Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly TUESDAY, 11 OCTOBER 1988 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy Papers 11 October 1988 1027 TUESDAY, 11 OCTOBER 1988 Mr SPEAKER (Hon. L. W. PoweU, Isis) read prayers and took the chair at 10 a.m. ASSENT TO BILLS Assent to the following Bills reported by Mr Speaker— Surrogate Parenthood Bill; Status of Children Act Amendment Bill; Holidays Act Amendment Bill; Drainage of Mines Act Repeal Bill; Brisbane Forest Park Act Amendment Bill. PETITIONS The Clerk announced the receipt of the following petitions— Sealing of Gregory Developmental Road From Mr Lester (283 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will take action to ensure the complete sealing of the Gregory Developmental Road. Licensed Sporting Clubs From Mr Lester (67 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will review the restrictions on trading hours, fund-raising and other activities in licensed sporting clubs. Compulsory Wearing of Safety Helmets by Cyclists From Mr FitzGerald (5 signatories) praying that the Pariiament of Queensland will legislate for compulsory wearing of safety helmets by cyclists. Introduction of Poker Machines From Mr Wells (208 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will take action to introduce poker machines. Redevelopment of Expo Site From Mr Innes (1 580 signatories) praying that the Parliament of Queensland will reject the River City 2000 proposal and use the Expo site for parkland, the retention of historic buildings and public access to the river for the full length of the site. Petitions received. STATEMENT OF UNFORESEEN EXPENDITURE, 1987-88 Mr SPEAKER read a message from His ExceUency the Govemor transmitting the Statement of Unforeseen Expenditure to be Appropriated for the year 1987-88. Statement ordered to be printed and referred to Committee of Supply. PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed— Reports— Public Service Board for the year ended 30 June 1987 1028 11 October 1988 Ministerial Statement Commissioner for Transport for the year ended 30 June 1988 Rural Lands Protection Board for the year ended 30 June 1988 Darting Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board for the year ended 30 June 1988 Queensland Housing Commission for the year ended 30 June 1988 Tmstees of the Funeral Benefit Tmst Fund for the year ended 30 June 1988. The following papers were laid on the table— Orders in CouncU under— Harbours Act 1955-1987 Harbours Act 1955-1987 and the Port of Brisbane Authority Act 1976-1987 Brisbane and Area Water Board Act 1979-1988 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982-1988 The Supreme Court Act of 1921 Liquor Act 1912-1987 Regulations under— Traffic Act 1949-1985 Motor Vehicles Control Act 1975-1988 Reports— Public Defender for the year ended 30 June 1988 Queensland Tmstees Limited for the year ended 30 June 1988. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Project Pay Packet Hon. V. P. LESTER (Peak Downs—Minister for Employment, Training and Industrial Affairs) (10.09 a.m.), by leave: Project Pay Packet was established in August 1988 following the decision by State Cabinet in July to implement the recommendations of the special committee on employment. I thou^t it timely that I should give a progress report to the Parliament as to how that operation is proceeding. The Commitment to Youth program is part of Project Pay Packet and aims to assist 15 to 18-year-olds who have been unemployed for six months or more. The program comprises a number of major initiatives, including— • funding for an additional 500 traineeships and apprenticeships in the State public service and Govemment instmmentalities; • funding to assist in the placement of an additional 365 trainees and apprentices in the private sector through group training scheme operations; • a substantial promotional campaign to increase employers' awareness of youth co-ordinators around the State to provide advice and personal assistance in placing young people in employment or appropriate education or training; and • funding for places in vocational training programs for 600 to 800 eligible young people in the first year. Since the inception of the program in August, priority has been given to recmitment of youth co-ordinators in the metropolitan area and various regional centres. Those people have participated in an intensive training program and are now operating in Brisbane, Logan City, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Emerald, Townsville and Caims. I expect to have additional youth co-ordinators commencing work in additional regional centres within the next few weeks. A Project Pay Packet hot line—008 017077—has also been established within my Department of Employment, Vocational Education and Training. During the past two Ministerial Statement 11 October 1988 1029 weeks that hot line has received over 700 calls from either young people seeking assistance, employers inquiring about the program or other interested parties. A substantial advertising campaign centred on the program and the support available has been conducted in all sections of the media. The response from the media campaign and, in particular, the large number of genuine inquiries, together with offers of assistance from employers, indicate that the program is meeting a demand which was previously unmet. All unemployed 15 to 18-year-olds wiU be offered either employment or further training—an indication of this Govemment's resolve to ensure that young people in Queensland are employed. I am happy to say that the program is on target and progressing very satisfactorily. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Disease in Cattle at Harristown Saleyards, Toowoomba Hon. N. J. HARPER (Aubum—Minister for Primary Industries) (10.12 a.m.), by leave: My ministerial statement goes into some detail about an exotic disease alert in Toowoomba. It is my intention Mr Goss interjected. Mr SPEAKER: Order! The honourable member will listen to what the Minister has to say. Mr HARPER: It is extremely important. I thought that the Leader of the Opposition would have appreciated that fact. It is my intention to seek leave to table the statement and have it incorporated in Hansard. Before doing so, in an endeavour to acquaint members with the details of it, I intend to read the first paragraph, a middle paragraph and the final paragraph. Formal procedures for an exotic disease alert phase were implemented on Wednesday, 5 October when it was reported that a pen of cattle at the Harristown fat-cattle sale in Toowoomba was showing clinical signs suspiciously like those of an exotic vesicular disease. I wish to emphasise that, in my statement, I take the opportunity to thank those members of the media who respected the seriousness of the alert and reported it in a responsible manner. I also draw to the attention of the House the fact that the alert demonstrates the effectiveness of procedures for containing outbreaks of suspected diseases in Queensland and Australia together with the efficiency of the Australian Animal Health Laboratory, which worked continuously throughout the emergency to provide rapid and accurate diagnosis. I seek leave to table the statement and have it incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. Whereupon the honourable member laid on the table the following document— Ministerial Statement by the Hon. N. J. Harper, M.L.A., Minister for Primary Industries EXOTIC DISEASE ALERT—TOOWOOMBA Formal procedures for an exotic disease alert phase were implemented on Wednesday, 5 October when it was reported that a pen of cattle at the Harristown fat cattle sale in Toowoomba was showing clinical signs suspiciously like those of an exotic vesicular disease. The episode commenced at about 9.30 p.m. on Tuesday evening, 4 October when a stock agent conveyed information to one of my stock inspectors regarding a pen of cows which had been received for sale on the next day. As a result the acting district inspector of stock investigated the pen of cattle at about 10.30 p.m. that evening. He retumed in daylight early next moming when he was able to 1030 11 October 1988 Ministerial Statement confirm blisters on the noses of some cattle. Inspection with the divisional veterinary officer further confirmed that eleven of the group of nineteen animals had granulating erosive lesions on their noses whilst ulcerated lesions were seen on the coronet on one of the animals and mouth lesions in two of the animals. Although the lesions were believed to be probably due to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) or perhaps mucosal disease, both endemic viral diseases, there was sufficient superficial resemblance to low grade Asian foot and mouth disease to justify precautionary measures being implemented. Accordingly quarantine notices were placed on all Harristown saleyards. It was decided that the offering of approximately 1 800 normal cattle for sale be permitted but that no stock would be allowed to be removed fi-om, or to enter, the saleyards until the disease situation was clarified. It was also decided that all persons leaving the saleyards should be required to be disinfected off the premises. The owners of properties which had direct contact with the diseased cattle were notified by telephone and quarantine conditions appplied. So that I could appraise the situation "on the spot" and be available in the event that ministerial directives were necessary I flew from Caims to Toowoomba. I was joined there by my director, veterinary services branch and by Mr. Bertram, senior inspector (stock). Other measures