provided low-interest loans of up to $10,000 for each eligible farmer to assist with the replanting of rust-affected crops. With a drier summer this year and a somewhat improved sugar price outlook for the coming crop, the situation is looking brighter for cane farmers in 2001. However, I do not underestimate the long-term social and financial impact of the previous year and I believe that the consequences of the crisis will reverberate throughout the electorate for some time to come. While the growers were certainly the most visible victims of the industry crisis, we cannot forget that farm and mill workers also bore the brunt of reduced production. In a town such as Proserpine, where the sugarmill is a major employer and almost every business in town was affected by the sudden and dramatic industry downturn, the sense of despair was almost palpable. But the locals of Proserpine are not the type of people who dwell on the negatives of life. If you were to partake of a cold ale in one of the local hotels in Proserpine, you would be more likely to hear about the progress of the local football team or the size of the barramundi caught in one of the area's many secret fishing spots than hear self-indulgent discussion. Proserpine is a town that is proud of its past and enthusiastic about its future. It is a great country town with a warm sense of community. The local historical society exemplifies this can-do 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 409 attitude. On Australia Day this year the Proserpine Historical Society opened the doors of its brand new museum. I applaud the efforts of the small group of volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure that significant aspects of the district's history have been preserved within the museum's collection. Their work, however, has only just begun. This government has made a commitment to provide an extra $100,000 towards the completion of stage 2 of the Proserpine Historical Museum as part of the Millennium Arts Regional Program. Proserpine also boasts a new community centre that, with government help, has recently opened its doors. Already this facility has become a community hub, with a variety of service and leisure groups operating from within the centre. I will support the Proserpine Community Centre and others like it in any way I can because I recognise and value the role that community groups play in the health and identity of a community through the provision of a range of services that simply could not and should not be provided by government alone. This is not to say that government does not have a significant responsibility for the provision and support of services at a community level, and I am proud to be part of a government that leads by example in the support of community-based projects. One of my priorities over the next three years will be to ensure that the work of volunteer and service groups in the electorate is given due recognition and is adequately funded. I have always had a deep and sincere conviction that the true measure of a society can be assessed by the way in which it embraces the less fortunate amongst its number. I joined the Labor Party because I recognised that its philosophies are based on a powerful sense of social justice and the notion of a fair go. The dawning of that recognition came when, as a university student in the seventies, I received a free tertiary education—something my parents simply could not have afforded me on their own. I am very fearful that our education system is quickly sliding back to the bad old days, when money and privilege determined educational opportunity and the financially disadvantaged were left out in the cold. The Howard government should be ashamed of its blatant attempt at social engineering via the imposition of exorbitant tertiary fees and the outrageously biased funding arrangements that it has imposed on our state school system. But back to the electorate and on to the beautiful Whitsunday area, which boasts 74 tropical islands that offer everything from deserted beaches to world-class resorts, all surrounded by the calm waters and spectacular coral reefs that make up the Whitsunday Passage. This is an internationally renowned tourist destination that offers an extensive array of diving, boating, fishing and mainland activities that I believe are unparalleled in the world. The township of Whitsunday, comprising Airlie Beach and Cannonvale, provides a village-like atmosphere where backpackers, families and jet-setting tourists mingle with the locals in a relaxed yet vibrant village atmosphere. While Airlie Beach has always had a certain mystique that has attracted people from all parts of the world, one irony is inescapable. There is no beach at Airlie Beach—well, at least not at low tide, and even when the tide is in one has to weigh up the possibility of having an up-close and personal encounter with the deadly box jellyfish. Visitors have tended to stay for one night and then head offshore in search of safer pursuits. I am delighted to say that this situation has recently changed for all time. The Beattie Labor government promised and delivered $8 million for the construction of the Vision Airlie Lagoon, a safe swimming development that rivals South Bank for size and, I believe, beauty. Set on the foreshore in the heart of Airlie Beach, the lagoon has become a focal point for visitors and locals alike, who gather in and around the water and soak up the incredible beauty of the surroundings. Tourism is certainly the fastest-growing industry in the electorate and, as such, provides a major source of employment. We are fortunate to have within the community people of vision to whom we entrust the future direction of the tourism industry in our area. I am convinced that future development must complement the natural environment and provide nature based experiences for our visitors. If we rush to expand for the sake of the mighty dollar, we risk destroying the very thing that attracts people to the area. In addition to the challenges of determining the future shape of the local tourism industry is the ever-present challenge of maintaining and growing our market share in a domestic and international climate of increasingly aggressive competition. For many years the Whitsunday area has been able to rely on its reef and rainforest experiences to lure backpackers to its shores, but with increasing competition in the marketplace this is no longer a viable, long-term option. Most other states and territories in Australia have in place an aggressive advertising and marketing policy that is increasingly drawing clients from what has been our traditional market. We 410 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001 must ensure that we match this effort in order to survive and expand. I have given a commitment to our local peak tourism body, Tourism Whitsunday, that I will work closely with them and the Minister for Tourism to ensure that we do everything in our power to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Ultimately, this may mean finding more money in the budget so that we can compete more effectively with our interstate rivals in the battle for the hearts and minds of local and international tourists. At the very least we need to ensure that available funding is spent wisely in creating effective and efficient marketing strategies that hit the target and deliver jobs in places like Whitsunday and Bowen. Bowen, which lies at the northern extremity of the electorate, is regarded as part of the greater Whitsunday region. And indeed, it has much to offer tourists who come in search of a tranquil escape. With its beautiful beaches, warm climate and peaceful country town atmosphere, Bowen is a favourite destination of the southern caravanning holiday-maker. Just as geese flying south marks the change of season in some countries, we in our part of the world identify the coming of winter by the procession of caravans that wind their way from Victoria along the Bruce Highway towards Bowen. While Bowen is a great place in which to holiday and live, the last 10 years have seen the district suffer the consequences of serious economic decline, with over 2,000 jobs lost to the area over this short period. The social consequences of such a sudden and dramatic downturn in the local economy have been serious indeed. For me, the saddest consequence of the situation is that the town's young people now have little prospect of finding employment in their home town and are left with the choice of receiving unemployment benefits or leaving town in search of work. This situation is simply unacceptable. What the people of Bowen need is to see a revival of local industry so that they can stay in their own area and contribute to the local economy, thus ensuring not only their own futures but also that of the area as a whole. The previous Labor government, in recognising these needs, contributed over $10 million to the local government authority for the purpose of retiring debt and creating job opportunities for local people. This tangible demonstration of support for the Bowen community has gone a long way towards lifting community spirits and arresting the pace of economic decline, but there is much more to be done. Being a very proactive community, the Bowen Shire Council together with local enterprise and development groups are working hard to charter a way forward. And as their representative in state government, I am committed to seeing that Bowen overcomes the hurdles it faces and can once again provide its children with a future. What they need from state government, in the words of the local mayor, Mike Brunker, is not a handout but a hand up. There is much more to be said about the electorate of Whitsunday that must for now await another opportunity. The one thing that I share with all members in this chamber today is that my being here was not the result of a solo effort. I could not have survived the rigours of an 18-month campaign without the help and support of my family, friends and campaign team. My partner, Ray, has been my rock throughout our years together. I especially thank him for allowing me the space and freedom to pursue my dream while always being there to pick up the pieces when my resolve weakened. Without his loyalty, love and support I could not have endured the physical, emotional and financial strain of a protracted campaign. I am so proud of my sons, Ben and Jeremy, who never complained about a mother who, in recent years, has been missing in action. They have never seen themselves as victims, and I love them dearly for accepting my many absences when they needed me, too. My father, Keith, my brother, Allan, and his wife, Julie, were in this House to witness my swearing-in as a member of this parliament. They put aside their own concerns of trying to survive on a drought-declared property to share that moment with me, and it meant everything to me that they were here. They, along with my two sisters, Merise and Regina, mean the world to me, and I thank them for their enduring love and support. My campaign manager, Mick Colwell, and his wife, Maria, are very special people. I thank them for their personal sacrifice, hard work and generous hospitality during a long campaign. It was such a privilege to have the support of so many branch members and friends during the period leading up to the election. Our team of workers and supporters have formed a special bond that I know will not quickly fade. To all those many, many people who raised funds for the campaign, doorknocked with me, erected signs, worked on polling booths and performed the myriad tasks that are required for a successful campaign, please accept this as my sincere and heartfelt thanks for a job well done and for extending to me your friendship and support over that extended period. I thank them for the opportunity to see the seat of Whitsunday returned to the 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 411

Labor fold. I also thank the voters of Whitsunday, many of whom voted for Labor for the first time in their lives. I respect the courage it took to do this, and I again pledge my commitment to the electorate of Whitsunday and its people. Mr SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—NPA) (4.05 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, at the outset let me relay, through you, my congratulations to the Speaker on his appointment to that position. We look forward to working with the Speaker to keep this parliament as a robust democratic institution over the next three years. Also, I acknowledge and thank the Governor for his speech in opening parliament just a few days ago. I thank him for his words. It is an honour to rise in this Address in Reply debate to acknowledge that speech and to make a few relevant comments. It is indeed a great privilege to have been chosen as the National Party representative of the people of Southern Downs. This is, in fact, the third seat that I have held in parliament since I was first elected in 1989. Hopefully, I will not preside over the abolition of another seat in the Queensland parliament. I was the final member for the state seat of Carnarvon, which was abolished in 1992, and I was the final member for the state seat of Warwick, which concluded its time as a seat in this parliament in the year 2001. That was somewhat sad, because Warwick was one of the original seats created when Queensland first became a state almost 150 years ago, and to see an historical fact like that go into the record books in Queensland is unfortunate, but it is something that does happen from time to time. The seat of Southern Downs takes in the majority of the former seat of Warwick, some of the former seat of Cunningham and some of the former seat of Warrego. Basically, it comprises 5,000 additional constituents and is double the geographic size of the former seat of Warwick. I am very pleased that, in the circumstances, I was able to maintain a reasonable margin in my electorate when there was such a significant swing against the conservative cause in Queensland. It behoves us all to recognise and realise that, but for the grace of God, there go us all. I know that there are a lot of very enthusiastic people in this parliament, particularly on the other side, who believe that they have been elected to this place as a consequence of their own good looks and hard work. But we probably need to reflect upon the fact that, come another election or the election after that, things can happen; and regardless of how good we may or may not be, circumstances can change to take us out of this place. That is the thing about democracy; there are many sobering things, and I have seen a lot of sobering things in the almost 12 years that I have been a member of this state parliament. As most other members have done during the course of their speeches in the Address in Reply debate, I wish to thank a number of people. Firstly, I thank my campaign committee, so ably chaired by Peter Blundell. I am not going to name each and every individual person, but under Peter's chairmanship we had an absolutely fantastic campaign team which, in an electoral sense, kept the home fires burning while I had to be travelling around Queensland so much in my capacity as the then Deputy Leader of the Opposition and shadow Attorney-General. One of the great problems that parliamentarians have is that, when we take on an office position in this place, it often takes us away from our electorates. People want us to achieve. They want us to become ministers or shadow ministers, but they also want to make sure that we will be there at their beck and call at all times, because we are their local representatives. And when one represents a sparse rural electorate—even though mine is not as great as many others—it certainly can take one away from home on many occasions. It was extremely important to me to have a campaign team which understands and feels what is happening at the local level and was able to work with me to run an appropriate campaign in the circumstances. I thank Peter, all the team, all the people who donated and all the people who handed out how-to-vote cards and worked with us to secure what I thought was quite a good result in the circumstances. To my electorate staff, Ian Jackson in Stanthorpe and Jane Grieve in Warwick, I would like to very much thank them for their tolerance and looking after my electorate in my absence and for working so ably with me to do the administrative things that are important in my electorate. Also to my family—my wife Linda, my children Megan, Jens, Laura and Thomas—I thank them very much for their tolerance. I was married just before I came into this place in 1989 and we have had four children in the time that I have been here. As I say to a lot of people, my wife has had four children and I get home occasionally. She does an absolutely marvellous job in looking after our family whilst I am away. On many occasions, I am away for five, six or seven nights in a row and I know that that can be extremely hard on a family living in a fairly remote rural 412 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001 area. Communicating by telephone is a challenge in itself as well. You learn some very interesting things when you talk to children on the telephone, particularly as they are learning to express themselves verbally for the very first time. Trying to understand what they are on about can be a challenge. I still have that joy, that privilege, every night. I just say to them: thank you very much. To my mother and father, Edna and Norman, I would like to say that I think when I left school my father thought that he had a farmhand who would be able to work with him for a long time into the future, but then I decided to go into Parliament. I note that he has had to assume a lot of that responsibility that he thought I would have been able to take over in the time that I have been in Parliament. I am very, very grateful for the work done by both my father and my mother that has allowed me to pursue my political career. Today I would like to make a couple of points relative to the new electorate and relative to issues in general around Queensland. I note that the Premier has indicated that members of Parliament will be given an additional assistant electorate officer. For that, I am extremely grateful. However, I would like to raise a couple of matters concerning that issue. We have to make sure that that person in our electorate office is well-resourced. We need computers and the other information technology necessary for them to be able to work alongside our main electorate officer. The other issue that does concern me—and I would like to pass this on to the government as they consider the final make-up of the workings of this proposal—is that it is extremely crucial that our full-time, senior electorate officer is provided with relief when he or she goes away. It is somewhat unjust to expect a junior electorate office assistant to slot in and take over the senior position. There are certainly some issues there of seniority that the government very much needs to consider. There is also the issue of replacing the senior electorate office while he or she is absent on sick leave or long service leave. It is asking too much to expect a member of Parliament to ask a new, assistant electorate officer to perform the duties of the other position. A number of us in this parliament have electorate officers with 15 or 20 years' experience and significant amounts of long service leave and accrued sick leave which they at some time may need to take. To have an assistant electorate officer to slot into that position without relief for the main electorate officer is problematic and something that the government needs to consider. I am not suggesting that we should have relief for the assistant electorate officer, but I think that we should be having the same relief arrangements that exist currently for our full-time, main electorate officer. I would like to talk briefly about a few perceptions that I have garnered in this place over the last decade or so. One is the role of government in contemporary society. I am very much concerned that government seems to want to abrogate its responsibilities on a Commonwealth and also on a state basis. Government has to realise that the role that it plays is to level the playing field. It is not a corporation, it is not out there running as a free enterprise company; it is out there trying to put a degree of egalitarianism, a degree of equity, into our society. It is about making sure that those people who are not able to look after themselves are able to be looked after by government. I must admit that I am somewhat concerned at this growing and hastening trend towards deregulation, corporatisation and privatisation. Government is not about running as a company; government is about running for all sorts of social policy reasons. At the end of the day one thing that we need to consider is that the most important thing for government is people. People are what matters to government and at the end of the day they should not be considered as some figure on a spreadsheet. People are not something to be cast aside because they do not necessarily stack up as a part of some economic program, some form of economic rationalism or some form of changing economic basis in our society. At the end of the day the people should be the most important consideration of members of parliament. We can have graduates from the London School of Economics or the Chicago School of Economics sitting in our Treasuries and running the country as they see fit. At the end of the day they do not have to suffer the chill winds of change that they want to force on everyone else because they can write the redundancy packages that suit themselves or the job descriptions that suit themselves, but there are a lot of people in our society who are not able to do that and who are the victims of this experimentation. I think that is something that we need to be very, very cautious about. That was the lesson learnt at the last state election. The last decade has seen a great deal of change not only in our political process but also in our society, and people have had enough. They are hurting; they sent a message, and it behoves us all to listen to that message. It is happening not only in this state and this nation but 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 413 world wide as well, and I think that if we do not listen to that message from the people we will suffer not only a greater degree of political instability but a greater degree of social instability as well. Another thing that has concerned me very much is the role of our government departments and the way that they go about delivering services to the community in general. They have become so inwardly focused on delivering services that they are not matching and meeting the needs of the people they are supposed to service. They call them clients; we have output budgeting; they write their own performance standards. It is very easy for them to establish a process by which they can give themselves nine out of 10 when the people who are using those services out there would, in fact, give them two or three out of 10. I think the real challenge for government—whether it is this government or any other government throughout Australia—is to make sure that our government departments are focused externally rather than internally. If members do not believe what I am saying, they should go out there and speak to the ordinary person in the community and see what their view is of public servants and the other people they deal with across the counter. I am not saying that there are not good people who are doing their job well, I am saying that generally they are so much more concerned about the processes being written and jumping through the hoops. The fact is that it can take so long to get anywhere and often those who need assistance are told that they cannot be helped anyway. The process has become so much about covering people's backs rather than delivering to those people who are most important—the constituents we represent. In my electorate an area of great concern is the dairy industry deregulation, which has impacted so significantly not only on dairy farmers and their families but also on the people who supply their products and services as well. It has gone right through the community. We have had a number of debates in this parliament in recent times about this issue. There have been questions asked and there has been a lot of buck-passing going on. However, at the end of the day we have seen the product of economic rationalism, of national competition policy and also of the Victorian dairy farmers themselves voting to deregulate in their state, which had the flow-on consequence for Queensland. It is up to us to pick up those pieces. At the end of the day, I say this: I believe in a regulated society and I believe in regulated processes. I say: what is the problem with letting a wage earner know that they can take home a set salary or a wage so that they can budget for their family and so that they do not have to go through all of that insecurity that the member for Indooroopilly spoke about a little while ago in his maiden speech? So if you believe in a regulated system for the labour market in this country, what is wrong then with believing in a regulated system for other people who go out there and toil very hard? I suppose that is why I am at loggerheads with economic rationalists, because I believe in a regulated platform for a whole range of people in our society. At the end of the day, it provides them with the security that they need to be able to afford to raise a family, to be able to afford to invest in things for their future—a car, a house, a property, or whatever the case may be. I just pass that message on as a general observation. Throughout my electorate, an issue of significant concern is the water allocation management planning process. That is really worrying a lot of primary producers and businesspeople through the southern Darling Downs, the Darling Downs and right out into the Warrego area of this state. The government should be very cautious as to how they go about this, because people's livelihoods are going to be very much affected by it. In terms of the border rivers, it will probably be September this year before we see a draft WAMP. Already many people are going bankrupt because the financial strategy that they put to their bank is not able to be achieved because they have not been able to go to the next stage of their development. They are going to walk off those places and the banks are going to sell them up. This is happening. If members do not believe me, they should go out and talk to the bankers at Goondiwindi, or the solicitors at Goondiwindi who are representing these people, or to the Granite Belt, which I represent, and talk to the people there. It is an extremely important issue and one that is really affecting those people's livelihoods. These people are ringing up and breaking down and crying. The wellbeing of their families and their employees is at stake. I would like to also mention this government's disastrous bulk end user scheme, which was introduced in this parliament late last year. It has been the most disastrous administrative nightmare for bulk end users in the state of Queensland that you could ever hope to see. Whether they be transport operators or whether they be farmers, they have to go through such an administrative process to account for every litre of bulk fuel that they purchase and use that many of them are basically now not even bothering to apply for it. The government has a windfall. 414 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001

It has the use of their money for three months, but if those people owe anything to the government, they have to pay it within 10 days. That is totally wrong. I call on the Beattie Labor government to do something about addressing that problem that they have caused for bulk end users in this state. Telecommunications is extremely important. This government needs to be working with the Commonwealth government to ensure that we are able to provide equity and technological access to telecommunications right across Queensland. I noticed something in the paper today about the inland rail. That has really provided a focal point for the people of rural and regional Queensland as they go about looking for opportunities in the future. I know that not only the Queensland government but also the governments of New South Wales and Victoria and the federal government are very supportive of it. I would like to encourage the government to do what it can to clear the way to make sure that that rail link happens. I turn now to some specific areas in my electorate, such as Stanthorpe—the Granite Belt. As I said, it is extremely important to make sure that the water allocation management plan process is expedited in that area. A new dam is needed for a domestic and urban water supply as well as for an irrigation water supply. At the moment on the Granite Belt, 20,000 megalitres is all the water that they use, yet they produce about $100 million worth of produce each year. That is somewhat significant. That supply needs to increase by only 50 per cent, which is equivalent to one major irrigation ring tank for the entire Granite Belt. That includes the urban water supply. We need to clear the way very quickly to enable that to happen. A reliable electricity supply is a real concern for many people in the western part of my electorate. Each night, we regularly go into our houses and flick the switch. We have very few blackouts, even though we probably grumble when we get one every now and then. At the moment in my electorate, those people who are serviced by North Power from New South Wales as part of a franchised area in Queensland have an extremely irregular electricity supply. Brownouts are happening all the time, which affects electronic equipment. As a member of parliament, I will make sure that I pursue North Power and also the government, as necessary, to make sure that those people get a reliable electricity supply. That area may never have the same supply as many other areas around Queensland. However, people demand a consistent supply, and I will be working towards enhancing that supply very significantly. Mr Nuttall: When are you running for the leadership? Mr SPRINGBORG: I am happy to be running as the member for Southern Downs. The minister is the proof that dreams can come true. Crime and cross-border jurisdictional issues are a cause for major concern in places such as Goondiwindi. We have major problems with car theft and vandalism. Often the people involved are arrested over the border, but they cannot be extradited to Queensland. I call on the Premier and the relevant ministers to make sure that those stupid cross-jurisdictional issues can be overcome. The other day we had five cars piled up along the Macintyre River, and nobody wanted to take responsibility. Time expired. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr McNamara): Order! Before calling the member for Toowoomba North, I remind honourable members that this is the member's first speech in this place and I ask that he be accorded the usual courtesies. Mr SHINE (Toowoomba North—ALP) (4.25 p.m.): It is with immense joy and pride that I speak for the first time in this House. At the outset, may I add to the congratulatory sentiments already expressed to Mr Speaker on again being accorded the high office he holds with distinction. In addition, I join with other honourable members in acknowledging the interesting, informative and worthwhile contributions from so many new members during this debate. I think without exception, members have claimed their own constituency to be that with the greatest appeal. Alas, understandable though those claims might be, the fact of the matter is that Toowoomba is the city of Queensland that stands out from the rest for its qualities of nature and human endeavour. It has developed on the lands of the Jaroweir people. The seat of Toowoomba North is now held by a member of the great Australian Labor Party. Every member on this side of the chamber knows the pride felt in being a Labor member. This is particularly so in Toowoomba, as it is a city possessing a rich heritage of Labor representation extending over generations. Under those circumstances, it is entirely appropriate to firstly 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 415 acknowledge the Australian Labor Party and, in particular, its Toowoomba North branch for the confidence placed in me. There are many thousands of Australians—indeed, probably hundreds of thousands of Australians since the 1890s—who are or have been members of the Labor Party. Comparatively few, however, have had the honour of carrying its banner. To be an ALP candidate, even in an unwinnable seat, is a singular honour and privilege. I express my deep appreciation to the electors of Toowoomba North in their choice. As each day goes by, realisation of the quite awesome responsibility sets in. I am keen to do my best for all those who are marginalised, disabled, out of work or otherwise disadvantaged, those needing to access decent educational, health and other public services and those leading the charge for substantial and, in some cases, massive infrastructure claims. Our success in Toowoomba North, as in most seats gained, was substantially due to the strong and intelligent leadership of Peter Beattie. Whilst the Premier did not visit Toowoomba during the campaign, his presence a week beforehand was most appreciated by our candidate in Cunningham, the hardworking Leann King and myself. I express my gratitude to the Minister for Primary Industries, Henry Palaszczuk, for having opened my campaign office and the other minister who travelled to Toowoomba North during the campaign, the Minister for the Arts, Mr Matt Foley. I want to thank in particular two party officials. Cameron Milner did me the honour of opening the campaign in April 2000. Milton Dick gave constant expert assistance and encouragement— attending meetings in Toowoomba on a regular basis. Appreciated also was the input of Simon Finn and Lindsay Jones in the latter stages. To the many volunteers who assisted, my deep gratitude is sincerely offered. In particular, may I mention in that regard my joint campaign managers, Des McGovern and John Wiedman. Their help, enthusiasm and generosity of time continues. Barrie Ryan—and his friend Georgie, who came all the way from Papua New Guinea— took up the responsibilities of office manager and performed his duties in an extraordinary manner. I particularly wish to mention some of those who worked in one way or another during the pre-election period: Des Mallett, Peter Chippendale, Graham Byrnes, Mary Henricksen, Liz Smith, my cousins Elin and Brian Thomson who are here today, and their daughter Mary-Kate Khoo, Margaret Silva, who travelled from Sydney, Janet Miebusch and Barry Donnelly. I happily acknowledge the work carried out over decades by Tom Baker who, along with Mrs Robyn Wood, was recently awarded life membership of the ALP. I would particularly like to thank Peter Wood, Toowoomba's deputy mayor and a former MLA for Toowoomba South, for his wise counsel. Prior to 17 February 2001, Toowoomba North was represented by Mr Graham Healy for the National Party. I wish to acknowledge here his assistance and advice on a range of matters consequent upon the election. Upon reaching here I was not surprised to ascertain that he was held in high regard by many members of my party. I wish him and his family well. Labor members who have represented Toowoomba North or its predecessor include Dr John Flynn and Ray Bousen. John Flynn, a skilled and highly qualified medical practitioner, served from 1989 to 1992 with distinction. Residents of Acacia Ridge now have the good fortune to benefit from the presence of this doctor. He is a good man. Mr Bousen was mentioned consistently to me during my doorknocking as being a member who got around and was seen often as a hard worker. The seat of Toowoomba has previously been represented by another solicitor who was also a Labor member, that is, Frank Tennison Brennan, during the period 1918 to 1925. Mr Brennan rose to the ministry but, as a member of parliament, is perhaps best remembered as the target of a would-be bribery attempt. In 1925 he was appointed to the Supreme Court, where he served with distinction for many years. He was the father of Sir Gerard Brennan, a former Chief Justice of the High Court. In an extraordinary coincidence, his daughter, Miss Ann Brennan of Sydney, was in attendance yesterday in support of the honourable member for Thuringowa, Anita Phillips. I was pleased to be able to make available to her a copy of her father's maiden speech, which was delivered on 29 May 1918. Two leaders of the opposition and members of the ALP came from Toowoomba North: Mr Les Wood and Mr John Edmund Duggan. Mr Wood, who was Leader of the Opposition from 1957 to 1958, died prematurely. His son Peter later represented Toowoomba East and then Toowoomba South. Peter's identical twin brother, Bill, represented the electorates of Cook and then Barron River. Jack Duggan sat in this chamber for over 30 years. He was the longest serving Transport Minister. He was the only member of the Gair cabinet to stay with the ALP in 1957. I remember him as Toowoomba's deputy mayor. Even at an advanced age, his speeches were 416 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001 delivered with eloquence. In his maiden speech, Mr Bousen said of him, 'He had a logical mind, a fluent tongue and a wide knowledge of many subjects.' My own interest in politics commenced at the age of 14. I recall on a nightly basis being glued to the wireless, listening to the ABC broadcast of federal parliament. It was 1962 and John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the leader of the free world. It would be hard to imagine any other person in the 20th century who exerted more influence over a generation of people than Kennedy. In Australia, Menzies reigned. To a teenager passionately interested in the political process, the radio emitted hour upon hour of riveting repartee from Menzies, Calwell, Uren, Killen, Barwick, Leslie Haylen, Daly and, in the Senate, Reg Wright, McKenna and Patrick Kenneally. Although my dad, Dan Shine, had been actively involved in the Labor Party—in the late 1930s when teaching in the Sarina district, he was branch secretary for Ted Walsh, then the member for Mirani—his interest waned. Ironically, considering I now represent the seat held by Mr Duggan, I was drawn at an early age to the QLP-DLP. Today, the feelings I experience as a speaker in the same chamber in which Vince Gair, my hero as a teenager, sat are difficult to describe. It is 44 years this month since that party split in Queensland. Over the last few days I have been visualising the exchanges, the tensions and the emotions that would have been displayed in this place 44 years ago. Having read widely of the period and having known some of the participants in the split, my overall feeling is one of great sadness. The split spelt disaster to many involved, especially members of this House. Far more importantly, it denied the people of Queensland just, honest and caring government for an inordinate period of 32 years. The Gair government was electorally and spectacularly successful: it received 53.1 per cent of the vote in 1953 and 50.69 per cent of the vote in 1956, returning 49 out of 75 members. Within a year, it was rent asunder. I know that our party is led nowadays, both in here and in our machine, by wise and temperate people who know well the history of the Labor movement and, in particular, the history of the split. That history should be, in my view, compulsory reading. As I recall it, I had a most fortunate childhood. For most of my primary school years I attended Wivenhoe Pocket State School in the Brisbane Valley. My mother died shortly after I was born and I was reared by my father's sister, Mary Elson-Green. During those years I lived what seems now to have been the idyllic existence of a boy growing up on a farm. The one- teacher school provided me with close friends. I am sure my interest in history started there. Despite the grades taught ranging from grade 1 to scholarship, the attention given was superb, there being usually only about 15 in the school From there I had the privilege of attending Villanova College, Coorparoo, where my secondary schooling was entrusted to the Augustinian Fathers. Today I am indeed proud to say that two other Villanovans hold high office in this great government, namely, the honourable members for Sandgate and Lytton. Father John McGlone, whom I met on my first day at the school, does me great honour by being here this afternoon in the gallery. I completed senior in 1966, before the Whitlam era. I had determined that I wanted to study law. Of course, this was out of the question because of the fees and the need to contribute to my upkeep. I was fortunate to obtain articles with the firm then called Trout Bernays & Tingle. My master was an extraordinary gentleman, George Deeb. In early 1976, I returned to Toowoomba, the city of my birth, and commenced practice as a sole practitioner. Toowoomba has been exceedingly good to me professionally. When I retired from my then firm of Shine Roche McGowan at the 1998 election, I could look back with considerable satisfaction. My success in law has largely been due to an ability to attract talented, hard-working and loyal people to work with me. In that regard I would particularly like to acknowledge Faran Gouldson, my partner in the firm that we established at Browns Plains in 1999. He has had to put up with an extraordinary amount over the past 18 months. I want to mention the debt that I owed to my Aunt Mary, who mothered me from when I was just a few days old. I loved her dearly. However, she was a National Party voter and was deeply thankful to God that, at the 1998 election, as she was residing in Toowoomba South she could safely vote for Mr Horan without offending me. I have been blessed with three great children, Stephanie, Matthew and Madeleine, whom I love greatly. The experience of prolonged separation from one's children consequent upon divorce is one to be earnestly avoided. In what little time remains, I would like to indicate to the House some of what I will work for as it pertains to my electorate. In doing so, may I indicate my intention to work with the members for Toowoomba South, Cunningham and Darling Downs in attempting to better our region. Of special importance are— 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 417

the establishment of a police and emergency service presence at Highfields; the provision of adequate funds to ensure first-rate educational, medical and housing facilities; the implementation in my electorate of the government's programs to combat crime and the causes of crime; the investigation of a proposal to move government departments, for example, the DPI to our region along similar lines to the transfer of Agriculture NSW to Orange; the further decentralisation of tasks within government departments, for example, clerical to our region; the gaining of a firm commitment from both the federal government and our government to commence construction of the second range crossing within a specified time frame; the recognition of Toowoomba not only being the centre for the downs, Western Queensland and northern New south Wales, but also exploiting further its already acknowledged reputation as an educational and medical centre of excellence. I wish to pursue that further; and finally, one of the other major topics of infrastructure need in our area is the conveyance of waste water from Brisbane to the Darling Downs. Toowoomba has many things going for it, particularly an energetic and game mayor, Di Thorley. To ensure its expansion and the provision of a sound future, it needs—and I am sure we will get—a wholehearted commitment from the Beattie government. For too long our region has been taken for granted by successive National Party governments. I certainly aim to make a difference. Mr QUINN (Robina—Lib) (4.41 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, I relay through you my congratulations to Mr Speaker upon his election to this high and ancient office and also to the Governor of Queensland, Major General Peter Arnison. I also include in those congratulations the very best wishes of my constituents in the electorate of Robina. I also congratulate all members of the House upon their election, both the new members who have been elected to this chamber for the very first time and those members who have been re-elected by their constituents. I think it is all too easy for all of us to take for granted the great honour that is always bestowed upon us, whether we are new members or previously serving members—the honour that comes with being a member of this chamber. Of course, it carries with it many responsibilities as well as burdens, and it is up to each individual in this chamber to discharge those with the best of intentions. No matter which political party we seek to represent or whether, in fact, we come in here as Independents, we all come in with the same intentions, that is, to work for the betterment of our constituents and for Queensland in general. This election, of course, also enables us to draw a line under the events of the past three years. Those of us who were present in the last parliament would know that some of those incidents were indeed stormy. The new parliament enables us to move on from those events and to re-establish the goodwill that may, indeed, have drifted away from us over the past couple of months in the turmoil and turbulent times that we experienced. I also offer my appreciation to the electors of Robina for the confidence that they showed in me by electing me as their member for the electorate. This was my sixth election, the fifth successful one. Like some other members of this chamber, I too have had the honour of representing some electorates which have disappeared into history. The first electorate that I represented was South Coast, which was an old historical name for the lower half of the Gold Coast. It was sad to see it disappear from the electorate map in 1992. Of course, it was replaced by both Merrimac and Burleigh. Merrimac also disappeared into the history books at the last redistribution to be replaced by Robina. It is somewhat sad because Merrimac was the old historical name for that part of the Gold Coast which I now represent. One hundred years ago it was a farming area, and the Merrimac flood plain is broadly representative of the area I represent. The new name, Robina, of course is a more modern version of a combination of words. Those who know the history of the new suburb of Robina would know that it was founded by a Singapore industrialist called Robin Loh who had a derivative of his name attached to the housing development that took place there. Of course, the development was of such a huge scale that the whole suburb became known as Robina, and it forms the major part of the new electorate in this area. 418 Address in Reply 5 Apr 2001

The new electorate of Robina has seen some minor boundary changes. It has come to encompass many of the canal estates on the flood plain around the southern area of Surfers Paradise. It represents a diverse area, ranging from the beachfront millionaire's row at Mermaid Beach right through to the first home buyers and houses in the hinterland. It covers both home owners and renters as well as taking in retirement villages and nursing homes. It covers all ages, all income levels and all backgrounds. It is a microcosm, if you like, of what Queensland is really like. I am appreciative of those people who supported me during the election campaign not only in terms of the electors themselves but also my campaign committee. I think many members have made the point that we do not get here on our own steam; we rely upon the efforts of those who surround us, whether they be family and friends, members of our campaign committee or volunteers. All those people contribute to the fact that we have been successful in winning an election and being elected to this House. I might make the point that someone else made before that some of us got here by good looks and some of us got here by hard work. I am one of the latter category. I do not think I could ever be accused of winning my seat through a beauty contest. Others might be more charitable to me than I am, but I am under no illusions. I also place on record my appreciation of some of the members who have not come back this time. I think we tend to forget them. We have congratulated ourselves, we have congratulated each other in the past of couple of days, but there have been many fine former members of parliament who no longer sit in this chamber today. They made an enormous contribution not only to their own electorates by representing their constituents quite strongly in this chamber and to the parliament itself through serving on committees, participating in the debates and in the way the whole House operated, but also to the workings of their own political parties. I think that we should pause to appreciate the commitment, the effort and the hard work that they put into the whole democratic process that we are part of today. I want to say a few words also about some of the issues in the Robina electorate. They are issues which each and every one of us tends to grapple with over time. One of the issues that I think is becoming more and more prevalent in all electorates right around Queensland is the impact of traffic noise on local residents, particularly in the south-east corner of the state. As traffic volumes increase, as roads are upgraded and slice through residential areas and as feeder or major arterial roads plug into those, more and more of our residents are becoming affected by traffic noise. One of the great ironies is that we are in a growth area but at the same time the amenity of our households is being interrupted by traffic noise in terms not only of people's yards but also their houses. I have major road upgrades going on in my area where people cannot sit on their back porch without being adversely impacted upon by traffic noise which could be 100 metres away. We are trying to address the problem with the use of noise barriers, but the policy is that unless the traffic noise is above a certain decibel level Main Roads cannot put in place traffic noise abatement procedures. We have to realise that those decibel level settings are too high. There is a need to revisit this issue in order to examine the impact of traffic noise on residential areas and to work out a better solution rather than having a hard and fast rule of a certain decibel threshold and that is that. I turn now to the new Robina Hospital in the central part of the Gold Coast. This hospital has been a great addition to health services on the Gold Coast and has taken some pressure off the Gold Coast District Hospital. However, despite the public expectation, this new hospital does not provide an accident and emergency section. If someone in the southern or central part of the Gold Coast has an accident, whether it be a heart attack or a serious accident, they have to be taken to the Gold Coast District Hospital despite the fact that they will pass the new Robina Hospital on the way. The Gold Coast District Hospital can be up to a half an hour away in heavy traffic conditions. People who live in the central and southern parts of the Gold Coast have an expectation that major hospitals should have an accident and emergency section. This hospital was built under government arrangements, but the time has come to revisit the terms of the agreement between Queensland Health and the Robina Hospital, which is run by St Vincents, to work towards establishing an accident and emergency section for the benefit of all people who live in the central and southern areas of the Gold Coast. The Robina electorate is an area of quite substantial growth in terms of population. Therefore, I have concerns relating to the provision of educational services. This is not a new issue facing the Gold Coast. All members who represent Gold Coast seats understand that the 5 Apr 2001 Address in Reply 419

Department of Education needs to plan well in advance to acquire suitable blocks of land so that when infrastructure needs to be developed there is the necessary land to allow the building of that infrastructure to begin immediately to service the new growth areas. For quite some time I have been asking Education Queensland and the Minister for Education to look at the central part of the Gold Coast with a view to acquiring additional land. Varsity College at Varsity Lakes has recently opened, and that is of enormous benefit to the people in that part of the Gold Coast. However, such is the growth in the region that there is the need for the acquisition of further blocks of land to ensure that the department can build schools and have them operational within the necessary time frame. However, unless the department moves quickly to acquire such land, I fear that when development of this infrastructure is needed the land will not be available. That has already happened on the Gold Coast. As the member for Southport would know, Arundel State School is a perfect example. In that case, the department had been tardy in previous years in that it had not found a suitable block of land on which to build a new school to relieve the growing population of schools in that area. At the moment this school is bursting at the seams and there is no way in which we can provide reasonable relief to that school. Apart from enrolment management plans and diverting students out of their way to other areas, there is simply no answer to that school's problem. I ask the Minister for Education to look hard at the Gold Coast and to think five or 10 years in advance, not two or three years in advance. That is the sort of time frame needed in those kinds of growth areas. No matter what we as members of parliament say, the demographics sections of the relevant departments do not take into account the enormous growth in the south-east corner, particularly on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Sometimes harping about the issue in this place gets us nowhere. We need to ensure that demographers understand the problem and purchase land as early as possible. I well remember agitating on the issue that land be purchased for a new high school at Robina and for the school to be up and running within a certain time frame, only to be told by the demographers within Education Queensland that it was not required. At that time, 100 year 8 students were required in order to commence the construction of a high school to ensure that it had sufficient numbers for the future. I and the residents around Robina were told that that situation would not occur for another five years. Due to public pressure, the school was built with the capacity to take in a draft of year 8 students three years in advance from when it was planned. When the school opened, it had an intake of 150 year 8 students. The next year there were 200 and the year after that there were 300. Within a matter of five years, Robina State High School has become one of the largest high schools in Queensland with an enrolment of over 1,800 students. That demonstrates the growth pressures and the underestimation of those pressures within various government departments, not only by the Queensland Government but also by the Commonwealth government. It is also an example of underestimating the effects of growth on this part of the Gold Coast. The final issue I want to raise is the Gold Coast convention and entertainment centre. This will be a huge bonus to the Gold Coast in terms of economic activity and job creation. Under the old electorate boundaries, the convention centre was half in my electorate and half in the electorate of the member for Surfers Paradise. Under the new arrangements, this complex now comes entirely within the new electorate of Robina. It has progressed to the stage where the government has a preferred applicant. Financial agreements have been entered into. It is going through the process of an EIS and objections to that statement and trying to liaise between the proponent, Jupiters Ltd, the Gold Coast City Council and the local residents to iron out any problems inherent in the initial design. As an example, parking will be a huge issue for residents who live around that centre and the business area around Broadbeach. The open space of the area is an issue which the residents are quite determined to preserve. This is a lovely area of the Gold Coast which has many public parks. The residents do not want to see any reduction in those open spaces because that would affect their amenities. Because it is being constructed on the flood plain, flooding is an important issue for not only the convention centre itself but also all residents who surround the convention centre. The Gold Coast has never recovered from the 1974 flood. The continual development of the flood plain allowed under a series of councils, against expert advice in many cases, has only exacerbated the problem. The residents do not want to see a convention centre built which will raise the level of flood waters when the inevitable comes. These are the sorts of issues that the residents of Robina are grappling with. I am here to represent their views in this parliament. 420 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 5 Apr 2001

I turn now to education generally. Comments have been made in the parliament today about smaller classes. One of the key issues this government will have to grapple with in the next five or so years relates to reducing class sizes. That will have the single most beneficial effect on the education of kids in primary schools in Queensland. At the moment, the maximum class size for primary schools is 25. All the research shows that we should be aiming to get that below 20. If we can achieve that, the benefits will be enormous in terms of behaviour, academic achievement, expectations, parental involvement, going on to high school, completing more difficult subjects and finishing high school. This is one issue I am keen to pursue over the next three years. We need to provide the money to make meaningful reductions in class sizes, particularly at the lower primary school level. The research is unequivocal. It is irrefutable. The lowering of class sizes from preschool to year 3 will create benefits that will stay with the children for the rest of their schooling lives and beyond. If there is one thing we should be doing, it is allocating additional funds to create smaller class sizes in Queensland. With those few words, I pass on my best wishes to the Speaker and the Governor and promise to the electors of Robina that I will represent them in this place with the same degree of strength with which I have represented them for the past three years. Debate, on motion of Mr Fenlon, adjourned.

NATURE CONSERVATION (FOREST RESERVES) REGULATION 2000 Disallowance of Statutory Instrument Hon. V. P. LESTER (Keppel—NPA) (5.00 p.m.): I move— That the Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000, Subordinate Legislation No. 282 of 2000, tabled in the Parliament on 14 November 2000, be disallowed. In moving this disallowance motion it is probably first appropriate to summarise the intent of this regulation that the Beattie government introduced last year. The regulation which this motion seeks to disallow forms part of the mechanics of the government's decision, announced on 16 September 1999, to phase out logging and other activities in south-east Queensland's crown native forests within a 25-year time frame under the guise of its so-called regional forest agreement, or RFA. I will not belabour the history of the regional forest agreement process, but I will briefly refer to some of the more pertinent aspects of this decision, which provide the foundation for our argument against this regulation. The first is that, while government members have tried to defend their decision as an RFA, it in fact is very clearly not. The National Forest Policy Statement, endorsed by state and federal governments in 1992, sought to put an end to the political controversy that has dogged the debate over forest management by introducing a framework that provided for scientific decision making and long-term agreement between all stakeholders regarding the sustainable use of crown native forests. A series of broad conservation, economic and social goals was to be achieved through the establishment of regional forest agreements, or RFAs as they are otherwise known. Genuine RFAs have three objectives: to provide ecologically sustainable management of crown native forests; to provide for the development of an efficient and internationally competitive timber industry; and to provide for the establishment and management of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system. Regardless of its earlier support for the National Forest Policy Statement and RFA process, the Labor Party made an election commitment prior to the 1998 state election that it would close down the timber industry within the crown native forest. The principal reason for this scientifically baseless, economically reckless and socially negligent pledge was to secure support from the Green lobby and, by virtue of that, the allocation of Green preferences to Labor at that election. It had nothing to do with sound policy making and everything to do with political horse-trading of the most cynical form. As part of its decision, the government announced that it would move immediately to transfer some 425,000 hectares of the 689,000-hectare south-east Queensland crown native forest network out of production and into reserve. As the remaining area of forest able to be logged over the 25-year period of the purported RFA was nowhere near sufficient to supply wood demand, the Beattie government spent $14 million of taxpayers' money closing down some of the largest timber companies' sawmills, including Boral's, and sacking their workers. The other timber operators left in the industry were bought off with the promise of 25 wood supply agreements, 5 Apr 2001 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 421 which bound the state, and taxpayers, to supplying their allocations or, if that supply could not be met, paying compensation. But the $14 million still was not enough to ease the demand on the remaining seriously depleted area of forest resource. There was, and is still, considerable pressure on the 260,000 hectares of forest that is still able to be logged, so a very intensive harvesting regime has been introduced under which every tree exceeding 40 centimetres in diameter will be cut down. I will leave it to honourable members to envisage just how that is going to leave those areas of crown forest. At the conclusion of the 25-year period it was anticipated that the timber industry would abruptly switch its supply from the crown resource to plantation supplies, and the government has endeavoured to embark on a tree planting program in a hurried bid to boost the small area currently under hardwood plantation. This regulation, which we seek to disallow, provides for the transfer of more than 230,000 hectares of that designated 425,000 hectares of crown native forest to an interim reserve tenure and, ultimately, to some form of national park under the Nature Conservation Act. One of the major concerns the National Party has with the decision of the Beattie Labor government to make this transfer relates to both the potential and actual impact on the forest industries. I will now expand on the basis of our concern, issue by issue. First and foremost is that the so-called RFA, which this regulation purports to support, was not developed with all stakeholders—all the various community, industry and recreational groups that have an interest in the management of the state's forests. The second point we would make is about the feasibility of just what the government is proposing with its so-called RFA and with this regulation. The figure of 425,000 hectares appears to have little scientific basis and, despite repeated challenges by the opposition, the government has failed to produce any evidence to dispel that observation. The national forest policy, to which I referred initially, included a commitment to the development of a comprehensive, adequate and representative—or CAR—reserve system and the implementation of strategies to protect old-growth forests and wilderness as part of that reserve system. Criteria to guide the establishment of the CAR reserve system are known as the JANIS criteria. JANIS states— All reasonable effort should be made to provide for biodiversity and old growth forest conservation and wilderness in the dedicated reserve system on public land. JANIS did not propose a binding bottom line in regard to conservation. It provided a target for the states to aim for, recognising the dependence of the forest communities in many areas of the Crown's forests, as well as the economic and social implications. In the development of the genuine RFA proposal that the coalition constructed in conjunction with all stakeholders over the last three years, the advice we received from forestry experts and the federal government was that the 425,000 hectare figure actually exceeded JANIS old-growth and wilderness targets. We were advised that it was possible to achieve acceptable JANIS outcomes based on an addition to reserve of approximately 300,000 hectares. Despite the reduction on the government's proposal, this more appropriate reserve area would yield almost identical levels of conservation to the Beattie deal at a lower cost to resource. It should also be remembered that that addition to reserve would be on top of the 809,000 hectares added to reserve over the last 25 years. So we are certainly not talking about short-changing the environment. Further, the lesser reserve area would allow the state to honour the wood supply agreements that had been negotiated with sawmillers in a more sustainable and more assured way, lessening the substantial financial risk that the Beattie government has exposed taxpayers to should the state not be able to honour those wood supply agreements in future years. That is a real risk and one which the Beattie government itself acknowledged when it amended the Forestry Act during the 49th session of parliament to insert a provision giving the state a first right of refusal to, firstly, resume wood supply agreements within the 25-year period of the RFA and, more significantly, purchase sawmills and retire or reallocate the wood supply attached to that mill to augment the supply of another. It seems that the Beattie government may not regard this risk as an issue that will arise during its period in office and has given scant regard to the prospect of this risk being realised—a foolhardy and flippant attitude, to say the least. But it is nevertheless a risk to the Queensland taxpayers, who may ultimately have to foot the bill. In at least some further acknowledgment of 422 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 5 Apr 2001 this risk, the government has made much of its intentions to promote the establishment of hardwood plantations and its ultimate goal of replacing existing timber supplies from the crown forest resource with these plantations. While the Queensland Nationals wholeheartedly support the promotion of the plantation industry, we have very serious reservations regarding the ambitious timetable set by the government. I am sure that everybody would be aware of those concerns, and our reservations are not without foundation. Experienced foresters, scientists, some of the government's own forest experts and even members of the Queensland Timber Board have expressed their doubts as to whether it is physically possible to establish sufficient areas of millable plantations to replace the resource currently supplied by the crown native forest within 25 years. For instance, the Institute of Foresters of Australia, Queensland division, in its 1999 submission on the South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement directions report, referred to research conducted by the government's own Queensland Forest Research Institute regarding the likely growth timetables of hardwood plantations. The submission states— The Queensland Forest Research Institute (QFRI) currently believes that logs suitable for sawing (sawlogs) can be produced confidently on a 30 to 40 year rotation, although given adequate research and technological advances, this could possibly be reduced to around 20 years. Research initiated as part of the Queensland Government's private plantations initiative has identified a number of problems that would need to be addressed through a focused R&D program before the possibility of hardwood sawlog production from 20 year old plantations could be considered. Issues include the optimum plantation silviculture, the development of improved genetic material, wood quality and utilisation. It is reasonable to conclude that the development of commercial hardwood sawlog plantations in South East Queensland would require a minimum lead time of 30 years, even with an immediate financial commitment to the necessary R&D requirements. After the Beattie Government announced its purported RFA deal, the institute repeated its reservations about the time frames proposed for plantation development, the requirement for hardwood plantation on both private and public land to supply sufficient wood, the lack of suitable crown land for plantation development and the harvesting arrangements over the next 25 years given the withdrawal of the proposed 425,000 hectares available for harvesting. That final point leads me to the other failing in the government's logic regarding the intention of this regulation to transfer over half, or 235,000 hectares, of the 425,000 hectares to reserve and its underlying decision to close down the south-east Queensland crown forest network within 25 years. That is the Beattie government's underlying assumption that the only way to achieve conservation targets is through formal reserves that exclude any form of disturbance—basically, a 'lock 'em up and throw away the key' policy, a policy that flies in the face of international opinion as well as expert opinion here in Queensland from the likes of the Institute of Foresters, which stated in that same submission that— A major government study of forest-related taxa at risk in SEQ found that the greatest threat to taxa is not posed by selective harvesting but by other factors not directly addressed in the RFA process. The report they refer to was conducted by the State government. The Institute of Foresters went on to say— Most potential disturbances can be effectively managed by informal reservation or management prescription, and in reality, managed forests are frequently able to offer superior protection of biodiversity through maintaining a management presence and funding superior infrastructure. For example, fire was often identified as a significant risk to taxa. In truth, severe wildfires are more likely in poorly managed reserves than in managed production forests. We know all too well that the management of Queensland's more than seven million hectares of national parks and reserves is chronically underresourced and that even some of our most popular parks are suffering the consequences, such as Fraser Island. On the government's track record, and with an absence of any major commitment to reversing this situation, it is very difficult to have any confidence that the additional 425,000 hectares of crown forest that will be placed in reserve by virtue of this regulation and perhaps others will be managed effectively. So in summary, the Queensland Nationals' concerns about this regulation and the actions of the government are not based on any single issue but rather a considered and well-researched examination of the government's proposal. All we urge the government to do is to exercise some caution and some common sense. Time expired. Mr HOBBS (Warrego—NPA) (5.16 p.m.): I second the disallowance motion moved by the member for Keppel, and I do so with a heavy heart; because there is no need at all for members to be here today disallowing this motion in relation to the regional forest assessment and the locking up of further land in the south-east corner of the state. 5 Apr 2001 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 423

I was the minister in charge of natural resources when we started the regional forest assessment. The process was all about putting together an agreement to take the debate out of the forest. The idea was to try, once and for all, to have some sort of continuity throughout the state so that people could work and live together, so that the people who work the forests live in the forests, and the urban community would know that the forests are being well managed. So this process was commenced. An enormous amount of money was put into research and scientific studies and undertaking enormous social and economic studies. A huge amount of work was done involving many thousands of hours. Collectively, between the many people involved, hundreds of thousands of hours of work were put in. That work was undertaken virtually on a doorknocking basis in the various timber towns, trying to pull together information about what made those towns tick, why people shopped in those towns, where they sent their kids to school and where they were going to send their kids to school—all the things that make and break those communities. After an enormous amount of work, that information was put together and assessed, and it was concluded that yes, obviously there was a very important social fabric in those towns, there was a need to ensure that those towns could survive and that the process of logging could continue. An enormous amount of work was also put into the scientific assessment of the forest itself as to what is a manageable level of logging. All sorts of assessments were carried out. But at the end of the day, after all that work was done, the government made a purely political decision and locked up most of the forest. Basically, we wasted our time. We wasted millions of dollars doing all that work, because we ended up with a political decision. So I am disappointed that, at the end of the day, that process, which was started in good faith by all political parties involved, came down to a political decision. I think the government said that it made that decision based on the agreement with four lobby groups: the Australian Rainforest Conservation Society, the Queensland Timber Board, the Queensland Conservation Council and the Wilderness Society. What about the rest of the stakeholders who were involved with the forests as well? There is an enormous number of them. But at the end of the day, a purely political decision was made to lock up the forests. What is that going to achieve? What are we aiming to do? I have no doubt that the people who are saying that we should lock up the forests want to ensure that there is something for their children and for the future. No doubt their intentions are quite good. However, we believe very strongly that it is the wrong way to go for several reasons. One, in particular, is that by locking the forest up you do not actually make it better; in many instances, you make it worse. You have to manage the land. I come from the land myself. If I do not manage the land properly, it will be overrun. It will not produce and it will not be able to provide for the future. An interesting example is in the United States where they have been through this. They have been through locking up the forests and throwing away the keys. In many instances, those forests have burned from boundary to boundary with devastating consequences. In the recent US presidential campaigns both candidates committed nearly $A50 billion over 15 years to harvesting and removing trees from national parks and reserves to try to reduce the amount of timber and fuel in those forests. I have here a very interesting article that I would like to share with members because it is particularly important. It relates to America, which is a little different from Australia. I also have information here that relates to Australia, but this article sums it up fairly well. It is an article from the Washington Post written by a guy named William Booth. It states— With the embers of this year's wildfires still smouldering across the west of the United States, plans are being made for radical changes in forest management. A coalition of highly politicised interests appears ready to push the federal government into restoring great swaths of public forest by thinning out billions of trees and returning a more-natural cycle of prescribed burning to the land. After the pruning is done—some time around 2015 if Congress and the next administration agree with the plan—millions of hectares of dry, pine forests in the west would look far different. Entire landscapes would be transformed from crowded stands of trees, which can fuel catastrophic fires, into more- manicured, open settings of tall, older trees scattered here and there, with grasses and shrubs underneath. It would look, as the foresters describe it, more 'park-like' and would burn more gently. The forests last looked like that when the first European settlers arrived to displace the indigenous people, who themselves managed the forests with fire. 'This is just a huge challenge' said Harry Croft, deputy director for fire and aviation at the US Forest Service, who wrote a 1995 internal report that laid bare the need to address forest health and the heavy fuel loads in the woods. 'These ecosystems are so out of whack'. Many Americans, who have grown 424 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 5 Apr 2001 accustomed to dense green forests, might not admire the appearance of the more heavily managed but more 'natural' forests. Forest service officials privately fear a backlash against the plan. Yet the hope is that after so much effort, the forests would return to a more fire-resistant state. So that is basically what has happened over there. That seems to be the trend across America. I made a trip there to look at sustainable logging in native forests and I found that that certainly was the attitude. What had been done in the past was wrong. It was an evolutionary thing that we thought was right, but at the end of the day that is not the case. The same thing has happened here in Australia. In Australia the country has changed dramatically since white man has taken over. The Aborigines used to burn the country. The types of trees have changed. The whole landscape has changed. If members read the journals of the old explorers, they will see that they talk about what the landscape was like when they first came out here—apart from all the fires that were burning in the country. There were quotes such as 'A man could gallop a horse without impediment and see whole miles ahead.' That was a reference to places where now one cannot even walk through because the trees have totally taken over. This will happen and we have to manage it. I appeal to members of the government not to lock up the forests. The forests can be managed. We can have both. We can have a sustainable business operating with sustainable logging—very careful logging—and we can manage our forests. A report of the Local Government Association dealing with national parks in Queensland pointed out quite clearly that there is chronic underfunding of national parks. There is not enough money for firebreaks or the management of the forests. So if we cannot manage our forests, what will happen when a fire breaks out? It will burn from wall to wall and clean the whole lot out. We will lose not only the trees but also the ecosystems and the animals in them. I appeal to members of the government to think very carefully. Do not go down this line. I passionately believe that we are doing the wrong thing. Mr Lester: Imagine Fraser Island. Mr HOBBS: Fraser Island is a very good example of what will happen in due course. It will happen—just as the sun rises in the east. It will burn. We do not want that to happen; nobody wants that to happen. We want to make sure that we have a pristine environment. We want to make sure that we have a good environment and a great place that we and our children can visit and admire. We can do that. I understand that we must have certain areas of old growth forest. That is very important, but we have to be able to maintain a balance. It so important. We have missed a great opportunity to get it right. The politics have not been taken out of the forest. The idea of the RFAs was to take politics out of the forest. That has not been done. We totally oppose what is being done. We are locking up 460,00-odd hectares, I think, in this particular RFA. It is not necessary; we do not have to do that. People can still make a living. We can have both. We can manage the forests and those people can work through the forests as well. I really believe that we have missed a great opportunity. I am disappointed that we have to debate this issue today, but I really believe that we should see what we can do. Time expired. Mr CUMMINS (Kawana—ALP) (5.26 p.m.): The lands under the South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement have a high conservation value and warrant a high level of protection. Appropriate protected area tenures will be determined by the government after discussions with traditional owners, stakeholders and special interest groups, including those with both recreational and commercial interests. Discussions will be aimed at accommodating those interests as far as possible both short and long term, while protecting the nature conservation and cultural heritage values of the lands and recognising the practical needs of managing the forest. In recognition of the importance of these lands to the Queensland outdoor recreation community, the then Minister for Natural Resources formed an advisory group, the Forest Recreation Reference Group. This group was established to address outdoor recreation in forests and has a wide base with members including those from the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation, the Queensland Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, Australian Trail Horse Riders Association—Queensland branch, the Queensland Cyclists Association, the Queensland Orienteering Association, the Bushwalking Federation of Australia, the Queensland Ornithological Society—and I can spell that for any National Party members if they wish. It also includes representatives from the Dual Motorcycle Riders Association, Tread Lightly Australia, a representative of local government, a conservation representative, Department of Tourism Sport and Racing, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Natural Resources. 5 Apr 2001 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 425

The primary role of the Forest Recreation Reference Group was to develop an acceptable plan for resolving competing recreational interests in the public forest estate. Mr Seeney: Who wrote this for you? Mr CUMMINS: Does the member want me to spell something again? Sunshine Coast residents have long been recognised as people who love the outdoors and appreciate improvements to their recreation and who have strong environmental considerations that are well covered in the South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement. We do not use American spellcheck either. Do not worry about that American stuff. This plan would maximise the full diversity of outdoor— Mr Seeney: Tell us what you think, tell us what you know. Mr CUMMINS: If the member would listen to it, he will hear what I am thinking. I am representing the Sunshine Coast people. Labor is in there now. There are three Labor members up there—just as many as there are Liberals across the state. That is how good you have done. This plan would maximise the full diversity of outdoor recreational access and use the south-east Queensland forestry area. I stand proudly here as the first Labor member to represent the electorate of Kawana. In the rapidly growing electorate of Kawana, more and more residents are appreciating the access given to public open space for recreation purposes. Mr Seeney: What about the workers who lost their jobs? Did Davo tell you about the workers? Mr CUMMINS: Davo who? He is not here. As population pressure increases— Mr Seeney: You are here. Tell us what you are going to do for them. Mr CUMMINS: He is very thankful for you blokes. As population pressures increase, these areas are becoming more and more valuable and appreciated. They need to be properly managed, and community involvement in their future management is a critical part of the process already commenced. Consultation is now more focused at the local level and relates to specific forest areas. Therefore, subregional forums were established in early 2000. They are for the south and west areas, Gold Coast to main range, north coast—that great area that put in three Labor members, as many members as there are Liberals right across this great state—the Wide Bay-Burnett area and the Gladstone area. These subregional forums have been meeting regularly and currently have around 2,000 members showing regular interest. That is further proof of the positive consultation process that the Beattie government, which was overwhelmingly returned, is renowned for. The subregional forum members provide valuable information about the recreational use of forests directly to the tenure allocation planners as well as highlighting which recreation groups should be involved in tenure allocation for individual or groups of forest reserves. The Nature Conservation Act provides a number of protected area tenures which can accommodate a range of outdoor recreational uses. For example, recreational horse riding— Mr Seeney: You should have used smaller words for him, Rod. Mr CUMMINS: I can spell anything here. Recreational horse riding is not allowed in national parks but is permitted in conservation parks. This range of tenures allows us to retain recreational access to south-east Queensland's forests while maintaining the integrity of the protected area system. This is obviously what our residents right across south-east Queensland want. The planning process will determine the appropriate and sustainable uses for each forest while ensuring the long-term protection of our natural and cultural values. The South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement includes the immediate protection of approximately 425,000 hectares of land from further logging. The remaining areas of south- east Queensland state forests and timber reserves will be logged once more in accordance with environmental guidelines. Then they, too, will be added to the conservation reserve system. This represents an historic opportunity to conserve the great forests of south-east Queensland in a world-class reserve of 1.25 million hectares. This is an opportunity that does not come along every generation. In part, it is created by the willingness of the timber industry to assess its own future and the future of the publicly owned natural resources upon which it relies. The industry decided to take the long-term sustainable future—a smart move. It is also possible because of the vision of the 426 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 5 Apr 2001 conservation groups, which could see the possibilities for a world-class forest reserve system and worked tirelessly to see a dream realised for the whole of the community. The Beattie Labor government had the courage to see this as well and pursued the agreement with vigour, despite the attempts of rivals to scuttle it for their own political gains. It is a pity that they have not learned from their lesson on 17 February, when the community rejected their tunnel vision. That is why, although I sit on this side of the House, I represent the other side of the House. It is now up to the other users, such as the recreationalists, beekeepers, foliage harvesters and the traditional owners to see the potential for a great southern forest reserve and work with the government to deliver a system that allows appropriate use but retains the natural and cultural values of these places forever. That process has started and has widespread support. As time passes, the value of our protected forests will grow and grow not only for the local people to use and enjoy as a basis for an expanding ecotourism industry but as an essential part of a world-class reserve system that conserves our natural heritage for all time. Short-sighted thinking now will limit this great opportunity for an investment in a sustainable future. Instead of trying to wreck the most successful forest agreement in the nation, the opposition should be trying to convince their federal colleagues to emulate it. But instead they wheel in the wrecker from the west, 'Iron Bar' Tuckey, and try to undermine it, try to divide communities and practise the politics of division, which will soon see them thrown out. No wonder they are so thin on the ground. If the members opposite were fair dinkum about the welfare of regional and rural Queensland, they would be embracing this agreement, because it delivers certainty, economic benefits and jobs to communities that need it most. John Howard reckons he is listening to the people, but he should lend his hearing aid to the member for Keppel and the member for Callide because, if they want to proceed with wrecking an agreement that the community is embracing, they certainly need it. Mr SEENEY (Callide—NPA) (5.34 p.m.): Mr Deputy Speaker, can I say that the speech that we have heard from the member for Kawana is so very typical of the Labor government's approach to the whole RFA debate. Time and time again in this House we have seen Labor stooges come in here, stand up and read speeches that they do not understand. They cannot pronounce the words. When it comes to forest management, they have not got a clue what they are talking about. The former minister was a classic example. He would come in here and read speeches that had been written by the department. We have seen the same thing here today. Mr WELFORD: I rise to a point of order. I did not recite speeches written by the department, but I had much more courtesy to the House than this— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): Order! There is no point of order. Mr SEENEY: Of course there is no point of order. The former minister is now in a portfolio area to which his talents are probably a whole lot more suited. He was classically unsuited to the portfolio area that he held before. What we have heard tonight, especially from the last speaker, is just so typical of this whole government's approach. They do not understand what they are doing. They do not understand the extent to which the so-called regional forestry agreement is a total waste of time. It is totally unnecessary to destroy the forest industries and the communities that depend on them. It is so totally unnecessary in the pursuit of ideological nonsense. Tragically, it is doomed to fail. We on this side have pointed that out every time this issue has been debated in this House. We have seen a series of members who know and understand the bush—who know and understand the natural ecosystem of the bush, who have worked with it all their lives and who live in that environment—come in here and speak about things that they know. That is the classic difference between those on this side of the House and the government. The matter that I want to talk about tonight is another point that I think illustrates the government's approach to this whole issue. This regulation seeks to change the titles. It seeks to rush to lock up these particular forest areas. Regrettably, there is no rush on the part of the government to deal with the social effects of its agreement. There is no rush on the part of the government to deal with the effect it will have on the communities that are going to be destroyed. Instead, we have this almost indecent haste to turn these areas into national parks in waiting, which is what this regulation does. There is no rush to do anything about communities that have felt the brunt of this ridiculous agreement. I raised with the member who spoke before the issue of the workers at Cooroy. There is absolutely no compassion being shown to the workers who lost their jobs in the timber industry, 5 Apr 2001 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 427 despite the fact that we have a party in government that is supposed to be concerned about the workers and their future. There was no effort made to protect those workers. In the small town of Eidsvold, which I represent, 24 people were employed at the timber mill. It is the economic basis of the whole community. The Eidsvold mill was part of the infamous Boral deal—the deal that was negotiated by the former Deputy Premier, whom I used to clash with in this parliament every time this issue was raised. The deal that was negotiated by the former Deputy Premier was for the government to buy the Eidsvold mill and the Theodore mill. The idea was then for the government to on-sell them to another operator. In the last 12 to 18 months we have relentlessly pursued the former Deputy Premier and the government to try to establish some details of that infamous Boral deal. We have been able to achieve absolutely nothing in terms of establishing some security for the people who work in the Eidsvold sawmill, thereby establishing some security for the entire Eidsvold community. I say to the new members of this parliament who stand in this place and read fine-sounding ideology that has obviously been written by somebody else: in this place you need to deal with reality. In Eidsvold, the reality is that if the mill closes and 24 people lose their jobs a whole community collapses. That is the reality of the situation. That is the reality that nobody on the government side has been prepared to deal with. That is the reality that I have to deal with as a local member. That is the reality that the former member for Noosa had to deal with in relation to the mill at Cooroy. Let us get fair dinkum in relation to what we are talking about. We are talking about people. In the case of Eidsvold, we are talking about 24 jobs, 24 families and a community. Members opposite just waste this parliament's time when they come in here and read things that they do not understand. They have not got a clue what they are talking about. In so doing, they fail the people they represent. They fail those people who depend on them to put forward their points of view. The Eidsvold and Theodore mills need some security. The people of Eidsvold and Theodore need to know that their communities have a future. They need to know that the commitments that were given in this parliament time and time again by the former Deputy Premier will be honoured by this new government. Up until now, we have not been able to achieve that. We have not been able to get any assurances about the crown allocation that will be available to those mills. We have not been able to get any assurances about whether that crown allocation will remain specific to those mills. We have not been able to get any assurances at all about whether those mills are continuing to ensure that they have private timber supplies available, because they need supplies of private timber as well as crown allocation. That is the detail that people opposite refuse to acknowledge. That is the detail that they refuse to understand and that is the detail that is so important to make the fine-sounding rhetoric even have a chance of working. The communities of Eidsvold and Theodore and all of the people in the timber industry need some reality. They need some reaction to the reality that they face. They do not need the meaningless rhetoric that is constantly served up by a range of Labor stooges who read speeches that are obviously written by public servants in some departmental office somewhere. The other point that I raise—and we have raised it consistently in this debate during the two years that it has gone on—is the nonsense that plantations will replace the native forests as a source of timber. The point of debate has always been the 25-year figure that has been bandied around as a time frame in which plantations are going to take over from native forests as a source of supply. Even now not one significant area of plantation is being established by the government. I concede that some private plantations are being established, but they have been established by private operations. Not one significant area has been established by the government. Once again we see an example of blatant dishonesty. We see the Minister for Primary Industries and other ministers, when questioned about this, stand and read briefing notes about plantations being established at Monto and elsewhere. Do members know that the plantation at Monto is about half an acre, yet on the briefing note it is added to the list of plantations: Monto, Mungindi, Eidsvold. What bunkum! That is an absolute nonsense. It is an absolute fraud. There are not enough trees in those plantations to keep the Eidsvold mill running for half a day, even if all of the trees did grow to maturity. That is the sort of nonsense that is constantly served up in this parliament. The situation that is occurring with plantations is illustrated by the fact that we are debating this regulation tonight. There is a rush to change the regulation. There is a rush to make it a 428 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 5 Apr 2001 national park, but there is no rush to establish the plantations. Even though that has been the contentious issue from the start, there is no rush to get the trees in the ground and give them half a chance of meeting the 25-year deadline. That illustrates just how fair dinkum the government has been. It illustrates just how fair dinkum this government is about maintaining a timber industry. It illustrates just how serious it is about maintaining jobs for people in those communities. It is not serious at all. It is a fraud and you should all be ashamed of yourselves. Ms MALE (Glass House—ALP) (5.45 p.m.): The South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement will establish a world-class system of protected areas through the creation of the great southern forests reserve. As a consequence of this government's commitment, local, national and international visitors will be provided with improved facilities and access to some of Queensland's most magnificent forests. The great southern forests reserve will receive enhanced funding of $16 per hectare, which will dramatically increase the day-to-day ranger presence and contact with park visitors, and improve the protection of the natural values of those areas through management programs including enhanced weed and feral animal control, fire management and improved enforcement. The agreement creates employment opportunities for regional communities through increased ranger numbers, retraining of displaced timberworkers, construction and maintenance of visitor facilities and management infrastructure, and flow-on economic benefits from the expanded ecotourism attractions. This is all about jobs, jobs, jobs and that is what the Beattie Labor government provides. The great southern forests reserve will be good not only for biodiversity conservation, recreation and the tourism industry; the creation of forest reserves and the cessation of logging has actually opened up the forests. It has opened them up for access by the community for recreational use. A government member: Hear, hear! Long-term jobs. Ms MALE: Absolutely. I thank the member for that interjection. They will be a long-term economic asset for regional communities in the south-east. It creates sustainable jobs—and I am talking about 'sustainable jobs'—through protecting our natural heritage. The planning for the forest reserves, which are the subject of this dreadful disallowance motion, is well under way. The two forest working groups that have already been established demonstrate the commitment of the government to an open and participative planning process. The Dularcha-Mooloolah working group includes representatives from a number of different community groups, and a lot of them are in my electorate. There are the traditional owners, the Caloundra City Council— Mr Cummins: A good council. Ms MALE: Absolutely. Also, the Sunshine Coast Environment Council, the Mooloolah Valley Riding Centre, the Landsborough and Community Association, which I may say has been heavily involved in this process, the Wildlife Preservation Society in the Caloundra area, the Endurance Riding Club, the Caboolture Four Wheel Drive Club, the Queensland Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, the Landsborough Historical Society, which is a very busy group, the Landsborough Historical Museum, the Queensland Beekeepers Association and the Australian Trail Horse Riders Association. Mr Neil Roberts: There's a lot of knowledge and experience in that group. Ms MALE: I thank the honourable member for that interjection; there certainly is. It is lovely to see all of those groups getting together and working very hard. Other groups have been involved in different parts of the regional forest agreement. I personally had a lot to do with the Conondale Range committee members, who showed me the different areas and provided all sorts of helpful information. I have made representations on their behalf. Mr Cummins: First-hand. Ms MALE: It certainly is first-hand experience that we are talking about. I have spoken to members of this working group on numerous occasions. They tell me that it gives them a sense of ownership and participation in the area. It inspires them to become more involved in ecologically sustainable practices and uses of the area. While some of the groups may not get everything that they want—and that is what life is all about—the fact that they are willing to work together and compromise shows that the process works. It is working in all sorts of areas throughout the state and it is working in my electorate of Glass House. We are always excited that members of the community are willing to volunteer their time and expertise to ensure good outcomes for the whole community. They are not selfish people. 5 Apr 2001 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 429

Although I do see selfish people around me on a number of occasions, the people who work on those groups are not selfish people. Mr Cummins: They're for the community. Ms MALE: They are and, quite frankly, it is in stark contrast to the opposition, who are policy free and who resort to scaremongering and division. We build on community strength. We use our community. We listen to them. We listen to their expertise. In this, the International Year of the Volunteer, it is important that we recognise the contribution that people with goodwill are prepared to make. In fact, this whole agreement is the result of goodwill and people working in partnership. This extensive participation ensures that the full range of views and information is present. The group has met four times and is working through the options to ensure that the natural and cultural values of the area are protected for future generations, while allowing this generation to enjoy the area, and I think that is a very important point. The group has accepted that if existing activities are shown to be unsustainable then changes are necessary. It has also agreed that not all uses are compatible with each other and solutions must be found, but they are all willing to work together to find those solutions. Mr Neil Roberts: How do you think they'd get on with the member for Callide? Ms MALE: Possibly not very well at all. He does not seem to be involved in community consultation and working closely to make sure that everyone's opinions are heard. This type of community involvement is the way forward for sustainable land management. It builds understanding between different sectors of the community and it creates support for the effort of land management agencies. Similarly, the western scenic rim working group has a wide range of representatives who are working through the issues to ensure protection of values while still allowing appropriate use. In other areas working groups are in the process of being established, with some simply waiting for stakeholder groups to nominate their representatives. As soon as this happens these groups will also start to work. It is hoped that up to seven groups will be operating within the next few months, covering around one-third of the agreement area. We encourage people in other areas of south-east Queensland to get involved in the process. I have spoken to those people already involved, and they recognise the benefits of participation. In the future not only will the residents of south-east Queensland look back and thank us for the extraordinary legacy in terms of the conservation estate, but they will be part of a community that understands and contributes to the management of those parks. Those parks will actually belong to the people. They will feel involved. One of the reasons the Beattie Labor government was successful in February was that we listen and act on community wishes and aspirations. The South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement is a classic example of the differences between this side of the House and the other mob. We build on community consensus and we guide decisions, whereas they just wreck and divide as much as they possibly can, and I think we have seen the results of that. This debate is not about the forests, because the opposition just does not understand those issues. This is about ideology and old-fashioned wedge politics. The other side of the House just cannot come to terms with an agreement that has such wide support. The Timber Board supports it, the conservation groups all support it, the government supports it and the community supports it. I have spoken to timberworkers and timber mill owners. People support it. Indeed, the community that supports it are the ones who are helping to shape the usage outcomes. The opposition just cannot comprehend that agreements can be reached between parties with different points of view. Because of this policy vacuum, they find themselves reduced to their current numbers. It is just typical of the National Party's approach to any issue which involves protecting our natural environment and resources. The member for Warrego proudly proclaims that he comes from the land, but he is only as happy as a pig in mud when he can log, slash and burn. I come from the land. I am a farmer's daughter. I have lived on the land all my life, and I can tell the honourable member that we need to be ensuring that our forests are protected and that our environment is cared for so that our future generations have forests to walk in and forests to enjoy. I would like to put on the record that the Beattie Labor government will not be swayed from its program of protecting and caring for our special forest areas. The opposition is doing regional and rural Queensland a huge disservice by moving this motion. They should be condemned by 430 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 5 Apr 2001 the communities that will benefit from the jobs and the economic potential and the certainty that this agreement delivers to the areas that need it most. Dr KINGSTON (Maryborough—Ind) (5.54 p.m.): I rise to support this dissent motion. I echo the disappointment expressed by the member for Warrego. I compliment the member for Callide on his speech, and I agree with it. I am amazed at what I just heard in two speeches from government members. I think the fact that a decision like this should be made in a democracy makes a mockery of democracy. This is minority politics at its worst. I ask the member for Glass House: has she subjected the opinions that she has received to any statistical analysis? A government member: Can't you count? Dr KINGSTON: Yes, I can, and I can do statistics. That is something that the member obviously cannot. What has been said is an insult to the silviculturists in my electorate who work diligently to preserve the timber on their farms and also produce timber. Over the last 20 years they have doubled the production of timber on a sustainable basis and produced cattle from the same lot of land. In other words, they have achieved multiple land use, and that should be the aim of people in this country. It is significant that the previous minister did not respond to any invitations to come and visit forestry communities such as mine—communities where a significant proportion of the population rely on forestry projects. It is significant that he did not visit Cooloola or Gympie, the worst area impacted upon by the RFA. Gympie is the only area where the council commissioned an impact study of the intended RFA, and that impact study showed dreadful socioeconomic results to that community. But that report was totally ignored. I invite both of the previous speakers to come to my electorate. I will drive them out to meet some silviculturists. I will not interfere in their conversation. I challenge them to talk to people who are actually practising silviculture and are improving farming and timber production. I am astounded to hear that four-wheel-drive groups are now happy that they can drive through state forests. I regularly drive through the state forest. My property is surrounded by state forest. My four-wheel-drive vehicle is protected by two-inch steel bars, which encompass the entire body. It is two years old and very soon it will not have any paint on it. Why? Because the forestry roads are so covered in lantana, groundsel and other weeds. I am astounded to hear that there are no pests in the forests. Every time a south-easter blows, the sky over my property turns white. The white is a cloud of groundsel seed. As a primary producer, I am forced to remove groundsel from my property at my expense or be subjected to a serious fine. However, the government forestry department grows groundsel so successfully that you would think they were cultivating it. They seed my property and all my neighbours' properties every year with more groundsel seed. I am very disappointed with the way this debate is going and want to be more serious. I express my concern about the confident prediction that adequate plantation timber will be available to meet the requirements of the existing sawmills—those that are left—let alone Queensland or Australia's timber needs. I point out to members in the House how significant the cost of timber imports is to Australia. I ask: can we afford to import more timber? There are very many experienced professional foresters who seriously doubt that Queensland can achieve the optimistic assumptions made under this RFA. One reason I am on the vegetation legislation committee in my region, which stretches from Cooloola to Miriam Vale, is that the professional foresters wanted me on it because I am surrounded by forests. Why do I and others harbour this doubt? There are many reasons, but let us look at just a few. Firstly, there is the issue of availability and likely cost of adequately sized tracts of suitable land. I know of one company which is actively involved because it made a very serious commitment to establish pine plantations. It is already experiencing great difficulty finding and purchasing significant tracts of land because that land has prices that are already twice its budgeted figure. Secondly, my confidence has been badly shaken by the lack of funding for forestry and natural resource use in this state and, for that matter, in Australia. Some 20 years ago Queensland had a forestry industry department that was world renowned, well staffed, well resourced, well respected and very productive. I acknowledge that there are still excellent people within the Queensland forestry department, but if those fine officers were game to tell the truth they would admit that they are frustrated. One only needs to look at the lack of maintenance of forestry reserves. I and the graziers who surround my property are constantly plagued by wild pigs, dingoes, groundsel and rat-tail grass. CSIRO had a band of foresters some years ago who were in demand 5 Apr 2001 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 431 worldwide, but CSIRO's funding has now been cut so severely that its best staff spend a high percentage of their time working overseas to raise funds to maintain their departments. Many of these people are very close friends of mine. In fact, the officer in charge of the tree seed centre in Canberra, Stephen Midgley, is world renowned in his field. To keep his department afloat, he is seriously contemplating spending the next two years working in China on a consulting project. It is a very sad state of affairs when a country and a state neglect research and their natural resources. I would feel much happier about these 25-year production predictions if the valuable input of the scientists we have in this country was recognised, if they were kept in Australia and if it was not necessary for them to go overseas and work as consultants and give away our valuable technology. I had considerable involvement with a forestry project in Laos funded by the Asian Development Bank. The project was headed by Australian and New Zealand foresters. The seed came from Australia. In fact, it was red river gum, eucalyptus camaludensis. The methodologies developed by Australians in South-East Asia worked surprisingly well, but the natural pests of eucalypts do not exist in South-East Asia. There was a similar situation when macadamia nuts were taken to Hawaii. However, these natural pests are indigenous to Queensland. We are making very slow progress, if any, in combating them. Time expired. Ms MOLLOY (Noosa—ALP) (6.04 p.m.): Our hearts go out to the members of those families who have lost their jobs, the same as our hearts go out to future generations. Yes, there is heartache, but what heartache will there be when the trees are gone—torn down, forests raped and pillaged? To date, I have seen scant evidence from those on the other side of the House of a desire to protect our environment. I gave an undertaking to my constituents to protect our environment for the future health and wellbeing of all our families. The South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement has provided opportunities for greater integration of local government conservation planning and management. That is what the opposition is trying to destroy with this motion. Not only are we integrating parks with local communities, we are integrating landscapes on a local and regional scale. In my electorate of Noosa, the council has a great track record of working cooperatively with the community and conservation groups to deliver outcomes that benefit the whole community and create jobs. For many years, organisations like the Noosa Parks Association have been lobbying for a more community based use of the magnificent forests that surround Noosa. The Noosa council has agreed with this approach and the implementation of the South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement has provided an opportunity to create a unique set of natural assets for the community to enjoy and to augment our important tourism industry and quality of life. The opposition wants to destroy this community-driven approach for its own political purpose. These areas are being assessed as part of a wider regional landscape and are benchmarks for sensible regional planning. Through a coordinated approach to conservation planning and management, we are improving the protection of the values that have attracted so many people to south-east Queensland, places like the Noosa electorate. In developing good working relationships and partnerships with all levels of government, we are building community ownership and involvement in protecting their environment. There is agreement by local working groups to approach local government to provide buffers to enhance the protection of parks and to preserve the quality of life that my constituents hold dear. This is being done in an integrated way by approaching local land-holders to participate in conservation strategies such as conservation agreements and land for wildlife agreements. This can only be good for conservation in Queensland and will build on the conservation outcomes achieved by the signing of the South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement. The agreement is giving real life to the community's involvement in practical, productive and local conservation outcomes. By attempting to destroy this historic agreement that was community driven, those opposite are tearing at the heart of a process that has enormous capacity for community enhancement and involvement in building social capital. When will those opposite learn that the community wants results? It wants jobs. It wants certainty. It wants quality of life. It wants to be heard and it wants to be involved; it does not want the petty politics and backroom deals that result in this sort of motion before the House tonight. If my predecessor had realised that, perhaps he would still be here instead of fishing full time. As many members know, my electorate of Noosa is one of the most beautiful and well-known areas in Queensland and relies on tourism for much of its employment. 432 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 5 Apr 2001

Ms Male: It's a lovely electorate. Ms MOLLOY: It is a lovely electorate. The implementation of the South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement will build on the success of the Noosa community in marketing our special part of Queensland. It provides an opportunity to broaden the base of our tourism industry away from the sand and surf and into our beautiful hinterland, where people will visit and stay to enjoy the forests. This will help spread the economic benefits into the smaller regional communities that need it most. Ms Male: Are you talking about jobs? Ms MOLLOY: Something like that, yes, and not just for a few and not only for the short term. This sensible approach that we have demonstrated in Noosa is that now favoured by many stakeholders and communities actively participating in the implementation of the South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement. If it were to succeed, this motion would destroy the momentum and goodwill that has been achieved and invested in us. It would destroy our precious native forests and destroy the ability of future generations to enjoy them. The scare campaign that recreational users will be locked out is just that—petty politics that has not worked and has no basis in fact. We have proved by the process so far that the community will be involved and will have a say in future sustainable use. This applies to conservation and recreational users alike and will deliver a world-class system of forest reserves that future generations will thank us for. If this House were to agree to this motion, we would be turning our backs on the very communities we are here to represent. Mrs CARRYN SULLIVAN (Pumicestone—ALP) (6.10 p.m.): I am at a loss as to why the opposition is opposing this regulation. It is all in the name; it is the SEQRF Agreement. The agreement was actually signed by the Queensland Timber Board, the conservation groups and the government. Ms Male: Sounds like an agreement to me. Mrs CARRYN SULLIVAN: It sounds like an agreement to me, too. It paves the way for the establishment of a world-class conservation reserve system with national prominence and international recognition. The agreement and transfer of these lands will nearly double the size of the conservation reserve in south-east Queensland immediately and significantly. It will increase it further over the term of the agreement and thus significantly add to the maintenance of the biodiversity in those areas. We must remember that south-east Queensland's population is predicted to double from 1991 levels within 20 years. This increases the threat to biodiversity by such things as land clearing, fragmentation of habitats and increased pest and weed invasion. In my electorate of Pumicestone there is a real need for areas in which people, especially young people, can go and enjoy themselves in a natural setting. I have already had concerns expressed to me, and I know that this need will increase as the population grows. The transfer of these forests will contribute to a more comprehensive, adequate and representative system of reserves in south-east Queensland and, in particular, will provide protection for the following natural and cultural resources: 40 threatened regional ecosystems, three of which are endangered; 14 regional ecosystems which are currently unrepresented in the protected area estate; 63 regional ecosystems which have low representation in the protected area estate; and 44 threatened fauna species, eight of which are endangered, 19 are rare and 17 are vulnerable. What does this tell us? If we do not act now, we lose the lot. The SEQRFA also provides the opportunity to protect, to name just a few—I had better get these right or I will have the member for Callide coming down on me like a tonne of bricks—the yellow-belly glider, the kroombit tinker frog, the cascade tree frog, the glossy black cockatoo, the red and grey goshawk and the powerful owl. The transfer of these forests will also provide protection for at least 99 threatened flora species, including 11 endangered, 47 rare and 26 vulnerable plants—to name just a few, the Gittin's wattle, the blackdown bottlebrush and Sharp's alyxia—and will significantly enhance the quality of south-east Queensland's water catchments through the protection of vegetation and landscapes. The transfers of these lands will provide for a higher level of protection for significant World Heritage listed areas in the central eastern rainforest. In addition to the current conservation reserves, these lands now account for approximately 60 per cent of the total amount of old 5 Apr 2001 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 433 growth in the region. For a system of conservation reserves to be comprehensive, adequate and representative, wilderness representation is a necessity. Of the identified 250,000 hectares of wilderness in the region, over 80 per cent is now safely conserved within south-east Queensland's protected area system. I applaud the Labor Party government for that, too. That is what the mover of this motion wants to destroy. The protection of Queensland's biodiversity is essential for maintaining our support systems—not only for ourselves but also for future generations, of which I have one. There are also very significant cultural values in these forests which deserve greater protection. There are 172 known cultural heritage sites, of which at least 45 are significant, including at least 19 above the National Estate threshold and seven of which are a part of the National Estate. The south-east Queensland forests agreement recognises the cultural values of these forests. I acknowledge—and I know that my Labor colleagues acknowledge—and respect the deep connection that Aboriginal people have with these forests. I share their concern for the land and agree with the need to care for it. The traditional owners of the lands in the western Scenic Rim and Dularcha forests are already participating in the planning process for those areas. I thank them for this. We cannot realistically plan the future management without their involvement. Last week officers of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service attended the land summit near Bundaberg held by the Gurang Land Council. I am told that the planners and the traditional owners were able to sit down and discuss how they will move forward in planning for the future management and protection of the forests in the northern part of south-east Queensland. It is this practical approach to caring for the land that is needed. We all want to care for this country, and the central involvement of the traditional owners is needed and respected. It is our duty to ensure that our rich heritage, both natural and cultural, is protected now and into the future. We need to applaud and support the implementation of the south-east Queensland forests agreement, not pull it apart and destroy it. We need to protect our heritage, not abandon it. Unlike the opposition, this government recognises that native title is a fact of life and we need to work cooperatively to resolve outstanding issues. Agreements such as this south-east Queensland forest agreement can deliver outcomes and should be supported in a bipartisan manner. There has been ample evidence of the community's willingness to embrace reconciliation, and it is about time the opposition approached it in a constructive way. Hon. D. M. WELLS (Murrumba—ALP) (Minister for Environment) (6.17 p.m.): I begin by thanking the members for Kawana, Glass House, Noosa and Pumicestone for their contributions to the debate. Not only are these members who have recently made their maiden speeches; they are also members whose electorates are situated in areas that are going to be the beneficiaries of the regulation which honourable members on the other side of the House are seeking to disallow tonight. I thank also the honourable members for Keppel, Warrego, Callide and Maryborough for their contributions. I will say a little more about those contributions now. I think the intellectual framework of the opposition is found quintessentially in the thoughts of the honourable member for Warrego. The honourable member for Warrego was able to use the language of ecology, the language of environmentalism. He said such things as, 'We are in favour of sustainable logging—very careful logging.' He said, 'We are in favour of a pristine environment.' But he said, 'We still want to chop down the trees and we do not want these regulations which are going to protect them.' The member for Warrego desires the end without having to go through the means. He believes that if there are no regulations then everybody is going to inevitably do exactly the right thing and we will have a pristine environment and sustainable and very careful logging. In fact, what he means by the use of this language is that he just wants people to do whatever occurs to them at any particular time and he does not really care about the preservation of our environment at all. That only proves that the devil can quote Scripture to his purpose. The honourable member then went on—and let me quote him, because I think that this is almost an exact quote—to say, 'We failed because we did not put politics out of the forest.' What is the reason he gives for saying that we, on this side of the House, did not put politics out of the forest? He said, 'We did not put politics out of the forest because we still oppose it.' Is that not wonderful logic! The National Party is still against it so 'we did not put politics out of it'. But the National Party is the only group that is against it. Where is the outcry? Where are the demands on us to do something different from the agreement that has already been struck? An agreement 434 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 5 Apr 2001 was achieved through an exhaustive, careful and inclusive process, and the only ones out of it are the National Party in the Queensland parliament and perhaps in the federal parliament as well. I thought that the honourable member for Warrego summed up the opposition's lack of argument best. I would like to refer to the contribution of the honourable member for Maryborough, but it is very hard to identify it. He invited us to visit his electorate; he would drive us out, he said. We are all invited to his electorate. He invited us to see some silviculturists at work. 'Silviculturists' is another term for people who chop down trees. We actually do not need him to taxi drive us to see people chopping down trees. Many of us know how to do it. I have chopped down lots of trees in my life, but I just do not believe that the ones in the areas that we are proposing to transfer to a protected category ought to be chopped down, and the fact that that honourable member does is neither here nor there. The only other significant point that the honourable member made was that he did not like groundsel and wild pigs. I think we can agree on that. We did not get any intellectual rigour out of the honourable member for Maryborough, but that only goes to show that you can take the boy out of One Nation but you cannot take the One Nation out of the boy. The honourable member for Keppel said that we were going to close down the timber industry within 25 years. That is simply not true. That is not going to happen. That is not what the agreement says. That is not what the regulation says. It is not on the agenda. It is not on the books. It is not an issue in this debate. The member said that the RFA did not involve all the stakeholders. It did. As honourable members on this side of the House have said several times, many of them have been involved. It is an agreement with everybody except the National Party and the coalition in Canberra. The honourable member for Keppel varied his position. First of all, he said that the whole thing is bad in principle and that we should not be doing this. Then he said that maybe we could do it, but we could do it in 30 years instead of 25 years, and we could do it without a regulation; we could do it with only 300,000 instead of the much larger number with which we are doing it. He did not seem to know whether he was against it in principle or whether he was in favour of doing it with different details. In the end, I suppose that he wanted to do it in 30 years rather than 25 years. Is that not just typically the National Party? The honourable member for Callide made some points which would have been substantial if they were true. The honourable member for Callide said that there were no significant plantations. That is not correct. There are significant areas of plantation that have not been included in the transfer. There are also approximately 15,000 hectares of plantation related lands that have been excised from the next group to be transferred—not the group that we are considering today but the next group. There are plantations in the 375,000 hectares that will be transferred. Mr Seeney: How much plantation? Mr WELLS: I referred to 15,000 just as the member was walking into the chamber. And the additional 375,000 will be excised to ensure continued production. Mr Seeney: Where are they? Mr WELLS: They are all over the place. I invite the honourable member to have a look at the map and have a chat with my departmental officers. They will show him the many areas all over the place where timber is being excised. The agreement does ensure the continuation of timber production, and that is why the Timber Board is a signatory to the agreement. The proposition—the scare proposition—that this is going to be the end of the timber industry is simply not true. As for Eidsvold and— Mr Seeney: Theodore. Mr WELLS: Theodore—I have no information that they are about to close. Does the honourable member have information that they are about to close? My aunty Mary, who used to be the president of the Cracow branch of the Country Women's Association, has no information that they are about to close. Where does the honourable member get the information that they are about to close? And if he does not have that information, why is he talking down his own electorate? Why is he talking down Queensland industry by running scare tactics that jobs in his own electorate are about to disappear? Mr SEENEY: I rise to a point of order. I find offensive the minister's suggestion that I am talking down my own electorate. The point is that those mills have no indication of security of 5 Apr 2001 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 435 tenure—no indication of security for their future. I find the minister's comments offensive and ask that they be withdrawn. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Mickel): Order! The member has asked for the comments to be withdrawn. Mr WELLS: Out of respect for the honourable member's renowned and well-known delicate sensitivity, I withdraw. The South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement paves the way for the establishment of a world-class conservation reserve system with national prominence and international recognition. This is as a direct result of the signing of an historic agreement between the timber industry, the conservation movement and the state government. It provides for a world- class conservation reserve system, ecologically sustainable management of forests, a competitive and efficient timber industry and enhanced economic development and employment prospects for rural communities. The agreement is unique, because it delivered peace in our forests and certainty for industry. It is also unique because it was government endorsing a stakeholder-driven agreement. It could not have been done without the very hard work and dedication of many people. In particular, Mr Rod McGinnes of the Queensland Timber Board and Dr Aila Keto of the Australian Rainforest Conservation Society deserve special mention for their efforts. Those people were prepared to sit down and talk over a difference of opinion and find the middle ground that was going to benefit everybody. I think that they deserve the congratulations of the whole parliament for that. It is a perfect example of how the Labor government works with stakeholders and encourages agreement. This agreement reflects the timbre of the times by facilitating genuine agreement in the community. Mr Seeney: Give us a break! Mr WELLS: The only sort of break that the honourable member is going to get is the one that has already been administered to him. It is deeply moving to any Environment Minister to be in a position to have a conversation with a member of a threatened species. I must tell the honourable member that I went to great lengths to save the hairy-nosed wombat. We used techniques of in-vitro fertilisation on the hairy-nosed wombat. We are going to build a fence to protect the bilby, but I have to say that nothing will save the honourable member. This is an agreement that the other side of politics could not and would not deliver. It is an agreement that is the envy of other governments in Australia and one that Mr Wilson Tuckey, the member for Callide and the member for Keppel would like to wreck. They are again doing Queensland a disservice by trying to destroy this agreement, just like when they sided with the Commonwealth in denying Queenslanders up to $110 million in Commonwealth funding. The amount of $110 million is owed to the people of Queensland by those people up there, because what they did was to wind up their mates in Canberra and get them to refuse to fund an agreement which, if it had been achieved by the coercive processes recommended by the people in Canberra, they would have funded. But we did not use those coercive processes; we got a sensible agreement between everybody and Canberra will not— Mr Seeney: It was not everybody. Mr WELLS: It was everybody except the honourable member. Mr Seeney: The only people you spoke to were the ones that agree with you. Mr WELLS: It was everybody except you. Mr Seeney interjected. Mr WELLS: I will not heed the wailings of the vanquished; I press on. They are again doing Queensland a disservice and they are trying to destroy this agreement, just as they did when they sided with the Commonwealth to cost us up to $110 million. Prime Minister John Howard alleges that the Queensland agreement does not fit the Commonwealth's criteria because it does not provide for the permanent logging of native forests. He is wrong. Nowhere in the national forest agreement is there a condition that logging must be allowed in perpetuity. Queensland's transition to plantations delivers the certainty that industry desires and has never had before. Tasmania, which is a much smaller and less populated state, received $110 million from the Commonwealth for its RFA and Queensland deserves equal treatment. The opposition has clearly sold out Queenslanders by their behaviour on this issue. 436 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 5 Apr 2001

The agreement and transfer of these lands will nearly double the size of the conservation reserve in south-east Queensland; it will immediately and significantly increase it further over the term of the agreement. It will thus significantly add to the maintenance of biodiversity. The amendment of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 created a holding tenure—it is called forest reserve—to which forest lands can be transferred prior to the allocation of permanent protected area tenure. However, that will not be automatic because we will talk these things through batch by batch, which is the only way it can be done. This is the first batch of such transfers. The disallowance motion is not about the specifics of these particular forests, but rather objects to the South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement itself, an agreement that has the broadest range of stakeholder support of any agreement in Australia. It is typical of the politics of division that the other side practises. That is why they are sitting over there in such small numbers. The community wants solutions, not negative scaremongering and not members who are prepared to talk down business in their own electorates. We must remember that by 2021 south-east Queensland's population is predicted to increase by some 100 per cent on 1991 levels. This increases the threats to biodiversity by such issues as rapid clearing, fragmentation of habitats and increased pest and weed invasion. The transfer will contribute to a more comprehensive, adequate and representative system of reserves in south-east Queensland and, in particular, will provide protection for the following natural and cultural resource values: 40 threatened region ecosystems, three of which are endangered; 14 regional ecosystems which are currently unrepresented in the protected area estate; 63 regional ecosystems which have a low representation in the protected area estate; 44 threatened fauna species of which eight are endangered, 19 are rare and 17 are vulnerable; at least 99 threatened flora species including 11 endangered, 47 rare and 26 vulnerable plants; 172 known cultural heritage sites of which at least 45 are significant, including at least 19 above the national estate threshold and seven which are part of the national estate and significant World Heritage listed areas. In addition to the current conservation reserves, these lands now account for approximately 60 per cent of the total amount of old growth in the region. The remaining 40 per cent is on freehold land. Of the identified 250,000 hectares of wilderness in the region, over 80 per cent is now protected. The protection of biodiversity is essential for maintaining life support systems for current and future generations. It is our duty to ensure that our rich heritage is protected. There is no change to existing access or use of South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement lands while they are held as forest reserves except that timber extraction can no longer be carried out and impacts such as grazing will be more fully considered in determining possible leases. These arrangements are consistent with the expectations of conservation and recreation groups. In fact, users of forests now have a greater say in their future use than ever before. The task of resolving future tenures of the lands has begun and no decisions will be made without extensive consultation and consideration of existing uses. The extensive community consultation has produced the agreement and it will be continued and extended, particularly at a local level, by the establishment of forest working groups and direct contact with traditional owners and graziers with existing leases. The principles for assessing the values of these forest areas will be worked through with the users and they will play an important part in designing the way in which those areas of highest conservation values are protected. Any impacts on the continued access to South-East Queensland Regional Forest Agreement lands by either commercial or recreational users will be determined, assessed and negotiated with them through this process. It is all about engaging the community. Traditional owners are also being engaged directly to ensure that they are an integral part of the future management of these forests while taking into account native title rights and interests. In the meantime, however, the land still needs to be managed and we will, as far as possible, ensure the aspirations of traditional owners are respected. Working groups have been established for the western Scenic Rim and the Dularcha- Mooloolah areas. They are working well in developing solutions that allow for conservation and continued sustainable recreation. In other areas working groups are in the process of being established. It is hoped that up to seven groups will be operating within the next few months, covering around a third of the agreement area. 5 Apr 2001 Adjournment 437

This is the sort of progress in implementing the agreement that the opposition wants to derail. To halt the process now would be an abrogation of an election commitment. To halt the process now would be for us to stop something for which we have a mandate and to stop something for which we have an obligation to the people of Queensland to do. They have simply voted for it and the proposition that people in government should go against their mandate comes from people who, by definition, must themselves be unfit to govern, because to go against your mandate is to fail to understand the fundamental nature of democracy. This is all about ensuring that we have a sustainable and better future. All those who wish to use our forests will have an opportunity to have a say. We have to go through it batch by batch. We will have to consult with respect to each particular area. Honourable members on whichever side of the House will obviously have the opportunity to play a role there. It may be difficult to do it batch by batch, it may be a long process, but that is what we need to do, because we need to get the best outcome not only for our forests but for our people as well. When I say 'our people', I mean not just this generation but our children, our children's children and our children's children's children. Question—That Mr Lester's motion be agreed to—put; and the House divided— AYES, 19—Copeland, E. Cunningham, Flynn, Hobbs, Hopper, Horan, Johnson, Kingston, Lee Long, Lingard, Malone, Pratt, Quinn, E. Roberts, Seeney, Simpson, Watson. Tellers: Lester, Springborg NOES, 58—Attwood, Barry, Barton, Beattie, Bligh, Briskey, Choi, E. Clark, L. Clark, Croft, Cummins, J. Cunningham, English, Fenlon, Foley, Fouras, Hayward, Jarratt, Keech, Lavarch, Lawlor, Lee, Livingstone, Lucas, Mackenroth, Male, McGrady, Mickel, Miller, Molloy, Nelson-Carr, Nolan, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pearce, Phillips, Poole, Reeves, Reilly, N. Roberts, Robertson, Rodgers, Rose, Schwarten, D. Scott, Shine, Smith, Spence, Stone, Strong, Struthers, C. Sullivan, Welford, Wellington, Wells, Wilson. Tellers: Purcell, T. Sullivan Resolved in the negative.

SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT Hon. A. M. BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Leader of the House) (6.45 p.m.): I move— That the House, at its rising, do adjourn until 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 1 May 2001. Motion agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT Hon. A. M. BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) (Leader of the House) (6.45 p.m.): I move— That the House do now adjourn.

Mrs L. Bonderiff Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—Ind) (6.45 p.m.): Mrs Liz Bonderiff, a constituent in my electorate, has requested that I table her statement in this parliament in an attempt to have her very serious concerns investigated. I seek leave to table her statement. Leave granted. Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM: Mrs Bonderiff's concerns centre around her son and the treatment that he and the family have had to endure in their attempts to gain appropriate support for his needs and, more generally, the family's needs. This statement makes very serious allegations and, I believe, given the history of the issue, a full and independent examination of this matter must be carried out. Liz's appeal is to the Premier of Queensland, the Honourable Peter Beattie, and I would seek the Premier's involvement in the review of this matter. In part, Mrs Bonderiff states— Departmental officers took a 'Care and Protection' action with clearly no regard to the best interests of my son or my family who they accepted to 'assist', admitting they had no 'protection' concerns. However in order to 'assist' us they claimed the only way they could do so was to prepare the paperwork in a way that would deceive the magistrate to accept their application for a 'Care and Protection' order. At the time I was repeatedly told this was not indicating I was a bad mother but was for the unmentioned purpose of 'financial flexibility' for the department to 'assist' us. Liz's concerns continue on with the way the protection order was taken out and how subsequently, in the actual hearing, the impression was given that she had been an unfit or an inappropriate mother. Liz's letter states further— 438 Adjournment 5 Apr 2001

Following the department receiving the Care and Protection Order over my son, they consistently chose to blame my son's problems on my parenting ability despite medical evidence confirming a specific disability and even though I have another child who I parent willingly, appropriately and require no special assistance with as I do with my disabled child. Mrs Bonderiff goes through quite a number of very serious allegations regarding abuse of her son while he was a ward of the state—while he was in care. She has had quite a lot of contact with not only the Department of Families in Gladstone but also on the Gold Coast. Mrs Bonderiff has made significant effort to get attention drawn to this matter, including through the CJC and the Children's Commission. Some of the Children's Commission findings are disturbing to say the least. Mrs Liz Bonderiff's request is borne out of several years of frustration, anger and hurt. She and her family have suffered. Her language is very strong, reflecting the depth of those concerns. I call on the Premier to intervene in this situation as requested to ensure that an open and honest outcome can result.

Greenbank RSL Club Mr MICKEL (Logan—ALP) (6.47 p.m.): I am delighted to inform the House that the Greenbank RSL club, which is located in the heart of the Logan electorate, won the Best Community Service by a Licensed Club award at the Clubs Queensland Awards function last weekend. The award will probably come as no surprise to honourable members who were in the last parliament, as I spoke in detail about the outstanding contribution by the Greenbank RSL club to the community when I took part in the debate on changes to the laws governing the gaming machine industry. I am proud to be associated with the Greenbank RSL club and I am proud of its extensive, even unique, contribution to our community. Apart from being the largest employer in my electorate employing several hundred people, the club is easily the largest contributor to charitable community and sporting organisations and causes in West Logan and beyond. Over the past year, the club has directly contributed more than $650,000 to community services, schools, charities and sporting groups in the West Logan area. Apart from direct cash contributions, many groups have benefited from the free use of the club's meetings rooms and non-cash support for fundraising and other functions. My community simply could not do without the contribution that the club makes to our schools, our sporting clubs, and our charitable and service groups. The continued success of the club, even in tough trading conditions, is a testament to the confidence it enjoys in the community. The club is also a trailblazer in one of the most important areas of all in our society today: the training of young men and women. Apart from offering comprehensive training for its own employees, the club has entered into a partnership with Logan TAFE to establish a satellite campus next to the club on property owned by the club. Working with Bremer TAFE and Club Training Queensland, the Greenbank RSL Club and Logan TAFE are conducting an entry level hospitality club training program for young people in our community. So far, more than 36 students have graduated with level 2 certificates in hospitality and Greenbank has backed up its contribution by providing employment to 16 of those graduates. The club also employs 31 apprentices at any one time, which is a tremendous contribution to employment and training for our young people. I know that there are concerns in the community about the social impact of gaming machines, but the Greenbank RSL club has led the way in addressing those concerns by adopting a responsible gaming policy and offering a range of alternatives to gaming for its members. One example is the very frequent bus trips and excursions that the club makes available for senior citizens. Another is its healthy social events program for young people. The club also underpins the tremendous work being done by the returned servicemen's clubs for ex- servicemen and women and their families in the Logan area and beyond. I am sure that the House joins with me in congratulating the club on its tremendous success.

Detoxification Programs, Sunshine Coast Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore—NPA) (6.51 p.m.): I wish to talk once again on the very important issue of drug and alcohol abuse in our community, particularly illicit drug abuse. I refer specifically to the Sunshine Coast and its very real need for services to meaningfully and effectively address that problem. 5 Apr 2001 Adjournment 439

Basically, there are next to no services on the Sunshine Coast. The detoxification beds at Nambour Hospital have been closed. When people are finally admitted for detoxification they are put into the general wards. They are not put into specific detoxification wards. Nurses, patients and people from other agencies who have a concern for and interest in those people say that it is not world's best practice to have people who are going through a process of detoxification in general wards with other patients. We need a number of specifically dedicated detoxification beds. We also need services attached to the detoxification beds to provide follow-up and rehabilitation programs. One of the most serious issues affecting our young people today is illicit drug use. Some will experiment and not get caught in the web of drug abuse. Unfortunately, others have one hit and are hooked for life. Tragically, through factors such as low self-esteem and, in many cases, having suffered abuse in their own lives—or whatever the reasons—others are taken into a life of drugs. They find that they are caught in a web. Despite their wanting to get free of that web, they need assistance. More and more people are recognising the fact that, first and foremost, the preventive message is important. However, when someone does get caught in the drug lifestyle, they need assistance. The Sunshine Coast has no dedicated detoxification beds. I believe that that trend has been repeated throughout rural and regional hospitals in Queensland, and it is a wrong policy decision of this government. I urge the government to review the decision. I have talked to people who need those services. They know that they need help from people who are trained specifically to deal with their problems. They do not want to be made to feel like social pariahs when they are placed in general wards with different types of patients. When young people are affected by amphetamines and the only program that is available in their local area is the methadone program, one realises how out of touch a lot of the government- provided services are with the real needs of young people in our community. Some young people face polydrug issues. A whole generation needs to see real and identifiable services provided. We know what the existing targets are, although no targets have been published at this time. If we are to effectively address the drug problem on the Sunshine Coast, we need to know how long it will take for those services to reach young people.

Mr G. Wallace; Mr J. Bleijie Mr CUMMINS (Kawana—ALP) (6.54 p.m.): I wish to bring to the House's attention a by- election to be held on 28 April for division 5 in the Caloundra City Council. That by-election has been called due to my success in the recent state election and obvious vacating of the division 5 council seat that I proudly held for four years. I hope that whoever is successful on 28 April continues in a positive and constructive way. Anything that I state here today I will publicly retract if any of the claims that I make can be proven wrong. In the March 2000 council election, I am aware that Mr Gordon Wallace claimed that he had lived in the electorate for 20 years, but in 1997—only four years ago—he was not on the electoral roll. I am not aware of whether Mr Wallace is a member of any political party and to the best of my knowledge there are no ALP-endorsed candidates in this contest. Therefore, I am not here to score cheap political points but purely to state some facts that I believe should be brought to the attention of the House and the residents of division 5, Caloundra City. On Oceanic Drive, Bokarina, only a short time prior to the March 2000 election, I am aware that one of the candidates, Mr Gordon Wallace of Oceanic Drive, beat a pensioner to the ground in the pensioner's own yard. He was restrained by witnesses and then rode off on a pushbike thinking that, by not giving his name, he would never be found out or recognised. Months later, this thug published his photo, as you do when you are running for public office in an election campaign. Unfortunately, the pensioner who was viciously bashed to the ground had a heart attack after the beating and was taken away by ambulance for medical treatment. Yes, this is all on record. The recipient of this terrible bashing is still too ill to bring the thug to justice. What was this vicious cowardly attack by Mr Gordon Wallace over? A dog! Everyone should realise that animal control issues are a common occurrence across local governments. So how does this cowardly thug, Mr Wallace, intend to fix solutions if people are silly enough to elect him? I hope it is not by his standover tactics and thuggery. I am aware that in the past he has received local Liberal Party support and that he attended a Liberal Party meeting prior to the March election. I also encourage residents to question Mr Wallace about his encroachment into the dunes, which is public land, from his own backyard. 440 Adjournment 5 Apr 2001

I also mention—and this will be humorous for the Minister of Health—that in the 2000 election campaign Mr Wallace pledged that, if he was elected, he was going to oversee the introduction of the discarded syringe campaign, using retractable needles or identification coding. I was certainly unaware that councils should do this. He wants to take on state issues. I also mention another young candidate, Jarrop Bleijie, who in the Sunshine Coast Daily said, 'Ever since the State election all I wanted to do was get out and get going.' He failed to mention his tireless work for the Liberal Party and his home address in Little Mountain, which is nowhere near the division. Division 9, where he lives, is many miles away from the area that he hopes to represent. He conveniently forgot to state his Liberal Party affiliation and I believe his only interest in division 5— Time expired.

Queensland Rugby League Mrs PRATT (Nanango—Ind) (6.57 p.m.): Premier Beattie underpinned his recent success in the election campaign with the slogan jobs, jobs, jobs and he constantly supports the growth of football with his assertions about the joys of the game. Another of his favoured policies is the national competition policy, which is supposed to encourage local manufacturers to vie with each other to deliver products at low and competitive prices. The national competition policy is an acknowledged failure, but that is not fully the point of this argument. The thrust of this argument is to show how rural sporting bodies have been caught up in the fallout of the national competition policy. The thrust of the argument is that the Queensland Rugby League is not allowing all manufacturers of Rugby League jerseys and shorts to equally enjoy the dubious benefits of national competition policy. In fact, the QRL is acting in a discriminatory and totalitarian manner in franchising only those manufacturers of Rugby League jerseys and shorts that it favours. For many years, one Brisbane-based manufacturer and supplier of Rugby League jerseys, Peerless, enjoyed cheerful competition with other companies vying for the several contracts that would fulfil the needs of Sought Burnett Rugby League clubs. One attraction of engaging Peerless to supply those jerseys was that the club would be offered, at a very attractive price, one or two of the jerseys worn by a team player in the Sydney competition. The club could then earn much-needed funds by raffling those coveted jerseys. No longer do these Sydney competition jerseys materialise at the same low price. Perhaps it is because the franchise suppliers no longer have a great need to compete. They have the franchise and nobody else can get a look in. The franchise supplier has a sewn-up market because QRL has made it illegal for Rugby League players to wear any other gear on field than that supplied by the franchised jersey supplier. So where is this competition and the jobs, jobs, jobs, and where do our youth in the Burnett go when they cannot buy jerseys?

Aged Care Employment Access Program Mr NEIL ROBERTS (Nudgee—ALP) (7.00 p.m.): On Thursday last week I attended the graduation of participants of the Aged Care Employment Access Program on behalf of the Minister for Employment, Training and Youth, Matt Foley. The project was organised by the Ipswich based Challenge Employment and Training and received $48,990 from the Community Employment Assistance Program, a component of the government's $470 million Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative, which aims to create 56,000 jobs over six years. It was an honour to be able to personally congratulate the participants on their achievements in this extremely successful project. Eighty per cent of the unemployed mature aged participants in this project have found work. Of the 33 people who completed the project, 27 found jobs at the end of their course. These people have shattered the myth that mature aged people are not worthwhile prospects as employees. It is well known that unemployed mature aged people do have difficulty in finding work, but essentially that is because of other people's incorrect perceptions of them. The reality is that older workers offer a wealth of life experience and qualifications and can learn new skills as well as anyone else can. I congratulate this group on standing up and fighting for their place in the work force and on setting such a positive example for others in a similar situation. Through this project the participants receive a skills assessment, career guidance counselling, job search assistance and training in community services and health, and they were 5 Apr 2001 Adjournment 441 placed with local aged care facilities to learn practical skills. The arrangement of job placements with 11 local aged care facilities was a key component of the project. It gave them the experience to back the theory they received and it exposed them to prospective employers. The proof is in the jobs that are generated. This project is a fine example of how the state government and the community can work together to tackle unemployment at the local level. I would also like to acknowledge the member for Bundamba, Jo-Ann Miller, who was present at the ceremony and also the member for Ipswich, Rachael Nolan, who I know was very impressed with the outcomes of the project. The government is determined to deliver unemployment initiatives for the mature aged unemployed in a targeted and focused manner, ensuring the greatest assistance possible for the greatest number of people. This can be achieved only after adequate research into the issues. The government's labour market research unit is conducting research into employers' attitudes and policies towards older workers and will identify best practice strategies that may be undertaken by employers. It is this type of research that is driving and underpinning the excellent suite of labour market programs offered under the government's Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiatives. These initiatives underpin the government's key priority of jobs, jobs, jobs. Once again, I would like to offer my congratulations to the participants in the Aged Care Employment Access Program. The success of this program is evidence of the Beattie government's continued commitment to matured aged employment initiatives.

Cross-Jurisdictional Conflicts Mr SPRINGBORG (Southern Downs—NPA) (7.03 p.m.): Earlier today when I was speaking during the Address in Reply debate, I made mention of some cross-jurisdictional problems that we are experiencing in my electorate. Members who do not represent a near-border electorate would probably have some problem coming to terms with the sorts of problems we face. I know that a lot of my constituents have problems if they try to access services on the New South Wales side of the border. In the area I represent, the problems usually lie with people from New South Wales accessing services on the Queensland side of the border. Those problems include registration and a whole range of other matters. One thing of particular concern that I would like to touch on tonight is some of the ludicrous problems that we are finding in the major town of Goondiwindi, which is in the new part of the electorate of Southern Downs. If it was not so serious it would be completely and absolutely laughable. Over the past couple of years we have had a very great increase in the number of juvenile offences committed in the town and the amount of vandalism and theft, particularly car theft. Trying to resolve some of these issues has driven people to absolute distraction, with quite regular car thefts being committed in town. Many of the people who are committing the offences come from across the border. The vehicles are then driven back to New South Wales and driven into the Macintyre River. The real problem for the people who own the vehicles is trying to get somebody to assume responsibility for tracking down the vehicles. Whilst the Queensland police try to work with their colleagues in New South Wales and vice versa as well as with other government agencies, there are differences in legislation and rules which really do cause some problems. I mentioned earlier issues such as extradition for what are considered more minor offences. Only recently one fellow went diving in the river to try to find his brother's vehicle. Not only did he find his brother's vehicle but he found five others. This fellow was going along the river tying milk bottles to the bumper bars on the cars underneath the water. At one spot in the river, which was 10 metres deep, he was actually standing out of the water because four or five cars were piled on top of each other. Some of these vehicles had been stolen in town. Often they have full fuel tanks. They have chemicals on the back, such as glyphosate, which is a herbicide, or other chemicals. There are significant quantities of oil. The EPA in Queensland does not want anything to do with it because it is not in its jurisdiction. Its officers ask, 'Whereabouts is it in the river?' It is the same sort of issue with the New South Wales authorities. So people are basically taking it into their own hands to try to recover the vehicles. Then the issue is who is recovering them—that is, which council has to come in and assume responsibility. This sort of thing is absolutely and completely ridiculous. When the people who perpetrate these crimes see this sort of thing, what sort of disincentive does it provide? What sort of disincentive is there when they see all this sort of nonsense with cross-jurisdictional problems? It needs to be sorted out. 442 Adjournment 5 Apr 2001

Nursing Ms BARRY (Aspley—ALP) (7.06 p.m.): I rise to inform the House of the great benefits of modern university based nurse training. The profession of nursing has a long and proud history, a history in the which the training of nurses has been at the very core of nursing discourse and debate. Honourable members would know the name of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, a woman who as well as being a proud teacher of nurses was, in fact, a great advocate for those issues such as public health and, in particular, improving the health of the soldiers of the Crimean War. Miss Nightingale's nurses made such a dramatic difference to the death and amputee rate of the casualties of that conflict because they were trained at the time in the modern science of hygiene and infection control. Since Miss Nightingale's trainees emerged, nurse training has endeavoured to keep pace with the modern science of its time. Modern nurses have been university trained in Queensland since the early 1990s. They work extensively with experienced nurses in our hospitals, nursing homes and communities. They often hold positions during their studies as assistants in nursing in aged care facilities. Today's nurse graduates study the basics of anatomy and physiology as well as law and ethics. They are skilled in the practice of physical and psychosocial assessments. They learn advocacy and how to stand up for their patients. They learn what it feels like to do shift work and to look after groups of people on their own—of course under the steady eye of a registered nurse. They learn how to be real nurses. Nurse leaders in universities and in health care institutions and communities work tirelessly to ensure that nurses of today are both at the cutting edge of modern technology and practitioners of the fine art of caring. Nursing has decided that the best place for its training is in universities. It did so after many years of considerable debate. Today graduate nurses are as skilful, caring and capable as when I trained in 1977 in a hospital. Whilst as a hospital nurse I treasured my training, I must say this: as a nurse manager in charge of large units, I paid close attention to the quality of the work of many graduate nurses. If they are given reasonable workloads we can look forward to the quality care they provide. Twelve May this year is International Nurses Day, a celebration of nurses past and present. I know that nurses everywhere will celebrate the past and seize the future. Nursing does not need to be told to go back to the bedside; we have never left it.

Vessel Monitoring System Mr WELLINGTON (Nicklin—Ind) (7.08 p.m.): I ask the government to immediately investigate the safety of the distress system feature of the Vessel Monitoring System—VMS—or black box that is installed on all commercial fishing vessels. Approximately three years ago all commercial trawl fishing vessels were required to install a VMS unit at a cost of about $4,500. A big selling point of this system was that it was promoted as having a highly sophisticated distress system feature that acted in a similar way to an emergency position indicating radio beacon, or EPIRB. The system was activated by depressing simultaneously two distress buttons for five seconds whereupon the signal was relayed immediately via satellite to the search and rescue service at Perth. The problem is that, because the system that was installed was missing a monitor and keyboard, there was no way of telling whether or not a distress signal had actually been sent. I compare this situation to having a computer without a monitor or keyboard—that is, it can operate but there is no way of checking what it is doing. Messages can be received, but one has no idea if the system is malfunctioning because there is no display panel to say that there is a problem. The situation is that a distressed vessel can send off a message, but there is no guarantee or any way of checking that the message has been received at the other end. This is not good enough. Lives could be lost if vessels rely solely on this system. I have been informed about one vessel which was in a desperate situation and likely to sink. A crew member depressed the two buttons simultaneously for the required five seconds and waited for help. None came. Luckily, the crew made it. When the crew contacted the people at Search and Rescue about the signal they had sent, they were told that no signal had been received. This is just not good enough. When our fishermen are at sea they need to be certain 5 Apr 2001 Adjournment 443 that if they are in a life-threatening situation they have a dependable emergency system that can operate at a moment's notice. Australia Search and Rescue has recently contacted the Queensland Seafood Industry Association requesting access to VMS data to assist with search and rescue operations. It intends to collate information and use it to alert other vessels in the vicinity of a distressed vessel via the VMS where the full system is installed and by other means, including satellite phones, where only the black box is installed. I understand that Queensland Transport is currently looking at the VMS system as a preferred global monitoring distress and safety system. I also understand that the total unit has the capacity of doing a great job, provided the unit is installed as a total package. I once again urge this government to act immediately and investigate the safety of the currently operating systems on our fishing vessels.

World Solar Car Challenge Mr RODGERS (Burdekin—ALP) (7.11 p.m.): Tonight I rise to speak about a challenge that the Burdekin Catholic High School in my electorate has taken on. I refer to the world solar car challenge. Solar power is the future. These young people aged between 15 and 16 will compete in this challenge. They are building their own vehicle, which they have already started. They have asked for support from the government to help do this, and that assistance has come from the environment department. This school is showing initiative and foresight for the young people of the future, not just for the Burdekin electorate but all over Australia. There are only 50 entrants in the challenge. I have been informed that two schools from Queensland are taking part. One of those schools is the Burdekin Catholic High School. I am proud to support it in its challenge. The challenge is a 3,000 kilometre journey from Darwin to Adelaide. It will be an adventure for these young people which they will never forget. They are putting everything they have into this challenge and are asking for support from the Queensland public and this parliament. I believe this is a very worthwhile cause and that we as members of this parliament should support anything which looks to future sources of power, whether it is solar or anything else. These children, their teachers and parents have started on one of the best expeditions of their lives. Their actions are a credit to the people of the Burdekin community. It shows the strength and foresight this community has in supporting these young people to enter this challenge. I fully support their challenge. I will do whatever I can to help them achieve maximum benefit from this challenge. I call on the people of Queensland to support not just this school but any school or Queensland entrant to compete in this event. It is a worldwide challenge. It is a credit to all those who enter it and, as I said, it is a worthwhile cause. Motion agreed to. The House adjourned at 7.14 p.m.

G. A. NICHOLSON, ACTING GOVERNMENT PRINTER, QUEENSLAND—2001