Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly TUESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 1988 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy 2128 8 November 1988 Petitions TUESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 1988 The House met at 10 a.m. ABSENCE OF MR SPEAKER The Clerk informed the House of the unavoidable absence of Mr Speaker. The Chairman of Committees (Mr E. C. Row, Hinchinbrook) read prayers and took the chair as Acting Speaker. ASSENT TO BILLS Assent to the following Bills reported by Mr Acting Speaker— Public Tmstee Act Amendment BiU; Logan Motorway Agreement Act Amendment Bill; Govemors' Pensions Act Amendment Bill; Professional Engineers Bill. PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— Compulsory Wearing of Safety Helmets by Cyclists From Mr Littleproud (23 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland wiU legislate for the compulsory wearing of safety helmets by cyclists. A similar petition was received from Mr Campbell (50 signatories). Licensed Sporting Clubs From Mrs Harvey (90 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will review the restrictions on trading hours, fiind-raising and other activities in licensed sporting clubs. Development of Moreton Bay From Mr Burns (118 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will make available for public scmtiny and debate aU reports and recommendations affecting the development of Moreton Bay. Provision of Bus Services to Bayside Area by Brisbane City Council From Mr Burns (102 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will take action to license the Brisbane City Council to provide bus services in the bayside area. Legislation to Protect Personal Basic Rights from Criminal Activity From Mrs Gamin (563 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will provide further legislative action to protect personal basic rights from aU types of criminal activity. Petitions received. Papers 8 November 1988 2129 VOTE ON ACCOUNT, 1989-90 Mr ACTING SPEAKER read a message from His Excellency the Governor recommending that the following provisions be made on account of the services for the year ending 30 June 1990— From the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the sum of $1,150,000,000; From the Tmst and Special Funds, the sum of $2,140,000,000; From the Loan Fund, the sum of $80,000,000. Message referred to Committee of Supply. PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed— Reports— Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1988 Report and Appendix of the Queensland Electricity Commission for the year ended 30 June 1988. The following papers were laid on the table— Proclamations under— Forestry Act 1959-1987 National Parks and WildUfe Act 1975-1984 Orders in Council under— Financial Administration and Audit Act 1987-1988 Land Act 1962-1988 District Courts Act 1967-1988 Harbours Act 1955-1987 Canals Act 1958-1987 Gladstone Area Water Board Act 1984-1988 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982-1988 Irrigation Act 1922-1986 and the Water Act 1926-1987 River Improvement Tmst Act 1940-1985 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982-1988 Water Act 1926-1987 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982-1988 Water Act 1926-1987 Fauna Conservation Act 1974-1985 Forestry Act 1959-1987 Land Act 1962-1988 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1975-1984 Regulations under— Main Roads Act 1920-1985 Motor Vehicle Driving Instmction School Act 1969-1985 Tow-tmck Act 1973-1985 National Parks and Wildlife Act 1975-1984 Reports— National Companies and Securities Commission for the year ended 30 June 1988 2130 8 November 1988 Ministerial Statement Legal Aid Commission of Queensland for the year ended 30 June 1988 Miners Pensions Tribunal for the year ended 30 June 1988. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Queensland Economy Hon. B. D. AUSTIN (Nicklin—Minister for Finance and Minister Assisting the Premier and Treasurer) (10.10 a.m.), by leave: I would like to inform Parliament of the latest growth and development projections for the Queensland economy. I do this in the light of concem at the possibility of a post-Expo downtum and some recent indications of interest in economic issues from the Opposition. An independent study just released by the Melboume-based national institute of Economic and Industry Research indicates that the Queensland economy performed strongly during 1987-88 and that this performance is expected to continue into 1988-89. The national institute's estimates show that in 1987-88 the Queensland economy grew in real terms by over 3.9 per cent, which is above the national average, and it is forecast to grow by 4.5 per cent in 1988-89—again well above the expected national average growth. Moreover, the study suggests that Queensland's above-average economic performance is set to continue into the 1990s. The national institute's medium-term forecasts for the five-year period to 1992-93 show that Queensland's gross State product will grow at an average annual rate of about 4 per cent in real terms, compared with an increase in gross domestic product for Australia of about 3.5 per cent. Importantly, the study also indicates that Queensland's economic growth will be broadly based and well balanced, both on a regional basis and across all sectors of the economy, including light and heavy manufacturing and services as well as agriculture and mining. Further, the national institute's break-down of the main components of growth indicates that the private sector will make a greater contribution to growth in Queensland than in the rest of Australia, affirming Queensland's record of greater public sector restraint and the success of its policies in promoting genuine private sector led economic expansion. I seek leave of the House to table statements which show— • a summary of the national institute's real growth estimates for all States and Australia; and • estimates of the main macro-aggregates for Queensland and Australia for the period 1987-88 to 1992-93. Leave granted. Whereupon the honourable member laid the documents on the table. An Opposition member interjected. Mr AUSTIN: Don't you like it? Cop it sweet! The study's findings of a strong growth trend in the Queensland economy confirm similar estimates produced from the State economic model being developed by the Treasury Department. These estimates of above-average growth for Queensland in 1987- 88 and 1988-89 give the He to the prophets of doom who are predicting an easing of economic activity following Expo. Indeed, the latest major economic indicators provide further confirmation that the Queensland economy is generally performing better than that of the rest of Australia. In this regard, I seek leave to table a further statement which shows that, compared with our estimated population share of 16.6 per cent, Queensland is making an above- average contribution to Australia's economic performance for a majority of key indicators such as employment growth, exports and building activity. Ministerial Statement 8 November 1988 2131 Leave granted. Whereupon the honourable member laid the document on the table. Mr AUSTIN: Over the past decade the Queensland economy has generally out­ performed that of the rest of Australia. The independent analysis of the national institute reinforces our own views that this pattem will continue into the 1990s. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Seminar for Training of Justices of the Peace Hon. P. J. CLAUSON (Redlands—Minister for Justice and Attomey-General) (10.13 a.m.), by leave: It has recentiy come to my attention that an organisation known as Dynamic Speakers and Management Consultants is holding a seminar in Brisbane on Saturday, 19 November 1988, at the Sheraton Hotel. It is proposed that at this seminar Dr Keith Tronc wUl address the participants. The purpose of the seminar is to provide training for people who have been appointed as justices of the peace. Notwithstanding the eminence of Dr Tronc and work that he has done in relation to providing training material and assisting in the training of justices of the peace, I would point out that this seminar is in fact not conducted under the official auspices of the Department of Justice. It is in fact a profit-making enterprise. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Mr Justice Vasta; Judge Pratt Hon. P. J. CLAUSON (Redlands—Minister for Justice and Attomey-General) (10.14 a.m.), by leave: In view of the controversy that has arisen as a result of the mention of a member of the Supreme Court of Queensland before the commission of inquiry currently being conducted by Mr G. E. Fitzgerald, QC, and in view of the announcement by the Honourable the Premier on Thursday, 24 October 1988, that— "The Govemment will bring before Parliament an appropriate resolution for the appointment of three retired judges to conduct an inquiry into issues relating to the conduct of Mr Justice Vasta, and if appropriate. District Court Judges.", I consider that it is necessary that this House be informed of the course of action which the Govemment proposes to adopt. As I have previously informed this House, the most practical mechanism to deal with allegations conceming a Supreme Court judge and his potential removal is to move for an address of this House to be made to the Crown. Before this House decides to make such an address, it is necessary that the facts be appropriately determined and that this House be informed as to whether those facts provide an appropriate basis for the making of an address seeking to remove a Supreme Court judge. Any decision to seek to remove a judge of the superior courts of Queensland is extremely serious. It should not be lightly undertaken and it should not be a matter of party political dispute. It should be a decision for this Parliament, as an institution, to apply the appropriate standards that will ensure the maintenance of the independence and integrity of the judiciary.