Legislative Assembly Hansard 1981
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Queensland Parliamentary Debates [Hansard] Legislative Assembly THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER 1981 Electronic reproduction of original hardcopy Ministerial Statements 15 October 1981 2613 THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER 1981 Mf SPEAKER (Hon. S. J. MuUer, Fasafern) read prayers and took the chair at 11 a.m, ' '../ , I*APERS The foUowing papers were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed:— ' Reports— State Fire Services CouncU for 1980-81 - . Rural Fires Board of Queensland for 1980-81 Queensland National Fitness Council for Sport and Physical Recreation for 1980-81 Noise Abatement Authority for 1980-81 The foUowing papers were laid on the table:— Orders in CoimcM imder— Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977-1978 Itorbours Act 1955-1980 Metropolitan Transit Authority Act 1976-1979 Twentieth Report of the Totalisator Admin^tration Board of Queen^and for the year ended 30 June 1981 MINISTERIAL STAlEMENTS Queensland Film Corporation; "Holiday World" Television Series Hon. J. A. ELLIOTT (Cunningham—Minister for Tourism, National Parks, Sport and The Arts) (11.3 a.m.): On Tuesday, 13 October, the honourable member for Lytton made attacks on two members of rhy department, well knowing that they, as public servants, cannot defend themselves. He referred to the Deputy Co-ordinator of the Department of The Arts, National Parks and Sport, Mr Allen CaUaghan, and to the Director of Sport, Mr Stan Wilcox. In his usual carel^s handling of the truth, the member for Lytton implied that Mr CaUaghan had been appointed to a position in my department and then became the Director of the Queensland Film Corporation. The member for Lytton went on to say— "He (Mr CaUaghan) is such a good operator that when a television series called 'Holiday World' was being made, a plastic island was set up in Melboume. He could not even convince the producers to make the picture on an island off the Queensland coast. If honourable members do not believe that they can check it out. They can send the Melboume man back to have a look." Firstly, Mr C!aUaghan is chairman of the Queensland Film Corporation as part of his duties as deputy coordinator. He does not receive any additional salary or allowances. Since he became chairman, four feature films and the television series "SUent Reach" have been shot in Queensland, and four more feature fibns are scheduled. Mr Bums: I wUl show you a photo of the plastic island. Mr BLLIOTr: The honourable member would do better to keep to bit parts, such as playing barman, as he is fairly well known for that. The series to which the member for Lytton referred was caUed "HoHday Island" and was made for the Channel 0/10 network. The Queensland Film Corporation was approached to invest in the series on the basis that it would be filmed entirely in studios in Melboume. The corporation decUned the proposal because there would be no benefit to Queensland. I was parliamentary representative on the corporation at that time, and the Queensland Film Corporation had doubts about the viability of the series. The corporation's judgment was vindicated when it was canceUed after a few episodes. I would also point out that both Mr CJallaghan and Mr WUcox were permanent members of the Public Service when they were appointed and stiU are eligible to apply for any position. 2614 15 October 1981 Ministerial Statements Steaming Coal Hon. I. J. GIBBS (Albert—^Minister for Mines and Energy) (11.6 a.m.): I am taking this opportunity to answer the totally inaccurate statement made by the honourable member for Nudgee in the House yesterday. His continual complaint that Queensland is underselling its steaming-coal resources is becoming somewhat boring. Never has Blair Athol Coal Pty Ltd released pricing detaUs of the contract to supply 72 miUion tonnes of fuel coal over 15 years to the Electric Power Development Company Ltd and Japan Coal Development Company Ltd; nor does the State Govemment expect it to release these details. The ALP shows an abysmal ignorance of the fiercely competitive world steaming-coal market and Queensland's ability to obtain a share of that market. It is primarUy the concern of the company at what price it seUs its coal. It is strictly a business deal in the free-enterprise society, endorsed by this Govemment but not by the Opposition. The companies are developing the coal reserves to make a profit. They make their profits through their ability to sell coal in the world market and by remaining competitive. The world is not just sitting back waiting for production to begin at Blair Athol. Overseas buyers can sign contracts in many countries, including the USSR and China. We cannot control the price of the free market. Far from being a "sell-out" as the honourable member suggested, the contract on an energy adjusted basis provides the highest f.o.b. price ever negotiated anywhere in the world for a long-term agreement of this nature. Mr Vaughan showed his complete ignorance on mining matters yesterday when he asked what the term "energy adjusted" meant. For his sake, and that of other members of the Opposition who are quick to criticise without knowing the facts, I inform him that "energy adjusted" means that different prices are paid according to the thermal value. In other words, payment is made for the energy received from the coal, not for the actual tonnage. My advice to the honourable member would be to refrain from making statements about matters pertaining to mining and energy untU he fuUy understands these simple terms and definitions. Queensland's known reserves of steaming coal have more than doubled in the last decade to 7 (XX) mUlion tonnes. The Quensland Government has first caU on all steaming-coal deposits and will continue to ensure that adequate reserves are retained for domestic power- generation needs. The expansion of the Blair Athol mine to meet export commitments would mean jobs for 450 workers during the construction phase and provide direct employment for a work force of 370 when the mine reaches full production. The contract provides for deliveries to commence in 1984 at the rate of 3 milUon tonnes per annum, rising to 5 miUion tonnes per annum in subsequent years. Finally, for the honourable member to suggest that the Blair Athol contract be renegotiated with Government involvement is to spell out clearly the ALP's intention to nationalise the mining industry should it ever return to power. Governments should never become involved in such operations. They merely create the right economic climate for free enterprise to succeed. Indeed, this policy has been successful. One only has to remember back to the pre-1957 days when the mining industry was struggUng to survive, let alone making a profit. Under free enterprise, the mining industry has flourished. That policy has seen the value of the State's mineral production escalate from a mere $108m 20 years ago to $1,813m last year. (Queensland is now a decentralised State, the economy is healthy and its people enjoy many more benefits as a result. One wonders what the ALP would do with the mining industry when it cannot even control the affairs of its own party. Allegations by Member for Archerfield About IUegal GambUng Casinos Hon. R. J. HINZE (South Coast—Minister for Local Government, Main Roads and Police) (11.10 a.m.): On Tuesday of this week, the honourable meniber for Archerfield used the protection offered by this House to cast a slur on the integrity of aU members present and senior officers of the Queensland Police Force. Ministerial Statements 15 October 1981 2615 The honourable member's allegations of the existence of iUegal gambling casinos, a (Queensland mafia controUed by a body of godfathers, and his comparison of the Fortitude Valley area to Kings Cross in Sydney, are a malicious exaggeration and cannot go unchallenged. The accusations attracted considerable media attention and gave the impression that police had ignored the existence and operation of large-scale iUegal gaming and vice in the VaUey area. Quite simply, that is not tme. Yesterday, in this House, I provided the honourable member for Archerfield with a unique opportunity to restore his credibility. The honourable member has become infamous for his wUd and unfounded allegations and for his apparent interest in prostitution, Ulegal gammg and violence, for reasons best known to himself. Approximately 24 hours ago I called on the honourable member to provide to this House any evidence he had to substantiate his alarming accusations. I also provided the honourable member with an opportunity of discussing his particular claims with the Commissioner of Police and his senior officers. I have to inform the House that not one single scrap of evidence has been produced by the honourable member to back up that very serious matter. The honourable member for Archerfield contacted the Commissioner of Police yesterday afternoon and again bluntly refused to provide detail of his allegations. One would have thought that the unique opportunities made available to the honourable member opposite to assist poUce in their inquiries would have been taken advantage of. It is now quite obvious, Mr Speaker, that the honourable member for Archerfield does not have any evidence to back up his claims. Following my ministerial statement to Parliament yesterday, the honourable member for Archerfield virtually sprinted up to the "Press" room on level 6 of this buUding in a last-ditch bid to save his credibility. He made various panicky statements to the effect that it was not his responsibiUty to produce evidence. Again last night, on the television program "Today Tonight", the interviewer, John Barton, made a complete fool of the honourable member.