23 Aug 2000 Legislative Assembly 2591

WEDNESDAY, 23 AUGUST 2000 Maleny, Middlemount, Surat, Tara and Crows Nest.

Adult Entertainment Permits Mr SPEAKER (Hon. R. K. Hollis, Redcliffe) read prayers and took the chair at 9.30 a.m. From Mr Knuth (73 petitioners) requesting the House to (a) refuse the applications of Koppen Investments Pty Ltd and Gregorio REGISTER OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS Pelligrini for adult entertainment permits and Report (b) repeal in its entirety the amendments to the Liquor Act 1992 contained in Part 9 of the Mr SPEAKER: Order! I lay upon the table Prostitution Act 1999. of the House the 12th report on the Register of Members' Interests. Trawling PARLIAMENTARY ANNEXE LIFTS From Mr Wellington (885 petitioners) requesting the House to call an immediate Mr SPEAKER: Order! I wish to provide stop to any further steps to reduce the trawling some information to honourable members in effort over and above the 80% already relation to yesterday's incident involving the implemented. Annexe tower lifts which resulted in some members missing a division. Having now been Petitions received. in receipt of a report from Property Services and our service maintenance contractors, I can PAPERS report to the House that the problem was due to an overload of passengers for the lift car. I MINISTERIAL PAPERS have instructed Property Services to The following papers were tabled— investigate changing the notified lift capacity Treasurer (Mr Hamill)— from the officially rated capacity of 23. I pass on the apologies of Property Services and Local Government Tax Equivalents Manual—June 2000 include my own apologies to members who were inconvenienced and distressed by Treasurer's Tax Equivalents Manual— yesterday's incident. June 2000.

PETITIONS MINISTERIAL STATEMENT The Clerk announced the receipt of the Apprentices and Trainees; Breaking the following petitions— Unemployment Cycle Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— ALP) (Premier) (9.34 a.m.), by leave: When my Fine Defaulters Government introduced the Breaking the From Mrs Attwood (15 petitioners) Unemployment Cycle initiative in October requesting the House to release those 1998, we set ourselves a four-year target of currently in jail for non-payment of fines to 7,500 extra apprenticeships and traineeships serve community-based sentences as a first in skills shortage industries crucial to the option as opposed to a fine option order which State's economic growth. I am now delighted has a higher chance of failure resulting in to announce that we have achieved that target imprisonment and that the money saved by in less than two years. That means 7,500 these means be devoted to resourcing young Queenslanders now have a job and it community-based options for fine defaulters means that this State is benefiting from those including restorative justice options. This young Queenslanders turning their hands and should include adequately resourcing the minds to trades that generate wealth for all State Penalties Enforcement Register (SPER) Queenslanders. The milestone was reached so as to be fully effective. by 15 year old apprentice Martin Henderson and his Brisbane employer, John Barnes and Company Queensland. Later today I am QGAP Offices hoping to visit John Barnes and Company with From Mr Hobbs (103 petitioners) Paul Braddy, the Minister for Employment, requesting the House to immediately reinstate Training and Industrial Relations, to services at the QGAP sites in Aramac, congratulate it and young Martin on this Blackbutt, Camooweal, Lowood, Goombungee, achievement. 2592 Legislative Assembly 23 Aug 2000

Martin is the second John Barnes House that the metals and engineering apprentice to qualify for a cash incentive industry has achieved an enormous increase offered to private sector employers under the of more than 170% in apprentice Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative. I commencements since the scheme was might say that Martin is one of four introduced. This is a tremendous result, one apprentices presently on staff at John Barnes, that demonstrates that the Queensland and that is an example that other Queensland Government's employment and training companies could follow. The Government is initiatives are working well. grateful to John Barnes and Company In fact, Breaking the Unemployment Cycle Queensland and all the other private sector has been going so well that it has surpassed employers who are making use of the even the most optimistic of expectations. More Government's incentives and joining us in the than 7,827 extra apprentices and trainees challenge of creating extra jobs. Government have been taken on in industries crucial to the can do much to create incentives and policies State's economy. In the process, 4,294 but, ultimately, it is the willingness, enthusiasm employers have qualified for bonuses of up to and confidence of employers that counts. The $2,200 for each additional new apprentice and constructive participation of employers such as trainee appointed in industries with skills John Barnes and Company, combined with shortages and crucial to the Queensland the progressive employment policies of my economy now and in the future. A total of Government, has resulted in the creation of $13m in cash incentives has so far been paid 94,900 jobs in Queensland during the two to private sector employers and group years of this Government. That is 130 jobs schemes. These employers know just how real created per day for each and every day of this are the jobs they are helping to create. It has Government—seven days a week, 365 days a been a good partnership. They are fair dinkum year. The good news is that 65% of those jobs jobs—jobs the Leader of the Opposition have been full-time jobs. recently described as phoney jobs. These are The unemployment rate in Queensland 7,800 young people who have been given an has fallen from 8.7% when we entered office opportunity by Queensland employers to start to 7.7% now. That is a sustainable reduction in worthwhile careers. unemployment, with a continuous strong downward trend. John Barnes and Company is Under the Breaking the Unemployment one of 815 employers in the metals and Cycle initiative the Government has provided engineering industry that have put on nearly jobs and training for more than 23,000 1,400 extra apprentices and trainees since Queenslanders. The Government has set Breaking the Unemployment Cycle started less aside $91m for the initiative in 2000-01, which than two years ago. Under my Government, will help nearly 11,000 more Queenslanders apprenticeships and traineeships are re- into jobs and training. To help even more emerging as popular options for young people unemployed people find work or training, the planning a career. I pay tribute to the Minister initiative has been extended for another year, for Employment, Training and Industrial representing an overall investment of $363m Relations, Paul Braddy, for his enthusiasm and by 2003. At that time we will have to decide his pursuit of this initiative in the strong way whether we continue it further. that he has. If the Leader of the Liberal Party and The combination of formal training and those opposite had their way, none of these on-the-job work experience produces a solid jobs would exist, nor would the hundreds of understanding of a person's chosen vocation. excellent projects around Queensland Queensland employers have indicated their providing invaluable infrastructure for local renewed confidence in the system through the communities. I sincerely thank Queensland numbers of extra apprentices and trainees employers for their assistance in helping us they have taken on in the past 12 months. meet our target of 7,500 additional Nearly 20,000 Queenslanders commenced apprenticeships and traineeships in industries apprenticeships in the two years to 30 June with skill shortages. I assure Queenslanders this year, a 20% increase over the two years to that my Government will continue its June 1998. successful efforts to create more jobs and One of the catalysts for this scheme was training opportunities. the disgraceful shortage of metal workers in I urge the Opposition to get on board with this State just over two years ago before we what is a great idea for young Queenslanders. came to office. This shortage resulted in We need to have less whingeing. Every day is tradesmen being brought in from Korea. I am a whinger day, every week a whinger week, therefore particularly proud to report to the every year a whinger year. The whingeing 23 Aug 2000 Ministerial Statement 2593 goes on like a squeaky wheel that is sending would not be enough. It seems that some everyone deaf. It is about time those opposite petrol companies agree and have decided to got on side with some positive ideas. They just pocket the money instead. That was the should simply stop trying to blame the concern we had right from the beginning. Government for its own incompetence. At Peter Costello is making a huge windfall from some time in this business one has to stop this surge in petrol prices. Let there be no blaming someone else and accept doubt in anyone's mind about this. There is an responsibility. attempt to perpetrate a deception on the Opposition members interjected. Australian people and Peter Costello is making the money. He is raking in hundreds of millions Mr BEATTIE: That is what those opposite of dollars in extra GST revenue, which he is have to do. They have to get on board and adding to his surplus. they have to face up to their own inadequacies. Instead of whingeing and trying Peter Costello misled a national TV to blame us for their own incompetence, they audience this morning when he said that the should get on board. I knew those opposite States would get more money if the GST would love that one. collections were higher. Let me spell it out so that everyone can understand. For the next few years States will be receiving whatever is MINISTERIAL STATEMENT collected in GST revenue plus "balancing Fuel Prices; Electoral Fraud grants". These balancing grants make up the Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— shortfall in State Budgets from the abolition of ALP) (Premier) (9.41 a.m.), by leave: Today I State taxes and FAG payments. If the GST will deal with two important issues. First, the collects more, the States get more GST Federal Government's handling of the petrol revenue—that is true—but we get less money pricing issue has been one long, continuous through balancing grants. The net effect is bungle. It promised that petrol prices would not zero, nil, nothing—not a cent. We do not get a rise because of the GST, but it was wrong. It cent out of this extra increase of GST on petrol promised that regional motorists would receive prices—not one cent. I say to Peter Costello: a special subsidy to cover the extra costs of tell Australians the truth. Every State the GST in the bush, but it was wrong. The Government in Australia knows it. Peter Prime Minister has broken his word to the Costello should own up to his dishonesty on Australian people. this issue. Even Meg Lees, who clearly does not understand it, should come clean. After sitting on its hands for almost a week, the Federal Government has been Peter Costello is raking in hundreds of startled by the Queensland Government into millions of dollars more because of the petrol some limited action on the petrol issue. The price crisis, and he will rake in hundreds of ACCC, after saying a couple of days ago that millions more when he indexes the fuel excise everything was fine, has whipped up an issue next February. This is only the beginning. This to make it look like it is doing something. Why will continue to get worse. At the very least, does it not get on with it? Let us get on with it. Peter Costello should use his GST windfall to cover the cost of scrapping the six-monthly Peter Costello, after saying there was indexation of fuel excise. That is the least he nothing he could do, has suddenly decided to can do to help Australian families. He is put pressure on OPEC oil producers. And so planning to slug motorists with a further 1.2c he should. This morning's revelation of an per litre tax next February, then more in ACCC investigation into the alleged pocketing August. It goes on and on. of Howard Government subsidies by rural petrol retailers shows that the Howard There should be a backbench revolt in the Government has no answers to the petrol price coalition to stand up for the bush. I say to crisis. All Australians will be watching the ACCC National and Liberal Party backbenchers in its investigation into the oil companies. No across Australia: have the guts to stand up for longer are Australians prepared to accept your constituents. Have the guts to stand up excuses or cover-ups. They want to see some for the bush. Have the guts to stand up for the action from the ACCC. This is a clear test for regions. Have the guts to stand up for the ACCC as to whether it is worth its money or Australians against the Prime Minister and whether it should be scrapped and the Peter Costello, because there will be a day of taxpayers' money used on something else. reckoning, and that day is not that far off. Peter Costello has provided only $125m Australians cannot rely on the Democrats per year for four years to fund this regional to keep the bastards honest in the Senate. petrol subsidy. We warned at the time that this The Democrats support higher petrol prices 2594 Ministerial Statement 23 Aug 2000 and they have told Australian motorists to "get attacking the CJC for bias. Who remembers used to it". That is their approach. Someone the MOU involving the Police Union? I do. I has to stand up to Peter Costello and his evil can remember the investigation involving the tax grab. The Queensland Government will. Police Union. Two lawyers were appointed to We have started this and we are going to recommend whether the matter should be continue it—all the way down the line. All the pursued further. One was Robert Gotterson. friends of the oil companies over there can do Do members know who the other one was? what they like, but we will stand by Australian Brendan Butler. Brendan Butler and Gotterson families and we will fight every inch of the way recommended that the Leader of the to keep petrol prices down as much as we can. Opposition should no longer be pursued, or Opposition members interjected. whatever the words were, on this matter. In other words, Brendan Butler recommended Mr BEATTIE: Look at all the friends of the that he be let off the hook. petrol companies over there baying, whingeing and trying to blame someone else for their The Leader of the Opposition is the man own incompetence. When are they going to who is out there attacking the head of the stand up for the bush? CJC, who let him off the hook. I never thought that the Leader of the Opposition should have I move on to the second important issue been let off the hook on the MOU. I was not that I wish to raise. I welcome the decision of very happy with that recommendation from the Criminal Justice Commission to appoint an Brendan Butler. However, I accepted the independent qualified person to supervise an independent umpire's decision, because I investigation into allegations of electoral fraud. believe that the decision of the referee should I table a copy of the letter from the CJC be accepted. You cannot have it both ways. advising me of this decision, and I table a copy Mr Butler recommended that the Leader of the of the terms of reference. Opposition be let off the hook, that the matter It is important that the CJC be allowed to not be pursued, and today Mr Borbidge is get on with its job without any political attacking Mr Butler for bias. interference. It is important that the So was Mr Butler wrong then? Was he independent umpire be given a chance to do biased when he let the Leader of the its job without any political thuggery. Everyone Opposition off the hook? You cannot have it should allow the independent umpire to do its both ways. The Leader of the Opposition has work. There should be no more bullying from been exposed as someone who wants to go the Leader of the Opposition, who does not out and destroy the CJC. We always accept want to accept the referee's decision, the the umpire's decision. I say to the Leader of independent umpire's decision. It is now clear the Opposition: stop your political thuggery. from Mr Borbidge's attack that there is an This is about trying to destroy the CJC. The agenda from the National Party to destroy the Opposition has an agenda to do it. This is CJC. about trying to intimidate Brendan Butler. This Opposition members interjected. is about trying to intimidate Phil McMurdo. The Opposition should back off and let the Mr BEATTIE: Hear them cheer! Let the independent umpire do its job. record show that the National Party members cheered when I said that the National Party I pledge that my Government—and I will was going to destroy the CJC. The Leader of direct the Labor Party to do so—will fully the Opposition cheered because the National cooperate with any inquiry. There will be no Party wants to go back to the corrupt days of political thuggery from us, because the past. If the National Party wins the next Queenslanders expect the best, and under my election—I highlight this to all Government they will get it. Queenslanders—the CJC will be destroyed by the National Party and we will see a return to MINISTERIAL STATEMENT the corruption of the past. The Leader of the Opposition let the cat out of the bag. He has Golden Circle an agenda to destroy the CJC, the only body Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—ALP) that keeps the bastards honest. I remind the (Deputy Premier and Minister for State Leader of the Opposition that under the Development and Minister for Trade) memorandum of understanding, including the (9.50 a.m.), by leave: I am pleased to inform Police Union— the House this morning of a recent decision by Opposition members interjected. Australia's largest fruit and vegetable manufacturer, Golden Circle. Golden Circle is Mr BEATTIE: This is something those considering plans to build a multimillion-dollar opposite would like. They have been out there processing plant in north Queensland to 23 Aug 2000 Ministerial Statement 2595 capture a major share of a lucrative mango and unions to better protect the safety of export market. Its plans include the creation of Australian mine workers. more than 100 full-time jobs. The Beattie Key industry leaders and unions were Government, through the Department of State represented at the forum, which was the first of Development, is helping Golden Circle by its kind to jointly target issues affecting the contributing to an $800,000 feasibility study to health and safety of mine workers in both start soon in the Mareeba and Atherton States. Key issues discussed at the forum Tableland area. included: regulatory reform; work practices; The company's initial findings are very training and education; compliance and promising. Golden Circle has identified enforcement strategies; and investigation significant opportunities for exporting mango procedures and protocols. This meeting of key puree and sweet corn direct from north representatives has given both States the Queensland to ready markets in Asia and opportunity to learn from each other as well as North America. Currently only about two-thirds foster discussions from all sides of the industry of north Queensland's mangoes go to the on the vital issue of safety. fresh food market, leaving one-third—a Australia is the world's leading coal significant portion of the market—available for exporter. Last year we exported more than processing and export to markets where there 169 million tonnes of coal, worth $9.1 billion, is a real demand for processed Queensland from Queensland and New South Wales mangoes. We are talking about local jobs, mines. The two States collectively employ local produce and the potential to substantially almost 19,000 workers. Both the Queensland boost local exports from north Queensland. and New South Wales Governments are This decision could put Queensland committed to protecting mine workers. growers and a Queensland company on the Fatalities in the industry have happened too international map. Seven hundred and fifty often over the years, and both New South fruit and vegetable growers have share Wales and Queensland have recognised the ownership in Golden Circle. The company is need for greater efforts to be made to improve also considering the possibility of growing and mine safety across all sides of the industry. processing sweet corn all year round in the The industry faces many challenges, both north Queensland climate, which cannot be in Queensland and New South Wales, and done anywhere else in Queensland. But one of the most important challenges is to mangoes and corn are just the tip of the ensure that we develop a national approach to iceberg. Golden Circle is expecting that the implementing world's best practice in mine feasibility study will identify other fruit and safety and legislation. This has been vegetable export opportunities as well. accomplished in Queensland by major If this facility goes ahead, it will be the first changes to the safety and health legislation. major fruit and vegetable processing plant to These changes to legislation are fundamental be built in Queensland in 50 years. If the and, as far as the mining industry in feasibility study is successful—and we have Queensland is concerned, constitute a major high expectations—the company has plans to change in direction. After all, as I have said begin construction as early as July next year. before, we owe it to the men and women at The Beattie Government welcomes the the coalface to constantly strive for a safer opportunity for north Queensland farmers—in working environment. fact, whole regional communities in the It is important for Governments and north—to work together to develop this industry to meet and discuss safety because, lucrative export potential for Queensland. apart from anything else, safety should be the No. 1 priority. The joint coal safety forum MINISTERIAL STATEMENT provided the opportunity for both States to identify key safety issues. It will also greatly Coal Safety Forum assist the practical implementation of better Hon. T. McGRADY (Mount Isa—ALP) safety practices. Much of the work arising from (Minister for Mines and Energy and Minister the forum will be handled by tripartite mine Assisting the Deputy Premier on Regional safety councils. These councils have been Development) (9.53 a.m.), by leave: Last established in New South Wales and will soon month I jointly co-hosted an inaugural joint be established in Queensland. These councils coal safety forum with the New South Wales will have the important role of giving advice Minister for Mineral Resources, Eddie Obied, in and making recommendations to Ministers in Wollongong. As a result of the forum, the both States about the health and safety of Queensland and New South Wales coal mine workers. We will continue to work Governments will work with the coal industry together to ensure the safety of these workers. 2596 Ministerial Statement 23 Aug 2000

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT The decision to proceed with this new Carnarvon National Park camp ground was made after I instigated a detailed review of the current arrangements at Hon. R. J. WELFORD (Everton—ALP) Carnarvon Gorge looking at the scale of (Minister for Environment and Heritage and existing facilities, the boom in visitor numbers Minister for Natural Resources) (9.56 a.m.), by and the environmental values to be protected leave: I am pleased to inform honourable and presented to visitors. Discussions have members that the Government recently called been held with park neighbours, land-holders, for expressions of interest for new camping local government and indigenous groups, facilities for one of Queensland's most conservation groups and tour operators. The spectacular natural areas, Carnarvon National review found the best option to increase the Park. This announcement is significant quality and range of services would be for the because the facility will be developed under a Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to work new model for national park infrastructure with a partner or partners. The operator will be provision: a gateway approach, which means able to provide well-designed campsites that that the new camp ground will be located at can serve the needs of growing visitor the entrance to the park. The gateway model numbers, especially during peak periods. The not only reduces environmental impacts by facilities need to be available at a reasonable moving existing camping facilities outside the price, accommodate independent travellers, national park— large groups and commercial operators, and Mr Seeney interjected. be compatible with the natural and cultural values of the area. Also, the State Mr WELFORD:—but also provides greater Government will need to be satisfied that the scope for improving services. private facilities provide a better standard and Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for range of services than those currently offered Callide! That is an unparliamentary comment. at the park. The member will withdraw it. I can assure the House and all Mr SEENEY: I think the Minister should Queenslanders that the Queensland Parks visit the Carnarvon National Park. and Wildlife Service will maintain its staff numbers in the Carnarvon National Park. The Mr SPEAKER: I asked the member to new arrangements will mean that rangers will withdraw the comment. now be able to devote more time to managing Mr SEENEY: I withdraw the comment. the park and providing information and interpretation to visitors about the natural Mr WELFORD: He does not know what environment. The QPWS will be encouraging he is talking about. Indeed, this concept could proposals that include providing adequate become the model for other national parks in access to the park. Queensland. Our Government is committed to a well- The Carnarvon Gorge camp ground was managed system of national parks, protecting established nearly— their enormous conservation value and Mr Stephan interjected. allowing present and future generations of Queenslanders the opportunity to visit these Mr SPEAKER: The member for Gympie! magnificent protected areas for many years to We will allow this statement to be heard. come. Mr WELFORD: The Carnarvon Gorge camp ground was established nearly 40 years MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ago and was not designed to cater for the number of people currently visiting the area. Sugar Industry More than 400 people apply for camping Hon. H. PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) permits virtually every day, and the limits on (Minister for Primary Industries and Rural current facilities have resulted in some Communities) (10 a.m.), by leave: Earlier this restrictions being imposed on the length of month, the Premier and I announced Sugar stay at the current camp ground that is within Assist, a package of concessional loans to the national park. Under the new assist growers in replanting cane. This scheme arrangements, operators will be able to provide is targeted to help growers plant for next camp ground facilities outside the park, while season and in turn increase throughput for the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will mills and provide flow-on benefits to operate the existing facilities as a day-use dependent local communities. area. Low-impact bush camping will still be The dramatic drop in cane throughput in available in remote parts of the park. Mackay is a major reason for Mackay Sugar's 23 Aug 2000 Estimates Committee E 2597 decision to reduce its work force. This starkly by leave: The rise in petrol prices is hurting reminds us of the need to replant for next Queenslanders. Prices in some rural areas season, to avoid any further job losses, and to have topped $1 per litre. Prices in metropolitan maintain mill viability. This very clearly areas are hovering in the low to mid-90c per demonstrates that the State Government's litre range and it seems to be only a matter of decision to assist replanting is appropriate and time before they too break the $1 barrier. At in the interests of all those who depend on the the same time, the Commonwealth sugar industry for a livelihood. Government is burying its head in the sand Our Sugar Assist scheme has been and ignoring the cries of outrage from welcomed by the sugar industry. Prominent communities across the State who are sugar industry leader Mr Warren Martin seriously affected by skyrocketing fuel prices. described the scheme as "a confidence That outrage will not go away. It will grow booster for the industry". Further Mr Martin stronger and louder as more communities and said, "The Government move is tangible more industries feel the pain. recognition that the sugar industry and the Let there be no doubt that one of the many communities it supports are in deep most seriously affected industries will be trouble." tourism. The inflated petrol prices that we are The window of opportunity for replanting being forced to pay are likely to have a serious for this season is nearly closed. Only weeks adverse impact on the drive tourism market. are left to get more crops in the ground to take The rise is due to a combination of factors, not the least of which is the rise in excise levied by advantage of higher prices and to lift the Federal Government with the GST then throughput in the mills. I am heartened to see levied on top of that—the now infamous tax on that finally it appears the Federal Government a tax. The price fluctuations are likely to impact is following Queensland's lead in providing on the drive tourism market, which is such an assistance to the industry. However, it is most important component of domestic tourism. disappointing to see that the Federal Government has still yet to confirm the nature The facts are these: seven of every 10 and extent of the assistance it will provide. The domestic visitors to Queensland come by car Federal Government has formed yet another or use a hire car when they are here. Domestic committee. I urge the Federal Government not visitation interstate and intrastate totals to delay the announcement of its assistance. something like 16 million visitors every year. Further delays in the announcement, including Domestic tourism is worth in excess of $10 getting the necessary administrative billion to Queensland. It is the lifeblood of a arrangements for any Federal scheme in growing number of regional and more remote place, will mean it could be too late to assist in communities. More and more centres are replanting. So an opportunity will be missed embracing tourism as a way to broaden the because it appears the Federal Government local economy. Projects such as the Heritage cannot get its act together. Trails Network have given these communities new life and new hope for the future. Tourism The Federal Government has had a injects millions of dollars into the economies of proposal for Commonwealth assistance for remote centres such as Longreach, three months. I can only assume that this Barcaldine, Charleville, Winton, Richmond, delay reflects an internal fight between the Charters Towers, Blackall, Cloncurry and National Party and the Liberal Party. De-Anne Mount Isa. For many major regional centres Kelly has already let it be known that the city along the coastline tourism is the bread and centric forces in Canberra are blocking any butter industry. assistance for the sugar industry. I hope that The cost of fuel threatens the profitability the National Party can finally force the Liberals of the industry in these areas. Prime Minister to recognise the need for urgent action and John Howard, Treasurer Peter Costello and the agree to do something now, this season, so Federal Government must shoulder much of we can get cane into the ground. It is time that the blame. Queenslanders have long the Federal Government stopped treating the memories. sugar industry like a mirror—and promising to look into it—and joined this Government in helping an industry in need. ESTIMATES COMMITTEE E Suspension of Sessional Orders MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Hon. T. M. MACKENROTH (Chatsworth— ALP) (Minister for Communication and Fuel Prices; Impact on Tourism Information, Local Government and Planning Hon. M. ROSE (Currumbin—ALP) and Minister for Sport) (10.05 a.m.), by leave: I (Minister for Tourism and Racing) (10.03 a.m.), move— 2598 Notice of Motion 23 Aug 2000

"That so much of the Sessional me personally with any pecuniary interest or Orders in relation to the Estimates advantage, and for this reason I have not Committee be suspended to allow declared it in my pecuniary interest return. Its consideration in Committee of the Whole existence has been widely known and was House today of Report No. 1 of Estimates never intended to be secret. If the accountable Committee E." officer of this Parliament so advises, I am more Motion agreed to. than happy to include it in my returns from this date onward. I am not a signatory to the account or to any other fundraising account. PERSONAL EXPLANATION All requirements of political disclosure Comments by Member for Springwood have been met. I do not pay income tax on Mr SANTORO (Clayfield—LP) money paid into this account. No such legal (10.05 a.m.), by leave: Yesterday in this place requirement exists either on me or on the the member for Springwood referred to administrator of that account. People who are fundraising efforts which I undertake from time paid from that account obviously pay income to time. During his contribution to the Hansard tax on their incomes. No money raised by me record, the member for Springwood made has been used to pay membership fees for several statements that sought to defame me people who join the Liberal Party and none will and to question the integrity of my fundraising ever be. activities. I am responding today for the sake The member for Springwood, who of the public record. In doing so, I totally and yesterday raised these questions in this place, absolutely reject the defamatory and untrue has his answers. They are not good for him innuendo contained in the member's because they show that his scurrilous statements and in the questions he posed at contribution is beneath contempt. He has the end of his contribution. done himself no credit. Others in this place Mr MUSGROVE: I rise to a point of order. might now usefully question why the Labor I made no defamatory statements; I merely Party continues to perpetuate these and other asked pertinent questions. untruths about someone who is not even a very senior backbencher. That the Labor Party Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of does so is beyond the comprehension of order. anyone for whom the truth is the only valid Mr SANTORO: I urge the member for starting point in making statements. Springwood, for the sake of his credibility in Parliament and in the community, to refer to the Criminal Justice Commission, the Electoral OFFICE OF LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION Commission and the Taxation Commissioner Report of Expenses any evidence he may think he has that backs up his scurrilous assertions. He will not be Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers doing so. He knows that he cannot do so. He Paradise—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) knows that he has no evidence because his (10.09 a.m.): I table the public report of statements that he made about me yesterday expenses for the Office of the Leader of the have no basis in truth—and he knows this. Opposition for the period ended 30 June 2000. Mr SPEAKER: Order! This is not a debate. The honourable member can make a personal explanation, but he cannot debate OFFICE OF CITY COUNTRY ALLIANCE the matter. Report of Expenses Mr SANTORO: For the record, I state the following: any communications I have received Dr PRENZLER (Lockyer—CCAQ) from the Liberal Party have been routine, (10.09 a.m.): I lay upon the table the public standard requests that go to all relevant party report of the expenses for the Office of City units. All moneys raised for the Clayfield Staff Country Alliance for the period ending 30 June Account are banked in that account and 2000. cheques are not made out to "S. Santoro". The purpose of the account is to raise NOTICE OF MOTION money through functions and direct donations Electoral Fraud to assist with the employment of people in an administrative and research capacity to assist Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers me to discharge my duties as a member of Paradise—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) this Parliament. The account does not provide (10.09 a.m.): I give notice that I shall move— 23 Aug 2000 Private Members' Statements 2599

"That this House expresses its Olympic Games profound concern that the Labor Party Mrs LAVARCH (Kurwongbah—ALP) corrupted the 1995, 1996 and 1998 (10.12 a.m.): The excitement of the Olympics elections in Townsville seats by is building as we count down the days to what fraudulently enrolling voters and calls on will be a truly magnificent sporting event. The the Beattie Labor Government to electorate of Kurwongbah has been touched establish a full, open, independent and by the magic of the Olympics in a number of public inquiry." ways. This morning I want to make particular mention of two special Olympic moments. PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS The first concerns Holy Spirit School at Electoral Fraud Bray Park. Some time ago, Westpac ran a nationwide competition for schools focusing on Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers the ideals of the Olympics. Holy Spirit School Paradise—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) entered this competition and I am delighted to (10.10 a.m.): As the Labor rorts in Townsville advise members that they were a winner. unfold, it is becoming increasingly evident that Three hundred schools from around Australia these particular misadventures have been entered the competition and only five grand going on for a long, long time and have been prizes were awarded. Holy Spirit School at Bray more than happily tolerated by a whole range Park was the only school in Queensland and of people until such time as the Australian the only Catholic school in all of Australia to Federal Police started to close in. We have the win a grand prize. That is a fantastic effort. admission by the current Premier in his own book where he bragged about the electoral That means that a number of Year 7 corruption within the Labor Party. We have a students will be flown to Sydney on Monday, situation in which the current Premier, as State 25 September and will be able to attend two Secretary of the Labor Party, presided over sessions of the Olympics. This has afforded a this electoral corruption. We have a situation in wonderful opportunity for these students to which the Premier, when he was Leader of the gain an experience of a lifetime and to be part Opposition, presided over this electoral of Australian history. This is a fantastic effort corruption. and has brought a lot of pride and excitement Mr BEATTIE: I rise to a point of order. to the school and our local community. This man would say or do anything to get into The second magic Olympic moment Government. Those comments are untrue, concerns the Pine Rivers Rowing Club hosting they are dishonest and I ask for them to be the Danish rowing team for their Olympic withdrawn. preparation. As we speak, Pine Rivers Mr SPEAKER: The Premier asks for those residents are able to watch the Danes in action words to be withdrawn. and capture some of the Olympic spirit in their own backyard. The Pine Rivers Rowing Club Mr BORBIDGE: Mr Speaker, I will has been in a flurry of activity getting ready for withdraw whatever the very sensitive Premier this big event. Thanks to Paul Braddy, the finds offensive, and I will make the point that Minister for Employment and Training, and he bragged about these rorts, he bragged Terry Mackenroth, the Minister for Sport, the about the electoral corruption in his own book. club has been able to provide the facilities Mr BEATTIE: I rise to a point of order. required to become such a host. That was That is untrue, it is offensive and I seek it to be able to happen through a combination of a withdrawn. It is untrue. Community Jobs Program funded under the Mr BORBIDGE: Mr Speaker, I will Breaking the Unemployment Cycle initiative withdraw the comment and say that the and with a direct grant from Sport. I look Premier was so proud about the anomalies in forward to both Ministers coming out to Lake regard to the Labor Party preselection process Kurwongbah to watch the Danes in action. that he had to dedicate a page in his book to Time expired. it. I refer the Premier to his own book and his own words. I ask: when did they change the rules? Not because they wanted to: they got Electoral Fraud around to changing the rules only when the Dr WATSON (Moggill—LP) (Leader of the Australian Federal Police were investigating Liberal Party) (10.14 a.m.): It is time for the the electoral corruption in Townsville. Up until Premier to put up or shut up. In recent days he then, they were happy to preside over the rorts has tried to suggest that the proven electoral and the corruption. corruption within the ALP is somehow Time expired. comparable with the unproven assertions of 2600 Private Members' Statements 23 Aug 2000 rule infractions within the Liberal Party. There is have a cup of tea and a friendly chat, play a no comparison. game of hoy and usually have a good time. Three ALP officials have pleaded guilty to However, one topic that was put to me as 79 criminal offences. One has been jailed. The concerning the seniors the most was the way others have received suspended sentences. in which nursing homes are audited and the The unsubstantiated allegations involving a shocking revelations in the media over the recent ballot in Ryan do not involve any past few months about some nursing homes. suggestion of official misconduct or criminal A lot of preparatory work is undertaken by staff behaviour. There is no suggestion that the and management to bring nursing homes up laws were broken or that any crime was to the necessary standards prior to a visit by committed. If the Premier believes otherwise, I health officials. Some residents claim that on- challenge him to refer the matters to the the-spot visits should be made, as they believe Criminal Justice Commission. I will even pay that nursing homes should be operating at the cab fare to Terrica Place. their optimal level normally as a matter of Better still, let us have a full, open and course. judicial inquiry to investigate any allegation of In the past, the Minister for Aged Care electoral corruption within any political party. has been caught short with her lack of The Premier claims that he welcomes the knowledge of and control over nursing home chance to clean the body politic. This is his conditions. The Federal Government ought to chance to prove it. I challenge him to call a full rethink its policing methods for nursing homes and open judicial inquiry today. I challenge him before more people suffer. Some nursing to put up or shut up. The coalition will happily home residents are often neglected, having to support the broadest possible terms of live in appalling conditions in forgotten places. reference to investigate any allegation of I call on the Howard Government to pay heed electoral corruption. The Premier wants an to our elderly and to ensure that they are given inquiry; we want an inquiry. Let us do it. What the utmost care and attention in their twilight is he waiting for? We have a demonstrated years. need for an inquiry, we have unanimous bipartisan support for an inquiry and we have a growing public expectation of an inquiry, but Dairy Industry we have the Premier running scared. Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook—NPA) The Premier will not call for an inquiry (10.18 a.m.): I wish to draw attention to a because he knows where it will end. It will lead renewed threat facing dairy farmers and call right up to the Executive Building in George upon the Minister for Primary Industries to Street. That is why the Premier will not support urgently act on their behalf. Although our call for a full, open and independent deregulation has dominated the dairy industry, judicial inquiry. worsening drought conditions in much of south-east Queensland are looming as the final straw for many farmers. The worsening Friday Club; Nursing Homes conditions are located in a band stretching Mrs ATTWOOD (Mount Ommaney—ALP) from Warwick in the Fassifern Valley through to (10.16 a.m.): The Mount Ommaney electorate the Darling Downs and up into the South has many clubs and organisations that are Burnett and are affecting all industries. The focused on providing assistance to people in impact is harshest on dairy farmers who are need in the local community. Volunteers in battling to maintain production in the face of these groups give up their precious time to vicious cuts to their milk prices as a result of make life easier for those who are deregulation. disadvantaged. The rainfall over the past six to 12 months Last week I discovered another club that has been well below average and what does great work but maintains a low profile in pasture remains is of little nutritional value. the local community. The Friday Club meets in Grain prices are on the rise as dry conditions the Sinnamon Village function room on Fridays and winter crops fail. Molasses shortages are between 9.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. On 2 July this looming as a result of the poor sugar harvest. year, the Friday Club had been operating for Freight costs are soaring. These adverse 18 years. Thanks to the work of Jennie Jones conditions will finish many of the farmers if they and her band of volunteers, it will survive for do not receive urgent assistance. The drought much longer. The many seniors who visit the relief scheme currently available fails to take club have a great time. They have the into account the unique situation facing dairy opportunity to play indoor bowls with the aid of farmers and should be adjusted immediately the members of the Jindalee Bowls Club. They to allow dairy farmers to access the scheme. 23 Aug 2000 Private Members' Statements 2601

These dairy farmers must feed their cows to are no new home loan accounts and areas maintain their production and should receive that do not have high-turnover and high-profit special consideration for freight rebates. accounts, which is all the banks are interested I also call on the Minister to consider the in. The Commonwealth Bank simply replies introduction of a special low-interest loan that folks can use electronic banking. I say to scheme within the Queensland Rural the Commonwealth Bank that elderly and Adjustment Authority for immediate support. disabled folks are not surfing the Net and The Beattie Government has offered only doing their banking electronically; they just token assistance to dairy farmers trying to need a normal branch. survive deregulation. It is now time for the Minister to do something constructive. Traffic Accident, Burdekin Electorate Time expired. Mr KNUTH (Burdekin—CCAQ) (10.22 a.m.): On behalf of the Burdekin electorate, as its elected representative, I Commonwealth Bank, Rochedale South extend my thanks to all those who helped the Mr MUSGROVE (Springwood—ALP) victims at the scene of the tragic accident that (10.20 a.m.): It is a well-acknowledged fact occurred on the corner of Kirkne Road and the that over the past 10 years the banks of Bruce Highway on Monday, 14 August. On Australia have deserted the bush. It gives me that day two young backpackers lost their lives no pleasure at all to rise and inform the House and a number of their companions sustained that the banks have now started on the serious injuries. We may never know why it suburbs, in particular the outer suburbs. The happened, as road signs were present and Commonwealth Bank has announced that it there was clear visibility. It happened, and no intends to close its branch at Rochedale amount of grieving or questioning can undo South. Recently, the member for Mansfield, that terrible event. Phil Reeves, and I held a protest meeting We in the Burdekin have nothing other attended by hundreds of local residents. than praise for the efforts of ambulance staff, Those local residents were particularly police and emergency services, who were on concerned about the bank's decision to the scene within minutes. There is no doubt abandon Rochedale South and the effect that that their quick action saved more lives. In fact, will have on local businesses and the local the efforts of the whole community deserve shopping centre in which that branch is mention. At the scene of the accident located. In particular, many of these residents shopkeepers and the public rallied to calm do not have the transport capabilities to travel victims and make them as comfortable as some five kilometres to the next nearest possible. Calming words were spoken and ice branch. This decision will cause major was promptly found to stop the bleeding. In problems for the aged in Rochedale. the carnage, so many responded to help their Opposition members interjected. fellow man. The farmers who employed those Mr MUSGROVE: I will not take the young backpackers were struck with sadness interjections from honourable members when they learnt of the shocking news that two opposite defending the banks. Many of the of their workers had been killed on the way local residents and businesses in the district back to their hostel. come to the centre to do their banking and My colleagues and I extend our use the disability services that have been a condolences to the families of the two particular feature of this branch. It has been backpackers who lost their lives at such a designed in such a way that elderly and young age. I thank also the church bodies in disabled folks can pull up in their vehicles and the Burdekin community for the memorial do their banking from the safety of their service held last Friday night at the Burdekin vehicles directly outside the bank door. This is church. Testimonies from the friends of the a heartless decision by the Commonwealth dead were indeed comforting and the service Bank to close this very special branch in my provided by the church representatives gave electorate which is also used by constituents of hope and help to sooth the grief experienced the electorate of Mansfield. This is another by all. The Burdekin people all pray that this example of the banks having absolutely no sort of tragedy never again occurs in our consideration for the average person. I fear district. that it is the start of an ongoing campaign to close branches in the outer suburban metropolitan areas, particularly those areas Commonwealth Bank, Rochedale South with aged populations where pensioners and Mr REEVES (Mansfield—ALP) other folk do their banking—areas where there (10.24 a.m.): The Commonwealth Bank's 2602 Private Members' Statements 23 Aug 2000 decision to close the Rochedale South branch Local Government Electoral System is just another example of the banking industry Mr HOBBS (Warrego—NPA) (10.26 a.m.): not giving two hoots about its customers. A I wish to advise the House of the corrupt few years ago the Mansfield community attempt to manipulate the local government suffered the same fate and the number of electoral system for the exclusive benefit of the shops in that suburb have dwindled. This Labor Party. Councillors will be required to decision will have a major impact on the lives resign from councils before standing for State of many people, particularly our most Parliament. The move is designed to protect vulnerable—the aged, mothers with small sitting ALP members, such as the member for children and people with disabilities. The name Waterford and the member for Logan, from of the Commonwealth Bank should be high-profile Independent councillors and to changed to the "heartless bank". It is definitely reduce the number of high-profile conservative not worried about common wealth; it is councillors who stand against Labor at the interested only in large profits for itself with next State election. In the past 10 years, 32 services for everyone being reduced. councillors have been elected to this Recently, the member for Springwood House—18 conservative, 12 Labor and two and I held a protest meeting. The Rochedale Independents. With a parliamentary majority of South branch customers were livid about the one, we do not have to be Einstein to work out Commonwealth Bank's decision. We circulated that if we reduce the electoral capacity of the a petition in the community, which hundreds conservative and Independent forces Labor upon hundreds of people have signed, to try gets a political advantage through to get the Commonwealth Bank to reverse its manipulating the electoral system. decision. What the bank is doing is telling the The Minister for Local Government tried to people of Rochedale South, "We've got you justify this corrupt manoeuvre by stating that as customers. We have arranged your home Labor had endorsed a Townsville councillor to loans. We have made big profits from you. But run at the next State election. He was that's not enough. We don't want you to come untruthful. The Minister misled the Estimates to our branch, because that costs us money." committee. The councillor he referred to has been endorsed for a Federal seat. Labor does Mr Lucas: It's a disgrace. not have any sitting councillors endorsed to Mr REEVES: As the member for Lytton run at the next State election. It is quite clear said, it is a disgrace. The bank is saying, "We that the motive is politically driven and have to employ people to serve you and we designed to further the political objectives of don't want to employ Australians. All we want the ALP rather than to benefit the wider to do is employ computer chips." Enough is community. enough. The banks hold a special place in Mr MACKENROTH: I rise to a point of Australian society, but it appears that they do order. The member stated that in his not care about that. The Federal Government, Estimates committee report. I will apologise for which issues authorities for institutions to making a mistake. But it shows how much conduct banking operations, must now place a interest I take in which councillors nominate for community service obligation on these banks. what. The Feds have been quick to tell the world Mr HOBBS: The Minister misled the about the community service obligation placed Estimates committee. No other State in on Telstra. Why not the banks? Some of these Australia has any restrictions on councillors. No community service obligations could include such restriction is imposed on public servants access to services and branches. If banks or ministerial advisers who wish to stand for want to continue to hold this special place in State Parliament. For example, Mr John Budd, our society they must earn it and not just be husband of Joan Budd and close associate of given it as a matter of course. The people of Karen Ehrmann, is a candidate for the next Rochedale South deserve better than what the State election. If the Minister believes Commonwealth Bank has done to them. I councillors hold an office of profit, how would believe that eventually the bank's decisions, he classify Mr Budd? The exclusion of sitting such as this one, will come back to haunt it. councillors from standing for Parliament puts The member for Springwood and I will them in the same category as bankrupts and continue the fight against the bank and criminals, who cannot stand for State encourage the National Bank to sign a Parliament. The changes are no more than an memorandum of understanding to stay within ALP mates and faction protection racket. It is the local area. branch stacking in reverse. Time expired. Time expired. 23 Aug 2000 Questions Without Notice 2603

Mobile Phones Notwithstanding that, these are matters that are entirely appropriate for Federal Police Ms STRUTHERS (Archerfield—ALP) investigations, CJC examinations—any (10.28 a.m.): Some commentators have independent body that wants to appropriately claimed that the radiofrequency fields of assist in these matters. mobile phones and their base stations increase the risk of headaches and, in the There is a clear difference between the worst case, temporal tumours. If this is the Leader of the Opposition and me on case, our mobile phone junkie, the member for this—between the Opposition and the Clayfield, has cause for concern. Fortunately, Government. We are prepared to let the the balance of evidence suggests mobile independent watchdog do its job. It can take a phone technologies do not pose a significant look at all those matters raised by the health risk. This was the clear message Opposition. I have no problem with all of that. presented by world expert Dr Bengt Knave in Let the CJC examine all those things. The addressing the Safework College 10th difference is this: we will not seek to nobble the Anniversary luncheon in Brisbane this week. independent watchdog. We will stand by the independent CJC's responsibility in carrying out It is predicted that there will be as many its role. Mr Phil McMurdo is a well regarded as 1.6 billion mobile phone subscribers senior lawyer, and the National Party should worldwide by the year 2005. Radiofrequency stop its campaign to denigrate him and attack energy is absorbed in the human body and him, which is what it is seeking to do. Here is a produces heat, but to date no evidence is decent Queenslander who should not be showing adverse effects from this heat. Unlike subject to vilification by the Leader of the ionising radiation, such as X-rays, RF energy Opposition or by those opposite. does not seem to cause radioactivity in the body. The all-clear signal has not yet been The situation is that Mr Borbidge is out given. The World Health Organisation is there accusing the CJC of bias. I found it quite conducting a large study in over 10 countries extraordinary when I thought about it that the to identify whether there are links between the Supreme Court struck down the Borbidge use of mobile phones and head and neck Connolly/Ryan inquiry. Why? For bias! What a cancers. The study is due for completion in hypocrite! Here is Brendan Butler, who cleared 2003. Until then, the WHO is recommending the Leader of the Opposition—Brendan Butler that we proceed with caution. was one of the two lawyers who cleared the Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable Leader of the Opposition. He clearly was not member's time has expired. The time for biased then; he is only biased when he does private members' statements has expired. not do what the Leader of the Opposition wants! Let me make it very clear. All QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Queenslanders should be concerned today. The Opposition is clearly set on a track to Electoral Fraud destroy the CJC. The Deputy Leader of the Mr BORBIDGE (10.30 a.m.): I refer the Opposition confirmed it on ABC radio this Premier to the statement made by his morning. If the National Party and the Liberal Parliamentary Secretary for north Queensland Party come back to office, they will be turning in the Parliament yesterday in which he denied the clock back to the days of corruption. We electoral rorting in the Thuringowa preselection will have the end of the CJC. They will destroy in 1996. I also refer to public claims by the the CJC. We heard the member for Callide Mayor of Townsville, prominent Labor identity cheer when I mentioned that the agenda of and the opponent of the member for the Opposition was to destroy the CJC. He Townsville in the 1996 preselection ballot, cheered because every one of them over Councillor Tony Mooney, that the there wants to destroy Brendan Butler and the Ehrmann/Reynolds deal had "a big impact on CJC because they want to return to the days the preselection of the honourable member for of corruption. Townsville", and I ask: who is telling the truth, If the member opposite has matters that the Labor member for Townsville or the Labor he wants investigated, he should send them Mayor of Townsville? down to the CJC. But he should not think that Mr BEATTIE: I thank the Leader of the we are not going to go out and tell Opposition for the question. As we all know, he Queenslanders his secret agenda to destroy has clearly set out to misrepresent what the CJC and turn the clock back to the days of various parties have said in all of this. corruption, because that is what he is about. 2604 Questions Without Notice 23 Aug 2000

Electoral Fraud Fuel Prices Mr BORBIDGE: I direct a further question Mr SULLIVAN: I refer the Premier to the to the member of this House who has been current petrol price rises, and I ask: can we rely presiding over electoral corruption in his party on the Democrats to protect Australian families for a number of years— from spiralling petrol prices? Mr SPEAKER: Order! You will address the Mr BEATTIE: The answer to that question Premier in the correct manner. I am not going is: no, we cannot. I was appalled to see a to allow that. newspaper headline which reflects the Democrats' position. It says "Get used to it". Mr BEATTIE: I rise to a point of order. It is The Democrats, along with the coalition, have offensive and I seek for it to be withdrawn. betrayed ordinary Australians. We have sought Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the to get some fairness for Australian families. All Opposition will withdraw that. we have from the Democrats is the warning reported in the Illawarra Mercury that, as petrol Mr BORBIDGE: Mr Speaker, I did not nears $1 a litre, "Get used to it". That is all the mention the member's name. Democrats can say. Mr SPEAKER: Order! I do not know where the Democrats are going on this issue other than to say that it is Mr BORBIDGE: I did not mention the about time they stood up for ordinary member's name. He pleaded guilty. I said "the Australian families. At the end of the day all I member of a party". I did not refer to "the see the Democrats doing is campaigning Premier". about the rights of chooks, but they are not Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the out there standing up for ordinary Australians. Opposition will resume his seat! Before I call In all of this we have to remember—and the Premier, I say to the Leader of the remember clearly—that the Democrats came Opposition that, when he asks a question in into existence because they said they were this place, he is asking questions of Ministers going to "keep the bastards honest". That was and he will address them in the correct their slogan. They have not done it. Here is the manner. first test. The problem is this: the Democrats Mr BEATTIE: I rise to a point of order. supported the GST. Without the Democrats, The Leader of the Opposition was directing the the GST would not be in existence today. question to me. He said so. I find those Without the Democrats there would not be a remarks offensive and I seek for them to be GST impact on fuel to the extent of about 2.4c withdrawn. a litre in the city and over 3c a litre in the bush. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Premier seeks That is the Democrats' legacy. All they have a— done is run away from this issue like we would not believe. They have run away from ordinary Mr BORBIDGE: Mr Speaker, I did not families because they have an agenda, and refer to the Premier by name. I cannot help it if that agenda is that if petrol prices rise, they he feels guilty. I cannot help it if he leads the expect people to get out of cars and get into guilty party in this place. public transport. That is fine. We support public Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the transport too, but we do not destroy ordinary Opposition will withdraw. family budgets in the process. This Government has put record amounts of Mr BORBIDGE: I did not refer to the money into public transport and we will honourable member by name. I refer you, Mr continue to do so. But we do not go out and Speaker, to your previous rulings in this place try to destroy families and their budgets in the relating to the Minister for Industrial Relations. process. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The House will now Let me make this point: in many families proceed to the next question, which will be when transporting children to sporting events, from the member for Chermside. school activities, music—you name it—families do not have a choice. When it comes to the Mr BORBIDGE: I move— use of a vehicle, particularly when there is "That the Leader of the Opposition more than one child—or even with one child— be heard." Mr Schwarten: In the bush. Mr SPEAKER: Order! You cannot do that Mr BEATTIE:—and they live in the bush in question time. I call the member for and in the regions as well as in the cities, they Chermside. have no choice. A vehicle is needed to travel 23 Aug 2000 Questions Without Notice 2605 from one event to another. I know in my own be. That is what this is about. I make no family—we have three children—that apologies for being tough on crime and no repeatedly we go to different events. The apologies for being tough on prisoners. This bottom line is very simply this: the price of Government will be tough on prisoners, and petrol is a quality of life issue. It is a family we make no excuse for it. End of story. issue. It means that the Democrats, along with While we are talking about corruption, I the Prime Minister and the Federal Treasurer, should say that there has only ever been one have betrayed Australian families. I think it is member of Parliament convicted of forgery, absolutely appalling that we end up with this convicted of electoral corruption. His name was slogan from the Democrats—and that is what it Denis Hinton. What party was he a member amounts to—which basically says that people of? The National Party! Only one member of should get used to it. "Get used to it" is not Parliament has been convicted, and Mr good enough. I call on Meg Lees and the Borbidge was in that Government. He would Federal Government to act to protect know all about it. In fact, he would know about Australian families. it because it was in Middlemount and he did not get rid of him. It was in a butcher shop in Ms K. Ehrmann 1988 where he forged a signature on an enrolment application. Does that sound Dr WATSON: I refer the Premier to the familiar? His name was Denis Hinton. The Government's unprecedented action in Leader of the Opposition was in that prosecuting journalists who interview prisoners, Government. Do members know how strongly and I ask: can he confirm that this decision the Opposition felt about this man? After the was taken only when he realised that Karen conviction, what did it do? It endorsed him Ehrmann was likely to receive a custodial again. So do not come in here and talk about sentence? Can he also confirm that this these issues. They are the standards of those draconian attempt to censor the news was opposite. That is exactly what Mr Borbidge did. expressly intended to discourage media He was there and was part of it. So let us have interviews with Ms Ehrmann and, if not, will he no more of this hypocritical nonsense. give this House his personal guarantee that no reasonable application for media interviews with Ms Ehrmann will be refused? Rugby League Grand Final Mr BEATTIE: I thank the Leader of the Mr PURCELL: My question is directed to Liberal Party for his question. This has been the Premier. I refer to this weekend's national the law since 1958. Does anyone know if Rugby League Grand Final in Sydney between Karen Ehrmann was born in 1958? However, the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney this has been the law since 1958. Indeed, Jim Roosters. I ask: is the Premier prepared to Kennedy supported this measure. He made make a prediction with regard to this match? certain changes that were implemented. When Mr BEATTIE: After this week, I would those opposite were in office, they did not have thought that there would be one thing we change it. If they want to come in here and could all agree on: the Broncos for a win in the complain, why did they not change it? This is Grand Final on Sunday. I would have thought the law. that we would all be behind the Broncos on Dr WATSON: I rise to a point of order. Sunday. Yes, I am prepared to have a wager. This is the first time this law has been used, I reckon the Broncos by four points. And, yes, I and it has been used precisely in this instance. do have a wager with Bob Carr. This is the way they gag political prisoners in Mr Mackenroth: 24. Russia. Mr BEATTIE: The Minister for Sport says Mr SPEAKER: There is no point of order. 24. As we all know, I am more cautious. I am The member will resume his seat. prepared to go for a Broncos win by four. That Mr BEATTIE: If it was so horrendous, why will do. did the Opposition not change the law when it Mr Elder interjected. was in power? Mr BEATTIE: Yes, but the Deputy Mr Hamill: Was it the Nicklin Government Premier is a former manager of the Broncos. that brought it in? He is biased. I am only biased in selective Mr BEATTIE: Yes, it was probably a ways. Bob Carr and I have had a wager on Nicklin Government. This is all about ensuring this. After the State of Origin series, I was that there are no more Brendan Abbotts. That determined for Queensland to get one back. is what this is about. This is to make sure that We have done away with the flags. That was a we keep prisoners in jail where they ought to bit embarrassing last time. I am not doing that 2606 Questions Without Notice 23 Aug 2000 again. We are basically going to do this: after Queensland Rail the Broncos win on Sunday, Bob Carr will be Mr ROBERTS: My question is directed to wearing a Broncos tie. If it happens that the the Premier. I refer to the Government's Broncos do not win, which they will, then I will ongoing commitment to the growth and be wearing a Roosters tie for a day. I think that development of Queensland Rail. I ask: can is appropriate. This will restore some State we be confident that the National/Liberal honour after the loss in the State of Origin coalition has a similar commitment? series. Mr BEATTIE: No, it does not. I will table a I want to pay a tribute. This will be captain letter which has been written to the State Kevie Walters' last game for the Broncos. He Treasurer, David Hamill, by John Fahey, the has been a great advocate for sport. He is a Federal Minister for Finance and decent Queenslander and a really decent guy. Administration. This letter should be of great As we all know, he has gone through concern to everybody. I think the member for enormous angst in terms of his family and Gregory will be particularly interested in it. I private life. Through all of that, he has had the regret to inform the House that we cannot be stamina and the guts to keep going. He is confident that there is bipartisan support in someone that I personally admire. I know that Queensland for Queensland Rail. There is no a lot of young Queenslanders who play Rugby doubt where my Government sits in relation to League will also be in that admiration category this, because it is building a strong future for and that fan club. I certainly am. I wish him Queensland Rail. This year we will continue to well on Sunday. It will be his last game for the invest in Queensland Rail. A total of $646m is Broncos and I know it will be a beauty. Good to be pumped into the new tilt train to Cairns, luck to him. improved track infrastructure throughout the State and new rolling stock for the urban and interurban system. We have supported Queensland Rail in its efforts to establish a Ms J. Budd strong position in the national rail freight Mr SPRINGBORG: My question is market. directed to the Deputy Premier. I ask: is the Unfortunately, after writing to John Fahey, Joan Budd he referred to yesterday as the our Treasurer has received a very unsavoury person who brought Karen Ehrmann to his response. Rather than supporting QR in its bid office the same Joan Budd who was the to take an interest in national rail competition, returning officer in the rorted Thuringowa the Federal Minister for Finance and preselection contest in 1996? Has Joan Budd Administration denied QR that opportunity. ever been employed by the Minister in either Mr Bredhauer: Where's competition now? his capacity as an MLA as or Deputy Leader of Mr BEATTIE: That is right. Where is the Opposition or as Deputy Premier? competition now? However, he wrote back to Mr ELDER: What did the member do? the Treasurer. In the letter I will table, Mr Fahey states— Did he just pick up the contact card from the ministerial office? It has only been on there for "... the Commonwealth is of the view that the past two years, or did he just pick up the governments have no role to play in the Parliament House phone book to find out that provision of services such as freight rail." she has been the electorate officer for the past What are we talking about in this country? eight-odd years? Seriously, if the member is What is happening in this country? He said going to do anything, he should come in with that "governments have no role to play in something new. Everyone knows that Joan freight rail". The coalition Minister went on to Budd works for me. There is nothing secret say, and members can read the letter— about that. Everyone knows that Joan Budd "... private sector operators are able to was the returning officer. And everyone knows, provide such services in a more efficient including the member, that Joan Budd did the and viable manner, as demonstrated by decent thing by Karen Ehrmann. There is the success of the privatised intrastate rail nothing new in all of that—nothing new. So operators in Tasmania, Victoria and South next time the member wants to check on who Australia." is employed in my office, he can do what he So the Federal Government supports selling normally does: get the contact cards and read off QR. That is the Federal Liberal Party and its them. There is no secret about it. It is all there coalition partner. The coalition policy is and it has been public knowledge for some 11 therefore clear: to privatise State rail years. Big secret! operations because Governments have no 23 Aug 2000 Questions Without Notice 2607 role. Employees of Queensland Rail should be the provision of services such as freight in no doubt: if the State coalition crawls back rail." into office, if it follows the Federal coalition Members opposite can say what they like, but position it will privatise Queensland Rail. It will we will stand by Queensland Rail employees. sell off the profitable freight rail operations. It We will fight against the coalition and its will close down the unprofitable segments privatisation plan in order to keep Queensland because, to quote John Fahey, "governments Rail jobs. We will stand by the railway workers have no role to play in providing these in Queensland. services". Opposition members interjected. Mr JOHNSON: I rise to a point of order. I ask the Premier to withdraw the statement he Mr SPEAKER: Order! The House will has made in relation to the State coalition come to order. selling off Queensland Rail or privatising Mr Borbidge interjected. Queensland Rail. That is certainly not part of Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the our policy. It has never been part of our Opposition! platform. I think it is a slur on the people who work in the organisation. I find it offensive and Mr Johnson interjected. I ask him to withdraw it. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for Mr SPEAKER: No, there is no point of Gregory! order. It was not directed at the member. I call the Premier. Mackay Base Hospital Mr BEATTIE: It will contract out the urban Mr BLACK: I refer the Minister for Health rail operations because, according to John to her answer to my question on notice asked Fahey, "private sector operators are more on 17 May this year wherein she stated— efficient". The bottom line is this: it does not matter whether those opposite like it or not, "Pain clinic services are continuing at these are its Federal coalition mates in Mackay Base Hospital despite the Canberra. resignation of the visiting medical officer from Rockhampton." Mr JOHNSON: I rise to a point of order. There is a differentiation between State policy Did the Minister mislead the House or is there and Federal policy, and our State policy is not some other explanation for the fact that the that. I ask the Premier to withdraw. pain clinic at Mackay Base Hospital is not operating and has not operated for some Mr SPEAKER: Order! This is not a time? debate. Mrs EDMOND: I would have to get the Mr BEATTIE: What that means is that relevant information and get back to the those opposite are all things to all people. member. I do not have any information with They will say anything! In other words, those me on changes to that service delivery. The opposite have no policy. It is there in black and member for Whitsunday is one of a couple of white. Those opposite might not like us members in the Mackay district—the member exposing their Canberra mates, but their for Mirani is the other—who have been Canberra mates want to sell off QR. They want spreading all sorts of rumours about closure of to destroy jobs in Queensland Rail. services at the Mackay Hospital. Mr JOHNSON: Mr Speaker, I rise to a Mr BLACK: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point point of order. This is a clear— of order. That is untrue and I ask for it to be Mr SPEAKER: Order! This is not a withdrawn. debate. You will have an opportunity to make Mr SPEAKER: Order! Does the member a personal explanation— find it offensive as well? Mr JOHNSON: I am going to make it Mr BLACK: I find it offensive and I ask clear— that it be withdrawn. Mr SPEAKER: Resume your seat. Mrs EDMOND: I withdraw. The rumours Mr JOHNSON: This is a clear fabrication— going around waste an awful lot of time of the Mr SPEAKER: Resume your seat! staff of the Mackay Hospital. They frequently have to come out in the media and say that Mr BEATTIE: I will just read this out. The the member for Mirani is wrong again. This Federal coalition has said— affects patient care, because people are "The Commonwealth is of the view running around trying to address rumours that Governments have no role to play in spread by the member for Mirani instead of 2608 Questions Without Notice 23 Aug 2000 doing what they would much prefer to do, that "Contrary to reports that businesses is, care for patients. are taking GST in their stride, it seems The member for Mirani said on radio that many are struggling." he would raise all of these issues with me in And further— the House because he is inundated with letters "The future for many businesses, and phone calls from people complaining especially those still to fully embrace the about the service they receive at the Mackay new tax system (still almost a third), may Hospital. We did a search of all the things the well be decided on November 11 when member for Mirani has asked me about and the first quarterly business activity we found nothing. I think there was one statement is due." question asked in two years. He is so inundated with issues that he cannot be The findings also claim that rising interest rates bothered handing them on! One really has to are squeezing Queensland businesses. ask why. According to the survey, expected profits, sales and employment have weakened. In terms of the question asked by the member for Whitsunday, I will get the details Members should not take my word for it and get back to him. My understanding is that and they should not take just Dun & there has been an increase in the staff in that Bradstreet's word for it. The latest ACCI survey, particular area at the Mackay Hospital. If there the latest Westpac survey, the latest survey by has been a problem, I am happy to find out the Colonial State Bank and the latest QCCI about it and let him know. survey all point to the same thing: the damaging impact of GST on businesses in Queensland, especially small businesses. Goods and Services Tax None of these surveys even take into account the factor that we have been on about from Mr MUSGROVE: Does the Deputy day one: the impact of the latest GST induced Premier have any further recent evidence of fuel hike. Not one of these surveys deals with the impact of the GST on industry in the GST on fuel and the impact on small Queensland? businesses. If the GST induced inflation Mr ELDER: I do, and it is the latest continues as it is, members should look out for business expectations survey by Dun & further hikes in fuel prices and interest rates. Bradstreet. It serves as a warning for all November 11 might be a D-day for Queensland industry, especially for small businesses, but March next year will be a businesses, and especially for those opposite. devastation day. The Dun & Bradstreet survey supports what the Beattie Government has been saying for months, that is, the GST and rising interest Electoral Fraud rates are crippling Queensland businesses. Mr QUINN: I refer the Premier to the Profit expectations among manufacturers and findings of Justice Ambrose of the Supreme the retail and wholesale sectors are at their Court in the Court of Disputed Returns on 8 lowest in two years. One third of the 900 December 1995 that there were seven executives surveyed believe that the GST will instances either of people voting twice in the have a negative effect on sales in the short 1995 State election in the seat of term. Mundingburra or of people impersonating A more worrying aspect of the Dun & others on the roll in order to cast a vote, and I Bradstreet survey is that the number of ask: did ALP electoral rorting in Townsville businesses now expecting a negative impact extend to efforts to rig general elections, at and effect from the GST in the long term has least from 1995 onwards? almost tripled. To use the words of the Mr BEATTIE: I thought the coalition won managing director of Dun & Bradstreet, the that by-election and came to Government. If words of the experts— those opposite thought that was such an impressive issue— "Businesses are feeling the GST squeeze." Opposition members interjected. And further— Mr BEATTIE: They eventually came to office on 19 February 1996. If the coalition "In the past month, short term thought this was such a big thing, it had two pessimism has grown to become a years, four months and one week in office—I longer-term fear for the increasing remember every day of it—to do something percentage of businesses." about it. The days of the coalition Government She says further— were sad days for Queensland—every one of 23 Aug 2000 Questions Without Notice 2609 them. The coalition had two years, four "Hinton and the then government months and one week in office. Why did it not brushed off suggestions his conviction do something about it? should lead to expulsion from parliament, If there are issues relating to the arguing his position should only be at risk Mundingburra by-election that I know nothing if convicted of an offence 'of a criminal about, let them be investigated by the nature'. independent watchdog. Let them be At the time, no-one suggested he investigated by the Federal Police. Let them should be expelled from the National be investigated by the appropriate authorities. Party." Those opposite should refer them down there. This is the Courier-Mail of 29 October 1998. So They should send them to the Federal Police Mr Borbidge was in the Government and was or send them to the CJC. We have nothing to a Minister. "No, I didn't think he should be hide. Those opposite should send them off expelled." and let them be investigated. Mr Hamill: He thought this was just a Let us go back and look at a bit of history. mishap. On 26 September 1989, National Party member of Parliament Denis Hinton said— Mr BEATTIE: As the Treasurer has pointed out, Mr Hinton said— "I was convicted of incorrectly filling out an electoral form for an unknown "Since I became the member of my person, apparently a Canadian very marginal seat of Broadsound, I have national"— suffered a series of mishaps." it was not even an Australian— That was obviously one of them! That is an example of the Opposition's standards, and "in my first year of office. The truth was they are not very good. that I was at the post office getting more forms when the actual form was filled in and signed." Subsidised Fuel That meant he did it. He went on— Mrs LAVARCH: I refer the Treasurer to "There was no handwriting evidence recent comments made by him concerning to support the claim that I had signed the compliance activity to prevent the unlawful form for another unknown person." movement of subsidised fuel to other States, and I ask: could the Treasurer advise of any It was just the Canadian. And further— results that have been achieved through these "It was all word-of-mouth evidence. I efforts? was outwitted. The Federal police, at ALP Mr HAMILL: The Government has been instigation, pursued the matter very concerned about the unlawful movement relentlessly." of subsidised fuel from Queensland to other So he admitted in Hansard that he had in fact States. Indeed, as I canvassed at the recent filled out the form. Estimates committee hearing, I found it and I continue to find it quite unbelievable that a Interestingly, on 29 October 1998 a scheme could have been put in place which Courier-Mail article stated— allowed interstate users to legally obtain "Almost 11 years ago, when the subsidised fuel from Queensland. But it is of current Opposition justice spokesman was grave concern that there are operators out a mere teenager, the then member for there who continue to rip off the Queensland Broadsound, Denis Hinton, was convicted taxpayer by unlawfully claiming subsidy for of forging a woman's signature on an fuel. election enrolment application. I am advised that yesterday the bulk end He was fined $400 and had to pay user's licence of a major interstate road $1214 in costs. haulage company was cancelled. This bulk Hinton was a National Party end user has been detected buying subsidised backbencher, who was elected in 1986 fuel and on-selling the fuel at an unsubsidised but defeated in 1989 by Labor's Jim price to a distributor. To add insult to injury, Pearce." that distributor was subsequently selling the same fuel to retail outlets which were also Well done, Jim! claiming the subsidy on the same fuel. In other After Denis Hinton was convicted, he was words, there is about half a million dollars re-endorsed. The Courier-Mail article states— worth of subsidy that has been quite unlawfully 2610 Questions Without Notice 23 Aug 2000 and wrongfully claimed in relation to this young prisoners since 30 May as a result of his matter. incompetence? Although the complete details of how Mr BARTON: Let us have a little look at much fuel the road haulage company has on- these issues, because I have advised the sold are still to be determined, the amount that Parliament that it is our plan to close the "boys has been detected to date is approximately yard" at Sir David Longland and to transfer 3.3 million litres. That equates to around those functions initially to Borallon and then $280,000 in subsidy in the first instance. The ultimately some of them will be at Arthur Commissioner of Stamp Duties has quite Gorrie. The member for Toowoomba South properly acted to immediately suspend the would also be aware that the prison at Borallon company's licence pending formal cancellation has been market tested. I should say that this procedures. is the first time since it was initially opened as a The industry was advised yesterday that private sector prison that it has been market the road haulage company in question is no tested. The contracts with the existing longer entitled to buy Queensland subsidised operators rolled over without any transparency, fuel, and any future sales to that company without any market test at all. That process is must be made at the unsubsidised price. still continuing. It is still our plan—and this is Indeed, the letter to the various wholesalers the project—to close the "boys yard" at Sir advises them that if they sell Queensland David Longland and transfer some of those subsidised fuel to this company, their claim for boys, as we call them—the 17 year olds who such sales will be denied by the Commissioner are not yet 18—to Borallon and ultimately also of Stamp Duties. They have also been advised to have some of them at the Arthur Gorrie that they may be subject to immediate Correctional Centre. investigation in regard to all of their claims and, I do not have statistics on further assaults. additionally, all subsidy claims may be withheld I am very confident that if there had been— until the investigation is complete. Mr Horan: Do you know if there's been We will not tolerate Queensland taxpayers any? being ripped off by oil companies or Mr BARTON: I am not aware of there wholesalers or distributors or anybody else, being any, and obviously the shadow Minister and we will use our best endeavours to crack is not aware of any either, so this sounds like it down on the illegal trade of fuel which is was a question where he was trailing his coat, ripping millions of dollars from Queensland a fishing trip, to see what reaction he would taxpayers each year. get. The reality is that I have been very open Mr Johnson: Are you going to cancel about this. We have found the situation at Sir their licence? David Longland to be not the best set of circumstances in which to have the 17 year Mr HAMILL: The licence of this company, olds. We are in the process of planning to Roadmaster Haulage Pty Ltd, has been move them to Borallon and some of them to cancelled, and quite properly so, and we will Arthur Gorrie. That process is still continuing. I seek full recovery for any subsidy illegally can assure the shadow Minister— claimed by that company. Mr Horan: It hasn't started. You said it was happening. Sir David Longland Correctional Centre Mr BARTON: They have not started Mr HORAN: I direct a question to the because we are in the process—and I will Minister for Police and Corrective Services. On repeat it slowly for the member for 30 May in this Parliament, I questioned him Toowoomba South so that he can hear and about the continuing vicious assaults upon 17 understand—of a transfer to another operator, year olds incarcerated in the "boys yard" at Sir because we have market tested Borallon. We David Longland prison. The Minister replied have a preferred tenderer that we are still that the "boys yard" was being progressively finalising, and it was not appropriate to make closed and these 17 year olds were being that sort of change while we are in the process transferred to the Borallon and Arthur Gorrie of transferring the management of that prisons. This transfer of the 17 year olds has correctional facility from one private operator to not happened since then, indicating that the another. Minister either did not know what he was If in fact the member for Toowoomba talking about or he misled Parliament or he South is suggesting that there has been an has lost control of his department. Can the horrendous number of assaults, I am certainly Minister now tell this Parliament how many not immediately aware of them. I will check further assaults there have been on these that out. But again for the record, it is most 23 Aug 2000 Questions Without Notice 2611 important that I stress that these 17 year olds there, for example, funding the development have been convicted by adult courts and are in and construction of a long overdue new adult prisons for very serious offences. dormitory at Longreach, something that was not done in the two years, four months and one week that the Opposition was in Agricultural Colleges Government or the 32 years before that. Mr PEARCE: I draw the attention of the Mr Johnson: We started that; you know Minister for Employment, Training and that. Industrial Relations to the joint strategic plan for the State's agricultural colleges, and ask: Mr BRADDY: You did not start it. We are what will its impact be in terms of the Beattie funding it. It is under construction now. When Labor Government's commitment to training in the Opposition was in power, nothing was the rural sector? done in the two years, four months and one week in relation to that particular matter. What Mr BRADDY: I thank the honourable we are doing is working with the colleges. I member for his question. It is a very important have great pleasure in tabling a copy of the matter, because as well as revitalising the 16 joint strategic plan. TAFE institutes, we in the Beattie Labor Government have worked very closely with the Mr SANTORO: I rise to a point of order. four agricultural colleges. It gives me great With due respect to the Minister, the decision pleasure indeed to inform the House of a was made by the previous coalition strategic alliance between the four agricultural Government to in fact fund that facility. We colleges that we have sponsored and funded it. enthusiastically worked with them to prepare. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for This alliance offers Queenslanders enhanced Clayfield will have the opportunity at some opportunities to gain valuable vocational skills other time. in rural industries. Over 90% of the graduates of the four agricultural colleges obtain employment. One of the matters we pointed Ambulance Communication Centres out on coming to Government was that we Mr MALONE: I refer the Minister for believe the colleges should improve their Emergency Services to the position of team game in terms of the numbers that they are leaders within the Queensland Ambulance training. It is delightful to know that not only do Service communications centres, and I ask: they agree with that but that they have what selection criteria are used to determine targeted a significant increase. these positions, are these positions exposed I will table a copy of the joint strategic plan to a selection panel and, as these do not for the four agricultural colleges and make appear as official QAS positions, is it true that reference to the fact that their first strategic they are a self-appointed, self-anointed $75 objective together is to prepare greater per week lurk for those in the know that has numbers of new entrants for jobs in rural been allowed to flourish under your industries. They are targeting a 50% increase administration? in their annual placements by the year 2005. Mr ROBERTSON: I thank the honourable We believe that that in itself is a most member for his question. He seems to be significant improvement. It is true to say that developing somewhat of a fixation with initially the colleges worked individually. In communication centres in the Ambulance recent years, they have increasingly worked Service. It is a shame, however, that he does together and this has culminated in this joint not acknowledge the work that has been going strategic plan. As I say, they have a very good on under this Government to improve record of placing their graduates in work. We significantly the performance of believe that they should be targeting more communication centres throughout trainees and apprentices. They agree with Queensland. I can only think that he is still on that. We suggested to them that they should the trail of some rumours he may have heard target more interstate and international in Mackay. Is the subtext Mackay? If that be students. They have agreed with that also. the case, let me inform the House about what What we see here is a Labor Government we are doing in Mackay. A couple of months that governs for all Queenslanders, unlike the ago the member brought up some allegations Opposition, which criticises our very successful with respect to the performance of one Breaking the Unemployment Cycle Initiative. individual. What we have done in responding The difference with this Government is that it is to concerns about communications in the out there working with the rural industries to Ambulance Service is put additional resources prepare a joint strategic plan. We are out into that communications centre. For the first 2612 Questions Without Notice 23 Aug 2000 time, the Mackay communications centre can Mr McGRADY: I thank the member for his be assured of its long-term future. As a result ongoing interest in energy. As the member for of that— Rockhampton said just a moment ago, the Mr Malone: I asked the question; you member for Mulgrave displays a great deal of answer it. energy as the local member. Mr ROBERTSON: The member just said Once again, I have good news for this that he asked the question and I have to Parliament. I am happy to report that the answer it. I am happy to go along with that, Queensland Government is currently the but it would require him to actually shut up for largest purchaser of green energy in this a while. country, with 5% of total electricity coming from renewable sources. This meets our As I was saying with respect to Mackay, Government's commitment under our Cleaner for the first time the Mackay communications Energy program to increase the amount of centre has been assured about its future. We renewable energy purchased annually from are putting additional staff in there. The 2% to 5%. member asked me during the Estimates committee process where we are putting the As the Speaker would be well aware, 44 additional ambulance officers this year. We Parliament House was one of the most recent have increased that number of additional buildings to join the Government's green officers to 68. We are putting in additional power purchase program. There are four other staff, not just in Mackay, but in Toowoomba major buildings in central Brisbane that are and other communication centres—in Brisbane also supplied with green power: the Executive as well. Of course, when those additional Building, the State Government building, the resources are put in, when certainty is provided Precinct Centre and, of course, the and when investment is made in new Queensland Minerals and Energy Centre. In technology such as computer-aided dispatch regional Queensland, seven Government and automatic vehicle location technology it offices are supplied with green power at requires some workplace remodelling. Townsville, Rockhampton, Cairns, Bundaberg, Maryborough and Gladstone. In Mackay's case, if someone is required to take on a supervisory role because we put The purchase of green power energy by in additional staff, I would have thought that the Government provides significant support the member, who comes from that general for the establishment of new renewable energy region, would be thanking this Government for projects throughout this State. Already we the additional investment that we are putting in have seen projects come to fruition and others place. Of course, the member remains mute are well under way. Examples are the Stanwell and absurd on that question because he wind farm at Windy Hill, the K5 mini hydro knows that this Government is putting in the project on the Tully River in far-north resources through increased budget Queensland and the Rocky Point sugarmill applications not just in Mackay, but, as I said, project near Beenleigh. in Toowoomba, Brisbane and down the coast. By achieving the acquisition of 5% per Members opposite do not like to hear the annum of green energy, the Government is good news about what we are doing in the sending out a clear message to the electricity Ambulance Service. We are investing money industry to help drive investment in new green to improve performance throughout the State. energy projects. Yesterday I announced the The fact that Opposition members do not want latest recipients of funding under the to listen indicates that they just do not care Government's Sustainable Energy Innovation about emergency services in Queensland. Fund. This fund will also assist in placing Queensland at the forefront of the further development of the emerging new sustainable Green Energy energy industry. Mr PITT: In asking the Minister for Mines and Energy a question, I refer to the Government placing emphasis on the Tree Clearing development of renewable technologies for Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM: I direct my the generation of electricity and the fact that question to the Premier, who has taken the the Cleaner Energy Strategy announced a few lead in making many comments here and via months ago by the Premier set a target of 5% the media regarding Queensland tree-clearing of electricity used by the Government to come proposals and Federal assistance. Significant from green energy. Can the Minister inform the sections of the Vegetation Management Act House of progress towards meeting this have not been proclaimed, but under the Acts target? Interpretation Act these provisions will 23 Aug 2000 Questions Without Notice 2613 automatically commence 12 months after the indicated, that will be handled with local Bill was passed—that is 21 December unless consultation. the time is formally extended. Is it the Of course, the problem with all of this is Premier's intention to allow these intrusive that the Federal Government has not come requirements to become law without adequate forward with funds. We do not know the public education and advice via this process? conditions under which they will be seeking to Mr BEATTIE: I thank the honourable fund farmers—whether it is in compensation or member for Gladstone for the question. At management arrangements. The Queensland 2.30 this afternoon, the Minister for Government is putting in about $110m to this Environment and Heritage and Minister for whole structure. It may well be that the Natural Resources and the Minister for Local Commonwealth comes back to us and says Government and I will be meeting with interest that they want to do things on certain terms groups about tree clearing. That will cover and conditions that are at some variance to farmer organisations, local government—I do what I have spelt out, which is the not have the list with me, but it will include Government's position and policy. However, environmental groups as well. they are matters that we will have to discuss with the Federal Government. Six months ago, The member may recall that the on 20 February, I met with the Prime Minister. Government's agenda was set by a We indicated that we would have six months commitment that I gave in Roma after a of consultation. That expired on Sunday. In Community Cabinet meeting. That followed this area, we have honoured every one of our one given in Winton. Basically, the plan is commitments to the Prime Minister. We have along these lines, and this is the Roma honoured every one of the commitments that I commitment that I gave. In terms of leasehold gave at Roma on behalf of the Government. land, the provisions that we introduced are covered in leasehold. That was done by The Minister for Natural Resources and I Executive Council—I cannot recall the exact will continue to pursue this. We want a date—at the end of January or the beginning resolution. We do not want to fight with the of February this year. So 70% of the State is Commonwealth, but they have taken so long already covered by our measures. Secondly, I to come forward with the funding package that indicated at Roma that the freehold areas of it is now time for us to act. concern would be taken out of the legislation. They would be handled as part of an overall Produce Markets planning system, but done in conjunction with local groups, farmers and so on—local Ms NELSON-CARR: I ask the Minister for organisations and committees—that the Primary Industries and Rural Communities: can Minister for Natural Resources has been he detail further the successes of the establishing and for which he has been Queensland Government in expanding seeking expressions of interest. So that is part markets for local produce? of a planning structure. I also made it clear Mr PALASZCZUK: I thank the honourable that, in terms of the third area, that is the member for the question. Under this endangered, we would proclaim that part of Government, there have been a number of the legislation. major export gains for Queensland's primary We will be consulting with the groups this industries. Today, I can announce that we afternoon. We will be bringing to this House a have achieved another gain with a key number of measures. We will be amending the impediment to exports of Queensland legislation. The Minister for Natural Resources avocados to New Zealand being removed. has been authorised by Cabinet to amend the Officers of the Department of Primary legislation. Those issues will be discussed with Industries Maroochy Research Station at the stakeholders. Nambour have successfully stopped fruit damage caused by the compulsory quarantine In summary, we will be going ahead, as I treatment against fruit flies by reducing fruit indicated in Roma and indicated to farmer skin blackening. The blackening is caused by groups. We will be proclaiming the areas chilling damage during the required cold relating to endangered. We believe that we disinfestation period. Successful trials have a duty of care in relation to the protection conducted at the new post-harvest laboratory of those areas that come under the have led to methods allowing us to condition endangered heading. In terms of the areas of fruit, such as avocados, to cooler temperatures concern, which obviously fit into the planning for disinfestation, or cold storage for sea gap between leasehold and endangered; that freight, without deterioration. These techniques will be part of the planning process. As I now allow us to cool avocados to below 10 2614 Questions Without Notice 23 Aug 2000 degrees Celsius before they are held at 1 whole system of support for parents. I am very degree Celsius for at least 16 days to ensure pleased to have the opportunity to explain to that this disinfestation of fruit from fruit-flies or the House the direction that we are taking in their larval young is complete. regard to that facility. Fruit are of a better internal and external As the member knows, Parents' Place quality using this conditioning treatment, with was put in place by the former Government. It little obvious skin blackening. The new was planned initially to be one of five services conditioning techniques have already been located across the State. No funds were put in used for major commercial shipments of place for any of the additional services. There avocados to New Zealand with very positive was one shop at Logan Hyperdome, where results. Increased exports will be important to those parents who happened to shop at the avocado industry in the future as new Logan Hyperdome could actually access some plantings mature. I am advised that the information about parenting. industry has targeted the United States market Recently, I made the decision that that as its next export step and that it is going to service does not provide an opportunity for priority listing with the national horticulture parents across the State to gain access to market access committee. The New Zealand information provided by the department or avocado industry has claimed that avocado from other Government departments relevant exports to the United States could top $100m to their needs. It does not provide an annually. opportunity for anyone other than those who In addition, our post-harvest research are shopping at Logan Hyperdome. program is looking to develop practices to I have made the decision to close maintain the quality of the fruit after harvest. Parents' Place. I can guarantee members now The new facility at Nambour houses that the funds that were provided to the rental laboratories, coldrooms, fruit sorting and of Parents' Place are being used to put in inspection areas and fruit control temperature place a Statewide extended hours service for cabinets. Research is also continuing on a parents, whether they live in Charleville, Cairns range of projects aiming to improve fruit quality or Southport. The new service will provide in avocados, mangoes and bananas. telephone counselling and information on an In conclusion, the Department of Primary extended hours basis. It will provide access Industries, through the State Government through the Internet, it will provide a mail initiative of the introduction of the Agency for service for all of the information that is currently Food and Fibre Sciences, is really working available through Parents' Place and it will be towards improving exports of our Queensland done in conjunction with Parent Helpline. As I products overseas. I could go through the said, it will provide a service to parents who famous Tango mango exports into France, need this sort of information way beyond the where the Tango mango is picked up at $37 boundaries of one shop in one shopping per mango. I could talk about the specially centre on the outskirts of the city in south-east grown apples in Stanthorpe, which are Queensland, where not even most people in exported to Singapore or Hong Kong for their Brisbane have an opportunity to shop. Chinese new year, and they fetch $3 each. I I acknowledge the work that the staff of could keep going and going but, unfortunately, Parents' Place has done and the very good time has expired. information that they have provided to those people who have attended Parents' Place. We Parents' Place have had negotiations with the Logan City Council for the information, which was Mr LINGARD: I refer the Minister for available previously at Parents' Place, to be Families to Parents' Place at Loganholme located in the facilities of the Logan City Shopping Centre, where parents from south- Council libraries, and I thank the Logan City east Queensland can walk into a shopfront in Council for its agreement to that. We will be a very informal way and seek information, starting negotiations with other city council material and advice about all aspects of libraries for similar information to be placed so parenting, and I ask: have there been moves that, as I said, parents wherever they live— by her department to close this office? whether they are in south-east— Ms BLIGH: I thank the honourable Mr Mickel: Is that the material provided in member for the question. Honourable the Logan West Library? members may recall that I was asked a similar question by one of the member's colleagues Ms BLIGH: There will be material at some time ago. I indicated then that there was Logan West Library. All of the parenting a review of the role of Parents' Place in our information that was available in one shop will 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2615 now be available in all Logan City Council Townsville Bulletin on Tuesday, 15 August, libraries. Currently, we are negotiating with all which states— other local governments so that parents in "The electoral forgery of Karen Mount Isa can have access to this information Ehrmann and Shane Foster played a big and parents in north Brisbane can have it. part in Mike Reynolds gaining preselection We are about providing services to for the seat of Townsville, says his families and to parents wherever they live. I opponent in the contest, Townsville Mayor thank the honourable member for the Tony Mooney. opportunity to explain that to the House. As I ... have said in the past, we are not about just pulling something off the shelf; we are about Cr Mooney said Ehrmann and Foster carefully planned services. As I noted at the had operated a concerted campaign to beginning of my answer, this was never ensure he did not win the plebiscite thought through by the previous Government, against Mr Reynolds in 1996. never funded and it was time to expand it. ... Mr SPEAKER: The time for questions has Asked if the activities of Ehrmann expired. and Foster were crucial to the plebiscite vote, Cr Mooney said they 'had a big PRIVILEGE impact on the outcome.' " Electoral Fraud; Member for Townsville I submit that the comments made by the Labor Mayor for Townsville are not consistent Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers with the assurances given to this House by the Paradise—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) Labor member for Townsville in regard to his (11.30 a.m.): I rise on a matter of privilege alleged involvement in electoral fraud and suddenly arising. Earlier in question time the corrupt activities. Premier suggested that I had misrepresented certain comments made by the Mayor of Mr REYNOLDS: I rise to a point of order. Townsville that were at odds with comments Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is no point of made to this House yesterday by his privilege. I really do not think the Mayor of Parliamentary Secretary, the member for Townsville is the basis for a matter of privilege Townsville, and the Premier refused to support in this House, either. either the mayor or the member. I wish to draw the attention of the House to what the Mayor of Townsville said. APPROPRIATION (PARLIAMENT) BILL Mr SPEAKER: Order! That is not a matter APPROPRIATION BILL of privilege. That is a matter for debate. Committee (Cognate Debate) Mr BORBIDGE: It is a matter of privilege Appropriation Bill that the member for Townsville has misled the Estimates Committee A House. Report Mr SPEAKER: No, it is not. I am ruling that this is not a matter of privilege. The CHAIRMAN: Order! The question is— Mr BORBIDGE: Mr Speaker, your practice "That the report of Estimates in this place has always been to hear matters Committee A be adopted." of privilege and then make a determination. Mr ROWELL (Hinchinbrook—NPA) Mr SPEAKER: I have listened to most of (11.33 a.m.): It was with great disappointment this matter of privilege. The member will not go that I had to put in a dissenting report in into a debate. respect of the Estimates for the DPI. I believe Mr BORBIDGE: I have not started yet. that a lot of what is happening within the organisation is not in the best interests of Mr SPEAKER: Tell me the matter of people in primary industries. In fact, I believe privilege. that the DPI is turning into a consumer-based Mr BORBIDGE: My matter of privilege is organisation rather than one that assists that the member for Townsville may have groups that produce something like $6 billion misled House yesterday in giving this House worth of farm gate products for this State. certain assurances that are not consistent with There seems to be more interest in slow- the public comments made by the Labor growing grass—grass that needs mowing only Mayor of Townsville. Mr Speaker, to assist you three to four times a year. That is extremely in making this determination, I refer you to the disappointing. Primary industries right across 2616 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 the State are very important to the economy of deregulation and the dry spell they are now Queensland. facing. They have to feed their cattle. They One of the issues that I was also very have to make sure that they can produce milk. concerned about was the $2m for the tick The dairying asset owned by these people is inspection process that will now be passed their superannuation. That is now in jeopardy. over to organisations that are not directly Time expired. under the control of the DPI. It is extremely important in relation to cattle exported from Ms NELSON-CARR (Mundingburra—ALP) Queensland that we can be certain that ticks (11.38 a.m.): In rising to speak in this debate I or other issues are not detrimental to that place on record my thanks to Estimates trade. This is a market that we have Committee A members, the staff and in established over a long period and which we particular the research director, Mr Stephen need to foster. Finnimore. He showed enormous courtesy to members of the committee and certainly to Another major concern is the closure of me. He was always available and conducted the semen laboratories at Wacol and Biloela. I his business in a most professional manner. I would like to know what has happened to thank him for his time and patience during these sites—the equipment and the buildings. what is often a very stressful period and Will this money simply go back into the particularly as Estimates A was first on the pockets of Treasury? It is disappointing that agenda. I think we all owe Mr Finnimore a only $900,000 in new money was actually huge debt of gratitude. I thank also all spent on capital works projects through the members of the committee for their DPI. I raise also the issue of forestry contributions. In particular, I acknowledge the plantations for south-east Queensland. The deputy chair of the committee, the member for Budget documents state that there is $8.9m in Indooroopilly, for his work. He certainly had a new money for the year 2000-01. But in effect very clear understanding of the Standing $3.4m of this money was spent in the 1999- Orders relating to the proceedings. 2000 year, and only $5.5m will be made available in the year 2000-01. I was honoured to take part in Estimates There appears to be no allocation for the Committee A and, as chair, I feel it fitting to 200 jobs that have been foreshadowed and congratulate the Government on a Budget promised. That is a major issue. The question that has wide support. The democratic process in relation to the performance bonuses for DGs adopted at the hearing allowed for efficiency was not answered by Mr Palaszczuk, who said and resulted in a broad cross-section of that we would have to go to the Premier for an questions being answered regarding the three answer to this question. Yet Minister Spence portfolios. said that the performance bonus was going to The member for Maroochydore perhaps come from a departmental allocation. There needs mention in that, once again, her grasp seems to be a lot of controversy within of her portfolio was questionable in that her Government as to where these performance line of questioning often had nothing to do allocations are coming from. with the portfolio. However, to her credit, she QRAA is a lame duck under this did desist from repeated questions of this type Government. QRAA, which was a separate when reminded. Further, it was interesting to entity in the Treasury, has now been moved note the continued line of questioning from the over to DPI. But not the full complement of member for Indooroopilly in that he found it $60m-odd in funding came across with it. Only difficult to accept the answers from all Ministers about $2.3m has come across with it, with in relation to his questions. I was a little $57.7m of it taken out of QRAA and now in concerned about his ability to comprehend. the grip of Treasury. Of course, DPI can make I thank all Ministers for their excellent an application to Treasury, but sometimes contributions. I thank their personal staff and getting money from Treasury is like pulling their departmental staff for the enormous teeth. amount of work that they put into the In my remaining minute I wish to address preparations for the Estimates committee. I the dairy industry. As I said in a statement this was in regular contact with those staff, and I morning, this industry is suffering considerable would like in particular to thank Bronwen problems, in particular in the areas west of Griffiths and staff of Minister Anna Bligh's Toowoomba, down to Fassifern, and in Biloela, department who had the added headache of Kingaroy and surrounding regions. Those having their Minister out of the country up until areas are particularly dry. It is a major concern days before the hearing. The staff involved how those people will travel, particularly with deserve recognition for their dedication and 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2617 commitment during an extremely stressful Finally, I am indebted to the process of the period. Appropriation Bill for its clear accountability and I would also like to spend a little time on transparency, and I congratulate and thank all speaking to the six achievements in the involved. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy Mr BEANLAND (Indooroopilly—LP) portfolio. It was heartening to have questions (11.42 a.m.): I rise in this debate, firstly, to asked and, indeed, to have them answered thank the staff of the committee, particularly this year, considering that this substantial Mr Stephen Finnimore, who is the research portfolio attracted no questions from the director of the committee, and other staff Opposition last year. If we have a look at these members for the work they did in support of achievements, we see that there was an the committee. I thank the committee allocation of $24.5m over three years in the members also. I want to talk about a few 1999-2000 budget to compensate Aboriginal issues in relation to the matters covered by and Torres Strait Islander peoples who Estimates Committee A, particularly in the suffered racial discrimination as a result of portfolio of the Department of Families, Youth being paid less than the award wages and Community Care and Disability Services. between 1975 and 1986 simply because they First of all, I want to touch upon the issue were indigenous people. One of the other of bonuses paid to directors-general. It is quite achievements was the establishment of a obvious that significant dollars are involved separate department of Aboriginal and Torres here—the amounts contained in this budget. Strait Islander Policy and Development. This In reply to a question I asked, the Minister was an election commitment and was indicated that money was contained within her delivered in September 1998. It goes some departmental votes for bonuses paid to way to distancing the department from past directors-general. But the Minister refused activities, such as the separation of children point blank to specifically indicate the amounts from their families, which continue to cause the contained in either last year's budget or this communities to be suspicious of Government. year's budget. So we do not know how much There was an establishment towards a was paid to the director-general by way of 10-year partnership process in which bonuses as there is no indication of that in this indigenous communities will negotiate with the year's budget. The Minister's answer was that Government to establish a new framework for the Premier would answer this question later. policy development, service delivery and However, I can tell honourable members that accountability. A motion was passed in the Premier did not answer these questions Parliament unreservedly apologising to when he was questioned by the Leader of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Queensland for past wrongs. There was an Party. In fact, the Premier again refused to allocation of an additional $925,000 to the answer the question and skated around the Local Justice Initiative Program, and the first issue. step response to the Aboriginal and Torres It makes a farce of the Estimates Strait Islander Women's Task Force on committee process when Ministers are properly Violence report was released. questioned about funds contained within I believe that all departments displayed a estimates and the Minister refuses to answer, thorough understanding of their respective and that is exactly what happened in this portfolio areas and the Ministers answered portfolio. No-one is sure how much questions candidly and often with some money—whether it was $2,000, $5,000, humour, which certainly helped the very long $20,000, $29,000 or no money—was day go extremely well. I particularly refer to the contained in the estimates. There was only an Minister for Primary Industries. He has an indication given by the Minister that there were excellent wit in these situations. It is good to some moneys there and that moneys would see that this Government has committed to be paid out of her portfolio. I believe it shows the regions and budgeted well for research the Minister's quite obvious contempt for the and, in particular, value adding in the area of Estimates process by not answering that primary industries. particular question. To simply indicate that the Premier will do it, and then the Premier does Answers to the committee were provided not do it, is a farce. What is the point of having in an open and timely manner with enthusiasm Estimates committees if these questions are and detail, giving concise illustrations of a not answered? After all, the whole purpose of Budget that is sound and balanced, delivering holding Estimates committees is to get on its key priorities and introducing many new answers from Ministers in relation to funds that initiatives to provide a better quality of life. are contained within those departmental votes. 2618 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000

There is no question that there were farce they have become! After all, if the funds for bonuses to be paid to directors- Minister keeps changing the output general contained within the votes. The performance measurements, there is no way Minister indicated that that was the case but there will be comparisons from one year to the then refused to indicate how much and tried to next. It is a very safe way for the Minister not fob it off to the Premier, and of course the to get caught out. Premier fobbed it off yet again. It indicates Time expired. quite clearly that there is an iron curtain of secrecy surrounding those bonuses paid to Mr MULHERIN (Mackay—ALP) directors-general. I believe that the Estimates (11.47 a.m.): In rising to speak to the report of committee is the proper place for that Estimates Committee A, I note the National information to be provided. The Minister Party has had very little to say about the indicated that they were there—and she ought budget for Primary Industries and Rural to have provided them—but she said that Communities. I would like to address one point somehow it was the Premier's responsibility raised by the National Party. It deals with the and that she was not going to indicate exactly Office of Rural Communities. The Opposition what was contained within the votes. spokesperson for Rural Communities, the member for Warrego, claimed that the Office This is a portfolio of non-achievement, of Rural Communities had been disbanded. unfortunately. In at least 13 areas which we Nothing could be further from the truth. covered the Minister had not performed in both previous years and the current year; As honourable members would know, the commitments are not being met. It is all very Office of Rural Communities was established well making commitments to the Parliament, by the Goss Labor Government. Late last year but then those commitments were not met in the ministerial responsibility for the Office of the previous year. Some of them go back to Rural Communities was transferred to the the year before that, and it follows through that Minister for Primary Industries. The move was they have not been met the year after and about enhancing the role of the Office of Rural then the year after that. No doubt there are a Communities. The member for Warrego lot more areas in which commitments have not seems to make issue that the Office of Rural been met. Had there been time to question Communities is not referred to in the table of the Minister, the number could have risen. But funding allocations in the Budget papers. The there were at least 13 areas on which the reason for this is that the budget is framed on Minister was questioned in which the Minister total outputs. The work of the Office of Rural failed to deliver in the portfolio and failed to Communities is accounted in the output of honour the commitments to the Parliament for rural community development. The Office of which funds were allocated. There were Rural Community remains a separate unit. indications in the previous budgets that If only the Federal Government followed something was going to occur, but those the Queensland Government's lead and commitments given to the Parliament were not established its own Office of Rural met. Communities, perhaps we could have averted One such commitment was the intensive the Canberra bungling over assistance for the broad-based consultation that was going to sugar industry. The need for a Federal Office occur in relation to a comprehensive quality of Rural Communities was highlighted by the framework for services for the disability sector. very confused comments made by the That simply did not occur. The Minister said it National Party member for Dawson, who talked was a challenge, a bit difficult, and that she to ABC Radio last week about the failure of the had not got around to getting it right. Commonwealth to deliver any assistance for Therefore, clearly it had not occurred. Even the sugar industry. She said— though the Minister made it quite clear in the "Unfortunately there are city centric budget documents that this had been going views down here in Canberra that we on for two years, that commitment still had not have to prevail against ... Unfortunately I been honoured. guess you can't control Cabinet ministers One course, one of the greatest farces is and their departments from asking the output statements. What happened this questions and wanting certain year? The Minister got into trouble last year, so assurances." this year we had a whole host of new I know that the Minister's call for an Office performance measurements in the output of Rural Communities in Canberra has support statements so that there could be no within the coalition. On another matter, I note comparison with the previous years. What a the support from the National Party for the farce that made of these statements! What a transfer of the Queensland Rural Adjustment 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2619

Authority from Treasury to the Primary Promulgatus; and overseas lottery scams. The Industries portfolio. Earlier this month, the Office of Fair Trading was successful in getting Premier and the Primaries Industries Minister the British authorities to act on the Estates announced a concessional loan replanting and General Promulgatus scam and, as a result, establishment scheme for the sugar industry. the organiser of the scam stopped operating. This scheme is targeted to assist growers to The old scams of pyramid selling and referral get crop into the ground, increasing schemes have also been actively promoted in throughput to mills and enhancing flow-on Queensland over the past year. The Office of benefits to local communities. The scheme will Fair Trading has been vigilant in informing be administered by the Queensland Rural consumers about the dangers of these Adjustment Authority. schemes. I also welcome the Government's support Time expired. for rural women in assuming decision-making roles in the Queensland agricultural sector. Hon. V. P. LESTER (Keppel—NPA) The Women in Rural Industries Unit within the (11.53 a.m.): An area of concern which was Department of Primary Industries aims to raised in the Estimates committee relating to increase women's participation in decision- Aboriginal and Islander affairs was the making bodies. The unit creates, supports and situation with regard to the IBIS store on Cape publicises activities to build the skills, York. That facility has lost $3m in funding since confidence and opportunities for women and the Minister took office. This occurred even young people to play even greater roles in the though the Minister had a representative future of Queensland rural industries. I believe appointed to the IBIS board. This is a tragic this is a very important initiative. Encouraging situation. Either the Minister was not watching the greater participation of all stakeholders in the activities of the board or she was not agriculture can only deliver better outcomes for liaising with her representative on the board. the industry and regional Queensland. DPI has For the Minister to have allowed that to reported that recent research has found that happen in such a short period reeks of women are joining Queensland's growing incompetence. I cannot kindly say it any other agricultural work force at a faster rate than way. I would like to, but I cannot. I also point men, with almost 7,000 more women out that since then the board has been employed in agriculture now than five years dismissed. The Auditor-General was very ago. Research has found that the number of scathing indeed. Quite obviously, it was not women employed in agriculture in Queensland one of the Minister's best efforts. As a result, grew by 28% to 31,400 in 1998-99 compared people have lost their jobs. In fact, the price of with a 20% increase to 61,300 for men over goods has gone up and the selection of goods the same period. is not as great. That is the sorry result. However, let us hope that in this great world of I will devote what time I have left to ours things will improve. That is what we have making comments on the Office of Fair to look at doing. Trading and some of the initiatives the Minister has implemented to protect the community I believe that the Minister will need to from the unethical behaviour of promoters of keep an eye on the councils. She was get-rich schemes. I believe the Queensland gracious enough to accept a couple of taxpayer continues to get good value for amendments from us when legislation was money from the efforts of the Office of Fair brought in to tighten the running of Aboriginal Trading against unethical marketplace community councils. We suggested some behaviour. Some examples where the Office amendments to tighten it. I believe that the of Fair Trading has acted include dealing with Minister showed commendable discretion and international and domestic scams, problems in accepted what we had to say. We were not the car rental industry and the activities of loan being political; we just wanted it tightened. It sharks that are detrimental to consumers. The was nice to know that that was accepted in the Office of Fair Trading is constantly working to Parliament. I thank the Minister for that. warn consumers about the dangers of falling In relation to Aboriginal and Islander prey to local and overseas swindlers. affairs, there is a heck of a lot of work to be In the past 12 months, the Office of Fair done. However, at the same time, there is a Trading has received more than 800 written road ahead which is laden with possible complaints and thousands of telephone achievements if we all put our backs into it and inquiries from consumers seeking help on what work as hard as we can. Strenuous efforts are to do about scams. Prevalent scams include being made in many of the Aboriginal and the notorious Nigerian letter scam; the UK Islander community centres and teachers are generated inheritance scam, Estates General being trained on the spot. This means that 2620 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 they can then take their place in mainstream see improvements in the levels of services schools such as schools at Hope Vale and delivered to all Queenslanders. I commend the other places. I had the opportunity to look at committee's report to the Chamber. one of these programs. I thought it was Mr SEENEY (Callide—NPA) (11.59 a.m.): particularly good. However, I would also like to I appreciate the opportunity to make a see nursing training for indigenous people contribution to the debate on the report of expanded throughout the State. I refer to the Estimates Committee G. I will specifically pilot program at the centre at Murgon. I address an issue within the Primary Industries believe we should expand this program so that portfolio that affects my electorate. This issue nurses or nurses aides can do a course which has arisen as a direct result of the will give them one year towards accreditation Government's budget in the Primary Industries for a full nursing course at a university. That portfolio, a budget that we were told contained would provide them with training on the spot in record spending for the regional areas of a hospital and assist them from there. Queensland. How quickly that spin was There are other areas, though, in which exposed as false and deceptive! It was we need to do more for the staff who work at exposed as false and deceptive by the Budget these centres, whether it be Woorabinda, Estimates process, the report of which we are Hope Vale or the very far north. Many of these considering here today, and it was exposed as people work in fairly isolated communities. false and deceptive by numerous examples of Anybody who has driven a four-wheel drive cutbacks in rural and regional Queensland in a from Cooktown to Wujal Wujal will know that it number of areas that have traditionally been is an experience on its own. It is even an core services of the Department of Primary experience to drive further south, but it gets Industries. better the closer to Cairns one gets. Many There can be no better example of the people in those areas are doing a lot of good real cutbacks to real expenditure levels, real work, but they are isolated and it is not easy cutbacks that provide a stark contrast to the for them to travel out of the area. I ask the rhetoric of the Government's spin doctors, than Minister to pursue this issue with the Minister in the portfolio of Primary Industries. A classic for Transport and Minister for Main Roads, in example of the real result of the budget and a whose electorate those towns are located, to classic example of the contempt and the do something about the roads in that area, uncaring attitude this Labor Government has because they are pretty poor. A lot more effort for rural and regional Queensland is the net needs to be made. result to the Biloela Research Station in my Time expired. electorate. Along with the centre at Wacol, the Mr WELLINGTON (Nicklin—IND) artificial beef breeding centre at the Biloela (11.58 a.m.): I rise to participate in the cognate Research Station will close as a result of the debate on the Appropriation Bills. In particular, real budget cuts to the Department of Primary I thank the staff for their support of the whole Industries. committee. I also acknowledge that all The reality is that over $26m will be cut committee members worked very well together from the budget of the DPI this year, and a to enable Ministers to be questioned on range of new functions will be incorporated matters of interest to committee members. In within the department that it now has to find particular, I thank the Minister for Families, funding for from a reduced budget allowance. Youth and Community Care and Minister for Despite the deceitful headline hunting by the Disability Services for acknowledging the need Labor spin doctors, the real impact will be the for increased funding for disability services, loss of a facility in Biloela that has provided particularly the need for increased funding for valuable opportunities for the beef cattle respite care services. I again use this as an industry in central Queensland and has also opportunity to echo my constituents' concerns provided valuable jobs in the regional centre of about the need for funding for a respite care Biloela. facility in Nambour. The Minister's warm and fuzzy approach I also thank the Minister for Primary cannot hide the fact that he has failed dismally Industries and Rural Communities for his to maintain what have been core services of cooperation and the willingness of his staff to the DPI. First it was the tick inspection services answer questions raised by committee and now it is the beef breeding centres at members. I also recognise the involvement of Biloela and Wacol. These are the services that the Minister for Fair Trading in her role with the matter to the customers of the DPI, these are committee. As a result of the questioning of the services that will strengthen the industries the various Ministers, I hope Queensland will and the rural communities, and these are the 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2621 services that have been lost by a weak and details of centres such as the beef breeding ineffectual Minister who cannot achieve an centre in Biloela—to come to Biloela and adequate budget allocation for his inspect that facility before it is closed. I would department. like him to come to terms with the services that With every service the Beattie are carried out there. Hopefully, once he has a Government closes down the DPI loses more better understanding of the detail of the work of its relevance to grassroots primary of that centre this particular decision can be producers. The very future of this department reconsidered. I extend that invitation to the is threatened by the combination of an Minister quite genuinely. As the local member uncaring Government and a weak and representing that area I am quite prepared to ineffectual Minister. They simply do not arrange a visit for the Minister and to understand the effects of the decisions they accompany the Minister to inspect that facility. have made, particularly in this Budget. Hopefully we can have this foolish decision reversed. The beef breeding centre at Biloela is of great importance to the cattle industry and Hon. H. PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) especially to seed stock producers in the stud (Minister for Primary Industries and Rural industry. At the moment the centre has its Communities) (12.04 p.m.): The 2000-01 maximum quota of bulls, with many of the budget for the Department of Primary producers contracted to marketing breeding Industries will drive growth by enhancing the material overseas and interstate. The staff innovative capacity of our food and fibre have a reputation for excellence, and the sectors. In turn, these industries strengthen centre has a record of very high standard of rural and regional communities right across the animal care. State. In short, this is one of the department's Despite the apparent anxieties of the success stories, it is one of the industry's member for Hinchinbrook, DPI's equity return is success stories and it is a success story for fully funded by the Treasury in output revenue. Biloela. Yet it is to be closed by a Minister and DPI's budget for 2000-01 is an increased a Government who quite simply do not investment of $6.9m, to give a total operating understand its use, its purpose or its benefits budget of $289.9m. This figure does not and who are quite simply desperate for money include DPI Forestry Commercial's budget of to prop up their social programs in other areas. $81.7m and whole-of-Government They do not understand that the use of the administered expenses of $20m. artificial breeding techniques and the types of The increase in the 2000 Estimates relate services available at the Biloela centre give the mainly to: funding for the South East whole beef industry opportunities to expand Queensland Regional Forest Agreement; and improve. This centre has the runs on the supplementation for the enterprise bargaining board. To close this facility would be an costs; the transfer of the Queensland Forestry enormous backward step. Research Institute to DPI from DPI Forestry; I urge the Minister today, albeit I fear in the merger of the Queensland Fisheries vain, to reconsider this retrograde step and Management Authority and the DPI's fisheries find some money within the budget of the DPI group to form the Queensland Fisheries to allow the beef breeding centre at Biloela to Service; the full-year effect of the transfer of continue with the contribution it has made to the Office of Rural Communities to the the beef industry generally and to the local Department of Primary Industries; and the economy of Biloela in particular. administrative restructuring arrangements The Minister for Primary Industries really relating to assets transferred and liabilities must do better than this for the industries that assumed for the QFMA, QFRI and the are so dependent on his department. For the corporate services agencies. An increased DPI sake of those industries that depend on that budget is obviously good news for our primary department, there needs to be a sufficient industries and for our rural communities. This budget allocation to ensure that core services budget builds on the last two budgets I have are at least maintained. Clearly, that is not the overseen as Minister and reaffirms the case in this situation. Core services that are Queensland Government's commitment to critically important to industry, such as the beef primary industries. breeding centres at Wacol and Biloela, are to I will briefly touch on the philosophy of this be sacrificed to economic expediency. Government in relation to primary industries I take this opportunity to invite the and its emphasis on the consumer. As Minister Minister—I am conscious that he does not I do not apologise for highlighting the need for understand or know a lot about the particular our primary producers to engage the 2622 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 consumer. The consumer is the ultimate concern about the way in which the decision maker. He or she decides what sells. I Department of Families is underutilising the do not believe any producer can afford to magnificent facilities of BoysTown at ignore the consumer. I must admit: I believe Beaudesert. In November last year I voiced my that previously the consumer was ignored for concerns about this matter in this Parliament. I far too long in primary industries. To see this, voiced my concerns that Father Paul Rogers all one has to do is make reference to the was to be replaced as administrator and the Landline program aired on Sunday. There was fact that only 26 boys were enrolled at a telling statistic of Australian beef BoysTown. I also advised the Parliament that consumption per capita. It has almost halved this Government provides funds for 84 boys to since the 1970s. Per capita consumption is be held at BoysTown, yet only 26 boys were some 38 kilograms per annum. That is just there at that time. These comments were one example, but I highlight that the followed by a personal attack on me by the Department of Primary Industries' emphasis on Minister for Families. I am aware that Brother the consumer must be accepted by our Paul is a De Salle Brother. As a result, he producers out there. At the end of the day, as could not be sacked by the Department of I said previously, it is the consumer who makes Families; only the De Salle Brothers could the ultimate decision as to what sells. remove him. However, at that time Brother In simple terms, the theme for the Paul had advised me that he had been asked Department of Primary Industries' budget was to leave BoysTown. "smart food, safe food". This budget invests Let us see what has happened over the $141.5m in the research, development and past nine months, regardless of that personal extension work of the Agency for Food and attack by the Minister. Brother Paul Rogers Fibre Sciences. This organisation was has been replaced by a person who previously established last year and it has positioned the worked in the Department of Families, and this Department of Primary Industries as one of the person is now the administrator of BoysTown. world's leading science, technology and The other unfortunate fact is that only 28 boys innovation organisations. are at present attending BoysTown, nine As exporters, we need to be very months after that personal attack by the conscious of what our overseas buyers expect Minister. The Government has still provided from us. As members would be aware, industry funding for 84 boys, so this means that young is very keen for the department to provide boys who would benefit substantially from a additional services such as chemical residue, time at BoysTown are missing out because of animal welfare and disease surveillance, the Department of Families' attitude to especially in the beef area. These new BoysTown. services are becoming increasingly important One of the greatest successes during my in the changing trade environment. Animal time as Minister was a 10-year-old boy whom welfare is emerging as a more and more we took to BoysTown and whom BoysTown important trade issue, with markets looking for agreed to look after. That boy is still at product that is ethically produced. BoysTown, three and a half years later, and is Like any organisation, the department regarded as one of the great successes of has to work within a budget. If we are to BoysTown. This young fellow had been in 12 provide extra services we need to sit down with foster homes, had been a complete rebel and industry to discuss how we can continue to had not thrived in any of those spots. deliver existing services. To that end, I will be However, he has certainly thrived through sitting down with industry and other interested participating with the horses and the parties to have a very close look at tick motorbikes at BoysTown. I believe that this is clearances and the role of stock inspectors. At part of the deinstitutionalisation program of present our stock inspectors spend just over many of the people of the Department of 40% of their time working in tick clearances. At Families. The Minister has to control this the end of the day, that is not the only role of deinstitutionalisation program. stock inspectors. Industry is demanding The Department of Families people have increased roles for our stock inspectors and an opportunity to direct boys to this facility the Government is attempting to ensure that through the court workers who advise the that is provided by putting together a working magistrates where these young children can party to meet with industry. be sent. If those court workers are reluctant to advise that boys can be sent to BoysTown, Time expired. clearly it will be underutilised and we will Hon. K. R. LINGARD (Beaudesert—NPA) continue to have the position where funding is (12.09 p.m.): Once again I want to express my provided for 84 boys, yet at this stage the 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2623 department is accommodating only 28 boys opportunity for me to record the outcomes of there. When I criticised the fact that only 26 the past financial year, in which we saw record boys were being accommodated, I was funding, record activity and record subjected to a personal attack by the Minister. achievement in the portfolios of Families, When I was Minister, I lifted that number to 84. Youth and Community Care and Disability It might not have been at that level for the Services Queensland. It also gave me an entire three years the coalition was in office, opportunity to look ahead to another year of but we certainly lifted the number to 84. I growth, expanded services and improved challenge the Minister: when will she utilise outcomes for clients. In the portfolio of BoysTown? When will the Minister use all of Families, Youth and Community Care, this the money provided for BoysTown, or will she year's budget provided an additional $25m to still allow only 28 boys to be accommodated continue the good work of implementing the there? This criticism of institutions also recommendations of the Forde inquiry. We will occurred in Cairns, and we saw the closure of see an increase of another 77 staff this year to the facility there. It has happened in disabilities complement the increase in staff last year, and it is also happening in mental health. I which was promised to be 77 and in fact was think it is a complete waste of money. significantly more. These are real jobs. They I want to comment on what has are real staff out in the regions, providing real happened at Parents' Place. I know the increases in our front line of child protection for member for Redlands will also be talking about the first time in literally decades. what has happened there. Parents' Place was We have also embarked on the most an initiative I brought in as Minister. It has ambitious and comprehensive program of worked very successfully in Western Australia. legislative reform that this portfolio has seen It was a pilot program. If the program at for years. There have been renewed efforts Loganholme had worked, then it was to be over the past financial year in prevention and spread throughout Queensland. We have early intervention programs for families and always had material available in libraries. We children. We have seen new and developing have always had information available to innovative programs and services to fill some parents on the 26th floor and the 29th floor at of the existing service gaps such as the needs Margaret Street. But how many parents who of young adolescents and their parents, and are in trouble want to access the libraries at the first treatment program for juvenile sex Margaret Street? How many parents will go to offenders. This portfolio is now taking a lead the Logan West Library to seek out advice on across Government in social planning and in how to look after young children? building community capacity in our regions and in our neighbourhoods. This program was implemented in the form of a shopfront so that people could walk For the first time in years we have seen into a very friendly environment and discuss new recurrent funding to neighbourhood the problems they were having and take centres which have not previously received material away with them. It was a very soft operational funds. All of this has been approach to those parents who were having achieved at a time when, as revealed by the trouble. There might be parents who will Forde inquiry, this department has had a well- access libraries, but there are many parents established history of resources being who do not wish to go to libraries to access stretched, and those resources have been such information. When it was apparent that even more stretched in the past 12 months as the Loganholme program worked, the scheme departmental officers have risen to the would have been extended all the way challenges of the new reform agenda. As new throughout Queensland. But the Minister has staff are coming online, those stretched once again shown that anything that resources are experiencing some relief. Mr Lingard did she will react against and I take the opportunity today to recognise remove. She will use any excuse whatsoever the commitment and determination of to cancel any program implemented during my departmental staff in both the program areas period as Minister. To say that Loganholme and at the front line in area offices and was not the start of spreading it throughout regional offices. I acknowledge that it is their Queensland is a complete furphy. hard work and their willingness to embrace the opportunities presented by our Government's Time expired. investment in people, families and Hon. A. M. BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) communities that is making the difference. I (Minister for Families, Youth and Community acknowledge in particular the work of senior Care and Minister for Disability Services) staff of the department in the preparation of (12.14 p.m.): Estimates Committee A was an the 2000-01 budget and material for Estimates 2624 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000

Committee A, with special thanks to my Mr HEGARTY (Redlands—NPA) Director-General, Mr Ken Smith; the Director of (12.19 p.m.): I was rather shocked and Organisational Capacity, Mr John Parisi, and dismayed by the recent decision of the his staff; and executive directors and regional Minister to close Parents' Place at the Logan directors alike. I would also like to thank the Hyperdome in my electorate. I was advised the chair of the committee, the member for other day that the centre is to close this Mundingburra, and the committee members coming Friday, 25 August. I had written to the for their interest in the important work of this Minister earlier this year expressing concern portfolio. that there was speculation that the centre was I also take the opportunity to record some under threat. This concern was raised by of the activity occurring in disability services in various community charitable organisations Queensland. The previous financial year saw and community workers and the like who the establishment of a new agency in provide a service throughout the Logan area Queensland, Disability Services Queensland. It and beyond. is the first-ever department in Queensland The Minister made the decision a couple dedicated to this important area. Again, we of weeks ago, yet it was communicated to the have seen real progress being made. In its first Department of Works, which handles the six months of operation, this department has Government lease on these premises, only runs on the board. In the area of the provision late last week. The Hyperdome management of support to families, this department has were informed that the centre was to close exceeded all of its targets. It originally targeted forthwith, although I understand that some just over 200 families to receive support and consideration is now being given to moving the has delivered support to more than 600 department's display at the Brisbane Exhibition families. It is well on track to outstrip that to the centre for the next month or so. Of number in this financial year. With a lot of course, that will be a much smaller display. We consultation with our non-Government service do not know anything about the future of the partners, the department has put in place the staff who have done an excellent job at the first ever strategic plan for disability services Hyperdome over the past couple of years. and the first business plan, fully funded by this Government for the next two years. The other thing that is of concern when we talk about monetary matters and the This year's budget sees a record injection Budget review process is the amount of of funds in which the State has provided an money that is going to be wasted by the early extra investment of $9m this financial year, closure of this centre. An offer of payment of growing to $18m in the financial year after six months' rent was made to the Logan that, to be matched by Commonwealth funds, Hyperdome for the failure to maintain the so that we will see significant growth of $36m lease for its full period. I do not know what that into the base of funds for disability services figure works out to be but, as the rental at that over the next two years. This will see an particular shopping centre would not be cheap, increase in support to adults, an increase in I imagine that it amounts to thousands of support to young people who are leaving dollars. school and an increase in support to children and families who are experiencing the burden As the member for Beaudesert said, that of disability. This includes eight new respite centre has had an extraordinary success rate. services, 12 new local area coordination trials The alternative proposed by the Minister is to and special programs for people living in provide facilities in libraries. Yes, they will hostels. provide some assistance, but how many The past 12 months has in many cases people go to libraries compared with the been a very difficult time for a lot of staff of the number of people who go to shop at centres department as many new challenges have such as the Logan Hyperdome? I would come online. There have been significant imagine that the figures are astronomically reforms in this area and a significant weighted towards the Hyperdome. The centre investment of funds by our Government. had staff whom people could discuss their Putting Families First was one of the hallmarks problems with. That was a great advantage, as of this year's budget. My department plays a opposed to picking up a brochure detailing the particular role in implementing the Putting available services. Families First strategy of this Government. We I believe that the very least the Minister are very proud to be part of the team that is could do if the decision is not reversed and if putting together a very significant investment Parents' Place is not to continue is to at least in the families of Queensland. We will be rising utilise the remaining period of this lease to to that challenge as this year progresses. allow community groups, other charitable 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2625 workers and youth workers who might be able to Aboriginal affairs in this State. That is what to shopfront their own particular organisations we need—to take the politics out of this to show what services they provide to the area—if we are going to achieve things in the community in that public place that most of the future. I acknowledge that from the member community have come to recognise as for Keppel and I thank him for that. It is somewhere they can go for help and unfortunate that the Deputy Leader of the information in the very difficult area of National Party undermines him and his good parenting. work at every opportunity when he comments One organisation operating in the Logan on Aboriginal affairs without sufficient area that comes to mind is PAASCA, an information. association for victims of sexual molestation by However, the member for Keppel did parents and close family friends. PAASCA has signal that IBIS is an issue of concern to him. highlighted the plight of those people. Allowing Indeed, it is an issue of concern to me. The PAASCA to use the rest of the lease would be financial position of IBIS is currently of great an ideal opportunity for it to provide its services concern. The IBIS situation goes back to to the community. 1997, when the current Opposition was in When the Minister wrote to me earlier this Government, and Treasury advanced it a $4m year in response to my initial inquiry about the loan with a repayment-free period. The question mark hanging over Parents' Place, ramifications of that loan are coming back to she said to me that a review was IBIS now. It is required to make repayments. occurring—and we all suspected that—but that That and the other poor practices that have the alternative options would be through the been operating in IBIS for some time have Positive Parenting Coordination Unit of the created a very serious financial position. Office of Child Protection. That unit may I am pleased to say that there was a provide a range of services,and it does provide change in the leadership of the IBIS board an extensive library, but the things that the after the council elections in March this year. I people who were doing the community work in have great confidence in the new chair of the the Logan area found most valuable from board, Mr Joseph Elu. Although we can jointly Parents' Place was the range of videos and acknowledge the grave financial position of tapes that were available to them that they this organisation, people going out there and could not normally afford. The Minister wrote to playing politics over this issue does not do it me and stated that these will be available for any good. IBIS has some very serious purchase through the PPCU. I do not think creditors waiting for their money. If we are that that is really fair. The Minister's going to go out there and talk down IBIS and department has been provided with extra play politics with this issue, we are giving the money. I think the Minister is missing a great board no chance of trading their way out of opportunity by not continuing that range of their serious financial position. So I ask services to those organisations that provide, Opposition members—and I know it has not and back up the department in providing, been the member for Keppel who has been assistance to the youths and parents of this doing this; it has been Mr Springborg who has community. been out there talking down IBIS—to cease Time expired. doing that and give IBIS a chance to restore its financial position. The last time I met with Hon. J. C. SPENCE (Mount Gravatt— Mr Elu he gave me a message about this ALP) (Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait particular issue. He suggested that I tell the Islander Policy and Minister for Women's National Party boys that if they had issues they Policy and Minister for Fair Trading) would like to discuss about IBIS to talk to him (12.25 p.m.): I begin by acknowledging and rather than talk to the media. thanking the members of Estimates I would also like to address the concerns Committee A, particularly the Chair, the raised about the Office of Fair Trading and the member for Mundingburra, for the professional Building Services Authority. In particular, there manner in which she conducted her role. was some criticism that there is no specific I take this very short time to respond to budget allocation in this year's budget of the some of the issues raised in the statement of BSA on the issue of termites. In fact, I clearly concern by the Opposition and today by the explained in the Estimates committee that we member for Keppel. I will start on the allocated $150,000 last year out of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy education reserve to conduct a termite area. I was grateful to have the opportunity campaign. We have never had specific today to listen to the member for Keppel. He allocations in the budget for specific just about signalled a fairly bipartisan attitude advertising or marketing campaigns. However, 2626 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 we do have a significant education reserve I would also like to thank our research and we will continue to use that for the issue of director, Andrew Timperley, and executive termites in the future. assistant, Annette Henery, who were very There were some concerns raised about diligent in their assistance to the committee. I the draw-down from the BSA's insurance fund. would also like to thank the Ministers' The BSA statutory insurance scheme has an ministerial staff and the employees of the outstanding record of performance, as various departments who came along and indicated by performance measures in the last gave of their time. I know they assisted the few years. In the last year the number of committee enormously in regard to questions. claims received was 1,684, and 1,682 were I would also like to thank the timekeepers finalised. Of that number, 43 claims were and the bellringers, Sarah Lim, Sandy Musch, rejected and 185 did not proceed. The Tamara Reader and Rachelle Stacey, for their percentage of approved claimants fully help. Without them, I know that some compensated was 98.8%. Queensland's BSA members would still be talking. I would also like provides the most comprehensive insurance to thank Hansard. Alan Watson has a great cover in Australia. The Opposition wanted to team of people who work for Hansard. To have privatise it. That would have been a huge Hansard printed and on the Internet within two mistake. The evidence of the privatised hours of a section of the committee finishing I schemes in southern States is now— think is world class. So I would like to thank Mr Purcell: Not worth a cracker. Alan and his staff: Doug Rohl, Jim Hinds, Lesley Lindsay, Jason Bradley, Tara Ms SPENCE: They are not worth a Cochrane, Jenny Martin, Melissa Oldfield, cracker. Under the BSA's insurance policy, Giacinta Pollicina, Annie Taguada, Jacintya consumers do not have to pay an excess— Gillespie and Jeanette Lippiatt. They edit a lot Time expired. of that stuff and make us sound very, very Report adopted. good on the day—sometimes probably better than we should. I would like to quickly mention some Estimates Committee B things that came up during the committee Report hearing. Firstly, I refer to the new station in my The CHAIRMAN: The question is— electorate, Morningside Police Station, that Tom Barton has built for the Morningside area. "That the report of Estimates I would like to mention the people at that Committee B be adopted." station by name. Pat Black is the Divisional Mr PURCELL (Bulimba—ALP) Inspector for Morningside, Camp Hill and (12.30 p.m.): It is a pleasure to speak to the Coorparoo. I know from talking to Pat that report of Estimates Committee B. I would like Senior Sergeant Barry Bullion, who is the to thank up front the Ministers and the officer in charge of the Morningside Police members of the committee for their Station, and he get on very well. Barry Bullion, cooperation. Some members had to attend who was very highly recommended by the funerals on the day, and I know that it was not member for Lytton, came from the Wynnum easy for a lot of people. We had a long, long station. Pat Black and Barry Bullion work very day. I would like to thank specifically the well together. I would like to congratulate Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Senior Sergeant Barry Bullion, whose Minister for The Arts, Matt Foley; the Minister appointment to Morningside has been for Police and Corrective Services, Tom confirmed. That must be a record. He was Barton—who I know had a very long acting in that position, but his appointment is day—along with the Minister for Emergency now confirmed. Services, Steve Robertson. I would like to Also at that station are Sergeant Col thank the deputy chairman of the committee, Nielsen, who is the Traffic Coordinator; Mr Lawrence Springborg, the member for Sergeant Chris Honan, who is the Community Warwick; the member for Toowoomba South, Coordinator, and does very good job; and Mr Michael Horan, who I know had a very long Sergeant Ray Sorrell, who is the Operators day—and it was a very sad day for him; he Coordinator and Roster Clerk. I know that, buried one of his very good mates—the although Ray does a great job with the people member for Kurwongbah, Mrs Linda Lavarch; he has, he would like a few more troops. Also Mr Ted Malone, the member for Mirani, who I at the station are Senior Constable Ray know had a long day; and Mrs Jo-Ann Miller, Corcoran, who is the Relieving Operations the member for Bundamba, who also had a Coordinator—and Ray is one of those people very long day. in the engine room who works his guts out for 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2627 us all the time—Senior Constable Steve Department of Justice and Attorney-General McCollom, who is the Traffic Coordinator; which concern me very much. They are Senior Constable Doug Webber, who is the matters that I raised during the course of the Divisional Domestic Violence Liaison Officer; Estimates committee hearing to which I Constable Mark Blackshaw; and Constable received from the Attorney-General totally Carl Rohweder. Carl is the intelligence officer at unsatisfactory answers. Those matters related that station, and he has done a magnificent to the bonuses for the director-general, the job. Since he has taken on the intelligence job use of a departmental vehicle by the director- full time, over 40 warrants have been issued. general and the freedom of information Also at that station are Constable Dave Fry, process which, although the Attorney-General Constable Craig Dhann, Constable Lisa certainly provided some information about on Dalgliesh, Constable Deborah Law, Constable the day, did not seem to be backed up by Mick O'Gorman, Constable Michelle Turvey, reality. However, I think that he has probably Constable Renae Crowe, Senior Constable moved to clarify that in the time subsequent to Tina Simpson and Senior Constable Holly those hearings. James. I would like to touch on the issue of Time expired. bonuses, because it is one of the most Mr SPRINGBORG (Warwick—NPA) disgraceful things that we have seen from this (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Government. It is expecting us to cop the fact (12.36 p.m.): As an introduction to my that it is paying bonuses to directors-general contribution, I would like to commend the who, in many cases, are performing in an chairman, the member for Bulimba, for the extremely mediocre way at a maximum level. conduct of the committee. On a couple of What is the accountability of this Government occasions now I have had the pleasure of all about? We go into an Estimates committee being able to participate in Estimates and ask questions and seek information. Yet Committee B under his chairmanship, and he the Minister sits there and says, "It is nothing has always been an extremely fair chairman. to do with me; it is to do with the Premier." He keeps the business of the Estimates However, the individual contracts for the committee moving along, as he does the directors-general state that the matter of a meetings prior and subsequent to that. I also bonus is an issue between either them and thank the other members of the committee, the Premier or the Premier and the Minister. the staff who service the requirements of the There needs to be some sort of scrutiny and committee and the officers of the Department performance criteria against which these things of Justice and Attorney-General, who came can be assessed. along to provide information. Mr Malone: Paid out of the departmental I have some general reservations about budget. the use and value of Estimates committees. Mr SPRINGBORG: It is paid out of the We get to ask about 15 questions—it is the departmental budget. I was going to come to same for us in Opposition as it was when the that point. During the course of the Estimates current Government was in Opposition. At the committee process the Attorney-General end of the day, I wonder if the process is admitted under questioning that the amount of about seeking information or being able to money required to pay the bonus for the completely get access to information, because director-general came out of his budget. I of the political prerogative that no doubt would have thought it was a matter of direct comes into it. I also think that sometimes we scrutiny for that particular committee. Also, the have a great wealth of knowledge and question was put to the Attorney-General experience in the departmental officers sitting whether he liaised with the Premier or provided there backing up the Ministers. Those information to the Premier about the departmental officers, who actually have the necessary performance criteria for the knowledge, should be invited by the Ministers payment of that bonus. He conceded, "Yes", to come forward and give the facts of the but he said that it had absolutely nothing to do matter without the political padding that with him; it was a matter for the Premier. The sometimes goes with it. I suppose that only thing that I can say in fairness to the Estimates committees fulfil an important role, Attorney-General is that all of the other but I wonder if their role is as valuable or as Ministers said exactly the same thing. It was a good as it could be. great cover-up. This is basically a way of I have put in a statement of reservations delivering largesse— because there are some issues with regard to Mr Horan: Anna Bligh let the cat out of the Ministerial Portfolio Statements for the the bag. 2628 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000

Mr SPRINGBORG: Anna Bligh, the Although I understand the Minister for Families, went the closest to letting Commonwealth has seen the error of its ways the cat out of the bag. This is a way of and has agreed to increase funding to Legal delivering largesse at the expense of the Aid Queensland, I note from the Attorney- taxpayers whilst hiding it from the people of General's comments in committee that this Queensland. This is from the Premier who increase has not yet eventuated. I endorse the cartwheels around the State talking about Attorney's comments that Legal Aid staff do a openness, accountability and transparency. terrific job and they should be congratulated However, he is not prepared to be transparent on their innovative initiatives in helping all in the most fundamental of areas. The people Queenslanders. of Queensland need to know that the director- Mr Foley: Hear, hear! general of the department is being paid according to performance. Mrs LAVARCH: Yes, exactly. I turn now to the examination of the Mrs LAVARCH (Kurwongbah—ALP) portfolio of the Minister for Police and (12.41 p.m.): It is with pleasure that I rise to Corrective Services. I wanted to highlight not speak to the report of Estimates Committee B, only the funding for Police Beats and Police which examined the portfolio Budget papers of Beat shopfronts but also the Government's the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice commitment to this essential program. There is and Minister for The Arts; the Minister for a nasty rumour going around my electorate Police and Corrective Services; and the that Police Beats and Police Beat shopfronts Minister for Emergency Services. At the outset, are going to disappear. Of course, that is a I congratulate each of these three Ministers on load of nonsense and nothing could be further their approach to the Estimates committee from the truth. If anyone raises it in my process and their demonstrated thorough presence, they will immediately be set straight knowledge of their portfolios. and be given a copy of the Minister's response In speaking to the report I would like to to my question on these programs at the highlight a number of issues raised in Estimates committee. committee. Firstly, in relation to the It is worth highlighting today that the examination of the portfolio Budget for the Minister's response was that Police Beats and Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Police Beat shopfronts are one of the issues of Minister for The Arts, the area of Legal Aid community policing about which he feels funding deserves particular mention. In his passionate. Not only will the present Police opening remarks to the committee, the Beat be maintained; the committee was Attorney-General advised that the Government assured that this year will see an expansion of has made extra provision for Legal Aid. This the Police Beat program. I emphasise also the translates into a $5.875m boost over what it Minister's statement that Police Beats are a was under the coalition Government, which critical part of the Government's overall Crime includes an extra $335,000 for enterprise Prevention Strategy. From the experience in bargaining wage increases and an extra my local area it can be said that Police Beats $1.5m released from Treasury for the take-up are a crime prevention strategy that work. of accrued long service leave. Lastly, I turn to the examination of the I endorse this move to improve wage budget for the Emergency Services portfolio. I conditions for hardworking Legal Aid staff. I thank the Minister for his detailed analysis of note that under the coalition Budget Legal Aid the impact that the Federal Government's wages fell 4% behind the rest of the private health cover push has had on the Queensland Public Service. That is to its Queensland Ambulance Service. Until it was shame. But what has been even more pointed out, I was not aware that the private devastating for Legal Aid in recent times has health insurance agencies did not give total been the scandalous treatment it has received ambulance transport coverage. Unfortunately, from the Federal coalition Government. The it seems that many have been misled by Howard Government intervention into Legal health insurers and are finding that their Aid funding saw our Queensland Legal Aid insurers will not cover the ambulance transport Office losing $2m in funding at a time of account. It behoves all of us to get the increased demand. The effect of that has message out: do not let ambulance been that ordinary Queenslanders trying to subscriptions lapse. access funding, especially for crucial family law The other area I highlight from the matters, have been denied that access and examination of the budget for Emergency they have been left to try to sort out very Services relates to the Government's complex legal issues on their own. investment in new vehicles for the rural fire 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2629 brigade. The Ocean View Rural Fire Brigade in The crime statistics were very concerning my electorate received its new vehicle recently in the area of property crime. As I said in my and is over the moon about it. I know this dissenting report, it was pleasing that there funding is much needed and welcome. was a 2.6% decrease in offences against the In conclusion, I thank the chair of the person. But there has been a 7.6% increase in committee and fellow committee members for property crimes, covering unlawful entry and their professionalism during the hearings. I motor vehicle thefts. That is probably the core thank also the research director, Andrew business of the Police Service and the core Timperley, for his great work, and I commend areas that the policy of the Government of the the report to the House. day should be addressing. We are seeing a Police Minister presiding over a huge increase Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) in police numbers brought about by the (12.46 p.m.): It gives me pleasure to speak in coalition's recruitment program and an the debate on the report of Estimates increase in the number of police academies Committee B. At the outset, I thank the during its term, which delivered hundreds of chairman, the member for Bulimba, our extra police officers, yet we are seeing an committee secretary, Mr Andrew Timperley, increase in property crime. and the staff who helped him. I thank the chairman for the courtesies extended to me If ever there was a very clear practical when I arrived a bit late due to my attendance test, it is the crime rate and the crime clear-up at a funeral in Toowoomba. rates. That is where this Minister and his I put in a dissenting report to the policies are failing, despite having all these Parliament because a number of issues of additional police. We would think that with the concern came forth from the Budget additional police we would see a decrease in Estimates. Half of the content of Estimates this most important area of property consisted of dorothy dixers that came from crime—breaking into people's houses or small one side and all of the prepared answers. But businesses or stealing their cars. when we came to the real questioning from We were able to show that there was a Opposition members— $7.6m reduction in the plant and equipment Mr Barton interjected. budget. That is most important when there are increased police numbers. If there was a cut in Mr HORAN: The honourable member was plant and equipment and the police numbers not too good at answering some of them, were static, we would still say it was bad. either. The real reason for Estimates is to try to However, there is a net increase of 357 police find out where the shortfalls are, where the officers proposed for this year and there is a funding is going, being withdrawn, transferred cut of $7.6m in their plant and equipment and so forth. A number of issues were of budget. The Minister tried to pass it off by concern to the Opposition. The first was saying that the previous plant and equipment school-based policing. Our questioning of the budget contained a number of one-off Minister indicated clearly that in the first items—and he listed them—but then we were financial year of the Beattie Labor Government able to demonstrate that in the new budget it continued with a modest number of school- they are replaced by an even greater number based police officers, following on from the of one-off items. So that made his argument process that the coalition put in place the totally invalid. There is at least a $7.6m financial year before. However, since then, in decrease—and it is probably more in real the last financial year, there have been no new terms—in the plant and equipment budget, school-based police officers, and the Minister and it makes no sense. indicated clearly that in this financial year there would be no more. I mention the Queensland Crime That was one of the best initiatives for Commission. Because of the matter of preventing crime. School principals, confidentiality it is not possible to delve too far, businesspeople and police officers around the but I think we were shown the extent of the State all speak of the significant improvement heroin problem in the State. in adolescent behaviour, juvenile crime rates In relation to Corrective Services, I think it and so forth from having school-based police was worth noting that the prisoner costs per officers. We have lost this wonderful service. day have increased in the past 12 months Instead the Premier is running around with under this Government from $167 to $184. glossy brochures on the Crime Prevention Also, when it came to the equity return, once Strategy and all of the rest of his typical again it was quite clear that, despite the publicity, and a real practical initiative that different versions that the Minister gave us worked on the ground has been stymied. during the Police portfolio questioning, he was 2630 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 not sure where the equity return came from or know was whether Medibank Private would still where it went—he keeps saying it comes in reimburse some of the QAS subscriptions and and it goes out. That means then that the what coverage they offered, but I did not have $801m Police budget is actually overstated by time to wait on the phone to get to speak to a $33m, as is the Corrective Services budget, real person who could give me the answer. which was overstated by $34m. The health funds should come out Time expired. publicly and state where they stand on ambulance issues as too many people, quite Mrs MILLER (Bundamba—ALP) genuinely I believe, are being caught out. The (12.51 p.m.): It was indeed a pleasure to be a cost of an emergency call-out from the QAS is member of Estimates Committee B under the $676, a non-urgent call-out is $252 and it is expert chairmanship of the member for $70 if an ambulance attends but no transport Bulimba, Pat Purcell. Estimates Committee B is needed. Some people are clearly trying to examined the portfolios of Justice and The avoid paying these accounts and the QAS is Arts, Police and Corrective Services, and having to call in the services of debt collectors Emergency Services. I would like to place on and/or take the matter through the courts. I record my thanks to the officers of the urge all Queenslanders who are members of departments and agencies who have spent health funds to check their health insurance hundreds, if not thousands of hours in coverage and get answers to their queries in preparation for these committees. writing and if they are in any doubt, they There are a couple of issues I would like should stay in the QAS. It is simply not worth to comment on. I will deal firstly with the the risk of an accident, nor the worry of paying Queensland Ambulance Service. It is an emergency call-out fee. regrettable that there is so much confusion in Other matters that Estimates Committee the community about private health insurance B examined were in relation to the Department coverage and subscriptions to the Queensland of Justice. This Estimates committee placed Ambulance Service. The QAS estimates that on notice several questions to the Minister for subscriber numbers have dropped by more Justice and Attorney-General in relation to than 1,100 since mid July. This has left the modern Public Service practices. One of those QAS with about 2,000 fewer subscribers than related specifically to workplace bullying and this time last year. Members of the community organisational violence and what it cost the who have recently taken out private insurance department. The Minister responded that the should read their policies very carefully to see if Department of Justice runs an equity they have coverage for all ambulance services. awareness program and that workplace They should fully understand their policies and bullying is a major component of that program. if they are in any doubt they should remain in In fact, several hundred people had been the QAS or take out subscriptions to the QAS through that program in the past year and it if they have not done so previously. Family was expected that a similar number would be cover is $92 and it is money well spent. If placed through those programs this year. In people do not subscribe to the QAS they are addition, workplace bullying is also a taking a gamble—a gamble that they will not component of the induction program of the have an accident or that they will not have a Department of Justice. I am bringing this to the life-threatening incident, such as a heart attack attention of the Chamber as, on 17 August or another medical condition. It is simply not a this year, the Courier-Mail ran a story entitled gamble worth taking. "Bullied Public Service is fed up". The Yesterday I tried to ring Medibank Private Department of Justice has been conducting about ambulance coverage but, alas, I found and will continue to conduct anti-bullying that even trying to find out such information programs, and I congratulate it for doing so. was almost impossible. I rang the number only I point out that 99.9% of Queensland to be greeted with an automated answering public servants are absolutely professional in service advising me that over two million their conduct. They are there to serve the Australians were now members of Medibank Government of the day and the people of Private. After going through a series of Queensland in the provision of services, and options, I was placed on hold and told that I they do their jobs well. However, for the very would be queued to talk to an operator. The small percentage of public servants who are message also said that, if I got put through to bullies, my message is simply this: bullies have an operator and I got the engaged signal, no place in the Queensland Public Service. If then I should hang up and ring back later. I they have time to bully other public servants, gave up after waiting about 20 minutes and they are not doing the job they are paid to do. was obviously quite disgusted. All I wanted to I point out that the Queensland taxpayer does 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2631 not pay public servants to bully other public to question the fact that there has been a fairly servants and to give them a hard time. I urge substantial increase in head office staff, but we those public servants who believe they are are not seeing that reflected in numbers of being bullied to take the proper grievance people on the ground. It is quite amazing processes available to them, to make their when we really think about the fact that a Public Service union aware and to advise their clause in the regional executive directors' director-general. No public servant at any level contracts demands that they come in on should cop bullying behaviour from any officer. budget. I know that in some areas that was I urge them to exercise their rights to stop this certainly not the case and I am not sure behaviour. I have a particular interest in public whether their salaries were reduced as a result. sector management issues and I will be I have received information that officers in keeping a close watch on the departments, charge of ambulance centres were unable to particularly those examined by Estimates spend more than $50 without higher approval. Committee B. That goes to show that when it comes to the In conclusion, I thank fellow members of people on the ground, they are not getting the Estimates Committee B; the chair of the support or the resources to do what they have committee, Pat Purcell; the staff of the to do, yet it seems that there are plenty of committee; and Andrew Timperley for the resources at a higher level. professional manner in which the committee In common with his ministerial colleagues, was conducted. I also thank the Ministers and the Minister refused to answer questions in officers of the Queensland Public Service for regard to performance bonuses paid to QAS their responses to our questions. executive staff. Obviously this money comes Mr MALONE (Mirani—NPA) (12.56 p.m.): out of the budget. I would have thought that I, too, would like to thank and congratulate the under normal circumstances this would be a chairman, Pat, for his excellent role in chairing question that should be answered and it was Estimates Committee B. I am pleased to have very disappointing that it was not. taken part in the questioning. I would also like In relation to the question in regard to to repeat the sentiments of the member for rural fire brigades and supply vehicles, it Warwick in terms of the huge costs involved in seems that the coalition policy of supplying preparing for Estimates—the number of staff and equipping rural fire brigades with vehicles involved in actually supporting the Minister. At is ongoing. It is good to see that the the end of the day one wonders at the Government is doing that. However, I did ask a quantity and quality of replies we get back. question with regard to veteran fire appliances, Mr Foley: I can't say much about the which now receive an exemption in respect of questions. their registrations, and the suitability of fire Mr MALONE: I have to say that none of tenders, particularly this year when there is a the questions were answered. That is one of large amount of vegetation out there and it is the problems we have. The Opposition drying off very quickly. Some of the fire attack seemed to ask very pertinent questions but, vehicles do not carry a lot of water, whereas a unfortunately, we got very inappropriate lot of the older vehicles had a high water answers or no answers at all. At the end of the carriage capacity. There seems to be a need day, as an Opposition we are not getting value to change our priorities a little to ensure that for money. I believe that we really do need to they have access to sufficient amounts of have another look at the way in which water. Insufficient water can be a real problem Estimates work. It is a huge cost to the with a big fire. I am sure we are going to see departments, it is a huge drain on resources more and more of that, as we are already and I just wonder where we are going with it. seeing it now and it is virtually the end of winter. I would just like to congratulate the Minister, Mr Robertson, on the way in which he There is a concern right across the State handled the Estimates committee. After that SES volunteers are not being recognised endeavouring to answer my question this to the extent that they should be. Certainly the morning, he is getting a bit of a reputation as a change of name to the Counter Disaster and Minister who is not able to answer a question, Rescue Organisation has not helped at all. I and it was a similar situation in the Estimates think the Minister needs to go back to committee. As I said, I just wonder where we grassroots in this respect. I am still hearing are going with Estimates in this respect. reports that SES groups are unable to access uniforms, boots, hats and other very basic One of the issues we raised during items. Estimates in respect of the QAS was the fact that the QAS overspent by $3.8m. That may Sitting suspended from 1 p.m. to not be a huge amount, but we certainly have 2.30 p.m. 2632 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000

Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga—ALP) would be good to see Mr Springborg deal with (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and budgetary issues rather than mounting Minister for The Arts) (2.30 p.m.): This Budget personal attacks on decent, honest public delivers a significant boost to the Justice servants. portfolio. In particular, it should be noted that I turn now to arts funding. Under the prosecutions have been boosted by some Labor Budget, we have seen continued $450,000. By contrast, the coalition's 1998-99 funding for the Queensland Biennial Festival of proposed Budget slashed funding from the Music, which was to be scrapped under the DPP by $500,000. We have delivered on our previous Government. We have seen $11.2m promise to boost legal aid. In fact, we have made available to house arts bodies in the done more than deliver. We promised to boost Empire building in Fortitude Valley. By it by an extra $5m. In fact, we have boosted it contrast, under the coalition we saw a $7.6m on a recurrent basis by an extra $5.875m recoverable loan—a black hole which would since coming to Government, plus $335,000 have saddled the arts communities of for enterprise bargaining wage increases, plus Queensland and Brisbane in particular. The an extra $1.5m released by Treasury for the Labor Government is delivering on the $260m- take-up of accrued long service leave costs. By plus of the Millennium Arts Project for the contrast, the Budget under the coalition for Gallery of Modern Art, extensions to the Legal Aid led to wages in legal aid falling Library and so on instead of the complete significantly behind the core Public Service. In fanfare but lack of funds under the coalition. other key areas such as disability, the Labor Government has delivered funding to establish We have seen a doubling of the Regional the Guardianship and Administration Tribunal, Arts Development Fund over the term of this a tribunal which the previous Government Government, because we happen to believe simply failed to implement or provide any that the great artistic and cultural strength of funds for. our State lies in its regional diversity. That is why we have backed local government by With respect to fine defaulters and doubling the Regional Arts Development Fund keeping them out of jail, we have seen some from $1.5m per annum to $3m per annum $9.5m invested, including a $1m call centre, during the period of this Government. In the which has recouped nearly $3m and has arts area we have sought to provide funding saved fine defaulters from jail. By contrast, no where it is most needed in regional provision was made for that by the coalition in Queensland in order to celebrate the diversity its Budget. It failed to fund its fines regime, of Queensland's culture. which indeed lacked a call centre. Significantly, the Brisbane Magistrates Court is to have a Mr LAMING (Mooloolah—LP) (2.35 p.m.): new building at a cost of over $100m. Again, I join the cognate debate on the Appropriation by contrast, the previous Government failed to Bills to speak to the Estimates Committee B make budgetary provision for that. It is against report. One of the major areas of expenditure that background that we note the important in the Police budget is of course salaries for contribution which the Beattie Labor police officers. The former Minister, the Government has made to the task of member for Crows Nest, commenced a long- delivering justice services, to being tough on term program of increasing police numbers in crime and tough on the causes of crime, to Queensland, including the establishment of reaching out to those with a disability and to the Townsville academy. The benefit of these providing legal aid for those in most need in initiatives continued to flow when the Beattie our community. Also, this Budget has Government took office. I call on the Minister delivered permanency for the pilot alternative to redouble his efforts to get Queensland's dispute management centres in Hervey Bay police population ratio close to the national and Mackay. average. Perhaps because the Opposition could Raw police numbers are not the whole find nothing to criticise in the Budget, the problem. On a number of occasions in this member for Warwick decided to mount his Chamber I have highlighted the shortcomings usual personal attack on the director-general. of the police staffing allocation model. Let me Although in his statement of reservations he say quite clearly that it is essential that a non- refers to certain ethical questions, he never political staffing allocation system is kept in had the courage or the honesty to put any place and only adjusted when necessary to suggestion of an ethical issue to the director- ensure equity across regions. However, any general, who answered his questions fully and system must be objective right across-the- frankly when they were put during the board. Approximately 40% of police numbers parliamentary Budget Estimates hearing. It are allocated as "givens" on the basis of 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2633 existing police stations, leaving only 60% to be Kawana station might solve the space allocated by statistical factors included in the problem, but it would take the officers away model. This is obviously a shortcoming as it from the culture in which they are vitally perpetuates longstanding inequities as involved. This situation is at great variance with populations move into new growth areas in that in Cairns and on the Gold Coast. It should Queensland's regions. be rectified. The Minister has already responded to I suggest to the Minister that he afford a me that any amendment to the model would higher priority to an appropriate base for the probably not have much impact on currently Water Police on the Sunshine Coast. This disadvantaged areas within the north coast could be achieved by negotiating a joint facility and, I suspect, south-eastern and metropolitan at Mooloolaba with the Queensland Transport south regions. This is not good enough. As maritime division and perhaps DPI Fisheries. Queensland is already well behind the national Both Kyle and Steve of the Water Police do a average, any inequitable distribution within the great job on the Sunshine Coast and they State can be quite critical, as is the case in should be assisted by being located at the districts such as the Sunshine Coast. How can harbour, with a rapid response boat facility a police to population ratio of one to 750 near at hand. persons possibly deliver an equivalent service Hon. T. A. BARTON (Waterford—ALP) as that delivered in interstate regions which (Minister for Police and Corrective Services) average one officer for 466 persons? (2.40 p.m.): I thank Government members for Expressed in another way, Sunshine Coast their very positive comments. I particularly officers have a very much higher percentage acknowledge the chairman, Pat Purcell, and workload than their interstate colleagues. his team for the great job they have done The concerns that I raise here are not each year I have had the privilege of being a simply numbers; I bring them to the attention Minister appearing before Estimates of the Chamber because of the effect that low Committee B. We need to compare that police numbers have on the delivery of police behaviour with what we are seeing from services, particularly in areas of great members of the coalition here today, which is disadvantage. When we see that property comparable with what they did on the day of offences have increased by 7.6%, any further the Estimates hearing and, frankly, what we stretching of the thin blue line is going to result see from them continuously as they move in an overload on the officers in those areas. around the State and stand in this Parliament. Recently I had the opportunity of talking to a What we are hearing is more whingeing, more senior officer on the Sunshine Coast who whining and more paltry, pathetic attempts to advised me that the coalition's initiative of mislead this Parliament. school-based policing had been recognised as For argument's sake, we have the one of the best programs yet devised to tackle shadow Minister, the member for Toowoomba the root causes of youth crime. What a South, going around saying that the disappointment to learn that this program has Maryborough correctional centre will not not been increased. happen. He needs to actually go and have a Once again, it is those districts with the look. I was in and out of Maryborough on lowest per capita police numbers which are Monday and I flew over the site. The site has hardest hit, as such programs may be seen as been cleared, the earthworks are taking place discretionary by hard-pressed OICs. There and the machinery is on site. I told the shadow would be little debate here that we must come Minister this at the Estimates hearing and I to grips with youth problems, including drug made the people of Maryborough aware of use, which lead to initial criminal offences. I am that. Yet what we are hearing now is more reliably told that this program makes a whingeing, more whining and more absolutely difference. I call on the Minister to reconsider pathetic attempts to mislead. his commitment to school-based policing and Mr Horan: You said you deliberately redouble his efforts for the benefit of not just slowed it down. That's what you said. the schools and the students but also their Mr BARTON: The member for families, the at-risk kids and the whole Toowoomba South talks about the slow-down community. in the Maryborough project, but what we are Another issue I must raise is the situation seeing from him is a very lazy effort because faced by Sunshine Coast Water Police. I have that information was released publicly raised the issue of inadequate previously. It was not made public as a result accommodation in the past. Moving these of him trawling in the Budget papers or police away from the water and down to the dragging it out of me, as he would pretend in 2634 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 that absolutely pathetic, misleading dissenting There is $595,000 in this financial year report. and $714,000 in the next financial year for a The member for Toowoomba South just trial of electronic monitoring of prisoners on does not do his homework. Earlier this year he home detention. We have put more funding went around putting out press releases into sexual offender treatment programs. warning of budget black holes. He was wrong. There is $613,000 for a new program at This Government has significantly increased Townsville. We have heard those opposite funding for the Queensland Police Service. He complaining about a lack of treatment for sex was wrong, wrong, wrong. By putting in a offenders, but they did absolutely nothing dissenting report—that means he does not about it while they were in Government. In this want the expenditure approved—the member year's budget there is $13.18m for the 500- for Toowoomba South is really saying that he bed Maryborough correctional centre. The is opposed to a record Police budget and remainder of the $97m will be in next year's opposed to a record budget for Corrective budget. Services. Time expired. The member for Toowoomba South Mrs SHELDON (Caloundra—LP) should acknowledge the many positives that (2.45 p.m.): It was amazing to hear the very are contained in this year's budget for Police brief input of the Minister for The Arts to this and Corrective Services, because there are so debate. I will correct a few pertinent points that many. This Government is doing far more for he made. So far I have not seen any new Police and far more for Corrective Services initiatives by him as Arts Minister—none at all than the coalition ever did. There is $44m in his two and a half years as Minister. extra for the Police budget this year—a 5.4% Government members interjected. increase. The increase in the Police operational budget is $61m, or 8.2%. This year Mrs SHELDON: He has re-announced all there is a further net increase in police of my initiatives but did not go ahead with numbers of 357—on top of the 387 we them when they were there and funded. He achieved over the past 12 months. could have done it for two and a half years. Mr Foley: What about the biennial? Let us talk about the whingeing we have just heard from the member for Mooloolah as Mrs SHELDON: I wonder if the Minister well. The coalition certainly promised to do a might tell the House exactly what the losses for lot more with police, but it was the Beattie the biennial were in the last year and explain Labor Government that actually delivered why he is continuing to support a loss maker in those numbers, because the coalition did not the biennial. do a thing while it was in Government. It was a I also say to the Minister that we will be pathetic effort—a bit like a lot of its other watching carefully how much money is actually initiatives. The coalition makes lots of spent in the Empire office building. The promises, but nothing is delivered until a Labor Minister was wrong to say that I had not Government is in control. Then delivery funded it. I had, and the Minister knows that I actually takes place. did. He knows that Treasury took the capital Let us look at the operating budget for away from him and would not let him spend it Corrective Services. This year it is $355.8m, on refurbishment. That is the situation. compared with $202.5m in 1997-98, the last It is the same with the millennium full year of the coalition in office. In other complex, as the Minister calls it. That was words, the Corrective Services budget in this $320m. As the Minister knows, there was State has nearly doubled in the two years that money in our Budget to be spent. He did we have been in Government. Those opposite nothing for two and a half years. He has want to complain that we have not delivered downgraded that project by $70m—from what they were capable of delivering. $320m to $250m, or whatever figure he is Let us look at the major issue of drugs in putting on it. We are yet to see one stone laid. prisons. We heard a lot of bleating from those We are yet to see the so-called project come opposite on this issue, yet we saw a pathetic to fruition. We are yet to see any design. I and effort on their part. When I became Minister many in the arts community think the Minister the urinalysis samples of prisoners showed stands condemned for that. that there was an 18% usage of drugs in The Minister spoke about the money that prisons. That has dropped to 5.8% in 1999- the Government has put into the regional 2000. We are putting more resources in this areas. I remind him of just a few of the things budget into ensuring that we drag all of the that the coalition did when in Government. We drugs out of the prisons. put $17m into the museum in Townsville. We 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2635 put $3m into Maryborough for a new cultural Justice Department. He funded it. I think he centre. The Treasurer, who comes from needs to urgently ask his ministerial colleagues Ipswich, will be interested in the fact that I put why they are not spending any money out of $500,000-plus into a multimedia global arts their budgets on public art and, indeed, why centre in Ipswich. We were a bit more their major buildings are going ahead without generous to Labor-held seats than those public art in them. That was another joke. opposite have been to coalition-held seats in I turn to the question of the this Budget. amalgamation of the orchestras. This is a As the Minister would know, I also set up major concern to everyone in the arts an indigenous arts theatre group within the community, but more importantly, the Arts Department so that young Aboriginal employees of the Queensland Symphony people could be taught how to act, produce Orchestra and the employees of the plays and those sorts of things. It was an Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra. excellent centre that allowed indigenous youth Mr Foley: You fudged it. You didn't face who actually had talent but could not get a job up to it. to be trained so that they could go into theatre. That was headed by good people and Mrs SHELDON: As Minister I established good money was put into it. As Minister I was a task force, as the Minister knows, which very pleased to be able to do that. I hope that reported back before the election and said is still being funded. I think that record speaks exactly what had to happen. Again, the for itself. Minister would not bring forward those recommendations, and the mess with the I will mention a few problems that we orchestras still exists. have. This Government has spent only about 12% of its Arts capital works budget in the last Time expired. 12 months. That is pretty extraordinary, Hon. S. ROBERTSON (Sunnybank—ALP) considering the importance of the arts. I (Minister for Emergency Services) (2.50 p.m.): remind the Minister that when he was in The Beattie Labor team went to the 1998 Opposition he said that not only did he election with a commitment to put Emergency endorse our $320m allocation for the cultural Services on a more secure financial footing. centre but also that he would put in an We wanted to ensure that Queensland additional $15m. Not only do we not see the communities get world-class emergency additional $15m; he is also about a further services delivered in the most professional and $70m short. efficient manner. For the first time, Emergency Let us look at the situation with the Services was made a stand-alone portfolio, museum. The Minister did actually admit in the and we remain committed to making Estimates committee hearing that absolutely Queensland a safer community. To achieve nothing was going to happen to the museum. this goal, we have in our first term It was on the never-never, because they had implemented key strategies that focus on to look at the plans for the new library improving service delivery and response times extension that may come also in the never- by increasing capital works funding to provide never. The poor old museum missed out yet more facilities, more vehicles and more staff, again. Really, I think that is pretty poor. and transforming what was previously a response-orientated organisation into a As to the Minister's so-called own initiative department where fire, ambulance and of public art, which, as he knows, was my counter-disaster and rescue services are initiative— increasingly focused on prevention and Government members: Ha, ha! mitigation strategies. Mrs SHELDON: It was. The policy is a The Beattie Labor Government has public policy. I will give the Minister a copy just honoured these election commitments and in case he has forgotten. He actually said that continues to deliver for our Queensland he was going to commit 2% from every communities and our emergency service department and every new capital works. So organisations. We have provided record far, we have seen practically zilch. We have funding for emergency services, fire, had $244,055 instead of the $15m annually ambulance, the SES and other counter- that the Minister was going to put in. So that disaster and rescue services in each of our was lip-service yet again. I would not want to three Budgets to date. This year we are be a young artist hanging around waiting to be providing the Department of Emergency able to show my work under the public art Services with a $479.9m budget—another scheme, because in point of fact, there isn't record. In terms of Government initiative one. Most of it came from the Minister's own funding, Labor is providing the department 2636 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 with $106.2m more per year than what the SES, a position abolished by the previous coalition provided in its last Budget in 1997-98. Government. That is an extra $68.765m a year for While I am on that, I noted that the ambulance, an extra $31.9m for fire, and an Opposition spokesperson for Emergency extra $5.5m for counter-disaster and rescue Services—who unfortunately is not in the services, including the SES. Chamber at the moment to hear this—claimed The additional funding for the that we are continuing to downgrade the SES Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority within the Department of Emergency Services. includes a $25m per year rescue package to I mentioned during the Estimates hearings revive it from the financial basket case it that that was not the case at all. In fact, we are became under the coalition. Every cent of that boosting the SES and, in particular, stopping money is being spent on new fire stations, the trend that was quite apparent under the vehicles and equipment to support firefighters previous Government towards the SES being in the provision of vital fire and rescue services. controlled by local government. Of course, the Record funding has also been plunged into shadow Minister denied that. community fire safety and education I will table for the information of the programs—$19m last year and more than House—because I did not have it at the time— $20m this year. the newsletter that was published for the SES Meanwhile, our investment in the by the previous Government. It is titled "SES Queensland Ambulance Service is beginning News", and the subheading is "Local to pay dividends, through improved service government volunteer SES units". If that is not delivery and reduced response times. enough, just in case someone suggests that Increased funding of $68.7m for new initiatives was purely a departmental thing, I have a over the past three years has allowed us to quote from the former Minister, Mick Veivers, provide more ambulance stations, more who says in the article on the front page of this ambulance officers and paramedics, more particular newsletter— vehicles and better communications across "This is one of the most activated Queensland to meet the demands placed on districts in the State ... Demands on Local the QAS by a growing and ageing population. Government SES Volunteers are on the Last year the Queensland Ambulance Service rise." not only achieved its response time target of There can be no clearer indication that, under 67% of Code 1 cases responded to in less the previous Government, the push was on to than 10 minutes; it bettered it. The most devolve responsibility for the SES to local recent quarterly figures put Code 1 responses government. It is this Government that at 68%. stopped that trend. We are also providing more assistance to Time expired. local communities for natural disaster risk Mr NELSON (Tablelands—IND) assessments and mitigation strategies to (2.56 p.m.): Unfortunately, I cannot agree with prepare them for natural disasters. We are what the Minister has just said in his speech, providing more resources and support for our because the SES personnel in my electorate 85,000 volunteers in the SES rural fire are coming to me and telling me the exact brigades, volunteer marine rescue and opposite. The speech that the Minister just coastguard units. We are showing our ongoing read is basically exactly the same one that he commitment to a strong SES by funding more read at the start of the Estimates committee personal protective equipment for volunteers, hearing. He tries to claim that the Beattie more support staff and training, more road Government is giving full and unfettered accident rescue gear and better support to the SES. If that is the case, then communications. This year, the SES received why are SES controllers throughout my special funding of $1m to support volunteers, electorate and far-north Queensland coming to improve their safety on the job and improve me and saying that this is not so? In particular, service delivery to the community. The $1.5m some of the points that were raised with me in SES flood boat replacement program my discussions with them— continues this year, with funding for around 20 Mr Robertson: I'm prepared to give you a new boats. An additional $120,000 for full briefing and to address those particular personal protective equipment has been concerns. included, for a total budget for clothing and Mr NELSON: I do not need a full briefing. protective equipment of some $422,000 this I would rather talk to SES people on the year alone. SES volunteers are receiving ground than listen to the Minister's point of strong leadership through the Director of the view. The Minister is probably not— 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2637

Mr Robertson: They're not shared by the within the system. The Minister is the one who rest of the State, by the way. has been misinformed, because he is a clown Mr NELSON: Mr Chairman, I will wait for and he has no idea what he is talking about. your protection, whenever you are ready. He took over from— Unfortunately, I do not think the Minister is The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr getting the full story from his department, Reeves): Order! because the situation that I have had— Mr NELSON: Mr Chairman, you call me to Mr Barton: All we get from you is stories. order but you don't call Government members Mr NELSON: Has the Minister quite to order. finished? I could have a go at him, too. He is The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: Order! probably one of the most ineffectual Police Mr NELSON: What are you going to do? Ministers we have ever had. Suffice to say that the Beattie Government's main peg on which it The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: That is a is trying to hang its hat at the moment is that it reflection on the Chair. has given the SES a director. But the simple Mr NELSON: My oath it is! fact is that this is a director without any real The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: I ask the power to change anything within his member to withdraw it. department. Mr NELSON: I withdraw. The other problem is that the whole coordinating start of the SES is being changed The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN: I remind to something called CDRS. In my electorate, the member for Tablelands to speak through when a cyclone hits—of course, we do not the Chair. have many cyclones hit Sunnybank, wherever Mr NELSON: Mr Chairman, through that may be—and when the rivers are you—this portfolio was run by a Minister who flooding— had the support of the SES and who actually looked after the portfolio. It has been handed Mr Barton: They don't hit Mareeba, on to somebody who has no idea what they either. are doing and has obviously set out on some Mr NELSON: A cyclone has never hit sort of rogue agenda that has been set up by Mareeba? Is the Minister sure about that? the department, because he obviously has no Through you, Mr Chairman, is the Minister idea about emergency services. It is quite quite sure that a cyclone has never hit unfortunate, because the people who are Mareeba? I can assure him that I was in suffering are the people who actually do the Mareeba when a cyclone hit. I was there and I work within the portfolio. The people who are saw it come over. The Minister might like to suffering are the SES volunteers. I trust them consult some other members from north emphatically and a thousand times more than Queensland. The member for Mulgrave is I would trust anything that comes out of this shaking his head, because he knows for a fact Minister's department. that a cyclone hit Mareeba last year. That One example in the budget that I have shows how in touch the Minister is. He would been given is funding for 650 pairs of overalls not have a clue. The last time he went to north for over 30,000 volunteers. That is something Queensland was on some sort of quick road to be proud of! We have constantly heard how trip. He would not have a clue what goes on they have received $1.5m. That amount of up there. It shows how much he knows about money can be allocated only once. If it is his portfolio in the area as well, because the provided over a number of years, it is not an police were very heavily involved in the rescue extra $1.5m in funding. services after that cyclone. Best the Minister get on the phone and talk to them. The simple fact is that these volunteers provide an essential service, something that The simple fact is that, when a cyclone we could not possibly pay for if we had to pay hits my area, people do not get on the phone them, but they are not getting the support that and say, "Oh, we had better look for the they need from the department. We do not CDRS." They call the SES. The SES should be need to change things to CDRS, whatever that the premier service when it comes to that, may be, we need to keep the SES, and we because it is the people in the orange need to improve its services and not try to uniforms who are on the streets picking up the funnel it off through some sort of departmental rubbish and looking after the destruction. changes. Mr Robertson: You've been misinformed. I know that all this is going to the Mr NELSON: I have not been Minister's office. I know that these complaints misinformed, because this comes from people are being made to him. I ask him not to ignore 2638 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 them. I ask him to get out and talk to the I acknowledge the cooperation of my people who count, the people who are at colleagues the Minister for Transport and district level— Minister for Main Roads, the Honourable Steve Mr Robertson interjected Bredhauer, and the Honourable Minister for Public Works and Minister for Housing, Robert Mr NELSON: The Minister does not, Schwarten. I also acknowledge the support because these people are telling me that he and hard work of their departmental officers does not. So is he misleading the Parliament and policy officers in making information or are they lying to me? Guess what, I know available to the committee. The committee that they are not lying to me, so therefore it consisted of Mr Paul Lucas, member for must be the Minister who is not telling the Lytton; Mr John Mickel, member for Logan; Mr whole truth. I invite him up to Atherton to talk Vaughan Johnson, member for Gregory and to the people up there— our Deputy Chair; Mr Bruce Laming, member Mr ROBERTSON: I rise to a point of for Mooloolah; and Mr Jeff Knuth, member for order. I find that comment offensive and I ask Burdekin. I take this opportunity to thank the that it be withdrawn. committee members for their cooperation and Mr NELSON: I withdraw. I invite the diligence in the scrutiny of these Budget Minister to come up to Atherton and speak to Estimates. Finally, I sincerely thank the the people up there and maybe he might get committee's research director, research a bit of education. assistants, Hansard reporters and parliamentary attendants who all ensured that Time expired. the Estimates committee performed well and Report adopted. worked smoothly on the day. The Department of Transport, including Estimates Committee C Queensland Rail, Ports Corporation Queensland, Port of Brisbane Corporation, Report Bundaberg Port Authority, Cairns Port The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr Authority and a number of statutory boards, Reeves): The question is— have taken a strategic view of State matters "That the report of Estimates and this was reflected in the departmental Committee C be adopted." Estimates. Mrs ATTWOOD (Mount Ommaney—ALP) I was pleased that the Minister (3.01 p.m.): It was my pleasure to chair the established an integrated ticketing system at Estimates hearing on 3 August for the some railway stations in Brisbane. There is portfolios of Transport and Main Roads as well enthusiastic support for such an enhancement as Public Works and Housing. The all-parties at the Darra Railway Station that is to committee examined those portfolio areas in commence shortly. This ticketing system will great detail. This Beattie Government's State reduce public transport travelling time by about Budget delivers $3.3 billion for the Transport 20 minutes for residents in the Centenary and Main Roads controlled operating budget. suburbs. It is a credit to the Minister that local The major focus is on rural and regional and State Governments can work together to development and the provision of basic achieve these improved services. community and industrial infrastructure. The Department of Main Roads is Transport's operating budget is more than ensuring that our road infrastructure will be $1.2 billion and that for Main Roads is $2.1 capable of carrying traffic volumes anticipated billion in this financial year. The State due to Queensland's continued economic and Government provides an operating population growth. The Department of Public expenditure budget for Public Works of Works is focusing on ensuring sufficient and $999,616,000 and the Department of Housing adequate capital expenditure occurs across of $440m. Queensland to enable Government service This financial year starts with the delivery to function properly. One of the major challenge of implementing the new State strategic aims of this department is to ensure Purchasing Policy and the delivery of a record that jobs are created for Queenslanders and capital works program. The Department of job security is achieved. The Department of Housing will continue the massive upgrading Housing is providing strategically placed public program and construction on more than 500 housing and seniors units right across the new public housing dwellings. Critical strategies State. It is pleasing to note that the Minister is include providing applicants with wider options ensuring that disadvantaged Queenslanders, including community housing, bond loans or particularly the elderly, have adequate access housing loans. to affordable and comfortable housing and 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2639 accommodation units. I know that units received one vote. There were a number of especially constructed for seniors in my good suggestions, including that of Neville electorate of Mount Ommaney are very well Bonner Park, which I believe would gain received and I commend the Minister, the considerable support. Honourable Robert Schwarten, for his attention Mr Schwarten: We have already named to this matter. a building after him. I commend the report of Estimates Mr LAMING: I am aware of that. Also in Committee C to the Assembly and am pleased relation to the Roma Street parklands the that it received bipartisan majority support from committee asked questions relating to the committee members. involvement of the Smithsonian Institution. Mr LAMING (Mooloolah—LP) (3.06 p.m.): This has been the subject of considerable Firstly, I acknowledge the assistance provided media coverage and ministerial statements, by the parliamentary staff, in particular Mr Rob but when asked the Minister was unable to Hansen, and the cooperation of all other give a firm response on location, costs and committee members during the deliberations construction timetable. While this proposal has of Estimates Committee C. significant merit, it was surprising that the I join with other Opposition members in committee could only get an assurance that expressing my disappointment with many negotiations were continuing. This is despite aspects of the Beattie Government's 1999- the Premier's claims on 28 July last year that 2000 Budget. There is a temptation to get the Government had already sealed the deal. involved in some of the detail and miss some The issue of prequalification for of the more obvious shortcomings. The ALP contractors on Government work was another was narrowly elected in 1998 by holding out issue canvassed by the committee. While the false hope to many Queenslanders who were concept of prequalification is good, it is understandably concerned about the high disappointing for the committee to be told that level of unemployment. I believe all there is not a higher level of financial honourable members have concerns about accountability for Government work than that unemployment generally and in their own provided by the BSA for general contracting. electorates in particular. To claim an The head contractors realise that their situation achievable goal of 5% unemployment and is financially secure when working for the then do little more than just talk about it while Government and this level of security of missing so many opportunities to contribute payment should be extended through the towards that outcome will soon be seen for prequalification system to subcontractors. what it really is. This failure will, I am sure, be taken into account at the next election. Much has been made by the Minister of his interpretation of the Commonwealth/State Another aspect that seems to run through Housing Agreement payments from Canberra. all portfolios is the outright refusal of Ministers This agreement was negotiated and signed off to provide the Estimates committees with any by the Beattie Government. Then the information regarding performance bonuses to Government proceeded to use the CSH directors-general. Such questions are agreement to belt the Federal Government. It legitimate and answers should have been complained that Queensland was going to be made available. Estimates Committee C was financially disadvantaged to the tune of $37m advised that the Premier would answer that over the four-year term of the agreement question. Perhaps we will find out that because of the Commonwealth's unwillingness information today. to index the CSH agreement. Considerable discussion occurred in Mr Schwarten: It is $90m. Estimates Committee C in relation to the Roma Street parklands development. I note Mr LAMING: No, that is the GST that the with interest the list of names suggested for Minister was talking about. The Minister should the redevelopment site that was tabled by the concentrate. Premier yesterday. I share a couple of these Mr Schwarten interjected. with honourable members. There was Beattie Blue Bushland and the Bower of Beattie, each Mr LAMING: Yes, it is. A few inquiries fortunately— would have shown that the CSH agreements have never been indexed since their inception Mr Lucas: This is a really positive and back in 1945. The members opposite should constructive contribution from the shadow listen to this. So the Minister has been trying to Minister. bag the Howard Government for adopting the Mr LAMING: I knew that the member for very same procedures as those adopted by Lytton would appreciate that. Each fortunately Prime Ministers Whitlam, Hawke and Keating. I 2640 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 do not recall any complaint when they were in In relation to the building of electric train Government, but maybe there are different rolling stock, some $47m is being spent in rules when dealing with a Labor Government Maryborough for 33-car suburban multiple than when dealing with a coalition units and $27m for some interurban multiple Government. There was not a whimper from units, which will be used on the airport rail link. the members opposite when there were Labor So not only are we continuing to invest money Prime Ministers in office. in rolling stock; that rolling stock will also be Similarly, the Minister has attacked the used for the airport rail link. The construction of efficiency dividend aspect of the CSH that rolling stock also creates jobs. I know that agreement that he signed off on. However, the Labor Party candidate for Maryborough, what about his own administrative savings Alan Holmes—who, hopefully, will be the payments to Treasury totalling $41.3m over member for Maryborough after the next three years coming straight out of the Housing election—is extremely interested in developing budget? Overall, the Minister's own State that community, working hard and being part matching grants to housing have fallen of a Beattie Labor Government that will dramatically. develop even further the community of Maryborough. Time expired. The port motorway is also located within Mr LUCAS (Lytton—ALP) (3.11 p.m.): In my electorate. Some $23m has been my contribution to the debate on the allocated for Stage 1 of that project. The total Appropriation Bills, I referred in some detail to project cost is some $121.3m. As the Minister the excellent state of Queensland's finances. said in the Estimates committee, it is one of The third Beattie Budget keeps our AAA credit the most important infrastructure projects in status and at the same time delivers a $29m Queensland today. It is of critical importance surplus with a capital expenditure of $5.2 that Queensland's largest port in terms of billion. In my contribution, I spoke about a containerisation has adequate transport links number of local issues, such as $1.5m for the to it. We have excellent transport links to the Wynnum Court House, $4.2m for the west through the electorate of the member for Queensland Fire and Rescue Academy at Logan—the Logan Motorway connecting to Whyte Island, and $4.5m for the Moreton Bay the Gateway Arterial—but then we have that Nursing Care Unit psychogeriatric and acquired terrible bottleneck between the Gateway brain injury facilities. Bridge and the port. A significant amount of money will be spent on that project. A However, it is issues relating to the significant amount of money will also be spent Transport and Main Roads and Housing within the Port of Brisbane Corporation itself to portfolios that I want to address today. Within develop the port, which is also located within my electorate, there has been strong spending my electorate. I note that the Minister also in both portfolios. The Transport portfolio indicated that duplication studies will be budget for 2000-01 provides $2.085 billion for undertaken in the future in relation to the roads, $442m for rail, ports and aviation, and Gateway Bridge. The bridge is so successful $192m for transport, special projects. that there will be a need in the future to have I would like to take the time to highlight a some expansion of those facilities. number of important issues in the Ministry of I want to make a brief contribution in Transport and Main Roads. I was delighted to relation to the Public Works and Housing see that the Brisbane Airport rail link project is portfolio. The Minister has always been progressing extremely well. Each time I drive focused particularly on service delivery. He has along the Gateway Arterial—which I do concentrated very heavily on seeing what the often—or go to the airport, I see the battlers in Queensland need and realises that construction progressing further and further. an investment in social infrastructure is a real On completion of this project, the trains will run investment in the future. People who think that at 15-minute intervals between 5 a.m. and they should ignore social infrastructure are 11 a.m. There has been significant dead wrong, wrong, wrong. In particular, I Queensland Rail involvement in the project, would like to highlight some of the matters that with the provision of track work, overhead the Minister advised the committee of, power and communications. After 35 years, including the Housing Industry Trade Training this project will be handed over to the Scheme. The Government has established Queensland taxpayer. So that is a very good, that scheme with $9m funding over four years positive involvement of Government with the to provide a further 600 building construction private sector in relation to a project that is apprenticeships. An excellent project in Ernest really needed. Street, Manly, where quality public housing 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2641 was built, was undertaken through the Housing but let me assure them that they are not Industry Trade Training Scheme. So we got fooling the rail workers of this State. the double-header: we got quality housing built As I say, once again we have rail workers and we got young Queenslanders receiving who are in fear of losing their jobs. They are training to get a job. That is what it is all about. not marching on the Treasurer's office for no Similarly, I noticed the glib comments by reason at all. This morning in this House the the shadow Minister with respect to names Premier said that the coalition's policy on rail in and so on in relation to the Roma Street this State is for privatisation. This afternoon I parklands. We delivered in relation to the want to put on the record that the coalition has Roma Street parklands. no agenda for the privatisation of Queensland Time expired. Rail. It never has and it never will. As I predicted when the Minister made his politically Mr JOHNSON (Gregory—NPA) inspired changes to Briztram, the promised (3.16 p.m.): It is with pleasure that I rise to light rail project has now vanished, leaving speak to the report of Estimates Committee C. major contractors with multimillion-dollar I regret that the Estimates committee hearings expenses. Again, that is due to the have degenerated to a state that I am not incompetence of this Government. The happy with. I believe that the Minister could tenderers themselves will be seeking have provided more opportunity for the people compensation. I suggest that the Minister read of Queensland, and the committee in general, his mail more carefully. to have a greater insight into the Transport and Main Roads portfolio, about which I will The inner-city busway is in total chaos, primarily speak this afternoon. with the Minister cancelling the vital Roma Street-Queen Street section of the busway, as I believe that there was either a deliberate he was still unable to specify which route would attempt by the Minister to frustrate the be taken to access the bus station. The inner- operations of the Estimates committee, or it northern busway concept is dependent on was incompetence. The Minister can take his being able to get in and out of the Queen pick as to which it was. The evidence Street bus tunnel without delays to inner-city presented at the Estimates committee traffic. hearings for Transport indicated that there is a crisis in the administration of Transport in The South East Transit Project is way over Queensland. Unfortunately, every aspect of budget. I have been blamed for the blow-outs the Transport and Main Roads portfolio that there, because I would not let it run down Grey was examined by the committee was Street. Why is the budget increase shown in experiencing major difficulties. the Budget papers for the Moreton region and not Brisbane? The budget for the Springwood In the area of rail, we have the grave bus interchange has blown out to almost possibility of hundreds of rail jobs throughout double in a year—from $3m to $7.01m. this State being lost, the Cairns tilt train project blowing out and the promised relocation of the The Brisbane City Council bus system, rail yards in that hotbed of Labor corruption, which the State Government has been Townsville, now in doubt. The Minister has throwing dollars at, is cutting services yet confirmed that the budget for the tilt train again. It has cut weekly and monthly rolling stock has blown out from $122m in concessions, forcing more commuters into Labor's election promise to over $137m, and cars. So much for our public transport system. he has admitted that the track upgrade has The road toll continues to spiral, which is jumped from $20m to $80m. Of course, the of grave concern to everybody. The speed real cost of the track upgrade is far higher, but camera project that we implemented in this Labor is attempting to disguise these State was never implemented for revenue upgrades with other track work. raising, but I believe that is certainly on the agenda of the Labor administration at this In relation to the Minister's assertion that time. some of this track work is being put in place by the board of Queensland Rail—surely the Our port authorities have been hijacked Minister is not trying to say that this money is and the money invested by the authorities has not coming from the Government but from the been taken by the Government and replaced board, which is making corporate decisions, with a Bankcard debt that the port authorities thus hoodwinking the general public of are now required to service. This is creating Queensland in saying that the cost is not as serious implications for those authorities. high as it is? I can assure the Premier and the Main Roads has even changed its targets Minister that they may think that they are in the Budget documents from improving over fooling the public with their Fluffygate strategy, time to maintenance of the existing standard. 2642 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000

This is a frightening concept, with the Minister services and landscaping were all considered forced to concede that under Labor our roads within the design. will not improve. I am afraid that the Estimates Another success in recognising the committee hearings have confirmed that the current quality of public housing was achieved Transport and Main Roads portfolio is certainly at the recent Queensland Masters Builders not moving forward in the way we had hoped. Association Awards. A project of seniors units I express my sincere appreciation also to and detached houses at Sandgate was the committee, especially to the chair, Julie nominated in the best multiresidential units Attwood, the member for Mount Ommaney, and the most innovative use of steel roof and to my colleagues on the committee, and categories and won awards in both categories. also the research officer, Rob Hansen, who did The Sandgate project was also one of three a grand job. I apologise to Rob Hansen for any Brisbane projects to receive commendations inconvenience that I may have caused him in from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects changing my decision at a late hour on at the Brisbane regional awards in April this Monday afternoon. year. The other two were the Villiers Street In relation to the portfolio of the Minister boarding house in New Farm and the for Public Works and Minister for Housing, Woolloongabba boarding home. there are areas that I addressed and I thank I wish also to mention some recent him for the support he has given public international successes achieved by the housing in the western areas of the State. I Queensland Government in the provision of trust that he will continue to do that. public housing in this State. An innovative Mr PITT (Mulgrave—ALP) (3.21 p.m.): housing development at Cotton Tree, Today I am pleased to speak to the Estimates Maroochydore, has been included in an for the portfolio of Public Works and Housing, international design exhibition in New York concentrating mainly on the issues within which is showing only 10 projects from around public housing. I can assure the people of the world that combine architectural excellence Queensland that public housing dollars are with environmental sensitivity. The other nine being very well spent. buildings are in Europe. I draw to the attention of honourable In my electorate of Mulgrave the members the recent successes achieved by community of Babinda will be in receipt of a the State Government's Department of new-style project for Queensland—an Housing in recognition of its excellence in Abbeyfield project. At the Community Cabinet design and commitment to innovation. The meeting in Edmonton in July 1998 the Minister Queensland Department of Housing won a received a deputation from the Babinda and major award for a Cairns boarding house at District Aged Care Association on an the Urban Development Institute of Abbeyfield concept for Babinda. Mr Fred Australia—UDIA—Awards for Excellence. The Lizzio, who is the driving force behind the boarding house at McLeod Street, Cairns beat BDACA, also raised the issue with me in the seven other nominations to win the lead-up to the general election in 1998. innovations in affordable housing category. The Abbeyfield concept was promoted by The other finalists in this category were also local people in Babinda as a concept that Queensland Department of Housing would suit their particular needs. Babinda has projects—in Woolloongabba, Highgate Hill and a significant seniors population, many of whom Fortitude Valley. The Cairns boarding house are forced to leave home to access retirement project has three separate buildings, providing accommodation facilities. This results in social 22 bed-sit units, 10 one-bedroom units and disruption. Such a small community, which is in eight traditional boarding house rooms. The many ways suffering a downturn, can ill afford Minister, who opened the boarding house last to have any of its residents having to find year, named its three buildings after former another place to live. Labor members for far-northern The Minister was aware that he had to electorates—the late Ray Jones, Bob Scott look for new ways and means to deliver and Keith De Lacy, each of whom made a housing to meet the specific needs of people valuable contribution to the provision of public and communities. The innovative streak in housing for the constituents in our area. Queensland public housing came to the fore. The Cairns boarding house fits in well with He recognised the project as challenging, but the local neighbourhood while responding to the Labor Government was prepared to deliver the density demands of inner-city land. a different concept for evaluation. On 2 Location, street presentation, energy November 1998 he announced that a pilot efficiency, privacy, unit amenity, proximity to Abbeyfield project would be built in Babinda. 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2643

Abbeyfield has worked in the housing sector Students standing on school buses is a for more than 15 years, providing older people problem which has been accentuated in the living on low incomes and with few assets with Jimboomba/Beaudesert area for three a genuine and cost-effective housing and reasons. The first is the delay in building a new support option. The philosophy behind high school in the northern part of the Abbeyfield that older people should remain in electorate. The second is the fact that the road familiar surroundings close to family and between Jimboomba and Beaudesert is 100 friends was what appealed to the Minister. A km/h for all buses and all other traffic, including house is integrated into the community so that very large trucks. The third is the fact that residents can continue to enjoy their leisure Jimboomba is 19.5 kilometres from and social activities in their own district and Beaudesert. Students are not allowed to stand continue to remain independent and in charge on any bus which travels 20 kilometres or of their own lives. more. So 19.5 kilometres puts it in that On 25 March 1999 the Minister approved awkward area. Under the new weight-based $900,000 in funding for the Babinda and regulations, banana buses—double buses— District Care Association under the 1999-2000 can carry at least 90 people sitting and then long-term Community Housing Program to between 35 and 40 students standing. construct a pilot 10-bedroom Abbeyfield house Anyone would know that 135 kids on a at Babinda. The Cairns City Council did its part banana bus travelling 19.5 kilometres in an by providing land to the association for the area where travel at 100 km/h is allowed is a project from holdings that were acquired when problem waiting to happen. it purchased a cane farm to facilitate the Certainly, the former coalition Government construction of a golf course in the town. The also had to try to deal with this issue. However, project is complex due to the number of here we have a Government which is prepared stakeholders involved—Abbeyfield Australia, the Babinda and District Aged Care to say that in ordinary buses carrying people Association, the Cairns City Council and the no-one is allowed to stand and they must wear Department of Housing. It has resulted in seatbelts. The Government is prepared to some frustration, but there is a determination implement that policy when it knows that it is to see the project through. The association the proprietors who must cover that cost. But appointed a local architect from Cairns to work when it comes to covering the cost for with the Abbeyfield architect to establish a schoolchildren, the Government knows that it design suited to north Queensland. There has will have to pay extra money. The proprietors been much toing-and-froing, as the Abbeyfield say it will cost $80m. We believe the amount requirements need to be met but also may be $50m. Certainly, that amount of modified to suit local needs. It has taken some money is necessary if we are to allow buses to time to work through the complexities of the travel on open highways and ensure that the project and get to this stage, but it is now students are sitting down. envisaged that the work will be well under way When I asked the Minister to outline the before Christmas. Government's response, I was amazed that he Time expired. was prepared to say that it was the coalition's Hon. K. R. LINGARD (Beaudesert—NPA) policy in 1996 that contained a commitment to (3.26 p.m.): I am most concerned that, in spite phasing out children standing while travelling of many deputations by people from my on school buses. However, he says that it was electorate regarding students standing on never implemented—and I agree—when we school buses, nothing has been done in this came to Government. However, there was a Budget to address the problem. In fact, policy to implement this policy only in specific probably the only thing that was ever done areas of danger, especially in north was that, when two people went to the Queensland around Cairns. That policy stated Redlands open and accountable Cabinet that, regardless of how far those buses meeting, the Minister rang one of those travelled, if it was a dangerous area students people and said that he would not allow the were not allowed to stand. I am saying to the other person ever to contact the department Government that, if schoolchildren are again. Unfortunately for the Minister, that call travelling 19.5 kilometres between Jimboomba was taped, and so the Minister was most and Beaudesert and if they are in a bus which embarrassed. The Premier was also at that is carrying 135 kids, 90 seated and 45 meeting. The Minister told one of these people standing, and if they are travelling in an area that they were not allowed to make any where there are massive trucks, then surely contact at all with the department from then that is a problem. But still the Government will on. not agree. 2644 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000

The Government is saying that the 1993 of great assistance in trying to bring kids back Travelsafe Committee came to the conclusion to school and giving them some hope. I visited that there were more problems with kids that school on a number of occasions and I getting off buses. Quite remarkably—I am not can say to the Chamber that that program is going to read it out—the Minister has said, working. People are accessing that and are "That will be our policy. We will not attempt to gaining the skills that are needed to obtain stop standees on school buses except in and retain employment. specific areas." So here we have a Community renewal has not only given Government which is not prepared to do the schools in Kingston better conditions, it anything to try to alleviate the problem. I know has also given the people in Woodridge better what the problem is. The problem is that the housing conditions. They have always had south-east busway is being built adjacent to pride in their area. What they have never had the South East Freeway and those buses will is the funds from the Queensland Housing probably travel up and down that busway at Department to back up that sense of pride. If 100 km/h. The Government knows that if it honourable members have any doubt of the brings in a blanket policy that will cover all benefit of that program, they should visit the schoolkids coming into Brisbane. Therefore, it community of Inala, where some of the areas is allowing this practice of children standing in where I was a teacher several years ago have buses to continue and is not prepared to make been improved, and improved immeasurably. any specific decisions on an area as Those areas have been improved so much dangerous as that from Jimboomba to that the private sector was encouraged Beaudesert. recently to undertake a major redevelopment The other practice which I am amazed of the Inala Civic Centre, which they have that the Government allows to continue is the renamed the Inala Town Centre. It was to the fitting of retreaded tyres on the front wheels of community's pride that we opened that a buses. Truck drivers say that they are just number of weeks ago. amazed to think that here is a Government I say to the Minister that the suburbs of that still allows retreads to be placed on the Woodridge, Loganlea and Kingston are front wheels of school buses. The Minister benefiting from that program. Sure, it has says there is no evidence that suggests that been slower, but it has been slower for a very retreaded tyres that comply with the standard good reason. The very good reason is that the are more prone to failure than new tyres. Minister and his staff have taken the time to There is also no evidence to suggest that front consult with the community which, quite tyres are more prone to failure than rear tyres. frankly, has never, ever been listened to by That study must obviously be very different to conservative sides of politics. If honourable many that the truck drivers have seen. members doubt that, they should have a look Time expired. at the Diamond Street project. Those residents Mr MICKEL (Logan—ALP) (3.32 p.m.): At were ignored for years and had to put up with the outset, I want to thank the Minister for substandard conditions until the Labor Public Works and Minister for Housing and his Government came in during the early nineties. staff for the diligence that they have shown to Mr Hegarty: That was started by the the people in my electorate, particularly for the coalition. attentiveness they have shown to the schools. Mr MICKEL: The Logan City Councillors As a former schoolteacher, the Minister knows representing the side of politics of the member first-hand the problems that face schools in opposite came out and attacked the financially struggling areas. Ever since he has Queensland Housing Department. I did not been the Minister, he and his staff have been notice the member for Redlands on his feet attentive to those needs. On behalf of those trying to distance himself from those school communities that he has assisted, I disgraceful comments made by Councillor offer him my thanks. Darren Power when he slammed the residents I notice that the Opposition offers some of Queensland Housing Department houses. criticism about an underspend in relation to The member might care to notice that the community renewal. Community renewal in the complexion of those people who rent the electorate that I represent has brought about houses has changed, and changed remarkable achievements, particularly to the enormously. Increasingly in Logan City those Kingston State High School. In fact, it has houses are being rented to the elderly. If he been so successful that the school has been does not get off on the fact that they are being renamed Kingston College and is able to offer rented to the elderly, what about the disabled? out of school hours courses, which have been It is about time that those on that side of the 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2645

Chamber, who reckon they stand up for those that the Regional Director of Transport for my sorts of people, were heard and heard loudly. area, with whom I have had a number of The challenge is for the member for Redlands meetings on this issue relating to a road that is to pull that recalcitrant councillor into line. He is carrying 15,000 to 16,000 vehicles a day, has from the member's side of politics. He brought not been able to bring to the Minister's him into the council. He should be distancing attention the need for urgent funding to himself from that person. upgrade this road. I also want to comment on the Earlier this year in response to a question Department of Main Roads and Transport. on notice, I was advised that Main Roads Honourable members interjected. would spend $40,000 on a section from Justin Road to Grays Road on the Eumundi-Noosa Mr MICKEL: The dogs may bark, but the Road. I want to advise the Minister and this caravan moves on. Committee that the repair work that was done I want to talk this afternoon about the there is already eroding and there have been Mount Lindesay Highway and mention to the repairs done on the repairs. It is a disgrace. I Minister for Transport, whom I know is listening believe that the work that was carried out there to this, that we urgently need the money in the was a very, very substandard attempt to rectify next financial year to make sure that we have some of the dangerous patches on that road. the Middle Road and Green Road project The Eumundi-Noosa Road will again have under way. I also want to make sure that there further pressure placed on it with the is money to complete the Granger Road construction of the Eumundi bypass road intersection. I know there is money in this commencing in November of this year. It is year's budget for acquisitions for that project absolutely vital that in the next two or three and I notice that Main Roads has done a years a major upgrade is committed to survey to make sure that the speed limit in that Eumundi-Noosa Road to ensure that the area can be reduced. I regard that as a high 15,000 to 16,000 vehicles that it carries at the priority for those people, particularly those moment, plus any future increase to that living in the Park Ridge South area. Because number, will be ensured a safe thoroughfare in of the way that estate was designed years the approaches to the major tourism ago, traffic is currently travelling down there at destination of Noosa. 100 km/h, and that is very unsafe for people The road from Beckmans Road to the who have to leave that— Emu Mountain Road roundabout is in a very Time expired. poor state of repair. It is very dangerous at Mr DAVIDSON (Noosa—LP) (3.37 p.m.): night. I have had complaints from a number of The Minister for Transport has used the motorists in my electorate that they are hitting Estimates committee hearings to extol the potholes and that the patches used to fill the virtues of the funding he has injected into potholes have washed away due to the wet Queensland roads this year with great gusto weather. As a result, people are doing and acclaim. In the past year in this Assembly, damage to their cars. I do not honestly believe I presented him with petitions, asked questions that the regional director has not raised some on notice and have corresponded with him of these issues with the Minister. In relation to personally on a number of occasions about the road from the Emu Mountain Road the disgraceful condition of the Eumundi- roundabout to the Eumundi bridge, the whole Noosa Road. During the previous sitting of this section of road, particularly the big dipper, is in Chamber, I again asked him a question on urgent need of some loving care and notice about what he proposed to do about attention. the intolerable situation of the deteriorating The $80,000 that the Minister has and dangerous condition of this main advised me he will spend this year will go thoroughfare into Noosa. I received his answer some way to bringing that road to a safe only today. Given that I asked the question on standard in some sections, but it is far short of notice on 20 July, the answer is three days what is required. In the past two or three years, late. I am appalled to read that the Minister the Eumundi-Noosa Road has deteriorated. has advised me in the answer to that question Without any maintenance money at all being on notice that only $80,000 will be spent on spent on it, it is getting worse by the day. I Eumundi-Noosa Road this year. This road has suggest to the Minister that, if he has the time, deteriorated enormously over the past eight or he drive to Noosa and experience the safety nine months, particularly during the wet spell problems associated with that road. It may be we have had. It has become a very, very an opportunity for him to have discussions with dangerous entrance into Noosa—and it is the his regional director about the importance for main entrance into Noosa. I cannot believe the department in Brisbane to be briefed 2646 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 about such issues to ensure that roads such claims of underspending. Similarly, there is no as this are given the priority and the funding basis to claims of job losses. required to make them safe for all people who Again, the shadow Minister got it wrong in use them. housing by claiming that this Government has Another major issue in this regard is that cut spending. How does the shadow Minister on rainy, dark nights it is very dangerous for explain the fact that the Borbidge Government people to travel on this road. There is no spent $310m on housing programs in its last lighting. The fact that drivers can hit potholes year and the latest Budget provides $440m? and rough surfaces is dangerous. I have Let us talk about underspending. What about received a number of complaints from people the loss of $130m sacrificed from housing by who feel unsafe driving on that road on rainy, the Borbidge coalition to fund the $2 billion dark nights as they dodge the potholes and Federal surplus? What about the $90m the rough surfaces on that road. As I said forgone under the latest CSHA? The only time before, it is vital that a commitment is given by the coalition has spoken on these issues has this Minister in the near future to fund an been to defend its mates in Canberra. It is upgrade of that road to a safe standard. The about time it stood up for Queensland. $80,000 to be spent in November is nowhere The shadow Minister claimed that only 8% near enough. I will again lobby the regional of the Housing budget would be spent on director to ensure that he is aware of the seniors units in the bush. That is either a issues raised with me by motorists as far as deliberate untruth or just more evidence of his safety on this road is concerned. incompetence. It may come as a surprise to I have written to the Minister about this him, but seniors do not just live in seniors issue. I have made speeches in this Chamber. units. They also live in other public housing I have asked him two questions on notice. I dwellings and in community housing as well, have presented petitions to him through this especially in the bush, as the honourable Chamber. As is becoming the norm with this member for Gregory knows. Recently, I Minister, he does not seem to care too much. announced $9m for more than 30 community His response to correspondence is somewhat housing projects. Half of the funds for these delayed by his inability, I think, to respond to projects are for seniors in 10 regional centres. issues of urgent need raised with me by my On top of that, about $7m will be spent constituents regarding road issues and road through the Public Housing Program on safety. commencing 45 seniors units in rural and Time expired. regional areas and completing more than 120. That is a total of $11.5m specifically for seniors Hon. R. E. SCHWARTEN (Rockhampton— outside the Brisbane area. ALP) (Minister for Public Works and Minister for Housing) (3.42 p.m.): The performance of Instead of nitpicking, why does the Opposition members in the Estimates honourable member not explain where he was committee hearing showed yet again what little when I was trying to secure $20m from grasp the coalition has of issues confronting Canberra for more seniors housing in the the Department of Public Works and bush? We all know that the member for Department of Housing. Their performance Mooloolah leads the cheer squad for also highlighted what little effort the shadow Canberra's funding cuts. I know that the Minister has made in the past two years to member for Gregory does not support that develop or release any policy for either squad, as he is personally aware of the efforts portfolio. Nitpicking and unfounded I have put in to provide decent housing in the scaremongering is no substitute for policy bush. development. It is high time we heard what The attack on community renewal shows policy the shadow Minister has in mind. how totally unsuited the shadow Minister is to There is no basis to claims made by the this portfolio. I answered this at the committee shadow Minister of underspending of $2.28m hearing. The bottom line is that the program is on the Roma Street parkland. The forecast for community renewal, not Government renewal. 1999-2000 in last year's Budget papers was That is the difference between the shadow $13.4m. The forecast expenditure in this year's Minister and me. He wants Government Budget papers was $11.7m. However, the wielding the big stick, while I want the actual expenditure for 1999-2000 was more community to drive this program, as the than $13.8m. Instead of underspending member for Logan indicated earlier. It is not $2.28m, the spending in 1999-2000 was designed to impose the Government's will on almost $443,000 above the forecast of local communities. The idea is that they tell us $13.4m. There is no basis to the Opposition's what is needed in their area. The shadow 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2647

Minister's ill-informed questions on this matter screening; they desperately need it. These are reflect the Liberal Party's property-based elderly people, the disabled, the young and notion of housing. To them, public housing infants. has nothing to do with people; it is all about Mr Schwarten: And they will get it if you property. return a Labor Government; you won't get it The shadow Minister nitpicked about a under the Tories, I'll tell you that. $14,400 five-day legal consultancy for Dale Mr KNUTH: That is why I am addressing Bracken of Clayton Utz. This was answered the Minister now, because I have not seen it fully at the hearings by the head of the Public under his Government either. That is why I am Works Department legal section, John bringing this to the attention of the Chamber. I Scrivens. It is mischievous to disregard the took the opportunity to observe the conditions comprehensive answer provided. What a these people have to bear when they prepare cheek the coalition has to talk about and cook meals when I was invited to dinner consultancy costs! In fact, the honourable by a group of housing tenants. The situation I member comes from the side of politics that saw first-hand was very disturbing. Within thinks Government should be run by minutes of starting to cook a meal such as consultants. In its last year, it spent more than steak, the whole house was covered in $8m on consultants through the Department blowflies. They started swarming in. Those are of Public Works. Last year, we spent just the conditions those people have to put up $1.7m, around $7m less. My office has written with. to Clayton Utz telling it that the shadow Mr Bredhauer interjected. Minister thinks it ripped off taxpayers. He can go to Adelaide Street and explain himself. Mr KNUTH: I thank the member for Cook for his comments. Coming from where he The Opposition used the Estimates does, I am quite sure he would be upset with process to launch yet another attack on Q- one fly coming into his home. He would be Build. The 3,000 employees of Q-Build and grabbing the can of Peabeu real fast. their families know the coalition would sack them on day one if it got into Government. Mr Bredhauer: I don't have flyscreens at The trouble is that the shadow Minister lacks my house. the intestinal fortitude to spell out the Liberal Mr KNUTH: I am quite sure they hang Party policy which aims to throw those workers around. Thousands of tenants have to put up on the scrap heap. While it would not bother with these conditions. Every time they try to him to sack these workers, the real reason he prepare a meal, their house is inundated by will not publish his policy is because he is blowflies. It is a situation that no person should frightened of what rural and regional have to put up with in this day and age. I think businesses will say. I say to the shadow the Minister has had extensive involvement in Minister: go out and tell the regional centres, the building industry. He would be aware that I where half of Q-Build's staff are based, that have, too. I do not think there is a house built you want to withdraw money from their local in Queensland anymore that does not come economy. He should also tell them about the standard with fly screens. work he wants to take from them by getting rid Mr Schwarten: I have just changed the of Q-Build and explain how it will be replaced. policy on housing commission houses. Then there are the apprentices. Perhaps he would like to tell the building industry who will Mr KNUTH: I am calling on the Minister to train the 400 Q-Build apprentices. pay more attention to the problem of house screening. We have to start thinking of these Time expired. people once and for all. Mr KNUTH (Burdekin—CCAQ) (3.47 p.m.): Mr Schwarten: And ceiling fans. Other members of the Opposition have Mr KNUTH: Yes, and ceiling fans. I am already addressed most of our issues of pushing screening because I do not want to concern raised during Estimates. However, my push too much. I think screening is more concern with the Housing portfolio is the lack of important. commitment towards screening of Department of Housing homes and the sometimes terrible Mr Schwarten: We could give people a conditions that tenants have to endure without choice. adequate screening. During his speech, the Mr KNUTH: Even a choice, yes. In the member for Lytton mentioned that the Minister towns of Ayr and Home Hill, which lie adjacent understands what the battlers of Queensland to vast wetland, at night-time people are want. However, housing tenants are battlers. experiencing extreme conditions. The walls in They do not just want adequate insect some of these homes are just black with 2648 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 mosquitoes. Residents and their children have Queensland Rail. A critical issue in regional to put up with being bitten all night. A lot of areas is Queensland's coastal ports. elderly and other people are locking up their The criticisms from members opposite homes during the summer months just to get during the debate today included a suggestion away from the plagues of mosquitoes and by the member for Gregory that there have flies. As a result, their homes become like been cost overruns on projects undertaken by saunas. I invite the Minister to come to the my department. That is true. A number of the Burdekin to visit the same people who invited projects have come in higher than their original me. He will see the situation first-hand. budget estimate. The member for Gregory Mr Schwarten: I do not need to see it. I should know about the Pacific Motorway know how crook it is. project. He actually re-scoped the project two Mr KNUTH: I am glad of that. This is a or three times while he was the Minister. problem that is not being addressed as Mr Johnson: It made it a better project. thoroughly as it should be. The Minister is Mr BREDHAUER: He left me in the aware of my concerns. I have corresponded situation where we were $120m shy of the with him on this issue on several occasions. I funding required. He had written to the then am not trying to score political points here; I Treasurer and he had received no response to believe this issue is very important to those the request for $120m. battlers. They raise this issue continually and I am continually trying to push for a resolution. Another example is the SET project, The Minister is well aware of that. being constructed on the other side of the river. I know that the member for Gregory did I would dearly love to see any spare not agree with the decision, but the decision to money—I would love to see an allocation in support the South Bank Corporation and next year's budget—allocated directly for the change the alignment of the busway, from provision of adequate insect screening to Grey Street to the other side of the railway line, public housing across this State but especially added an estimated additional cost of $120m in the areas of north Queensland and western to the project. Queensland, where conditions are worse than they are in the cities. There is an issue in my department—right across the portfolio, I have to say—with Hon. S. D. BREDHAUER (Cook—ALP) projects costing more than they are initially (Minister for Transport and Minister for Main budgeted at. That is an issue I have talked to Roads) (3.52 p.m.): I rise to speak about the my department about often. We are working to Estimates for the Departments of Transport improve our estimation. Often when we go and Main Roads. I will respond to some of the through the public consultation phase the criticisms that have been made today. I put on project is changed—as a result of consultation record that this year's budget is another record with the community and other stakeholders to budget in the areas of Transport and Main meet particular requirements. In the process of Roads. It demonstrates the Beattie doing that, more money has to be spent to Government's commitment to jobs and job make it a better project, as the member for security and also, importantly, to issues of Gregory said himself with respect to the Pacific regional development. Motorway. There are probably no more important Another issue raised was the tilt train. The ways in which we can support the member for Gregory has raised the issue of establishment of new industries and the the tilt train at each of the three Estimates continuation and expansion of existing committee hearings we have had. The budget industries in rural and regional parts of for that was well known last year. I do not know Queensland than through providing why the member continues to harp on this appropriate transport and roads infrastructure. issue. We did say initially that it would cost My portfolio plays a critical role in our $120m. When we went out to the tender Government's efforts to expand regional process— economies, to help develop regional economies and to provide Government Mr Johnson: You never went out to leadership in those areas, particularly in the tender. areas of jobs and job creation. A very Mr BREDHAUER: Sorry, you are right. important part of that effort is the Main Roads When we went out to the alliance contract budget, including over $1 billion for the process it came in at $137m and we agreed roadworks program this year. Also, this year we that we would fund that. The issues basically are spending $656m on capital in relation to are as they have been known for some time. 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2649

I mention the member for Beaudesert The Minister has admitted budget blow- and some comments he made in respect of outs in relation to the South East Transit school buses, particularly the suggestion that Project—he and the shadow Minister just had the coalition had a policy that it would stop a good discussion on this subject—and has standees and install seatbelts on school confirmed that there have been significant buses. It is absolute nonsense. I budget blow-outs in relation to the Pacific remember—the member for Merrimac will Motorway. The Minister was unable to quantify remember this—when the member for the extent of the blow-out but has confirmed Beaudesert said that the coalition was going to that provision is being made for another build a high school at Jimboomba. He $300m to settle the contract claims that are promised it in February 1997. There was going presently being negotiated. I hope what he to be an accelerated capital works program so just said is true. That is, if this makes a better that high school could be built at Jimboomba. project, then it is well and good, but it is a lot of Later that year at the Estimates committee money. hearing what did the member for Merrimac, The scrapping of the Brisbane light rail the then Education Minister, tell me? He said, project has left a sour taste in the mouths of "I don't know anything about that promise. I the major engineering firms both here in suggest you go and ask the member for Australia and also overseas. Despite his Beaudesert." original denials, the Minister has also had to I say to the people of Beaudesert: I would admit that the fundamental connection not believe a word the member for Beaudesert between the Normanby and the Queen Street tells you. If he says it is a promise, I would bus tunnel has also been consigned to the want to see it in writing, but not from the Bredhauer scrap heap, along with Briztram member for Beaudesert. I would want to see it and all the other Labor relics. from somebody who is actually responsible in Rail workers throughout Queensland are terms of making those kinds of commitments, in revolt. They know that the Beattie because he has a track record across his Government— electorate and across the State of Queensland Mr Schwarten: I thought you were going of making promises and commitments and not to say something nice about me. delivering on them. His comments in respect of Mr MITCHELL: The Minister should just the school bus issue will be treated with the wait for it; I will. They know that the Beattie scant regard they deserve. Government is hiding the real cost of the tilt Time expired. train to Cairns and, at the same time, is flushing thousands of rail jobs down the drain. Mr MITCHELL (Charters Towers—NPA) The Minister is quick to say that these are (3.58 p.m.): The evidence presented to voluntary redundancies. But the real question Estimates Committee C concerning the is: will those workers be replaced? Of course, Transport and Main Roads portfolio supports the answer is: no. This is always the case once the concerns raised by the shadow Minister, these issues are mentioned. the member for Gregory. As a representative of an electorate that has somewhere in the This morning the Premier came into this vicinity of 3,500 kilometres of State controlled House and tried to accuse the coalition of roads, of particular concern to me is the failure attacking Queensland Rail on the basis of of the Beattie Government to address the road some letter that has come from the infrastructure needs of that part of Commonwealth. The same logic means that Queensland. Mr Beattie automatically supports Mr Beazley's policies without question. Fancy him accusing The only major infrastructure projects the Queensland National Party of blindly under construction in this State are those that following the policy contained in a letter were commenced by either the Goss coming from a Liberal in Canberra when the Government some five or six years ago or the Premier supports "Bumbling" Beazley's policies Borbidge Government some two years ago. all the way. I can only assume, like one of the The Beattie Government has failed again to writers in the letters to the editor in the match the Budget commitments of the Australian newspaper this morning, that the Borbidge Government. This is despite the Premier has been sniffing the petrol issue a increase in Federal road funding. When we little too closely. analyse the budget we see that much of the As I mentioned in my speech during the road funding this year comes from carryovers debate on the Budget, I was pleased to see of road projects that are either behind finally the allocation of funding of $4.3m to the schedule or delayed. Gregory Development Road south of Charters 2650 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000

Towers. I wish to reiterate the need to fast- Estimates Committee D track other work programs on this highway Report because of the huge increase in traffic, including heavy vehicles, tourism traffic and The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Mr mining traffic. Mickel): The question is— "That the report of Estimates Mr Johnson: It's very dangerous. Committee D be adopted." Mr MITCHELL: I take that interjection. Ms STRUTHERS (Archerfield—ALP) That is the main reason I keep pushing this (4.03 p.m.): The public scrutiny of the State issue, and I have done so now for about the Budget through the Estimates committee past five years. We need to fast-track this process is an essential feature of good, program as quickly as we possibly can to save accountable government. I was therefore very lives on that highway. We are already two honoured to chair Estimates Committee D on years behind since the original RIP back in the Health and Education. I would like to thank my coalition Government's time. colleagues for their cooperation. We were also Work has also commenced on the sealing very ably supported by our research director, of a 31-kilometre section between Devils Chris Garvey, the Hansard team and other Marbles and Ella Creek on the Herveys Range parliamentary support staff. Road, which will benefit a great part of north In promoting Queensland as the Smart and north-west Queensland in terms of State, our Government is committed to the bringing produce to the markets or the provision of high-quality education. The 2000- meatworks in Townsville. The other projects 01 Budget fulfils this commitment within my are the Flinders Highway, which is constantly local area, and I am extremely pleased about being funded. We have a few more years to that. The development of two new schools is go, but I want to once again advocate the fast- under way for the communities of Calamvale tracking of a lot of these projects because they and Forest Lake. No longer do we have an off are behind due to rollover funding for the past the shelf, one size fits all model for schools. two years. These two new schools will be unique, state-of- I also take this opportunity, as the the-art public schools. Calamvale College will member for Gregory has done already, to be an innovative P-12—that is, a preschool to thank the Minister for Public Works and Year 12—school. In fact, it will be much more Minister for Housing for his support in putting than a school. It is being planned as a public housing into my electorate. It has community precinct, incorporating child care, happened in a good few areas. I am starting community services and community sporting to hear of a few more every week. Even facilities. It will also feature the highly though I am not getting the chance to put it acclaimed middle schooling concept. into the paper, I am very grateful that it is I commend the members of the reference occurring. We have units going in for the older group and subcommittees who are working people of Charters Towers as well as another together to plan the new school. These groups couple of units there. There are also a lot of comprise school personnel, Education upgrades in airconditioning across my Department officers, Brisbane City Council electorate, for which we are very, very grateful. officers, parents and community and sporting I was listening to the member for Burdekin a representatives. Paul Kidston from the short time ago. As he outlined, these needs Department of Education, Sue Bremner, the have existed for a long time. I am pleased that principal of the school, and others deserve we are starting to catch them up and actually special mention for their efforts. give these people a bit of quality of life. Like Calamvale, the Forest Lake school Recently the member for Gregory and I will feature top-class design and facilities. took a quick visit to Aramac. I know that the While there is widespread community support shadow Minister has written to the Minister for the new school, one concern has been the concerning the housing situation in Aramac, need to keep tight parameters around the size where the construction of in the vicinity of eight of the school in order to prevent it from homes is under consideration. That will really bursting at the seams. I have raised this benefit that little town because the need is matter with the Education Minister and there. I bring that to the Minister's notice once pursued this during the Estimates committee again. I know that the member for Gregory has hearing. I feel satisfied that the enrolment already done so. Once again, I thank the management plan for the new school will strike Minister very much for his support in that area. a balance between inclusion of students from Forest Lake and surrounding areas while Report adopted. maintaining a reasonable size for the school. A 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2651 watchful eye will be kept on the growth of the Miss SIMPSON (Maroochydore—NPA) school. (4.07 p.m.): The critical analysis of the Health The Education budget allocated funds for budget must increasingly focus on the actuals five Alternative Learning Centres for students rather than primarily on Forward Estimates of who are not fitting into mainstream schooling. I expenditure, as the actuals should provide a have advocated strenuously for additional measure of prior performance rather than a funds for behaviour management, and these wide-ranging statement of intent. However, as alternative schooling programs are certainly has been outlined in my statement of much welcomed. While they will help a great reservations to Estimates Committee D's deal, I will certainly continue my advocacy. I report, particularly with regard to issues relating know that Jan Kazakoff, the principal of to the oral health services, even some of the Algester State School, and other school actuals reported in the portfolio statements personnel in my area will continue to bite at my are, by the Health Department's own heels if I do not continue advocating strongly admission, in error. There is simply not enough for more behaviour management support information supplied in the Budget papers to programs. provide a detailed account of the majority of subprograms such as alcohol and drugs, or With regard to health expenditure, I acute care services such as funded intensive congratulate the Minister on another record care beds. Health budget. If the Federal Government cuts public health funding to the States because of In lieu of that information being provided the rapid take-up of private health insurance, in the Budget papers, the Health Minister there will be increasing pressure on the public should be prepared to provide the health system across Queensland and on the documentation and detailed answers in the State Government to fund the system where Estimates process. This is why it has been so the Federal Government should have been disappointing that the Health Minister has meeting those responsibilities. Demand on refused to answer questions both on notice public hospitals and services is not likely to and without notice. The process of providing reduce, so I also join the call for the Federal more detailed documentation to provide back- Government to enhance support for Medicare up to the Government's statements has simply and for public health generally, not diminish its not been in place. support. There is a conflict of interest inherent in Access to public dental services is a very the Health Department between its fiscal big need in my area. I often hear from local responsibilities and delivery of patient care at a people who are reporting lengthy waiting lists high standard. This conflict is heightened by at the QE II Hospital dental service. In the fact that the work force is bound by a code response to questions I asked of the Minister of conduct. In recent days we have heard during the Estimates hearing, I was pleased to debate about this code of conduct and people hear of increased funds to oral health, in the Public Service being disciplined. including eight new mobile dental clinics to Certainly, that is a great fear in the Health improve access for aged and disabled people. Department, with people speaking out about Access to affordable dental care is an issue on their real concerns about cutbacks and also which I have lobbied strongly over the years, their real concerns about the accuracy of the and I will certainly be keeping up my advocacy information that is supplied publicly, certainly on this issue as well. through the mouthpiece of the higher bureaucracy and through the Health Minister The expansion of mental health facilities herself. is also much needed. I again commend the Minister for giving this sector a high priority in We are seeing concerns expressed from the State Budget. within the Health Department about the loss of intensive care beds. I note that the Health Overall, the Education and Health Minister responded publicly to this issue with a expenditures have been very responsible. I press release that tried to bolster the apparent know that as members of Parliament we number of intensive care respirator capable always see the need for more; we always want intensive care beds, or ICU beds, available in more services and more essential facilities, Brisbane by including neonatal beds. The fact Statewide as well as in the area that we of the matter is that there has been a net loss represent. But I know that there are very of funded and staffed intensive care beds for innovative, good initiatives in both of those adults in Brisbane and certainly in the south- budget areas, and I will certainly be continuing east corner as a whole. This is impacting upon to support the needs of the people that I the future capability for proper patient care for represent in the Archerfield electorate. the surgery program, given that 25% to 50% of 2652 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 those who go through intensive care beds will increased the number of procedures." That have been in the elective surgery program, let was within only a matter of months of printing alone those who are expecting a high level of the Budget papers. It comes down to the fact care after suffering trauma. that there is not an acceptance of the reliability In relation to mental health staffing levels, or the credibility— once again the Minister refused to provide the Time expired. breakdown of the actual categories of staff in Mr FENLON (Greenslopes—ALP) the mental health area. Given the fact that (4.13 p.m.): It gives me great pleasure to rise there has been a failure to reach the target by in this Estimates debate in the Committee 385 full-time equivalent positions and given stage in relation to the Estimates for Health that the actual number of full-time equivalent and Education. First of all, I wish to affirm the positions in mental health services went gratitude expressed by the member for backwards to 358, the onus is on the Minister Archerfield to all those involved in that process. to provide the documentation to back up her The conduct of all departmental officers claims that it is only positions such as involved in that process was certainly up to its gardeners and maintenance positions that usual, high standard. have been culled. The difference in these figures between this year and last year do not I comment on the Estimates process in change the fact that these are the general. There has been some comment Government's own targets, and the through this debate to date on the value of Government is well into the implementation of that process. I have been very interested to the 10-year mental health plan. So simply see the unfolding of that process in this accepting the Minister's word and not seeing Parliament because it was not in place during the documentation or a detailed breakdown is my earlier experience in this place from 1989 not good enough. The Opposition does not to 1995. So it is with great interest that I accept the Minister's verbal response; there observe the value of that particular process. I needs to be documentation. think it is certainly one that is well worth while for this Parliament as an exercise in It is a similar position with the closure of accountability. emergency care acute mental health beds. Psychiatrists still say that the acute mental The Estimates process is an exercise in health bed crisis is continuing. The extended accountability in the first place because of the mental health services in the community are extensive preparation put in by officers of the not in place and they question why the departments to at least be prepared to answer emergency beds have been taken away from questions. Whether they are asked the the Barrett Centre when there is still an acute questions or not is another matter, but there is lack of available mental health beds. The certainly an enormous effort put in to preparing result is that people are being inappropriately for the Estimates committees and to be held admitted to general wards or not being accountable by members from both sides of admitted. We are talking about people with the Assembly. So it is a worthwhile process. acute psychoses and people who are Even if nothing terribly exciting comes out of a potentially suicidal. This really is negligence of particular hearing, it is worth while in terms of the health system, and there was not an principle by providing the opportunity for all adequate answer from the Minister as to why members of this Parliament to call Ministers these beds have been taken away at a time and officers of their department to account on when there is still an acute lack of mental their Estimates and indeed that process health beds. comes to finalisation through this debate. I cannot help thinking that it is a bit like the Big The issue of dental health services has Day Out for those public servants and other been mentioned by a member who spoke officers when we see them arrive, but I previously. We saw that the estimated actual certainly hope that they have a far more figure was out by tens of thousands of interesting life than coming down here for the procedures. We have to ask: what is the real day. story with dental health? On the Sunshine Coast it can take years even to get a general I now address very briefly the Estimates appointment. There is a disparity in access to for Education. I am very pleased at the way dental health services in this State, yet the the reception of this Budget is manifesting estimated actual figures clearly showed that itself on the ground in my electorate in terms the department had gone backwards in of the enthusiasm that it is now engendering providing general procedure oral health care. and the way that it is being perceived. I cite When I asked this question during the the specific examples of the way in which the Estimates they said, "Oh, no, we have actually Secondary Schools Renewal Program and the 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2653 moving of AccessEd to my area is impacting of students are now significantly worse off. The on the local school community. That is instilling argument being advanced for that is one that I great excitement. I know that because last have not heard before. It is the argument week I attended a planning session for the about economies of scale. I will tell members future of the Coorparoo State School, where I what that is code for in Education: it is for happen to be the Vice President of the P & C. larger schools, larger classes, more classes up That was an exciting morning during which we to the maximum limit and a real reduction in had presentations by the very capable programs and services. Those are the only principals of the Coorparoo Secondary College ways in which we can have economies of scale and the Cavendish Road High School where in Education. So for the Minister to say, "Yes, we really looked to the future at the impact of we acknowledge that there has been a those schools and to bring parents of that reduction in per capita funding in those areas, primary school to a much clearer but it is all due to economies of scale", those understanding of what those secondary are the outcomes. schools were doing and of the exciting futures If members want to see economies of that they had. After that planning session a scale at work, they should go up to Morayfield number of parents expressed a willingness to East State School, which I understand the be far more involved in planning that creates Minister has visited. That primary school has greater partnerships and integration in terms of over 1,000 students. It is on a cramped site relationships between our local primary schools and has more modular buildings than it has and those secondary schools where such permanent buildings. As more students come exciting developments are occurring. into the school, the Government keeps piling It is in this broader context that we see on the modulars. That is economies of scale at this Budget as being very future oriented. It is work: a new school is not built, because that one driven under the auspices of the 2010 puts more overheads into the system. plan to project all of our schools into the future, Economies of scale mean larger schools, more and that is a backdrop to these specific things classes up to the target size—whether that is occurring on the ground. It is certainly a cause 20 or 30—and/or a real reduction in services of great excitement. and programs for students. So it is a nonsense In terms of the Health Estimates, very to say that this Education budget will not briefly this reminds me of the film the Matrix disadvantage any student. There will certainly because of the great matrix of forces pulling at be some disadvantage and schools will start to the health system in different directions in feel the pinch. terms of the increasing technology as opposed Another area where economies of scale to the increasing levels of dependency of are at work is in numeracy and literacy. The patients and at the same time the increasing budget for those programs has not moved. It expectations of the community pulling in the is still $114m this year; it was $114m last year. other direction. They are incredible forces that However, the enrolment numbers, particularly are driving this particular set of Estimates. in the primary schools, have increased by Time expired. some 3,800. For those students, that means less money per capita being spent on Mr QUINN (Merrimac—LP) (Deputy numeracy and literacy programs. That is the Leader of the Liberal Party) (4.18 p.m.): The economies of scale argument coming back really disappointing thing about the Beattie again: the same amount of money, more Government's third Education budget is that it people in the programs or fewer programs. will have about 300,000 students worse off I want to touch on a couple of areas that than they were last year. The big losers are are dear to my heart. Firstly, I refer to school students in primary schools and special and cadets. I understand that, although the distance education, who account for more amount of money for schools cadets has not than 60% of all State school enrolments. The changed, the number of students in the Government has actually shaved per capita program will increase. I acknowledge that. funding by $22 per primary school student, However, there is enormous demand in the $428 per special school student and $72 per secondary schools for school cadets. I would student in distance education. That amounts have thought that it would have been a to approximately $6m for primary schools, tremendous boost for that program if the about $4.5m for special education and Minister could have at least doubled the $300,000 for distance education. funding for it. After all, $700,000 out of a $3 The only winners will be the high schools, billion budget is not a lot of money at all. For which have had an increase of about $34 per the number of kids in high schools who student, or $5m in total. However, the majority desperately need to get involved in programs, 2654 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 this program is of enormous value to them. I services, which will attract an extra $8.2m in think that we underestimate its value in our Commonwealth funding. My current electorate schools. I think that it is very regrettable that of Chermside and the new electorate of this Budget has not given that program a Stafford, for which I hope to be the elected substantial increase in funding. I understand representative next year, contains one of the the background, but the blame lies at the highest percentage of residents aged over 60 Minister's feet. He has to accept it as he is the throughout the State. Therefore, it is not Minister. However, it is regrettable. surprising that home and community care Another area in which I think the lack of services are in high demand in the inner funding is also regrettable—and it is not part of northern suburbs of northern Brisbane, which the Minister's program—is police in schools. has such a high elderly population. I My understanding is that there has been no congratulate groups such as the Bernie Brae enlargement of that program this year through Senior Citizens Centre on their coordination of the Police budget. That is another extremely services to residents of the north side area worthwhile program. We ought to be through the Home and Community Care and expanding it in our schools as rapidly as we the Home Assist and Home Secure Programs, can. After all, the reports and the evaluations which operate out of Bernie Brae. of that program are similar to those relating to Also, I was pleased that funding has been cadets in school. They have been very positive made available for the treatment of diabetes in in terms of the improvements that have taken the Prince Charles Hospital district. This area place in the students who have been involved runs from the Brisbane River north to the Pine in those programs. Rivers Shire and has more than 10,000 Time expired. patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. I am Mr SULLIVAN (Chermside—ALP) really pleased that the Minister has put (4.23 p.m.): In supporting the finances in the community health teams, which recommendations of Estimates Committee D, I will be helping in the preventive side of thank the chair, Ms Karen Struthers, the diabetes rather than waiting for the patient to member for Archerfield, for her excellent come to the more acute stage of the illness leadership of the committee and thank the and, therefore, require intensive treatment, research and support staff for their work in acute treatment, in hospitals. helping the committee to proceed so I congratulate the Minister also on the smoothly. smooth co-location of the Holy Spirit Northside The areas of Health and Education take hospital in the grounds of the Prince Charles up about 50% of the State's total Budget and Hospital. I congratulate both the Queensland are, of course, major influences on the lives of Health and the Holy Spirit staff and executive so many individuals and families in our State. I directors on the work that they have done in am pleased to be a member of the caucus making this a very smooth transition. The co- Health and Education committees. I thank location is going well. It is worthy of note that Minister Wendy Edmond and Minister Dean there have been 10 years of transplants at the Wells for their leadership and encouragement Prince Charles Hospital, with heart, lung and in participating in those committees. heart/lung transplants. That work is continuing With respect to the specific areas of and particular note should be taken of the expenditure in Health, I support the additional paediatric cardiac services that are provided. $9.3m to enhance adult acute and community In terms of the education outlays, I mental health services throughout the State, congratulate the Minister on the secondary specifically, the siting of the new mental health schools renewal program. Both the Wavell unit at the Prince Charles Hospital. Recently, I State High School and Kedron State High had the advantage of touring that unit with my School are old schools which, in their day, parliamentary colleague John Goss and I was provided the most modern facilities to the impressed not only by the facilities but also by students but which, as the years have gone the attention and care that the staff give to by, have fallen behind the State average, or their patients. It takes special people to work fallen behind the standards that apply in the with patients who have a mental illness. I newer schools. This shot in the arm is not only congratulate the continuing staff and the new going to improve the educational standard but staff who have come to the Prince Charles also the morale of those who work in 50 year mental health unit on the work that they have old buildings. The Minister is really taking a done and are continuing to do. leading role in this program in making sure that I also welcome the extra $4.5m in State students from the older suburbs receive a fair funding for home and community care treatment so that it is not just people in the 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2655 newer areas where the new schools are being to move the high school from Jimboomba. The built who have modern equipment. high school was always proposed for From the educational side of things, I take Jimboomba. The site was selected and particular pride in the Minister's work in looking everything was ready. In 1991 the Minister's at boys' educational outcomes. This is linked in senior officers met with the owners to some ways to behaviour management funding negotiate the purchase of the land but they as well. As a teacher of more than 20 years in could not come to an agreement over its cost. boys schools and the father of four boys, I They negotiated for quite a while. In the end, know that there can be difficulties in the when they could not come to agreement on a education of boys. The money and effort that price, instead of resuming the land they went the Minister is putting into numeracy and off to a private developer at Flagstone and literacy programs is most welcome. came to an agreement with that developer that it would give them the land. So after trying Finally, I encourage the Minister and the to purchase land at Jimboomba, they then department to keep going with overseas made the decision that the high school would students and offshore programs, because the be built at Flagstone. export income that is generated for this State is really making us a leader as the Smart Those officers are still in the department. State. I congratulate both Ministers and their Those officers are still giving this advice to the departments and support the recommendation Minister for Education. But the difficulty is that of the committee. the plans shown to them by the developers at Flagstone in 1991-92 did not eventuate. I Hon. K. R. LINGARD (Beaudesert—NPA) remember those glossy plans. The officers of (4.28 p.m.): Once again, I continue the fight the Education Department should have for a high school in the northern part of the another look at those plans from 1991-92. Beaudesert Shire. Contrary to what the They show Flagstone Creek as a massive member for Cook has said, I have never development west of the interstate railway line. promised a high school for Jimboomba, but I There was to be a massive shopping centre have certainly promised the people of and oval developments, with the high school Jimboomba that I would fight for a high school. being built within that development. Ten years That is why, when the coalition was in power, a later there is not even a bridge over the railway new site was purchased at Jimboomba. There line and nobody can even get to that area. is no doubt about that. That shows how false all of that was. Even if I have been a member for 17 years and, those senior people were correct, what has during that time, eight high schools have been eventuated is not what the Education built in my electorate. That is because areas Department was shown at that time. such as Woodridge, Kingston and right up to Springwood—which I once represented—are The high school site, which is at very fast growing areas. Fights for high schools Flagstone, has been moved not once but have been part of my political career, but twice to try to bring it back towards certainly I have never had the trauma that I Jimboomba, closer to more developed areas. have had with this high school in the northern Now the intention, if it is to be Flagstone—and part of the Beaudesert Shire. that is the rumour—is to build a high school in an area that has not one shop or piece of I have never promised a high school. I commercial development. Yet the ALP has a certainly have never put it on paper, as did the stated policy that regional infrastructure should Minister for Education in August 1999, when be built in an area which has police stations, he wrote— fire stations, hospitals and all of the other "As you are aware, I have given supporting infrastructure. On all of its local approval for planning to commence for government surveys the ALP states that the opening of a new high school in the infrastructure should not be built in areas that Northern Beaudesert area. do not have infrastructure at present. Fancy The opening date for this high school thinking about building a high school in an is indicated as the year 2001 ..." area which does not have a shop or a petrol station—absolutely naught. The only thing it That means next year. But we still fight for this has is a primary school, and we keep being high school and for the budget. told that its population is increasing. One of I appreciate the Minister's position. The the big reasons its population is increasing is biggest problem the Minister has is that he is that the lower sections of the school are being dealing with the same senior officers who were introduced. Therefore, it cannot be claimed officers in the department back in 1989 that there has been a massive increase in the through to 1991, when the decision was made school's population. The Education 2656 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000

Department is going far too hard with its P-12 Under the former Government of those concept, which is not entirely accepted within opposite the focus of the State education the education system and the general system was on management. I am sure most community, especially in an area such as honourable members would remember the mine, which is a very mobile area. Many discredited and unfair Leading Schools people are moving in and out of the area and program that the honourable member for they find this vertically integrated approach Merrimac brought into the State under his hard to fit into. leadership in Education. The Leading Schools program was about supporting those that Time expired. delivered according to the coalition formula. It Mr BRISKEY (Cleveland—ALP) was about money first and foremost. Schools (4.33 p.m.): I am pleased to speak in this were rewarded for delivering good financial Estimates debate. I wish to say a few words plans. As long as the books balanced, the about the issue raised by the previous benefits would flow to the principals and the speaker, namely, the new North Beaudesert community. We all know that some school. As the honourable member would be communities have a greater capacity to deliver aware, the department has undertaken a than others. demographic study of the area and has found In some communities where there are that the demographic projections at this stage economic and social problems and where do not show the need for a new school. That is there are less obvious opportunities that can why there will not be any new school and the flow from a solid education the outcomes from funding for a new school is not provided in this those schools are sometimes less than those Budget. There will be a need for a school, but from a school in a more well-off community. not in the next couple of years. The Some Aboriginal communities present a honourable member understands that we special challenge. This budget allows us to cannot build schools around the State where continue to address the factors that impede they are not required. The needs are greater in the educational experiences of indigenous other parts of the State. The honourable children. member understands that. If the demographic There is a clear argument for greater studies indicate that the numbers are not funding, not less, for schools that fail to there, the honourable member must achieve. The fact is that we all win if the understand and surely should accept that. We children in our schools today achieve to the are also waiting for information from the highest level possible. The children in our council flowing from a benchmark schools today are tomorrow's leaders. No development sequence so that we can decide longer do our leaders need to be middle-aged the appropriate location of the new school. white Anglo-Saxon men. Leaders come in all The 2000-01 Education budget will further types. Tomorrow's leaders will increasingly be advance this Government's endeavours to women. A number will be young people. provide Queensland schoolchildren and their Ideally, some of tomorrow's leaders will come families with the best education system. This from those communities experiencing the budget is all about delivering equity and challenges that I have just spoken of. Our providing quality education that meets the education system has to deliver the solid individual needs of students—delivering foundations necessary for the Queensland regardless of where a student lives and children of today to become tomorrow's regardless of a student's family circumstances leaders. or level of ability. It is this basic philosophy that The 2000-01 Budget is about equity and sets the Beattie Labor Government apart from renewal, equality of opportunity and members opposite. community renewal. This Budget contains money for secondary school renewal, which will Under the Beattie Labor Government our see rejuvenation of many schools around the education system is about equity and State. Those schools that have been opportunity. Under the Beattie Labor approved under the program to date have all Government our education system is about worked with their local communities and come what a student can and does achieve, not up with a range of innovative proposals that about what hurdles they fail to jump. Where will rejuvenate their schools. there are impediments to a Queensland student achieving, the Beattie Labor Time expired. Government will work to remove those Mr TURNER (Thuringowa—IND) impediments or provide students with the tools (4.38 p.m.): The people of Thuringowa are they need to meet the challenges head-on. concerned. They are concerned about our 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2657 public health system, with the Townsville foundations. I think that at present the primary General Hospital forced to cut back operations school sector is already under some stress in from five days to four in an attempt to make relation to providing resources. There are class up almost $2m of its $4.5m funding overrun. sizes that are above the prescribed number. They are concerned about the ever-increasing For example, in my electorate one class has hospital waiting lists. They are concerned 32 students, seven of whom have learning about the lack of funding for an acute spinal difficulties. When we look at the cost per unit at the new Douglas Hospital. They are student in the primary school sector dropping concerned that a spinal pain clinic has not from $6,556 to $6,534 in the new financial been included in the new hospital facility. They year, I think that sends a very strong warning are concerned that funding is not available for that the very hardworking teachers in the State funding for a much-needed bridge across the school system in the primary schools in this Ross River to access the Douglas Hospital. State are going to be under greater pressure They are concerned about an education than they are currently. system that is not meeting their children's I am pleased that this year a new needs. preschool will be constructed at one of the The people of Townsville and Thuringowa schools in my electorate. There is a great are missing out on important basic health, demand for it. It will be a real boon in what is a education and transport infrastructure. They growing area. But, of course, there is a greater are missing out on a vital road link. When the need for more of them. I have another school people read in the newspaper that the cost of that has been requesting a preschool for some relocating Townsville's railway station has time. That is where the money has to be blown out from $11m to $23m—a project that spent—bringing that extra year into the primary is as unnecessary as it is unpopular—they school system. I think it has been identified worry about this Government's priorities. They that it is a desirable thing to have that extra wonder about the value of a diesel tilt train year of schooling, but until this State starts service, which is estimated to cost at least looking at providing that foundation with $400m, which will offer passengers a trip to preschools so that students can then flow on major northern centres sitting up for 24 hours. to the primary schools and through to the high The tilt train will never compete with services schools, we will be providing only half a service provided by airlines. It would be only a to the students of this State. marginal improvement on an express In conclusion, I would just like to note that Sunlander—a train which, on current data special school funding—and I have a special available from the operations of the Brisbane- school in my electorate, which did receive Rockhampton electric tilt train, will cost some funding in the budget, and I am grateful Queensland taxpayers millions of dollars in for that—has been reduced again, from operational costs and interference to long $7,907 to $7,835 per student. That is a very distance freight services. difficult area for people to teach in. The staff in The people are concerned that their hard- those special schools are very dedicated, but won dollars are being squandered on luxury of course if they are lacking the resources projects instead of addressing basic human required to maintain the services to those needs. It is time that Queensland taxpayers students, it makes life very difficult for them. had their scarce financial resources allocated From time to time, students and their parents to the areas of greatest need and not into come to me—and other members, I am relocating railway stations and tilt trains that sure—pleading for extra resources to provide they do not give two hoots—or two toots— their children with something more than child about. minding. Mr HEGARTY (Redlands—NPA) The message that is being sent out by (4.40 p.m.): In rising to speak to this year's the reduction in funding leaves one very Education budget, I have some concerns in unsure about the future provision of special relation to the impact it will have on schools in education in this State. That is just in the my electorate. Whilst I acknowledge at the ascertained levels; there are many other outset that there has been an increase in students with disabilities in the mainstream funding in the secondary school area—and system. one can understand the need for it there— Time expired. there has also been a cutback in the primary Hon. W. M. EDMOND (Mount Coot-tha— school area. ALP) (Minister for Health) (4.45 p.m.): May I I think most members would understand firstly congratulate the chair of the committee, that to build a strong structure we need good the member for Archerfield, on the excellent 2658 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 work she did in leading the committee and on Hospital. All of these involve increases in our the conduct of the committee. The Health budgeted funding for hospitals, and they are in budget for 2000-01 is a record $3.81 billion on addition to the $15.9m. top of $473m for the Statewide health building But the ambulance chasing member for program to continue. Yes, this figure is Maroochydore repeatedly questioned the reducing—because of the successful number of ICU beds in various hospitals and completion of many of the projects, instead of repeatedly claimed that there had been their being frozen, as happened under the reductions in the number of beds, working on previous Government. The Health budget the theory that if she repeats a porky often includes provision for major enhancements to enough, someone somewhere may believe a range of health services for Queenslanders her. Luckily people did not, because she kept as well as creating an additional 1,000 full-time repeating those same lines, even after I had equivalent positions, and it builds on the new given her the facts. initiatives of the previous two years. For the benefit of the Chamber and again During the Estimates committee process, for the member for Maroochydore, I will again the member for Maroochydore, as Opposition state the facts about the ICU beds. The spokesperson, had a wonderful opportunity to member claimed that the number of ICU beds support or even acknowledge those at the Royal Brisbane Hospital was being enhancements to health services, the job reduced from 36 to 24. But the truth is that the creation initiatives and even the fine work done Royal Brisbane Hospital currently has 22 ICU by the Queensland Health staff, but instead beds while the new hospital will have 36 beds. she chose to make inaccurate claims and The member claimed— demonstrate once again her inability to properly read or interpret the Budget. The Miss SIMPSON: I rise to a point of order. member for Maroochydore claimed that the That was referring to future capacity, not Budget papers showed that there had been currently operating— an increase of only $15.9m in funding for Mrs EDMOND: This is what she claimed hospital services. in her question. It is in Hansard. She should go and read it. The member for Maroochydore What the member has obviously done is claimed that the number of ICU beds at the read only one line at the top of a list of PA Hospital was being reduced from 32 to 22. increases and failed to read the rest of the Again, she is wrong. Yet again she is wrong. page. Her statement ignores an additional The PA is going from 21— $17.1m for just the Noosa and Robina private hospitals for the purchase of public beds, Miss SIMPSON: I rise to a point of order. which was on that same list. They are extra It is quite clear that it was referring to future hospital services. In addition, there are other capacity, and that is correct in the record. lists that include an extra $2.5m for improved Mrs EDMOND: She does not know even oncology services, an additional $1.7m for what she said at the Estimates. She has even introducing renal services in north Queensland, got that wrong. The PA currently has the $2m for expanding renal services in other capacity to open 21 ICU beds and the new areas of the State, and the list goes on. These hospital will have the capacity to open 30 are all hospital services. There are just too beds. She is about as wrong as she can get. many to name. Yes, the Royal Women's Hospital provides Some examples of additional hospital neonatal intensive care beds. It previously had services to be provided around the State 58 beds and it has now got the capacity to include enhanced paediatric and maternity open 66 ICU beds if there is a clinical need. services at the Redland Hospital—I am Toowoomba, which she raved on about, has surprised that the member who spoke before exactly the same number of funded ICU beds me did not tell us what a wonderful job they now as it had in 1998. Intensive care is a are doing down there at Redlands—enhanced highly specialised area that requires orthopaedic, paediatric, intensive care services specialised staff and equipment, and it is a and general medical and surgical services at waste of valuable resources to leave ICU beds the Logan and Beaudesert Hospitals. Why did open and staffed when they are not needed. the member for Beaudesert not talk about The important thing is to have the capacity to those new, enhanced services? There were provide the services. also enhanced emergency and paediatric I was absolutely amazed when the services at the Gold Coast, funding for the member for Maroochydore talked about Australian Medical Work Force Advisory closing mental health beds at the Barrett Committee training positions and, of course, Centre, because she seems to be amazingly the upgrade of the dental chairs at Beaudesert ignorant of the 10-year mental health strategy 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2659 of her colleague the previous Minister and the Staffing levels remain the major problem reformation of mental health services in this in my part of the State. I visit most hospitals State that previously had bipartisan support. throughout my electorate and staffing is the The closure of those beds was part of that main issue consistently raised with me. I know strategic plan. It coincided with the opening of that it has been hard to attract staff to rural other acute services at the Logan Hospital, and regional Queensland, particularly RNs. with 17 new beds, and at the Robina Hospital, Most hospitals west of Charters Towers, in with another 10 adult beds. Mount Isa and in central Queensland—and I Time expired. recently visited Aramac with my colleague Vaughan Johnson—have to rely mainly on Mr MITCHELL (Charters Towers—NPA) agency nurses who stay for only three to four (4.49 p.m.): I rise to speak briefly to the report months at a time. This makes it very difficult for from Estimates Committee D with reference to the local resident staff to plan their lives, their the Health area. Even though I was not holidays and even manage their days off present at the Estimates committee, I wish to because of the shortage of staff for a full raise some health issues. As everybody week's shifts. knows, the Health portfolio is the most important area of service delivery which affects I believe that Queensland Health may the quality of life for nearly all Queenslanders. have to initiate further incentive schemes to Health commands one of the largest budgets attract a more permanent work force to these of $3.813 billion and oversees a work force areas. Similar initiatives offered by the somewhere in the vicinity of 60,000 full-time Education Department in rural and remote and part-time workers. I believe that it is critical Queensland over the past few years have met that Queenslanders have access through the with relative success since being put in place, parliamentary process to transparent and and I believe they are working reasonably well. accountable information to demonstrate that This area needs to be looked at if we are to the standard of service delivery meets the attract professional health people to these needs and that actual funding allocations are areas. I have been fortunate, though, to see spent in areas of real priority. an upgrade of accommodation at Julia Creek However, as is the case with most Budget and the planned upgrades at Richmond. I papers, I notice that there is simply not believe this will assist greatly in attracting staff enough information contained within the to these centres. However, we still need the Health documents to provide a detailed financial carrot to attract them to these areas account of the programs and subprograms in the first place. It is just a matter of getting where the bulk of the funding has been them there by some sort of initiative or allocated. No matter who holds the reins in this financial carrot. Once there, hopefully we can portfolio, they will always be confronted with keep them there with the continuing upgrade issues such as service delivery, staffing levels, of living conditions. which is a primary area, transportation of Another area of concern is the need to patients and general improvements in attract dental services staff to country areas. infrastructure to maintain a high level of patient My colleague the member for Maroochydore care. mentioned this issue earlier. Basically, this is This year, Charters Towers will see the the situation pretty well all over Queensland. completion of the psychogeriatric unit at More funding is needed to deliver a dental Eventide that has been funded over the past service on a more regular basis to many two years. This will further enhance the quality remote towns. It astounds me that we have of life for its residents, because the problems attracting medical and dental staff to remodelling of the units will enable those Charters Towers. For heaven's sake, Charters people to remain in that area. The Towers is only 130 kilometres from Townsville, redevelopment at Mosman Hall is well on the yet people still think it is remote. This is a way. Mosman Hall will remain a 24-bed difficult issue. I do not know how we are going rehabilitation dual diagnosis and transition unit to get around it. I do not have the answers. with the allocation of $3.8m. Mosman Hall, as However, this is something that Queensland we now know it, will be sold off for other Health has to stay abreast of in order to attract purposes. It owns some 77 hectares which can people to outlying areas, even Charters be sold off. It will be a sad day when we finally Towers at this stage. The same sorts of see the closure of this old institution, because problems are experienced in the Central it has been an institution in every sense of the Highlands, and that is only a hop, skip and a word and a tremendous facility in north jump from major centres. It is very frustrating Queensland for over 50 years. that we cannot attract people. 2660 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000

In the short time I have left, I give special The fact is that the number of students thanks to the Minister for Education for all his requiring literacy intervention went down assistance through the All Souls and St because our policies have succeeded. The Gabriels saga earlier this year. previous year, we increased the amount of Time expired. money available to the school system by $17.5m. We took it out of the Leading Schools Hon. D. M. WELLS (Murrumba—ALP) magic pudding and applied it to literacy in (Minister for Education) (4.54 p.m.): I thank the Years 1, 2 and 3. The consequence of that member for Charters Towers for his very was that we had a 4% improvement in literacy gracious remarks. In the short time that is outcomes in the Year 3 tests between 1998 available to me, I will refer to two issues only. and 1999. The consequence of that is that One of those was raised by the honourable schools which were previously having to apply member for Merrimac in his qualifications to that literacy money to students in Year 3 who the committee's report. The other was also were having difficulties and who had been raised by the member for Merrimac in his identified in the Year 2 net were able to apply remarks to the Chamber just a moment ago. that money to early recognition of these kinds In his report, the member for Merrimac of cases. Therefore, we are actually said that by 8.30 on Thursday I was supposed succeeding in cleaning up the problem that to have provided answers to two questions was generated by the cuts to literacy funding which I had not provided at that time and that introduced under the previous Government. this was less than 24 hours before the I will give the Chamber an instance of how Estimates hearing commenced. This is actually the real issue is in fact the outcomes we not true. Although the honourable member achieve. The unit costs per student per area managed to get this mentioned in the are an interesting accounting statistic, but they newspaper, it remains untrue. The honourable do not have the direct relationship to member is a very clever man who is capable of outcomes that the honourable member pulling the wool over the eyes of journalists. imagines. That adequately refutes the whole However, the Sessional Orders which this of the honourable member's speech. It was all Parliament agreed to on Thursday, 22 June based on some proposition about unit costs. It relating to the Estimates hearings said that the does not matter which area of the department Minister shall provide answers to the questions is being looked at. It does not matter whether referred to at least 24 hours prior to the one is looking at the area of primary, hearing. Most of the answers I provided were secondary, tertiary or special education. The provided on the Wednesday night, which was unit costs will indicate the amount of money well over 24 hours before. Those that were that is being spent per student, but it is only a provided a day before were provided more fraction of the whole story. than 24 hours before, that is, before lunch that day for a hearing that started at 2 o'clock the In order to understand the rest of the next day. story, one needs to understand such things as the entire culture of the system—a system in An Opposition member interjected. which morale has improved significantly over Mr WELLS: No. The hearing started at 2 the past two years as a result of a completely o'clock, or it would have if the member had different approach, a system which now has a turned up on time. I wanted that point of view sense of its own destiny as a result of the noted in the Hansard record. 2010 program, a system which now sees that The other matter that the honourable good things are being done, a system which member referred to was a proposition to the sees that each and every child will be treated effect that, in respect of certain unit costs in as an individual. No longer do we have the the Education Department's statistics, some of one size fits all mentality that used to pervade those unit costs had gone down and, because Education Queensland. We now have an the unit costs had gone down, the students individual, child-centred educational system. covered by those columns of unit costs were Dr PRENZLER (Lockyer—CCAQ) getting less service by way of education. This (4.59 p.m.): I rise to make some comments on is a proposition which is one step better than Estimates Committee D Report No. 1 of 2000. numerology. However, let me demonstrate to I will confine most of my comments to the the Chamber exactly how it does not follow. Department of Health. After the outburst of the The honourable member has said that the member for Beaudesert, maybe I should talk amount of money we had expended on about the Education Department as well. literacy remained the same. Consequently, The Department of Health has an unit costs went down because the number of operating budget equal to almost one quarter students actually increased. of the total State Budget for the year—some 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2661

$3.8 billion. From this, the people of at that hospital. Consequently, patients have Queensland expect the Health Department to to be sent for treatment to either the new provide world-class treatment of patients who Noosa Hospital or the existing hospital at suffer from many health-related issues. These Nambour. This problem is exacerbated in may include accidental injuries, mental health many northern and rural areas due to the lack problems and other major problems related to of specialists at local hospitals. This causes many other diseases such as heart diseases, problems not only to the patients involved but cancers and so on. The Department of Health also to the families who wish to visit their loved also takes responsibility for oral health ones in hospital. programs and many other community health Another area of concern which I raised in programs, such as child vaccination. my speech in the debate on the Budget and Like many other members on this side of which I wish to raise again relates to the No. 1 the Chamber, I do have some concerns cause of death of both men and women. I regarding ongoing programs in the Health cannot criticise the increase in the budget of Department and associated programs. The some $600,000 for the early detection of Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has breast cancers in women. There is no doubt recently indicated that the health of people that this particular disease is the No. 1 killer of living in rural and remote areas of Australia is women in Queensland. As the Minister did, I somewhat worse than the health of those urge all Queensland women in the at-risk age living in capital cities and other metropolitan groups to take advantage of the breast areas. The institute cites many reasons for screening facilities provided in this State. this, including poorer access to health services, Unfortunately, the No. 1 cancer-related lower socioeconomic status and death in males—that is, prostate cancer— unemployment levels, and greater exposure to seems still to be taking a back seat in cancer harsh environments and occupational hazards. detection programs. There is an absolutely As a representative of a rural electorate, it urgent need for more public awareness of this always appears that most of the Health budget disease and for screening programs to be goes to the larger cities and metropolitan commenced as soon as possible in the near areas. In my area I have three hospitals. They future. I realise that this will cost a lot of are located at Boonah, Laidley and Gatton. money, but it certainly has to be done Whilst these hospitals have in the past few because the rates of prostatic cancer are on a years undergone periods of redevelopment— par with the rates of breast cancer in women particularly Laidley and Boonah in my term of and this cancer causes just as great a health office—they have been, for want of a better problem. term, seemingly downgraded to what can only I have many other concerns but, due to be described as staging hospitals, where the lack of time, I will not be able to cover patients are cared for before being sent to the them. These include the apparent drop in the larger city hospitals. availability of ICU beds in Queensland, This has not always been the fault of the particularly in the regional hospitals, and the Health Department. Often it has occurred as a backlog that is occurring in oral health care. result of or been related to problems in Another area of concern is HACC funding. I acquiring doctors who are willing to work in welcome the increase of some $12.7m that rural areas. This lack of doctors, and the Minister has been able to gain this year in particularly specialists, for whatever reason has this area, but this will be readily absorbed in caused somewhat of a centralisation of acute the system and certainly will not go anywhere and intensive care in the health system of this near what is required to address the problems State. I believe this area still has to be given a in this area. lot of attention by Health Ministers throughout Australia, including Queensland, in order to In conclusion, I thank the Education overcome many of these difficulties. There is Minister for the new classroom at the no doubt that the use of provider numbers and Flagstone school. I reiterate: from the the larger emphasis on training doctors who demographics of the area I have seen, I originate from the rural areas have gone a believe this is the area in which a new high long way to alleviating this problem, and school should be built. The Jimboomba area is hopefully they will have further positive effects developing nowhere near as fast as the in the future. Flagstone area. I would agree with the Minister if he chose to build a high school in the I know, for example, that even the Flagstone area. Gympie Hospital sometimes has difficulty in treating orthopaedic conditions due to the lack Report adopted. of general practitioners and specialists working Progress reported. 2662 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000

Appropriation (Parliament) Bill had a plan B in case a real emergency Estimates Committee E developed. That did not in fact happen, and that is because the staff were so competent in Report No. 1 this regard. Therefore, I now know that they The CHAIRMAN: Order! The question is— are well able to conduct their duty. I have seen "That the report of Estimates for myself an example of this. It may be that Committee E be adopted." lots of honourable members do not know how good the staff are with regard to security Ms BOYLE (Cairns—ALP) (5.05 p.m.): I because in fact they are effective and do am pleased to rise to support Estimates protect us from incidents that may otherwise Committee E Report No. 1 and to draw become disruptive or even threatening. honourable members' attention to some elements of the committee's hearings and There is another matter that I would like to report. It was my privilege to chair Estimates address relevant to the Speaker's portfolio and Committee E. I must pass on my thanks to the Legislative Assembly. I give my support to Hansard in the first instance for their amazingly the Speaker's future plans for a roll-out of professional and speedy management of long information technology capacity, not only for and difficult hearings. Their accuracy in the our electorate offices but also for members circumstances, as well as the ability to here at Parliament House. Coming as I do broadcast the committee transcript so widely from the private sector, I am amazed at how on the Internet within hours, is absolutely to be far behind our private sector management commended. I also thank and pay my equivalents we are in terms of the access we compliments to the committee secretariat, have to information technology, to computers headed so ably by Leanne Clare and assisted and to the Internet. That access would be by Gillian Keir and Sandy Musch. available for a manager of any sizeable private I pay compliments also to the other company looking after the kinds of honourable members who sat with me on the responsibilities and businesses that we all do committee for the professional way in which as members of Parliament. They would have the committee's proceedings and the laptops and modems at their disposal at all of questioning of those who were present at the their work sites. committee were conducted. I pay my I concur not only with the importance of compliments to the Speaker, whose portfolio this but also with the difficulty of funding it at a was under examination, and to Mr Doyle and time when we have so many calls, quite rightly, his staff. They were clearly well prepared and from our constituents for increased funding for able to address all of the questions placed health and education services, for new facilities before them. for youth and for future programs to have our I draw attention to one of the topics that unemployed more skilled, more trained and was discussed, that is, the security of the into work. So the priority that we might want to Parliament House precinct, honourable give to information technology is not possible, members and staff. In fact, during the but my compliments indeed go to Mr Speaker proceedings of the committee on that day and to the Speaker's Technology Advisory there was an incident which could have led to Group, which is monitoring this program right disruption of the committee proceedings. It across Parliament. was as a result of the speedy response of the May I take this opportunity to thank all of staff, supported by the security and attendants the parliamentary staff. As a country member, as well as the Queensland police, that this this is, in an amazing kind of way, my home incident did not develop into something much away from home. I am so well looked after that more disruptive and even ugly. I am being spoilt. Anything that can be done A couple had attended the precinct in the to make me more comfortable—in my morning and were wishing to participate in the bedroom area, in terms of the food and the committee's proceedings, despite being told services, the assistance from all of the that this was not possible for the public. They divisions of this Legislative Assembly—is as left and caused some difficulty at another fulsome as it possibly could be. My Government office, to which the police were compliments to you, Mr Speaker, and to your called, and then came back to Parliament staff. House threatening to cause some difficulty Mr BEANLAND (Indooroopilly—LP) here. (5.10 p.m.): Let me congratulate the As Chair, I was aware of the parliamentary staff on the work that they do in arrangements that were made to deal with this the precincts of this Parliament, in particular, matter and to keep it under control, and we the Library staff, the Hansard staff, the Table 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2663

Office staff, the catering staff and the buttons—you finally got the television to come attendants, to name just a few of the staff on or the vision from the Chamber, and you areas that do a tremendous job. I mention had to keep going back to the menu. Quite those because I suppose they are the ones frankly, it all took a considerable period of time, who we deal with most on a day-to-day basis and even when I was in a great rush, it still in a whole range of our parliamentary duties. took some time. There were no shortcuts. Having said that, let me say that they do a The other matter I want to raise is school great job under stress. There always seems to tours. I understand that the length of school be increasing stress due to cutbacks in the tours will be cut back, if it has not already been funding for Parliament House and the funding reduced. I think that is a terribly wrong step for these particular areas. It is unfortunate that and a grave error on the part of whoever is we continually see these cutbacks occurring. making that decision. I presume Mr Speaker is About 12 months ago, we were to get making the decision. I understand that school laptop computers. I congratulated the Speaker tours are currently about an hour and three on this forward move. People in the broader quarters in length. If they are cut back to an community believe that we have modern IT hour and a quarter, it will simply be another facilities. When I tell them that I and other one of these cut-price tour jobs. Next we will members actually had one on trial but it was see Virgin Blue come in and do a cut-price tour taken back from us by the Speaker because of for us instead of having proper tours! a shortfall in funding, they find it rather One of the important considerations when astounding that this program did not continue. it comes to schoolchildren is to ensure that I raise that matter because one only has to they are given proper tours so that they can consider the tremendous service that the absorb what occurs here. It is not just a case Hansard staff is able to deliver using modern of rushing in and rushing through. Children technology. I congratulate them on how need to be able to have a proper visit so that quickly they are able to get the information they can absorb and understand what they are out. Within a couple of hours, it is online and seeing. It is not just a case of coming in, available to members, whereas previously it seeing a few members on the floor of the used to take 24 hours or more. With modern Chamber saying a couple of words and then technology, they have been able to transform disappearing again. It is important to ensure the whole process by which they operate. It is that schoolchildren have sufficient time to unfortunate that we are not able to match that undertake tours in an appropriate way and technology when it comes to members; in fact, receive suitable benefits from them. Many of nothing like it. these children travel a great distance, even Recently I was given a new TV monitor in those who are nearby. It disrupts their school my room. The monitor was fine, until I came to day. They lose half a day to come here, use it; then it became a nightmare. It was clear wherever they are coming from. that it was not suitable for the needs of a Time expired. member of Parliament. Eventually, the staff came and put back my old radio system so Mr MICKEL (Logan—ALP) (5.15 p.m.): I that I could at least get it to operate without join with other honourable members in spending a considerable amount of time trying thanking the staff of Parliament House for their to get the TV monitor to work in moving from professionalism and dedication. I thank the channel to channel. As members of Hansard staff for their generosity in leaving out Parliament, we want to flick from channel to all the ums and ahs that invariably some of us channel, whether it is radio stations or utter in this place. television channels, to see a range of things The debate today occurs at a time when very quickly. Time is of the essence as a people such as Paul Kelly, in his book member of Parliament. Without staff, we have Paradise Lost, are starting to question whether to do a range of matters very quickly. If you this institution can sustain itself, and sustain are going to operate quickly, you also need itself in the face, I might say, of daily attacks technology that operates quickly. It is from the populist radio commentators—the unfortunate that the monitor screen installed in shock jocks—who belittle the place for hours my room, which acted as a television set and every morning, often times with no recourse as a radio system, was not of such a variety from any of us in here about how we can lift that it could be used quickly. In fact, it took our own standards. The fact is that for hours some time. You had to refer to the panel and every day the public is treated to what a failure the keyboard. After some time fiddling around the institution is. The point that Paul Kelly with the keyboard, pressing all the buttons— makes is: can the institution ever fight back and it was not just pressing one or two and redeem itself in public opinion? I say that 2664 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 because I wonder whether the opinion of the you have put into the electorates of public about the institution has been raised Woodridge and Logan. I might say that the when last year it sat for 665 hours and 5 one in Woodridge is far more lavish than mine; minutes, which was the longest time since nevertheless, I will cop that. 1910. For example, second-reading speeches The staff have worked very diligently in lasted for 210 hours 32 minutes; there were both offices, given outstanding service to 361 speeches from the Government side and make sure that all members have outstanding 573 speeches from the non-Government side. offices, that they are there to provide for the Yet the institution itself is constantly barrelled public and increasingly in electorates like ours by those populist radio commentators. where people with disabilities can access those It goes without saying that the institution electorate offices. I commend the staff in could reform itself. I do not believe there is those sections who have listened so patiently necessarily any virtue in having a 20-minute to our requests. With the redistribution there second-reading speech. We could do it in 15 has been a whole series of electorate offices minutes. Equally, in the committee times, that have to be moved. It is not an easy task, currently there is a block of 20 minutes given and I want, through the Chairman, to over to each speaker. Often times it is a commend those officers who have been question and answer session, and a block of involved in that very difficult and time- 10 minutes would suffice for most of those consuming task. queries. As a Deputy Speaker in this place, I Time expired. have observed the current system whereby a Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) shadow Minister is querying a Minister, and, as (5.20 p.m.): I note that the previous speaker a piece of legislation becomes increasingly talked about this institution of Parliament. One complex, there is this almost pantomime that of the things that has always struck me about goes on with a Minister scurrying over trying to Parliament, despite the criticism from outside, get the advice while trying to listen to the is that it is the pressure cooker of society. The speaker. people we represent in Queensland and One of the reforms I understand that has Australia have a wonderfully peaceful life. We gone on in other States—and I would like to change Governments without a single shot see it trialled here if nothing else—is the being fired. To some extent we need to have concept of bringing advisers in, even if they sat broad shoulders in here to cop the flak that at the table, so that the shadow Minister could flows to and fro in this pressure cooker and get the advice they need to make sure that likewise accept it outside. We can all take the legislation is being properly scrutinised. If heart in knowing that we play a role in that sounds like a radical step, I point out that providing our community with one of the most that is precisely what has gone on with the peaceful nations in the world through the Estimates process. Nobody lifted an eyebrow democratic process here. I referred to this when an adviser had to come forward and House as a pressure cooker; some people call answer the question. All I am arguing is that it a bearpit at times and at other times it is the same process should occur with complex fairly sedate. In talking to this particular section legislation. I commend that reform to of the Estimates— members. Mr Mickel: It's a bit like St Lawrence's, We just heard from the member for isn't it? Indooroopilly—and he is not alone in this— Mr HORAN: It is a great school. about how he is trying to wrestle with I want to speak particularly about the lifts, technology. Yes, there will come a day when because I was one of the 18 souls trapped in Ministers will know how to operate laptops and the lift for 35 minutes yesterday. I know we all the advice will come up via a laptop and they laugh when other people get caught in the lift, can answer any query, but so many of us are but when we get caught in the lift ourselves it in the category of the member for is not all that pleasant. I do not think I have Indooroopilly—and I do not want to insult my ever missed a vote in Parliament. Certainly I old friend here—of being computer illiterate was one of those 18 people who missed the and struggling with all that stuff. To get around vote yesterday. I do not know whether it was that, I would like to see advisers brought into recorded, but all we wanted to do was to get this place. out of the lift. Mr Speaker, in view of the fact that the I must say that at certain peak times in member for Woodridge is in such an Parliament the two lift system is not adequate. esteemed position at the moment, I want to If members on the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th floor congratulate you on the electorate offices that all run to the lift to try to get to the Chamber in 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2665 the appointed time when the bells are ringing make sure that we keep permanent security, we have the ludicrous situation of some attendant and catering staff because, for members having to run over here. Some of many country members it is their alternative them are not the fittest people in the world. home. They can spend one third to half the We all generally have to sprint the last 100 year here. It is important to see the same metres to 200 metres and it really is quite a faces, particularly in security. I think we should ludicrous way to be running what is supposed never underestimate the importance of giving to be the professional and sensible operation the schoolchildren of Queensland the chance of some of the most important business in the of a proper tour here, not whacked through on State. Somewhere along the line there will the assembly line. That is what we owe them. have to be some bipartisan agreement to do Maybe then their appreciation of this something about the lifts, perhaps by institution, its traditions, its history and what it improving the two existing lifts and installing has done for the State can be maintained. another lift that operates only during peak Finally, on the issue of laptops for times. Another lift is necessary not only when electorate offices, they have not turned up. the division bells ring but also in the morning They were promised some time ago. I see the when people are travelling up and down to Chairman shaking his head. That means that attend meetings at the same time as the they are not coming. cleaning staff are using the lifts as well. Time expired. I also want to make some comments about the television sets. We had a very good Hon. J. FOURAS (Ashgrove—ALP) system. We could walk in, sit down, push the (5.26 p.m.): I am one of the members in this button and the TV was on instantly. We could Chamber who is also computer illiterate. I want switch from channel to channel, turn on the to talk about the intranet and Internet site that radio, whatever we wanted to do, and it was all the Parliamentary Service provides and how that we ever wanted. There may have been the delivery of those services affects our some computer buffs who wanted a bit more, electorate office. but that was all that we ever wanted; it was The other day I had somebody from a fantastic and there was not a single complaint. local community group coming to my office to Now when we come back after a three or four find out about filling out and submitting a Form week break we all have to ring up the poor 12 required under the Acts Interpretation Act. fellow in the IT section and ask him again, My secretary said, "It is easy." She got on to "How do you do it?" Microsoft and everything the OQPC web site and in no time found the else is scrolling down the screen except the relevant section of the Act. We checked for picture from the Chamber. I rang yesterday any amendments to the two sections relevant and said, "Could you put back the old one and to this particular person's inquiry. There were hook up the wires? I was quite happy with it none, and in about five or six minutes I was the way it was." It was a very, very good able to print out the relevant sections of that system. But, no, we have moved into this legislation. cyberspace where we cannot get the new TV to work. That system has to be looked at. If It must be understood that there are members who simply want to have parliamentarians are highly paid messenger the old television hooked back up so that it boys and in that regard we are as good as the works accurately and quickly I think that should messages that we give. When I became a be considered. member of Parliament in 1977 all we had in our electorate offices was a typewriter, two I would also like to make a comment tables, four chairs, two filing cabinets and two about the possibility that schoolchildren's tours phones. We were not able to rent an office at could be reduced from an hour and three shopfront level. My office was above some quarters to one and a quarter hours. We shops, which made access very difficult. So should respect this place. It belongs to the what has happened since those days is quite people of Queensland, not to us; we are just phenomenal. In common with many other its custodians. One of the best things that we members, I have provided copies of Bills to can do is to provide tours, particularly for students or citizens. However, these days we children, so that they develop an can provide them with the web address or we understanding of how Parliament works. can find it for them. I can talk about I know the first time I had ever seen the "www.legislation, etc". I do not know what it place was when I was elected to Parliament means but I have it in front of me when people and walked in here. I think it is wonderful that come to my office so I can get them to access the kids are now provided with this opportunity it. The other day my secretary said that a to become familiar with this place. We have to constituent came in inquiring about termites. 2666 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000

She was able to take that constituent to the Mr SPRINGBORG (Warwick—NPA) BSA web site for termite information. She was (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (5.31 p.m.): able to print a lot of material off it and the It is a pleasure to participate in the debate on constituent was very impressed. Ultimately, the Estimates for the Legislative Assembly. I that is what we are there for. would like to make a few general comments. When we look at the Speaker's Portfolio First of all, I want to express my confidence in Statements we get an indication of the output all of the staff of Parliament House. Other goals for Hansard. It had a goal of a two-hour members have also placed on record their turnaround time for members' draft speeches appreciation for the service that they receive at and the result was 100%. It met that goal. It Parliament House. had a two-hour turnaround time for the However, it concerns me that sometimes Hansard Internet publication. Again, it the Legislative Assembly does not receive as achieved a 100% result. The Library legislation much consideration as it should from the bulletins were circulated prior to the scheduled Executive Government of this State. That is debate. The Library's contribution to the probably an historic and endemic problem. intranet service for Parliament is extremely Even though the Parliament is supposed to be important. independent from the Executive of the State, the Executive is able to determine the ability of Having our electorate offices hooked into the Parliament to be able to function and, parliamentary services is extremely good. I do therefore, the members of Parliament, who think that it also helps us access Government have the job of keeping the potential excesses departments through the web site and we can of the Executive in check. That is code for even help children with school projects. How saying that the Treasury does not necessarily many members of Parliament accept the deliver this place the money that it needs to be reality that parents ring them up about such able to keep its parliamentarians fully abreast matters? My secretary has used this intranet of new technology and new opportunities. and Internet service to help my constituents. It has been said to me by people who have When I first came to this Parliament and expertise in this area that the Queensland web during the early 1990s, it pained me to see areas of Parliament House that were very site is the most user friendly in Australia. I think much in need of repair. It took some time for that we are in front of the rest of Australia, as the necessary funds to be made available so we are in the delivery of Library services. We that the Speaker of the day could embark have the best Library service in Australia by upon the necessary refurbishment of streets. We also have the best catering service Parliament House. One of the problems is that by streets. I remember when I was Speaker there are no votes to be won in making sure there was some talk about privatising the that our Parliament and Parliamentarians are catering service. I think that would have been looked after, because the media says, "Here crazy, because I have been to Parliaments they go, refurbishing the Taj Mahal." The where those services have been privatised. All Parliament is the point of call for many very of the members of those Parliaments are very important overseas visitors, such as members sad and sorry that that was done. of trade delegations and other I would like to congratulate the Speaker parliamentarians. Yesterday, if I remember on the way in which he promotes the use of rightly, we had representatives from South our Parliament for functions and services. I did Carolina in the Speaker's Gallery. It does this the same thing when I was Speaker. I think it place absolutely no credit if people walk into it is good that people can come to this wonderful and see a bit of paint hanging off here or a bit building with their community groups and get of paint hanging off there. the wonderful service that the Parliamentary To be fair, our Parliament is not too bad, Catering Division provides. I think that we have but over the past few years there have been staff with tremendous expertise, whether we issues that have had to be dealt with. are talking about Hansard, the Parliamentary Sometimes the essential maintenance that Library, or the Parliamentary Catering Division. needs to be done in this place is not done as I know that I could say that about all the staff soon as it should be because of concern of this Parliament, because they are all so about increasing the budget of the Parliament. friendly and efficient; they treat members I support very much the refurbishment of the extremely well. The bottom line is that we are stonework and the refurbishment of the very fortunate to have the services that are Annexe. provided to us in this Parliament, and I Treasury should be very, very aware of congratulate the Speaker on that. the needs of the Parliament and its 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2667 independent role in this State and it should not Mr SULLIVAN (Chermside—ALP) be dismissive of the Speaker and other officers (5.36 p.m.): In supporting the motion before when they put submissions to the Cabinet the Committee, I thank the Speaker for his role Budget Review Committee. It is easy for in providing services for us, for our constituents Treasury to dismiss those submissions; it is and for those who visit this parliamentary well aware that it is very difficult for the precinct. The Parliament is not an institution or Speaker to stake a claim for increased funding a building just for us, the members; it is, rightly, for parliamentarians because the media do not the people's House. As I have gone around create a lot of sympathy among the public. this complex with many community groups, One issue that concerns me is information visitors and schoolchildren, the emphasis on this place as the people's House is very technology. Although we have tried to improve evident. If this building was used by 89 the lot of parliamentarians in this regard, over parliamentarians on only 60 sitting days a the past couple of years—and maybe even year, then the money that is spent on it would before that—we have had difficulty in getting be wasted. On the other hand, if the money the money to be able to address certain spent on this building and on the support issues. For example, many members of this services means that this place represents Parliament would like to be provided with a democracy, it is a place for the people to have laptop computer or a modem that they could their say, it is a place where the rule of law can take with them when they are travelling to be instituted and can be reviewed and, other parts of the State. I know it is often said through the electorate offices, a place where that members can use their electorate every citizen in this State has a chance to allowance for that purpose. I do not know practice his or her democratic right, then the about other members, but my electorate money is well spent. allowance is taken up running my second I thank the Speaker for looking after the vehicle, running my second electorate office staff of the parliamentary complex, who look and having an additional staff component. It is after us so well. I commend the Speaker for very, very expensive to run an electorate his commitment to encouraging more visitors office. It is not as easy as saying, "Just go and to come to the Parliament, be they tourists, spend your electorate allowance", because students, members of community there is not as much fat in that electorate organisations or guests at State functions. I allowance as some people may think. There note some of the comments made by other are not very many people in the Public Service members about student visits. As a teacher of who are not able to have access to a laptop at 20 years, I strongly believe that the importance the expense of their department. We need to of student visits to this place is to assist give consideration to that. students to understand the parliamentary The other issue that I would like to raise processes and the processes of Government. relates to the $10,500 administrative They are not tourists who have to look at all assistance allowance that each and every non- the little baubles that are in the various display Executive member of this Parliament receives. cases on Level 3 of the Annexe. It is within this That allowance came in a number of years Chamber, and the Legislative Council ago. We should support the Speaker in Chamber, that the real work is done. arguing more forcefully with Treasury for an The member for Indooroopilly referred to increase in that allowance. Over the past changes to the tours of Parliament House. The couple of years, wage increases have changes will not diminish the work that the diminished the value of that allowance. students will do; it will allow more groups to Members of Parliament on both sides are now come through Parliament House and do real dipping into their own pockets for an extra work within this Chamber. In fact, tomorrow I $2,000, $3,000 or $4,000 to make up the will be speaking with some Year 11 and Year difference between that allowance and what is 12 students from Padua College and also the required. Year 7 students from Wavell State School. It is the processes of Parliament that are A number of issues affecting members on important, not pointing out to students various both sides of this Parliament need to be features of architecture which they can see in addressed to enable us to do our job. There is almost any building. no reason why we should be treated as The opening of the George Street gates second-class citizens or not as important as is important, too. That makes this building the public servants in this State, who are much more welcoming, because people can provided with the facilities to enable them to see the building more easily and can come in do their job. off George Street from QUT and elsewhere. 2668 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000

We have improved the security procedures in That was the second time it has happened to this place. Therefore, the security of the me. Perhaps I am personally jinxed. The first building is not compromised by this move, time it happened to me my very smart red which serves to reinforce this building as the jacket got caught in the door and was people's place. thoroughly mangled. I spent three-quarters of I am also pleased with certain changes an hour with the member for Redlands until that have occurred in electorate offices and the lift mechanics rescued us. But it was okay. with the support given to our electorate It is lucky we were friends and not enemies. officers. I am pleased that the Speaker has The second experience was much more honoured his commitment and instituted a difficult, as the other 17 members could also process of visiting electorate offices throughout confirm. I notice that our names were the State. Mr Speaker has adopted a practical collected, no doubt due to our absence from and down-to-earth approach so that he can the division—the reason we were all in the lift see what is happening around the State rather in the first place—but also no doubt so that our than just hearing members talking about it. next of kin could be notified should the very worst fate befall us. In my remaining time I wish to make a But seriously, I did note Mr Speaker's couple of other comments. I hope the support comments this morning that the maximum given by the Parliament to its committees number of persons allowed to enter the lifts continues. Through their bipartisan approach, would be reduced. With respect, Mr Speaker, the committees can achieve things that cannot this is a bandaid measure which will not cure be achieved through the Minister/shadow the woeful situation as far as the Annexe lifts Minister adversarial system. The committees of are concerned. It must be recognised that two which I have been a member in this high-rise lifts are quite inadequate. We simply Parliament have been hardworking and have have to bite the bullet and look at installing achieved results that have been to the benefit another bank of lifts to service the Annexe. We of the whole State, and there has been less cannot continue with the situation where every tension because of their bipartisan approach. few weeks large or small numbers of members I look forward to seeing the outcome of are confined for varying periods in stalled lifts. the current review of Standing Orders. In my Quite apart from the inconvenience, there is role as Whip I am made aware of difficulties the potential for a much more serious situation that Ministers, staff and members face to occur one day. because they do not know when Bills will be My next topic is the temperature of hot coming on. I hope we can move to a system water supplied to bedrooms in the under which it is agreed that a certain number Parliamentary Annexe. This morning in of Bills will pass through the House at a given question time the Minister for Mines and time. A bipartisan working committee would Energy told us that the parliamentary buildings then allocate time to that process, within which are supplied with green power. It would have there would be flexibility to allow people a been facetious to ask him whether this is why shorter or longer time. In that way we would the hot water is never hot enough. The BCO know when the debate on a Bill would finish. I advises that the temperature of the hot water think it is a waste of time and money to have system is set to the Australian Standard. senior public servants sitting around here Children cannot be burned as a result and an sometimes for a day and a half and into the overall increase in temperature cannot be late hours of the night not knowing when a Bill achieved. I point out to honourable members is coming on. We can make changes that will that a normal adult cannot consider the hot not diminish accountability but which will water to be adequate when no cold water improve the flow of legislation through the needs to be mixed with it. Consequently, our House. I thank all of those who have made showers are only marginally better than this House and the electorate offices run lukewarm. Individual very minor adjustments smoothly so that our constituents—the people can apparently be made on request—and I of Queensland—have a real demonstration of have made requests for mine to be their democracy. adjusted—but again that is not good enough Mrs GAMIN (Burleigh—NPA) (5.42 p.m.): in a major building in the 21st century. In joining the debate on the report of But more important than these two Estimates Committee E there are some points matters is the issue of parliamentary tours. I about the conduct of the affairs of the have already written to the Speaker about this Legislative Assembly that I believe should be and I have discussed it with him. There are brought forward. I was one of the 18 people moves afoot to change the length of the tours stranded in Lift No. 1 in the Annexe yesterday. from one and three-quarter hours to one and a 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2669 quarter hours, each period including morning we should be seen to be abstemious and or afternoon tea. I visit all of my schools prior modest with our expenditure and use of it, just to their parliamentary visit to help them as other Government departments are— prepare for the occasion. I join each school something the taxpayer would expect. group as it comes through the Parliament. I I congratulate the hardworking staff of the personally conduct proceedings for each group Parliament, who do the best they can with in the green Chamber. Many other honourable funding that is modest, bearing in mind the members do the same thing. I know that even important calls on the parliamentary services. the current one and three-quarter hour time As an aside, I thank the Estimates Committee frame is insufficient. C staff. I did not get a chance in my previous In addition to school tours, I escort more contribution to thank Rob Hansen and the adult community groups through this other staff for the great work they did on the Parliament than any other member, and I Estimates committee I was on. It is expensive provide them with morning or afternoon tea at to run a Parliament. Democracy comes at a my expense. If I am not able to book an cost. The cost is properly resourcing this place attendant, I conduct a full tour myself. I am and in particular properly resourcing the extremely experienced with parliamentary tours Opposition. I note that is something that has and I am very disappointed at the proposal to certainly been offered to the Opposition; the curtail them. Whoever dreamed this up is not Premier has always been very keen to do that. very experienced in Year 7 school tours. It is a long way for adults, and more particularly for I note also that Mr Speaker has been very children, to travel from non-metropolitan areas careful in terms of his expenditure in this to Brisbane for a parliamentary tour, which is Parliament to ensure that taxpayers get value the highlight of the school year. It is an for their money. For example, the introduction expensive operation for a school to send of a new building and energy management students to Brisbane for a hurried one and a system has reduced costs by 25% in that area quarter hours. They will not get the maximum over five years, from $547,000 in power 1995- benefit from that occasion. Mr Speaker, I still 96 to $347,000 in the last financial year. That think that chopping half an hour off a tour is is an amazing saving. another cost-cutting exercise, even though you Mr Kaiser: Do you have problems with disagreed with me. It will allow patently your hot water? insufficient time for proper attention to Mr LUCAS: I do not have problems with important aspects of the Parliament. my hot water. I have written to Mr Speaker and asked Mr Kaiser interjected. for the decision to be rescinded, with the tour time frame returned to at least one and three- Mr LUCAS: No, I do not pour hot water quarter hours. from the electric kettle over myself when I am Mr Hollis: We haven't made a decision having a shower. I notice a number of yet. members have made comments about technology and the upgrade we have had in Mrs GAMIN: I have written to Mr Speaker this House. I say in relation to both the on this issue. All honourable members should electorate offices and Parliament House that join me in lodging their objection, even if they that is something that I welcome. I am the first are only slightly interested in the promotion of person to admit that we need to go further and the history of the buildings and the there are further innovations that would parliamentary process and if they are improve the service that we have. interested in their schools and community groups obtaining the maximum benefit from Honourable members interjected. their visits to the heart of Government. If Mr LUCAS: I might need the protection of honourable members do not lodge their the chair in a minute. objections to this short-sighted proposal, they Increasingly people are coming to see can hardly complain when their schools start to members of Parliament expecting timely scream, as they will, that they have been advice and information. The Internet has been short-changed by the Parliament. a great revolution in that way. In my electorate Mr LUCAS (Lytton—ALP) (5.47 p.m.): The office I have made sure that we have very parliamentary Budget Estimate for this year is good access to various web sites, so when some $49.95m. That is a modest 2% increase someone has a dividing fence problem I can over last year's. Therefore, it is about static in immediately go to the Internet web page site real terms. That is quite appropriate, because and get that information. It is very dangerous we are the custodians of the State's funds and to provide information to people in a leaflet 2670 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 23 Aug 2000 that might be a year or two out of date, but the more. The challenge is to make the maximum Internet absolutely gets over that problem. efficient use of what we have. I would also like more web-based Mr SEENEY (Callide—NPA) (5.52 p.m.): I legislation—the parliamentary video network is appreciate the opportunity to make some very handy. One of the things about politicians comments regarding the Estimates committee is that we get bombarded with paperwork and hearing that reviewed the expenditure information. People might say that they find it associated with the Parliament and the hard to read things on the new network. The Parliamentary Annexe. I appreciate the fact is that now we can go up to our office and opportunity, because it gives me an click on an item to see the news and we can opportunity to raise in this House an issue that click on an item to see the highlights. They has annoyed me and continues to annoy me have the web pages there for the Sydney and many other members of this House who Morning Herald, the Financial Review, the have offices in the Annexe building on the Courier-Mail and the ABC local news. All of 10th, 11th or 12th floors. these things increase the efficiency of That issue, of course, is the audiovisual members of Parliament because it would take system that has been referred to in a light- us much longer to get it if we did not have this hearted manner here by so many members system. Mr Speaker, this has occurred under this afternoon. It is not a joke. It is a serious you and I will compliment you for that. What issue that is a problem for many members who we have now is meaningful data presented. have had to wrestle with it. It is a classic I would like to congratulate the Parliament example of technology taking us backward. on the tours for schools that it provides. I When it does work—and we cannot predict remember the previous Speaker, Neil Turner, when it is going to work—we never know when telling me once that he visited the UK when he it will crash. It seems to crash regularly during was the Speaker of this Parliament and the the news bulletins when members all switch people in the UK at the so-called mother channels. When it does work, it is Parliament would not allow him to sit in the unquestionably an inferior service to the old Chamber. When the Speaker of this system, even though it has all the gee-whiz Parliament went to sit down on one of the items such as remote controls and cordless chairs, they would not let him. That is the way switchboards. It has Internet access, which the that they treat people who want to learn a bit member for Lytton seems to think is wonderful about their Parliament. I am always delighted on his particular system. However, on every TV to see kids sitting down in our seats here on our floor it is useless. It is useless and it is because they are their seats just as much as unusable because we cannot read the text, they are now ours, and it is great to see that. even with our nose pressed up against the In relation to my role as Chair of one of screen. the statutory committees of the Parliament, The system has remote controls that work the PCJC, I note that there has been some infrequently and are unbelievably complex to criticism of the funding of the Parliament's operate. It means that it takes 10 seconds and committees. The budget for the Committee about six keystrokes just to change channels, office this year is greater than the actual compared with one click on the old system. It annual expenditure incurred in any of the past has a drive unit that is unbelievably noisy and five years. It is important to remember that. It distracting and a TV monitor that provides poor is one thing to ask what was the budget quality images, especially of the parliamentary amount given last year. But when people look Chamber here, which is its primary use. The at what was actually spent, which at the end of reality is that, insofar as allowing members in the day is the indicator of the work, it is more their offices to stay in touch with the debate in than what was spent in the past few years. We the Chamber and to monitor the local media, have to cut our costs and we work very hard. the new system is very much inferior to the Mr Speaker, one thing you have done one it replaced. here is improved the accommodation for One would have to wonder who on earth Committee staff, and that is an important was responsible for the design, the selection occupational health and safety issue which and the purchase of such an inferior product. also increases—certainly in my committee's Given the range and quality of systems case—the security of the committee, which is available to replace the old one—if it needed an important aspect. We would all like more replacing—who in their right mind would money for everything, just as every replace it with the third-rate, trouble-prone Government department that speaks to the system that we have now? That responsibility Treasurer during the Budget process would like must rest with the member for Redcliffe. It is all 23 Aug 2000 Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill 2671 very well for him to come into the Chamber system, which still operates in other areas of here this afternoon to laugh and to make jokes the House. about it, but the reality is that the responsibility I hope that the member for Redcliffe will rests with the member for Redcliffe, and in this learn from this unfortunate experience that has case he has stuffed up. It is obvious to been a very expensive waste of money. everyone who has been exposed to this Technology is an area where we need the very audiovisual system that the member for best of advice. We need people who know Redcliffe has failed dismally in his responsibility what they are doing to ensure that we get to this Parliament and to the members of this something for the money we spend. That Parliament. clearly has not been the case in this instance, None of us asked for this new system. In and the members of this House and the fact, every member to whom I have spoken members of this Parliament are poorer for it. has indicated support for what I believe is the Mr SPEAKER (5.57 p.m.): There are far only option open to us now, and that is to go too many speakers to be able to respond to back to the old system. Give us the old system them all today, but I would like to open by back. It was fine. It did the job well and still saying that the door to the Speaker's office is does in other areas of the precinct. It is much always open. I do not think that it has been better than the expensive system that closed in the two and a half years that I have replaced it, even though it is obviously not as been Speaker. I am amazed when I hear technology dependent. some of the complaints such as those made Mr Lucas interjected. by the member for Callide as to what a terrible Mr SEENEY: I say for the record in time he is having when not once has he response to the inane interjections of the approached me with that complaint. member for Lytton that I have no problems It is very easy to complain about the video with the new technology. Unlike the member on demand system and to blame me for that. for Logan, who admitted to being computer But the STAG group was also aware of what illiterate, I have my own computer system and was going on with the video on demand I have had for many years. I have my own system. We are not experts in that sort of email connection to my electorate office, which installation and we do not expect to be. We I pay for and which I put in place myself. take some advice from the people who are Those are the types of things that the Speaker experts. I appreciate that there are problems, should be spending his available funds on. and I do not deny that. But members should Those are the things that would have been of not forget that the real issue here is that the use to all members, so much so that many system that was in place previously was 20 members—as I have done—have provided years old, had had no improvements in that those facilities from our own funds. The point is time and was in danger of breaking down. All that I welcome new technology in our offices. I that we had done was take sets from place to believe we should be providing new place and tried to repair them as we went technology—the latest technology, effective along. It was a system that would have broken technology—to members of this Parliament down in a very short time. and we should be trying to improve on the In relation to the budget of the systems that we have now. Parliament, some remarks were made about The new system that the member for budget cuts. In the 1998-99 budget we had an Redcliffe has had installed in the offices on the increase of 11%. Part of that increase was so 10th, 11th and 12th floors has been a total that we could have the Internet and the waste of money. It has been a step intranet in our offices for the first time. I thank backwards. No further money should be spent STAG. It is a bipartisan committee and it is a on it either on those floors where it has already committee that does the very best it can for been installed or anywhere else within the members. I think that having the Internet and parliamentary precinct. The member for the intranet in our offices in January this Redcliffe should admit that he has failed in his year—and I heard the member for Ashgrove responsibility to the members of this talk about how valuable that is in reducing the Parliament in the purchase and the installation amount of hard copy we need in our of this system. He has failed in his offices—has been a great step forward for the responsibility to the members of this Parliament. STAG will continue to look at Parliament to use the funds that are made issues where we can assist members, because available for the upkeep of this Parliament in that is what it is all about it. It is not about an effective way. He should immediately improving things in here; it is about improving address its replacement by returning to the old the services to members. If sometimes 2672 Electoral Fraud 23 Aug 2000 something is not quite as it should be, we will of people in a lift is 23 people at 68 kilograms. make sure we fix it. But the main aim is to do One would not find too many 68-kilogram these things, to make sure that members have members in this Chamber. That is the difficulty. available to them the technology that is I have suggested that we reduce the number available everywhere in the Public Service, to accord to an average weight. That is schools, etc. something we may have to do. However, the The issue of laptops was raised again lifts are already there and we will try to do what today. Most people realise that, with Budget we can to fix the problem. I also wish to restraints as they are, we have to operate in announce that, in opening the Parliament, we an efficient manner. Even though there is only are opening the Alice Street members' door, a 2% increase, this year's Budget has a which has not been opened since 1979. We $491,000 surplus. That is what we are will open that tomorrow morning for members' budgeting for. That money will go to members' access by swipe card. And the gates opposite requirements in order to change the the tunnel will also be open very shortly. computers in two years' time and to do all Time expired. those things we need to do to upgrade Report adopted. services to members. This year STAG will also look at printing machines for offices in order to Clauses 1 to 5 and Schedule, as read, get away from photocopiers that break down agreed to. all the time. We are trying to do things which Progress reported. will improve services. There will be problems. Things will go wrong, because technology is like that. When the member says that we ELECTORAL FRAUD should return to the old days, does he want to Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers go back to a horse and buggy instead of Paradise—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) driving his car? That is what he is saying. We (6.03 p.m.): I move— have to look at where we are going and how "That this House expresses its we are going to do it. profound concern that the Labor Party The other issue that has been raised corrupted the 1995, 1996 and 1998 today relates to the lifts. This morning I said elections in Townsville seats by that I am just as concerned about this issue as fraudulently enrolling voters and calls on everybody else. I have called for briefings on the Beattie Labor Government to the lifts. Those opposite should not forget who establish a full, open, independent and built the Annexe. There were the same public inquiry." number of members when the Annexe was Nothing less than a full and independent built as there are now, so there were the same judicial inquiry is likely to get to the bottom of problems. Labor's vote rigging scandal in Townsville Mr Springborg: It was a design fault. which, according to allegations that have been made in Labor's own ranks, could well be a Mr SPEAKER: That is right. The same vote rigging scandal that extends to problems existed when this place was built. I electorates right across the State and extend have the briefing in relation to the lifts, and from preselection battles into bids to rig there are a couple of points worth noting with general elections. The Premier says he has regard to this situation. I am advised that, over nothing to hide and nothing to fear. If he has the past few years, the tower lift controls have not, then he should have no hesitation been completely upgraded to a standard whatsoever in establishing such an inquiry, equal to modern lifts. The number of actual and he should do it now. It is crystal clear that faults recorded with these lifts is deemed to be this issue goes way beyond the matter that acceptable in terms of lift usage. The most has been central in recent days, which is the common complaint is that the tower lifts are sentencing of Karen Ehrmann in the District slow. Usage logs indicate that, during Court in Townsville on 11 August after she parliamentary sessions, these two lifts are two pleaded guilty to 47 charges—24 of forging of the busiest lifts in the CBD, recording very enrolment forms and 23 of uttering those high call rates. Whilst it would be nice to have forms to the Australian Electoral Commission more lifts, of course it is not very practical to in relation to council elections and preselection build them on an existing building. It is very ballots in Townsville. difficult. Ms Ehrmann is far from alone. She is, in Yesterday I mentioned the number of fact, so far the third person to be prosecuted people in the lifts, and it was mentioned again and convicted in relation to rorting associated today. The Australian Standard for the number with Labor Party preselection battles in 23 Aug 2000 Electoral Fraud 2673

Townsville in 1996. Andy Kehoe, a would-be unless Ms Ehrmann conceded what was, in his Townsville city councillor and a foot soldier of view, a fact. the city's Labor Mayor, Tony Mooney, was In very stark reality, that concession convicted on 10 counts of forging false became a part of Ms Ehrmann's pleading. So enrolment forms to boost Councillor Mooney's that puts a very different emphasis on what Mr chances in his preselection battle with the Greenwood was saying. It was the view of the current member for Townsville. He was prosecuting authority that the votes Ms unsuccessful to the extent that those forgeries Ehrmann transferred had the potential to were submitted to the Australian Electoral assist Mr Reynolds. Of course, the point the Commission too late for the would-be bogus member for Townsville made in trying to votes to play any role in the preselection ballot. suggest that, because his winning margin was Shane Foster, who was Karen Ehrmann's 39 votes, the few votes Ms Ehrmann had accomplice, was convicted on 22 counts. transferred were of no moment is not the And then, of course, there was Ms issue. The way he addressed that particular Ehrmann herself. Between them, they were point was as much a distortion of reality as his forging false enrolment forms on behalf of attempt to pass off Mr Greenwood's statement people who, in some cases, were totally as some sort of off-the-cuff allegation. unaware that they had been recruited into the Mr REYNOLDS: I rise to a point of order. I Labor Party. These ghost voters were then find the comments made by the Leader of the falsely enrolled with the Australian Electoral Opposition untrue and offensive and I ask for Commission and shifted around by simply them to be withdrawn. reapplying to the AEC under new and different addresses to be put wherever their votes Mr BORBIDGE: If he finds them would be most useful in rorting ballots. From offensive, I will withdraw. However, I note that the very vigorous engagement of those three he is not even on the speakers list. Why does people alone, it is clear that the format of he not join in the debate and defend himself rigging or of attempting to rig preselection instead of running for cover? ballots in Townsville was, at least at that time, At the time the votes were transferred, the a very significant aspect of Labor political life. member for Townsville could not have known Of course, that behaviour could have been with any degree of accuracy what the final wider, even in the Townsville context. outcome of the preselection would be. He was taking on a popular mayor. He was doing so I note the personal explanation by the from the Socialist Left, which did not of itself member for Townsville in this place yesterday have anywhere near enough votes to get him when he maintained he played no role over the line in that contest. In any event, the whatsoever in the rigging associated with the degree of criminality attaching to the rigging preselection contest in his seat. But there was behaviour was very obviously not associated in one point in particular that he made which the slightest with the issue as to whether the cries out for clarification. The member said the object of the exercise was achieved or not, or suggestion that some of the votes that were whether it was ever achievable or not. It was in transferred from Ms Ehrmann's electorate into the doing, in the perpetration and in the intent, his electorate in Townsville that were which is clearly established: the intent was to potentially of some benefit to him in his rort. preselection battle with Councillor Mooney had been made by Ms Ehrmann's counsel. The They are some points that may well prove nature of the reference was obviously to be extremely counter-productive for the designed to try to discredit the suggestion by member for Townsville. Rather than alleviate relating it to a convicted forger. the suspicions of the sceptical, the way in which he sought to explain himself in this place What Mr Greenwood was telling the court on Tuesday actually enhances them. The on behalf of Ms Ehrmann when he made the method he adopted shows him trying to skirt point that his client had conceded that the around certain crucial issues in a manner that votes she had falsely transferred into deliberately distorts reality. Townsville had the potential to help Mr Reynolds in his preselection battle with Mr REYNOLDS: Mr Speaker, I rise to a Councillor Mooney was that this concession point of order. I find the comments of the was a requirement of the Commonwealth Opposition Leader untrue and offensive, and I Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to ask for them to be withdrawn. the deal Ms Ehrmann was trying to strike with Mr BORBIDGE: I will withdraw, but let it be the DPP after she had decided to plead guilty on the public record that the member has not to a range of charges brought against her. The even got the guts to defend himself by putting DPP was not prepared to entertain a deal himself on the list of speakers for this debate. 2674 Electoral Fraud 23 Aug 2000

But he seeks to stop Opposition members been rorted by Ms Ehrmann for the purpose of raising very real concerns about his legitimacy internal Labor Party politics could have been in be in this Parliament. abused in general elections in Townsville. Mr REYNOLDS: Mr Speaker, I rise to a More recently he has suggested that he point of order. I find the Opposition Leader's remains deeply dissatisfied with the Labor comments completely untrue and offensive, Party's handling of the whole Thuringowa issue and I ask for them to be withdrawn. and that he may seek a resolution in the Supreme Court if he does not receive more Mr BORBIDGE: You are not on the list of appropriate explanations. speakers. You will not even get up here and defend yourself. We have Jim Bunnell, the husband of Townsville Deputy Mayor Anne Bunnell, Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the expressing disbelief at Karen Ehrmann's claim Opposition will withdraw. that her bogus voters did not vote at general Mr BORBIDGE: You are not only a cheat; elections. We have Councillor Mooney, who you are a coward. You will not get up here and has shown his ongoing angst by telling defend yourself. journalists last week that he believed the Mr SPEAKER: Order! Ehrmann/Reynolds pact in Townsville did in fact have what he called a "big impact" on his Mr REYNOLDS: Mr Speaker, point of preselection— order— Mr REYNOLDS: Mr Speaker, I rise to a Mr SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the point of order. Once again the Opposition Opposition, those words are unparliamentary Leader is telling untruths with regard to me and you were asked to withdraw. So you will and others, and he knows it. I ask for them to withdraw first and also withdraw the be withdrawn. unparliamentary language. Mr SPEAKER: Order! Mr BORBIDGE: If the honourable member finds it offensive, I withdraw. But let Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable member him defend himself. should get up in this debate and answer the allegations. Mr REYNOLDS: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order. That is a qualified withdrawal, Mr SPEAKER: Order! Time! not subject to the normal Standing Orders, Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable member and I ask for his comments to be withdrawn is not prepared to get up in this debate and without qualification. defend the allegations. Mr BORBIDGE: Leaving aside even the Mr SPEAKER: Order! You will withdraw. very significant issue of the extent of the involvement of the member for Townsville in Mr BORBIDGE: He seeks to silence the what was so clearly going on across at least Opposition for raising the concerns of Labor two of Townsville's three urban electorates, members in his electorate. there is a considerable body of evidence and Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the statements to suggest that the issue had been Opposition will withdraw! Then his time has around for a long time and engaged more expired. people and possibly even more insidious Mr BORBIDGE: Mr Speaker, what do you activities than have been clearly identified to want me to withdraw? date. Mr SPEAKER: Order! As the member For example, Mr Terry Gillman, who said, the words that he found offensive. contested the Thuringowa preselection ballot against Ms Ehrmann, obviously remains Mr BORBIDGE: I was quoting Labor deeply aggrieved at the kangaroo court members in his electorate, Mr Speaker. approach of Labor's internal disputes tribunal Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am not going to process in 1996 which cleared Ms Ehrmann argue about this. and which led the then party president, Don Mr BORBIDGE: What words, Mr Brown, into making the rash and Speaker? I was quoting the Mayor of comprehensively and suspiciously wrong Townsville and I was quoting Mr Gillman. declaration that there had been no fraud. Mr Gillman has made two public comments since Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member for late last week indicating the extent to which he Townsville found the words untrue and remains aggrieved. On one occasion he made offensive. the observation that it was at least possible Mr BORBIDGE: I was quoting other that some of the people whose names had members in his electorate. 23 Aug 2000 Electoral Fraud 2675

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I am not going to for her court costs and the money to pay all argue. Resume your seat. I now call the those ALP membership fees for phantom member for Moggill. voters? By her own admission, Karen Dr WATSON (Moggill—LP) (Leader of the Ehrmann was not a wealthy woman. In fact, in Liberal Party) (6.14 p.m.): I am delighted to her affidavit presented on the day of her inform the Premier that he has got himself a sentencing last Friday week, she said she was Federal inquiry—not on fuel prices but on so poor that when living in Brisbane after first electoral fraud. The Special Minister of State, being charged she was forced to eat at the Christopher Ellison, today referred allegations Hare Krishna soup kitchen in Fortitude Valley. of electoral fraud and vote rigging in the She said— Queensland ALP to the Federal Joint Standing "I was hungry and alone. At night I Committee on Electoral Matters. Senator dreamt of food and eating apples." Ellison said that systemic electoral rorting in She went on to say— Queensland threatens the very integrity of the electoral process. "I have suffered health wise, mentally and physically, as well as financially. I We welcome a Federal inquiry, but we still have nothing left to fight with." must have a full and open State inquiry. That is why I second the motion that this House So how did a woman with nothing left to fight expresses its profound concern that the Labor with pay for a top silk? Was he paid for by any Party corrupted the 1995, 1996 and 1998 Labor entity? If so, what strings were elections in Townsville seats by fraudulently attached? enrolling voters and calls on the Beattie Furthermore, how did a woman who Government to establish a full open, described herself as an underdog afford to pay independent and public inquiry. for so many ALP memberships between 1993 On the subject of inquiries, I will begin and 1997? Documents tabled in this tonight by quoting the author of the most Parliament on 5 March 1998 show that Karen famous inquiry report in the history of Ehrmann paid the membership fees for no Queensland. When Tony Fitzgerald brought fewer than 78 members of the Heatly Vincent down his report in 1989, he had a few words to branch of the ALP in March 1997. That branch say about the sorts of people who would be had 95 members and she paid the best suited to be working at the Criminal membership fees for 78 of them. Perhaps the Justice Commission. He said— remaining 19 members of that branch would like to know why she did not pay their "Alert energetic people will be membership fees as well! I would certainly like needed to perform the demanding tasks to know—I think any inquiry must know—where which membership of the CJC will she got the money. It was not just for one year involve." for one branch that she paid the membership Clearly, when it came to investigating the fees. Her rorting covered several branches most scandalous example of "looking after over a four-year period. your mates" in Australian political history—the Where did this self-styled underdog get net bet affair—the CJC was neither alert nor the money? Between 1987 and 1997, Karen energetic. It whipped through the net bet Ehrmann was the fundraising coordinator for investigation in two weeks. It ignored reams of the Townsville Table Tennis Association. The information we supplied, saying it was outside people of Townsville have a right to know: was its jurisdiction. It failed to interview key any money meant for table tennis in Townsville witnesses. It failed to live up to the hope of spent on ALP memberships? This is just one Tony Fitzgerald. It failed the people of question any alert and energetic person Queensland. We welcome the Federal inquiry, running an inquiry must answer. Of course, but we call for a State inquiry as well. But it there are many more questions to be must be an inquiry conducted by alert and answered, and Townsville is not the only place energetic people. When Karen Ehrmann where they should be asked. made Australian legal history by becoming the first person in this country ever sent to jail for Electoral corruption within the ALP is electoral fraud, her case raised more questions systemic, endemic and certainly not confined than it answered. to the rank and file in Townsville. Yesterday I provided the Criminal Justice Commission with So that the energies of the inquiry team a copy of a document which purports to be an are directed towards the right places, I would internal discussion paper prepared by the like to alert it to several matters. The first Socialist Left in 1994. Among other things, it question that has to be asked is simply this: alleges that electoral fraud has corrupted local where did the money come from—the money preselections for council wards and State 2676 Electoral Fraud 23 Aug 2000 electorates right here in Brisbane. The tomorrow, in the two-minute speeches before submission itself states— question time, to outline his plans for the "... forging of enrolment cards, false future of the CJC. If he will not do it, then he address enrolments and suspected has a plan to destroy the CJC. alteration of ballot papers clearly Let us move on. We have seen enough demonstrate that there are elements in thuggery. Mr Borbidge's thuggery is designed the Party who are prepared to go to the to intimidate the CJC to get a political outcome extremes of committing criminal offences to favour the National Party and the Liberal in an effort to win ballots." Party. I say to the CJC: stand firm; remain Time expired. independent; do not be influenced by the political thuggery of the Leader of the Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— Opposition. ALP) (Premier) (6.19 p.m.): I move an I found it interesting that today we had appropriate amendment— Senator Ellison announcing a parliamentary "That this House expresses its inquiry into these electoral issues but the support for the CJC's decision to appoint Federal Government cannot hold an inquiry an independent person to direct and into petrol prices. That says it all. They are supervise investigations in relation to prepared to play silly political games, but they alleged electoral fraud and to make are not prepared to go out and do something recommendations, and further, believes for families in this nation. They are not the CJC should be allowed to carry out its prepared to look after those who are being responsibilities without political forced to pay increased petrol prices. Oh, no! interference and bullying." They want to have a go at trying to play stupid The CJC should be allowed to get on with political games, but they will not do anything its job. It is the independent watchdog. It about petrol. Let the record show that they will should not be subjected to bullying by the play games, but they will do nothing for Leader of the Opposition or other members of families. They are anti-family. the Opposition. There is no doubt that there Let us move on to other issues. I find it has been an attempt to character assassinate ironic that the Leader of the Opposition both Brendan Butler and Mr Phil McMurdo. continually talks about open inquiries by the There is no doubt about that at all. What I CJC. When Opposition members were in think is important here is that we say to Government, do you know what they did? Queenslanders: the independent watchdog Mr Foley: What did they do? should be allowed to get on with its job, to do its job without political interference from Mr BEATTIE: They changed the Act. anyone on any side of politics. They changed the Criminal Justice Act by an amendment which provided that hearings will I know that the Opposition has made it be closed to the public unless the commission clear that it has an agenda to destroy the CJC. otherwise orders. I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to Mr Foley: What did the previous section table in this House tomorrow the Opposition's say? plans for the future structure of the CJC. If it is other than I suspect—that is, an attempt to Mr BEATTIE: The previous section destroy the watchdog—then the Leader of the provided for public hearings unless the Opposition will have no trouble at all in coming commission decided otherwise. So here is the in here and tabling his plans. If he cannot Borbidge secrecy. Listen to the words of table in this Parliament tomorrow his future section 91—this is the Borbidge amendment— plans for the CJC, then let every Queenslander "(1) A hearing of the commission is to be know that what he is about is destroying that closed to the public unless the organisation and a return to the corruption we commission orders, whether before saw under the National Party in the 1980s. or during the hearing, that it be open Mr BORBIDGE: I rise to a point of order. I to the public. find those remarks offensive and I ask that (2) The commission may order that the they be withdrawn. hearing be open to the public only if the commission considers— Mr BEATTIE: I am happy to withdraw, but let the record show that he is not prepared to (a) the hearing is of an table his plans for the future of the CJC should administrative nature; or he ever be re-elected Premier. My challenge (b) a closed hearing would be unfair still stands on the parliamentary record: I to a person or contrary to the challenge the Leader of the Opposition public interest." 23 Aug 2000 Electoral Fraud 2677

It goes on in subsection (4)— But I will tell members opposite what they "For a hearing closed to the public, have missed. I am interested in the Senate the commission may give a direction inquiry being called today, because I was about who may be present at the wondering where else I might send the hearing." allegations of Liberal Party fraud, of Liberal Party ballot rigging, of Liberal Party ballot Not only is it closed, but they can give a changes. The member for Moggill can rest direction about who may even be there. assured that those allegations will go into the Subsection (5) states— mail tomorrow to that Senate committee. We "A person must not knowingly will see whether it actually deals with the issue contravene a direction under subsection of a rort in relation to the Liberal Party. (4)." Each and every one of the members The Borbidge Government was about secrecy. opposite who have been concentrating on this I table the relevant sections of the Act which issue have missed the big picture. If they had provided for private hearings by the CJC. been watching the news tonight, as they Members opposite closed the books, and they should have been watching the news last night are nothing but hypocrites. For heaven's sake, and the night before and the night before that, it is about time someone in the world of they would realise that there is only one issue journalism did an analysis of the Opposition's that the public is interested in, and that is hypocrisy on this. They changed the legislation petrol. Right across the country now, the one to make the hearings secret—they made them issue is petrol. All of the small-business private hearings—and then they complain. operators and all of the Queenslanders in the There has been only one person convicted of electorates of members opposite are corruption: Denis Hinton from the National concerned about that issue. So concerned has Party. the National/Liberal Party Federal coalition Time expired. become that now we are seeing backbenchers Hon. J. P. ELDER (Capalaba—ALP) starting to agitate, starting to take it to Costello (Deputy Premier and Minister for State and Howard, on this one issue. We have seen Development and Minister for Trade) Andrew Bartlett, Alby Schultz and even Peter (6.24 p.m.): I rise to second the amendment Lindsay speaking out on this matter. They in moved by the Premier. As the Premier said, Townsville are fully aware of the impact of we support the CJC's decision to appoint an fuel— independent person to direct and supervise Mr Kaiser: No-one from here, though. investigations in relation to the alleged electoral fraud and to make recommendations Mr ELDER: I take the interjection. The in relation to it. But one party in Queensland Federal members are aware of what the issue has been totally focused on destroying the of the day is out there, and they are aware of CJC, and that has been the National/Liberal what the electoral backlash will be in relation to Party coalition. The Leader of the Opposition it. When there are cries from the coalition has been on this unholy crusade— backbenchers at a Federal level, I know one thing, as the Leader of the Opposition knows Mr Seeney: Another red herring. one thing, which is why he has been sitting Mr ELDER: No. The Leader of the there silent: they are hurting, just as State Opposition has been on this unholy crusade coalition members are hurting in their since 1998. In Government, in Opposition, electorates. The Leader of the Opposition can back into Government and now back into come in here and be hypocritical about this Opposition, he has been on this unholy issue, as he has been tonight, but the big- crusade since 1998. He will do and say picture issue out there is why he did not accept anything to undermine the corruption the challenge from the Premier, which is why watchdog. His actions every day to date prove he is a temporary Leader of the Opposition. the point. But his hypocrisy on it was just An easy acceptance of that challenge would clearly demonstrated by the Premier. Members have sent us out to an election on petrol. But opposite changed the legislation to provide for not one member opposite would challenge us private hearings, and they now complain to an election on fuel. I challenge the acting bitterly about the legislation that was theirs. Leader of the Opposition—because they are They complain bitterly about the situation still doing the numbers—to accept the confronting them now that was of their making. challenge to go to an early election on petrol. That is how hypocritical members opposite Just watch him sit silent on the issue! The have been, and they have been hypocritical members up the back know too well how they from day one. would do out of an election on petrol, which is 2678 Electoral Fraud 23 Aug 2000 why the Leader of the Opposition is sitting What he will do in a little while is stand up here silent. in this Parliament and wax lyrical about the While the Leader of the Opposition Connolly/Ryan inquiry, $14m and all this and continues every day to take a hypocritical all that. It never worried him, the great civil stance on this issue, accepting that the Liberal libertarian, that Cedric's secret legal advice Party can rort and not doing anything about languished secretly in a CJC safe and that it his own parties, he has missed the big picture. completely exonerated the member for Crows The problem with it is that it has gone past Nest, the Leader of the Opposition and him. The petrol tanker has left town. When the anyone else out there allegedly implicated time comes for this election—and I do hope over the MOU. The sum of $3m to $4m of that the Leader of the Opposition takes up the public money was wasted by the CJC in challenge, although he has the intestinal putting up Kenny Carruthers to investigate fortitude of a flea, and I really think at the end something that Cedric Hampson had actually of the day he will not take it up—the floor will cleared them of. That is what came out in that be wiped with him on this one issue alone. inquiry. I think that that was of great benefit to this State. Time expired. What the Opposition is saying is that Mr SPRINGBORG (Warwick—NPA) there is a need for a full and open inquiry into (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (6.29 p.m.): these particular issues. It is also interesting to This Parliament has absolutely no choice but note from the list of speakers that the to pass the motion moved by the Leader of honourable member for Woodridge will be the Opposition in unamended form. If this speaking later on. No doubt he will have a lot Government is serious about accountability, if to say about rorts and corruption. He is put up this Government is serious about exposing the to head the fuel price committee. Well, I wish rorts which have been endemic in the Labor him so much luck. I hope that his capabilities Party for decades, and if this Government is in watching petrol prices are better than his serious about addressing concerns over the capabilities in watching rorting in the Labor 1995-96 Mundingburra by-election and the Party. He was the State secretary for so long 1998 general election, then it has no choice and it is interesting to note that he was also a but to support this motion. part of that internal complaints hearing I make a couple of general comments. It process, but he was not able to track that is very interesting to hear such luminaries as down, either. He is out there now protecting the Attorney-General and the member for the motorists of Queensland. Heaven help the Brisbane Central, who have in the past motorists of Queensland. espoused a very deep and unrelenting If we look at the history of the ALP in this commitment to the parliamentary committee State, we see that the endemic rorting and the process, come in here and condemn the endemic electoral corruption is only coming to Borbidge Government of the day for passing the fore now. We have only to go back to the amendments to legislation that were namesake of the honourable member for recommended by a parliamentary committee. Yeronga—"Fine Cut" Foley. In the forties and It was the Parliamentary Criminal Justice fifties, when a seat became marginal they Committee chaired by another Labor Party used to bring all the railway navvies in to stock casualty, the then honourable member for up the electorates. That used to make the big Mundingburra, Ken Davies, the casualty of difference at the end of the day. They did that. another sweet Labor Party deal, who made They also put in place a gerrymander in this those recommendations for change to this State. Parliament. What does the Attorney-General It is also interesting to note how many do? He sits over there mute and impotent times from 1957 to 1989 the non-conservative when it comes to this issue and does not want parties got more than 50% of the two-party to set the public record straight. It is also— preferred vote in Queensland. Not once! When Mr FOLEY: I rise to a point of order. Not was the first time? In 1989, when they won. only do I find that offensive and untrue, but They changed the electoral boundaries in the honourable gentleman would not even 1992. Then what happened? Exactly the take my interjection before and now complains same votes were cast and the results did not about an absence of interjections. We can fix change, so that put the lie to the gerrymander that. that was supposed to be perpetuated by the Mr SPRINGBORG: I withdraw and I National Party. apologise to the honourable member. I do not There is another old Labor adage of vote think he is mute. early, vote often. The important point of why 23 Aug 2000 Electoral Fraud 2679 this motion should be agreed to is that we On 22 August the CJC launched, need an open and transparent inquiry that has pursuant to section 66 of the Act, the the capability to be able to access the examination of information and the conduct of transcripts, the hearings and the internal an investigation. The honourable members consideration of the Labor Party's disciplinary opposite urge upon this House the committee and the internal roles and other establishment, at an unknown cost to the complaints of losing candidates. There is only taxpayer, of yet another inquiry just like the one way of doing that and that is by having a Connolly/Ryan inquiry and designed to collide full and independent inquiry in the State. with a CJC inquiry. What they find Mr Beattie interjected. objectionable and offensive is that we have a Government committed to rooting out Mr SPRINGBORG: If the Premier is going corruption wherever it may be and we have a on about inquiries, he can have two. He can Government that is committed to ensuring that have one on petrol pricing at the same time. the anti-corruption watchdog, the CJC, is That suits us just fine. Stop passing the buck allowed to go about its business without the to the Commonwealth Government. Why not political bullying that we see from the Leader start assuming some responsibility for these of the Opposition and without the political sorts of issues? He is now trying to make a bullying that we saw from former Premier virtue out of necessity. He is squeezing his Borbidge and former Attorney-General heart so hard he will have a heart attack. Beanland when they were on the Treasury Time expired. benches. For years they conducted a vendetta against the CJC because the CJC called them Hon. M. J. FOLEY (Yeronga—ALP) into question. Premier Borbidge and Attorney- (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and General Beanland sat around that Cabinet Minister for The Arts) (6.34 p.m.): Tomorrow is table and authorised the creation of a the 1,100th day since the previous Parliament commission of inquiry designed to get passed a vote of no confidence in the former Borbidge and Cooper off the hook by nobbling Attorney-General, Mr Beanland. Last Sunday the Carruthers inquiry, an inquiry lawfully set up was the third anniversary. It is remarkable by the CJC, and they are at it again. They because the Opposition is at it again. The cannot stand proper process. reason that this House passed the vote of no confidence in Mr Beanland was that he set up Mr BEANLAND: I rise to a point of order. I a commission of inquiry designed to collide find that offensive and untrue, and I ask that it with a CJC inquiry, namely the Carruthers be withdrawn. inquiry, and nobble it. What do we have before Mr FOLEY: I withdraw, and I congratulate the Parliament now? the honourable member on three years and Mr BEANLAND: I rise to a point of order. I three days since the passage of the no find that offensive and untrue and I ask that it confidence vote in the deplorable action that be withdrawn. he and his then Government undertook. One thing that we can say with some Mr FOLEY: I withdraw. What do we have confidence is that we do not intend to nobble before us now? What we have is another due process in the way that the former motion from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Government did—quite the contrary. That is Borbidge, to set up a commission of inquiry to why I referred this matter to the Electoral collide with a CJC inquiry duly and lawfully set Commission: in order to ensure that there was up. Opposition members cannot help a proper examination of the material and that themselves. The moment they see the CJC we would be tough and ensure accountability. acting to investigate a matter, they think, "Where is Connolly and where is Ryan? We Mr QUINN (Merrimac—LP) (Deputy can fix this." They want to set up a judicial Leader of the Liberal Party) (6.39 p.m.): We inquiry. Members would think that they would have already seen three people in Townsville have learned over the years. How many convicted of electoral fraud—two fined, one floggings do they have to take before they imprisoned—but an accurate reading of the learn that they were struck down in the court transcripts suggests that there should be Supreme Court of this State for setting up a more. There were 15 counts in which the judicial inquiry that was tainted by political bias; person responsible could not be identified. it was the first time in the history of the That shows quite clearly that there should be common law world that a Supreme Court more to come. struck down a royal commission on the However, more importantly, it is the way in grounds of political bias, and they are at it which the fraud was perpetrated that is of a again. worry to all of us on this side of the House. 2680 Electoral Fraud 23 Aug 2000

When the electoral roll is used as the basis for Mundingburra by-election? Was it used plebiscites within the Labor Party and subsequent to the Mundingburra by-election? enrolment forms are fraudulently completed to Those are the questions that the members change the registered addresses of people opposite have to answer. That is where the living in Townsville—and there was one case electoral corruption lies. where the person actually lived in Perth but During all of that time, we had the three was registered in Townsville—or when the wise monkeys in the Labor Party—"I see no residential or postal addresses of residents or evil, I hear no evil, I do no evil." First of all, we electors are changed without their knowledge, had Don Brown, the President of the ALP, then the electoral roll and the information saying on a stack of bibles, "No electoral contained therein can be used for other corruption." We had Joan Budd, the returning purposes. That is the nub of this debate. officer, who could not see an irregularity if one When false enrolment forms can be used in ran over her in the middle of the street. We an ALP plebiscite, they can also be used in a had Mike Kaiser saying, "Everything is okay in general election, because when people go to the ALP." Tonight, we have two past State vote they are not required to provide any secretaries of the ALP, Mike Kaiser and Peter identification. If the details of a person whose Beattie, and the leader of the AWU name appears on the roll are known, then it is faction—the faction involved in this—those quite easy for someone to impersonate that three wise monkeys standing up and saying, "I elector. That is the nub of the problem. That is saw no evil, I did no evil"— why we are debating this motion. Mr Borbidge: The Deputy Premier This scenario is well understood by the employed the returning officer. ALP. We have only to look at the affidavit tendered by Karen Ehrmann in the court case Mr QUINN: That is exactly right. Their to find out the depth of knowledge of this hands are soiled and they are in it right up to practice within the ALP. She pleaded guilty to their armpits. It is a scheme that was identified charges, but she was in no way an instigator of quite clearly in the affidavit by Karen Ehrmann. the grand scheme. On her own confession, It is a scheme that has been long running in she was a bit player in a well-known scheme the ALP. It is endemic in the ALP. Yet those being carried out by the AWU long before she members opposite come in here and say that was involved. She was not a person with any they are not involved. What a joke they are! If power or great position. Most of the time, she there is any decency in the ALP opposite— was bullied and pressured by people in power. Time expired. Karen Ehrmann goes on to state in her Mr KAISER (Woodridge—ALP) affidavit— (6.44 p.m.): Several days ago the Leader of "Enrolment forms were only used for the Opposition referred to the CJC a complaint internal ballots. These people did not vote about this matter and called for an inquiry. The in general Local, State or Federal CJC is indeed inquiring. What does the CJC elections." need to do to satisfy the Opposition? The CJC has all the powers of a standing royal However, the next paragraph of the affidavit is commission, and I have no doubt that it the clincher— intends to use them. "When I was asked to take part in a However, as the Attorney-General says, situation, in the Mundingburra Bi-Election, this motion calls on us to do exactly what the where people voted, using forged Opposition did when it got into a spot of bother enrolments. I refused." before the Carruthers inquiry. This motion calls So Karen Ehrmann knew clearly that on us to nobble the CJC—to set up an inquiry, there was a scheme in the Mundingburra by- as the Attorney-General has said, which would election to gather up forged enrolments to use be on a collision course with the CJC. We will at that by-election. That is electoral corruption. not do that. That is the contrast between the That is why this motion is being debated Labor Party and the Opposition. We have tonight. When the details of the scheme are nothing to fear from this CJC inquiry because known, then it can be used to one's own of the standards that we set. As the Premier political advantage. Karen Ehrmann has has said, if there are rorters within the Labor confirmed in her affidavit that such a scheme Party, if there is anyone with anything to fear, was used in Mundingburra. However, she then they should be very fearful indeed. That refused to take part in it. That is why this is the standard that is set by us. motion is before the House. The scheme has The member for Indooroopilly had the been used once. How many more times has it hide to rise on a point of order and say that been used? Was it used prior to the the Attorney-General had spoken some 23 Aug 2000 Electoral Fraud 2681 untruth for claiming that the member had what was said in those administrative suffered the indignity of a successful motion of committee meetings, I stated under the no confidence being brought against him in heading "Court Case"— this House for his role in the Connolly/Ryan "Court case has raised the question inquiry, which was found by the Supreme of the reliability of our membership in Court to have been biased and set up for the Townsville. purposes of nobbling the Carruthers inquiry. It was not the Attorney-General's assertion; it Party needs a process to deal with was the assertion of the Supreme Court of the matter and this process needs to be Queensland that that inquiry was set up, at a made public." cost of $14m, to nobble the Carruthers inquiry. Those are the standards that we set: That is the contrast between that side of the acknowledge the problem and deal with it. In House and this side. We will not do that. If fact, the matter was raised publicly by me in a there is anyone within the Labor Party with press release that I issued on 8 February anything to fear from this CJC inquiry then, as 1999, which reads in part— the Premier has said, they should be very fearful indeed. "Concerns have been raised in recent times over certain membership I also heard the member for Merrimac issues and the ALP Administrative claim that there had been a cover-up, that we Committee is moving to maintain public were all denying that there was anything wrong confidence in the integrity of internal Party within the Labor Party. Nothing could be procedures." further from the truth. The Labor Party does not run a police force. The National Party is the That was all made public, and all party that fantasises about running police acknowledged publicly by us. The difference is forces. We do not. We did what we could that we have done something about it; the within the forums of the Labor Party to reform members opposite are still languishing in the our rules, knowing that the Federal Police were rot and the rorts that exist within the Liberal doing their job in terms of the corruption that Party. The difference is: National Party, Denis they were investigating. We never sought to Hinton, prosecuted, re-endorsed; Labor Party, hide that. In fact, in 1999, with reference to Karen Ehrmann, charged—at the time, not yet branch stacking within the Labor Party, my prosecuted—disendorsed. That is the report to the party's State conference—a difference. public document—states— Time expired. "This cancerous activity not only Mr HORAN (Toowoomba South—NPA) brings great shame on the Party, but also (6.49 p.m.): The people of Townsville must be dilutes the say of genuine long-term Party absolutely devastated about the taint and members who suddenly find themselves smear that the Labor Party has put all over in a minority. that good city and its citizens. Did Government ... members think of the people who went down to vote on Saturday mornings in 1995, 1996 We should take recent activities in and 1998? They could have been taking their and around Townsville as an early kids to netball or cricket, yet they were voting in warning sign that something must be elections based on corruption and fraud. done to prevent the stackers and rorters Those people in Townsville, in the words of Mr from seriously distorting policy and Elder this morning, were absolutely dudded. preselection outcomes in the Queensland branch." Andrew Kehoe was found guilty on 10 That is a public document that acknowledges counts. Shane Foster was found guilty on 32 the problems that we had. counts. Karen Ehrmann was found guilty on 54 counts. All we have heard tonight is I contrast that with the actions of the defence of this fraud and corruption. As usual, Leader of the Liberal Party, who has his head we have seen all sorts of smokescreens. in the sand over problems with rorts that are Thankfully, the media no longer takes notice of occurring in the Liberal Party, which recently the smokescreens put up by the Premier. We preselected a senator for Queensland. There hear the Premier talking about the CJC and was no public acknowledgment on his part of asking us what our policy is on the CJC. The those problems. Deputy Premier stood up and talked about In 1998, in the minutes of the petrol tax. The old civil libertarian opposite administrative committee, which is not a public stood up and spoke about a motion in the document, and therefore there is no reason for Parliament many years ago and neglected to me to be backward in coming forward about tell us that during the 1995 election he 2682 Electoral Fraud 23 Aug 2000 covered up $120m in debt in the Workers anger something might come out that will Compensation Fund. We have heard more incriminate the rest of them. The member for excuses from the former Secretary of the Townsville is in this up to his whiskers. Australian Labor Party, who was in this up to Mr REYNOLDS: I rise to a point of order. I his neck. No-one opposite did anything about find the comments by the member offensive this until they were actually forced to; not until and completely untrue, and I ask that they be the investigations and the court charges withdrawn. brought them to heel and made them do something. Mr HORAN: I will withdraw the comments. Let us examine who had a look into this There is no doubt that the heavies have whole business of fraud and corruption on stopped him from speaking tonight. He spoke behalf of the Labor Party. We had the heavies yesterday. He desperately wanted to speak of the Labor Party, Messrs Beattie, Elder, tonight to try to defend himself, but he could Brown and Kaiser. All of them claimed—and not. He was not allowed to do so. They do not Mr Brown even said that he would put his want this thing to get any messier than it hand on the Bible and swear to this—that the already is. Tonight all we are seeing is a Labor ALP disputes tribunal thoroughly investigated Party clinging to its last chance that the CJC all of the allegations and cleared Karen process will find that it does not involve official Ehrmann of any wrongdoing in December misconduct— 1996. Who was on this investigative tribunal? Time expired. There was legal adviser Brian Kilmartin; Don Mr MICKEL (Logan—ALP) (6.54 p.m.): Brown—the one who was going to swear on Over the past couple of days I listened with the Bible that it was all okay; Labor returning interest to the member for Moggill and Leader officer Joan Budd, who worked for many years of the Liberal Party, who cited the Premier's for the Deputy Premier, Mr Elder; State ALP book In the Arena. Those of us on the treasurer John Bird; Joan Brady from backbench know that it should have won a Rockhampton; and another member of this Walkley; it did not. I went up to the library in Parliament, Linda Lavarch. The plot thickens. search of my own reading and I found Mike Kaiser was not a member of the something of enormous interest to those Parliament then; he was the Secretary of the opposite. I found out how those opposite Labor Party. He was not on the tribunal, but he conducted the 1986 redistribution. They had had his mole, or spy, in there. He had his somebody planted in B28 and all of the secretary, Tina Langford, in there during the backbenchers used to wander down there and entire proceedings, no doubt to provide him put in their own proposals. I thought that was with a channel of information and to keep him extraordinary. It is a book written by Don Lane. well informed of proceedings. It is a do-it-yourself on how to rort. One of the How can anybody in the Australian Labor great photos in it, under the heading "The Party feel confident any longer about its Gerrymander", is of Don Lane. Also, straight disputes tribunal? This tribunal said that out of central casting in a white suit is the nothing was wrong and then the person Leader of the Opposition staring straight over charged before the court pleaded guilty to the manual. some 47 charges. When we see the way in which the tribunal was put together, with the If the Attorney-General was wondering State Secretary's spy providing him with all of about the Carruthers inquiry, I say that there it the info, how can Labor Party people, let alone all is. Don Lane was the one who nobbled the the people of Queensland, have confidence in Chief Justice. How was that done? It was done this tribunal system? by none other than grabbing hold of that judge's postal vote. They got the postal vote, Mr Kaiser interjected. saw that he voted Labor, and he was stung for Mr HORAN: They have put Mr "Vote the job. That is the way they used to run the Watch" on the petrol watch now. judiciary—corruptly. I commend the book to all Yesterday in this Parliament we saw the honourable members. pathetic attempt by the member for Townsville Mr Kaiser: What's the page number? to defend himself. We heard stories about Mr MICKEL: It is page No. 161. It is a do- people taping secret letters to light poles miles it-yourself on how to rort. And by God, haven't up the highway north of Townsville. Mr members opposite done that over the years! Speaker, why is he not speaking tonight? I will They had 32 years of rorting and electoral tell you why. He has been warned off. They do tampering. not want him to speak. They do not want him to open his mouth, because in a moment of Mr Kaiser: There's Russell. 23 Aug 2000 Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2683

Mr MICKEL: It is like a rogue's gallery of NOES, 40—Beanland, Black, Borbidge, Connor, rorters. I have been trying to find honesty in Cooper, E. Cunningham, Dalgleish, Davidson, Elliott, the National Party. It is as difficult as trying to Gamin, Healy, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Kingston, find Charlie Doyle. But let us not leave it at our Knuth, Laming, Lester, Lingard, Littleproud, Malone, Mitchell, Nelson, Paff, Pratt, Prenzler, Quinn, Rowell, friends in the National Party. Let me quote Santoro, Seeney, Sheldon, Simpson, Slack, from the notice of branch meeting of the Springborg, Stephan, Turner, Veivers, Watson. Macgregor/Wishart Branch of the Liberal Party. Tellers: Baumann, Hegarty What did they want done via a motion? They wanted to fix the Queensland Liberals. Why Resolved in the affirmative. did they want them fixed? Because they knew Motion, as amended, agreed to. about the rorting and corruption that had gone Sitting suspended from 7.04 p.m. to on! The Leader of the Liberal Party and the 8.30 p.m. member for Indooroopilly know all about it. They know that some 300 people were flown in from Hong Kong and Taiwan in a fly-in, fly- PERSONAL EXPLANATION out branch-stacking operation. What was the Comments by Member for Indooroopilly reward that these characters got? Did they get Hon. A. M. BLIGH (South Brisbane—ALP) any penalty from the Liberal Party? No! (Minister for Families, Youth and Community According to the State President's report, what Care and Minister for Disability Services) did they get? They won $2,000 for the best (8.30 p.m.), by leave: Yesterday in this recruitment. No wonder Qantas had Chamber the member for Indooroopilly rose on maintenance problems in trying to fly in and a matter of privilege in relation to my response out from these overseas destinations with to a question without notice on 19 July these 300 people. concerning the Wangetti Education Centre What was the other award? We had based in Cairns. In my response to the Senator Brandis inflicted upon us on the night question, I disputed the veracity of comments we elected a senator. What did the Leader of previously made by the member for the Opposition say? He said that it was his Indooroopilly in relation to the level of support night. In other words, he wanted the whole provided to this facility by my department. I do thing muzzled. We know all about Rankin. not resile from the fact that the comments There was no Liberal Party branch in Rankin. made by the member for Indooroopilly in They hived off 200 ethnic Chinese and relation to the Wangetti Education Centre were formed— baseless, incorrect and motivated by mischief. However, I accept the fact that the use of the Mr Paff interjected. word "lie" is unparliamentary, and I wish to Mr MICKEL: I would not speak up too withdraw it. loudly if I were the member, given the way in Mr BEANLAND: I rise to a point of order. I which Pauline Hanson's One Nation was take offence to the Minister saying that I fraudulently set up. I would keep very quiet uttered those words in mischief. I take offence about that. to that. I ask it to be withdrawn. I find it untrue. What about the voice in the wilderness, Ms BLIGH: Mr Deputy Speaker, they Mr Peter Murray from the Ryan FEC, who have no grace, do they? I withdraw. pleaded with the Leader of the Liberal Party to do something about the rorted and crooked FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AMENDMENT constitution of the Liberal Party? I would love BILL to speak for another five minutes on this. Second Reading Time expired. Resumed from 19 July (see p. 2227). Question—That Mr Beattie's amendment Mr SANTORO (Clayfield—LP) (8.32 p.m.): be agreed to—put; and the House divided— I rise to support the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill, which has been introduced AYES, 42—Attwood, Barton, Beattie, Bligh, Boyle, by the Leader of the Opposition. The history of Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, J. Cunningham, Edmond, Elder, Fenlon, Foley, Fouras, Hamill, this Bill, as honourable members will Hayward, Kaiser, Lavarch, Lucas, Mackenroth, appreciate, is well known. Its antecedents are McGrady, Mickel, Mulherin, Musgrove, Nelson-Carr, well known, too. They reside in the desperation Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pitt, Reeves, Reynolds, Roberts, of the member for Brisbane Central when he Robertson, Rose, Schwarten, Spence, Struthers, was Opposition Leader to contrive to get Welford, Wellington, Wells, Wilson. Tellers: Sullivan, himself noticed. We would have to agree that Purcell he did get himself noticed when he was 2684 Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2000

Opposition Leader, and we would certainly Labor" and Premier Peter Beattie in concede that, since he has been Queensland. But it is all a sham and it is also a Queensland's self-confessed Premier media shame. This Premier and this Labor tart, it is very difficult not to notice him. Government are not interested in transparency He is like the artillery in a war zone—the and accountability. They do not want their own artillery whose resonant Latin motto Ubique Bill passed in order to advance the cause of translates as "everywhere", or in the transparency and accountability by even the expurgated colloquial variant, all over the small amount of visible progress that would be place. Oddly, however, one area he has not obvious from the passage of the legislation been all that obvious in—on a targeted or before us. merely opportunistic basis—is the area of This Premier promotes himself as what freedom of information. It is odd, indeed, since you see is what you get. What he is saying by one of the terminological inexactitudes on failing to support this Bill is that what you do which he got himself elected was his promise not see you might not ask about, and that to be open and accountable in terms of the suits him and his Government fine. But that is excellence which only he could bring to the not what modern government is all about; this business of Government and its essential Bill is what modern government is all about. It corollary, freedom of information laws. is certainly not what he persists in claiming he is all about himself. But then, he is all about Other speakers on this side of the House, himself. He presides over a Government that those among the Independents and others has put a lock and key on more information have made a number of powerful points about than any other Government has in years. He this Bill. But from the standpoint of the heads a Government containing people who Government's credibility and from that of bend any rule if it suits their purpose—and whether the Premier is guilty of hypocritical heads, too, if that is going to achieve the result behaviour, the best point of all is that this Bill, they want. He comes into this place, as he did while introduced as a private member's Bill by this morning and, instead of answering to the the Leader of the Opposition, is in fact a people's representatives, he pumps out a Beattie Bill. It is odd then—odd again; there is smokescreen. His performance here today was a lot that is odd about the occupants of the first-class—first-class, that is, for anyone benches opposite—that the Premier seems to marking him on an uncanny ability to get away have decided that this is a "dead Beattie" Bill. with murder. It was his idea. It is his Bill—virtually word for word. This Bill proposes a modest advance in freedom of information law. It proposes to This is what he wanted to enshrine in exclude ministerial expenses from the Cabinet legislation when he was Opposition Leader. exemption that now exists. That is all. It is a Can he explain why he does not want it now modification of existing—very generous— that he is Premier? Apparently he did not want interpretations of what, in the area of public to explain. That is not surprising—he never money, constitutes material that should be does, except when there is a convenient hidden from the public's scrutiny. It proposes a messenger to shoot instead of explaining. But measure that accords exactly with the spirit of he pulled a really slippery trick in sending his the promises he made to the member for Minister for The Arts, wearing his part-time Nicklin in June 1998 as a means of getting his Attorney-General's wig, into the Chamber to hands on the key to the big office up the road. argue the Government's case for saying that Nothing in the Bill before the House affects this Bill is a bad idea. That is smart tactics, other aspects of freedom of information laws. though in no way heroic—duck the bullets— This is simply a measure designed to keep a but it is appalling leadership. This debate is all proper check on ministerial expenses. It is about his Bill—the Premier's Bill. He just has what the member for Brisbane Central was not got the ticker. This is not a general behind desperate to do in 1998. whom one would willingly charge the enemy. What is different about it in 2000, just two This Premier, whose Bill promoting years later? They are his and his Ministers' transparent ministerial expenses via freedom expenses now, are they not? It naturally would of information we are debating in this place be quite improper to question the probity of tonight, promotes himself as the "new Labor" any Labor Party Cabinet! We do not even man. He does this so assiduously—or at any have to ask; we just know that they are as rate, so often—that I am sure that some pure as the driven snow! This is not a people are still trying to work out whether "new Government in which it is either possible or, Labour" and Prime Minister Tony Blair in indeed, safe to have any faith. This is the "net Britain are merely doppelgangers of "new bet Government". This is the "phone call at 23 Aug 2000 Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2685 home Government"—the one that awards the be embarrassed. It is easier to not release DCM, the "Don't Come Monday", to public information than to cure the problems that servants it wants to get rid of by stealth or in would be revealed by disclosure. the dead of night over the telephone. This is Over the past two years I have seen more the "punch up in the park Government". This is excuses for hiding information from the the "rort the elections Government". And this is Minister, the member for Kedron, and his staff the "hide everything Government". So much than many people must have had hot for accountability! So much for transparency! breakfasts. I do not intend to dwell on that So much for probity! tonight. It is separate from the detailed Those opposite can argue that the people purpose of the Bill that we are debating paid their money and they made their choice, tonight. In any case, it is no longer my place to and so they did. In any party other than the do so. It is, however, immensely instructive as Labor Party that process is known as to this Government's true motivation, and it democracy, and the electors will make a deserves close scrutiny by this House. What further choice at the next election. If I were particularly needs to be scrutinised is the among the divine-right-to-rule crowd opposite, I cavalier manner in which this Government would be a little bit worried. I would be thinking, bends the language to obtain the result it "We promised to be open and accountable wants. In the view of the Department of and honest and delivery focused", and I would Employment, Training and Industrial Relations, be thinking, "We've been secretive and it is impractical to define "public interest". Yet unaccountable and less than honest and this undefined "public interest" criterion is used we've delivered very little"—if you discount the to hide results of user choice compliance hot air from the 15th floor or the hot air on the audits in the TAFE system. George Orwell, not 12th floor. That gets pretty overheated from to mention Goebbels, would have been proud time to time, too. But it is delivery that counts, of these people. It is the detail of not just promise after promise after promise to accountability that interests the people. It is for do so when the Government has exhausted true accountability that the people will vote. the list of people and organisations it wants to blame while it is trying to get its act together. The original proposers of the Bill before the House tonight would do well to think hard The Bill before us is focused simply on about that inescapable fact of modern-day one aspect of freedom of information—on democratic Government. They are the ending the ability of the Premier and his 17 member for Brisbane Central and the member ministerial colleagues to hide or camouflage for Yeronga. Once they were leading their expenses. But the general issue of luminaries of the allegedly people-friendly Left freedom of information and how this secretive side of politics. Now they are intractably and collusive Government allows it to operate secretive hard men of Government by stealth. is very clearly a matter of public interest and They are stunt men. If they like their jobs—or importance. The Premier says that he is at least the plush comforts that go with their looking after the money. We hope that he is. jobs—they will need to be careful that the But Government in an open democracy is not voters do not decide they are not only stunt just about taking people's word for it that they men but also stunted men. But then it is not are doing the right thing. It is especially not just the Premier and the Attorney-General who about the triumph of hope over experience are in the gun. from a Government such as this—a Government by the mates, of the mates and Consider this pearl of wisdom from the for the mates. Public accountability is what then Attorney-General, the member for counts. Murrumba, in his second-reading speech on 5 The record of this Government's two-plus December 1991 on what was to become the years in office can give no-one any grounds for 1992 Freedom of Information Act. He said— making optimistic assessments of its "The assumption that information fundamental probity. In the general held by Government is secret unless there Government area and in the general area of are reasons to the contrary is to be freedom of information, the irritation of this replaced by the assumption that Government's Ministers over FOI requests is information held by the Government is legendary. In the area in which until recently I available unless there are reasons to the had shadow Ministry responsibility, that of contrary. The perception that Government Employment, Training and Industrial Relations, is something remote from the citizen and there have been numerous instances of a entitled to keep its processes secret will fundamental desire to block the release of be replaced by the perception that information. These people just do not like to Government is merely the agent of its 2686 Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2000

citizens, keeping no secrets other than period of some four months and a year after those necessary to perform its functions its introduction is a good piece of legislation. as an agent." We know it is a good piece of legislation It is beyond dispute that these comments because the Premier told us so. He was all in reflect the public view of what Governments favour of it. He thought it was the ant's pants. should do and how they should conduct If he had gone on about it any more, we would themselves. It would be interesting to hear the have expected him to nominate himself for a view of the present Education Minister on the Nobel Prize just for having the idea in the first views of the Attorney-General of nine years place, or perhaps more appropriately an Oscar ago. I suspect, however, that if the Education for acting. But, of course, that was when it was Minister today still holds the views expressed his idea. When he became Premier and by the Attorney-General of nine years ago the suddenly found reasons to hide things, his Premier might have arranged for the member own legislation became a very bad idea. It for Murrumba's gums to be glued together. became political opportunism. It became The bottom line here is that assessment of interference in the process of government. It performance depends not on untested claims became Opposition mischief. It became to excellence but on actuality—runs on the Opposition whingeing. Of course, chiefly, it board. became a gross embarrassment. The Freedom of Information Amendment That is why, apart from the honourable Bill could be a run on the board for the Beattie member for Yeronga, who was sent in here to Government. It would be a lonely run, of bleat like a sacrificial lamb, all we have heard is course, but that is beside the point. It would be deafening silence from the benches opposite. a run. It would be a score of probably less than This Bill is the same Bill that the Government zero. The business of Government at the introduced when it was in Opposition. When State level is primarily about service delivery. we come to vote on it, if the Government is There is very little that is so secret that it must genuine Labor members will surely have to be hidden from view. There is nothing in vote for it. To do otherwise would be to expose ministerial expenses that demands secrecy, or themselves to uncontestable charges of for security guaranteeing anything other than a hypocrisy. I am sure that the Premier, who has Government's hold on office. There is a lot less turned the business of promoting himself and in the commercial-in-confidence rules, which his Government as paragons of virtue into an this Government has used as a scoundrel's art form, would actually like to vote for this hideaway, that warrants a ban on the free flow legislation of which he was once the principal of information about how public money has proponent. After all, he tells us frequently—in been spent. fact, he tells us constantly—that with him what one sees is what one gets. It is that simple. If This Government must be serious about he can bring himself to vote for this Bill tonight, accountability and openness. It must be the people will be able to give him a tick in the serious about this because it is its duty to be "not a hypocrite" box. However, he will not get so. However, it must also be serious about this a tick. Unless he is travelling on the road to because, if it is not—and it will not be if it votes Damascus tonight and suddenly sees a down this Bill, its own Bill—then it will have blinding light, he will not vote for the Bill. But, fatally undermined its validity as a nonetheless, I commend the Bill to him. Government. This Bill sets out a simple remedy to the obvious problem of secret It is a good Bill. It is a Bill that will put in ministerial expenses. It is a small step in the place a legislative mechanism to proscribe the right direction from the point of view of the process of hiding the Premier's political people, the people we are here to represent. embarrassments behind the out clauses of the This Bill is a Bill the Labor Party wanted when it FOI laws. He really does not need to get a tick was in Opposition. If it does not want it now in the "not a hypocrite" box, because he has when it is not in Opposition, the people will had some dreadful problems he would like to draw their own conclusions, and those put out of people's minds. He has a lame duck conclusions will be that the Labor Party in Treasurer in his Cabinet who owes his political office obviously has many things to hide. life to the fact that the Premier was not sufficiently attached to the principle of probity Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers in office to sack him over the net bet scandal. Paradise—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) He has a trade commissioner in Los Angeles (8.43 p.m.), in reply: I thank honourable who owes his job there to the fact that he members for their contributions to this debate. needed a bolthole and the Premier wanted The Freedom of Information Amendment Bill him out of Bundamba, not to mention away we have debated in this place over a lengthy from Lang Park. He has a huge political 23 Aug 2000 Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2687 problem in Townsville due to the fact that a more smoke to hide the pyre where his Labor candidate took him at his word when he conscience lies—dumped and doused with was breathlessly writing his own little book on petrol along with all his other suddenly expired how to get away with murder in politics and expediencies. I expect him to argue that black decided, along with others, to engage in a little is white—that what he argued for in 1998 has electoral malpractice. not been delivered yet for all sorts of reasons, The Premier has a new member for none of which are his fault. I expect him to Woodridge who, if official corruption inquiries argue that he was right in 1998 and I am into Labor's bent way of conducting politics wrong in 2000 because he is the very rock find what everyone knows there is to find, will upon which political probity is built. be forever besmirched by a reputation as a Debate on this Bill has been singular. party secretary under whose nose passed Apart from the Rumpole of this place, the artful disgracefully smelly electoral irregularities, if not dodger from Yeronga, none of the luminous illegalities. I do not expect Mr Deputy Speaker public spirits opposite have spoken on the Bill. Kaiser to comment on that. The Premier has a Anyone who might be tempted to regard this Public Service which is again in revolt against as rather strange given Labor's frantic the rule-by-apparatchik approach from which it enthusiasm for exactly the same legislation was rescued by the coalition in 1996. when it was on the Opposition benches just Mr Foley: He won't say anything about over two years ago obviously requires re- Carruthers, either. education. "Labor think" is the required standard today. Free thinking is not in the Mr BORBIDGE: The honourable member public interest. Contrary thinking is a political who interjects knew all about the Cedric offence. It is whingeing. It is being negative. It Hampson legal opinion that was locked in the is being anti-Queensland. For these reasons it safe. He knew all about it, did he not? is a little difficult to sum up—the proposer's We have a Premier who presides over a final task in a second-reading debate—in the Government that has kneecapped the customary way. The silence opposite has been Legislature—and the recent Estimates eloquent. It has been deafening. There is committee sessions have re-proved that nothing to respond to apart from the Attorney- fact—and that governs with an arrogance that General's contribution, and I will come to that is simply amazing from a political party in in a moment. power on 38% of the ballot and that is able to We on this side would like to think this stay afloat in this place on many contentious silence is the call of conscience or at least issues only on the casting vote of the Speaker. embarrassment, but we know it is not. We He presides over a Government that made know that it is arrogance. We know that it is a solemn commitments to the honourable complete lack of interest in propriety. That member for Nicklin in return for the favour of silence, however, has been very instructive for his support and he has spent the past two the people—for the voters, for those who on years using the honourable member as a election day will be passing judgment on the doormat. He presides over a Government that Beattie Labor Government. It speaks volumes. obtained power on the basis of promises it It says that the party machine and the 15th clearly never intended to keep. The Premier's floor run the 45 Labor MPs who comprise the promissory note to the member for Nicklin will Government in this place. It says that the we- never be honoured. We always knew it would know-best brigade is in charge, and we all not be. Now the member for Nicklin and the know who they are. They are easily identifiable Queensland people are finding that out, too. by the fact that they never know best. It says He presides over a Government that that rule by dictate and Government by constantly claims the moral high ground, yet apparatchik is still what the Labor Party is all continually wallows in stench and then about, for all its rhetoric of inclusion. It says employs its oversized and hyperactive publicity that having access to the spoils of office is machine to run around with the air freshener. what drives them all—not what is best for I dare say nothing will save the Premier accountability, for openness, for democratic from ultimately facing up to the facts, but if he principle, for parliamentary rules or for the votes for the Freedom of Information people. Amendment Bill he will at least be able to That silence says that running roughshod claim that he tried to be genuine. I do not over the Parliament, that engaging in expect him to vote for this Bill—for his Bill, his expensive public relations stunts, that legislation, of 1998. I expect instead for him to sacrificing forests to feed their press releases, find another excuse to flash his media smile that running a parliamentary timetable like and tell his publicity team to pump out even some pre-Mussolini Italian railway, that using 2688 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2000 the guillotine to kill debate, and that staying freedom of information to 52% of one step ahead of the bailiffs is what the requests—the second-lowest rate in this Beattie Labor Government has delivered. It Government, outbid only by the Deputy says that Labor believes that Queensland is its Premier, who apparently believes that he has fiefdom and Queenslanders are its serfs. It even more to hide. The Deputy Premier's says that the member for Brisbane Central will record is 50% release. do anything—that he will spin any line, attend How does this commitment to the opening of any envelope—to keep his feet accountable Government compare with the under the big desk at the Executive Building. It National/Liberal coalition? Under the coalition, is that simple. 70% and more of FOI requests were met. This Let me remind the House what this Bill was the record that Labor in Opposition said it proposes, as was proposed in an identical Bill wanted to improve on. Yet under Labor in by the current Premier when he was Leader of Government—I am indebted to the member the Opposition. It is so long since it was for Warwick for contributing these statistics to introduced under this Government's much- this debate—the people get 20% less vaunted but wholly deficient rules for private disclosure. Do those opposite have a hide? members' Bills that I think revisiting that detail They certainly have! Do they have a is warranted. The objectives of this legislation conscience? They certainly have not! are clear. They are simple. They are I acknowledge the thoughtful and well- straightforward. Its principal objectives are to argued contributions to this debate from those ensure that ministerial expenses documents on this side of the House and from other do not attract Cabinet exemption from FOI members on the non-Labor benches. Even access and to ensure that Cabinet exemption though the people have been deprived of any from FOI access applies only for proper contributions from Government members, Cabinet purposes and not for the improper except the Attorney-General, I believe we have purpose of merely evading FOI access. had a good debate. The issue is one of The reasons for these objectives are also importance. It is one, moreover, that goes to clear, simple and straightforward. Cabinet the very heart of this failed Government's confidentiality is a cornerstone of good increasingly insupportable claims to legitimacy. government under our Westminster system. It has been tried and found wanting, but it can However, this confidentiality should not be still do the right thing. It can at this 11th hour used as a mere device to escape public vote for legislation that proposes to put in scrutiny of matter that should properly be place arrangements it has argued for in this accessible under freedom of information. This very place. I commend the Bill to the House. legislation provides specifically that ministerial Question—That the Bill be read a second expenses do not attract Cabinet exemption time—put; and the House divided— from freedom of information. It provides more AYES, 37—Beanland, Black, Borbidge, Connor, broadly that Cabinet exemption does not apply Cooper, E. Cunningham, Dalgleish, Davidson, Gamin, to matters submitted predominantly for the Healy, Hobbs, Horan, Johnson, Kingston, Laming, purpose of making it exempt matter. It is not Lester, Lingard, Malone, Nelson, Paff, Pratt, Prenzler, anticipated that the changes proposed in this Quinn, Rowell, Santoro, Seeney, Sheldon, Simpson, Bill will result in significant costs for Slack, Springborg, Stephan, Turner, Veivers, Government. In fact, costs against the Watson, Wellington. Tellers: Baumann, Hegarty people's account may be reduced, as any NOES, 38—Attwood, Barton, Beattie, Bligh, Boyle, expenses incurred after its passage into law Braddy, Bredhauer, Briskey, J. Cunningham, will be fully scrutinised by the people. Edmond, Elder, Fenlon, Foley, Fouras, Hamill, Hayward, Kaiser, McGrady, Mickel, Mulherin, When the Attorney-General put a contrary Musgrove, Nelson-Carr, Nuttall, Palaszczuk, Pitt, argument on this Bill to the House when Reeves, Reynolds, Roberts, Robertson, Rose, debate was resumed in May, more than a year Schwarten, Spence, Struthers, Welford, Wells, after the Bill's introduction, he was forced to Wilson. Tellers: Sullivan, Purcell plead the Mandy Rice-Davies defence—a Resolved in the negative. point well made by my honourable friend the member for Burnett in the resumed debate on 19 July. As the member for Burnett said, the MINERAL RESOURCES AMENDMENT BILL Attorney-General seemed to be saying that Second Reading our Bill to compel Government honesty in relation to freedom of information was a Resumed from 20 July 1999 (see political stunt. Well, he would say that, wouldn't p. 2658). he? Yet this is the same Attorney-General who Hon. T. McGRADY (Mount Isa—ALP) has reduced access to documents under (Minister for Mines and Energy and Minister 23 Aug 2000 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 2689

Assisting the Deputy Premier on Regional would not necessarily reduce the number of Development) (9.05 p.m.): It can be said in hearings in the tribunal. But I believe that it favour of this Bill that many would see it as a would necessarily result in a much more means to provide equity between native title complex and time-consuming administrative claimants and long-term owners of land when workload. it comes to dealing with mining tenure With regard to renewal of exploration and applications. However, there are strong, mining tenements, this Bill proposes that in soundly based and practical arguments to be addition to the current renegotiation of made against this Bill, and I oppose its compensation for mining leases and mining passing. claims, the notification, consultation and I will go through my objections to the Bill's hearing processes would be repeated for all contents by dealing firstly with the exploration tenure types. This would introduce tenement provisions, secondly with the mining considerable sovereign risk to exploration and tenement provisions and then with the mining projects, since discovered deposits or provisions concerning renewal of both operating mines could be lost or closed down exploration and mining tenements. through disputes with landowners. When considering the likely impact of the Expanding the right to notification, suggested changes in the exploration consultation and hearing processes on provisions, it is worth bearing in mind that we renewal so that all landowners are included are in a time of a 30-year low in exploration would increase the risk to the extent that some activity. Even so, there are still between 300 mining houses may no longer be prepared to and 400 applications for exploration operate in Queensland. The proposed tenements lodged every year. Furthermore, procedures would also result in a major exploration tenements tend to be far greater in increase in administrative costs for both the area than mining tenements, and this Department of Mines and Energy and the immediately presents a problem. The numbers Land and Resources Tribunal, with no real of landowners involved can run into the benefits delivered to landowners. hundreds, and all of them would need to be We are at a point in time when there is notified on application, yet the exploration other legislation pending or, indeed, under company might never want to set foot on the development that may well result in increased majority of the land parcels in the permit area. administrative workloads and costs for This would be an onerous and expensive task, Government and the mining industry. The particularly for small exploration companies, policy development process is well advanced and would not be helpful to landowners. for the amendments transferring mining Landowners are already notified when an environmental powers to the Environmental exploration company wants to enter their land, Protection Agency and for the planned and consultation on planned activities takes indigenous cultural heritage legislation. We as place then. a Government believe that passing all of this For high-impact exploration tenements, legislation into law is a necessary part of the Land and Resources Tribunal could be fulfilling our obligation to act for the benefit of overwhelmed if granting the right of objection the whole community. and a hearing in the tribunal was available to all landowners rather than to native title The mining industry has a different set of claimants only. As matters already stand, obligations, however. Without discounting the landowners are able to be heard in the tribunal increased sense of community responsibility if there is a dispute over compensation for displayed by mining companies in recent damage caused by explorers. For mining years, it is nevertheless true that their prime tenements, the additional rights would add responsibility is to the company shareholders. little in practice to those already in existence. Looking at this Bill from that point of view, any As it stands now, there are some constraints increase in administrative costs is, at best, a on the matters that the tribunal may consider if necessary evil and, at worst, a powerful an agreement is not possible, but there are no disincentive to investment. To pass the Bill constraints on the matters that can be would risk providing this disincentive. negotiated for compensation. This means that Members of the House will be aware that a landowner's existing right of objection to the from time to time it is necessary to amend grant of the tenements and for negotiation for mining legislation to take into account changes a compensation agreement virtually amounts in technology, industry practice and community to a right to negotiate under another name. It expectations, and the last includes the follows that adding a formal right-to-negotiate expectations of landowners. Nevertheless, I process to the compensation negotiations cannot support this Bill. Despite giving an initial 2690 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2000 impression of being equitable, it would offer no defined in the Native Title Bill. It does not significant enhancement to landowners' rights cover absentee landlords but those who while causing major practical and have remained on their properties, either administrative problems for Government and as individual owners; joint owners or in industry. For the relatively negligible benefits another corporate structure provided 'a that the Bill may confer, both the Queensland majority of the shareholders in the taxpayer and the Queensland economy would corporation live and work on the land'." pay a heavy price, especially if it were to deter The City Country Alliance members of this exploration and mining firms from considering House agree wholeheartedly with the intention investment in this State. and principle of this Bill. My colleagues and I In the interests of the broader community, have spoken on this issue many times before I will be voting against this Bill and I urge other in this House and have expressed our deep members of this House to do likewise. concern for the future of this country under the Dr PRENZLER (Lockyer—CCAQ) impact of native title. (9.13 p.m.): I rise to support the member for I wish to restate at this time the Gladstone in her efforts to restore equality, fundamental rejection by City Country Alliance fairness and justice to comparable groups of members of the concept of native title itself. In Queenslanders. I quote from her second- fact, I believe that each and every one of us at reading speech when she said— some stage over the course of our ancestry "The Native Title (Queensland) State has been displaced, moved on, had our lands Provisions Amendment Bill (No. 2) taken away from us or invaded—or however 1998 ... now an Act of this Parliament, else it suits members to refer to this issue. conferred the right to negotiate to native To give an example of this, Britain is title claimants when mining leases were generally regarded as the single greatest being considered." exponent in the world of the art of colonisation At the time she expressed concern that— of lands that were in fact owned by the people resident at the time of the colonising invasions. "... we were proposing an inequitable Whilst the attitudes and moral values endowment of power to a specific group associated with those actions may be odious of people (Aboriginal Queenslanders) today, they were nevertheless in keeping with while excluding a complementary group of the standards of the day when they were people (other Queensland leaseholders)." undertaken. Britain itself was the subject of The member quoted comments from a letter invasion, colonisation, looting, raping, pillaging written to her office that— etc. for hundreds if not thousands of years "No one seriously denies that before it woke up to itself and started doing it Aborigines were dispossessed of to others instead. Just about everybody had a Australia; that massacre and brutalities go at owning various parts of the British Isles occurred and there are legitimate at some time or other. There were the French, aspirations to be recognised and the Danes, the Saxons, the Jutes, the implemented. Vikings—although I think they and the Danes may have been one and the same. Let us not But, I firmly believe that giving rights forget the Picts and the people who built above those of other Queenslanders and Hadrian's Wall and, of course, the Germans, other Australians ... is a mistake ... The who were far more successful at invading divisions seem to be getting worse, not places a long time ago than they have been of better and I am concerned that giving relatively recent times. Last but certainly not Aborigines further rights not available to least were the good old Romans. other Australians will further worsen the situation. I support land rights but I do not These and various other peoples arrived believe that this should include mineral on the shores of sunny old England for a rights unless all Australians are given the variety of reasons. Some arrived by pure same rights." accident, probably because the Yanks had been fiddling with the GPS satellites, but Further in her speech she stated— others actually headed there on purpose for "Again, this Bill is intended to confer reasons ranging from settling with their no lesser nor greater rights than the families, otherwise known as colonisation, to Native Title Bill conferred. That is, the right making off with the local valuables or simply to to negotiate to people who have a 'strong have a good time with the local girls. Whatever connection' with the land. This is defined, the reasons for invading and regardless of the I believe, as clearly as 'connection' was reasons for staying, not one of those invading 23 Aug 2000 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 2691 forces ever felt that it was necessary to obvious that no amount of commonsense or recognise native title or to bend over logic will convince those people of the dangers backwards to reconcile with anybody. We and stupidity of the Native Title Act. certainly do not hear anything in the History will judge the native title laws of international press about the Italians—the this country to have done more harm to the Romans—saying sorry or paying health and culture of the people it was compensation etc. for using Britain as a supposed to advance than all the alcohol holiday camp for their troops for approximately abuse and petrol sniffing combined. These four centuries. laws, in combination with the handout Just imagine the ruckus that would ensue mentality that has been rammed down the if one were to suggest carving up Britain—or throats of Aboriginal people by the do-good Europe, for that matter—into little plots of land groups, are destroying their culture. It is to distribute to everyone whose ancestors had destroying from within their way of life and their lived there for any length of time. It sounds will to live. Their pride and self-esteem are pretty stupid and futile, doesn't it? It is no more being swallowed up by the very system that stupid or futile than the mish-mash of native purports to care for them. title claims and register of native title interests I sincerely believe that the cruellest thing that we recognise in myriad complicated laws that can be done to a person is to enforce today. idleness. We all know that most of us who The aboriginal people of Australia are no have jobs and a busy life look forward with different to the Aboriginal people of every enjoyment and anticipation to the prospect of other part of the world who have been invaded not having to get up early on a day off or even or mistreated by others who did not several days while we are on our holidays. understand or care about the culture of those However, I ask members to spare a thought they were oppressing. The Aboriginal people for those, be they black, white or brindle, who of Australia are also no different to aboriginal through no fault of their own are consigned to people of every other part of the world for a life of eternal idleness and boredom. These another very important reason: they almost people are actually living in some form of certainly were not the first people to inhabit this purgatory. I ask members to imagine waking great country of ours and I am damned sure up in the morning and lying in bed and neither they nor the more recently imported realising that there is absolutely no reason to Australians will be the last people to colonise get up. That is fine if we are on holidays for a this country. couple of weeks, but I ask members to Even the evidence of the length of time of imagine how they would feel if they knew that occupation of this land is inconclusive. I am they not only did not have a reason to get out not talking about the Mabo case here at all. of bed early but also that it was extremely That was an entirely different issue altogether, unlikely that there would ever be a day for the as Eddie Mabo was of a different race to the rest of their lives when they would have a mainland Aborigine we see today. In no way reason to get out of bed and get dressed. should the outcome of the Mabo case have That is an example of what handouts and been allowed to lead to outrageous and native title are doing to a once proud race. I disastrous native title claims enshrined in the believe that it is genocide by stealth. That is myriad complicated laws that we see in right: the do-gooders of this world are Australia today. unwittingly conspiring with the morally bankrupt However, apart from this issue, it is quite middlemen of the Aboriginal industry to visit a clear that the learned and educated elite of pestilence upon the Aboriginal people of this country have little real interest in the Australia of biblical proportions. I have no outcomes of their actions or their grab for what doubt that those same do-gooders and they consider to be their rightful share of the profiteering middlemen would see no sense in ATSIC dollar. conferring upon a group of non-Aboriginal Australians any form of similar entitlements as Mr Hayward: So are you supporting or those that apply currently to native title opposing this Bill? claimants. Dr PRENZLER: I am supporting equality. Mr Hayward: So you just spoke against it Mr Hayward: So you are opposing the and now you are saying you support it. Bill, I assume? Dr PRENZLER: I am trying to say that, if Dr PRENZLER: No, I am not. I am just we are going to have such laws, they should saying that if the native title legislation has to be equal laws. Equality is the only way we are be there, it can be equal for all. It is also quite ever going to come together in this country. 2692 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2000

Of course, those people would piously are the ones who feed those people in the argue that no whitefella could possibly have a cities. spiritual connection to the land upon which he Mrs Lavarch: They lease the land from or she lives. I take offence at that. It would the State. appear that spirituality, culture, tradition, custom and spiritual sites are the sole domain Dr PRENZLER: Who owns the State? The of downtrodden minority groups whose State is owned by the people of the country. representatives are hell-bent on using a feeling How much closer to the land can people of collective guilt to force concessions from a get than that? As I said earlier, this Bill is all reluctant and gullible public. Of course, the about fairness and equity. It is about giving trick is that the public, who are in favour of leasehold tenants the same right to negotiate continuing the handout mentality, are the very in regard to mining leases as those that are ones who feel that they are not in danger of extended to native title claimants under the losing anything that will impact on their lives. Native Title Act. That is the problem. Perhaps if they swap their homes in their cities, or their units down the Before this Parliament votes on this issue, coast, with those people who have a great I urge all the members, particularly those deal to lose then they may become a little opposite, to consider the desperate plight of more circumspect when it comes to handing hardworking outback Australian families and out largess. the frustration of young people who live in western Queensland and who are trying to get Of course, non-Aboriginal Australians a start and a living off the land. These people have culture, tradition, customs and close have no access to low-interest loans. They spiritual connections to their land. Many have have no billion dollar land fund for the lived on the same piece of land for several purchase of properties. They do not even have generations. In fact, I come from a farm that a land bank that would enable them to get a has been in the hands of my family for over start. That is another example of inequality in 120 years. I believe that I have a spiritual, this country. Many of those people live and cultural and very close connection to that block work in conditions that most city dwelling of land. My father is still on that land. My people would reject completely and absolutely brother now owns and runs that farm. I have a out of hand. I believe that a number of very close connection to that land. There is no members in this House would reject those doubt about that. conditions. Many of those people in those How can anybody argue against people areas do not have mains electricity. They have who have lived and worked on the same block to rely on generators. I can give examples of of dirt ever since the day they were born? Do people living on properties only 80 kilometres they not have a strong connection to the land? from here who have never had electricity. They Of course they do! People who were born on still rely on generators. Yet those people live properties that have remained in the one maybe 20 kilometres or 30 kilometres away family for generations have all of those things from fairly major towns. Their children are trying in common with Aboriginal people. How many to learn by correspondence in Third World landowners have members met who could not conditions, with no mains power and, during tell them about every rock or tree on their the summer months, temperatures frequently property? There is no doubt that they can tell in the mid 40s. us of the changes that have taken place Of course, people such as those in the gradually over the years, over the decades Barcoo were in line to get mains power until and over a century—of major events such as this Labor Government came to power. This bushfires, floods, droughts and wild storms. Government has plenty of money to build a Mr Hayward interjected. swank little footbridge over the Brisbane River Dr PRENZLER: We are also talking about at a cost of some $13m plus to suck up to leasehold land that has been in a family's their inner-city mates who think that it might be hands for generations. nice to walk across the river occasionally. This same heartless Government has diverted Mrs Lavarch: But who owns the funds away from the bush to pander to their leasehold land? chardonnay swilling socialite mates in Brisbane Dr PRENZLER: The people of Australia. Central. The people of the Queensland bush After all, they rely absolutely on their land to produce great wealth for this State and nation feed themselves and their families. I may add and, instead of being rewarded in some way, that the majority of Australia's population live they are now penalised by politicians who on the east coast and in the cities. These expect leaseholders to carry the burden of people, who work hard out in these rural areas, native title. 23 Aug 2000 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 2693

Mr Hayward: You're leaving the miners to demonstrated clearly that he does not carry the burden, not the public. understand what native title means. Dr PRENZLER: Has the member ever Far from gaining community-wide seen leasehold land upon which mining has understanding, many of our opinion leaders taken place, by a company which has started and decision makers also do not understand raping and pillaging that block of land to try to what native title is about. Also—and I say this get its wealth? Often those miners go broke with the greatest respect—the private and leave the land as it is or, if they do mine it member's Bill before us demonstrates that the out, they leave it in the mess that it was. member for Gladstone also does not have an Mr Hayward: So you oppose mining in understanding of native title. I work with the Queensland? member on a parliamentary committee and I Dr PRENZLER: No, I do not. I am just know her well enough to say that her saying that there has to be equality of motivation in introducing this Bill is to obtain compensation between the people on what in her mind is a measure of fairness. To leasehold land as well as the Aboriginal her credit, she does this not by trying to directly people. strip some Aboriginal Queenslanders of their rights but instead by providing new procedural Of course, there will never be any rights to other Queenslanders. I believe this reconciliation in this country while politicians approach is misguided and that the Bill is give statutory rights to people solely on the fatally flawed, and I will attempt to explain why. basis of their race. Currently, rural leaseholders are being discriminated against, and the The Bill proposes to amend the Mineral members of this House must look beyond the Resources Act to extend the so-called right to day and see that their actions in this matter will negotiate attaching to native title rights to the have a profound influence on the future holders of various statutory land titles. The Bill direction of this State and, indeed, this nation. has technical flaws and I will briefly mention Be warned: we are rushing headlong into those later in my contribution. Far more reverse racial discrimination. Unfortunately for important than the technical defects, however, the rural leaseholders of Queensland, we have are the conceptual failures. It is these failures a Labor Party Government that cares even that I will spend the most time discussing in less for the bush than the National Party does, this debate. if that is possible. I apologise to the National At its essence the argument of the Party. No matter which way we turn, there will member for Gladstone is that the right to not be Government support for the bush until negotiate amounts to an inequitable the City Country Alliance has the balance of endowment of power to a specific group of power in this place. Then and only then will we people—Aboriginal Queenslanders—while see some turnaround in the fortunes of the excluding a complementary group of people, people who are the backbone of this country. namely, other Queensland leaseholders. The In conclusion, I will quote a few words member for Gladstone argues that the law is from the member for Gladstone's second- unequal and, hence, unfair; that it is wrong. reading speech. She said that she seeks the The solution to this wrong, according to the support of this Parliament to ensure that Bill, is to extend the rights prescribed under the Queenslanders can be confident that our State and Commonwealth native title regimes dealings with each other will be fair. With that, I to statutory property owners. However, there commend the Bill to the House in the vain and are limitations in the Bill as to which statutory faint hope that the Government will do the interest holders are to be afforded the right to right thing just this once and support those negotiate. Under the Bill the right is to be given leaseholders out in the Australian bush who to owners with a strong connection to the land. work very hard for this country. A strong connection is defined to occur if the owner lives and works on the land, has done Mrs LAVARCH (Kurwongbah—ALP) so for a significant part of the owner's lifetime (9.30 p.m.): It has now been over eight years or the owner is part of the family of a former since the High Court delivered the Mabo owner. At this stage it is probably appropriate judgment—eight years of controversy and to explain what the right to negotiate involves. debate, eight years of national soul-searching and eight years of learning and development. Essentially, it is a right of native title Yet sadly those eight years have not achieved holders and registered claimants to negotiate a community-wide understanding of what and have arbitrated, if necessary, proposals to native title means or how it rests within have mining take place on land subject to Australian legal and Government structures. native title rights. The Native Title Act provides The speech from the previous speaker time frames for the negotiation and arbitration 2694 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2000 stages to occur. There is no right of veto and Aboriginal customary law. That this is the case ultimately the Minister can allow a project to is not a sudden revelation. The Aboriginal proceed regardless of what decision is reached Land Rights Act in the Northern Territory was by the Native Title Tribunal or, in Queensland, enacted in 1976. It in turn was based on an the Land and Resources Tribunal. Bearing that extensive inquiry into Aboriginal customary law. in mind, I will come back to the Bill. That Act in part attempts to give statutory form I believe there are at least four serious to some of the fundamental understanding of flaws in the arguments advanced by the customary law as it relates to land. member for Gladstone, firstly, that the right to Does the Northern Territory Act contain a negotiate is a creation of statute alone and right to negotiate? The answer is: no, it does can be granted to any property title. In truth, not contain a right to negotiate. In fact, it the right to negotiate is a pale statutory contains a right of veto, that is, the relationship reflection of native title itself and it is not just a of Aboriginal law to land title was seen as more statutory grant. The second flaw is that our than a right to negotiate about a proposed property laws are founded on all rights and activity; it was seen as an absolute right to entitlements being the same. In truth, the refuse mining and other activity occurring on entire property law system is based on the land at all. This means that it is far more combinations of differing rights and likely that the absolute control of access would entitlements. The third flaw is the promotion of be more consistent with indigenous law than the view that equality means treating all the right to negotiate. Viewed in this light, the people the same. In truth, equality recognises right to negotiate is not a special statutory right that people have differences which are to be which has been given to the Aboriginal people, respected and each person has an entitlement and it is not a special statutory right as this Bill to a chance to an equal outcome in life. Lastly, proposes can be given to one property owner the fourth flaw in the argument is that native or another. Rather, this right to negotiate title rights are the equivalent of a strong stems from the nature of native title itself. connection to land. In truth, native title is much Actually, it would probably be a poor cousin to more than that. Now let me explain what I the customary law that native title recognises. mean by each of these. Sean Flood, a former member of the The chief argument of the member for National Native Title Tribunal, summed it up Gladstone is that the right to negotiate has this way when he said— been granted by the Commonwealth "The right to negotiate is not a right Parliament and adopted by the Queensland conferred by the Native Title Act 1983 Parliament for the benefit of native title holders (Commonwealth) it is not an addition to and not anyone else who holds property rights. the Common Law rights exercised in The basis of the Bill is to correct this alleged Mabo versus Queensland No. 2 175 unfairness by giving the right to negotiate to CLR 1, when it exists it is a Common Law others. However, this argument and this right exercised in accordance with the approach fail to appreciate that the foundation traditional laws acknowledged by, and the of the right to negotiate is not some dreamed- traditional customs observed by, the up special right but rather flows from the indigenous Native Title holders." nature of native title itself. Native title is a unique sui generis entitlement to land. It is In my experience it is always a both a right and an obligation or responsibility requirement under traditional laws and to care not only for land but also for law and customs for any outsider to negotiate activity culture. The title to land is recognised by the and entry onto Aboriginal country with the common law but it is sourced in the traditional traditional owners. This brings me to the laws and customs of the community holding second flaw in the argument of the member title. In the words of Justice Brennan in the for Gladstone, and that is that all property Mabo decision— holders should be treated equally—an argument with simple and alluring appeal but "Native Title has its origins in and is one which is utterly contrary to the common given its content by the traditional laws law and the Torrens system of Australian land acknowledged by and the traditional title. customs observed by the indigenous The land title system is based on differing inhabitants of a territory." rights attaching to different titles, and all of this The point which the member for occurs on the same parcel of land. For Gladstone and many others fail to grasp is that instance, a pastoral lease might be held the right to control access to and activities on concurrently with the holder of an easement traditional land is a consistent aspect of right and a sublease right and a right of way 23 Aug 2000 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 2695 and some mining tenements, such as an being the same. Equality does not mean that exploration licence. The one parcel of land can at all. Equating sameness with equality raises have a dozen different titles and interest the distinction between formal and substantive holders on it all at the same time. The rights equality. Formal equality treats all people as which each interest holder has are entirely the same without reference to differences different. Is the law unfair because what an between people. Substantive equality easement holder can do is different from what recognises the differences and aims for an the holder of the sublease or the petroleum equal outcome. As the Scrutiny of Legislation explorer with an authority to prospect can do? Committee report on the Bill noted, there is Is that unfair? considerable philosophical, political and legal It is exactly the same on a residential debate about the existence, meaning and block with a house. There might be a freehold application of a general principle of equality. title holder who is also a landlord. There could But it is clear that our laws and Government be a tenant who holds a residential lease. On system do recognise that different people in the same block there might be the holder of groups require different measures to assist an equitable interest gained under a trust as a them achieve decent, right outcomes. This is result of a will. There could also be an very basic in our system. easement for water, sewerage or electricity, or I ask members opposite if they think that a right of way for access for an adjoining land- the age pension scheme, which provides a holder. Do members opposite expect all those benefit entitlement and which is only available people to have exactly the same rights? If to those Australians of a particular age and members opposite look at each of those over, discriminates against all other interests, they will find that each interest holder Australians? Of course they do not believe that has different rights and obligations from the age pension discriminates against other others. We do not think that that is manifestly Australians, because they accept that older unfair, because all their rights are not exactly persons have special needs and deserve the same. special assistance and protection. Equally, No-one here thinks that they are measures to assist the blind or the disabled manifestly unfair. Yet the member for are hardly regarded as discriminatory in their Gladstone considers it is inequitable that, on a application. They are measures which are pastoral lease, the pastoralists and the designed to recognise differences and aim to coexisting native title holder have different achieve an outcome equal to that which other types of property rights. I do not notice that Australians might achieve. there is currently before the House a private Dr Prenzler: What's this got to do with member's Bill to give tenants the same rights blocks of land? as landlords. If members carried that argument Mrs LAVARCH: The member opposite through to its final conclusion they would give asks what this has to do with land. He argues every property holder the same rights. But of that equality means treating everyone the course there is not, because different rights same, but we do not treat everyone in this and entitlements of different interest holders in country the same. He does not call having to land are part and parcel of our land law and, be over 65 to get the age pension indeed, economic system. It has been so for discriminatory. 200 years in Australia and for hundreds of years before that in England, which is the The requirement for substantive equality original source of our property laws. as a foundation of true equality is neatly summarised in the 1965 decision of the I ask: what is inherently unfair about a title International Court of Justice in the South forged in laws tens of thousands of years old West African case. Members opposite should also having different characteristics and rights listen carefully. That decision states— to titles that are less than 200 years old? The answer is: absolutely nothing! It is perfectly fair "The principle of equality before the and perfectly consistent with the common law law does not mean absolute equality, traditions of our property law. That is why the namely the equal treatment of men and High Court in Mabo and subsequently has said women without regard to individual that the recognition of native title has not concrete circumstances, but it means"— fractured any principles of the Australian legal Dr Prenzler: That's what we're asking system. for—equal treatment. This then brings me to the third flaw in the Mrs LAVARCH: The member is not arguments underpinning the Bill, and that is listening. If he was listening, he would that equality means everyone and everything understand what I am saying and he would 2696 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2000 not be saying what he is saying now. I will display any understanding of what native title continue the quote— is and how the right to negotiate fits with native "... it means relative equality, namely the title. At best, it makes the simplistic point about principle to treat equally what are equal treating all people the same when the entire and unequally what are unequal. To treat property law system is about accommodating unequal matters differently according to differing rights, interests and entitlements. It their inequality is not only permitted but shows no appreciation of what achieving required." equality really entails. There are examples of statutory titles in Australia limiting mining rights Applying this to the right to negotiate and even providing a veto right to mining. The reinforces that native title holders should have member's Bill, however, makes no attempt to these rights, as they stem from the nature of argue the merits of why a right to negotiate or what native title is itself. No such claim can be similar scheme should actually attach to a made about the nature of a pastoral lease, pastoral lease as opposed to any other land which the Wik decision explained is a specific title. Rather, it is basically about making a set of statutory rights relating to grazing of political point, and even then it does not do cattle over vast areas. that very well at all. To sum up this point, I believe that there Mr NELSON (Tablelands—IND) is no weight to the argument that a pastoralist (9.49 p.m.): There is nothing more illuminating should have the same rights as a native title for somebody who grew up in outback holder. The notion of equality does not require Queensland than to listen to somebody who it and this is the only ground upon which the grew up in the city and who lives on a half acre member for Gladstone justifies the Bill. In block in Kurwongbah speaking about saying this, I do not wish it to be taken as attachment to the land. This Bill is one of the meaning that the graziers and other primary most sensible Bills ever brought before this producers, or land-holders more broadly, do House. It has been brought before this House not often or even generally feel strong by one of its most sensible members. It does attachment to their properties. not take away anyone's rights. It simply injects This take me to the fourth flaw in the Bill's equality into the whole debate, something that foundation, and that is that strong connection I thought that the Australian Labor Party to land equates to native title rights to land. fought long and hard for in standing up for With the greatest respect to the member for equal rights and equal access. I heard the Gladstone, this implication in the Bill and her member for Kurwongbah's speech. It was a second-reading speech is most insulting and highly illuminating script ripped straight out of demeaning to native title holders. I am sure no the annals of the High Court's decision. insult was intended by the member. However, Mrs Lavarch: I wrote it myself. native title is derived from the entire laws, customs and culture of Aboriginal people. It Mr NELSON: The member wrote it embraces in the words of the former Aboriginal herself. Yeah, right! Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Dodson, Mrs Lavarch: I did—from my own "social, cultural and spiritual life of Aboriginal research and my own beliefs. people". To imply that this is the same as Mr NELSON: The saddest thing about working the land for part of a person's life for this whole debate is the people we are actually income really does diminish what native title is. talking about. When one looks at the Before I conclude my contribution tonight, demographics of my electorate, apparently I would also like to briefly canvass the technical 28% of it is made up of indigenous people, flaws in the Bill. These flaws are that the making it an area with one of the highest distinction between otherwise equivalent indigenous populations in the State. Most property owners of strong connection may lead Aboriginal people I talk to in my electorate to the same interest holders having different want one simple thing, and that is to be rights; secondly, there is also a technical flaw treated like everyone else. That is what the in the ambiguous meaning of the phrase "with member for Kurwongbah said: they want to be necessary changes" to describe how the treated equally. procedures in the Mineral Resources Act would It amuses me when I hear statements be altered; and, thirdly, that the imprecise made in a vain attempt at reconciliation when meaning of the term "owner" and the term people say that we need to take this poor and "significant" to define key concepts in the Bill underprivileged huddled mass and do all of make it difficult to grasp what it is aimed at. these amazing things to ensure that they are In conclusion, this Bill is bad law. It is on an equal footing. No-one can argue the misconceived and misguided. It does not fact that there is a definite need for some 23 Aug 2000 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 2697 intervention by the Government in Aboriginal honest truth. However, if one walks up and missions or depressed areas throughout the down the main street of Mareeba, there are State so that those people can achieve the plenty of Aboriginal people, but one does not same goals as people in the cities do. see people treating them differently because However, it is not simply because of race. I can of that. They are people just like everyone assure the House that there are white children else. When we start trying to highlight the in Ravenshoe who have just as many colour of someone's skin and create separate problems getting access to services as rights because of that, there will be a backlash Aboriginals. This is why this debate no longer from the community. That backlash was visible angers me. This is why that foolish and in the formation of One Nation. It is still visible ridiculous attempt to storm the Sydney in the community. Harbour Bridge no longer angers me. Do It was thought that there would be 300 members know why? I will tell them why. people storming the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Recently, a young Austrian student told My little brother went to it, and I guarantee the me something very interesting. She was House that he does not believe in talking about what is being done in Austria to reconciliation. He went because he got a free make this generation sorry for the Holocaust. bus ride to Sydney and he got to walk on the They are taking it into the schools. They are Sydney Harbour Bridge, two things he has trying to engender guilt into the younger always wanted he do. He did not carry a generations. When one tries to make people banner, but he wanted to do it, as did the 30 say sorry for something they did not do, all one or 40 who went on the bus with him. I am sorry is doing is engendering guilt. It is an attempt to to burst the bubble, but that is the way it is. breed guilt into society. It is like saying, "Your The simple fact is that that whole policy is the culture is wrong and what happened in your most racist thing I have ever seen. It is exactly past is wrong and you need to say sorry for the same thing the South Africans did for that." Engendering guilt in people gets them years in trying to separate people according to riled. Most of the 17 year olds I talk to see one the colour of their skin. thing and one thing only: they see that other However, there is a funny side to this. This children in their classes have access to things Minister knows how much contact I have with to which they do not have access. Those indigenous people in my community. Does the children are in the same class. They sit side by Minister remember a town by the name of side. They have exactly the same level of Laura? I talked to a group of Aborigines from achievement in most things. However, they Laura and they told me about one of the see that one group gets one thing and the Minister's wonderful journeys there. The simple other group another. fact is that the Minister has very little real The Bill I introduced which was thrown out knowledge of what those people and their in a quite dastardly fashion while I was not lifestyle are like. here went to the heart of this matter. When we Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Reeves): separate people in society but try to keep Order! I have been quite liberal in the them equal, the Dutch have a word for member's six minutes so far. I remind the that—apartheid. Doing that creates two member that we are talking about the member separate nations in one country. All it does is for Gladstone's Bill. I ask the member to start separate people and makes them angry and referring to it. leads to their fighting each other. That is not making things better. Mr NELSON: In her second-reading speech, if the Deputy Speaker wants me to A lot of members come from country refer to that, the member for Gladstone said— areas. When one talks about reconciliation, many people in towns such as Ravenshoe get "At the time, I expressed concern a dazed look on their face and say, "What the that we were talking about an inequitable hell are you talking about?" I would treat the endowment of power to a specific group Aboriginal people I know living in Malanda just of people (Aboriginal Queenslanders) like I would treat anyone else, and so would while excluding a complementary group of everyone else in the town. There is very little people (other Queensland leaseholders)." racism in country towns. Do members know This is exactly what I am talking about. Let us where the majority of racism lies? It lies in the face it: what we are saying to Queensland big cities. Ever since I have been coming to leaseholders is that if they were an Aboriginal Brisbane as a member of Parliament I walk leaseholder and they had native title over the from one end of George Street to the other. I property, they would have different sets of do not think I have ever seen an Aboriginal rights. It has nothing to do with whether they person in George Street, and that is the God have fair and equal access to schools, etc. It 2698 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2000 has to do with simply giving people the rights ancestors have been here. Attachment to the that everyone else has in negotiating with land is to the land that one lives on and the mining companies. The Premier and the land that one loves. Government are very big on bashing oil What is this an argument about? Is it an companies, mining companies, multinationals argument about who loves the land more and and anyone else who wants to come along at who likes the land more? I can assure the moment. honourable members that I have a deep and Mr Hayward: You're bashing the miners abiding love of my land. I would fight tooth and tonight. It's unbelievable. nail to defend it and I would fight tooth and Mr NELSON: I am not bashing the nail to stay on it. I would not want a mining miners. company coming on to my leasehold land which had been in the family for years and Mr Hayward: Of course you're bashing which I had lived on for 27 years. The last the miners. thing I would want is a mining company Mr NELSON: If it was up to me, there coming on there and doing as it pleased. As would be no such thing as native title, my the member for Barambah quite rightly said, I friend. If it was up to me, that would be the last would like the right to negotiate just like thing— everyone else. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! I remind This boils down to the simple question the member to speak through the chair. It about who loves the land more, and that would also assist the debate if members let cannot be defined. We cannot say, "This the member finish his speech. person loves the land more because their Mr NELSON: It certainly would. As I said, ancestors were here 40,000 years before if it was up to me, we would not be separating ours." Can members imagine the insanity of a people. We would not be giving them extra land rights debate in Europe? If that sort of rights in the first place and therefore there debate was brought on, those in the European would be no need to bring in this Bill. What we Union would spend the rest of their lives are breeding in society is justifiable anger arguing things such as whether the Jutes were because of the separation of the races. The somewhere in 1036 or what form of Russian fact that the Minister disagrees with me means army came up into another area in 1920. We that I am right. live in a country that has not had to go through that sort of rubbish, yet now we are importing a This Bill goes some way to try to bring the system by which we will have to define land balance back so that we do not have a system ownership by how long we have been on a of apartheid in this nation, so that we can stop certain piece of land. It is absolute insanity. the inherent racism in this irrational debate over reconciliation and saying sorry, so that we As I said, this Bill goes a little way to can bring the country back together and so changing this absolute insanity. It has nothing that we can move forward as Australians. The to do with race. It may shock some members simple fact is that we are all Australians. I of the House to know that my grandmother is cannot go to Ireland or England and claim Tongan. She is as black as the ace of spades. native title. We are all stuck on this island I am not racist. I have no racist agenda together. In 100 years' time, this argument will whatsoever. I believe firmly and utterly in still be floating around unless something is equality—that every man is created equal and done about it now to try to rein in the rampant, should be judged by the content of their insane agenda that is the whole apartheid character and not by the colour of their skin. system. This Bill goes some way to changing When we say to a whole group of people that that. It goes some way to giving leaseholders they are all deserving of certain rights because exactly the same rights as a native title owner of the colour of their skin, regardless of the with exactly the same entitlement to the land. situation they are in, we are being racist. As far We talk about Aboriginal cultures having as I know there is no means testing for close ties to the land after 40,000 years, and Abstudy. I would like to stand corrected on my personal belief is that Aboriginal people that, but I cannot be because there is no have been here a lot longer than 40,000 means testing. years. This can be related to my attachment to Saying to a whole group of people, "Here the land. I was born in 1973. I have been on are rights for you because you must be the planet for 27 years. I have 27 years' underprivileged because of the colour of your attachment to the land.The simple fact is that I skin", is the most racist thing I have ever heard am as Australian as another 27 year old who in my life. That is the height of racism. That is was born here. It does not matter how long my the definition of racism—when one looks at a 23 Aug 2000 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 2699 group of people and says, "You must deserve balancing inequalities elsewhere—in relation to these rights because of the colour of your health, employment, low life expectancy such skin." I do not do that because I am not a as there is in Cape York and those sorts of member of the ALP. I take each man as he things. That legislation has been around since comes. The simple fact is that if a lot more the early 1970s and has been supported at a people did that we would not be having these national level by all political parties. That is the sorts of debates in this Parliament. basis of the Native Title Act and the special Mr Dalgleish: They single them out. right to negotiate about mining activity. I think this is an important point. Currently there is no Mr NELSON: Yes, they single them out. means for native title holders to gain an In every piece of legislation that goes through economic benefit. Where future mining activity this House, Aboriginal and Torres Strait exists there is an opportunity to seek and to Islander people are singled out for special participate in economic activity. treatment. The simple fact is: the sooner we start treating all Queenslanders the same On pastoral land, native title holders under law—that is where this law comes in, currently have no means to gain an economic because it is trying to stem this insane tide of benefit. The right to negotiate allows native racism that the socialists have brought into this title holders to participate in future mining country—the quicker these sorts of problems activity on land in which they have an interest. will go away and we can get back to being Pastoralists and other land-holders can farm Queenslanders. the land and earn income from their interest in the land. Without the right to negotiate, As I said, what 95% to 100% of the indigenous people have no economic Aboriginal people in my electorate want more opportunities on land in which they have a than anything else is just to be Queenslanders legitimate interest, according to the decisions like everyone else. They just want to get on of the High Court. with their lives and not have to deal with this stupid stuff championed by absolute scum of This is all about balance and fairness. The the earth such as Noel Pearson, whom the problem we have is that this legislation, well Beattie Government panders to day and night founded as it may be, would create an and who is trying to set himself up as the king administrative nightmare for landowners who of the cape. People such as him and Jason have existing rights and would to some extent Yanner are feeding off this and using it as a create some degree of anarchy. The High weapon. They are getting away with murder Court decisions that have been brought down because they hide behind this wall that has and the various pieces of legislation have been built for them. sought to redress an imbalance that has existed for many years. Indeed, over the last As I said, this Bill goes some way to two years the Government has spent some addressing that problem. The more we push time trying to negotiate a successful outcome this, the more the younger people will move to a State-based regime for Queensland. away. The greatest thing of all is that young Members of the House would be aware that people are starting to look at the inequalities of we introduced a number of pieces of the system. We cannot lie to young people. legislation, as amended by the Federal They sit back and say, "We have listened to all Government—it put up around 500 this wonderful Government propaganda, but amendments to the legislation and we we have got this issue and this issue." The amended it through this House—to try and get Government can lie to some of the people a State-based regime. some of the time, but it cannot lie to all of the people all of the time. Hopefully when the Mr Borbidge interjected. younger generations come through they will Mr BEATTIE: I could not disagree with throw out this insane agenda. I am backing that one little bit. the member's Bill, and every member of this The important thing is that, out of that Parliament who believes in equality should do State-based regime, we are trying to balance the same. people's rights. This is a fundamental point I Hon. P. D. BEATTIE (Brisbane Central— make today in relation to this piece of ALP) (Premier) (10.04 p.m.): There are a legislation from the honourable member for number of things I want to contribute to this Gladstone. What the State-based regime debate. Firstly, the Racial Discrimination Act, provides is that the mining industry should which has been around since the early 1970s, have a right to go out and explore, find mining basically allows for special measures to deposits and then develop them and take the balance existing inequalities. That can be from profits that go with that. Royalties come to the providing greater rights in one area to State which then go into education, health and 2700 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2000 various community services—roads and other than I am have said to me, "At some point you things that the State Government provides. have to move on." I do not disagree with that, Indigenous people should then have a right to but part of the healing process is to say that participate in some of those benefits as well, you are sorry, accept the mistakes of the past where native title is found to exist—in that and then move on. It is not a matter of— limited area where native title is found to exist. Mr Knuth: Making lots of money in the A good illustration of this, of course, is the meantime. Century Zinc mine, which has been around for some time and which I had the pleasure of Mr BEATTIE: That is pure ignorance. The opening only recently. It has resulted in around apology is about reconciliation and moving on. about 100—maybe it will get to 140 or If individuals want to pursue claims for 150—local indigenous people— compensation—and some do—that is a separate issue that they can pursue in the Mr McGrady: It was 168. courts. It is a separate issue that people may Mr BEATTIE: It was 168 at one time. I want to pursue. There are no rights for take the local member's interjection, because compensation that flow from the apology. That he had a keen interest in it. They have is a separate issue that people may want to employment opportunities at this mine. There pursue and can pursue. was a package of around $60m from Let me come back to the issue of the Pasminco which went into the local native title regime. I have been involved in community. Century is the biggest zinc mine in negotiations. In fact, I met Kim Beazley on the world, as I understand it. There will be Sunday, and we sat down and discussed the considerable benefits to the company and to State-based regime, and I have sought his this State out of it. support. I have had discussions with him on a Mr Borbidge: $30m to the State. number of occasions. Indeed, I have met with Mr BEATTIE: A lot of money. We made QIWG, the Queensland Indigenous Working some tough decisions about abolishing native Group, on three occasions in recent times to title for a corridor—a corridor to put powerlines endeavour to encourage them to support our in, if I recall correctly. I am pleased to see that State-based regime so that we could get even Murandoo Yanner, a great supporter of mining activity and jobs and sharing the the Leader of the Opposition and me, has benefits—the sorts of things I have talked indicated that this mine is one of the most about tonight. That matter will go before the important opportunities for employment for Senate on 30 August. We will have to wait and local people in that area. That is what that see. The party Federally has not yet made a underlines. It is about balance. It is about decision. I have done everything I can to fairness. It is about giving people who have encourage them to support our State-based been disfranchised for a long period of time an regime, because I think it is the way ahead, opportunity to share in the benefits. and I will not give up on supporting our State- based regime as approved by this Parliament. In this House I moved a motion, supported by the Minister, in relation to an Whether the Senate in the end supports it apology for the stolen generation. I felt that remains to be seen. The Democrats have was important because, as a parent, I could clearly spelt out that they do not support it. not imagine anything more distressing than They have moved a disallowance, and the having my children forcibly taken away. I am resolution will be their disallowance. not saying that the people of the time were Unfortunately, they have limited debate to two bad people. They were not. In retrospect, I hours in the Senate, so it remains to be seen would not support or agree with their policies. I what happens. In the meantime, I have made think they were clearly wrong. But many of it clear—and I met with the Mining Council only those people—clearly the majority of those yesterday—that the Government, along with people—thought they were doing the right Tony McGrady and Jim Elder, will be doing thing. That is not the issue. The issue is that a everything it can to encourage mining and lot of those young children—indeed, all of investment opportunities in this State. those young children—were taken away from I have also made it clear that, in terms of their parents. progressing this matter, subject to the approval I thought—and I still believe very of a State-based regime, we are happy to strongly—it was important that we do say we support a Statewide ILUA, not just for past are sorry to them so that they can start the acts, which is what we have been negotiating reconciliation process and rebuild their lives. Of for some time to overcome a range of issues course, we do need to move on. Many people that existed during the Goss Government, the who are more conservative on these issues Borbidge Government and my Government to 23 Aug 2000 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 2701 try to ensure that past acts have been sections, particularly the Democrats and approved and that those past acts lead to others, for going down this road— mining activity. That ILUA is close to Mr Borbidge: And your own Federal finalisation. It has not been finalised yet but it colleagues. is close to finalisation. Tony McGrady's department has been spending a significant Mr BEATTIE: To some extent, that is true. amount of time on it. Subject to a State-based Everybody in Canberra has been the problem regime going ahead, we are supportive of an in this; let us be honest. What we have sought ILUA for future mining acts, not just past ones, to do is come out with a fair balance and an to overcome the backlog. That is a genuine outcome. attempt on our part to try to see mining activity I have dealt with the aspects of the go ahead and also to facilitate a sharing of member for Gladstone's legislation in terms of benefits with indigenous people. rights and how they need to be recognised for I understand that a lot of people can play indigenous people. One of the things that we and will play politics on this, but the bottom line are seeking to do is to deal with some of these is this: our State-based regime, regardless of issues, and that is why, this Friday and who is running Government in this State, has Saturday, there will be a Cape York to be approved by the Federal Parliament, and partnerships business summit in Weipa, which it has to be approved not just by the House of will be attended by the Minister for Aboriginal Representatives but by the Senate. Frankly, a Affairs, Judy Spence; Stephen Bredhauer, the Government that is committed to development local member and Minister; and me. of the mining industry—and I assume that the Unfortunately, there are limited opportunities coalition Government, if ever re-elected, would for more Ministers to attend, because business be committed to it, too—has to weave its way leaders from all over Australia as well as through the maze of High Court decisions and indigenous people will be in attendance. I see the maze of approval processes to get an that as a new beginning, a new start, to allow outcome. commercial opportunities for indigenous people, to give indigenous people a new That is why, in a tangible sense, subject relationship with Government. to the approval of the State-based regime, we have gone down the road of these discussions The summit, as I describe it, is about about ILUAs. I am happy to tell the House that bringing the business sector and indigenous tonight. Let us see what happens in a leaders together to talk about what sort of fortnight. But whatever happens in a fortnight, economic development opportunities exist in clearly there needs to be an outcome that will the Cape and the sort of development that work. There needs to be a tangible outcome. would be acceptable in indigenous Regardless of how we go through this communities. For those who argue—and minefield—and I have to tell you, the last two people on both sides of politics do this—that years have been a difficult road in relation to indigenous people should be out there doing it native title—there has to be a tangible for themselves with all these sorts of outcome that enables native title to go ahead, opportunities, here is a tangible way that but in accordance with the High Court Government will be encouraging them. Here is decisions, and none of us can change those, a tangible way that Government will act as a whether we support them or not, and to go catalyst. We will bring business leaders ahead in a fair way which enables the mining together to sit down and talk with indigenous activity to continue as well as facilitating some people about achieving business outcomes. sharing of benefits. So the issue of native title, Whilst there are a range of opportunities, which has been before this House on a these will need to be carefully assessed to number of occasions, is now coming to fruition ensure that sustainable and relevant to some extent in terms of what processes will development occurs. work. It is hoped that the summit will be the first I say one other thing, and I do not say step in starting the process of rigorously this in any sense of political point scoring. The analysing these options and in identifying what fact of the matter is this: if our State-based is needed on the part of the communities, the regime does not get up, and if there is not an Government and the business sector to ILUA in operation, the Federal Government's progress these options. It is important to scheme for native title does not work. The understand that this is not about unplanned or Howard scheme does not work. The mining wholesale development; nor is it about an industry will tell you that. That is why we have open chequebook on the part of Government sought to improve on it. I know that we have or the private sector. Any development will been under attack and criticism from some need to be consistent with cultural, community 2702 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2000 and environmental management objectives. It highset Queenslander so great? Because it is is also important to realise that the hot; this is Queensland. identification and progression of the various Ms Spence: Termites can't get it. economic development opportunities is likely to require ongoing work on the part of those of Mr BEATTIE: Yes, all that sort of stuff. us who are at the summit as well as other Mr Schwarten: You put the stump caps parties. Accordingly, it is important to see the on. summit as only a first step. Mr BEATTIE: That is right; you put on the This new partnership plan for Cape York stump caps. will take some years to bring to the sort of Why we ever built these lowset Besser fruition we would like, but we see this as an brick places in hot Queensland is beyond me. important beginning. With all these things, the They are terrible. If we had gone to the hardship and the pain of the past took community, which is what the partnership plan centuries, almost, to create. It will not be is all about, and said to them, "What sort of solved overnight. The summit is an opportunity houses can we build for you?", not in terms of to brainstorm a range of economic new money but existing money to get a better development opportunities and to look at the outcome for their own quality of life, then they range of issues that will have to be addressed are more likely to live in them and they are if these opportunities are to be realised. Whilst more likely to participate in them. the Cape York partnerships economic development strategy has a particular focus on But it was a paternalism from our point of indigenous economic development, it also view that said, "We know better than you." I needs to have regard for the wider policy have to tell members that we have not been environment, including the broader CYPLUS— all that smart if we are putting Besser brick now CYP 2010—process and other relevant lowset houses in hot communities. We were whole-of-Government policy processes. smart enough to build Queenslanders for ourselves but we did not go to the next stage. We have provided a range of background materials to those who are attending—and The next issue is wagging it from those attending are very distinguished people, school—absenteeism. One of the big from Sir Ninian Stephen onward—and they problems in the communities is that a lot of summarise a range of economic and indigenous kids do not go to school. What we community development issues and are trying to do is to get the Education opportunities. It is hoped that we can use most Department to go in with the Health of our time at the summit together to focus on Department, the police and all the other the specific issues raised in the materials and agencies and sit down and talk to the come up with perhaps some priorities for community about why kids do not want to go action and agree on how we can collectively to school, to try to ascertain why they do not progress these matters. I am looking forward want to go to school. Just do not say to them, to participating, as I know are the other "You will go to school." In indigenous Ministers, in this historic event, this turning communities that is a bit hard to do. It may point in Government/indigenous relations. I am well be that we have to make some of the certainly looking forward to the collective courses more culturally relevant. We may have deliberations over those two days. to have activities that make it more attractive One of the other things that we are for kids to go to school. If they go to school, seeking to do as part of this Cape York then they can share in the education process partnership is actually reassess how and they can achieve something. Government does business with indigenous The great quality of our society is our people. For too long we have gone into these education system. People do not have to go communities and simply said to them, "Look, to university—a lot of us have—but people this is the sort of house we will build. This is the who have gone to high school, primary school besser brick house we are going to build for or whatever are educated. They can achieve you. If you don't like it, that is too bad; that is whatever they want to achieve because they what you are going to get." I do not know have got education. It does not matter where about everyone in this House, but I grew up in we come from. If young indigenous kids are a highset Queenslander. I used to play not accessing education because they are not marbles in the dirt underneath. I was not very going to school, then how are they ever going good at it. I have thick thumbs, so I was never to become teachers, doctors and nurses and very good at marbles, but I would sit around all the other sorts of things that they need to with the kids next door and we used to play be? It is a matter of sitting and talking to the marbles and all that sort of stuff. Why is a communities about what they need, how to 23 Aug 2000 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 2703 relate to them and actually get an outcome plan to try to resolve it in the interests of all that means something to those communities. Queenslanders. The strength in these communities is the Time expired. women. That is why we have to ensure that Hon. R. E. BORBIDGE (Surfers the leaders, the elders, all of the men and Paradise—NPA) (Leader of the Opposition) women, but particularly the women, have got (10.24 p.m.): In speaking to the Mineral key outcomes. When it comes to some of the Resources Amendment Bill proposed by the problems that are raised from time to time, member for Gladstone, I will comment briefly such as alcohol and all those sorts of issues, on a couple of the matters that have been we see the women as key players in resolving raised by the Premier. those issues and we will work with those When the Premier says that the Howard communities to do it. Whether it is in housing Government native title regime, which he will where Robert Schwarten's people have come have to fall back on, does not work, what he is up with strategies, whether it is justice really saying is that the Keating native title programs that Matt Foley's people have come regime does not work because, despite its up with, whether it is a whole-of-Government best efforts, the Democrats and the Labor approach that Judy Spence's people have Party and the Greens and Senator Harradine come up with, whether it is mining that Tony made the development of a better and a more McGrady has pursued, whether it is in sensible system by the Howard Government education—in all those areas we need a new simply impossible. In the final analysis, if the approach. State-based regime does not get up, it is not When I launched this policy on behalf of the Howard regime we fall back on; it is the the Government, which we had worked on for original incredibly flawed premises and detail a long period of time in Cairns, it was for the most part of the 1993 Act. interesting that I launched it with a number of I make the point to the House tonight that indigenous people and a lot of good public today I called on the Federal Opposition servants. There was a degree of concern. Leader, Mr Beazley, and the Federal Labor They were a bit frightened about this new way Party to support in the Senate the legislation of doing business. Instead of telling people, that the Queensland Government passed "This is how you do it", they actually had to through this Parliament. I did so not because I listen to people and respond to them. I would do not believe that the legislation is not flawed, have thought that every elected member in but it is the legislation that has been put this House would support responsive public forward by the duly elected Government of the servants and responsive Government day and with all its faults if we do not get that departments regardless of who is in legislation through then we are going to have Government. That is why this is a new one unholy mess. I hope that Mr Beazley and approach. We see the Cape York partnership Federal Labor will accept their responsibilities plan as a landmark and one of the most in making sure that they do not support the exciting and historic things that has been done Democrats' disallowance motion in the Senate. in indigenous affairs probably since white The Premier knows that he has the support of settlement. If it works, we will spread it the Commonwealth Government in the elsewhere. That does not mean that the Senate. If it falls over, it will fall over because inspectors from Merri Rose's department will of the actions of Federal Labor, including the not deal with liquor abuse and all those things; actions of Federal Labor members from the they will. This is about changing how State of Queensland. Government does business. I say at the outset that the National Party I say to everyone that I understand the and I cannot not support this Bill because it reason the member for Gladstone has seeks to provide to non-exclusive leaseholders introduced this Bill. I respect the member for in this State the same ability to take part in the Gladstone and I respect her position on this, right to negotiate processes of the Native Title but I do want to explain why native title rights Act where mining is proposed on land in which are different. I do want to explain why, for all they have an interest as has been extended those reasons I have spelled out—the by the Labor Party to native title claimants. hardships, the inequalities, the high mortality What it seeks, therefore, is the very rate and all those things—why they are equality of rights before the law for land- different and why their rights exist only in holders that was the cornerstone of the certain circumstances. They are limited rights. National Party's position in the negotiations What we need is a new approach. I would love that flowed from the Wik decision of the High to see some bipartisanship for the partnership Court in December 1996. Honourable 2704 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2000 members will recall that in the Wik decision the virtually all of those grants had totally majority of the court gratuitously decided to extinguished native title. turn the land law of this country effectively on At the time, the right to negotiate was its ear. devised quite specifically and quite openly as a What the court held was that pastoral form of compensation for that presumed leases, which had been held in Mabo and for widespread extinguishment. The right, 200 years to have been grants of exclusive available to no other Australian, was to apply possession that had extinguished native title, on land where it was assumed in Mabo that were suddenly not grants of exclusive native title might still exist, and that was possession. They were and always had been, restricted on the then understanding of the despite 200 years of practice, according to the reach of native title almost exclusively to court, mere grants of quite limited statutory vacant Crown land. So the proposition in this rights which did not necessarily extinguish any artificial construct was that native title native title at all. By that extraordinary ruse, a claimants—not native title holders, but native bare majority of the High Court were able to title claimants—would have access to a special create the sort of reach for native title that they right to negotiate if mining was proposed on had decided, no doubt well in advance of the vacant Crown land where they had lodged a Wik case, was what they wanted to inflict on land claim. A key part of the political construct this country so that they could be heroes of was that giving them this sort of right was the land rights push. legitimate because, apart from the Crown, they were the only people who might have an It is very relevant to note that one of the interest in that land. dissenters from the bare 4-3 majority in that decision was the then Chief Justice of the High So what was always an ad hoc and unjust Court of Australia, Sir Gerard Brennan, who idea in giving to Aboriginal people a right that wrote the lead judgment in Mabo. The Chief no other Australian enjoyed in similar Justice was of the view that the majority were circumstances, where apart from the Crown fundamentally wrong in determining that a only they had an interest, and which saddled pastoral lease was not a grant of exclusive the mining industry of this country alone with possession and that the finding of the majority an almost insurmountable problem in relation equally fundamentally undermined Australian to bureaucracy and cost, was potentially, land law and threw it into dangerous massively and ridiculously extended by the Wik confusion—effectively the response of the decision. Under the right to negotiate regime then Chief Justice. Of course, that is precisely post Wik, where it was assumed that native what that bare majority decision did. title extended to pastoral leasehold country, we are being asked to accept that Aboriginal One of the most significant impacts of native title claimants should have a right to that massive distortion of the law by the Wik negotiate when mining is proposed on land in decision was that the reach of the right to which they might have some usufructuary negotiate provisions of the Native Title Act rights but that the leaseholder should not. were massively, totally and inappropriately There was no logic to that. There was no extended. The first thing that has to be justice to that. Only the native title claimant understood in considering this proposed would have these special rights. Of course, discriminatory extension of the right to that was unacceptable to anybody with the negotiate is that it was not, and is not, an slightest degree of commonsense. The logical element of native title as recognised or as thing to do, the just thing to do, was to ensure developed through the common law. formal equality of rights before the law. The The revisionists would now have it that the obvious benchmark in determining what rights right to negotiate is some sort of fundamental Aborigines should have in relation to land in aspect of native title as described and which they claimed an interest was to provide developed by the courts. Earlier tonight in this them with the same set of rights that were place we heard some of those views available to anybody else in similar expressed. It is not. It is a purely political circumstances. Because the right to negotiate construct. Anybody who followed the was a purely political construct it was, of development of the Native Title Act in 1993 course, subject to legislative revision to reflect knows that. It was constructed out of the very that commonsense position. understanding after Mabo that native title did The Commonwealth in the negotiations not extend generally speaking to any land over with the States, the Territories and the which substantive tenure had been granted in Aborigines after the Wik decision recognised the past, because it was understood that the fundamental need to revisit the right to 23 Aug 2000 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 2705 negotiate. During those negotiations the leaseholders. That was the only reasonable Queensland National Party argued that what approach open. It was a much-needed the Commonwealth ought to do to restore correction to the madness of the right to some sanity to the law was to enable the negotiate. States and Territories to put in place native title That is what would have been the form of regimes that would enable them to restore the State-based regime put forward if the equality to land law. If Aborigines had some coalition had been returned in 1998. Instead, rights in relation to pastoral land, which were the minority Labor Government that emerged limited by the rights already granted to the after the 1998 State election chose to reflect pastoralist—as was quite clearly held in Wik— the views of the extreme Left of the Labor then the rights enjoyed by both types of land- Party, which had dominated the debate in holder should be equal. We argued that Canberra, and opted in the development of a Aborigines should have no more rights and no Queensland regime for an extension of the lesser rights than the same rights available to right to negotiate to pastoral land. It opted to the pastoralists in relation to dealing with give Aborigines with a potential right in relation mining exploration or development on their to that land an ability to negotiate the terms of land. mining exploration or development on that However, that concept of equality before land that was not available to the leaseholder. the law was fought tooth and nail in the Labor in Queensland bowed to the demands Australian Senate by Labor. It was fought of the Labor Left in Canberra and acted tooth and nail by the Democrats. It was fought against the interests of equality, against the tooth and nail by the Greens. They almost interests of pastoralists, against the interests of tripped over each other in the Senate in their the mining industry, and ultimately against the rush to make rural Australia and the mining interests of the Aboriginal people. industry the nation's native title scapegoats, to Notwithstanding that, the scheme finally make those two groups the salve for their devised by the Premier appears headed for conscience, the panacea for yuppie guilt over nowhere. The regime is now before the the historical treatment of Aborigines. They Senate, which has the authority to disallow it. It were worse than blind to the history of the right now looks certain that at the end of this month to negotiate; they rewrote it. that is what will happen. The Democrats, who During the debate on Wik, the right to hold the balance of power, have moved for negotiate went from being an admitted political disallowance. The coalition has signalled that it construct in terms of the original Native Title will support the scheme, not because many in Act to being some form of fundamental aspect the coalition in Canberra believe that it is of native title. The right to negotiate became particularly desirable or particularly good the symbolic rallying point for the politically legislation, but because they recognise that it correct. It became the symbol of urban guilt is the will of the Government of Queensland, it over the treatment of Aborigines. City dwellers fits the Commonwealth's minimum criteria and, decided to export the issue well beyond the therefore, it should pass. city limits and dump it on to just two groups, Therefore, the fate of the Premier's the miners and the pastoralists. That was an regime rests with the Labor Party. The Labor intellectually and morally poverty-stricken Premier of Queensland is not assured of the response. It was an insincere response. It was support of his Labor colleagues in Canberra a selfish response. and that is because they do not think that his The right to negotiate, as it is envisaged legislation goes far enough. They want a full- by Labor, is not a fundamental element of blown right to negotiate on exploration. They native title; it is a fundamental element of the are not satisfied by the fact that the Keating battle plan of the lawyers and the Left. At the Native Title Act has halved mineral exploration end of the Wik negotiations, what we got out in this State. They want to kill it altogether. of the Commonwealth Parliament on the They are not satisfied that the Premier's right particular issue of the right to negotiate at least to negotiate at the development phase goes approximated what sensible people far enough. They want a return to the regime everywhere knew was a reasonable outcome. that a former Federal leader of their party and There was an ability for the States to void the a former Governor-General, Bill Hayden, has right to negotiate provisions in their own native described as near extortion. They do not really title regimes where the land concerned was want the State to have any say in the issue at non-exclusive leasehold as long as they put in all; they want the Commonwealth to control place procedures that gave native title the native title agenda. Further, the only native claimants the same degree of input into title regime that they want is a regime that has mining applications as was available to the informed consent of the relevant Aboriginal 2706 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2000 representative groups. The Premier's regime The ridiculous impasse we have been does not have the informed consent of the subjected to since Paul Keating's rush of blood relevant representative group in Queensland, in 1993, when he wanted to show for egoistic which is the Queensland Indigenous Working internal Labor Party purposes that he could do Group. what Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke could So the reality is that this Labor Premier's not in relation to native title, is going to package is almost certainly headed for defeat continue. There is no doubt we are where we at the hands of Labor in the Senate when the are today on this issue largely because of the disallowance motion is debated. That would scale of the Keating ego. The ongoing tragedy lead inevitably to the fact that Queensland is that the Woodleys and the Bolkuses of the would have to revert to the right to negotiate Senate will simply combine to ensure a continuation of an approach to native title that provisions of the Commonwealth Native Title is so counterproductive to genuine Act. That is the automatic result of a failure of reconciliation in this country that they ought to the State-based regime to get up. Frankly, it is be ashamed of themselves. But the tragedy is about six of one and half a dozen of the other that it is not just reconciliation that they are as to whether that ultimately means much wrecking. They are also wrecking one of beyond the tremendous embarrassment to the Australia's most important industries—the Premier and the tremendous waste of time mining industry—and creating economic and and effort over the past two years in trying to emotional challenges for the primary develop a regime, however unsatisfactory, to production sector. But I suppose if one is a try to get things moving again in this arena. fairy at the bottom of the garden one does not There are 1,200 backlogged mining feel the need to worry about such mundane tenures waiting for some sort of workable things as the national, State and regional system. In the end, the reality is that there is economies and the rights of people to go not a lot of difference between the State- about their work. based regime and the Commonwealth regime Therefore, this Bill is before the House in to help in this regard. There are ostensibly very disappointing circumstances in relation to some slightly shorter time lines in the State Act any reasonable resolution of the native title that might compact the process and make it issue in this country and in this State within the marginally less costly at least in terms of time, medium to even the long term. The principle but only a few weeks at best, and there still behind it is admirable and commonsensical. It remains all the room in the world for extortion is a principle with which a very significant and dragging matters out. There are ever so majority of the people of Queensland would, I slightly better procedures under the State- have no doubt whatsoever, agree based regime in relation to exploration than wholeheartedly, and that is the principle of those under the Commonwealth Act, but the equality, not special treatment dependent determination of the lawyers to achieve a full- upon race. This Bill is at least a symbolic step blown right to negotiate over what most sane along that commonsense path and, just as people would call low-impact exploration would assuredly as it would achieve widespread probably succeed. If the native title lawyers support among the public, it will no doubt be have their way, if we bend a blade of grass defeated here when the Labor Party will once driving a drilling rig across a paddock we again show its extraordinary colours on this should be subject to a full-blown right to issue. negotiate. The National Party will support this Bill because it at least reflects the cornerstone of The mining industry understands very our approach on this issue, which is that clearly that the difference between the equality is the only sensible way forward for the Commonwealth Act, which remains at its core Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people of this the Keating Act of 1994, and the regime country. We appreciate in the face of the proposed by the Premier is minimal. What the certain opposition of the Labor Party that our mining industry, rural industries and the support is symbolic, but it is important on Aboriginal and Islander people need is a behalf of commonsense to keep putting our system that delivers some certainty. The ever cards squarely on the table. In Government we more obvious fact is that it is simply not going would certainly seek to reflect the spirit of this to happen in this country as long as the fairies Bill in the terms of our commitment to equality. at the bottom of the garden—the Democrats— We would seek to put in place legislation that control the balance of power in the Senate gave both Aborigines and leaseholders equal and while ever Labor allows the loony Left to rights before the law based on the rights that run the party's agenda on the native title issue. have long been a foundation of dealing with 23 Aug 2000 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 2707 these issues on pastoral land. For those as the same, different sets of principles. It tries reasons, I will be supporting the legislation to say that ownership of leasehold land that proposed by the honourable member for has not been extinguished—that is, land that Gladstone. is subject to native title—has to be compared Hon. K. W. HAYWARD (Kallangur—ALP) equally with leaseholders who, although they (10.44 p.m.): Tonight it is a pleasure to rise in utilise the land for farming, grazing or other the Parliament to express my opposition to this purposes, do not have title to the land. ill-conceived, populist, unworkable and, I think, Somehow what those opposite have tried to unnecessary amendment. There are strong, put across is that having leasehold land soundly based and practical arguments to be somehow equates with ownership of that land. made against this Bill. I strongly oppose its As I said, this Bill is a populist one. A passing. group of people out there will say that this is the way things should be. But this Bill tries to What I have heard tonight has worried confer title rights to certain individuals simply me. We have heard from the Independents up by doing two things. Firstly, they have to have the back, but what really worried me was the leased the land. Secondly, they have to have National Party of Australia. The mining industry a strong connection with the land, which in is struggling in a rapidly changing world. A lot basic terms is defined as living and working on of things are happening in the mining industry. the land. As I understand it, that is what they There is severe international competitiveness must do. I think it will be difficult for mining for scarce capital. It is hard to get money to companies and the Department of Mines and fund projects. There are rapid changes in Energy to determine which owners fall within commodity prices. Sometimes commodity this category of having a strong connection prices might be going up, but in more recent with the land. Can honourable members times they have mostly been going down. opposite see what it means when they say There are issues to do with the variations in that they have to have a strong connection the Australian dollar versus the US dollar, with the land? The legal implications are mind namely, the strength of the US dollar and the boggling in terms of what could come forward pathetic weakness of the Australian dollar. from that. In a practical sense, they will be There are the issues that we have spoken subjecting miners to more legal trivia that will about before and that have been raised grind on and on. tonight, such as native title and the increasing environmental demands placed upon miners. Another worrying aspect is that it does not actually define what test would be applicable But what is also happening—and this is to do it. It states that these additional rights what worries me in this Parliament tonight; I appear to extend only to land where native title have been surprised by it—is that an anti- exists. But as I said, it is not clear from the mining culture is developing. We heard that legislation. I think it would be a strange result if from the people up the back. I just dismiss leaseholders were given greater rights than them, because they do not think through what freeholders. I think that is what can happen these issues are about. But when the National through this legislation. It is as simple as that. Party comes in here and says, "We're going to It is unbelievable. It is anti-mining. It is part of belt the mining industry some more", we really the anti-mining culture which I think is have to be worried about it. pervading the community in general. But Mr SEENEY: I rise to a point of order. tonight we have seen it from these people up That is demonstrably untrue. I find it offensive, the back, in general these Independents. As I and I ask that it be withdrawn. said, I was floored tonight— Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Fouras): Dr PRENZLER: I rise to a point of order. I Order! The member will resume his seat. There am one of these "people up the back" whom is no point of order. the member is referring to. I an not anti-mining at all. As a matter of fact, I support mining and Mr HAYWARD: When we see them encourage it. All we want is equality. coming in here supporting this Bill—a Bill that will only make it more difficult to get projects up Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Fouras): in this State—we really do have to wonder Order! You may sit down the back, but there is where they are coming from. The important no point of order. thing is what this Bill tries to do, which is to Mr HAYWARD: I have actually sat here extend the right to negotiate to a group of and wondered what that august organisation, people who are not the owners of the land. As the Queensland Mining Council, thinks about I understand it, the Bill is focused on leasehold this lunacy that seems to be getting passed off land. The Bill attempts to compare, or to treat as a serious attempt at some sort of legislation 2708 Mineral Resources Amendment Bill 23 Aug 2000 in this Parliament here tonight. It is just I get out of the member opposite is "thank unbelievable. Paul Keating for that". But that is just some As I said before, the mining industry is sort of nonsense dribble; it is not a thoughtful battling many pressures. We need to strive to contribution. He then decides to support make it easier, not harder, to get a project up, something which makes it more complicated. to get a project to fruition. We should be That just does not bear sense. That is working in this place to ensure that it is easier unbelievable. But I suppose it is not to get projects up that are going to create jobs unbelievable for those people up the back in Queensland—and in Australia for that there. What I really thought was matter. This is not what this Bill does. In fact, I unbelievable— recall that there was an interjection before Mr DALGLEISH: I rise to a point of order. when I said to the member for Tablelands that I cannot get any further up the back and I take he was obviously anti-mining. He said, "Do you offence to those comments. I ask for them to see the messes they make?" He revealed be withdrawn. himself straight away as a person who has an Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! You anti-mining position. certainly cannot get any further up the back, The point is that the Premier said before but you still have not got a point of order. that that is why in Queensland this Mr HAYWARD: In the period between 1 Government offers the most streamlined July 1998 and 15 May 2000, 124 permits were native title process for exploration available granted over land where native title has been anywhere in the nation. In simple terms, it is confirmed by statute to be extinguished. Most specifically designed to facilitate the of these grants are partial grants, and any land identification of new mineral deposits. subject to native title has been excluded from Exploration activities do not trigger native title the grant and no explorations permits have rights, and that is the important issue to been granted over land tenures subject to understand. A lot of exploration can occur native title. There is now an enormous backlog before people have a mineral development of applications for exploration permits and, as I licence and before they then take that mineral said, applications for mining leases. development licence through to a mining lease. The point is that, under Queensland Dr Prenzler: Whose fault is that? It is the native title, the rights will come into effect only fault of the legislation. if it is proposed to develop identified deposits. Mr HAYWARD: All we get from the Only then will the right to negotiate procedures occasional interjector is, "Whose fault is that?" be triggered. The fact is that that is the law decided by the On 1 June the Commonwealth Attorney- High Court of Australia. That is a fact of life. So General determined that the State legislation what do we get tonight? We get people who complied with the Native Title Act of 1993 and, want to, by legislation, complicate it further and as we have said tonight, Queensland's make it harder. It is just unbelievable that that streamlined native title legislation has to get could happen. through the Senate. Of course, that is the big As I asked the question, how will the question, and we will need to see how that National Party of Australia Queensland Branch progresses with time. respond to that august body, the Queensland I am informed that there is currently a Mining Council? I reckon—and I do not backlog of more than 1,200 applications for know—that that august body, the Queensland exploration permits and more than 600 Mining Council, will somehow go silent on the applications for mining leases, mining claims issue. Somehow we will not hear boo out of it. and mineral development licences in The reality of life is that, if it was fair dinkum, it Queensland which are over land where native would be in here expressing the strong and title may exist and which, therefore, cannot be proper point of view that we do not need granted without compliance with the provisions legislation such as this in order to facilitate and of the Commonwealth native title legislation. move forward mining development and mineral leases in Queensland. We simply do Dr Prenzler: We can thank Paul Keating not need it at all. I wait with great interest to for that, can't we? see what the Queensland Mining Council will Mr HAYWARD: The member opposite do. can thank whomever he likes for it, because I am not sure that anybody from the other the reality of life is that that is the law and we side of the House talked about the Mineral cannot deal with changing things like that. We Resources Act as it now exists. As the situation have to work to make the system work for the will exist under the proposed native title, people who have to be involved in it. Today, all basically there will be no problem with granting 23 Aug 2000 Adjournment 2709 an exploration permit because it is considered that. It is unbelievable what it has done to to be low impact. Where native title issues will them. be triggered of course will be in the application We do not need to confuse miners of a mineral development licence and anymore. It is hard business out there proceeding through to the lease. As it now because they have to chase up that scarce stands, if people apply for a mineral capital. It is hard. There are competing development licence, they have to provide the demands for the money that is needed. It is landowner with a notice of entry. They cannot international business. Rapid changes are just go on to the place and say that they are occurring in commodity prices. We cannot there. They have to do that and they have to waste time. The effect of this amendment will return to the original state the land that they be to further waste time, to further slow down, were involved with during the scope of the to further slow up and to further make it mineral development licence. That is the extremely difficult to get projects up in requirement of the Act. If they then proceed Queensland. As I said, I have expressed to— tonight very strong views in opposition to this Mr Veivers interjected. type of legislation. As I said, I do not expect Mr HAYWARD: I am not disputing that. anything different from many of the That is what is already in the Act. Independents in here. I understand that their ill-conceived, populous, unworkable If they then proceed to a lease, they then amendments are the sorts of things that they have to negotiate the issue of compensation would actually go for. But I just cannot believe with the relevant people involved. In this case, that the National Party of Australia, which they would have to negotiate compensation paints itself— along the lines with the leaseholder, for instance. In the course of developing the Mr Seeney interjected. mineral development licence, they may have Mr HAYWARD: The party of the member put in a dam, dug some bores, improved opposite supported this legislation. He may not some roads. Whatever that person may have see that support coming from his colleagues in done during the process of that, I would think the coalition. We will see what happens there. that that would form part of the compensation Maybe his coalition colleagues will develop a with the leaseholder or the relevant landowner. sense of importance about what this industry is It forms part of the compensation package. It about before— is not a difficult thing. It is already down in the Mr Braddy: Don't hold your breath. Act as to what people have to do. Mr HAYWARD: The honourable member Mr Veivers: Can I ask you a question? says, "Don't hold your breath", but we will see Mr HAYWARD: I am not sure that the what happens in relation to that. member can ask me a question just yet. In the end, we do not need a continuation Mr Veivers: I won't take your time. What of this anti-mining culture that is being about a mining company or something that is professed here tonight. It is extremely worrying going to run, say, a railway line through and in that somehow miners are portrayed as 10 years' they have paid for it? What do those enemies of pastoralists and farmers. That is landowners do about that? not what this Bill is about. I oppose this Bill. I Mr HAYWARD: But the point about the think it should be soundly defeated by sound issue is that they have to negotiate that as to thinking, good thinking and logical thinking what access they are going to provide to the MPs for the sake of all Queenslanders. particular mine. Debate, on motion of Mr Seeney, Mr Veivers interjected. adjourned. Mr HAYWARD: That goes to arbitration. Mr Veivers: You can't afford arbitration. ADJOURNMENT Mr HAYWARD: There is an arbitration Hon. P. J. BRADDY (Kedron—ALP) process that is available as part of the Act. It is (Minister for Employment, Training and what the law says. It is nothing complicated; it Industrial Relations) (11.01 p.m.): I move— is what the law says. What is the purpose of "That the House do now adjourn." this amendment? All I can see is that the purpose of this amendment in relation to the mining industry in Queensland is to confuse it. Sunshine Coast University It has certainly confused a number of people Mr LAMING (Mooloolah—LP) in this Parliament here tonight; I have seen (11.01 p.m.): Tonight it is my pleasure to bring 2710 Adjournment 23 Aug 2000 to the attention of the House an exciting the Innovation Centre is planned to catalyse project. The Sunshine Coast has a the Sippy Downs town centre and will be demonstrable unemployment and developed as a subregional or district centre underemployment problem, especially serving a population of 50,000 people within a amongst its youth. Its predominantly small decade or so. business environment is fragile. New The university is developing research in businesses are neither increasing nor information technology, marketing, diversifying quickly enough to provide good eÐcommerce and computer-based art and employment opportunities for a rapidly growing design which will add value to the work of the population. Unless steps are taken to address incubator. In addition to university research business generation, there is the potential for being involved, it is also likely that the social alienation and instability. An incubator economic development unit of Maroochy Shire has been the subject of study and discussion Council, the CEO of the Sunshine Coast over a number of years, but financial support Business Development Corporation, the area has been inadequate and no champion has consultative committee and State emerged to take a leadership role. Development will directly be involved in the However, the Council of the University of long term. the Sunshine Coast has examined its The university council has decided to commitment to regional development, which is access the Queensland Treasury Corporation strongly reflected in the University of the line of credit to initiate the centre, which it Sunshine Coast Act 1998, in its strategic plan believes is well overdue. The State and its degree courses and research centres, Development Department has shown all of which emphasise the university's regional considerable interest in the incubator proposal role and commitment. The university council and has recently agreed to provide matching has decided to progress the concept of an funds to any Federal assistance gained to the incubator on its own site and support its level of $500,000 over the next three years. I development over the long term. It plans to welcome this commitment. The university will undertake this role with direct and indirect contribute land for an approximately 3,000 support from other consortium members and square metre facility and will take out a loan to the State and Federal Governments. The meet the balance of funds beyond those university council is proposing the provided by Governments. Maroochy Shire development of an incubator named the Council has allocated a sum of half a million Innovation Centre, which will take up dollars towards the centre with its 2000-01 approximately 3,000 square metres and be budget proposals. The final decision on the worth $5m, to be built on the university allocation is expected from councillors this boundary land worth $500,000 and to be month. completed early in 2001 for full operation in mid-2001. Both the area consultative committee and the Business Development Corporation have Initially the incubator space would occupy expressed support for their desire for long-term one-fifth of the total available space and the involvement but have no funds available to remainder would temporarily be used for support initial infrastructure and capital costs. I university purposes, including location of have written to the Federal Government relevant safety activity. As the incubator grows seeking confirmation of its funding and hope in popularity, unrelated university activities will that both State and Federal Governments can be progressively removed and within a decade provide some funding this financial year so the whole building could be utilised for that a coordinator can be approved so as to incubation-related purposes. In this way, the obtain tenants to take up positions in the university is reconciling the long-term interests centre as soon as possible. of the region with its own short-term interests to justify the promotion and coexistence of both sets of interests. Closure of Clubs The location of the Innovation Centre, Ms BOYLE (Cairns—ALP) (11.06 p.m.): I directly accessible from an external roadway, rise tonight to alert members of this House to a will possess a degree of separation from the significant problem that is occurring in regional university core, thus avoiding the perception Queensland. Indeed, this is an issue that I that it is part of the university. It is important wish I did not need to raise but, unfortunately, that the business community perceives it to it is important for all honourable members, function independently of the university to particularly those with electorates in regional become a self-sustaining entity with increasing Queensland, to be aware. In fact, it was economies of scale as it grows. The location of expressed to me well by Mr Les Nash, the 23 Aug 2000 Adjournment 2711 chairman of the far-north Queensland zone of But they do not have the resources to Clubs Queensland. As he says in his compete in this market. Rightly or wrongly, submission to me, "All clubs are hurting. Clubs successive Governments have allowed the roll- are in crisis." He is referring particularly to small out of gaming machines to hotels, so we have clubs in Queensland. He makes reference in to deal now with the reality that we have. The the documentation he provided to me to the competition out there is very tough and that is numbers of clubs which have already shut a significant factor. down or are otherwise in difficulty and may Another factor that is certainly showing in shut down if they do not find some solution to the Cairns area is that there appears to be a their problems. They are, of course, asking for kind of saturation of the market—so many the support of their local members in working venues and so many gaming machines out the most appropriate solution and whether available that that is enough and from here on in fact Government has a role in assisting in the competition is so severe that in fact them. some venue or another will have to close down I first of all mention some facts in relation and withdraw from the market. to clubs in Queensland. There are I place on record the concern of Clubs approximately 1,000 licensed clubs in Queensland, via Mr Nash and the far-north Queensland. Approximately 1.3 million people Queensland zone, that licensed clubs, unlike in Queensland are members of clubs. Until casinos and hotels, are community-owned, now, clubs have generated a total of 23,000 non-profit and member-driven organisations— full-time equivalent jobs, both directly and as such, they exist for the benefit of the whole indirectly, every year. Clubs contributed over community—and that many clubs are $200m in cash and in kind to the Queensland struggling to cope with serving their community in 1998. The sad news, however, is communities, in part they believe through that nearly 20 clubs across the State have changes to legislation. Nonetheless, they point either gone into receivership, administration or out that, whatever the reason, if they close have closed their doors in the past year. down it will be their communities that are the Mr Nash and others in the club industry losers. They are calling out for our assistance. I have expressed their concern that, unless we suggest that not only I but also other members jointly look closely at the problem and of this House should provide whatever understand what is occurring, we will not find assistance we can. the appropriate solutions. There is no doubt in far-north Queensland that many of the clubs such as the Cairns RSL, the Tully RSL, Tannum Sands Rural Fire Brigade Kazaly's, Brother's and others are making a Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM (Gladstone—IND) very real contribution to the community. Yes, (11.11 p.m.): I rise in this Adjournment debate they may have a particular core membership to bring to the attention of the House the that reflects a sporting activity, returned removal of a Tannum Sands Rural Fire servicemen or another particular group that Brigade truck. Tannum Sands Rural Fire they look after first and foremost. Beyond that, Brigade has operated as a class 2 area, many of the clubs contribute more widely by including rural and residential properties, since offering their facilities to a wide range of its inception. The brigade found that its community groups or even in money to existing vehicles were inadequate for the organisations and events within their local area's needs and the local brigade worked communities. very hard to raise the $9,500 for a new vehicle, What has caused these problems to a Nissan Patrol diesel. Donations included begin with, which may indeed, as Mr Nash $2,000 from the Tannum Hook-up, $500 from suggests, get worse unless we take action? the Lions Club, $100 from Guy Paints, $1,000 Clubs Queensland believes that the roll-out of from QAL, $900 from QCL, $300 from Apex, poker machines to hotels has contributed. We $4,800 from work carried out by the brigade should face the reality that the corporations and $200 from Peter Barr. I acknowledge that, behind many of the hotel chains, including the even though the vehicles the brigades get are brewers, means that the hotels have at their heavily subsidised by the State Emergency disposal a level of marketing and promotional Services Department, the local brigade must expertise that many of the smaller clubs do not do a significant amount of fundraising to have. purchase a vehicle. Clubs Queensland admits that, for some On 14 March this year the secretary of the clubs, the level of management and received a letter from the manager, rural expertise is a significant part of the problem. equipment, for the Rural Fire Service advising 2712 Adjournment 23 Aug 2000 that the unit would be constructed shortly. I brigade. The urban tenders cannot traverse seek leave to table a copy of that letter. the rough terrain. Leave granted. The order for the vehicle proceeded Mrs LIZ CUNNINGHAM: As a result, on without any reference to a change of 29 June 2000 the brigade paid $9,600 to the classification. The Fire Service allowed the Government after receiving an invoice from the brigade to raise its part of the funds. The Fire Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority on 18 Service then accepted and receipted that May 2000. The vehicle was purchased and amount and delivered the vehicle—still no delivered to the brigade but required a small questions asked. Dave Luxton's only number of maintenance matters to be acknowledgment of this absolute farce was— attended to at the Gladstone station. The truck "We will refund their money." was delivered to Gladstone on Tuesday, 1 Well, the brigade wants the vehicle back. August and disappeared without any Councillor Rick Bischel is justifiably incensed explanation that day or the following day. On with this whole debacle and has made Wednesday, in the process of organising the numerous efforts to gain the return of this official hand-over ceremony for the vehicle, it appliance. Among many comments he has was revealed to the brigade that Bruce Ziebell made is that the removal of the new truck from apparently had ordered the truck be removed the Tannum Sands Rural Fire Brigade reeks of from the Tannum brigade and the vehicle was a cover-up. Calliope Shire Council Deputy shifted from Gladstone to an alternative Mayor, Rick Bischel, and Tannum Sands Rural location. Fire Brigade Second Officer, Jason Gronn, This action defies explanation and said the move was suspect. Councillor Bischel appropriateness. The local community paid for said he would be happy with a cheque but he the required contribution for this vehicle. would prefer the truck be returned. Before any benefit could accrue to that same I spoke with the Minister, Stephen community, the hierarchy effectively pinched Robertson, and he is clearly embarrassed by the thing with not so much as a comment. This this incident. He acknowledged that the lack of not only professionalism but also basic process was—these are my words—a courtesy defies explanation. It is absolutely complete blunder. One solution is to have the essential that the person who made the area reassessed to show the decision to remove the vehicle review that inappropriateness of a class 1 designation, direction and put the vehicle back where it given its growth and subdivision. While that will belongs—at the Tannum Sands Rural Fire be pursued, I am not quite so forgiving of the Brigade. It did the work for it and deserves the process. This mistake had nothing to do with benefit, as do the residents of the area. the hardworking men and women of the Since this event I have spoken with Mr Tannum Sands Rural Fire Brigade. They Bruce Ziebell, district inspector, and Mr Dave worked for the appliance in good faith. It Luxton, regional manager. Both admitted that should be given back to them in good faith. I the vehicle had been removed, even though call on the Minister to honour the great work properly ordered, paid for and delivered. Their that brigade does and allow it to retain this explanation: the Tannum brigade had been vehicle before brigades are further downgraded from a class 2 to a class 1 discouraged by bureaucratic red tape. brigade. Mr Ziebell said via the media— "There was a mix-up with the Australia Post vehicle's dispatchment. Mr WILSON (Ferny Grove—ALP) ... (11.16 p.m.): Bank closures are now a It wasn't supposed to leave Brisbane. common occurrence, unfortunately and The brigade isn't entitled to the truck due regrettably. Banks have abandoned any sense to its current resources and classification." of community service or obligation and have absolutely embraced as their sole motive the Where is the paperwork? To this point in time making of a profit. Australia Post now sadly none has been produced and I do not believe seems to be following in the footsteps of the any exists, but they say that the classification four big banks. How astonished I was recently changed in 1995. We have a scenario, then, to read on the front page of the local Hills that a brigade has been operating now for five Echo newspaper that Ferny Hills was to lose its years on the assumption of being, and fulfilling post office. Why was I astonished? Over a the responsibilities of, a class 2 brigade. period of eight or so months, strong Indeed, many of the areas which Tannum representations have been made by me, Pine covers can only be accessed by a rural Rivers Shire Council and the Federal member 23 Aug 2000 Adjournment 2713 for Dickson, Cheryl Kernot, to Australia Post, Australia Post is afraid to confront the opposing the closure of this post office. issues. It proposed a meeting with me on Local businesses and residents have Monday night and did not front. There has raised this issue time and time again. Early this been shabby behaviour by it on that occasion year, when I first became aware of this issue, I and throughout on this issue. The challenge to consulted with the streetscape committee at Australia Post is to suspend the decision it has Ferny Hills and with other businesses and made and to undertake proper consultation residents. Clearly they were of the view that with the whole local community. Do a letterbox this post office should not be closed. I made drop, like any other proper marketing exercise; representations to Australia Post—to a Ms call a public meeting; confront the streetscape Goldstiver—and there was some committee and invite it to participate in a public meeting; do a proper survey of local correspondence to-and-fro between us. businesses to determine what the real The setting is as follows. A $40m community need is. I think Australia Post will shopping centre is being opened at the other find that Ferny Hills wants to keep its post end of this geographical area, at a place called office. Settlement Road, on the way from Keperra to People complain from time to time about the Gap. It is called the Great Western the limited parking at Ferny Hills, but there has Supercentre. Australia Post has made a been a retail outlet there for many, many unilateral decision that it will open a new years, and that problem has not detracted too franchise there. But instead of maintaining the seriously from patronage of that outlet. The franchise in Ferny Hills to the north-west and nearby post offices will not be able to cope servicing the community there, it has decided with the extra demand. Australia Post: start to close it. serving the local community. The issue is not whether the new area around the Great Western Supercentre should Sugar Industry be serviced by a new franchise but whether Australia Post should continue with the post Mr MALONE (Mirani—NPA) (11.21 p.m.): I wish to briefly raise in the House the issue of office in Ferny Hills. They are relatively remote the disastrous situation with the sugar industry geographical areas. They are essentially two in the Mackay district. I have spoken previously different market areas. There would be of this matter, but the situation is getting quite approximately 2,000 households in the Ferny severe and is worsening by the day. Hills area, many of which would use the Ferny Hills Post Office. Many of the people living in The industry in Mackay is probably as the Samford Valley would also use the Ferny badly off as in any area, and probably worse Hills Post Office. Australia Post seems to have off than most of the sugar industry throughout made a decision that it will draw a circle around Queensland. The Mackay district was a number of suburbs in the north-western impacted very badly by a plague of rats last sector of Brisbane and the Hills area of Pine year, which has continued this year, and a Rivers and say that that is one market area fungal disease in one of the most popular and it will not increase the total number of varieties, that fungal disease being called franchises in that area and that to open a new orange rust. Because of that consequence, post office over on Settlement Road it must obviously the sugar content in the crop has been very significantly reduced. On top of that, close the post office at Ferny Hills. there has been a loss in the mass of the crop. Why should I be astonished about the The tonnages are down very significantly—in lack of consultation? Why? Because early this the order of 30% to 40%. A crop that would year, in response to my representations on normally average 100 tonnes to the hectare is behalf of the local community, Australia Post, currently harvesting around 40 to 50 tonnes to through Sue Goldstiver, said that there would the hectare. be consultation about the impacts of any such Mackay Sugar is the major sugar decision were they to make it! But no survey of production company in the Mackay district. It business has been conducted, or of can easily produce between 8 and 10 million community needs in the area, or of the elderly, tonnes per year. This year it will be lucky to or those without transport, or the impact on process 4.5 million tonnes. That is a huge local businesses. The businesses in Ferny reduction in its overall throughput, which has a Way have just spent many, many dollars tremendous effect on its bottom-line upgrading and refurbishing their premises. It is productivity and certainly on its profits. Indeed, now a very smart, attractive shopping centre Mackay Sugar this year will run at a very area. substantial loss. 2714 Adjournment 23 Aug 2000

To overcome this problem, Mackay Labour Market Programs Sugar, to be competitive on the world market, Mr KAISER (Woodridge—ALP) has decided that it will have to reduce its base (11.26 p.m.): Like all people on this side of the costs of around $20m per year. Consequently, Chamber, I was recently appalled to hear the in the media this week it has flagged the Leader of the Liberal Party describe the possibility of 110 voluntary retirements in the Government's Breaking the Unemployment Mackay Sugar organisation. I support that Cycle initiatives as a program only to create move. I have spoken to the chairman, Graham "phoney jobs". I think this indicates the extent Davies, with respect to this matter. The only to which the Liberal Party in particular has other alternative that Mackay Sugar has to missed the point that globalisation requires address the shortened season is to have substantial stand-downs over a long period, greater Government intervention rather than which would have a dramatic effect on the less Government intervention. It is true that employment and prosperity of the employees globalisation will create jobs in many new and would certainly have a huge impact on the industries, but as a Government we also need Mackay district economy. If indeed Mackay to recognise that it will destroy jobs in many Sugar were able to organise 110 voluntary other traditional industries on which many retirements, it certainly will have some working-class people have relied for beneficial effect. Unfortunately, that is a fact of employment. life, and hopefully that would put Mackay The Government's obligation, regardless Sugar in the position where it would be able to of whether it is a Liberal/National or Labor at least compete on the world market over the Government, in these circumstances is to next couple of years. redistribute opportunity through training and The Plane Creek CSR mill at Sarina has investment in labour market programs. The recently revised its production from 1.8 million issue we have to tackle in labour market tonnes down to 1.1 million tonnes, which is a programs is that of job preparation. These are very substantial loss. This means that our the issues that Queensland's labour market season will look like finishing early in October, programs, which we have instituted to take the a month and a half early, which of course place of Federal labour market programs that means that people's incomes will be pretty have been abolished by the Federal coalition severely reduced. It also will have a major Government, have tried to address. For impact on our small town of Sarina. example, I am told that the real issue in The interesting part about the orange rust making the transition from long-term phenomenon is that it is a fungal disease that unemployment to employment is really all has suddenly become prevalent in the district. about lifestyle issues. It is all about the need to The unfortunate part about it is that it has manage your lifestyle around work. It is all attacked the most popular variety of cane that about the need to learn again how to fit in to a we grow. In some cases, farmers have almost team-working environment. I am told it requires 100% of the Q124 variety, which has always at least three months of work experience to been a significant variety in the district, and is learn the discipline of work. That is why the certainly well adapted to green cane Federal Government's decision to withdraw harvesting. from labour market programs has been so Most members would realise that cane is destructive to the issue of unemployment in grown on about a five-year cycle. To effectively this State and around the nation. transplant from Q124 to some other varieties The Commonwealth Government's that would be resistant to orange rust, there decision to scrap labour market programs has has to be an accelerated replant program of deprived Queensland's jobless of around other varieties. One of the problems with this is $450m. $2.1 billion nationally has been that it is a very costly operation to replant—in slashed from vocational training since the the vicinity of $1,000 per hectare for fertilisers, introduction of the Job Network. With chemicals and labour—and another problem is Queensland's proportion of national obtaining disease-free plant material and unemployment running at 20% to 22%, being able to afford the fairly expensive $60 or $450m of that total cut has hit Queenslanders $70 per tonne for the plants. Of course, there directly. Without the efforts of the State is the other problem of loss of production for Government through the Public Sector the plough-out for that period. Employment Program and the Breaking the One of the issues with the rats, as I Unemployment Cycle program initiatives, mentioned earlier, is— around 16,000 Queensland jobless would Time expired. have been left out in the cold. 23 Aug 2000 Adjournment 2715

While the Commonwealth has drained a week? The Job Network program, which is $450m in funds for jobless out of the State, not really a labour market program but is really the Queensland Government will have just a job placement program, is also similarly invested $363m by 2003 in providing futures a failure. I am told that one agency in Logan for Queenslanders, picking up the tab for what, City has an 84% attrition rate in placing people since the early 1970s, has been after three months. That is only a 16% success acknowledged as a Federal Government rate. responsibility by both sides of politics. The Queensland Labor Government has done this Compare that with Queensland's because we do not believe in leaving our programs. Compare it, for example, with the unemployed to languish. We want to give CJP and the CEAP program taken together, these people hope of a better future, and our which has a 50% success rate of participants jobs programs are proving overwhelmingly finding jobs. It is actually a job for three to six more successful than the Commonwealth's. months in the CJP, and that makes the difference. That gives people the opportunity Let us compare the State's success in to learn life skills and adjust their lifestyle to placing long-term unemployed people into work with success at the Federal Government working again. Is it any wonder that the level. Take, for example, the work for the dole Queensland Government schemes are program, which has a placement rate into registering greater success in assisting the employment of only 32%. The reason for that long-term unemployed, with long-term is that it does not address the lifestyle issues unemployment falling in Queensland by 20% that I have referred to previously. There is no since 1998, while under the former coalition compulsory training component to work for the Government, the State recorded a 15% dole, and it is work for only two days a week. increase? How can a long-term unemployed person learn Motion agreed to. the discipline of work in a work for the dole program that employs them for only two days The House adjourned at 11.32 p.m.